Fifth East Asian Seas Youth Forum: A Call for Young Ocean Leaders

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Calling all youth! We need all hands on deck to collectively achieve the global ocean targets, and youth have a critical part to play. The experience of the East Asian Seas region for the past 25 years has shown that true sustainable development is only possible with integrated and multi-stakeholder cooperation.

Youth engagement supporting the sustainability of coasts and oceans has been a critical part of this journey. Youth continue to prove themselves active and dynamic agents, bringing bright ideas, powerful resolve, and the will to facilitate change by shaping the future they want.

I remember our Physics tutor, during our High School days, encouraging us to become more aware of the damage being done on our seas. However, our young minds were still more preoccupied with trivial stuff.

With this in mind, the East Asian Seas (EAS) Congress 2018 Secretariat calls for youth applicants to join the Fifth EAS Youth Forum (YF5) to be held at the Iloilo Convention Center, Iloilo, Philippines, on November 27-30, 2018.

Launched at the EAS Congress 2006, and now entering its fifth session, the YF5 is a key event of the EAS Congress, serving as a platform for young leaders in the region to get involved in coastal and ocean sustainability. Over the past decade, EAS Youth Forums have engaged and enabled over 200 youth, strengthening their capacity to deliver solutions for sustainable development of coasts and oceans in East Asia.

The theme for the Fifth EAS Youth Forum, “Moving as One with the Global Agenda: Active and Engaged Youth in the EAS Region”, invites young leaders in the region to take an active role in driving the sustainable development agenda for coasts and oceans in the region. The event offers youth an opportunity to develop their skills and grow as ocean professionals, young leaders, and future integrated coastal management (ICM) practitioners.

Apart from peer-to-peer learning discussions, team building activities and creative workshops, YF5 will launch the EAS Youth Programme that will provide a more sustainable platform for youth engagement on coastal and ocean development efforts in the region. Young leaders will also have opportunity to interact and engage, not only with each other, but with global leaders and professionals in coastal and ocean management. Event details can be found in the Fifth EAS Youth Forum Program.

EAS YF5 is open to youth from countries of the East Asian region: Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, PR China, DPR Korea, Indonesia, Japan, Lao PDR, Malaysia, the Philippines, RO Korea, Singapore, Thailand, Timor-Leste, and Viet Nam. Applicants should be 18-25 years of age, a university or graduate student, young professional or active member of a youth organization or institution working in the field of sustainable development.

Application guidelines and forms are available on the EAS Congress 2018 website. The deadline for applications is 31 May 2018.

Make the youth voice count in shaping the future of our shared seas, by becoming a YF5 delegate!

For more information about the Fifth EAS Youth Forum, please contact either the EAS Congress Secretariat at eascongress2018@pemsea.orgor the Youth Forum Coordinator, Mr. Michael Villanueva, at mvillanueva@pemsea.org.

This article was with contribution from a reputable tution agency in Singapore, https://smiletutor.sg

Claudia Barretto Launches Self-Titled Debut EP

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Claudia Barretto is ready to make her mark in the music industry with the release of her self-titled debut EP on May 18, 2018 (Friday), 8:00 p.m. at Yes Please, 11th Avenue corner 38th Street, Uptown Bonifacio, Taguig City.

Coming from a family of Filipino entertainment royalty, Claudia has opted to follow her passions and pursue a career in music, instead of following the path of her parents, sister, and aunts in the field of acting. The young, pretty, and talented singer, with her raw potential and certified hits will certainly be a force to reckon with in the years to come.

After months of anticipation, Universal Records proudly presents Claudia Barretto’s five-track debut EP. Leading up to the EP’s launch, three tracks, featuring different collaborations with local and internationally acclaimed artists have already been released. Her debut single ‘Stay,’ was written by popular singer-songwriter Moira dela Torre, garnering more than 1 million streams on Spotify, with its music video garnering over 500,000 views in just one month. Following this success, Claudia collaborated with Spotify Viral singer-songwriter-producer Fern. to produce the track ‘You’. In addition to this, she has also released the song ‘Finally Found It,’ which was well-received internationally and playlisted in countries such as Australia, New Zealand, Taiwan, Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, and the Philippines.

Rounding up her EP are previously unreleased track ‘Poison,’ and yet another exciting collaboration. The ‘Finally Found It - Remix’ features non-other than 2017’s 17-year-old American R&B rising artist Marteen. Cousin of breakout artist Kehlani, Marteen definitely adds more flavor to the hit song; a collab that will surely be a sure-fire hit.

Talking about the process of making her EP, Claudia says "Working on it was both a terrifying and exciting time for me. Terrifying because on the EP, I was really trying to get to know myself and find my identity as an artist, and exciting because I feel like after this, it’s clearer to me what I want to pursue in the future. I also love that I was able to collaborate with passionate people on this project - it has been a real honour to even be identified as an artist by these people, and I'm looking forward to make more music, this time with a more distinct sound. " 

Claudia's self-titled debut EP, featuring her singles 'Stay,’ 'You,' and 'Finally Found It,’ along with two new tracks, is now available on iTunes, Apple Music, Deezer, Amazon, and Spotify under Universal Records.

Follow Claudia on Instagram @claudia, on Twitter @barrettoclaudia, and on Facebook at Claudia Barretto (facebook.com/claudiabarrettomusic)

Don Moen Soon in Manila and Other PH Cities Starting July 4

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Don Moen, the singer-songwriter who achieved international prominence and success for his praise and worship music, is scheduled to return to the Philippines for a five-city concert tour that is set to start on July 4, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Presented by Ovation Productions, the five-date concert series also includes CPU in Iloilo on July 6, University of Baguio on July 8, Laus Event Centre in San Fernando, Pampanga on July 10, and Santa Rosa Sports Coliseum in Sta. Rosa, Laguna on July 11.

Don Moen’s set list will include the many praise and worship songs which are dearly loved by Filipinos such as “God Will Make A Way,” “Lord I Offer My Life To You,” “God Is Good All The Time,” “Give Thanks,” “Crown Him,” “I Want To Be Where You Are,” “Blessed Be The Name Of The Lord,” “Celebrate, Jesus, Celebrate,” “Great Is Thy Faithfulness,” “All We Like Sheep,” “Your Steadfast Love,” “I Will Sing” and many more.

Don has established a solid base of Pinoy fans and his music stands out for its straightforward simplicity that bares men’s souls before God, animated by his smooth tenor over catchy contemporary tunes.

While many worship leaders can reach only certain demographics, Don Moen, a frequent visitor to the Philippines during the past several years and whom people consider as the “Barry Manilow of Christian music”, can extend to and touch a cross-section of worshippers and believers from diverse social classes and religious beliefs, with many seniors and youngsters enjoying his songs.

(The Don Moen 2018 Philippine Tour is presented by Ovation Productions. For ticket prices and other inquiries, contact the following: Ticketnet 911-5555 for Manila concert; and SM Tickets 470-2222 for provincial concerts.)

Horizon Land Condo Communities Conducive for Families

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Family dwellings continue to evolve along with the massive urban development sweeping cities and reshaping the way people design, organize, and live out the life they aspire. While probably the most typical dream family abode is a charming house and lot in some suburban village, more Filipino parents now appreciate the value of raising their family in condominiums.

Horizon Land, a subsidiary of real estate developer, Federal Land, Inc. (FLI) recognizes this and continues to be committed to developing secure and family-friendly communities in the Philippines. FLI President Pascual Garcia points out, “For a lot of our home buyers, condo living is a choice. It’s what they want to call home.”  Garcia noted that home buyers’ decision to raise their families in a condo is usually influenced by three important factors that enable them to envision a happy and healthy life for their loved ones. 
Social environments. Finding a strategically located condo can make for positive social environments for the whole family. Proximity to good schools, workplaces, medical facilities, as well as lifestyle and entertainment centers affords not just conveniences but resources to help family members broaden their horizon, engage in fun educational activities, and discover urban adventures. Most of all, having almost everything within reach also means less commuting, less stress, and more time to be with the people who matter most.

Social relationships. A thoughtfully-designed condo offers living spaces that encourage family togetherness and shared amenities that provide opportunities to meet friends and cultivate a strong sense of community.  It’s easy to set up playdates, get-togethers with neighbors or organize interest groups. At best, you can get to know your neighbors well and instantly detecting when there are strangers in the building premises.  Also, you can easily call up the security, maintenance or administration personnel for assistance or during emergency, giving you that sense of support.

Safety and security.  Securing the family’s welfare is of course top priority and in a condo, these can be better managed. For instance, with outdoor facilities, kids play and bike in a contained area, not out on the streets. You don’t have to worry about strangers or unexpected people showing up at your door as guests can be screened at the lobby. Significantly, residential buildings usually come with security features such as high tech alarms and cameras, fire suppression systems, power generators and more.

It’s easy to understand why these factors are valuable to families – positive and safe social environments are conducive for fostering social relationships that are good for personal development, health, and well-being.  This is why Horizon Land creates accessible and nurturing homes and communities geared towards adding value to the lifestyles of individuals and families.

Horizon Land is the developer of Peninsula Garden Midtown Homes, an 8-tower residential garden community in Paco, Manila with more than 50% open area that allows for great outdoor adventures and enough space for relaxing and bonding with loved ones; Siena Towers, its latest development in Marikina – a 2-tower condominium along Marquinton Drive that offers dwellers a beautiful and secure home in a vibrant community with a mall a few steps away; and Palm Beach West, a 4-tower resort-inspired residential condominium development located within a master-planned community – Metro Park, in Bay Area, Pasay City.

To learn more about Horizon Land and the properties under its brand, log on to https://federalland.com.ph

DOE Commends Partners for Helping Rebuild Marawi’s Power Facilities

Wazzup Pilipinas!

The Department of Energy (DOE) on Thursday (18 May) held recognition rites at Mindanao State University-Marawi for partners and donors who have helped rebuild war-torn Marawi.

During the painstaking relief and rehabilitation activities in Marawi City, Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi vowed, “Dapat dito walang iwanan.”

“We did not abandon Marawi, we will never abandon Marawi, and we will continue doing the rehabilitation of Marawi,” the Energy chief emphasized.

“We had given all our ground personnel during the Marawi siege support, including security assistance from the military and even food,” he added.

Cusi commended  the heroic efforts of Task Force Bangon Marawi, Armed Forces of the Philippines, Association of Mindanao Electric Cooperatives, Philippine Rural Electric Cooperatives Association, Inc., National Grid Corporation of the Philippines, National Power Corporations, National Electrification Administration, and Lanao del Sur Electric Cooperative in securing the energy facilities, rehabilitating generation plants as well as transmission and distribution lines, and in ensuring the safety of all those helping in protecting and rebuilding the Marawi City.

The Energy chief also acknowledged the donations and support given by One Meralco Foundation, Aboitiz Power Corporation, Liter of Light, Pepsi Philippines, PHINMA Energy Corp., and the United States Agency for International Development- B LEADERS to the energy sector in Marawi City.

“Nakapagpatuloy po kami sa paglilingkod dahil sa inyong mga tumulong sa amin dito sa Marawi. Maraming salamat po at mabuhay kayo!” Cusi said. (We persevere in serving the people of Marawi because of the help you have extended to us. We thank all of you for your support," Cusi said.)

Angela Lee Remains as ONE Wen's Atomweight World Champion with Unanimous Decision Win Over Mei Yamaguchi

Wazzup Pilipinas!

The largest global sports media property in Asian history, ONE Championship™ (ONE), hosted another memorable and historic evening in its home-base of Singapore, as the capacity crowd at the Singapore Indoor Stadium witnessed an amazing display of heart-pounding martial arts action. ONE: UNSTOPPABLE DREAMS featured a series of compelling bouts, punctuated by three unforgettable championship clashes that left fans on the edge of their seats. In the main event, Angela Lee successfully defended the ONE Women’s Atomweight World Championship against Mei Yamaguchi. In the co-main event, Sam-A Gaiyanghadao scored a fourth-round knockout victory over Sergio Wielzen to capture the inaugural ONE Super Series Muay Thai Flyweight World Championship. Meanwhile, Martin Nguyen retained the ONE Featherweight World Championship, defeating Christian Lee via razor-thin split decision.

Visit the official ONE: UNSTOPPABLE DREAMS photo gallery by clicking: http://bit.ly/onephotos

In the main event of ONE: UNSTOPPABLE DREAMS, Angela “Unstoppable” Lee of Singapore continued her reign as the ONE Women’s Atomweight World Champion, notching a unanimous decision victory over Japan’s Mei “V.V” Yamaguchi. Lee and Yamaguchi traded heavy blows and showcased high-level, tactical grappling skills all throughout the bout to the delight of a packed Singapore Indoor Stadium crowd. Yamaguchi started out very strong in the early going, but Lee came close with several near-submissions. Throughout five gruelling rounds, Lee dug deep to show the heart of a champion, doing just enough to earn the unanimous decision win.

Angela Lee, ONE Women’s Atomweight World Champion, stated: “It's a huge night for me and my family. It’s not easy to do what we're doing inside the cage. Martial arts fans and their love for the sport are the reason why we're fighting. This is for you guys. Props to Mei Yamaguchi. She's an amazing and very talented competitor. Thank you for the opportunity.”

In the co-main event of the evening, Sam-A Gaiyanghadao of Thailand exhibited his stellar and fearsome form against Dutch kickboxer Sergio Wielzen to become the first-ever ONE Super Series Muay Thai Flyweight World Champion. Banking on his trademark power to dominate from start to finish, Sam-A hammered hard elbows to score a knockdown in the fourth round. Reeling in excruciating pain, Wielzen failed to beat the count of ten, compelling the referee to wave off the bout and declare Sam-A the winner via knockout.

Martin “The Situ-Asian” Nguyen of Australia successfully defended the ONE Featherweight World Championship title, defeating Singaporean rival Christian “The Warrior” Lee by way of closely-contested split decision. Neither would give each other any quarter for five whole rounds in the championship clash. Although Nguyen would have his moments on his feet in the first two rounds, most of the action took place in the grappling arena. Lee enjoyed a tremendous advantage on the ground, negating his opponent’s signature firepower. Determined to keep the gold-plated strap around his waist, Nguyen bombarded Lee with a barrage of solid punches midway of the third round. With lesser activity from Lee, Nguyen continued to press the action up to the final round to emerge victorious on two of the three judges’ scorecards, earning him the split decision win.

Yodsanklai IWE Fairtex of Thailand aced his maiden ONE Super Series assignment with flying colors, toppling Dutch-Congolese powerhouse Chris Ngimbi in their three-round kickboxing catchweight collision. Having a stationary target in front of him, Yodsanklai freely clobbered Ngimbi with solid left straights and harrowing right hooks from the get-go. Yodsanklai picked up the pace in the next two rounds of the bout, continuously pummeling Ngimbi with lashing kicks to the body. Yodsanklai closed out the final round of the match on a strong note, stifling Ngimbi with more offense. In the end, Yodsanklai’s dominant performance was rewarded by the three judges at cageside with a unanimous decision victory.

Japanese martial arts legend Shinya “Tobikan Judan” Aoki made quick work of Rasul Yakhyaev, submitting the grizzled Russian combatant in the very first round. The former ONE Lightweight World Champion got the job done by compelling Yakhyaev to wave the white flag, courtesy of a wrenching triangle choke submission.

Former ONE Lightweight World Champion Eduard “Landslide” Folayang of the Philippines showcased a dominant all-around performance in his much-awaited return, defeating previously-unbeaten Russian dynamo Kharun “The Predator” Atlangeriev. With the drive to reinsert his name into the winner’s column after a tough setback in November 2017, Folayang completely shut down Atlangeriev, keeping the Russian at the long end of his straight right hand and quick sidekicks to the body. Folayang also landed various flush shots and stuffed numerous takedowns to earn the unanimous decision victory.

Singaporean lightweight contender Amir Khan placed himself back on the winning track by routing Sung Jong Lee of South Korea via second-round technical knockout victory. Both men gave fans a spirited effort, which featured a healthy stream of action from both corners. Momentum started to shift into Khan’s favor in the dying moments of the opening stanza, as he caught Lee with a two-punch combination. Showcasing tremendous power with every strike, Khan stalked for the finish in the second round as Lee gasped for air due to exhaustion. Seeing an opportunity, Khan swarmed on Lee with a heavy downpour of punches, forcing the referee to wave it off and award the win to the Singaporean standout.

Making his ONE Super Series debut, celebrated Muay Thai legend Singtongnoi Por Telakun authored a spectacular performance to the delight of the crowd, outclassing WBC Muay Thai Super Bantamweight World Champion Joseph Lasiri. Despite the long layoff, Singtongnoi appeared that he did not miss a beat, dropping Lasiri twice in the first round and consistently connecting his signature sharp combinations. In the second round, Singtongnoi unleashed a torrent of impactful strikes, coercing the referee to step in and call a halt to the contest.

Xie Chao of China showcased incredible grit and toughness as he overcame a furious start from Cambodia’s Meas Meul, winning by technical knockout in the third round. Meul stormed out of the gates, immediately scoring a takedown and then positioning himself on top to pummel Xie with ground strikes. However, the complexion of the three-round featherweight clash started to change towards the end of the first round. Xie capitalized on an exhausted Meul and nearly ended matters on the ground with a deep rear-naked choke. In the succeeding rounds of the contest, Xie maneuvered his Cambodian foe on the mat effortlessly and drilled Meul with punishing ground-and-pound to claim the stoppage and the victory.

China’s Xie Bin spoiled the ONE Championship debut of Huang Shi Hao, thwarting the Singaporean newcomer by way of second-round technical knockout. After an intense first round which saw both athletes have their moments, Xie took advantage of an exhausted Shi Hao in the second round, securing the finish after blasting his Singaporean counterpart with a volley of punches and a knee strike to the midsection.

Kicking off ONE: UNSTOPPABLE DREAMS was a bantamweight encounter between “The Terminator” Sunoto of Indonesia and Roel “Akiyama” Rosauro of the Philippines. Leaning on his impeccable grappling, Sunoto burned out his opponent, consistently bringing Rosauro to the canvas and controlling the action with crisp ground strikes. With a dominant top game, Sunoto notched his third consecutive victory in 2018, defeating Rosauro as all three judges saw the bout in favor of the Indonesian to win by unanimous decision.

Official results for ONE: UNSTOPPABLE DREAMS

ONE Women’s Atomweight World Championship bout: Angela Lee defeats Mei Yamaguchi by Unanimous Decision (UD) after 5 rounds

ONE Super Series Muay Thai Flyweight World Championship bout: Sam-A Gaiyanghadao defeats Sergio Wielzen by Knockout (KO) at 2:47 minutes of round 4

ONE Featherweight World Championship bout: Martin Nguyen defeats Christian Lee by Split Decision (SD) after 5 rounds

ONE Super Series Kickboxing catchweight bout (72.5kg): Yodsanklai IWE Fairtex defeats Chris Ngimbi by Unanimous Decision (UD) after 3 rounds

Lightweight bout: Shinya Aoki defeats by Rasul Yakhyaev Submission (Triangle Choke) at 3:15 minutes of round 1

Lightweight bout: Eduard Folayang defeats Kharun Atlangeriev by Unanimous Decision (UD) after 3 rounds

Lightweight bout: Amir Khan defeats Sung Jong Lee by TKO (Strikes) at 3:39 minutes of round 2

ONE Super Series Muay Thai flyweight bout: Singtongnoi Por Telakun defeats Joseph Lasiri by TKO (Strikes) at 2:36 minutes of round 2

Featherweight bout: Xie Chao defeats Meas Meul TKO (Strikes)  at 1:10 minutes of round 3

Bantamweight bout: Xie Bin defeats Huang Shi Hao  by TKO (Corner Stoppage) at 2:26 minutes of round 2

Bantamweight bout: Sunoto defeats Roel Rosauro by Unanimous Decision (UD) after 3 rounds

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

DOTr Refutes False and Malicious Allegations Made by Asec. Mark Tolentino, says Mindanao Railway will be World-Class and Completed in 2021

Wazzup Pilipinas!

 

DOTr Undersecretary for Railways Timothy John Batan, fires back and refuted the false, misleading, and uninformed statements made by DOTr Assistant Secretary Mark Tolentino during an unauthorized press conference held yesterday afternoon, 18 May 2018, on the Mindanao Railway Project, and at media interviews that followed.

 

"I would like to think that what we have here is a miscommunication, resulting from a person's refusal to understand relevant issues, and what appears to be a trickle of malice," Usec. TJ Batan said.

 

During a presscon, Asec. Tolentino made a false allegation that he was being stopped from speaking about the Mindanao Railway Project. He said:

 

"Pinipigilan akong magsalita kasi I don't know why... I am authorized to talk... Unauthorized daw ako... I have a Special Order... Is there a sense to stop me... Anong basis nila to stop me.... Sabi [ni USec. Batan] stop it wag ka muna magsalita kasi I don't know kung ano mga palusot niya."

 

According to Usec. Batan, Asec. Tolentino's statements are false on two levels.

 

“One, Asec. Tolentino was not stopped from speaking, he was only asked to postpone his press con to give deference to ongoing high level discussions about the best strategy to implement Mindanao Railway; and two, Asec. Tolentino was fully informed of the reason why he was asked to postpone his press con, but he refused to listen and understand,” he said.

 

Usec. Batan clarified that he gave an instruction to Asec. Tolentino to defer, not to stop, the press con, so as not to pre-empt decisions that are yet to be discussed in a high level meeting.

 

"I told him, and I quote: Just to be clear, all I'm saying is for the press con to be postponed until after our strategy is firmed up based on the upcoming meeting of Ambassador Zhao and SoTr [Secretary of Transportation]. Let us please give deference to our principal, and not pre-empt him with a press con that will likely raise issues that we know will be the subject of upcoming principals' discussions," Usec. Batan said.

 

The ongoing multi-agency and government-to-government discussions are aimed at evaluating whether to finance Phase 1 of Mindanao Railway with Official Development Assistance (ODA) from China.

 

Since China already expressed intent to finance the future phases of Mindanao Railway, there is concern that if Phase 1 is not implemented by China, it will be more difficult to get China's support for the much longer future phases of the Mindanao Railway Project.

 

"Discussions are ongoing among the economic managers and between two governments on how to best ensure that the entire Mindanao Railway is built (not just a small part of it), and at the same time ensuring fast completion. What we are working on building is as much as 1,500-km. of railways in Mindanao. We cannot afford to be short-sighted, especially when the objective is that big," Usec. Batan said.

 

"These are the issues that are being discussed in ongoing high level discussions, which is why Asec. Tolentino was instructed to postpone his press con. The discussions are likely to be completed by next week, but apparently that's too long for Asec. Tolentino to wait. Ang mga usapan pong ‘yan ay hindi itinatago dahil involved po diyan hindi lamang ang DOTr management, kundi pati na rin po ang lahat ng ahensya na nangangasiwa sa Build Build Build program ni Pangulong Duterte. Gusto lang po sana naming mailatag ang buong stratehiya para sa Mindanao Railway, at ‘yan po ang dahilan kung bakit sana ay na postpone ang press con ni Asec. Tolentino as instructed," Usec. Batan added.

 

Usec. Batan further said "Sometimes it is easier to dismiss an issue by name-calling, instead of exerting effort to study and understand. Large scale infrastructure projects get built with hard work, diligence in understanding complex issues that ensure successful implementation, and perseverance in resolving issues that will lead to project failure. Mindanao Railway will not be built with name-calling, rumor mongering, and grandstanding."

 

For her part, DOTr Director for Communications Goddes Hope Libiran questioned Asec. Tolentino's claim that he has a Special Order authorizing him to speak about the Mindanao Railway.

 

“Two points. One, the same Special Order also states: "The Assistant Secretary shall directly report to the Secretary and Undersecretary for Railways;" and two, as explained by Usec. Batan to Asec. Tolentino, Sec. Tugade has issued a Memorandum setting a Media Affairs Protocol, which requires that before a press con is held, the endorsement of the concerned Undersecretary, the Director for Communications, and the Secretary are needed. Unfortunately, Asec. Tolentino defied that protocol,” she said.

 

“Asec. Mark Tolentino's press con yesterday was not only unauthorized pursuant to the DOTr media protocol-- it was held in defiance of clear, repeated, and explained instructions coming from me, Usec. Batan, and, most importantly, Sec. Tugade,” she added. 

Dir. Libiran likewise said she was dismayed by Asec. Tolentino’s arrogance and continued use of the name of President Duterte and certain “members of the first family” in his malicious and unfounded claims.

“When he was unauthorized and sanctioned by his superiors to hold the press con and was instructed to postpone it, he then publicly claimed that he is only accountable and responsible to the President, and that he has the blessing of “members of the first family”. That was on record. He’s an expert in name-droppings. In more times than three, he would name-drop relatives of the President to secure what he wants and impress people with his alleged connections. The Secretary and the management of DOTr just smile at his antics because we all know the personal directive of the President—no name-dropping of and by relatives of the President,” she said.

“Let me also point out that all of us are responsible and accountable to the President. But, saying that in the context of unfounded anger, setting aside the instruction of his undersecretary, Usec. TJ Batan, and DOTr Secretary Art Tugade, is arrogance in its highest order,” she added.

 

On dilawan, arrogance, and salivation for power

The DOTr wishes to clarify that this was not the first time for Asec. Tolentino to resort to name-calling when he said the following at his Friday afternoon presscon:

"Tapos somebody tries to stop this, she's just a director, can a director stop an Asec.? Can a director stop a presidential appointee? Yun ang tanong dito. And, I'm sure yung director na yan ang nag utos niya ay isang dilawan, so may dilawan po dito sa DOTr. And I'll assure you na malalaman po natin yan in the near future."

Unknown to many, Asec. Tolentino presented himself as a candidate for the position of Undersecretary for Railways when it was opened in November 2017.

“I think we have here a person salivating for power. And, he uses lies, deceit, arrogance, and misrepresentation just to satisfy his salivation. Just because he was not appointed as Usec. for Railways, to which he applied, and that Sec. Tugade and Malacañang opted to choose Usec TJ over him, manggugulo na siya. Ang ayos ayos na sa DOTr ngayon. ‘Wag niyang siraan at guluhin because of his unknown agenda. Sasabihin nya sa press con “Can a Director stop an Assistant Secretary? Can a Director stop a presidential appointee? Just to clarify, sinusunod ko lang po kung ano ang instruction sa akin. Ginagawa ko lang po ang trabaho ko. Ikaw, Sir, tanong ko lang. Can an Assistant Secretary grossly and intentionally defy orders from his Undersecretary, worse, his Secretary?,” Dir. Libiran said.

Short in experience and background in the railways sector, in large scale infrastructure development, and in transportation in general, he resorted to name calling and charging Usec. TJ Batan as "dilawan" for having started his public service in the previous administration.

Contrary to attempts at misinformation, Usec. Batan only joined the then DOTC towards the end of Oct. 2015, was with the DOTC for a little over 6 months, and was only a contractual employee.

Hence, the issue on "dilawan" which Asec. Tolentino appears to be unable to move on with has been raised and considered a non-issue when Sec. Tugade and Malacañang made a decision to appoint Usec. Batan as Undersecretary for Railways.

Mindanao Railway will be world-class and will finish in 2021

 

First funded in 1957 with Republic Act No. 2012, studied in 1995, studied in 2001, studied in 2009, and again studied in 2014, it was only under President Duterte's Build Build Build program that the Mindanao Railway was finally approved by the NEDA Board as a DOTr project in June 2017. Based on that approval, Phase 1 (Tagum-Davao-Digos) will be completed in 2021, and DOTr is on track with that completion date.

 

During the design process, which started in the 3rd quarter of 2017, Sec. Tugade gave firm instructions to double track and electrify Phase 1, to be of the same class as the railway projects being developed in Luzon.

 

This was the status of the Mindanao Railway Project even before Asec. Tolentino was appointed as Assistant Secretary in December 2017.

 

The DOTr, even before Asec. Tolentino's appointment, already achieved what has not been done in the last six decades -- to go beyond repeated studies, to get investment approval, and to swiftly advance the design process for Phase 1 of the Mindanao Railway.

 

Asec. Tolentino was naturally silent about it in his press con, but the timeline for Mindanao Railway was actually compromised because of a misinformed document that he issued in April 2018, which led to confusion and delay in the evaluation by the Government Procurement Policy Board (GPPB) of a DOTr request. That confusion has since been clarified, and DOTr and GPPB are currently catching up to close the delay caused by Asec. Tolentino.

 

 “I assure the public that we, at the DOTr, under the leadership of Secretary Tugade will not let anything derail the Mindanao Railway Project. We treat this as a priority project. Our brothers and sisters in Mindanao deserve the best, and we will deliver it to them, as promised by President Duterte,” Usec. TJ Batan said.

Lamudi PH Gears Up for Second Affordable Housing Fair

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Now on its second year, the Lamudi Housing Fair continues its goal of bringing aspiring homeowners closer to the most affordable properties in the Philippines.

Leading Philippine real estate website Lamudi Philippines is once again gearing up to help hardworking Filipinos finally achieve their dream of homeownership with the second installment of the Lamudi Affordable Housing Fair happening at the Glorietta Activity Center on June 30 and July 1. Similar to last year’s successful first run attended by more than five thousand visitors, this will be a platform that will bring together some of the biggest names in affordable real estate in the country.

“As industry experts have alluded to repeatedly, the low number of affordable homes in the Philippines is a growing issue. Many Filipinos who work hard to provide for their families want a home to call their own, and more often than not, low-cost properties are the more viable option. Unfortunately, these options are not enough,” Lamudi CEO and Managing Director Bhavna Suresh Chathambeth said. “As we have witnessed during the first Lamudi Affordable Housing Fair, there is indeed a great demand for affordable residential properties, which is why we are just as excited now for the second year of the affordable housing fair series.”

Several low-cost residential options will be presented by the most prominent property brands brands in the country. Attendees can look forward to top-notch developments with attractive prices and payment options offered by Ayala Land, Filinvest, Data Land, and Profriends, among others. Investors who are in the market for foreclosures will have the chance to purchase their dream home during the event’s property auctions.

As an event that will also serve as a learning venue, the housing fair will likewise host a number of speakers who will provide audiences with buying, selling, and investment tips. Talks covering everything from investing to applying for a home loan will be hosted by real estate brokers and government representatives, among others.

On top of property displays, exclusive discounts, and informative seminars, the event will be hosting several exciting games and raffles. Various event sponsors will also provide guests with fun freebies.

Join us for two days of property showcases, informative seminars, real estate auctions, and exciting games and prizes at the Lamudi Affordable Housing Fair happening at the Glorietta Activity Center on June 30 to July 1, 2018 from 11AM to 10PM. For more information about one of the most exciting housing events of the year, visit the official website.

Seascape Village: The Newest Foodie Destination in the Metro with a View of the Glorious Manila Bay Sunset

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Seascape Village is inviting foodies galore to experience what is now a vibrant append to our country's enthralling Manila Bay. 

Aside from the Filipino, Asian, and fusion cuisines, and a wet and dry market that features fresh seafood trading, it is also a place where dining customers can enjoy an unobstructed view of the glorious Manila Bay sunset.

At a food crawl held on May 17, 2018, we got to try out some of the specialty dishes of around 9 of the 13 restaurants there (so far) as this Phase 1 of their development is just seemingly the tip of the iceberg. There are more coming up soon especially when the next phases enters the scene. We've heard some promising developments soon that will make the place a lot more enticing as a hang-out. Think of a seaside hang-out that would be quite interesting for both Millennials and Feellenials (Feeling Millennials) or Millenniors (Millennial Seniors).

Seriously, you'll soon give in to that need to discover the sumptuous array of seafood (and a lot more) brought to you by innovative restaurants all packed into one eye-catching location. We truly believe the Sofitel hotel nearby would now have a tough competition soon. Well, at least for food choices for now. I can see the hotel guests dropping by soon as the price range of the dishes here are definitely way lower than what are available at the hotel.

All offering internationally-themed dishes, Seascape Village could be among the popular foodie hangouts. We have to invite you and your friends to food crawl all you want (just like what we did), while relishing that beautiful sight of Manila Bay's sparkling yet ethereal waves quite visibly enchanting especially during sunset. Therefore bring your cameras or smartphones to take not only photos of your food but also of the amazing seascape.

SGX Bull Charge Welcomes ONE Championship as Official Fitness Partner

Wazzup Pilipinas!

SGX Bull Charge, Singapore Exchange’s (SGX) flagship charity initiative, today welcomed ONE Championship as its official fitness partner for 2018. The highlight of the collaboration will be a mentoring programme pairing martial arts athletes with underprivileged youths.

Local martial arts heroes Christian Lee and Amir Khan conducted an introductory workshop on the sidelines of a partnership launch ceremony at SGX Centre – a preview of the mentoring programme, where ONE Championship athletes will team up with youths selected from SGX Bull Charge beneficiaries.

Launched in 2004, SGX Bull Charge is the only corporate charity initiative that brings together Singapore’s financial community and listed companies to support the needs of underprivileged children and families, persons with disabilities, as well as the elderly. It has raised more than $30 million for over 50 charities.

Chew Sutat, SGX Bull Charge Chairman and Head of Equities & Fixed Income, said, “We are delighted to welcome ONE Championship on this meaningful journey. Through martial arts, they have captured the imagination of millions and inspired young people to become champions in their own way. We are also excited about the mentoring programme, which will offer youths from our beneficiaries a unique opportunity to channel their energy positively and pick up life values such as integrity, discipline and courage.”

Teh Hua Fung, Chief Financial Officer of ONE Championship, said, “ONE Championship takes pride and joy in working with today’s youth, and we have executed many initiatives towards this cause. This latest collaboration with SGX Bull Charge will allow ONE to further expand on our efforts to bring martial arts closer to the fans, by working with the youth. The mentoring programme can motivate low-income or troubled youth and keep them off the streets, providing them an avenue towards learning through martial arts. Even more, the youth have a unique opportunity to pick up martial arts and learn all of its amazing lessons and values. This is a tremendous opportunity for all of us to give back to the community and to have fun through sports at the same time.’’