Energy Sector's Earthquake Readiness Enhanced by Filipino Software

Wazzup Pilipinas!

DOE AND DOST MOVE TO SECURE THE ENERGY FACILITIES: The DOE and DOST signed on 16 March 2018 a Memorandum of Agreement (MO A) to enhance the capacity of the energy sector in assessing the risk hazards of an impending earthquake that may have adverse impacts on energy facilities and services as well as people. The MOA entails training on the use of the Filipino-made Rapid Earthquake Damage Assessment System (REDAS) software, which is a tool for preparing and responding to calamities and disasters. Sealing the deal with Energy Secretary Alfonso G. Cusi is DOST Undersecretary Renato U. Solidum Jr. with DOE Senior Undersecretary Jesus Cristino P. Posadas and PHIVOLCS Associate Scientist Dr. Maria Leonila P. Bautista as witnesses.

“Wag na tayong magpatumpik-tumpik pa,” emphasized Department of Energy (DOE) Secretary Alfonso G. Cusi during the signing of an agreement with the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) on Friday (16 March) to use a Filipino-made software to enhance the capacity of all stakeholders in earthquake readiness.

This is a timely response to the magnitude 6.5-earthquake that hit Visayas last year, affecting electricity supply delivery in Leyte, Samar and Bohol. This incident revealed the vulnerability of the country’s energy systems to earthquakes.

Cusi pointed out: “It is the mandate of the DOE to ensure that energy services will be available to everyone immediately after an emergency situation.” This pronouncement supports President Rodrigo Duterte’s directive to ensure disaster resilience.

“We need all available tools and technologies to enhance our resiliency planning and implementation,” Cusi emphasized, citing the threat of a magnitude 7.2-earthquake and other calamities, which pose risks to operations in the energy sector.

The Memorandum of Agreement (M OA)  entitled “Capacity Enhancement of the Energy Sector on Hazard, Risk Assessment and Exposure Database Development Through the Use of the Rapid Earthquake Damage Assessment System (REDAS) Software” was inked on 16 March at the DOE-Media Center in Taguig City by DOE Sec. Cusi and DOST Undersecretary Renato U. Solidum Jr., and witnessed by DOE Undersecretary Jesus Cristino P. Posadas and DOST- Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) Associate Scientist Dr. Maria Leonila P. Bautista.

For the energy sector’s capacity enhancement, the MOA outlines the development of database on hazard, risk assessment and exposure to earthquake through the use of the DOST-PHIVOLCS’ REDAS software. It can be used as a tool for emergency preparedness, contingency planning and mainstreaming disaster risk reduction.

Under the MOA, the DOE and PHIVOLCS would undertake and pursue intensive REDAS training, endeavor knowledge and resources sharing to complement each other on the implementation of the program, among other assistance and cooperation needed for the attainment of the goals and objectives to prepare the energy sector on possible earthquake hazards.

REDAS will be helpful in providing quick and near-real-time simulated earthquake hazard information to disaster managers which will help them in assessing the distribution and extent of the impacts of a strong earthquake to their people and assets. The data generated could also provide information and insights for better resource management and asset resiliency.

REDAS can be used to compute ground-shaking, earthquake-induced landslides, liquefaction and even tsunamis. Other capabilities of the tool include earthquake sorting capability, generating seismicity maps, onscreen map digitization and building of database on earthquake hazard risks as well as wind hazards.

The partnership of the DOE and DOST-PHIVOLCS is also in line with the recently signed Department Circular No. ‎2018-01- 0001 or the “Adoption of Energy Resiliency in the Planning and Programming of the Energy Sector to Mitigate Potential Impacts of Disasters”, also known as the Energy Resiliency Policy.

The Energy Resiliency Policy was issued as a foundation to make the Philippines an energy-resilient country. The policy also aims to unify the energy sector in mainstreaming disaster risk reduction in its plans, programs and activities.

The policy likewise seeks to institutionalize the strengthening of energy systems and facilities, and to enable the quick restoration and provision of an alternative power source that will alleviate consumer conditions during emergencies and disasters.

“Because of this partnership with PHIVOLCS, more collaborative efforts within the energy sector will result and in the end, it will make the country more competitive,” Cusi concluded.

FinTalks x SLSU: Bold Perspectives to Advance Financial Literacy in the Philippines

Wazzup Pilipinas!

1500 attendees. 10 speakers. 5 series. 1 event. This is FinTalks x SLSU - a series of major seminars organized by fourth year students of BSBA - Financial Management in Southern Luzon State University, Lucban, Quezon in cooperation with SLSU Junior Financial Executives.

#1: Kita Kita: A New Way to See Credit and Collection

The first of the five installments of FinTalks x SLSU was held last March 2, 2016 at SLSU CAM Auditorium. Current College of Business Administration Student Council Governor Ms. Lineth Cruzat served as the motivational speaker. Cruzat in her speech reiterated the importance of believing in oneself. She added, "...naniniwala ako na yung iba sa atin ay nahihiya lang. Yun yung gusto ko na mapag-aralan natin na wag ka matakot mag voice out, wag ka matakot mag share na yung sa palagay mo dapat mong i-share kasi walang mawawala. Makakatulong ka pa..."

Another speaker is Mr. Carlo Magno Sabater who discussed the brief history and the benefits brought by the credit and collection in our economy. He also inspired the attendees to take the risks because the power of change can be found within us. 

#2: Breaking Through Traditions: Harnessing Innovation for Inclusive Finance

The second installment aimed in highlighting the role of Millenials in promoting financial inclusion was held last March 16, 2018 at SLSU Covered Court. The activity was also attended by external participants from selected senior high schools in Quezon province.

One of the speakers is Ms. Joy Anne Pasumbal, who in her early age of 20 was already an entrepreneur and a trader. She discussed the different personal and financial challenges students are facing nowadays and provided tips on how we can overcome those challenges.

Another speaker is Mr. Cesar Augusto Villanueva, who works in the Inclusive Finance Advocacy Office of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas. He said that "financial inclusion is a good policy objective." Villanueva in his speech encouraged the attendees to help the BSP in promoting financial inclusion through the use of technology. He also presented the different financial inclusion initiatives conducted by the BSP that are benefiting the Filipinos today.

Join us.

The other series of FinTalks x SLSU will be held on March 26 and April 13 (wholeday). Join us as we make bold perspectives to advance financial literacy in the Philippines. Because we believe that when you go outside the four side of the classroom, your knowledge about our industry matters. For more information visit our official social media accounts at www.facebook.com/slsujfinex and www.twitter.com/jfinexslsu #FinTalks 

FinTalks x SLSU would like to thank the official Media Partners: astig.PH, Wazzup Pilipinas, Psst.PH, Creativoices Production, Voice of the Youth Online, NegoSentro, World Executive Digest, MoneySense and FranchisingPH.

SLSU JFINEX is a proud member of Junior Confederation of Finance Associations - Philippines and a proud student organization affiliate of CFA Society Philippines. 

Understanding and Treating the Gambling While Visiting UK Cheltenham Festival

Wazzup Pilipinas!

If you are anywhere in the UK during the month of March, you would have definitely heard of the Cheltenham Festival. The Cheltenham Festival is the place to go if you wish to experience the best in-class racing from all over the world. 

The joy of watching fine bred horses with their rippling muscles, being led to the finish line by their jockeys in a nail biting race will give you goosebumps. The other attractions the Shopping Village, the Guinness Village, the Hall of Fame, and the AP McCoy Wall to name a few. However, the core identity of the Cheltenham’s Festival remains racing and of course, betting.

If horse racing is an age-old tradition then so is betting on such races. If you are trying to understand the gambling culture around the Cheltenham Festival, you have come to the right place. Here’s how you can get started:

Check Your Wares

Checking out what you are signing up for is the first rule for anything and everything. While the online methods of betting could sound alluring, nothing beats the actual experience of observing and judging the horses during the parade ring. Notice the coordination between the jockey and the horse. Pick what you feel has the greatest chance of winning and then check out the odds of that horse winning the race. Note down the number of the horse.

Placing Bets

Interestingly, Cheltenham offers many ways to place your bets. However, if you still wish to place your bets online, you can always check out some of the best betting websites for Cheltenham Festival.

Once you have placed your bet, you shall receive a receipt containing the details of your bet. Always check and tally the details, if in case there is a mistake in your receipt, bring it to the bookmakers notice.

Types of Bets

There are two types of bets:

·         Win Only: When you are positively sure that your horse will win, you can place a Win Only bet.

·        Each Way: An Each Way bet is double betting, one bet is on the horse that you think will win, and the other for the placement of the bet. So the money you put at stake is basically paid in double.

After the Race

If you have won, all you need to do is produce your ticket to the bookmaker to claim your settlement. If the result was not in your favor, you should still remember to keep the ticket safe. Do not destroy your ticket until the weighed in announcement has been declared. It may be possible that the winning horse could be disqualified or a Stewards’ Enquiry could be invoked. And who knows, in the process, lady luck may have shined on you!

So, now you have a better understanding of gambling and how to place bets at the Cheltenham Festival. Win or lose, the gambling experience will definitely stick by you forever. Just remember to make a calculated decision and be always aware that betting is good way to earn extra cash, but also can be addictive. So, If you want to be rewarded for your prudence, be sure not to miss full experience of Cheltenham Festival. Good luck!

Ticao Island: Tourists’ One Model to Depict (or Define) What an Exotic Tourist Destination Is

Wazzup Pilipinas!

From my conversations with foreign traveller-vacationers in the Philippines, most of them assert that they do not prefer checking in in luxury hotels, plush amenities, and five-star accommodations. What they crave instead are exotic places where calm and quiet blend with modern lifestyle.

I asked them what they exactly mean since it is understandable that once you book a travel package, the agent will naturally house you into somehow pricey bed and board. So, to drive their point, they pointed to my place, Ticao Island, as a model for that exotic that they mean. How is this so?

Well, in Ticao, you can find superb hotel-resorts. Some of these hotel-resorts are the only structures standing out in a village where they are located. One good example, Ticao Island Resort, is structured splendidly in a village called Tacdugan wherein those houses surrounding it are commonplace ones dwelt in by village folks who usually subsist on fishing as their source of livelihood.

Another is Altamar Resort just a few kilometres away from Tacdugan. It is an amenity whose concrete facilities are similar in design to those hotels in Metro Manila or urban cities. What makes it unique is that it is in a very quiet rural expanse; no hustle-bustle like those in urban places, no sound of heavy machines, no coming and going of roaring vehicles, no fuzz of busy people like those in the downtowns; just the peace of the serene rustic touch, or of the synonyms—rural, countryside, bucolic and idyllic.

So, these tourists refer to the Metropolitan luxuries that they no longer prefer. Ticao, according to them, is exotic in the sense that you stay here in an atmosphere of rural culture combined with modern living. In the downtown of San Jacinto, Ticao’s most progressive of four towns, you can avail yourself of facilities, amenities and commodities that the modern lifestyle can provide. There are also hotels down there, other cozy lodging houses and restaurants.

Much contrary to the old impression that lifestyle in an island is outmoded and behind the times (Oh! I hate this impression!), the lifestyle in Ticao is avant-garde and trailblazing. People here are mold in innovative and forward-looking culture.

Every day, Ticao is frequented by foreign and local tourists. Foreign tourists come from races such as English, Chinese, Germans, French, Koreans, Japanese and Americans, etc. When foreign vacationers in the Philippines arrange a tour package, most, if not all, travel agents always include Ticao as a journey point. Mr. and Mrs. Chris Fleckney, a couple from England, showed to me their itinerary folder listing their arranged destinations which include Palawan, Boracay and of course Ticao. Tourists come to Ticao for Manta Ray, for diving.

Most of the foreign tourists I came to have a conversation with affirmed that they came to know about Ticao by word of mouth from their fellowmen who have come here, bragging to them about their encounter of the island. Ticao, really, is getting famous around the world.

The next day November 14, after my photo-shooting tour of Ticao Island Resort and having had a good conversation with the English tourist couple Fleckney, I scooted to Batuan, Masbate, one-hour travel from San Jacinto. Inside Yuson Hotel and Beach Resort, I chanced upon a seminar being conducted by the Department of Tourism Region V (Bicol) in collaboration with the local government of Batuan. I didn’t have the idea there was that seminar. I asked permission to listen. Incidentally, some of the facilitators are known to me personally and professionally. Having shown and established my credentials as a writer, I was then invited to join the congratulatory panel during the awarding ceremony and to join the picture taking for posterity and advertisement.

It is obvious tourism in Ticao is really giving itself a bigger and bigger shot! Just look how the Department of Tourism is so much fixated on!

Written by Remigio Espares III

Skills of the Future: 10 Skills You’ll Need to Thrive in 2020

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Now, more than ever, industries are shifting even more rapidly than during previous decades. The taxi driver of today may not be able to have a job in tomorrow’s economy when transportation becomes so advanced that self-driving cars can rely on GPS and camera sensors alone to get passengers from point A to point B.

That brings us to the question: what skills of the future should a professional start learning today to secure a career in 2020 and beyond?

Nontechnical Skills for a Technological Future

Surprising as it may be, but experts predict that the most in-demand skills in the next few years are soft skills such as creativity, people management, and having sound judgment and decision-making. That’s because more and more jobs may be taken over by robots, but those that require creativity and emotional intelligence still need a human touch.

For HR managers, this may mean giving more consideration to people who may have weak technical skills on the surface but have the potential to grow and master the skills needed to become more successful in the future workplace.

Being aware of the skills that may not be as crucial at present can allow you to recruit people that can adapt to shifts in the industry, hence increasing retention and improving the growth of your organization.

Angela Lee and Mei Yamaguchi to Battle for One Women's Atomweight World Championship at ONE: Unstoppable Dreams

Wazzup Pilipinas!

The largest global sports media property in Asian history, ONE Championship™ (ONE), recently held a worldwide media conference call for ONE: UNSTOPPABLE DREAMS, featuring reigning ONE Women’s Atomweight World Champion “Unstoppable” Angela Lee of Singapore and challenger, Japanese martial arts veteran Mei “V.V” Yamaguchi of Tokyo, Japan. Also on the call was Chairman and CEO of ONE Championship, Chatri Sityodtong.

Ticket information for ONE: UNSTOPPABLE DREAMS is available at www.onefc.com.

Angela Lee, ONE Women’s Atomweight World Champion, stated: “With the help and support of my family, we got through (the accident) together. And I feel thankful for everything. I am so excited to be back in action. I’ve missed everything that comes along with competition -- the training and preparation, and of course, getting right back in the cage. I think fans are going to see a great matchup. I just want to go in there, do what I love, and the results will show.”

Mei Yamaguchi, ONE World Title Challenger, stated: “I am super focused on this match. It’s going to be a tough challenge for me, facing the champion. But I am confident in my abilities and I working hard to give my best performance. I’ve been training a lot, especially in jiu-jitsu. I’m now a black belt, so I think I’m improving a lot. At the same time, I have a new kickboxing coach, so we’re working very hard. I hope I can showcase some of those new skills.”

21-year-old “Unstoppable” Angela Lee of Singapore is considered one of ONE Championship’s most outstanding athletes. She captured the inaugural ONE Women’s Atomweight World Championship with an awe-inspiring victory over Mei Yamaguchi in 2016, and has since then defended the title successfully on two occasions. Lee’s beautiful combination of elite striking and grappling has proven to be a potent formula for success, as she has remained unbeaten in her career. In the most recent bout of an impressive run, Lee dominated top contender Istela Nunes, showcasing her wide array of skills despite suffering from illness. She is widely-considered on a global scale to be one of the biggest names actively competing in the sport. She is set to defend her title next against Mei Yamaguchi in a rematch at ONE: UNSTOPPABLE DREAMS.

35-year-old Japanese martial arts veteran Mei “V.V” Yamaguchi is a female atomweight standout and a former ONE world title challenger from Tokyo. She is the DEEP Jewels Featherweight Champion, and owns seven submissions and two knockouts in her 28-bout professional career. In 2016, Yamaguchi challenged Angela Lee for the inaugural ONE Women’s Atomweight World Championship in an epic showdown that would later win multiple ‘Bout of the Year’ honors from international media publications. In her last bout, Yamaguchi thoroughly defeated Gina Iniong of the Philippines to win impressively by unanimous decision after three rounds. Yamaguchi is now set to take on champion Angela Lee in a highly-anticipated rematch.

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.

Twitter Introduces Nine New Premium Video Sports Content Partnerships To Asia Pacific Advertisers

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Astro Malaysia (including FIFA World Cup™), Asian Tour Golf, International Table Tennis Federation, BallBall, TV One and Eleven Sports Singapore among others will feature new In-Stream video programming on Twitter

Twitter, the first place to see what’s happening, will unveil this morning a robust slate of premium video sport content deals at Sportel Asia. Nine new collaborations will be announced, adding to the hundreds of sporting hours of live original programming, live games, highlights, and events to the platform. The announcement includes extensions of existing regional deals and brings even more opportunities for advertisers in Asia Pacific to align their brand with premium sports video content.

Twitter’s Head of Sports Partnerships for Asia Pacific, Aneesh Madani (@aneeshmadani), will present the video content offerings to conference attendees, as well as brand and agency partners, at a special Twitter workshop at Sportel Asia. He will be joined by guest speakers Simon Barnett (@SiBarnett), Ball Ball, Ashwin Sridhar (@ashwinsridhar), Fox Sports and Mohit Lalvani (@mohitlalvani), Eleven Sports, to discuss how sports federations, broadcasters and can make the most of combining OTT services and Twitter to grow their audiences and revenue.

“Twitter is the best destination for sports video content because it’s an extension of what fans already expect from our platform – the live sports conversation unfolding on Twitter,” said Aneesh Madani, Head of Sport Partnerships, Asia Pacific, Twitter. “Asia Pacific is a growth engine for Twitter and we could not be prouder to extend our success with more In-Stream premium video content from both headline events, and exciting underserved content, from sports leagues across the region.”

He added: “Digital video consumption in Asia Pacific is growing rapidly. Introducing these new in-stream video sponsorship deals for sports to advertisers in Asia Pacific will strengthen the success of our partners in the region, and give fans an easy way to keep up with the sports they care about most.”

Nine new premium video sports collaborations to be announced on stage include the following:

·         Asian Tour (@AsianTourGolf): Fans will have access to clips and highlights coming from major golf events on the Asian Tour.

·         Astro Malaysia (@StadiumAstro): Fans in Malaysia will have access to clips and content from FIFA World Cup™, EPL, F1, MotoGP, PGA and Asian Tour, Grand Slam Tennis, AFC CL and Cup.

·         BallBall (@BallBall_ID): Fans in Indonesia will have access to clips and game highlights coming from the top European football leagues.

·         Eleven Sports (@ElevenSportsSG): Fans will have access to clips and game highlights coming from Serie A, FA Cup and more in Singapore.

·         FOX Sports Asia (@FOXSportsAsia): Fans will now have access to clips and content from Bundesliga, MotoGP, Grand Slam Tennis, AFC CL and Cup.

·         International Table Tennis Federation (@ittfworld): Fans will have the chance to watch highlights of matches and other clips in almost real time from the best tournaments in the world.

·         NetTV (@netmediatama): Fans will have access to clips and game highlights coming from MotoGP

·         SportsFix TV (@SportsfixTV): Fans in Malaysia will have access to clips and game highlights coming from Malaysian League, Thai League and Serie A

·         TV ONE (@tvOneNews): Fans in Indonesia will have access to clips and game highlights coming from Liga Satu, Martial Arts leagues and more.

Each of these partners will utilise Twitter’s In-stream Sponsorships to enable the publisher partners to monetise their video content, while making it easy for advertisers to reach engaged audiences and sponsor exclusive content. The premium sports video content shared on Twitter will include a short pre-roll ad from content sponsors.

These new deals are in addition to a range of existing, previously announced ones which are also currently available to APAC advertisers, including:

·         ONE Championship (@ONEChampionship): Twitter will be the exclusive live stream platform for every single event of ONE Championship in 2018. All preliminary matches and two bouts of the main card can be streamed via @ONEChampionship.

·         National Basketball Association (NBA):Basketball fans in the Asia Pacific region will have a lot to look forward to with clips featuring highlights, behind-the-scenes content and more throughout the season as well as Periscope live streams of press conferences and interviews. They will be able to view this content on@NBA_AU, @NBA_Philippines, @NBAIndia and of course the @NBA account on Twitter.

·         Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA): As announced earlier in 2017, basketball fans in Asia will be able to watch 20 WNBA regular season games in 2018 and 2019 live on Twitter at wnba.twitter.com and@WNBA. They will also be able to catch up with highlight clips every week.

“The FIFA World Cup is the biggest sporting event on the planet, and this new partnership with Twitter gives us a major opportunity to leverage excitement about the tournament beyond the TV screen,” saysCK Lee, VP Sports Content at Astro. “Alongside our broadcast all 64 matches of the World Cup, Twitter will help amplify the most exciting moments from Astro’s coverage, and immerse fans in the ‘world game’ even further through expert analysis and fun, creative live and highlights video content from Russia.”

Chatri Sityodtong, Chairman and CEO of ONE Championship, stated: “I am thrilled with ONE Championship’s partnership with Twitter as it allows us to further showcase the beauty of martial arts to a global audience. This partnership signifies the two companies’ commitment to developing martial arts in Asia and extend the reach of our exciting live and digital content. We’re excited that martial arts fans, particularly those on the Twitter platform, can now enjoy free ONE Championship bouts while engaging in real-time conversation.”

WORLDBEX 2018 Opens in Three Mega Venues

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Now on its 23rd year, the Philippine World Building and Construction Expo (WORLDBEX) sustains its outstanding streak as it opens its doors to a record-breaking number of local and international exhibitors. Plus, an increase in its total exhibition space with the addition of the 2,500sqm wide Northwing hall of the World Trade Center which will house over 120 booths.

Officially opening its doors last March 14, this year’s WORLDBEX is the show’s biggest installment yet as it is currently being held simultaneously in the three mega venues of the World Trade Center Metro Manila, the Philippine Trade Training Center, and the SMX Convention Center Manila. With all three venues combined, this year’s WORLDBEX encompasses a total of 37,100sqm of show area and an aggregate of 1,500 booths by both domestic and foreign players of the construction sector.

In turn, WORLDBEX 2018 has noted a 25% increase in international exhibitors, a 12% increase in local exhibitors, and a 20% increase in total number of booths. Signifying something far beyond mere showmanship, the expansion undergone by WORLDBEX is a brimming testament of the show’s thriving ascendancy as a global force. And the same could be said about its decision to adopt the theme of “Shaping Innovations Toward Sustainability” for its 2018 installment.

As revealed by Worldbex Services International’s (WSI) Founding Chairman Joseph Ang, “Deliberately conceived to parallel the growing concern of the international community with regard to the need to develop ingenious yet mindful solutions, our theme for this year’s show deeply echoes WORLDBEX’s commitment to connect with the global pulse.”

Present in the opening ceremony are Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Mark Villar, Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Undersecretary Rowel Barba, Mr. Joseph L. Ang  - WSI Founding Chairman, Mrs. Levi S. Ang, Ms. Jill Aithnie Ang – WSI Managing Director,  Arch. Francisco Flamenano Jr. – WSI Executive Director, Mr. Rene Ramos, Ms. Tessie Roque and IDr. Lilia de Jesus. The members of the diplomatic corps of different countries, association presidents and the WORLDBEX ICONS of Interior Design are also there to witness the grand opening of WORLDBEX.

It comes as no surprise that the reception of both the local and international community towards the upcoming show has been widely optimistic. Laying proof to this was the successful turnout of the WORLDBEX 2018 Exhibitors’ Orientation Program held last January 31 at the Hall B of the Philippine Trade Training Center; where over 700 attendees from 300 companies took part in the pre-show event.

As affirmed by Richmond Sy, President and General Manager of GRM Biowood, a first-time platinum sponsor for WORLDBEX, “Worldbex is the gold standard for construction expos and is well-known for showcasing the newest and most innovative products of the industry under one roof.” Moreover, Sy found this year’s theme highly relevant as it reflects what his company is all about.

On the other hand, 20 years later and Puyat Flooring Products Inc. remains to be one of the longest standing sponsors of WORLDBEX. Recalling their journey as one of the pioneer exhibitors of WORLDBEX, Missy Castro, Communications Manager for Puyat Flooring Products Inc. states, “Our participation has helped us a lot to reach out to our target customers and showcase the beauty and effectiveness of our products. Indeed, it is the most ideal venue to let our clients know about our company and our products!”

However, there seems to be no better exemplification of the burgeoning role of WORLDBEX as a key driver of economic growth on a global scale than the impressive number of international participants that will be taking part at this year’s show. Assuming the role of being the global construction industry’s gateway to Southeast Asia, among the new countries to participate at the much-anticipated event include Indonesia, Australia, Turkey, Germany, Iran, and Japan. These countries now join the roster of long time international partners that support WORLDBEX, such as Korea, Malaysia, Denmark, Singapore, Spain, China, New Zealand, UAE, Thailand, the US, and Vietnam.

Particularly impressive is the enthusiasm expressed by Malaysian companies who are occupying the most number of booths at this year’s International Pavilion. Leading the pack is Malaysian powerhouse MATRADE which has been allocated 30 booths. As remarked by MaTrade’s Trade Commissioner, Ms. Nyaee Ayup, “WORLDBEX has continuously showcased the emerging and innovative products in the industry. Indeed, it serves as an excellent platform for trade exchange and to learn best practices from other participating countries.”

Without a doubt, this year’s WORLDBEX marks an incredible milestone not just for the show but for the country’s economic position as a whole. As remarked by Florian Gottein, Executive Director of the European Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines, “With the fast-changing Philippine business landscape and many developments across all industries, it is through events such as the WORLDBEX that the best in the Philippine building and construction industry can come together and showcase the many opportunities within the sector.”

Furthermore, Noel Toti Cariňo, National President of the Chamber of Real Estate & Builders’ Associations, Inc. cites WORLDBEX’s vast global network as an “affirmation of their bright prospects for the Philippine property and construction industry.”

Once again, WORLDBEX leads at the forefront of pushing forth the expansion of the Philippine construction industry to unprecedented heights. WORLDBEX 2018 will run until March 18 from 10am to 8pm at the three mega venues of World Trade Center Metro Manila, Philippine Trade Training Center, and the SMX Convention Center, Pasay. The show is organized by the Worldbex Services International, the country’s leading events and expo organizer. To register, visit www.worldbex.com. To know more, follow the Worldbex Services International facebook page and @worldbex on Instagram.

Lots of Amazing Prizes to be Given Away at TravelBook.ph’s Destination: PH Travel Fair

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Pay attention, travel junkies! This might be the answer to your summer getaway adventure!

TravelBook.ph has so much in store for travelers who are attending its first travel fair entitled Destination: PH at Century City Mall in Makati City from March 16 to 18. From fun games to raffle draws where amazing prizes from sponsors will be given away, the three-day event will be packed with fun activities for every traveler.

There will be five major prizes up for grabs. First is a travel package for Boracay with accommodations care of Azalea Hotels and Residences Boracay for a 3D2N stay with breakfast for 2, coupled with 23,000 worth of Mabuhay Miles which can be used to book airfares from Philippine Airlines. There will also be two winners of roundtrip domestic flights good for two pax in the form of AirAsia BIG points worth 52,000.00. Meanwhile, one lucky winner will get to enjoy a one-way domestic flight worth 13,000 AirAsia BIG points and two winners will get to bring home luggages from World Traveller Bags and Luggage. TravelBook.ph will also be treating two lucky winners to vouchers for TravelBook reward points worth 5,000. These points are as good as cash and can be used for booking hotels and tours through its mobile app or website.

For the minor prizes, Subic Bay Yacht Club will be giving away an overnight stay good for two persons with breakfast to one lucky winner. Midori Clark Hotel and Casino will also be raffling off an overnight stay for one lucky event-goer. Only attendees of the fair who were able to pre-register here: http://bit.ly/DestinationPHReg will be eligible for this prize. Free admission tickets will also be given away as prizes. Zoobic Safari and The Dessert Museum will each give away free admission tickets good for two persons to four lucky winners. Meanwhile, Enchanted Kingdom and Inflatable Island will be giving away free admission tickets good for two persons to five winners. There will also be six winners of free admission ticket for two persons from Zoocobia, Residence Inn, and Paradizoo. Lastly, ten winners will get to go home with loot bags from GetGo.

Products from Silka, UnionBank, and Taters will also be given away during the event.

For added information and knowledge on the tourism industry, TravelBook.ph invited several speakers to discuss travel-related topics during the event. Among these are Ms. Azucena Pallugna from the Department of Tourism and travel bloggers Mr. Arjay Abellara, Ms. Sheena Gonzales, Ms. Arnie Villanueva, and Mr. Rogelio Gabiano, Jr.

With so many amazing discounts on hotels and tours, variety of awesome prizes and freebies, and loads of travel-worthy insights that it offers, this event will surely be every traveler's dream come true! So, what are you waiting for? This summer season, start achieving your travel goals with TravelBook.ph, one of the leading hotel and tours booking websites in the Philippines!