Hontiveros files “Tres Marias” Bills vs. Gender-Based Electronic Violence, Peer-to-Peer Sexual Harassment and Rape

Wazzup Pilipinas!

“We need to speak up”. [L-R: Senator Risa Hontiveros, Anne Nicole de Castro and Dr. Sylvia Claudio. De Castro faced sexual harassment online after protesting the Marcos burial last week.] Photo by Joseph Vidal, Senate PRIB

Coinciding with the observance of the International Week for the Elimination of Violence against Women and Children (VAWC), Akbayan Senator Risa Hontiveros on Tuesday filed three (3) legislative bills to fight sexual harassment and violence against women. The senator was joined by women rights advocate, Dr. Sylvia Claudio and several student women leaders.

Hontiveros’ three bills are the Anti-Rape Act (Senate Bill No. 1252), the Anti Sexual Harassment Bill (Senate Bill No. 1250), and the Gender-Based Electronic Violence (Senate Bill No. 1251). Dubbed as the ‘Tres Marias" bills, the said measures seek to strengthen the existing Anti-Rape Law, and criminalize gender-based electronic violence and peer-to-peer sexual harassment.

Hontiveros expressed alarm over the growing number of sexual harassment cases against women both offline and online. She cited the examples of Vice President Leni Robredo who was recently the subject of a nasty pregnancy rumor and students like Anne Nicole De Castro, who were sexually harassed online after participating in a protest action against the late dictator Ferdinand E. Marcos’ burial at the Libingan ng mga Bayani.

“There is an urgent need to institute protective measures and strategic policies to combat the prevalence of the rape culture in our society which leads to physical sexual assault and other forms of violence against our women and children,” Hontiveros explained.

Reece McLaren inspired by Eduard Folayang’s title victory, looks to upset Fernandes

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Filipino-Australian bantamweight sensation Reece McLaren burst onto the scene in ONE Championship after joining the promotion in 2015. He has since come away with two highly-impressive victories over top caliber opponents inside the ONE Championship cage which has earned him a shot at ONE Bantamweight World Champion Bibiano “The Flash” Fernandes.

McLaren (9-3) is set to challenge reigning champion Fernandes (19-3) in the co-main event of ONE: AGE OF DOMINATION which takes place Friday, 2 December at the Mall of Asia Arena in Manila, Philippines. The 25-year-old McLaren says he draws inspiration from another Filipino warrior who recently became an MMA world champion.

Just a couple of weeks ago, Baguio City’s Eduard “Landslide” Folayang shocked the world with a scintillating technical knockout victory over Japanese MMA legend Shinya Aoki to capture the ONE Lightweight World Championship. McLaren says the win has motivated him in training for his upcoming title shot against Fernandes.

“I saw the Eduard [Folayang] fight and I drew a lot of inspiration from it. Another fellow Filipino winning a world title shows that it can be done,” said McLaren.

“Watching the fight was super exciting. I was on the edge of my seat. It was such a massive opportunity for him and to see him walk away with the victory was just so inspirational.”

Thanksgiving Treats at Gumbo

Wazzup Pilipinas!

In celebration of Thanksgiving Day this November, Gumbo New Orleans Restaurant will serve Large Appetizers (Baked Artichoke Formaggio, Steamed Clams, Jumbo Onion Rings, Cheesy Baked Oyster, etc) and Salads (Classic Caesar, Smoked Salmon, Mardi Gras, Four Seasons Salad and more) for the price of regular only! Enjoy this huge and sumptuous treats from November 21-30.

Thanksgiving Day is a joyous family festival celebrated with lots of enthusiasm. On this day people express gratitude to God for His blessings and give thanks to dear ones for their love and support. Thank your family and friends by treating them with these sumptuous, big, and mouth-watering dishes at Gumbo! Other dishes worth trying at Gumbo are Seafood Jambalaya, Bayou’s Stuffed Crabs, Shrimp Etouffe, Bourbon-Style Baby Back Ribs, Southern-Grilled Chicken Caesar, Cajun-Style Fried Chicken, Seafood Boil, Family Feast, among others.

Visit Gumbo at SM Mall of Asia (5560238), The Block 442-0106, Mega Atrium (6353015), Robinsons Manila Midtown (5671820), Gateway Mall (440-4632), Robinsons Magnolia (7209632).

BomberMinds: Creating Noise from Explosive Ideas

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Watch out as notable figures in the advertising industry share their expertise and creativity in making explosive ideas behind explosive publicities to the young Advertising and Public Relations savvies.

On November 28, the fourth year students of the Polytechnic University of the Philippines will bring you BomberMinds: Creating Noise from Explosive Ideas, as part of the 16th Annual Student Advertising Congress happening at the La Virginia Hotel and Resort, Barangay Manggahan, Mataas na Kahoy, Batangas.

Get ready to hear the stories and experiences of the BomberMinds’ speakers as they lead you to the different levels of talks about creative and effective publicity. They will discuss some of the best created publicity in the Philippines and how to make it explosive like it’s the best bomb ever.

Explosion of ideas in workshop and fun-filled activities is included in the seminar for the advertising majors.

The said event is organized by BAPR 4-3D or Invert3D.


For more details and inquiries about the BomberMinds: Creating Noise from Explosive Ideas, visit its Facebook page http://www.facebook.com/BomberMinds2016

Coworking Makes Sense at Impact Hub Manila with KMC Solutions

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Any freelancer, home-based employee, and entrepreneur know what it’s like to have an idea, but fail to execute. As your own boss, you’re awarded with the appearance of freedom, but find yourself swamped with more tasks today from failing to finish the tasks of yesterday. As the day goes by, you’re finding it harder to focus on your daily goals.

Working from the comfort of your own home isn’t all it’s cracked up to be, and there are several reasons why – the distractions, isolation, lack of collaboration can all build up to one thing, failure.

Firstly, your home provides too much stimulus for you to focus on one single thing. Getting caught in one distraction will lead to procrastination, and then pulling an all-nighter over a deadline that’s coming up. This scenario leads to two possible outcomes; First, you miss the deadline, your client is disappointed, and you stress over it. Second, you meet the deadline, fail to produce quality outcome, your client is disappointed, and you stress over it.

Second, the isolation can drive you nuts. One of the best things about working in an office is seeing people working hard, which in turn, motivates you to do your best as well. There’s always a sense of synergy when you work alongside others, even if you’re not working with them.

Third, you have this great idea that you know is going to be a big hit, but you can’t seem to bridge idea to prototype. What you lack is collaboration, as well as the network, or community to share your idea with. Never be afraid of sharing your idea for fear of having it stolen. In a network of similarly-minded entrepreneurs or possible consumers, sharing your idea could pave way for better user interface, user experience, and pricing, thus a better prototype.

These are the exact reasons why Impact Hub Manila collaborated with KMC Solutions to present you with four coworking spaces around Manila that will cater to your needs as a creative entrepreneur. There’s a vibrant learning community waiting for you at Impact Hub Manila today to collaborate, create, and make a global impact. Join them and network with the world’s most innovative professionals, entrepreneurs, and leaders.

Impact Hub Manila is now available in 4 locations!

Disruptive Collaboration with KMC Solutions

SM Aura Office Tower, 11th Floor, Bonifacio Global City
Uptown Place Tower 2, Bonifacio Global City
Rufino Pacific Tower, 29th Floor, Ayala Avenue, Makati City
Rockwell Business Center Tower 1, 5th Floor, Ortigas Avenue, Ugong, Pasig City

Microsoft Survey: Business Leaders in the Philippines Prioritize Hybrid Cloud for Digital Transformation

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Microsoft recently held a press launch of the Windows Server 2016 on November 18 at the Hexagon Lounge of Tower 2 of RCBC Plaza. Herns Hermida of Microsoft gave us an overview of how the new Windows Server 2016 and System Center 2016 accelerates transition to a digital business.

As expected, cloud technology is primarily a significant part of the digital transition if we really want to be more competitive, innovative, and revolutionary, in a sense, as we embrace advance technology with trust and vision.

I do believe it is the way to go since everyone, even traditional media, is going digital. Now that the cloud has gone hybrid - a merging of both public and private solutions, the possibilities are becoming endless and infinite too.

True enough, businesses are evolving especially those who courageously joined the ICT bandwagon ahead of others. Being pioneers in technological innovations makes us look more credible and stronger in the yes of not only our customers but also our peers in the industry.

I've been a Systems and Server Administrator for several years and I couldn't really catch up with how speedy the development of technology has been. It seems there's a new technology coming up every second that there no longer is a specialist that could say he or she knows everything about a certain technology.

FuckUp Night: Celebrate Failures on November 24th!

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WTF! This is the first time I've heard of an event which celebrates failures! This got to be so interesting to personally witness. I'm excited to be part of it since it is very rare that we recognize or admit our failures. We simply couldn't accept the fact that we were weak or fragile, or "incomplete" and "vulnerable" to succeed on our first try. 

What we don't realize is that those who really make it through life are those that do not use the word "fail" in their vocabulary and merely treat them as a challenge and learning experience to do better next time. Success is easily achieved when you know you have to get back up every time you fall down.

"I’m a firm believer that consistent hustle always wins. This is why when I set my heart to achieve a goal, I make it a point to keep moving towards it no matter how many setbacks I may encounter! I am not afraid to fail. In fact, rather than failing, what scares me the most is giving up. 

I’m sure you have your own set of fears to conquer as well. Why don’t you respond to this email right now and tell me what you’re most afraid of? 

You see, on the 24th, we’ll be having our FuckUp Night – a night to celebrate failures and conquer fears! We’re giving the spotlight to entrepreneurs who know firsthand what it’s like to fail their way to success. 

So if you find yourself in the same place – making mistakes and constantly battling fear – don’t worry, you’re in great company! :) 

Hub On,
LizAn Kuster | Impact Hub Co-Founder"

FuckUp Night – where we’ll all get a chance to celebrate our failures to make way for bigger successes! It’s going to be a FUN night – with free booze, inspiring speakers, and an amazing crowd!

On our Rockstar line-up are Carlo Valencia, Georgianna Carlos, Ron Hose, and more – don’t miss finding out how these entrepreneurs handled the biggest business obstacles they’ve ever encountered.

We’re expecting a lot of people coming in this Thursday, but feel free to invite more of your friends, family, or strangers who could use a spark of motivation.

It’s happening on November 24 at 7:30PM at Picadilly Star, 4th Ave., Bonifacio Global City – see you there!

Monitor Your Health in Real-Time with the Helo Smart Wristband

Wazzup Pilipinas!

We cannot deny that we worry a lot about our health because of so many possible sickness that we may encounter during our lifetime. With every advancement in technology for just about anything, there seems to be a new virus or bacteria that evolves or mutates to produce a new disease.

Thus, we are not really sure nowadays if we are still in tough shape because at any time we may succumb to poor health if we take our bodies for granted. 

We even hear of athletes going down while performing their regular routines. There are runners who get into a heart attack in the middle of a run, there are swimmers who drown because of sudden fatigue, and many other horror stories even for the seemingly physically fit.

This is why there are people who also design cures or remedy for situations like these in order to prevent their occurrences.

Say HELO Philippines! The latest innovation in the health monitoring gadget, HELO is a smart wristband that you can wear 24/7 to monitor your vital signs real-time, providing data that can be used to improve your lifestyle choices leading to a healthier well-being and physical condition, and better life. Helo is equipped to monitor your blood pressure, breath rate, heart rate, and ECG. It has fitness functionality to record your number of steps, distance and calories burned. It monitors your mood and levels of fatigue. For emergencies, simply press the *Panic Button located on the side. Change the way you live.

The product is already available online.... and the people responsible are in the process of bringing the product here in the Philippines.

#HELOph #HealthMonitoringDevice #HealthyOptions #Healthvestment Please follow us on Instagram and Twitter: @HELO_phofficial

Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/HELO.phofficial/

The Gift that Keeps on Giving: Globe Partners with Kiva for a Globe of Good

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Unemployment continues to be one of the Philippines’ biggest challenges to date. Millions of Filipinos either remain on the loose for a job opportunity to earn their keep or are employed but are dissatisfied with their current pay, role or job fit, categorizing them in the “underemployed” segment.

In the year 2000, unemployment rate was at a record high of 13.9. While unemployment rate steadily decreased over the years at a record low of 5.4 in the third quarter of 2016, it remains a major roadblock in seeing the country’s full potential.

Micro-, small- and medium- enterprises (MSMEs) have contributed largely to this increase in employment. In ASEAN countries, majority of enterprises are MSMEs, reaching up to 99% in some. In the Philippines, there are currently close to a million MSMEs. From 1995 to 2011, the number of people employed by MSMEs has increased from 2.7 million to 3.9 million, and the number only continues to grow, allowing people to slowly rise over the poverty line.

MSMEs encounter difficulty when it comes to funding due to having mostly personal assets. Without acceptable collateral such as real property and with a limited track record, MSMEs, especially the smallest ones, are put at a disadvantage in loaning capital as they cannot meet bank requirements.

With its renewed purpose of seeing a country where businesses flourish, Globe Telecom constantly looks at forging partnerships to grow employment opportunities. In partnership with global crowd-funding source Kiva, the company has revolutionized an avenue to help Filipinos, empower local businesses, and promote economic growth. Globe customers can now help Filipino start-up entrepreneurs realize their dreams by donating or lending funds.

Leveraging on its online facility and a worldwide network of microfinance institutions, Kiva provides loans to people without access to traditional banking systems. The micro-finance institutions, which are called Field Partners, administer the loans in the field, giving people in need a safe and affordable access to fresh capital to further their lives and that of their families. Negros Women for Tomorrow Foundation (NWTF), Alalay sa Kaunlaran, Inc. (ASKI), Center for Community Transformation Credit Cooperative, Gata Daku Multi-purpose Cooperative, Paglaum Multi-purpose Cooperative, Community Economic Ventures, Inc., MILAMDEC Foundation, SEED Center Philippines, Inc. and Bagosphere Ph. Inc. are Kiva’s partner Microfinance Institutions (MFI) in the Philippines. To-date, Kiva has over 1.5 million individual lenders from every country in the world. These lenders have funded loans amounting to over US$890 million to 2.1 million beneficiaries.

As part of its month-long celebration for its loyal and tenured customers in September, Globe enabled its prepaid and postpaid customers to support 917 micro-enterprises through a Kiva gift card worth US$25. The beneficiaries in the agriculture, farming, retail and food industries can, in turn, use the amount to scale their businesses.

To welcome the month-long Yuletide season, Globe customers can still continue making a difference in the lives of others by making a donation via Kiva. There are 3 ways: (1) converting Globe Reward Points into Kiva donations, (2) donating via GCash, or (3) by texting Kiva to 2158-Kiva to avail a Kiva Card, a gift card that can be used to choose a beneficiary.

“The best gift that anyone can give this Christmas is a gift that keeps on giving, and we at Globe are encouraging our customers to create a Globe of good by harnessing our partnership with Kiva. Through their donations, they can empower and boost livelihood and employment opportunities which can have a positive impact to many today and in the future,” says Yoly Crisanto, Chief Sustainability Officer at Globe.

The company’s partnership with Kiva follows its commitment to 9 of the 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals, specifically SDG 17: Partnership for the Goals—knowing that sustainability is possible only through collaboration with relevant organizations. Ultimately, this allows Globe to enable Filipino entrepreneurship and instigate job creation, contributing towards SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth.

Paris Agreement Passes First Stress Test at COP22

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In response to the close of COP22, Manuel Pulgar-Vidal, leader of WWF International’s Climate & Energy Practice, issued the following statement:

“The UN climate talks continue to be filled with twists and turns, but they have delivered what they needed to this week – putting substance behind the promise of the Paris Agreement so it can be fully implemented. The Marrakech work has not been the most glamorous, but it’s a key step in the chain reaction needed to roll out the agreement.

“Countries’ commitment to the Paris Agreement also passed its first stress test this week with the US election results. Unequivocally, they restated that they are in this for the long haul.

“The reality is that the world is moving ahead on this issue. This irreversible momentum will only build as market signals and commitments across all sectors of society continue pouring in.

“Already, 111 countries have ratified the Agreement – underscoring its historic importance. Nations also began submitting their long-term roadmaps for decarbonisation.

“But there’s still work to do. The emissions gap continues to grow between what science tells us is needed to protect the planet from the worst impacts of climate change and the goals governments set in Paris. Urgently reducing emissions and preparing for the climate change impacts that are already affecting us is essential for the world’s future prosperity, safety and security.

“In Marrakech, countries agreed to take stock of progress in two years and make every effort to come back with more ambitious targets and plans before 2020 to ensure we work quickly to close the widening emissions gap. This is a critical outcome this week that further solidified progress on the Paris Agreement.

“While parties work to finalize the Paris Agreement “fine print” by the next major political moment in 2018, more needs to be done in the next few years to clarify consistency of national targets. In addition, there are still gaps in finance and adaptation, despite some announcements here on financing for adaptation and capacity building. We expect to see developed countries up their game significantly on finance and other support beyond current projections, and are very encouraged to see China and other countries stepping up their south-south cooperation.

“This work was bolstered by the Climate Vulnerable Forum, a group of around 50 countries that committed to reviewing and improving their current emissions-cutting goals in 2018 and shifting to 100 per cent renewable energy by 2050 or before.

“Here in Marrakech the negotiations kick-started a critical discussion about the rules for implementing the agreement and accelerating climate action. It set the path for the next set of negotiations to complete those rules and raise ambition, paving the way to tighten national commitments, improve preparedness at home and provide financial support in line with science and equity.

“Over the coming years, we expect to see the trends of falling costs for renewables and scaled action by all actors – private sector, cities, investors, and by governments all over the world – continue to accelerate the inevitable shift to low carbon, climate-resilient development.”