DOE Builds Smart Grid Coalition

Wazzup Pilipinas!

E-SMART GRID MO: Participants strike the “E-Power Mo” pose during the Smart Grid Forum 2017 held last November 27-29 at Fontana Hot Spring Leisure Parks in Clark Pampanga. A comprehensive road map for the implementation of smart grid in the country was drafted to pave the way for policy creation towards more consumer empowerment. 

The Department of Energy (DOE) is accelerating efforts to synchronize the adoption of smart grid technologies in the country, which kicked off through a forum held in Clark, Pampanga on November 27-29.

Energy Secretary Alfonso G. Cusi, through DOE Undersecretary Felix William B. Fuentebella, stated in his opening remarks that “Smart technologies give energy users more power to control energy ‘through their fingertips.’ It is a very dynamic sector so the DOE will need a broader coalition in moving towards the smart grid era.”

“For us to guide the consumers, the service providers and the regulators, we should not lose sight of the basic concept that smart grid is simply a tool for the consumers and energy users to be more active and more efficient in the utilization of energy,” Fuentebella said.

Fuentebella also emphasized that despite their complexity and technical diversity, the smart grid policy should place the consumers first in driving its design and implementation.

The three-day event enabled the DOE to formulate a road map covering the short-term (2018), medium term ‎(2019-2022) and long term ‎(2030-2014) towards achieving the smart grid vision of the Philippines for 2040.

Day 1 of the forum covered the presentation of the smart grid global landscape and best practices. Thereafter, representatives from the transmission, distribution and generation sectors shared their on-going smart grid initiatives.

Day 2 organized technical working groups (TWGs) and break-out sessions covering (1) Consumer Empowerment, (2) Power System Operation, (3) Sustainable & Renewable Energy, (4) Standardization, (5) ICT & Cybersecurity, and (6) Regulatory Support. This enabled the DOE to solicit more inputs from the participants.

The output of the TWGs became the bases for the holistic and comprehensive formulation of the Philippine smart grid roadmap which was presented to the E-Power Mo Conference on Day 3.

Around 150 participants attended the 3-day event. It included the DOE officials, technical staff and high ranking officers and personnel from the stakeholders of the power sector. The USAID B-LEADERS facilitated the exchanges of ideas of the participants.

The Smart Grid Forum is part of the DOE’s “E-Power Mo” campaign which educates stakeholders and consumers on their options towards a safer, wiser and more intelligent utilization of resources through the combination of energy and Information and Communications Technology (ICT).

Waze Routing and Navigation Features Now Serve Motorcyclists

Wazzup Pilipinas!

New Vehicle Type: Motorcycle

Since its founding, Waze has been routing automobile drivers, helping them find optimal routes, avoid traffic, get arrival time estimations and more. A few years ago, Waze added the “Taxi” vehicle type to better serve professional drivers who can access roads otherwise restricted to private drivers. Now, Waze is adding a new vehicle type: motorcycle. The new addition comes primarily as a way to ensure that all motorcyclists are able to navigate through roads more safely.

In addition to enjoying the standard suite of Waze benefits, including alerts on police, speed-camera and speed traps, road closures, restrictions and more - motorcycle drivers will also enjoy:

1. Improved routes based on information from fellow motorcyclists
2. Better arrival time estimations that may vary from automobile ETAs
3. Routing on narrow roads where cars are not permitted
4. New Motorcycle cursor for vehicle type; new motorcycle moods available to all Wazers
5. Easy navigation without touching the phone – to ensure a safe ride, all motorcyclists can utilize voice commands so they don't need to touch the phone while docked/they're driving. 

To turn on routing for motorcycles, visit Settings > Vehicle type and tap “Motorcycles”.

System Requirements Android & iOS
Expected Public Launch: Nov 29
Location: Global
Languages: All/
Feature default: Off

The updated app will now enable Wazers to be in a safer riding environment.

Same Waze, now optimized for motorcycles

Drive times, routes and roads are vary between automobiles and motorcycles. By including a new vehicle type, Waze expands its support to include a driving experience unique to motorcycle navigation.


Motorcyclists play an important role in mobility, the world over

Due to their size and agility, motorcycles are an efficient and economical solution for many living in busy urban centers. They are becoming more useful in European cities, where automobiles are barred from accessing narrow roads. Meanwhile, in countries located in the APAC region, motorcycles are a primary transportation vehicle.


Listening to our users, everywhere

This new feature answers the call made by countless Waze fans, the world over.


A new vehicle type to inform the Waze map

By adding a distinction within vehicle types, and adding motorcycles to the group - data collection will increase in accuracy, and all drivers regardless of car type will benefit.


Best practices for navigation

All Wazers are encouraged to enter their destination as they are stationary in a safe spot before following directions to an end destination.

Dalit Short Film Rules Sine Negrense Film Festival

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Belle Kay Loyola‘s short film Dalit (Poison) topped the open category of the inaugural Sine Negrense: Negros Island Film Festival awards night held at SM City Bacolod Cinema 4 last November 29.

Dalit, which tells the story of a man who has healing abilities and how these affect his personal life, won Best Film, Best Director for Loyola, Best Production Design for Noel Armocillo, Jr., Best Actor for John Arceo and Best Supporting Actor for Louie Dormido.

Loyola’s thesis film at the De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde Digital Filmmaking Program beat Adobo by Val Vestil, Alibungan by Matthew Piodena, Five Sorrowful Mysteries by Shannan Gonzales, Happy Birthday by Gkie Erebaren, Hawud by Paul Venzi Florendo, Kaasab by Vince Divinagracia and Handuraw by Gilbert Basilio for the top prize. Vestil and Florendo are from Negros Oriental while the other filmmakers are from Negros Occidental.

Alibungan took home the Jury’s Choice, Best Screenplay and Best Editing awards. Denli Chavezreceived the Best Actress trophy as Jane, a girl with a traumatic experience, in Happy Birthday while Kaasabbagged Best Musical Score and Best Supporting Actress for Kim Agnes. Five Sorrowful Mysteries won Best Cinematography while Hawud won Best Sound Design.

Loyola, who was inspired “by cultural and historical stories as well as Filipino beliefs” in making the film, wants to show how it is like to live in a place where people depend on faith and folk healers. “I feel so happy that I was given the chance to share my film to my very own hometown and to the people I (once) left behind while studying Filmmaking in DLS-CSB,” the recent BenildeFilm graduate said.

“It’s funny how this film was once just a concept on my mind and for the past months I have proven that it’s not about who you are as a person — it’s about the perseverance and positivity that you would apply on it and the rest will just flow,” Loyola added. She won 20,000 pesos for her victory while Piodena got 10,000 pesos for winning the Jury’s Choice Award.

Meanwhile, Singgit sang Nalisdan by Carlo Navarretefrom Silay Institute won Best Picture, Best Screenplay and Best Actress for Lorince Gonzales in the Intercollegiate Category, which are for student works from schools within the region. Asu by Lorenzo Dilagfrom Colegio San Agustin-Bacolod got the Best Director and Jury’s Choice awards. Navarrete and Dilag brought home 10,000 and 5,000 pesos, respectively.

Kuebiko by Lourdes Antenor from University of St. La Salle bagged Best Production Design, Best Editing and Best Supporting Actor for Charles Ea. Kapit,helmed by Gemma Acaling from the Carlos Hilado Memorial State College of Talisay City, won Best Cinematography and Best Actor for Herbert Montero. Landong by Joaquin Angelo Alpas from CSA-B won Best Musical Score while Pangalap, directed by Jessie Soberano and Mark Labrador of the Department of Education Division of Sagay City, brought home the Best Sound Design prize.

The other student entries are Nene by Stephanie Marie Aliday, Bihag by Franklin Latriz, Hustisya Diin Ka? by Kathy Rose Magan and Hangkat sang Kapigaduhon” by Renz Osianas, also from CHMSC like Acaling, and Paglas-ay sang Kalamay by JJ Guilaranfrom USLS.

“Sine Negrense is a venue, a platform for local filmmakers to hone their craft. It’s a good way to promote local talent,” festival director Tanya Lopezsaid. The film festival hopes to bring out a new generation of filmmakers and enthusiasts, as well as cultivate an informed public on the importance of cinema and storytelling in terms of national identity, culture and heritage. Lopez got the able support of program director Adrian Torres and co-festival director Rodolfo Banjo Hinolan in organizing the event, with the help of the Film Development Council of the Philippines, Negros Museum, Design Brewerand the National Commission for Culture and the Arts.

The film festival opened last November 27 with the screening of Peque Gallaga‘s Sonata, which was shot in Negros Occidental. A film forum, led by NCCA Committee on Cinema officers Patrick Campos, documentary filmmaker Babyruth Villarama and film critic Tito Valiente, was held at the House of Frida on the second day. SineNegrense entries and exhibition films directed by Erik Matti, Lawrence Fajardo, Borgy Torre, Manny Montelibano, Rosswil Hilario, among other Negros-born filmmakers, were also screened at the USLS and CSA-B campuses. The screenings continued at CHMSC Talisay Auditorium on the third day, culminating in the awards night, where a total of 31 awards were given.

DALIT trailer:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mMNMB4dvKas