Mr. and Ms. Chinatown 2017 Media Launch

Wazzup Pilipinas!

The 15 female and male contestants of the 4^th Mr. and Ms. Chinatown: New Dynasty were presented to the media at the Solaire Resorts and Casino. This year’s batch of hopefuls come from Metro Manila, Baguio, Cebu, Davao and other key cities around the country, all competing for the prestigious beauty title.  During the program, Ms. Joy Wu and Mr. Jacob Munes were chosen as the evening’s Darling of the Press. Mr. and Ms. Chinatown 2017 Grand coronation will be on September 1, 2017 at Solaire Resorts and Casino. 

Undeniably, pageants have become an inextricable part of the Filipino culture. In fact, the country has recently been dubbed as a powerhouse in pageantry. This love for pageants, they say, is ingrained in our system and could be traced back to the American colonial period, when women from different regions across the country gathered in traders’ fairs to represent and promote their localities. Now, almost every Filipino town and institution has its own local competition where winners are expected to personify the attributes and values of the community.

Mr. and Ms. Chinatown was created from this concept. Since its creation in 2013 Chinoy TV, together with the Miss Chinatown Foundation has been staging the grand competition every year. With various themes that highlight the grandeur of Chinoy life, it is the much-awaited annual event of the Chinese-Filipino community.

This year’s pageant theme is “New Dynasty” which seeks to create a re-defined image of the Chinoy, characterized by the graceful combination of traditional values and a contemporary, progressive stance. Mr. and Ms. Chinatown: New Dynasty is anchored on the belief that the modern Chinoy is open-minded and ready to brave change and new heights.

Mr. and Ms. Chinatown 2017 Grand coronation will be on September 1, 2017 at Solaire Resorts and Casino.

Ms. Joy Wu and Mr. Jacob Munes were chosen as the evening’s Darling of the Press.

                                  

Cover Photo Caption:

Left to Right (Middle) Mr. Willord Chua, Host, Mr. Alvin Kingson Tan, President Fil-Chi Media Productions Inc. – Ms. Loraine Tan, COO, Fil-Chi Media Productions Inc., Mr. Ron Lim, Admin Manager Oriental Group and Mr. Jay Ang Marketing Manager Oriental Group

Challenge Accepted: Bloggers Need to Level Up to Deserve a Spot as Credible and Competent Media

Wazzup Pilipinas!

"Look, everyone invested in this thread seems to want a seat at the big boys table. And, why not? There is money to be made, opportunities to be mined, goals to be met (whether you're in it for a byline, a paycheck, a commission, a sponsorship, an endorsement deal). But realize that this is a competition. We are not here to hold hands and sing Hamilton songs in unison while gazing at each other. We are here to ensure that we are experts in our chosen beat because that is how we add value for our readers. I, for one, would love to read about a pasta called Croxetti, in the hopes of tasting some one day on the strength of a writer's informed recommendation. I would skip a half-assed "This is what I did today" puff piece, which only really works if you're a celebrity living under a fanbase microscope (Tangina, almusal ni Benedict Cumberbatch kanina adobo flakes! Shookt!)." - Karlo Samson

The intention of a trad or mainstream media for posting the story below on his Facebook wall is probably good. However, some of the side comments of this thread starter and most of the comments from his Facebook friends are not. It only put bloggers (both his friend and the two others) in a bad light because we can see here that it's a blogger sharing negative stories about other bloggers who met at an event.

There is something wrong when a guest questions why there seems to be other guests that are not fit for an event they were all invited at. Do not question anybody's presence because maybe you are the one who is not appropriate for the event....or they are special friends with the event organizers...Lol!

The thread starter also cited social media feeds where PR companies can be seen asking bloggers to sign-up at their events in exchange of GCs, and likewise cited bloggers asking for others to represent them at events. He never mentioned what's wrong with those incidents but he must be somehow implying that those were unusual or wrong.

Though another fear of this mainstream media is that the same type of clueless bloggers may finally get the chance to enter Malacanang (due to the recent announcement that the government will now start accepting bloggers as valid media), he forgets that the same issues he has cited has been around for ages even for trad media. We all know also that even the President himself questions trad media's credibility. Now that the government is considering bloggers, there might be some people threatened to further lose opportunities for their publication.

Wazzup with the "Freebies that end up for sale or for barter online" statement? Is he trying to insinuate that there are bloggers that only exists for freebies?

Bear in mind that we are not trying to make this a bloggers-versus-trad media issue, it just so happens that the thread starter is a member of the media and people involved in the issue he raised are bloggers:

Heartwarming Comedy “Playing House” Returns for New Season on Sony Channel

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Season 3 premieres August 20, Sundays at 7:30pm

Your favorite “sisters” continue their adventures as their friendship faces its biggest challenge yet in the new season of the comedy series Playing House, which premieres on Sony Channel this August.

Childhood best friends Maggie Caruso (Lennon Parham) and Emma Crawford (Jessica St. Clair) are back, and they are bringing their fun friends with them.

In the new season, the tables are turned as Emma needs all the support she can have from Maggie after she is diagnosed with breast cancer. With the people who love her by her side, Emma undergoes treatment and emerges somehow happier and more fulfilled than she has ever been.

Despite their differences, Maggie and Emma get through the hard times as they complement each other the way only best friends can - by facing the challenges of their past, present and future together.

Playing House Season 3 premieres August 20 and airs every Sunday at 7:30pm, part of ROFLing Sundays first and exclusive on Sony Channel.

Sony Channel is available on SKYCable Channel 35, Destiny Cable Channel 62, Cignal Channel 120, G Sat Channel 48, and Cablelink Channel 39.

Online Tax Assistance Platform Taxumo is the First Digital Startup to Get Four-Year Tax Holiday from BOI

Wazzup Pilipinas!

As part of the government’s thrust to spur the digital startup industry and technological innovations in the Philippines, pioneering online tax assistance platform Taxumo was recently granted a four-year income tax holiday so it can focus its resources on growing its business. 

This recent move makes Taxumo the first digital startup firm approved by the Board of Investments (BOI) under the 2017 IPP (Investment Priorities Plan.) 

Taxumo is an easy online tax filing and payment web app that revolutionizes tax processing for Filipino solo entrepreneurs, self-employed professionals, and freelancers. Says EJ Arboleda, Taxumo’s CEO: “We are grateful that the BOI has given the attention to Taxumo, which sets a precedent for the tech startup industry to get the support it needs to move forward, which in turn will generate jobs and ease business operations. We are proud to be leading the way for the industry.” 

“Digitalization is a great equalizer that levels the playing field among small and large firms. Adopting an innovation-led business model, like the integration of digital strategies and e-commerce, enables MSMEs to scale-up their status and become competitive in the long run,” Trade Secretary and BOI Chairman Ramon M. Lopez said. 

“We must effectively tap the potential of MSMEs as it forms a significant part in of our country’s growth resurgence and nurturing them not just as backbones of our economy but also one of the prime movers of both domestic and regional growth.” 

Trade Undersecretary and BOI Managing Head Ceferino Rodolfo said: “BOI supports entrepreneurial startups as an engine for economic development and as a key driver of economic diversification and job creation. While the Philippine start-ups sector is at a nascent stage, our large young internet-savvy population and growing economy make the country a hot-bed for technology-driven activities.” 

He stressed “the need to have a forward thinking mentality that is anchored on providing entrepreneurs and startups with the necessary support to start and grow right from the earliest stages of development.” 

Through Taxumo, users simply enter their income and expenses in the system regularly, which then provides real-time information on tax dues. 

This will also be a great help for independent contractor taxes. The platform also autofills the relevant tax forms (BIR Form 2551M for Monthly Percentage Tax Payments, Form 1701Q for Quarterly Income Tax Payments, and soon, Form 1701 for Annual Income Tax Payments) with calculations based on the data entered by the user. 

From there, they can easily file and pay their tax dues online through Taxumo as well. Users can avail of paid subscription packages on the platform, depending on their needs.

ISOC-NPC Online Privacy Workshop

Wazzup Pilipinas!

The Internet Society, the world’s trusted independent source of leadership for Internet policy, standards and development, and the National Privacy Commission, would be holding a one-day interactive workshop on Online Privacy in the Philippines, to be held on the 29th of August. 

The workshop will take stock of the Data Privacy Act and the lessons learned from its implementation. Through a combination of panel and small group discussions, it will highlight good practices and emerging international norms in the Asia-Pacific region and globally, and examine policy trends such as the ‘right to be forgotten’ and how these might be relevant to the local context. 

The workshop seeks to solicit input from various stakeholder groups, including web-based organisations and traditional businesses with online operations, and deliberate on solutions to outstanding issues in developing a comprehensive culture of online data protection. 

For further information, please feel free to get in touch with us at apac@isoc.org,

Archivo 1984 Presents "The Past is a Foreign Country" by Jill Paz

Wazzup Pilipinas!

ARCHIVO 1984
The Past is a Foreign Country by Jill Paz


Pasillo 18
La Fuerza Compound (Gate 1)
2241 Chino Roces Ave., Makati City

Opening Reception: August 31, 2017 (5 pm)


Archivo 1984 proudly presents “The Past is a Foreign Country”, Jill Paz’s first solo exhibition in her home country, and also Archivo 1984’s inaugural exhibition in its new space which will open on August 31, 2015.

In this show, Paz focuses on images as object survivors of the past. The underlying theme of memory is re-interpreted by the artist as an exploration of renovation, embodied in her own experience of cultural loss. She explores this through homage paintings based on the work of her great grand-uncle, Felix Resurreccion Hidalgo.

Among the largest works in the show are the 8-foot ‘Untitled (After Hidalgo, Libertatem)’ (2015), composed of cardboard panels etched with a phantasmic composition inspired by the artist’s ancestor and a personal childhood memory. In ‘Untitled (Balikayan Box, It’s a Journey Back that I’m Always Taking)’ (2015), Paz has fashioned an LBC box with photographic images of her family home. 

Kevin Belingon Expects Big Reward if He Pulls Off Decisive Win Over Reece McLaren

Wazzup Pilipinas!

As Kevin Belingon crosses paths with a fellow former world title challenger in Reece McLaren, the Filipino knockout artist sees a big reward if he plays his cards right against the Australian standout.

Belingon is set to square off with McLaren on the stacked card of ONE: QUEST FOR GREATNESS, which takes place at the iconic Stadium Negara in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on 18 August.

The 29-year-old Baguio City native hopes that if he secures a convincing victory over McLaren, it will bring him an inch closer to a rematch with Bibiano “The Flash” Fernandes for the coveted ONE Bantamweight World Championship title.

“My initial goal is to continue winning until I get closer to the title and become a champion,” Belingon stated.

Belingon had his chance to vie for prestigious gold in January 2016 when he challenged Fernandes for the ONE Bantamweight World Championship belt, but things did not go his way as the Brazilian champion swiftly submitted him with a Kimura lock in the opening stanza.

Following his submission setback to Fernandes, Belingon took several months off before re-emerging in October 2016 by handing rising martial arts star Muin Gafurov of Tajikistan his second professional loss.

Belingon followed it up with an astounding knockout conquest of Finnish dynamo Toni Tauru last April in front of a sold-out crowd at the 20,000-capacity SM Mall of Asia Arena in Manila, Philippines.

For Belingon, his three-round bantamweight encounter with McLaren is an opportunity to make a truly impressive statement as his objective is to score a second cage meeting with Fernandes for the organization’s bantamweight title.

According to Belingon, defeating McLaren in decisive fashion may strengthen his bid to get a rematch with McLaren.

“I believe I will face Bibiano Fernandes if I can defeat Reece McLaren impressively. My dream of finally becoming a world champion is still there. It still lives in my heart. My upcoming bout is another journey to elevate my status as a contender for the title,” he stated.

Although a tough task is ahead of him, Belingon is confident that he will have his hand raised in triumph against McLaren inside the ONE Championship cage.

“It’s just the beginning for me. As a competitor, I have to keep on learning and adapt to changes in this forever-evolving sport. Through the years, improvement has been the key to my success. I am ready for Reece McLaren,” he concluded.

​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.

Yes to More Discounts with the Free VAT Campaign of Travelbook.ph

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Do you love traveling but feel that your earnings are never enough to cover the cost? Do you always feel worried about the continuous price hikes on commodities? Are you one of those who complain about the high tax rate charged in the items and services you need?

It wouldn’t be surprising if you answered “yes” in any of these questions. Because among our neighboring countries, we, Filipinos, are the highest-paying taxpayers.

While well-performing ASEAN countries like Singapore and Malaysia are able to tone down Value Added Tax (VAT) charges at the minimum, the Philippines remains as the South East Asian country with the highest VAT of 12% in the ASEAN. Apart from this, the Philippines also ranks second in corporate income tax and personal income tax. Now that almost all purchases made are topped with tax, many Filipinos are struggling so hard to earn enough just to cover all their expenses.

With that, Travelbook.ph, the leading online travel agent (OTA) in the country, wants to ease such burden.

Just this July, Travelbook.ph launched its Free VAT Campaign wherein they shoulder the 12% VAT on all hotel bookings made by their customers.

“Every Filipino deserves the best experience when they travel. And at Travelbook.ph, we believe that it should start at the very moment that they do their actual bookings,” says Mr. Takumi Nakazawa, General Manager of the leading OTA.

All the customers have to do is to sign up at www.travelbook.ph and choose among the 3,300 affiliated hotels of Travelbook.ph for their trip. Travelers, then, will see that the VAT on their hotel bookings has been deducted from the total cost of their transaction. What’s more interesting is that on top of the deducted VAT, additional discounts may still be applied.

With all the stress and problems in life that Filipinos normally encounter, Travelbook.ph would like to give them more opportunities to travel so they can unwind and explore.

“What we want to do is more of a public service instead of business. We have a heart for the customers and we do necessary actions to express that we care. That is how Free VAT campaign is born,” Mr. Nakazawa adds.

With this latest offer from Travelbook.ph, everyone can now get hassle-free and pocket-friendly trips! So book now at www.travelbook.ph to start the best travel experience you can ever have!

This campaign might end without prior notice to the public.

Eric Kelly Delighted Over Younger Brother Edward’s Winning Roll in ONE Championship

Wazzup Pilipinas!

As Edward “The Ferocious” Kelly continues his marvelous rise in ONE Championship’s stacked featherweight division, renowned Filipino martial arts veteran Eric “The Natural” Kelly can't help but feel impressed with his younger brother's winning streak in Asia’s largest sports media property.

Edward scored three huge victories inside the ONE Championship cage last year, starting his 2016 campaign by pulling off a come-from-behind submission win over previously-unbeaten Australian stalwart Jordan Lucas in March before achieving a second-round knockout of Dutch-Indonesian journeyman Vincent Latoel five months later.

The 33-year-old Baguio City native punctuated his 2016 calendar on a high note by stopping Indonesian standout Sunoto by way of third-round technical knockout in December.

Eric, who is only two years older than Edward, stressed that he is proud of his brother's recent accomplishments under the ONE Championship banner, citing the latter's ability to overcome adversity and his determination to develop as a competitor in the constantly-evolving sport.

Prior to his victory parade in ONE Championship, Edward had a jagged beginning in the promotion, losing to Brazilian contender Herbert “The Blaze” Burns by way of 44-second submission in December 2013 and then suffering a first-round knockout defeat to Malaysian-Kiwi sensation Ev Ting in October 2014.

Miss Universe 2015 as Ambassador of Asia’s Premier Charity and Awards Gala

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Miss Universe 2015 and UNAIDS Goodwill Ambassador for Asia and the Pacific, Pia Alonzo Wurtzbach, gave a heart icon after being named on Wednesday (9 August) as the first-ever ambassador of “Love Gala.”

In giving her time wholeheartedly in the HIV advocacy, Wurtzbach announced her personal project called Project Progressive Information Awareness (PIA) campaign or simply dubbed as Project PIA, which bears the Love Gala.

Love Gala is Asia’s Premier Charity and Awards Gala event, which will serve as a donation mechanism to support the HIV-AIDS advocacy, and will honor Ten (10) outstanding individuals at “The Ripple Awards” for their exceptional contributions in raising the level of HIV-AIDS awareness in the country.

“We hope to see an increase in HIV awareness, spread love for people living with HIV, and make HIV testing among Filipinos a normal part of their health and wellness routine,” said Ms Wurtzbach. “I believe we can strengthen our bonds and achieve our shared goal of ending AIDS in the Philippines, Asia-Pacific and the Universe.”

The maiden Love Gala will be held at the official city partner of Taguig on 1 December alongside the celebration of the World AIDS Day.

It will also feature a fashion show by top Philippine designers, a star-studded mini-concert, and a special auction.

Meanwhile for the “Ripple Awards,” the Love Gala organization will only be accepting nomination until 31 August 2017.

To nominate, click on the link: http://lovegala.org/nominate-now/. Nominees will be screened based on their initiatives to create ripples of positive change that greatly influence the domestic and global HIV-AIDS advocacy.

The gala is a collaboration of private and public institutions and youth-oriented organizations which was espoused by the Better Together Organization. It also aims at augmenting the efforts to normalize the HIV-AIDS advocacy to a larger audience.

“I believe we can strengthen our bonds and achieve our shared goal of ending AIDS in the Philippines, Asia-Pacific and the Universe,” says Ms Wurtzbach.

Long before Miss Universe 2015 Pia Alonzo Wurtzbach exponentially raised the HIV-AIDS Awareness in the country, many Filipino individuals have been working hard to change the landscape of HIV-AIDS advocacy in the country.

Ten (10) of them will be recognized this World AIDS Day on 1 December during the first-ever “Love Gala.”

The Love Gala, as unveiled Wednesday (9 August), is the Asia’s Premier Charity and Awards Gala event, which will honor outstanding individuals and their immeasurable contributions at “The Ripple Awards.”

The organization believes that “a single person's act of love can start a wave that can save millions of people.”

The Ripple Awards nomination period is open until 31 August 2017.

Visit the Love Gala page: http://lovegala.org/nominate-now/ to nominate someone who has created ripples of positive change that greatly influenced the domestic and global movement towards the HIV-AIDS advocacy.

Potential nominees can be a representative from the following sectors:

•           Business (HIV policy in the workplace, companies, programs for business)

•           Youth (program for the youth sector, youth-initiated)

•           Academe (educational institutions, school organizations, program for schools)

•           Government (legislators, LGUs, government organizations)

•           Media & Advertising (digital, media organizations, media programs)

•           Influencer (individual)

•           NGOs (NGO-led programs)

•           PLHIV (support groups, individual)

•           Medical (hospitals, doctors, clinics, medical practitioner)

•           Arts (films, stage play, artworks, artists)

Additionally, the gala is a collaboration of private and public institutions and youth-oriented organizations to augment the efforts in mainstreaming the HIV-AIDS advocacy to a larger audience.

Institutions and organizations coming together for Love Gala are the following: AIDS Healthcare Foundation, Black Maria Productions, Decent Image of South Signal Association (DIOSSA), Dentsu, Pinoy Plus Association Incorporated, Positibong Marino Philippines, Sustained Health Initiatives of the Philippines (SHIP), Taguig City Government, Team Mag, The Red Whistle, The LoveYourself Incorporated and the US Embassy.

Behind this extensive collaboration of Filipino organizations is Better Together.

Better Together, an initiative founded by Dr. Antoine Bondaz and Mr. Kenneth Kwok for the purpose of empowering the future generations in Asia and beyond, is a founding member of the Love Gala.

Uniting for a single cause, the gala will also feature a concert headlined by artists who are also HIV-AIDS awareness advocates, and a mini auction that will raise funds to further HIV-AIDS education.

With the Philippines peaking its HIV infection incidence, “We have to firmly stand together in fighting this pandemic, not only for the Philippines, but for the rest of Asia and beyond,” the organization concluded.