Wazzup Pilipinas News and Events

Thursday, March 31, 2016

DOTC: Vitangcol was Relieved Due to Conflict-of-Interest

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Reacting to former Metro Rail Transit Line 3 (MRT-3) General Manager Al Vitangcol's recent statements regarding his exit from government, the Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) confirms that Vitangcol was relieved of his duties after his undeclared conflict-of-interest in the rail system's maintenance contract was exposed.

The DOTC officials had no knowledge that Vitangcol's uncle by affinity was the incorporator of PH Trams until this fact was revealed in media. It was this apparent act of dishonesty that served as basis for his being relieved of his duties as General Manager, since all trust and confidence in him was lost.

Vitangcol even admitted under oath at a committee hearing of the House of Representatives shortly after his departure in 2014 that he was indeed relieved of his duties. He also admitted to having received the official notice of his sacking on the same day that his conflict-of-interest was exposed.

Vitangcol, who had been appointed to head MRT-3 in 2012, is now facing charges filed with the Sandiganbayan by the Ombudsman.

The Ombudsman investigated the procurement process conducted by the DOTC, and found no irregularity in the agency's actions. The DOTC has always stated that it strictly complies with procurement laws, and that it is committed to ensuring a level playing field, so that no under-the-table deals or favoritism may influence the award of its projects.

Wazzup Pilipinas!

In celebration of the International Day of Transgender Visibility, transgender leaders from different communities all over the Philippine are uniting to form a national network of transgender groups and individuals called LakanBini Advocates Pilipinas.

The network is being launched today March 31, 2016 at the Madrid Function Room of the Berjaya Makati Hotel. The network, which derives its name from the words “Lakan” (nobleman) and “Binibini” (lady), aims to become a nationwide community of transgender leaders and advocates that serves as a voice for transled advocacies on equality and access to health, well-being, and human rights services. It is composed of 16 organizations from Metro Manila, Metro Cebu, and Zamboanga Peninsula.

“I came from a city where a Comprehensive LGBT Code has just been passed into ordinance and what I would like to see is that equal access to services and protection against discrimination is not only enjoyed in selected cities but also all over the country,” says Salma Cortes, LakanBini Chairperson. Marie Isabelle Eguia, LakanBini Secretary, added “we would like to see transgender people from the provinces having the recognition and acceptance as those from Manila (and other cities).”

With the main message “Kasali ang mga ‘trans’ sa pagbabago,” Lakanbini is led by the network’s eight (8) Trustees from Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao who belong to different organizations and represent transgender men, transgender women and transgender youth.

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Transfast, a US-based money remittance company, is set to open its Philippine branch through a partnership with Global Access. Customers will now be able to make transfers to about 10 countries from the Philippines in a safe, convenient and affordable way!

The Transfast Philippines Outward Remittance Service and Global Access Partnership Launch was held on Mach 31, 2016 at Marco Polo hotel in Ortigas. Attending the partnership launch are Transfast representatives Mr. Samir Vidhate and Mr. Jon Velasquez. Global Access was represented by Mr. Jerry M. Navarrete and Ms. Dina M. Simbulan. Mr. Manny B. Villar, owner of Global Access, is not be a signatory but joined the group for the photo ops.

Transfast has a growing network of over 200,000 points of payment. With Transfast, the process of sending and receiving money is more convenient and efficient than ever. You can send money at any time of day from your own home – always with the excellent value of our unique high exchange rates. Your loved ones can choose from our many convenient options for receiving funds, whether they opt for a transfer right into their bank account or a cash remittance.

In 1988, Transfast set out to provide a safe, convenient and affordable way for people to send money to family, friends – even themselves. Through their ever-growing network of over 200,000 points of payment, and their commitment to safety and security around the world.

They understand the importance of every transfer and are committed to getting your money where it needs to go as quickly as possible. Security is their absolute priority. In the brief time it takes to process your transfer they ensure that your personal and financial information is never compromised.
Here's a safe, convenient and affordable way to send money!

For more information about Transfast, please visit https://transfast.com/about-us

2016 Elections: Top 5 Presidential Candidates' Platform Guide

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On May 9, 2016, we are set to determine the next President of the country. With the pace and pressure surrounding the election, are you ready? Have you chosen your candidate?

We had our share of storms, heat waves, hurricanes and earthquakes. But nothing compares to the Philippine election season. During this time of the year, every streets of the country and television stations becomes a battlefield loaded with different landmines and crossfires, with black propagandas and false advertising being a typical scenario. And with a few weeks away left, things are in full swing and candidates are coming with guns blazing. From campaign posters to melodramatic TV advertisements, how do we make certain of their intentions for the country?

We have five major contenders vying for the highest position in the government, namely Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte, Vice President Jejomar Binay, Senator Grace Poe, Senator Miriam Defensor-Santiago, and former-DILG Secretary Mar Roxas. All have promising credentials and political background but are they up for the challenge?

Continuing the incumbent government, fighting corruption, improving the education system, constructing several infrastructures,and upgrading mass transportation to alleviate traffic congestion are among the policies of the Top 5 candidates. But of course they have their own agendas and tricks up their sleeves to set them apart from the rest.

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Seasoned actors of Philippine theatre, film, and television come together for Dulaang Unibersidad ng Pilipinas’s fourth offering this 40th theatre season, The Dressing Room: That Which Flows Away Ultimately Becomes Nostalgia and its Filipino translation, Ang Dressing Room: Kung Saan Lubusang Pangungulila ang Dulot ng Agos ng Panahon.

Frances Makil-Ignacio, Ces Quesada, Missy Maramara, Roeder Camañag, Andoy Ranay, Gwyn Guanzon, and Ian Ignacio topbill the 1977 post-war Japanese play by Shimizu Kunio, translation adapted by Chiori Miyagawa from an original translation by John Gillespie. Alexander Cortez’ direction features an all-female cast for English version and an all-male cast for the Filipino version translated by Palanca Hall of Famer, Nicolas Pichay.

The play within a play tells the stories, frustrations, memoirs and aspirations of four actresses preparing backstage (gakuya, in Japanese) and waiting for their cue to enter onstage. All actresses express their desire to perform the lead role and their obsessive coveting for it ignites a comic yet dramatic narrative about shared memories and their relationship with each other. The Dressing Room… is a tender and humorous drama about actors, the theatre, aging, surviving and moving on.

The artistic team is composed of Dexter M. Santos (choreography), Ohm David (set design), Meliton Roxas Jr. (lighting design), Faust Peneyra (costume), Jethro Joaquin (sound design), Jean Edfhel Pascual & JC Bautista (dramaturgs-in-training), Patricia Balboa (video design) Stephen Viñas (assistant choreography), Garett Picardal (lights apprentice), Jojit Lorenzo (photography), Gwyn Guanzon (art direction for pictorials), Riza Romero (make-up designer for pictorials), and Pow Santillan (poster design).

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Ready to end March the SLOSH way? Worry not 'cause the UPLB Economics Society's back to give you the #WettestWildestBrightest SLOSH ever. SLOSH: Illuminance is an annual benefit party and it's on March 31, 2016 (Thursday) at Spring Memories Resort, Solemar del Pansol, Calamba. Our chosen beneficiary is Puypuy Elementary School, Brgy Puypuy, Bay, Laguna.

Prepare to dance all night with beats from DJ Callum David and the duo, Everyday People. SLOSH: Illuminance’s official liquor partner is Bacardi Philippines. Co-presented by John Robert Powers, ZALORA, El Burrito Los Banos. In cooperation with SM Accessories and Hawk Bag. Special Thanks to Lil Orbits Los Banos, Pizza Pop, Big D’s and Yelo Ni Dok.

VIP – PhP349 | Minor Sponsor – PhP299 | Gold – PhP269 | Regular – PhP220 | Door Price – PhP250

For tickets and details, you can like our FB page, facebook.com/uplbslosh or follow our Twitter account @sloshuplb. Party with the organization that brought you the first pool party from UPLB as we get #BrighterThanEver.

Teatro Tomasino Reimagines Bob Ong’s Novel

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For its 38th season, Teatro Tomasino presents its second major production of the year — a stage adaptation of a popular novel of Bob Ong. The stage play runs from April 20-22, 2016, with shows at 10 A.M., 1 P.M., 4 P.M., and 7 P.M., at the Albertus Magnus Auditorium, University of Santo Tomas.

Retitled as “Ang Favorite Book ni Jude,” the play conveys a socio-political and quasi-religious message through exploring the life of the protagonist Jude as he struggles to find redemption of faith in his experience of the afterlife. The stage play is directed by Ron Biñas and adapted for the stage by Eljay Castro Deldoc. Likewise, the production showcases professional designers, namely: Io Balanon for set and props, D Cortezano for lighting, and Philstage Gawad Buhay 2014 awardee Carlo V. Pagunaling for costume and makeup.

Teatro Tomasino is the official university-wide student theater organization of the University of Santo Tomas. For ticket queries, contact Jenny at 09062369492 or visit Teatro Tomasino's Facebook page.

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The National Basketball Association (NBA) and CloudFone, the flagship mobile phone and tablet brand of Cellprime Group, one of the Philippines’ top technology companies, announced today a new multiyear marketing partnership.

CloudFone will engage consumers by providing access to NBA content on its mobile devices, interactive digital campaigns and NBA-themed phone accessories. Additionally, CloudFone will be integrated into the NBA’s marquee events in the Philippines, including the Jr. NBA/Jr. WNBA Philippines presented by Alaska, the league’s global youth basketball participation program, as well other initiatives such as NBA FIT and NBA 3X Philippines.

“CloudFone is venturing into lifestyle pillars such as sports, music, and entertainment, and partnering with the world’s biggest brands to deliver content and experiences that enhance the lifestyle of our consumers,” said CloudFone Chief Executive Officer Eric Yu. “Globally, the NBA is the pinnacle of sports lifestyle and a brand that our consumers relate to, admire, and trust. Together with the NBA, CloudFone will elevate the way Filipinos enjoy basketball by allowing fans to always stay connected to the game through our affordable mobile devices.”

“We are constantly striving to find new ways for Filipino fans to connect with our game, and CloudFone shares our commitment to innovation,” said NBA Philippines Managing Director Carlo Singson. “Through this new partnership, CloudFone will provide fans access to NBA content on its consumer-friendly, world-class devices.”

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In every disaster that hits the Philippines, strength and resiliency emanate as prevailing Filipino traits. But where do they get their strength of character when life’s greatest challenges come their way?

That strength of character came as a result of years of nurture, which started from their very own homes.

BEAR BRAND PMD leveraged its efforts to nourish Filipino families to good health when it first kicked off its Laki sa Gatas (LSG) campaign, which has since benefited almost four million children, three million parents and 168,000 teachers since 2006. Through the LSG, BEAR BRAND PMD raised awareness on micronutrient deficiency, which is one of the major public health concerns in the Philippines.

On its 10th year, BEAR BRAND PMD relaunches its long-running nutrition education advocacy from Laki Sa Gatas to Laki Sa Tibay as proof of the brand’s commitment to continue strengthening the TIBAY of Filipino children, towards achieving their ambitions. For BEAR BRAND, TIBAY is facing life’s challenges by having strength of body, mind and will, achieved through a healthy lifestyle and proper nutrition, with everyday milk drinking at the center. Through the launch of LAKI SA TIBAY in 2016, BEAR BRAND PMD aims to reach more public schools per year to engage more teachers, parents and school-children on the role that TIBAY plays for them to achieve their ambitions.

With the Laki sa Tibay in place, BEAR BRAND PMD will be highlighting the vital role played by a healthy lifestyle, with everyday milk drinking at its core. This ensures that every Filipino child has the right Tibay ng Katawan, Kalooban at Isipan in overcoming life’s biggest challenges.

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Forty bright and beautiful candidates vying for titles at this year’s Binibining Pilipinas 2016 pageant were presented to the media, the partners, and guests at Novotel Manila Araneta Center on Tuesday, March 29.

Stunning everyone in their swimsuits, the candidates charmed the illustrious guests with their confidence and stage presence. The ladies also let their personalities show at the photo call by the hotel’s pool side.

This year’s exciting roster consists of local pageant winners, graduates from top schools, artists, sports and fashion enthusiasts, and working professionals who excel in their respective fields. Representing various provinces in the country, the Top 40 candidates bested hundreds of aspirants that went through rigorous screenings in January.

It’s going to be a tough competition this year following the stellar successes of the reigning beauty queens. The historic win of Pia Wurtzbach at the Miss Universe 2015 pageant became a shining moment of glory for our country. The winning streak also continued with Anne Colis winning the Miss Globe 2015 title; as well as the impressive showing of Parul Shah, Miss Grand International 2015 3rd Runner-up; Christy McGarry, Miss Intercontinental 2015 1st Runner-up; Rogelie Catacutan, Miss Supranational 2015 semifinalist; and Janicel Lubina who made it into the Top 10 of the Miss International pageant, and was awarded Best Dresser.