Wazzup Pilipinas News and Events

Monday, January 12, 2015

Getting More Intimate with Menarini: A Happy Wife Equals a Happy Life

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Here's a shout out to all the men and women out there to discuss about something private and a lot personal that many have chosen to remain silent to avoid being criticized or humiliated!

To all the men, are you man enough to satisfy your woman? To all the women, does your man satisfy you enough in bed? I know it's a topic too sensitive to openly discuss with other people but what makes us worry more is that both husband and wife won't even talk about their sexual problems with each other.

We all know that sex is the most intimate way to express our love to our partner and we all long for this special intimate activity to continue making our relationship strong and alive. But certain circumstances in either physical or emotional state would sometimes limit our capability to satisfy our lover.

One-in-three men may experience some form of premature ejaculation in their lives, which negatively impacts their quality of life and sexual satisfaction with their partner. Premature ejaculation may cause low self-confidence, anxiety, feelings of shame and avoidance of sexual intimacy. It can also affect partners, negatively impacting overall quality of life and sexual satisfaction for couples.

Menarini Philippines, together with the Philippine Urological Association, boldly launched its Commit to Control PE Advocacy campaign last year to address one of the more pressing issues regarding sexual intimacy - premature ejaculation. They are now continuing to promote their Community to Control PE advocacy campaign this 2015 with its Happy Wife, Happy Life event which was held last January 10, 2015 at the Satin Room of the Seda Hotels in Bonifacio Global City (BGC) and was attended by local bloggers including Wazzup Pilipinas.

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So happy to experience the Parade of Nations which is just a teaser of the upcoming big event featuring our very own Mary Jean "MJ" Lastimosa representing the Philippines in this prestigious beauty pageant that will be witnessed by the world on its coronation night.

Yes, that's 88 of the world's most beautiful women that gracefully descended on the city of Miami to compete in the annual Miss Universe 2015 competition.

The City of Doral in Miami-Dade County knows how to throw a parade - The Central America style! The parade featured a feast of sights and sounds as we witnessed marching bands and a variety of luxury cars showcasing the Miss Universe contestants. Local restaurants also held a gastronomic festival and multicultural dances for the enjoyment of everyone.

The participation of the Miss Universe candidates in the cultural parade during the celebrations of nations was an opportunity for the people to gaze at the beauties representing their respective countries. The an afternoon of live music, dancing, food carts, and mingling, was an opportunity.

All candidates were all smiles on the way to each float, and became more adorable while waving to the huge crowd during the parade itself. Miss Philippines is undeniably a head-turner as many admired how amazing she looks, especially up close and personal. We have a winner here, Philippines!

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From the moment you wake up in the morning, the house reacts to your needs. The automated lights turn on slowly to wake you up at a scheduled time. From the comfort of your bed, you switch on your coffee machine so your morning cup is fresh and hot by the time you arrive downstairs for breakfast.

You enter the bathroom and stand in front of your intelligent mirror. The mirror’s reflective surface springs to life with all the information you need to kick-start your day, including the weather and the morning’s top news. The device also plays your favourite music so you are always guaranteed to start the day in a good mood.

After getting ready, you go to the kitchen for breakfast where your smart refrigerator alerts you that you are nearly out of milk. With the tap of a finger on the fridge’s touch screen, you can restock your fridge and order all your groceries for the week through an online store.

The infiltration of technology to assist with these small daily tasks may just be the beginning. The fully-connected home is designed to boost energy efficiency, protect against intruders and even monitor your family’s health. With the rapid growth in the home automation industry, so-called smart home systems have already hit the mainstream - although the high cost of such devices keeps them out of reach for many. But there are signs that this is about to change.

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Pope Francis and several Filipino celebrities are featured in the painting 'Salubong' by Dante Hipolito.

Inspiration begets inspiration. This motivated visual artist Dante Hipolito to paint Gov. Vilma Santos with Pope Francis in the 29” x 24” oil on canvas titled 'Salubong.' A distinct style of vibrant rural realism, it follows Pope Francis’ didactic intentions.

Dante did this by redefining art, what he terms as Composite Realism, which is the smooth interplay of filmmaking elements of production design, photography and digital art based on his experience in stage production and advertising. Thus, he creates a distinctively exuberant depictions of country life on their basic principles.

In an ambiance of rural peace and prosperity, Dante shows Gov. Vilma as a farmer leading stars (from left) Gary Valenciano, Sen. Grace Poe, Marian Rivera, Dingdong Dantes, Coco Martin and Kris Aquino who are also costumed as country people in the festive welcome.

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Torches Are Lit Up For The Annual UPJES Tunggalingan! Are You Ready For The Challenge?

The University of the Philippines Junior Executive Society (UPJES) in partnership with the World Youth Alliance Asia Pacific presents TungGALINGan: Inculcating the Spirit of Social Service through Unprecedented Leadership, the fifth annual national multi-competition and leadership camp for high school students in the Philippines.

Gearing towards a larger audience, the largest leadership camp in South is set to be held at the Royal Palm Resort, Brgy. Puypuy, Bay, Laguna on January 31 until February 2, 2014. The event is endorsed by the Department of Education through DepEd Advisory No. 418 and No. 453, s. 2014.

Since 2007, the camp has invited more than hundreds of schools all-over the country and consistently brought more than hundreds delegates each year for one major cause: to inculcate the youth’s role through nation building. TungGALINGan (formerly National Youth Leadership Camp), is a three-day multi-competition, leadership camp that aims to develop student youth leaders’ innovative competence and awareness on the political situations in order to develop their active participation in the society. With different themes every year, TungGALINGan seeks to expose the young leaders to different scenarios in life that can challenge and eventually hone their leadership skills through selfless service.

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Buffalo Wild Wings, America’s well-loved restaurant famous for its wings, beer and immersive sports viewing experience, announces its arrival on Philippine shores with nothing less than “Free Wings For A Year” to the first 100 guests who will line up during its opening day on January 29 at Estancia Mall, Capitol Commons in Pasig City.

Be the first of the 100 guests to receive 52 coupons that can be exchanged for snack size servings of Buffalo Wild Wing’s award-winning New York-style chicken wings for the rest of the year. Meanwhile, those who won’t make the cut can still win free wings as Buffalo Wild Wings is giving away coupons for the rest of the day to lucky customers.

Buffalo Wild Wings was founded in Ohio 30 years ago by Jim Disbrow and Scott Lowery, who both have a passion for wings, beer, and sports. Its New York-style chicken wings, handspun in 18 varieties of signature sauces and seasonings with sensational flavors ranging from Sweet BBQ to Blazin’, have won recognitions and awards through the years.

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The three-day 'Visit Bohol 2015' event last January 9 to 11, 2015 has just concluded at the Glorietta Activity Center in Makati city last Sunday but our adventure in Bohol is just about to begin. Hopefully we would see Bohol sometime this year as soon as we get all necessary arrangements and scheduling polished and finalized before summer time ends.

With special guest Department of Tourism (DOT) Secretary Mon Jimenez inspiring the crowd as Keynote Speaker, plus the presence of other key players leading the 'Visit Bohol 2015' tourism campaign, the event aims to revitalize the province's image and entice more visitors to come to Bohol.

Defiantly rising from the rubble of the previous calamities that struck it, Bohol would not be a hard sell since inspite many tourist attractions that were brought down and damaged, the province continues to remain one of the most promising tourist destinations offering a wide variety of experiences that will fascinate all senses.

As the host of the launch said, you cannot afford to die without seeing the tarsier. You can not fully say you've been to Bohol if you have not seen the adorable creature with its eyes almost popping out to greet you welcome to Bohol.

'Visit Bohol 2015' was launched under the leadership of Gov. Edgar Chatto and organized by the Bohol Provincial Tourism Council Inc. under Atty. Lucas Nunag, the campaign seeks to position the province as a top-notch tourist destination with its amazing natural attractions and its friendly and honest people. The travel fair gathered together all major players in the Bohol tourism sector with a single-minded objective of providing a strong boost to Bohol’s tourism industry.

#CavEAT: Cavinti Eco-Adventure Tour (Day One)

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Our first day at Cavinti, Laguna was an exhilarating adventure that tested our endurance. Imagine walking downwards from Pueblo El Salvador Eco-Park towards the Cavinti Falls situated at the very bottom, rappelling down at some points, then climbing back afterwards on the same path - obviously harder since you're now against gravity plus the fact that you'll be climbing vertically using metal ladders that's times ten your height - forgive the exaggeration.

But we endured both fear of heights and pain of our legs, since the sight down below is a majestic display of the enchanting wonders of nature. Who wouldn't be at awe with the spectacular creation crafted by nature to entice us further to appreciate the rest of the world's natural wonders.

The Cavinti Falls, more popularly known as Pagsanjan Falls but geographically right to be called the former, is truly an awesome reward to all the sacrifice. Just like climbing Mt. Pulag, that very moment you reach your destination brings a delightful feeling that would forever be unforgettable.

I will tell you more about the highlights of our first day in Cavinti on my final or wrap-up blog about our adventures. From the very first steps on its soil, to our sumptuous meals from morning until sundown, to our meeting with its Mayor, the honorable Milbert Oliveros, and so on.

Arbol de Fuego: Cherie Gil Leads Cast of Filipino Adaptation of Anton Chekhov's Cherry Orchard

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"It's serendipitous!" says Cherie Gil proudly as she lands a role in a play entitled 'Arbol de Fuego' that would honorably cap the 47th season of the iconic theater company we all know as the Philippine Educational Theater Association or PETA.

Arbol de Fuego is a Filipino adaptation of Anton Chekhov's Cherry Orchard. This is a re-imagining of the classic play having a somber yet with underlying sarcasm and humor that's now conveniently situated in a Philippine setting during the late 70s when Marcos made Roberto Benedicto his sugar czar- the beginning of the downfall of the Negros Occidental sugar industry and the gilded lifestyles of the Negrense sugar barons.

Last January 8, members of the media, including yours truly, the friendly neighborhood Pambansang Blogger ng Pilipinas, were invited to witness a dramatic reading of some portions of the play at the PETA Theater Center so we could meet the cast, director and writer, plus get glimpses of what to expect.

All of the cast have expressed that they have not even fully understood the characters they were portraying as they have only recently began rehearsing their lines and sink deeper into their roles. Nevertheless the preview was already promising that got us more excited to watch out for the media preview day.

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Whoever thought of the idea of forcing MMDA enforcers to wear adult diapers should try it himself at once, stay in the post under the sun and be ready to get strange looks from citizens all grinning with the thought.

They should have not divulge this stupid idea to the public since the MMDA Officers would surely feel a bit shameful standing at their post. Where's the dignity in this? Why can't there be a change of guard? There's so many policemen doing nothing at the police stations so why can't they be assigned to do shifting instead?

The wearers will likely need to buy trousers or pants a size bigger. A condom catheter with a urine bag strapped to the leg would be a better option. They will still have to leave their post to change the diaper anyway. But I do agree it will lessen their absence from their post. But who in his right mind would want to endure something to emotionally stressful especially if it will be done by the individual for the very first time. Hahaha, I would be laughing if they underwent training for getting used to peeing in the adult diaper!

I bet the MMDA found implementing several portable toilets all over very expensive so they decided to humiliate their people instead. MMDA Chairman Francis Tolentino defends that the adult diapers are "1. used by the Beijing police during d 2008 beijing olympics , 2. used by all NASA ausronauts during all space shuttle launches and reentry into earth atmosphere and 3.used by Buckingham Palace guards." But hey, you don't hear them announcing these facts all over the news.

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Viva, Nuestro Senor Nazareno!

Today, January 9, 2015 is the Feast of the Black Nazarene. I'm always amaze how Filipinos would do anything for their belief. Happy Feast Day, Nuestro Padre Jesus Nazareno. Thank you for all the blessings, the miracles and the faith that abounds for all the believers.

There's 3,500 police officers assigned to secure the Nazareno procession or traslacion. I'm just not sure if it already includes the MMDA enforcers who were reported to be wearing adult diapers to keep them on guard at their post and avoid having them leave to look for a restroom or toilet. "Paano na kung natatae?" Lol!

How about you, do you think its a practical thing to do or would only put their personnel into disgrace and shame? Is it a violation of their human rights? Imagine having to do their duty while aware that they're "wet" in their pants. So when you're talking to an enforcer, wondering why it seems "kinikilig siya", now you know.

How come there was a long delay before the procession even started. The organizers from the church only realized to make use of the police to make the crowd move away from the path of the procession after a few hours of waiting. The church leaders couldn't make the people move out of the way so their men could connect the rope to pull the "karosa" or carriage holding the Nazareno. The people wouldn't cooperate since everyone wants to keep their location advantage. Kahit sinabihan na ng pari "Yung mga uusog ay pagpapalain, pero yung ayaw ay kakabagin" ay wala pa ring nangyari. Honestly, the behavior of some people at the Nazareno doesn’t bode well for the Papal visit.

The Nazareno image is one of two statues sculpted from pure ivory and were burnt aboard a ship during the Manila galleon expedition from Mexico leaving the other destroyed. The descriptive name of the sculpture is then taken it being "Black" resulting from the incident that happened. "Ang estatwa ng Nazareno ay larawan ng pagpapakumbaba, pagsunod, at pag-ibig."

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Though not yet underway, The Senior High School (SHS) program is assumed to be the highlight of the K to 12 program. It is greater just an additional two years to our previous education system. It is also more than what everyone, particularly the government and the millions of students in the Philippines, has to spend in line with its birth. What is the SHS program anyway?

We all know that Filipino citizens of today are in their own specified fields such as law, culinary, engineering, journalism, medicine, and so on. Before this; however, they all went through experiences to lead them to where they are today. All of them studied the curriculum and took their respective programs and other prerequisites beforehand, and so shall each person who wants to be like them eventually.

In addition, it is not a surprise to see various students visualizing themselves to be professionals in whichever fields they opt to serve in the near future. Because of this, the didactic program we all know as K to 12 is aiming for the improvement of the quality of education our nation currently offers –especially in the domains students discover themselves to be good at or interested in–to hopefully maximize their ability.

Department of Education Secretary Armin Luistro assured that all cities and municipalities across the country will have a SHS program. He added that all municipalities, no matter how small, shall align to the development of the program. Schools located in different parts of the country were selected to offer four main tracks — Academic, Technical-Vocational, Sports, and Arts and Design.

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I am very pleased to share with you an advance primer on Ayala Land¹s Newest Commercial District at the heart of Makati, The Ayala North Gateway as well as The Kroma Tower, the most highly sought after and only new residential development of Ayala Land nearest to this new commercial hubs.

In a city that excites and ignites, your home is, like you, second to none.

Kroma Tower - Alveo Land's newest and hottest mixed-use high-rise development in the Makati Central Business District (MCBD). Located along the energetic Dela Rosa Street, Kroma Tower pumps up urban lifestyles with proximity and access to the city's power core, space-efficient units, and sleek amenities, including a rooftop enterprise lounge with killer views.

Everyone wants your connections - to Makati Central Business District. Right within the MCBD north cultural district in Legazpi Village, and along the vigorous street of Dela Rosa, it is walking distance from key establishments such as Greenbelt, Glorietta, Makati Medical Center and DLSUGraduate School of Business.

Increasing Internet Penetration Changing the Way Asia Does Real Estate

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Real estate industries across Asia are moving online, with a new report revealing that online property search is on the rise across the region.

The findings are contained in a new report from global property website Lamudi into real estate in 16 emerging countries. The report, Real Estate in the Emerging Markets, covers six countries in Asia: the Philippines, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Indonesia, Myanmar and Sri Lanka.

The report, which is available in an easy-to-read web format, is based on a series of online surveys of house-hunters and real estate agents in each country. Extensive onsite data from Lamudi’s global network of websites was also used in the research.

The trend towards online property search is particularly pronounced in Indonesia, where 96 percent of agents surveyed by Lamudi said the Internet was now frequently used during the house-hunting process. Similarly, 90 percent of agents in the Philippines say the web is a commonly used tool among those looking for a new home. This is mainly due to the fact that the number of internet users in the Philippines grew by 531% in the last five years.

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The ADB Youth Initiative is reaching out to share with you an opportunity for your friends, partners and network in the development sector - particularly those led, organised or focused on youth - to participate in the Youth4Asia call of the ADB’s NGO Centre for the Greater Mekong Subregion (Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia, China, Laos, and Myanmar).

This is a particularly interesting opportunity for initiatives in the subregion to scale up with the help of ADB’s partners, to achieve bigger and longer-lasting impact in their communities. In particular, the call invites entries from those working in environmental management, biodiversity conservation, poverty reduction and social entrepreneurship, and climate change mitigation.

The call closes on 15 JAN and chosen projects will be flown to Myanmar for the recognition ceremonies at the end of January. Several benefits await the chosen initiatives: i.e., mentoring support and assistance to scale up including trainings and coaching, access to the networks of partners of the ADB and AsianNGO, and exposure in international expos and events.