DOE Pushes for PH Natgas Dev't in Japan High-Level Conference

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Officials from the Department of Energy (DOE) led by Energy Secretary Alfonso G. Cusi are in Tokyo this week as part of the country’s delegation to the fifth regular meeting of the Philippines-Japan High-Level Committee on Infrastructure and Economic Cooperation.

The DOE delegation will reinforce discussions on the Philippine energy industry with potential Japanese investors, while the other leaders of President Duterte’s economic team continue their high-level dialogues with the Japanese Ministry of the Economy, Trade and Industry (METI), on the administration’s flagship infrastructure projects under the Build Build Build program.

Secretary Cusi will focus on encouraging natural gas companies in Japan to invest in the Philippines’ liquefied natural gas (LNG) Hub Terminal project in anticipation of the Malampaya Gas Field’s depletion by 2022.

Cusi said, “The strategic location of the Philippines, as well as the fair and competitive playing field policy for natgas would entice investors to engage in the LNG terminal project.”

Currently, major Japanese gas companies such as Tokyo Gas are among those in serious talks for the project.

“In addition to discussions on LNG investments, our top officials and staff are undergoing extensive training to effectively monitor, regulate and supervise the upcoming Philippine LNG industry,” Cusi added.

DOE Undersecretary Donato D. Marcos and two ranking technical staff began an extensive training program on LNG value chains in Japan last Monday. They are expected to complete the course by the end of the month.

To date, natural gas from the Malampaya gas field off the coast of Palawan provides the fuel requirements of five gas-fired power plants, all located in the province of Batangas, with a combined capacity of 3,211 megawatts (MW).

“The construction of strategic natural gas facilities, which includes LNG receiving terminals and distribution pipelines, are necessary to ensure the security and diversity of the energy supply in the Philippines. It also provides the option of expanding the use of natural gas in the Philippines,” Cusi concluded.

Jeremy Miado Sharpens Fangs for Another Stringent Clash Against Thai Powerhouse

Wazzup Pilipinas!

It has not been an easy run for Filipino dynamo Jeremy “The Jaguar” Miado as he received a lukewarm reception when he joined ONE Championship in 2017.

After losing his first two matches in ONE Championship, Miado was given a chance to turn his luck around three months ago, sharing the promotion’s famed circular cage with a celebrated Muay Thai legend.

Miado took full advantage of the opportunity before him, and in the co-main event of ONE: IRON WILL in Bangkok, Thailand this past March, he managed to surprise everyone in attendance at the Impact Arena by knocking out former ONE Strawweight World Champion Dejdamrong Sor Amnuaysirichoke in front of his hometown crowd.

The 25-year-old Marikina City resident connected with a perfectly-timed right hook, which sent Amnuaysirichoke crashing to the canvas.

The referee quickly rushed forward to stop the contest before Miado was able to land any follow-up shots, with the end coming at 1:29 of the opening round.

Miado became the first person to finish Amnuaysirichoke in mixed martial arts competition and now owns the second-quickest knockout in ONE Championship’s strawweight history.

Although Miado expected to walk out victorious at ONE: IRON WILL, he did not anticipate knocking out a Thai kickboxing icon like Amnuaysirichoke.

“The game plan was to counter his aggressiveness and throw out combinations,” he shared. “The plan was to defeat Dejdamrong, but the knockout was unexpected. I felt really shocked because I defeated my idol.”

The impressive conquest of Amnuaysirichoke was a much-needed win for Miado, who has experienced a rough start to his tenure in the organization.

“All the hard work in the gym has finally paid off. I am really grateful,” he said. “I felt really strong and at my peak on that night. I showed everybody the real me, which I was not able to do so in my last two bouts.”

“Against my idol Dejdamrong Sor Amnuaysirichoke, I made sure that my performance would speak about the effort that I’ve done in training,” Miado added.

Miado will attempt to build on the amazing feat of defeating Amnuaysirichoke last March when he meets 13-time Thai national wrestling champion Kritsada “Dream Man” Kongsrichai on June 29.

Both man are slated to square off against each other on the undercard of ONE: SPIRIT OF A WARRIOR, which takes place at the iconic Thuwunna Indoor Stadium in Yangon, Myanmar.

“Here we are again. Another tough challenge is on our way. To be able to compete against a highly-decorated wrestler like my next opponent, it will only be good for my experience as a martial artist,” Miado stated.

Kongsrichai won two of his last three outings in ONE Championship, scoring first-round stoppage triumphs over the likes of Adrian Mattheis and Rabin Catalan.

The 26-year-old Thai grappler aims to place himself back on the winning track after his first-round stoppage of Robin Catalan in March was reversed to a disqualification loss.

Kongsrichai initially earned a first-round technical knockout victory over Robin Catalan as he suplexed his opponent and finished him off with punches at the 1:40 mark.

However, company head honcho Chatri Sityodtong issued a statement via Facebook hours later that the move was illegal, and as a result, Robin Catalan was awarded with the win via disqualification.

“I can really feel that my opponent wants to win in our fight because of what happened. It’s disappointing on his part because he was already declared as the winner. That kind of mindset makes him more dangerous. He is hungry to win. But I am ready for him,” Miado opined.

Miado views this upcoming strawweight tilt with Kongsrichai as the perfect platform to see where his talent truly stands.

“I consider myself a striker first and foremost, but I can take the bout to the ground. I am capable of competing anywhere, whether it is on the feet or on the mat. I have been working a lot on my wrestling and my Jiu-Jitsu, so I am confident I can handle any situation that happens in the cage,” he explained.

According to Miado, the way he sees things is that if he continues to win, it will inevitably lead to his dream of becoming the ONE Strawweight World Champion.

“I want people to know that I am a simple guy with a big dream. And I have the goal of becoming a world champion in my division. One win at a time,” he ended.

​For more updates on ONE Championship, please visit www.onefc.com, follow us on Twitter and Instagram @ONEChampionship, and like us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/ONEChampionship.​ ​  ​

New "Gee-gee At Waterina" Musical Opens in August

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Artist Playground will stage a new original Filipino musical, Gee-gee At Waterina, based on the fictionalized retelling of the friendship between two gay men, this coming August at Arts Above in Quezon City.

The arts and performance company turns J. Dennis Teodosio‘s bittersweet tale of an evening in the life of a flamboyant city councilor and a sentimental comfort gay, into a musical to be directed by “King of Comedy Bars” Andrew De Real.

Actor-designer Norman Peñaflorida will play the role of Gee-gee, the politician benefactor of Waterina, to be portrayed by actor-director Roeder Camañag.

Noted musical director and composer Jesse Lucas and dancer, choreographer and theater actor Lezlie Dailisan will provide the show’s music, with lyrics by Teodosio, and choreography, respectively.

The original straight play version was first presented at the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) Virgin Labfest in 2005. Lou Veloso and Paolo Cabañero shared the stage, with the direction of Roobak Valle.

A short film version starring Veloso and Cabañero was produced for Cinemalaya a year after. Teodosio co-directed the film with Gawad Urian-winning filmmaker Mariami Tanangco.

Artist Playground aims “to create artistic projects that reflect, celebrate and explore the bravery of Filipino artists and to create opportunities that facilitates a collaborative environment for artists from all fields of art.”

The musical runs on August 18, 19, 25 and 26, 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. at Arts Above, Artist Playground II, West Avenue Building, 112 West Avenue, QC. For inquiries, please contact Kimberly Somoza at 0975-9193179.