Get Creative: AsiaPOP Comicon Manila Announces First Batch of International Artists

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Artgerm, Quiccs, Alan Quah, Simone Legno and Jason Freeny are amongst the major artists that will be present at the AsiaPOP Comicon Manila.

Talent and creativity abound in the first reveal of international artists who will grace AsiaPOP Comicon Manila 2017 (APCC Manila), which is happening on August 25 to 27 at the SMX Convention Center in Pasay City.

From international artists’ Stanley Lau aka artgerm, Quiccs, Alan Quah, Simone Legno, to Jason Freeny, these creative geniuses are set to share their talents and insights to thousands of pop culture fans from all over the region who will converge at the country’s biggest pop culture convention.

By popular demand, globally-acclaimed concept artist, designer, and instructor Stanley Lau, also known as artgerm, is dropping by the Philippines to share his passion and talent for drawing digital and imbuing works with life and color. In addition to his personal pages, which are followed by hundreds of thousands of fans, he has also co-founded Imaginary Friends Studios, which does work for companies such as Capcom, DC, Marvel, and other entertainment and gaming giants.

For his part, toy designer, illustrator, and graffiti artist Quiccs is the founder of Hidden Fortress, which issues collector vinyl and action figures such as the TEQ63 and the Storm King Machine. He is also the co-owner of design firm Burnwater Studios, and a member of international graffiti groups Zinc Nite Crew, Three Flare Krew, and Pilipinas Street Plan.

Comics veteran Alan Quah is the founder of Komikaki Studio and has done works under publishers such as DC Comics, Legendary Comics, IDW Publishing, and Titan Comics. The talented penciller and comic artist's presence is one bound to please many comic fans. 

Mapua University Week 2017: Unity in Diversity

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Mapúa, the premier engineering school in the country, will be having its first ever University Week themed "Unity in Diversity" on July 25 to 29 in celebration of its University title granted by the Commission on Higher Education. This momentous occasion will mark the formal launching of the university title and logo and will have various activities from Mapúa’s student organizations. Activities include a University Fair, Senior High School Acquaintance Party, Student Organization activities, basketball competitions, exhibits, concerts, car shows, and the Mapúan Idol.

The official launching of the Mapúa University logo and the investiture of its first president will be on July 28, Friday. All the students and staff are invited to participate in the said event to witness the unfolding of the new Mapúa logo and to honor the university status. It is indeed a celebration for all the success of Mapúa and a stepping stone towards world-class state of the art research, development and innovation.

Joshua Pacio Willing to Wait for Right Time to Vie for World Title Again

Wazzup Pilipinas!

If he secures an impressive triumph in his upcoming bout, Filipino standout Joshua “The Passion” Pacio might place himself on the verge of another shot at the ONE Strawweight World Championship title.

However, the 21-year-old native of Baguio City, Benguet revealed that he is not in a hurry and would rather take the long road to a second championship crack than prematurely vie for the gold-plated strap.

“I am willing to wait for the right time. Timing is everything. Every moment has its own purpose,” he said. “I don't race to be in line for that belt, but I'm racing to perfection in this sport.”

Pacio earned his lone previous title shot when he defeated gritty Thai grappler Kritsada Kongsrichai via first-round submission in August 2016 to set up a date with ONE Championship’s reigning strawweight kingpin Yoshitaka Naito.

Naito derailed Pacio’s title aspirations in October 2016 as the Japanese champion pulled off a come-from-behind win by submitting the Filipino fighter with a rear-naked choke in the third round to keep the coveted ONE Strawweight World Championship belt around his waist.

Winning ONE Championship’s flyweight top prize was within reach of Pacio as the 5-foot-4 Team Lakay young gun effortlessly stuffed all five takedown attempts of Naito in the first round and peppered his Japanese foe with lunging right hands and spinning back kicks.

Although Naito was able to take him down to the mat in the second period, Pacio was able to inflict damage while defending on his back.

But it only took one mistake to crush Pacio’s dream to become the youngest Filipino to win a world title in mixed martial arts (MMA) as Naito latched on a rear-naked choke that ended his undefeated streak.

Pacio saw his heartbreaking setback to Naito as an important lesson because it gave him an opportunity to patch the loopholes in his outstanding skill-set.

“It’s not a defeat. I viewed as an important lesson. It also served as an inspiration to push myself to the limit. It is an eye-opening experience. Here I am standing in front of you as a matured competitor inside the cage,” Pacio stated.

Pacio reaped the fruits of his labor this past March when he scored a huge victory over former ONE Strawweight World Champion Dejdamrong Sor Amnuaysirichoke by way of split decision.

“Every martial artist should have the sense of growth. This sport is constantly evolving, and every fighter should adapt to changes and improve their overall MMA game. It’s either you adapt or you fail. I learned my lesson, and I chose to adapt for the better,” Pacio shared.

Now using the moniker “The Passion” due to his ardent desire to improve each day as a martial artist, Pacio returns to action on 5 August as he squares off with Japanese newcomer Hayato Suzuki on the undercard of ONE: KINGS & CONQUERORS in Macao, China.

Suzuki owns a remarkable MMA record of 16-0-2 and is known as a well-rounded warrior who has the ability to stop his foes with his heavy hands and technical grappling skills.

Out of 16 career wins, Suzuki has finished 11 of his opponents, including six by submission and five by knockout.

“It’s going to be an action-packed fight. I can’t be complacent. Moreover, I have to be two steps or three steps ahead of him,” Pacio said about his scheduled three-round strawweight clash against Suzuki.

Suzuki might pose a threat to Pacio’s spot in the rankings, but the latter leans on the learning from the match-up that can benefit his maturity as a prizefighter.

“Every fight is a lesson. We, as fighters, gain valuable knowledge every time we train and step into the cage. I am here to learn and grown. I will always be grateful with what I have. I have no problem if I need to prove once again that I deserve another championship opportunity,” Pacio asserted.

As he goes through another tough encounter inside the ONE Championship cage, Pacio remains optimistic that the ONE Strawweight World Championship title will be in his possession someday.

“I don’t fear that my opponent has the ability to take my spot in the rankings. I am consistently improving. The goal is to win and improve. That’s my mindset right now. As I grind at the gym every single day, I know that the belt will be mine soon. Hard work cannot be denied forever,” he ended.

​For more updates on ONE Championship, please visit www.onefc.com, follow us on Twitter and Instagram @ONEChampionship, and like us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/ONEChampionship.

From Jeep to E-Jeep

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Department of Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi behind the wheels of the first-ever electric-powered “Green Jeepney” developed by QEV Philippines during their product launch held at the Shangri-La at the Fort in Bonifacio Global City on Thursday, July 20, 2017.

QEV Philippines is the electromobility ecosystems company that will set up the first charging station network in the country for electric vehicles. The charging station will have fast chargers that can charge lithium ion batteries for 15 minutes. This will enable the Green Jeepney to run for 100 to 140 kilometers.

Using electricity as fuel will be 30 percent less costly than using diesel. The charging infrastructure also translates into $100 million savings in foreign exchange by eliminating the importation of about 375 million liters of oil per year.

The Green Jeepney runs on electricity and aims to be a more efficient, clean and modern alternative public transport vehicle. QEV Philippines will be converting jeepneys with internal combustion engines into electric vehicles like what it did to the Green Jeepney. The conversion, to be done in partnership with local manufacturers, can be done in just two hours.

Other officials who graced the Green Jeepney launch were Department of Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III, Department of Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade, Department of Public Works and Highways Secretary Mark Villar and Environment and Senate Natural Resources Committee Chairperson Senator Cynthia Villar.

Liter Of Light Training Workshop

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Department of Energy (DOE) Undersecretary Felix William Fuentebella (left) with Lourdes National High School Science teacher Josefina B. Maramba and Grade VI students Jillian Fuellas, Ace Roald Balbuena and Mary Joy Cuadra assemble solar-powered lamps as part of the Liter of Light orientation and training workshop of the DOE held in Panglao, Bohol on Friday, July 21, 2017.

A total of 34 grades five and six students from Lourdes Elementary School and 12 teachers from various schools in Bohol took part in the Liter of Light orientation and training workshop, a project of the DOE in partnership with the Department of Education, Provincial Government of Bohol and Liter of Light Org.

They will then teach and share what they learned to delegates of the upcoming Asian Cooperation Dialogue (ACD), an annual gathering of Asian nations, hosted by the Philippines and to be held in Panglao Island on August 7-10, 2017. This year’s ACD will focus on energy security, sustainability and resiliency, among other relevant topics.

Catholic Bishops, Civil Liberty Champs and Millennials to Protest Duterte's Fake SONA

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Church leaders, progressive lawmakers, civil society groups and youth leaders will stage on Monday a day-long "Counter SONA" to protest what they said will be President Rodrigo Duterte's "truth-challenged" State of the Nation Address (SONA).

Organized by the Gathering of Civil Liberties (GCL), Akbayan Party, Kilusan para sa Makabansang Ekonomiya (KME), #YouthResist, Millenials Against Dictators (MAD) and the Student Council Alliance of the Philippines (SCAP), the event will protest Duterte's bloody war on drugs, the extension of Martial law in Mindanao and what they called the President's "rising authoritarianism."

The event is also supported by Caloocan Bishop Deogracias Iñiguez, Novaliches Bishop Antonio Tobias and Father Rudy Abao.

Cultural performances, film showings, speeches and creative youth protests will mark the event, highlighted by a series of masses dubbed as "12-6-12" to be held at 12 midnight, 6:00 AM and 12 noon of the 24th of July. 

Midnight mass and candle-lighting vigil

The midnight mass, to be officiated by Iniguez, will conclude with a candle-lighting protest against extrajudicial killings and Martial Law. A people's vigil will follow shortly after. Senator Risa Hontiveros, Akbayan Rep. Tom Villarin, KME leader Jimmy Regalario, Church leaders, and youth leaders are expected to lead the event. 

Morning mass

The 6:00 AM mass will be officiated by Tobias. The Bishop will deliver a message on the need for people to unite and not lose hope amid a growing climate of killings and impunity. 

High noon mass

Meanwhile, the 12 noonn mass will be administered by Abao. Prominent civil liberty defenders, progressive lawmakers and sectoral leaders are expected to attend the activity. 

Millennials' "human #hashtag protest"

At exactly 1:00 PM, youth and student leaders will lead a "human #hashtag protest" and noise barrage. The protest will be led by #YouthResist, the broad youth and student formatiom which also organized the massive protest against EJKs at St. Scholastica's College. They said that their protest will "connect the millennials' online anger to offline protests against the culture of killing and resentment for democracy under the Duterte government."

People's verdict: Fake SONA

Afterwards, an ALT-SONA (Alternative SONA) will commence together with a people's viewing of Duterte's 2nd SONA. The protesters will declare the president's annual report to the nation as "fake SONA."

"We will stand for the defense of truth, fact and the right to life, despite the fact that this government has tried to deceive us with fake news, the stifling of dissent and the normalization of violence. We will stand our ground," said Karla Yu, spokesperson of #YouthResist.

Organizers of the day-long event expect a minimum of 2 thousand people to attend their day-long event, majority of whom, they said, will come from the youth sector.

Nepal Travel Guide: Annapurna Round Trekking / Annapurna Circuit Trekking

This popular trek offers you an experience walking in Annapurna classic route. You can explore the culture of  multi-ethnic  groups, local villages with typical houses, locally cultivated terrain farms, water falls, moraine glaciers, ice lakes, wide varieties of flora and fauna etc. 

You can enjoy with the  excellent views of Annapurna panoramic Himalayan range including Tilicho peak,Gangapurna peak, Pisang peak, Tilicho Peak, Thorong peak, Yakwakang peak, Chulu East, Chulu West, Chulu Centre, and Himlung Himal. 

Dyson Exposes the Unseen at Its Media Launch

Wazzup Pilipinas!

I did not know that indoor air quality is five times more polluted than the air outside.

It was surprising to find out that we may be experiencing more threats to our health within the comforts of our own homes especially if there are dangerous substances or pollutants present within the air that we breathe. Pollutants that may cause allergies and diseases to our skin, lungs, and other parts of our body both internally and externally. 

Conforming with the Norm .. or Not!

Wazzup Pilipinas!

I always have the tendency to stand out, no matter how awkward or inappropriate it would be, because I am bored to conform with the norm.

I've worked for top companies as their employee, but I chose to be my own boss because I am restless, and is not happy with routines, especially bureaucracy. I prefer to work as I please, and be as imaginative and resourceful as possible.

This is why I blog. Bloggers are not supposed to be obligated to follow what we brand as "standards." We are also not expected to be tied up to what we call as "ethics." We should be allowed to express our true feelings.

All the immoralities and corruption in this world are actually caused by moderated, controlled or restrained emotions. When we believe that hiding our true feelings is necessary just to be civilized or diplomatic with others, we become deceivers

My blog, my rules. I could even break my own rules if I feel it is necessary. Thus, no permanent rules at all.

Creativity should not have any limits or boundaries. There is no such thing as a box.

I want to leave a legacy, to be remembered as unique and real. Not as someone who was friends with everyone but lived a life kissing the asses of others, while letting his own ass survive this lifetime without a hole.

Inaugural Event in Surabaya Postponed

Wazzup Pilipinas!
The largest sports media property in Asian history, ONE Championship (ONE), has announced that its inaugural event in Surabaya, Indonesia, ONE: CONQUEST OF KINGS initially set for 29 July, is currently being rescheduled due to logistical issues and has been postponed as of further notice.

ONE Championship has always put on incredible live events in Indonesia, and four additional events are being planned in the country for 2018. Fans can expect to see Indonesian martial arts superstars in featured bouts such as “The Terminator” Sunoto, Stefer Rahardian, and Anthony “The Archangel” Engelen, to name a few.


ONE Championship is set for another blockbuster evening of world-class entertainment with its second historic event in Macao, China. On 5 August, ONE: KINGS & CONQUERORS will once again light up the Cotai Arena of The Venetian Macao with a showcase of authentic martial arts action. In the main event, ONE Bantamweight World Champion Bibiano Fernandes of Brazil will take on top contender Andrew Leone of the United States.

37-year-old Bibiano “The Flash” Fernandes of Brazil is the reigning ONE Bantamweight World Champion, and widely considered one of the best bantamweights in the world. He made his promotional debut back in 2012 and captured the title in 2013, and has since then remained unbeaten inside the ONE Championship cage, showcasing tremendous striking and grappling ability. A winner of his last 12 bouts, including three submissions and two knockouts, Fernandes is set to defend his title against Andrew Leone.

Andrew Leone of Cortland, New York, is a 27-year-old martial artist who trains alongside some of the most talented combat sports athletes in Asia at the renowned Bali MMA gym in Bali, Indonesia. With a standout record of eight wins and only two losses, Leone is coming off three solid victories over top-caliber opponents, earning him a shot at the ONE Bantamweight World Championship. In his next bout, Leone will challenge Bibiano Fernandes for the world title.

For more updates on ONE Championship, please visit www.onefc.com, follow us on Twitter and Instagram @ONEChampionship, and like us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/ONEChampionship.