Smart Asset Managers Introduces SAM Koin and the SAM Merchant Acceleration Program (MAP)

Wazzup Pilipinas!

There are numerous advantages using digital currencies. Aside from being convenient especially during the time of the pandemic (as there's no need of any physical meetups), the transactions between parties without the need of any intermediaries, usually makes the arrangement more instantaneous and low-cost.

Monitoring is also a breeze since everything could be setup to pass through easily documented online security measures more advanced than just typically having a registered account with password. There are so many ways to authenticate the validity of transactions that we can say our money is safe and secured going through the online process.

Thus the people behind Smart Asset Managers (SAM) have also introduced to us their own digital "coins" called SAM Koins.

Yup! It's spelled with a "k" and not a "c" for whatever reason, it's bound to be more than just to be unique. It's made to stand out as they have implemented strategic ways to make their own currency thrive within their community of subscribers who are getting the first opportunity to experience these SAM Koins soon. Add to that the incentives existing subscribers will get with its initial launch to the market.

SAM Technical Director Erick Alvaro, who is part of top management, discussed this newest addition to their massive portfolio of offerings that are now slowly emerging as each day passes. They are a promising company with offers that are too good to miss so I quickly grabbed the opportunity as well immediately after his talk. I'm glad to say I'm now one of the subscribers of SAM, and soon will also get the chance to experience having the SAM Koins and hopefully be also part of their SAM Members Acceleration Program (MAP) which is the next big thing we will have to watch out.

I actually took videos of his full talk uploaded on our YouTube channel so you could check it out for a clearer and complete discussion of what both Join and MAP are. But before we proceed to inquire about MAP, let's focus more on the Koin as it's soon to be offered this February 8, Monday. Existing subscribers get to have an additional 30% if we buy at least $20 of the Koins within 20 days from it's introduction.Then the next few days will be reduced to a 20% , then 10% incentive.

https://youtu.be/igbgK0howgg

Erick explained about the Merchant Acceleration Program (MAP) on the first part of the video before proceeding with the SAM Koin discussion. You'll get a comprehensive idea about it by watching the video. I think it's best that I let the video explain since I'm also quite new with this particular technology though I've know about similar technologies for years already, I'm one of those people who hesitate in exploring new ventures especially when they're quite in their birthing pains.

Like any other investment, there are risks to consider so scatter our investments not just in one places but in many. That's taking precaution of our hard-earned money. So don't just take my word for it. Do your own research too.

I also interviewed fellow blogger John and his family about their SAM experience and with how they eagerly support this endeavor, I'd say they have made one of their best decision in their lifetime. I'm definite they'll also won't miss the SAM Koin opportunity too.

https://youtu.be/N2OGY14Gh6w

SAM Koins, like the other "coins" in the digital commerce could be used as good as cash from trading to payment of utility bills and many other uses especially when the collaboration with merchants, other establishments, etc., booms. After all, where else are we proceeding but towards this future of online currencies. The paper money is not yet going obsolete, but the digital version will be a lot more flexible and truly promising with more convenience.

Are you an existing subscriber, then continue your way towards a more fruitful investment by trying out this new offering from SAM. Who knows, it may be the next big thing that it will be frustrating not to be among the pioneers.

On the SWS survey showing that 9/10 Filipinos want priority for public and active transport on roads

Wazzup Pilipinas!

The Department of Transportation (DOTr) recognizes the results of the Social Weather Stations (SWS) survey that showed Filipinos want priority be given to public and active transport on roads. We see this as proof that the face of transportation in the country is indeed changing, especially in this period that the country is grappling with the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.

We acknowledge this demand by the public, and it is in fulfilling this desire that the DOTr has been implementing projects geared towards providing commuters with access to faster, reliable, safe and efficient means of mass transportation; and to open infrastructure for active transportation such as walking and cycling.

In the works are several key mass transport systems and high-capacity public transport vehicles, to move more people while using less vehicles and occupying less road space.

In the railways sector, the DOTr and its attached agencies continue to pursue the construction, rehabilitation or expansion of several railway projects. These include the country’s first ever subway system. In fact, tomorrow, we are going to unveil to the public the 74-ton cutterhead of the Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM) “Kaunlaran”, that recently arrived in the country.

We are also completing projects such as the extension of the Light Rail Transit (LRT) Line 1 Extension from Metro Manila to Cavite— stalled for almost two (2) decades, but is now targetted for partial operations by the 4th quarter of 2021; the LRT-2 East Extension from Santolan to Masinag, which will be completed in April; the PNR Clark Phase 1 (Tutuban to Malolos), that is targeted for partial operations by 4th quarter of 2021; the Common Station, which is expected to be completed by the 4th quarter of 2021; the MRT-7 from North Avenue, Quezon City to San Jose Del Monte in Bulacan, shall be ready for partial operations by 4th quarter of this year and for full completion by 2022; and the MRT-3 rehabilitation, which is slated for completion in July 2021.

We have also pushed for the acquisition of new train sets for the MRT-3, LRT-1, and Philippine National Railways (PNR) lines to increase their respective capacities, among others. In fact, we now have four (4) 4th Generation LRVs out of 120 for LRT-1 and its Cavite Extension; three (3) new Diesel Hydraulic Locomotives (DHL) and fifteen (15) passenger coaches are now being used, and that which completes the PNR re-fleeting strategy in 2018 [37 cars/passenger coaches and 3 locomotives]. Further, the contract for the rolling stock of the Metro Manila Subway Project has been signed last December 2020.

Through these, the DOTr is putting in place mass public transportation as the principal means for mobility to reduce dependence on private vehicles, with the objective of reducing exhaust emissions, given that 70% of air pollution is from vehicle emissions.

Meanwhile, in the road transport sector, the shift to clean energy of public buses and other public utility vehicles has become more relevant and timely with the pandemic.

Thus, through the LTFRB, we are rationalizing routes and undertaking the Public Utility Modernization Program (PUVMP) to ensure order, efficiency, safety and protection of the environment through clean fuel use in public land transport.

We are gearing towards a public transport that has clean energy-powered public buses, particularly high-capacity electric-powered vehicles, to move people while using less vehicles.

We are also currently conducting the Service Contracting program to, not only help PUV drivers to make up for loss income during the restrictions, but also to upgrade the quality of public transport service they provide.

We are fully developing the EDSA busway in accordance with global standards to optimize its potential for moving commuters and for this purpose, work for the allocation of the required road space.

With a majority of Filipinos saying that active transport is possible in their localities, we, at the DOTr, are supporting and facilitating the use of other forms of mobility such as bicycling and walking.

For this purpose, we support the recovery of lost sidewalk space due to past car-oriented road space use policy, where roads were widened by encroaching on sidewalks and cutting down trees.

To take a notch higher, we are determined in our push for more infrastructure to serve the needs of pedestrians and cyclists.

At present, the DOTr is expanding bicycle lanes in Metro Manila, Metro Cebu, and Metro Davao under the Bayanihan 2 Bike Lane Networks project. Around 29 kilometers of bike lanes were already established to date. Before the year ends, we intend to add 140 kilometers of bike lanes to the country’s expanding bike lane network.

We are also actively pursuing the Bike Sharing Program with a total of 31 bike sharing stations already operational across Metro Manila as of February 2021.

The concept of a “walkable community” is also on top of our active transport list, with the EDSA Greenways Project Phase 1. The project aims to establish “greenways” or walkable nodes at different railway stations. It aims to serve 1.1 million pedestrians daily in 2023 and 1.2 million/day in 2051. Target partial operations of the project is by December 2021, and full operations by February 2023.

We are also pushing forward with the EDSA Busway Bridge with Concourse Project which will assist pedestrians in safely crossing EDSA as they alight from the designated bus stops along the thoroughfare.

Outside Metro Manila, we are promoting public and active transport on roads through the establishment of bus systems.

In Cebu, the DOTr is pushing for the partial operability of one of the crucial segments (Package 1) of the Cebu Bus Rapid Transit (Cebu BRT) within 2021. DOTr Secretary Arthur P. Tugade ordered a 24/7 construction work schedule for the project. The Cebu BRT’s Package 1, which covers the 2.6-kilometer busway, with four (4) stations, urban realm enhancement, and vital intersection improvements, is already at the procurement stage.

In Davao, a modern high priority bus system shall provide an efficient, world-class, and affordable mode of transportation through the Davao Public Transport Modernization Project (DPTMP). We are likewise targeting its partial operations this year as the parcellary works are currently ongoing following the awarding of its contract.

These projects prove that the DOTr is indeed looking forward to serve more commuters with better mass transport option, and is in full support of the government’s thrust to enhance mobility and connectivity through the provision of mass transport infrastructure across all transport sectors in the country.

Instituto Cervantes pays Online Tribute to Spanish actress Angela Molina

Wazzup Pilipinas!


This February, Instituto Cervantes de Manila will treat Filipino film buffs to the film series “Ángela Molina”, an online tribute to one of the main contemporary Spanish actresses. This film cycle will be shown through the Instituto Cervantes channel on the Vimeo platform (vimeo.com/institutocervantes) and freely accessible for 48 hours from their start date and time.

Ángela Molina is one of the most outstanding actresses in Spanish cinematography. She started her career in the middle of Spain’s transition to Democracy and has kept working until today. Her career has been marked by her participation in numerous international films, of which her collaboration with Buñuel was arguably the peak. On the occasion of such a brilliant career, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences will award her the Goya Award of honor at the 2021 edition of these Awards.

The film series, composed of three films that marked Angela Molina’s career, will kick off on 13 February, Saturday, with the screening of La sabina (available for 48 hours until Monday, February 15 at 3 AM). The movie, a Spanish co-production with Sweden, was directed by José Luis Borau in1979. It is about an English writer who moves to a Spanish town with the aim of changing his life. There he decides to investigate the life of a wandering man who lived in the 19th century, since it is said that he was killed by a dragon woman, known as "La Sabina".

The film series will continue on 20 February, with the drama La mitad del cielo (1986), directed by Manuel Gutiérrez Aragón --a fundamental director in Ángela Molina's career, who will star in several of the films he made during the Transition years, such as "Camada negra" (1977), "El corazón del bosque" (1979) and "Demonios en el jardín" (1982). La mitad del cielo is about Rosa, a woman who travels to Madrid after the Civil War to open a restaurant that transforms to a political and intellectual center of the capital. The movie bagged the Golden Shell at the San Sebastián Film Festival and Ángela Molina received the Silver Shell award for best actress.

Finally, the musical Las cosas del querer (Jaime Chávarri, 1989) will conclude the film cycle on February 27, which will be available for 48 hours until Monday, February 29 at 3 AM. When the Spanish civil war ends, Mario, a homosexual singer, a pianist and his girlfriend Pepita come together to form a group, which will become famous throughout the entire Spain. The trio’s brilliant career will take them back to Madrid, where their worst moments will come; the aristocracy of the capital, bored and in search of strong emotions, does not forgive and throws itself against Mario for his homosexual condition, while Pepita's mother conspires to separate her from her pianist boyfriend... Aside from letting us listen to Spanish folk music from the 1930s and 1940s, the film depicts the historical setting and makes a poignant criticism to the moral and sexual subversion of this post-Civil War period.

The films, presented by Instituto Cervantes in collaboration with the Embassy of Spain in the Philippines, will be in Spanish with English subtitles. Admission is free. For further information and updates on this film series, please check out Instituto Cervantes’ Facebook site (www.facebook.com/InstitutoCervantesManila) or the event page: https://www.facebook.com/events/161791552193592



For further information about the cultural program of Instituto Cervantes please log on to Instituto Cervantes’ website (http://manila.cervantes.es), or Instituto Cervantes Facebook page www.facebook.com/InstitutoCervantesManila.