3 Road Trip Destinations To Visit Within Luzon

Wazzup Pilipinas!

As the summer finally sets in, many people are planning trips to some of the many destinations that the Philippines has to offer. Whether it is the white sands of Boracay or touring the Underground River of Palawan, there are plenty of island adventures to explore. However, for those of us looking for a quick trip out of town, taking a flight out of Manila might be difficult for an overnight getaway.

Luckily, there are plenty of destinations that are located hours from Manila. If you and your family are planning a getaway this summer, check out these scenic provinces for your next road trip within Luzon.

Take the Beach Trails of Zambales

If you prefer to dip your toes in the salty sea without spending half of your monthly wage, then look no further than Zambales. The province is a three-hour drive from Metro Manila and is home to some of the best waves and coves to explore. While Anawangin Cove may be the popular choice in the area, there are hidden gems like Silanguin and Talisayin Cove that you should consider on your next road trip.

Get Inspired in Sagada

Since the movie That Thing Called Tadhana was released in 2014, Filipinos of all ages have grown an interest in exploring the mountains of Sagada and with good reason. The movie showed the true beauty of the Philippines that is not often shown on the big screen. Not to mention, this underrated province is known for some of the best food trips and sceneries outside of Manila.

Check Out the Lakes of Batangas

Go back in time and visit the town that’s often overlooked by visitors. The 4.6-kilometer Taal Lake Road in Agoncillo offers a faster route to Tagaytay City and better views of the Taal volcano. Not only will you cut travel time in half, the road itself will promote eco-tourism and aid the local communities in Batangas. Just don’t forget to stop by the Philippines’ “most beautiful” Starbucks branch that overlooks the Taal Lake.

What Do You Need To Remember When On A Road Trip?

While driving from Manila to nearby provinces can be a bit energy consuming, you still have to prepare the necessary items and documents to make the most out of your journey. After all, it is not just about the destination but how you get there. Here’s what you need to remember when on a road trip:

• Get A Maintenance Check – Before any trip, always have your car checked up for maintenance to ensure that the vehicle is properly working.  The Philippine roads can be dangerous for various reasons, such as poor weather conditions, unexpected road construction, or dangerous drivers. Just be sure to stay focused while driving on the road and prepare for the worst.

• Bring Your Documents – You might encounter some literal bumps along the way. Therefore, it is important to keep a copy of your vehicle’s documents as well as travel documents, if necessary. While it is important to avoid any distractions while driving, there are accidents that can't always be prevented. Having the necessary papers on hand will help speed up the process and continue on the long road ahead. 

• Stay on Track – While driving from Manila to nearby provinces will only take a few hours, you still have to prepare a map and itinerary when your travel apps suddenly stop working outside of the city.  Make sure to plan scheduled stops for food trips and photos to make the trip even more memorable. Be sure to make a few stopovers throughout the trip to help everyone stay safe, comfortable, and well fed.   

Whatever route you decide on, it is always more fun in the Philippines to take a road trip and explore the local spots of Luzon. Whether you are going solo, with a group of friends, or the entire family, just be sure to do your research, check the maps, and prepare an emergency pack to keep you safe on the road.

The Art of Med: A Year-End Concert

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Alongside a heart that is committed to healing, found in each and every one of us is a soul impassioned to inspire through art. As we step out of the normal rhythm of medical school, let us show you a different kind of healing through melodies and choreographies woven with the colorful patterns of life.

The UP Medicine Choir and the UP MedRhythmics proudly present “Art of Med: A Year-End Concert” this May 4, 2018, 6:30 PM, at the Girl Scouts of the Philippines Auditorium, Padre Faura, Manila.

Tickets are priced at P280. You may reserve your tickets through this link: 

http://bit.ly/artofmedtickets. For ticket inquiries, kindly contact Shanaia Daguit at 0943 446 0168. You may also visit our Facebook page, facebook.com/UPMedChoir, for more information. See you there!

This event is made possible in cooperation with the UP Medicine Student Council, UP Manila Chorale, UP Pangkalusugang Samahan ng mga Mag-aaral, Sigma Alpha Nu Sorority, and Kaffea Healthy Coffee Blend; also brought to you by the Society of Occupational Therapy Majors; special thanks to One’s True Nature, UP Manila Dramatista, UP Medical Students for Social Responsibility - International Physicians for the Prevention of Nuclear War Philippines, and UP Medical Students’ Society. 

We’d also like to thank our media partners: ClickTheCity, Wazzup Pilipinas, DZUP, and the UPCM Collective.

Let Enchanted Kingdom Take You to Greater Heights

Wazzup Pilipinas!

If you are heading down south with family and friends for a fun-filled quality time together, then consider visiting Enchanted Kingdom in Santa Rosa, Laguna.

Home to the famous Anchor’s Away, Flying Fiesta, Rio Grande Rapids, and Wheel of Fate, the theme park’s newest attraction, Agila: The EKsperience, offers a “life-like flying sensation” that will surely keep guests in admiration with its 6-minute presentation of the Philippines’ beautiful tourist destinations. Moreover, with Enchanted Kingdom’s investment on the latest technology, guests can experience soaring above the wonders of nature through its 544-square meter screen which is known to be the largest in Southeast Asia today.

Agila: The EKsperience takes entertainment to greater heights with its multi-sensory feature that sets it apart from any other theme parks. In its venture on taking a step further, Enchanted Kingdom envisions its guests to experience flying like an eagle. Like one, guests can feel the tropical breeze amidst the mountain tops and can also swing against the bodies of water. Guests will be surprised to see that the Philippines has so much beauty and the thrill of flying above and beyond such stunning views is definitely a first of its kind.

Not only does Enchanted Kingdom satisfy our sight through Agila: The EKsperience, but it also aims to inculcate the value of taking responsibility over the local tourism industry. It is a creative channel in causing awareness on how Filipinos should nurture and protect the tourist destinations of the country. As such, Agila: The EKsperience is a representation of the Philippines’ honor and pride, and in return, Filipinos must partake in taking action in sustaining the beauty of our country’s treasures.

Plan your trips today and experience the best interactive adventure with Enchanted Kingdom’s Ride-All-You-Can with Agila: The EKsperience available at TravelBook.ph! Discounted rates await so hurry and book now!

Rich Franklin's One Warrior Series to Host Inaugural Event in Singapore on March 31

Wazzup Pilipinas!

The largest global sports media property in Asian history, ONE Championship (ONE), has just announced the inaugural event of Rich Franklin’s ONE Warrior Series, which will be held in Singapore on 31 March. The live spectacle features prospects signed on during the show who will compete in professional bouts to earn a contract with ONE Championship exceeding US $100,000+ based on performance.

Rich Franklin, Vice President of ONE Championship and CEO of ONE Warrior Series, stated: “It is my honor to announce the first ONE Warrior Series event to be held in Singapore. We’ve visited many great Asian nations over the past few months and now have a solid group of competitors ready to earn their time in the spotlight. Asia is the hotbed of the industry’s top martial arts prospects. I have enjoyed taking in all that Asia has to offer, while discovering some of the most promising young talent on this side of the world. ONE Championship and ONE Warrior Series will continue to search for the region’s best martial artists and give them a platform to showcase their skills to the world.”

Rich Franklin's ONE Warrior Series is a new travel series talent search which runs in 30-minute episodes. The show aims to discover new martial arts talent across Asia, providing promising young athletes with the platform to unleash their martial arts greatness. Franklin, who serves as the show’s host, travels across the Asian continent with co-host Jonathan Fong, searching for talent, experiencing local cultures and testing their boundaries.

The screening and tryouts process consists of pad sessions, grappling demonstrations, conditioning exams, and an interview process, among others. Once selected, athletes will compete in professional bouts with a chance at earning a contract with ONE Championship exceeding US $100,000+ based on performance. The episodes of Rich Franklin's ONE Warrior Series are available on ONE Championship’s YouTube channel athttps://www.youtube.com/user/OneFCMMA



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.

Bibiano Fernandes Outlasts Martin Nguyen to Retain ONE Bantamweight World Championship

Wazzup Pilipinas!

The largest global sports media property in Asian history, ONE Championship™ (ONE), held a historic evening in Bangkok as the capacity crowd at the Impact Arena witnessed an amazing display of heart-pounding martial arts action. ONE: IRON WILL sent shockwaves of excitement throughout the state-of-the-art stadium as the card featured a series of compelling bouts, punctuated by an unforgettable championship clash. In the main event, Bibiano “The Flash” Fernandes of Brazil remained the undisputed king of ONE Championship’s bantamweight division, defeating two-division world champion Martin “The Situ-Asian” Nguyen of Australia.

Visit the official ONE: IRON WILL photo gallery by clicking: http://bit.ly/onephotos

In a gruelling five-round title tiff, reigning ONE Bantamweight World Champion Bibiano “The Flash” Fernandes of Brazil turned in a gutsy performance, overcoming a spirited effort from ONE Featherweight & Lightweight World Champion Martin “The Situ-Asian” Nguyen of Sydney, Australia to win via razor-thin split decision. The action was electric all throughout the bout, with both men having their moments. Although Nguyen landed the harder, more telling blows, Fernandes was the busier ma and performed slightly better overall with his takedowns and accurate combinations. In the final frame, Fernandes pulled away just slightly, outworking Nguyen over the last five minutes of the contest. In the end, the Brazilian did just enough to retain his title in front of a packed Impact Arena crowd. The victory cemented Fernandes’ claim as the best in the world at bantamweight, earning him a record eight title defenses to remain the most dominant ONE world champion in history.

Bibiano Fernandes, ONE Bantamweight World Champion, stated: “I said I would win, and I did. I really live for these challenges. I’m the champion, and I’m here to stay. I’m the best bantamweight in the world. I’ve proven it many times. Bangkok, Thailand -- thank you for having me.”

In the co-main event of the evening, Jeremy “The Jaguar” Miado of the Philippines overcame insurmountable odds, knocking out former world champion Dejdamrong Sor Amnuaysirichoke in the first round. In a wild exchange of punches, Miado clipped Amnuaysirichoke with a thunderous right cross, sending the Thai hometown hero crashing to the canvas as the referee waved off the contest immediately.

Shannon “OneShin” Wiratchai of Thailand authored one of the most dominant performances of the night, reinserting his name into the winner’s column with a quick knockout victory over Singapore-based Indian martial artist Rahul Raju. Wiratchai only needed 21 seconds to shut the lights out on Raju, landing a hard right hook to clinch the scintillating knockout. With his impressive conquest of Raju, Wiratchai earned the GoDaddy Knockout of the Night.

In a clash of talented female atomweights, Angelie Sabanal of the Philippines captured a hard-earned victory, routing Thai rising star Rika Ishige via unanimous decision in her ONE Championship debut. Sabanal and Ishige kept the action focused primarily at the center of the ONE Championship cage for the majority of the bout. The Filipina newcomer showcased her pinpoint accurate striking early on, peppering Ishige with stinging kicks and stiff punches. Although Ishige boldly traded strikes with the Filipina kickboxer from bell to bell, the latter pulled away in the final round, landing the more telling blows. In the end, Sabanal earned the undivided nod from the three judges at cageside.

23-year-old Saygid Guseyn Arslanaliev reignited his meteoric rise through the ranks, defeating seasoned Japanese veteran Tetsuya Yamada by submission. Both men started out aggressively, but it was Arslanaliev who showed a more capable set of both striking and grappling skills throughout the three-round lightweight match. As Yamada avoided trading strikes in the stand-up, Arslanaliev spun a web of crafty grappling on the ground to overwhelm the Japanese veteran. Driven to score a finish, Arslanaliev was able to get the submission in the third round, making Yamada tap from a wrenching belly-down armbar.

Pakistani martial artist Waqar Umar made an astounding statement in his return to the ONE Championship cage after nearly two years of absence, submitting Chinese prospect Zhao Zhi Kang in the first round of their featherweight clash. With a game plan to take matters to the ground, Umar got the job done by fastening a rear-naked choke to force the tap from Zhao.

American submission wizard Garry “The Lion Killer” Tonon impressed in his highly-anticipated ONE Championship debut, toppling Filipino lightweight Richard Corminal in his maiden assignment wearing four-ounce gloves on the premier martial arts stage. The Brazilian jiu-jitsu superstar put forth a dominant striking performance, unveiling a new dimension to his evolving skill set by putting together dynamic combinations. In an offensive clinic against his Filipino counterpart, Tonon overwhelmed Corminal with punishing strikes from the get-go, blasting his opponent with rocking right hands and cracking kicks. In the second round, Tonon took matters to the ground and quickly got mount, finishing Corminal with a pair of elbows.

Kritsada “Dream Man” Kongsrichai made quick work of the Philippines’ Robin Catalan to continue his winning ways inside the ONE Championship cage. Opening up the contest by taking the action right to Catalan, Kongsrichai pounced on his Filipino opponent with a series of powerful strikes, including solid knees from the clinch. As he pushed Catalan constantly back up against the cage, Kongsrichai wrapped his arms around his foe’s midsection and took him for a ride with a belly-to-back suplex. Catalan was deemed unable to continue when he landed on the mat, forcing the referee to wave it off and declare Kongsrichai as the victor by way of stoppage.

Multiple-time kickboxing world champion Alain “The Panther” Ngalani placed himself back on the winning track by edging out promotional newcomer Ariunbold Tur-Ochir of Mongolia via split decision. Both men gave fans a spirited effort over three rounds, which featured a healthy stream of action from both corners. After a gruelling contest, it was Ngalani who walked out with his hand raised in triumph.

Gilberto Galvao of Brazil spoiled the much-awaited return of Jake Butler to competition, defeating the decorated American wrestler by technical knockout in the second round. Galvao finished the job in the opening sequence of the contest’s second frame, checking a low kick from Butler with a hard knee. As Butler dropped to the canvas, he held onto his leg and hit the ground writhing in pain, the referee stepped in and called a halt to the bout, awarding the victory to Galvao.

A three-round bantamweight encounter served as the curtain-raiser for ONE: IRON WILL as “The Terminator” Sunoto battled it out with Malaysian standout Hisyam Samsudin. Leaning on his impeccable grappling, Sunoto burned out his opponent, consistently bringing Samsudin to the canvas and controlling the action with crisp ground strikes. With a dominant top game, Sunoto notched his second consecutive victory in 2018, defeating Samsudin as all three judges saw the bout in favor of the Indonesian to win by unanimous decision.



Official results for ONE: IRON WILL

ONE Bantamweight World Championship bout: Bibiano Fernandes defeats Martin Nguyen by Split Decision (SD) after 3 rounds

Strawweight bout: Jeremy Miado defeats Dejdamrong Sor Amnuaysirichoke by Knockout (KO) at 1:29 minutes of round 1

Lightweight bout: Shannon Wiratchai defeats Rahul Raju by Knockout (KO) at 0:21 minutes of round 1

Women’s atomweight bout: Angelie Sabanal defeats Rika Ishige by Unanimous Decision (UD)

Lightweight bout: Saygid Guseyn Arslanaliev defeats Tetsuya Yamada by Submission (Armbar) at 2:51 minutes of round 3

Featherweight bout: Waqar Umar defeats Zhao Zhi Kang by Submission (Rear Naked Choke) at 4:21 minutes of round 1

Lightweight bout: Garry Tonon defeats Richard Corminal by TKO (Strikes) at 3:40 minutes of round 2

Strawweight bout: Kritsada Kongsrichai defeats Robin Catalan by TKO (Slam) at 1:40 minutes of round 1

Light Heavyweight bout: Alain Ngalani defeats Ariunbold Tur-Ochir by Split Decision (SD) after 3 rounds

Middleweight bout: Gilberto Galvao defeats Jake Butler by TKO (Strikes) at 0:07 minutes of round 2

Bantamweight bout: Sunoto defeats Hisyam Samsudin by Unanimous Decision (UD) after 3 rounds




In case you missed the action log on to www.onefc.com/livestream for the full replay of the fights at only US $9.99.




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.

Thai Martial Arts Superstars Grace Open Workout for ONE: Iron Will

Wazzup Pilipinas!

The largest global sports media property in Asian history, ONE Championship™ (ONE), held an open workout for competitors of ONE: IRON WILL at Bangkok Fight Lab in Bangkok, Thailand on Tuesday, 20 March. The workout featured Thailand’s celebrated martial arts superstars such as Shannon Wiratchai, Dejdamrong Sor Amnuaysirichoke, Rika Ishige and Kritsada Kongsrichai who showcased their martial arts techniques in front of fans and media.

Ticket information for ONE: IRON WILL is available at www.onefc.com

Shannon Wiratchai, ONE Athlete, stated: “Competing in front of my hometown fans is always a great pleasure. However, in my last bout in Bangkok, I wasn’t able to give my countrymen a sweet victory. I have been working very hard to get back on the winning track. I will showcase my best skills in this bout and take home the win for Thailand. Bangkok, be ready. I am bringing the action right to you.”

Dejdamrong Sor Amnuaysirichoke, ONE Athlete, stated: “I believe the losses that I have suffered in my career have taught me a lot. I see those setbacks as an advantage, rather than just a blemish on my record. This match means a lot to me. I want to prove that I deserve to be competing on this international stage. I want to show to my countrymen that we also excel in martial arts, and to inspire more people to pursue their respective dreams.”

Rika Ishige, ONE Athlete, stated: “Martial arts in Thailand has really taken off, and I am proud to be a part of its growth. I have progressed a lot so far in my young career. The possibilities are endless for me, and I will continue to work hard to make my family and my fans proud. This is an awesome opportunity to showcase my skills on 24 March, so I will not take my opponent lightly.”

Kritsada Kongsrichai, ONE Athlete, stated: “It is an honor for me to represent my country. I will do my best to make my people proud. Since I joined ONE Championship, I have learned so much that has helped me throughout my career. I feel that I am ready to take the next step. My opponent is not easy, and it is going to be tough to face my fellow countryman, but I am prepared to do what it takes to win.”

Shannon “OneShin” Wiratchai of Thailand is one of the most thrilling offensive innovators in ONE Championship. The creator of the OneShin Striking System, Wiratchai developed his own style which incorporates various elements from Muay Thai, boxing, wrestling, and Brazilian jiu-jitsu. Training out of Tiger Muay Thai and Bangkok Fight Lab, Wiratchai emerges as Thailand’s biggest and most exciting martial arts star. After falling short against Russian lightweight Rasul Yakhyaev last December, Wiratchai seeks to re-enter the winner’s circle as he faces Singapore-based Indian martial artist Rahul Raju at ONE: IRON WILL.

Former ONE Strawweight World Champion Dejdamrong Sor Amnuaysirichoke is a three-time Lumpinee Stadium Muay Thai world champion who has an 8-3 professional record as a martial artist. He is known as a technical striker with quick hands and lightning feet, employing some of the most unique and creative offensive combinations. As a martial artist with over 25 years of competitive experience, Dejdamrong is a seasoned veteran. Dejdamrong aims to redeem himself in front of his countrymen as he is slated to lock horns with Jeremy Miado of the Philippines.

Rika “Tinydoll” Ishige is a 28-year-old female atomweight from Thailand who trains out of Tiger Muay Thai and Bangkok Fight Lab. She is of mixed Japanese and Thai heritage, beginning her martial arts training at age 9 with aikido and taekwondo. Heavily influenced by her late father who trained in judo, Ishige went on to hone her skills as a martial artist, and turned professional in 2017. All of Ishige’s victories have ended via impressive finish, showcasing her high-level grappling skills. In her last cage outing, she scored a second-round submission win over Rome Trinidad. Ishige looks to continue her winning ways when she takes on Filipino newcomer Angelie Sabnal.

Strawweight contender Kritsada “Dream Man” Kongsrichai of Thailand is a martial artist and one of the most promising young athletes in ONE Championship. He made his promotional debut in ONE’s first ever show in Bangkok in 2016, stopping opponent Kev Hemmorlor via first-round technical knockout. In his last bout, Kongsrichai made quick work of Rabin Catalan, finishing his Filipino opponent via first-round technical knockout. Kongsrichai is now set to return to the ONE Championship cage to give another spectacular performance, this time against Rabin’s brother Robin Catalan.

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.

WATCH: A 19-Year Old Student Builds a Power Bank That Can Power Appliances On-The-Go

Wazzup Pilipinas!

We rely heavily on our gadgets these days. Almost everyone has a power bank for those times when you don’t have access to a power source to charge your phone.

What if your power bank was supersized that it can actually power home appliances? Imagine going on a summer vacation and be able to charge your phone through many cycles without running out of juice.

In case you missed it, Angelo Casimiro, an Electronics and Communications Engineering student and the person behind the YouTube channel TechBuilder, created a DIY power bank that’s powerful enough to run appliances such as TVs, lamps, and electric fans. What’s even better is that it can also be configured for charging via solar panel.

A tinkerer since he was a child, Angelo’s been making inventions and sharing tutorials on how to make them in his YouTube channel. He made global headlines in 2016 when he made a working life-size BB-8 droid from household materials.

Together with leading global technology brand Lenovo, Angelo shared the full tutorial on his channel. Watch it here: https://youtu.be/Kq76PfvzETg.

Made from three USB powerbanks, a DC-to-AC converter, rectifier diodes, two 3-Cell Balanced Lithium Ion Charger modules, wood, contact cement, and tape, Angelo’s DIY power bank is stored with enough power to support various home appliances to even doubling the battery life of his Lenovo Legion Y520, which is a huge feat since gaming laptops consume so much power.

The AC outlet power bank is Angelo’s first invention in partnership with Lenovo.

Pool Chemistry 101: Keep Your Water Safe And Clean

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Having fun in the water is a great way to spend your time in the hot weather. It’s a form of exercise as well as a fun time with the family. Even in the Philippines, where natural beaches are plentiful, owning your own pool can ensure you have private access to the water anytime you want. However, owning a pool is also a lot of hard work. To keep your pool safe and clean for you and your family, you need to ensure proper water chemistry. There are three chemical factors that every pool owner needs to monitor in order to maintain proper pool chemistry. These factors are pH, alkalinity, and calcium hardness.

pH Level and Acidity

pH level is a measure of acidity, and to maintain safe pool chemistry, pools should be between 7.4 and 7.6. Higher levels can cause scaling in your plumbing, while lower levels cause eroding on any metal, as well as etching into the side of your pool. Adding sodium bicarbonate or baking soda will raise pH while sodium bisulfate or muriatic acid will lower levels. pH can also fluctuate due to outside factors, like rain or debris.

Alkalinity and resisting pH level changes

Alkalinity works hand in hand with pH and is the water’s capacity to resist changes in pH that would make the water more acidic. Alkalinity at 100 to 150 ppm will ultimately prevent your pH level from being altered. It is raised and lowered in the same way as pH, with baking soda and muriatic acid.

Calcium hardness for good water consistency

Lastly, Calcium hardness keeps your pool clean and its surface a good consistency. Your pool’s calcium hardness should be set at 150 to 400 ppm. If it’s any softer, the water will become slimy and corrode the pool’s surface. On the other hand, if it’s any higher, it will cause cloudy water that leaves precipitants in plumbing. In order to raise levels, you should use calcium chloride and if you need to lower the levels, use muriatic acid.

Other chemical factors

Outside of the chemical factors, several other chemicals are needed to sanitize your pool and keep unwanted bacteria and algae out. Algae are safe for humans, but can cause other problems with pool chemistry, and may attract harmful bacteria. The most common chemical is chlorine, but Biguanide, Bromine, minerals, and ozone are suitable alternatives to avoid the chlorine smell, or if you don’t like chlorine. In addition to regular sanitation, shocking your pool involves killing bacteria that your regular amount of chlorine misses. This may involve using a larger amount of chlorine, or oxidizing your pool. Good water filtration and circulation can also safeguard a pool of algae and bacteria, as well as make pool cleans ups easier through flocculation, or clumping debris together.

Owning a pool can give you the proper exercise and entertainment you deserve during the hot seasons. However, you need to make sure your pool chemistry is properly taken care of using the right pool test kit.

Biggest Audience Turnout Makes Binibining Pilipinas History

Wazzup Pilipinas!

A huge crowd of over 10,000 high-energy fans gave Binibining Pilipinas its biggest audience turnout in its long, illustrious history when it held this year’s much-anticipated Grand Coronation Night at the Smart Araneta Coliseum last March 18, 2018.

Dubbed as the Most Beautiful Night in the Philippines, the country’s premier beauty pageant drew a massive audience in support of their favorite candidates that they hope would represent the country in international competitions. The excitement surrounding this batch of candidates was at its highest, and this led to the biggest number of ticket sales for the coronation night to date.

With a bigger stage comprised of multiple stairs and landings, and dressed with LED monitors and lighted acrylic trimmings, it was one of the most striking presentations of the prestigious pageant, befitting the most beautiful women in the country. The Big Dome was filled with hordes of fans with lighted signs and letters spelling out their chosen candidates’ names; some even came with whistles and other paraphernalia to cheer their favorites on.

It was a night of frontrunner triumphs and interesting revelations when the judges finally announced the new Queens. The appreciative audience cheered for 2nd Runner-up Samantha Bernardo and 1st Runner-up Vickie Rushton; they made a lot of noise when the new queens were called: Karen Gallman was named this year’s Binibining Pilipinas Intercontinental; Michele Gumabao, Binibining Pilipinas Globe; Eva Patalinjug, Binibining Pilipinas Grand International; Jehza Mae Huelar, Binibining Pilipinas Supranational; and Ahtisa Manalo, Binibining Pilipinas International.

But the loudest cheers erupted when favorite Catriona Gray was named this year’s Miss Philippines Universe. The Fil-Australian beauty who represents Albay had described joining this year’s competition as nerve-wracking. Her vocal and very passionate fans, collectively known as Catrionians, feel she is ripe to bring home a fourth Miss Universe title after Pia Wurtzbach.

“The Binibini fans are wonderful,” say Mrs. Stella Marquez Araneta, Binibining Pilipinas Charities, Inc. chair. “They give so much love to the ladies; their support really boosts the candidates’ confidence, and sees them thru the trying periods in this competition. We will not be able to keep doing this without them.”

The new Queens are now busy doing media interviews and other Binibini-related appearances. Catch more of them on the official Binibining Pilipinas Facebook page (@realbbpilipinas) and the official website. For pageant fanatics, the Binibining Pilipinas 2018 souvenir magazine is also being sold at the Snaxx counter of Gateway Cineplex, 4th level, Gateway Mall.

Nadine Lustre and Friends for #ChooseCurvalicious by Whisper

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Today’s women are a force to be reckoned with. Unfazed by nothing and empowered to do more, they are unabashedly beautiful and confident wherever they go.

However, it is very rare that fat and ugly women are chosen for top positions whether it be for any field. From a recent beauty pageant grand coronation, one of the judges at the Q&A portion asked why is it that the pageant highlights a search for inner beauty but requires only beautiful women to successfully pass as candidates. This is because we still prioritize physical beauty, and pick out the better one out of the best choices. After all, it is still a "beauty" pageant, thus the intellect, talent, etc, are just bonuses.

Woman empowerment movements have been around for ages, but they still pose a questionable effect that coukd be damaging rather than empowering.

Every woman empowerment movement should  never sound or look like they are competing with men. Everyone should realize that gender should never be a preference or hindrance towards a goal.

But please do remember that if we want equality, we should equally work hard for it, and never use femininity to take advantage of situations.

Everyone must also get the necessary experience, skills and attitude appropriate for the job....and not get special privilege because you do pa-tweetums, landi and smiley echos to your boss to attain something. If we want equality, kanya-kanya tayong buhat ng bigat natin. Kanya-kanya tayong akyat ng hagdan. Huwag idaan sa female only elevator. Lol!

On March 20 at 5PM, Nadine Lustre took the stage as Whisper launched the Whisper Curvalicious Movement at Valkyrie Night Club, The Palace, BGC and performed the latest Whisper anthem.

We joined in celebrating the new Whisper woman, fearless, fierce, and playfully bold - Nadine Lustre, together with Two of Nadine’s best girl friends, Kiana Valenciano and Lauren Reid. You can be Fearless! Just like them, and #ChooseCurvalicious with New soft cottony Whisper!

Say yes to Curvalicious!!!

The party ain’t complete without Nadine, together with two of G-Force’s talented dancers, performed on stage her new Whisper Curvalicious song. We will upload the video of the song soon at our social media pages.

In the real world, we should be helping each other, becoming the strength for each others weaknesses, and stop proving that the male or female species can be equally better. It's already 2018. Women have proven their worth so many times already. There should be no more reason why they keep shoving it down our throats. It is so sad to find out some women are still looked upon as the weaker gender because some of these women still expect to be given special privilege like being seated at crowded public transportation vehicles. If we don't want to stand, never enter a Standing-Room Only vehicles like the bus or MRT/LRT trains.

What lacks at the event is the emphasis that not only good looking or #curvalicious women should take the spotlight. Lustre, Valenciano and Reid are all "sexy" which could somehow motivate women to exercise, watch their diet, keep away from vices, in order to look similar. But for those that are not so lucky to have fit and fab genes, no time to exercise or go to gyms, can't afford the organic or the calorie-measured diets, the special pills or supplements, the visits to Calayan or Belo, or an agreeable metabolism, it's hard to get a body like those of these Whisper Curvalicious movement endorsers.

But I am not really against any movement that seeks better opportunities for everyone. It is everyone's dream to be able to pursue anything they desire and getting a fighting chance regardless of gender.

Again, choose Curvalicious because it supports the ultimate quest to get all women the same respect and appreciation as men.