Pagburnayan Pottery Makers of Vigan, Ilocos Sur

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Hand-crafted Earthenware or clay pots and jars are mostly used for pottery and decorative ornaments featured in many landscaping displays. Depending on the creators, they could be tough and almost unbreakable even if you slam one down on any flat surface.

Well, that's what the potter did while showing us some of his creations. He just slammed one down the table to show us how unbreakable his works are. But that was just a small pot that fits on the palm of your hand, I'm just not so sure about the bigger pots if they too will be left without any signs of damage. As you would know, the bigger they are, the harder they will "break" or am I just convincing myself that there might be a breaking point to everything.

But who would want to break masterpieces? Of course you'll take good care of them. And as most of them ports are laid down on the ground themselves, these Earthenware pots kiss the Earth making it a harmonious existence.

Our trip to a couple of Pagburnayan Pottery makers was most definitely worth the addition to our travel itinerary. We were in luck because we got to interview two of the elders from the Go clan.

The two visits was with my photographer friends while we covered the Miss Tourism Philippines 2017 candidates tour of Ilocos Sur. The first one was by ourselves during our free time on our first day in Vigan, and the second was with the ladies.

AdX: Full Disclosure - AdCreate Society’s 6th Annual Advertising Conference

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Everything will be revealed.
The truth will be exposed.
You think you know all about it?

This July 29, we'll let you in on our secrets with AdCreate Society’s 6th Annual Advertising Conference – AdX: Full Disclosure.

Join us from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm as we unveil the untapped truths in advertising and insider information from renowned professionals and veterans in the industry. Come dig deeper. Go beyond the deception. Bust myths. Debunk misconceptions. Unmask advertising.

Get the FULL DISCLOSURE experience including all seminars and breakaway sessions for the following prices:

Members – Php 280
Non- Members – Php 300
Door charge – Php 350

Ticket selling will be at Central Plaza from July 17-21 and Yuchengco Lobby from July 24-28.

For non-DLSU students, register and reserve your tickets here: tinyurl.com/AdXFullDisclosure


AdX 2017- The truth in advertising, fully disclosed.

DOE: Power Restoration in Quake-hit Areas on Schedule

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Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi assured today that the rehabilitation of power facilities in Region 8 and Bohol damaged by a 6.5 magnitude earthquake last July 6 is continuing and is on schedule.

He said, that the “Build-back Better Principle” is being applied by industry participants to ensure that the facilities will be more “disaster-resilient.”

As of 8:00 a.m. on Tuesday, the DOE consolidated report stated that Leyte and Samar received 94.5 megawatts (MW) of power.

The power distribution for the Leyte-Samar area are as follows:

·         Ormoc-Baybay with 16.9 MW;

·         Southern Leyte at 9.4 MW;

·         Northern Leyte and Biliran at 18.6 MW;

·         Samar at 5.9 MW,

·         Tacloban City and Palo at 22.6 MW;

·         Northern Samar and Calbayog City at 13.2MW; and

·         Eastern Samar at 8.0MW.

Bohol, on their end, received 39.2 MW, which included its own power generation that reached 10.5 MW.

The available supply came from Energy Development Corporation's Kananga Geothermal Power Plant with 120.9 MW, Bohol generations at 10.5MW and Cebu shares of 10.9 MW.

The severely damaged Ormoc Substation can now accommodate 128.3 MW electricity supply to the city and municipal centers and most of the barangays in the affected provinces.

13-Year-Old Girl Leads Youth Resistance Against “Dutertador”

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If it were up to Filipino millennials and students, one year into President Rodrigo Duterte’s regime will have a grade of 7,000.

#YouthRESIST, a movement led by 13-year old Grade 9 student Shibby de Guzman with various groups, made the statement during the National Day of Youth Resistance protesting the Presidents ‘year of killings’, citing more than 12,000 homicide cases that include at least 7,000 deaths due to the war-on-drugs.

“Today is the beginning of the end”, declared Shibby.

Flocked by thousands of young Filipinos all over Manila on Tuesday in anticipation of the State of the Nation Address by the protest, #YouthRESIST is becoming a voice of young people in the growing tide against the Duterte regime’s human rights issues. Similar protests were held in Cebu in the Visayas and General Santos in Mindanao.

7 Davao Aguilas FC Players Called Up for AFC U23 Championship China 2018 Qualifiers

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The Philippine Football Federation (PFF) has called-up the following Davao Aguilas Football Club (DAFC) players for the AFC U23 Championship China 2018 Qualifiers - Group J, set to take place from July 19 to 23, 2017, in Phnom Penh, Cambodia:

1 BAUTISTA, Junell Mark
2 CHENG, Jaime Vicenzo
3 DE BRUYCKER, Dylan Alain Lucienne
4 DE LA TORRE, Rey Franco Miguel
5 DIAZ, Van Rey
6 JARVIS, Jordan Blair
7 TALAROC, Richard Jr.

Five of the seven players flew from Japan for the training camp arranged by the Philippine Football Federation, along with Japan Football Association. These players are Junnell Mark Bautista, Jaime Vicenzo Cheng, Rey Franco Miguel De La Torre, Van Rey Diaz and Richard Talaroc, Jr. While Dylan Alain Lucienne De Bruycker, and newly signed former Ateneo player and UAAP Rookie of the Year Jordan Blair Jarvis came from Cebu, fresh from the Davao Aguilas FC-Global Cebu FC match, which ended with a result of 0-0.

Davao Aguilas FC Chairman Jefferson Cheng calls this, “A proud moment for our Club with 7 players called up to the National Team U22.”

The AFC Under-23 Championship 2018 will serve as a preparation for the 29th Southeast Asian Games which begins next month.

The Philippines are in Group J, along with Japan, China PR and Cambodia.

The schedule of matches are as follows:

19 July 2017
Japan vs Philippines – 3:30 PM Local time (4:30 PM Manila time)

21 July 2017
Philippines vs China PR – 3:30 PM Local time (4:30 PM Manila time)

23 July 2017
Cambodia vs Philippines – 6:30 PM Local time (7:30 PM Manila time)



For more information, please visit www.facebook.com/DAFCofficial.

 

Cover Photo Caption: Davao Aguilas FC players Jordan Jarvis and Dylan De Bruycker leaving Cebu for Cambodia, to join 5 other Davao Aguilas FC players who were called up for the AFC U23 Champions China 2018 Qualifiers.

Travelbook.ph Shoulders the 12% VAT on your Hotel Bookings!

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Travelbook.ph, the leading online travel agency (OTA) in the Philippines, launches a very generous offer that everyone will surely love!

Starting July 18, 2017, all hotel bookings made through Travelbook.ph will be free of VAT as it will be subsidized by the OTA to all participating customers.

“We understand that all people in the Philippines are really burdened with high VAT as it is present in almost all commodities that they need. We feel that we can help more. That’s why we’ve come up with this campaign: We will shoulder the VAT cost for every booking made with us,” according to Takumi Nakazawa, General Manager of Travelbook.ph.

As customers proceed with their hotel bookings with TravelBook.ph, the VAT will be automatically paid by the company and will be deducted from the total cost. Furthermore, discounts from promos and insider deals may be added on top of 12% discount. Customers may enjoy this offer by booking with any of the 3,300 affiliated hotels and resorts of TravelBook.ph nationwide.

This offer from Travelbook.ph also aims to help travelers have stress-free and budget-friendly transactions when planning their trips.

“This is our way to let people know that we care. We want to appease their burden and give them the best deals and opportunities to travel,” Mr. Nakazawa continues.

VAT-free means more money for your trip! Book now with Travelbook.ph to get the best pocket-friendly deals on hotels and resorts in the Philippines!

This campaign will run for a limited time only. Campaign period may end without prior notice.

Lamudi Affordable Housing Fair Highlights

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The quest for the most easy-on-the-pocket real estate investment ended last Saturday (July 15, 2017) when Lamudi officially opened the Lamudi Affordable Housing Fair at the Glorietta 3 Activity Center in Makati today. On behalf of Vice President Leni Robredo, her Chief of Staff, Undersecretary Philip Francisco Dy delivered her speech tackling housing affordability, one of the most sensitive shelter issues in the country at present.

The event was graced by representatives from key government agencies and property developers. The ribbon cutting and housing affordability panel discussion were headed by Undersecretary Philip Francisco Dy; Pag-IBIG Vice President Elmer Tugade; Managing Partner and Head of the Urban Planning Team of Palafox Associates, Karmi Palafox; and Lamudi Managing Director Bhavna Suresh Chathambeth.

CNN Philippines anchor Ruth Cabal hosted and moderated the opening program and discussion that dissected housing affordability issues, including discussion on existing laws, strategies to overcome the housing challenge, and its impact to the country.

“To be part of the solution of making real estate affordable and accessible to all is maybe one of the biggest contributions that we have made for the industry in particular and to the country in general. This is only a first and we will continue to move and shake Philippine real estate,” said Ms. Suresh.

Awed at the Spectacle of the Dancing Fountain of Vigan, Ilocos Sur

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The Dancing Fountain located at Vigan Plaza of Vigan, Ilocos Sur as added to the influx of tourists in Vigan which was formerly just a city passed by on the way to other destinations. Now tourists opt to stay overnight so they could see this spectacle during weekends.

The Dancing Fountain is of Korean Technology. The very first setup of its kind in the Philippines. Now, others are following this, like the most recent is the one at Okada Manila. I'm just not sure if it's the same Korean technology because I keep failing to attend the invitation of Okada when they showcase the fountain at events. I guess it's about time I initiate a visit and interview the people.

Regardless of who first made this kind of attraction, it is truly a sight to behold. The mixture of music, lights, and images moving in synchronicity is an amazing display worthy of viewing.

We were there when the project was still ongoing construction, and we're toured personally by the former governor Luis "Chavit" Singson. He took the time to explain about his project to add another attraction to Vigan city.

Uber, Grab Broke The Rules by Tolerating Colorums --- LTFRB

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If Transportation Network Companies (TNCs) want to engage in the business of public transportation, they need to follow the rules just like any other type of public utility vehicles (PUVs).

The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) made this stand amid an online petition to “lift the suspension” against TNCs such as Uber and Grab. The LTFRB clarified that ride-hailing services have not been suspended. However, only those with Provisional Authority (PA) or Certificate of Public Convenience (CPC) may be allowed to operate.

“The TNCs agreed to fully comply with the rules at the time they were granted accreditation. With their open and candid admission, it is clear that they have broken those rules grossly, putting at risk the tens of thousands of TNVs without PA or franchise to commit colorum activities,” said LTFRB Chairman Martin B. Delgra III.

At the accreditation hearing last July 11, the LTFRB slapped a PHP5-Million fine each for Uber and Grab for its violations and ordered them to deactivate the more than 50,000 colorum Transport Network Vehicle Service (TNVS) drivers. This is on top of the ongoing moratorium imposed on accepting new applications.

Apart from operating without franchises, some drivers are also accused of trading franchises among themselves. TNCs have also failed to comply with other requirements such as IDs for drivers and a company signage on the vehicles. There have also been numerous complaints on rude and abusive TNVS drivers.

“We cannot have one rule regarding colorum for them and another rule for the rest of the modes of public transport, i.e. bus, UV express, taxi and PUJ,” Chairman Delgra said. “Where service is imbued with public interest, no less than the safety and welfare of the riding public is concerned, regulations become priority,” he added.

Delgra likewise said that TNCs have to show good faith by complying first while LTFRB creates a Technical Working Group (TWG) to discuss issues such as accreditation and pending applications, and the core issues of accountabikity and dynamic pricing scheme as a way to move things forward.

“They have to show good faith first. Right now, they are not cooperating,” Delgra said. “The Board has welcomed the creation of a TWG to help address the demand of such mode of public transport in a rational, comprehensive and systematic manner. We expect the TNCs to be candid, accurate, complete and transparent in submitting all the data and information the Board will need in addressing the issues,” he added.

More than 20 TNVs have so far been apprehended for operating without a franchise.

#WeWantUberGrab: LTFRB Defies Logic By Saying Uber and Grab Are Unsafe

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"I used to ride regular taxis alone every single day to get around, and on most days, they did NOT make me feel safe. Über and Grab have made commuting so much safer, easier, and more convenient. Anyone who actually uses them would know." - Coleen Garcia

Many voices are now banding together to actively promote the hashtag #WeWantUberGrab because of a recent statement from LTFRB board member Aileen Lizada: "Kailangang higpitan ang Uber at Grab para maging kasing-safe sila ng ibang sasakyang may prangkisa tulad ng mga taxi, bus at jeepney."

"I hope that conclusion was something that she culled from a daily commuter's experience. Otherwise, her definition of what is safe sounds truy unsafe and seriously alarming." Prim Paypon

Taxi, jeep and bus are SAFER? I dare every personnel from LTFRB to commute everyday in one week. Then, decide.

I really don't get it why our country wants to keep moving backward. When we finally found convenience in this hassle-full world, a government agency starts coming up with a comical statement. As usual, the government wants to "fix" what is not broken in the first place. Or were they really the actual cause of what they perceive as broken?

Tolerating "colorums" with Uber and Grab not having necessary permits? The issue those permits! They deserve to be legalized more than the ordinary taxi cabs. When a solution is there already rolling, here comes these people ready to sabotage it.

In reality, Uber and Grab gives the service we need. LTFRB doesn't. So who's supposed to adjust?

The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) should be serving the riding public, not the grossly outdated, greedy sector. The service provided by Uber and Grab is hassle free, more convenient and safer. We deserve better LTFRB. Don't deprive us of our needs.

Stop bureaucracy inside your agency and work for the better interest of the riding public and not for your wallets.