First Pinoy App Nominated as Global Finalist to the NASA Space Apps Challenge

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Among the 2,729 teams in 200 locations all over the world who participated in the NASA Space Apps Challenge, an app made by Filipino innovators was nominated first time by NASA scientists and experts to become a finalist at the global level. Altogether, they will join the top 25 in competing for the six winners of the biggest hackathon in the universe.

The winning app seeking to communicate scientific data to fishermen even without Internet connection was made by IT professionals Revbrain G. Martin, Marie Jeddah Legaspi, and Julius Czar Torreda from team iNON, which stands for "It's now or never." Named ISDApp, from the Tagalog word "isda" meaning fish, it sends useful information to fishermen such as real-time weather, sunrise and sunset, wind speed, and cloud coverage to plan their fishing activities in catching more fish using the NASA GLOBE Observer app, a data collection from citizen scientists around the world used in concert with NASA satellite data to identify or communicate information, and educating the public about planet Earth. Fishermen will receive SMS notifications from the Amazon Web Services gateway while local government officials would manage their details using a smartphone app connected to the cloud. NASA scientists and experts consider this fisherfolk app made by Pinoys as one of the solutions "with the most potential to improve life on Earth or in the universe," therefore nominated as global finalist for Galactic Impact.

The fishermen app won in the local level on Friday-Sunday, October 19-21, 2018 at De La Salle University, Malate, Manila, Philippines, in collaboration with the Embassy of the United States of America to the Philippines and PLDT. US Embassy deputy chief of mission John C. Law, PLDT Enterprise Core Business Research and Development head Leandro T. Santos, DOST-Philippine Council for Industry, Energy and Emerging Technology Research and Development deputy executive director Engr. Raul C. Sabularse, Department of Information and Communications Technology senior planning officer Yvette M. Cabrera, and Animo Labs executive director Federico C. Gonzalez served as jurors at the local level.

An emergency checklist kit app designed for disaster preparedness also won at the local level developed by students Jeorge Loui P. Delfin, Bluen Ginez, Samuel Jose, Rainier G. Narboneta, and Eugenio Emmanuel A. Araullo. Other projects and solutions developed during the hackathon are games using images from the Hubble Space Telescope, augmented reality mobile app to tell a story of the changes in the Arctic and Antarctic ice, artificial intelligence app helping scientists confirm the habitability of exoplanets, and story-based game using NASA Earth imagery. They joined together with teams of coders, scientists, developers, designers, storytellers, makers, builders, technologists, thinkers, entrepreneurs, and everyone around the globe working together in a 48-hour sprint to develop solutions to some of the most pressing challenges on Earth and in space, using NASA resources and data.

A day-long data bootcamp was held to learn new concepts, strategies and skills from keynote speakers, panelists, and mentors. Michael Carroll from Urban Engine in Huntsville, AL and NASA Earth Science Division senior advisor Dr. Patricia Jacobberger introduced Space Apps through a virtual talk while NASA astronaut Drew Feustel, orbiting aboard the International Space Station welcomed everyone to the event. US Embassy science fellow Dr. Anondo Mukherjee and US Fulbright fellow Sarah Marie Hartman gave an online lecture about the Earth's environment. DOST-Advanced Science and Technology Institute acting director Dr. Joel Joseph S. Marciano, Jr. and PHL-Microsat program leader Dr. Marc Caesar R. Talampas discussed microsatellite development and advanced technologies in the Philippines.

Several mentors coming from different backgrounds such as YSEALI alumni Ryan Madrid and Malcolm Flores, De La Salle University professors Jordan Aiko P. Deja and Neil Patrick A. Del Gallego, PHL-Microsat engineers Ariston N. Gonzalez, Lorenzo Sabug, Jr., Benjamin Joseph D. Jiao, and Carlo D. Pastoral, Amazon Web Services developers John Luis Garcia, Dennis Magsajo, and Randy Bardaje, Animo Labs incubatee and MachiBox CEO Simon Gregory Mabanta, VR Philippines lead Cristopher David, Mobility IT 4 Youth lead Art Polo Gabriel III, nuclear physicist Dr. Jasmine Albelda, and entrepreneur Ibba Bernardo guided participants in creating their winning apps and solutions to solve problems on Earth and space. Department of Information and Communications Technology undersecretary Monchito B. Ibrahim gave an inspiring message to the participants. IdeaSpace and Animo Labs looked upon promising projects and solutions that might have a business potential.

During the hackathon period, teams are expected to find solutions to themed challenges put forth by NASA. They work together with the rest of the world on hackathon weekend to devise creative and innovative solutions to these challenges. Projects do not have to be apps and anyone does not need to become a computer programmer to participate. Participants collaborate to build anything — from open-source software, hardware, data visualizations, and citizen science platforms, to videos, art, and other communications solutions — aimed at addressing global challenges. The overarching theme of the 2018 challenges is "Earth and Space," underscoring the connections between major challenges, and the potential solutions to them, both on Earth and in space. The 2018 mainstage Space Apps event was hosted by Urban Engine in the US Space and Rocket Center at Huntsville, AL, also known as "The Rocket City."

Since its inception in 2012, the International Space Apps Challenge has become the world’s largest global hackathon, engaging thousands of global citizens to collaborate in building innovative solutions to complex challenges using NASA’s open data. Hackathons are technology development marathons that draw on the talents and initiative of bright-minded people. Space Apps inspires local innovation communities to convene, cooperate, and create.

The 2018 hackathon was organized by Matt T. Keener, Jeanie M. Duwan, Randolf D. Mariano, and Xavier E. Lara from the American Spaces Philippines of the US Embassy and Kai Shan L. Fernandez, Christine M. Abrigo, Donna Lyn G. Labangon,  Kevin Anthony Y. Kaw, and Dr. Rafael A. Cabredo from De La Salle University. Another hackathon was organized at Makati-Bonifacio Global City by Womensphere. In the past years, Tzar C. Umang brought Space Apps in Dagupan, Pangasinan on 2016 while Art Polo Gabriel III, Wilson Censon, and Tito Mari Francis Escaño organized one in PLDT InnoLab in Mandaluyong, Metro Manila. De La Salle - College of Saint Benilde also hosted Space Apps on 2017 by Dr. Edward M. Moises, Norman Lee, and Catherine Valdellon-Mojado.

Lead organizer Michael Lance M. Domagas is very thankful that NASA scientists and experts recognized the skills and talents of Filipinos in building projects and open-source solutions that address real-world problems, on Earth and in space, and hoping that Filipinos would win the competition.

Please use the hashtags: #SpaceApps #SpaceAppsPH

The Best Filipino Writers Of All Time

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Love to read? Many of us do. Great writers can take us into realms that we have never seen in real life. Filipino authors have also contributed greatly to the world’s greatest literature. They have truly created some of the most magical works of literature.

Here are some of the best Filipino authors of all time:


Jessica Hagedorn

This female author is namely known for her novel Dogeaters which came out in 1990. She was born and she grew up in the Philippines but then she moved to San Francisco as a teenager. Her book won the American Book Award and also almost won the National Book Award.  Her heritage is largely a mix between Spanish, Philippino, French, Irish and Chinese. This book shows that there are many layers of Filipino people and society as well as that there is a huge American influence on the entertainment market. She also writes poetry and plays.

Her play, Mango Tango was created and produced in the 1978 when she moved to New York where she currently resides with her daughters.


Nick Joaquin

Nick Joaquin won the National Artist Award For Literature and he is probably one of the most esteemed writers in Philippines. He came from an educated family and his first written work was published when he was only 17. Then he won a scholarship that took him to Hong Kong. When he returned to Manilla he worked as a journalist for many years, sharing his intellectual work with the country and rising the standards of journalism. When he returned to writing intellectual work, he wrote a book called The Woman With Two Navels which became essential reading in Philippines. He also wrote a lot of short stories which are interesting and more approachable to the newcomers.


F. Sionil Jose

“This writer reveals a lot about the social justice and his books have been translated into 22 languages. The Rosales Saga is a a five-part book that follows a family and how their life changes over 100 years. His other books are enlightening because they show the world the life in Philippines, especially the provincial parts. He was an anti-elitist and this made him quite unpopular in the past but he later received high acclaim and he became internationally popular.”, says Andy Sachs, a regular contributor to Draftbeyond and Writinity.



Luis Francia

Luis Francia is an award-winning author who lived in New York for many years but he was still under a strong impression of his life and upbringing in Philippines which continued to influence his work and his stories. He was a poet, an author and a teacher since he went to New  York after finishing college. There he wrote the Village Voice newspaper and Eye Of The Fish, his memoir which won many awards.

Jose Rizal

“This is a Philippines’ national hero and a writer as well as poet and essay writer. His novels Noli me Tangere or El Filibusterismo revealed the injustice of colonization and praised the Philippines in its most organic state. These novels paint a great picture of the culture, people, history and how it all reflects today,” says Isabelle Fidel, an author at Researchpapersuk and Last Minute Writing.

Unfortunately, Jose Rizal was executed when he was 35 for these books which were also banned but he also started a revolution that created a way for Philippines to have their independence. However, his books and poems are more than just history, they are also literary masterpieces that influenced writers across the globe and especially Filipino writers.

There are many great Filipino authors out there, some old and some still creating great work. These have been just some of the greatest and the most popular authors from Philippines

Martina Sanchez works as an entrepreneur and a content marketing specialist with Lucky Assignments (https://luckyassignments.com/) and Gum Essays (https://gumessays.com/). She loves writing and contributing to her blog where she talks about digital marketing, SEO tips and tricks etc.

Get Into the Holiday Groove at WBF 2018

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Now on its 18th edition, the World Bazaar Festival (WBF), the country’s longest running annual charity bazaar, returns with another fantastic holiday presentation! Officially opening its doors last December 12 at the World Trade Center Metro Manila, WBF 2018 held a grand opening ceremony at the lobby of the bazaar venue.

Spotted during the momentous affair were select VIP personalities including DSWD Assistant Sec. Glenda Relova, Justin Brownlee and Renaldo-Balkman with celebrity guests PhoemeLa Baranda, Miles Ocampo, Dimples Romana and Toni Gonzaga alongside Worldbex Services International’s Founding Chairman Mr. Joseph Ang, Co-Founder Levi S. Ang, Managing Director Jill Aithnie Ang, as well as key officers Rene Ramos and Tessie Roque.

Every Christmas, WBF never fails to mount a spectacular holiday show that gives bazaar goers something new and exciting to look forward to. This year, WBF draws inspiration from the pure and unfiltered memories of yuletides past to present a “Boogie Woobie” Christmas – a retro-inspired celebration that invites everyone to take part in a groovy and nostalgia-infused holiday shindig.

Apart from the awesome bazaar installations and splendid holiday decors inside the bazaar halls, bazaar goers are sure to be impressed by the massive array of shopping finds and fabulous gift ideas that abound at WBF 2018. With nearly 800 booths on display which features top brands, local makers and even foreign retailers. WBF is truly the most incredible one-stop shop for all of your holiday shopping needs.

There's so much in store for everyone with the fantastic bazaar highlights that await at WBF 2018. Among these include the Designers’ Avenue, where one can find a wide range of branded apparel and accessories at affordable prices as well as the holiday edition of Bloggers United, where fans can meet and shop the closets of the metro’s top fashion and beauty bloggers.

Another star-studded affair at WBF 2018 is the Celebrity Pavilion, a designated area within the bazaar where local celebrities set up their own booths to sell brand new products as well as their own pre-loved clothes and belongings. Aside from the unique shopping finds, the Celebrity Pavilion is also a great way for fans to get up close and personal with their favorite showbiz personalities. Other bazaar zones to check out include the Christmas Village, BFAR and Department of Agriculture Pavilion.

Knowing full well that the holidays will not be complete without the music, cheers, and festivities, bazaar goers are also in for a treat with the family-centered events that will be held throughout the 11-day run of WBF such as the Streetdance Competition, Himig ng Pasko, Woobie’s Kid Idol Competition and Christmas Carol with the Angels

After a productive day of shopping, bazaar goers can recharge and unwind over a plethora of mouthwatering food choices and drinks over at Woobie’s Food World. Before heading home, bazaar goers are also encouraged to drop by at Woobie’s Goodies, a massive food shop where one can find a delectable array of holiday sweets and treats. 

WBF 2018 Ceremonial Ribbon Cutting Photo Caption:

Experience an unforgettable Retro-tastic Christmas! The 18th World Bazaar Festival is now open until December 22 at the World Trade Center Metro Manila. The event is organized by Worldbex Services International. Hailing the opening ceremony were VIPs, celebrities and WSI executives. <L-R> Ms. Miles Ocampo, Ms. Toni Gonzaga, Ms. Dimples Romana, Mr. Justin Brownlee - Brgy. Ginebra Player, Ms. Phoemela Baranda, Mr. Rene Ramos - WSI Director, Ms. Tessie Roque - WSI Director, Mr. Renaldo - Balkman - NBA New York Knicks and Alab Pilipinas Import, Mr. Joseph Ang - WSI Founding Chairman, ASec. Glenda Relova - Department of Social Welfare and Development (DWSD), Mrs. Levi Ang - WSI Co-Founder, Ms. Jill Aithnie Ang - WSI Managing Director and Mr. Paul Mercado - Chief Marketing Officer of ABS-CBN Lingkod Kapamilya Foundation Inc.

Organized by Worldbex Services International and presented in partnership with ABS-CBN, the 18th World Bazaar Festival runs until December 22, 2018, from Sunday to Thursday at 12:00nn to 10:00pm and Friday to Saturday at 10:00am to 12:00mn at the World Trade Center Manila. The bazaar is for the benefit of the ABS-CBN Lingkod Kapamilya Foundation. For more information, follow @worldbazaarfestival on Facebook and Instagram, call (02) 656-9239, or email inquire@worldbexevents.com.