Startups Team Up To Provide OFWs Modern, Safe Remittance Service

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Two fast-growing social startups dedicated to improving the breadth of services available to Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) in Asia, have teamed up in a bid to maximize opportunities for mutual growth.

BeamAndGo, the Singapore-based alternative remittance service provider, and HelperChoice, the leading online platform for connecting domestic helpers with employers, are committed to empowering OFWs globally by enabling them to access basic services without the need to pay unnecessary fees and charges.

“The two companies have lots in common,” says Laurence Fauchon, founder of HelperChoice. “We have both – in a short period of time – established solid reputations with OFWs around the world. Our helper members know we are working to disrupt the industry and make illegal fees and charges obsolete.”

“Our partnership with BeamAndGo complements our helper empowerment strategy perfectly. We help domestic workers save illegal agency fees so they can provide for their families, not to waste their earnings. Sending cash home is inefficient, expensive and open to misuse. Now our members have access to a modern, safe remittance service where they can choose how and where the funds are distributed.”

Win an Ultimate Squad Meal from Casa Verde

Wazzup Pilipinas!

The Sinulog fever is on! There's bound to be a lot of visitors in Cebu for the many festivities and activities scheduled during the momentous event. Many would also be immortalizing the memories by taking lots of photos of which selfies and groupfies would be one of the most favorite things to do. 

I would be there in Cebu as well to celebrate one of the most awaited events in the Philippines. It would not be my first time in Cebu but you'd always expect something new every time you visit this wonderful place with lots of friendly people.

Gather the squad and celebrate Cebu’s most awaited festival with Casa Verde, and get a chance to win the ULTIMATE SQUAD MEAL!

Join Casa Verde's Sinulog Squad Selfie when you dine in their restaurants during Sinulog week, and get the chance to win an amazing dining experience. Go ahead and take lots of groupfie photos with your family, friends, colleagues, and relatives, for the amazing opportunity.

Below are the promo mechanics for your guidance.

Labor Games on EVE

Wazzup Pilipinas!

EVE premieres a fun, heart-warming and outrageous new game show this January. Labor Games invites viewers to share the most intimate and life-changing time in a couples' lives - inside a delivery room, while the mother is in labor!

Host Lisa Arch will surprise parents-to-be and give them a chance to win incredible prizes for their baby, before the child even leaves the womb! The couple will have to correctly answer 7 child-related questions and challenges. For each question they get right, they can win prizes such as a year supply of diapers, all leading up to the chance to win a huge chunk of money towards their baby's college tuition. As they progress in the game, contractions will get worse, emotions will rise and anything can happen in this one-of-a-kind game show. Labor Games airs Mondays at 9 PM on EVE.

Anthony Bourdain and Suddenly Royal This January on TLC!

Wazzup Pilipinas!
Explore exotic global destinations through Anthony Bourdain’s unique lens in Anthony Bourdain: Parts Unknown 5. The one-hour weekend lifestyle series follows world-renowned chef, bestselling author and multiple-Emmy winning television personality Anthony Bourdain as he travels across the globe to uncover little-known areas of the world and celebrate diverse cultures by exploring food and dining rituals. Known for his curiosity, candor and ascerbic wit, Bourdain takes viewers off the beaten path of tourist destinations, including some war-torn parts of the world, meeting with a variety of local citizens to offer a window into their lifestyles, and occasionally communing with an internationally-lauded chef on his journeys. Anthony Bourdain: Parts Unknown 5 premieres on Tuesday, January 12, at 9 PM.

Meanwhile, David Howe may seem like an average American, but he’s discovered a startling secret. He’s an heir to the throne of the Isle of Man, a descendant of its king before the land was claimed by the British Crown. For centuries now, this little island between the U.K. and Ireland has recognized no king, but that’s all about to change! David has convinced his wife Pam and twelve-year-old daughter Grace to move to the island and discover what it really means to be royalty. The all-new series, Suddenly Royal, premieres on Wednesday, January 27, at 11 PM.

Buy 1 Take 1 Piglet Riblets At Burgoo

Wazzup Pilipinas!

To open the year 2016, Burgoo is offering Buy One, Take One on it’s Piglet Riblets Combo, a combination of piglet riblets from Germany (less than three months younger than ordinary pigs, thus less fat and more healthy, clean and juicy). 

The combo comes with crunchy chicken wings and/or fried calamari, served with a choice of Oklahoma BBQ sauce, sweet sesame sauce or chipotle sauce. 

Other well-loved dishes at Burgoo worth a try are Hamburgoo, delicious pastas and pizzas, country-style fried chicken, grilled pork chops, luscious shakes, smoothies and desserts, among others.

Enjoy big savings until February 8 at all Burgoo outlets located at T. Morato in Quezon City; Powerplant Mall in Rockwell Makati; The Podium in Ortigas; Gateway Mall in Araneta Center Cubao; Robinsons Galleria in Ortigas; SM City The Block in North EDSA; Mall of Asia in Pasay; SM City Marikina; SM Southmall in Alabang, The District in Cavite; 3rd level Terraces Mall in Fairview; Starmall in Taguig; and newly-opened Burgoo in Solenad, Nuvali. 

For reservations and inquiries, please call 9277424, 8381815, 6875254, 7263578, 9136112, 5560091 or 6336256.

Combo Delicioso Buy 1 Take 1 At Gumbo

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Gumbo welcomes 2016 by treating it’s guests to a Buy One, Take One Combo Delicioso (combination of Bourbon baby back ribs, boiled shrimps, and flavored chicken wings) until February 8 at all Gumbo branches.

Other mouth-watering and well-loved New Orleans dishes at Gumbo includes Seafood Jambalaya, Bayou’s Stuffed Crabs, Shrimp Etouffe, Bourbon-Style Baby Back Ribs, Southern-Grilled Chicken Caesar, Cajun-Style Fried Chicken, Seafood Boil, New York Style Grilled Steak, Blackened Steak, Grilled Angus Rib Eye Steak, among others.

Gumbo branches can be found at the 2nd Level Entertainment Hall, SM Mall of Asia in Pasay; 3rd Level Robinsons Manila Midtown; 2nd Level SM City The Block, North EDSA: Gateway Mall in Araneta Center, Cubao; Robinsons Magnolia; and at the 2nd Level Atrium Bldg. in SM Megamall.

For reservations and inquiries, please call 5560238, 4420106, 6353015, 5671820, 4404632 and 5271925.

Globe Boosts Growth of PH Outbound Travels With Support To Country’s Biggest Travel Expo

Wazzup Pilipinas!

As official telco partner to the 23rd Travel Tour Expo, Globe complements the international travel experience with its hassle-free and true 24 hour unlimited data roaming offer Roam Surf

Globe Telecom is looking to support the growing number of Filipinos travelling abroad either for business or leisure purposes with its partnership with the Philippine Travel Agencies Association (PTAA) for the 23rd Travel Tour Expo, with Globe as official telecom partner. Globe will be showcasing its flagship data roaming service Roam Surf which offers full 24 hours of unlimited data roaming service that enables worry-free internet connectivity from over 80 countries around the world for its postpaid and prepaid customers.

According to the United Nations World Travel Organization (UNWTO), Filipinos have been identified as one of the fastest-growing travel spenders among emerging markets in 2013, with the country’s outbound expenditure growing by 18 percent, second highest in the list of top travel spenders following Turkey, which registered a 24 percent growth.

Organized by the Philippine Travel Agencies Association, Inc. (PTTA) in cooperation with the Department of Tourism and the Tourism Promotions Board, the Expo is the biggest event for the travel and tourism industry and is expected to gather over 300 exhibitors targeting travel and tourism trade practitioners, corporate and business travelers, holiday travelers, incentive and convention planners, government and business leaders, as well as direct buyers and investors. It will be held on February 5-7, 2016 at the SMX Convention Center in Pasay City.

Globe Brings Asia’s First-Of-Its-Kind E-Commerce Platform in PH to Benefit Enterprises, SMEs

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Globe Telecom is bringing Asia’s first-of-its-kind commerce platform in the country that will enable Philippine enterprises and SMEs access to cloud-based solutions and applications.

In partnership with AppDirect, a global commerce platform for selling cloud services, Globe has launched Globe AppMarket, a portal where business customers have the ability to find, try, buy and manage essential business solutions in one place with one bill and one login. It offers a collection of Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) applications such as CRM, Web Conferencing, Marketing/e-Marketing and Online Storage.

“Cloud has changed the way businesses around the world distribute and use software. Partnering with AppDirect’s robust, enterprise-grade platform will securely handle every aspect of cloud services monetization and management for Globe, including provisioning, billing, product integration, identity and access, and application management,” said Mike Frausing, Globe Senior Advisor for Enterprise and IT Enabled Services.

“The Asia-Pacific market is a strategic part of our business. Local and trusted service providers in the region such as Globe Telecom will play a key role in helping Philippine businesses gain access to the software they need, and we will lead the way in powering the cloud economy in the region and globally,” shared Lincoln J. Lincoln, AppDirect Asia Regional Director.

Wazzup Pilipinas Bloggers Post-Holiday Party: Everything Is Awesome !!!

Wazzup Pilipinas!

What started out as just a personal journal has evolved into a lifetime advocacy.

Our blog was meant to help everyone else experience the world around us, to keep everyone updated on what's happening around us, and to collaborate with everyone so we could help promote the country and its people.

This is the reason why we partner with colleges and universities and even government agencies since we believe that we can only be successful enough if we help each other out. Everyone deserves a little push towards the right path, and we would like to give more than just a pat in the shoulder.

To celebrate an almost momentous third year this coming March 2016, and to honor our correspondents, supporters and friends, we decided to give back by holding the Wazzup Pilipinas Bloggers Post-Holiday Party on January 9 to 10, 2016 at the KL Tower Serviced Residences in Makati.

We would also like to thank everyone, including our PR and brand partners, and especially our readers for always being there to support us. You will remain among our inspiration for us to continue improving our craft.

Our sincerest appreciation goes out to everyone who are helping us with this advocacy. We need more heroes in this world!!!

World Poker Tour National Philippines 2016

Wazzup Pilipinas!

The ultimate game for high stakes poker has arrived in Manila. http://www.pokerking-club.com/index.php/index National Philippines kicks off on January 2, 2016 as the Poker King Cup start on that day. 

The Legends of Poker tournament series ─ ultra-high Hawker Cup officially go to war in Cali on January 3rd, 2016. The main event buy in is at 1500 + 150 USD. 

The pool party event was held last January 4th at the Solaire Pool Club area. Poker players, celebrities, bloggers, media partners and guests enjoyed the night with overflowing drinks and great performances from The Mocha Girls, Aerial Silk and Emerald Dancers. 

We also danced the night away with cool EDM music played by our awesome DJs Ron Poe and Those Damn Nerds. Who wouldn't miss that popular song from Zedd's "Beautiful Now" which turned the crowd on a wild dancing moment. 

Animax Kicks Off 2016 with Express-from-Japan and Blockbuster Series!

Wazzup Pilipinas!

The festive season may just be over, but fans in Asia can continue to rejoice at the spectacular line-up on Animax! The first 24-hour anime channel in Asia is serving up a fresh crop of anime including express-from-Japan series GRIMGAR, ASHES AND ILLUSIONS, and blockbuster series Assassination Classroom and The File of Young Kindaichi R.

That is not all – fans of the hit Durarara franchise will also get to catch the final chapter of the new season on the same day as Japan, on Animax.

Unleashing the chaos, one final time

Adapted from the light novel of the same name, Durarara is popular among anime lovers for its engaging storytelling – each event is retold in different perspectives, making for more episodes to look forward to! Back to stir up trouble in the dangerous Ikebukuro underground are the franchise’s distinct and eccentric characters – the headless rider Celty Sturluson, Mikado Ryugamine, leader of the notorious colour gang Dollars, and his childhood friend Masaomi Kida, who incidentally is the head honcho of another gang, the Yellow Scarves. With some new characters and the return of original director Takahiro Omori, the stage is set for what’s been described as “an ending that no one will see coming”.

Durarara x2 3rd Arc premieres on the same day as Japan, on 10 January 2016 at 10pm, Sunday, Same Day as Japan.

Dakilang Sitenta: La Salle Araneta's 70th Founding Anniversary Celebration

Wazzup Pilipinas!

On our 70th year let us celebrate greatness! Let us revel in our great stories. Let us live it up and gear towards more great years in the University!

Tara sa La Salle Araneta at ipagdiwang ang ating ‪#‎DakiLangSitentA!

See you all on January 25 to 31, 2015!

The University prides itself on being the only Veterinary School in Metro Manila and the first Private Educational Institution to offer Agriculture and Veterinary Sciences in the country. What is now known as De La Salle Araneta University (DLSAU) is the former Gregorio Araneta University Foundation (GAUF). 

It started as an Agricultural School in a 60-hectare farm in San Jose del Monte, Bulacan as Araneta Institute of Agriculture (AIA) in 1946. One year later, the campus transferred to Victoneta Park in Malabon City, which has been the site until today. 

DLSAU is a member of the De La Salle Philippines, Inc., a formal association of Lasallian educational institutions in the Philippines. ‪#‎UnleashingGreatness

The Philippines’ Most Exciting Cities For Real Estate In 2016

Wazzup Pilipinas!

The Philippines’ real estate sector, despite having a somewhat restrained performance in 2015, is far from experiencing a downturn. In fact, real estate developers launched more ambitious projects last year not just in Metro Manila but in other cities as well, and these players are earmarking record capital expenditures, ensuring that the sector’s momentum is sustained over the next few years.

With this, many of the country’s cities will surely benefit from all these real estate investments. Lamudi Philippines lists down some of these cities property buyers and investors should watch out for in 2016.

1. Taguig

Taguig’s population is projected to reach almost 1 million by 2020, which will make it the NCR’s fourth more populous (after Quezon City, Caloocan, and Manila) and the Philippines’s ninth. The city’s real estate sector has been on an upswing ever since Fort Bonifacio was privatized. Several projects now are underway, most notably Megaworld’s McKinley West and Ayala Land’s Arca South. Access to and from the airport (particularly Terminals 1 and 2) and to Coastal Road will also improve when the flyover connecting C.P. Garcia Avenue to the Moonwalk Access Road and West Service Road is finally completed.

DOE Warns Public on Using LPG-refilled Butane Canisters

Wazup Pilipinas!

Due to a number of reported incidents, the Department of Energy (DOE) warns the general public on the dangers of using “LPG-refilled butane canisters” for household consumption. Butane canisters are used only on a “one time” basis and must never be refilled with LPG, which has a higher pressure than butane, and thus may cause accidents (i.e., explosion, fire, etc.) while in use.

The DOE emphasized that these butane canisters are not intended and designed to be refilled, more so with LPG. Based on existing Philippine National Standards for gas containers, only “welded steel cylinders” are designed for storage, transport and distribution of LPG for domestic consumption.

The DOE would also like to reiterate Department Circular DC2014-01-0001 which outlines the rules and regulations governing the Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) Industry, especially the sets of standards for compliance of all LPG Industry participants (i.e., refiners, importers, refillers, marketers, and even haulers). The circular also stated that illegal or “backyard refilling” of butane canisters is also strictly prohibited under the DOE rules and regulations, as its unsafe operations and substandard facilities posed danger not only within the area but also on its immediate vicinity.

DOE Reactivates Power Industry Task Force for 2016 Elections

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Cognizant of the government’s aim to hold a successful election, the Department of Energy (DOE) once again reactivates the Power Task Force for Election 2016 under DOE Department Circular DC2016-01-0001.

The Task Force, which was formed in 2010, is in compliance with the Commission on Elections Resolution No. 10023 deputizing the DOE, National Electrification Administration (NEA), National Power Corporation (NPC), National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) and the local electric cooperatives to ensure that there is adequate, stable and reliable power supply before, during and after the national and local elections in the country which will happen on May 9, 2016.

The DC particularly outlines specific duties and responsibilities of concerned national government agencies and power stakeholders, such as, ensuring availability and operation of power plants and electricity market, carrying out strategic preventive maintenance of all power facilities, and providing enough technical manpower for emergency response and security of vital power infrastructures, among others.

The Power Task Force Core Group is composed of the DOE as head and NEA, NGCP, NPC, National Transmission Corporation, Power Sector Assets & Liabilities Management Corporation, Philippine Electricity Market Corporation and Manila Electric Company as members.