Light Network Goes Digital!

Wazzup Pilipinas!

It was only recently that the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) held the Digital TV Summit where it aims to encourage TV networks to broadcast in digital TV. I believe all of the TV networks where there to participate as either guests, speakers or exhibitors. The estimated completion of this project is sometime by the year 2023, or six years from now.

That is also the last years of the current administration which makes it a fitting legacy that the Duterte administration would leave to the country before the new administration takes place.

However, it is not something new since we all know some have already initiated with the Digital TV project just as how ABS-CBN started it with their black box or "Mahiwagang Black Box" which lets you access select channels but prioritizing of course the ABS-CBN channels plus some exclusives that could only be seen using the TV Plus box.

The black box is actually a digital box that provides dramatically clear reception for all free TV channels via digital transmission. But still, the network is providing digital using this "black box" that is separate from its analog broadcast.

Now, other channels are making the move towards almost the same but obviously better goal - to provide real digital TV which would definitely change the way we see television, especially if we are using full-featured digital TV.

Light Network channel 33 is also achieving greater innovation as it begins its official broadcast on Digital Television this coming March 2017! 

Now, that's a bit surprising as I would have thought the other big channels would follow soon. I've heard Light Network representatives were also there during the Digital TV Summit so it must have inspired them to speed up their digital TV effort and launch it way ahead of the others. It looks like the targeted 2023 may be coming in earlier for Light Network.

Kudos to Engr. Antonio Soriano for this accomplishment. March is just around the corner so we are excited to see this technology soon. Hopefully, not only Mega Manila but the rest of the country will be fitted with this technology for the benefit of many.

Through this exciting breakthrough, viewers in Mega Manila will soon be able to experience a clearer and highly-improved video and sound quality of Light Network in their televisions. Once official broadcast begins, people can now watch Light Network anytime and anywhere because not only will the channel be available on digital boxes and digital-ready televisions, but it could also be accessed through handheld devices such as tablets, smartphones and other gadgets.

The “digitalization” is the process of converting our current Analog Television broadcasting into Digital Terrestrial Television (DTT), which simply means that our existing television technology will be transformed into an upgraded, higher quality of broadcast system. Through this digital improvement, Light Network will soon be available on multiple digital viewing platforms—broadening its horizon among the television programming sphere.

In an interview with Engr. Antonio Soriano, the Vice President of Technical Operations for Light Network, he said that he is excited for the upcoming Digitalization of Light Network, because the channel had long since been prepared for this huge digital switchover. “Tayo ang unang nag-convert from Analog to Digital transmitter. Wala nang test -broadcast. Official broadcast na agad.” He also said that not all channels are ready to make the digital “switch”, making Light Network the first channel in the Philippines to migrate to the exciting domain of Digital TV, while maintaining its frequency on Channel 33.

According to the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC), once the innovative technology of Digitalization is fully implemented, it would not only deliver better image and sound quality to our television channels, but it would also be able to provide features such as datacasting, multi-channel platform, One Seg, and most importantly, the Emergency Warning Broadcast System (EWBS), which is used to transmit nationwide warning announcements in times of earthquakes, tsunamis, or other high-alert disasters.

Engr. Antonio Soriano further stated that these features are just few of the many benefits of Digital TV. According to him, through the other upcoming advancements in Digitalization, television will finally regain its essential standing in the lives of people, as compared to the rising media usage for mobile devices. “Yes. Maibabalik ang TV bilang prime Media tool,” he concluded.


Written By: Dyan Delos Reyes

Community Run for Fellow Blogger Jared Baliguat

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Though he also covers lifestyle events since I also see him attending other events aside from fitness or sports-related activities, you would mostly see him attending fun run events as a blogger, and unlike some who just cover the media launch or press conference, he would always participate in the actual runs.

That means waking up early in the morning for morning fun runs, and staying late for night runs. This could probably one of the reasons why he is now confined in a hospital under investigation for the doctors are not entirely sure of what he is suffering from.

They've already dismissed earlier assumptions, and now their findings are pointing at something else but that is not important right now. What is more important is to make an effort to help contribute to his medical expenses. Since he is only a few months at his current work, he is not qualified for any medical benefits, and his nearest relatives are all the way from the province.

Thus a run has been organized all for the purpose of raising funds for Jared. The savings account number is prominently listed on the poster so it would be easy to donate, and the fun is merely another way for us to get together for this honorable advocacy. May be seeing each other would spark more ideas in order to increase the donations for our fellow blogger.

The run or "patakbo" is to attract even those who do not know Jared personally. Let them do whatever and however they want to contribute. Every little thing helps.

This is donating for a cause while having fun too. We should promote the run so more people would join the cause. Big help for Jared instead of just confining the solicitations among his friends.

Though this is not the first time I've heard about runners suffering from something like a stroke or severe exhaustion, Jared Baliguat's condition seems to be uncanny, and unique to my knowledge. I am not really sure if all that running caused the condition, but it sure would help if the doctors could find the reason so as we could all avoid experiencing the same.

For those who don't normally run, you could donate instead any amount since every little thong counts and worth a lot when accumulated.

Another way to help is for us to sell our unused "tokens" at home. Just as how fashion bloggers setup a tiangge to sell their pre-loved or unused stuff, we could organize a similar one, maybe at the run itself if they could provide a booth or stall.

We are also reaching out to running events sponsors....or any other brand just like how we do it for Bloggers' Christmas parties or any other get-together events. I'm sure some of them also know Jared and could give assistance too. Spread the news, and promote each others' initiatives. Those who could not give financially can do something else. We could even communicate with the hospital. Arrange for an ex-deal. There are so many ways.

We hope Jared gets well soon as he will be surely missed by the blogging, and running, community of he would be incapable of continuing what he is popularly known for.

Richard Corminal: An OFW Fulfilling a ​Longtime Dream to Compete in MMA

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Every year numerous Filipinos leave their homeland in search for greener pastures abroad, with the goal of getting a decent job so as to provide their families with comfortable lives.

With the idea of better opportunities in other countries, many take the risk. In exchange for money, they trade separation from their family and loved ones, and often, even their dreams.

Richard Corminal is no different from a regular overseas Filipino worker because he gave up his dream to become a mixed martial arts (MMA) athlete in order to give his household a better life.

Corminal had always wanted to be an MMA fighter, more so as he watched the exciting sport on television during its renaissance in the early 2000’s.

“When I saw an MMA bout for the first time, I got hooked. It was exciting, and it’s something different. There are a lot of options to win and weapons to utilize,” he recalled. “From that moment on, I knew I wanted​ to be an MMA fighter.”

His obsession with MMA led him to learn the martial art of Muay Thai, which served as his basic foundation.

Corminal was on his way to becoming an MMA fighter when he was forced to leave the Philippines to work abroad to be his family’s breadwinner.

“It was a tough decision to make, but I have a family to support. They are my top priority. I chose to work abroad and try to give them a good life,” Corminal shared.

Corminal took the job of a Muay Thai trainer at MuayFit, which is one of the premier MMA gyms in Malaysia.

Slowly, Corminal relinquished his dream of becoming a professional MMA competitor and became content in being a Muay Thai instructor at MuayFit.

However, the gym proprietor whom he worked for took notice of his exceptional talent and gave him a new lease to revive and fulfill his dream.

“MuayFit gave me the chance to fulfill my dream to become an MMA fighter. I’m so grateful for that opportunity,” Corminal said.

Starting his MMA journey

When Corminal got into intensive training, it was not a walk in the park for him because there were numerous martial arts disciplines that he needed to master due to the multi-faceted aspect of MMA.

Even though Corminal bit the bullet with every test, the people around him did not repress to lend their helping hands.

Corminal trained with ONE Championship athletes such as Eric and Edward Kelly, who once worked as trainers at MuayFit and represented the Malaysian MMA training facility in their respective bouts.

​Moreover, his growth as a cage combatant was developed with the assistance of other Philippine MMA household names and MuayFit teammates like Rolando Gabriel Dy and Carlo Laurel as well as the father-and-son duo of Raysaldo and Fritz Biagtan.

“It was difficult as expected, but I wanted​ to be an MMA fighter so bad. I chose to endure. I kept on telling myself that pain is temporary. I just pushed harder every single day,” Corminal said about the grueling phase of his formation.

Corminal made his first professional MMA stint in October 2012, winning against an experienced Malaysian fighter by way of second-round stoppage.

Ever since his maiden foray into the sport, Corminal never looked back and cemented his position as one of the top prospects in the Southeast Asian region.

The 35-year-old Filipino lightweight standout currently holds a win-loss slate of 4-1, with all of his career victories to date coming by way of knockout.

His success in minor MMA leagues served as his footstool to be noticed by ONE Championship, which is widely recognized as Asia’s largest MMA organization.

Corminal is set to make his ONE Championship debut against Thai mainstay Shannon “OneShin” Wiratchai in the co-headliner of ONE: WARRIOR KINGDOM, which takes place at the 12,000-capacity Impact Arena in Bangkok Thailand on 11 March.

According to Corminal, being part of ONE Championship’s burgeoning roster of world-class athletes is the culmination of the hard work and dedication that he invested to be an MMA fighter.

“I am so happy. The feeling is like winning an MMA title. ONE Championship is the biggest promotion in Asia, and to be part of it, it’s truly an honor. Everything that I did in training is all worth it because I’ve made it here,” he stated.

If he previously only imagined to be an MMA fighter, now Corminal will see how far he has gone in the sport as he shares the ONE Championship cage with Wiratchai.

“I was only dreaming of​ this moment before. Now, I am here. I see my upcoming fight as a test and an opportunity to know my level as a competitor in this constantly-evolving sport,” he asserted.

Although it took years before he saw his dream turn ​into reality, Corminal chose to hold on to it.

“A dream doesn't become reality through magic. It takes sweat, determination and hard work. Keeps your dreams alive because all things are possible,” he ended.

For more updates on ONE Championship, please visit www.onefc.com, follow us on Twitter and Instagram @ONEChampionship, and like us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/ONEChampionship.