Saturday, November 19, 2016

PH User Per Cellsite Density Highest in Asia


Wazzup PIlipinas!

Amid continuing permitting challenges relating to the establishment of new facilities, telecommunication providers in the Philippines serve more customers per site compared to other operators Asia, Globe Telecom said.

According to Globe Chief Information & Technology Officer Gil Genio, user-per-site density in the Philippines is about 2,244, based on estimates of 21,000 total cell sites against internet users of around 47.1 million.

In Vietnam, which is similar in size to the Philippines, has a much lower user-per-site density of only 860, based on total number of cell sites of 55,000 against internet users of 47.3 million, which is also almost equal to the Philippines’ total internet users of 47.1 million. Malaysia, with total cell sites of 22,000 against internet users of 20.6 million has a user-per-site density of 937. Japan with 220,000 cell sites against internet users of 115 million has a user-per-site density of 522 while China with 1.18 million cell sites against internet users totaling 688 million, has a user-per-site density of 566.

Currently, Globe Telecom has a cell site backlog of around 3,000 sites owing to difficulties in securing permits from various local government units, homeowners associations and other government agencies, that cause considerable delay in the construction of such facilities, said Genio. According to him, at least 25 permits are needed to put up one cell sites and the permitting process takes at least 8 months to complete barring major concerns from various agencies. He stressed that construction of additional sites is critical in improving internet services in the country, pointing out that this will provide more bandwidth for local internet users.

While some special interest groups have proposed for the adoption of open access model in the Philippines, Genio emphasized that such policy is good only for mature economies with good infrastructure investments. The open access model allows the sharing the physical infrastructure across multiple operators which can contribute significantly to improving cost effectiveness.

In the country, however, such model should be applied only in industries where players contribute infrastructure investment on a reciprocal basis. “The problem is congestion because of disproportionate number of cell sites versus traffic. Tower sharing will not alleviate congestion as current sites are in same locations. Tower co-location will not solve anything if we maintain same number of cell sites; rather, we need to build more sites,” Genio emphasized.

To improve cell site per user density in the Philippines, the government needs to prioritize infrastructure builds for the telco industry. The government, particularly at the local level, should simplify the acquisition process for cell sites and rationalize permitting process including tower fees, he said. He also said spectrum management and monitoring by the National Telecommunications Commission is also important. “Spectrum allocation is a function of site density in order to serve customers effectively. Spectrum must not be left in the hands of private companies that do not use it to benefit consumers,” he said.

Genio said Globe also supports an update on the country’s ICT strategy and plan including the development of a national broadband plan to improve delivery of government services; promote process efficiencies for public service and provide WiFi services in public areas and internet connectivity in public schools. The company also supports calls for an amendment on existing laws as the Telecom Policy Act of 1935 and Republic Act 7925 or the Public Telecommunications Act of 1995 to reflect 21st century requirements and enable rationalization of the management, allocation or assignment of radio frequency spectrum in a manner that is transparent, fair, and economically efficient and effective, he added.

Philippines: Eric & Rona Singing to Stay in the Race!


Wazzup Pilipinas!

Leg six of The Amazing Race Asia Season 5 kicks off with a piece of good news for Eric & Rona and Parul & Maggie – the teams are going to their home city: Manila, Philippines! In Manila, the teams need to head to Quiapo Market with a shopping list of essential items that will help the Red Cross Pasay Chapter.

“We are still here, second last is better than last. We can be first today….from the back!” JK muses.

The teams navigate through the busy streets of Quiapo Market, buying items including rice, sugar, first aid kit and an umbrella. The Philippines teams are right at home at Quiapo Market, they speak Tagalog and easily get help and directions from the locals. Not surprising, Eric & Rona and Parul & Maggie are the first two teams to complete this task.

“She’s the shopping queen, she does all our shopping…basically I’m just her butler,” says Eric describing his retail experience with Rona.

“I just see this list of things. I don’t cook and I never do grocery shopping,” Chloe tells Yvonne. “Dried fish? I don’t even know what a whole dried fish is supposed to look like!”

After getting the essential items, they must head to the Red Cross Pasay Chapter where disaster-affected families cheer at their arrival. The racers reflect on helping the less fortunate and how good it feels to give back.

“The family that we donated to, one of them had no higher limbs. We wished we could have spent more time with them,” Maggie reflects. “We did however have extra money, so it was nice to give back to people who are less fortunate.” 

The Stage is Set for BGC Passionfest, Arts Center Festival


Wazzup Pilipinas!

Once again we celebrate Filipino music, art and culture with special homage to the life of the hero Andres Bonifacio from where the Bonifacio Global City (BGC) in Taguig got its name.

The BGC Passionfest is an annual event happening at BGC where people, especially its residents, are treated with grand, colorful parades, street dances, variety shows, games and workshops, and sumptuous food. It is spearheaded by the Fort Bonifacio Development Corporation.

Though it's only my third time to be part of this event, the BGC Passionfest has been ongoing for five years already. Be sure to remember the dates of November 25 to 27, 2016 as this would be another weekend of festivities along Bonifacio High Street and the city center.

BGC has never been so brighter and livelier everytime the BGC Passionfest is held. The experience from one point to the end leaves you reminiscent of the past when we used to be more extrovert by participating in outdoor activities. - Did I hear about a giant Slidefest? Wow! Now, that would be something to look forward to.

Nowadays, due to the advancement in technology, most of the activities could now be simulated by a mobile app, or a virtual walkthrough in 360 degrees presentation. But it is undeniable that the real-life personal hands-on experience will never beat any simulated experience. Technology still has its limitations especially when we need to socialize or witness the most sincerest feelings visually and emotionally. Nothing beats seeing the smiles and hearing the laughter of people which becomes magical when in unison with a lot more people. Together we become a memorable showcase of delighted individuals with fascinating experiences.

Friday, November 18, 2016

Smart backs DevCon Summit 2016


Wazzup Pilipinas!

Leader in innovation Smart Communications supported the recent Developer Connect Philippines Summit 2016 at the SMX Convention Center, to help provide relevant information and resources to the growing developer community in the Philippines.

Dubbed as the country’s biggest developer conference, “Dev Future Forward” was participated in by more than 1,500 developers, students, and IT industry leaders.

“We appreciate Smart for supporting initiatives like this. We all know that Smart is at the forefront of innovation. By supporting DevCon, it is basically telling everyone that the industry welcomes up and coming developers to help spur innovation here in the Philippines,” said Mon Ibrahim, Program Director, Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT). “To all the developers, please continue acquiring knowledge and making meaningful innovations for the country.”

The two-day conference featured talks and panel discussions on The State of the Philippine Programming Talent, Developing Augmented Reality Apps, Best Practice in Software Development, Rediscovering Developer Opportunities in the Philippines, Government Initiatives for the IT Industry, Bridging the Gap Between the Academe and IT Industry, Service Leadership, Developing Apps and Platforms for Emerging Markets, Trends in Mobile and Web, and Philippine Developer/Tech Communities.

“A lot of the tools we have been using are actually created by these developers. This is a venue to open up new opportunities to innovate,” said Paul Pajo, Developer Evangelist of Smart DevNet, during the panel discussion on Rediscovering Developer Opportunities in the Philippines.

Aside from providing venues for innovation, Smart also provides training and equipment to partner educational institutions so that the culture of innovation starts at school. “Through this, we hope to bridge the gap between the industry and academe so that graduates can easily transition to become the country’s future innovators and technopreneurs,” said Steph Orlino, Smart Public Affairs Senior Manager.



During the conference, Voyager Innovations and PayMaya Philippines likewise showcased its growing suite of APIs for developers, including APIs for payments such as PayMaya Checkout and PayMaya vault, the freenet SDK for enterprises for easy whitelisting of apps and mobile website, as well as the Chikka API which allow developers to create and integrate SMS-based platforms and integrating multi-carrier SMS capabilities to their apps.



“I believe our developers as young as they are, can actually be the future in building this nation. Their technical know-how is very much vital in creating the products that can actually change or make a dent in the society, that’s why we at Voyager supports the DevCon,” said Justin Dayrit, Business Unit Head of Communications Technology, Voyager Innovations, the digital innovations arm of PLDT and Smart.



"It was a blast to be here in DevCon Summit for the first time. As students, a lot of what you learn from here motivate you to continue pursuing your course and never stop encoding your dreams. Strive hard even if it's difficult, because nothing is easy," said Alyssa Mae Marcial and Alex Alfred Villanueva, IT students from Cavite State University.



DevCon is a non-profit, non-government organization comprised of volunteer developers and non-developers that organize events and talks to improve the talent of Pinoy IT and create a community where they can interact with other developers.



This communication is intended solely for the use of the addressee and authorized recipients. It may contain confidential or legally privileged information and is subject to the conditions in http://www.smart.com.ph/corporate/disclaimer.

OFW & SME Business Christmas Expo set on December at SM Cebu and Megatrade Hall


Wazzup Pilipinas!

Small and Medium Enterprises compose a large part of the economy – home-based and community livelihood enterprises are also part of this segment. From delicious food items to beautiful and elegant decorations, it is a no-brainer that these business thrive through the support of the consumers whom its products are reaching out to. The thing is, most of them are not that easily noticed by the mainstream market.

On its 15th year anniversary, Ex-Link Events is reaching out to home-based and community livelihood enterprises to gather and showcase their best products and services at the OFW & SME Business Christmas Expo this December.

Aside from the exhibits, the OFW & SME Christmas Business Expo is poised to be the grandest Christmas gathering for OFWs, Balik-bayans, SMEs and Community Livelihood Enterprises, partnering with various government and private organizations such as the Overseas Workers’ Welfare Administration, the Rotary Community Corps, Congressional Spouses Foundation, Inc., the Department of Trade and Industry, Bureau of Jail Management and Penology, Junior Achievement of the Philippines, Inc. and the Rotary Club of Mutya ng Pasig to kick off the yuletide season with a bang with a mix of activities that everyone will enjoy!

The OFW & SME Business Christmas Expo will be held at the Cebu Trade Hall of SM City Cebu on December 2 to 3 (Friday to Sunday) and at the Megatrade Hall 2 of SM Megamall in Mandaluyong City on December 21 to 23 (Wednesday to Friday).

For inquiries, reservations and partnerships, contact (02) 633-0153, 643-3887, SMS 0920-924-2532 or email info@exlinkevents.com.

22nd ASEAN Transport Ministers Meeting Ends Today


Wazzup Pilipinas!

The weeklong meetings among transport ministers and officials of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) concluded at the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC) in Manila today, with several transport initiatives and policies considered and adopted.

The 22nd ASEAN Transport Ministers Meeting (ATM) chaired by Department of Transportation Secretary Art Tugade was preceded by the 42nd Senior Transport Officials Meeting (STOM) and related discussions with dialogue partners, Japan, China and Korea.

The ministers commended the strong start in the implementation of the Kuala Lumpur Transport Strategic Plan (KLTSP) 2016-2025 and reaffirmed commitments to intensify cooperation to realize the AEC 2025 vision, which calls for a deeply integrated region that would contribute towards a highly cohesive ASEAN economy.

The Ministers also adopted and launched the ASEAN Road Safety Booklet as a tool for dissemination of key highlights from ASEAN Regional Road Safety Strategy in enhancing public awareness on the importance of the road safety in the region.

“The collective aspiration is to cut down accident rate to almost zero. We have to adopt to solutions such as road engineering,” Minister Khaw Boon Wan of Singapore said in a press conference.

Further, the ATM welcomed the adoption of ASEAN-United States Aviation Cooperation Terms of Reference, which would include areas of aviation safety, efficiency, harmonization, security, as well as economic regulation.

The ministers also applauded the efforts of the Philippines to “Build, Build, Build,” which is consistent with the ASEAN objective of seamless connectivity.

“We aim to enhance trade, attract investments, facilitate movement of goods and people, and boost tourism. With aggressive transportation infrastructure and sustainable transport policies, we hope to ultimately provide a better and higher quality of life to our people,” said DOTr Undersecretary for Maritime Felipe Judan, who represented ATM Chairman Sec. Arthur Tugade.



The 23rd ATM Meeting will take place in Singapore in 2017.

Paper Documentation Still on the Rise — ePDS


Wazzup Pilipinas!

Despite the prevalence of digitization today, consumers still prefer holding physical copies of their documents, specifically account statements, as compared to having a digital copy, according to ePDS, Inc., a local leader in Document Management Services (DMS) and Customer Communication Management Solutions.

“The demand for data printing continues to be strong despite the growing presence of digital media,” said Minetta Tangco, EVP and General Manager of ePDS. “This is particularly true for financial institutions, banks, and credit companies, as well as utility companies handling telecommunications, power, and water where majority of their clients expect to receive statements of their accounts via physical documents. Additionally, when it comes to bills, consumers value physical mail as a record-keeping tool, thereby serving as payment reminders,” said Tangco.

“Nevertheless, more and more companies are switching to the digital dimension driven by the increasing trends of big data, cloud technology, end user focus, social sharing information, and security. More and more companies are now targeting and working on achieving a workspace that depends less on paper,” added Tangco.

In today’s digitally connected world, the expectation that information will be available on demand and accessible on any device is likely to be the norm for companies to boost their efficiency. A digital Document Management System addresses the issues of traditional filing systems head on, helping to create more efficient and secure solutions to improve document workflows.

PhilBike Expo Marks 3 Years of Pure Appreciation of Cycling


Wazzup Pilipinas!

The PhilBike Expo, the only international-standard trade and consumer cycling show in the Philippines, returns for its third annual convention this November. The event kicks off on Nov. 25 and allows cycling enthusiasts’ access to the most diverse range of local and international products and demonstrations.

Organized by Phil-Bike Convention Inc., the event has seen over 17,000 enthusiasts pack convention centers for two years.

To mark its third year anniversary, this year’s expo shall be headlined by a few of the best in the sport today:

Regarded as one of the biggest names in the bike trail world scene, “The MagicianKenny Belaey is a 24-year veteran of the sport. Since his debut in 1992, Belaey has brought the sport to the mainstream as a constant innovator and professional. He is the record holder of the most medals won at the World Cup and World Championships. His latest video project, “Balance”, saw him crossing a slackline on the top of the French Alps, a feat that had yet to be accomplished by any other biker before him.

The Superkids are Japanese prodigies made up of Yu Shoji (14) and Takumi Isogai (15). This dynamic duo has been making a name in the Flatland scene with their cutting edge and flair for pushing innovation to its limits. Shoji is the first place winner of the 2015 Voodoo Jam and the second runner-up for the 2014 FlatArk Novice. Isogai was the first place winner of the 2014 FlatArk Expert and came in at eighth place for the 2016 FlatDev Pro.

Accompanying the Superkids is their mentor, Viki Gómez, who is returning to PhilBike for the second year in a row. Hailed as one of the best in the world, the 35-year-old Spaniard is known for his constant creation of new tricks that combine flow and rhythm and surpassing the limits of imagination. The Red Bull athlete is a three-time Champion of the Flatland World Circuit Series, as well as a three-time Red Bull Circle of Balance Champion. He is also a two-time winner of the European X-Games.

Rounding out this incredible line-up is a special, one-day only performance from Canadian, Geoff Gulevich. With a career that started at the age of 12, the Rocky Mountain Bicycle ambassador is among the best in his field, combining passion with a strong sense of perseverance that sets him apart from his peers. He is the fourth runner-up for Jumpship 2011, and came in fifth for both the Red Bull Rampage 2010 and the Crankworx Joyride 2011. 

Thursday, November 17, 2016

Sari-Sari Stores in the Philippines See a Refreshing Future with Coca-Cola


Wazzup Pilipinas!

It has been two years since Carmencita Aspiras turned around her home-based business – a sari-sari store that she used to help augment her family’s daily finances, including the allowances and requirements of her children who were earning their college degrees.

Like most sari-sari stores in the country, Aspiras ran it for the first two years based on her own perception of how the business ought to be managed. But joining and completing the Coca-Cola 5by20 Sari-sari Store Training and Access to Resources (STAR) program in 2014 changed the course of her business, and her life. “From earning P2,500 to P3,000 daily, by implementing what I learned from the program, my store now earns an average of P5,000 daily.

More than doubling her store’s daily earnings, Aspiras said that what struck her most in the Coca-Cola STAR program was how it helped her become a better wife, mother, and person. “I am what I am today because of the (Coca-Cola STAR) program. I was able to let my children finish school, business is thriving, and if not for the program, I wouldn’t have the opportunity to be here in front of you,” Aspiras said during a roundtable meeting with John Murphy, the president of the Asia Pacific Group of The Coca-Cola Company.

Coca-Cola, with its 19 manufacturing facilities in the Philippines, and over 10,000 strong labor force, is proactive in promoting women empowerment through 5by20, a global initiative that aims to empower 5 million women worldwide by the year 2020. Locally, the 5by20 initiative targets the empowerment of 200,000 women through the STAR Program.

Philippines’ Eric & Rona and Maggie & Parul Return Home to Lend a Helping Hand to Families in Need


Wazzup Pilipinas!

A big ‘Mabuhay!’ to Team Philippines’ Eric & Rona and Parul & Maggie as the teams make their way to Manila, Philippines in this episode of The Amazing Race Asia Season 5. In Manila, teams put the competition aside as they lend a helping hand to the Red Cross and put together a Disaster Preparedness Kit for the less fortunate. Will Team Philippines gain a home ground advantage in this leg of the Race? Only six teams remain, who will be eliminated this week?

Catch the all-new exciting episode of The Amazing Race Asia Season 5 every Thursday at 9pm only on AXN.

For behind-the-scenes clips and extra footage, visit www.AXN-Asia.com/TARA or join the conversation on Facebook at TheAmazingRaceAsia. 


AXN is seen on Cable Link Channel 38, Cignal Digital TV Channel 61, Global Destiny Cable Channel 61, Dream Channel 20, GSat Channel 51, and SKYCable Channel 49. AXN HD is seen on SkyCable Channel 247.

Revolutionize Coal Business to Lower Electricity Cost - Cusi


Wazzup Pilipinas!

Energy Secretary Alfonso G. Cusi today expressed to the coal industry stakeholders during the Coal Business and Policy Forum 2016 on Wednesday (16 November) at the New World Hotel in Makati City that “What we’re trying to address is to bring down the electricity cost, by finding the right energy formula that will also reduce carbon emissions as part of climate change mitigation. The DOE will be working with you [coal industry stakeholders] to help cushion the power financial burden to our consumers."

Leading Analyst Firm Data Once Again Identifies Fortinet as Network Security Market Leader


Wazzup Pilipinas!

“Our strong foundation of innovation has enabled us to stay ahead of the ever-evolving threat landscape, solidifying our position as a leader in this critical space. These results show that businesses of all sizes trust Fortinet as the foundation for their cybersecurity, and they are embracing our vision of an integrated, collaborative and adaptive security fabric as a key enabler of success in the digital economy.” - Ken Xie, founder, chairman and chief executive officer at Fortinet

News Summary:

Fortinet, the global leader in high-performance cybersecurity solutions, today announced the results from International Data Corporation’s (IDC) latest Worldwide Quarterly Security Appliance Tracker. The 2Q16 and historical report data reinforces Fortinet’s continued leadership within the security industry by consistently shipping more security devices than any other vendor.
Fortinet has shipped over 2.7 Million security appliances since its founding.

Fortinet has been the security market leader since 2013 consistently delivering more security devices per year than any other vendor on the planet.

Widening its leadership position, Fortinet has seen 2Q16 appliance shipments increase by 41% year-over-year, earning 25% market share in the second quarter of 2016.

·         In Asia Pacific & Japan in particular, Fortinet is also the no. 1 vendor in terms of market share by shipment in Q2 2016. It commands 21.8% of the security appliance market, far ahead of Cisco, Check Point and Palo Alto Networks, whose market shares are in the single digits.

A deeper look into the IDC data shows that Fortinet has been gaining market share across Enterprise, Mid-Sized and SMB market segments.

Fortinet Units Shipped vs. The Next Closest Competitor
2013
2014
2015
2016
Combined
139%
159%
181%
199%
173%


Empowering Customers with Intelligent, Seamless Protection


Fortinet attributes this momentum to delivering on the Security Fabric technology vision with a complete rethinking of security for its customers. Companies want an integrated security architecture designed to unify management, centralize and coordinate threat detection and intelligence, and provide a dynamically coordinated response to threats anywhere across the distributed network, from IoT to the cloud. Fortinet is the only vendor capable of delivering an integrated, open and adaptive Security Fabric that can respond to any potential threat across the entire attack surface.

British Embassy Manila Celebrates Deepening UK-Philippines Bond with Annual Ball


Wazzup Pilipinas!


The British Embassy Manila hosted their annual UK-Philippines Friendship Ball at the Manila Polo Club on Oct. 20, 2016 to mark the 70 years of enduring ties between the two countries. 

“The biggest gift we can offer you is our friendship,” said Ambassador Asif Ahmad, who noted that the annual ball is a way of expressing gratitude to the Philippines for remaining one of the UK’s most valued partners and allies. Ambassador Ahmad emphasized that the bond between the two countries remains strong, through good and difficult times. He likened the friendship between the UK and the Philippines to the ties he has formed with many: “In my time here in Manila for the last three years, I’ve made many, many more friends and I’m absolutely certain that many of them, if not all of them, will become lifelong friends of mine.” 

The UK-Philippines Friendship Ball is one of the highlights of the embassy's "The GREAT Britain" campaign, now running on its fourth season. It showcased the best of what the UK has to offer, with British fashion brands Marks & Spencer, Debenhams, and The French Sole unveiling their Spring/Summer 2017 collections through a David Bowie-inspired fashion presentation. 

Over 300 guests, including leaders from the government and top executives from the private sector such as Pilipinas Shell, Rolls Royce Philippines, GlaxoSmithKlein, BDO, BPI, Cebu Pacific, Dyson, Etihad, KPMG, Manulife, TrainStation, UPC Asia Wind, were given a taste of Britain's great and diverse food tradition. Crimson Hotel whipped up authentic British canapés for guests while they had scotch whisky from JURA and Johnnie Walker, Gin and Tonic from The Bon Bon Club and overflowing beer from San Miguel. 

Triple the Fun and Excitement this November on Animax!


Wazzup Pilipinas!

It’s a triple treat of fun and excitement this November as Animax brings to fans three of the most successful anime series, all with two episodes back to back!

Hello! KINMOZA!: Cuteness Overload

Shinobu, Alice, and their friends are back! More than they ever know, their high school adventures are only beginning and will give their friendship a whole new meaning that they will cherish for the rest of their lives.


Hello! KINMOZA! airs every Monday-Tuesday at 8:00 pm, with 2 Episodes Back-to-Back, first & exclusively on Animax.


Cute High Earth Defense Club Love: Is Love the Answer?

Five high school students belonging to the Earth Defense Club at an all-boys school live up to the name of their club by protecting Earth from members of the Earth Conquest Club who are following orders from a green hedgehog who wants to conquer the world.

The students become “Battle Lovers” after a mysterious creature from outer space gives them magical bracelets where their extraordinary powers come from to fight the monsters that challenge them. Will the Earth Conquest Club fill the world with hate? Or will the magical boys save the world with love?


Cute High Earth Defense Club Love airs every Wednesday-Thursday at 8:00 pm, with 2 Episodes Back-to-Back, first & exclusively on Animax.


The Seven Deadly Sins -Signs of Holy War-: A Tale of Unsung Heroes

Victory is sweet for the group of powerful knights known as the Seven Deadly Sins after taking back the kingdom of Leones from the evil Holy Knights. Unknown to them, however, a new and sinister threat is fast approaching. The happy and peaceful days of their lives they are enjoying are about to come to an end!


The Seven Deadly Sins -Signs of Holy War- premieres November 28, and airs every Monday-Tuesday at 10:00 pm, with 2 Episodes Back-to-Back, first & exclusively on Animax.

Animax is seen on SKYCable Channel 46, Cignal Digital TV Channel 34, and Dream Channel 07.

Billy Crawford Stars at KIX New Reality TV Series - The Ultimate BROcation


Wazzup Pilipinas!

I actually feel a bit sad seeing Billy Crawford all grown up because that would mean I am now very old. Lol!

You want to know why? Because I used to just watch the guy back during the days he was still a small kid at a TV talent show called That's Entertainment with the late German "Kuya Germs" Moreno.

Unfortunately, I have to reveal my age that I'm officially too old already..hahaha.

Seriously, I grew up watching the kid Billy (Joe) Crawford, and then I also noticed back then that he disappeared from showbiz, only to see him again being an international star famous for dancing. Then I watched him joined the noontime show It's Showtime as a co-host with the likes of Vice Ganda, Anne Curtis Smith and Vhong Navarro.

The guy indeed has a knack for humor so I'm excited to see how he will go along with three other guys who are said to be crazy as well. Knowing Billy who grew up outside the Philippines too, he must have easily got a bit of bromance with the other stars of this new reality TV show called The Ultimate Brocation which was set in lovely Hong Kong.

Billy has even played as a gay security guard in one of his movies so it means he's "game" for almost anything. Though that photo of him with the guys on a hut tub still wearing their shirts was a bit alarming ...lol.. it just shows these guys are probably still too shy to show off their six-pack abs....hahaha!

#BeMoreImaginative: Solenn Heussaff is New Toblerone Celebrity Ambassador


Wazzup Pilipinas!

Solenn Heussaff is launched recently as the newest celebrity ambassador of Toblerone, the premium chocolate brand with its delectable flavors – milk chocolate, dark chocolate, white chocolate and milk chocolate with crunchy almonds - that we all love.

Why was she chose? Perhaps because she is the multi-talented "It Girl" that is a true creative soul that pursues artistic endeavors in drawing and painting. This is because Toblerone has also launched new sleeve designs of which two were conceptualized by Solenn herself.

Solenn designed two limited edition Toblerone Christmas Sleeves that will be available in leading convenient stores and supermarkets nationwide. Along with her designs are four other limited edition Toblerone Christmas sleeves created by four more endorsers composed of the most sought-after calligraphers and artists in the Philippines - Alexis Ventura, Abbey Sy, Valerie Chua and Tokwa Penaflorida.

At the launch held on November 15, 2016 at the Whitespace events place in Makati city, Solenn and the four artists, showcasing their artworks now incorporated on the new Christmas sleeves, were introduced to the attendees. I was not able to witness the rest of the event since I needed to go early for another event that was earlier arranged before I got an invite to the Toblerone event. Of course, I don't want to miss getting a few Toblerone myself and witness even just the few hours of the event.

Hottest Gay Guy in the PHL Braves the HIV Test


Wazzup Pilipinas!


 “Syempre, tuwang-tuwa ako (I was elated),” shared 2016 Mister Gay World Philippines (MGWP) John F. Raspado when he got the result of his first HIV screening years back –a sigh of relief from all his qualms after braving such a test.

Since then, this gentleman from Baguio City has encouraged people within his circle to take the HIV test in ruling out all their doubts and even misconceptions about the disease.

Taking a bolder step as a modern gay guy, Raspado is the lead ambassador of LoveYourself Incognito 2.0, which is the country’s most trusted community-based HIV screening that is free, anonymous and fast.

Raspado urges every individual to undergo HIV testing on 27 November at Victoria Court Malate in Manila by signing up at go.loveyourself.ph/incognito, an event made possible through the cooperation of LoveYourself and its partners - the Department of Health-Research Institute for Tropical Medicine, Pilipinas Shell Foundation, Inc. and MGWP Organization.

“It is not the virus that kills them, it is the pride and stigma,” stressed MGWPO Board of Director Ryan D. Soto. Highlighting the importance of early detection of HIV, Soto said “Everyone must be responsible to his/her health and welfare and educate others.”


Catering to a wider audience, LoveYourself Executive Director Ronivin G. Pagtakhan said “With Incognito, we are bringing the HIV testing and discussion to a greater scale in an effort to reach and help more people.”

“I also take pride with my co-volunteers, because they really exert extra effort for our clients to have a smooth sailing testing experience, especially to first-timers. They devote their time with passion to care for people who need our services,” Pagtakhan relayed.

Being the 2016 MGWP winner, Raspado said “I would like to create awareness and encourage more research on the treatment of HIV here in the Philippines,” by capitalizing on the usage of social media, such as Facebook, to enlighten more people who are frequently inquiring about the medical interventions for the disease.


Moreover, Raspado advised everyone to remain keen about their HIV status especially those who are previously tested and had a non-reactive (HIV negative) result. He noted that “It doesn’t stop with just one HIV test. You would always have to be careful and be safe.”

The traditionally romantic Raspado advised that “It would also be better if you’d stay loyal to your partner,” which is one of the many ways for people to have safe and satisfying sex and maintain a healthy lifestyle.

Following his landslide win in the 2016 MGWP, Raspado also continues to promote his platform of modernizing the image of gay men in the Philippines, which entails becoming bolder, wiser, and sexier by being competent, creative, and confident about one’s self.

Raspado said “I would like to use my voice and be a role model for the members of the LGBT community who are still in the process of acceptance.”


To remove the stigma on the LGBT community, Raspado noted that “Once you’ve become more confident of yourself, we can eradicate the stigma.”

LoveYourself thrusts to empower everyone in embracing and nurturing their self-worth, which is pivotal in creating ripples of positive change in the community. In this line, Pagtakhan said “We anchor our advocacy in boosting one’s self-worth to propagate ideas, attitudes, and practices and integrate these factors to help fight against the spread and stigma on HIV.”

Apart from winning 2016 MGWP, Raspado also won the “I am Pogay” TV contest, which was aired in ABS-CBN’s noontime show, “It’s Showtime.”

Recently, LoveYourself sought a partnership with MGWPO to eradicate the social stigma on the disease and its relevant interventions, in which MGWP 1st runner-up John Bench T. Ortiz promoted the significance of fitness and sexual health to elevate the HIV prevention advocacy.
MGWPO is a non-profit organization supporting the fight against sexual prejudice, injustice and equality for the LGBT community across the world. The organization aims to modernize the image of gays and break all stereotypes from the general public’s perception. It also aims to continue the advocacy of HIV/AIDS awareness and treatment assistance for everyone.


LoveYourself is a non-profit organization conducting HIV testing, counseling and peer education founded on enriching an individual’s self-worth. LoveYourself can be reached through its official website at www.loveyourself.ph, on Facebook at www.facebook.com/loveyourself.ph/and on Twitter at @LoveYourselfPh and Instagram at @loveyourself.ph.

DOE Statement: Power Situation for 16 Nov. 2016


Wazzup Pilipinas!

The Department of Energy (DOE) continues to monitor the power situation in Luzon and the Visayas following the tripping of eight large power plants with a total of 2,407 megawatts (MW) capacity at around 7:30 p.m.Tuesday (15 November).

In finding the root cause of the power situation, Energy Secretary Alfonso G. Cusi directed all involved industry participants, including generation companies, the Philippine Electricity Market Corporation, the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines and distribution utilities to explain in writing what could have occurred in their respective areas of concern.

The occurrence resulted in the loss of power to several localities within the Luzon grid which lasted for about 1 hour and 20 minutes (7:30 p.m.-8:50 p.m.) as reported by NGCP, the transmission system operator.

Based on the initial findings of the energy family, data showed that the three (3) units of the 600 megawatts (MW) Sta. Rita and the two (2) units of the 526 MW San Lorenzo Natural Gas Power Plants in Batangas had tripped, creating frequency imbalance in the system at 58.68 hertz.

According to NGCP, there were also tripping of motor-sensitive loads in the area resulting in the frequency to bounce back to 61.08 hertz.

However, there was a second set of plants totaling to 1,371 MW that tripped, which are San Roque (95 MW), San Gabriel (420MW), QPPL (452 MW), Bacman (136 MW), Trans Asia (27 MW), and GN Power (151 MW).

The NGCP reported to the DOE that the power situation returned to normal or fully restored at around 8:50 p.m. after an hour of rigorous restoration,” Cusi revealed.

“I am asking for a comprehensive report and will tap experts to come up with a fair analysis on what transpired. We will look into the entire system and the specific roles and responsibilities of the stakeholders. This is to assure the public that there will be enough power supply during the holiday season,” Cusi concluded.

As of 1:00 p.m. today, the power supply capacity in Luzon stood at 9,985 MW with a demand of 8,341 MW and a reserve level of 1,644 MW. For the Visayas, the power supply capacity stood at 1,982 MW with a demand of 1,775 MW and a reserve level of 207 MW.

Coldplay Announce Asian Tour for April 2017


Wazzup Pilipinas!

Coldplay have today announced a run of Asian stadium shows for the acclaimed A Head Full Of Dreams Tour, including the band’s first ever concerts in Taiwan, the Philippines, and South Korea (they last played Japan in 2014 and Singapore in 2009).

Sat Apr 01 - National Stadium, Singapore, SINGAPORE
Tue Apr 04 - MOA Concert Grounds, Manila, PHILIPPINES
Wed Apr 12 - Taoyuan HSR, Taipei, TAIWAN
Sat Apr 15 - Olympic Stadium, Seoul, KOREA
Wed Apr 19 - Tokyo Dome, Tokyo, JAPAN

Tickets for the Asian dates go on sale on 17 Nov (Seoul), 18 Nov (Singapore, Tokyo) and 24 Nov (Manila, Taipei).

Since March of this year, the A Head Full Of Dreams Tour has played to 2.5 million people across Latin America, the US and Europe. The show was created by the band alongside celebrated production designers Misty Buckley and Paul Normandale. The tour reaches Australia and New Zealand in December.


A Head Full Of Dreams has sold more than 5 million copies since its December 2015 release, spawning the hit singles Adventure Of A Lifetime, Hymn For The Weekend and Up&Up, with more than a billion YouTube video views between them.

Coldplay’s “A Head Full of Dreams World Tour” in Manila is presented by Globe --- the #1 mobile brand in the country today and the preferred digital brand of the Filipinos. Globe customers get first dibs on an exclusive pre-sale on November 20, 2016 at all SM Tickets outlets. To join the pre-sale, fans just have to text GLOBECOLDPLAY <ticket type> to 2363 on November 18 starting at 9:00 AM. Customers will receive a reservation code which they need to present to purchase the tickets at any SM Tickets branch on November 20. For details on the exclusive pre-sale, visit www.globe.com.ph/GlobeColdplay.

Follow Globe’s official Facebook page or @enjoyGlobe on Twitter and Instagram for more updates.

As the official pre-sale credit card for “A Head Full of Dreams World Tour”, Citi® card customers will have access to purchase pre-sale tickets beginning November 21-22.

Coldplay’s “A Head Full of Dreams World Tour” is produced by Live Nation and is promoted by MMI Live. Tickets to Coldplay’s “A Head Full of Dreams World Tour” in Manila will go on sale on November 24, Thursday at 10 A.M. through SM tickets outlets, smtickets.com or call 470-2222.

For more info, visit mmilive.com or follow @MMILive (on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter).

For more information, please visit Coldplay.com. 

Stabilizing the Mindanao Power Situation


Wazzup Pilipinas!

Speaking before the 8th Mindanao Power Monitoring Committee Principals Meeting held in Manila on Tuesday (Nov. 15), Energy Secretary Alfonso G. Cusi stressed the need to come up with a cohesive policy direction for the island of Mindanao to ensure reliable and stable power supply. He also urged the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines to interconnect the Luzon and Mindanao grids to encourage manufacturing firms to come in and create more jobs. Potential locators and investors want to have adequate logistics and power, he said, so he has organized a team to really find ways to provide cheaper electricity.

The meeting was attended by the key officials from the Department of Energy, Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC), National Electrification Administration (NEA), National Power Corporation (NPC), Power Sector Assets and Liabilities Management Corporation (PSALM), Mindanao Electric Power Alliance and Association of Mindanao Rural Electric Cooperatives. Among those in attendance were Mindanao Power Monitoring Committee Chairperson Datu Abul Khayr D. Alonto and DOE Undersecretary Benito Ranque.

Make Your Kiddie Birthday Party the Most Fun and Colorful Yet


Wazzup Pilipinas!

Red Ribbon’s Dedication Cake has always been a part of every Filipino celebration. The cakes' chocolatey goodness and the special touch from the personalized message written on it never fails to tug at the heartstrings of the family. No wonder, it became a mainstay treat on occasions, especially during birthday parties.

This time, however, Red Ribbon adds a colorful twist to the delectable treat as it launches the new Red Ribbon Rainbow Dedication Cake.

“Red Ribbon Dedication Cake is well-loved by both kids and moms alike. That is why we curated the ultimate kiddie birthday cake through the new Rainbow Dedication Cake," said Ned Bandojo, Head of Marketing of Red Ribbon. "The colorful and chocolatey goodness inside and out will certainly make birthday celebrations even more memorable.”

The said cake is made up of colorful layers filled with luscious chocolate. It is also covered with rich chocolate icing and topped with chocolate rosettes, multi-colored confetti, and lollipops.

"Customers can also put their own heartfelt greeting on the cake because we know how important it is to let our kids know that we love them, especially on their birthday," Bandojo added.

The Ribbon Rainbow Dedication Cake is now available in two sizes, 8x12 for only P550 and the 8x8 for only P350.00.

“Red Ribbon dedicates this cake to all the moms who want to give their kids the ultimate kiddie birthday treat because we believe that every celebration deserves to be fun, colorful and memorable,” he added.

The new Red Ribbon Rainbow Dedication Cake is now available in all Red Ribbon stores nationwide for a limited time until November 30, 2016.

As one of the leading and fastest growing bakeshop chains in the country, the company is dedicated to serving new and exciting flavors of cakes, breads, and pastries that will make each moment with friends and loved ones sweeter.


To know more about Red Ribbon’s many delights, visit www.redribbonbakeshop.com.