#CONNECTED2015: One Nation for Media Education

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Established September 2010 at the University of the Philippines, the Metropolitan Alliance of Communication Students, formerly known as Metro Manila Alliance of Communication Students has been advocating Media Education as means of developing the Self, the Region and the Nation.

With visions of further improving the connections and promoting the advocacy of the Alliance, #CONNECTED, the very first Convention presented by MACS that catered all communication students in metro manila was held last year.

On its 5th year, with the mission of creating stronger connection between the industry and the communication students around the Philippines, we proudly bring "#CONNECTED2015: One Nation for Media Education" with The Reporter’s Notebook Team on Investigative Journalism, Patricia Evangelista on Alternative Journalism, Jing Castaneda on Communication in Leadership and Public Service, Third Domingo on Advertising, Marnie Manicad on Performance in Media Arts and Nikki Gil on Hosting.

Happening this September 27, 2015 from 8 o'clock in the morning until 6 o'clock in the evening at SM North EDSA Skydome.

Be part of the advocacy and uphold the legacy!

For One Nation in Media Education, The MACS Executive Board

Special Feature: Hiroshi Takano of Osaka, Japan

Wazzup Pilipinas!

This is a special feature of photojournalist and Aqua Image President Hiroshi Takano of Osaka, Japan who was one of the foreign delegates of the Diving Resort Travel (DRT) Expo held at the Megatrade Halls of SM Megamall on September 11 to 13 followed by familiarization tours at different diving sites within the Philippines and included some resort visits and countryside tour.

I joined the group of Hiroshi in Panglao, Bohol along with other delegates from the US, Australia, Korea and some of the DRT Expo organizers from China including Jason Chong, lead organizer of DRT Expo in many countries.

Hiroshi joined the diving tour at many of the popular diving sites of Bohol. He photographs mostly marine or aquatic life. He also talks and sings about water and its precious aquatic natural environment. He performs audio-visual photo-concerts featuring his own photographs and music, including lyrics. This is why he is also called the "singing underwater photographer" playing different kinds of guitars in his performances. He takes the audience on a journey to many places on this planet through his own experiences.

Hiroshi has a music CD album called "Aqua Island" and a photo essay "Ayu" with music CD which shows dramatic life of famous Japanese river fish "Ayu." He also has a portfolio of Marine Photos from MP1 to MP6 available both online and in print. He was the most eager in exploring Bohol especially when we went on a familiarization tour where he took photos and videos of the iconic world's smallest primate called the "tarsier."

I interviewed him on the second night of our 5-day stay at Amorita Resort after a dinner we had at one of the sponsoring resorts nearby namely Bohol Beach Club who treated us for dinner that night.

Building Bonds, Building Brands: A Certified Professional Manager (CPM) Networking Night

Wazzup Pilipinas!

In an effort to introduce their Certified Professional Manager (CPM) Mini-MBA Program to the Philippines, DMKompass, Inc. (formerly known as DM Competitive Advantage, Inc.) invited us to

 celebrate the formal launch of Building Bonds, Building Brands: A Certified Professional Manager (CPM) Networking Night" on September 23, 2015, 6 to 9 pm at the Lucia Ristorante restaurant located inside Hotel Celeste, Makati Avenue corner Arnaiz Avenue, Makati City. 

Ms. Suzan Bigay, CEO of DM Kompass, was there to talk about the CPM program including the schedule and cost.

Attendees were initially treated to a filling pica-pica served by Lucia Ristorante of Hotel Celeste. We tried only a few bites since we were still full from an earlier event held at Rockwell which was also in Makati. The small gathering was an invite-only event that was for potential customers and the alumni of the CPM program. Among the alumni is Ms. Dina Loomis, who is also a book author who promoted her book titled "Beyond Looking Good" during the DM Kompass CPM Networking Night.

In the spirit of continuous learning from experts and colleagues, Grupo Agatep Managing Director and Chief Creative Officer Norman Agatep also gave a short talk on How To Build Brands Through Public Relations and Storytelling." Mr. Agatep actually talked about six (6) ways to tell the story of your brand and he gave real life examples based on companies who actually used the storytelling methods.

Mr. Agatep is the current president of the Internet and Mobile Marketing Association of the Philippines (IMMAP). In 2014, he was the president of the Association of Accredited Advertising Agencies (4As). Grupo Agatep, formerly known as Havas PR Agatep, Havas Worldwide Manila, and Agatep Associates, is one of the largest PR and Advertising agencies in the country.

According to Norman Agatep, the six (6) new ways of storytelling are the following: 

Journey Spiritual Craft Brings the Holy Land Next to Our Hearts

Wazzup Pilipinas!

The Ber months are here and we see many people already planning for the coming holidays. It's that time of the year when we feel a little more generous that we want to give everyone a token of appreciation and would want to spread joy and happiness to everyone.

But what would be the best gift this coming Christmas that would make the recipient feel really special?

Enough with the traditional items you would often see at the shopping malls. It's time we give the gift that would be very meaningful and will make the owner feel blessed and really loved.

Wazzup Pilipinas was at the Journey Spiritual Craft event organized by EnergyGold Corp on September 23 and held at the Hatch 22 Cafe located at the Powerplant Mall in Rockwell, Makati. The organizers introduced to us handmade Authentica Holy Land Spiritual Craft items straight from the Holy Land of Israel. The accessories are uniquely one of a kind and gives you a closer feel to the Holy Land.

Honestly, when I first saw the products, I immediately thought of them as the perfect gift for the nearing holiday season. You'll never go wrong if you pick these beauties as your number for choice to give to your dearest friends and loved ones. It would be one of the most memorable gifts they will get. Actually, you can give these beauties away anytime. Don't wait for Christmas because these are wonderful pieces that can help lift up the spirits of especially those that needs comfort and affection. Say a little prayer as well, as one would feel naturally blessed for being remembered.

I would want to give those extra close to my heart the pendants that they can wore close to their hearts and could be proudly seen by many as a special testimony of my affection to the owners who can also boast of its sentimental value.

Top Ten Things to Consider Before Investing In A Rental Property

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Are you thinking about investing in property? It may seem easy, however there are a number of points to consider before you dive into a long-term commitment, to ensure security, success and a strong return on investment.

Global real estate portal, Lamudi Philippines, explores the top 10 things to keep in mind when searching for the perfect rental property.

1. The neighborhood

The first thing to consider is the location of your investment. Buying a house in a high-end neighborhood will attract wealthier tenants, while investing in a property in a university town is likely to result in leasing to students during term-time. Before you start looking, make a list of areas, and spend some time in each one to get a feel for the neighborhood.

2. Amenities
As important as the neighborhood itself, consider what is available for your tenants. Are there schools for their children? How far away is the nearest hospital or supermarket? Choosing a property in close proximity to current or planned shopping centers, transport connections, and sports facilities will be a huge draw for potential renters. 

Globe Annual Sustainability Report bags Gold in 29th Int’l ARC Awards

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Globe Telecom's 2014 Annual Sustainability Report, entitled “Let’s create a wonderful world” bagged the Gold Award at the 29th International ARC Awards, a highly-esteemed global competition honoring outstanding achievement in annual reports. Globe won in the Combined Annual and Sustainability Report category.

“Globe strives for excellence in all areas of operations. Proof of our success is our leadership in mobile and continued strong business performance brought about by our passion for innovation and pursuit of superior customer experience,” said Yoly Crisanto, Globe Senior Vice President for Corporate Communications. However, aside from financial gains, Globe has also embraced its responsibility to do social good across various sectors and adopt efficiency measures to reduce our impact to the environment.

The ARC Awards are globally recognized, providing a platform for the highest standards in the annual report industry. Established by MerComm, Inc. in 1987, ARC Awards were created to honor overall excellence in annual reports, and to encourage noteworthy and vital writing, as well as imaginative and original design. The competition is open to corporations, small companies, government agencies, non-profit organizations and associations, as well as agencies and individuals involved in producing annual reports.

“Globe Telecom’s annual report was one of the best in the 2015 competition. By winning the coveted Gold Award, Globe Telecom places among the top 5% best annual reports internationally. The judges were particularly impressed with the Interior Design and especially by the outstanding Graphics. Bravo to Globe Telecom for producing a world-class annual report,” MerComm President Reni Witt said, adding that a total of 2065 annual reports were received from 35 countries this year.

Dulaang UP Presents William Shakespeare’s King Lear

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Dulaang UP’s second offering for its 40th Theatre Season is William Shakespeare’s King Lear and its new Filipino translation by Nicolas Pichay, Haring Lear. The play, considered by critics as Shakespeare’s greatest tragedy, is directed by DUP Founding Artistic Director, Professor Emeritus Tony Mabesa.

The play is set in the waning years of a Southeast Asian kingdom replete with appropriate music, movement, costumes, and properties of the region without losing the themes, images, and poetry of the playwright’s supreme achievement. King Lear | Haring Lear is the epitome of how deceit and the love for the superficial can tragically bring families to ruin and great kingdoms to ashes.

The star-studded cast includes Joel Lamangan, Leo Rialp, Jojo Cayabyab, Jacques Borlaza, Jeremy Domingo, Guelan Luarca, Frances Makil-Ignacio, Gilleth Sandico, Micaela Pineda, Martha Comia, and Astarte Abraham to name a few.

The artistic staff is composed of Ohm David (set design), Eric Pineda (costume design), Meliton Roxas (lighting design), Jethro Joaquin (sounds design), Arnel Paguyo (property design), Jeremy Dela Cruz (movement & choreography), Patrick Ortaliza and Juan Gonzales(dramaturgy) and John Mark Yap (assistant direction).

King Lear | Haring Lear runs from October 7 to October 25, 2015 at the Wilfrido Ma. Guerrero Theater, 2nd Floor, Palma Hall, U.P. Diliman.

For tickets, sponsorships, and show buying inquiries, call Samanta Hannah Clarin or Camille Guevara 926-1349, 4337840, 981-8500 local 2449 or email dulaangupmarketing@gmail.com.

Like our official Dulaang UP page https://www.facebook.com/DulaangUnibersidadNgPilipinas.

Rampage 2015 Comes To A Conclusion

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Despite the strong winds and frequent rain throughout the day, more than 10,000 avid gaming fans braved the storm to be part of this year’s biggest League of Legends event in the country: Rampage 2015. They were not failed as Garena, in partnership with Smart Prepaid and GameX, with major sponsors A-Plus All Weather, Booster C Energy Shot, Philips Monitors and LED TV, Animax, Razer, CoolerMaster and PLDT Alpha Enterprise brought them a gathering of loyal League of Legends fans like no other.

Mineski is your PGS 2015 Summer Split Champion

Seeded in the bottom half of the tournament, Mineski went undefeated throughout the day by defeating both Imperium Blue 2-0 in the first round then sweeping top-seeded Imperium Pro Team in the finals. The savvy veterans once again showed their strong individual and team plays, and capitalizing on their many years of competitive experience by taking advantage of every mistakes done by their opponents.

Cosplay Clash showed off how creative Filipino cosplayers are

From the beautiful choreography down to the elaborate details and special effects of the costumes, Cosplay Clash 2015 featured many of the best cosplay we've seen in years with each bringing to life the many League of Legends champions adored by many.

AirAsia and Nikon Award the Best Travel Photographer

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And then there was one. From the four office workers chosen to participate in AirAsia Travel Photographer 2015, including a car salesman and a barista, the online votes have been tallied and 36-year old Velvet Lagman takes home the grand prize! Mentored by Malaysian photojournalist Adam Lee, Velvet has received the coveted title of AirAsia’s Best Travel Photographer of 2015 along with 100,00 AirAsia BIG Points and a Nikon D5500 with a 18mm-55mm lens kit. The photo contest was jointly organized by AirAsia and ThinkDharma Inc. (the exclusive distributor of Nikon Digital Cameras) in partnership with AirAsia BIG, the airline’s global loyalty programme. Lucky Voter Grand Prize Winner was awarded to Mia Celindro. She received 100,000 AirAsia BIG Points and a Nikon 1 J5, while ten other lucky voting contestants were awarded with AirAsia BIG Points plus other goodies from Nikon.

Assisted by acclaimed photographers from the Philippines and Malaysia as their personal coaches, four pre-selected contestants travelled across Asia for one week, which started on July 21. Contestants were tasked to capture unforgettable moments in categories: landscape, food, portrait, architecture and travel in Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur, Indonesia and Hong Kong. Online voting via www.airasiatravelphotographer.com was opened to the public from August 20 and concluded on September 5.

Philippines AirAsia Head of Commercial Gerard Penaflor led the awarding ceremony held in Mandaluyong City, Philippines in September 18, 2015 and joined in the ribbon-cutting of the exhibit featuring pictures taken on the contest leg.

Keep updated with the next leg of the AirAsia Travel Photography contest by using #IamAirAsiaTravelPhotographer and receive the latest updates via Twiiter (twitter.com/AirAsiaPh) or Facebook (facebook.com/AirAsiaPhilippines).

Alcatel Flash 2: Superb Mobile Photography Experience Unlocked

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There is no doubt that Filipinos love to take photos with their smartphones. You'll see many of our countrymen doing selfies and groupfies everywhere you go. It's not only Filipinos that were bit by the mobile photography bug, I've been seeing different nationalities doing the same thing wherever I go. 

Last week I was a part of the Bohol familiarization tour accompanying many foreign delegates from different countries and it was kind of hilarious seeing all of them infatuated with using their smartphones in taking photos, and participating in groupfies too. Of course, the selfie stick or monopod has been a bestseller that I can imagine the demand for it as very high.

Now, the Alcatel brand promises to push the limit in mobile photography or what they cleverly coined as "mobigraphy" referring to a commitment in providing users a unique mobile photography experience.

A launch of the Alcatel Flash 2 was held on September 22, 2015 at the Raven Boutique Club in Bonifacio Global City (BGC). They say the smartphone now features an even stronger focus on mobile photography than ever before. 

At the above photo are Michael Chen, Product and Marketing Director - APAC of Alcatel; Albert Wong, General Manager - APAC of Alcatel;  Inanc Balci, Chief Executive Officer of Lazada Philippines;  Lei Zhang, Country Manager - Philippines of Alcatel; and Yogi Babria, Business Development Director - APAC of Alcatel.

Fresh with their new brand color “Flash Green” signifying innovation, youth and energy, the term “mobigraphy" is not just about an action, but is now a lifestyle. 

Alcatel Flash 2: The Power of Green Launch on September 22

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Alcatel Flash is about to launch a brand new 5-inch smartphone today, 22nd September 2015. The images released doesn't reveal the specification or pricing of the new smartphone version, except that it has a 5-inch display size. The teaser announcements also teased about the device's photography ability by prompting 'redefine photography with leading edge camera technology.'

Along with the launch, Alcatel Flash’s brand color is renewed to “Green”, relating to a “Green” key iconic feature of the new model.

There will be one poster being released daily to unveil the product feature and we sincerely invite you to keep an eye on us to obtain the latest information.

With us, you can feel Refreshed, Excited, Energetic and Natural - the “Green Power” of life!

Want to know more? Please stay tuned with us: http://live.AlcatelFlash.com

International Family Biz Experts to Speak in Family Enterprise Confab

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“Creating the right climate for succession in family businesses is the most important thing a family should do,” said Dr. Dennis Jaffe who is set to speak in the 3rd Family Enterprise Excellence Conference (FEEC) on October 26 at the Radisson Blu Hotel in Cebu City.

Jaffe said the conference is going to bring families together to consider how they are creating the next generation in their respective business. “What are they doing together and what is it they can do to create and build a creative, energized, inspired and entrepreneurial next generation?”

“This is something that families want and the challenge is that many times they want it but they don’t actually know what to do and how to do it,” said Jaffe.

Jaffe is a renowned international family business consultant with longstanding engagements with clients in Asia including the Philippines. He is also one of the founders of Family Firm Institute, a global network of thought-leaders in the field of family enterprise.

The event will also be graced by Francis Kong, renowned inspirational speaker and serial entrepreneur with extensive work experience in manufacturing and retail. Kong is also with the Inspire Leadership Consultancy which is one of the main sponsors of FEEC.

The conference is organized by Premier Family Business Consulting Inc. (PFBC), the only family business consulting firm in Southeast Asia providing holistic services that integrates the family and business system and champions family unity as a core value.

Sony Pictures Television Networks, Asia Unveils New Look For AXN

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Sony Pictures Television (SPT) Networks, Asia is launching a refreshed visual identity for AXN with an impactful original new look that aligns with the channel’s current programming focus. The new branding, including a new logo, graphic elements and marketing campaign, will roll out across AXN’s on-air and online platforms just prior to the premiere of The Voice Season 9 tonight.

“While AXN continues to be the pay TV destination for action, we are also tapping into an audience seeking content filled with intrigue, passion and heroes,” said Hui Keng Ang, Senior Vice President and General Manager, Sony Pictures Television Networks, Asia. “Our new look aligns with that programming sensibility and speaks to today’s viewers, who are connecting with our brand across linear and digital channels, as well as social media.”

AXN’s dynamic new logo features a custom-built avante garde typeface, accentuated by a three-dimensional pyramid, which is a classic shape associated with mystery and the convergence of energy, bathed in striking shades of red.

“Red evokes energy, action, passion and danger. We are harnessing the power of that color in a new campaign that encourages viewers to discover and embrace the sense of fearlessness that permeates AXN’s series,” explains Maurizio Vitale, senior vice president of marketing, Networks for SPT, who oversaw the network’s brand refresh globally.

The network’s new “Redefining Action” campaign, which will roll out simultaneously with the refreshed brand identity, underscores the channel’s focus on programming defined not by a particular genre but by an overall attitude -- intense, intriguing, smart and unexpected.

What Will Be The Philippines’ Largest Cities In 2020?

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Metro Manila’s largest component LGU, Quezon City, will still be the Philippines’ most populous city by 2020. This is according to an analysis conducted by global property website Lamudi Philippines (www.lamudi.com.ph) using the annual average population growth rate issued by the Philippine Statistics Authority in 2010.

Interestingly, the roster of the top 10 most populous Philippine cities in 2010 will be quite different with that predicted for 2020. For instance, the City of Manila will be overtaken by Caloocan and Davao by 2020. These two cities’ populations are growing rapidly and are predicted to surge to 1.88 and 1.83 million, respectively, while Manila’s is predicted to increase to 1.72 million. According to the data from the PSA, these three cities’ populations grow on average 2.37, 2.36, and 0.44 percent per year, respectively.

In addition, by 2020 there will be seven Philippine cities projected to have populations of more than 1 million, and five of the top 10 are cities outside Metro Manila (Davao, Zamboanga, Cebu, Antipolo, and Dasmariñas). Interestingly, by 2020, Dasmariñas, whose population grows on average 5.4 percent per year, will have more people than Taguig and Pasig, Metro Manila’s seventh and ninth most populated cities, respectively, in 2010.

By 2020, Dasmariñas population will grow to 976,146 (seventh), compared to Taguig’s and Pasig’s 958,962 and 887,959, respectively.

Furthermore, the populations of Zamboanga, Cebu, and Antipolo are predicted to breach the 1 million mark by 2020, which put them at fifth, sixth, and seventh positions.

MyProperty.ph Magazine Features Eight Big Names in PH Real Estate

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Dubbed “The People Issue,” ​MyProperty.ph Magazine (​ www.myproperty.ph​) releases its eight issue this week. 

For the first time ever, the magazine focuses on some of the movers and shakers of Philippine real estate. 

 “​ In this issue of MyProperty.ph magazine, we want to step back and congratulate our long­term partners, whose success represents a truly entrepreneurial spirit worth emulating. We let their knowledge of the market guide our journey and we thank them for their continuous belief in our vision to bring the Philippine real estate market into the digital age,” said Henry Winter, the newly appointed general manager of MyProperty.ph. 

Well­ known personalities to grace the latest issue of ​MyProperty.ph Magazine ​ include Grand Monaco president Reynaldo Carpio, Vista Land president and former senator Manny Villar, noted architect and urban planner Felino “Jun” Palafox Jr., and National Real Estate Association chairman Andy Mañalac. 

MyProperty.ph ​ ’s latest issue also features useful home guides and neighborhood tips for consumers, an exciting list of kid­friendly and fun­filled places in Metro Manila, articles on home design and budget­friendly dining room upgrades, and a list of must­have mood­enhancing items for your home.

Laughingstocks Showcase: Comedy Cartel @ Archipelago 7107

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Four awesome months! Eight grueling legs! Seven top contenders all vying for the sought after title of being the next Laugh & Stack 2 Open Mic Showdown champion! 

Watch the next generation of Point of View Stand-up comedians perform their laughter-tested material and time honed comedy skills as they embark on their first step towards their journey of being a true comic! 

The Comedy Cartel's Laughingstocks showcase at the Archipelago 7107 will be on Sept. 26, 9:30pm. Witness the launch of the country's next best comedy acts! See you there! ‪#‎comedycartelPH

Short+Sweet Theater Manila 2015: The Finale

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Final Week of Short+Sweet Theater Manila 2015 at Samsung Hall of SM Aura

September 26 (Saturday) 6:00 to 8:30 pm - 12 plays will be staged and judged.
September 27 (Sunday) 3:00 to 5:30 pm - Rerun of the 12 plays 

Awarding follows

Featuring:

A Good Deed for Mr. Stinky

Thank You Mr. Pongpat

Captain Everything

Lunes

Speaking Freely

Si Nelson, Ang Nanay, Ang Pancit Canton

Voicing Up the Marriage

Crossbow Cat

Decisions, Decisions

Afterwards

Modus: The Act of Crying Wold

Broken

Voices in Harmony 2015: Elimination Round

Wazzup Pilipinas!

The Children’s Museum and Library, Incorporated is a youth leadership organization that promotes the welfare, development, and empowerment of the Filipino youth through its conventions, competitions, seminars, and tournaments. The CMLI Junior Council Alumni Association (JCAA) presents the grandest, the most prominent, and most sought-after high school choral competition in the country entitled, Voices in Harmony: The Annual Awit-Tagisan ng Batang Pilipino.

Now on its seventeenth year, Voices in Harmony continues to promote the talents of choir members and conductors, celebrate the deeper appreciation of Original Pinoy Music (OPM), and encourage the development of the high school choral community.

The Voices in Harmony Elimination Round will feature the musical prowess of some of the best high school choirs in the country as they compete for the top ten spots to reach the competition’s Finals Night. It will be held on October 4, 2015 at the Marian Auditorium, Miriam College, Quezon City. The event will consist of the morning and afternoon shows (9:00 AM-12:00 NN and 3:00 PM-6:00 PM, respectively). The choirs that will make it to the Final Round of the competition will be announced afterwards. Morning and afternoon show tickets cost P200.00 while the Day Pass tickets cost P300.00.

For ticket inquiries and reservations, you may contact Kisha Beringuela (0915 192 9470) or send an email at communication@voicesinharmony.com.ph. You may also visit Voices in Harmony’s website at www.voicesinharmony.com.ph.

Ginzadon Japanese and Korean Restaurant

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Now I know why my new-found Japanese friend understood our Korean friend very well. There's even a restaurant dedicated to both nationalities - Japanese and Korean. This means there's got to be something common with the two. So without reading anything yet, I decided to try out this restaurant located within Resorts World Manila.

The restaurant is called Ginzadon Japanese and Korean Restaurant specifically located at the Maxim's Tower Hotel. These are said to be two different cultures but must be complementing each other to give enough reason to serve them in one venue.

I initially thought it was a little odd at first to be naming a restaurant like that but they must have valid reason for such an arrangement. In my case, I don't really look into the origins of the cuisine. Whatever passes to my taste buds is good enough for me even if it's a fusion with a twist of many cuisines.

But because I wanted to limit my meal budget to only Php 1,000 but still get more food from the amount, I think I ended up only ordering from the Japanese menu. I forgot to take photos of the menu which I normally do whenever I dine for the first time at a newly discovered restaurant but in this case I was overwhelmed with the small but luxurious place so I neglected that routine.

This is why I'm just referring to the bill where it states the name and price of the dish, and hopefully its the same name as written on the menu. If not, it may be the shortcut or coded version of its lengthy name.

Cebu: The Philippine Taoist Temple is a Photographer's Delight

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The Taoist Temple, located in the wealthy residential enclave called Beverly Hills subdivision, was first in our private city tour of Cebu. They say the temple was built in 1972, which is the second quarter of the century. It's the cultural center of the Chinese minority with many paintings and images of dragons, lions, altars and statues of the Buddha. There's the beautiful pagoda roofs and a pool adorned with Lotus flowers

Its 300 meters above sea level and multi-tiered with 99 steps to reach the top. There are three separate winding routes that you can take. Whatever way you choose, you would be fascinated to take photos of almost every spot within the Taoist Temple. Every area is purely Instagrammable to the max!

The Taoist Temple is the center of worship for Taoism - the religion which follows the teachings of the ancient Chinese philosopher, Lao Tze. Taoist devotees perform the traditional rites and rituals with lighted joss sticks every Wednesday and Sunday. 

Taoists believe the "tao" (the way) which refers to the principle of the universe. An emphasis is put on remaining in harmony with the "tao" and with one's environment, which in turn leads to right behavior.

The temple is open to the worshipers and non-worshipers alike. You are allowed to takes photos of everything except the altar. There will be signs telling you taking photos of the altar is not allowed.

Benguet: Strawberry Fields are Forever at La Trinidad

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Every time you mention Baguio, the first things that comes into mind are pine trees and strawberries, aside from the Panagbenga Festival, the cold climate, and the sweet delicacies at Good Shepherd like the Ube Jam. Of course, there's the popular tourist spots like Camp Jon Hay, the Mines View, the Burnham Park, and the many emerging restaurant favorites like Oh My Gulay offering veggie dishes which we visited during our previous trip sometime last week of February of 2015.

You have to try their strawberry taho and ice cream but be warned that there's a big difference in the preparation where you buy it. It is highly recommended you buy them from places not in Baguio but near the Strawberry Farms of La Trinidad. Benguet.

It is here where you get to pick strawberries on your own together with the Ibaloi farmers. Just a friendly reminder that it will cost you twice the amount if you pick the strawberries yourselves. They say you're paying for the "awesome" experience and the delight in picking the best strawberries in the farm. Some will argue it should have been cheaper because they save on the labor or effort to harvest.

But the real reason why it costs more is because strawberries are actually very delicate compared to picking apples and oranges (like in other countries). The farm owners find it reasonable to ask for an additional cost when amateurs harvest the strawberries. Newbies would tend to damage the strawberry shrubs so half the cost was allocated for the risk. Prices will vary depending on the season. Of course it's a lot more expensive during the summer when a lot of tourists flock the already considered iconic site.

Boracay: Fascinated by the Iconic Willy's Rock

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An oddly shaped  volcanic formation that dominated the seascape of Boracay's White Beach at Station 1 just fifty or a hundred meters off shore (low tide and high tide respectively) is the most famous photographed landmark that's called Willy's Rock.

Residents say it was named after the Willy Gelito, the founder of Willy's Beach Hotel, which is located right across the formation. You can easily reach it during low tide but you'll need a snorkel during high tide.

It is during the Ber months when you can see the rock bottom of Willy's Rock without the seaweeds. Better go there during the early morning so that it's not too crowded with tourists who are also eager in taking several photos from selfies to professional photo shoots.

The Catholic devout local residents constructed several steps of stairs leading to and around the grotto where the shrine of the image of the glorious blessed Virgin Mary is situated adorned by flowers and candles, and along side are some plants and shrubs with some trees.

LPG Philippines Forum 2015: Video Blog

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Since this is my second year of being a media partner of the LPG Forum, I decided to make it more of a video blog and took several videos, aside from the photos, of the event. The two day forum was filled with several information on why we should be using LPG as one of the best alternative to other sources of fuel or power. It was surprising to know that the Philippines is still left behind in the use of the LPG because of misinformation that has caused fear among the consumers.

From the different talks given by the many speakers, you can easily distinguish the advantages of using LPG as compared to our traditional source of fuel for our vehicles but the rumors that spread during a few years ago halted the public's patronage due to health hazard concerns.

The first day was graced by the Department of Energy OIC Zenaida Monsada who delivered the keynote message. I was able to ask for a video message from her and was able to talk with her Executive Assistant to include me in their mailing list so they can send me their official press releases and announcements too. The second day had Representative Rey Umali delivering the keynote message. Both government officials speak highly of the LPG as a highly recommended power and fuel alternative and would like to encourage more people from the Philippines to make us of it for being among the safest and reliable.

There were several speakers from different specialties who participated in the forum and raised valuable points and insights regarding LPG. Some of them were even outraged why the country has not been very enthusiastic of the usage. It seems some agencies of the government had something to do with the delayed acceptance of many people of which details are too complicated to discuss here, and of course, we do not want to point fingers as to who may have caused all these obstacles.

Bohol: Life is Like a Box of Chocolate Hills

Wazzup Pilipinas!

You will wonder how these mountains came to be. There's not too many places that you can see similar occurrences of mountains all located at a particular area. For Bohol, the count was 1, 776 but if you'll consider the others located at different parts of the provinces, the figures will reach up to more than 4,000.

That was according to our tour guide Josue who knows exactly how these mounds came to be. He was telling us all about the Chocolate Hills of Bohol as we were nearing the viewing deck area which is actually located at one of the Chocolate Hills too.

Just like life, the hills have a cycle when it is green and when its brown like the color of chocolate. Just like life having its ups and downs, the Chocolate Hills of Bohol has its fair share of being so greenish during the rainy season, and brownish during summer.

The story of Josue was too technical for me and quite hard to remember so I asked him to share the story on video. He tells it better and a lot more interesting since he's been doing it for several years already as a professional tour guide for Travel Village.

He also tells us how the viewing deck was damaged during the earthquake in 2013 which also damaged all but two of Bohol's churches. The province has been rebuilding both the viewing deck and the churches as we speak. But it will take time, effort and financing before all of these damages are repaired.

E-Commerce Entrepreneurs Summit at Best Western Plus Antel Hotel

Wazzup Pilipinas!

The 7th DigitalFilipino E-Commerce Entrepreneurs Summit Manila 2015, also referred to as E-Commerce Entrepreneurs Summit, was an intensive 1-day educational event on e-commerce strategies that was held on August 29, 2015 at the Best Western Plus Antel Hotel, Makati Avenue, Makati City. The theme for this 7th edition was “E-Commerce for Economic Growth.”

It is also meant to celebrate the 16th year of DigitalFilipino.com blog. This 1-day event had e-commerce practitioners sharing insights and strategies on making e-commerce work and help grow your business.

I've seen a lot of familiar faces from which I've known them before from other companies. Now they've leveled up into someone more successful and eager to share their expertise for the greater good of the audience.

This is highly admirable and I do believe that when you share your blessings through any form you will be rewarded with greater success. We all know karma works both ways. If you do good (or bad), you'll also receive your just deserves.

The E-Commerce Entrepreneurs Summit had Miss Janette Toral and Genesis Reonico as moderators. It was the first time Genesis was moderating for the mother of E-Commerce. I must say he did a great job but he really needs to be more persistent with the audience to motivate them to participate in the discussion, or question and answer portion. Non-participation could mean several things: 1. They understood clearly 2, They were too shy to ask questions 3. They want the event to be over asap. Lol!

Using 3D Printing for the Wazzup Pilipinas Trophy Project (Part 2)

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Here are some shots of the sketch/drafting views for the WazzupPilipinas.com trophy, with rounded dimensions. The images here have already been modified a bit since we wanted to put a base where we can put the label or plate to indicate the name of the awardee, the award he received, the WazzupPilipinas.com logo and other vital information regarding the award.

We don't think it will look good if we put it on the sun or the symbol of the letter P. The label is normally found at the base of trophies so we told Shapecloud if we can make the base thicker. Also, we should be able to put in that label/plate similarly to how a Lego set is connected so we don't need to use a glue or anything similar.

Another comment we had was "Do you think it would look better if we elevate some of the elements of the trophy so that the side views will not be totally boring. Like the P is one elevation higher, then the W is another elevation higher than P? Or maybe the sun and the waves? At both sides?"

Erick Chua of Shapecloud replied that it was a "valid point with regard to the name plate that you regularly use I suppose on your trophies. Could I ask the size of this so we can attempt to adjust the base or another part of the design while still keeping the dimensions?"

He goes on to say "I'm unsure how well it would look though, but we can try to look into this. We'll explore how to change up the side view as well, though it might be a little more complicated, and likely require a fair amount of remodeling given that the vector file isn't split by the factions of your logo (i.e. waves not in a separate vector, sun not in a separate vector, etc)."

DOE Lifts Suspension Order on Semirara

Wazzup Pilipinas!

The Department of Energy (DOE) has lifted the suspension of Semirara Mining and Power Corporation’s (SMPC) operations for its Coal Operating Contract (COC) No. 5 upon the recommendation of the DOE-Investigation Committee (DOE-IC).

In a letter dated September 17, the DOE confirmed SMPC’s compliance to the agency’s recommendations after a series of site visits and a thorough review of the Committee on the company’s strengthened commitment to implement safety precautions, procedures, and plans in its coal mining operations. The lifting paves the way for the resumption of the operations in Semirara Island located in Caluya, Antique.

In its recommendation, the DOE-IC found that SMPC has substantially complied with the conditions set forth by the agency to ensure paramount safety of SMPC employees.

The DOE-IC’s recommendations include, but not limited to, hiring of Safety Consultant; upgrading Mining Protocol (e.g, construction of a standard buffer zone to ensure bottom support, among others), and Safety Program on Hazard Identification Risk Assessment and Control of its mining personnel; providing a detailed Mining Plan incorporating the geotechnical study; and upgrading the company’s Alert/Evacuation Procedures.

To ensure the safety of the coal-mining site, the DOE-IC will continue to oversee and monitor the mining operations in COC No.5 to ensure persistent compliance of SMPC to the abovementioned recommendations.

Southeast Asia’s Leading Wedding Portal Bridestory Expands to the Philippines

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Bridestory, Southeast Asia’s leading wedding marketplace that helps couples with their weddings and provides a platform for wedding professionals, is expanding to the Philippines.

Several weeks ago, Bridestory launched a local website for the Philippine market (www.bridestory.com.ph). The company will also launch a mobile app for wedding vendors across the globe later this month.

The Indonesia-based online wedding platform seeks to establish more presence in the country to administer their on-ground operations more efficiently.

Bridestory, which has over 200 curated vendors in the Philippines, currently manages its relationships with Filipino vendors from its Jakarta headquarters.

Bridestory has received investments from Rocket Internet, Sovereign’s Capital, Fenox Venture Capital, East Ventures, Lippo Digital Ventures, Skystar Capital, and BEENOS Plaza in the past year.

“Bridestory is like Pinterest for weddings but more,” said Kevin Mintaraga, Chief Executive Officer of the firm. He adds that Bridestory combines the convenience of having a wedding directory and an inspiration site in one portal.

Christmas Countdown at DOT Makati

Wazzup Pilipinas!

The Department of Tourism (DOT) office along Senator Gil J. Puyat Avenue and Jupiter Street in Makati City opens its doors again to the public as a must-experience venue for its “Countdown to Christmas: Celebrating the Regions” beginning September 21 until December 18.

This Yuletide countdown will showcase the best tourism products and services of the Philippines’ 16 regions for a period of two weeks each. It will be the tourism regions’ yearly showcase during the Christmas season by promoting their diverse cultures through vignette fiesta performances, native arts and crafts, locally processed and packed food products as well as travel packages featuring both popular and emerging tourist destinations. The kick-off is also in time for the tourism month.

This year, the focus will be on Community-based Ecotourism (CBET) sites with their products and services. There will be a travel consultant or concierge to share information and give professional advice to visitors. The building’s ground and second floors will be converted into an Eco Store where the regions’ native products, especially gifts for Christmas, will be on sale on said duration.

Tourism Secretary Ramon R. Jimenez, Jr. remarked, “The Philippines holds the distinction of having the longest Christmas season in the world, starting early in September and even lasting until January 6 or the feast of the Three Kings. The success of this project which debuted last year inspired us to continue and give our foreign and local tourists alike a glimpse how Christmas is celebrated across the archipelago and how our brand of fun becomes more vivid this time of the year.”

CHED-NCR Declares November 17 and 20 as School Holidays

Wazzup Pilipinas!

In a memorandum to the Presidents/Heads of Public and Private Colleges and Universities in the National Capital Region (NCR) dated September 18, CHED-NCR Director Dr. Leonida S. Calagui reveals November 17 and 20 as “school holidays.” 

The pronouncement was made in order to contribute to the security of the 21 Leaders expected to attend the APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting on November 18 and 19, 2015.  The Palace earlier declared November 18 and 19 as special (non-working) days in NCR via Proclamation No. 1072, series of 2015.

The memorandum also stated that all higher education institutions in NCR are encouraged to give their students alternative activities and assignments to keep them off campus and roads on the said dates.

Frolicking at the Panagbenga Festival of Baguio City (Part 2 of 2)

Wazzup Pilipinas!

This is part two of our #CamellaGesPanagbenga story where a handful of us went on a Baguio Road Trip to experience the sights and sounds of Panagbenga Festival. That's what I really thought.

However, the original plans were drastically changed without any consultation from the majority...or was I just unaware that the rest of the group were agreeable. Anyway, this was the story way back February 28 to March 1 but unfortunately I did not publish this article because it was too full of disappointment.  But without any editing, I am now posting this to remind me how I really felt that day while showing you some of the beauty of Baguio city. I promise to write separate articles about the different places we've been to, including the ones I told in part 1 of this series, so I can show more photos of Baguio.

Incidentally, the real reason why we went up to Baguio was to help promote and blog about the promotional giveaways of Camella Homes where luck selfie addicts can get a chance to win prizes from Camella Homes. People just needed to visit the Vista land/ Camella Homes booth at the SM City Baguio, grab one of their fansigns, take a selfie with them, tag Camella Official on Instagram, tag 5 of their FB friends and then post. It's that easy. Camella Homes also sponsored some raffle and games during the GMA Kapuso Special Concert happening that night.

I was fortunate enough to get my name picked in the raffle, so I brought home some GCs with me on the way back to Manila.

As told on part 1 of this story, we had a home-cooked dinner after one of us decided to just buy ingredients at the local marketplace and cook dinner and breakfast. It was a very frustrating part of this Baguio adventure since I wanted to try out the popular restaurants of Baguio city.

UP Mining Engineering Society Presents "Open-MINEded ka ba?"

Wazzup Pilipinas!

"Open-MINEded ka ba?" is a forum that will discuss the general issues revolving around the mining industry in hopes to enlighten the masses with facts coming from the experts.

Join us on September 22,2015 at 5:30pm at the College of Science Auditorium.

Pre-register at https://upminers.typeform.com/to/A50rcV

The UP MINERS’ advocacy is to promote proactive and responsible mining. The organization will hold its 12th Anniversary Celebration consisting of events that would best serve their cause. It will be a week-long anniversary celebration with the theme of “Orichalcum: Unraveling the Runes”.

Open-MINEded ka ba is co-presented to you by:
Nickel Asia Corporation
UP Sidlangan

Our Major Sponsor:
Rebisco Biscuit Corporation

Our Minor Sponsor:
MacroAsia Corporation

Palawan: How To Have An Adventurous Action-Packed Weekend in El Nido

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Thinking of an adventure-filled weekend getaway in the Philippines? Well, the country boasts of over 7,000 islands, one of which is El Nido in Palawan.

El Nido literally means 'the nest' and it is called as such due to the presence of edible-nest swiftlets in the area. Swiftlets, which are small, blackish to brownish birds but with paler colors on their underparts, create their own nests from their saliva. The locals collect these solidified nests and sell them for more than Php500 per nest. It is the main ingredient of a $3,000-bowl of nido soup.

Enough with the origin of the place. Going back, there are many reasons why El Nido is a haven for the adventurous souls.

1) Scuba dive

El Nido has over 20 easily accessible diving sites. The majority of the islands also offer diving equipment rentals, in case you forget yours. Nevertheless, if isn't on your itinerary but you want to try it, enlist yourself in any of the dive courses offered at the local marine sports centers.

2) Snorkel

For adventure-seekers who are also nature junkies, snorkeling is the perfect way to discover El Nido's well-celebrated marine diversity. You'd see house reefs and various fish species endemic to the area as well as uniquely interesting underwater creatures. While snorkeling, get up close to the species and feed them. Snorkeling gear can be also rented.

Power Mac Center starts Sync Sessions 2015

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Witness and experience a musical festival unlike any other as Power Mac Center, the country’s leading Apple partner, brings back Sync Sessions, an audio-digital crossover experience that bring together some of the country’s iconic bands synchronize good music and cutting-edge technology using Apple devices.

“After a successful inaugural lineup last year, Sync Sessions went so well that we felt it timely to bring it back this year,” said Power Mac Center’s Marketing Director, Joey Alvarez. “With this groundbreaking festival, we hope to bring a whole new perspective in making and enjoying music as we encourage established and aspiring bands to use their Apple devices to create music.”

This year’s edition kicked off last September 19 at TriNoma, Quezon City with leading alternative rock band, Hale. It will be followed by a techno rock performance of Up Dharma Down on October 3 at Power Plant Mall in Makati; five-piece pop rock band Mayonnaise at SM Mall of Asia on October 10 and with chart-topper Sponge Cola culminating the series on October 17 at SM Megamall.

Sync Sessions started in 2014, showcasing the power of Apple products in creating revolutionary live band performances. Among the acts who took part in the Sync Sessions were Sandwich, Pedicab, Kate Torralba, Taken By Cars, Techy Romantics, The Zombettes, Pedicab, Gracenote, Ciudad, Itchyworms including Franco and Urbandub live performances at the Power Mac Center’s Light Year event recently.

Bohol: Top Ten Facts to Remember When Up Close With a Tarsier

Wazzup Pilipinas!

It was our last destination for our Bohol countryside tour but I chose to write about it first because of the thrill I got meeting the tarsier up close.

It's my first time to see the adorable little creature considered as the world's smallest primate and is so famous as an iconic symbol for Bohol. It is the only smallest primate that feeds on live prey.

You'll see their images in shirts, stuffed toys, postcards, figurines and other souvenir items every time you visit the Philippines. It is not only in Bohol that it's widely known but all over the Philippines and even the world. It is one of the animals that represent the Philippines aside from the carabao and the monkey-eating eagle ... and the askal (Asong Kalye) which has now been elevated to "aspin" (Asong Pinoy).

They say you never really have seen Bohol if you never visited the sanctuary sites of the tarsier. Just like the Chocolate Hills and the Loboc River Cruise, a visit at the Philippine Tarsier Sanctuary in Corella, Bohol is a must for every itinerary. It should always be part of your list of places to visit and explore.

I would have to thank the Department of Tourism (DOT) for giving me the opportunity to be pat of the Bohol familiarization tour. It will be a very memorable part of my life.

Nominees for 2015 Globe Media Excellence Awards in Visayas Announced

Wazzup Pilipinas!

A total of 53 entries were shortlisted for various categories of the Globe Media Excellence Awards (GMEA), the most anticipated premier award-giving body that gives recognition to excellence in journalism in central Philippines

The premier award-giving body which recognizes excellence in journalism from the best breed of scribes in Visayas and Mindanao, the awards pay tribute and gives recognition to print, broadcast, and digital media practitioners who have excelled in their respective fields.

Awards night for the GMEA Visayas leg will be held on September 24, 2015 at the Grand Convention Center of Cebu, to coincide with celebrations for the Cebu Press Freedom Week.

Entries were from various media organizations in Cebu, Bacolod and Iloilo. The finalists will vie for nine award categories namely: Reporter of the Year for Print, Explanatory/Investigative Story of the Year for Print/Online, Columnist of the Year, Photojournalist of the Year, Reporter of the Year for Television, Explanatory/Investigative Story of the Year for Television, Reporter of the Year for Radio, Blogger of the Year, and Social Media Advocate of the Year. There were a total of 688 entries this year compared with 522 last year.

DSDS 2015: Accelerating Inclusive Development through ICT Innovation

Wazzup Pilipinas!

In this digital age, most people rely on digital technology to perform daily activities. The emergence of information and communications technology (ICT) paved the way for better delivery of services from different organizations including the government, private sector and nonprofits to the consumption of the general public. However, digital divide still exists where some people, mostly located in the rural areas, don’t have access to digital resources.

Now on its second year, Digital Strategies for Development Summit (DSDS) 2015: A Knowledge Exchange Forum for Asia-Pacific Region and Beyond aims to address this problem by promoting digital inclusion. Organized by DOST-ICT Office, the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) and the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and managed by Asia Society for Social Improvement and Sustainable Transformation, the event will be held on Sept 22-24 at Waterfront Cebu City Hotel, Philippines. DSDS 2015 is sponsored by Intel, Accenture and Microsoft.

With the theme, Accelerating Inclusive Development through ICT Innovation, DSDS 2015 brings together international development partners, policy makers, regulators, telecentre operators and managers, content and services developers and providers and key players from the public sector, NGOs, industry and academia. This dynamic circle of participants equips each attendee to bring home best practices and lessons learned from real experiences on ICT innovation.

Among the globally renowned speakers were International Telecommunication Union (ITU) Secretary General Houlin Zhou, Department of Science and Technology (DOST) Secretary Mario Montejo, Asian Development Bank (ADB) Director of Poverty Reduction, Gender, and Social Development Division Bart Edes, Intel Corporation Regional Director for Corporate Affairs, Asia Pacific & Japan, Anjan Ghosh and DOST-ICTO Assistant Secretary Bettina Quimson.

WazzupPilipinas.com Awarded as Best Filipino Community Blog Site

Wazzup Pilipinas!

To be awarded for all our efforts to make our site stand out. loud and proud, is the best recognition that is very much appreciated by the WazzupPilipinas.com team. We have been receiving awards from different award-giving bodies since we founded WazzupPilipinas.com in 2013 and received our very first recognition as one of the Top Emerging Influential Blog Site by DigitalFilipino.com. It was soon followed by an overwhelming series of awards every year coming from different award-giving bodies.

These awards have always been our inspiration to continue our advocacy in providing relevant news and information despite some shortcomings and obstacles, and exaggerated issues fabricated against us. We all know that we wouldn't be very controversial, and highly-talked about, if we were not really making a big difference. The continued patronage of many brands and organizations who partner with us for the promotion of their events, products and services only shows that we continue to be among the top blog sites in the Philippines.

WazzupPilipinas.com was conceptualized entirely to promote the Philippines as the most preferred destination. This is why we targeted to partner initially with the government agency we know as the Department of Tourism (DOT). We further reached out to other government agencies like the Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC), Department of Health (DOH), National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA), Department of Science and Technology (DOST), Commission on Higher Education (CHED), and many more, even reaching out to the Office of the President in Malacanan Palace.

The tagline of being the "Pambansang Blog ng Pilipinas" was mainly used because of that objective. We wanted to be the online media partner of not only our government but also of the many colleges and universities of the country, the many businesses and entrepreneurships belonging to the big corporations and Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) to the startups and advocacy programs of our countrymen and the many organizations that support everything about the Philippines.

Tanghalang Ateneo’s 37th Season Presents “R.U.R (Robot Unibersal Ni Rossum)”

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Tanghalang Ateneo, the longest-running theater company of the Loyola Schools of the Ateneo de Manila University, is celebrating its 37th season with the theme "Staging Revolution/s". The company will stage this season three works that have been deemed revolutionary when they were first unleashed to the world.

Opening the season is R.U.R. (ROBOT UNIBERSAL NI ROSSUM), a science fiction classic by Czech writer Karel Capek. Originally written in Czech, this Tanghalang Ateneo production will use a new Filipino translation by Palanca winner Guelan Varela-Luarca. Introducing the word “robot” to the English language, the play depicts the rebellion of human-like creatures that leads to the extinction of the human race. The danger of man’s desires of a utopian and totalitarian world is one of the play's central themes.

Avie Alcantara plays the role of Harry Domin, the general manager of R.U.R who envisions a world where humans are free from the shackles of labor.

Gel Basa and Sabrina Basilio alternate for the role of Helena Glory, daughter of the president who becomes the object of affection for the five men who run the robot factory called R.U.R.

Gab Tibayan portrays Fabry, the engineer and general technical director of the factory.

Jerome Ignacio plays Dr. Gall, head of the physiological department.

Jego Mallillin portrays Dr. Hallemeier, chief psychologist and educator of the robots.

Cholo Ledesma and Geo Celestino alternate for the role of Busman, the factory’s general marketing director and chief consul.

Jerome Flor plays Alquist, the architect of R.U.R who sticks to religious views and questions the morality of producing robots.

Splice Resto Bar at Greenfield District: Modern Feast for the Modern Diner

Wazzup Pilipinas!

There's a new restaurant at Greenfield District, specifically at The Portal, that will surely keep you coming back for more once you've tasted what they have to offer. According to their Facebook page, Splice Resto and Bar serves a fusion of classic Filipino and modern European cuisine. They actually sent us into a food coma when we visited but it was probably because they were just too excited to let us try out their specialty dishes (which was practically everything but the kitchen sink).

I would have written about them even earlier but I have been sick for so many days that I didn't have the mood to write about food (and just about everything else). I just wanted to bum around the house or go out at events being held just nearby.

Now, I'm a lot better after five days of stay in Bohol covering a diving tour. I'm ready to bounce back into blogging especially that I just recently received another award for being the Best Filipino Community Blog Site.

Yup! Your friend;y neighborhood Pambansang Blogger is back to writing after just being able to post press releases from our partner organizations and brands. The rest and wonder I got from the Bohol trip and the new recognition for WazzupPilipinas.com is a great wayto motivate me back again to writing and expressing myself.

Veems and Sky Eye Visit Vigattin Radio of Radyo Inquirer

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Two people behind the quickest private messaging app, and a member of the fly boys of the Philippines recently graced a visit to the coolest tech startup community radio show in the country anchored by Elison Barcelo, Arne Barcelo, the Cheerleader of the Startup Community, and your Pambansang Blogger ng Pilipinas, Ross Del Rosario, the self-declared National Blogger of the Philippines and founder of WazzupPilipinas.com.

Veems founder and CEO Iddo Goren, Veems Communications head Irene Enriquez, also known as Geek Girl because of her blog, and Matthew Cua, founder and CEO of Sky Eye Inc, which provides drone services for aerial mapping, were the very special "Vigattin" guests of the Vigattin Radio show of Radyo Inquirer DZIQ 990 AM last Saturday, September 19, 2015 between 10 to 11 am.

Filipinos are a social and friendly race that is why social media networks have been very widely used in the country. Now adds a new messaging app that boasts of Veemers would rejoice to find out that the number of subscribers to the Veems app has already reached half a million making it already one of the very popular mobile apps in the Philippines. The most interesting information to take note about the app is that it is very easy to use in quickly sending customized messages - instantly even to several individuals all at the same time. Veems also lets you express your voice by creating photos with sound and sharing them with friends and the community of Veemers. You can add your unique take on any users photo by ReVoicing their images.

Sky Eye is an organization that many should support and even fund because of what they are doing. Unlike Google Map that has not updated all of their satellite shots, the fly boys does not need the technology of others to help them with their mapping. They can innovatively create their own flying drone equipped with a high-resolution camera that can be used for many purposes to help in understanding our geography, climate change, potential environmental hazards, and many others. It was great to find out that Matthew is also involved in other organizations that would also help put Filipinos in the map for innovative products and services., aside from hanging around with Apl de Aps of the Black Eyed Peas, one of his investors in his other company called Awesome Lab - an experimental research lab with an interdisciplinary team of designers, engineers and scientists.

Ryzza Mae Dizon Receives Award for Eat Bulaga at Golden Globe Annual Awards for Business Excellence

Wazzup Pilipinas!

The adorable Ryzza Mae "Aleng Maliit" Dizon accompanied proudly receives the award for GMA 7 noontime show Eat Bulaga for Best Noontime Show, at the Golden Globe Annual Awards for Business Excellence by the National Data Research Examiner and Marketing Services (NADREMS), Philippine Best Companies.Com, Sinag News Magazine, and Sinag Foundation.

Flanked by several fans who were also among the many awardees that night wanted to have a photo of the cute and lovable star of the Ryzza Mae Show and Eat Bulaga. Ryzza was heard thanking everyone for their continued support of the accidental love team we all know as Aldub - Alden Richards and Yaya Dub of the "Kalyeserye" popularity from the Juan For All, All for Juan segment of Eat Bulaga. She told everyone that "kahit kaming mga artista ay love namin ang Aldub love team."

The annual awards night, held this year at the Manila Hotel on September 19, 2015, is a celebration of the achievements of several companies who embody business excellence that was certified and validated using a rigid six-point criteria of the NADREMS which includes innovative business practices, quality of products and services, value proposition and pricing, customer concern and engagement, reputable and ethical business image, and truthfulness in business management.

Outstanding Filipino Achievers who have noteworthy achievements were also recognized that night. The recognition aims to recognize and pay tribute to all Filipinos around the world that bring pride and honor to the country. The recognition highlights the individual's milestones of success and victory worthy of commendation and high regard. Among the many Filipinos that were recognized are  from the fields of Public Service, Entrepreneurship, Business Management, Culinary Arts and others.

Your Pambansang Blog ng Pilipinas, WazzupPilipinas.com, was also awarded as Best Filipino Community Blog Site in the National Category.

Pangasinan: First Stop at the Shrine of Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary of Manaoag

Wazzup Pilipinas!

The Philippines is a Catholic country that piously observes the many Catholic feasts among which is the Feast of the Holy Rosary.There are actually many shrines in the Philippines bearing the title of Our Lady of the Holy Rosary and one of them is the one at Manaoag, Pangasinan.

Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary of Manaoag, or the longer name in Spanish of Nuestra Señora del Santísimo Rosario de Manaoag, is the most famous church of Pangasinan. Our Lady of the Rosary of Manaoag was the title given to Our Blessed Virgin Mary by the natives of Pangasinan who regarded her as the "Lady Who Calls."

"Documents dating back to 1610 claim that a farmer walking home heard a female voice calling him (hence, “Manaoag” from the word taoag—tawag—“to call”). The voice came from an apparition of the Blessed Virgin Mary holding a rosary in her right hand while carrying the Infant Jesus on the other. The apparition told the farmer that she wanted her church to be built where she appeared. A chapel was built on the spot of the apparition and the town grew around it."

This favorite pilgrimage site in Pangasinan, has been formally elevated to a minor basilica in solemn rites on February 17, 2015 granted by Pope Francis.

The church is often always among the destinations frequented by both local and foreign tourists if ever they want to visit this part of the country and would often be alongside their primary visit of the Hundred Islands in Alaminos.