Wazzup Pilipinas News and Events

Saturday, May 3, 2014

"In Pursuit Of A Dream " Set On May 14 And 23

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Every artist have dreams to pursue, but it is how one conquers those dreams that make a difference. Over the last couple of months,Al Gatmaitan, one of the country’s topnotch tenors was quietly working on a dream project to further hone his craft as a theater actor.

Embarking on a major decision to widen Al Gatmaitan’s horizons, and to further advance his studies, he passed a rigorous audition process and was selected to be part of the New York University Steinhardt School for Music and Performing Arts Professions this coming June.

But before he takes a bite of the Big Apple, catch Al Gatmaitan: In Pursuit of a Dream – a special fund raising concert presented by The Philippine Opera Company and Grupo Reposo, in collaboration with LRI Design Plaza set on May 14 and 23, 2014. With Karl Estudillo, collaborative pianist, directed by Will Fredo.

The concert on May 14, 2014 (7:30 p.m.), will be at The Opera Haus located at 3657 Bautista Street, Brgy. Palanan, Makati. Special guest artists include: TV, film and stage actress Ms. Ayen Munji-Laurel, Sopranos Karla Gutierrez, Gabri Panlilio, and Janine Santos; Tenor Nazer Salcedo, Baritone Lawrence Jatayna and Mezzo Soprano Clarissa Ocampo.

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Just recently, Spotify has rolled out some exciting changes to their Android users.

First off, Spotify is introducing their new darker theme, refreshed typography and rounded iconography. Playing your favorite music has never looked so good.

Spotify is not only improving their look though. Spotify knows how much their users love playlists, but that they have been looking for more ways of managing their music. So over the past weeks, they have rolled out Your Music: helping users save, organize and browse their favorite music the way they want to.

They are also improving their Browse feature, delivering even more relevant and localized content. So regardless of whether Spotify users are looking for something to fall asleep to, or the perfect playlist to get them geared up for their big night out, finding the right music for every moment is easier than ever.

Aliwan Fiesta 2014: The Mother of All Fiestas

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The word "aliwan" is a Tagalog word that means "entertainment" or "amusement." The Aliwan Fiesta is a celebration of life, culture, unity and festivities. Each province showcased their cultural diversity as they compete in dance parade, float competitions, as well as in a beauty pageant. True enough every year, everyone continues to be amazed of the sights and sounds of this spectacular and colorful event. Let us all show to the world the richness of the different Filipino cultures and heritage and be proud of it! The annual event is organized by the Manila Broadcasting Company (MBC) together with the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) and the cities of Manila and Pasay in cooperation with the Department of Tourism (DOT).

The Cebu Sinulog Festival represented by Lumad Basakanon of Cebu City won as the best among the contingents who joined the Aliwan Fiesta 2014. They won as Best in Costume, Best in Music and as the Streetdance Grand Champion. The First Runner Up went to the Meguyaya Festival, Upi Maguindanao. The 2nd Runner Up went to Tnalak Festival represented by Municipality of Santo Niño South Cotabato. Laoag City's Pamulinawen Festival brought home the 3rd place.

The Pride of Place Best in Folkloric Choreography winner was Adivay Festival of Kabayan Benguet. The Reyna ng Aliwan Fiesta 2014 was won by Steffi Rose Pearson Aberasturri representing Cebu Sinulog Festival.

The Philippine Top Choice Awards for Excellence 2014

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Good businesses ensure their energy is focused on giving exceptional service.They seek out and develop talented, free-thinking people with the imagination and initiative to make a difference. They organize themselves to operate in ways to bring out the best team to do the job in hand and the one needed tomorrow. Their systems work to support their people, not the other way around.

They encourage involvement at all levels of the business so that clients and customers are impressed at the commitment regardless of which employees answer the phone or opens the door to them. Great businesses go further, they look to provide the products and services others want to buy in a sustainable way. They use profit not just to pay themselves and employ their staff but to invest in the future. It is this level of achievement that awards like the Philippine Top Choice Awards for Excellence are set out to acknowledge and reward.

Wazzup Pilipinas is proud to be the recipient of the Top Filipino Community Blog Site award from the Philippine Top Choice Awards for Excellence. It is with great appreciation to be recognized for the fourth time as an entity that excels in its field. We will receive this recognition with great pride and a promise to continue to elevate our standards for the welfare of our readers, partners and sponsors.

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Can you finish 5K in 25.5 minutes? Run with us on May 18 and see if you can!

The Organisasyon ng Pilipinong Mangaawit (OPM) - the leading and most respected organization of Filipino professional singers in the country, in partnership with the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA), is holding a campaign run dubbed as Mission: EO 255 for the stricter implementation of Executive Order 255.

This will be held on 18 May 2014 at the G-Strip in Greenhills, San Juan. The race will kick off at 5AM.

The event aims to raise awareness of and encourage the radio stations’ full adherence to the above-mentioned Executive Order, issued by former Pres. Corazon Aquino in 1987, requiring all radio stations with musical format programs to broadcast a minimum of four (4) original Pilipino musical compositions in every clock hour.

“OPM aims to ensure the growth of the local music industry; thus, it is very important that all radio stations implement EO 255,” said OPM President Ogie Alcasid. Furthermore, “Not only are we launching the campaign to remind radio stations – and a big thank you to those who do implement EO 255 – but also to let the public know that they can expect a minimum of four OPM songs to be played per hour on all radio channels so as to make the implementation of EO 255 participative.”

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My grandfather was a "sabungero" or "mananabong" (cockfighter). I remember him visiting our home so early in the morning to bring us some "puto" (rice cakes) from the "palengke" (public market) before proceeding to the cockpit which was just one ride away from our home. His routine would be to pass first by the public market near their home (one city away) to buy those rice cakes for us, then head on over to our home to drop off the treats. I was still in grade school but I remember him vividly well because my parents would always wake us up when he arrives. He will not join us for breakfast and will only have coffee before he leaves for the cockpit. I can still remember the rooster or cock which he carries around inside a box filled with holes and has a handle for convenience in carrying.

I was still too young to realize he was into cockfighting. During those days I thought it was just one of his pets. We had our own share of pets during my younger years. We had rabbits, ducks, dogs, turtles, chickens, and lots of birds of different kinds that made our home look like a mini-zoo. It never occurred to me that you can train animals to fight each other. All I've personally seen close to it during those days was spider fighting among my friends. My playmates would capture and force spiders to fight atop a stick. We would hunt for spiders at nearby areas where lots of trees used to exist, and put them inside matchbox cages. There was indeed a lot of thrill and excitement to see those little creatures fight each other. I can imagine right now what it feels like when cockfighters do the same with their cocks.

Cockfighting is a blood sport in which two cocks bred for aggressiveness are encouraged to fight to the death. It happens in many neighborhoods especially in the provinces around the country. It is however considered illegal and a felony in many other countries. The chickens are pumped up with stimulants and have sharp razor blades or ice-pick-like gaffes affixed to their legs. They hack each other to death at the cockpit ring to the amazement of the spectators. Punctured bodies, gouged eyes, and other grievous wounds are part-and-parcel of cockfighting. It is a way of gambling in the Philippines but it is also seen as a national sport where both the rich and poor gather and witness some kind of extreme confrontation between fighting birds.

Dare You - Reason to Prank by HighSNR Updated on the Google Play Store!

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An independent game app developer based in Herzliya, Israel has just released an update to their first Android app which is available for free on the Google Play Store. Their game app, which was just released earlier this month, is a social real life mission game where users must accomplish over 300 unique dares and compete with Pranksters around the world. Users can submit their prank videos to the app based on the mission suggested by other users, get scored and level up. It is also great for bets (loser has to do a dare) for drinking games, and for people who don't want to do dares but want to enjoy funny videos. Imagine an app that motivates you to Prank, Dare, Humiliate, get Wild and most importantly - have lots of FUN!

HighSNR, an independent Android development team that consists of four people from different background from engineering, design, and programming, just released their first app on the Google Play Store called Dare You - Reason to Prank. The unique app is a social real life mission game that allows user to connect with other Pranksters around the world, challenge and be challenged, do some crazy stuff, creatively prank others and most of all, to have a tons of fun.

With Dare You, user can submit their own prank video based on the mission suggested by other user, get score, level up and compete with others. User can also suggest challenging dares, rate each accomplished mission submitted by other, and share the videos for everyone to laugh at. This app challenges user to be creative to dig all the crazy sense of humor, let people get away from day-to-day boredom by creatively providing a deliciously cruel entertainment that will make people laugh for hours.

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Managing proper Facebook privacy and security setting can be sometimes complicated.

This is why Kaspersky Lab, a leading secure developer of secure content and threat management solutions, came up with tutorial videos to guide Facebook users on how to protect their privacy including their future posts.

These videos might be helpful especially for Facebook users who don't have time to check and customize their account privacy settings.

Kaspersky shares a two-part video tutorial series where it explore Facebook’s various privacy and security settings in 10 minutes or less.

The first part tackles the security features offered by the world’s largest social network, explaining what each of the features does and offering advice on how to securely configure your Facebook profile.

While the second part of the tutorial series focuses primarily on how the users can use Facebook in as private a manner as possible. The video also explains what each of the features does and gives advice on how to configure your Facebook profile in a way that promotes privacy.

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Almost everything is now accessible online. With the popularity of smartphones proliferating all over the country, it seems everyone is expecting primary services to be easily available to them using their mobile phones via their Internet connection. That is why most companies, especially the commercial and corporate institutions, are now embracing ideas to make their services accessible online.

The most downloaded finance app in the country has now become even more accessible because of the partnership of Globe Telecom with the Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI).

Starting April 30 until August 31, 2014, Globe subscribers will now enjoy having no data charges whenever they log on and transact using the BPI Express Mobile app.

Formally launched today at the Holiday Inn Suites of Makati is the announcement of free access to the BPI Express Mobile app for Globe Telecom’s over 38 million prepaid, postpaid and TM subscribers.

I would have to agree when it said at their press release that "the BPI Express Mobile app is doing very well and has consistently been the number one downloaded finance app in the country" since its relaunch last June 2013.

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Now this is another great news we wish to share with all of you that we believe will help alleviate the Filipino music industry by providing another accessible platform where we could easily better appreciate proudly Pinoy made music.

Our favorite content provider,Yahoo, is focused on making the world's daily habits inspiring and entertaining. Every day, it provides its users engaging, real, and customized content for an overall memorable experience. This week, Yahoo turns the spotlight on Filipino musicians by providing them with a platform to present their work to a wider audience.

Yahoo Philippines collaborates with the Filipino Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers, Inc. (FILSCAP), to feature original Filipino music, videos and songs through a dedicated channel on their site (http://ph.celebrity.yahoo.com/music).

At the photo above are Yahoo Philippines' Country Manager and Country Editor Kate Delos Reyes with FILSCAP President Noel Cabangon, Yahoo Philippines Business Development Manager Darwin Jacquez (far left) and FILSCAPGeneral Manager Atty. Mark Thursday P. Alciso (far right).

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Thank you to all the Earthday Jammers, organizers, participating artists and bands, Earth-friendly organizations, sponsors, and of course the attendees, composed of a majority of fun-loving youth, for a successful Earthday Jam 2014.

The Bonifacio Global City (BGC) literally went wild with the music of popular and emerging bands like Itchyworms, Gracenote, Gloc 9, Abra, Brownman Revival, Brat Pack and a lot of other artists, all willing and ready to help spread awareness of Earthday, made the night of April 25, 2014 another remarkable entry in the history books.

Of course, we owe it all to the efforts of Earthday Jam Foundation head Lou Bonnevie who also rocked the stage at the 9th Ave.Cor. 34th Street of Bonifacio Global City Taguig. She has never lost her youthful energy to continue to amaze the crowd with her stunning performance.

Everyone was treated to a free concert not just to promote the artists but primarily to imbed conscious awareness to the general public on the importance of environmental preservation. The group behind Earthday Jam Foundation has produced various environmental projects since the year 2000 and among them is Earthday Jam that has already ran for 12 years in celebration of the worldwide Earthday commemoration.

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Another banking first is here. We are happy to share that our access to the BPI Express Mobile banking app is now FREE for all Globe and TM subscribers.

With the BPI Express Mobile banking App, you can bank with your cellphone, wherever you are, whenever you want! Get unequaled banking flexibility and experience banking freedom whenever you're on-the-go.

BPI positions itself as the Philippine’s first bank to offer access to their mobile banking application with no data charges for all Globe and TM subscribers. This offer, powered by Globe's robust mobile data network, was envisioned to help people get wiser with their money using their smartphones; a device that has become indispensable in their everyday lives.

Banking has never been easier and more accessible with the BPI Express Mobile banking app. BPI clients can pay their bills, transfer money to other BPI clients, invest, and even reload their prepaid account, all through their mobile phones. All these services can be accessed by Globe and TM subscribers for free - at no cost to their prepaid load or postpaid bill.

One FC Presents Ana Julaton Open Workout

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ONE Fighting Championship welcomed boxing world champion Ana Julaton into Asia’s largest mixed martial arts organization today with an open workout in Manila, The Philippines. Julaton demonstrated to the media in attendance her trademark boxing skills that earned her the nickname ‘The Hurricane’, as well as her newly acquired grappling skills.

ONE FC: RISE OF HEROES on May 2, 2014, is set to be the largest mixed martial arts event ever witnessed in the history of the Philippines. Held at the 20,000-capacity Mall of Asia Arena in Manila, the event promises a stacked fight card featuring the explosive battle for the ONE FC Bantamweight World Championship title belt in the Main Event.

After conquering the boxing world, Ana Julaton will now make her mixed martial arts debut this Friday in a highly anticipated bout against Middle Eastern kickboxing champion, Aya Saeid Saber. Julaton is the first Filipino American boxer to win the Women's WBO Super Bantamweight and IBA Super Bantamweight titles. ONE FC: RISE OF HEROES will mark the first time she competes in the Philippines. She excitedly stated, "Aya Saber is an experienced MMA warrior and champion in kickboxing. I know she will bring her very best on May 2nd. I'm training for my ONE FC homecoming fight in Manila harder than ever before and what gives me strength through my ups and downs are the hearts of my Kababayon all over.”

Millions of MMA fans around the world have also been eagerly anticipating this moment when the ONE FC Bantamweight Grand Prix winner, Masakatsu Ueda, will rise up to challenge the reigning and defending world champion Bibiano Fernandes for the honor of being crowned the ONE FC Bantamweight World Champion.

Aliwan Fiesta 2014: Philippines' Grand Festival of Champions

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Dubbed this year as the Philippines’ Grand Festival of Champions, Aliwan Fiesta gathered once again some of the best festivities in the country showcasing the unique culture, colours and creativity of the regions.

This vibrant 3-day event, organized by the Manila Broadcasting Company and now on its 12th year, is a grand competition among the municipalities that vie for prestige and top prize in each of the three categories: the cultural street dance, the float parade, and a beauty contest titled as Reyna ng Aliwan.

Delegates proudly parade their respective larger-than-life float, enchanting muse, and folk dance interpretation of their festival starting from Quirino Grandstand to Aliw Theater.

A total of 14 street dance groups, including the Hall of Famer Sinulog Festival of Cebu, and 17 municipal floats painted the Roxas Blvd a festive hue.

A number of marching bands also graced the event. For years, the Festival of Festivals is giving away top cash prizes. This year, PhP 1,000,000 has to be given away for the Grand Champion in the cultural streetdance and PhP 500,000 for the Best Festival Float.

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Rambla recently hosted an aged cocktail tasting for select members of the press. Luckily, Wazzup Pilipinas was one of those few and we were in for a night of fun, cocktails, and learning. They flew in world renowned Italian bartender Giancarlo Mancino, the creator of Mancino Vermouth.

Upon arriving, we were served the Early Grey Gin Tonic which is actually tanqueray gin infused with early grey loose tea, fever tree, lemongrass, and tonic water. I loved that the tea and the lemongrass really popped out, putting me under the illusion that I was drinking something non alcoholic. I also loved the presentation because it was quite feminine and not daunting at all as most gin and tonic seem to appear.

After some chit chat and photoshoot, we were finally led upstairs where we were made to experience what an aged cocktail truly is about. To start off, we had the Aged Negroni. This was made with 1 bottle of classic gin, London # 1. Added to the mix were 2 bottles of Mancino Vermouth and 1 bottle of Campari. Now with the ageing process, a few important things to remember is that when you set the drink in its barrel, you are not supposed to move it around for at least a month.