Wazzup Pilipinas News and Events

Tuesday, March 8, 2016

Stella Artois Pours The Perfect Pint

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Enjoying an ice cold beer sometimes goes beyond the act of merely drinking it straight from the bottle. Beer enthusiasts are beginning to realize that there are some things worth waiting for—and in the case of Stella Artois, it means understanding the importance of a properly and perfectly poured beer.

Belgian beers are traditionally served in unique glasses designed to draw out the flavor and accentuate the profile of a particular brew. For Stella Artois, that glass is the Chalice. The classic 9-Step pouring ritual uses the Chalice's curves, stem and signature gold rim to create the perfect drinking experience that of our Stella Artois fans palettes long for.

“The brand has a time-honored, nine-step ritual that hopes to give Stella Artois fans around the world the same experience they would get if they enjoyed a pint in Belgium. Backed by hundreds of years of brewing experience, there’s only one way to pour a Chalice of Stella Artois,” explains Chester Cabrera, Marketing Manager of Booze Online Inc, Stella Artois' official and exclusive distributor.

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Air Sports in the Philippines is evolving. Paragliding is the up and coming new airsport which will hopefully be included in the SEA Games 2017 Malaysia, Asian Games 2018 Indonesia, 2019 SEA GMAES Philippines, 2020, Olympic Games Japan. Many countries are asking the NOC and IOC to include it.

For those who are unaware what paragliding is, Wikipedia explains paragliding as "a recreational and competitive adventure sport of flying paragliders: lightweight, free-flying, foot-launched glider aircraft with no rigid primary structure. The pilot sits in a harness suspended below a fabric wing comprising a large number of interconnected baffled cells. Wing shape is maintained by the suspension lines, the pressure of air entering vents in the front of the wing, and the aerodynamic forces of the air flowing over the outside.

Despite not using an engine, paragliders flight can last many hours and cover many hundreds of kilometers, though flights of one to two hours and covering some tens of kilometers are more the norm. By skillful exploitation of sources of lift, the pilot may gain height, often climbing to altitudes of a few thousand meters."

For 20 years at the Philippine International Hot Air Balloon Fiesta, this is the first time that a paragliding was included. Paragliding is free flying, without any motor, usually foot launched from a cliff. The Balloon fest is done in the Clark airport so since it’s flatland, paragliding is not usually included during this event.

This year was different. For the first time, PPHGA (Philippine Paragliding and Hang Gliding Association) was responsible for the segment of paragliding in the balloon fest in Clark, Pampanga.

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William "Bill" Shaw writes about the typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan) tragedy but is focused more on the stories of the survivors from Tacloban. I attended his Book Launch a few days ago on the 18th of February at Nuvo Bar, Greenbelt 3 in Makati city.

The book is entitled "Yolanda: The Roaring, The Waves, The Waiting" about the typhoon that happened two years ago but brought a lot of despair throughout the Philippines striking Tacloban as among the worst to be hit by the disaster.

There were several lives and properties lost during that day when the sudden flash floods hit and the worst is for the ones left behind, the survivors, who were left without the presence of their loved ones anymore. The hardest part was the times when they were looking for their families when they got separated during the typhoon and hoping they survived. The saddest is when realizing they are gone, and even more devastating is not finding them at all. There were around 6, 300 recorded dead and maybe more since it is difficult to accurately get the numbers especially for provinces like Tacloban.

I am a victim also of a typhoon but it was Ondoy that struck us here in Metro Manila. I was in Pasig that day when the floods engulfed our business establishment where we run a computer rental business. It was a weekend so our children were with us that day and you can't imagine the fear we had when we couldn't even guess when the storm will stop and how high the waters will get. We were actually on the rooftop waiting to be saved but the authorities would only reach us the following day and would not even make efforts to rescue us as most of our areas were 10 feet or more under flood water. So were left there on the roof waiting for the waters to subside.

Wazzup Pilipinas!

SAP gives out support to help improve operational efficiency and achieve social objectives of 4 social enterprises and non-profit organizations namely GKNomics of Gawad Kalinga, Silid Aralan, Teach for the Philippines and for the 2nd time, Messy Bessy Cleaners.

They sent out 12 of their top talents from Europe, US, Latin America and India to come to the Philippines for a 1 month engagement with the mentioned 4 organizations to help them out in automating and improving their almost manual processes. The SAP employees leveraged their expertise in areas such as strategy, marketing and IT, to guide the four social enterprises and non-profit organisations in the Philippines on issues pertaining to marketing development, strategy expansion, infrastructure design, and expansion planning.

At a press conference held at the SAP Bonifacio Global City office, all of the 4 social media enterprises and non-profit organizations involved, as well as the SAP employees who were with them throughout the month-long sabbatical program, The press conference was led by Scott Russell, COO of SAP in Asia Pacific and Japan, and Ryan Poggi, Managing Director of SAP, who answered all inquiries from the media. I have everything on video and hopefully could share with you some of the highlights and quotable quotes when I find the time to transcribed the talks and discussion.

The representatives of the social media enterprises and non-profit organizations in attendance at the press conference were Krie Lopez of Messy Bessy Cleaners, Angel Ramos of Teach for the Philippines, Arcie Mallari of Silid Aralan, and Aimee Gloria of GKNomics.

Besides the Philippines, the SAP Social Sabbatical program was also taking place in Myanmar and Gabarone, Botswana, with plans to extend to Kigali, Rwanda, in July 2016.

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Get ready for the biggest campus motorshow on the metro as the UP Gears and Pinions proudly presents the 21st RevUP! Diliman Motorshow on March 19, 2016, at the University Avenue, University of the Philippines - Diliman.

This annual event gathers car enthusiasts from all over to witness a dazzling array of automobiles, ranging from timeless restored classics to customized cars. RevUP! will also be playing host to an RC Drift competition and a miniature car displays.

As UP Diliman’s premier mechanical engineering student organization, the UP Gears and Pinions aims to pursue excellence in their field for the benefit of society. To further this advocacy, RevUP! Diliman Motorshow 2016 will be featuring “The Diliman Exhibit”, an on-ground exhibit that aims to educate visitors with new technologies in vehicle production, as well as to showcase the galing-ng-pinoy creativity and innovation in the field of automobiles.

The RevUP! Diliman Motorshow is open to visitors throughout the day and will be culminating in an evening program. Fun activities and prizes await those who will partake in the event.

For registrations, please fill-up our online registration form: http://tiny.cc/revupregform, for other inquiries, please visit: https://www.facebook.com/diliman.motorshow.revup.

Monday, March 7, 2016

Australian Embassy and SM Cares Hold Women Entrepreneurs: Building Stronger Communities Trade Fair

Wazzup Pilipinas!

In celebration of International Women's Day and National Women's Month, many companies and organizations has made valiant efforts in highlighting the importance of women in our society. Undeniably, women play a vital role in today's society. There are so many success stories involving women all over the world, including our country, the Philippines.

One of these is the Women Entrepreneurs: Building Stronger Communities trade fair and exhibit organized by the Australian Embassy in partnership with SM Cares.

Amanda Gorely, Australian Ambassador to the Philippines, and Annie Garcia, President of SM Supermalls where at the opening ceremonies held at SM Aura Ground Floor Atrium at around 10:30 am on March 7, 2016.

The fair showcases 11 organizations namely the Antique Development Foundation, Caritas Manila, Gifts and Graces Fair Trade Foundation Incorporated, Green Earth Heritage Foundation Philippines, Handicraft of Aklan Multi-Purpose Cooperative, Katungod han Samarena Foundation Incorporated, Lake Sebu Indigenous Women Weavers Association Incorporated, Philippine Christian Foundation, Philippine Foundation for Resources Management, Simbag sa Pag-Asenso Incorporated, and the Southern Partners and Fair Trade Center Incorporated.

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Different shoppers have different spending habits. If you’re the type to prefer managed spending through installments but do not have or do not want to use a credit card, this may be the perfect solution for you. Now more Filipinos can purchase the gadgets, appliances and other electronics that they need to make life more convenient at affordable installments through Home Credit Philippines.

Following its success in Metro Manila and neighboring provinces in Luzon, Home Credit Philippines, an international consumer finance company, heeded the demand from customers and partners, and recently expanded its operations to Cebu City and Pampanga to make its financing services available to more consumers.

“At Home Credit, our aim is to allow consumers to afford the things that they need to live a better life. While some of these products may seem heavy on the pocket at the onset, we offer affordable installment plans that will allow them to make a purchase and take home the goods right then and there. One of the best things about it, aside from the no-fuss process, is that there is no need for a credit card,” said David Minol, CEO of Home Credit Philippines.

Availing of Home Credit Installment is easy, simple and fast. Everyone can apply by presenting at least two valid IDs, completing an application form, and paying the downpayment. Applications are then processed within 30 minutes, after which, shoppers can leave the store with their purchased goods.

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Jr. NBA/Jr. WNBA Philippines 2016 presented by Alaska Regional Selection Camp at the Don Bosco Technology Center in Cebu welcomed 333 young players across Visayas including Bacolod, Bohol, Cebu, Cagayan de Oro, Cebu, Iloilo, Leyte and Samar. Staged for the fifth time in Cebu, the league’s global youth basketball participation program awarded eleven 13-year old kids composed of eight boys and three girls with a ticket to the National Training camp in Manila from April 22-24.

Harold Alarcon and Fritz Felix Valencia of Bacolod Tay Tung High School; Justin Atilano and Tracy Carl Dadang of the University of San Carlos; Lowell Jhan Francis Chan and Anskie McLouisee Respina of Sacred Heart School-Ateneo de Cebu; Nicholas Steven Pura of St. John’s Institute of Baclod and Kendall Limana of Avellana National High School of Cebu are the Jr. NBA representatives, while Daphne Nardo, Darlene Regasajo and Jill Florence Talas of Avellana National High School comprise the Jr. WNBA representatives of Visayas to the National Training Camp.

The young athletes showcased their talents during drills and scrimmages while exemplifying the Jr. NBA/Jr. WNBA core S.T.A.R. values of Sportsmanship, Teamwork, a positive Attitude and Respect throughout the camp. The National Training Camp will host the kids from Visayas who will compete against other top players chosen from Regional Selection Camps held in Baguio and Davao as well as the upcoming camp in Manila. The players will have the opportunity to be among 10 Jr. NBA and 5 Jr. WNBA Philippines All-Stars who will participate in an overseas NBA experience later in the year.

Wazzup Pilipinas!

This Lent, Gumbo offers sumptuous seafood dishes you should not miss!

Top of the list are: Prawn Barbecue, Cream Dory Mango, Steamed Pacific Clams, Cheesy Baked Oysters, Jumpin’ Shrimp & Peel, Calamari Friti, Shrimp Remoulade, Cajun Blackened Salmon, Ultimate Seafood Feast, Seafood Boil, Oyster Rockefeller, Fish Aglio Olio, Blackened Norwegian Salmon, Seafood Jambalaya and Seafood Gumbo.

Likewise, highly recommended is Gumbo’s Seafood Aglio Olio, made of generous amount of fresh shrimps, clams, mussels and calamari sautéed in olive oil and garlic, seasoned with Cajun spices and green onions. Indeed, these seafood treats are the best and healthy alternative this season.

Gumbo is 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; 3rd Level Gateway Mall in Araneta Center; 2nd Level Atrium Bldg. in SM Megamall and Robinsons Magnolia in Manila.

For reservations and inquiries, please call 5560238, 4420106 and 5271925.

Sumptuous Alternatives At Burgoo This Lent

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Looking for sumptuous alternatives for meat this lent?

Try these Burgoo’s meatless offerings without sacrificing your cravings! From appetizers, salads to pasta, pizza and main entrees, Burgoo has made available meatless yet sumptuous dishes for your dining pleasure.

Try these sumptuous alternatives this lent such a Mozzarella Sticks, Fried Calamari, Gambas al Ajillo, Seafood Caesar Supreme, Shrimp Pomelo Salad, Frutte de Mare and Garden Fresh Pizza, Seafood Jambalaya Pasta, Seafood Linguini, Linguini with Clams, Shrimp Arrabiatta, Tomato Basil Spaghetti, Shrimps and Chips, Seafood Jambalaya,, Spinach Grilled Salmon, and Friday Fish Fry.

For sweet endings, highly recommended are Raspberry Cheesecake, American Fruit Salad, Brownie ala Mode, etc.

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, The Terraces Mall in Fairview, Starmall Prima in Taguig and the newly-opened Solenad 3 in Sta Rosa Laguna.

For reservations and inquiries, please call 9277424, 8381815, 6875254, 7263578, 9136112, 5560091, 6336256 or 4420115.