Ballet Philippines Presents a Magical Filipino Christmas in Edna Vida’s The Nutcracker

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Ballet Philippines (BP), the country’s flagship dance company, presents the timeless Christmas ballet in full Filipino splendor in Edna Vida’s The Nutcracker. Nobuo Fujino (formerly a Senior Artist at the Australian Ballet and Principal Dancer with Hong Kong Ballet) returns to BP as guest artist courtesy of Japan Foundation and Tan Yan Kee Foundation, and the ABS-CBN Philharmonic Orchestra, conducted by Gerard Salonga, plays Tchaikovsky’s iconic music live on select performances.

A ballet for the whole family, The Nutcracker is a holiday tradition all over the world, with professional dance companies and schools doing their own version of the beloved full-length ballet. BP sets itself apart by adding its own Filipino flavor to the time and tested ballet.

Set in the Philippines in the 1920s, The Nutcracker follows our young heroine Clara on a fantastic journey. At her family’s Noche Buena, Clara receives an enchanted Nutcracker Doll from her godfather, the toymaker Don Alfonso Quintero. Her sister gets the Sugar Plum Fairy Doll and her brother, the Rat King Doll. As midnight strikes, all the toys including her beloved Nutcracker, the Sugar Plum Fairy and the Rat King come to life, and a battle between Rats and Toy Soldiers ensues. Her Nutcracker valiantly leads the soldiers, but is soon overpowered by the evil Rat King. Just as the Rat King delivers his final blow, Clara comes to the Nutcracker’s rescue and the Rat King falls.

As the rats scurry off with their king, Don Alfonso appears and reveals the true identity of her doll—he is the Nutcracker Prince! He and the Sugar Plum Fairy have been trapped in a spell which only a person pure of heart can break.

In gratitude for Clara’s act of courage, the Nutcracker Prince whisks her away to the Kingdom of the Dolls. A feast is celebrated in her honor as she is surrounded by dolls from all over the world, dancing flowers, and the beautiful Sugar Plum Fairy.

What makes this Nutcracker unique is how the late National Artist for Theater Design Salvador Bernal incorporated Filipino design elements into the sets. The turn-of-the-century grand ballroom showcases art nouveau arches with anahaw leaves and framed capiz shells. With additional choreography by Alice Reyes, The Nutcracker is the perfect holiday treat for children.

Fujino will partner BP’s Denise Parungao as the Sugar Plum Fairy. Alternating with Parungao is resident guest artist Candice Adea and company member Jemima Reyes. They will be partnered by Lester Reguindin and Victor Maguad, respectively.

Catch us on December 1-10, 2017 at the CCP Main Theater. For tickets, call Ballet Philippines at (+632) 551-1003, the CCP Box Office at (+632) 832-3704, or Ticketworld at (+632) 891-9999 or Ticketworld.com.ph.

Connect to Ballet Philippines online through the following social media networks:


Facebook: www.facebook.com/balletphilippines
Instagram: @balletphilippines
YouTube: balletph

Sponge Cola Releases New Song Tempura

Wazzup Pilipinas!
Sponge Cola is back with an interesting pair of songs to close out 2017. Fresh off their latest hit “Bahaghari," which just recently entered Magic899's Hall of Fame list, the band is set to release “Tempura" and “Kunwari."

According to frontman Yael Yuzon, “Tempura" is "Basically a compilation of text messages from a friend, who was going through some relationship problems at the time." When asked about the title, he says "It is so personal and almost biographical, that the title is almost begging the listener to detach from the song's specifics. But at the same time, invites anyone who could lend an ear." So is it a rant? "I guess it is," Yuzon adds.

Bassist Gosh Dilay penned the bittersweet “Kunwari," that despite being a lighthearted song, deals with something everyone is all too familiar with: unrequited love. Framed by Dilay's trademark Filipino, “Kunwari” emphasizes the push and pull between being eager risk takers, and safe calculated people when it comes to love.

Both “Tempura" and “Kunwari” are available on all digital platforms!

Sponge Cola's new single #Tempura AVAILABLE NOW on iTunes, Apple Music, Spotify, Deezer and Spinnr

iTunes/Apple Music

https://itunes.apple.com/ph/album/tempura-single/1298542280

Spotify

https://open.spotify.com/track/5ZjZSpcPrvIEdH4GbAy3yx

Deezer

http://www.deezer.com/album/50204712

Amazon

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B076KM61JZ/ref=ap_ws_tlw_trk7

Spinnr

http://www.spinnr.ph/desktop/#songdetail?musicCode=6019010004415084

Discover A New Hue in Boracay: Hue Hotels and Resorts Now Open

Wazzup Pilipinas!

After successfully opening their maiden property in Puerto Princesa, Hue Hotels and Resorts brings their distinct shade of comfort and leisure to another top destination in the Philippines—Boracay. Hue Hotels and Resorts Boracay, managed by Hospitality Innovators, Inc. (HII), officially opened last October 26, 2017, offering guests a refreshing and game-changing way to enjoy and experience the island.

“We are so excited to be opening the second Hue Hotels and Resorts property in the country’s top vacation destination,” says Dexter Lee, Managing Director of Luana Lifestyle and Leisure Inc, and owner of Hue Hotels and Resorts. “Just like with all our present and future Hue properties, Hue Boracay is design forward and culturally rooted. The design, concept, and even the facilities reflect the personality of the destination and its cultural identity.” Hue Boracay recreates and infuses the island’s energy and vibrancy in its property to that guests can get the complete experience in the comforts of the hotel—the only reason they’ll leave the hotel is for the world-famous beach.

Hue’s distinct circular structure shape stands out among the typical buildings in Boracay, and is built around a picturesque pool with its own sunken bar. The whole property is filled with open, expansive and highly Instagrammable spaces, which include the hotel’s lifestyle complex Station X. With exciting mix of homegrown dining and retail concepts that espouse Hue’s advocacy of promoting local culture, visitors will never run out of interesting things to see, eat and discover within Hue. “With Station X, we’re bringing the concept of ‘cosmopolitan local’ to life,” describes Dennis Lee, Managing Director of Luana Lifestyle and Leisure Inc, and owner of Hue Hotels and Resorts. Guests can experience a melting pot of various cuisines in the island’s first and only Food Hall called Streetmarket, enjoy world-class cocktails from the much buzzed about bar Prisma, and more.

Behind each unique and colorful stay at Hue Hotels and Resorts is Hospitality Innovators, Inc. (HII), the company behind a number of well-received and rated hotels in the country. HII is responsible for the overall management of Hue Hotels and Resorts Boracay, encompassing day-to-day operations, financial results, sales and marketing, facilities upkeep and maintenance, and people management. “We are very excited about this partnership with Hue Hotels and Resorts, because we were so impressed with the concept,” shares HII founder and CEO Luis Monserrat. “They have been a great pleasure to work with and we are grateful to the Hue Hotels and Resorts team for choosing and trusting HII in this endeavor.”

G.SKILL Releases Ultra Low Latency CL17 Trident Z RGB DDR4-4266MHz Kits

Wazzup Pilipinas!

G.SKILL International Enterprise Co., Ltd., the world’s leading manufacturer of extreme performance memory and gaming peripherals, is thrilled to announce new ultra-low latency additions to the Trident Z RGB series memory kits, starting from DDR4-4000MHz CL17-17-17-37 up to DDR4-4266MHz CL17-18-18-38 32GB (4x8GB). This is the first time in tech history that DDR4 memory kits above DDR4-4000MHz speed is available at the low CL17 timing, and with lower timings, memory kits can utilize high frequency to its fullest potential with improved memory performance. To achieve the ultra-low latency of CL17, these new memory kits are made with rigorously hand-binned, high-performance Samsung B-die DDR4 IC components.



World’s First DDR4-4266MHz Kit with CL17 Timing

As the leading manufacturer of extreme performance memory, G.SKILL is always improving and reaching higher levels of performance than ever before. The fastest selection from the new Trident Z RGB lineup is available at DDR4-4266MHz CL17-18-18-38 32GB (4x8GB) at 1.45V. The following screenshot shows this new memory kit running on the ASUS ROG MAXIMUS X HERO motherboard with the Intel® Core™ i7-8700K processor.

Ultra-Efficient 17-17-17 CAS Latency

Following the DDR4-4266MHz kit, are memory kits running at DDR4-4000MHz and DDR4-4133MHz in both 16GB (2x8GB) and 32GB (4x8GB) configurations, all at an ultra-efficient CL17-17-17-37 timing. Below is a screenshot of Trident Z RGB running at DDR4-4133MHz CL17-17-17-37 32GB (4x8GB) on the ASUS ROG MAXIMUS X HERO motherboard with the Intel® Core™ i7-8700K processor.

Detail Specifications

These high performance memory kits are outfitted with the latest Intel XMP 2.0 technology for easy memory overclocking. For a full list of available specifications and configurations, see the chart below for the full lineup that will join the G.SKILL Trident Z RGB family.

Availability

These awesome new low latency Trident Z RGB memory kits will be available from authorized G.SKILL distribution partners starting in January 2018.

Ben Askren Stops Shinya Aoki to Retain One Welterweight World Championship

Wazzup Pilipinas!

The largest global sports media property in Asian history, ONE Championship™ (ONE), electrified the packed Singapore Indoor Stadium with another evening of authentic world-class martial arts action. The Lion City once again played host to ONE: IMMORTAL PURSUIT, featuring the absolute best in local and international martial arts talent. In the main event, Ben “Funky” Askren of the United States retained the ONE Welterweight World Championship with a quick stoppage victory over Shinya “Tobikan Judan” Aoki of Japan. In the co-main event of the blockbuster card, Amir Khan of Singapore withstood a gallant effort from Australia’s Adrian Pang to emerge triumphant in their three-round lightweight showdown.

Visit the official ONE: IMMORTAL PURSUIT photo gallery by clicking: http://bit.ly/onephotos

In the main event of ONE: IMMORTAL PURSUIT, ONE Welterweight World Champion Ben “Funky” Askren of the United States left an indelible mark in what was billed as the last bout of his illustrious martial arts career, defeating Japanese legend Shinya “Tobikan Judan” Aoki by way of first-round technical knockout. It only took Askren 57 seconds to retain the most prestigious award in ONE Championship’s welterweight division. Askren effortlessly secured the stoppage after Aoki pulled his American counterpart into his patented guard, giving the champion an opening to unleash heavy blows with ease. As Aoki started to cover up to defend himself, Askren relentlessly poured down a barrage of solid punches that left the referee with no other choice but to call a halt to the championship clash.

Ben Askren, ONE Welterweight World Champion, stated: “I think this is it. If I get the opportunity to prove I’m number one, then I’ll take the opportunity. I don’t need any more money. I just want to show the fans that I’m the best welterweight in the world. Other than that, I’m out.”

In the co-main event of the evening, Evolve lightweight standout Amir Khan of Singapore figured in his most impressive performance yet, overwhelming lightweight veteran Adrian “The Hunter” Pang with a showcase of impeccable striking and great takedown defense. The 22-year-old Khan consistently kept Pang out of range with his combinations from the outside, while circling away from Pang’s most powerful blows. In the end, all three judges scored in favor of Khan who wins by unanimous decision after three rounds.

A gruelling bantamweight showdown between Brazil’s Leandro “Brodinho” Issa and South Korea’s Dae Hwan “Ottogi” Kim transpired inside the ONE Championship cage, as neither of the two warriors would give each other any quarter for three whole rounds. Although Kim would have his moments on the feet, most of the action took place on the ground where Issa enjoyed an advantage. In the end, the Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt Issa turned in another well-rounded performance to claim victory via unanimous decision.

After pulling off an impressive promotional debut last August, “Mighty” May Ooi of Singapore continued her winning ways inside the ONE Championship cage by toppling Cambodia’s Vy Srey Khouch in the first round via submission. Leaning on her impressive grappling prowess, Ooi made Srey Khouch wave the white flag with a deep rear-naked choke, cementing her place in the organization’s female strawweight division.

A heated featherweight matchup ended abruptly, when China’s Li Kai Wen was disqualified for illegal blows to the back of the head of opponent Ahmed “The Wolverine” Mujtaba of Pakistan. Mujtaba was given five minutes to recover from injury, but was unable to continue after the allotted time expired.

Rising martial arts star Tiffany “No Chill” Teo of Singapore kept her unblemished professional record intact by making quick work of Indian opponent Puja Tomar to win via submission in the very first round. With 53 seconds remaining in the period, Teo latched onto a wrenching armbar to compel Tomar to tap, claiming the victory.

Japanese martial arts veteran Mei “V.V” Yamaguchi pulled off a sensational victory in front of a passionate Singaporean crowd by routing Filipino standout Gina Iniong, solidifying her position as the top contender in ONE Championship’s talented female atomweight bracket. After dealing with Iniong’s signature right hand and takedowns in the first round, Yamaguchi turned the tide in the second stanza by resorting to her superb grappling pedigree. On the canvas, Yamaguchi continuously pummeled Iniong with thudding strikes and tried to bring the bout to a close with savvy submissions attempts. Yamaguchi punctuated the marquee match-up by grinding out Iniong in the third frame, steering the former world title contender to a unanimous decision victory.

Asian martial arts veteran Arnaud “The Game” LePont made a successful return to the ONE Championship cage, submitting the Philippines’ Richard Corminal with an arm triangle choke in round one. After a brief moment on the feet, LePont wasted no time in taking the action to the mat, where he slowly took mount and worked on the submission finish to force the tap.

In the second preliminary bout of the evening, Malaysian standout Muhammad Aiman reinserted his name into the winner’s column by outworking promotional newcomer Yang Fei of China in a tactical three-round catchweight contest. Aiman and Yang employed efficient strategies from bell to bell, with the Malaysian utilizing his speed and power to connect on a handful of thudding strikes on Yang, who responded with solid hooks and takedown attempts. After going back-and-forth for three rounds, Aiman was declared the victor by way of unanimous decision.

Kicking off ONE: IMMORTAL PURSUIT was a high-octane strawweight encounter as the debuting Miao Li Tao of China shared the ONE Championship cage with Cambodian striking specialist Sim Bunsrun. In his first outing as a ONE Championship competitor, Miao delivered an outstanding performance by stopping Bunsrun in the first round. The 25-year-old native of Beijing, China got the job done by catching Bunsrun with a perfectly-executed right cross and then going for the finish with follow-up blows on the mat.

Official results for ONE: IMMORTAL PURSUIT

ONE Welterweight World Championship bout: Ben Askren defeats Shinya Aoki by TKO (Strikes) at 0:57 minutes of round 1

Lightweight bout: Amir Khan defeats Adrian Pang by Unanimous Decision (UD) after 3 rounds

Bantamweight bout: Leandro Issa defeats Dae Hwan Kim by Unanimous Decision (UD) after 3 rounds

Women’s strawweight bout: May Ooi defeats Vy Srey Khouch by Submission (Rear Naked Choke) at 3:58 minutes of round 1

Featherweight bout: Ahmed Mujtaba defeats Li Kai Wen by Disqualification (Illegal Blows)

Women’s catchweight bout (58kg): Tiffany Teo defeats Puja Tomar by Submission (Armbar) at 4:07 minutes of round 1

Women’s atomweight bout: Mei Yamaguchi defeats Gina Iniong by Unanimous Decision (UD) after 3 rounds

Lightweight bout: Arnaud LePont defeats Richard Corminal by Submission (Arm Triangle) at 3:16 minutes of round 1

Catchweight bout (69.4kg): Muhammad Aiman defeats Yang Fei by Unanimous Decision (UD) after 3 rounds

Strawweight bout: Miao Li Tao defeats Sim Bunsrun by TKO (strikes) at 1:49 minutes of round 1




In case you missed the action log on to www.onefc.com/livestream for the full replay of the fights at only US $9.99.




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.

The Great Yuletide Escapade brings Santa’s Reindeers to the Shang

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Don’t miss the fun and festivities decking the halls over the holidays

It’s the most wonderful time of the year, so make way for a sleighful of excitement as Santa’s Reindeers travel all the way from the North Pole to visit Shangri-La Plaza for The Great Yuletide Escapade!

Experience a different kind of Christmas as reindeers deck Shang’s halls, bringing joy to all throughout the holiday season. Be awed by Shang’s grand Christmas tree as it welcomes mall guests on their way in. From the décor to a delightful roster of events and performances, Shang’s special prancing visitors take center stage as they greet shoppers with merriment at every turn.

Bring the Christmas cheer with you and share the spirit of giving when you take home your own furry friend. Adopt a Reindeer for only P300 and proceeds from the stuffed toys will go to the Unang Hakbang Foundation to help children in underprivileged communities have a brighter future.

Of course, Rudolph and the gang couldn’t have travelled from the North Pole without jolly St. Nick himself! Have the little ones draw up their wishlists and take them to meet Santa at Santa’s Corner, Level 4, East Wing from 3:30 – 7:30 PM on December 2 – 3, December 9 – 10, December 16 – 17, December 22 – 23; and 3:30 – 6:30 PM on December 14 – 15 and December 18 – 21. Admission is free, so don’t forget to take #SnapsWithSanta as a fee keepsake and visit Shang’s Facebook page to check out the photos.

Hop aboard the Shang Holiday Express as the train takes kids around the Level 4, Main Wing for a minimum purchase of P500 from any store at the Shang. And don’t forget to capture the #ShangYuletideEscapade Instagrammable sights from the best angles.

There’s so much more in store, so spend the holidays at the metro’s premier lifestyle destination and celebrate the season the Shang way.

For inquiries, call 370-2597/98 or visit www.facebook.com/shangrilaplazaofficial. Follow the Shang on Instagram: @shangrilaplazaofficial.

DOE Conducts Safety Inspection of LPG Plants

E-SAFETY MO CAMPAIGN HITS THE LPG INDUSTRY: Department of Energy (DOE) Assistant Secretary Leonido J. Pulido III and LPG industry participants conduct a site visit to LPG Refilling and Cylinder Manufacturing plants.

The Department of Energy (DOE), in partnership with the Liquefied Petroleum Gas Industry Association Inc. (LPGIA), conducted LPG plant visits to address the quality and safety of LPG tanks sold to end-users.

Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi strongly reminded the LPG industry participants that substandard and defective LPG tanks have caused fires and explosions.

“The safety of everyone should never be compromised. Government and the private sector should work together and give a higher premium to public safety to protect every user of LPG,” Cusi stated.

Last Nov. 24, the DOE, through its Oil Industry Management Bureau (OIMB), and the LPGIA team checked the operations of the PR Gaz Plant in Pasig City and the Ferrotech Steel Company in Valenzuela City.

During the visit, DOE Assistant Secretary Leonido Pulido III said that Sec. Cusi recently approved the LPG Code of Safety for Refilling Plants to ensure that safety practices are adhered to by LPG industry participants.

PR Gaz featured its safety practices as it led the tour of its LPG Refilling Plant. PR Gaz presented that it delivers an average 26,000 kilograms of LPG daily to its storage facility that houses about 1.1 million kilograms of LPG. To ensure safety, PR Gaz conducts quality inspections daily.

Ferrotech, for its LPG Cylinder Manufacturing Plant, presented its manufacturing operations. It stated that it can produce 1250 regular cylinders, 480 small cylinders and 120 big cylinders in a single production shift. Ferrotech said that LPG cylinders must undergo a requalification process, 10 years after its manufacturing date and 5 years thereafter, to ensure that said cylinders are still safe to use.

Members and staff of the House of Representatives’ Committee on Energy and Committee on Trade and Industry were also present during the LPG Plant visit.

As a way forward, the DOE is lobbying for the passage of the LPG Bill. “We’re hoping for the passage of the bill. We need to institutionalize the LPG Code of Safety and raise more awareness. We believe that the LPG Bill will address a significant portion of the problem.” Pulido pointed out.

The plant visits are in line with the DOE’s E-Safety Mo campaign which seeks to ensure safe energy practices among all energy users. E-Safety Mo aims to expand the knowledge of consumers and stakeholders for wiser energy utilization.

Safe Driving with Children (Infographic)

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Children nowadays has their eye for everything that interests them whenever and wherever, they tend to be excited in everything they see, and this causes some parents to get nervous when they are with their child inside a car.

Bringing your child with you in every trip is considered a huge hassle in controlling their behavior. So, why is it important to secure your child’s safety when you are driving?

One aspect that we could look in to is with the responsibility that a parent possesses with their child. You want to go with your child somewhere, right? You want to explore sceneries with them and nurture their interests whenever you travel. This means that you’ll have to ensure their safety, so they are always with you every step of the way. To do so, these are the following tips that iChoose.ph suggests for a hassle-free and satisfying trip with your child.



Know where to seat them – As a responsible parent to your child, this kind of strategic position intercepts the basic control of you being a parent. Most Filipinos follow this basic rule in keeping their child in safety for the benefit of a relaxed environment inside the car.

Buckle up – This tip not only involves the safety of the child, but also the parent.
Everyone inside the car is required to wear their seatbelts for the means of following the law and by giving yourself a safe trip.
Never seat kids on your lap – Children always want to have fun in everything that tickles their interest, but as for having safe trip, a parent should keep in mind the importance of being cautious rather than careless.

Secure your gears – Having a safe travel means a well-equipped vehicle. Don’t risk your safety by not checking your vehicle’s status before your trip.

Kids should also know the rules – Sharing these rules with driving in a tone that children could understand can lessen the risk when a parent drives.

Always supervise – “Prevention is better than cure,” is not only applied in health but it also promotes the idea of being responsibly safe in every aspect specially for your child’s safety inside the car.

Don’t text and drive – Multi-tasking by the means of being irresponsible is a huge risk, and driving alone is a risk. Always remember that your child see’s the things that you do, be role model of safety not with bad habits.

Have car insurance – Filipino’s are known for their emotional value with their families, and as a family oriented nation, this reflects on how you should have a mindset of the risks that is always present whenever you are in a vehicle.

Learn more about these tips with the infographic.

Author: Erwin Reyes



Erwin Reyes has a combined experience of more than 15 years in the car insurance industry in the Philippines and Australia. Loves cars and enjoys to sourcing out great deals for its clients

Philippine Robotics Team Winning Silver Award at the World Robotics Olympiad Held in Costa Rica

The country’s young geniuses who are part of the Philippine Robotics Team once again proved their world-class brilliance as they bagged the silver award for the Open/Creative Category (Elementary Level) at the recently concluded World Robot Olympiad recently held in San Jose, Costa Rica.

The award-winning entry, "Project Silid Aralan", was a robotics-powered machine that used renewable energy to manufacture chalk from eggshells.

Photo shows the team from Dr. Yanga Colleges Inc. and Philippine Robotics Olympiad organizer Mylene Abiva.

Wack-Wack Petron Gasoline Station Fire Incident

The Department of Energy (DOE), in coordination with the Department of the Interior and Local Government-Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), is currently investigating the fire incident that happened late afternoon of Friday (24 November 2017) at the Petron gasoline station in Brgy. Wack-Wack, Mandaluyong City.

Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi, through DOE Oil Industry Management Bureau Director Rino Abad, immediately dispatched a technical team to investigate the cause of the fire for possible violations on existing rules and to avoid similar incidents from happening again.

The DOE technical team on-site reported that the fire at the said gasoline station was declared out by the BFP at around 5:30 p.m. on the same date. Based on its initial findings and in order to ensure the protection of the consumers and the public, the DOE technical team recommended the immediate revocation of the Certificate of Compliance (COC) of the gasoline station. The revocation of the COC results in the non-operation of the retail outlet until it fully complies to DOE’s Retail Rules.

Upon the completion of the investigation, the DOE technical team will issue a final report on the incident.

The DOE will not hesitate to impose sanctions on the violations of safety standards based on the Retail Rules and the Code of Safety Practice.