Wazzup Pilipinas News and Events

Tuesday, May 31, 2016

Jordan Clarkson Takes in Manila, Inspires Tenement Kids and Watches an Ateneo-La Salle Game

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A tour of the Walled City, a workout with young ballers and a classic basketball rivalry highlight Jordan Clarkson’s last day in Manila

“Nike athlete Jordan Clarkson kicked off his second day in visit to Manila with a cultural and historical lesson at Intramuros. He then stopped by Tenement Court in Taguig, and brought Nike We Rise training to Kerry Sports at the Fort. There he took part in their training drills, played a few mini-games and even indulged in a session of “running man” with the We Rise players. He ended his visit to Manila by spectating the Ateneo – La Salle basketball match at San Juan Arena.”

Jordan Clarkson surprised the We Rise players of the Tenement Court by bringing their training session to Kerry Sports at The Fort. He took part in the drills and played mini games with the We Rise players.

Nike athlete Jordan Clarkson visits the We Rise players at a training session at Tenement Court in Taguig City

Nike athlete Jordan Clarkson takes a shot of the Philippines’ national hero Jose Rizal in historic Fort Santiago

Health Cube Imaging Center Opens at BTTC Centre San Juan

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Congratulations to Health Cube for the formal inauguration of their Health Cube Imaging Center held on May 30, 2016 at the BTTC Centre building located at 288 Ortigas Avenue corner Roosevelt Street, San Juan City.

We were invited to attend the formal opening and ribbon cutting ceremonies of this new clinic which specializes on three services namely Computerized Toography Scan or more popularly known as CT Scan, 3D Mammography and Bone Densitometry.

The new center, already operational early this year, is just a few blocks away from their Greenhills Promenade clinic and offers the mentioned advance medical imaging service to serve their valued clients.

Health Cube is a premier medical facility in the heart of Metro Manila that provides personalized outpatient health care. The newly established imaging center would further enhance the capability of the brand to provide better health services.

The expansion would not stop here as they are looking into establishing similar clinics in other locations.

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Metro Manila is most problematic in the deployment of new cell sites with main issues ranging from social acceptability, neighbors’ opposition and homeowners associations’ restrictions due to aesthetic reasons, family conflicts and political bickering among local government officials, Globe Telecom said.

Globe plans to build more cell sites in Metro Manila as part of its initiative to continue building on its network capacities for faster internet experience of its customers nationwide. “Metro Manila is critical in the deployment of new cell sites as many of our customers are also concentrated in this area. However, there is a myriad of issues that restrains realization of our plans to establish more cell sites in the area and improve the internet experience of our customers” said Joel Agustin, Globe Senior Vice President for Program Governance, Network Technical Group.

For instance, many home owners oppose the deployment of cell sites in their villages due to a perceived health risk. To this, Agustin emphasized that the World Health Organization, cancer.org, UNICEF and the Philippine Department of Health have already addressed such concerns, emphasizing that cell sites do not pose any health hazard. In fact, these organizations have expressed support for the use of mobile phones and the technology in their various health projects.

Agustin also said that prior to installation of cell site equipment, the health department, as commissioned by the National Telecommunications Commission, also grants permits to make sure emissions from cell sites are within set standards and not harmful to health. It is also under the discretion of the health department to continuously monitor the emission settings of the cell site equipment after installation. The international exposure guidelines are set by the International Commission on Non Ionizing Radiation Protection and the Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers.

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Cannes is known for its association with the rich and famous, luxury hotels and restaurants, and as a host city of the annual Cannes Film Festival.
It was big news to hear about Jaclyn Jose winning the Best Actress award at the 69th Cannes Film Festival held on May 18, 2016. This is the first time that a Filipina won this prestigious recognition, and the whole country should be very proud of this accomplishment. Thanks to award-winning director Brillante Mendoza's Ma' Rosa film, the Philippines has another significant achievement to boast to the world.

Bu it seems, there was another winning moment in France when our very own former beauty queen, Maria Isabel Lopez, stole the spotlight away from the movie's director and main stars. Even Andi Eigenmann would be envious of how the former beauty queen slayed the red carpet pictorials.

The former Pinay beauty queen still got it! Pageantry still runs in her blood. She’s still been making heads turn since she first won the Binibining Pilipinas-Universe crown in 1982, but Ma’ Rosa actress Maria Isabel Lopez proved she still has it when she struck a pose in her fabulous jaw-dropping emerald gown designed by internationally-acclaimed fashion designer Albert Andrada.

Maria Isabel Lopez did it again at the Lumina Event Fashion Show dubbed as Illuminate: Ignite the Light held at One Esplanade at the Mall of Asia Complex in Pasay city. World class Pinay beauty queens all gathered together in one event but Maribel's iconic green gown undoubtedly wowed the audience a lot more. She is truly a "kabogera" and I so love it!

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The Philippines’ all-girls team, the SEA Gals, crossed the finish line in Paris, France together with 157 other successful teams out of the original 165 at this year’s Red Bull Can You Make It? after traveling a total of 2,424 kilometers as they passed through 5 countries in 7 days from April 12 to 19, 2016.

Throughout their week-long journey, the team only had their wits, skills, charm, and Red Bull cans to trade for food, accommodations, and transportation in European city after European city.

The three University of the Philippines Diliman architecture students – Nadine Balaccua, Alison Estabaya, and Nikki Palma – kicked off the competition in Florence, Italy and made their way northwards to Innsbruck, Austria; across Munich and Stuttgart, Germany down south to Lauterbrunnen, Switzerland; and boarded their final train straight to Paris, France.

“Every country had its own merits, but Switzerland was our favorite! For one thing, the people there spoke good English, making trades and communication so much easier. Getting to Switzerland from Germany also proved to be really easy because we met someone who gave us tickets to Basel (the French-Swiss-German border)… Getting to the Lauterbrunnen checkpoint was just so unbelievably smooth that we couldn’t believe it. And the mountain holiday park – Camping Jungfrau – that the checkpoint was located in just sealed our initial impression of Switzerland,” the SEA Gals shared.

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The Amir Sali collection during the Philippine Fashion Week Holiday 2016 had everyone gawking from start to finish at the sophisticated and classy masterpieces. It was a collection of elegant and exquisite dresses done in white and high-shine gold.

It is not everyday we get to see an impressive line-up that truly captivates the senses. They were exquisitely crafted by a true visionary of the fashion industry.

European-trained Filipino designer Amir Sali is top-notch in every aspect. The industry’s “Prince of Beads” proved his right to the title by showcasing a collection that had no shortage of luster. He played around with shimmer, tassels, and feathers. No two of his gowns are alike! Each is a masterpiece of embroidery, beadwork and other embellishment.

The internationally-acclaimed Filipino master couturier from Jolo, Sulu worked for 17 years in Egypt and in Saudi Arabia, where among his loyal Middle Eastern clientele were the royal families and other Arabian elites. This is probably why his works are so regal in nature. You wouldn't want anything less.

His collection truly wowed the crowd! From royals to runway, Amir Sali lavished the 20th Philippine Fashion Week at Discovery Primea over the weekend with his intricate beadwork on varying shades of white.

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The Patapat Viaduct is a 1.3 km long concrete coastal bridge that's 31 m above sea level making it the fourth longest bridge in the country. It can be found in the municipality of Pagudpud in Ilocos Norte to connect the Maharlika Highway in Laoag to the Cagayan Valley region.

This bridge, built during the 80s, is around 16 kilometers from Pagudpud, Ilocos Norte. That's between 30 minutes to 1 hour of travel depending on the speed of your vehicle. Pagudpud, on the other hand, is around 570 kilometers from Manila. But the computations would be different because we all know the traffic congestion coming out of Manila is devastating.

Not surprising, the bridge has become a tourist attraction not just because of its length or snake-like shape, but also because of the scenic surroundings as it is situated between the greenish mountain and the bluish sea.

Since the country is composed primarily of several islands, bridges are necessary to help everyone to easily commute or travel greater distances when the means of flight is not accessible or necessary. Traveling by road, though longer, is of course more affordable.

For tourists, road trips can also be fun as you get to spend more time bonding with your friends or families and we also get to enjoy the scenery along the way. I guess it's the best way to appreciate the world around us instead of flying to our destination where most people won't get to enjoy the view from below.

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Hannah's Beach Resort and Convention Center is a postcard picture wonder located in Barangay Balaoi, Sitio Malingay in Pagudpud, Ilocos Norte. Even before entering Hannah's Beach Resort and Convention Center, one would already feel a sense of being at peace with nature. The sprawling mountains, the breathtaking views of the sea, and the sight of windmills all pave the way for the perfect getaway experience to come.

This seven-hectare exclusive paradise, nestled among endless turquoise waters and powdery white sand in Pagudpud, is emerging to be the crown jewel of Ilocos Norte. It is bounded by large forests and cliffs and an expansive sea. Literally carved from the earth are cliffs that jot out of the sea shore serving as a natural backdrop of the cove.

Hannah's Beach Resort and Convention Center is a place filled with wonders for all ages -like the many adorable statues of familiar characters and images like fastfood restaurant mascots and Disney fairy tales, dinosaurs, helicopter and soldiers, the POTUS, a smaller replica of the Statue of Liberty, plus many more.

They also have the zip-line situated along the beach that would surely be a favorite for those who want extreme and fun action. There's something for everyone so that you'll be able to easily create wonderful memories here.

Below are several photos to persuade you more that this place should be your next destination.

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In this era of heightened environmental consciousness and the global drive to develop and use “green” power, windmills are on top of the pile of choices. They do not cause pollution, require no fuel, do not create greenhouse gases, and produce no waste.

The Bangui Windmills of Bangui, Ilocos Norte is the first “Wind Farm” in the Philippines consists of wind turbines on-shore facing the South China Sea and considered to be the biggest in Southeast. Asia. These gargantuan windmills are spread across a 6.5 km stretch or about 236 meters of the grey sand beach.

Standing 70 meters above ground and arranged in an arc spanning a total of nine kilometers straddling nine barangays, the windmills are difficult to miss, even by those who are several kilometers away.

The windmills, officially referred to as the NorthWind Bangui Bay Project, aren’t there as whimsical adornments to the local landscape, because they actually provide forty percent (40%) of Ilocos Norte's 600,000 population's power requirements making Bangui the capital of green energy in the Philippines.

NorthWind Power Development Corporation, the Manila-based company that runs the farm, reported a P70-million annual savings passed on to consumers in the form of cheaper power rates.

There are actually three wind locations in Ilocos Norte, namely, the 33-MW Bangui Windmills, operated by NorthWind Power Development Corp.; and the wind farms in Burgos (150 MW), owned by the Energy Development Corp. (EDC), and Pagudpud (81 MW), of the North Luzon Renewable Energy Corp. (NLREC).

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The Department of Health (DOH) in collaboration with the Local Government of Zamboanga City intensifies its surveillance and health promotion activities on sanitation and water safety after a diarrhea outbreak was reported in the city due to rotavirus, norovirus, and adenovirus.

Last March, 2016, increasing cases of acute gastroenteritis (AGE) were reported from different hospitals in Zamboanga City. As of May 25, 2016 a total of 2,936 cases were admitted in eleven hospitals within Zamboanga City. Cases started to appear on March 28, 2016 and peaked on April 3-5, 2016. There were 22 deaths reported. The said deaths are due to other associated illnesses acquired by the patient like pneumonia, dehydration, malnutrition and myocardial infarction (heart attack)

In addition, cases of AGE were also reported in Isabela City, Basilan and Zamboanga City and Sulu. As of May 20, 2016, a total of 201 cases were seen in four hospitals of Isabela City, Basilan, and Zamboanga City while 1,706 AGE cases were reported in Sulu. Cases in Isabela City, Basilan and Zamboanga City appeared on March 29, 2016 and peaked on April 24, 2016. There were no deaths reported within Isabela City, Basilan, and Zamboanga City while 23 deaths due to other associated illnesses were reported in Sulu. Further verification on barangays with highest attack rates is ongoing.

"Currently, DOH is closely coordinating with the City of Zamboanga to address the diarrhea outbreak. All water sources found positive for fecal coliforms and Escherichia coli were chlorinated and disinfected so it will be safe for human consumption. This also includes distribution of jerry cans to affected areas and information dissemination to the public on the importance of proper hygiene." Health Secretary Janette P. Loreto-Garin explained.