Wazzup Pilipinas News and Events

Thursday, December 15, 2016

Filipino Students Nationwide Join the Three Million Virtual Mile Goal for Microsoft’s Global Skype-a-Thon

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Educators around the world were invited to participate in Microsoft’s annual two-day Skype-a-Thon on November 29 to 30, where thousands of students have joined the goal to travel three million virtual miles. The event connected classrooms in over 47 countries, including the Philippines, to showcase how technology can be used to enhance the learning experience and promote global citizenship.

Experts from Microsoft Philippines and guest speakers spoke to students from all over the country. 45 classrooms from around the Philippines joined the Global Skype-a-Thon to travel 145,000 miles combined.

For this year’s global Skype-a-Thon, several lecturers from Microsoft and educators shared motivational stories to the students. Each one got to virtually experience each other’s cultures through Skype. As classrooms are now borderless and learning is beyond any four corners in the world, indeed, there’s no distance that learning cannot conquer.

On photo collage are as follows:

Clarissa Segismundo, Microsoft Philippines Education Programs Lead with Grade 10 Students of Kapitolyo High School,

Cian O`Neill, Microsoft Philippines Chief Operating and Marketing Officer skypes with National University (NU) students on the other end

Ferdie Saputil, Microsoft Philippines Public Sector Director skypes with Pangasinan National High School students

Jomari Mercado, Microsoft Philippines National Technology Officer skypes with De La Salle University, Dasmariñas

Virna Venturanza, Microsoft Philippines Communications Lead skypes with students of Atty. Orlando S. Rimando National High School, Compostela Valley, Mindanao

Joel Garcia, Microsoft Philippines DX Director speaks to senior high school students of Ateneo de Manila

Just So You Know Video Series: Get the Know-How on your Globe Broadband Connection

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There was a time when people did not know much about apps like Netflix or devices like Chromecast. Today, these have become a big part of a digital native’s lifestyle and vocabulary. With these new innovations, people need to keep up to maximize their internet connection.

As Globe Broadband continues to roll out faster speeds and better plans across the country, more people are able to gain access to new entertainment content and the latest gadgets customized for their lifestyle.

Perfect for those who’d like to be more in-the-know, Globe Broadband launched Just So You Know, or #JSYK, a series of educational videos that answer the frequently asked questions about one’s home broadband connection.

“Giving our customers better connectivity, engaging entertainment, and device bundles do not stop after an installation. Some of our users are not able to maximize their plans simply because they have limited information about what it can do for them,” says Barbie Dapul, VP for Consumer Broadband Marketing. Dapul continues that, “the Just So You Know videos are easy to understand and entertaining to watch. This way our customers can easily relate to it and are able to apply what they have learned when using their home broadband plans.”

The current #JSYK videos talk about upping the ante of your home digital lifestyle by equipping customers with knowledge on a variety of topics. Some of the #JSYK videos talk about the right broadband speed for different activities; how to use Netflix; how to use Google Chromecast; quick fixes to get maximum coverage at home; and even how to prepare your house for a Globe Broadband installation. The #JSYK videos are simple and entertaining materials that are easy to follow.

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This December, fill your weeknights with nonstop fun and laughter when the new season of World’s Funniest Videos: Top 10 Countdown premieres on Sony Channel.

Season two brings more of everyday life’s hilarious moments caught on video. Each episode features the funnier side of different situations ever imagined that people get into – from adults to kids, from pets to other animals, from occasions and other celebrations, from the great outdoors to the confines of the home, and many, many more.

But what makes World’s Funniest Videos: Top 10 Countdown most endearing to viewers is the show’s Top 10 list – a countdown of the most entertaining homemade videos in every episode’s category that the whole family has come to love and enjoy.

World’s Funniest Videos: Top 10 Countdown Season 2 airs Weeknights at 7:55pm with

2 Episodes Back to Back. First & Exclusive on Sony Channel.

Sony Channel is available on Sky Cable Channel 35, Cignal Digital TV Channel 60,

GSat Channel 48, Global Destiny Cable Channel 62, and Cable Link Channel 39.

Globe Creates New Holiday Traditions for the Most Wonderful Time of the Year

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Traditions are essential in every culture and create different experiences for everyone. For Filipinos, the Christmas season is one of the most celebrated traditions across the nation. As early as September, malls, establishments, and even homes are already decked out in holiday colors as families make plans for their usual Christmas activities.

Whether it’s the annual Christmas Dinner, gift shopping, or traveling to wonderful destinations, the true meaning of the season is anchored on togetherness. Some may be miles apart but the love for each other brings everyone closer.

Today's digital lifestyle allows old traditions to be relived and made more exciting. Turn them into new ones by using the latest digital trends from Globe and let everyone create new memories for a lifetime, with the people who matter most.

“Christmas is all about spreading cheer and creating new memories. We are happy to be part of every Filipino family’s celebration and enable them to create new traditions that will last them for many more holiday seasons to come,” says Globe President and CEO, Ernest Cu.

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Asserting that there is an urgent need to scrutinize the country’s debt, Senate President Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III and Akbayan Senator Risa Hontiveros filed a resolution calling on the appropriate Senate committee to inquire, in aid of legislation, the foreign loans contracted by the country through the process of a Senate-led debt audit.

Proposed Senate Resolution no. 253 (please see attached) authored by Pimentel and Hontiveros urged the Senate to conduct a comprehensive debt audit to verify whether the loan agreements the Philippines has entered into are legitimate and to enact measures to ensure the prudent and proper use of foreign loans.

The senators said that it is the duty of the government to verify whether the country’s loan agreements entered into with different international financial institutions (IFIs) are in accordance with the principles on promoting responsible sovereign lending and borrowing by the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD).

“I am happy that we found an ally in no less than Senate President Pimentel in the crucial first step to free the nation’ s coffers from illegitimate debts and/or loan agreements riddled with questionable processes, contractual obligations, purposes and use,” Hontiveros said.

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The largest sports media property in Asian history, ONE Championship (ONE), is set to electrify the Jakarta Convention Center once again on Saturday, 14 January for its first event in 2017 dubbed ONE: QUEST FOR POWER. Headlining the spectacular fight card is ONE Middleweight World Champion Vitaly Bigdash as he defends his title against Polish fighter Marcin Prachnio.

Victor Cui, CEO of ONE Championship, stated: “2017 is shaping up to be a phenomenal year for ONE Championship. We have an exciting lineup of world-class events all across iconic cities in Asia, and we are thrilled to kick things off in Jakarta. Get ready for the biggest year in MMA history!

“ONE Middleweight World Champion Vitaly Bigdash, one of the most exciting fighters in the promotion, is set to make his highly-anticipated return to the ONE Championship cage against worthy challenger Marcin Prachnio. The last time Vitaly was in the cage, he took the title from former champion Igor Svirid by force, rallying from a series knockdowns to score an epic come-from-behind victory. Will he be able to handle Prachnio’s blunt power? This is a fight the fans will not want to miss!”

ONE Middleweight World Champion Vitaly Bigdash of Rostov-on-Don, Russia will be making the first defense of his title since winning the belt back in October of 2015. With a resounding technical knockout victory over former champion Igor Svirid, Bigdash displayed true grit and determination in one of the most action-packed fights in ONE Championship history. Bigdash showcased tremendous heart and resolve, overcoming a devastating attack by Svirid to score the upset. Now, he takes on his first challenger as champion in Marcin Prachnio.

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Akbayan Senator Risa Hontiveros reiterated her call for the passage of a law that will protect members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender or LGBT community in the country, citing numerous cases of hate crimes and discriminatory practices.

In a historic first, Hontiveros on Wednesday sponsored Senate Bill No. 935 otherwise known as the Anti-Discrimination Bill (ADB). It is said to be the first LGBT bill in the Philippines to reach the senate plenary. Hontiveros said that “deep-seated hate and prejudice” perpetuate violence against the LGBTs.

"Since 1996, 164 crimes against LGBTs have been recorded, but the numbers may be higher since the country lacks a clear policy on determining what classifies as a hate crime. The murders of 29 transgender people have been documented in the Philippines since, the highest in Southeast Asia and the second highest in Asia. In October 2014, the high-profile case of transwoman Jennifer Laude was cited by LGBT groups as an effect of systemic discrimination," Hontiveros explained.

Hontiveros, who also serves as Chairperson of the Committee on Women, Children, Family Relations and Gender Equality, lamented how the Philippines is lagging behind in securing LGBT rights and welfare.

"Globally, fundamental victories were accomplished in terms of securing LGBT rights and welfare, more notably an adoption or strengthening of their respective anti-discrimination laws. However, the same thing can't be said for the Philippines. For the last 17 years, Congress has failed to pass the ADB. The LGBT community cannot wait any longer," Hontiveros said.

Hontiveros' Anti-Discrimination Bill seeks to mandate the creation of social protection and diversity programs that will protect LGBTIQs rights and promote equality. It will ensure that discrimination, stigma, and hate would not hinder anyone from access to education, healthcare, employment, and other fundamental rights.

The said bill also vows to eliminate all forms of discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity. It lists and defines discriminatory acts that are to be proscribed and penalized.

“Ang labang ito ay para sa mga tulad ni Jennifer Laude na biktima ng karahasan dulot ng isang marahas na kultura. It's time we end hate and prejudice. Discrimination escalates into violence. We need to put an end to this," Hontiveros concluded.

Tuesday, December 13, 2016

Philippines: The Gloves are Coming Off for Team Philippines

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The penultimate episode starts with all four teams taking a 14-hour train to Banyuwangi in Indonesia. On the way there, all four teams muse on their journey so far and what they have to do to get to the final three. Eric & Rona, Parul & Maggie and Yvonne & Chloe are seeing Treasuri & Louisa as the only threat to them getting to the final three.

“Everyone has to fight for the first spot and we will do whatever we can,” says Eric, not giving up.

“Being Filipinos, we have a pact with Eric & Rona. We were strategizing on how we can make it to the top 3,” say Maggie & Parul, hatching a plan.

In Banyuwangi, teams must head to Sanggar Genjah Arum to find Master Setiawan, the coffee brew master. When the teams arrive, they find out that the venue is closed and they all have to wait until the next morning.

The next morning, Yvonne & Chloe are the first to enter the coffee house. In a refreshing change of pace, the teams just have to have a cup of coffee with Master Setiawan before receiving the route info, which is to make their way to the top of Kawah Ijen and search for their next clue. The teams are warned that there’s a Yield ahead and they start to speculate who will be using it.

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BotFans rejoice!

The battle continues when BattleBots, the extraordinary competitive reality series that has garnered a huge following in the sport of robot combat, returns on AXN this December.

This year’s playing field boasts of contestants representing four continents from around the world. From NASA engineers to expert roboticists, from garage builders to teenage students, and even past competitors, this group of hardcore robot builders will design and build robots that will face off against each other in combat in the elimination rounds until one is crowned champion.

For the first time, audiences will be treated to an enhanced viewing experience with the use of state-of-the-art Onboard Technology and Cameras, which will also provide combat analytics.

Each episode is filled with high energy as viewers will see next generation robots – bigger, faster, and stronger than ever before – designed with new technologies and innovations, and with more destructive weapons, including drones and flying battle bots!

ESPN's Samantha Ponder hosts season two, with expert play-by-play analysis from veteran sports broadcaster Chris Rose and colorful commentary from former UFC fighter Kenny Florian. Alison Haislip reports on the sidelines and ring announcer Faruq Tauheed presides inside the arena.

BattleBots Season 2 airs every Monday-Wednesday at 7:55pm, First & Exclusive on AXN

AXN is available on Sky Cable Channel 49, Cable Link Channel 38, Cignal Digital TV Channel 61, Global Destiny Cable Channel 61, Dream Channel 20, and GSat Channel 51. AXN HD is available on SkyCable Channel 247.

Celebrate a Low-Carbon Christmas with WWF’s Green Holiday Tips

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Christmas is the season of generosity, but it doesn’t mean we should go on endless shopping sprees and host furious binge parties every night!

The World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) estimates that humanity is currently using the resources of 1.6 planets, meaning many of its resources are no longer naturally replenished. With the global population expected to breach nine billion by 2050, we need to learn to minimize our consumption today!

So this Holiday season, let less be more. Celebrate a green or eco-friendly Christmas by recycling decor, opting for energy-efficient lights and heeding these 10 quick tips to help minimize humanity’s holiday carbon footprint. After all – a fun, simple and meaningful period of reflection is our best gift to the Earth.

1. Buy local products and support homemade crafts - Flown or shipped in from distant locales, it takes more resources for imported goods to reach our homes and offices. Patronizing local products cuts carbon emissions while boosting the local economy. Support native handicrafts, particularly if the raw materials are sustainably-sourced, like twigs, leaves and pine cones.

2. Bring eco-bags when shopping for gifts - An estimated one trillion plastic bags are used worldwide each year and most end up in landfills. This means over a million plastic bags are used every second – and most are used only once. Please don’t add to the waste by switching to eco-friendly canvas or recycled bags.

3. Use LED Christmas lights with timers - Energy-efficient LED (light-emitting diode) Christmas lights are up to 90% more efficient than regular tungsten bulbs. They’re far safer and last longer too! Remember to plug them into automated timers to ensure they’ll turn themselves off a little after you go to bed, saving power and ensuring that in terms of your carbon footprint, you won’t be naughty but nice.

4. Make your own personalized Christmas cards - About two billion Christmas cards are wasted every December. Why not craft your own cards from recycled books, magazines or packaging? A little creativity with some crayons, paint brushes or colored pens can ease out your inner artist! It will mean more to your special someone, too!

5. Use recycled décor - With some tinkering and a touch of creativity, your old jars, gifts and gizmos can be converted into nifty Christmas decorations. This is not just cheaper – you’ll even ensure that each homey gift piece is unique!

6. Buy only what you’ll use - Hosting this year’s Christmas party? Then politely ask your guests to minimize leftovers and get only the food they can consume. Every year, 1.3 billion tonnes of food is wasted. Buy just the right amount of sturdy plastic cups and bring out a marker to assign cups. Minimize waste and your waistline this Holiday season!

7. Set that thermostat a bit higher - Your office doesn’t have to be like the North Pole! When the party’s getting too cold, you can increase your air conditioner’s thermostat by one degree Celsius. This will leave you feeling comfortable while cutting down the energy bill by as much as 10%. The ideal temperature range for homes and offices ranges from 24 to 26 degrees Celsius.

8. Recycle last year’s wrapping paper for this year’s gifts - Printed paper wrappers comprise one of the largest Christmas wastes. Use last year’s wrappers for this year’s gifts! Old boxes, ribbons and strings can also be repurposed to minimize waste.

9. Reuse old props for this year’s parties - Bring out old decor and leftover trimmings for this season’s celebrations. In need of refreshing? A little glitter and paint can go a long way. Why not ask your buddies to donate a few things for the party? This allows everybody to participate and spread the Christmas spirit!

10. Observe proper cleanup after partying - Before staging your next party, ensure there are enough bins and trash bags that are clearly marked with the right labels for proper disposal. Try forming a ‘green team’ and announce to everyone that this is an Earth-friendly Christmas party where their love for the planet will be appreciated.

Remember, everyone has a duty to the environment. These 10 quick tips can lessen your impact on the planet. Get more tips on reducing your carbon footprint here. Don’t forget to join the #WWFChristmasPanda contest here. Have a Merry Green Christmas!