Smart is Asia’s Top Digital Services Provider

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‘Welcome Change’ also named Best Brand Campaign at Asia Communication Awards

For its efforts to boost its network and make relevant digital services accessible to Filipinos, PLDT wireless unit Smart Communications was named Digital Service Provider of the Year at the Asia Communication Awards (ACA) ceremony held recently in Singapore.

The ACA recognizes outstanding performance by Asian carriers, multimedia content providers, vendors, and other communication service providers. It is conducted annually by London-based industry publication Total Telecom.

Smart’s Welcome Change campaign – which communicated the company’s digital pivot and encouraged Filipinos to empower themselves through mobile innovations – won the Best Brand Campaign recognition.

Janet Watkin, head of the ACA panel of judges and CEO of a customer experience consultancy, said simply making it to the shortlist was already an achievement, given the challenges faced by the telecommunications industry.

“Doing business has become more digital, global, social, and mobile, and the marketplace is vaster and more crowded than it has ever been. Alongside changes in technology and competition are the changing expectations and behavior of customers. As such, making it onto the shortlist for the Asia Communication Awards is indeed a formidable achievement. To win requires that something extra special that is a cut above the rest,” she said.

Digital transformation

“We are honored to receive these awards from a prestigious institution that understands the rapid changes sweeping through the telco industry. This recognition further inspires us to intensify our pursuit for digital transformation and to bring the benefits of the digital life to more Filipinos,” said PLDT and Smart chairman and CEO Manny V. Pangilinan.

Smart has a multi-pronged approach in encouraging Filipinos to welcome the digital change – it continuously improves and expands its network while making available devices, relevant content, and value-packed service offers to its subscribers.

In 2016, Smart and PLDT launched a $1-billion digital transformation program to enable their fixed and mobile networks to support the rising demand for digital services. Smart has committed to progressively deploy LTE services to 95% of the country’s cities and municipalities by end-2018. To do this, the company is combining low-band frequencies for better indoor penetration and wider coverage, with high-band frequencies for additional capacity. These frequencies include those obtained through the acquisition of the telco businesses of San Miguel Corp.

Smart has finished its LTE deployment in Boracay and Metro Davao, while efforts are ongoing in Metro Cebu and Metro Manila. Internal tests show Smart’s LTE service consistently increasing in speeds and registering improved indoor data coverage. Third-party crowdsourced tests also show that Smart offers the fastest LTE service in the Philippines.

Because not many Filipinos can afford LTE handsets, Smart has partnered with various device manufacturers to introduce affordable LTE devices with network-compatible frequencies.

Bring Dapper Back to the Workplace with Sennheiser Headphones

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Professional-grade Headphones available at Power Mac Center

If you’re like most of the men in Manila who are required to be in uniform or adhere to a dress code at work, an alternative for fashion self-expression is through accessories. And when accessories such as headphones are part of your job, you have to consider both quality and style, especially if there’s someone at work you want to impress.

Sennheiser, the German authority in consumer and professional audio equipment since 1945, has proven time and again its track record in quality workmanship while keeping updated on trends and even setting them. Whether you’re going wired or wireless, you can choose from a wide range of luxurious headphones and earphones equipped with patented technology for the best sound experiences. Each pair of Sennheiser headphones carves out every aural nuance in even finer detail, making sound a more brilliant experience.

Apart from the signature powerful bass and proprietary NoiseGard active noise cancellation features, the superior craftsmanship of Sennheiser headphones allow for crystal clear conversations via a built-in microphone, while remaining lightweight and portable for listening on the go.

The highly acclaimed Sennheiser MOMENTUM product family revolutionizes the way professional-grade headphones look on real people with real jobs. Made from premium materials like stainless steel, genuine leather, and soft ear cushions, the MOMENTUM family of headphones and earphones makes any look instantly dapper, while providing long-wearing comfort for even the most hardworking and dedicated employee.

Learn How to Use Social Media to Boost Your Business at PBEX 2017

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Social Media is already at its peak in the country – according to data from the recent data from consultancy firm We Are Social, the Philippines is the world’s No. 1 in terms of time spent on social media. If your business is still not hopping in the bandwagon, here’s your chance.

This July, the 8th Philippine Business and Entrepreneur's Expo has invited social media professionals to share with you the basics of how to use Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and Blogging as a way to communicate your business to everyone.

On the #SocialMedia for Business Seminar (to be held on Saturday, July 29) are featuring The City Roamer’s Alwin Aguirre, The Reimaru Files’ Chad Ramos, Encyclopevia’s Via Galang and Social Media Influencer Christian Melanie Lee as they share their experience and expertise in the fields of Blogging, YouTube, Instagram and Facebook and to give you tips on how each platform can help you boost your business.

Wazzup Pilipinas is a proud media partner.

The 8th Philippine Business and Entrepreneurs' Expo will be held at the Megatrade Hall 1 of SM Megamall in Mandaluyong City this July 28 to 30, Friday to Sunday. We are open for exhibitors to showcase their products and services - get in touch with Ex-Link at (+63 2) 633-0153, 643-3887 or 535-1150; SMS (+63) 920 981 4376 or (+63) 920 924 2532; email info@exlinkevents.com or message us on Facebook @exlinkevents. Program lineup subject to change without prior notice.

Startups Pitched Their Innovative Energy Solutions at the Largest Energy Event in the Philippines

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Impact Hub Manila in partnership with Peace and Equity Foundation (PEF) and Terrapinn, held the largest energy event -- Power & Electricity World Philippines and The Solar Show last May 24 to 25. The event took place at the SMX Convention Center, where energy innovation-centric corporations and startups gathered. The event brought together 150+ sponsors and exhibitors, 100+ speakers, and 5,000+ attendees to discuss about development, investment and partnership opportunities in the Philippines’ energy sector. Bob Calingo, Executive Director of the Peace and Equity Foundation (PEF), shared during his opening speech, “Renewable energy through social enterprise can be a response to the context of poverty alleviation”. 

Bob Calingo, Executive Director of Peace and Equity Foundation, opened the event at the Solar Show Philippines.

Fifteen startups with promising innovative energy solutions were also invited to participate in the exhibit and pitching competition, namely: Uproot Aquaponics, Urban Greens, Hi-Gi Energy, Kasolar.ph, sunEtrike, E2T2 Corporation, OneWatt, HydroPlus, Tubig Kanlungan Foundation Inc., Amatera Solar Technologies, San Jose Renewable Energy, SolarSolutions, ElectriCChain, SALt, and CleverHeat.

SolarSolutions, whose main business is building Solar Sari-Sari Stores in provinces, won the Energy Innovation Arena and brought home the $10,000 check. They help and train communities with scarce resources of potable and viable water through solar power pumps, precipitation devices, and rain water harvest. SolarSolutions is also one of the recent winners of the Impact Hub Fellowship (Incubation) program that concluded last April.

The jury for the pitch (Left to Right: Matthias Jaeggi, Matthias Gelber, Paul Clark, Omar Salva, Fritize Vergel, Ces Rondario)            

Ces Rondario, co-founder of Impact Hub Manila, shared: “It is through collaborations with organizations such as PEF and Terrapinn that help create a bigger impact on the community. Events and pitching competitions such as this, empower promising startups to help marginalized communities through their innovative and sustainable solutions. We will definitely have more future collaborations with both local and global organizations for the entrepreneurial community to look forward to.”

Impact Hub Manila offers coworking spaces, incubation programs, corporate innovation workshops, and a vibrant learning community. Locally rooted and globally connected, Impact Hub continues to dominate the coworking industry as the largest global network of entrepreneurs with 15,000+ members in 102 Impact Hubs around the world. In partnership with KMC Solutions, Impact Hub Manila offers 6 key locations in Metro Manila for coworking or office space. This allows flexibility and convenience to entrepreneurs and startups who are passionate in collaborating to create an impact. Members can choose their preferred homebase (location) and move around other Impact Hub coworking spaces with no additional costs.

Visit impacthub.ph to know more about Impact Hub Manila and their coworking spaces. Follow Impact Hub Manila on Facebook or Twitter to get real-time updates on events and announcements.

Scaled-Down E-Trike Project to Push Through

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The Department of Energy (DOE) will push through with the long-delayed E-Trike Project although on a much smaller scale from the original 100,000 units to just 3,000 and from the original project cost of P21.672 billion to P1.73 billion.

According to Assistant Secretary Leonido Pulido III, despite the many challenges faced by the project from previous Administrations, now nearing the end of its five-year loan term period, the DOE will move to showcase the potential use of clean and diversified energy technologies through the E-Trike.

The DOE headed by Secretary Alfonso Cusi moved to partially cancel the loan contract last year as the Department wanted to revisit all the options available in view of significant flaws in the project’s design, including the choice of just one model and pricing concerns.

Since the approval of the E-Trike Project by the National Economic Development Authority (NEDA) in June 2013, recorded investments in e-trike manufacturing and support reached P500 million and generated 14,840 jobs as of the end of 2016, according to the Board of Investments and Electric Vehicle Association of the Philippines.

This month, NEDA-Investment Coordination Committee took note of the DOE proposal last March on the revised project implementation, including the additional deployment options and arrangements.

As there would be substantial changes in the project, the DOE is securing amendments to the loan, Project Administration Manual and related documents with the Asian Development Bank (ADB).

The current DOE leadership is pushing through with the procurement of the 3,000 units of e-trikes instead of 100,000 units because this had already been contracted by the previous Administration.

Pulido explained that the DOE decided on 3,000 e-trike units as a sufficient quantity to demonstrate the viability of the technology.

"Sustainability dictates that the appropriate eco-system be in place to support the e-trike beyond deployment or at the point of sale. The terms of the contract of the winning bidder under the project include after-sales support and warranty. This sends a clear and strong signal to the public to make the switch to e-trikes," Pulido said.

Prior to the E-Trike Project, there had been previous attempts to deploy electric tricycles in various parts of the country. However, these early attempts failed because after-sales support was absent or inadequate.

In fact, during the pilot study which served as the basis for the E-Trike Project conducted by the Asian Development Bank (ADB) in 2011, after-sales support and warranty were key lessons learned that would determine the success or failure of the e-trike, Pulido pointed out.

Nonetheless, he said, the DOE is committed to working with the ADB and other government partners to address the socially sensitive issue of the project regarding price.

The DOE also noted that ADB’s international competitive bidding rules were observed in every step of the project.

The original project scope of deploying 100,000 e-trike units with a total project cost of P21.672 billion required various arrangements involving the government, the private sector and ADB.

Nevertheless, the DOE acted to ensure that the project would benefit the public at minimal cost to taxpayers. Proof of this is the downscaling of the project cost from a whopping P21 billion to just P1.73 billion.

Pulido said the project is an investment not only in technology and the environment but more importantly, a socio-economic investment that would jumpstart a nascent industry, generate jobs and ensure sustainable energy consumption in the country.

Tañon Strait Celebrates 19th Year as Protected Area

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Celebrating nearly two decades as a protected area is the Tañon Strait, a 161-kilometer strip which separates the islands of Cebu and Negros. It is incredibly rich in biodiversity – hosting 62% of the country’s coral species, plus 14 species of whales and dolphins.

Declared as the Tañon Strait Protected Seascape (TSPS) by then-president Fidel Ramos on May 27, 1998, the area provides seafood and jobs for 42 towns, cities and municipalities. Sadly, the Strait was threatened by commercial fishers who illegally enter and fish – ignoring a ban on commercial fishing for both municipal waters and protected areas. The various law enforcement agencies have since conducted regular joint sea-borne operations to stop the plunder of our marine resources in the area.

Figures released by the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) in Region Seven showed increased fish landings since 2014.

Marine conservation nonprofits Oceana Philippines and Rare Philippines are working hand-in-hand with the government plus local fisheries champions to end illegal commercial fishing in the Strait and ensure effective conservation and sustainable fisheries management for this part of the Coral Triangle. Vessel monitoring measures are being pilot tested and local enforcers are being empowered.

First Phase of Mindanao Railway Project to Cut Tagum to Digos Travel Time from 3.5 to 1.3 Hours

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The Department of Transportation (DOTr) today said that the 102-km Mindanao Railway Project: Tagum-Davao-Digos (MRP-TDD) segment is expected to reduce travel time from Tagum City, Davao del Norte to Digos City, Davao del Sur from 3.5 hours to 1.3 hours once it starts operating in 2022.

The MRP-TDD segment is the first of the 3 segments of the Mindanao Railway Project. The design and construction of the Project will begin by 3rd quarter of next year and is expected to be completed by end of 2021.

“The P35.91 billion MRP-TDD will make travel time faster by two (2) hours, with frequency of trips of up to 6 trains per hour,” says DOTr Undersecretary for Rails, Cesar Chavez.

The MRP-TDD is expected to not only make travel faster, but also safer, more convenient and comfortable for passengers in the said corridor. It will have 8 stations, namely: Tagum; Carmen; Panabo; Mudiang; Davao Terminal; Toril; Sta. Cruz; and Digos. A 10-hectare depot will be built in Tagum.

The rail line will be built with a single track, with provisions for future tracks and electrification. It will have six 5-car passenger trains (Diesel Multiple Units) with 3 spare cars, 4 locomotives and 15 freight cars.

Upon project completion, the DOTr expects the daily ridership of the Tagum-Davao-Digos segment to increase to 134,060 by 2022. The Department projects the daily ridership to further increase to 237,023 by 2032 and 375,134 by 2042.

Mike Unson's Mayhem in the First Degree Father's Day Comedy Show on June 16

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With all the fake news on social media, one immensely longs for a good laugh and veteran comedian, Mike Unson, is happy to perform with his relatable brand of observational comedy in his upcoming show “Mayhem in the First Degree” on June 16, 8pm at the 5th level, Century City Mall, Kalayaan Ave., Makati City.

Unson, a 2016 Aliw Award Nominee for Best Stand-Up Comedian, headlines the show with his arsenal of wholesome jokes on his views on urban life, childhood memories, relationships and interactions with everyday people as he dishes out his original material on annoying encounters with cab and jeepney drivers; street vendors; mall security guards; (un)talented bands; his childhood nanny; dealing with middle child syndrome, being in the friend zone, breakups and many more true to life situations that we all experience at times.

In his 14 year career, he is known for building up comic rhythm with impeccably timed punchlines and thought-provoking insights, leaving the audience in stitches and wanting for more!

Opening for Unson will be his current batch of apprentices from The Comedy Cartel namely Chris Bacula, Sergio Belarus, Michelle Defensor and Eric Salazar with musical guest Roy Antonio and comedian host Jerome McCuin.

Unson is also set to release a new comedy album on Spotify later this year.” Currently, he is part of the creative team of the number one TV sitcom in the Philippines Pepito Manaloto on GMA7. Earlier in his career, he was one of the hosts of an alternative comedy show “Front Act” on TV5. He was also part of “The Men's Room” on Studio 23 and a recurring guest on Jojo Alejar's “The Medyo Late Night Show.

A few of his notable performances include opening for Rob Schneider in 2013 and performing with Rex Navarrete in the Philippines from 2004 to 2014.

Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar: Reconstructing the Heritage of the Philippines

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While covering the grand coronation night of the Lakambini ng Las Casas beauty pageant or search for the ambassadress of Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar, and the following Santaruzan the next day, we got plenty of opportunities to takes photos, videos and vlogs about this magnificent collection of heritage homes and structures in Bagac, Bataan.

We also got a glimpse of Maria Theresa Ochoa Acuzar, wife of Jose Rizalino "Jerry" Larion Acuzar - owners of Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar, when she participated in the Santacruzan ceremonies before the three queens and the other 13 candidates walked off to start the parade around some parts of the 400 hectare property.

We rented a calesa tour but that just went around some of the places without visiting the insides of the houses, thus we also tried the walking tour which will allow us to visit around 4 to 5 houses for a closer inspection of the interiors plus well-informed stories about the history of the heritage homes from the tour guide.

Other alternatives is to rent a golf cart, either by yourselves or with a tour guide, but that would cost us more at around 1K more or less. You could check out some of the videos we would upload as one contains an interview with one of the tour guides who explained the rates.

The next alternative is via tramvia, a one coach train setup that also goes around like the path of the calesa but also restricted by its rails. But don't worry, that ride is fore free. If you like, you could also wait for their jeepneys, but the route would depend on the passengers destination. Again, that ride is for free.

MTP Production Proudly Presents The Fashion Gala Wedding Show

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June has always been the month for weddings. The time when two become one, may it be through a church wedding, or via the garden, beach, or come what may backdrops, that have pre-wedding activities like the prenup where photographers and videographers are in demand, just as the time of the actual wedding, plus the celebration at the reception venue.

At every point, the bride should always be at her best, thus most would hire top fashion designers to clothe them on their very special and once in a lifetime event.

With so many design options, it's better for a bride, together with his groom, to pick one that would fit them as perfect as possible but would match their budget and preference in lifestyle. However, the bride needs to be the most beautiful woman on her wedding day. Thus, spending more for her bridal gown is always highly considered.

Wazzup Pilipinas is a proud media partner of The Fashion Gala : Weddings, showcasing bridal collections of Fashion Designers Association of the Philippines ( FDAP)  typifying marriage of modern luxury and romance.

This will be on June 25, 2017 at Elements at Centris, Quezon City from 5 to 7 pm featuring 13 top fashion designers namely Rau Uson - Ablaza, Adam Balasa, Paolo Blanco, Cathy Capistrano, Ranel Espaldon, Manny Halasan, Sheila Marie Del Rosario, James O' Briant, Dave Ocampo, Louie Pangilinan, Dave Lee Aguirre Reyes, Vince Sityar and Edwin Uy.