Wazzup Pilipinas News and Events

Tuesday, January 24, 2017

Amid Steady Uptake of Customers Globe Broadband Sees 88% Price Reduction Within 4 Years

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Globe broadband prices have declined substantially over the last four years, with price reduction ranging between 68%-88%, amid steady uptake of the telecommunication operator’s wired broadband services.

Currently, a broadband connection with a speed of 10 Mbps is offered at P1,299 per month, the plan comes with a data allocation of 100GB with six-month free subscription to NBA League Pass, Netflix and Hooq. This represents a 68% decline from a price offer of P3999/month for the package in 2013. Also, a broadband service with speed of 50 Mbps is currently offered at P1899 /month, a price reduction of 78% from P8499/month in 2013 while a broadband connection with speed of 100 Mbps is currently offered at P2,499/month, representing an 88% price dip from P19,999/month offered for the same package in 2013.

Globe President & CEO Ernest Cu said the company is now putting more emphasis on its home broadband and fixed internet operations as years of focus on its mobile services has successfully propelled the company to become the country’s leading mobile brand. This is alongside the company’s thrust to provide first world internet to more Filipino families, by allowing them access to high speed internet plans.

“As more customers are getting into home entertainment and video streaming services, it has become more imperative for us to expand the reach of our broadband network to provide our customers with a more reliable and robust high-speed internet connection,” said Cu.

In line with its strategy of bringing focus on its broadband services, Globe plans to roll out 400,000 ultra-fast broadband lines within the year, to bring a minimum internet speed of at least 10 Mbps, said Cu. Such plan supports the company’s initiative of improving fixed internet in the country and redefining the home broadband experience of Filipinos. With the target deployment of 400,000 lines by the end of 2017, the company plans progressive deployment within the next three years until 2020 to serve at least 2 million homes.

Globe Telecom’s focus on its broadband operations has started to bear fruit, as the company’s broadband revenues at the end of third quarter last year reached P10.7 billion, a 38% rise from a year earlier revenue of P7.8 billion, attributed mainly to continued customer base expansion. At the end of September last year, the company had total broadband subscribers of 1.15 million, a 12% increase from 1.03 million a year earlier.

Burgoo and Gumbo Gives Away Free 2017 Pocket Calendar with Freebies

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Get your free pocket calendar for 2017 at Burgoo and Gumbo restaurants to get freebies! With this pocket calendar you welcome to a buy one take one on any main entrée at the two restaurants. Other freebies include free upsize of appetizers or salad every Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday with an order of any large main entrée and any drink.

Enjoy big savings at Burgoo located at T. Morato in Quezon City; Powerplant Mall in Rockwell Makati; The Podium in Ortigas; Gateway Mall in Araneta Center Cubao; Robinsons Galleria in Ortigas; SM City The Block in North EDSA; Mall of Asia in Pasay; SM City Marikina; SM Southmall in Alabang, The District in Cavite; 3rd level Terraces Mall in Fairview; Starmall in Taguig; and newly-opened Burgoo in Solenad, Nuvali.

For Burgoo reservations and inquiries, please call 9277424, 8381815, 6875254, 7263578, 9136112, 5560091 or 6336256.

Wazzup Pilipinas!

In continuous support of young Filipino talent and positive change with the use of technology, Freelancer.com is running its second intercollegiate hackathon, “Hackzilla in Manila 2”. University students from all across the country are challenged to use artificial intelligence (AI) in building tools that can improve people’s lives and shake up industries. The event will take place from March 31 to April 1, 2017, at Freelancer’s office in Bonifacio Global City, Taguig.

The theme for this year’s hackathon is: EXPLORE POSSIBILITIES WITH ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE. To join the hackathon, university students must be currently enrolled in a CHED-accredited school, and form teams with a maximum of five members. Each team must submit a 2-minute video outlining their hackathon pitch. A maximum of 10 teams will be selected by the organizing committee, consisting of Freelancer.com senior engineers and staff, to compete in the event.

Deadline for submission of entries will be on February 28, 2017. Selected teams will be notified via email by March 15, 2017. Teams can win a total of P100,000 in prizes.

Judges will include representatives from DOST-DICT, DevCon and Freelancer.com.

To know more, visit: www.hackzilla.io

DOE Strengthens Sector-Wide Disaster-Response System

Wazzup Pilipinas!

To manifest that the various components of the country's energy sector are all up to speed, the Department of Energy (DOE) continued its series of Disaster Response Protocol Workshops on January 23 held at the Fiesta Hall of the National Power Corporation (NPC) headquarters in this City.

Energy Secretary Alfonso G. Cusi yesterday asserted that “all industry participants must be attuned to the existing nationwide disaster-response system of the energy sector.”

During the series of workshops and international dialogues about energy resiliency, Sec. Cusi emphasized that “the energy sector has long been implementing protocols to address and respond to calamities and disasters that take their toll on vital energy infrastructures.”

"The DOE continues to update its system of protocols, advance notifications and quick-response strategies to fit the country’s current requirements," Sec. Cusi asserted.

At the Protocol Workshop, DOE Undersecretary Felix William B. Fuentebella highlighted that “the primary objective is for the energy sector to periodically review the implemented and established system of rules to effect the correct and appropriate conduct and procedures to be followed by the industry stakeholders.”

During the workshop, the DOE, NPC, National Electrification Administration (NEA), the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP), Aboitiz Power Corporation, and Manila Electric Company (MERALCO) presented their respective standard operational procedures (SOPs) for disaster risk reduction and management (DRRM).

The presentations of the agencies specifically outlined the strategies and methods they are observing during and after calamities including the recommendations on how to improve the efficiency of all distribution utilities.

Among those who also attended and participated in the workshop were DOE Usec. Raul B. Aguilos, Usec. Petronilo L. Ilagan, Engr. Arwin L. Ardon aside from energy family officials and representatives from the DOE, NPC, NEA, NGCP, Aboitiz Power and MERALCO.

Sec. Cusi has consistently emphasized that the DOE will and is proactively advocating energy resiliency in the face of the frequent and disastrous occurrences of natural and human-induced calamities in the country.

The Secretary has been reiterating the need for the sector to be vigilant in upgrading its best practices in DRRM, so as to make them more responsive and adaptable to the highly evolving realities on the ground.

“The DOE has been regularly convening the industry partners to mainstream climate change adaptation in connection with DRRM strategies in the sector. This is to reduce the vulnerability of vital energy systems to the destructive effects of calamities.”

The Secretary revealed his plan to include climate change resilience in the agenda of the Asian Cooperation Dialogue, which will be sponsored by the Philippines in August of this year.

"The DOE will make sure that the Philippines is prepared to showcase its own workable and effective energy model before the Asian community," Sec. Cusi concluded.

Milo #NutriUpYourGame Challenge with Erwan and Solenn Heussaff

Wazzup Pilipinas!

The first ever Milo #NutriUpYourGame Challenge was held on January 21, 2017 at the Glorietta Activity Center in Makati city. The event featured siblings Erwan and Solenn Heussaff in an exciting showdown of fitness and endurance as they team up also with other celebrities in a challenge witnessed by a huge crowd of spectators.

#TeamErwan and #TeamSolenn became additional hashtags for the day as as the likes of Wil Dasovich, Daniel Matsunaga, Jeron Teng, Dennise Lazaro, Ellen Adarna and Chie Filomeno, joined their equally fitness-enthusiastic celebrity friends in the Milo #NutriUpYourGame Challenge.

Solenn Heussaff is undoubtedly physically fit and she even wrote a fitness book entitled "Hot Sos" released last August 2016. Even now that she's married, we still see her flaunt her amazing body amidst her everyday activities.

Erwan Heussaff's fitness journey is also seen from his Fat Kid Inside blog and his culinary creations on and off TV and at his restaurants also highlights healthy dishes that complement his active lifestyle. Now that she's already engaged with Anne Curtis Smith, we see them still advocating health and wellness since Anne is also a fitness buff.

The siblings are truly the ideal brother and sister team that live, speak and breathe "healthy lifestyle." They are great individually, but absolutely awesome together. Milo has chosen well.

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Wig: Jack Lam offered to bribe me.

Q: Is it not a CRIME not to report this offer to the authorities?

The wig is caught with his pants down!

When Wally Sombrero asked Aguirre to be "ninong" to Jack Lam, that should have been reported immediately. The Senators are in a squabble on the Senate inquiry of the Jack Lam extortion issue. They are trying their best way to be apolitical - but there's no such way!

"Where is justice in the Jack Lam case? "The Justice Secretary’s “forgive-and-forget” attitude in the Lam affair should’ve set alarm bells at the President’s inner circle. "Allowing a suspected criminal to return to the Philippines without prosecuting him certainly does not jive with President Duterte’s fierce anti-corruption and anti-oligarch stance. "And in light of the escalating “media war” being waged against the President, Aguirre should have realized that his actions might have inadvertently placed Duterte on the war zone once again. "He ought to know that as the President’s alter ego, his actions whether good or bad are deemed to be his boss’s positions – and would certainly affect the people’s perception on the President."

The Senate Blue Ribbon Committee hearing on alleged bribery in Bureau of Immigration involving Jack Lam is highly interesting. When Senator Richard Gordon said Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II is not yet off the hook in the Jack Lam bribery scandal, I thought that's something everyone could easily deduct yet with these personalities currently in equally higher power, it would be easy for them to manipulate, delay and escape the system. Gordon said there are circumstances that put a cloud of doubt over the justice secretary’s integrity. Duhh!?

Aguirre said that gambling tycoon Jack Lam has a protector in the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI). That is expected. Every corrupt businessman has people in government under their payroll. No one can get away with similar crimes if they do not have a scoundrel protecting him. There are government people under his payroll indeed.

Even the Ex- Bureau of Immigration (BI) Al Argosino should be held accountable for meeting with Jack Lam's aide and accepting money bags. The two former immigration officials-- Al Argosino and Michael Robles-- allegedly received P50M bribe from Jack Lam. Argosino says he split the Php 50 million with Robles for security reasons.

Wally Sombrero says that the Chinese companies approved the P100M goodwill money and Jack Lam advanced the P50M. These people do have so much money that they are almost giving them away. But how come Jack Lam owes the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) an accumulated Php13.9 billion over the years, according to Arnel Ignacio, PAGCOR Assistant Vice President. My thoughts - these businessmen really do know how to deploy their money and get away with it? Also, how did a comedian cum host became a PAGCOR official? Lol!.

Highlights (from CNN):
- Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre recalls meeting with gambling tycoon Jack Lam
- Aguirre: I rejected bribe offer from Jack Lam
- Aguirre: Operations of casino ongoing for 10 years
- Aguirre: Many workers escaped despite over 200 police security
- Aguirre recalls Wally Sombero's words to him: "Pwede ba si Justice Secretary ang mag-ninong kay Jack Lam?"
- Aguirre: I was asked to protect illegal online gambling
- Immigration Commissioner Jaime Morente: Many of the workers entered as tourists
- Former Immigration Deputy Commissioner Al Argosino: Jack Lam associate called me for a meeting
- Argosino: Sombero called me often before City of Dreams meeting
- Argosino: Sombero brought two shopping bags to the meeting
- Argosino: Sombero requested help for Jack Lam
- Sen. Joel Villanueva: Labor committee investigating illegal Chinese workers
- Villanueva: Former Immigration Bureau commissioner confirms work without permits
- Villanueva: Former Immigration Bureau commissioner withheld information
- Villanueva: Former Immigration Bureau commissioners lied before committee
- Villanueva: Entrapment operation was not disclosed
- Villanueva: Considering contempt charges vs. former Associate Commissioner Al Argosino

Monday, January 23, 2017

NBA Philippines and Alaska Hold Tip Off Ceremonies for Jr. NBA 2017

Wazzup Pilipinas!

It is beyond doubt that basketball is the most popular sport in the Philippines. For reasons that you can leisurely play the game anywhere you are. May it be on a professional basketball court, or at any open area, in the garage, inside your room, even on the streets, and almost anywhere that you can hang a ring to shoot that ball.

This is one reason why a lot of people are motivated to play basketball since you can even play on your own. Of course, playing with or against others for a friendly competition, is definitely better.

The sport also keeps our youth away from bad vices and keeps them healthier with all that running, dribbling and shooting. Height is an advantage but even the vertically challenged or handicapped are also seen playing the same sport.

The NBA has made the sport even popular with games that have produced celebrity players that are admired and idolized by many people especially basketball enthusiasts and those that want to follow their footsteps.

The Jr. NBA Philippines 2017 presented by Alaska returns this year to the Philippines from January 20 - May 14, 2017 as part of the league’s effort to encourage youth basketball participation. The tip off was held on January 21 at Don Bosco Makati and was attended by the lead organizers and partners, including the coaches and alumni.

Wazzup Pilipinas!

For its first offering as the newest theater company in town, SUGID Productions Incorporated, in collaboration with the Bantayog ng mga Bayani Foundation, is all set to present the restaging of Chris Millado’s “Buwan at Baril sa E♭ Major” on January 26, 2017 at the Ambassador Alfonso T. Yuchengco Auditorium of Bantayog ng mga Bayani Center located in Quezon Ave., Diliman, Quezon City.

To be directed by Andoy Ranay, “Buwan at Baril sa E♭ Major” collects the stories of various characters whose lives, seemingly separate, intersect at a crucial juncture in Philippine contemporary history – the height of the anti-dictatorship struggle.

The schedule of performances are as follows: January 26, 27, 28, 29 (3pm and 8 pm), February 2, 3, 4, 5, 9, 10, 11, 12 (3 pm and 8 pm). A special Gala will be held on February 3 at 8 pm.

“Buwan at Baril sa E♭ Major” was written by Chris Millado in 1985 and originally directed and designed by Apo Chua, with the Philippine Educational Theater Association (PETA) producing it at the Rajah Sulayman Theater, Fort Santiago in Intramuros, Manila.

Chris Millado is currently the Vice President and Artistic Director of the Cultural Center of the Philippines, Cinemalaya Festival Director, playwright, director and educator. Fully aware that his aesthetic sensibilities are in context with his childhood experiences on provincial Catholic rites, and Filipino folk pageantry, he plunged into street theater in 1982 - energized by the student and youth protest against the 1982 Education Act. Amidst the media censorship at this time, he, and fellow University of the Philippines theater majors, offered the theater as alternative media, as ‘living newspaper’.

Wazzup Pilipinas!

BEKO, one of the largest home appliance brands in Europe, is finally in the Philippines. Entering the Philippine market in July of 2015 and exclusively available in select SM Appliance Center stores, BEKO provides an innovative and reliable range of kitchen and home appliances which make consumers daily lives easier.

“Kick Your Way to Barcelona” with BEKO & FC Barcelona

As part of this global premium partnership with FC Barcelona, one of the top football clubs in the world (lead by Lionel Messi, Neymar Jr., Gerard Piqué, Luis Suárez and Andrés Iniesta), and to strengthen the Beko Philippines Facebook fan page (@BekoPh); BEKO Philippines launched the “Kick Your Way to Barcelona: The BEKO Grand Kick-off Challenge” Promo.

With BEKO Philippines awarding one (1) lucky winner with a tax-free, all-expense paid trip to Barcelona, Spain to watch an FC Barcelona match live in April 2017 (inclusive of a roundtrip ticket to and from Barcelona, hotel accommodation with breakfast, in land transfer, Barcelona city tour, & a VIP La Liga match Box Ticket), the promo attracted a number of Facebook followers to submit and post their creative selfies welcoming Beko’s arrival in the country with #HelloBekoPH. Successful entries qualified for the Kick-Off Challenge that was held on January 14, 2017 at Sparta Philippines, a sports complex which houses the country’s only FIFA 1-star certified indoor soccer pitch. The qualifying round aimed to select ten (10) participants who will move on to the final round on February 10.

During the Kick-Off Challenge qualifying round, each participant was given three (3) attempts within one (1) minute to try and kick the soccer ball inside a customized mock-up washing machine goal from a designated distance of twenty (20) feet. Since only one (1) participant was successful in hitting the goal, a second round to determine the remaining final nine (9) participants was conducted with which each participant was allowed to kick the ball with unlimited chances within one (1) minute from a nearer distance of fifteen (15) feet.

Wazzup Pilipinas!

As a fabulous fitting finale of Ballet Philippines’ 47th season entitled “Wings”, come and watch the new staging of “Swan Lake”, the most famous and legendary ballet adored by audiences all over the world for over a hundred years. On March 4, “Swan Lake” will be celebrating the 140th anniversary of its premiere.

“Swan Lake” is set to open on February 24 at the CCP Main Theater (Tanghalang Nicanor Abelardo) at 8:00 PM. Other performance schedules are as follows: February 25 at 2:00 PM & 7:00 PM, February 26 at 3:00 PM, March 3 at 8:00 PM, March 4 at 2:00 PM and 7:00 PM, and March 5 at 3:00 PM.

This year’s “Swan Lake” boasts three extraordinary pairings for Odette/Odile and Prince Siegfried: multi-awarded guest artists Candice Adea and Joseph Phillips, BP principal dancer Denise Parungao and company member Garry Corpuz, and soloists Jemima Reyes and Victor Maguad in their first lead roles in a classical ballet.

Set to Tchaikovsky's beautiful and moving score, The Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra under the baton of Maestro Yoshikazu Fukumura are set to perform the music live during the gala nights on February 24, February 25, and March 3.

The February 25, 7:00 PM performance is an International Gala featuring guest stars Candice Adea (formerly of Hong Kong Ballet and BalletMet) and Joseph Phillips of the Primorsky Stage of the Mariinsky Theatre. Both artists have garnered multiple awards in international ballet competitions, including the Helsinki IBC, and the Jackson IBC.

“’Swan Lake’ is regarded as the summit of achievement in the theater for every major classical ballet company,” says Ballet Philippines artistic director Paul Alexander Morales. “Nowadays so many versions and interpretations of the ballet are available online, so audiences will likely have their own ideas of what ‘Swan Lake’ is and what it should be like. It is our challenge to come up with an entirely new experience of this ballet.”

Based on Germanic folk tales coupled with Russian traditions, “Swan Lake” weaves drama and dance together in an unparalleled spectacle. The ballet tells a timeless story of magic, love, and forgiveness through the ingenious choreography of Marius Petipa and Lev Ivanov. It centers around Odette, a princess under a curse that traps her in swan form during the day, and Prince Siegfried, an idealistic royal under pressure to find a suitable bride.

Ballet Philippines has previously staged the full-length “Swan Lake” in 1980, 1982, 1985, 1989, 1991, and 1994. The 2017 production marks the company’s 7th restaging to date. Ballerinas who have brought the dual role of Odette/Odile to life on the BP stage include the likes of Maniya Barredo, Kelly Cass, Toni Lopez Gonzalez, Valentina Kozlova, Yoko Morishita, Guo Peihui, Cecile Sicangco, Ester Rimpos, and Anna Villadolid. Notable Siegfrieds include Medhi Bahiri, Fernando Bujones, Wes Chapman, Nonoy Froilan, Serge Lavoie, Robert Medina, Brando Miranda, and Zhang Weiqiang.

“Swan Lake” is restaged by Nonoy Froilan after Marius Petipa and Lev Ivanov. Set designer Ohm David shall combine grand scale and psychological intimacy. His magnificent designs pit Edwardian splendour against the spectral beauty of the white acts. James Reyes’ dramatic costumes shall emphasize the contrast between human and spirit worlds, in shimmering fabrics and designs to create a magical setting.

From the first yearning bars of Tchaikovsky’s score, “Swan Lake” shall beckon you to another world. This timeless and enchanting tale filled with magic, manipulation, and eternal love will surely melt countless hearts, stir the soul, and send tingles down the spine. “Swan Lake” - the ultimate night at the ballet.

Connect to Ballet Philippines online through the following social media networks:

Facebook: www.facebook.com/balletphilippines
Twitter: @balletph
Instagram: @balletphilippines
YouTube: balletph

To join in the Ballet Philippines conversation, use our official hashtags: #balletph, #swanlakeballetph

For tickets, call Ticketworld at 891-9999.