DOST Hybrid Road Train: Possible Solution to Traffic Congestion

Wazzup Pilipinas!

The Hybrid Road Train, a part of the three-component project of the Advanced Transport Program of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) under the Makina Para sa Bayan Program of MakiBayan, was one of the various technologies that was featured at the 2015 DOST National Science and Technology Week (NSTW)held on July 24 to 28, 2015 at the SMX Convention Center of the Mall of Asia Complex in Pasay city.

The DOST NSTW is set every third week of July and is a show window for Filipino ingenuity, innovation, S&T developments, eye-catching exhibits, interactive gadgets, robotic creations by students, and other local inventions. The NSTW also holds several product launching, press conferences, career talks, product demonstrations, awards and other activities during the week-long celebration. NSTW is also a platform for promoting poverty alleviation and economic development.

Eyed as one of the possible solutions to ease the traffic congestion of Metro Manila, the Hybrid Road Train is a 40-meter long system of interlinked and air-conditioned coaches. It is estimated to serve around 650,000 passengers when rolled out. That will be 60 persons per coach for a total of 240 passengers.

The train weighs about 10 metric tons but can run at a top speed of 50 kph and is equipped with dual braking system for efficient braking. It uses ordinary rubber tires so there is no need for rails. It is also environment-friendly with the last of the five coaches dedicated to its electric power batteries which are used alternately with its diesel fuel. It is also cost-effective since most of its parts are locally sourced like the coaches which are fabricated locally.

Metro Online Influencers Kapihan: Shaping Business and Political Landscapes Towards 2016

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Where else can you find the likes of Lynda Jumilla, senior news reporter of ABS-CBN; Janette Toral, Mother of E-Commerce; honorable Vice Mayor Isko Moreno of Manila; Dr. Ana Maria Tabunda, Research Director of Pulse Asia; Atty. Karen Jimeno, anchor/host of CNN Philippines anchor, and the honorable Senator Antonio Trillanes?

Where else but at the Metro Online Influencers Kapihan!

I got an invite from Paulo Florendo but unfortunately I already had a previous engagement for that day so I missed this opportunity to hear the messages and stories of these influential people who have been using the power of online media for many purposes.

But since I truly support this idea of a "Kapihan" for online media practitioners, I am blogging about this event even though I was not able to attend. It gives me great pleasure to talk about how online media is becoming a powerful force to reckon with that even the traditional media of print, radio and television have started mobilizing efforts to create their own digital strategies as they are accept the fact that the only way to go now is online.

The event that focused on the role of online media and influencers in shaping the business and political landscape of the country towards 2016, was held at the Wheatberry Bakery and Coffeeshop located at 84 Scout Castor cor. Scout Tuazon, Barangay Laging Handa, Quezon City. It was a very familiar place since I already had a chance to do a review of the restaurant.

Pasig City Revolving Restaurant Renovation Ongoing

Wazzup Pilipinas!

"The city of Pasig is a highly urbanized eastern city found in the island of Luzon in the Philippines. It was once the capital of the province of Rizal before it became a part of the conurbation of cities that constitute Metro Manila, the country’s National Capital Region. It is surrounded by the cities of Quezon and Mandaluyong in the west, Marikina in the north, Makati, Taguig, and the municipality of Pateros in the south, and in the east by the municipality of Cainta in Rizal province. Flowing through it is the Pasig River that connects the Laguna Bay with the Manila Bay. Thus, the name Pasig, derived from a Hindu word, literally denotes a body of water connecting two bodies of water."

What is interesting to take note of today is that one of the historical structure is being renovated. We do not really know what the exact plans are but I read somewhere that they are planning to revive the restaurant.

The Pasig City Revolving Restaurant is one of the rare examples of Brutalist towers in Asia. It opened in 1974, offering panoramic views of the city with one revolution every hour. For some reason, it fell into disuse in the 1980s. It looks like a control tower of an airport.

It is currently being renovated right now as I write this article. I do not really know the details yet but I am aiming to find more information about it from the city government soon if they will allow me to interview them.