Barrio Fiesta ‘Kalingawan sa Plaza’ Set

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Will the ban on drinking liquor and loud parties within a 300-meter radius from the grand parade route diminish the fun from Sinulog 2018?

The ban brings back attention to the essence of the Sinulog, which is a dance of worship for Cebu’s Patron Senyor Santo Niño, on January 21. But a Philippine fiesta is not complete without the fiesta food and the fun, said Sinulog Executive Committee chairman Councilor Dave Tumulak.

‘Kalingawan sa Plaza,’ the Sinulog fair at Plaza Independencia, is thus a major fiesta component. There will be a variety of food stalls, inflatables and a tartanilla ride for the kids, and nightly entertainment during the Sinulog week, he said.

The following is the schedule for the nightly entertainment:

• January 12 -- Launching program of the Sinulog Festival Queen, Sinulog Idol, and Sinulog Dance Crew
• January 13 – Cultural Show by Department of Education Cebu Province
• January 14 – Cultural Show by Cebu Technological University (CTU) and Indiana Aerospace University
• January 15 – Cultural Show by University of the Visayas and University of Cebu
• January 16 – Cultural Show by Mandaue City College and Mandaue School for the Arts
• January 17 – Cultural Show by Salazar Institute of Technology and Cebu Doctors’ University
• January 17 – Cultural Show by Department of Education Cebu City
• January 17 – Music and Comedy Night by Flexi Finance
• January 18 – Cultural show by University of San Carlos
• January 18 – Variety show by 24/7
• January 18 – Sky Night by Skycable
• January 19 – Cultural Show by University of Southern Philippines Foundation, University of San Jose-Recoletos, and Cebu Institute of Technology University
• January 19 – 6 Cycle Mind and Banda ni Kleggy c/o San Miguel Corp.
• January 20 – Sinulog Idol 2018 Grand Finals
• January 20 – Coke Studio Artists with Coca Cola Philippines
• January 21 – IPI Night
• January 21 – Parokya ni Edgar with Globe Telecom

Besides, Plaza Independecia is outside the 300-meter radius, Tumulak said.

“Imagine the fun of a 6 Cycle Mind, Franco and Parokya ni Edgar concerts at Kalingawan sa Plaza,” Tumulak said.

More than the festive barrio fiesta atmosphere at Plaza Independencia, he pointed out that the place is a short walk from the Basilica del Santo Niño and the Magellan’s Cross.

Both Cebuanos and their visitors will be treated with the presence of heritage sites especially Fort San Pedro. It connects us better with our history, that of the Sinulog and who we are, he added.

Cebu City had become the first Christian community in South East Asia after the explorer Ferdinand Magellan arrived and baptized some 800 Cebuanos in 1521. The image of Senyor Santo Niño was Magellan’s baptismal gift to Cebu’s Queen Juana. It is now the oldest religious relic in the country.

With rise of the ASEAN community, Cebu can claim as the region’s cradle of Christianity.

In addition, the arrival of Magellan gave Cebu a place in world history since Spanish expedition achieved the first circumnavigation of the world.

Sinulog 2018 is made possible with the valuable assistance of our sponsors: Smart / PLDT / Sun; Sky Cable; Coca Cola; SM City Cebu/SM Seaside City; Flexi Finance; San Miguel Corporation; Islands Group; International Pharmaceuticals Inc.; Grab Car; Pepsi; Skygo; Robinson's Galleria; Alcordo Advertising; 24/7 Inc; Cebu Cordova Link Expressway Corp.; Cignal; Freenet; Generika Drugstore; Globe; Phil Health; Skin Magical Beauty; TrueMoney; Food Panda; Nature's Spring; Viriginia Foods; Universal Robina Corporation; Steel Art Billboards; ML Foods Inc.; Mang Inasal; Jollibee; Air Asia; Gardenia; NutriAsia Philippines; Pioneer Adhesives; Real Page; VECO; Mineshine Milk Tea; TomFrances Layouts & Designs Inc.; Mega Global Corp.; and Novellino Wines Minor.

#Sinulog2018

The Traslacion and Feast of the Black Nazarene

Wazzup Pilipinas!

"One has to become a devotee to understand a devotee" says Cardinal Tagle.

Indeed, the Traslacion done during the Feast of the Black Nazarene is always has the most touching moments among the Philippines' religious activities.

It is amazing on how every individual of these millions of people has his own story to tell on how the Traslacion and Black Nazarene touched their lives ." Viva Nuestro Padre Nazareno ! "

Nuestro Padre Jesus Nazareno is really the greatest crowd drawer who gathered millions of devoted followers from all walks of life.

With thunderous applause and the waving of a multitude of white towels, the carriage made its way slowly through the sea of maroon-clad devotees, two ropes pulled religiously by able men while a crowd several million strong gravitates toward the relic as if by a magnet. Such is the yearly story of the 'Traslacion,' a centuries-old tradition commemorating the transfer of the 17th century image of the Nuestro Padre Jesus Nazareno from Quirino Grandstand to Quiapo District in Manila.






"Why will millions join the Traslacion? People need miracles from the Black Nazarene to absorb the impoverishing effects of Duterte's tax reform. Majority of the devotees are poor because they need miracles from Black Nazarene to spare them from EJKs! Religion is the last defense of the poor against a fascist government. The Black Nazarene is sacred icon that signifies the sigh of the oppressed Filipino poor amidst human rights violations." says an anti-Duterte.

But many would argue the opposite. This is because no matter who our President is, there has been so many impoverished that has been opposing the moves of the current administration.

True enough, there would never be a perfect leader, and praying to the likes of the Black Nazarene would never be proven effective.

The Traslacion phenomenon is a reflection on how hungry and desperate the Filipinos are in trying to connect with God. Let's not be quick in making judgements. Rather, let us do our best to present to them the real Jesus who is good all the time and who doesn't want us to struggle to be blessed! You can make observations but judgement is not required. Grace wins!

People joined the procession commemorating the Traslacion of the Black Nazarene transferring the image from the San Nicolas de Tolentino church inside Intramuros to the Quiapo Church.

In a homily, the priest emphasized that this feast is centered on how Jesus carried our cross for us and we, in turn, are to be co-carriers of the cross of our brethren for His Journey is others-oriented. Thus, ours should also be a journey with him foremost, others second and ourselves last. This we can translate in our lives through our care and compassion to those around us, beyond our selves and our family.

The whole reality of Jesus and religion may be fictional for some who think it was the belief of an uneducated civilization back through those years, but we have to admit that religion of every form has somehow given people hope and something to look forward to. It made them believe that thry would someday inherit a fruitful existence in heaven.

May these be an inspiration to all that being humble is the Way, the Truth and the Life. Thanks be to God.

BLACK NAZARENE

The Black Nazarene was carved by an unknown Mexican from a dark wood in the 16th century in Mexico, and then transported to the Philippines in 1606. It depicts Jesus en route to his crucifixion. Pope Innocent X granted recognition to the lay Confraternity of Santo Cristo Jesús Nazareno in 1650 for the promotion of the devotion to Jesus through the icon. It was housed in several churches near Manila in the early decades, arriving in Quiapo Church in 1787 where it has been enshrined ever since. The icon is renowned in the Philippines, and is considered by many Filipino Catholics to be miraculous, its mere touch able to cure disease. It attracts homage by numerous devotees and major processions every year.

The image (in recent years a composite replica) is brought out of its shrine for public veneration three times a year: January 9, Good Friday (the Nazarene's "actual" feast, commemorating the culmination of the Passion), and December 31 (New Year's Eve, the first day of the novena). The January 9 procession reenacts the image's Traslación (literally, "transfer") in 1787, or "solemn transfer" to the Minor Basilica from its original shrine inside Intramuros. The January 9 Traslación is the largest procession, drawing millions of devotees thronging to touch the icon, and lasting 20 hours at the most.

The Black Nazarene is venerated by Filipino devotees every Friday, and along with the Santo Niño (Child Jesus) is the most popular object of devotion in the Philippines. A similar image called Cristo Negro is venerated in Portobelo, Panama.

Photography by Edmund Chua

Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics Expo

Wazzup Pilipinas!

The Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics Expo is designed for senior high school students to showcase their knowledge and abilities in the different fields of science. It is a two-day science expo, jam-packed with competitions and exhibits that will highlight the sciences in different perspectives.

The I-Gen: Ideas for Innovation is the flagship competition of the event. Focusing on innovative and market-oriented products that address present and emerging challenges, it aims to recognize Filipino-rooted innovation of the youth for the development of the country.

STEM Expo also includes a Science and Mathematics Investigatory Projects Fair to showcase outstanding research done by the participants. Technological advancements are boasted with the Robotics Olympiad and for creatives who are also into promoting science, a Science Journalism Competition and a Science Film Competition are included.

The event aims to expose students to current institutions that contribute to the advancement of STEM. An Educational Tour around Metro Manila and a Company & Career Talk gives the participants a more physical avenue to experience the opportunities and applications of the track.

EVENT DETAILS
Event Title: Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics Expo
Event Date: March 3-4, 2018
Event Location: Philippine Trade Training Center, Pasay City, Philippines
Contact Person: Mr. Lanze Allen Magalona
Contact Details: stemexpo@psysc.org


HOW TO REGISTER

For inquiries, please call us at (02) 332 8151 or send us an email at stemexpo@psysc.org.
Like us on Facebook at facebook.com/psysc.stemex for more updates!

Ballet Philippines Proudly Presents Don Quixote

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Ballet Philippines begins 2018 with a bang with the red-hot classical ballet, Don Quixote on February 9-18, 2018 at the CCP Main Theater.

Everyone loves this ballet: taken from an episode from Miguel de Cervantes’ tale, it follows the gentleman from La Mancha as he ventures into Barcelona.

This is the perfect ballet for first-time watchers: festive and fun, the ballet is a non-intimidating romantic comedy that ballet virgins can enjoy. At the same time, it is also perfect for balletomanes.

Aside from Don Q’s signature leaps, turns and lifts that ballet lovers look out for, we will also feature the amazing Joseph Gatti, former principal dancer of Cincinnati Ballet and Corella Ballet as guest artist.

The winner of various international ballet competitions such as the New York International Ballet Competition and World Ballet Competition, Gatti has been invited to perform all over the USA, South America, Europe, Russia and Japan.

This is Gatti's first visit to the Philippines, and he will partner our very own award-winning ballerina Candice Adea. They will perform in two special Gala Nights with the Manila Symphony Orchestra under the baton of Jeffrey Solares.

Complete Card Announced for One: Kings of Courage

Wazzup Pilipinas!

The largest global sports media property in Asian history, ONE Championship™ (ONE), has just announced the complete card for ONE: KINGS OF COURAGE, which takes place in Indonesia’s bustling capital city of Jakarta. The ONE Championship cage will once again showcase the absolute best in local and international martial arts talent. Set for Saturday, 20 January at the iconic Jakarta Convention Center, the main event features top female strawweight from Singapore, Tiffany “No Chill” Teo who will take on Chinese female martial arts star Xiong Jing Nan for the inaugural ONE Women’s Strawweight World Championship.

Ticket information for ONE: KINGS OF COURAGE is available at www.onefc.com.

Chatri Sityodtong, Chairman and CEO of ONE Championship, stated: “I am super excited to announce Tiffany Teo versus Xiong Jing Nan at ONE: KINGS OF COURAGE in Jakarta. It is our first global broadcast of 2018 and we are going big. The two women are exemplary martial artists who compete at the highest level of skill. It should be an exciting bout for all the fans watching, and at the end of the night, we will be crowning our first ONE Women’s Strawweight World Champion. In addition, our co-main event contest between local hero Stefer Rahardian and Muhammad Imran will see the winner go on to challenge for the ONE Flyweight World Championship.”

Tiffany Teo, ONE World Title Challenger, stated: “First of all, I would like to thank ONE Championship for believing in me. I’ve always kept my head down and let the hard work and my achievements speak for itself. I got the win in my last bout, but I still feel like I could have done better. As a martial artist, I am constantly seeking to improve. This title shot means a lot to me and I am excited to get right back in the cage. I would like to thank Xiong Jing Nan for the opportunity to showcase my skills again. This one is for my fans in Singapore. I will bring the belt home for you guys.”

Xiong Jing Nan, ONE World Title Challenger, stated: “I would like to thank ONE Championship for the opportunity. I am so glad to have a title shot against Tiffany [Teo]. This is a great honor for me, and for China. I have been training and dreaming of becoming a world champion for a long time and I am ready to defeat whoever is standing in front of me. My entire career has been about making this dream come true, and now it’s time for me to make that dream a reality.”

Tiffany “No Chill” Teo of Singapore is a rising female martial arts star who competes in ONE Championship’s women’s strawweight division. She holds an unblemished professional record of seven wins and no losses, including three submissions and two knockouts. Teo began training in taekwondo before moving on to compete in boxing and Muay Thai and eventually transitioning to the ONE Championship cage. In her last bout, Teo impressed with a quick submission victory over Puja Tomar. Up next, Teo will take on Xiong Jing Nan for the inaugural ONE Women’s Strawweight World Championship.

“The Panda” Xiong Jing Nan of Shandong is a female strawweight contender in ONE Championship. She is known as one of the top three leading female martial arts talents in China. With a professional record of 13-1, Xiong began her career competing in professional boxing and was inspired by her father, who imparted in her values of courage and integrity. Featuring a wide array of skills, Xiong recently bagged a gold medal at the prestigious China Open Brazilian jiu-jitsu tournament in 2017. In her last bout, Xiong made quick work of Filipino wushu specialist April Osenio, finishing her opponent via technical knockout in the first round. Up next, Xiong will take on Tiffany Teo for the inaugural ONE Women’s Strawweight World Championship.

Top Indonesian martial arts talent Stefer Rahardian impressed in his ONE Championship debut by winning the ONE: TITLES & TITANS Flyweight Tournament in August of 2016. Rahardian finished both Yotha Hutagalung and Hendrick Wijaya by first round rear-naked choke to become the tournament winner. Since then, Rahardian has blazed a trail in the ONE Championship cage, winning three additional bouts to cap an amazing run as a professional. In his last outing, Rahardian outperformed Cambodia’s Sim Bunsrun to win by impressive first-round submission. Still unbeaten, Rahardian puts his perfect record on the line against Muhammad Imran in a ONE Flyweight World Championship title eliminator.

Muhammad “The Spider” Imran of Gujar Khan, Pakistan is a martial artist making his ONE Championship debut. He is the former PFC Strawweight Champion who specializes in budokai karate and grappling. The 26-year-old is looking to make a solid impact at flyweight, challenging one of the top talents in the division in his first appearance for the promotion. In his next outing, Imran is set to battle Indonesia’s Stefer Rahardian for the right to challenge for the ONE Flyweight World Championship.

33-year-old Vitaly Bigdash of Rostov-on-Don, Russia, has proven to be one of the most talented martial artists in the world. Making his promotional debut in 2015, Bigdash captured the ONE Middleweight World Championship with a resounding technical knockout victory over Igor Svirid, in one of the most action-packed contests in the ONE history. After succumbing to new champion Aung La N Sang in his last bout, Bigdash returns to the ONE Championship cage seeking redemption. He will take on Leandro Ataides.

Leandro Ataides of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, is a 31-year-old martial arts veteran who owns a professional record of 10 wins and three losses. A powerful finisher, seven of Ataides’ victories have ended within the distance. In his last bout, Ataides scored his second win in a row, outscoring former world title challenger Michal Pasternak with a complete showcase of skill. Prior to that bout, Ataides also stopped Mohamed Ali with a highlight-reel flying knee that was named ONE’s Knockout of the Year 2016. The hard-charging Ataides remains a force to be reckoned with at middleweight and will look to excite the crowd when he takes on his next opponent, former champion Vitaly Bigdash.

33-year-old Marat “Cobra” Gafurov of Dagestan, Russia, is the former ONE Featherweight World Champion. Boasting a professional record 15 wins and only one defeat, Gafurov is a high-level grappler with 11 of his wins coming by impressive submission over top-caliber opponents. Gafurov captured the featherweight title in 2015 with a gutsy victory over former champion Narantungalag Jadambaa in an epic battle. In his last bout however, Gafurov succumbed to Martin Nguyen via devastating one-punch knockout. Gafurov is now on the comeback trail, looking to get back into title contention. He will take on Shinya Aoki in a Grappling Super-Match.

Global martial arts veteran Shinya “Tobikan Judan” Aoki of Shizuoka, Japan, is one of the world’s most decorated athletes. He is the DREAM Lightweight Champion, former Shooto Welterweight Champion, and the former ONE Lightweight World Champion. The 34-year-old Aoki is a Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt under the famed Yuki Nakai and has won multiple grappling tournaments all over the world. Aoki also holds a black belt in judo and is widely considered one of the best pure grapplers in professional martial arts competition today. In his next bout, Aoki will take on Marat Gafurov in a Grappling Super-Match.

Indonesian martial arts veteran “The Terminator” Sunoto is a ONE Championship bantamweight and a former WKF Indonesia Champion. Representing IndoGym and Team Phantom, Sunoto features a style that combines elements of kickboxing, karate, and jiu-jitsu. With a penchant for scoring spectacular finishes, four of Sunoto’s six victories have ended before the final bell. The 32-year-old is known as an aggressive warrior who never backs down from a challenge. His next bout will be against Rin Saroth.

24-year-old Rin Saroth is a martial artist from Phnom Penh, Cambodia and a former WK 3 Featherweight Tournament Finalist with a khun khmer record of 110-22-0. He made his ONE Championship debut in December of 2015 at ONE: KINGDOM OF KHMER, winning by first-round armbar submission over Mission Ali. Saroth is now ready to return to the ONE Championship cage. He will face Indonesia’s Sunoto in his first bout back.

32-year-old Yusup “Maestro” Saadulaev of Dagestan, Russia, is one of the promotion’s most talented bantamweights. With a 16-4-1 and 1NC professional record, Saadulaev is a Combat Sambo world champion who has won numerous grappling competitions. He is known for high-level grappling game and his submission skills, having won 11 of his total victories by submission finish. Victorious in his last outing inside the ONE Championship cage, Saadulaev is hungry to further his career and will get another opportunity when he takes on Masakazu Imanari.

Japanese martial artist Masakazu Imanari is a ONE Championship bantamweight with years of high-profile experience on the global stage of martial arts. With nearly two decades of experience under his belt, Imanari is a veteran of the sport and one of the most talented competitors to come out of Japan. With a style focused on submission grappling, Imanari is a former 3-time DEEP Champion. Out of Imanari’s 36 total victories, 25 have come by submission finish. “Ashikan Judan” is set to return to the ONE Championship cage against Yusup Saadulaev.

22-year-old Iryna “Delsa” Kyselova is a Europe West Fight Champion and a top-notch grappler. Hailing from Donskoe, Ukraine, she is 11-2 as a professional and will be making her ONE Championship debut. Representing YK Promotion, Kyselova is currently riding a four-bout winning streak. Nine out of her 10 victories have come by scintillating finish, including seven submissions and two knockouts. A new player at women’s strawweight, Kyselova will take on the surging Miao Jie.

30-year-old “Supermom” Miao Jie of Shanghai, China, is a martial artist with a professional record of 6-1. A talented grappler, Miao recently won a bronze medal at the 2017 IBJJF World Championships in Long Beach, California, USA. In her most recent bout, Miao needed less than a minute to submit Australia’s Amira Hafizovic via armbar to set a record for fastest submission and finish in ONE women’s history. Looking to make a name for herself in Asia’s premier martial arts organization, Miao seeks to showcase her complete skills as she returns to the ONE Championship cage against Iryna Kyselova.

Victorio “Indra” Senduk of Bandung, Indonesia is an unbeaten featherweight contender and former IBC Featherweight Champion. With a background in wushu and kickboxing, Senduk is a hard-hitting striker with an aggressive style. Representing Gorilla Fight Club, Senduk is set to return to the ONE Championship cage against compatriot Yohan Mulia Legowo.

Yohan Mulia Legowo from Solo, Indonesia, has been competing as a martial arts professional for over 15 years. He has a professional standing of 8-6, with five submissions and three knockouts. “The Iceman” is known to be a well-rounded combatant, incorporating various martial arts techniques including wrestling, judo, jiu-jitsu, boxing, and kung fu in his offensive arsenal. His highly-regarded skillset will be put on display when he battles Victorio Senduk.

Indonesian striking specialist Riski “Kong” Umar is a 25-year-old ONE Championship flyweight contender. A Muay Thai and taekwondo practitioner, Umar is unbeaten as a professional. In his most recent contest, Umar needed just two minutes to knock out Adi Nugroho with punches. Training out of Bali, Indonesia, Umar is set to return in his second appearance inside the ONE cage, this time against Arnol Batubara.

27-year-old Arnol Batubara of Bandung, Indonesia, is a ONE Championship flyweight and former Garuda Super Fight Bantamweight Champion. With a style based on wushu sanda, Batubara joins a deep flyweight division, ready to make waves with his exciting technique. Representing Livre Brotherman and IndoGym, Batubara is set to make his promotional debut against Riski Umar.

Filipino martial arts veteran Rene Catalan of Manila, Philippines, is a 2006 Asian Games gold medalist in wushu. He made his ONE Championship debut in 2013, showcasing his unwavering tenacity and incredible heart. In September of 2016, Catalan notched his first victory in the promotion with a unanimous decision over Zhang You Liang. After submitting Adrian Matheis by armbar in the second round, Catalan scored his third straight victory with a unanimous decision over Bu Huo You Ga. Now Catalan is looking for his fourth triumph, this time against Peng Xue Wen.

21-year-old Peng Xue Wen of Zhongshan, China is a ONE Championship strawweight and former National Youth Grecco Champion 2014. Representing Nan Yan Fight Club, Peng is a wrestling and Brazilian jiu-jitsu practitioner. In his most recent contest, Peng made his ONE Championship debut a successful one, defeating Phat Soda by emphatic first-round KO slam. Peng looks to build on his success, but will face veteran Rene Catalan in his next outing.

Female martial artist Priscilla Hertati Lumbangaol of Jakarta, Indonesia, is an Indonesian national wushu champion who has trained in various striking disciplines such as kickboxing and wushu. The 29-year-old made her ONE Championship debut against Singapore’s Tiffany Teo at ONE: THRONE OF TIGERS in February 2017, joining a growing list of elite female martial artists in Asia. Lumbangaol will look to emerge triumphant in her next appearance inside the ONE Championship cage, when she takes on the Malaysia’s Audreylaura Boniface.

28-year-old Audreylaura Boniface of Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia is a martial artist by practice and a medical doctor by trade. She holds a black belt in taekwondo and is a mainstay at Borneo Tribal Squad, training under the guidance of AJ “Pyro” Lias Mansor and Malaysian superstar Ann “Athena” Osman. A top women’s atomweight prospect, “Ice Comet” is in search of her first victory inside the ONE Championship cage. Boniface will take on Priscilla Hertati Lumbangaol in her next outing.

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.

The Close Relation Between Estate Planning, Asset Protection and Second to Die Insurance

Wazzup Pilipinas!

All of us have to do estate planning at some stages in our lives and the earlier you do, better it will be. We all talk about estate but often do not have a clear idea of what it means. Many people usually link estates to the assets that they own which are only partially correct. Estate refers to anything you own that has a value. From cars and homes to investments, bank accounts, cash value life insurance and even personal property, stamps, knives, guns, everything belongs to your estate. All that you have amassed during your life and all that you are going to leave behind become a part of your estate.


Estate planning is essential

From the above, it becomes clear that you have to do some estate planning to ensure that you do not pass on any burden of taxes to your children. Estate planning ensures that the assets you have created with so much effort and hard work remains within the family and even passes down the generations. When doing estate planning the survivorship policy or second to die policy becomes the most talked about the tool. How you can implement the estate plan would become clear on reading this article.


Look for an insurance policy

When you die, your children and grandchildren will inherit the estate that you leave behind, and you would like to ensure that they preserve it well. However, for preserving the estate, it requires some good sum of money because it attracts estate taxes. The government allows postponement of payment of estate taxes until the time you die, and this should provide some relief to you. But, there is a corollary to it. The taxes keep accruing during your lifetime and become payable by whoever inherits it. So, you are going to the grave leaving behind your legacy together with the burden of taxes. This is when the second to die whole life insurance policy comes in handy. The policy provides the funds necessary for paying estate taxes so that the survivors who inherit the estate do not have to worry about preserving the estate.


Implementing the estate protection plan

After creating a plan for protecting the estate, you have to think about the best way of implementing it. Since you want to protect the future generations, you have to ensure that the funds accrued by the second to die policy and made available to your children on the death of your wife and you, go for payment of estate duties. Setting up an Irrevocable Life Insurance Trust (ILIT) and funding it with the survivorship policy is the most accepted practice to ensure proper utilization of the funds available from the benefits passed on to the survivors.


Assets remain protected

The trust is responsible for facilitating estate tax planning as well as asset protection because assets are included in the estate. The trust also helps to lower estate taxes as it allows the policyholders to take out money from the estate and put it into the trust. As you transfer the estate assets to an independent trust for the benefit of third parties, you automatically accomplish the task of asset protection. The creditors of the survivors who inherit the estate are thus unable to access the assets, which remain protected.


Setting up an ILIT

Take help from an estate-planning attorney to set up the trust as the attorney is the competent person for drafting an ILIT agreement. Select a trustee who should be a third party not connected to the inheritors and should act independently to uphold the directives contained in the agreement. After setting up the trust, proceed in buying the second to die policy keeping in mind that the trust has to buy the policy taken in your and your wife's name. The premium that you have to pay is routed through the trust as you gift the money the trust and the trustee use the money to pay the premium for the insurance policy. Currently, you can gift $14,000 for each beneficiary, which is the maximum that you can pay without attracting any taxes.



Things to consider

Whether or not to take the second to die policy depends on your financial standing and the value of estates that you would leave behind. As on date, the estate tax is applicable only on estates worth $5 million or more. If the estate taxes become a burden for the inheritors, then you should think about protecting them from any financial hardship. Since it is a requirement to continue with the policy after the death of anyone policyholder, you must consider the availability of funds to sustain it.

The policy ensures that funds necessary for paying taxes are available immediately on the death of the estate owners because they only get nine months time for paying it.



About the author:

Isabella Rossellini is a financial analyst who regularly writes columns for some syndicated agencies. Isabella even worked as a consultant to some financial companies. She is also a practicing accountant.

Hop On the Neo-Healthy Trend of Raw Food Binging with These Fresh New Restaurants in Greater London Area

Wazzup Pilipinas!

The newest foodie trend is both simple and rewarding. Getting a high dose of vitamins, minerals and nutrients from vegetables is only possible when they are fresh, organic and uncooked. Cooking does away with a lot of heat-sensitive vitamins. London has some joints that keep their food below 42-degrees Celsius. Superfood salads, casher cheese and cold-pressed juices top the list of "raw" food that defines London’s (non)cooking restros.

When in London, try at least one of these greater London restaurants for an authentic taste of everything healthy and natural.



Farmacy

Farmacy takes (non)cooking to a whole new level with their fine artistic presentation. They sell "clean eating" food to the people interested in healthy living. You can eat here at peace since they serve no dairy, no gluten, no sugar, no meat and no additives. It is one of those heavenly places allergy prone people usually love. Dig into an "earth bowl" stuffed with their signature, raw goodies. Their presentation draws the crowd, so book your table in advance for your share of raw health.



Malibu Kitchen at The Ned

This is a nice little patch of sunshine to the otherwise gloomy locale of Mansion House. Vegetable rolls, mango rolls doused in spicy nuts, poke bowls and zesty fresh salads make up a huge part of their must-have menu. Malibu Kitchen is nothing short of a new California experience in greater London. There is something for all kinds of food lovers, although the menu is a little partial towards vegan and veggie options.



Nama

This is one of the few restaurants that serve raw food with warmth. Their juices might be cold-pressed, but their service is warm and hearty. You will find all kinds of uncooked and fresh raw items on the menu. They have an interesting take on mainstream food including sushi, pizzas and cheese. Their sushi rice is grated kohlrabi, and their cheese comes from cashew. It is a down-to-earth place that has an art gallery vibe.


Rawlington

This Fitzrovia restaurant oozes calm and positivity. Rawlington is a vegan eatery that takes the art of garnishing seriously. Do not miss their vegan sushi, Thai-style slaw, caramel shortcake and smoothies. Rawlington has carved a space for itself in the books of the gastronomic experts of London with their Lebanese Mezze boxes and their raw items on the menu.


The Hive of Vyner St

This is an all-day cafe cum wine place in Bethnal Green that woos people with their holistic dining options and biodynamic drinking. Their organic approach and vegan lifestyle is a huge crowd magnet. The menu consists of majorly vegan and vegetarian options only. You will find tons of raw food and superfood salads to give your metabolism a thorough scrub.

The ideal way to enjoy the goodness of raw vegan dining is to end the meals with cold-pressed juices, fruit and vegetable cocktails and smoothies. Get your fill at one of these leading raw food places before they become too mainstream.

Party with Excitement on a Thames River Cruise

Wazzup Pilipinas!

December is a magical month in London when the city gears up to celebrate the biggest occasion of the year with gaiety and fun by hosting Christmas parties all around. Where and how to host the Party in 2018 is topmost in the minds of people who start preparing many days before the festive month begins. There is no dearth of venues to host Christmas Parties as the hotels and restaurants make elaborate arrangements of celebrations for entertaining guests. There is always something on offer for all. Selecting the most exciting party venue and indulging in pocket-friendly parties are what many people want, and in this respect, the river cruise parties on the Thames are truly one of its kinds. The floating parties on luxury boats promise the ultimate experience in partying that you would remember for a long time.



In search of novelty

To make the most of Christmas parties, people are keen to explore novel ways of celebrating the grand occasion at places far away from the traditional partying venues we know. In this respect, the river cruise parties offer the most offbeat venues that fulfil the desire of celebrations in a truly unique manner. For those who search for alternative ways to party with friends, families, and even office colleagues during Christmas, the cruises on the Thames hold good promise to make it one of the most memorable events of their lifetime. Partying on the Thames would make you realise that London is not only just about the buildings, restaurants and markets but there is much more than it can offer.

Join the celebrations

The most significant attraction of the Thames cruise parties is that you get the rare opportunity of exploring a new face of London as you cruise along the heart of London while enjoying the onboard celebrations. The floating parties provide a different kind of partying experience that you would find hard to compare. The sprawling deck is large enough to accommodate at least 150 people and even bigger is the lower deck that provides a luxurious setting with ample scope of entertainment. Booking a Thames Christmas cruise for lunch or dinner or participating in wild celebrations of the Christmas Clubnight party would add a new chapter in your life.


Enjoyment is just a click away

Just express your wish, and it takes just a few minutes to search for the most suitable partying package online by logging on to http://www.thamesdinnercruise.co.uk/, the website of a premier Thames cruise operator. The venue is ideal for those who not only look to celebrate in a non-traditional way but also want to avail the economic advantage of shared partying. Office parties on the Thames during Christmas is a pretty common sight as even smaller groups ( minimum six) can have access to bigger entertainment and classy food by enrolling for Thames cruise parties.

If you have not been there, hurry up to try your luck to see if you can squeeze into the already crowded place that has bookings done in advance.

Thinning Hair Problem? 5 Ways to Deal with Your Hair Loss Dilemma

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Losing lots of hair each day? Starting to have bald patches on your head? One of the most fearsome thoughts for both men and women is the prospect of thinning hair. Though hair loss occurrence is higher among men, women are not exempted from this problem. According to studies, roughly 30 percent of the adult population suffers from some degree of hair loss, which can lower one’s confidence and cause anxiety. If hair is one’s crowning glory, balding hair can be a real nightmare. But worry no more. We made a list of ways for you to cope with major or minor hair loss:

1. Cut it short. Ask your hairstylist about what haircut will best flatter your look. Short hairstyles can minimize the appearance of thinning hair and make baldness less apparent.

2. Style it right. Use volume-enhancing products that will make your hair stand up from the scalp to give it a thicker appearance. Avoid using greasy hair products and putting heavy hairsprays as they will flatten and clamp your hair together, thus emphasizing your bald patches. For women, layering and locking your hair in large curls can give an illusion of volume. You may also opt to blow dry your hair for extra volume.

3. Try topical treatments. There are plenty of shampoos and scalp lotions that claim to help re-grow hair. Look for a good over-the-counter topical treatment available in the market and use it rigorously. Watch your diet closely and make sure you eat plenty of iron-, protein-, and zinc-rich foods.
4. Look for an appropriate wig and toupee. If you want to flaunt a full-head of hair without using any topical treatments or products, invest in a good hair dress like wigs, toupees or hair extensions. With this option, you can style your hair the way you want without fear that your bald patches might be exposed. You can also pick and change your look with less hassle.

5. Go for the long-term and permanent medical treatment. If you want to grow your own hair naturally, and permanently, a hair transplant procedure might be the best for you. MAXiM Hair Restoration, a 12-year old American hair transplant company that has a branch in the Philippines, offers the advanced no-stitch, no linear scar technique called Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE) as well as the conventional hair transplant technique known as Follicular Unit Transplant (FUT). Both enable clients to grow back their hair via hair transplantation. It also offers a non-surgical method called Scalp Micropigmentation that produces a short buzz-cut look without the client undergoing an actual transplant.

MAXiM’s expert doctors are registered plastic surgeons who are skilled in surgery and aesthetics as well. Happy clients include professionals, international models, entertainment personalities and sports celebrities, most notably PBA Legend Alvin “The Captain” Patrimonio, who was the latest addition to the list of happy celebrities who have undergone MAXiM’s hair procedure. Balikbayans and overseas workers also choose to have hair transplants from MAXiM, which is super-specialized and focused on hair restoration and nothing else, for job and professional advancement.

MAXiM, offers complimentary hair transplant consultations in their office or via Skype. Interested parties may email their photos to MAXiM to get an estimate number of grafts and quotation.

For more information about hair restoration, go to www.maximhairrestoration.com/locations/manila or call (02) 818 6000 or 813 3001 for a FREE consultation. OFWs and those residing outside Metro Manila can avail of Skype consultations.

Tips on How to Save More Money on Shopping

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Summary: This is my original article which describes the share of my own experience in shopping saving.  

Usually love for searching interesting and saving sites for myself because I like shopping super much. Shopping is a woman's nature. LOL........ Here I declare this article only is on behalf of my own opinion and share the awesome saving things to everybody! 

As we all know, many people prefer to get coupon codes or discount when they shop in the online stores. Often, people choose to search coupon codes in Google searching engine, such as the most popular coupons site: Retailmenot, Coupons, HotDeals, etc. 

Last month, I found a website called HotDeals in Google. Let me do a brief introduction of this awesome site! HotDeals is a place where anybody can post information about what they think is a hot deals, as long as they are registered with the site. The idea of HotDeals is to create a platform sharing deals with one another, so we can all save our money. Registration is free and open to everyone. 

Every member can help this site by sharing deals you think is hot or just being a friendly member. The more members in HotDeals site have sharing and contributing their tips, the more money everyone save. It is all about various coupons, promo codes, voucher codes, discounts, sales, offers anything and everything that helps consumers more for less about online shopping. 

It updates promo codes, deals, and special offers constantly, offering you full-scale and up-to-the-minute online deals. It’s committed to bringing their users the best experience and the most bargains. Now there are many brands in it, such as Zaful, eBay, Aliexpress, Amazon, Rose gal

Wish, Target, Walmart, Microsoft, Fossil, Forever21, etc. Category involves: Clothing&Accessories, Tickets & Events, Photography, Online Courses, Jewelry&Watches Health&Beauty, Car Rental, Telecommunications, Children Toys, Grocery & Food, Games & Toys, Home & Garden, etc. 

Last week, I got through this site to get very very favorable coupon codes and bought Zaful stuffs, let me show you guys the clothes I got below. It’s a white sweater. But I don’t want to show how I wear in the picture since my body is so fat. LoL...... When I scroll the bottom of the site, it also has other languages of countries, like French and Japanese. 

I can’t know these two languages, so they are be closed. Here the pictures wouldn’t be shown, but you can enter the website to see them. There are many great stuffs in there. If you would like to buy some brands and get the coupon codes firstly.

I recommend the HotDeals, because the coupons it provides is more favorable and precise than any other deals sites. What’s more, it features more than 20K brands merchants. So you can choose your any favorite coupons in it! 

All in all, I think HotDeals.com is the best place on the web to search online coupons and deals. It has the best coupon codes, deals, free shipping codes, promo codes, promotional sales for lots of stores. It has got all kinds of coupons and deals you need. Save now with HotDeals! 

About  Fandy Lee - She's been writing for 2 years and loves writing and shopping online. Facebook: facebook.com/fandy.li.5