Ito Ang Rason Kung Bakit Hindi Ka Dapat Mawawala sa Taguig sa April 13!

Wazzup Pilipinas!?

Sa panahon ngayon kung saan mabilis kumalat ang maling impormasyon, unti-unting nasisira ang kalikasan, at tila nawawala ang tiwala ng kabataan sa halalan at pamahalaan—isang makabagong kilusan ang muling bubuhay sa tinig ng katotohanan, pagkilos, at pag-asa.

Ipinapakilala ang UMALOHOKAN: Para sa Kaalaman, Kalikasan, at Kinabukasan.

Isang makabuluhang pagtitipon, hindi lang para makinig, kundi para matuto, makibahagi, at mamulat. Pinangunahan ito ng masigasig na tagapagtanggol ng katotohanan at kalikasan—si Ross Flores Del Rosario, ang tagapagtatag ng Wazzup Pilipinas at UMALOHOKAN Workshops. Isang hakbang ito upang labanan ang tatlong malaking hamon ng ating panahon: disimpormasyon, kawalang-pakialam sa eleksyon, at pagkasira ng ating kapaligiran.

Kailan? Abril 13, 2025, 2 PM

Saan? Simbayanan ni Maria Community Foundation, Taguig City

Para kanino ito? Para sa ating lahat—lalo na sa kabataang Pilipino na may mahalagang papel sa hinaharap ng ating bayan.

ANG PAGBABALIK NG MGA UMALOHOKAN

Noong unang panahon, bago pa man tayo sakupin ng mga banyaga, may mga tinatawag tayong Umalohokan—sila ang tagapagsalita ng bayan, tagapagdala ng mahahalagang balita, at tagapagtaguyod ng kaalaman. Ngayon, muling binibigyang buhay ang kanilang diwa—hindi sa pamamagitan ng tambuli, kundi sa social media, sa blog, sa mga video, at mga artikulong nagsusulong ng katotohanan.

Sila ang ating modernong Umalohokan—mga content creator, blogger, vlogger, influencer, at kabataang nagnanais ng positibong pagbabago.

MGA TAGAPAGSALITA NA MAY HINAHANGAD NA PAGBABAGO

Hindi lang basta-basta ang lineup ng UMALOHOKAN 2025. Narito ang ilan sa mga inspiradong personalidad na handang magbahagi ng kanilang kaalaman at karanasan:

Pocholo De Leon Gonzales, kilala bilang The Voicemaster ng Creativoices, na magbubukas ng programa sa isang makapangyarihang pananalita para pukawin ang damdamin ng bawat isa.

Ellen Tordesillas, tagapagtatag ng VERA Files, magpapaliwanag kung paano gumagana ang fake news at paano natin ito malalabanan.

Chino Penserga mula sa PPCRV, magtuturo kung paanong ginagawang sandata ang maling impormasyon tuwing eleksyon, at paano ito mapipigilan ng matalinong pagboto.

Atty. Ryan Jay Roser ng LENTE, abogado na aktibong nagtatanggol sa karapatan ng mga botante.

Social media personalities gaya nina Eric Teodoro (Big Boy Eric), Jenny Medenilla (The Transport Queen), Eduard Laya ng Kuya Ed PH at Nestor Lim (News Media Nest) sa isang masayang talakayan na pamumunuan ni Adae Cano-Ang ng Adae to Remember. Sila’y magbabahagi kung paano nila ginagamit ang kanilang platform upang labanan ang fake news.

Mga environmental advocates tulad nina Jayson Noveda ng Ecowaste Coalition, Thony Dizon ng BAN Toxics, Eric Raymundo ng Bayanihan Para Sa Kalikasan Movement, at Eman Balani ng Gift of Nature, na maghahatid ng konkretong hakbang para sa pangangalaga ng kalikasan.

Lahat ng ito ay hindi lang basta usapan—ito’y hakbang tungo sa pagkilos.

MGA MAHALAGANG PAKSA NA TATALAKAYIN

1. EDUKASYON PARA SA BOTANTE

Malapit na ang eleksyon. At ang kabataan—kayong may pinakamaraming boto—ang may hawak ng kinabukasan. Sa UMALOHOKAN, matututo tayong maging mapanuri at maalam sa pagpili ng tamang lider.

2. LABAN SA DISIMPORMASYON

Hindi biro ang epekto ng fake news. Kaya naman may mga eksperto na magtuturo kung paano i-verify ang impormasyon at huwag basta-basta magpapaniwala.

3. KALIKASAN AT KAPALIGIRAN

Ang pagbabago ng klima ay totoo, at nararamdaman na natin ang epekto. Pero hindi pa huli ang lahat. May mga konkretong solusyon, at may paraan para tayong lahat ay makibahagi sa pangangalaga ng kalikasan.

HINDI LANG USAPAN—MAY KASUNDUAN

Ang UMALOHOKAN 2025 ay hindi lang para makinig. May workshops, may networking, at sa huli, may pirmahan ng kasunduan bilang tanda ng ating pangakong makikiisa sa laban para sa katotohanan, kalikasan, at kinabukasan.

Wika nga ni Ross Flores Del Rosario, tagapagtatag ng Wazzup Pilipinas:

"Ito ang panahon ng kabataan. Panahon para magsalita, kumilos, at baguhin ang mundo sa mabuting paraan."

Pagsapit ng 5:30 PM, ang pagtatapos ng programa ay hindi paalaman kundi isang panata—isang pangakong tayo ay magiging tagapagtanggol ng tama, ng kalikasan, at ng demokrasya.

SUMALI SA KILUSAN. IKAW ANG PAGBABAGO.

April 13, 2025 – Taguig City – Simbayanan ni Maria Community Foundation

Kung ikaw ay naniniwala sa katotohanan kaysa kasinungalingan, sa pagkilos kaysa pagiging walang pakialam, at sa kinabukasang may pag-asa—ito na ang iyong pagkakataon.

Para sa karagdagang impormasyon:

rossdelrosario@gmail.com

09473820042

Sundan ang kilusan online:

#UMALOHOKAN2025 #EmpowerTheYouth #FightFakeNews #SustainabilityNow #EveryVoteMatters

Ang laban para sa totoo, para sa demokrasya, at para sa kalikasan ay nagsisimula na. Sama-sama tayong kikilos.

Philippine Food Expo 2025: A Celebration of Culinary Excellence and Innovation

Wazzup Pilipinas!?

The 17th Philippine Food Expo has transformed the World Trade Center in Metro Manila into a bustling hub of culinary innovation and business opportunity. With over 300 exhibitors showcasing the best of Filipino food culture under one roof, this three-day extravaganza has quickly become the must-attend event for industry professionals, food enthusiasts, and entrepreneurs alike.

A Powerful Opening

The expo kicked off on April 4 with a star-studded opening ceremony attended by key figures from government, academia, and the private sector led the distinguished guests, alongside representatives from various government departments and organizations. PHILFOODEX President Ruben L. See, together with foreign ambassadors and industry leaders, demonstrated the collaborative spirit driving the Philippine food industry forward.

More Than Just an Exhibition

Now in its 17th year, the Philippine Food Expo has established itself as the country's premier all-Filipino food and beverage trade show. But this isn't merely a display of products—it's a catalyst for economic growth. The connections formed and deals signed during the expo translate directly into investments, employment opportunities, and strengthened local enterprises.

"By bringing producers and markets together, the Expo plays a vital role in boosting agricultural sector growth and opening new doors for international trade," noted one industry observer. Each successful transaction contributes to farmers' and entrepreneurs' income, reinforces rural development, and fuels agro-industrial progress.

Diverse Offerings Across Multiple Sectors

The expo's exhibit floor features an impressive array of products and services spanning multiple sectors:

Food & Beverage: Everything from frozen meats and dim sum to artisan pastries, local sauces, and ready-to-eat delicacies

Health & Organic Products: Herbal supplements, organic honey, plant-based offerings, and locally produced juices

Hospitality & Tourism: Hotel suppliers, tourism packages, media content creators, and hospitality education

Packaging & Equipment: Commercial kitchen tools, packaging solutions with a focus on eco-friendly options

Technology & Utilities: Modern POS systems, software solutions, purification systems, and third-party laboratory services

Retail & Trade: Franchise opportunities, logistics services, grocery distribution, and retail innovations

Competitions and Culinary Excellence

The opening day featured a packed schedule of competitions and demonstrations that highlighted Filipino culinary talent:

The Philippine Regional Table Setting Competition showcased the diverse presentation styles across the archipelago

Kitchen Masters competitions put professional chefs and aspiring culinarians to the test

Specialized contests like the Healthy Pasta Competition and themed showcases such as "Ube for Every Craving" with Abigail Marquez celebrated both innovation and tradition

Industry professionals also benefited from educational seminars, including the Food Caterers Association of the Philippines' presentation on emerging trends in catering and food service.

Weekend Highlights

The weekend promises even more excitement for attendees, with the PINASarap Breakfast Competition reimagining Filipino morning classics, food styling competitions, and specialized workshops on everything from French patisserie to modern Filipino cuisine. Business-minded visitors can participate in the Usapang Agribiz Investment Forum organized by the Department of Agriculture.

The final day will feature the Philippine Food Expo Knowledge Challenge, valuable seminars on Halal certification, and the much-anticipated Mystery Ingredient Competition that will push chefs to their creative limits. The expo will conclude with an awards ceremony celebrating the exceptional talent displayed throughout the event.

A Platform for Growth

The Philippine Food Expo 2025 represents far more than a trade show—it's a national platform uniting local innovation, culinary artistry, and global market potential. As the event continues through April 6, it reinforces the Philippines' growing influence in the global food and beverage landscape.

With each connection made and partnership formed, the expo strengthens the foundation of the Filipino food sector, empowering local businesses to reach new heights on both domestic and international stages. As one exhibitor put it: "This is where relationships are built, innovations are shared, and the future of Filipino food takes shape."

The Philippine Food Expo 2025 runs until April 6 at the World Trade Center, Metro Manila. For inquiries, contact Exhibition Manager Cut Unlimited at info@eventsbycut.com or (02) 8363 4900 / 8362 2266. 

Follow the event on Facebook @PhilippineFoodExpo and Instagram @philfoodexpo.

 #PhilippineFoodExpo2025 #SupportLocal #FoodInnovation

A Toxic Trail: On World Health Day, Groups Sound Alarm Over Unrecyclable Waste from Cigarettes and Vapes

Wazzup Pilipinas!?

Quezon City, Philippines — April 6, 2025 — On the eve of World Health Day, two of the country’s most active public health and environmental watchdogs have issued a clarion call — not just for a behavioral shift among smokers and vapers, but for an upstream policy revolution that could save both human lives and the environment from a mounting and largely invisible threat.

In a joint press statement, Action on Smoking and Health-Philippines (ASH Philippines) and the EcoWaste Coalition declared that cigarette butts and used electronic smoking devices (ESDs) are not just health hazards — they are unrecyclable, toxic waste products that represent a silent, surging crisis.

And their solution? A bold and uncompromising one: a total phase-out of cigarettes and electronic smoking products.

A Toxic Legacy That Lingers

For decades, the cigarette butt has been the most littered item on the planet. Now, the rise of vaping and other electronic smoking devices has added a new layer of environmental catastrophe — one composed of lithium batteries, circuit boards, plastic pods, and nicotine-laced liquid residues. These components are not just dangerous — they are impossible to dispose of safely, the groups emphasized.

“There is no practical way to recycle cigarette butts and spent ESDs,” said Aileen Lucero, National Coordinator of the EcoWaste Coalition. “They are full of toxins and carcinogens, and the danger extends to those working in recycling facilities. Like single-use plastics, they are fundamentally incompatible with a circular economy.”

The problem, she explained, is multifaceted. Cigarette butts are made of cellulose acetate, a type of plastic that resists decomposition and leaches chemicals into soil and water. Meanwhile, ESDs — including vapes and heated tobacco products (HTPs) — combine a dangerous mix of metals, toxic liquids, and batteries. Discarded irresponsibly or stored indefinitely, they pose fire hazards, leach heavy metals, and contaminate ecosystems.

A Crisis You Can't Sweep Away

Despite cleanup drives and community awareness campaigns, the scale of the problem remains staggering. Trillions of cigarette butts and billions of discarded ESDs and their parts are dumped into the environment each year.

“No amount of beach combing or street sweeping will ever make a noticeable dent,” said Dr. Maricar Limpin, Executive Director of ASH Philippines. “The only true solution lies upstream — to stop producing, selling, and using these deadly and polluting products.”

The statement highlighted the futility of current waste management strategies. Even well-intentioned attempts to collect and recycle smoking waste have failed — primarily because no method exists to detoxify or safely repurpose them.

ESDs: A Fire Hazard in Your Pocket

Unlike cigarette butts, which slowly degrade into microplastics, ESDs carry more immediate dangers. Their built-in batteries can explode and start fires. Across the country, schools are left with stockpiles of confiscated vapes because even authorities don’t know how to dispose of them safely.

“What we are dealing with here is not just a nuisance,” Dr. Limpin added. “It is a public health time bomb with consequences that go far beyond the individual smoker or vaper.”

Time for a Just Transition

While the call for a phase-out may seem radical, the groups stress that the approach must include a just transition — especially for communities economically dependent on tobacco production and vape retailing. Support for alternative livelihoods, health programs, and environmental jobs should accompany the shift.

This echoes global calls from the World Health Organization and other institutions advocating not just for personal change, but systemic transformation in the face of the triple planetary crisis: climate change, pollution, and biodiversity loss.

A Call to Quit — and Never Start

Ultimately, the message is clear and uncompromising: Quit cold turkey. Don’t start. Not even once.

ASH and the EcoWaste Coalition are calling on the public — especially the youth and non-smokers — to turn away from both smoking and vaping. They urge smokers and vapers to seek cessation support and to realize that what is marketed as a personal choice has collective consequences.

“World Health Day is the perfect moment to reflect on how we treat both our bodies and our planet,” said Lucero. “If we are truly serious about saving lives and healing our Earth, we must have the courage to end this toxic cycle now.”

By Ross Flores Del Rosario, Founder of Wazzup Pilipinas

About the Author: Ross Flores Del Rosario is the Founder of Wazzup Pilipinas, a recognized advocate for environmental and public health awareness. He is also the External Vice President of the Green Party of the Philippines and a Board Member of the Bayanihan Para Sa Kalikasan Movement Inc. Through his platform, he champions initiatives that drive sustainable action and meaningful change across the country.