3rd International Mt. Apo Boulder Face Challenge Held in Davao

Wazzup Pilipinas!

The third international installment of the Mt. Apo Boulder Face Challenge was recently held in Davao to raise tourism activity and awareness for the environmental protection of the Philippines’ highest peak. The competition brought foreign and domestic challenge takers to cover 113.3 kilometers in four different activities: 47.8 km of biking, 50 km of trekking, 3.5 km of water tubing, and 12 km of road running –all in 24 hours. Regular hikers usually take two days to climb the peak of Mt. Apo and one day to descend.

The race served as the highlight of the annual Pista sa Kinaiyahan or Feast of Nature, a municipal festival in Sta. Cruz, Davao del Sur. Sta. Cruz is one of the entry points to climb the highest peak in the Philippines which boasts of sound environmental practices.

Department of Tourism (DOT) Region XI Director Arturo Boncato explained that there is a growing awareness to protect and save Mt. Apo. “The Davao Region’s brand promise of from islands to highlands can only be true if there is protection of the environment. The “highlands” part of the brand promise refers mostly to Mt. Apo which is home to Davao’s most iconic symbols – the Philippine Eagle, waling-waling, and durian,” Director Boncato added.

DOT Joins ABS-CBN’s Green Initiative

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The Department of Tourism (DOT) signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) last 6 May 2013 with media conglomerate ABS-CBN to launch Bantay Kalikasan’s Green Initiative.

A joint program involving ABS-CBN Foundation Incorporated’s (AFI) Bantay Kalikasan, the government, media, and academe, Green Initiative responds to protect and nourish the country’s natural biodiversity, while alleviating poverty and enriching the lives of people through various livelihood projects.

Other signatories of the MOA are the Department of Environment and Natural Resources - Protected Areas and Wildlife Bureau (DENR-PAWB) represented by Secretary Ramon Paje, Department of Agriculture (DA) represented by Secretary Proceso Alcala, and the Ateneo de Manila University (ADMU).

WD’s My Passport Ultra Offers Consumers Ultimate Mobile Storage Solution Including Wd Smartware Pro Data Protection With Dropbox Integration

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WD, a Western Digital company, today announced the availability of the My Passport Ultra line of portable hard drives, which combine additional layers of data protection with super-fast USB 3.0 connectivity, a slim, compact design and four color choices to offer mobile consumers the safest and easiest way to protect their digital content while traveling. Available in 500 GB, 1 TB and new 2 TB capacities, My Passport Ultra portable hard drives have built-in WD SmartWare Pro backup software with Dropbox integration, hardware encryption and password protection to safeguard against unauthorized drive access. A protective pouch is included with the My Passport Ultra to help shield it from the daily knocks encountered by today's mobile consumer.

“WD's My Passport Ultra combines USB 3.0, a range of colors and capacities and the best software and hardware functions currently found in our line of My Passport portable storage drives to create the ultimate portable digital safe for today's active consumer,” explained Jim Welsh, executive vice president and general manager of WD's branded products and consumer electronics groups. “Adding WD SmartWare Pro technology with auto backup and password protection to one of the industry's fastest interfaces and largest capacity drives gives consumers the convenience and peace of mind to enjoy, share, and protect their personal digital content everywhere they go.”

Filipino Golden Boy Eduard Folayang Reinvents his Training in the United States

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Battered and defeated, Eduard Folayang knew that good was no longer good enough. Having been designated by Filipino fans and MMA experts as the country’s best mixed martial artist, he knew he needed to improve drastically to fulfill the potential that his compatriots have claimed he had.

The turning point came in Folayang’s last fight at a URCC event in Manila in January, where he was dominated by fellow ONE FC lightweight Lowen Tynanes. The less experienced Hawaiian displayed superior grappling in neutralizing Folayang, who failed to muster much offence in the bout. Losing in his home country, especially in such one-sided fashion, was a bitter pill for Folayang to swallow. Lesser men will have cowered and left the sport, but Folayang showed his resolve and dedication to the sport by relocating his training to the United States.

WeChat Set to Reinvent Social Conversations Among Filipinos

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This is a way too awesome application that was introduced today at the Palawan room of EDSA Shangri-La hotel in Mandaluyong.

The war of the mobile social communication applications in the country heats up as WeChat, one of the world’s most popular social media communication apps, officially launches in the Philippines. With over 300 million registered user accounts worldwide , WeChat is set to change the way social-media-savvy Filipinos communicate with friends, family and people from all over the world.

WeChat is an innovative mobile social communications application designed for smartphone users.

ePLUS.ph is Here!

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An all new lifestyle portal is introduced today. The portal—ePLUS.ph---will serve as a local resource for SM Cinema movie tickets, Mall of Asia Arena events, nationwide deals and lifestyle articles. The site will also be a ground-breaking resource for consumers to find high-value tickets to movies, concerts, sports, theater, arts, and live events, while serving as a timely and effective way for customers to get updated with lifestyle perks, deals and informative articles. The launch is planned in time for mid-year sale season.

The e-PLUS portal is positioned as an e-magazine featuring the latest news and trends on movies, events, beauty and fashion, tech and living, food and dining, deals, and a lot more.

With unprecedented access to a consolidated network of nationwide events from the Philippines’ ticketing leader, movies schedules from the county’s largest cinema chain, and unbeatable prices from the country’s largest mall network, ePLUS.ph will be the destination for exclusive SM Lifestyle deals. ePLUS.ph shall work with SM to further deliver its commitment to offer amazing local experiences to its members.

ASUS Fonepad Launched in the Philippine Market

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ASUS, the world’s top 3 consumer notebook vendor and the maker of the world’s best-selling and most award winning motherboards, is a leading enterprise in the new digital era.

ASUS Philippines has just introduce to media their ASUS Fonepad, a competitively priced handheld with 3G voice and mobile data for all the features of a smartphone, with the versatility of a 7-inch tablet.

ASUS Fonepad is ideal for people who value both the voice communication features of a smartphone and the entertainment opportunities afforded by a tablet, but prefer the convenience of carrying just one device.

Powered by the latest Intel® Atom Z2420 processor with full Android compatibility, Fonepad which comes in Titanium Gray and Champagne Gold, features a perfect balance of performance and energy efficiency, with hardware-accelerated 1080p Full HD video decoding. The 7-inch screen features 10-point multi-touch, and a 1280 x 800 HD resolution for crisp screen results.

MSD and DOH Go Full Circle for 6th Cervical Cancer Awareness Month

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The Department of Health (DOH), in a public-private partnership with MSD Philippines and medical societies, is now on its sixth year of raising awareness and providing free cervical cancer screening programs nationwide. For the sixth run of its Cervical Cancer Awareness Month (CCAM) activities this May, both the DOH and MSD are going beyond just screening. This year, the awareness is going full circle—from prevention to treatment.

Free cervical cancer screening will be offered to women aged 30-49 years old in 58 DOH-retained hospitals nationwide for the whole month of May.

Apart from free screenings nationwide, MSD, in partnership with DOH, will be providing free quadrivalent HPV vaccinations to 9,000 girls aged 13 years old this coming school year.

WD 3.5-Inch SAS WD XE Hard Drives Offer Flexibility, Extension Of Datacenter Hardware Investments

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WD, a Western Digital company and a world leader in storage, today announced a new 3.5-inch SAS hard drive solution for legacy datacenter storage systems with the release of WD XE, 2.5-inch, 10,000 RPM SAS hard drive, now available mounted in a 3.5-inch WD performance adapter. Shipping immediately, the WD XE hard drives provide best-in-class performance, low power consumption, and an easier upgrade path for existing 3.5-inch storage systems.

While demand for 3.5-inch, high-performance enterprise-class hard drives slows, a need remains for an alternate high-performance storage device as a transitional solution for legacy systems. WD XE hard drives offer best-in-class sequential performance and provide a compelling upgrade for datacenters migrating away from legacy drives nearing end-of-life.

“Delivering up to 50 percent higher capacity, similar or better maximum sequential performance, higher reliability and up to 67 percent lower power consumption versus 3.5-inch,15,000 RPM drives, the new WD XE drives are the answer for data center server and storage solutions needing a transition strategy,” said Rich Rutledge, senior vice president of WD’s datacenters business unit. “IT managers now have a worry-free migration path to the latest enterprise performance drives from WD, while preserving their chassis and solution investments.”

Sarah Jessica Parker to Grace the Launch of SM Aura

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There’s been a lot of buzz about the SM Aura Premier opening this May. And it has just been confirmed that international screen and stage actress–and style icon-Sarah Jessica Parker will be gracing the launching of the mall’s SM Store.

Parker, who played Carrie Bradshaw on the HBO television series Sex and the City (1998-2004), has won four Golden Globe Awards, three Screen Actors Guild Awards, and two Emmy Awards. She served as a producer and reprised her role in the screen adaptation of the hit series with the theatrical release of Sex and the City and Sex and the City 2.

Her Carrie character –who has been described as someone who lives for fashion - as well as her own incredible personal style make Parker the perfect guest for the store opening, which Manila’s stylish set is looking forward to.

Vin Diesel Spotted in Manila : SM Cinema to Host Premiere of Fast and Furious 6

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Vin Diesel and cast members of “Fast and Furious 6” are in Manila for the premiere of the Hollywood action blockbuster movie on Wednesday, May 15, 2013.

Diesel was supposed to have arrived in Manila on Monday night via a private plane.

Diesel is now in the country as his photos strolling around an open-air mall in Taguig City are now making the rounds online:


In a Facebook post by Bonifacio High Street on Tuesday, Diesel is seen walking around the al fresco mall.
"Spotted at Bonifacio High Street today was the Fast and the Furious star, Vin Diesel. Photo by @issastar "Vin Diesel in Bonifacio High Street!!! #starstruck #fanmode #fanpic #igmanila #bonifaciohighstreet #bgc #may142013," the post said.

Babe Watch at Prive Summer Closing Party on May 15

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Short shorts, bikini tops, beach balls and life savers! Its Stiletto x Babewatch at Privé Wednesday night on May 15!

Top40 by the Superfly crew & Hip Hop by Bad Boy Jeff!

Girls in bikini tops get free drinks all night!

Do I need to say more?

See you?

Definitely!!!

SM Cinema to Host the Philippine Premiere of Fast & Furious 6

Wazzup Pilipinas!

SM Cinema, the country’s home of premiere nights, will host the upcoming Fast and Furious 6 premiere which will be held at SM Mall of Asia on May 15, 2013. The film’s lead action star, Vin Diesel, along with fellow stars Michelle Rodriguez, Gina Carano and Luke Evans, producer Neal H. Moritz, and director Justin Lin will be coming to the Philippines to be part of this exciting movie event.

Fast & Furious 6 continues in the tradition of thrilling fast‐paced car chases, action, and suspense that has made the movie franchise a worldwide sensation. Vin Diesel, Paul Walker and Dwayne Johnson lead the returning cast of all‐stars as the global blockbuster franchise built on speed races to its next continent. Reuniting for their most high‐stakes adventure yet, fan favorites Michelle Rodriguez, Jordana Brewster, Tyrese Gibson, Chris “Ludacris” Bridges, Sung Kang, John Ortiz, Gal Gadot, and Elsa Pataky are joined by badass series newcomers Luke Evans and Gina Carano.

Fast & Furious 6 is a United International Pictures Release through Solar Entertainment Corporation. The film will be released in theatres across the Philippines on May 24, 2013.

Mad For Garlic: Wow! I See Garlic, But I Don't Taste It!

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This food review is long overdue. I promised it will come out within a week but I have been so very busy the last few days until now, and the coming days so since I was with my kid when we visited this restaurant, I asked him to write it for me. He loved the dining experience so much that I am encouraging him to blog as well, so he will soon have other opportunities in the near future. Maybe he is not the youngest blogger out there but it would sure help a lot to improve his writing skills.

So please remember that I am posting the article he wrote as is, without any correction or modification on my part. Please also take note that he is just a 13 year old kid, and this will be his first time to "blog" or write a food review.

Please read on the food review of my 13 year old kid, Hezron Kyle.

Philips Launches LED Promise Campaign “The Promise of a Greener World”

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Philips Lighting Philippines kicked off its LED campaign at the SM Mall of Asia.

Philips guarantees consumers that its LED lighting products offer long lasting and consistent brightness, savings on energy and cost, and guaranteed safety. Partnership with photography club ties Philips efforts in sustainability with environmental awareness.

Entitled “The Promise of a Greener World”, the campaign emphasized how using LED lighting solutions can help reduce the Philippines’ carbon footprint, and avert the drastic effects of global warming.

Philips Country Manager and General Manager for Lighting Fabia Tetteroo-Bueno said that “Philips LED lighting solutions are not only energy-efficient but also provide a superior quality of light. With this campaign, we hope to share with consumers the facts about LED lighting solutions and encourage them to make the simple switch to sustainable lighting solutions that is environmentally-friendly.”