Wazzup Pilipinas News and Events

Friday, August 23, 2013

Next Steps For LRT-1 Cavite Extension Project Bidding Known Next Week – DOTC

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The Special Bids and Awards Committee (SBAC) of the Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) and the Light Rail Transit Authority (LRTA) will submit its recommendation on the bidding of the LRT Line 1 Cavite Extension Project to Secretary Joseph Emilio Aguinaldo Abaya next week.

In order to formalize its recommendation, the SBAC needs to convene and pass a resolution prior to submitting the same to the Transport chief. Procedural requirements for setting an SBAC meeting this week were prevented by work cancellations stemming from the inclement weather and flooding brought about by Typhoon Maring.

An option to move the project forward under the Build-Operate-and-Transfer Law is to re-bid it. In case of a re-bidding, a single-stage process is possible in order to meet the project’s original deadlines.

Once the SBAC’s recommendation is approved, the DOTC will announce the next steps for the bidding of the project to the public.

Strife Amidst a State of Calamity in the Municipality of Pateros

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"Strife amidst a state of calamity? Both parties may have arguable valid points.

I am just surprised that a former councilor was not aware of the "positionings" in the Municipality, what more the ordinary residents of Pateros who do not have access to the offices of the LGU. I've been so very curious how people are assigned to posts at the municipal hall, especially down to the level of Job Order employees.

In fairness, I've seen how Elmer Nocheseda has highlighted Pateros in many of his works. He even came out with a book about Pateros. You could say he has somehow elevated the status of Pateros into national, if not international, recognition.

Likewise, I have heard a lot of great things Councilor Gerald German, now Vice Mayor, has done for Pateros. People have recommended him as the man to go to if in search of "action".

Both of them have earned my respect and admiration.

It is disappointing to see the two of them in a heated argument in a public medium, but on the other hand, I think it is good that everyone else will be able to hear out their sides.

EPPI’s Takeshi Horiuchi, Joyce Tan, and Ad Ryan Ilagan received Epson’s awards from the Zero Basura Olympics.

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Epson Precision (Philippines) Inc. received two awards for their efficient waste management system.

The two awards were for its Waste Management System during the 2nd Zero Basura Olympics, which was held recently at the Bayleaf Hotel in Intramuros, Manila.

The Zero Basura Olympics (ZBO) for Business is held every two years to recognize innovative corporate practices for solid waste management. Conceptualized to address the solid waste problem and fast track the implementation of Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000 (RA 9003), ZBO encourages businesses from different industries to apply conscientious and beneficial practices and incorporate the 3Rs (Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle) in their waste management program.

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In celebration of its second year, Trade School Manila is hosting a fund and awareness raising event on August 24, 2013.

Entitled Fair Deal : A Barter Auction Event, the three-hour gathering seeks to create an atmosphere of fun and trading – of the non-monetary variety. Services are the currency of choice in this event, with artists like folk singer Tao Aves pledging to provide 2-hour jam sessions in exchange for driving lessons – as a start.

The concept of barter, commonly understood in local culture as x-deals, has yet to gain traction. Trade School Manila (TS Manila) wants to bridge that gap through this event. Whilst traditional barter would entail bargaining between two parties, TS decided to shake things up a bit. Auctions have been set up, which allow multiple persons or parties to bid for the service being offered. Negotiations are made between the bidders and the seller.

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The Department of Tourism (DOT) and Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) unveiled joint plans to redevelop Roxas Boulevard into a park complex by 2015 in a presentation to stakeholders held on 16 August 2013 at the Diamond Hotel.

The event was presided by DOT Secretary Ramon R. Jimenez Jr., DPWH Secretary Rogelio I. Singson, and the architect for the project, Mr. Paulo Alcazaren. It was attended by more than 100 stakeholders from the government, private sector involved in property development and other business establishments located along the boulevard, and media.

“The Roxas Boulevard Park Redevelopment project is a convergence between national government agencies, local government units, and the private sector. This is not just a beautification project. This program will reestablish the importance of Manila as a capital city and enhance the value of property all over the district that it crosses. This is a business plan aimed at restoring and enhancing Manila as a viable capital for tourism and business,” Tourism Secretary Ramon R. Jimenez, Jr. said.

Sate Lilit

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Hyatt Regency Hotel & Casino Manila is a five-star hotel surrounded by Manila’s culturally-rich and well-preserved historical points of interest. This 33-storey mixed-use complex offers 376 elegantly designed guestrooms and accommodates the largest number of suites in the bay area, including 58 specialty suites and four presidential suites.

The hotel features three innovative and authentic restaurants, a pastry shop, an entertainment outlet and four floors of Regency Club accommodation as well as the most stylish and advanced event spaces in town. Fully-equipped recreational and premier gaming facilities are also on the premises. The hotel is only a few minutes from the international airport, convention centre, top tourist attractions and the city’s business district.

Hyatt Regency Hotel & Casino Manila will be home to flavourful culinary traditions from the volcanic island of Bali, Indonesia, also known as the Island of the Gods, in a ten-day food festival at Market Café from 30 August to 8 September.

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With Filipinos being known to be talented and skillful, it is not surprising that RaketMarket.ph, the new online marketplace for Filpinos, is now attracting a lot of followers and new members. The term “raket” is a slang Filipino term for small jobs or extra source of income.

RaketMarket.ph, which was founded by brothers James and Chris Alejandro, aims to help Filipinos make money online through small services and referrals. Their tagline “Kita Tayo!” both invites the online Pinoy to join in and make use of the three different ways to make money on the site: “Kita sa Raket,” “Kita sa Referral,” and “Kita sa Benta.”

“We came up with this idea while formulating a show (with the same title) for AM Radio format.” James Alejandro, who is also a radio broadcaster, told this writer. “We want to create an online market where you can earn from different kinds of rakets and sidelines. Our Raket Ambassador, Tado Jimenez, is a very good example of a working professional who earns extra from an assortment of rakets. You will even see his own posts inside the website. We allow our members to post their services in the Raket section for free. We do not charge service fees or even commissions.”

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After a stressful day at the office, my colleagues and I usually try to find time at least once a month to go out and bond with each other over beer and "pulutan".

We often find ourselves in the noisy clubs and bars nearby or around the metro. Depending on what time we are able to leave from work, our budget (a big consideration especially if payday is still a few days away), and our mood for that night, we would try to vote for the most preferable gimmick spot where we could relax, unwind, share stories, listen to a live band or our favorite singers, maybe meet girls if its a boys' night, and get drunk.

Luckily, there's a new choice added for our convenience. Happy Hour will never be the same again as Max's Restaurant, one of my favorite chicken restaurant, now offers meal packages designed especially for the barkada.

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Theater actor - director, musical director and composer William Elvin shall launch his debut CD album --- DisConTechNoThisContent: The Musicalienation of William Elvin on August 29. ( A soft-launch was held last July 2 at Taumbayan, Q.C. )

In 2005, William decided to stop writing songs and playing music. His friends in the UST band/rock scene were being signed by major record labels. EMI Philippines was starting to position Hale to be one of the biggest rock acts of the 2000s. Sony BMG followed suit with the signing of Callalily. The two bands spearheaded the 'pogi-rock' movement (a term used with both marketing and derogatory intentions, as William remembers it) in mainstream Pinoy pop in the mid-2000s.

A few months later, rock bands were ruling the airwaves while WilIiam and his band The Barpins, was stuck playing in the now-defunct 'Mayric's', a small rock and roll bar along Espana, Manila. Frustrated, he promised to himself not to go back to that scene, and pursue a different artistic medium. That decision led William to the Theatre Arts program in the University of the Philippines.

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Globe Telecom maintained leadership in postpaid amidst the intense switching drive of its competitors after the segment posted double-digit growth in revenues and subscriber base in the first half of 2013, providing solid contribution to the company’s overall mobile business.

“Globe Postpaid sustained its robust performance during the first half of the year on the back of our fully-customizable and best-in-class postpaid plans, exclusive device offers, and expanded sales channels reaching out to more subscribers,” said Raul Macatangay, Head of Globe Postpaid Business and Devices.

Postpaid revenues as of end-June 2013 stood at P13.1 billion, up 20% from previous year’s P10.9 billion and 10% more than the 2nd half of 2012 at P11.9 billion. Postpaid revenues now account for 37% of total mobile revenues, up from 33% in 1H12, as subscriber build-up continues.