BingoPlus and ArenaPlus Dazzle audiences with Fun-Filled Week of EntertainmentOn-Stage and in Game Zones

Wazzup Pilipinas!?




BingoPlus and ArenaPlus, the flagship brands of Digiplus Interactive Corp, a leading gaming and leisure provider in the country, are ending the year by adding life to the local entertainment scene, promoting young, rising talents to provide highest quality entertainment for everyone.

BingoPlus, the first and only live streaming bingo in the Philippines, and ArenaPlus, your 24/7 sports betting app in the country, delivered a fun and entertaining week both on-stage and online as it presented the first solo concert of the young P-Pop boy group ALAMAT, titled "Dagundong,". BP and AP also presented the debut concert of GMA’s 'All-Out Sundays (AOS)' vocal queens entitled "Queendom Live" at the Newport Performing Arts Theater in Pasay City.

It also launched the much-awaited competitive online tournament called Lupon Civil War Reborn League DOTA 2 2023, the official DOTA2 league organized by LuponWXC Civil War Season 7.

ALAMAT opened December with Dagundong, a unique and highly entertaining musical event at the New Frontier Theater. Starring Taneo, Mo, Tomas, R-ji, Jao, and Alas, the concert featured the group’s multilingual and multiethnic music that highlights the beauty and diversity of Filipino culture. Presented by ArenaPlus hosted games and provided prizes for everyone. BingoPlus also provided booths where thousands of concert goers can get free merchandise.

The following day, December 2, BingoPlus treated concert goers and music lovers with a night of power vocals as AOS vocal queens – Rita Daniela, Jessica Villarubin, Thea Astley, Mariane Osabel, Hannah Precillas, and Asia’s Limitless Star Julie Anne San Jose – staged an epic concert entitled "Queendom Live". Attended by thousands of fans, the queens sang their hearts out with iconic songs and performances. The audience was also treated to free merchandise from BingoPlus.

On December 3, ArenaPlus served as the Official Sportsbook Partner of the highly anticipated finale series of the Lupon Civil War Reborn League DOTA 2 2023, a competitive DOTA tournament that took place at the Highgrounds Cafe in Quezon City. Seven (7) teams competed for their dream bid to battle in the championship, with powerhouse teams Pathetic Shitters and ShukShukShuk Ragers ending up on top. The extremely heated competition was also outstanding for the excitement it generated for participants and audiences. ArenaPlus gave away Free 500 Pesos credits in the ArenaPlus app to five on-ground supporters and 5,000 Pesos worth of cash prize to the Astig Team Winner that was awarded to the tournament champion Pathetic Shitters.

“There’s no better way to end the year than by livening up the local entertainment scene, providing opportunities and exposure to young and rising artists, and ensuring that the high-quality entertainment they provide can be experienced by more people. BingoPlus and ArenaPlus have been at the forefront of achieving this highly committed mission for Filipinos since day 1, making stages and game zones extra fun and special, anytime and anywhere” said Jasper Vicencio, BingoPlus president.

BingoPlus and ArenaPlus proudly stand as flagship brands under Digiplus Interactive Corp, solidifying its position as a leading gaming and leisure provider in the country. For more updates, visit www.bingoplus.com and www.arenaplus.net or download the apps now via the App Store and Google Play.

P.A. Properties: 29 Years of Building Dreams and Stories

Wazzup Pilipinas!?

"Behind Every Home is a Story"

This aptly captures the company's commitment to understanding the dreams, aspirations, and challenges faced by every homebuyer in their pursuit of having a home they could truly call their own.

In an industry where the path to home ownership can be challenging, P.A. Alvarez Properties and Development Corporation (P.A. Properties) has rewritten the narrative with a tagline that resonates deeply with empathy — "Behind Every Home is a Story."

"It's not just about constructing houses; it's about being part of the stories that unfold within those walls." Atty. Marianne Reyna Lina Cruz, the CEO of P.A. Properties, shared.

For nearly three decades, P.A. Properties has been a beacon of hope for countless Filipino families, turning the dream of affordable and quality home ownership into a reality.

A Legacy of Growth and Community Development

P.A. Properties has emerged as one of the country's fastest-growing real estate developers, spanning nearly three decades of unwavering dedication.

“Our developments aren't just addresses, they're ecosystems of opportunity. We build communities where homes ignite families’ aspirations, communities kindle friendships and security, and helping hands are always within reach,” Romarico T. Alvarez, Chairman of the Board of P.A. Properties, shared.

This year has been a testament to P.A. Properties' unwavering commitment to excellence in the realm of housing and community development. The company proudly showcased its dedication through various noteworthy projects, each contributing to the enhancement of living spaces and the betterment of communities.

The inaugural highlight of the year, St. Joseph Ridgeview Phase 2, on January 28, 2023, marked the commencement in Dasmarinas, Cavite. This unveiling was a manifestation of P.A. Properties' pledge to deliver quality living spaces and sustainable communities for the families in Southern Luzon. 

On August 8, 2023, P.A. Properties launched SanJos Square Bulacan, a 2.8-hectare commercial development, strategically located in front of a 30-hectare Nuvista San Jose Subdivision at Brgy. Sto. Cristo, San Jose Del Monte City, Bulacan. Placed nearby 35 local communities, it stands as a testament to P.A. Properties’ unwavering commitment to providing accessible basic necessities and fostering economic growth within local communities.

A Noteworthy Partnership 

P.A. Properties and Japanese property developer Hankyu Hanshin Properties Corporation (HHPC) established their robust collaboration in 2017, and it continues to thrive. Their partnership has not only endured but flourished, as evident in the recent launch of innovative joint venture projects such as Idesia in San Jose Del Monte, Bulacan.

In a significant milestone last March 2023, P.A. Properties and Hankyu Hanshin Properties Corporation further solidified their alliance, unveiling plans for additional property developments across strategic locations, including Metro Manila, Laguna, and Pampanga. 

This strategic partnership has proven to be a catalyst for growth, demonstrating the commitment of both companies to elevating real estate landscapes.

Taking a monumental leap forward in October, these industry partners embarked on a new joint venture, a 19.8 hectare project in Cabuyao, Laguna. This latest endeavour signifies not only the continued expansion of their collaboration but also their dedication to elevating community spaces.

Awards and Recognition

Throughout the year, P.A. Properties garnered significant recognition, underscoring its remarkable achievements and contributions to the community. On March 10, 2023, P.A. Properties and its joint venture company were recognized by the City Government of San Pedro as the 31st and 55th Top Taxpayer for the year 2022. This acknowledgment affirmed P.A. Properties' commitment to fiscal responsibility and its substantial contributions to the local economy.

Continuing its streak of accolades, this year, P.A. Properties proudly received the Pag-IBIG Fund Accredited Developer Excellence Award. Securing the Top 9 position for 2022 Corporate Wide, the Top 8 Developer position for the 1st Semester of 2023 in the National Capital Region, the Top 9 Developer position for North Luzon, and the Best in Performing Loans Ratio for North Luzon. The company demonstrated excellence in its collaboration with the Pag-IBIG Fund, further reinforcing its reputation as a distinguished developer with a commitment to quality and reliability.

Progress Driven by Empathy

As P.A. Properties celebrates its 29th anniversary, the theme "Progress Driven By Empathy" takes center stage. This theme underscores the company's commitment to adaptive and community-centric development.

"Empathy is the cornerstone of sustainable development. Our progress is not just measured in structures but in the positive impact we make on people's lives, particularly in their chosen abode and community project," Jonathan G. Lu, P.A. Properties Vice Chairman enthused. 

In steadfast support of its valued customers, P.A. Properties has prioritized the homebuyers’ convenience and well-being through several initiatives. P.A. Properties introduced new online payment channels. This shows the company’s commitment to enhancing the payment experience for buyers and providing a seamless and accessible avenue for financial transactions.

Moreover, with the turnover of 44 communities to Homeowner’s Associations, P.A. Properties strives to foster a sense of community and belonging for the residents, ensuring a smooth transition to their new homes.

This significant accomplishment not only reflects the scale of our impact on the housing industry but also emphasizes its dedication to meeting the diverse needs of its customers. “At P.A. Properties, we empathize with our customers, understanding that their satisfaction and well-being are at the core of our mission, and we continue to explore avenues to enhance their overall experience with us," Atty. Lina-Cruz said

A Glimpse into the Future: Fresh and Dynamic Brand Strategy

P.A. Properties plans to unveil a new brand strategy as it looks toward the future. According to Atty. Lina-Cruz, P.A. Properties President, "Our fresh and dynamic look represents not just a visual change but a reflection of our continued evolution and commitment to excellence in the real estate sector."

P.A. Properties’ 29th anniversary is not just a celebration of its past and current achievements but likewise serves as a testament to a future where progress is inseparable from empathy-driven growth and social well-being.

P.A. Properties continues to be the author of countless Filipino dreams, weaving together the narratives of families and communities for nearly three decades.

UP STS scientists assess the effectiveness of the Philippines’ COVID-19 government policies

Wazzup Pilipinas!?



The COVID-19 pandemic spurred governments worldwide to respond with containment policies, with the Philippines having one of the longest and most stringent COVID-19 policies in the world. How effective were these policies in containing the pandemic and providing social and economic support to citizens? This is the question UP Diliman College of Science’s Science, Technology and Society (UPD-CS STS) researchers ventured to answer.

A novel, multidisciplinary approach

STS scientists and faculty members Prof. Benjamin Vallejo Jr, Dr. Rodrigo Angelo Ong and Asst. Prof. Ranjit Singh Rye found a new interdisciplinary approach to the problem: “We just adopted statistical methods commonly used in marine behavioral ecology. After all, government policy response is a set of behaviors that can be standardized and compared with each other. The most significant behavioral responses can be statistically modeled,” Vallejo said.

“Furthermore, a multidisciplinary perspective allows for a better contextualization of how effective the policies are,” he added.

Using standardized policy response measures collated by the Oxford COVID-19 Government Response Tracker project (OxCGRT), they assessed the effectiveness of the Philippine response from 2020 to 2022. The OxCGRT includes daily policy response and implementation data from 180 World Health Organization (WHO)-member states, from 1 Jan 2020 to 31 Dec 2022.

The STS scientists were able to determine that stringent pandemic policies—including lockdowns, quarantines, stay-at-home ordinances, and travel restrictions—were effective in containing the pandemic within the first 60 days. These are all dependent on law enforcement and a securitized approach.

Effectivity of lockdowns and vaccinations

Complete lockdowns negatively affected the economy, so there was a gradual and phased relaxing of policies beginning in May 2020. It was during the relaxing of lockdowns with limited mobility starting with essential personnel that the shortcomings of the government's response became apparent. With lockdowns being phased out, contact tracing and testing became more necessary to immediately contain clusters of infections. The government was least effective in these efforts.

The policy analysis also revealed that the government’s vaccination rollout and prioritization, although with logistical difficulties at the start, was effective in reducing infections in the health workers sector and thus ensuring the delivery of health services The health workers received the vaccine in a shorter timeframe than the rest of the population beginning March 2021. Overall, it can be said that vaccination caused a more positive outcome in the pandemic.

It was also found that the continuation of travel health checks—such as requiring proof of vaccination, COVID-19 rtPCR tests, and, later, antigen tests—had a low odds ratio to the rate of COVID-19 case increase. This simply means that these requirements lessened the risk of spread of infections across provincial and international borders.

Mask wearing and social distancing

Non-pharmaceutical interventions such as mask-wearing and social distancing, while significantly effective at the local level, were not significantly effective at the national level. The reason is likely related to the differing levels of citizen compliance in communities. Implementation was with the local governments and reflects on political and governance realities. Politicians who implement restrictions without their constituents being consulted and convinced of the necessity of restrictions are likely to lose votes in the next election. In a democracy, citizen engagement with governments remains essential in responding to a crisis such as a pandemic while protecting civil rights according to law. Citizen participation is a central idea in STS in government.

The key role of STS in policy analysis

The UP STS scientists' work demonstrates that STS approaches to science-informed policy analysis can objectively assess the strengths and weaknesses of government policy. The scientists hope that their study will make policy and governance more effective especially in crises.

Prof. Vallejo is a marine biologist with the UPD-CS Institute of Environmental Science and Meteorology; Dr. Ong, a physician, is a professorial lecturer with the Science and Society Program; and Asst. Prof. Rye is with the Department of Political Science of the College of Social Sciences and Philosophy, UP Diliman. Prof. Vallejo and Dr. Ong also trained under the International Network for Governmental Science Advice (INGSA) in Malaysia on science advice and policy analysis.

Reference:
Vallejo B, Ong RAC , Rye, RS (2023) An Assessment of the Philippines government’s Response to the COVID-19 pandemic based on policy response indices. SciEngg 16 (2) 426-436