Suzuki Sets the Trend at the 13th Inside Racing Bike Festival and Tradeshow

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Suzuki sets the trend once more as the brand does another first at the 13th Inside Racing Bike Festival and Tradeshow (IRBFXIII) by merging fashion and style to each rider’s lifestyle at the World Trade Center (WTC) Manila on March 22 to 24. Suzuki gets to the rider’s individuality where they express themselves through their choice of motorcycles same way as they choose their clothing and accessories. Acknowledging the changing trends and the needs of the young market, Suzuki has shown that it is the fitted brand for the young riders and the young at heart as it brings together the things that they all love - style, fashion, self-expression, being unique and function.

Suzuki together with global homegrown brand – Bench proved that it does not only dominate the streets but that it can also warm up the runway through its latest motorcycles with their chic design and stylish colors that will surely make every heads turn. This is the experience that Suzuki brings to this year’s Inside Racing Bike Festival and Tradeshow – setting the trend while we all ride in fashion and style. Present during the event are Suzuki Philippines' executives President Hiroshi Suzuki, Managing Director Norminio Mojica, Director Keiichi Suzuki, General Manager for Motorcycle Sales and Marketing Jun Bulot and Marketing Head Monch Bontogon joined by the man behind IRBFXIII himself, Al Camba.

RIDES THAT WILL CHALLENGE MOTORCYCLE TRENDS

Suzuki also gives the market a glimpse of the future by showcasing its upcoming motorcycles for the year that will challenge the country's motorcycle trends. Fresh from its introduction in EICMA last year, Suzuki Philippines brings the New Katana at the IRBFXIII. A sure headturner, the bike made all the motorcycle fans excited for its arrival in the Philippines. Forging the new Suzuki bike as how the Japanese swordsmiths devote countless hours to produce their signature fine blade of the same name, the New Katana is the epitome of fine craftsmanship and pure functional beauty.

The brand also brought in the addition to the stylish and fashionable matte looks of the new fashion scooter – Skydrive Sport in its new colors Matte Black and Matte Blue as well as the no. 1 underbone leisure motorcycle Smash in Matte Blue, Matte Pink and Matte Red which will all be released soon. Being showcased as well are accessorized Skydrive Sport units by Koso Philippines and OKM Racing. The Underbone King – Raider R150 Fi and Carburetor (Combat Series) are also presented with select customized units by Suzuki riders. All these were displayed with fashion ensembles from Bench that match well with the bikes.

SKYDRIVE SPORT DANCE CONTEST

The brand rides along with the youth’s active lifestyle through the Skydrive Sport Online Dance Contest with the grand finals happening at the IRBFXIII. Four grand finalists from Quezon City, Caloocan, Cebu and Dumaguete battled it out on the dance floor with Mananayaw Four 2 Zero.

Realistic CGI: New Revolution in Product Photography

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CGI (Computer Generated Imagery) is as a result of technological advances that have revolutionized the world a great deal. The digitally enhanced images are rapidly gaining momentum in the photography world. The fascinating yet realistic results gets people thinking that the future of photography might soon belong to CGI. As people are getting more and more convinced of these pictures as real photos, the new product has several aspects to consider. Here is the good and the interesting bits about the new revolution of product photography:

CGI is perfect for shooting movies

A lot of the imagery displayed in the movies today are made possible by CGI. Ideally, some movies embrace a scientific fiction approach, which requires a special form of visualization. CGI along with augmented realities are used as a means to convey some life-looking creations like giant spaceships hovering on tall buildings.

CGI imagery for enhanced depth of items

If you have heard of 3D product rendering, then realistic CGI should not be a foreign concept. The CGI revolution features strong technical properties that will bring in new possibilities in enhanced depth of the products. The enhancement of the depths of products brings items to life. Users get a better experience with a complete immersion in the 3D imagery.

Showcasing a product before production

The marketing and advertising bit involved in the field of photography has become easier over time and complicated for those who do not understand technology. Shopping has gone one step ahead with the whole new online shopping experience. To keep improving it each day most of the brands have even gone down the road of hiring mystery shoppers . The CGI photography is also playing an important role for such businesses by changing the way products are envisioned to the public today. Before a product is officially released, this new technology allows manufacturers to project the product beforehand. The prototyping of products is also made easier, with minimal risks in translating the prototypes to reality.

For example, before a movie is released officially, adverts are projected dates before the premiere. This allows the market to build up tension, which is also beneficial for boosting the photography and videography business.

CGI is relatively forgiving on the wallet

CGI imagery may seem like an expensive affair, but it is not so much the case. In a photography business, sometimes it is simple to make a simple picture of one item by taking a real photo with a camera. However, when handling products in bulk that are urgent, you will need to invest a lot more in a studio and other photography equipment. At this, it is better to indulge in CGI which has imaging algorithms that are cost-pleasant. The computer-generated pictures are supreme in quality, and therefore, they reduce the effort that would go into capturing a perfect image.

Sense of uniqueness

The CGI revolution accentuates items to project an exceptional reality that is both thought and emotion provoking. The entire art brings about a sense of uniqueness, more especially in projecting the 3D product visualization. There is a lot of realism mixed with fantasy that merges to create the most unique photographs. Generally, the new revolution product is perfect for manufacturers to meet the demands of the market with outstanding projects to quench the creative thirst of the target audience.

Taking from the numerous advantages that technology has brought into the everyday life, it is safe to bet on CGI as the future of photography.

Dusit International Continues Expansion of its DusitD2 Brand in Dream Destinations in Thailand and Bhutan

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Dusit International, one of Thailand’s leading hotel and property development companies, has continued its global expansion by soft opening two new resorts under its upscale dusitD2 brand – dusitD2 Yarkay Thimphu, Bhutan and dusitD2 Ao Nang, Krabi (Thailand).

Opened on 15 December 2018, dusitD2 Ao Nang, Krabi puts guests within walking distance of the beach and other major attractions in this popular beach town, in Southern Thailand.

Besides 173 guest rooms and suites with a choice of sea, mountain or pool views, the family-friendly resort includes an All-Day-Dining restaurant, a lobby bar, an outdoor swimming pool with a separate children’s pool, a fitness centre, a spa, a 200 sq m ballroom, and an extensive children’s playground. Rock climbing excursions, jungle treks, and boat trips to nearby paradise islands can all be easily arranged at the hotel.

Opened on 19 December 2018, meanwhile, dusitD2 Yarkay Thimphu, Bhutan serves as the first and largest internationally-branded hotel in the enchanting kingdom. Drawing inspiration from the Four Harmonious Friends, a beloved national folktale about four animals working together to harvest fruit from a magical tree, each guest floor of the hotel is dedicated to a different animal from the tale. Colourful and contemporary motifs of the creatures adorn the walls of each of the 83 well-appointed guest rooms and suites.

Alongside a beautiful lobby showcasing local artworks, current hotel offerings include a Thai spa, a fully equipped gym and an international all-day-dining restaurant. A vibrant bar and the first authentic Thai restaurant in Bhutan will follow soon.

Popular attractions such as Buddha Point (Kuensel-Phodrang), the iconic Tashichho Dzong, the Royal Botanical Park, and Clock Tower Square are all easily accessible from the hotel’s prime inner-city location in the kingdom’s capital, Thimphu.

“Designed to reflect and anticipate the needs and desires of today’s hyper-connected travellers, our dusitD2 resorts feature a unique combination of comfort, convenience and style, creating vibrant places for guests to socialise and interact,” said Mr Lim Boon Kwee, Chief Operating Officer, Dusit International. “We are delighted to welcome dusitD2 Yarkay Thimphu, Bhutan and dusitD2 Ao Nang, Krabi to our fast-growing portfolio of global hotels, and we look forward to delighting guests with our unique brand of gracious hospitality.”

Special Opening Offers at both properties include 40% off the Dusit Best Available Rate, daily breakfast, exclusive dining discount and more great benefits.
For more information, please visit www.dusit.com

7 Philippine Folktales, Stories and Legends for Kids

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Philippines has a lot of indigenous tribe. Therefore, our country is rich with Filipino folklore stories. There are many Filipino folktales and famous Philippine legends that have been told throughout the years and have been taught in Philippine literature.


1. The Monkey and the Turtle

The Monkey and the Turtle is a perfect example of folktale short story written by Philippine national hero Jose Rizal. The story focuses on the monkey and turtle who started as friends. They both saw a floating banana plant on the water. They thought of splitting it so they could plan it. The monkey chose the upper part of the plant for he thought it was better. Meanwhile, the turtle got the bottom part with the roots so he grew an abundant plant. Since the turtle couldn’t climb the tree to get the fruits, he asked the monkey to get it for him. Instead, the monkey betrayed the turtle and ate every fruit. The turtle planned a revenge to him which ended to the monkey’s death. The friends of the monkey also planned a revenge but they did not win over the turtle.

2. Why the Fish has Scales

The Girl Who Turned into a Fish and Other Classic Philippine Water Tales as narrated by Maria Elena Paterno. This Filipino folktale talks about a beautiful girl who grew up being vain and spoiled. She was admiring her beauty by the river when the chief of crabs adored her beauty and spoke to her. She was shocked and shoved away the crab. In return, the chief scratched her face and cursed her to become a fish with many scales.

3. The Story of Piña

Why the Piña has a Hundred Eyes as narrated by Neni Sta. Romana-Cruz depicts the folktale about Pinang, an adorable yet lazy girl. The time came when her mother asked her to cook which she ignored at first. When she finally agreed to do it, she could not find the ladle. Her frustrated mother hoped that Pinang could grow hundred eyes for being lazy and so that she could find everything. Later on, Pinang disappeared and then a yellow fruit with hundred eyes grew in their backyard.

4. Mother Mountain

The Mother Mountain talks about a widow who lived with her two daughters that want nothing but to play. The mother asked her daughters to prepare their dinner as soon as she finishes work. By the time the mother came home, the daughters were not there so she cooked the dinner herself. As soon as the daughters came home, they saw their mother preparing dinner and yet decided to play again. The mother got frustrated and left the house. It was late night and the daughters followed her. Little do they know that their mother turned into a shape of mountain called Mt. Iraya.


Read the end of the article at https://kami.com.ph/82556-7-philippine-folktales-stories-legends-kids.html

Source: Kami Philippine News

Bacolod Real Estate Trend Report

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Lamudi recently produced a Trend Report on Bacolod. Thecwrite-up below provides an overview of the city and its people, and details the booming real estate industry.

Bacolod: The City of Smiles

HISTORY

Bacolod, nicknamed The City of Smiles is a friendly city filled with smiling faces in Western Visayas. It is the capital of the province of Negros Occidental and is the second most populous city in the Visayas after Cebu City.

Geographically, Bacolod is in the northwestern coast of the island of Negros, bounded on the north by the city of Talisay, on the east by the town of Murcia, and on the south by the city of Bago. To its west is the Guimaras Strait, which serves as a natural border to neighboring Western Visayas.

Bacolod started as a small settlement by the riverbank known as Magsungay early in the Spanish colonial period. It was not established as a town until about 1775 after the settlement was attacked by a datu, with the villagers transferring to a hilly area named Bacolod. Over the years, Bacolod was opened to agriculture and industry, inviting migration and expansion back towards the sea.

Bacolod was then declared capital of Negros Occidental in 1889 when the province of Negros was separated into two, with the other being Negros Oriental. It was then upgraded from a municipality to a city in 1938 by the 1st National Assembly of the Philippines, during the American colonial period.


POPULATION

The Bacolod of today is a highly urbanized city, with a population of about 562,000 people as of the 2015 census by the Philippine Statistics Authority, representing a 1.79 percent increase from the 2010 population of about 512,000 people. The population density was 3,500 per square kilometer.

LOCAL CULTURE

Bacolod is most known for its people’s warm nature. Bacolod is popular for its MassKara Festival, which runs through October and culminating at the fourth Sunday of the month. The festival started as a way to create a better atmosphere in Bacolod in 1980, as the city suffered from the Don Juan tragedy where a vessel collided with a tanker, leading to 750 lost lives. The masks worn during the festival helps Bacolod live up to its moniker ‘The City of Smiles,’ signifying that its people will triumph over any hardship.

The MassKara festival is now one of the major tourist attractions of the Philippines, filling the streets of Bacolod with street performances, beauty pageants, carnivals, food festivals, music concerts, and so much more.


PUBLIC FACILITIES & ESTABLISHMENTS

SCHOOLS

University of St. La Salle
University of Negros Occidental - Recoletos
STI West Negros University
La Consolacion College
Negros Occidental High School
Bacolod Tay Tung High School
St. John’s Institute
St. Joseph School- La Salle
Jack & Jill School Homesite
St. Benilde School Incorporated
St. Sebastian International School
Colegio San Agustin Bacolod

HOSPITALS

Dr. Pablo O. Torre Memorial Hospital
The Doctors’ Hospital

TOURIST SPOTS

Capitol Park and Lagoon
Negros Occidental Multi-Purpose Activity Center
Bacolod Arts & Youth Sports Center
Negros Museum
Art District
Lakawon Island
Campuestuhan
The Ruins
Don Salvador

RESTAURANTS

Delicioso
Chicken House
Bar 21
Sharyns Cansi House
Calea
Kaisei Japanese Restaurant
Kimstaurant Korean Restaurants

PLACES OF WORSHIP

San Sebastian Cathedral
Redemptorist Church
San Diego Cathedral
Our Lady Queen of Peace Parish

GOVERNMENT AGENCIES

Negros Occidental Provincial Capitol
The People’s House

TRANSPORTATION HUBS

Bacolod-Silay International Airport
Banago Wharf and BRECDO Port

MALLS

Robinsons Place Bacolod
SM City Bacolod
CityMall
888 China Town Square Complex
Centroplex
The District - North Point

NEIGHBORHOODS

Alijis
Estefania
Mansilingan
Tangub
Bata
Mandalagan
Villamonte


ECONOMIC BACKGROUND

The city of Bacolod is considered as the third-fastest growing economy in the Philippines in the information technology and business process outsourcing industries. It has received recommendations from the Department of Science and Technology’s Information and Communication Technology Office and the Business Processing Association of the Philippines as the best location in the Visayas for BPO activities. Bacolod was also declared in 2013 by the DOST as a Center of Excellence for IT-business process management operations, joining a prestigious group composed of Metro Manila, Metro Cebu, and the Clark Freeport Zone.

Major names in the BPO industry have set up shop in Bacolod, including Convergys, Teleperformance, iQor, and Transcom. Showing the importance of BPO companies in Bacolod’s economy, a 2-hectare portion of the 4-hectare Paglaum Sports Complex was partitioned in 2012 for the construction of the Negros First CyberCentre, which is a provincial government-owned IT-BPO Outsourcing Hub with a Php 674 million budget.

EMPLOYMENT OUTLOOK

Colliers International Philippines, in its Q1 2018 Provincial Property Market reports, also noted that Bacolod remains a preferred location for outsourcing operations, with voice BPO companies in continuous expansion while knowledge process outsourcing companies are considering the city as a potential location outside of Metro Manila. However, Colliers said that Bacolod’s talent pool would need to scale up if it wants to attract the interest of more KPO companies.

OFFICE AND COMMERCIAL SPACE

Colliers expects most office demand in Bacolod until 2020 to come from call centers, as well as KPO firms that provide financial technology, software engineering, and health information management services. The research firm expects office supply in the city to reach 128,500 sq.m. by 2020, which is a 20 percent increase compared to supply in 2017, and also forecasts vacancy maintaining at 4 percent to 5 percent per year to 2020.

Average office rental rates in Bacolod meanwhile is expected to increase by about 2% to 4% annually over the next few years, due to the sustained demand from both BPO and traditional companies.


REAL ESTATE OVERVIEW

The City of Smiles seems to be on a roll. Thanks to a booming economy, Bacolod’s real estate sector has been progressing remarkably well over the last few years and is expected to continue soaring to new heights in the next few years. With more and more property developers answering the growing demand for residential and commercial properties in and around Bacolod, the real estate landscape of Negros Occidental’s crown jewel is expected to evolve and be at the forefront of a property development boom in the Visayas.




Growth in property interest

According to data culled by Lamudi, the Philippines’ premier real estate platform, since the first semester of 2016, there has been an increasing trend among property seekers looking for potential homes in Bacolod all the way to the second semester of 2018. The average growth rate between 2016 and 2017 was somewhere between 14 percent and 15 percent, However, this average figure grew to 21.9 percent in 2018, a reflection of the increasing interest among property seekers looking for properties in the City of Smiles.


Key areas for real estate activity

Data from Lamudi show that the last quarter of 2018 had the highest volume of searches on residential properties in Bacolod. Comparing this period to 2017’s fourth quarter, there was a 50 percent increase in page views.

Similarly, in both 2017 and 2018, the most searched for areas in Bacolod among property seekers were those in Alijis, Estefania, Mansilingan, Tangub, Bata, Mandalagan, and Villamonte, where Megaworld’s The Upper East is located.

Close to 22 percent of property seekers who used Lamudi searched for potential homes in Alijis, a big jump from the 7.09 percent of property seekers who were interested in that area in 2017. Estefania, which ranked as the second most searched for area among property seekers looking for homes in Bacolod last year, also saw a big jump from the 2017 figure. In 2018, 13.99 percent of those who used Lamudi searched for potential properties in Estafania compared to 6.12 percent of property seekers who were looking for homes in that area in 2017.

Although Mansilingan was most searched for properties in Bacolod in 2017 among property seekers, it dropped to the third spot last year. Nonetheless, Mansilingan continued to be a sought after area in Bacolod, with 13.99 percent of property seekers looking for potential homes in that area last year. Other areas in Bacolod that property seekers have searched for last year were in Barangay 10, Barangay 28, Pahanocoy, and Sum-Ag.


Land Prices

As of 2018, the average price of a property in Bacolod is 5.46 million pesos while the average size of one is 932 square meters. In Alijis, the most searched for area among property seekers, the average price of a property there is Php3.76 million, with the average size of a property there is pegged at 228 square meters. In Villamonte the average price of a property there is Php28.2 million while the average size of one is 842 square meters.

In terms of monthly rentals, the average monthly rate for a property in The City of Smiles is Php19,934 while the average size of an area being rented out is 277 square meters.

FUTURE PROJECTS AND INFRASTRUCTURE

Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas - Bacolod Extension Office

Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas is constructing a 5,000 sq.m. property at the city’s reclamation area to offer improved services, particularly involving currency management, financial inclusion, and financial and economic awareness.

Provincial Administration Center

The government is allotting Php900 million pesos on the construction of a new Provincial Administration center, a 16,000 sqm lot located in front of the National Bureau of Investigation-Bacolod building.

Bacolod Economic Highway

This project is targeted for completion by the end of 2022. The project is a 21.8-kilometer, 4-lane road, including 3 bridges and a 2-way bike lane, that will serve as an alternate circumferential road bypassing Bacolod’s central business district.

Redevelopment of the Bacolod-Silay Airport

The project is meant to decongest the Bacolod-Silay Airport and enhance operating efficiency, safety, and security, as well as improve passenger amenities and the airport’s networking and marketing.

The project is slated for completion by the end of 2021.

Township projects by Megaworld

Megaworld is building The Upper East in Bacolod, a Php 28-billion township development that will host the city’s new and iconic 34-hectare central business district. The project will feature a mixture of residential condominiums, One Regis and Two Regis, shopping malls, mixed-use buildings, hotels, and state-of-the-art office towers, among many other structures. One of the highlights of the township is a New York-inspired lifestyle mall with several interconnected buildings, with one of those buildings to be inspired by the iconic Grand Central Station in New York City.

Another Megaworld township development in Bacolod is Northill Gateway, which will have upscale residential villages, a mixed-use office and retail development, and leisure and recreational amenities, located on the border of Bacolod and Talisay. The township will cover 50 hectares and will have direct access to the Bacolod-Silay Airport. It is also where the Philippines’ first Las Vegas-style ‘welcome marker’ is located, an iconic attraction that greets incoming and outgoing visitors.

MULAT: An Eye-opening Exhibit by UP PhotoS

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Kapag namulat ka na sa katotohan, kasalanan na ang pumikit.

UP Photographers’ Society presents MULAT, a socio-cultural exhibit showcasing the truth among social issues in our society. As the past exhibits of the organization focused on the beauty and aesthetic of the members’ photos, MULAT challenged Litratistas to tackle a social issue and interpret it through their shots. They also incorporated short captions related with their photographs which added depth and avenue for interpretation to highlighted social issue.

MULAT is a photography exhibit free for viewing at the Student Union Mural in the University of the Philippines Los Baños from April 10 to April 23, 2019. This exhibit aims its viewers to think about the photographs critically; furthermore, serves as an eye-opener to the current state of our society.

The exhibit is a major activity of UP Photographers’ Society or UP PhotoS, the premier photography organization in the University of the Philippines Los Baños which features different uniting themes every semester. The organization also conducts activities such as photography seminars featuring famous photographers in the country, photography workshops intending to educate its participants about the still media, and outreach programs aiming to give back to the community.

Nine Mindanaoans top Jr. NBA Philippines Regional Selection Camp in Butuan

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Jr. NBA Philippines presented by Alaska returned for the second consecutive year to Fr. Saturnino Urios University in Butuan City on April 13-14 and identified six boys and three girls to represent Mindanao at the National Training Camp in Metro Manila.

The Jr. NBA Philippines Regional Selection Camp, led by Coach Carlos Barroca of the NBA and former PBA players Tony dela Cruz and Willie Miller, hosted more than 500 campers, with the selected athletes excelling in a series of basketball activities and competition and exemplifying the core S.T.A.R. values of the game throughout the camp. They will advance to the National Training Camp on May 17-19 and join the best young athletes from the Regional Selection Camps and a select Alaska Power Camp group to vie to be named part of the 2019 Jr. NBA Philippines All-Star team.

“If they get in shape because they play very intense, then they have their chances. They have good quality, I think we were lucky we chose six good all-stars from the boy’s side and three on the girl’s side. They have their chances,” said Coach Carlos. “The way that they’re going to work from now to the day of the NTC is going to be really important. I told them that they need to work and get in better shape. So, it’s up to them now.”

The Jr. NBA Philippines All-Stars—comprised of as many as five boys and five girls—will join the first Jr. NBA Global Championship Asia Pacific Selection Camp, a week-long camp in June that includes top youth players from the Asia-Pacific region excluding China.

In addition, the Asia-Pacific regional competition will form a team of 10 boys and 10 girls that will represent the region at the Jr. NBA Global Championship on Aug. 6-11 at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex at Walt Disney World near Orlando, Florida. The international event will showcase talented youth from the United States, Canada, Latin America, Europe, the Middle East, China, Mexico, Africa, India and the Asia-Pacific.

Boys and girls aged 10-14 years old can still join the last Jr. NBA Philippines Regional Selection Camp this year in Metro Manila on April 27-28 by registering at www.jrnba.asia/philippines.

Jr. NBA Philippines 2019 is presented by Alaska, with AXA, Gatorade, Globe, Panasonic, Rexona and Vivo as official partners. ABS-CBN S+A, Basketball TV and NBA Premium TV are the official broadcasters of Jr. NBA Philippines.

For all things NBA, fans can follow Jr. NBA on Facebook and the NBA at www.nba.com and on Facebook and Twitter. Fans can visit www.alaskamilk.com to learn more about the Alaska Milk Corporation, and follow Alaska Milk on Facebook for more information about Alaska Sports.

The following is a complete list of participants selected from the Jr. NBA Philippines Regional Selection Camp in Butuan City advancing to the Jr. NBA Philippines National Training Camp:

BOYS ROSTER:

First Name	Last Name	Age	School
Apl McAndrei	Gemao	12	Corpus Christi School
Khyre Axxell	Ayao	13	General Santos City SPED Integrated School
Daniel John	Quijada	13	Holy Child College of Davao
James Felix	Rosario	13	Corpus Christi School
Nick Ivan	Tud	13	Cor Jesu College
Paolo Mathew	Kho	14	Corpus Christi School

GIRLS ROSTER:

First Name	Last Name	Age	School
Razzylla Jane	Lubrico	13	Corpus Christi School
Xaniah Venice	Ebajan	14	Corpus Christi School
Mikylla	Taborada	14	Corpus Christi School

Science Camp in Davao Highlights Why “Water is Life”

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The Climate Science Youth Camp (CSYC), one of the science promotion projects of the Department of Science and Technology-Science Education Institute (DOST-SEI), tackles a very timely issue with this year’s theme: H2O: Highlands to Oceans “Water is Life”.

The science camp is an annual “summer” event of the DOST-SEI. For its 2019 run on April 24 – May 3, campers will explore the Island Garden City of Samal in Davao del Norte.

Participants, composed of 40 high school students and 20 science teachers from various high schools in Region XI (Compostela Valley, Davao del Norte, Davao del Sur, Davao Occidental, Davao Oriental, and Davao City), will experience “camp life” and spend time in the hills and beaches of the island learning about the hydrological cycle and climate change.

The basic concepts of the hydrological cycle and climate change will be taught using fun, interactive learning modules prepared by some of the country’s top young scientists from the University of the Philippines-Marine Science Institute (UP-MSI) and the National Institutes of Geological Sciences (UP-NIGS) who will also act as camp facilitators.

Topics ranging from basic properties of water to global distribution of water, tracing the water cycle, and watersheds, as well as issues in climate change such as the climate of the Philippines and global warming, will be emphasized in the event. Participants will undertake actual community-based research, make their own assessments and formulate recommendations on possible measures for disaster mitigation and adaptation purposes based on the knowledge they gained from the camp.

DOST-SEI Director Dr. Josette Biyo is confident that CSYC will once again contribute to SEI’s vision of developing a pool of highly competitive S&T workforce in the country.

“The science camp perfectly complements our S&T scholarship programs. It’s always a delight to see our students’ interest in science ignited after their immersion in the camp and to see them inspired in starting their S&T careers with the challenges of their own communities on top of their minds,” Dr. Biyo said.

Since its 2013 run, the science camp has been bridging the basics of climate science and the technology of hazards assessment and reduction with the concepts of innovation and leadership among public high school students.

69th Carlos Palanca Memorial Awards for Literature, Now Accepting Entries

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The 69th year of the Carlos Palanca Memorial Awards for Literature, the longest-running and most prestigious literary contest in the country, is now accepting submissions to its regular categories stated below:

· Novel and Nobela categories

· English Division – Short Story, Short Story for Children, Essay, Poetry, Poetry Written for Children, One-act Play, and Full-length Play;

· Filipino Division – Maikling Kuwento, Maikling Kuwentong Pambata, Sanaysay, Tula, Tulang Para sa mga Bata, Dulang May Isang Yugto, Dulang Ganap ang Haba, and Dulang Pampelikula;

· Regional Languages Division – Short Story-Cebuano, Short Story-Hiligaynon, and Short Story-Ilokano.

The special Kabataan Division for young writers below 18 years of age is also now open for entries in its two categories: English and Filipino. Submissions must be informal (personal) essays that answer the question “At a time when spreading of misinformation is getting common, what can you do to help people, especially the youth, search for the truth?” (Kabataan Essay) and “Sa panahon na laganap ang pagkalat ng maling impormasyon, paano mo matutulungan ang mga tao, lalo na ang kabataan, na hanapin ang katotohanan?”(Kabataan Sanaysay).

The contest is open to all Filipino citizens or former Filipino citizens of all ages except current directors, officers, and employees of the Carlos Palanca Foundation, Inc. Authors who wish to join may submit only one (1) entry per category. THE DEADLINE OF SUBMISSION OF ENTRIES IS ON 31 MAY 2019.

Note that published/produced works which were first published or first produced between 1 June 2018 to 31 May 2019 and/or unpublished/unproduced works may be entered in the contest. For the Novel and Nobela categories, published works which were first published within a period of two (2) years prior to 31 May 2019, and unpublished works may be entered in the contest. Only unproduced works may be entered in the Dulang Pampelikula category. A work which has been awarded a prize in another contest before 12:00 m.n. of 31 May 2019 is not qualified for the awards.

All submissions must be printed copies. The Carlos Palanca Foundation will NOTaccept online or email submissions for all categories.

Established in 1950, the Carlos Palanca Awards for Literature honors the legacy of businessman and philanthropist Don Carlos Palanca Sr. It aims to develop and nurture Philippine literature by providing incentives for writers to craft their most outstanding literary work and to be a treasury of the Philippines’ literary gems and assist in its eventual dissemination.

For official contest rules and forms, visit the Palanca Foundation office at Ground Floor, Greenbelt Excelsior Bldg., 105 C. Palanca Street, Legaspi Village, Makati City. Participants may also contact the CPMA office through email at cpmawards@gmail.com or at (632) 843-8277 for further inquiries and other concerns. Ask for Leslie B. Layoso or Susan Castillo.

Visit the Palanca Foundation website for more details.

8th Philippine SME Business Expo and Conference to Open on May 02, 2019

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Philippines’ Largest Business-2-Business Expo, Conference, and Networking Event for Small and Medium Enterprises – the 8th Philippine SME Business Expo & Conference [PHILSME] is now all set to open its 8th edition on May 02, 2019 at the SMX Convention Center Manila, Mall of Asia Complex, Pasay City.

The event provides growth opportunities for Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) through a 2-day interactive business event composed of an expo and a 2-day business conference expecting to draw over 10,000 small and medium sized business owners, business professionals, and aspiring entrepreneurs. It will run from May 02-03, 2019.

A much bigger expo will be expected for this year featuring over 250 exhibiting brands offering various business solutions and opportunities such as IT solutions, business consultancy, logistics, financial technology, insurance, human resources & recruitment, office spaces, marketing & advertising, franchising, distributorship and many more.

Main highlight for this edition’s expo is the launching of the Innovations Village where technological start-up companies are now given the spotlight to showcase the latest technological business solutions to support SMEs.

“In this age of e-commerce, advancements in technology has been a pivotal machinery for most businesses today. This is the reason why this edition’s PHILSME is different – we invested in technology through the launching of the Innovations Village. We are excited to meet and explore a wide array of new and even more technological business solutions that will strengthen and empower the Small and Medium Enterprises here in the Philippines.” says PHILSME Founder and Mediacom Solutions, Inc. Chief Events Officer, David Abrenilla.

In addition, this edition’s business conference will feature over 20 business talks on areas of digital marketing, e-commerce, logistics, operations, finance, sales, information-technology, human resources, accounting and many more.  Negash Devata, General Manager for Cross-Border Trade from Paypal Southeast Asia and Mr. Mikey Asiddao, the Chief Information Officer of Fexco Philippines will be among the notable speakers for this year.

The 8th Philippine SME Business Expo & Conference is sponsored by LBC Express, Spaces, Esquire Financing, Zoho Corporation, Easy Debit by Fexco Philippines, Epson Philippines, Canon Marketing Philippines and Benchmark Email Philippines. PHILSME is also supported by the Department of Trade and Industry – Bureau of Small and Medium Enterprise Development, Filipino International Franchise Association, Australian-New Zealand Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines and the Cassava Growers and Processors Association.

For visitor inquiries and conference tickets, contact Sunshine Sy at +632-218-9517. +632-266-0092, +63-928-732-5557, or +63-927-395-1575 or send an email to sunshine@philsme.com

Connect with the SME community via Facebook at www.facebook.com/PhilippineSMEBusinessExpo

PICTURE 1. Various business leaders pose for a photo-op during the ribbon-cutting ceremony.
PICTURE 2. Director Jerry T. Clavesillas, Director of the Bureau of Small and Medium Enterprise Development of the Department of Trade and Industry, expresses his support in PHILSME’s endeavor to strengthen Small and Medium Enterprises.
PICTURE 3. International Office Space Company, Regus has been the Gold Sponsor of PHILSME for six consecutive editions. 
PICTURE 4. Transportify Philippines has been one of the business solution exhibitors of PHILSME related to logistics.
PICTURE 5. PHILSME is a suitable platform to meet and learn face-2-face from over 120 exhibitors offering over 250 top business solutions and opportunities.

MARINA Advocates Gender Equality in the Shipbuilding, Ship Repair Industry

Wazzup Pilipinas!

The Maritime Industry Authority, through the Shipyards Regulation Service (SRS), continues to advocate equal opportunities for both men and women in the shipbuilding and ship repair (SBSR) industry through a gender sensitivity workshop with SBSR stakeholders in Mindanao.

The MARINA believes that the active participation of every Filipino will lead to the fulfillment of the Maritime Industry Development Plan (MIDP) and part of it is employing more people in the maritime industry, regardless of gender.

Ms. Marichu Magpantay-Buergo, a Gender and Development (GAD) specialist, discussed the social construction of gender, concepts and tools for gender analysis, as well as gender-based inequalities in the society.

Buergo debunked the myth that men are stronger compared to women. She emphasized that no scientific study has proven the claim, clarifying that women may actually be stronger than men for their capability to carry an unborn child inside their bodies for nine months. She also highlighted that men and women only differed on their physiological aspect and biological make-up.

Finally, Buergo encouraged the participants to share their gained knowledge on gender sensitivity with their colleagues to further strengthen cooperation and oneness at the workplace.

To conclude, the MARINA reminded participants that a more inclusive and less discriminatory environment is instrumental in engaging more individuals in the maritime industry.

“This gender sensitivity workshop is not intended to devalue men by empowering women, but an opportunity to learn how to respect each and every individual," MARINA-SRS Director Engr. Ramon Hernandez said.

LRT 2 East Extension Project Enters Final Phase with Track Laying, EMS Installation

Wazzup Pilipinas!

The railway track laying and the electromechanical system (EMS) installation comprising Package 3 of the LRT 2 East Extension Project will kick off today, 16 April 2019, signaling the transition of the project into its final phase.

The EMS is comprised of the signaling system, overhead catenary system, telecommunications system, and the power supply and distribution system.

The winning contractor, the consortium of Marubeni Corporation and DM Consunji Inc., is set to start the track works and the integration of the EMS into the existing system, and these are expected to be completed by the fourth quarter of 2020.

Department of Transportation (DOTr) Secretary Arthur P. Tugade lauded the efficient implementation of the rail line extension project, citing its role in enhancing the mobility and connectivity within the Greater Manila Area.

According to Sec. Tugade, once the project is completed, travel time from Recto in Manila to Masinag in Antipolo, Rizal will be significantly reduced.

“To give the Filipinos a comfortable life as President Rodrigo Duterte directed, we at the DOTr are working on ways to efficiently and effectively ferry our commuters. The LRT 2 East Extension Project ranks among such projects, for this shall ease the travel of our kababayans coming from Rizal to Manila. Once this is completed, travel time from Recto to Masinag will be reduced to 40 minutes compared to up to three hours travel via bus or jeepney,” the transportation chief said.


Extension Project now 60% complete

Package 1 which involved the construction of a viaduct was completed in March 2017, while Package 2 which involved the construction of two stations is 78 percent done as of March 2019. Overall, the Line 2 East Extension Project is already 60 percent completed.

“The first two phases of the project had a smooth implementation. Today’s track laying and EMS installation signify the culmination of the project and the realization of the much-awaited answer to the clamor of the commuting public from the eastern areas of Metro Manila for a fast, affordable and convenient means of mass transit system,” LRTA Administrator Reynaldo Berroya emphasized.

The four-kilometer extension to the existing 13.8-kilometer LRT 2 line is expected to transport an additional 80,000 passengers daily from the current average daily ridership of 240,000, with two new stations, namely, Emerald Station in Marikina, and Masinag Station at the Masinag Junction in Antipolo City.

"The LRT 2 extension will provide a smoother commuting experience and, ultimately, a better quality of life for people in eastern Metro Manila. We appreciate the fact that Japanese technologies are utilized toward this end and contribute to the alleviation of the traffic congestion in Metro Manila," said Yoshio Wada, JICA Philippines Chief.


Private Partners

Marubeni and DMCI, whose partnership spans more than three decades, have expressed their commitment to the timely completion of the project.

"Both companies aim to further contribute to the social and economic growth of the Philippines," said Naoto Tago, President and CEO of Marubeni Philippines Corporation, and spokesperson for the consortium. “We understand the importance of this project to the Filipino people and we will make sure that we deliver a working, high-quality track works, and a functioning E&M system by the last quarter of 2020."

Currently, the LRT-2 System, with 11 stations and having its terminal stations at Santolan in Pasig and Recto in Manila, traverses the East-West routes of Metro Manila.

Child Star Jordan Lim, Mela Francisco Lead Araneta Center’s ‘Spacetacular Easter’

Wazzup Pilipinas!

An out-of-this-world party is happening at the Araneta Center this April 21, Easter Sunday. Leading the “eggs-ploration” in “Spacetacular Easter” are rising child star Jordan Lim, and the very cute Mela Francisco, daughter of “Pinoy Big Brother” couple Melai Cantiveros and Jason Francisco.Jordan, the nephew of actor Daniel Padilla, can be seen regularly on “Magandang Buhay” and “Home Sweetie Home.” He and Mela will be bonding with the kids who will sign up for the revelry at the Gateway Mall.

“Spacetacular Easter” will treat young participants and their families to a terrific time they will not forget. Registration starts at 11 am.

One of the highlights of the event is an egg hunt with a twist. Kids will have a grand time searching the grounds of the Gateway Mall, Ali Mall and Farmers Plaza for “cosmic eggs.” In exchange for these eggs, the kids who will find them will receive fantastic treats.

Participants aged 0 to 12 dressed as astronauts, space explorers, aliens, galaxy heroes and even cosmic figures may join the “Little Universe Costume Contest” at the Gateway Mall and Ali Mall, where exciting prizes await the winners.

Gateway Mall and Ali Mall will host a “Mad Science” show, which combines experiments and tricks that will definitely pique the interest of the young participants. A kiddie ball pit at the Farmers Plaza, meanwhile, will be decked out for a space travel feel. Families will also enjoy the photo booths and other activations in the three malls.

All kid registrants will receive loot bags and other freebies from Araneta Center and the event sponsors.

For more details, visit www.aranetacenter.net and follow our social media pages: @AranetaCenter on Facebook, @AranetaCenter on Twitter; and @thearanetacenter on Instagram.

PHLPost Releases Chief Justice Claudio Teehankee Birth Centenary Stamps

Wazzup Pilipinas!

The Philippine Postal Corporation (PHLPost) launched a new commemorative stamp featuring former Chief Justice Claudio Teehankee.

Chief Justice Claudio Teehankee was born on April 18, 1918. He served as the Philippines’ 16th Chief Justice, from 1987 to 1988. Scoring 94.35%, Teehankee was a prolific scholar. He became the first Atenean bar topnotcher in 1940 where he received his Law Degree from Ateneo de Manila.

In 1967, Teehankee was appointed as Secretary of Justice, and in the following year, he was then appointed as Associate Justice. In 1986, he was finally appointed to the position of Chief Justice by then President Corazon Aquino.

In his later years, Teehankee served the country by accepting the appointment as the Philippines’ ambassador to the United Nations. He passed away from cancer on November 27, 1989 at the age 71. His remains are interred at the Libingan ng mga Bayani.

The stamp features the Artist rendition of Chief Justice Claudio Teehankee and its official Centenary logo. In house graphic artist Victorino Z. Serevo designed the stamps. PHLPost has printed 25,000 copies of the single design P12 commemorative stamps.

Stamps and Official First Day Cover of the 100 Birth Centenary of Chief Justice Claudio Teehankee will be available starting April 18, 2019 at the Philatelic Counter, Manila Central Post Office, Liwasang Bonifacio 1000, Manila and all other Postal Areas of the Philippine Postal Corporation.

Dusit Princess Residences Dubai Marina Set to Open at the End of April

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Rebranded property replaces the Dusit Residence Dubai Marina under new franchise agreement

Dusit International, one of Thailand’s foremost hotel and property development companies, has signed a Franchise Agreement with Al Masar Hotel Management LLC, to upgrade the former Dusit Residence Dubai Marina to the Dusit Princess Residences Dubai Marina.

Located at the Marina, a popular tourist destination and preferred residential area just off the Dubai Technology and Media Free Zone, which includes Dubai Internet City, Dubai Media City and Dubai Knowledge Village, the 146-key property is currently being refurbished and will comprise Serviced Apartments, Holiday Homes and Residential units in a choice of one, two or three-bedroom configurations.

Designed to facilitate business and leisure, the upgraded property will feature meeting facilities, a fully equipped gym, a spa, a wellness-focused restaurant serving healthy and organic foods, and a bakery.

Damac Metro and Tram Stations, the Marina Mall, and The Beach Mall are all within walking distance. Attractions such as Mall of Emirates, Ski Dubai, Ibn Battuta Mall, Emirates Golf Club, Palm Jumeirah, Jumeirah Beach Park and Wild Wadi Water Park can all be reached in 10 – 15 minutes by car. The Dubai World 2020 Expo site is also only a short drive away.

“We are delighted to sign this franchise agreement with Al Masar Hotel Management LLC for Dusit Princess Residences Dubai Marina,” said Mr Lim Boon Kwee, Chief Operating Officer, Dusit International. “The comfort and convenience of the Dusit Princess brand, and the property’s prime location, make it an attractive proposition for anyone looking for a short- or long-term base in the city, especially with the Dubai Expo 2020 coming up.”

H.E. Abdulla Alnuaimi, Chairman, Al Masar Hotel Management LLC, said, “By signing this franchise agreement we can further position the property to delight residents and guests with Dusit’s unique brand of Thai-inspired gracious hospitality. And we look forward to establishing Dusit Princess Residences Dubai as the premier place to live, stay, visit and conduct business.”

Known globally for its distinctive brand of gracious hospitality inspired by authentic Thai values, Bangkok-based Dusit International opened its first hotel in the Middle East more than 15 years ago, in Dubai. Today, the company operates five hotels across the region, including three in the GCC – namely Dusit Thani Dubai, Dusit Thani Abu Dhabi, and dusitD2 Kenz Dubai. According to its plans, Dusit will have nine hotels in operation in the GCC by the end of the year.

Dusit Princess Residences Dubai will be the third Dusit-branded property in Dubai, following Dusit Thani Dubai and dusitD2 Kenz. A fourth Dusit-branded property, Dusit Princess Rijas, is slated to open in 2020.