Edward Kelly Elated to Compete Alongside Older Brother Eric at ONE: GLOBAL SUPERHEROES

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Eric and Edward Kelly lived under the same roof for years in their hometown of Baguio City when they were young and shared the same burning passion in martial arts.

Growing up in the small town community of San Tomas Central, located within the city limits of Baguio, Eric and Edward did not always get along with one another as the two fought all the time, sometimes even resulting in injury.

“We were not that close before. We always fought. In short, Eric and I were headaches to our parents,” Edward recalled in jest. “But of course, things change when you grow up and mature. We now appreciate each other’s company.”

Fortunately, when the brothers entered high school, Eric discovered martial arts, and everything would change for both of them.

Edward paid attention to the growing accolades of his older brother and was heavily motivated by it.

“I noticed after he started martial arts that it taught him the discipline not to fight me as a brother. Instead, he started giving me advice through what he had learned,” he bared. “I also joined martial arts because it teaches you discipline, and a lot of other positives, too.”

Years later, both men have made remarkable runs as outstanding martial artists in their respective professional careers.

Eric is now widely regarded as one of the best homegrown martial arts athletes to come out of the Philippines.

A Wushu practitioner who combines solid striking techniques with high-level grappling skills, Eric owns nine scintillating submissions and one knockout out of 12 total career victories.

Eric’s most impressive showing to date came in a submission win over Rob Lisita in July 2014, a performance that earned him the US$50,000 ONE Warrior Bonus.

Meanwhile, Edward is considered as one of the best and brightest featherweight prospects to emerge from the well-established martial arts scene in the Philippines.

With a complete striking and grappling skill set, Edward brings Team Lakay’s world-renowned Wushu to center stage as he showcases his impeccable skillset inside the ONE Championship cage.

In addition, the younger Kelly has won three of his last four bouts under the ONE Championship banner, all by spectacular finish.

The Kelly brothers get a rare chance on 26 January as the siblings will compete side-by-side when ONE Championship holds its first of the four scheduled events in the country for 2018.

Asia’s premier martial arts promotion spearheads ONE: GLOBAL SUPERHEROES at the 20,000-capacity SM Mall of Asia Arena in Manila, Philippines.

Eric squares off with Brazilian standout Rafael Nunes on the undercard of ONE: GLOBAL SUPERHEROES, while Edward crosses paths with Cambodia’s Meas Meul in a three-round featherweight clash.

It is the first time both of them will be featured at a ONE Championship event together, and Edward plans to make it a night they will never forget.

“I am so excited because finally, it’s going to happen. It marks the first time that I will compete alongside my older brother. Surely, it’s going to be a memorable night for the both of us,” he said.

“We have the same aim of winning. So making it two for two on this card will make this extra special,” Edward added.

As Eric seeks to get back on the winning track at the expense of Nunes, Edward is likewise looking to move forward in his career after getting his three-bout winning streak snapped by American stalwart Emilio Urrutia in August 2017.

In his next cage outing, Edward goes up against Meul, a undefeated promotional newcomer with six wins to his credit, at ONE: GLOBAL SUPERHEROES.

“My coaches has prepared me well for this. I am not going to disappoint my team and my country when I enter that cage on 26th of January,” Edward assured. “I don’t want to let my countrymen down this time. I am here to give them a great bout. And of course, win the bout in impressive fashion for them.”

Edward has no qualms if he has to go full three rounds with Meul, but he admitted that his sights are always set on securing the finish.

“I am looking to dominate him for three rounds. But hopefully, I can get the finish. A finish will be the perfect way to tell the world that I am back,” 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.

DepEd Adopts Philippine Professional Standard for Teachers to Further Improve Educators’ Qualification Skills

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Recognizing the importance of professionalizing standards for teachers and for their continuous development, the Department of Education (DepEd), through the Teacher Education Council (TEC), adopted the Philippine Professional Standards for Teachers (PPST).

In DepEd Order No. 42, series 2017 or the National Adoption and Implementation of the Philippine Professional Standards for Teachers, Education Secretary Leonor Magtolis Briones stated that the new set of standards for teachers is propelled by the introduction of national and international frameworks, such as the K to 12 program and ASEAN integration.

The PPST outlines the required skills and competencies of quality teachers, enabling them to cope with the emerging global frameworks.

The PPST basically aims to: 1) set the clear expectations of teachers along well-defined career stages of professional development from beginning to distinguished practice; 2) engage teachers to actively embrace a continuing effort in attaining proficiency; and 3) apply a uniform measure to assess teacher performance, identify needs, and provide support for professional development.

Briones pointed out that the PPST will be the basis for all learning and development programs for teachers to ensure that they are properly equipped to effectively implement the K to 12. Teacher quality for the 21st century The PPST targets to produce better teachers in the country by improving their qualifications skills and by increasing their levels of knowledge, practice and professional engagement.

The six modules of the PPST are the following: 1) The Department of Education; 2) The Filipino Teacher; 3) The K to 12 curriculum; 4) The Teaching Process; 5) the Learning Process; and 6) The School and Community Linkages.

These are all anchored on the seven domains that quality teachers should exhibit including: 1) Content Knowledge and Pedagogy; 2) Learning Environment; 3) Diversity of learners; 4) Curriculum and Planning; 5) Assessment and Reporting; 6) Community Linkages and Professional Engagement; and 7) Personal Growth and Professional Development.

Career stages Anchored on the principle of lifelong learning, the set of professional standards for teachers articulates their developmental progression.

Career Stage 1 or Beginning Teachers have gained the qualifications for entry into teaching position; Career Stage 2 or Proficient Teachers are professionally independent in the application of skills vital to the teaching and learning process; Career Stage 3 or Highly Proficient Teachers consistently display a high level of performance in their teaching practice; and Career Stage 4 or Distinguished Teachers exhibit the highest standard of teaching practice in accordance to global best practice.

The regional offices are set to orient their respective schools divisions on the PPST, including the monitoring and evaluation of its implementation. The school divisions will cascade it to schools districts and schools.


2017 PPST activities

DepEd, through the Teacher Education Council (TEC) headed by Director Runvi Manguerra, has initiated the PPST workshops on Module Development, Enhancement and Validation attended by curriculum specialists, school heads, and other stakeholders. A workshop on the Development of Implementing Guidelines for PPST was also conducted in coordination with the Research Center for Teacher Quality (RCTQ), and attended by DepEd Regional Directors and officers of Basic Education Sector Transformation (BEST) program.

TEC also spearheaded the PPST National Roll-Out, as well as the Teacher Induction Program (TIP) National Orientation of Trainers in three clusters – Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao, which was participated by DepEd Directors, Schools Division Superintendents, chiefs, district supervisors, principals, education program specialists, master teachers, and RCTQ officials. This was followed by TIP module review workshops and module pre-finalization workshops.

The concept of the PPST was first introduced during the First National Assembly of Education Leaders held at PICC, Pasay City, and attended by 3,800 education managers nationwide. It was formally launched during the World Teachers’ Day (WTD) celebration held in Legazpi City that was attended by 6,000 teachers across the country.

Bello Announces Opening of Overseas Filipino Bank on Jan. 18, the Creation of 2 Million New Jobs in 2018

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Department of Labor & Employment (DOLE) Secretary Silvestre Bello III announced that President Rodrigo “ Rody” R. Duterte will launch the first ever Overseas Filipino Bank tomorrow January 18 Thursday at 3 p.m. at the Philippine Post Office Building at Liwasang Bonifacio in Manila City, he announced this on January 17 at the Pandesal Forum of 79-year-old Kamuning Bakery Cafe in Quezon City.

Secretary Bello said: “This has been the promise of politicians for the past 40 years, but this will be fulfilled tomorrow. The Overseas Filipino Bank will service the financial and other needs of overseas Filipinos, overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) and of all the country’s workers. This is good news for all overseas Filipinos and for the Philippine economy.” Bello added that overseas Filipino workers could avail of loans from P50, 000 to P350, 000, collateral-free, and with lower interest rates than other regular banks.

Secretary Bello also expressed high hopes that the government’s now stalled peace talks with Communist rebels shall resume soon, he told media that President Duterte is sincere in his wish for achieving “inclusive and lasting peace for the Philippines” and hopes that the Communist rebels will cooperate. Communist Party founder Jose Ma. Sison is former colleague of Secretary Bello and President Duterte, because Bello said he was chairman of the leftist Bayan group in Mindanao during the martial law years which he pointed out was more militant than other Bayan chapters in Metro Manila and other regions.

Bello also announced that government estimates creation of new jobs this year 2018 at 2 million new jobs due to President Duterte’s “Build, Build, Build” infrastructure program and the TRAIN tax reform law, plus 2 million new jobs yearly for a total of 10 million jobs in 5 years.

For the year 2017, DOLE had inspected 60,732 establishments covering 6.994 million workers and 85,725 workers have been regularized as of January 10, 2018.

Secretary Bello said: “For year 2018, DOLE shall inspect 54,530 establishments to ensure compliance with labor laws and standards, particularly the right to security of tenure. Rest assured that the government-especially President Duterte-is committed to improve the welfare of all workers in the Philippines.”

Men's Wedding Bands Play a Crucial Role in Various Wedding Ceremonies

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Weddings are beautiful occasions not only for the bride and bridegroom but also for the two families as their children are getting united and starting a new life. Weddings can be defined as a ceremony where two people - the bride and the bridegroom - are united or rather get married to each other.

Even though the meaning of wedding is the same all over the world, the rituals performed in the wedding ceremony differ between various cultures, religions, classes, and countries.

The main purpose of this wedding ceremony is to publicly announce the marriage between the two people. This is necessary from the viewpoint of law. How you celebrate this ceremony depends on your financial status and the reputation you have in the society.

However, there are some rituals which are assumed to be compulsory based on the religion and the culture. One should have clear idea about the common types of weddings that takes place through the world.

FamilyMart’s Easy, Tasty Ways Stick to Your Healthy Eating New Year Resolutions

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Here are FamilyMart's Special offers and dishes to help you get fit and fab.

The new year signals a fresh start for everyone. This is the perfect time to achieve that better version of yourself - wiser, braver, and fitter. Always at the top of our resolutions list is to shed off a few pounds or to eat healthier. But sticking to that “become healthier” resolution could be quite the challenge when you’re always tempted to indulge and put off making a trip to the gym.

So, to ring in the new year and help you realistically commit to being healthy, FamilyMart offers you nutritious dishes made specially by the students of Enderun.

Get your dose of protein, fiber, and calcium from a classic Caesar Salad with crisp romaine lettuce, croutons, chicken, and parmesan. You can also opt for something a little bit richer but still filled with vitamins and minerals like Kani Salad composed of crab meat, mayonnaise, and greens. For something more filling, go for the Cobb Salad with all that good stuff like cheese and bacon but heavy on the greens to make it guilt-free. Healthy eating can also be easy on the pockets because these salads are only for P89 each.



FamilyMart is also helping you get fit and fab with special offers from Yoga+. With a minimum purchase worth P150 on Live Light, and Live Right participating items, you can avail of a Trial Drop-In class for only P100. You can also upgrade the offer to an unlimited 2-week package by adding P899. Just visit www.yogaplus.ph to find a Yoga+ branch near you and for more details on their rates.

Sticking to that being fit and healthy resolution could really be doable. So, commit to a better you this year by heading over to FamilyMart for light and easy meals plus great offers for your fitness goals.



For updates, exciting products, and awesome deals, like and follow FamilyMart Philippines on Facebook, @familymartph on Instagram, and @FamilyMartPH on Twitter. For store locations or more information on FamilyMart Philippines, log on to.

FamilyMart is the 2nd largest convenience store chain in the world with over 18,000 stores across Asia. In the Philippines, FamilyMart has branches in Makati, Fort Bonifacio, Quezon City, Mandaluyong, Pasig, Pasay, Alabang and Laguna.

Government Saves PhP 9-B From Taguig ITX Project

Wazzup Pilipinas!

The Department of Transportation (DOTr) has managed to save the government PhP 9 billion in the construction of the Taguig Intergrated Terminal Exchange (ITX) project as the private partner, Ayala Land Inc. (ALI), agreed to waive the Annual Grantor Payment (AGP).

DOTr Secretary Arthur Tugade said he sat down with top honchos of ALI to forgo the PhP 277 million AGP, which is supposed to be paid on a yearly basis for 35 years.

"Let's find ways how we can stop the practice and paradigm of government paying the private sector royalty grounds as they operate terminals. Under the contract, the government should pay PhP 277 million for the next 35 years," Secretary Tugade said.

Further, Sec. Tugade said that the DOTr has engaged in a discussion with ALI since last year, where they were able to come up with a win-win solution that will ultimately benefit the Filipino people.

"Two things will be done -- the P277 million per year for the next 35 years will no longer be paid, saving the government, this country, no less than PhP 9 billion cashout annually... And two, from the start of its commercial operation, until the end of the concession agreement, ALI will share 2% of their income from the commercial spaces in favor of the government," Secretary Tugade said during the groundbreaking of the Taguig ITX, one of the big-ticket infrastructure projects of the Duterte Administration aimed at further decongesting vehicular traffic on EDSA.

During the ceremony, the transportation head was joined by other members of the BUILDBUILDBUILD Team including DPWH Secretary Mark Villar and BCDA President and CEO Vince Dizon.

Taguig ITX project, done in partnership with ALI., will be a 6-storey building on a 5.57 hectare property inside the FTI compound which would house passenger concourse, a centralized ticketing area and several business and retail establishments.

The project will also have a provision for 1,200 public utility buses and vehicles’ bays and parking. Upon its completion, Taguig ITX is expected to house around 4,000 buses and accommodate 160,000 passengers daily. It will also feature a pedestrian walkway connection to the PNR FTI station and the proposed subway system.

Taguig ITX will cater to all provincial buses plying the south of Luzon, Visayas and Mindandao destinations.

The Taguig ITX construction would start by the 2nd half of 2018 and is expected to start operation by 1st half of 2020.

Other high level government officials who attended this morning’s ITX groundbreaking rites at the former NFA warehouse, FTI, Taguig City, include Taguig City Mayor Lani. Cayetano, Cong. Federico Sandoval II (Malabon), Metropolitan Manila Development Authority Chairman Danilo Lim, Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board Chairman Martin Delgra III, PNR Chairman Roberto Lastimoso and General Manager Junn Magno, NFA administrator Jason Aquino, and PPP Center Executive Director Boyet Pecson.

ALI chairman Fernando Zobel de Ayala , ALI vice chairman and director Jaime Augusto Zobel de Ayala also graced the ceremony.

Foundation for Media Alternatives Denounces Attacks On Press Freedom & Free Speech

Wazzup Pilipinas!

The Foundation for Media Alternatives (FMA) condemns all attempts to suppress press freedom in the Philippines. As advocates of human rights and communication rights, FMA believes that freedom of the press and of expression are fundamental to civil liberty and must be upheld especially at a time when the very foundations of democracy are under threat.

On January 15, 2018, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) revoked the registration of Rappler, an online media organization in the Philippines. The next day, a subcommittee at the House of Representatives proposed to amend Article III, Section 4 of the 1987 Constitution to specify “responsible exercise” as a qualifier for constitutionally protected speech. These two incidents come at the tail end of a series of attacks against Philippine media. In numerous occasions, President Rodrigo Duterte himself has directly threatened to block the renewal of ABS-CBN’s franchise. In one instance, Duterte offered to arrive at a compromise provided that ABS-CBN promotes federalism. Even the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines, which has been a staunch critic of Duterte’s war on drugs, was not spared and the renewal of its broadcast franchise was left to languish in Congress after it expired. This, while the administration builds a close circle of bloggers and opinion makers, a select few favored, accredited and resourced by government agents.

Thus, the defense that the Rappler lockdown is an isolated case simply cannot stand. The government has made its message loud and clear: support our agenda or lose your right to operate.

It is time we reclaim our voices and speak back.

Mass media is often referred to as the Fourth Estate, watchdogs against tyranny and a pillar of democracy. It is a major piece in the elaborate system of checks and balances established to prevent abuse of power. Without a free press, without a public sphere that encourages difference and dissent, individual forces increase their capacity to manipulate and monopolize public opinion. Such is exactly how authoritarian regimes are born. This is why we cannot let any attempt to curtail press freedom—however small or “isolated” they may be—simply come to pass.

FMA has always been resolute in its commitment to uphold the freedom of the press, and we will continue to do so. Under international instruments such as the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, the Republic of the Philippines is bound to protect the freedom of expression and of the press. But when the State itself emerges as a threat to these freedoms, it is up to civil society and the public to defend them.

We, at FMA, therefore call on the Filipino public to continue to stand its ground against the creeping crackdown of the free press masked as legitimate regulation of mass media ownership. This constitutes indirect media censorship masked as regulatory oversight, with a sinister objective of silencing dissent and free expression.


#StandWithRappler #DefendPressFreedom

NUJP Stands with Rappler

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Below is the official statement of the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP) regarding the Security and Exchange Commission's (SEC) revocation of the registration of news outfit Rappler and Rappler Holdings Corp.

"The National Union of Journalists of the Philippines is outraged at the Security and Exchange Commission's (SEC) revocation of the registration of news outfit Rappler and Rappler Holdings Corp. for supposedly violating the Constitutional prohibition against foreign ownership of media.

The SEC has apparently decided to reject Rappler's contention that its foreign investors merely placed money in the outfit but do not own it, which it issued after President Rodrigo Duerte, in his state of the nation address last year, threatened to have its ownership investigated.

It was but one of many threats Duterte has made against media critical of him and his governance, such as the Philippine Daily Inquirer and broadcast network ABS-CBN, whose franchise renewal he threatened to block.

We are sure Rappler, as it has said, is capable of mounting a legal defense against what amounts to their closure.

As it does so, the NUJP declares it full support to Rappler and all other independent media outfits that the state has threatened and may threaten to shut down.

We call on all Filipino journalists to unite and resist every and all attempts to silence us."

The NUJP National Directorate

Reference:
Atty. Jocelyn Clemente, Acting Chair
Ms. Dabet Panelo, Secretary General
NUJP hotline: 09175155991

Responsible Journalism Means Complying with the Law

Wazzup Pilipinas!

THE National Press Club of the Philippines (NPC) believes that the exercise of press freedom in particular, and the freedom of expression in general, have not been affected nor threatened with the finding of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) that online news platform Rappler, Inc., violated the strict constitutional provision on 100 percent control and ownership of mass media and its decision to close down the media outfit.

“The NPC purposely delayed issuing its statement on the matter until it has read the entire decision of the SEC in order for it not to be swayed by the prevailing emotion of the moment.

“As the country’s oldest and biggest organization of active media practitioners, the NPC is conscious that making a statement on this issue demands that it first study the SEC decision,” Gutierrez said.

“And going thru the 29-page decision, the SEC finding is quite clear: that Rappler Inc., has indeed violated the law when it allowed the entry of foreign investors and also allowed, specifically, Omidyar Network Fund LLC, to have control on ‘corporate matters’ of Rappler based on its own submissions to the SEC,” said NPC president Paul M. Gutierrez.

The SEC report, he added, clearly stated what was provided for in our Constitution and related laws and which Rappler also clearly violated:

“Where mass media is concerned, no (foreign) control whatsoever may be granted. 100 percent Filipino control means zero (“0”) foreign control. ‘Control’ is any influence over corporate policy, and not limited to ownership of stock.”

“As the SEC noted, Rappler breached this constitutional limit when it allowed Omidyar to exercise control over its corporate affairs as provided for in their internal agreement, in exchange for a fund infusion of US$ 1 million dollars,” Gutierrez noted.

“Responsible journalism also means complying with the law,” Gutierrez said, adding the Club’s position is also consistent with its policy of not accepting as members, journalists and media entities of dubious legal personality.

“By way of policing our ranks and as part of our continuing reform drive, the NPC has long ago made it a policy that those applying for membership should represent not only credible, but also, legally established media entities.

“In this case, we cannot be swayed by the emotion of the moment and go along with the general sentiment that press freedom has been threatened less we be accused of inconsistency,” Gutierrez said.

He also noted that it is premature to say that freedom of the press has been curtailed as a result of the SEC’s findings against Rappler.

“In the broader Philippine media industry, Rappler is just one among the thousands of media entities in the country and whose operations have remained free,” he said.

“There are about 436 television broadcast stations, 411 AM radio stations, over 1,000 FM radio stations and more than 400 newspapers today operating freely in the country besides those now that have proliferated in social media and whose actual number no one really has any idea.

“To say that the fate of one media entity found to have run afoul with the law translates to media repression in the country is stretching the argument a bit too much,” Gutierrez said.



Paul M. Gutierrez
January 16, 2018

Special Travel and Immigration Assistance to HIV Positive People

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Multiculturalism is opening the doors to a broader arena, and more and more people across the world are traveling from one country to another in search of better job and opportunities. Even when people are diagnosed with any major health hazard, they have the spirit and desire to migrate to new places, sometimes due to necessity and sometimes for pleasure. HIV positive people can live completely normal and active lives even after diagnosis, and traveling to foreign places is not much of a risk for them but still planning is advisable for their own safety and health. Here we are going to give you some insight about the immigration policies for HIV positive people across the world.

Some background study is important
When you are traveling to a place as a tourist for a certain period, it is essential that you check the restrictions if any imposed on travelers with HIV. Study them carefully to understand how far these limits can affect your trip. You can find this information on the internet easily, and they must be checked at the earliest to make sure that your trip is not hampered midway and you can enjoy your trip without any embarrassing situations coming up. The possible restriction can be regarding entry or residence for HIV positive individuals.


Factors to consider

With certain restrictions and dedicated following the treatments, you can ensure that you can avoid any significant trouble during your trip. Carry your medications in your handbag and keep the purse or pouch with you. Keep extra medications as well with you just in case if you lose the bag of medicines, or there are any unforeseeable issues. Check the customs regulations regarding importing drugs to avoid any hassles. Your immigration consultant can guide you regarding this. If you are opting for the assistance of Maple Immigration Services, you can easily seek their help for finding out about the rules and regulations.


Travel insurance

Do make sure that you have a proper travel insurance which can be accessed during your trip in case of emergency. There are immigration agencies which can give you aid regarding travel insurance depending on your health condition. Your health condition should not be disclosed to fellow travelers or immigration officers who do not need to know. Do keep in mind that many countries have stigmas against HIV positive people which is a reason why you should avoid disclosing your HIV status unless it is necessary. Also, make sure that you know the nearest clinic where you can visit when you need to even during your travel. You would get all such information on the internet easily.