Wazzup Pilipinas News and Events

Thursday, December 3, 2015

Vic Sotto, Ai Ai De Las Alas and Aldub for My Bebe Love: Kilig Pa More as 2015 MMFF Entry

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No less than Jose Javier Reyes or Direk Joey, the director of My Bebe Love (#KiligPaMore) has total admiration for the phenomenal "accidental love team"of Alden Richards and Maine Mendoza, known more as Yaya Dub, as mentioned on one of his posts in his blog titled "Choking on my Adobo."

On one blog entry, he states that Alden is "not just a pretty face. He sells" and enumerates that the kid has the looks, knows his camera, well-mannered and has the talent. He further questions why it took an "accident" to reveal those qualities to the world.

Similarly to Alden, the Massacre Movie Queen dub-smashing yaya also rise to fame because of the same accident. This situation would make you think that it's probably the new yet uncanny match, coupled with the crazy existence of the familiar Dabarkads, that has made the couple a real stand-out to an otherwise somewhat traditional noontime entertainment.

"Her rise to fame is accidental and she seems to be having fun. Her addition toEat Bulaga's roster of Kabarkads is a case of absolutely perfect timing. When she assumed the character of Yaya Dub, much harassed caregiver to Wally Bayola's hilarious Lola Nidora, that whole gang with Jose Manalo and master chameleon Paolo Ballesteros raiding the baranggays of Manila exploded with a new adrenaline overload.

Duterte for President: Are We Ready for Digong the Punisher?

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He has been called the mayor with an iron fist, a bloody one that is, since he is rumored to be killing offenders minus the benefit of a trial. They say if you cross him, you'll end up dead on the streets with a label that says "Kriminal! Huwag Tularan!" Very outspoken, he could very well be openly claiming all killings of alleged criminals who operated in Davao.

"Duterte is noted for transforming the city from the murder capital of the nation to what tourism organizations there now call "the most peaceful city in Southeast Asia." He's been suspected of being involved with the vigilante outfit Davao Death Squad and has been criticized by human rights groups for tolerating extrajudicial killings of alleged criminals."

Is majority of Davao living in fear that is why they are afraid to irk the Mayor? or are they really in favor of his ways since Davao is also known as one of the safest cities in the Philippines? Safe because no one dares to commit any crime if they want to remain among the living.

But the recent news shows even some more of the worst sides of the Mayor Rodrigo Duterte showing him as a womanizer and disrespectful to the highest Catholic leader, the Pope. However, many still find him the better option compared to the rest of the presidentiables.

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In celebration of its 86th anniversary, the Adventist Medical Center Manila (AMCM) conducted anew a medical mission in collaboration this time with the US-based Florida Hospital. The program was conducted at the AMCM premises on November 11-17 this year, providing consultation services for 132 internal medicine patients, 49 pediatric patients, and 129 optometric patients. A total of 352 dental treatments were also given for tooth extraction and restoration, and even oral prophylaxis. As for the surgical services offered, 125 minor cases, 93 major cases, 13 obstetrics-gynecology cases, and 8 ophthalmology cases were assisted.

While this had been one of AMCM’s many medical missions for years, this was the first joint mission with Florida Hospital. This was Florida Hospital’s maiden project under its Global Mission Initiatives in Asia. The foreign team brought with them modern medical equipment and a great amount of medicines to the benefit of the patients. At the end of the one-week mission, the US medical professionals were treated to a grand Filipino fiesta-style program showcasing Pinoy folkdances, traditional songs and native Filipino foods. Delighted by the success of the mission, Florida Hospital team promised to return with an even larger contingent and supplies next year.

From its humble beginning as a small clinic in Malate, Manila in 1929, AMCM currently stands proud in the heart of Pasay City as a non-stock and non-profit tertiary hospital equipped with highly-trained, professional medical team and fortified with efficient technology. AMCM carries out its regular medical missions in furtherance of its quest of ‘Sharing Jesus Christ’s Healing Ministry’ for the less and the needy regardless of their religious creed or political beliefs. “By far, this was the biggest among the medical missions organized by the hospital”, said Abdul Rajagukguk, anniversary celebration chairman.

Globe Sustains Growth of Prepaid Business with Co-Branding Partnership, Better Offers

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Globe Telecom is looking to sustain growth momentum of its prepaid business after several quarters of strong performance with a co-branding partnership with leading mobile phone manufacturer Cherry Mobile.

Consolidated Globe prepaid customer base reached 47.8 million as of end-September 2015, up 17% from previous year’s 40.7 million. Globe Prepaid customer base posted growth of 14% year-on-year, while the TM base grew by 20% on the back of offers that recognize the youth and mass market’s shift to the digital lifestyle.

Globe Prepaid has made strides in positioning itself as the digital brand for the youth with offers which are bundled with free access to top social networking and messaging apps such as Facebook and Viber, premium apps and content such Spotify, as well as top mobile games such as Clash of Clans. Globe Prepaid also enhanced its revolutionary GoSAKTO, which now allows customers to create more than 200 million call, text, and app combos that fit their needs, budget, and lifestyle.

On the other hand, its TM brand, specifically targeting the value prepaid market, has been strong with innovative value for money offerings with the most affordable call, text and surfing promos, including TM Extend which allows customers to extend the validity of TM call and text promos for as low as P5 for 1 day. Over the years, TM has achieved steady growth trajectory, making it the fastest-growing mobile brand in the value prepaid category.

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Contestants from different parts of the country, some even came all the way from Baguio and Mindoro, gathered last Sunday to compete in the first ever SPARTA Battle of the Bars Calisthenics Competition held at SPARTA in Mandaluyong City.

The SPARTA Battle of the Bars was said to have been the biggest Calisthenics event ever organized in the country. At least 300 practitioners gathered at SPARTA, as they witnessed different contestants slug it out in the various rounds of the competition with bodyweight exercises.

SPARTA is at the forefront of bringing Calisthenics from underground to mainstream. It opened the Sparta Calisthenics Academy earlier this month, with the goal of encouraging more Filipinos to try it out.

According to Sparta Calisthenics Academy’s consultant and designer Ton Vergel de Dios, “Calisthenics as opposed to working out in a traditional gym is better because it is very honest. You can’t cheat a pull-up or a single legged squat. It is how athletes and warriors have trained for centuries. Calisthenics, uses body weight movements and has benefits which include increasing strength, balance, power, endurance, and of course, aesthetics.”

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AirAsia would like to encourage all guests travelling during the holiday period to conduct self-check-in and arrive at the airport earlier to clear all travelling formalities and avoid the expected congestion due to the surge of passenger numbers throughout this period.

Guests are recommended to arrive at the airport at least 3 hours for AirAsia flights prior to the scheduled time of departure of their respective flights and to perform Self-Check-In via Web, Mobile app or Kiosk services for their travel convenience.

Self Check-In via Web, Mobile or Kiosk services are available from 14 days and up to 1 hour prior to departure for all AirAsia flights. It is also highly recommended for guests to print out their boarding passes before arriving at the airport to ease their travel process.

For guests with baggage to check-in, Baggage Drop counters close 60 minutes before flight departure. As congestion is expected at the baggage drop counters, immigration checkpoints, security scanning, and baggage clearance during this holiday season, it is advisable to complete the baggage drop process and proceed to the boarding gate as early as possible.

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Congratulations to the emerging winners of the Slimmers World Great Bodies 2015 physique competition where 32 hopefuls competed for the title of Mr. and Ms. Great Bodies 2015.

The grand event was held on November 21, 2015 at the Newport Performing Arts Theater located within Resorts World Manila in Pasay city.

The grand winners are Jan Dominic Hung & Althea Vega, while 1st Runner-up are Manuel Nuezca & Maria Ten Franco. Coming in as 2nd Runner-up are Cedric Roxas & Shara Clemente.

Female grand winner Althea Vega posted on Facebook the following message "To my co candidates whom I consider my Brothers and Sisters, thank you for the great moments with you all. I'll keep these memories forever in my heart.☺ A million thanks to all our coaches and Slimmersworld Staff who allowed us to be more creative and utilize the skills we had. Much love and sending you good vibrations from me to all of you."

3 Start-ups Win P200,000 Impact Hub Fellowship on Innovation in Mobility with LBC Cohort Phase

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LBC Express and Impact Hub Manila has finally chosen the three teams to enter into the next phase of the Impact Hub Fellowship on Innovation in Mobility with LBC.

Congratulations to SkyEye, Wave and Food Planners for earning this chance to turn their inspiring business ideas into reality. The organizers are excited for this opportunity to empower these budding entrepreneurs.

For the next three months, the organizers will be providing SkyEye, Wave and Food Planners with living stipends, training and mentoring, skills development, a productive work space, access to a local community of entrepreneurs and innovators as well as to a network of 73 Impact Hubs worldwide, with over 12,000 members. Each package is worth 200,000PHP.

By March 2016, out of these three Cohorts, the winning Fellow will be selected. The Fellow will receive 250,000PHP seed funding and an additional 9 months of start-up support amounting to 500,000PHP. All these without the participants giving away shares or equity.

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A game app developer has taken advantage of the popularity of recent political issue and personalities starting off with the "Tanim Bala" game app released a few weeks ago, and now the "Go Duterte" game app, both of which can be downloaded from Google Play.

I still remember when I got so curious of Kulit Games' "Tanim Bala" game app which pokes fun of the bullet planting at Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) issue. I tried the game and though it was hilarious to create something like it, the game was so simple and immediately becomes so boring after a few minutes of play. I downloaded but got rid of it immediately after trying.

There were also similarly-themed game apps like "Laglag Bala" from UltimaA Studios and "Laglag Tanim Bala NAIA" and "Laglag Tanim Bala Catch Throw" from Joey Bambico which also gives the players a few minutes of laughter.

Similarly, there is also another game app poking fun of the Duterte campaign called "Duterte for President Campaign."

Since the news about Rodrigo Duterte running for President is a much-talked-about news in the Philippines like the "laglag bala" issue, it was not at all surprising that folks will do more than just post on social media networks and create memes out of the hype. I am not surprised why I haven't seen any Grace Poe, Jejomar Binay, Miriam Defensor Santiago or Mar Roxas game apps.

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United Ministers Aiming for Gospels Advancement (UMAGA), composed of 15 Christian churches from Valenzuela, Malabon and Quezon City and in partnership with RLTV Entertainment production, Asian Television Content (ATC) and IBC 13 is producing, the first ever advocacy program in Valenzuela City titled: The Awakening Parenting Congress 2015.

The event is to be held at the Amphitheatre, Peoples Park, Valenzuela City on December 12, Saturday from 9am to 12 noon, for the Medical Mission and other Pre-activities (Indigents Christmas Sharing), and from 1pm to 5pm will be the Program Proper, which will focus on the major issue on Social Media, Early Pregnancy, Peer Pressures, Financial Matters and others.

To reach the goals on the above event, the organizers has invited known personalities and celebrities that are experts on parents-teens communication and beyond, namely Pastor Willie Basilio and Chinkee Tan.

In our current issues relevant to teenage problems, it is of great importance that a gathering of parents through the initiatives by some Christian churches and its leaders must be addressed immediately to our kids in order to come up with a solution that is beneficial in curtailing teenage problems.

This parenting Congress will be aired and televised via IBC 13 on December 29, 2015 8pm to 9pm as a Family TV Special, for the parents and their children.

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For the past 8 years, the performance of Philippine students on the National Achievement Test was below the national target of 75 mean score. The High School students' performance remained at around 50%.

This is why FrontLearners, an e-learning content developer and solution provider, promotes the use of BlendEd Mastery Learning Method in the country to help teachers improve the student competency. They cover Math, Science, English Grammar and other K-12 subjects.

Below are some photos during their deployment at two (2) Indigenous People (IP) schools located in Barangay Maruglo of Capas Tarlac.

Site 1

INDIGENOUS PEOPLE goes BlendEd
(Sitio Flora, Barangay Maruglo, Capas, Tarlac)

They are off-grid, off-cell-site, speak 5 languages, 90 minutes away from nearest barangay by fastest mode of transport, many aspire to be a teacher, nurse and engineer someday. The 77 students of Sitio Flora Elementary School and their three teachers are not far behind from the rest with their use of leading edge technologies in classroom. They are equipped with solar power and lighting, Samsung tablets and laptop computers, and FrontLearners' BlendEd Box. FrontLearners' BlendEd Box contains WiFi router and a Web Server containing thousands of DepEd K12 aligned e-learning modules to help teachers implement Blended Mastery Learning Method in their classes.

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The steady rise of HIV infections, with an average of 22 Filipinos daily now get infected, signifies the right timing to strengthen the advocacy that LoveYourself, Inc., among other groups, has been crusading to prevent the epidemic from blowing out of proportion.

On 29 November (Sunday), LoveYourself, in partnership with Department of Health-Research Institute for Tropical Medicine (DOH-RITM), held its second HIV Screening Day for this year dubbed as “Ito ang Tamang Panahon: Free and Confidential HIV Test” at Victoria Court, North EDSA in Caloocan City.

“Testing is the first line of defense to curb the spread of HIV and it is just the right time to grab opportunities like this free and confidential HIV screening of LoveYourself,” Ms. Queen International 2015 Trixie Maristela said. She also said that this has been one of her advocacies even before she became beauty titlist to support anti-discrimination and erase stigma to and within the LGBT Community.

Apart from capability to detect strains of HIV, the LoveYourself testing also includes results for other sexually transmitted infections (STI), such as, Hepatitis B and Syphilis. Likewise, counselling and peer education will also be conducted during the screening day to raise awareness about sexual health, particularly about knowing the basics of how HIV is transmitted and acquired.

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Kaye Morales is the eponymous brand that offers clothes ranging from avant-garde gowns to off-the-rack pieces with a unique style statement that stays true to the brand’s vision of dark as enlightening, the rocker chic trend as sophisticated, and the odd as extraordinary. Her collections have been featured in both local and international shows, most notable of which are the LA Style and Vancouver Fashion Weeks. British Vogue has also penned a designer profile published in its Jan. 2014 issue.

Kaye Morales embraces men and women of all backgrounds with ‘Rebel,’ the designer’s collection for Spring/Summer 2016 set to hit the historic runway on Nov. 28, 2015 at Philippine Fashion Week – now on its 20th season. Dedicated to people of edgy yet chic sartorial inclinations, the latest line features tailored and wearable pieces that come in bursts of neon, fun prints, and playful embellishments.

Drawing inspiration from her own struggles as a woman, Morales shared, “I’m a lesbian and I want to (be) open (about) myself while making the fashion industry a welcoming place for all types of people. I want (others) to understand the different types of sexuality, especially mine, as I come out in this industry.”

Morales’ latest collection serves as a throwback of sorts to her humble beginnings as a student at the School of Fashion & the Arts (SoFA), during which she made her first serious foray into the industry with ‘Schizo,’ a ready-to-wear line for the young fashionable set inclined to making punk style statements.

This season, she wants to “let the audience feel that I haven’t lost (touch with) that side of myself (as a designer) and with what I’m really good at.”

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Finance Secretary of the Philippines Cesar Purisima together with Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) Chief Representative of Japan Noriaki Niwa signed the US$ 2 Billion Loan Agreement for the North-South Commuter Railway Project (Malolos-Tutuban) of the Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) on November 27, 2015 at the Mezzanine Floor Lobby of the Robinsons (JG) Summit Center, Ayala Avenue, Makati City.

Also attending the signing were DOTC Secretary Joseph Emilio Aguinaldo Abaya, Department of Finance National Treasurer Roberto Tan, JICA Senior Representative Tetsuya Yamada, and JICA Section Chief Keisuke Fukui.

The project supports the expansion of a mass transportation network which is recognized as one of the priorities in the 2011-2016 Philippine Development Plan aiming to improve the efficiency of land transportation capacities in Metro Manila. It also seeks to provide a more environmentally sustainable mode of transport through the construction of about 37 km new elevated commuter railway from Malolos, Bulacan to Tutuban, Manila, procurement of rolling stock, and installation of electro-mechanical systems.

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The game fowl industry is a billion dollar industry that keeps growing to ensure veterinarians, breeders, caretakers, grafters, handlers and other forms of game fowl and cockfighting-related employment and businesses, benefit generously from the perks and privileges brought about by the caring, feeding and fighting activities and events.

It may still be considered barbaric by some due to the horrific deaths of game fowls involved in the cockfighting, but those who perceived it as a taboo sport are slowly realizing the greater benefits.

After years of importing parent stocks and breeding excellent game fowls, the Philippines is now considered the mecca of the game fowl industry.

The 3rd International Gamefowl Festival is now scheduled on January 8 to 10 at the SMX Convention Center of the Mall of Asia Complex in Pasay City.

A press conference was held on November 26, 2015 at The Blackboard by Chef Michel located at The Podium in Ortigas Center, Mandaluyong City.