Honorio Banario Says Renewed Confidence Is Biggest Difference

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Former ONE Featherweight World Champion Honorio “The Rock” Banario dropped five straight losses following his title-clinching performance over compatriot Eric Kelly in 2013, but has recently turned a new leaf, impressively winning three straight over top flight opponents. A renewed wave of confidence he says is what made a world of difference.

On Friday, 21 April, Banario (11-6) will return to action against tough and durable Australian foe “Ruthless” Rob Lisita (14-9) in a three-round lightweight bout that is being considered an early candidate for Fight of the Night honors.

His belief in himself, Banario explains, is at an all-time high.

“My recent wins have given me my confidence back. I’m happy that I’m now able to show the positive outcome of my hard work. Those losses didn’t put me down, they gave me the strength to push forward,” said Banario.

“It changed my outlook on life, my outlook on this sport.”

By the time Banario had dropped his fifth straight contest, a 56-second submission loss to Ev Ting, the proud Igorot warrior said he had already contemplated surrender and calling it a day. But it was those closest to him -- his family, friends, teammates at the Team Lakay MMA gym, coach Mark Sangiao -- who urged him to fight on.

“I knew it wasn’t over. I had so many fans, true fans, telling me to soldier on and keep fighting and that they still believed in me. Hearing all the words of encouragement, how can you continue to feel down after that?” said Banario.

“Coach Mark [Sangiao] kept a close eye on me and tried to observe my body language. He wanted to see if my confidence would ever come back. I had to remain positive. I knew whatever I needed to find was still inside of me.”

Now, Banario has won his last three bouts, the most impressive of which was a first round armbar victory over top Indian lightweight prospect Rajinder Singh Meena last December, in front of his hometown crowd in Manila.

This April however, Banario knows he has his work cut out for him. Lisita is one of the toughest fighters in ONE Championship, regardless of weight class.

“He (Lisita) is the type of fighter who will never give up no matter what. In a way, he’s just like me. It doesn’t matter if he’s tired, beat up or losing a fight. There’s no quit in the man. That’s why they call him ‘Ruthless’,” said Banario.

“But I’m prepared for anything. Whatever style he wants to bring to the cage. Whether it’s his usual fast-start, looking for the quick finish, or a more technical, drawn out approach -- I’m ready. I’m happy to fight him because I want to be able to test myself against him. He’s a real fighter.”

With the success he has enjoyed at this juncture of his career, Banario surprisingly admits that he feels no pressure at all in trying to extend his winning streak. He says that even though Lisita will be the one inside the cage with him, that he’s not worried about the Australian.

“The only person I’m concerned with is myself,” said Banario.

“I have to stay calm, and ease the pressure. The previous losses only served to teach me a valuable lesson. I’m not really going to battle with another person, I’m going to battle with myself. It’s my own fears and the negative feelings that I have to conquer. If I can beat myself, only then can I get to the next level,” Banario concluded.

​For more updates on ONE Championship, please visit www.onefc.com, follow us on Twitter and Instagram @ONEChampionship, and like us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/ONEChampionship.

Singapore Ambassador Kok Li Peng and Award Winning Poets Celebrates World Poetry Day at Kamuning Bakery

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Singapore Ambassador Madame Kok Li Peng joined award-winning poets Jose F. Lacaba and Marra Pl. Lanot on March 21 morning to celebrate UNESCO’s “World Poetry Day” at the Pandesal Forum of 78-year-old Kamuning Bakery Café in Quezon City. The envoy also discussed Philippine-Singapore relations and Asean issues with the media and intellectuals at the two-hour forum. This artisanal café also gave away free coffee or tea drinks the whole day to all people who came to pay with their original poems, in a unique civic and cultural project.

To celebrate “World Poetry Day”, Kamuning Bakery Café’s Wilson Lee Flores invited Singapore Ambassador Kok to recite one of her favorite poems entitled “The road not taken” by Robert Frost. Lacaba and Lanot both also each recited their original poems in the Filipino language.

During the free-wheeling Pandesal Forum with local and international media, Ambassador Kok extolled the warm diplomatic and economic ties between the Philippines and Singapore, as well as the general optimism of the Asean region as it celebrates its 50th anniversary this year with a high-level summit hosted by chairman the Philippines. She said that there are high hopes on the RCEP economic agreement being worked out between the 10-member nations of Asean region and China, that she thinks both this RCEP and even the TPP are all good initiatives to promote freer global trade.

DOT Secretary Wants Media to "Tone Down" Reports on EJK

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Here's what to expect if we make Mocha Uson as the new "Darna" aka "Narda"

Mocha: "Digong, ang bato!"
Digong: "Putang-inang bato yan! Ikaw batuhin ko!
Bato (Dela Rosa): "Sir, baka ako hinahanap niya! Pagsampalin ko na ba?"
Bato (stone): "Need nyo pa ba ako? Di ba may Oplan Tokhang na? Patay na mga adik sa Pilipinas"
Wanda Tulfo-Teo: "Guys, tone down on your statements. Nahihirapan ako i-promote ang Philippine tourism!"

“’Yung mga statements na ganoon, nahihirapan kaming i-sell ang Philippines so I hope we could kung puwede even… this does not only refer to VP Leni but also to the media to please medyo i-tone down natin yung [reports] on extrajudicial killings.” ~Tourism Sec. Corazon Wanda Tulfo-Teo

Statements like these just prove how insensible our current leaders are. They would rather "tone down" the truth about what's really happening in the Philippines just to let tourists keep coming in. When you tone-down, that could also mean telling a lie about the reality. You then put tourists in danger and the entire Philippines as a liar.

She's barking on the wrong tree! She should tell her boss, President Rodrigo "Digong" Duterte to stop his  Extra-Judicial Killings (EJK) disguised as a "War on Drugs" so she could have it easy with her job as Department of Tourism (DOT) Secretary.

Tone down EJK operations instead - so that media has nothing "negative" to report about the Philippines.

"Typical "Best-and-the-Brightest" appointee in Duterte's mediocre cabinet. Unable to discern the real issues.

The main reasons she was appointed are: #1 Taga-Davao #2 Owns a travel agency #3 MonTulfo's sister. No competence in international marketing, attracting investors, sector planning.

If she was slightly more competent, she would have tried to make "lemonade out of lemons".

She could run a whole series of 'More Fun in the Philippines' ads around our latest selling propositions: EJKs, Death Squads, Tokhang-for-Ransom, Masked Mummies, Fake News, Cursing, Kowtowing to China, Death Penalty, Sex Tapes, Jet Skiing to Chinese-stolen islands. The possibilities are endless.

We would attract all the war-freaks, murderers & idiots from around the world. That's a large, gullible market to add to our own burgeoning pool.

And hell no. It is not safe in the Philippines. Just look at the murder stats. 51% up since Duterte became president." - Bernard Ong

Even the appointed Tourism Promotions Board (TPB) Chief Operating Officer (COO), Cesar Montano, has been in the spotlight for anomalies within the TPB, and the worst is that his own staff are the ones complaining about his ways and methods touching on absurd spending personal travels, using public funds on non-related tourism activities like rallies, and hiring relatives and gardeners, and many more in redundant positions.

Even the appointment of Katherine Espin, Miss Earth 2016, as Ambassadress for the DOT, to promote Eco Tourism all over the nation, will not be enough to counter all that news about poor people getting killed by the police. It's so safe in the Philippines that you also get killed even inside the Camp Crame, the home of the Philippine National Police (PNP) and where the PNP Chief Ronald "Bato" Dela Rosa, resides.

As usual, there will always be people who will remain blind of the truth because they want to look their best to the one whom they owe their positions. You can't expect them to bite the hand that feeds them. There's what we call "Utang na Loob" that has always been the main reason for every downfall.

In our case, all of the Digong supporters are getting positions in government, or special favors if they do not want to be tied up in government. Never mind if there are more qualified people out there, the President knows who to thank by assigning them top responsibilities within his administration. He already kicked out Vice Presidnet Leni Robredo for going against him, and other officials who had to resign by force of because they couldn't stomach anymore the ludicrous ways of this administration.

Steak Affordable for Graduates at Gumbo

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Celebrate your graduation and make it extra special by treating your family with this “Steak Affordable at Gumbo”! Grab this “Buy One Take One Steak” until the end of April at Gumbo for as low as P595.00. 

Choose from sumptuous chicken steak to tender-juicy pork loin to USDA Country-style steak, among others, served with choice side dishes like mashed potato, corn and carrots, coleslaw, rice pilaf, etc. Aside from this delicious treat, special freebies/gift await all graduates of 2017!

Enjoy quality dishes plus huge savings at Gumbo located at the 2nd Level Entertainment Hall, SM Mall of Asia in Pasay; 3rd Level Robinsons Manila Midtown; 2nd Level SM City The Block, North EDSA: Gateway Mall in Araneta Center, Cubao; Robinsons Magnolia; and at the 2nd Level Atrium Bldg. in SM Megamall. 

For reservations and inquiries, please call 5560238, 4420106, 6353015, 5671820, 4404632 and 5271925.

Marvelous Treats for Graduates and Families at Burgoo

Wazzup Pilipinas!

This graduation, share the love, joy and success to the whole family as Burgoo makes available “Marvelous Family Combo" for only P1, 999.000. 

It includes four sumptuous flavors of Wild Wild Wings, a bucket of French Fries, a bowl of rice pilaf, Tomato-Basil Spaghetti, two karaffe of iced tea or lemonade and one full slab of Oklahoma-style Grilled Baby Back Ribs.  

Enjoy that special moment the whole family as you share sumptuous dishes and relaxing ambiance 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 reservations and inquiries, please call 9277424, 8381815, 6875254, 7263578, 9136112, 5560091 or 6336256.

This Marvelous Family Combo is available until the end of April. All graduates will receive extra freebies and gift!

Clarificatory Statement on Microsoft Press Release

Wazzup Pilipinas!

On 8 March 2017 Microsoft Philippines held an event entitled “Data Privacy Act: A Priority for Businesses” at the event, Microsoft issued a press release that stated:

“In 2012, it passed into law, the Philippine Data Privacy Act (Republic Act No. 10173) that aims to protect every individual’s information recorded on any IT and communication system in both government and private sectors. 

While it has been a law for the last 5 years, businesses and organizations are required to comply with it by September 9, 2017.”

The National Privacy Commission (NPC) would like to clarify that the law is explicit in its provisions and has been in effect since 2012. Businesses and organizations that collect and process personal data are already required to be compliant with the DPA. As such, for data processors in both private and government sectors, appointing an accountable officer in the person of a Data Protection Officer is a must and shouldn’t be delayed any further.

The Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of the DPA however, which took effect on 8 September 2016, provides for a transitory period of one year for Personal Information Controllers (PICs) and Personal Information Processors (PIPs) to register their data processing systems with the NPC, subject to the requirements of section 47 (Registration of Personal Data Processing Systems) of the IRR.

According Privacy Commissioner Raymund Enriquez Liboro; “The NPC is working with PICs and PIPs in government and various industries in developing a culture of privacy, and building resilience against data breaches from the ground up. We are committed in helping businesses as well as citizens in becoming self-reliant in personal data protection.”

“While technology tools are important, these alone will not prevent the violation of data subjects’ rights and ensure compliance with the DPA As, such, the Commission is not endorsing any particular vendor looking to promote the data protection features of their products” Chairman Liboro said.

About the NPC: The National Privacy Commission is a regulatory and quasi-judicial body organized by virtue ofRA 10173, otherwise known as the Data Privacy Act of 2012. The agency is mandated to uphold the right to data privacy and ensure the free-flow of information, with a view to promoting economic growth and innovation.

5 Reasons to Take Summer Workshops

Wazzup Pilipinas!
 
It’s summertime!

Many people are most likely getting ready to take their much-awaited vacation to the beach or to a Disneyland. Some, especially those students who just finished their thesis last semester, just want to spend their summer vacation catching up on sleep and just chillin’. But if you’d like to make your summer more memorable, productive and impactful, you can spend it attending summer workshops.

Today’s world is fast-paced and competitive. It is almost a requirement to turn your hobbies and interests into usable skills. The good news is that there are courses that would not take years or even semesters to finish. From performing arts such as singing and dancing, sports like basketball and tennis, and other interests like baking and photography, there are summer camps and summer clinics practically on almost all types of interests in various locations in the metro.

Above photo shows the latest batch of Voiceworx - basic voice acting and dubbing workshop

For more than a decade, my own company has been offering voice acting workshops every summer. Voiceworx – Basic Voice Acting and Dubbing Workshop – is an 8-Saturday workshop that teaches the fundamentals of voice acting, including creating character voices, voice care, and script analysis and translation. I’m proud to say that this workshop – the first and only in the country – has opened the doors of what was once an elusive industry to those who have the passion and dedication to master the craft.

I myself have been an advocate of short courses like summer workshops. I have studied month-long courses in other countries to deepen my knowledge for my own passions and interest – leadership, youth empowerment, among many others. That’s why I also encourage the people I meet to do the same.

TaskUs Partners with Color Manila for CM Challenge Run Held in Clark, Pampanga

Wazzup Pilipinas!

TaskUs, headquartered in Los Angeles, and best recognized by Inc. 500 as one of the 5000 Fastest Growing Companies in America, is rapidly expanding in the Philippines today. It currently has 7,500 employees and five sites, and is best known as the “secret behind the phenomenal scaling of some of the world’s companies”, such as Twitter, Groupon, Tinder, Shopify and Whisper, among others.

Known as ridiculously good at powering tech startups; it has partnered with Color Manila, the country’s most aggressive ‘concept fun-run’ organizer, for its CM Challenge Run held last March 19, 2017, at Clark Parade Grounds in Pampanga.

The partnership makes perfect sense, “As a company that cares deeply about affecting people in meaningful and revolutionary ways, TaskUs finds a kindred spirit in Color Manila, as they find purpose in bringing color to people's lives. We genuinely care about our employees' overall well being, and this includes their physical and emotional health. Work-life balance is important, so a colourful fun run that defies norms and gives people the opportunity to not just explore an avenue for healthy recreation but also create connections with other human beings who enjoy the same things, is something that we definitely support”, says Rey Salazar Jr., Brand Director of TaskUs.

Thousands of runners trooped to Clark as early as 4 a.m., to participate in the race’s various finishes, such as 3K, 5K and 10K. Runners also enjoyed taking selfies and were given limited edition goodies as they immersed with employees at the TaskUs branded color station inside Clark Parade Grounds. TaskUs employees from the House Teamwork Nepo, Angeles site also took the opportunity to join the colorful and challenging event.

“TaskUs today is expanding rapidly and has transformed to something more than just a company. It is a movement. We change what it means to work in this industry; not by idly accepting the status quo, but by taking smart risks, and finding new ways to do things better”, adds Ma.Isabel Bernal, VP of Culture.

For more information about TaskUs, please visit www.taskus.com and facebook.com/taskusph

See a TaskUs site open in Batangas City this March 2017

Philips Monitors Launches the “Summer Escapade” Raffle Promo

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Summer is here and Philips Monitors is up to take you to one of the Philippines’ best summer destinations!

Purchase any Philips Monitor (15.6" to 43") from March 15 to May 15, 2017 from any of our authorized partners and get a chance to win a trip for two to Boracay, Palawan, or Bohol!

Authorized partners:

Metro Manila: Acenet, Dynamic PC , Dynaquest, EasyPC, Octagon, PC Chain, PC Corner, PC Express, PC Worx, Think PC, Vivocom

Visayas: HYW I.T. Distributor, Joyo Marketing, Nutech, Perfect Star PC Shoppe, PC Quickbuys, Thinkingtools

Mindanao: Altech Computer, Davao Futurebright, Digital Interface, Powerpoint Computer System, RASI, Thinkingtools

To join the raffle promo, submit your proof of purchase and complete information at www.philipsmonitorspromos.com. Three (3) winners will be drawn on May 17. Announcement of winners through the Philips Monitors Official Facebook Page (www.facebook.com/philipsmonitors) is on May 27, 2017. Below are the prizes:

Grand Prize: Trip for two to BORACAY

1^st Prize: Trip for two to CORON, PALAWAN

2^nd Prize: Trip for two to BOHOL

All prizes are INCLUSIVE of airfare, hotel accommodation for 3 days/2 nights, and tour package and are EXCLUSIVE of pocket money.

See posters for complete promo mechanics.

Join now and get ready for the best summer experience!

DOE Readies Mechanisms in Managing Energy Supply

Wazzup Pilipinas!

The Department of Energy (DOE) is readying measures to ensure the sufficiency and stability of energy supply in the years to come, especially during the summer when the power supply is traditionally lean.

In line with this, Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi has issued the appropriate directives to the Electric Power Industry Management Bureau, the Energy Utilization Management Bureau and the entire DOE to conduct a massive information, education and communication (IEC) drive.

The goal set by the DOE chief is to ensure the implementation of an effective demand-side management program for energy supply.

On the Post-Malampaya Scheduled Maintenance Shutdown coordination meeting among industry players, the following inputs were discussed and submitted to support the Secretary's directive:

1.     To continue the close coordination among the stakeholders in monitoring the entire energy supply chain (i.e., from energy resource development to the power plants to the distribution utilities up to the consumers composed of the industrial, commercial and residential levels);

2.     To continue the advocacy for the development of indigenous energy resources, in which the permitting system must be addressed by giving importance to energy projects and classifying such as projects of national significance;

3.     To ensure delivery of power to the consumers by:

a.     ensuring the completion of power plants in time for the summer months. For instance, the Limay Coal-Fired Power Plant in Bataan that have already been delayed for various reasons to go online;

b.     monitoring the output of the power plants through the conduct of performance assessment and audit. For instance, the maintenance schedules of the power plants during the summer months like the Pagbilao Coal-fired Power Plant;

c.      preparing the availability of the Malaya Thermal Power Plant as a back-up generation to ensure sufficiency of supply and d. ensuring the readiness of the Interruptible Load Program (ILP), in which the DOE is looking into a change in policy where the differential in the cost of running the generators will not be passed on to the consumers, but instead to be paid for by power plants that went on forced outage.

ILP serves as an option for Distribution Utilities (DUs) like the Manila Electric Company and electric cooperatives to ask their big load customers to serve their own power needs by using their own generator sets to augment power supply capacity in times of Red Alert Status or when power supply reserves are thin.

“We have to give our consumers options on how to manage their use of energy without sacrificing their productivity,” Cusi emphasized.

           

“The DOE is already conducting an IEC campaign to the top government load users like the Social Security System (SSS), Government Service Insurance System (GSIS), Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA), etc., and energy tips for consumers,” Cusi said.

Meanwhile, Cusi said “the DOE is also looking at the quick resolution of the Retail Competition and Open Access (RCOA) by the Supreme Court. Under the RCOA regime, the contestable customers and the retail electricity suppliers are compelled to be more efficient in the delivery and use of energy resources."

Additionally, the DOE is looking at the pending applications of DUs and electric cooperatives on modern mechanisms for demand-side management with the Energy Regulatory Commission, like the smart grid and the pre-paid electricity technologies.

In conclusion, Sec. Cusi reiterates the energy saving tips for the consumers as follows:

1.     Bawasan ng dalawang (2) oras ang paggamit ng aircon araw-araw. Makatitipid ng 30.50 kWh na konsumo, katumbas nito ay PhP346.50 na tipid kada buwan.

2.     Ilagay ang thermostat ng aircon sa 25 ^oC. Makatitipid ng 12.6 kWh na konsumo, katumbas nito ay PhP138.60 na tipid kada buwan.

3.     Bawasan ng isang (1) oras ang paggamit ng TV (mula 10 oras gawing 9 oras). Makatitipid ng 1.8 kWh na konsumo, katumbas nito ay PhP19.80 na tipid kada buwan.

4.     Ilagay sa “Low” ang electric fan sa halip na “High”. Makatitipid ng 4.8kWh na konsumo, katumbas nito ay PhP52.80 na tipid kada buwan.

5.     Bawasan ng isang (1) oras ang paggamit ng ilaw araw-araw. Sa isang ilaw, makatitipid ng 0.45 kWh na konsumo, katumbas nito ay PhP4.95 na tipid kada buwan.

6.     Bawasan ng isang (1) oras ang paggamit ng computer araw-araw. Makatitipid ng 4.5 kWh na konsumo, katumbas nito ay PhP49.50 na tipid kada buwan.

7.     Mas mainam gumamit ng laptop dahil mas mababa ang konsumo nito kaysa desktop. Makatitipid ng 30kWh na konsumo, katumbas nito ay PhP330.00 na tipid kada buwan.

8.     Iwasan ang pag bukas-sara ng refrigerator kung hindi kailangan. Makatitipid ng 2.59 kWh na konsumo, katumbas nito ay PhP28.40 na tipid kada buwan.

9.     Bawasan ng isang (1) oras ang pag plantsa kada linggo, gawin itong Sabado o Linggo para makaiwas sa “peak hours.” Makatitipid ng 4kWh na konsumo, katumbas nito ay Php44.00 na tipid kada buwan.