Rescue Revive Relive Escolta at #selfiEscolta: The Manila Street Heritage Festival

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Young people use the power of social media to raise awareness on Manila’s forgotten but beloved heritage street in this all-day arts, music and food fest.

After its postponement last week due to a bad weather forecast, #selfiEscolta: The Manila Street Heritage Festival will finally hit the historic district as well as our social media feeds this Saturday! Finally, the Queen of Manila’s streets is reclaiming her crown as a relevant and productive district in modern times.

This event will be held along Calle Escolta on July 5, 2014 (Saturday), from 9:00 am to 10:00 pm. It aims to raise awareness and help boost local tourism by featuring various simultaneous activities to showcase Manila’s famed district. These include special guided tours that will take attendees to all the heritage buildings in the area.

There will also be an art and food market plus on-site entertainment, among others. Confirmed performers include the likes of Gary Granada, Tres Marias (Cookie Chua, Bayang Barrios, Lolita Carbon), Plagpul, Ukulele Philippines Ensemble, Sanghabi, One Hit Combo, Estribo, Persephone, and more.

Sandwich is Featured Artist in Power Mac Center’s Sync Sessions Grand Finale

Wazzup Pilipinas!

​​Power Mac Center is all set to present the fifth and culminating leg of its one-of-a-kind musical affair dubbed Sync Sessions. Revolutionizing live band performances through Apple technology, Sync Sessions rounds up some of the most talented artists in the local music scene to perform using only Mac and iOS devices.

After a month-long tour showcasing industry chart-toppers for free at select Power Mac Center locations, the Sync Sessions concert series will have its grand finale open to the public for free at 6pm on Saturday, July 5, at Power Mac Center SM Mall of Asia in Pasay City.

Headlining the weekend event is the alternative rock band Sandwich. Borne out of the founders’ mutual desire to collaborate together in one band, Sandwich was formed in 1998 and has since createditsdistinctive brand of music and received accolades for it. The group is comprised of Raimund Marasigan, lead vocals; Myrene Academia, bass guitar; Mong Alcaraz, lead guitar; Diego Castillo, rhythm guitar; and Mike Dizon, drums. Sandwich’s longevity and success in the industry has producedbig hitslike Butterfly Carnival, Sugod, Hairpin, Maybe, and Super Noypi.

“Power Mac Center is very excited to wrap up Sync Sessions with Sandwich, whose creative synergy as a band has helped the group remain fresh-sounding through the yearsand continue to be one of the most favorite bands of this generation.Please join us in this celebratory gig for all music lovers and fans to enjoy,” said Power Mac Center Marketing Director Joey Alvarez.

Bus Rapid Transit System: A Game Changer for Commuters

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Among the many transportation modernization projects of the Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) is the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system, which aims to deliver a fast, convenient, and cost-effective commuting option to residents of Cebu and Manila.

“BRT systems around the world have been successful in mobilizing masses of people in dense urban settings, getting them to their destinations reliably through fixed schedules, efficiently through segregated lanes and priority passage, comfortably and safely through modern, well-equipped buses, and affordably through relatively lower capital costs and maintenance expenditures,” said DOTC Secretary Jun Abaya.

“BRTs are game-changers. They are as effective as rail systems in terms of moving people around quickly and efficiently, but are much cheaper to build and are faster to develop. Since they will be granted as concessions, their riders will not be at the mercy of ‘colorum’ vehicles or transport strikes. They will be spared from unnecessary disruptions and unsafe traveling conditions,” Abaya noted.

The BRT concept began in Curitiba, Brazil in 1974, but the “BRT” name and the system’s popularity did not come until it was introduced in Bogota, Colombia in 2000. Currently, there are over two hundred (200) BRT systems either operating or being built worldwide.