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Wednesday, January 10, 2018

The Lenovo Mirage Camera with Daydream - Allows Everyone to Share Their Own Virtual Reality


Wazzup Pilipinas!

Lenovo announced, in partnership with Google, the Lenovo Mirage Camera with Daydream, a powerful new tool that lets you capture and relive memories like you’re really in the moment. The Lenovo Mirage Camera is a VR camera that simplifies creating virtual reality content with easy video or image capture and wireless upload to your personal Google Photos and YouTube account. VR180 eliminates the need for specialized virtual reality videography skills and professional camera gear to shoot immersive 3D VR videos and photos. Everyday users and digital storytellers can now create, produce and share immersive content without expending extra effort or equipment—just point, shoot, relive and share.

Launching the Lenovo Mirage Solo and Lenovo Mirage Camera with Daydream together reaffirms our commitment to designing products that are different for the sake of being better. Together, the Lenovo Mirage Camera and Lenovo Mirage Solo with Daydream complement each other for users interested in immersive VR but who want affordable prices, high-quality content and simple set-up. A compact point-and-shoot camera, the Lenovo Mirage Camera, slips right into your pocket and supports YouTube’s new VR180 video format. Its dual 13MP fisheye cameras achieve depth in image and video by capturing the same images at slightly different angles to form a 3D effect, in which near objects look near, while far objects appear far. The two lenses also offer a 180 x 180-degree field of view to let you see more.


Finally, we built the Lenovo Mirage Camera at a price for mainstream consumers; democratizing VR by proving you don’t need expensive equipment or computers to make VR. Experience Once-in-a-Lifetime—on Demand “You had to be there.”

Until now, reliving experiences through 2D videos and photos just isn’t the same as the real thing. But what if you could perfectly capture the feeling of “being there”? The Lenovo Mirage Camera lets you share your once-in-a-lifetime moments with friends, so they can see what you saw in exactly the same lifelike clarity and feel what you experienced first-hand.


Relive those precious moments with family as if you were there again, replaying your daughter’s game-winning goal or recapturing that feeling when your dad unwrapped the perfect birthday gift. The excitement of a live concert or game, the majesty of the Rocky Mountains or the razzle-dazzle of a street performance—all can be captured, relived and shared.


Just Point and Shoot

Just point and shoot. We designed the Lenovo Mirage Camera for simplicity with just three buttons—power, shutter and function. Toggle between three modes: photo, video and live broadcasting.

You can even pair with your smartphone via Wi-Fi Direct. Download the VR180 app by Google to make your phone’s screen act as a viewfinder, letting you preview all your photos and videos. About the size of a smartphone and weighing just 139 grams, the Lenovo Mirage Camera fits into small pockets so it travels where you do. VR180 Made Simple VR180 videos act exactly like standard 2D videos in YouTube, Google Photos and companion apps—meaning you can watch the same ultra-high-resolution 4K video on your phone, tablet or PC—all without needing a headset. But owning a VR headset such as a Google Cardboard or the Lenovo Mirage Solo with Daydream adds the immersion element to your viewing experience and encourages you to watch again and again.

And like 2D videos, VR180 videos can also be edited with familiar and popular video editing software. You can work with Adobe Premiere Pro to edit VR180 videos in post-production without having to learn and adopt different formats or using specialized hardware to stitch footage.

Instantaneous Sharing You can share instantly. We integrated the Lenovo Mirage Camera tightly with Google Photos and YouTube. While you can store your content on the camera’s 16GB1 on-board eMMC (or use an optional microSD card for up to 128GB of additional storage), all content can also be uploaded to Google Photos. You can also upload live broadcasts and videos to your YouTube VR account, thanks to the camera’s Wi-Fi - no smartphone required.

The device houses the Qualcomm Connected Camera Platform with a powerful Qualcomm Snapdragon 626 SoC which features integrated high-quality dual cameras and powerful processing with built-in Wi-Fi and even an integrated X9 LTE cellular modem in the LTE version, 2GB of RAM, USB Type-C charging and a slot for a removable battery. The camera offers up to two hours of continuous usage for high-resolution video recording.2

And in addition to the Lenovo Mirage Camera, we’re also launching two more devices today in collaboration with Google and Qualcomm to bring immersive, life-like experiences to our customers:

Lenovo Mirage Solo with Daydream is the world’s first standalone Daydream VR headset, matching simplicity with immersion to bring you the next generation of virtual reality; Lenovo Smart Display features the Google Assistant built into a vibrant full HD touchscreen display.3

The Mirage Camera (Wi-Fi version) starts at $299.99 and is expected to be available beginning in the second quarter this year.4

All products are available on www.lenovo.com.4

Discover more at www.lenovo.com/lenovolaunch and www.lenovo.com/ces.

Actual available capacity of user storage is less because the operating system, and other software which utilize part of this capacity. 

Actual results will vary, and depend on numerous factors including product configuration and usage, operating conditions, wireless functionality and other factors. The maximum capacity of the battery will naturally decrease with time and usage.

3 FHD touchscreen display is available on the Lenovo Smart Display 10-inch model.

4 Lenovo Mirage Camera LTE version is available in select markets. Prices do not include tax, shipping or options and are subject to change without notice; additional terms and conditions apply. Reseller prices may vary. On-shelf dates may vary by geography and products may only be available in selected markets. All offers subject to availability. Lenovo reserves the right to alter product offerings, features and specifications at any time without notice.

LENOVO and LENOVO MIRAGE are trademarks of Lenovo. CES is a trademark of the Consumer Technology Association. Qualcomm and Snapdragon are trademarks of Qualcomm Incorporated, registered in the United States and other countries. Qualcomm Snapdragon and Qualcomm Connected Camera Platform are products of Qualcomm Technologies, Inc. and/or is subsidiaries. GOOGLE, DAYDREAM, GOOGLE CARDBOARD, GOOGLE ASSISTANT, GOOGLE PHOTOS and YOUTUBE are trademarks of Google, Inc. ADOBE and ADOBE PREMIERE are trademarks of Adobe Systems Incorporated. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners. ©2018, Lenovo Group Limited.

Seeing is Believing on the New Lenovo Smart Display – with the Google Assistant Built In



Wazzup Pilipinas!

Lenovo and Google are teaming up again in a big way. This CES 2018, we’re introducing an intuitive and personalized way to make your home smarter and make life easier. Meet the new Lenovo Smart Display with the Google Assistant built into a vibrant full HD touchscreen display and wrapped in a minimalist, modern design.1 It’s the ideal home companion for busy families who need easy-to-use, time-saving technology.

With the Lenovo Smart Display, the Google Assistant can help you kickstart your morning and get the latest weather, traffic and meeting schedules or you can relax in the evening by video calling friends with Google Duo, watching YouTube videos, enjoying your favorite tunes or managing your connected devices – all with just your voice and a quick glance at the display.


Start, and end, your day with “Hey Google”

Imagine Mom waking up to a picture of her jampacked day full of meetings and errands with just a quick glance at her calendar on the large 8-inch or 10-inch screen of the Lenovo Smart Display. The Google Assistant can also read out her schedule and tell her the weather as she multi-tasks to get everyone out the door. Ask the Google Assistant for traffic updates it will bring up Google Maps™ to show Mom the fastest morning commute. It also reminds her on her way out that it’s her colleague’s birthday, so she simply asks the Google Assistant on her Lenovo Smart Display to show the closest open bakery on Google Maps to pick up a birthday cake. To save Mom even more time, the Google Assistant on Lenovo Smart Display will be able to set up routines designed to help Mom when getting out the door in the morning, or returning home in the evening.

Powered by the newly announced Qualcomm Home Hub Platform based on the Qualcomm SDA 624 SoC which features integrated CPU, GPU and DSP as well as robust Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity, the Lenovo Smart Display can also give you a hand at home after a long day’s work. Picture Dad in the kitchen making a new dish for a dinner party. Hands coated in marinade and dinner guests arriving soon, he asks the Google Assistant on his Lenovo Smart Display to show a YouTube video tutorial of the recipe. Just like that, a world-famous celebrity chef appears – in Full HD video along with a 10-watt full-range speaker – to help guide Dad through the cooking step by step.1 With the Google Assistant, the Lenovo Smart Display is a singular command hub for your connected smart home devices, including those through Nest and other manufacturers from lighting to heating and more - all with just your voice or touch.



After dinner, Grandma checks in on video call from her trip abroad and Dad picks up her call hands-free, with just his voice. Available in both 8-inch and 10-inch models, the Lenovo Smart Display rotates from portrait to landscape mode so the whole family can fit into the frame to talk with Grandma using Google Duo, available on Android and iOS phones.2


Fits into your modern home décor

The Lenovo Smart Display’s clean, minimalist design not only blends into your home but also adds a modern touch to it. Available in a soft Grey or natural Bamboo color, it matches most wooden, glass or granite tabletops.3 It’s flexible too - the display can be positioned horizontally or vertically to fit nearly any space. When not in use, the display doubles as a digital picture frame - showcasing an ambient screen of beautiful pictures from a personally selected album in Google Photos™, or another background image of your choosing.

The 10-inch Lenovo Smart Display starts at $249.99 and the 8-inch model starts at $199.99, both expected to be available early this summer.

All products are available on www.lenovo.com. 4

Discover more at www.lenovo.com/lenovolaunch and www.lenovo.com/ces.

1 FHD touchscreen display is available on the Lenovo Smart Display 10-inch model.
2 Google Duo is pre-installed on all new Android devices and is also available on iOS.
3 The 10-inch Lenovo Smart Display comes in Bamboo color, and the 8-inch model comes in Grey.
4 Prices do not include tax, shipping or options and are subject to change without notice; additional terms and conditions apply. Reseller prices may vary. On-shelf dates may vary by geography and products may only be available in selected markets. All offers subject to availability. Lenovo reserves the right to alter product offerings, features and specifications at any time without notice.

LENOVO is a trademark of Lenovo. CES is a trademark of the Consumer Technology Association. QUALCOMM is a trademark of Qualcomm Incorporated, registered in the United States and other countries. Qualcomm Home Hub Platform and Qualcomm SDA are products of Qualcomm Technologies, Inc. and/or its subsidiaries. GOOGLE, GOOGLE MAPS, GOOGLE ASSISTANT, GOOGLE DUO, GOOGLE PHOTOS, ANDROID and YOUTUBE are trademarks of Google LLC. IOS is a trademark of Cisco. NEST is a trademark of Nest Labs, Inc. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners. ©2018, Lenovo Group Limited.

DOE Tightens Watch on Gas Stations, Depots; Deploys Inspectors



Wazzup Pilipinas!

A team of inspectors from the Department of Energy's Oil Industry Management Bureau (OIMB) has been deployed to randomly inspect the inventory of gasoline stations and depots for proper oil excise tax implementation.

The inspectors will verify if the excise tax under the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion Act is actually applied on inventories beyond those existing as of December 31, 2017.

Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi reiterated his warning against any violation of the TRAIN law.

"Violators may be administratively subjected to the cancellation of their Certificates of Compliance (COC)," said Cusi.

Criminal cases such as estafa and profiteering may be filed in court for violations of the Oil Deregulation Law and the Revised Penal Code, Cusi said.

"The DOE will also endorse these violators to the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) for a special audit," he added.

Cusi said the inspection procedure starts with inspectors introducing themselves to gasoline station or depots and informing their purpose, which is to inspect the inventory.

Inspectors will use the Inspection Report Form (IRF), which indicates punitive measures in case of violation.

Inspectors will get the data on the inventory as of Dec. 31, 2017 and subsequent withdrawals from those inventories to determine if the new excise tax under TRAIN is applied only to new stocks.

Upon accomplishment of the IRF, it should be signed by the OIMB Inspector and conformed by the authorized representative of the retail station or depot.

Rene Catalan Eyes First 2018 Win for the Philippines in ONE Championship



Wazzup Pilipinas!

With 2018 bringing in a whole new set of good opportunities for local talents in the Philippines, homegrown Filipino combatant Rene “The Challenger” Catalan is looking to kick off the Philippine mixed martial arts scene’s promising new year with a sweet win as he dons the country’s colors on the undercard of ONE: KINGS OF COURAGE.

Catalan squares off with China’s Peng Xue Wen in a three-round strawweight affair at ONE: KINGS OF COURAGE, which takes place at the Jakarta Convention Center in Indonesia on 20 January.

A highly-decorated Wushu practitioner, Catalan seeks to continue his winning ways inside the ONE Championship cage after picking up two noteworthy victories in 2017.

Catalan started his 2017 on a high note by submitting Indonesian prospect Adrian Matheis via a second-round armbar in January before routing China’s Bu Huo You Ga by way of unanimous decision seven months later.

As the lone Filipino representative at ONE Championship’s first live event of 2018, Catalan seeks to tally the country’s first win in Asia’s premier martial arts organization this year.

“I am exerting a tremendous amount of effort in training. I want to keep on winning,” he said. “I am inspired to win my match this coming January 20 because I am representing the Philippines. It is always an honor to fight for my country. My goal in this bout is to win and bring pride to my nation.”

For Catalan, his first trip to the ONE Championship cage this 2018 is another step in his evolution as a martial artist, hoping to keep up his winning streak and inch him closer to a potential shot at the ONE Strawweight World Championship.

“My goal is to compete for the ONE Strawweight World Championship. I know before I get to that stage, I still have a lot of work ahead of me,” he stated.

Catalan had a rough beginning to his tenure in ONE Championship, but over the past year and a half, he has completely turned his career around.

Despite a tough promotional debut under the ONE Championship banner, which saw him lose to now-reigning ONE Strawweight World Champion Alex “Little Rock” Silva, Catalan has rallied back.

Catalan has strung together three consecutive victories since September 2016 and will look to break into the upper echelon of the division when he meets Peng at ONE: KINGS OF COURAGE.

“I have a certain game plan, but I am prepared to defend against his wrestling,” he shared.

Peng is a 2014 Chinese National Youth Grecco Champion who made his promotional debut at ONE: LEGENDS OF THE WORLD in Manila, Philippines last November.

The Chinese standout leaned on his impeccable grappling to overwhelm Cambodia’s Phat Soda before knocking him out with an awe-inspiring suplex halfway through the opening stanza.

Catalan is well aware of his opponent’s grappling expertise and is diligently training to refute his bread-and-butter as well as his explosive skillset.

“I am preparing a solid defense against him, but of course I am mixing in some offense as well. I am not sure if he will expect that I will add a twist to my game, but 80 percent of my preparation is in strength and conditioning,” he explained.

“For this match, I think the strategy will flow once I am in the cage. I will just do my best to get the win, but also provide an exciting bout for the audience to enjoy,” Catalan added.

Catalan expects that if he secures a decisive win over Peng at ONE: KINGS OF COURAGE, it will grant him a rematch with Silva for the ONE Strawweight World Championship belt.

“Every fighter dreams to become a world champion. I really hope that ONE Championship will give me an opportunity to vie for the title in the future. This bout might be the door to a world title contest. Let us all hope for the best,” 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.

One: Global Superheroes Set for 26 January in Manila



Wazzup Pilipinas!

The largest global sports media property in Asian history, ONE Championship (ONE), has just announced its return to the Mall of Asia Arena on Friday, 26 January. ONE: GLOBAL SUPERHEROES is set to showcase the absolute best in local and international martial arts talent. In the main event, Team Lakay’s Geje “Gravity” Eustaquio will take on Kairat Akhmetov for the interim ONE Flyweight World Championship.

Ticket information for ONE: GLOBAL SUPERHEROES is available at www.onefc.com.

Chatri Sityodtong, Chairman and CEO of ONE Championship, stated: “This is the first in four blockbuster events in Manila in 2018, and ONE Championship is looking to kick things off with a spectacular show. Fans of martial arts in the Philippines are among the most passionate in the world, and it is our honor to present the best in local and global martial arts talent. The Mall of Asia Arena will be pulsating with excitement as hometown hero Geje Eustaquio takes on Kairat Akhmetov in a highly-anticipated main event rematch. This time, it’s for the interim ONE Flyweight World Championship.”

Top flyweight contender and former world title challenger Geje “Gravity” Eustaquio of Baguio City, Philippines, is one of the most skilled martial artists in Asia, and a highly-decorated wushu practitioner. His solid striking and grappling skill set has led to huge victories over the course of a seven-year professional career. Training in the high altitudes of the Philippines’ Summer capital, Eustaquio hones his craft alongside world-class teammates at the fabled Team Lakay. Known for his incredible ability to keep calm in the face of adversity, Eustaquio is set to headline ONE: GLOBAL SUPERHEROES opposite former ONE Flyweight World Champion Kairat Akhmetov.

Former ONE Flyweight World Champion Kairat Akhmetov is a veteran martial artist from Almaty, Kazakhstan. The 30-year-old boasts a solid 24-1 professional record amassed during a stellar martial arts career which has seen him dominate his opponents with tenacious wrestling and powerful striking. In his most recent appearance inside the ONE Championship cage, Akhmetov defeated Geje Eustaquio via closely-contested three-round split decision. Now he faces Eustaquio in a rematch, this time for the interim ONE Flyweight World Championship.

22-year-old Joshua Pacio of Baguio City is one of the fastest rising martial arts stars from the Philippines. He is one of the promotion’s most talented strawweights and a proud member of the famed Team Lakay. Pacio is a wushu practitioner with a solid grappling repertoire. All but one of his 10 career victories have come by spectacular finish, which includes five wins by submission and four by devastating knockout. In his most recent bout, Pacio knocked out veteran Roy Doliguez with a second-round spinning back fist. A former ONE Strawweight World Championship Title Challenger, Pacio is looking to bring himself back to title contention with another victory. A tough task is ahead of Pacio, however, as he is slated to lock horns with Pongsiri Mitsatit.

21-year-old Pongsiri “The Smiling Assassin” Mitsatit is an undefeated martial artist from Chiang Mai, Thailand, and was previously a North Thailand Muay Thai champion with a 72-17 record, which included 49 KOs. Since making his professional debut in the cage, the strawweight has amassed an unblemished record of 9-0 with seven knockout triumphs and one submission victory, and made an immediate impact in ONE Championship with first-round finishes over Ye Thway Ne and Rabin Catalan. In his next outing, Mitsatit will share the ONE Championship cage with Joshua Pacio of the Philippines in a three-round strawweight contest.

Featherweight standout Eric “The Natural” Kelly of Baguio City is widely considered one of the best homegrown martial arts athletes to come out of the Philippines. The wushu practitioner combines solid striking techniques with high-level grappling skills, which has resulted in nine impressive submissions and one knockout out of 12 total victories. Kelly’s most impressive showing to date came in a submission win over Rob Lisita in 2014, a performance which earned him the US$50,000 ONE Warrior Bonus. In his next bout, Kelly will face Rafael Nunes.

20-year-old Rafael Nunes is a martial artist from Sao Paulo, Brazil with a 10-1 record. He is the former Premier FC Lightweight Champion and has steamrolled through the competition in his home country with a knack for winning by exciting finish. All but one of Nunes’ 10 wins have ended within the distance. A Brazilian jiu-jitsu brown belt, Nunes is equally comfortable finishing his opponents by submission or by strikes. He looks to showcase his multifaceted skill set in his next bout, and will face a tough challenge when he takes on veteran Eric Kelly.

27-year-old Bulgarian martial artist Sotir Kichukov is a ONE Championship flyweight contender and former Max Bantamweight Champion. Representing Saigon Sports Club, Kichukov made his promotional debut in December of 2016 at ONE: AGE OF DOMINATION against Mark Striegl. Kichukov, who lives and trains out of Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, is set to return to the ONE Championship cage to take on China’s Ma Hao Bin.

24-year-old Chinese national freestyle wrestling champion “The Southern Eagle” Ma Hao Bin is unbeaten inside the ONE Championship cage. Making his professional debut in 2016, Ma took home the ONE: DYNASTY OF CHAMPIONS (CHANGSHA) Flyweight Tournament Championship, defeating Wu Ting Shen and Bu Huo You Ga in a single evening of action. Since then, Ma has strung together an impressive 7-1 professional record which includes four wins by submission and one by knockout. In his last bout, Ma needed just one round to force Eugene Toquero to tap from an armbar. He takes on Sotir Kichukov next.

25-year-old Yago Bryan of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, is a former Shooto South American Strawweight Champion who took on former ONE Strawweight World Champion Dejdamrong Sor Amnuaysirichoke in his promotional debut. A Muay Thai practitioner and wrestler, Bryan features both striking and grappling skills in his arsenal. Making his way back to the ONE Championship cage, Bryan is set to take on Hayato Suzuki.

31-year-old Hayato Suzuki of Saitama, Japan, is a veteran martial artist with an impressive professional record of 17-1 with two draws. Spending the majority of his career competing in his native Japan, Suzuki is known as a highly-skilled competitor with the ability to finish his foes with heavy knockout power and technical grappling skills. Out of 17 wins, Suzuki has finished 12 of his opponents, including seven by submission and five by knockout. He will face Yago Bryan in his next contest.

27-year-old Brazilian jiu-jitsu world champion Bruno "Pucci Bull" Pucci is a No-Gi world champion from Brazil who is based out of Singapore. Training at Evolve, Pucci is one of ONE Championship’s most skilled featherweights. With an inherent ability to source high-level submission maneuvers from any position in the cage, Pucci is looking for his second straight victory. Famous for finishing all his bouts via rear naked choke, Pucci will take on Emilio Urrutia in his next contest.

Emilio “The Honey Badger” Urrutia is an American martial arts talent from Miami, Florida. The 31-year old made his professional debut in 2013, and has since produced a solid 10-4 record. He the former SFC Bantamweight Champion. A skilled grappler, four of Urrutia’s 10 total victories have come by submission. In his last bout, Urrutia scored a unanimous decision victory over the highly-regarded Edward Kelly. Training out of the renowned Tiger Muay Thai gym in Thailand, Urrutia will now take on Bruno Pucci.

Edward “The Ferocious” Kelly is a 33-year old Filipino martial arts talent and one of the brightest featherweight prospects to emerge from the Philippines. With a complete striking and grappling skill set, Kelly brings Team Lakay’s world-renowned wushu to centerstage as he looks to showcase his expertise inside the ONE Championship cage. Kelly has won three of his last four bouts, all by spectacular finish. He will take on Meas Meul.

27-year-old Meas Meul of Phnom Penh, Cambodia is an undefeated martial artist with a professional record of 6-0. Meul made his ONE Championship debut in 2014, submitting countryman Chan Heng via rear-naked choke. A former KW 2 Champion, Meul is set to put his highly-regarded khun khmer offensive skills on full display when he takes on Edward Kelly.

Rajinder Singh “Knockout” Meena of India is a martial artist competing in the ONE Championship lightweight division. A former SFL Lightweight Champion, all eight of Meena’s victories have come by exciting finish. With a robust grappling skill set, Meena owns five impressive wins by submission and three by knockout. In his next bout, Meena is set to take on rising Chinese star Zhang Ze Hao.

“The Ghost” Zhang Ze Hao of Shanghai is a martial artist from China and one of the top Chinese lightweight prospects He made his promotional debut at ONE CHAMPIONSHIP: SHANGHAI in early September of 2017, finishing compatriot Li Cheng Chao via technical knockout in the third round. Zhang, a proponent at the AMA Shanghai Gym, is a sanda and Brazilian jiu-jitsu and sanda practitioner. He is set to do battle against Rajinder Singh Meena in a three-round lightweight contest.

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.

Barrio Fiesta ‘Kalingawan sa Plaza’ Set



Wazzup Pilipinas!

Will the ban on drinking liquor and loud parties within a 300-meter radius from the grand parade route diminish the fun from Sinulog 2018?

The ban brings back attention to the essence of the Sinulog, which is a dance of worship for Cebu’s Patron Senyor Santo Niño, on January 21. But a Philippine fiesta is not complete without the fiesta food and the fun, said Sinulog Executive Committee chairman Councilor Dave Tumulak.

‘Kalingawan sa Plaza,’ the Sinulog fair at Plaza Independencia, is thus a major fiesta component. There will be a variety of food stalls, inflatables and a tartanilla ride for the kids, and nightly entertainment during the Sinulog week, he said.

The following is the schedule for the nightly entertainment:

• January 12 -- Launching program of the Sinulog Festival Queen, Sinulog Idol, and Sinulog Dance Crew
• January 13 – Cultural Show by Department of Education Cebu Province
• January 14 – Cultural Show by Cebu Technological University (CTU) and Indiana Aerospace University
• January 15 – Cultural Show by University of the Visayas and University of Cebu
• January 16 – Cultural Show by Mandaue City College and Mandaue School for the Arts
• January 17 – Cultural Show by Salazar Institute of Technology and Cebu Doctors’ University
• January 17 – Cultural Show by Department of Education Cebu City
• January 17 – Music and Comedy Night by Flexi Finance
• January 18 – Cultural show by University of San Carlos
• January 18 – Variety show by 24/7
• January 18 – Sky Night by Skycable
• January 19 – Cultural Show by University of Southern Philippines Foundation, University of San Jose-Recoletos, and Cebu Institute of Technology University
• January 19 – 6 Cycle Mind and Banda ni Kleggy c/o San Miguel Corp.
• January 20 – Sinulog Idol 2018 Grand Finals
• January 20 – Coke Studio Artists with Coca Cola Philippines
• January 21 – IPI Night
• January 21 – Parokya ni Edgar with Globe Telecom

Besides, Plaza Independecia is outside the 300-meter radius, Tumulak said.

“Imagine the fun of a 6 Cycle Mind, Franco and Parokya ni Edgar concerts at Kalingawan sa Plaza,” Tumulak said.

More than the festive barrio fiesta atmosphere at Plaza Independencia, he pointed out that the place is a short walk from the Basilica del Santo Niño and the Magellan’s Cross.

Both Cebuanos and their visitors will be treated with the presence of heritage sites especially Fort San Pedro. It connects us better with our history, that of the Sinulog and who we are, he added.

Cebu City had become the first Christian community in South East Asia after the explorer Ferdinand Magellan arrived and baptized some 800 Cebuanos in 1521. The image of Senyor Santo Niño was Magellan’s baptismal gift to Cebu’s Queen Juana. It is now the oldest religious relic in the country.

With rise of the ASEAN community, Cebu can claim as the region’s cradle of Christianity.

In addition, the arrival of Magellan gave Cebu a place in world history since Spanish expedition achieved the first circumnavigation of the world.

Sinulog 2018 is made possible with the valuable assistance of our sponsors: Smart / PLDT / Sun; Sky Cable; Coca Cola; SM City Cebu/SM Seaside City; Flexi Finance; San Miguel Corporation; Islands Group; International Pharmaceuticals Inc.; Grab Car; Pepsi; Skygo; Robinson's Galleria; Alcordo Advertising; 24/7 Inc; Cebu Cordova Link Expressway Corp.; Cignal; Freenet; Generika Drugstore; Globe; Phil Health; Skin Magical Beauty; TrueMoney; Food Panda; Nature's Spring; Viriginia Foods; Universal Robina Corporation; Steel Art Billboards; ML Foods Inc.; Mang Inasal; Jollibee; Air Asia; Gardenia; NutriAsia Philippines; Pioneer Adhesives; Real Page; VECO; Mineshine Milk Tea; TomFrances Layouts & Designs Inc.; Mega Global Corp.; and Novellino Wines Minor.

#Sinulog2018

The Traslacion and Feast of the Black Nazarene



Wazzup Pilipinas!

"One has to become a devotee to understand a devotee" says Cardinal Tagle.

Indeed, the Traslacion done during the Feast of the Black Nazarene is always has the most touching moments among the Philippines' religious activities.

It is amazing on how every individual of these millions of people has his own story to tell on how the Traslacion and Black Nazarene touched their lives ." Viva Nuestro Padre Nazareno ! "

Nuestro Padre Jesus Nazareno is really the greatest crowd drawer who gathered millions of devoted followers from all walks of life.

With thunderous applause and the waving of a multitude of white towels, the carriage made its way slowly through the sea of maroon-clad devotees, two ropes pulled religiously by able men while a crowd several million strong gravitates toward the relic as if by a magnet. Such is the yearly story of the 'Traslacion,' a centuries-old tradition commemorating the transfer of the 17th century image of the Nuestro Padre Jesus Nazareno from Quirino Grandstand to Quiapo District in Manila.






"Why will millions join the Traslacion? People need miracles from the Black Nazarene to absorb the impoverishing effects of Duterte's tax reform. Majority of the devotees are poor because they need miracles from Black Nazarene to spare them from EJKs! Religion is the last defense of the poor against a fascist government. The Black Nazarene is sacred icon that signifies the sigh of the oppressed Filipino poor amidst human rights violations." says an anti-Duterte.

But many would argue the opposite. This is because no matter who our President is, there has been so many impoverished that has been opposing the moves of the current administration.

True enough, there would never be a perfect leader, and praying to the likes of the Black Nazarene would never be proven effective.

The Traslacion phenomenon is a reflection on how hungry and desperate the Filipinos are in trying to connect with God. Let's not be quick in making judgements. Rather, let us do our best to present to them the real Jesus who is good all the time and who doesn't want us to struggle to be blessed! You can make observations but judgement is not required. Grace wins!

People joined the procession commemorating the Traslacion of the Black Nazarene transferring the image from the San Nicolas de Tolentino church inside Intramuros to the Quiapo Church.

In a homily, the priest emphasized that this feast is centered on how Jesus carried our cross for us and we, in turn, are to be co-carriers of the cross of our brethren for His Journey is others-oriented. Thus, ours should also be a journey with him foremost, others second and ourselves last. This we can translate in our lives through our care and compassion to those around us, beyond our selves and our family.

The whole reality of Jesus and religion may be fictional for some who think it was the belief of an uneducated civilization back through those years, but we have to admit that religion of every form has somehow given people hope and something to look forward to. It made them believe that thry would someday inherit a fruitful existence in heaven.

May these be an inspiration to all that being humble is the Way, the Truth and the Life. Thanks be to God.


BLACK NAZARENE

The Black Nazarene was carved by an unknown Mexican from a dark wood in the 16th century in Mexico, and then transported to the Philippines in 1606. It depicts Jesus en route to his crucifixion. Pope Innocent X granted recognition to the lay Confraternity of Santo Cristo Jesús Nazareno in 1650 for the promotion of the devotion to Jesus through the icon. It was housed in several churches near Manila in the early decades, arriving in Quiapo Church in 1787 where it has been enshrined ever since. The icon is renowned in the Philippines, and is considered by many Filipino Catholics to be miraculous, its mere touch able to cure disease. It attracts homage by numerous devotees and major processions every year.

The image (in recent years a composite replica) is brought out of its shrine for public veneration three times a year: January 9, Good Friday (the Nazarene's "actual" feast, commemorating the culmination of the Passion), and December 31 (New Year's Eve, the first day of the novena). The January 9 procession reenacts the image's Traslación (literally, "transfer") in 1787, or "solemn transfer" to the Minor Basilica from its original shrine inside Intramuros. The January 9 Traslación is the largest procession, drawing millions of devotees thronging to touch the icon, and lasting 20 hours at the most.

The Black Nazarene is venerated by Filipino devotees every Friday, and along with the Santo Niño (Child Jesus) is the most popular object of devotion in the Philippines. A similar image called Cristo Negro is venerated in Portobelo, Panama.

Photography by Edmund Chua

Tuesday, January 9, 2018

Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics Expo



Wazzup Pilipinas!

The Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics Expo is designed for senior high school students to showcase their knowledge and abilities in the different fields of science. It is a two-day science expo, jam-packed with competitions and exhibits that will highlight the sciences in different perspectives.

The I-Gen: Ideas for Innovation is the flagship competition of the event. Focusing on innovative and market-oriented products that address present and emerging challenges, it aims to recognize Filipino-rooted innovation of the youth for the development of the country.

STEM Expo also includes a Science and Mathematics Investigatory Projects Fair to showcase outstanding research done by the participants. Technological advancements are boasted with the Robotics Olympiad and for creatives who are also into promoting science, a Science Journalism Competition and a Science Film Competition are included.

The event aims to expose students to current institutions that contribute to the advancement of STEM. An Educational Tour around Metro Manila and a Company & Career Talk gives the participants a more physical avenue to experience the opportunities and applications of the track.

EVENT DETAILS
Event Title: Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics Expo
Event Date: March 3-4, 2018
Event Location: Philippine Trade Training Center, Pasay City, Philippines
Contact Person: Mr. Lanze Allen Magalona
Contact Details: stemexpo@psysc.org


HOW TO REGISTER

For inquiries, please call us at (02) 332 8151 or send us an email at stemexpo@psysc.org.
Like us on Facebook at facebook.com/psysc.stemex for more updates!

Ballet Philippines Proudly Presents Don Quixote



Wazzup Pilipinas!

Ballet Philippines begins 2018 with a bang with the red-hot classical ballet, Don Quixote on February 9-18, 2018 at the CCP Main Theater.

Everyone loves this ballet: taken from an episode from Miguel de Cervantes’ tale, it follows the gentleman from La Mancha as he ventures into Barcelona.

This is the perfect ballet for first-time watchers: festive and fun, the ballet is a non-intimidating romantic comedy that ballet virgins can enjoy. At the same time, it is also perfect for balletomanes.

Aside from Don Q’s signature leaps, turns and lifts that ballet lovers look out for, we will also feature the amazing Joseph Gatti, former principal dancer of Cincinnati Ballet and Corella Ballet as guest artist.

The winner of various international ballet competitions such as the New York International Ballet Competition and World Ballet Competition, Gatti has been invited to perform all over the USA, South America, Europe, Russia and Japan.

This is Gatti's first visit to the Philippines, and he will partner our very own award-winning ballerina Candice Adea. They will perform in two special Gala Nights with the Manila Symphony Orchestra under the baton of Jeffrey Solares.

Complete Card Announced for One: Kings of Courage



Wazzup Pilipinas!

The largest global sports media property in Asian history, ONE Championship™ (ONE), has just announced the complete card for ONE: KINGS OF COURAGE, which takes place in Indonesia’s bustling capital city of Jakarta. The ONE Championship cage will once again showcase the absolute best in local and international martial arts talent. Set for Saturday, 20 January at the iconic Jakarta Convention Center, the main event features top female strawweight from Singapore, Tiffany “No Chill” Teo who will take on Chinese female martial arts star Xiong Jing Nan for the inaugural ONE Women’s Strawweight World Championship.

Ticket information for ONE: KINGS OF COURAGE is available at www.onefc.com.

Chatri Sityodtong, Chairman and CEO of ONE Championship, stated: “I am super excited to announce Tiffany Teo versus Xiong Jing Nan at ONE: KINGS OF COURAGE in Jakarta. It is our first global broadcast of 2018 and we are going big. The two women are exemplary martial artists who compete at the highest level of skill. It should be an exciting bout for all the fans watching, and at the end of the night, we will be crowning our first ONE Women’s Strawweight World Champion. In addition, our co-main event contest between local hero Stefer Rahardian and Muhammad Imran will see the winner go on to challenge for the ONE Flyweight World Championship.”

Tiffany Teo, ONE World Title Challenger, stated: “First of all, I would like to thank ONE Championship for believing in me. I’ve always kept my head down and let the hard work and my achievements speak for itself. I got the win in my last bout, but I still feel like I could have done better. As a martial artist, I am constantly seeking to improve. This title shot means a lot to me and I am excited to get right back in the cage. I would like to thank Xiong Jing Nan for the opportunity to showcase my skills again. This one is for my fans in Singapore. I will bring the belt home for you guys.”

Xiong Jing Nan, ONE World Title Challenger, stated: “I would like to thank ONE Championship for the opportunity. I am so glad to have a title shot against Tiffany [Teo]. This is a great honor for me, and for China. I have been training and dreaming of becoming a world champion for a long time and I am ready to defeat whoever is standing in front of me. My entire career has been about making this dream come true, and now it’s time for me to make that dream a reality.”

Tiffany “No Chill” Teo of Singapore is a rising female martial arts star who competes in ONE Championship’s women’s strawweight division. She holds an unblemished professional record of seven wins and no losses, including three submissions and two knockouts. Teo began training in taekwondo before moving on to compete in boxing and Muay Thai and eventually transitioning to the ONE Championship cage. In her last bout, Teo impressed with a quick submission victory over Puja Tomar. Up next, Teo will take on Xiong Jing Nan for the inaugural ONE Women’s Strawweight World Championship.

“The Panda” Xiong Jing Nan of Shandong is a female strawweight contender in ONE Championship. She is known as one of the top three leading female martial arts talents in China. With a professional record of 13-1, Xiong began her career competing in professional boxing and was inspired by her father, who imparted in her values of courage and integrity. Featuring a wide array of skills, Xiong recently bagged a gold medal at the prestigious China Open Brazilian jiu-jitsu tournament in 2017. In her last bout, Xiong made quick work of Filipino wushu specialist April Osenio, finishing her opponent via technical knockout in the first round. Up next, Xiong will take on Tiffany Teo for the inaugural ONE Women’s Strawweight World Championship.

Top Indonesian martial arts talent Stefer Rahardian impressed in his ONE Championship debut by winning the ONE: TITLES & TITANS Flyweight Tournament in August of 2016. Rahardian finished both Yotha Hutagalung and Hendrick Wijaya by first round rear-naked choke to become the tournament winner. Since then, Rahardian has blazed a trail in the ONE Championship cage, winning three additional bouts to cap an amazing run as a professional. In his last outing, Rahardian outperformed Cambodia’s Sim Bunsrun to win by impressive first-round submission. Still unbeaten, Rahardian puts his perfect record on the line against Muhammad Imran in a ONE Flyweight World Championship title eliminator.

Muhammad “The Spider” Imran of Gujar Khan, Pakistan is a martial artist making his ONE Championship debut. He is the former PFC Strawweight Champion who specializes in budokai karate and grappling. The 26-year-old is looking to make a solid impact at flyweight, challenging one of the top talents in the division in his first appearance for the promotion. In his next outing, Imran is set to battle Indonesia’s Stefer Rahardian for the right to challenge for the ONE Flyweight World Championship.

33-year-old Vitaly Bigdash of Rostov-on-Don, Russia, has proven to be one of the most talented martial artists in the world. Making his promotional debut in 2015, Bigdash captured the ONE Middleweight World Championship with a resounding technical knockout victory over Igor Svirid, in one of the most action-packed contests in the ONE history. After succumbing to new champion Aung La N Sang in his last bout, Bigdash returns to the ONE Championship cage seeking redemption. He will take on Leandro Ataides.

Leandro Ataides of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, is a 31-year-old martial arts veteran who owns a professional record of 10 wins and three losses. A powerful finisher, seven of Ataides’ victories have ended within the distance. In his last bout, Ataides scored his second win in a row, outscoring former world title challenger Michal Pasternak with a complete showcase of skill. Prior to that bout, Ataides also stopped Mohamed Ali with a highlight-reel flying knee that was named ONE’s Knockout of the Year 2016. The hard-charging Ataides remains a force to be reckoned with at middleweight and will look to excite the crowd when he takes on his next opponent, former champion Vitaly Bigdash.

33-year-old Marat “Cobra” Gafurov of Dagestan, Russia, is the former ONE Featherweight World Champion. Boasting a professional record 15 wins and only one defeat, Gafurov is a high-level grappler with 11 of his wins coming by impressive submission over top-caliber opponents. Gafurov captured the featherweight title in 2015 with a gutsy victory over former champion Narantungalag Jadambaa in an epic battle. In his last bout however, Gafurov succumbed to Martin Nguyen via devastating one-punch knockout. Gafurov is now on the comeback trail, looking to get back into title contention. He will take on Shinya Aoki in a Grappling Super-Match.

Global martial arts veteran Shinya “Tobikan Judan” Aoki of Shizuoka, Japan, is one of the world’s most decorated athletes. He is the DREAM Lightweight Champion, former Shooto Welterweight Champion, and the former ONE Lightweight World Champion. The 34-year-old Aoki is a Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt under the famed Yuki Nakai and has won multiple grappling tournaments all over the world. Aoki also holds a black belt in judo and is widely considered one of the best pure grapplers in professional martial arts competition today. In his next bout, Aoki will take on Marat Gafurov in a Grappling Super-Match.

Indonesian martial arts veteran “The Terminator” Sunoto is a ONE Championship bantamweight and a former WKF Indonesia Champion. Representing IndoGym and Team Phantom, Sunoto features a style that combines elements of kickboxing, karate, and jiu-jitsu. With a penchant for scoring spectacular finishes, four of Sunoto’s six victories have ended before the final bell. The 32-year-old is known as an aggressive warrior who never backs down from a challenge. His next bout will be against Rin Saroth.

24-year-old Rin Saroth is a martial artist from Phnom Penh, Cambodia and a former WK 3 Featherweight Tournament Finalist with a khun khmer record of 110-22-0. He made his ONE Championship debut in December of 2015 at ONE: KINGDOM OF KHMER, winning by first-round armbar submission over Mission Ali. Saroth is now ready to return to the ONE Championship cage. He will face Indonesia’s Sunoto in his first bout back.

32-year-old Yusup “Maestro” Saadulaev of Dagestan, Russia, is one of the promotion’s most talented bantamweights. With a 16-4-1 and 1NC professional record, Saadulaev is a Combat Sambo world champion who has won numerous grappling competitions. He is known for high-level grappling game and his submission skills, having won 11 of his total victories by submission finish. Victorious in his last outing inside the ONE Championship cage, Saadulaev is hungry to further his career and will get another opportunity when he takes on Masakazu Imanari.

Japanese martial artist Masakazu Imanari is a ONE Championship bantamweight with years of high-profile experience on the global stage of martial arts. With nearly two decades of experience under his belt, Imanari is a veteran of the sport and one of the most talented competitors to come out of Japan. With a style focused on submission grappling, Imanari is a former 3-time DEEP Champion. Out of Imanari’s 36 total victories, 25 have come by submission finish. “Ashikan Judan” is set to return to the ONE Championship cage against Yusup Saadulaev.

22-year-old Iryna “Delsa” Kyselova is a Europe West Fight Champion and a top-notch grappler. Hailing from Donskoe, Ukraine, she is 11-2 as a professional and will be making her ONE Championship debut. Representing YK Promotion, Kyselova is currently riding a four-bout winning streak. Nine out of her 10 victories have come by scintillating finish, including seven submissions and two knockouts. A new player at women’s strawweight, Kyselova will take on the surging Miao Jie.

30-year-old “Supermom” Miao Jie of Shanghai, China, is a martial artist with a professional record of 6-1. A talented grappler, Miao recently won a bronze medal at the 2017 IBJJF World Championships in Long Beach, California, USA. In her most recent bout, Miao needed less than a minute to submit Australia’s Amira Hafizovic via armbar to set a record for fastest submission and finish in ONE women’s history. Looking to make a name for herself in Asia’s premier martial arts organization, Miao seeks to showcase her complete skills as she returns to the ONE Championship cage against Iryna Kyselova.

Victorio “Indra” Senduk of Bandung, Indonesia is an unbeaten featherweight contender and former IBC Featherweight Champion. With a background in wushu and kickboxing, Senduk is a hard-hitting striker with an aggressive style. Representing Gorilla Fight Club, Senduk is set to return to the ONE Championship cage against compatriot Yohan Mulia Legowo.

Yohan Mulia Legowo from Solo, Indonesia, has been competing as a martial arts professional for over 15 years. He has a professional standing of 8-6, with five submissions and three knockouts. “The Iceman” is known to be a well-rounded combatant, incorporating various martial arts techniques including wrestling, judo, jiu-jitsu, boxing, and kung fu in his offensive arsenal. His highly-regarded skillset will be put on display when he battles Victorio Senduk.

Indonesian striking specialist Riski “Kong” Umar is a 25-year-old ONE Championship flyweight contender. A Muay Thai and taekwondo practitioner, Umar is unbeaten as a professional. In his most recent contest, Umar needed just two minutes to knock out Adi Nugroho with punches. Training out of Bali, Indonesia, Umar is set to return in his second appearance inside the ONE cage, this time against Arnol Batubara.

27-year-old Arnol Batubara of Bandung, Indonesia, is a ONE Championship flyweight and former Garuda Super Fight Bantamweight Champion. With a style based on wushu sanda, Batubara joins a deep flyweight division, ready to make waves with his exciting technique. Representing Livre Brotherman and IndoGym, Batubara is set to make his promotional debut against Riski Umar.

Filipino martial arts veteran Rene Catalan of Manila, Philippines, is a 2006 Asian Games gold medalist in wushu. He made his ONE Championship debut in 2013, showcasing his unwavering tenacity and incredible heart. In September of 2016, Catalan notched his first victory in the promotion with a unanimous decision over Zhang You Liang. After submitting Adrian Matheis by armbar in the second round, Catalan scored his third straight victory with a unanimous decision over Bu Huo You Ga. Now Catalan is looking for his fourth triumph, this time against Peng Xue Wen.

21-year-old Peng Xue Wen of Zhongshan, China is a ONE Championship strawweight and former National Youth Grecco Champion 2014. Representing Nan Yan Fight Club, Peng is a wrestling and Brazilian jiu-jitsu practitioner. In his most recent contest, Peng made his ONE Championship debut a successful one, defeating Phat Soda by emphatic first-round KO slam. Peng looks to build on his success, but will face veteran Rene Catalan in his next outing.

Female martial artist Priscilla Hertati Lumbangaol of Jakarta, Indonesia, is an Indonesian national wushu champion who has trained in various striking disciplines such as kickboxing and wushu. The 29-year-old made her ONE Championship debut against Singapore’s Tiffany Teo at ONE: THRONE OF TIGERS in February 2017, joining a growing list of elite female martial artists in Asia. Lumbangaol will look to emerge triumphant in her next appearance inside the ONE Championship cage, when she takes on the Malaysia’s Audreylaura Boniface.

28-year-old Audreylaura Boniface of Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia is a martial artist by practice and a medical doctor by trade. She holds a black belt in taekwondo and is a mainstay at Borneo Tribal Squad, training under the guidance of AJ “Pyro” Lias Mansor and Malaysian superstar Ann “Athena” Osman. A top women’s atomweight prospect, “Ice Comet” is in search of her first victory inside the ONE Championship cage. Boniface will take on Priscilla Hertati Lumbangaol in her next outing.

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.
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