Ship owners to receive financial assistance, returning seafarers to get free COVID-19 testing

Wazzup Pilipinas!


The critically-impacted Maritime Sector will get needed relief as the Department of Transportation (DOTr), through the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA), is set to waive the collection of some port fees for shipping companies/operators, and provide returning seafarers with free coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) testing.

The said initiatives will be implemented starting 01 December 2020, following the provisions under RA 11494, also known as the “Bayanihan to Recover as One Act” (Bayanihan 2).

To reduce the adverse effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on the shipping industry, the amount of P250 million will be utilized as financial assistance to subsidize the fees to be collected from domestic shipping owners, specifically, dockage (domestic) and lay-up fee (domestic).

For shipping companies/operators to avail of the financial assistance, they must be a holder of a valid Certificate of Public Convenience (CPC), Provisional Authority (PA), or Special Permit (SP) issued by the Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA). Additionally, shipping companies/operators must be a holder of a valid accreditation certificate issued by PPA. Shipping companies/operators who have pending applications for accreditation are also eligible, unless otherwise said application has been denied by PPA.

The financial assistance shall also be on a ‘first come, first served’ and per vessel, per transaction bases.

Meanwhile, the other financial assistance amounting to P270 million allocated for the Maritime Sector will be utilized to fund the COVID-19 testing of returning Filipino seafarers.

Only inbound or returning Filipino seafarers who have disembarked through Philippine ports and airports are entitled to avail of the free COVID-19 testing, as covered by the Bayanihan 2 fund. This will be conducted by a service provider to be sourced by the PPA.

DOTr Secretary Arthur P. Tugade said the financial assistance, in the form of the waived fees and free COVID-19 testing, will be of great help to maritime workers who were greatly affected by the economic downturn.

“Patunay ‘ho ito na hindi pinapabayaan ng ating mahal na Pangulo ang ating mga kababayan, lalo na ang mga bayani nating seafarers. Malaking tulong ito sa kanila lalo pa’t wala pang kasiguraduhan kung kailan matatapos itong pandemya,” the transportation chief said.

For his part, PPA General Manager Jay Daniel Santiago affirmed that the financial assistance will be implemented immediately.

“We are grateful for the support coming from our beloved President Rodrigo Duterte for the allocation of funds to the critically-impacted Maritime sector. Ever since the COVID-19 broke out, our maritime workers have been vital to keep the economy thriving. They are also considered as frontline workers during these challenging times and so we will implement this as soon as possible,” GM Santiago said.

Suicide Incident at SM Megamall

Wazzup Pilipinas!

The afternoon sun kisses the 50-story SM Megamall Tower which is recognized for its sophisticated S-shape elevation, while the cube-like metal sculpture designed by National Artist for Visual Arts Arturo Luz that spruced up the BDO Corporate Center seems like a jealous spectator. 

But then again, the beautiful scenery outside does not totally make up for the horrible incident that just happened. An incident that has been happening for years but is never highlighted in the news.

I do not know when, but it seems like an hour ago, a woman had jumped from the 4th floor of SM Megamall. There are videos and photos circling around, most likely without trigger warnings, so please be careful when seeing tweets about it.

Another suicide incident in Megamall today. I saw the picture and my hand is shaking and I really can't afford to share or even stare it for a long time.

I am also seeing many tweets, telling people to not kill themselves because it upsets the people around them. Please, DO NOT EVER, say this to anyone who is thinking about committing suicide, are depressed or just are sad.

Guilting someone to not kill themselves is insensitive and triggering. You are doing more harm than good. Please just offer patience, understanding and an ear to those that need help.

That Megamall incident is a chilling incident. I'm at a loss for words. 

Just before lunch, the basement level is abuzz talking about the jumper. No other details. Security have cordoned off the elevator so that people will not see the blood. Guards have also surrounded and are covering by holding up tarp.

Friends, don't hesitate to reach us out when it comes to your problems. We are here to listen. 

SM Supermalls released a statement of the said incident:

"There was an incident in SM Megamall involving a female customer. Our Emergency Response Team was immediately on site and took the person to the nearby hospital. A joint investigation with the local PNP is already ongoing."

#MentalHealthMatters

Dwight Ramos: Just hand the UAAP trophy to Ateneo

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Gilas Pilipinas cadets blow out Thailand in the first of their two games in the FIBA Asia Cup qualifiers, 93-61!

Dwight Ramos shows off with a 20-point effort on a perfect 7/7 clip from the field. 

With 20 points, it was perfect game was an out-of-body experience. Congrats to you and to the rest of the team!

No wonder he is trending. The Philippines is so proud of him. Keep the rhythm going. Laban Pilipinas! 

Remember when they said “after Thirdy Ravena, wala na yan. makukuha na championship sa kanila”? 

OK SORRY SIR BUT—DWIGHT RAMOS IS MAKING HIS OWN LEGACY IN PHILIPPINE BASKETBALL

Dwight Ramos led Gilas with 20pts (perfect from the field 5/5 from 2, 2/2 from 3 and 4/4 FTs) also with 7rebs, 3asts, 3stls.

Ganda ng laro ni Dwight Ramos sa first half 

Hard work + inspired by KKD = beast mode

On the day Thirdy Ravena takes a rest from flying in Japan, heir apparent Dwight Ramos takes flight in Bahrain.

Dwight Ramos is PBA ready. Body, skills, shooting and IQ is pro-level already. Scary thing is, he has 2 more years of eligibility with Ateneo.

Dwight Ramos is killing. Showing more of his game. This dude is going to be a problem for other schools in the UAAP, especially since he's playing in Tab Baldwin's system.

and there's Eli Ramos, imagine if he's as good as his brother. 

Baltazar also has been solid. Actually everyone pretty much playing well.

Dwight Ramos is really scary. HE THE ONE!!! Handa na ba UAAP?

Just hand the UAAP trophy to Ateneo.

Lock them up!: Roque and Pacquiao Violated IATF Health and Safety Protocols

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Manny Pacquaio in Batangas and Harry Roque in Cebu violating the ban on mass gatherings!

IATF, look who are blatantly violating the health protocols! Show your fangs with fairness and justice in implementing your rules! The pics said it all! Need we say more?!

Seriously we should just quarantine all  16,600,000 to 24,000,000 yawa. They're the reason why we suffer today as their hive lord refused to follow Taiwan's lead.

Lock them up! Sila mismo lumalabag sa mga patakaran ng IATF!

As of 3PM yesterday, November 27, 2020, the Provincial Department of Health Office reports 67 new confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Batangas Province. The total number of cases is now at 10,645.

PDOHO also reports 57 new recoveries. 

I'm sure Cebu is no exception since they've been in the news too for having too high number of Covid-19 cases.

What are these two doing? Are they doing early campaigns for 2022? They will deny, but the obvious is just too obvious to deny.

#MckinleyHillFloatInCinema in Taguig will soon offer something unique

Wazzup Pilipinas!

"Whatever you can do  or dream,  you can begin it. " - JohannWolfgang von Goethe

Fancy a gondola ride and a movie? You’ve heard of drive-in theaters, but what about sail-in ones? They are taking pandemic dates up a notch.

Taguig City will be hosting Megaworld Cinemas' new way to watch movies outdoors. 

Did anyone say "float-in cinema"? Taguig's gotchu fam. 

From drive-in to float-in! How cool is that? Hope there are no mosquitoes.

This mall in Taguig is brewing something interesting for moviegoers in the Metro. 

"With open-air cinemas slowly becoming the norm in the Philippines amid the pandemic, a local mall has announced the opening of a float-in cinema in December." 

This float-in cinema is coming to the Philippines this December. McKinley Hill in Taguig is leveling up the movie-going game by launching the first and only float-in cinema in the Philippines just in time for the holidays. Oh man, this will be crowded. I hope they still practice social distancing otherwise the crowd's souls may soon be floating up to heaven.

Venice Piazza in McKinley Hill: We find ways, too!

How much naman tong Float-in cinema na ito.

Find out the ticket price and some guidelines.

"Catching a movie has taken a completely different meaning amid the pandemic. There are plenty of streaming services for binge-watching on the weekends. Local film festivals have figured out an on-demand scheme to simulate the feel of a busy movie week, except you're still on your pajamas. A mall in Pasay City opened a drive-in cinema in September to ensure that moviegoers are far away from other people as possible. McKinley Hill in Taguig is taking things a bit further by launching the first and only float-in cinema in the Philippines.

McKinley Hill’s Float-In Cinema is opening in December at the Venice Grand Canal Mall, which is located in McKinley Hill and known for its gondola ride inspired by the Italian town. Admission is at P500 per head, which is inclusive of a medium popcorn and bottled water. Each gondola can fit up to two people. Movies will be projected on a 12.7 m x 6.7 m giant screen along the Grand Canal; and for a better experience, personal earphones will be plugged in to the gondolas. Moviegoers are encouraged to wear masks at all times." - Spotdotph

What if someone needs to pee? They get rowed to the washroom?

Thirdy Ravena tests positive for COVID-19 in Japan

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Thirdy Ravena positive for COVID-19, his team, San-En Neophoenix announced through a Facebook post.

"Ravena had sore throat and malaise with 38.2°C fever before getting tested at Toyohashi. His fever went down and is receiving medical attention."

"Today, we were told that Ravena tested positive for COVID-19 from the medical institution [in Toyohashi]. Please support him for [his] recovery." 

I'm still in shock because of the game of Ginebra and Meralco, then I'm proud and happy for Gilas. I freakin’ saw Bea did tiktok for the first time, then suddenly here’s a news that Thirdy just tested positive with Covid-19. What a night!

I knew it's gonna happen sobrang pasaway mga hapon kaya ang data dito keep rising 1,000 plus everyday nadaragdag sa data.

So mas mhigpit pa yung health protocol ng PBA? OMG...get well soon, Thirdy Ravena

Hope  and praying for a speedy recovery!

His dad, TNT head coach Bong Ravena said that Thirdy will continue working out during his 14-day quarantine. 

Talk about bittersweet.

I feel bad for head coach Bong Ravena. He's gotta be torn between the joy of watching TNT clinch a Finals berth and the sadness of hearing about his son Thirdy's positive Covid-19 test in a distant land.

Thoughts and prayers for his family. 

#IkawAngLiwanagAtLigaya: ABS-CBN Christmas Station ID Continues to Rule

Wazzup Pilipinas!

ABS-CBN CHRISTMAS STATION IS SO LIT. 

As expected, ABS-CBN never fails to make Filipino feel the season of Christmas.

That portion highlighting diversity of language manifests that ABS-CBN is inarguably in and for the service of the Filipino worldwide. 

It shows that ABS-CBN still makes the best Christmas Station ID.

An official hashtag for the project was also released: #IkawAngLiwanagAtLigaya, a message that signals hope during the challenging times Filipinos continue to power through. 

Not Surprisingly Beautiful..  Keep it up ABS-CBN. Continue to slay them with your prominence in coming up with fabulous Christmas station IDs.

ABS-CBN CSID Lyrics Vid - 272K views in 1 hour

GMA CSID Lyrics Vid - 234K views in 1 week.

Ginalingan at tinudo na nila this year. ABS-CBN never fails us to send the spirit of Christmas every year.

The ABS-CBN Station ID is one of the things that excites me every Christmas Season. The lyrics the melody and the music as a whole hits differently, thank you ABS-CBN for giving us another masterpiece.

1 MILLION VIEWS on Facebook in just 1 hour and 45 minutes 

RECORD BREAKING talaga! ABS-CBN Christans Station ID Lyric Video pumalo agad ng 2Million Views in just less than 3Hours.

Narito ang Tally of Views as of 10:40PM

Facebook: 1,600,000

YouTube: 395,000

Twitter: 84,000

Instagram: 32,000 

No shutdown can stop ABS-CBN from producing quality Christmas lyric video. May lalim, may kahulugan. When you spell excellence, it's A.B.S.-C.B.N. 

Inspite of everything they've gone through,  ABS-CBN is still the star that continues to shine. 

Let us all spead love and positivity.. Enough of toxicity.. 

When I heard the full version of #IkawAngLiwanagAtLigaya CSID of ABS-CBN, something captured me. The song lyrics tell us the story- the summary of what they've been through this year. As a station. For their talent/artist and employees. 

Iba pa rin talaga ang ABS-CBN. No one can dethrone them when it comes to CSID.

Relevance-100%

Audience Recall-100%

Star Power- 100%

LSS agad agad!

#IkawAngLiwanagAtLigaya rules!

I super loved all from lyrics to melody!! 

Grabe! Lalo ma yung rap part na ibat ibang lenguahe.

Something to keep us going, despite all that’s happening. —As Thomas Fuller said, “The darkest hour is just before the dawn.”

At our lowest moments & darkest hours, we choose to praise God.

Brought to life by composer Thyro Alfaro. That's why it is superior. 

Thank you ang babait ninyo, Family is love, Family is Forever and #IkawAngLiwanagAtLigaya

The Call on Netflix is Definitely a Must See

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Finished watching The Call (2020) and this is one of the best films that I have seen this year! The mystery thriller sci-fi plot, acting of Shin Hye & Jeong So, the twist & the ENDING! 

It's the story of Young Sook and Seo Yeon who live in different time periods. They were able to communicate through telephone and that's where Seo Yeon's life became complicated.

Park Shin Hye's performance in The Call. I've never seen this side of her. Go watch it!! The antagonist in this equally shines too! Jeon Jong Seo's performance is 100% satisfying.

The Call is unique among the many films dealing with subject of time overlap. Park Shin Hye was quick to point out about the dynamics between the characters who are both women. “It’s not a man and woman case, but a woman-centered movie, and a well-made one.”

'The Call' (2020) IS DEFINITELY A MUST WATCH. The cast, plot and thrill of this film is *chef's kiss* 

I love this kind of psychological thriller movie. 

The Call is now streaming on Netflix and I'm inviting anyone who watched the film to talk about that very confusing ending and what do you think really happened?  

Go.

Natular DT Virtual Launch Introduces Spinosad Based Larvicide from UPL Philippines Inc.

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Mosquitoes are deadly insects that can cause dengue - a disease that can lead to death if not cured immediately.

They usually proliferate n domestic environments due to the existence of stagnant relatively clean water that can be found in gutters, drums, containers, jars, fountains, and every possible object that could cotain water, and these insects seems to be classy enough because they thrive in clean and rarely touched water.

Thus it is essential that we have access to products like larvacides to help us eliminate the growth and survival of adult mosquitoes. Larvacides help us treat water containers that cannot be drained or discarded.

Natular DT's active ingredient Spinosad is one of the 16 chemicals registered as a Reduced Risk (RR) pesticide nd the only RR larvicide against mosquitoes. This it has lower toxicity to non-target organisms, low potential for groundwater contamination, ow pest resistance potential, compatibility with integrated pest management practices.

The Natular DT Launch was hosted by Miss Earth 2015 Beauty Queen Angelia Ong and Marvin Angeles of UPL Philippines.

The virtual launched introduced spinosad based larvicides for public health vector control against dengue mosquito Aedis Aegypti.

Natular DT is an entirely new class of Chemistry formulated to ive you greater application flexibility with precision performance.

Larvicides control mosquitos uring their life cyclein water before they become flying adults. 

#NatularDTLaunch introduces spinosad based larvicides for public health vector control against dengue mosquito.

The spinosad mode of action is the activation of post-synaptic nAChR- 6ad receptors

The product offers 100% innhibition of adult mosquito emergence until 75 days and its 14 times less than Temephos (1.4 grams versus 20 grams per 200ml water) and it's 14 times less than Temephos (1.4 grams versus 20 grams per 200ml water).

Experts and executives from both UPL and other organizations were also there to give out their own messages and some joined the panel to answer questions of the atendees.

Dr. Pio Javier discussed about their experiments involving mosquitoes. 

Their findings resulted to concluding thst Spinosad demonstrates exceptional control of he 1st to early 4th nstar larvae upon contact and ingestion. Visible effects are seen after hours f application and achieved optimal control ithin 24 to 72 hours, then sustained for more than 60 days.

You just need one tablet for 200 Liters of water to be treated. The tablet can be cut in half or quarters as applicable to the amount of water to be treated, also the over-excitation of  the insect's nervous systsm leading to paralysis.

The tablets are vailable in 50s via a blister pack. They are scored for easy splitting.

The product is a Green Chemistry Awardee recognizing the outstanding chemical technologies that incorporate the principles of green chemistry into  chemical design, manufacture and use.

Spinosad based larvicides were added to Brazil's approved  products used in resistance management.

It can be considered as a management tool in organophosphate - resistant Aedes Aegypti management.