Wazzup Pilipinas News and Events

Sunday, November 30, 2014

The State of Real Estate in the Emerging Markets

Wazzup Pilipinas!

More than 60 percent of renters in a recent survey of online house-hunters cite cost constraints as the primary reason why they leased their home. The top of mind reason for Filipinos who choose not to buy property is "affordability."

Here are the key takeaways from the research:

Affordability emerged as the key reason why many Filipinos choose not to buy their own home
Nearly three-quarters of buyers cited security as their primary motivation for purchasing a home
Two-thirds of the real estate agent surveyed are expecting growth of 8% or higher in the property market this year. The country’s real estate market has emerged as one of the most promising in the Asia Pacific region

Global property website Lamudi recently released a survey report indicating the situation of real estate in the emerging markets. The report, Real Estate in the Emerging Markets, provides a comprehensive overview of the property sector in 16 emerging countries, including the Philippines.

Based on a series of online surveys conducted with house-hunters and real estate agents in each country, as well as onsite data from Lamudi’s global network of websites, the research examines the habits of online property-seekers, while offering insights into the future of the property sector based on interviews and surveys with local property experts.

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Asian Games gold winner and Wushu world champion Rene Catalan has arguably one of the most impressive track records among all Filipino fighters.

Even though his mixed martial arts career has not gotten off to as smooth a start, he always put up a spirited performance. He may have fell to Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt Alex Silva and then had a controversial loss that was eventually reversed into a no contest against Khim Dima, he continues to rise up to prove his might.

On December 5, 2014 he now gets a chance to right the ship in Manila, as he finally gets to compete in his home country for the first time when he takes on Dejdamrong Sor Amnuaysirichoke at ONE FC: WARRIOR’S WAY- the much awaited MMA big fight to be held at SM MOA Arena in Pasay City.

Enlisting the help of ONE FC Malaysian Featherweight Champion AJ Pyro, highly publicized last year as one of the first foreigners who went to Tacloban to help the victims, Rene Catalan aims to do great against his opponent.

Coach AJ Pyro, fresh from winning a ONE FC tilt in Kuala Lumpur, pledged his earnings to Yolanda’s victims. He arranged a visit in Tacloban, along with a team of 25 doctors, thru ONE FC.

Brandon Vera and Ana Julaton Are All Geared Up for One FC: Warrior's Way

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Who isn't excited to see our amazing Filipino-blooded fighters enter the One FC ring and triumph over their opponents? I don't know about you but I'm more than thrilled to see who gets to emerge as victorious on the big fight night when we witness several fighters try to overcome each others strength, stamina and fury. It will be a spectacular night filled with raw guts empowered by cheers from the audience.

I am ecstatic to see international MMA superstar Brandon Vera and world-renowned female boxer turned MMA fighter Ana Julaton as they battle it out against equally formidable fighters. These two are all geared up for ONE FC: WARRIOR’S WAY this December 5, 2014, and I'm sure all roads will lead to SM MOA Arena in Pasay City as people flock towards the much awaited MMA bouts.

Coach Angelo Reyes and Ricky Lundell coached both Vera and Julaton in preparation for their fights. The two had joint training sessions at MP Training Club, located at Los Angeles, California.

Brandon Vera made the trip to MP Training Club in Los Angeles, California to train alongside Ana Julaton and her long-time coach Angelo Reyes. Vera worked several rounds of boxing pad work with Reyes while doing several rounds of training with Julaton’s training partners.

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Ballet Philippines sent out an early Christmas treat for the young and young at heart last November 28, 2014 during the opening night of Alice Reyes’ Cinderella at Tanghalang Nicanor Abelardo, Cultural Center Philippines. This is the fifth re-staging and also the thirty-third anniversary of the show which was first staged in 1981.

For its opening night, the coveted role of Cinderella was played by Soloist Denise Parungao who was last seen in the title role of another Ballet Philippines’ production ‘Giselle’ during the past two years. Her Prince Charming was played by Principal Dancer Richardson Yadao whose performance was as fluid and graceful as his partner. This star-studded event was also joined by another great ballerina in the likes of the Madame Isabelle Garachon, wife of the French Ambassador of the Philippines.

“I have always wanted to do a ballet for children-Cinderella was the perfect material. After all I can’t think of childhood without Mother Goose and Cinderella. Working on a full-length ballet patterned after the traditional classic form presented many problems. The easiest way would have been to adhere to the Cinderella scenario already established by such noted choreographers as Petipa, Fokine, Sergeyev, and Ashton, among many others. What kept me on track in my version was the one thought that that eventually became a guide: the ballet was for Christ and Sara and Marco and Carlo and little Alice and all my wonderful little friends who keep bringing ‘wonder’ into my life. I would like to give them something back in return" says Alice Reyes, Ballet Philippines’ founder and Artistic Director Emeritus.

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Let me introduce you to a respected members-only networking group that firmly believes that as Iron Sharpens Iron, so can one person sharpen another!

They will soon have their second anniversary mixer happening on Thursday December 4, 2014 at A Space Manila just right beside Greenbelt mall located in Makati city.

Iron Sharpens Iron (ISI) aims to matchmake individuals, organizations, products, services, and venues through unique mixer and educational events. ISI produces premier events that allow professionals & organizations to ignite collaborations and enjoy synergistic outcomes. The events raise awareness and accessibility of businesses through a membership, sponsorship and affiliate referral model.

With a member demographic consisting of mostly 25-50 year old entrepreneurs, corporate executives, entertainers and community leaders that are very well established, engaged and connected, there is no limit to the many potential collaborations or partnerships that could be formed from these gatherings.

Usually their events are private and pure invite only, but in this case they decided to open it up to the public but still only wanting people of ISI's demographic to attend. You should not miss this rare opportunity.

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Kevin Belingon, Eduard Folayang and Honorio Banario are three of the biggest MMA sports stars in the Philippines. They are set to hold a workout to showcase their skills this December 2, 2014 at the Fight Factory in Bonifacio Global City (BGC). These Filipino warriors are set to return to action at ONE FC: WARRIOR’S WAY, and prior to the biggest bouts of their lives, will showcase to a select group of media the new skills that they have acquired since we last seen them in the ONE FC cage.

I am honored to be among the select group of media who was invited to witness the open workout this coming Tuesday. I would get to see these fighters in person as they display their fighting prowess - a preview of their might and power that they would put into action against their opponents on the big fight night on December 5.

We last saw the representatives from Team Lakay in action in various events earlier this year, and they now return to the year-end event in Manila to cap off 2014. Eduard Folayang and Kevin Belingon can be considered title contenders, and they will be poised for a potential opportunity in the future should they overcome their respective opponents on 5 December.

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Don'y you just hate it when you are burdened with so many wires especially when you need to bring along all your gadgets for a business or leisure trip? I keep on getting confused which wire or cable belongs to which that I would sometimes mismatch them. The wires also get tangled up so you often find yourself preparing separate compartments for each wire and gadget. The worst part is when you thought you brought the right data cable only to find out later that you brought the audio cable instead when you're already in the middle of a very important data transfer task.

For the frequent business traveler to the family on a road trip or creative professional working in the field, the My Passport Wireless drive is a simple way to connect all computing and mobile devices to content without any wires or Internet connection. Additionally, when users need to transfer large amounts of data, the My Passport Wireless drive provides the option of using a high speed USB 3.0 connection.

WD, a Western Digital company and a world leader in connected storage solutions, recently unveiled My Passport Wireless, an easy to use Wi-Fi enabled storage drive that allows consumers to save, access and share stored content wirelessly with any smartphone, tablet, computer or other device.

Wazzup Pilipinas!

I was among those members of the media who were left intrigued when Brandon Vera, mixed martial arts (MMA) superstar, spoke Tagalog at the NBA Café last September , 2014 during the announcement of his participation in ONE FC: WARRIOR’S WAY to be held this December 5 at SM Arena. I was also feeling joyous that he would proudly carry the Filipino branding in his fights. I laughed out loud at his witty comments during the interviews that day because he seems to be a guy that you can easily hang-out and crack jokes every now and then since he obviously appreciates humor.

We are no longer surprised at all when we hear about some Filipinos who would dare change their accent the moment they land in the US, even for a short holiday. This really makes us wonder why Brandon Michael Vera, a US citizen would imprint the "alibata," which no one even remembers from their "Alaring Panlipunan" (Social Studies) days on his back for all the world to see.

He fought for 8 years in another MMA organization and one would be surprised that he was wearing the Philippine flag or its logo boldly on his shorts most of the time. Brandon was left by his Italian-American mother at age 3. One would wonder why a mother would leave albeit a handsome child who would turn out to be 6’2” with the angst to conquer the MMA world.

Wazzup Pilipinas!

The Philippine economy continues to grow, and its property market continues to rise. The Philippine real estate industry is benefiting from low interest rates and booming demand. Rising OFW remittances and a successful BPO industry continue to help maintain demand and with their current growth are expected to be drivers of consumer appetite. With more investments coming in through the ASEAN integration in the coming year, more foreigners are also relocating to the country and is also a growing source of demand for commercial and residential properties.

Rising investment, plus low interest rates have increased condominium prices by 36.4% (18.9% inflation-adjusted) between Q3 2010 to Q1 2014. Property prices have risen as much as 113.3% (34.1% in real terms) from 2004 to 2014. Philippine property experienced the fifth highest price rise in the world during the year to Q1 2014, according to the Global Property Guide’s Q1 2014 report.

Mediacom Solutions, Inc. a leading media marketing, business community building company and a professional exhibition and convention organizer saw the need to put together all in one roof property professionals and consumers to the Property Expo Philippines 2014 (PEP) - “Your Property World”, Philippines’ specialized property consumer trade show featuring residential and commercial property developments in the country from Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao, as well as innovative and reliable real estate product and service providers, to be held on December 05-07, 2014, at SMX Convention Center, Mall of Asia Complex, Pasay City, Metro Manila.

Wazzup Pilipinas!

We should all be the boss of our health. Our health is more precious than anything else because if we really want to enjoy life to the fullest, we should all be feeling well to our optimum capacity.

I can't imagine becoming very productive if our physical bodies are sick and weary. No matter how persistent our motivations are, a weak body can only do this much. It will soon break if we do not take care of it. It will soon collapse if we overwork and abuse it. We may not be powerful enough to control a physically unhealthy body even with so many mind-conditioning techniques.

The modern urban lifestyle may no longer vibe with a fit and healthy way of life due to so many temptations around us. There are so many shortcuts, instants and cheats in the food that we eat that our bodies do not receive enough nourishment. We become lazy due to advancement in technology that we would most of the time run our lives with just a few mouse clicks on our computers or a few swipes from our smartphones.

Thus we can all agree on one thing: Our health is truly our wealth.

Last November 25, 2014, emerging food and drugs industry giant ATC Healthcare International Corp., conducted a media launch entitled ATC Press Launch: I’m The Boss Of My Health. The event was held at the EDSA Shangri-La Hotel in Ortigas Center, Pasig city. The estimated number of guests probably reached over 200 which includes many members of the media from print, TV and online. The event has been a success in proliferating its message that it’s our choice to be healthy—in matters concerning health, we, ourselves, are the boss.

Bohol Travel Fair to be Held in Glorietta Mall on December 8 to 10

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Bohol province, famous for its wondrous Chocolate Hills and unique wide-eyed Tarsier, is to hold a travel fair in Glorietta Mall on December 8 to 10, 2014. Bohol is launching new and exciting tourist destinations with rock bottom prices for air fares, hotels and resorts during the travel fair in an effort to become the must-go destination in the Philippines.

To match that longing for a Bohol trip is Air Asia’s super low fares to Bohol packaged with bargain hotels and tours. These great deals are up for grabs when you visit the Bohol Travel Fair!

Edgar Chatto, Bohol provincial governor, said the province will also formally launch its new branding “Behold...BOHOL,” which positions the province as a destination that exudes a sense of awe in every visitor.

The three-day event is the first time ever that tourism sector in Bohol comes together in a massive campaign to entice tourists to visit. It is part of the Bohol Tourism Action Plan developed through the collaboration of the United States Agency for International Development through its Advancing Philippine Competitiveness Project (USAID-COMPETE), the Department of Tourism (DOT), the United Nations-World Tourism Organization (UN-WTO), and the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) as well as local tourism stakeholders.

Gina Rodriguez of Jane the Virgin Soon to Visit the Philippines

Wazzup Pilipinas!

We got word from a reliable source a few days ago that the actress playing the role of Jane the Virgin showing in the newly rebranded cable TV channel now called Sony Channel is coming soon to the Philippines to promote her TV series.

The best thing about her visit is we get the opportunity to meet her in person for an interview. Wow! Now that's more than just amazing. I am wishing right now that I would be able to ask the right questions and don't go into a mental block when my time to interview comes. No matter how often I've been doing interviews, I keep running out of words to say when I'm too much overwhelmed. After all, it's not everyday that you get to meet and interview a foreign celebrity.

Below are a lot of information about Gina Rodriguez, the actress that plays the role of Jane the Virgin, the role she plays, and the TV series shown at Sony Channel. I am just too eager to share with you the following information below....and equally thrilled to be able to share to he world my experience because of my blogging.

Wazzup Pilipinas!

I believe each and everyone of us has probably thought of a few great entrepreneurial ideas only to let it pass because of lack of motivation due to the absence of enough resources, funding or support. We may be missing a lot on opportunities to become the next big entrepreneur if we continue to let go of our ideas.

Here's the big break we are all waiting for. We have great news from the largest privately-backed technology incubator in the country. IdeaSpace Foundation, Inc., a 500-million peso funded organization with over 5 years of support from many top and leading companies, is once again looking for the next big and bright tech idea on the 3rd run of its startup competition. Here is our chance to turn our ideas into realities with the help of a significant startup fund and support that you may receive from the 3rd IdeaSpace Startup Competition.

The top 10 selected startups get early-stage funding worth at least P1M consisting of seed investment, training and services: P500,000.00 investment, including an acceleration program that provides office space, housing for non-metro manila residents, mentorship on financial modeling and costing, marketing, design thinking, and legal advice. The founders go through an Entrepreneurship Development Program at the Asian Institute of Management. IdeaSpace also provides incorporation and intellectual property protection support to these startups, as well as an optional offer to invest up to P5,000,000.00 in follow-on funding on a convertible note.

Applications are accepted until January 15, 2015 so better check out IdeaSpace Foundation, Inc.to learn more on how you could become the next big technopreneur!

If you're really keen on making that idea a reality, come join the Ideaspace Bootcamp happening on November 29 and 30 at the Microsoft Philippines office at the 8/F of 6750 Ayala office tower in Makati City. The bootcamp is hosted by the 2013 winner PortfolioMNL.

Limited slots left. RSVP details here:
http://portfoliomnl.com/contests/join/bootcamp

36 Days of Buqo Christmas: Free Books and Magazines Everyday

Wazzup Pilipinas!

We can see holiday decorations all over already. Almost every home and establishment have put up their colorful lanterns, lights, and other creative icons of the season. Our much-awaited Christmas is just around the corner and ‘tis the season of giving and, yet again, the Christmas spirit brings out the generous side in most (if not all) of us.

What you would love to know is that Buqo have also contracted the generosity bug that’s been going around! So to mark their very first Christmas, they have prepared a little something (quite awesome, actually) just for you!

Buqo wants you to re-experience that “childhood” feeling of anticipating, of finding your gift under the Christmas tree, up to the moment of opening it to your heart’s delight. But this time, they want to do it digitally (they’re an app after all). Dear friends, Buqo presents to you their “36 Days of Buqo Christmas”. Yes, that’s 36 days! Because 12 days just isn’t enough!

So what happens in those 36 days? Buqo will be giving away a book or magazine EVERY SINGLE DAY from November 26 up to the very last day of 2014. A new item will be featured daily and will be completely free to download for 24 hours. Hey, that’s a total of 36 books and magazines you’ll be finding under the “Christmas tree” (a.k.a. the “36 Days of Buqo Christmas” banner in the app). Isn’t that exciting?!

Butler-Potard Rematch Set for One FC: Warrior's Way

Wazzup Pilipinas!

At One FC: Total Domination last year, light heavyweights Sylvain Potard and Jake Butler faced off in a highly anticipated contest. Jake Butler, the former NCAA wrestler and captain of his wrestling team at Princeton University was riding a three-fight winning streak with all finishes, and was hoping to add another win to his record. Meanwhile, the unheralded Potard was making his ONE FC debut.

Potard though, had other plans. After a close first round, the Frenchman started the second round with a left hook that landed on Butler’s chin. He then followed it up with a series of relentless strikes that called an end to the contest. The win was a huge upset that silenced the 12,000-strong crowd at the Singapore Indoor Stadium.

Butler, the Ivy League alum who gave up Wall Street for an MMA career is hungry for revenge. He believes that he is the better mixed martial artist and simply got caught. He bounced back from the defeat by trouncing Egypt’s Mohamed Ali, and immediately asked for the rematch. Butler was granted his request. Now more than a year removed from that contest, Butler and Potard are once again set to lock horns at One FC: Warrior's Way.