Tier One Entertainment, WWF-Philippines launch ‘evergreen’ hoodie for the planet

Wazzup Pilipinas!?

By virtue of being in the video game industry, our work at Tier One Entertainment constantly revolves around new worlds. While these fantastical worlds are all digital and fictional, there is only one world that is real—and that’s our planet, Earth.

Video games shouldn’t just be an escape from reality, that’s why the opportunity to work with World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) Philippines is something we couldn’t refuse. Online sports can also be an effective platform to increase awareness on environmental issues. Both Tier One and WWF believe that gamers can be allies in building back the balance with nature.

We decided that the best way to both raise awareness and give back to the planet would be to incorporate WWF-Philippines into our merchandise line. And that’s why we’re proud to announce the Tier One x WWF-Philippines hoodie.

The Tier One x WWF hoodie will be sold on our Lazada storefront, BLCKBOX. Proceeds from hoodie sales will support WWF-Philippines’ conservation initiatives.

Not only that, but this hoodie (much like how we hope the Earth will be) is evergreen. That means it is the first item in the Tier One merchandise to not be part of a limited drop, and will be available for purchase all year round.

“I’ve always wanted an avenue and platform to give back to the planet, and this partnership with WWF is perfect for that. I want to give gamers the chance to show that we care, and we can contribute towards efforts to save the planet. After all, it’s the only one we’ve got, so we should love and care for it,” said Tryke Gutierrez, CEO of Tier One Entertainment

We believe that no contribution is too small when it comes to helping out the environment. We invite you to drop by our Lazada store and Level Up for the planet!

Let’s work together to protect our planet, our one shared home!

PLDT Enterprise ensures business continuity of TELESCOOP

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PLDT Enterprise recently expanded its longstanding partnership with TELESCOOP, the PLDT Employees Multi-Purpose Cooperative, providing new services that will enhance its operations and strengthen its business continuity to better serve their members. The deployment of DRAAS (Disaster Recovery as a Service) and SSL VPN solutions in their systems will improve TELESCOOP’s IT network making it more reliable and secure.

In their initial partnership, TELESCOOP signed up for PLDT Enterprise’s Microsoft Office 365 licenses and Smart Messaging Suite years back. The successful network-wide implementation of these applications, coupled with continuous scoping and relationship-building between PLDT Enterprise and TELESCOOP, enabled the creation of a digital roadmap for TELESCOOP.

"We are glad to fortify our longstanding partnership and provide additional services to TELESCOOP, who is a vital member of the PLDT Group. This endeavor is part of our commitment in elevating the operations and security of businesses today with digital solutions that will make a positive impact on their employees and customers," says Mitch Locsin, PLDT FVP & Enterprise Revenue Group Head.

DRAAS will be installed as a back-up for TELESCOOP’s Data and Business Continuity. With ePLDT’s Data Protection Suite offering end-to-end business continuity solutions through powerful cloud technology, TELESCOOP’s data will be resiliently protected, secured and monitored. SSL VPN, on the other hand, will be used for TELESCOOP’s current work-from-home setup, so that employees may easily and securely access their system while working remotely. This SSL VPN setup may also be replicated by other PLDT customers with WFH setups. And with the full security of SMS Messaging Suite, SMS Blasts of TELESCOOP’s announcements and ongoing promos will be even more on-target.

Marcos R. De Leon, TELESCOOP Board of Directors Chair, is pleased with this development, saying that “we who work in PLDT know the paramount importance of Communications, Information and Data Security. This is why the latest business operations solutions that PLDT Enterprise has provided us will be of utmost benefit, particularly in the area of business continuity. These solutions will help us greatly as we endeavor to look after the welfare of our co-workers in PLDT, our employees, and cooperative members.”

PLDT Employee Multi-Purpose Cooperative (TELESCOOP) is a PLDT cooperative that offers financial empowerment to members who are stakeholders of the company and its subsidiaries. It aims to provide prompt, efficient, quality and innovative service that complies with the principles of “cooperativism”. Its services include financial loans, non-financial or direct selling loans, business loans and loans for personal purchases such as gadgets, among others.

For more information about PLDT Enterprise, visit pldtenterprise.com.

First 94-meter multi-role response vessels (MMRVs) launched

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The first of two (2) 94-meter multi-role response vessels (MMRVs) acquired by the Department of Transportation (DOTr) for the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) under the Maritime Safety Capability Improvement Project Phase II (MSCIP Phase 2) has been launched at the Shimonoseki Shipyard of Mitsubishi Shipbuilding Co. Ltd. in Japan today, 26 July 2021.

The two MRRVs will be the largest vessels of the PCG’s fleet, once delivered. These MRRV's modeled after the Japan Coast Guard (JCG) Kunigami-class vessels are expected to improve the PCG's maritime security and maritime safety capabilities.

Each of the new MRRVs measure approximately 94 meters, has a maximum speed of not less than 24 knots, and an endurance of not less than 4,000 nautical miles. The ships are capable of conducting sustained maritime patrols in the country’s maritime jurisdictions, including the West Philippine Sea and Philippine Rise.

In addition, the two vessels will significantly boost the capabilities of the PCG in conducting maritime search and rescue, maritime law enforcement, as well as humanitarian assistance and disaster response operations.

Through the accelerated construction of the Japanese shipbuilder, the first 94-meter MRRV is expected to arrive in Manila by March 2022, while the second vessel will arrive two months later or by May 2022.

 

The addition of the two new MRRVs to the PCG’s fleet is welcomed by DOTr Secretary Arthur P. Tugade who stressed that the acquisition of new vessels is a breakthrough towards the government's thrust of modernizing and upgrading the country's maritime safety and border protection.

“The modernization of Philippine Coast Guard has been going fast and quick and very meaningful. In fact, in this effort to make it quick, fast, and very meaningful, the government of Japan has contributed very much. And to which I express my appreciation for your continued support,” Secretary Tugade said.

The new vessels, according to the DOTr Secretary, will be of great help in responding to maritime incidents in the country's waters and exclusive economic zone (EEZ), such as in the conduct of search and rescue operations and maritime security patrols, as well as in the enforcement of marine environmental laws, among others.

For his part, PCG Commandant, Admiral George V Ursabia Jr noted that the addition of the two MRRVs – the biggest in the fleet – is a big stride in strengthening the country’s maritime security and maritime safety capabilities.

“We are making a milestone, not just for the Department of Transportation and Philippine Coast Guard, but also for the Philippines – acquiring the first-ever biggest ship for the Coast Guard. It is a 94-meter multi-role response vessel. It is a big stride in the development of our country in the context of maritime security and maritime safety,” Admiral Ursabia expressed.

The MSCIP Phase 2 is a Japanese-assisted project funded by an Official Development Assistance (ODA) Loan from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) amounting to approximately JPY 16,455,000,000 (JPY 16.5 billion).

The contract between the DOTr and Mitsubishi Shipbuilding Co. Ltd. for the design, construction, and delivery of the two 94-meter MRRVs amounting to JPY 14,550,000,000 (JPY 14.6 billion) was signed on 27 December 2019 and became effective on 08 May 2020.

Inauguration of Metro Manila Bike Lane Network

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The establishment of dedicated, safe, and quality bike lanes is finally complete as the Department of Transportation (DOTr), together with the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), formally inaugurated today, 27 July 2021, the Metro Manila Bike Lane Network – the country’s longest bike lane network to date.
The bike lane network in Metro Manila has an overall length of 313 kilometers and cuts through 12 cities: Pasig, Marikina, Quezon City, Caloocan, Manila, San Juan, Mandaluyong, Makati, Pasay, Las Piñas, Parañaque, and Taguig. The lanes also measure between 1.5 to 3 meters in width depending on the road's configuration.

The Metro Manila Bike Lane Network forms part of the completed 497 kilometers of bike lanes created in Metro Cebu and in Metro Davao.

“Ngayon, may lugar na para sa ating mga siklista dito sa ating pangunahing kalsada. Malaking hakbang po ito nang sa ganoon ay mabago natin ang nakagawiang sistema at maitanim natin ang kultura, disiplina at kaayusan sa ating kalsada,” said DOTr Secretary Art Tugade in his message delivered by DOTr Assistant Secretary for Road Transport and Infrastructure Mark Steven Pastor.

In his message, the transport chief clarified that no orange traffic cones were used as lane separators on the bike lanes as falsely claimed by critics of the project.

The transportation chief pointed out that the Metro Manila bike lanes use concrete delineators and flexible rubber bollards to separate the bikers from motor vehicles. The bike lanes also make use of white and green pavement markings using thermoplastic paint, bollards bolted to the ground, bike symbols and signages, solar-powered road studs, and bike racks.

Asec. Pastor added that the bike lanes maximize road space as these can accommodate 1,250 cyclists per hour for every meter of road space.

Meanwhile, the transport official also shared that other parts of Metro Manila will also have their own bike lanes soon.

“For the national government, meron pa po tayong tinatawag na South NCR bike lanes, which was recently procured by DPWH together with DOTr. Ito po ay nasa Las Piñas, Muntinlupa at Parañaque. Ang intensyon po natin dito is we will connect these three cities po dito sa existing bike lanes para interconnected po talaga at magamit ng ating mga kababayan, not only for social activities but also as a form of transportation going to and from work,” Asec. Pastor said.

For his part, DPWH Secretary Mark Villar said the bike lanes will be of great help to workers and commuters in Metro Manila who took to active transport in going to their workplaces and other destinations amid the pandemic.

“The role of public transportation is crucial to both the mobility of workers and the economic stability of the country. Born out of the resourcefulness and dedication of workers despite the pandemic, active transportation such as cycling became the obvious solution,” Sec. Villar said in his message read by DPWH-NCR Regional Director Eric Ayapana.

The creation of the bike lanes was also lauded by House Transportation Committee Chairman and Samar First District Representative Edgar Sarmiento.

“Inuna po ng Kamara ang imprastraktura at transportasyon na mapa sa susunod na 30 years na dire-diretso na po sana. Isa pong ehemplo ang bicycle lane at bus na modified lang po dahil may restrictions tayo dahil sa sitwasyon,” said Sarmiento during the inauguration.

Meanwhile, the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) and the Metro Manila Council (MMC) likewise expressed their support and commitment to the project as they cited the presence of bike lanes in the National Capital Region as a "game changer."

“Because of this bike lane, it’s a game-changer. It will change everything – the mindset of everything. This is really a great project,” MMDA Chairman Benjamin Abalos Jr. said.

“Binabati ko ang DOTr at DPWH for a very great project na pakikinabangan po ng taumbayan for safety. Kaya magkakaroon ng encouragement at mahikayat po silang gumamit ng bike lanes,” MMC Chairman and Parañaque City Mayor Edwin Olivarez, for his part, said.

Virtual inauguration of the completed Cantilan Port development projects

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An impressive and more spacious Cantilan Port will greet passengers and shippers in Surigao del Sur after the Department of Transportation (DOTr) and the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) have completed the port’s development projects that will not only benefit travelers but also traders and businesses.

During the virtual inauguration of the completed Cantilan Port development projects on Thursday, 05 August 2021, DOTr Secretary Art Tugade cited the important role played by improved transport facilities such as the Cantilan Port as they address connectivity and mobility needs, while ensuring the promotion of equitable and inclusive growth in the areas of employment, trade, and investments.

The development projects at the Cantilan Port cover the construction of its Reinforced Concrete (RC) Pier, back-up area, and a port lighting system.

“Maraming benepisyo ‘yan. Mayroong employment potentials. Nagkakaroon ka rin ng convenient mobility. Napalawak ‘yung puerto, mga kargamentong pisikal, ‘yung mga semento at kargamento mas madali at mas malawak ang kilos mo diyan. In other words, makakadagdag sa negosyo mo ‘yan. Kung mayroon kang pasilidad na ganito at magiging mas malawak ang objectives mo, magkakaroon ka rin ng connectivity,” Sec. Tugade explained during the virtual inauguration.

“Yung pagbihaye from one point to another mas OK. Kung pinaguusapan ang connectivity, ‘yun po ang hangarin natin kaya binabago natin at naglalagay tayo ng continuing improvements upang sa ganun yung objective na mobility and connectivity ay mapalawak,” he added.

With the development projects completed, the improved and expanded Cantilan Port can now handle at least 25,000 to 30,000 bags of cement shipments a month and carry twice the current cargo volume, according to Sec. Tugade.

“Nadoble ang kapasidad ng Cantilan Port, na kung saan pati yung mga kapitbahay na lugar kagaya ng Carascal, Madrid, Carmen at Lanuza ay nakikinabang na rin,” Sec. Tugade explained.

As a result of the development projects, passengers at the Cantilan Port will no longer have to suffer also the poorly-maintained facilities and inconvenient travel experience.

Meanwhile, PPA General Manager Jay Daniel Santiago mentioned that the agency has a lot in store for the Caraga Region as they eye to complete ongoing projects in other ports, such as Masao, Nasipit, Lipata, as well as the Jubang Cruise Terminal and cargo terminal in Siargao, and the Port of Donya Helene also in Siargao.

“Tuluy-tuloy ang pag-improve natin sa mga pasilidad natin dito sa CARAGA Region. Sisikapin po natin na bago matapos ang termino ng ating Pangulong Rodrigo Roa Duterte ay marami po tayong nakumpletong proyekto for the convenience and comfort of our fellow Filipinos,” GM Santiago said.

67 Billion reasons to fire Duque

Wazzup Pilipinas!?

The Commission on Audit finds deficiencies in the management of COVID-19 funds of the Department of Health amounting to P67.323 billion. 

"The (COA) report also noted some P11.89 billion were unobligated, despite an urgent need to strengthen the capacity of the DOH to address the pandemic."

Now, how much CLEARER should INEPTITUDE AND BAD LEADERSHIP be described?!

 We’re not yet finished with PhilHealth’s 15 billion and now we have @DOHgovph

67 billion CORRUPTION under this Duterte administration.

Wow our healthcare system is really a mess. Ipasa na ang corona. (pun intended)  

For context, if this is a budget of just a single department it would be included in the top 10 departments with the highest budget allocation for 2021, slightly higher than Dept of Agri’s budget (P66.4bn). Tapos nawawala/hindi nagagamit? 

Sa Php 67 BILLION kayang doblehin ang buong pondong nilalaan para sa Public Health Program ng DOH, 70+ DOH hospitals, Lung Center, NKTI, PCMC, at Heart Center!

That 67 Billion is equivalent to 120,000 pabahay with 120,000 families or 500,000 individuals na sana ay makikinabang! Instead iilang tao lang ang nakinabang! Ang tindi ng corruption sa Duterte Administration!

tangina 67 billion pesos. it could have been used for mass testing, ayuda, vaccines, dagdag saghod ng mga fronliners and many more that can help the covid-19 situation in the country. tangina talaga.

Our health care workers could have been properly hired and compensated, we could have established centralized contact tracing, improved vaccine rollout, subsidized mass testing and given social support during lockdowns BUT WTF !!! WALA DAW TAYONG PERA!

Transparent and accountable leadership can make a great deal of difference in saving and changing lives for the better!

DOH must ensure transparency and provide full accounting of the 67-B COVID funds.

67 Billion. Time and time again, (even in a literal pandemic) our government proves that they have always valued the filling of their wallets over the lives of the Filipinos.

The lives that 67 billion could have saved. Kung ‘di ka pa rin galit putangina mo.

Even if none of the funds were stolen, P11 billion in unobligated funds? While our healthcare workers have practically been begging for their hazard pay and benefits? 

Wala daw pera. Pero may 67 billion worth of deficiencies? Worst government ever. 

I swear its not just Duque whos behind this. I feel like theres someone more powerful helping him . I mean 67 BILLION??!

and the fact na our healthcare professionals are underpaid and overworked JESUS WTF SAAN NIYO GINAMIT YUNG 67 BILLION??? WE NEED TRANPARENCY!!!!!!

67 Billion reasons why the Philippines need a new government ASAP!

Zoho Launches Canvas, The Industry-First Design Studio to Re-envision The CRM Experience For Enterprises

Wazzup Pilipinas!?


Canvas brings consumer-level simplicity to the CRM user experience through a no-code design studio, increasing CRM adoption rates



Zoho Corporation, a leading global technology company, announced Canvas for Zoho CRM, a one-of-a-kind design studio for CRM personalisation. Canvas enables businesses to create their own CRM interfaces that are better suited to the role of each employee, without IT or developer involvement. It helps simplify complex CRM implementations into streamlined and contextual employee-facing experiences.

Data and workflow customisation can render a CRM system too complex for most employees and personalising the CRM for each employee's role involves too much development effort and cost. As a direct result of this complexity, productivity drops, employees become disengaged, CRM adoption struggles, and ROI can suffer. With Canvas, companies of all sizes can avoid these issues and enjoy the breadth of functionality offered by a general-purpose CRM and the specialised experience offered by a vertical CRM.

With Canvas, Zoho's customer experience platform continues to focus on building a system of experiences that simplifies the experience economy for brands and every stakeholder. From planning and creating diverse customer experiences to delivering and evolving them for the future, Zoho's programmable customer experience solution helps organisations of all sizes enable employee productivity, improve stakeholder collaboration, and increase customer success.

"A lot of CRM software already offers an abundance of personalisation for customer experiences, but the same is not true for employee experiences. As a result, everyone's using the same system and paying the productivity tax for no reason." said Gibu Mathew, VP & GM, APAC, Zoho Corporation, "Imagine a reality where the system is tailor-made for each employee's role. That is true all-around personalisation, and that's what we're bringing to market with Canvas. We believe it's a more natural solution to the challenge of software adoption. Our ultimate aim is for businesses to create enterprise-wide software experiences with consumer-grade simplicity."

Canvas Capabilities Include:

● Drag and Drop Editor - Canvas sports a simple drag and drop editor that facilitates designing without needing to write a single line of code.

● Template Gallery - Customers can pick a preset template that speaks to them and their industry, and dive right in.

● Industry relevant views - Companies can create views that are relevant to their industry, their work culture, their sales process, and more.

● Self-service via Portals - Customers can also share Canvas creations over portals and create a better experience for vendors, stakeholders, and more.

● Role-based assignment - Companies can assign different Canvas views based on roles, responsibilities, and teams in their company.

● Extensive Formatting - Canvas also houses a wide range of formatting options to edit the finer details of a view, and can load styles dynamically based on conditions.

The Southeast Asian region has witnessed an uptake in mid-market and enterprise companies moving to more modern business software applications, notes a report by Mordor Intelligence, published in March 2021. This is largely driven by the need to enhance business process and enrich customer experience; these needs were further exacerbated with the onset of the pandemic. Adoption of CRM solutions is at the forefront of technology investment for companies. The introduction of Canvas for Zoho CRM aims to simplify the adoption experience for Zoho CRM users.

For more information on further capabilities here: https://zoho.com/canvas

Additional information about the Zoho CX Platform can be found at https://www.zoho.com/crmplus/

Watch the demo here!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KmpU5FUYRV0



Customer Statements:

"In my company, we have different teams for data input and data checking. With the monotonous layout, it took us a lot of time to find out where and what was filled. With Canvas for Zoho CRM, the display became sharper which in turn reduced the confirmation time and made the checking process fun." - Chie Kusama, Division Digital Advisor, Digital Creative Net Inc.

"We've been wanting to enhance the display of our CRM for quite some time and with Canvas that will be a reality! Canvas makes visualising all our data easy, drawing attention to essential information quickly and efficiently. We look forward to seeing productivity gains once we can push it to our entire sales team." - Julie Doris, Director of Sales and Operations, Rain for Rent.


Pricing and Availability

Canvas will be available across all paid editions of Zoho CRM, at no additional cost. Zoho believes that every CRM user deserves a better experience and stands for supporting the CRM community, which is why Zoho is offering Canvas free of charge to Zoho CRM customers.

In the coming years, Canvas is also poised to be implemented into all Zoho products so that users can experience a consistent, cohesive experience across the Zoho ecosystem.


Zoho Privacy Pledge

Zoho ensures a level of confidentiality that no other vendors in the industry can guarantee. Zoho does not allow any third-party trackers to monitor usage behavior and never sells any data to ad-based companies. Because Zoho owns and has built its entire technology stack, the company is able to offer the most secure experience to its 60 million users without any compromise on data privacy. Zoho CRM users have the assurance that their data is confidential and protected, and only users themselves maintain ownership of that data.



About Zoho

With 50+ apps in nearly every major business category, including sales, marketing, customer support, accounting and back office operations, and an array of productivity and collaboration tools, Zoho Corporation is one of the world's most prolific software companies.

Zoho is privately held and profitable with more than 9,000 employees. Zoho is headquartered in Austin, Texas with international headquarters in Chennai, India. Additional offices are in the United States, India, Japan, China, Singapore, Mexico, Australia, the Netherlands, and the United Arab Emirates.

Zoho respects user privacy and does not have an ad-revenue model in any part of its business, including its free products. More than 60 million users around the world, across hundreds of thousands of companies, rely on Zoho every day to run their businesses, including Zoho itself. For more information, please visit www.zoho.com/

These Titas are Totally Trending on TikTok!

Wazzup Pilipinas!?

Good vibes and positivity abound on TikTok, the leading destination for short-form mobile videos. On this platform, anyone can express themselves creatively and freely - Aunties and titas included! In fact, some of the best entertaining comedy videos on TikTok are those created by titas and titas at heart. While titas literally translates to aunt or aunty in English, the meaning of tita has evolved over time. These days, women in their 20's and 30's refer to themselves as titas, too, when they emulate characteristics and behaviors of typical middle-aged Filipino aunts, such as meeting up for brunch with their girlfriends, carrying large purses filled with tita essentials like tissue, hand sanitizer and mentholated balms, as well as choosing wine as their preferred drink for unwinding at the end of the day. So, who are these titas who have been entertaining and spreading joy on TikTok? Here are four favorites that you can check out.




Tita G

Need help figuring out the latest slang words so you can keep up with your younger friends, nephews and kids? Tita G has you covered! Learn about all things tita when you follow this funny working millennial creator on TikTok.




Aunt Julie 

Everyone's favorite tita, Auntie Julie, is one of comedy creator Macoy Dubs' popular characters on TikTok. Donning her signature pearl necklace, a staple tita accessory, Auntie Julie parodies stereotypical Filipino tita behavior, to the delight of Macoy Dubs' followers.




Petra Mahalimuyak


We all have that one aunt who is known for giving lavish gifts. Comedy creator, Petra Mahalimuyak, practices how to become that type of cool tita in this funny video.




Tiyang Amy


Veteran actress, Amy Perez, is known as Tiyang Amy, which means Auntie Amy, by her friends and colleagues in the industry. She frequently shares fun and funny tita moments, just like this one, with her followers on TikTok.


Have you followed your favorite titas on TikTok yet? Download the app on your iOS and Android devices today to get started.

Gigil #PandemicEffect: Belo ad criticized for body shaming and insensitivity

Wazzup Pilipinas!?

OMFG! Sobrang insensitive ng bagong @belobeauty and @GigilGroup na #PandemicEffect ad. Hindi ito nireview man lang? Sobrang out of touch neto and should've stayed in the drafts. Promoting body shaming?

Whoever conceptualized the #PandemicEffect ad for Belo should have a thorough evaluation of themselves--- or kung hindi sa kanya, a thorough evaluation of their target consumers. Napaka tone deaf.  

Belo's newest ad is making us ask: Why are you shaming women into conforming to beauty standards during a *pandemic*?

The Belo Medical Group was criticized for a video ad portraying a woman who "let herself go" during the pandemic. They said the ad was "just a reminder...that if you’re ready to make the decision to take care of yourself again, we are here to help."

Why do we have this kind of ad when we’re in the middle of pandemic… when our livelihoods are threatened and our family and friends are either dying or in grave danger.

While I get the insighting behind this, the ad became distasteful & insensitive because of how the messaging was presented. The #PandemicEffect has been real and serious, and it shouldn’t be trivialized. For a lot of people, this meant losing jobs and loved ones.

It’s done in poor taste :( #PandemicEffect pls do better.

 

I can really think of nothing more sinister than capitalizing on how one’s physical appearance naturally changes during a pandemic or what Belo dubs as the “#PandemicEffect” being synonymous with the “ugliest versions of ourselves”. Poorly done on production team’s end + on Belo.

the #PandemicEffect not only affected our physical health but our mental health as well, felt like those with depression and hormonal disorders (eg. PCOS) have been mocked by this ad, which aims to capitalize on insecurities. how was this approved in the first place,?? in 2021???

The pandemic is stressful enough as it is and preying on consumers’ insecurities isn’t helping either. To paraphrase and add to the words of the beautiful @143redangel—“Ang katawan at ang mukhang ito ay marami nang pinagdaanan”.

We should celebrate the fact that we have remained healthy despite and in spite of the pandemic. We can advocate for self-care and healthy living without preying on skin-deep insecurities. This is what the #PandemicEffect should be all about.

Hello @belobeauty and @GigilGroup, I hope you realize how absolutely out of touch, tasteless, and insensitive that recent ad is. Not only does it send the complete opposite message of what your PR says the ad intended to, it also ignores what the "#PandemicEffect" is for many.

The #PandemicEffect is our highest rates of unemployment, vaccine inequality, etc. but no you had to sell your product by positioning a woman who’s grown out her body hair as representative of all this, who also holds responsibility to make herself beautiful in the face of it all.

People lost jobs. Businesses went bankrupt. Most countries went on recession. Family and friends died. Others succumbed to mental illness. Lives were permanently changed. That is the real #PandemicEffect.

Not that you got fat and if you did there is nothing wrong with that.

You can promote self-care without (1) exploiting insecurities and (2) trivializing the #PandemicEffect, which affected our lives in ways we never have imagined. @belobeauty's ad just mocked, even invalidated, our struggles of surviving this pandemic. So out of touch, disgusting.

To the creatives and marketing management of Belo, we're sorry but no one fell for your crap. The #PandemicEffect is natural, acne, body hair, losing/gaining weight etc. is all natural. Stop profiting from our insecurities! 

The #PandemicEffect is people losing their loved ones, their jobs, their livelihoods, their homes, their friends.

The #PandemicEffect is also losing so many of the coping mechanisms that could have helped people pull through.

But we're all stuck that's the #PandemicEffect.

This won't hurt their sales anyway. People who are privileged enough will still choose to to avail their services, and tayo? magsa-suffer na lang sa #PandemicEffect

Eduard Folayang Out To Break His Skid At ONE: BATTLEGROUND II

Wazzup Pilipinas!?

At this point, Eduard "Landslide" Folayang should have grown tired of the criticism thrown his way, on whether at 36 years of age, the two-time ONE Lightweight World Champion should already hang his gloves for good.

But the proof is in the pudding, that despite the Igorot warrior being on the losing end of his last three fights, he remains on top of his game and can still hang with the best the lightweight division has to offer.

That's why for Folayang, his next bout against Chinese star Zhang Lipeng in the main event of ONE: BATTLEGROUND II on August 13 in Singapore will be a make-or-break match in its truest form.

"I agree and I see it as a make-or-break, meaning break in a literal way that it will be the fight that will break my skid of losses," he said, with his past slide dropping his record to 22-11.

"Every fight is important to me so yes, I need to be so focused to make it this time. This fight against Zhang means a lot because it will give me the opportunity to step forward again, one step closer to my goal of becoming a champion once more."

It's easy to say that Folayang really has nothing else to prove in his career.

Being the face of Philippine mixed martial arts in the past half-decade, he has led the Filipino charge in the realm of ONE Championship as warriors from Team Lakay showed that it truly can be considered as among the best athletes in the world.

Though his legacy is already intact, Folayang argues that he still has a lot more to give. 

"I'm not yet done," a defiant Folayang said. "In fact, I'm more fired up than ever."

It has been more than two years since Folayang last draped that illustrious ONE Lightweight World Championship on his shoulders. And there's no question that he misses the feeling of holding that title on his arms and wearing it on his waist.

But his recent skid also means that Folayang is farther than ever from the pinnacle of the lightweight division, which fuels the doubts thrown his way.

Understanding his current situation, the Team Lakay veteran knows that there's only one way to silence the chatter -- both on his status as one of the best in the weight class and his capabilities to still be on top whenever he enters the ONE Circle.

"Sometimes people who are doing nothing and have nothing to strive for want you to be like them and they do this by talking negatively and pulling people down," he said.

And the only tonic he has in mind? It's not just to win over Zhang, but to win emphatically.

Folayang's last finish came almost five years ago, when his star shot up the heavens with a third round technical knockout win over Shinya Aoki to capture his first ONE Lightweight World Championship at ONE: DEFENDING HONOR in Singapore.

Seeing that formula further cements Folayang's thinking that a win of that magnitude should catapult him back in the conversation among the next possible challengers for current ONE Lightweight World Champion Christian Lee.

"All I do is to pray harder and train smarter. I believe that in the right time, I will be able to get rid of that skid. And that’s why me and my team are working together to bring the win home this time," he said.

But he also knows that he really can't look past Zhang as all Folayang wants is to show that he remains dedicated to his craft and is still one of ONE Championship's elite.

"I want everyone to see and learn how failures will turn into victories if we keep enduring and never give up on our dreams and goals. That's just the message that I want to convey: Never give up on your dreams and never stop improving. I just keep on fighting, continue to watch and learn from others, and be receptive to the advice coming from your coach and team," he said.

"I still have lots of names I have in mind that I want to fight, one of which being that cancelled match against [Yoshihiro] Akiyama. But right now, I need to focus on who's in front of me and that is Zhang. Everything will just follow from there."

Asian Television Awards and Film Development Council of the Philippines Announce 3-year Industry Partnership!

 

Wazzup Pilipinas!?

The Asian Television Awards and the Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP) are proud to announce a 3-year industry partnership to cross promote the Awards to the Filipino film community and bring Filipino content and talents to the rest of Asia Pacific.

Slated to be held from December 10 to 12, 2021, the 26^th Asian Television Awards will be televised across Asia Pacific through its broadcast network covering 500,000 households across 22 countries. The Awards will be carried in the Philippines on Cignal Colors, TV5, and MYX Channel. The proceedings will also be available live on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

Established in 1996, the Asian Television Awards has evolved over the years in tandem with changes to the broadcast and content industry. Commencing this year, the Awards has expanded its categories to include a section focusing on short form video, music videos, and short films. This is in addition to its traditional sections on broadcast programming, performance, and technical categories.

The Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP) is the national film agency under the Office of the President of the Philippines responsible for film policies and programs to ensure the economic, cultural, and educational development of the Philippine film industry.

“Our vision is to highlight and acknowledge the best of Asian content and talents, bringing them to the attention of consumers all across Asia Pacific. This renewed partnership with FDCP is testimony of our shared vision,” said Raymond Wong, Awards Director of the Asian Television Awards.

Liza Diño, Chairperson and CEO of FDCP, said, “We are delighted to be an industry partner with the Asian Television Awards. We believe the Awards is an excellent platform not only to showcase leading Filipino content and talents but also to provide opportunities for interaction with the best in Asia.”

Submissions to the 26th Asian Television Awards are closing soon and interested parties are advised to contact Angela at support@asiantvawards.com for more information.

WeeComm’s Baron Luxe Residences welcomes you to the city of endless opportunities

Wazzup Pilipinas!?


This newest luxury residential project is the latest addition to WeeComm’s line of beyond ordinary projects in San Juan



For some, luxury means an occasional moment of extravagance while others see it as a way of life. Recognized for leading with a creative, innovative mindset, Wee Community DeveloPERs, Inc. (WeeComm) sets the middle ground with a luxury property defined by your own terms and price with their newest venture in San Juan — the Baron Luxe Residences.

WeeComm, who was awarded the Best Breakthrough Developer in the 8th PropertyGuru Philippines Property Awards in 2020, cements yet another distinctive residential development in their portfolio of beyond ordinary projects in the Philippines.

As a real estate company known for veering away from established norms and cookie-cutter developments, WeeComm has remained consistent in mounting projects that carry its own unique character. That said, Baron Luxe Residences embodies a signature workmanship that sets it apart from its cousins, namely The First Baron Residences, The Baron’s Place, The Baron Gardens, and Baron Tower.

Baron Luxe Residences is located along M. Marcos Street, Barangay Maytunas in San Juan City.

Set to be completed by September 2023, this modern and plush low density condominium comprises 76 spacious units spread across 15 floors. Built and designed with comfort and luxury at the fore, this makes for the perfect sanctuary for an independent professional, young couple, or starting family in the fast-paced metropolis.

Its prime address puts residents within minutes away from Makati, Mandaluyong City, Pasig City, Quezon City, and all major institutions such as Xavier School, Immaculate Conception Academy, La Salle Greenhills, Ortigas CBD, Cardinal Santos Medical Center, Greenhills Shopping Center, and other premier establishments in neighboring cities.

“Baron Luxe promises a life of convenience, exclusivity, and opportunities merged with your own definition of luxury. Each individual unit and all common areas are intentionally structured to foster a healthy environment for the family’s growing needs and to easily adapt to their changing lifestyles and preferred customizations,” says Project Director of Baron Luxe Residences Glenn Yap. “It’s a home that takes good care of its residents.”

The master bedroom at the model unit.

 
Living room, dining area, and kitchen.


There are six unit types, each spanning from a total floor area of 80.62 sqm to 117 sqm. The price range is between ₱9,000,000 to ₱15,000,000 — a worthy and reasonable cost considering all the perks and benefits that come with this address.

Baron Luxe Residences has a variety of amenities designed for wellness and leisure. In addition to the lounge area, swimming pool, and function rooms, residents can also enjoy an obstructed view of San Juan at the Roof Deck while kids have their own fun at the Kids Play Area.

 
Roof Deck


While comfort, convenience, and accessibility are the standard of every home, it’s how it’s manifested to fit your lifestyle that makes it all the more meaningful.

“Client satisfaction has always been the driving force of all our projects. This is not the first time we’re setting foot in San Juan, so we’re no strangers to the city’s distinct culture and the community’s demands. The Baron Luxe Residences (Provisional LTS 178) was mindfully-made to complement and address exactly that,” says Cesar L. Wee Jr., Founder and CEO of WeeComm. “Regardless of wherever we build our next project, at the end of the day, all we want is to give families they can proudly call their own.”

ePLDT strengthens leadership in PH data center market

Wazzup Pilipinas!?

As organizations continue to evolve to be more resilient and future-proof, ePLDT—the pioneer & premiere data center service provider in the country—has been constantly upgrading its network of globally certified data center facilities to better serve enterprises locally and abroad.

According to Jovy Hernandez, ePLDT President & CEO and SVP & Head for PLDT and Smart Enterprise Business Groups, “ePLDT’s goal is to continuously be the trusted partner of organizations in building an agile business continuity and resiliency plan, adapting to new ways of customer engagements, and improving the experience of the end-consumers of our colocation clients.”

“ePLDT has long been catering to the mission-critical operations of enterprises since it entered the data center market in 2000. From then on, ePLDT VITRO has been the preferred primary data center of the largest local organizations and the most prominent global technology providers. VITRO being a trusted brand further ignites our unbreakable commitment to delivering world-class services not only to local enterprises but also to multinational companies and hyperscalers," said Hernandez.

ePLDT VITRO Data Center is the largest network of carrier-neutral data centers in the country which are strategically located across Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao with local and international telecommunications companies providing network connections and diversity for its colocation customers. To date, it offers over 9,000 racks that is the highest in the Philippines. Its premier and flagship data center VITRO Makati 2 alone has a 3,600 rack capacity and a total data center floor area of 18,632 sqm.

Moreover, the data center facilities are manned by technical experts including nearly 100 certified engineers equipped with wide industry-relevant certifications and over 21 years of actual data center expertise.

“Our data center facilities and capabilities assure our customers that we maintain global best practices in our operations to effectively address their common challenges as they seek business resiliency and customer reach,” he added.

ePLDT’s VITRO Data Centers in Makati, Cebu, and Clark, Pampanga are the first in the country to receive the ANSI/TIA-942 Rated 3 Facility Certifications. The standard is based on all physical infrastructure like site location, fire safety, architectural, electrical, mechanical, security, telecommunication and other critical data center requirements.

All VITRO data centers are operated and maintained by professionals who are guided by ISO standards. The data centers are also in compliance with the standards set by the PCI Security Standards Council (PCI-SSC), Philippine Economize Zone Authority (PEZA), the Telecommunications Industry Association (TIA), and NTT Communications. VITRO Data Centers are also accredited by the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standards (PCI-DSS) which is preferred by financial institutions such as fintech, e-commerce, and payment gateway providers.

Recently, ePLDT announced several transformation programs to drive sustainability in its VITRO Data Center facilities in Pasig and Parañaque to continuously improve customer service. The programs aim to strengthen the data centers’ power efficiency, redundancy, and resiliency through power system upgrades and equipment modernization.

For more information, visit epldt.com. 

Child rights groups call for ‘tobacco-free generation’

Wazzup Pilipinas!?

In celebration of International Youth Day, public health and children’s rights organizations Child Rights Network (CRN) Philippines, Philippine Legislators' Committee on Population and Development (PLCPD), Gitib, Inc., and ImagineLaw launched a poster-making competition for young Filipinos ‘on the harms of the tobacco industry and its products’.

The competition is open to all Filipino youth aged 10 to 17 years old with categories for both digital and traditional (physical medium such as acrylic, watercolor, pastel, etc.) poster-making. With the theme “Sigarilyo: Panganib sa Bayan Ko,” the said competition aims to encourage youth participants to demonstrate how the tobacco industry endangers their health, well-being, and community.

“Even with the harms brought by their products to a person’s health, we know that tobacco companies are targeting children and young people as their next generation of consumers to ensure profit,” said Romeo Dongeto, executive director of PLCPD and co-convenor of CRN Philippines. “This art competition for Filipino youth and children is a signal to protect the next generations from nicotine addiction. Through this art competition, we listen to what Filipino youth and children have to say,” he added.

In the 2015 Global Youth Tobacco Survey, 16% of Filipinos aged 13 to 15 are smokers while data from the National Nutrition Survey released by the Food and Nutrition Research Institute in 2019 reveal that one of five vape users in the country are adolescents or 19 years old and below, the groups cited.

“We are currently seeing how the tobacco industry employs advertising and promotional activities like hiring social media influencers to get children and young people to smoke. And this competition is a response to this deceptive strategy. We encourage children and youth to express through art how they visualize the harmful activities and deception of tobacco companies that directly target them,” explained ImagineLaw executive director Atty. Sophia Monica San Luis.

“Now more than ever, we need to empower our youth to become part of the fight against tobacco. We need to provide them with all the means to lead a Tobacco-Free Generation,” concluded Gitib’s executive director Roldan Gonzales.

The competition will be classified to two age groups per category: 10 to 14 years old and 15 to 17 years old. The prizes for each category will be Php7,500 for the First Prize, Php4,000 for the Second Prize, and Php3,000 for the Third Prize. Entries must be submitted to crnphilippines@gmail.com on or before August 19, 2021 at 5:00P.M.

La Germania Shares How to Recreate Your Favorite Dishes from Cibo, Yabu and Other Beloved Restaurants

Wazzup Pilipinas!?

Have you ever wondered what it’s like to cook like your favorite chefs? Participants had the opportunity to learn how to cook like the pro’s themselves during the Cooking with La Germania: Masterclass Series, a five-part installment of virtual cooking classes held in partnership with celebrities and chefs from renown restaurants all over Metro Manila.

In the webinar series, expert instructors guided viewers through the step-by-step process of how to cook their signature dishes, disclosing their tips and tricks along the way. Attendees also had the opportunity to interact with the chefs, who assisted them throughout the process.

Among the impressive lineup were award-winning restaurateur Chef Margarita Forés, celebrity chef Rolando Laudico of Chef Guevarra’s and OK Cafe, and Chef Lee Jose from the Standard Hospitality Group which manages Yabu and Ippudo. In case you missed out on the unforgettable series, worry not! La Germania is here today to share some of the recipes behind your favorite restaurants’ signature dishes, and advice from our top chefs.

 
Not your typical pancake

There’s more to Japanese cuisine than ramen and sushi. Chef Lee Jose, Executive Chef of popular Japanese restaurant chains Yabu and Ippudo, demonstrated how to make the savory version of Japanese pancake, Okonomiyaki. Not only is it an easy and filling recipe, but it’s sure to wow your friends and family! It’s best if you shop at a Japanese grocery store before you try this recipe, as a lot of ingredients won’t be found in your usual supermarket.



Ingredients:

Okonomiyaki Batter

● ¾ cups of water

● 1 tsp Honodashi powder

● 1 cup all purpose flour

● ⅛ tsp iodized salt

● ¼ tsp sugar

● ½ tsp baking powder

● 4 large eggs

● 4 cups of cabbage

● ½ cup of tenkasu (tempura flakes)

● 1 tbsp Benishoga (pickled ginger)

● Regular sliced bacon

● 4 tbsp spring onions

● 4 tbsp canola oil



Okonomiyaki Sauce

● 1 ½ tbsp white sugar

● ⅛ tsp salt

● 3 ½ tbsp Worcestershire sauce

● 4 tbsp tomato ketchup

● 2 tbsp Oyster sauce



Assembly

● 1 tbsp cooking oil

● 1 cup Okonomiyaki batter

● 3 slices regular sliced bacon

● 2 tbsp Onomiyaki sauce

● 1 tsp Aonori powder

● 2 tbsp Japanese mayonnaise

● Bonito flakes

● 1 tsp Spring onions



Procedure:

 
Prepare the Okonomiyaki batter by chopping the cabbage into 1/2" chunks. Do not use the hard core. In a mixing bowl, add water and hondashi powder and whisk to dissolve the hondashi powder. Add the rest of the dry ingredients (flour, salt, sugar and baking powder). Whisk until the batter is smooth, then add the eggs and whisk until fully incorporated in the batter. Add the chopped Cabbage, Tempura flakes, Pickled Ginger and Spring onions. You can also add whatever fillings you desire (mushrooms, ham, pre cooked seafood, etc.) Using a rubber spatula, fold the batter until every ingredient is coated. Cover and keep chilled until ready to cook. This recipe yields 4 portions.

 
For the Okonomiyaki sauce, put all ingredients in a bowl and mix until all the sugar has dissolved. Keep in an airtight container and set aside. Keep chilled.

 
Heat up a non-stick pan and add 1 tbsp of oil on medium heat. When the pan is hot, scoop 1 cup of batter and add to the middle of the pan. Using your rubber spatula, gently level out the batter, then cover and let the batter cook a bit for 2 minutes.

 
Remove the cover and lay down 3 slices of bacon on top of the pancake. Cover and cook for 1 minute more, then gently flip the pancake and turn the heat to low. Cover and cook for another 3 minutes, then test for doneness by sticking a knife or chopsticks in the middle of the pancake to test if it’s fully cooked. If the stick or knife comes out clean, it’s cooked.

 
Spread 1-2 tbsp of okonomiyaki sauce on top of the pancake and spread out evenly. Sprinkle the aonori (seaweed powder) and drizzle the Japanese mayonnaise. Top the pancake with bonito flakes & spring onions. Serve right away.

 

Elevate your breakfast favorites

You may be an expert in making meatballs, but have you tried Longanisa meatballs? Chef Rolando Laudico of Chef Laudico Guevarra’s and OK Cafe taught the audience his secret to making his elevated version of Filipino breakfast classic Longsilog, better known as “Long-Ri-Long”, which is Longanisa meatball on creamy garlic salted egg risotto, poached eggs and oven dried tomatoes.



Ingredients:

Longanisa Meatballs

● 500g longanisa ground meat

● Half cup small white onion, diced

● 2 tbsps fresh basil, chopped

● 2 tbsps fresh Italian parsley

● Half cup grated parmesan cheese

● 1 whole egg, beaten

● 1 cup bread crumbs

● Half cup milk

● 4 tbsps extra virgin olive oil



Creamy garlic salted egg risotto

● 1 cup risotto rice (arborio or any short grain rice)

● 2 tbsps butter

● 1 head of garlic, minced

● 1L chicken stock

● 1 cup of cream

● 2 salter eggs, chopped fine

● Sea salt and freshly ground pepper, to taste



Oven dried tomatoes

● 6 whole tomatoes, halved

● Sea salt and freshly ground pepper, to taste

● Extra virgin olive oil, to drizzle



Poached eggs

● 4 eggs

● Sea salt

● 4 cups of water




Procedure:

1. To make the longganisa meat balls, begin by mixing bread crumbs and milk together in a cup and let milk absorb for 5 minutes. In a big bowl, take out fresh longganisa meat from the casing (discard casing) and mix all other ingredients together. Refrigerate for 30 minutes to an hour. Form into meatballs and fry using a non-stick pan with 4 tablespoons of olive oil until brown. Place in a sheet pan and bake in the oven at 175C for 10-15 minutes or until meatballs are fully cooked.

2. To make the risotto, heat butter in a saucepan on medium high heat and add minced garlic. Saute for 2 minutes or until garlic is golden in color, then add risotto rice or sticky rice and cook for 2 minutes. Add chicken stock 1 cup at a time and gently stir until liquid has been totally absorbed.

Repeat the process until the rice is cooked. Rice should be a bit al dente. Add more stock if needed depending on the type of rice used. Finally, add cream and finely chopped salted egg then cook for another 2-3 minutes.

 

Garnish with fresh herbs like Italian parsley

3. For the tomatoes, slice them in half then season with sea salt and pepper. Bake in a 175C oven for 15 to 20 minutes or until tomatoes have dried a bit.

4. For the poached eggs, add water in a small cup then add a pinch or two of sea salt. Break the whole egg and add to the cup being careful not to break the yolks. Place the cup in a microwave for 45 seconds to a minute depending on the power of the microwave. Spoon out poached egg on a paper towel to absorb excess liquid. Repeat the process to the other 4 eggs.

5. For assembly, on a platter or plate, spread salted egg garlic risotto then top with longanisa meatballs, oven dried tomatoes, poached eggs and garnish with fresh herbs.

 

Satisfying your Italian craving

While the recipe behind Cibo’s famous Penne al Telefono will remain a secret (revealed exclusively to the attendees of the Masterclass series), here are some of Chef Margarita Forés biggest do’s and don’ts when it comes to cooking the perfect pasta. 

For one, the quality of your ingredients and the way they were manufactured makes a world of a difference when it comes to the richness and flavor of your meal! This is why you need to choose your ingredients carefully, and understand the science behind how they were made and how they react to other ingredients. For instance, Cibo recommends using pasta from the brand “De Cecco”, which uses a bronze pasta shaper that creates more porous noodles, allowing sauces to cling to the pasta better.

For Margarita’s biggest don’ts, do not check for doneness by throwing your pasta against a wall and expecting it to stick. This means that your pasta is overcooked! Furthermore, do not run your freshly cooked pasta under cold water, as this removes all the flavor. Remember that pasta water is your best friend, and is a vital ingredient to the flavor of your pasta.

When preparing these mouthwatering dishes, it’s important to choose the best ingredients and to use good quality kitchen equipment like La Germania. Built according to the highest European standards in terms of construction and design, La Germania appliances allow you to prepare restaurant-worthy dishes in an efficient and easy way. With guaranteed durability and superior quality, they’re a good investment for you to channel your inner chef, and unleash your kitchen genius.

La Germania products are available online through La Germania’s official e-commerce website www.lagermaniaph.com and e-commerce platforms on Shopee and Lazada. For more information on La Germania and its products, you may follow the official Facebook and Instagram accounts of the trusted kitchen and appliance brand.