Food, Negros Food!

Wazzup Pilipinas!?

Visitors to Negros Occidental always take away happy memories about their gastronomic discoveries. From iconic pastries to Bacolod City’s branded chicken inasal, to hearty, steaming, extraordinarily rich bowls of kansi, Negros has become the new food destination. In the last decade alone we’ve earned the moniker “Organic Food Capital”. We’ve also taken a seat among seafood farmers, Negros being the leading prawn producer in the country. We’re graduating a record number of culinary arts professionals from our colleges and universities. Our chefs are second to none. And most recently, Negros Occidental has become the bedrock of the slow food movement in the Philippines. No wonder then, Negros Season of Culture celebrates Negrense Food. That’s how we’re rooted. And that’s how we’ll take on the world.



Popular Lumpia Ubod Versions: Can You Tell the Difference?

First on the table is Lumpia Ubod. To be clear, our version is different. Our wrapper is not made from eggs, but ground rice. We don’t put sauce outside. We put it inside where it can suffuse well the filling of palm heart and choice meat. The lumpia ubod (or, as Tagalogs would say, lumpiang ubod) is a traditional snack hereabouts. It even lists among the esteemed “mahjong merienda” fare. Families known for special cuisines take pride in their version of the lumpia ubod. In ages past home kitchens used special ingredients, like the tahure paste made with tofu, sugar, and ginger, spread inside the lumpia wrapper to give every bite heat. But with time, the lumpia ubod has evolved to delight modern palates. In Lumpia Ubod, Negros Season of Culture spent a day with Chef Richard Ynayan of the Institute of the Culinary Arts of the University of St. La Salle for a chat about these innovated offerings.




Negros Seafood

In addition to being a big player in the country’s prawn and fish pond industry, Negros Occidental has many fish ports throughout the province. Outside the capital, three easily come to mind, the Tagda Fish Port in Hinigaran, the Tabao Fish Port in Valladolid, and the Sagay Fish Port in Sagay City, each one fetching over five tons of harvest daily. Seafood has always been a major food group in the Negrense’s daily menu. In Negros Seafood, we set up kitchen at a private resort in Silay City to create the perfect setting for Chef Gabriel “Gab” Melocoton and Chaela Ruth Mirano to take us on a seafood cooking show that re-issues three popular delicacies into five-star dishes. Beyond steaming, beyond smothering them with chili garlic sauce, Chef Gab tweaks the lukon, diwal, and litog to surprise you.



Peanut Gang

Peanuts Gang is a story of MSME success, one of many uplifting entrepreneurial stories in Negros Occidental. At the recent Negros Trade Fair in Manila, Negros Season of Culture met Shiena Becaro Pobleto, a young mother who has pushed the peanut business started by her parents beyond what they ever dreamed of. There in Glorietta, within her two-by-three booth, she wooed the world with her branded peanuts. Now we know, it’s not all about selling. One of her siblings has integrated farming into the picture to ensure the supply chain. This is not so “MSME” anymore, it seems, but that’s exactly what happens when MSME turns big.

While in the subject of food, the Negros Season of Culture looks forward to celebrating an upcoming event at the Power Plant Mall in Rockwell Center, Makati City. Happening from November 4-6 is Namit Namit Food Festival, Best of Negrense Favorites. Negros Season of Culture ambassador, actor Joel Torre, is the man behind JT’s Manukan. Fancy meeting him and savoring his famous chicken inasal at the Power Plant. Mark your calendars.

Masskara Festival Food Trip at Bacolod - 18th Street Palapala Seafood Grill & Restaurant

Wazzup Pilipinas! Our Team goes to Negros together with Wyatt Belmonte and Jayson Biadog to celebrate the much-awaited and exciting 3 weeklong Masskara Festival. Too bad that our Editor in Chief Ross Del Rosario was out, covering several out-of-town events in Ilocos and different regions in the country.

But what happened last Sunday was the final main event highlight of the Bacolod Masskara festival. So before heading to the main event in Lacson Street Bacolod city. Together with Wyatt and the 3 owners of the restaurant we just had a great late lunch. A little talk about being owners managing the 40-staff restaurant now on its 19th year in business. It's the usual routine and different unique tasty menus.

Also, a little chitchat when it comes to who visits the restaurant like it was called 4 times by former VP Leni Robredo, Chavit Singson, and Manny Pacquiao. And supposed to be VP Sarah Duterte, with her staff having lunch beside us at the other table. Also the most viral talks with Joel Torre and Edu Manzano dining in the area.

With lots of car park available and can dined around 300+ persons. I think this will be a perfect lunch or dinner stopover when you are touring around Negros or the Bacolod area to feel the local vibe. To taste the rich taste of local seafood from different Cities and Towns of the Negros Island.

Teodoro, Sister, and Roy Lopez talked to us about how fresh they sourced the seafood with a roving freezer. To make sure the freshness of seafood in different areas in Negros like Ilog, Victorias, Hinobaan, Bacolod, Silay, and much more. The Tuna and Marlin were not coming from Davao or Mindanao area but all from Negros Island.     

Roy told me about that Kinilaw with salted egg and beans. Is kinda unique and he recommends this to anybody that will visit the place. Also, the Chef or Cook recommends the Crab to be cooked with butter and it really tastes good. Also, their crab was fat and tasty. 

You can customize the way you want the seafood to be cooked for as low as 250 grams or 1/4 kilo or more. You can just tell the cook or chef what kind of dish you wanted to be prepared.  The food looks expensive but they have a platter that only cost 1000 peso good for 4 people.  Perfect budget for students, workers, and OFW returning home for vacation. Also with lots of Foreigners as well visiting the restaurant.

See more of photos and videos at Facebook.com/wazzuppilipinas and Facebook.com/18thpalapala visit the place at Address: Aguinaldo St., Cor 18th St., Brgy. 4, Bacolod, Negros Occidental, Philippines 6100  Cell no. 0905 543 4136 Email 18thstreetpalapalabcd@gmail.com

BingoPlus adds smiles to MassKara Festival celebration with Bacolod Yuhum Foundation team-up

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BingoPlus, the first live streaming bingo in the Philippines, added more life and gaiety to Bacolod’s MassKara Festival, one of the country’s biggest festivals that came back with a vengeance after an absence of two years.

From October 1 to 23, BingoPlus was in the mainstream of the celebrations as sponsor of the Festival. With the celebration theme of “Balik Yuhum” (comeback), BingoPlus joined hands with the Bacolod Yuhum Foundation to pull out all the stops in staging a memorable and super-fun return to revelry in Bacolod City.

BingoPlus brought its signature feel-good mission to the month-long celebration of food festivals, beauty pageants, concerts, racing competitions, football games, and dance contests capped by a colorful, glittering night parade and street party, making this a Festival to remember for a long, long time.

The brand’s presence was felt in major events such as the Electric MassKara, the MassKara Street Dance & Arena Competition, the Miss Bacolod MassKara beauty pageant, and the Dance Off Competition. The competition where participants donned colorful costumes and smiling masks while dancing to festive music was the highlight of the Festival.

From October 1 to 22 BingoPlus also ran the MassKara Raffle Campaign and awarded Php100,000, Php 75,000, and Php 25,000 to lucky winners.

The annual festival, first held in 1980, showcased the Bacolodnon’s joyful spirit and creative talents. MassKara made Bacolod the “City of Smiles”, which became a catalyst for the city’s development in tourism, crafts, arts, and services. It eventually became one of the major annual tourist attractions of the Philippines.

“We see the passion shared by MassKara and BingoPlus in bringing entertainment that gives rewarding experiences and added value to participants and audiences,” said Jasper Vicencio, AB Leisure Exponent Inc. (ABLE) President. “It is for this reason that we find our support of Masskara as a very meaningful CSR initiative for BingoPlus.”

Since its launch, BingoPlus has supported numerous local talents and sports events. It is the official bingo partner of the PBA’s 47th season, and is the official gaming partner of the Premiere Volleyball League.

In September, Bingo Plus held BingoPlus Day, an online celebration for its loyal supporters where Maine Mendoza was introduced as its newest celebrity endorser who will work alongside its first endorser, the most sought-after host, Luis Manzano.

BingoPlus also plans to grant scholarships to lucky dreamers who will be given a chance to take a technical course in one of the schools in Metro Manila.

BingoPlus is licensed by Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) and the flagship brand of Leisure & Resorts World Corporation (LRWC)’s subsidiary, AB Leisure Exponent Inc. (ABLE).

Maroons Far From Home: How Converge #DobleNa erases the distance for homesick hoopers

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In the life of every UP student-athlete, there is much sacrifice involved — from grueling training to time management — in order to achieve their dreams in both sports and academics.

For those who hail from the provinces and overseas, there is also the added layer of being away from their family and loved ones for most of the calendar year.

With their focus zeroed in on their careers and finishing their degrees, it is easy for precious time with those who are important to get lost in the thick of things.

But luckily for members of the UP Men's Basketball Team, Converge ICT Solutions Inc. dishes an assist in the form of high speed internet in their dorm to help the players communicate with their loved ones from miles away.

Fil-Canadian Antonio Eusebio and Fil-Am Henry Galinato Jr. had to adjust the most as they joined the helm of the Maroons, as they needed to get used to life in another country.

Though admitting it's a challenge to live independently, they are able to adjust with the help of Converge and technology.

"At first it was a struggle, but like this time, I think I've experienced all the things that I've needed to experience and it's much better. I'm having an easier time," said Eusebio, who says his mother gets upset when he misses a video call. "They're all very clingy."

"It's hard but I got pretty used to it because Zav [Lucero] helped when I was here. But, you know, I miss my mom and everybody over there. I'm a lot older so it's not as hard as if this was a few years ago, it probably would be much more of a struggle for me but it's not that bad [with technology]. It's not like I'm going away forever, it's how I see it," quipped Galinato.

UP newcomer Janjan Felicilda also noted the flexibility Converge's internet provides, as the threat of COVID-19 continues to loom and limits in-person visits with family members.

"Syempre malaking bagay sa amin yun kaya nagpapasalamat kami sa Converge na napadali yung pag-communicate namin sa mga magulang namin, sa mga mahal namin sa buhay lalo na syempre, may COVID parin so pinadali nila yung buhay namin," he said.

Reyland Torres, for his part, noted that because of the distance, he would only get to see his family for twice a year. Being able to communicate via the internet helps douse the homesickness.

"Yung family ko halos twice a year lang kami magkasama kaya sobrang nagpapasalamat ako sa internet na binigay sa amin, makapag-usap kami ng family ko kahit malayo sila sa amin and araw-araw minemake sure namin makausap sila, kung okay lang sila. Okay lang din ba kami dito," Torres said.

Felicilda hails from Butuan, while Torres is from Bacolod.

Being able to communicate with family with constancy is of the utmost importance for the Fighting Maroons, as a number of them say that their family is the source of their biggest motivation.

"Important role yung parents ko sa pangarap ko kasi sila nagbibigay sa akin ng motivation, simula pa nung bata ako, sila na yung palaging nagsusupporta sa akin. Sila yung laging nasa likod ko pag gusto ko abutin yung pangarap ko," quipped Harold Alarcon, who is also from Bacolod.

"Sobrang laking bagay nila kasi sila yung nagpupush sa amin araw araw para mabuhay, para maglaro tapos may kukuhanan ka ng lakas para magpursigi sa buhay," added Davao-born Cyril Gonzales.

Even without seeing their family personally for most of their lives as student-athletes, UP folk hero JD Cagulangan, who comes from Butuan City, says that their love is felt from miles away through Converge.

"Yung support laging nandyan, yung mga kuya ko, even yung mga relatives ko, nararamdaman yung support nila sa akin," Cagulangan said.

Converge's latest offering gives consumers double their money's worth with fast internet as the FiberX Plan 1500 now gives users up to 100Mbps from it's previous 50Mbps.

Like the Fighting Maroons, continue to fight the distance with fast and reliable internet.

The reigning UAAP champions tested their mettle in South Korea for their preseason preparations. As part of their training, they have been facing pro teams in tune-up games.



“Sa amin, sobrang laking tulong [nung games dito sa Korea] kasi yung mga kalaban namin, mga pro na. Malaking bagay talaga,” said Cagulangan.

Negrense Designers Rock

Wazzup Pilipinas!?

This month the Negros Season of Culture honors Design deep-down the Negrense DNA. Toto Sicangco has spent half a century in New York City creating costumes and stage sets on Broadway. The Rockettes and Siegfried and Roy’s Vegas performances have showcased his designs. He worked on musicals, like The Sound of Music, Peter Pan, and Brigadoon; on ballets, like the Swan Lake and The Nutcracker; and on operas, like The Barber of Seville and Carmen. Catch Toto Sicangco when he sits down with the NSC team in “I will convince you that it’s beautiful. That’s my job.”

“The Legacy of Teng Jacinto” celebrates 70 years of remarkable work of Architect Teng Jacinto. Especially in Negros, one cannot separate Jacinto from the JUB name, which he started with fellow architects Toto Unson and Nonoy Benedicto. Teng Jacinto looks back to a legacy of homes and buildings he has designed, first with his partnership, and later on his own. 

The new Riverside Medical Center building in Bacolod, opened only this year, was designed by Jacinto, now in his early 90s. 

NSC features two young designers who recently won international acclaim. 

At the 2020 Young Asia Designers Award, the entry of Negrense Interior Design maverick Maita Hagad won the Gold Price for Interior Design. In “Learn Protect Discover”, Hagad redefines the way we regard our physical surroundings, from the structural to the sensory. 

Meanwhile, the youngest designer and the only Filipino in the 2020 Fashion Week San Diego was Negrense Bea Cruz. Competing from home, watching her collection presented virtually, Cruz bagged the Top Designer award, as well as the best team award for BeaCruzPH at the FWSD’s fashion exhibition held in collaboration with Sotheby’s New York. Follow this young designer in “Forward through the Past: The Fifties’ Fine Sophistication, Today”.

Text By: Alan S. Gensoli

Photos By: John Kimwell Laluma, Bea Cruz and Maita Hagad

RAC Muntinlupa Central brings award-winning “Super Pinoy Kid” to Metro Bacolod, Neg. Occ.

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Whenever people, particularly kids, are asked, "Who is your favorite superhero?", the usual answers would always be the globally-idolized stars from Marvel or Justice League. 

Nowadays, it is already rare to find Filipinos who can still name a local superhero; if one is lucky enough, most characters that are on top of their heads are the likes of Super Inggo and Pedro Penduko. They have become a mainstay in Philippine literature since they invaded children's notebook covers for school. The pandemic has further glued the young generation to their gadgets, limiting their already meager exposure to fictional and entertaining characters. This is the reason why a superhero was summoned to mix things up.

Along with the start of the new Imagine Rotary Year, the Rotaract Club of Metro Bacolod invited its twin club, the Rotaract Club of Muntinlupa Central, to bring Super Pinoy Kid (SPK) to the province of Negros Occidental on July 15 to 18, 2022. The SPK is a four-part comic collection featuring Biboy, a modern-day superhero who lives out the moral values taught by Rotary's 4-Way Test. The comic, which also comes as a coloring book, aims to help elementary students become the country's future role models and responsible citizens by using the stories of Biboy as guiding principles during their formative years.

At first glance, SPK's Biboy may look like an ordinary 5-year-old kid from a poor family. However, what makes Biboy a Super Pinoy Kid is the four important moral principles he embodies in his daily life. The comic collection introduces Biboy as a young child with four amazing stories about his four unique attributes, namely: A Truthful and Honest Child, A Fair and Righteous Child, A Friendly Child, and A Responsible and Beneficial Child.

With the Super Pinoy Kid being one of its flagship projects, the Rotaract Club (RAC) of Muntinlupa Central has been recently included as Finalist in the 2022 Rotaract Outstanding Projects Awards.

Rotaractors from RAC Metro Bacolod's twin club also brought their project entitled, "SPK Promotes Oral Health: Ngiting Puting Ngipin," a series of videos promoting the proper and correct way of brushing one's teeth as a way of fighting cavities and bacteria that may damage their teeth. This project of RAC Muntinlupa Central was also recognized as the Most Outstanding Project of Rotary International District 3830 last Life-Changing Rotary Year.

Benefitting more than 100 children across three communities—two in Bacolod City and one in the City of Sagay—Biboy's trip to Negros Occidental undoubtedly widened the smiles of kids with his heroic and admirable stories. Along with the distribution of Super Pinoy Kid copies was a storytelling activity that narrated the four accounts of Biboy. The Rotaract Clubs gathered kids in small groups, where they could listen to a storyteller to ensure that the message of Biboy's adventures was well-received.

After hearing the stories of Biboy, the Negrosanon children witnessed several Ngiting Puting Ngipin videos featuring Biboy with Super Ate Sandy, who went through the good practices of brushing their teeth to maintain good oral health. Beneficiary kids from Education & Training Center School-I and Purok Kabugwason, Brgy. Mansilingan in Bacolod City and from Purok Bougainvillea, Brgy. Old Sagay in Sagay City then received copies of the SPK comics, coloring materials, and oral hygiene kits as gifts.

Headed by their Marvelous Visionary President this Rotary Year, Mayrian Ness Olitoquit, Rotaractors from RAC Muntinlupa Central served as activities' storytellers and facilitators. Among the delegation were Charter President Vincent Naval, Past President Ralph Cepillo, Club Secretary Goldy Jativa, Finance Director Sandra Lascano, and Member Niño Medina.

They were hosted in Bacolod City by the Rotaract Club of Metro Bacolod, under the leadership of Imagine Year Dream President Fel Xyruz Magallona, together with Immediate Past President Ellen Tribunsay, President-Elect Beatriz Marie Abayon, District Rotaract Representative for RID 3850 Magic Alvarado, and other Metro Bacolod clubs, namely: RAC University of St. La Salle, Interact Club (IAC) of La Consolacion College-Metro Bacolod, IAC Liceo de La Salle, and IAC Negros Occidental High School.

The Rotary Club of Metro Bacolod, the mother club of the aforementioned Rotaract and Interact Clubs, fully supported the said events as they were headed by Past District Rotaract Representative and Dream President Richard Jeric L. Chua.

On the other hand, the Rotaractors from RAC Muntinlupa Central were hosted in Sagay City by the Rotaract Club of Metro Sugarbowl Champions under Dream President Yqfryd Alvarado, as supported by Rotarian President Benson Fernandez of the Rotary Club of Sagay-Sinigayan.

A couple of District Rotaract Representatives (DRR) were present throughout the activity, as DRR Maria Teddielyn Bernadette Lebrias of Rotary International District (RID) 3830 and DRR Kert Nhajzr Priagula of RID 3850 graced the momentous occasion for their clubs' joint activities.

RAC Metro Bacolod Club Secretary Jude Lourence Segovia and Professional Development Service Director Brix Joshua Ponclara ensured that the said activities were well-documented by creating articles and collating event photos for the Rotaract community and the general public to view.

In a technology-dominated world, no one is too old and late for a superhero story, and through this joint activity of RAC Metro Bacolod and RAC Muntinlupa Central, the childhood of Negrosanon and Bacolodnon kids has just become brighter and better.

Charming Chapels of Negros

Wazzup Pilipinas!?

Leading up Easter, the anchor fiesta in the Christian calendar, Negros Season of Culture reaches out to Negrenses and Filipinos the world over to stage yet another virtual “Visita Iglesia”, a tradition started by NSC in 2021.

This year, the event will be streamed live on Facebook, on Holy Thursday at 10p.m. Philippine Time, that’s 3p.m. in London, 10a.m. in New York, and 7a.m. in Los Angeles.

Adding local color and pastoral spirituality to the observance of Holy Week “panatas” or vows are video documentaries, this time on seven chapels in Negros Occidental, each with its distinct charm.

Three of them easily find significance in facing the health challenges of the time. Perhaps most representative of Negrense heritage is the Chapel of the Cartwheels in the town of Manapla. Standing in the middle of a sugarcane plantation and using discarded farm objects to create a bespoke architecture and interior design, the chapel is dedicated to Santa Rosalia of Palermo, Italy, the saint invoked in times of plagues and sickness.

Fresh air is a welcome breather to lockdowns. Up in the cool mountains of Don Salvador Benedicto, in a community that has become a choice escape for nature habitués, is the Manggapuri Chapel. Rising above the verdant landscape of Negros, it is at once magical and idyllic. And a spiritual tonic, being dedicated to Saint Michael the Archangel who, among a few special roles, is sought for healing the sick.

Meanwhile, down by the shores of Talisay, the CICM Chapel, dedicated to Mary Mother of Christ, found new calling when social distancing became the order of the day. Here, members of the community enjoy the sea breeze while hearing mass practically on the beach. Mass by the beach is a concept whose time has come…what a blessing!

Comparatively new to the scene, and inspired by fallen trees that are common to typhoon ravaged Philippines, the quaint Patagoña Chapel of Silay City eventually took form and captured the hearts of many who visit.

Located in the highlands of Silay, the cool temperature lends to deeper reflection and prayer, helped along by design inspirations from a Benedictine Monastery, and then from among Trappist monks.

Artistry is embedded in the soul of the Negrense, and several chapels live up to that standard. The popularly known Chapel of the Angry Christ in Victorias, made famous by the significant works of Filipino-American abstract expressionist, Alfonso Ossorio, is actually dedicated to St. Joseph the Worker. The Santa Clara Chapel in Bacolod is highlighted by a larger-than-life image of the Virgen sang Barangay executed by Leticia Ledesma.

Tens of thousands of locally sourced shells were used. And leave it to Negrense national artist Leandro Locsin to re-imagine Greek classical architecture into clean, modern, minimalist lines, and so create the La Salle Chapel, far and away the most familiar to Negrenses, heirs to the great La Sallian education.

Citizen Monitoring Group Calls on Voters to Turn the 2022 Polls Into an Accountability Platform

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Accountability frontliners from various parts of the country have recently urged voters to turn the upcoming May elections into an “accountability process, where candidates have to be made answerable for their performance or lack thereof.” 

 

The call was made by Government Watch (G-Watch) in a statement that was released exactly two months before the 2022 polls. An independent action research and citizen monitoring organization that is present in 12 local sites, G-Watch emphasized the need to elect officials who will “restore checks and balances in government, strengthen accountability institutions, uphold merit-based public management, and support independent civil society monitoring and advocacy.” During the COVID-19 crisis, G-Watch monitored the social amelioration program, citizen health entitlements and vaccination, noting many lapses and gaps in the response of the national government.

 

The G-Watch statement on the May polls was adopted after their five-day national meeting and learning exchange that was held in Pasig and Baguio City from March 4-8, 2022. Mayor Vico Sotto, a member of the G-Watch Executive Board, also attended the second day of the meeting and shared the experience of the Pasig City local government in fighting corruption.

 

Noting the importance of the upcoming polls, Amelia Mancera of G-Watch-Southern Leyte emphasized the need “to be more vigilant since society’s issues and concerns become amplified during election time.”

 

One of these pressing problems is the spread of fake news. According to G-Watch accountability frontliner Gemar Barola, “since this is becoming an era of disinformation, accountability should be taken very seriously.” He appealed to the public to “demand for transparency and accountability from those who seek for power by investing in education and fact-checking for truth and authentic news.”

 

Gabriel Peralta of G-Watch-Quezon City underscores that a key lesson from the country’s experience with the pandemic is that, “we need leaders who are transparent and accountable.” His colleague Maribel Sumagay shares this sentiment, stating that, “Our nation deserves a president who is accountable and transparent to its people.” 

 

For his part, Mickel Ollave of G-Watch-Puerto Princesa sees elections as a mechanism for choosing the best leaders. “Ang eleksyon ay isang epektibong pamamaraan para pagpanagutin, palitan ang mga tiwaling lider at panatilihin ang mga lider na matitino,” he said. (Elections are effective mechanisms to hold account and change corrupt officials and keep those who deliver.)

 

G-Watch volunteer Jun Tingson offered a similar thought, saying that, “Election is the best time for citizens to engage in accountability, so that they can vote for the best candidates for the country.”

 

Noting their experience in Dumaguete, G-Watch volunteer Cindy Uy affirmed the importance of accountability in elections: “Accountability in elections creates an enabling environment where citizens freely choose leaders, ensure that development agenda are implemented, periodically monitored and corrective actions done efficiently and effectively,” she said.

 

Khalid Camar of G-Watch Lanao del Sur also reminded voters that, “in the coming elections, not only politicians should be made to account, citizens too, as they decide for the future of the country.”

 

Joy Aceron, G-Watch convener-director, says “G-Watch work is above and beyond the elections, but the electoral exercise remains a crucial accountability mechanism that can enable and advance good governance, so it has to be engaged.”

 

G-Watch, in its statement, offered six-point agenda for the next administration, which includes: 

 

• Ensure access to relevant, useful and clear information.
• Pass the Freedom of Information Law.
• Bolster transparency mechanisms and efforts.
• Ensure that feedback, complaint and grievance redress mechanisms properly work so that the concerns of citizens can be adequately addressed.
• Enhance the capacity of accountability institutions, mechanisms and programs inside government.
• Ensure that the country’s legal framework remains supportive, facilitative and enabling of progressive civil society, including independent citizen accountability efforts.

Make the 2022 Elections an Accountability Platform!  

A Statement of Government Watch (G-Watch) on the Upcoming May Polls

 

In exactly two months from now, Filipinos will once again go to the polls to elect the country’s next President, along with the Vice President, 12 senators, 316 members of the Lower House, as well as 16,055 local officials. While every election is important, the upcoming poll is both unique and extremely crucial due to the ongoing pandemic, and the continuing threats to democracy and to our people’s very survival.

 

The dismal performance of the national government in handling the COVID-19 crisis is going to be the backdrop of the 2022 elections. It has to be. The 2022 elections will also be critical in reaffirming many democratic values that has been under threat for the past years, such as inviolability of human rights, the rule of law, and the principle that a public office is public trust since all power emanates from the people.

The 2022 polls, in other words, has to be turned into an accountability process, where candidates have to be made answerable for their performance or lack thereof.

 

We call on voters to elect candidates that will restore checks and balances in government, strengthen accountability institutions, uphold merit-based public management, and support independent civil society monitoring and advocacy.  

 

At the same time, G-Watch offers the following agenda for the next administration:

 

· Ensure access to relevant, useful and clear information.

· Pass the Freedom of Information Law.

· Bolster transparency mechanisms and efforts.

· Ensure that feedback, complaint and grievance redress mechanisms properly work so that the concerns of citizens can be adequately addressed.

· Enhance the capacity of accountability institutions, mechanisms and programs inside government.

· Ensure that the country’s legal framework remains supportive, facilitative and enabling of progressive civil society, including independent citizen accountability efforts.

 

We also call on the Philippine development community to start rebooting, retooling and re-energizing civil society-government engagement to one that synergizes interdependent power which checks abuses at the top and uplifts the most marginalized.

 

If all these are done, then we can turn elections to what it should be—as a way to allow even the most ordinary of citizens to speak truth to power and change the course of the country’s history.

 

 

* Passed during the 2022 G-Watch National Meeting & Learning Exchange on March 4-8 in Pasig and Baguio Cities. G-Watch is an independent action research organization embedded in constituencies of civic and advocacy-oriented organizations all over the Philippines that aims to contribute in democratic deepening through the scaling of accountability and citizen empowerment. G-Watch has local sites and partner civil society organizations and government allies in Pasig City, Quezon City, Naga, Puerto Princesa, Cebu, Bohol, Tacloban, Dumaguete, Bacolod, Southern Leyte, Lanao del Sur, Samal Island, and Agusan del Sur.

Radisson Hotel Group ramps up Asia Pacific expansion in 2021, with 137 new hotels added to the portfolio

Wazzup Pilipinas!?

 

Radisson Hotel Group continued along its expansion path in 2021 as it added 137 new hotels to its portfolio reaching 191 hotels in operation in the region and introduced its world-class hospitality standards to some of the most exciting emerging markets in Asia Pacific.

The Group’s master brand development agreements in China are playing a pivotal role in expediting its global growth strategy. In partnership with Jin Jiang International and its subsidiaries, 122 new hotels and resorts were signed in 2021 covering four brands in the market.

The Group also signed 15 hotels as it continues its growth momentum in key markets in the region such as Australia, India, and a market entrance into Papua New Guinea. Radisson Hotel Group’s core brands expanded their footprint with the signing of Radisson Collection Hotel, Yangtze Shanghai, the anthology of iconic lifestyle hotels. Six upscale Radisson and upper-upscale Radisson Blu properties were signed in China and India, including Radisson Hotel, Beijing Daxing Airport, Radisson Blu Hotel Changyuan and Radisson Blu Resort & Spa New Gurugram. In the upper-midscale sector, four new Park Inn by Radisson hotels were added in India, located in Vellore, Vadodara, Ahmedabad and Jharkhand.

Radisson Individuals, the “soft brand” continues to attract independent hotels and small chains seeking global scale whilst retaining their independence and flexibility. The brand expanded into new destinations across India, Australia, and Papua New Guinea with four properties added to the portfolio. This includes Grand Papua Hotel, a member of Radisson Individuals in Port Moresby, the capital of Papua New Guinea.

The Group celebrated the opening of 41 new hotels and resorts in 2021. Radisson Collection made its debut in Asia Pacific with the opening of five fantastic properties in China, located in Shanghai, Nanjing and Wuxi. Other key openings included Radisson Blu Resort Vishakhapatnam, Radisson Hotel Tianjin Aqua City, Park Plaza Beijing, Park Inn by Radisson Bacolod, The Oasis Mussoorie, a member of Radisson Individuals, and Radisson RED Chandigarh Mohali, which marked this cutting-edge concept’s first operational hotel in India.

“I am delighted by our achievements in 2021, as we remained focused on our long-term goals despite significant short-term challenges. Radisson Individuals and Radisson Collection are presenting us with exciting new opportunities, and our partnerships in China and India are accelerating the growth of our portfolio. With new brand concepts to be rolled out in 2022, we are putting ourselves in an excellent position to meet the needs of guest, owners, and talent in the post-pandemic era,” said Katerina Giannouka, President, Asia Pacific, Radisson Hotel Group.

“2021 was a productive year for our development team. We have doubled our footprint in China in the last 18 months and opened our 100^th hotel in India, which reflects our focus on these critical markets. Looking ahead, we will continue to ramp up our efforts in these key countries, as well as focusing on Australasia and South East Asia, and seeking opportunities including leasing, mergers and acquisitions and joint ventures in Asia Pacific’s gateway cities, such as Singapore, Seoul and Tokyo. We look forward to working with all our partners in 2022 and beyond,” commented Ramzy Fenianos, Chief Development Officer, Asia Pacific, Radisson Hotel Group.

Radisson Hotel Group’s Asia Pacific portfolio now totals 365 properties – 191 operational and 174 under development. To learn more about working with Radisson Hotel Group, please visit www.radissonhotelgroup.com/development

DOTr orders maritime sector officials to aid stranded passengers in ports; Reiterates “Returning Home” is essential

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Allow the children to go home! Tugade orders maritime sector officials to aid stranded passengers in ports; Reiterates “Returning Home” is essential

Immediately after monitoring a news report aired yesterday in the evening, January 19, showing stranded passengers with children at the Manila North Harbor bound for Bacolod and Zamboanga, Department of Transportation (DOTr) Secretary Art Tugade immediately called for a meeting at 8:30PM with the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA), and other transport officials and agencies concerned, and ordered them to immediately allow stranded passengers with children returning home to their provinces to leave, as “returning home”, from the very beginning, is considered a form of essential travel.

According to the report, the reason why the children were not allowed to board was because their parents were not vaccinated and did not have the proper requirements and documentation.

“When I saw the news, I was mad and fuming,” Secretary Tugade said.

“My instruction from the very beginning is plain and simple— The No Vaxx, No Ride/Entry policy should be implementated as patient and tolerant as possible, but firm,” Sec. Tugade added.

“I immediately called a meeting at 8:30PM and ordered the PPA, through General Manager Jay Santiago, to immediately allow the stranded passengers with children to return home to their provinces, provide them with food, assist in the costs of their tickets, and give financial assistance. PPA assured me that these instructions will be executed not later than this morning. After all, returning home is essential travel!” Sec. Tugade added.

Secretary Tugade likewise reiterated his previous directive to all transport sectors to put vaccination stations in strategic places, similar to what the road sector has done and established at the Parañaque Integrated Terminal Exchange since July last year.

“Make sure to continue our vaccination efforts at the PITX. Put similar vaccination facilities in rail stations and in North Harbor,” Sec Tugade ordered.

“I have also ordered the Toll Regulatory Board to consider having vaccination stations at NLEX and other Toll Roads. This is now being discussed by the TRB with toll operators,” Sec Tugade said.

SSS to offer calamity assistance to members, pensioners affected by Typhoon Odette

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The Social Security System (SSS) will offer a Calamity Assistance Package to members and pensioners affected by Typhoon Odette starting January 14, 2022.

SSS President and Chief Executive Officer Aurora C. Ignacio said that the Calamity Assistance Package consist of the Calamity Loan Assistance Program (CLAP) and Direct House Repair and Improvement Loan for members, and the three-month advance pension for pensioners in areas affected by Typhoon Odette as declared by the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC).

Members and pensioners in MIMAROPA, Western Visayas, Central Visayas, Eastern Visayas, Northern Mindanao, and CARAGA, as well as other areas that may be declared by the NDRRMC to be under the state of calamity due to typhoon, can avail of the SSS Calamity Assistance Package.

“It is unfortunate that the recent typhoon affected the daily lives and livelihood of our members and pensioners in these several areas. Through the SSS Calamity Assistance Package, we can extend financial aid to our members and pensioners as they try to recover from the effects of Typhoon Odette," Ignacio said.

SSS will offer the CLAP for its members and the Three-month Advance Pension to its pensioners until April 13, 2022. Meanwhile, the Direct House Repair and Improvement Loan will be open to qualified members for one year upon issuance and effectivity of SSS Circular No. 2021-020.


Calamity Loan Assistance Program

Under the CLAP, qualified members can avail of a loan amount equivalent to one month salary credit (MSC) computed based the average of their last 12 monthly salary credits (MSCs) rounded up to the nearest thousand or the amount they applied for, whichever is lower.

To qualify, affected members must meet the following requirements:

Have a My.SSS account at www.sss.gov.ph;
Have at least 36 monthly contributions, six of which should be posted within the last 12 months before the month of filing of application;

A resident of a calamity-stricken area declared by the NDRRMC and suffered damage or loss to their properties due to Typhoon Odette;

Have not been granted any final benefit such as permanent total disability or retirement;
Have no outstanding Loan Restructuring Program (LRP) or CLAP; and
If employed, the member’s employer must certify the CLAP application through online My.SSS facility.

Interested members can apply for CLAP using their respective My.SSS account.


Approved loan proceeds will be credited to member-borrower’s account through the members’ registered Unified Multi-Purpose Identification (UMID) – Automated Teller Machine (ATM) Card, their active accounts with a Philippine Electronic Fund Transfer System and Operations Network (PESONet) participating bank, or their Union Bank of the Philippines (UBP) Quick Cards registered in the Disbursement Account Enrollment Module (DAEM), which can be found on their My.SSS accounts.

The loan is payable in equal monthly installments for 24 months or two years. It has an interest rate of 10% per annum, and the service fee of 1% of loan amount is already waived.

The first loan amortization will start in the second month following the date of the approval of the loan. For example, their loan was approved on January 21, 2022. They will start paying their loan amortization by March 2022. On the other hand, the loan’s payment deadline is every last day of the month following the applicable month, but in case it falls on a weekend or holiday, payment may be made on the next working day. Late payments will incur a 1% penalty per month.


Three-month Advance Pension

Retirement, disability, and survivor pensioners under the Social Security (SS) Program, and disability and survivor pensioners under the Employees’ Compensation (EC) Program pensioners may apply for a three-month advance pension. Interested SS and EC pensioners must be residents of the typhoon-affected areas declared by NDRRMC

To apply, they must submit a properly accomplished Application for Assistance Due to Calamity/Disaster Form duly certified by their Barangay Chairman; or the said form together with a certification from the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) or NDRRMC to any SSS branch. They can download the application form at www.sss.gov.ph or click this link: https://bit.ly/AdvancePensionForm.

However, retirement pensioners who have existing loans under the Pension Loan Program (PLP) are disqualified from availing of the three-month advance pension.


Direct House Repair and/or Improvement Loan

SSS also extends financial assistance to its members whose houses were damaged or destroyed due to Typhoon Odette. Qualified SSS members may apply for the Direct House Repair and/or Improvement Loan. Under this, they can borrow a maximum loanable amount of up to P1 million.


To qualify, affected members must meet the following requirements:

Have a total of 24 monthly contributions, three of which should be posted within the last 12-month period before the month of filing application;

Not more than 60 years old at the time of filing of application;

Have not been previously granted a House Repair and/or Improvement Loan by the SSS; and

Have not been granted any final SSS benefit nor was refunded SSS contributions.

The member and his/her spouse must be up-to-date in the payment of all other existing loans with the SSS.

It has an interest rate of 8% for loans amounting to up to P450,000, while for those over P450,000, the interest rate is 9%. SSS has also waived the processing fee for the said loan.

Member-borrower will have a six-month moratorium for the loan’s monthly amortization and interest payments. They will only start paying their loan amortization of the 7th month from its approval and is payable in equal monthly installments.

Moreover, loan term will be in five, 10, 15, or 20 years, plus the moratorium of six months. However, the term must not exceed the economic life of the house or improvement after the repair and/or improvement were introduced (to be determined by the SSS) as well as the difference between the age of the applicant and 65.

Interested applicants can file their loan applications at the Member Loans Department in the SSS Main Office for those in the NCR, or the Housing and Acquired Asset Management Sections located in SSS San Pablo for those in Southern Luzon, SSS Cebu for those in Central Visayas, SSS Bacolod for those in Western Visayas, SSS Davao for those in Southern Mindanao, SSS Cagayan De Oro for those in Northern Mindanao, and SSS Zamboanga for those in Western Mindanao.

SSS has allotted P2.18 billion for the implementation of the Calamity Assistance Package, which will benefit an estimated 236,509 active members and pensioners in the typhoon-affected areas.

For more information, visit the uSSSap Tayo Portal at https://crms.sss.gov.ph, follow the SSS on Facebook at “Philippine Social Security System - SSS,” Instagram and YouTube at “mysssph,” Twitter at “PHLSSS,” or join its Viber Community at “MYSSSPH Updates.”

The Commissariat Manila: All Set for Christmas Treats

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The Commissariat Manila is a purveyor of the finest goods and delicacies under the entrepreneurial skills of siblings Gino Asensio Lopez and Monique Lopez Ong who hail from the Visayas (Iloilo and Bacolod). They believe that "good food must never be kept secret and should be experienced by everyone."

The Commissariat Manila opened its doors in July 2020 during the early days of the pandemic. As the country went into lock down period, there was a rising need for good food to be delivered to people’s homes.

The Commissariat Manila was established to fulfill everyone’s need for first-class goods from Visayas, particularly Bacolod City, the place that Gino and Monique both know has unrivaled pastries, cakes, chorizos, and seafood.

Many of their sought-after delicacies come from Negros Occidental’s Felicia’s Pastry Shop. These pastries come from the kitchen of the three Lacson sisters namely Sony Lacson Cometa, Fely Lacson Montelibano, and Margie Lacson Macasa. Their pastry kitchen was established in the 1970s, and continues to be passed on from one generation to the next. They have been whipping masterpieces such as the famous Felicia’s Ensaimadas, Cheese Rolls, and many other favorites.

 
In Bacolod, good life means good food all the time. The Felicia’s experience promises that you will keep coming back for the good life! Most travelers, who fly out from Bacolod, hand-carry Felicia’s products to bring home to their families. These beloved Felicia’s pastries are baked fresh, and air-flown from Bacolod to Manila every week beginning November 13 to December 18.

The Commissariat Manila has prepared a lineup of limited edition Christmas sets featuring their Felicia’s Ensaimadas that come in a box of 6 (P1,215) or a box of 12 (P2,430), Felicia’s Cheese Rolls box of 16 (P1,420), cookies in can variants such as their Almond Crisps (P490), Lemon Thins (P425), Almondettes (P475), and their yummy Pili products such as their Pili Crumble (P675) and Turron de Pili (P585).

Felicia’s also released their outstanding cake line in Metro Manila and Cebu. These best-loved cakes in cans such as their notable heirloom Potato Cake (P975), Sans Rival (P995), Swiss Chocolate Cake (P980), Classic Chocolate Cake (P995), and Butter Cake (P850) are all available on-hand at The Commissariat Manila.

Other top-rated Bacolod brands are also found at The Commissariat Manila such as Casa Carmela’s “Bacolod in a bottle” line, which are known for their best-selling gourmet bottles such their Crazy Rich Crabs (P500), Sexy Squid (P375), Chorizo Pudpud (P375), and their signature Papa Daniel’s Bangus (P365).

Another crowd favorite that never fails to satisfy everyone’s “breakfast all-day” palate is the Ereñeta-Manaloto Chorizo Recado or Hamonado Bilog, and their newest addition to their Chorizo line, the Chorizo Mozzarella or “Muchorellas” which are a total hit with the kids! (All variants for P395/ pack of one dozen).

Moreover, The Commissariat Manila offers some of their own products such as The Commissariat Flat Quillos (P185), and seasonally, The Commissariat Bantayan Bay half-shell scallops (P675) which are harvested from the deepest parts of Bantayan Island and flown straight to The Commissariat freezers.

Due to the influx of orders, we advise that you plan and put in your pre-orders ahead of time to make sure that you get on The Commissariat Manila’s delivery list early. For advance placement of orders, please refer to the social media links below for the Felicia’s In Manila delivery schedule.

For Felicia’s fresh air-flown pastries and limited edition Christmas sets, the pre-order cut-off for each week is on Wednesdays by 7 PM. All late pre-orders will carry over to the next available shipment date. Deliveries for Metro Manila begin every Saturday of each week from November 13th to December 18th, their last shipment for 2021.

All on-hand products such as Felicia’s Cakes in cans, Casa Carmela bottled goods, Ereñeta-Manaloto Chorizos and The Commissariat Flat Quillos will be available for delivery until December 23 (Thursday) before Christmas Eve, and will continue to be available from December 27 - 31 before the New Year’s countdown. Fresh air-flown Felicia’s Ensaimadas and Cheese Rolls will resume on Jan 8 (Saturday) when The Commissariat Manila opens their first shipment for 2022.

To know more about the variety of finest goods and delicacies that The Commissariat Manila offers within NCR Plus (Metro Manila, Bulacan, Cavite, Laguna and Rizal), you can visit and order from their website at www.thecommissariatmanila.com.

Please follow, like, and tag us by using the hashtags #TheCommissariatManila and #FeliciasInManila this Christmas holiday season on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter! You may also scan The Commissariat Manila QR code to pre-order!



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