Mu Sigma Phi Sorority to Hold Brilyante 2019

Wazzup Pilipinas!

In celebration of the 85 years that have passed since its humble beginnings in 1934, the Mu Sigma Phi Sorority has continued to uphold a legacy of unparalleled sisterhood, self-denying service, outstanding scholarship, and dedicated leadership both within and outside the walls of the UP College of Medicine with a line-up of events to empower the geriatric community under its advocacy of Aging and Longevity, including the much awaited Brilyante.




The first Brilyante was a benefit gala dinner and fashion show directed by no less than one of the country’s most celebrated fashion directors, Mr. Robby Carmona. It was held in 2009 in celebration of the Mu Sigma Phi Sorority’s 75th year with distinguished designers, celebrity models, and prominent physicians from the Mu Sigma Phi Sorority and Fraternity all gathered as one, braving the runway in tribute of the women who have fought or are continuing to fight the battle against cervical cancer.




Now on its 85th year, Brilyante 2019 is joined again by Mr. Carmona and it aims to celebrate women empowerment and a beauty that knows no age limit. The fashion show will feature works from some of the country’s most prominent and promising designers namely Albert Andrada, Mak Tumang, Michael Leyva, Rajo Laurel, Edgar Madamba, Nina Inabel, and Rustan’s. Proceeds from the benefit event will be going to the Institute on Aging of the National Institutes of Health, assisting in its efforts to develop 27 national geriatric centers across the country through health and human resource training.




Brilyante 2019 will be held on August 31, 2019 at the new five-star Sarus Grand Ballroom of Marquis Events Place at Bonifacio Global City, Taguig. Tickets are priced at Php 6,000 (Gold) and Php 4,000 (Silver), both of which will include a three-course meal and a souvenir program. Join the Mu Sigma Phi Sorority on its 85th year as it proves that age is no limitation — that with each passing year we only become more brilliant, more luminous through time. Order your tickets now at bit.ly/ticketsbrilyante or text Trina Villanueva at 0917-676-7166. You can visit Brilyante’s facebook page: fb.me/Brilyante2019 for more details. See you there!




Label: Brilyante 2019 Team of designers and organizers, from left, Ronnie de Guia (representative of designer, Albert Andrada), Clein Gudalao (representative of designer, Mak Tumang), China Prado (representative of designer, Rajo Laurel), second representative of designer Mak Tumang, Dr. Lilibeth Genuino (Mu Sigma Phi Sorority), Chin Vista (Mu Sigma Phi Sorority), Wynona Dela Calzada (Mu Sigma Phi Sorority), Dr. Mitos Cating-Cabral (Mu Sigma Phi Sorority), Mr. Mel Meer (Bergamo CEO), Director Robby Carmona (SAGA Events Inc.), Dr. Angel Bandola (Mu Sigma Phi Sorority), Nina Corpuz (representative of designer, Nina Inabel), Moppet Aquino (SAGA Events

PIA Launches Automated Human Resource Management System

Wazzup Pilipinas!

The Philippine Information Agency (PIA) is gearing towards implementing a more efficient web-based electronic human resource management system.

This, after PIA Director-General Harold E. Clavite appproved the contract between PIA and Asiagate Networks, Inc. for the provision of a software that will integrate systems and processes to ensure easy management of human resources, business process and data of PIA.

“We want a very efficient HR system which is key to operationalize an excellent business operations system. This is part of upgrading plans of our systems and processes that PIA management has committed to pursue," Clavite said during the kick-off meeting with Asiagate on Tuesday to discuss the requirements which launched the first phase of the project.

Asiagate Project Manager Amor Ebue discussed HRMIS processes as well the specific implementation time frame.

Ebue explained, the web-based HRMIS would enable PIA to generate reports on personnel information, trainings, leave status and personnel performance – allowing management to make the right decisions and manage human resource more efficiently and effectively.

The whole system features a tool that would support fast and efficient transactions and processing of resources, expedite recurring tasks through automation, upgrade technologies making them more open, flexible and scalable, support additional or newer processes or services requiring automation.

Ebue stressed that this is a fully integrated system that consists of the following modules, personnel information management, attendance and logs management, leave administration, payroll, compensation benefits, employee discipline, personnel services, dahsboard and calendar notifications, and self-service employees'portal.

The HRMIS also supports the HR Systems required in the Program to Institutionalize Meritocracy and Excellence in Human Resource Management (PRIME-HRM) of the Civil Service Commission which includes recruitment, selection and placement, learning and development, performance management, and rewards and recognition work streams.

PIA has been accredited by CSC under Level II Maturity for PRIME-HRM in 2018 and was recently conferred the Bronze Award. With the HRMIS in place, the Agency may qualify for Level III Maturity by 2020.

The first phase of the project was launched this week and the entire project implementation is expected to be completed by November 2020.

According to Clavite, the complete roll-out of such system is expected to strengthen the integrity and reliability of HR processes within the Agency, thus enhancing employee satisfaction and organizational productivity.

Photo caption: PIA Director-General Harold E. Clavite discusses the HRMIS togetwith PIA officials and personnel representatives from Asiagate Network, Inc. (Photo by William Ronquillo/HRDD)

DOE Lays Down Action Plan to Resolve Palawan Power Woes

Wazzup Pilipinas!

The Department of Energy (DOE) has laid down the roadmap for action that would address the persistent power woes hounding Palawan during the meeting of the DOE-led Inter-Agency Coordinating Committee and Task Force Palawan Electric Cooperative (IACC-TF PALECO) with the Palawan Council for Sustainable Development (PCSD) and PALECO representatives, which was held on 25 July in Puerto Princesa City, Palawan.



Energy Secretary Alfonso G. Cusi created Task Force PALECO earlier this year to conduct an exhaustive assessment and audit of the power situation in the province. This included the determination of the root causes for the frequent power outages, as well as the consolidation of all recommendations from other concerned agencies into the Task Force’s Final Report.



Among the findings of TF PALECO were the uncoordinated synchronization of the protection system of PALECO and the National Power Corporation’s (NPC) transmission lines; obstructing vegetation along both the long NPC transmission lines and PALECO distribution lines; overloaded substations; the unstable temporary generators; derailed coal power plant; and the slow coordination among various government agencies on distribution line maintenance and improvements.



“We immediately directed PALECO and all relevant government agencies to carry out the recommendations in the final report of the Task Force. The livelihood of consumers and the operations of crucial infrastructure, such as hospitals and government offices hang in the balance. We will not stop working until we finally bring this power issue to an end,” Secretary Cusi stressed.



One of the major problems identified in the audit is the existence of a heavy vegetation problem on the NPC transmission lines in Palawan, especially in the southern towns. To solve this, the PCSD, through the Department of Environmental and Natural Resources (DENR), will issue PALECO a special permit for the transportation of the required tools and equipment to be used for the necessary tree cutting and clearing operations. The NPC likewise guaranteed the immediate upgrade of its line protection devices, which minimize the effects of transmission line trippings.



Meanwhile, the National Electrification Administration (NEA) has activated the “Task Force Kapatid” program, which would involve the active participation of 10 electric cooperatives (ECs) to help with the rehabilitation of PALECO. Under this program, the participating ECs will be deploying six engineers and 60 linemen to help PALECO until October 2019. The necessary tools and equipment to effect improvements in PALECO’s distribution system will also be provided.



Furthermore, Palawan Governor Jose C. Alvarez, head of the PCSD, assured the DOE of its efficient coordination with Local Government Units (LGUs) in securing all relevant certificates needed by PALECO.



During the meeting, PALECO also had the opportunity to discuss the progress it has made in the implementation of the action plan it has previously submitted to the DOE. Their presentation prompted various public and private stakeholders to pledge their support to the local EC and guide it towards the necessary steps to effectively and efficiently improve the power supply condition in Palawan.



DOE Undersecretary Vice Admiral Alexander S. Lopez (ret.) led the presentation of the IACC-TF PALECO, together with Assistant Secretary Redentor E. Delola, and DOE-Electric Power Industry Management Bureau Director Mario C. Marasigan. PCSD Executive Director Nelson P. Devanadera and representatives from NEA, NPC, DENR, as well as officials from LGUs, Non-Government Organizations, and the Western Command of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, were also in attendance.



According to Secretary Cusi, PALECO will have until the end of 2019 to complete its rehabilitation. “As members of the energy family, it is our primary duty to provide reliable, stable, and affordable electricity services to our countrymen. Help will always be given to those in need of it. However, we must also ensure that those of us in the energy sector are serving our people in the best manner at all times,” he concluded.