Wazzup Pilipinas News and Events

Friday, October 10, 2014

SPT Networks, Asia Re-Brands beTV in the Philippines as Sony Channel

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New Series Include “How to Get Away with Murder,” “Madam Secretary,” “Manhattan Love Story,” and “Jane The Virgin”

Top-Rated Series “The Night Shift” and “Nashville” Set To Return

Sony Pictures Television Networks, Asia is set to dazzle viewers in the Philippines with a new look for beTV. Debuting October 15, Sony Channel will be the premier destination for female-skewing Hollywood entertainment.

Sony Channel will feature some of the most captivating and talked-about drama, comedy, lifestyle and reality programs on TV, all airing close to the U.S. telecasts, together with popular feel-good movies. New programming will include “How to Get Away with Murder,” the latest drama from executive producer Shonda Rhimes (“Scandal”, “Grey’s Anatomy”). Other new series coming to Sony Channel include White House drama “Madam Secretary,” starring Téa Leoni; romantic comedy “Manhattan Love Story”; as well as the comedic drama “Jane The Virgin.”

“We believe there is an opportunity in the Philippines for a general entertainment destination that is female focused, but also male inclusive. These four new series are smart, edgy and driven by strong women -- a perfect fit for the new Sony Channel brand,” said Hui Keng Ang, Senior Vice President and General Manager, Networks, Asia, Sony Pictures Television.

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AMD recently announced that its board of directors has appointed Dr. Lisa Su as president and chief executive officer and member of the board of directors, effective immediately. Dr. Su, 44, succeeds Rory Read, 52, who has stepped down as president and chief executive officer, and member of the board of directors, as part of a transition plan. Read will support the transition in an advisory role, remaining with the company through the end of 2014.

“Leadership succession planning has been a joint effort between Rory and the board and we felt that Lisa’s expertise and proven leadership in the global semiconductor industry make this an ideal time for her to lead the company,” said Bruce Claflin, chairman of AMD’s board of directors. “The board looks forward to continuing to work with Lisa and the rest of the senior management team to build on the company’s momentum. I would also like to thank Rory for his many accomplishments and contributions positioning AMD for long-term success by helping to create a strong foundation and clear path to re-establish the company’s growth and profitability.”

Commenting on her appointment, Dr. Su said, “I am deeply honored to have this opportunity to lead AMD during this important time of transformation. Our world-class technology assets combined with the incredible talent and passion of the AMD team provide us with a unique opportunity to shape the future of computing. I look forward to expanding on the strong foundation we have built under Rory’s leadership as we develop industry-leading technologies and products for a diverse set of markets to drive sustainable and profitable growth.”

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A By-Invitation only Professional Blogging Summit will be held on October 18, 2014 and your friendly neighborhood pambansang blogger was invited as one of the panelist/speakers. To guide me on what to say, I decided to write about it here as reference to my discussion later during the event.

This will surely be an interesting event as we are tasked to talk about how our blog started and other topics namely how to maintain a professional bloggers and social media specialists network. We will be sharing insights on how we started our blog and social media network, recruitment, and relationship management.

I am grateful that it was Miss Janette Toral of Digital Filipino herself who invited me to the event. It is an honor to be lined up with respectable bloggers who already made a name for themselves and consider their blog as highly active, influential and wide-reaching.

I've been telling everyone that it was her who was my biggest influence on why I decided to pursue a blogging effort. Not that I wanted to make it as a source of income, but as a way to be informed of what's happening around me, get the opportunity to learn about new things and be able to express myself effectively by sharing what I have learned by blogging about my experiences.

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Good news to all Superbook lovers and fans! Finally, the long wait is over!

Superbook Season 2 will air on Philippine TV for the first time in ABS-CBN beginning October 11 at 9:30 a.m.

Packed with 13 all-new and exciting episodes, Superbook Season 2 is definitely the perfect bonding and learning time for the families.

Superbook lovers will surely enjoy watching their favorite Superbook characters Chris, Joy and Gizmo as Superbook surprises them to experience new adventures, meet new friends and new heroes, explore new places and discover new lessons based on the greatest story book ever written -The Bible.

For our first Superbook Season 2 episode, we will meet Jonah, a man who was tasked by God to do a very special mission. Will he do it? Find out this Satuday, October 11, 9:30 on ABS-CBN. Invite the whole family and your friends. Don't miss this amazing trip back in time!

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To continue with our lovely weekend adventure at Infinity Resort of Puerto Galera, we found ourselves surrounded with so many great choices for dishes including a full Japanese menu, with The Brae being the only restaurant in Puerto Galera that serves authentic Japanese cuisines.

However, since it was our first time at the Infinity Resort dining at The Brae, we decided to order a mix of dishes from the menus.

Your friendly neighborhood pambansang bloggers ordered a feast that would satisfy all senses, from the smell, to the presentation, the texture, and the taste - everything were simply almost perfect. You would not ask for more, except more sumptuous dishes from their fully-equipped kitchen manned by outstanding chefs.

It was already lunch time but we couldn't go splurge on a heavy meal since we were off to a tour around Puerto Galera immediately afterwards. I have to mention the zipline so I need to be light...hehehe

We've explained last time what The Brae means so we won't be repeating it here but you may refer to our previous blog post about it when we had our breakfast.

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Last September 25, 2014 episode of e-Blog Mo Na Yan! segment of Vigattin Radio Radyo Inquirer and Wazzup Pilipinas partnership was all about beauty and make-up cosmetics courtesy of our in-studio guests Pixy Marketing Manager and BrandSpeak Asia PR, plus a phone patch with Persia Grill owner Kian Kazemi.

Guest blogger for that Saturday was Rattus Yu of ladyrattus.com who is a beauty, food and lifestyle blogger.

Pixy talked about the new line of cosmetics all the way from Japan but with the products being very applicable to Asian skin. Our guests were all wearing the Pixy brand and we got to witness how natural their make-up were. Pixy also explained the different line of products available and their reasonable prices making it a must necessity for all your make-up needs.

Kian Kazemi was interviewed over his mobile phone since he was out of town during that moment. He shared to us the background and history of Persia Grill of which was influenced by his Iranian father. Kian is half-Iranian because his mother is a Filipino.

Persia Grill already has 10 branches operational of which the newest is their Blue Bay Walk branch along Macapagal Avenue near Mall of Asia complex, and will soon be coming out with more branches soon like one in BF Homes Paranaque along Aguirre Avenue.

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Gearing up for the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) economic integration in 2015, the attitude of Filipinos toward tourism has changed. There is now the willingness to learn and perform better than before.

ASEAN, comprising of Brunei, Malaysia, Indonesia, Myanmar, Thailand, the Philippines, Singapore, Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos, is improving cooperation and “borderless” travel among the 10 member-states.

The idea is to make the most of seamless travel resulting from integration and to create an “ASEAN hub” in the country.

Last September 29 at Dusit Thani Manila, many stakeholders of Tourism gathered together for the Borderless ASEAN Tourism: Making It Work For The Philippines event. It was led by no less than Department of Tourism (DOT) Secretary Ramon Jimenez Jr. who provided the Keynote speech, and organized by the Tourism Congress of the Philippines (TCP) led by Rosanna Tuason-Fores who gave the Welcome Remarks.

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It is a shame to keep those bright ideas hidden. Let it shine through by sharing it with the rest of the world. Join the Young Southeast Asian Leaders Initiative (YSEALI) and make a difference in your community.

Launched last 2013 by no less than United States President Barack Obama, it was designed to support the youth who are concerned with the economic development, environmental protection, education and civic engagement in Southeast Asia including our country the Philippines.

The YSEALI organization from the US Embassy setup a networking night a few days ago last September 30 and was held at A Space in Makati city.

They also conducted an elevator pitch slam contest that some of the attendees joined and prepared before the get-together.

An Elevator Pitch Slam is a fun place to practice your elevator pitch skills. It is done like a poetry slam, in front of a live audience who then participate in feedback. The best pitch has to satisfy the crowd as well as meet the standards of the judges.

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Celebrate the Jacksons’ extraordinary career and witness music history first hand on November 3, 2014, 8.00 pm at the Solaire Grand Ballroom, Solaire Resort & Casino.

Adored by millions of fans the world over, the Jacksons forever changed the landscape of popular music. When siblings Jackie, Jermaine, Marlon, and Tito Jackson rose to fame with their late brother Michael in the 1970s, they instantly became an unstoppable global sensation. The Jacksons' unique brand of soulful pop-funk, their lengthy catalogue of hits, and their impeccable live performances have made them one of the most beloved musical acts of all time.

Idols unlike any other in music history, the Jacksons redefined, reinvented, and reinvigorated popular music as we know it. Classic #1 hits such as “ABC,” “I Found That Girl,” “I Want You Back,” and “I’ll Be There,” catapulted the group to superstardom. With nine #1 hits and 14 Top 10 hits, the group has certainly left it mark on the charts. These timeless tracks remain every bit as infectious, incomparable, and iconic today as when they were first released.

Buen Viaje to Spain with The Travel Corporation and Enjoy Savings

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Celebrate Spanish National Day on 12 October and enjoy savings for 2015 summer holidays to Spain!

In line with the Spanish National Day celebrations, The Travel Corporation and its key brands (Trafalgar, Insight Vacations and Contiki) would like to highlight its new 2015 Spanish itineraries that cater to travellers of all ages and varied interests. More importantly, guests can take advantage of Early Payment Discounts of up to 10 percent for travel in 2015 when they book and pay by 12 February 2015.

Trafalgar – 11 Days Northern Spain from USD $2,250

This exciting Northern Spain trip by Trafalgar showcases the ultra-modern urban treats of Bilbao, like the landmark Guggenheim museum, and rural spots, like Covadonga and the Picos de Europa National Park. Handpicked Insider Experiences include sipping icy cider of Oviedo in one of the town’s ‘siderias’ or cider houses, and hearing about the town’s love of the drink while enjoying the cool nectar.

Sightseeing Highlights

· City tour of Santiago de Compostela, Salamanca and Madrid
· Orientations of Pamplona, San Sebastian, Bilbao, Santander and Oviedo
· Scenic drive through the Picos de Europa
· Visit the Holy Cave of Covadonga, the fishing village of Luarca, St. James Cathedral in Santiago de Compostela, the University of Salamanca and the Prado Museum in Madrid

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Your friendly neighborhood pambansang blogger was invited last October 7, 2014 to attend the 20th Anniversary celebration of the Christina Broadcasting Network (CBN) Asia. The event was held at the Every Nation Assembly Hall located in Bonifacio Global City.

CBN Asia brought us the endearing The 700 Club originally hosted by Pat Roberston, and the Superbook animation series which I grew up with imagining going along with the trips to the Bible stories hanging out with Gizmo.

I can say that both shows were a great influence for me since we often watch them during those times they originally aired on GMA 7. I can still remember my parents, and grandparents, tuning in to The 700 Club, and my brothers and I were always looking forward to every episode of the Superbook. Now, that the cartoon has evolved into a 3D "reimagined" version, we still continue to find joy in reminiscing the memorable childhood days.

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Food entrepreneurs composed of chefs, culinary experts and businessmen running restaurants, food kiosks or stalls, teaching in schools, participating in food markets, have their own buildings, or situated in malls, shared their insights on what are currently trending in the food industry.

The event started with the hosting of Luanne Dy, an Unang Hirit co-host, and the welcome remarks of Colin Butler, Managing Director of Unilever Food Solutions. Followed by RJ Ledesma as first speaker of the day who talked about the Mercator Centrale Food Market and what are currently trending in the restaurant or food industry. Executive Chef Robby Goco of the famous Cyma restaurant was second speaker who also talked about Food Trends.

RJ Ledesma used a presentation acquired from Anton Diaz's food blog which says that we need to be able to distinguish a trend from a fad and that the current trends nowadays are slow but healthy foods like organic food restaurants, white linens are out and casual fine dining is in, restaurants are now of hipster design, unconventional location but surprisingly yummy foods, Filipino dishes are in composed of Filipino ingredients, flavors and artists, and street food markets are in.

Chef Robby Goco says food trends are like fashion trends because they come and go and speak of the times. When not in current style, food appears dated, unappealing and not so fresh.Good examples are the ramen, burgers, the cronuts, and the brookies which are like the bell bottoms and loom bands which are more like a fad. Breakfast are still in demand but on the healthier side, and that food trucks never caught on in the country because of licensing issues.

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It's very rare that our entire family could spend so much time together. Usually it would just be dining out or watching a special blocked screening of a movie. We are therefore very grateful to have an opportunity to experience a family staycation to give us more time for some much-needed family bonding.

But due to the hectic work schedules waiting for us come weekdays, we cannot afford to travel long distances just to find an accommodation suited for a few days of temporary respite from work and, in the case of our children, study. What we need is a quality and soothing place that will still allow us to relax while still able to easily go back to our daily routines afterwards.

Just a few blocks away from the Greenbelt Mall is KL Tower Serviced Residences, our chosen home for the weekend. Located in Makati’s business district of Legaspi Village, it is the ideal location to keep closely in touch with everything else in Metro Manila. Makati is very accessible to anything you'll need since you'll find almost everything within just a few walks to its malls that literally side-by-side with each other.

Techbox Philippines Expands Into Online Retail Business

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Techbox Philippines, the fastest growing gadget retail chain in the country, is expanding into the online retail segment by launching its official online store, www.techboxhub.com.

“We are launching our online store ahead of schedule because of the overwhelming clamor of people in areas without a Techbox retail outlet. We will also utilize this channel as a convenient way for customers to purchase our bundles and promos,” says Angela Gutierrez, Business Unit Head for Techbox Philippines.

“Our customers will enjoy first-in-the-market products through the Techbox Philippines online shopping site. And what’s more, we will create exclusive bundles for our customers so they can enjoy the most up-to-date gadgets at an affordable price,” added Gutierrez.

Techbox Philippines is known for selling original gadgets at a lower price. The last Techbox Mega Brands Warehouse Sale happened last June 13-15 and grossed over P10million pesos on the first day alone. The sale featured discounts of up to 80% from brands such as Lenovo, Nokia, LG, HTC, Philips, Belkin, and Nikon.

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Herbalife, a global nutrition company, has announced the launch of its second Asia-Pacific Wellness Tour, which will see six of its Herbalife Nutrition Advisory Board (NAB) members and experts visit a total of 25 cities in Australia, Cambodia, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Macau, Malaysia, New Zealand, Philippines, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand and Vietnam.

Building on the success of the inaugural Asia-Pacific Wellness Tour held in April this year, which recorded an attendance of 22,000 across the region, this October edition of the Tour seeks to further amplify public awareness of the importance of balanced nutrition and healthy lifestyles in an increasingly time-strapped world.

"The trends of rising obesity rates, ageing population and mounting health consciousness are not showing signs of slowing down. With the return of the Asia-Pacific Wellness Tour, Herbalife seeks to highlight the impact of these issues, and impart practical, balanced nutrition tips and positive lifestyle habits to help people live healthier lives in today's busy world. The visiting NAB members and experts will also conduct training for our Independent Herbalife Members, equipping them with nutrition knowledge to better serve their customers," said William M. Rahn, Senior Vice President and Managing Director, Herbalife Asia Pacific.