Flight CMP17: Bound for the Island of the Lost Winds

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Calling all science clubbers! Are you ready for another all-out experience? Fasten your seatbelts as the National Youth Science, Technology, and Environment Summer Camp (NYSTESC) 2017 takes off this July 24-27, 2017, at Batis Aramin Resort and Hotel, Tayabas Road, Lucban, Quezon!

Once again, the Philippine Society of Youth Science Clubs (PSYSC) is bringing you the most sought-after science camp for high school students and teachers in the country. With this year’s theme, "Flight CMP17: Bound for the Island of the Lost Winds", we are ready to bring you to a camp that will surely go beyond the limits of your expectations.

Get to explore the science of aerodynamics as we tackle wind energy conversion, transportation, animal aviation, and weather forecasting. Through our esteemed guest lecturers, various workshops and competitions, seminar and congress, this camp shall fill up our hearts and minds with truly good memories. But, wait! The fun doesn’t stop there! Be fascinated by the beauty of Quezon as we also take you to some of its wonders!

This event will surely be one of your 2017 highlights! So, what are you waiting for? Pack up and join us aboard this flight! Be part of the science clubbing movement as we keep its fire burning!

Affiliate with PSYSC today as they offer a totally new science clubbing experience!

TNCs Not Exempted from Remitting Fair and Correct Taxes to Government – LTFRB

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Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) Chairman Martin B. Delgra III today clarified that Transportation Network Companies (TNCs) are required to pay fair and correct taxes to the government, and that insinuations that DOTr Secretary Art Tugade wants a “share” from their earnings is utterly malicious.

In a press conference in Malacanang on Tuesday, Secretary Tugade was asked to comment on the directive of the LTFRB requiring TNCs to deactivate “colorum” driver-partners from their platform. The Transportation chief said anyone who wants to get into the business of public transportation must submit themselves to regulation.

Tugade said regulation would not only level the playing field and guarantee accountability, but also allow the government to collect the correct taxes from TNCs.

“Ang punto ni Secretary Tugade at ng LTFRB, kapag colorum ang isang sasakyan, walang habol dyan ang gobyerno. Paano mo masisingil ng tamang tax kung hindi nga sila rehistrado?” Chairman Delgra explained. “Like any business, TNCs and their partners are covered by laws of taxation and they must give what’s due to the government," he added.

Based on the numbers given by Uber and Grab, there are 56,000 activated Transport Network Vehicle Services (TNVS) drivers, including the 3,000 with approved franchises. Out of these numbers, the two TNCs admitted there are TNVs which are accredited to both uber and grab. This means some 40,000 are plying the streets without being required to file tax returns to the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR).

“The problem is how can the government be assured that it is getting its fair share from these TNCs when majority of their drivers do not have franchises? Under existing laws, the TNCs, owner of vehicles, and drivers who are earning from this business all have tax accountabilities,” Delgra said.

On October 29, 2015, the BIR issued Revenue Memorandum Circular No. 70-2015 or the guidelines for the taxability of TNCs and their partners.

Contestants Try to Survive in the New Reality Show “Kicking & Screaming” this August on AXN

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The most unlikely couples find their hands full in taking in more than they can handle in the new reality series Kicking & Screaming, which premieres this August on AXN.

Ten survival experts are paired with hapless amateurs who have no experience in living outdoors as they fight their way through a series of challenges in a remote jungle of a South Pacific island where they must overcome dangerous animals, raging rivers, hunger, and extreme weather.

While the experts are used to surviving in the wilderness, their privileged partners are not, resulting in lots of arguing, bickering, and swearing.

With a cash prize of $500,000 at stake, the mismatched teammates realize that in order to win, they must work together to thrive in the wilderness and to survive the toughest challenge of their lives.

The show, from Fear Factor executive producer Matt Kunitz, is hosted by New Girl actress Hannah Simone.

Kicking & Screaming premieres on August 7 and airs every Monday at 9:45pm first & exclusive on AXN.

AXN is available on SKYCable Channel 49, Destiny Cable Channel 61, Cignal Channel 121, Dream Satellite TV Channel 20, G Sat Channel 51, and Cablelink Channel 38. AXN HD is available on SKYCable Channel 247.

Data Protection a Cornerstone of Robust Cybersecurity: Fortinet

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Fortinet, a global leader in high-performance cyber security solutions, urged IT leaders to take steps to protect data in their organizations in a bid to strengthen data privacy, as well as cyber security in the country. “Data protection is an integral component of cyber security. It is not just about getting the right technology – it is also about governments creating the right legislative environment, and organizations managing the processes and restrictions for different users to access their data,” said Alvin Rodrigues, chief security strategist for Fortinet Asia-Pacific during the 2017 Information Security Officers Group (ISOG) Summit held at the SMX Convention Center in SM Aura, Taguig City, recently.

Maintaining data privacy is a cybersecurity fundamental, and goes a long way in minimizing business losses when a cyberattack happens.

“Robust data protection also demonstrates your firm's commitment to customers,” stressed Rodrigues. “The personal information that customers put in your care is valuable to them. If you take good care of it, they will appreciate the gesture and continue to do business with you.”

Business Law Conference Is Themed Around #AffectedAko: In The Midst of Global Transformation

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Ley La Salle, De La Salle University’s professional organization for Legal Management students and future lawyers, will be holding its fourth Business Law Conference this July 21, 2017 at the 5th floor of Henry Sy, Sr., Hall, De La Salle University-Manila from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm.

Business Law Conference is an annual event held by the organization wherein speakers are invited to discuss about certain topics that is connected with the event’s theme. In last year’s event, the theme chosen was “Millennials Towards Building a Nation”. Last year’s speakers gave awareness to the youth on the possible implementation of Federalism and its possible effects on the country’s social and commercial landscape. This year’s event will revolve around the theme “#AFFECTEDAKO: In the Midst of Global Transformation”. The event includes renowned speakers like Mr. Rabboni Francis B. Arjonillo, President of First Metro Investment Corporation, Mr. Robert Dispo, Vice Chairman and President of Citrek Holdings Philippines Corp, and Atty. Francis Tom F. Temproso, a legal adviser at the Commission of Human Rights.

The first session of the event, which will be from 8:00 am to 12:00 pm, will focus more on business related topics such as the effects of the technological development boost and the radical change in international trade policies. The second session, which will run from 1:00 pm to 5:00 pm, will focus more on pertinent social and legal issues occurring in the current administration.

Ley La Salle invites everyone to partake in this incredible learning opportunity to be able to increase awareness in a time where atrocities and controversies are prevalent in the society.

BGC Features Next-Level Edutainment Facilities

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Children are naturally curious but they have brief attention spans. To effectively nurture kids’ mental development while keeping their focus intact, educators have long employed the technique called edutainment, a combination of “education” and “entertainment,” which literally means mixing learning with fun.

Bonifacio Global City (BGC), home to top educational institutions like the University of the Philippines and the International School Manila, houses establishments that not only engage in edutainment but take it to the next level, that is, through hands-on experience.

The Mind Museum, KidZania, and Active Fun in BGC provide kids with tools that help them learn how the world works and discover their strengths early on. While it looks like a simple opportunity for play, these establishments cater alternative learning experiences that are fun, entertaining, and age-appropriate.

Apart from the usual videos and pictures, edutainment facilities in BGC have interactive displays and activities that let children experiment and explore things on their own. These establishments provide a complete sensory experience, stimulating all five senses.

The Mind Museum, for instance, inspires exploration, creativity, and understanding for the wonders of everything around and inside us. For kids and kids-at-heart, there’s so much to do like play music at the piano stairs, marvel at a life-sized T. rex fossil and a whaleshark, see themselves in an astronaut suit floating in space, or watch live experiments by resident scientists. Every corner is truly an adventure waiting to be explored.

Memorandum Of Agreement Signing for Various “Nationwide Intensification of Household Electrification (NIHE)” Projects for 2017

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Memorandum Of Agreement signing for various “Nationwide Intensification of Household Electrification (NIHE)” projects for 2017 benefiting 33 thousand households in Zambales, Northern Samar, Surigao del Norte, Agusan del Sur, Zamboanga del Sur and Leyte. 

The event was held at the DOE Headquarters and was attended by DOE Sec. Alfonso Cusi together with DOE Undersecretary Wimpy Fuentebella, Electric Power Industry Management Bureau (EPIMB) Director Mylene Capongcol, DOE Accounting Division Chief Arturo Cudia, National Electrification Administration (NEA) Deputy Administrator Sonia San Diego, NEA Director Ferdinand Villareal, NEA OIC-ATEO Henrietta Maramot and representatives from 6 recipient Electric Cooperatives: Zambales II Electric Cooperative, Inc. (ZAMECO II) Engr. Ernesto Bonilla, President; Northern Samar Electric Cooperative, Inc. (NORSAMELCO) Hector Tabilisma, Acting General Manager; Surigao del Norte Electric Cooperative, Inc. (SURNECO) Narciso Caliao, Jr., General Manager; Agusan del Sur Electric Cooperative, Inc. (ASELCO) Dir. Corazon Cullantes, Board President; Zamboanga del Sur II Electric Cooperative, Inc. (ZAMSURECO II) Fortunato Lumawan, Board President and Leyte III Electric Cooperative, Inc. (LEYECO III) Cornelio Brazil, Board President.

The Best Fuel in the Country is from Petron

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Petron Blaze 100 Euro 6 is acknowledged as the best gasoline in the country, with outstanding qualities unmatched in the industry. Petron Blaze has always been a trailblazer. When it launched in August 2000, it was the only premium unleaded gasoline with the Research Octane Number (RON) of 98, the highest in the country. In 2010, Petron Blaze was re-launched to become the first and only gasoline with an octane rating of 100. Four years later, it became the first gasoline in the country to be certified Euro 4. Just this year, Petron Blaze was certified by leading global laboratories as passing the Euro 6 standard – the most advanced standard in the world. Petron Blaze 100 Euro 6 is the first and only Euro 6 fuel in the country, certifiably the best gasoline in the Philippines.


Certified by Global Experts

Locally produced and formulated at Petron’s Bataan refinery—the most advanced in the Asean region—Petron Blaze 100 Euro 6 has been rigorously tested and certified by leading global laboratories and engine rating experts. It was subjected to testing by SGS, a global leader in inspection, verification, testing and certification at their laboratories in the United Kingdom, Singapore, and the Philippines. Further tests were also conducted by ISP-The Testing Institute (Germany), one of the world’s top testing laboratories for automotive fuels and lubricants, as well as the Millbrook Proving Ground (UK), one of Europe’s largest vehicle testing centers.


Meets the Most Stringent Global Standards

In the Philippines, the mandated Euro 4 fuels have a sulfur content of up to 50-ppm (parts per million). Globally, the most stringent Euro 6 standard allows sulfur content of up to only 10-ppm. The sulfur content of Petron Blaze 100 Euro 6 is less than 3-ppm, far exceeding these standards.

To qualify for Euro 6, currently the most stringent global emission standard, a fuel should have significantly reduced particle numbers, particulate matter, carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides, and hydrocarbons in vehicle emissions. The Particle Number (PN) is the additional criterion that separates Euro 5 and Euro 6 fuel standards. Petron Blaze 100 Euro 6 surpassed the PN tests, being 3x cleaner than the limit.


Why Octane is Important

Research Octane Number (RON) determines a fuel’s resistance to detonating. This resistance is more commonly referred to as “anti-knock” quality; the higher the RON, the higher its resistance. You want your engine to burn your gasoline smoothly. If you’re feeding your car a lower RON than it requires, you risk engine knocking and engine failure in the long run. Which RON is right for you? It’s best to check your car’s manual for the recommended minimum RON. Keep in mind that the older the car, the higher the risk of engine knocking.


The Best Fuel in the Country

Petron Blaze 100 Euro 6 has been formulated with TriAction Advantage to provide (1) better engine protection for longer engine life; (2) better mileage for longer drives; and (3) better power.

As confirmed in a performance marathon run across the entire length of Luzon, Petron Blaze 100 Euro 6 delivers improved fuel efficiency, powerful engine performance and acceleration, guaranteed cleaner engines on just one full tank, improved combustion with its unique fuel and additive formulation, significantly less harmful emissions, and reduced maintenance costs due to longer catalyst life for the emission system.

Driving a Honda City 1.5 E CVT, hypermilers Raymund Dimapilis and Enrico Mabunay were able to travel nearly 34 kilometers for every liter.

No other fuel in the country has the pure, 100-octane formulation of Petron Blaze 100 Euro 6, certifiably the best fuel in the country.

Mutya ng Pilipinas 2017 Media Presentation

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Congratulations to Ilene Astrid de Vera of Cebu for being voted as the Darling of the Press at the Mutya ng Pilipinas 2017 Candidates Media Presentation. She is followed by Jannie Loudette Alipo-on of Navotas City as 1st Runner-Up, and Colleen Chan of Iloilo as 2nd Runner-Up.

The Mutya ng Pilipinas 2017 Media Presentation was held at the Hotel 101, their official residence in Pasay City. There were 30 lovely candidates presented to the members of the media.

Miss Hemilyn Escudero-Tamayo is also officially announced as the new president of Mutya ng Pilipinas Inc., while Mr. Roberto de Venecia and Miss Jacqueline Tan-Sainz, the previous presidents of the pageant organization, and reigning Mutya ng Pilipinas Ganiel Krishnan, joined her upfront. Former Mutya winner Kristine Caballero Aplal hosted the media launch.

Winners will represent the country in Miss Asia Pacific International, Miss Tourism International, Miss Tourism Queen of the Year International and Miss Tourism Metropolitan International pageants.
On July 21 to 23, the candidates will head to Hannah's Beach Resort and Convention Center in Pagudpod, Ilocos Norte for the Swimsuit competition.

While the Designer's Competition and Regional Costume will be held on July 26 at The Plaza of Resorts World Manila.

The Long Gown competition will be held on July 27 to 29 at Alta D' Tagaytay.

The grand coronation will be held at the Newport Performing Arts Theater of Resorts World Manila on August 4, 2017.

DOTr Assures Traffic Improvement in Regalado in November; Pledges Fast-tracked MRT-7 Project Completion

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“Wala nang traffic sa Regalado starting November,” this was the assurance of Department of Transportation (DOTr) Secretary Arthur Tugade with reference to the traffic buildup along Doña Carmen and Regalado Streets in Quezon City as a result of the ongoing construction of MRT7 station columns.

During the Progress Briefing and Inspection of Build Build Build (BBB) on Thursday, Secretary Tugade announced that the construction of the MRT-7 columns along the said roads shall be finished by November this year, easing traffic flow in the area.

"We ask for the public's continuous understanding and patience as we are striving to complete the construction of MRT-7 by 2019. Ang mga nararanasan po nating abala sa kasalukuyan, lahat po yan ay pansamantala lamang. Pero pangmatagalang ginhawa naman ang masisiguro ko sa inyo sa oras na ito'y makumpleto," Tugade said.

Composed of 14 stations, the 22 km MRT7 rail transit system will connect North Avenue in Quezon city to San Jose Del Monte City in Bulacan. Among the areas where stations shall be constructed include: North Avenue, Quezon City Memorial Circle, University Avenue, Tandang Sora, Don Antonio, Batasan, Doña Carmen, Regalado, Mindanao Avenue, Quirino, Sacred Heart, Tala, and San Jose Del Monte.

Upon completion of construction targeted by 2019, MRT-7 will accommodate an estimated ridership of 420,000 passengers daily.

The DOTr shall provide technical support to the Quezon City LGU and the National Housing Authority (NHA) in the facilitation of guaranteed relocation for informal settlers that shall be affected by the construction of the North Avenue and Quezon Memorial Circle stations. Currently, there are 160 families initially identified which still has to undergo vetting procedures from the NHA.

Nevertheless, relocation sites are being prepared in Tanay, Rizal and in Bulacan for qualified candidates. Other relocation options such as the "Balik Probinsiya" program of the government is also being explored.