Journalists Staying True to Their Calling: The Story of Wazzup Pilipinas Founder Ross Del Rosario

Wazzup Pilipinas 

In a media landscape often drowned out by noise, ego, and misinformation, the rare breed of personable yet hard-hitting journalists continues to shine — not just for their quick wit and courage to ask the uncomfortable questions, but for something increasingly scarce: integrity.

These are the storytellers who carry a grounded sharpness in their tone — forged from years of chasing truth — and a warmth in their conversations that is unfiltered, honest, and utterly disarming. Their craft is more than a profession; it is an instinct, a calling.

Among them is Ross Flores Del Rosario, founder of Wazzup Pilipinas, whose journey from sketching comic book characters as a schoolboy to covering the nation’s most volatile political and social developments is a testament to perseverance, adaptability, and the relentless pursuit of truth.

From Classroom Artist to Campus Journalist

“I’ve always been a journalist at heart,” Del Rosario says.

His love affair with storytelling began in high school at Pateros Catholic School, where he joined the school paper — not as a writer at first, but as its artist. This passion for illustration had been with him since elementary days, when he would draw his own comic books on the back pages of used reports, complete with original stories and dialogues.

Soon, his creative output found another home: the church paper of the Presbyterian Church of Pasig, where his aunt encouraged him to contribute. By the time he entered Mapua University (then Mapua Institute of Technology) to take up Electronics and Communications Engineering, Del Rosario’s curiosity and knack for communication were already deeply embedded — even if his course had little to do with journalism.

The Unexpected Shift to Storytelling

After graduation, Del Rosario navigated a series of jobs and business ventures, including running a gaming shop and internet café. He began contributing articles to a computer enthusiasts’ magazine by TipidPC, where his style began to sharpen. His work ethic was guided by personal standards for quality, ethics, and moral values — and when those standards weren’t met, he had no qualms about moving on.

Social media soon became his arena. While still running his business, he landed a junior writer role for an online portal. Within six months, he was promoted to senior writer. Event invitations flooded in, and organizers often asked him to bring other bloggers along. Seeing the potential, he founded Wazzup Pilipinas, his own online portal.

Awards, recognitions, and international blogging invitations followed. From that point on, he knew his path was set: “I am destined to have an online presence.”

From Lifestyle Coverage to Advocacy Journalism

At first, Wazzup Pilipinas focused on lifestyle, events, food, and travel. But over time, Del Rosario expanded into covering political issues, governance, environmental advocacy, and human rights. This evolution brought partnerships with government agencies, collaborations with mainstream media, and stints in radio, online shows, and even a newspaper editorial team.

“I always tell new bloggers today that they have to build their core,” he says. “Blogging is a state of mind. If you don’t have a deep understanding of its purpose, you won’t last. You’ll quit after a few years.”

The Pandemic Pause — and a Reinvention

Like many in the industry, Del Rosario faced a slowdown when the pandemic struck. “I was also infected by COVID, though asymptomatic,” he recalls. “We were even sent back from a resort we had checked into after they learned I was positive.”

Event coverage stalled. Opportunities dried up. But once restrictions lifted, the digital landscape had changed dramatically — short vertical videos, livestreams, and reels were now dominating.

Rather than resist, Del Rosario adapted. He embraced new platforms and formats, ensuring Wazzup Pilipinas remained relevant in an era where “everyone can be a content creator.”

Stepping into Environmental Leadership

In 2025, Del Rosario became External Vice President of the Green Party of the Philippines and a Trustee of the Bayanihan Para Sa Kalikasan Movement. His advocacy work now runs parallel to his journalism, reinforcing his belief that media has the power — and responsibility — to influence meaningful change.

The Road Ahead

From a cramped room in a Pasig BLISS unit to national recognition, Ross Del Rosario’s journey has been neither easy nor glamorous. But it is grounded in persistence, adaptability, and integrity — the same values that drew him to journalism in the first place.

The future of Wazzup Pilipinas is still being written. More collaborations, partnerships, and sponsorships are on the horizon. And as long as there are stories to tell, Ross Del Rosario — the journalist, the advocate, the relentless truth-seeker — will be there to tell them.

Because for him, this isn’t just a career. It’s a calling.

Germany’s Highways Are Now Power Plants — and They’re Quieter Too

Wazzup Pilipinas!?

Germany’s innovation story is shifting gears—literally. Today’s highways are evolving from mere concrete conduits of travel into vibrant arteries of renewable power. A symphony of sustainability is unfolding across the nation as noise barriers, once designed to dampen traffic hum, now double as solar energy harvesters—quietly fueling a cleaner, greener future.

From Noise Walls to Power Generators

Take Bürstadt, a town on the Rhine, where a 440-yard noise barrier was outfitted with 1,620 solar cells. The result? Annual production of 250,000 kWh—enough to power 80 homes—for decades to come. Over its lifetime, the structure will yield more than 8 million kWh of clean electricity 

In Upper Bavaria’s Neuötting, innovation meets practicality. Here, a slanted photovoltaic noise wall, 234 metres long, delivers around 51,500 kWh annually—sufficient to power a nearby Montessori school—while still protecting students from highway noise. Built in 2016, this project is now a model for similar installations across the region 

Along the A31 near Emden, a 492-metre sound barrier combines thin-film photovoltaic modules with sound dampening. With 53.5 kWp capacity, the installation demonstrates how prefabricated PV elements can replace traditional shell components—efficiently integrating power generation into infrastructure design 

Scaling the Vision: Nationwide Potential

The possibilities stretch far beyond these pilots. Germany’s Federal Ministry for Digital and Transport (BMDV) estimates that over 4,770 km of noise protection structures could host 1.5 GWp of solar capacity. That’s roughly 1,412 GWh per year—enough to avoid nearly one million tonnes of CO₂ emissions annually 

Moreover, the Federal Highway Research Institute (BASt) identifies national highways—embankments, barriers, parking areas, rest stops—as promising sites. Noise barriers alone could yield 3.2–4.2 GW of PV capacity, while total highway-based PV potential ranges between 24 and 48 GW 

Pilot studies are emerging everywhere. A 33 kW canopy prototype over the Autobahn 81’s adjacent lane—implemented by Germany, Austria, and Switzerland—is currently under scientific monitoring, supported by streamlined solar legislation aimed at highway climate neutrality 

Meanwhile, the research initiative PVwins, led by Fraunhofer ISE in collaboration with R. Kohlhauser, IGRA Power, and other partners, is testing five novel integrated PV solutions for noise barriers—ranging from bifacial modules to transparent acoustic absorbers suitable for retrofits or new installations 

Why It Matters: More Than Just Solar

This daring approach reflects a broader design philosophy: infrastructure that does more. Here's why this matters:

Triples the win: Noise reduction, renewable energy, and—when using green barriers like RAU’s—air quality improvements and urban greening too 

Land-light solutions: Built into existing corridors, these systems sidestep the space constraints and land-use conflicts of traditional solar farms.

Legal and economic momentum: Germany’s Renewable Energy Act and the 2023 Approval Acceleration Act simplify permitting near roadways—and a national registry is helping municipalities and investors mobilize 

Redefining infrastructure value: What was once “just a barrier” now emerges as power-producing, noise-shielding, community-enhancing infrastructure.

A Quiet Revolution

These pilot programs, studies, and prototypes are more than experiments—they’re glimpses into a future where sustainability, livability, and efficiency converge. By reimagining everyday structures—from noise walls to embankments—as multipurpose assets, Germany is dialing down carbon emissions and traffic noise while dialing up innovation.

This is infrastructure reborn—not as monolithic and static, but as quietly powerful, purposeful, and forward-thinking. As cities sprawl and highways pulse with traffic, these solar-sound hybrids show that progress doesn’t always need something new. Sometimes, it simply needs imagination—and a sunlit wall awaiting its hidden potential.

From Conflict to Harmony: The HWPL Peace Revolution Transforming the Philippines

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How one organization turned ancient religious divisions into a movement of unity, establishing 18 peace monuments across a nation once torn by sectarian violence

In the heart of Cotabato City, where the echoes of decades-long conflict between Christians and Muslims once reverberated through the streets, something extraordinary began to unfold. What started as a simple interfaith dialogue has evolved into one of the most comprehensive peace movements in Southeast Asia, fundamentally changing how communities approach religious differences and conflict resolution.

The Genesis of Change

The story begins with HWPL (Heavenly Culture, World Peace, Restoration of Light), an organization that dared to dream of something seemingly impossible: genuine peace between communities that had been divided by religious conflict for generations. But this wasn't just another peace initiative destined to fade into bureaucratic obscurity. This was the beginning of a revolution that would touch every corner of the Philippines.

On August 1, 2023, at the Shariff Kabunsuan Cultural Complex in Cotabato City, hundreds of religious leaders, educators, and peace advocates gathered for what would become a pivotal moment in Philippine peace history. The launch of the Religious Peace Academy (RPA) marked not just another conference, but the birth of a systematic approach to transforming conflict through education and understanding.

"Creating a Platform for Enhancing Comparative Scriptural Knowledge" – the theme of that momentous gathering – represented more than academic pursuit. It embodied a radical idea: that through deep understanding of each other's sacred texts, former enemies could become allies in building lasting peace.

When Crisis Became Catalyst

The true test of HWPL's approach came not during peaceful times, but in moments of crisis that could have shattered years of careful relationship-building. On December 3, 2023, a bombing incident at a Catholic Mass at Mindanao State University in Marawi sent shockwaves through the region. In previous decades, such an attack might have triggered cycles of retaliation and communal violence.

Instead, something unprecedented happened. Within hours of the incident, HWPL facilitated an emergency Ulama-Bishop Dialogue Meeting. Eleven Muslim leaders and seven Christian religious leaders came together, not to point fingers or assign blame, but to issue a joint statement condemning violence and reaffirming their commitment to peace.

This moment crystallized what HWPL had been building: a network of relationships strong enough to withstand the pressures that traditionally tear communities apart. The joint statement wasn't just words on paper – it was a declaration that the old patterns of religious conflict would no longer define this region's future.

The Educational Revolution

But HWPL understood that lasting peace required more than crisis management. It demanded a fundamental shift in how future generations would understand religious difference. This insight led to one of their most ambitious initiatives: the systematic integration of peace education throughout the Philippine educational system.

The Religious Peace Academy became the cornerstone of this effort, moving beyond traditional interfaith dialogue to create structured learning experiences. High school students at Signal Village National High School began watching RPA lessons twice weekly, not as passive observers but as active participants in peace activities. The curriculum wasn't about converting anyone to different beliefs, but about understanding the common threads of compassion and justice that run through all major religious traditions.

The impact rippled outward like concentric circles in a pond. From Cotabato City, the program expanded to Schools Division Offices in Laguna, Southern Leyte, and beyond. Teachers received training not just in curriculum content, but in the delicate art of facilitating conversations about religion in diverse classrooms.

The Voice of Peace Project

Perhaps most remarkably, HWPL recognized that peace education couldn't remain confined to formal institutions. During the pandemic, when physical gatherings became impossible, they launched the Voice of Peace (VOP) project – an ambitious effort to train volunteer educators in communities across the Philippines.

By 2020, the numbers were staggering: 2,688 teachers and faculty members from 578 educational institutions had been trained in peace education methodologies. But these weren't just statistics – each number represented a multiplier effect, someone equipped to carry the message of peace to their own communities, classrooms, and families.

The project's genius lay in its recognition that sustainable peace must be grassroots-driven. Rather than imposing solutions from above, HWPL created a network of local peace ambassadors who understood their communities' unique challenges and opportunities.

Legislative Legacy

While education changed hearts and minds, HWPL understood that lasting transformation required institutional support. This led to one of their most significant achievements: the passage of comprehensive peace legislation at multiple levels of government.

The Declaration of Peace and Cessation of War (DPCW), crafted through extensive consultation with legal experts, religious leaders, and peace advocates, became the template for a wave of legislative action across the Philippines. Regional governments, cities, provinces, and municipalities began adopting resolutions supporting the DPCW framework, creating a legal foundation for peace-building efforts.

These weren't ceremonial gestures. Each resolution represented a commitment by local governments to prioritize conflict prevention, protect religious minorities, and support peace education initiatives. The cumulative effect was the creation of a policy environment that actively supported peace-building rather than merely tolerating it.

Monuments to Transformation

Perhaps nothing symbolizes HWPL's impact more powerfully than the 18 Peace Monuments established across the Philippines between 2015 and 2024. These aren't merely decorative structures, but tangible reminders of communities' commitment to choosing peace over conflict.

Each monument tells a story of transformation. In locations once marked by violence, communities now gather to celebrate their diversity rather than fear it. Former combatants donate weapons that are transformed into symbols of peace. Children who might have grown up surrounded by suspicion and hatred instead learn to see religious difference as a source of strength rather than division.

The monuments serve as focal points for ongoing peace activities – spaces where the theoretical becomes practical, where abstract concepts of interfaith harmony are lived out in concrete community relationships.

The Great Legacy Documentary

In 2022, HWPL took their story global with the premiere of "Great Legacy: A Peace Documentary." The film, screened in Davao City, Manila, South Korea, and Colombia, showcased the Philippine peace process as a model for other conflict-affected regions around the world.

The documentary's power lay not in grand proclamations but in intimate portraits of transformation: former enemies becoming friends, children learning to see diversity as normal rather than threatening, communities choosing dialogue over violence even in moments of crisis.

International audiences watched in amazement as the film documented something many had thought impossible: the systematic transformation of religious conflict into interfaith cooperation through patient, methodical peace-building work.

Beyond the Philippines

The success in the Philippines didn't go unnoticed internationally. HWPL's methodology – combining interfaith dialogue, peace education, legislative advocacy, and community monument projects – began attracting attention from conflict-affected regions worldwide.

The organization's approach offered something unique in the peace-building field: a comprehensive, replicable model that addressed both immediate crisis management and long-term transformation. The Philippine experience demonstrated that even deeply rooted religious conflicts could be transformed through sustained, multifaceted intervention.

The Continuing Revolution

Today, the HWPL peace story in the Philippines continues to unfold. New Peace Clubs are forming in schools across the archipelago. More communities are requesting peace monuments. Additional provinces and cities are adopting DPCW-inspired legislation.

But perhaps most significantly, a new generation is growing up with fundamentally different assumptions about religious difference. Where their parents might have seen cause for suspicion or conflict, these young people see opportunities for learning and cooperation.

The children attending peace education classes today will become tomorrow's religious leaders, government officials, teachers, and community organizers. They're being equipped not just with knowledge about different faith traditions, but with the practical skills needed to maintain peace when future challenges arise.

Lessons for the World

The HWPL experience in the Philippines offers several crucial insights for peace-building efforts worldwide:

Comprehensive Approach: Lasting peace requires intervention at multiple levels – crisis response, education, legislation, and community engagement. No single approach, however well-intentioned, is sufficient.

Local Ownership: External organizations can provide resources and expertise, but sustainable peace must ultimately be owned and maintained by local communities. HWPL's success came from empowering local leaders rather than replacing them.

Patient Investment: Transforming deep-rooted conflicts requires long-term commitment. The most significant changes often happen gradually, through accumulation of small victories rather than dramatic breakthroughs.

Crisis as Opportunity: Moments of crisis, while dangerous, also create opportunities for breakthrough. The key is having strong enough relationships and systems in place to channel crisis energy toward constructive rather than destructive ends.

Youth Focus: While working with current leaders is important, investing in the next generation's peace-building capacity provides the greatest long-term return on investment.

The Ripple Effect Continues

As 2024 draws to a close, the HWPL peace story in the Philippines stands as one of the most successful large-scale peace-building initiatives of the early 21st century. From a single interfaith dialogue in Cotabato City to 18 peace monuments across the archipelago, from emergency crisis management to systematic peace education, the transformation has been both comprehensive and profound.

But perhaps the most powerful testament to HWPL's impact isn't found in statistics or monuments, but in the quiet, everyday interactions between people who once saw each other as enemies. In classrooms where children of different faiths learn together. In community meetings where religious leaders collaborate on shared challenges. In the simple fact that dialogue has replaced violence as the default response to religious difference.

The revolution continues, one conversation, one student, one community at a time. In a world increasingly divided by religious and ideological conflict, the Philippine experience offers more than hope – it provides a roadmap for transformation that other societies can adapt and apply to their own unique circumstances.

The HWPL peace story reminds us that even the most entrenched conflicts can be transformed when communities choose the patient work of building understanding over the temporary satisfaction of winning arguments. In doing so, they've created something far more valuable than victory – they've created the foundation for a peace that can endure across generations.

The HWPL Peace Story continues to unfold across the Philippines and around the world, demonstrating that the choice between conflict and cooperation remains ours to make, one relationship at a time.