Imelda Schweighart: Forced or Voluntary Resignation as Miss Philippines Earth 2016?

Wazzup Pilipinas!

"If it's a crime to tell the truth, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to offend Miss Ecuador."

That's what Imelda supposedly said in her defense after she criticized the winning Miss Earth 2016, Katherine Espin of Ecuador when she said "Yung nanalo peke ilong, peke baba, peke boobs! Miss Earth, dapat natural."

They say "Her behavior is unbecoming of a beauty queen." Would you agree?
Though it may be the truth, I guess there would be a lot others who underwent plastic surgery or improvement of their body and facial features. Additionally, I don't think candidates are expected to be truthful in beauty pageants. Just like politicians or showbiz personalities, beauty queens are expected to act and talk decent regardless of their personal beliefs in life. Though it is very difficult to show sincerity, it is very rare for individuals monitored or seen regularly by photo and video cameras, and in the eyes of the public, to show their true selves. In most cases, the beauty queen title is simply a job as well.

For beauty pageant candidates, winning means being your best. So they should forget what they were, or at least leave the negative attributes behind, and make efforts to only highlight their positive assets, including maximizing your chances of winning even if it means being "plastic" or "fake." Everyone is aiming to win at least the Miss Congeniality title. Winning the top title is everyone's dream, and whether they would admit it or not, everyone hopes they would stand out among the other ladies.

Honestly,I was disappointed that Imelda did not even make it to Top 16 during the coronation night, and when somebody from Carousel Productions told me it was because of her attitude problem, I knew beauty pageants such as Miss Earth, and all the rest, would not really have women entirely positive or cordial in their outlook and social preferences.

But since beauty is made to appear never enough to win a beauty pageant, candidates would tend to "smile" even to the most disgusting realities that goes on in a world full of lies and deception. After all, beauty pageants are merely there to project an image for others to envy or look up to. Are all those Earth-friendly advocacy nothing but marketing gimmicks to differentiate Miss Earth from the other beauty pageants? Maybe or maybe not! Just as long as role models are made to exist amidst all these worldly issues and problems, the brands and companies would still sponsor, and the world will still watch beauty pageants.

Synergy88 Digital Launches Barangay Basketball, A Mobile Game With Many Pinoy Firsts

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Synergy88 Digital, a pioneering digital solutions company based in the Philippines, has recently announced the release of Barangay Basketball on Google Play. A distinctly Pinoy gaming experience, Barangay Basketball is not only the first story-based mobile game created by Filipinos but is also the first to reflect local community life in the Philippines.

A GAME WITH A UNIQUE PINOY FLAVOR

Barangay Basketball follows the story of Wax, son of a former Filipino basketball legend, as he tries to step out of his father’s shadow and become a basketball star in his own right.  Along the way, he meets a slew of interesting characters who can help make or break his dream.

Players will get to hone their skills in dribbling, shooting, blocking and dunking through a set of challenging and fun mini games. As they clear one challenge after another, they will get to follow Wax’s journey from the humble hoops of the barangay court, to the grand stage where the “big boys” play.

Aside from its awesome gameplay and story, Barangay Basketball features world-class art and animation created by Synergy’s pool of talented artists and animators. Teen stars Patrick Sugui and Ysabel Ortega, and veteran actor and former pro baller, Joey Marquez, lent their voices to breathe life to the game’s protagonists.

Set in Tondo, Barangay Basketball perfectly captures the atmosphere of a working-class neighborhood, making it an excellent backdrop for a narrative that Filipinos can definitely relate to.

QUIRKY PINOY CHARACTERS

A cast of colorful characters fill up the canvas to make the story come alive.

Coach B, a former professional basketball player serves as coach and mentor to Wax, while his son Robbie becomes Wax’s kuya or older brother as well as his best friend. Gasti, the barangay’s iron-pumping bully, makes life less easy for Wax and challenges him to improve his skills on the court.

To help with Wax’s training, Coach B enlists a group of basketball “masters” who will assist Wax in understanding the rudiments of Pinoy street basketball: Croco Martin, a sharp-shooting policeman by profession, gives Wax a lesson in shooting outside the paint. Popoy, who peddles coconuts for a living, teaches him how to block his opponent’s shots. Boy Pana, the barangay’s resident troublemaker, helps improve Wax’s dribbling skills. And Gardo Distrito, the neighborhood’s beautician, instructs Wax on how to dunk a ball with flourish and flair.

And, of course, no story is ever complete without some romantic inspiration. That’s where Vicky, a geeky and yet pretty young lady, comes in as the lead character’s “secret crush.”

SLAM DUNKS AND FUTURE PLANS

“We’re proud and very excited to share this unique mobile gaming experience not just to Filipinos but also to people in other parts of the world,” says Jackeline Chua, Managing Partner of Synergy88 Digital. “There are only a few games out there that highlight the fun and positive side of the Filipinos and we feel that Barangay Basketball is a game that will definitely help fill this gap.”

Because of the game’s high production value and unique storyline, Barangay Basketball was recently nominated under the People’s Choice Award category of the International Mobile Gaming Awards for Southeast Asia.

When asked about the future of Barangay Basketball – the Synergy88 Digital team shared that an iOS version of the game will soon be available for download on the App Store, additional chapters in the story are in the works, and an online player vs. player (PVP) mode is in the development pipeline.

Barangay Basketball also serves as a prequel to the story of an upcoming anime TV series, Barangay 143. The show, co-produced by Synergy88 Entertainment Media, August Media and TV Asahi, will revolve around the challenges, defeats and victories of a group of basketball-loving Filipino teenagers. The show will initially be aired in the Philippines but will also make waves on international shores later on.

Barangay Basketball can be downloaded and played for free using any gaming-capable Android device. For more info about the game, visit www.barangaybasketball.com.

Mark Striegl Talks About Manny Pacquiao’s Influence, Training with Brandon Vera

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ONE Championship bantamweight standout Mark “Mugen” Striegl (14-2) is set to face Brazil’s Rafael Nunes (10-1) when the promotion returns to the Mall of Asia Arena on Friday, December 2 for ONE: Age of Domination. Streigl, 28, joined ONE Championship in 2015 and was recently named one of the hottest prospects in Asian MMA.

The Filipino-American stalwart splits his training between Evolve MMA in Singapore and the high-altitudes of Baguio City for his next matchup and says mixed martial arts is getting really big in the Philippines.

“Baguio is one of the best places to train in the Philippines because it’s high altitude. It’s 5,000-feet above sea level. It’s great for strength and conditioning,” said Striegl. “Manny Pacquiao also trained in Baguio in the past for some of his biggest fights. It’s been fantastic for my training.”

Striegl made his ONE Championship debut in April of 2015, defeating American Casey Suire impressively by first round submission. In his second bout months later however, he fell to Filipino-Australian prospect Reece McLaren.

Since his last bout, Striegl has been hard at work preparing for his return, training with none other than ONE Heavyweight World Champion Brandon “The Truth” Vera.

“Here in Manila I’ve been fortunate enough to train with Brandon Vera and AJ Matthews. Mark Munoz also came through one time so I got to pick his brain a bit,” said Striegl. “There are so many good gyms to work with in Manila. MMA is getting really big in this country. I’ve just been jumping around and training with Brandon and it’s been great.”

A well-rounded mixed martial artist with strengths in both striking and grappling, Striegl is one of the country’s top combat sports athletes. He began his career competing for various MMA promotions across Asia before landing a roster spot in ONE Championship last year.

As someone who has seen the rise of MMA as a sport in Asia, Striegl can’t help but feel in awe of the tremendous growth of combat sports in the region and credits a majority of it to eight-division boxing world champion Manny Pacquiao.

“MMA is getting really big in this country, thanks to ONE Championship. There’s a deeply embedded combat culture in this country with boxing. There are a lot of gyms all around and so many good places to train and so many good people to work with,” said Streigl.

“One of the greatest fighters of all time, Pacquiao, is a legend here and pretty much all over the world. He has put the Philippines on the map as far as fight sports are concerned. He’s a true global icon and one of my inspirations.”

During his time in Manila, Striegl says he just recently met Pacquiao for the first time in person. Pacquiao is training for his highly-anticipated return to boxing against WBO welterweight champion Jessie Vargas this November 5. He is also a full-time politician who owns a seat at the Philippine senate.

“I went to one of [Pacquiao’s] senate hearings and met him afterwards,” said Striegl. “Super nice guy, super down to earth guy. Just a humble, nice guy and I think that’s why he has so many fans. He’s the people’s champ. Everyone can relate to him.”

Pacquiao’s unique style, Striegl says, is something he tries to emulate in the MMA cage. And just like Pacquiao, Striegl aims to bring a world title back to the Philippines.

Against Brazil’s Nunes this December, Striegl has the opportunity to get back on the right track in his pursuit of ONE Championship gold. It won’t be easy, but Striegl says by channeling his inner- “Pac-Man”, he hopes to be able to make his people proud by becoming a world champion.

“One thing I love about Manny’s fight style is that he’s an action-packed fighter. He just keeps going and going and moving forward. That’s something I try to do in my fights,” said Striegl.

“You’ll never see me in a boring fight. I always press the action, I always come forward. I’m not a point fighter. Sometimes I put myself at risk by doing that but it’s better than being a point fighter, like a Floyd Mayweather-style kind of fighter.

“My goal when I entered this sport was and is to win a world championship title for the Philippines and bring it back here to Manila. That’s what I think about and it’s been my goal since I was young.”

Hitachi Data Systems Introduces New, Enhanced Flash Storage Lineup

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Hitachi Data Systems (HDS), a wholly owned subsidiary of Hitachi, Ltd. (TSE:6501), today announced new systems and software designed to deliver better customer experiences and return on investments. Powered by the next generation of Hitachi Storage Virtualization Operating System (SVOS) and backed by a 100% data availability guarantee, the expanded Hitachi Virtual Storage Platform (VSP) lineup delivers performance, resiliency and workload scalability beyond what is offered by other platforms.

In today’s digital economy, it is critical that customers receive information in real time and that businesses recognize maximum cost-efficiency from their operations. To meet these needs, the new SVOS 7 has been engineered with an improved flash-aware I/O stack and selectable data services:

·         Quality of Service (QoS): Enables predictable performance for a consistent user experience. Data reduction services can be dedicated to workloads for more predictable response times as data levels grow.

·         Adaptive data reduction: Provides deduplication and compression for 2:1, 5:1 or greater capacity savings. SVOS 7 can offload compression to Hitachi flash modules (FMDs) for more scalable data reduction than other flash arrays.

·         Cloud tiering for all-flash VSP F series: Transparently moves files to private or public cloud storage, reducing data center footprint and enabling lower, more predictable storage costs for superior IT efficiency.

SVOS 7 is available on all new and existing Virtual Storage Platform G series and F series systems. Existing customers can take advantage of SVOS 7 and its deduplication and compression features through a nondisruptive upgrade.

For businesses that need to drive IT consolidation and support both open-system and mainframe applications, HDS is offering two new high-end VSP models. The all-flash VSP F1500, built on new high-density FMDs with raw capacities of up to 14TB, delivers over 4.8M IOPS and up to 40PB of effective flash capacity. It scales to 576 FMDs, providing up to 2304 extra cores for handling data reduction and enabling superior price and performance value.

For businesses looking to transition to all-flash over time, HDS offers the new VSP G1500, which offers 4.8M IOPS - a 20% improvement over VSP G1000.

VSP G1000 customers can upgrade to VSP G1500 via a data-in-place, nondisruptive migration. This simplifies the transition to the more powerful VSP G1500 platform and reinforces the HDS commitment to protecting our customers’ investments.

In conjunction with the release of SVOS 7 and the enhanced VSP lineup HDS is upgrading its management stack to simplify data management. New versions of Hitachi Storage Advisor, Automation Director and Infrastructure Analytics Advisor enable customers to more easily implement new SVOS 7 functions and reduce IT operational costs and complexity.

Supporting Quotes:

“The industry is moving to flash and the introductions of our new SVOS, FMD and VSP technologies dramatically expand the reach of flash technology and make it more accessible to our customers as the look to reduce overall costs,” said Bob Madaio, Vice President, Infrastructure Solutions Marketing, Hitachi Data Systems.

“Our customers are not only looking for increased efficiency, productivity and scalability, but also the guarantee of a support system for the longevity of the investment,” said Robert Fletcher, Dept. Lead Systems Engineering and Production, Drei-Banken-EDV, GmbH.

“In today’s market, we are seeing serious pressure for companies to embrace Digital Transformation, particularly due to its ability to deliver improved operations, processes and customer experience,” said Marty Sos, Senior Director, General Manager, HDS and Networking Business Units, Arrow ECS. “With its expanded VSP lineup and enhanced software capabilities, Hitachi Data Systems is helping us accelerate the customer journey to Digital Transformation.”

“The latest enhancements to Storage Virtualization Operating System (SVOS) from Hitachi Data Systems are game changers. With the accelerated flash engine in the new SVOS 7 offering, customers can intelligently manage data access to deliver lower latency, greater efficiency and improved uptime,” said Dan DiTucci, Cloud Chief Technologist, Continental Resources. “Furthermore, with deduplication and compression combined with direct cloud connect via Data Migrator to the Cloud (DM2C), our customers can achieve best-in-class total cost of ownership.” 

Short+Sweet Finale and Gala Night is Here

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Now that the culminating and last part of the Short+Sweet festival 10-minute plays is here, I guess it is needless to say that we should take every effort to watch them before you totally miss the opportunity to be enthralled and amazed by these amazing and talented individuals who played their corresponding significant roles in every presentation.

Actors, actresses, directors and even those individuals who prepared their wardrobes, props or even the ones who did their make-up, all contributed to complete the overall look and output of the play.

It is also an awesome task to come up with an engaging play that could capture the interest and admiration of the audience. We salute everyone involved especially the organizers of the Short+Sweet Manila. More power to you all!

I am so proud to be their media partner and I'm looking forward to continuing to support them throughout the years.

Short+Sweet will have STUDENT DISCOUNT for groups for this FINALE WEEK.

Original price- 550 pesos.
STUDENT DISCOUNT for groups:
For a group of 10 students - 450 pesos
For a group of 20students and above- 400 pesos.
* Student id required upon entrance.


Contact Vaish- 09188770011 for tickets.

Michelin's Grand Prix Sees Cruthlow on Top Down Under

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Michelin saw the momentous occasion of the first-ever Michelin® Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix marked with more significant events at Phillip Island today as Cal Crutchlow (LCR Honda) powered to his second MotoGP™ victory and became the first British rider to win a motorcycle Grand Prix on Australian soil.

Starting from second on the grid Crutchlow chose the hard-front MICHELIN Power Slick - paired with a medium rear - and the Honda man made a steady start as he put heat in the hard front tyre. Pol Espargaro (Monster Yamaha Tech 3) made the holeshot from the line, before he was passed by newly-crowned champion Marc Marquez (Repsol Honda), Crutchlow crossed the line in fourth at the end of the first lap, as Marquez set about building a lead. The British rider then moved into contention as he chased down and passed the riders in front of him, cutting into the leader’s advantage and setting the fastest lap of the race in the process. Marquez had made the same tyre choice as Crutchlow, choosing the hard front and medium rear, but the Spaniard made a mistake on lap-10 and braked too late, causing him to hit the white line and crash. Crutchlow was now in the perfect place to take the lead and push at the front to strengthen his position, he did this and took the victory after the 27-lap race by a commanding four-seconds, taking the position of First Independant Rider at the same time and strengthening his overall lead at the top of that championship.

Following two days of awful weather that gave heavy rain and gale force winds, causing one of the free practice sessions to be cancelled, it was a relief for all to see blue skies and sunshine on race-day. With so little dry weather practice all riders had to make their tyre choices with the data from this morning’s warm-up. This resulted in all choosing the medium option rear tyre and the majority going with the asymmetric soft front, the exceptions being Crutchlow, Marquez, Maverick Viñales (Team SUZUKI ECSTAR), Aleix Espargaro (Team SUZUKI ECSTAR) and Jack Miller (Estrella Galicia 0,0 Marc VDS) who all opted for the hard asymmetric front. Joining Crutchlow on the next step of the Michelin podium was Valentino Rossi (Movistar Yamaha MotoGP), the Italian started from 15th on the grid and fought his way through to second after an exciting battle with several riders. Viñales had an equally exciting race as he made his way from 13th at the start to take a hard-fought final podium place, with Andrea Dovizioso (Ducati Team) fourth, giving a quartet of different manufacturers in the top-four. Early leader Espargaro came home in fifth, with Jorge Lorenzo (Movistar Yamaha MotoGP) sixth. An intense battle filled the remaining top-ten positions as Scott Redding (Octo Pramac Yakhnich) steered his Ducati to seventh, followed by Bradley Smith (Monster Yamaha Tech 3) in eighth. Danilo Petrucci (Octo Pramac Yakhnich) ninth and home favourite Miller taking tenth.

Michelin will now leave Phillip Island - the site of the first MotoGP race that it has been title sponsor at - and head to Malaysia for the 17th and penultimate round of the championship, due to be held on Sunday 30th October at the impressive Sepang International Circuit. 

Uncoordinated Demolition Led to Traffic Chaos at NAIA T3

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Heavy traffic congestion experienced by passengers of NAIA Terminal 3 last Friday, 28 October 2016, was due to the demolition of the existing Skyway ramp of NAIA-Ex, without due coordination with the Inter-agency Council on Traffic (I-ACT). It was bad timing especially that it was a long weekend and people àre trooping to the provinces for the Undas to honor their dead love ones.

As soon as it has come to the attention of DOTr Secretary Tugade, he directed the IACT to call the attention of SOMCO/Skyway management and asked to immediately suspend the works in the ramp which was causing congestion due to the influx of airline passengers in NAIA.

Thus, DMCI, their contractor, immediately stopped the demolition works, but one lane has already become unpassable.

Engr. Alec Cruz, head of Tollways operation of Skyway went to the site and verified the situation and checked whether it was possible to open another ramp to alleviate the pressure on the one that they closed.

Manny Bonoan, President of SOMCO/ Skyway, announced later that NAIAX Ramp 1 was temporarily opened @ 1641H to relieve the Terminal 3 and Andrews Ave of traffic congestion. This is an additional access to the elevated section towards Makati and south bound areas like Alabang.

Traffic started to move slowly due to heavy volume of vehicles. Skyway traffic patrollers were also deployed in the Terminal 3 area as far as sales interchange helping the IACT traffic patrollers manage the flow of traffic.

The traffic situation yesterday and today in the Andrews Ave and Sales Bridge area has been light to moderate with the entrance to Terminal 3 as moderate to slow moving.

Ricky Lee Receives IFFM Lifetime Achievement Award in New York

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Veteran screenwriter Ricky Lee was recently honored with a Lifetime Achievement Award in Scriptwriting by the International Film Festival Manhattan (IFFM) in New York.

Lee personally received the plaque of recognition from festival director Luis Pedron last October 20 during the IFFM awards night held at the Kalayaan Hall of the Philippine Center in New York City.

The award-winning writer also conducted a scriptwriting workshop from October 17 to 19 at the Producers Club Theaters & Bar. He has been holding workshops in the Philippines since 1982, producing hundreds of graduates who are now part of the movie and TV industry. He has mentored several budding writers and he vows to continue to help more of them reach their full writing potential in his upcoming workshops.

Lee has written more than 160 scripts for Filipino films since 1973. Many of these have won awards here and abroad. Among them are Himala, Karnal, Moral, Salome and other films directed by acclaimed Filipino filmmakers, including the late National Artists for Film Lino Brocka and Ishmael Bernal.


Aside from being a screenwriter, Lee is also a book author, fictionist and playwright. He has written Trip to Quiapo, a scriptwriting manual; Si Tatang at mga Himala ng Ating Panahon, a collection of short stories; Pitik-Bulag Sa Buwan Ng Pebrero, a playbook; the novels Para Kay B (O Kung Paano Dinevastate ng Pag-ibig ang 4 out of 5 sa Atin) and Si Amapola sa 65 na Kabanata; and screenplay books like Brutal/Salome, Moral, Bukas May Pangarap and Jose Rizal. His script for Salome has also been translated into English and published by the University of Wisconsin for its film studies.

Energizing the Autonomous Region for Muslim Mindanao

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President Rodrigo R. Duterte and Department of Energy (DOE) Secretary Alfonso G. Cusi on Saturday (October 29) led the ceremonial switch lighting and turning over of electrification funds for almost ten thousand households in Tawi-Tawi, Maguindanao, Lanao, Basilan and Sulu under the DOE’s Nationwide Intensification Household Electrification (NIHE) at the Autonomous Region for Muslim Mindanao Compound in Cotabato.

A check amounting to P13.833 Million symbolized the release to the Maguindanao Electric Cooperative, Inc. (MAGELCO) for 3,689 households in the municipalities of Ampatuan, Buldon, Matanog, Barira, Datu Abdullah Sangki, Datu Odin Sinsuat, Datu Piang, North Upi, Parang, South Upi, Sultan Kudarat, Sultan Mastura, Sultan Sa Barongis, Rajah Buayan, Talayan, Guindulungan and Talitay to be electrified.

Isko’t Iska, Dula Mula sa Masa, Patungo sa Masa Opens this November for its 39th Installment

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Isko't Iska 2016: Daluyong ng Pagbabago will be shown for free on November 8, 9, and 10, 7PM. at the D.L. Umali Auditorium, University of the Philippines – Los Baños.

Former USC Councilor Karlyn Oblacion (Obley) is missing. She was last seen at La Pagan, a community jeopardized by land grabbing and commercialization. As part of the investigation, Isko, Iska and Pegaraw recount their memories with Obley as a student leader and a friend.

Outside the campus, Maria Balangit or Nanay MB, the peasant leader at La Pagan, suspects that the minds behind the demolition in their community are also responsible for Obley’s disappearance. Tao, Isko’s father, worries just as much because his son shares the same sentiment as Nanay MB. It is now up to them to uncover the mystery of this disappearance and find the location of Obley before it’s too late.

Isko't Iska is an annual theater production of Umalohokan Inc. that features a student ensemble that gives life to pieces written and directed by fellow students from UPLB. While encouraging appreciation of progressive art, the play also aims to mirror the lives of different UP students (named as Isko/Iska in the play) and their travails in seeking their identities as true Iskolars ng Bayan.

It has been highly acclaimed for depicting social issues and heightening awareness in a creative manner and has become a part of the university's rich tradition and history. It is traditionally shown free of charge not only to UPLB students but also to the members of the neighboring communities.

WATCH: Actors share why they joined Isko’t Iska

Founded in 1977, Umalohokan, Inc. (formerly known as Teatro Umalohokan) is a UPLB-based community organization that has been known to utilize the diverse aspects of art and media in portraying social issues and educating the people, especially the Filipino youth.

For more inquiries, contact Francis De La Cruz at 0926 571 3131. Updates are also posted in Umalohokan Inc.'s official Facebook page: facebook.com/umal.inc

Globe Underscores Need for Govt Support in Building Telco Infrastructure Even as it Ramps Us Network Investments

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Globe Telecom Chief Technology and Information Officer and Chief Strategy Officer Gil Genio (extreme left) underscores the need for government support in developing telco infrastructure and harnessing the full potential of the ICT industry during a Philippine Trade Summit panel discussion organized by the British Chamber of Commerce Philippines. 

Genio emphasized that while Globe is ramping up network investments, government support is critical in rationalizing the permitting process for telecommunication infrastructure such as cell sites and fiber cables, claiming Globe needs to secure at least 25 permits to construct one cell site. 

Genio is joined in the panel by (from left) Samie Lim, Chairman Emeritus, Blims Lifestyle Group, Senen Perlada, Department of Trade and Industry export marketing bureau director; Mike Toledo, Head of MVP Group of Companies Media Bureau; and Cielito Habito Chief of Party, USAID Trade-Related Assistance for Development (TRADe) Project, who was the event’s moderator.

A3BIDA Proudly Presents HEIGHTS: 35th Flying Year Across The Sky Of Creativity

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We'll take you something higher this November!

Get ready to fly high as the BAPR 3-3D (A3BIDA) brings the Polytechnic University of the Philippines College Of Communication in the Department Of Advertising and Public Relations to the grandest and highest celebration on this year's Ad Week in: "HEIGHTS: 35th Flying Year Across The Sky Of Creativity" - an annual celebration of week filled with splashing fun events to celebrate the creativity within every BAPR student that boosts the department to soar high competitively in the field of art, words and everything under the sky of creativity.

Watch out the different events, games and contests all prepared by the organizers for every BAPR student. There will be booths along the classrooms that will be running throughout the whole week; games and contest that will help you explode the creativity in you. The annual search for the next face of the BAPR will also be happened organized by BAPR 3-1S as they bring MR & MS ADPR 2016 on the third day of the event. Aspiring videographer and filmmaker may find their spotlight on the fourth day of the event as BAPR 3-1D brings the annual video production competition in this year's TV SCENE AWARDS. And there’s no greater way to end the celebration than by bringing foods, awards, booze, and the dance floor all in one place as departure takes place on a closing semi-formal party that will be happening on the last day of the event.

This event will run from November 15 to 19, 2016. For more details and inquiries about HEIGHTS: 35th Flying Year Across the Sky of Creativity, visit its Facebook page at facebook.com/adpr3d; and for real-time updates, check out its Twitter and Instagram acount: @adpr3d. See you there and enjoy your flight.

Globe Telecom, The Pokémon Company and Niantic, Inc. Enhance The Pokémon GO Experience for Filipino Gamers

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The Pokémon Company, creators of one of the most popular entertainment properties in the world, Niantic, Inc., innovative developer and publisher of ‘real world games’, and Globe Telecom, the Philippines leading mobile brand, today have officially announced a new partnership.

“Pokémon GO fever has certainly taken over majority of Filipinos’ digital lifestyle. From walks to ‘lure parties’ the take-up on the mobile game continues to grow. We want to give our customers more reasons to enjoy the game, and the launch of new PokéStops and Gyms is just the start of our collaborative efforts,” says Globe Senior Advisor for Consumer Business, Dan Horan.

Starting October 28, Pokémon GO trainers will find that Globe retail locations and charging stations have become PokéStops and Gyms in game, with more and more PokéStops sprouting across the country. To help spread more Pokémon GO joy, Globe will be working with its partners, namely Ayala malls, Puregold, Robinsons Malls and SM Supermalls. With this, players will be able to see more of these markers on their Pokémon GO apps for more chances of catching Pokémon to expand their Pokédex.

Globe will also ensure its customers have better accessibility to the app through different mobile offers. On Globe Prepaid’s leading GoSURF50 mobile promo, customers will be able to access Pokémon GO as one of the free apps within the bundle. Globe customers can also download the free Pokémon GO promo on the Globe Switch app. Included in the partnership are distribution rights to Pokémon merchandise, including digital connectors, cool gadgets and a selection of apparel that is perfect for the holiday season.

Globe held today the first ever Pokémon festival in the Philippines during Halloween weekend. Free and open to all, guests had a wonderful time meeting Pikachu, enjoying original Pokémon screening, costume contests and many more family surprises. Pokémon GO players also took part in walks and tours around BGC, Taguig.

To get updates on Globe and its latest events and offers just visit the Globe official Facebook page at www.Facebook.com/GlobePH or @EnjoyGlobe on Twitter and Instagram.

Photo Captions

1 – Globe Telecom together with The Pokémon Company and Niantic confirmed their partnership to make the Pokémon Go experience more accessible and enjoyable to Filipinos. Leading the announcement for this exclusive partnership were Globe Chief Commercial Officer Albert De Larrazabal, Globe Senior Advisor for Consumer Business Dan Horan, Niantic Chief Executive Officer and founder John Hanke, and Susumu Fukunaga, Corporate Officer of The Pokémon Company. One of the highlights of the partnership was that Globe retail locations and charging stations have become PokéStops and Gyms in game. To help spread more Pokémon GO joy, Globe will also be working with its partners, namely Ayala malls, Puregold, Robinsons Malls and SM Supermalls.

2 – Pokémon fans trooped to the Globe ICONIC store at BGC for the first ever Pokémon Fest presented by Globe

3 – Guests had fun with Pikachu – from dance numbers to parades around the venue. Globe also held meet & greet sessions with Pikachu

4 – Niantic Chief Executive Officer and founder John Hanke join Globe Telecom during the announcement of its exclusive partnership for Pokemon Go. 

Duterte Switches On DOE Electrification Projects In ARMM

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The Duterte administration is accelerating the electrification of the provinces comprising the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) as part of its peace and development efforts in Southern Philippines.

President Rodrigo R. Duterte and Department of Energy (DOE) Secretary Alfonso G. Cusi on Saturday (October 29) led the ceremonial switch-on of electrification projects of the DOE and the National Electrification Administration (NEA) held at the ARMM Regional Government Compound in Cotabato City.

On-grid electrification projects include the DOE's Nationwide Intensification of Household Electrification (NIHE) and ER 1-94 Electrification Funded Projects and NEA's Sitio Electrification Program and Barangay Line Enhancement Program.

For Maguindanao and Lanao del Sur, a total of P371.71 million worth of electrification projects from 2015 to 2016 will benefit some 34,238 households in the two provinces. Next year, a P4.84 million electrification projects will benefit 166 households.

For Tawi-Tawi, a total of P91.62 million worth of electrification projects in 2015 to 2016 will benefit some 1,620 households. For 2017, a P18.31 million electrification project will benefit 2,263 households.

For Basilan, a total of P60.6 million worth of electrification projects in 2015 to 2016 will benefit 889 households in the province. For 2017, a P2.81 million electrification project will benefit 270 households.

And for Sulu, a total of P50.3 million worth electrification projects will benefit 2,628 households. In 2017, a P10.88 million electrification project will benefit 1,345 households.

For off-grid electrification, the DOE has initiated the Household Electrification Program (HEP) where electrification projects worth P610 million will be implemented by electric cooperatives in ARMM until 2017.

Duterte and Cusi also graced the ceremonial turn-over of 30 units of photovoltaic (PV) solar home systems to ARMM.

The DOE completed a total of 3,868 PV solar home system units in the provinces of Tawi-Tawi, Basilan and Sulu under its HEP. Next year, the DOE will deliver a total of 3,878 units of the PV solar home system in Tawi-Tawi (2,263 units), Basilan (270 units) and Sulu (1,345 units).

The DOE also donated a total of 30 units of 30Wp PV solar home system to ARMM. This was received by ARMM Governor Mujiv S. Hataman on behalf of household beneficiaries in the three provinces.

The President's last stop was the ceremonial awarding of a cheque worth P13.833 million to Maguindanao Electric Cooperative, Inc. (MAGELCO) for the implementation of the NIHE program that will benefit 3689 households within its franchise area.

Under the NIHE program, the DOE provides assistance amounting to at least P3,750 as grant subsidy to each eligible household for the cost of house-wiring and additional service drops per housing unit.

The NIHE program will be implemented by MAGELCO in the municipalities of Ampatuan, Buldon, Matanog, Barira, Datu Abdullah Sangki, Datu Odin Sinsuat, Datu Piang, North Upi, Parang, South Upi, Sultan Kudarat, Sultan Mastura, Sultan Sa Barongis, Rajah Buayan, Talayan, Guindulungan and Talitay.

The cheque was received by MAGELCO General Manager, Sultan Ashary P. Maongco.

Miss Ecuador Wins Miss Earth 2016

Wazzup Pilipinas!

The Miss Earth 2016 coronation night concluded at around 9 pm with results quite not good for the Philippines since Miss Philippines Earth, Imelda Schweighart, failed to even make it to the first cut, which was the Top 16.

Since the country is hosting the Miss Earth 2016 beauty pageant, and based from previous runs, many were expecting to see Imelda to be at least part of the top 4 finalists but many were somehow surprised that the country's candidate did not even made it to the top 16. 

However, we are sending our congratulations to our new Elemental Queens for 2016:

Miss Earth 2016: Katherine Espin Ecuador
Miss Air: Michelle Gomez Colombia
Miss Water: Stephanie De Zorzi Venezuela
Miss Fire: Bruna Zanardo Brazil

Congratulations to Miss Ecuador for winning the Miss Earth 2016 title. We hope this Earth Warrior advocates passionately the true meaning of being an ambassador for the planet.

Obviously I was a bit sad for the Philippines, but still I have to go on with my coverage as people would also need to know who will win this beauty pageant.

The sadness increased when someone said that Miss Philippines did not make it because of her "attitude" problem.