Clarion Call for BP Awareness

Wazzup Pilipinas!

The Philippine Society of Hypertension joins the International Society of Hypertension and World Hypertension League in their global effort to stem the tide of hypertension, which remains the leading cause of deaths in the Philippines and worldwide. Find out how you can help save tens of thousands of Filipinos yearly

Hypertension or high blood pressure (BP) remains the number one cause of deaths from all causes worldwide. In Southeast Asia wherein the Philippine population makes around 16 percent of the population of the region, the annual mortality attributed to high BP is nearly 1.5 million deaths.

In the Philippines, it is estimated that around 200,000 deaths yearly can be attributed directly or indirectly to high BP.

With one out of four adult Filipinos having high BP, and with roughly half of them not knowing they are hypertensive, this really calls for some urgent action.

“The International Society of Hypertension (ISH) has identified increased awareness as a key issue in the fight against raised blood pressure,” says Professor Neil Poulter, current ISH president. “To address the huge disease burden caused by raised BP, it is imperative that we increase the levels of awareness among the world’s hypertensive population,” he adds, citing a recently published study showing the rates of awareness, treatment and control of hypertension worldwide.

In the Prospective Urban Rural Epidemiology (PURE) study, which looked at the prevalence, awareness, treatment, and control of hypertension in rural and urban communities in high-, middle-, and low-income countries involving a multinational study population, less than half (46.5 percent) are aware they have high BP, and the control rate was dismally poor at 13.1 percent. Awareness, treatment, and control of hypertension were higher in urban communities compared with rural ones in low-income countries, as well as low-middle-income countries like the Philippines (urban vs rural, P <.001). (Chow et al JAMA 2013)

PSH commitment

Dr. Lynn Gomez, president of the Philippine Society of Hypertension, says that the PSH, which is closely allied with the ISH, is committed to help increase awareness through its various public education campaigns. The PSH has also been conducting an annual Hypertension Specialist Course to provide all physicians involved in the management of hypertensive patients updated knowledge for a better understanding of hypertension and the various strategies that can be employed to control it.

Dr. Gomez recently led the PSH in revisiting its mission and vision, and prioritizing its strategies for BP control; and it has also identified increasing public awareness as a key factor to improve control.

However, despite all efforts by the government and the various medical organizations like the ISH, PSH and others involved in hypertension, the awareness, treatment and control of hypertension remain dismally inadequate in our country and worldwide. It calls for doubling and more importantly, sustaining our collective efforts to diagnose those with high BP and start them on treatment to prevent disabling and potentially fatal long-term complications.

This urgent call is going to be emphasized during the joint annual convention of the PSH and Philippine Lipid and Atherosclerosis Society (PLAS) at the Crowne Plaza Hotel on February 23-25. Prof. Poulter is joining the PSH-PLAS in the convention to deliver a plenary lecture, and to boost local efforts in public BP screening.

The PSH and the Philippine Heart Association (PHA) have been participating in the annual World Hypertension Day (WHD) in May of each year. The WHD has been initiated by the World Hypertension League (WHL). 

May Measurement Month 2017

Although the WHD quite successful in detecting many unaware hypertensive individuals, undiagnosed hypertension continues to be a global burden on society, governments, health care professionals and individuals, says Prof. Poulter. “Hence, from 2017 the ISH in collaboration with the WHL plan to facilitate the expansion of WHD into an exciting campaign and month of global BP measurement—May Measurement Month 2017 (MMM17),” he says in his video message sent to all international affiliates and partners of the ISH and WHL.

“We have an ambitious goal during the month of May 2017 to screen 25 million people, who have not had their BPs measured since April 30, 2016, during the month of May 2017,” explains Prof. Poulter. He encourages each country to target to screen 1 percent of the population. “We believe that this goal is achievable but it can only be met with everyone’s support and commitment.”

For the Philippines, the PSH, which is the local national coordinating society spearheading the month-long MMM17, is targeting to screen at least 1 million Filipinos, 18 years and older.

The PSH is coordinating with the Department of Health (DOH) and various allied medical organizations including the PHA, Philippine College of Physicians (PCP), Philippine Medical Association (PMA), Philippine Academy of Family Physicians (PAFP), Philippine Society of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism (PSEDM), Institute for the Study of Diabetes Foundation (ISDF), Diabetes Philippines (DP), Philippine Society of Neurology (PSN), Stroke Society of the Philippines (SSP), and Philippine Society of Nephrology (PSN).

‘Walking time bombs’

According to Dr. Rafael Castillo, a past president of the PSH and the Asian Pacific Society of Hypertension (APSH) and currently a member of the ISH Council, the MMM17 is just part of continuous campaign to draw sustained awareness for high BP and highlight the need for nationwide screening to detect everyone with raised BP, particularly high-risk individuals who are figuratively “walking time bombs.” They are called such because anytime they could “explode” to develop complications like a massive stroke, acute myocardial infarction and even sudden cardiac death.

He cites as an example a middle-age dentist who only accompanied her husband for a check-up, but was surprised when she also had her BP checked in the clinic and was found to have severe hypertension with repeated readings of more than 200/110 mmHg. She did not recall any symptom attributable to high BP, so it came as a big surprise to her.

“This is not an isolated case, and there are many more like her in the population. It only takes a few minutes to have one’s BP checked. Everyone must know his/her BP,” advises Dr. Castillo.

For MMM17, Prof. Poulter says that all those found to have BPs in the hypertensive range (≥140mmHg systolic and/or ≥ 90mmHg diastolic), will be counseled on diet and lifestyle modifications, and referred to their family physician for drug treatment and monitoring. Basic information will also be collected during the screening, and the data on untreated hypertension will be used “to motivate governments to improve local screening facilities and policies, and thereby to reduce the global burden of disease associated with raised BP,” says Prof. Poulter.

Prof. Poulter and the PSH officers are encouraging everyone to spread the word about MMM17 and encourage colleagues and friends to become involved: to establish screening centers, set up screening events in the month of May and/or dedicate their time as volunteers to screen targeted groups of the population. Volunteers may be nurses, doctors, medical students, community health workers etc.

According to Prof. Poulter, a stand-alone website will soon be available where participants can sign up, download materials and learn more about the campaign

A specially designed App will be available to collect all of the BP screening data. Where a screening center does not have easy access to the internet it will also be possible to supply the obtained data on an excel database. This App will be made available to all those participating in MMM17. A toolkit of information and supporting collateral will also be supplied.

Dedicated project managers will manage the MMM17 and will be available to answer any questions anyone may have. They will also help coordinate the global campaign.

“Together, we must try to make a difference to the biggest single contributor to global death and to the burden of this disease and we believe that increasing awareness of hypertension is one of the best ways of making such a difference,” Prof. Poulter exhorts all colleagues and volunteers to this global campaign.

Prof. Poulter and our local hypertension experts have sounded the clarion call. Let’s heed this call. Hopefully, we can save tens of thousands of Filipinos who may succumb to hypertension-related complications. This may include some of our loved ones.

Those who are interested to volunteer for MMM17 may call the PSH secretariat, Ms. Rowena Ramos, at telephone numbers 696 2819, 0917 625 5810; or email phihpn@yahoo.com, MMM17@ish-world.com.



Intra-text Quote

“Together, we must try to make a difference to the biggest single contributor to global death and to the burden of this disease, and we believe that increasing awareness of hypertension is one of the best ways of making such a difference” - Prof. Neil Poulter, ISH president


Written By Dr. Reuben C. Ricallo

Red Turnip Theater Closes Its 4th Season with Sci-Fi Thriller "The Nether"

Wazzup Pilipinas!
Fresh off the critical success of their last outing, the family comedy-drama Tribes, Red Turnip Theater is ready to take audiences into a different theater experience with the sci-fi thriller THE NETHER.

Ever since making their debut four years ago, Red Turnip has already made quite the dent in the local theater scene. By sticking to their vision of producing contemporary straight plays, this young company has almost single-handedly paved the way for the straight play to find equal footing in a landscape formerly dominated by the musical. Younger companies have sprouted and followed suit and there are now more text-driven plays getting produced than ever before. Each of the Red Turnip’s eight productions has gone on to top critics’ lists and garner awards and nominations from both the Aliw and Gawad Buhay Awards, making this company the go-to for outstanding plays that both entertain and move.

Their Fourth Season’s grand finale is THE NETHER, a sci-fi crime drama about the dilemmas of living in a virtual world. Written by Jennifer Haley and winner of the 2012 Susan Smith Blackburn Prize, this thrilling play explores the ethical questions and moral consequences of living out one’s hidden desires and fantasies. Set in the not-so-distant future, this haunting thriller made its West End and Off-Broadway debut back in 2015 and has been produced across the U.S. and Europe.

THE NETHER makes its Asian premiere via Red Turnip with multi-award winning actress and director Ana Abad Santos at the helm. A veteran of the stage and screen, Abad Santos returns to the director’s chair after her award-winning turn in the film Apocalypse Child and nominated lead performance in Red Turnip’s Time Stands Still. She won critical acclaim for her direction in the Red Turnip debut production Closer as well as her dystopian take on Hamlet for Repertory Philippines.

ABAD SANTOS: When I first read ‘The Nether’, it was love at first sight. It is a new material that bravely dives into the horrors of man, the unspeakable, and still makes sense of it. It’s about our present journey into the big unknown, that other world we call the Internet. And to present this advanced concept on a very basic traditional medium, which is the stage, is so exciting. It explores human desires and boundaries or lack of. And the discovery that no matter how beautiful or grotesque our desires are, we are all still searching for that “one”--to LOVE and to be loved.

THE NETHER boasts a powerhouse ensemble led by legendary actors Bernardo Bernardo (Hele sa Hiwagang Hapis, El Filibusterismo, Katy!) and Bodjie Pascua (3 Stars and a Sun, The Tempest Reimagined, Waiting for Godot). Making their Red Turnip debuts, young actresses Alba Berenguer-Testa (Annie) and Junyka Santarin (GMA 7’s Pyra) alternate in one of the play’s pivotal roles. Screen actor TJ Trinidad (Saving Sally) joins the cast after an accomplished theater debut as Bruce in last year’s The Normal Heart, which garnered him a Gawad Buhay nomination for Best Featured Actor.

Jenny Jamora (Cock, The Vagina Monologues, A Little Night Music) returns to the Red Turnip stage to take on the lead role of Detective Morris, an investigator of The Nether’s online offerings.

JAMORA: I do most of my scenes with Bernardo Bernardo and Bodjie Pascua, I’m terrified but absolutely psyched for the challenge. In ’Cock’, my character was a fighter but due more to the external circumstances of being in a man’s world. Detective Morris is also a strong female character but, this time, in a position of power. I’m excited to take on her internal struggle to maintain that authority as she discovers hidden parts of herself that may threaten that.

THE NETHER is a play for our times. It is relevant; it is provocative. In the play, life is spent more and more in The Nether, a virtual paradise so interactive that it engages all the senses--a tempting haven to retreat from a bleak world. But the main conflict begs the question: In a computer-generated space, is there no room for ethics and morality? THE NETHER isn’t just about Virtual Reality, but Reality itself.

With a stellar cast and creative team, this Red Turnip production is sure to electrify with its one-of-a-kind story and give audiences the complete theatrical experience this groundbreaking new company is known for.

THE NETHER opens March 10 and runs all weekends until April 9. Tickets atwww.ticketworld.com.ph or www.redturnip.com.ph.

Venue: The Power Mac Center Spotlight Theater
Circuit, Makati
(Level 2, Circuit Lane, A.P. Reyes Avenue, Makati City)

Directed by: Ana Abad Santos
Lighting Design / Technical Direction: John Batalla
Set Design: Ed Lacson, Jr.
Sound Design: Teresa Barrozo
Costume Design: Faust Peneyra

Joshua Pacio Keen on Getting Rematch with Yoshitaka Naito if He Wins Over Thai Foe

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Filipino fighter Joshua Pacio knows that if he plays his cards right against Thai combatant Dejdamrong Sor Amnuaysirichoke, he will get an opportunity to challenge Japanese veteran Yoshitaka Naito for the ONE Strawweight World Championship title again.

Pacio and Naito crossed paths this past October in the main event of ONE: STATE OF WARRIORS, where the latter had to endure two grueling rounds before he pulled off a come-from-behind victory by submitting the Pinoy prospect with a rear-naked choke in the third frame to keep the gold-plated strap around his waist.

The 21-year-old Baguio City native hopes that if he secures a convincing win over Dejdamrong, it will grant him a second date with Naito for the ONE Strawweight World Championship belt later this year.

“I want to fight for the world title again. I was inches away from winning it, but one mistake took that one crowning moment away from me. Since my loss to Naito, vying for the world title once again is my main goal,” Pacio stated.

“I have the chance to face Naito again for the belt if I will get the win over Dejdamrong Sor Amnuaysirichoke on March 11. The stakes are high in this fight,” he added.

The Pochologist (Episode 1): How to Know Your Life Purpose

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WHY... perhaps the most important yet most difficult question to answer. Why did you wake up today? Why do you go to work? Why are you alive? Let the Pochologist help you answer this big question in this short but inspirational video about finding your LIFE PURPOSE. Pocholo Gonzales is your Pochologist - your mentor and your friend in the school of life.

Life is a never-ending quest for MEANING.

On the surface, it seems as if people only strive for fame or fortune. But deep in our hearts, everything that we strive for – material or imaterial – all lead to our much deeper desire to be significant. We ultimately want to have an impact – to our loved ones, to the society, to the world.

But how do we reach that level of accomplishment, amidst the distractions in our daily life? How do we go past the viscious cycle of working for money, chasing deadlines, and balancing work and play? What’s the secret to truly achieving GREATNESS?

The truth is, there is no secret to success or happiness. Everyone knows what needs to be done in order to achieve their dreams. But you see, knowing what to do is very much different from doing what you know. We don’t need to be informed much more than we need to be REMINDED of the actions we need to take in order to become the best version of ourselves.

This is where the Pochologist comes in!

As one of the most sought-after speakers in the country today, Pocholo “The VoiceMaster” Gonzales takes inspiration and motivation to a higher level as the Pochologist. Believing that inspiration and motivation has expiration, Pocholo uplifts your spirit through EMPOWERMENT – giving you actionable, practical wisdom that will take you from knowing to DOING.

For over a decade, Pocholo has empowered thousands of Filipinos here and abroad – through his radio programs and his motivational talks. He has a collection of his own words of wisdom which he fondly calls “Pochology.” Now, he has opened yet another avenue to help others discover their greatness – the POCHOLOGIST.

For a few minutes each day, the Pochologist helps you discover your potential and live up to your greatness, with short yet empowering videos that will not only make you think, but also ACT.

Here’s the pilot episode of the Pochologist, where he talks about life purpose. In this video, the Pochologist will help you answer your WHY – the most important yet the most difficult question to answer in our life.

 

Contributed by Pocholo "The Voicemaster" Gonzales

How Effective is Online Marketing for Philippine Real Estate?

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Changes is continuously coming due to the never-ending evolution of technology. This is particularly true in some industries that have successfully adapted in the current global business landscape.

For real estate, many licensed professionals are taking advantage of the World Wide Web to reach their target market. Gone were the days where you only have to rely on the people that you know and those you meet on the streets to promote what you offer. With the advent of social media platforms you can instantly reach almost two million possible clients with just a few clicks away.

Lamudi Philippines, a leading real estate website and an expert on online real estate marketing, shares the reasons why many real estate professionals claims that online marketing is now the way to go.

Wider Reach and Limitless Possibilities

According to internetlivestats.com 43.5% or almost half of the Philippine population are using the Internet. Imagine being able to tap even just a fraction of that number. Fortunately, there is just so much that you can do online to get the attention of Internet users. Some of the most effective tools like clear and crisps photos, short but engaging videos, and now virtual reality are just some of technology-enhanced gears that you can harness to capture your market.

One best example is the magnified effect of word-of-mouth advertising. For instance, a nice new place complete with residential and leisure components that becomes an instant hit to social media users can effectively help a rising condo in that area. Shares will just pour in and you will just ride the hype and count your sales.

Harold Geronimo, AVP and Head of Public Relations and External Affairs of property giant Megaworld Corporation, shared that his company is now recognizing the evolution of the market. From heavily banking on various traditional advertising methods, the shift to more portable, more real-time and fast-paced approach to reaching your target audience is gaining importance. Because of this, different online promotion techniques such as social media channels, blogs and websites have become an integral part of Megaworld’s marketing mix.

Mr. Geronimo also emphasized that the fastest and cost-efficient way to distribute content is through social media. “Almost all segments of consumers in the Philippines are on social media and we want to be where our target markets are. With the growing competition of real estate in the country we are utilizing the online space to spread our creativity and be ahead of other companies,” he stressed.

Lamudi also interviewed Pinnacle Real Estate Consulting Services Inc., one of the top property management and brokerage services providers in the country, and they stressed that digital marketing is now considered one of the best ways to advertise as this provides a wider reach and the fastest vehicle toward clients.

On the GO!

Posting listings or browsing for a dream home is just quick and easy. As Internet and technology become more mobile, the chance to find your next big sale or your first investment can be done simultaneously with other tasks. As Filipinos learn to value their time and resources more, people tend to rely on various applications, service-focused websites and other technology-assisted means of making life a tad easier.

Alejandro Mañalac, Executive Vice-President of Step Philippines, Inc., also revealed that digital marketing plays a big role in their day-to-day real estate operations. “Generating leads wherever and whenever really maximizes time and resources. Furthermore, upon receiving inquiries from our various campaigns, we are already equipped with the information that we can share instantly while the leads are hot, which means quicker response time,” Mr. Mañalac enthused.

Sales, Sales, and More Sales

The potential to earn a six-digit income monthly with just a few sales is the ultimate come-on spiel of successful real estate brokers. Mary Clair Dino, licensed real estate broker who freshly acquired her PRC license last year, is now very interested to give real estate platforms like Lamudi a go because of her experience in successfully closing sales using just Facebook (and without extensive training and very technical knowledge to do such). “I just posted pictures and shared the advantages of the properties and I successfully closed deals, then it occurred to me that there is more to Internet marketing,” shared Ms. Dino when asked why she is interested to subscribe on Lamudi.

Supreme Court-Issued TRO on DOE and ERC Issuances Pertaining to Retail Competition and Open Access Implementation

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The Department of Energy (DOE) and the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC), as respondents, respect the ruling of the Supreme Court and will abide by its temporary restraining order (TRO) on the DOE Circular No. DC2015-06-0010, Series of 2015 and ERC Resolution Nos. 5, 10, 11 and 28, Series of 2016, without prejudice, however, to exhaustion of available legal remedies in order to put forward the factual and legal bases on which the promulgation of the assailed rules have been based.

Due to the legal complexities surrounding the TRO, the DOE, ERC and the Philippine Electricity Market Corporation (PEMC), are still in the process of drafting a general advisory for the guidance of the Retail Competition and Open Access (RCOA) Stakeholders, without prejudice to future issuances. The main issues being considered are whether:

1. Those who have already executed Retail Supply Contracts (RSCs) and were already registered and switched shall continue to honor their respective RSCs;

2. Ongoing applications for registration filed before the Central Registration Body (CRB) may proceed voluntarily;

3. Applicants who wish to withdraw or defer their registration before the CRB may do so consistent with the Retail Market Rules provided that the CRB shall not be liable for any legal repercussions that may arise out of the contestable customers’ contractual obligations; and

4. Remaining contestable customers who have not yet secured their RSCs may continue to negotiate and exercise their power to choose.

The DOE, in coordination with the ERC and PEMC, as the CRB, will continue to conduct information drive and to educate the contestable customers on the benefits of RCOA in order to respond to queries affecting the industry players.

The DOE assures the public that extensive consultations and coordination efforts will continue towards full implementation of the provisions of the law favoring the consumers' power of choice.

DOE Works for Stronger Ties with the Energy Technology Sector

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As Energy Secretary Alfonso G. Cusi envisions sustained economic growth, the Department of Energy (DOE) is seeking stronger partnerships with energy technology companies to support the development of the energy sector.

During the inauguration last 22 February of the amorphous transformer plant of First Philec in Batangas, DOE Undersecretary Felix William B. Fuentebella pointed out that DOE Secretary Cusi is "focusing on stronger partnerships with energy technology companies to enable us to compete with other countries.”

“The use of new technologies to produce quality products that result in higher operational efficiency will reduce electricity prices for consumers."

The DOE official also underscored the need for Filipino scientists to help address systems loss through innovative and more energy-efficient technologies for the benefit of Filipino consumers.

“With more efficient use of energy, we can create wealth for the country and improve the lives of Filipinos,” Fuentebella explained.

The transformer plant of First Philec is seen as the largest plant of its kind in Southeast Asia and is expected to generate close to 500 jobs. The plant is a locator in the First Philippine Industrial Park in Tanauan City, Batangas.

Photo caption: TECHNOLOGY BRIEFING: Energy Undersecretary Felix William B. Fuentebella (2nd from left), First Philec staff together with other industry participants  were briefed on the technologies being used in making a power supply transformer. First Philec inaugurated the largest amorphous transformer plant in Southeast Asia, which is located at the First Philippine Industrial Park in Tanauan City, Batangas.

Getting Your Business Ahead in the Digital Journey

Wazzup Pilipinas!

At this moment, we are witnessing an explosion of connectivity, data and innovation. As this hyper connectivity is changing the game for most businesses, customers in turn, are radically changing the rules as they demand a simpler, seamless and personalized experience at every touch point.

Rising expectations

You could call it life imitating art, where customers are setting sky-high expectations for real-world encounters, demanding a personalised, consistent, interconnected experience across every touch point.

As society advances in the digital economy, consumers demand access to products and services via multiple channels, putting pressure on companies to provide an integrated experience. It is no longer sufficient to simply deliver a slick experience on a mobile device in isolation. You can’t expect your customers to be happy with one great experience that doesn’t extend beyond the confines of their mobile screens.

In the Philippines, 44.2 million of the population are active internet users, with 90% these users having active social media accounts, based on a report by Asia Digital Marketing Association and the Internet World statistics[i]. A 2016 Digital Experience Report conducted by SAP found that 54% of Filipino consumers are satisfied with their digital interactions with a brand or an enterprise. This exhibits a positive outcome, but as consumers’ awareness of digital services increase, their expectations continue to grow and evolve in parallel. The challenge lies in keeping up with (or better yet, being ahead of) their rising expectations to slant the satisfaction upwards.

Stand Up or Be Put Down by Politically-Motivated Interests

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Some people just don't know the difference between "neutral" and "apathetic."

When you are neutral, you don't take sides. But it doesn't mean you will simply ignore or mind your own business. Evil gets an upper-hand if good men do nothing to stop it.

That would make you apathetic - you don't care about both sides as long as you're not directly affected.

However, we should take note that every action or inaction has repercussions that may eventually hurt us soon.

When you leave out details to make yourself look like you are the underdog, you're not only lying to others but to yourself as well. Remember that you may be able to fool others, but gaining an unfair advantage would not make you sleep soundly at night.

But I would rather pick an apathetic person rather than someone who is so arrogantly feeling very righteous yet has his own skeletons in his closet. That is an attitude that is so abysmal, I could not bear to read all his online tirades.

Yet again there are those who are like a fox in sheep's wool. Looks harmless, but attacks you when no one is looking.

We should care about what happens around us even if we are not personally involved. When it affects the entire nation, we should stand up, let them hear our thoughts, and take action.

I don't get it.

There has been no compelling evidence against Senator Leila De Lima except for testimonies from drug lords and criminals who have everything to gain in exchange for doing it. Being criminals, their credibility is beyond trustworthy. The videos of supposed to be De Lima sex scandals were even fake, and are not even related to the illegal drug activities accused of her.

All the administration did was malign her in the eyes of the public in an effort to brand her as a probable culprit. But on the other hand, those who also speak against President Rodrigo Duterte have incriminated themselves as murderers too by being part of the Davao Death Squad (urban legend or not), making them less credible even if they are saying they had a change of heart and a conscience attack.

Again, all of these are but testimonies, but what we only see is one side getting murdered or "persecuted" by shame campaigns or trial by publicity. We cannot deny that Duterte has taken this issue on a personal matter. His own statements would prove that he is furious with De Lima, and the rest of his detractors like Senator Antonio Trillanes III, Risa Hontiveros, etc. ..and the heads of the system that was supposed to be protecting us are actually the ones who are manipulating, spinning and twisting the law to their own advantage.

This is the first time I've seen a Secretary of Justice who is liable to many mischievous statements. If he can't even understand how justice works, the rest of us are doomed to suffer from this illiteracy.

Many are saying that the arrest is meant to create a chilling effect so that the other critics of the administration will think twice in continuing their onslaught against the President. With how things are going, it may be true since we've seen how baseless and illogical, and personalized, the accusations against De Lima were.

It is without any doubt that Duterte is not a good man. But the people voted for someone like him with the thought that he could probably make a change since we've been voting for supposed to be good men, but they turned out to be hoodlums in reality. So why not vote for a hoodlum instead?

Looking at the situation from both perspectives, it is us who are obviously in the middle of the crossfire. Victims are nothing but collateral damage of politically-motivated interests of a government where corruption is the dominating culture..

More Mind-Bending Illusions to Thrill You in New Season of Masters of Illusion this March on Sony Channel

Wazzup Pilipinas!

The Masters are back!

The illusions continue as Masters of Illusion, the magic show that raises magic to a whole new level of amazement, returns to Sony Channel in March.

The new season showcases all-new performers – more than 70 world-renowned magicians, escape artists, mentalists, illusionists, and up-and-coming talents – as they display their exceptional abilities in performing new and exciting illusions in front of a live audience.

Every episode is filled with a wide variety of illusions that have never been seen before. Each act is well rehearsed as highly skilled illusionists use sleight of hand and complex mechanical contraptions to make the impossible seem possible.

Masters of Illusion features astounding performances from Scarlett (Planet Hollywood, Las Vegas) with Jeff McBride (Star Trek: Deep Space Nine), Kalin & Jinger (World Magic Awards), The Amazing Johnathan (Las Vegas Best Comedian of the Year 2002), and Hillel (Victor/Victoria Broadway Show), to name a few.

Dean Cain returns this season as host.

Masters of Illusion Season 4 premieres on March 1, from Monday to Wednesday at 7:55pm with 2 episodes back to back, first & exclusive on Sony Channel.

Sony Channel is available on Sky Cable Channel 35, Destiny Cable Channel 62, Cignal Channel 120, and Cablelink Channel 39.