Petron Activates Lakbay Alalay for National Heroes Day Weekend

Wazzup Pilipinas!

The country honors our heroes with a public holiday every last Monday of August which, for this year, falls on August 27. This long weekend is a welcome break for urban dwellers, and presents an opportunity to take a quick road trip to nearby holiday destinations.

Living up to its three-decade tradition of providing roadside assistance,  Petron employee volunteers will once again be providing motorists with “the best ang biyahe”  through the activation of Lakbay Alalay  from August 24 to 27.

A Petron Lakbay Alalay pit stop offers free car safety checks to ensure that your vehicle is roadworthy and will take you to your destination safely. Motorists are advised to always check their BLOWBAG—battery, lights, oil, water, brakes, air (tire pressure), and gas. There is free medical assistance in case someone is feeling a bit under the weather or needs emergency care. Drivers who need to ease their tired muscles after long hours of driving can avail of a free 15-minute massage. There are also road safety activities as well as freebies from other brand partners. And at Petron, you can freshen up in clean rest rooms.

To serve the National Heroes Day motorists, there will be Petron Lakbay Alalay activations on Friday, August 24, from 12NN to 8PM, and on Saturday, August 25, from 4AM to 5PM at the following Petron service stations:

North Luzon: PEC1 NLEX, Marilao Bulacan; Parkville Km 42 Plaridel, Bulacan; Lakeshore NLEX, Mexico, Pampanga; and TPLEX Km 134 Northbound, Pura, Tarlac.
South Luzon: PEC 3 SLEX, San Pedro, Laguna; PNCC Km 44 SLEX, Silangan, Cavite; and Star Tollways, Malvar, Batangas.
To assist homebound motorists on Monday, August 27, the Petron Lakbay Alalay teams will be on site from 10AM to 8PM at the following stations:

North Luzon: PEC 2 NLEX, Bocaue, Bulacan and TPLEX Km 134 Southbound, Pura, Tarlac.

South Luzon: Star Toll, Lipa City, Batangas and MATES, SLEX Km 44, Silangan, Cavite.

Since it was first launched 32 years ago during the Holy Week of 1986, Petron Lakbay Alalay lives on in the Lakbayanihan spirit of Petron employee-volunteers, all driven by the passion to give Filipino motorists the best ang biyahe experience with Petron.

Take Control of Your Own ATM Debit Card Security with BDO Lock/Unlock

Wazzup Pilipinas!

There’s no better comfort to experience in life than knowing you are at the helm of your own financial security, especially if you are backed by an enabling technology provided by the institution you partner with.

BDO Unibank has found ways to give you peace of mind and give you—and only you—control of your own BDO Debit Card while you sleep blissfully through the night.

Using BDO Debit Card's Lock/Unlock Feature, BDO cardholders can prevent their BDO Debit Card (including Kabayan Savings and Junior Savers) from being used for transactions at Automated Teller Machines, point of sale terminals, and online purchases and payments without their knowledge and consent.

“The BDO Lock/Unlock security feature is very useful especially in protecting our cardholders from incidents of unauthorized transactions,” said Tomas Victor A. Mendoza, BDO senior vice president and head for Product Management-Transaction Banking Group. “This provides them better and more accessible control over their BDO Debit cards.”

To use the Lock/Unlock security feature of the BDO Debit Card through BDO Online Banking, simply do the following steps:

1.     Log-in to your BDO Online Banking account;

2.     Click on the New Security Feature button at the upper right portion of the home screen. You will then be directed to the menu containing all your BDO Debit Cards and their current status;

3.     Slide the toggle button of the card you wish to lock/unlock; and

4.     Enter the one-time password (OTP) that will be sent to your registered mobile number into Online Banking to confirm the change. You will get immediate confirmation on your request.

On the other hand, to use the Lock/Unlock security feature of the BDO Debit Card through BDO Mobile Banking, just follow these steps:

1.     Log-in to your BDO Mobile Banking account;

2.     Click on the “more” menu to access Security Management; and

3.     Slide the toggle button of the card you wish to lock/unlock. You will get immediate confirmation on your request.

There is also no limit on the number of times you can lock/unlock your BDO ATM Debit Card. This service if free of charge.

Locking your BDO Debit Card will only prevent card-based transactions. Thus, you can continue to perform many transactions through BDO Online, Mobile, and Phone Banking.

The Lock/Unlock security feature is just one of the several benefits of using BDO Online Banking.

An Italian in Manila: An Exhibition Tribute to Mrs. Silvana Diaz (43 years of Philippine Art Patronage)

Wazzup Pilipinas!

This coming September 1 will be an exhibition thrown by the closest artist friends of  Silvana Ancellotti-Diaz who will celebrate her 43 years of dedication and art patronage through the establishment of Galleria Duemila (the longest running commercial gallery) and organizing major exhibition and retrospectives throughout these years.

An Italian in Manila: An Exhibition Tribute to Mrs. Silvana Diaz (43 years of Philippine Art Patronage), traverses the friendship and the support Mrs. Silvana Diaz has catered to these artists. It is time to reverse the spotlight, to pull the theme around and reflect on all the help and support of all the cultural workers most specifically an Italian woman in Manila.

The participating artists are R.M de Leon, Jonathan Olazo and Trek Valdizno.
Jonathan Olazo graduated from the University of the Philippines College of Fine Arts with a major in Painting in 1992. In 1994, he was awarded the Thirteen Artists Award by the Cultural Center of the Philippines. An abstractionist painter, an art critic and a former Fine Arts instructor admits to the fact that writing is an integral part of his process as an artist. Growing up in the arts with his father being the late artist Romulo Olazo, Jonathan has magnified the use of light and texture in his abstraction process, his visual planes often blur out each other, a more subdued process than his early perpetual awe of Willem de Kooning and Franz Kline’s art.

Trek Valdizno is a graduate of the University of the Philippines with a degree in Fine Arts major in Painting. His works has been exhibited in Ayala Museum, Vargas Museum and Cultural Center of the Philippines. He also did commissioned and collaborative works in various international institutions in Australia, Hong Kong and France. His art is a conscious, spiritual practice that allows him to traverse through different brushstrokes resulting into large-scale compositions that engulf the viewer into its majesty and elegance. Breaking down the components of his works, you can see the fascination and careful consideration in the littlest-bit of elements.

R.M de Leon is the First Filipino awardee in Studio Arts in Painting in the Vermont Studio Center in Vermont U.S.A and was the 13th Artists Awardee of the Cultural Center of the Philippines in 1990. His current works drew inspiration in storybook characters and cartoons that he found graphic and playful. In figurativism, it is a straightforward identification of symbols and enigma. R.M intervenes through cutting imagery that force imagination and wonder to the otherwise familiar narrative of early childhood memories.

The exhibition will start on September 1 – 29, 2018. Opening Reception will be on September 1, Saturday at 4pm. For more information, you may contact us at 831-99-90 or 833-98-15, or visit our website at www.galleriaduemila.com and follow us on our social media pages (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram): @galleriaduemila.

R.M De Leon, Jonathan Olazo, Trek Valdizno
September 1 – 29 2018
Opening Reception: September 1, Saturday at 4pm
210 Loring St. 1300 Pasay City

The Freelancer Fair 2018: Helping Freelancers Up Their Game

Wazzup Pilipinas!

What exactly does it mean to be a freelancer? What does an aspiring freelancer do? Is it for me? How would you scale and brand your business? These questions are major roadblocks for many who want to become a freelancer.

"My #1 tip for freelancers is to NETWORK!" -Marvin de Leon.

We strive to build a community of support and networking who can guide you through your road to becoming a freelancer. Well, you're in luck! The Freelancer Fair is here to give you tips of the trade to make sure you UP YOUR GAME this 2018. Who knows you can meet your future business partner or long-term friend here too.

The Freelancer Fair is here to shorten the learning curve of becoming a freelancer and ultimately give you the guide to achieve FREEDOM as a freelancer. Freelancers have the flexibility of creating their own schedule, removing the boring '9-5' corporate job, and increasing potential to become a top earner in your field. Freelancers are their own boss, which can be a pro or a huge con. You have a major responsibility to yourself to always grow your brand.

Here are some amazing topics we will cover this year

● The evolution of a freelancer: From Newbie to top earner

● Maximizing online tools for freelancing, ie Social Media

● Design excellence

● Achieving success and happiness in freelancing

● Time management

● How to manage and juggle time on a being a mom, a wife, and a freelancer

This year, Manila Workshops, with the support of the Department of Information

Communications and Technology (DICT) and Digital Career Advocates of the Philippines

(DCAP), will be holding the 3rd Freelancer Fair on August 25,2018 starting at 9am, to be held at the Metrotent, Metrowalk commercial complex, Meralco Ave. Ortigas, Pasig City. The theme for this year’s full-day event is UP YOUR GAME. As its the third year of the Freelancer Fair, we believe the Filipino freelancers are prepared to elevate their skills and be ready to compete in a global scale.

"Visibility creates opportunity. The day you accept this and take action will be the day EVERYTHING changes for you." -Nix Eniego, Social Media Academy

We challenge you to come to the event and expose your brand. Position yourself with positive, amazing people who have raised their game to the highest potential. Want to know how to get on your A-game, then purchase your ticket now.

We strive to build a community of support and networking. Who knows you can meet your future business partner or long-term friend here too! Come and absorb the great positive culture at The Freelancer Fair.

For tickets click here, please visit http://thefreelancerfair.com

Don't forget if you bring a friend or group you will receive a deep discount. Online tickets will be available until Thursday. Walk-in attendees will be accepted (only regular ticket rates will be available for purchase). There will be a play area for entertainment for the kids sponsored by Kara Mia. Just in case you would like to read more about freelancer, here is a great article to read before the fair!

RISE OF THE FREE: FREELANCE PROFESSIONALS FOR THE WIN! (The Freelancer Fair

2017)

More people are quitting their job

*About The Freelancer Fair:

The Freelancer Fair is an annual event started last by Manila Workshops, headed by the team’s CEO – Ginger Arboleda, a former employee, freelancer and now a serial entrepreneur / technopreneur, and mom blogger. The Freelancer Fair was built especially for aspiring and existing freelancers, companies, brands and organizations who want to support the Philippines’ freelancing industry.

DOE Holds Energy Investment Briefing in Region X

Wazzup Pilipinas!

The Department of Energy (DOE) conducted the Energy Investment Briefing for Region X today (16 August) at the N Hotel, Cagayan De Oro City.

The briefing organized by the Investments Promotion Office of the DOE is held annually to highlight the country's need for additional capacity requirements and the collaboration with the local stakeholders, such as the LGUs and electric cooperatives, for the realization of the energy projects.

Energy Secretary Alfonso G. Cusi, in his statement delivered by Assistant Secretary Redentor E. Delola said, “The energy family is reaching out to potential host communities and interested energy investors, to discuss the latest policies and programs that facilitate the implementation of energy projects.”

The briefing included a discussion on the Mindanao Power Supply and Demand Outlook and updates on Energy Regulations 1-94. It also discussed energy projects in the region, their benefits for the host LGUs and distribution utilities and the procedures to fast track energy projects.

The DOE holds these energy investment briefings for the stakeholders to interact with each other at the local level.

Prince Tao Pays a Royal Visit to Manila

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Get your curtsies in check as CDM Entertainment brings you one of today’s most sought after Lakorn royalties! For the first time ever, Manila fans will have the chance to meet his royal highness, Sattaphong “Tao” Phiangphor at Prince Tao: The Royal Fan Gathering, happening on September 23, 2018 at Cinema 6, SM North EDSA.

Tao first entered the limelight in the Thai remake - Coffee Prince, which has grabbed international recognition and has made him popular to fans overseas. Since then, he slowly but surely revealed himself to not only be a versatile actor through different roles, but also a musician, as he released one hit song after another. Popular for his role as “Prince Ian” in the Thai remake of Princess Hours - currently airing on GMA, Tao made his way to becoming one of the most adored Thai stars in the country today.

Our dear prince is showing no signs of slowing down as he continues to show his dedication to his craft as his fans continue to express their appreciation. In return, this multi-talented royalty is set to fly to Manila for his first ever fan convention! Don’t miss the chance to walk the red carpet, enjoy royal activities, know more about the crown prince, and take part in the royal dance. Prince Tao: The Royal Fan Gathering will happen on September 23, 2018 at Cinema 6, SM North EDSA. Tickets is now available in all SM Tickets outlets nationwide and online via www.smtickets.com. Ticket are priced 3, 500.00php (MVP 1 with fan sign and hi-touch and MVP 2 with group photo by 20’s and hi-touch), 2, 500 php (VIP with hi-touch), and 1, 500 php (General Admission). Ticketing charges apply.

Prince Tao: The Royal Fan Convention is brought to fans by CDM Entertainment and Star Hunter Studios in cooperation with SM Cinemas and SM Tickets. Please stay tuned for more details.  For more show information, you may visit CDM’s Facebook page www.facebook.com/cdmentph.

From UP Fight to UP Flight

Wazzup Pilipinas!

For a time it looked as if the UP Fighting Maroons had nowhere to go but down.

After the 1986 UAAP championship, UP’s performance in the premiere collegiate league could be described as uneventful, even dismal, save for two seasons back in 1996 and 1997 when the team reached the Final Four.

The UP community grew indifferent. And with a string of bottom-dwelling and sometimes winless seasons in 2007, 2010 and 2013, the community seemingly lost all interest. Recruitment suffered. Aspirations towards a championship fizzled out. The UP Maroons continued to battle in the UAAP, but unlike their competition, they appeared less inspired, playing like boys against men.  

Perhaps one reason was that the team operated on a bare-minimum budget. This resulted in so-so recruitment and short-term, season-to-season systems that failed to develop the young players from competitors to winners. Eventually, the once-mighty Maroons of 1986 and the late 90’s lost their winning ways, lacked the will to win and sank into a dismal losing culture. Sad but true, but when the UP Fighting Maroons Men’s Basketball Team was mentioned, the name became synonymous with losing.

So pathetic was the Maroons’ ability to win that in Season 77 in 2014, the team and a community of Maroons fans celebrated their lone win of the season against Adamson U with a bonfire at the UP Sunken Garden. The win had snapped a 27-game losing streak and a loss-soaked 720 days. Some ridiculed UP for celebrating mediocrity with the bonfire. Had the team really sunk so low?

In reality, it was the beginning of a turnaround. Following that bonfire, a UP alumnus posted an article on his Facebook account that bemoaned the sorry state of the UP basketball program, citing hungry athletes, lack of resources including transportation, lack of electricity in their quarters and other woes. The Facebook post became viral. The article sparked outrage, concern, then an outpouring of support from the alumni community. That year UP won just 1 game, but that one game meant everything. It changed the mindset of the players, changed the perception of the UP community towards the athletes and gave birth to the biggest and strongest grassroots support base for the team, the nowheretogobutUP movement. That one game became the spark that started the resurgence of the UP Fighting Maroons. 

Four years after that fateful day in 2014, the Maroons have thrived. Thanks to a strong team management and coaching staff. Thanks to exciting recruits and alumni, fans, friends and students who rallied to the cause. Thanks to sponsors, supporters and donors who have given in big and little ways, the improvement in the team with regards to coaching, line-up and performance has grown by leaps and bounds.

Through Seasons 78 through 80, the UP Fighting Maroons have become Final Four contenders once again. The team that celebrated on the basis of just one win is now poised to target the Final Four in Season 81 and, who knows? Maybe even the championship.

The UP Men’s Basketball Team got its biggest break in the off-season with the support and commitment of 3M Philippines. The global science company that never stops inventing and applies science in collaborative ways to improve lives daily has always believed in talent and most importantly, potential. Ariel Lacsamana, 3M Managing Director and a UP alumnus, said 3M became intrigued with the UP team and its story. Through its long and many struggles, the team never gave up. It kept chipping away at its challenges and solved its problems proudly and creatively. 3M loved the grit and the never-give-up attitude of the UP Fighting Maroons and decided it would take a chance on the UPMBT. It formalized a long-term partnership with the team that will support it through UAAP Season 81 and in other leagues that it would participate in as well.

“This is not the first time we are partnering with educational institutions or talent,” the 3M MD said. “We do what we can to support and provide tools, resources and knowledge. We believe that the UP Men’s Basketball Team is talent worth investing in.”

Come September when the UPMBT faces its most important battle which is UAAP Season 81, the team as well as the entire UP community can’t wait to show how grateful they are for 3M’s faith and generosity. The team will fight to show 3M their trust in the team was all worth it. A new winning tradition is here. There’s #nowheretogobutUP.

3 DOTr Agencies Among Top to Remit Highest 2017 Dividends

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Three (3) state-owned agencies under the Department of Transportation (DOTr) were listed among the GOCCs with the highest amount of dividends remitted to the country’s coffers for 2017. Topping the list is the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (DOTr-CAAP), while Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) ranked as 2nd, and the Manila International Airports Authority (MIAA) ranked 7th.

In a ceremony in Malacanang yesterday, President Rodrigo Duterte recognized the efforts of CAAP, which remitted PhP6.2 Billion in dividends. CAAP went from years of non-remittance from 2011 to 2015 to being the top contributing Government-Owned and Controlled Corporation (GOCC). 

For 2017, the total amount of dividends from the 125 GOCCs in the country is PhP30.46 Billion.

“Ang dividends na ‘yan ay para sa gobyerno, para sa tao. These dividends will certainly auger well in achieving the objectives set by President Duterte in the service of the country and our fellowmen. Kaya ang bilin ko sa CAAP, ibigay sa gobyerno ang para sa gobyerno,” said Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade, who received the Certificate of Acknowledgement on behalf of CAAP and other members of the “Billionaire’s Club.”

CAAP’s remittance represents 68% of CAAP’s net income for CY2017 amounting to PhP3.22 billion, including PhP3 billion worth of unpaid dividend arrears.

“Mahigpit po ang bilin sa atin ni Secretary Tugade. CAAP was not only directed to start remitting dividends, but also remit the unpaid dividends over the years. We will continue to do our share in improving the financial performance of the GOCC sector,” said CAAP Director General Jim Sydiongco.

“This achievement is not only for the CAAP, but also an achievement we share with all the CAAP employees who worked hard to make this feat possible. The sacrifices and the dedication I see in them inspires and empowers me to continue doing our good work despite the challenges confronting us in the aviation industry. Likewise, we wish to commend our DOTr Sec. Tugade for his strong and decisive leadership that guided us all throughout the process,” DG Sydiongco added.

Meanwhile, the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA), has remitted PhP3 Billion worth of dividends.

“We attribute this historical accomplishment to the men and women of PPA who have worked tirelessly for more than 44 years in order to make PPA one of the most professional and well-managed GOCCs. To our Chairman, Sec. Art Tugade, without whose guidance in fiscal responsibility and good governance we would not have been able to overcome the operational and governance challenges which we faced during the past 2 years; and most especially to our President, who has inspired us to shy away from corruption and put the people’s welfare in the forefront of our daily tasks,” said PPA General Manager Jay Santiago.

For his part, MIAA GM Ed Monreal, whose agency has remitted PhP2.01 Billion to the national coffers, attributed the agency’s good financial performance to strong leadership.

“Everyone is stepping up and doing their part. It’s actually inspiring. Definitely this goes to the hardworking men and women of MIAA who made sure that the revenues are properly guarded, and also created avenues to generate more funds in support of the objectives of President Duterte in the service of Filipino people,” Monreal said.

Last April 13, the 3 agencies turned over the dividends to Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez.

Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez also reported that in the first seven months of 2018, dividends have already reached PhP32-Billion, higher than the dividends for the whole of 2017.

Meanwhile, Sec. Tugade challenged the top grossing agencies to exceed their 2017 performance.

“I extend my sincerest congratulations and appreciatin to your staff—and my challenge for you to exceed our 2017 performance by 20%. It may be difficult but certainly not impossible,” Tugade said.

MARINA Partners with DOF in Upgrading Motorbancas

Wazzup Pilipinas!

The Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) partners with the Department of Finance (DOF) in pushing for the MARINA’s motorbanca upgrading campaign. It will commence next month. 

As the MARINA and DOF encourage the upgrading of wooden vessels into fiber-reinforced plastic (FRP) boats, motorbanca owners may avail of the Municipal Development Fund (MDF) from the DOF's Municipal Development Fund Office (MDFO) upon the discretion of their respective LGUs.

Through the MDF, motorbanca owners may have a more effective and reliable structure for their vessels, ready for the future implementation of MARINA’s policy on modernizing the domestic shipping industry.

The MDF was initially allocated to provide concessional financing assistance to LGUs with revenue-generating sub-projects and other infrastructure projects. With the MARINA-DOF partnership, the local maritime industry will now be included in the disbursement of the fund. 

The motorbanca upgrading campaign is in line with the MARINA’s 10-year Maritime Industry Development Program (MIDP) that involves the modernization of domestic ships through strengthening of the capability of local shipyards and fostering the construction of more Philippine-constructed ships.

“The full implementation of the upgrading of motorbancas can only be achieved through strong collaboration and support from national and local government units. This partnership with the DOF is a good start for us,” MARINA Domestic Shipping Service (DSS) Director Sonia Malaluan said. 

Aside from the DOF, the MARINA’s motorbanca upgrading campaign is also supported by the Boating Industry Association of the Philippines (BIAP), Office of Transportation Cooperatives (OTC), Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP), and Landbank of the Philippines (LBP). 

PH Team Wins Silver and Bronze at International Physics Olympiad

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Three Filipino students became a nigh-unstoppable force at the 49th International Physics Olympiad (IPhO), taking the country closer to gold than it has ever been at the annual worldwide competition.

Steven Reyes, who hails from St. Jude Catholic School (SJSC), bagged a silver medal for the Philippines. Meanwhile, Mikhail Torio from the Philippine Science High School-Main Campus (PSHS-MC) and Charles Bartolo from the Philippine Science High School-Central Luzon Campus (PSHS-CLC) each brought home a bronze medal.

Dr. Josette Biyo, Director of the Department of Science and Technology – Science Education Institute (DOST-SEI), congratulated the team for placing 34th out of 87 delegations that participated in this year’s IPhO-- achieving the best ranking in 13 years of participation. Reyes, Torio, and Bartolo ranked in the 88th, 68th, and 58th percentiles, respectively, out of a total of 396 student-delegates.

“The triumph of our IPhO Team is nothing short of remarkable. Our latest S&T HRD Stat Updates reveal that the number of physicists in the country decreased significantly, yet technological advances are fueled by physics-based researches. We hope they will continue their interest in the field and soon pursue a career in physics. I cannot emphasize enough the need for skilled physicists and their innovative application of physics to enable our economy to move forward swiftly,” said Biyo.

Each year, the IPhO gathers teams of secondary school students from around the world to compete against each other in a set of individual theoretical and laboratory physics exams.

This year’s problems involved the detection of gravitational waves, the ATLAS instrument at the Large Hadron Collider, and the physics of blood flow and tumor growth-- for the theoretical exam-- and paper transistors and the viscoelastic properties of a polymer thread-- for the experimental exam.

Accompanied by team co-leaders Prof. Perry Esguerra and Prof. Ian Vega (both from the UP National Institute of Physics), the team competed in Lisbon, Portugal last July 21 to 29.

To prepare for the competition, Reyes, Torio, and Bartolo underwent intensive training under Prof. Esguerra, Prof. Vega, and Michael Solis of the Theoretical Physics Group and team co-leader Prof. Nathaniel Hermosa of the Photonics Research Laboratory at the National Institute of Physics. They also received training and guidance from coaches Russel Odi (SJSC), Vinni Dajac (PSHS-MC), Rex Forteza (PSHS-CLC), and Lemuel Pelagio Jr. (PSHS-CLC).

The team competed in the 2018 IPhO with generous support from the Unilab Foundation, the Philippine Science High School Foundation, Inc. (PSHSFI), PSHS-MC, PSHS-CLC, SJCS, and individual donors from the physics community. Dr. Reina Reyes, IPhO Team co-leader, expressed hope for the team to gain more institutional and funding support.

The Philippine team plans to send another delegation to the 2019 IPhO, which will be held in Tel Aviv, Israel.

For more details, interested parties may contact the Philippine IPhO team at ipho.team.ph@gmail.com. (30)

Contact person: Lovely B. Aquino, SEI

Mobile No.: 09179201122, Tel. No.: 837-1925, 8372071 loc 2384