Ricky Lee Receives IFFM Lifetime Achievement Award in New York

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Veteran screenwriter Ricky Lee was recently honored with a Lifetime Achievement Award in Scriptwriting by the International Film Festival Manhattan (IFFM) in New York.

Lee personally received the plaque of recognition from festival director Luis Pedron last October 20 during the IFFM awards night held at the Kalayaan Hall of the Philippine Center in New York City.

The award-winning writer also conducted a scriptwriting workshop from October 17 to 19 at the Producers Club Theaters & Bar. He has been holding workshops in the Philippines since 1982, producing hundreds of graduates who are now part of the movie and TV industry. He has mentored several budding writers and he vows to continue to help more of them reach their full writing potential in his upcoming workshops.

Lee has written more than 160 scripts for Filipino films since 1973. Many of these have won awards here and abroad. Among them are Himala, Karnal, Moral, Salome and other films directed by acclaimed Filipino filmmakers, including the late National Artists for Film Lino Brocka and Ishmael Bernal.


Aside from being a screenwriter, Lee is also a book author, fictionist and playwright. He has written Trip to Quiapo, a scriptwriting manual; Si Tatang at mga Himala ng Ating Panahon, a collection of short stories; Pitik-Bulag Sa Buwan Ng Pebrero, a playbook; the novels Para Kay B (O Kung Paano Dinevastate ng Pag-ibig ang 4 out of 5 sa Atin) and Si Amapola sa 65 na Kabanata; and screenplay books like Brutal/Salome, Moral, Bukas May Pangarap and Jose Rizal. His script for Salome has also been translated into English and published by the University of Wisconsin for its film studies.

Energizing the Autonomous Region for Muslim Mindanao

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President Rodrigo R. Duterte and Department of Energy (DOE) Secretary Alfonso G. Cusi on Saturday (October 29) led the ceremonial switch lighting and turning over of electrification funds for almost ten thousand households in Tawi-Tawi, Maguindanao, Lanao, Basilan and Sulu under the DOE’s Nationwide Intensification Household Electrification (NIHE) at the Autonomous Region for Muslim Mindanao Compound in Cotabato.

A check amounting to P13.833 Million symbolized the release to the Maguindanao Electric Cooperative, Inc. (MAGELCO) for 3,689 households in the municipalities of Ampatuan, Buldon, Matanog, Barira, Datu Abdullah Sangki, Datu Odin Sinsuat, Datu Piang, North Upi, Parang, South Upi, Sultan Kudarat, Sultan Mastura, Sultan Sa Barongis, Rajah Buayan, Talayan, Guindulungan and Talitay to be electrified.

Isko’t Iska, Dula Mula sa Masa, Patungo sa Masa Opens this November for its 39th Installment

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Isko't Iska 2016: Daluyong ng Pagbabago will be shown for free on November 8, 9, and 10, 7PM. at the D.L. Umali Auditorium, University of the Philippines – Los Baños.

Former USC Councilor Karlyn Oblacion (Obley) is missing. She was last seen at La Pagan, a community jeopardized by land grabbing and commercialization. As part of the investigation, Isko, Iska and Pegaraw recount their memories with Obley as a student leader and a friend.

Outside the campus, Maria Balangit or Nanay MB, the peasant leader at La Pagan, suspects that the minds behind the demolition in their community are also responsible for Obley’s disappearance. Tao, Isko’s father, worries just as much because his son shares the same sentiment as Nanay MB. It is now up to them to uncover the mystery of this disappearance and find the location of Obley before it’s too late.

Isko't Iska is an annual theater production of Umalohokan Inc. that features a student ensemble that gives life to pieces written and directed by fellow students from UPLB. While encouraging appreciation of progressive art, the play also aims to mirror the lives of different UP students (named as Isko/Iska in the play) and their travails in seeking their identities as true Iskolars ng Bayan.

It has been highly acclaimed for depicting social issues and heightening awareness in a creative manner and has become a part of the university's rich tradition and history. It is traditionally shown free of charge not only to UPLB students but also to the members of the neighboring communities.

WATCH: Actors share why they joined Isko’t Iska

Founded in 1977, Umalohokan, Inc. (formerly known as Teatro Umalohokan) is a UPLB-based community organization that has been known to utilize the diverse aspects of art and media in portraying social issues and educating the people, especially the Filipino youth.

For more inquiries, contact Francis De La Cruz at 0926 571 3131. Updates are also posted in Umalohokan Inc.'s official Facebook page: facebook.com/umal.inc

Globe Underscores Need for Govt Support in Building Telco Infrastructure Even as it Ramps Us Network Investments

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Globe Telecom Chief Technology and Information Officer and Chief Strategy Officer Gil Genio (extreme left) underscores the need for government support in developing telco infrastructure and harnessing the full potential of the ICT industry during a Philippine Trade Summit panel discussion organized by the British Chamber of Commerce Philippines. 

Genio emphasized that while Globe is ramping up network investments, government support is critical in rationalizing the permitting process for telecommunication infrastructure such as cell sites and fiber cables, claiming Globe needs to secure at least 25 permits to construct one cell site. 

Genio is joined in the panel by (from left) Samie Lim, Chairman Emeritus, Blims Lifestyle Group, Senen Perlada, Department of Trade and Industry export marketing bureau director; Mike Toledo, Head of MVP Group of Companies Media Bureau; and Cielito Habito Chief of Party, USAID Trade-Related Assistance for Development (TRADe) Project, who was the event’s moderator.

A3BIDA Proudly Presents HEIGHTS: 35th Flying Year Across The Sky Of Creativity

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We'll take you something higher this November!

Get ready to fly high as the BAPR 3-3D (A3BIDA) brings the Polytechnic University of the Philippines College Of Communication in the Department Of Advertising and Public Relations to the grandest and highest celebration on this year's Ad Week in: "HEIGHTS: 35th Flying Year Across The Sky Of Creativity" - an annual celebration of week filled with splashing fun events to celebrate the creativity within every BAPR student that boosts the department to soar high competitively in the field of art, words and everything under the sky of creativity.

Watch out the different events, games and contests all prepared by the organizers for every BAPR student. There will be booths along the classrooms that will be running throughout the whole week; games and contest that will help you explode the creativity in you. The annual search for the next face of the BAPR will also be happened organized by BAPR 3-1S as they bring MR & MS ADPR 2016 on the third day of the event. Aspiring videographer and filmmaker may find their spotlight on the fourth day of the event as BAPR 3-1D brings the annual video production competition in this year's TV SCENE AWARDS. And there’s no greater way to end the celebration than by bringing foods, awards, booze, and the dance floor all in one place as departure takes place on a closing semi-formal party that will be happening on the last day of the event.

This event will run from November 15 to 19, 2016. For more details and inquiries about HEIGHTS: 35th Flying Year Across the Sky of Creativity, visit its Facebook page at facebook.com/adpr3d; and for real-time updates, check out its Twitter and Instagram acount: @adpr3d. See you there and enjoy your flight.

Globe Telecom, The Pokémon Company and Niantic, Inc. Enhance The Pokémon GO Experience for Filipino Gamers

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The Pokémon Company, creators of one of the most popular entertainment properties in the world, Niantic, Inc., innovative developer and publisher of ‘real world games’, and Globe Telecom, the Philippines leading mobile brand, today have officially announced a new partnership.

“Pokémon GO fever has certainly taken over majority of Filipinos’ digital lifestyle. From walks to ‘lure parties’ the take-up on the mobile game continues to grow. We want to give our customers more reasons to enjoy the game, and the launch of new PokéStops and Gyms is just the start of our collaborative efforts,” says Globe Senior Advisor for Consumer Business, Dan Horan.

Starting October 28, Pokémon GO trainers will find that Globe retail locations and charging stations have become PokéStops and Gyms in game, with more and more PokéStops sprouting across the country. To help spread more Pokémon GO joy, Globe will be working with its partners, namely Ayala malls, Puregold, Robinsons Malls and SM Supermalls. With this, players will be able to see more of these markers on their Pokémon GO apps for more chances of catching Pokémon to expand their Pokédex.

Globe will also ensure its customers have better accessibility to the app through different mobile offers. On Globe Prepaid’s leading GoSURF50 mobile promo, customers will be able to access Pokémon GO as one of the free apps within the bundle. Globe customers can also download the free Pokémon GO promo on the Globe Switch app. Included in the partnership are distribution rights to Pokémon merchandise, including digital connectors, cool gadgets and a selection of apparel that is perfect for the holiday season.

Globe held today the first ever Pokémon festival in the Philippines during Halloween weekend. Free and open to all, guests had a wonderful time meeting Pikachu, enjoying original Pokémon screening, costume contests and many more family surprises. Pokémon GO players also took part in walks and tours around BGC, Taguig.

To get updates on Globe and its latest events and offers just visit the Globe official Facebook page at www.Facebook.com/GlobePH or @EnjoyGlobe on Twitter and Instagram.

Photo Captions

1 – Globe Telecom together with The Pokémon Company and Niantic confirmed their partnership to make the Pokémon Go experience more accessible and enjoyable to Filipinos. Leading the announcement for this exclusive partnership were Globe Chief Commercial Officer Albert De Larrazabal, Globe Senior Advisor for Consumer Business Dan Horan, Niantic Chief Executive Officer and founder John Hanke, and Susumu Fukunaga, Corporate Officer of The Pokémon Company. One of the highlights of the partnership was that Globe retail locations and charging stations have become PokéStops and Gyms in game. To help spread more Pokémon GO joy, Globe will also be working with its partners, namely Ayala malls, Puregold, Robinsons Malls and SM Supermalls.

2 – Pokémon fans trooped to the Globe ICONIC store at BGC for the first ever Pokémon Fest presented by Globe

3 – Guests had fun with Pikachu – from dance numbers to parades around the venue. Globe also held meet & greet sessions with Pikachu

4 – Niantic Chief Executive Officer and founder John Hanke join Globe Telecom during the announcement of its exclusive partnership for Pokemon Go. 

Duterte Switches On DOE Electrification Projects In ARMM

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The Duterte administration is accelerating the electrification of the provinces comprising the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) as part of its peace and development efforts in Southern Philippines.

President Rodrigo R. Duterte and Department of Energy (DOE) Secretary Alfonso G. Cusi on Saturday (October 29) led the ceremonial switch-on of electrification projects of the DOE and the National Electrification Administration (NEA) held at the ARMM Regional Government Compound in Cotabato City.

On-grid electrification projects include the DOE's Nationwide Intensification of Household Electrification (NIHE) and ER 1-94 Electrification Funded Projects and NEA's Sitio Electrification Program and Barangay Line Enhancement Program.

For Maguindanao and Lanao del Sur, a total of P371.71 million worth of electrification projects from 2015 to 2016 will benefit some 34,238 households in the two provinces. Next year, a P4.84 million electrification projects will benefit 166 households.

For Tawi-Tawi, a total of P91.62 million worth of electrification projects in 2015 to 2016 will benefit some 1,620 households. For 2017, a P18.31 million electrification project will benefit 2,263 households.

For Basilan, a total of P60.6 million worth of electrification projects in 2015 to 2016 will benefit 889 households in the province. For 2017, a P2.81 million electrification project will benefit 270 households.

And for Sulu, a total of P50.3 million worth electrification projects will benefit 2,628 households. In 2017, a P10.88 million electrification project will benefit 1,345 households.

For off-grid electrification, the DOE has initiated the Household Electrification Program (HEP) where electrification projects worth P610 million will be implemented by electric cooperatives in ARMM until 2017.

Duterte and Cusi also graced the ceremonial turn-over of 30 units of photovoltaic (PV) solar home systems to ARMM.

The DOE completed a total of 3,868 PV solar home system units in the provinces of Tawi-Tawi, Basilan and Sulu under its HEP. Next year, the DOE will deliver a total of 3,878 units of the PV solar home system in Tawi-Tawi (2,263 units), Basilan (270 units) and Sulu (1,345 units).

The DOE also donated a total of 30 units of 30Wp PV solar home system to ARMM. This was received by ARMM Governor Mujiv S. Hataman on behalf of household beneficiaries in the three provinces.

The President's last stop was the ceremonial awarding of a cheque worth P13.833 million to Maguindanao Electric Cooperative, Inc. (MAGELCO) for the implementation of the NIHE program that will benefit 3689 households within its franchise area.

Under the NIHE program, the DOE provides assistance amounting to at least P3,750 as grant subsidy to each eligible household for the cost of house-wiring and additional service drops per housing unit.

The NIHE program will be implemented by MAGELCO in the municipalities of Ampatuan, Buldon, Matanog, Barira, Datu Abdullah Sangki, Datu Odin Sinsuat, Datu Piang, North Upi, Parang, South Upi, Sultan Kudarat, Sultan Mastura, Sultan Sa Barongis, Rajah Buayan, Talayan, Guindulungan and Talitay.

The cheque was received by MAGELCO General Manager, Sultan Ashary P. Maongco.

Miss Ecuador Wins Miss Earth 2016

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The Miss Earth 2016 coronation night concluded at around 9 pm with results quite not good for the Philippines since Miss Philippines Earth, Imelda Schweighart, failed to even make it to the first cut, which was the Top 16.

Since the country is hosting the Miss Earth 2016 beauty pageant, and based from previous runs, many were expecting to see Imelda to be at least part of the top 4 finalists but many were somehow surprised that the country's candidate did not even made it to the top 16. 

However, we are sending our congratulations to our new Elemental Queens for 2016:

Miss Earth 2016: Katherine Espin Ecuador
Miss Air: Michelle Gomez Colombia
Miss Water: Stephanie De Zorzi Venezuela
Miss Fire: Bruna Zanardo Brazil

Congratulations to Miss Ecuador for winning the Miss Earth 2016 title. We hope this Earth Warrior advocates passionately the true meaning of being an ambassador for the planet.

Obviously I was a bit sad for the Philippines, but still I have to go on with my coverage as people would also need to know who will win this beauty pageant.

The sadness increased when someone said that Miss Philippines did not make it because of her "attitude" problem.

Bayanihan To Restore Typhoon-Affected Energy Facilities

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With the magnitude of the devastation, the Department of Energy (DOE) through its attached agencies has called on power industry participants to help in the restoration of damaged energy facilities in the aftermath of supertyphoon Lawin.

“Bayanihan is what is necessary in this time of need. We are calling several unaffected industry participants like MERALCO and the Aboitiz Group to help in the restoration efforts of the affected distribution utilities such as CAGELCO and ISELCO,” Energy Secretary Alfonso G. Cusi said.

“We are exhausting all available resources and help we can avail to speed up the re-energization in Northern Luzon, especially in badly hit areas like Cagayan Valley, Kalinga and Apayao”, Cusi added.

For the distribution side, the National Electrification Administration (NEA) and several electric cooperatives (ECs) have responded to the DOE’s call to activate Task Force Kapatid (TFK).

As reported by NEA, the TFK has three teams with more than 60 personnel from NEA, 19 ECs in Regions III and IV and 7 Private Investor-Owned Utilities namely:

Life Hacks for a Worry-Free Undas 2016

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Whether you’re scheduled to pay your respects to your dearly departed loved-ones or you’re planning to go for that much-awaited and well-deserved long-weekend trip, there are several ways to keep your Undas 2016 experience much safer, more convenient, and worry-free.

Bring out the techie in you to make this happen. For long travels to the beach or your home province, use traffic navigation apps like Waze to check for traffic-free routes. Or keep your chat apps running for quick coordination with family and friends — especially if someone is getting lost!

Stay safe and stress-free this Undas long weekend and enjoy a solemn and/or restful time with family and friends — all you need to do is be Smart about it!

TLC Festival 2016 Brings the World to the Philippines

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Are you ready? Southeast Asia’s leading travel and lifestyle channel is bringing back the much-anticipated TLC Festival to the Philippines on Saturday, November 5! Attended by thousands of Filipino fans in 2015, this year’s TLC Festival boasts an exciting Global Village, where TLC will bring the world to you.

From 11am onwards, festival-goers can globetrot across the world with us at Bonifacio High Street, and enjoy good food, great entertainment and an even more dazzling celebrity line-up! Rub shoulders with your favourite TLC personalities – bubbly travel host Janet Hsieh from Fun Taiwan, the charming Dan Churchill and Hayden Quinn from Surfing The Menu: Next Generation and America’s all-time favourite baker… ‘Cake Boss’ Buddy Valastro!

Learn new gourmet and craft skills at the TLC Kitchen, and Japan’s Origami Workshops and Japanese Calligraphy studio. Art jam at the TLC Gallery, sing your hearts out at Japan’s Karaoke Booth and indulge in our very own Filipino food fair and Larong Pinoy. Step right into New York’s Times Square, soak in its hustle and bustle, and grab a bite from the USA Food Trucks. Don’t miss the entertainment on the main stage by Filipino band Apartel of rock icon Ely Buendia, as well as cooking demos, talent appearances and stage games led by comedian and host, Eri Neeman.

Always wanted to show off your baking skills? Here’s your chance! Get up close with Buddy Valastro­­­­ and have a shot at impressing him with your masterpiece at the cupcake decorating workshop. It’s his very first time in the Philippines, and Buddy can’t wait to meet his Filipino fans. The Cake Boss might just be making surprise visits to the TLC Bakeshop, so do drop by and try the yummy treats on sale! Episodes of the latest season of Cake Boss will premiere on November 9, Wednesday, 8:05 p.m. on TLC.

Coming back to the Philippines for the second time will be Fun Taiwan’s bubbly host Janet Hsieh, who will share her latest travel escapades from Fun Taiwan Adventures, airing every Saturday at 10:50pm till November 5. What’s more - look out for surfer chefs Dan Churchill and Hayden Quinn of Surfing the Menu: Next Generation as they prepare beach-perfect meals in an Australian beach barbecue cook-off! Catch new episodes of Surfing the Menu: Next Generation returns on November 7, Monday, at 9:00 p.m.

Admission is free, and we have an exciting line-up of activities for everyone in the family and barkada. What’s more, the first 100 participants who show up at each of the three registration booths on the event day will stand a chance to win a TLC Gift Bag, whilst stocks last.

 See you there, rain or shine, and remember to hashtag #TLCfest16 online!

For updates on the TLC Festival, visit www.tlcfestival.com. 

Longest Urban Park in Metro Manila Opens in BGC

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Imagine waking up to a beautiful sunny day, perfect for a run. You take a quick shower, put on your running clothes, tie your shoelaces, and head out. You make your way to the BGC Greenway Park. It’s still early, it’s peaceful. Great, no distractions. You breathe in the fresh air and feast your eyes on the lush greenery lining the length of the park with the beautiful BGC cityscape as a backdrop. You look over to the other side and see a group huddled in laughter at the Manila Golf Club. Ahh, this is the life.

So you begin stretching, and slowly work up your pace. One step, then another, until you lose yourself in the moment. Then you slow down, take a deep breath, and stop. That was a good run. You haven’t had anything like it in a while.


That is the BGC Greenway experience.

Metro Manila has become an urban jungle. The once green and healthy city is now too crowded and chaotic as open spaces have taken a backseat to make room for skyscrapers and condominiums.

Urbanites are finding it difficult to pursue a sound and healthy lifestyle when the air they breathe in is a mixture of hazardous, exhaust gas from various modes of transport; plus there’s always the danger of encountering accidents on the road due to oncoming vehicles.

This is one of the scenarios that Bonifacio Global City wants to address. Being a safe, and walkable city, BGC’s master planner and developer, Fort Bonifacio Development Corporation (FBDC), collaborated with its very own community to bring us BGC Greenway Park, a 1.6-kilometer stretch of landscaped expanse that is poised to be the longest urban park in the Metro—its length close to New York City’s The High Line.

BGC Greenway Park lies at the western part of the city. From one end, it connects McKinley Parkway to different offices and residential buildings such as the Bellagio, Bonifacio Ridge, and all the way to the Net Plaza. 

Stroll, lounge, and workout

BGC Greenway Park provides BGCitizens a quiet respite from the hustle and bustle of daily living. In here, one can peacefully enjoy a midday stroll just to drown out the noise -- either at home or at work.

At the same time, the patches of green spaces dotted along the urban park serve as perfect lounging areas for families and friends to spend time with one another -- for hearty conversations on laidback days or a place to go for a picnic.

BGCitizens living an active lifestyle will find BGC Greenway Park as a safe place to run/jog, bike, or walk the dog.

It’s also a place to hold outdoor events such as Sunday markets, film screenings, and other social functions.

FBDC is set to transfer the management and maintenance duties of the park to the Bonifacio Global City Estate Association, as part of the latter’s mandate to keep the BGC community a safe and suitable place for residents, workers, and visitors alike.

Knowing the plight of urban city dwellers, FBDC hopes that the BGC Greenway Park can serve as a haven for BGCitizens where they can stop and relax from the worries of living in the city.

BGC Greenway Park is open to the public daily from 6am to 10pm. For more information, contact Bonifacio Global City’s Community Manager, Armie Candado through 0917 5591749 or emailing info@bgc.com.ph.

Photo caption: Officials of the Fort Bonifacio Development Corporation present a certificate of turnover to the Bonifacio Estate Services Corporation for the maintenance of the BGC Greenway Park. Witnessing the event are members and guests of the BGC community. In photo from L-R: Lourdes Reyes (Chief Finance Officer, Fort Bonifacio Development Corp.); Meean Dy (Group Head, Strategic Landbank Management, Ayala Land Inc.); Manny Blas (Head of Commercial Operations, Fort Bonifacio Development Corp.); Hon. Edwin Eron (City Councilor, Taguig City); Rodney Medrano (General Manager, Bonifacio Estate Services Corp.); Karla Kangleon & Jan Llamado (BGCitizens); Benedict Camara (Director & Founder, National Bicycle Organization)

Youth Empowerment Seminar: First NLP Training System for Youth Leaders

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Are you your school’s Rockstar? Secret Weapon? Or are you a People’s Champion? There are different ways to lead and it all starts from igniting your individual brilliance.

A lot of times though, young people hesitate to step up and lead. Not because their ideas are not brilliant, but because there is a preconceived notion of what a leader should be like. A leader is stereotyped to be vocal, extroverted, and popular and sometimes this stops the child from even trying. On the other hand, there’s always a step up for extroverted leaders to hulk up their leadership potential.

In the Youth Empowerment Seminar, we celebrate how each and everyone has a unique advantage that makes him or her a fascinating leader—somebody who is compelling, interesting, and confident. This advantage (whether it's innovation, passion, mystique, power, alert, trust, or prestige) naturally comes out and this is precisely how you best contribute, influence, and lead.

The Youth Empowerment Seminar (YES) by World Stage International Network is a fun 2-day leadership workshop for students aged 7-18 who already have a leadership position in school and outside, and those aspiring to be in the future. This is on Nov. 26-27, 2016 at 9am-5pm at the World Stage Center at 3rd Floor Mirax Bldg, 2270 Chino Roces Ext., Makati City.

Below are some photos from last year's YES event:

Participants will get to:

•    Nail their brilliance using their natural strengths as leverage!

•    Find out why they shouldn’t be focusing on their weaknesses and how they can energize their differences instead!

•    Lead their team to success using specific Language Cues that drive their team’s behavior

•    Build their confidence so that they are saying Yes to school (and even life!) challenges

•    Learn the mechanics of public speaking and how they can move their communication from left brain (analytical) to right brain (emotional) so that they are nailing their message well

•    Enjoy the adventure of speakership which will help them recite better and have a crisper pitch and presentation

With a mix of leadership and communication tools of Neuro Linguistic Programming (NLP) and Fascinate Advantage concepts from the USA as the program backbone, this is like an MBA for the youth, preparing them to achieve more in school and in life. Here’s the awesome news—it’s going to be a workshop loaded with activities and games that the kids will laugh, joke, and enjoy while learning. Far, far, far, from a classroom setting the kids are used to.

Do not miss this chance to unleash the leadership potential in your child!

Youth Empowerment Seminar on Nov. 26-27 is by World Stage International Network, an NLP Center for Leadership Excellence. 

For reservations, call Inna at (02) 275-2090, or email inna@worldstageinternational.com.ph. Like our Facebook page: Facebook.com/ WorldStageInternational/ and Visit http://worldstageinternational.com.ph/our-services/ youth-empowerment-seminar/ for more information.

The Amazing Race Asia Season 5 Update: The Stress of the Race gets to Rona

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Last episode’s first team, Yvonne and Chloe kicked off leg three with good news – they are heading back to their homeland in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia! But first, teams need to travel from Bandung to Jakarta’s Senayan City Mall to purchase their air tickets. At Garuda Indonesia’s office, the teams realize that the earliest flight to KL is the next day at 8.35am.

Right when they land, the teams make a quick dash out. While the other teams are directed to get an airport taxi, Eric asks around for a metered taxi, giving Eric & Rona an advantage. At Menara Great Eastern Building in Kuala Lumpur, teams face their first Roadblock challenge. One of them must rappel down the side of a 300 foot skyscraper to retrieve a flag. Teams that miss the flag or drop it, must attempt the challenge again.

Eric & Rona, Tom & Anita are the first two teams to rappel down while it’s just starting to rain. As Louisa &Treasuri are getting ready, the teams received a lightning warning and they have to head back indoors to wait for the storm to pass. Eric & Rona, Tom & Anita head to KL Sentral Station where they have to take the earliest train to Penang. They are disappointed to find out that the next available train is at 5.50pm, almost 3 hours away, which will give the other teams a chance to catch up.

Once the rain let up, Louisa &Treasuri, Parul & Maggie and Yvonne & Chloe speed down the building easily and they quickly make their way to the train station. Unfortunately, JK & Mike, Alex & Will and Vicky & Rach did not find the flags and they have to retry the challenge again.

DOTr Rolls Out Oplan Ligtas Biyahe: Undas 2016

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In preparation for the influx of passengers during All Saints’ and All Souls’ Days, the Department of Transportation (DOTr) has activated Oplan Ligtas Biyahe: Undas 2016 to ensure the safety and reliability of various modes of transportation.

The DOTr has directed all its attached agencies to be on heightened alert status to guarantee the security and safety of passengers traveling during the Undas period. Attached agencies are expected to make sure that public concerns hotlines are operational and properly manned.

Road Safety and Public Assistance

The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) will conduct an inspection of buses as part of ensuring its road worthiness and safety of the passengers. Help Desks shall also be placed in terminals to ensure that queries and concerns of commuters will be swiftly and efficiently attended to.

Further, LTFRB shall issue special permits to bus operators valid from October 29 - November 3, as more buses will be needed to transport those who will be traveling to their respective provinces.

Similarly, the Land Transportation Office (LTO) will enhance its public assistance programs by prioritizing tasks in line with guiding motorists.

Meanwhile, the Toll Regulatory Board (TRB) will deploy additional personnel at toll plazas where traffic build-up is expected.

For its part, the Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) has created a Management Team which consists of airport managers to personally oversee the operation during the peak days.  Passengers can also ask for assistance and information to Help Desks manned by MIAA Operations group, airport police and medical team.

The Philippine National Railways (PNR) will maintain the present number of train trips in the Metro Manila South Commuter and Bicol Commuter Services. There will be 36 daily from Tutuban – Alabang/Mamatid and four (4) in Naga – Sipocot. One-stop help desks will be set-up in terminals and stations and quick response teams will be activated.

Nationwide Inspection of Passenger Ships

Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) will monitor all domestic passenger ships prior to scheduled departures to ensure that applicable MARINA rules and regulations are complied, particularly the “No Overloading of Passengers and Cargoes” Policy.

i-ACT Deployment and Lifting of Number Coding

The Inter-Agency Council on Traffic (i-ACT) will deploy around 2,900 personnel to man the roads of the metropolis, i-ACT will likewise lift the Number Coding Scheme in Metro Manila from October 31 to November 1. However, in order to further assist commuters going to and from their provinces, Number Coding shall be lifted ONLY for provincial buses on November 2&3, 2016.