How Filipino Youth Can Use Data Science to Make a Difference

Wazzup Pilipinas!

It has only been a decade since D.J. Patil, and Jeff Hammerbacher coined the term “data science”, but it already managed to become the best job in America according to Glassdoor. In fact, if you are a data scientist, you are one of the kickass professionals, who have the sexiest job in the 21st century.

But why exactly is it important? The answer is simple. Data science made it possible to analyze just about anything. It allowed organizations make sense of data-driven insights to help them thrive in the ever-changing digital economy. From making businesses more efficient and competitive to improving outcomes in different systems, data science changed the way we interact with today’s digital technologies.

Put simply, learning about data science now can give you a leg up in your search for a “future-proof” career. Millennials have now become the Philippines’ largest segment of today’s workforce and many organizations are starting to see the benefits of having highly-skilled young professionals to fill lucrative and sought-after positions.

This is what the ASEAN Foundation and enterprise software company, SAP SE (NYSE: SAP) believe in, as they partnered anew for the second ASEAN Data Science Explorers (ADSE), a data analytics competition, which aims to enhance the awareness and appreciation of the ASEAN community among students through digital literacy intervention.

Why should you take part in this data science competition among others? Here are 3 reasons why:



Help address pressing key issues
Living in a globalized and interconnected world allows the youth to be more engaged in a lot of pressing issues we face today. With digitization becoming a pivotal force in the world, both the public and the private sector, need to work together in building a platform for the youth who wish to seek changes in society. ADSE makes it possible by believing in the Filipino youth’s ability to lead the conversation in addressing social problems.

ADSE is aware that pushing the boundaries of what the youth can do will allow them to make positive changes in the country. This contributes to realizing the ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community Blueprint 2025 vision of creating an ASEAN community that engages and benefits the people and is inclusive, sustainable, resilient and dynamic.



A chance to have a glimpse of the industry
Gone are the days when you have to apply for a post and you just have an inch of information and experience about the latest developments in the industry. Nowadays, initiatives like ADSE make it possible for the young generation to understand how the industry works. By taking advantage of how data science can be used to build a skilled workforce through training and workforce development programs that help drive social progress, the ADSE allows them to be involved in their community by proposing innovative solutions that positively impact society while, at the same time, showcasing their ability to address their chosen social issue.

ADSE understands that allowing the youth to go through every process can help in propelling them to make social change.


Learn the latest technologies
Through the competition, participating students will be given access to ASEAN data and SAP Analytics Cloud platform. It is a platform for ideas to help raise relevant issues that based on six goals that can contribute to the ASEAN Economic Blueprint 2025 and ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community Blueprint 2025.These six goals are the six categories for this competition and are also part of the United Nation Sustainable Development Goals (UNSDGs).

“Our presentation focused on the development of sustainable cities and communities. We decided to delve into this topic because we believe that there is still so much to be done to achieve it. Getting the necessary insights on how we can help make cities more sustainable is vital not just for the Philippines, but for all of ASEAN,” shared Miguel Tolipas, one of the members of VizziePeople, the winning team from last year’s competition.

ASEAN Foundation and SAP actively supportthe development of the youth to push their vision to help shape the future by harnessing data to highlight key social issues and propose solutions to make a difference.

For further information on how to join ASEAN Data Science Explorers, check out this guide on how to get started.

​Call for Entries for 68th Carlos Palanca Memorial Awards for Literature (Palanca Awards)

Wazzup Pilipinas!

The Carlos Palanca Memorial Awards for Literature, the longest-running and most prestigious literary contest in the country now on its 68th year, is now accepting entries to its regular categories as follows:

· English Division – Short Story, Short Story for Children, Essay, Poetry, Poetry Written for Children, One-act Play, and Full-length Play;

· Filipino Division – Maikling Kuwento, Maikling Kuwentong Pambata, Sanaysay, Tula, Tulang Para sa mga Bata, Dulang May Isang Yugto, Dulang Ganap ang Haba, and Dulang Pampelikula;

· Regional Languages Division – Short Story-Cebuano, Short Story-Hiligaynon, and Short Story-Ilokano.

The Kabataan Division, the special youth categories open to persons below 18 years of age as of 31 May 2018, is also now open for entries. The theme for this year is “How will you encourage the Filipino youth to read more books?” (Kabataan Essay) and “Paano mo hihikayatin ang mga kabataang Pilipino na magbasa pa ng mga aklat?” (Kabataan Sanaysay).

All submissions must be printed copies, as specified in the Official Rules. The Carlos Palanca Foundation, Inc. will NOT accept online or email submissions for all categories.

Contestants may submit only one entry per category. Published/produced works, which were first published or first produced between 01 May 2017 to 31 May 2018, and/or unpublished/unproduced works may be entered in the contest. Only unproduced works may be entered in the Dulang Pampelikula category. A work which has been awarded a prize in another contest before 12:00 M.N.of 31 May 2018 is not qualified for the awards.

THE DEADLINE OF SUBMISSION OF ENTRIES IS ON 31 MAY 2018.

The Palanca Awards is open to all Filipino or former Filipino citizens of all ages, except current directors, officers, and employees of the Carlos Palanca Foundation. The Palanca Awards established in 1950 to honor the legacy of businessman and philanthropist Don Carlos Palanca Sr. aims to help develop Philippine literature by providing incentives for writers to craft their most outstanding literary work and to be a treasury of the Philippines’ literary gems from our gifted writers and to assist in its eventual dissemination to our people, particularly the students.

For official contest rules and forms, visit the Palanca Foundation office at Ground Floor, Greenbelt Excelsior Bldg., 105 C. Palanca Street, Legaspi Village, Makati City.

For inquiries and other concerns, participants may contact the CPMA office through email atcpmawards@gmail.com or at (632) 843-8277.

Buy 1 Get 1 tickets for REP's Arsenic & Old Lace BOGO Madness

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Mix it up on date night with a dose of hilarious mayhem in REP’s Arsenic and Old Lace. Don’t miss the chance to catch the last two Saturday night shows of REP’s dark comedy Arsenic and Old Lace at a special deal! Buy one ticket for the 8 PM show on April 21 or April 28 directly at the REP box office and get another one for your date for free.

REP’s staging of the hit production follows the story of young Mortimer Brewster as he struggles to keep a crazy family under wraps, including a sadistic great grandfather, a delusional brother, two seemingly-sweet aunts revealed to be more sinister than anyone could imagine. Can he find a way to control the crazy situation without going insane himself? Catch the show at the OnStage Theater, Greenbelt 1, Makati City to find out.

Promo runs until April 28. Per DTI-FTEB Permit #4800 S’2018

For inquiries, you may call REP at 843.3570 or 451.1474. For updates and show schedules, log on to www.repertoryphilippines.ph, like and follow repertoryphilippines on Facebook and Instagram, and follow @repphils on Twitter.

Binondo A Tsinoy Musical Set to Open on June 29

Wazzup Pilipinas!

SYNERGY 88, Rebecca Chuaunsu Film Production (RCFP) and Fullhouse Asia Production Studios, Inc. proudly presents BINONDO, A TSINOY MUSICAL directed by Joel Lamangan and written by Ricky Lee with Gershom Chua and Eljay Deldoc.

BINONDO, A Tsinoy Musical’ tells the story of how LILY, a Filipina night club singer in pre-Martial Law Manila, and AH TIONG, a mainland Chinese scholar returning to Cultural Revolution-era Beijing, embark on a journey of great love and heartbreak that begins one fated, moon-lit night during the Mid-Autumn Festival of 1971 in the heart of Manila’s Chinatown.

LILY, a hopeless romantic, finally finds her unlikely great love in AH TIONG, a cynic about destiny, during this night of one of the fullest moons ever recorded and on the birthdate of Ge Lao, the Old Man Under the Moon or the Chinese Deity of Love. Vying for LILY’s heart as well is CARLOS, a local Chinese childhood friend of hers who is finally pushed to confront his feelings for her with the arrival of this stranger set on stealing her heart. A triangle centered on different ways of loving and receiving love forms the crux of this story.

Spanning two decades and two countries, the musical explores how love overcomes even times of racial prejudice and political turmoil and endures years of waiting and absence, only to grow deeper and change the lives of everyone who dares to put their hearts on the line.

The schedule of performances are as follows: June 29 at 8pm; June 30 and July 1 at 3 and 8pm; July 6 at 8pm; July 7 and 8 at 3 and 8pm.

Venue: Theatre at Solaire

BINONDO, A TSINOY MUSICAL shall feature the country’s multi-talented artists from film, TV, stage namely Shiela Valderrama Martinez and Carla Guevara Laforteza (Lily); Arman Ferrer and David Ezra (Ah Tiong); Floyd Tena and Noel Rayos (Carlos); Yela Laurel (Jasmine); Ashlee Factor (Ruby); Ima Castro (Mrs. Dela Rosa); Ana Feleo and Jennifer Villegas (Lourdes); Kay Balajadia and Jennifer Villegas (Mrs. Chua); Dondi Ong (Mr. Chua); Russell Magno (Mr. Zhang); Elizabeth Chua (Mrs. Zhang); Jim Pebanco, Lorenz Martinez. Khalil Kaimo, Ellrica Laguardia, Rhapsody & Tuesday Vargas (Koro); Jonel Mojica (Ge Lao); Philip Deles & Ivana Billanueva (Swing);

The ensemble are as follows: Carlos Derriada, Cheeno Macaraig, Claire Borja, Daniel Cruz, Dusty Suarez, Janine Tolentino, Joseph Billeza, Joseph Puducay, Julia Chua, Paul Clark, Precious Sementilla, Rence Aviles, Randy Rey, Romcel Brinquiz, Roy Sotero, Ryan Caraan, VJ Cortel, Xander Pineda, and Zyruz Imperial

The artistic team of BINONDO, A TSINOY MUSICAL are as follows:

Joel Lamangan (Director ), Rebecca Chuaunsu (Original Story / Producer), Ricky Lee, Gershom Chua, Eljay Castro Deldoc (Story / Libretto), Von De Guzman (Music), Douglas Nierras (Choreography), Joey Nombres (Light Design), Otto Hernandez (Production Design / Technical Director).

The production team are as follows: Gina T. Godinez (Creatives/ Line Production), Maricel Santos (Production Manager), Lani Tapia (Stage Manager), Rice Ramos (Asst. Production Manager), Froilan Dabalus & Christaliza Dabalus (Dance Masters), Therese Arroyo & Celine Bugcat (Associate Production Designers), Nikki Borbon, Bing Galla, Reynaldo Balaran, Henrick Jueco & Ronaldo Alim (Production Staff), Reynan Jalos, Leo Asetre, Jayson Busa, Jay-Ar Talanay Cruz (Assistant Stage Managers); Jenny Uy Estrope (Production /Marketing Coordinator); Sonny Aniceto (Graphic Artist); Christine de Los Santos, Sherry Gocheco, Hepzibeth Ting (Marketing / RCFP staff).


For tickets, call TICKETWORLD 8919999.

Ticket prices:

Orchestra center: PHP 2500

Orchestra side PHP 2000

Loge or gold premium side PHP 3000

Balcony center PHP 1000

Balcony side PHP 500.




For further inquiries, please contact:

REBECCA CHUAUNSU 09189169357 & 09173012445.

Email: rebeccachuaunsufilmproduction@yahoo.com

Spread Good and Gandang Vibes with Viber and Vice Cosmetics

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Rakuten Viber unveiled their latest partnership with Vice Cosmetics, the popular makeup line of the unkabogable host and TV personality Vice Ganda. In the same way that Vice Cosmetics seeks to make beauty through high-quality cosmetics accessible to everyone—"ganda for all," as the slogan declares—Viber helps spread the good and gandang vibes by making connections and communications on the app even more fun and fabulous.

Fans can download the Vice Cosmetics Sticker Pack, featuring Vice Ganda and Benjie the Unicorn, for free. Made with bright and punchy colors and details, the stickers feature hilarious greetings straight from Vice Ganda's vivacious vocabulary—from "Tarush!" to "Ganap mo, 'teh?" Downloading the Sticker Pack lets you follow the Vice Cosmetics Community as well, wherein followers can get an up-close and exclusive peek into the fun conversations between Vice and some of his favorite buddies in a chat group.

This collaboration was unveiled last April 7, during a surprise birthday party for Vice Ganda thrown by Viber and Vice Cosmetics at Island PH. Amidst a bevy of Vice Ganda's celebrity friends like Regine Velasquez, Ogie Alcasid, Vicky Belo, Hayden Kho, Karylle, and Angeline Quinto, revellers got to play with Vice Cosmetics sticker props and vinyl stickers for their photos in the island-themed party, and clink glasses filled with purple-colored, Viber-themed tropical drinks.

Best of all, fans can still get a chance to meet their idol through the Meet and Greet Vice Ganda Promo! Users simply need to send a Vice Cosmetics Sticker to the Viber PH Chat Bot as their entry to the promo (users can send one sticker per day). 10 winners of a Vice Cosmetics Box Office Pouch with four lipsticks will be drawn weekly , and three lucky Grand Prize winners will get to personally meet and greet Vice Ganda.

Contest runs until May 11, 2018 on the Viber PH Chat Bot, and winners will be announced on the Vice Cosmetics Community.

Kids Danced to Summer Rhythm at the Araneta Center

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Thirty kids aged 4 to 15 years old from Barangay Loyola Heights learned on April 17 the latest and hottest hip-hop moves from Dance Plus as they participated in Summer Rhythm, Araneta Center’s summer dance program for children. 

As part of corporate social responsibility, Araneta Center partnered with Miriam College and Alagang Kapatid Foundation (TV5’s social development arm) to allow kids from Daan Tubo, Park 7, and Marytown experience Summer Rhythm’s dance class. The activity aims to share the gift of dance to the children from the abovementioned communities and help its participants create memories that the children will cherish.

Launched on April 10 at Ali Mall, Summer Rhythm is Araneta Center’s summer dance program, which includes ballet and hip-hop classes for children aged 4 to 15 years old. The classes run every Tuesday and Friday from April 10 to May 18. Each session is held at the spacious Ali Mall Activity area, giving the participants ample space to move around and master their dance moves. 

The classes are facilitated by instructors from Dance Plus. Known as studio without walls, Dance Plus goes where students are by partnering with schools condominiums, gyms and malls to bring ballet and hiphop closer to where families get together. By conducting dance classes at the Araneta Center this summer, Dance Plus aims to reach more children and give its participants a “childhood enriched through a heart that beats for dance.”

Every P 1,000 single receipt purchase at any Araneta Center entitles kids to join Summer Rhythm. For more info, visit www.aranetacenter.net and www.danceplusph.com.

DOE Pursues Consumers’ Perspective for Electric Bill Reforms

Wazzup Pilipinas!

As part of its commitment to empower consumers, the Department of Energy (DOE), in cooperation with local government units and electric cooperatives of Leyte province, today held a briefing on the Proposed Uniform Monthly Electricity Bill Format that contains more pro-consumer information.

Two briefings were set for Tacloban City on 19 April 2018 (Thursday) at the DILG Convention Hall and in Ormoc City on 20 April 2018 at the Ormoc City Multi-Purpose Hall.

The briefing follows Energy Secretary Alfonso G. Cusi’s directive to fully implement the consumer welfare promotion provisions of the Electric Power Industry Reform Act (EPIRA).

The briefing intends to inform the public on the Unbundling of Electricity Rates and the Proposed Uniform Monthly Electricity Bill Format of distribution utilities/electric cooperatives in relation to the implementation of Section 36 on the Unbundling of Rates and Functions of the EPIRA.

The law requires that any electric power industry PARTICIPANT shall functionally and structurally unbundle its business activities and rates in accordance with the sectors (generation, transmission and supply) and shall reflect the respective costs of providing each service.

DOE Undersecretary Petronilo L. Ilagan, who represented the Energy Chief, said the DOE’s battlecry is to serve consumers.

“The topmost element in achieving this [public service] is through greater transparency. This is the core message for today’s pivotal event that would spark reform in the consumer’s electric bill,” Ilagan said.

The DOE official said the discussions with the energy stakeholders endeavor to support the realization of the provisions in the EPIRA.

“We anchor this activity on empowering all electricity consumers. We need to equip them with accurate information as provided in the monthly electric bill to enable them to manage their electricity consumption more efficiently,” he said.

The Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) issued in 2007 a policy directing all distribution utilities/electric cooperatives to post in their respective websites the breakdown of their generation charges, including but not limited to, their sources.

Another topic of discussion was about “ancillary services,” which are needed in the transmission sector to maintain the stability and security of the grid.

The DOE also shed light on the bill deposit, which is required from customers by distribution utilities of new and/or additional service equivalent to the estimated billing for one month. Currently, bill deposit is also not shown in the monthly billing statement.

Participants in the briefing were local government units of Tacloban City and Ormoc City, including barangay officials, the five electric cooperatives operating in Leyte, local media and other sectors related to the power industry.

UP Engineering Choir Presents Eng’g Choir in Encore

Wazzup Pilipinas!

In its 18 years of service, the University of the Philippines Engineering Choir (UP Engg Choir) has been at the forefront of developing and enriching the talents and skills of engineering students in the field of music through choral singing. It has not only entertained its audience with its different songs, but also brought pride to the college by bagging awards and recognitions from well-regarded choral competitions in the University of the Philippines.

As a way of giving thanks to the College and to the community for its continuous support to the choir's endeavors, the UP Engineering Choir will conduct its annual free-for-all concert entitled “EnggChoir in Encore” on May 10, 2018 (Thursday), 6:00 PM at the Engineering Theater of Melchor Hall. The concert will also serve as a benefit concert for the rehabilitation the UP Shopping Center.

For more information, follow the UP Engineering Choir on Facebook (@UPEngineeringChoir) and Twitter (@upenggchoir). See you there!

ePLDT Joins Asia CEO Forum on Cyber Security

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Angel Redoble, ePLDT Group Chief Information Security Officer, represents ePLDT at the annual Asia CEO Forum on Cyber Security: Protect Your Business in a Philippine Context at the Marriott Hotel, Manila.

ePLDT, the industry-leading enabler of digital enterprise solutions in the Philippines, recently participated in the Asia CEO Forum on Cyber Security: Protect Your Business in a Philippine Context at the Marriott Hotel, Manila. Angel Redoble, ePLDT Chief Group Chief Information Security Officer (CISO), was invited as one of the guest speakers to open the discussion on the cyber security challenges to Philippine businesses.

Recent reports indicated that a third of the world’s cybercrime incidences take place in Asia. The Philippines, according to the U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation, is the 10th most attacked country online next to Japan among global nations that have been victimized by cyber criminals. The proliferation of cyberattacks means an increase in business losses, especially to those that are slowly undergoing digital transformation but are not fully equipped with a comprehensive cyber security defense.

“If you are in the business sector, you should be worried about cyberattacks. Businesses that don’t have an end-to-end cyber security strategy are exposed to financial, reputational and legal risks,” Redoble said. “Hacking is not about tools. It’s more about the skills. High school students can hack you and they are smart enough not to equip themselves with tools to get what they want.”

ePLDT’s end-to-end Cyber Security solutions cover framework, intelligence, technology and expertise to protect businesses from evolving threats, malicious software attacks, possible data loss and reputational risks. The company is the first to build a robust Security Operations Center to offer an end to end cyber security services that can Predict, Prevent, Detect and Respond to cyber threats through its highly sophisticated SOC command center, malware and digital forensic laboratory, penetration testing laboratory and its global threat intelligence platform that is heavily used in gathering advance threat information on potential attacks through global threat feeds from partners around the world.

The Asia CEO Forum, presented by PLDT Enterprise, is the largest regular business event in the Philippines that focuses on promoting the country as a premier business destination to global decision makers.

Learn more about ePLDT and its business solutions at www.epldt.com.

Save Boracay at the Asia Real Estate Summit 2018

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Many consider real estate the most important indicator of the health of the Philippine economy.

Asia Real Estate Summit is the largest non-aligned event for the industry in Philippines. You name was referred to us by people who speak very highly of you.

The purpose of the event is to highlight the contributions of the property sector to the nation's economy and update the region on the amazing progress of Philippines.

Find out what's ahead and how you can benefit at Asia Real Estate Summit 2018 on Tuesday, April 24 (9:00am - 4:30pm) at the Manila Marriott -- a full-day event. REGISTER HERE. The price of admission is Php5,000 and includes sumptuous lunch and hors d'oeuvres -- Php6,000 if paid at the event. 

Presenters and panelists of Asia Real Estate Summit 2018 include (in approximate order of appearance):

HANNAH YULO of DoubleDragon will shock and awe on development progress by the fastest growing real estate company in Philippine history.
EVAN MCBRIDE of Udenna will shock and awe about on Philippines' other fastest growing real estate company in Philippine history.
EPIMACO DENSING of DILG will show how nothing will stop the government's comprehensive plans to save Boracay.
CYNDY TAN will describe the vast opportunities of tourism development across Philippines (in case Boracay can’t be saved).
MEGAN WALTERS of JLL Asia will show the megatrends coming around the corner to Philippines.
ARNEL CASANOVA of Aecom will talk about his gigantic community development projects.
CARY LAGDAMEO of Damosa Land will focus on the many growth opportunities open to everyone in the south of the country.
BHAVNA SURESH of Lamudi will show how technology will eliminate so many hassles and costs in real estate deal making.
and a whole lot more.

Be with us for Asia Real Estate Summit 2018, presented by JLL, with Elite Sponsorship by Regus.

Asia CEO Events organizes the largest business forums and summits across Philippines (Metro Manila, Cebu, Davao, Clark), including the nation's dominant business awards event, Asia CEO Awards (see www.asia-ceo.org and www.asia-ceo-awards.org). 

Past speakers include President Rodrigo Duterte, Vice President Robredo, Secretaries Cusi-Teo-Tugade-Lopez, etc. the heads of most of the nation's largest business organizations (plus celebrities: former Miss Universes Quiambao-Moran, Olympic Medalist Hidilyn Diaz, on and on).