On the Protest Rally of Anakbayan Against the DOTr’s Tanggal Bulok, Tanggal Usok Operations

Wazzup Pilipinas!

DOTr PRESS STATEMENT

08 February 2018

The protest rally of leftist group Anakbayan against the “Tanggal Bulok, Tanggal Usok” operations in UP Diliman is unfortunate and unwarranted.  

The surprise operations was conducted after Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade received text complaints from UP students during an interview in a radio program that there are a lot of old, dilapidated, and smoke-belching jeepneys roaming in UP. 

To assist commuters who were affected by the operations, solar-powered jeepneys were deployed to ferry affected passengers to their destinations.

Anakbayan prides itself as a progressive youth organization. Sadly, their actions speak of the opposite. Their actions also do not reflect the majority of our youth, who they claim to represent.

Implementing the campaign against smoke-belching PUVs is a tough, but necessary task. It is long overdue. This is an integral part of the PUV Modernization Program, which aims to bring about a comprehensive system reform of the public transportation industry. 

The DOTr is bent on giving the riding public a safer and more comfortable commuting experience. Is Anakbayan opposed to better public transportation? Is Anakbayan opposed to progress?

#PUVModernizationNOW #SupportPUVModernization

RUNRIO Honors Winners of 2017 Trilogy Race Series

Wazzup Pilipinas!

The group announces its line-up of activities for 2018

 RUNRIO Events, Inc., the country’s premier organizer of running events, recently held the RUNRIO Trilogy Awards at the Grand Ballroom of the Okada Manila in Pasay City.

The main highlight of the event is the RUNRIO Trilogy Awards. This is intended to recognize the last year’s runners who completed the 2017 RUNRIO Trilogy Series where they completed the three-leg race series namely, 21k, 32k, and 42k that happened last June 25, August 31 and October 1, respectively. The awards will not only recognize the participants but will also honor the fastest and the oldest finishers. All awardees will receive a limited edition medal hanger.

“The RUNRIO Trilogy Awards is our way of showing our appreciation to all those who participated and gave everything they’ve got fueled by their #HeartToFinish strong,” said Andrew Neri, RUNRIO Events, Inc. Managing Partner.

Moreover, the evening will also be an opportunity for RUNRIO to present YesPinoy Foundation with a PhP500,000.00 donation. Founded in 2009, the foundation in partnership with Taclob, produces emergency bags made by survivors of Typhoon Yolanda. The aim is to provide hooded cloak backpacks with emergency kits and learner’s materials to young people in vulnerable public schools particularly those in areas affected by Typhoons.

Aside from the Trilogy Awards, RUNRIO also announced the scheduled of races for 2018 as the RUNRIO Trilogy Race Series expands its presence in Cebu. This year, the first leg of the race series will be held on March 4 in Cebu and on March 18 in Manila. The second leg will be in Cebu this time on May 6 and again in Manila on June 3. The last leg will be on August 19 and again on September 23 in Cebu and Manila, respectively.

Running enthusiasts can also look forward to more exciting running activities in store for everyone. First is the 5k Family Run. For this race, teams must consist of two adults and two kids. Each kid must be 15 years or below to qualify. The 5k Barkada Run, on the other hand, is open to four adults each of whom must be 16 years of age or older. There is also the 10k Buddy Run which, is also for participants 16 years old and above.

As an added incentive for runners, participants who register in groups are entitled to a substantial discount on the registration fees.

“This year promises to be exciting for us and for all those who want to join our runs,” said Coach Rio Dela Cruz, RUNRIO President and CEO. “Running enthusiasts can look forward to the 2018 RUNRIO Trilogy not only as an avenue to push their limits but also to spend quality time with friends and family.”

The RUNRIO Trilogy was made possible by its other partners, namely, Gatorade, Maynilad, Garmin, SM Mall of Asia, Nyxsys, Inside Manila, Fitbar, KitKat, Efes, Nizoral, Salonpas, and Milcu Deodorant Powder.

For more information on the registration fees and the online registration schedule, visit www.runrio.com.

Survey Reveals Filipinos Are Among Most Confidently Ignorant About Issues

Wazzup Pilipinas!

It's ironic that in this age of highly developed information technology, most people speak confidently about issues they are really ignorant of.

A survey revealed that the Philippines is one of the most ignorant countries in the world regarding issues about the nation. But it doesn't mean we're dumb. Our country placed 3rd because we just choose to ignore, and forget, stuff. And that's worse.

Perhaps the questions are biased? I'd like to see the questions/methodology before believing their conclusion. Further I'd blame TV. Better that they measured idiocy levels of audience on TV because it has been dumbing the masses for so long already with all thise predictable teleseryes and noontime shows.

Sadly, we are also exposed to an oppressive political environment (specifically systemic suppression of education) which is the more likely cause. It's been around since the Spanish colonial days. Ever wondered why education is still not the top prioriry? Because knowledgeable constituents are more difficult to control. But that only goes so far. We might not have created the problem, but we're at least partially culpable if we don't address it.

"Ay yay yay….. Most uninformed yet most confident…. dangerous combination.

My thoughts:  I think we are too emotional when we engage national issues.  The more emotions we have, the more we feel we own an issue.  But come to think of it, ownership really means understanding root causes and the dynamics of the issues.  Sadly, we stop with the emotions and judge without truly understanding.  This is probably why we are left demanding too much of ALL our leaders without adequately making them truly accountable.  This is a strong indicator of our great lack of social accountability.

This is a form of entitlement."

Be prepared to laugh, roll your eyes, shake your head, and maybe even shed a tear or two. Our Best and Brightest are seemingky "ignoramus" when it comes to the expected skills and wisdom since just about anybody popular and with influence could become a leader.

It is the Dunning-Kruger effect. "Confidently ignorant."

What is Dunning-Kruger effect?

It is a phenomenon where people with little knowledge or skill think they know more or have more skill than they do. This occurs while simultaneously overlooking and/or underestimating the knowledge and skills of those involved in the task at hand.

Did we get worse after one year? Tell us who to blame.

"'It ain't what you don't know that gets you into trouble. It's what you know for sure that just ain't so.' attributed to Mark Twain who also campaigned for our sovereignty back in the day."