Global Property Portal Lamudi Receives New Investment Boost To Grow Operations

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Emerging markets real estate network Lamudi has raised EUR 29 million (USD 31.4 million) in investment to grow its operations across Latin America and Asia.

Three investors have backed the business: Asia Pacific Internet Group, which is a joint venture of Rocket Internet and Ooredoo; Holtzbrinck Ventures, a leading European venture capital investor; and current investor Tengelmann Ventures, a division of international multi-sector retailer Tengelmann Group.

Lamudi, a global real estate portal, was launched in October 2013 by German Internet platform Rocket Internet. Since that time, the company has seen significant year on year growth and achieved market leadership in several countries. Lamudi operates exclusively in the emerging markets and is currently active in nine locations across Asia and Latin America (Philippines, Indonesia, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Mexico, Colombia and Peru).

In February 2015, the venture received 16 million EUR in investment to boost its Latin American and Asian operations. A year later, an additional 29 million EUR will be invested in the business.

Hanno Stegmann, CEO APACIG, states: "We are very happy with the development of Lamudi within our portfolio. The demand for great classifieds platforms across emerging and frontier markets in the APAC region is high. Lamudi has proven a strong capability to adapt to diverse markets and offer the best user experience. We are confident to see the business growing further."

CHED Statement: Students Protest Against Tuition Fee Hike is Premature

Wazzup Pilipinas!

In a brief response to the claims made by students that rallied at the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) on February 5, CHED Chairperson Patricia B. Licuanan clarified that it is too early in the year to be able to determine the number of higher education institutions (HEIs) that will increase tuition and/or other school fees.

About a dozen or so students led by Kabataan Partylist and the National Union of Students of the Philippines marched to CHED with banners, slogans and strong statements against CHED and the Aquino Administration for increases in fees in over 400 colleges and universities next year. Once again, they defaced the CHED gate with sprayed graffiti. They were accompanied by some members of the media.

As specified in CHED’s guidelines governing tuition and other school fees, higher education institutions (HEIs) have until the end of February to comply with the consultation process. The HEIs are given until April 01 to submit duly notarized documentary requirements to their CHED regional office should they decide to increase fees. Only then can realistic numbers be determined.

CHED will ensure that HEIs meet the guidelines provided by law and adhere strictly to requirements that seek to make tuition fee increases transparent, reasonable and affordable.

Issued this 5th Day of February 2016 at the Higher Education Development Center, C.P. Garcia Avenue, Diliman, Quezon City.

(signed)
Patricia B. Licuanan, Ph.D.
Chairperson

Discovery Channel Presents February Lineup

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Josh James is a hardcore hunter from the backwoods of New Zealand and Matt Tebbutt is a British chef who lives for fine food and loves foraging for wild ingredients.

They couldn’t be more different, but these two unlikely buddies have set themselves an ambitious goal – to travel to some of the toughest environments on earth and prove in just seven days that they can make incredible food from the most unlikely of ingredients.

They’ll be travelling to some of the most remote regions of earth, from the river valleys and cloud forests of Mexico, to the ancient forests and arctic wastes of Europe. And to make their quest even more of a challenge, they’ll be trying to hunt and forage for everything they need to survive with the barest minimum of equipment.

But will the struggle to tame the wild push them and their skills to the limit? Follow them on Kings Of The Wild airing February 9, Tuesdays, at 8 PM.