Real Estate and the Importance of Social Media in the Philippines

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Let’s face it: most people, especially in the Philippines, do their research online and looks for various sources to know whether a piece of information is legit or not. The social media community has also grown bigger over the past few years, which is why most businesses spend a lot of money just to be in their customers feed in the hopes of gaining a sale, or simply for exposure.

“The Internet is so big, so powerful and pointless that for some people it is a complete substitute for life.” - Andrew Brown

There’s no difference when it comes to real estate, wherein buyers look online for answers to their questions, and sellers seek potential clients. But while the internet has already become a trusted medium, using it should always be done with caution.

Open Data, Government and Freedom of Information: Effects of the Political Landscape of the Philippines

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Ever wonder why the Freedom of Information Bill is still not rendered to as a law? Ever heard of such a thing as “Open Data”? The UP People Oriented Leadership for the Interest of Community Awareness (UP POLITICA) co-organized with the School of Data, will conduct a forum entitled: Open Data, Government and Freedom of Information: Effects of the Political Landscape of the Philippines. The event will be held on September 28, 2015, from 1:00-4:00pm at the Claro M. Recto Hall, Faculty Center, University of the Philippines, Diliman, Quezon City.

The forum seeks to elucidate the difference between Open Data and Freedom of Information; how actors from the private sector and civil society groups see its role in promoting a more transparent and accountable government; and how Open Data is shaping up the political landscape of the Philippines. Invited speakers are Ivory Ong of the Open Data Task Force – Department of Budget and Management, Ms. Happy Feraren of Bantay.ph, and Malou Mangahas of Philippines Center for Investigative Journalism.

The Eye Bank Foundation Launches Exhibit of Artworks Centered on Gift of Sight

Wazzup Pilipinas!

The Eye Bank Foundation of the Philippines (EBFP) opened last September 14 an exhibit of around 80 artworks for its Nationwide Poster Making Contest. The public viewing, which will run until September 19 at the lobby of Gateway Mall, Araneta Center, Cubao, features the creations of Filipino artists which were made through various techniques to encapsulate the EBFP’s poster contest theme for 2015: “A journey’s end, a gift of hope, a new beginning.”

Submissions came from the metro to as far as the Visayas as a testament of the growing number of support to the EBFP’s advocacy of giving the gift of sight. All the artworks underline the theme which references to the hope that donors give others at the end of one’s journey on earth through the act of cornea or eye donation. The theme elaborates that both the recipient and the donor begin new lives; one still on earth and the other in the afterlife.

“It is heartwarming to know that we have local artists from all over the Philippines who support our cause at the Eye Bank Foundation. These artworks fuel our excitement. Hopefully, these will equally inspire the viewing public to come and join our endeavor as we mark another milestone of the EBFP’s 20th year celebration,” Dr. Minguita Padilla, President and CEO of the Eye Bank Foundation of the Philippines, said.

A press conference was held by Dr. Padilla, together with other members of the board, to foster the participation of and dialogue between the EBFP, stakeholders, partners and media personalities on the former’s campaign to reduce corneal blindness in the country; as well as to showcase the wonderful works of art created by Filipinos to inspire others to share the gift of sight. Guests to the event were also serenaded by the Lyric Opera of the Philippines’ tenor Sherwin Sozon and soprano Ana Feleo. Some of the judges who were present to officially launch the exhibit are renowned painter Manuel Ocampo and owner of web design company MAGCON, Mike Maglipon. Joining them in adjudging the best entries are Arch. Joven Ignacio and ophthalmologists/artists Dr. Eva Olivar-Santos and Dr. Victor Lopez.