UPLB Chemical Society Proudly Presents Kapnayan 2019

Wazzup Pilipinas!

The UPLB Chemical Society, a duly recognized academic organization with a primary objective of promoting enthusiasm for and awareness in the field of Chemistry, will be hosting KAPNAYAN 2019, a nationwide Chemistry fair, which will be held on January 14-19, 2019 at the University of the Philippines Los Baños.

KAPNAYAN is a triennial, weeklong Chemistry fair consisting of activities revolving around a specific theme. This year’s theme, “Sustainable Development Through Advancements in Green Chemistry and Renewable Energy Technology”, focuses on the role of Chemistry in producing alternative energy sources with minimal environmental hazard while ensuring the quality of sustainable human development.

The weeklong event, which is the fifteenth Chemistry fair to be hosted by the organization, will feature various activities such as seminars, exhibits, audio-visual presentations, educational tours and nature trips, extemporaneous speech, essay-writing, investigatory projects, poster-making contests, photo contest, the Chemical Magic Show, and the much anticipated nationwide Chemistry Quiz Contest.

The organization is recognizing the crucial role of the youth in addressing social, economic, and environmental issues along with the members of the local scientific community in an attempt to influence the masses to respond to the struggle of ensuring safe human development. Through these activities, the UPLB Chemical Society aims to empower the youth to immerse themselves into scientific courses that may address the needs of the environment, and in the long run, of all life.

The Best Five 5G Phones Expected To Release In 2019

Wazzup Pilipinas!

If you are using a 3G or 4G smartphone right now, be prepared to experience a whole new level of speed in 2019. Yes, 2019 is going to be the year of the launch of 5G phones. Phone manufacturers, including Sony, Google, Apple, Huawei, Samsung, HTC and LG have signed on to deploy Qualcomm Snapdragon X50 5G NR modem that will give faster broadband speeds as well as super fast connectivity.

The fast internet will provide amazing browsing experience as well as excellent video call quality, virtual reality, 360 degree video streaming, enhanced power and instant cloud connectivity. These smartphones may cost you a fortune, but using deals and offers from Bydiscountcodes will help you get your hands on these flagships at rock-bottom prices. Here is the list of top five phone makers that are expected to introduce their 5G-enabled flagships.

#1 Sony – Xperia XZ4

Sony recently released its latest flagship Xperia XZ3 without 5G, but we think the next release Xperia XZ4 (or whatever they name it) will have the super fast processor. Sony has always been at the forefront when it comes to smartphone innovation. Going through its track record, Sony is certainly going to embed 5G in at least one of its smartphones. Although Sony phones are a bit expensive, but they are surely worth an investment.

#2 OnePlus – 7 or 7T

The CEO of OnePlus, Pete Lau recently announced at Mobile World Congress, Shanghai that this Chinese manufacturer is working together with US carriers to launch a 5G model the next year. That means you can possibly expect 7 or 7T to have 5G connectivity. The company is always excited for speeds and performance, therefore, it makes sense to expect a 5G phone from this brand.

#3 Samsung – Galaxy S10 or Galaxy X

The news of Galaxy S10 comes from a report containing the announcement of the strong relationship between Qualcomm and this South Korean phone maker which was specifically intended for transition to 5G. The company was expected to add many more features in their upcoming flagship, leaving many of its rivals behind. Unfortunately, from a recent news Samsung has confirmed that Galaxy 10 won’t be their first 5G phone, but they are soon going to launch one.

#4 Huawei – P30

Huawei’s Western European Consumer Business Group President Walter Ji in an interview with T3 stated that they are working on 5G smartphones. The senior Huawei executive declared that they are about to launch a 5G smartphone either in P30 or Mate series because 5G needs high power consumption, so depending on the chipset, the 5G technology would be featured.

#5 Google – Pixel 4

From the makers of the Android itself, Google is planning to release out its latest flagship Pixel 4 in 2019. This flagship is expected to be 5G enabled, running Qualcomm Snapdragon along with 6 GB of RAM and will be available in different storage variants. Though, Google has not been much intuitive when it comes to design, but this model is likely to be the most powerful in Google history.

DOE to Validate Excise Tax Imposition of Retail Outlets

Wazzup Pilipinas!

The Department of Energy (DOE), through its Oil Industry Management Bureau (OIMB), continues to monitor retail outlets, particularly those that have already implemented the second tranche of excise tax under the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN) Law. 

“We are ensuring that our consumers do not become subjects of profiteering. We are issuing Show-Cause Orders (SCOs) to the concerned retail outlets for them to explain their implementation of the second tranche of excise taxes. In addition, we are also validating the prices of their fuel products whether they have already imposed the second wave of excise taxes.” Energy Secretary Alfonso G. Cusi said.

Today (10 January), two teams from DOE-OIMB visited various retail outlets in Caloocan, Quezon City and Malabon to serve the SCOs and validate their documents relative to the imposition of excise tax and its corresponding additional Value Added Tax.

To date, the DOE-OIMB has already received 444 reports on those retail stations implementing second tranche of excise tax.

There are 369 outlets from Petron Corp., 46 from Pilipinas Shell Petroleum Corp. and 29 from Flying V. 

The DOE-OIMB notes that a retail outlet’s imposition of excise tax depends upon the exhaustion of the 2018 existing inventories. Only new inventories in 2019, directly imported or locally produced by refineries, are covered by the second tranche of excise tax.

Moreover, the DOE-OIMB emphasized that the level of inventories varies depending on the status of individual depots and retail outlets and product turnover i.e, diesel, gasoline, kerosene, and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG).

The DOE supports the tax law since its wisdom is anchored on the national vision for progress,Ambisyon Natin 2040.

Sec. Cusi shared, “The funds to be raised from these collections will be invested to the people through key infrastructure projects, intensified social development and other priority projects of the government.” 

“I hope that every Filipino will be supportive of government causes. Also, let us remain vigilant and work together for utmost consumer welfare promotion,” he concluded.