Gina Lopez and DENR to Shut Down Mining Firms in Philippines

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Mining companies should pull off an Ellis Wyatt on Gina Lopez. 

"I am leaving it as I found it. Take over. It's yours."

What happened, Pilipinas?! Ganito na ka kalbo ang mga kabundukan natin and it only took a new DENR Secretary to reveal the truth behind our balding mountains.

"Now I know why there is fighting in Mindanao;" ; there are many mining companies in Mindanao, says Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Secretary Gina Lopez.

There are "22 mining companies are closed, 5 suspended , 2 differed, final decision is the President" reports Lopez. She earlier stressed the need for convergence and human development in the priority areas during a DENR Expanded Excom in Rizal province.

President Rodrigo Duterte throws weight behind Gina Lopez's closure of 21 mines. The President says he has never asked the Environment Secretary to 'slow down' with the DENR's mining audit. There's no slowing down! I hope many will fully back the goal to eliminate illegal mining in the country.

Most of these mining companies were closed on grounds of destroying watersheds, while 6 others were suspended for violation of environment laws. The Secretary remarked that those who benefit from the mining operations are only the businessmen and not the residents.

Gina Lopez is an amazing embodiment of true public service w/o being partisan. I think she is the few good appointees of the President. I hope this is true-to-goodness "change." We admire her for the passion in her work. Setting aside political differences makes a difference when you start working for the benefit of the people and environment.

Our utmost respect goes to her for rejecting the plans of Viacom for environmentally damaging Coron, Palawan with the Viacom Nickelodeon Spongebob Squarepants underwater theme park. "..You can't kill the corals.For a theme park? No, no way man." says Lopez. She said Investors are welcome, but let us not over-commercialize Palawan. Let's give a big hand to the DENR Minister for turning down a tourism project which would cause major ecosystem destruction . However, Palawan officials say there has been no application's received, but the developer says theme park is a go. Huh?

Last January, Lopez also cancelled the environmental clearance to reclaim 635 hectares of coastal waters along Paranaque-Las Pinas-Bacoor corridor. The Secretary buried Ramon Ang's Manila Bay reclamation project, while San Miguel Corporation (SMC) clarified it has no participation in the proposed reclamation plan that was scuttled by the DENR.

Please also save the trees along Commonwealth Avenue of Quezon City that will be affected in the construction of MRT 7. Only 623 will be transplanted while 1,215 will be cut down to make way for the project.

There's also the pending Quezon City government appeal to reconsider her plan to shut down the Payatas sanitary landfill. I hope she doesn't give in since the area is not healthy for living conditions.

She should also work with the Department of Health to test if the reported health problems of the residents in Limay, Bataan were caused by the ash fall or spill from a byproduct storage facility being used by SMC subsidiaries in the coal plant.

Kudos to to the DENR Secretary for being true to her mandate of protecting our environment. Do you have a feeling that she will someday run for a high position in the government and win?

Meanwhile, critics want her probed on an anomalous deal. But she denies the allegations on the mentioned Air Quality Monitoring equipment. She sees a hidden agenda behind the graft complaint and says there are no strides without enemies. She suspects that the filing of the complaint versus her with the Ombudsman has something to do with the publication of DENR's mining audit.

"Ansabe ni Gina Lopez sa mga pinasarang minahan na umaapela pa? 

Eh di..... NEVER MINE!" 

BOC Raids Kimstore's Tondo Warehouse Full of Smuggled High-End Gadgets

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Shit... so all this time, Kimstore's products were smuggled. It's all illegal and shit. I looked at my phone and then said "NOOOOOOOO!!!!!"

Well, I'm still #shookt that Kimstore, one of the top online shop in the country, got raided by the Bureau of Customs (BOC). I got my phone from them. I'm a purchaser in good faith and for value!

KimStore is a multi-awarded online store. A part of me sympathizes with it being shut down, and a part of me is angry at the government for double-charging people, including businesses, in taxes.

But there's always the other side of the story. Again, media are said to expose only half-baked truths. We have not heard the side of Kimstore yet. I'm pretty sure Kimstore is a legit business with authentic products but they seem to be lacking on proper paperworks or from what I've heard, they wrongly declared on gadget amounts to pay less taxes. What a waste. This should be a warning for everyone desiring for a business. DO IT RIGHT. I cannot stress this enough.

I bought some of my gadget accessories from them, and my Samsung S7 Edge for a price lower than other stores.. Yun pala.. sad.. Government, sana wag nyo ibulsa ang gadgets. We are watching you.

Rumor has it that Kimstore was harassed by customs people and was asked for bribes. I guess Kimstore didn't bribe the BOC officials well enough. Seriously, we will follow the news trail, and find out where these gadgets end up.

Dear BOC, What will happen to the 45M worth of gadgets you confiscated at Kimstore ? Just curious.

Early, or late, Christmas for the Bureau of Customs? After 2 days, employees from custom be like...""just got my 'new' laptop, mobile phone, tablet, power bank, etc." Damn those iPhones, iPads and MacBooks. If those raided gadgets at @kimstore is going to be used personally by those guys at customs then I will be pissed.

Yung CDR KING kaya? Hmmmm. Lol!

Me: Gusto ko bumili sa Kimstore ng Iphone7 

Also Me: kay SPO4 na lang kasi mas mura, kasama sya dun sa nag raid

Fortinet Extends Security Fabric Protection into the Internet of Things

Wazzup Pilipinas!

“Malicious cyber actors have been increasingly targeting the billions of IoT devices online today, essentially turning the Internet of Things into an Internet of Threats. It’s critical that today’s enterprises implement security solutions that can identify, understand, and protect their infrastructures from the massive attack surfaces created by IoT. The Fortinet Security Fabric arms enterprises with proven security capabilities today, while providing a foundation for the visibility and automation required to maintain an effective IoT cybersecurity posture in the future.” - Phil Quade, chief information security officer at Fortinet

Fortinet, the global leader in high-performance cybersecurity solutions, today announced the extension of the Fortinet Security Fabric to defend enterprises against the exponentially increasing cyber threats posed by the Internet of Things (IoT). Fortinet’s Security Fabric delivers the visibility, integration, control and infrastructure scale required to successfully defend the complex attack surfaces created by the ongoing proliferation of IoT devices.

A Security Fabric is Necessary to Defend Against IoT’s Massive Volume and Scale
Recent IoT-based attacks have revealed the sheer volume and ease by which billions of devices can be weaponized and used to disrupt the digital economies of entire countries and millions of users. These issues are compounded by the lack of basic security features and management capabilities in many IoT devices.

This is a major challenge for enterprises today whose data needs to remain secure as it traverses many types of devices and environments, from tablets to cloud applications. Current point products and platform security solutions lack the visibility and wider network integration necessary to see, let alone secure, the IoT attack surface.

Chavit Singson Receives a Mr. Universe Sash for Making #MissUniverse Happen in the Philippines

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Bakit trending si Chavit Singson? Basahin sa Wazzup Pilipinas - Ang Pambansang Blog ng madlang people. Lol

Seriously...it's because he was declared as Mister Universe...by whom and why?

If you've been seeing photos and videos from the Miss Universe beauty pageant the letters SOLAR, LCS and MUO, they actually stand for Solar Entertainment, Luis Chavit Singson and Miss Universe Organization - the main proponents that made the Miss Universe hosting in the Philippines possible.

Since the government was reported not to spend a single peso in hosting the event, Chavit Singson spent around USD15 Million for hosting the leading beauty and brains competition in the country.

Paula Shugart of the MUO gifted Chavit Singson with a sash having the words Mr. Universe for being the main man responsible for almost everything. You could even see him going around with the ladies all over the country. FRom Baguio to Boracay, to Ilocos Norte (his home turf) and most other places that the ladies visited as a tourism effort to promote the country.

True enough, we got worldwide exposure since all eyes of the mena dn women interested with the status of the Miss Universe were all looking to the Philippines for updates. So every time there is a post about the ladies, whether by the Department of Tourism, the Miss Universe official web site or social media pages, or by the brands who sponsored products, venues or services, interest is high to see these ladies.

Chavit Singson said that PHL could play host to the Miss Universe pageant next year...if the government would now help with the expenses. He's willing to do it again, as long as govt helps out.
With properties like a 600-million pesos luxury yacht, the Baluarte Zoo with its many animals and structures, and other ownership, the former Ilocos Sur Governor and the almost blatant display of expensive yachts & planes that he owns, gives us no surprise that he could possibly spend even more if ever he decides to host another Miss Universe pageant in the country again.

Pa-burger ka naman, sir Chavit!

Thrice a Decade of Decadence: Manuel Ocampo at Archivo 1984 Gallery

Wazzup Pilipinas!

The heat is on for art events this February, National Arts Month, but more specifically for contemporary art. It’s been a while now that trendy Filipino artists have been getting hair-raising attention due in part to auction results. Credit however must be given to neophyte galleries--being in business for just a little over a decade and having made their presence felt in the local if not the international art market. Swanky art buyers have definitely outgrown in number the artists who kept alternative spaces alive at the turn of the century. Add to that an assortment of home-grown art fairs and what have you in the capital is a robust art scene indeed.

If contemporary art were to be defined as the territory of the young, emergent and experimental, then it would be inappropriate to classify as such the works of Manuel Ocampo whose large canvasses of laboriously loaded symbolism abound in an exhibition at Archivo 1984 Gallery in Makati. This painter is certainly no new kid on the block and has been around for a long time, nurtured early by the ruckus of California in the late 1980s. Many in the international art scene know him by his ascent to notoriety through participation in seminal exhibitions around 1992 namely Helter Skelter: L.A. Art in the 1990s, capped by the infamous exclusion of four of his canvasses at Dokumenta IX in Germany.

By 2003 Ocampo had already begun spreading his audacious subjects and maverick personality through collaborative and fun exhibitions with like-minded artists in Manila. His inclination to support his peers resulted in the curation of shows abroad representing a slice of youthful art from Manila and the opening of a gallery named the Department of Avant Garde Clichés in 2011. The art space was one among the few that provided a global reach to local audiences however short-lived. Nowadays, Ocampo is busier than ever in Europe preparing for, among other projects, his participation in the upcoming Venice Biennale in May this year.

ePLDT Receives Cisco 2-Tier Partner of the Year Award

Wazzup Pilipinas!
 

ePLDT, Inc., an industry-leading enabler of digital business solutions to enterprises in the Philippines, was awarded as the 2-Tier Partner of the Year by Cisco Philippines during the recently concluded Cisco Partner Conference 2017 at Solaire Resort and Casino, Manila City. The Award is given to organizations that set the standards in revenue growth performance and commitment to innovation.

ePLDT helped Cisco expand its business to new geographies by winning key deals in the BPO sector through its unique service offerings. According to Nerisse Ramos, ePLDT Group Chief Operating Officer, it was ePLDT’s strategic imperative to drive managed service growth that brought about big wins from enterprise verticals primarily in BPO, Hospitality and Manufacturing.

“We want to thank Cisco for recognizing our efforts in bringing innovative solutions to enterprises that solve their real-life business concerns,” Ramos said. “Our company has been setting the pace for IT innovation in the country. And with our long-standing and still growing partnership with Cisco, we will can enable fresher and more relevant technologies as well as value-creating IT solutions to the country.”

Mindanao’s Parasat Cable TV Boosts Service with Globe Business Connectivity Solutions

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Parasat Cable Television (PARASAT), Mindanao's only digital television system provider, further boosts its services with connectivity solutions from Globe Business, the information and communications technology arm of Globe Telecom, in response to high demand for broadband internet in the region.

PARASAT has signed up for Globe Business’ Direct Internet which allows the company to offer its customers fast and reliable internet access supported by a robust and broad international and domestic network.

Elpidio Paras, Chairman of PARASAT said, “We continuously improve our operations to achieve a level of excellence that is vastly superior to all others in the industry. Thus, we put our trust in Globe Business to help us strengthen our leadership in state-of-the-art cable TV and broadband services in Southern Philippines and allow us to expand our reach not only in Mindanao but also in Visayas.”

Mike Frausing, Globe Senior Advisor for Enterprise and IT Enabled Services Group, on the other hand, said: “We are thrilled and privileged to have been chosen by PARASAT. We are very excited for the partnership and we look forward to the different ways Globe Business can help grow their business through the services that they availed from us.”

To date, PARASAT has coverage in the following areas: Cagayan de Oro City and municipalities of Opol and Tagoloan in Misamis Oriental; Malaybalay, Bukidnon; and San Carlos City, Negros Occidental. It has also formed partnerships with other cable operators in El Salvador, Alubijid, Laguindingan, and Balingasag in Misamis Oriental, as well as in Don Carlos and Valencia in Bukidnon. It is continuously expanding its coverage to the east and west sides of Misamis Oriental.

To learn more about Globe Connectivity Solutions, visit business.globe.com.ph/solutions/connectivity or contact a Globe Business Account Manager.

  

PHOTO CAPTION:

(L-R) Parasat Cable TV Chairman Elpidio Paras and Globe President and CEO Ernest Cu formalize the partnership between Globe and PARASAT.

Chemo @ 25: Chemokinesis to Celebrate 25th Founding Anniversary

Wazzup Pilipinas!

The UPLB Chemical Kinetics Society more popularly known as Chemokinesis is a duly recognized organization at the University of the Philippines Los Baños. Chemokinesis will be celebrating its 25th Founding Anniversary on March 11-12, 2017 with the theme, “Chemokinesis: Broadening Horizons with Dedicated Service and Untarnished Excellence for 25 years”.

The 25th Founding Anniversary will be celebrated as part of the CHEMO Month which is an annual series of events carried out by the organization throughout its existence to showcase the importance of chemistry in our daily lives as well as to strengthen the bonds among members, faculty members and other students. CHEMO month is compose of activities namely, 25th Anniversary Alumni Homecoming, Career Orientation, Royal Rumble, CHEMistreat, Exhibit, Symposium, Food Fair (Food Trip sa Physci), and Chemolympics.

The 25th Anniversary Alumni Homecoming will be held as a celebration of the 25 years of untarnished excellence of the organization. In the said event, the organization wishes to strengthen and re-establsih bonds among members which would entail the success of the organization’s endeavors in the future.

Meanwhile, CHEMistreat, an outreach activity in partnership with the faculty members of the Institute of Chemistry in UPLB is the organization’s way of giving back to the community. In the previous years of conducting the said activity, the organization have already experienced giving out to orphanage, home for the aged, and to Brgy. Bagong Silang which is the most impoverished barangay in Los Baños, Laguna. 

Exhibits and symposiums are always set up by the organization to enhance understanding and awareness of the public with regards to the importance of Chemistry and other related fields in our day-to-day lives. A food fair, better known as Food Trip sa Physci, is also usually set up by the organization as a fundraising activity by bringing various concessionaires inside the campus. It also serves as easy and near food stop for students taking their classes at physical sciences building. 

Chemo Month Exhibit

Chemo Month Symposium

Moreover, an activity which aims to enhance the sportsmanship and leadership skills as well as to achieve one of the organization’s objectives which is to foster closer relationship and camaraderie among members is held and called Chemolympicss. 

Lastly, for the first time the organization will be holding a Career Orientation with one vision in mind which is to guide Chemistry majors in choosing their career path after college. The organization will be inviting speakers from various career paths, the Chemistry majors might take.

PhilJets Strong Results 2016 & Plans for Expansion in 2017

Wazzup Pilipinas!

PhilJets Continued its Growth In 2016

PhilJets, the Boutique Aviation Group that started out as an aircraft charter company with only one helicopter in 2013, has consistently developed its activities in the last 3 years. Now, PhilJets operates a total of 6 helicopters and is about to take delivery of its 2nd business jet in the coming weeks.

The company is seeking to sustain its admirable growth over the past years, but aims especially to continue to enhance its expertise in business aviation.

PhilJets has continued to grow to become one of the leaders in Business Aviation in the Philippines involved in Aircraft Investments, Aviation Services, Distribution, Air Transportation, Aircraft Management, Tourism, and Geophysics Mining but also Disaster Relief, Rescue and Medical Evacuation. The clientele in the past year has seen a surge in both local and international companies based in the Philippines, but also in tourists and business travelers, representing close to 30% of the total passengers.

In 2016, the PhilJets Group reached slightly higher than Php 90M in revenues, a strong growth of almost 90% compared to the previous year’s results. In comparison, 2015 experienced growth of 77% compared to 2014. The company has also broadened its network, creating partnerships with luxury brands like Aston Martin and Jewelmer Joaillerie, as well as 5-star hotels like Sofitel Philippine Plaza, The Manila Peninsula, and Conrad Hotel Manila or financial institutions such as Citibank.

In the same year, PhilJets has consolidated its customer base and structured its team, managing to attract some well-tenured managers with overseas experience pilots who came back to the Philippines and joined the company. Among the new members are Captain Eduardo Bonavente, Director of Operations and Lawrence Santos, Director of Maintenance, who both formerly worked in the oil and gas industry in Asia and Africa. Together, the Managerial and Operations teams have worked hard to achieve great results in 2016.

In the last quarter of 2016, PhilJets through its mother company Starline Global Industries, signed with Airbus Helicopters for 2 additional brand new Airbus H130 helicopters (1 firm and 1 option) in order to continue its increasing coverage of the domestic market. 

Renewables Best Way to Power Philippine Development

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Renewable Energy (RE) investments have already saved the Philippines PHP4.04 billion, according to a Philippine Electricity Market Corporation (PEMC) report. Climate change solutions-provider World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF-Philippines) said that offsetting the cost of expensive fossil-fuels saved each Pinoy consumer 5.67 centavos, simultaneously generating more local jobs and reducing the country’s share of carbon emissions by an impressive 2.8 million tonnes.

“With the government’s Philippine Development Plan (PDP) for 2017 until 2022 now being finalized, we challenge the government to increase the share of RE to 50% by 2030,” explains WWF-Philippines climate and energy programme head Atty. Gia Ibay. “Green and sustainable development fits perfectly with the administration’s mantra of Malasakit, Pagbabago at Kaunlaran because RE provides affordable, sustainable and accessible electricity – especially for remote communities.”

Clean and renewable energy sources like geothermal, hydro, wind, biomass and solar energy are among the country’s few competitive advantages – especially since it has no significant deposits of fossil-fuels. Its continued dependence on imported fuel has made Philippine electricity rates among the highest in Asia.

Relying more on RE has brought down the cost of electricity with fuel diversity, shielding Filipinos from price fluctuations as no fuel cost is incurred. This shows the care or Malasakit of the government, particularly coupled with increased energy access with distributed RE reaching off-grid communities.

Flatlay Like A Pro: How to Creatively Perk Up an Otherwise Plain View

Wazzup Pilipinas!

"Walked into my office and husband had electronics all over the floor. I'm like, what are you doing? And he's like, "working on a #flatlay." - Lena Almeida

You've seen almost everyone posting flatlays, may they be fashion, beauty, lifestyle, food, travel or any kind of blogger or social media enthusiast, celebrity or not, veteran or newbie, or whatever else there may be out there. We are always snapping our - food before we eat it, clothes before we wear them, gadgets before and after we unbox, make-up and accessories right out from the box, etc.

It's also not exclusive to women (though I see this done by more ladies), since men do follow what's "IN" too, regardless if it's only a fad (as long as others do it). It would also look bad if you're the only one not doing it in a group. Feeling OOP or "Out Of Place" is not cool. Trust me!

The trend has gone so infectious that nearly everyone with a smartphone or tablet (or phablet) could not help but make extra efforts to lay-out what's infront of them in their best top view, (photo or even video since it's also neat to video flatlay). Everyone's doing video nowadays that combining it with your flatlays add so much fun as well.

Of course, the shot could also become "unnatural" especially if they add on extra stuff that are not really part of the normal experience(who puts their watches or jewelries right beside their food on top of the dining table), but the photo does become a bit more interesting seeing a variety of items to spice up the otherwise boring photo.

“Si Janus Silang at ang Tiyanak ng Tábon” - The Award-Winning Young Adult Bestseller Comes Alive on Stage Feb. 1 – 25

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Tanghalang Ateneo, the longest-running theater company of the Ateneo de Manila University’s Loyola Schools, continues its 38th season: De/Constructing Narratives with a production of the award-winning young adult bestseller “Si Janus Silang at ang Tiyanak ng Tábon” by Palanca awardee Edgar Calabia Samar.

Si Janus Silang at ang Tiyanak ng Tábon won the 2015 National Book Award for Novel in Filipino and the 2016 National Children’s Book Award for Best Read for Kids.

The play will be the first live action adaptation of the book. Two-time Palanca First Prize winning playwright Guelan Varela-Luarca adapted Samar’s work while Tanghalang Ateneo alumnus Charles Yee is bringing it to life onstage.

Si Janus Silang at ang Tiyanak ng Tábon takes place in the everyday world of an adolescent boy, Janus, whose world is turned upside down when characters from his favorite computer game and comic books appear and disrupt his personal life thereby forcing him to confront the mystery of his bloodline and his destiny.

Ateneo High School’s Earvin Estioco plays the title role of Janus Silang, a teenager who frequents the Malakas Internet Shop in Balanga where he plays TALA Online with his friends. His father disapproves of this which is why he often gets in trouble with him.

Ateneo Grade School’s Joachim Galvez and Sam Tango alternate as Juno, the tiyanak from Philippine mythology who disguises as Janus’ younger brother.

Allan Forte as Mang Joey, a bagani (protector of the Pusong bloodline) who becomes Janus’ mentor.

Bong Cabrera, JJ Ignacio and Diega Villanueva as Juan and Josie, Janus’ parents. Juan however is really a do-ol, a mythical creature sent by the tiyanak to keep an eye on Janus. By the time the play opens, Janus’ real father has already been dead for three years.

Cloie Hilomen as Mica, the love interest and classmate of Janus.

John Sanchez as Harold, Janus’ friend who dies along with other gamers upon reaching Level 9 of TALA Online.

Jacob Whittaker as Renzo, the messenger of Mang Joey tasked to meet and accompany Janus to him.

Dr. Jerry Respeto, Fr. Rene Javellana, SJ, and Xander Soriano alternately play the role of the mysterious Bungisngis. Mang Joey’s brother who disguises himself to watch over Janus.

Ateneo theater practitioners Peanuts Valerio, Ace Elgar and Soc de los Reyes, and the Tanghalang Ateneo ensemble of actors complete the cast.

The artistic team of Si Janus Silang at ang Tiyanak ng Tábon is composed of Tanghalang Ateneo Artistic Director and Moderator Glenn Sevilla Mas, Charles Yee (Direction), Guelan Varela-Luarca (Adaptation), Gwyn Guanzon (Set Design), Mitoy Sta. Ana (Costume Design), Toni Muñoz (Sound and Music Design), Delphine Buencamino and Zyda Baaya (Choreography), and Gab Mesina, Diana David, and Victor Datu (Graphics Design).

The playdates of Si Janus Silang at ang Tiyanak ng Tábon are February 1-4, 7-11, 13-16, 18, and 21-25. Performances start at 7:30PM while Saturday matinee shows start at 2:30PM.

For questions and additional details about the show, please contact Dean Silva at 0916-314-5475.

Connect to Tanghalang Ateneo online through the following social media networks:

Facebook: www.facebook.com/TanghalangAteneo
Twitter: www.twitter.com/TAOfficial_
Instagram: www.instagram.com/tanghalangateneo

See you at the theater !

Japanese Video Art at Yuchengco Museum

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Japanese media artist Naoko Tosa, whose work includes the multimedia façade of the ArtScience Museum in Singapore, brings her Genesis video art projections to Manila until March 31

Yuchengco Museum is pleased to present Digital Dimensions, featuring the video art projections of internationally renowned Japanese media artist Naoko Tosa. She has recently been appointed as Japan Cultural Envoy 2016 by the Japanese government. Transforming the museum’s galleries into a scenic environment, Digital Dimensions: Video Art Projections by Naoko Tosa envelopes viewers in a sensual exploration of materials and ephemerality.

The exhibition will feature Tosa’s Genesis video art series. Inspired by Rimpa, one of the major historical schools of Japanese painting with its 400-year legacy, Tosa plays with Zen concepts of chance through her use of Japanese color inks to generate solemn forms in water, the origin of all life. A pioneering feature of her practice is to introduce cutting-edge technology at the core of her creative process, playing with inks and dry ice captured by high-speed cameras.

Naoko Tosa explains: “Art can make it possible for us to experience invisible worlds that cannot be captured by our normal sense of time and space. Such experiences would induce awe and move toward nature and its energy in our mind. This work makes it possible for the viewers to experience a world where time is expanded one hundred times. Also, this work cannot be created using computer graphics, and dry ice is too complex to be expressed by a numerical formula of fluid dynamics. In other words, this is a hypernatural form of art that can be visualized only by using a high-speed camera.”

Naoko Tosa’s practice covers a wide range of areas from sculpture and visual arts to video art and digital art. Tosa also explores photography, media art, and software art. After receiving a PhD in Art and Technology Research from the University of Tokyo, she was a fellow at the Center for Advanced Visual Studies at Massachusetts Institute of Technology from 2002 to 2004 and is currently a professor at Kyoto University. Tosa has exhibited her artworks at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, London County Hall, Long Beach Museum of Art, and Japan Creative Center, among many locations worldwide. Her works are in the collections of the Museum of Modern Art, the American Film Association, the National Museum of Art in Osaka, and the Nagoya City Art Museum.

Artist’s talk and Japanese products mini-fair
To give visitors a more enriching experience of the Digital Dimensions exhibition, Naoko Tosa will share insights into her creative process and examples of her major works in an Artist’s Talk on February 11, Saturday, at 2:30 p.m. Tosa will also discuss the technology behind her art and how she bridges Japanese tradition and technology. The talk is free with museum admission (P100 for adults, P50 for students and seniors). To reserve slots for the artist’s talk, email info@yuchengcomuseum.org.

In addition to Dr. Tosa’s talk, there will be a mini fair of new lifestyle products from the Land of the Rising Sun. Called Snapshot Japan, the mini product fair will showcase a different side to modern Japanese culture. Snapshot Japan will feature the country’s unique food, fashion accessories, apparel, and cosmetics. The mini product fair will be at the Yuchengco Museum lobby from February 9 to 11, Thursday to Saturday, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Entrance to the mini fair is free. Snapshot Japan is presented by Global Initiative, Inc. with the support of The Japan Foundation, Manila. For event details, follow @YuchengcoMuseum and #SnapshotJapan on social media.

Digital Dimensions: Video Art Projections by Naoko Tosa is presented by Yuchengco Museum with the support of The Japan Foundation, Manila and with thanks to the Agency for Cultural Affairs of the Government of Japan. The exhibit will be on view from February 11 to March 31, 2017.

Yuchengco Museum is located at RCBC Plaza, corner Ayala and Senator Gil J. Puyat Avenues, Makati City. Museum hours are Monday to Saturday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. For more information, call (632) 889-1234, visit www.yuchengcomuseum.org, or follow @YuchengcoMuseum on social media with the hashtags #DigitalDimensions and #NaokoTosa.

First NBA Filipino Heritage Week to Celebrate Philippine Culture

Wazzup Pilipinas!

The National Basketball Association (NBA) today announced the first NBA Filipino Heritage Week to celebrate Philippine culture with millions of Filipino fans around the world. The celebration in the Philippines, which will run from March 13-19, will feature a viewing party attended by an NBA legend, an NBA Cares event, and social media activations on the NBA’s Facebook and Twitter accounts in the Philippines.

As part of NBA Filipino Heritage Week, the Golden State Warriors and the Miami Heat will host Filipino Heritage Nights in March, featuring in-arena Philippine-themed activations including musical performances and giveaways. All three games will be available in the Philippines on Basketball TV, with the Heat-Minnesota Timberwolves and Warriors-Milwaukee Bucks matchups also airing on ABS-CBN Channel 2 and Sports + Action respectively.

“The first NBA Filipino Heritage Week is the perfect opportunity for the NBA to celebrate the support of our Filipino fans around the world,” said NBA Philippines Managing Director Carlo Singson. “The activities in the Philippines, Miami and Oakland will showcase the country’s vibrant culture and passion for basketball.”

In addition, there will be specially designed merchandise to commemorate the first-ever Filipino Heritage Week.

Energy Department Closely Monitors LPG Market to Protect Consumers

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Amidst the increase of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) prices, the Department of Energy (DOE) today assured that it is closely monitoring the local LPG market to make sure that only reasonably priced LPG products are being sold to consumers.

Energy Secretary Alfonso G. Cusi reported: “Our Oil Industry Management Bureau (OIMB) is closely assessing the global trend of supply and demand, while also taking into consideration other factors affecting the prices of LPG.”

"The DOE-OIMB reported that the root cause of the LPG price hike this month was due to the increased demand by the cold weather continents such as North America, Europe and even Northern Asia," Sec. Cusi explained.

Moreover Cusi added, "LPG is primarily being used as a heating fuel in these regions, especially with the extended cold weather or winter attributed to La Niña."

Sec. Cusi clarified, “Large consuming countries are having a hard time getting their supply because even the transportation of these LPG products, mostly through railway, is also affected by the cold weather. This curbs supply, then affects the demand, and ultimately the prices.”

"The DOE-OIMB report also cites the rising global crude oil prices and outages of oil refineries in some oil-producing countries as additional factors for the rising prices of LPG."