World’s Fish by the Numbers: How the Seas of East Asia Play an Important Role in Global Fish Production

Wazzup Pilipinas!

There are plenty of fish in the sea – but not for long, if we continue to fish unsustainably. In recent weeks, Philippine media reported on the shortage of bangus, and rising prices of staple fish like tilapia and galunggong.

According to a report by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO)*, a third of the world’s oceans are overfished. Stocks fished within biologically sustainable levels has decreased from 90 percent to 66.9 percent, with some fish species not having enough population left in the ocean to replenish and reproduce.

Over the years, the demand for seafood has drastically increased. Some 3.2 billion people rely on fish for almost 20 percent of their animal protein intake. Some communities, usually in developing countries, depend on fish as a key source of protein and healthy fat. In fact, fish consumption in the world today has exceeded the consumption of meat from all terrestrial animals. The global fish consumption has increased by 3.2 percent in 2017—twice the 1.6 percent increase in 2016.

Sadly, not all of the fish caught or produced end up on our plates. The FAO revealed that around 35 percent of the fish and seafood harvested is lost or wasted. Seafood waste also wastes the energy used in transporting it from the ocean to the plate (or however far it gets), and most critically is a pointless risk to biodiversity.

Role of the seas of East Asia

Known for their rich oceans and seas, countries in the East Asian Seas region play a significant role in global fish production. China, Viet Nam, and Japan are among the world’s largest producers and exporters of fish and fish products. In addition, Asia is a huge food fish consumer, accounting for two-thirds of the 149 million tonnes consumed globally in 2015.

The world’s fisheries also employ 59.6 million people, 85 percent of whom work in the fisheries and aquaculture sectors of Asia. Thus, looming threats to fisheries such as overfishing, climate change, marine habitat destruction, and marine plastic pollution could damage the livelihoods of millions of people. For these reasons, the shift to sustainable fisheries is being promoted to ensure we have an adequate supply of fish and seafood for the future.

Ocean leaders and advocates are invited to join the discussion on sustainable fisheries at the East Asian Seas (EAS) Congress 2018 in Iloilo City, Philippines on November 27-30, 2018. Dale Galvin, Managing Director of Sustainable Markets and Impact Investing at RARE, will be a featured speaker. Mr. Galvin will talk about the fishing industry and how we can practice and support sustainable fisheries for the future of our shared seas.

For more information on the 2018 EAS Congress, please visit: http://eascongress2018.pemsea.org/

For more information on the FAO report: Reference: Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). 2018. The State of World Fisheries and Aquaculture 2018 - Meeting the sustainable development goals. Rome.

Get Free Globe Home WiFi with Every Purchase of Selected Lenovo Devices

Wazzup Pilipinas!

As we gear up for the holidays, leading PC developer Lenovo and Globe Telecom team up for an always-connected “Ber” season in a promo.

Customers now purchasing selected Lenovo products (YOGA, IdeaCentre, IdeaPad, and Legion) will receive a free Globe at Home Prepaid WiFi kit worth P1999. Each WiFi kit also comes, with 7 days data out-of-the box.

Purchase of selected Lenovo products with Intel® Core™ i3 processors will get a Globe At Home Prepaid WiFi with free 7 days data, while purchases with Intel® Core™ i5 processors will get an additional Homesurf Php 349 for extra 10 GB data valid for 10 days. Meanwhile, purchase of products with Intel® Core™ i7 processors will get an additional Homesurf Php599 for extra 15 GB data valid for 30 days.

“With this new promotion, everyone can stay connected especially this coming holiday season. Globe’s reliable Internet connection will surely elevate their Lenovo experience,” said Lenovo Philippines Country General Manager Michael Ngan.

A cost-effective plug-in LTE WiFi solution, Globe at Home Prepaid WiFi is two times faster, with 50% stronger coverage, compared to regular pocket WiFi devices.

Customers who buy qualifying products can claim the Globe at Home Prepaid WiFi upon purchase, in-store. Customers who buy Intel® Core™ i5 and i7 products can claim their free data add-ons through the promo’s website by providing their invoice number and the product’s serial number.

Each customer may only have a maximum of five (5) selected products per transaction, and purchases must be made at engaged retailers only. The promo is until September 30, 2018 only.

For the full list of selected Lenovo products and the engaged retailers, please visithttps://www.lenovoredemptions.com/.

Qatar Deputy Prime Minister Visits Philippines President

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Qatar Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed Bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani was in the Philippines for a two-day official visit, which is expected to strengthen bilateral ties between the Philippines and Qatar.

The Qatari official, together with his delegation, paid a courtesy call on President Rodrigo Roa Duterte in Malacañan Palace on Wednesday, August 15.

Qatar was one of President Duterte’s stops when he visited the Middle East in April last year. The Emir hosted a lunch banquet for Duterte and his delegation during his visit to the Gulf. The country has been an important market for Philippine products and also for its labor force overseas.

Philippine officials who were present during the courtesy call include Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea, Foreign Affairs Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano, Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III, Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana, Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez, National Security Adviser Hermogenes Esperon Jr., Special Assistant to the President Christopher Lawrence Go, and Philippine Ambassador to Qatar Alan Timbayan.

On the Qatar side, present were Director of the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Saad Bin Ali Al Kharij, Qatari Ambassador to the Philippines Ali Ibrahim Al-Malki, Director of Asian Affairs Khalid Ibrahim Abdulrahman Al-Hamar, Assistant Director of the Foreign Minister’s Office for Political Affairs Naif Abdullah Al-Emadi, and Ambassador of the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Meshaal Saeed Al Mazrouei.

Qatar’s Emir Shiekh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani is expected to have a state visit to the Philippines later this year.

"We look forward to the State Visit of the Emir of Qatar Shiek Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani later this year, where he will surely be warmly welcomed by President Rodrigo Duterte," Foreign Affairs Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano said.

Cayetano met with the Foreign Minister to discuss the proposed convening of the joint committee meeting on labor matters, investment opportunities, regional issues in the Gulf and other ways to further enhance bilateral relations.

"Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed Bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani and I had a fruitful discussion on advancing Philippine-Qatar relations, covering all our foreign policy goals and addressing the needs of our nationals in Qatar," Cayetano said.

In their meeting, the foreign affairs secretary also conveyed the Philippines' gratitude to Qatar for granting royal pardon to 25 Filipino detainees during Eid'l Fitr.

In 2017, Qatar is the Philippines’ sixth export market and fourth import market in the Middle East. It is home to around 255,000 Filipinos, most of whom are working in the nursing and services sector.

State of Qatar Provides $100K Relief Aid to Typhoon Ompong Victims In PH

Wazzup Pilipinas!

The State of Qatar, through the Qatari Red Crescent Mission in the Republic of the Philippines, has provided the first batch of emergency aid worth 100,000 USD, including home maintenance materials, blankets, plastic sheets, household utensils and personal hygiene items, for those affected by the typhoon Mangkhut (Ompong) in the northern Philippines.

Typhoon Mangkhut, which hit the Philippines on 15 September 2018, left behind more than 100 killed and missing, 49,000 damaged houses, and 128,000 displaced people. The tropical storm weighed heavily on infrastructure, schools, health facilities, and agriculture, with losses amounting to $340 million.

The Qatari's relief aid arrived in Manila on Thursday, 20/09/2018, and the actual distribution began on Sunday, 22/09/2018, in cooperation with the Philippine Red Cross. In the first phase, household maintenance items were distributed to around 700 families in the province of “Cagayan", as a very urgent need because of the large numbers of homes that were destroyed, after conducting a tour by helicopter to inspect the damage.

With 5,100 beneficiaries targeted, the relief program is coordinated with local authorities, the International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), and the Philippine Red Cross.

"We have a comprehensive response plan," said Dr. Manuel N. Mamba, Governor
of Cagayan. "With the appreciated Qatari support, it will definitely work. We are
serious about withstanding the storm, making the affected areas more resilient, and enabling their populations to restore their normal lives".

Each package of household maintenance items included:

- Four (4) metal plates (zinc) of excellent type, stainless steel and water-resistant. - saw.
- Hammer.
- Screws of different sizes.
Technician teams were also deployed to train citizens on how to maintain houses.

On Monday, 24/09/2018, the same package was distributed for the second time to different affected citizens.

On Tuesday, 25/09/2018, relief items were distributed to 150 families, including the following:
- Plastic covers.
- Blankets.
- Mosquito nets.
- Mat for sleeping.
- Personal hygiene bag.

A fundraising drive also has been launched to raise $1m (QR 3.65m) for an extended relief program. These funds will be used to provide diverse aid in shelter, health care, water and sanitation, food security, and livelihood.

QRCS’s representation mission in the Philippines is coordinating with the Philippine Red Cross and the International Red Cross and Red Cross Movement partners to organize the immediate intervention identify the affected regions and priorities needs, such as blankets, kitchenware, power generators, drinking water, and hygiene materials.

H.E. Ali bin Ibrahim Al-Malki, Ambassador of the State of Qatar in Manila, was
personally interested in the activities of QRCS's mission. He gave instructions to
the embassy staff to facilitate everything related to the relief plan, emphasizing the
importance of allowing the victims access to relief provisions, especially in the
worst-hit regions.

He also stressed coordination only with state and licensed organizations, compliance with national laws and procedures, and transparency throughout the process of humanitarian intervention.

Chris Staines, Head of IFRC Country Office in the Philippines, told the reporters in
Cagayan, "QRCS is always there to lend a hand during natural disasters in the
country. This is highly valued by all Movement partners and implies that QRCS is committed to its humanitarian duty towards the vulnerable communities".

Richard J. Gordon, Chairman of the Philippine Red Cross, commended the prompt response by QRCS, "which stands by us before, during, and after disasters. We are happy with the support that Qatar offers to us, both in word and deed, during the endless disasters in my country. QRCS is a real partner, and it is typically one of
the first to respond to humanitarian appeals. Thank you Qatar".

To support QRCS’s relief efforts in the Philippines, you can donate via hotline (66644822 – 66666364 – 16002), website (www.qrcs.org.qa), or QRCS’s agents and donation boxes at 44 locations countrywide. Ooredoo customers can send an SMS with “F” as follows: 92402 (QR150), 92552 (QR250), 92092 (QR500), or 92246 (QR1,000).


Brief History about the Qatari Red Crescent Mission in the Philippines:

The Qatar Red Crescent draws its vision and scope of action from two fundamental principles of the seven international humanitarian actions that it works under its umbrella: humanitarian and universal. The mission of philanthropy targets people everywhere without any distortion or discrimination based on language, gender, race or religion. It is a universal message and not a subject to restrictions or limitations.

The Qatari Red Crescent has expanded its 37 years old operations, projects and assistance to more than 47 countries in various hot spots around the world, providing support to vulnerable people affected by natural disasters or armed conflicts, in the light of its mission to ensure self-preservation and human dignity, which include a set of general rules governing its work, among them is the coordination with the responsible authorities in the target area, the recruitment and training of community cadres and volunteers, the study of the local environment and taking into account the common elements such as food, building materials, architectural designs and clothing, etc., and the purchase of relief materials from the local market in the event   of availability, to stimulate business activity and achieve economic return complementary to the relief purpose.

The Qatari Red Crescent Mission is working closely to expand the umbrella of humanitarian assistance and future projects to include the distribution of various other relief materials to mitigate the impact of disasters and to target other groups such as children and elderly, as well as preparing for the early recovery phase that will begin after the disaster and the return of the displaced persons to their towns.

The Qatari Red Crescent Mission in the Republic of the Philippines has been working in cooperation with the local partner, the Philippine Red Cross, since 2012, through the provision of financial and logistical support to relief projects implemented by the two parties in favor of vulnerable groups and communities affected by natural disasters and crises through grants either financed directly by the Qatari Red Crescent Foundation or in partnership with some organizations within the State of Qatar. Qatar Red Crescent projects in the Philippines cover various sectors such as housing, education, food security, hygiene promotion, water and sanitation.

The most prominent projects implemented by the Qatari Red Crescent in the Republic of the Philippines during the period of 2012 to 2017:

1. Construction of 250 shelters for cyclone Washi survivors in Mindanao Region, specifically in the city of Iligan.
2. Construction of Communal latrines in the city of Iligan (Cyclone Washi- 2012)
3. Establishing 7 points of distribution of drinking water in the city of Iligan to the affected people of cyclone Washi 2012.
4. Distribution of food and non-food assistance to the victims of Typhoon Hayan in 2012.
5. Construction of 650 shelters in addition to 7 classrooms in the city of Tacloban in 2015 for the victims of Typhoon Hayan disaster. (The first Phase).
6. Completion of Second Phase of Typhoon Hayan victim’s shelters project, where 650 shelters were built in the city of Santafe, which was affected by the disaster in 2013.
7. Raising the capacity and readiness of the Philippine Red Cross to intervene immediately at the time of the disaster by providing it with 1,000 emergency shelter repair packages. Each package includes the basic kit for affected families to repair their damaged homes after the disaster. This package includes tarpaulins, nails of different sizes, wires and a variety of fixtures and tools.
8. Restoration of 117 houses for families affected by the recent Surigao earthquake (2017).

The Qatari Red Crescent interventions in favor of the victims of Marawi crisis 2017:

As part of its efforts to urgent respond to the humanitarian needs of victims of natural disasters and armed conflicts around the world, the Qatar Red Crescent distributed emergency food and non-food assistance to families displaced by the Marawi crisis in the southern Philippines. This assistance, which the Qatar Red Crescent intended to distribute in cooperation with the local partner, included Personal hygiene and food items for some 11,000 families were residing in more than 15 shelters throughout Mindanao Region, as well as families who have taken refuge in neighboring towns in the vicinity of Lake Lanao, up to about USD $193,036.

MCAD's The Extra Extra Ordinary Exhibition Preview

Wazzup Pilipinas!

We exerienced Museum of Contemporary Art and Design's "The Extra Extra Ordinary" preview and behind the scenes with artists Tromarama, Chou Yu-Cheng, & Gary-Ross Patrana a few days before their actual exhibition on September 20 and were warned the current setup is not yet complete as planned. Both artists and curators were quite apologetic that it was totally new for them to entertain media before exhibition day.

Curated by Joselina Cruz and Ester Lu, this exhibition located at the De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde is artistically different yet at first sight yet fascinating once you know the story behind it especially with the blinking lights from various lamp posts that actually are giving out equivalent binary digit representations of tweets.

We saw foursections from bottom to top, ground floor to the next floor,  but since the organizers were not yet completely done of their setup, what we saw may just be a portion of the entire exhibit.

You'll think twice about the two LED monitors showing a seemingly continuing video loop.

That goes the same at the upper level where walls were erected showcasing video images.

What we actually saw were Indonesian Art Collective Tromarama’s “Soliloquy”, an 8-min three-channel projection titled, “Rewilding” by Filipino artist Gary-Ross Pastrana and Taiwanese artist Chou Yu-Cheng’s mixed media installation titled, “Chemical Gilding”.

Since meanings of art works would largely depend on the viewer, it is sort of advantageous to also hear about the insights from the artists themselves. Our personal interpretations are influenced by our individual life experiences and how significant objects are for us. Our memories also adds to the overall interpretation, plus our current emotions and situations could give deeper or shallow meanings to what we see right now. Thus art works could be seen differently from one person to the next.

Watch our video coverage posted on our official Facebook page at http://www.Facebook.com/wazzuppilipinas or on my personal page at http://www.Facebook.com/rfdelrosario to personally see how the art works influence you.

Gary-Ross Pastrana's process resembles, in some ways, an un-process, and an un-thinking of materiality, value and beauty, as we are accustomed to thinking of such concepts. Numerous critics and writers have pointed to an element of deconstruction as central to Pastrana's creative undertaking, visible in his collage works wherein he deconstructs forms into repurposed assemblages of color. The thrust behind Pastrana's deconstruction is an examination into an object's intrinsic wholeness and totality, even if part or nearly all of the object is destroyed, repurposed or changed in form. In his process. It is important that objects or materials undergo a certain operation that can alter them physically.

Apart from being  a recipient of the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP)  2006 Thirteen Artists Award, he also took part in the Japan Foundation Jenesys Program in Kyoto, Japan (2008),  and the NTU CCA Research Residency (2015) in Singapore. In 2016, he was a finalist for the Sovereign Asian Art Prize.

Chou Yu-Cheng works across a wide range of media including installations, sculpture, digital media, painting. The artist investigates the interrelationship between society and aesthetics through a minimalist yet thoughtfully choreographed skill set of knowledge and aesthetics that allows him to reveal the peculiarities of art, object, and space.

His works are in the collection of  National Taiwan Museum of Fine Art, Kaohsiung Museum of Fine Art, JUT Foundation, RC culture and arts foundation, Center for Chinese Contemporary Art and White Rabbit Contemporary Chinese Art Collection.

Information about Tromarama still eludes me but I promise to update this post once I see some about him.

"The Extra Extra Ordinary proposes a new sensory processor to attend our contemporary everyday life with add-ons movements and sensitivities. The title suggests an abstraction of affects shared among the human and the non-human; their correlation and disjoints as informed by contemporary objects, technology and culture. The exhibition also presents possibilities towards the generation of various sets of social and material connections, finding ourselves simultaneously in the process of becoming and worlding.

The growing tension to unlearn ethics between human and non-human worlds is one of the burning issues of our time. We question the culture we’ve inherited in the face of accumulated ecological catastrophes, of wars and the continuously increasing debts that are passed on to the coming generations. Our anxiety goes even further beyond traditional boundaries with technology invention all the time. Many of us have been addressing ideas of the Post-Human and that of New Materialism as a possibility of finding ways to think beyond human principles, reasons and perspectives. The Extra Extra Ordinary shares such concerns specific to our modern material conditions, and seeks to offer an alternative spacetime for us to exercise and explore how we can relate ourselves among things seen and unseen.

By creating a simulation of such a worlding process with works presented by artists, The Extra Extra Ordinary conceives many unparalleled sensibilities to operate the essence of life in detail, interexchanges and connections among matter, energy and life. With the circulation of these ideas, where agents such as audience become intrinsic parts of the media outputting the extraordinary celebration of every ordinary life takes on a poetic and imaginative turn."

#MCAD #TheExtraExtraOrdinary

Bad Genius Star Chanon Santinatornkul is Coming to Manila

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Take a break with one of Thailand’s most sought after actors in “Breaktime!” on November 30, 2018 at SM Skydome.

More popularly known in the Philippines as Bank from the movie “Bad Genius,”
Chanon is a Thai actor best known for his breakthrough role in the 2017 film Bad Genius. He first appeared on TV in 2014’s “Love’s Coming,” and has then starred in several television series including a notable performance in the hit TV series “Hormones 3.” He has also starred in movies such as Patcha is Sexy, Love Love You, and Keetarajanipon. Chanon has also done modelling work and appeared in several TV commercials.

There is no slowing down for this versatile actor as he continues to show his dedication to his craft. On his stop in the Philippines, don’t miss the chance to take part in fun school activities and get to know more about this bad genius. “Breaktime!” will happen on November 30, 2018 at SM Skydome.

Tickets are now available! Get MVP 6, 000.00php (with fan sign, group photo by 20’s, hi-touch, school kit, official poster, and ID card) at http://bit.ly.BreaktimeWithChanonMVPTickets, VIP 4, 500 php (with group photo by 20’s, hi-touch, school kit, official poster, and ID card), and General Admission 2, 500 php (with hi-touch, school kit, official poster, and ID card) in all SM Tickets outlets nationwide and online via www.smtickets.com. Ticketing charges apply.

Breaktime! Chanon Santinatornkul Fan Meeting in Manila is brought to fans by CDM Entertainment in partnership with Maxperience Entertainment, Do Concert, and Nadao Bangkok. Please stay tuned for more details.  For more show information, visit CDM’s Facebook page www.facebook.com/cdmentph.

Incognito Mode: Facts You Should Know

Wazzup Pilipinas!

People these days are quite particular in terms of privacy when browsing online, especially if they are logging into personal accounts. That might be when you don’t want pre-filled forms and cookies. Of course, Incognito mode also servers another common purpose - hiding your naughty trails on a shared computer.

Usually, when people hear of Google Incognito mode for browsing, they have this sense of security with using the browser. Who wouldn’t? The browser does not allow history snooping, no saved credentials, no information collected, and no saved cookies. These unique features of Incognito mode might be thought of as an anonymity blanket, but that cannot be further from the truth.

To What Extent Does Incognito Protect You?

Local Browsing Privacy

Using Incognito mode for online streaming and browsing is one good practice, especially for a household having a shared computer. When using Incognito Mode, the browser starts anew every time you open it, and without a saved browsing history, it will be as if you were never there to the next person on the device.

Tracking Protection

Cookies are one of the culprits why someone’s online activity gets traced. These are small embedded files left on your computer for the sites you visited. Usually, it is the website’s cookies that takes note of your identity and the activity you had on their website. With Google Incognito, even the login credentials you used for accessing an account will be deleted the moment you close the browser. Also, without knowledge of your browsing habit, advertisers will not be able to target tailored ads at you, leaving you the haunting sense of being followed every moment.

Prevent browser fingerprinting

While cookies remain the most widely used ways of collecting user information, browser fingerprinting is becoming increasingly popular. The sites gather information about your browser instead of placing cookies. If enough information is gathered - such as what extensions you use, what fonts you have installed etc, websites can effectively identify you to a probability, and Incognito mode shields you from this.




So How Are You Still Traced in Incognito?

As much as we would like to convince ourselves that using Incognito is the safest, it’s not. Have you been caught surfing unrelated sites at work? In incognito mode, your traffic is tracked can still be seen by your system admin. Here are ways that you are not protected from prying eyes:

System Admin Access

In an office set up where everyone is connected to the company’s internet, and even with Incognito, your system admin will still be able to check on the sites you are browsing simply because they have the access to your computer any time.


DNS and ISP Tracking

Aside from the office set up, it is still not a guarantee that your information and activities are private using your computer at home. Even in Incognito mode, your DNS (Domain Name System), also known as internet address ‘phone book’ is your ISP’s way of tracking you and your online activity. What happens is that when you visit a website using the browser, your IP address requests are stored in your ISPs DNS server. They can also track you through the request records in their proxy server.

Get Yourself Fully-Protected When Going Online

These days, privacy is privilege rather than a right. Privacy-conscious users are in search of simple, reliable ways to be protected online, and Incognito Mode is not the answer.

Getting a premium VPN service to couple with Incognito is the best hassle-free way to get guaranteed security, anonymity and privacy. When choosing a VPN provider, make sure it uses strong encryption. A good benchmark would be ExpressVPN’s 256-bit Advanced Encryption standard, the same model adopted by the U.S. government to protect its confidential assets. If you’re not exactly a techie, go for one that has an simple user interface with pre-configured setting options. Customer support is also very important should you need help choosing servers for specific geo-unblocking needs. Lastly, go for one that is compatible with multiple devices such as Windows, Mac, Android, iOS and even routers, so you can be protected everywhere where you might be at risk.

Early Holiday Gift Hunting and Win a Brand-New Ride at The SM Store with Mastercard

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Time sure flies by, as we find ourselves at the beginning of the most festive and busiest months of the year. And while the season is meant to be enjoyed and shared with those closest to you, it’s also easy to end up focusing on all the shopping and errands you just need to get done instead.

Don’t let the holiday rush overtake you. An early start will help you cruise through your gift list – and with Mastercard and The SM Store – offer you a more rewarding shopping experience.

Cardholders have dedicated Mastercard lanes in all SM Store branches (all 62 of them!) for faster queuing and transactions. Enjoy leisurely going around the one-stop destination to tick off everything you need for Christmas without worrying too much about long checkout lines.

Mastercard is also giving you even more reason to start gift hunting early. With the Shop and Drive promo, cardholders have the chance to win an Audi A1 simply by shopping at The SM Store. A total of 10 lucky winners will be picked from purchases made from October 8 to December 23, 2018.

With every P3,000 minimum single-receipt purchase or P5,000 installment, cardholders get an automatic raffle entry to win a brand-new set of wheels. If customers present their SM Advantage Card or Prestige Card along with the purchase, they get double the raffle entries, increasing their chances of receiving a gift they won’t forget.

Per DTI-FTB Permit Number 16333 Series of 2018.

FDCP Launches Cinematheque in Compostela Valley

Wazzup Pilipinas!

It was in 2016 when then newly-appointed FDCP Chairperson and CEO Liza Diño of Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP) attended the Nabunturan Independent Film Exhibition (NABIFILMEX) and met with the community's filmmakers which led to the planning and construction of the first Cinematheque in Compostela Valley.

Two years after this September, FDCP officially opened its doors as Cinematheque Centre Nabunturan just in time for the 2018 edition of NABIFILMEX. All screenings were jam-packed with students from the town up to its awarding night attended by Ms. Jeovy G. Mandin, Mr. Romeo B. Clarin Jr., Ms. Marietis T. Balatico and Vice Mayor Rodel G. Balili of the Municipality of Nabunturan.

The Cinematheque had its ground breaking last November 2017 and in less than a year, the 100-seater alternative cinema hub had its soft opening with the town’s excited audience with its first ever film screening graced by NCCA Commissioner for the Arts/Head Mr. Teddy Co, Mr. Paolo Paraiso, Ms. Max Eigenmann, Mr. Ed Cabagnot, Direk Arbi Barbarona, NABIFILMEX Festival Director Atty. Karen Santiago-Malaki, Asst. Festival Director Mindanao Film Festival Ivan Tadena with Distribution and FDCP Officials FDCP Executive Director Wilfredo Manalang, Distribution and Exhibition Lead Officer Popoy Guillermo and Cinematheque Centre Officer Jamir Mallari. 

“This is one of the dreams that finally materialized for the town of Compostela Valley. We are bringing the films to the people, for creative development, for awareness and even just to share stories and we are hoping to inspire more future Nabunturan filmmakers through the many programs of FDCP and the Cinematheque Nabunturan,” said FDCP Chairperson and CEO Liza Diño.

Cinematheque Centre Nabunturan is located at Layug Avenue, Purok 13 beside SPED, Central Elementary School. It will be in full operation this October 2018. For more details, check out the Cinematheque Centre Nabunturan's official facebook page.

CEFBEX 2018: A Ticket to the Ultimate Foodventure

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Hailed as the Queen City of the South with good reason, Cebu City is home to a rich and vibrant culinary heritage and a burgeoning contemporary food scene that is doubtlessly informed by the region’s unique locale. Now on its 10th year, the Cebu Food and Beverage Exposition or simply CEFBEX, seeks to champion the region’s F&B scene with another mouth-watering installment that will surely evoke among discerning eaters and industry professionals a strong sense of enthusiasm and wonder for Cebu’s gastronomic pulse.

Aptly headlined as the “Ultimate Foodventure”, CEFBEX 2018 is determined to unleash the adventurous side of the Visayans when it comes to food. That is, by allowing them the opportunity to sample and taste the best of the local and global F&B market amid a relaxed, easy-going, and widely-festive environment.

Furthermore, CEFBEX is expected to once again serve up the widest showcase of the latest F&B trends as well as the tastiest and freshest goods from various F&B exhibitors. Apart from housing a plethora of F&B goods, products, and services, this year’s CEFBEX is truly intent on giving visitors a one-of-a-kind food show experience with its exciting line-up of pocket events and activities.

Each one conceived to captivate and engage the interest of foodies and industry professionals alike, this year’s crop of event highlights include the CEFBEX Culinary Cup: Home Chef Edition and Interschool Division. Developed to serve as a notable platform for aspiring chefs to showcase their skills and talents in the kitchen, the CEFBEX Culinary Cup also offers show attendees an opportunity to witness the culinary heritage and prowess of Cebuanos in action.

Open to all residents of Cebu with no prior professional experience for the last five years and no formal academic background on cooking, the Home Chef edition will be divided into two rounds, the semi-finals and the grand finals. The participating home chefs will then be tasked to collect their ingredients on the spot and cook up a culinary masterpiece.

On the other hand, the Interschool Division will be gathering culinary and hospitality students from various schools across the region to battle it out in different competitions such as Table Set-Up, Fruit Carving, Cake Decorating, Flair Bartending Tandem, Open Latte Art, and Pasta Live Cookery.

CEFBEX also takes pride in being a venue for discovery and continued learning for culinary enthusiasts, industry professionals, and entrepreneurs. Aside from live product and cooking demonstrations that will be held throughout the four-day trade show, this year’s show will also return with the CEFBEX Seminars.

Offered free of charge, this year’s CEFBEX Seminars will invite industry leaders from the Department of Agriculture, Department of Trade and Industry, and the Department of Science and Technology to share their insights about best industry practices and other relevant information concerning the F&B trade.

A decade had passed but CEFBEX remains to be the biggest and most-anticipated food event in the region. In channeling its efforts in preserving the culinary heritage of the region while likewise opening up the opportunity for the F&B trade to flourish and grow towards new directions, CEFBEX 2018 is truly a celebration of all things great and promising for the region’s F&B industry.

The 10th Cebu Food and Beverage Expo or simply, CEFBEX 2018 is happening on October 11 to 14 at the SM City Cebu Trade Hall. The event is organized by Worldbex Services International. Admission is free and open to all foodies and F&B players. For more information, follow Cebu Food and Beverage Expo on Facebook and @cefbex on Instagram, call (02) 656-9239, or email info.worldbex@gmail.com