Wazzup Pilipinas News and Events

Tuesday, November 3, 2015

Boodle Fight at Sebay Surf Resort of La Union

Wazzup Pilipinas!

A "boodle fight" type of lunch or dinner, whether it's laid out on banana leaves, or any kind of layout, as in our case - something like a decorated bamboo tray filled with various viands along with the rice, soups and sauces, always adds that extra excitement for everyone that's partaking the meal.

The thought of sharing the festive meal with friends, colleagues, relatives or even total strangers, always brings out a smile in everyone's faces as they dig into the different dishes served in a seemingly big plate composed of an assortment of seafood, meat and vegetables.

The dining experience becomes even better when everyone is really hungry (like coming from a long trip so we can cover the 10th La Union Surfing Break). We just came from a five hour travel from Makati to San Juan, La Union specifically at Urbiztondo where our temporary home, Sebay Surf Resort, is located. This is also where most of our meals will be served.

Sometimes even if you're not that hungry, the sight of the boodle meals turns everyone into seemingly starving lunatics as they even eat with their bare hands. You do have the option to still use utensils as many of us did since it's our very first time to meet, but eventually if you give us more time and opportunities to do the same, we should soon be comfortable using our hands.

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HoReCa (hotel resto cafe & catering) Philippines is a non-profit organization that aims to reinforce the Filipino values and culture through acts of social entrepreneurship in the realm of Philippine Tourism and Hospitality Industry.

It hosted its first intimate gathering of HoReCa Leaders dubbed as "The HoReCa Leaders' Night" on October 28, 2015 at the Linden Suites in Ortigas Center.

The HoReCa event gathers the biggest hotel GMs, restaurant cafe and catering owners in the country.

To kick off the HoReCa Leaders' Night, one of the most successful entrepreneurs in the Philippines shared his story of inspiration from being zero to hero.

Mr. Jose Mari Del Rosario, the 2015 Ernst and Young Industry Entrepreneur of the Year, charmed the audience with his success stories and anecdote of failures that led him to where he is today. Mr. Del Rosario also heads the Microtel by Wyndham as President and CEO.

Also present at the event were HoReCa founder, Triccia Dacer; Mercato Centrale Group of Companies founder, RJ Ledesma; The Croque Cafe and Gruppo Kusinero President, Alexandra Ann Alaba; Linden Suites General Manager, Dominic Dorol; Bluewater Resorts Vice President Margarita Munsayac; The Burgery co-owners JC De Vera and Karlo Rono; The Wild Juan owner and San Miguel Corporation Special Projects for Business Development Thelma Dumpit-Murillo; and Acacia Hotel General Manager, Bobby Horigan.

I also met Microtel by Wyndham Director of Marketing Mary Grace T. Magnaye; The Linden Suites Director of Sales and Marketing Janice Ian Vicente; The Linden Suites Account Manager Nicole Marionette De Castro; The Linden Suites Marketing and Communications Manager Bianca de la Merced; Broadcaster and Columnist Vivien Mangalindan; and Pink Pumpkin's Kitchen and Pink Opal Jewelries owner Rosena Dixie Ruta.

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The largest sports media property in Asian history, One Championship, held its press conference for the December 11, 2015 One: Spirits of Champions titanic matches at the SM Mall of Asia Arena. The presscon was on Wednesday, October 28, 2015 at the City of Dreams in Pasay.

World-renowned Muay Thai stylist and 8-time Grappler's Quest Champion, Brandon "The Truth" Vera, and the Philippines' most talented young bantamweight, Mark "Mugen" Striegl, were present to answer the inquiries of the members of the media.

When Vera was asked what could be the weakness of Parry that could help bring him down, Vera replied that Parry is quite slow so he will take advantage of his speed in putting Parry down on maybe at the 4th or 5th round.

Vera was also thinking of letting people experience the championship belt so he plans to leave it in the Philippines to be loaned to Filipino fans if he wins at the December 11 match against Parry. Vera also plans to look for Whang Od, the oldest living traditional tattoo artist from Kalinga, after the fight so he could also be honored with her craftsmanship.

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Michelin continues its advocacy for road safety by holding more Fill up with Air safety campaigns in Metro Manila and CALABARZON. The events were held at S&R Membership Shopping Parking Lot at Imus, Cavite on Friday, September 18, and S&R Congressional Ave., in Quezon City on September 25. More FUWA events will be organized in the rest of the branches in the coming months.

Michelin, the leading tire company, is dedicated to sustainably improving the mobility of goods and people by manufacturing and marketing tires for every type of vehicle, including airplanes, automobiles, bicycles/motorcycles, earthmovers, farm equipment and trucks. It also offers electronic mobility support services on ViaMichelin.com and publishes travel guides, hotel and restaurant guides, maps and road atlases.

The Fill Up with Air Campaign aims to raise awareness among motorists on the importance of correct tire pressure and maintenance for vehicular safety and fuel efficiency.The campaign involves giving a free tire safety check and safety advice by the Michelin tire experts.

Fill Up with Air is a Michelin global initiative to increase public consciousness for road and public safety.

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Who says you need to take a flight to go to Japan? Hallohallo Inc. is going to give you two ways to experience Japan from north to south of Manila.

Register, be cool, and go shop at Cool Japan Shop!

This October, say konnichiwa to Japan, southern peeps! Hallohallo Inc. opened their new Japanese-themed concept store at Festival Supermall Alabang, Cool Japan Shop (CJS). Feel the exclusivity as we offer you a membership shopping experience. CJS gives you a membership card that can be used to purchase items at Cool Japan Shops, you can also use the card when shopping at Hallo Hallo Mall and Hallo Hallo Town.

There's more! CJS offers unique and authentic Japanese items ranging from food to clothing, as well novelty items, and many more. So, express yourself and be original. Don’t worry if you’re not an Otaku, we know you want it and we love you for that!

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Burgoo Tomas Morato now serves big breakfast starting from 9 am.

Yes! You read it right. Your favorite American Bar and Restaurant has now began serving breakfast starting October 26, 2015 for early bird customers looking for a satisfying meal in the early hours of the morning. We know that most establishments open late in the morning so there really are very little choices except for fast food chains that offer less fulfilling meals.

Now, Burgoo has joined the restaurants offering "almusal" or "breakfast" with choices of Continental or Filipino favorites giving us plenty of options to choose from.

"Big Breakfast" is accurate as the servings are indeed big for its very reasonable price. The prices starts at only Php 145 which gives you great value for your hard-earned money and a very satisfied tummy to start your day right with a hearty smile.

Since the Burgoo Tomas Morato branch is not located inside a mall, it is not restricted to mall hours of operation thus the "Big Breakfast" meals are born to our delight. I believe they are able to serve breakfast in very large serving since they are also not paying too much on building rentals. But hopefully they would be opening up equally independent branches that would also serve the same "Big Breakfast."

A few days before Halloween, or more popularly known as All Saints' Day and All Souls' Day or "Undas" for us Filipinos, we were invited by Burgoo to try out their breakfast meals for the very first time, and we were surprised to be the only guest of the restaurant that day. Since it was a Monday, and the very first day they would offer the "Big Breakfast" meals, we are proud to say we were among the first to experience a fabulous treat that was surely big enough for any individual who wants to begin their day with a heavy feast.

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Here are the following price adjustments as advised by oil companies on petroleum products as of this writing:

OIL

Pilipinas Shell: P0.25/L on gasoline; P0.10/L on kerosene

Chevron: P0.25/L on gasoline; P0.10/L on kerosene

* No adjustments on Diesel products.

*Both companies mentioned to adjust the following prices effective 6:00a.m. today (03 November 2015).

LPG

Solane; Gasul; and Petronas: P2.95/kg

*Adjustments for Solane; Gasul; and Petronas are effective today (02 November 2015)

Liquigaz: P2.50/kg effective 12:01 a.m. today (03 November 2015)

Eastern Petroleum: P2.90/kg effective 6:00 a.m. today (03 November 2015).

For your reference and use please.

Judicaël Perroy in Manila: From Bach to Villa-Lobos

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Independent Philippine Art Ventures (iPav) and Alliance Français de Manille (AFM) present an outstanding French guitarist in a concert at 7pm on November 12, Abelardo Hall, UP College of Music in Diliman.

Judicaël Perroy is one of the most sought-after classical guitarists on the world stage. He has had rave reviews not only as a concertist but as an inspiring teacher as well. His students have also won the most prestigious international awards.

During his stay November 11-15, Perroy will hold a master class for the country's most promising young guitarists to teach them theory and technique in one-on-one sessions.
To open the concert are multi-awarded Filipino guitarists Roneil Santos and Aaron Aguila, from the UP College of Music.

IPav was founded by classical guitarists and enthusiasts and has formed a solid alliance with AFM to promote classical music in the Philippines.
Concert tickets are available from TicketWorld and iPav.

Inquiries may also be addressed to ipavinc@gmail.com.

Why You Should Visit The Philippines

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There really has never been a better time to visit the Philippines. The country which is surrounded by a mass of jaw-dropping islands is a relatively well kept secret. In 2012 it was noted that whilst around 800,000 UK travellers jetted off to Thailand, only 120,000 headed to the Philippines. We have no idea why?! This vast archipelago is known for its rice fields, wacky painted jeepneys and the happy go lucky people populating its teeming cities. It has some beautiful beaches and water sports that will knock your socks off. Island hopping is a common endeavour for travellers looking to find that perfect spot. Scenic views abound if you’re looking for those perfect shots for your Instagram.

The Philippine climate is unforgiving. It is hot humid and tropical. Therefore travelling long distances can be somewhat uncomfortable. If you can handle the heat however, there is so much to see. The Philippines boasts some exceptional historical monuments to take in during your stay. The breathe-taking landmarks of Cebu are totally worth a visit. Soak up as much of the culture of these exceptional archipelagos as possible! The world heritage site in Banaue, North Luzon is accessible via Manilla where buses run regularly. Be prepared for a 9 hour journey but the stupendous views are worth the lengthy travel time. It’s extremely cost effective too. Bus fares can be purchased for £7 and a guide for the whole day for only £10.

The islands are home to vast amounts of wildlife. In addition to the native water buffalo there is another creature which famously calls the Philippines home. The tarsier, famous as one of the world’s smallest primates and inspiration for the character of Yoda in the Star Wars films is native to Bohol. The tiny, nocturnal creature has eyes which cover three quarters of its head and an exceptionally long middle finger- hence its name (tarsus bone). These cute creatures are currently in danger due to agricultural developments destroying their habitats. The Philippine Tarsier and Wildlife Sanctuary near Corella is worth a visit if you want the chance to get up close to the tiny primates.

Although The Philippines boasts some spectacular scenery and cultural delights, you can still expect to be connected to the world at large. Large masts are erected all around to be sure you’re never far away from a connection. Your Instagram posts can be uploaded immediately and you never have to miss your favourite new bingo sites 2016.

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This November, 80’s pop sensation, The Jets, is coming over to the Philippines for a two-night performance as part of their part of The Jets Live! 30th Anniversary Greatest Hits Tour.

Meet the musical Wolfgramm family from Minneapolis, Minnesota – Moana, Haini, Leroy, Rudy, Eddie, Natalia and Donnie on November 6, Friday, 7PM at the newly renovated The Kia Theatre, and on November 8, Sunday, 7PM at the Waterfront Cebu Hotel and Casino.

Originally, from the island of Tonga in the South Pacific, The Jets have made their way around the world with three world tours, and all the way to the top of US Billboard Charts, claiming eight (8) top ten hits that include Philippine #hugotfavorites “You Got It All,” “Make It Real,” the upbeat “Crush On You,” and their 1989 Grammy-nominated song for Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group, “Rocket 2 U.”

This is The Jets’ third time in the Philippines, after many years since their last show more than twenty years ago.

“We’re very excited,” says Moana, on their invitational video out now on RandomMinds Production Facebook Page.

They close the video like an ace performer, with a sampling of their signature harmony, singing “Give us one more chance to make it real,” in a cappella.

Tickets to The Jets Live! 30th Anniversary Greatest Hits Tour are now available at all SM Tickets and Ticketnet outlets.

10 Surefire Signs You’re Ready To Buy A Condo

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Dreaming about owning a condo someday is one thing, but have your musings become a bit more specific (which city you want to live in, what kind of unit you want to get, what color theme to use in the living room, etc.) than before? And do you find yourself constantly calculating your expenses and thinking, “I can actually save up for a property now”? Real estate website MyProperty.ph has formulated these 10 questions you should ask yourself to be certain that now’s the time to upgrade from renting to owning a condo.

1. Do you have a stable source of income?

Buying a property through a home loan means taking on the responsibility of making monthly amortizations. This means you need to have a job that not just earns you enough to make regular payments on time, but also one you’re confident you’ll keep for a long time. If you’re in a career or industry that’s known to be unstable, or if you just started working for a new company, there’s a pretty high risk you might lose your source of income and miss monthly loan payments.

2. Have you saved up for a down payment…
The down payment for a property doesn’t come easy for everyone. In most cases, it’s 20%—an amount that can either be small or large depending on the price of the property and your monthly income. If your income allows you to comfortably set aside a certain amount, then good for you. If not, there’s nothing wrong with waiting a little longer to save; what’s important is that you’re able to put together the amount without it making a sudden huge dent in your current budget.

3. …and still have enough left over?

You don’t want every single centavo going to condo payments. What if someone ends up in the hospital and you have no other resources to tap? You also need to think about the other costs involved in keeping your new home up and running (utilities, maintenance fees, and association dues). Remember that you have to eat, too. You can only truly say you’re financially prepared when you’ve factored in all of these and the payments toward the condo, and you still have some money for a nice emergency fund (worth at least six months).

Globe Enterprise Innovation Forum Primes PH Enterprises for the Future

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On its 6th year, the most-awaited event for the enterprise community featured MIT executive director Hal Gregersen as keynote speaker to talk about disruption through innovation

Globe Telecom, through its corporate information and communications technology (ICT) arm Globe Business, gathered the country’s top business and enterprise leaders for a day of insightful learning, discussion, and sharing of best practices on how innovation can help sustain a corporation’s competitiveness and relevance in the digital age.

As one of the most awaited and exclusive business events of the year, the Enterprise Innovation Forum (EIF) brought together thought leaders and speakers from all over the world to instill the importance of innovation in leading businesses and industries.

The 6th EIF was held at the EDSA Shangri-la Hotel with the theme “Gearing up your business for the future”, focusing on how enterprises can drive competitiveness and relevance in the market by leveraging on new technologies in the age of globalization and digital revolution.

“Businesses today operate in a world that is in an ever-constant change. This change has affected enterprises in such a way that it has disrupted usual thought process and workflow. With the trend of how technologies evolve and become available, these changes in the business environment drive enterprises to transform their business models to remain relevant now and in the future,” shares Globe Senior Advisor for Enterprise and IT Enabled Services Group Mike Frausing.

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Holcim Philippines, Inc. recently received the National Ecolabel Seal of Approval for its WallRight and Excel cement products for passing the National Ecolabelling Programme-Green Choice Philippines (NELP-GCP) innovative CO2 reduction criteria, highlighting these products’ compliance with sustainability and environment conservation.

Holcim Philippines is involved in the manufacture, sale and distribution of building materials and construction solutions in the country. The company operates four cement plants in La Union, Bulacan, Misamis Oriental and Davao, an aggregates facility in Rizal and several ready-mix concrete plants nationwide. Its cement products, sold in 40 kg.bags, tonner bags and in bulk, are Holcim Excel, Holcim WallRight, Holcim Premium Bulk and Holcim 4X. Holcim Philippines is a member of LafargeHolcim Group, the world leader in the building materials industry with 115,000 employees in 90 countries.

Receiving the seal is Holcim Philippines’ Vice President for Corporate Communications Ritzi Villarico Ronquillo, APR at the 4th Kalikasan GP3 Expo Conference (KGP3) held at the SMX Convention Center, SM Aura, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig. Presenting the award are Albert Magalang, Climate Change Office head; Ann Claire Cabochan, director-in-charge of the Bureau of Philippine Standards of the Department of Trade and Industry; Sec. Nereus Acosta, Philippine Presidential Adviser for the Environment; and June Alvarez, executive director of the Philippine Center for Environmental Protection and Sustainable Development, Inc.

Red Ribbon Launches ‘Mas Creamy Sarap’ Polvoron For Every Filipino Home

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Everyone has that one special food item that brings memories of home. Arguably for Filipinos, this is the classic Polvoron.

Red Ribbon, one of the biggest bakeshops in the Philippines, introduces its Classic Polvoron—a delightful treat that bursts a melt-in-your-mouth sweetness and creaminess, leaving an aftertaste that’s sure to make Filipinos grab for more.

According to Zinnia Rivera, general manager of Red Ribbon, the Classic Polvoron offers just the right amount of sweetness, with more “creamy sarap” goodness.

“The creamy taste of Polvoron has an empowering taste that brings Filipinos back to their childhood years,” Rivera said. “Since adults enjoy the rich, creamy taste of Polvoron, they now share their all-time favorite treat to their children. With Red Ribbon’s Classic Polvoron in place, children and adults alike will find our creamy variant more irresistible.”

The Red Ribbon Classic Polvoron comes in singles, pack of eights (8s) and box of 16s. The price ranges for each pack is P10, P73 and P143, respectively.

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Global property website Lamudi Philippines looked into its third quarter 2015 search data and found interesting observations. According to the website, among 18- to 24-year-olds, there is an equal proportion of property hunters looking for for-rent and for-sale properties (50.2 versus 49.8 percent).

But quite interestingly, there is a tendency for property hunters to check out for-sale properties online as they get older. Lamudi data shows that among 25- to 34-year-old users, 57.3 percent are checking out for-sale properties in the website, compared to 42.7 percent of users who look for for-rent properties.

The preference to buy is even higher in the 35–44, 45–54, and 55–64 age groups; Lamudi data noted that 70.8, 72.6, and 71.1 percent of the website’s users, respectively, are checking out for-sale properties, while only 29.2, 27.4, and 28.9 percent are looking for for-rent properties, respectively.

According to Lamudi Philippines managing director Jacqueline van den Ende, these findings are consistent with observations made in Europe and the United States, where people have the tendency to buy as they get older.