DOTr To Groundbreak Taguig Integrated Terminal Exchange Project

Wazzup Pilipinas!

The Department of Transportation (DOTr) will today lead the groundbreaking of the Taguig Integrated Terminal Exchange (ITX), another big-ticket infrastructure project aimed at further decongesting vehicular traffic on EDSA.

DOTr Secretary Arthur Tugade will be joined by other members of the BUILDBUILDBUILD Team including DPWH Secretary Mark Villar and BCDA President and CEO Vince Dizon.

Taguig ITX project, done in partnership with Ayala Corp., will be a 6-storey building on a 5.57 hectare property inside the FTI compound which would house passenger concourse, a centralized ticketing area and several business and retail establishments.

The project will also have a provision for 1,200 public utility buses and vehicles’ bays and parking. Upon its completion, Taguig ITX is expected to house around 4,000 buses and accommodate 160,000 passengers daily. It will also feature a pedestrian walkway connection to the PNR FTI station and the proposed subway system.

Taguig ITX will cater to all provincial buses plying the south of Luzon, Visayas and Mindandao destinations.

The Taguig ITX construction would start by the 2nd half of 2018 and is expected to start operation by 1st half of 2020.

Other high level government officials who will be attending this morning’s ITX groundbreaking rite at the former NFA warehouse, FTI, Taguig City, include Cong. Federico Sandoval II (Malabon), Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) Chairman Danilo Lim, and Taguig City Mayor Lani Cayetano. Ayala Corp. Chairman Fernando Zobel de Ayala will also grace the ceremony.

DOE Watching Oil Firms to Prevent Profiteering

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Energy Secretary Alfonso G. Cusi today assured the public that the Department of Energy is keeping a close watch over oil firms to prevent possible profiteering over the implementation of the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN).

For this purpose, Cusi bared that the DOE has invited the oil companies to a meeting on Wednesday morning (3 January 2018) in its headquarters to clarify the mechanisms in the implementation of the new tax law.

Cusi stressed that the additional excise tax on fuel under TRAIN should not affect the prices of old stocks of oil firms, including their stocks under the 15-day Minimum Inventory Requirement.

“As directed by President Duterte, the government taxes should not profit the companies, because these are all intended for the services of the government to the public and the public alone.”

Cusi said that to the credit of the oil companies, they willingly agreed to submit their stock inventories as of the cut-off date (31 December 2017) under a notarized document to be submitted to the DOE.

The oil companies also concurred to share their data regarding their sales to the dealers/retailers to determine which stocks will be applied with the Excise Tax.

For further transparency, the oil companies will also require their retailers to post what the products will be charged with Excise Tax and when it will be implemented.

Cusi said the DOE and other relevant government agencies would conduct random audit and monitoring activities on the compliance with TRAIN, both in the depot/refinery and the retail level or gasoline stations.

The DOE calls on the public to be vigilant and to report any violation to info@doe.gov.ph or to Consumer Welfare and Promotion Office at tel. no. 479-2900 loc. 329.

Marvelous Family Combo at Burgoo

Wazzup Pilipinas!

This 2018, Burgoo opens the year right with a special treat for the whole family! Indeed a value for your money, this “Marvelous Family Combo” composed of Onion Ring Tower with Shrimp Popcorn, Chicken Tenders and Ranch Dressing, Rice Pilaf, U.S. Fries, Tomato-Basil Spaghetti, a full slab of Oklahoma-Style Grilled Baby Back Ribs, and two carafe of your favorite sodas only cost P1,999.00 (a huge savings of up to P579.00).

Make it a Supreme Combo by just adding P295.00 and you will have a plate of Burgoo’s well-loved Caesar Salad and a slice of Raspberry Cheesecake (another savings of P255.00).

This Marvelous Family Combo can be enjoyed by 8-10 persons is available at all Burgoo outlets located at T. Morato in Quezon City; Powerplant Mall in Rockwell Makati; The Podium in Ortigas; Gateway Mall in Araneta Center Cubao; Robinsons Galleria in Ortigas; SM City The Block in North EDSA; Mall of Asia in Pasay; SM City Marikina; SM Southmall in Alabang, The District in Cavite; 3rd level Terraces Mall in Fairview; Starmall in Taguig, and Burgoo Solenad in Nuvali.

Other well-loved dishes at Burgoo worth a try are Supreme Caesar Salad, Grilled Pork Chops, Seafood Linguini, Fish &Chips, Chicken Dianne, Raspberry or Brownie Cheesecake, among others.

For reservations and inquiries, please call 9277424, 8381815, 6875254, 7263578, 9136112, 5560091 or 6336256.

Great Picks at Gumbo

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Gumbo welcomes the year 2018 with great picks and food choices! You can pick your main entrée and choose your side dishes for only P155.00 (one entrée and one side dish) to P195.00 (one entrée and two side dishes). Pick your choice: Fish & Chips with Mixed Vegetables, Grilled Pork Chop with Cajun Rice and House Salad, Chicken Wings with Cajun Rice and Coleslaw Calamari with House Salad and Potato Wedges, Pasta with Potato Wedges and Mixed Vegetables (original value from P295.00-P325.00). You can add P25.00 for a glass of your favorite soda, iced tea or lemonade.

Also do not miss other Gumbo’s mouth-watering and sumptuous dishes like Seafood Jambalaya, Bayou’s Stuffed Crabs, Shrimp Etouffe, Bourbon-Style Baby Back Ribs, Southern-Grilled Chicken Caesar, Cajun-Style Fried Chicken, Baked Bread Pudding ala Mode, etc.

Visit Gumbo at the 2nd Level Entertainment Hall, SM Mall of Asia in Pasay; 3rd Level Robinsons Manila Midtown; 2nd Level SM City The Block, North EDSA; Gateway Mall in Araneta Center, Cubao; Robinsons Magnolia; and at the 2nd Level Atrium Bldg. in SM Megamall. This treat is also available for bulk orders, take-out and delivery.

For reservations and inquiries, please call 5560238, 4420106, 6353015, 5671820, 4404632 and 5271925.

40 Official Binibining Pilipinas 2018 Candidates Revealed

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Beauty pageant veterans, models, TV personalities and professionals from different fields make up the Top 40.

After a deliberate and rigorous week-long screening process, Mrs. Stella Marquez Araneta and the officials of Binibining Pilipinas Charities, Inc. (BPCI) are proud to announce the 40 official candidates of Binibining Pilipinas 2018.  With the final screening happening on Jan. 15, and the official numbering the following day at Kia Theatre, this year’s roster of Binibinis were finally chosen. Beauty pageant veterans, models, TV personalities and professionals from different fields make up the Top 40. Their official numbers will be used to identify the ladies until Coronation Night, and will also serve as their official hashtag in various social media networks. The ladies are: #Binibini1: Vickie Marie Milagrosa “Vim” Rushton, 25, from Talisay City, Negros Occidental #Binibini2: Kathrine “Kath” Ventura, 22, from Antipolo City #Binibini3: Muriel Orais, 26, from Cebu City #Binibini4: Ana Patricia “Patrik” Asturias, 25, from Tacloban City, Leyte #Binibini5: Rose Marie Murphy, 25, from Cabadbaran City, Agusan del Norte #Binibini6: Janice Roman, 25, from Manila #Binibini7: Sigrid Grace Flores, 25, from Catanduanes #Binibini8: Marie Sherry Ann “Shane” Tormes, 26, from Polangui, Albay #Binibini9: Agatha Lei Romero, 23, from Quezon City #Binibini10: Kayesha Chua, 25, from Legazpi, Albay #Binibini11: Maria Andrea “Aya” Verdadero Abesamis, 26, from Pasig City #Binibini12: Janette Roanne Sturm, 26, from General Santos City #Binibini13: Kristie Rose “Istie” Cequeña, 26, from the City of Santa Rosa #Binibini14: Samantha Bernardo, 25, from Puerto Princesa, Palawan #Binibini15: Juliana Kapeundl, 26, from Balayan, Batangas #Binibini16: Annalita Vizcarra, 23, from Murcia, Negros Occidental #Binibini17: Ma. Ahtisa Manalo, 20, from Candelaria, Quezon #Binibini18: Rosantonette Mendoza, 26 years old from Bacoor, Cavite #Binibini19: Michele Gumabao, 25, from Quezon City #Binibini20: Catriona Elisa Gray, 24, from Albay #Binibini21: Anjame Magbitang, 19, from Hagonoy, Bulacan #Binibini22: Sophia Juliann C. Baino, 24, from Nasugbu, Batangas #Binibini23: Ena Louis Velasco, 23, from Bacolod City #Binibini24: Edjelyn Joy Gamboa, 25, from Oriental Mindoro #Binibini25: Jerellen Rodriguez, 25, from Nasugbu, Batangas #Binibini26: Wynonah Van Joy Baluyot, 24, from Cebu #Binibini27: Henna Kaizzelle Nicole Cajandig, 25, from Sultan Kudarat #Binibini28: Angelica Mae Corbe, 24, from Legazpi City, Albay #Binibini29: Samantha Kaye Avestruz, 20, from Tacloban City, Leyte #Binibini30: Sarah Margarette Joson, 24, from Manila #Binibini31: Jehza Mae Huelar, 23, from Davao City #Binibini32: Eva Psychee Patalinjug, 23, from Cebu City #Binibini33: Stephanie Joy Abellanida, 22, from Pigcawayan, North Cotabato #Binibini34: Mary Joy “MJ” de Castro, 22, from Davao del Norte #Binibini35: Sandra Lemonon, 23, from Pasig #Binibini36: Loren Mar Artajos, 27, from Ilocos #Binibini37: Patrizia Garcia, 23, from Cainta, Rizal #Binibini38: Karen Gallman, 25, from Ubay, Bohol #Binibini39: Trixia Marie S. Maraña, 25, from Dumaguete City, Negros Oriental #Binibini40: Angelie Aubrey Asuncion, 24, from Tabaco, Albay The 40 official candidates will be going through weeks of activities and trainings prior to the coronation night on March 18 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum. Included in their schedule are various charity visits, something that the girls are truly looking forward to and is central to thrust of the BPCI. Up for grabs are crowns to the six most prestigious international beauty tilts: Miss Universe Philippines, Binibining Pilipinas International, Binibining Pilipinas Supranational, Binibining Pilipinas Grand International, Binibining Pilipinas Globe and Binibining Pilipinas Intercontinental. Follow these ladies’ exciting journey by visiting the official website www.bbpilipinas.com. Like the Binibining Pilipinas official Facebook page www.facebook.com/realbbpilipinas and follow @bbpilipinasofficial on Instagram. Photos by Edmund Chua

The Low Hum of a Drone Exhibit by Jay Yao

Wazzup Pilipinas!

February 3 – March 10, 2018
Galleria Duemila, 210 Loring St. 1300 Pasay City

Jay Yao, an artist who continually experiments with photography, stages his recent body of works at Galleria Duemila, 210 Loring St., 1300 Pasay City on February 3 till March 10, 2018.

As an artist, he draws on a myriad of references from technology and how information systems easily get passed around resulting in a more abstracted understanding of knowledge. Jay utilizes the imagery of different notions of scapes to project the central idea of his exploration.

Capturing the landscape of the northern hemisphere, each of the body of work presented alongside the abstracted aerial views of Luzon, Yao generates perplexing yet beautiful photographs that reveal the process that he took in conceptualizing them. The photos show reflective qualities of green, blue and silver that hold the illusion of texture and rapidly flowing lines and vistas in conversation with strong hues of oranges and browns that are angular and in hard-edged shapes. Born as a result of his constant experimentation and intuitive ideas, the works are both subtle and detailed at the same time.




Jay currently resides in Manila (Philippines). He has been shortlisted for the Ateneo Awards in 2014, Jay Yao (Jose Campos III) has a liberal arts degree in Hampshire College and studied at Parson’s School of Design. He had a residency in Sherman Galleries in Australia and represented the Philippines for the Goethe-Institut project called the “Art Connexions: SYD-MLA-KUL”.

Kairat Akhmetov Hungry to Accomplish Definitive Ending to Rivalry with Geje Eustaquio

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Former ONE Flyweight World Champion Kairat “The Kazakh” Akhmetov has the chance to make a definitive statement and recapture lost gold as he is slated to take on a familiar foe in his upcoming bout.

Akhmetov will be entering enemy territory to battle Filipino rival Geje “Gravity” Eustaquio in the main event of ONE: GLOBAL SUPERHEROES, which takes place at the 20,000-capacity SM Mall of Asia Arena in Manila, Philippines on 26 January.

It is also a rematch of their main event tilt from ONE: TOTAL VICTORY in September of last year, where Akhmetov got the better of the 28-year-old Baguio City native and earned a razor-thin split decision nod.

The stakes are much higher in their second encounter as the interim ONE Flyweight World Championship title is up for grabs.

Akhmetov admitted that he was shocked when he initially received the news that he is booked to face Eustaquio in a rematch at ONE: GLOBAL SUPERHEROES, which marks as the 12th foray of the organization on Philippine shores.

After defeating Eustaquio four months ago, Akhmetov undeniably expected that he would be pitted in a rubber match with reigning ONE Flyweight World Champion Adriano “Mikinho” Moraes, the man who blemished his previously-immaculate professional record in their second meeting in August of last year.

“I was surprised,” he bared. “Without question, I won the bout against Geje Eustaquio last September. At first, I thought that I would get a third bout with Adriano Moraes for the belt. I guess everything happens for a reason. I respect ONE Championship’s decision. I am just honoring the process.”

Even though Akhmetov did not get the trilogy bout that he desired, the Kazakh wrestling dynamo is up for the challenge, asserting that he is highly motivated to once again defeat Eustaquio in his own backyard.

“Of course, I would prefer not to compete against Geje in his hometown. I felt an advantage when I was competing at home before. But it does not intimidate me,” he stated. “I am ready for everyone that will cheer against me. I am coming with the mentality that it will be me versus the world, and I am ready for it.”

The maiden cage contest against Eustaquio was a quick turnaround for Akhmetov, who had lost the ONE Flyweight World Championship to Moraes a mere six weeks earlier via unanimous decision, albeit following an almost two-year layoff.

Akhmetov revealed that he had slight difficulties preparing for his first bout with Eustaquio as he was coming off a disappointing setback and nursing minor injuries.

“It was hard to prepare for Geje back then, because it was on shorter notice that I was used to, and I had some little injuries coming off the title match. But during the match, it did not affect me, and I did not feel any cage rust like I did against Adriano. That time, it was hard, both physically and mentally,” he said.

The first match-up between Akhmetov and Eustaquio proved to be a thriller as it could have gone either way, but two of the judges at cageside favored the Kazakh, leading to a split decision victory.

Akhmetov believes that his split decision triumph over Eustaquio in September of last year was justified and well-deserved.

“I do not think it was controversial. I thought I dominated the match, and it was not close at all,” he explained.

Although they have had 15 whole minutes to become acquainted with what each has to offer in the first bout, Akhmetov feels that things will play out differently in the rematch.

“Geje Eustaquio did not showcase everything he can do in our last match. Neither have I,” he warned. “I am going in there with what I am truly capable of.”

According to Akhmetov, his five-round championship clash versus Eustaquio at ONE: GLOBAL SUPERHEROES is the perfect opportunity to prove once and for all that he is the better warrior and take a step closer to the trilogy match with Moraes that he so longingly wants.

“In 2017, I had ups and downs. I do not want to look back. In 2018, I am looking forward to reaching my dream to battle Adriano Moraes for the third time. But of course, I have to beat Geje Eustaquio first to fulfill my dream,” he declared.

​​​​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.

Akbayan Hits Chacha: It Will Extend Trapos, Oligarchs and Warlords

Wazzup Pilipinas!

As the House Committee on Constitutional Amendments tackled proposals for charter change (Cha-cha) today, Akbayan slammed the House of Representatives’ scheme to extend term limits and give ‘almost absolute’ power to the president.

“Charter change offers no real change. It’s a scam led by Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez to keep the old oligarchs, trapos and warlords in power,” Akbayan President Machris Cabreros said. “The proposal by PDP-Laban to extend the terms of the President and congresspersons up to 10 years proves that the trapos shamelessly want to cling to their seats longer.”

Akbayan also hit the proposal to put the president as head of state and head of government during the transition period, giving Duterte powers over the legislative.

“The proposal to dissolve congress and replace it with an interim parliament leaves law-making to their vested interests before the 2022 elections,” Cabreros added. “During the transition period, it will be a free-for-all for Duterte and his ilk. Imagine laws like death penalty, immunity for the Marcoses and other draconian measures being passed.”

“An unhampered transition period plus a 10-year term is exactly what the trapos need to be unstoppable. It will give trapos more time to sell out our country’s interests. Who knows what will be left of the Philippines after their term?”

“With Chacha, the Alvarez-led House is dancing its way to a self-serving dictatorship while Filipino families remain hungry, jobless and in danger of getting killed,” Cabreros said. “The longer the trapos extend through the new constitution, the longer Filipino families suffer.”

Sec. Alfonso Cusi Statement on ERC Commissioners Suspension

Wazzup Pilipinas!

The following statement has been issued by the Department of Energy last 23 December 2017 on the Suspension of 4 ERC Commissioners.

“The law requires us to abide by the year-long suspension order of the Office of the Ombudsman against the four (4) ERC Commissioners. We have already requested for the designation of acting commissioners so that ERC can continue its functions.

We wish to assure all stakeholders that the suspension will not cause any debilitating effect to the power supply and services in the Philippines.

The suspension may cause further delays in power projects which require approval from a collegial commission. However, we will see to it that this will not have any significant impact in the short and medium term. The execution of the Power Development Plan covering the medium and long-term up to 2040 will continue unhindered.

The DOE has been pushing for reserve capacities for possible contingencies. This will ensure an uninterrupted supply at all times for power security and reliability.

Thus, we are certain that we can overcome this recent challenge to the energy sector.”

For concerns please contact DOE HOTLINE: ‎8402167.

CHED Completes Release of Allowances of 2,828 Eligible Faculty Scholars

Wazzup Pilipinas!

After facing initial challenges in the release of allowances to 4,096 scholars under the Commission’s K to 12 Transition Program, CHED has announced that it has finally completed the release of the allowances to eligible faculty and staff grantees today.

Following the ongoing effort since November 2017 during which the Commission resumed processing of allowances after the COA Notice of Suspensions, CHED has now completed the release of allowances to 2,828 eligible scholars, of which 2,247 is for full release, and 581 is for partial release.

Scholars may check their status through the online public tracker which is updated regularly: http://chedk12.com/sgsdisbursement. CHED Regional Offices have likewise been mobilized to communicate with the scholars to update them of their status.

Due to accounting and auditing rules, the Commission can only release partial allowances to scholars with remaining deficiencies in terms of submission. Meanwhile, for 1,268 scholars who have been unable to submit valid enrollment forms, releases remain on hold. Release of allowances under the Program are triggered by the complete submission of valid enrollment forms and authenticated copies of grades for the previous semester.

The Commission is also continuously processing the full release of allowances to scholars who are able to submit pending documents as they come, and resolving issues on documentary submissions, within the bounds of government accounting and auditing rules, to facilitate releases for remaining scholars at the soonest possible time.

The K to 12 Transition Program began in 2016 to prevent the massive displacement of higher education faculty and staff in colleges and universities due to the implementation of Senior High School (SHS), while upgrading the quality of higher education.