ICT Enabled Startup Development (seedPH) Program

Wazzup Pilipinas!

The seedPH Program is a pioneering program of the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) aimed at strengthening the Philippine Digital Startup Ecosystem and supporting the continued development of relevant innovations and digital startups throughout the country by encouraging the Filipino youth to develop relevant ideas that could either help solve societal challenges or become successful businesses.

The program started in 2013 under the collaborative efforts and inputs of the Philippine digital startup community. The DICT took the initiative to gather the country’s major startup players which paved the way to more aligned efforts for the startup movement in the country, especially spreading these efforts in the countryside to help promote inclusive growth throughout the country.

In 2017, seedPH anchors its efforts to the sector’s roadmap, the Philippine Roadmap for Digital Startup as it strives to provide interventions that will encourage creation of digital startups to help improve the Philippine economy and provide local employment,  build sustainable businesses and help solve current and future challenges in the society with the use of technology. The program also aims to the Philippine Startup Community and get it to work as one unit as it strives to produce successful startup companies whose products and services are scalable locally and internationally and answer real problems in industries and communities.  Now, identified and assessed by the local community as a foundational startup ecosystem, the Philippines aims to move forward as a truly unique innovation hub that shows resiliency, ingenuity and heart that is truly Filipino.

The seedPH encourages Filipinos especially the youth to create startups through the programs summed up in one phrase: I C.A.N., which stands for the Program’s main thrusts for the Startup Community: Inform, Collaborate, Accelerate and Nurture.

INFORM

One of the issues identified in the Philippine Startup ecosystem is the low number of digital startups and the general lack of awareness on technology entrepreneurship, which in turn hinders the growth and establishment of more tech businesses. The program aims to educate Filipinos particularly the youth on digital opportunities through trainings and workshops that will equip them with basic startup knowledge and how to build technology startup companies.

Startup Workshops are one-day trainings, which aim to provide basic concepts and tools in building technology startups. These workshops help enhance the competence of ICT enthusiasts in the countryside and uplift the local economy through possible creation of ICT business. The workshops cover five major concepts and activities relevant in setting up a startup: Idea Generation and development, Customer Identification and Validation; Unique Value Proposition; Cost and Revenue and Pitching. This workshop is open for college students and professors and is being done in collaboration with the startup industry leaders and startup founders. The program has conducted 21 advocacy workshops in gathering a total of 3,000 potential startup founders and startup professionals from different cities and provinces in the country.

Lean Startup 101 Bootcamps - While Startup Workshops target the students, Lean Startup 101 Bootcamps aim to capacitate college professors from the fields of Computer Studies, Engineering, and other Technical and Business Related courses to become campus startup coaches. Mentors from the Philippine Software Industry Association (PSIA), an industry partner of DICT, help teach the Lean Startup Methodology in a one-day bootcamp, providing professors knowledge on Idea Generation, Business Model Canvass, and Customer Validation. The program stresses the crucial role of professors in molding future technopreneurs and serving as startup champions and mentors in academic institutions. This fosters a supportive and collaborative environment for innovation to be created in the academe level ensuring that mentors from different fields of expertise are aligned in the startup mindset.   Bootcamps are also conducted in preparation for the program’s national startup competition, the Philippine Startup Challenge. Potential team coaches are equipped with the necessary tools and skills to efficiently coach student teams in building their own startup innovations. There are currently 460+ professors who were trained under the Lean Startup Bootcamps.

COLLABORATE

With the intent of being an agent of unification and collaboration, the DICT has put great importance in collaborating with the local players in the ecosystem, as it has rolled out its programs with the benefit of both the industry and the stakeholders in mind. The program has found great results in building a robust ecosystem by empowering local champions as it has found in local Information and Communications Technology (ICT) Councils established in localities throughout the country. The seedPH program opens opportunities for collaboration between aspiring startup founders and industry leaders by supporting conferences and events that bring together the country’s great minds.

Startup Weekend is a global movement with a weekend-long, hands-on module - tried and tested to become a productive venue where startups and aspiring entrepreneurs gather in one place, collaborate, execute ideas and pitch among esteemed startup industry leaders.  It allows anyone with an idea for a business to find potential co-founders and partners who can help build the business with little investment.

The seedPH program enables the conduct of Startup Weekends in regional locations, also providing support for facilitation in partnership with Techtalks.ph, a dynamic grass roots community of technology enthusiasts who continuously empower groups in the countryside to spread ICT initiatives. Numerous startups have begun their careers as participants of startup weekend, finding future co-founders and partners, and gaining valuable insight that it is possible to create something relevant and that failure is easily overcome.

Geeks on a Beach (GOAB) is the premiere international startup conference in the country that gathers startup, technology and design practitioners, enthusiasts and experts to inspire relevant innovations and strengthen the budding community of ICT startups and its stakeholders.

Showcasing both the Philippines vibrant tourism industry through its beautiful beaches seamlessly merged with ICT and innovation development, GOAB has opened opportunities for startups to learn from and collaborate with the local and international startup industry experts and leaders. Through the conference, startup enthusiasts were able to connect with potential partners and investors; learn from experienced entrepreneurs and hear the latest trends on the tech-startup industry.

GOAB 2016 also opened an opportunity to gather Philippine Startup community leaders and launch the sole organization for the country’s startup ecosystem – the StartupPH.org. The organization became a venue to discuss the issues in the ecosystem and how to address them.


ACCELERATE

Moving further to support startups beyond its ideation stages, the seedPH program has conducted projects to support early stage startup founders who are moving towards market and product validation and/or prototyping stages. The DICT finds its niche in the startup’s ecosystem and in supporting the startups in the advocacy and strengthening of their innovative product/service even before these technopreneurs become fully legitimate businesses. These projects aim to connect founders with necessary experts and mentors who can help them further in their tech business ventures.

Launchpad - is a mentoring and assistance program, which aims to support and capacitate local startups as they transition from developing their software product idea to operating viable software businesses.  This program is geared towards providing assessment on the startup idea; guidance on the business and technical aspect of their startup; networking opportunities with industry leaders and enablement trainings that could further enhance the participants’ existing business idea.

This program has been conducted in partnership with the Philippine Software Industry Association (PSIA) to continuously provide support for local technopreneurs to become sustainable businesses with the aim of becoming globally recognized startups.

 Alpha Startups Bootcamp is a 6-day program consisting of a 5 day bootcamp and a demo day. It aims to address the gap between idea generation to having business viable products by gathering around 50-60 founders and co-founders of early stage startups who have initially started conceptualizing an innovative ICT startup/business. The 5-day Bootcamp includes discussion covering workshops on Customer Development, Product Development and Marketing Strategies.

seedPH supports 1337 Ventures and the Philippine Software Industry Association (PSIA) through financial and logistical assistance. In the last 2 years, 1337 Ventures helped mentor and fund 6 Filipino startups.

NURTURE

seedPH aims to focus directly on encouraging the youth to create relevant technologies that could also be viable business ventures.

 Philippine Startup Challenge (PSC) aims to inspire college students to create innovative solutions to the most pressing problems in the society with the use of technology.

A total of 300+ entries were received in the last three years. Student teams created digital-based startups to help solve issues in the sectors of Agriculture, transportation, education, health, environment, among others.

PSC is more than a student-competition because as it exposes the youth different ways of creating innovative and viable business solutions and inspiring them to pursue with their idea even after the competition.

Partnerships with the industry helped PSC winners develop their ideas further. The team behind the startup “eBasura” had the opportunity to be part of a 2-week international study program courtesy of Huawei Philippines. The program aims to prepare future generations to be more competitive by exposing them to the latest innovation trends.  The team is now working on their prototype and gained industry partners. Investment is also on its way as former startup founders turned investors who are graduates of seedPH supported Alpha Startups bootcamp are providing financial support as a means of giving back to the support provided to them by the government and seedPH industry partners.

seedPH Program is a proof that closer collaboration between the government and the private sector is the most effective way to implement programs that has great impact to the community. It continues to open doors for both sides to address both the gaps and support needed to strengthen further the Philippine Startup ecosystem.

For 20 year old Queeny Jane Cabizares, projects of DICT like Alpha Startups Bootcamp, Launchpad, Philippine Startup Challenge and Geeks on a Beach helped her develop, improve, validate and scale her startup idea. “I will not be where I am if not for the seedPH Program of DICT. It was just a dream for me, I have no knowledge on the business side but the mentors whom DICT introduced had helped me a lot in a way I can’t even discuss in a few words.” Now, Queeny has established customer base and continues to get support from industry experts and investors.

The seedPH program also encourages startup community to pay the favor forward by encouraging them to  share their knowledge to the community. Ms. Angeline Viray of Beep A Ride, one of the startup teams who became part of the Startup Weekend and Alpha Startups Bootcamp programs, continues to share her experience and expertise to the youth by being a resource person in Startup Workshops. “I believe that advocacy is a noble cause. And we need more programs like this to participate in causes that benefit the startup community.”

For software and tech-startup industry leaders like Mr. Joey Gurango, seedPH has helped empower many startup founders to become future leaders of the startup community. “The Department of ICT, through its SeedPH program, has been an invaluable partner to SPRING.ph in our efforts to encourage, enable and nurture the stakeholders of our growing Philippine Startup Ecosystem. We hope to empower many more with the continuous support that we receive from DICT”.

For seedPH, Filipinos CAN create innovative technologies. DICT believes, together with its community partners, it can create a strong Philippine Startup ecosystem.


Philippine Startup Industry / Community Partners
Science and Technology Advisory Council – Silicon Valley
Plug and Play Tech Center
Ideaspace Foundation
ICCP Ventures
Ideyatech
UP Enterprise Center
Techtalks.PH
Kickstart Ventures
IPO Philippines
DOST Technology Application and Promotion Institute
Department of Trade and Industry
Narra Ventures
Launchgarage
Philippine Software Industry Association – Spring.PH Program
Philippine Society of IT Educators
National ICT Confederation of the Philippines
Huawei Philippines
Microsoft Philippines
HP Enterprise

seedPH Program Startup Advocacy and Training

Philippine Startup Challenge
Philippine Startup Challenge (PSC) is a national startup competition for college students , which aims to encourage the youth to create innovative solutions to the country’s most pressing problems.

PSC 2014 Winners:

Intern Ship (Pag Hinabol Mo Lalong Lalayo) – an application that allows students to use geolocational search for finding companies who are looking for new interns. Students can also use resume and application letter templates through this internship portal.

Tweeva (Technovators) – is a mobile/web application that analyzes Twitter data to provide sentiment analysis of a given hashtag keyword. Aside from the sentiment analysis, the application will also generate demographics. The application will also provide rankings for specific topics like restaurants, hotels, public figures, and others.

POD (NoSemicolon) – is a cross-platform mobile application that provides suggestions for students or individuals who wish to study or work away from their hometown and needs to find a dormitory or apartment where they can stay. This features all dormitories/apartments that are around the vicinity of the entered school or university.

CareStarter (Gecko) – is an application that assists scholars in finding the right donor for them and for donors to find deserving scholarship beneficiaries. This application is an avenue for scholars and donors to interact with each other. Donors will also be given the privilege to see the transcript of records of the students they are funding so that they will be able to check on the accomplishments of their scholars.

Escape Plan (WiseGeeks) – is an augmented reality game that will change the way of building teams. It addresses issues on inconveniences before, during, and after team building activities, such as going to far-flung areas, spending too much money, getting in harm’s way and destroying the shared vision of the company because of irrelevant competition. This game promotes basic principles of building effective teams – effective communication, shared purpose, dynamic team design and balance orientation. The objective of the game is to escape the room, where teams get to escape an environment by solving puzzles and finishing the challenges.

PSC 2015 Winners:

eBasura: a cross-platform mobile application that addresses the problem and teaches people on the proper disposal and management of broken and old electronics or e-wastes.

eBasura team had their two-week study in China courtesy of seedPH industry partner, Huawei Philippines. They were able to learn about current technologies and help them develop their startup further. Right now, eBasura is set to launch this year and investment is on the table.

Fresh2ket: a web platform that connects farmers directly to its potential customers.

Fresh2ket is currently operating and plans of expansion in Manila is underway.

BookNow: a mobile-app based bus ticket reservation system.


Alpha Startups Bootcamp

The bootcamp is a five-day pre-accelerator program packed with in-depth discussions for startups who are looking to level up their business.

2015 Winners:

Fresh2ket - A web platform that aims to remove the middle men in buying fruits and vegetables, bridging the gap between farmers and consumers, thereby ensuring the latter’s access to fresh goods


Paspas - Named after the local term “paspas”, which means fast, this SMS-based delivery service aims to deliver “a super-fast delivery” to consumers anywhere in Cebu. Just send a text message and any tasks or chores you can’t attend to will be taken care of.


Impok - A cash deposit and micro-financing platform that aims to help individuals – students or employees alike–and give them an avenue where they can save or loan money, especially in dire times.

2016 Winners:

Bus Tayo: Bus ticket reservation which does not require credit cards

Detivo: Point of Sale system as a platform which will help restaurants integrate with solutions and attribute sales data.

BetterHapp: A web-based wedding management application for all wedding enthusiasts.

Energy Safety First Amidst Tropical Depression Urduja

Wazzup Pilipinas!

The Department of Energy (DOE) has called on the energy department and its partner agencies to heighten contingency measures and closely monitor Tropical Depression (TD) Urduja (international name: Kai-tak) and another brewing storm outside the Philippine area of responsibility.

“We do not want our kababayans to suffer power interruptions or brownouts, especially during the holidays, but energy safety should be first. With our coordination, we will ensure that the impact of these calamities to energy facilities are minimal and in any case of destruction, restoration will be immediate,” Energy Secretary Alfonso G. Cusi pointed out.

According to the 8 a.m. bulletin of weather bureau PAGASA, TD Urduja has maximum winds of up to 55 kilometers/hour (kph) near the center and gustiness of up to 90 kph and within the vicinity of Dumaran, Palawan.

The DOE is coordinating with the National Power Corporation and privately-owned power generation companies, National Electrification Administration (NEA) and other distribution utilities, the National Transmission Company and the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) to alert emergency, response and restoration teams for easy mobilization of assets to counter any adverse effect of the storm.

The Energy Development Corporation reporter that the Unified Leyte Geothermal Power Plant was severely affected by typhoon Urduja. The previous power of 463MW (including Tongonan) was reduced to a generation of 215MW. Restoration efforts are underway despite the problems on access since most of its sites are still unreachable due to the multiple landslides.

Based on the consolidated status report as of 10:00 a.m. 18 December, the following electric cooperatives are affected by TD Urduja:

1. Marinduque Electric Cooperative, Inc. (MARELCO) has already restored the town of Sta. Cruz, but Torijos is still undergoing assessment and restoration;

2. Masbate Electric Cooperative, Inc. (MASELCO) has no power in the town of Esperanza and some laterals in the distribution system. The DMCI power plant, however, has been energized at 9:00 a.m. today following its shutdown as a pre-cautionary measure.

3. Northern Samar Electric Cooperative, Inc. (NORSAMELCO) has power except for flooded areas and few lateral lines;

4. Samar 1 and 2 Electric Cooperatives (SAMELCO 1 and 2) are under normal operations but with some isolated power interruptions, especially in SAMELCO 2 area;

5. Sorsogon 1 and 2 Electric Cooperatives (SORECO 1 and 2) have power;

6. Ticao Island Electric Cooperative, Inc. (TISELCO) is already restored;

7. Biliran Electric Cooperative (BILECO) is experiencing total blackout and targets restoration by December 21 in the seven (7) towns affected, including Biliran, Cabucgayan, Caibiran, Culaba, Kawayan, Almeria and Naval. Damage assessment is still ongoing and initial reports said the affected areas were unpassable due to damage on major bridges and landslides in the coverage area;

8. Eastern Samar Electric Cooperative, Inc. (ESAMELCO) is currently experiencing total blackout, but will have power soon once the recently restored Paranas-Taft-Borongan-Quinapondan 69kilovolt transmission line has completed re-energization with the EC;

9. Leyte II Electric Cooperative, Inc. (LEYECO II) has a power outage in the town of Babatngon due to the tripping of Babatngon Apitong 69kV Line, while damage assessment is ongoing;

10. LEYECO V has eleven (11) towns with no power, namely, Calubian, Ormoc (26 brgys), Merida (8), Isabel (4), Palompon (28), Villaba (28), Tabango (10), Leyte (23), Kananga (5), Matag'ob (7), and San Isidro (1);

11. Southern Leyte Electric Cooperative, Inc. (SOLECO) has five towns with no power, namely, Hinunangan, Anawahan, Hinundayan, Saint Bernard and San Juan. These towns were affected by the tripping of Nasaug-San Isidro-San Miguel-St. Bernard 69kV line, but the transmission was already energized last December 16;

12. Tablas Island Electric Cooperative, Inc. (TIELCO) has power only in Odiongan City, and awaiting completion of assessment following its manual tripping for safety purposes.

Meanwhile, NGCP is undergoing assessment of the Sta. Barbara 50 megavolt ampere Transformer 2 located in Iloilo, but the facility doesn't have an effect on the operation of the grid.

As regards the petroleum products, Sec. Cusi already directed the DOE-Oil Industry Management Bureau (DOE-OIMB) to look into the complaints of overpricing in Biliran and urged oil companies to ensure the availability of fuels in the typhoon-stricken areas, especially those communities that depend on gasoline and diesel for their daily activities.

As reported by the industry players, one (1) Caltex station located in Ormoc is closed due to flooding and one (1) Shell station is unable to receive fuel deliveries due to damaged bridge and road network, but their other fuel stations are operating normally. Petron Corp. and Phoenix Petroleum also reported normal operations based on initial assessment. The DOE-OIMB is already assessing other areas regarding petroleum concerns.

Furthermore, Cusi has reminded the public to practice E-Safety by immediately reporting to the nearest authority/ies any incidents affecting the power and oil supply facilities and by doing these emergency measures:

• Charge flashlights and mobile phones

• Be informed on the latest news updates

• Switch-off circuit breaker and other electrical systems to avoid

electrocution, among other electrical mishaps.

“We will keep reminding consumers as well as industry participants over and over again, so that we could instill in them these safety practices for their own good in terms of emergency situations like typhoons,” Cusi said.

The DOE asked the public to contact its Consumer Welfare Office (Landline - ‎‎429 2900 local 329) for other consumer concerns.

Knockouts to Remember from ONE Championship’s Stellar 2017

Wazzup Pilipinas!

The world-class and talented athletes of ONE Championship pulled out all the stops in 2017, and the burgeoning martial arts scene in Asia has never been in a better position.

2017 saw a plethora of highlight-reel knockouts taking place within the ONE Championship cage, and to commemorate the most spectacular ones, here are the five best knockouts of the year in the organization.

#5) Anthony Engelen’s power right hook at ONE: QUEST FOR POWER

It has not been an easy run in ONE Championship for Dutch-Indonesian journeyman Anthony “The Archangel” Engelen as he has registered a handful of big wins as well as a couple of painful losses in five bouts under the organization’s banner.

However, his victory on the undercard of ONE: QUEST FOR POWER on 14 January showcased tremendous promise moving forward.

Engelen electrified his adopted home crowd of Jakarta, Indonesia with a masterful display of striking, defeating his opponent with one strong blow and bringing everyone up to their feet.

Just two minutes into the very first round against Malaysian martial arts veteran AJ “Pyro” Lias Mansor, Engelen put together a stunning boxing combination, punctuated by an emphatic right hook that connected right on the jaw of his cage counterpart, who was out cold before he even hit the ground.

(Link: https://www.facebook.com/ONEChampionship/videos/1300814339941818/)







#4) Christian Lee’s spectacular slam at ONE: WARRIORS OF THE WORLD

Throughout his young professional career, featherweight standout Christian “The Warrior” Lee has been billed as the future of martial arts, showing great talent and unlimited potential.

The 19-year-old martial arts sensation took another step in fulfilling all of those on 9 December as he concluded a masterful performance against former ONE Lightweight World Champion Kotetsu “No Face” Boku at ONE: WARRIORS OF THE WORLD in Bangkok, Thailand.

In perhaps his most impressive performance to date, Lee brought his best against a dangerous opponent in Boku as he employed the perfect strategy and completed a rapturous knockout triumph that undoubtedly signals his readiness to challenge the upper tier of talent in the promotion’s most stacked division.

Bringing the action right to Boku, Lee blasted the Japanese veteran with powerful strikes, takedowns and submission attempts.

Moreover, Lee unloaded his best offense on the former world champion, all while pushing him constantly back up against the cage.

Just past the three-minute mark, Lee quickly took Boku’s back and executed a textbook trip takedown with such incredible power that it knocked Japanese veteran out.

The impressive win over Boku was Lee’s seventh first-round stoppage victory and tied the promotional record for most finishes at eight.

(Link: https://www.facebook.com/ONEChampionship/videos/1645110132178902/)


#3) Zebaztian Kadestam’s comeback knockout win at ONE: DYNASTY OF HEROES

Going up against one of the most feared strikers in the division is not the most ideal scenario for a ONE Championship debutant, but Swede newcomer Zebaztian “The Bandit” Kadestam wouldn’t have had it any other way.

Receiving the opportunity to join ONE Championship and take on one of the biggest names in the division, Kadestam would put everything on the line.

It all worked out for Kadestam as he turned in one of the most exciting finishes in 2017 with a third-round knockout of Brazilian powerhouse Luis “Sapo” Santos at ONE: DYNASTY OF HEROES in Singapore on 26 May.

Accepting the challenge on short notice, Kadestam spent the first two rounds fending off a furious offense by Santos.

Unknown to the Brazilian, it was all a part of Kadestam’s plan as Swede was biding his time, waiting for the third round where Santos has been known to lose his steam.

It was precisely what happened to the Brazilian brute, giving Kadestam a great opening to capitalize with a series of hard knees that flattened Santos to complete a shocking comeback upset.

(Link: https://www.facebook.com/ONEChampionship/videos/1440768412613076/)

#2) Honorio Banario’s one-punch knockout at ONE: KINGS OF DESTINY

Former ONE Featherweight World Champion Honorio Banario does not believe his best days are behind him as after losing five bouts in a row from 2013 to 2015, there is no quit in the 28-year-old Baguio City native to bring back the glimmer in his professional career.

Banario has since won four straight matches, including two spectacular finishes in his last two outings.

On 21 April at ONE: KINGS OF DESTINY, Banario showcased another epic performance, stopping ONE Championship debutant Jaroslav Jartim with a single left hook.

Countering a body kick with a punching combination, Honorio unleashed a left hook that landed square on Jartim’s jaw, turning the lights out immediately for his Czech opponent.

It was Banario’s first real knockout victory since he stopped compatriot Andrew Benibe at ONE: PRIDE OF A NATION in August 2012.

(Link: https://www.facebook.com/ONEChampionship/videos/1406660046023913/)

#1) Martin Nguyen’s history-making knockout at ONE: LEGENDS OF THE WORLD

Having just lifted the coveted ONE Featherweight World Championship from the previously-unbeaten Marat Gafurov via scintillating knockout just three months prior, Vietnamese-Australian dynamo Martin “The Situ-Asian” Nguyen became an overnight sensation.

Nguyen catapulted to superstardom through a series of impressive highlight-reel finishes, culminating with his knockout of Gafurov.

With an unstoppable weapon in his vaunted overhand right, Nguyen emerged as a legitimate knockout artist who is capable of toppling anyone with a single shot.

Nguyen proved that yet again on 10 November as he entered hostile territory to challenge beloved Filipino martial arts superstar Eduard “Landslide” Folayang for the ONE Lightweight World Championship before a hometown crowd in Manila at ONE: LEGENDS OF THE WORLD.

Although Folayang knew that Nguyen’s best weapon was the overhand right, there was little that the Filipino hero could do to stop it as “The Situ-Asian” waited for just the right moment to counter his opponent.

As Folayang telegraphed his patented spinning back kick, Nguyen uncorked his famed overhand grenade to shock the world once again.

The jaw-dropping knockout of Folayang earned Nguyen the ONE Lightweight World Championship and wrote his name in history books as the first man to hold two world titles simultaneously in ONE Championship.

(Link: https://www.facebook.com/ONEChampionship/videos/1613437662012816/)

​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.

DOE Prepares Implementation of Kerosene and Household LPG Price Freeze in Biliran

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Upon a declaration of a State of Calamity in Biliran, the Department of Energy (DOE) is ready to implement kerosene and household LPG price freeze. This is the direction of Energy Sec. Alfonso G. Cusi as the DOE is already closely monitoring the prices of petroleum products in the the typhoon-stricken province to protect consumers from undue price increases.

The DOE, through the Oil Industry Management Bureau, closely coordinates with oil industry players in the implementation of the Republic Act (RA) 10623, which imposes a "price freeze" on household LPG and kerosene products being sold in the areas affected by the calamity.

“With the declaration of a State of Calamity in Biliran and if it will be extended to nearby provinces, the DOE will oversee and impose a price freeze on basic energy commodities for 15 days, particularly for kerosene and household LPG," informed Secretary Alfonso G. Cusi.

Sec. Cusi also emphasized that “Oil companies are also obliged to update the DOE of their operational status in their depots and gasoline stations within the areas.”

“This will ensure that oil supply is stable and will also reduce opportunities of unscrupulous traders of taking advantage the oil situation,” he added.

The DOE calls on the public to remain vigilant and report such incidents to Consumer Welfare and Promotion Office at tel. no. ‎4792900 loc. 329.

AttiGO and World Vision Development Foundation

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Bring back the real meaning of the season. It is indeed better to give during the holiday season.

Now there are more clever ways to help the less fortunate while satusfying our own desires. Two companies have partnered to satisfy our whims for new stuff with the convenience of online purchasing, while giving a portion of the sales to needy communities.

It was an unusual partnership yet it turned to be a good one. We are talking about the recent partnership that was formed early this year between AttiGO and World Vision Development Foundation (WVDF). The two partnered to create a platform where shopping could also be giving. It could be considered a weird partnership for AttiGO, the country's newest online shop, with WVDF which supports community programs aimed at improving the lives of over 20,000 children and 16 million people in 33 provinces and 44 cities in the Philippines.

Howvdoes the partnership works?

AttiGO created a voucher with the code "WorldVisio60th". This code gives shoppers discount on AttiGO products and part of the proceeds goes to WVDF. It gives opportunity to AttiGO's customers to help raise funds for a child's schooling and provide sustainable livelihood to sponsored families while shopping on the online platform. Furthermore, customers can donate an additional amount to his or her charity of choice.

So as the saying goes, "It's better to give than to receive." For the holiday season, a part of the proceed with the voucher code "WorldVision60th" is used, will help the WVDF raise funds for them to give Noche Buena packages to their partner communities. As they do their Christmas shopping on AttiGO, they are also helping bring the joy of Christmas to different families. You don't only get discount on your items, a reliable and fast delivery, but you also get to help support the different community programs of the World Vision.

Use this code and get Discount on AttiGO Products and support a Noche Buena Pack for families:
"WorldVision60th"
www.attigo.com.ph

CBK Hardware Inc: Supplier of Top-of-the-Line Hardware Materials

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Build! Build! Build! The developments in many urban communities and commercial or business areas seems to be non-stop throughout the years. We now see so many high-rise buildings like residential condominium towers flourishing all over the metro. There's also a widespread proliferation of malls, food parks and even parking lots. It is then without any doubt that in the middle of all of these is the demand for construction and hardware supplies.

True enough, the hardware business is growing since we see the trend continuing for several more years. Everyone, from corporations to households are ever needing their tools, equipment and hardware supplies to build, repair, extend or improve.

We then see a lot of business transactions for Co Ban Kiat Hardware (CBKHI), also known as the “House of Improvements.” They are indeed at the forefront of enabling quality developments since they carry a lot of great brands related to the hardware industry.

To give you a brief history, the company started in the 1920 when the family patriarch Mr. Cobankiat opened a store in the heart of the Manila Chinatown.

Business resumed after World War II but it was not until after three years later, in 1948, that the company recovered. The new CBKHI building was constructed on the very same spot where it stood before the war.

CBKHI has been the forefront of homebuilding supplies. From selling nails and iron wires as their main products, o affordable table saw and other tools and equipment, CBKHI has evolved and is now considered as one of the country’s leading suppliers of the top-of-the-line hardware materials.

The hardware company is one of the few pioneering hardware businesses in the Philippines which has withstood the test of time.








Driven by excellence, CBKHI initiated the retail concept for hardware stores in the country by putting up the Hardware Workshop Store.

To cater to the growing demand of industrial and construction industries, CBKHI transformed itself by providing corporations with tangible solutions to address their primary concerns on safety and quality.

This also paved way to the birth of Coby’s Design Center in Edsa Shangri La in 1996. This specialty store offers a wide array of products that showcase versatility and Innovativeness to suit the discriminating tastes of the modern Filipino.

In 1997, Mr. Johnny Cobankiat took the advantage in bringing a franchise of Ace Hardware USA in the country with Cobankiat Hardware as one of its suppliers. In time, CBKHI expanded its distribution channel and is now considered as one of the leading suppliers in all major retail or home improvement stores in the country.

With its nearly a century’s excellence and guided by its vision to be the largest network supplier of the biggest brands in the world in the hardware industry, CBKHI resolve to work at sourcing the best products to supply its customers anytime and every time.

Brands They Carry



Some of Their Retail Partners



Some of Their Completed Projects



Some of Their Clients in Industrial Sector



To know more about their products and services, please visit their website www.cbkhardware.com or follow their Facebook account www.facebook.com/cbkhardware.

Gowns by Damsel: Biggest One-Stop Rental Shop in Metro Manila

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Why buy when you can just rent expensive gowns that you'll just probably be using once in your lifetime?

For instances like occasions that only happen once, it is more practical to borrow or rent rather than purchase something that would only rot inside the cabinet.

After all, it is the memory of the event that is more precious and not the material things that were used to make it extra special. So instead of gathering dust, insects or cobwebs in one corner of our homes, we would naturally consider using a rental gown.




The biggest and most extensive one-stop rental shop in Metro Manila - Gowns for Rent Manila by Damsel - will be joining as an exhibitor in the following wedding and debut exhibits:

January 13-14, 2018 at PICC
May 26-27, 2018 at SMX Mall of Asia
July 14-15, 2018 at SMX Mall of Asia

Free tickets will be given away at Damsel, Makati Cinema Square, Chino Roces Avenue, Makati City from December 15 to 30, 2017.

Limited only until ticket supplies last. You may check out their website www.damsel.ph / www.gownsforrentmanila.com or fan page on Facebook - Gowns for Rent Manila by Damsel or Instagram @gfrmanila to see over 5,000 of their beautiful collections.

LG InstaViewTM Door-in-Door: Entertain in Style During the Holiday Season

Wazzup Pilipinas!

The holiday season would always be the busiest times for our kitchen appliances as we would definitely be doing quite a lot of cooking on both Christmas and New Year, especially for the grand and festive meal times when the whole family gather together to partake of delightful dishes.

Thus, we see cooking stoves, ovens, and refrigerators working overtake to both cook and store these dishes before, during and after the celebrations.

Our guests are given extra special impirtance during these occasions so we serve them fresh, hot and cold dishes that they will surely love. Entertaining them comes easy with the right technological products to help us with our chores.

This holiday season, make sure to enlist the right refrigerator that will transform you into the best host; the LG InstaViewTM Door-in-Door (DID), party planning and entertaining becomes easy. With a state-of-the-art mirrored glass panel, checking the fridge for ingredients that you have to buy at the grocery is as easy as taking a peek. You only have to knock twice to see inside the easy access compartment without ever opening the door, reducing cold air loss to help keep food fresher longer. The LG InstaViewTM DID is also equipped with the SpaceplusTM Ice System. The door-mounted slim icemaker provides 20% more storage space, so you don’t have to lose your cool about running out of ice during a party.

Furthermore, fresh produce stays fresh longer with the Moist Balance CrisperTM. Specially designed by LG, the Moist Balance CrisperTM is an innovative lattice-patterned box cover, which maintains the moisture in the food and vegetable section at the optimal level. This way, impromptu dinner parties can be hassle free.

For more information about the LG InstaViewTM Door-in-Door, please visit http://www.lg.com/ph/refrigerators/.

Hiraya Artisan Chocolates: Filipino Bean-to-Bar Chocolate Company

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Who doesn't love chocolates? I've never met anyone who refuses to take a bite of these yummy sweet treats that are loved by both young and old alike.

There are quite so many brands available especially with the imported or foreign brands, but did you know that there are also a few Filipino brands out there?

Hiraya Chocolates takes its name from HIRAYA which is an ancient Filipino word which means “the fruit of one’s hopes, dreams, and aspirations.” Quite appropriately, the fruits, or "cacao beans" in this case, are harvested and sourced directly from local farmers. The company is a Filipino bean-to-bar chocolate company who follow sustainable, socially-conscious practices, and fair trade principles, making them an ideal company to patronize.

Their mission is to improve the lives of our cacao farmer communities through direct and fair trade. Their vision is to produce a strong brand of fine quality chocolate and chocolate products. To date, they have one (1) community composed of 58 farmers in Brgy. Malabog, Davao City.



The company may be profit-oriented just like any other business, but at its core they also tackle and help provide solutions for social issues. Their efforts have since provided +200% in income for their
community of farmers in Davao.










Their products are as follows:

* 72% Dark Chocolate Single-Origin Davao (85g)
* Flavor Profile: fruity with just a slight hint of bitterness
* 100% locally sourced ingredients, all-natural, hand harvested cacao
* No preservatives, no additives, no artificial flavors, suitable for vegans
* SRP: PHP180.00

* Hiraya x Kalsada Chocolate Bar with Coffee Nibs (70g)
* Flavor Profile: strong and robust coffee notes
* Featuring premium coffee beans sourced from the highlands of Sitio Belis, Benguet Province
* Collaboration with Kalsada Coffee—a social enterprise
based in Manila and Seattle that promotes specialty coffee from the Philippines
* SRP: PHP200.00

Get to know more about them online at http://www.hirayachocolates.com and on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/HirayaChocolates

Ayala Museum Screens 4 award-winning Spanish Short Films for Free on Dec. 21

Wazzup Pilipinas!

On December 21, the winter solstice and shortest day of the year, Instituto Cervantes de Manila, the cultural center of the Embassy of Spain, and Ayala Museum will offer a free screening of four multi-awarded Spanish short films namely Elena Asins-Génesis, Pulse, Luchadoras and Consulta 16 -- as part of El Día Más Corto/The Shortest Day, a short film festival celebrated simultaneously in more than 300 places worldwide.



The Shortest Day is an idea that was set in motion by the French Short Film Agency in 2011, in which more than two million people from all over the world participated. In 2012 the initiative was emulated by other countries and in 2013 it grew into a truly international event, with the affiliation of a total of 12 European countries, as well as Canada.



El Día Más Corto took place in Spain for the first time in 2013. It was organized by the Spanish Association for short films, coordinadoradelcorto.org, with 100 selected short films distributed in 20 recommended programs.

The main idea was that everyone can organize a film festival for friends and neighbors in order to celebrate short films everywhere: schools, hospitals, streets, bars every place is welcome to screen.



Several television channels (TVE and Canal+) aired special short film programs, and Instituto Cervantes created a playlist of short films for its centers worldwide. The National Film Board and all regional film boards and cinematheques also joined the event.

Instituto Cervantes joined this Festival in 2015, with the aim of showcasing the creativity of Spanish and Filipino short film productions. As an indicator of the vitality of the medium in Spain, the short film Timecode, directed by Juanjo Giménez Peña, was chosen Best European Short Film at the European Film Awards 2017, celebrated last December 8 at Dublin. It previously bagged the Palme d'Or in the short film category of the Cannes Film Festival.



By joining the worldwide screenings, Instituto Cervantes and Ayala Museum will help put the Philippines in the map of the said film festival. In 2017, the Philippines will be one of almost 50 countries worldwide that will celebrate together the love for short films.

El Día Más Corto is brought to you by Instituto Cervantes, the Embassy of Spain, Ayala Museum and the Film Development Council of the Philippines. All films will be shown in their original version with English subtitles.



The screenings will take place at Ayala Museum starting at 5 p.m. Admission is free on a first-come, first-served basis. For those who register at http://bit.ly/AMlectureRegistration, there will be free popcorn courtesy of Instituto Cervantes.

For more information please check out their Facebook page (www.facebook.com/InstitutoCervantesManila) or the El Día Más Corto website (http://eldiamascorto.com/internacional).