Heartwarming Comedy “Playing House” Returns for New Season on Sony Channel

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Season 3 premieres August 20, Sundays at 7:30pm

Your favorite “sisters” continue their adventures as their friendship faces its biggest challenge yet in the new season of the comedy series Playing House, which premieres on Sony Channel this August.

Childhood best friends Maggie Caruso (Lennon Parham) and Emma Crawford (Jessica St. Clair) are back, and they are bringing their fun friends with them.

In the new season, the tables are turned as Emma needs all the support she can have from Maggie after she is diagnosed with breast cancer. With the people who love her by her side, Emma undergoes treatment and emerges somehow happier and more fulfilled than she has ever been.

Despite their differences, Maggie and Emma get through the hard times as they complement each other the way only best friends can - by facing the challenges of their past, present and future together.

Playing House Season 3 premieres August 20 and airs every Sunday at 7:30pm, part of ROFLing Sundays first and exclusive on Sony Channel.

Sony Channel is available on SKYCable Channel 35, Destiny Cable Channel 62, Cignal Channel 120, G Sat Channel 48, and Cablelink Channel 39.

Online Tax Assistance Platform Taxumo is the First Digital Startup to Get Four-Year Tax Holiday from BOI

Wazzup Pilipinas!

As part of the government’s thrust to spur the digital startup industry and technological innovations in the Philippines, pioneering online tax assistance platform Taxumo was recently granted a four-year income tax holiday so it can focus its resources on growing its business. 

This recent move makes Taxumo the first digital startup firm approved by the Board of Investments (BOI) under the 2017 IPP (Investment Priorities Plan.) 

Taxumo is an easy online tax filing and payment web app that revolutionizes tax processing for Filipino solo entrepreneurs, self-employed professionals, and freelancers. Says EJ Arboleda, Taxumo’s CEO: “We are grateful that the BOI has given the attention to Taxumo, which sets a precedent for the tech startup industry to get the support it needs to move forward, which in turn will generate jobs and ease business operations. We are proud to be leading the way for the industry.” 

“Digitalization is a great equalizer that levels the playing field among small and large firms. Adopting an innovation-led business model, like the integration of digital strategies and e-commerce, enables MSMEs to scale-up their status and become competitive in the long run,” Trade Secretary and BOI Chairman Ramon M. Lopez said. 

“We must effectively tap the potential of MSMEs as it forms a significant part in of our country’s growth resurgence and nurturing them not just as backbones of our economy but also one of the prime movers of both domestic and regional growth.” 

Trade Undersecretary and BOI Managing Head Ceferino Rodolfo said: “BOI supports entrepreneurial startups as an engine for economic development and as a key driver of economic diversification and job creation. While the Philippine start-ups sector is at a nascent stage, our large young internet-savvy population and growing economy make the country a hot-bed for technology-driven activities.” 

He stressed “the need to have a forward thinking mentality that is anchored on providing entrepreneurs and startups with the necessary support to start and grow right from the earliest stages of development.” 

Through Taxumo, users simply enter their income and expenses in the system regularly, which then provides real-time information on tax dues. 

This will also be a great help for independent contractor taxes. The platform also autofills the relevant tax forms (BIR Form 2551M for Monthly Percentage Tax Payments, Form 1701Q for Quarterly Income Tax Payments, and soon, Form 1701 for Annual Income Tax Payments) with calculations based on the data entered by the user. 

From there, they can easily file and pay their tax dues online through Taxumo as well. Users can avail of paid subscription packages on the platform, depending on their needs.

ISOC-NPC Online Privacy Workshop

Wazzup Pilipinas!

The Internet Society, the world’s trusted independent source of leadership for Internet policy, standards and development, and the National Privacy Commission, would be holding a one-day interactive workshop on Online Privacy in the Philippines, to be held on the 29th of August. 

The workshop will take stock of the Data Privacy Act and the lessons learned from its implementation. Through a combination of panel and small group discussions, it will highlight good practices and emerging international norms in the Asia-Pacific region and globally, and examine policy trends such as the ‘right to be forgotten’ and how these might be relevant to the local context. 

The workshop seeks to solicit input from various stakeholder groups, including web-based organisations and traditional businesses with online operations, and deliberate on solutions to outstanding issues in developing a comprehensive culture of online data protection. 

For further information, please feel free to get in touch with us at apac@isoc.org,

Archivo 1984 Presents "The Past is a Foreign Country" by Jill Paz

Wazzup Pilipinas!

ARCHIVO 1984
The Past is a Foreign Country by Jill Paz


Pasillo 18
La Fuerza Compound (Gate 1)
2241 Chino Roces Ave., Makati City

Opening Reception: August 31, 2017 (5 pm)


Archivo 1984 proudly presents “The Past is a Foreign Country”, Jill Paz’s first solo exhibition in her home country, and also Archivo 1984’s inaugural exhibition in its new space which will open on August 31, 2015.

In this show, Paz focuses on images as object survivors of the past. The underlying theme of memory is re-interpreted by the artist as an exploration of renovation, embodied in her own experience of cultural loss. She explores this through homage paintings based on the work of her great grand-uncle, Felix Resurreccion Hidalgo.

Among the largest works in the show are the 8-foot ‘Untitled (After Hidalgo, Libertatem)’ (2015), composed of cardboard panels etched with a phantasmic composition inspired by the artist’s ancestor and a personal childhood memory. In ‘Untitled (Balikayan Box, It’s a Journey Back that I’m Always Taking)’ (2015), Paz has fashioned an LBC box with photographic images of her family home. 

Kevin Belingon Expects Big Reward if He Pulls Off Decisive Win Over Reece McLaren

Wazzup Pilipinas!

As Kevin Belingon crosses paths with a fellow former world title challenger in Reece McLaren, the Filipino knockout artist sees a big reward if he plays his cards right against the Australian standout.

Belingon is set to square off with McLaren on the stacked card of ONE: QUEST FOR GREATNESS, which takes place at the iconic Stadium Negara in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on 18 August.

The 29-year-old Baguio City native hopes that if he secures a convincing victory over McLaren, it will bring him an inch closer to a rematch with Bibiano “The Flash” Fernandes for the coveted ONE Bantamweight World Championship title.

“My initial goal is to continue winning until I get closer to the title and become a champion,” Belingon stated.

Belingon had his chance to vie for prestigious gold in January 2016 when he challenged Fernandes for the ONE Bantamweight World Championship belt, but things did not go his way as the Brazilian champion swiftly submitted him with a Kimura lock in the opening stanza.

Following his submission setback to Fernandes, Belingon took several months off before re-emerging in October 2016 by handing rising martial arts star Muin Gafurov of Tajikistan his second professional loss.

Belingon followed it up with an astounding knockout conquest of Finnish dynamo Toni Tauru last April in front of a sold-out crowd at the 20,000-capacity SM Mall of Asia Arena in Manila, Philippines.

For Belingon, his three-round bantamweight encounter with McLaren is an opportunity to make a truly impressive statement as his objective is to score a second cage meeting with Fernandes for the organization’s bantamweight title.

According to Belingon, defeating McLaren in decisive fashion may strengthen his bid to get a rematch with McLaren.

“I believe I will face Bibiano Fernandes if I can defeat Reece McLaren impressively. My dream of finally becoming a world champion is still there. It still lives in my heart. My upcoming bout is another journey to elevate my status as a contender for the title,” he stated.

Although a tough task is ahead of him, Belingon is confident that he will have his hand raised in triumph against McLaren inside the ONE Championship cage.

“It’s just the beginning for me. As a competitor, I have to keep on learning and adapt to changes in this forever-evolving sport. Through the years, improvement has been the key to my success. I am ready for Reece McLaren,” he concluded.

​For more updates on ONE Championship, please visit www.onefc.com, follow us on Twitter and Instagram @ONEChampionship, and like us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/ONEChampionship.

Yes to More Discounts with the Free VAT Campaign of Travelbook.ph

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Do you love traveling but feel that your earnings are never enough to cover the cost? Do you always feel worried about the continuous price hikes on commodities? Are you one of those who complain about the high tax rate charged in the items and services you need?

It wouldn’t be surprising if you answered “yes” in any of these questions. Because among our neighboring countries, we, Filipinos, are the highest-paying taxpayers.

While well-performing ASEAN countries like Singapore and Malaysia are able to tone down Value Added Tax (VAT) charges at the minimum, the Philippines remains as the South East Asian country with the highest VAT of 12% in the ASEAN. Apart from this, the Philippines also ranks second in corporate income tax and personal income tax. Now that almost all purchases made are topped with tax, many Filipinos are struggling so hard to earn enough just to cover all their expenses.

With that, Travelbook.ph, the leading online travel agent (OTA) in the country, wants to ease such burden.

Just this July, Travelbook.ph launched its Free VAT Campaign wherein they shoulder the 12% VAT on all hotel bookings made by their customers.

“Every Filipino deserves the best experience when they travel. And at Travelbook.ph, we believe that it should start at the very moment that they do their actual bookings,” says Mr. Takumi Nakazawa, General Manager of the leading OTA.

All the customers have to do is to sign up at www.travelbook.ph and choose among the 3,300 affiliated hotels of Travelbook.ph for their trip. Travelers, then, will see that the VAT on their hotel bookings has been deducted from the total cost of their transaction. What’s more interesting is that on top of the deducted VAT, additional discounts may still be applied.

With all the stress and problems in life that Filipinos normally encounter, Travelbook.ph would like to give them more opportunities to travel so they can unwind and explore.

“What we want to do is more of a public service instead of business. We have a heart for the customers and we do necessary actions to express that we care. That is how Free VAT campaign is born,” Mr. Nakazawa adds.

With this latest offer from Travelbook.ph, everyone can now get hassle-free and pocket-friendly trips! So book now at www.travelbook.ph to start the best travel experience you can ever have!

This campaign might end without prior notice to the public.

Eric Kelly Delighted Over Younger Brother Edward’s Winning Roll in ONE Championship

Wazzup Pilipinas!

As Edward “The Ferocious” Kelly continues his marvelous rise in ONE Championship’s stacked featherweight division, renowned Filipino martial arts veteran Eric “The Natural” Kelly can't help but feel impressed with his younger brother's winning streak in Asia’s largest sports media property.

Edward scored three huge victories inside the ONE Championship cage last year, starting his 2016 campaign by pulling off a come-from-behind submission win over previously-unbeaten Australian stalwart Jordan Lucas in March before achieving a second-round knockout of Dutch-Indonesian journeyman Vincent Latoel five months later.

The 33-year-old Baguio City native punctuated his 2016 calendar on a high note by stopping Indonesian standout Sunoto by way of third-round technical knockout in December.

Eric, who is only two years older than Edward, stressed that he is proud of his brother's recent accomplishments under the ONE Championship banner, citing the latter's ability to overcome adversity and his determination to develop as a competitor in the constantly-evolving sport.

Prior to his victory parade in ONE Championship, Edward had a jagged beginning in the promotion, losing to Brazilian contender Herbert “The Blaze” Burns by way of 44-second submission in December 2013 and then suffering a first-round knockout defeat to Malaysian-Kiwi sensation Ev Ting in October 2014.

Miss Universe 2015 as Ambassador of Asia’s Premier Charity and Awards Gala

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Miss Universe 2015 and UNAIDS Goodwill Ambassador for Asia and the Pacific, Pia Alonzo Wurtzbach, gave a heart icon after being named on Wednesday (9 August) as the first-ever ambassador of “Love Gala.”

In giving her time wholeheartedly in the HIV advocacy, Wurtzbach announced her personal project called Project Progressive Information Awareness (PIA) campaign or simply dubbed as Project PIA, which bears the Love Gala.

Love Gala is Asia’s Premier Charity and Awards Gala event, which will serve as a donation mechanism to support the HIV-AIDS advocacy, and will honor Ten (10) outstanding individuals at “The Ripple Awards” for their exceptional contributions in raising the level of HIV-AIDS awareness in the country.

“We hope to see an increase in HIV awareness, spread love for people living with HIV, and make HIV testing among Filipinos a normal part of their health and wellness routine,” said Ms Wurtzbach. “I believe we can strengthen our bonds and achieve our shared goal of ending AIDS in the Philippines, Asia-Pacific and the Universe.”

The maiden Love Gala will be held at the official city partner of Taguig on 1 December alongside the celebration of the World AIDS Day.

It will also feature a fashion show by top Philippine designers, a star-studded mini-concert, and a special auction.

Meanwhile for the “Ripple Awards,” the Love Gala organization will only be accepting nomination until 31 August 2017.

To nominate, click on the link: http://lovegala.org/nominate-now/. Nominees will be screened based on their initiatives to create ripples of positive change that greatly influence the domestic and global HIV-AIDS advocacy.

The gala is a collaboration of private and public institutions and youth-oriented organizations which was espoused by the Better Together Organization. It also aims at augmenting the efforts to normalize the HIV-AIDS advocacy to a larger audience.

“I believe we can strengthen our bonds and achieve our shared goal of ending AIDS in the Philippines, Asia-Pacific and the Universe,” says Ms Wurtzbach.

Long before Miss Universe 2015 Pia Alonzo Wurtzbach exponentially raised the HIV-AIDS Awareness in the country, many Filipino individuals have been working hard to change the landscape of HIV-AIDS advocacy in the country.

Ten (10) of them will be recognized this World AIDS Day on 1 December during the first-ever “Love Gala.”

The Love Gala, as unveiled Wednesday (9 August), is the Asia’s Premier Charity and Awards Gala event, which will honor outstanding individuals and their immeasurable contributions at “The Ripple Awards.”

The organization believes that “a single person's act of love can start a wave that can save millions of people.”

The Ripple Awards nomination period is open until 31 August 2017.

Visit the Love Gala page: http://lovegala.org/nominate-now/ to nominate someone who has created ripples of positive change that greatly influenced the domestic and global movement towards the HIV-AIDS advocacy.

Potential nominees can be a representative from the following sectors:

•           Business (HIV policy in the workplace, companies, programs for business)

•           Youth (program for the youth sector, youth-initiated)

•           Academe (educational institutions, school organizations, program for schools)

•           Government (legislators, LGUs, government organizations)

•           Media & Advertising (digital, media organizations, media programs)

•           Influencer (individual)

•           NGOs (NGO-led programs)

•           PLHIV (support groups, individual)

•           Medical (hospitals, doctors, clinics, medical practitioner)

•           Arts (films, stage play, artworks, artists)

Additionally, the gala is a collaboration of private and public institutions and youth-oriented organizations to augment the efforts in mainstreaming the HIV-AIDS advocacy to a larger audience.

Institutions and organizations coming together for Love Gala are the following: AIDS Healthcare Foundation, Black Maria Productions, Decent Image of South Signal Association (DIOSSA), Dentsu, Pinoy Plus Association Incorporated, Positibong Marino Philippines, Sustained Health Initiatives of the Philippines (SHIP), Taguig City Government, Team Mag, The Red Whistle, The LoveYourself Incorporated and the US Embassy.

Behind this extensive collaboration of Filipino organizations is Better Together.

Better Together, an initiative founded by Dr. Antoine Bondaz and Mr. Kenneth Kwok for the purpose of empowering the future generations in Asia and beyond, is a founding member of the Love Gala.

Uniting for a single cause, the gala will also feature a concert headlined by artists who are also HIV-AIDS awareness advocates, and a mini auction that will raise funds to further HIV-AIDS education.

With the Philippines peaking its HIV infection incidence, “We have to firmly stand together in fighting this pandemic, not only for the Philippines, but for the rest of Asia and beyond,” the organization concluded.

DOE and NREB Caps Off Public Consultation Series for the Draft Rules and Guidelines of the RPS

Wazzup Pilipinas!

The Department of Energy (DOE) and the National Renewable Energy Board (NREB), in cooperation with USAID B-LEADERS, conducted the last Public Consultation for the finalization of the draft rules and guidelines of the Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS) held onFriday, 11 August 2017 at the DOE’s headquarters in Bonifacio Global City, Taguig.

The Luzon leg of the pub-con is the culminating consultation after the Visayas leg in Cebu City and Mindanao leg in Davao City held respectively last 6 July and 26 July.

The RPS is a policy mechanism under Republic Act 9513 or the Renewable Energy Act of 2008 that requires electric power industry participants, particularly the distribution utilities, to source or produce a specified fraction of their power supply from eligible RE resources.

The main objective of RPS is to increase the utilization of RE by enhancing national and local capabilities on using RE.

“Once the RPS is rolled out, energy consumers have more options on what type of energy they want to consume, particularly the clean and sustainable ones. It empowers them to formulate the right energy strategies for them,” Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi said.

The Energy Chief said, “The pub-con is a necessary tool in engaging RE stakeholders in the policy-making by gathering their insights and suggestions to ensure a comprehensive RPS rules and guideline before finalization and endorsement by NREB to the DOE.”

Today’s pub-con was led by NREB Chair Atty. Jose Layug, Jr. as Keynote Speaker together with Electric Power Industry Management Bureau (EPIMB) OIC-Director Mario Marasigan and NREB Co-chairman and RPS Chairman Mr. Juan Antonio Bernad.

Chair Layug said, “We must ensure that the targets we have set for the RPS should not remain simply as statistics, not even as final destinations, but as milestones upon which new targets will evolve.”

Some issues raised during the consultation were the impact of RPS to consumers regarding electricity prices, the implication of RPS to existing power plants, social and environmental impression of the RPS and possible updates on the Competitive Selection Process (CSP) rules among others.

Around 300 participants from representatives of government agencies, NREB, international financial institutions, distribution utilities and renewable energy stakeholders attended the Luzon consultation.

7 Davao Aguilas FC Players Proud to Represent the Country at 29th SEA Games in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Wazzup Pilipinas!
Seven Davao Aguilas FC (DAFC) players, who are part of the U22 Philippine men’s football team, are proud representatives of the country at the 29th South East Asian (SEA) Games, set to begin next week, with their first match taking place on August 15, against Cambodia, at the Selayang Municipal Council Stadium.

The 7 Davao Aguilas players are as follows:

1. BAUTISTA, Junell Mark
2. CHENG, Jaime Vicenzo
3. CUBON, Raymart
4. DE BRUYCKER, Dylan Alain Lucienne
5. DIAZ, Van Rey
6. JARVIS, Jordan Blair
7. TALAROC, Richard Jr.


Coach Gary Phillips of DAFC says, “Very exciting times for Davao Aguilas FC, we have 7 representatives, that’s wonderful for our club. Obviously, we wish them all the best, we are confident that they will do well and represent Philippine football in a good way, and they are quality players, quality individuals. We are very excited for them and I’m sure they will do us proud.”

In preparation for the SEA Games, a football camp was also held in Japan, in cooperation with Japan Football Association.

The rest of the Davao Aguilas FC (DAFC) will also be in KL, Malaysia, not only to support the U22 members of the club, but also for a training camp which will prepare them for the resumption of their PFL matches, set to resume on September 9, at Tagum City, Davao del Norte, in a match that will pit them against Global Cebu FC.


For more information, please visit www.facebook.com/DAFCofficial.

SEVEN DAVAO AGUILAS FC PLAYERS PROUD TO REPRESENT THE COUNTRY AT THE 29TH SEA GAMES IN KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA