Department of Energy's Response to Duterte's SONA

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Here is the response of the Department of Energy (DOE) to the recent State of the Nation Address (SONA) of President Rodrigo Roa Duterte last Monday (July 25, 2016) at the Batansang Pambansa Complex.


a) Stand on Coal

The Department of Energy supports President Rodrigo R. Duterte on accelerating economic growth by implementing energy policies that will meet the country’s specific requirements, especially baseload capacities.

The DOE is mandated to ensure energy supply as the country is still in the process of industrialization. It should be emphasized that the Philippines, as a developing country, has low carbon emissions. The country must therefore use whatever energy resources are available and affordable for power generation.

b) Direct access to electricity by the marginalized sectors and informal settlers as well as settlers in relocation sites:

(Please refer to attached PR on DOE Strengthens Partnership with MERALCO)

Oil Industry

a) Oil Price Adjustments:

STATEMENT: Prices of petroleum product will decrease by 10 cents (gasoline), 35 cents (diesel) and 30 cents (kerosene) due to weak demand in Asian market caused by heavy rains in large oil-consuming countries like China and India, and the stronger peso. Chevron, Eastern Petroleum, Flying V, Petron and Seaoil implemented price rollback today (26 July) at 12:01 a.m., while City Oil, Jetti, Phoenix Petroleum, PTT and Shell effected rollback at 6:00 a.m.

Power Industry

a) Ilijan Underpayments of San Miguel:

STATEMENT: The termination will have no effect on the operations of the Ilijan plant, as the plant is being operated by the Korea Electric Power Corporation (KEPCO) through KEPCO Ilijan Corporation.

The contract termination promotes consumers’ interest as the collection of outstanding amount will translate to a reduction of NPC stranded debts that will be recovered through the universal charge. The unpaid amount of SPPC forms part of the privatization proceeds to be utilized to liquidate the financial obligations of National Power Corporation (NPC) pursuant to the EPIRA. This was noted by the Commission on Audit in its qualified opinion for PSALM’s 2014 Annual Report wherein it cited that collections from SPPC are not sufficient to pay for the capacity fees and energy fees due to IPP, fuel expenses and other related expenses necessary for the operation of the said Power Plant, and for the amortization of the outstanding loans of PSALM.

DETAILS: The management and control of the contracted energy output of the Ilijan Plant was transferred to San Miguel Corporation (SMC) on 26 June 2010 as it posted the highest bid of USD870 million (USD870,000,473) and complied with all the Administrator Conditions Precedent. SMC later assigned the IPPA Administration Agreement (AA) to its wholly-owned subsidiary South Premiere Power Corporation (SPPC).

Under the terms of the Ilijan AA, SPPC has the obligation to pay PSALM generation payments and fixed monthly payments.

b) Universal Charge Application of Power Sector Assets and Liabilities Management (PSALM):

STATEMENT: The Department of Energy is studying all options how to lower the universal charge being passed on to consumers. This is one of the mechanisms that the DOE is considering to lower the price of electricity. We hope to come up with a win-win solution for all affected stakeholders.


DETAILS:

a. Universal Charge Remittances, Interests & Disbursements Charge Remittances, Interests & Disbursements

As of 31 May 2016, remittances of collecting entities (CEs) to PSALM amounted to PhP94.817 billion with interest earnings from deposits and placements of UC funds amounted to PhP0.147 billion. On the other hand, UC fund disbursement amounted to PhP94.496 billion. Below are the details of UC remittances, interests and disbursements:

UC Collections as of 31 May 2016 (in Billion PhP)

Particulars	Remittances	Interests	Disbursements	Balance
Special Trust Fund –  Missionary Electrification (ME)   NPC-SPUG	55.260	0.044	55.289	0.015
Special Trust Fund – ME Renewable Energy Developer Cash Incentive (REDCI)	0.246	0.000	0.141	0.105
Special Trust Fund – Environmental Charge (EC)	1.721	0.095	1.491	0.325
Special Trust Fund – Stranded Contract Cost (SCC)	37.590	0.008	37.575	0.023
TOTAL	94.817	0.147	94.496	0.468

      Source: PSALM

Accounting for the inflows and outflows of the UC fund leaves it with a balance of about PhP0.468 billion as of 31 May 2016.

b. Remittances for CY 2016

For the period November, 2015 to May, 2016, PSALM received Php13.945 billion in UC remittances broken down as follows:

UC Remittances to PSALM for the period November 2015 to May 2016 (In Php Billion)

 

Month	UC-ME (NPC-SPUG)	UC-ME (REDCI)	UC – EWR	UC - SCC	Total/Month
November	0.906*	0.010*	0.015	1.142	2.073
December	0.844	0.010	0.013*	1.048	1.915
January	0.917	0.010	0.015	1.145	2.087
February	0.858	0.009*	0.014	1.075	1.956
March	0.826	0.009	0.013	1.031	1.879
April	0.904	0.010	0.015	1.126	2.055
May	0.870	0.010	0.014	1.086	1.980
Total	6.125	0.068	0.099	7.653	13.945

Source: PSALM * Difference of .001 with previous reports was due to rounding off

c. Disbursements for CY 2016

For the period November, 2015 to May, 2016, PSALM disbursed a total amount of Php13.810 billion to UC beneficiaries as follows:

UC Disbursements of PSALM for the Period November 2015 – May  2016 (in Php Billion)Month	ME (NPC-SPUG)	ME (REDCI)	UC-SCC1/	Total/Month
November 2015	0.906*	0.003	1.143	2.052
December 2015	0.834	-	1.036	1.870
January	0.925	-	1.151	2.076
February	0.857	0.002	1.075	1.934
March	0.823	0.006	1.026	1.855
April	0.915	0.004	1.149	2.068
May	0.872	0.007	1.076	1.955
Total	6.132	0.022	7.656	13.810

For the period January to May 2016, PSALM disbursed PhP4.392 billion to NPC-SPUG to fund missionary electrification functions, chargeable against the UC-ME fund. This is pursuant to the following ERC Decisions/Orders:

Date	Particulars	ERC Case No.
12 August 2013	ERC Decision on CY 2011 True-up Adjustments (PhP4.651 billion)	2012-085 RC
10 October 2013	ERC Decision on CY 2010 True-up Adjustments (PhP2.566 billion)	2012-046 RC
03 November 2013 & 17 August 2015	ERC Order on CY 2015 UC-ME Subsidy	2014-135 RC
20 April 2015	ERC Order on CY 2014 UC-ME Subsidy (PhP2.763 billion)	2012-85

In accordance with the ERC decision dated 28 January 2013 under Case No. 2011-091 RC, the amount of PhP5.477 billion was transferred from the UC-SCC STF to the UC-SCC SFA for the period January to May 2016.


d. ERC Approved UC Rates

The table below shows the ERC-approved UC rates being implemented as of 31 May 2016:

Type of UC	PhP/kWh
UC-ME	0.1561
UC-EC	0.0025
UC-SCC	0.1938
Total	0.3524

c) SPEX/Malampaya Arbitration:

STATEMENT: The Department of Energy’s thrust is to take a nationalistic approach, which requires a unified stand by the various agencies of government involved to protect the rights and interests of Filipinos.

DETAILS:

Updates on COA (Commission Proper, Local Proceedings):

·        Pending resolution of the Motion for Reconsideration filed by SPEX & Chevron.

·    COA held hearings on June 7 and 27, 2016, in which SPEX and Chevron presented additional documents and witnesses, including former PM Cesar Virata, former DOE Sec. Raphael Lotilla, and former DOE Undersecretary Rufino Bomasang.

·        SPEX and Chevron filed their Memorandum on 04 July 2016.

Updates on International Chamber of Commerce Arbitration (Venue: Singapore)

·        The GRP challenged the jurisdiction of the ICC tribunal.

·       May 2016 - ICC Tribunal decided to first hear the jurisdictional issues and will hold hearings thereon in November 2016.

  

Updates on International Centre for the Settlement of Investment Disputes Arbitration (Venue: Washington, USA)

·        June 27,2016 – SPEX filed the Request for Arbitration (RFA)

·      June 28, 2016 – ICSID acknowledged receipt of the RFA and notified the Office of the Solicitor General and the PH Embassy in Washington DC about said filing of the RFA.

·        July 20, 2016 – ICSID registered the RFA.

d) Agus-Pulangui Privatization Stand per Conversation with Electric Coops:

e) DOE Discussion with PSALM/Department of Finance on Continuing Privatization of Power Assets:

STATEMENT (d/e): The Department of Energy anchors its directions on the merits of the EPIRA. For Malaya Thermal, it is targeted to be bid out by 2018. The DOE will consult the legislative body on privatizing the Agus & Pulangi Hydro Complexes.

Meanwhile, the sale of Bataan Thermal and Bataan Gas Turbines is still pending subject to the resolution of the court involving their assets.

DETAILS:

Indicative Privatization Schedule

Schedule of Privatization for Generating Assets as of 30 June 2016

Asset Type/ Plant Name	Rated Capacity (MW)	Bid Date		Turnover Date
Owned Generating Plants
Malaya Thermal	650.00		1st Semester 2018	2nd Semester 2018
Agus 1 & 2 Hydro	260.00		2017 Subject to consultation with Congress as provided under the EPIRA
Agus 4 & 5 Hydro	213.10
Agus 6 & 7 Hydro	254.00
Pulangui Hydro	255.00
Decommissioned Plants
Sucat Thermal	850.00		2nd Semester 2016	2nd Semester 2016
Bataan Thermal	175.00		Sale/disposal is subject to resolution of court cases involving the asset
Bataan Gas Turbines	120.00

Source: PSALM

PSALM requested DOE for “no objection” on the transfer of ownership and physical possession of PB 104 to SPC Island Corporation (SIPC) relative to its privatization. The DOE in its memorandum dated 27 June 2016 advised PSALM that it does not object to the said transfer of PB 104 to SIPC in line with the agreements reached during the 22 December 2015 PSALM Board Meeting.

f) DOE Direction for NEA on Continuing Mess at Albay Electric Cooperative:

STATEMENT: The Department of Energy (DOE) will continue to closely monitor the concerns of ailing distribution utilities/electric cooperatives to finally resolve their financial obligations and help them improve their operations. Coordination with PEMC is continuing.

DETAILS:

1. Financial and Operational Parameters

NEA classified ALECO in 2015 as one of the ailing ECs based on the following financial & operational parameters which are not complied with under RA 10531 guidelines, as per its latest submission of data on April 30, 2016:

·      Insufficient Cash General Fund to cover the one month working capital for power and non-power cost;

·        The EC’s collection efficiency is only 84.43% which is below the 95% standard of NEA;

·        The EC posted a net margin of Php 8.529 million;

·    The EC’s networth is negative Php76.254 million, its liabilities is almost Php2.731 billion;

·       The EC posted a systems loss of 20.46% which is higher than the 13% systems loss cap.

2) Financial Status (Payables)

·       ALECO has a total of Php1,161.884 million power payables:

Agency	Amount (Php’000)
APRI	Php 29.400 Million	As of  June 30, 2016
PEMC - Current             - Arrears TOTAL	Php 124.907 Million Php 982.844 Million PhP 1,107.751 Million	As of July, 2016
PSALM	Php 2.320 Million	As of April 30, 2016
NGCP	Php 22.413M	As of  June 30, 2016

As of March 11, 2016, ALECO’s Operations Manager, Mr. Balgemino informed DOE that the Concession Agreement is sufficient for PEMC to defer the payment arrears amounting to PhP 1.240 billion. Mr. Balgemino also informed DOE that the Concession Agreement is sufficient for PEMC to know that APEC is now taking care of the business of ALECO. On APEC’s current arrears in the amount of PhP78.678 million, APEC sent a request for restructuring of their current power payables with payment terms of twelve months starting March 15, 2016 on top of their current bills.

Renewable Energy

a) Additional Approval on 2nd wave of Feed-in Tariff for Solar:

STATEMENT: The Technical Audit teams will assist us in deciding on the area and the rate to be considered in hosting renewable energy (RE) projects.

The area, meaning Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao, can even include specific islands that can accommodate more RE projects and consider an energy mix of baseload, mid-merit and peaking plants. The rates will be evaluated so that these will result in minimal cost to consumers.

DOE Strengthens Partnership with MERALCO

Wazzup Pilipinas!

DOE-identified houses in Isla Puting Bato were energized as beneficiaries of intensified electrification activities.

The Department of Energy (DOE) has strengthened its partnership with the Manila Electric Company (MERALCO), the largest distribution company in the country, to better serve electricity consumers within its franchise area.

Energy Secretary Alfonso G. Cusi held a dialogue with MERALCO to discuss issues and concerns encountered by the utility, such as right-of-way, various on-going construction works, peace and order, and other barriers to the immediate energization of target communities.

After the initial meeting last July 07 with MERALCO, a total of 2,082 households were energized from 08 July to 24 July 2016 in the DOE-identified communities. MERALCO installed combined regular service and pre-paid electricity service schemes for the new household connections.

A total of 1,126 households were energized by MERALCO through a partnership with the National Housing Authority in the towns of Gaya-Gaya (Towerville), San Jose del Monte, Balagtas, Sta. Maria, Angono, Cainta, Marikina, Rosario, San Pedro, Calamba, and San Pablo.

For the Elevated Metering Center, a total 99 house connections were installed in Isla Puting Bato and Parola Area in Manila.

Meanwhile, a total of 857 homes were energized in the Happy Land Aroma and BASECO Compound in Tondo, España, Malate, Tutuban, Balagtas, Balintawak, Parañaque City, and Caloocan City in Metro Manila, Malolos in Bulacan, Calamba City and San Pedro in Laguna, Lucena City in Quezon, and Masinag in Antipolo City, Rizal through the Relocatees and Informal Settlers (RAISE) Program of MERALCO.

In the same meeting, Sec. Cusi and MERALCO President Oscar S. Reyes vowed to help people living below the poverty line to have access to electricity.

Sec. Cusi also suggested that MERALCO should check relocation sites, particularly those that pose potential fire hazards.

The DOE fully supports President Rodrigo R. Duterte’s commitment to serve the marginalized sectors, ensure inclusive growth and uplift the lives of all Filipinos.

Lowest Prices Guaranteed on Carmudi

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Millions of people around the world are taking advantage of the electronic marketplace and its clear advantages. Unburdened by the traditional capital expenses of maintaining physical structures and dedicated sales people, the virtual platform is promising the best prices along with a largely pain-free experience.

Established online vehicle marketplace Carmudi.com.ph is a prime example of the business model redounding in gains for both buyer and seller. The international website with a dedicated Philippine content is facilitating quicker and more convenient transactions between verified, reputable sellers and prospective buyers of new and old vehicles. Carmudi users have unparalleled and swift access to tens of thousands of certified listings and, perhaps, most importantly, get an unmatched guarantee that of lowest price.

“In another industry first by Carmudi, we and our select dealer partners are making a lowest-price guarantee,” said country managing director Abhi Mohan. “Along with excellent pre- and post-sales service, we vow to offer the best possible prices for transactions.”

Mohan added that to make this happen, Carmudi deals with only the best and most reputable partners. “It’s about quality over quantity,” he maintained. “And we are confident this principle redounds in the best experience and benefits for all parties.”

Carmudi will not only match based on budget and preference, but can now equal or beat existing quotes from other sellers as well. The best-price guarantee applies for both cash purchases and financing schemes.

To know more about the “Lowest Price Guarantee”, visit carmudi.com.ph.

Mr. and Ms. Chinatown 2016

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Are you ready for a night of glitz and glamour on July 31, 2016 for the #‎MrMsChinatown2016‬ LIVE at the Newport Cinemas at Resorts World Manila?

The most prestigious Fil-Chinese Beauty Pageant is soon to rock your world as it showcase adorable and great looking men and women of the Filipino-Chinese community. The pageant is in search for the best Chinese-Filipino beauties that best represent the modern Filipino-Chinese in this generation.

Beauty isn’t only what this pageant is all about. The Miss Chinatown pageant is more than just about showcasing the charm and good looks of the Chinese-Filipino women, but also sharing the culture and cultivation of both the traditional and modern values amidst changing times.

The organizer, Miss Chinatown Foundation, is looking forward to more Chinese-Filipino women participants of the annual Miss Chinatown Philippines pageant. Not only that this will serve as platform to reach both our and the contestants’ personal goals, we believe that this pageant opens the doors of opportunities for the best experiences in life as well. To witness this journey become a prestigious addition to the list of celebrated beauty pageants in the country is our goal and you can expect that we will challenge ourselves to fulfill this in the years to come.

The swimwear and fashion show of Mr. and Ms. Chinatown 2016 was held last July 20 at Chaos, City of Dreams Manila. Featured designers were Ditta Sandico, Anne Ong, Hoseki and Pegarro Swim by Domz Ramos and Julius Jaguio. Presentors on this show were Cynos Inside Hair Care, Status Salon, Oriental Group and City of Dreams Manila. Hosted by Mr. Johnny Litton and Ms. Alexis Go, the Executive Director of Mr. and Miss Chinatown.

Partner Photographer: Edmund Chua

Mutya ng Pilipinas 2016 Press Presentation

Wazzup Pilipinas!

The Mutya ng Pilipinas is a dominant pageant organization in the Philippines & in Asia conducting the annual competition with emphasis on promoting Tourism in the Philippines. It promotes “Beauty Tourism” within Asia and West Pacific with the direct and key participation of the Overseas Filipino Communities, this being a distinct component of its National Pageant Event. The National Pageant Event serves as a vehicle to promote everything that is beautiful in the Filipina and the Philippines.

The Organization is motivated and inspired by its guiding thrust to assist in promoting Tourism, Social Responsibility, Fashion, and Beauty pageantry — a combination which differentiates itself from other similar pageants. It engages in worthwhile endeavors that will enable it to achieve and make a contribution to promote the Philippines as a major and revered tourism destination. It also intends to show everything that is beautiful about the Philippines, giving respect and value to the word ‘Filipina with a social conscience’, that is … what it can do to make the Filipina a meaningful and responsive social well- being.

Beauty is also synonymous to Fashion, and should be made known that the Filipina is a fashionable person and makes therefore the Philippines a cosmopolitan and fashion center in the greater Asia Pacific.

Over the years, select Overseas Filipino Communities have been formidable partners of Mutya ng Pilipinas through long term arrangements, with them sending their delegates to participate in its annual pageant event. These Filipino Communities include: neighboring Asian countries, Northern and Southern California, Nevada, Arizona, Midwest, the East Coast, Hawaii, Canada, Australia, Germany, Italy, the United Kingdom and Scandinavia… and the participating countries continues to grow each year.

The beauty pageant has introduced the inclusion of representatives from Filipino communities abroad since 2000. This is not only to recognize the Filipino roots of overseas-based women, but also to raise the level of competition in the national pageant.

This year’s impressive line up of delegates will have pre-pageant activities in PuertoPrincesa City (July 18-21) and other landmarks. The world class Sheridan Beach Resort and Spa will be the delegates’ official resort hotel in Palawan.

The Long Gown Competition will be on July 22-25 at Hannah’s Beach Resort Pagudpud, Ilocos Norte and Regional Costume with Talent Competition will be on July 26 (host city to be announced).

The gorgeous young ladies vying for the Mutya ng Pilipinas 2016 international titles will be presented to the media on July 13 (Press Presentation) and the Coronation night is on July 30 at Resorts World Manila which will be aired on ABS-CBN at 10 in the morning on July 31.

The three most coveted titles are Mutya ng Pilipinas-Asia Pacific, Mutya ng Pilipinas-Tourism International and Mutya ng Pilipinas - Overseas Communities.

The winners of the Mutya ng Pilipinas Pageant are sent to international pageant events, such as Miss Tourism International, Miss Tourism Queen of the Year International and Miss Asia Pacific International. Mutya ng Pilipinas, Inc. is ably supported by major partners, and alliances among select Television networks.

Today, the organization is managed principally by an Executive Committee and its Lady President Jacqueline Tan. The Committee is ably supported by its incumbent Board of Directors namely, Chairman Joseph Tan, Treasurer Ranie Hofileña, Michael Tan and Jefferson Tan. They are a group of distinguished personalities stemming from various sectors of society.


MUTYA NG PILIPINAS 2016 OFFICIAL CANDIDATES

Lynette Bradford - Melbourne
Joanna Rose Tolledo - Caloocan City
Cassandra Costales McDonald - Australia
Jannie Loudette Alipo-on - Navotas City
Marah Munoz - Paranaque City
Jessica Jane Morales - Pasig City
Thalia Joyce Coronico - Davao
Rose Ann De Jesus - Concepcion, Tarlac
Joanna Marie Rabe - Zambales
Michelle Thorlund - California
Rhancoise Marie Mayangitan - Pampanga
Marielle Cartagena - Cebu
Mayu Murakami - Japan
Rdelyn De Leon - Aurora
Ann Lauren Ose - Scandinavia
Maeryhnella Umayam - United Kingdom
Petche Ann Vale - Bohol
Angela Yagaya - Western Visayas
Nellza Bautista - Northern Mindanao
Jurice Encarnacion - Canada
Dianne Irish Joy Lacayanga - Paniqui, Tarlac
Rianne Charlotte - Kalaw Batangas
Kristen Karla Dela Cruz - Zamboanga
Ace Dianne Morales - Bataan
Mary Theresa Erna Gomez - Tarlac
Justin Mae San Jose - Calabarzon
Marie Joyce Marfori - Mabalacat City
Ganiel Akrisha Krishnan - Manila
Renelyn Deguit - Negros Island
Ashley Nicole Singh - Central Luzon

See you all at the Mutya ng Pilipinas National Pageant this July 30 at Resorts World Manila!

Partner Photographer: Edmund Chua

Michelin Foundation Conducts Road Safety Initiatives For Young Students In Cebu

Wazzup Pilipinas!

With the belief that starting them young is the best way to inculcate road safety awareness in the population, the Michelin Corporate Foundation conducted free road safety seminars and other safety activities for teens and school children in Cebu City on July 9 and 10, 2016.

Michelin brought its signature Fill Up with Air (FUWA) safety campaign to the Queen City of the South in July to create greater awareness about the role of tires, air pressure and a regular car safety check in road safety for the Visayas. On July 9, Michelin activated the FUWA initiative at the S&R Membership Club in Mandaue, Cebu, offering motorists free tire checks to determine whether their cars had the right air pressure that is so crucial to road safety. Motorists could also avail of free consultations from Michelin tire experts about the right tires for their vehicles and other safety concerns. Student volunteers who were scholars of Enfants du Mekong Cebu-Visayas, helped to conduct tire air pressure checks at the FUWA.

On July 10, Michelin Philippines and Michelin East Asia and Australia (Michelin E2A) joined hands with the Enfants du Mekong (EdM) Foundation Cebu Visayas group and The Little Bamboo Foundation (LBF) to teach teens and young children about safety and mobility. Over 500 teens and children of EdM and LBF attended the Sunday program and activities, joined by some of their families as well.

The group arranged for road safety seminars to be conducted by the Cebu City Transportation Office (CCTO) and the Land Transportation Office (LTO) for the young EdM scholars and LBF beneficiaries. The Michelin E2A team conducted a well-received storytelling session that starred Bibendum, the official Michelin mascot as Road Safety Hero. Crafting games, relay games, and obstacle courses that help demonstrate road safety lessons were also held in the afternoon.

“These activities are meant to pursue Michelin’s global goals of making its relationships with all of its stakeholders more meaningful, especially the communities near our facilities. Michelin cares a lot about employment, mobility and education,” said Michael Nunag, Michelin Chief Representative in the Philippines.

The Michelin Corporate Foundation was established in January 2014 to pursue the Foundation’s goals of bringing the world closer to a fair, sustained mobility. Its mission is to “help people move forward” and has financed projects that promote Sustainable Mobility, Environment Protection, Health and Sport, Education and the Community, and Heritage and the Arts. Project grants and road safety education campaigns for the youth in Michelin E2A started in 2015 and have been conducted in Cambodia, Vietnam and Thailand, in collaboration with the EdM Foundation in the region.

The Enfants du Mekong Foundation is a French international NGO group that organizes welfare, scholarship and development programs for poor and marginalized youths in Cambodia, Laos, Thailand, Vietnam, Burma, China and the Philippines. Established here in 1997, it has facilities and programs in Cebu, Visayas and Mindanao.

Little Bamboo Foundation meanwhile is a Filipino charity foundation with 400 beneficiaries made up of children from the slums of Cebu’s harbour. It provides scholarships and development programs, plus boarding houses for its beneficiaries.

For more information please visit: (www.michelin.com.ph).

"The Emperor’s New Clothes" Is All Set To Open On July 29

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Another classic work of Hans Christian Andersen will be premiered through its famous story of “THE EMPEROR’S NEW CLOTHES” by Kids Acts Philippines, the premier children’s theatre in the country. This is the company’s 14th Musical Theatre Season offering for schools, parents, children and the entire family.

Kids Acts Philippines proudly presents “THE EMPEROR’S NEW CLOTHES” with script, lyrics and direction by LUIGI NACARIO, who won his first writing crown from BroadwayWorld Philippines Awards through Hansel and Gretel Musical and music by EUGENE BELBIS, who recently won his Best Musical Director Trophy of last year’s ALIW Awards through Beauty and the Beast Musical. These two collaborators of creating children’s musicals were named by critics as the Philippines’ “Jim Eiler and Jean Bargy”, the renowned creators of children’s musicals of the world.

The Emperor’s New Clothes is a story of honesty, forgiveness and humility. It corners the Emperor’s vanity to clothes and living a life of extravagance, luxury and lavishness. It was said that the Emperor loved beautiful new clothes so much that he spent all his money on being finely dressed. He loved going to the theater or fond of riding about in his carriage to show off his new clothes. He had a different costume for every hour of the day. He was the ruler who spent most of his time in his dressing more than at the palace’s court. 

One day his royal wife and at the same time his fashion confidant suggested of a grand and extravagant thanksgiving parade. The royal couple invited all the finest weavers in the kingdom to create cloth that will exalt the emperor to be envied by all. Until, he was swindled by the two weavers, who claimed to be weavers who knew how to make the finest cloth imaginable with colors and patterns were extraordinarily beautiful, that its material had the amazing property which was invisible to anyone who was incompetent and stupid. 

What Happens If One Doesn’t Pay His Debts?

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Being unable to pay your debts will reflect negatively on your credit history, making it tough to take out loans in the future. It is important to keep in mind that once you decide to borrow from any lender, you take yourself to be responsible enough to pay your debts on time.

Applying for loans may be tricky but if we engage ourselves with the following scenarios, we will be able to pick up some tips on how to properly manage finances.

Here we have Pedro. He took out a loan for the latest rose-gold tablet. Eventually, he quit his job because he couldn’t tear himself from watching the latest episode of his favorite TV series. Because he was inactively seeking for a job, he found himself facing a problem – not having the money to pay the debt for his loan.

Here is what will happen to Pedro in the next months if he doesn’t sell his tablet or find work to pay off his loan.

Of course, it is fair to say that not all who fail to pay their debts are irresponsible just like Pedro. They can be reliable borrowers, but unforeseen circumstances such as an illness or death in the family can make it difficult or impossible to repay a loan on time. But regardless of whether one is a “Pedro” or not, the consequences of not paying a loan are the same. Let’s take a look.

We will go through 5 stages with Pedro. Within each stage, his debt will grow along with the risks of saying goodbye to his rose-gold tablet. Pedro may be confident that his health and life are not under threat because he took out a loan from a legal lender so the collection process will flow according to the law where collectors will not beat him, shout at him, or kidnap him.

First SONA of Rodrigo Duterte, 16th President of the Philippines

Wazzup Pilipinas!

"And I was hopeful that the next six years will be different, but it seems a lot of people want to see the world as a grim place, maybe the world is a grim place, maybe the Philippines is a grim place, the more we see it that way, the more it becomes, it's the law of the Universe.

While I see, what you see, I am choosing to see my world and my country not as dark, not as grim, it is the story I want to tell myself in the next six years.

To quote Robert Redford, he said,

" But the story, I think, can be retold, and I really believe that you’re the ones to do it.”

I can't and won't tell anyone how to see their world, the only thing I ask, is for us to have a little more faith, in ourselves and in our country.

I believe what you don't strengthen, you weaken." - Napo Belran

The first State of the Nation Address (SONA) of the 16th President of the Philippines, Rodrigo Roa Duterte happens on July 25, 2016 at the Batasang Pambansa in Quezon City.

Around 3,000 guests have been invited, but hoping it won't be another fashion or modeling show for the politicians who will flaunt their outfits personally created for them by popular designers. I think the dress code for President Rodrigo Duterte’s first State of the Nation Address has just gotten more specific. Guests were asked not to wear long dresses.

All four living former presidents are invited to the very first SONA of the President, but it appears his immediate predecessor, former President Benigno Aquino III, has decided to skip the event.

My impression of Digong has evolved. He’s not as bad as I thought he would be. But is he? or is his people doing the "campaign" to make him look good eventhough he continues to be the dirty politician who would not hesitate to kill to cleanse society.

But are we indeed witnessing the elimination of the bad elements of society, or are all we seeing are just the small time crooks, and yet the real sources of these crimes are still safely enjoying their illegally accumulated riches.

When they announced that they finally killed a big time drug lord, I still had doubts he was just a pawn sacrificed to further deceive us. This is how doubtful many of us are since we could not really erase our previous impressions of Digong. He would remain the bad boy of Davao who won the Presidency because the rest of the presidential candidates were more of the traditional politician and he stood out as the only one annoyingly different among them.

"What I would do is urge Congress to restore the death penalty by hanging, especially if you use drugs," could really mean his sincerity towards the fight against drugs.

He said he was going to clean up the force by asking the guilty to voluntary resign, “I know you will lose your jobs, but please look for an honorable way out.”

He is equally warning corrupt journalists: "Just because you're a journalist you are not exempted from assassination, if you're a son of a b----,"

But what I liked about him is his plan to open up Malacanang for public visit. “I want the people, especially school children, to learn more about the presidency and the government,” said Duterte of his plan to open the palace to the public.

He also said that “During my time there will be no demolition pag walang relocation, ‘di ako papayag." However, this should not mean that informal settlers or squatters should use that as an excuse to build houses and claim properties not of their own. There are many who abuse and misuse, and then cry violation of human rights in defense.

Before he had no intended cabinet position for Vice President Leni Robredo, but it soon changed after they personally met at a certain event because soon thereafter he offered her the housing chief.

Last news I've heard about him was the signing of a sort of Freedom of Information (FOI) Executive Order (EO) but still with limitations especially when it pertains to national security. But with every existing limitation, the lawyers of every government agency would still find flaws especially when the people have no capacity to legally fight back.

There are many things to say about Digong, yet just as how there are many detractors (and supporters) of the previous presidents, we have never seen any President who is generally favored and seen without any flaws.

However, Digong is to be considered an enigma for he is the only one who was seen as obviously faulty in most of his ways yet he emerged as teh triumphant winner of the Philippine Presidency. 

We welcome his presidency, but we have to disagree with him on how he looks at human rights and how he addresses criminality.”

For us, the SONA is actually not necessary. The same information can be easily shared in several other mediums. It is merely a very expensive and grand propaganda only meant to further make him look good by uttering words only intended to please the masses and irk his political adversaries.