SilyaWikain: Binigkas, Binagtas, Binigkis Furniture Design Exhibit

Wazzup Pilipinas!

The BS Interior Design Furniture Design Class 2016 will be holding their Annual Furniture Design Exhibit on October 22 – November 4 at Il Centro – Sta. Lucia Mall, Cainta, Rizal, entitled:

“SilyaWikain: Binigkas, Binagtas, Binigkis”

Natatanging eksibit ng mga muebles na nagpupugay sa karangyaan ng ating kultura at ng lingguwaheng Filipino.

Binigkas ang mga salitang nakaligtaan na. Binagtas ang daan ng malikhaing proseso ng paggawa. At, binigkis ang bawat isa para sa iisang layunin- ang pagsasabuhay ng Wikang Pambansa sa pamamagitan ng muwebles at debuho.

Mula sa Kolehiyo ng Arkitektura at Pinong Sining – Politeknikong Unibersidad ng Pilipinas, binigyang sigla ng labing-siyam (29) na dibuhante ang ating lingguwahe sa pamamagitan ng haplos ng sining sa bawat disenyo ng sampung (10) tradisyunal na upuan.

ICT Development Critical in Creating Employment Opportunities

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Emphasizing that government support is essential in enhancing ICT development in the country to further boost economic growth and create employment opportunities, Globe Telecom reiterates call for closer collaboration with the government in developing key telecommunication infrastructure.

“Time and again, we continue to call on the government to help develop broadband access in the Philippines by investing in internet infrastructure in rural and far-flung areas of the country. There is no substitute for government support if we are to achieve social inclusion of all communities as we aspire for further economic growth,” Globe President & CEO Ernest Cu said, emphasizing that development of broadband infrastructure is particularly essential in communities where even basic infrastructure services such as roads and bridges are lacking.

“In recent years, the use of digital technology has extensively enhanced the delivery of important government services. We hope that development of broadband infrastructure will also redound to improved business competencies and capabilities and in turn create more employment opportunities for Filipinos,” he said.

Cu pointed out that in 2015, mobile technologies and services generated 5.4% of GDP in Asia Pacific, a contribution that amounted to around $1.3 trillion of economic value according to the 2016 GSMA Mobile Economy report on Asia Pacific. GSMA said it expects GDP contribution of the sector to increase to $1.7 trillion as countries benefit from the improvements in productivity and efficiency brought about by increased take-up of mobile services and the adoption of new mobile technologies such as machine to machine (M2M). The report also said the sector generated 15 million jobs in 2015. Given the positive impact of 4G technology migration resulting in data traffic growth, economic stimulus and its impact on employment in the region are expected to climb in the years ahead, the GSMA added.

Despite the absence of public investments in enhancing broadband access and speed in the Philippines, the Southeast Asian economy scored high among Starters category of the Global Connectivity Index (GCI), published by Huawei Technologies, which measures how 50 nations are progressing with digital transformation using information and communications technology. Starters are countries in the early stage of ICT infrastructure build-out.

The Philippines garnered a score of 33, the highest score given among countries classified as Starters, which are economies with an average GDP of US$3,000 and have GCI range of 20-34. The country advanced two notches from its previous score in 2015 at 31. According to GCI, countries classified as Starters focus on increasing ICT supply to give more people access to the digital world. To fully benefit from the digital economy, Starter economies need faster broadband expansion to ensure most businesses and citizens have affordable broadband access.

Akamai’ State of the Internet Report for the second quarter also showed that mobile internet speed ranking of the Philippines is in the top 6 in Asia Pacific with an average speed of 8.5Mbps. The report also showed the Philippines has achieved 105.1 Mbps peak mobile speed which is the third highest in Asia Pacific next to Australia and Thailand.

The Philippines ranking in e-government development also moved up to 71st out of 193 countries based in a survey conducted by the United Nations this year. The United Nations Public Administration Country Studies survey, conducted among UN member-countries, uses E-Government Development Index as composite indicator of the willingness and capacity of national governments to utilize ICT in the delivery of public services. Such ranking is a significant improvement from its 95th rank during the initial survey done in 2014. The survey is based on three important dimensions of e-government, namely, scope and quality of online services, development status of telecommunication infrastructure index, and inherent human capital.

Still, business viability is a concern among telco operators in most countries that keep them from deploying infrastructure in rural and far-flung areas, said Cu. In addition to investments in “missionary routes”, telecommunication operators also need government support in minimizing, if not eliminating bureaucracy in relation to the permitting process for cell sites and right-of-way for fiber deployment, said Cu, noting that the company needs to secure around 25 permits, spanning around 8 months, to build a single cell site.

Cu emphasized that given public clamor for better internet speeds and access, rationalization of the permitting process for telco infrastructure should be addressed as soon as possible. “We need the government not just as a regulator but especially as an enabler of the telecommunications industry. Rationalization of permitting process would substantially enhance ICT development in the country,” he stressed.

Cu said Globe needs to continuously build cell sites especially in relation to the deployment of the previously warehoused 700 MHz spectrum, which is seen not only to deliver additional capacity but also enhanced indoor coverage. However, Globe is able to deploy only around 450 cell sites a year even as it targets to build roughly around a thousand towers annually due to permitting challenges.

The Vienna Boys Choir Live in Manila: A One-Night-Only Concert All Set on November 11

Wazzup Pilipinas!

The best holiday treat in our music scene is the forthcoming arrival of the internationally famous Vienna Boys Choir for a one-night only concert this November.

Considered as one of the oldest choirs existing in the world best known for their boy sopranos and altos between the ages of ten and fourteen, the Vienna Boys Choir are selected mainly from Austria, but also from many other nations around the world.

Come and watch “ THE VIENNA BOYS CHOIR LIVE IN MANILA ” on November 11, 2016 – 8 pm at the PICC Plenary Hall.

“THE VIENNA BOYS CHOIR LIVE IN MANILA” is a non-profit charity event of the Alumni Association of Xavier School, for the benefit of the Fr. Tritz ERDA Tech School and the health fund for retired teachers of Xavier School.

The VIENNA BOYS CHOIR had its last performance in Manila back in 2004. After twelve years, this comeback concert is the choir’s 2016 Asian Tour with sold-out performances in Beijing, Shanghai, Hong Kong, Singapore, Jakarta, China, Taiwan and finally Manila as its final stop.

The boys are divided into four sub-groups or touring choirs, named after famous Austrian composers associated with the choir's history, namely Bruckner, Haydn, Mozart and Schubert.

For the 2016 Asian tour, the Bruckner choir will be carrying on the tradition established by the Vienna Boys Choir. The choirboys come from Vienna, Lower Austria, Burgenland, and Styria; from Canada, China, Germany, Iceland, Italy, Japan, Korea, New Zealand, Russia, and one member from the Philippines.

The leader of the group Choirmaster Mr. Manolo Cagnin feels it is especially important to communicate with the audience, “Music is a gift. As musicians, we have the obligation to share that gift with our audience.” Mr.Cagnin finds working with the boys particularly rewarding, “They possess character and spirit. This is reflected in the way they make music. The children learn from me, and I learn from them.” The choir is expected to perform 22 songs with a repertoire including classical compositions by Vivaldi, Schubert, Rossini and Strauss, as well as pop songs. All perfectly chosen to match the boys' voices and personalities.

The Hail Mary the Queen Children's Choir from Pasig will be the special guest performers for the concert.

The Vienna Boys Choir and the Vienna Philharmonic are two of Austria’s national treasures. The choir has enjoyed a history of over 500 years, with a well-established tradition in professional musical education and vocal training. Known for its exceedingly high vocal standard, the choir has worked with musicians including Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Antonio Caldara, Antonio Salieri, Heinrich Isaac, Paul Hofhaimer, Heinrich Ignaz Franz Biber, Johann Joseph Fux, Christoph Willibald Gluck, and Anton Bruckner.

The group will be flown in by Philippine Airlines, the nation’s flag carrier as the official airline partner.

The newly opened Conrad Manila shall serve as the official residence of the group. According to Conrad Manila’s General Manager Harald Feurstein, “The Filipino audiences will surely be delighted to experience the Choir’s world-class talent and bravura. Their magical renditions will surely make Christmas more joyful. It gives us so much pleasure to provide an inspired stay at Conrad Manila to the Vienna Boys Choir at this time of their world performance tour. Personally, I couldn’t be happier to share the musical gift that the Vienna Boys Choir would bring to the equally musically-passionate Filipino audiences.”

On the diplomatic front, His Excellency Ambassador Dr. Josef Müllner of The Austrian Embassy in Manila told the organizers of the concert that " the best of Austria will be coming to Manila on our 70th year anniversary of Austria-Philippines relations, and the boys will be staying at the world-class Conrad Manila, whose General Manager happens to also be from Austria."

“THE VIENNA BOYS CHOIR LIVE IN MANILA” is presented by GMA 7, Conrad Manila and Mesco Power Tools in cooperation with Philippine Airlines, Coconut Brand Soy Sauce and The Austrian Embassy Manila.

As a special treat, concertgoers can avail of special room rates with discounted tickets when you book a stay at Conrad Manila from 10 to 14 November 2016. Limited offer and subject to availability. For inquiries & reservations, you may call at +63 2 833 9999 or email conrad.manila.reservations@conradhotels.com.

The concert will not have been possible without the generous support of Steinway Boutique Manila - the official piano sponsor, The Luxe Bus - the official transport provider, Oriental Tin Can, SYCWIN, Valspar, SBS Philippines Corporation, Palais Coburg, SM Supermalls, BDO, and radio partners 98.7 DZFE and Crossover 105.1FM.


For tickets, please call TICKETWORLD at 891-9999.