Wazzup Pilipinas News and Events

Monday, May 22, 2017

Thousands Attended Asia’s Got Talent Season 2 PH Audition

Wazzup Pilipinas!

The most creative and aspiring Pinoy acts turned out in full force today as AXN kicked off its open auditions for the second season of Asia’s Got Talent.

Thousands of talented performers – from magicians, singers and acrobats to dancers and variety acts – headed to QCX: Quezon City Experience to audition for a coveted spot in the record-breaking talent contest and a USD100,000 cash prize.

“Asia’s Got Talent celebrates performers of any age and with any dream and that was certainly the case here in Philippines today. Our first season was won by the Filipino shadow dance group, El Gamma Penumbra, and this has inspired the entire nation to pursue their dreams. I wish all performers who auditioned for Asia’s Got Talent today the very best of luck and I hope to see them shine on Asia’s Got Talent later this year,” Virginia Lim, Senior Vice President and Head of Content, Production and Marketing, Sony Pictures Television Networks, Asia.

Billed as the world’s greatest talent competition, “Asia’s Got Talent” welcomed individual and group performers of all ages, who took to the stage with dreams of making it to the next round.

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Pioneer Adhesives, Inc., makers of Pioneer Contact Bond, successfully launched Grupo Sapatero on March 17, 2017, an association of local shoemakers and manufacturers, in a bid to help uplift the shoe industry in Marikina City.

The local shoemakers who gathered at the event launch were declared to be the first members of Pioneer Contact Bond’s Grupo Sapatero. This event was held at the historic Kapitan Moy Events Place, the 200-year-old house of Don Laureano “Kapitan Moy” Guevarra, the founder of the city’s shoe industry.

According to Camille Fernandez, Asst. Product Manager of Pioneer Adhesives, Inc.—the said association was initiated to not only provide assistance to the members, but also mount programs like free training and workshops. This effort was greatly supported by local government of Marikina City through the Marikina Shoe Industry Development Office (MASIDO)..

“Pioneer Adhesives Inc., as a leading Filipino-owned company, has always been dedicated to helping the local industry because we also believe in the quality of Filipino craftsmanship. We saw the need to support the shoemakers and manufacturers, who are continues to craft dikit-tibay and tatak world-class products. They have also been doing their best to revive the glory of the Marikina shoe industry,” Fernandez added.

With stiff competition due to the entry of cheaper imported brands, the country’s Shoe Capital has experienced a decline in production. The industry also had to contend with a decline in the number of expert cobblers. Many of them having been forced to look for other forms of employment.

Despite these realities, the local shoemakers remain resilient in making world-class quality footwear. Most of the small and micro-scale manufacturers, also continue the art of crafting quality shoes passing on the legacy to the next generation of cobblers.

Wazzup Pilipinas!

The 11th edition of the International Food Exhibition (IFEX) Philippines, through the 2017 Katha Awards for Food, once again pays homage to newly developed Philippine food products and applications yesterday at the World Trade Center Metro Manila (WTCMM) and Philippine Trade Training Center (PTTC).

The awards aim to strengthen the reputation of the Philippines as a go-to destination for globally competitive Asian food and ingredients by recognizing companies that explore new galleries of flavors, original brand ideas, unique food fusions, and creative packaging methods.

The competition is open to all Philippine-based food manufacturers and suppliers participating in IFEX Philippines 2017. The winners are hailed from six different product categories: Food Ingredients, Marine and Meat Products, Snack Foods, Beverages, Processed Fruits and Vegetables, and Confectionery and Biscuits and Pastry. The company with the most creative booth exhibition is also recognized.

Katha Awards for Food was judged by SM Supermarket Senior Vice President for Marketing Millie Dizon, ZOMATO Philippines Country Manager Anton Ojeda, Philippines Airlines Manager for Food Planning and Standards Division Maria Criselda Abantao Rayos, and Food Packaging and Labeling Expert Abner Villahermosa. They chose the winners according to Market Demand, 25%; Packaging Design and Innovation, 35% and; Product Innovation, 40%.

Here are the category winners of the 2017 Katha Awards for Food:

Food Ingredients: FIERY LABUYO BARBEQUE MARINADE of Mama Sita’s

Instilling innovation while keeping its century-old culinary tradition, Mama Sita’s has newly concocted to perfection the Fiery Labuyo Barbeque Marinade for lovers of spicy food fusions.

Bold and fiery, the native labuyo chili pepper offers a truly unforgettable barbeque experience without the monosodium glutamate (MSG) and other preservatives.

Marine and Meat Products: FISH SAUSAGES of Fisherfarms, Inc.

Fisher Farms All Natural Fish Sausages are free from artificial ingredients and chemical preservatives. Made from 100% fish meat, they provide around 10% of the recommended daily allowance of protein, contain Omega-3, and have 0 trans fats.

Free from gluten, casein, nitrites, and MSG, Fisher Farms All Natural Fish Sausages are perfect for health-conscious gourmets and sausage aficionados.

Snack Foods: KALE CHIPS of Take Root Food Corner

Imagine a completely guilt-free, vegan chip that combines the taste of tangy sour cream with freshly cut chives!

Take Root Food Corner’s Kale Chips is made with all-natural and organic ingredients. No oil, dairy, sugar or any preservatives. Made from nutritionally dense leafy greens available, these addicting kale chips are never baked or friend, but dried at low temperatures to preserve its essential nutrients and enzymes.

Beverages: TURMERIC TEA WITH CALAMANSI of Muy Bien

Turmeric Ginger Lemongrass is a sweetened tea drink made by the Negros Occidental-based Muy Bien Ventures Co. Inc. from the natural and organic extracts of turmeric, ginger, lemon grass and calamansi

Turmeric comes from the root of Cucuma longa plant. Called in the Philippines as "Luyang Dilaw," turmeric has a tough brown skin and deep orange flesh. Curcumin, the main active ingredient in turmeric, has a powerful anti-inflammatory effect and a very strong antioxidant.

Processed Fruits and Vegetable: PUSO NG SAGING of KAPFER AND RIVERA UNITED INC.

Also known as “Ginataang Puso ng Saging,” this ready-to-eat Philippine dish satisfies the cravings for a heartyand savory meal—perfectly served on a hot cup of rice or as an appetizer paired with toasted bread and melted cheese on top.

Puso ng Saging is high in fiber and rich in taste, while completely being pork and chicken free.

Confectionery, Biscuits and Pastry: 85% NATULE CHOCOLATE DARK of MALAGOS AGRI-VENTURES CORP.

Developed to cater the taste of the high-standard Japanese market, the 85% Natule Chocolate Dark is an all-organic treat lets you experience the true essence of cacao, enriched with the subtle sweet aroma of coconut nectar.

The product was made under Malagos Chocolate’s single-origin chocolate production or what they call the “tree to bar” process, which involves the planting, harvesting, fermenting, solar drying, roasting, and processing of the cacao beans into fine-flavored chocolates.

Best Booth: Fisherfarms, Inc.

As a pioneer in aquaculture products processing, Fisherfarms, Inc. stages this year’s IFEX Philippines with a bright and modern scenography, highlighting the interesting insights on the Philippines’ seafood products, as well conducting on-site cooking and food sampling activities.

Fisher Farms, Inc, has one of the country’s widest range of premium quality fresh, frozen, value-added, and completely processed seafood products to clientele and institutions such as supermarkets, groceries, fast food chains, restaurants, distributors, and hotels all over the world. The Philippine seafood innovator is currently present in key markets such as USA, Canada, Middle East, Asia, Africa, Australia, and Europe.

Cover Photo caption: DTI-CITEM Executive Director Clayton Tugonon (leftmost) and DTI Undersecretary Nora K. Terrado (rightmost) introduces the winners of the 2017 Katha Awards for Food at IFEX Philippines.