Reinventing Filipino Time

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Filipino time means being minutes to hours late compared to the standardtime. It's like having our own clock, albeit aware that the right time is the World Standard Time. In our defense, not all Filipinos are usually late. (Promise!)"

We'll be doing video interviews with executive peeps later tonight after office hours. This will be as promotional material for an upcoming big event happening soon at SMX MOA where Wazzup Pilipinas is a proud partner.

We're just hoping it doesn't rain or it will be traffic to the extreme. Of course, we don't want to be late since "Filipino Time" should be early or on time, and not 1 or 2 hours after :)

People are getting used to arriving late because events, meetings, gatherings, etc., rarely start on time. Something organizers should think about.

Reward or acknowledge the efforts of early birds so more people will emulate punctuality. Please don't encourage latecomers. You are unknowingly endorsing a negative trait among Filipinos, and showing a bad impression among foreigners.

Bad trip talaga when an events starts late because some or most attendees have not yet arrived.

When we were working for the United Nations, we always start on time because our boss was American. Everyone is already seated in the conference or meeting room at least 15 minutes before the scheduled meeting.

Imagine the culture difference witnessing our fellow Filipinos with a mindset "It won't start on time coz not everyone will be there on time" or "It's OK for me to be late because I won't be penalized anyway"

What's wrong with us? The only events we witnessed that started on time are those that were organized by foreigners, but when Filipinos are involved, you'll be sure they will go pass the scheduled start of event - 1 or 2 hours or even more. Then the actual event would be happening for only 30 minutes. Lol!

There are a lot of time and opportunities wasted just because we let late-comers, especially the ones with VIP feels, to get away with such irritable acts.

Once again, reward the early birds who know time is valuable. Make the late-comers realize they should change their ways.

For a better Philippines, let's always be early or on time!

Credits to the image owner.

Journo Shares Expertise in NSPC Facebook Twitter Google+ Share

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Following the success of the 2018 National Schools Press Conference (NSPC) held in Dumaguete City from February 19 to 23, the Department of Education (DepEd), through the Bureau of Curriculum Development (BCD), extended its gratitude to all who have contributed to the “Olympics of campus journalism.”

These include broadcast practitioners and journalists such as Steve Dailisan of GMA News and Public Affairs who authored and shared the comprehensive guidelines for TV script writing and broadcasting, which is one of the group contests for secondary level, as stipulated in DepEd Memorandum No. 200, s. 2017 and DepEd Memorandum No. 216, s. 2016.

The guidelines consist of a detailed depiction and simulation of actual television newscasts, which include the pre-production (news gathering), production proper (script writing, video editing, and broadcast presentation), and post-production (editing of taped as live newscast combined with reporters’ audio-visual (AV), remote AV package, and additional video requirements) processes.

Dailisan, likewise, shared a sample news story lineup, and provided the criteria for judging the best newscast including script writing, broadcast presentation, technical application, and overall impact.

A journalist who won in the New York Festival in 2014 and Japan Prize in 2013, Dailisan also helped DepEd in the same category in the 2017 NSPC held in Pagadian City, Zamboanga del Sur.

Education Chief Adjusts 2016 A&E Test Cut-Off Score; Raises Examinees’ Hope in Life, Faith in ALS

Wazzup Pilipinas!

In the interest of fairness for out-of-school youth and adult (OSYA) learners whose hopes and dreams for better opportunities are anchored on the Alternative Learning System (ALS) program, Department of Education (DepEd) Secretary Leonor Magtolis Briones adjusted the passing score of the 2016 Accreditation and Equivalency (A&E) Test conducted last November 2017 from 75% to the generally accepted passing score of 60%.

The decision was made by the Education chief, in consultation with concerned officers and personnel of the Department, following a thorough evaluation of factors that contributed to the dismal result of the test, such as change in language of assessment, difference in design between the previous and the present tests, and length of time between intervention and conduct of test.

With the change in passing score, the passing rate jumped to 46.8% from 16.49% of the 15,845 elementary level examinees and to 62.08% from 15.58% of the 168,167 junior high school level examinees. 

The Division Testing Committee (DTC) of School Division Offices are, therefore, instructed to accommodate the November 2017 A&E takers who still did not reach the adjusted passing score as walk-in examinees on March 4 (Luzon) and 11 (Visayas and Mindanao) despite non-presentation of required documents (e.g. Certificate of Rating or COR). 

The same adjusted cut-off score shall be implemented, but only to the aforementioned tests.

DTCs shall prepare and facilitate the registration of these walk-in examinees at the testing center from 6:30 a.m. to 7:45 a.m. prior to the pre-test activities. Only the examinees who took the A&E Test last November 2017 but did not make it to the adjusted passing score and the learners who earlier registered for the March 2018 test are qualified to take the exam. 

Photocopying of answer sheets is allowed only for the March A&E Test administration to ensure that all qualified examinees will be able to take the test.

Moving forward, the Secretary has instructed concerned officers and personnel to conduct a comprehensive review of the A&E examination standards, including its alignment to the existing learning resources and instruction delivery. She also ordered the suspension of the provision in DepEd Order No. 55, series 2016 that sets 75% as the passing score until further notice.

ALS, as the administration’s flagship program, has the full commitment of the Secretary. True to the learners’ byword, “Sa ALS may pag-asa,” the Department continues to expand and intensify ALS projects and partnerships so that more OSYAs may be provided with options, either through skills training or higher education, to improve their lives and to contribute to nation-building.

Questions and concerns about the A&E Test may be addressed to the Bureau of Education Assessment (BEA) at (02) 631-2591 or (02) 631-2589, or at nelia.benito@deped.gov.ph.

The Globe Philippine Pro Gaming League 2018 Grand Finals

Wazzup Pilipinas!

The Philippines' biggest multi-platform league this year reaches its climax

The Globe Philippine Pro Gaming League 2018 Grand Finals is heading to Glorietta 2 Activity Center on March 24-25, 2018 from 11:00AM to 10:00PM. MET continues its tradition of organizing the country’s biggest leagues as the grand finals of the Globe PPGL 2018 gathers the absolute best competitive gamers in the Philippines.

The Globe PPGL 2018 is dedicated to the hundreds of Filipino esports hopefuls that dream of making it to grandest of stages. The Pro Gaming League serves as the bridge for amateurs to reach the professional level and compete with top players to achieve their dreams of becoming full-fledged esports athletes.

The Dota 2 teams will be fighting for lion’s share of the 500,000 PHP prize pool while the Arena of Valor grand finals will be for the 200,000 PHP prize pool. The eight Tekken 7 finalists will be battling it out for the 100,000 PHP prize pool.

A total of three champions will be crowned after the 2-day event for Dota 2 (PC), Arena of Valor (Mobile), and Tekken 7 (Console). Budding esports professionals that hail from barangays all across the Philippines will gather at Glorietta 2 for a weekend full of exciting esports action.

Come celebrate the true Filipino spirit of esports in the grand final of the biggest Philippine tournament of 2018. Catch all of your favorite esports talents!

The event in Glorietta will also feature giveaways for all the lucky fans supporting the local teams, and a press conference area where bloggers and media personnel can get a chance to talk to the players and the teams. The event will also feature a Globe Booth on-site with activities, giveaways, and other Globe services.

MET continues its commitment to Filipino gamers by delivering a true Filipino League along with Globe Telecom, Mobile Esports Arena, and PlayBook Esports. Join as us we culminate the first season of the biggest league of the year at the Glorietta 2 Activity Center on March 24-25, 2018 from 11:00AM to 10:00PM. See you there!

Reviving Small Boat Sailing with Simple Boxy Boats

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Sailing has become so affordable and user-friendly it is drawing more Filipinos to join a growing international interest in taking up the hobby and sport that is virtually a perfect fit for the country’s archipelagic environment.

International and local collaboration of companies and individuals involved in sailing and boatbuilding, including Hyde Sails International a British company that makes sails for sailboats whose main factory is in Cebu, Duckworks Boatbuilder’s Supply of the U.S, Broadwater Marine of Australia., local boatbuilding materials suppliers such as Zamboply Marine plywood, Pioneer Epoxy and Polymer Products, Inc. has brought about the popularity of the Oz Goose sailboat, designed by Batangas-based Australian designer Michael Storer,  has broken down the myth that sailing is only for the rich.

This collaboration was brought about by the Philippine Home Boatbuilders Yacht Club or PHBYC, a group of boating enthusiasts that promote affordable boating and sailing through do-it-yourself wooden boats. 

So far, over  40 Oz Goose sailboats have been built in the three island groups of the Philippines from scratch using boat plans, built to order from authorized builders, and most of the produced during Family Boatbuilding Weekends (FBW), the signature event of PHBYC, wherein families or groups assemble an Oz Goose from a prefabricated kit.

The boxy looking boat is easy to build and sails well with 3 persons, but is best sailed with one or two people onboard, making it a great platform to learn how to sail. Its shape gives it a lot of stability and is empty of water when righted from a capsize, (To find out more when the next FBW would be, feel free to follow PHBYC’s facebook group page and the Open Goose Sailing Boat Group).

Long time sailing enthusiast, Peter Capotosto, Commodore of the Taal Lake Yacht Club said, “The cost to build 10 Oz Geese, is the same as the cost of bringing in two Olympic class sailboats (Laser dinghy) and surprisingly it performs just as well especially for new sailors. Without a doubt the Oz Goose has more bang for the buck.” Mr. Capotosto said.

The unique coming together of international and local boating experts and suppliers leading to the rising popularity of the Oz Goose class in the Philippines is unprecedented, And could be the hope for the future of Dinghy sailing here, According to Mr. Capotosto; “We organize monthly races at TLYC and the increased participation of old an new sailors in the Oz Goose class has increased exponentially after we had an FBW there last month” Mr. Capotosto added.

Sailing clubs around the world are trying to emulate what PHBYC has done to revive interest in small boat sailing. According to boat designer Michael Storer:  “We still have a long way to go to get mainstream interest in small boat sailing in the Philippines, but PHBYC is making progress, schools have expressed their interest having sailing as a varsity sport and our maritime academies that produce sailors that know little about sailing are beginning to appreciate how small boat sailing and boatbuilding can significantly add to the seamanship knowhow of their cadets.”

The Oz Goose is made from 5 or 6mm marine grade plywood, and lumber, assembled with epoxy. While the sails that move the boat can be made by the builder from materials like polytarp or tyvek, professionally made dacron sails can also be purchased locally from dealers such as Las Pinas based Monsoon Marine.


Please check Wazzup Pilipinas Facebook fan page for more photos.

Safety on the Water
Anyone can learn how to sail, and PHBYC has always been an advocate of safety on the water by wearing a personal flotation device (PFD) being responsible and respectful to the environment and advising people when to expect you back when going on extended boating trips.

About PHBYC
The Philippine Home Boatbuilders Yacht Club (PHBYC) is a local community sailors, boaters and amateur and professional boatbuilders that help people get into boating and sailing economically through boatbuilding. Plans for building all kinds of boats are available online and the materials to build them are readily available locally. Established in 2006 PHBYC helps its members by giving advice on sourcing materials and boatbuilding techniques, all they ask in return is for people to pay forward what they’ve learned to help grow the fleet of homebuilt boats.

Contributed By: Roy Espiritu /PHBYC

Conquer Big Days with Berocca!

Wazzup Pilipinas!

A fast-paced lifestyle is often filled with physically exhausting and mentally-draining activities. For spirited men and women, Big Days can mean the challenges they go through every single day – the rush hour traffic in the morning, beating deadlines and targets at work, while having enough energy to go to the gym or go out with friends after!  And a great way to conquer big days is with BEROCCA everyday!

Celebrities Kim Chiu and Paulo Avelino, like many of us today, also lead very active lifestyles.  For them, every day is a Big Day, each with their varied commitments aside from very demanding production schedules for TV shows and movies.  Kim also does Muay Thai and trains for triathlons, as well as helps out with their family business, and still goes out for occasional trips abroad with family and friends.  Paulo on the other hand has a passion for riding motorbikes, works out to maintain his physique, all while making sure to have time for date nights.  The two have enough energy to keep a healthy balance of work and “me” time with the help of Berocca.

That’s because the Vitamin B-complex in Berocca helps release the energy from the food we eat, and we need to replenish especially when doing physical challenges or even when under emotional stress.  Berocca’s combination is unique because aside from Vitamin B-complex, it also has vitamin C plus calcium, magnesium and zinc that is clinically proven to give increased physical energy and mental sharpness to help you conquer Big Days.
And now, for only P22.50 SRP, the new Berocca singles pack can help give you the extra energy and mental alertness that can beat deadlines and juggle schedules.  Grab it now in all major drugstores nationwide!

Once you’ve tried it, share your experience on how you Conquer Big Days to get a chance to win an exciting day with celebrity endorsers Kim Chiu and Paulo Avelino as they go about conquering their Big Day, and also appear with them in Umagang Kay Ganda in May. Three (3) weekly winners will also be selected, based on who visualized “Big Days” in a great way, and will win a “barkada” adventure package, starting April 1, 2018.

To join, simply make a public social media post (Facebook, Instagram) from March 1 to April 20, 2018, on how you Conquer Big Days and include the hashtags #BeroccaPH and #ConquerBigDays.  Winners will be notified via private message to their social media account.  They will have 48 hours to respond.  In case there is no response from the winner within 48 hours, the Berocca Team will choose another winner.

So be bold enough and share how you #ConquerBigDays with #BeroccaPH online to win these exciting prizes!

Conquer Big Days with Berocca!

For more information, find Berocca on Facebook (www.facebook.com/BeroccaPh) and on Instagram (@BeroccaPh).
Check out and share the Berocca experience with the hashtags #BeroccaPH and #ConquerBigDays.

Multivitamins and Minerals is the generic name of Berocca Performance.
Per DOH-FDA-CDRR Permit No. 052 s. 2018

Education Chief Highlights Need to Contemporize Culture, Arts with Sci-Tech

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Department of Education (DepEd) Secretary Leonor Magtolis Briones recently emphasized the importance of contemporizing culture and the arts with science and technology to further advance the educational system in the country.

The Education chief noted this during the ribbon-cutting ceremony of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and Philippine World Heritage Sites Mobile Exhibition last February 26 at the Bulwagan ng Karunungan, DepEd Central Office in Pasig City.

“If we only concentrate in catching up with science and technology, but forget about our history, culture and the arts, then where will we get our soul? Our soul as Filipinos come from those and these make us distinct and different from other ASEAN member-countries, even as we have strong similarities,” Briones said.

She further mentioned that the arts and design, and sports tracks under the K to 12 curriculum are equally important as the mainstream academic and technical-vocational-livelihood tracks.

“We have to make them aware that it pays to be a writer, a dancer, a designer; it pays to be in ‘art.’ And it also even pays to be a boxer,” she added.

Mobile exhibitions
Briones conveyed her gratitude to the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCAA), which provided the Department with four mobile exhibits to be used in promoting awareness on ASEAN and the Philippine World Heritage Sites.

“We look forward to showing and sharing these exhibits to different regions, especially to places where these exhibits will be most informative and will bring greater awareness. But we should not limit ourselves only to the urban centers but in many other schools, which we are not even aware of and in areas where there are continuous challenges to our identity,” Briones stated.

“We see these exhibits as one of the windows of the world for ASEAN through fascinating in diverse cultures to our friends in Asia, who share many similarities to our own culture and at the same time offer many, cultural places that are uniquely their own,” DepEd-International Cooperation Office (ICO) Director Margarita Consolacion Ballesteros said.

The mobile exhibition panels include: Southeast Asian Art and Culture (ideas, forms, and societies); Foodlore and Flavors (inside Southeast Asian Kitchen); Celebrating the Source (water festivities of Southeast Asia); and Living Landscapes and Cultural Landmarks (World Heritage Sites in the Philippines).

The exhibit is open for viewing to all DepEd employees, students, and the general public at the Bulwagan ng Karunugan, DepEd-CO until March 9, Friday, and will be toured to the 17 DepEd Regional Offices, and selected Division Offices and schools within the year. During the exhibit tour, 53,265 ASEAN Primers, given by the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), will be distributed to students. Moreover, 150,000 printed copies of the ASEAN Charter, given by the DFA as well and translated in Filipino, Cebuano, and Ilokano, will be distributed.

“The Philippines can be proud of the diversity and wealth of our culture molded through the centuries by the many influences that have touched our lives, which gave us a nation with unique culture identity,” Ballesteros concluded.

CALABARZON Dominates 2018 National Schools Press Conference, Festival of Talents

Wazzup Pilipinas!

SharCALABARZON brought home back-to-back victories after being declared the overall champion of this year’s National Schools Press Conference (NSPC) and National Festival of Talents (NFOT) held in Dumaguete City, Negros Oriental.

National Schools Press Conference 

CALABARZON (Region IV-A) has been bagging the NSPC championship for six years in a row. In 2018, it dominated the individual, group, and school paper contests held from February 19 to 23 at different venues, including Silliman University, St. Louis School-Don Bosco, Catherina Cittadini School, Asian College, and Dumaguete City High School.

Region III (Central Luzon) was the first runner-up, followed by the National Capital Region (NCR), Region V (Bicol Region), and Region IV-B (MIMAROPA).

The Department of Education’s (DepEd) Bureau of Curriculum Development (BCD), in coordination with Bureau of Learning Delivery (BLD), spearheaded the NSPC, with the theme, “Embracing ASEAN Integration: Campus Journalists’ Role in Advancing Inclusive Education.”

Individual contests included news, features, editorial, sports, Science and Technology, and column/opinion writing; photojournalism; copyreading and headline writing; and editorial cartooning, while the group contests were composed of radio script writing and broadcasting, TV script writing and broadcasting; collaborative desktop publishing; and online publishing.

The school paper contest awarded the best news, features, editorial, Science and Technology, and sports sections, as well as the best layout and page design, and the overall best school papers.

The outstanding campus journalists and school paper advisers per region were also given recognition in a separate awarding ceremony held on February 22.

National Festival of Talents 

CALABARZON also won the overall championship in the 2018 NFOT also held in Dumaguete City from February 20 to 22.

NCR won first runner-up, followed by Ilocos Region. Central Luzon and Central Visayas won third and fourth runners-up, respectively.

With the theme, “Pagkilala sa Kulturang Filipino Tungo sa Kapayapaan, Pagkakaisa, at Pagbabago,” NFOT showcased the richness of Filipino culture, as well as the diversity of skills and talents of secondary school learners, as well as learners from the Alternative Learning System (ALS), through their products, services, and performances.

The exhibition areas were categorized into five, namely: Technolympics; Sining Tanghalan; Pambansang Tagisan ng Talento sa Filipino; Special Program in Foreign Language (SPFL); and the National Population Development (PopDev) for Social Studies.

Events and contests on Technolympics included automotive servicing, electronics product assembly and servicing, and electrical installation and maintenance (Industrial Arts); cookery, dress making, and beauty care (Home Economics); food preservation and packaging, food processing, and landscape installation and maintenance (Agri-Fishery Arts); and webpage designing, technical drafting, and computer systems servicing (ICT). Each region also showcased the products and services of their schools and learning centers through their booths during the festival’s bazaar exhibit.

The Sining Tanghalan, meanwhile, showcased the learners’ skills and talents in dance, music, visual and media arts, creative writing, and theater arts, while the Tagisan ng Talentofeatured talents on impromptu speaking and interpretative reading. 

The contests for PopDev included debate, quiz, essay writing, poster making, and jingle writing and singing. Finally, the SPFL showcased characters on parade, singing idols, and quiz whizzes.

The banners of the two national events were officially turned over to Ilocos Region – the host of the 2019 NFOT and NSPC – during the awarding and closing ceremonies held at Lamberto Macias Cultural and Sports Complex on February 22 and 23, respectively.

The NSPC and NFOT are annual events of the Department, the former being dubbed as the “Olympics of campus journalism,” and the latter known as the official venue for the learners’ skills exhibition.

The complete list of winners shall be released through an official DepEd Memorandum.

Ringstar’s Michael Dasmarinas Shows PH Media What He's Made Of

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Ringstar’s Michael “Gloves on Fire” Dasmarinas, impressed the packed crowd at Kerry Sports at Shangri-La at the Fort, with his speed and strong punches, at an open media workout held recently.

He is set to take on French boxer Karim Guerfi on April 20, 2018, and both are eyeing the IBO world title in the main card of Ringstar’s ‘Roar of Singapore IV - Night of Champions’, to be held at the 10,000-seater Singapore Indoor Stadium.

Dasmarinas who is currently ranked 12th by WBC says, “Suportahan niyo po ako at pagdasal sa laban na ito sa April 20 sa Singapore, at sana po manalo tayo.  Hindi lang po ito para sa pamilya ko, para sa bansa din natin ito.”  (Please support and pray for my fight on April 20 in Singapore, I hope we win.  This is not only for my family, it is also for the country.

Ringstar Boxing, Asia’s fastest growing sports media property has now reached an overwhelming broadcast footprint of over a potential billion viewers across the globe, and is currently gearing up for its April 20 show, ‘The Roar of Singapore IV – ‘Night of Champions’, to be held at the 10,000-seater Singapore Indoor Stadium. 

Tickets are now available at www.sportshub.com.sg/RoarofSG4.  

Ticket prices for VVIP tables at SGD 5,000, with early bird rates at SGD 4,000, up to March 20, 2018.  This includes a 4-course dinner with free-flowing wine and beer, VVIP gift bag which includes Ringstar shirts, corporate branding on the table, half-page ad in the fight program, exclusive VIP entrance and red-carpet access and photo opportunities with top celebrities and world-renowned athletes.

Category 1 Seats are at SGD 48, with early bird rates at SGD 38.  While Stadium Seats are at SGD 38, with early bird rates at SGD 28.  

Promo code ‘RINGSTAR’ will entitle ticket buyers 50% off the rates, over and above the early bird rate, (for tickets only).  

Sponsors and Partners of ‘Night of Champions’ include Roomaif International and Alexandre Christie.

For more information on promo codes and ‘RoarofSG4’, please visitwww.sportshub.com.sg/roarofsg4 


Photo Caption: Ringstar’s Michael Dasmarinas who topbills ‘Roar of Singapore IV - Night of Champions’ at the Singapore Indoor Stadium on April 20, shows off his wares at a packed open workout at Kerry Sports at Shangri-La, BGC.

STEM Expo 2018: Innovations Expo to Provide Scientific Solutions

Wazzup Pilipinas!

The Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics Expo (STEM EXPO 2018) is happening this weekend, March 10-11, at the SMX Convention Center Manila

Proudly presented by the Philippine Society of Youth Science Clubs, DOSTv, Felta MultiMedia, SMX Convention Center Manila, and Unilab Foundation, the event is a two-day innovations expo aiming to provide scientific solutions to problems of society and the community. Open to the public!

Co-presented by Orange Segment Print and Design Studio and Technology Application and Promotion Institute (DOST-TAPI), in cooperation with Enchanted Kingdom and John Robert Powers Manila, together with our official backpack partner Hawk, experience ideas, innovation, exhibits, robotics, talks, and film shows for as low as P120!

With our official ticket partner, SM Tickets, buy your tickets online via smtickets.com/events/view/6491 or purchase at any of its outlets nationwide! For inquiries and reservations, please call 470-2222.

This cool event is also brought to us by Kumu, Fennel, IdeaSpace Philippines, LEXI, Philippine Science Centrum, Museo Pambata, Adarna House, WIP PH, SouthRepublik, UP Materials Science Society, and Edukasyon.ph! See and check out their booths for cool, cool freebies and prizes!

Along with our official partner organizations, Association for Computing Machinery - UP Diliman Student Chapter, Inc., UP IECEP, Ateneo Electronics and Computer Engineering Society, Computer Society of the Ateneo ¤, JPCS - FEU Institute of Technology, and official media partners, DZUP 1602 Kasali Ka!, DLSU-D 95.9 Green FM, MAGIS Radio, TOMCAT (Tomasian Media Circle and Talents), UST Tiger Radio, Herotv, NoInk, philstar.com, SparkUp, Wazzup Pilipinas, and FlipScience, we're gonna get the culture of ideation and innovation started among the youth!

Like us on Facebook at facebook.com/psysc.stemex for more updates!

#STEMEX2018 #Ideas2Innovation