Wazzup Pilipinas News and Events

Thursday, August 20, 2015

Francis Kong Delivers Laughable Yet Highly Factual Nuggets of Information

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Financial expert, motivational speaker and author Francis Kong, gives an interesting talk about the digital natives of this generation at the TOPS-LRA Summit held at Fairmont Hotel in Makati on July 28, 2015.

The TOPS-LRA Summit is a collaborative project of The Organization of Property Stakeholders Inc. (TOPS) and the Land Registration Authority (LRA).

With a theme of "Measuring Our Gains and Meeting the Challenges Ahead," the summit aspires to provide new solutions and strategies to future challenges that might slow down the development of the property sector in the country. Experts and leaders talked about climate change, geological hazards, E-titling, computerized land registration, BIR initiatives, the Uniform Loan And Mortgage Agreement (ULAMA) and the real estate industry’s contributions to the national economy.

Francis brightened up the afternoon discussion by delivering laughable yet highly factual stories almost everyone can relate to. It would have been an otherwise sleepy and sometimes boring time after a lunch break, but I guess the organizers of the event were smart enough to realize everyone needed and would appreciate a wake-me-up talk from Francis.

Francis begins by talking about his family and continues to declaring that the basic human needs of this generation now involves the demand for having battery and Wi-Fi. The rest of his story goes on to discuss the Generation of Firsts of which he enumerated examples of the lifestyle of today's youth like the ability to broadcast their every thought and emotion using the power of social media, and the uncanny ability to learn more from a portable device rather than a normal class at school. The stories goes on with more realities told in a subtle yet humorous way. Francis really knows how to engage an audience.

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When events like the recent discovery of Kepler-186f, or the first habitable zone planet comparable to Earth - happen, we cannot help but ask, are we truly alone in this universe?

With the rest of the galaxy still unexplored, it is not a far-out possibility that the universe could be inhabited by non-human neighbors. They seem to want to make their presence felt, too, as evidenced by multiple accounts of encounters from everywhere around the world. In the Philippines, reports of unidentified flying objects and alien sightings have been documented and we count down some of those shared by Edwin Gatia, author of “Unknown & Unearthly: The Philippine UFO Experience”, as well as Tony Israel, Founder of the UFO Society of the Philippines.

1. Iloilo Encounters. A series of encounters with strange-looking individuals occurred in Barangay Lawigan, Iloilo in September of 2010. The witnesses included kids and adults alike who came face-to-face with the creatures. Witnesses claimed they saw a group of seven beings with oddly-big, red eyes and huge bald heads. None of the residents can say what the non-human visitors’ affairs were. To this day, the residents of Lawigan are vigilant – they believe these creatures might return.

2. Pilots’ testimonials – While some would claim that unidentified flying objects might just be planes, testimonials from three pilots of a renowned local carrier talk of simultaneous sightings of a multi-colored object in the sky while they were on board their respective flights. The separate flights came from Cagayan de Oro, Zamboanga and Davao, and all three pilots saw the same thing.

Geeks on a Beach 3 Holds Pre-Event Press Conference at Crown Regency Boracay

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Geeks on a Beach (GOAB) 2015 just had a pre-event press conference for selected members of the media who are there right now to cover the 3rd run of GOAB - an event where startups with possible world-changing ideas are given an opportunity to pitch to a group of investors from both local and international. This is their chance to impress a potential source of funding if they can give a convincing presentation. Of course, it is not just the presentation skills that make a successful startup become noticeable. It is also the idea, the ability to implement in a global scale, the strength of the team, and the growth and profitability, among many other factors, that gives a startup an advantage.

The pre-event press conference was composed of Earl Valencia, Presoident and Founder of Ideaspace Foundation; Tina Amper, GOAB Founder; and Paul Pajo, Chief Developer and Evangelist of Smart Devnet.

The three shared how GOAB came to materialize out from a discussion during lunch time. It was Tina Amper who took the idea seriously until she suddenly saw herself collaborating with other people to make GOAB possible.

The primary seeders of GOAB is the PLDT Group from which Ideaspace is a part of, together with Smart Telecommunications and other related companies run by the same group of companies.

The first GOAB was also done in Boracay which was followed by the second run in Cebu. GOAB has returned to Boracay to again change some people's lives similarly to what happened to some of the startups who were part of the first two GOAB. Tina Amper relates the success stories of Zipmatch and Innovantage who eventually got their funding resulting from the GOAB events.

The three shared very interesting thoughts of which we took videos so you can hear the for yourselves. I'll upload the videos soon when there's a good Internet connection around.

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The Artist Playground proudly presents “ TAG-ANI ” an endearing love story of two people in their twilight years written by Amelia Lapena Bonifacio as part of the trilogy Taluhan (Tatlong Dula ng Pag-ibig).

First performed in 1975, “ TAG-ANI ” is a “Tragicomedy” that features two characters in their 70’s who tries to rekindle the joys of love and being in love. The twist in its ending is a piercing truth that resonates the tragedy of those who have fully experienced love and have lost it and those who have never experienced love at all.

The playdates of Tag-Ani are August 22 - 23, 29 - 30 (Saturday and Sunday). Time: 3:00 pm and 7:00 pm. Performance venue is at 1701 The Little Room Upstairs, Landsdale Tower, Mother Ignacia Ave. Quezon City

“ TAG-ANI ” is an interesting story that celebrates love and the idea of being in love in a very odd at the same time fascinating way. In its tale, the power of love to bring meaning to one’s existence is highlighted. The interplay of flirtatious imagery embedded in the poetic lines, mischievous choices of the characters and the vintage courtship dynamics make each moment of the play very compelling.

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If you think it’s just male models and fashion forward guys who have style cred, think again.

The most stylish and coolest men in the planet are probably in sports – professional basketball, most notably. Cool, confident and loaded with swag, NBA players now appear catwalk-ready, whether they’re checking in for their pre-game walk-through, chillin’ away from the court, or doing business outside of the playing arena.

Credit the A-List look on NBA players to a dress code instituted in 2005 by then National Basketball Association Commissioner David Stern who felt that players should wear a ‘business casual’ attire every time they ‘engaged in a team or league business.’ This includes all games (pre-game and postgame), press interviews, and charity events throughout the season.

Now NBA players set fashion trends, are looked up to as icons of good fashion sense and sophistication. In 2006 LeBron James appointed stylist Rachel Johnson to take over his work wardrobe and made even bigger waves off the court. Those with wilder tastes – like Dwayne Wade, who started the revolution of ultra colorful basketball socks with fun designs – have gained their own cult following.

Today, the NBA’s pre-game and postgame routines are as watched as the games themselves – mainly because that’s where one sees star players coming or going, dressed to the nines or sporting the most desirable smart casual duds while they sport Dre headphones and listen to music that pumps them up for the game.

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The rain may have delayed the event for a few days, but every good thing must always push through no matter how many times we encounter misfortunes. Even if it means waiting for a few more days, we simply had to follow the sun for a brighter set of activities. Though no gloomy weather can really put us down, the warmth of the sunshine was better than remaining indoors due to the rains. We really want to enjoy the most memorable experience so that we could later on share the stories to everyone.

Since not too many travel-related organizations offer the same set of packages, performers and activities, the event was attended by more than a hundred participants. Everyone gathered in Zambales for the most soulful and inspiring weekend of the year. Sun and Soul 2015 took place in Liwliwa, San Felipe, Zambales—a small town known for being a surfing spot, as well as its friendly locals.

Team FlipTrip envisioned this event as a collaboration with the community of Liwliwa, as everyone’s—including the locals’—effort helped make this come alive. Local FlipTrip partners, The Circle Hostel, Kila Bot Sir Ping Spot, Kapitan’s Liwa, Board Culture Liwliwa (BCL) and Mommy Phoebe’s collaborated with the team to prepare Liwliwa for the event.

A day before Sun and Soul, everyone in town were doing different things: level out the roads, paint the signs around the venue, and put up lights and decorations for the jam session. Truly it was an inspiring sight to see the community work together to make it an event to remember.

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There will be changes in the composition of the Philippine Azkals when they face Uzbekistan in their FIFA World Cup qualifier match on Sept. 8 at the Philippine Sports Stadium in Bocaue, Bulacan.

The Philippine Football Federation has added three new players to replace defender Rob Gier, forward Mark Hartmann and goalkeeper Tomas Trigo. Gier was put on the back burner because of a knee injury while Hartmann and Trigo were taken out.

The three new players are Filipino-German goalkeeper Roland Muller, Filipino-Dutch midfielder Paul Mulders and United Football League (UFL) team Global FC goalkeeper Jun-jun Badelic of Manolo Fortich, Bukidnon.

Muller joined the Philippine national’s team training in 2011 and was eventually named in the final 20-man squad for the 2011 Long Teng Cup and the provisional Philippines under-23 squad for the 2011 Southeast Asian Games.

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BAYAN MUNA Partylist Representative Neri Javier Colmenares talks about Good Governance as an electoral agenda for poverty reduction at the Foundation for Social Sustainability (FSSI) forums held during their 20th Anniversary celebrations at the Gateway Mall of Araneta Center in Quezon City last August 9 and 10, 2015. The series of forums were held at one of the function rooms of the Gloria Maris restaurant located at the same mall.

What was very interesting about Colmenares' talk was about the different type of pork barrel, and how one man in full decision of the allocation of so much money can turn any politician or government employee into a corrupt public servant.

Greed will soon take over any righteous person given the responsibility to handle a huge amount. It is proper to just let the real experts, like the engineering team of government agencies like DPWH, to manage the many projects of which they are more than qualified to identify the importance and priorities.

We've talked earlier about how Representative Lennie Robredo discussed major highlights in her and her husband's life and career, and how the people have eventually become cooperative to projects run by or partnered with the local government unit of Naga.

Colmenares had a lot to say about some of his colleagues in the government, and how ludicrous their ideas were especially the one who wanted to shower the people of Payatas with baby cologne.

Foundation for a Sustainable Society Inc: Champions of Social Entrepreneurship

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We've attended the press briefing held by the Foundation for a Sustainable Society Inc., (FSSI) held during their 20th Anniversary celebrations at Gateway Mall where they had a series of activities which includes an opening ceremony, an exhibit, and a series of talks which spanned for two days from August 9 to 10.

At the press briefing, FSSI Executive Director Jay Bertram Lacsamana discussed how they empower the rural poor through Social Enterprises. He gave a lengthy presentation which was expected especially now that they have been around for 20 years yet this is the very first time they had a grand celebration to commemorate it.

With them are some of the officials of the FSSI, as well as two of the cooperatives who they have assisted through their projects by providing loans and additional support. Present were Laurence Padilla, Executive Director of the Palawan Center for Appropriate Rural Technology (PCART) and Ernesto Lactao, General Manager of the Malaya Development Cooperative and President of the Isabela -SE-LEd Network.

We had a n opportunity to ask them to give a few statements regarding how FSSI has helped their organization.

From the FSSI, Assistant Director Jerome Ignacio was able to share an overview of what FSSI is all about.

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"Project NOAH is the Department of Science and Technology’s (DOST) response to the call of President Benigno S. Aquino III for a more accurate, integrated, and responsive disaster prevention and mitigation system, especially in high-risk areas throughout the Philippines.

The Project will harness technologies and management services for disaster risk reduction activities offered by the DOST through PAGASA, PHIVOLCS, and the DOST-Advanced Science and Technology Institute (ASTI), in partnership with the UP National Institute of Geological Sciences and the UP College of Engineering."

Chief Technology Officer Oscar Victor Lizardo of Project NOAH was one of the esteemed guests to share the impact of disaster and calamities with regards to property concerns during the TOP-LRA Summit.

The TOPS-LRA Summit is a collaborative project of The Organization of Property Stakeholders Inc. (TOPS) and the Land Registration Authority (LRA) which aspires to provide new solutions and strategies to future challenges that might slow down the development of the property sector in the country.