Five (5) Things You Should Do in PHILIPPiNEXT

Wazzup Pilipinas!?

The Technology Application and Promotion Institute (DOST-TAPI) is set to host the country's first-ever International Conference and Exposition on Innovations (ICE on I) from July 14 to 16, 2025, under its PHILIPPiNEXT campaign.  To learn more about the event, please read further. In collaboration with the Department of Science and Technology, the Asian and Pacific Centre for Transfer of Technology (APCTT), and funded by the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), DOST-TAPI has organized a series of exciting activities for the visitors and guests of ICE on I. 

(1) Explore and Meet Innovators (open to the public)

Join us for a public exhibit where innovators and inventors from around the globe will showcase their advanced technologies in sectors such as climate, digital, energy, and the environment.

(2) Fun Games and Challenges (open to the public) 

Attend the event to enjoy interactive games and challenges, where you can win prizes! Additional details will be available at the event.

Capture What’s NEXT Mobile Photo and Video Challenge 

All attendees of PHILIPPiNEXT are invited to participate in the "Capture What’s NEXT” Photo Challenge. Capture and share compelling innovations from the event through photography. Click here for the mechanics.

PHILIPPiNEXT Dance Challenge

Participants of the PHILIPPiNEXT Dance Challenge will perform a provided choreography to the official “Tap It with DOST-TAPI” Song.”  Videos should not exceed 30 seconds. Click here for the guidelines.

(3) Learn from Experts (only RSVP)

PHILIPPiNEXT will have technical conference sessions focused on the commercialization of intellectual property (IP) assets.  Topics include strategies, best practices, and the importance of IP protection in addressing climate solutions.  These sessions will be held until the afternoon of July 14, 2025, and the morning of July 15, 2025.

(4) Be part of What’s NEXT Media Conference (only RSVP)

An exclusive event for local media partners, the ‘What’s NEXT’ Media Conference will feature global innovation stories from PHILIPPiNEXT.  DOST-TAPI will spotlight five diverse individuals who are driving the next wave of change, sharing their unique journeys and the impact of their innovations.  If you're interested in joining as a media partner, you can register here and secure your slot.

(5) Attend the Second and Third Days of PHILIPPiNEXT

 

The excitement continues beyond the first day! We will be at the Okada Hotel until July 16, 2025, with more engaging events.  Check our website for details on side events, including the Launch of the i-TECH Lending Program, Gawad Alunig x Dalumat, Film Screening, DOST-TAPI’s paper presentation, an International Invention Contest, Technology Pitching, and an International Policy Dialogue.

 

To learn more and register, please visit the PHILIPPiNEXT website at tapi.dost.gov.ph/philippinext.  Follow updates on social media on the PHILIPPiNEXT and DOST-TAPI’s Official Facebook Pages.

By Mirielle Vacal 

Unleash Your Inner Pro: Power Mac Center’s Free Masterclass Returns—Bigger, Bolder, and Bursting with Creative Power

Wazzup Pilipinas!?

MAKATI CITY, Philippines – July 2, 2025 — Get ready to supercharge your creativity as Power Mac Center (PMC) proudly brings back one of its most iconic learning events—Masterclass: Create Like a Pro—now in a bigger venue, with a bolder vision, and packed with more real-world creative power than ever before.

Happening on July 12, 2025 (Saturday), 1:00 PM at Power Mac Center Spotlight in Circuit Makati, this hands-on, free workshop is not just a class—it’s a creative revolution. Designed to empower creatives, entrepreneurs, and students alike, Masterclass 2025 brings together the best of Apple technology and the brilliance of top industry professionals under one roof for an unforgettable afternoon of inspiration, innovation, and interaction.

“If you’ve ever dreamed of leveling up your craft and getting the most out of your Mac and iPad, now’s the opportune time,” said Joey Alvarez, PMC’s Director for Marketing and Product Management. “We gathered some of the best creative minds in the country for an afternoon of free training and inspiration, packed with real creative power.”

Meet the Powerhouse Lineup

This year’s Masterclass boasts four of the most exciting and influential names in the Philippine creative scene:

Mady Marcelino (Hey Mady!) – A visionary illustrator known for vibrant digital art and storytelling.

Jiggie Alejandrino – Renowned photographer and lighting master whose expertise has inspired thousands.

Paolo Valenciano – Acclaimed concert director and entrepreneur who brings visions to life on stage.

Michelle Dee – Actress, beauty queen, and advocate, offering her unique perspective on personal branding and creativity.

Each speaker will go beyond the basics—sharing their actual workflows, stories, and how Apple’s Mac and iPad elevate their craft. It’s a rare, no-holds-barred peek behind the creative curtain.

Learn, Create, Win

What makes Masterclass 2025 unmissable?

Immersive Creative Workshops – Learn directly from the pros. From illustration and photography to direction and digital branding, there’s something for every creative mind.

Official Certificate of Participation – All attendees receive recognition for completing this transformative session.

Win an iPad Air (M2) – Every confirmed participant has a chance to bring home the powerful iPad Air—no purchase needed!

Exclusive Event-Only Discounts:

₱500 off on all Mac and iPad purchases (stackable with other promotions!)

15% off on premium accessories from Belkin, Logitech, and PanzerGlass (not combinable with other offers).

Spots are limited! Secure yours now: https://tally.so/r/w8gEOo

Attendees are encouraged to bring their own Mac or iPad to fully participate in the creative sessions.

Keep Earning with the 1 Infinite Loyalty App

Turn every purchase into progress with the 1 Infinite app, PMC’s loyalty program where 1 point = ₱1. Members can redeem rewards such as:

Apple devices and accessories

Training courses

Service discounts

Members earn:

1 point per ₱200 spent (Connected, Lunar, Stellar tiers)

1 point per ₱100 spent (Astra, Cosmos tiers)

Download now:

App Store: http://bit.ly/4hljdr2

Google Play: https://bit.ly/42ovsyK

Visit: powermaccenter.com

Enjoy up to 50% off on Apple training courses, and receive special benefits via Basecamp (training) and Mobile Care (repairs & services).

Stay in the Loop

Don’t miss out on Power Mac Center’s latest announcements and promos. Follow their official pages.

About Power Mac Center

Celebrating over 30 years as the Philippines’ leading Apple Premium Partner, Power Mac Center is a trusted name in technology and innovation. As an Apple Premium Reseller, Authorized Service Provider, and Professional Learning Provider, PMC offers the full Apple ecosystem—from devices and accessories to services, training, and support—with over 150 retail and service centers nationwide.

Visit a Power Mac Center near you, or explore online at https://powermaccenter.com.

This is your moment to create like a pro. Don’t just use your Mac or iPad—master it.

Mark your calendars. July 12, 2025. Power Mac Center Spotlight. Be there.

West Bank on the Brink: 40,000 Lives in Limbo After Five Months of Forced Displacement Under 'Iron Wall' Operation

Wazzup Pilipinas!?

JERUSALEM, 1 July 2025 — The northern West Bank is in the grip of a deepening humanitarian catastrophe. Five months after the Israeli military launched its devastating ‘Iron Wall’ campaign, over 40,000 Palestinians remain forcibly displaced, barred from returning to their homes, and stranded with little to no access to basic services, healthcare, or safety.

In what humanitarian workers are now calling a protracted siege, Israeli forces continue to occupy the refugee camps of Jenin, Tulkarem, and Nur Shams. Entire communities have been violently emptied, their homes burned, looted, or outright destroyed. Those who dare attempt to return face bullets, arrests, and threats. The result is a crisis not born of natural disaster, but of deliberate, systematic action — a man-made tragedy unfolding in plain sight.

“After five months, the military operation continues. The camps remain sealed off. Families are still in limbo.”

— Simona Onidi, MSF Project Coordinator, Jenin and Tulkarem

A Region Held Hostage

Doctors Without Borders / Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) — which has had a consistent field presence in the region — warns that the humanitarian toll is mounting at an alarming rate. In its latest advocacy briefing, Five Months Under Iron Wall, the organization lays bare the extent of the crisis.

Through nearly 300 interviews conducted in May across 17 different locations in the northern West Bank, MSF paints a picture of widespread suffering and despair:

Nearly half of the displaced have been uprooted three or more times in just four months.

73% are unsure if they will be able to stay where they are now.

1 in 3 report being unable to access a doctor when needed.

Nearly 50% lack consistent access to food and water.

Over 35% of patients with chronic illnesses cannot access their medications.

More than 100 cases of indiscriminate violence against returnees, including shootings, beatings, and arbitrary detentions, have been reported.

The psychological damage is equally harrowing, especially among women and children. The endless cycle of displacement, the looming threat of military violence, and the traumatic loss of homes and loved ones are leaving deep emotional scars.

“We live in a constant state of fear. My family keeps our bags packed, ready to flee at any moment.”

— Displaced woman, Nur Shams Refugee Camp

A Humanitarian Response Under Siege

In response to this escalating crisis, MSF has deployed mobile medical units to over 40 sites, offering primary healthcare, mental health support, and essential medications. But these efforts are far from sufficient in the face of such widespread displacement and denial of humanitarian access.

The camps — once densely populated centers of Palestinian life and culture — have been transformed into militarized zones. The Israeli military presence is ongoing, with no timeline for withdrawal. Civilians attempting to reclaim their homes are met with destruction or death.

“When I came back to my home in the camp, it had been burned down — and my neighbor had been killed.”

— Displaced man, Tulkarem Refugee Camp

A Crisis by Design

The Iron Wall operation, launched in early 2025, is only the latest chapter in a long and violent campaign against Palestinian communities in the West Bank. Since October 2023, the region has experienced unprecedented levels of military aggression, restrictions on movement, and systemic attacks on medical and humanitarian personnel.

MSF emphasizes that this crisis is not an unintended consequence of conflict — it is the product of deliberate, coercive measures designed to fragment and erase entire communities.

“What we’re seeing is not just a humanitarian emergency; it’s a man-made crisis, prolonged by design, and worsening by the day.”

— Simona Onidi, MSF

An Urgent Call to Action

MSF is now urging the international community, humanitarian organizations, and all stakeholders to confront the severity of the situation. There is an immediate need for:

Unfettered humanitarian access to provide medical care, food, water, and shelter.

Mental health support, especially for children and women.

International pressure to halt military operations and allow for safe, dignified returns of displaced communities.

Accountability for ongoing violations of international law and protection of civilians.

As the world watches Gaza, the silent suffering in the West Bank continues — less visible, but no less devastating. These 40,000 displaced Palestinians are not just statistics. They are mothers and fathers, children and elders, all caught in a brutal standoff where survival itself has become a daily struggle.

The Iron Wall stands not just as a physical barrier, but as a chilling symbol of oppression. Until it falls, tens of thousands remain trapped — exiled in their own homeland.

📄 Read MSF’s full advocacy briefing here:

“Five Months Under Iron Wall: The Human Toll of Prolonged Displacement & Territorial Fragmentation in the West Bank”

https://www.msf.org/five-months-under-iron-wall-human-toll-prolonged-displacement-west-bank

Additional context and links:

Jenin (Wikipedia): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jenin

Tulkarem (Wikipedia): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tulkarm

Nur Shams Refugee Camp (Wikipedia): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nur_Shams_Refugee_Camp

MSF Palestine operations: https://www.msf.org/palestine

Doctors Without Borders (Homepage): https://www.msf.org