New U.S. Government Assistance to Boost Food Security for Communities Affected by Marawi Conflict

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Ambassador Sung Y. Kim’s announced Php100 million ($2 million) in new U.S. government assistance through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) to increase food security for communities affected by the Marawi conflict.

This will enable USAID’s partner, the World Food Programme, to purchase a total of 1,800 metric tons of rice, enough to feed 45,000 people for four months. This brings the total USAID contribution to the recovery and rehabilitation of Marawi and surrounding areas to nearly Php1.2 billion ($22.9 million).

USAID is the lead U.S. government agency for international development and disaster assistance. In the Philippines, USAID partners with the national government to build a more stable, prosperous, and well-governed nation.

The event included a ceremonial rice handover from Ambassador Kim to senior Philippine government officials, including Undersecretary Emmanuel Leyco, Officer-in-Charge of the Department of Social Welfare and Development.

For more information, visithttp://www.usaid.gov/philippines or email infoph@usaid.gov

Catholic Student Councils, Student Leaders Push for SOGIE Equality Bill

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Student leaders from Catholic schools in Metro Manila will hold a press conference urging the public to support the SOGIE Equality bill in the Senate on Wednesday, March 14.

A big flower heart with the message #EqualityNow will be in display in the press conference as the students pose with heart hand signs and placards urging the passage of the SOGIE Equality Bill.  

The student leaders, advocates and allies will be launching the Fight for Love. Fight for Equality rally on Saturday, March 17, 2018 at 5PM in People Power Monument to show popular support for the bill protecting LGBT+ Filipinos from discrimination.

PRESS CONFERENCE

Wednesday, March 14, 2018, 10AM

Max’s Orosa, Ermita, Manila

Warriors Launch Chatbot on Global Messaging Platform Rakuten Viber

Wazzup Pilipinas!

"Warriors Become First NBA Team With Official Account On Rakuten Viber"

The 2017 NBA Champion Golden State Warriors are the first NBA team to launch an account on the messaging platform Rakuten Viber. The Warriors will use Rakuten Viber to communicate directly with fans on a global scale, including through tools such as a chat bot, a free sticker pack, and weekly trivia contests.

The Warriors’ chat bot will provide fans with instant access to schedule information, standings, team news, team videos, tickets and live in-game score updates. It is currently available in the following 10 languages, including the native languages of Warriors center Zaza Pachulia (Georgian) and Warriors forward Omri Casspi (Hebrew):

•         English
•         Bulgarian
•         Croatian
•         Georgian
•         Greek
•         Hebrew
•         Hungarian
•         Russian
•         Serbian
•         Ukrainian

The Warriors free sticker pack, which features every member of the Warriors roster, will be available to Rakuten Viber users beginning February 27. Stickers are a prevalent form of communication on Viber, and the Warriors sticker pack will provide users with the opportunity to express themselves with custom Warriors player images via messaging. Fans will also be able to participate in weekly trivia for a variety of exclusive prizes, including autographed memorabilia or a meet and greet with a Warriors player.

“Adding Rakuten Viber to our portfolio of digital marketing efforts is crucial for us to continue our global growth as a brand,” said Jennifer Millet, Golden State Warriors Vice President of Marketing and Digital. “As the game of basketball expands around the world, and especially with the international players on our roster, Rakuten Viber provides the perfect vehicle for us to directly interact with our fans around the world.”

Rakuten Viber, the official instant messaging and calling app partner of the Golden State Warriors, has reached more than 900 million registered users since 2010.

For more information on the Golden State Warriors 2017-18 season, presented by Kaiser Permanente, visit warriors.com.


Rakuten Viber connects people. No matter who they are, or where they are from. Their global user base has access to a range of features like one-on-one chats, video calls, group messaging, and updates and discussions with their favorite brands and celebrities. They ensure their users have a secure and free environment to share their emotions.

Rakuten Viber is part of Rakuten Inc., a world leader in e-commerce and financial services. It is the official communication channel of FC Barcelona, and the official instant messaging and calling app partner of the Golden State Warriors.

Join Viber today and enjoy the world’s best communication experience.