Wazzup Pilipinas News and Events

Thursday, June 12, 2014

Escaping the City Lights

Wazzup Pilipinas!

The buildings, the different noises, the blinding lights, the angry voices of the drivers stuck in the traffic, things that can be observed in a place where time fly so fast, that if you’re not fast enough to catch up, you’ll be left out. It can be so tiring at times, you think you’ve been fast enough but in a matter of seconds, so many things can happen. This is the city. This is where I grew up, like I said it can be so tiring, but you only need to do two things in order to release the stress brought by the life in the life in here, and that is to take a break and escape.

On the night of May 29, we left the busy streets of Manila, together with my parents, my sisters, my grandma and uncle, we went on an 12 hour drive to my grandmother’s hometown, Bangued, Abra.

The car ride to Abra was really fun; stories were exchange while 90’s music is being played. Everyone shared their funny stories, trying to kill some time, except for me. I just enjoyed listening and laughing along with them.

After almost 7 hours of drive, tiredness suddenly kicked in, one by one, everyone started to drift to sleep, but I didn’t. Instead I try to enjoy the silence, I opened the window beside me and the fresh air came rushing in, it’s so calming. I looked outside and I can see these lights being emitted by the buildings, it’s not too much, but it’s something, at least for me. I'm so far away from the city. Finally.

Donnalyn Bartolome is "KakaiBabe"

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She spills her heart out in her videos doing all sorts of stuff from DJ'ing, acting, singing, rapping, doing a monologue, and other crazy things she can think of while in "emo" mode - that state where she relates as her most creative point in time when she can come up with the most weirdest, nastiest, yet charming expressive ways while still remaining cute in front of the video camera.

Oh, yes! She's the only one who can get away with almost anything with panache while her ever-growing fans continue to love her cute antics because she is simply an adorable petite cutie pie that one can't get bored with!

Donnalyn Bartolome is a natural and candid personality who is so very tele and photogenic that you want to hug and kiss her little body tight that it could almost become flat. Nah, just kidding! Everyone just loves this 19 year old girl with a smile that could launch a thousand, if not a million, ...albums.. if given the opportunity.

But I guess that thought is about to come true as she has already launched a single titled "KakaiBabe", and soon, an album with enough tracks to sweep the nation by her lovely pop and R&B-rapping rhythm plus an endearing attitude that is worthy of praises.

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Hot, humid, burning, sizzling, dry, steamy – words that are usually used to define summer. But disregarding the weather, summer is the perfect time to travel, to have parties, to enjoy and have fun with our loved ones.
We often go to the beach, visit our province, see tourist spots and do many more uplifting activities during the summer season.

Summer is also the ideal time for students like me to kick back, relax and not worry about school related stuffs. Sleeping late and waking up early, doing loads of school works, only motivated by allowance,.... finally I’ll be able to have the chance to take a break from all these exhausting things.

Finally my resting period came, but as much as I want to be carefree, I can’t help but to think that I’ll be spending my last days in high school. I’ll be in 4th year in the upcoming school year, and that also means I’ll be taking College Entrance Exams.

I badly want to pass UPCAT and graduate at UP Diliman, so I was double-thinking if I’ll have summer review or not. I’ve been thinking about it for days and with the influence of a friend of mine I decided to join her in summer review sessions.

I thought that my summer is going to be boring and drab since I won’t experience much fun as I’ve expected, but I ended up eating my own words. Didn’t know that taking summer review could also be fun. We were based in UP Diliman and excitement did flow in me as soon as I stepped into the campus.

Wazzup Pilipinas!There's quite a huge number of freelancers at present because of the many potentials one can do when one works at his or her own pace and convenience. We set our own standards, arrangement details, and can where almost anywhere and at anytime we prefer. We can even work in our pajamas at home while sipping coffee and sitting comfortably in our favorite chair.

The only problem with the setup is we tend to sometimes get too lax and worry-free if we work at home. Working at coffee shops exposes us to a lot of distractions plus the annoying look on the crew's face since we occupied our spot for almost the entire day. Also, we can't really impress our clients if we meet them at nearby coffee shops or hotels since many still prefer to work with professionals who have their own business offices.

One Asia Center is a new serviced office provider located in the Central Business District of Makati City. They lease fully furnished Executive Serviced Offices, as well as offer Virtual Office, Business Solutions and support services.

We had an opportunity to visit the place and found it ideal for our needs to work in a conducive environment minus the high expense of having to deal with setting up our own office address. The place will be great to meet with potential clients and to work with colleagues for projects and brainstorming sessions. We also believe it will be great for our other needs like workshops and training programs since its equipped with the necessary office amenities.

Wazzup Pilipinas!

LINE Corporation, owner and operator of the free globally renowned call and messaging app recently announced the launched of the family app “LINE Selfie Sticker” for iPhones to add a refreshingly creative and colorful twist for taking selfies.

LINE Selfie Sticker can be used to make original stickers out of self-portraits, or “selfies” in just three simple steps. First, users take a picture of their own face, and then they choose their favorite character from over 130 illustrations covering 17 exciting themes, including LINE characters, astronauts, skateboarders, wedding gowns, cheerleaders, monsters, and more. After that, all users have to do is fit the illustration to the original picture and tap it when they are done. In just three taps, users have their own original stickers they can send to friends.

Users can adjust specific aspects of the stickers by changing the face size or angle, enlarging or shrinking text, or adding speech balloons with their own messages, creating unique stickers that can be used in any situation.

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After the highly successful “World Water Day Concert” and ”Earthday Jam 2014” , EARTHDAY JAM FOUNDATION, Inc. is now again ready to embark on another unique and exciting project dubbed CC TUNES (In Tune With Climate Change).

CC TUNES will be held on June 17 at the Activity Center of Market, Market in Bonifacio Global City, Taguig starting 4pm. This special music for advocacy event will feature eco-artist-producer Lou Bonnevie, pop-rock icon Kitchie Nadal with the young hot OPM bands Moonstar 88 , Silent Sanctuary , GraceNote and Mayonnaise. The activity will be hosted by actor-model Lorenzo Mara, Phoebe Walker and Pam Nieva of Eurasia and resident host Midi G. with guest celebrity Bb. Tourism Angeli Dionne Gomez and other surprise personalities.

The project is being undertaken in support with the global “World Environment Day” celebration and the Philippine Environment Month long festivities. In recognition with the international theme which is “Raise Your Voice, Not The Sea Level” – the concert will also feature speakers who will have short talks on the impact of climate change around the world with emphasis on small nations and the lessons to learn from these countries to overcome a number of environmental problems with only limited resources.

Wazzup Pilipinas!His name is Aaron Colton and he rides motorcycles for a living. He is an action sport athlete with over eight years of professional riding experience. He has already gained a broad respect throughout all disciplines of motorcycling, competing in Street Freestyle, AMA Pro Road Racing, AMA Pro Flat Track, as well as a handful of WORCS, supermoto and motocross races.

Last May 2014, US sportbike freestyle champion Aaron Colton impressed a lot of people in the busy streets of the Philippines as well as other parts of the country, when he pulled off incredible stunts doing breathtaking, gravity-defying acrobatics on a KTM Duke 690 during his visit to the Philippines.

The Philippines is known for having one of the largest motorcycle communities in Southeast Asia with over 4 million registered riders on the roads. The locals got a glimpse of something completely different from their daily commute when Aaron Colton stopped by for a one-wheeled tour through the Asian gem of Manila.

Wazzup Pilipinas!

What’s bigger than dinosaurs? Giant robots. What’s bigger than giant robots? Godzilla. What’s bigger than Godzilla? Freakin’ outer space! Where a bunch of aliens are busy guarding the galaxy.

There’s nothing that can compare with bigness. But sometimes, even the thought of “bigness” is an understatement when you find something that can contain all these things and add in a huge dose of fun and thrills. Prepare for the biggest one yet! It’s time for TOYCON 2014!!

The Philippine Toys, Hobbies and Collectibles Convention, or TOYCON as it’s more widely-known, is Asia’s biggest and longest running convention for collectibles, toys, anime, comics, cosplay, gaming and anything and everything related to hobbies and collections. The convention has been ongoing since 2002 so it is now on its 13th year of thrilling fans and aficionados alike. It is, simply put, the biggest pop culture event in the country.

This year’s TOYCON will highlight the 75th Anniversary of DC Comics’ caped Crusader, Batman with a huge Batman display area, a life size Batpod, a kids’ activity area, exciting new Batman merchandise, and a gallery of art and collectibles of the Dark Knight Detective.

Wazzup Pilipinas!

In a move to reduce queuing time at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA), the Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) has recently concluded talks with international air carrier representatives to incorporate the international passenger service charge (IPSC), commonly referred to as terminal fees, in the price of airline tickets beginning in October 2014.

“We congratulate MIAA on this new policy. It improves traveling convenience and efficiency at NAIA by removing a whole process which unnecessarily adds to the passengers’ processing time, requiring them to line up when payment can be done ahead of time,” said Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) Secretary Jun Abaya.

According to MIAA, the integration of the IPSC into airline tickets will help address the congestion problem for departing passengers at NAIA, and will free up a sizeable area since the existing terminal fee counters will be removed.

Moreover, this policy is at par with international standards and practices, since among ASEAN Region countries, it is only the Philippines which collects terminal fees on a face-to-face basis at the airport.

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Get ready to feature your latest technologies and offerings related to the film industry. Meet distinguished production companies, producers, distributors, filmmakers, artists, and academic institutions form all over the world, network and exchange ideas with the most prominent film practitioners, and be part of an international marketplace where you can target and tap a broader audience for your film-related products and services.

The International Film Expo 2014 will be happening soon in Manila on June 27 to 29, 2014 at the SMX Convention Center at the Mall of Asia Complex in Pasay City.

Organized by the Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP), the organizers are positioning this event to be the Cannes Film Festival of Asia. They have actually gotten the commitment of ASEAN film organizations to send representatives to the show.

Filipinos are Southeast Asia's largest movie-going public. It comes as no surprise then that Philippine film making is considered as one of the most profitable ventures and investments you can make in this country.

So what are you waiting for, take your place in the spotlight and join this amazing event as an exhibitor or as an attendee.

Puerto Galera: Summer Belongs to You

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Do you believe that every summer has a story? Well, I do. It’s because I know that in a span of more or less 60 days, a lot of things can happen, a lot of changes may occur, a lot of memories will surely be treasured.

Last April 25, 2014, we went to Calapan, Oriental Mindoro. First, we traveled from Pasay to Batangas Port to ride a ferry. I was quite excited because it’s my first time riding such ‘cause most of the time, we travel by plane or a van. I fell asleep during the road trip because I woke up so early in the morning so that we would be able to ride the 12 o’clock trip. As soon as we got there, we just paid the fee then headed to the ferry. The trip lasted for 3 hours and even if we’re just sitting there, I find it exhausting but the view during the ride was priceless.

We stayed in my mom’s friend’s house in Calapan but we left the place first thing in the morning so that we’ll have a lot of time to enjoy the beach in Puerto Galera. It took us an hour and a half to travel from Calapan to Puerto Galera. The trip’s exciting but at the same time scary because of the zigzag road but fortunately we got there safe. After lunch, we’ve decided to swim though it’s kind of hot and we’ll surely be toasted but we didn’t mind. After all, we’re there to enjoy and not to be a kill joy. We rode the banana boat and I was able to try kayaking.

“How Do I Love Thee II ” Photo Exhibit Set to Open at LoveYourself Anglo

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LoveYourself, a volunteer advocacy organization proudly presents “How Do I Love Thee II ”- a fund raising photo-exhibit whose theme focuses on the ideals of Love Yourself by propagating ideas and practices that encourage loving one's self -- to DARE to be oneself, to CARE for oneself, and to SHARE oneself as a way to multiplying joy, will feature the maiden works of self-taught photographer Kraus Estanislao.
Volunteers of LoveYourself live by the mission of embracing and nurturing self-worth, inspiring others, and creating ripples of positive change in the community. They work together to create a model community of MSM and friends who empower and affirm the self-worth of youth and MSM in the Philippines through various services, including free HIV testing and counseling. Through the unwavering courage and dedication of its volunteers, the organization was recognized nationally as one of the finalists to the Ten Accomplished Youth Organizations in 2013.

" The theme that I chose for this exhibit is the beauty of the male human body in different forms, perspective and treatment. My photographs shall explore all its flawed but fascinating glory as magnified to clarity so that the audience will see through the marked difference between a nude man and a naked man. Both naked and nude maybe similar to one's thought, but nude photography has eroticism as its minor priority or should we say the last thing on one's spectator's mind. A nude photo is a celebration of the male human body with the power to captivate audiences, instead of a vulgar spectacle that screams for attention. " says Estanislao.

Wazzup Pilipinas!

The Global football-based HIV prevention campaign Protect the Goal headlined by the Philippine football national team, Azkals, and targeting youth at risk, will officially be launched in the Philippines on June 22, 2014 during the opening of the LoveYourself Anglo, a new free HIV testing community center along Shaw Boulevard near Ortigas.

Protect the Goal has swept the world with its sports-oriented approach to promoting HIV testing and safer sex behavior. The campaign ultimately seeks to help lower the risk of HIV transmission among the Filipino youth, specifically among young Filipino men. In the Philippines, 71% of new infections since 1984 were in young people and that two-thirds of high risk young people actually do not know their HIV status.

First launched at the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa, the campaign has since been replicated in other Southeast Asian countries, and has now been launched in the Philippines led by Asian Football Confederation (AFC) and local partner, the Philippine Football Federation. The campaign also draws multi-sectoral support from partners such as the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV and AIDS (UNAIDS), the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and advocacy group LoveYourself.

Wazzup Pilipinas!

The Red Bull Thre3style has officially made its way to the Philippines! Qualifier rounds have been set up in Cebu and Metro Manila on June 21st and June 26th, respectively, with the Finals Night on June 28th. For the first time ever, one Filipino DJ will be given the chance to compete at the Thre3style World Championships to be held later this year in Baku, Azerbaijan.

Thre3style is a competition that gives DJs the opportunity to showcase all of their DJ skills – technicality, originality, creativity, the art of gauging the crowd and selecting tracks, stage presence, energy and ultimately the DJ's ability to lure people on to the dance floor and keep them going wild.

DJs from around the world will be whittling down the contenders to find a representative to showcase our country's DJ prowess at the Thre3style World Championships.

This year, thirteen DJs will be pitted against each other in two qualifying rounds:

Competing in Cebu’s J. Ave Superclub on June 21st:
• DJ K Groove | 2x Queensland (AUS) DMC Champion;
• DJ Niki | K1 Amateur DJ Champion;
• DJ Katsy Lee | 2012 Pioneer Philippines DJ Digital Battle Champion;
• DJ Luigi Guzman | Resident DJ at Prohibition;
• DJ Carlo Atendido | Spin City DJ Competition finalist;
• DJ Short | Negros Occidental’s DJ Hobbyist

Competing in Manila’s URBN Bar and Kitchen on June 26th:
• DJ Aryan | Instructor at Beat Project Manila;
• DJ Mick | Music director and head DJ of Collective Concepts;
• DJ Buzz | Wave 89.1 resident DJ;
• DJ Supremefist | 2008 Pioneer Philippines DJ Digital Battle Champion;
• DJ Nix Damn P! | Los Angeles’ Best Buy DJ Champion;
• DJ Flava Matikz of Q-York | Official DJ of the Philippine Allstars;
• DJ Brandon Jon | Red Bull Thre3style University Champion

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Hack the Climate Manila, recognized as the very first environment-themed hackathon, was a total of 58 hours of continuous software development setting the record for the longest hackathon to develop apps for NGOs for the battle against climate change. I just don't know if the attempt to set a Guinness World Record for the longest hackathon was achieved since I didn't see the presence of a representative from Guinness. In partnership with Princeton University's Pace Center for Civic Engagement.

The hackathon, held last June 6 to 8, 2014 at the De La Salle College of St. Benilde, brought together professional and student developers, designers, and environmental activists who think about the challenges climate change will pose, today & 100 years from now. They were tasked to develop mobile and web applications dedicated to climate change mitigation, adaptation and resilience. The organizers envision that the apps developed at the hackathon could be utilized long after the hackathon concludes.

The two Princeton University juniors Mechanical Engineer Jacob Scheer and Economist Miguel Lachanski, along with Filipino technology specialist Diego Jose Ramos, plus all the other individuals responsible in organizing this hackathon, must be very proud of the outcome. Since finding solutions against Climate Change has always been almost everyone's advocacy especially the NGOs who are there to protect the environment and its natural resources, many have the keen interest to participate in related advocacy programs. Though the effort is not enough to be complacent because the very little few that exploit our environment are apparently more powerful, resourceful and influential. We may all need to combine our forces and really boost our efforts to go against these misguided elements of society.