SilyaWikain: Binigkas, Binagtas, Binigkis Furniture Design Exhibit

Wazzup Pilipinas!

The BS Interior Design Furniture Design Class 2016 will be holding their Annual Furniture Design Exhibit on October 22 – November 4 at Il Centro – Sta. Lucia Mall, Cainta, Rizal, entitled:

“SilyaWikain: Binigkas, Binagtas, Binigkis”

Natatanging eksibit ng mga muebles na nagpupugay sa karangyaan ng ating kultura at ng lingguwaheng Filipino.

Binigkas ang mga salitang nakaligtaan na. Binagtas ang daan ng malikhaing proseso ng paggawa. At, binigkis ang bawat isa para sa iisang layunin- ang pagsasabuhay ng Wikang Pambansa sa pamamagitan ng muwebles at debuho.

Mula sa Kolehiyo ng Arkitektura at Pinong Sining – Politeknikong Unibersidad ng Pilipinas, binigyang sigla ng labing-siyam (29) na dibuhante ang ating lingguwahe sa pamamagitan ng haplos ng sining sa bawat disenyo ng sampung (10) tradisyunal na upuan.

ICT Development Critical in Creating Employment Opportunities

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Emphasizing that government support is essential in enhancing ICT development in the country to further boost economic growth and create employment opportunities, Globe Telecom reiterates call for closer collaboration with the government in developing key telecommunication infrastructure.

“Time and again, we continue to call on the government to help develop broadband access in the Philippines by investing in internet infrastructure in rural and far-flung areas of the country. There is no substitute for government support if we are to achieve social inclusion of all communities as we aspire for further economic growth,” Globe President & CEO Ernest Cu said, emphasizing that development of broadband infrastructure is particularly essential in communities where even basic infrastructure services such as roads and bridges are lacking.

“In recent years, the use of digital technology has extensively enhanced the delivery of important government services. We hope that development of broadband infrastructure will also redound to improved business competencies and capabilities and in turn create more employment opportunities for Filipinos,” he said.

Cu pointed out that in 2015, mobile technologies and services generated 5.4% of GDP in Asia Pacific, a contribution that amounted to around $1.3 trillion of economic value according to the 2016 GSMA Mobile Economy report on Asia Pacific. GSMA said it expects GDP contribution of the sector to increase to $1.7 trillion as countries benefit from the improvements in productivity and efficiency brought about by increased take-up of mobile services and the adoption of new mobile technologies such as machine to machine (M2M). The report also said the sector generated 15 million jobs in 2015. Given the positive impact of 4G technology migration resulting in data traffic growth, economic stimulus and its impact on employment in the region are expected to climb in the years ahead, the GSMA added.

Despite the absence of public investments in enhancing broadband access and speed in the Philippines, the Southeast Asian economy scored high among Starters category of the Global Connectivity Index (GCI), published by Huawei Technologies, which measures how 50 nations are progressing with digital transformation using information and communications technology. Starters are countries in the early stage of ICT infrastructure build-out.

The Philippines garnered a score of 33, the highest score given among countries classified as Starters, which are economies with an average GDP of US$3,000 and have GCI range of 20-34. The country advanced two notches from its previous score in 2015 at 31. According to GCI, countries classified as Starters focus on increasing ICT supply to give more people access to the digital world. To fully benefit from the digital economy, Starter economies need faster broadband expansion to ensure most businesses and citizens have affordable broadband access.

Akamai’ State of the Internet Report for the second quarter also showed that mobile internet speed ranking of the Philippines is in the top 6 in Asia Pacific with an average speed of 8.5Mbps. The report also showed the Philippines has achieved 105.1 Mbps peak mobile speed which is the third highest in Asia Pacific next to Australia and Thailand.

The Philippines ranking in e-government development also moved up to 71st out of 193 countries based in a survey conducted by the United Nations this year. The United Nations Public Administration Country Studies survey, conducted among UN member-countries, uses E-Government Development Index as composite indicator of the willingness and capacity of national governments to utilize ICT in the delivery of public services. Such ranking is a significant improvement from its 95th rank during the initial survey done in 2014. The survey is based on three important dimensions of e-government, namely, scope and quality of online services, development status of telecommunication infrastructure index, and inherent human capital.

Still, business viability is a concern among telco operators in most countries that keep them from deploying infrastructure in rural and far-flung areas, said Cu. In addition to investments in “missionary routes”, telecommunication operators also need government support in minimizing, if not eliminating bureaucracy in relation to the permitting process for cell sites and right-of-way for fiber deployment, said Cu, noting that the company needs to secure around 25 permits, spanning around 8 months, to build a single cell site.

Cu emphasized that given public clamor for better internet speeds and access, rationalization of the permitting process for telco infrastructure should be addressed as soon as possible. “We need the government not just as a regulator but especially as an enabler of the telecommunications industry. Rationalization of permitting process would substantially enhance ICT development in the country,” he stressed.

Cu said Globe needs to continuously build cell sites especially in relation to the deployment of the previously warehoused 700 MHz spectrum, which is seen not only to deliver additional capacity but also enhanced indoor coverage. However, Globe is able to deploy only around 450 cell sites a year even as it targets to build roughly around a thousand towers annually due to permitting challenges.

The Vienna Boys Choir Live in Manila: A One-Night-Only Concert All Set on November 11

Wazzup Pilipinas!

The best holiday treat in our music scene is the forthcoming arrival of the internationally famous Vienna Boys Choir for a one-night only concert this November.

Considered as one of the oldest choirs existing in the world best known for their boy sopranos and altos between the ages of ten and fourteen, the Vienna Boys Choir are selected mainly from Austria, but also from many other nations around the world.

Come and watch “ THE VIENNA BOYS CHOIR LIVE IN MANILA ” on November 11, 2016 – 8 pm at the PICC Plenary Hall.

“THE VIENNA BOYS CHOIR LIVE IN MANILA” is a non-profit charity event of the Alumni Association of Xavier School, for the benefit of the Fr. Tritz ERDA Tech School and the health fund for retired teachers of Xavier School.

The VIENNA BOYS CHOIR had its last performance in Manila back in 2004. After twelve years, this comeback concert is the choir’s 2016 Asian Tour with sold-out performances in Beijing, Shanghai, Hong Kong, Singapore, Jakarta, China, Taiwan and finally Manila as its final stop.

The boys are divided into four sub-groups or touring choirs, named after famous Austrian composers associated with the choir's history, namely Bruckner, Haydn, Mozart and Schubert.

For the 2016 Asian tour, the Bruckner choir will be carrying on the tradition established by the Vienna Boys Choir. The choirboys come from Vienna, Lower Austria, Burgenland, and Styria; from Canada, China, Germany, Iceland, Italy, Japan, Korea, New Zealand, Russia, and one member from the Philippines.

The leader of the group Choirmaster Mr. Manolo Cagnin feels it is especially important to communicate with the audience, “Music is a gift. As musicians, we have the obligation to share that gift with our audience.” Mr.Cagnin finds working with the boys particularly rewarding, “They possess character and spirit. This is reflected in the way they make music. The children learn from me, and I learn from them.” The choir is expected to perform 22 songs with a repertoire including classical compositions by Vivaldi, Schubert, Rossini and Strauss, as well as pop songs. All perfectly chosen to match the boys' voices and personalities.

The Hail Mary the Queen Children's Choir from Pasig will be the special guest performers for the concert.

The Vienna Boys Choir and the Vienna Philharmonic are two of Austria’s national treasures. The choir has enjoyed a history of over 500 years, with a well-established tradition in professional musical education and vocal training. Known for its exceedingly high vocal standard, the choir has worked with musicians including Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Antonio Caldara, Antonio Salieri, Heinrich Isaac, Paul Hofhaimer, Heinrich Ignaz Franz Biber, Johann Joseph Fux, Christoph Willibald Gluck, and Anton Bruckner.

The group will be flown in by Philippine Airlines, the nation’s flag carrier as the official airline partner.

The newly opened Conrad Manila shall serve as the official residence of the group. According to Conrad Manila’s General Manager Harald Feurstein, “The Filipino audiences will surely be delighted to experience the Choir’s world-class talent and bravura. Their magical renditions will surely make Christmas more joyful. It gives us so much pleasure to provide an inspired stay at Conrad Manila to the Vienna Boys Choir at this time of their world performance tour. Personally, I couldn’t be happier to share the musical gift that the Vienna Boys Choir would bring to the equally musically-passionate Filipino audiences.”

On the diplomatic front, His Excellency Ambassador Dr. Josef Müllner of The Austrian Embassy in Manila told the organizers of the concert that " the best of Austria will be coming to Manila on our 70th year anniversary of Austria-Philippines relations, and the boys will be staying at the world-class Conrad Manila, whose General Manager happens to also be from Austria."

“THE VIENNA BOYS CHOIR LIVE IN MANILA” is presented by GMA 7, Conrad Manila and Mesco Power Tools in cooperation with Philippine Airlines, Coconut Brand Soy Sauce and The Austrian Embassy Manila.

As a special treat, concertgoers can avail of special room rates with discounted tickets when you book a stay at Conrad Manila from 10 to 14 November 2016. Limited offer and subject to availability. For inquiries & reservations, you may call at +63 2 833 9999 or email conrad.manila.reservations@conradhotels.com.

The concert will not have been possible without the generous support of Steinway Boutique Manila - the official piano sponsor, The Luxe Bus - the official transport provider, Oriental Tin Can, SYCWIN, Valspar, SBS Philippines Corporation, Palais Coburg, SM Supermalls, BDO, and radio partners 98.7 DZFE and Crossover 105.1FM.


For tickets, please call TICKETWORLD at 891-9999.

The Timeless Excellence of Jose Cuervo

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Ever since, Jose Cuervo has brought nothing but excellence and authenticity to the table. True to their craft, each bottle is rimmed with mouth-numbing flavor – a testament to their dedication to its unvarying taste.

In over 250 years, the artisanal tradition of producing this award-winning collection of tequilas has made the Jose Cuervo family a household name in the business of spirits. With the same recipes and craftsmanship that has been handed down from generation to generation, the Cuervo brand boasts of nothing short of timeless excellence.

Jose Cuervo Especial Silver is the drink perfect for those cocktail mixes at any given get-together, especially Margaritas. The distillery masters from La Rojñea have crafted this unique and balanced blend to highlight the tones of agave, caramel, and fresh herbs in its flavor profile. The light and spicy flavor it has, gives any non-alcoholic drink the slap it needs to kick start any party one brings it to.

Jose Cuervo Especial Reposado is the punch in the mouth anyone needs to fire up their palette. It starts off carefully tiptoeing around your lips, but once the drink gets to your throat, a rich blend of aged and younger tequilas bursts inside your mouth leaving you in a daze. This particular flagship tequila product has rested for four months in deep-charred American oak barrels.

Jose Cuervo Especial Añejo, also known as Especial Black, is said to be your regular, everyday tequila. Just like the age-old saying, “Once you go black, you never go back”, this tequila drink numbs your mouth and leaves you wanting more. The drink’s undertones are almost a mixture of spicy and sweet alongside the traditional Cuervo recipe. To maximize said mixture to its full capacity, try this strong drink with an equal amount of Coke.

Jose Cuervo Tradicional Silver gives off an aroma the moment it touches your lips, a testament to just how strong that 100% Blue Agave Tequilana Weber is. This rich drink goes through a special process to conserve its flavor by storing it at freezing temperatures before bottling and subjecting it to a 0°C degrees cold filtration to bring out its agave flavor. If there was truly a spine-chilling drink, it would be this. 

If the Jose Cuervo Especial Reposado is a punch in the mouth, the Jose Cuervo® Tradicional Reposado is a body slam in drink form. If its strong and smooth scent doesn’t trigger your inner lightweight, the taste on the other hand, might. It practically detonates your taste buds with its complex flavor of 100% Blue Agave Tequilana Weber rested tequila aged in small batches of oak barrels for a minimum of two months.

Like anything, Tequila is best when shared. What more if it’s Jose Cuervo?


For the latest news and exciting events from Jose Cuervo this year, visit http://cuervointernational.com and follow Jose Cuervo’s at http://fb.com/cuervopilipinas.

AXN Holds Media Launch for Pinoy Participants of The Amazing Race Asia Season 5

Wazzup Pilipinas!

The Pinoy participants that were selected to compete at The Amazing Race Asia Season 5 are husband and wife Eric "Eruption" Tai and Rona Samson Tai, and beauty queens Parul Shah and Maggie Wilson-Consunji.

AXN Philippines recently held a launch featuring the two Pinoy teams plus an advance screening of the very first episode of The Amazing Race Asia season 5. We were fortunate enough to be among the very few who were able to witness the triumph of the two teams to make it pass the first challenge. Kudos to the two Pinoy teams for exerting all effort to complete the challenges presented on the first episode held in Indonesia.

The Amazing Race Asia is a highly anticipated reality show which requires participants to have physical, emotional and intellectual endurance to be able to accomplish most challenges. Luck may have something to do with how a team would successfully pass certain challenges but participants stand to gain an advantage if they know how to make use of all three attributes.

Filipinos are naturally very competitive in their every endeavor. This is why there are a lot of Filipinos that are making a name for themselves worldwide. Competing in reality shows such as The Amazing Race Asia is nothing new since we also had Pinoy representatives back then. However, last season was not a good one for the Philippines since we were already eliminated at the very first episode.

The advance screening of the first episode of Season 5 is a lot better since both teams were able to complete the challenges. On the first episode, the team of Parul and Maggie made it in fourth place while the team of Eric and Rona made it to 7th place.

World Pandesal Day at Kamuning Bakery Cafe

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Kamuning Bakery Cafe will host on October 16, 2016 a FREE breakfast of pugon-baked pandesal & coffee, FREE medical, dental & optical services to the less privileged & urban poor, giving away FREE 30,000 pugon-baked pandesal breads & other gifts.

Join special guests; medical doctors & dentists (young medical/dental/optical volunteer teams coordinated with the Federation of Filipino-Chinese Chambers of Commerce & Industry, Inc. & Chinese General Hospital); media guests; public school teachers, students; etc.

Why “World Pandesal Day”? The pandesal is the historic and unique national bread of the Philippines, it is bread eaten by the masses, middle-class and by all. The pandesal is a basic necessity of the people, like rice. The humble pandesal bread represents the people’s simple wish for liberation from hunger. Hot freshly pugon-baked pandesal also represents happiness. In celebrating “World Pandesal Day”, Kamuning Bakery Café hopes to give honor to this humble yet great Filipino bread, and to remind all about the goal of eradicating poverty, inequalities and the age-old problem of hunger.

“World Pandesal Day” was started on October 16, 2015 by Kamuning Bakery Cafe owner & writer Wilson Lee Flores at this historic bakery cafe at 43 Judge Jimenez Street corner K-1st Street, Kamuning, Quezon City, the Philippines which coincided with the annual “World Bread Day”. Wheat foods do make up 20 percent of the world’s calories, according to the United Nations.

8 a.m. to 12 noon---Free Medical, Dental, Optical Mission for the less privileged & urban poor.

9:30 a.m.---Start of ceremonial gift-giving of Free 30,000 pugon-baked pandesal breads & other gifts.

Venue---77-year-old, artisanal & pugon-style Kamuning Bakery Cafe at No. 43 Judge Jimenez Street corner K-1st Street, Brgy. Kamuning, Quezon City. Tels: 4161637, 9292216, 4126685, 09178481818

Directions to 77-year-old artisanal & pugon-style Kamuning Bakery Cafe:

If in Kamuning Road coming from Morato Avenue, pls turn right after Caltex into Judge Jimenez Street... If in Kamuning Road coming from Edsa highway, at first traffic light pls turn left, that is already Judge Jimenez Street & QC’s first bakery Kamuning Bakery Cafe is on right side at the first corner.

Hashtags: #worldpandesalday #ChristmasInOctober #kamuningbakerycafe

Whisky Live Manila: The Biggest International Whisky Tasting and Sampling Event of the Year

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Whisky Live Manila will be Manila's biggest international whisky tasting and sampling event of the year as it boasts of over 121 brands and whisky distributors from around the world to showcase their rare, unique and hard to find whiskies, as well as some of the main stream brands.

At a media launch held at The Brewery at the Palace located in Bonifacio Global City (BGC) of Taguig, Johnssen Lee led the discussion about the event happening on October 28 to 29, 2016 at the Shangri-La hotel at the Fort. Together with Alan Harrow and Raj Sadhwani, Johnssen talked about the biggest whisky event which started in London, Tokyo, Paris, New York and now in Manila.

Aside from the many brands of whiskies you can try at the Whisky LIve Manila event, there will also be masterclasses where attendees can learn extensive knowledge on whisky. Two of these masterclasses will be conducted by two world-renowned whisky masters: Jim Murray, the author of Whisky Bible, is one of the world’s leading authorities in whisky; and Dominic Roskrow, author of the ‘World’s Best Whiskies’ and one of the UK’s top Whisky Experts.

After enjoying the great food from The Brewery, a Whisky 101 was also held for the media who were all given a sampling of some whiskies namely the Kavalan, the Glengoyne and Old Ballantruan, The Peated Malt Whisky.

Jose Cuervo: Every Moment is a Blast with Jose Cuervo

Wazzup Pilipinas!

With Jose Cuervo, the last quarter of 2016 is set to be the most exciting yet. Launching a line-up of incredible, must-see events and parties, the famous international brand of tequila is more than ready to let Filipinos experience a whole new level of excitement and fun.

The pumped-up Cuervo DJ Tour kicks off with the country’s top EDM and hip-hop DJs coming together for a series of parties that will have you dancing from dusk ‘til dawn. The festival has spread like wildfire around the Philippines – and for good reasons: great music, good vibes, and a crowd that knows how to party.

Among the live acts on board for this year’s tour are MxMxM (Marc Marasigan, Travis Monsod, and MC Ron Madela) and versatile, open format DJ Ron Poe (Son of a King) with his original #SOAK tour.

If you are from outside Manila, fear not for you’ll still be able to witness Cuervo DJ Tour live and exclusive at some of the country’s most notable regional events: #CuervoMasskara in Bacolod, #CuervoSinulog in Cebu, #CuervoPanagbenga in Baguio, #CuervoDinagyang in Iloilo, and #CuervoLaboracay in Boracay Island.

Come October 2016, Jose Cuervo is set to bring the first-ever Day of the Dead Festival in the Philippines – following the brand’s endeavor in celebrating the rich Mexican tradition on a global scale. A fusion of the beautiful and the macabre, expect a night of honoring departed loved ones with rich neon visuals, good drinks, incredible vibes, and all-out dancing. If you’re looking for the best holiday weekend with a twist, this celebration is perfect for you. Save the date: Friday, October 28, 2016.

BigMK: A Commission Free Online Marketplace in the Philippines

Wazzup Pilipinas!

The people who gave us Mars Kingdom, a popular bike shop located in Binondo, Manila, has now gone beyond bikes and into everything else. Specifically, it now aims to be at the center of online shopping transactions with its online marketplace designed to become more convenient for our local merchants.

The online shopping portal that they have conceptualized is more innovative and easy to use, plus the assurance of a better experience for both buyer and seller. It also caters to even new and emerging entrepreneur, businesses or even startups who could easily put up their products and services online.

At a grand launch held at the Bayleaf hotel in Intramuros, Manila, the management of BigMK led by Noelle John Enriquez, VP and Head of Sales, gave us a lengthy discussion of what BigMK is all about and how it could possibly be the next big online shopping portal which boasts of commission free services.

It's always great news for merchant to find new ways to sell their products and equally beneficial for consumers to experience better platforms that would help secure their transactions. This is especially significant when it comes to delivery and after service activities since the overall experience should include those that happen after the purchase. As a consumer, I would want a site who will still engage with me even after it has convinced me to patronize its products.

Lamudi Launches Biggest Housing Fair This November

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Lamudi Philippines, the biggest real estate portal in the country today is organizing another milestone event for the property sector.

Slated on November 18 to 20, 2016, the Lamudi Housing Fair will be the largest housing event in the country to feature the widest selection of properties and offer exclusive discounts to home buyers and property investors. To be held in Megatrade Hall 3, SM Megamall in Mandaluyong City, the housing fair is expected to attract more than 5,000 attendees.

But more than just a show of various real estate projects and a shower of home-buying discounts, the Lamudi Housing Fair is also a venue to learn the latest trends in the industry. The Lamudi group will facilitate investment and home buying seminars, foreclosure property auction with partner banks and brokerages and will showcase the most modern technology application in real estate such as Virtual Reality.

The global property website is staging the event not only to highlight the different projects to choose from all around the country but to be an avenue for the public to know more about the workings of the industry. Both real estate sellers and buyers can take advantage of the offerings in store at the fair.

“The Lamudi Housing Fair will bring together the top players of the real estate landscape in one venue; property buyers can feast their eyes on various realty selections that will suit their budget and preferences best. Top of all, home buyers can finally acquire their dream house in discounted prices that they can only get here,” shared Jacqueline van den Ende, Managing Director of Lamudi Philippines and MyProperty.ph, two of the Philippines’ largest real estate portals.

#StayNegatHIVe Boomerangs to Win

Wazzup Pilipinas!

LoveYourself and its partners, Dentsu JaymeSyfu and Rappler, won two bronze awards during the Boomerang Awards 2016 held at the PICC last night for the online campaign #StayNegatHIVe.

In particular, the #StayNegatHIVe campaign won Bronze Award for Digital Campaign under the sub category NGO's, Govt Institutions, Advocacies (Loveyourself and Rappler) and another Bronze Award for Digital Campaign Effectiveness under the sub-category Awareness (LoveYourself and Dentsu JaymeSyFu). Meanwhile, the campaign was also a finalist in the Digital Craft Category under the sub-category User Experience and Functional Excellence (LoveYourself and Dentsu JaymeSyFu).

#StayNegatHIVe is a comprehensive online campaign focusing on HIV awareness in time for the World AIDS Day celebration on December 1, 2015.

LoveYourself Executive Director Ronivin G. Pagtakhan echoed the campaign’s tagline that “HIV can appear in anyone’s story, and as advocates of HIV prevention, we have to do something about it.” He emphasized that greater awareness and education on HIV among other sexually transmitted infections are mostly needed by our fellowmen to protect themselves from contracting the virus.

#StayNegatHIVe gave a refreshing twist to HIV awareness by strategically incorporating the discussion on HIV basically to everyone’s story or write-up.

According to LoveYourself Deputy Head of Communications Paul Junio that it is a humbling validation that the organization’s efforts, by reaching more people through its digital campaigns, are not only recognized within the HIV advocacy but in mainstream media as well.

“There are still so many people who have not been reached and must be encouraged to get tested. That is why we will continue our HIV awareness initiatives in the digital space," Junio added

The #StayNegatHIVe campaign had one simple execution: The power of a Typo. LoveYourself website, Rappler and other media sites has shared 'HIV-fied' articles by turning the words with ‘HI’ or ‘IV’ to 'HIV' through the use of www.hivfy.com. The campaign also gained support from social media influencers and celebrities by sharing ‘HIV-fied’ articles on online platforms.

In 2008, the Boomerangs was incorporated by the Internet and Mobile Marketing Association of the Philippines (IMMAP), which represents advertisers, advertising agencies, publishers, content creators, and web developers. Since then, it has recognized Philippine advertisers and agencies whose campaigns and programs exemplified digital marketing effectiveness.

LoveYourself, a non-profit and 100% volunteerism group, is the leading organization in promoting HIV testing and awareness in the country. It offers free and confidential HIV testing, counseling, and peer education in its established community centers/clinics -LoveYourself Anglo along Shaw and LoveYourself Uni in Taft-Buendia. Both clinics are open every Wednesdays to Saturdays from 12:00 nn -7:00 p.m., and Sundays at 9:00 a.m.-2:00p.m.

The above photo shows LoveYourself Volunteers Kurt Silvano (2nd from left) and Paul Junio (3rd from right) are priding the Boomerang trophy together with (L-R) representatives of Dentsu JaymeSyfu Dom De Leon, Tabbi Tomas, JR Ignacio and the editorial staff from Rappler Krista Garcia and Mia Gaviola.

For more details on LoveYourself’s services, individuals may visit the group’s official website at www.loveyourself.ph or follow and like its social media channels: Facebook- @loveyourself.ph, Twitter- @loveyourselfph, and Instagram- @loveyourself.ph.

Confirmation of Secretary Alfonso G. Cusi

Wazzup Pilipinas!
CONFIRMED! Congressman Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino, Congresswoman Rosenda Ann “Sandy” Ocampo, Presidential Communication Office Chief Martin Andanar, Congressman Ronaldo Zamora, Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III, Senator Ralph Recto, Senate President Aquilino Pimentel Jr., Finance Secretary Cesar Dominguez, Congressman Radito Albano, Energy Secretary Alfonso G. Cusi, Senator Migs Zubiri and Senator JV Ejercito (left to right), jubilantly pose at the Senate President’s podium right after the confirmation of Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi, Finance Secretary Cesar Dominguez, Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III and Presidential Communication Office Chief Martin Andanar yesterday at the Senate Session Hall.

Culinaire: The Magical Food Journey Returns

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Foodies rejoice at every news of food events where their taste buds are again challenged to experience different tastes from several restaurants, caterers, chefs, and many other sources of gastronomical delights. I would often join such events because I am entirely curious of their creative yet delectable offerings.

No one can deny the fact that Filipinos love to eat and we welcome all kinds of dishes from all over the country, and the rest of the world. The many popular restaurant brands abroad have already touched the Philippines and it seems every day means a new one reaching our shores. Whether through a brand franchise or merely an influence of international flavors, the country is indeed blessed with so many food choices.

One of the best gathering of culinary delicacies happened only a few months ago - the repeat of SMX's Culinaire seems to be a surprised repeat. I knew it was just held within this year and so I was in sudden awe when I've learned that there's a second one happening this October 10, 2016.

Since I was able to attend before, I could now critically compare the two events to mention all the differences. The event promised everyone to experience a night of gastronomical feast, technological trickery, magic in a fast paced breath-taking performance, and amazing light show all in one event. Now we ask if it was accomplished as advertised.

I would say a definite yes!

Globe Telecom’s Ernest Cu Retains Spot as One of Most Powerful Telecom Executives Worldwide

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Globe Telecom President & CEO Ernest Cu retained his spot as one of the most powerful telecommunication executives in the world following his inclusion on the elite list of Global Telecoms Business Power 100 for 2016. Again, Cu is the only Filipino executive to make it to the Power 100 and among the top 10 in Asia.

Similar to the new selection process it adopted last year, inclusion in this year’s list of Power 100 was divided into a number of different categories such as operators in various parts of the world, over-the-top and content providers, hardware companies, handsets and chips.

Cu was listed in the Top Ten Operators from Asia. Officially appointed as President & CEO of Globe in April 2009, Cu has been passionately driving a sweeping transformation across the company, including modernizing its network and IT infrastructure, creating a collaborative and service-oriented culture, and product innovations in its mobile business. Under his visionary leadership, Globe has outperformed industry growth with the company breaking records across all key product groups, brands and market segments by making the Globe brand as the purveyor of Filipino digital lifestyle. The company is now recognized as the number one mobile brand in the country.

Cu is currently leading the company in elevating the state of internet in the Philippines by maximizing the newly assigned 700Mhz spectrum to provide a faster mobile internet experience to its customers and by investing heavily to improve the fixed-line internet to connect 2 million families nationwide by 2020 and. With this, Globe managed to drive the mobile internet speed ranking of the Philippines in the top 6 in Asia Pacific with an average speed of 8.5Mbps according to the 2nd quarter Akamai State of the Internet report. The country has now a mobile internet connection speed faster than Singapore, China, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Thailand and Vietnam.

Aside from Cu, other telecom executives included in the Top Ten Operators from Asia include Mukesh Ambani, Managing director, Reliance Jio; Alex Jinsung Choi, CTO, SK Telecom; Chua Sock Koong, CEO, Singtel; Li Ka-shing, Chairman, CK Hutchison; Sunil Bharti Mittal, Chairman, Bharti Airtel; Andy Penn, CEO, Telstra; Masayoshi Son, CEO, SoftBank; Hiroo Unoura, CEO, NTT; and Shang Bing, Chairman, China Mobile.

Global Telecoms Business is the only magazine and website dedicated for senior executives of telecommunication companies worldwide.

Ballet Philippines Presents Noli-Fili Double Bill this October 21-23

Wazzup Pilipinas!

In Ballet Philippines’ “Crisostomo Ibarra” and “Simoun”, the protagonists of Jose Rizal’s “Noli Me Tangere” and “El Filibusterismo” leap off of the page and onto the CCP Main Theater stage for one weekend only. Both shows feature original music by Jed Balsamo, choreography by Paul Alexander Morales, and the live performance of the ABS-CBN Philharmonic Orchestra – a quintet for “Crisostomo Ibarra” and the full orchestra under the baton of Maestro Gerard Salonga for “Simoun”.

Told through the language of dance, the narration takes the audience into the psychological worlds of the novels’ protagonists and strips bare the epic story that underscores the continuing relevance of Rizal’s work. The year 2016 marks the 120th death anniversary of the national hero, and the 125th anniversary of the publication of “El Filibusterismo”. This production is supported by the National Historical Commission of the Philippines.

Paul Alexander Morales and Jed Balsamo are the moving forces of BP’s “Crisostomo Ibarra” and “Simoun”. They also recently collaborated in Gantimpala Theater Foundation’s “Kanser@30: the Musical”, which Morales choreographed and Balsamo composed music for. 

Premiered in 2010, “Crisostomo Ibarra” highlights the life of an idealist reformer, a man striving to make a change in a society living under corruption and oppression. It takes an introspective look at the life of a hero sacrificing his personal happiness for love of country. The ballet was awarded the distinction of Outstanding Dance Production at the 2010 Philstage Gawad Buhay Awards.

“Simoun” is a world premiere, presenting a fresh take on the motivations, dreams, and fears of the cynical and vengeful lead character described as a saboteur, giving insight and depth to his actions. The ballet highlights themes that are still palpable and relevant to today’s audiences – cynicism versus hope and the constant challenge of stagnation or change and revolution.

Top-billing “Simoun” are Ballet Philippines dancers Jean Marc Cordero, Denise Parungao, Rita Angela Winder, Erl Sorilla, Garry Corpuz, and Jemima Reyes. “Crisostomo Ibarra” features Victor Maguad, Monica Amanda Gana, Jessa Tangalin, Eugene Obille, Ramon Victoria, and Ballet Philippines II.

“Crisostomo Ibarra” will be performed on October 21 at 3:00PM, October 22 at 2:00PM, and October 23 at 10:00AM, and “Simoun” on October 21 at 8:00PM, October 22 at 6:00PM, and October 23 at 3:00PM at the Tanghalang Nicanor Abelardo (CCP Main Theater). Ticket prices range from Php 2000 to Php 300, with discounts for students, senior citizens, and government employees.

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To join in the Ballet Philippines conversation, use our official hashtags: #balletph, #CrisostomoIbarra, #Simoun