Miss Earth 2016: Empowered to Make a Change

Wazzup Pilipinas!

The Philippines once again plays host to the 16th edition of Miss Earth, the highly anticipated international environmental event that has been crowning beauty queens who serve at the forefront of promoting environmental awareness.

The announcement was made by Carousel’s Executive Vice President and Miss Earth founder Lorraine Schuck. Following the success of the Austrian staging of the event last year, Carousel thought it best to bring back Miss Earth to its home country where change is adamantly implemented in different sectors.

“It has always been our mission to encourage everyone to make a change in their day-to-day activities in terms of lessening their carbon footprint,” states Ms. Schuck. “Imagine the effects of these little steps if there would be millions who are willing to make that change.”

Carousel believes that the Philippine staging of Miss Earth 2016 will amplify the current administration’s stand on environmental issues. Both Carousel and the current DENR Secretary Gina Lopez have been partners in the past in a campaign for a cleaner and greener environment.

This year’s delegates are scheduled to visit ecotourism destinations in different parts of the country. A far cry from the leisure and touristy spots, Miss Earth 2016 will showcase the rich biodiversity of the country and encourage sustainability in the process.

“We understand the need to raise funds through the promotion of our tourist spots, but not to the point of compromising nature,” Ms. Schuck explains. “We also need to strike a balance between creating profit and conserving the environment for the benefit of small communities.”

90 delegates are expected to arrive by early October. Aside from the event’s thrust to promote environmental consciousness, Miss Earth 2016 promises to be another spectacular television event that will be seen in an estimated 190+ countries around the world.

“We are very thankful for the support we have been getting from different international television networks,” shares Carousel President Ramon Monzon. “Our international broadcast is not only an indication of the worldwide popularity of Miss Earth, but equally important, it’s also a sign that Miss Earth’s mission is being heard and done in various countries.”

The grand coronation night of Miss Earth 2016 is slated on Saturday, October 29, 7:00 PM at the MOA Arena, with local and international live telecast.

Tanghalang Ateneo Presents “Boy”

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Who were you, who are you and who will you become? How much of you did you decide for yourself?

Tanghalang Ateneo, the longest-running theater company of the Loyola Schools of the Ateneo de Manila University opens its 38th season: De/Constructing Narratives with Boy, a thought-provoking new play by award-winning American playwright Anna Ziegler. This will go onstage at the Ateneo de Manila’s Black Box Theater (Fine Arts Annex) on October 19-November 10.

The play, which just had its world premiere produced by Keen Company in New York City earlier this year, is translated into Filipino by Guelan Varela-Luarca and directed by Ed Lacson, Jr. Tanghalang Ateneo’s production of this play not only serves as its Philippine premiere but is also its first international staging and the first one produced outside of the original New York City production.

Boy is a story of self-realization and gender identity, a journey to find one’s self amidst doubt and confusion. The play follows the life of Adam Turner who, as a new-born baby, had an unfortunate medical accident resulting in his parents deciding to raise him as a girl upon the advice of a renowned psychologist. As Adam grows older, his confusion about who he is and what he wants to become in life becomes more and more apparent that his parents eventually decide to reveal to him his biological gender. The discovery leads Adam to re-create himself, severing all communication with his psychologist.

Our Awesome VIP Helicopter Ride with PhilJets

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Less than 10 minutes from Makati to Pasay city? 

That's our travel time from the rooftop of the Manila Peninsula Hotel in Makati to the hangar of PhilJets in Pasay City. That was not even the fastest time possible since the pilot sort of toured us along the scenic route where we passed by popular landmark establishments like the Mall of Asia complex and other hotels along the path towards our target destination.

Now, that's not an achievable travel time if you're going to take the roads via any means of transportation especially with the traffic congestion of Metro Manila. It might be possible via motorbike, but you have to be quite a rider to pass through our streets aside from being exposed to the elements like pollution and weather (both from the scorching heat of the sun and the unpredictable rain and floods). Furthermore, you may not be of your very best appearance, and smell, after struggling among the many vehicles that fill the long stretch of EDSA and other inner streets. 

For many businessmen and Very Important Persons (VIPs), time could literally be gold. Every second counts for each moment could mean landing a huge deal or losing an investment opportunity. They need to be from point A to point B ASAP to meet with important partners, clients, investors, etc., to do their business deals. Thus, money spent now may not really matter for the return could be more than a thousandfold. 

This is why those who could afford would not miss out on getting the services of a helicopter transport provider such as PhilJets. It's the fastest and most convenient way to travel! So until we have invented the flying cars just like what the Back to the Future movie showed us as their prediction of the future, these businessmen will settle for a helicopter ride to get to their destination safe and feeling fresh.