Wazzup Pilipinas News and Events

Friday, January 1, 2016

Great Grand Nephew of Dr. Jose Rizal Called for Demolition of Torre De Manila

Wazzup Pilipinas!

"The real value of the monument of Dr. Jose Rizal, considered as the Philippines' National Hero, is determined not by the beautiful pictures we make from it, but how we really remember Rizal, share, and apply his vision for the betterment of our nation."

Armed with placards, Isaac Reyes, a great grand nephew of Dr. Jose Rizal, called for the demolition of the 48-storey building for ruining the sightline of the national hero's monument at Rizal Park.

Isaac honored his word and returned the following day after the ceremony held at Luneta the previous day to commemorate the death of the national hero during Rizal Day on December 30 - the day of Rizal's execution at Bagumbayan, now known as Rizal Park, in 1896.

The first time I saw him was during a news report where he was interviewed and encouraged others to join him in his objective to make people remember how crudely distracting the great photobomber Torre De Manila building is.

Known as the Pambansang Photobomber ng Pilipinas, Torre De Manila is a condominium project of DM Consunji Inc. (DMCI), one of the big developers in the country. It is under heavy criticism for defacing the view of the Rizal monument. What was normally a proud postcard moment for most pictures taken at the sight have been ruined by the disturbing presence of the one-tower condominium development at the background.

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lu Kang of China was strongly dissatisfied by what the group of young Filipinos protesters had done at the so called Zhongye Dao Island in the South China Sea and reiterated that China has indisputable sovereignty over the Spratly islands. It urged the Philippines to withdraw its personnel and facilities from the illegally-occupied Chinese island, and never do anything that may harm regional peace and stability as well as China-Philippines relations.

“About 50 protesters, most of them students, reached Pagasa island in theSpratly archipelago on Saturday in a stand against what they say is Beijing's creeping invasion of the Philippine exclusive economic zone, said Eugenio Bito-onon, the island's mayor.

The protesters, led by a former naval commander, proudly displayed their banner containing the words "Kalayaan Atin Ito" (Kalayaan - meaning 'Freedom', the name of the island chain in the Spratlys which the Philippines controls - This Is Ours). The students wanted to highlight the growing Chinese encroachment on the islands. Government and military officials had tried to prevent the group from sailing to the disputed waters, citing security and safety reasons after a storm in the South China Sea earlier.

"Our peaceful and legal patriotic voyage will never be dependent on what china will do. Our objective is to bring to the attention of the world the invasion and militarization done by China inside our EEZ and ECS at the Kalayaan Island Group Municipality. If the world will see what we are seeing, surely China will lose all legal battle at the ITLOS and will face world sanctions if it defies the result of the arbitration."

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Congratulations to Leren Mae Bautista for winning the Miss Tourism Queen of the Year International 2015 on December 31,2015 at the Putrajaya Marriot Hotel, Grand Ballroom in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

The Philippines has totally proven its supreme reign at beauty pageant competitions when it once again bagged another award before the year 2015 ended. Fresh from our win of Miss Universe courtesy of the lovely Pia Alonzo Wurtzbach, we again revel in delight hearing about another win of our fellow Filipino.

The candidate from Laguna, Philippines was already another favorite even before the top 12 finalists were announced. Belarus, Bolivia, China, Uganda, Malaysia, Portugal, Lithuania, Iceland, Dominican Republic, Mongolia, India and the Philippines made it to the list.

The Miss Tourism Queen of the Year International (formerly known as Queen of the Year International) is unique beauty pageant that showcases the gems of the respective participating nation. The first ever Miss Tourism Queen of the Year International was staged in Kuala Lumpur, the City of Lights in 1993.

Like a diamond, the pageant unfolds the brilliance and magnificence of its distinctiveness and grace of a perfect woman. Miss Tourism Queen of the Year International is an international world class event that honours the exceptional women of today, women who gracefully uphold the epitome of beauty, poise, good moral character and personality.

Wazzup Pilipinas!

While others were counting down to end 2015, thousands of Iglesia ni Cristo (INC) members gathered in the Philippine Arena in Bocaue, Bulacan to break three Guinness World records.

The organizers of the INC New Year festivities on January 1 claimed around 100,000 in attendance to welcome 2016 to break the former record of Norway for having the largest fireworks display when the clock struck 12. The fireworks display lasted for almost an hour and was composed of about 700,000 pieces.

The organizers of the event, led by lawyer Glicerio Santos IV, chief operating officer of the Maligaya Development Corp. who is also the INC chief legal counsel, said the fireworks display is part of an annual two-day New Year’s Eve event that will feature concerts by internationally acclaimed artists Arnel Pineda and apl.de.ap as well as various local talents.

“Aside from wanting to win new distinctions for our country, we also want to provide an alternative to celebrating the new year other than the usual personal use of firecrackers and the indiscriminate firing of guns, both of which often lead to serious injuries—and in some cases, tragic accidental deaths,” the lawyer said.

Find the Panda: Our Fascination with these Puzzles

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Remember Where's Waldo, well illustrator Gergely Dudás, who goes by the pen name Dudolf, posted this drawing to his Facebook page, challenging readers to spot a panda in an army of snowmen.

People went nuts trying to look for the black and white mammal in a mostly black and white illustration. Many thought it would be easier but I guess the difficulty was varying to many people.

People even took the great Panda search to Twitter when they were frustrated they couldn't find it. While some who were able to find the Panda wanted to brag about their accomplishment. After all, it was fun to boast how many seconds or minutes it took them to find the elusive Panda.

Then a new challenge arise and the search this time was to look for a cat among a sea of owls.

But I think people wanted more of the panda so soon there was a Find the Panda among a sea of heavy metal artists. Then, due to the popularity of the new Star Wars movie, it was inevitable that a Find the Panda Star Wars version would come out with an objective to Find the Panda among a sea of storm troopers. Lol!

Inspired by the Find the Panda puzzles, Tracy Lynn Heightchew decided to up the game and posted this old photo of a Junior Achievers Conference in Bloomington, 1978, which she promises to have a panda somewhere.

Have you also seen the parking lot full of a bunch of ‘80s-era hatchbacks (and some Volvo 240s) with one Fiat Panda hidden in the mix.

Have you also seen the Find the Panda among Find the Poop Emoji in a sea of cupcakes?

The above photo shows a person hidden among the panda stuff toys. Can you find him?

Wazzup Pilipinas!

“My advice to the criminals, the drug lords, and the corrupt is to include turning over a new leaf in their New Year’s resolutions. The moment we have Duterte as president, this will be the last happy Christmas you will celebrate,” - Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano

My emotions was divided when I saw his advertisement on TV where he greets criminals a Merry Christmas and then say it might be the last time they will enjoy the season if they will continue with their ways. I wanted to laugh out loud but was equally afraid that he might just get away with it. With how the Filipinos think, the reality of him being voted as President might just come true.

Crime is the no. 1 problem a common Filipino is facing now. Economy already started to grow and will further grow once crime is seriously addressed.

Duterte has spent almost 40 years in government service. He was first elected as mayor at age 43. We all know what he is known for.

If elected, presidential aspirant Rodrigo Duterte and vice presidential aspirant Allan Peter Cayetano said they will increase government security forces while implementing inclusive economic growth programs in Mindanao. They said they would implement an aggressive national anti-crime campaign, starting in identified hot spots. They said they will stamp out criminality, illegal drug trafficking and corruption in their first year in office.

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Kung may paputok na ‪"‎Goodbye Philippines‬, "Goodbye Colombia" at kung ano-ano pang "Goodbye," may ‪"Goodbye Feelings‬" na din.

Sobrang lakas itong pumutok sa una pero pag natapos parang wala lang nangyari! Ito na ang pinakamabentang paputok ngayong Bagong Taon para sa mga hindi maka-move on.

Para ito sa mga lovers na nagbreak na at nagmamahal ng pasekreto. ‪#‎GoodByeFeelings‬ paputok, Pero bago ito paputukin kailangan isabay mo ang sakit at hinanakit mo para sa taong ito, Para kasabay ng pagsabog nito ang pagtatapos ng feelings mo sa kanya.

"Paalam sa lahat ng sakit na nararamdaman ko. Sa mga umaga na hiniling kong sana matapos na agad ang araw na ito. Sa mga gabing hindi ako pinatulog ng libong karayom na sabay sabay tumutusok sa puso ko.

Paalam na sa mga luhang iniyak ko. Mga luha na nag-uunahan sa pagpatak mula sa mata ko. Sa mga basang unan at panyo. Sa mga panahong tanging hikbi lang ang maririnig mula sa kwarto ko.

Paalam na sa mga bagay na gumugulo sa utak ko. Sa mga bagay na nagpapabigat sa damdamin ko. Sa mga tanong na walang kasagutan at sa mga sagot na kahit kailan dimo malalaman.

Paalam na sa mga oras na nasayang ko sa maraming bagay, pati narin sa maling tao. Sa panahon na nagtiwala ako sa mga panahong naging mahina ako sa mga pagkakataong puso ko lang ang pinaiiral ko. Nadismaya lang ako.

Paalam na sa dating ako. Dating ako na laging inuuna ang iba sa dating ako na bigay lang bigay hangga't wala ng matira para sa sarili ko. Sa dating ako na patuloy na nagmamahal kahit walang pagmamahal ang nilalaan sa kanya,

PAALAM NA SA DATING AKO NA HINDI NA MULING BABALIK PA!" - Trina Mae Cuevas Edesa

Wazzup Pilipinas!

"At pag hindi ho nangyari ito, nandyan ho si Secretary Abaya na nangangasiwa ng proyektong ito, dalawa na kaming MAGPAPASAGASA SA TREN KAPAG DI PA NATAPOS ITO BY 2015" - PNoy

President Benigno Simeon "Noynoy" Aquino III better live up to his promise. Stand up on his "Daang Matuwid" with the "MRT" ready to run him and the DOTC Secretary Emilo Aguinaldo "Jun" Abaya over.

Kahit na matuloy ang pagpapasagasa ni PNoy at Abaya sa tren dahil hindi nakumpleto ang proyektong LRT-1 extension mula Baclara-Bacoor ngayong 2015, magpapatupad pa rin ng dagdag 5% fare increase ang LRT-1 oras na matapos ang Cavite extension project.

OK lang sana ipatupad iayn kung they will also honor their word of getting run over by a train. Spokesperson says we should not take literally the President's vow and that it was only a joke. Were all his previous words a joke?

Huwag kang magbibiro PNoy sa mga Pilipinong sawang-sawa na sa pangako! Matuloy man o hindi ang pagpapasagasa nyo ni Abaya, dapat kang managot sa mga pagkukulang, kapabayaan at kawalang malasakit mo sa sambayanan!

Below are just some of the many posters created by netizens mocking the event that should happen today.

"Aw, Mr. President. It isn't about getting run over by a train. It's about failing in your promise to have the LRT 1 Cavite line done by 2015. Or was that the joke?

You know my kid takes that train. And you haven't even addressed its maintenance problems yet. Or if you have, you've not succeeded in getting it done. So I try not to think about how long it takes for my son to stand in line waiting for his ride. Or I shudder when he takes the bus because otherwise he will be late for class. A bus, quite possibly driven by someone who hasn't had enough sleep to take the wheel.

I wish you know what it's like to have to do this, but I feel you have little sympathy for the likes of us working stiffs, much less for my kids. Otherwise you wouldn't be so cavalier about how you have failed us and how you refuse to prosecute the people who have led us to this. How you continue to fail to hold anyone accountable for this terrible burden you've imposed on us. And yes you have imposed this on us.

So instead of apologizing for your abject FAILURE, you focus on the part where you say you were kidding about being run over. Geez, sir, we know it's a joke. Because damn it, we don't have enough trains to spare for running you and Abaya over." - Trixie Cruz-Angeles

Pautakan 2016: The 23rd Province-wide Interscholastic Academic Competition in Palawan

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Get ready to cohere and conquer as UP Palaweños brings you Pautakan 2016: The 23rd Province-wide Interscholastic Academic Competition in Palawan.

To be held on January 9, 2016 at the Puerto Princesa City Coliseum, the competition involves four different contests, namely, the Online Essay Writing Contest, On-the-Spot Poster Making, Online Photography Contest, and the main event, the Quiz Bee. Only participants coming from Palawan-based schools may join the abovementioned activities. Cash prizes, trophies, medals, and different freebies await the winners of each event.

One of the biggest and most established of its kind in Palawan, the UP Palaweños Pautakan is an annual event which aims to bring the best out of the Palaweño youth in a wide range of fields, including science, general information, visual and literary arts, and others. The theme for this year’s Pautakan is “coalesce”, which means to merge. In the context of a competition, this means to work as a team. This year’s Pautakan highlights the idea that success is best achieved, not when one is divorced from others, but when individuals join together for a common goal.

Just Some of Life's Unsolved Mysteries

Wazzup Pilipinas!

1. Why tobaccos and cigarettes are still being sold when they are obviously harmful to our health.
2. Why softdrink companies continue to exist when there are healthier alternatives out there.
3. Why people still buy firecrackers when they offer nothing but a few minutes of eye candy and more possibly a lifetime of missing fingers.
4. Why fastfood restaurants continue to flourish while home-cooked meals are in the verge of disappearing.
5. Why we continue to throw away our trash carelessly in the streets when we all know they will just contribute to flooding, pollution, sanitation and health problems, etc.
6. Why we keep on voting for the wrong people (those who are involved in political dynasties, prevention of Freedom of Information bill, etc.)
7. Why there are still gasoline-powered cars when electric and solar-powered vehicles are better.
8. Why basic services like electricity, telecommunication and water utility companies are monopolized by a few companies.
9. Why plastic bags (considered non-biodegradable thus harming the environment) are being banned and replaced by paper bags and boxes that are made from trees which are part of the environment.
10. Why we believe in celebrity endorsements that are obviously fake (skin-whiteners for ladies that are already white-skinned, chefs promoting instant food or seasonings, basketball players promoting products that are supposed to enhance height, etc.)
11. Why food supplements are popular when their natural equivalents can be found at many supermarkets.

12. Why we keep asking why when we already know the answer to our questions.