Saturday, October 15, 2022

Selected SSS branches in Metro Manila now open on Saturdays


Wazzup Pilipinas!?


The Social Security System (SSS) announces that its branches located in shopping malls in the National Capital Region (NCR) are now open on Saturdays until December 31, 2022 to accommodate members who can only transact with SSS on weekends.

A total of 12 branches in shopping malls within Metro Manila are now accepting SSS transactions except the tellering services on Saturdays which include Cubao, Malabon, Novaliches, Paso de Blas, Antipolo, Mandaluyong-Shaw, Marikina, Ortigas, Las Piñas, Makati-Chino Roces, Parañaque, and Taguig.

These branches are open from 8:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. except for Novaliches and Ortigas which are open from 9:00 a.m. until 6:00 p.m.

SSS President and Chief Executive Officer Michael G. Regino said that SSS extended the business hours of several branches to accommodate transacting members even during weekends.

“We understand that many SSS members cannot visit SSS offices during weekdays given their working schedule, so we decided to open our branches in shopping malls on Saturdays until the end of the year,” Regino said.

Meanwhile, 43 SSS branches in NCR will start assisting members as early as 7:00 a.m., an hour earlier than their regular servicing hours. These branches include Batasan Hills, Congressional, Cubao, Deparo, Diliman, Eastwood, Fairview, Kalookan, Malabon, Navotas, Paso de Blas, San Francisco Del Monte, Valenzuela, Antipolo, Mandaluyong-Shaw, Marikina, Marikina-Malanday, New Panaderos, Pasig-Mabini, Pasig-Pioneer, Pasig-Rosario, San Juan, Tanay, Binondo, Legarda, Manila, Pasay-Roxas, Pasay-Taft, Sta. Mesa, Tondo, Welcome, Alabang-Muntinlupa, Alabang-Zapote, Bicutan Sun Valley, Las Piñas, Makati-Chino Roces, Makati-Gil Puyat, Makati-Guadalupe, Makati-JP Rizal, Parañaque, Parañaque-Tambo, Taguig, and Taguig Gate 3.

“These initiatives reflect our continuous commitment to serve our members and their beneficiaries better, especially during this Holiday season. We further encourage them to take advantage of this extended business hours, which is one way of showing our dedication to serve the growing number of transacting members and stakeholders,” Regino added.

Likewise, SSS members and their beneficiaries, employers, and pensioners may also opt to conduct their transactions through SSS online channels such as the My.SSS portal on the SSS website (www.sss.gov.ph) and the SSS Mobile App for a more convenient way of transacting with SSS.



PELÍCULA Spanish Film Festival caps off a successful 21st edition at Shangri-La Plaza Cinemas



Wazzup Pilipinas!?




From 14 to 16 October, the 21st edition of PELÍCULA-Spanish Film Festival will end with strong showings at Shangri-La Plaza Cinemas, proving that once again Filipinos are slowly ready to enjoy arts and culture the best way there is --- face to face.

After two years of having a virtual festival, PELÍCULA opened to a full house screening of the Goya award-winning film El buen patrón (The Good Boss) starring Javier Bardem. This return to the big screen is, according to Instituto Cervantes Director Javier Galvan, “a true evidence to our commitment to quality cinema”.

“For the past few months, Shangri-La Plaza has been collaborating with different embassies to bring foreign films closer to our community. We wanted to give them a venue where they can widen cultural knowledge and for them to appreciate the unique, yet relatable stories shown in the films. I am thrilled that the Instituto Cervantes finally brought PELÍCULA to Shangri-La Plaza’s Red Carpet Cinema”, shares Ms. Joy Polloso, Executive Vice President for Retail and Commercial, Shang Properties, Inc.

After a second leg at the Instituto Cervantes Intramuros showcasing Spanish cinema classics and a Basque retrospective entitled “Ventana Vasca”, PELÍCULA will cap off its 2-week long fete at Edsa Shangri-La Plaza with an exciting weekend for cinema buffs.








Don’t just be a spectator – vote!

Viewers are invited to vote for their favorite movie with the Audience Choice Award. The film with the highest ratings will receive this year’s Premio del Público (Audience Choice Award) and will be screened again during the closing of PELÍCULA 2022 on October 16 at The Red Carpet at Shangri-La Plaza. Meanwhile, lucky winners drawn from the raffle will win exciting prizes – such as free Spanish courses at the Instituto Cervantes, a Christmas “cesta de Navidad” (Christmas hamper) and limited edition PELÍCULA hoodies.



Since its first editions, PELíCULA has had activities that served as a space for meeting and interacting with Spanish and Filipino filmmakers. In line with this, on October 14, PELÍCULA will be holding “En corto: Short films from the Philippines and Spain”, an activity that will feature recent short films from both countries. The selected Filipino short film, Dosena (2022), directed by Kyla Romero, is a coming-of-age tale of a boy who deals with confusion and tragedy on the night of his 12th birthday. The screening will be followed by a discussion with the audience. This will be complemented by the 2020 short drama Totem Loba, the directorial debut film of Spanish actress Verónica Echegui.








PELíCULA 2022 is a project of Instituto Cervantes in Manila and Sydney, the Embassies of Spain in the Philippines and Australia, and the AECID, in collaboration with the Film Development Council of the Philippines, Shangri-La Plaza, Instituto Etxepare, Filmoteca Vasca, the Embassy of Colombia in the Philippines, the Embassy of Panama in the Philippines, the UP Film Institute, the University of the Philippines, Intramuros Administration, Vibal Foundation, Philippine Transmarine Carriers, Acciona, Rustan’s, Arthaland, La Pícara, and Emperador.



All the screenings are FREE admission. All the movies are in Spanish (or their original language) with English subtitles. For updates on the Festival, please visit the website of the Festival (https://pelikula.org) or the Facebook page of Instituto Cervantes de Manila: www.facebook.com/InstitutoCervantesManila



UPD-CS faculty work to address PHL’s most disaster-prone country’ status


Wazzup Pilipinas!?




The Philippines is one of the world’s most disaster-prone countries, according to a recent international study. But a handful of scientists from the University of the Philippines - Diliman College of Science (UPD-CS) hope to change that.


NATURAL DISASTERS: SCIENCE AND ITS IMPLICATIONS. UP Officials and scientists composed of (From L-R) Dr. Mario Aurelio, Dr. Gerry Bagtasa, Ms. Jamaica Pangasinan, former UPD Chancellor Michael Tan, current UPD Chancellor Fidel Nemenzo, Dr. Giovanni Tapang, and Dr. Lemnuel Aragones, conduct a press briefing on the Taal Volcano Eruption in January 2020. (Photo: Andro Sampang, UPD College of Science)

The 2022 World Risk Report warned that, out of 193 countries, the Philippines has the greatest risk, exposure, vulnerability, and susceptibility to disasters, further aggravated by a deep lack of coping and adaptive capacities.

However, timely to the release of the Report, the University of the Philippines recently conferred the UP Centennial Professorial Chair and Faculty Grant on 98 UPD-CS faculty members from the Institute of Environmental Science and Meteorology and the National Institute of Geological Sciences, as well as from the National Institute of Physics, Institute of Biology, Institute of Chemistry, Marine Science Institute, Institute of Mathematics, and National Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology.

The conferment also came just days ahead of the UN-declared International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction last October 13.

“The Centennial Grant is a welcome acknowledgement of, and support for, the hard work that UP’s scientists and researchers put into their respective fields. It helps us to focus on the tasks at hand so that we can bring the science to where it is most needed,” said UPD-CS Dean Giovanni Tapang.

“There are a lot of research studies to understand the physical, social, and economic components of risk. Our main role as scientists is to communicate and disseminate information on hazards and their impacts, hoping these will guide efforts in disaster response,” added Centennial Grant awardee Dr. Noelynna Ramos, a professor of Geomorphology and Geohazards at the National Institute of Geological Sciences and the head researcher of the Geomorphology and Active Tectonics Research Laboratory.

"Much of the research we undertake is very meticulous and painstaking. For outside observers, they may not seem immediately important or even necessary. But patient persistence pays off, because we are eventually able to find underlying patterns that enable us to come up with practical, real-world solutions," explained Centennial Grantee and atmospheric physics expert Dr. Gerry Bagtasa. “There is much that can and should be done in terms of disaster response in the country, and I'm thankful that UP and the College of Science understand this and enable us to help address these."

The Centennial Grants are awarded annually to UP faculty members in recognition of their outstanding performance in the areas of teaching; research or creative work; and public service. In their various capacities, the Grantees’ research is helping improve our understanding of the natural world and, more specifically, the nature of natural disasters and how best to respond to them.

Thursday, October 13, 2022

Diana Stalder at Franchise Asia Philippines 2022


Wazzup Pilipinas!?




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Franchise Asia Philippines 2022 - International Franchise Expo | October 14-16 | SMX Convention Center, Manila.


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HKETO Jakarta hosts Marvels in Hong Kong media event to celebrate 25th anniversary of establishment of HKSAR


Wazzup Pilipinas!?


The Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office, Jakarta (HKETO Jakarta) hosted a Marvels in Hong Kong media event in collaboration with the Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB) in Manila, the Philippines, to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the establishment of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR).

Hong Kong has always been a popular tourist destination, boasting rich tourism and cultural assets. With the lifting of the compulsory quarantine requirement for overseas visitors since late September and various mega events in the pipeline, HKETO Jakarta is delighted to present the media event to showcase Hong Kong’s latest developments in areas such as arts, culture and tourism to the Philippine community. 



Speaking at the event, the Regional Director of Southeast Asia of the HKTB, Mr Raymond Chan, said that Hong Kong has always been close to the hearts of Philippine travellers, and is one of the most popular travel destinations for them. With new infrastructure developments and experiences in Hong Kong, the city cannot wait to welcome Philippine travellers back to Hong Kong to experience the new tourism offerings.





HKETO Jakarta presented at the event the theme song of the 25th anniversary of the establishment of the HKSAR, “Heading Forward”, to share the joy and excitement of this important milestone. The HKTB also invited “Hong Kong Super Fans” in the Philippines to present the latest information and must-go spots for tourists visiting Hong Kong, and share their experiences on some great outdoor activities and other unique facets of Hong Kong.

The Marvels in Hong Kong series encompasses a wide array of events such as roving exhibitions, cultural performances and media gatherings to underscore the remarkable achievements of the HKSAR over the past 25 years. For the next event under the series, HKETO Jakarta will host an exhibition entitled “Marvels in Hong Kong: 25 Years and Beyond” in Manila this coming weekend.


Over 5 million in prizes, big discounts await customers in The Metro Stores’ 40th Anniversary


Wazzup Pilipinas!?



The month-long bash ‘40th Happversary Blowout’ features the biggest sale offers, raffle, and promos from Metro Department Store and Metro Supermarket

Cebu-based retail giant The Metro Stores is ready to paint the town ruby red as it celebrates its 40th year with the month-long 40th Happyversary Blowout anniversary sale. Continuing to make life easy for shoppers as the retail industry continues to evolve, The Metro Stores will feature salvo after salvo of discounts and promos including a chance to win a 1 million shopping spree, to delight Filipinos with a wide assortment of affordable, accessible items for their shopping needs or as an early holiday shopping treat.

Poised to be one of The Metro Stores’ biggest sale events, the month-long celebration is on from October 4 to November 6 and will be available in-store across branches nationwide, via personal shoppers at Metro Pabili, and online at www.shopmetro.ph.

Kicking off the festivities is the Welcome Feast and Treats at Metro Supermarket from October 4 to 13. Shoppers can enjoy up to 70% off on frozen goods, produce, pantry essentials, kitchen must-haves, and other household items such as cleaning supplies and personal care. In addition to big price markdowns, free Metro gift certificates are also up for grabs for Metro Rewards Card (MRC) members every Friday to Sunday from October 4 to November 6. They simply need a minimum single-receipt purchase inclusive of P200 worth of participating items at Metro Supermarket, Metro Mart, and Fresh n’ Easy stores.

On October 14 to 16, The Metro Stores gifts customers with its biggest shopping extravaganza Super 40! Big 3-Day Happyversary Sale across Metro Department Store and Metro Supermarket branches nationwide and online. It will be a weekend filled with jaw-dropping discounts, with Metro Department Store joining the celebration with slashed prices on homeware, furniture, appliances, kitchenware, storage goods, and clothing.

Some of the can’t-be-missed deals from Metro Department Store include P11,000 off on a 55” Ultra HD Android TV, over P15,000 less on a side by side refrigerator perfect for large homes, a Buy 1 Get 1 super deal on a 43” Full HD Android TV, and P8,000 savings on a front load washing machine. Apparel and bags for men, women, and kids are also available at 50% off, plus those looking to spruce up their home can look forward to 40% discounts on recliner chairs, assorted kitchenware, and upholstered beds. There’s also a 30% discount on corner sofas and four-door wardrobes.

The Big 3-Day Sale also lets MRC members enjoy the exclusive Early Shopping Access on October 14. This gives MRC members first dibs on the best finds from select The Metro Stores, including a chance to win at least P3,000 worth of gift certificates in a raffle promo. Metro Supermarket customers are also geared to win more prizes from the Luck by the Clock promo, where store managers will draw a lucky counter at regular time intervals during the sale weekend. The current or last transacting customer of the chosen counter will be announced through the in-store system and win grocery items as prizes.



One million shopping spree up for grabs

To keep the joyous mood all throughout the month-long fete, Metro continues with a second wave of sale offers in The Party Never Ends: 40th Happyversary Blowout which will run from October 19 to November 6. Metro Supermarket continues with treats for customers in the form of discounted items, bundle deals, and gifts with purchase. The public can also join the Ruby Fun Run on November 6 through registration sites in Metro Colon, Metro Mandaue, Metro Ayala, Super Metro Mambaling, Super Metro Lapu-lapu, and Metro Supermarket AS Fortuna. Runners can participate in the 5K, 10K, and 21K events, and the first 3,000 registrants can get a 50% registration fee discount if they buy a minimum P2,000 single receipt purchase inclusive of participating products from Metro Supermarket.

Metro seals its 40th anniversary bash with the 40th Happyversary E-Raffle Promo, which will run until January 22, 2023. Customers simply have to purchase a minimum P1,000 worth of items from Metro Supermarket or Metro Department Store to gain one raffle entry. Two winners will win a million worth of shopping spree, five winners will win P400,000 worth of shopping spree, while 40 winners will receive P40,000 worth of shopping spree all in the form of 50% cash and 50% Metro gift certificates.

Finally, The Metro Stores also makes it easier for customers to gain access to more exclusive discounts and deals with free MRC membership all throughout October for a minimum of P1,500 single receipt purchase in Metro Supermarket and Metro Department Store.

Stay tuned to The Metro Stores official Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok pages for more details on the sale offers plus additional perks and promos for its 40th Happyversary Blowout.

#ShopTheMetroStores in-store, online at www.shopmetro.ph, or thru its personal shopper services via Metro Pabili by sending a text or Viber message to: 0917-88-METRO (0917-88-63876) or chat with Mae at www.shopmetro.ph/chat. #WeMakeLifeEasy


Singapore Biennale 2022: Natasha Manifests this Sunday with New Venues, Artists and Public Programmes


Wazzup Pilipinas!?


SB2022 announces the addition of Singapore Flyer and 22 Orchard Road to the extensive list of SB2022 venues across Singapore, the activation of artworks and performances across the Southern Islands and Tanjong Pagar Distripark, and a diverse range of public programmes for the opening week, on 16, 21 and 22 October.


Singapore Biennale 2022 Key Visual – intervened by Berny Tan

The seventh edition of Singapore Biennale 2022 (SB2022) named Natasha, officially opens to the public this Sunday, 16 October 2022. Three new venues - the Singapore Flyer, International Plaza and 22 Orchard Road - will join the exciting lineup of locations around Singapore. Organised by the Singapore Art Museum (SAM) and commissioned by the National Arts Council, Singapore (NAC), audiences can embark on a journey with Natasha and its artists and collaborators, and re-discover different perspectives of viewing and relating to the world and the transformative potentials of life and relationships within it.

Eugene Tan, Director of SAM, said, “SAM is extremely pleased to present Natasha to the public.

In developing this edition of the Biennale, the Co-Artistic Directors - Binna Choi, Nida Ghouse, June Yap and Ala Younis - created a biennale that sensitively responded to its time, as we contemplate the role and place of art in a post-pandemic world. Through framing Natasha as an intimate and collective journey across Singapore with artists, collaborators and audiences, SAM foregrounds its interest in placing relationships at the centre of our work, where art is infused into the everyday and made accessible to different communities. We look forward to how this journey with everyone will unfold as Natasha continues to evolve and transform over time.”



Experience Natasha at three new locations, and with SB2022’s Islandwide Coverage project

Conceived as exploratory spaces for audiences to wander, rest and converse, SB2022 will take place in a variety of locations beyond Tanjong Pagar Distripark and traditional gallery settings.

International Plaza, the iconic Singapore Flyer and 22 Orchard Road are now part of the multiple locations visitors to the Biennale can experience art, in addition to the previously announced Sentosa Cove, St John’s Island, Lazarus Island, as well as everyday spaces like regional libraries and Yan Kit Playfield.

SB2022 Co-Artistic Directors, Binna Choi, Nida Ghouse, June Yap and Ala Younis, said, “The additions of International Plaza, the Singapore Flyer and 22 Orchard Road as spaces for art takes the experience of Natasha into unexpected places, and probes audiences to change their perspectives through art. It extends our interest in the re-discovery of life and everyday encounters in SAM's home of Tanjong Pagar Distripark and the neighbourhood around International Plaza and Yan Kit Playfield.”

The Singapore Flyer will serve as one of many locations under AWKNDAFFR’s (Wayne Lim and Soh Kay Min) multi-authored project Islandwide Coverage, which spans six diverse locations in Singapore, taking audiences from a well-loved icon of the Singapore skyline to regional libraries in the heartlands. By activating a variety of viewing experiences through these locations, AWKNDAFFR charts a course towards a sense of “no-whereness”. Through the integration of the artworks into the movement and mechanism of each venue, the audiences’ encounter with each location will be transformed. In keeping with AWKNDAFFR’s artistic practice of exploring forms of gathering, the art collective will also stage a roving exhibition consisting of a series of trailers and work-in-progress materials such as photographs and sketches of the presented artists’ work. The roving exhibition Prologue will be staged at the following three Regional Libraries:

● Woodlands Regional Library (Wednesday 9 November - Monday 26 December 2022)

● Jurong Regional Library (Wednesday 28 December 2022 – Sunday 26 February 2023)

● Tampines Regional Library (Wednesday 1 March – Sunday 9 April 2023)

Installation view of AWKNDAFFR's Islandwide Coverage (2022), as part of Singapore Biennale 2022 named Natasha. Image courtesy of Singapore Art Museum. Venturing to SAM Hoardings, AWKNDAFFR’s Islandwide Coverage will be featured at the Hoardings along Bras Basah Road. Designed by CROP, the work uses a combination of symbols and shapes to represent networks and connectivity. An overview of artworks across Singapore can be found in Annex B.

Natasha will also take audiences past Singapore’s coastline to the Southern Islands with the support of the Sentosa Development Corporation and the Singapore Land Authority. These islands provide a space for reflection, imagination, and projection while serving as a potent site for art, artists, and the public to gather in lived encounters. Audiences can look forward to six artistic projects that engage with our relationship to nature, social practices and myths.

Across the three islands, audiences can look forward to the following artworks:

Hawai’i USA artists Maile Meyer and Drew Kahuʻāina Broderick’s KĪPUKA (for “Natasha”) at Sentosa Cove, is set within an altered shipping container and brings together offerings from an intergenerational group of collaborators and friends. The word kīpuka carries many meanings in Hawaiian including ‘variation’ or ‘change of form’, ‘a calm place in a high sea’, ‘a deep place in a shoal’, and in everyday use, a metaphor for vibrancy and resilience.

Donghwan Kam, Fermentation House at Sentosa Cove, St John’s Island and Lazarus Island. Fermentation House was developed from Kam’s previous work Fermentation Garden which saw the artist cultivating kimchi in miniature houses. Fermentation House is situated across the Southern Islands as well as other SB2022 venues.

Part of the Nina bell F. House Museum featuring works by Donghwan Kam, Nuraini Juliastuti, Sophia Park, Ying Que with others in and around Casco Art Institute: Working for the Commons.

Singaporean artist Zarina Muhammad’s Moving Earth, Crossing Water, Eating Soil at St John’s Island invites participants to lean in, listen and reorient their senses to unruly spaces on maps.

Drawing from islands that have lost their names, among other inspirations, the title alludes to the multiple historical identities of Pulau Sekijang Bendera and apotropaic acts associated with itinerancy, inhabitation and engaging with the potency of various landscapes. Her multi-faceted installation will be accompanied by several on-site workshops, tours and performances that audiences can participate in.

Encounter contemporary art across three floors at Tanjong Pagar Distripark

Exhibition view of Level 5 Gallery, Tanjong Pagar Distripark. Image courtesy of Singapore Art Museum.

As audiences embark on their reflective journey with Natasha, they will come across a variety of artworks that respond to their respective environments, and spanning multimedia installations, immersive experiences and participatory workshops.

Spanning various spaces on Levels 1, 3 and 5 of Tanjong Pagar Distripark, the homeground of SAM will play host to an exciting and diverse selection of works of artists from Singapore, Southeast Asia, the Asia-Pacific, the Middle East, Europe, and the Americas. This includes renowned artists such as Haegue Yang, Araya Rasdjarmrearnsook, Cevdet Erek, and Wu Mali and homegrown Singapore artists like Berny Tan and Ong Kian Peng. For the first time, audiences will be introduced to the practices of seminal artists including Samia Halaby and Joo Jae-Hwan and encounter newly commissioned works by Angkrit Ajchariyasophon, Kanitha Tith, Natasha Tontey, Kiran Kumar, Aarti Sunder, Brian Fuata, Ali Yass, Moad Musbahi, and Valentina Desideri and Denise Ferreira da Silva, among others.

As part of SB2022’s artist residencies in partnership with Darat al Funun - The Khalid Shoman Foundation, Singapore artist Ong Kian Peng will present an immersive multimedia installation.

titled The Viscous Sea, created during his three-month residency in Amman, Jordan. Jordanian

artist Raed Ibrahim, who is in-residence in Singapore till November 2022, will present on Level 5

a series of clay tablets coded and customised to reflect a subject that is missing, obstructing or

obscuring, exploring the anonymity of established concepts. Singapore artist, curator, and writer,

Berny Tan will also be in-residence from November 2022 to January 2023 at SAM’s EX-SITU

space on Level 3, with a curatorial research project titled Page Break that looks at how

everyday objects and scenes are explored through the medium of the art book.

Through the act of naming, the public is invited to meet and connect with artists, their lives, and different forms of life that are more than human. A myriad of conversations with surrounding environments are introduced as some artists present their interventions and artworks across spaces, whether it is on the grounds of Tanjong Pagar Distripark, or beyond. Visitors are encouraged to traverse between SB2022 venues and spaces to truly experience the breadth and depth of relationships and narratives of Natasha. More information on highlights at Tanjong Pagar Distripark can be found in Annex D.

Low Eng Teong, Deputy Chief Executive Officer of Sector Development at the National Arts Council, and member of the Singapore Biennale Committee, said, “Since its inception, the Singapore Biennale has been crucial in spotlighting the artistic vigour of Singapore and the region’s arts and culture scene in a global dialogue on contemporary art. It has been an important platform for public engagement and to further nurture arts appreciation in Singaporean audiences. The Biennale continues to pursue its mission by inviting audiences to participate in a collective journey that traverses a variety of iconic, everyday and artistic spaces across Singapore. In transforming the island into a distinctive city through art, we hope to bring the arts to people of all ages and backgrounds. This is also in line with the next iteration of Our SG Arts Plan (2023-2027), as NAC continues to work closely with our partners and key stakeholders to strengthen our arts ecosystem.”


Public Programmes for SB2022’s Opening Week

To celebrate the return of Singapore Biennale, SAM will be presenting a series of public programmes as it kickstarts the opening week of Natasha. Programmes are held across two weekends on 16, 21 and 22 October 2022, where audiences can participate in art experiences that reflect the vulnerabilities and stories of transformation of the artists and collaborators.

These include encounters with many of SB2022’s participating artists and works in-person, through a series of artist talks, including Joo Jaehwan, Haegue Yang, Samia Halaby and Brian Fuata in deep conversations with the Co-Artistic Directors; workshop by Kiran Kumar; and performances by Brian Fuata and Natasha Tontey.

SAM’s doors will also be open past opening hours on 21 and 22 October 2022, inviting all to explore the museum after dusk in a fun-filled evening of art and entertainment. Parents can also plan an exciting day out for the family at SAMily Funday on 22 October and enjoy a line-up of programmes and activities designed for all ages. More information on the programme line-up and schedule can be found in Annex E.

Benesse Prize Winner to be announced on 15 October

Benesse Holdings Inc. will be once again collaborating with SAM in presenting the 13th Benesse Prize at SB2022. In its third edition with the Singapore Biennale, the winner of thevPrize will be announced at an awards ceremony on 15 October 2022, during the opening of the Biennale. The prize will be awarded to an outstanding artist or artist collective chosen from the participating artists of the Biennale, based on how their work embodies an experimental and critical spirit beyond conventional practices and who is expected to have the potential to create works that will lead to "Benesse = Well-Being". The winner will be selected by an international jury that has been jointly appointed by Benesse Holdings Inc. and Singapore Art Museum.



The main event for SB2022 will run from 16 October 2022 to 19 March 2023. More information on ticketing can be found on SB2022’s website (https://www.singaporebiennale.org/). You can also join the conversation on Facebook (@SingaporeBiennale) and Instagram (@sgbiennale).

For more information, please refer to the Annexes.

● Annex A: Full list of artists

● Annex B: Artworks at the various SB2022 locations

● Annex C: Artists presenting works at 22 Orchard Road

● Annex D: Highlights at Tanjong Pagar Distripark

● Annex E: SB2022 Opening Week Public Programme Schedule

● Annex F: About the Benesse Prize

● Annex G: Map of SB2022’s Venues in Singapore

● Annex H: Ticketing Information

Other assets may be downloaded at https://bit.ly/SB2022mediakit.

- END -

For media queries, please contact:

Natalie Sim

Associate

Tate Anzur

+65 9710 6570

natalie.sim@tateanzur.com

Rachael Lim

Senior Associate

Tate Anzur

+65 9221 8190

rachael.lim@tateanzur.com


About the Singapore Biennale

The Singapore Biennale was established in 2006 as the country’s pre-eminent platform for international dialogue in contemporary art. It presents and reflects the vigour of artistic practices in Singapore and the region within a global context, and fosters productive collaborations and deep engagement with artists, arts organisations, and the international arts community.

The Singapore Biennale cultivates public engagement with contemporary art through a period of concerted activities including exhibitions, public engagement and education programmes that

feature artist and curator talks and tours, school visits and workshops, and community days. It complements achievements in other areas of arts and culture, collectively enhancing Singapore’s international profile as a vibrant city in which to live, work and play.

The 2006 and 2008 editions of the Biennale were organised by the National Arts Council (NAC).

NAC has commissioned SAM to organise the Biennale since 2011.



About the Singapore Art Museum

Singapore Art Museum opened in 1996 as the first art museum in Singapore located in the cultural district of Singapore. Known as SAM, the museum presents contemporary art from a Southeast Asian perspective for artists, art lovers and the art curious in multiple venues across the island, including a new venue in the historic port area of Tanjong Pagar.

The museum is building one of the world's most important public collections of Southeast Asian contemporary art, with the aim of connecting the art and the artists to the public and future generations through exhibitions and programmes. SAM is working towards a humane and sustainable future by committing to responsible practices within its processes.

To find out more, visit www.singaporeartmuseum.sg.


About the National Arts Council

The National Arts Council champions the arts in Singapore. By nurturing creative excellence and supporting broad audience engagement, our diverse and distinctive arts inspire our people, connect communities and profile Singapore internationally. We preserve our rich, cultural traditions as we cultivate accomplished artists and vibrant companies for the future. Our support for the arts is comprehensive – from grants and partnerships to industry facilitation and arts housing. The Council welcomes greater private and corporate giving to and through the arts so that together we can make the arts an integral part of everyone’s lives.

For more information on the Council's mission and plans, visit www.nac.gov.sg.









Catriona, LoveYourself launches new HIV care center in Baguio City




Wazzup Pilipinas!?



LoveYourself's global ambassador – Miss Universe 2018 Catriona Gray, led the grand opening of "Balay Marvi," a community center offering holistic care to people to protect themselves against HIV.

Gray shared there's still a lot of stigma surrounding HIV, hence "What we want to do is to really empower the community." She highlighted the importance of having a safe space where people can access HIV and sexual health services in Baguio City.

On the vital role government plays, Gray also urged the local government units to continue supporting the advocacy and communities working for it because it's something the community urgently needs.

Ribbon cutting with (L-R) LoveYourself Founder and Executive Director Ronivin Pagtakhan, Pilipinas Shell Foundation, Inc. Marvi Trudeau, Miss Universe 2018 Catriona Gray, and LoveYourself Director for Programs and Innovations Danvic Rosadiño. 


"Hopefully, our surrounding regions, who maybe don't have this type of community center, can really look at Baguio City as one of the shining examples of how it can be replicated, how it can be done, and how the community can really be reached," Gray said.

Together with Gray, Baguio City District Representative Mark Go and City Councilor Levy Orcales also graced the launch ceremonies held on the 9th of October at Azalea Hotel and Residences. Both local officials expressed support.

Media launch at Azalea Hotel and Residences with (L-R) LoveYourself sponsor Robbie Pantaleon, LoveYourself Founder and Executive Director Ronivin Pagtakhan, 

Pilipinas Shell Foundation, Inc. Marvi Trudeau, Miss Universe 2018 Catriona Gray, Baguio District Representative Mark Go, DOH-CAR Representative Cherrie Caluza, and Baguio City Councilor Levy Orcales. 



Orcales shared, "We decided that there should be a localized version of our HIV and AIDS Law," recognizing a differentiated approach to combat the epidemic. He also said, "We are trying to convert all youth centers in the City of Baguio as safe spaces in the barangay levels," adding that there are 129 barangays in the City.

In his speech, Rep. Go offered assistance to thrust new laws at the national level that would ensure the effective implementation of HIV programs in the country. Meanwhile, the Department of Health-Cordillera Administrative Region's representative Cherrie Caluza also aired the agency's support for Balay Marvi and the community's efforts to address the HIV situation.


LoveYourself founder and executive director Ronivin Pagtakhan said, "We observed that many clients from northern provinces go down south in Metro Manila to seek care and support, and this is something we want to address — to provide northern Luzon clients access to sexual health services, and a community that is considered a safe space for them."

 

As one of the country's leading community organizations for differentiated sexual health services, LoveYourself offers innovations in the HIV advocacy, especially the country's first WHO pre-qualified HIV self-test kit, 'SelfCare.' The group also highlighted the availability of another layer of HIV prevention called Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP), a daily pill taken by an HIV-negative person to protect themselves against the virus.

Being a one-stop shop, Balay Marvi provides differentiated testing approaches, multiple prevention methods, and treatment, support, and care. Passers-by can also get free condoms and lube.

The Balay Marvi was named after its long-time supporter and partner, Pilipinas Shell Foundation Inc. (PSFI), Deputy Executive Director Marvi Trudeau. The first-ever LoveYourself Diamond Award was conferred to her for her unwavering support of the group and passion for helping the advocacy.

The community center also matches the arts and culture of Baguio with its design and a huge mural hand painted by LoveYourself volunteers.


It is also made possible thru the Global Fund PROTECTS project grant implemented by PSFI and LoveYourself, under the Champion Community Centers.

PROTECTS is the Global Fund HIV grant for 2021 to 2023 that focuses on scaling-up prevention and testing strategies employed by community-based organizations (CBOs), like LoveYourself and partner local government units to expand access points across the country and provide PrEP and HIV self-testing kit supplies. It also enhances the capacities of CBOs to ensure their effectiveness and sustainability in service provision and advocacy.

Located at Lopez Building, Room 303, Session Road, Baguio City, the center is open from Wednesday-Sunday from 12:00 NN – 7:00 PM. To avail of Balay Marvi's services, clients can set an appointment at www.loveyourself.ph.






The New Yahoo Mail App with First-of-Its-Kind Features Rolls Out on Android and iOS


Wazzup Pilipinas!?



Unclutter your inbox: Delete all messages from a sender at once, with one tap!

Track shopping receipts and purchases more efficiently

Yahoo announced the launch of new features for Yahoo Mail, providing consumers with ‘first-to-market’ experiences for their inbox, to save time and improve productivity. Yahoo Mail’s new updates meet the needs of consumers who are doing more online since the pandemic, and want to manage and personalize their inbox to support their digital lifestyle.

The new updates further amplify Yahoo Mail’s core offerings connecting millions of users daily — including the user-favourite feature of 1 TB free storage. The New Yahoo Mail App makes users’ lives easier based on their interactions and interests, while providing world-class utilities to offer users quick and easy access to the information that matters most.

“Yahoo Mail has been a part of consumers' lives for 25 years, so we know how important it is for people to quickly find what they need, whether it’s tomorrow’s flight departure time or how much was spent during a weekend getaway with friends,” said Josh Jacobson, GM & SVP Yahoo Communications. “These new features are a culmination of listening to our people to better understand what they need and what makes Yahoo Mail an integral part of it.”



The new first-to-market features include:

● Group by Sender: This feature will allow you to ‘group’ emails by domain to quickly find important messages, deals, or delete all messages from a sender at once.

● Updated Top-of-Inbox Navigation: This feature with contextual filters is designed to drive awareness and findability for what matters most to you and reduce the signal-to-noise ratio.

● Receipts View: See receipts from all orders at once, to make returns faster and track your purchase history.


An Organized Inbox That Saves You Time, Big-time!

The new Yahoo Mail app includes new utility features that make managing the inbox easier than ever before.



Updated Top-of-Inbox Navigation

User testing by Yahoo Mail showed people spend more time looking at the top area of the screen on email, rather than the bottom. To help users find what they need faster, the new Yahoo Mail app’s updated top-of-inbox navigation has contextual filters — users can toggle between ‘Inbox,’ ‘Attachments,’ ‘Starred’ and more. Once a user clicks and begins scrolling, the contextual filter adapts their screen to give them maximum viewability based on what they want to see. With more users managing their travel itineraries through email, it also includes a ‘Travel’ filter, where users can easily keep track of all their upcoming travel reservations in one place.

The Updated Top-of-Inbox Navigation feature is designed to drive awareness and findability for what matters most to users and reduce the ‘signal-to-noise’ ratio.



Group by Sender

● Thousands of emails to delete feels overwhelming? The new ‘group by sender’ feature will allow users to group emails by domain to quickly delete all messages from a sender, at once. This came up as a big pain point for users, who wanted a more efficient way to clean up the clutter in their inbox, without wasting hours!

● Say goodbye to digging around in your inbox for individual emails from senders. Group by Sender offers a faster and hassle-free way to view emails from one sender without the hassle of typing into a search bar.



One-tap unsubscribe

Users can unsubscribe from one or many brand promo emails and newsletters all in one place, with a single tap.



Connect All Your Accounts:

Access your Yahoo, Gmail, AOL, Microsoft, or other account(s) in one place and take advantage of extra features.



Attachments

Displays all attachments in your inbox with the ability to filter by files (pdfs, word docs, jpeg) and photos. A huge time saver that spares opening email after email to check for an attachment.



Subscriptions Renewal Reminders

The new Yahoo Mail app’s top-of-inbox alerts remind you when a free trial is expiring or a paid subscription is about to renew.



Efficiency for the Everyday Online Consumer:

In this new update, Yahoo Mail has also introduced features that help make shopping online and managing purchases easier for users around the world. New features include:



Receipts View

A view that allows you to see receipts from all of your orders. It makes returns faster and provides a handy view of spending patterns.




The new Yahoo Mail app rolls out globally on iOS and Android today.

For more information, please visit Yahoo Mail.




About Yahoo

Yahoo reaches nearly 900 million people around the world, bringing them closer to finance, sports, shopping, gaming and news—with the trusted products, content and tech that fuel their day. For partners, we provide a full-stack platform for businesses to amplify growth and drive more meaningful connections across advertising, search and media. To learn more, please visit yahooinc.com.




Celebrities, Athletes join incubation program for Web3 influencers


Wazzup Pilipinas!?



Southeast Asian esports, gaming and entertainment firm Tier One Entertainment is launching its newest incubator program called ALLIANCE, which is poised to be the first global pool of prominent personalities in the Web3 space.

The ALLIANCE aims to gather a curated list of Web3 content creators and train them to be top-notch opinion leaders shaping the future of content creation in the global blockchain and crypto industry.

The initial list would include professional basketball player Jared Dillinger, holistic wellness coach Chris Tan, gaming content creator Crisostomo “Chibiby” Tan Jr., multimedia creative John Sedano, DJ and producer Patty Tiu, architect and artist Timi Sky, and filmmaker and entrepreneur Janina Manipol.

Joining them are business executives like Block Tides founder Myrtle Ramos, Stock Smarts CEO Marvin Germo, and Tetrix CEO Emman Navalan who have etched their names in the Web3 community.

Tier One Entertainment is banking on its massive traffic, reach, and marketing machinery with 260 million current followers across its brands, content creators, gaming talents, and influencers to build a Web3 community.


“As a company that has multi-millions in following in the Web2 space, our role is to be able to help bring the attention and the traffic and help contribute to the mainstream adaptation of Web3. We are confident that our future plans for Web3 will help bring a new generation of users to the exciting space,” Tryke Gutierrez, CEO of Tier One Entertainment said.

As an expert in content creator management, Tier One Entertainment commits to supporting this collective group of individuals who will help bring the values of integrity, critical thinking, and transparency to the Web3 community.

For this program, Tier One Entertainment has appointed Tyrone Anthony Bretaña as the Head of ALLIANCE. He has worked with some of the biggest brands in FinTech and e-commerce for eight years. With an early adopter mentality, Tyrone has the vision to lead the ALLIANCE into becoming a global collective that will drive traffic and mainstream adoption of Web 3 while promoting the values of authenticity, relevance, and legitimacy.

With more than 260 million followers across the social platforms of their over 1,000 talents across Asia, Tier One bats to a familiar name in the Web3 space.

Previously, it conducted its influencer programs such as AMPLFY, ARDENT, and ASCEND, which elevated the video game streaming careers of SB19's Josh Cullen, Sharlene San Pedro, and Khenji Saito. It also launched The Gaming House with ABS-CBN, a reality show featuring gaming personalities, the first of its kind in Asia. This is on top of managing athletes under Blacklist International, a world champion in mobile esports.

Tier One Entertainment is open for collaborations and partnerships, and to those who want to join the ALLIANCE: alliance@tier.one

Tuesday, October 11, 2022

Top 5 Places for Windsurfing in the Philippines


Wazzup Pilipinas!?



Nowadays, it seems impossible to find a list of the best islands and beaches without seeing the Philippines among the top choices. The Philippines is full of breathtaking places that provide an authentic feeling of happiness for millions of visitors. Although known for its dazzling views and pristine beaches, the Philippines is also becoming one of the best places for those in the mood for catching waves. The islands are home to some of the best windsurfing places, and in this article, we will list the top 5 places for those who like to enjoy the mix between the exhilaration of surfing and the peace of sailing.

 
Boracay Island

Boracay Island is one of the most mesmerizing places the country has to offer. It is blessed with a long stretch of pristine beaches and turquoise water, perfect for windsurfing. Whether you are a beginner or a more seasoned windsurfer, the flat water and the moderate wind at Boracay Island will make a perfect aqua playground for you. So, if you are planning to visit the Philippines and enjoy some windsurfing, head over to the east of the island, and once you start riding the waves at Bulabog Beach, you will understand why thousands of people are fascinated by it. If you feel bored at night, feel free to check the best online casino philippines have to offer.


 
Kingfisher Resort

Kingfisher Resort near Pagudpud is home to some of the windiest spots and provides windsurfers with an unforgettable wave-riding experience. Pagudpud is the northernmost settlement on Luzon Island, and due to its excellent conditions for watersports, it's been known as the Hawaii of Asia. If you are staying at the Kingfisher Resort, the opportunity for enjoying windsurfing will be right at your doorway. The water is flat, the wind is consistent, and the beach is the perfect combination of sand, grass, rocks, and corals. The resort is tucked away and it's still not very popular among tourists, so it's one of the best places to enjoy some of the best waves Asia has to offer in complete tranquility.


 
Siargao

Siargao is an Island in the Philippines that allows aqua sports fans to learn about all the different exciting ways they can enjoy the magic of the ocean. Situated around 800 kilometers southeast of Manila, the place offers some of the most magnificent white sandy beaches where you can find a plethora of available watersports, such as windsurfing. Although the wind is not as strong compared to the other top windsurfing spots, Siargao, without a doubt, can still provide windsurfers with an unforgettable experience.


 
El Nido

While El Nido may not be the most popular place when it comes to windsurfing, it's definitely one of the best for beginners. Located on Palawan Island, El Nido is a touristy Philippine municipality situated in a bay protected from strong winds, which makes it a great starting point for windsurfing rookies. Known for its flawless turquoise lagoons and pristine white-sand beaches, El Nido is a real paradise for beginners who want to try windsurfing while enjoying the breathtaking scenery.


 
Anilao

Located in the Batangas province on the island of Luzon, Anilao is one of the most iconic windsurfing spots in the Philippines. Although not as popular as the other places, the Batangas area is home to some of the most glorious beaches and a thriving windsurfing community. Anilao is known for its flat water and consistent wind, perfect for windsurfing. The place has historical importance among windsurfing enthusiasts, as it is the home of the annual Anilao Windsurf Regatta where the growing community of sailors gathers to celebrate their love for the sport. So, whether you are a windsurfing veteran or someone at the beginning of their windsurfing journey, Anilao is a perfect place to get that adrenaline rush and enjoy the magic of the sport.


 
Conclusion

With over 7000 islands with some of the most breathtaking turquoise water and consistent winds, the Philippines are a windsurfing paradise with plenty of options where people can become real watersports enthusiasts. Each place has its own beauty and conditions suitable for windsurfers of different levels, however, as the product owner - Tony Sloterman says, in the end, it all comes down to one's personal preference.

UP PRIDE 2022: Itutuloy, Itatagumpay




Wazzup Pilipinas!?



About UP PRIDE

UP Pride is the annual Pride celebration of the LGBTQIA+ community and allies in the University of the Philippines System. It was first held in 2008 in UP Diliman as an avenue to elevate the voices and concerns of the LGBTQI people within and beyond the university and was eventually institutionalized as an official UP Diliman event in 2016. Pursuing inclusivity even further, UP Pride commenced as a system-wide event in its historic first last 2021. Now, all constituent universities and campuses within the UP System partake in the celebration of one united UP Pride.

UP PRIDE 2022

This year’s UP Pride will be held from October 3 to 28, 2022 with the theme “Itutuloy, Itatagumpay” to encapsulate pride's role in our movement. It signifies our commitment to our fight, struggle, and journey no matter how heightened the challenges are. It also aims to effect victory in all forms such as the passage of the SOGIE Equality Bill and dismantle exclusionary and discriminatory systems that breed hate crimes and oppression against the LGBTQIA+ community.



Read our Concept Note Here:

https://www.facebook.com/uppride/photos/a.375416259543278/1531659237252302/



Our Events:
UP Pride Opening and Exhibit



a. UP Pride Opening:

UP Pride Opening brought the movement into a louder and more progressive action as it highlighted speakers from the LGBTQI community and allies who have contributed to forwarding human rights and equality in our society. The speakers talked about their efforts and support in lobbying for LGBTQI rights, the successes of their efforts, and the importance of institutional protection of a national anti-discrimination bill in line with this year’s theme “Itutuloy, Itatagumpay”. UP Pride Opening happened on October 3, 2022 9:45AM in Quezon Hall together with the opening of the University for Equality: Photo Exhibit.



Lists of Speakers: https://www.facebook.com/uppride/posts/pfbid02apYuMc8JS3CyiwicAJWabtecd2d2wRKdi6U7EEY4tTfz4nXvf5qAUWTiMyXNYBncl

Live Broadcast of Opening:

https://www.facebook.com/uppride/videos/669571324528533



b. University for Equality: Photo Exhibit

Part of the roster of events for UP Pride 2022 is an exhibit entitled "University for Equality: Photo Exhibit." The exhibit aims to feature students, personnel and staff from the whole UP System. The exhibit aims to promote the ideal university we want to champion and to proactively campaign for the urgent passage and implementation of a systemwide UP SOGIESC Policy. The exhibit will be month-long, located at the Quezon Hall, UP Diliman from October 3 to 28.

18 persons from different campuses of University of the Philippines answered these prompts:

1. What for you is an inclusive and safe university?

2. As a member of the community, what actions do you think educational institutions should take in order to build a safer and more inclusive community?

3. As an Isko/personnel, I believe that UP should be a champion of _____, and I believe this can be achieved through _________



Photos:

https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1-425K7pq1n0Tm4ADY3s1_4j2fxGyBsIl

Photo Credits: October 3, 2022 Photo by: UP BroadGuild, Official Documentation Partner of UP PRIDE.


Equality Talk Workshop Series

In celebrating UP Pride, we always go back to the lived experiences of the community and how we can further champion our fight for equality in this three-part webinar series. Giving importance to the members of the community and their struggles pave the way for younger generations to learn, reflect, and take steps from these stories. As the queer community continues to break ceiling glasses and take up spaces in various fields, we envision to empower them with skills and knowledge in being prepared to conquer spaces uncommonly open to queer people. This will be done in partnership with Philippine Financial & Inter-Industry Pride (PFIP.)



The UP Pride Team will conduct three hybrid seminars that will discuss the lived experiences of queer members, how to conduct one’s self in workplaces, and championing in lobbying pieces of legislation. This will happen from October 12-21, 2022.



a. Equality Talk Series 1:

Concept Note: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1ux7bgCzdIFKODaDCdPB45Aq1MZ5hMv7XQinKzSy2CpI/edit

b. Equality Talk Series 2 together with PFIP: (To Be Updated)

c. Equality Talk Series 3: (To be updated)




UP Pride Film Festival



UPFF aims to provide an avenue for filmmakers who wish to express and explore themes about gender and sexuality. UPPFF aims to become a quintessential affair for young artists especially those from the UP System as we hope to support filmmakers who are either members or allies of the LGBTQI+ community, as they bear tales worthy of being seen and heard



The UP Pride Film Festival 2022 (UPFF) will be available both online and on-ground. The films that will be featured will be selected from a pool of films submitted through a public call for entries for LGBT films. UP Pride Film Fest will happen on October 17-26, 2022.

(Other details to be updated)
Pride March and Queen of Pride

As we celebrate UP Pride 2022, we must also celebrate our identities through pageantry. Showcasing a pageant like this will highlight the importance of being involved in the community and in advocacy. The pageant will not only promote empowerment but it will also urge people to bring social change as they will be given the chance to speak and promote equality, inclusivity, and acceptance— a great way to cap off the celebration of UP Pride. The Queen of Pride is open to all UP students from all campuses, and all identities and expressions. This coronation night will happen after the Pride March on October 28, 2022.

(Other details to be updated)

Call for Candidates: https://www.facebook.com/uppride/posts/pfbid02S3QxA1C6DMVx95oiFn8Q1szirChBcdYsSXjdh5oYRbPfEqsTseJin8Bta1TQuSZal



Our Social Media Accounts:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/uppride

Twitter: https://twitter.com/upprideofficial

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/upprideofficial/?hl=en



For inquiries and interviews please reach out to:

- Keiko Carasig, UP PRIDE 2022 Co-Convener at krcarasig@up.edu.ph 09050466826

- Julia Labao, UP PRIDE 2022 Co-Convener at upprideofficial@gmail.com

- Christian Jim de Jesus, UP PRIDE 2022 Marketing Head at uppridemarketing@gmail.com