Wazzup Pilipinas News and Events

Wednesday, February 3, 2016

SMB Owners Need to Take Heed of Productivity Gaps

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Over the past decade, globalization, shifting demographics and technological advancements have accelerated the rate of how work has changed.

Economies have shifted from labour-based to knowledge-based or even service-based. Coupled with the proliferation of technology, modern workers are now able to collaborate wherever they may be, and to work in locales best suited to completing their tasks at hand.

These changes have impacted the way we shape our work spaces, as well as the skills and capabilities we need for executives, managers and ultimately businesses to be successful. At Microsoft, we describe this new era of work, characterised by increasing globalisation, technology proliferation and a connected workforce as the New World of Work.

However, it seems that Small and Medium Businesses (SMBs) in Asia are not always keeping up; with employees feeling that their needs are not being met. A recent Microsoft online survey surveyed 2,600 SMB employees across 13 countries in Asia and found that only 61 out of every 100 employees felt their employers are enabling them to be productive, collaborative and innovative, whilst ensuring personal wellbeing in the changing world of work.

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The safety of our family is out top priority especially when we go out traveling to far destinations. I would always inspect our vehicle and make sure it is in top condition days before a trip to the province or other places where I will be going with my family for special occasions or gatherings.

The first thing I check is the status of the tires. We should remember that they are the most important parts of our vehicle that will spell the difference between safety and risk. If our tires are faulty, it may lead to serious accidents.

This is the reason why I decided to purchase brand new tires when we went to the province of Pangasinan during the holidays. I wouldn't want to risk our safety in exchange of saving a few thousand pesos. Anyway, the tires would be useful for years of usage while feeling assured that we are not in harms way.

Michelin has recently unveiled their Michelin Primacy SUV tires at a media launch at Ascott Hotel BGC on February 3. You can see that they really intend to focus on family safety as there were a couple of images depicting families traveling together in a car, of which their Michelin tires are obviously the main wheels.

The new Michelin Primacy SUV tires delivers confidence and tranquility to drive your family safely even in the most unpredictable driving conditions.

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A Philippine delegation headed by Commission on Higher Education (CHED) Chairperson Dr. Patricia B. Licuanan with Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) Acting Chairperson Angeline T. Chua Chiaco and Philippine Ambassador to Qatar Wilfredo C. Santos met on January 31 and February 1 with high-level Qatari officials including Mohd A. Alhamadi, Minister of Education and Higher Education, members of the Supreme Education Council (SEC) and officials of the Urban Planning and Development Authority (UPDA).

The mission tackled the problems faced by Filipino engineers and architects in Qatar. Qatari Law requires all engineers and architects to be registered with the Urban Planning and Development Authority (UPDA). Because Filipinos lack the usual 12 years of basic education, their Bachelor’s degrees are considered by the Qatar Supreme Education Council (SEC) as equivalent to a Diploma. Thus, Filipino professionals were prevented from registration with the UPDA. It was feared that this would result in loss of jobs for 12,000 Filipino engineers and architects.

The results of the visit were most positive and productive. The worst fears of Filipinos losing their jobs in Qatar are unfounded. Clearly the Qatari government does not want to lose the Filipino professionals who are a most valuable resource in the country. While the government is now serious about implementing the 2005 law requiring registration, they are willing to make accommodations for the lacking years in the Philippine education cycle.

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As part of AirAsia’s Corporate Social Responsibility initiatives, the airline group today simultaneously conducted a 24-hour climate awareness movement to educate and promote climate action in Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, Singapore, Myanmar, Cambodia, China, South Korea, Hong Kong, Macau, Nepal, Sri Lanka and the Philippines.

To kick-off the #Green24 campaign, the AirAsia Group replaced their iconic red logo in their social media pages for 24 hours in January 29 into a vibrant green. The airline also released a special invitation video by Group CEO, Tony Fernandes inviting the public to be proactive in protecting the environment and the earth.

In the video, which is available for viewing on AirAsia’s YouTube Channel and also posted in https://www.facebook.com/AirAsiaPhilippines/, Tony Fernandes said, “On our side of the world, not many people know about the issues that climate change poses, and we feel that the best thing for us to do is to inform people. Many of us don’t really see the problems coming, but at AirAsia we have seen the effects of climate change such as Typhoon Haiyan that struck Tacloban in the Philippines, the floods that happened around the region and massive climatic changes over the past two to three years.”

“We always look after our own mothers, and we always put our mothers first in many things. But now, it’s time we put Mother Earth first as well. It’s time we let the world know that we need to take better care of the planet we live in,” Tony Fernandes further emphasized.

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Prospective homebuyers and real estate professionals are generally optimistic about the Philippine real estate market in 2016. These are just two of the key findings of a research report recently released by global property website Lamudi Philippines (www.lamudi.com.ph).

Lamudi used data from its Q2 2014 to Q1 2015 onsite search, the results of 2015 survey involving real estate professionals and its website’s users, and its listings data to put together the research paper. Below are 11 of its key findings.

1. Metro Manila the most preferred location

In Lamudi’s survey conducted in 2015, more than half (55.05%) of the respondents cited Metro Manila as their preferred area for their property purchase, with Quezon City being the most preferred city (19.47%), followed by Makati (8.65%), and Manila (8.41%).

Cebu Province is the second most cited area by those looking for a property (6.97%), followed by the Province of Cavite (6.73%). It should be noted that these provinces are home to highly populated and popular cities for homebuyers, including Cebu City, Lapu-Lapu, and Mandaue (Cebu Province) and Bacoor, Imus, and Dasmariñas (Cavite).

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With the popularity of online news publications, it is surprising to see paper-printing publications still getting customers to read their magazines and newspapers.

Well, these would basically be the people who go to clinics, parlors, barber shops, and the likes - mostly waiting for their turn to get service.

Some would be at the lounge of hotels, serviced-residences, resorts, or similar establishments where they have complimentary newspaper subscriptions.

Others would be at the so many cafes or coffee shops offering several varieties of fraps and pastries. Those are great places to hang out and enjoy free Wi-Fi while reading the latest news about our presidential candidates or showbiz celebrities.

But nothing really beats turning the pages of the printed publication when you're laid back at your favorite coffee shops, especially when there's no Internet connection. The huge tabloids are sort of inconvenient when the tables are not big enough for both your food and newspaper, but folding up the pages still seems more fun than swiping away on a tablet or smartphone.

I can take photos, instead of screenshots, of a portion of the news, using my smartphone alongside the Spinach Lasagna, Tuna in Pumpernickle bread and the newest Frap from Starbucks - minus the baby vermin I saw from the recent TV news.

Delve Deeper Into a Cause with UP Fair: Free Fall

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TGIFFF, Thank God, It’s Free Fall Friday! Feel free to fall in love all over again this February as the UP Philippine Society of Youth Science Clubs (UP PSYSC) presents, UP Fair: Free Fall.

Free fall is the best music festival in the metro. Indulge yourself in good music, food, and company in an evening of solidarity on February 12, 2016 at the UP Diliman Sunken Garden.

Catch your favorite bands as they perform live in Free Fall. Enjoy good music from Hale, Rivermaya, Brownman Revival, The Ransom Collective, Tanya Markova, Rocksteddy, Cueshe, Barbie Almalbis, Siakol, Save Me Hollywood, joined by special performances from BP Valenzuela, Cheats, Taken by Cars, Rusty Machines, Quarter Moon, Munimuni, Built to Crash, Hug Us We’re Trees, and The Chosen Ones!.

Prepare to be enthralled as Free Fall brings you a special light show . Prepare to fall deeper in love as you witness a dazzling pyromusical to give you the best UP Fair experience. More than providing an evening of enjoyment, Free Fall unites us towards a single cause. It also inspires us to become instruments for providing a better future for our fellowmen.

The proceeds of Free Fall 2016 will fund the construction of a science library in the remote village of Balabac, Palawan. UP PSYSC is a non-government, non-profit, and non-stock organization which aims to promote the public understanding of science, technology, and the environment among the youth through conducting science activities such as seminars, symposia, summer camps, and school quiz competitions. For 45 years, it has been successfully and vigorously upholding its thrust, help us make this endeavor possible.

For ticket inquiries, please contact Lainly Quilantang (+63 998 424 7354) and Chloie Cabreros (+63 977 497 0104).

Roots Music Festival: The Culmination of UP Fair’s Week-long Activities

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The UP Economics Society and the UP Underground Music Community, along with Asia Travel, Wacoal, Zalora, YiLinker, Crescendo, Jeunesse Anion, SilverWorks, Orange Segment, Parfois, Uber, Mama Lou's, Senco Link Technologies (iStudio) amd P&P Tattoo; in cooperation with MYX PH, the Philippine Star and GIST.ph, Amplify.ph, Wazzup Pilipinas, ClickTheCity.com, RadioRepublic.ph, Greater Good Philippines, Rakista Radio, Manila Concert Scene, PhilippineConcerts.com, Rappler and MOVE.ph, Choose Philippines, WhenInManila.com, and UST TomCat bring you Roots Music Festival, an annual music festival, to be held this coming February 13, 2016, Saturday, at the UP Diliman Sunken Garden, as part of the much awaited, week-long annual UP Fair.

Established back in 2013, Roots Music Festival now caters to more than 10,000 avid concertgoers and music lovers year in, year out. Now on its 4th installment, Roots has undeniably come to be recognized as one of the best nights to attend in the UP Fair. This year, the music festival will now serve as the culmination of UP Fair’s week-long activities, and will feature performances from Parokya ni Edgar | Franco | Giniling Festival | Tanya Markova | Ebe Dancel | Typecast | Bullet Dumas | Ang Bandang Shirley | Jensen and the Flips | Lunar Lights | Better in Bed | Tard | Sour Cheeks | The Gory Orgies | Maya's Anklet | Shirebound and Busking | Sound Architects. You can thus expect an exciting and fun-filled night full of great food, great company, and of course, great music!

Our tickets are priced at P150. For current UP students, they are priced at P120. Tickets are available at all Ticketnet outlets, the UP Economics Society Tambayan (UP School of Economics), and the USC Office (Vinzons Hall Rm. 206). For reservations and inquiries, you may contact Justin Monje at +63 917 822 4031 and Fau Manzanilla at +63 917 352 0827.

Tuesday, February 2, 2016

The Entrepreneurship Club of FEU Proudly Presents E-Raise

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In line with its goal to empower small scale enterprise, The Entrepreneurship Club (E-Club) of Far Eastern University (FEU) invites aspiring entrepreneurs and seventy sari-sari store owners to take part in E-Raise on February 15, 2016 in Mandaluyong City.

This six-month program will include a comprehensive plenary discussion on the fundamentals of business, including funding, accounting, marketing, sustainability and scalability, which are of paramount importance to small time entrepreneurs.

The notable speakers invited to the seminar are Benita & Catalino Yap Foundation (BCYF) member Ronaldo De Los Santos from BCYF Advisory Council, BCYF Executive Vice President J Anton R. Yap, Ronda Palengke Initiatives founder Kevin Dela Cruz, and Strokes of Broke artist Nikky Rivera. Members of Go Negosyo, Grant Thornton Philippines and Junior Achievement Philippines will also be present at the event to share their expertise.

Aside from the valuable discussions, E-Raise will also be open for entrepreneurial consultations on general micro-business, bookkeeping, basic accounting, and regulatory process and requirements. More so, the FEU students will be in charge of monitoring the participants and mentoring them regarding sales, profit, cost accounting, pricing, and marketing aspects of business through out the program.

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"Even if it is a very tiny act of goodness and you think no one notices. Always remember that one little act of kindness can tilt the balance of an entire situation. One little act of kindness can ripple out in countless ways that you many never know about."

This is the saying that I remembered while listening to Jay Jaboneta, Firestarter and Chief Storyteller of the Yellow Boat of Hope Foundation during his talk at Mad World 2016 which was held last January 31 at SM Mall of Asia Arena. Participated by thousands of students from the different Marketing organizations of many colleges and universities nationwide.

According to him, technology can be harnessed for social good, for change and to make a difference. But ultimately, it is still our humanity that brings about change.

He also believes in HOPE - H is for harnessing your potential, O stands for Opening your wallet, P stands for Perspiring or Taking Action, and E stands for Empowering others.

The Yellow Boat became a symbol of hope for many of the children and even grown-ups at that certain town where students need to swim a river to reach their school. The Foundation that Jay has setup grew from just a Facebook status aiming to ask for help from friends which grew when his friends started to re-post.

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We no longer go online. We now live online. There has never been a time when most of us find ourselves looking at our smartphones more than a hundred times a day so we can keep connected or informed.

With so many advances in mobile apps and social media technologies, and the continued affordability of smartphones and similar devices, it has now allowed people immediate access to get and share information instantly. The immediate future seems so promising for all Marketing students because there's a bevy of tools they can use in their job.

However, it may have been so easy now to connect to consumers, yet never before has it been so hard to engage them because of so many competing products, and issues or events, around us. Since almost everyone has immediate access to obviously more affordable online media, there's a lot of clutter out there that we need to go through and clean up for our own purpose.

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The Internet Action Star was unfazed of the crowd. It seems but natural for him to face thousands of individuals, may they be the majority youth or the few adults, who were all hooked an dintently listening on what he was about to say. After all, Ramon Bautista was an online icon who has become so popular that he is now more infamous than famous.

Even though is is a known comedian, not all are impressed of his skills to make people laugh. Remember the "hipon" incident in Davao where he was declared a "persona non grata" because of a quite insensitive joke that was treated so morally wrong by the leaders of the city?

Well, that issue may have sort of put him in his place for awhile but nothing can keep a good comedian down when there are so many others that's keeping him up into a higher pedestal.

Being one of the guest speakers at Mad World 2016 held on January 31 at the SM Mall of Asia Arena proves he has never lost the devotion of the people, especially the youth who find him entertaining but educational enough to inspire them.

"Paano Maging Pogi" sorts of attracts a great deal of attention because the title is nowhere to be considered serious. I believe that is one way of reverse psychology because it made the attendees curious enough to know "how."

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Lunar Lights is an alternative rock band based in the City of Malolos, Bulacan. Started June 22, 2013, the band has played numerous gigs in Bulacan, Metro Manila and other provinces all over the country. Carrying the advocacy of writing songs about life, Lunar Lights released a single entitled “If I’m Wrong” that took its place to the charts of Myx and MTV. The first single is already playing over top radio stations in the country like Jam, Pinas, Energy, Wish, Magic and other regional frequencies. The band entered the scene and rocked Festivals, University affairs, and all the music-related shows in the country.

The members of Lunar Lights came from different influences and genres, the band consists of Rocky Villanueva on vocals, he is a graduate of Mass Communication major in Broadcasting, part-time photographer and videographer and can do multi-media related works. On lead guitars isPaul Armand Pascual who is currently working on a resident theatre company of Bulacan, he is finishing his studies to be a teacher of English in the Secondary. The keyboardist of the band isMark Aquino, who is still studying and an enthusiast of video games. Eron Dela Cruz plays the bass guitar, also a graduate of Mass Communication major in Broadcasting, Eron works as a photographer of the Provincial Government of Bulacan. Maverick Meneses, the drummer of Lunar Lights runs a family business and loves to cook different cuisines.

The five members of Lunar Lights came from different bands before the group sprouted, they committed as members of Lunar Lights and passionately working on original compositions. Right now the band is completing the line-up of songs for their debut album to be released later this year.

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The sweetest surprises come in the most unexpected circumstances.

Doug Kramer—a player in the Philippine Basketball Association who is known as GlobalPort Batang Pier’s power forward—revealed last January 31, 2016 his biggest surprise yet for his wife, Cheska Garcia-Kramer.

Cheska is a known actress, social media icon and mother to Kendra, Scarlet and Gavin. The family is widely known in the country as ‘Team Kramer.’

According to Ned Bandojo, Head of Marketing of Red Ribbon, Doug took his Valentine’s Day surprise to Cheska to new romantic heights by proclaiming his love for his wife via a 40 by 60 ft billboard along C5 Bagong Ilog Bridge in Pasig City.

“Doug found a very unusual way of showing his love for Cheska, and it is something beyond imaginable,” Bandojo said. “We, his Red Ribbon family, are really glad to be part of Doug’s pre-Valentine’s Day surprise to Cheska because this only shows how the brand complements Valentine’s. We hope that, together with our Valentine’s Black Forest cake, we were able to bring in more sweetness to their relationship and to the whole family as well.”

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Your Pambansang Blog ng Pilipinas is very grateful for being part of the Philippine International Hot Air Balloon Fiesta as one of its volunteers in helping promote the event through our blogs and social media accounts.

With the presence of the Flag of Fire or Bandera ng Apoy hot air balloon, we hope to be able to get a photo of it while we do a selfie, or at least the balloon as our background. There is nothing more special in having the Pambansang Blogger ng Pilipinas in a picture together with this hottie.

We will soon experience up close and personal coverage of the event highlights including the welcome dinner for all organizers and participants on February 10, the early morning media access to the hot air balloons grounds area while they are prep, inflated and soaring up into the sky, and the lunch and interview with the esteemed pilots who are part of the performing artists to brighten up the sky with their high-flying acts.

But not everything at the event is up in the air, there are several other attractions that can be conveniently found down on the ground like booths and exhibits of all kinds synonymous to the main event.

We will also be touring around Pampanga for amazing restaurant visits which includes a cafe owned by a famous celebrity chef of the Philippines, a spectacular Japanese restaurant, and an Asian Fusion restaurant that are all making names in Pampanga.