Be Prepared for Disasters with the Batingaw Mobile App

Wazzup Pilipinas!


Because readiness is the key to survival.

The country has been hit by a series of earthquakes in recent months. PAGASA has also officially announced the start of the rainy season. In the next few months, we can expect typhoons and other weather disturbances to enter Philippine area of responsibility every now and then. What are we doing to keep ourselves and our families safe? One of the most important tools that you can have in the midst of an emergency is a survival kit, and you can now carry around your own survival guide with you through your mobile phone.

In partnership with the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) and app developer Tudlo, Smart Communications came up with the Batingaw mobile app – a handy mobile guide that educates users on disaster-preparedness and gives them tools that can be used in emergency situations. With the Batingaw app, the mobile phone can be a more powerful addition to the family’s emergency survival kit.

The Batingaw app was designed to aggregate important and timely disaster and emergency preparedness updates from government agencies and citizens. With the built-in tools, the app can let you do all these and more:

1. Know what to do to prepare for and survive disasters like flood, earthquake, fire, tsunami, cyclone, and more.

2. Set off a siren to alert and call the attention of your family or community.

3. Let family and friends know that you are safe by simply pressing the “I Am Safe” button.

4. Use your phone as a flashlight.                                                               

5. Get to your designated meeting place or evacuation site through a compass.

6. Be easily tracked or easily call the attention of responders through a strobe light.

7. Get reliable information from authorized government sources.

Now, we can boost our disaster preparedness with just a few taps on our smart devices. Download Batingaw for free by searching the Google Play Store or Apple App Store, or going to bit.ly/Batingaw-Android or bit.ly/Batingaw-iOS.

Spectacular Ways to Celebrate Dad’s Day at City of Dreams Manila

Wazzup Pilipinas!
 

On Father’s Day, City of Dreams Manila offers spectacular ways for families to honor the man of the household with exciting treats for dads, consisting of: custom offers and activities at DreamPlay; a Dad’s night out at CenterPlay; epicurean delights at Nobu, Crystal Dragon and Wave restaurants, and a lavish staycation at Crown Towers and Nobu Hotel.

Family bonding time with dad is memorable at DreamPlay, the world’s first interactive play space inspired by films from DreamWorks animation such as Kung Fu Panda, Shrek, Madagascar, and How to Train Your Dragon. On June 18, fathers can avail of the “Greatest Dad” promo wherein one complimentary ticket is offered to them if registering with at least two kids, and 50% discount on one ticket if with one child. Dads can also show their fun side by hitting the punching bag that measures their strength and those with the highest score in the electronic punching machine Kung Fu Panda Po’s Five-fingered Punch Blast get a chance to win special prizes.

Families can have more excitement in the 12 attractions featuring educational and technology-rich activities such as making a gingerbread man in Cooking with Gingy, creating one’s own 3-D animation in Dream Studio, experiencing a 4-D animation at the Dream Theatre, joining Kung Fu Panda Dojo and other fun-filled activities. For an unforgettable dad’s day experience, the family can also interact and have a photo opportunity with DreamWorks characters Shrek, Princess Fiona, Kung Fu Panda’s Po, King Julien, Mega Mind and Puss in the Boots.

The grown-ups can bond with their dads in a Father’s Day night out replete with lively entertainment at CenterPlay. A group of six can avail of the Father’s Day Bucket Deal at P988+, consisting of a bucket of six bottles of ice cold San Miguel Pale Pilsen or Light beer paired with fried chicken wings with sweet and spicy sauce, truffle cream potato wedges, vegetable spring rolls with sweet chili sauce and chicken liver pate with toasted bread and gherkins.

  

At Nobu Manila, the Father’s Day Sunday Buffet Brunch is enhanced with Roasted US Prime Ribeye, Short Ribs Miso Gochujang, Nobu Style Borchetta, Wagyu Beef Takumi Burger, and Truffle Butter Crusted Fresh Baked Oysters. Nobu’s Sunday Brunch is from 11:30 am to 3 pm at P3,880++ per person for the non-alcohol beverage package and an additional P990++ or P1,990++ per person for the standard alcohol and premium champagne beverage packages, respectively. Kids from six to twelve dine at half price while those five and below dine free of charge.

Premium Cantonese and regional Chinese cuisine at Crystal Dragon offers a choice of two sumptuous seven-course menus for Chinese food lovers, or their usual favorites in the a la carte items at Crystal Dragon from June 1 to 18.

The Precious Set Menu is for a minimum of five to seven persons and highlights Double Boiled Crocodile Tail Soup with Sea Cucumber and Maca; Crispy Roasted Chicken Hong Kong Style; and Braised Pork Belly with Australian King Brown Mushroom in Clay Pot. The Virtuous Set Menu, which is for a minimum of eight to ten guests, includes: Home-Styled Steamed Cod Fish with Cordyceps Flower; Roasted US Duck in Cantonese Style with Plum Sauce; and Braised 10 Head Abalone with Homemade Spinach Bean Curd. The set menus are both priced at P3,380++ per cover. An a la carte menu with some of these items will also be available during the promotion period.

For al fresco dining, families can celebrate Father’s Day with a barbecue buffet at Wave poolside restaurant from 5 to 9 pm. Some of the mouthwatering and freshly-grilled buffet specials are Black Angus beef brisket and eight-hour smoked pork ribs, and Angus beef burgers. A salad bar, specialty breads, pasta choices, cheese display, and desserts including a halo-halo station complete the barbecue experience ideal for the whole family. The Father’s Day barbecue buffet rate is at P1,280++ inclusive of one round of iced tea, soda or fresh juices. Free-flowing local beers may be included for an additional P500++.

To top it all off, nothing else says “I love you dad” more heartwarmingly than a gift of a relaxing Father’s Day staycation with the entire family at Crown Towers or Nobu Hotel Manila. The weekend staycation, offered from June 16 to 18, includes a Father’s Day gift of mini liquor set and dark chocolate bonbon that is sure to make dad feel truly special.

At Crown Towers, dads get the ultimate pampering package as the VIP luxury hotel offers a choice between an overnight or two-night accommodation complete with buffet breakfast at Breezes for two adults and two children five years old and below, F&B dining credit at any of City of Dreams Manila-owned establishments worth Php 3,000 net, and a 60-minute Intensive Muscle Release Massage for two adults at the luxurious Crown Spa. Overnight stay packages start at P17,500 net and a two-night stay for P26,000 net, both for a Resort Room.

A modern Japanese-inspired Father’s Day getaway is in store for dads at Nobu Hotel Manila. This staycation package also offers a choice of an overnight or two-night accommodation, with buffet breakfast for two adults and two children five years old and below at Nobu Manila restaurant, F&B dining credit worth Php 3,000 net at any of City of Dreams Manila-owned establishments, a 60-minute Renewal Massage for two adults at Nobu Spa. Overnight stay packages range from P14,700 net for a Nobu Deluxe room to P22,700 net for a Nobu Suite. Two-night stays are P21,700 net for Nobu Deluxe up to P37,700 net for Nobu Suite.

For inquiries and reservations, interested patrons can call 800 8080 or e-mail guestservices@cod-manila.com.

Tugade to Government Employees: Be Free from Corruption and Poor Sense of Service

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Department of Transportation (DOTr) Secretary Arthur P. Tugade went back to his native Cagayan to commemorate the country’s 119th Independence Day, and took the opportunity to meet with local transportation officials, inspect the airport, and lecture about corruption.

Tugade, who came with Land Transportation Office (LTO) Chief Edgar Galvante and some DOTr officials, was welcomed by Cagayan Governor Manuel Mamba and other local officials. In his speech, Tugade outlined modern connotations and significance of independence.

“Independence Day is a commemoration, but every day is a celebration of Independence,” Tugade said. “Sa araw-araw na pamumuhay ay maaaring makamit ng isang indibidwal ang kaniyang kalayaan maging sa pinaka-simpleng pamamaraan na kapaki-pakinabang sa pangkalahatan.”

He went on to enumerate what it really takes to be free during these times. Among them is to stop tolerating procrastination, laziness, and narrow-mindedness and being contented with mediocre results and. Tugade also asked everyone to stop the blame game especially among administrations, which is a source of division in society.

“Ngayon na ang panahon upang palayain natin ang ating mga kaisipan sa nakaugaliang sisihan. Tama na ang turuan! Ang tanong nga sa akin ng ilan: “Bakit hindi natapos ang mga proyekto noong nakaraang pamunuan?” Ang sagot ko: “Huwag ninyo akong tanungin ng ganyan. Tanungin niyo ako kung paano at kailan ko tatapusin ‘yan,” Tugade said.

Tugade also urged government employees to free themselves of a corrupt system and a poor sense of public service. He reiterated this during a meeting with local officials from the LTO, Philippine Coast Guard, Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines, and Maritime Industry Authority.


The transportation chief ended his Independence Day visit with an inspection of the Tuguegarao and Lallo airports in Cagayan. He directed CAAP officials to equip the Tuguegarao airport with night landing capabilities this year to allow it to accommodate flights after sunset.