BACK-TO-BACK-TO-BACK: The third season of the Gawad Alunig x Dalumat

Wazzup Pilipinas!?

Get ready for an exciting comeback: Gawad Alunig x Dalumat Returns this November with more amazing and thrilling prizes!

November is just around the corner, and with it comes an electrifying opportunity for aspiring journalists and science enthusiasts! The Technology Application and Promotion Institute (TAPI) is thrilled to announce the launch of the third season of the highly acclaimed Gawad Alunig x Dalumat: Empowering Science Stories through Citizen Journalism.

Building on the momentum of previous years, this season aims to further the Department of Science and Technology- Technology Application and Promotion Institute’s (DOST- TAPI) mission of fostering innovation and technology promotion across the nation. Gawad Alunig x Dalumat provides a remarkable platform for individuals to showcase their storytelling talents while contributing to the greater good by highlighting the transformative impact of science and technology in our communities.

From a Newscast Segment to a National Competition Bethink from the first and special year of Gawad Alunig x Dalumat— the launching in the year 2022. It became part of the special segment of the Kalipunan Newscast and made the contest open nationwide. In that same year, the theme highlighted science communication and advocated a culture of inventiveness and ingenuity by featuring stories from the ground as communicated by citizen journalists

Its first year was a success, which shed light on an opportunity to conduct the second edition of Gawad Alunig x Dalumat in 2023. In its second year, DOST-TAPI once again called all talented participants to share their interesting science stories with the theme revolving around the 2023 Regional Invention Contest and Exhibit (by Cluster) or ClusteRICE.

Now on its third back-to-back accomplishment, DOST TAPI ensures its commitment in promoting the technologies while helping the innovators and entrepreneurial landscapes. This year's theme revolves around promoting technologies that mainly focus on Tech-Trans, small businesses, and Medium-sized Enterprises (MSMEs).

This will help to encourage citizens to promote the importance of technologies while raising awareness about the DOST-TAPI venture financing programs.

In line with this, it will make the journalistic standards better in communicating science and technology– which make more citizens involved and aware of the issues that are very relevant to nation-building, which is why it makes this season more exciting and something that you can look forward to—especially the inventors, communicators, researchers, journalists, and entrepreneurs.

About Gawad Alunig x Dalumat

The Gawad Alunig is mainly focused on delivering the real world of science through newscasting. The content may be introducing businesses with the help of technologies or how the technologies help their products to innovate and grow. Also, it can be how promoting technologies will be accessible and improved.

The Gawad Dalumat is all about the publication of science stories through magazines, online or printed newspapers, and technology stories with proof of publication.

Participants can look forward to an array of exciting and invaluable prizes, encouraging them to tap their innate creativity and commitment to science journalism. All Filipino inventors,

communicators, researchers, journalists, and entrepreneurs are encouraged to join Gawad Alunig x Dalumat wherever you are in the country for as long as you are fifteen (15) years to

thirty (30) years old. By joining this competition, you have a chance to win exciting prizes.

For the Gawad Alunig, there are four (4) awards that you can win:

● One (1) winner for Gawad Alunig: Best KALIPUNAN Science Correspondent with

₱50,000;

● One (1) Gawad Alunig 1st Runner up with ₱20,000

● Three (3) KALIPUNAN Science Correspondent Runners-up with ₱10,000 each winner

and;

● One (1) Gawad Alunig: People’s Choice Award with ₱10,000.

In Gawad Dalumat, there are six (6) awards that you can win;

● One (1) winner for the Gawad Dalumat: Best Science School Publication with ₱50,000;

● Two (2) winners for Gawad Dalumat Runner-ups with ₱10,000 each;

● Three (3) Gawad Dalumat: Top Science Stories ₱10,000 for each participant.

All the inventors and innovators who will be mentioned in the stories will have a chance to be beneficiaries of the other programs of assistance of DOST-TAPI for Filipino inventors and innovators.

As Atty. Marion Ivy Decena stated “This year's season is very unique and exciting because it is just like hitting two birds with one stone where we can help aspiring inventors, communicators,bresearchers, journalists, and entrepreneurs to introduce them to the world— to introduce their products and services that they are offering most, especially the MSMEs. By this, it helps to promote the importance of technologies that can help to innovate and enhance to create progress and changes to the world”

Join us in celebrating the return of Gawad Alunig x Dalumat, where the fusion of science and citizen journalism empowers voices and fosters an informed society. Stay tuned for more details on how to participate and be part of this remarkable journey.

The deadline for the submission of the entries will be on September 30, 2024, at 11:59 pm Philippine Time.

You can submit your Gawad Alunig entries at https://tinyurl.com/mw2n6nkd and your entries

for Gawad Dalumat at https://tinyurl.com/4ydhmrzh.

You may also visit and follow the i-INVENT Facebook page at

https://www.facebook.com/iINVENTPH/ and the official Facebook page DOST-TAPI at https://www.facebook.com/DOST.TAPI/ for more information and updates about the Gawad

Alunig x Dalumat Season 3

By Mikaela Mharis E. Tulalian and Chandler Lee T. Dela Cruz

Of course, Hong Kong: Pinoys Share their Favorite Hidden Gems in the City

Wazzup Pilipinas!?

Discover Hidden Gems in Hong Kong: Filipino Locals Share Their Top Picks



There are plenty of recommendations online about where to go in Hong Kong, but nothing compares to insights from those who’ve truly embraced the city. We’ve talked with four Filipinos who’ve called Hong Kong home for nearly a decade. Discover why they swear by their favorite spots and get inspired to explore the city like a local:

Dive into the arts scene with Reana Bachiller

Illustration artist Reana Bachiller has her finger on the pulse of Hong Kong’s arts and culture scene. Coming from a very traditional Filipino background, she was hesitant to pursue a future in art, but it was in Hong Kong where her story as a creative mind truly began. Reana had since participated in various exhibitions like Affordable Art Fair, and collaborated with HKWALLS and Casetify.

Reana doesn’t gatekeep her art endeavors, either. She raves endlessly about the bustling art scene in the city. If you’re into DIY, she recommends giving Amazing Neon a visit. “You get to create your own neon sign and take it home!” she explains. When it comes to immersive digital art, Reana points to Arte M. “A captivating and beautiful experience that lets you escape reality,” are the words she uses to describe the exhibition. The core concept of Arte M interprets the subject and space of nature as media art under the theme of “eternal nature” that is suitable for art enthusiasts of all ages.

Get your nature fix with Rob Fogerty

Think Hong Kong is all skyscrapers and neon lights? Rugby player and adventure seeker Rob Fogerty is here to show another side of the city. To Rob, Hong Kong and its different facets have always been about the freedom to pursue sports, develop friendships, and travel. “The city’s natural beauty is more impressive than many people realize. You just need to know where to look,” Rob says. For him, Victoria Peak Lugard Road is the ultimate spot to catch stunning views, get your daily steps in, and find some peace in the middle of the city. For those who prefer the calming presence of water, Silvermine Bay Beach and Waterfall are where you can find your next favorite spot and travelers can get to both so easily.

Rob also believes that the eclectic city, with both its towering skyscrapers and nature trails, helped him to embrace his Filipino heritage even more. “My roots have been strengthened here, and I am proud to be amongst many Filipinos working in a variety of industries in such a diverse city.” Known for their hardworking, hospitable, and kind nature, Filipinos embody qualities that he strives to live out every day. But his love for nature goes beyond the views that gave him a sense of purpose. For a coffee break surrounded by nature, he recommends The Hideout, a hidden gem he thinks everyone should visit.

Eat like a local with Jen Balisi

Foodie alert! As a content creator and owner of a hip Filipino restaurant in Hong Kong aptly named “Barkada”, Jen knows exactly where to find Hong Kong’s best-kept culinary secrets. “Hong Kong’s food scene is renowned, but the real gems are often tucked away in unexpected places,” she said. Her blog and Instagram account are treasure maps that lead to some of the city’s most exciting food joints. But more than just recommendations, Jen believes that her blog was where her life took a turn for the better. It all started back in 2011 when she created her food blog, Indulgent Eats, as she has always been passionate about sharing her dining adventures and the Filipino cuisine she grew up eating through her social media platforms which now boast over 400,000 fans.

Hong Kong was another huge stepping stone for her culinary career. “While I moved to Hong Kong in 2017, it wasn’t until the pandemic that I wrote my cookbook Indulgent Eats at Home which included a number of Filipino recipes,” she adds. And since she’s been at it for years, Jen is an expert on all things yummy in Hong Kong. One of her top picks is Tai On Coffee & Tea Shop, which offers the perfect blend of vintage cha chaan teng interiors with modern menu items like molten lava egg tarts and a decadent pineapple bun with matcha white chocolate. And if you’re in the mood for a taste of history, don’t miss Tai Ping Koon, one of the oldest restaurants in Hong Kong. Their Swiss wings are to die for, and it’s one of the oldest restaurants in the world” Jen gushes. If you’re indecisive, Baseball 02 gives a unique spin to your basic food hall place. “There’s a curated collection of Hong Kong and international best food and drink experiences, so don’t miss out on that,” Jen says. And if it’s casual-as-casual-can-get that you’re looking for, Sing Kee is where it’s at. Jen goes on to explain that traditional outdoor eateries are big in Hong Kong, and they’re known as dai pai dong.

Shop ‘til you drop with Paul Sunga

Meet Paul, a fashion photographer whose keen eye for style extends beyond his work. Paul, who never shies away from a challenge, sees Hong Kong as his oyster, stating, “Hong Kong has always been my lucky city for discovering the right opportunities and achieving success. I moved here to embark on a career as a fashion photographer, drawn by the glam and glitz that fueled my thirst and hunger for creativity.” If it had not been for his major life decision to move to Hong Kong, he wouldn’t be where he is now. Bringing with him his Filipino work ethic, characterized by unwavering drive and determination, he considers himself fortunate to collaborate with numerous international brands and celebrities, allowing the vibrant city to become his bridge to the global fashion scene. He is incredibly grateful to this place he now calls home for all the doors it has opened and the dreams it has helped him realize.

When asked about his favorite spots for shopping and fun on his days off, he’s quick to recommend Glocal Mahjong at PMQ. “Skip the typical malls and head to PMQ,” Paul suggests. He’s amazed at the thought that a place once used as quarters for police officers and their families has now become a creative hub, home to unique shops like Glocal Mahjong where visitors can learn how to play Mahjong 101 and customize their own tiles – sparking new ideas for creative professionals like him. Paul also shares that he loves to explore Sham Shui Po, specifically Apliu Street. “It’s the ultimate spot for a fun day out – cafe hopping to discover hidden gems, hunting for vintage finds, or even getting hands-on at a DIY artisan soap workshop,” he adds.



Who knew that Hong Kong, a city known for its bustling streets, hides so many incredible gems? Watch the four-part video series via this link and take a page from them – you might just find your new favorite Hong Kong spot!

You can watch the four-part video series here: Of Course Hong Kong.

Arts & Culture Video | https://youtu.be/mZ3z_dTj9Vg

Nature & Adventure Video | https://youtu.be/E-Gi4rQpdvA

Food & Drinks Video | https://youtu.be/ZQ49jlckHZw

Shop & Play Video | https://youtu.be/9UE6hgqxlVE

Three-starred chef Daniel Humm named UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador for Food Education

Wazzup Pilipinas 

Audrey Azoulay, UNESCO’s Director-General, has appointed the renowned Swiss Chef and plant-based food advocate Daniel Humm as a UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador for Food Education. The nomination ceremony was held Tuesday at his three-Michelin-star restaurant, Eleven Madison Park, in New York.


“Daniel Humm is much more than one of the world’s most gifted chefs. He is a passionate advocate for sustainable nutrition, who has staked his career on his beliefs, defying the skeptics, and proving to us all that the finest cuisine can be an ally in protecting our precious planet. A luminary in the culinary community, there is no one better placed to promote the powerful connections between food and education,” said Audrey Azoulay, UNESCO Director-General.


"I am deeply honored to join UNESCO as Goodwill Ambassador. The language of food is so powerful, and together, we will work to demonstrate how choices around food can create solutions and empower future generations, as well as to bring further awareness to indigenous culinary traditions and their critical role in sustainability and food equity,” explained Chef Daniel Humm.


As a UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador, Daniel Humm will focus on Food education, a subject that is at the crossroads of the Organization’s mandate which leads global programs on environmental and health education, on the safeguarding of intangible cultural practices, as well as on the protection of natural heritage and biodiversity in the face of climate disruption.


Audrey Azoulay and Daniel Humm agreed on a roadmap: he will amplify UNESCO's voice at key international meetings such as the next COP for biodiversity, at the end of October in Colombia. He will also promote UNESCO sites that are home to agricultural, culinary and gastronomic traditions, including World Heritage sites, Biosphere Reserves and UNESCO’s network of 350 Creative Cities, 56 of which are cities of Gastronomy.


For example, in June 2024, the chef visited the UNESCO Biosphere Reserve "Champlain-Adirondak" located in Vermont, United States, where several initiatives have been established to sensitize local youth to the creation of sustainable nutrition systems.


To educate and raise awareness on sustainable food practices, and as one of his first Goodwill Ambassador initiatives, Chef Humm will organize a plant-based public dinner with his fellow UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador Chef Mauro Colagreco, in January 2025.


Daniel Humm will also play an active role in the development of a new UNESCO International Food Atlas, which will promote and participate the safeguarding of hundreds of culinary traditions and foodways inscribed on UNESCO's Intangible Cultural Heritage List.



“Not anti-meat, but pro-planet”


Born in Switzerland in 1976, Daniel Humm began working in kitchens at the age of 14 and earned his first Michelin star at the age of 24. In 2003, he took the leap across the pond, becoming the Executive Chef at Campton Place in San Francisco. Three years later, he moved to New York to become the Executive Chef at Eleven Madison Park, which has since received numerous distinctions, including three stars from the Michelin Guide, and the #1 spot on The World's 50 Best Restaurants 2017.


Humm is a co-founder of Rethink Food, a New York City-based nonprofit aimed at creating a more equitable, sustainable food system. During the Covid-19 pandemic, Daniel Humm launched several initiatives to provide nutrition to food-insecure New Yorkers, including re-purposing his high-end restaurant as a kitchen producing 2000 meals a week for the organization. This led to a reflection on how to tackle global food insecurity and build more sustainable food production systems.


In 2021, in a renegade break with his culinary past and due to environmental concerns such as climate disruption and overfishing, Chef Humm overhauled the menu at Eleven Madison Park to make it entirely plant-based, while keeping his three Michelin stars – a first time accomplishment for a plant-based restaurant.