Power Mac Center Pioneers iPhone Display Repairs in PH

Wazzup Pilipinas!
Power Mac Center’s Apple Authorized Service Provider is now offering replacement repair services for damaged iPhone display screens. It is the first Service Center in the country to do so. Coverage includes cracked screens and broken displays or any related issues.

Customers with iPhone 6s or later models can take advantage of the new offering exclusively available at Power Mac Center branches in Glorietta 5 and The Annex at SM City North EDSA. Only Apple Certified Engineers are allowed to handle the repairs and only genuine Apple parts are used.

The turnaround time for repair depends on the availability of replacement stocks and the diagnosis. Meanwhile, price starts at P11,025.00 (inclusive of diagnostics fee and replacement parts) and varies depending on the unit. Payment may be made through cash, debit, or straight or installment basis for 3 months with 0% interest for select credit cards.

As part of Power Mac Center’s commitment to provide customer-focused service, it is also offering Express Service or same-day repair for an additional fee of P1,000.00. As a special treat, all clients who avail of the new service will be given exclusive discounts on iPhone screen protectors and protective cases redeemable at the said branches.

“Accidents do happen to the best of us but Power Mac Center came prepared. We take pride in being the first to officially offer this kind of service to Apple clients in the Philippines. Since the servicing is done locally, it’s now more convenient and hassle-free,” said Power Mac Center Marketing Director Joey Alvarez.

For more information about the new service offering, call the Power Mac Center Hotline at 725-4762 (4PMC) or email serviceupdate@powermaccenter.com. Clients can also book an appointment by downloading the PMC Service App or through the Power Mac Center Facebook account at this link (http://bit.ly/PMCfbApp).

The First Tough Mudder Philippines Joined by Over 2K Participants

Wazzup Pilipinas!
Over 2,000 participants from the Philippines and overseas, joined the first Tough Mudder Philippines weekend, which took place last July 21-22, 2018, at Portofino, Vista Alabang.

The event marked the first collaboration between Tough Mudder, Inc., and Proactive Sports Management, which is better known for their highly successful ColorManila Run series.

When asked about his thoughts regarding the first Tough Mudder Philippines event, Tough Mudder Senior Operations Manager for International Events Nathan Bassett, says, “Yes it has been fantastic. I think the ColorManila team and Proactive, have really done a good job pulling off an amazing event. It has been a challenging week with all the rains and the flooding, but the event that they put on this weekend has been fantastic, and I see that the participants are all having a great time.

“Today we got a taste of having the 5K and the half (8K). And we’re hoping to bring the full (16K) over here, and bring the best obstacles that we’ve got for a full event.”

Proactive VP Justine Cordero, adds, “We’re very happy that we have a lot of mudders today who joined. I’ve seen the participants enjoying themselves as they went through the obstacles, and they’re also helping each other out,…it’s all about teamwork. It’s also about exceeding, challenging your own self, and overcoming your fears. The Filipinos really know how to have fun.”

Some of the participants included Tough Mudder Ambassadors Raymond Guttierez, Gretchen Ho, Eduardo Lara, Noel Agra, Christi McGarry, Lahaina Mondonedo and Fabio Ide. They were also joined by Tough Mudder influencers Will de Vaughn, Alex Diaz, Carla Piscoso, George Irineu and other well-known celebrities, such as Marc Nelson, Erwan Heussaff, Nico Bolzico, Vince Velasco, Moritz Gastl, Luis Hontiveros, and Dyan Castillejo, among others, who were all seen enjoying the event, at Portofino, Vista Alabang.

Tough Mudder in the Philippines is held in partnership with Proactive Sports Management, a sports events company which started in 2012, and is known in the industry for staging various marathons and mass participation events.

The event was made possible by Cobra, Merrell Philippines, Black Arrow Express, Pretty Huge Obstacles, Vivere Hotel, Crystal Clear, Anytime Fitness, Snippet Media, and Manila Times.


Proactive’s next event will be the Yakult 16-miler, to be held on October 7, 2018, at the CCP Grounds.



For more information, please visit www.toughmudder.ph and FB/ToughMudderPhilippines.



Photo Caption: The first Tough Mudder Philippines event also attracted participants from countries such as Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, and even USA.

Dos and Don’ts of Online Furniture Shopping

Wazzup Pilipinas!

In the digital age, we live in; online shopping has become the norm for many people. However, while it’s relatively easy to shop for everyday items or subscription packages, buying home décor items can be quiet daunting, especially for the inexperienced.

Furniture shopping, for example, may prove to be a challenging task when you don’t know what to watch out for. So, consider the following dos and don’ts before you renovate your house or apartment.

The Dos

Verify the Authenticity of the Store

First off, what you need to do is make sure the store you shop from is genuine. To differentiate between real, authentic websites and the cheap, knockoffs observe the design and layout. A legitimate retailer will give more thought to the plan of his/her site than an illegitimate one.

You should also read the store reviews before you start browsing. There are two kinds of people in this world; those who make mistakes then learn from them and those who learn from the experiences of others. Be the person to learn from others and avoid repeating the same mistakes.

Read Product Reviews

Doing a little research before purchasing a potential piece of furniture goes a long way in helping you avoid disasters; reviews are the best way to know what to expect with the product in question. Know the previous customers’ thoughts and opinions before deciding on a particular piece; it will help you avoid feeling “buyer’s remorse.”

Remember to Measure

It’s not always necessary for the furniture that peaks your interest to fit the space you intend for it. Measure the piece of furniture you wish to buy as well as your apartment/house before finalizing your decision.

Measure once, twice, thrice, because you’re human and bound to make mistakes. When it comes to measurements for furniture shopping, there is no such thing as being too careful.

The Don’ts
Trust the Image

The saying, “Seeing is believing,” may hold true for some situations but not when it comes to furniture shopping. The photos used to advertise a product do not showcase the actual color most times; they are taken by professionals then further edited to make the item look the best version possible.

Plus, the lighting and exposure may change the color entirely. For example, brown may become black.

So don’t judge based on looks, read the descriptions and customer reviews before you make your decision.

Be Quick to Hit Checkout

“Good things come to those who wait.” Memorize the quote and make it your life’s motto, at least when shopping for furniture.

There is no need to rush things when you’re looking to set up your homes or apartments; mistakes happen when you rush. Let your choice sit in your cart for a couple of hours then go back and decide if you still want it or wish to review your options again.

Who knows, something far better may come along if you wait to hit checkout.

Spend Over Your Budget
It is easy to overspend with online shopping, so it is crucial that you maintain your budget. If a piece seems the right fit but is highly expensive, don’t buy it! You can look for something similar at lower costs or use coupons to get discounts on your desired piece. PennySaviour, for example, offers fantastic discounts Codes and Coupon of various brands like Cymax, et cetera.

Conclusion

While online shopping is convenient and saves time and money, you still need to watch out for scams. It is your hard-earned money after all, so no need to be rash and hasty with your decisions. Take your time, read the reviews, compare prices, then make your decision.



Author's Bio:



Iffat Tafseer is a computer system engineer who writes content for site PennySaviour. It is an amazing website which offers Discount Codes and Coupon of almost all the big brands

Fashion Exhibit and Show Highlight Social Advocacies

Wazzup Pilipinas!

In this era where the world constantly demands for the new and the unique, how will this generation’s budding designers bring forth fresh concepts that set the bar for the future of fashion and would hold the fort?

Sinulid, the annual culminating show of the Fashion Design and Merchandising Program graduating students of the De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde, is set to gather both experts and mavericks in the industry to witness the vast design possibilities produced by today’s passionate and aspiring style hopefuls.

Equipped with the knowledge and skills garnered from renowned designer Lulu Tan-Gan and Fashion Merchandiser and Program Chairperson Christine Bennet, a total of 93 student-artists will encapsulate three years of exceptional guidance and nurtured training into ten months of creative process in preparation for Sinulid’s third – and biggest ever.

Themed Stories Unraveled, this year’s presentation will unveil not only new trendsetting ideas, but also garments that will speak of advocacies on femininity, mental health awareness, sustainability, and sexuality. Likewise to be highlighted will be looks that depict the wonders of heritage, structural architecture, mutation, singularity, luxe, playfulness, and a seamless fusion of Philippine textile and contemporary fashion directions from the capital cities of the world.

On Thursday, August 2, 2018, the long runway set up in the midst of SM Aura’s Samsung Hall will stage 171 head-turning creations, ranging from ready-to-wear, avant-garde, bespoke pieces, and evening long gowns. The SM Atrium on the Ground Floor will likewise be decked and dressed with 159 original and distinct garments, most of which are gearing up for future brand openings.

“This year, we are once again blessed with talented, diverse and hardworking artists,” Benet shared. “They successfully encountered a rigorous design process that began by identifying their design aesthetics and career aspirations. Through Sinulid, they will showcase their works on different platforms that best suits them, allowing them to widen their horizon of opportunities in the fashion industry: may it be through Design, Merchandising, or Styling,” she added.

The Rise of Filipino Digital Marketing Consultants

 Homebased freelancer turned FB ads consultant Ann Kristine Penaredondo

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Because the new OFWs are gaining better ground in the industry…

Insider parlance used to kid about the term OFW to now mean “Online Filipino Worker” instead of its original meaning: overseas Filipino worker. Well, some factors are similar: both earn dollars, and both earn way more than similar jobs here in the Philippines. 

To add to that, the low barriers to entry and heightened appreciation and mastery of social media promotions have also supercharged a lot of Filipinos into boosting their expertise in digital marketing.

When before, being an online worker means being a virtual assistant, transcriptionist, or that you have to know a lot about tech, today, there are a lot more career directions that our online warriors can go.

Increased government support

Last year, a breakthrough project by the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) has successfully run their first batch of trainees from 26 local government units in different provinces all over the Philippines. 

This program netted 534 graduates, with two dozen trainers, and another two-dozen-person support team from the agency, all over the country.

Last year, the budget was only P22M, but with their success, the agency secured another P50M this year, in order to impact more areas and produce more graduates.

DICT Undersecretary Monchito Ibrahim said that he is seeing a possibility of hitting thrice the number of graduates/ scholars for the run this year, and that he is very confident that the results will aide in improving the lives of many Filipino families.

DICT’s Rural Impact Sourcing program is a one-month training that covers the basics of digital marketing, copywriting, social media management, and starting an e-commerce version of already established small and medium enterprises. They are also working to “bridge the digital gap by providing digital access and trainings to underserved communities.”

Better career recognition, better industry leaders

With better government support, the industry leadership in the digital marketing and e-commerce world also evolved throughout the years.

One of the industry’s veterans, e-commerce advocate Janette Toral, noticed the shift in new influencers and industry leaders, and how they’re also getting younger and younger, with ideas that also get sharper and sharper. This is something to be celebrated, she says, because this is a testament on how the industry is growing, and how these experts are also invested in positioning.

“It’s all about positioning. Whether one is an expert or not is subjective – based on claims, sustained strength of portfolio, certifications, and how critical these things are to your target client. The market is huge enough that we can decide where to niche. If you are really good, and you are liked by your clients all you need to do is focus on getting better everyday and add value to others.”

Today, it’s not new for digital marketing consultants to show up and do their own web shows, podcasts, invest in high level PR, and stage their own talks.

When before, these freelancers took pride in being  “homebased”, now, they’re bolder, more equipped, and ready to take on the world.

Homebased freelancers taking their skills to the metro

One of the up-and-rising freelancers-turned-consultants in Metro Manila right now is Ann Kristine Peñaredondo of A Kompelling Purpose. After being a Virtual Assistant for almost a decade, she used her skills to master Facebook and LinkedIn ads.

With her experience in retail and the food industry, she has honed her skills by working with multimillion-peso ad campaigns for manufacturing industries and even with some government organizations.

If you think this is impressive, this is not even a quarter of her goals. After being timid and “hiding from her cave” for so long, she’s excited to bring more to the table. She also urges her fellow freelancers to explore a new path in the digital marketing world.

“Homebased freelancers become digital marketing experts because they took advantage of learning from the job. Having a job does not mean you cannot strive to do more, it means you recognize the possibility that you can be more,” she shares.

Today, Ann does speaking engagements for Facebook marketing, manages her agency, and is continuing to help hundreds of freelancers in building their freelance careers.

There are different reasons why more and more Filipinos choose this path - from being more present for family, a new sense of fulfillment, to earning more, or even to take more vacation days than regular employment, here’s an industry that’s still young, and thriving. Indeed, the ecosystem of Philippine Digital Marketing is abloom. And we still have so much more to look forward to.

Phl Nets Another Gold in the International Mathematical Olympiad

Wazzup Pilipinas!

The Philippines wins its historic third gold medal in the prestigious 58^th International Mathematical Olympiad (IMO).

The Philippines won a gold medal, a silver medal, two bronze medals, and two honorable mentions in the 59th IMO held in Cluj-Napoca, Romania, from July 3 to 14, 2018. The IMO is the world championship mathematics competition for high school students, making it the most prestigious and the most difficult high school mathematics competition in the world.

Albert John Patupat of De La Salle University Integrated School led the way in capturing the country’s third gold medal in what is branded as “the Olympics of math competitions.” Previous IMO Gold Medalist Kyle Patrick Dulay of Philippine Science High School – Main Campus scored a silver medal this year. IMO first-timer Emmanuel Osbert Cajayon of Emilio Aguinaldo College, along with veteran Shaquille Wyan Que of Grace Christian College, both secured Bronze Medals. Andres Rico Gonzales III of DLSU Integrated School and Sean Anderson Ty of Zamboanga Chong Hua High School each won an Honorable Mention Award. The Philippines ranked 38^th in the Competition participated by 107 countries.

The Team is headed by Leader Dr. Richard Eden and Deputy Leader Dr. Christian Paul Chan Shio, both of Ateneo de Manila University. They are joined in Romania by trainer Mr. Carlo Francisco Adajar of University of the Philippines – Diliman.

The Team participated through the efforts of the Mathematical Society of the Philippines (MSP), with support from major sponsors Hyundai Asia Resources Inc. (HARI) Foundation and Manulife Business Processing Services, and in partnership with the Department of Science and Technology – Science Education Institute (DOST-SEI).

DOST-SEI Director Josette Biyo congratulated the Team and lauded the MSP for tirelessly pursuing a stronger presence for the country in international mathematics competitions. “Our young math wizards made us proud today but I hope the claps and cheers for them in the future would come from Filipinos they’ve helped improved lives through their outstanding mathematical abilities,” Biyo added.

UP Fighting Maroons to Experience European Basketball Training in Serbia

Wazzup Pilipinas!

The University of the Philippines Men’s Basketball Team (UPMBT) continued to reap support from different sectors as STATS, an active clothing/apparel company under Januarius Holdings Inc. (JHI), agreed to finance the Fighting Maroons’ foreign basketball training for the second straight year. 

The team will fly to Serbia on Sunday, July 21, to take part in a two-week long basketball camp in Novi Sad for intensive training drills that includes sessions with players from different Serbian ball clubs. Januarius Holdings, Inc., led by its Chairman and CEO JJ Atencio, also supported the UPMBT in their Las Vegas basketball training last year. 

The avid UP supporter (center) and the NowheretogobutUP Foundation (NTGBUP) -- a volunteer group of UP alumni supporting UP’s varsity programs, together with the Team Managers Ags Uvero and Dan Palami -- hosted a send-off lunch for the team and its coaches at MESA SM Megamall on July 19, 2018. The team will be back in early August to prepare for the coming University Athletics Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Season 81 that starts in September.

4 Important Qualities of a Veterinary Doctor

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Are you thinking of pursuing a career as a veterinarian? Have you completed your bachelor’s degree and looking for establishing your first clinic? If you answer is in the affirmative, then this write-up will enlighten you about some of the key points that will help you in building your career as a successful vet. A professional vet possesses much more than his degree and is fueled with qualities that determine whether or not the pet owners will prefer taking their beloved pooches to them for checkups. These qualities come with experience and time and it helps in creating your goodwill in the professional market, which will encourage more pet owners to opt for your services.

With that being said, here are some of the top qualities that can determine your ability and career as a vet:

Interactive
Owning a vet clinic is no less than running a day to day business where you have to remain open to communication whenever required. You have to deal with clients who reach out to you with their own set of requirements. Being communicative will largely determine your success as a vet and you have to develop the skills needed for building a good doctor-client relationship. The best way to do that is to show immense care for their pet, which is also a part of your duty. When the pet owners find that you genuinely care for the pets, they immediately start trusting you more.

Good Observation Skills
It goes without saying that the job of a vet is not an easy one and that too for pretty obvious reasons. The pet cannot talk or reveal the discomfort he is going through, which might make your job even more challenging. As a veterinarian, you should be competent enough to understand how his current behavioral pattern relates to his ongoing health condition. Be a great observant and confer the pet with the best possible treatment.

Carry Immense Patience
Your career as a veterinarian is defined by the way you deal with the clients and their pets, which require a lot of patience. And since tolerance can be forged in many ways, you have to hone your skills and temperament in such a manner that you do not lose it during a critical situation. Pet owners are very attached to their pets, which gets over their mind and they might end up being rude to you. However, as a doctor, it is your job to calm them down and assure them of the best treatment for their pet. Being professional in emergency situations will help you effectively in building a great career as a vet.

Creative and Flexible
Given the recent developments in the pet care business, you must be open to new opportunities as a vet. As a professional, you should look after collaborating with daycare centers such as PrimpPlay and work together to promote the overall health and well-being of the pets.

Conclusion
No matter how challenging the career of a vet is, at the end of the day you will feel satisfied that you are the reason for someone’s good health and smile. Stick to these qualities and build a great career as a vet.

Anti-Human Trafficking Council Screens Winning Eye-Opener

Wazzup Pilipinas!

In observance of the 2018 World Day against Trafficking in Persons, the Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking (IACAT), Commission on Filipinos Overseas (CFO), and Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP), will be holding a Cineforum featuring the film, Across the Crescent Moon on July 31, 2018 at the Cinematheque Manila.

The Cineforum is one of the main activities lined up for the week-long celebration of the global event in the Philippines, which mainly aims to raise public awareness on human trafficking. It will be graced by the film’s director and producer Ms. Baby Nebrida,  IACAT member agencies and partners led by the DOJ as IACAT Chair, the CFO (Usec. Astravel Pimentel-Naik) and the FDCP (Chairperson Liza Diño).

In 2013, the United Nations General adopted a resolution designating July 30 as the World Day against Trafficking in Persons. This resolution declared that such a day was necessary to “raise awareness of the situation of victims of human trafficking and for the promotion and protection of their rights.”

The award-winning masterpiece of Ms. Nebrida (heralded as the Ambassador for Peace by the International Parliamentarians), is a good eye-opener to the problem of human trafficking in the Philippines. The protagonist, portrayed by Matteo Guidicelli, is a Muslim soldier who battles human trafficking and other crimes in the Southern part of Mindanao while keeping his marriage to his Christian wife (Alex Godinez) intact. The film highlights the perils of modern-day slavery and digs deeper into kidnapping, abduction, and illegal recruitment, as three modes of trafficking in the Philippines. It also tackles the uniqueness of inter-faith relationships, echoing the importance of unity despite tremendous religious and cultural differences. The film has garnered numerous international acclaims such as “Best Ensemble Cast and Best Feature Global Film” by the International Film Festival Manhattan and “Best Film” by the Catholic Mass Media Awards.

Human trafficking is a crime that exploits men, women, and children for numerous purposes including forced labor and sex. The International Labour Organization estimates that 21 million people are victims of forced labor globally. This estimate also includes victims of human trafficking for labor and sexual exploitation. From 2016 until the current year, the Philippine government, through the IACAT headed by the DOJ, has consistently ranked Tier 1 in the US Department of State’s Trafficking in Persons (TIP) Report. This means that the government fully meets the minimum global standards for the elimination of trafficking. The launch of IACAT’s 1343 Actionline Against Trafficking in 2011 marked the commitment of our government in eliminating threats of human trafficking, slavery, and abuse.

For more information, please contact Janet Ramos (email jramos@cfo.gov.ph; tel. no. 552-744) or Frencel Tingga (emailftingga@cfo.gov.ph; tel. no. 552-4766) of the Commission on Filipinos Overseas. Any interested school administrators, student leaders, and members of the media (school or professional), may get in touch with the CFO for the screening of the film (July 31, 2018, 1 pm at Cinematheque Manila).

I am MAD Launches ‘MACbooklet’ to Groom Schoolkids as Nation-Builders

Wazzup Pilipinas!

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Ivatan students in Batanes were among the first to receive the MACbooklet copies​.​

In its continuing mission to provide the younger generation with opportunities to realize their dreams and passions, non-profit volunteer group I am Making A Difference, Inc. (I am M.A.D.) has launched a new learning tool called the MAD ACtivity booklet (MACbooklet) that espouse values which can lead them to become nation-builders.

I am M.A.D., a TAYO (Ten Accomplished Youth Organizations) Awards Foundation awardee on youth leadership, began distribution of its very own activity booklet titled 10 M.A.D. (Munting Aksyon na Dapat) Gawin ng Batang Pilipino to school children during its recent outreach activities in remote areas around the Philippines.

Based on the 10 I am M.A.D. Commitments that the group has been sharing with youngsters since its inception in 2009, the MACbooklet is an original creation by its co-founders Mark Conrad Ravanzo and Christian Marx Rivero, and written by Wino Dela Cruz, one of its active volunteers. It contains interactive content and illustrations (made solely in Microsoft PowerPoint) and a relatable story—inspired by the real-life characters of Damhar and Chooky, two of I am M.A.D.’s youngest volunteers from Basilan.

The latest learning tool highlights the group’s 10 small fundamental habits and to-do’s that can make a big difference forming part of its key advocacies anchored on the Department of Education’s core values—love of God (maka-Diyos), love for others (makatao), love of environment (makakalikasan), and love of country (makabayan).

Benefitting 250 students and led by close to a hundred volunteers, including 42 new recruits, I am M.A.D., for this year has so far conducted its trademark three-day I am MAD Camp and pioneered the dissemination of its MACbooklet together with packs of school supplies to far-flung school communities such as Itbayat Central School in Itbayat, Batanes; Camp Susana Elementary School in La Paz, Zamboanga City; Laiban Elementary School in Tanay, Rizal; B. Aldana Central Elementary School in Lamitan City, Basilan; and Mayor Santiago Garcia Memorial Elementary School in Mati City, Davao Oriental.

With a good purpose in every journey mindset, the I am M.A.D. operates by fielding an army of “TraVolunteers” (that is: to travel to volunteer) to run its outreach activities where one gets to travel to the country’s scenic spots while primarily allocating its time in their itinerary to perform community work as volunteers.

The volunteers facilitated values formation activities and engaged learner-participants from Grades 5 to 6 with games, team-building sorties, and workshops designed to promote Filipino values and inspire them to see themselves as future leaders.

“As part of our efforts to continuously innovate and give school children more ways to appreciate learning and further inspire them, we developed and launched the MACbooklet out of donations and help from our sponsors and friends,” said Mark Conrad ‘Maco’ Ravanzo, co-founder and chief executive volunteer of I am Making A Difference, who is also the illustrator/designer of the booklet.

But Ravanzo added that with limited resources and working essentially on goodwill of other people, they would need further support to sustain its new initiative. “We are seeking for support from those who share our advocacy to help us print and distribute our MACbooklet to inspire more kids,” he said.

One MACbooklet costs P50 and the group would need 50 booklets per camp. The group calendared 15 camps all over the Philippines this year and still has 10 remaining outreach in General Santos, Bohol, Sulu, Romblon, Antique, Samar, Tawi-Tawi, Bacolod, Nueva Ecija, and Abra. It also plans to share the MACbooklet to other school partners in the country.

For partnerships, interested volunteers and sponsors, email I am M.A.D. at iammadph@gmail.com. Visit iammad.org.phor connect through its Facebook page:facebook.com/IamMakingADifference or follow @iammad_ph on Twitter and Instagram.