Beauty Hacks by Alex Gonzaga

Wazzup Pilipinas!

We all know that maintaining a clear and radiant skin requires a lot of work and discipline. Not everyone is blessed of having beautiful skin and those that have are also burdened with keeping their skin flawless, without blemish and acne-free. 

However, there is still hope for everyone, whether you were born with good genes or not, as long as you strictly follow a maintenance routine using the right products appropriate for skin care. Here are some skin maintenance tips by Proactiv’s newest celebrity endorser from the Philippines, Alex Gonzaga.

As an actress, comedienne and TV host, it is part of Alex Gonzaga’s job to take good care of herself, especially her skin. Keeping her skin beautiful is among her assets to remain attractive to her fans and sponsors. Being on the limelight, her face has to be camera-ready at all times.

It is not enough to have beauty or skin care products. The 27-year old knows she needs to keep an eye on her overall lifestyle to do this. From what she eats to what she does off-cam, Alex walks us through her hacks to acne-free skin: 

Fast, Hassle-Free, Non-collateral Business Loans Now Easier for Cebuanos

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Esquire Financing Inc. opens its first branch in Cebu City in its bid to boost presence and service-base in the SME market in the region.

With 99.6% share of about one million registered businesses and employing 64.9% of the workforce, according to the Department of Trade and Industry, strengthening the competitiveness of the small and medium enterprises (SMEs) is critical to the Philippines’ inclusive economic growth. However, due to collateral requirements, revenue-driven structure of banks, and high minimum loan amounts, only 20% of these SMEs are served by formal financing institutions.

Esquire Financing Inc. (EFI) is a direct response to the need of the underserved SMEs for a trusted financing partner. EFI provides fast, hassle-free non-collateral business loans tailor made to each SME’s needs, goals, cash flows, capacity, and financial position.

EFI Cebu Branch Service Officer Arjean Simbajon states that “as the first provincial branch developed, we will focus on maximizing our portfolio through our existing online application generation and tapping the market of not just Cebu but also for the whole Visayas area through EFI’s marketing initiatives.” In addition EFI President & Chief Operating Officer Navin Uttamchandani says “EFI is dedicated to building a distribution network that allows the one million businesses in the country to conveniently access our loan offerings. Our first branch in Cebu is but a small step in realizing this strategy.”

Win Up To P100,000 When You Order On foodpanda!

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Order your way to P100,000 as foodpanda gives you Freaky Fridays!

From November 13 to December 4, 2015, all single transaction orders worth a minimum of P500 placed every Friday from 10 AM to 11 PM will serve as a raffle entry to win the weekly cash prizes:

· November 13 – P10,000
· November 20 – P20,000
· November 27 – P30,000
· December 4 – P40,000

Simply go to the foodpanda website or open the app, enter your location to see which of foodpanda’s over 1,000 partner restaurants deliver to you, and have your favorite meals delivered to your doorstep!

Each person can win more than once, so keep ordering for a chance to win the entire P100,000! Winners will be drawn every Monday and announced every Tuesday on the foodpanda Facebook page.

The contest is open to all residents of Metro Manila and Cebu. For complete mechanics, visit https://www.foodpanda.ph/contents/freakyfriday2015.

Like the official foodpanda Philippines Facebook page (www.facebook.com/foodpandaphilippines) and follow foodpanda on Twitter (@foodpandaPH) and Instagram (@foodpanda_ph) for more information.

DTI - FTEB SPD Permit No. 16403 Series of 2015

Komikon 2015: 11th Annual Philippine Komiks Convention on November 14 and 15

Wazzup Pilipinas!

We are all excited and ready for another huge comics event of 2015 featuring two days of fun-packed and over-flowing artistic creativity at the 11th Philippine Annual Komiks Convention or Komikon 2015! 

Once again, all comics enthusiasts, collectors, artists, publishers, comic art lovers and hobbyist of all kind will gather together over at the Bayanihan Center of the Unilab Compound in Pasig City on November 14 (Saturday) from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. and on November 15 (Sunday) from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. to get the latest and the freshest of the locally made comics. Two whole days of non-stop action with the following activities:

• Meet and greet Valiant Comics artist Mico Suayan, Filipino Mangaka Ray ‘Raykosen’ Magbanua and local independent scene – Rommel ‘Omeng’ Estanislao, also a well-known clay-sculpturist, among others. Plus, group spotlight on Alamat Comics celebrating their 20 years;

• Launching of the latest comic book titles by your favorite artists, with meet and greet with your favorite local comics creators at Hall A&B, plus upcoming local comics creators in the Independent Komiks Tiangge at Conference Rooms BCD;

New Adventures Abound this November on Discovery Kids!

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Discovery Kids is all about adventures through learning this November, in the most fun and exciting ways!

Together with the greatest inventor of all time, kids will find out how fun science can be! Unknown to the world, Thomas Edison had a secret lab where he invented a virtual version of himself and a nearly-completed robot to guide and inspire future generations of young scientists. The secret lab, Edison’s virtual ego, and his prototype robot remained hidden until a 12-year-old prodigy cracked the secret-coded message that Edison left behind. The young genius and her science club move into the lab and the fun begins, including kids everywhere through a virtual link into their wacky world of discovery. THOMAS EDISON’S SECRET LAB premiered last November 2 and airs from Mondays to Fridays at 4:30 p.m.

Prepare to enter a world of micro proportions with macro adventures when Grandpa’s invention accidentally shrinks both Zak and Grandpa down to the size of insects. With the aid of one bionic arm and three ‘enhanced’ insect friends Syd, Chowser and Willow, they are the Insectibles, finding themselves facing challenges beyond their wildest dreams. They bravely trek through grass blade forests and fight the evil mecha-mosquito, Adilla, with her daughter, Lidia, her faithful servant, Gnat, and a whole platoon of body-building cockroaches. Can Zak and Grandpa find a way to un-shrink themselves before Adilla gets to them? Find out in Discovery Kids’ newest show, THE INSECTIBLES, premiering on November 23 and airing on weekdays at 4:30 p.m.

Primer Group Wins Gold, Silver Awards in SPIA Asia

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Primer Group of Companies, a company engaged in the retail and distribution of premium consumer brands in outdoor, urban lifestyle and travel, recently received two special awards during the Asia Sports Industry Awards and Conference held at the New World Makati Hotel, Philippines.

The SPIA Asia awards was created to recognize and celebrate the outstanding business leaders, organizations, facilities and campaigns that made a groundbreaking contribution to the growth and development of Southeast Asia’s sporting industry.

Among the 168 entries submitted by different organizations from 12 countries, Primer Group took home the Best Sports CSR Campaign gold award for its Bike Doctors initiative, and a Best Sports Digital Platform silver award for one of its brands, Columbia Sportswear.

According Roel Chan, head of Primer Group’s advocacy arm Center for Outdoor Recreation and Expedition (C.O.R.E.), both the awards signify the company’s commitment to utilize outdoor sports as a medium to advocate nation-building and solidarity while supporting environmental endeavors.

“Through the years, Primer Group has been embarking on extraordinary adventures that transform the way we explore the outdoors,” Chan said. “Now, with the awards in place, we are given more reasons to continue what we do best: that is, to advocate outdoor sports while protecting our people and the environment.”

World Safety Organization Observes November 8 as World Disaster Preparedness Day

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Leaders of the World Safety Organization raise a toast to officially close the 28th WSO International Environmental and Occupational Safety and Health Professional Development Symposium event which was held recently at the Solaire Resort and Casino, Manila. One of the highlights during the event was the official announcement of the World Disaster Preparedness Day, which will be held every 8th of November starting this year.

World Safety Organization, an international professional organization, which seeks to raise the standards of safety in all fields including occupational and environmental safety and accident prevention, declared November 8, 2015 as the first World Disaster Preparedness Day during the recently concluded 28th WSO International Environmental and Occupational Safety and Health Professional Development Symposium at the Solaire Resort and Casino, Manila.

Since it is imperative to ensure safety at all times, WSO has been pushing to improve the safety and health of workers by maintaining an accident and illness-free workplace, improving their quality of life and enabling them to have more fun while being safe. This time, WSO—with the combined efforts of its members and partner organizations—is putting into calendar November 8 as the official World Disaster Preparedness Day, which remembers the devastation wrought by typhoon Yolanda in the Philippines.

“Natural calamities are unpredictable,” said Alfredo A. Dela Rosa, Jr, Director, WSO International Office for Philippines. “Two years ago, the Philippines was faced with one of the most tragic calamities ever recorded in world history. Are we truly ready for those kinds of natural disasters?”

Globe Pushes For Responsible Use Of Mobile Devices To Drive ICT-Based Education

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Globe Telecom is advocating responsible use of mobile devices in school campuses for the country’s learning institutions to effectively leverage advancement in information and communications technology.

“Internet is a valuable source of information and an important additional teaching tool. As internet now plays a major role in the lives of young people, learning institutions should take the opportunity of motivating students with the use of ICT-tools to make their learning experience more enjoyable and sustainable,” Globe Director for Corporate Social Responsibility Fernando Esguerra said.

While government learning institutions are now adapting the use of ICT materials, the use of digital technologies as a learning tool is not as widespread as it should be. “Whether or not technology is available in the schools, children will have access to some devices one way or another especially as the smartphone penetration is steadily gaining traction and handheld internet will soon become available to everyone. This presents a great opportunity for the country’s educational system to adopt the use of mobile devices in enhancing formal education,” Esguerra said.

According to Esguerra, such move would also substantially reduce public spending in education and infrastructure and enhance competitiveness of the country’s learning institutions amid global shift towards digitization.

UP Engineering Radio Guild presents SYNERGY: Electrical and Electronics Engineering Summit 2015

Wazzup Pilipinas!

The UP Engineering Radio Guild presents SYNERGY: Electrical and Electronics Engineering Summit 2015

SYNERGY: Electrical and Electronics Engineering (EEE) Summit 2015 is a four-day gathering for students majoring in EEE or courses related to it. It aims to convene students to learn and share ideas regarding EEE, and help them build technological and engineering innovations.

The Summit will run from November 10 to November 13 and is composed of the following events, namely, Techno Talk, Ingenious Ideas, Revolutionary Robotics, Dynamic Discourse, and Corporate Connection.

Co-presented to by E-Gizmo.

In cooperation with Meralco and Artesyn

Also brought to you by Pointwest, Accenture, and IMI.

Special thanks to PhilRobotics, Thinklab, and Ideaspace.

Partner organizations are PUP-Taguig AECES, UST Tech Advancement Group, and IECEP-UPANG.

Media partners are DZUP, Wazzup Pilipinas and Click The City

Krissy Releases New Single “Distance”

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Acoustic artist and YouTube sensation Krissy, releases her new single “Distance” off her debut album “Songs About You.”

“Distance,” composed by Krissy herself, is similar to her previous heartbreak songs like “We Can’t Be” and “Piece of You”. This heart-rending song where she bares her soul will make listeners feel what she went through in her break up. “This song is a lot different from most of my songs and really means a lot to me,” Krissy said.

She wrote the song 2 years ago.

“I had just gotten out of a really bad break up. It was the very first time I had ever been in love like that. It was the kind of break up that came out of nowhere. It was bad for me because I had given a lot to be with him. As with all break ups, you try and do what you can to forget how much you are hurting. I was constantly surrounded by friends which helped a lot. But at times, when you are alone, it helps reflect on the whole relationship,” Krissy said.

Her friend’s grand piano became a part of the writing process.

“I was at my friend’s place one day and he had this really big beautiful grand piano in his living room and I just started playing. I usually write my songs on guitar and this had been one of my first few songs on the piano. I let out everything I was feeling and I finally finished writing it in about an hour or so,” Krissy added.

It’s a Blunder-, Predator- and Stunt–filled November on Discovery Channel

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Exciting new Discovery Channel shows are coming your way this November! Witness the most bizarre and sometimes hilarious technical bloopers, you may also head on out to the wild and live amongst dangerous creatures, or have the best laughs with a countdown of the top 20 of the cleverest and funniest homemade Youtube videos infused with Science.

Discovery Channel, the flagship network of Discovery Communications, is devoted to creating the highest quality pay-TV programming in the world and remains one of the most dynamic networks on television. First launched in 1985, Discovery Channel reaches 209 million subscribers in Asia Pacific. It offers viewers an engaging line-up of high-quality non-fiction entertainment from blue-chip nature, science and technology, ancient and contemporary history, adventure, cultural and topical documentaries.

Incredible Engineering Blunders: Fixed

From car-melting skyscrapers to a flooded sinkhole stirring up a ghost town, catch the most bizarre, mind-boggling, even hilarious engineering blunders together with aerospace-engineer-turned –international-engineering-journalist Justin Cunningham. Watch as Cunningham investigates, analyzes and solves construction fiascos via ingenious solutions in Incredible Engineering Blunders: Fixed, a punchy new show premiering on November 11, Wednesday, at 8pm. 

ePLDT's Vitro Data Center garners PCI DSS Certification

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Vitro Data Center, the country's first commercial data center facility which is owned and operated by ePLDT, the digital enterprise enabler of PLDT, recently acquired its newest international certification -- Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard or PCI DSS. According to ControlCase, LLC, a US-based external Qualified Security Assessor (QSA) for PCI compliance, Vitro is the first and only data center facility in the Philippines that they have certified for PCI DSS version 3.1 -- the latest version of this international standard.

"This is one of Vitro's many firsts over the years", says ePLDT Group Chief Technology Officer Dwight David M. Simon. "Being the pioneer in digital infrastructure and enablement, we at ePLDT ensure that we set the pace and the bar for technological advancements, and compliance to global best practices, for the benefit of Filipino businesses."

PCI DSS is an information security standard for companies that process credit card transactions via major providers including Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Discover, JCB, etc. The standard is mandated by card brands and was created to increase controls around cardholder data with the intention of reducing credit card fraud.

With this certification, Vitro Data Center garners the confidence of the business sector, particularly financially-sensitive organizations such as banks, for the co-location of IT infrastructure used for storing, processing and transmitting cardholder data in a highly secure and private environment.

Free Internet Access To foodpanda with SafeZone

Wazzup Pilipinas!

In this increasingly digital era, it is now easier to get when you want, when and where you want it—a commitment foodpanda, the leading online food ordering marketplace, has made to hungry customers around the country. More and more Filipinos are placing their food delivery orders online; however, a common barrier remains for many of them: data access. Ordering food online requires users to go through several web pages before successfully checking out, and for prepaid subscribers, this means incurring data charges on top of their load balance or data package allocation.

Filipinos now need not have their mobile data consumed just to be able to enjoy ordering food online, as Voyager Innovations, Inc., the digital innovations arm of PLDT and Smart, has entered into a one-of-a-kind partnership with foodpanda, providing customers free data access when ordering food online with SafeZone. SafeZone allows users to browse partner sites and apps, such as foodpanda, completely FREE of data charges.

Now, customers can choose from foodpanda’s over 1,000 partner restaurants, such as Amici, Greenwich, IHOP, and Omakase, and conveniently have their food delivered to their homes without having to worry about expensive data charges. 

Customers must simply visit https://free.foodpanda.ph/ and turn on the 'Load Protect’ feature, enter their location to see which restaurants deliver to them location, browse the available menus, and choose to pay online or via cash-on-delivery.

Benjie S. Fernandez, the Chief Operating Officer of Voyager Innovations, believes that this partnership represents a significant step forward for Filipino consumers.

Panacea: Making You Believe in Forever Again

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Have you ever wondered where do really broken hearts go? Well if you ask the renowned love doctor, Dr. Ino Balagtas, these broken hearts did actually find their way home -- in Panacea! For almost four decades, Panacea have been healing different disabilities caused by love problems all over the country.

This year they are celebrating their 35th anniversary and it looks like the clinic is far from slowing down. "Thank God, no deaths since our opening 35 years ago." Dr. Balagtas, resident Panacea doctor and the clinic's President, said jokingly when asked about the clinic's secret for its longevity. He also added that more than the clinic's world class facilities, he believed that Panacea is more than just a medical center, he described it as a retreat house, a solace -- a place where your heart can relax and meditate, a place where you can be whole again.

Aside from the state-of-the-art amenities, the clinic prides itself for their guaranteed 100 percent cure for every love disabilities like blindness because, well, love is blind; hearing impairment due to constant nagging and other physical deformities rooted from love disorders. According to Dr. Balagtas, the ultimate cause of these maladies is stupidity, "when your heart starts to beat for someone that is also the time your brain shuts down", he said bluntly.

Dr. Balagtas assured us a full heart recovery after your Panacea treatment. Krizzy, a self-confessed love problematic and one of their celebrity patients testified about Panacea's treatments, "Doc Ino helped me move on talaga, thanks to him! Love! Love! Love!” Krizzy is one of the hundreds of survivors from brokenheartedness. In the Philippines, 7 out of 10 people's hearts are shattered everyday and its Panacea's mission to pick these hearts to pieces.

“Paglayang Minamahal” All Set To Open On November 12

Wazzup Pilipinas!

The De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde’s Technical Theater Program Batch 112 proudly presents “ Paglayang Minamahal ” --- a sarswela written and directed by Palanca winner George de Jesus III and music by Jeffrey Hernandez.

Paglayang Minamahal is a three-act sarswela about the love between a young barrio lass and a rich ilustrado set during the outbreak of the Philippine Revolution. Exploring the many levels and facets of love and freedom, the play inverts the traditional sarsuela by protecting the relationship of Alodia and Mauricio from any satanic inclination, promises forever to each other in the middle of endeavor of the nation for their freedom.

Paglayang Minamahal was written during the fever of the Philippine centennial celebrations in 1998 and won 2nd Prize in the sarswela category of the Centennial Literary Competition.

“It was first staged by Tanghalang Pilipino at the CCP in 2000 directed by Chris Millado with music by Jesse Lucas. The collaborative process of that production resulted in an edit of the original script creating a sung-through musicale that somehow diminished the sarswela form. This production, although edited to run for less than 2 hours, brings back a number of scenes and dialogues from the original winning draft of the play,” George de Jesus III remarks.

PAGLAYANG MINAMAHAL is set to open on NOVEMBER 12 and shall continue to run on November 13, 14 and 15 (1:00 pm and 7:00 pm) at the 5/F SDA Theater, School of Design and Arts Campus, De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde, 950 P. Ocampo St., Malate, Manila. 

Upsilonians Living The Imperative Of Service

Wazzup Pilipinas!

After almost a century of glorious existence and a rich lineage of excellence, leadership and service, the Upsilon Sigma Phi affirms its fervent tradition and continuing commitment to serve the country and the underprivileged Filipinos with the holding of Upsilon Cares: Free medical, dental, optical and surgical mission on November 14, 2015 at Barangay Kabulusan, Pakil, Laguna. The public service activity is part of the fraternity’s 97th anniversary celebration themed “Transcendence: 97 Years of Living the Imperative of Service”

The community service initiative will be conducted in partnership with the Provincial Government of Laguna and is expected to provide free medicines, eyeglasses and extensive medical and health care services to approximately 2,000 indigent residents of 6 barangays of Pakil namely: Banilan, Dorado, Casa Real, Matikiw, Casinsin and Kabulusan.

The Upsilon Sigma Phi, based exclusively in the University of the Philippines and founded in 1918, is the oldest Greek-lettered fraternity in Asia. Its distinct status in the history of UP and the nation is manifested by a rank distinguished student and alumni leaders which include Fellows Benigno ‘Ninoy’ Aquino, Ferdinand E. Marcos, Joker Arroyo and countless esteemed stewards of Philippine industry, government and academe.

Ateneo Blue Repertory Presents Urinetown: The Musical

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Around here, there's no such thing as a free piss. In Urinetown, a musical revolving around a futuristic society, everyone must pay for the privilege to urinate in an attempt to regulate water consumption. First staged in May 2001, the production eventually went on to win three Tony Awards for Best Book of a Musical, Best Direction of a Musical, and Best Original Score in 2002. In its 24th season, the Ateneo Blue Repertory (blueREP) is proud to stage this musical, which will showcase its recently accepted members in their first-ever blueREP production as part of their training following the organization’s core values: professionalism, excellence, commitment, passion, and growth.

Urinetown: The Musical puts the spotlight on a town plagued by a 20-year drought which forces the government to put a ban on private toilets. All citizens must use public, pay-per-use amenities owned and operated by Urine Good Company, a malevolent corporation run by the corrupt Caldwell B. Cladwell; heroic Bobby Strong leads the fight against this practice. Hope, Cladwell’s beautiful daughter, must choose to side either with her father or with Bobby, her newfound love interest. Urinetown ultimately is a musical satire of the legal system, capitalism, social irresponsibility, bureaucracy, corporate mismanagement, municipal politics and musical theatre itself.

Missy Maramara, who holds a Master of Fine Arts in Drama (Performance) from the University of Arkansas and is a full-time faculty member of the Fine Arts Program in the Ateneo de Manila University, serves as Urinetown’s director, with Darrell Uy as co-director and Alecx Lorica as assistant director. Marek Sison and Enzo Mendoza work together as musical directors, while Jamie Ozamiz and Evee Raypon choreograph the entire show. CJ Francisco returns to blueREP as the set designer; Miyo Sta. Maria takes charge of the production’s lighting, and finally, Mikka Espino serves as the musical’s costumes and makeup designer.

Ateneo Blue Repertory’s staging of Urinetown is scheduled to run from November 11-14 and 25-28 at the Rizal Mini Theater, Ateneo de Manila University, and may be viewed by all audiences. During weekdays, shows will be at 8 pm; on Saturdays, the production is scheduled to begin at 3 pm and 8 pm. For ticket inquiries and reservations, please contact Reine Gustilo (09369409042). You may also visit Ateneo Blue Repertory’s official website: http://www.bluerepertory.org and follow its accounts on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/blueREPERTORY, Twitter: @_blueREPERTORY and Instagram: bluerepertory.

Umalohokan, Inc. Presents 38th Annual Isko't Iska

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Isko't Iska 2015, Strings of Deceit: The REBELation will be shown for free at the University of the Philippines – Los Baños D.L. Umali Auditorium from November 10-12, 7 PM.

Set in 2050, Isko enters UPLB to help Pegaraw, his stepfather and the resident psychiatrist in the university, to inform the student body about the alarming increase of mentally unstable patients in the rehabilitation center. Together with his best friend, Oble, heir of CamCam, Co., Isko experiences world-class facilities, the “plu-plu” technology, 5-star establishments in the Student Union Hub, the struggle in the university coop, and the Reserved Officers Training Course headed by Lt. Col. Mary Bollard (Mariang Banga). It is now up to Iska and Tao to reveal the injustices behind the system. (Watch the trailer here).

Isko’t Iska is an annual theater production headed by Umalohokan, Inc., a UPLB socio-cultural organization, copresented by the UPLB University Student Council and the UPLB Writers' Club. Isko’t Iska features an all-freshman student ensemble that continuously fights for the right of the masses.

By utilizing the diverse aspects of art, the play delivers a great way to increase awareness of the issues inside and outside the university. Isko’t Iska shows the condition and the issues of the University of the Philippines (UP) system as well as that of the whole nation. The play, aside from portraying social issues and educating the Filipino youth, mirrors the lives of different UP students (commonly known as Isko/Iska).

For inquiries, please contact Stephan Pablo (0917 713 3491). Important announcements and activities are also posted on Umalohokan, Inc’s official Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/umal.inc