Aliwan Fiesta 2016 Winners

Wazzup Pilipinas!

We are sending our congratulations to the new Reyna ng Aliwan, Cynthia Thomalla representing ‪#‎SinulogFestival‬! Viva, Santo Niño! Viva Pit Senyor!

Congratulations also to the special awardees at last night's Reyna ng Aliwan pageant: Darlene Joy Tabuga of Pintados de Passi (Miss Friendship); Andrea Fe Gomez of Panagbenga (Miss Unique Smile); Cynthia Thomalla of Sinulog (Most Photogenic, Best in Swimsuit, and Best in Evening Gown).

Thank you to last year's festival queen Stephanie Joy G. Abellanida the first and second runners-up Alexandra Faith Garcia and Jaymee Palermo Pagulayan for being there at various events the past year.

Still the champion! Congratulations to Catbalogan for being the 2016 street dance competition champion! ‪

Meanwhile, Sinulog of Cebu bagged the float champion this year! Congratulations, Sinulog!

Risa Hontiveros Sweeps Senatorial Debate, Pushes for Mental Healthcare

Wazzup Pilipinas!

"Compassionate, competent, compelling" - this was just some of the descriptions used by netizens to describe senatorial aspirant Risa Hontiveros during the second senatorial debate hosted by Rappler yesterday afternoon.

Adjudged best debater in all three rounds of the debate, Hontiveros was hailed as the over-all winner by netizens who watched the event through Rappler live stream and PTV 4.

Hontiveros spoke on issues ranging from the Catholic Church's position on reproductive health to benefits for barangay health workers to traffic and tax reform.

She spoke most passionately though about her advocacy for universal health.

"Seven out of ten Filipinos die without seeing a doctor. This is why I work. This is why we should work together”, she said.

Hontiveros also pushed for mental health care package for Filipinos.

“If I get to work in the Senate, simula na ako doon sa mga nasimulan na, so susuportahan ko 'yung pagdevelop ng PhilHealth ng benefit packages para sa mental health, both post-trauma o kaya yung addressing depression”, she urged.

Hontiveros also spoke candidly about her first two failed attempts to run and why she decided to run again.

"Tinatanong ng mga classmates ng anak ko, bakit ba ako takbo ng takbo".

She said that universal health is a goal that can be achieved through vision and hard work. “Healthy Pinoy, Healthy ‘Pinasis not just a pipe dream. Universal healthcare can be achieved in our lifetime”, she said, referring to her campaign slogan.

“Sadyang may mga bagay na hindi dapat bitawan”, she concluded.

Ben Askren Overcomes Tremendous Challenge from Nikolay Aleksakhin

Wazzup Pilipinas!

The largest sports media property in Asian history, ONE Championship (ONE), put on a spectacular show at the 20,000-capacity Mall of Asia Arena, featuring the absolute best in local and international mixed martial arts talent. Geje Eustaquio turned in a masterful performance against young Malaysian prospect Gianni Subba to win by unanimous decision in the co-main event. In the main event, ONE Welterweight World Champion Ben “Funky” Askren overcame a spirited performance from Russian contender Nikolay Aleksakhin to win by unanimous decision in a five-round Super Fight.

Visit the official ONE: GLOBAL RIVALS photo gallery by clicking: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/ivh34n9pza3q94o/AADwuMwRg-gnDecd5AIBoQyTa?dl=0

In the main event of the evening, the United States’ Ben “Funky” Askren overcame a tremendous effort from Nikolay Aleksakhin of Seltso, Russia to win by unanimous decision in a five-round Super Fight. Askren put on an amazing display of high-level wrestling to score on multiple takedowns, maintaining control of Aleksakhin on the ground while doing damage from the mounted crucifix position. Aleksakhin connected on a few solid strikes, but it wasn’t enough to trump Askren’s overall solid performance.

In a much-awaited bantamweight contest, Team Lakay’s Geje “Gravity” Eustaquio completely outclassed top Malaysian prospect Gianni Subba in an exciting three-round bout in front of Eustaquio’s home crowd in Manila. Eustaquio kept Subba at bay all night at the end of his lightning fast kicks and sharp counterpunching. Subba could not get his offense going as Eustaquio dominated from end-to-end to earn the unanimous decision.

Lightweight standout Lowen Tynanes of Ewa Beach, Hawaii defeated highly-regarded Japanese veteran Koji “The Commander” Ando by unanimous decision in a gruelling contest. Tynanes used his superior wrestling skills to control the action in the cage, while also getting the better of Ando in the stand-up with his powerful leg kicks and straight right hand. After three rounds, Ando couldn’t amount to much as Tynanes ran away with the judges’ nod.