Duterte is Here, Change is Coming

Wazzup Pilipinas!

President Rodrigo Roa Duterte delivered his first speech as the 16th president of the Philippines, and what strike us most among the many statements he delivered is the line "I was elected to the presidency to serve the entire country. I serve everyone and not only one."

He also said that "If change is to be permanent, it should start with us." True enough, no effort for change will be thoroughly effective if there is no cooperation among the constituents, and in this case, from all the Filipinos, may they be among the 16 million supporters who voted for Duterte, or the other groups who are up to now are still doubtful of the former Mayor of Davao city.

It was also good to finally see a Philippine flag symbol worn by the President, instead of a yellow ribbon worn by the outgoing Benigno Simeon Aquino III. People have been saying that the yellow ribbon symbolized inclination to only a few sectors of society and did not really represent the country as a whole. The yellow ribbon was more likely a vengeance symbol against the Marcos regime who once ruled the country for several years, and brought so many irregularities despite the numerous structures and developments during their leadership, or some would say, dictatorship.

Finally, we have a presidnet who does not read from his speech. However, when he said "I do solemnly swear," I had to laugh. He should have used "frequently" instead. Lol. Sometimes, if we have to cue cards, or "kodigo" to guide us, we either forget to mention important messages or go beyond what is expected. It was good he mellowed down and never uttered his usual favorite curses.

But now that the new president of the republic is in alliance with the Marcoses, as well as other groups considered controversial by many, we might be seeing some changes soon. It is just hoped that "Love of country and subordination of personal interests for the common good" will rise above all intentions and vested interests.

Heads of agencies are encouraged, or ordered, to "remove all redundant requirements." We have been burdened with so many long queues, massive document requirements and red tape, that the process of getting something from the government has been a tedious tasks. We look forward to seeing a more convenient and faster way to go about this cause of delay, like the traffic congestion that has taken away most of our productive hours stuck on the roads, with many enduring the crowded public transportation.

We are just a little concerned with the following statement: "You mind your work and I will mind mine." We all know that people can turn naughty and may be tempted to go the other way opposite what is right, if no one is watching over their move. Most of the time, we abuse our freedom and take for granted the trust. It will be no different from Duterte for he has never been a "saint" in the first place.

So when he said "My government is for the helpless, the hopeless, and the defenseless," I would assume many Filipinos who were monitoring the inauguration ceremonies must have sighed and smiled. We are definitely fed up by being called "resilient" which is actually a negative trait since it is better to never be complacent of what we have if we know we can have better, if we only strive hard and require the government to work harder, and smarter, for long-term solutions.

Inaugural Address of President Rodrigo Duterte

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Here is the full Inaugural address or spreech of President Rodrigo Duterte during his Oath-taking of the President of the Philippines in Malacañang Palace on June 30, 2016:


President Fidel Ramos, sir, salamat po sa tulong mo (thank you for your help) making me President; President Joseph Ejercito Estrada; Senate President Franklin Drilon and the members of the Senate; Speaker Feliciano Belmonte and the members of the House of Representatives; Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno and Associate Justices of the Supreme Court; His Excellency Guiseppe Pinto and the members of the Diplomatic Corps; incoming members of the Cabinet; fellow workers in government; my fellow countrymen.

No leader, however strong, can succeed at anything of national importance or significance unless he has the support and cooperation of the people he is tasked to lead and sworn to serve.

It is the people from whom democratic governments draw strength and this administration is no exception. That is why we have to listen to the murmurings of the people, feel their pulse, supply their needs and fortify their faith and trust in us whom they elected to public office.

There are many amongst us who advance the assessment that the problems that bedevil our country today which need to be addressed with urgency, are corruption, both in the high and low echelons of government, criminality in the streets, and the rampant sale of illegal drugs in all strata of Philippine society and the breakdown of law and order. True, but not absolutely so. For I see these ills as mere symptoms of a virulent social disease that creeps and cuts into the moral fiber of Philippine society. I sense a problem deeper and more serious than any of those mentioned or all of them put together. But of course, it is not to say that we will ignore them because they have to be stopped by all means that the law allows.

Erosion of faith and trust in government – that is the real problem that confronts us. Resulting therefrom, I see the erosion of the people’s trust in our country’s leaders; the erosion of faith in our judicial system; the erosion of confidence in the capacity of our public servants to make the people’s lives better, safer and healthier.

Indeed, ours is a problem that dampens the human spirit. But all is not lost.

I have seen how corruption bled the government of funds, which were allocated for the use in uplifting the poor from the mire that they are in.

I have seen how illegal drugs destroyed individuals and ruined family relationships.

I have seen how criminality, by means all foul, snatched from the innocent and the unsuspecting, the years and years of accumulated savings. Years of toil and then, suddenly, they are back to where they started.

Look at this from that perspective and tell me that I am wrong.

In this fight, I ask Congress and the Commission on Human Rights and all others who are similarly situated to allow us a level of governance that is consistent to our mandate. The fight will be relentless and it will be sustained.

I know that there are those who do not approve of my methods of fighting criminality. They say that my methods are unorthodox and verge on the illegal.

My adherence to due process and the rule of law is uncompromising.

You mind your work and I will mind mine.

“Malasakit. Tunay na Pagbabago. Tinud-anay nga Kausaban (Compassion. Real change.)” – these are words which catapulted me to the presidency. These slogans were conceptualized not for the sole purpose of securing the votes of the electorate. “Tinud-anay nga kabag-uhan. Mao kana ang tumong sa atong pang-gobyerno (Real change. This is the direction of our government).”

Far from that. These were battle cries articulated by me in behalf of the people hungry for genuine and meaningful change. But the change, if it is to be permanent and significant, must start with us and in us. [applause]

To borrow the language of F. Sionil Jose, we have become our own worst enemies. And we must have the courage and the will to change ourselves.

As a lawyer and a former prosecutor, I know the limits of the power and authority of the president. I know what is legal and what is not.

Love of country, subordination of personal interests to the common good, concern and care for the helpless and the impoverished – these are among the lost and faded values that we seek to recover and revitalize as we commence our journey towards a better Philippines. The ride will be rough. But come and join me just the same. Together, shoulder to shoulder, let us take the first wobbly steps in this quest.

There are two quotations from revered figures that shall serve as the foundation upon which this administration shall be built.

“The test of government is not whether we add more to the abundance of those who have much; it is whether we provide for those who have little.” – Franklin Delano Roosevelt

And from (Abraham) Lincoln I draw this expression: “You cannot strengthen the weak by weakening the strong; You cannot help the poor by discouraging the rich; You cannot help the wage earner by pulling down the wage payer; You cannot further the brotherhood by inciting class hatred among men.”

My economic and financial, political policies are contained in those quotations, though couched in general terms. Read between the lines. I need not go into specifics now. They shall be supplied to you in due time.

However, there are certain policies and specifics of which cannot wait for tomorrow to be announced.

Therefore, I direct all department secretaries and the heads of agencies to reduce requirements and the processing time of all applications, from the submission to the release. I order all department secretaries and heads of agencies to remove redundant requirements and compliance with one department or agency, shall be accepted as sufficient for all.

I order all department secretaries and heads of agencies to refrain from changing and bending the rules government contracts, transactions and projects already approved and awaiting implementation. Changing the rules when the game is on-going is wrong.

I abhor secrecy and instead advocate transparency in all government contracts, projects and business transactions from submission of proposals to negotiation to perfection and finally, to consummation.

Do them and we will work together. Do not do them, we will part sooner than later.

On the domestic front, my administration is committed to implement all signed peace agreements in step with constitutional and legal reforms.

I am elated by the expression of unity among our Moro brothers and leaders, and the response of everyone else to my call for peace.

I look forward to the participation of all other stakeholders, particularly our indigenous peoples, to ensure inclusivity in the peace process.

Let me remind in the end of this talk, that I was elected to the presidency to serve the entire country. I was not elected to serve the interests of any one person or any group or any one class. I serve every one and not only one.

That is why I have adapted as an article of faith, the following lines written by someone whose name I could no longer recall. He said: “I have no friends to serve, I have no enemies to harm.”

On the international front and community of nations, let me reiterate that the Republic of the Philippines will honor treaties and international obligations. On the domestic front, my administration is committed to implement all signed peace agreements in step with constitutional and legal reforms.

Prescinding there from, I now ask everyone, and I mean everyone, to join me as we embark on this crusade for a better and brighter tomorrow.

But before I end, let me express the nations, on behalf of the people, our condolences to the Republic of Turkey of what has happened in the place. We offer our deepest condolences.

Why am I here? Hindi kasali ito diyan (This is not part of my speech). The past tense was, I am here because I love my country and I love the people of the Philippines. I am here, why? Because I am ready to start my work for the nation.

Thank you and good afternoon.

Home Credit Review: Easy, Simple, and Fast Loan Application

Wazzup Pilipinas!

If you haven't heard of it yet, there's a fast and easy way to purchase gadgets, appliances, or any item that you like, on installment basis.

I needed a better phone to receive text messages and calls other than the other mobile phones with bigger display screens that I use for browsing the Internet in checking my e-mails and social media accounts like Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

My contact lists are increasing in number every day and I needed a phone dedicated for communication tasks only, something that is small enough to fit in my pocket and one that I can easily put out to receive or send text messages and calls even while commuting.

Thus it was about time I purchase another phone. But since I also wanted to manage my budget, I thought it would be better to purchase one through installment basis so my monthly expenses will be conveniently affordable.

So one afternoon, I visited SM Megamall to check out a new smartphone when I was approached by a Home Credit representative offering to help me buy this new phone I wanted through easy installment terms. I was intrigued by this no-hassle process that only requires you to submit two valid IDs and some names and contact numbers of friends and relatives as references.

Rodrigo Duterte: Oath-Taking of 16th President of the Philippines

Wazzup Pilipinas!

On this historic day, June 30, 2016, the oath-taking of incoming President Rodrigo Roa Duterte, we Filipinos should take time to reckon the sacrifices we took for him to win and lead us to a better Philippines.

The people were fed up with the previous administrations whom a great number of people would say were ridiculed because of so many issues pertaining to questionable irregularities and inaction. 

However, rains and thunderstorms may mark the oath-taking day as we could see the morning skies darkening as a sign of impending bad weather. But sine the event will be held at the roofed Philippine International Convention Center (PICC), it may become less of a burden. We just hope the rainfalls and floods would not start while the selected few of around 600 attendees, who got invitations to witness the ceremonies, are still on their way to the event.

Duterte wanted his inauguration simple so the instruction was to serve simple meals that will be catered by Filipino restaurant Via Mare to serve a buffet of Filipino foods highlighted by one of my favorite, the Ginisang Monggo. Food will be served before his oath-taking so that many can listen attentively with a full stomach.

The event will be attended by his children and now Mayor Sara And Vice Mayor Paolo Duterte who both took their oath just recently in Davao City on June 20, 2016.

A simple yet elegant barong will be worn by the new President crafted by Chard Pulatche of Chardin, a Davao-based haberdashery. Duterte will wear a Piña Jusi Barong with Manobo-inspired design paired with cotton slacks.

The 16th President of the Philippines will then proceed to Malacanang Palace while previous president Benigno Simeon Aquino III returned to his home at Times Street in Quezon City.

I would like to congratulate and welcome the next President from Mindanao. I do hope that true change will be coming soon.

Boosting Data Quality Can Optimize Your Company’s Performance

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Over the years, the rapid development of information technology has greatly optimized the day-to-day operations of businesses. Companies collect and store an enormous amount of data, which in return, demands superior and diligent data management. However, organizations typically overestimate the quality of their data and the cost of errors, according to a study.

Because of this, Third Pillar Business Applications Inc. – a globally recognized business partner in providing best-in-class services and solutions – helps businesses transform their organization into a more innovative, cost-effective, and revenue-earning business through exceptional data governance.

According to Alan Alipao, managing director and head of consulting of Third Pillar, a regular data assessment and cleansing for data quality maintenance should become a standard practice to all organizations. “It informs the organization as to where the risks are within the data, thus allowing them to create preventive measures against business process failures, non-compliance, and other scenarios leading to profit losses.”

Data cleansing is the process of amending or removing data in a database that is incorrect, incomplete, improperly formatted, or duplicated.

Clean data can actually improve customer acquisition activity results, fine tune the decision-making process because of reliable information, increase revenue and productivity, and improve account management and analysis.

Former Ballerina Cathee Roslovtsev Opens Dance Studio in SPARTA Mandaluyong

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Former Ballerina Cathee Roslovtsev has decided to fulfil her life-long dream of putting up a dance studio, which caters to children and adults alike. The Elan Ballet and Pilates Studio is located at the second floor of SPARTA in Mandaluyong. Formerly with the Philippine Ballet Theatre and presently an artistic council member of The Philippine Ballet Theatre, she will be using the Australian Conservatoire of Ballet training method for her ballet classes.

The training method is a 12-year training method for the child, from 5-17 years old, wherein yearly, somebody from Australia will give the exam, to see if the child can move on to the next level.

Apart from Classical Ballet, she also offers Baby Ballet classes for kids from 3-5 years old, Mommy and Me Ballet classes for kids who are between 2-4 years old, while her Pre-primary Ballet classes on the other hand, targets kids who are at least 5 years of age.

According to Cathee, the values that kids can learn from ballet include, “Camaraderie, obedience, discipline, patience and perseverance. All of these values can be learned while mastering the various techniques, like doing the pirouette.”

She also stresses the importance of learning Pilates for ballet students.

Cathee, who is also a Certified Pilates Instructor, will also be offering Pilates with machine and mat. “Pilates and dance go hand-in-hand. Because with Pilates, the exercises are designed to restore the natural curves of the spine and it rebalances the muscles around the joint”, she says.

Cathee, who is very dedicated to her craft, was also very hands-on with the construction of the Dance Studio. For instance, she had to install a special kind of flooring that helps cushion the knees and the joints, so when you do your jumps and your leaps, you don’t get injured.

Apart from Classical Ballet, The Dance Studio also offers Jazz, Street Dance, Tap, Salsa, Zumba, Pilates and Yoga for Special Kids. She also has customized programs for her dance clients, Cathee adds, “Because each person has a diff body type. So programs will be customised depending on what the client needs.”

SPARTA is located along Pioneer Street in Mandaluyong City. For more information, please call 6553799 or 0977-7634402.

Change That Keeps Hope Alive

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Tomorrow, we will be concluding the six years of the Aquino presidency - six years of hard work for many who joined the campaign to reclaim government institutions from the throes of corruption and impunity. Six years of hard work as well for those who stayed outside, in the ranks of civil society, to offer counsel and critique during the toughest times of the outgoing administration. The past six years gave us much hope that with Aquino’s leadership, we would achieve much and more.

Akbayan Youth witnessed how this hope came to life - from the passage of the SK Reform Law which Akbayan Youth has campaigned for almost two decades, to the implementation of Abot-Alam and expansion of the CCT to cover secondary education to ensure that all young people can get access to education opportunities. We saw the passage of the RH bill and the Sin Tax Law that secure the youth from preventable diseases. We were witness to the government that strived to achieve much and more.

In the last few hours under President Aquino, we thank him for his hard work. He was an imperfect man, his was an imperfect administration. But he stood by us, in a time when we could not fully give our trust to our government.

We thank the people who worked in government, the people who put faith and partook in the project of shaping the government we needed.

And as we say goodbye, we welcome to the new administration under President Rodrigo Duterte. We look forward to having a Philippines where Filipinos especially the youth have secure jobs and incomes, a Philippines were we take care of the environment, a Philippines where there is genuine peace, a Philippines where the LGBT and women have their due space and recognition.

But we stand firm as we engage the new leadership, our new president, and the people who will join him in government, and urge them to move towards deepening democracy and respecting human rights.

Akbayan Youth will continue its work to constructively engage the new dispensation, always mindful of the kind of change we want to advance - a change that is founded on social justice, a change that makes us better persons for each other, a change that will make us truly equal and free.

Suicide Incorporated - A Play to Help Raise Mental Awareness All Set to Open on July 15

Wazzup Pilipinas!

How can a theater company help raise mental health awareness by staging a play that tackles the theme of depression, suicidal tendencies and suicide itself ?????.

Catch Twin Bill Theater’s eye-opening production aimed to shed light and raise awareness on mental health issues to its audiences in “SUICIDE INCORPORATED”--- a 2010 tragicomedy by brilliant Off- Broadway playwright Andrew Hinderaker.

Imagine a world where a company that edits suicide notes exists. Now imagine being part of that company. SUICIDE INCORPORATED centers around a company that makes money by drafting suicide notes. The business is Hallmark gone Wall Street, turning a profit by bullishly pushing its clients to perform the unspeakable. The CEO speaks, in an advertiser’s tongue, about cornering the market by targeting those suicide victims least likely to leave notes: Men. It turns out all these men are emotional mice when it comes to discussing matters of the self.

SUICIDE INCORPORATED will be directed by Steven Conde.

Six topnotch actors coming from different theater backgrounds have bonded together to essay the pivotal roles in this dark comedy exploring the perils of depression, coping with loss, guilt and redemption, 

Darren Espanto Conquers Singapore

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Darren Espanto, the so-called Total Performer, is not only making waves in the Philippines but has been conquering the international scene as well. The most recent, in Singapore.

This kid with amazing pipes recently had a promo tour from June 16 to 19 in Singapore, as his sophomore album "Be With Me" was released in the Lion City under Universal Music Singapore. Darren's day started with radio tours at Singapore's top English stations 987FM and Power 98 as well as a Press Conference at Ngee Ann Polytechnic where he was joined by US singer Greyson Chance and Malaysian girl group De Fam. The next day was spent with interviews with Singapore media then an explosive performance at Universal Music Singapore’s private event where he performed alongside Universal Music artists Greyson Chance (United States), De Fam (Malaysia), Micapella (Singapore) and Gentle Bones (Singapore). He opened the show for Greyson Chance for “A Rooftop Affair” event at MyVillage@Serangoon on the 18th and on the 19th, he formally launched his album “Be With Me” via an album signing session at Junction 8 Mall. Darrenatics in Singapore lined up to have their albums signed till stocks were sold out, as the retailer had to accommodate preorders for the album for fans who wanted to see Darren in the flesh.

“I am so thankful to be given a chance to be in Singapore again this time promoting my album. Never have I imagined that my album will be released on CDs in Singapore and it feels good to be there and meet my Singapore fans,” Darren said.

After Singapore, what’s next? Find out soon.

Aside from promoting the album, Darren also recently held a major concert entitled “D Total Experience” last June 25, 8pm at the Kia Theatre.

"Be With Me" CDs are out under MCA Music, now available at Astroplus and Astrovision outlets. The album can also be downloaded and streamed via Spinnr, iTunes, Apple Music, and Spotify. For inquiries, contact MCA Music artist management at 9162504 local 107 or 0920 9682991 or email mcabookings@umusi.com. For more updates on Darren, like or follow MCA Music via facebook, Instagram (mca_music), Twitter (mca_music), Snapchat (mca_music) or Vine (mca_music).

Telco Urges VisMin Execs to Maximize Innovation and New Technologies to Stay Ahead of Competition

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Globe Business, the enterprise information and communications technology (ICT) arm of Globe Telecom, urged Visayas and Mindanao-based executives to maximize innovation and new technologies to stay ahead of competition.

Tapped to deliver the message across over 80 enterprise clients from various industries was Jomari Mercado, former Information Technology and Business Process Association of the Philippines (IBPAP) President and Chief Executive Officer. Mercado served as keynote speaker on digital disruption readiness at the Globe Business Regional Business Forum held recently at Limketkai Luxe Hotel in Cagayan de Oro City.

“Be the disruptive change. Be the one to take or lead your segment, category or industry in an entirely new direction. If you will commit to it, you have to let go of the notion that it will be a comfortable process. Let go of the notion that in the next couple of years you will be happy with the way things are going, and that your most profitable customers are going to be happy,” said Mercado.

Mercado”s advice was echoed by Mike Frausing, Globe Senior Advisor for Enterprise and IT-Enabled Services Group, who noted the importance of focusing on strategies that will help them become leaders in their respective industries. Globe Business, he said, has a ready response to corporations who are keen on realizing their goals.

“Globe Business has been providing connectivity services to you, our Visayas and Mindanao customers for many years and I believe it is crucial that you continue the trust and support that you have been giving us in enabling you to transform digitally. With the right technology, infrastructure, and know how, we believe that we can drive your passions and help you achieve future-ready operations,” Frausing said to the participants.

The forum discussed various topics that would be helpful to corporations such as Reinventing your business with the right technology which touched on different solutions that help improve business productivity and efficiency; How technology enables supply chain visibility which focused on the various upsides that the Internet of Things (IoT), Cloud Services, and Managed Security Services bring to the supply chain industry; Selling customer experience: Art of the Pitch which detailed the different types of persuasion and presentation skills that can win over business; and the power of electronic financial services which dealt specifically with how technology facilitates financial inclusion and making financial transactions more efficient with mobile money services such as GCash.





To know more how Globe Business can empower your organization’s passions with industry-renowned ICT products and solutions, visit www.globe.com.ph/business or contact your Globe Business Account Manager.