Wazzup Pilipinas News and Events

Wednesday, January 27, 2016

Eric Kelly: Nothing Personal, Just Business

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Filipino mixed martial artists have come a long way. Together with the fast rise of the sport, Filipino fighters have upped their games to be able to compete on the world stage. Focus on the grappling arts has taken priority while still maintaining signature striking capabilities.

Baguio City’s Eric “The Natural” Kelly (12-1) returns to the ONE Championship cage this Friday, January 29, at the Stadium Negara in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia against hometown favorite Ev “E.T. Ting (10-3).

They will do battle in a three-round featherweight main event at ONE: CLASH OF HEROES that will bring the victor one step closer to a shot at the ONE Featherweight World Championship, held by reigning champion Marat “Cobra” Gafurov.

“Training has gone well. I feel great. I’m ready,” said Kelly. “I feel strong and ready to bring honor to my country.”

Kelly, considered one of the best Filipino fighters currently on offer, came very close to a title shot back in 2014, following his scintillating victory over “Ruthless” Rob Lisita wherein he overcame sheer exhaustion and a broken nose to seal the deal via rear naked choke.

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“There are over 95,000 small to medium enterprises in the country, with each and every one having the potential to grow and compete on a global scale. With a wide assortment of online tools now within reach, there is no better time to be an SME than today,” said Reynaldo Huergas, President of IPC (IP Converge Data Services, Inc.), a local cloud services and data center pioneer.

According to data from the research agency We Are Social, the Philippines harbors an Internet penetration of 44 percent. For businesses, this translates to the opportunity to engage almost half the total population via the Internet, and ultimately, cultivate huge potential for growth.

Customers are largely mobile, with about 32 million active mobile Internet users in the Philippines. This makes going digital and embracing the consumerization of IT, now more critical than ever. Enterprises need to be easily reached by their customers via various channels such as social media, email and mobile. “People want information in real time and if they can’t get it from you, they’ll get it from your competitors. Business is lost,” said Huergas.

Huergas said that 2016 is also the time to tap big data and analytics. “Big data analytics can give valuable insights about your customers and target market. In essence, it uses statistics to understand customer behavior which allows for more effective campaigns and product or service developments that help achieve optimum results.”

Power Stakeholders Convene to Fast-Track Attainment of 90% Household Electrification

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The Household Unified and Strategic Electrification (HOUSE) Team spearheaded by the Department of Energy (DOE) convened yesterday (January 25) at the Legend Villas Hotel in Mandaluyong City to discuss the various commitments and implementation issues concerning the government’s Total Electrification Program for grid and off-grid areas around the country.

Energy Secretary Zenaida Y. Monsada stressed the fast-tracking of the implementation of all projects and activities to attain the Philippine Development Plan’s target of ninety percent (90%) household electrification by end of 2017. She specifically mentioned the completion of Sitio Electrification Program by end of 1st Quarter of 2016 as a commitment to the President.

Currently, the DOE is laying the foundation and strategies for the Total Electrification Program, which will center on enhancing existing distribution systems and electricity services, intensifying household electrification activities, expanding services to new areas, defining off-grid electrification program, and using renewable energy technologies, such as, solar home systems for off-grid electrification.

Under the Department Circular No. DC2014-09-0018 entitled “Prescribing the Policies for the Implementation of the Household Electrification Program and Creating the Household Unified Strategic Electrification (HOUSE) Team for the Purpose of Achieving the Country’s Total Electrification Goals,” the HOUSE Team members and technical working group include the Department of Budget and Management, Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), National Power Corporation (NAPOCOR), National Electrification Administration, and representatives from the Distribution Utilities.

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The DOST - Information and Communications Technology (ICT) Office’s Free Wi-Fi Internet Access in Public Places project will be including class one and two municipalities in its roll out, in order to better reach the class three to six municipalities which were the original target beneficiaries of the project.

The decision to include class one and two municipalities initially stemmed from the low participation in the procurement of providers for the original 967 beneficiary municipalities. A reason cited by the providers was the low price of Allocated Budget for Contract (ABC) for the various municipalities. According to Undersecretary Louis Casambre of the ICT Office, “We intend to increase the budget allocation for Municipal Connectivity for the project, by around 50%, likewise, we will also be including class one and two municipalities in order to better reach classes three to six, the ones who need Internet connectivity the most.” The total number of beneficiary municipalities now stands at 1,435.

Usec. Casambre further stated that providers would need to upgrade and expand their communications infrastructure in order to serve far flung areas, and with class one and a municipalities included it would be easier for them to reach the poorer communities. “Tenders are currently being prepared for the new municipalities with the new budget, and they should be available within the month.” Usec. Casambre added. According to the Project Management Team, 1.6 billion pesos was added to the 2015 unobligated funds for the 2016 budget.

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Globe gathers students on January 30, 2015 at UP Diliman to learn how digital innovations can be used to create positive change

The continuing rise in smartphone penetration in the Philippines has allowed more individuals to get a hold of their own device and eventually learn to adapt a digital lifestyle – from social networking sites to various apps for efficiency. One’s mobile experience has immensely improved with tasks such as booking movies, restaurant seats, and even hailing cabs now having its corresponding apps for convenience.

With this fast-paced evolution, the youth now have more power than ever in their fingertips. Knowing how to maximize, adapt and embrace it the right way is what Globe Telecom advocates through the #StartNow Youth Summit. Set to be a venue for learning, the Youth Summit aims to immerse students in the latest digital trends, innovations, and applications, and further open their creative minds to innovate for the development of their future. The Youth Summit also focuses to inspire students and equip them with the tools to contribute to the greater good.

Globe #StartNow Youth Summit will be on January 30, 2015 at the University Theatre, University of the Philippines, Diliman, Quezon City. Open and free for all students, participants will be able to join various activities related to digital trends. One of the highlights is the plenary sessions headlined by select speakers specializing in different fields.

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An integrated transport hub will soon rise at the southern edge of the metropolis, as the Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) has signed the Concession Agreement for the South Integrated Transport System (ITS) with the winning concessionaire today.

“With the South ITS connecting different modes of transportation and services, we can guarantee the public more efficient and seamless transfers. It will also improve traffic flow and reduce congestion in Metro Manila, as it will serve as a transfer point for provincial buses entering the metropolis,” said DOTC Secretary Jun Abaya.

The 35-year concession agreement with Arca South Integrated Terminal, Inc., which is fully owned by Ayala Land, Inc., was signed following the firm’s submission of the lowest annual grantor payment at P277.9 million and the fulfillment of all post-award requirements.

Construction is set to commence in September 2016. As a Private-Public Partnership (PPP) project, private sector efficiency can be expected once the hub is fully operational.

The South ITS is one of the intermodal facilities that will be the end-point for over 2,000 provincial buses currently entering Metro Manila daily, effectively decongesting main thoroughfares. Moreover, it will allow convenient in-city public transport transfers, as railway lines, city buses, taxis, and other public utility vehicles servicing inner Metro Manila will be made available.

The terminal will be situated in a 5.7-hectare plot of land in the FTI Compound along SLEX, and will be connected to the North-South Railway Project.

Top 10 Facts You Should Know About Miss Universe Pia Alonzo Wurtzbach

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Thousands of people all over the Metro waited and cheered at our Miss Universe of the Philippines. On Monday, January 25, 2016, was the grand homecoming parade of Pia Alonzo Wurtzbach. Her parade float was inspired by her $300,000 Miss Universe crown. Blue was the color of the day, but she was wearing a green Filipiniana gown.

True enough, Pia shines as she waves to the people all around her float. The queen tirelessly waves from the Miss Universe float for several hours during the motorcade. The last time the Philippines saw a crowd like this was during the visit of the Pope. Now it is the homecoming of another P - Pia. It's almost the same majestic welcome for our Pambansang Kamao Manny "Pacman" Pacquiao. "Like our boxing champ Manny "Pacman" Pacquiao (who is by the way another P), Pia unites our nation at a time when various issues divide us. Except that she comes in a prettier package."

"We're so happy to have an up close look with Queen Pia! What an amazing crowd in Ayala. The only parade which was supported and participated by thousands of employees of the Central Business District of the Philippines."

Pia is the third Filipina to win the title, ending a title drought of 42 years for the Philippines.
The Philippines last took home the crown in 1973, courtesy of Margie Moran. It was a short wait after the victory of Gloria Diaz in 1969.

Pia inadvertently won the most awkward Miss Universe moment in history after its host Steve Harvey wrongfully crowned Miss Colombia Ariadna Gutierrez as Miss Universe 2015. Gutierrez had to be decrowned on the live telecast to give way to the rightful queen.

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The University of the Philippines’ annual UP Fair in its Diliman campus is always a much-anticipated event for the campus’ students and for non-students alike as this week-long festivity pools together the most sought-after local bands of the generation.

For the second and stronger time around, in keeping with UP Fair’s tradition of bringing only the best in the local music industry, the UP Junior Philippine Institute of Accountants proudly bring you Elements! Having set a high standard last year, this year’s event will aim to maintain the same high quality experience to the concert-goers with 20 of the finest talents to bring the house down with some sweet rock ‘n roll.

On the third day of the UP Fair, catch gloc-9, Callalily, Spongecola, Pupil, Sandwich, Moonstar88, Chicosci, 6cyclemind, Imago, Pedicab, Gracenote, Banda ni Kleggy, Lunar Lights, The Marty's, Stellar, Sunday Radio, BennyBunnyBand, Android-18, Runway Hits, and Eulysis perform live as they shake the ground and rock the night.

February 11, 2016 will be a celebration for the Filipino community, highlighting the beauty and diversity of the OPM industry with the different genres to be showcased, and underscoring the significance of transparency in the upcoming National Elections.

All the elements are complete for an awesome evening; you’re the only one missing.

Mass Media Awareness Month Bridges Industry And Academe

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The College of Mass Communication Student Council (CMCSC) on February will hold a month-long campaign to raise awareness on recent media issues in an attempt to link the industry with the academe.

Under the Mass Media Awareness Movement, the month will be stocked with events under the theme, “Retrospective x Prospective,” a way of looking back to the past in order to move forward.

Launching February 2, a series of events will be held that will suggest new and revolutionary ways to bring the media to the students, and vice versa.

Separated into four parts, each week will attempt to view the media in different perspectives, ranging from the students to the whole landscape of media.

Week one features “Ansaveh?” a talkshow to raise the discourse on the topic of popular culture. The experimental program will directly involve media personalities discussing the way they conduct themselves and the content they create in the process.

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I need to watch more of Stan Lee's Lucky Man. I have not read any comics version, if ever there is, but the pilot episode seems lacking in some Stan Lee touch....but who am I to critic? Everyone is entitled to his/her own opinion, that is why effective reviews should be done by as many people as possible to accurately gauge your performance.

Anyway, I can relate because I've been so very lucky for the past almost 3 years I've been a blogger. There may be lots of bashers throwing unfounded issues against me, but still (humility aside) many award-giving bodies keep giving me awards and recognition, not only to my blog, but to me as well.

My first year was full of awards and that goes the same for the years that came after. The countless request for media partnerships that kept on filling up my inbox almost everyday is my trusted gauge - far better than relying on Alexa rankings and similar online stats.

Why? Because anything online can be easily manipulated especially if you have the financing and technical know-how. It is our performance out in the real world that truly measures how effective we are.

The real third parties are those that are not associated in any way with our own community. We cannot ask for advise among the ones in our own backyard. If we want to clearly see how we are perceived outside, it is the people belonging to a different neighborhood ( a different sector of society ) who collaborated with us in many of our endeavors.

So if you are going to ask me now if I find the TV series good or not, it would be like asking me if I liked the final episode of Heroes Reborn and the pilot episode of Legends of Tomorrow.

Yes or No?

Nothing should be left answered by a simple Yes or No. Expounding on the answer is what makes life so bittersweet yet memorably meaningful.