Instituto Cervantes programs an online lecture by the head writer of the hit-TV series La casa de papel

Wazzup Pilipinas!

On April 28, at 7pm, Instituto Cervantes de Manila is presenting an online lecture by Javier Gómez Santander, the Head writer and Executive co-producer of the popular Spanish TV show La casa de papel. In his talk, Gómez Santander will share aspects of his career as a screenwriter, as well as a couple of secrets and details of the creation of the successful crime drama that has taken the world by storm.

La casa de papel (also known by its English title Money Heist) is a Spanish television series created by Álex Pina. It follows two well-planned robberies led by the Professor, one on the Royal Mint of Spain, and one on the Bank of Spain. Initially intended as a limited series to be told in two parts, it had its original run of 15 episodes on Spanish network Antena 3 in 2017. Later in the year, Netflix acquired global streaming rights, and renewed the series with two more seasons. The latest one, Part 4, was released on 3 April 2020. On the same day, a documentary titled Money Heist: The Phenomenon was also premiered. It was written by Javier Gómez Santander and Pablo Lejarreta, and showed the audience some facets of the show, involving the producers and the cast.

La casa de papel received several awards including best drama series at the 46th International Emmy Awards, as well as critical acclaim for its sophisticated plot, interpersonal dramas, direction, and for trying to innovate Spanish television. By 2018, the series was the most-watched non-English language series and one of the most-watched series overall on Netflix.

Before his stint in La casa de papel, Javier Gómez Santander worked as a radio, press and TV journalist for 15 years, until he decided to leave the media and write fiction.

The online lecture, presented by Instituto Cervantes de Manila in collaboration with the Embassy of Spain in the Philippines, will be in Spanish but questions in English will be entertained. Admission is free on a first-come, first served basis via Zoom. For further information and updates on this event, please check out http://manila.cervantes.es or Instituto Cervantes’ Facebook page: www.facebook.com/InstitutoCervantesManila.

2GO Group Dennis Uy waives rental fees of vessels used as quarantine facilities

Wazzup Pilipinas!

The Department of Transportation (DOTr) would like to thank the management of 2GO Group, Inc, particularly its Chairman of the Board Mr. Dennis Uy, for publicly announcing the waiving of rental fees for the two (2) vessels that were mobilized as quarantine facilities.

The Department of Transportation (DOTr) would like to thank the management of 2GO Group, Inc, particularly its Chairman of the Board Mr. Dennis Uy, for publicly announcing the waiving of rental fees for the two (2) vessels that were mobilized as quarantine facilities.

This is a most welcome development, and this magnanimity of Mr. Dennis Uy and 2Go all the more reinforces the BAYANIHAN spirit that prevails in this monumental effort of both government and the private sector to fight the COVID-19 pandemic.

We take pride in this shared endeavor of the DOTr and 2Go, both of which recognized the urgency to put up the "Quarantine Ships" to augment the need for quarantine facilities. And in the most transparent manner, Secretary Tugade himself laid down the terms and conditions of the lease agreement, including the negotiated rental fee, in the LAGING HANDA online public forum shown live in both mainstream and social media.

It must be emphasized that the initial rate quoted was PhP120 Million. From PhP120 Million, the negotiating panel was able to arrive at a PhP35 Million rental fee concession for the two 2 vessels for a 2-month term, taking into consideration vessel operating expenditures such as its fuel, electricity, water, maintenance, supplies, and actual salaries of manpower of the crew and hotel staff to effectively run the ship, and equating it with bed space usage. Likewise, Secretary Tugade mentioned that if it was the best offer under the circumstances, he is amenable to it, but it will be without prejudice to further concessions he will attempt to seek from ownership. Until then and up to now, no payment was made.

This should also clarify that at no time did Secretary Tugade meet, talk, and discuss this matter directly with 2Go Chairman Dennis Uy, as negotiations were made through the proper channels.

It is therefore unfortunate and deplorable that Mr Dennis Uy was unfairly dragged by media and was at the receiving end of negative commentaries, when he was never part of the discussion, and was not even mentioned by Secretary Tugade in his interview.

Moving forward, the DOTr hopes that this rental issue has been properly addressed, and the outcome more than exceeds expectation. Again, we are most grateful to Mr. Dennis Uy and 2Go for their generosity and upholding their social responsibility.

This is truly the essence of BAYANIHAN as we jointly commit to help heal our nation.

Together, we heal as one.

PHLPost tapped as frontline workers to assist LGUs

Wazzup Pilipimas!

PHLPost has been vital not just in transporting letters and parcels but in assisting local government in the delivery of relief and emergency services to health workers battling the coronavirus pandemic.

“Post office employees are frontline workers too, responding to any emergency situation where it is needed most”, Postmaster General Joel Otarra said.

“Our postmen, drivers, couriers and network of post office vehicles are now being tapped to provide assistance to local government units in the delivery of supplies of frontline workers”, he added.

Likewise, to prevent exposure to the virus, the safety of its employees and customers is their highest priority. Measures have been implemented to help them cope with the impact of the pandemic like wearing of face coverings, social distancing and hygienic practices.

PHLPost is also committed to fulfill its universal mandate of continuous delivery of important mails from various government and private sectors who are important clients of the agency.

However, PHLPost will limit its door-to-door delivery, prioritizing "vital communications and parcels containing medicines, items containing goods/perishable items, items from SSS, GSIS, and other public and private institutions containing pensions, checks/loans etc, Express Mail items, and leftover mails (vital communications/checks) prior to the implementation of the community lockdown."

Post offices are also coordinating with barangay officials for mail delivery, in accordance with local community quarantine protocols.