MarkADo! Caps Off a Winning Move for 22nd PUP AdCongress

Wazzup Pilipinas!? 

MANILA, PHILIPPINES—From expert insights to interactive segments, this full-house seminar proved ad recall is a game you can master.

“MarkADo! Winning Ads on the Board” successfully made its mark on January 27, 2026, from 8:00 AM to 12:00 PM at PUP Bulwagang Balagtas. The event gathered students and industry professionals for an interactive discussion on what makes advertising campaigns truly remarkable.

The seminar welcomed over 500 attendees composed of the Advertising and Public Relations (ADPR) community, aspiring marketing professionals, partner universities, and PUP alumni.

Kicking off the speaker lineup was Margie Husmalaga, Senior Media Director and Partner at GIGIL, who discussed how brands can stand out in a cluttered media landscape. She cited notable GIGIL campaigns such as RC Cola’s Gen Z-targeted ads and Skyro’s literally flexible billboard. She wrapped up her talk with a reminder that resonated with the audience: “Be brave, be bold—but most of all, be true”.

Taking the stage next was Jeriko Buenafe, a jingle composer best known for his work on Ritemed and the Da Pers Family theme song. His talk focused on audio recall and how strong planning and execution shape effective jingles. He emphasized that simplicity is key, noting that melodies have staying power to remain remarkable even years after their release.

Following this was Roman Carlo Olivarez of TREYNA Group who tackled visual recall. He highlighted how the brain processes visual information within milliseconds, and introduced the importance of distinctive brand assets in building strong brand identity. According to Olivarez, visuals do more than catch attention—they evoke emotion, tell stories, build brand identity, and provide solutions.

After the speaker sessions, the program shifted to the informative game show segment “Markado o Singko!” which tested the audience’s memory on popular advertisements. Cheers erupted in the venue when social media personality Inah Evans, known for her appearance in “Ang Walang Kwentang Podcast” and popularly dubbed “Mother Beep Card”, joined the segment as one of the panelists alongside Buenafe and Olivarez.

Following the game show, the PUPian drag queen Edsa Xxtra took the stage and re-energized the crowd with her usual intense performances. She further engaged the attendees by leading the audience in a Nestlé wellness dance that brought movement, laughter, and nostalgia to the venue.

The seminar concluded with Gio Puyat, Advertising Director and podcast host of Kwentong Creatives, who discussed how brands can sustain recall over time. He highlighted the diversity of roles within the advertising industry, encouraging students to explore where they truly fit. Puyat urged everyone to make something they want to see in the world, and to follow their passion as doing so will lead them in the right place.

As the program wrapped, MarkADo! left with a clear message: the most remarkable campaigns are built through strategic choices from planning to execution, much like the seminar’s chess theme. With expert-led discussions and interactive segments, MarkADo! equipped its attendees with practical strategies that they can apply to their next ideas and campaigns.

The seminar’s winning run was strengthened by its Lead Media Partners: Manila Standard, Manila Bulletin, and WazzupPilipinas.com . Together with Official Media Partners: When In Manila, IKOTPH, Edge TV Philippines, Now You Know PH, and TV Maria.

MarkADo was also made possible through its sponsors: Fitbar (Official Health Boost Partner), PUPian Lifestyle (Official Merch Partner), 901 Studios (Official Production House Partner), and Official Snack Partners Fudgee Barr, Doowee Donut Delectables, and Brownie Break. The event was held in collaboration with FlexOffice Philippines and Ohana Philippines, with event sponsors Careline, Floofs, Goya, Tri-Vision Ventures, Inc., and Dunkin’.

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DepEd rolls out classroom leasing to fast-track relief from classroom shortage

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PILA, LAGUNA, 9 February 2025 — The Department of Education (DepEd) on Monday rolled out its Classroom Leasing Initiative, a stopgap measure developed with local governments and private sector partners to immediately decongest overcrowded public schools while permanent classroom construction is ongoing.



In line with the directive of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., Education Secretary Sonny Angara led the launch of the initiative in Pila, Laguna, marking the first time DepEd formally operationalized classroom leasing as a national infrastructure strategy to ease space constraints in high-density areas.

The leased facility is now serving as an annex of Don Manuel Rivera Memorial Integrated National High School, allowing Senior High School learners to transfer to a nearby site, easing congestion and allowing more comfortable learning conditions.

 


“Hindi natin isinasantabi ang pagtatayo ng mga bagong silid-aralan. Tuloy-tuloy pa rin ang classroom construction sa buong bansa. Pero habang ginagawa ito, kailangan din nating mag-isip ng mga praktikal at agarang solusyon gaya ng classroom leasing para hindi na maghintay ang mga bata at guro ng ilang taon bago magkaroon ng maayos na lugar para matuto,” Angara said.


He also stressed that it would complement long-term infrastructure programs, including traditional classroom building, public-private partnership projects, and other alternative delivery modalities.


Angara noted that the approach is meant to respond to urgent classroom shortages that force schools to adopt shifting schedules, reduce instructional time, and stretch teaching resources, particularly in rapidly growing provinces and urbanizing municipalities.


Laguna, which ranks among the third most congested provinces nationwide, was identified as an initial pilot area due to its large enrollment base and limited expansion space in several public schools.


DepEd refurbished and repurposed the leased classrooms within a few months, demonstrating how existing but idle facilities, including former private schools that closed during the pandemic, can be quickly converted into functional learning spaces.


The Department added that leasing provides a cost-efficient option in areas where land acquisition is difficult or where immediate relief is needed to prevent learner displacement while larger projects are still in the pipeline.


Local officials in Pila welcomed the initiative, noting that national-local collaboration helped fast-track site identification, coordination with property owners, and the delivery of basic requirements needed to open the facility.


DepEd said it plans to replicate the classroom leasing model in other high-need areas, particularly where local governments and private partners are willing to participate in shared solutions to address classroom congestion.


The initiative forms part of the Marcos administration’s broader push to close the country’s classroom gap through a mix of accelerated construction, partnerships with LGUs and the private sector, and flexible, time-bound interventions aimed at protecting instructional time and improving learning conditions.

Christian Bautista & Mark Bautista Set To Ignite New Frontier Theater In Bautista X Bautista Concert

Wazzup Pilipinas!? 




Quezon City, Philippines – OPM icon Christian Bautista is set to take center stage in Bautista X Bautista, a special concert happening on March 6, 2026 at 8:00 PM at the New Frontier Theater, featuring fellow singer and longtime collaborator Mark Bautista.

The concert spotlights Christian’s continuing evolution as an artist, bringing together his timeless ballads, recent collaborations, and new music in one evening. Mark Bautista joins him onstage for select performances, adding depth and energy through their shared musical history and chemistry.

A key highlight of the concert is Christian’s latest single, Sa’yo Lamang, set for release on February 25, 2026. The heartfelt track marks a new chapter in his music, reflecting the romantic storytelling he is known for while offering a fresh, contemporary sound that resonates with both longtime fans and new listeners.

Bautista X Bautista underscores Christian’s commitment to collaboration and live performance, celebrating music, connection, and shared artistry. The concert also reinforces his enduring presence in the OPM scene, alongside a fellow artist who has grown with him through the years.

Christian Bautista is proudly managed by NYMA Talent Management.

Fans can expect a night of beloved OPM hits, powerful vocals, meaningful duets, and the live performance of Sa’yo Lamang.

Concert Details
📍 New Frontier Theater, Quezon City
📆 March 6, 2026 | 8:00 PM

🎟 Tickets via TicketNet:
https://www.ticketnet.com.ph/event-detail/BAUTISTA-X-BAUTISTA