PH To Gain Insights In Hosting Nuclear Seminar

Wazzup Pilipinas!
 

Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi described as "very timely" the Philippines' hosting of the 7th Nuclear Energy Cooperation and Sub-Sector Network (NEC-SSN) Meeting on April 17-19 at Hotel Sofitel, Manila.

According to Cusi, the Philippines hopes to gain insights with the seminar as it is now undertaking various studies and capacity building activities aimed to determine the nation's position on nuclear energy.

"The seminar will focus on securing radioactive sources, a grave concern relative to risks to people and the environment," said Cusi.

The actual meeting of ASEAN member states (AMS) who are part of the SSN will take place on the 19th of April. Starting the three-day activity of the NEC-SSN is the seminar on security of radioactive sources organized by the ASEAN Center of Energy (ACE) in partnership with the Integrated Support Center for Nuclear Non-proliferation and Nuclear Security (ISCN) of the Japan Atomic Energy Agency (JAEA).

Attending the seminar are ACE, AMS, international organizations including International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), ISCN/JAEA and European Union Chemical Biological Radiological and Nuclear Risk Mitigation Centres of Excellence Initiative (EU CBRN COE).

Local participants from DOE, DOST, DOST-PNRI, academe and electric utilities will also be in attendance.

Most are members of the newly organized Nuclear Energy Program Organization or the NEPIO. The Seminar will be keynoted by the NEPIO Chairperson, DOE Undersecretary Donato D. Marcos.

The Seminar’s objectives are as follows:

·        Reaffirm the importance of international and regional cooperation in the field of nuclear security especially security of radioactive materials;

·        Promote ASEAN member states’ enhancement of nuclear security or security of radioactive sources through experience sharing;

·       Enable JAEA to understand ASEAN’s needs and concerns to counter the challenges on strengthening nuclear security for developing a cooperative scheme to support ASEAN’s effort for the peaceful use of nuclear and radioactive material.

Noted Artist Al Gatmaitan Releases Self-Titled Album

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Artist Playground proudly announces today the official release of AL GATMAITAN Self-titled 3 tracks - Single CD album which can be downloaded in iTunes and streamed via Spotify.

The links are as follows:

SPOTIFY: https://open.spotify.com/album/5Q39mmgTqJ5IHnJ7tPDatO

ITUNES: https://itun.es/ph/eTW2ib

AL GATMAITAN is a Classical Crossover Artist and a 2-time Aliw Awardee for Best Male Classical Singer. Award-winning composer JESSE LUCAS (2016 Aliw Awardee for Best Musical Director) composed, arranged and produced the following:

1. Perché Ringrazio La Vita
Poem by Rodolfo Chirico
Music Composed and Arranged by Jesse Lucas

*” Perché Ringrazio La Vita” which means “Why I Thank Life”
is a song about gratitude. The poem is written by Al’s Italian professor, the late Prof. Chirico.


2. Bituing Marikit
Lyrics by Servando Angeles
Music by Nicanor Abelardo
Arranged by Jesse Lucas
Guitar: Mark Reese Gelbolingo

*A new rendition with an updated arrangement of the popular and well-loved kundiman.


3. Sa Muling Pagsibol
Poem by National Artist for Literature Bienvenido Lumbera
Music Composed and Arranged by Jesse Lucas

*An inspirational song with the poem written in response to the devastation of the Super-typhoon Yolanda in Tacloban.


RECORDED at the ACOUSTIC UNDERGROUND INC.
RECORDING ENGINEER: JAYMEE RANOA
MIXED BY AJI MANALO

PRODUCED BY ARTIST PLAYGROUND, JESSE LUCAS and AL GATMAITAN.

Books, Roses Abound at Día del Libro

Wazzup Pilipinas!

In celebration of Día del Libro or the International Book Day, Instituto Cervantes, the cultural arm of the Embassy of Spain, will once again be abuzz with cultural and fun activities on April 22, Saturday, from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. at the Ayala Triangle Gardens.

Thousands of books galore, just like in the previous Día del Libro editions, as top bookstores and publishing houses will be selling a wide array of books at 20% discount. Following the tradition in Spain, every book purchase would entitle one to a free rose.

The Día del Libro tradition, which began in Barcelona, was first introduced in Manila by Instituto Cervantes in 2006. The tradition is commemorated on St. George’s Day (April 23), during which men and women exchange roses and books. This also honors two of history’s greatest writers – Miguel de Cervantes and William Shakespeare – who coincidentally died on the same day, April 23, 1616.

These significant events prompted the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) to declare April 23as World Book and Copyright Day to instill love of reading among the youth and to promote respect for authors’ rights over their literary and artistic works.

April is also the birth month of classic Filipino poet Francisco Balagtas, and to honor him the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) declared April the National Literature Month.