ASEAN Transport Officials Convene to Enhance Cooperation

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Transport officials and delegates from the 10 Member States of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) gathered today for the opening of the 42nd ASEAN Senior Transport Officials Meeting (42nd STOM).

The STOM, which works under the direction of the ASEAN Transport Ministers, held plenary sessions to discuss various projects and policies designed to enhance regional cooperation, particularly in the aspect of transportation. The meetings will run until November 16. Within this period, STOM officials will also hold separate sessions with this year’s dialogue partners: China, Japan, and Korea.

Among the topics to be discussed is the implementation of short and medium term work plans under the Kuala Lumpur Transport Strategic Plan (KLTSP), the transport blueprint for 2016 – 2025. The KLTSP is an important pillar of the ASEAN Economic Integration, which aims to make the region stronger and more competitive.

Transportation Undersecretary Garry de Guzman, acting STOM Leader for the Philippines, highlighted the role of transportation in making the ASEAN community integrated.

“It is through transportation projects and policies that we make this region a little smaller and a lot more united. By building transportation networks and connecting our cities by air, land, and sea, we empower different industries and businesses. More importantly, we empower our people,” de Guzman said.

Other transportation projects in the agenda include the establishment of an ASEAN Roll-on Roll-off Shipping Network, ASEAN Single Shipping Market, ASEAN Single Aviation Market and other air services agreements, and development of sustainable transport-related policies and strategies.

Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade, ATM Chairman, underscored how these efforts are consistent with the direction taken by the Duterte administration in terms of transportation infrastructure.

“The Philippine government concurs to the fact that the failure to invest, means failure to grow and develop our social and economic fabric,” Tugade said. “We’re using the battle cry build, build, build, which aims to solve issues on lack of employment, high price of goods, traffic, and transportation. The Philippine government aims to build more railways, urban mass transport, airports, seaports, more bridges and roads, and new and better cities.”

After STOM plenary sessions and discussions with dialogue partners, the ATM will convene from November 17 – 18 to adopt recommendations made by the senior transport officials.

 

*Photo from GMANetwork.com

GDG Cebu Holds Its’ Biggest Google Tech Conference

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Get ready Cebuanos!

The largest Google Tech Conference in the Philippines will be coming to you this November 19, 2016 at SM Seaside Cebu CenterStage. GDG DevFest Cebu 2016 is a whole day event composing speaker sessions across multiple product areas, all-day hack-a-thons, code labs, workshops and more .

“This year’s theme is ‘Unity for development, Unity for a better future’. The goal is to bring developers together to share knowledge, exchange ideas, and express their passion for technology.” said Shad Roi de la Cruz, current GDG Cebu Community Manager.

GDG DevFests are large, community-run events. It  provides the opportunity for tech-savvy individuals to learn about the latest technologies and other developer products. Major topics for DevFest Cebu will be Android, Web and Cloud technologies, and the Internet of Things. Keynote speakers from Manila, US, Singapore, as well as the Google Chrome and Cloud Team will be imparting their experience and knowledge on Google technologies to over 1000 participants, composed of professionals, students, businessmen, and tech enthusiasts.

The event is organized by Google Developer Group (GDG) Cebu, one of the main GDG chapters in the Philippines. It is a group of enthusiastic Filipino developers and volunteers interested in collaborating and learning about new technologies. GDG Cebu is an independent group; the activities and the opinions expressed are in no way linked to Google, the corporation.

50 Shades! The Musical Parody Is Back By Popular Desire

Wazzup Pilipinas!
 

With a successful run early this year, 50 Shades! The Musical Parody will bring its sexy back in Manila this December. Steam up your holiday season and catch its limited run from December 15-17, 2016 at the Music Museum - with only 4 shows on sale now.

Fifty Shades of Grey has topped best-seller lists around the world with million copies sold worldwide and a blockbuster movie. A sexy, hilarious romp, 50 SHADES! The Musical Parody is a laugh out loud night of fun that audiences won’t want to miss! The show has audiences rolling on the floor, dancing in the aisles and begging for more.

The musical opens with a ladies book club deciding to read Fifty Shades of Grey. Through their interpretation of the novel, the audience is led on a hilarious roller coaster ride of this unlikely bestseller. The show is full of dance numbers and 11 original songs including “How Much Can I Take?”, “I Don’t Make Love”, and “There’s a Hole Inside of Me”.

Like the book series, 50 SHADES! The Musical Parody is surely not for those under the age of 18, but does not cross boundaries that would make general audiences squirm.

50 SHADES! The Musical Parody will rock your world—and it’s even more fun in a group! Take your friends, take your co-workers and, as Time Out Los Angeles says, “TAKE YOUR INNER GODDESS TO THIS SMASH HIT!”