What People Say About Mocha Uson as Philippine Star Columnist

Wazzup Pilipinas!

"Starting on Tuesday, Nov. 8, The Philippine STAR will welcome Mocha as a columnist, not in the Entertainment Section but in the Op-Ed Section. Her title will be called Hotspot and that sums up what “hot” items you can expect from Mocha every Tuesday." - Philippine Star

Regina Belmonte, the daughter of Philippine Star President Miguel Belmonte expressed her dismay over Mocha Uson's commentary space on their newspaper.

"THE STAR WAS FOUNDED WITH ‘TRUTH SHALL PREVAIL’ UNDER ITS MASTHEAD. TO HAVE MOCHA USON PEDDLING LIES IN IT IS A DISGRACE TO MY LOLA’S MEMORY,” Belmonte said in a separate tweet, referring to Philippine Star founder Betty Go-Belmonte.

“There’s nothing more I can do than to express my displeasure, which I’ve done here and in private. I can’t change anything on my own..." Belmonte said.

While many are arguing about Mocha's commentary space offer, few realized that above and over, this is "business." Philippine star's probable reason why Mocha got a column space was due to her popularity.

Mocha doesn't need the Philippine Star. The Philippine Star needs her.

Let's talk about the "truth," and the "truth" is Philippine Star columnists, writers, reporters and editors have, at one time or another, been equally guilty of defying the motto, "truth shall prevail." Unless she's been hiding in a hole deep and far enough to shield her from reality, she should not be in denial of the crap so many of that newspaper's staff and columnists have been spewing out over the years. But when we talk about violating the truth, we should also talk about sins of omission, because these are just as damaging. And when I speak of BS artists, I'm not just talking about hard news people but fluffy, social-climbing and mundane types. In a way, they're even worse.

Swedish Business Delegation Expresses Support for PH Transport Plans

Wazzup Pilipinas!

The biggest business delegation of Sweden in Asia paid a courtesy visit to Department of Transportation (DOTr) Secretary Arthur Tugade earlier today and expressed their support for the aggressive infrastructure and transportation plan of the administration.

Led by His Excellency Ambassador of Sweden to the Philippines Harald Fries and the Swedish Minister for Enterprise and Innovation Mikael Damberg, the Swedish delegation got insights into the long-term transportation roadmap of the DOTr. The delegation signified interest on the many transportation-related projects such as the development of a Bus Rapid Transit system using high-quality and high-capacity buses, promotion of electric cars, and cleaner fuel alternatives.

The expression of support from the Swedish delegation is not only a welcome development following the launch of big-ticket transportation projects, but also demonstrates a strong business climate that goes beyond the country’s strengthened partnerships with China and Japan.

Representatives of automotive manufacturers Volvo and Scania were also present in the meeting.

Sweden will also open its embassy in the Philippines tomorrow, November 7, 2016.

DPC and PLDT Launch 31st Visual Arts Competition

Wazzup Pilipinas!

The much-awaited painting competition for young artists is back!

The 31st edition of the DPC-PLDT Visual Arts Competition (VAC 31) takes off on November 8, 2016 at the Cultural Center of the Philippines’ Tanghalang Manuel Conde. The launch, followed by a VAC 31 roadshow in north and south Luzon, the Visayas and Mindanao, celebrates the rich creative talent of fine arts students across the country.

Organized by Directories Philippines Corporation (DPC) and Philippine Long Distance Telephone Company (PLDT), the competition is open to student artists, aged 18-24, who are currently enrolled in accredited Philippine tertiary schools with a fine arts program.

This year, VAC 31 challenges fine arts students to interpret the theme “Habang May Buhay, May Pag-asa” in oil or acrylic. Essentially, their task is to create paintings that depict how Filipinos value life and how Pinoys remain cheerful and hopeful despite the adversities they face everyday.

Each participating fine arts school or department selects a maximum of five official entries to the competition. Direct student entries will not be accepted. Official entries must be delivered to the DPC Main Office, 2322 Don Chino Roces Avenue Extension, Makati City between February 20 and March 3, 2017 from 10 am to 5 pm.

The top three winners will have their works featured on the covers of 2017-18 telephone directories of DPC (Yellow Pages) and PLDT (White Pages) in key cities in Luzon, the Visayas, and Mindanao.