DOE Unveils Investment Options in Cagayan Valley

Wazzup Pilipinas!

The Department of Energy (DOE) will conduct an Energy Investment Briefing for the Cagayan Valley region on Thursday, 26 July 2018 at the Oryza Hotel.

“We hold investment forums annually to entice investors to develop our indigenous energy resources. Adhering to the President’s vision of fast tracking the country’s development, we intend to bridge the gap among stakeholders in the local level for the smooth implementation of energy projects,” Energy Secretary Alfonso G. Cusi explained.

According to the DOE- Investment Promotion Office (IPO) headed by Chief Investment Specialist Lisa S. Go, the investment briefing seeks to establish synergy among the key players in the area to facilitate the setup of energy-related businesses at the local level needed to spur economic progress.

Expected participants include the representatives from the local government units, electric cooperatives, private distribution utilities and the existing and potential energy investors in the region (Region II).

The forum will also include updates on the Luzon Power Supply and Demand Outlook, as well as the existing and potential energy projects in Region II. It will discuss the benefits a community may reap for hosting a power project, and the requirements and procedures involved in the implementation of energy projects.

The investment briefing articulates the principles of the E-Power Mo movement, particularly the significance of energy investments in making the Philippines globally competitive.

“It will focus not just on investment opportunities for developers but will also provide consumers with relevant information and options for efficient, safe and cost-effective energy use,” Cusi concluded.

Young Pinoys Bag 126 Medals in Singapore Math Competition

Wazzup Pilipinas!

 

The Philippine Team collected 126 medals in the 4^th Singapore International Mathematics Olympiad (SIMOC) held in Singapore, from July 7-8, 2018. The SIMOC is a unique concept of mathematics competition, which, according to its website, not only tests the ability to solve mathematical problems but also tests the ability to work as a team to play interactive mathematical games and solve puzzles.

The Team, composed of 116 Grade 2 to 11 students from various schools in the country, joined through the efforts of the Asian MathSci League Inc. (AMSLI). They won 14 Gold Medals, 43 Silver Medals, and 69 Bronze Medals, with some students receiving multiple medals across three different categories.

Sixteen countries including the Philippines participated in the Competition. 

During the competition, the SIMOC group, headed by Executive Director Henry Ong, kept the teacher-coaches busy with a day-long training aimed to improve the teaching of mathematics. Invited representatives from the Department of Education (DepEd) and the Department of Science and Technology – Science Education Institute (DOST-SEI) likewise attended mathematics-related seminars conducted by professors from the National Institute of Education (NIE) of Singapore.

DOST-SEI Director Josette Biyo congratulated all the winners and thanked the AMSLI for their efforts in introducing young Filipinos to international math and science competitions.

“Here’s a fresh crop of math champions that we eagerly look forward to welcoming in the science community. At an early age, they have made the country proud. We hope the SIMOC competition ignited their passion and talent for mathematics in as much as it instilled in them the value of collaboration, hard work, and patriotism,” Biyo said.

The awarding ceremony was held on July 8, 2018 at the National University of Singapore Cultural Centre Theatre. Among those who attended the ceremony are AMSLI President Rechilda Villame and Philippine Ambassador to Singapore Joseph Del Mar Yap.

Growth of Online Casino Industry in Philippines

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Technology advancement has been witnessed every day since it came into existence. Nevertheless, though the internet has been there for many years, most people were able to access it in the early 90’s. As a result, several online entities such as online casino came into existence in the mid 90’s which prompted the licensing bodies to offer free licenses (in 1994), to boost the industry.

In the year 2017, revenue amounted to over forty billion thus proving, without a doubt, that the growth of the online casino industry is today’s world. Gambling in the Philippines has started in the sixteenth century, and is still present in the country today.

The government handles online gambling through the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) which task is to follow and operate games of chance, and to provide government income and to provide guidelines to all gamblers, but there are also public and private companies that handles different forms of online gambling, as technology is growing stronger every day.

Casino gambling under PAGCOR is crucial to the country's tourism and gives lucrative income. The Philippines has more casinos than Macau has it, with around twenty found in Metro Manila.

Lets compare gambling industry in Philippines and in the UK. Both of these countries have different benefits from this branch of industry and lot of people are involved in it. Many people in Philippines would say that technology advancements improved online gaming and made it easy for usage.

There is also a history of these games which is different for both mentioned countries and it is exciting how these games are developing more and more compared to the past. Gambling lovers in UK can now enjoy their favorite game without going out from their homes, which was impossible in the past , but with development of internet and software made this very enjoyable for them.

Gambling in the United Kingdom, , is monitored by the Gambling Commission with addition of the government's Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) under the Gambling Act 2005. This Act of Parliament significantly changed the UK's online gambling laws, among them the introduction of a new strategy of protection for children, as well as bringing the Internet gaming sector and technology advancements within British regulation, as they begin to grow and increase rapidly.


How is Online Casino Growing?

Today, both young and old have access to smartphones, tablets, and laptops. As a result, the need to network with friends, relatives and learning institutions globally has been high. Though personal computers usage has been high, the coming of smartphones brought a 'no turning' back upward trend in the gambling industry. That is, the number of people owning the mobile phones is far much higher than those in possession of Personal computers.

Not only is the device used to communicate and network, but also to play online games. Children even at the age of ten can now use their parent’s Android, iPhone and the like to play such games as roulette, blackjack, and baccarat among others.

Since most online casino software is compatible with most mobile phones; mobile gambling at the comfort of your house has become accessible to everybody in the family, thus leading to its unavoidable growth.


Improving the User Experience

Specific tools have been designed to track the ever-changing consumer needs and behavior in this industry. Naturally, people are wired to get bored whenever they do the same thing over and over again. It is due to this reason, that data analytics has been implemented to collect the customer’s data and process it. Online casinos are now able to monitor all their customers through the data collected.


Which personal data is crucial?

Customer information such as; gender, sex, location, the game played most, and time of playing it.


How is this beneficial?

It is now possible for online casino providers to track the changes in the games played, and the number of people regarding gender playing- if it is going high or low- and act accordingly. How is that achieved? Depending on the results, the providers initiate a marketing campaign that covers all user needs. This way, users get new and great experiences that make them want to play the game over and over again.

The results? They will share their experiences with others which make them want to play the game too. By loading the game with bonuses for the players, the campaign becomes a win, win, competition by the end of it all. As a matter of fact, online gambling isn’t going down at any one time. In fact, the future is more promising than the former.


Final Line

With the data analytics in place, the growth of online casino in today’s world is unquenchable. It may not even be possible to end it when children at the age of three, can access the guardian’s phones to play games.

With the smartphones becoming more advanced daily, and with their importance in peoples life, the need to travel to nearby cyber café, is now termed as 'past tense.'

You see, you can now access the game at whatever time you need it, regardless if it is during day or night.

The fact that all people irrespective of their gender, age, professional or location, are accommodated in the industry, online games may be termed as the “king of the world” shortly. Time will tell!

Beko PH Unveils #EatLikeAPro Advocacy

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Beko Philippines launches today its Eat Like A Pro (ELAP) advocacy, an information dissemination campaign, which aims to help parents in ensuring that they give their child healthier food choices.

The advocacy is in support of Beko’s current global initiative of eliminating unhealthy eating habits, which affects Filipino families, especially the young ones.

“As the Official Partner of the Everyday, we are not only driven by the constant desire to create meaningful, fast, and flexible solutions but to also help people solve their real, everyday problems,” said Dyeun Zapanta, Assistant General Manager of Beko Philippines. “This drive is what makes us a trusted partner to our customers.”

The ELAP campaign seeks to raise awareness about the rapidly growing rates of childhood malnutrition due to unhealthy eating habits.

A report recently released by Food Nutrition Research Institute (FNRI) revealed that Filipinos’ intake of fruits and vegetable is declining while their consumption of meat and eggs is increasing. An FNRI data from 1978 to 2013 revealed that we are eating more rice and meat while cutting down on fish, fruits, and vegetables.

FNRI-NNC’s report released in 2017 also showed that 7 out of 10 households do not meet their dietary energy requirement and that a small portion of households met the estimated average requirement for nutrients (Vitamin A and C, riboflavin, and Thiamine).

Kids are among those who are most affected by these habits, especially that they are passed on to them. Beko aims to tackle the issue by empowering and helping parents on the importance of healthy eating through its advocacy.

“The Eat Like A Pro advocacy is important to us, especially with the issue of childhood malnutrition. We want to elevate the growing concerns of parents about the matter by making them realize that it is possible to promote healthy eating habits to support their child’s nutrition without having to compromise the taste of the meals they prepare, regardless of their budget,” said Zapanta.

To know more about Beko’s #EatLikeAPro advocacy and Beko Philippines, like the Beko Philippines fan page (@BekoPH) or visit the website at www.beko.ph.

Whang Od - Nangarap. Umibig. Nagpursigi.

 

Wazzup Pilipinas!

In celebration of DLSU Harlequin Theatre Guild’s 51st season, the guild will be staging the first musical play in the Philippines to be inspired by the life of Maria Oggay, more famously known as Whang Od. Written by Em Mendez and directed by Romualdo “Raffy” Tejada, “Ang Huling Mambabatok” is a showcase of the art, culture, and traditions of Kalinga, from the past up to the present. This play not only seeks to honor Whang Od: the legend who has preserved indigenous culture and art, but also to make her known as Whang Od, the Filipina who has lived a life full of dreams.

Batang Nangarap.
We travel back in time to meet a young Whang Od and discover her roots. As we explore Kalinga from a hundred years past, we unravel the early traditions and rituals of Northern Luzon, which has molded Whang Od to who she is now.

Dalagang Umibig.
A conflict arises between Whang Od and her lover, as she struggles to choose between her heart and her destiny.

Babaeng Nagpursigi.
Now in the present, we see the drastic changes in tradition: from tattoos serving as a reward and honor to warriors, and now an honor for us all. We see the Butbut tribe, a warm-welcoming community, unfold from an isolated society—all upheld by the legend we now know.

“Ang Huling Mambabatok” will be making its way onto the stage of the Teresa Yuchengco Auditorium, De La Salle University Manila on August 10 and 11, 2018 at 4:30 PM and 8:00 PM. You may reserve tickets at tinyurl.com/AHM-Tickets. For inquiries, you may contact Alyette Ang at 0917 329 8056, or visit our page at facebook.com/dlsuhtg.

Michele Gumabao Lends Voice to Worthy Cause

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Binibining Pilipinas Globe 2018 Michele Gumabao took a break from her very busy schedule to participate in a worthy cause: a book-reading and -giving event organized by the Center for Art, New Ventures and Sustainable Development (Canvas) in the Vargas Museum at the University of the Philippines Diliman last Friday, July 20.
Binibining Pilipinas Globe 2018 Michele Gumabao took a break from her very busy schedule to participate in a worthy cause: a book-reading and -giving event organized by the Center for Art, New Ventures and Sustainable Development (Canvas) in the Vargas Museum at the University of the Philippines Diliman last Friday, July 20.

Despite the inclement weather, Gumabao was a ray of sunshine as she read the story “Aklatang Pusa” by Eugene Evasco and mingled with grade school students from various schools in Quezon City.

A booklover herself, Gumabao stressed the importance of reading and education especially to the youth.

“Reading plays an important role in learning and in our education. The youth must understand that education is their ticket to a brighter future and it opens a lot of doors for them,” Gumabao said.

Aside from competing in international pageants, Gumabao and the Binibining Pilipinas queens are also ambassadors of various charities and important causes. Last April, the queens lent their voices for autism awareness.

“Our job as a beauty queen is not just to smile for the cameras and dress up, although all that is really fun. Our job is to be a voice, to be an inspiration to those who need us,” Gumabao said.

The book-reading activity, a partnership between Canvas, the Binibining Pilipinas Charities Inc., and the J. Amado Araneta Foundation, coincides with Canvas’ Tumba-Tumba Children’s Museum of Philippine Art proof-of-concept show which opened last June 19. The exhibit will run until July 27 at the Vargas Museum. For more information, email info@canvas.ph.

For more updates on the Binibining Pilipinas queens, visit www.binibiningpilipinas.com and follow its social media pages: @realbbpilipinas on Facebook and Twitter and @bbpilipinas official on Instagram.

Photo captions:
MG bookreading: Binibining Pilipinas Globe 2018 Michele Gumabao is a ray of sunshine amid the gloomy weather during a book reading activity in the Vargas Museum at the University of the Philippines Diliman.

MG bookreading2: Binibining Pilipinas Globe 2018 Michele Gumabao takes time from her busy schedule to mingle with grade school kids from various Quezon City schools. She stresses the importance of reading and education especially to the youth.

Smart Prepaid Products Now Available at LCC

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Customers in Bicol will now have more access to Smart Prepaid products, following the signing of an agreement by PLDT wireless unit Smart Communications, Liberty Commercial Center (LCC), and Quicktrax Marketing Corp., Smart’s distributor in the region.

Smart Prepaid products are now available at LCC Expressmart branches, including call and text cards, SIM cards, and Smart Bro devices such as HOME LTE and 3G and 4G/LTE pocket Wi-Fis.

LCC is one of the pioneer commercial establishments in Albay and the Bicol Region, operating supermarkets, department stores, food operations, malls, and property developments.

In the photo during the signing of the memorandum of agreement are Quicktrax operations manager Mike O. Lim, PLDT-Smart sales and distribution’s Jun P. Bonggao, LCC marketing head Santiago Guerra, Quicktrax’s Verna G. Abejuela, LCC group category head Lovely Consuelo, PLDT-Smart sales and distribution’s Rene Anthony B. Santiago, regional development head, and Nilo B. Jeremias III.

How Change Management Can Help the Startup Businesses?

Wazzup Pilipinas!

If you are planning to implement changes to your organization, it is crucial for you to understand change management process. For implementing change management process, it is vital to adopt different tools and templates. Professional tools can aid change management. It makes the management process more effective as well as powerful. Change management tools should proficient, and they should be flexible enough to be customized or personalized. Change management process has different phases, and thus, various tools are required for executing different stages of change.

A business is either destined to either perish or propagate leaving the competitors behind. Strong management process is the key to keep business steady towards its goals. Amongst various business management processes, Change management is considered to be vital for a business to sustain. Different people or organizations have defined change Management in different ways.

Here is a look at the basic definition of change management plan:

Change management is the process or technique to manage people-side changes.
Change management is not the stand-alone process for business solutions.

Change management is basically a method of reducing business resistances.

Change management is a process of improving organizations performance or productivity.

Going by the definition, change management process is essential for a business.

Below, we shall find top 5 change management plan example:

Top 5 Change Management Plan

1. Addressing ‘Human Side’ Systematically
‘People issues' are created in an organization due to some sorts of transformation. When new leaders are asked to step up, job role of many employees within an organization get changed. Some employees would adopt the changes, while some cannot adopt changes. Those, who cannot adopt changes, are needed the attention of the top level managers. To manage such issues, organizational change management plan has been adopted by the managers. A formal approach for managing changes has been initiated at the primary stage. The change management process should be completely integrated into the decision making and program design. Realistic and individual-based management strategies are followed in this case.

2. Communication Planning Strategies
Regarding business communication, many managers have a lot of misconceptions. They assume that communicating with employees would do the job, but in reality, it does not happen like that. This is why we need to adopt project change management plan. There are many reasons due to which employees often do not follow manager's instructions precisely or perfectly. In some cases, there are feasibility issues, while in some cases, many employees tend to become disobedient. Managers may need to pursue the same message, again and again, to reach the employees properly. An effective communicator always keeps three factors in mind, while communicating with the employees.

Those change management plan template factors are:

Nature or behavior of the audience
What has been said
When it was said

To elaborate on this, let us consider an example. The first stage of the project change management plan is building awareness when the change is inevitable. Change brings a different ambiance for working for the employees and hence in the changed conditions; it is crucial that employees get accustomed. This would not happen overnight. This is a slow, but steady process. Thus, communication planning process begins with a careful analysis of the audiences, timings of messages and key messages. The team leader or project development officer should build a communication plan to address the needs of the frontline employees of an organization. Based on their roles, each employee should be treated with unique information and communication plan.
Change management has a significant impact on the financial progress as well as the process of a business. Your business needs to attain better financial management strategy. For that, debt consolidation is essential. With changes in the business process for the startups, a lot of investments come. For those investments, loans are chosen to be acquired.

3. Sponsor Roadmaps and Activities
For business, sponsors are very crucial. This is why business executives and managers need to play a critical role in the change management plan example. The change management team should develop robust plans for managing various sponsors' activities. Sponsorship has been viewed as the most important factor that can carry a business towards its optimal goals. Active and visible contribution and participating of the sponsors have been needed to carry forward business with changed scenarios. Unfortunately, many business executives have limited ideas on the sponsorship. The role of the change management team is to provide a fair idea of sponsorship management for a business process.

4. Coaching and Manager Training for Change Management
Supervisors play a key role in the business management process. It is important to direct supervisors in a way so that they can have more impact on the employees. A business coach or motivational coaches have similar roles to play. Supervisors as a group can be difficult to be convinced of the need for changes. They can also be considered as the sources for resistances. This is why project change management plan has been required. The role of the change management team is preparing coaching strategies in order to deal with behavioral changes of the coaching team or supervisors. The proper training process for the supervisors has been required to bring in the changes in the organization without facing resistance.

5. Recognizing and Celebrating Success
Whether it is an early success or long-term win – all kinds of successes should be recognized under organizational change management plan. Individuals or groups have to be recognized who was behind the organization's success. This is the final stage of change management process, though it carries substantial importance. In fact, without this process, nothing positive can be achieved. An organization needs positive vibes to propagate. This will create a happy working culture within an organization.
Change management process can be managed through the implementation of vital tools and techniques. Small or medium businesses mostly opt for such tools. Startup companies need to have robust as well as effectual change management tactics and strategies.

Simple And Easy Ways To Handle Gold Leaf Online

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Imitation gold leaf is often considered to be thicker than most of the 23 carat gold leaf. The leaf, in turn, is semi-transparent and thin, which makes a great deal when you are actually trying to handle the leaf.

However, the principles will remain more or less same whether you are planning to use genuine leaf made out of gold or the imitation one in the market. Even the equipment and tools will also remain the same. You don’t have to use multiple requirements to gild in a successful manner. But, learning the basic ways to handle gold leaf proficiently can be a major problem for those who aren’t that experienced.

Major items and more to learn:

The gilding knife and gilding cushion are two of the major terms available in this regard. Some of the other materials, which are indeed necessary to work on gold leaf handling, are cotton wool, Vaseline, pumice powder and the leaf itself. The secondary products, as mentioned right now, are priced economically. Well, if you are lucky enough to come across straight edged cutlery knife from 1950s, you have come across the best gilding knife for sure!
Learn to handle it first:

Before you plan to apply Gold Leaf Online, try to handle it first. There are some step by step methods applicable to follow, to handle the leaf with ease.

For the first step, you need to scoop about half teaspoon of the pumice powder with the help of gliders knife and put that on cushion. It is mandatory to note that your cushion needs to be free from any grease trace and pumice will act to degrease cushion.

The gliding knife should not have extremely sharp edges. If so, then it might easily cut into leather of cushion and that will make the surface rough.

With the help of this knife, you can spread powder over the cushion’s surface and use edge of knife and not flat blade. Later, use that side for scraping the powder forward and backward to cover entire cushion. It helps in removing grease from the area.
Wipe off the powder from knife and bush surplus powder from cushion with gilders knife. Open the leak book and inert blade under the leaves.

There are some gilders to help you use shield around cushion for preventing drafts from blowing leaf. After lifting the leaf, laid it flat out. If you fail to put the leaf straight, you can blow onto the leaf’s surface.

If you need, you can actually cut the leaf into smaller pieces, and then put that on the item you want. Try drawing knife through leaf, and exert a moderate pressure while planning to do so.

If you want, you can grease the back side of your hand too. This grease will help you to use leaf easily and without crumbling it. You can use any shape and size of gold leaf, once you are through with the basic application procedure. But be sure to get the right tools by your side.

Etihad Airways Launches Major New Partnershio with Acqua D Parma

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Symbolising modern elegance and authentic Italian style, iconic brand ACQUA DI PARMA to fly high in The Residence, First Class and Business Class cabins, and at flagship First Class Lounge & Spa

Etihad Airways has launched a major new partnership with the Italian fragrance brand, ACQUA DI PARMA. From August, the UAE national airline will introduce a range of exclusive amenity bags and toiletries for its customers travelling in The Residence on its Airbus A380s, and on long-haul First Class and Business Class services. The iconic brand will also feature in the airline’s flagship First Class Lounge & Spa in Abu Dhabi.

The new collaboration was celebrated with a curated event at the St. Regis Hotel’s legendary Abu Dhabi Suite, which was decorated in a style inspired by the perfumer, and featured a unique perfume room where guests were given a personal fragrance experience by a team from ACQUA DI PARMA.

The event also saw the screening of a specially commissioned short film showcasing the partnership. Depicting a guest on an Etihad flight admiring the plush surroundings of his Business Class seat, the film shows him being instantly transported on a sensory journey to the landscapes of Italy by taking in the scent of ACQUA DI PARMA’s famous Colonia fragrance offered onboard.

Linda Celestino, Etihad Airways Vice President Guest Experience and Delivery, said: “ACQUA DI PARMA is universal in its appeal, effortlessly combining, traditional know-how, craftsmanship and innovation with a modern Italian, yet very international flair. We could think of no better brand partner who stands for the same understated elegance, focus on design, luxury and warmth associated with Etihad as a world-leading airline. We look forward to exploring opportunities to expand our partnership even further.”

Etihad Airways’ association with ACQUA DI PARMA began in 2014, when the airline started offering the brand’s luxury toiletries in The Residence. Founded in 1916 in the historic city of Parma, and part of the LVMH Group since 2001, ACQUA DI PARMA has worked closely with Etihad Airways to tailor its unique products to each stage of the guest experience, on the ground and in the air, using its signature Colonia, a perfume with a formula which has remained unchanged for 102 years, along with a selection of additional fragrances in The Residence.

CEO & President of ACQUA DI PARMA, Laura Burdese, said: “After 102 years, ACQUA DI PARMA has become an icon of Italian style, the essence of sophistication and effortless elegance Italy is known for around the world. We are extremely selective when choosing brands to associate with, but partnering with a world-leading airline like Etihad was a natural choice due to its premium services and high-end inflight experience.

“Extending this partnership through an exclusive selection of products in The Residence, First and Business Class, centered around our signature Colonia fragrance, was a highly anticipated extension and development of this long-term association. I see this partnership as an enhancement of a relationship founded on the same shared values of excellence and quality, and the perfect opportunity to bring the Italian warmth and refined elegance over the world in the most gratifying way possible.”

In The Residence, the airline’s revolutionary three-room cabin on Airbus A380 aircraft flying from Abu Dhabi to London, Paris, New York and Sydney, guests are provided with a bespoke range of fragrances and toiletries provided in their own private shower room, including a Colonia amenity kit. Colonia Pura is provided for men and Magnolia Nobile for women.

Yellow, the colour synonymous with the Italian brand, is used for all First Class bags, while Business Class bags are offered in the same yellow, and also in black.

The First Class unisex cylinder bag contains a miniature bottle of Colonia, a 40ml body lotion and lip balm. First Class toiletries include Colonia hand wash and hand cream, and Colonia bathroom amenity kits feature shower gel, body lotion, hair shampoo, and hair conditioner.

The Business Class unisex wallet bag, which can be buttoned to create a stylish and useful valet tray, contains a Colonia sampler and hand cream, which will also be dispensed in the Business Class washrooms.

Ms. Celestino adds: “Just as Etihad is not just simply an airline, ACQUA DI PARMA is more than just a fragrance. Both are respected and loved luxury brands. This partnership showcases refined Italian style and Arabian hospitality and we know it will prove very popular with our guests. The range of products chosen will enhance their comfort onboard and will also define their journey through this new sensory experience.

“It also highlights cross-cultural similarities and the importance of the sense of smell throughout everyday life, which can elevate the mood, and links fragrances to memorable experiences. The original Colonia was sprayed onto gentlemen’s tailored suits as a finishing touch, just as Oud would be anointed onto the Farokha tassel of an Emirati Kandora, or sprayed onto the Abaya.”

   

ACQUA DI PARMA products will also be offered in the washrooms and shower facilities at the airline’s award-winning First Class Lounge & Spa at Abu Dhabi International Airport.