Wazzup Pilipinas News and Events

Monday, December 12, 2016

Optimus Prime is Filipino? Spotlight on Filipino Voice Artists

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World-class athletes, world-class performers, world-class beauties – this is what Filipinos have proven so far with the likes of Manny Pacquiao, Lea Salonga, and Pia Wurtzbach, just to name a few. These celebrities have conquered international stages (and boxing rings, for that matter) to show the world how much talent and potential our country possesses.

But not all world-class Filipino talents always get the limelight, especially in front of the camera. Sometimes, these talents come in the form of recorded voices from the recording booth, masked behind characters in commercials, animation, foreign films and soap opera, telephony systems, mobile applications, GPS, and even video games.

And that’s us, voice artists.

We are the anonymous voices behind the famous cartoon characters, Koreanovela stars, anime, and many more. You may have bumped into us at the mall, or stood in line behind us in the cinema, and you didn’t have any idea that we were the voice of the commercial you just heard, or the movie trailer you have just seen, or the video game you have just played.

If you have gone to any arcade and played the famous game “Transformers: Human Alliance,” I’ll let you in on a secret – the voices you hear in that video game are voices of your kababayans.

When I built my voiceover company, Creativoices Productions, I had a vision that the Philippines will become the center of voiceover excellence in Asia. I believe that we have skills and talents that are truly world-class, and Filipino voiceover artists are no exception. That’s why in 2008, I took the opportunity to present my company’s talent pool to SEGA Games, and long story short, I was able to close the deal for my company to do the voices of several of their games – Harley Davidson King of the Road, Golden Gun, Operation Ghost, and Transformers: Human Alliance.

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"I'm looking really forward to watching the #MMFF2016 this year. I really wish the haters would see the true intentions of the #MMFF2016 and the new direction it's taking. The MMDA started out in 1975 as an esoteric agency created to humanize a burgeoning city. The movie festival started with the idealistic notion that film can be a catalyst for positve development and a reflection of the human condition. The blockbusters with Kabisotes and Manos can be done anytime of the year. Let's give these new movies a chance. Haters, you may be surprised." - Carlos Celdran

This December 25, which movie are you excited to see? Excited to know the entries to the 42nd Metro Manila Film Festival? Contrary to what people expected, there will be no Bossing Vic or Vice Ganda films for this year’s festival. Totoo po ang tsismis, Maraming Magandang Filipino Films ngayong darating na Pasko! The line-up for the 2016 Metro Manila Film Festival, to put it mildly, is quite different from previous years after it has merged into one category the independent films and mainstream movies.

“Mano Po 7: Chinoy,” which also failed to make the cut in the festival’s official lineup this year, could be debatable as it is of a higher level than the "Enteng Kabisote 10 and the Abangers " or "The Super Parental Guardians" movies. But Mother Lily was reported to have said that she thinks the Filipino movie industry will fall with the new system of the MMFF.

Big local producers are still bristling at not having secured a slot in the lucrative annual all-Pinoy-movies festival. Sino ang director na nagalit dahil sa proseso ng pagpili ng mga entries para sa #MMFF2016? Maliwanag sa #MMFF2016 Rules na QUALITY FILMS so bakit andaming nagulat sa resulta? True enough "...audiences now are no longer "bakya." We already have an audience that is media-savvy." Bravo MMFF!!!

Color Manila Caps 2016 with the Color Manila Blacklight Run Held at Dagupan City

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COLOR MANILA the country’s most aggressive ‘concept fun-run’ organizer, just capped 2016 with the COLOR MANILA Blacklight Run held at CSI The City Mall Dagupan City, Pangasinan, last December 10, 2016. More than a thousand participants participated in the night run which was also made possible in cooperation with - CSI The City Mall.

Jeto Seen, Marketing Manager of CSI Malls says, “Because of our partnership with COLOR MANILA, we are able to bring these kinds of events, to our region. COLOR MANILA has been our first partner, who has helped us bring lifestyle events in our community. We are happy that we already reached our 4th event with them and that our events are lauded by some as very well organized and very well attended.”

Justine Cordero, VP of COLOR MANILA says, “Through our partnership with CSI The City Mall, we have been able to let the residents of Dagupan City and other nearby cities experience firsthand what it is like to be part of the biggest ‘concept fun-run’ in the country. This is our 4th event in Dagupan City, and we look forward to having more events here very soon.”

National Digital Arts Awards 2017 Call for Entries with Brand Ambassador CyreneQ

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I've heard about Snapchat from a young OPM band when they were using it one night while we were waiting for other media friends for the intimate media gathering they organized. They were having fun doing selfies while manipulating them with several graphically animated enhancements that are somewhat humorous and laughable.

The only reason why I never continued using it was because none of my colleagues were using it, or I believe I was more into the other social media networks like Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram - my top three which is the same for almost everyone in the Philippines.

One probable reason was because posts had an expiration. This means they would not exist forever online. Your post will soon be gone unless you repost it. But I wanted the opposite, the more content that I publish, the better for exposure and media mileage.

I may be wrong when I later found out that there's an online influencer by the name of CyreneQ (Cyrene Quiamco) who's been very successful using Snapchat. I was amazed when she personally mentioned the amount that she earns through the use of Snapchat.

Learning she was a graphics artist before, I now know why she got into using Snapchat because of the numerous creativity made possible by the social app.

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The celebration started out with a series of flash mobs all over the SM Megamall. Models and Dancers (from Teens to Kids) were all suddenly coming at certain areas of the mall and showcasing their outfits, specifically their shoes, to attract customers who seem surprised and couldn't figure out what it was all for.

But the flash mobs were intentionally orchestrated to point to the large stage at the ground floor of the SM Fashion Fashion Hall where Bata Philippines has setup the area for a grand launch of the global shoe store brand. Finally we have in the Philippines the footwear provider that has been very popular in so many countries around the world.

These flash mobs were repeatedly done at different areas including the stage at the Fashion Hall ground were the models and dancers performed their routine moves to continuously excite the shoppers of what is about to happen at the grand launch which happens that day at around 4 pm on December 2, 2016.

Thank you to the SM Retail of SM Supermalls for finally bringing Bata here in the Philippines.

Aside from the models and teen dancers, the most prominent scene stealers were the Kiddowockeez, a group of young kids, who were all great in dancing. Named after the award-winning but older group Jabbawockeez, these kids are impressive in their dance moves.

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Official Statement of Department of Energy (DOE) Undersecretary Benito Ranque to Mindanao Power Sector

Will the Duterte Administration Succeed in Lighting Up Lanao Where Four Presidents Ailed?

It has been the long battle for Lanao to get its rightful share of electricity even as it hosts the highly coveted Agus hydroelectric power plants. Will there be light provided by a new leadership of the most contested LASURECO or Lanao del Sur Electric Cooperative?

Task Force Lasureco (TFL) was organized under Executive Order issued in August 2014 that mandated the National Electrification Administration (NEA) to implement the rehabilitation measures of the electric cooperative, enhance management and operations to improve revenues.

The Task Force is responsible for installing kwh meters in households of all member-consumers within the franchise area, developing and cleansing the membership data base, and normalizing reading and billing operations apart from conducting the General Assembly and Election of the Board of Directors.

The Task Force is now chaired by Department Energy Undersecretary Benito Ranque.

During a Lanao local governments special meeting held last December 8 called by Vice Governor Mamintal Bombit Adiong Jr. a week after the ARMM LGU Summit was attended by President Rodrigo Duterte, DOE Usec Ben Ranque expressed that he will focus on getting the national government to support the electrification of Lanao del Sur,

"When there is no light, there is no water as well," said Ranque who hails from Medina, Misamis Oriental, was appointed as General Manager

Former National Commission on Muslim Filipinos Commissioner Solaiman Mutia will be his Assistant General Manager. Ranque is a Public Management graduate of Bukidnon State University.

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To help finance network investments to expand coverage and enhance capacities

Globe President & CEO Ernest Cu (2nd from left) and Metrobank President Fabian Dee, (2nd from right) shake hands following the signing of 12-year and 15-year P20 billion term loan facility. The loan is intended to finance partial acquisition of San Miguel’s telecommunication assets. The transaction, which is expected to provide benefits to mobile internet customers, exemplifies the company’s continuous commitment and investments in improving the network and quality of service. These investments will help support the data needs of existing and new customers and allow them to enjoy their digital lifestyle. Globe Chief Finance Officer Rizza Maniego-Eala (left) and FMIC president Rabboni Francis Arjonillo (right) witnessed the signing.

DOE Intensifies Gasoline Station Inspection for Consumer Protection

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Responding to concerns over methanol blends, Department of Energy (DOE) Secretary Alfonso G. Cusi directed DOE Undersecretary Donato D. Marcos to conduct inspections and sampling of liquid petroleum products in various gasoline stations/retail outlets nationwide for compliance with existing Philippine National Standards for fuels, especially focusing on the presence of methanol in their liquid petroleum products.

Usec. Marcos and DOE-OIMB OIC-Director Melita V. Obillo personally led the inspection of fuel quantity and quality using the DOE-Mobile Monitoring and Testing Lab (MMTL) van together with Senior Research Specialists from OIMB.

Earlier, the DOE shared the information that contrary to the Philippine National Standard (PNS) for petroleum products, methanol is being used instead of ethanol. The presence of methanol in the gasoline can harm and cause corrosion in the engine.

In performing the inspection, the DOE-OIMB applied the standard operating procedures in sampling and testing to determine the compliance of petroleum products.

Further confirmation is being done in the geoscientific research and testing laboratories under the DOE-Energy Research and Testing Laboratories in its headquarters in Taguig.

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Globe signs MoA with Hineleban Foundation, Inc. on five-year Rainforestation Program in Bukidnon and Lanao del Sur

Leading telecommunications company Globe Telecom, together with its thousands of iPhone 7 customers, collaborates with Hineleban Foundation, Inc. on the Rainforestation of Six Mountain Ranges of Mindanao as part of the company’s commitment to sustainable development and good corporate citizenship.

At the same time, Globe signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) with Hineleban for a five-year Rainforestation Program composed of three key components, namely: reforestation, food security, and sustainable livelihood development. The foundation is a non-profit organization which advocates environmental conservation and livelihood development by preserving and restoring mountain rainforests and watersheds, as well as providing livelihood opportunities for indigenous people in Bukidnon and Lanao del Sur.

Customers who received the new iPhone 7 under the Globe MyLifestylePlan were able to participate in various cause-oriented programs including environment protection and conservation through the Globe of Good bundle which allowed the company to make a donation on their behalf to partner groups, one of which is Hineleban.

“We believe everyone should lead a sustainable lifestyle, one which protects and preserves our natural resources so future generations can enjoy our country’s rich heritage,” said Yoly Crisanto, Globe Senior Vice President for Corporate Communications. “Globe has already established a name for its innovations in mobile and connectivity but it is equally important for the company to give back. We have to make our practices sustainable to keep providing top-notch products and services to the customers who trust us. At the same time, we’re inviting them to be part of our efforts.”

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"The Yule Ball is of course a chance for us all to — er — let our hair down."- Minerva McGonagall on the Yule Ball

The Yule Ball scene from "Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire" is one of the most magical moment in the Harry Potter movies since it showed many of the movie characters at their best and most glamorous look.

According to a website about the wizarding world of Harry Potter, The Yule Ball is a tradition of the Triwizard Tournament. It is a formal dance held on Christmas night of a tournament year and is opened by the tournament champions and their partners in the Champions Waltz.

At Hogwarts, where the Yule Ball was held in 1994, only students of fourth year and above were permitted to attend, though younger students could also go if an older student invited them to accompany them. It is normally led off by the three Champions and their partners; in Harry's fourth year, of course, there are four champions, and thus four couples leading off the Ball.

Portkey Events has arranged to hold something similar for their beloved Harry Potter fans who are mostly teens who adore the wizarding world. For the real Harry Potter fans, they would know that a Portkey is an object enchanted to instantly bring anyone touching it to a specific location. True enough, the organizers have been transporting its attendees to worlds beyond the Muggles.

Both organizers and attendees may be called geeks for knowing most of the facts and trivia about the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry and everything about their most prominent students studying there to be full-pledged wizards and witches someday, including the many professors with distinctive personalities, but these are obviously the classy geeks who know how to dress up at their finest as seen during PortKey Events' Yule Ball that was held on December 4, 2016 at the Blue Leaf Events Place in McKinley, Taguig.