Wazzup Pilipinas News and Events

Monday, January 23, 2017

Donald J. Trump as US President

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"What's the reason why Donald Trump won as US President? It's not because of Russia. What kind of intelligence report is that if it only identified the problem after the event? I call it a stupid report.The real reason Trump won is because mainstream America or America's elite was too arrogant to overlook the voting power of the rest of its citizenry - the middle-class, the quiet ones, the less dramatic"- Carlos Aces

"I am honored to serve you, the great American People, as your 45th President of the United States!" - Donald J. Trump

Donald J. Trump was sworn in as the 45th president of the United States. But the Women’s March in Washington was roughly 3 times bigger than the size of the audience at President Trump's inauguration, crowd counting experts said. “It looked honestly – it looked like a million and a half people. Whatever it was, it was. But it went all the way back to the Washington Monument." The protesters said they were resolved to keep fighting the Trump agenda long after the march ended. But Trump's press secretary says the inauguration drew “the largest audience ever to witness an inauguration, period, both in person and around the globe”. Trump has claimed 1.5m people came to Washington for his inauguration.
The Twitter account of the National Park Service was temporarily suspended after retweeting photos comparing the crowd's at President Barack Obama's inauguration in 2009 with Trump's inauguration.

Trump has said he has been "running a war" with the media and warned them of consequences for falsely reporting that less number of people attended his inauguration.

"Well, good did not win this election. But good will win in the end," Madonna delivered a fiery R-rated, anti-Donald J. Trump speech during the Womens March.

Ashley Judd may take the top honor (or DisHonor) for an R-rated tangent against “Electoral College-sanctioned hate speech” by President Trump and his team of “Nazis” capturing “little girls like Pokemon” and Ivanka Trump as his “favorite sex symbol.”

Judd seized the stage from Michael Moore and proclaimed prior to her spoken word diatribe that she was there to“bring you words from Nina Donovan, a 19-year-old in middle Tennessee and she has given me the privilege of telling you what she has to say.”
Judd fretted that “I feel Hitler in these streets” as a mustache was replaced by “a toupe” and “Nazis renamed as the cabinet.”

While Trump was giving his very first speech as president, people couldn't help but notice what Obama was doing behind him. Did Trump really just quote Bane in his Inauguration Speech? Side-by-side comparison shows Trump might have plagiarized part of his inauguration speech from DC villain Bane in Dark Knight Rises. "It is time to remember that old wisdom our soldiers will never forget: that whether we are black or brown or white, we all bleed the same red blood of patriots!"

"I’ve been watching and listening to inaugural addresses since John F. Kennedy’s, in 1960. I’ve never heard anything like this one in terms of its divisive content and complete lack of uplift."

"I have a lot of respect for those two people," despite a hectic campaign run, Trump applauds both Hillary Clinton and President Bill Clinton for attending his inauguration ceremony.

"We are going to do some great things over the next eight years." Is that a hint to a re-election bid?

"Very proud of my father Donald J. Trump who will be a great President for all Americans." - Ivanka Trump

Ace of Cakes star Duff Goldman noticed as he watched Donald Trump’s Inaugural Ball that the president’s celebratory cake was an exact copy of the one he created for Barack Obama’s swearing-in several years ago. "I was told to copy it," the inaugural baker says.

Trump is only at the beginning of his presidency, but he's already planning to shut down one of the government's most wasteful programs. In his first hours as president Friday,Trump ordered federal agencies to "ease the burden" of ObamaCare while his chief of staff directed an immediate regulatory freeze.
"Sorry Trump, God can't make it. I know, I know, I'm omnipresent and so technically I'm everywhere, but your inauguration is the one place I won't be. I can't be seen with you. You're just such a turd sandwich." says God.

Trump will be Trump will be Trump, and we don’t have much choice but to get used to it. The presidency just raises the stakes of Trump’s con game to a completely new level.

"To Americans: You will never be ignored again. Your voice, your hopes and your dreams will define our American destiny. Your courage and goodness and love will forever guide us along the way. Together we will make America strong again. We will make America wealthy again. We will make America proud again. We will make America safe again - and yes, together, WE WILL MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!" - Donald J. Trump

Sunday, January 22, 2017

Master Joseph Chau Kam Shing and his Feng Shui Predictions

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With the coming of the Chinese New Year this 28th of January, we see the familiar images all over the Metro - like "tikoys" (Nian gao sometimes translated as year cake or Chinese New Year's cake) of different shapes, colors and sizes. There are also the other familiar items that you'll find an abundance in Binondo or Chinatown in Manila designed to bring you luck and fortune. I could tell you that there would be many who would do a food, site and/or temple tour within these days, especially at the actual night when fireworks will once again lit the skies.

Not to be confused with fortune telling, is Feng Shui, a Chinese philosophical system of harmonizing everyone with the surrounding environment. This is something like putting everything in its rightful place. There also seems to be several ways to receive luck and fortune using this practice, and thus Feng Shui masters are also very popular during the Chinese New Year season.

Since most Chinese, may it be pure or Tsinoy, are affluent or rich, and very much successful in business, there's probably nothing wrong in following this age-old tradition.

Will we be lucky this year?

Now that this is the Year of the Fire Rooster, 2017 for me might be sort of lucky or unlucky as I tend to get confused when so many "masters" say different "fortunes." But Master Chau explained that he is only into Feng Shui and not in fortune telling. He did told us that there are many who try to master everything from Feng Shui to Fortune Telling - Jack of All Trades? Master of None?

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Akbayan Senator Risa Hontiveros on Friday called President Rodrigo Duterte's attention after the country's Chief Executive compared drug addicts to African slaves, saying that at least African slaves can be put to work.

Hontiveros said the statement is racist and belittles the value of human life.

"This is the height of absurdity. The president tries to make light of slavery, which is universally frowned upon and condemned. His remarks were callous, insensitive and uninformed," Hontiveros said.

"Abuse is abuse. Whether drug addiction or slavery, the lives of the people that are trapped in these circumstances are incomparable. It is wrong to trivialize people's suffering and judge which situation is 'better' than the other," Hontiveros added.

Hontiveros said Duterte should stop referring to the ostracism and persecution done to people of different races when talking about the country's drug users.

"First it was the Holocaust, now it's slavery. When will this madness stop? I remind the President that drug addiction is a public health concern. Ostracizing drug addicts only make it extra difficult for the government to fully rehabilitate and reintegrate them back into society," Hontiveros remarked.

"What they need are appropriate health care interventions to manage and stop their addiction. The government should also recognize their right to decent work as a response to the roots of their dependence. The president should stop making it seem like drug dependents are better off sent to gas chambers or slave ships," Hontiveros said.

Last year, Duterte was reported to have compared his anti-drug campaign to the Holocaust. He said that he is willing to slaughter the country's drug users.

FEU Short Film Bags 6 POV Awards

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A short film made by a group of students from Far Eastern University-Manila recently took home majority of the awards in the 13th Piling Obrang Vidyo or “POV XIII: Celebrating the Power of People’s Narratives” organized by UP Cinema.

“Ma?” won Best Cinematography, Best Sound, Best Performance (in a tie with “Nandito Naman Tayo Para Sa Isa't Isa, ‘Di Ba?” by Gilb Baldoza of UP Diliman), Best Poster, Cinemasters’ Choice (selected by the organizers) and Audience Choice at the awards ceremony held last January 21 at UP Cine Adarna.

The 10-minute film tells the story of Andre (Antonio Collantes), a boy who suddenly finds himself alone in their house. He looks for his mother (Aileen Sahibad) despite having no electricity at home. He eventually finds an explanation the unexpected turn of events as well as the shadows lurking in the dark.

FEU Film Society Vice President Ralph Quincena wrote the screenplay, edited and co-directed the film with fellow Department of Communication student Patricia Ramirez. They also got ample support from director of photography Josel Fajardo, producer and sound designer Zheina David, associate producer and assistant director Ronalyn Torres, production designer Andrea Rigor, sound recordist Faith Medina, script continuity supervisor Rodney Barnes and musical scorer Athena Respicio, among others. Fajardo, David, Torres, Rigor, Medina and Barnes are Quincena’s fellow FEU FilmSoc members and communication majors while Respicio is an architecture student at FEU.

“So far, my bad experiences have been my investment in filmmaking. I’m the type of person who believes that the grudges that people have from their dark pasts are great sources of magnificent stories. That is why I found myself being fond of making horror films. For me, all of the films that I’ve made have that dark touch, a feeling of unhappiness and fear. I don’t know why exactly but anger, sadness and fright seem to drive my creativity crazy,” Quincena shared.

Dulaang UP Proudly Presents "Faust"

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“Man errs, till he has ceased to strive” so sighs God in the prologue to Wolfgang von Goethe’s romantic tragic masterpiece FAUST. Driven by a boundless desire for knowledge, Faust struggles to fathom “what holds the world together in its innermost self.” Directors and theatre audiences around the world have been asking similar questions in their relentless pursuit to comprehend this masterwork.

On its 41st Theater Season, Dulaang UP brings you Rody Vera’s adaptation of FAUST. The play opens in heaven where the devil, Mephisto, wagers with God that he can corrupt his most virtuous servant FAUST. What follows in the play is a series of events that questions our preconceived notions of justice, rationality, and morality.

Neil Sese and Jack Yabut alternate in the title role of Faust while Paolo O’Hara and Mailes Kanapi as Mephisto − a cultivated, witty and cynical servant from hell who is an embodiment of a complex doctrine of philosophical nihilism and negation as some scholars point out. Karen Gaerlan plays the innocent and pious Gretchen who is transformed into a tragic heroine as the play develops.

FAUST is directed by José Estrella with an artistic team led by Sir Anril Tiatco, Jem Javier, and Bryan Viray (Dramaturgy), Barbie Tan-Tiongco (Lights), Carlo Pagunaling (Costume), Ed Lacson (Set), JM Cabling (Choreography), and Jon Lazam (Sounds).

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The Miss Universe 2016 candidates had plenty of activities at the Baguio Country Club (BCC) while they were in Baguio city. Aside from the tour of the place, they were given the opportunity to experience strawberry picking and tree planting. They also graced The Crown Invitational Golf Tournament with their presence, plus a Gala Dinner at the Cordilerra Convention Hall to honor and reward with tokens coming from the Tourism department of the country. They were treated to an evening of culinary adventure and cultural performances.

These 28 lovely ladies (out of the total 86 official candidates), of which one of them could be the next Miss Universe for 2016, were joined by reigning Miss Universe Pia Wurtzbach and known personalities from Baguio City and nearby provinces. Wurtzbach was inducted as an honorary member of Cordillera Women by Regional Director Ma. Venus Tan of the Department of Tourism in the Cordillera Administrative Region. Of course, Luis "Chavit" Singson is always there for the photo ops.

To continue with the ancillary events for the 65th Miss Universe beauty pageant, some of the candidates will head to Davao City for the Mindanao Tapestry Presentation and to Batangas for the sunset photo shoot.

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Miss Universe 2015 Pia Alonzo Wurtzbach and 28 Miss Universe candidates went to Baguio City as part of their tour of the country. In their honor, and for the residents' appreciation, a mini Baguio Flower Festival parade, or what we all popularly know as Panagbenga, was done part of their visit in the Summer Capital. Panagbenga is usually celebrated annually in the city every February but this is an opportunity for the Baguio officials to let the candidates experience even a little what it feels like to be part of their grandest parade.

Wurtzbach and candidates were welcomed by Baguio City Mayor Mauricio Domogan, and Hotel and Restaurant Association of Baguio (HRAB) president and Baguio Country Club (BCC) general manager Anthony de Leon in a simple rite followed by a silent drill exhibition by the Philippine Military Academy (PMA).

Baguio City is one of the few places in the country that will be visited by selected contestants of the Miss Universe Pageant. Thus, City Mayor Mauricio G. Domogan even issued an administrative order (AO) suspending classes in all levels on January 18, 2017 to pave way for the conduct of the street dancing and mini float parade for the visiting beauty contestants of the Miss Universe.

Roads in the city were closed early morning to prepare for the mini version of the flower festival with four floats and eight street dancing contingents ready for the exhibition performance for the international visitors. A contingent of 5,000 composed of schools, groups and officials paraded with the candidates along the stretch of Upper Session road until the Baguio Country Club to the delight of the waiting crowd.

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There is more to the Philippines than the typically well-known Metro Manila cities, and in 2017, it will be more evident in the continued development of these cities to watch, compiled by Lamudi Philippines

With sustained progress in the real estate industry backed by an overall economy that various financial institutions predict to grow between 6 to almost 7 percent in 2017, many places in the Philippines are becoming increasingly ideal to live and/or invest in.

Whichever reason to move: a fresh start, exploring new career and business opportunities, or a growing a family, ten of these places in the country, compiled by global real estate website Lamudi Philippines, stand out, and are worth your consideration for this year, and even beyond.

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In compliance with a government mandate, Globe Telecom said it is ready to provide Credit Information Corp. (CIC), a state-run agency, with credit information of its customers starting February this year.

“As mandated by law, Globe is ready to comply with the directive to provide basic credit data. We are confident that establishment of a credit information system in the country will further enhance development of the local financial sector that, in turn, will further boost economic growth,” Globe General Counsel Froilan Castelo said.

Republic Act 9510, also known as Credit Information System Act, which was enacted into law in 2008, provides for the creation of the CIC. CIC is tasked primarily to collect and disseminate relevant credit information that will directly address the need for reliable credit information concerning the credit standing and track record of borrowers, thus potentially improving chances of loan approvals and enabling lenders to make appropriate decisions regarding loan applications.

The law requires banks, quasi-banks, their subsidiaries and affiliates, life insurance companies, credit card companies and other entities that provide credit facilities to submit basic credit data and updates on a regular basis to the CIC, which is mandated to update the basic credit data of a borrower on a monthly basis. Basic credit data includes any negative and positive credit information that tends to update the credit status of borrowers.

The establishment of a comprehensive credit information database is expected to enhance financial inclusion in the country. For instance, Globe customers with no credit record from a bank or financial institution, but with a Globe account, can now have credit information, which could be one of the possible bases for loan approval.

Recently, the scope of CIC’s coverage was expanded to include telecommunication companies as provided for under CIC Circular 2016-01. “The CIC has determined that telecommunications companies are within the purview of the law whose data is relevant for determination of creditworthiness and in making credit decisions,” the circular stated.

With the establishment of a comprehensive credit information database, financing companies may use the basic credit data from the pool of credit information gathered and collected by CIC from the submitting entities to establish creditworthiness of an individual or an organization.

The Best Travel Deals for Your Next Dream Getaway

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Kick-start 2017 with wonderful travels to inspiring destinations. Now on its 4th year of partnership since 2013, Globe Platinum and Singapore Airlines bring the Singapore Airlines Showcase and Travel Fair to Manila starting January 20 to February 20, 2017. Globe Platinum customers can enjoy discounted round trip all-in-fares and other wonderful surprises during this year’s event.

"Traveling is one of our customers’ biggest passions and our longstanding partnership with Singapore Airlines allows us to provide some of the best travel deals! This exclusive access is just some of the many privileges that only we can offer. Our partnership complements the already existing travel privileges of a Globe Platinum customer, such as access to over 800 international airport lounges and our worldwide concierge service. This is just the start of many exciting things and travel opportunities for our customers this 2017,” shares Kaisie del Carmen, Globe Platinum Head.

Wonderful travel destinations in Southeast Asia, North Asia, West Asia, Africa, Europe and USA, can now be accessed directly from the Philippines through Singapore Airlines (SQ) and SilkAir (MI) with the most affordable fares. Globe Platinum customers can exclusively enjoy year-round discounted flights to these destinations if they purchase their flights from January 20 to February 20, 2017 at any Singapore Airlines Showcase and Travel Fair. Customers can also book their flights to any of these said destinations using their BPI credit card through http://www.singaporeair.com/en_UK/ph/home.