TopApp to Revolutionize Digital Spending of PH Smartphone Users

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Tired of lining up when paying your bills? Fret no more because your e-wallet gets smarter with TopApp!

As the smartphone market marches on to capture the next 10 million users, TopApp, a revolutionary new software tool for smartphones, marks its arrival in the fast-changing mobile phone landscape today.

Developed by UpMobile International Ventures, Inc., TopApp is a digital services hub that taps into various technologies and electronic businesses through smartphones to serve the lifestyle needs of its users, like reloading your airtime credits, paying your bills, making purchases online, and availing exclusive discounts and promos.

Built with the intention of empowering Filipino smartphone users, TopApp can turn any compatible device into a tool for improving one’s workflow and increasing one’s comfort with its three features:

TopApp Credit

TopApp Credit is an eWallet that lets users do a number of things that they would otherwise only be able to do with cash or credit and debit cards. Its main features include airtime load purchase, online bills payment, and e-commerce integration. TopApp Credit also rewards users with exclusive discounts and promos, giving it an immediate edge over the nascent competition.

TopApp Zone

TopApp Zone is an extensive repository of mobile apps, some of which aren’t found online or in the Google Play Store. It's an exclusive mobile app source where TopApp Credit can be used as a payment option.

TopApp Deals and Promos

Finally, TopApp Deals and Promos is where exclusive discounts and various offers from Partnered Merchants will be made available for all TopApp users. Needless to say, it will work seamlessly with TopApp Credit. And it will rely on ads and partnerships to best serve the needs of the TopApp userbase.

TopApp is currently preinstalled in Torque Mobile phones and tablets. It can also be downloaded and installed on other devices via the Google Play store via https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.upmobile.topapp.

Fill-up your Christmas Bayongs at the Adobomall Holiday Sale

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Shop-a-holics rejoice! Nothing can stop your holiday shopping anymore, because even when the city’s malls closes there’s one shopping mall that’s open 24/7. And it’s gearing up for a big shopping spree surprise. Get ready for the Adobomall Holiday Sale. Every day from Dec. 16 – 21, prices at Adobomall will be at a special all-time low and special surprises are in store from 12mn-6am for shoppers who’re willing to sacrifice a shuteye for incredible deals.

It’s a “mall-wide” sale with lots of premium items on discount. Go crazy filling-up your bayongs. The one-of-a-kind mall sale-slash-night market

Tugade Gets Confirmation from CA

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Secretary Arthur Tugade hurdled the confirmation process of his ad interim appointment as Secretary of Transportation.

The Secretary, one of the first appointees of President Rodrigo Roa Duterte vowed to continue addressing the many difficult concerns affecting the transport sector in the country.

The Transportation Department holds under it 19 attached agencies including the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA), the Airport Authorities in the country, the MARINA, the LTO and the LTFRB, among others.

In the five months since he was appointed, Tugade is known to be working fast to address the many backlogs in his department.

Some of what he has done so far in the Department of Transportation include:

- Having improved the on-time arrivals of flights from 41 percent to 71 percent prompting local airlines to issue a statement of support
- Extending the validity of drivers licenses from three years to five years
- Fixing the Instrument Landing System (ILS) in NAIA runway 2/4 allowing for better precision landing and lesser diverted flights
- Fighting corruption – 115 officials and personnel have resigned, retired, dismissed, relieved or are undergoing investigation due to corruption-related allegations

Also lessening processing times in agencies such as:

• LTO application for drivers license – 5hrs – 3.5hrs
• LTFRB Franchise verification – 3 days – 2 hrs
• MARINA Issuance of Seafarer’s book – 8 hrs – 4 hrs
• PPA permit to operate Ancillary Service – 1 week – half day

- Opening government properties such as Camp Aguinaldo and Veterans Memorial Medical Center to help decongest traffic in major roads
- Enhancing and extending the operations of the Pasig River Ferry with the provision of a free shuttle service until January 2017
- Expanding of the premium point-to-point bus service with high-end double-decker buses
- Deploying more premium airport shuttle buses

Initiating dialogues with Metro Manila mayors and traffic managers from various Local Government Units (LGUs) to which the following were agreed:

• Integration of a single enforcement system under one chain of command
• Enforcement of an extended Number Coding Hours and No Window Hours in all Radial and Circumferential Roads in Metro Manila
• Development of uniform traffic fines and penalties
• Putting local traffic enforcers under the operational control of i-ACT for synchronized traffic management
• Conduct of continuous trainings for traffic enforcers
• Review of existing PUV franchise

Initiating dialogues with Mall Operators to which the following were agreed:

· Imposition of a moratorium on Mall-wide Sales during weekdays
· Imposition of a Mall delivery schedule from 11:00 pm – 5:00 am
· Requirement for mall operators to change their mall operating hours from 11:00 am – 11:00 pm
· Requirement for mall operators to submit traffic management plans to the i-ACT two (2) weeks before the conduct of Sales
- Enforcing stricter traffic laws along national roads and Mabuhay Lanes which led to achieving the following as of 12 December 2016:
· Issued 202,938 traffic citation tickets all over the country, where 31388 were from Metro Manila
· Towed 6,883 illegally-parked vehicles
· Impounded 401 colorum vehicles
· Cleared 5,738 illegal vendors


Tugade was a successful self-made businessman before he was asked to join government under the Daang Matuwid Program of the past administration.

He accepted the stint as Clark Development Corporation President from December 2012 to April 2016, where he has instigated key changes.

It was during his term as CDC President and CEO when the company earned a rare commendation from the Commission on Audit for its “outstanding financial performance and achievements”.

In a report issued last October 6, the COA said CDC’s net income hit P697.03 million last year, capping three years of record-setting revenues.

According to COA, under Sec. Tugade’s leadership, CDC has reached new heights in CY 2015 in transforming Clark Free Port Zone (CFZ) into a modern industrial estate and premier service and logistics hub. Likewise, for the same year, it also achieved outstanding financial performance and surpassed significant achievements in CYs 2013 and 2014.

Tugade thanks the Commission on Appointment for the trust and confidence, and vows to work even harder, with transparency and no corruption, to fix the country’s transport woes.

Filipino Students Nationwide Join the Three Million Virtual Mile Goal for Microsoft’s Global Skype-a-Thon

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Educators around the world were invited to participate in Microsoft’s annual two-day Skype-a-Thon on November 29 to 30, where thousands of students have joined the goal to travel three million virtual miles. The event connected classrooms in over 47 countries, including the Philippines, to showcase how technology can be used to enhance the learning experience and promote global citizenship.

Experts from Microsoft Philippines and guest speakers spoke to students from all over the country. 45 classrooms from around the Philippines joined the Global Skype-a-Thon to travel 145,000 miles combined.

For this year’s global Skype-a-Thon, several lecturers from Microsoft and educators shared motivational stories to the students. Each one got to virtually experience each other’s cultures through Skype. As classrooms are now borderless and learning is beyond any four corners in the world, indeed, there’s no distance that learning cannot conquer.


On photo collage are as follows:

Clarissa Segismundo, Microsoft Philippines Education Programs Lead with Grade 10 Students of Kapitolyo High School,

Cian O`Neill, Microsoft Philippines Chief Operating and Marketing Officer skypes with National University (NU) students on the other end

Ferdie Saputil, Microsoft Philippines Public Sector Director skypes with Pangasinan National High School students

Jomari Mercado, Microsoft Philippines National Technology Officer skypes with De La Salle University, Dasmariñas

Virna Venturanza, Microsoft Philippines Communications Lead skypes with students of Atty. Orlando S. Rimando National High School, Compostela Valley, Mindanao

Joel Garcia, Microsoft Philippines DX Director speaks to senior high school students of Ateneo de Manila

Just So You Know Video Series: Get the Know-How on your Globe Broadband Connection

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There was a time when people did not know much about apps like Netflix or devices like Chromecast. Today, these have become a big part of a digital native’s lifestyle and vocabulary. With these new innovations, people need to keep up to maximize their internet connection.

As Globe Broadband continues to roll out faster speeds and better plans across the country, more people are able to gain access to new entertainment content and the latest gadgets customized for their lifestyle.

Perfect for those who’d like to be more in-the-know, Globe Broadband launched Just So You Know, or #JSYK, a series of educational videos that answer the frequently asked questions about one’s home broadband connection.

“Giving our customers better connectivity, engaging entertainment, and device bundles do not stop after an installation. Some of our users are not able to maximize their plans simply because they have limited information about what it can do for them,” says Barbie Dapul, VP for Consumer Broadband Marketing. Dapul continues that, “the Just So You Know videos are easy to understand and entertaining to watch. This way our customers can easily relate to it and are able to apply what they have learned when using their home broadband plans.”

The current #JSYK videos talk about upping the ante of your home digital lifestyle by equipping customers with knowledge on a variety of topics. Some of the #JSYK videos talk about the right broadband speed for different activities; how to use Netflix; how to use Google Chromecast; quick fixes to get maximum coverage at home; and even how to prepare your house for a Globe Broadband installation. The #JSYK videos are simple and entertaining materials that are easy to follow.

World’s Funniest Videos: Top 10 Countdown Returns To Sony Channel This December

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This December, fill your weeknights with nonstop fun and laughter when the new season of World’s Funniest Videos: Top 10 Countdown premieres on Sony Channel.

Season two brings more of everyday life’s hilarious moments caught on video. Each episode features the funnier side of different situations ever imagined that people get into – from adults to kids, from pets to other animals, from occasions and other celebrations, from the great outdoors to the confines of the home, and many, many more.

But what makes World’s Funniest Videos: Top 10 Countdown most endearing to viewers is the show’s Top 10 list – a countdown of the most entertaining homemade videos in every episode’s category that the whole family has come to love and enjoy.

World’s Funniest Videos: Top 10 Countdown Season 2 airs Weeknights at 7:55pm with

2 Episodes Back to Back. First & Exclusive on Sony Channel.

Sony Channel is available on Sky Cable Channel 35, Cignal Digital TV Channel 60,

GSat Channel 48, Global Destiny Cable Channel 62, and Cable Link Channel 39.

Globe Creates New Holiday Traditions for the Most Wonderful Time of the Year

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Traditions are essential in every culture and create different experiences for everyone. For Filipinos, the Christmas season is one of the most celebrated traditions across the nation. As early as September, malls, establishments, and even homes are already decked out in holiday colors as families make plans for their usual Christmas activities.

Whether it’s the annual Christmas Dinner, gift shopping, or traveling to wonderful destinations, the true meaning of the season is anchored on togetherness. Some may be miles apart but the love for each other brings everyone closer.

Today's digital lifestyle allows old traditions to be relived and made more exciting. Turn them into new ones by using the latest digital trends from Globe and let everyone create new memories for a lifetime, with the people who matter most.

“Christmas is all about spreading cheer and creating new memories. We are happy to be part of every Filipino family’s celebration and enable them to create new traditions that will last them for many more holiday seasons to come,” says Globe President and CEO, Ernest Cu.

Pimentel, Hontiveros File Resolution to Audit Philippine Debt

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Asserting that there is an urgent need to scrutinize the country’s debt, Senate President Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III and Akbayan Senator Risa Hontiveros filed a resolution calling on the appropriate Senate committee to inquire, in aid of legislation, the foreign loans contracted by the country through the process of a Senate-led debt audit.

Proposed Senate Resolution no. 253 (please see attached) authored by Pimentel and Hontiveros urged the Senate to conduct a comprehensive debt audit to verify whether the loan agreements the Philippines has entered into are legitimate and to enact measures to ensure the prudent and proper use of foreign loans.

The senators said that it is the duty of the government to verify whether the country’s loan agreements entered into with different international financial institutions (IFIs) are in accordance with the principles on promoting responsible sovereign lending and borrowing by the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD).

“I am happy that we found an ally in no less than Senate President Pimentel in the crucial first step to free the nation’ s coffers from illegitimate debts and/or loan agreements riddled with questionable processes, contractual obligations, purposes and use,” Hontiveros said.

Vitaly Bigdash to Defend One Middleweigth World Championship Against Marcin Prachnio

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The largest sports media property in Asian history, ONE Championship (ONE), is set to electrify the Jakarta Convention Center once again on Saturday, 14 January for its first event in 2017 dubbed ONE: QUEST FOR POWER. Headlining the spectacular fight card is ONE Middleweight World Champion Vitaly Bigdash as he defends his title against Polish fighter Marcin Prachnio.

Victor Cui, CEO of ONE Championship, stated: “2017 is shaping up to be a phenomenal year for ONE Championship. We have an exciting lineup of world-class events all across iconic cities in Asia, and we are thrilled to kick things off in Jakarta. Get ready for the biggest year in MMA history!

“ONE Middleweight World Champion Vitaly Bigdash, one of the most exciting fighters in the promotion, is set to make his highly-anticipated return to the ONE Championship cage against worthy challenger Marcin Prachnio. The last time Vitaly was in the cage, he took the title from former champion Igor Svirid by force, rallying from a series knockdowns to score an epic come-from-behind victory. Will he be able to handle Prachnio’s blunt power? This is a fight the fans will not want to miss!”

ONE Middleweight World Champion Vitaly Bigdash of Rostov-on-Don, Russia will be making the first defense of his title since winning the belt back in October of 2015. With a resounding technical knockout victory over former champion Igor Svirid, Bigdash displayed true grit and determination in one of the most action-packed fights in ONE Championship history. Bigdash showcased tremendous heart and resolve, overcoming a devastating attack by Svirid to score the upset. Now, he takes on his first challenger as champion in Marcin Prachnio.

Anti-Discrimination Bill Reaches Senate Plenary

Wazzup Pilipinas!
 

Akbayan Senator Risa Hontiveros reiterated her call for the passage of a law that will protect members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender or LGBT community in the country, citing numerous cases of hate crimes and discriminatory practices. 

In a historic first, Hontiveros on Wednesday sponsored Senate Bill No. 935 otherwise known as the Anti-Discrimination Bill (ADB). It is said to be the first LGBT bill in the Philippines to reach the senate plenary. Hontiveros said that “deep-seated hate and prejudice” perpetuate violence against the LGBTs. 

"Since 1996, 164 crimes against LGBTs have been recorded, but the numbers may be higher since the country lacks a clear policy on determining what classifies as a hate crime. The murders of 29 transgender people have been documented in the Philippines since, the highest in Southeast Asia and the second highest in Asia. In October 2014, the high-profile case of transwoman Jennifer Laude was cited by LGBT groups as an effect of systemic discrimination," Hontiveros explained.

Hontiveros, who also serves as Chairperson of the Committee on Women, Children, Family Relations and Gender Equality, lamented how the Philippines is lagging behind in securing LGBT rights and welfare. 

"Globally, fundamental victories were accomplished in terms of securing LGBT rights and welfare, more notably an adoption or strengthening of their respective anti-discrimination laws. However, the same thing can't be said for the Philippines. For the last 17 years, Congress has failed to pass the ADB. The LGBT community cannot wait any longer," Hontiveros said. 

Hontiveros' Anti-Discrimination Bill seeks to mandate the creation of social protection and diversity programs that will protect LGBTIQs rights and promote equality. It will ensure that discrimination, stigma, and hate would not hinder anyone from access to education, healthcare, employment, and other fundamental rights. 

The said bill also vows to eliminate all forms of discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity. It lists and defines discriminatory acts that are to be proscribed and penalized. 

“Ang labang ito ay para sa mga tulad ni Jennifer Laude na biktima ng karahasan dulot ng isang marahas na kultura. It's time we end hate and prejudice. Discrimination escalates into violence. We need to put an end to this," Hontiveros concluded.