#DutertePleaseAppointMe Trends After Appointment of Mocha Uson at BOC

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There's a new hashtag trending in Twitter, and even in Facebook, which apparently started after shocking news about Mocha Uson being appointed by President Rodrigo Duterte as Social Medial Consultant at the Bureau i=of Customs (BOC).

However, as per BOC social media account on Twitter, Comm. Nicanor Faeldon has stated that it will not appoint her as consultant but she can write about BOC on her blog.

The information turned out to be false but it did not stop Twitter users from unleashing humor and some hugot using the hashtag ‪#‎DutertePleaseAppoint‬Me

"I will not defend mocha as she can do it her own damn self, but look at how easy it is to rile up people with nothing so much as the stench of meat. Some bit of gratification in the confirmation of "i was right, he's stupid" without confirming first or even after confirming following up on the news beat. This is why the triggered culture is dangerous. Opting for outbursts of opinion rather than dialogue, digging deep into the the toolbox of the old conservatist movements while supposing to espouse liberal values." -Brylle Latorre

"Binawi na ba talaga ang appointment kay Mocha Uson bilang Social Media Consultant ng Bureau of Customs? Balita ko gagawan talaga ng bagong department with 4 attached bureaus - bu for promoting male sexuality, bu for promoting multiple orgasms for women, bu for overcoming lgbt bias, bu for maintaining sexual virility among thunders"

Duterte Wants ROTC Mandatory Again

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"Another mandatory, obligatory, military training? When a "bright idea" is made mandatory and obligatory, 90-99% it is a stupid idea. People have to be coerced, mandated and arm-twisted to obey that "bright idea"."

Reviving the Reserve Officers' Training Corps (ROTC) is not a good idea. We all know that it trains the similar mindset just as what is taught to the military and police - follow orders without thinking or asking, like mindless drones that the government can manipulate or use for their own selfish purposes.

ROTC was a waste of time. Standing under the sun, marching around on dirt, and learning how to hold a wooden rifle is archaic. As much as possible ,a nation should avoid 'militarism' as it will lead to Fascism, which is a suppression by force, thus reducing man into mechanical tool instead of a human being.

Believing this will instill discipline and patriotism among the youth, is the thinking of a madman.

I'm not in favor of it, but I am in favor of a better funded and organized voluntary system that steers young men and women towards a solid reserve system with national guard like periodic training and development would be better, and money spent more efficiently. I'm talking about prioritizing Fitness training + self defense + survival training + first aid + disaster management, and not hours of marching under the sun.

The military and police have been rampantly used against the people. Contrary to what the government tells us, the presence of such forces only provokes other nations to counter by creating more of their own, thus war would always be inevitable if governments continue to raise arms in preparation for possible war or conflict. Only fools would believe that we will be safe if we hoard more military guns, ammunition, machines and reserves. We are only further assuring a greater chance to be annihilated when war suddenly surprises us in the middle of the night.

This is why people fear men in uniform for we will never really know who are genuinely concerned about our welfare and safety, and who are the real protectors and even co-masterminds of all these drug-related activities, robberies, syndicates, etc.

There's now a nationwide purging or cleansing going on. Many are cleaning up their association or links with the people who could easily point them.

We should not let our youth be brainwashed to think that they are obligated to become slaves of the government. Everyone has the right to question the actions of anyone even if he has the highest authority in the land.

We are constantly plagued by governments ran by only a few, which imposes laws selectively and without any public consultation. They just evolve into different forms yet are still the same crooked personalities.

Sec. Alfonso Cusi's Speech at PhilRECA Annual General Membership Meeting

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KEYNOTE SPEECH
Delivered by Sec. Alfonso G. Cusi
37th PHILRECA Annual General Membership Meeting
Wednesday, 03 August 2016, 10:00 a.m.
SMX Davao Convention Center, Davao City
"Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio, Philreca Board Members headed by Mr. Jose Raul A. Saniel, all the electric cooperative Board Directors, General Managers, Department Heads, and guests, good morning.

Allow me first to thank all of you for the very warm welcome to the industry. This is my first speaking engagement as Energy Secretary, and already we are seeing the vast potential of electrification in making a difference in the lives of our countrymen. Power has always been one of the top priorities of the government, not only for industrialization, but also as a way of embracing Filipinos through our shared goal of powering every home in the country.

The theme for PHILRECA’s assembly is “Lighting Homes, Improving Lives and Enhancing Inclusive Growth and Progress” which is very much in sync with the directive of President Rodrigo Duterte of adjusting to the needs of the people, especially those in the marginalized sector. Pursuant to that mandate, we were able to help 2,082 households in the Meralco franchise area, barely a month in office, manifesting that with willingness to show genuine compassion for our kababayans, things can be done. Imagine the possibilities for the coming months and years ahead if we all work together.

According to the DOE transition report, the National Electrification Administration already reached its 100% Sitio Electrification Program (SEP) target (with a total of 103,000 sitios electrified) in March 2016. Our work, however, should not stop there as there are still those who have yet to see and enjoy light. It is therefore important that we reach out to you in efforts to forge a strong partnership for rural electrification since it is our duty in the government to support your endeavors that aim to uplift the lives of our countrymen.

Early this month, I met with some of the PHILRECA members to discuss the issues and concerns of the electric cooperatives. From that meeting, I learned about your issues on right-of-way, tax reforms and the non-privatization of major government power assets, among others. Given that President Duterte has declared power development as a critical driver of our growth, we, in the Energy Family, will see to it that your concerns are immediately responded to, to allow you to fast track rural electrification.

We will streamline policies and processes to encourage competitiveness, promoting ease in doing business for the industry especially here in Mindanao and in the far-flung areas. As we strive to improve public service, we urge electric cooperatives to be compliant in their Distribution Development Plan for the continuous improvement of your operations. DDP is a very critical tool in pushing forward our advocacies for empowering people, as this will open up opportunities in your areas, such as the establishment of small businesses through power development.

Alongside a good distribution plan, we also hope that ECs will strive for excellence by constantly improving your facilities and observing the procedures of the Competitive Selection Process before entering into power service agreements.

And most importantly, we need to comply with the provision of the law that mandates us to ensure the reliable, quality, secured, & affordable supply of electricity. Let us assure the communities we serve supply of electricity 24/7. And let us strive, work hard in finding ways to bring down our cost of power.

Let us learn from the challenges we had, aim to improve and give the best service to the people. Another key element is preparedness in dealing with disasters. Given that it is typhoon season once again, I encourage you to assess your cooperatives and come up with a disaster preparedness plan, so that we will be able to address the gaps and return to normalcy immediately after the occurrence of any natural calamity.

Along this line, NEA has come up with a Policy on Electric Cooperatives’ Resiliency Program which seeks to enhance design and construction standards of ECs’ distribution assets in anticipation of the increasing intensity of typhoons. The Policy directs electric cooperatives to establish buffer stocks of materials, build a regional pool of line men and electricians who will undertake power restoration works, so that no utility is caught flatfooted in emergency situations in order to mitigate difficulties of the consumers during power rehabilitation activities.

As I advocate a participative and consultative leadership process I therefore encourage all of you to assess the needs of your localities and look into the possibilities of how our programs such as the National Intensification Household Electrification Program, Sitio Electrification Program and the Barangay Line Enhancement Program can be maximized to help your member-consumers.

We have to exert more effort to reduce systems loss in order to lessen the cost of delivery of power to electricity consumers. On our part, we are looking at Malampaya fund to compensate the stranded cost and stranded debts, which are being passed on to consumers. We have to prioritize the welfare of our consumers.

We also enjoin you to link up with various institutions and organizations, local government units, non-government organizations and socio-civic groups to be able to assure that the needs of everyone are met. Let me repeat that the direction of the Department of Energy under President Rodrigo Duterte’s term will be geared toward the protection of Filipino consumers. We will therefore exhaust all efforts to ensure access to adequate, affordable, and reliable electricity as a recognition of the primary importance of power in enhancing the quality of life of all Filipinos, especially those living in the far-flung areas of the country. We can certainly accomplish our goals if we all work together to create the change we aspire to have.

Again, congratulations for 37 years of championing the goals of rural electrification and for being at the forefront of consumer advocacy. I wish to thank you for supporting DOE, and I hope that this assembly will bind us stronger in our shared goal of providing electricity to all Filipino households.

Thank you very much and good day.

Stop Calling Drug Dependents “Surrenderers”

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Amid the growing number of drug users who have reportedly voluntarily submitted to the authorities, Akbayan Senator Risa Hontiveros urged the government to stop calling drug dependents “surrenderers”, saying it criminalizes them and makes it difficult for them to rehabilitate and reintegrate back to society.

The senator explained that by ceasing to use the negative term for drug users, the government takes the first important step in treating the country’s drug problem not only as a criminal issue but also a public health concern.

“Let us stop calling drug users as ‘surrenderers.’ They are not criminals. They are patients in need of important health care services and rehabilitation programs. The government must distinguish them from hardcore drug pushers and other violent offenders,” Hontiveros said.

The neophyte senator also called on the government to study the experiences of other countries, which viewed drug addiction as a public health concern and emphasized harm reduction strategies.

“There is a need to have a multi-perspective approach in responding to the drug problem. We cannot win the war against drugs through the lens of criminal justice alone," Hontiveros explained, citing Thailand’s law enforcement-centric war on drugs where drug users reported increased reluctance to seek healthcare and Mexico, which failed to invest in treatment and harm reduction programs.

"We must combine enforcement efforts with the complete mobilization of our healthcare system to address drug abuse and addiction,” Hontiveros added.

Hontiveros also cited the example of Vietnam which acknowledged that drug use is a social problem and dependents should be provided with treatment instead of punishment. She also highlighted the experiences of Malaysia, Portugal and Netherlands.

“Malaysia is reach in experience regarding its implementation of harm reduction programs. In Portugal, the government pushed for alternative therapeutic responses to dependent drug users. Meanwhile in the Netherlands, its government has a long-standing policy to provide comprehensive medical treatment for substance abuse, instead of jail, for nonviolent offenders,” Hontiveros said.

Samsung Releases All-New Galaxy Note 7

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Smartphone giant Samsung finally unveiled its all-new Galaxy Note 7 at its unpacking event in New York City, and its features are set to the bar yet again in mobile technology and innovation. Philippines’ #1 mobile brand Globe Telecom is gearing up to take pre-orders starting August 6, 2016via globe.com.ph/note7.

Maximizing a connected lifestyle, Globe complements the new Galaxy Note 7 with its customizable Globe myLifestyle plans. The myLifestyle postpaid plans provide a personalized online experience through its variety of lifestyle packs designed for different interests ranging from entertainment, music, fashion, to travel, among others.

“Globe Postpaid always ensures we give our loyal customers access to the latest devices in the market. We are thrilled to finally have the new Galaxy Note 7 with its groundbreaking features that elevate the Filipino digital lifestyle. Best enjoyed on our myLifestyle postpaid plans, each one of our customers will be able to customize and maximize all the Note 7 features attuned to their passions and interests – from the basic services of calls, texts, and mobile data to exclusive content,” said Globe SVP for Consumer Mobile Business Issa Cabreira.

Samsung CEO D.J. Kho led the unboxing in New York City, unveiling Galaxy Note 7’s latest features. Galaxy Note 7 carries the latest innovation – the first ever Iris scanner for added security, alongside the enhanced S-Pen with higher precision and responsiveness. Note 7 is also the world’s first mobile HDR video that can take footage in sharper colors and with high dynamic range. It also carries superior DSLR like Real Pixel Camera with the first ever dual photodiode sensor (2PD) in mobile, providing superfast autofocus and brighter and clearer images with f/1.7 lens that is excellent for low light. It is water and dust resistant, has an expandable memory up to 256GB and runs on an Octacore processor for smoother graphics.

To learn more about the perfect myLifestyle plan for you, you can visit www.globe.com.ph or visit the nearest store to you. Customers can follow Globe Telecom on Facebook www.Facebook.com/GlobePH and @enjoyGlobe on Twitter and Instagram for updates on pre-orders.

Suicide Squad: What They Say About DC's Latest Effort of Redemption

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"After all the hype and drama surrounding Jared Leto‘s performance as the Joker — the knee-jerk scorn unleashed by fans when that first image dropped, the endless stories from the cast and crew about Leto’s super-intense method process — it turns out his version of the Clown Prince of Crime is just … fine. He’s not terrible, and Leto and David Ayer deserve credit for trying to make the character their own, but Suicide Squad‘s Joker certainly isn’t giving The Dark Knight‘s Joker a run for his money."- Jet Rai

Seriously, the only reason we want to watch the Suicide Squad movie was the hype about Jared Leto's Joker and Margot Robbie's Harley Quinn. Apparently, you'll only appreciate the movie if you're a die-hard fan of the comic genre who do not miss on merchandise, which includes movies and TV series, such as this. 

I was looking forward to this but it's been getting trashed in the reviews by both critics and people who saw an early screening. Script that's a disaster and Jokers only in it for a few minutes so they could save him for a future movie.

The movie may not be as bad as Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, but it's still bad. I feel it's still a botch job that should have been kept locked away. It made the latest Fantastic Four reboot look better. I hate to say anything harsher but that's just it. Nothing else good to say about the movie.

The early reviews should already make you think twice about watching it. "It's maybe an anti-hero film where the heroes are villains going after the super villain (Joker), still you'll not be impressed about anything. 

It's "practically every petty thing you have seen before—what else but a whirlwind of debris and yet another omen of failure." - Jonell Estillore

"I had it, DC. Stop continuing your cinematic universe immediately."

Sweet Escape: Hataw Galaw Promotes Diabetes Awareness

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Did you know that diabetes prevalence in the world has risen to 422 million in 2014? According to the World Health Organization (WHO), one adult out of 10 will likely to have diabetes come 2030. This data alarms experts on the possible effect of the disease to the world population, if aggressive campaign to inform the lay about it will not be heightened.

With this, top endocrinologists and brands advocating in stomping out diabetes will gather at the press conference of this year’s Sweet Escape: Hataw Galaw. The event is a diabetes public awareness day brought to you by FAME (Friendly Alliances and Media Expressions), Inc. to promote diabetes education and awareness among the lay public. This event is held on August 12, 2016 (Friday), 10 am at the Fisher Mall, Quezon City.

Guest speakers include the Father of Philippine Endocrinology and president of Philippine Center for Diabetes Education Foundation Inc. (PCDEF) Dr. Augusto D. Litonjua who will tackle Diabetes Prevalence in the Philippines.

Dr. Joy Arabelle C. Fontanilla, Head of the Center for Weight Intervention and Nutrition Services (WINS) of St. Luke's Medical Center - Global City and editor-in-chief of DiabetEASE Magazine, will talk about the importance massive information dissemination on the burdens of the disease and how it can be prevented. Also present is Dr. Rafael Castillo, FAME, Inc. publisher who is also a cardiologist, to give his insights about diabetes and its effects to the heart.

Towards the program, different brands will talk about their commitment to help the Filipino people in maintaining a healthy lifestyle to prevent diseases, especially diabetes, through product highlights.

Immediately after the press conference, witness the Sweet Escape: Hataw Galaw Intercollegiate Urban Dance Competition, where eight universities shall showcase how they dance diabetes away with an active lifestyle. Eight competing universities include: Bulacan State University, Taguig City University, University of Makati, AMA Makati, Centro Escolar University, ICCT Colleges Cainta, PATTS College of Aeronautics, and STI Caloocan.

The event will also feature a Zumba party, diabetes lay forums, booth exhibition, and games for people living with diabetes, families, advocacy and support groups, magazine readers and diabetes specialists.

Dulaang UP Stages Ang Katatawanan ng Kalituhan

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Without questions, there will be no REVELATIONS.

In commemoration of William Shakespeare’s 400th death anniversary, Dulaang UP stages Ang Katatawanan ng Kalituhan, Guelan Varela-Luarca’s Filipino translation of William Shakespeare’s The Comedy of Errors. The play is a cleverly crafted tale of mistaken identities, loves lost and found, families gone astray and made whole again.

Direction: Alexander Cortez Dramaturgy: Judy Ick Costume Design: Gino Gonzales Set Design: Ohm David Technical Direction and Lighting Design: Meliton Roxas, Jr. Sound Design: Jethro Joaquin Choreography: PJ Rebullida Video Design: Winter David Photography: Jojit Lorenzo Art Direction for Photography and Poster Design: Paolo Santillan

August 24, 25, 26, 31 (7 p.m.) August 27, 28 (10 a.m. & 3 p.m.) September 1, 2, 7, 8, 9 (7 p.m.) September 3, 4, 10, 11 (10 a.m. & 3 p.m.)

Wilfrido Ma. Guerrero Theater, 2nd floor Palma Hall, U.P. Diliman, Quezon City. 

For ticket, sponsorship, and show buying inquiries, contact Arkel Mendoza (0908 814 9975), Joshua Chan (0917 677 5141), Zia Parcon (0915 338 5227) or email dulaangupmarketing@gmail.com. You may also call the Dulaang UP Office at 926-1349, 433-7840, 981-8500 local 2449 or email dulaangupmarketing@gmail.com.

#DUP41Revelations DUPKatatawanan

A Traveler’s Guide to Mobile Phones Before Flying Off

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We all agree that when traveling, one of the first things that we have in our pocket or bag (besides passport and air ticket) is our mobile phone. Your phone is like your lifeline for keeping in touch with people and the world, wherever you may be. You can use it in case of emergencies, get in touch with family and friends back home, post your latest adventure on social media, check your emails, do a google search, and so much more! It is simply convenient to have a phone to rely on whenever you are abroad.

However, activating your phone’s roaming service can get pretty pricey; nobody wants to go home and find a huge bill waiting for them at the end of the month. Other scenarios that you should consider are not being able to even use your phone or even worse, it gets lost or stolen. The following are some things that you should know before taking your mobile abroad.

Questions to ask your provider when taking your phone abroad

If you are planning to use your phone a lot, the first thing that you should do before getting to the airport is to get in touch with your provider and ask about their roaming service. By doing this, you will know if you can or cannot use your phone abroad. Here are questions that you should ask your carrier:

●     Will my phone work abroad? Most of the providers today do have roaming services but they require activation, so you can opt to do so. If you don’t want to use service abroad, some carriers can opt to temporarily deactivate your service if you want to save on roaming charges.

●     How much will I be charged for roaming? If your provider does offer roaming service, then you should ask how much it costs to make international calls, use the Internet, make local calls, etc.

●     Is my phone locked? If the answer is yes, then you might want to unlock your phone or use an R-sim. Some carriers do lock their phones. If you are to insert a new SIM card (subscriber identity module), it wouldn’t work especially if your phone is included within your mobile plan. Alternatively, you can buy a disposable phone, where you can still call and text. If the answer is no, then you can buy a local SIM card once you reach your destination.

Some tips when taking your phone overseas

Traveling abroad without your phone is like crossing a bridge, without an actual bridge. Many travelers today rely on their phones for finding tourist destinations, affordable hotels, restaurants, checking reservations, posting on social media, getting in touch with people back home, maps, translating, and so much more! So whether you can use roaming service or not, here are great tips to maximize your phone’s usage abroad:

Turn off everything that needs cellular data

If your provider doesn’t provide roaming service or you simply don’t want to, then it is advisable to turn off your cellular data, data roaming service or any such apps. It would also be helpful to turn off any automatic features that would require apps to connect to the internet such as emails, social media, automatic updates, etc. While abroad, you can also make great use of your phone’s airplane mode feature or call your provider to temporarily deactivate your SIM and reactivate it once you are back.

Use ONLY WiFi to connect to the Internet

Your phone is a tool to help you search and explore information from the Internet. It allows you to stay connected with friends and to find out about a certain place or a destination. Even without cellular data, you can still access the Internet via WiFi. Before you travel, download all the apps that you use frequently or your favorite social media apps (though using this requires you to connect to the Internet, you would be surprised at how not getting notifications every minute is simply refreshing and therapeutic). You can also download offline travel apps and interactive maps so that you don’t have to rely too much on the Internet. In doing so, there is no need to worry about finding a hotspot if you want to get connected. Most hotels, restaurants, and other facilities have free WiFi so that you can access everything that you need.

Maximize using apps to communicate

Apps are simply heaven sent for travelers to stay connected. If in the event you can’t use your phone or simply don’t want a huge bill filled with data roaming charges, all you need to do is maximize your using WiFi. Skype, WhatsApp, Messenger, etc., which are useful ways to communicate to your loved ones while you are abroad. It is also a great way to communicate with your friends locally. You don’t need to have cellular service to receive a message. All you need to do is connect to the Internet via WiFi and you can instantly chat, send and receive messages in no time.

Buy a disposable SIM card abroad

Perhaps one of the most popular option for travelers is using a disposable SIM as it is convenient. Not only will you have local service, enable cellular data, you can also make calls both locally and internationally, and send text messages. However, some providers do lock their phones as mentioned above. You need to unlock your phone or use an adapter or R-sim to be able to use the local SIM. At the end of your trip, you can simply deactivate the service and be on your way.

Worst case scenario - stolen phone

Probably the worst thing that could happen to you abroad is losing your phone. You should be extra careful when taking out your phone in unfamiliar places as pickpockets, thieves, and swindlers often target unassuming tourists. As much as possible, never let anyone carry your phone or let it out of your sight. Not only will you lose your contacts and information, unauthorized use of your phone can result to hundreds of dollars’ worth of charges made to your phone bill. On top of that, personal photos, passwords, and emails might also be compromised. So, never lose sight of your phone while you are traveling.

If in the event that your phone is lost or stolen, do contact your provider immediately to deactivate the service, even if there is still a chance to finding it. You can opt to temporarily deactivate it just in case. You can also ask your provider to further block anyone from using your phone by blocking its IMEI (International Mobile Station Equipment Identity). To know your phone’s IMEI, you can dial #60# or simply look behind its battery. Along with your phone’s model number, take note of these set of digits if in case your phone goes missing.

Phone locating apps downloaded earlier into your phone are handy as they can be used to trace your phone and remotely wipe all information in it such as findmyiphone and Android Device Manager. This way you can fully remove all the sensitive information, lock your phone, and make your phone ring remotely.

Make it a point to check your mobile insurance policies to see if they cover lost or unauthorized use of your phone.

Conclusion

Your phone is one of the most important gadgets that you must always have with you at all times while you travel. It is a great tool for many travelers to quickly do a search, stay connected, and communicate through the Internet. If you are travelling abroad with your phone, it is important to get in touch with your provider about roaming service and charges before you fly off. If you don’t want to wind up with a huge phone bill at the end of the month, turn off your cellular data and roaming service, put your phone on airplane mode and simply use WiFi. You can also opt to temporarily deactivate your phone and use a local SIM card throughout the duration of your trip. Make it a point to have your important and personal information and contacts either written down or saved into another device. If you accidentally lose your phone abroad, get in touch with your provider immediately, block call-making services and wipe out all the information on your phone. According to a survey from iprice, when planning to travel, you are recommended to bring along an international travel adaptor so that you can charge your phone wherever your destination.

With a bit of time and effort upfront, you’ll know exactly what options you have when you are abroad and still have an affordable, connected trip with smartphone in hand. Bon voyage!

Contributed by Marjorie Mae Mendoza 

Marjorie is a Filipino-freelance writer currently based in Kuala Lumpur and have been writing professionally since 2010. On top of her superb writing skills, her great command of the English language paved way to enrich her career in radio broadcasting, working with some of the biggest names in radio. To enhance her skills, Marjorie is continuously working as a creative writer who constantly improves and develops her own style with iprice.

DOE Statement: Power Supply Situation (2 August)

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The Department of Energy (DOE) continues to closely monitor the power situation amidst the normalization of the power supply situation following the resumption of operations of several power plants.

Based on the reports from industry players, the 647 MW Sual Coal-Fired Power Plant (SCFPP) Unit 2, the 360 MW Kalayaan U3 & U4 are already back online, while the 300 MW Calaca Coal-Fired Power Plant U2, 280 MW and 280 MW Malaya Thermal Power Plant (MTPP) U2 are expected to supply additional power to the grid within the day.

The National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) declared having a normal situation for the three main grids (Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao).

The DOE is also closely coordinating with NGCP and the generators on the status of the plants that are still out, including the 302 MW GN Coal-Fired Power Plant U1, the 382 Pagbilao Coal-Fired Power Plant U2, and the South Luzon Therma Energy Corporation (SLTEC) U1 & U2 with a combined capacity of 245 MW, the 180 MW MTPP U1; while the 180 MW Kalayaan U2 and the 250 MW Sta. Rita Natural Gas Power Plant U2 are on planned maintenance shutdown.

As of 10:30 a.m., the available capacity in Luzon Grid stood at 9,705 MW, while peak demand is projected at 8,542 MW, leaving the grid with more than 1,100 MW reserve capacity.

For the Typhoon Carina-hit areas, NGCP reported that linemen were able to repair and completely restore the Magapit-Sta. Ana 69-kiloVolt (kV) line which serves the Cagayan II Electric Cooperative (CAGELCO II) and its franchise area in Buguey, Sta. Ana, Sta.Teresita, and Gonzaga in Cagayan province since yesterday afternoon.

Likewise, the National Electrification Administration reported that there are towns and barangays that were scheduled for restoration in the franchises of Cagayan I Electric Cooperative (CAGELCO I) and Ilocos Norte Electric Cooperative (INEC).

Ten HealthTech Solutions Advance to Takeda Digital Healthcare Innovation Challenge Pitching Competition

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Ten HealthTech startups have been selected to advance to the final Pitching Competition for Takeda’s Digital Healthcare Innovation Challenge (DHIC) on August 6, 2016 in Manila, Philippines.

The finalists include six from the Philippines, two from USA, one from Malaysia and one from Thailand. DHIC is a HealthTech pitching competition sponsored by Takeda Healthcare Philippines, Inc. with technical assistance from TechTalks.ph. HealthTech is a term generally used to define software or tech-enabled solutions geared for the healthcare industry.

Following the open call for submission of applicants from around the world last May 10 to June 27, 2016, Takeda DHIC chose the top 10 entries with the most suitable and most relevant tech solutions for Oncology.

The finalists include a variety of mobile and web solutions from electronic medical records, to early cancer detection and diagnosis, telemedicine, wellness platform, e-prescription and blood donation platform.

Mark Carpio "Hiling" Album Launch Videos

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Check out our YouTube channel at http://www.YouTube.com/user/wazzuppilipinas for the video coverage of performances during Mark Caprio's Hiling album launch held on July 15, 2016 at Historia Bar & Cafe located at Sgt. Esguerra Street in Quezon City.

He sang all the songs included in the album plus a few more songs which are not included n the album. His brothers Jeffrey and Jerome also did a few performances so I've included them as well. Some of the songs I've uploaded at our official Facebook page at http://www.Facebook.com/wazzuppilipinas

The 8 songs included in the album are Hiling, Naghihintay Sa Yo, Kay Tagal, Tampuhan, Kahit Gaano Kalayo, Someday, Imp[ossible and The Move.

The album is released under Warner Music Philippines and with the help of producer Jonathan Ong.

His carrier single, Kay Tagal, has gained popularity when it was used as the soundtrack in a Koreanovela.

The album launch was attended by his family, relatives, friends and colleagues from both the music industry and their family's real estate business, Grand Monaco.

Yabang Pinoy Celebrates Made in the Philippines Week

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Yabang Pinoy has constantly uphold its advocacy of choosing and prioritizing Filipino-made ideas, products and services by supporting the efforts of some organizations lobbying for the revival of “Made in the Philippines Week”. Originally promulgated by former President Manuel L. Quezon in 1936, the Proclamation No. 76 or “Made in the Philippines Week” is a way to give the necessary encouragement and stimulus to domestic industries.

Usually observed on the third week of August, the “Made in the Philippines Week” urges Filipinos to contribute to the growth of local industries by patronizing and prioritizing Filipino products for their personal and home needs. In the past, celebrations of “Made in the Philippines Week” include exhibits, expos, lectures, and bazaars showcasing Philippine products and services.

Over the years Yabang Pinoy has worked with several organizations and entities which also promote the same kind of advocacy. Patch Dulay, Founder of Obrano Heritage Goods and The Spark Project, believes that patronizing Filipino products should start from the consumers’ mindset. He said, “I want the local buyers to at the very least try supporting local, try purchasing local brands. And if they want to go a step further, advocate”. On the other hand, Marco Sebastian of Marsse Tropical Timber Plantation stated that “If [we] get more support from the buyers, we can improve our facilities, our methodologies, we can make it more affordable to other people.”

Entering into another decade of Filipino excellence and ingenuity, Yabang Pinoy strives to create programs and projects that inspire local artists and entrepreneurs to create masterpieces. One of the projects that boosts Filipino entrepreneurial spirit since the organization’s establishment in 2005 is the Global Pinoy Bazaar. This coming August 10 to 14 at Glorietta Activity Center in Makati City, Yabang Pinoy will hold its 17th Global Pinoy Bazaar in line with the celebration of “Made in the Philippines Week”. The movement believes that by staging projects such as Global Pinoy Bazaar, it may become instrumental in the revival of Proclamation No. 76.

To get updates regarding this proclamation, stay in touch with Yabang Pinoy through www.yabangpinoy.com.            

ePLDT Certified Experts Provide Cybersecurity Assessment to PH Businesses

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Cybersecurity is one of the biggest concerns of enterprises these days. Without dedicated personnel to manage this aspect of the business, implementation can be daunting. Companies will need to manage security policies, configure and maintain multiple hardware and systems, implement best practices and compliance, and handle upgrades, while keeping up-to-date with the latest threats.

In line with its thrust to help Philippine businesses implement reliable cybersecurity measures, ePLDT, the digital enterprise enabler of the country’s leading telecommunications and digital services provider, PLDT Inc., recently introduced the ePLDT Managed Security Solutions in its product roster. It is a suite of security services that cover the devices, systems, processes, and expertise needed to protect vital IT infrastructure from most security risks, evolving threats, and malicious software attacks.

“Many businesses find security overly complicated and thereby put it off to deal with later when a breach has occurred. Our goal is to simplify it for them, giving more incentives to make security a priority to minimize the cost of these breaches. Having protective measures is not enough— enterprises need to check for vulnerabilities and respond accordingly,” said Bernice Pineda, Business Development Manager for PLDT Disruptive Business Group.

Following the launch, ePLDT is offering free vulnerability assessment for a limited time, providing critical insight into specific details of a company’s IT system such as bandwidth usage, infected computers, and possible security gaps within the network. A part of the free assessment will be the installation of a tool which can automatically analyze network traffic. This assessment is open for enterprises within Metro Manila and will be free for those who apply until August 31, 2016.

“The vulnerability assessment, which we are currently offering free of charge, will help enterprises understand cybersecurity in greater depth. We will help them test their current security and recommend the appropriate adjustments tailored for their needs,” said Francis Arjonillo, Head of PLDT Business Development for Enterprise Cloud and Managed Security. “In matters of security, being proactive is a must. One shouldn’t sit around and wait for a breach before taking action.”

Those who are interested in the free vulnerability assessment and the ePLDT Managed Security solutions may visit www.epldt.com/solutions/managed-security to sign up or view more details.

Food and Fashion Royalty on TLC

Wazzup Pilipinas!

When it comes to gastronomic affairs and wedding runways, there is no settling for anything less than what kings and queens deserve on TLC. This August, chef and restaurateur Luke Nguyen, and the queens of bridal fashion embark on new shows fit for royal viewers.


Luke Nguyen’s Street Food Asia

Celebrity chef Luke goes out to see for himself just why Asia is widely considered one of the best spots for the best kinds of street food. Exploring through Vietnam, Malaysia, Indonesia and Thailand, Luke goes behind the scenes and discovers the secrets and routines of street food vendors and owners who busy themselves hunting for ingredients, preparing recipes, setting up their stalls, selling their famous dishes and more. Binge on and do not miss Luke Nguyen’s Street Food Asia as it premieres on August 22, airing Mondays at 9:25pm. 

Say Yes to the Dress: Big Bliss

Wedding bells will soon ring, but the road to the big day is not all bliss. More often than not, brides are pressured to make everything fit princess-perfect: the flowers, the guest list, the dress….It can only go two ways—happily ever after or a total wedding disaster.

Walk down the TLC aisle with plus-sized brides trying to find their dream dress on Say Yes to the Dress: Big Bliss. The new season marks new beginnings of the brides and follows the inner workings of premier bridal salon, Kleinfeld Bridal. There are many struggles for a plus-sized bride shopping in an average size 6 store, but all will be conquered by love.

Say Yes to the Dress: Big Bliss premieres August 5, airing Fridays at 9pm.