Honda Philippines, PBA Inks New Partnership to Ignite Action in PBA Commissioner’s Cup Season 2018-19

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Honda Philippines, Inc. (HPI), the number one motorcycle manufacturer in the country, recently announced its partnership with the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) at the Solaire Resort and Casino in Paranaque City.

Through the partnership with PBA, the most prestigious basketball league in the Philippines, HPI aims to touch on the lives of Filipinos by engaging in activities they love.

“Basketball has been a part of the Philippine culture and the Filipinos’ love for the sport is nothing short of amazing,” said Daiki Mihara, president of HPI. “We hope that through this partnership, HPI can extend its support to Filipino talents, especially in the PBA league.”

This year, PBA will be on its 43rd season and HPI presses on to bring the sport’s vibe closer to basketball fans. This initiative is attuned to the company’s vision of bringing the joy of mobility, especially through its safe, efficient, economical, and cutting-edge technology.

Honda, being a global brand, has sold 18 million units in worldwide sales last year and continues to build out its passion for excellence through continuous research and high technological standards for its products. With this passion for excellence, Honda wants to extend its innovations to the needs and preferences of Filipinos.

“We want to expand our sizeable foothold in the Philippines as a market leader in the motorcycle industry, by innovating technologies that improve the quality of life,” Mihara said. “We also see the value of partnering with institutions, like PBA, especially that our motorcycles appeal to the young and active fans of the league.”

Known for its innovative spirit, HPI aims to introduce the company as a market leader in motorcycles, spare parts, and power products that allows riders to have fun and proactively take part in thrill-seeking adventures.

For more information about Honda Philippines and its upcoming events, go towww.hondaph.com or follow the official Facebook page atfacebook.com/hondaph/.

Tugade Orders Immediate Rehabilitation of Zamboanga International Airport; Visits Wake of Slain CAAP Intelligence Officer

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Department of Transportation (DOTr) Secretary Arthur Tugade expressed his great dismay over the terminal facilities he witnessed in a surprise visit at the Zamboanga International Airport (ZIA) yesterday morning.

Sec. Tugade conducted the inspection, along with Aviation Undersecretary Skee Tamayo and officials of the Civil Aviations Authority of the Philippines (CAAP), to personally take a look at the current state of the ZIA, and make sure that appropriate and scheduled improvements are done following his conversation with President Rodrigo Roa Duterte.

The sorry state of the small baggage carousel, the lack of appropriate gang chairs and passenger seats at boarding areas, immediately caught the ire of the Secretary.

Further, during the inspection, Secretary Tugade, discovered multiple potholes as deep as 2 inches from end of runway 09 to runway 27. 

"Nakakadismaya! Hindi matanggap ng kalooban ko na ganito ang sitwasyon ng airport na ginagamit ng mga Zamboangeńo. Dagdagan pa natin ang atensyong  dapat na maibigay sa Zamboanga,” said Tugade.

Rehabilitation of Zamboanga International Airport

To immediately address the issues in the ZIA, Sec. Tugade ordered the immediate procurement of gang chairs to ensure that passengers will be provided with comfortable seats, as well as new baggage carousel to facilitate efficient baggage handling.

Further, Tugade mentioned that he will closely coordinate with the National Housing Authority (NHA) for the relocation of informal settlers that were affected by the Zamboanga seige.

He then ordered CAAP Deputy Director General for Operations Donaldo Mendoza and OIC Deputy Director General for Administration Ric Banayat to make sure that Allison Cargo immediately removes their containers, as the same adversely affect airport security.

The transportation secretary likewise instructed CAAP officials to ensure that the handling area of Cebu Pacific Cargo  becomes restricted, and not open.

The PhP160-million budget for asphalt overlay has recently been awarded this year. Originally, construction is scheduled to commence as soon as the winning bidder is given the notice to proceed.

However, as Secretary Tugade recognizes the need and urgency of employing a swift remedy, he gave an ultimatum to airport officials, and instructed them to start the asphalt overlay of the entire runway, as well as the repair of potholes today, to ensure the safety of the aircrafts and its passengers during landing and take off. Sealing of cracks will commence immediately.

Asphalt overlay of the whole runway will take several months, as work can only be done at night when there are no more flights till early morning.

"Pagbalik ko at hindi pa maayos ang Zamboanga Airport, pag-uuntugin ko mga ulo ninyo. Sisiguraduhin kong may mananagot dito," he said.

Visit to Slain CAAP Officer

While in Zamboanga, Sec. Tugade likewise used the opportunity to pay his respect and express condolence to the family of the slain CAAP Officer in Charge (OIC) for Intelligence Jeric Flores, who was shot dead in his house near the airport Saturday evening.

At the morgue, Tugade assured the grieving wife that all efforts will be exerted so that justice maybe served.

"Tayo po ay lubos na nakikiramay sa mga naulila ni Mr. Flores. Makakaasa po kayo na katuwang tayo sa paghahanap ng hustisya para sa kanya," Tugade said.

Apart from offering financial assistance for the wake and funeral, the transportation chief also offered to provide Flores' wife with employment should she desires.

Initial investigation of the police cites Flores' refusal to sign a ghost project worth PhP300 thousand pesos as the possible motive in the killing.

Flores is also part of the CAAP team auditing the airport says ZIA OIC Toto Alfonso, the assigned airport manager.

ZIA management has been under careful scrutiny recently as Airport Manager Naga Rascal was suspended by the Ombudsman due to alleged involvement in corrupt activities.

ICAO Lauds PH’s CO2 Emissions Reduction Plan for Aviation

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International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Secretary General Fang Lui commended the Philippines on its voluntary submission of its State Action Plan on CO2 Emissions Reduction for International Aviation.

In a letter sent to the Civil Aviations Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) last 5 March, Secretary General Liu praised the Philippine Government for its commitment towards environmental sustainability.

“The submission of an Action Plan provides an opportunity to establish and showcase strategies to reduce aviation emission,” Dr. Liu said.

A State Action Plan is a voluntary planning and reporting tool for countries to communicate information on their activities to address international civil aviation’s CO2 emissions. It aims for better understanding of the share and projections of international aviation CO2 emissions, enhanced cooperation between all aviation stakeholders that can positively reflect on their operational areas, and the identification of the most relevant mitigation actions.

The Philippines’ State Action Plan indicates the activities undertaken by the country, as well as planned mitigation strategies that it wants to implement in the future to further reduce C02 emissions in the sky.

These mitigation measures include the development of Bio-Fuel (used cooking oil) as an alternative fuel and improve the air traffic management and infrastructure through the establishment of a performance-based navigation (PBN) system in all public aerodromes which increases airspace capacity, improves aviation safety, and reduces aviation activities’ environmental impact.

According to CAAP, the Philippines’ State Action Plan on CO2 Emissions Reduction was achieved because of the initiatives of both DOTr and CAAP, through the upright leadership of Secretary Arthur Tugade. 

As a firm advocate of clean air and environment, Secretary Tugade has been pushing for pollution reduction initiatives in all sectors of transportation. 

"Hindi lang sa mga Public Utility Vehicles nakatuon ang kampanya ng DOTr kontra polusyon kundi pati sa mga eroplano, barko, at iba pang uri ng transportasyon. Walang exempted dito. This is our commitment to global efforts in mitigating climate change," said Tugade.

In 2017, our country also proved its compliance with international safety standards by succesfully passing the Universal Safety Oversight Audit Programme of the ICAO Coordinated Validation Mission. In the audit, airports in the Philippines got an overall result of 70.19%, which is above the global average (64%), and significantly higher than the previous rating (59.94%).

Though the result notably improved than that of the previous years, Secretary Tugade challenged everyone in CAAP to exceed their performance this year. That way, the public is always assured of safe and convenient air travel in the country.

TRANSGEN: Awakening to the Digital Age of HR Post-Event Report

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TRANSGEN: Awakening to the Digital Age of HR aimed to equip Human Resource Development Management students with strategic knowledge on HR management that correspond to the environment of this digital age. Seminars alike will help increase their competency and thus further contribute to the industry as they enter the workforce in the coming years.

The event was held last February 21, 2018 at the Claro M. Recto Hall, 6th Floor-South
Wing, Polytechnic University of the Philippines, Sta. Mesa Manila and was attended by human resource development management students from various universities and colleges such as Eulogio Amang Rodriguez Institute of Science and Technology, National College of Business and Arts, Far Eastern University, Mapua University, and more including students from both PUP Manila and Taguig branches.

BSBA-HRDM 4-1D has invited credible speakers to give a talk on the topics, “The Role of the Human Capital in the Digital Age” and “Impacts and Changes of the Digital Era.”

Mr. Darwin Rivers, a well-known and accredited life coach shared his knowledge on what will be the role of the human capital and its importance even in the digital age where most human resource processes are digitalized. On the other hand, Mr. Anthony Lawrence Santos, an HR Professional from ICATS, delivered a talk on what will be the impact of the digital era and the changes that will happen to the traditional practices of HR.

TRANSGEN 2018 was executed successfully with the coordination of its organizers and
their generous sponsors and media partners. Although there was a slight technical difficulty, which sometimes cannot be avoided, the critical thinking of the organizers and hosts was enough to keep the program running and dead air was avoided.

Wazzup Pilipinas is a proud media partner.

Do You Want To Cut Your Electricity Prices?

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There are quite a few ways you might cut down on your residential energy spending, but most of them start with the realization that you can make relatively small adjustments in your lifestyle that produce dramatic results over time. When you change something that seems small or even unimportant in your daily routine, you might start cutting down on your electric bill. In fact, the stress you feel over your power bill every month might start becoming something of the past. Keep reading to learn 5 specific things you should look into.

1) Install Solar Panels On Your Rooftop: This is sometimes the best way to wipe out a large portion of your utility bill, and sometimes you can eliminate it entirely. Solar panels on your property turn the sun into electricity you can use. Admittedly, the upfront costs of this option are pretty high, especially compared to other items on this list. Having said that, the long-term potential for savings also outweigh what you might get from the rest of the list. That's because when you have your own solar panels, you get to generate your own juice, rather than shelling out your hard-earned dollars for a utility to do it for you. If you'd like to avoid eating the upfront costs of solar panels, look into the various options available for financing a solar panel system while enjoying the benefits they provide in the meantime.

Electricity rates typically go up over the passage of time, so when you have the capacity of self-generation of your own solar installation, particularly if it's financed at a locked rate, you start distancing yourself from the annual cycle of rising utility rates. As the prices of electricity go up, so too do your savings from having a solar panel system, assuming of course that your home's energy usage rate remains stable. Of course, there are ways to make that go down actually...

2) Buy Appliances And Systems Certified As ENERGY STAR: Devices and machines certified with the federal government's ENERGY STAR label are known to use less power than conventional or standard appliances. If you want to make the most impact possible with ENERGY STAR products, upgrade your HVAC system with them. HVAC stands for heating, ventilation, and air conditioning. An ENERGY STAR gas furnace has different specifications contingent upon its location in the United States where it might get installed, but it can typically cut your heating bill by around 14 percent. You can likewise enjoy 8 percent savings on a central air conditioning unit that is certified with an ENERGY STAR label. If you want to lower the costs of both your heating and cooling by as much as 20 percent, then upgrade the actual ventilation system of ducts networked throughout the home that bring you cold or hot air.

In general, an ENERGY STAR appliance is going to cost anywhere from 9 to as much 25 percent less to actually operate compared to standard appliances. You can find ENERGY STAR certifications on dehumidifiers, dishwashers, refrigerators, washing machines, and more. Many ENERGY STAR appliances will not only reduce your electricity use but also cut down on how much water you use, which can reduce power use even more since less water is heated.

3) Think Energy Efficiency In Other Products Too: How many products in your home are functional, yet not efficient? You can replace incandescent light bulbs, light switches, and power strips without spending a lot of money to modern technology that drastically reduces your power consumption. For instances, swapping out a traditional incandescent bulb with an LED light reduces your power consumption by 75 percent. You save again from the fact that it lasts 25 times as long! Think about how many light bulbs are in your home, and you'll easily see how the multiplication means a lot of savings piling up.

Cut down your power bill more by using motion-sensing dimmer switches. Low-flow showerheads don't just cut down on your water use, but how much water has to use power to get heated, and you can still shower just as much as you like every day.

4) Insulate And Weatherize Your Home: If your home is weatherized, it means you seal the air leaks surrounding it. That drastically reduces the energy you have to put into keeping it cooled or heated. Common areas susceptible to leaks are doors, windows, and vents. All of them can be weatherized to substantially reduce air leaks from happening. Stationary objects might get sealed with caulking, such as walls and window frames, whereas movable objects like doors and windows need weather stripping.

Past just weatherizing, fully insulating your home means you help it retain winter heat and summer cool. The specific kinds of insulation you might need will be determined by where you actually live and what part of the home you are insulating. Common areas frequently needing insulation include crawl spaces, basements, floors, walls, and attics. When your home is properly insulated, your air conditioner and heating system will last longer, and they'll use less power when they do have to run.

5) Consider Daily Energy Savings Through Routine Adjustments: When you think about home energy use actively, you're then mindful of what lights you leave on and how long you might run appliances. This requires spending no money, and the results can add up. Turn down your thermostat when you leave home, or if there are no pets or anything sensitive to temperature, maybe just turn it off. You can turn it back on when you get home. Do dishes by hand rather than using your dishwasher all the time. This will help. You should also compare energy suppliers yearly. You can utilize utility company comparison websites to find the best energy plan for you.

Now that you have read this list, you know 5 specific things you might be able to do in order to reduce how much power you use at home. Use every item on the list you can to save money, stress, and even some of the environment.

Sleeping Tips And Ideas Backed-up By Science

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If you have been finding it hard to get sleep after a marathon on Netflix or wake up feeling tired in the morning, then chances are you aren’t getting good quality sleep. Discussed below are a few scientific hacks that can help you sleep better at night.

1. Turn off your laptop screen and phone just before bedtime
According to research, electronic devices emit light that keeps you awake for longer by suppressing melatonin production.  Smartphones, TVs, and laptops emit blue light that interferes with your body's internal clock, hence making it hard to fall asleep. Switching these off a few hours to bedtime is therefore recommended to help you fall asleep faster. If you however have to work late, then adjust your screen setting to the lowest brightness possible.

2. Block out annoying sounds and noise
Anyone living in urban centers knows how noisy it can be at night. Noise pollution can come from anything ranging from drunk crowds to cars on a busy road.  These noises make it almost impossible for one to get good sleep. Although you may not know this, your brain is always scanning or listening to sounds and noises that may mean danger, thus impacting your sleep pattern. Nevertheless, blocking out these noises by either soundproofing your house, or playing nature sounds or white noise in the house can help you sleep better at night.

3. Take a hot shower
Studies show that most people fall asleep faster after having a warm bath as compared to taking a cold shower.  Taking a warm bath raises your body temperature slightly, which makes it easy for the body to produce melatonin. The natural drop in temperature after hopping out of the shower also helps the brain drift off, causing you to fall asleep eventually.

4. Use lavender in your bedroom diffuser
Lavender not only comes in handy in aromatherapy but also produces a pleasant bedroom scent. The sweet smell of lavender is known to cause the brain to drift into sleep, thus recommended to all including those suffering from sleep apnea.

5. Wear socks to bed
Your grandma was probably right when she told you to put on a pair of socks to bed. The trick is to create an extra layer to help your feet feel warmer. Warm feet will almost always cause you to fall asleep faster even in the coldest weather. Pull on a pair of socks the next time you go to bed to see the difference.

6. Don't snooze the alarm
Although most people set their alarm to avoid getting late, many will hit the snooze button when it comes on. Research however shows that sleep caught after hitting the snooze button isn’t high-quality sleep. This only increases your chances of waking up feeling tired. Instead of hitting the snooze button, step out of bed immediately. This should help you wake up feeling energized and even fall asleep faster at night.

7. Buy a New Mattress
A new mattress can make all the difference to a good night’s rest and if you have a mattress that’s over 10 years old then it won’t support you. A costco mattress can be a good purchase as it’s inexpensive but gets great reviews.

These tips will help you sleep and have a good rest and can make all the difference to your quality of life.

Reece McLaren Shocks Crowd with Submission Victory Over Gianni Subba

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The largest global sports media property in Asian history, ONE Championship™ (ONE), treated fans to another exciting evening of world-class martial arts action. The packed Axiata Arena in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia played host to ONE: VISIONS OF VICTORY, which featured the absolute best in local and international martial arts talent. In the main event, Australia’s Reece “Lightning” McLaren silenced the crowd with a shocking arm triangle submission victory over hometown favorite Gianni Subba.

Visit the official ONE: VISIONS OF VICTORY photo gallery by clicking: https://bit.ly/onephotos

In the main event of ONE: VISIONS OF VICTORY, 26-year-old Reece “Lightning” McLaren of Gold Coast, Australia turned in a spectacular performance by routing Malaysian hometown hero Gianni Subba,  solidifying his position as a top contender in ONE Championship’s stacked flyweight division. McLaren flaunted his fluid striking, repeatedly hammering Subba with stinging punches and lashing leg kicks. In the end, McLaren’s impeccable ground game secured the finish for “Lightning” as he forced Subba to wave the white flag with an arm triangle submission in the second round to win in a ONE Flyweight World Championship title eliminator.

In the co-main event of the evening, 22-year-old Agilan Thani authored another awe-inspiring performance, overwhelming ONE Championship newcomer Amitesh Chaubey with his thunderous slams and powerful ground-and-pound. The action began with strikes at the center of the ONE cage as Chaubey goaded Thani into a striking exchange. Once Thani was able to close the distance however, the Malaysian wrestler dumped Chaubey onto the mat and easily transitioned into full mount. From top position, Thani blasted Chaubey with ground strikes to finish the round. The second round saw much of the same from Thani, but after another overhead slam that ended in side control, “Alligator” immediately sourced an Americana to force the tap.

With another spectacular performance, 19-year-old Christian “The Warrior” Lee marched to victory once more, submitting Japanese veteran Kazunori Yokota with a deep guillotine choke in the second round. Lee overwhelmed Yokota from start to finish, keeping his opponent on the defensive with his striking before taking matters to the ground. On the mat, Lee continued to dominate, easily transitioning to full mount while punishing Yokota with hard blows. In the second round, Lee sunk in a guillotine choke, leaving Yokota with no other option but to tap.

After falling short in his bid to become a world champion last November, former flyweight title challenger Danny “The King” Kingad reinserted his name into the winner’s column, picking up a hard-earned victory at the expense of Bulgarian martial artist Sotir Kichukov. With an incredible display of strength, Kingad impressed with a high-level striking and grappling performance after three fierce back-and-forth rounds. Kingad, who enjoyed most of the bout uncorking his lashing hooks and scoring successful takedowns, wore down Kichukov with hard blows from dominant positions. Despite Kingad’s menacing advances, Kichukov did not go down easily as he fished for submission finishes both in the second and third rounds. However, Kingad powered himself out of Kichukov’s attempts and outlasted his opponent to earn the unanimous decision.

In a gruelling three-round contest, Luis “Sapo” Santos of Brazil overcame a tremendous effort from ONE Championship newcomer Kiamrian Abbasov of Kyrgyzstan to win by unanimous decision. The 38-year-old veteran displayed his familiar power early, tagging Abbasov with thudding high kicks and sharp combinations. Despite Santos’ striking dominance however, Abbasov was able to survive the onslaught and take the Brazilian to the final bell. In the end, all three judges scored in favor of Santos.

Eight-time Brazilian jiu-jitsu world champion Michelle Nicolini aced her third assignment in ONE Championship, putting Ukrainian opponent Iryna Kyselova to sleep courtesy of a wrenching rear naked choke in the first round. Nicolini wasted no time in taking matters right into her comfort zone on the mat, effortlessly converting on a takedown attempt from the get-go. Once on the canvas, Nicolini worked her magic and finished Kyselova by submission.

“Cannon” Ma Jia Wen of China showcased incredible grit and toughness as he overcame a furious start from Pakistan’s Ahmed Mujtaba to win by submission. Mujtaba stormed out of the gates, immediately scoring a takedown and then positioning himself on top to pummel Ma with ground strikes. Ma was able to return to his feet however, and towards the end of the round, he landed a beautiful left hook to the chin that sent Mujtaba crashing to the canvas. By the start of the second frame, Mujtaba appeared exhausted, prompting Ma to capitalize on the opportunity. Ma’s ground-and-pound and positional control gave him the perfect opening to fasten a bout-ending choke to earn the victory.

Rising star Muhammad “Jungle Cat” Aiman of Malaysia sent his hometown crowd into a frenzy with an inspiring performance, sneaking just past Cambodia’s Rin Saroth on the judges’ scorecards to win by three-round unanimous decision. Although Saroth put up a spirited effort, peppering Aiman with his khun khmer strikes, the Malaysian employed a well-rounded offense featuring solid mat work to score the hard-earned victory.

19-year-old “Shadow Cat” Jihin Radzuan made her highly-anticipated ONE Championship debut a successful one, impressing fans with her crisp striking and solid jiu-jitsu to defeat opponent Puja Tomar via second-round submission. It was an exciting contest to start off but after Radzuan got her rhythm, Tomar began having difficulty fending off submission attempts. In the end, a triangle choke from Radzuan forced the tap at the 2:23 minute mark of round two.

Kicking off the action at ONE: VISIONS OF VICTORY were Cambodia’s Khon Sichan and Indonesia’s Riski Umar, who gave fans three gruelling rounds of maximum effort. After an intense exchange of striking and grappling, it was Sichan who was able to pull away slightly on the scorecards to win by split decision.

Official results for ONE: VISIONS OF VICTORY

Flyweight bout: Reece McLaren defeats Gianni Subba by Submission (Arm Triangle)  at 3:12 minutes of round 2

Welterweight bout: Agilan Thani defeats Amitesh Chaubey by Submission (Americana) at 1:04 minutes of round 2

Featherweight bout: Christian Lee defeats Kazunori Yokota by Submission (Guillotine Choke) at 4:34 minutes of round 2

Catchweight bout (63.0kg): Danny Kingad defeats Sotir Kichukov by Unanimous Decision (UD) after 3 rounds

Welterweight bout: Luis Santos defeats Kiamrian Abbasov by Unanimous Decision (UD) after 3 rounds

Women’s catchweight bout (60.0kg): Michelle Nicolini defeats Iryna Kyselova by Submission (Rear Naked Choke) at 2:26 minutes of round 1

Catchweight bout (72.3kg): Ma Jia Wen defeats Ahmed Mujtaba by Submission (Rear Naked Choke) at 2:38 minutes of round 2

Bantamweight bout: Muhammad Aiman defeats Rin Saroth by Unanimous Decision (UD) after 3 rounds

Women’s atomweight bout: Jihin Radzuan defeats Puja Tomar by Submission (Triangle Choke) at 2:23 minutes of round 2

Catchweight bout (62.5kg): Khon Sichan defeats Riski Umar by Split Decision (SD) after 3 rounds

In case you missed the action log on to www.onefc.com/livestream for the full replay of the fights at only US $9.99.

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 to Remove Barriers to Rural Electrification

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Department of Energy (DOE) Secretary Alfonso G. Cusi today committed his full support to implement the directive of President Rodrigo R. Duterte to remove the barriers to rural electrification.

In a meeting last 6 March with Secretary Cusi and Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) Chair Agnes Devenadera, the President focused on the missionary electrification in the unserved areas of the country, and made it clear that he wanted to remove the barriers that are blocking the entry of the private sector to provide better options and more choices for communities.

According to the Energy Secretary, President Duterte emphatically said, "This has to stop!"  referring to the hurdles standing in the way of the total electrification of the entire country. 

The President instructed the DOE and the ERC to initiate bold executive actions to allow the entry of the private sector so that the Filipino consumers can have access to adequate and affordable electricity that will redound to more economic and social benefits.

"The wisdom of the President is using emerging technologies targeting far-flung barangays which have had no power. The DOE is fully committed in pursuing his directive," Cusi concluded.

WORLDBEX 2018 Leads at the Forefront of Global Expansion

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Now on its 23^rd year, the Philippine World Building and Construction Expo (WORLDBEX) sustains its outstanding streak as it opens its doors to a record-breaking number of local and international exhibitors. Plus, an increase in its total exhibition space with the addition of the 2,500sqm wide Northwing hall of the World Trade Center which will house over 120 booths.

Happening on March 14 – 18 from 10am to 8pm, this year’s WORLDBEX is expected to be the show’s biggest installment yet as it is set to be held at the three mega venues of the World Trade Center Metro Manila, the Philippine Trade Training Center, and the SMX Convention Center Manila. With all three venues combined, this year’s WORLDBEX will encompass a total of 37,100sqm of show area as it showcases 1,500 booths by both domestic and foreign players of the construction sector.

In turn, WORLDBEX 2018 has noted a 25% increase in international exhibitors, a 12% increase in local exhibitors, and a 20% increase in total number of booths. Signifying something far beyond mere showmanship, the expansion being undergone by WORLDBEX is a brimming testament of the show’s thriving ascendancy as a global force. And the same could be said about its decision to adopt the theme of “Shaping Innovations Toward Sustainability” for its 2018 installment.

As revealed by Worldbex Services International’s Founding Chairman Joseph Ang, “Deliberately conceived to parallel the growing concern of the international community with regard to the need to develop ingenious yet mindful solutions, our theme for this year’s show deeply echoes WORLDBEX’s commitment to connect with the global pulse.”

It comes as no surprise that the reception of both the local and international community towards the upcoming show has been widely optimistic. Laying proof to this was the successful turnout of the WORLDBEX 2018 Exhibitors’ Orientation Program held last January 31 at the Hall B of the Philippine Trade Training Center; where over 700 attendees from 300 companies took part in the pre-show event.

As affirmed by Richmond Sy, President and General Manager of GRM Biowood, a first-time platinum sponsor for WORLDBEX, “Worldbex is the gold standard for construction expos and is well-known for showcasing the newest and most innovative products of the industry under one roof.” Moreover, Sy found this year’s theme highly relevant as it reflects what his company is all about.

On the other hand, 20 years later and Puyat Flooring Products Inc. remains to be one of the longest standing sponsors of WORLDBEX. Recalling their journey as one of the pioneer exhibitors of WORLDBEX, Missy Castro, Communications Manager for Puyat Flooring Products Inc. states, “Our participation has helped us a lot to reach out to our target customers and showcase the beauty and effectiveness of our products. Indeed, it is the most ideal venue to let our clients know about our company and our products!”

However, there seems to be no better exemplification of the burgeoning role of WORLDBEX as a key driver of economic growth on a global scale than the impressive number of international participants that will be taking part at this year’s show. Assuming the role of being the global construction industry’s gateway to Southeast Asia, among the new countries to participate at the much-anticipated event include Indonesia, Australia, Turkey, Germany, Iran, and Japan. These countries now join the roster of longtime international partners that support WORLDBEX, such as Korea, Malaysia, Denmark, Singapore, Spain, China, New Zealand, UAE, Thailand, the US, and Vietnam.

Particularly impressive is the enthusiasm expressed by Malaysian companies who are expected to occupy the most number of booths at this year’s International Pavilion. Leading the pack is Malaysian powerhouse MATRADE which has been allocated 30 booths. As remarked by MaTrade’s Trade Commissioner, Ms. Nyaee Ayup, “WORLDBEX has continuously showcased the emerging and innovative products in the industry. Indeed, it serves as an excellent platform for trade exchange and to learn best practises from other participating countries.”

Without a doubt, this year’s WORLDBEX marks an incredible milestone not just for the show but for the country’s economic position as a whole. As remarked by Florian Gottein, Executive Director of the European Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines, “With the fast-changing Philippine business landscape and many developments across all industries, it is through events such as the WORLDBEX that the best in the Philippine building and construction industry can come together and showcase the many opportunities within the sector.”

Furthermore, Noel Toti Cariňo, National President of the Chamber of Real Estate & Builders’ Associations, Inc. cites WORLDBEX’s vast global network as an “affirmation of their bright prospects for the Philippine property and construction industry.”

Once again, WORLDBEX leads at the forefront of pushing forth the expansion of the Philippine construction industry to unprecedented heights. WORLDBEX 2018 will run from March 14 to 18 from 10am to 8pm at the three mega venues of World Trade Center Metro Manila, Philippine Trade Training Center, and the SMX Convention Center, Pasay. The show is organized by the Worldbex Services International, the country’s leading events and expo organizer. To pre-register, visit www.worldbex.com. To know more, like the Worldbex Services International Facebook page and follow @worldbex on Instagram.

Metrobank Foundation Extends Deadline of Nominations for 2018 Outstanding Filipino Teachers

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FacebooTwitterThe Metrobank Foundation, Inc. (MBFI), in partnership with the Department of Education (DepEd), announced the extension of nominations for the 2018 Metrobank Foundation Outstanding Filipinos – Award for Teachers until March 14.

The Search is open to all Filipino educators teaching in the elementary level, including kindergarten level, provided it is part of the integrated curriculum or part of an elementary school system; and secondary or tertiary level, including graduate school and alternative learning system, with full-time or permanent appointment and with full teaching load.

Four teachers will join three soldiers and three police officers to comprise this year’s Metrobank Foundation Outstanding Filipinos. Each awardee will receive P1 million cash incentive, a trophy, and a gold medallion. They will also be awarded during Metrobank’s 56th anniversary in September.

Nominations must come from qualified nominators and must be sent through courier to Metrobank Foundation, 4th Floor, Executive Offices, Metrobank Plaza, Sen. Gil J. Puyat, Makati City. Moreover, self-nomination shall not be accepted nor considered

The nomination form and the detailed guidelines are accessible through the DepEd Memorandum No. 3, series of 2018, or the 2018 Metrobank Foundation Outstanding Filipinos – Award for Teachers, which is available online at http://www.deped.gov.ph/memos/dm-003-s-2018. You may also visit Metrobank Foundation’s official website at www.mbfoundation.org.ph and the Awards’ official Facebook page at www.facebook.com/mbfi.outstandingfilipinosfor more information.

The Search is also conducted in close coordination with the Commission on Higher Education (CHED); Rotary Clubs of Makati Metro and New Manila East; Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP); Philippine Savings Bank, and the Philippine National Police (PNP).

The Award aims to recognize outstanding Filipinos who are responsible citizens, exemplary public servants, and agents of positive change in their respective communities.