ELBIKON: The Largest Gathering of Comic Creators in Laguna

Wazzup Pilipinas!

ELBIKON is an annual comic convention spearheaded by The Graphic Literature Guild that aims to boost the local comic scene. It is the fifth year of ELBIKON, the largest gathering of comic creators in Laguna. In celebration of National Arts Month, the event will be held on Feb. 17, 2018 (Saturday) from 9AM-7PM at the Baker Hall of the University of the Philippines Los Banos. This is simultaneous with the UPLB Febfair 2018.

Here, artists showcase their crafts—in form of comic books, artworks, and other merchandise. It also serves as a venue for learning and exchange of ideas as well-known comic icons give talks and lectures on a wide variety of topics.  

Over 100 exhibitors will be selling their works, including Manix Abrera (Kikomachine Komix), Toto Madayag (Libreng Komiks) and other comic artists. Artists Richard Mercado (Uy Si Crush), Marian Hukom (Marianie), Electromilk, and Gioseppe Custodio (Loser Mangaka) will be giving talks on a variety of topics on comics. 

Free workshops by Mac Andre Arboleda (Asshulz) on collaboration in comics, EK Gonzales (komiksninja) on reviewing comics, and Rafael Gumboc on comic-making will also be held simultaneously during the event.  

Tickets are only at P30 each (P50 for walk-ins). For more info, contact graphicliteratureguild.com 

Visit the event page for more info: http://bit.ly/ELBIKON2018

Kalye Tunes 2018: Himig Pag-ibig

Wazzup Pilipinas!

May it be a Valentine's Day or an Ash Wednesday to you
Celebrate your post-Valentine with us!
Get ready for a night of rock, soul, and many more
as we bring you just the right mix of music
Featuring FourPlay MNL Jana Garcia Fire Underwater
and many other great artists!

Kalye Tunes 2018: Himig Pag-ibig

Presented by:
EMC² Fraternity

Co-Presented by:
JA & Associates Pty Ltd

Official Media Partners
Maroon FM
PSST.ph
Wazzup Pilipinas (http://www.WazzupPilipinas.com)

Special Thanks to:
UP Club for the Environment & Tourism
UP Children's Rights Advocates League (UP CRAdLe)
UP Flag Football Club
UP Pre-Medical Society
UP Radio Circle
UP Society of Students for Korean Popular Culture HallyUP

For the benefit of Save Our Schools - Caraga

Tickets are priced at Php180.00
For tickets and reservations
09355348198 / upemc2@gmail.com

Fortinet Demonstrates Integrated Security and Threat Protection for the Connected Car of the Future at CES 2018

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Fortinet Collaborates with Renesas on Cutting-Edge Cybersecurity Solution to Secure Connected Car Domains, Including Powertrain, Telematics and Infotainment Systems 

Fortinet, a global leader in broad, integrated and automated cybersecurity, today announced it is exhibiting advanced cybersecurity capabilities for the connected car of the future at CES 2018in the Renesas Advanced and Autonomous Test Track and Future Ready Solutions Showcase, January 9 – 12 in Las Vegas, Nevada.

·         Developed in collaboration with Renesas Electronics, the cybersecurity prototype will demonstrate how the Fortinet FortiOS security operating system integrates with Renesas’ R-Car H3 system-on-chip (SoC) to secure vehicle network domains, cloud-based services and applications.

• Fortinet and Renesas have created mock cyber breaches on a prototype connected car at CES, including intrusion prevention system (IPS) attacks and a DDoS (distributed denial of service) attacks to showcase the effectiveness of automated, integrated security to protect drivers from intruders taking control of their vehicle or applications.

Automated Security is Foundational for Technology and Safety Systems of the Connected Car

By 2025, it is projected that there will be 300 million connected cars up from 37 million in 2016, with annual revenues for connected car equipment and associated services to surpass $250 billion.[i] Key factors driving the global connected car market are increasing demand for self-driving features, implementation of data-driven decision-making, and connectivity solutions within the vehicle, such as access to smartphone features, music on-demand, Internet connectivity and infotainment in vehicles. 

A connected car is equipped with Internet access and a wireless local area network (LAN), allowing drivers to share Internet connectivity with other devices both inside and outside the vehicle. To provide suitable cyber protection and ensure consumer confidence, automobile manufacturers need to design and deploy technology with a security-first mindset. Security systems need to span across communications standards, devices, and networks. They also need to extend visibility, interaction and control beyond a single vehicle to include the larger transportation ecosystem, including road and traffic control systems. 

Connected cars require several different security solutions working as a single system and therefore need to include strategic segmentation of key function domains, such as powertrain, telematics and infotainment to ensure that threats are automatically contained and mitigated. Another key requirement is a real-time threat update system, like Fortinet’s FortiGuard Labs, where the latest vulnerability and threat information can be fed to the vehicle to provide effective and automated protection. This also includes connecting back to a cloud network to share and correlate events to receive timely security patches and updates.

Fortinet and Renesas Demonstrate Security for Connected Car Networks

Fortinet and Renesas have collaborated on a prototype security solution that addresses the major cybersecurity risks in today’s connected car network architecture. Recent cyber breaches demonstrate the urgent need for integrated security for these increasingly sophisticated vehicle networks, including the2015 Jeep Cherokee hack where a hacker group wirelessly broke into the vehicle and electronically controlled vital functions, as well as the more recent Tesla Model S hack of its CAN bus, interfering with the car’s brakes, door locks, and dashboard computer from 12 miles away. 

“Connected vehicles are the next major technology innovation disrupting the automotive industry. With 3D mapping, sensor processing, smart device integration, cloud-based services, advanced LAN/CAN networks, and autonomous driving defining the connected car of the future, the cyber risks are enormous. And with IoT devices connecting to the car network to access content and applications, the attack surface is even larger. Integrated security is paramount for the safety and consumer confidence in the connected car. Fortinet is extending its global leadership in network security to the automotive industry as manufacturers begin to develop vehicles that require automated security with real-time threat intelligence and strategic segmentation to protect the car’s complex architecture. We are excited to collaborate with Renesas and demonstrate secure network solutions that meet the unique requirements of the evolving automotive operating environment at CES.” Said Michael Xie, founder, president and chief technology officer at Fortinet.

At CES, Fortinet and Renesas will show how the Fortinet Security Fabric technology running on the R-Car H3 SoC provides security policy management and automated protection of the powertrain and communication domains in the vehicle, including the LTE module, vehicle-to-vehicle communications module, the wireless access point, the engine control module and more. Supported by the on-chip security functions of the Renesas R-Car H3, Fortinet secures the communications between the domains and sets policies to limit access between certain domains to mitigate and control potential cyber threats. Specific demonstrations of mock IPS and DDoS cyber attacks will show how FortiOS automatically secures the data transmitted from a public cloud service to the in-car entertainment system.

To learn more about the Fortinet/Renesas demo and the Renesas Advanced and Autonomous Test Track and Future Ready Solutions Showcase, please visithttp://renesasatces.com.

Supporting Quote

“Automotive engineers from throughout the supply chain look to Renesas for comprehensive solutions that accelerate development cycles and shorten the road to market. Renesas has partnered with Fortinet to help design cutting-edge cybersecurity solutions that aim to provide the level of integrated protection required of tomorrow’s connected vehicle. We look to Fortinet as a trusted advisor who can extend its leading knowledge of network security to fit the unique demands and infrastructure requirements of automotive network security systems of the future.”

- Amrit Vivekanand, Vice President, Automotive Systems Business Division, at Renesas

NHCP Taps Global Cleaning Firm Kärcher Anew, Restores EDSA People Power Monument

Wazzup Pilipinas!

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​Kärcher expert cleaning parts of the People Power Monument using their high-pressure equipment.​

Following a successful clean-up of the Rizal Monument last December, Kärcher, in partnership with the National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP), is conducting another restorative cleaning project, this time with the beneficiary being the EDSA People Power Monument.

Cleaning of the said monument started on Monday, February 12 and will last until Thursday, February 15. This project is part of the company’s ongoing cleaning initiative to restore national historical landmarks all around the world.

Located at the corner of EDSA and White Plains Avenue in Quezon City, the People Power Monument is a sculpture designed by Eduardo Castrillo to commemorate the 1986 People Power Revolution. It became open to the public in 1993.

The cleaning and restoration of the sculpture is just in time for the 32^ndanniversary of the People Power Revolution, which will be held on February 25. Similar to Rizal Monument restoration, the cleaning professionals of Kärcher are using its steam cleaning machines to remove the dirt and pollution that the memorial has incurred throughout the years.

Zurich Fernandez, Country General Manager of Kärcher Philippines, says that being tapped by the NHCP twice to undertake such a project is such a deep honor and privilege, especially because of the People Power Monument’s place in Filipino history and for what is stands for.

“We at Kärcher are deeply honored once again to work together with the NHCP in this project. Standing as a symbol of hope and beacon of freedom, the People Power Monument is one of the most enduring legacies of the Filipino spirit, showing how in the midst of turbulence and conflict, a whole nation can become one. We assure everyone that we will help NHCP in any way to provide the utmost of care to the monument,” said Fernandez.

Based in Winnenden, Germany, Kärcher is the world’s leading provider of efficient, resource-conserving cleaning systems that cover home and professional cleaning. It currently has more than 12,000 employees in 67 markets under 110 subsidiary companies, and provides global service and support through its estimated 50,000 service and sale points.

For more information about Kärcher’s ongoing cleaning initiative to restore national historical landmarks all around the world, visithttps://www.kaercher.com/int/inside-kaercher/sustainability/cultural-sponsorship.html.

Duterte to Close Down Boracay if Not Cleaned Within 6 Months

Wazzup Pilipinas!

“Boracay is a cesspool!"

"You go into the water, it's smelly. Smell of what? S***"

President Rodrigo Roa Duterte orders Secretary Roy Cimatu of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) to clean up Boracay in 6 months. Otherwise, he threathens to close it down.

"It’s destroying the environment or the Republic of the Philippines and creating a disaster coming."

The President threatens to also file a case vs. Boracay officials for the neglect.

Perhaps beleaguered Boracay can learn from what Pattaya, Thailand is doing (link: http://www.pattayamail.com/news/pattaya-locals-via joint, periodic clean-ups among establishments, businesses and residents based there.

Beyond the need for periodic cleanups, I think Boracay must consider an outright building moratorium. In the 20 years that I've visited Boracay several times since 1998, the buildup everywhere has been crazy. It has gradually created a concrete jungle in many parts of the island.

Boracay residents welcome the cleanup but lament the ‘cesspool’ tag. Many of us love Boracay. We’ve been there a lot of times and we can say that the island has changed over time. We agree that it needs to breathe. The island needs rehabilitation.

But that’s not enough reason to call it shit. You know where the real shit is?

“To close the island would be an easy way out and too much to bear for the residents who depend on the island’s tourism for their livelihood,” Boracay Foundation Inc. (BFI) said.

BFI President Nanette Graf says that theres a need to increase fees as tourists are causing environmental problems.

The best solution is to strictly implement existing environmental laws and close all erring establishments. To close the island would be an easy way out and too much to bear for residents who depend on tourism for livelihood. 

"We started the development of Boracay Island 30 years ago in the late 1980s under Secretary Jose Antonio  Gonzalez. I was the Chairman of the Task. Force Boracay, an inter-agency office composed of the three tourism agencies of DoT, PTA (now TIEZA) an the PCVC. During our time, Boracay was being handled at the highest levels of the national government.

"The problem of Boracay started when the functions of the national government like tourism, health and education were devolved to the LGUs per the Local Government Code of 1991 authored by then Senator Aquilino "Nene" Pimentel Jr. From the highest levels of national government. the administration of Boracay Island went to the 5th class municipality of Malay in the early 1990s that neither had the capability nor the political will to do what was needed.

We prepared the plan for a sewerage system to collect the sewage and a Sewage Treatment Plant (STP). However, it would take around 20 years before the sewerage system and the STP were installed. In spite of these basic environmental infrastructure in place, what happened was connection from business establishments to the sewerage system was NOT made mandatory. I am not up to date on the current situation if it has been rectified already.

The other problem of Boracay is Flooding which happened some months ago late last year 2017. There is apparently some design flaw withe the drainage system that caused the flooding. Other than the design flaw, the other problem is that the natural waterways of the island has been blocked already with backfill of earth. This has to be rectified. The flooding problem is similar to what to Magallanes Village in Makati. Th estero (creek) outside the perimeter wall in Pasay has filled with garbage and/or earth." says Rick Ramos, Chairman of the Task Force Boracay, an inter-agency office composed of the three tourism agencies of DoT, PTA (now TIEZA) an the PCVC, during the 80s. During his time, Boracay was being handled at the highest levels of the national government.

The last time I was in Boracay, I had to go to the other side of the island to get a decent clean swim in water that didn't have algae. And I did see sewage pipes from hotels that directly dumped waste into the beaches water. It would be a great waste if Boracay's stewards of tourism -- the businesses and city government -- don't clean up their act literally.

Fortinet Introduces Industry’s Fastest 100 Gbps+ Next-Generation Firewall Appliance

Wazzup Pilipinas!

New FortiGate 6000F series delivers the performance and interface options to scale the enterprise edge

Fortinet, the global leader in broad, integrated and automated cybersecurity solutions, today introduced its FortiGate 6000F Series of Next-Generation Firewalls (NGFW). The first in the series, the FortiGate 6000F incorporates a new hardware processing architecture that delivers the validated performance of a Fortinet chassis in a compact appliance form-factor to deliver advanced security for exponentially increasing

enterprise traffic.

  

·         The FortiGate 6000F series NGFWs are ideally suited for enterprise edge networks that prioritize threat protection and encryption inspection throughput in a form-factor that enables high density, energy efficiency, and deployment simplicity.

·         The FortiGate 6000F is built around Fortinet’s next-generation hardware architecture that combines discrete, multi-cpu processing cards that enable chassis-class performance, resilience, and capacity in a compact apppliance form factor.

·         Delivers unparalleled processing power and speed to meet the security needs of enterprise edge traffic with industry-leading encrypted traffic inspection, threat protection and NGFW performance.

Increase in Multi-Cloud Networks and Encrypted Traffic Requires Security Speed & Scale

Multi-cloud environments and the increasing use of IoT and mobile devices to access mission-critical applications are drastically increasing the volume of encrypted data on enterprise edge networks. The adoption of these technologies is also increasing bandwidth, throughput, and session capacity requirements that are driving enterprises to modernize their edge networks.

Additionally, the expanded digital attack surface and complex threat landscape is escalating the need for advanced security protections that can be applied with speed and scale across all connected devices. Security appliances need to be able to deliver the high performance required to protect encrypted traffic at the enterprise edge with a compact, modern interface that can seamlessly grow capacity in a smaller, efficient physical footprint.

The Next-Generation of FortiGate 

Fortinet’s new F-series includes the FortiGate 6300F and FortiGate 6500F, which are high-performance, compact and easy to manage NGFW appliances that are integrated within the Fortinet Security Fabric.

·         Advanced Security Capabilities and Performance: The 6000F series are the industry’s fastest NGFW appliances, delivering advanced threat protection and SSL inspection performance to handle massive volumes of traffic at the network edge.

	FortiGate 6300F	FortiGate 6500F
Threat Protection	60 Gbps	100 Gbps
SSL Inspection	70 Gbps	130 Gbps
NGFW Throughput	80 Gbps	140 Gbps
Session Capacity	100M	170M

·         High Speed and Flexible Interfaces:High density zSFP+ and QSFP28 interfaces support 10G, 40G, 100Gbps and new 25G data rates to provide high speed connectivity and increased flexibility as enterprises migrate to higher density designs.

·         Security Fabric Integration: FortiGate firewalls serve as the foundation of the Fortinet Security Fabric and run FortiOS, the world’s most deployed network security operating system. The Fortinet Security Fabric provides broad, integrated, and automated security that is required to protect the vast digital attack surface created by digital transformation. 

“Enterprise adoption of the cloud is massively increasing the volume of traffic that needs to be inspected at the enterprise edge. Add to this the ever-increasing percentage of encrypted traffic and today’s NGFW’s need to perform at levels unheard of five years ago. The FortiGate 6000F high-end firewall series is built upon a new architecture that delivers the industry’s highest threat protection and encryption inspection performance to ensure enterprises can scale their defenses and meet the evolving needs of their business.”, John Maddison, senior vice president of products and solutions, Fortinet.

Next-Generation Hardware Architecture

An industry first for a security appliance, Fortinet’s next-generation hardware architecture leverages compact internal processing cards that are miniaturized versions of the blades typically used in cutting-edge modular security chassis. Each processing card combines multiple 12-core CPUs, Security Processing Units (SPUs), and Content (CP9) and Network Processors (NP6) into a discrete unit. The FortiGate 6000F series can support up to ten discrete processing cards in a 3U appliance.

The innovative design enables traditionally chassis-only benefits like high resilience and session scale while also delivering advanced security capabilities at breakthrough speeds never before seen in a compact appliance form-factor. The architecture provides additional benefits like hardware load balancing using new custom Distribution Processors (DP3) that intelligently assign tasks between the discrete processing cards.

Supporting Quote

Stuart Berman, global security architect at Steelcase

“Our use of the cloud continues to expand to meet the evolving business needs of our users and customers. This growth has increased the amount of traffic crossing our networks and created an imperative to continue to maintain security standards across our entire infrastructure without impacting business productivity. Our extended IT infrastructure is absolutely critical to everything we do, so it’s invaluable to have the security performance and seamless protection that Fortinet provides across our physical and cloud-based domains.”

Pascal Perot, VP strategic alliances, security at ePlus

“Cloud computing is becoming increasingly popular, but gaps in protection can occur if security solutions can’t keep pace with agile public, private, and hybrid cloud environments.  The growth of IoT and Mobility also puts large demands on performance and security architectures as data traverses these end points.  ePlus recognizes these advances and has invested significantly in providing our customers with comprehensive security solutions to meet these growing demands.  We are proud to partner with Fortinet and leverage their robust platform to both scale and secure these transformative environments.”

A Modern Filipina’s Guide to Dandruff-Free, Luscious Locks in 2018

Wazzup Pilipinas!

With one month down the line this 2018, have you started ticking off boxes from your new year’s resolution? Once the new year kicks in, people usually create new goals, embrace positive chance, and focus on becoming a better version of themselves – whether it means exploring new job opportunities, creating a habit of living a fit and healthy lifestyle, or learning something new. Filipinas, the new year can also mean breaking bad hair care habits and saying goodbye to dry, itchy and damaged hair with visible white flakes.

To keep the ball rolling, it’s time for Filipinas to improve their hair care routine to keep the scalp flake and itch-free. Head and Shoulders, the world’s number one shampoo brand, asked three social media influencers their secret to maintaining lusciously soft and beautifully moisturized hair to come up with a brief guide to keeping a woman’s crowning glory healthy and dandruff-free this year.

On Brushing the Hair


Brushing has been proven to benefit the hair. Model and filmmaker Janina Manipol can attest to that as she makes it a habit to comb her long, straight hair to redistribute the oil from her scalp. She explained, “I make it a point to comb it [hair] in the morning, afternoon and evening, so that the oil in my scalp evens out all throughout my hair.”

Just like Janina, digital media influencer and vlogger Haley Dasovich shares the same secret in maintaining the lusciousness of her long locks from morning until night. “I keep my hair routine simple but I make sure I keep my curls stay bouncy and not tangled by combing my hair not just during the day but also before I sleep.” Haley said.

On Washing and Drying the Hair

For some, keeping the natural gloss of the hair may not be easy to do, but Haley has found a way to solve it. She shared, “I wash my hair with shampoo and conditioner every 2 to 3 days. And on days when I use conditioner I make sure to evenly coat the body of my hair to its tip and leave it on for a few minutes for my hair to fully absorb.”

When drying the hair, model and actress Chie Filomeno told us how she keeps her hair strands free from damage. “With shoots here and there, my hair is often exposed to heat from blowers and hair irons. But during my off duty days I really believe in air drying versus heated drying to keep my hair’s natural beauty and lush." Chie said.

On Investing in Quality Hair Care Products
No matter what your lifestyle is, may it be being a model and actress, a YouTube content creator or filmmaker, investing in quality hair care products is a non-negotiable to have beautifully moisturized locks and a flake-free scalp that can keep up with your daily routine. And Chie, Haley and Janina know this very well. Janina added, “Keeping my hair healthy and dandruff free 24/7 is difficult, but investing in good brushes and products like Head and Shoulders Suprême help ease that process. I hear Argan is all the rave in beauty nowadays and I’m glad that this product has just that.”

This 2018, Filipinas need not to worry about their luscious locks. With the new Head and Shoulders Suprême, hair and scalp are nourished and deeply moisturized. It is the brands first ever premium line of shampoo and conditioner specifically designed for the needs of women.   

The new formula contains proven and effective Micro Zinc technology for greater cosmetic hair care benefits while caring for the scalp, and Argan Oil essence which is known for its moisturizing effect as well as hair repair and scalp benefits.

Head and Shoulders Suprême range has two variants. The Head and Shoulders Suprême Moisture shampoo and conditioner which provides intense moisture to the hair from root to tip and Head and Shoulders Suprême Smooth shampoo and conditioner that smoothens hair from the scalp to achieve perfectly polished hair all day.

With the new Head and Shoulders Suprême and healthy hair care habits, Filipinas can finally say goodbye to dandruff and dry hair this 2018 because every woman’s crowning glory is guaranteed to be moisturized and lusciously soft.

Head & Shoulders Suprême shampoo and conditioner is available at Php150 SRP per 170ml bottle in all major supermarkets, sari-sari stores, drugstores, and convenience stores nationwide, as well as on ecommerce at http://www.lazada.com.ph/head-and-shoulders-official-store/

For more information about Head & Shoulders, visit www.headandshoulders.ph, and follow Head & Shoulders on Facebook.

Of Love and Luck: BGC Holds Jam-Packed Valentine’s Day and Chinese New Year Weekend

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Feel the kilig and find fortune only in Bonifacio Global City as a jam-packed weekend awaits BGCitizens and visitors in celebration of February’s two biggest events.

Rising in the middle of Bonifacio High Street is a giant fairytale book with a sweet reminder that Happily Ever After exists. Take a selfie with your loved one (or ones!) and show the world why yours is one of “The Greatest Love Stories of All Time.”

Upload your photo on Facebook or Instagram with #iloveBHS, and tag Bonifacio High Street (@bonifaciohighstreet) for a chance to win the ultimate dinner date from BGC.

As a special treat, BGC is hosting a Valentine’s concert featuring the best of OPM on February 17 (Saturday) at 7PM.

Happening at the Globe Iconic BHS Amphitheater, Ensemble: A Valentine Concert will showcase a powerhouse line up with some of today’s hottest indie and mainstream music artists. Catch Ebe Dancel, Bullet Dumas, Clara Benin, Johnoy Danao, and Reese Lansangan along with the Manila Philharmonic Orchestra Quartet as they serenade with timeless OPM hits.

To get tickets, go to the BHS Concierge and just present single or accumulated receipts worth P2,000 from Bonifacio High Street merchants dated February 9 to 17, 2018. View full mechanics here.


Welcoming the Year of the Dog

Welcome the Year of the Dog in true Chinese fashion as BGC dresses up to bring Chinatown right at the heart of Bonifacio High Street.

Experience the rich culture of one of the world’s oldest civilizations as BGC fills the entire weekend from February 16-18 with a showcase of its food, music, and art guaranteed to delight the whole family.

Expect to savor traditional Chinese fare, dance for good fortune, see cultural performances, and try your hand at guzheng (zither)-playing, calligraphy, and paper-cutting. If you wish, you can also take a peek at your future by joining the palm reading, tarot reading, and fortune telling events.

Save the dates BGCitizens! The Valentine’s and Chinese New Year’s festivities are celebrated in partnership with Globe Live, Chinatown TV, JBL, Katipunan Weekend Market, and the Ateneo Confucius Institute.

For more information, visit BGC’s official Facebook pages at https://www.facebook.com/bonifacioglobalcityph and https://www.facebook.com/BoniHighStreet.

Deputy House Speaker Gwendolyn Garcia Dismissed from Government Service by Ombudsman

Wazzup Pilipinas!

"Perpetual disqualification from holding public office, cancellation of eligibility and forfeiture of retirement benefits--for people like Gwen Garcia, clinging to this administration is a life-or-death situation."

One less corrupt individual in government is always a welcome development. However, when the government itself protects their allies from getting their just deserved disciplinary action, you lose faith in ever getting justice and fairness in this country.

"Ombudsman Conchita Carpio-Morales has ordered the dismissal of House Deputy Speaker Gwendolyn Garcia from service over her questionable purchase of a P98.9-million Balili property when she was the governor of Cebu.

The Ombudsman suspended the Cebu third district representative for grave misconduct when it found that she had no authority from the Sanguniang Panlalawigan (SP) to enter into contracts with ABF construction firm. 

In June 2008, Garcia purchased the controversial Balili property, a 249,246 square meter lot in Tinaan, Naga, Cebu, for P98,926,800. Local authorities later discovered that 196,696 square meters of the property were underwater and part of a mangrove area.

The Office of the Ombudsman has directed Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez to implement the dismissal order, which carries the accessory penalties of perpetual disqualification from holding public office, cancellation of eligibility, and forfeiture of retirement benefits."

The Ombudsman order states Cebu Rep. Gwendolyn Garcia is perpetually disqualified from holding public office, her eligibility to hold such office cancelled, and her retirement benefits forfeited.

"The timing of the OMBUDSMAN’s Resolution to dismiss me from service is highly suspicious, and amounts to a blatant attempt to strong arm me into helping her escape impeachment by the House of Representatives.

Considering that I have been vigorously and actively involved in the dispatch of impeachment complaints such as the one against Chief Justice Lourdes Sereno, it is no surprise that Ombudsman Conchita Carpio Morales, who now faces an impeachment complaint against her, would want to have the impeachment complaint dismissed by strong arming key members of Congress such as myself. My dismissal from service at her hands makes her motivation far too obvious.

I have not even received a copy of the Resolution nor had the opportunity to file a reconsideration. 

I note that the complaint in this case was filed by now Governor Hilario Davide at the height of the 2013 elections in an attempt to suspend me and influence the elections.

I certainly hope that the Ombudsman will act on my complaint regarding Davide's criminal neglect of the CICC with the same vigor and haste, and that the public would see through the OMBUDSMAN’s blatant abuse of power to shield herself from being impeached and held accountable for her own questionable actions."

Garcia misused 100 million during her term as governor of Cebu. She wasn't charged yet during that term. Then she was re-elected as governor. Her re-election should not clear her of the misdeeds just because people voted for her again.

This seemed to be the best news of the day. When leaders think of themselves as invincible, they set aside laws and go about doing things their way. But if history has taught us anything about politics, it is this: no one is invincible, tyrants fall, and dynasties crumble. Thank you, Lady Justice!

However, House Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez and Malacanang Palace backs Garcia, saying only the House of Representatives can suspend or remove members. Presidentiall spokesperson Harry Roque also echoes Garcia's statement questioning the timing of the OMB decision to remove her from office.

"This is definitely an ombudsman overreach. Her decision should have been handed down while Garcia was still governor 10 years ago, so she could defend herself at the right platform. The decision to dismiss now is highly suspect and extremely political in nature."

But we all know how slow the justice system in the Philippines is. It should not be a surprise. The Order is not unconstitutional. But it is in fact the House or the Senate, by a two thirds majority, that will have to vote to expel or suspend a member. Even when a member is convicted and in jail, that representative or senator would still remain as such until their chamber voted him or her out.

We also do not agree with Pantaleon's reasoning. Sorry, I just can't take the logic of this guy whose supposed to be 4th in command of the country. Is he saying that accountability is limited to the position which the offense was committed? 

Accountability stretches across the entire persona of the supposed "PUBLIC" Official whose individuality is cladded by an office that relies upon a PUBLIC TRUST. This man is acting so powerful as if he is right at the pedestal far higher than the law. Shame!

Article XI of the Constitution, however, specifies under Accountability of Public Officers, that the Ombudsman may: "Direct the officer concerned to take appropriate action against a public official or employee at fault, and recommend his removal, suspension, demotion, fine, censure, or prosecution, and ensure compliance therewith."

Apparently, the #imbecile Speaker cannot read. Neither can the Senate. 

The culture of impunity and corruption is alive and well, and abetted by the silence.

The law is only as useful as the fool who argues the wordings to protect his selfish interests. It is to this that we fall pray to those in power. Yes we are truly living in a society "led" by bullies.

Someone please tell Alvarez that the Constitution is called SALIGANG-BATAS in Filipino because that's what it is: the BASIS for the laws of the land. The Ombudsman said Rep. Gwen Garcia violated the Administrative Code and the Government Auditing Code, which ban entering into a contract unless a certification of appropriation and fund availability for the expenditure is issued.

I've never heard of anyone, least of all a lawyer, look for a SPECIFIC law in any Constitution that may have been violated by a public official, WHEN there are EXISTING laws stipulating violations and penalties for such violations.

Do we deserve this corrosive politician from Mindanao? I think he is the worst speaker in the history of the House of Representative. Politicians like Alvarez are perpetually eroding the legitimacy of the HOR as a lawmaking body in the country.

Congress is obviously protecting its own kind and has not shown moral courage to implement judicial orders to their own members. Congress craft laws and expect  ordinary citizens to follow them. Clearly  the refusal to effect Garcia’s suspension order is a case of double standards. It is anti-people and anti God.

Do we still need Congress to write more laws when these demi-gods cannot even follow God’s 10 Commandments?

This makes me think that all or almost all politicians who supports Duterte has a history of corruption. They know that they wouldn't be dismissed or go to jail if they band together. 

No one should really believe that anti-corruption stance of the President. It was all rhetoric to get votes. Just look at GMA.

Finding the Best Tikoy in Metro Manila

Wazzup Pilipinas!

A few days before the Year of the Earth Dog, we are already craving for "Tikoy" or Nian Gao.

“Tikoy” is known to bring good luck to both the receiver and giver. It is referred to as the year cake or Chinese New Year's cake. It is a food prepared from glutinous rice and consumed in Chinese cuisine. While it can be eaten all year round, traditionally it is most popular during Chinese New Year.

How to prepare or cook tikoy? Slice the tikoy, beat eggs and coat the tikoy in the egg mixture, and then pan-fry! It's that simple. But many have also concocted a few deviations by adding additional ingredients to perk up this traditional delicacy.

Some say it is not worth wasting time going through traffic and the few parking areas available. Most areas are very filthy, with garbage or rubbish, stinking esteros because they are clogged and stagnant, due to being highly commercialized.

This is why many are suggesting that you just go to the malls instead of buying at Ongpin for tikoy, as well as hopia, kikiam, siomai, etc.,

There will be less stress and will save you the frustration to see the once historic place turned into a waste land.

Just curious, what are your criteria for "best"? And "best" in what sense (taste, variety of flavors and sizes, price, buying experience, etc.)?

Tikoy doesn't vary much anyway mostly only slight variances in texture or sweetness. Aside from the ready to eat, there are brands that have conceprualuzed different colorful variations and flavors like the ube, pandan or even peanut butter-flavored ones.

Here are the most accessible options available in Metro Manila aside from Ongpin or Binondo:

Eng Bee Tin is available in most malls including SM Supermalls. It has so many branches that you can say it's everywhere. For me it has the best quality and the profit they make has visibly impacted heritage efforts & firefighting. They have also created Mr. Ube, a fastfood Chinese restaurant, where Eng Bee Tin products are also sold. I've been to their Lifehomes branch along Ortigas Avenue Extension, so I also got to try their dishes.

Holand has a branch in Century City Mall in Makati. DEC has a couple of shops around the metro too. There is also Ching’s Tikoy, and Sun Goddess, a few more highly recommended options. They are now available in SNR also.

But the best is to actually to wait for your Tsinoy or Chinoy (Chinese Pinoy) friends to gift you some....or directly ask them where to buy so maybe they'll just give you. Many companies, especially those owned by Chinese businessmen, also give away tikoys to their clients or even employees.

Do you think it is true that Chinatown in Manila (Or Ongpin or Binondo) has somehow lost its heritage?

Regardless of the inconveniences, many continue to visit the mentioned places because there is nothing more comparably nostalgic being at the places where the traditions are still felt stronger than the superficial malls. The people may have been modernized because the new generations are taking over business from their parents or grandparents, we could still appreciate the glorious past by being amidst the celebrations even when only held once a year.

May success and prosperity stick to you all year round. Attract all the good luck you need. Have a blessed and bountiful weekend to everyone!

Kung Hei Fat Choy!

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