CATalinuhan is Back

Wazzup Pilipinas!

CATalinuhan is an annual college admission test review administered by UP LAKAN, an organization of Bulakeño students from the University of the Philippines - Diliman. For years, CATalinuhan has aided a number of Bulakeño high school students with the different college entrance exams in the country. But, with the advent of the K-12 Program, the project was discontinued due to the lack of incoming freshmen in universities and colleges. This year, UP LAKAN is proud to present the revival of CATalinuhan, to be held four times on weekends of July and August at key cities and municipalities of Bulacan.

CATalinuhan 2017 will be from 8am to 5pm with a registration fee of P100. Participants are also encouraged to avail a supplementary reviewer for P100. Follow us on our Facebook page fb.com/CaTalinuhan for updates. Students may pre-register at bit.ly/CATalinuhan2017. On-site registration will start 7 am.

CATalinuhan 2017 is presented to you by UP Lakan and Rexona, in cooperation with the UP Repertory Company, also brought to you by Frappe La Rue and our media partners ClickTheCity, DZUP, and Wazzup Pilipinas.

DOE Assures Energy Aid to Quake-hit LGUs

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Energy Secretary Alfonso G. Cusi today said efforts are underway to restore energy facilities in major parts of Region 8 and Bohol by tomorrow following the 6.5 magnitude earthquake.

During the regional coordinating council meeting on Monday in Ormoc City, Cusi and other Cabinet officials assured government assistance to quake-stricken local government units in Region 8 and Bohol.

Cusi said the DOE is addressing the effects of the magnitude 6.5 earthquake in three ways: immediately restore power, find alternative sources of energy, and ease the burden of the people.

“Five days after the quake, we are hoping to start the geothermal power plants and might soon bring back power to major parts of Leyte and Bohol."

The DOE has a 10-day timeline to restore power supply. "The people are working double time to repair necessary energy facilities," Cusi said.

As of 8:00 a.m. today, Energy Development Corp. (EDC) as operator of the geothermal power plants reported that they are already conducting necessary technical tests on the repaired marshalling station or central switching station in coordination with the National Grid Corp. of the Philippines (NGCP) to ensure its safe operation.

Once all pre-cautionary measures are taken by this critical facility, EDC will submit all tests results by late afternoon today.

If all goes well, this will signal the re-energization of all main transformers and the start-up of Upper Mahiao Geothermal Power Plants (GPP) Units 2 and 3 with 26 megawatts (MW) capacity each, and Malitbog GPP Unit 1 with 77.5MW, which would take about 16-18 hours.

Based on the report, EDC is targeting the delivery of 317 MW out of a total capacity of 625 MW from its geothermal power plants by Day 10 (17 July 2017). The 625 MW capacity is comprised of the following GPP: 180 MW Mahanagdong GPP, 213 MW Malitbog GPP, 120 MW Mahiao GPP, and the 112 MW Tongonan GPP.

EDC has also distributed generator sets to vital town installations, such as Municipal/City Halls, water pumping stations, hospitals, among others, so they can continue their delivery of services.

The DOE is also in talks with alternative power providers, such as Trans Asia, to mobilize the power barges to be brought to Leyte and Bohol.

Last Saturday, the DOE Secretary inspected the Unified Leyte Geothermal Power Plants, which were heavily affected by the temblor, to check on the extent of damage and how to speed up the rehabilitation of the facilities.

For the transmission part, installation of by-pass lines to enable power to flow from Cebu to augment supply to Leyte, Bohol and Samar has started.

Moreover, reports gathered by the DOE indicated that the repair of the Ormoc substation facility, which delivers power to Southern Leyte, Samar, and Bohol sub-grids, is underway.

For power distribution, all 11 electric cooperatives in Region 8 and 3 in Bohol are already ready to receive power.

As an institutional way forward towards energy resiliency, the DOE has recommended to the Regional Development Council (RDC) for Region 8 to create a Committee for Power to address the power related concerns of the region and prioritize measures related to resiliency, especially of power facilities. One of the best practices being look at by the Department is the Local Government Unit of Bohol through its Power Advisory Committee.

It will also strengthen its information drive for the renewable energy (RE) options for consumers, such as the net metering system (NMS) and the green energy option (GEO).

Apart from promoting efficient and safe utilization of energy, the DOE introduce the concept of accounting for generators to optimize availability of power, as among the emergency measures, to all distribution utilities and consumers in the area.

On transmission sector resiliency, the DOE wants to fast-track the Cebu-Bohol submarine cable targeted by NGCP by 2020 to establish an alternative transmission route for the provinces in Region 8 to ensure continuous delivery of power in the event of similar calamities.

Additionally, it requires the active participation of the Transmission Corporation to check on their transmission assets and the concessionaire's compliance with its obligations including the required ancillary services and resiliency policies.

Above all, the DOE ensures the compliance of industry participants with the reserve or replacement power and ancillary services requirements, and encourage more energy investments utilizing Executive Order 30 which created the Energy Investment Coordinating Council.

Kabataan Partylist (KPL) Southern Tagalog Region to Hold Annual ST State of the Youth Address

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Kabataan Partylist Southern Tagalog (KPL-ST) will hold the Southern Tagalog State of the Youth Address (ST SOYA) 2017 on July 15, 2017, Saturday at the University of the Philippines Los Banos. It is a regional conference that aims to gather the youth from all sectors across the region as they present their situation and vow to stand as a collective force in upholding the interest of the youth and the people for a pro-masses culture and education.

SOYA is in conjunction with President Rodrigo Roa Duterte’s State of the Nation Address (SONA). This event is a build-up activity for the youth in different provinces to have a genuine and truly representative People’s SONA. SOYA is an annual activity of KPL, along with other youth organizations and alliances that uphold a nationalist, scientific, and mass-oriented social change.

In the present context, where there is an abundance of national and local issues, it is imperative for the youth to speak up and join the discussion for the solutions to the problems the Filipinos face. To be participated by [number of participants] from [where participants are from], SOYA will serve as a venue for the youth from all sectors, whether in schools, communities or workplaces, to speak and present the everyday realities of their lives. Through the lens of the youth, national and local issues shall be tackled-from the aggravated crisis in education and the attempt to sign a false free education bill; to the “war on drugs” and martial law; and to the continuation of peace talks.

Educational discussions, consultations, and orientations shall be featured in the State of the Youth Address. Kabataan Partylist Representative Sarah Elago will tackle the situation of the youth in the context of education. National situationer during the first year term of the president will be presented by Ryan Dela Cruz, Anakbayan-CEAT Chairperson. An educational discussion regarding the peace talks and the importance of its resumption for every sector in the society will be discussed by Bagong Alyansang Makabayan-Timog Katagalugan (BAYAN-TK) Spokesperson Petti Enriquez. Moreover, a cultural night will serve as a venue for the youth to showcase their talents in the culture and the arts while cultivating their social consciousness.

Youth and Student Groups to Stage Nationwide Protest Against President’s ‘Fake News SONA’, Killing Spree

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Shibby de Guzman is a 13-year old Grade 9 student of St. Scholastica’s College-Manila who once faced backlash on social media for speaking out against extrajudicial killings borne out of the President’s war-on-drugs. On Tuesday, she announced the plans of the movement she is co-building: #YouthResist.


“Fake News SONA”

#YouthResist, a movement formed by youth groups Millennials Against Dictators [MAD], Student Council Alliance of the Philippines [SCAP], Akbayan! Youth [A!Y], and numerous campus- and community-based youth groups, will stage a nationwide ‘alt-SONA’ on July 18 to counter the ‘Fake News SONA’ of the President and his ‘killing spree’.

“Today, we are announcing that we are continuing to resist and that we are to constantly fight and struggle for this country’s future. We refuse to stop asking for a say into our officials decisions. We reject the notion that the loss of lives can be simplified as collateral damage”, Shibby said as she announced the group’s nationwide protest on what she called “the killing spree” of the President, citing the more than 12,000 homicide cases, including at least 7,000 deaths due to the war-on-drugs, as reported by the Philippine National Police.

The youth groups’ alt-SONA will be held at St. Scholastica’s College-Manila on July 18, 7:30AM-12:00NN and will be attended by thousands of young people from different backgrounds in Metro Manila.



Duterte killed more than Marcos

Karla Yu, co-convener of MAD and one of the complainants against Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre before the Ombudsman tagging him as “Fake News King”, expressed concern over the PNP’s downplaying of the statistics on extrajudicial killings.

“Duterte managed to accomplish more in one year than the dictator Marcos in terms of death toll”, Yu explained. “Marcos extrajudicially-killed more than 3,000 in his 20-year regime. Duterte killed more than 7,000 due to the brutal and corrupt war-on-drugs a year into office”, she pointed out.



Nationwide protest

Shamah Bulangis of A!Y explained that mobilizations will also happen in General Santos City and Cebu City. “There is a growing discontent among young people. This discontent is greater than our fear”, Bulangis mentioned.

“Together, young people are a formidable force”, she continued.



How many and how young?

“The all-out war on drugs also kills the youth and our capacity to dream. The more it kills young and innocent people, the more it kills the hope for a better future for our country,” added Jeza Rodriguez of SCAP.

Rodriguez cited the case of Danica (5 years old) and Althea (4 years old), as the youngest collateral damages of the President’s war-on-drugs. “How young and how many before we become outraged by this President’s killing spree?” Rodriguez asked.

“The 18th of July marks the day that this movement is born. 45 years ago, a dictator was toppled down with the help of a youth movement. Today, any emerging dictator will be stopped”, added Shibby.

The group called on their fellow youth to join the nationwide protest on July 18. “Kung hindi tayo ang lalaban, sino ang lalaban?”, Shibby urged.

Miss Philippines Earth 2017 Swim Wear and Resorts Wear Competition Winners

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Here to take on the part two of Ms. Philippines Earth 2017 is none other than Wazzup Pilipinas’ Sarah Muyco, getting the latest happenings last July 6, 2017, which was held in Versailles Palace, Alabang.

Wazzup Pilipinas had the first look on the gorgeous ladies during the dashing Swimsuit and Resorts Wear Competition. The night shone not only of beauty, but the game was played with brains as well, as the representatives made their insights known to public as to how to educate---the youth, in particular---and to inspire the hearts of many in our world in order to the tackle the deteriorating parts of our planet, as well as to preserve the mass beauty that is still among the Earth. 

The additional challenge to the contestants were to represent the unfamiliar five R’s into the world. Rather than the typical; Reduce, Reuse and Recycle, Ms. Earth would like to deliver the message of the five R’s (Rethink, Reduce, Reuse, Recycle and Respect) through these dedicated women. 

As to end the first half of the night, the winners of the Swimsuit Competition were announced to Ms. Olongapo City (Kim De Guzman) taking home the Bronze award, Ms. Puerto Princessa (Sandrine Stoelzed) for Silver, and bringing home the champion title was Ms. Cagayan De Oro (Sherlyn Doloriel). 

The second half of the night was then devoted to the Resorts Wear Competition, wherein their advocacies were being presented while wearing their fabulous resorts wear. One of the ingenious fashion designers, Angela Taloza, appeared in the event, supporting the ambassadors wearing exclusive Angela Taloza designed pieces; namely, Ms. Taguig, Ms. San Miguel, Bulacan and last but not the least, Ms. Dasmarinas City. 

The whooping audience impact on the stunning ladies gave quite a hint as to who would take home the Champion title in the Resorts Wear Competition. Going on third is Ms. Mandaluyong City (Shane Tormes), the Silver award was grabbed by none other than Ms. Pulilan, Bulacan (Samantha Acosta), and finally, the star of the night, the grand winner in the Resorts Wear competition is Ms. Caloocan City (Jessica Marasigan).

Miss Caloocan was asked how she could represent her city by injecting the five R’s. Jessica says to an exclusive post pageant interview with Wazzup Pilipinas; “I just want to represent Caloocan that we can make a difference with the five R’s. I do want to inform and educate them with the five R’s. We can help change the world, we can also make a difference into helping the environment as well.”

2017 Miss Philippines Earth Swim Wear Competition winners:
GOLD: Miss Cagayan De Oro City, Sherlyn Doloriel
SILVER: Miss Puerto Princesa City, Sandrine Stoelzed
BRONZE: Miss Olongapo City, Kim De Guzman


2017 Miss Philippines Earth Resorts Wear Competition winners:
GOLD: Miss Caloocan City Jessica Marasigan
SILVER: Miss Pulilan, Bulacan Samantha Acosta
BRONZE: Miss Mandaluyong City Shane Tormes


Cover Photo:
Sarah Muyco with 2017 Miss Philippines Earth Resorts Wear Competition winners

Written By Sarah Muyco (Millennial Momshie) and Breanna Muyco

Miss Scuba Philippines 2017 Media Launch

Wazzup Pilipinas!

The Philippines is composed of 7,600+ islands and surrounded by several bodies of water, so it is but natural that we should have ambassadors that would help preserve and protect the marine biodiversity. Since the beauty of these waters are not only found above the oceans but also deep within and below the depths, we should also take a closer look into even the creatures and other living things where man could not easily see.

Our country is rich in marine life of all forms that it is being visited by many underwater photojournalists so they could capture rarely found creatures of which many could only be found in the Philippines. These makes our country a frequently visited place for divers who also take photos and videos deep down below.

I once escorted a few professional divers who are also photojournalists by profession and is amazed of what they were able to capture with their cameras after diving in the seas of Bohol. If only there was an opportunity to learn while they were here in the country, I could have grabbed it. Unfortunately, their stay is but limited to only a few days so they were here to maximize their diving opportunity.

I could imagine how many living creatures exists down below based on their photographs and stories. It is but wondrous to learn that not all are able to witness such a beauty down below. Most of us could only see these creatures in photos and videos from documentaries. They are lucky to be able to get up close and personal with these rarely seen creatures.

After that experience, it is but fitting that we should also have passionate advocates geared toward saving the oceans and its marine life, not only for our lifetime, but also for future generations.

Thus, the Miss Scuba Philippines beauty pageant or search not only looks for beauty, talent and intellect but also the heart and determination to protect and preserve marine biodiversity.

We are in luck because, Cindy Madduma, the very first Filipino to win Miss Scuba International back in 2015 is now the National Director for the Philippine search.

#GavaGives: A Convenient Online Platform for Kindhearted Campaign Makers

Wazzup Pilipinas!

"Giving, in its sincerest form, not only brightens up the lives of people (from a simple smile to the loudest laughter), especially the needy, but also our own hearts knowing we, in our own little way, are able to remember and give hope especially when most needed.

It is touching and heartwarming to reach out and give." 

Those words were what I conceived when asked why giving was important. This question was raised during the media event for Gava - an online donor community, that's likely to be a big hit for those who wish to extend their generosity towards an advocacy or outreach that they could easily initiate suing the platform that Gava offers. 

Gava aims to help out the needy in many kinds, shapes and forms, whether it's for a community located at far-flung areas unreachable by vehicles, or just for your neighbor who's having problems in financing his much required medical operation to prolong his life.

The organization is composed of passionate and highly technical professionals exposed in various charity foundations, marketplace and donation processing systems, and is led by Anna Cuisia Lindayag, the CEO and founder.

In August 2016, Gava was piloted as a crowdfunding platform that puts fun and purpose into the act of giving.

With the hashtag #GavaGives, Gava aims to be a lifestyle, most probably to also get the attention of Millennials who has embraced the digital age as their lifestyle.

Gava Marketing Staff Ria Rabajante hosted the media event, and facilitated the interview with some Gava campaign makers, like Kythe Foundation's Ivy Sausto and Noel Soriano, who both provided some testimonies on how they used Gava for their campaigns.

Gava ambassadors include Interior Designer Carla Peña, GMA Actress Marlann Flores, and Bb. Pilipinas - International 2014 Bianca Guidotti.

PAGCOR Assistant Vice-President Jimmy Bondoc is also a Celebrity Ambassador but had to go ealier before the main program started.

Lamudi Philippines to Hold Affordable Housing Fair for 2017

Wazzup Pilipinas!

With the wide acceptance of social media and other online platforms like blogs and online sites, as the new medium for communication, whether sending or receiving news, information or even word-of-mouth recommendations, reviews, feedback and even gossip, the world has definitely changed.

Back then when jobseekers, buyers and sellers, used to search through several newspapers and magazines, or watch TV and listen to the radio, people nowadays rely heavily on online content to feed their minds and influence their choices and decisions.

This goes the same for real estate seekers who would like to buy their first property a a home or business establishment, or add to their collection of business ventures as investment.

Online sites like Lamudi has undoubtedly revolutionize the way we do things. ..and now that online has reached a momentous and epic achievement when it comes to paving the way towards convenient dissemination of information, many have embraced the fact that online is the NOW and the FUTURE.

Lamudi has probably made it possible for properties and real estate to be sold at more affordable rates, thus the online real estate platform has continued to hold Affordable Housing Fair where various kinds of properties are showcased for the benefit of buyers interested to find affordable housing and/or lot opportunities.

At a press conference held on Monday, July 10, 2017 at Conti's Bakeshop, Greenbelt 2., Lamudi Philippines formally announced to members of the media their Lamudi Affordable Housing Fair for 2017.

Miss Tourism Philippines 2017 Reveals Special Awards at Swimsuit Competition

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Wearing the red, yellow and white-colored swimwear creations of Rikki Molina, Filipino fashion designer, Ichthus Beach Resort of Magsingal, Ilocos Sur, got a lot hotter even during the night time as lovely ladies came up on stage to further give the audience another beautiful sight to behold aside from the earlier sunset at the said beach.

All of the 29 hopeful candidates looked strikingly appealing in their swimwear, and their pretty faces even got highlighted by the fabulous hair and make-up done by Maquillage Professionnel (MP) School of Make Up Artistry.

The candidates are all vying for the top spot of Miss Tourism Philippines 2017 beauty queen title-holder, but we are proud to say that all of them are well-deserving to be part of the selected candidates, for each one has their unique and special attributes that make them all worthy of the crown.

Since the organizers would prefer to announce the winner of the Swimsuit competition at the grand coronation night, they awarded special awards instead after the said competition. 

The Miss Tourism Philippines 2017 Special Awards went to:

Miss Ichthus - Noveleta, Cavite
Miss Body Beautiful - Manila
Miss Catwalk - Palawan
Miss Eye of the Night - Filipino Community of Southern Australia

Miss Ichthus went to Jyn Almario,Miss Noveleta, Cavite; Miss Body Beautiful was awarded to Justiene Ortega, Miss Manila; the Miss Catwalk award went to Sharla Santillan, Miss Palawan; and the Miss Eye of the Night was conferred to Filipino Community of Melbourne, Australia, Marian Angelu Perez Alcantara.

One Championship Announces One: Quest for Greatness for Kuala Lumpur on August 18

Wazzup Pilipinas!

The largest sports media property in Asian history, ONE Championship (ONE), has just announced another blockbuster evening of authentic martial arts action. ONE: QUEST FOR GREATNESS is set to return to the iconic Stadium Negara on 18 August for another spectacular showcase of Asia’s top martial arts talent. In the main event, undefeated ONE Featherweight World Champion Marat “Cobra” Gafurov of Russia puts his world title on the line against top contender Martin “The Situ-Asian” Nguyen of Australia.

Chatri Sityodtong, Chairman and CEO of ONE Championship, stated: “It is always an exciting time in Kuala Lumpur whenever our world-class athletes climb atop Asia’s biggest and grandest martial arts stage. Our warriors are eager to put on a show for fans in Kuala Lumpur, and it is our honor to have them perform in this marvelous city. Marat Gafurov and Martin Nguyen are two of the promotion’s finest featherweights. They have met before, with Gafurov taking victory via submission in their first encounter. This time, however, a better-prepared and refocused Nguyen vows to finally bring the title back to Sydney.”

Marat “Cobra” Gafurov of Dagestan, Russia, is the reigning ONE Featherweight World Champion. An undefeated martial artist with 15 wins and no losses, Gafurov is a high-level grappler with 11 of his wins coming by impressive submission over top-caliber opponents. Rarely challenged and always dominant, Gafurov captured the featherweight title in 2015 with a gutsy victory over former champion Narantungalag Jadambaa in an epic battle. In his last bout, Gafurov defeated Jadambaa once again in a rematch a year later to cement his claim as the undisputed ONE Featherweight World Champion. He will defend his title next against Australia’s Martin Nguyen.

28-yea old Martin “The Situ-Asian” Nguyen of Sydney, Australia, is a former featherweight title challenger with a 8-1 professional record. His only loss came at the hands of reigning ONE Featherweight World Champion Marat Gafurov, when he stepped up to accept their first showdown on just a few days’ notice. None of Nguyen’s victories have gone to a decision, giving him five solid knockout wins as well as three victories by submission. In his last bout, Nguyen defeated Japanese veteran warrior Kazunori Yokota via first-round knockout. Nguyen’s all-around skill set allows him to compete at the highest level as a professional. In a highly-anticipated rematch, Nguyen once again receives a shot at the ONE Featherweight World Championship when he takes on Marat Gafurov for the second time.