Wazzup Pilipinas News and Events

Tuesday, March 22, 2016

Domefied with the New Menu and Conno Card of Dome Cafe

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Dome Cafe has just launched their new Domefied Menu items and Connoisseur "Conno" Card.

They new Conno card, with a design showcasing the beauty of the store, is given to the restaurant's patrons so the cardholders will receive exclusive rewards, promos and special perks. All cardholders can avail of the 20% discount on the recently launched new food items until March 30, 2016.

The cardholder is entitled to the following benefits:

1. 10% discount for all purchases
2. Free one time drink of his choice from any of the handcrafted espresso beverages (except premium coffees) to be claimed upon purchase using the card
3. Exclusive partners to perks with partnrs and tie-ups
4. Exclusive invites to Dome special events
5. 20% discount on ne menu items within the first week of launch
6. Birthday treat for a minimum bill of P2500 within the birth month (requires presentation of valid ID card containing date of birth information)

In order to have the Conno card, one must have visited the restaurant at least 3 times and have their cards stamped. Once they have completed the 3 stamps, they will be given their Conno plastic cards and be eligible for wonderful benefits from Dome Cafe.

As always, the dishes served during the new menu launch were great. I personally liked the Grilled Salmon and the Vegetarian Sandwich. Perfect for summer was the introduction of their Coolers.

Acoustic nights are also featured every Friday and Saturday and comes with unlimited cocktails.

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Crystal clear water, white sand and unspoiled island - these are just my words when I saw Kalanggaman Island. Located in Palompon, Leyte, this island is yet another paradise.

About 2 to 3 hours travel time from Tacloban Airport by land and another 1 hour boat ride you’ll be able to see what Leyte has to be proud of. If you are travelling by group of 7 and up there are vans outside the airport for hire going directly to Palompon proper with reasonable rent prices.

I noticed that Palompon Tourism Office is well organized in people going in the island. Before we depart, they oriented us about rules and regulations in the island including waste management, they even gave us two colored big plastics to separate wastes from non-biodegradable and biodegradable. I must say that it is well maintained and not abused. Hooray for the management!

We planned to stay overnight in the lovely island so when we got in there in the afternoon, two groups of day tour beach bummers were already packing up. Yep! We were the only group that time exploring the island; it's like owning the paradise for a time. We rented a cottage and a bigger hut for overnight.

Be reminded that you have to bring your own food since there are no stores available in the island, you can do barbeques too, the caretakers provided us with concrete grill to use, just bring your own charcoal.

Wazzup Pilipinas!

There were over 1.6 Million tweets during the second Presidential Debate on 20 March 2016.

No hour and a half long wait quelled the fiery conversations that Filipino voters anticipated from yesterday’s second Presidential TV debate. The political showdown went on between Jejomar Binay, Rodrigo Duterte, Grace Poe, and Mar Roxas at the University of the Philippines in Cebu, despite the absence of Sen. Miriam Defensor-Santiago who had to excuse herself to undergo an experimental treatment for her medical condition.

There were over 1.6 million Tweets sent during the debate (from its scheduled broadcast of 4:30PM-9.30pm, 20 March 2016), boosting the #PiliPinasDebates2016 hashtag to the #1 Twitter trending topic not only in the Philippines, but also worldwide. The Twitter conversation peaked over 16,000 Tweets per minute around 6:49PM during the heated exchange between Senator Grace Poe (@SenGracePOE) and Vice President Jejomar Binay (@VPJojoBinay) on Freedom of Information bill.

“As we continue amplifying the sentiments of Filipinos over their presidential candidates, Twitter is giving each voter a voice to be heard by their fellow citizens to make a more informed voting decision,” said Pratiksha Rao, Twitter’s Head for Media Partnerships for Southeast Asia. “The second run of the #PiliPinasDebates2016 saw a higher level of engagement and Tweets than the first debate, proving that more and more Filipinos are joining the election conversation, analyzing the debates, and responding in real-time to the candidates’ answers, all on Twitter.”

Embeddable chart: http://reverb.twitter.com/view/689225780792313823

(Embed code: <iframe src='http://reverb.twitter.com/view/689225780792313823' width='768px' height='432px'></iframe> )

Wazzup Pilipinas!

“Let’s cross the bridge when we get there.”

This might sound really old but let’s face it, you’ll never know what lies ahead of you if you don’t take the first step and accept the challenge that you are now more than just a college graduate.

College has been a rollercoaster ride of sleepless nights and deadlines, juggling time for your happy moments and tight academic schedules. We know and we feel you.

Luckily, a lot of tools have helped you in that journey. In fact, these devices and technologies will be much more important to you now as you confidently enter the competitive - yet very rewarding – world of working professionals. And if you haven’t heard of Windows 10, the most productive, innovative and secure OS out there, then you’re definitely missing out.

Windows 10-powered 2-in-1 devices will allow you to transcend from personal to professional seamlessly, because there’s no need to choose whether to bring your laptop, tablet or phone – everything can be at the palm of your hand.

Whether you want to connect with friends while searching for job opportunities online, create an impressive resume while chatting with your college sweetheart, or make that first sales pitch while Minecraft runs in the background – Windows 10 2-in-1 devices lets you get stuff done, whether for work or play, professional or personal, at home, at work, or on the move.

Wazzup Pilipinas!

HISTORY premieres “Roots” on 31 May 2016, airing over four consecutive nights at 9pm (PH). The four-night, eight-hour event series developed by HISTORY, from A+E Studios, is a historical portrait of American slavery recounting the journey of one family and their will to survive and ultimately carry on their legacy despite hardship.

The stellar cast includesAcademy Award winners Forest Whitaker (“Fiddler”) and Anna Paquin(“Nancy Holt”); Academy Award nominee and Emmy Award winner Laurence Fishburne (“Alex Haley”); Golden Globe Award winning and Emmy Award nominated actor Jonathan Rhys Meyers (“Tom Lea”); Tony Award winner Anika Noni Rose (“Kizzy”); Grammy Award winner Tip “T.I.” Harris(“Cyrus”); Chad L. Coleman (“Mingo”);EmayatzyCorinealdi (“Belle”); Matthew Goode (“Dr. William Waller”);Derek Luke (“Silla Ba Dibba”); MekhiPhifer (“Jerusalem”); James Purefoy (“John Waller”); Erica Tazel (“Matilda”)and introducesRegé-Jean Page (“Chicken George”) and Malachi Kirby (“KuntaKinte”).

“’Roots’ will allow new audiences to experience this epic family saga with a new vision that is both inspiring and tremendously entertaining,” said Paul Buccieri, President of A&E and HISTORY. “We are proud that HISTORY will be able to bring new life to this powerful story that remains as important today as it did when the original ‘Roots’ first premiered.”

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Galleria Duemila proudly presents Days of Creation, a solo exhibition by Marc Gaba. The works in Days of Creation rose out of the artist’s inexplicable desire to revisit the church in 2015, which led to analytic readings of the first chapter of the Bible. Unlike the second chapter which focuses on the so-called fall of man, the first chapter is pure magic--magic that is according to Giorgio Agamben, the key premise of happiness.

In Gaba’s readings, he was struck by how the first chapter consistently reimagines the creation of difference, of delineations, and that read as an architectural program, seems to prefigure God’s eventual invisibility, if not the curious absence. At this day and age, it is almost ridiculous to believe that the world was created—and yet, to walk down any street in the city while entertaining the idea imbues everything from lowly shrubs to sleeping beggar-children with a large sacredness that feels like an all-encompassing love. Everything was created. Gaba’s credo is that whether or not creationism is true, the world is an unfinished work of creation, and as long as we exist, we are still creating the world.

Marc Gaba’s art presents pictures of relation. A relation is invisible: to create an image of relation that forecloses it from its exclusively figural terms therefore involves serial delineations of conceptual territory as well as wagers on the existent. Multi-disciplinarity is one of the formal strategies of the practice. As spaces, images are simultaneously open and opaque; thus seeing his work subtly forwarding an ethic of experientiality, where relation is an active immanence. Each artwork is a claim that its image of relation is possible, and his work ventures that _within_ the sphere of the contemporary, only the possible is real.

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Harte Hanks , a leader in customer engagement and interaction-led marketing, is consolidating its Manila operations and adding room for hundreds of new employees with the opening on April 21 of the company’s BPO-call center at the Mall of Asia (MOA) Complex, in Pasay City.

Harte Hanks Philippines, a subsidiary of the US-based marketing company currently employs about 2,000 people in its main and secondary locations in Metro Manila.

The move allows the company, which has established its presence in Asia-Pacific with the launching of its call center in the Philippines over a decade ago, to integrate the secondary locations with the Pasay facility.

“We have been always impressed by the skill and dedication of our employees in Manila and look forward to sustaining our growth here,” said Jonathan Bondoc Harte Hanks Manila-based Site Director, in a statement.

Among Harte Hanks’ clients are companies known worldwide in information technology, computer software, sports media, banking, mobile phone and health insurance industries.

Wazzup Pilipinas!

With an increased number of travelers expected in the coming days due to the annual observance of Holy Week, the Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) has launched Oplan Ligtas Biyahe: Semana Santa 2016 last March 18 to ensure the safety and reliability of various modes of transportation.

All transportation agencies have been mandated to implement heightened security measures at terminals and enhanced services, which include the deployment of additional personnel in airports, sea ports, bus terminals, and highways. To address passenger needs and emergencies, facilities, such as public assistance desks, first-aid stations, additional seats, and charging stations, have been set up.

More frequent worthiness inspections on aircrafts, ships, and buses and random drug and alcohol testing will be done to make sure that these means of transport are compliant with safety standards and the personnel are not under the influence while conveying passengers.

The Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) has instructed airline companies to deploy more personnel at check-in counters for efficient processing, shortening queues. Travelers are reminded not to bring prohibited items to the airport and to stow all belongings in one’s carry-on baggage for faster processing at the screening checkpoints.

Storytelling as a Basic Instinct: Egg Theater Company Presents the Filipino Translation of Martin Mcdonagh’s The Pillowman

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After the brief festival run of its productions, Maniacal (Fringe Manila 2015) and Schism (Fringe Manila 2016), Egg Theater Company presents its first full-run production with a Filipino Translation of Martin McDonagh’s The Pillowman.

Winner of the 2004 Olivier Award for Best Play and Tony-Nominated in 2005 for Best Play, The Pillowman is about a writer in an unidentified totalitarian state being interrogated about his gruesome and macabre short stories that has inspired a series of child murders. The Pillowman is a dark comedy that boldly exhibits the riveting power of narrative and how storytelling and invention of fantastical tales is a basic human instinct. With the coming elections and the incessant specter of dictatorships and martial law, this production resonates with its exploration of the fine line between the freedom of an individual to tell a story and its impact on the security of society.

Palanca awardee and Egg Theater Company co-founder, George de Jesus III in translating and directing The Pillowman, remarks, “In examining the dark side of imagination and creativity, the play probes into how stories are created, the motivation that drives a writer to tell a story and the responsibility of a writer on the impact of what he has written. Put that against a totalitarian-state setting and we get a play that are by turns disturbingly funny and emotionally shocking. Given that the play is set in an unnamed totalitarian state, translating it into Filipino affords us not only in making it somehow familiar but it also further fuels the idea of it possibly becoming real.”

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And the winner in the 2nd Presidential PiliPinas Debates 2016 is...... Luchi Cruz-Valdez!

This debate didn't help me figure out who I want to be President. What it did was help me figure out who I don't want to sit in the Malacanan Palace. The most important thing that Filipinos shall face right now is to assess the truth based from what they heard or seen - on and off camera?

Seriously, I think what happened behind the scenes can tell us a lot about the candidates' characters. Which ones are sincere and true to their words, but able to act accordingly? Choosing is not easy.

Something appealing, something appalling, it was a comedy because it was super hilarious. But definitely the remarks were superlatively serious yet extremely funny because it seems like fireworks exploded in this Cebu debate as the presidential bets tangle on and off camera.

Despite the delay caused by the Binay camp insisting on bringing in notes during the debate proper because the moderator told them they could, the 2nd #PiliPinasDebates2016 is still a big improvement from the first one done at GMA were the two moderators, especially Mr. Imbestigador, were more like a joke!

There were lots of minutes wasted on personal attacks and accusations! The issues were very slightly answered! Honestly, they are starting to look like nuisance candidates. We would like to inform the esteemed Presidential candidates that the Philippines has much bigger problems than your egos.

Wazzup Pilipinas Mobile App: Get Ready to Become Concerned Citizen Correspondents

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Philippines!!!! Get ready for the Wazzup Pilipinas Mobile App!!!!!

Soon to be developed is our very own Wazzup Pilipinas mobile app that will not only send to your mobile phones the latest news and stories from the Wazzup Pilipinas blog site, but it will also engage the readers to post their own breaking news, stories, announcements, warnings, even selfies and groupfies, using their smartphones and will be posted directly on a special section of our blog.

This will make our readers the citizen correspondents of Wazzup Pilipinas! Using the smartphone's camera, they can take photos of any ongoing crime, accident, disobedience, vandalism, theft, etc. It can also be used to give updates or warnings on disasters or calamities like storm, earthquakes, fires, landslides, etc. The fun side is our readers can also send in photos of noble deeds in action, and give praises to heroes such as taxi drivers who returned a passenger's wallet, a young man who helped an old lady cross the street, etc. Also, users can post selfies or groupfies with famous personalities, tourist spots, or shots of their food from a restaurant. ...and a lot more possibilities!

What makes this app different from what we currently have right now? It's fully customizable for the Wazzup Pilipinas blog site, the self-declared Pambansang Blog ng Pilipinas! This means all your requests for changes, modifications or enhancement can be done if appropriate and necessary. We will listen to you as communications will always be on a two-way basis.

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"Fuel your appetite! Amp up your taste buds with electrifying deliciousness! This is not your ordinary wash-and-go restaurant concept. Staying true to its goals of serving 1000 kilowatts of electrifying good food to everyone, not only do they serve Pizza, Burrito and Chicken to power-up their customers, but they also generate green energy to power-up our restaurant, contributing a solution to conserve energy one burrito at a time."

The Megawatt Tex-Mex Pizza Chicken Burrito Restaurant is impressively unique. I liked it for somehow being a Hollywood action superhero movie-themed restaurant. Upon entering the restaurant, you will feel like you're in a Marvel Comic's Ironman or Avengers movie setting. I believe the real intention was to create a sort of power plant themed restaurant but since most high-tech superhero movie has adapted similar looks for their superhero headquarters or base of operations, everything feels like you're taking part in a movie shoot.

While your eating their Burgers, Pizzas, Lasagnas, Tacos, Burritos, Rice Meals, Fries, or any Megawatt meal combos on disposable utensils, you may pair them with your choice of coffee, juice, beer, tea or imported drinks. Like pairing the Bundaberg's with a Jack Daniels Beef and Mushroom or Burritos - one of the best paired meal of the newly opened restaurant this year.

Tex-Mex cuisine is characterized by its heavy use of shredded cheese, meat (particularly beef and pork), beans, and spices, so it's very evident at the Megawatt restaurant. Your orders are served by men wearing full jumpsuit like that worn by mechanics or engineers. The theme is completed with a construction worker safety cap or head gear like what you can find in a Super Mario & Luigi brothers game. I may now consider this sport-action themed restaurant as one of my fave restaurants among the others like Howzat, Army Navy and National Sports Grill.

I like the chicken and chips, it taste good with the secret 12 spices of crunchiness that was just right. The packaging and serving are undeniably creative. Each dish in the menu was crafted to almost perfection by a group of friends who love to eat and cook. You can feel the seemingly Ironman Megawatt energy flowing within as you grab a bite of every dish.

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Save the date! April 29, 30 and May 1!!! 3 events in the most beautiful island of Boracay!

We invite you to once again Unleash The Animal Within in Boracay, our country's most notorious party beach, for 3 massive nights of parties!

First up, Jungle Circuit Party Neon! A black light & paint party on April 29, Friday at the beachfront of Wave Bar & Lounge, station 2!

Music by 10 of the Top DJs of the Philippines plus 1 of the most sought after international circuit party DJs in Asia!

Tickets will be available on march 23 at all SM cinemas nationwide.

For inquiries and reservation kindly contact 0917 861 5747. Follow us on our Facebook and Instagram accounts.

SuperCharge Your Summer with TropicalSwells SurfCamp

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Wouldn't you want the summer season to happen all throughout the year? It's the most highly anticipated time of the year when most can enjoy a long vacation minus the rainy or gloomy weather. Now that March is here, summer is just around the corner, and everyone is hoping it would last longer and go beyond the months of June!

Since the Philippines has its fair share of wet months, the sunny months would be the busiest time for resort owners especially when their location also has many popular attractions that guests can visit while staying at the their hotel.

And, what does that mean? Sun. Sand. And SURF! Why not?

You can have all three if you visit the beaches where the waves are high and strong enough to keep you afloat above your surfboard. I would love to learn but since I'm a bit overweight and too old to always bum in the beaches, I may Beach is a favorite thing to do with the family as it offers an opportunity to bond while having fun at the same time.

All of us already know that surfing is an exhilarating extreme sport. Immersing yourself into a surfer’s culture brings benefits that make it one of the most unique and fulfilling experiences of your life.

Wazzup Pilipinas!

A formal signing of the agreement between the Department of Tourism (DOT), Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Authority (TIEZA) and GrAT - Center for Appropriate Technology will be held on March 21, 2016 at Hotel Jen Manila.

The agreement concerns collaboration within the Project Zero Carbon Resorts (ZCR) towards Sustainable Development of the Tourism Sector in the Philippines and Thailand. The project aims at contributing to sustainable development in the tourism sector and its value chain.

It has a focus on value creation with less resource consumption and CO2 emissions. The project helps SMEs in the tourism sector to reduce energy and resource costs with a proven methodology to continuously improve the energy and resource efficiency.

Over the last 4 years the ZCR methods have shown remarkable results in economic returns, environmental improvement, and international recognition for the participating companies (www.zerocarbonresorts.eu). This project is funded by the European Union´s (EU) SWITCH Asia program to promote sustainable consumption and production.