Wazzup Pilipinas News and Events

Wednesday, January 22, 2014

DOTC Celebrates 115TH Anniversary With Start Of Two Major Infra Projects

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The Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) celebrates its 115th founding anniversary this week with the start of two (2) major infrastructure projects: the Metro Manila Skyway Stage 3 (MMS 3) project and the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 1 Rehabilitation.

“We are very happy to celebrate the DOTC’s anniversary with the start these major works. These are our gifts to the public,” said DOTC Secretary Joseph Emilio Aguinaldo Abaya.

A groundbreaking ceremony for the P 26.59 Billion MMS 3 project was held today, 22 January 2014. This project entails a 14.82-kilometer, mostly 6-lane elevated highway extension of the Skyway from Buendia, Makati to Balintawak, Quezon City.

Wazzup Pilipinas!

According to a Yahoo article, the Philippines ranks number one in the world for deaths caused by natural disasters. Last year, 2,360 people lost their lives in the Philippines due to natural disasters. It says that the Philippines is situated at the dead center of Typhoon Alley. Thus the typhoon Yolanda was really not so much surprising. The flooding was bound to happen, and yes, sadly, it did to our great disappointment.

The article also says that our country rests on the unstable “Ring of Fire” where volcanoes blast forth magma from the Earth’s core, and rides earthquake prone tectonic plates as they slip against one another. It’s the most dynamic location on the planet, bar none, positively terrifying if you think too much about it.

Scary indeed to learn that we might be experiencing more than just floods, but also something more dangerous than the Pinatubo volcano disaster. Earthquakes, landslides and fires have occurred already, and it is quite alarming that we are less proactive in our efforts to prevent a huge number of fatalities and property damage. There should be more dynamic movements to avoid the unfortunate staggering figures.

However, we really do not just have to look at nature's wrath to find places in the Philippines where there are impending tragedies that are just waiting to happen...and if only our authorities will look beyond their PDAFs or pork barrel funds and become more concerned with the small yet probable sources of disasters.

Below are my Top Twelve Most Dangerous Places in the Philippines.

Mabuhay Restop Launches Festival Series

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Mabuhay Restop recently launched exciting new shows featuring various regions of the country in partnership with Department of Tourism, Gawad Kalinga , National Commission for Culture and the Arts, Local Artists , CITEM, Department of Trade and Industry in promoting local products, talents and destinations.

Mabuhay Restop’s Mabuhay Festivals is where different Philippine regions will be celebrated every month through music, dance, food, visual arts, products, and tourist attractions. The first three (3) regions to be highlighted are Central Luzon, Eastern Visayas, and Davao region.

The evening started off with an introduction by Mabuhay Restop owner, Rose Cabrera, and a beautiful performance of “Kay Ganda ng Ating Musika ” sang in 7 Philippines languages – Tagalog, Hiligaynon, Cebuano, Bicolano, Ilocano, Chabacano and Maranao - by veteran performer Mitch Valdez.

The main preview of the evening was the Mabuhay Fiesta Show hosted by Thea Gloria and captures in 45-minutes the best of the Philippines – our festivals, arts, love of music and dance, tourist attractions, and our vibrant culture in general.

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The Palarong Panrehiyon of the NCR Palarong Pambansa 2014 opened up with several activities last January 20, 2014 at the Pinaglabanan Shrine located near the new San Juan City Government Center.

The Palarong Pambansa, dubbed as the "National Games, is an annual multi-sporting event involving student-athletes from seventeen (17) regions of the Philippines organized and governed by the Department of Education or DepEd.

Student-athletes from private and non-private schools from elementary and secondary levels are legitimately can joined the national event as long as they are qualified and they are regional champions.

The celebration started off with a parade at around 3 pm participated by several delegates including students, leaders and officials of the different schools from all NCR divisions including Pasig, Pateros, Taguig, Paranaque, Makati, Marikina, San Juan, Las Pinas, Caloocan, Malabon, Mandaluyong, Manila, Muntinlupa, Navotas, Pasay, Valenzuela, and Quezon City.

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Laguna was chosen as the venue of the Palarong Pambansa 2014. The Department of Education (DepEd) and Provincial Government of Laguna already signed an agreement to conduct this year's Palarong Pambansa.

Governor Emilio Ramon “ER” Ejercito Jr. of Laguna and Secretary of Education Armin Luistro signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) which contains the duties and responsibilities of the Provincial Government of Laguna (PGL) and DepEd for running the Palarong Pambansa.

The MOU was signed at the DepEd Central Office in Pasig City last January 11, 2014. DepEd Secretary Br. Armin A. Luistro FSC, DepEd Assistant Secretary for Legal Affairs Atty. Tonisito M.C. Umali, and other DepEd representatives welcomed the delegation from Laguna composed of Governor Ejercito, his wife Pagsanjan Mayor Girlie “Maita” Ejercito; Provincial Administrator Atty. Leonardo M. Ragaza, Jr.; Office of the Governor’s Chief-of-Staff Carlos F. Dolendo; board members of Laguna; and PGL department heads.

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This year, Pinoy Atheist and The Agora will launch its new program/activity called Atheist Aware to be held at Ichill Theater Cafe on January 26, Sunday at 2 pm.. This is a once a month activity that will focus more on ideas relevant to the Filipino non-believers.

In 2006, Prof. Richard Dawkins has published a book that made a lot of noise about atheism. The God Delusion is a 2006 best-selling, non-fiction book by the English biologist and professorial fellow of New College, Oxford. Dawkins was also the former holder of the Charles Simonyi Chair for the Public Understanding of Science at the University of Oxford.

In The God Delusion, Dawkins contends that a supernatural creator almost certainly does not exist and that belief in a personal god qualifies as a delusion, which he defines as a persistent false belief held in the face of strong contradictory evidence. He is sympathetic to Robert Pirsig's statement in Lila that "when one person suffers from a delusion it is called insanity. When many people suffer from a delusion it is called "religion"

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Floy Quintos’ Break Away Antigone is based on Sophocles’ classic play, the production revisits the tragic story of Oedipus’ daughter, Antigone, who defies a King’s edict by burying a brother deemed an enemy of the State. It is a tale set in a city devastated by war, now under martial rule, and played out as a musical with songs that span different genres — Broadway, Alternative, Pop and Rock.

Eminent sportscaster and columnist Bill Velasco returns to the Ateneo stage after more than 25 years and joins the cast as Oedipus, who in Sophocles’ plays unknowingly marries his mother, Yocasta. His two sons, Eteokles and Polynikes, battle each other for the throne and in combat slay each other. Creon (Brian Sy; Tarek El Tayech) takes over as King.

Keen to impose law and order amidst the chaos of a civil war, Creon issues an edict that gives the loyal Eteokles an honorable burial while Polynikes, who sided with an opposing army, is left to rot on the battlefield. Antigone (Laura Cabochan, Opaline Santos), sister to the slain brothers, witness the funeral procession honoring Eteokles, agonizing not for the Theban hero but for Polynikes, the brother she passionately loves. Grief turns to thoughts of an escape, a break away from Thebes, but not before Antigone can bury Polynikes as is expected by custom. But Creon, Antigone’s uncle, has decreed that anyone who buries Polynikes will be sentenced to death.

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Widely recognized today as a cornerstone of the Filipino cultural identity, Ballet Philippines, the Phillippines' flagship company in ballet and contemporary dance, closes its successful 44th season, themed IllumiNATION, with an exceptional repertoire of breathtaking performances in The Art of Dance.

The highly anticipated season-ender presents a mixed repertoire of new and revived works from notable guest choreographers, showcasing Ballet Philippines’ acclaimed mastery of both classical and contemporary ballet. This will be shown at the Carlos P. Romulo Auditorium, RCBC Plaza, Makati on February 14 to 16 and 21 to 23 at 3pm for the matinees and 8pm for the gala shows.

The Art of Dance takes on varied dance forms in a stunning display of technique, talent, contrast, and artistry, presenting two different shows—Day (matinee shows) and Night (evening shows). Essentially taking into consideration each program’s target audience, both shows offer completely different - yet equally-enthralling - experiences for its viewers.

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"Do You Hear the People Sing? is the latest effort of Resorts World Manila along with Bouberg Productions, Enda Markey and the performers who waived their talent fees for those affected by the typhoon. Funds that will be raised from this production and auction will go to the rebuilding programs. The people behind the event hope to raise funds with the goal of building 200 homes."

On January 29 and 30, 2014, the creators of the international musical sensations Les Misérables and Miss Saigon will present a special concert entitled “Do You Hear the People Sing?” celebrating their work at the Newport Performing Arts Theater (NPAT) in Resorts World Manila (RWM) to raise funds to offer humanitarian relief and assist the rebuilding efforts after parts of the Philippines were left devastated in the wake of Typhoon Yolanda.

Do You Hear The People Sing? is the only symphonic concert that has been authorized (and created) by Boublil & Schönberg. The concerts have played to enormous acclaim in major concert halls throughout the United States and the Asia Pacific tour of the show recently commenced in China.

Julia Barretto on the Cover of Metro Magazine February 2014 Issue

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"Everything you need to know about the new season is in Metro's February Issue! On our cover is breakout star Julia Barretto, who is poised to conquer primetime with her upcoming TV series, Mira/Bella. Watch out for this issue in bookstores and newsstands this week! Photograph Melson Bolongaita. Makeup Robbie Pinera. Hair John Valle. Dress, Brian Evalle." - Metro Magazine

Admittedly the most stunning Barretto that ever come out from the clan. Though the sisters of Gretchen, Claudine, and Marjorie all deserved more than just a second look especially during their younger years, Julia is truly a breakout star.

With a very angelic face and the matching sophistication and gleaming aura, Julia deserves all her spots in magazine covers as she truly commands attention and admiration.

Metro Magazine never went wrong in selecting her as their February 2014 cover model.

ELC's 50th: Jacko Wacko Music Festival

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Join in the rave and party with Englicom Dlsu as they bring the kick start event for 2014 dubbed as ELC's 50th: Jacko Wacko Music Festival - The biggest, grandest and first ever music festival of De La Salle University-Manila filled with a variety of EDM, partying, food, merchandise vendors, game booths, inflatables, fashion shows, attractions, prizes and a whole lot more!

All happening this January 25, 2014 at Circuit Makati from 3pm onwards.

Rave ’till you drop to the non-stop electronic dance music featuring three of the top performing DJs in town: Curse and Bless, Mecha and Kasty Lee! There will also be a fashion show with the cutest college faces, carnival-themed booths and rides, and tons of promos and freebies to be given away!

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Make your Friday night count - join the Coffee AID Jam presented by Cordillera Coffee and Coffee AID - a night of homegrown music and homegrown coffee, featuring independent musician Tao Aves with special performances by ambassadors from Ukulele Manila.

Learn more about Coffee AID’s fair trade advocacy and how you can help support local coffee growers. The event is also the perfect time to sign up as a volunteer for their outreach activities like coffee tree-planting, harvest and processing, as well as community workshops.

The event is free, but proceeds of the day's sales will go to the Coffee AID workshop fund for the children of coffee farmers, so everyone is encouraged to try as many coffee concoctions possible. Proudly a homegrown cafe, they only serve 100% fair trade, organically-grown coffee direct from the farmers in Benguet.

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The groundbreaking ceremony for a major infrastructure project which is expected to significantly ease traffic in Metro Manila will be held by the Citra Central Expressway Corporation (CCEC) tomorrow, 22 January 2014, along with representatives from the Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) and the Toll Regulatory Board (TRB).

The CCEC will implement the Metro Manila Skyway Stage 3 (MMS) Project, while the DOTC and the TRB will act as regulator in its implementation and operation.

“This is part of the DOTC’s ongoing program to upgrade our transportation infrastructure. It is expected to provide motorists with considerable relief from the traffic situation in Metro Manila,” said DOTC Spokesperson Michael Arthur Sagcal.

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Star Cinema and RCP Productions proudly presents "Sa Ngalan ng Ama Ina at mga Anak". It is a film directed by Jon Villarin and starring Robin Padilla, Mariel Rodriguez Padilla, Kylie Padilla, Daniel Padilla, Matt Padilla, RJ Padilla, Bela Padilla....and probably a few more Padillas lurking around the movie if you look closely...Na! Just kidding!.
The story revolves around the family of Ongkoy (played by Robin Padilla) and the gang known as the Kuratong Baleleng.

Kuratong Baleleng in Mindanao is a kind of instrument called darling bells - See more at: http://philnews.ph/2012/11/01/robin-and-daniel-padillas-movie-kuratong-baleleng-postponed/#sthash.VLMug1bl.dpuf

The Kuratong Baleleng began as an anti-communist vigilante group but has become a diversified kidnapping, smuggling, and extortion syndicate with close links to officials in Northwestern Mindanao and elsewhere. The group was originally established by the Philippine military in 1986 to guard against the spread of communist guerrillas in Misamis Occidental, Zamboanga del Norte and Zamboanga del Sur provinces.

The first leader, chosen directly by the military, was Ongkoy Parojinog, who allegedly used the group both for its expressed purpose as well as to conduct illegal activities. Parojinog was later killed by Philippine soldiers. When the group was officially disbanded in 1988, they continued to operate as an organized crime syndicate.

“Sa Ngalan ng Ama, Ina, at mga Anak,”hit cinemas on January 29.

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7107 International Music Festival is a two-day outdoor music festival happening at the Global Gateway Logistics City in Clark, Pampanga this February 22-23, 2014.

Two stages present a spectacular lineup of both international and local artists top-billed by the likes of the Red Hot Chili Pepers, Kaskade, Empire of the Sun, Kendrick Lamar, Radioactive Sago Project, Up Dharma Down, Sponge Cola and Abra & Loonie, that were carefully handpicked to satisfy every musical craving of all music fans out there.

In this world of live music, thrills, adventure, good eats, and people from around the globe, the only way to transcend the different cultures is through one language called music. Make sure to be there once the clock strikes noon.

Official 7107 two-day passes can only be purchased through the 7107 website.