Wazzup Pilipinas News and Events

Sunday, August 7, 2016

Wazzup Pilipinas Founder Hailed as 2016 Best Choice Achievers Awardee

Wazzup Pilipinas!

We would like to congratulate Wazzup Pilipinas founder, Ross Del Rosario, for his remarkable achievements in the blogging industry. We were just too busy with so many projects and collaborations that we never had time to formally announce the recognition.

The founder of Wazzup Pilipinas (the self-declared Pambansang Blog ng Pilipinas or theNational Blog of the Philippines), recently received an award for "Best Choice Achievers for Accomplishments and Success in Multimedia Advertising Opinion Blogging Industry."

This is not the first time that Ross Del Rosario was recognized for his achievements in the blogging industry. He was previously conferred a similar award a few years ago due to his accomplishments in managing the Wazzup Pilipinas community blog. We should also mention the numerous awards conferred to the community blog site itself. throughout the three years of its existence.

Wazzup Pilipinas has been a very popular blog site for media partnership of events and brands and has partnered with so many organizations and companies including colleges and universities for their events and advocacy programs. It has been known to promote everything that is happening in the Philippines but has also collaborated with international brands and movements.

The awards ceremonies for the Best Choice Awards 2016 was held at the Eastwood Richmonde Hotel located at 17 Orchard Road, Eastwood City, 1110 Quezon City, Philippines on Saturday, June 25, 2016 at 6:00pm featuring celebrity guests and prominent speakers from different government and business organizations.

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Giddy up Banawe! The Red Baron Group that brought you succulent steaks in slates, and the frenzied iced cold drinks featuring ice scramble and green tea matcha frizzies, comes the epic duel of the yin and yang of Asia and the gun-slingin’ hotshots of the old west — Sear Steak Scullery serves folks with exquisitely prepared steaks from a wide range of steak selection, and modern Asian fusion dishes.

Designed to exude an authentic Western themed restaurant with hints of modern Asian vibe, Sear is the only steak place in the area that offers full service semi-fine dining experience that has wide selection of steaks from the famously known USDA Certified Meats to the finest cut of the revered HIDA Wagyu steak flown fresh from Japan.

Sear offers foodies and steak lovers specially seared steak dishes in each order, a technique learned perfectly executed over the years.

The saloon is also loaded with their very own milkshakes, cocktails, fresh fruit juices and hot beverage concoctions ready to attend to any parched fellow.

Sear Steak Scullery is located at 2F, 238 Banawe Corner Panalturan Street Manresa Quezon City and opens from Monday to Sunday; 11am – 11pm, offering dine and wine menus!

You have to get here, cowboy! It’s a bang for every buck, SEAR-iously!

Dutdutan 16: The Biggest Tattoo Expo in the Philippines Is Here Again

Wazzup Pilipinas!

There's an online campaign out there that wants to push the proclamation of 95 year old Wang-od, oldest tattoo artist from Kalinga, as a national artist of the Philippines. Would you agree with this recognition for her?

Tattooing is indeed considered as an art no matter how some people would look at it as desecrating the holiness of our body. After all, it's our body so it's up to us whether we keep it as is or embellish it with all sorts of decorative ornaments may it be permanent or temporary.

The images or text engraved on the skin are in its truest sense can be really creative depending on the artist and the person carrying it. Sometimes, it's the location of the tattoo that makes it more meaningful and significant, most of the time even sentimental, and would represent the character or personality of the bearer.

The tattoo artists are hailed whenever they finish a masterpiece on their clients' bodies, anywhere from head to toe, and even deep within parts of the bodies that are rarely seen. There are times people just have tattoos for only their personal appreciation by keeping it private and for their eyes only, or limited for their loved ones or special intimacies.

Here's your chance to have a tattoo or two, or three, as the biggest tattoo convention in the country is almost here again. Scheduled on August 12 and 13 at the World Trade Center, the event hopes to be a bigger and better venue for all tattoo lovers where all forms of our wild side will get the chance to get out again as we relish on our new tattoo, while enjoying the music, babes, merchandise and everything else that defines us.

Wazzup Pilipinas!

"According to the Philippine Daily Inquirer, some 660 drug suspects have been killed to date: 436 in police operations and 224 by unidentified assailants. On the rising death toll, President Duterte, said Thursday, “I do not care. I really don’t care.” But on Friday evening, the President acknowledged the abuses in the battle against illegal drugs – for the very first time - fueling speculations he was high on drugs." - The Professional Heckler

I agree with Richard Branson when he said “Fighting fire with fire won’t work. The Philippines must reverse course immediately and choose evidence-based policies that put people first, reduce harm and put an end to these atrocities.” We should rehabilitate and not kill those drug users. Even those pushers deserve an opportunity to change their ways. The real culprits here are the ones manufacturing the drugs. However, our authorities are only keen of "cleansing" the country of the small time offenders, yet give the big time masterminds a chance to get away (by all means).

Those shoot-to-kill orders could only come from a madman. Only madmen would believe it is a must to kill their fellow human beings. Never give up on humanity because you are one of them.

My issue with what has been going on is the need to "rehabilitate" rather than kill. It is inhuman for a leader to give orders of shoot to kill for drug-related offenders when they could be incapacitated, caught, and interrogated instead to find out the real masterminds.

With regards to what I have accomplished for the country, I have been reporting anomalies within the government for several years already which led to some removal of personnel and closure of offices. However, there are still so many corrupt government officials out there protected by immunity and influential personalities.

Wazzup Pilipinas!

"I wanna be the very best like no one ever was. Gotta catch them all!"

It was reported that some Pokemon Go players are not playing fairly by using the GPS Hack - an app installed on their mobile phopnes which will allow them to seemingly go to different location even though they're at a stand still.

The app deceives the game thinking you are actually at a different location but in reality you are just at the same position as before. This allows the players to level up quickly with very little effort.

Have you tried it yet out of curiosity or intend to really "hack" the game in search of the elusive Pokemons out in the wild?

The Pokemon Go was officially release and available for download at the Google Playstore yesterday, August 6, 2016 but the app was already accessible a few weeks ago via underground. Those who were able to download it before retained their levels, just as my level 4 remained intact upon logging again on my mobile phone.

However, I'm on my way to level 5 with several Pokemons already but I did all of the catching while I am only sitting pretty at home doing no walking at all. Never used the hacks and just waited for those Pokemon creatures to appear. There were lures used when they were available during the first time I downloaded the game manually but now there's none available.

However, I've read online (The Verge) that there are actually several ways to cheat the game:

"As Pokémon Go continues its huge surge of international popularity, there have already been a wide variety of creative methods from various players who have tried in various ways to beat the system, from drones to phone cases to just outright trying to sell accounts.
But new video from earlier this week has raised the stakes again for Pokémon Gohacking, with a unique hardware-based solution to solve the problem of actually having to go outside and walk around to catch pokémon.

Instead of using software to spoof the GPS data being fed to the Pokémon Go app, this latest method involves placing the phone in a radio-frequency-shielded box, and using a signal generator to generate a fake GPS signal which the phone, (and therefore, thePokémon Go app), receives and uses as the "location" of the device.

Then, custom software uses Google Earth and a joystick to slowly change the signal to the phone, simulating walking by changing the faked location of the device."

So it seems creative and ingenious Pokemon Go hacks will continue to emerge due to the popularity of the game. Have you seen people going around like crazy while looking at their mobile phones?

They're probably catching Pokemon as they try to become the very best like no one has ever done and shouts out "Gotta Catch Them All!"

Ascendant Technologies Wins Takeda Digital Healthcare Innovation Challenge

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Congratulations to Ascendant Technologies for winning the Takeda Digital Healthcare Innovation Challenge (DHIC) with their product called "The Finder" - a cloud based Electronic Medical Record Solution which can catch red flags in a basic patient examination and forward them to the doctor specialists for further examination.

The winner, a team of 3 doctors, a nurse and a psychologist, went home with a USD 10,000 check to be used in whatever purpose they want with no obligation or deliverable required from them. However, they also get the chance to work with Takeda Pharmaceuticals International and Takeda Healthcare Philippines to further develop their solutions.

The pitching of 10 finalists was held at the Asian Institute of Management Conference Center on August 6, 2016. A press conference was held a few hours before the pitching session were members of the media got the opportunity to inquire from the key personalities who helped organized the event.

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.

Wazzup Pilipinas!

We can't get enough of pop icon Mario Maurer - the new celebrity ambassador of Thailand rides a Tuk-Tuk with Kajorndet Apichartrakul, the Tourism Director of the Tourism Authority of Thailand, and Thanatip Upatising, the Thailand Ambassador, along with her spouse, Madame Monthip “Bee” Upatising, plus other key personalities during the grand launch of "Experience Thailand with Mario" mainly organized by the Tourism Authority of Thailand.

The launch cum press conference gave Mario a chance to say, in his own words, why Thailand is worth being everyone's next go-to travel destination. Along with the Tourism Director, he also mentioned his top choices of doing while visit the amazing country of Thailand by enumerating some places to visit, foods to eat and services to try and 'experience."

He mentioned Bangkok and Chiang Mai as his top places to visit, riding a river boat while being massaged, and eating Thai delicacies, among a few more which you can watch more at our seven-part video coverage available at our YouTube channel at http://www.YouTube.com/user/wazzuppilipinas

You can see more photos at our official Facebook page at http://www.Facebook.com/wazzuppilipinas

When asked why Thailand chose Mario as the celebrity ambassador, the Tourism Director just said that we should just look at Mario and see for ourselves why. However, he hinted that it is mainly because Mario is widely recognized all over the world, especially in the Philippines, as witnessed from the jam-packed press conference where most of the attendees were young ladies all swooning in delight upon seeing Mario.

Wazzup Pilipinas!

While we were sleeping, President Rodrigo Roa Duterte named current and former government officials that are allegedly involved in the drug trade.

However, it leads me to wonder why does he need to name them when he could have just ordered their arrest. If he has enough or sufficient evidence against them, he could easily have them rot in jail for the offenses. But it seems the President is more interested in public shaming than having them caught.

What is happening to this country? The poor could not defend themselves because they immediately get killed while those in position have the opportunity to flee or fight since they have been warned via this baffling announcement.

Don't you find it strange that Duterte does not care if the poor die and their families and relatives grieve, while he gives the affluent a chance to redeem themselves by denying the accusation while they work on hiring lawyers and protectors to guard their continued freedom.

Since there are nothing holding them from getting away to other countries with the absence of a hold departure advise, they could be gone by tomorrow.

What really goes on in his head is an enigma. There must be a hidden agenda to all of these expose.

Listed below are all the officials as read by Duterte:

Judge Mupas of Dasmarinas Cavite
Judge Reyes (only known) - Baguio City
Judge Savilo - RTC branch 13 Iloilo City
Judge Casiple - Kalibo, Aklan
Judge Rene Gonzales - MTC
Judge Navidad - RTC Calbayog City
Judge Exequiel Dagala - MTC
Judge Dapa - Siargao
Mayor Reynaldo Flores - Naguilian, La Union
Mayor Dante Garcia - Tubao, La Union
Mayor Martin De Guzman - Bauang, La Union
Mayor Marjorie Apel Salazar - Lasam, Cagayan
Mayor Goto Violago - San Rafael, Bulacan
Mayor Marino Morales - Mabalacat, Pampanga
Mayor Felix Castillo - Langiden, Abra
Ex-Mayor Eufranio Eriguel - Agoo, La Union
Mayor Jesus Celeste "Alias Boying" - Bolinao, Pangasinan
Mayor Jose "Pepe" Miranda - Santiago City, Isabela
Mayor Vicente Amante - San Pablo City, Laguna
Mayor Ryan Dolor - Bauan, Batangas
Vice Mayor Edgardo Trinidad - El Nido, Palawan
Mayor Alex Centena - Calinog, Iloilo
Mayor Julius Ronald Pacificador - Hamtic, Antique
Mayor Jed Mabilog - Iloilo City
Mayor Sigfredo Betita - Carles, Iloilo
Mayor Mariano Malones - Maasin, Iloilo
Ex-Mayor Michael Rama - Cebu City
Mayor Hector Ong - Laoang, Northern Samar
Mayor Rolando Espinosa - Albuera, Samar
Mayor Beda Canamaque - Basay, Negros Oriental
Ex-Mayor Madeline Ong - Laoang, Northern Samar
Vice Mayor Francis Ansing Amboy - Maasin, Iloilo
Fralz Sabalones - San Fernando Cebu
Antonio Pesina - Iloilo City
Erwin "Tongtong" Plagata - Iloilo City
Ex-Congressman JC Rahman Nava - Guimaras
Party-list Rep. Jeffrey Celis
Ex-Mayor Abubakar Abdukarim Afdal - Labangan, Zamboanga del Sur
Mayor Gamar Ahay Janihim - Sirawai, Zamboanga del Norte
David Navarro - Pagadian City, Zamboanga del Sur
Bobby Alingan - Kolambugan, Lanao del Norte
Yusofa Monder Bugong Ramin - Iligan City, Lanao del Norte
Jessie Aguilera - Alegria, Surigao del Norte
Mayor Fahad Salic - Marawi City
Mayor Mohammad Ali Abenal - Marantao, Lanao del Sur
Jamal Dadayan - Buadiposo-Buntong, Lanao del Sur
Sabdullah Macabago - Saguiaran, Lanao del Sur
Muslim Aline Macadatu - Lumbatan, Lanao del Sur
Rasul Sangki - Ampatuan, Maguindanao
Montaser Sabal - Talitay, Maguindanao
Vicman Montawal - Datu Montawal, Maguindanao
Samsudin Dimaukom - Datu Saudi Ampatuan, Maguindanao
Norodin Salasal - Datu Salibo, Maguindanao
Ex-Mayor Benahar Tulawie - Talipao, Sulu
Reynaldo Parojinog - Ozamiz City
Nova Princess Parojinog Echavez - Ozamiz City
Mayor Omar Solitario Ali - Marawi City
Vice Mayor Abdul Wahab Sabal - Talitay, Magundanao
Otto Montawal - Datu Montawal, Maguindanao
Nida Dimagkon - Datu Saudi Ampatuan, Maguindanao
Arafat Salic - Marawi City
Rasmiyah Macabago - Saguiaran, Lanao del Sur
Congressman Guillermo Romarate, Jr. - 2nd District, Surigao del Norte
Former board member Ricardo Parojinog - Misamis

The following active and retired law enforcement officers were mentioned (list as read by Duterte):

P/Insp. Rolando Batulayan (ret.)
P/Supt. Maristelo Manalo - PNP-CIDG
PCI Roberto Palisoc - Station 7 MPD
P/Supt. Ciceron Ada (ret.)
PCI Eric Buenaventura - Navotas
PO2 Geraldine Bautista Manuel - PNP PRO2
SPO3 Ronald Calap - Isabela PPO
POC Rodel Samoledo - Lalio Police Station
PO3 Cecilio Domingo - Nueva Ecija CIDT
PO2 Ryan Mendoza - Tarlac Police Station
Jeffrey Serafica - Butuan PPO
PO1 Norman Adarlo - Puerto Galera NPS
Mark Canete - RSRPSB MIMAROPA
PO1 Mark Christian Catalina - PNP Camarines Norte
PO2 Alan Carpio PCP - 8 Pasay City
PO3 Eric Lazo - QCPD Station 6
PO3 Alexander Macabeo - PCP 3 Paranaque City
PO3 Johnny Mahilum - QCPD Station 6 Batasan
PO2 Celito Melendrez - Binangonan Police Station
Gen. Vicente Loot (ret.)
Gen. Valerio (ret.) - Santa Barbara, Iloilo
Gen. Bernardo Diaz - Region 6
Gen. Idio - RTC of Calbayog City
P/Supt. Floro (ret.) - Antique City PNP
P/Supt. Kashmir Disomangcop - COP of Iloilo Base Commander
P/Supt. Delia Paz - Chief RDIDM
P/Supt. Genepa - RIU Intelligence
P/Supt. Ipil Duenas
P/Supt. Condag
P/Supt. Eugenio Malic - PNP Maritime Group
Lamsis - former chief Antique anti-drug
P/Supt. Gomboc
P/Supt. Lebin
PCI Maymay
PSI Kenneth Militar - Iloilo
PSI Donasco
P/Insp. De Jose - SOG PNP Region 6
P/Insp. Duarte - former PCOP of Arevalo, Iloilo
P/Insp. Vicente Vicente - COP Banate
P/Insp. Romeo Santander - Former chief intel Cebu
PO2 Michael Cortez - Barile Police Station
SPO1 Jen dela Victoria - PS5 Cebu CPO
SPO1 Onel Nabua - Barile Police Station
PO2 Jomar Ibanez - Lapu-Lapu Police Station
PO3 Ryan Martus Kiamco - Cebu Provincial Office
PCI Ibrahim Jabiran - Zamboanga CPO
PCI Perfecto Abrasaldo Awi Jr. - Misamis Oriental
P/Insp. Roy Montes - Iligan PRO
P/Supt. Ricardo Gando Pulot - COP Quezon Bukidnon
P/Insp. Martin Plaza - former Panabo chief intel
PO1 Pierre Dizo - Zamboanga del Sur
PO3 Omar Juani - Zamboanga City Public Safety
Rommel Mansul - PRO9
PO3 Daryl Page - Tabasan Municipal Station
SPO1 Totong Joe Valdez - 9th RNG
SPO4 Rodrigo Ramos - Bukidnon PRO
SPO1 Reynaldo dela Victoria - CDO
SPO3 Emilio Mendoza - Lozaria PP5 Iligan City
Marlo Espinosa - Bukidnon
SPO3 Richie Mat - CIDG Mati Davao Oriental
SPO3 Rosell Iliviera - CIDG Tagum Davao del Norte
PO3 Jessie Balabag - Region 11
PO3 Filomeno Toronia - Digos Police Station
PO1 Glenn Alicarte - PRO 12
PO1 Philip Pantarolia - Tacurong City Police Office
SPO1 Gerry dela Rosa - SCPPO
PO3 Bebot Ruiz - GSCPO
PO3 Estelito Solanio - Malongon MPS Sarangani
PO1 Jerebel Ocsio - PRO RMN
SPO1 Ernesto Billones - NCR
JS1 Lito Montemayor - Roxas District Jail Aparri
PO1 Vicente Reynaldo Celis - NCR
PG Drexel Saet - MIMAROPA
SPO1 Felix Tubil - Region 3
SPO3 Nicolas Ponce Angeles - Region 3
SPO2 Rod Erseni - Marinduque BFP
FO1 Reynaldo Valencia - Claveria Police Station
SSgt. Vic dela Cruz - MIMAROPA
B/Gen. Leoncio Daniega - NCR
SPO3 Gerry Mendoza - NCR
Reymante Dayto - Region 5
Reymar Dayto - Region 5
Renato Zamora - Region 6
J1 Alan Manatad - Region 7
SPO3 Christie Cielo Tingad - Region 7
RSAD Casimiro Castro - CAFGU 38IB 6ID ARMM
RSAD Pfc. Philip Miro - 40IB 6ID ARMM
Cpl. Cusinan Lopez - 52IB ARMM
Pfc. Mamadali Ipad - 64IB 6ID
Yasin Abolgalib
JO1 Alfredo Ogacho
FO1 Nicolas Ponce Ablaca
FO1 Ricardo Ibanez
Marine Cpl. Alfrenz Gurias Abedin
Jimmy Manlangit - Region 12

Saturday, August 6, 2016

Manila Makes History This August With First-Ever History Con

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Join your favourite HISTORY stars at the first-of-its-kind event with interactive experiences, on-ground activities and exhibits

Date: 25 – 28 August 2016
Location: World Trade Center Manila
Website: HistoryAsia.com/HistoryCon
Official event hashtag #HistoryCon

FB: https://www.facebook.com/historyasia
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/HistoryAsia
IG: http://www.instagram.com/HistoryAsia

Video links:
https://www.facebook.com/HISTORYasia/videos/10154400218013754/
https://www.facebook.com/HISTORYasia/videos/10154435645273754/

Talent Line-Up

ANCIENT ALIEN: Giorgio A.Tsoukalos
STORAGE WARS: Brandi Passante & Jarrod Schulz
GANGLAND UNDERCOVER: Damon Runyan & Ian Matthews
CELEBRITY CAR WARS: Bobby Tonelli, Joey Mead King, KC Montero, Marc Nelson, Gaby Dela Merced
PHOTO FACE OFF: Justin Mott

1) HISTORY Con Opening Ceremony & Press Conference: 25 August, Thursday
2) HISTORY Con Closing Ceremony: 28 August, Sunday

Events On-Ground

HISTORY’s Digital Host Talent Search

Can you out-crazy the craziest of hosts? You could be HISTORY’s next digital star! Submit a video of yourself reviewing one of our shows on @HistoryAsia’s Facebook page with the hashtag, #HistoryConAuditions. Come join us at the live finals on Sunday, 28 Aug at HISTORY Con!

Cosplay Contests

Come dressed at your favourite characters from HISTORY’s hit shows, from Pawn Stars to Vikings or rock your leather ensemble and strut in your best biker get-up. Register with us at the entrance for your chance to enter and you could win attractive prizes. May the best cosplayer win!

HISTORY Bee

Think you know your history? Local middle school and universities in Metro Manila have been invited to take part in the HISTORY Bee Inter-school Competition, a quiz based competition where the winning school will be crowned HISTORY Bee School Champion in Manila.

World Record Week III

HISTORY attempts to break the 3 world records at HISTORY Con

· The longest TV-watching marathon - currently set at 94 hours
· The most number of Quarter Pounders consumed in 1 minute
· The largest serving of Garlic Mushrooms

3D Experiences

Take an immersive experience into the Solar System with Titans of Space and into the wild jungles of HISTORY’s hit-series, ALONE.

Special historical exhibits

· Philippine Presidential Limousine displays
· WWII Reenactments

Tournaments & Demos

· Weaponry & Blade demonstrations
· Boxing Matches
· Wrestling Demonstrations

Public Interest Groups Weigh in on Telco Deal

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Public interest groups weigh in on telco deal and calls on new government regulator to review impact on consumers.

The biggest telecommunications acquisition in the country draws deep concern as consumer welfare and public interest groups demand transparency after the telecom duopoly sought shelter in the courts from review by the country’s independent anti-trust body.

In a forum organized by the Foundation for Media Alternatives (FMA) and the Philippine chapter of Internet Society (ISOC PH), and hosted by the Ateneo School of Government (AsoG), groups said the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) and the Philippine Competition Commission (PCC) should both take a closer look at the acquisition of assets involving the 700Mhz frequency band.

ASoG Dean Ron Mendoza said there needs to be evidence-based discussions between the public and private sector to improve the competition environment in the country citing the merger as an important first-test case for the Competition Law of the country. The independent anti-trust body is currently reviewing the P69-billion sale of Vega Telecoms, San Miguel Corporation’s telecom business, to Globe Telecom and PLDT Inc.

The two firms have brought the matter before the Court of Appeals. The appellate court’s 6 th division earlier denied Globe's petition to stop the PCC review. “We want a more competitive telecom industry so that Filipinos enjoy innovative and fast and reliable internet services at affordable prices and high network quality.” said Grace Mirandilla-Santos, an independent researcher specializing in telecommunications.

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The final day of the ACSC/APF 2016 examined the progress and efficacy of ASEAN and its mechanisms in achieving a people-centered community.

H.E. Mr. Xanana Gusmao, Minister of Strategic Investment in Timor-Leste, engaging participants in an open dialogue, commented on the historical importance of ASEAN as a people’s movement, stating: “When Timor-Leste was suffering and the rest of the world had forsaken it, international civil society, ASEAN civil society, stood with us.”

Minister Gusmao also discussed the ongoing need for civil society to monitor and restrain the actions of the state, keeping the state accountable. To this end, he said, “We must celebrate the success of ASEAN…but we must have a growing sense of solidarity and plan of action for the future.”

Minister Gusmao concluded his address with a request for solidarity from ASEAN civil society, once again, in checking the actions of government. “I ask of you one last thing. The Timorlese have a final struggle to achieve our sovereignty. Determining our maritime boundaries is a matter of sovereignty. It is the final step in our struggle. We fought for sovereignty over our land, and now we are fighting for sovereignty over our seas.”

Wazzup Pilipinas!
Sports entertainment brand World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) returns to the Philippines for their only Southeast Asia event this 2016!

This is happening on September 9, 2016 at the SM Mall of Asia (MOA) Arena in Pasay City. The door opens at 8 pm. Get to see all the action up close, or depending on which seats you can afford. It will surely be different when we watch it LIVE instead of from a TV or from a computer!

Who could best represent the WWE franchise but their biggest fighter. He was one of the hulking giants of the wrestling community, and you can't imagine the memories that was brought back after his appearance in Manila. It actually gave me goosebumps when I've heard of his upcoming visit but unfortunately I was scheduled somewhere else during his scheduled appearance and meet-up with media.

‪Dubbed as the World's Largest Athlete, specifically of Wrestling, Paul Donald Wright Jr. aka "The ‪Big Show"‬ visited Manila last July 26, 2016 at the SM MOA Music Hall for a press conference and meet and greet with fans. Hosting was Eric "Eruption" Tai who said the event was "electrifying and ecstatic."

The venue that night was jam-packed with fans, especially the Gen X generation, who can't help but reminisce their childhood watching him and his WWE colleagues fight it out on the ring. The fights were controversially seen as highly rigged and fake, but still it never stopped fans from watching the awesome spectacle as huge guys fought like crazy. It was entertainment to the max if you want adrenaline-pumping action, but would seem so violent for the faint of heart.

Wazzup Pilipinas!

The Australian National University (ANU) and De La Salle University (DLSU) in the Philippines signed an agreement on 2 August 2016 at DLSU Campus, Manila, Philippines, to establish a new joint program of graduate studies in economics at both universities.

The partnership was made possible through the Australian Government’s Institutional Partnerships Program in the Philippines. In the photo above are Professor Veronica Taylor (Dean of ANU College of Asia and the Pacific), Dr Gerardo Janairo (DLSU Chancellor), Mr Mat Kimberley (Deputy Head of Mission, Australian Embassy).

Under the new agreement, one year of graduate studies will be undertaken at DLSU and another year at ANU. Students who successfully complete the first year of studies will receive a Diploma in Development Economics from DLSU and will be granted entry into the ANU Crawford School to continue their graduate studies. Those who successfully complete studies at the Australian university will be awarded a Master of Environmental and Resource Economics (MERE) or a Master of International and Development Economics (MIDEC).

Mr Mat Kimberley, Australia’s Deputy Head of Mission to the Philippines was pleased to attend the signing, stating that “This is a wonderful development and one that we would like to see more of. Education plays a vital role in Australia-Philippine relations dating back to the 1950s when Filipino scholars were in the first cohort of the Colombo Plan. Since then, more than 3,000 young Filipinos have studied in Australia as part of the Australia Awards Program and each year 10,000 Filipinos study and train in Australia. Today, we are also sending Australia’s best and the brightest to study and train in the Philippines under the New Colombo Plan.”

Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade is also working with ANU to deliver The Philippines Update 2016 Conference on 2 - 3 September 2016. This conference will provide a forum to link Australian and Filipino officials and researchers’ together to support research on inclusive growth, trade and governance in the Philippines and to look at how development gains under the previous administration can continue under the Duterte administration. The Philippines Update 2016 conference is being presented as part of the 70th anniversary celebration of Philippine-Australia relations.

For updates on Australia-Philippines’ #First70Years, visit www.philippines.embassy.gov.au, like us on Facebook and follow us on @Ausembph.

The Problem of Encroachment: Shrinking Civic Spaces and Territorial Disputes in ASEAN

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Among the foremost concerns of civil society being prioritised at this year’s ASEAN People’s Forum is the issue of encroachment. This encroachment is being seen throughout the region, both in the form of shrinking civic spaces, as well as physical encroachment on land and maritime rights.

During yesterday’s sessions, representatives of organisations from Timor-Leste, Indonesia, and Vietnam respectively discussed the issues faced by their communities with regard to resource exploitation by Australia, encroachment on the rights of traditional fisherman via government regulations, and China’s strong-arming of ASEAN countries in the South China Sea.

“A good response to this issue is to build more people-to-people solidarity, especially between and among peoples of the contending or claiming countries, such as Australia, Timor-Leste, the Philippines, China, and the like,” stated Mr. Augusto (Gus) Miclat Jr., Executive Director of the Initiatives for International Dialogue (IID), based in the Phillipines.

Mr. Mark Batac, also representing IID as well as the Global Partnership for Prevention of Armed Conflict, heeded that we must further remember that, “Fighting encroachment is not a competition between the people of China and the people of ASEAN, or the people of TimorLeste and the people of Australia. While we celebrate our sovereignty as peoples, we should also be weary not to flame any conflicts between our peoples. We as the people’s movement in civil society must build bridges, not boundaries.”

Encroachment in the form of shrinking civil space also continues to plague ASEAN civil society. Mr. Andrew Khoo of the Malaysian Bar Council discussed how governments across ASEAN use means such as national security, censorship, and regulation to justify its encroachment on the rights of citizens.

Ms. Chalida Tajaroensuk of People’s Empowerment Foundation, Thailand, illustrated how these tools of oppression are used in Thailand, stating, “The justification behind the 2014 military coup was to ‘keep peace and order,’ and now Article 44 of the current version of the Constitution is being used under this guise to concentrate power with the government. They use Article 44 to justify the violation of rights, from land-grabbing to dragging human rights defenders into military court.”

Similarly, Mr. Victor Mambor of the Independent Alliance of Journalists (AJI Papua) discussed the repression that is taking place through silencing in West Papua, with police ‘categorising victims as terrorists and separatists, and arresting or killing them on these grounds.’ Mr. Mambor also shed light on the government’s tactic of preventing international media or NGOs from entering the country, further silencing any discussion of problematic issues.

Once again, greater solidarity among ASEAN civil societies to unite with a common voice against oppression, regardless of which country the offense is taking place in, was emphasised as a way forward. This further underscores the importance of the ACSC/APF forum in bringing representatives of ASEAN civil society together for open dialogue to discuss strategies and solutions in a safe space.

Timor-Leste Leads ASEAN Call for Increased Collaboration Between Civil Society and Government

Wazzup Pilipinas!

With the official opening of the ASEAN Civil Society Conference / ASEAN Peoples' Forum (ACSC/APF) 2016, there has been a resounding call for greater solidarity among ASEAN civil society, as well as for heightened collaboration between civil society and government.

These themes have been embodied both in the consensus to hold the ACSC/APF 2016 in Timor-Leste, as well as by the presence of the Prime Minister of the Republic of Timor-Leste, H.E. dr. Mr. Rui Maria Araujo, at the opening ceremony. This was unprecedented—as it is the first time the head-of-state of an ASEAN nation has participated and engaged in an open dialogue with citizens—and must serve as an example to the ASEAN governments.

In his address to ACSC/APF 2016 participants this morning at the Dili Convention Center, Prime Minister Araujo illustrated the potential of a collaborative relationship between government and civil society using the example of Timor-Leste. Prime Minister Araujo stated, “The relationship between government and civil society in Timor-Leste is constructed upon the genuine conviction that civil society is an important partner during the process of nation-building in countries like ours where almost everything—from policy development, to implementation, to monitoring of results—have to be built from scratch, and have important implications in the day-to-day lives of people who struggled during 500 years of foreign domination.”

Prime Minister Araujo reminded the audience of the critical role that civil society has historically played in Timor-Leste, saying, “Our nationhood was shaped and our sovereignty restored through civil society activism, so the government did not have any doubt about the continued vital role of civil society in shaping the destiny of our nation.” The Prime Minister also drew attention to the fact that, “Despite the close relationship between the government and civil society organisations, the government has not expected civil society to stop criticising the government,” maintaining Timor-Leste as an open society.

“We want to lead by example,” said Prime Minister Araujo, referencing Timor-Leste’s track record of ratifying international human rights conventions. “This means implementing our commitments in these conventions.”

Prime Minister Araujo’s sentiments around increased collaboration were shared by the ASEAN Parliamentarians who participated in Tuesday’s Town Hall, as well as by President Taur Matan Ruak,

whose address was delivered by a representative during the welcome cocktail reception hosted at the President’s Palace on Tuesday night. The dialogue with ASEAN Parliamentarians highlighted the need for increased education among members of government on the treaties and underlying obligations of the human rights conventions to which their countries have acceded, and the Parliamentarians called on civil society, as the on-theground experts, to continue to guide government’s agenda and priorities.

President Taur Matan Ruak’s words also underscored the need for a less adversarial and more collaborative relationship between government and civil society, stating ‘we should not be afraid to be in the same room together,’ and attributing some successful measures Timor-Leste has taken towards recognising human rights to the initiatives of civil society.

Members of ASEAN civil society are cautiously optimistic about the collaboration with government, emphasising that this collaboration only makes sense if it is substantive and addresses the most painful issues of the region, such as the shrinking space for civil society and persecution of dissenting voices.

The ACSC/APF 2016 Conference is taking place on 02-05 August 2016, at the Dili Convention Center in Timor-Leste. The full programme of the ACSC/APF 2016 can be viewed at aseanpeople.org.