Ross Flores del Rosario: The "Pambansang Blogger" Shaping Philippine Digital Media

Wazzup Pilipinas!? 

 

Ross Flores del Rosario is widely recognized as the "Pambansang Blogger" of the Philippines, a title earned through his impactful work as founder of the award-winning online platform Wazzup Pilipinas. He has established himself as a key figure in the country's digital media landscape, bridging communities and amplifying Filipino voices through authentic storytelling.

 

Personal Background and Education

 

Ross holds a degree in Electronics and Communications Engineering from Mapúa Institute of Technology. Before venturing into blogging, he worked as an ICT Officer for the United Nations World Food Programme, where he gained expertise in technology and project management. He later founded an IT solutions business, offering services such as network setup, server administration, and hardware/software maintenance.

 

Career: From IT to Digital Media

 

When social media transformed how information is shared, Ross pivoted to meet evolving demands, prioritizing the management of Wazzup Pilipinas, which he launched in 2013. The platform, tagged "The National Blog of the Philippines," covers diverse topics including entertainment, lifestyle, travel, current events, and socio-political issues. It has partnered with brands, government agencies, educational institutions, and event organizers to deliver timely, reliable content to a broad audience.

 

Beyond the blog, Ross is a frequent guest on radio and TV shows, and his work has been featured in newspapers and magazines. He has also expanded Wazzup Pilipinas into a trusted digital hub that champions Filipino ingenuity, student initiatives, and advocacy programs.

 

Achievements and Recognition

 

Wazzup Pilipinas has garnered numerous accolades since its inception, starting with the Top Emerging Influential Blog Award in 2013. Other honors include titles like Top Filipino Community Blog and Most Outstanding Community Blog in Southeast Asia, validating the platform's commitment to truth, community, and editorial excellence. The site is also recognized as a credible voice in regional digital media, with partnerships that span industry expos, youth forums, and journalism conferences.

 

Personal Life

 

Ross is married to Wilma del Rosario, and in a 2014 blog post, he shared details of their wedding anniversary, celebrating their enduring relationship and the role she plays in his life and work.

 

Impact on Philippine Blogging

 

Ross has helped elevate blogging from a personal hobby to a respected form of citizen journalism in the Philippines. Wazzup Pilipinas provides a platform for emerging bloggers and influencers to share their perspectives, fostering diverse discourse and highlighting the positive aspects of Filipino culture and achievement.

Marriott International Expands Cebu Presence With Opening of Fairfield by Marriott Cebu Mactan

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The hotel brings the beauty of simplicity to the island's business and leisure travelers, with modern rooms, an exclusive all-day restaurant, seamless airport connectivity, and warm Filipino hospitality.

Beyond the checklists and tourist spots, a good Cebu stay comes down to one thing: a place that just works. Travelers,whether flying in for meetings or taking a well-earned break, can look forward to Fairfield by Marriott Cebu Mactan—a new hotel built around simplicity, comfort, and the kind of alaga Cebu is known for.

Strategically situated at the Mahi Center, Mactan Economic Zone 1, Barangay Ibo, the hotel is at the heart of Cebu’s most dynamic economic district. With Mactan-Cebu International Airport and Mactan Export Processing Zone just two to three minutes away, guests can skip the long transfers and get straight to work or rest. Downstairs, the newly opened Mahi Mall adds daily convenience, no matter if it’s a quick coffee, a meal, or last-minute errands.

Backed by Marriott International’s trusted standards and delivered with Cebuano care, the hotel blends global reliability with a unique local sense of welcome. "We are pleased to Introduce Fairfield by Marriott to Mactan, an island destination that perfectly balances business dynamism with natural paradise," said Duke Nam, Regional Vice President for Korea, Vietnam & Philippines, Marriott International. "This debut reinforces our confidence in Mactan as a key gateway in the Visayas and our commitment to expanding our portfolio in high-demand destinations across the Philippines. The hotel will be part of our award-winning Marriott Bonvoy travel program, offering members more opportunities to discover the beauty and hospitality of the islands."

Guests can expect a service that honors their necessities, all built on Fairfield’s principles of comfort and simplicity, infused with genuine Filipino warmth. The hotel features 196 well-appointed rooms—Standard Twin, Standard Queen, and Deluxe Queen—designed for both rest and productivity. Warm tones and clean, contemporary finishes set the mood, while practical comforts like high-speed Wi-Fi, ergonomic workspaces, and plush beds make it easy to wind down after meeting clients in the city or chasing the waves. But of course, everyone needs a wellness reboot, too, which is why the 24/7 fitness center is the place to be with fresh gym equipment.

Cap off or begin the day with gastronomic spreads at DAVOS, a relaxed all-day dining restaurant exclusive to the Mactan property. It serves a range of coastal flavors, from fresh local seafood to well-loved global dishes. The name is inspired by the Cebuano word dabos, which means abundant, a nod to the island’s rich fishing heritage. But for a quick hankering fix for the busy bees or with early flights, The Market, Fairfield by Marriott’s signature 24/7 grab-and-go concept, is there with plenty of bites from sandwiches to salads, pastries, beverages, and local favorites.

Apart from these amenities, Fairfield by Marriott Cebu Mactan also makes a great venue for corporate events, personal parties, or everything in between. It has a 250sqm event area that can be divided into three smaller spaces or combined for larger gatherings, supported by modern audiovisual technology and a dedicated team to execute memorable get-togethers.

"We are thrilled to introduce Fairfield by Marriott to Mactan, where guests can experience our signature hospitality and the beauty of simplicity," said Dottie Würgler, Multi-Property General Manager of Sheraton Cebu Mactan & Fairfield by Marriott Cebu Mactan. "Mactan is an island that blends business dynamism with natural beauty, and we've created a space that gives guests the room to move at their own pace—whether they're here to work, explore, or simply rest. From our comfortable rooms to DAVOS restaurant, celebrating local flavors, every detail is designed to make each stay effortlessly enjoyable."

Simplicity is not about the absence of things, but the presence of what truly matters, and it’s all here at Fairfield by Marriott Cebu Mactan. No matter if you’re on a business trip or a vacation, everyone’s guaranteed an uncomplicated rest as it opens doors on December 19, 2025. Clean, uncluttered, and organized, furnished with essentials that make travel delightful.

For bookings and more information, visit Fairfield by Marriott Cebu Mactan.

About Marriott Bonvoy

Marriott Bonvoy, Marriott International’s portfolio of more than 30 hotel brands and 10,000 global destinations, offers renowned hospitality in the most memorable locations around the world. The award-winning travel program and marketplace give members access to transformative, eye-opening experiences around the corner and across the globe. To enroll for free or for more information about Marriott Bonvoy, visit marriottbonvoy.com. To download the Marriott app, go here. Travelers can also connect with Marriott Bonvoy on Facebook, X, Instagram, and TikTok.

About Fairfield by Marriott

Fairfield by Marriott was founded on the principles of trusted service and warm, friendly hospitality inspired by its unique heritage as the namesake of the Marriott family retreat, the Fairfield Farm. Its contemporary, uplifting design provides an effortless experience for guests to maintain their routines while on the road. Evoking the feelings of calming simplicity, Fairfield offers thoughtfully designed guestrooms and suites that provide separate quality living, working, and sleeping areas. With over 1,360 properties in 20 countries and territories, Fairfield is now the largest brand in the Marriott International portfolio and is proud to participate in MarriottvBonvoy, the global travel program from Marriott International. The program offers members anvextraordinary portfolio of global brands, exclusive experiences on Marriott Bonvoy Moments, and unparalleled benefits, including free nights and Elite status recognition. To enroll for free or for more information about the program, visit marriottbonvoy.com. For more information or reservations, visit Fairfield.marriott.com.

The Air-Conditioned Theft: How Malls Became the New Monuments of Corruption

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Stop the excuses. Let’s bury the tired clichés that “this is just how Filipinos are” or that “we simply love malls.” The grotesque imbalance between the towering glass cathedrals of retail and the tragic absence of parks, libraries, and public sports grounds in the Philippines is no accident. It is not a cultural quirk.

It is a symptom of a predatory system—one that is far more comfortable with profit than public welfare, and far more skilled at backroom negotiations than providing for the common good.

The Privatization of Rest

In a functioning society, the ability of a citizen to rest is considered essential infrastructure. A healthy government invests in parks where the child, the elderly, the destitute, and the wealthy can coexist. In these spaces, breathing is free. Sitting is a right. Socializing is unconditional. There is no receipt required for your existence.

But in a decaying system, leisure is privatized. The message from the state is clear: If you want to sit down, enter a mall. If you want to escape the sweltering heat, you must spend. If you want to feel "safe," you must be a customer. By surrendering public spaces to private developers, the government has effectively sold our right to the city. We have traded our town squares for food courts, and our dignity for "sale" alerts.

Corruption as an Architectural Process

This is where corruption evolves. It is no longer just a brown envelope passed under a table; it is the very process by which our cities are built.

The Public Park: It offers no kickbacks. There is no "rezoning windfall" for a politician’s pocket. It doesn't fund a campaign. There is no corporate-sponsored ribbon cutting with a multinational logo in the background.

The Mega-Mall: It offers everything.

Every mall begins with a signature. A rezoning of "underutilized" public land. Fast-tracked permits that bypass scrutiny. Environmental and traffic clearances that are deemed "manageable" with a nod and a wink. Violations that are marked "to be corrected later" but never are. On paper, it is legal. In reality, it is negotiable. And in a nation where oversight is a suggestion, "negotiable" is rarely free.

The Rhetoric of Deception

Observe the pattern of the language used to rob us. When a piece of land is reserved for public use, it is labeled "unproductive." The moment a developer eye-balls it, it becomes a "prime commercial opportunity." When the people ask for a park, the government cries "no budget." But when a mall is proposed, it is hailed as a "job generator." Let us translate that: There is no money to be made from a park by those in power. A park serves the people; a mall serves the shareholders and the officials who greenlit the project.

The Illusion of the Public Square

Let’s stop pretending that a mall is a public space. It is not. It is private property where your presence is tolerated only under strict conditions:

You must be quiet.

You must be presentable.

You must, preferably, have the intent to consume.

In the mall, protest is forbidden. Sleeping is a violation. Being "too poor" is a reason for removal. The "freedom" offered within these air-conditioned walls is conditional and guarded by private security. That is not leisure. That is social control dressed as convenience.

The Invisible Scandal

Perhaps the most tragic part of this tragedy is that we have grown used to it.

When there are no sidewalks, we say, "It’s okay, there’s a mall." * When there is no park for our children, we say, "At least there’s air-conditioning." * When the government fails to provide, we say, "Thank God for the private sector."

This is how corruption becomes invisible. It doesn’t need to be a loud scandal when the entire urban landscape is designed to replace the obligations of the state with the businesses of the elite. We have been conditioned to accept a life where every moment of joy must be purchased.

The Stolen Right to Exist

Malls, in isolation, are not the enemy. The enemy is a system that repeatedly chooses the mall over public life. A society that cannot imagine joy, rest, or dignity without spending money is a society that has already been captured.

Corruption does more than steal taxes. It steals space. It steals our right to rest and our right to exist in our own country without paying a toll. It is a quiet, deep-seated scandal—one that cools us with air-conditioning while it slowly suffocates our sense of community.