Katrina Anne Johnson of Davao Wins as Miss Silka Philippines 2016

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Congratulations to the winners of the Miss Silka Philippines 2016 led by Miss Silka Davao, Katrina Anne Castañeda Johnson - the 2016 Miss Silka Philippines.

The Grand Coronation was held at the Glorietta Activity Center in Makati on November 12, 2016.

Other winners are:

Miss Silka Philippines 1st Runner up - Cebu
Miss Silka Philippines 2nd Runner up - Pampanga
Miss Silka Philippines 3rd Runner up - Tarlac

Miss Congeniality - Miss Lanao

Miss Juicy Cologne - Miss Davao

Miss Photogenic - Miss Davao

Online Choice Award - Miss Iloilo

Best in Talent - Miss Bicolandia

Best in Casual Wear - Miss Zambales

Celebrity heartthrob Piolo Pascual serenaded the candidates earlier with song numbers. Hotspot was also there earlier to grace us with song numbers.

Miss Silka Philippines 2015, Kimberly Weber, was stunning in her elegant white dress during her farewell walk, and to welcome soon the next lady to wear the crown of Miss Silka Philippines for 2016.

#GandangDiNapakinabangan From Kris Aquino After Duterte No-Show

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“(I spent) seven months of not hosting on TV. I promised myself, babalik ako for a once in a lifetime, one-on-one interview,” Kris Aquino said. 

And that one-on-one interview was supposed to be with the President. However, Kris Aquino’s one-on-one interview with Pres. Duterte did not push through. It was supposed to be her much publicized, much anticipated one-on-one interview with the President of the republic. But as it turned out, television personality Kris Aquino was "stood up" by President.

"President Duterte doesn't know what he's missing" says Kris. Kris tried to lighten the mood after the President skipped the small and medium enterprises summit in Davao City. It was indeed an it was an epic snub which also led Kris Aquino to say "One day mamahalin mo rin ako" to the president who was said to be not feeling well that day. The president arrived before dawn on Friday in Davao City from a two-day visit to Malaysia.

The popular TV host handled the sticky situation with humor by posting a #GandangDiNapakinabangan hashtag after President Rodrigo Duterte's no-show at an event on November 11, 2016 called the "Townhall Interview with the President" at the National Micro, Small, and Medium Entrepreneurs’ (MSME) Summit 2016 organized by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), Go Negosyo Foundation, TV-5 and state-run TV station PTV 4. 

"I apologized again that the date hindi natuloy (did not push through). I was stood up. But I assume the next time, he realized that it was fun, sisipot na siya (he will attend)." say Kris.

New Philippine Envoy to Beijing Foresees Economic Boom with Better China Ties

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At the recent November 10 “China Philippines Dialogue 2016” forum organized by the “China Daily” newspaper at Peninsula Manila Hotel in Makati City, the Philippines, various speakers led by the Philippines’ newly-designated ambassador to Beijing Chito Sta. Maria look forward to better Philippine and Asian economic growth prospect with the normalization of Philippine-China bilateral economic, diplomatic, cultural and other ties due to efforts of President Rody Duterte. He cited new railways in Mindanao of southern Philippines, seaports, agriculture and others as areas where both countries can cooperate.

Former veteran journalist Chito Sta. Maria said that in tackling differences like territorial disputes over the Scarborough Shoal or Spratly isles, the reformist government of President Rody Duterte prefers the pragmatic and more effective “quiet diplomacy instead of megaphone diplomacy”. Sta. Maria said that China’s pragmatic leaders can reciprocate goodwill in negotiations, citing examples of China concluding territorial dispute agreements with like Russia and Vietnam after several years of high-level bilateral talks with each neighbor.

Sta. Maria explained that Duterte’s announcement of “separation” from longtime military ally and former colonizer USA and charting a new independent foreign policy is his way of pursuing a “hedging strategy” for the Philippines to “diversify risks and maximize the gains” from two superpowers the U.S. and China. The new envoy said that the new pragmatic approach shall also make the Philippines no longer be perceived byChina or others in the international community as “a pawn or vassal state” of the United States.

Former CNN Beijing bureau chief and now Peking University Visiting Professor Jaime FlorCruz is also supportive of President Duterte’s reformist efforts to uphold an independent foreign policy for the Philippines, in rebalancing the country’s diplomatic and economic ties with all powers.

Alden Richards is New Brand Ambassador of Oppo

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The new face of the most undisputed "Selfie Expert" has been revealed and it was no other than one of the most popular charming faces in the Philippines, Alden Richards.

With so many celebrity endorsements under his name, Oppo has surely wanted to cash in on his popularity as well. But who wouldn't ? Aside from his partner, Maine Mendoza aka Yaya Dub, which creates their viral tandem we all know as AlDub, the other popular celebrity couples could not really stand on their own when separated from each other.

In this case, we can see Alden Richards making a grand influential presence on his own minus Maine Mendoza. Though they are obviously stronger together since the female part of the AlDub fame also has a lot of followers, not too many brands can manage to afford the talents fees of the two combined.

But as for me, Oppo alone is also a brand that has able to effectively reach out to its consumers with its specifications that beats most brands within the competition. The barnd has not only revealed Alden Richards as its brand ambassador, it has also launced a limited edition Oppo F1s in metallic grey color. The previous Oppo F1s are available in gold and rose gold.

Miss Silka Philippines 2016 Swimsuit Competition

Wazzup Pilipinas!

We invite you to witness Miss Silka 2016 Grand Coronation on November 12, 2016, 3:30 pm at the Glorietta Activity Center, Makati. Who do you think deserves to be crowned as the next Miss Silka Philippines 2016?

Vote for your favorite candidate at http://silkaskincare.com/vote.aspx for Miss Silka 2016 People's Choice Award! Who among these amazing ladies do you think deserves this award? Vote now!

Miss Silka Philippines is an annual pageant that aims to celebrate the Filipina’s beauty, confidence and sense of commitment.

"Cosmetique Asia together with Cornerstone Entertainment presented to the members of the media the thirty (30) candidates vying for the title of Miss Silka Philippines 2016 at Felicidad Mansion in Quezon City.

Silka, celebrating its 15th year, aims at selecting its next brand ambassador from the gorgeous delegates coming from all over the Philippines. The beauty brand will bring together delegates from Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao who are blessed not only with fair and smooth skin, but also with confidence and sense of commitment to her community.

The winner will be crowned during the finals slated at the new Glorietta Activity Center on November 12, 2016. Reigning Miss Silka Philippines Kimberly Weber of Zambales will turnover his crown and title. The winner will also get a chance to donate cash to her chosen non-goverrnment organization courtesy of Cosmetique Asia." - Missosology

Artistang Artlets Proudly Presents "Si Maria Isabella at ang Guryon ng mga Tala"

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Artistang Artlets, the Official Theater Guild of the Faculty of Arts and Letters of the University of Santo Tomas, has been in active service to the Thomasian community for the past 36 years. As part of the guild’s thrust to promote theater as an alternative educational tool for the people inside and outside the university, we will be staging our Major Production for this academic year 2016-2017.

Si Maria Isabella at ang Guryon ng mga Tala is a story based from Dean Francis Alfar’s The Kite of Stars. This was one of the most acclaimed productions in the Virgin Labfest 2015 at the Cultural Center of the Philippines written by Eljay Castro Deldoc and is to be directed by John Michael Peña and produced by Mary Claire Aquino this November 15, 16 and 17, 2016. The time slots will be 1 PM, 3 PM, 5 PM and 7 PM at Tan Yan Kee Auditorium, Tan Yan Kee Bldg., University of Santo Tomas.

As part of our goals and aspirations for this season, we aim to produce community development projects that would not only give great impact to the participants but would also bring about long lasting changes within them. In line with this, ArtistangArtlets will be holding a project entitled “Passion Project” together with our partner community, Cecilio Apostol Elementary School. ArtistangArtlets aims to teach the students the basics of theater-making and performance, to let the students assimilate themselves as vital parts of the production itself, which will in turn be a fundraising event for them to have a theater guild in their school.ArtistangArtlets, the Official Theater Guild of the Faculty of Arts and Letters of the University of Santo Tomas, has been in active service to the Thomasian community for the past 36 years. As part of the guild’s thrust to promote theater as an alternative educational tool for the people inside and outside the university, we will be staging our Major Production for this academic year 2016-2017.

Si Maria Isabella at ang Guryon ng mga Tala is a story based from Dean Francis Alfar’s The Kite of Stars. This was one of the most acclaimed productions in the Virgin Labfest2015 at the Cultural Center of the Philippines written by Eljay Castro Deldoc and is to be directed by John Michael Peña and produced by Mary Claire Aquino this November 15, 16 and 17, 2016. The time slots will be 1 PM, 3 PM, 5 PM and 7 PM at Tan Yan Kee Auditorium, Tan Yan Kee Bldg., University of Santo Tomas.

As part of our goals and aspirations for this season, we aim to produce community development projects that would not only give great impact to the participants but would also bring about long lasting changes within them. In line with this, ArtistangArtlets will be holding a project entitled “Passion Project” together with our partner community, Cecilio Apostol Elementary School. ArtistangArtlets aims to teach the students the basics of theater-making and performance, to let the students assimilate themselves as vital parts of the production itself, which will in turn be a fundraising event for them to have a theater guild in their school.

Time schedule for the three (3) play dates:

TUES: Nov. 15- 11am, 1pm, 4pm, 6pm
WED: Nov. 16- 10am, 1pm, 3pm, 5pm
THU: Nov. 17- 2pm, 4pm

Donald Trump is My President: What People Say About America's New Leader

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"There must be a side of Trump that the media ignores. The real Donald Trump must be good. There must be something out there that shows he is not racist, sexist, or homophobic. That he is not motivated by greed; that he's genuine. And that he is generous even when no one's looking. I am looking for those traits because now, Donald Trump is my president."

Congratulations to the new President of the United States of America (USA). This actually means most surveys, even the ones done in the Philippines, are inaccurate. You simply must prepare yourself to any outcome even if it's a total surprise for most Filipinos, here and abroad.

Just thirty-seven per cent of respondents to the network exit poll said that Donald J. Trump was qualified to be President; sixty-one per cent said that he was unqualified. And yet, on January 20, 2017, it will be Trump who will be inaugurated.

Donald J. Trump has won the presidential election in a stunning upset. How were you all feeling on the day after hearing about Donald J. Trump's victory? In his very first speech, he is very respectful of Hillary Clinton and notes: "...it’s time for America to bind the wounds of division. It is time for us to come together as one united people. It’s time.”

He must make a stab at uniting the country, after a scorched-earth campaign in which he consciously tore at the nation's gender, racial and economic fault lines to build a movement to win power. Whether or not America is ready for President-elect Donald Trump, the Walt Disney Company is prepared. Lol!

Trump's candidacy seemed like a bad joke. His victory has left a country shocked and ravaged by discord, especially along racial lines. This goes far beyond the usual partisanship. Some leftists are having a harder time than others adjusting to the idea of a Donald Trump presidency. But did you know that the Simpsons predicted Donald Trump to be the president 16 years ago? I an episode called "Bart to the Future", Lisa was elected as his successor. We have to face the reality that Donald J. Trump has been elected the 45th president of the United States, the capstone of a campaign in which he won over white voters with the promise to "Make America Great Again."

Eduard Folayang is new ONE Lightweight World Champion

Wazzup Pilipinas!

The largest sports media property in Asian history, ONE Championship (ONE), returned to the Singapore Indoor Stadium for another exciting evening of world-class mixed martial arts (MMA) action. ONE: DEFENDING HONOR showcased Asia’s premier combat sports talents on the global stage of MMA with a series of compelling bouts. In the main event, Eduard Folayang shocked the world by stopping Shinya Aoki to become the new ONE Lightweight World Champion. In the co-main event, Marat Gafurov retained his title with a submission victory over Narantungalag Jadambaa.

Visit the official ONE: DEFENDING HONOR photo gallery by clicking: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/ivh34n9pza3q94o/AADwuMwRg-gnDecd5AIBoQyTa?dl=0

In the main event, Eduard “Landslide” Folayang of Baguio City, Philippines completes his journey through ONE Championship’s lightweight ranks by stopping Asian MMA legend Shinya “Tobikan Judan” Aoki by technical knockout within three rounds to clinch the ONE Lightweight World Championship. Aoki dominated the first round with his Brazilian jiu-jitsu, but Folayang came alive in the second round as he opened up his striking, showcasing his world-class wushu talent. In the third round, Folayang rocked Aoki against the cage fence and finished him off with ground-and-pound.

In the co-main event of the evening, reigning ONE Featherweight World Champion Marat “Cobra” Gafurov of Russia successfully defended his title against challenger and top contender Narantungalag “Tungaa” Jadambaa of Mongolia. It was the champion’s second title defense, after lifting the belt from Jadambaa a year ago. After a brief exchange of strikes, action quickly went to the mat when Jadambaa missed a kick and fell to the canvas. Gafurov followed the Mongolian down and that’s where he worked on the submission. Jadambaa was able to defend for a few moments, but once Gafurov re-established himself, the choke came effortlessly.

Lightweight prospect Amir Khan of Singapore overcame a spirited effort from former Pan Asia BJJ Champion Vaughn “The Spawn” Donayre of the Philippines to win by submission in the third round. After spending the first half of the bout tagging each other with various striking combinations, the two fighters decided to take things to the mat. On the ground, Khan showcased his technical brilliance, threatening Donayre with multiple choke attempts while dominating the grappling exchanges. Although Donayre had his moments, particularly catching Khan in a very deep kimura attempt, the younger fighter survived to win by rear naked choke in the third round.

7 Remaining Teams Compete at The Amazing Race Asia Season 5

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Seven remaining teams will have a taste of Vietnamese delicacy in The Amazing Race Asia Season 5

After arriving first at the pit stop for the past two legs, will Indonesia’s Treasuri & Louisa score a hat trick in tonight’s episode? Singapore’s JK & Mike struggle to move beyond second last place so will they turn the tide and move to safer ground this time around? Only seven teams remain and the stakes are so much higher, who will be eliminated this week?

Catch the all-new exciting episodes of The Amazing Race Asia Season 5 every 9pm only on AXN. For behind-the-scenes clips and extra footage, visit www.AXN-Asia.com/TARA or join the conversation on Facebook at TheAmazingRaceAsia.

AXN is seen on Cable Link Channel 38, Cignal Digital TV Channel 61, Global Destiny Cable Channel 61, Dream Channel 20, GSat Channel 51, and SKYCable Channel 49. AXN HD is seen on SkyCable Channel 247.

#AXNTARA

New NatGas Plants to Help Secure Energy Supply -Cusi

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OH MY GAS: Energy Secretary Alfonso G. Cusi led the commercial operation ceremonies of the 414-MW San Gabriel and 97-MW Avion Natural Gas Power Plants Friday (11 November) in Batangas City. In photo is Sec. Cusi (right) shaking hands with Lopez Group Chair Emeritus, Oscar M. Lopez. Also, witnessing the ceremonies are (L-R) First Philippine Holdings (FPH) Chair & CEO Federico R. Lopez, Senator Sherwin Gatchalian, former Senator Sergio Osmeña and FPH President and Chief Operating Officer Francis Giles Puno during the said event.

Committed to provide reliable and clean power supply towards industrialization, the Department of Energy (DOE) welcomes the commercial operation of the two natural gas-fired power plants, which were inauguratedFriday (11 November) by First Gen Corporation in Batangas City.

Considered the cleanest among the known fossil fuels, the 414 megawatts (MW) San Gabriel and 97 MW Avion Natural Gas Power Plants support the increasing economic growth trajectory target of 7-8%, while also balancing the energy mix.

In his Keynote Address, Energy Secretary Alfonso G. Cusi said “San Gabriel and Avion’s combined capacity of 511 megawatts will help secure our energy supply for the years ahead.”

Sec. Cusi emphasized that “It is also imperative for the DOE to find the right energy mix by considering technological advancements and all possible energy options, while also factoring in the growing social awareness on energy sustainability.”

Viral Elderly Gets Livelihood Support Through Jollibee’s Grand Thank You Project

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Jollibee, the Philippines’ leading fast-food chain, is known for its unparalleled support for Filipino family values. Following the viral advertisement #KwentongJollibee “Kahera”, the brand released yet another heartwarming online video, “Handog Kay Lola Maria”, that featured the exemplary proof of the selflessness, support, and love of grandparents.

The video featured a 74-year-old Badjao grandmother named Lola Maria Tequillo who, despite her old age, dove for coins thrown by tourists at a nearby pier in Lucena, Quezon Province to support her family, most especially her four grandchildren. Lola Maria was discovered through a viral feature of broadcasting network GMA’s documentary program, Front Row.

“Ang hanap-buhay ko ay maninisid araw-araw, mga bente-anyos na ako maninisid dito, (I dive for spare coins for a living and I’ve been doing it every day for 20 years now),” said Lola Maria in the video. “Pupunta ako sa pier, mag-aabang talaga ako ng barko at manghihingi talaga ako ng barya. Minsan parang ako’y aabutan ng mahinang katawan, kaya lang, konting tiis para naman meron kaming makain. (I head to the pier, wait for a ship to pass by, and ask its passengers to throw in some coins for me. Sometimes, my body would be too weak but I have to continue doing this so my family will have something to eat).”

Jollibee celebrated this year’s Grandparent’s Day by heading to Quezon Province to treat Lola Maria and her loved ones to a hearty Jollibee feast. Soon after, Jollibee, in partnership with Coca-Cola Philippines, granted Lola Maria her dream sari-sari store so that she never has to dive for coins again. Through the Coca-Cola partnership, Lola Maria and her daughter was also provided important sari-sari management tips and basic information on how to effectively run and maintain their new source of income.

Lazada Breaks Record with 100,000 Items in 9 Hours at 2016 Online Revolution

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Late night shoppers started very early to take advantage of Lazada’s 2016 Online Revolution. Customers looking for the best deals from trusted brands started coming in from 12 midnight today. As of 9am, www.lazada.com.ph recorded 100,000 items, 29% of which came from the health and beauty category, with electronics as a close second.

Shoppers relished in the choice of products available to them at amazing offers –all at up to 95% discount. The very first order came from a customer in Tarlac City, who ordered a KDS Beats-0022 100dB Stereo Subwoofer Over-the-Ear Headphones.

Lazada’s Online Revolution excitement started much earlier this year,” said CEO Inanc Balci, “We’ve had an exciting and long night, with crowds of late-night owls turning into early-bird shoppers snapping up the best deals from Samsung, L’Oreal, P&G, BUM, Starmobile, Mamy Poko, among many others. Watch out for more deals coming later today and in the next 4 weeks for your Christmas shopping.”

The Online Revolution sale continues until December 12. Following 11.11, and during the next 4 weeks leading up to 12.12, Lazada is focusing on satisfying its customers’ interests with a weekly curated selection of products for beauty fans, supermoms and families, techies and fashionistas.

Be part of history as Lazada kicks off the Christmas shopping season with the best brands and wallet-friendly deals. Get a chance to win an Isuzu D-Max and Turkish Airlines international roundtrip tickets for all your shopping. Visit www.lazada.com.ph or download the Lazada mobile app for free.

Filipino Language Now Available on Microsoft Translator

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Leading the efforts to support and increase the reach of communication globally and locally, Microsoft Translator announces the addition of Filipino together with five other Austronesian languages, including Malagasy, Fijian, Samoan, Tahitian and Tongan. These new languages mark the addition to over 50 languages already available in the translation tool.

Being able to improve communications that traverses a breadth of geography is important when supporting communications between peoples, business and governments and to bring people of different cultures closer together.

With Filipinos around the globe speaking the language and more nationalities coming to the Philippines wanting to learn, these additional languages on Microsoft Translator will help users communicate better across different types of platforms.

Translator, whenever and wherever

A cloud-based and automatic service, the Translator is available in a wide range of Microsoft products and apps that facilitate communication in varied scenarios where translation is necessary. It is currently being used by many businesses worldwide for their applications and workflows to help enable their content reach a bigger, worldwide audience.

Specifically, the customizable, effectively scalable and business-ready Microsoft Translator is available on Bing, Microsoft Office, SharePoint, Cortana, Edge and Yammer. Microsoft Translator also has a full suite of apps for PCs and mobile devices including Windows, Android (including Amazon Kindle tablets), and iPhone.

It also offers a free open-source Document Translator app to easily translate batches of documents while preserving their formatting, and is available as a Web Widget, to easily, and at no cost, add multi-language support to website.

Learn more about Microsoft Translator:

·         Getting started using the Translator API

·         Microsoft Translator App

·         To learn more on how translation works, visit Automatic Translator and Microsoft Translator.

Big Show, Big Moments with the Lenovo Pocket Projector

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The all-new, ultra-mobile innovation offers huge advantages for work presentations and pleasant surprises for gamers and home theater fanatics

Global technology leader Lenovo recently announced the availability of its latest innovation in the Philippine market: the Lenovo Pocket Projector, a carry-anywhere projection dynamo that turns any room into a private theater with a push of a button. All eyes will be on this device which allows work presentations, movies, TV shows, home videos, games, or photos to be shared and project up to 110 inches of stunning display.

Powered by Lenovo’s vibrant color technology, the Pocket Projector delivers amazingly high contrast images and features a built-in lithium ion battery for extreme mobility.

“The Lenovo Pocket Projector helps users turn simple visuals into big cinematic moments,” said Michael Ngan, Country General Manager, Lenovo Philippines. “This is the first standalone projector of Lenovo that truly delivers innovative technology right where it matters: display, versatility, and true portability. As always, Lenovo utilizes the rapid advances in imaging technology to provide consumers with innovations that allow them to make the most of their images, videos, and ideas.”


Larger-than-life brilliant display

Dim and blurry projection is a thing of the past with the Lenovo Pocket Projector, which consistently delivers stunning display of up to 110 inches with a 50-lumen, high-contrast Digital Light Processing (DLP) Technology optical engine designed and developed by leading semiconductor manufacturer Texas Instruments. DLP technology allows projection quality of up to 1080p for larger screen sizes, perfect geometry and linearity of images, and a wider range of colors than other display technologies.

Every small detail is clear and vivid, making the Pocket Projector perfect for any type of presentation, even for discerning, meticulous clients. Couple this ultra-portable projector with a great speaker system and you can turn a boring old room into a high-end theater with dramatically crisp and clear visuals.

Globe, Cebuana Lhuillier, Mynt Sign Strategic Partnership for PH Financial Inclusion

Wazzup Pilipinas!

In a bid to further push financial inclusion in the country, Globe Telecom, Cebuana Lhuillier and Mynt inked a memorandum of agreement that will pave the way for several initiatives combining the products and services of the three companies.

The tripartite partnership was signed by Globe President & CEO Ernest Cu, Cebuana Lhuillier President & CEO Jean Henri Lhuillier, and G-Xchange President Albert Tinio. G-Xchange is a subsidiary of Globe Telecom’s wholly-owned financial services unit Mynt.

“The idea is to disrupt the traditional banking system of having to personally go to a bank, fill out forms, fall in line and pay for bills or deposit money. This initiative will create an avenue for the companies to leverage on each other’s strengths and capabilities to create a better financial system for the consumers,” said Cu.

Meanwhile, Lhuillier stated, “This undertaking is a great opportunity to address the financial concerns of many Filipinos, especially those in unbanked and underbanked communities which is very aligned to what we do as a company. I am glad that Cebuana Lhuillier, together with Globe and Mynt, is taking this big step to revolutionize the way we serve our mutual clients. I am certain that this partnership will positively impact the lives of many individuals.”

Most of the initiatives involve GCash, a micro-payment service operated by G-Xchange. Already commercially available, one of the projects allows GCash customers to perform cash-in and cash-out transactions in any of Cebuana Lhuillier’s 1,800 branches nationwide. Also being developed are systems that would enable GCash accounts to submit payments for Fuse loans and accept proceeds of international remittance. Other projects in the works include the vice versa conversion of rewards points under the loyalty programs of Globe and Cebuana Lhuillier, cross-selling of Cebuana Lhuillier’s microinsurance product, development of donation channels for Cebuana Lhuillier’s chosen beneficiaries, real-time posting of Globe Bills, reselling of Globe AMAX, a mass market postpaid product, and other innovations that that would make financial services more conveniently available.

In addition to the commercially available products and services, the partnership will also yield business-to-business solutions and other initiatives catering to internal stakeholders.

During the official announcement of the partnership, all three companies emphasized the need for innovative offerings, the value of convergence and the importance of technology in order to achieve financial inclusion.

Globe is a telecommunications company with a mobile subscriber base of about 65 million, while Cebuana Lhuillier is a micro-financial institution that has over 1,800 branches in the Philippines, and Mynt is a FinTech startup wholly-owned by Globe and offers a range of key financial services.

PHOTO CAPTION: (L-R): President and CEO of Globe Telecom Ernest Cu, President and CEO of PJ Lhuillier Jean Henri Lhuillier and President of G-Xchange Inc. Albert Tinio

NEC Launches New Touchscreen POS TWINPOS G5200 Series in Philippines

Wazzup Pilipinas!

NEC Philippines today announced the launch the TWINPOS G5200 series, a new lineup of touchscreen Point-of-Sale (POS) terminals, the latest addition to the NEC TWINPOS series.

The new TWINPOS G5200 series provides an extensive lineup of standard, pole-mount, wall-mount, and other models, enabling flexibility for installation in a variety of store layouts here in the country. In addition, the use of a flat surface display avoids ingress of water drops and dust from the front of the display.

Moreover, the new series offers easy maintenance of key components such as the hard disk drive, touch panel and motherboard assembly.

The new product supports NEC’s middleware that collects operational status of the POS terminal, including accumulated operating time, CPU load and internal temperature to detect actual and impending failures. Furthermore, the middleware visualizes remaining life of key components. The information obtained by the middleware enables preventative maintenance or quick recovery from failure, which in turn reduce opportunity losses resulting from POS terminal malfunctions.

The TWINPOS G5200 series contributes to efficient chain store operations when used with NEC’s business solutions for global retailers, which comprehensively covers business needs ranging from store operations to headquarters' operations.

NEC has been assisting non-stop store operations for 11 years in the Philippines. Going forward, NEC will provide continuous support for Filipino retailers to expand their business through its Life Cycle Management (LCM) services that support every part of the life cycle from planning to development, installation, deployment, and maintenance of ICT equipment for optimized store management.

The TWINPOS G5200 series is part of the NEC Global Enterprise Solutions lineup, NEC's portfolio of continually upgraded and expanded solutions and services offered globally to enterprise customers in retail, distribution, manufacturing, and other fields.

From 9 November, three Models will be available in the Philippines. The TWINPOS G5200Ui standard model, the TWINPOS G5200Vi which allows for more shelves for displaying promotional items and customer service, and the low-profile TWINPOS G5200Ei.

“Retail is one of the fastest growing markets for NEC in the Philippines. We are pleased to launch the TWINPOS G5200 which compliments NEC’s wide-range of retail solutions that seeks to add value to retail companies that need easy-to-maintain, scalable retail solutions for operational efficiency,” said Agnes A. Gervacio, President, NEC Philippines.

Interested parties on the new TWINPOS G5200 series can get in touch with the NEC Reseller and Distributor Network or send an email to inquiry@nec.com.ph.

For more information, please visit: http://ph.nec.com/en_PH/global/solutions/retail-pos/index.html

GetCraft to Hold Philippine Content Marketing Meetup: The Past, The Present & The Future

Wazzup Pilipinas! 

GetCRAFT Philippines will be having its inaugural event here in Manila to mark the launch of their online content marketing platform next week! 

This will be the first of a series of meetups, aimed to spark conversations around content marketing and its benefits for digital publishers and/or creators. 

The event will take place on Tuesday, November 15, 6 P.M. at The Brewery at The Palace, BGC.
In recent years, we have seen how Content Marketing and Native Advertising have become key pillars for any brand looking to increase awareness, educate and inspire their audience and drive sales. 

At their first event, GetCraft will therefore want to make a quick look at where the industry has come from, what's happening today, and what the future will look like. 

To help answer these questions, they have industry experts, namely Carlo Ople, Chief Digital Officer at Dentsu Digit JaymeSyfu / Dentsu Digit; Lucien Dy Toco, EVP at Philstar Media Group; Patrick Searle, , followed by a lively Q&A:

Hontiveros Wants Women Workers to Get 150 days of Maternity Leave

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Akbayan Senator Risa Hontiveros on November 10, 2016 pushed for the passage of a law that will provide women workers 150 days of paid maternity leave.

In a press briefing organized by IndustriALL, a global union which represents 50 million workers in 140 countries in the mining, energy and manufacturing sectors, Hontiveros said that she filed Senate Bill No. 215 otherwise known as the "Expanded Maternity Leave Law of 2016" to double women workers' maternity leave from the current 60 days to 120 days, with extra 30 days for solo mothers. She said there is an urgent need for the government and the business community to pay its share in easing the multiple burden of working women.

Hontiveros, who also chairs the Senate Committee on Women and Gender Equality, said that her committee has already conducted its first hearing on the bill. The Senator explained that the current maternity leave law must be radically amended as it provides the lowest number of maternity leave days in the whole ASEAN region, alongside Malaysia.

"Filipino women workers can only take a maternity leave of 60 days pay while those who undergo caesarian deliveries are entitled to only 78 leave days with pay. This pales in comparison to countries like Vietnam which provides 120-180 maternity leave days or even the International Labour Organization’s (ILO) standard of 98 days," Hontiveros said.


Adoptive parents and alternative care-givers

Hontiveros said that her bill also seeks to recognize the role of adoptive parents and alternate caregivers (spouse, common-law partner, relative up to the 4th degree of consanguinity) by extending to them the benefits of her proposed bill, such as allocating at most thirty days of the maternity leave to an alternate caregiver.

"Adoptive parenting and alternative care-giving are real parenting. Giving adoptive parents and alternative care-givers ample time for child-rearing will amplify the cohesion of the family", Hontiveros said.


Increased maternity leave to reduce child mortality

Hontiveros said that increasing women workers' maternity leave will greatly reduce child mortality in the Philippines. Citing a study from the United Nations Children’s Fund, she said that the extension of paid maternity leave increased breastfeeding rates from 10 to 80%, providing ample protection against disease and life-threatening illnesses.

“We cannot punish women workers who give birth with an inadequate and internationally-inferior maternity law. It's time for a maternity law that has a strong emphasis on women workers' rights, particularly reproductive rights, which historically have been the onus of women, and have largely been left with minimum respect and recognition in Philippine society," Hontiveros concluded.

IIEE-CSC Proudly Presents Electrical Engineering and Technology Student Summit

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Good day EE and EET Wizards!

The IIEE-Council of Student Chapter's Ministry of Magic is casting an Accio spell unto your school to summon all of you in this year’s Electrical Engineering and Technology Student Summit.

Enjoy the journey of learning new things more than creating potions, defending yourselves against dark arts or challenging your wits and guts in arithmancy and be part of all the activities; Plant tour, Seminars, Quiz Brawls and many more.

So swish and flick your wand to lift up your spirit, get your acceptance letter on the files downloadable below, take the Hogwarts Express and see you at the SMX Convention Center this 3rd Week of November (24 and 25).

Be courageous like a Gryffindor
Clever like a Ravenclaw
Steadfast like a Hufflepuff and
Ambitious like a Slytherin

as the IIEE CSC dare you to unleash your inner wizard and let your patronus shine as we summon you in this upcoming 3rd EETSS and together let us experience the magic that awaits upon us.

Don’t let muggles turn you down and send your owls to accept our requests.

DOWNLOAD LINK
https://www.dropbox.com/s/cz4mlkmuf…/3rd%20EETSS%202016.zip…

For more inquiries, like and check our facebook fan page
https://www.facebook.com/IIEECouncilofStudentChapters/

or send us your concerns thru email
(iieecsc@gmail.com)

Also please check the page of the media partners:

Clickthecity

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Thank you and have a great day!

One: Defending Honor Official Face-Off

Wazzup Pilipinas!

The largest sports media property in Asian history, ONE Championship (ONE), announced today that the mixed martial artists competing at ONE: DEFENDING HONOR are expected to be ready for all the action which takes place Friday evening, 11 November, at the Singapore Indoor Stadium.

In the main event, MMA legend and ONE Lightweight World Champion Shinya “Tobikan Judan” Aoki will defend his title against Filipino MMA icon Eduard “Landslide” Folayang. They are joined on the card by an epic rematch between ONE Featherweight World Champion Marat “Cobra” Gafurov and former ONE Featherweight World Champion Narantungalag “Tungaa” Jadambaa in the co-main event.

Four of Singapore’s homegrown fighting talents will also be taking to the cage alongside some of the biggest names in Asian MMA today.

Visit the official ONE: DEFENDING HONOR face-off gallery by clicking: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/0BxHVlFU0lKiITWx4Z1piVmREWDg?usp=sharing.

CEO of ONE Championship, Victor Cui, stated: “Five years after ONE changed the face of Asian sports with our first event at the Singapore Indoor Stadium, we are back again with yet another blockbuster event in ONE: DEFENDING HONOR. With two world title belts on the line starring some of the biggest names in MMA such as ONE World Champions Shinya Aoki and Marat Gafurov, I am certain MMA fans around the world will get to savour ONE’s signature brand of non-stop martial arts action.”

Headliner and ONE Lightweight World Champion Shinya Aoki stated: “I am prepared for Eduard Folayang’s striking, and there is no way he is going to beat me on the ground. Eduard is a fantastic martial artist and a true hero to the Filipino people, and I respect him for that. However, I am entering the bout as the reigning and defending champion, and I plan on leaving that way.”

Eduard Folayang stated: “There is no doubt Shinya Aoki is a legend in Asian MMA, but I firmly believe I can be the one to beat the legend. I have prepared my whole life for this moment since the first ONE Championship event in 2011, and I am going to seize this opportunity to become champion. This is my fight and my time to reign with the support of the Philippines behind me.”

ONE Featherweight World Champion Marat Gafurov stated: “I am at the peak of my abilities as a martial artist and am only getting better every day. Jadambaa may have improved as well, but the story this time will be the same as our last fight in November 2015. There is absolutely no chance of me losing this belt.”

Former ONE Featherweight World Champion Narantungalag Jadambaa stated: “Not many people get a chance to reclaim what was once theirs. I will get my belt back from Gafurov and become the ONE Featherweight World Champion once again. I know exactly what I need to do to make that happen, and I am fully prepared to do so this Friday night.”

For more updates on ONE Championship, please visit www.onefc.com, follow us on Twitter and Instagram @ONEChampionship, and like us on Facebook.

LoveYourself: MGWP First Runner Up on Promoting Fitness and Sexual Health to Fight the Stigma on HIV

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Cognizant of the benefits of a healthy lifestyle, LoveYourself, Inc. strengthens the promotion of its HIV awareness campaign with its newest ambassador, Mister Gay World Philippines 2016 1st runner-up John Bench T. Ortiz.

As a fitness coach, Ortiz advised that “Health is wealth. Relatively speaking, sexual health is very important and we, the LGBT community and the larger society, need to be more knowledgeable on this aspect.” Ortiz serves as one of the faces of the LoveYourself Incognito 2.0, which is the country’s largest community-based HIV screening that is free, anonymous and fast.

Through the Mister Gay World Philippines Organization (MGWPO), Ortiz supported LoveYourself and its partners, the Department of Health-Research Institute for Tropical Medicine and Pilipinas Shell Foundation, Inc., in encouraging individuals to undergo HIV testing on 27 November at Victoria Court Malate in Manila by signing up at go.loveyourself.ph/incognito.

LoveYourself Executive Director Ronivin G. Pagtakhan said “We aim for more movers in the community, who will rally behind our causes towards enriching one’s self-worth to eradicate the stigma on HIV.” Meanwhile, MGWPO Board of Director Ryan D. Soto said that their organization uses its profile and its victors to champion these causes.

Smart, Myphone Strengthen Partnership with Smartphone Offers

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Leading mobile services provider Smart Communications and pioneering Filipino mobile brand MyPhone have teamed up to bring the smartphone experience into the hands of more Filipinos.

Under the partnership, select MyPhone handsets now come with a FREE Smart Prepaid Sim packed with FREE mobile data of 100MB per month for 12 months. On top of this, users may also enjoy additional FREE 500MB data reward for an accumulated top-up of P100 load per month for 12 months.

MyPhone handsets that come with these irresistible Smart offers have built-in Digital TV, which allows users to watch clear and crisp TV shows anytime and anywhere. These include My89 DTV; My71 DTV; My91 DTV; My81 DTV; My81 DTV; My82 DTV; My72 DTV; My75 DTV; My87 DTV; My96 DTV; My77 DTV; My88 DTV; My92 DTV; My93 DTV; My95 DTV; and My73 DTV. These handsets are available at MyPhone Stores and major retailers all over the country.

To know more about these offers, visit myphone.com.ph and smart.com.ph.

Photo caption:

In the photo are (from left): Smart Prepaid Head Gerard Milan; Smart Wireless Operations Head Kat Luna-Abelarde; MyPhone CEO and President David Lim; and MyPhone Vice President Kevin Michael Tan.

Hassle-free Connectivity Around the World with New Globe Easy Roam 149

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The advent of budget airlines and affordable rates give more people an opportunity to plan their trips abroad whether it is for work or vacation. Alongside flights and accommodation details, connectivity has become an essential to be able to keep in touch and share experiences real-time.

Roaming options have long been available in the market. Yet, some offers remain too pricy, especially for travellers who are on a tight budget. Finally, travellers now have an option for a more affordable roaming service as Globe introduces the new Easy Roam 149.

Easy Roam 149 eases customers’ concerns on expensive roaming charges with its unlimited data roaming good for 5 days. It is the only roaming offer that is easy on the pocket as it is paid in installment over a period of 12 months, for just P149/month on a Globe myLifestyle postpaid plan. For the same 12 month period, customers get 5 days worth of data roaming that can either be consumed on a single trip or on multiple overseas trips.

Enrolling and using Easy Roam 149 is simple and straightforward. To subscribe, interested Globe postpaid customers can simply visit any Globe store, call the Globe hotline or log on to http://www.globe.com.ph/international/roaming-postpaid/easy-roam-149. Once successfully enrolled, customers who travel abroad will already be allowed to use their 5-day unlimited data roaming allocation. All one needs to do is to turn on his mobile and data roaming to receive the unlimited data roaming allocation by Globe Telecom’s preferred roaming partner.

Statement of Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi on Nuclear Energy Utilization

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The Duterte Administration, through the Department of Energy (DOE), puts premium on the provision of quality, reliable, adequate, secure and reasonably-priced energy by looking at all possible resources that the country can utilize to achieve our industrialization goals.

To diversify the energy mix, the DOE will study nuclear energy as a possible option for the Philippines.

We stand behind the President’s pronouncements on ensuring the safe utilization of all energy sources, especially with the renewed interest on nuclear energy technology.

The DOE is currently proceeding with unified and coordinated efforts and activities with the creation of a Nuclear Energy Program Implementing Organization (NEPIO).

The NEPIO is headed by a Steering Committee with top DOE officials at the helm, while DOE bureaus will create technical working groups (TWGs) to ensure effective and timely implementation of its functions and responsibilities.

The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) and its attached agencies, DOE attached agencies, other relevant government offices and local and international partner organizations will be asked to assist the NEPIO in its work.

During the recent IAEA International Conference on the Prospects For Nuclear Power In The Asia Pacific Region, we pointed out: “The country should have a clear position on nuclear power. A well-informed decision is key to a sustainable and comprehensive energy program. With all the new findings, technological advancements and successful experiences of countries around the world, nuclear energy holds much promise for long-term energy plans.”

Swing Back into Disco Fever with Ballet Philippines in “Awitin Mo At Isasayaw Ko” this December 2-11

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From December 2 to 11 at the CCP Main Theater, celebrate the holidays with “Awitin Mo At Isasayaw Ko”, Ballet Philippines’ new dance musical featuring the songs of popular Filipino disco group, VST & Co. The show is an exciting collaboration with ABS-CBN and the ABS-CBN Philharmonic Orchestra, conducted by Maestro Gerard Salonga.

“Awitin Mo At Isasayaw Ko” tells the story of the forbidden love between Teresa, a high-class kolehiyala and Victor, a construction worker. They are brought together and torn apart amidst the backdrop of the Philippines in the late ‘70s – brimming with disco fever but within the confines of Martial Law.

The show features Filipino disco favorites such as “Rock Baby Rock”, “Magsayawan”, and “Ipagpatawad Mo”, along with Bert de Leon’s “Hindi Ko Akalain, Roger Rigor’s “Ikaw ang Aking Pasko”, and Celso Llarina & Roger Rigor’s “Puwede Ba?”, all woven together by a libretto by Bibeth Orteza and transformed into dance by choreographers Carissa Adea, James Laforteza, and PJ Rebullida. It will be directed by BP artistic director Paul Alexander Morales.

Taking the lead roles of Victor and Teresa are two of Ballet Philippines’ legendary principal dancers: Nonoy Froilan and Edna Vida Froilan. Their younger selves will be portrayed by Jean Marc Cordero, Rita Angela Winder, Denise Parungao, and Garry Corpuz. 

Castelo: Emergency Powers Should Also Cover Aviations

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Addressing the country's aviation problems should be included in the emergency-powers measure being considered to enable the Duterte administration to effectively deal with the traffic crisis in Metro Manila. 

Quezon City Rep. Winston "Winnie " Castelo made the suggestion yesterday as he stressed the need for an "integrated and holistic approach to the traffic problem." 

"Metro Manila's traffic woes are just a manifestation of the decades of government's neglect of the country's transport infrastructure requirements," said Castelo, pointing out that the failure of past administrations to construct regional airports and expand the Ninoy Aquino International Airport have cause air-traffic congestion that also extends to road traffic congestion. 

"We need a complete and comprehensive transportation plan that covers land, air, and water," Castelo said. The chair of the House committee on Metro Manila development said aviation must be included in the emergency-powers bill because air traffic-congestion causes delays in take off and landing that bear huge economic losses and international embarrassment, said . 

"Also, NAIA has on always been listed among the worst airports in the world, which not only embarrasses Filipinos but more importantly discourages tourists and investors from coming to the country," he added. 

Flash PH Joins Lazada’s Annual Online Revolution Sale

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Another special treat from Flash Plus Philippines—one of Asia’s rising developers of lifestyle and smart devices—is coming your way this yuletide season as it joins the annual Online Revolution Sale of e-commerce giant, Lazada Philippines! This time, Flash offers its signature smartphone, the Flash Plus 2 (3GB), at the price of Php 6,990 for November 11 only.

Now, on its 4th year, the annual online sale will be bigger than ever. It will highlight some of the online shoppers’ most well-loved products from Lazada, including the Flash Plus 2.

“Flash Plus 2 has received positive reviews from its users as we launched it in the country earlier this year. As a way of giving back to our loyal customers, we tied up with Lazada’s annual product culmination in which they can purchase the Flash Plus 2 (3GB) at a more competitive price for a limited time only,” Sheree Gayas, Flash Philippines’ marketing manager.

The said smartphone boasts its future-forward attributes that bring superior durability, efficiency, and convenience to the users. These include high-definition phone camera, Hi-Fi audio capacity, and fingerprint recognition capabilities, all enclosed in a sleek metal case.


Sleek metal case
Flash Plus 2’s exterior is made more stylish with its aluminum case, which is also crafted to achieve superior durability through several kinds of metal polishing processes.

The case’s sides are treated with Bead Blasting textures, allowing for a sleek side view. The back panel, on the other hand, is treated with high-density hairline metal drawing processes for excellent grip and added protection against scratching.


HD camera phone

As a camera phone, Flash Plus 2 exhibits the same superior photography DNA, found in all Flash smartphone offerings. With its built-in high definition camera with a 13-megapixel rear lens, Flash Plus 2 allows you to take high definition photos and videos. It also adopts PDAF and contrast focusing features, which are useful for capturing fleeting moments.

It also makes shooting under dim light much easier with its built-in rear dual color flash lamp, RealTone, and front LED flash with Color Rendering Index.


Fingerprint recognition

Through the smartphone’s fingerprint recognition capability, you can now ensure optimum security and convenience in phone unlocking. This feature has a high accuracy level that responds in half a second. It can also safeguard all your apps and private folders by assigning specific fingerprint to access them. For instance, you can use your thumb to open your Facebook account, index to send an e-mail, among others.


Hi-Fi Audio

With Flash Plus 2, you can also have an immersive music experience. This is due to its high-fidelity amplifying functionality. It has a quality-retaining earphone acoustics, high sound volume effects, and MIX music production.

These are made possible through the independent AKM4375 audio decoding chip coupled with state-of-the-art IRD sound digital filter, with value-retaining signal output measuring up to high-fidelity acoustic effects.

Flash Plus 2 has two color options—Luna Silver and Venus Gold, which will all be available in Lazada’s Online Revolution Sale.

For more details, please visit the website at http://www.flash3c.com/ph.

Globe Network Investments to Amplify Benefits of New Spectrum Assets; Continuously Enhance Mobile Network

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Globe Telecom’s additional network investments will be used mainly to amplify benefits of the telecommunication operator’s new spectrum assets to further enhance its mobile services particularly for data.

The company recently announced an additional capital spend of $300 million for the year in an effort to continuously improve mobile data services. More than half of the additional capital expenditures or $160 million will be devoted to deploying cell sites using the 700 megahertz spectrum as well as additional spectrum in the 2600 MHz band, said Globe Chief Information and Technology Officer Gil Genio.

This year alone, the company has allotted around $400-$500 million in investments for mobile. The company expects to do more in the future, said Genio, speaking at the 1st DICT Summit in the country.

He said the company is targeting to roll out additional 700 sites for LTE 700 MHz in major cities in the country including Metro Manila, Metro Cebu and Metro Davao. So far, the company has around 260 LTE 700 MHz sites. The company also plans to deploy close to 2,700 sites for LTE 2600 band. Additional core and transport upgrades will also be undertaken, Genio said.

In addition to investments for mobile, Globe is also aggressively ramping up investments for its corporate data network with additional investment of $50 million, and for home broadband deployment with $90 million more capex.

During the conference, Genio also reiterated the need for the rationalization of permitting process for the establishments of cell sites. He revealed that Globe has a backlog of 3000 sites amid difficulties in securing permits from various local government units, homeowners associations and other government agencies. This is in light of the 4,500 sites committed by Globe to the NTC as part of a 3-year rollout plan as it acquired new telco assets from the SMC sellout.

“We need to dramatically improve cell site coverage in the Philippines,” Genio emphasized, noting that the country only has about 21,000 total cell sites compared about 55,000 in Vietnam. According to Genio, Globe is able to put up 400 to 500 towers every year, or half of its target of 1,000 sites due to permitting challenges.

Photo caption: Globe Chief Information and Technology Officer Gil Genio

Industry Experts to Answer Biggest Real Estate Questions at Lamudi Housing Fair

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From how to enter the Airbnb business to the benefits of a rent-to-own home, some of the property industry’s burning questions will be tackled by experts in the field

Several experts of the real estate industry will gather together and answer the most frequently asked questions regarding property buying, selling, and more at the Lamudi Housing Fair, happening on November 18–20, 2016, at Megatrade Hall 3, SM Megamall, Mandaluyong.

“We’re very excited to hold the first-ever Lamudi Housing Event. We’re working with a lot of great minds in the industry to ensure that attendees will come to the event and increase their knowledge of how to carry out their real estate transactions successfully, especially in the midst of the Philippine property boom,” said Lamudi Philippines founder and CEO Jacqueline van den Ende.

The three-day event will consist of several seminars covering various real estate topics from property buying and financing to selling and marketing, as well as predictions about the Philippine real estate landscape. The series of seminars will open with a talk from Colliers International Manager of Research Joey Bondoc on current market conditions and where the biggest investment opportunities can be found, as well as his outlook regarding the most profitable real estate locations in the Philippines.

Causes of Obesity We Need To Know

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Being overweight or being obese refers to the body weight that is greater than what is considered healthy for a certain height. Although many people consider losing weight, or make an effort to avoid being overweight or obese because of their physical appearance, there is more to it than meets the eye. Truthfully, there are serious health risks that we need to address when someone is overweight or obese. This is not just about how the clothes don’t fit well anymore, how it is hard to move and even have an active lifestyle. An overweight or obese person is at high risk in having chronic diseases such as Coronary Heart Disease, High Blood Pressure, Type 2 Diabetes, Gallstones and even cancer! To avoid having these health hazards, we must be able to avoid having excess weight or being obese—and by knowing the causes, we might be able to successfully avoid being obese!

Causes of Obesity:

1. Lack of Energy Balance – Lack of energy balance happens when one takes in more calories than what is used. Energy IN is the amount of calories you take while Energy OUT is the amount of calories you use. If there is no balance in the energy you take in and use up, the probability of weight gain is high.

2. Inactive Lifestyle – An inactive lifestyle is when you spend hours sitting down, watching TV and purposely choosing lying around than exercising. With this kind of lifestyle, weight gain is very much possible. This is because the amount of energy you are using is not the same as the energy you take in from food and drinks. When you prefer to ride cars, use elevators and escalators all the time, you are just putting your energy on rest which results to weight gain.

3. Environment – The place we live in, the place we are exposed to are a huge part of our health choices. Like the lack of affordable gym that people can use anytime, lack of sidewalks and bike lanes. Huge meal portions at restaurants, lack of healthy food choices that are made affordable for the general public. Even the working schedules are not health friendly at all. With this kind of environment, we are exposed to an unhealthy lifestyle/

4. Genes and Family History – Mostly, obesity is carried out because of family history. Families share food and activities together so if a family eats unhealthily and live a sedentary lifestyle, weight gain or even obesity may follow. This is because a person adapts the unhealthy lifestyle he/she gets exposed to.

5. Health Conditions – Some hormone problems may cause overweight and obesity, such as underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism), Cushing's syndrome, and polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS). Underactive thyroid is a condition in which the thyroid gland doesn't make enough thyroid hormone. Lack of thyroid hormone will slow down metabolism which causes weight gain. Cushing's syndrome is a condition in which the body's adrenal glands make too much of the hormone cortisol. Cushing's syndrome also can develop if a person takes high doses of certain medicines, such as prednisone, for long periods. People who have Cushing's syndrome gain weight, have upper-body obesity, a rounded face, fat around the neck, and thin arms and legs. PCOS or polycystic ovarian syndrome is a condition that affects about 5–10 percent of women of childbearing age. Women who have PCOS often are obese, have excess hair growth, and have reproductive problems and other health issues. These problems are caused by high levels of hormones called androgens.

Failing the Test of History: Privilege Speech on SC Decision Allowing Burial of Marcos in LNMB

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"Mr. President, I rise on a matter of personal and collective privilege.

I rise on behalf of Susan Quimpo, a prepubescent girl during the early years of Martial Law, who spent her weekends packing cooked rice for detainees at detention centers holding political prisoners. Five of her siblings were imprisoned during Martial law – all of them student activists belonging to the underground movement. Her brother Nathan, was stripped naked and clubbed several times by his captors. Her brother Jan, and I quote from her book Subversive Lives, “had his head repeatedly immersed in a commode filled with urine, water was injected into his testicles, and his feet were doused then jabbed with live wire.” Jan Quimpo joined the ranks of the desaparecidos, and the last conversation Susan had with him was when he asked her to leave some dinner. Another brother, Jun, was shot in Nueva Ecija in 1981.

I rise on behalf of Sixto Carlos, now a jolly man in his seventies with ruddy cheeks and an easy laugh. He was arrested with no charges filed in 1978 and put under solitary confinement for two years. He was viciously beaten, had boiling water poured at him, and was hung from the ceiling from his handcuffed hands. In his own words, he said, “I was held on either arm by two men and the third man sat on my lap. The blindfold was removed and replaced by a towel on my face. They commenced to put water over the towel on my face. I had the sensation of drowning." This is what is known as waterboarding, an innocuous name for a torture technique so repulsive and dehumanizing.

I rise on behalf of Etta Rosales, former Congresswoman and former Chairperson of the Commission on Human Rights, who was repeatedly raped and tortured during Martial Law. She recounts her torture under the hands of her prison guards: “They tried to make me speak by burning me, pouring what felt like hot wax from a burning candle on my arms and legs. When that didn’t work, they tore off my clothes, pressed the barrel of a gun against my temple and played Russian roulette.” When she was elected Congresswoman of Akbayan in 1998, she met one of her captors who had now become her colleague. “The last time I met you,” Etta said, with her trademark candor, “was in the military safehouse where I was tortured.”

I rise for them, and I rise for all the victims of Martial Law. Ako ay tumatayo sa harap ninyo ngayon alang-alang sa mga natorture, mga pinatay, mga kinulong ng rehimeng Marcos. Ako ay tumatayo alang-alang sa kanilang mga mahal sa buhay – mga magulang, asawa at anak na inulila ng diktadura. Para po sa kanila ang resolusyon na ihahain ko sa Senado ngayong hapon.

Top 5 Ways You Can Cultivate Poise like Audrey Hepburn

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Audrey Hepburn had it. Jacqueline Kennedy had it. Even Fred Astaire had it. They all had poise. And you can have it too.

By definition, poise is a self-confident manner or bearing that offers steadiness and stability. It is most often indicated in a particular way one carries himself or herself, and it can make the difference on whether you are respected as a business leader -- or not.

Poise is being aware of your surroundings and being flexible and adaptable. Poise is not something you are born with or can acquire overnight. It is something you must practice daily.

Here are a few ways you can cultivate poise:

1. Practice manners and etiquette.
First impressions count when meeting with someone. Stand tall and act confident (even when you don’t feel it). Give a firm handshake, offer an enthusiastic greeting and maintain eye contact. Always introduce yourself by saying your first and last name. If you forget someone’s name, don’t fret. Just say something like, “It’s been one of those days; please tell me your name again.”

Be mindful of how your behavior affects others and learn the proper etiquette of dining and socializing. People notice your manners, whether you are taking a co-worker to lunch, networking in a crowded room, negotiating a deal or simply interacting around the office.

Related: The Best 25 Motivational Quotes To Kick Start Every Morning

16th Achievers & Leaders Summit to be Held on Nov. 9 at EDSA Shangri-La Hotel

Wazzup Pilipinas!

We are inviting you to the 16th Achievers & Leaders Summit to be held on November 9, 2016 at 9 am onwards at EDSA Shangri-La Hotel. The summit has 6 speakers including Jacqueline Whitmore, a business etiquette expert, author and speaker who will talk about personal branding, among other things.

At a press conference held a day before the actual event, Salt & Light Ventures, together with event partner Flair Image Consultancy, brought in Jacqueline to meet with the members of the media, including bloggers. The press conference was held at Balboa restaurant located at the EDSA Shangri-La Mall, just a stone's throw away from the event venue, EDSA Shangri-La Hotel. The Philippine Daily Inquirer is also one of the main partners of the event.

Jacqueline said she will be talking three time at the event so you can be sure you won't miss her at any of your bathroom, smoking or coffee breaks. But who would want to miss out on the 6 top speakers who will share stories and information significant  to every leader and achiever.

Aside from Jacqueline, the summit will feature other experts and thought-leaders on the subject matter such as motivational speaker, Bo Sanchez, former Morgan Stanley CFO, now Chairman of International Care Ministries, David Sutherland, Chief Executive Officer of Investors in People Philippines, Gerry Plana, Managing Director of DSM Manila LLP, Carlo Mata, and Chief Learning Engineer of LinkOD Solutions, Luigi Mapa.

Also check out Jacqueline's book Business Class of which all of us who attended the press conference got a signed copy.

Since I will be attending the morning portion of the event, I will surely share with you again additional stories soon. For the meantime, below is my impromptu video interview with the organizers and Jacqueline during the press launch: