Wazzup Pilipinas News and Events

Tuesday, February 9, 2016

Globe Telecom Boosts PH as Asia’s Top Tourist Destination in the World with New TPB Tie-up

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As the tourists’ preferred connectivity partner in the country, Globe elevates the local travel experience with the Traveler SIM and the Relive Wonderful Philippines video contest

Globe Telecom, through its International Business Group, has renewed its partnership with the Tourism Promotions Board (TPB) of the Department of Tourism to promote the Philippines as one of Asia’s top tourist destinations via its Visit the Philippines Again (VPA) 2016 campaign.

With the partnership, Globe will once again offer its Globe Traveler SIM to millions of tourists and returning OFWs for free for affordable and worry-free connectivity during their stay in the country. Globe is TPB’s first Philippine telco partner to offer affordable communication services to millions of foreign tourists and Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) returning to the country with the Globe Traveler SIM, a local prepaid SIM that offers affordable local rates for mobile data, calls, and SMS services.

“Staying connected is a priority for the millions of travelers around the world and we are very happy to offer our services to those who are visiting the Philippines through the Globe Traveler SIM, still available for free this 2016,” said Nikko Acosta, Senior Vice President for International Business Group at Globe. “We are privileged to once again partner with the TPB this year to help boost the travel experience with affordable call, text and data services, enabling them to stay in touch as well as share the beauty of the Philippines to the rest of the world through social media. With Globe, we ensure that even travelers get to live and embrace their digital lifestyle as their connectivity partner while in the country.”

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It’s going to be a Fabulous February at the Music Museum and Teatrino, pre- and post-Valentine.

The Thrill Factor is high as early as February 6 when Solenn Heusaff and Lovi Poe turn up the heat in a special concert at the Music Museum entitled Fantaisie: Lovi & Solenn at 8 p.m.. Confessions : A Night of Secrets, Stories and Songs featuring the fast-rising stars of Stages Talents -- Morisette Awon, Aicelle Santos, Tippy Dos Santos, Bullet Dumas, Timmy Pavino, Clara Benin and more – take center stage on February 12 at 7 p.m.

On February 13, Rico Blanco stages a diferent kind of Valentine Concert at 8 p.m. Entitled “Your Alternative Valentine”, the singer, songwriter, musician, record producer and actor is joined onstage by Never The Strangers (Ace Libre, JP del Mundo, Gab Palanca and Nash Ignacio) and the talented Meg Fernandez.

On February 19 the Music Museum stage comes alive with 3D : Davao, Dancel, Dumas, the first major concert of the three acoustic guitar phenoms playing together as a three-person-act. Johnoy Danao, Bullet Dumas and Ebe Dancel are out to capture your hearts with the Manila String Machine, the pioneering string quartet famous for performing contemporary music on their classical instruments, starting 7:30 p.m.

Arnel Pineda closes off Valentine month at the Music Museum with Love and Rock and Roll at 8 p.m. on February 27 – with the Philia Band, fronted by actress model Arci Muñoz, and Dion Ignacio on Rhythm, Kristian Uy on Lead, Tim Toribio on Bass and Paolo Pampuan on Drums.

Sweets for Your Sweet at Gumbo

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This love month enjoy a complimentary dessert at Gumbo for every order of Family or Seafood Feast at all Gumbo branches located 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.

Also recommended are Gumbo’s mouth-watering and well-loved New Orleans dishes such as 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.

On Valentines Day, all ladies will also receive free red roses from Gumbo to make the day more memorable and special. For reservations and inquiries, please call 5560238, 4420106, 6353015, 5671820, 4404632 and 5271925.

Cheesy Valentines at Burgoo

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Have a romantic and “cheesy” Valentines at Burgoo! For the whole month of February, Burgoo is giving away free Raspberry Cheesecake for an order of Shrimp and Ribs Platter – a perfect dish to share with your partner and loved ones.

Also, on Valentines Day itself, all ladies will receive lovely red roses to make the day more romantic. 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.

Visit Burgoo 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.

Alcatel Flash Joins Lazada’s Chinese New Year Promotion in SEA

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Alcatel Flash is set to join hands with Lazada to offer a New Year Gift Package to the buyers of Flash 2 phones on the largest e-commerce platform’s Chinese New Year grand sale celebration.

With the theme “No Excuse to Miss Flash 2,” the promotion is designed to show Alcatel Flash’s appreciation for the loyalty of its customers in Southeast Asia in making Alcatel a part of their everyday moments.

“We hope that through this simple promotion, we will be able to express our sincerest appreciation to all our customers who are capturing special moments using the Flash 2,” said Yogi Babria, E-Commerce Operations Director, Mobile Internet Group, TCL Communication. “Now that another fruitful year is coming in full stride, we want families and friends to stay closer especially now that we will soon reveal two new Flash 2 covers—the Rose Gold and the Mica White.”

Flash 2 has become a hot-selling product in Southeast Asia by virtue of its powerful camera features, much loved stock Android UI, and superior cost performance. The first batch of the Flash 2 smartphones was sold out in just ten minutes after the launch. It became the bestselling smartphone at the $150 price level in the entire Southeast Asia.

In the recently concluded Double 12 shopping festival in Lazada’s website, Flash 2 became the bestselling smartphone at the $150 price level and ranked second among the products in all categories in terms of sales volume.

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Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) Secretary Jun Abaya led a Philippine delegation in the Keel Laying and Safety Prayer Ceremony for the first of ten (10) new multi-role response vessels (MRRVs) for the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) held in this city last February 6.

“It is high-time that the PCG acquires these much-needed MRRVs to support the men and women of the organization in fulfilling their sworn duties,” remarked Abaya in his speech at the event.

“Through this meaningful ceremony, we appreciate the start of construction of the first vessel, and also highlight the full implementation of the Maritime Safety Capability Improvement Project (MSCIP) after many years of hard work and close cooperation with Japan,” he added.

The first vessel will arrive in the Philippines in September 2016. Succeeding vessels will be delivered quarterly beginning December 2016, until the final MRRV arrives in August 2018.

The 40-meter MRRVs are part of the MSCIP, which aims to strengthen the coastal patrol capabilities of the PCG to respond more effectively to conduct maritime law enforcement activities within the Philippine maritime jurisdiction.

Wazzup Pilipinas!

If you are ready to take a trip to Indonesia, Singapore, Malaysia, the Philippines, or any other country, there are several ways to book your flight. You can speak to a travel agent and let them make your travel arrangements, call an airline directly, or go online and book your flight. Booking your flight online is the most convenient of these three options. These advantages to booking your flight online can help you decide when to purchase your tickets.

Better Selection

When you go online to book a flight, you have access to more information that will help you select a flight that best fits your schedule. You can look up your destination and the times of the flights arriving at your desired airport so you can book Traveloka flight tickets. Also, by not having to go through someone else to book the flight, you will get the information more quickly and be able to confirm everything immediately.

Anytime Access

When you book your flight online, you don’t have to wait until the travel agency or airline offices are open in order to reserve tickets. The booking website is available to you 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and from any device you choose to use. Whether you are at work or at home late at night, you can go online, select the flight you need from Bangkok or Chiang Mai to Jakarta or Medan, and reserve tickets for your entire party.

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Filipinos will soon enjoy better access and broader flight options in travelling to other Association of Southeast Nations (ASEAN) cities, as President Benigno Aquino III signed Protocols 5 and 6 of the ASEAN Multilateral Agreement in Air Services (MAAS) last February 3.

Under Protocols 5 and 6, Philippine air carriers will be allowed to fly unlimited frequencies to and beyond the capital cities of other ASEAN nations, which will lead to better and more efficient connectivity and translate to more competitive fares and services.

“This will enhance regional trade and investment opportunities for Philippine businesses that are looking to expand their markets. It will also provide better access to Filipino individuals, such as professionals and students, who wish to explore job and educational opportunities in the ASEAN region,” said Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) Secretary Jun Abaya.

“We expect it to benefit our local tourism and service industries, as the agreement allows foreign airlines to increase their flights to Manila and other cities as well. Just as it will encourage more visitors to come to the country, Filipinos will also enjoy a wider array of flight options and ticket prices to the rest of the ASEAN,” he added.

Wazzup Pilipinas!

This 2016, Are you ready to fall?

Be engage on the grand celebration of a story of a happy and sad relation as we go deeper on the discovery of hearts and the facet of what we called relation.

This Love month, prepare your hearts as Genos Productions presents..

I DO. I DON'T.

Fall In and Fall Out Of Love with Brands

Get ready as we fill your day with love, surprises, and marketing wisdoms. This February 11, 2016. At SM Sta. Mesa, Manila, Cinema 9. 11 am - 4 pm. Registration starts at 10 am.

It's time to rave our hearts as we learn how relationships were being made between consumers and brands.

OPEN AND FREE TO ALL STUDENTS OF PUP AND OTHER UNIVERSITIES.

Event will be hosted by John Neil Laranjo and Mr Diego Bandido of Love Radio together with our Guest Speakers.

Dog Sees God: Confessions Of A Teenage Blockhead Sets Asian Premiere Feb. 12-26

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Twin Bill Theater proudly presents “ Dog Sees God: Confessions of a Teenage Blockhead ” as its maiden offering in the local theater scene beginning February 11.

Dog Sees God: Confessions of a Teenage Blockhead ” by Bert V. Royal is a very cleverly written exploration of modern teen angst as seen by Peanuts characters. As an “unauthorized parody, ” audiences will be taken on a journey by eight teenagers whose characters are so cruel, so harmful, and how they breathe a breath of reality on today's social issues of sexual relations and identity, bullying, teen violence, drug use, child sexual abuse, suicide, eating disorders, rebellion, and more.

In 2004, “Dog Sees God: Confessions of a Teenage Blockhead” was one of the breakout hits at the New York International Fringe Festival, winning the Excellence Award for Best Overall Production, as well as Theatermania's Play Award of 2004, the GLAAD Media Award for Best Off-Off-Broadway production, Broadway.com's 2006 Audience Award for Favorite Off-Broadway Production and the 2006 HX Award for Best Play.

The play revisits familiar characters from the Peanuts comic strip—Charlie Brown, his little sister Sally, Linus and Lucy, Peppermint Patty, Marcie, Shroeder, the Little Red-Headed Girl, and Pigpen—grown up and in high school. All the characters go by different names, because the play was produced as an “unauthorized parody.” (Charles M. Shulz had nothing to do with it.) Van (Linus) is a stoner; Tricia (Patti) and Marcy (Marcie) are party girls; Lucy has been institutionalized for pyromania; CB (Charlie Brown) and Matt (Pigpen) are the popular kids at school, if only because they bully everyone else; and Sally and Beethoven (Shroeder) are mistreated, disliked outcasts.

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Emerging markets real estate network Lamudi has raised EUR 29 million (USD 31.4 million) in investment to grow its operations across Latin America and Asia.

Three investors have backed the business: Asia Pacific Internet Group, which is a joint venture of Rocket Internet and Ooredoo; Holtzbrinck Ventures, a leading European venture capital investor; and current investor Tengelmann Ventures, a division of international multi-sector retailer Tengelmann Group.

Lamudi, a global real estate portal, was launched in October 2013 by German Internet platform Rocket Internet. Since that time, the company has seen significant year on year growth and achieved market leadership in several countries. Lamudi operates exclusively in the emerging markets and is currently active in nine locations across Asia and Latin America (Philippines, Indonesia, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Mexico, Colombia and Peru).

In February 2015, the venture received 16 million EUR in investment to boost its Latin American and Asian operations. A year later, an additional 29 million EUR will be invested in the business.

Hanno Stegmann, CEO APACIG, states: "We are very happy with the development of Lamudi within our portfolio. The demand for great classifieds platforms across emerging and frontier markets in the APAC region is high. Lamudi has proven a strong capability to adapt to diverse markets and offer the best user experience. We are confident to see the business growing further."

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In a brief response to the claims made by students that rallied at the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) on February 5, CHED Chairperson Patricia B. Licuanan clarified that it is too early in the year to be able to determine the number of higher education institutions (HEIs) that will increase tuition and/or other school fees.

About a dozen or so students led by Kabataan Partylist and the National Union of Students of the Philippines marched to CHED with banners, slogans and strong statements against CHED and the Aquino Administration for increases in fees in over 400 colleges and universities next year. Once again, they defaced the CHED gate with sprayed graffiti. They were accompanied by some members of the media.

As specified in CHED’s guidelines governing tuition and other school fees, higher education institutions (HEIs) have until the end of February to comply with the consultation process. The HEIs are given until April 01 to submit duly notarized documentary requirements to their CHED regional office should they decide to increase fees. Only then can realistic numbers be determined.

CHED will ensure that HEIs meet the guidelines provided by law and adhere strictly to requirements that seek to make tuition fee increases transparent, reasonable and affordable.

Issued this 5th Day of February 2016 at the Higher Education Development Center, C.P. Garcia Avenue, Diliman, Quezon City.

(signed)
Patricia B. Licuanan, Ph.D.
Chairperson

Discovery Channel Presents February Lineup

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Josh James is a hardcore hunter from the backwoods of New Zealand and Matt Tebbutt is a British chef who lives for fine food and loves foraging for wild ingredients.

They couldn’t be more different, but these two unlikely buddies have set themselves an ambitious goal – to travel to some of the toughest environments on earth and prove in just seven days that they can make incredible food from the most unlikely of ingredients.

They’ll be travelling to some of the most remote regions of earth, from the river valleys and cloud forests of Mexico, to the ancient forests and arctic wastes of Europe. And to make their quest even more of a challenge, they’ll be trying to hunt and forage for everything they need to survive with the barest minimum of equipment.

But will the struggle to tame the wild push them and their skills to the limit? Follow them on Kings Of The Wild airing February 9, Tuesdays, at 8 PM.

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Awaken your inner explorer and join Artekolasa 2016 on February 26 - March 3 as they showcase their thesis, Direksyon: A cultural awakening through means of exploration throughout the Philippines at the Mall of Asia. See you there!

DIREKSYON is the thesis exhibit of the 2016 graduating class of Fine Arts Majors in Advertising from St. Scholastica’s College-Manila. The exhibit highlights the importance of cultural preservation and cultural awareness in the Philippines. 14 places in the country will be featured, with each place presenting a problem that the students aim to resolve through different advertising and marketing strategies. The exhibit will show a variety of works, from print advertisements to TVCs, all of which endeavor to entice and inspire viewers to help achieve DIREKSYON’s goal of promoting the Philippines.

Opening Night will be on 26th of February, 6:00 pm. It will be held at the Ground Floor, North Pavilion (Near Cabalen), SM Mall of Asia. Exhibit runs till the 3rd of March, open during mall hours.

DOE Heads Special Task Force to Resolve Transmission Concerns in Mindanao

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A special inter-agency task force will now address the growing concern on the transmission tower bombings and right-of-way (ROW) issues posing economic impediment in Mindanao despite the additional 770 megawatts of power capacity coming in this year in the region.

During the Principals’ Meeting of the Mindanao Power Monitoring Committee (MPMC) held in Davao on 04 February 2016, Energy Secretary Zenaida Y. Monsada emphasized that transmission and distribution facilities are critical infrastructures in delivering electricity to the end-users (individuals, households, industries and businesses), in which bombings and ROW issues delay and hinder progress for the people of Mindanao. “We have to work all together, both the Mindanaoans and industry participants, as there can be no development without power or stable power fuels development,” she added.

The meeting was attended by representatives from the DOE, Mindanao Development Authority led by Secretary Luwalhati R. Antonino, the National Electrification Administration, the National Power Corp., the Power Sector Assets and Liabilities Management, the National Transmission Corporation (TransCo), the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP), the Mindanao Electric Power Alliance and the Association of Mindanao Rural Electric Cooperatives.

With the recent transmission situation in the area becoming of national interest, Secretary Monsada relayed that early this week, President Benigno S. Aquino created the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Security of Energy Facilities (IATFSEF) to be spearheaded by the Department of Energy (DOE).