Moving Forward: Maintenance, Rehabilitation, and Operations of MRT-3

Wazzup Pilipinas!

The 3rd aspect of DOTr’s Four-Point Strategy for MRT-3 is contracting a qualified and experienced maintenance and rehabilitation service provider with an indicative term of 3 years.


Scope of Work

The service provider is intended to do not just maintenance, they are also intended to rehabilitate and restore the system to its original performance condition. Due to underinvestment in preventive maintenance and renewal works in recent years, the condition of MRT-3 has degraded to a state where maintenance works alone are no longer sufficient. The indicative term of 3 years is needed for the service provider’s rehabilitation and restoration works.


Who Will Do the Work

Part of DOTr’s preparations for the termination of BURI and takeover of MRT-3 is pursuing options for the system’s replacement maintenance service provider. In the last few months, the DOTr has been discussing options with development partners (e.g., Japan, Singapore, France).

Pursuant to the Philippines-Japan infrastructure development cooperation framework, discussions with the Government of Japan (GOJ) has progressed and an agreement is already scheduled to be signed before year-end. After the Government-to-Government (G2G) agreement for an Official Development Assistance (ODA) is signed, the maintenance and rehabilitation service contractor will be contracted pursuant to GOJ and JICA rules.

The joint venture of Sumitomo Corporation and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries is being closely considered due to their background and experience with the MRT-3 – they designed and built the system from 1998 to 2000, and maintained the system from 2000 to 2012.


Link with O&M Provider

The 4th aspect of DOTr’s Four-Point Strategy for MRT-3 is getting a long-term (30 yrs.), single-point-of-responsibility, O&M provider for MRT-3.

DOTr has already granted original proponent status to the proponent of an unsolicited proposal, which will soon be endorsed to NEDA for approval.

The maintenance and rehabilitation service provider will be contracted ahead of the O&M provider to allow for the NEDA approval and Swiss Challenge process. When the O&M provider assumes the operation of MRT-3, they will also take in the maintenance and rehabilitation service provider that will be contracted earlier by DOTr.

#MagMoveOnMagSaridon

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Martir pa rin? Kailan ba ang feast day mo nang mapag-alayan ka namin ng itlog? Tigilan na ‘yang mga pa-fall at pa-asa! Sakit sa ulo n’yan, besh!

‘Pag masakit ang ulo, ‘wag matigas ang ulo. Mag-move on, mag Saridon.

Ang Saridon, hindi pa-fall, hindi pa-asa! May triple-action formula ng Paracetamol, Propyphenazone, at Caffeine, kaya mas mabilis[1] sa paracetamol[2] lang. ‘Sing bilis nung pinagpalit ka ng ex mo!

At para makapag-move on ka agad-agad, dalawang online films ang hatid ng Saridon para sa mga sawing tulad mo – mula sa award-winning director na si Chris Martinez, at sa natatanging pagganap ng premyadong aktres, host, at comedian na si Eugene “Besh Uge” Domingo.

Sa tulong ni “Besh Uge”, ang konsensya mong gigising sa’yo sa katotohanan, makikita mo ang masakit ng realidad ng paghihintay sa mga paasa at pa-fall… at sa sakit ng ulo. Bilang iyong “voice of reason”, handang ituwid ni “Besh Uge” ang iyong mga pagkakamali! At, hindi ka niya tatantanan! Dahil gusto niya, may ending na ang drama mo!

Kaya para magising ka na at ma-Uge ang umaasa mong puso, Besh-ahin mo ang message ni Besh Uge para sa’yo!

5 Reasons Why Outsourcing and ITIL Should Go Together

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Although outsourcing is a powerful growth hacking method, there are still some issues with its flow which can be compensated with the implementation of ITIL.


ITIL - A Growing Trend in the Outsourcing Market
The demand for IT is continuously growing – this insatiable market is spreading day after day. If your business is one of the many in this sea, you must be aware of the fact that the competition is very tough and, sometimes, just staying in the niche can be challenging.

Your success comes down to one thing really – the quality of your products or services, and if you capitalize here, there’s no reason why your clientele would ever have to stop being loyal to you and go to another brand. We’re all familiar with outsourcing and its power for growth hacking, but perhaps that power can be enhanced. To remain ahead of your competition, you need to be in continuous search for tools which will enable you exactly that, which is why it’s necessary to consider ITIL.

A Solid Structure

ITIL, which is short for Information Technology Infrastructure Library, provides its users with a very clever system which contains the finest practices and methodologies. It’s an operating standard for IT businesses which offers a system that can regulate all activities happening in a complex business that supplies the market with various services. When implemented, ITIL can regulate IT operations of companies working together and create a solid structure for their cooperation. Specifically for telecom, you can build a solid structure by….

A Strong Connection

A learning curve and an adaptation process are necessary when ITIL is implemented into a business, and although it may seem like it slows you down at first, you’ll be able to see its benefits quickly. Some of the benefits are… Project managers in different companies can communicate via its systems and thus be able to distribute clear tasks to different departments within their business. Telecom is the strength behind communications

Safety Net

Although a management team is responsible for regulating work within a company and they are responsible for its outcome, they too use project management tools to function. Because management software can only do so much, ITIL would become a safety net for two different businesses that are partnering up. It can help with… in the telecom world.

Communication Tool

The biggest problem with outsourcing is a lack of transparent communication, and many factors are contributing to this – different time zones and cultural differences are the most important ones. A system like this provides the means for clear communication between parties, which contributes to increasing the quality of their results and the efficiency when it comes to time and staying within the deadline. It helps by… Naturally, a lot depends on finding a reliable business when outsourcing, but transparent communication plays a very important role here.

Possibilities for Expansion

We already mentioned how a set of these practices and methodologies provides a solid structure for the functioning of two businesses that are distant, geographically speaking. However, another great benefit comes with the appliance of ITIL, and that’s room for expansion. When implemented, this set of systems establishes routines and frames the procedures necessary for completing tasks and thus, it takes off a load of work from the whole business, leaving room for employees in different departments to refocus and invest their time and creativity towards growth.

With these benefits, ITIL is obviously a tool which can make the workflow of a business a lot smoother if used properly. Although there are changes that need to be introduced to the way you do business, and your employees will need some getting used to, it’s definitely worth your while.

Andres Bonifacio as first Philippine President Proposed

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Atty. Gary Bonifacio, great-great-grand-nephew of 19th century Katipunan revolutionary movement founder Andres Bonifacio and great-great-grandson of the hero’s brother Procopio Bonifacio, made a public appeal on November 29 at the non-partisan Pandesal Forum of Kamuning Bakery Café in Quezon City for the government to declare his forebear as “the first president of the Philippines based on the recommendations of many nationalist historians and scholars to correct historical injustices”.

Atty. Bonifacio, now an election officer in San Juan City, clarified: “Supremo Andres Bonifacio’s Katipunan was not only a revolutionary organization but it was a revolutionary government of the Philippines. He referred to all Filipinos and the Philippines as Tagalogs and the Tagalog republic, because he refused to use the colonial name imposed by the Spanish colonizers. When he used the term ‘Tagalog people’, it referred to all of us whether Tagalogs, Visayan, Ilonggo, Ilocano, Tausug. Andres Bonifacio had a vision and concept of our nationhood, in fact, he even opened Philippine citizenship to foreigners living in our isles, to Chinese who were already second-generation here and to fourth-generation Spaniards here.”

Andres Bonifacio and his brother Procopio Bonifacio were both unjustly murdered on May 10, 1897 in the mountains of Maragondon in Cavite province. They were executed by the soldiers of and upon orders of General Emilio Aguinaldo, after their very controversial and unjust trial in Naic, Cavite and also after the controversial 1897 Tejeros convention. After the deaths of Andres and Procopio Bonifacio, other members of their family were persecuted and went into hiding for many years.

Andres Bonifacio founded the anti-colonial revolutionary movement and government called Kataastaasan Kagalanggalang na Katipunan (KKK) ng mga Anak ng Bayan or the Katipunan. He was unjustly murdered at age 33, while his brother Procopio was also murdered at age 28.

CNN Philippines and the Department of Tourism Highlight the Country’s Best with New Program My Philippines

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Exploring various parts of the country through the eyes of its locals, My Philippines is a 30-minute program that highlights the unique qualities of different Philippine destinations and proves why they’re places worth discovering and revisiting.

My Philippines goes around six localities, each chosen for their distinct sights, delicacies and attributes. Celebrated natives of each place serve as hosts for each episode, allowing viewers to uncover each destination in the most authentic way.

In La Union, El Union Coffee owner Kidd Cosio takes viewers around hot spots in the small surf town and explains why he chose to raise his young family by the beach;

In Baguio, true-blooded Igorota and media personality Ingrid Payaket introduces new spots to visit in the country’s summer capital;

In Pampanga, chef Jam Melchor proves why Pampanga is one of the country’s finest culinary destination;

In Cebu, theater and film actress Chai Fonacier gives a fresh take of the Southern metropolis as she unveils sustainable enterprises in the area;

In Batangas, Lea Lantayan—the first woman to bike the entire Philippines—explores a daring adventure spot and the best food haunts in the city.

and in Albay, Miss Bicolandia 2017 winner Kayesha Chua takes viewers through the picturesque province in Southeastern Luzon.

Best Philippine Real Estate Players Named By 10,000 Property Seekers

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Here are the results of a nationwide survey of thousands of Filipino property seekers are in:

Leading real estate portal Lamudi Philippines has revealed the nominees of a survey study about the country’s most popular developers and their projects, the winners of which will be acknowledged at an event on November 29, 2017, at the Marquis Events Place in Bonifacio Global City, Taguig.

“The past couple of years have been eventful for many of the country’s biggest real estate brands; property buyers and investors have seen the rise of various developments not just in the metro but all over the country, a testament to the continuous upward trend of the local real estate industry,” said Lamudi Group CEO and Managing Director Bhavna Suresh Chathambeth.

Consisting of 23 categories and answered by 10,000 property seekers nationwide, the data-driven survey aims to recognize the best performing real estate brands and projects online. Respondents were tasked to share their opinion on the overall top developers, the most outstanding developments at present, and best design, as well as other special categories.

“This survey will bring to light the most competitive among the industry’s biggest players, as well as the rising names that property investors should watch out for, and we are looking forward to sharing the results,” Ms. Suresh added.


DEVELOPER

Best Condo Developer

• Ayala Land
• DMCI Homes
• SMDC

Best Housing Developer

• Camella
• Crown Asia
• Filinvest Land

Best Commercial Developer

• SM Prime Holdings
• Ayala Land
• Robinsons Land

Best Mixed-use Developer

• Ayala Land (Nuvali)
• Megaworld (McKinley Hill)
• SM Prime Holdings Inc. (MOA Complex)

DEVELOPER (Visayas)

Best Condo Developer

• Cebu Landmasters
• PrimaryHomes
• AboitizLand

Best Housing Developer

• Camella
• PrimaryHomes
• Maria Luisa Properties

Best Mixed-use Developer

• Megaworld Corp. (Mactan Newtown)
• Ayala Land (Cebu Business Park and Cebu IT Park)
• Filinvest Land (City de Mare)


DEVELOPMENT (Metro Manila and neighboring provinces)

Best High-end Condo Development

• The Proscenium at Rockwell – Rockwell Center, Makati (Rockwell Land)
• One Serendra – Bonifacio Global City, Taguig (Ayala Land Premier)
• 8 Forbes Town Road – Forbes Town Center, BGC, Taguig (Megaworld Corporation)


Best Mid-end Condo Development

• 100 West – Pio Del Pilar, Makati (Filinvest Land)
• Zinnia Tower – Balintawak, Quezon City (DMCI Homes)
• Avida Towers Centera – EDSA, Mandaluyong (Avida Land)


Best Affordable Condo Development

• Trees Residences – Novaliches, Quezon City (SMDC)
• Amaia Steps Alabang – Almanza Uno, Las Pinas (Amaia Land)
• Brio Tower – Brgy. Guadalupe Viejo, Makati (DMCI Homes)


Best High-end Housing Development

• Ayala Greenfield Estates – Calamba, Laguna (Ayala Land Premier)
• Ayala Westgrove Heights – Silang, Cavite (Ayala Land Premier)
• Valenza – Santa Rosa, Laguna (Crown Asia)


Best Affordable Housing Development

• Avida Settings Cavite – Dasmariñas City, Cavite (Avida Land)
• Camella Cerritos – Bacoor City, Cavite (Camella)
• Amaia Scapes Bulacan – Santa Maria, Bulacan (Amaia Land)



DEVELOPMENT (Visayas)

Best High-end Condo Development

• 32 Sanson – Lahug, Cebu City (Rockwell Land)
• Marco Polo Residences – Apas, Cebu City (Federal Land)
• 1016 Residences – Cebu Business Park, Cebu City (Ayala Land Premier)


Best Affordable Condo Development

• Urban Homes Condominium – Mandaue City (8990 Holdings)
• Avida Towers Cebu – Cebu IT Park, Cebu City (Avida Land)
• Amaia Steps Mandaue – Alang-Alang, Mandaue (Amaia Land)


Best High-End Housing Development

• Maria Luisa Estate Park – Banilad, Cebu City (Maria Luisa Properties)
• The Residences at NorthRidge – Banawa, Cebu City (Monterrazas de Cebu/GENVI Development Corp.)
• Priveya Hills – Talamban, Cebu City (AboitizLand)


Best Affordable Housing Development

• Camella Riverfront – Cebu City (Camella)
• Amaia Scapes North Point Bacolod – Talisay City (Amaia Land)
• Richwood Homes – Compostela, Cebu (Primary Homes Inc.)

Developers will also be recognized for their aesthetic through the condo and housing design and architecture categories, while special acknowledgment will be given to certain brands that excel in customer service, value for money, and condo and subdivision amenities.

Winners will be revealed at “The Outlook by Lamudi,” an event that will also bring together leaders of the real estate industry in order to discuss and share their perspectives on the future of the local property landscape. Aside from recognizing awardees, the affair will also feature various talks and panel discussions, and will also be a networking opportunity for attendees.

Speakers at the event will include Mindanao peace advocate and actor Robin Padilla on the recovery of Marawi, Lamudi Global CEO Kian Moini on the power of technology and information in real estate, Global Gateway Clark CEO Michael Russell on the future of Clark, and Aseana Holdings CEO Delfin C. Wenceslao on the process of building a new city. The day will also feature panel discussions on the future of mixed-use developments in the Philippines, solving the housing backlog, the evolution of residential housing in Metro Manila by 2020, revitalizing city developments, and the future of sustainability in real estate.

“The Outlook by Lamudi” is organized by Lamudi Philippines in collaboration with sponsors Aseana Holdings, Wilcon Depot, and Global Gateway Development Corp.; media partners Philippine Daily Inquirer, Philippine Realty TV, CNN Philippines, Business World, and Manila Standard; and partner Marquis Events Place.

To know more about The Outlook by Lamudi, visit www.lamudi.com.ph/the_outlook.

5 Scrumptious Dishes for This Christmas to Make the Best Out of the Day

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Well, Christmas is around the corner and it is the time for all the tinsel to be placed strategically around your living room again and let the ultimate fun to reach its peak. Also, this is not the end! It is the time to treat your taste-buds with those delicious Christmas delicacies too. Moreover, thanks to the Pizza Hut offers from Dealslands and other such deals, you can eat in an extremely frugal way on this Christmas.

However, thinking of the traditional Christmas dishes like the tasty Christmas Ham, and yummy Christmas cake? But, why don’t you try something different this time which are equally mouthwatering but certainly the unique ones of course? Want to know about the same?

Then, here’s a rundown of such appetizing dishes which you should go for this Christmas and thus on this year the dinner would turn out to be one of the most memorable Christmas dinners ever.

So, here I start!


1. Caramelized Onion Tarts With Apples

(Photo Above)

Want to taste a delicious and impressive appetizer that can be made easily? Then, you must go for this dish on this Christmas evening! The sweet and savory taste meet the mixture of apples and onions which comes with the toppings. This kind of tasty toppings turn out the tarts to be super-yummy!!


2. Fondue



Let your guests warm up themselves in the freezing Christmas evening with this retro dish. This dish is a perfect amalgamation of flavors and tastes in which you can find a wonderful combination of fruity wine, a splash of lemon juice, grated cheese and so on. It just melts in your mouth when you eat it with cubed bread and boiled potatoes. Also, while going a bit beyond of being traditional, you can even couple up this fantastic dish with some cut-up apples and pears, sliced cooked sausages and so on.


3. Pears with Blue Cheese and Prosciutto



In this dish, you can find that the tender and salty prosciutto is taking the classic combination of pears and cheese to just another level. You need to just roll up a slice of roasted pear, a piece of arugula, and a piece of creamy and yet not crumbly piece of blue cheese in a strip of prosciutto and it’s ready!




4. Rosemary Pecans



You just need to put a little bit of extra effort on the snackable pecan which will take just 20 minutes and thus your holiday appetizer would turn out to be extra-festive! Moreover, the taste of melted butter, cayenne pepper, sugar, salt, and rosemary make this dish extremely palatable.


5. Feta and Spinach Tartlets



This unique type of tartlets which are savory in nature is being inspired by the Mediterranean flavor. So, if you have an intense love for such Mediterranean aroma of food then this dish is more than perfect for you to taste on this Christmas. It has an outstanding combination of spinach greens, feta cheese, and last but not the least the fresh dill in a crunchy phyllo dough shell.



Winding Up

I guess you might have started drooling by now itself. Well, if so, then such an action of yours is genuinely understandable, thanks to the extremely delectable sorts of dishes these are! So, try these dishes for the upcoming Christmas and treat yourself in the best possible way ever.

Lastly, Wish you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year in advance!!


Image Sources:

Image 1:- Diantonioscatering.com
Image 2:- Images.food52.com
image 3:- Img.taste.com.au
image 4:- Insonnetskitchen.com
image 5:- I.recipes-plus.co.uk

Complete Your Beauty Regimen with Proactiv Solution

Wazzup Pilipinas!

We highly recommend to include Proactiv on your complete beauty regimen.

Women’s beauty regimen may be deemed complicated by many, with all the elements that come with it to ensure that their beauty comes out in all its majestic glory.

But to achieve total beauty, it all boils down to having a healthy attitude and lifestyle. Of course, the Proactiv Solution completes any beauty regimen, especially when dealing with the dreaded acne, a common skin problem of anyone.

So, make your skin beautifully radiant with these healthy and practical tips from Proactiv for that worry-free look.

It starts with having clean hands before washing or touching parts of your face. Remove any trace of makeup and dampen skin with lukewarm and not hot water since it won’t kill acne bacteria. It will just make your face turn red because of increased blood flow in your face. Hot water also won’t open your pores, and neither would cold water close them, if that’s what your friend told you. Your pores’ appearance really depends on the amount of oil, dirt and dead skin cells that accumulate in your pore area.

And like what Proactiv always says, keep exfoliating. Exfoliation helps remove dead skin cells, and with Proactiv Solution’s exfoliating beads, will aid in shedding those dead cells and prepare your skin for any medication that will be applied.

Plus, whatever happens, never scrub. While exfoliation means the gentle removal of dead skin cells, scrubbing is its violent counterpart if you think it will remove acne. It will not only create small skin tears, but also make it more prone to infection and inflammation. Don’t use cleansers with strong alcohol content as well for it will remove the skin’s natural moisture and oil content.

Lastly, avoid picking your pimples. Learn to pick the proper treatment and certainly, picking or squeezing your pimples is not one of them. And whatever you do, spot treatment won’t work. Apply the Proactiv Solution on your whole face and not on select or pimple-marked areas. The secret is consistency, which means applying Proactiv Solution every day without fail.

Good thing for Filipinos is that the well-loved Proactiv Solution is here to stay and help solve Filipinos’ perennial skin problems such as acne. It uses a 3-Step system to achieve that clear and healthy, glowing skin you’ve always dreamed of.

Complete your daily beauty regimen with Proactiv Solution. Price is at Php 2,495 for the 30-day kit and Php 3,995 for the 60-day kit. Just visit any Watsons and SM Department Store nationwide.

Chaos Brings the House Down on December 8

Chaos nightclub at City of Dreams Manila presents international DJ/Producer Ookay (pronounced “Okay”) on December 8 to set the party scene in full throttle. Paving the way for the trademark bass-laden Trap and Dubstep tunes of Ookay are Chaos resident DJs MVRXX and Jet Boado together with hype man MC Ronthug who will kick start the party with riveting energy.

Ookay is the stage name of San Diego-based Abraham “Abe” Laguna, who is best known for his heart-pounding and heavy-handed tracks synthesized with dub and trap beats. His signature style is evident in his latest smash hit "Bouncer" with EDM duo Showtek, which topped the Beatport EDM music chart following its release. In 2016, Ookay’s self-released original titled "Thief," was listed in Spotify and quickly went viral in the US and global charts with over 3 million online streaming listeners. The Sirius Electric Area program by Sirius XM Radio Station which is broadcasted across the US and Canada named “Thief” as the most played song on its first month of release. Ookay's undeniable creativity and talent has garnered support from the likes of Skrillex, Diplo, Major Lazer, DJ Snake, Steve Aoki, DJ Mustard.

Cruising from city to city performing for various music festivals in the United States, Europe and Asia, Ookay’s releases including remixes of Congrorock’s “Bless Di Nation Ft. Sean Paul” and Steve Aoiki, and Chris Lake & Tujamo’s “Boneless.” He seamlessly combines EDM and Hiphop influences, while creating a musical style all his own. His collaboration with EDM superstar Diplo to remix Avicii’s “You Make Me” is also considered as one of his best works.

Armed with numerous ear-catching releases and a rapidly growing number of fans around the world, Ookay shows no signs of stopping, creating even more captivating hits including “Chasing Colors” featuring Miley Cyrus’ youngest sister Noah, “Back Again”, and “Lighthouse”.




The event is co-presented by Heineken and supported by Red Bull. For Chaos VIP table reservations, guests can contact 0917-8863678. Door charge is priced at P 1,000 inclusive of one drink.

Season 9 Production: Pasko Sa Bahay Kalapati

"Maligayang Pasko!", may ililigaya pa ba ang pasko kung sa paghihirap at problema ika'y lubog? Makakaramdam pa ba ng pagmamahal sa kabila ng mga pagsubok? Makararanas pa ba ng katahimikan sa lugar na maingay at mga mata ng tao'y laging nakatutok?

Inihahandog ng TINIK NG TEATRO ang 'Season 9 Production: Pasko Sa Bahay Kalapati' sa darating na ika-6 ng Disyembre, taong 2017 ganap na ala-una (1:00 n.h) at alas-tres (3:00 n.h) ng hapon na gaganapin sa Adamson University Theater.

Sa panulat at direksyon ni Rachel Ann Gianan.

Para sa tiket at iba pang katanungan maaari lang na mag-text o tumawag sa sumusunod na mga numero: 09081397142 / 09357442044

*Ang bahagi ng malilikom na kita ay gagamitin sa outreach activity ng Tinik Ng Teatro sa January 2018.

#TNTPaskoSaBahayKalapati 
#TNTKudos 
#TinikNgTeatro