A Day in My Life as Wazzup Pilipinas Founder

Wazzup Pilipinas!?

They say no two days are ever the same for a storyteller. For me—Ross Flores Del Rosario, the founder of Wazzup Pilipinas—that statement is both a thrill and a truth I wake up to daily.

5:00 AM: Awakening With Purpose

The day begins before sunrise. As the world outside sleeps, I’m already awake—jogging thoughts instead of kilometers. A quick check on social media trends, breaking news, emails from tourism boards, PR firms, and followers fuels the first jolt of adrenaline. I am not just chasing stories—I am living them.

Coffee in hand, I sit by my window in Pasig, watching the light unfold across the skyline. The calm before the storm. It’s not just a drink; it’s a ritual. A moment to align with my mission: to inform, inspire, and ignite action.

7:00 AM: The Digital Pulse

By 7:00 AM, I’ve transformed into a full-blown media machine. Laptop open, tabs galore. From government press releases to independent blogs and citizen reports, I skim, fact-check, and synthesize. The Wazzup Pilipinas platform doesn’t rest on virality—it thrives on veracity.

A trending issue on government accountability? I pen my commentary with facts, urgency, and unflinching honesty. A new eco-tourism destination in need of a spotlight? I draft an angle that highlights both beauty and sustainability.

9:00 AM: Community Connector

My phone buzzes with invites and inquiries—“Will you cover our product launch?” “Can you speak at our youth empowerment summit?” “We’d love to collaborate.”

It’s not just flattery—it’s a responsibility.

I respond to messages from influencers I mentor, environmentalists I work with through Bayanihan Para sa Kalikasan Movement Inc., and political figures who value my opinion. As the newly elected External Vice President of the Green Party of the Philippines, I am also shaping conversations at the intersection of politics, advocacy, and media.

11:00 AM: The Journalist on the Move

This day, I’m off to a media coverage in Manila. My gear is minimal—a DSLR, tripod, and my most powerful tool: credibility. I weave through traffic, thinking of questions that matter. My presence at events is not just symbolic; it’s transformational. People know that when the Wazzup Pilipinas founder is around, stories will not just be told—they’ll be remembered.

2:00 PM: Lunch With a Side of Advocacy

My lunch meetings are rarely personal. Today, it’s with a group of climate scientists seeking media support for their campaign. Between bites of adobo, we brainstorm infographics, story pitches, and influencer engagements. My background in ICT and my UN experience inform my strategy, while my heart—the heart of a Filipino patriot—fuels the passion.

4:00 PM: Back to the Digital Trenches

Back at my home office, I upload content—snappy headlines, punchy captions, heartfelt writeups. Engagement metrics matter, but authenticity trumps algorithms. I moderate comments, reply to followers, and lift up voices too often ignored. This is people-powered media.

6:00 PM: The Advocate’s Hour

Evenings are sacred. Not for rest, but for real work. I co-host an environmental webinar, talk about responsible tourism, and sneak in a quote about truth in journalism. My role has evolved—no longer just a content creator, but a convener of change-makers.

8:00 PM: Family and Reflection

I spend time with my wife and kids, recounting the day’s highs and hurdles. They ground me. Remind me that behind every journalist is a human being who also dreams, bleeds, and hopes. In them, I find the quiet strength to rise again tomorrow.

10:00 PM: Midnight Musings

Before I sleep, I write. Not always for publication. Sometimes, just for healing. Thoughts on democracy, mental health, media ethics, or the future of this nation I love. I believe a true writer never stops thinking, and a real Filipino never stops caring.

Final Thought

Being the founder of Wazzup Pilipinas is not a job—it’s a calling. It’s about being a watchdog, a weaver of narratives, a warrior for truth, and a witness to history.

Every sunrise signals a new chapter. Every post, a battle cry. Every moment, an opportunity to shape not just headlines, but hearts.

This is my day.

This is my life.

This is Wazzup Pilipinas.

Sweden Blocks Mercury-Laden Goree Cream from Pakistan: EcoWaste Coalition Calls for Crackdown in the Philippines

Wazzup Pilipinas!?

As Europe shuts its doors on toxic skin whiteners, EcoWaste Coalition demands urgent, united action to stop the illegal trade and protect Filipino consumers.

3 May 2025, Quezon City – A storm is brewing across borders as Sweden steps up to protect its citizens from the toxic threat lurking in a beauty product widely sold online and in underground markets: Goree Beauty Cream with Lycopene. The cream, hailing from Pakistan and often touted as a miracle whitening solution, has again found itself under the harsh glare of international scrutiny—this time, flagged by Sweden and blocked at its borders.

The Swedish government's decisive action, issued under Alert Number SR/01727/25 and published on the European Union’s Safety Gate on May 2, 2025, reveals a disturbing reality: the cosmetic contains mercury, a banned substance in cosmetics under international and regional health regulations. “The product contains mercury. Mercury accumulates in the body and can damage the kidneys, brain, and nervous system. Additionally, it may affect reproduction and the unborn child,” the alert stated in chilling detail.

Sweden's regulatory move mirrors longstanding warnings from the Philippine Food and Drug Administration (FDA), which, as early as 2017, detected mercury in Goree Beauty Cream and its variants. Since then, a flurry of advisories—Nos. 2023-2344, 2023-2391, and 2023-2392—have underscored the product’s unauthorized and hazardous nature. Despite this, the products continue to flood local markets and digital shelves, endangering unsuspecting consumers seeking lighter skin at the cost of their health.

The EcoWaste Coalition, a vigilant environmental health advocacy group, is once again sounding the alarm. Armed with scientific proof from their X-Ray Fluorescence (XRF) chemical screenings, they’ve uncovered mercury concentrations exceeding 20,000 parts per million (ppm) in samples of Goree products—an astonishing figure far beyond the ASEAN Cosmetic Directive’s limit of 1 ppm for mercury as a contaminant.

“This is not just a cosmetic concern—it’s a public health emergency,” declared the EcoWaste Coalition. “These mercury-laced products are a direct violation of the Minamata Convention on Mercury, which bans the manufacture, import, and export of such toxic cosmetics. Yet, unscrupulous traders continue to defy the law.”

The group is pushing for a multi-stakeholder summit, spearheaded by the FDA, to tackle the problem head-on. They’re calling for stricter border control measures, akin to Sweden’s swift rejection of the tainted import. The coalition also urges local government units to roll out random inspections in marketplaces, especially those catering to beauty products, in tandem with FDA field teams.

But the problem is not just offline.

“In today’s digital age, dangerous skin-whitening products like Goree are only a click away,” the Coalition warned, pointing a firm finger at e-commerce giants and social media platforms. “They must act decisively to prevent their platforms from becoming conduits for poison.”

Globally, Goree products have been banned or flagged by health authorities in Brunei, China (Hong Kong), New Zealand, Singapore, the United Kingdom, and the United States, reflecting a growing consensus that these products are too dangerous to remain in circulation.

Still, they persist—enabled by weak enforcement, social media marketing, and the toxic allure of colorism.

“We must break the chain,” the EcoWaste Coalition insisted. “We will not only keep exposing these hazardous products—we will challenge the toxic beauty standards that fuel their demand. We must celebrate the beauty of all skin tones and build a culture that values health over harmful illusions.”

The Coalition’s message is clear: protecting Filipino lives is non-negotiable, and the time for half-measures is over. It’s time for a bold, united front to flush these deadly cosmetics out of the country—before more lives are silently poisoned in pursuit of a dangerously marketed ideal.

Consumers who encounter unauthorized or suspicious beauty products are encouraged to report them to the FDA and to avoid purchasing from unverified sellers.

Forging a Future-Ready Southeast Asia: Angara Champions Regional Collaboration in Education Reform

Wazzup Pilipinas!?

In a bold affirmation of the Philippines' commitment to transformative education and inclusive development, Education Secretary and SEAMEO Council President Sonny Angara has concluded a series of landmark visits to Vietnam and the Lao People’s Democratic Republic (Lao PDR), calling for stronger regional collaboration to ensure Southeast Asia’s learners are prepared for an ever-evolving global landscape.

Angara’s diplomatic mission was not a mere ceremonial gesture. It was a compelling declaration that the time for shared action in education has come—rooted in a collective desire to build systems that are inclusive, equitable, and future-ready.

Vietnam: A Model of Visionary Investment

In Hanoi, Angara was warmly welcomed by Vietnamese Minister of Education and Training, His Excellency Nguyen Kim Son, and top officials who showcased the country’s significant strides in early childhood education and innovation-driven reforms.

“Vietnam’s strong focus on early childhood education is an investment in resilience,” Angara remarked during his dialogue with officials. “Your policies reflect a vision that many nations, including mine, aspire to emulate.”

The admiration was mutual, but Angara was particularly impressed by Vietnam’s harmonized approach—pairing inclusivity with quality. He praised the country’s efforts in universalizing access while maintaining robust standards, highlighting this as a benchmark for regional emulation.

Vietnam’s strategic thrust towards building a future-ready workforce, with emphases on artificial intelligence (AI), innovation, and career-readiness, struck a familiar chord with Angara. He cited the Philippines’ own initiative—the Education Center for AI Research (ECAIR)—as a testament to the country’s parallel commitment to modernizing its educational frameworks. “Our nations are aligned in our aspiration to prepare learners for a world that demands more than knowledge—it demands agility, creativity, and critical thinking.”

Angara’s engagements extended to the SEAMEO Centers in Hanoi, where he formalized new leadership appointments: Assistant Secretary Carmela Oracion to the SEAMEO Regional Training Center (RETRAC) and Assistant Secretary Jerome Buenviaje to the SEAMEO Regional Centre for Lifelong Learning (CELL). These appointments, he emphasized, symbolize the Philippines’ proactive stance in shaping regional education discourse, especially in literacy, adult learning, and leadership development.

Laos: Fostering Resilience Amidst Constraints

In the landlocked yet determined nation of Lao PDR, Angara’s dialogue with Education Minister Phout Simmalavong was a heartfelt exchange rooted in mutual respect and shared aspirations. The Lao delegation expressed particular interest in the Philippines’ teacher education programs—acknowledging the excellence and adaptability of Filipino educators and proposing a bilateral learning exchange.

Angara did not hesitate to spotlight the Department of Education’s School-Based Feeding Program (SBFP), an initiative proven to curb student dropouts and boost academic engagement. He also laid out the revised K–12 curriculum, designed to embed stronger industry linkages and elevate the employability of senior high school graduates.

Visiting the SEAMEO Center for Community Education Development (CED), Angara recognized Laos’ resilience in driving educational reforms despite financial limitations. He lauded their innovation in alternative learning systems (ALS), noting how such efforts extend learning opportunities to the most marginalized sectors of society.

Building a Region Through Data and Dialogue

At the core of Angara’s message was the Southeast Asia Primary Learning Metrics (SEA-PLM), a regional initiative he described as essential in mapping progress and informing policy. More than just a tool, Angara sees SEA-PLM as a living framework that demands ongoing feedback and refinement. “Let us ensure SEA-PLM continues to reflect the dynamism and diversity of our region,” he urged.

Throughout his journey, Angara wove a powerful narrative—one that places Southeast Asia not as a collection of individual efforts, but as a unified bloc working together to reimagine education for the 21st century.

A Vision Beyond Borders

“As we move forward, the path is clear: Southeast Asia must work together to ensure our education systems are not only inclusive and equitable, but also resilient and future-ready,” Angara declared with conviction.

In an era where global disruptions—from AI to climate change—demand responsive and adaptive education systems, Angara’s call to action could not be more timely. His mission in Vietnam and Laos was not merely a series of visits—it was a movement in the making, rallying Southeast Asia toward an educational renaissance rooted in collaboration, innovation, and compassion.

The message is unmistakable: when Southeast Asia rises together, it learns together—and when it learns together, it leads.