ARTA holds Annual EODB Economic Briefing; Reiterating commitments for Business-Friendly Bagong Pilipinas

Wazzup Pilipinas!?

On 6 February 2025, the Anti-Red Tape Authority (ARTA) held its annual Ease of Doing Business (EODB) Economic Briefing at the University of Asia and the Pacific (UA&P).  

This yearly event serves as a platform to promote government programs and initiatives aimed at stimulating economic growth and attracting both local and foreign investments through public-private partnerships.  

In his presentation, ARTA Secretary Ernesto V. Perez provided key updates on ARTA’s EODB initiatives, offering insights from three perspectives: a business owner, an international investor, and a researcher. 

Through their experiences, Secretary Perez illustrated how the Philippines is either progressing or falling behind in ease of doing business. 

He also emphasized the need for collective participation in achieving meaningful government reforms. "ARTA is choosing to break through. And with your support, Bagong Pilipinas will not just be a country that works—it will be a country that wins."

He further added that more than digital transformation, what the country really needs is moral transformation to achieve that good governance we all aspire for. 

Meanwhile, National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) Assistant Secretary for Policy and Planning Reynaldo R. Cancio, and Center for Research and Communication Foundation Research Director Dr. Bernardo Villegas shared insights on the economic impact of EODB reforms from both public and private sector perspectives.  

This ARTA-led initiative exemplifies a whole-of-government approach, with support from key figures such as Office of the Special Assistant for Investment and Economic Affairs (OSAPIEA) Special Assistant to the President Frederick D. Go, Management Association of the Philippines (MAP) President Alfredo S. Panlilio, Philippine Exporters Confederation, Inc. (PhilExport) President Sergio R. Ortiz-Luis Jr., and UA&P Dean of the School of Social Sciences, Law, and Governance Dr. Nicomedes B. Alviar.  

SAP Go emphasized the crucial role of EODB in the country’s economic transformation "Enhancing the ease of doing business is a vital driver of our economic transformation. We fully support ARTA and our partners in this mission. It has been a great experience working with ARTA and Director General Nes Perez, who is truly passionate about cutting red tape and rolling out the red carpet."  

MAP President Alfredo S. Panlilio reiterated the association’s commitment to government efficiency, "The core mission of the Management Association of the Philippines is management excellence for nation-building. We support programs that improve the efficiency and effectiveness of government processes to ensure prompt and quality services for the people. That is why we stand with ARTA in its mission to promote efficiency and transparency in government services while eliminating barriers for businesses, regardless of size."  

PhilExport President Ortiz-Luis Jr. expressed unwavering support for ARTA’s mission, "On behalf of PhilExport, I extend our unwavering support for the mission of sustaining growth, empowering enterprises, and fostering resilient economies—values that align with the theme of today's event."  

UA&P Dean Alviar reaffirmed the university’s commitment to ARTA’s initiatives, "Congratulations, ARTA Secretary Perez. Our university is eager to support your work through research, teaching, and hosting programs and activities of this nature."  

Following these messages of support, a fireside chat was held, moderated by ARTA Better Regulations Office (BRO) Director Marbida L. Marbida and Research, Education, and Institutional Development (REID) Foundation, Inc. Vice President and UA&P SBEP Lecturer Ronilo M. Balbieran. Panelists included Secretary Perez, Assistant Secretary Cancio, and Dr. Villegas, who shared further insights on EODB reforms.  

The event concluded with a message from Dr. Enrico L. Basilio, Director of the University of the Philippines National College of Public Administration and Governance Center for Policy and Executive Development and UA&P SBEP Lecturer "Let us work together to propel economic growth and development in our country."  

Also in attendance were ARTA executives, members of the diplomatic corps, and representatives from both foreign and local chambers.  

As envisioned by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., Bagong Pilipinas aspires to be a progressive nation free from red tape, where businesses can thrive and succeed.

Estandardisasyon at Intelektuwalisasyon ng Wikang Pambansa, Isusulong ng KWF- Kom. Casanova

Wazzup Pilipinas!?

Patúloy na isusulong ng Komisyon sa Wikang Filipino (KWF) ang estandardisasyon at intelektuwalisasyon ng Wikang Pambansa, ito ang ipinahayag ni Kom. Arthur P. Casanova, Tagapangulo ng KWF sa katatapos na Gawad Julian Cruz Balmaseda na ginanap sa Bulwagang Romualdez, 2/P Gusaling Watson, 1610 Kalye Jose P. Laurel, San Miguel, Lungsod Maynila.

Binanggit din ni Tagapangulong Casanova na ang Gawad Julian Cruz Balmaseda ay isang halimbawa ng pagpupunyagi ng KWF na lalò pang mapaigting ang pagiging intelektuwalisado ng Wikang Pambansa. Ibinahagi pa niya na ng wikang Filipino bílang intelektuwalisadong wika ay nása mataas na level na at patúloy na nagsusumikap ang KWF upang higit pang maitaas ang level ng intelektuwalisasyon ng wikang pambansa.

Sa ginawang programang Gawad Julian Cruz Balmaseda 2025, tinanggap ni Mariyel Hiyas C. Liwanag, PhD ang sandaang libong piso (PHP100,000.00) plake, at medalya para sa kaniyang disertasyon sa DLSU-Maynila na pinamagatang “Isabuhay: Isang Larong Disenyo para sa Diskurso ng mga Wikang Katutubo” bílang pinakamahusay na disertasyon sa taóng 2025.

Tumanggap din si Kristine Mae M. Nares ng sandaang libong piso (PHP100,000.00), plake, at medalya para sa kaniyang tesis masterado sa Bicol University na pinamagatang “Pagmamapa ng Kalinangang Bayan ng Munisipalidad ng Guinobatan, Albay” bílang pinakamahusay na tesis sa taóng 2025.

Ibinahagi rin ni Tagapangulong Casanova na bahagi pa rin ng pagpupunyagi ng KWF para sa intelektuwalisasyon ng Wikang Pambansa ay ang patúloy na pagsasagawa ng ahensiya ng mga proyektong pangwika kabílang ang paggawa ng diksiyonaryo na patúloy na pinauunlad at nirerebisa bílang kongkretong patunay na ang wikang Filipino ay tinatangkilik, pinahahalagahan, at ginagamit ng mga Pilipino. 

Ipinahayag naman ni Kom. Benjamin Mendillo Jr. na ang araw ni Balmaseda ay selebrasyon ng mahuhusay na saliksik  na nakabatay sa pagiging angkop, napapanahon, at nakalilinang ng kritikal na kaisipan gámit ang wikang nauunawaan ng madla upang lalong pakinangin ang pananaliksik  sa akademya gámit ang wikang Filipino.

Hinihikayat naman ni Kom. Carmelita C. Abdurahman ang mga magsusulat pa lámang ng kanilang mga saliksik na gamíting midyum ang Filipino upang lalò pa nating maisulong ang intelektuwalisasyon nitó. 

Ang Gawad Julian Cruz Balmaseda ay ang pinakamataas na pagkilála na handog ng KWF para sa natatanging tesis at disertasyon sa agham, matematika, agham panlipunan, at iba pang kaugnay na larang gámit ang wikang Filipino. Si Julian Cruz Balmaseda (28 Enero 1885–18 Setyembre 1947) ay itinuturing na isa sa mga haligi ng panitikang Pilipino dahil sa malaking kontribusyon niya sa panitikan ng bansa. 

S2O Songkran Music Festival 2025: The Ultimate Water Party Returns Bigger and Wilder!

Wazzup Pilipinas!?

A Decade of Epic Celebrations: S2O Moves to Bangkok’s Largest Stadium!

Bangkok, Thailand – The countdown to the world's most electrifying water music festival has begun! Pepsi presents S2O Songkran Music Festival 2025 is making waves once again, celebrating its 10th anniversary in a way that will leave partygoers breathless. For the first time ever, S2O is taking over the Rajamangala National Stadium, the largest stadium in Bangkok, promising a Bigger, Louder, and Wetter experience from April 12-14, 2025.

With a lineup featuring some of the biggest names in the electronic dance music (EDM) scene, cutting-edge production, jaw-dropping water effects, and an expected crowd of over 100,000 festival-goers, this year's festival is set to break records.

From Bangkok to the World: S2O’s Global Phenomenon

S2O isn’t just a festival—it’s a movement. Since its inception in Thailand, it has expanded across the globe, bringing its iconic wet-and-wild party to cities like Japan, South Korea, Hong Kong, China, and even New York. As the only Thai-born flagship festival, S2O has cemented its place as a must-experience event for music lovers and thrill-seekers alike.

And now, by upgrading to Rajamangala National Stadium, the festival is embracing an even bigger vision—welcoming more fans, more music, and more water-splashing madness than ever before!

The Ultimate Lineup: EDM Superstars Take the Stage

This year’s artist lineup is nothing short of spectacular. Fans can expect electrifying sets from some of the most renowned DJs in the world, including:

🎧 Marshmello

🎧 Alan Walker

🎧 DJ Snake

🎧 Major Lazer

🎧 Timmy Trumpet

…and many more yet-to-be-announced surprises! Expect high-energy performances, mind-blowing visuals, and an immersive stage setup that merges sound, water, and lights into an unforgettable experience.

Rajamangala Stadium Transforms into a Songkran Wonderland

Get ready for a 360-degree water spectacle! Rajamangala National Stadium will be transformed into a massive aquatic paradise, featuring:

💦 Giant water cannons and interactive splash zones

💦 State-of-the-art stage with 360° water effects

💦 The famous “Minion Girls” from South Korea bringing water-blasting fun!

💦 Special soaking surprises around every corner

This isn’t just a festival—it’s a full-throttle sensory overload, combining Thailand’s Songkran traditions with a high-energy EDM rave like no other.

Get Your Tickets Now – Early Bird Sales Open!

Tickets for S2O Songkran Music Festival 2025 are now available! Early bird reservations have begun at www.s2ofestival.com. Don’t miss out on the chance to secure your spot at the wildest water music party on the planet!

For the latest updates, follow S2O on:

📌 Facebook: facebook.com/s2ofestival

📌 TikTok: tiktok.com/@s2ofestival

📌 Instagram: instagram.com/s2ofestival

Why You Can’t Miss S2O 2025

✔ Once-in-a-Lifetime Experience – There’s nothing quite like dancing under massive water jets while world-class DJs drop the hottest beats.

✔ Perfect for Songkran – Celebrate Thailand’s most famous festival in the most exhilarating way possible.

✔ Unmatched Production – Expect a visual and sensory extravaganza with larger-than-life stage designs and unparalleled special effects.

✔ Join the Global Party – Connect with music lovers from around the world, all coming together for one of the biggest festivals on the planet.

Mark your calendars and get ready to make history at S2O 2025. Are you ready to get Bigger, Louder, and Wetter? We’ll see you in Bangkok!

For Media Inquiries, Contact:

📩 Sunisa Pollasit (Jubie)

✉ Email: sunisa.pollasit@gmail.com

📞 Tel: +6692 455 5989

#PepsiS2O #S2O #S2O2025

FEAR OF TRUTH: Why a Powerful Politician Wants This Student Survey Silenced

Wazzup Pilipinas!?

A simple student survey.

A powerful political figure.

A desperate attempt to erase the truth.

What happened at Camarines Sur Polytechnic Colleges (CSPC) is both infuriating and eye-opening. The Spark, CSPC’s official student publication, conducted a pre-election survey among 498 students to gauge their electoral preferences. But instead of welcoming the insights of the youth, an influential politician—threatened by the results—did everything to suppress it.

498 students dared to speak.

ONE powerful figure was afraid enough to silence them.

And a school administration chose to protect power instead of its students.

Let that sink in.

The Controversy

On February 7, 2025, The Spark published a legitimate survey revealing unfavorable results for a prominent political candidate—Camarines Sur 2nd District Representative Luis Raymund “LRay” Villafuerte, who is running for governor. Instead of leading the poll, Villafuerte lagged behind his opponent, Bong Rodriguez.

This triggered immediate backlash. The school administration, reportedly under pressure, ordered The Spark to take down the post. Soon after, Villafuerte himself publicly questioned the credibility of the survey, dismissing its legitimacy.

If the survey was insignificant, why go to such lengths to erase it?

If The Spark is truly independent, why silence it?

If the results didn’t matter, why is a powerful politician so afraid?

Would the same censorship have happened if Villafuerte had topped the survey?

Student Press Under Attack

Despite mounting pressure, The Spark stood firm. The editorial board defended their right to publish, emphasizing the role of campus journalism in uncovering the truth. But this incident exposes a much larger issue—the suppression of press freedom in educational institutions.

Republic Act No. 7079, also known as the Campus Journalism Act of 1991, was meant to protect student publications from administrative interference. But in reality, cases of censorship, intimidation, and funding threats remain rampant. The government even declared July 25 as National Campus Press Freedom Day, yet campus journalists continue to face suppression when their reports threaten those in power.

This is not just about one school or one publication. It’s about a system that fears accountability.

A Pattern of Suppression

What happened to The Spark isn’t an isolated case. Across the country, student journalists have repeatedly been silenced for exposing uncomfortable truths:

In 2023, the University of the Philippines’ Philippine Collegian reported on state-led red-tagging. The response? Surveillance and harassment.

In 2024, the Polytechnic University of the Philippines’ The Catalyst exposed irregularities in school funding. The result? Funding cuts and administrative intervention.

Now in 2025, The Spark is under fire for a simple electoral poll. Their crime? Revealing public sentiment.

The pattern is clear: when truth challenges power, power fights back.

Why This Matters

This isn’t just about a survey—it’s about democracy itself.

Silencing student journalists doesn’t just affect campus press—it sends a chilling message to young Filipinos:

That truth must be filtered to protect the powerful.

That speaking out comes at a cost.

That democracy is conditional—only tolerated when it benefits those in control.

And yet, by attempting to suppress this survey, the politician in question has done the opposite. He has only amplified the very truth he tried to bury.

If a simple student poll can shake a political giant, what does that say about their legitimacy?

Our Stand

To the school administration: Your students are watching. The decision to protect a politician’s ego over press freedom reflects the kind of values you choose to uphold. Is this really the lesson you want to teach?

To The Spark: Your courage in the face of censorship reminds us why student journalism matters. The truth you stand for is stronger than any intimidation tactic.

To the powerful figures trying to silence dissent: Your fear is showing. And by attempting to erase the truth, you’ve only made it louder.

If you truly believe you have the people’s support, then let them speak.

Because in a real democracy, the truth doesn’t need protection—only the liars do.

Celebrating Partnerships: From Connections to Collaborations: How This Game-Changing Event is Redefining Networking in Cavite

Wazzup Pilipinas!?

A Historic Gathering of Business and Community Leaders in Imus, Cavite

On February 8, 2025, YES! Hotel in Anabu, Imus, Cavite, became the epicenter of business collaboration and community leadership as BNI Inspire Cavite One hosted “Celebrating Partnerships: From Connections to Collaborations.” The event brought together some of the most influential business networks and community organizations in the region, creating an unprecedented platform for networking, learning, and forming strategic alliances.

Uniting Powerhouses: BNI, JCI, Lions, Inner Wheel and Kiwanis, Join Forces

The event was spearheaded by BNI Cavite One in collaboration with JCI, Kiwanis, Inner Wheel and Lions Club underscoring the importance of unity in fostering business growth and community impact. This rare convergence of organizations provided attendees with valuable opportunities to expand their networks, exchange ideas, and explore potential collaborations that could drive both economic and social development.

The significance of this gathering was further amplified by the presence of distinguished speakers and guests, including:

Featured Speakers and Guests:

Antonio Luis Mercado – Regional Director, Cavite One, BNI

Earl Joseph Estrera – Regional Director, Cavite One, BNI

Jhon Dexter Tañedo – President, Inspire Chapter, Cavite One, BNI

Joy Jabile-Ejercito – South Luzon District Director, BNI

Angie Ng Ying Ping – Global Connector, Director, BNI Malaysia

Ace Peng – BNI North Taiwan

Emoy Francisco – Imus Dambalasik Lions Club

Rian Zibrid Cabildo – Executive VP, JCI Imus Wagayway

Rose Baguio – Kiwanis Vermosa Imus East

Val Baguio – Kiwanis Bahayang Pag-Asa

Leah Ordoñez – Inner Wheel Mutya ng Imus

Each speaker brought valuable insights on business networking, leadership, and collaboration, sharing real-world strategies to maximize partnerships across industries and organizations.

Signing of a Game-Changing Memorandum of Understanding (MOU)

One of the most groundbreaking moments of the event was the formal signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) among key organizations. This agreement solidifies a year-long commitment to working together on training, development, and community projects that benefit entrepreneurs and social enterprises.

The MOU was signed by:

✔ JCI Imus Wagayway, Inc. – Represented by EVP Mark Rhian Cabildo

✔ Imus Dambalasik Lions Club – Represented by Charter President Jose Elmer "Emoy" Francisco

✔ BNI Cavite One – Represented by President John Dexter Tañedo

✔ Inner Wheel Club of Mutya ng Imus – Represented by its Leah Ordonez

✔ Kiwanis Club Bahayang Pag-Asa – Represented by District Treasurer Val Baguio

✔ Kiwanis Club Vermosa Imus – Represented by President Rose Baguio

The MOU establishes the following commitments:

Sharing training and project lists to maximize opportunities for collaboration

Providing financial or in-kind support to ensure successful implementation of initiatives

Incorporating each other's logos in marketing and promotional materials

Ensuring transparency and accountability through post-event reports

This agreement, effective for one year, supersedes all prior informal agreements, ensuring that participating organizations stay aligned in their vision and mission.

A Milestone for International Networking and Collaboration

As part of International Networking Week (INW), the event also highlighted the role of BNI platforms in global business expansion. International BNI leaders, such as Angie Ng Ying Ping from Malaysia and Ace Peng from Taiwan, emphasized how local entrepreneurs could leverage BNI’s global network to access new markets, build international partnerships, and enhance their competitive edge.

The event’s success was a testament to the hard work and dedication of BNI Cavite One, with special recognition given to:

Regional Director Antonio Luis Mercado for his visionary leadership

BNI Inspire Chapter President Jhon Dexter Tañedo for his unwavering commitment to uniting business leaders

Regional Director Earl Joseph Estrera for helping bridge connections across multiple organizations

A New Era of Business Collaboration in Cavite

As the event concluded, the atmosphere was filled with excitement and optimism. Attendees left not just with new contacts but with genuine partnerships, shared visions, and a renewed drive to make a lasting impact.

This gathering was not just another networking event—it was a turning point in how organizations in Imus, Cavite, and beyond will connect, collaborate, and create meaningful change together.

For those who couldn’t attend, stay tuned for future events and opportunities to be part of this growing movement of collaborative success!