Purple Ribbon for RH Movement Holds Press Conference to Launch #LiftTRO Signature Campaign

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Enactment of the Responsible Parenthood and Reproductive Health Act of 2012 (RH Law) after more than a decade in the legislative mills was a hard-fought victory for RH advocates. With access to family planning (FP) services, Filipinos have regained the agency to build their families without compromising their physical as well as economic wellness. Mothers, in particular, have been empowered, as they now have the means to have planned and healthy pregnancies.

Optimism over the promise of RH law became stronger when the law was declared not unconstitutional by the Supreme Court. Gearing for the law’s full implementation, government procured needed family planning supplies. However, opponents of the RH law, relentless in challenging its mandate, succeeded in having the Supreme Court release a TRO hindering the full implementation of family planning programs through restrictions in public procurement and distribution of select family planning supplies

6.1 million Filipinas are presently using contraceptives, and another 7.3 million have unmet needs for family planning. This TRO will then deprive 13.4 million Filipino women the means to avoid unplanned pregnancies, and, consequently, associated health risks. The TRO on family supplies places stringent legal impediments to the certification and ultimately, the dispensation of potentially-life saving FP supplies. Again, as the TRO remains in force, we will eventually face a situation where no FP supplies will be available in the market. All Filipinos, with no discrimination, will have no access to contraceptives – denying them of the right fundamental right to health.

To alert the general public on the urgency of this situation, and also, to gather RH advocates anew, the Purple Ribbon for RH Movement, is launching a signature campaign to urge the Supreme Court to lift the TRO on family planning supplies.

The launch of the signature campaign appealing favorable action by the Supreme Court on the existing ban on the procurement and distribution of family planning commodities will be held on 04 Nov 2016 (Friday), 10:00 AM – 12:00 NN at the Kamuning Bakery Café located at 43 Judge Jimenez St., Kamuning, Quezon City

Significant figures in the 12-year RH Law campaign and key officials from the executive agencies will be answering questions on the implications of the existing TRO on family planning supplies. Joining the panel are PLCPD Executive Director Mr. Rom Dongeto, PILAKK President Lina Bacalando, RPRH National Implementation Team (NIT) Chair Dr. Esperanza Cabral, and Commission on Population Executive Director Dr. Juan Antonio Perez III. Individuals representing groups identified as most affected should the TRO stay in force will be sharing their insights.

Fulfill the Promise of the RH Law, Lift the TRO!

Dalanghita Productions Proudly Presents "Malapit Man, Malayo Rin"

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Sa panahon ngayon, mahirap na daw makahanap ng TRUE LOVE. Yung iba, magpaparamdam, may jowa pala. Yung iba, sa simula lang magaling. Yung iba, bagong break, kailangang mag 3-month rule. Yung iba, hindi lang pala ikaw ang nilalandi. Tapos ikaw, sa dami ng pinagdaanan mong relasyon na hindi nagtagumpay, aminin natin na hindi na talaga madaling sumugal sa pag-ibig. Kaya't hindi natin masisisi ang mga sawi, kasi ang mundo ay malupit. RELATE?
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Sa komplikadong mundo ngayon, paano kung magtagpo ang dalawang puso... pero ang isa ay TAGA SOUTH, at ang isa ay TAGA NORTH?
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Na-experience mo na 'bang magmahal ng isang taong MALAPIT MAN, MALAYO RIN?
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Hailed as 2014's Best One Act Play by Inquirer Lifestyle, Chris Martinez' MALAPIT MAN, MALAYO RIN comes to the stage in the upcoming TATLONG LINGGONG PAG-IBIG Festival, Opening this November 11 at the Power Mac Center Spotlight, Circuit, Makati. Featuring senior PETA actors Pat Liwanag and Roi Calilong, Directed by Melvin Lee.
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***TICKETS ARE NOW AVAILABLE at Ticketworld!***

call 891-9999 or visit
https://www.ticketworld.com.ph/Online/tatlonglinggongpagibig
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For other block-buying and other ticket concerns, please contact us directly at 09175383433
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See you at the Theater!

"A Very Broadway Christmas in Manila" Concert All Set on Dec. 11

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Are you a fan of Broadway musicales ? Well, a new theater company will bring to Manila a different concept of a Christmas concert this coming holiday season.

So, come and join us as we welcome ANDREW KEENAN-BOLGER in “A VERY BROADWAY CHRISTMAS IN MANILA” on December 11 – 7 pm at the newly opened BGC Arts Center located in Taguig City.

For those living in the South, you can also catch this concert in Iloilo City on December 17 at the Central Philippine University’s Rose Memorial Hall.

Produced and directed by Jhett Tolentino, the concert will feature a mix of holiday tunes synonymous to Christmas, Broadway anthems from the latest musicals, and a surprise mix of Original Pilipino Music. Under the musical direction of Ceejay Javier, the repertoire will have a new and fresh rearrangement for audiences of all ages to enjoy.

Andrew Keenan-Bolger’s Broadway credits include: "Jesse Tuck" in Tuck Everlasting (Drama League nominee), “Crutchie" in Newsies (Outer Critics Circle nominee), Mary Poppins, Seussical, Beauty and the Beast, A Christmas Carol. For film, he appeared as “Billy Frazier” in The Rewrite starring Hugh Grant. In television, he was in “Nurse Jackie”, “Looking”. Andrew also directed the award-winning films "Sign" and "The Ceiling Fan." He also appeared in Web series - “Submissions Only.” Andrew is also co-author of the best-selling children’s book series “Jack & Louisa” (Penguin Random House).

Special guest artist is Tanya Manalang, who recently appeared in Rak of Aegis and the London revival of “Miss Saigon – 25th Anniversary.”

Jhett Dizon Tolentino is a Pinoy Pride born, raised and educated in Iloilo CIty. He had won three Tony Awards for producing Broadway shows, making him the second Philippine-born Tony Award winner. He is the first Filipino Tony Awards voter among the 27 million theater-goers in the United States. He is also a Grammy Awards voter. In 2014, Jhett received the award for The Outstanding Filipino-American - New York (TOFA-NY) for Entertainment in at the Carnegie Hall, New York City. In February 2016, Jhett was recognized by the National Commission for Culture and the Arts with "Ani Ng Dangal" Awar for bringing international honor to the Philippines. Currently, he is the Deputy Chapter Commander of the Knights of Rizal - NY Chapter and a delegate to the 5th Filipino American Youth Leadership Program (FYLPro). He is the President and Artistic Director of Jhett Tolentino Productions Inc.

The repertoire of “A VERY BROADWAY CHRISTMAS IN MANILA” (as of this writing/subject to change) include the following:

Holiday: "It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year", "It's Beginning to Look A Lot Like Christmas", "I'll Be Home for Christmas", "River" (Joni Mitchell), "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas", "Santa Claus is Comin to Town", "All Those Christmas Cliches" (Ahrens & Flaherty), "Red Ryder" (from A Christmas Story), and "Let It Snow."

Broadway: "Santa Fe" – Newsies; "Letter From The Refuge" – Newsies; "Everlasting" - Tuck Everlasting; "Top of the World" - Tuck Everlasting; "I'm Not That Smart" - Spelling Bee; "Feed the Birds" - Mary Poppins; "Proud of Your Boy" – Aladdin; "What I Did For Love" - A Chorus Line

OPM: “Pasko Na Naman”, “Sana Ngayong Pasko”, “Kumukutikutitap.”

As the newest company to join Manila’s theaterdom, Jhett Tolentino Productions Inc.’s Mission/Vision are as follows:
1. Enhancement of the Filipino Artist through masterclasses, lectures, seminars, workshops, by a Broadway Artist/s.
2. Promotion of the Filipino Artists by prioritizing them in production cast and creatives.
3. Produce quality shows.
4. Audience Development program.
5. Promote tourism.
6. Making more Broadway shows accessible to the Filipino audience.

Jhett Tolentino Productions Inc. is led by Bal Endriga (Chairman of the Board); Trisha Victoria Lim (Vice President); Ma. Judelfha Mabaquiao (Secretary); Ma. Anastasia Melana Monfort Lim (Treasurer); Sunshine Elizabeth Do and Agnes Jamora (Board of Directors); Atty. Jeric Jucaban (Corporate Counsel)
For tickets, call Ticketworld at 891-9999.

You can also check our social media: Facebook: Jhett Tolentino Productions, Inc. and Instagram: jtpi2016

Miss Universe 2016 in Manila Confirmed Through Pia Wurtzbach

Wazzup Pilipinas!

"I welcome the latest announcement of the Miss Universe Organization (MUO) thru Ms. Pia Wurtzbach, confirming the 2016 Miss Universe pageant in Manila next year!" - Department of Tourism (DOT) Secretary Wanda Corazon Tulfo-Teo

"After all that’s been said and done, I happily welcome, on behalf of the Department of Tourism, the latest announcement of the Miss Universe Organization through Ms Pia Wurtzbach, that finally, the Philippines will, indeed, play host to the much-awaited 2016 Miss Universe pageant." says the DOT Secretary.

We see a video showing a vibrant Miss Universe 2015 Pia Wurtzbach announcing that the Miss Universe 2016 beauty pageant is indeed happening soon here in Manila. She says she is excited to show people around her beautiful country. So the video was probably meant for foreigners, and may be the 2016 candidates, who will visiting the country soon when the world's most prestigious and lavish search for the most beautiful woman in the universe finally sets foot in our beloved country.

Most of the time it is favorable for the host country since it gets a big chance in having its candidate to be among the top finalists. Since being a part of the first set of finalists is already a big deal, to be included further at the last set of finalists is a huge bonus.

The Miss Universe is to be held in the country specifically in SM Mall of Asia Arena on January 30, 2017 at 5AM.

16th Grand Wine Experience - The Noble Grape: Southeast Asia's Most Illustrious Wine Event

Wazzup Pilipinas!

It is said that wine drinkers have a 34 percent lower mortality rate than beer or spirits drinkers. The health benefits come from moderate wine consumption like about one to two four-ounce glasses per day. Some studies say that resveratrol, a compound found largely in the skins of red grapes which are the main ingredients of wines, reduces the stickiness of blood platelets, which helps keep the blood vessels open and flexible.

Now that's good news if you keep your wine intake on a moderate level. Still, they are far better than the other liquors available for drinking consumption. Though the others would also boast of other health benefits, ther eis nothing classier and more elegant than wine.

In this regard, you would be interested to know that the much awaited Grand Wine Experience will mark its 16th year on November 4, 2016 from 5 pm to 1 am at the Marriott Hotel Grand Ballroom. The venue is where the same event was successfully held last year so it would be fascinating to see if Marriott can outdo itself for this year's festive wine celebration. It's a drink-all-you-can from a featured selection of more than 500 wines, beers and spirits from over 23 countries. Matched with a lavish buffet composed of sumptuous dishes, it is still undoubtedly the grandest wine event not only in the Philippines, but also within the entire Southeast Asia.

Though I firmly believe no one could possibly taste all 500+ wines within the night, the attendees of the previous years would want to try the ones they haven't tried before. Well, maybe come back and taste the past favorites, but still it would be best if they give the other wines a fair chance to become among their favorites.

DOE at the Pilipinas Shell Petroleum Corporation IPO

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Energy Secretary Alfonso G. Cusi led the ringing of the Philippine Stock Exchange (PSE) bell together with the new and former Pilipinas Shell Petroleum Corporation (PSPC) Country Chairperson Cesar G. Romero and Edgar O. Chua, respectively, during the oil company's initial public offering on November 3, 2016) in Makati City.

Other PSPC executives and Board of Directors of PSE joined the Secretary during the ringing of the bell, which also signals the start of the trading in the stock exchange.

In his keynote address, Cusi said: "By its entry to the stock market, Pilipinas Shell subjects itself to State regulation and public scrutiny on another front—this time as a publicly listed company."

Cusi noted that "it is all the more imperative for the company to constantly maintain not only an impeccable delivery of public service in the field of energy, but also sound corporate fiscal discipline and an attractive and wholesome corporate image in the community."

"Now, Pilipinas Shell will owe utmost diligence and protection not only to consumers in the form of cleaner and more affordable petroleum supply, but to the investing public as well, in the form of high-value and profitable investments," Cusi explained.

SAP S/4HANA Enhancements Accelerate Digital Transformation Adoption

Wazzup Pilipinas!

SAP SE announced the SAP S/4HANA 1610 release, the latest enhancement to SAP’s next-generation ERP business suite. By utilizing a simplified data model and the award-winning SAP Fiori 2.0 user experience, the new release helps reduce complexity and unleash the next wave of business productivity. Through prediction and pattern recognition capabilities, along with machine learning, SAP S/4HANA lays the foundation to reduce exception management for more routine transactions, empowering the workforce to focus on higher-value tasks with embedded analytics and real-time insights.

“The SAP S/4HANA 1610 release is the 3rd major on-premise release since we first introduced SAP S/4HANA last year. Companies of all sizes, in every industry, are transforming the way they do business to take advantage of the digital economy,” said Simon Dale, General Manager, Innovation Sales, SAP APJ. “This new release furthers our commitment to help organizations harness the power of digital transformation and deliver new value to their customers while dramatically simplifying IT landscapes with a digital core.”

Digitizing the Extended Supply Chain
Today customers have even greater expectations, from their discovery and purchasing experience to the personalization and delivery of products and services. As a result, companies need to manage an increasingly complex multichannel supply chain in order to deliver the customer promise made to the “audience of one” delivered through a “lot size of one.” New functional, usability and integration enhancements in the SAP S/4HANA 1610 release allow supply chains to perform better with increased agility, promoting lower lead times, better customer service and higher profitability.

For example, supply chain planners can expect advanced warning of impending material shortages based on inputs from internal and external data sources. With real-time insights, companies can confidently target segments of one with high-value service-based offers, knowing more precisely their ability to profitably fill demand. 

To help companies manage in the digital world, the following core supply chain enhancements are included in the new release:

The Power of Pen Food Writing Forum Visayas Tour

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Life experiences and travel create a well-rounded food lover.

As food critiquing, and food writing in general has become a more recognized ‘career’, seminars, workshops, food and heritage tours are sprouting up geared specifically to food writing.

STRAM,INCORPORATED, an events company based in Manila has been creating and organizing the POWER OF PEN – a Food Writing conference and forum since 2009. Since then, the Power of Pen which happens every two years has now evolved and developed regional food writing workshops to cater to the growing demands of the food writer’s community.

This November 19, the Power of Pen will be touring the Visayas region with the University of San Carlos (Downtown campus) as its co-presentor and official venue for POP Visayas. The one day forum will gather distinguished personalities from the writing industry composed of editors, authors, culinary and heritage workers and news writers.

The POWER OF PEN is something which one can seek out if you do not have an educational background in writing or to simply boost your writing skills. The topics handled by our specially chosen speakers will help you think in new ways to make your writing come alive.

Philippine Internet of Everything Consortium, Inc. Holds Third Founding Members’ Meeting

Wazzup Pilipinas!
 
Access. Build. Collaborate. The Philippine Internet of Everything Consortium, Inc. (PIOEC, Inc.) Board of Trustees (seated from left to right) Ian Wilson, CEO of Cormant Technologies; Dr. Jaime Caro, Computer Science Professor at the University of the Philippines; Louie Castañeda, Corporate Secretary; Jovy Hernandez, Vice Chairman; Danilo Lachica, Chairman; Gilbert Ramos, Treasurer; Gavin Barfield, Chief Technology Advisor at Manila Electric Company (MERALCO); Sean Byrne, ICT Director at Concepcion-Carrier Air Conditioning; and (standing fourth from left) Chet Alviz, Executive Director of PIOEC, Inc. during the third founding members’ alignment meeting held recently at the Manila Peninsula, Makati City. The photo is also joined in by founding members (standing from left to right) Gio Abaquin, PIOEC Head of Secretary; Nico Alcoseba, VP & Head of ePLDT, Inc.’s Disruptive Business Group; Andrei Lopez, Head of Samsung’s Vertical Sales; Theresa Eisma, CIO of Air21; and two representatives from E-science Corporation and Air 21. Not present is Board Member Dr. Francisco Castillo, Chief Information Officer & SVP of Maynilad Water Services.

The Philippine Internet of Everything Consortium, Inc. (PIOEC, Inc.), the first non-profit organization in the Philippines that collaborates with industry leaders to help transform businesses through the Internet of Things, recently held its third founding members’ meeting at the Manila Peninsula to align their efforts in spreading awareness on the value of the Internet of Things (IoT) to people’s lives, work and play.

Created in 2014, the PIOEC aims to provide an avenue for individuals and organizations where they can access resource materials to acquire new skills, build a network of professionals, enthusiasts, educators and members of the public sector who exchange ideas relevant to today’s needs, and collaborate with industry professionals to establish successful business relationships.

According to Chet Alviz, Executive Director of the PIOEC, Inc., “We brought together some of the best industry leaders who will help elevate the country’s businesses, making it up to par with international standards.” He continued, “We are now opening our doors for new members who want to join us in pushing this initiative.”

The Board of Trustees and founding members are composed of executives from various corporations. Presented by PLDT ALPHA, the PIOEC is now open for memberships. For more details, please visit the website at http://www.pioec.ph/.

NBA Brings the Game Closer to its Fans in Asia-Pacific

Wazzup Pilipinas!

With the start of the 2016-17 NBA season, basketball fans across Asia-Pacific will have more access to the NBA than ever before through a variety of touchpoints spanning television, internet and mobile distribution of NBA games and programming, localized content on digital destinations and social media accounts, merchandising, and on-ground events.  With more than 65 partners in the region and the myriad ways to access the NBA, there has never been a better time to be an NBA fan.

The range of experiences from the NBA and its partners include:  

GAMES & PROGRAMMING *excluding Greater China and India

·         Fans can access NBA games and programming via the following television, mobile and digital partners:

• Australia – ESPN
• Japan – Fuji TV, NHK, WOWOW, DAZN
• Korea – SpoTV, NAVER
• Malaysia – Astro
• Mongolia – SPS
• New Zealand – ESPN, TVNZ
• Philippines – ABS-CBN, Fox Sports, Globe Telecom, BTV, NBA Premium 
• Singapore – ELEVEN SPORTS NETWORK
• Thailand – True Visions
• Vietnam – VT Cable

LEAGUE PASS

·         NBA games and programming is accessible through NBA LEAGUE PASS, available in all countries across Asia-Pacific.

·         NBA LEAGUE PASS, the league’s live games subscription service which allows fans to watch every NBA game live and on-demand, tips off the 2016-17 NBA season with new features designed for basketball fans.  From a variety of game packages to multi-screen views of the action, NBA LEAGUE PASS will deliver more ways to experience the NBA. This year’s features include:

o   AROUND THE LEAGUE RECAPS: This new series wraps up the day’s action with the best content from around the league.

o   ON-DEMAND CHOICES: Fans have the ability to download replays of full-length games or condensed games for convenient on-the-go viewing.

o   NBA RAPID REPLAY: A new highlights feature providing fans with in-the-moment updates on great NBA action from around the league. NBA RAPID REPLAY can be accessed as part of the live game experience from the NBA App on iOS and Android.

o   NBA MOBILE VIEW: A completely new way to watch basketball on mobile devices and tablets, the new NBA Mobile View meets the needs of today’s sports fans and their desire to consume content on the best screen available by providing a zoomed-in, tighter shot of the action that it optimized for the smaller screen size of mobile devices.

o   VIDEO ARCHIVES: NBA LEAGUE PASS opens up the NBA vaults providing fans with more access than ever before to classic games, interviews, highlights and documentaries, including 60 hours of new content.  Throughout the season, new NBA content will be added to the Video Archives.

o   VIRTUAL REALITY: The NBA and NextVR, the leader in broadcasting live events in virtual reality, will live stream at least one NBA LEAGUE PASS game per week in virtual reality during the 2016-17 season.  Fans with a Samsung Gear VR headset and a compatible Samsung smartphone can experience the free preview by accessing the NBA Channel within the NextVR app. Later this season, the offering will be expanded to support additional VR headset options. 

·         NBA LEAGUE PASS also returns with two offerings introduced last year – NBA SINGLE GAME and NBA TEAM CHOICE.  NBA SINGLE GAME will once again allow fans to watch individual live games, while NBA TEAM CHOICE, available for all 30 NBA teams, will give them the option to follow one team, so they can watch their favorite player all season long.

·         Globe Telecom, the official wireless and broadband services partner of the NBA in the Philippines, offers day passes to all its subscribers.

·         Fans will be able to enjoy the subscription-based service across computers, tablets and mobile phones, as well as a wide variety of connected devices including the Apple TV and PlayStation 4.

SOCIAL MEDIA

·         Fans can enjoy localized NBA content through a variety of social media platforms:

o   Australia – Facebook, Twitter and LINE

o   Indonesia – Facebook, Twitter and LINE

o   Japan – Facebook, Twitter and LINE

o   New Zealand – Facebook and Twitter

o   Philippines – Facebook, Twitter and LINE

·         “Friend” the NBA’s official account on LINE by adding @nba_global.

DIGITAL DESTINATIONS

·         The League has four official localized digital destinations in Asia-Pacific:

o   Australia – www.sportingnews.com/au/nba

o   Japan – www.nba.co.jp

o   New Zealand – www.sportal.co.nz/nba

o   Philippines – www.nba.com/philippines

EVENTS

·         Jr. NBA, the league’s global youth basketball participation program for boys and girls, has reached more than 1.5 million kids, parents and coaches across Southeast Asia.  The program, which completed its third year in Asia-Pacific, returns in January 2017.  Jr. NBA is currently active across six countries:

o   Indonesia

o   Malaysia

o   Philippines

o   Singapore

o   Thailand

o   Vietnam

·         Fans, parents and coaches can visit www.jrnba.asia to learn more about the Jr. NBA program in Asia.

MERCHANDISE

·         Fans can purchase official NBA licensed merchandise through the following retailers across Asia-Pacific:

• Australia – More than 90 Rebel stores
• Japan – 70 Xebio stores
• Korea – 113 NBA shops
• Philippines – 3 NBA Stores:

§  Ayala Center, Glorietta 3

§  Ayala Trinoma

§  SM Megamall, Fashion Hall

• NBA merchandise can also be purchased from the following official online NBA Stores:
• Australia – www.nbastore.com.au
• Indonesia – www.nbastore.co.id  
• New Zealand – www.nbastore.co.nz
• NBA merchandise is also available at select Adidas and Foot Locker stores throughout Asia-Pacific.