Wyre Underground of UPLB Proudly Presents "The Underground Movement: STATE U"

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Wyre Underground of UPLB, a university-recognized dance organization from the University of the Philippines Los Baños, is set to stage their third dance theatre production entitled “The Underground Movement: STATE U” this April 21, 2017, at the D.L Umali Auditorium with 3pm and 7pm shows respectively.

Wyre Underground of UPLB is recognized in the national hiphop scene for bagging numerous awards suchas: 1st place SkechersStreetdance Battle Eliminations Leg Year 7 and Leg Year 9 (2011, 2013), Back – to – Back Champions National Dance Championship College All-Girls Hiphop Division (2012, 2013), 1st Runner Up National Dance Championship College CoedHiphop Division (2013), 1st Runner Up Silver Dancelebration College Hiphop Category (2012).

For the past years, Wyre Underground hasstaged two major dance concerts namely “The Underground Movement: The Main Event” and “The Underground Movement: It’s About Time”. This year, as part of their 10th year anniversary, they will be staging the third installment of this production with the title“The Underground Movement: State U”.

“The Underground Movement: State U” takes inspiration from stories and issues surrounding the life of UPLB students and their community. It will be composed of 12 well-crafted routines from their in-house choreographers with special participation from Harmonya: The String Ensemble of UPLB, UPLB Sandayaw Cultural Group and UPLB Cheerdance Team. 

A percentage of the net profit of this dance concert will go to BukalngKapayapaan, a home for children with special needs located in TreceMartires, Cavite. Founded in 2010, the home currently houses 33 male children from age 7-23 years old and provides food, shelter, schooling and therapy for the children.

Feel free to witness this one of a kind dance concert from Wyre Underground of UPLB on April 21, 2017, 3pm and 7pm at the D.L Umali Auditorium, University of the Philippines Los Baños. Ticket price at 200php.

For ticket inquiries you may contact AlyannaTagamolila at 09063410969.

To learn more about Wyre Underground of UPLB you may visit fb.com/WyreUndergroundUPLB.

The Underground Movement: State U is brought to you by Hawk bags, CDO, San Marino and Red Pill Productions.

Wazzup Pilipinas is a proud media partner.

Lean: A Filipino Musical to be Staged by UP Manila Dramatista on May 12 and 13

Wazzup Pilipinas!

27 year-old UP Diliman student and noted "iskolar ng bayan" named Leandro Alejandro was shot and killed in September 19, 1987. As the iconic student activist, Lean fought for national democracy in the university and in the nation. He is one of the unsung heroes who have sacrificed their lives during the turbulent days of the martial law. His life has defined an era of student activism and his work still inspires the youth today.

Students of the University of the Philippines, being a state-funded institution, are called “Iskolar ng Bayan” or People’s Scholars. The description gained political weight during the First Quarter Storm (FQS) in the 70s, a time of discontent by a generation of Baby Boomers. The description also carried with it the aphorism “Serve the people.”

Described as a Filipino left wing activist and nationalist, UP student leader Lean Alejandro actively fought the dictatorship in the 1980s. Lean became a member of the Youth for Nationalism and Democracy in 1980-81. In 1983, he was chosen as a President of its University Student Council (USC). After Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino Jr. – himself a fighter and hero and a great pride of the UP students– was assasinated, Lean left the University and went full time in the anti-Marcos struggle. In 1985, Lean was one of the founders of the left-wing umbrella organization BAYAN becoming it's Secretary-General. He was arrested and detained for two months and participated in the 1986 EDSA People Power Revolt after he was released. Post-EDSA Revolution, Alejandro ran for a seat at the Philippine House of Representatives for the small district Navotas-Malabon losing to Teresa Aquino-Oreta, the sister-in-law of then president Corazon Aquino. in a controversial and disputed election.

After losing in the election, Lean returned to his previous activities as secretary-general of nationalist organization Bagong Alyansang Makabayan. Lean openly criticized the 1987 coup d’tat that killed and injured innocent civilians. On 19 September 1987, after the failed coup attempt led by Col. Gregorio Honasan, Alejandro announced plans for a major demonstration against the return to fascism. Returning by car to the headquarters of BAYAN, he was fired upon by a gunman instantly killing Alejandro. One suspected that the assassination had been in the angle of Marcos loyalists from the Philippine Army, but no one was arrested for the assassination. Up to this untimely death, Lean offered his life to people’s movement, speaking in mass demonstrations, writing articles and discussing social issues inside the campus and in urban poor communities.

Lean’s multi-roles as activist, politician, friend, husband, son and father will be recreated in the forthcoming LEAN - A FILIPINO MUSICAL produced by UP Manila Dramatista.

The playdates are: MAY 12 - FRI. - 7 PM and May 13 - SAT. - 4 PM / 7 PM.

Venue: ADAMSON UNIVERSITY THEATER located at 900 SAN MARCELINO ST., ERMITA MANILA.

The cast are as follows: Kenneth Mangurit (Lean), Frances Mendoza (Lidy), Carlo Cabahug (Ka Tanny), Carmela Reyes (Bobby), Dean Lopez (Edward), Lalaine Quinan (Jojo(, Neil Suyat (Noli), Raffy Baybay (Chino) and Uriel Molina (Mr. Tim).

Don't fail to watch this musical about the turbulent 1980s written by Gary Granada, one of the Philippines' best composers of songs that evoke nationalism and pride in our country. In this musical play, Gary Granada remixed the tune of “UP Naming Mahal” in a contemporary rock version and gave it a new and more "nationalistic sounding" lyrics, reasserting the purpose of the Iskolar ng Bayan as a "Iskolar ng Sambayanan, Tagapaglingkod ng Taongbayan".

LEAN - A FILIPINO MUSICAL shall also feature powerful catchy songs that breathe new life to the many different characters and personas of the 1980s. Through song and dance, the musical not only tells the story of the influential student activist but also creatively re-imagines the loud cries of the masses.

The September 1997 original production of LEAN THE FILIPINO MUSICAL was produced by the Leándro L. Alejandro Foundation and the UP Student Council in cooperation with the UP Diliman Committee for Arts and Culture. The musical featured renowned artists like Chikoy Pura, Bayang Barrios, Cookie Chua, and Noel Cabangon. In 2013, it was restaged by the University of the Philippines Repertory Company (UP Rep) with youth activists Vencer Crisostomo of Anakbayan and Third Alub of the League of Filipino Students who both played the role of Lean.

For further details and tickets, please call 0906-427-3981 c/o Zoe Caballero.

DOE Pushes For Speedy Rehab of Quake-Damaged Power Plants

Wazzup Pilipinas!

The Department of Energy (DOE) is pushing for the speedy repairs of the major power plants that sustained damage following a swarm of earthquakes that hit Batangas and the adjacent areas to ensure adequate power supply to the Luzon grid.

“We are continuously and closely coordinating with power industry players, especially those on the side of the generation industry for the safe and immediate rehabilitation of the power plants affected by the earthquake last Saturday,” Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi said.

“Our priority is the safe and quick restoration of the power supply in the Luzon grid following the declaration of a Yellow Alert status today (11 April) from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. by the National Grid Corp. of the Philippines (NGCP).”

The lost power capacities due to the earthquakes reached 1,570 megawatts (MW) following the forced outages of Avion Unit 2 (50MW), San Lorenzo Units 1 and 2 (500MW), Ilijan B (600MW) and San Gabriel (420MW).

“We are also calling for the ‘Bayanihan’ spirit among the power industry players to fast-track the rehabilitation of the plants,” Cusi added.

To ensure additional power capacity for the Luzon grid, the DOE likewise directed the NGCP to ensure continued operation of Power Sector Assets and Liabilities Management Corp.’s Malaya Units 1 and 2 Thermal Power Plant, with a combined dependable capacity of 450 MW.

In addition, the DOE reported that the Manila Electric Company (MERALCO) confirmed a total of 383 Interruptible Load Program (ILP) participants which are ready to run their generator sets with a total capacity of 212 MW once needed.

On the other hand the Visayas and Mindanao Grids have normal power condition.

Cusi appealed to the consumers to use power wisely to help stabilize energy demand particularly during the summer season.

Meanwhile, the DOE said it is currently engaged in talks with the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC), Philippine Electricity Market Corporation (PEMC) and other industry players for the mitigating measures pertaining to spikes in the price of power.

According to the report of the PEMC, the current condition of the power market is still normal despite the loss of supply.

PEMC also reported that prices in the Wholesale Electricity Spot Market (WESM) are within normal level since many are observing Holy Week, which pulls down the demand resulting in lower prices despite reduced power generation.

On the ERC side, the DOE is looking at limiting the “moving average price” in the WESM to five (5) days from originally seven (7) days.

The shorter days mean that the DOE, ERC and PEMC can easily monitor movements in the WESM to protect the consumers from price shocks.