Wazzup Pilipinas News and Events

Tuesday, February 11, 2014

Michael Christian Martinez: An Olympic Dream at the Sochi Winter Olympics

Wazzup Pilipinas!

The Philippines' flag bearer is figure skater Michael Christian Martinez who leads his national delegation during the Opening Ceremony of the 2014 Sochi Winter Olympics. Not only is Michael Christian Martinez the lone Olympian from the Philippines at the Sochi Games, he's also the first to compete at the Winter Games since 1994.

As for support from the Philippine government, “I don’t even think anyone at the President’s office knows there’s a Filipino skating in the Olympics,” said Teresa Martinez, who said she has written the office several times asking for help.

Not a single peso from the government, "kahit isang singkong duling", but the government can afford to spend P150,000 a month to keep suspected criminals like Janet Napoles "safe".

Ad Astra: A Multimedia Portfolio Exhibit

Wazzup Pilipinas!

"The stars, ever alluring and spirited, make the night skies a fascinating view to look at. Each of them makes the most of the dullness and the emptiness of the vast universe. There are billions of them up above but nearest shine brightest among the others. We aspire to be like them, to bring out each of our unique skills in the field of arts and be noticed just like the stars. And through our exhibit we believe it is possible."

AD ASTRA: A Multimedia Portfolio Exhibit by 37 shining graduating students of AB Multimedia Arts from Lyceum of the Philippines University - Cavite Campus will be happening on February 14-16, 2014 at the CPC Building, Governor's Drive Cor. Hugo Perez, Trece Martirez Cavite.

Ad Astra is a Latin phrase meaning "to the stars". We represent these stars as an artist, all having the same goal: To give the light that shines in the dark.

This upcoming exhibit, we would like to share with you our own interpretation of stars, to give hope and inspiration everyone needs. We aspire to be like them, to bring out each of our unique skills in the field of arts and be noticed just like the stars. And through our exhibit we believe it is possible.

Wazzup Pilipinas!

"The wake of Arvin "Tado" Jimenez will be on February 9-11 (Sunday to Tuesday) at the Paket Santiago Funeral Homes, V.Gomez corner E. Dela Paz, San Roque, Marikina near the Our Lady of Abandoned Church. His remains will be cremated on Wednesday, 9am at Loyola, Marikina.
Public viewing shall start only beginning 2pm today, February 9, Sunday.

We appeal to the public and friends from the media to respect the wish of the family for private time with their beloved "Ama" this morning. Strictly, no taking of photos and videos inside the chapel.

To those who want to extend support to Tado's family, please send your donations (in cash or in kind) through Dakila. Contact Dakila at 09151780240

Indeed, everyone who loved him, one way or another, is in deep mourning. But we all know that he wouldn't want us to be lonely, in fact he prefers that we be celebrating - for he is now with the our heavenly father.

Below are what seems to be fitting tributes and memories of the man known as "Tado" whose real name is Arvin Jimenez, the "artivist" (from the combination of artist and activist). The very first one was a comic I created for Be Kind To Us Trolls (now called Be Proud of Us Pinoys) a few years ago starring Tado Jimenez and Mae Paner (more popularly known as Juana Change). Tado has tickled my fancy even before I personally met him, thus he will be missed so much.

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Spoiler Alert: "Maggie got infected! Nooooo! .....Don't you wish you just got raped by a herd of the undead?!"

Let me present to you below my own version of The Walking Dead because I'm so excited for Episode 9 of Season 4 of the greatest TV series that made me lose sleep after watching it.

"The Blogging Dead TV Series : From Ross Del Rosario, the creator of Wazzup Pilipinas, is a story about strangers thrown together by a mysterious force known alternately as freebies, loot bags or tokens. They must help each other in order to survive in a violent enigmatic community where everyone else seems to have their own twisted version of what's morally upright and logically sounding.

A wild assortment of "know-it-all" bashers, haters, and rumor-mongers loom around every corner of social media, blogging from the Metro and even as far as across the seas... from the provinces and other countries, waiting patiently online to feast on their next oblivious victim.

Wazzup Pilipinas!

The Metrobank Foundation, Inc. (MBFI), the corporate social responsibility arm of the Metropolitan Bank & Trust Company (Metrobank), recognized its development partners during its 35th anniversary celebration last January 29 with the presentation of the Partners in Empowerment, Advocacy and Commitment to Excellence (PEACE) at the Le Pavillon, Metropolitan Park, Pasay City. His Eminence Luis Antonio G. Cardinal Tagle graced the occasion as the Guest of Honor which was also attended by guests from the national and local government, academe, business, diplomatic, non-government and socio-civic organizations.

One of this year’s recipients Philippine National Police represented by its Deputy Chief for Administration, Deputy Director General Felipe L. Rojas, Jr. was cited for its continuous support to MBFI’s commitment of nurturing a culture of excellence in our police force by honoring the outstanding achievements of its members through the Search for the Country’s Outstanding Police Officers in Service (COPS).

The theme of the celebration is Launching Dreams. Through its recognition and social development programs, Metrobank Foundation has continuously strengthened, support, and assist the Filipinos in their endeavors, raising their abilities and way of life, inspiring and uplifting their spirits so that they may be empowered enough to reach their dreams. The theme used kites, an object symbolically representing flight towards greater heights.

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Magnus Eventus Inc., once again made the news as it opened another job fair recently for the month of February. Last February 6 and 7 was another mega employment opportunity for hopeful job seekers as they flock Starmall EDSA Shaw for the second job fair offering for the year.

Magnus Eventus is an events organizer who specializes in producing job fair events. They bridge applicants and employers together. They provide employers with a wide array of potential employees that they need for future business needs and to providing job seekers with an extensive network of potential employers which is necessary for their professional growth.

Attended by a great number of individuals all seeking their dream careers with the numerous participating companies of the job fair. There was even a free resume printing provided for those as the organizers way of helping the job hopefuls to start their search for their future employer.

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Day 1 of the 7107 International Music Festival (7107 IMF) will be a wild night of EDM! Kaskade will headliner the first day of the 7107 IMF with 75 minutes of their sickest house music to probably prove to everyone why he was voted America’s Best DJ in 2011 and 2013. Can't wait for the live spin of It’s You, It’s Me, one of the DJ’s most recognizable hits. The Natives, Reid Stefan, Kid Ink, DJ Riddler, and the Asteroids Galaxy Tour will each get 60-minute sets next. Alvaro will also get a 75-minute set.

The second and last day of the 7107 IMF will be dominated by rock bands! The Red Hot Chili Peppers will be headlining the final day with a full concert duration of 90 minutes. We are hoping it will be an extended version of their Super Bowl halftime performance - an awesome example of music perfection to the extreme. They will be joined by Kendrick Lamar, Empire of the Sun, and Red Jumpsuit Apparatus, who will each get 60 minutes. Scarlet Heroes and Luciana will get 30 minutes.

The 7107 IMF will also feature 42 world-class local acts: Up Dharma Down, Radioactive Sago Project, Sponge Cola, Pulso, The Ringmaster, She’s Only Sixteen, Yolanda Moon, Runmanila, Jensen & The Flips, Maude, Abra & Loonie, DJ B-Cal, DJ Ron Poe, Nix Dam P, Encounters with a Yeti, Runway Crimes, Rocksteddy, Cheats, Itchyworms, Musical O, Sleepwalk Circus, Hidden Nikki, Skymarines, Child/ren of the Pilgrimage, The Charmes, Popular Days, The Sleepyheads, Not Another Boy Band, Wilderness, Taken By Cars, She’s Only Sixteen, Techy Romantics, Keith Bryan Haw, Marc Marasigan, Aryan, Travis Monsod, Katsy Lee, Carlo Atendido, Patrick Po, Jessica Milner, Motherbasss, and Skratchmark.

Wazzup Pilipinas!

One week after the launch of its mobile application for iPhone and iPad, Lazada launched its ‘Lifestyle Monday With Mastercard’ promotion with MasterCard Philippines today. Through this promotion, MasterCard cardholders in the Philippines will enjoy a 10% additional discount when they shop from the Lifestyle and Fashion categories of Lazada on Mondays. This discount will be reflected upon checkout and upon entering the credit card details of the cardholder.

The ‘Lifestyle Monday With MasterCard’ promotion covers categories such as Fashion, Health & Beauty, Home & Living, Home Appliances and Toys & Babies and will run until 31 December 2014.

“Through our relationship with MasterCard and the MasterCard network, we are rewarding our consumers at every step of the shopping process. Furthermore, MasterCard is an established brand and the partnership between Lazada and MasterCard gives cardholders enhanced security when they shop online with their MasterCard cards,” said Maximilian Bittner, Chief Executive Officer of Lazada.

MATA Expo 2014: A Silent but Deadly Fun-Filled Gathering!

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Imagine the in and out of the One Esplanade building located at the Mall of Asia Complex filled with people at every corner. That's how huge the turn-out of the MATA Expo 2014 event was - a great number of our deaf brothers gathered together for one whole day of fun-filled activities which includes cosplays, fashion shows, VRS tech exhibit, visual arts, food fest, wrestling, and even a hotdog eating contest, where you get to win P 5,000 as prize, was one of the games, plus a few performances that made a lively and pleasant afternoon for everyone.

According to their official website, MATA Expo is an international social-media enterprise expo and more than just a tradeshow. It is a great opportunity for corporations, organizations, and individuals with multicultural aspects "diversity" to promote their services / products to thousands of people. MATA Expo supports expanding the Multicultural Awareness in the public society.

I was informed that the February 8, 2014 event is happening for the second time in the Philippines and its definitely gone bigger than ever. Aside from the different booths that are situated around the venue (inside and outside One Esplanade area), the catwalk-like stage was at the center of the hall where performers, with their special entertainment numbers, impressed the audience gathered around the said stage .

Wazzup Pilipinas!

The youth’s legacy is the world’s future.

International student-run organization AIESEC believes that the change envisioned by the young leaders of today can be actualized through self-leadership, community collaboration, and global generation movement. The organization trusts that the change that the youth creates today will be a legacy for future generations to celebrate.

On March 21, 2014 at the Samsung Hall, Taguig City, the first International Youth Leaders Conference (IYLC) will bring hundreds of college-level individuals from all over the world who pursue social change.

The youth conference will have talks, collaborative workshops, and awards that explore the leadership aspects of the self, community, and the world through the potentials of leadership and youth empowerment.

Delegates are introduced to introspective, collaborative, and proactive outlooks on the capacity of young individuals to instigate inspiration among members of their generation to mobilize global change through youth leadership.

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Heart attack, stroke and cancer are the three top causes of death among Filipinos. These are chronic non-communicable lifestyle diseases brought about by our wrong choice of food, lack of exercise and other unhealthy daily habits. Though there is an increasing public awareness all over the Metro, only a few also consider preparing financially for their future to treat these lifestyle diseases if ever they are unfortunate victims of such.

AXA Philippines offers solutions that helps secure your financial future. It keeps on challenging the present and always looking for solutions that better meet the financial needs of their customers. They will even modify services to adjust to their customer's changing preferences. This quest made them the innovator behind the development of bancassurance and behind the introduction of variable life products into the market.

They are now once again redefining the life insurance market by introducing Health Exentials, Health Max and SME ProteXion - three new products that provide adequate coverage to Filipinos when they encounter critical and life-threatening illness.

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Tabang Tambayan is a collaboration project between The Silver Lining Project, Primarch Entertainment, SparkMyIdeas and individual organizers, Kamilla Sumagui, Bryan Favorito as a spontaneous response in bringing aid to the typhoon Yolanda survivors. Volunteers Maria Ganal, Kris Garcia and Jansie Hernandez later joined the group in support of this cause.

Collectively, the group, in tying up with beneficiaries Air Juan and the Philippine Coast Guard Auxilliary Squadrons 401 and 406th Calamianes, have adopted a community of Sitio Maricaban in Coron, Palawan. Their vision is to provide Relief-Rehab-Rebuild missions for their adopted community and their mission is to bring together artists through a series of events in order to fundraise the provision needed for their vision to succeed.

Bagong Bukas, their second benefit event (January 31) targeted to fund their medical mission as part of their Relief initiative, was an immediate hit with the B-crowd. This event showcased a variation of performances-- the parkour stunts of the Philippine Parkour and Free Running Association (PPFA), the gravity-defying Pole Dolls, and the fire dancing Planet Zips wows the crowd with stunts performed with gusto for uplifting the Filipino spirit.

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Last Song Syndrome (LSS) had an extremely terrible and contagious effect on all off us, including the other viewers, as we left Cinema 1 of the Rockwell Powerplant Mall. We were all singing the chorus, "Everything is awesome!!! Everything is cool when you're part of a team. "

Just in case you're one of the fanatics who adored the movie and the song, I've posted the lyrics below this article.

We really can't help but repeat the same lines over and over again. Plus the crazy body movements, chuckles and cheers we occasionally bring forth while singing the song. Hahaha...I expected the movie to be hilariously crazy but it was more surprisingly cocky than I ever imagined.

The Lego Movie was really cool! We were totally hooked with the premise of the computer-animated movie featuring Lego characters voiced by some famous foreign actors who have been recognized as playing lead roles in sci-fi, fantasy movies, action and comedy movies.

Wazzup Pilipinas!

I guess everyone is now joining the bandwagon of entertainment specifically on the influence of Korean fashion and entertainment in our country. It was surprising to receive an invitation from a government-managed television station announcing a reality contest whose aim is to search for K-Pop Idols.

Apparently, they partnered with a group from Korea to produce a new reality show on television to attract all K-Pop die-hard fans out there which are really huge. The figures are shocking and to learn that teens and the younger years are very much into the fad, then it will spell success to the partnership's endeavors.

The People's Television Network (PTV 4) invited members of the media for the press launch of the K-Pop Idol Search (KIS) - Pinoy Edition last February 7 at Makati Shangri-La Hotel to witness its partnership with HBKOR in producing KIS-Pinoy.

Mr. Kim Jung Su, president of HBKOR, Inc. made a ceremonial toast with Cleo Dongga-as, General manager of the People's Television Network to symbolize the bonding of the partnership.

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Reacting to a statement issued by Metro Rail Transit Holdings II, Inc. (MRTH-II) last Friday, 7 February 2014, the Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) is demanding that the company explain to the public why it has not improved services at the MRT-3 system, despite the badly-needed addition of Light Rail Vehicles (LRVs) for many years.

“MRTH-II owes us all an explanation. If they admit to having the responsibility for adding LRVs to the MRT-3 line, why haven’t they done anything all these years? Instead, they have forced MRT riders to suffer for so long,” said DOTC Spokesperson Michael Arthur Sagcal.

In the statement, MRTH-II claimed to own 100% of the Metro Rail Transit Corporation (MRTC), which owns the facilities of MRT-3. As owner of MRTC, MRTH-II claimed that it has the right to add LRVs to the MRT-3, not the DOTC. It even said this can be done in a timely manner.

While the MRTC Board of Directors has denied authorizing the filing of the suit to stop the addition of train coaches, MRTH-II filed the case in its capacity as shareholder or owner of MRTC.