Brandon Vera Knocls Out Mauro Cerilli in First Round to Retain One Heavyweight World Championship

Wazzup Pilipinas!

The largest global sports media property in Asian history, ONE Championship™ (ONE), returned to the Mall Of Asia Arena for another exciting evening of world-class martial arts action. ONE: CONQUEST OF CHAMPIONS featured a series of compelling bouts, punctuated by two unforgettable championship clashes that left fans on the edge of their seats. In the main event, Filipino-American superstar Brandon Vera successfully defended his ONE Heavyweight World Championship against Italian challenger Mauro Cerilli. In the co-main event, Eduard Folayang of the Philippines defeated Singapore’s Amir Khan via unanimous decision to capture the vacant ONE Lightweight World Championship.

Visit the official ONE: CONQUEST OF CHAMPIONS photo gallery by clicking: https://bit.ly/onephotos

In the main event, reigning ONE Heavyweight World Champion Brandon “The Truth” Vera of the Philippines made quick work of Italy’s Mauro “The Hammer” Cerilli, stopping his opponent with a well-placed left hook counter to the jaw that turned the lights out on the Italian. After an aggressive Cerilli stalked Vera across the cage, the Filipino-American took a step back and uncorked the counter that landed right on the button. Cerilli was out before he hit the canvas as referee Olivier Coste stepped in to call a halt to the contest just passed the one minute mark. The victory also earned Vera GoDaddy KO of the Night honors.

Brandon Vera, ONE Heavyweight World Champion, stated: “Manila, all my countrymen, I’ve missed you all. Two years was a long time. I’m sorry I’ve been away for so long, but it looks like I can still do it. I’ve been watching Mauro’s tapes every night. Even as I sleep, I watch him train. I watch him fight. I watch everything he does. I know he swings hard. He did punch me in the mouth and it hurt, and then when he fell down, I was pretty surprised. So I’m glad I got that left hook in and dropped him with it. In the world of martial arts, the Philippines owns five world titles. We can do this. Continue your support. Let’s get all the belts!”

In the co-main event of the evening, the Philippines’ Eduard “Landslide” Folayang secured a thrilling five-round unanimous decision victory over Singapore’s Amir Khan to capture the vacant ONE Lightweight World Championship. Folayang dominated Khan from start to finish, punishing his younger opponent with a variety of striking combinations featuring spinning heel kicks and sharp elbows. Khan tried his best to counter Folayang’s offense, but appeared a step slower and couldn’t pin down Folayang’s timing. In the end, all three judges saw the bout in favor of Folayang.

Former ONE Featherweight World Champion Honorio “The Rock” Banario of the Philippines overcame a game effort from challenger Rahul “The Kerala Krusher” Raju of Singapore to win by unanimous decision after three rounds. Banario dominated Raju in striking exchanges while also threatening with submissions in the first round. Raju made it a competitive bout in the second frame, but Banario came alive once again in the third and nearly finished the Singaporean with a rear naked choke. In the end, all three judges saw the bout in favor of Banario.

In a spirited ONE Super Series Muay Thai contest, bantamweights Saemapetch Fairtex of Thailand and Alaverdi Ramazanov of Russia put on an absolute show for fans at the Mall of Asia Arena. Ramazanov used his height and length to pose problems for Saemapetch early, but the Thai veteran would start to come on in the second round. Although Ramazanov would try his best to outwork his opponent, Saemapetch proved much too explosive and powerful. After three rounds of action, all three judges saw the bout in favor of Saemapetch to win by unanimous decision.

James Nakashima of the United States authored a solid all-around performance in his ONE Championship debut, dominating Russia’s Raimond Magomedaliev to earn a unanimous decision victory. Nakashima bucked a slow start in the first round after Magomedaliev’s range posed a problem for the former American National Wrestling Champion. Nakashima’s grappling prowess was put on display in the succeeding rounds as he took Magomedaliev down at will and consistently pounded him out. In the end, all three judges scored the bout in favor of Nakashima.

Japanese kickboxing ace Hiroaki Suzuki was victorious in his ONE Super Series debut, picking up a unanimous decision win over Lithuania’s Deividas Danyla. Danyla controlled the pace in the opening round, but Suzuki connected on a left hook that sent Danyla to the mat to close the first frame. In the second round, Danyla continued to put the paces on Suzuki who appeared to grow stronger as the bout wore on. In the third round, Suzuki turned up the pressure with a stream of thunderous kicks and punch combinations, enough to earn him the nod on all three judges’ scorecards.

French Muay Thai star Samy “AK-47” Sana picked up his first win on the ONE Super Series stage with a unanimous decision victory over Armen Petrosyan of Italy in their three-round kickboxing contest. The former WBC and A1 Muay Thai World Champion was dominant from bell to bell, rattling Petrosyan with swift combinations. Petrosyan managed to keep the bout competitive, but Sana was always a step ahead, and he took home a clear-cut decision win. 

In a clash between former ONE World Title contenders, Alexandre “Bebezao” Machado of Brazil returned to his winning ways with a spectacular second-round stoppage victory over Japan’s Hideki “Shrek” Sekine. Machado survived a strong first round from the Japanese grappler as he was taken down with a flurry of effective slams. In the second round, Machado showcased his striking superiority as he hammered Sekine with a barrage of heavy punches to claim the technical knockout. 

Han Zi Hao took home a first-round technical knockout victory over Malaysian debutant Azwan Che Wil. Both men employed fiery offense from the start with Han utilizing his speed and power to connect on a handful of thudding strikes, knocking Che Wil down late in the first round. With a few seconds remaining in the opening frame, Han dropped Che Wil again, this time with the Malaysian signalling to the referee that he could no longer continue. The victory was then awarded to the Chinese striker.

Jeremy “The Jaguar” Miado of the Philippines sent the crowd into a frenzy with a second-round technical knockout victory over China’s Peng Xue Wen. Miado looked to trade hands early on, clipping Peng with solid punches from different angles. With Peng opting to continue exchanging strikes in the second round, Miado capitalized on the opportunity, dropping his opponent to the mat with a stinging right uppercut and then drilling a barrage of follow-up blows to force the stoppage.

In an intense battle between ONE Warrior Series alumni, Akihiro “SuperJap” Fujisawa of Japan emerged triumphant, scoring a third-round technical knockout victory over Bangkok-based Filipino standout Rockie Bactol. Fujisawa had to weather an early storm, defending against Bactol’s blazing punch combinations in the first round. He turned the tide in the second frame, negating Bactol’s striking with his top-notch ground game. In the final period, Fujisawa grinded out Bactol on the mat for the majority of the round before securing the finish with a series of hard blows.

Setting the tone for an action-packed evening was a three-round flyweight encounter between Rudy “The Golden Boy” Agustian and Asraful “Warrior” Islam. Agustian turned in a dominant performance, outclassing Islam over the course of three rounds. Banking on his superior striking and smoothly-executed takedowns, Agustian walked away with the clear-cut unanimous decision victory.

Official results for ONE: CONQUEST OF CHAMPIONS
ONE Heavyweight World Championship bout: Brandon Vera defeats Mauro Cerilli by Knockout (KO) at 1:04 minutes of round 1
ONE Lightweight World Championship bout: Eduard Folayang defeats Amir Khan by Unanimous Decision (UD) after 5 rounds
Catch Weight bout (79.0kgs): Honorio Banario defeats Rahul Raju by Unanimous Decision (UD) after 3 rounds
ONE Super Series Muay Thai Bantamweight bout: Saemapetch Fairtex defeats Alaverdi Ramazanov by Unanimous Decision (UD) after 3 rounds
Welterweight bout: James Nakashima defeats Raimond Magomedaliev by Unanimous Decision (UD) after 3 rounds
ONE Super Series Kickboxing Bantamweight bout: Hiroaki Suzuki defeats Deividas Danyla by Unanimous Decision (UD) after 3 rounds
ONE Super Series Kickboxing Catch Weight bout (73.0kgs): Samy Sana defeats Armen Petrosyan by Unanimous Decision (UD) after 3 rounds
Heavyweight bout: Alexandre Machado defeats Hideki Sekine by TKO  at 1:44 minutes of round 2
ONE Super Series Muay Thai Bantamweight bout: Han Zi Hao defeats Azwan Che Wil by TKO (Referee Stoppage) at 2:52 minutes of round 1
Strawweight bout: Jeremy Miado defeats Peng Xue Wen by TKO (Strikes) at 0:53 minutes of round 2
Flyweight bout: Akihiro Fujisawa defeats Rockie Bactol by TKO (Strikes) at 4:40 minutes of round 3
Flyweight bout: Rudy Agustian defeats Asraful Islam by Unanimous Decision (UD) after 3 rounds

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

Gravity Interactive Launches Dragon Saga in the Philippines

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Massive Multiplayer Online Role Playing Game or MMORPG still continues as a favorite past time among the teens as a group or team effort activity that is still highly favored as an opportunity to gather together amidst like-minded friends or peers while exchanging banters or cheers for every loss or win in a game.

It's also our way to reach in to our inner desires and aspirations as we travel a different world and converse with avatars of online players exploring within the game. Hack, slash, kill monsters, earn loots as rewards, accept and complete challenges, buy stuff to enhance your wardrobe, improve your fighting skills with high-end weapons, or simply chat among fellow players.

Both online and offline of the online gaming world could become an exciting adventure for everyone, and sometimes could also lead to a career inspired by the game, but sometimes the games could also be frustrating especially if we constantly get owned by the enemy or other team.

Elite announces the Philippine launch of Gravity Interactive's Dragon Saga PH, an action-packed 3D side-scrolling online realm where dragons roam the heavens and earth. Explore the depths of Aether - the exiled dragon's homeland, and save the world from impending war.

The game has a cutesy "chibi" art style reminiscent of cartoons and anime that is sure to catch the gamers (regardless of his or her age) attention.

The game combines an open world and dungeon run mode scheme - offering various PVP modes like Ranking/Ladder and Guild VS Guild that can keep casual and competitive gamers highly immersed into the game experience.

You may select one of the 4 base classes as your character: Warrior, Magician, Archer, and Thief for Humans.

There are also two additional special characters for the Dragonkin class: the Shaman or Twin Fighter. The game has a lot more feature such as the Pet system, Home system, Couple system, Guild and Market.

The launch involved an opportunity to play the game in a friendly competition among some of the attendees where one group won some gadgets as prizes from the organizers. Coreon Gate Internet Cafe was the event venue where attendees were able to witness the game upclose and personal.

WORLDBEX 2018 Leads at the Forefront of Global Expansion

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Now on its 23^rd year, the Philippine World Building and Construction Expo (WORLDBEX) sustains its outstanding streak as it opens its doors to a record-breaking number of local and international exhibitors. Plus, an increase in its total exhibition space with the addition of the 2,500sqm wide Northwing hall of the World Trade Center which will house over 120 booths.

Happening on March 14 – 18 from 10am to 8pm, this year’s WORLDBEX is expected to be the show’s biggest installment yet as it is set to be held at the three mega venues of the World Trade Center Metro Manila, the Philippine Trade Training Center, and the SMX Convention Center Manila. With all three venues combined, this year’s WORLDBEX will encompass a total of 37,100sqm of show area as it showcases 1,500 booths by both domestic and foreign players of the construction sector.

In turn, WORLDBEX 2018 has noted a 25% increase in international exhibitors, a 12% increase in local exhibitors, and a 20% increase in total number of booths. Signifying something far beyond mere showmanship, the expansion being undergone by WORLDBEX is a brimming testament of the show’s thriving ascendancy as a global force. And the same could be said about its decision to adopt the theme of “Shaping Innovations Toward Sustainability” for its 2018 installment.

As revealed by Worldbex Services International’s Founding Chairman Joseph Ang, “Deliberately conceived to parallel the growing concern of the international community with regard to the need to develop ingenious yet mindful solutions, our theme for this year’s show deeply echoes WORLDBEX’s commitment to connect with the global pulse.”

It comes as no surprise that the reception of both the local and international community towards the upcoming show has been widely optimistic. Laying proof to this was the successful turnout of the WORLDBEX 2018 Exhibitors’ Orientation Program held last January 31 at the Hall B of the Philippine Trade Training Center; where over 700 attendees from 300 companies took part in the pre-show event.

As affirmed by Richmond Sy, President and General Manager of GRM Biowood, a first-time platinum sponsor for WORLDBEX, “Worldbex is the gold standard for construction expos and is well-known for showcasing the newest and most innovative products of the industry under one roof.” Moreover, Sy found this year’s theme highly relevant as it reflects what his company is all about.

On the other hand, 20 years later and Puyat Flooring Products Inc. remains to be one of the longest standing sponsors of WORLDBEX. Recalling their journey as one of the pioneer exhibitors of WORLDBEX, Missy Castro, Communications Manager for Puyat Flooring Products Inc. states, “Our participation has helped us a lot to reach out to our target customers and showcase the beauty and effectiveness of our products. Indeed, it is the most ideal venue to let our clients know about our company and our products!”

However, there seems to be no better exemplification of the burgeoning role of WORLDBEX as a key driver of economic growth on a global scale than the impressive number of international participants that will be taking part at this year’s show. Assuming the role of being the global construction industry’s gateway to Southeast Asia, among the new countries to participate at the much-anticipated event include Indonesia, Australia, Turkey, Germany, Iran, and Japan. These countries now join the roster of longtime international partners that support WORLDBEX, such as Korea, Malaysia, Denmark, Singapore, Spain, China, New Zealand, UAE, Thailand, the US, and Vietnam.

Particularly impressive is the enthusiasm expressed by Malaysian companies who are expected to occupy the most number of booths at this year’s International Pavilion. Leading the pack is Malaysian powerhouse MATRADE which has been allocated 30 booths. As remarked by MaTrade’s Trade Commissioner, Ms. Nyaee Ayup, “WORLDBEX has continuously showcased the emerging and innovative products in the industry. Indeed, it serves as an excellent platform for trade exchange and to learn best practises from other participating countries.”

Without a doubt, this year’s WORLDBEX marks an incredible milestone not just for the show but for the country’s economic position as a whole. As remarked by Florian Gottein, Executive Director of the European Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines, “With the fast-changing Philippine business landscape and many developments across all industries, it is through events such as the WORLDBEX that the best in the Philippine building and construction industry can come together and showcase the many opportunities within the sector.”

Furthermore, Noel Toti Cariňo, National President of the Chamber of Real Estate & Builders’ Associations, Inc. cites WORLDBEX’s vast global network as an “affirmation of their bright prospects for the Philippine property and construction industry.”

Once again, WORLDBEX leads at the forefront of pushing forth the expansion of the Philippine construction industry to unprecedented heights. WORLDBEX 2018 will run from March 14 to 18 from 10am to 8pm at the three mega venues of World Trade Center Metro Manila, Philippine Trade Training Center, and the SMX Convention Center, Pasay. The show is organized by the Worldbex Services International, the country’s leading events and expo organizer. To pre-register, visit www.worldbex.com. To know more, like the Worldbex Services International Facebook page and follow @worldbex on Instagram.

Nine Mistakes That Online Shoppers Are Guilty Of

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Buy what you want with just a click. Online shopping has become a great convenience. You can search and shop for almost anything from anywhere around the world from the confines of your room. As convenient as shopping online is, it does not mean you should click “buy” before adequately educating yourself. Here are some mistakes to avoid to ensure a safe and satisfying online shopping experience:


1. Not Shopping Around

Once you see an item that you like, would you buy it straight away? Why not search further for a better price and save. In the current competitive market, online retailers tend to offer products at more attractive prices. By spending a fair amount of time looking through various online stores, you can, not only compare prices, but also gather more information like delivery time and shipping costs to help you make a more informed purchase decision.


2. Forgetting to Search for and Shop with a Coupon

Coupon codes are a great way to save money. Why pay full price when you can save a percent off your product? The majority of online stores offer these money-saving codes, which can be found with just a quick search. Some websites like iPrice, readily provide their coupons by highlighting it on their homepage so that consumers can easily find and use them.


3. Skipping Reviews

There is no greater fury than a customer scorned, either by a bad product or bad service experience. Many tend to make their displeasure known online. However, it is also the forum for those satisfied with their purchase to give praise to their favourite product. Bloggers and vloggers are readily available to provide useful information like how-to-use the product and their opinions after using the product. Always read reviews on the item that you intend to purchase. This can give you better insights on the product quality, what the product is used for and user experience.

As there are many opinions out there, one way to avoid being overwhelmed by it all, is to look out for the three-star reviews. These tend to offer more pros and cons, whereas five-star reviews could be inflated and those with one-star could just be from customers who are never happy.


4. Purchasing from Unknown or Insecure Sites

An important part of online shopping is to be able to trust the website. You can get clues about the security by entering the company’s website url in the browser. A good indication is if url begins with https rather than http, the added 's' shows that it is a secure site. Another clue to look for is 'padlock icon' before the website’s address indicating that the site uses encryption to ensure security. One more clue, you can get if website is secured with SSL certificate such as (Extended Validation) EV SSL of Comodo and that clue is you can also see business/company name in the browser. A good rule of thumb is not to purchase anything from suspicious looking or unknown websites – let alone linger on one. Such websites pose high potential in not only messing up your order but worse of all, compromising your credit card or debit card information.


5. Not Using Your Credit Card

Shopping online with a debit card will help limit your spending as you can only shop with the amount you have in your bank account. However, using a debit card runs a higher risk of identity theft and hackers being able to access your personal bank account and money. Should hackers gain access to your bank account, getting your money back will be difficult and in some cases, you may be forced to close your account.

Using credit cards to shop online is generally more secure than debit cards. With the rise in identity theft and fraud, credit cards offer better consumer protection against unauthorised transactions. Some avid online shoppers even use a separate credit card for all their online shopping. With this, any would-be hacker would have access to that one credit card and a call to the credit card provider would help remedy the situation.

A good habit to practice is to review your credit card statements regularly and keep a track of all your transactions. Should you spot anything that should not be on your bill, do contact the credit card provider immediately.


6. Making Online Purchases on Public Wi-Fi Connections
While shopping over public wi-fi at a café or other public areas may be a good way to pass the time, it is not recommended due to security reasons. Such public wi-fi access areas are often not properly secured and can be easily compromised by hackers. Your personal information and credit card details are at risk. So, it is best to do your online shopping when at home or on a secure private network.


7. Not Reading the Return Policy

Found the item that you were looking for, bought it with just one click and discovered that it was not the correct size. Only then to find out that it is stated in the terms and conditions that the item cannot be returned nor exchangeable once sold. A common mistake but a frustrating one.

When shopping for clothes and shoes, always be aware that different retailers, brand and model has the potential to be different. Checking size charts can give you a better idea of how different garments fit. Keep a reminder of your current measurements and typical sizes by your favourite retailer near your computer for quick reference while shopping online.

As good practice, do go through the return policy of each online retailer before you make your purchase.


8. Getting Caught in the Free Trial Trap

As retailers are always eager to keep you updated and informed of the latest promotion or trends, any online shopper regularly receives promotions and free trial offers. This makes signing up for membership or newsletters easy. If you do so, just ensure that the membership perks or the offers are genuine and they are benefits that you will actually use.

Be especially wary of free trials that require your credit card details. Some retailers may sign you up for a long-term subscription without your consent.


9. Falling for “Attractive” Deals and “Exciting” E-mail Links

A majority of consumers at some point of their shopping experience can admit to have fallen for the “attractive and exciting discounts” which one can enjoy by just signing up the retailers’ online form. However, this is followed by a daily influx of emails proclaiming a never-ending slew of offers and discounts. Such emails can tempt you to spend more, turning one purchase into several more.

If you really want to have updates on the latest sales and promotions, one suggestion is to use a separate email account so that you can check your inbox periodically and not have them be a distraction many times in a day.

Online shopping can mean a world of discounts, infinite number of products (and brands) and an easy purchase experience. But if it compromises your personal information, identity and budget, keep in mind these pitfalls mentioned to avoid long term repercussions. By all means, do search, compare prices and save with great deals in order to enjoy a good and safe shopping experience.


Contributor:

Azhann Rosmin

With a deep love of story-telling and literature, Azhann enjoys writing as much as a kid enjoys ice-cream. With a full and fluent grasp of the English language, he writes almost as good as he spins stories of gasps and awe.

The New YZF-R6: Refined, Redesigned, Remarkable

Yamaha Motor Philippines Inc. launches the latest addition in their R-Series Category and would make the R-World very much exciting, the new YZF-R6. This model has the next generation R-Series design and technology that encapsulates the essence of performance, style and function with its very own Racing DNA originated from the top of the line racing model. Having its unparalleled racetrack success, the new YZF-R6 is the perfect choice for amateur and professional racers alike.

You can feel the race bred soul with its powerful 599cc inline 4-cylinder, 16 Titanium valves DOHC F.I engine for a refined and smooth high-revving power. Featuring the Aerodynamic style with the next generation control, its YZF-R1 design style cowling with LED position lights & hidden headlights, Race style Analogue Tachometer with Digital Screen appeals to be sportier than ever.
This new beast also comes with a remarkable high-tech electronic system such as Yamaha’s Chip Controlled Intake (YCC-I) for a broader and more tractable powerband, a 6-mode Traction Control System (TCS) as well as a Quick Shifter System (QSS), ABS and D-Mode Adjustable engine power that will give you the ability to push even harder and ultimate control, while having the fully adjustable YZF-R1 type 43mm upside down front forks combined with rear shock and dual front discs for sharper handling and stronger braking.

The new YZF-R6 is available in Race Blu and Tech Black with an SRP of Php749,000 in all Yamaha Big Bike Shop.

Its time to dominate the road, on track or street.

YZF-R6 Technical Specifications

ENGINE
Engine type	Liquid cooled, 4-stroke, DOHC, Inline 4 cylinder, 16 Titanium Valves
Bore x Stroke	67.0×42.5mm
Compression Ratio	13.1:1
Displacement	599cm3
Maximum Power	87.1kW(118.4PS)/14,500rpm
Maximum Torque	61.7N・m(6.3kgf・m)/10500r/min
Starter System	Electric starter
Lubrication system	Wet sump
Engine Oil Capacity	3.40L
Fuel System	Fuel injection
Clutch Type	Wet, multiple-disc, Slipper Clutch
Transmission Type	Constant mesh, 6-speed
Shift Pattern	1-N-2-3-4-5-6
Final Drive	Chain
Primary/ Secondary  Reduction Ratio	2.073 / 2.813
Gear Ratios	1st: 2.583, 2nd: 2.000, 3rd: 1.667, 4th : 1.444, 5th: 1.286, 6th: 1.150
DIMENSION
Length X Width X Height	2040mm X 695mm X 1150mm
Wheelbase	1375mm
Minimum Ground Clearance	130mm
Seat Height	850mm
Curb Weight (with oil & full fuel tank)	190kg
Fuel Tank Capacity	17L
Caster Angle	24°00′
Trail	97mm
Steering Angle	25°
Minimum Turning Radius	3.6m
FRAMEWORK
Frame Type	Aluminum Delta Box
Front Suspension /  Inner tube diameter	Upside Down Telescopic fork (Coil spring/Hydraulic damper) /  43.0mm
Rear Suspension	Link Type Monocross Suspension
Front Tire / Rim Size	120/70ZR17M/C (58W) Tubeless / 17M/C × MT3.50
Rear Tire / Rim Size	180/55ZR17M/C(73W) Tubeless / 17M/C × MT5.50
Wheel travel(Front/ Rear)	120mm /  120mm
Front Brake	Hydraulic dual disc brake (320mm)
Rear Brake	Hydraulic single disc brake (220mm)
Anti-Lock Braking System	Equipped
Headlight/ Auxiliary light/ Brake Light/ Tail Light/ Turn Signal Light (L/R)	All LED
Meter Panel	Digital Speedometer/ Analogue Tachometer/ Liquid Crystal Odometer / Liquid Crystal Trip Meter / Digital Water Temperature Meter / Digital Clock/ Fuel Consumption Indicator/
ELECTRICAL
Ignition System	TCI (transistor controlled ignition)
Battery Type	YTZ7S / 12V,6.0Ah(10HR)

HIGHLIGHTED FEATURES:

Yamaha Chip Controlled Throttle (YCC-T) system
The Yamaha Chip Controlled Throttle (YCC-T) system provides you with pinpoint accuracy and an unprecedented level of control to push yourself as you define speed. The precise throttle valve opening is calculated and intake volume is controlled in real time to give you the thrust exactly as you intended.

New Adjustable Traction Control System (TCS)
The new YZF-R6 is equipped with a 6-mode adjustable Traction Control System (TCS) that gives more confidence in various road conditions and provides freedom in a wide range of rider preferences. This state-of-the-art system modulates throttle opening, ignition timing and fuel volume seamlessly with minimal disruption to forward drive which is virtually unnoticeable by the rider.

New Selectable Drive Mode (D-Mode)
The 2017 YZF-R6 users are now given full flexibility to choose the ideal engine character for various riding situations. It is equipped with Yamaha’s D-Mode system which offers three throttle valve control maps (Standard Mode, “A-Mode, and “B-Mode”) with different throttle response settings for absolute adaptability in just one click.

Powerful New Brakes with Anti-Lock Braking System(ABS)
Sheer speed requires remarkable braking power. That’s the reason why the 2017 YZF-R6 inherits the braking prowess of the YZF-R1 with larger 320mm dual front disc brakes, matched to radial-mount four-piston calipers and a Nissin® radial-mount master cylinder. To top it all off, now it is equipped with ABS for maximum control as you decelerate in unfavorable road conditions.

Yamaha’s Chip Controlled Intake (YCC-I)
With a multitude of high-tech electronic systems, the YZF-R6 is the most sophisticated 600 supersport bike Yamaha has ever created. The YZF-R6 features Yamaha’s Chip Controlled Intake (YCC-I) which makes for a broader, more tractable powerband while contributing to optimum efficiency.

Upside Down Front Forks (USD)
The 2017 YZF-R6 is now even closer to YZF-R1 as it shares the same advanced KYB® front telescopic forks which are then specifically tuned. These 43mm Upside Down beasts ensure top of its class front-end feel and experience while offering maximum adjustability.

Quick Shift System (QSS)

The YZF-R6 bears all the characteristics of Yamaha’s thoroughbred R-Series DNA. At its very core is speed and precision control. And to help you push even harder is the Quick Shift System (QSS) which enables clutchless upshifts for your unlimited appetite for speed.

Bloggers That Share Fake News: You Give Blog a Bad Name!

 

There’s no such thing as absolute freedom, Mocha. Your freedom ends when it infringes on the rights of others. You can't separate your nonsense individual perspective, to your duty to serve the people.

Communications Assistant Secretary Margaux "Mocha" Uson says she is not required to be fair in her social media posts even after she entered government service because she is a blogger.

Opinion-based po ang blogging." says Mocha. But, Mocha dear, you're not just a mere blogger anymore. You're now an ASec. of the PCOO.

Saying "She's a victim of fake news" and then saying "I invoke my right to self-discrimination" is fairly consistent.

It’s very sad that Mocha, who allegedly spreads fake news, earns a lot more than the teachers who dedicate their lives to educate us.

As a blogger, I'm insulted by Mocha's assertion that bloggers make up facts.

Antonio Trillanes, Bam Aquino, Grace Poe and even Nancy Binay looked good when they were questioning Mocha. There were a lot of quotable quotes that emerged.

It's simple, really. Mocha is not a journalist, so therefore her articles are not news. Take them with a grain of salt. Be a smart reader. Articles written by bloggers like Mocha are like opinion pieces written by columnists. They are not news items. They can be biased.

Fake news is not just mere lying. It masquerades as truth by using and distorting a time-honored genre of truth-telling: journalism.

Mocha is a victim of fake news by mainstream media? That may be too hard to accept but there could be some truth to that statement too.

But are journalists really sharing real news? No matter how you look at it, everyone could never be in exception of being biased, and partisan to certain parties or ideals. Journalists or media  also receive special perks, privileges, freebies, etc., when covering events or featuring certain brands. This is outside the advertising options available on traditional media.

The best example is when a certain brand made a raffle draw where all three reporters of the top TV networks won the main raffle prizes. I don't need to say that the raffle draws were rigged. It was very obvious.

Why are brands doing it, and why are media men accepting this culture? So both parties could get favors. Thus, the spread of "fake news" when "bribes" in the form of tokens or complimentary gifts, or even thanksgiving parties, are offered to media.

"Blogger and Journalist are entirely different. When you are a journalist it is a must to get both sides of the stories while as a blogger you are showing your perspective on the scenario. However each and every blogger should have the strong basis on their opinions. Fake news happens when a journalist or blogger twisted the story and/or showing some chunks of the reality to make it on their favor." - Justine Lee

How to avoid being a victim of fake news?

1) Check if the facts stated match with other reputable sources...

2) Don't fall to confirmation bias (if an article or statement supports your opinion, you don't bother fact checking it anymore)

3) Avoid "hyper-partisan" media because they tend to exaggerate their fanaticism towards their alliances

4) If you did not personally see it, always give it the benefit of the doubt

New on Travelbook.Ph: Easy and Hassle – Free Online Booking of Tour Activities

TravelBook.ph, a leader in providing excellent online hotel booking deals in the Philippines, now becomes a one-stop website for all your travel needs as they are now offering Tours, Activities, and Transfers.

Experience the best with this newest offering from TravelBook.ph!

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Cosplay Mania 2017: Stressful Queues, Missed Meet and Greets, But Lots of Fun with Friends

First of all, Cosplay Mania has been a blast for me. Regardless of the hardships I encountered on both days of the event. It amazed me how star studded the event was. Inviting seiyuus we all love and cosplayers we go gaga all over. The Japanese singers are all fantastic. Even though I only knew a few of the songs they performed, I kept my head banging, my hand keep swaying and I keep on shouting cheers till my voice got hoarse. Even the creators of Yuri on Ice was a huge bomb to me, having them tell us the secret behind the success of the anime and we even got the chance to see something exclusive. In these part of the event I wish for them to keep up the good work. Having good relations to other countries especially Japan, the home of our beloved anime, should be maintained and nourished.

But because this has been a huge event, there have been problems that arise. Day 1 was hell. Yep, that was one way to describe it. I usually arrive early for events like this but I made sure that on day 1 I will arrive much earlier than my usual. I came around 7AM but the line was already long. At first I didn't mind that. It's the usual, I would say. But after they opened the door for entry and an hour already passed but my line didn't even budge a bit.

Most of the people lining up are already complaining because its really hot. I'm starting to get irritated too because a girl suddenly cut in between me and the group in front of me, thinking that it was the end of the line. Good thing she realized her mistake and looked for the end of the line. That made me ask why. Why is the line so messy and taking forever to move.

I've been attending cons for years and I even arrive late at some but the usual was 12 in the afternoon most of the line are already gone and most of congoers are already having a blast inside. But on day 1, the show already started but the attendees are still outside. I missed the first sched for the meet and greet.

At around 12 noon I am almost desperate because the Yuri on Ice panel will start at 1 and I'm still outside. 12:30 and I finally entered the SMX only to be shoved to another line for the tyvek. Then it dawned to me what is making the line move slower. It was this tyvek system that they changed. That instead of doing it in the entrance itself so that the congoers are directly entering the con area, they made another line for the tyvek booth. Its like we need to line up four times for the entrance itself. Other says that we shouldn't complain about the long line because its the usual on events like this. Yes its true. But will you complain if you fall in line at SM mega's staircase and SMX hallways with aircons and away from the glaring sun. Nope. Its the heat that they made us to endure that triggered our hot headedness.

All in all the staff was unprepared for the crowd. To think that they should have an estimate of attendees based on the pre-selling of ticket they made. We even bought the ticket earlier so it would spare us the line for the ticket buying but it all became meaningless.

After the hellish and chaotic line I finally got inside and started enjoying myself. Strolling from booth to booth, buying merchs. Watched the Yuri on Ice Panel, the only reason why I attended day 1 and then stroll again to get pics from cosplayers. When all of a sudden I encountered the best moment of my life, I turn around and there she is, my idol, Hikarin.

Starstruck and dumbfounded I didn't notice her anxiousness... She was stuck in the crowd on her way to the stage and even her assistants are clueless as to what to do. Another evidence of unpreparedness. Then I heard one of the fans says that Hikarin was sad because no one was buying for her meet and greet. Sorry to Hikarin and other guests but your fans are all trapped outside. And the most astonishing thing is Hikarin was the first to apologise to her fans that waited outside and didn't even get the chance to see her. Take note, not the Cosplay Mania organizers who first apologise but the guest themselves even though they have nothing to do in managing the event. How was that?

I gave another chance for day 2. I even arrived an hour earlier than yesterday. Luckily, my friends will all be attending so there is someone I could talk to while waiting. I hold a gold ticket and our line moved faster than yesterday so its a thumbs up for that improvement. They added another lane for the VIP and Gold which is good too because on day 1, silver moved faster than the VIP lane that made people more irritated. I also noticed the increase of police and security personnel.

On day 1 a friend of mine lost her iPhone and others among her line lost their phone too. The lack of security is alarming so I'm glad they added it up on day 2. I enjoyed taking pictures with my friend and waited for the guests meet and greet.

But alas we weren't able to attend because we don't have a stub that they did not explain how to get or where to get. I heard that you need to buy something for the meet and greet. We all thought that it was already part of the gold ticket since its one of the halls we could access. They did not explain that part thoroughly so our efforts in lining up are in vain. We even missed the Seiyuu's stage appearance for that. We even lined up an hour earlier for the Jam concert.

When we got inside, they imposed the rule of no photo and video recording, same as their other program. Me and my friends enjoyed the Jam. Singing, waving, dancing along with the guests singers. But what annoyed me is that, one of the organizer will walk in front of us every minute waving the signboard saying no photo and video recording. Its really disturbing how we are in the height of jam and they will appear in front of us. They could have make it every after song or the in between rest of the singers. I know they really want to be strict for the guests sake but they could have done it better. Its not only the guest that are important, the fans too waited for this moment for a long time not just to be pissed by their crappy management. In short if not for my friends sharing the same pain as me, I would have felt the same way as day 1.

Yes the Cosplay Mania is the best. What they offer, the guests they brought and how they presented them to us are the best. But how they treated the fans and congoers are the worst.

Written by Ailene Amihan (Hikari Kaze)

Ready, Get Set, Let's Go to Komiket!

Wazzup Pilipinas!

The Filipino Komiks Art Market (KOMIKET) will launch its biggest event of the year from October 14 to 15 at Centris Elements, EDSA corner Quezon Avenue, Quezon City.

Over 450 komiks creators, illustrators and writers, ready to share their newest works, will be present during the event. Meet and greet Komiks Superstars Arnold Arre, Gerry Alanguilan, Pol Medina Jr., and Manix Abrera, social media heavyweights Hunghang Flashbacks, Sskait and Libreng Komiks, art market favorites Gwapings ng Komiks, Ilustrador ng Kabataan, Patay Kung Patay, first-time creators from the 3rd Comic Book Creator’s Workshop, among others.

The first 1,000 attendees will get a free copy of KOMMUNITY, a komiks collection from some of the creators of the local komiks community. Artists and readers will unite at the KOMIKET TALKS: Readers Meet Creators. At least ten book club communities will meet and discuss with the creators for the first time. Get first dibs on the latest releases and bring home stickers, postcards, prints, zines and books in this affordable art market. 

Tickets are priced at 100 pesos each. Check out the Komiket Facebook page for more details.

Viber Celebrates Two-Year Anniversary of its Deleted Messages Feature, with Over 5 Billion Times Users Were Saved from Embarrassment

Viber, one of the world’s leading messaging apps is celebrating the two-year anniversary of Deleted Messages, which officially launched in November 2015. As of today, Viber announces that users have deleted a total of five billion messages thus far.

Viber understands that everyone has those moments when you hit send but realize you’ve sent the message or photo to the wrong person, or that you should have used a different word! For the past two years, Viber has prided itself on being the app that forgives and forgets, so you never need to worry if you accidentally send your boss a “NSFW” photo.

Viber’s Deleted Messages feature allows users in both one-on-one conversations and group messages to delete a message sent by accident immediately. Viber’s unique functionality allows users to delete messages for up to two weeks, even if a message had previously been read. Viber keeps an in-chat trace to let users know on each side if a message was deleted. The company is planning to roll out advanced features in the near future pertaining to this function.

Since its inception, Viber’s innovative technology has created market standards for others. Viber most recently launched its Chat Extension feature at the end of 2016, which allows users to access a range of top tier content through services like YouTube, Spotify, Vice, Booking.com and GIPHY from within the chat window to search, share and consume, eliminating the need for users to toggle between apps.

“Here at Viber, we are proud that users are enjoying the innovative features of our app, like our Delete Messages functionality,” says Djamel Agaoua, Viber CEO. “We love hearing personal anecdotes from users how this feature saved their reputation. We are very flattered to see other apps are following Viber’s path, and are introducing their takeoffs of Viber’s innovations that’s available for our users for a while. I’m certain the exciting features we have launched this year like our super popular chat extensions will continue to create an industry benchmark in the future.”

Culinaire 2017: Our Passport to a Flight of Flavors

Congratulations to Juan Carlo catering for winning three awards (Best Appetizer, Best Main Dish and Best Setup) at the Culinaire 2017 event held last night at SMX Convention Center Manila.

I believe Juan Carlo emerged as the crowd favorite as well last year. They have obviously been consistent with the quality and taste of their dishes even in small servings.

Juan Carlo was followed by Conrad Manila for winning two awards (Best Dessert and Best Service). There were 14 that night but the awards were all received by the said two caterers as voted by the attendees themselves.

Though the caterers had been designated to offer specialties coming from different countries (Germany, China, Japan, Korea, Italy, Turkey, France, USA, India, Mexico, Brazil, Thailand and the Philippines) to conform with the theme of the night "Flight of Flavors," where we had a boarding pass and passport accompanying us as we roam around our different culinary destinations.

But before all the tummy traveling treats, the management of SMX welcomed the attendees and presented the good news that happened, happening nd about to happen with their many venues from Megatrade Halls to SMX Conventions Centers here in Manila and other areas like Davao and Cebu.

Conrad Manila got Best Dessert and Best Service Awards

Juan Carlo Catering got three awards (Best Appetizer, Best Main Dish and Best Setup)

The caterers who participated were the same batch as last year but with the addition of three more (Kitchen City, M Catering and Fine Foods, and Manila Catering). The original batch are LJC Group Catering Service, Tamayo's Catering, TJIOE, Via Mare, Albergus, Bizu, Conrad Manila, Hizon's Catering, Josiah's Catering, Event Shaker Mobile Bar (the only bar) and Juan Carlo.

All caterers have given their best but still everyone was required to vote for their chosen ones to win five awards. It is also times like these that many would wish they have a bigger stomach. With 14 caterers (1 bar) offering delightful dishes, you could not really fit everything in one seating so I had to go through every dish offering half-way . Meaning, I had to eat only half or just a portion of everything so I would have room for everything. I felt I had this obligation to judge them well so skipping a caterer was not an option. My mission that night was to taste everything even if it means not being able to consume the entire portions of the dishes.

To be objective in my judgement, I had to sacrifice eating only half of that Churros, just a portion of that Slow Braised Beef Ribs and Roasted Leg of Ham, just a piece of that Azuki Pearls with Rose Jelly ..... you get the idea.

Juan Carlo's Beef Brasatto truly was tender and tasty deserving of the Best Main Dish win. Their Setup is equally superb since it attracts attention in just one look, while their Wrap a la Portofino appetizer is worth every praise.

Conrad Manila's dessert CO2 Soju Lime was quite unique for me and makes you want to return for more as your happy ending.

The organizers of the event know very well to offer finger foods and cocktails before the event started, and the final drink of coffee that was available for everyone at one side of the venue.

Culinaire is really an event I always look forward to. Being my third time at a Culinaire event has given me the opportunity to compare, and I could very well say that the event has been constantly improving every year. Congratulations to SMX for a very successful event.