Wazzup Pilipinas News and Events

Tuesday, June 24, 2014

Rescue, Revive, Relive Escolta at #SelfiEscolta: The Manila Street Heritage Festival

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Young people use the power of social media to raise awareness on Manila’s forgotten but beloved heritage street in this all-day arts, music and food fest.

The Queen of Manila streets is reclaiming her crown as a relevant and productive district in modern times.

The Escolta Revival Movement, an umbrella group composed of property and business owners, public institutions, and organizations from the arts and heritage conservation sectors have joined forces for one vision. They have united for a collective effort to rescue and revive Escolta, to make it the country’s premier central business and luxury district once again.

To raise awareness and help boost Manila’s local tourism, they will hold an event called #selfiEscolta: The Manila Street Heritage Festival. It will be held along Escolta Street on June 28, 2014 (Saturday), from 9:00 am to 10:00 pm.

#selfiEscolta features various simultaneous activities to showcase the best of Manila’s famed district. These include special guided tours that will take attendees to all the heritage buildings in the district. There will also be an art and food market plus on-site entertainment, among others. Confirmed performers include the likes of Gary Granada, Tres Marias (Cookie Chua, Bayang Barrios, Lolita Carbon), Plagpul, Persephone, Estribo, Fiona, and more.

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Nowadays, almost everyone rely on their smartphone to keep themselves updated and informed. Looking at how things are going right now, it will be no surprise when after a few more years, online media will be the only option fast, convenient and reliable enough to refer to. With the ever-growing popularity of smartphones already becoming a necessity among many people, it is a wise decision to incorporate almost everything on a mobile platform including the way we do business.

To meet the growing demand for mobile internet services in the emerging markets, Lamudi Philippines has recently launched an app that would allow house-hunters to buy, rent or sell real estate using an Android phone - the dominant mobile platform worldwide capturing more than 60 percent of the local mobile market.

Launched in 2013, Lamudi is a global property portal focusing exclusively on emerging markets. The fast-growing platform is currently available in 28 countries in Asia, the Middle East, Africa and Latin America, with 400,000 real estate listings across its global network. The leading real estate marketplace offers sellers, buyers, landlords and renters a secure and easy-to-use platform to find or list properties online.

Held at the Croque Cafe and + Bakery in Makati last June 20, 2014, the app named Lamudi: Real Estate for Sale and Rent was introduced to selected members of the media by Jacqueline van den Ende, Managing Director of Lamudi Philippines. It's technical features was further discussed by Benedict Plaza, Lamudi Philippines' resident tech expert.

Social Innovators: An Interview with Jay Jaboneta of the Yellow Boat of Hope Foundation

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I know there are a lot of efforts to help out our countrymen especially during times of disaster or conflict, but I never really realized that it can be initiated not only by the big corporations, whom we thought would normally have the money to spend coming from their corporate social responsibility funds, but also by individuals who have the strong inner compassion to band together and raise funds for the welfare of the less fortunate.

Many have taken time off from their daytime jobs to lend a hand in any way they can. Some of the people I know even resigned from work to dedicate their lives to similar efforts. I learned about some of them from the recently concluded social innovators gathering called The Dream Expo MNL that was held at the Asian Development Bank in Ortigas Center last June 11 to 13, 2014, of which 200 selected social innovation groups, including Wazzup Pilipinas, attended to listen to several speakers who have already gained a significant footing towards social innovation movements. Many of them have been recognized already for their achievements and contributions making me so very proud I was there to listen to how they chased and lived their dreams of forming an organization that would eventually make this country better if all the rest of us would follow.

I sent a private message through Facebook to many of them and requested an online interview that I sent over email after they agreed. The first one to reply back with a filled up questionnaire was Jay Jaboneta, Fire Starter and Chief Storyteller of the Yellow Boat of Hope Foundation. The story of his valiant advocacy was among the interesting ones that caught my attention during The Dream Expo MNL because it was centered on youth education, specifically on the provision of boats to children who had to swim just to go to school.

Below is my interview with Jay Jaboneta done online, but I am still hoping that one of these days I may be able to join his group in one of their on-site activities so I could cover them personally and get to feel how it is really like to see glimpses of hope seen on the children's eyes.

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I recently got my hand on this cool portable keyboard that's so thin yet durable enough to perhaps lasts longer than what I've been currently using.

I used to have a foldable keyboard that I bring around everywhere I go. I attach it to my tablet so I can work on my writing more comfortably even while traveling, or during certain times while while for an event to start, break time during conferences or seminars, or even while at a coffee shop drinking my favorite brewed concoction and eating a slice of cake.

Logitech makes an extensive line of keyboard cases for all variants of iPad and one of their newest offerings is the Logitech Ultrathin Keyboard Folio. I was pleased with the look, feel, comfort, and protection that it provides.

It was so easy to attach it and configure on my tablet. I got it working after a few seconds and it tested out fine even after several hours of usage. It's more practical to use it because of its durable rubber material that is said to be shock resistant rather than my foldable keyboard whose body is made of softer rubber, which incidentally has some numbers at the numeric keypad area already not working. It may have been caused by the multiple times it has been folded and unfolded but for sure this will no longer be fixable.

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NBFI Youth federation for environmental preservation (NBFI YFEP) is an environmental Youth organization committed to nature preservation through knowledge and student empowerment. Our mission is to increase youth awareness on various environmental issues through social networking and be one with other environmental units with similar aspiration, to create and organize a range of projects and advocacies that would address the different ecological challenges and to take the necessary actions that will guarantee a safe and viable earth for future generations.

NBFI MUSIC ARTISTS “APOLAKI” created their original songs and one of these is “Sama Sama” “Pagbago” at “Iyak ng Kabatann” which then hit the social networks locally and internationally. They guested on several big events like in Robert B. Estrella Memorial National High School in Carmen, Pangasinan, Sierra Madre Day in Quezon Memorial Circle, Quezon City, De La Salle- Dasma., 4th Philippine Greeneration Summit in SM Mall of Asia, People’s Congress with former Chief Justice Reynato Puno in AIM Convention Center, Makati City, SEARICE Convention in UP Diliman, Batangas State University, UPLB, Ateneo De Manila, Earthday Jamwith Ms. Lou Bonnevie , Aquatech Philippines, radio Veritas and several radio stations they have visited.

“Apolaki” means God of sun and war. "Sun" because they believe that their group will shine bright because of their impressive talents and devotion, and “war”because they can be warriors of and for the environment.

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Looking for a great bag for your kids and teens? Want to impress your friends without breaking the bank? Looking for something fashionable , functional, and yet affordable? Then you have to try out the Parachute brand!

Parachute was launched in November of last year, available at department stores and kiosks nationwide, including provinces like Cebu, Davao, Bacolod and Cagayan de Oro. It aims to engage a customer base that aspires to be chic and versatile. Two differing personalities rolled into one. That is Parachute’s core.

Parachute has been created to channel the spirit of eco-friendly shopping. Parachute uses eye-catching shapes and colors, featuring bold characters, strong prints, and lightweight material. Keeping busy customers in mind, Parachute bags are portable and stylish.

Each bag can be converted from one style to another. Perfect for traveling, it looks like a pouch one moment; pop it into your luggage and when it’s time to use, open it up and you’ve got an extra carry-on.

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The ENTREPRENEUR AND FRANCHISE EXPO 2014 with the tagline, “Your Step to Success!”, is set to be held on June 27-29, 2014 at the MegatradeHall, 5TH Floor, Mega B Building, SM Megamall, Mandaluyong City. Empowering over 100 Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) from various business sectors, the 3-day event features innovative and fast growing businesses, from food, education, retailing, real estate, travel, automobiles, logistics, agriculture, manufacturing, technology and financing that visitors can explore from. The expo will also provide seminars on how to build a successful business, from funding, hiring, to finding the perfect business for you, making it the perfect market place for aspiring entrepreneurs and future franchises.

“Over 99% percent of registered businesses in the Philippines are MSMEs according to the DTI, but they combined only contribute to 30% of the National GDP. With the ASEAN integration happening in 2015 with new competition coming in, our vision as the expo organizer is to strengthen local businesses and provide a platform for them to showcase their innovative products and services. We also provide assistance for business owners and executives to network amongst other professionals and stakeholders in order to open opportunities for aspiring entrepreneurs to start their own business and for local businesses to grow regional” says MEDIACOM SOLUTIONS INC. President and Entrepreneur and Franchise Expo Founder and Managing Director, David Abrenilla.

The Entrepreneur and Franchise Expo 2014 is supported by the Young Entrepreneurs Society Philippines and the Filipino International Franchise Association (FIFA), lead by multi-awarded franchise developer Mr. Rudolf Kotik, who will share his insights on how to build and grow a successful franchise business on Sunday, June 29 from 3pm-5pm.

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Ballet Philippines, the country’s classical and contemporary company in cooperation with the National Historical Commission of the Philippines proudly announces the return of Agnes Locsin’s La Revolucion Filipina to kick off the company’s 45th Anniversary – The Sapphire Season.

The sublime paralytic Apolinario Mabini and the story of his role in the Philippine Revolution are brought into the limelight once again, just in time for the hero’s sesquicentennial birth anniversary.

Named Outstanding Dance Production and winner of Outstanding Choreography for Agnes Locsin at the 2008 Gawad Buhay! Awards, La Revolucion Filipina features original music by Ryan Cayabyab and libretto by Dennis Marasigan.

Choreographer Agnes Locsin was a former artistic director and resident choreographer of Ballet Philippines. She was the Gawad CCP awardee for Dance in 2012.

This fourth restaging of the modern dance masterpiece is led by three members of La Revolucion Filipina’s original cast, Annette Cruz-Mariano, Judell de Guzman-Sicam, and Alden Lugnasin.

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Fresh from its success last year, the DLSU Student Media Office will once again host the Student Media Congress 2014 with the theme "Empowering Media Catalysts" on July 25-26, 2014 at De La Salle University-Manila. It is a two-day event that includes workshops and talks from influential and credible speakers in the field of media. Expected number of participants is around 1,100 coming from different universities and colleges around the Philippines.

Student Media Congress believes that media is one of the largest industries of today--with different fields that could and should be dealt with. So this year's Student Media Congress is offering a variety of competing and non competing workshops that tackles with different practices of media, hosted by it's prime practitioners.

Now's the chance to learn and hone your skills from top media personalities! Catch Howie Severino, Rico Hizon, Mick Atienza, Carlos Mori Rodriguez, Santiago Elizalde and many more at this year's Student Media Congress from July 25 to 26 at De La Salle University-Manila.

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In the span of a year, Red Turnip Theater has made its mark in the Philippine theater scene. The band of five actors that make up Red Turnip (Ana Abad Santos, Topper Fabregas, Jenny Jamora, Cris Villonco and Rem Zamora) wanted to come up with a maiden season that would re-introduce Philippine audiences to the straight play while putting their own stamp on the theatrical experience. Their first production, “Closer”, was a bruising and honest take on modern day relationships and their follow-up, “Cock”, was a biting comedy about sexual identity. Both productions went on to acclaim with critics and audiences alike.

The five are back with their second season and are excited to kickstart it with the 2007 Pulitzer Prize winner, “Rabbit Hole”. Written by David Lindsay-Abaire, “Rabbit Hole” was a Broadway hit that garnered several Tony nominations and a win for its lead actress, Cynthia Nixon. It was then adapted into a critically-acclaimed film with Nicole Kidman in 2010 and earned her an Oscar nomination for Best Actress.

The story revolves around Becca and Howie, a couple who lose their four year old son to a car accident, and the grief that slowly threatens to tear them apart. Shifting between humour and heartbreak, “Rabbit Hole” explores the way people deal with loss and how this affects those closest to them; their families. Variety calls it “an intensely emotional examination of grief, laced with wit, insightfulness, compassion, and searing honesty”.