CHED-PCARI Partners with UCLA

Wazzup Pilipinas!

A Memorandum of Agreement was signed between the Commission on Higher Education (represented by CHED Chairperson and PCARI Project Director Dr. Patricia B. Licuanan) and University of California Los Angeles campus (represented by UCLA Chancellor Gene D. Block) held at the Office of the President, Quezon Hall, UP Diliman, last June 18, 2016.

The Philippine government, through CHED and its PCARI project, and the United States of America government, through UCLA, agreed to broaden and expand relations between the scientific and technological communities in both countries through research partnership.

The MOA signing was witnessed by PCARI Project Manager Dr. William G. Padolina and UCLA Vice Provost for International Studies and Global Engagement Department Prof. C. Cindy Fan. Also in attendance were CHED Legal and Legislative Service Atty. Carmelita Yadao-Sison, PCARI Deputy Project Manager Atty. Walfrido Gloria, UP Vice President for Academic Affairs Dr. Gisela Concepion, and UP President Dr. Alfredo E. Pascual.

UCLA, ranked 13 among the world’s top 100 universities (London Times Higher Education), is home to several institutes that encompass trans-disciplinary and implementation science approaches in solving a variety of issues such as health system strengthening, climate change, and food security. The world-class expertise of UCLA in PCARI priority areas of Health Innovation and Translational Medicine and Information Infrastructure Development will establish strong linkages and enhance research capacity of selected Philippine HEIs.

UCLA is the fourth PCARI UC research collaborating institution after UC Berkeley, UC San Francisco, and UC Davis.

Telecom Company Changes Landscape of PH Entertainment with Engaging World-Class Content

Wazzupm Pilipinas!

The country’s number one mobile brand, Globe Telecom, is changing the landscape of Philippine entertainment with the creation of Globe Studios and Globe Live which are designed to produce original shows, live events, and engaging world-class content that are fit for today’s discerning customers.

At the same time, Globe reveals the line-up of its new international content partners and improved broadband plans for a complete and immersive entertainment lifestyle.

Nowadays, dramas and movies are no longer confined to television and cinema as they can already be shared through social media via mobile phones. Globe Studios recognizes this and thus, brings the next generation of entertainment to mobile with original video productions from top film directors such as Erik Matti, Paul Soriano, Quark Henares, Dan Villegas, Sigrid Bernardo, Joyce Bernal, and Lav Diaz. Globe Studios is backed by local and Asian media houses such as Viva Films, Reality Entertainment, Quantum Films, Spring Films and Astro of Malaysia.

“Consumption of mobile entertainment has grown exponentially over the past years. Today, customers no longer wait for their favorite shows on their TV screens. Instead, they dictate what they want to watch when and where they want to. With Globe Studios, we will now produce our own clips, series and even movies. Backed up with the biggest director partners and entertainment companies in the industry, we are set to show what customers want today,” said Albert de Larrazabal, Globe Chief Commercial Officer.

On the other hand, due to the rising clamor towards personalization, another challenge is how to deliver the most engaging and creative events that will satisfy customers. Globe Live responds to this demand by leveraging on Globe Telecom’s wide experience in the live events industry to elevate production quality and at the same time, tap the wide distribution coverage of Globe to promote and assemble events that are of international size and quality.

“The caliber of events will forever change with Globe Live. We can now produce shows and events that are world-class, unique to customers and more accessible. Our years of experience in the industry added with our edge as a telco company will bring perfect partnerships to bring wonderful events to our customers,” said Joe Caliro, head of Globe Live and Globe Retail and Transformation Management.

Globe Live’s first foray in the theatrical scene is the staging of Green Day’s American Idiot, a Philippine production of the hit Broadway musical. Produced together with 9 Works Theatrical, American Idiot will be held at the new Globe Iconic Store in Bonifacio High Street Amphitheater in Bonifacio Global City, Taguig which features two massive Times Square-like LED walls in a unique outdoor setup to accommodate thousands of people. American Idiot is composed of a star-studded talent roster headlined by Basti Artadi of Wolfgang, Miggy Chavez of Chicosci, former Rivermaya vocalists Jason Fernandez and Norby David, and veteran thespian Nel Gomez. The show is set to run from June 24 until July 10, 2016.

Royal Enfield Holds Grand Opening of its First Exclusive Store in Manila

Wazzup Pilipinas!

There's an all new 972 sq.ft motorcycle showroom that recently re-opened after a major renovation. It's located at 7462 Bagtikan Street, San Antonio Village, Makati City, and it's called Royal Enfield.

We got invited to witness the grand opening and blessing of this fabulous new store that's ready to satisfy the craving of all Royal Enfield fans. Even motorcycle enthusiasts may suddenly want to purchase their own motorcycles after seeing these beauties proudly displayed at this amazing showroom where some decors came from motorcycle parts. I'm not a biker, but I might change my mine already after climbing into a few of these machines that somehow made me manly enough to want to ride it out of the store and show it off to everyone I pass on the streets.

True enough, these two-wheeled machines are works of art, and I kind of fancy the fact that we are encouraged to customize the bikes based on our preferences. That would surely bring out our imagination into the wild. I wonder what design I could think of to make these bikes stand out.

But why bother? They're already a beauty with their simplicity, yet would definitely make us look astonishingly good especially when we match it with those Royal Enfield branded shirts, jackets, boots, helmets, gloves and even belts.

I'm so excited to get an opportunity to ride one of these magnificent motorcycles as soon as they have a unit for testing.