Playboy Philippines Anniversary: A Jaw-Dropping and Drooling Night with Mara Lopez and the Playmates

Wazzup Pilipinas!

It may have rained really hard, flooded many streets, and caused major traffic jams that day, but nothing's gonna stop your friendly neighborhood pambansang blogger from attending the Playboy Philippines anniversary at Solaire Resort and Casino.

After getting a bit soaked in the drizzle because I had to walk several distances before and after my MRT train ride, since traffic was at a stand still, managed to reach the venue as if I was water-proof....but I guess I was more than just water-proof after I realized how far I had to punish my feet walking hurriedly unminding the perspiration aside from the drizzle because I thought I was so late for the event. I had no choice, there were no taxis available, and

Luckily when I arrived at Solaire, the event hasn't started yet. Same surprising rain caused by an unpredicted Low Pressure Area that turned some parts of Metro Manila into murky rivers. The rains ruined the original plan of Playboy to hold the event at the pool side. The organizers had to bring in everything inside to the grand ballroom instead. I could imagine the preparation of setting up the pool area gone to a waste, and the equally stressful situation of having to rush to setup the new stage.

But the two hours of waiting was finally rewarded when we saw several ladies wearing bikinis under their body-hugging and revealing sexy outfits. Did I just die and went to heaven?

The Third Edition of WebGeek DevCup set for August 16-17, 2014

Wazzup Pilipinas!

WebGeek Philippines presents the third iteration of its Hackathon, DevCup, happening this August 16-17, 2014. For the past two years, DevCup has been constantly garnering overwhelming results, in terms of participants and in terms of apps developed. With 62 teams battling out to create the best apps and with no less than 48 successful apps at the end of the 2-day hackathon.

“DevCup is the most prestigious hackathon in the Philippines to date” Nikko Bautista, LinkedIn Software Engineer, DevCup 2012 champion. DevCup’s goal is to further reinforce the commitment in showcasing the Filipino talent in Information Technology. The continuous change of challenges to reflect the current trends that makes the Philippines abundant in terms of talents and skills. “With this we are able to tell the world that we can adapt to new technologies as it happen and be able to use those in developing cutting edge apps” John Arce, the Founder of WebGeek said.

“One of my proudest moments as a developer is winning DevCup” Mark Steve Samson, Insync Engineer, DevCup 2013 champion.

Techbox Champions OPM: Customers To Win Memorabilia From OPM Stars

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Techbox Philippines, the fastest growing gadget retail chain in the country, is advocating the growth and patronage of Original Pilipino Music (OPM) by pre-loading OPM songs in the MicroSD cards they sell.

“We are very excited about this initiative as it results to so many good things without requiring any extra effort from our customers,” says Angela Gutierrez, Business Unit Head for Techbox Philippines. “Not only does this project help prevent music piracy, it also helps protect the gadgets of our customers from security vulnerabilities that users can get from downloading from unreliable sources,” added Angela.

“Moreover, as a subsidiary of TAO Corporation – a Filipino company that takes pride in supporting local talent -- we are eager to promote and support the growth of OPM,” said Angela.

Techbox Philippines currently offers three variants of their OPM-preloaded MicroSD. The ‘Happy’ card includes hits such as “Biglang Liko” by Ron Henley feat. Pow Chavez, “Hip-Notize” by Solenn feat. Klumcee, “Tao Lang” by Loonie feat. Quest, “Otomatic” by Pedicab, “Paakyat Ka Pa Lang Pababa Na Ako” by The Oktaves, “Lord Patawad” by Bassilyo, “Picture Picture” by Tanya Markova, “Kahit Maputi Na Ang Buhok Ko” by Richard Poon, “Die Just A Little” by Side A, “It Wasn’t Me” by Sitti, “Leaving On A Jetplane” by Mitoy Yonting, “Elesi” by Paolo Onesa, and a music video of “Diva” by Solenn feat. Ron Henley.

Nike Unveils New Gilas Pilipinas Uniforms to Debut at 2014 FIBA Basketball World Cup

 

Wazzup Pilipinas!

The the national basketball team of the Philippines known as Gilas Pilipinas has new uniform kits courtesy of Nike. The developmental Philippine national basketball team sponsored by Smart Communications and the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP), aside from other brands like Max's Restaurant, proudly showed off their new jerseys to members of the media, fans and supporters.

Nike unveiled the Philippines National Basketball Team uniform for the 2014/2015 season today with members of the Gilas Pilipinas team and Coach Vincent “Chot” Reyes before media, the Basketball Federation of the Philippines, and associates of Nike and the federation. The team will debut the uniform on-court at the 2014 FIBA Basketball World Cup in Spain in August this year.

The new uniforms made of Nike Sphere fabric are more lightweight, breathable, and durable. Sphere flocks the interior for sweat management; articulated armholes provide a better and easier range of motion; and laser cut perforations provide ventilation throughout the kit.

“The new uniforms are lighter in weight, which is an advantage for us when we play. Together with the heat management, the uniforms will keep us comfortable through the games,” said LA Tenorio, point guard for the Gilas.

Student Media Congress: Empowering Media Catalysts

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Student Media Congress: Empowering Media Catalysts is a 2-day event happening in De La Salle University on July 25 and 26, 2014. The congress aims to empower YOU and encourage your capabilities as a future media catalyst.

The event will feature speakers like Mr. Rico Hizon of BBC, Mr. Mick Atienza of The Philippine Star, Mr. Carlos Rodriguez of ABS-CBN, Mr. Santiago Elizalde of the Manila Broadcasting Company, and Mr. Howie Severino of GMA, which will help you realize your potential -- and that's only for the first day!

Fine-tune your skills as we bring you plenty of competing and non-competing workshops to choose from, which you can pre-enroll online from July 14-16.

Be a part of a congress that gives you more than learning. Be a part of a congress that challenges you. Be a part of DLSU Student Media Congress.

Wazzup Pilipinas is a proud online media partner

Yahoo Aviate: The Intelligent Homescreen that Simplifies Your Phone

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Aviate was created to connect you with the information you need at the moment it’s useful. Since joining Yahoo in January, the creators learned a lot from their beta user community about how to deliver a simple, intelligent mobile experience. Today, they're psyched to launch globally as Yahoo Aviate, available for Android phones in English (no invitation needed!).

Yahoo Aviate simplifies everything about your phone. It starts with a clean, new layout and apps automatically organized for you. But it’s not just about making your phone simpler - Aviate also makes your phone smarter by offering intelligent information throughout your day. Whether you’re on the go, at work, at a restaurant or just relaxing at home, Aviate automatically shows you apps and information that are useful to you based on what you’re up to.

For those of you who already know Aviate, check out what’s new: 

LINE Celebrates Third Anniversary and One Billion Total Downloads Worldwide

Wazzup Pilipinas!

LINE, the world’s leading mobile platform, marks its third anniversary on Monday, June 23 2014. It has even more reasons to celebrate as the total number of worldwide downloads for LINE and LINE family apps topped one billion on June 21, 2014.

LINE has been a worldwide phenomenon in the last three years, and its growing user base in the Philippines has helped foster this growth. With this momentum, Filipinos can expect more quirky and colorful features to be released by LINE.

“The development of new and exciting stickers and apps is our way of extending our gratitude to the Filipino LINE community,” said Greg Kim, head of LINE Philippines. “The Philippines continues to present great prospects in terms of growth, as it has an increasing number of smartphone users. And considering LINE’s cross compatibility across multiple platforms such as iOS, Android, BlackBerry, Windows, as well as PC, its market in the country is expected to be even bigger.”

Since its beginning as a free mobile messenger app, launched on June 23, 2011, LINE has been continuously evolving its features by adding free calls and stickers in October of the same year. With further addition of video calls and “LINE Premium Call”, a feature that allows users to make domestic and international phone calls to landlines and mobile phones at affordable rates, LINE demonstrates its ceaseless commitment to providing the best communication experience for all users. As LINE celebrates its third anniversary today, the service has grown to hold over 470 million users worldwide.

6 DJ’s Move to the Red Bull Thre3style Philippine Finals

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Red Bull Thre3style held its second qualifying round tonight in Urbn Bar & Kitchen located in Bonifacio Global City, Taguig, Metro Manila.

Seven of the country’s top DJs: DJ Brandon Jon, DJ FlavaMatikz, DJ Aryan Magat, DJ Mick Martinez, DJ Buzz, DJ SupremeFist and DJ Nix Damn P, all tried to outdo each other with their own electrifying 15 minute sets.

The competition was judged by 2011 Red Bull Thre3style World Champion DJ Hedspin and 2014 Red Bull Thre3style Finals judge DJ Shortkut.

At the end of the night, DJ Aryan Magat, DJ Nix Damn P (Nix Pernia) and DJ SupremeFist (Paul Macapagal) were selected to move onto the Philippine Finals by the international judges with DJ SupremeFist being named the overall winner of the Manila Qualifiers.

The top three finalists from Manila will now battle the top three from the Cebu Qualifier held last June 21 at J. Ave Superclub, who include: DJ Niki Del Rosario, DJ K Groove (Kristian Hernandez), and DJ Carlo Atendido.

As the overall winners of their respective qualifiers, DJ Carlo Atendido and DJ SupremeFist are given the opportunity to pick where in the lineup they will perform during the Philippine Finals taking place this Saturday, June 28 at Republiq Club in Manila.The winner of the Saturday’s Finals will be the first-ever representive from the Philippines at the 2014 Red Bull Thre3style World Finals held in Baku, Azerbaijan later this year.

International Film Conference This Year HighlightsCo-Production Prospects In Film Production

Wazzup Pilipinas!

The Centre National du Cinema et de l’Image Animée or CNC representative, Julien Ezzano will discuss how filmmakers can get funding through the organization at the International Film Conference to be held at the SMX Convention Center on Friday (June 27). The International Film Conference is part of the International Film Expo 2014.

The Centre National du Cinema et de l’Image Animée is the French national film fund in charge of both regulatory and support missions. In 2012 this organization had a budget of 667 million Euros, most of which was aimed at supporting the production of cinema and television content, and produced some 279 feature films through the CNC certification process.

Julien Ezzano will discuss international co-production, co-funding, and the importance of cultural diversity. He hopes to develop bilateral relations with all the countries and encourage foreign producers to work with French partners.

MRT-3 Deploys More Trains, Serves 2,364 More Riders Per Hour

Wazzup Pilipinas!

With the aim of decongesting lines at Metro Rail Transit III (MRT-3) stations especially during peak hours, two (2) additional light rail vehicles (LRVs) or coaches previously on standby at the depot have been deployed regularly by management to somewhat improve the rail system’s ability to meet passenger demands.

“We welcome MRT-3’s report that it has increased the number of running coaches from 18 to 20, which translates to an increased capacity of 2,364 passengers per hour per peak direction (PPHPD). Passenger convenience is of course always a concern, so we hope this helps riders somewhat in their daily commute by reducing their queuing time and taking them to their destinations faster,” said Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) Secretary Jun Abaya.

According to MRT-3’s report, the transit line had a carrying capacity of 17,730 PPHPD prior to the additional coaches’ deployment. It now stands at 20,094. As a result, queuing time has significantly decreased especially in congested stations, where long lines along street levels are now cleared as early as 8:00 in the morning as opposed to the previous 9:00am.

The additional deployment began in the first week of June on orders of its officer-in-charge, Honorito Chaneco, shortly after he assumed responsibility over MRT-3.

The New MINI. The New Original: Epic Driving Fun Better than Before

Wazzup Pilipinas!

At a media and VIP launch held at the MINI Cooper showroom located at Bonifacio Global City, many witnessed eh unveiling of the new MINIs. Hosted by UK born Filipino/British Rugby Sevens Player, model and host Andrew Wolff, and graced by actor heartthrob Jericho Rosales and famed racecar driver and racing legend George Ramirez.

I got to see several makes of the new Minis including the Cooper S and the F56. I personally did a test drive, and also did a slalom course with George Ramirez himself driving, and whoah! was I in a state of shock for several minutes after those few seconds of high-impact adrenaline that I could feel rushing in my veins and making my heart beat faster than normal. I never thought the MINI can be both smooth and powerful. I had a blast driving it on my own but with George on the wheel, I was glad I had my seatbelt on and I didn't have a weak heart.

Watch below as I post videos (more to be uploaded soon and added to this post as soon as available). For the meantime, here are some photos during the launch and the official press release. More photos will be uploaded soon on the Wazzup Pilipinas Facebook fan page.

Epson Offers World’s 1st 3LCD Touch-Enabled Interactive Projectors

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Epson Philippines Corporation recently unveiled the new flagship interactive model EB-595Wi, the World's 1st 3LCD, finger touch-enabled interactive projector, along with six (6) other projector models in the company’s Ultra Short Throw projector range. The Epson EB-500 series is targeted specifically at educational institutions, and is designed to enhance engagement for both teachers and students.

With the Epson EB-500 Series interactive projectors, users can just touch the screen to scroll up and down, move icons and annotate, zoom in or out, open or close files, enlarge, reduce and rotate images, and even erase images – just like a regular touchscreen device, such as smartphones and tablets.

The new projectors can deliver color brightness of up to 3300 lumens on selected models, allowing the screen to be easily viewed from anywhere in the classroom without the need to dim the lights. The new Epson projectors have a contrast ratio of 10,000:1 and longer lamp life of up to 10,000 hours in ECO mode for better cost efficiency and savings.

FilaPinas: Fila Brand Endorsers Meet and Greet with Fans

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Fans were all swooning with delight and admiration during the Meet and Greet event held by Fila Philippines at 4 selected branches namely Robinson's Galleria and SM Megamall last June 21, 2014 and Glorietta and Mall of Asia last June 22, 2014.

The hunky members of the Philippine National Rugby Union Team (more popularly known as the Volcanoes), the first Southeast Asian figure skater to compete in the Winter Olympics Michael Christian Martinez, ultra-charming model, actor, host Fabio Ide and fashion designer, columnist and socialite-philanthropist known for her flamboyant outfits Tessa Prieto-Valdez was able to interact with fans of all ages at the Fila branches during these special events.

I think I was also overwhelmed of how fans lined up to get their Fila fans signed by the celebrities, as well as get photo opportunities, group shots especially "selfies". Some even had Fila shirts signed by the Fila brand endorsers.Another one even had his newly bought shoes signed by one of the Fila brand endorsers.

I am witness to how the girls all went gaga over the men endorsers namely the volcanic rugby hunks and especially to Olympic figure-skating fame Michael Martinez, Fabio Ide has a great number of lady fans all wanting to have a photo with him, and Tessa Prieto-Valdez was so fashionista with her outfits on both days that numerous fans also gathered around her.

Yahoo Celebrity Awards Receives Over 9 Million Fan Votes and Counting

Wazzup Pilipinas!

The 4th Yahoo Celebrity Awards (formerly Yahoo OMG! Awards) is proving to be the most exciting one yet! After only three weeks of voting, over 9 million votes have already been notched online, surpassing last year’s total number of votes! Voting for nominees is open online at yahoo.com.ph/celebrityawards until July 12, 2014, and Yahoo Philippines is hoping to achieve more votes as the awards night draws nearer.


Yahoo Celebrity Awards honors Filipino celebrities from the fields of movies, music, radio and television, who are voted into the top ranks by their fans from across the world. This is the fourth consecutive year of Yahoo Celebrity Awards, which are not only the most popular awards program in the country but also uniquely “Powered by You” - as fans have the exclusive power to vote for their favorite stars.

Kate Delos Reyes, Country Manager and Country Editor of Yahoo Philippines was ecstatic with the results and said, “We all know how much Filipino fans love our celebrities! Now is the time to show them how important they are to you. Ask your friends and family to vote to make sure your favorites win in their respective categories!”

British Artist Questions “The Price of Everything”, Live in Manila

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Ever contemplated the difference between ‘price’ and ‘value’? Ever watched a ‘special performance lecture’? How about drank milk in a theater while doing all of the above? Now you can.

The PETA Theater Center, the Cultural Center of the Philippines, and British Council Philippines present The Price of Everything by British performer Daniel Bye, showing at the PETA Studios on Thursday, July 10, 7:00 PM.

The Price of Everything has been performed to critical acclaim at the 2012 Edinburgh Fringe Festival and enjoyed a sold-out run as part of the Northern Stage at St. Stephens Festival last year .

Profound, provocative and definitely funny, Bye becomes the proverbial gadfly through this one-man show. Touted as a ‘special performance lecture’, the show combines stand-up comedy, satire and storytelling.

Bye is a theatre-maker from North East England whose material tackles big political and philosophical issues with naivety and reckless abandon. As part of the show, Bye asks the audience serious questions about ideology and money, while offering them all free glasses of milk!

Kathryn Bernardo is on the Cover of Metro Magazine July 2014 Issue

Wazzup Pilipinas!

"Teen Queen Kathryn Bernardo graces Metro magazine's cover for the third time, headlining their 2014 Celebrity Issue. This is her first magazine cover after turning 18 and they're so into her newfound maturity and sophistication, but they also love how she remains down to earth and a breeze to work with."
Nice Job, Metro! Embracing womanhood to the fullest. Passion and beauty demands to be felt. 

You got to love her outfit especially the much coveted jacket that totally made her look more like a woman. The teen queen is really all woman in this fabulous cover. Though the chin up look may be a bit more domineering and made her neck look longer than normal.

I also like an article here that talks about several star style secrets. The best cuts, colors, silhouettes, and styles of the season are also discussed. Plus the Pre-Fall 2014 Trend Report.

Watch out for Metro magazine's July issue in bookstores and newsstands this week. Let's make her cover trend, shall we? 

Roxee B: Reinvented to be More Daring on UNO Magazine

Wazzup Pilipinas!

I thought I'd be only seeing toys at a toy convention but ToyCon 2014 has expanded into a huge gathering of enthusiasts and fanatics of many fields of entertainment from toys to video games, cosplayers to comics, collectors' items to sculptures, and everything else you can think of including the toys for the big boys.

There is truth when they say that boys will be boys and that aside from playing time is plenty of leisure time ogling at beautiful girls wearing skimpy and revealing outfits may it be as an alluring booth model, a cute and sexy cosplayer, or a seductive magazine cover model.

There's simply more-than-meets-the-eye in the ToyCon 2014 event aside from child's play. There will always be stunning ladies present in every boys event just as we see in car shows, product launches and even trade fairs.

I've seen Roxie Barcelo or Anne Roxanne "Roxie" Jordan Barcelo, or now known as Roxee B, before but she still pleased all senses when she graced the 3rd day of the ToyCon 2014 event with her provocating presence. I know black is beautiful but her body-hugging and tight dark outfit was made even more astonishing as seen on her sultry and sensual body. I've seen her shots already at the UNO magazine issue so I was already imagining what she would look like underneath the black dress. I can't help but swoon in delight, and made me want to get closer for the photo ops.

Below are some images taken at the UNO Magazine Autograph signing:

Ryza Cenon Sweetens and Spices Up UNO’s 2014 Swimsuit Special

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Apparently, there was more reasons why traffic along SM Megamall was horrendously hair-pulling days aside from the overflowing attendance of cosplayers to join the cosplay competitions at the 2014 run of ToyCon. UNO magazine also seized two days to bring in two of their lovely cover models on separate days specifically day 2 and day 3.

No wonder why Day 1 of Toycon was not as problematic as Day 2 and 3, the lovely ladies of UNO Magazine decided to drop by at the peak hours of the afternoon when most toy and cosplay fanatics where at a huge quantity. Almost every cosplaying group, and even solo flight individuals were there to show off their costumes depicting their favorite anime, superhero or cartoon character, I heard there was even a guy who cosplayed as Bong Revilla Jr wearing the white shirt with religious writings on it.

During Day 2, Ryza Cenon, with her floral top and pinkish bottom skirt wowed the crowd during the autograph signing of the UNO Swmsuit Special where she is one of the four cover models. Though I didn't really liked her sort of crazy curly hairdo that day.

Aside from Ryza, the other three UNO magazine swimsuit special cover models are Mercedes Cabral, Aubrey Miles, and Danica Torres. Also part of the magazine issue are Emmerie Cunanan, Georgina Knight, Kookie Sarmiento and Jacq Yu.

Below is the official press release about Ryza Cenon:

Johnny Rockets Launches the Lobster Wagyu Burger and Wasabi Shake

Wazzup Pilipinas!

There's a bunch of gourmet burgers already out there that are all tempting and flavorful. Now, Johnny Rockets has recently introduced another gourmet burger like no other. Introducing the new Lobster Wagyu Burger - Yes! you heard it right! It's a unique serving of sumptuous Lobster and a well-grilled Wagyu meat patty combined into one burger creation that is sure to make you want to try it for yourself. Plus there's also American fries on the sides for a real hefty meal to keep you on the go for any task.

An interesting meal also deserves a drink that's equally adventurous in taste. Be prepared to meet the Wasabi Shake. Oh my! and I thought I only see that green stuff with sushi. You will really taste the Wasabi flavor in this drink that Johnny Rockets has prepared for their avid customers who can expect something new from the restaurant every three months.

Top this meal and drink with a dance performance form the Johnny Rockets crew that are prepared to wiggle, shake and strut to a beat every 30 minutes or even upon request of the customers. Nothing beats seeing live performances by vibrant teens all willing to entertain and impress the people while they enjoy dining on the many gourmet burgers, meals and drinks of Johnny Rockets.

The Lobster Wagyu Burger and Wasabi Shake launch or new menu tasting event was held last June 20, 2014 at the Eastwood Mall branch of the restaurant and was attended by several members of the media including Wazzup Pilipinas.

Rescue, Revive, Relive Escolta at #SelfiEscolta: The Manila Street Heritage Festival

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Young people use the power of social media to raise awareness on Manila’s forgotten but beloved heritage street in this all-day arts, music and food fest.

The Queen of Manila streets is reclaiming her crown as a relevant and productive district in modern times.

The Escolta Revival Movement, an umbrella group composed of property and business owners, public institutions, and organizations from the arts and heritage conservation sectors have joined forces for one vision. They have united for a collective effort to rescue and revive Escolta, to make it the country’s premier central business and luxury district once again.

To raise awareness and help boost Manila’s local tourism, they will hold an event called #selfiEscolta: The Manila Street Heritage Festival. It will be held along Escolta Street on June 28, 2014 (Saturday), from 9:00 am to 10:00 pm.

#selfiEscolta features various simultaneous activities to showcase the best of Manila’s famed district. These include special guided tours that will take attendees to all the heritage buildings in the district. There will also be an art and food market plus on-site entertainment, among others. Confirmed performers include the likes of Gary Granada, Tres Marias (Cookie Chua, Bayang Barrios, Lolita Carbon), Plagpul, Persephone, Estribo, Fiona, and more.

Lamudi Philippines App Launch: Buy, Rent or Sell Real Estate on the Go

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Nowadays, almost everyone rely on their smartphone to keep themselves updated and informed. Looking at how things are going right now, it will be no surprise when after a few more years, online media will be the only option fast, convenient and reliable enough to refer to. With the ever-growing popularity of smartphones already becoming a necessity among many people, it is a wise decision to incorporate almost everything on a mobile platform including the way we do business.

To meet the growing demand for mobile internet services in the emerging markets, Lamudi Philippines has recently launched an app that would allow house-hunters to buy, rent or sell real estate using an Android phone - the dominant mobile platform worldwide capturing more than 60 percent of the local mobile market.

Launched in 2013, Lamudi is a global property portal focusing exclusively on emerging markets. The fast-growing platform is currently available in 28 countries in Asia, the Middle East, Africa and Latin America, with 400,000 real estate listings across its global network. The leading real estate marketplace offers sellers, buyers, landlords and renters a secure and easy-to-use platform to find or list properties online.

Held at the Croque Cafe and + Bakery in Makati last June 20, 2014, the app named Lamudi: Real Estate for Sale and Rent was introduced to selected members of the media by Jacqueline van den Ende, Managing Director of Lamudi Philippines. It's technical features was further discussed by Benedict Plaza, Lamudi Philippines' resident tech expert.

Social Innovators: An Interview with Jay Jaboneta of the Yellow Boat of Hope Foundation

Wazzup Pilipinas!

I know there are a lot of efforts to help out our countrymen especially during times of disaster or conflict, but I never really realized that it can be initiated not only by the big corporations, whom we thought would normally have the money to spend coming from their corporate social responsibility funds, but also by individuals who have the strong inner compassion to band together and raise funds for the welfare of the less fortunate.

Many have taken time off from their daytime jobs to lend a hand in any way they can. Some of the people I know even resigned from work to dedicate their lives to similar efforts. I learned about some of them from the recently concluded social innovators gathering called The Dream Expo MNL that was held at the Asian Development Bank in Ortigas Center last June 11 to 13, 2014, of which 200 selected social innovation groups, including Wazzup Pilipinas, attended to listen to several speakers who have already gained a significant footing towards social innovation movements. Many of them have been recognized already for their achievements and contributions making me so very proud I was there to listen to how they chased and lived their dreams of forming an organization that would eventually make this country better if all the rest of us would follow.

I sent a private message through Facebook to many of them and requested an online interview that I sent over email after they agreed. The first one to reply back with a filled up questionnaire was Jay Jaboneta,  Fire Starter and Chief Storyteller of the Yellow Boat of Hope Foundation. The story of his valiant advocacy was among the interesting ones that caught my attention during The Dream Expo MNL because it was centered on youth education, specifically on the provision of boats to children who had to swim just to go to school.

Below is my interview with Jay Jaboneta done online, but I am still hoping that one of these days I may be able to join his group in one of their on-site activities so I could cover them personally and get to feel how it is really like to see glimpses of hope seen on the children's eyes.

Logitech Ultrathin Keyboard Folio Product Review

Wazzup Pilipinas!

I recently got my hand on this cool portable keyboard that's so thin yet durable enough to perhaps lasts longer than what I've been currently using.

I used to have a foldable keyboard that I bring around everywhere I go. I attach it to my tablet so I can work on my writing more comfortably even while traveling, or during certain times while while for an event to start, break time during conferences or seminars, or even while at a coffee shop drinking my favorite brewed concoction and eating a slice of cake.

Logitech makes an extensive line of keyboard cases for all variants of iPad and one of their newest offerings is the Logitech Ultrathin Keyboard Folio. I was pleased with the look, feel, comfort, and protection that it provides.

It was so easy to attach it and configure on my tablet. I got it working after a few seconds and it tested out fine even after several hours of usage. It's more practical to use it because of its durable rubber material that is said to be shock resistant rather than my foldable keyboard whose body is made of softer rubber, which incidentally has some numbers at the numeric keypad area already not working. It may have been caused by the multiple times it has been folded and unfolded but for sure this will no longer be fixable.

NBFI Music Artists" Apolaki": Shining Bright as Warriors of and for the Environment

Wazzup Pilipinas!
NBFI Youth federation for environmental preservation (NBFI YFEP) is an environmental Youth organization committed to nature preservation through knowledge and student empowerment. Our mission is to increase youth awareness on various environmental issues through social networking and be one with other environmental units with similar aspiration, to create and organize a range of projects and advocacies that would address the different ecological challenges and to take the necessary actions that will guarantee a safe and viable earth for future generations.

NBFI MUSIC ARTISTS “APOLAKI” created their original songs and one of these is “Sama Sama” “Pagbago” at “Iyak ng Kabatann” which then hit the social networks locally and internationally.  They guested on several big events like in Robert B. Estrella Memorial National High School in Carmen, Pangasinan, Sierra Madre Day in Quezon Memorial Circle, Quezon City, De La Salle- Dasma., 4th Philippine Greeneration Summit in SM Mall of Asia, People’s Congress with former Chief Justice Reynato Puno in AIM Convention Center, Makati City, SEARICE Convention in UP Diliman, Batangas State University, UPLB,  Ateneo De Manila, Earthday Jamwith Ms. Lou Bonnevie , Aquatech Philippines, radio Veritas and several radio stations they have visited.

“Apolaki” means God of sun and war. "Sun" because they believe that their group will shine bright because of their impressive talents and devotion, and “war”because they can be warriors of and for the environment.

Parachute Convertible Bags: Get 10% Off the Price

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Looking for a great bag for your kids and teens? Want to impress your friends without breaking the bank? Looking for something fashionable , functional, and yet affordable? Then you have to try out the Parachute brand!

Parachute was launched in November of last year, available at department stores and kiosks nationwide, including provinces like Cebu, Davao, Bacolod and Cagayan de Oro. It aims to engage a customer base that aspires to be chic and versatile. Two differing personalities rolled into one. That is Parachute’s core.

Parachute has been created to channel the spirit of eco-friendly shopping. Parachute uses eye-catching shapes and colors, featuring bold characters, strong prints, and lightweight material. Keeping busy customers in mind, Parachute bags are portable and stylish.

Each bag can be converted from one style to another. Perfect for traveling, it looks like a pouch one moment; pop it into your luggage and when it’s time to use, open it up and you’ve got an extra carry-on.

Take Your Step To Success at the Entrepreneur and Franchise Expo and the Entrepreneur Success Summit this June 27-29

Wazzup Pilipinas!

The ENTREPRENEUR AND FRANCHISE EXPO 2014 with the tagline, “Your Step to Success!”, is set to be held on June 27-29, 2014 at the MegatradeHall, 5TH Floor, Mega B Building, SM Megamall, Mandaluyong City. Empowering over 100 Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) from various business sectors, the 3-day event features innovative and fast growing businesses, from food, education, retailing, real estate, travel, automobiles, logistics, agriculture, manufacturing, technology and financing that visitors can explore from. The expo will also provide seminars on how to build a successful business, from funding, hiring, to finding the perfect business for you, making it the perfect market place for aspiring entrepreneurs and future franchises.

“Over 99% percent of registered businesses in the Philippines are MSMEs according to the DTI, but they combined only contribute to 30% of the National GDP. With the ASEAN integration happening in 2015 with new competition coming in, our vision as the expo organizer is to strengthen local businesses and provide a platform for them to showcase their innovative products and services. We also provide assistance for business owners and executives to network amongst other professionals and stakeholders in order to open opportunities for aspiring entrepreneurs to start their own business and for local businesses to grow regional” says MEDIACOM SOLUTIONS INC. President and Entrepreneur and Franchise Expo Founder and Managing Director, David Abrenilla.

The Entrepreneur and Franchise Expo 2014 is supported by the Young Entrepreneurs Society Philippines and the Filipino International Franchise Association (FIFA), lead by multi-awarded franchise developer Mr. Rudolf Kotik, who will share his insights on how to build and grow a successful franchise business on Sunday, June 29 from 3pm-5pm.

La Revolucion Filipina Set to Open Ballet Philippines’45th Anniversary – The Sapphire Season on July 25

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Ballet Philippines, the country’s classical and contemporary company in cooperation with the National Historical Commission of the Philippines proudly announces the return of Agnes Locsin’s La Revolucion Filipina to kick off the company’s 45th Anniversary – The Sapphire Season.

The sublime paralytic Apolinario Mabini and the story of his role in the Philippine Revolution are brought into the limelight once again, just in time for the hero’s sesquicentennial birth anniversary.

Named Outstanding Dance Production and winner of Outstanding Choreography for Agnes Locsin at the 2008 Gawad Buhay! Awards, La Revolucion Filipina features original music by Ryan Cayabyab and libretto by Dennis Marasigan.

Choreographer Agnes Locsin was a former artistic director and resident choreographer of Ballet Philippines. She was the Gawad CCP awardee for Dance in 2012.

This fourth restaging of the modern dance masterpiece is led by three members of La Revolucion Filipina’s original cast, Annette Cruz-Mariano, Judell de Guzman-Sicam, and Alden Lugnasin.

Student Media Congress 2014 at DLSU: Empowering Media Catalysts

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Fresh from its success last year, the DLSU Student Media Office will once again host the Student Media Congress 2014 with the theme "Empowering Media Catalysts" on July 25-26, 2014 at De La Salle University-Manila. It is a two-day event that includes workshops and talks from influential and credible speakers in the field of media. Expected number of participants is around 1,100 coming from different universities and colleges around the Philippines.

Student Media Congress believes that media is one of the largest industries of today--with different fields that could and should be dealt with. So this year's Student Media Congress is offering a variety of competing and non competing workshops that tackles with different practices of media, hosted by it's prime practitioners.

Now's the chance to learn and hone your skills from top media personalities! Catch Howie Severino, Rico Hizon, Mick Atienza, Carlos Mori Rodriguez, Santiago Elizalde and many more at this year's Student Media Congress from July 25 to 26 at De La Salle University-Manila.

Rabbit Hole Launches Red Turnip Theater’s Second Season

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In the span of a year, Red Turnip Theater has made its mark in the Philippine theater scene. The band of five actors that make up Red Turnip (Ana Abad Santos, Topper Fabregas, Jenny Jamora, Cris Villonco and Rem Zamora) wanted to come up with a maiden season that would re-introduce Philippine audiences to the straight play while putting their own stamp on the theatrical experience. Their first production, “Closer”, was a bruising and honest take on modern day relationships and their follow-up, “Cock”, was a biting comedy about sexual identity. Both productions went on to acclaim with critics and audiences alike.

The five are back with their second season and are excited to kickstart it with the 2007 Pulitzer Prize winner, “Rabbit Hole”. Written by David Lindsay-Abaire, “Rabbit Hole” was a Broadway hit that garnered several Tony nominations and a win for its lead actress, Cynthia Nixon. It was then adapted into a critically-acclaimed film with Nicole Kidman in 2010 and earned her an Oscar nomination for Best Actress.

The story revolves around Becca and Howie, a couple who lose their four year old son to a car accident, and the grief that slowly threatens to tear them apart. Shifting between humour and heartbreak, “Rabbit Hole” explores the way people deal with loss and how this affects those closest to them; their families. Variety calls it “an intensely emotional examination of grief, laced with wit, insightfulness, compassion, and searing honesty”.

Proofs of Concept Presented for P 3.4 B LTO Bid

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Proofs of concept for the P 3.4-Billion Road Transportation Information Technology Infrastructure (LTO Component) Project of the Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) – otherwise known as the LTO IT Project – were presented by three (3) remaining bidders last week, giving a peek into much-improved services at the Land Transportation Office (LTO) beginning in the third quarter of 2015.

“This project aims to make dealing with the LTO more convenient and efficient for the public. Unnecessary steps will be cut out, online transactions will be enabled, and human intervention will be minimized in order to curb corrupt practices,” said DOTC Secretary Joseph Abaya.