Hague Ruling on West Philippine Sea: A "Slingshot" that Struck "Goliath China's" Bullying

Wazzup Pilipinas!

I join the Filipino people in celebrating the United Nations' Permanent Court of Arbitration ruling in favor of the Philippines' rightful claim over the West Philippine Sea. The historic decision is a triumph of Philippine sovereignty and international law; it is a "slingshot" that struck "Goliath China's" bullying in the region.

I commend the previous government for filing the arbitration case in the face of continuing Chinese continuing threats and incursions in our territory.

I commend the Filipino people, particularly our fisherfolk, for their strong, peaceful and united resolve to defend the country's sovereignty in the West Philippine Sea.

This is our victory.

I trust that the Duterte administration will build on this victory to further safeguard the country's sovereignty and marine jurisdiction in the West Philippine Sea and in advancing genuine peace and regional stability.

This historic win must be strengthened by the new government. To deviate from the spirit of this ruling would render the victory hollow and our sovereignty compromised.

The Duterte administration must capitalize on the decision to strengthen international public opinion to our favor and mobilize allies to rally behind our sovereignty.

This should be a signal to China to end its bullying and militarist expansion in the region. The US government must also be reminded that the West Philippine Sea should not be a staging ground for their superpower games.

I also encourge the government to craft an interdependent and progressive foreign policy guided by the Hague ruling. It should serve as the administration's reference to upholding national sovereignty and territorial integrity in the region.

President Duterte must use all democratic multilateral platforms to protect our national interest and foster stronger ties with our regional neighbors.

Lastly, we call on the Chinese government to respect the ruling of the Permanent Court of Arbitration. As a regional leader and emergent global power, China must prove to the international community that it abides by the international law and is committed to regional peace.

Lamudi and MyProperty to Begin Offering Virtual Tours of Properties

Wazzup Pilipinas!

The Philippines’ best real estate marketplaces are looking to further the buyer experience with VR tours of properties for sale and for rent

As the Philippines’ Internet landscape continues to advance, the manner in which local real estate is marketed, bought, and sold continues to evolve with it. Convenience remains the name of the game, with buyers wanting to explore as many real estate options as they can, and sellers and brokers wanting to reach as many customers as they can.

Lamudi Philippines and MyProperty, the leading real estate marketplaces in the country, are looking to further improve property-buyers’ online experience via virtual tours. Developed by taking several photographs of a place and stitching them together to produce a full 360° view of the area, virtual tours give anyone who has Internet access via computer or smartphone a comprehensive view of a space from almost anywhere and at any time.

Lamudi Philippines’ Virtual Reality Specialist and Google StreetView Trusted Photographer Carlo Salgado says brokers and sellers stand to greatly benefit from the upcoming feature. “Interactive media such as virtual tours greatly increase views, and online listings with a virtual tour definitely receive more views than those without it.”

“Virtual tours would also save buyers, sellers, and brokers a lot of time,” Salgado adds, “as it works like a permanent open house, where property viewing can happen 24/7 even without the presence of the seller or broker.”

Apart from giving prospects a look at how properties on the market would look if they were actually standing in the space, virtual tours could also give them an idea of how these properties look during the day, night, and at different weather conditions.

It’s More Fun for Geeks in Panglao Island, Bohol!

Wazzup Pilipinas!

It will be easy for geeks, people who are understood to be connoisseurs of tech, design and startups, to find Panglao Island to be a fun-filled and exciting place to visit. Gone are the days when the term geek used to refer to a circus performer whose act includes the eating of live animals. But today’s tech-dependent geek are not only certified tech-savvy millennials but also fun-loving, playful, witty, encyclopedic, and inquisitive party-enthusiasts. Of course, not all geeks are created equal so some may prefer quiet and relaxed atmosphere with nature. All of which can be found in Bohol.

Panglao Island has been the favored watering hole of tourists, diving enthusiasts, and nature lovers alike with its pristine waters, palm trees, white sand beaches, and coral reefs. A small town of over 68,000 people, Panglao is a mere half-hour away drive from the provincial capital Tagbilaran in the southwestern coast of Bohol in the Philippines. Its proximity to civilization while retaining its charms as an almost untouched tropical paradise should make it the perfect place for adventure-seeking yet tech-dependent geeks.

This is the place to be for geeks looking for an all-in-one escapade with resorts, bars and souvenir shops in an 80.5 square kilometer island considered to be one of the leading marine biodiversity hotspots in the world. Geeks can go island-hopping, dolphin watching, or take a dip in an underground lake inside a coral cave. Panglao is also the site of Hinagdanan Cave that hides within its naturally lighted depths a lagoon. It is also very near Loboc River which is world-famous for its river-cruise and floating restaurants.

Interestingly, Alona Beach is Panglao’s most famous beach. One intriguing detail about Alona Beach, where many of Panglao’s resorts and shops are located, is its name. This one and a half kilometer stretch was named so by locals after sexy star Alona Alegre filmed a television advertisement for an alcoholic drink in the beach wearing revealing bikini attire on horseback.