Hong Kong Tourism Board and Discovery Renew Partnership With A Third Iteration Of A Taste Of Hong Kong

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Discovery Networks Asia-Pacific, a division of the leading global entertainment provider Discovery Communications, has partnered with Hong Kong Tourism Board for the third consecutive year to present a brand new season of A TASTE OF HONG KONG. The three-part series sees the return of Ian Wright – one of TLC’s most renowned hosts – to the channel. Ian, together with Hong Kong chef and foodie extraordinaire Christian Yang, will explore and curate Hong Kong’s exciting food scene to present the best food experiences the booming metropolis has to offer. The end of each episode also features a dish created by Christian. A TASTE OF HONG KONG premieres on TLC on September 30 in Hong Kong and across Southeast Asia, and in November in Taiwan. TLC is the flagship lifestyle channel in Discovery’s portfolio of brands.

The first season of A TASTE OF HONG KONG brought some of Asia’s rising chefs to Hong Kong to discover the city’s best-kept secrets with veteran entertainment writer and true-blue Hong Konger Michelle Loo. Season two delved into the city’s buzzing art, design and fashion scene, with visiting Asian artists taking in Hong Kong’s artistic culture alongside host Dominic Lau. The first and second seasons performed well for TLC, delivering above the channel’s prime time average*. Both series were also recognised at the Marketing Excellence Awards 2015, winning ‘Best PR Campaign’ for Hong Kong Tourism Board.

Commenting on the partnership, Vikram Channa, Group Vice President, Production & Commercial Partnerships, Discovery Networks Asia-Pacific, said, “We constantly seek to provide our partners with bespoke solutions that not only appeal to their target audience but also resonate with our viewers. We are excited to partner with Hong Kong Tourism Board once again and take 'content and experience marketing' to the next level with a new season of A Taste of Hong Kong. Just like the ever-evolving nature of Hong Kong as a tourist destination, the series concept must stay dynamic. In this latest edition we curate a mouth-watering list of Hong Kong’s top eats through the perspective of a well-travelled explorer like Ian, and local chef and foodie, Christian Yang."

AFFI’s 15th Franchise & Business Expo: Expect New, Fresh and Seasoned Business Opportunities

Wazzup Pilipinas!

The Philippines is currently undergoing plenty of political and economical changes, what with the Duterte administration introducing several new economic policies and government mandates in previous months. This, along with the international community’s heightened interest in the country following our consistent growth over the last few years, all contribute to the nation’s evolving commercial landscape, launching a number of challenges and opportunities the business community has yet to fully take advantage of.

Some of the Philippines’ top franchisors have the perfect response to these vital changes: the 15th Franchise and Business Expo—slated on October 14-16 at the World Trade Center in Pasay City—is set to get business owners and aspiring entrepreneurs ready for the paradigm shift as the entire country treads on the daunting path to personal and inclusive growth.

The Association of Filipino Franchisers Inc. (AFFI), organizer of the Franchise & Business Expo, believes that a large fraction of the responsibility in achieving inclusive growth for the country lies on the franchise and business sector.

“As the premier community of empowered entrepreneurs in the country, we make it our personal mission to lead the sector towards a more involved role in nation-building,” said AFFI President Jerry Ilao. “The government has their job cut out for them. They have to make sure that the country is primed for business and investment opportunities, and that’s what they are focusing on now. But as Filipino entrerpeneurs, we also have ours cut out for us.”

The franchising industry has a significant impact on employment generation and socioeconomic development. As an example, AFFI’s member corporations have already created 213,569 jobs in this year alone.

“Just imagine what the entire industry could do and give the country if we manage to really boost the franchising sector this time,” commented Ilao.

The Big 1: Acceler8 Opens Its Doors to the Public

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Acceler8 was a mere idea for the four founders, Mikko Barranda, Carlo Coronel, Bryant Cuison and Albert Goh. They envisioned building and managing a space where like-minded individuals could easily discuss and work together. Inspired and driven towards this vision, the founders got together and turned their ideas into a reality. Today, Acceler8 has over a hundred community members, twenty five offices, two amazing spaces and one growing team with the passion to keep the community #hustling everyday.

Acceler8 - 111 Paseo de Roxas

Less than a year after they opened their first branch in Salcedo Village, the Acceler8 team welcomed new members to a wider, more versatile space in 111 Paseo de Roxas Building, Legaspi Village, Makati City. Acceler8, Paseo is everything and more for promising entrepreneurs, business owners, freelancers or students. Following the same design aesthetics of their first branch, Acceler8 Paseo gives of an industrial feel; the workspace promotes productivity with bright white lights in the offices and work areas, accent green spaces, and a 100 SQM event space onsite.

Their services include coworking membership plans and dedicated spaces, such as dedicated desks and private serviced office suites. Their meeting rooms can also be booked in advance online or through their Community Advocates. Each of their members is given privileged access to their affiliate office center, vOffice’s conference rooms, meeting rooms and lounges.

The new workspace at 111 Paseo de Roxas houses 20 fully-equipped offices that may be rented out for a minimum of three months, and world-class meeting rooms equipped with Smart TV and projectors perfect for corporate meetings and brainstorming sessions. What’s more exciting is a wider coworking space that welcomes more members to experience the Acceler8 community. The team has also stepped it up a notch at Paseo by having Kuppa provide specialty coffee available for all members and guests at the space. Walk-in and experience their community by purchasing a Day Pass or choose from their monthly coworking plans.

Inside Out: Develop your Doing, Improve your Grooming and Enhance your Thinking

Wazzup Pilipinas!

The Junior Marketing Association of PUP Taguig continue to satisfy beyond expectations as it proudly presents the much awaited event of the year, "Inside Out: Develop your Doing, Improve your Grooming and Enhance your Thinking". Get yourselves ready and mark the date 09.23.16! Venue at Taguig City University, Auditorium. 1pm onwards. The registration fee is P150 regular price while P100 for SHS price.

Success in professional life is greatly affected by how people perceive you. Having a pleasing personality does not refer to the physical feature itself but more on the way you present yourself. This seminar on personality development will go a long way to help the students improve their self-image and know the techniques how to communicate with impact and how to market with lost-lasting effect.

We invited 3 enthusiastic speakers that will surely give you tips and advices essential to your life! Life Coach, Management Consultant and Blogger, COACH RANDY EZGUERRA; a Public Speaker, Young Entrepreneur, Servant of God and Founder of CORMENTIS Co. and CLAEG, COACH PAUL SENOGAT and a Social entrepreneur, Author, Magazine Columnist, Digital Marketing Enthusiast, Motivational Speaker and the current CEO (Chief Empowerment Officer) of the Elevaxion Project, a social enterprise under Mzone Training Services, MR. MARLON MOLMISA. 

This event is in partnership with Fitbar, also brought to you by SouthRepublik, Frappe la Rue, Beep and Eskwelahan Planner with its official media partners: Creativoices Productions, Voice of the Youth, Wazzup Pilipinas and ClickTheCity.

For inquiries and other concerns, you may contact David Osido at +639754922960 or puptjma.davidosido@gmail.com

10 Metro Manila Condos Where You Can Be A Pokemon Master

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Catch Pokémons all day and level up quickly if you live in one of these 10 condos

If you are a member of the #Batang90s, then it is highly possible that you are now one of the many Pokémon trainers using Pokémon Go, a gaming app based on the Japanese animated TV show that has taken the world by storm.

Since the game’s launch in the Philippines last August 6, streets, parks, malls, famous landmarks, and even condos in Metro Manila’s central business districts (CBDs) have never seen so many people walking with their head down while clutching their phones, trying to spot and catch Pokémons—which is short for Pocket Monsters.

To be a Pokémon Master, one must go through several levels throughout the game by capturing over a hundred Pokémon species. There are over 15 types of Pokémons, such as water, plant, and electric—just like the crowd’s favorite, Pikachu—and they evolve into something stronger after the player has gained Experience Points along the way. They then battle at Pokémon gyms, and after that, the player can heal or revive them with potions or even power-up their skills.

Therefore, if you want to be the very best, you need to have items that can do the following:

1.   Catch a Pokémon
2.   Lure a Pokémon to your location
3.   Treat or revive a Pokémon

These helpful items can be acquired when you visit Pokéstops, which give you free items every five minutes, and these Pokéstops can be found all over the metro.

Unfortunately, not all streets have their own Pokéstops. As reported by some Filipino Pokémon trainers, Pokéstop counts in some Metro Manila areas could be as low as two. This low number forces them to travel or drive many blocks away. However, in some areas such as the CBDs, Pokéstops are literally just a few feet away from each other.

A nearby Pokéstop is essential for Pokémon trainers to quickly replenish their items and continue on with their Pokémon adventure. But how great would it be if the Pokéstops are not only nearby, but are actually the places you are residing in? Lamudi has listed 10 condos that serve as Pokéstops to its very lucky residents and future Pokémon masters.

POKÉSTOPS IN MAKATI

1. Eton Tower Makati

Located at the corner of Dela Rosa and V. A. Rufino Streets of Makati’s Legaspi Village is the newly built 41-story Eton Tower Makati. In this high-rise condo you can reach the Pokéstop “Ang Buwaya at ang Groto.” But depending upon the accuracy of your handheld device, you might even access three more Pokéstops that are only a few feet away from the mentioned Pokéstop.

Eton Tower Makati is a mixed-use condo that offers mini suites (single, double, family rooms) and SOHO (small office/home office) units. And for Pokémon Trainers who are bored with catching Pokémons in their room, they may do so by the swimming pool, or even inside the gym. A covered elevated walkway connects this condo with nearby commercial areas, such as Greenbelt Mall and Glorietta Mall, while the Ayala Triangle Gardens is just a block away via Ayala Avenue, where lure parties to attract Pokémons are usually held weekly.

2. Signa Residences

Signa Residences by Robinsons Land is a Pokéstop (its Pokémon trainer pit stop is aptly labeled Signa Designer Residences). These 30-story twin towers are located at the corner of V. A. Rufino and Valero Streets, and is next to PBCom Tower—the country’s tallest building and another Pokéstop.

Trainers residing at Signa Residences’ one-, two-, or three-bedroom units may walk around their 25-meter lap pool, 80-meter jogging path, landscaped and pocket gardens, indoor and outdoor playgrounds, music room, gym and studio, and residents’ lounge—where Wi-Fi access is available—while catching Pokémons.

3. Jazz Residences

Developed by SMDC, Jazz Residences’ Pokéstop is named Beauty Queen Mural. This is just one of the many murals along N. Garcia Street designated to be Pokéstops. Aside from being a Pokéstop to its four residential towers, it is also home to SM Jazz Mall, a one-level mall with a supermarket, hardware store, banks, and numerous dining establishments. Aspiring Pokémon masters may catch their favorite Pokémons at Jazz Residences’ swimming pools, function rooms, jogging paths, and more.

4. The Beacon Makati

Indicated by name as a Pokéstop, The Beacon Makati is described as “a high-rise condo in Pasong Tamo” in the Pokémon GO game. This three-tower condo, the tallest of which is Arnaiz Tower, has 50 stories. This condo estate is situated quite conveniently at the corner of Chino Roces and Arnaiz Avenues and Amorsolo Street. In addition to a private theater, The Beacon also has a sky lounge at its tallest tower’s roof deck, where trainers might encounter rare flying-type Pokémons.

POKÉSTOPS IN ORTIGAS CENTER

1. Discovery Suites

The sidewalk marker of Discovery Suites, a 220-unit serviced residences along ADB Avenue, is just one of the many Pokéstops in Ortigas Center. This upscale mixed-use tower is being managed by JTKC Land’s hospitality arm Discovery Leisure Company, the same company behind Discovery Primea in Makati and Boracay’s award-winning Discovery Shores.

2. BSA Twin Towers

Standing 221 meters above ground, BSA Twin Towers will definitely inspire you to reach the top as you play at one of the tallest structures in the country. Each of these two towers has 56 stories, with units ranging from studios to three-bedroom apartments. Its hotel-like amenities include a lagoon-shaped indoor swimming pool, a lap-pool, Jacuzzis, and a fitness center. This Pokéstop—also labeled BSA Twin Towers in the game—is located at the St. Francis Square Complex just behind SM Megamall.

3. St. Francis Shangri-La Place

The two-tower St. Francis Shangri-La Place at St. Francis Street (just beside the Shangri-La Plaza Mall) is home to the Pokéstop St. Francis Shangri-La Place Fountain. As expected, the stop can be found at the driveway fountain of this very luxurious residential condo. The Pokémon Trainers and residents of both towers may continue catching Pokémon from the comfort of their own units or walk to Shangri-La Plaza Mall, which is connected to the towers—for the residents’ exclusive use, of course—via a link-bridge.

POKÉSTOPS IN BONIFACIO GLOBAL CITY

1. Fort Palm Spring Condominium

The Pokéstop at the corner of 30th Street and 1st Avenue is named after this 28-story condo tower developed by First Global BYO Corporation. This mixed-use building is situated near BGC’s famous Burgos Circle, home to a collection of restaurants, a park, and many other Pokéstops. Aside from the pools and jogging paths, the Pokémon Trainers residing in this building can enjoy access to a game room, playground, and sky garden.

2. Forbeswood Heights

Megaworld’s Forbeswood Heights is a mid-rise condo complex in BGC’s Forbes Town Center area, close to Burgos Circle, and it has a fountain that also functions as a Pokéstop (which is named Forbeswood Heights Fountain). Pokémon Trainers at this condo development may head down to the tennis court and barbeque area, in addition to the usual roster of topnotch amenities, while they are on break from being a Pokémon Master. Across Forbeswood Heights is Forbeswood Parklane, another condo project by Megaworld, whose fountain is also a Pokéstop.

3. Two Serendra
Alveo Land’s Two Serendra along McKinley Parkway is part of the 12-hectare greater Serendra development (the other half being One Serendra by Ayala Land Premier). It has 10 towers (Aston, Meranti, Red Oak, Sequoia, Almond, Belize, Callery, Dolce, and Encino), and is a haven for Pokémon Trainers as it has two Pokéstops: Two Serendra Playground, situated at the playground, and Two Serendra Lobby Centerpiece. The latter is described in the game as “a giant centerpiece pot” that can be found at the condo’s veranda. It will surely be easy to recover lost and used items after catching numerous Pokémons in Two Serendra.


Main image via Shutterstock

SAP Aims to Accelerate Enterprise Cloud Adoption in Southeast Asia

Wazzup Pilipinas!

SAP announced the availability of the SAP HANA Enterprise Cloud offering in the Philippines aimed at providing customers with technology that can help organizations become agile digital enterprises. 

SAP HANA Enterprise Cloud can now provide customers here in the Philippines an agile and secure deployment option to benefit from SAP's revolutionary in-memory platform - SAP HANA in a private, fully managed cloud. 

Customers leveraging the innovative offering will be able to unleash next-generation applications, and transform decision-making to support their organisations’ efforts to go digital. 

Mission Critical Applications in the Cloud 

In today’s business world, IT faces overwhelming demands leading to too much time spent on maintenance, upgrades, and patchwork solutions for infrastructure problems. Business and IT leaders understand the need to make the IT landscape simple to meet business needs, increase productivity, and allow the organisation to respond to changing requirements quickly. 

With SAP HANA Enterprise Cloud, customers can run any SAP HANA workload – including the flagship SAP S/4HANA suite of business applications. This offers elasticity and scalability with all-inclusive subscription-based pricing for SAP software and infrastructure. 

With its built-in operations and management capabilities leading to faster implementation, SAP HANA Enterprise Cloud is designed and built for mission critical operations. Leveraged for productive use or as a project accelerator, the SAP HANA Enterprise Cloud enables simplicity, and is a platform for innovation. 

As it is architected to provide integrated support for each customer’s landscape, SAP HANA Enterprise Cloud can also manage the full HANA cloud environment, from infrastructure to applications with the ability to offer an industry-leading service level agreement (SLA) at the application availability level. 

The increased number of global premium suppliers in Southeast Asia that SAP partners with, is meant to expand the HANA Enterprise Cloud offering available across Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia and Philippines. 

SAP has the capacity to fulfil the stringent requirements of even the most demanding customers. Customers will also benefit from reduced TCO, due to affordable local cloud providers’ charges. Said Christopher Bousigues, Head, SAP HANA Enterprise Cloud ASEAN, Australia and New Zealand, “Through these partnerships, we are able to deliver a service that helps companies move away from operating software. 

SAP HANA Enterprise Cloud is an integral and core component of the SAP digital strategy, which aims to help businesses run simpler.” He continued, “Built with the end in mind, it allows our customers to run simple with SAP, with the ability to use their SAP applications in an OPEX model without having to worry about ongoing operations. SAP HANA Enterprise Cloud retains the best of on premise advantages, such as control of the IT lifecycle, and best of cloud, with its low capital expenditure requirements and flexibility. “ 

The Value of Cloud in ASEAN Industries SAP’s underlying cloud success was exemplified in their recently announced second quarter results for 2016 (ending June 20 2016). Non-IFRS cloud subscriptions and support revenue grew 47% at constant currency. Non-IFRS cloud and software revenue was up 9% at constant currency, supporting SAP’s consistent drive to demonstrate its status as the cloud company to watch. 

Supporting this continued focus on cloud, SAP will see additional offerings for its private cloud in the next 18-24 months, including new features in cloud for analytics, capabilities that can help SAP HANA scale as a cloud platform, and SAP S/4HANA cloud for development. Said Scott Russell, President and Managing Director, SAP Southeast Asia, “The business environment in Southeast Asia is changing quickly. 

Customers are looking for the best means to grow in the Digital Economy and are demanding faster time to business value and the ability to harness the power of the cloud for innovation. To address these demands, SAP is offering SAP HANA Enterprise Cloud to customers in Southeast Asia, where we can expect to see strong demand for SAP HANA and the SAP S/4 HANA.” He concluded, “We look forward to helping our customers transform by running simple and extending a low-risk deployment option for our customers. This will enable them to respond faster to the business’ need to innovate, change and deploy new systems with the SAP HANA Enterprise Cloud."

Free Workshops Amp Up Power Mac Center Sync Sessions 2016, Homegrown Indie Artists Set to Play

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Power Mac Center sets the stage for the return of its extraordinary musical fete Sync Sessions, with the introduction of Masterclass sessions by OPM legends and technical trainings on music production apps. Completing the experience are in-store live performances from homegrown independent acts.

Sync Sessions is an audio experience that showcases the power of apps, accessories, and Apple devices in music-making. This year, it will additionally feature intense workshops from music legends including no less than “Mr. Pure Energy” Gary Valenciano on September 27. This will be followed by Urbandub’s Gabby Alipe on October 1 and Raimund Marasigan on October 16. All Masterclass sessions will be held at Power Mac Center Greenbelt 3 from 1-4 PM.

“This year’s Power Mac Center Sync Sessions aims to encourage more artists to experiment on music production--be it for songs, sound effects, movies, or home videos. We hope that by providing the technical knowhow through our brand ambassadors and invited experts, we’ll be able to spark greater interest in the use of Apple technology in creating music,” said Power Mac Center Marketing Director Joey Alvarez.

The Masterclass sessions will be supported by Logic Pro X training for beginners, to be conducted by Ms. Teresa Barrozo, Music professor at De La Salle - College of St. Benilde. There are three schedules available: September 25 and October 9 at Power Mac Center SM Aura, and October 23 at Power Mac Center The Annex at SM North EDSA (1-4 PM). These are free of charge and interested participants are asked to register at <tinyurl.com/SyncSessions2016>.

Make Way for the All-New Macgyver Only on AXN Premieres September 29 at 9:45pm

Wazzup Pilipinas!

AXN has one ‘Gy’ to save the world this September with MacGyver, a dynamic re-imagining of the iconic hit television series that was hugely popular in the eighties.

Set to premiere September 29, first and exclusively on AXN, this modern-day take is an action-adventure drama that features Angus “Mac” MacGyver who forms a clandestine organization within the U.S. government. Here MacGyver utilizes his extraordinary talent making inventive use of ordinary objects in a matter of minutes to decipher seemingly unsolvable problems.

The action-packed series follows the unconventional exploits of our young hardware hero as he undertakes high-risk missions to save lives around the globe. Highly resourceful and with vast scientific knowledge, MacGyver narrowly escapes life-and-death situations armed with a little more than common items, like a paper clip, duct tape, and his trusty Swiss Army knife. Joining him is the maverick former CIA agent Jack Dalton.

Lucas Till (Havok in the X-Men movie series) stars as MacGyver while CSI veteran George Eads plays Jack Dalton. Peter Lenkov (Hawaii Five-0, CSI:NY), Golden Globe Award winner Henry Winkler (Happy Days), Lee Zlotoff (MacGyver), James Wan (Saw, The Conjuring) serve as executive producers for the series.

Expect lots of thrills in the premiere episode directed by James Wan of The Conjuring and Insidious fame as MacGyver puts his troubleshooting skills to the test and cleverly implements unorthodox methods to hurdle over complex problems and eventually become triumphant in the end.

MacGyver premieres same week as the U.S. on September 29, every Thursday at 9:45 pm.

First & Exclusive on AXN

AXN is seen on Cable Link Channel 38, Cignal Digital TV Channel 61, Global Destiny Cable Channel 61, Dream Channel 20, GSat Channel 51, and SKYCable Channel 49.

Geeks on a Beach Gets Bigger and Better on its 4th Year

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The Geeks on a Beach (GOAB) international tech confab, recently held in Panglao, Bohol last August 25-26, has gotten bigger and better on its fourth and present year.

Soaring high from its debut in Boracay in 2013, this year’s GOAB made a new breakthrough with its partnership with the iconic US-based tech accelerator Techstars and Facebook’s internet.org “free internet” advocacy.

“The Techstars Asia-Pacific Summit, a private gathering of 100 startup weekend leaders in the region, was held in the same venue two days prior to GOAB. This year’s GOAB also featured stronger ties with StartupPH.org, a newly formed umbrella organization of advocates for Philippine startups and tech industry. StartupPH.org includes the core group that completed the Philippine Startup Roadmap in 2015. ” said Tina Amper, TechTalks.ph Founder and GOAB organizer.

“Apart from the wider participation of the international community with delegates from the US, Singapore, Malaysia, among others, the recently concluded GOAB was also marked by stronger government support with the inspiring presence of Senator Bam Aquino and Bohol Governor Edgar Chatto,” added Amper. Senator Aquino is a strong proponent of the PH startup bill.

Meanwhile, key government supporters from previous GOAB is now part of the newly installed Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT). Monchito Ibrahim, who was previous head of the now defunct Department of Science and Technology Information and Communication Technology Office oversaw the crafting of the PH Startup Roadmap in consultation with the startup community, is now Program Director of DICT’s eInnovation.

#1 Music Video Community Musical.ly Seals Partnership with Globe

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Gives Filipinos access to a platform to enjoy their favorite hits and create their own videos.

Musical.ly, the currently rated #1 music video community seals its first ever telco partnership with the Philippines’ #1 mobile brand, Globe. Musical.ly is the world’s fastest growing online video community for creating, sharing and discovering 15-second videos.

With this collaboration, Musical.ly and Globe aim to give the best online experience to customers through easy access to a platform that allows creation of original content, and published by users themselves.

“We are delighted to have this partnership with Musical.ly because their platform combines 2 of the biggest things that Filipinos love – music and original video creation. There are countless trending videos online showcasing how talented Filipinos express themselves through original content and Musical.ly will be an enjoyable platform for that,” says Globe Chief Commercial Officer, Albert de Larrazabal.

Musical.ly US President, Alex Hofmann also said that, “This partnership with Globe sets a global trend for us at Musical.ly. With a partnership focusing on consumer content, Musical.ly is sure to be the future of creation and engagement. With Globe we hope to provide a more seamless access to more Filipinos so they can enjoy the app right on their favorite device.”

UP Playwrights' Theatre Proudly Presents Distrito De Molo

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We would like to announce the world premiere of Professor Emeritus Leoncio P. Deriada's (2016 Gawad sa CCP Para sa Sining in Literature) Distrito De Molo directed by Professor Emeritus Tony Mabesa (2016 Gawad sa CCP Para sa Sining in Theatre). This will be staged in its original English version and in a Filipino translation by the Palanca Award winner Allan Palileo.

The illustrious district of Molo in Iloilo City is the setting of three different plays, each taking place in a different timeline. Molo was originally the Parian of Iloilo, the area where all Chinese residents must live. Each play is a journey that brings us the history, magic and myths of the revered district of Molo.

The first play, Tres Hermanas de Molo, is set in the 50’s and revolves around the post-war lives of the wealthy Locsin sisters. All three are unmarried, and are each carrying a dark secret from their past. The second play, Atlas de Molo, set in contemporary time, is about Eric and Lorena Avanceña. The newlyweds return to their ancestral home. Atlas, the statue in their garden, comes to life and changes their lives forever. The last play, Venus de Molo, set in the 30’s, revolves around Don Guillermo Arroyo and his obsession with the statue of “Venus de Milo.” He employs the local sculptor, Crispino Marañon, to reproduce the statue but without compensation. Things turn around when Laonsena, a goddess, visits Marañon and reveals a shocking secret Don Guillermo.

The cast of Distrito De Molo includes homegrown artists and professional actors in the field of theatre. This includes Stella Cañete-Mendoza, Frances Makil-Ignacio, Adriana Agcaoili, Astarte Abraham, Dolly De Leon, Katte Sabatte, Ronnie Martinez, Flordeliz Salanga, Monette Flores, Carlo Cannu, Ron Biñas, Carlo Tarobal, Missy Maramara, Ian Ignacio, Leo Rialp, Jacques Borlaza, Arvin Trinidad, Brian Arda, Sue Prado, Liway Gabo, Chase Salazar, Neil Ryan Sese and Candy Pangilinan.

The artistic team includes Nick Deocampo (set design), Shax Siosoco (lights design), Eric Pineda (costume design), and Jethro Joaquin (sound design).

This project between Professors Mabesa and Deriada runs from 12 - 30 October 2016, from Wednesdays to Fridays at 7:00 p.m.; Saturdays and Sundays at 10:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. at the Wilfrido Ma. Guerrero Theater, 2nd Floor Palma Hall, University of the Philippines, Diliman, Quezon City.

Tres Hermanas de Molo

Set in the late 1950s the play revolves around the post-war lives of the wealthy Locsin sisters living in a mansion in Molo, Iloilo. All three are unmarried, and are each carrying a dark secret from their past. Visitacion, the eldest, is cold and cruel, and she believes that being unmarried is a form of penance they must endure. Her sisters, Asuncion and Salvacion on the other hand, are discontented and lust for a more exciting life. After a series of arguments among the sisters, Asuncion and Salvacion confess their transgressions, to the horror of VIsitacion. However Visitacion is not spared from her own transgressions. In the end Asuncion and Salvacion relent and comfort their elder sister as they call on the ghosts of their past and pray for freedom from their own burdens. Feeling reborn after revealing their transgressions, the three sisters, along with Maura, their loyal nanny, laugh, cry and look forward to a new dawn.


Atlas de Molo

Set in contemporary times, Eric and Lorena Avanceña are young newlyweds that have recently moved into the crumbling Avanceña home in Molo. In the garden, there is a statue of the Greek Titan Atlas standing in the middle of a dry fountain. One evening, the statue comes to life, puts down the earth that he carries on his shoulders, and shares a conversation with Eric. After much taunting from Atlas, Eric agrees to carry the earth on his shoulders as a test of his strength. It is too late for Eric to realize that this is a trap. The next day, the dry fountain bursts forth with water.


Venus de Molo

Set in the 1930s, the play involves the eccentric Don Guillermo Arroyo, who is obsessed of reproducing his own “Venus de Milo.” He employs the local sculptor, Crispino Marañon, to craft a marble of “Venus de Molo” for him. Crispino, without any compensation of his work, is visited by the goddess Laonsena, who learns of Don Guillermo’s cruelty. When Crispino unveils his work, Don Guillermo is shocked to set eyes on Laonsena as his Venus de Molo. As Laonsena leaves, Don Guillermo begs Crispino to help him, but he refuses, and the Don is left alone in his dilemma.


The play has themes of: History, Identity, Hopes, and Dreams.

UP 49ers: Sixty-Two Years of Unmatched Distinction

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Since 1954, the UP Mining, Metallurgical and Materials Engineering Association, Inc. or the UP 49ers has been the home to exceptional professionals, engineers, and most especially leaders, in the fields of mining, metallurgical, and materials engineering and its academe. For 62 years, as the premier academic organization in the said field, the UP 49ers has been unrivalled in its dedication to the pursuit of holistic development; for 62 years, the UP 49ers has been producing top-notch individuals who are committed to academic excellence, and as well as social awareness.

This year, as the UP 49ers marks its 62nd year of yet nonpareil excellence, grander events are in store. One of these is the National Mining and Metallurgical Engineering (NMME) Summit 2016, now on its 7th year, which convenes future mining and metallurgical engineers from all over the country to foster responsible engineering by tackling not only advancements but also relevant social issues in the industry. Participated in by delegates from all over the country, NMMES is a 3-day event which consists of talks from well-renowned speakers, a quiz bee, a plant tour, a mini-conference, and a socials night to build bonds among the budding engineers in the fields of mining and metallurgy.

National Mining and Metallurgical Engineering Summit 

September 22-24, 2016 

University of the Philippines – Diliman 

Woodridge Heights Residential and Commercial Estates, Marikina City

September 22 – Company Talks | Quiz Bee

September 23 – Lecture Series | Mini Conference 

September 24 – Plant Tour | Socials Night

Hontiveros Meets Workers, Pledges to Push for Anti-Contractualization Law

Wazzup Pilipinas!

“We must stop the exploitation of workers”.

This was the statement of Akbayan Senator Risa Hontiveros on Monday as she met with the participants of the Anti-ENDO Caravan organized by the NAGKAISA labor coalition, Partido Manggagawa (PM) and the Philippine Airlines Employees' Association (PALEA).

In the meet-up at the Senate stop of the said caravan yesterday, the Senator pledged to push for the passage of an anti-contractualization law that will provide “work with dignity to our workers”.

Hontiveros filed Senate Bill No. 217 or the Security of Tenure Bill to protect workers from unscrupulous and discriminatory contracting and sub-contracting.

The Senator also welcomed the directive of the current administration “to end endo”. Endo is the colloquial term for “end of contract”, a system by enterprises and employers that contract workers to 4-6 months in order to avoid regularizing workers and providing them social security benefits.

“We must fight for regular and decent jobs. It is time for a strong policy that will protect our workers from contractualization and other schemes that continue to deprive them of their full benefits, Senator Hontiveros concluded.

Globe Interconnection with Competition Extends to Leyte, Southern Leyte, Biliran

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Interconnection enables customers to call customers of other providers without long-distance calls.

Globe Telecom said interconnection of its landline service Globelines with its competition continue to expand as the two parties recently agreed to extend the collaboration to include the provinces of Leyte, Southern Leyte and Biliran.

The interconnection enables Globelines customers in the Leyte, Southern Leyte and Biliran provinces to call customers of other telco providers without additional charges as they no longer have to pay for long distance charges when calling one another. The interconnection, which took effect last September 1, will allow customers to realize substantial savings.

Prior to the interconnection, landline customers of Globelines and other telco providers were charged with long distance rate when making phones to one another. With the interconnection, Globe customers can simply dial the seven-digit telephone number to connect with other telco providers and vice-versa.

“As interconnection reduces the cost of connectivity among our customers, Globe will continue to pursue interconnection in line with our commitment to provide affordable and easily accessible ways of communication, necessary to further enhance economic growth,” Globe General Counsel Atty. Froilan Castelo stressed.

Interconnection among telco providers is in line with provisions for compulsory interconnection of authorized public telecommunications carriers under Republic Act 7925. The law aims to create a universally accessible and fully integrated nationwide telecommunications network to encourage more infrastructure investments from the private sector that would benefit the consumers.

In addition to Leyte, Southern Leyte and Biliran, Globe has existing interconnection agreement with its main competition in Metro Manila, Cavite, Iloilo, Batangas, Cebu, Negros Occidental, Negros Oriental, Bohol, Leyte, Davao City, Pampanga, Bulacan, Zamboanga, Laguna, Quezon, La Union, Nueva Ecija, Benguet, GenSan/South Cotabato, Tarlac, Davao del Norte, Pangasinan, Ilocos Norte, Zambales, Ilocos Sur, Capiz, Cagayan, Nueva Viscaya, Iloilo, Bataan, Isabela and Camarines Norte.

Youth to Imee Marcos: Forgiveness Demands Justice!

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Akbayan Youth joined fellow youth and student groups today in conducting the "Honk for Justice" Noise Barrage, Candle-lighting, and Banner Hanging in commemoration of the 44th year of Martial Law (ML) Declaration.

"Our search for justice for the heroes and martyrs who fought the Marcos dictatorship remains elusive, even after 44 years since Martial law was declared. Forgiving Marcos and giving him a hero's burial while justice remains out of reach for many Filipinos promotes a culture of impunity. Forgiveness without justice is an invitation to repeat the sins of the past," said JC Tejano of Akbayan Youth.

The groups said this in response to an earlier call of Imee Marcos to the Filipino people to forgive his father, the late dictator, President Ferdinand Marcos and to have him buried at the Libingan ng mga Bayani.

"Marcos, his family and cronies, still haven't returned the money that they have stolen from us. How can we forgive the Marcoses who not only continues to whitewash their role in one of the darkest moments in our history, but also continues to live off of the money of the people," added Tejano.

The PCGG estimates that the Marcoses amassed a total of USD 5-10 Billion and have yet to return USD 1.4-6.4 Billion to the Filipino people.

The youth groups finally called on their fellow youth to use this opportunity to know more about the Martial Law years.

"The youth must join the search for truth and justice if we do not want history to repeat itself. Those who came before use did not allow themselves to be silenced and spoke truth to power. It is our generation's responsibility to honor their memory by echoing their voices and standing by the truth, especially when the truth is being silenced by those in power," concluded Tejano.