2nd Philippine Healthcare & Social Media Summit

Wazzup Pilipinas!
We are looking forward to attending the 2nd Philippine Healthcare & Social Media Summit at the PICC plenary room 2-3 on April 21, 2016. 

Also known as the #HealthXPh, the first summit held on February 2015 was #HealthXPH’s way of bringing the virtual discussions in a weekly tweet chat to the real world. This second summit takes a step further by forging partnerships that can bring the event “from click to brick.” The organizers would like to translate retweets, shares and likes to concrete action that can transform healthcare.

Each session will be a mini-workshop where participants are expected to come up with an output, be it a social media policy, a social media research proposal, a list of best practices in using social media for advocacy, using social media tools for education or a patients' manifesto for social media.

Presentations are geared towards helping the participants come up with output. Because of time limits, #HealthXPh hopes to foster collaboration among participants to enable them to continue working together beyond the summit.

Registration starts at 7:30 am and ends at 5 pm for a group photo.

See you all there!

Get More Value from Your Budget with Sun Postpaid’s No Lock-In Plan 499

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Getting your very own postpaid plan has just become much easier as Sun rolls out its new and flexible value-rich offer with the Sun Postpaid No Lock-In Plan 499! With this new offer, you’re assured to get the most of your hard-earned cash with the inclusions that you wouldn’t get from the competition.

Through the new Sun Postpaid No Lock-In Plan, practical Pinoys can now enjoy unlimited All-Net texts, unlimited calls to Sun, Smart and TNT, Non-Stop Facebook, and a whopping 1GB worth of data for mobile surfing. This trumps the competition’s offer, which includes 500MB of mobile surfing with music streaming and unlimited calls to the same network — and this offer costs 100 pesos more than what Sun provides!

Truly, you get more than what you pay for from Sun. From the massive amount of inclusions that will help you become more entertained and productive, you can never go wrong with Sun’s No Lock-In Plan 499.

So why settle on a plan that gives you less than what Sun provides? Look no further and enjoy a lock-in free plan that gives you more than what you pay for via Sun Postpaid No Lock-In Plan 499.

For more information on this and Sun’s other practical offerings for those who yearn to get more than what they pay for, visit http://suncellular.com.ph/.

Developers are Invited to an Election 'Hackathon'

Wazzup Pilipinas!

As part of the #BilangPilipino campaign for the upcoming 2016 presidential elections, TV5 announced that it would be staging a data-driven "hackathon" where developers, mobile app makers, and designers can collaborate and create relevant mobile apps and websites that will help voters make an informed decision come election day.

Dubbed "Hacksyon: The #BilangPilipino Hackathon", organized in cooperation with mobile leader Smart Communications, Smart Developer Network (Smart DevNet), Voyager Innovations, PayMaya Philippines, and DevCon Philippines, the hackathon is set to happen from April 16 to 17 at the National College of Public Administration and Governance in the University of the Philippines Diliman campus.

Developers who want to join the hackathon may pre-register for free by visiting http://www.eventbrite.com/e/hacksyon-bilangpilipino-hackathon-registration-24388696247.

"The 2016 elections is a pivotal time in our collective history as a country, made even more interesting by the rise of emerging digital and mobile technologies. And with majority of voters falling under the 18 to 34 age bracket --the so-called 'millennial' generation-- who are immersed in these digital platforms, mounting 'Hacksyon' is but a natural step in getting them engaged in nation-building, and through an activity that appeals greatly to their digital pursuits," explained Roby Alampay, InterAksyon.com and BusinessWorld Editor in Chief.

Creating a Wonderful Sunday for Kids with Special Needs

Wazzup Pilipinas!

“Feels like we’re kids all over again!,” exclaimed Chris Castillo after being a “kuya” to his adopted sibling during the For The Kids Festival: La Viva Nino- A Carnival of Wonders held one Sunday at the De La Salle University. It was not Chris’ usual kuya role as together with 30 other Globe employees and 1,000 DLSU students and staff, they provided a fun experience for 580 special children through play, arts, crafts, and dance.

Above we see Patrick Omar Erestain of Globe Corporate Social Responsibility joining the kids in a simple modern dance exercise.

For the Kids (FTK) is a mini Olympics for children from different schools, institutions, and centers around Metro Manila who have physical, emotional, and mental difficulties and challenges. It is an annual activity being conducted by DLSU Center for Social Concern and Action (DLSU-COSCA) for the past 27 years and is a big part of the La Sallian tradition of serving kids with special needs.

“I realized that time is something I can give. A couple of hours can make a big difference. These children only need acceptance, patience, understanding, love and open-mindedness. I enjoyed the event so much since I felt like I was a part of them. They allowed me to enter their world. I volunteered because I believe we are designed to help one another. It just feels good inside to give unconditionally,” said Chris, a Finance Specialist.

Comedy Cartel and Scarlet present Scarlet Nights

Wazzup Pilipinas!
Looking for a good place to laugh & unwind on a payday Saturday evening?

Watch the Comedy Cartel's live comedy series entitled "Scarlet Nights" at Scarlet Wine Lounge at the Fort Strip BGC on April 16, Saturday, 8pm! Featuring one of GMA 7's Bubble Gang's writer Rene Cruz Jr., 

Laugh & Stack Season 1 First Runner Up Sherwin Cunanan & ABS CBN's Pilipinas Got Talent Season One Finalist - Mr. Ruther Urquia! 

Laugh 'til your face turns red w/ laughter and get your much needed comic relief! 

Reserve your tickets now! 

Call or text 09178860706 for reservations!

AFFI Reveals Roadmap for Next 5 Years

Wazzup Pilipinas!

With the Philippine economy expected to expand even more this 2016, the Association of Filipino Franchisers Inc. (AFFI) has laid out plans to further empower entrepreneurs and the role of entrepreneurship in nation-building.

In its first general membership meeting for the year, AFFI shared its “Thrive Towards 2020” strategy to CEOs and leaders of member-corporations and partners, while commemorating the milestones it set in previous years.

In his keynote address, AFFI President Jerry Ilao of Ink-All-You-Can discussed how the association introduced in 2015 a number of innovative programs geared towards its vow of empowering entrepreneurs in the country.

He pointed out AFFI’s most successful activities last year including the first ENTREPRUN; the Business Unusual where experts shared their knowledge on intellectual property and labor law; and the AFFI Open House which provided a glimpse of how some of AFFI’s biggest member-corporations started, how they operate, and how they continue innovation inside their companies.

AFFI is also known for its unique mentoring programs from seasoned entrepreneurs who have made it their advocacy to help new businesses grow. At the 14th Franchise & Business Expo last October 2015, the association introduced the Business Journey where participants were taught and guided every step of the way in looking for and securing a business or franchise. The program included one-on-one mentoring sessions with owners and CEOs of successful AFFI enterprises.

Mr. Ilao describes being part of the Business Journey as “one of those moments that you feel blessed to be an entrepreneur, knowing that somehow, you were able to give inspiration to another person and make a difference in their lives.” 

BIR and GCash Relaunch 1st E-Tax Filing and Payment System in PH

Wazzup Pilipinas!
The Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) in partnership with GCash mobile money service, is set to re-launch the first electronic filing and payment system in the country on Apr 12, 2016. Together with the USAID Facilitating Public Investment Project and the USAID E-PESO Activity, these computerization and digitization reform measures aim to improve tax collection and administration, curb corruption, and strengthen business climate in the country.

“Sa patuloy na pagbayad ng tamang buwis, patuloy ang pag angat ng Pilipinas” [the continuous payment of right taxes will continue and sustain the growth of the Philippines], said BIR Commissioner, Kim Henares. The bureau aims to increase funding contribution for the country’s growing needs for basic infrastructure and social programs necessary to reduce poverty, thus, the government continues to push for the growth of the country’s fiscal space.

Globe Telecom complements government tax collection efforts by creating financial technology highways through its new wholly-owned subsidiary, Mynt. It designs revolutionary ways on how products and services are provided as it leverages on its telecommunications infrastructure, mobile money platform, and micro financing expertise.

Mynt is the holding company of G-Xchange, Inc. which operates GCash. “We are thankful for the confidence given to us by the BIR. Through GCash we aim to provide easy access to government services using financial technology solutions over mobile phones and simple person-to-person transfers that are reliable, more convenient and affordable,” said John Rubio, CEO of Mynt.

Marquez Takes His First Michelin Victory After A Dramatic Race-Day In Argentina

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Michelin’s MotoGP debut at the demanding Termas de Rio Hondo circuit was marked with an impressive win by Honda’s Marc Marquez after an eventful day at the Argentinian track.

Following yesterday’s incident with Scott Redding’s rear tyre and the subsequent decision to withdraw both rear tyres from this weekend’s proceedings, heavy overnight rain meant the riders couldn’t test the extra tyre so a further decision between Michelin, Dorna and IRTA was taken to make the race a two stage event on safety grounds. The riders were allowed to use the tyres that they had tested all weekend, but a mandatory rule was made that they had to pit after nine, ten or eleven laps and change to another bike with the same spec tyres. The distance was also reduced to 20-laps to accommodate the extra safety measures.

The race started under heavy cloud, but the track had dried out sufficiently to allow for some competitive and exciting racing. Pole-setter Marquez got a good start, before Jorge Lorenzo hit the front on his Yamaha. He was then passed on the first-lap by Ducati’s Andrea Dovizioso, a position he held until lap-three when Marquez took over at the front. As the first part of the race progressed Marquez and the Yamaha-mounted Valentino Rossi got involved in an interesting battle that saw the pair regularly change places. At the end of lap-10 Marquez and Rossi came into the pits to change their bikes, with the Spaniard taking the upper-hand with a quick change, enabling him to get out in front of Rossi and create a gap.

As the race continued Marquez stretched his lead, while Rossi got involved in a four rider battle with Dovizioso and his Ducati team-mate Andrea Iannone, along with Suzuki’s Maverick Viñales. With all four vying for positions it looked to be going right to the last lap, before Viñales crashed out on a damp-patch on lap-18, leaving three Italians to battle for the remaining podium places. This looked like being the case, right up until the final corner when Iannone tried a last-minute manoeuvre on his team-mate and the pair crashed, leaving Rossi to come home in second, with Honda’s Dani Pedrosa profiting from the crash to take third. Eugene Laverty on a satellite Ducati took fourth and the honour of First Independent Team Rider, with another Ducati, this time belonging to Hector Barbera in fifth. Pol Espargaro on a Yamaha was sixth, Stefan Bradl seventh on an Aprilia and Bradley Smith riding a Yamaha in eighth. Tito Rabat on a Honda took ninth, whilst the second Aprilia, ridden this time by Alvaro Bautista rounded out the top-ten. The result leaves Marquez at the top of the World Championship Classification, with Rossi in second and Pedrosa third.

Michelin now heads immediately to North America where round three of the MotoGP World Championship will take place at the Circuit of the Americas in Austin, Texas on Sunday 10th April.

Say Goodbye to Your Nacho Problems with Taco Bell's Grilled Stuft Nacho

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Are you among those with the nasty nacho problems? Is it also too difficult for you to eat nachos? Well, say goodbye to your nacho problems because Taco Bell has creatively concocted a clever solution to your #NachoProblems with their Grilled Stuft Nacho.

At their Gateway Mall branch in Cubao, Quezon City, your self-declared Pambansang Blogger ng Pilipinas, was treated to their new heavenly unique food product that will surely get everyone's interest, especially for the nacho lovers who can't get enough of their favorite nachos.

Get to try their "flavorful layers of seasoned beef, cool sour cream, creamy jalapeno sauce, crispy nacho strips, and warm nacho cheese wrapped in a flour tortilla, and shaped like one big delicious nacho, grilled to perfection."

The Taco Bell Grilled Stuft Nacho is available for take-out or dine-in and comes at a very affordable price of only P159 with your favorite soda and more nachos to go. Now, that's worth every peso of our hard-earned money.

The Taco Bell Grilled Stuft Nacho is available at their Gateway, TriNoma, and Alabang Town Center branches for a limited time only. So what are you waiting for? Drop by at any of the three branches to experience nachos like never before.

Elephone Smartphones Now in the Philippines Exclusively Through Lazada

Wazzup Pilipinas!

I recently attended the launch of Elephone that will soon be available on April 18 exclusively at Lazada.

I will soon write a separate article containing unboxing videos of all three models namely the P900, P8000 and S1, plus full videos of the talks, from both Lazada and Elephone, during the launch. So please watch out for them at our YouTube videos at http://www.YouTube.com/user/wazzuppilipinas

For the meantime, below is their official press release.

Innovative and user-friendly, superior in quality and performance, elegance in design, and great value for money– these are the pillars that best define the latest smartphones from the fast-growing Chinese smartphone manufacturer Elephone (HK Elephone Communication Tech Co., Limited). 

Elephone has been committed to developing high-end smartphones and making it affordable to global customers. With years of development and innovation, Elephone now has gained a very strong market traction in Europe and Southeast Asia.

Elephone’s exclusive partnership with Lazada Philippines will provide both superior product quality in tandem with best-in-class shopping experience to many Filipinos.