FDCP to Hold Annual Film Ambassadors' Night

Wazzup Pilipinas!

In honor and recognition of Filipino films and filmmakers who made waves internationally, the Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP) is hosting this year's FDCP Film Ambassadors’ Night on February 9, 2018 at Sampaguita Gardens, New Manila, Quezon City.

"Our Film Ambassadors' Night is the best way to start the year. It's a special night which celebrates the triumphs of our Filipino filmmakers, especially those who brought honor to our country by winning awards various international film festivals last 2017. This is our small way of showing our appreciation for their passion and hard work," said Chairperson and CEO Liza Liza Dino.

More than eighty (80) filmmakers, actors, and production will be recognized by the FDCP for their wins from last year alone, falling under the creative, technical and performance categories.

FDCP hopes that the event will also be an opportunity for filmmakers and industry movers of different backgrounds will come together to strengthen the collaboration among the creative industries.

Aside from the long list of citations, FDCP will also name the A-listers and the Camera Obscura awardees, the highest Artistic Excellence Award given by the Agency for outstanding filmmakers from last year.

The full list of Film Ambassadors will be announced on January 30.

New Honda Big Bike Showroom opens in Honda Flagship Shop in Cebu City

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Honda Philippines, Inc. (HPI), an innovator of cutting-edge motorcycles, recently opened its Honda Big Bike Showroom to the public in its Flagship Shop at Lahug, Cebu City.

The showroom is a must-see for motorcycle enthusiasts, as a new part of the Flagship Shop which has been constructed to be a premium hub for Honda’s growing community. This shop has a multi-rack display, riders’ lounge, and test ride facility which sets it apart from other 3S Shops.

Now, with the addition of the Big Bike showroom, the Flagship Shop boasts a total land area of 2,344 square meters, and highlights Honda’s latest collection of big bikes. These big bikes are set for thrill seekers and adventurers, who require tough and heavy duty motorcycles with bigger engine displacements. They are also designed to deliver the speed and performance, suited for highway cruising and taking on rough terrains.

“The power and innovative features of Honda Big Bikes have been seen in action by motorcycle enthusiasts in many countries. Now, it’s time for Filipinos to experience all of these through our latest big bike offerings,” said Mr. Daiki Mihara, president of HPI. “Last December 2017, we’ve already launched our latest collection in Manila, however, since we consider Cebu as one of the important markets, we also see the value of showcasing our latest Honda Big Bikes collection to the Cebuano public, here, in our Flagship Store.”

A total of eight new Honda Big Bike models will be housed in the showroom, as categorized into four types: Roadster, Sports/Racer, Traveler, and New Adventure.

ROADSTER
Honda introduced its roadster category, starting with the Rebel 500, which is designed for both laid-back cruising and a more active sports riding. It features a rider’s triangle, as well as its 471cc liquid-cooled, parallel-twin cylinder, four-stroke engine that is tucked in a low chassis, and minimalist design.

Also available is the CB650F, a middleweight, naked street style motorcycle with stylish exhaust pipes that wrap around its four-cylinder, 649cc, DOHC inline engine. It also comes with a new six-speed ratio gearbox, a two-channel ABS, a 41mm SDBV telescopic fork and a fully adjustable Showa suspension for smoother riding.

The CB1100EX, on the other hand, has a classic design integrating modern features with its seamless fuel tank, deep chrome exhausts, 17-inch cast aluminum wheels, and a hand-built look. It also has an air-cooled, inline four-cylinder, 6-speed transmission, 1140cc engine, a two-piece front fork, remote reservoir rear shocks, four-piston caliper brakes, floating discs, and a sharper chassis. This model is set to arrive in the Philippine market this year.

SPORT/RACER
Meanwhile, for sports enthusiasts, Honda boasts of its CBR500R, a big bike infused with a next-level, inline-twin 471cc engine with power suited for racing. Designers of the bike fused aggressive styling with its comfortable framework for riding, as well as a traditional bike image and modern, sleek design.

This middleweight sports bike has an aerodynamic fairing and air ducts, specially designed all the way to the two-channel ABS and 41mm SDBV telescopic fork.

There is also the CBR1000RR FIREBLADE SP, which is designed with the MotoGP racing DNA in mind. It is engineered to have lightness, precision, and controllable handling as evidenced by its Selectable Torque Control and Engine Break Systems, New ABS Brakes, Quickshifter, Riding Mode Select System, Power Selector, and an ӦHLINS Smart EC Suspension. This model is set to be available in the Philippine market this 2018 along with the CB1100EX.

TRAVELER
Honda’s Traveler Big Bikes include the CB500X, a mid-displacement bike, designed for all-around use. It is also suited for taking on any type of terrain. This bike also features a liquid-cooled, 471cc, parallel-twin engine, suited for both short and long-distance rides, while still being fuel efficient.

Honda also unveiled the CRF1000L Africa Twin. It has a 998cc liquid-cooled, four-stroke, parallel-twin engine and has the exclusive Honda Selective Torque Control for efficient power delivery on a wide range of road conditions. It is also perfect for adventure riding that requires natural and athletic movements, especially that it is built with Biaxial Counterbalance for strength and handling to deliver a smooth and vibration-free ride.

NEW ADVENTURE.
Finally, Honda introduced its New Adventure Category of Big Scooter (Automatic) with the X-ADV featuring a unique crossover platform. It is built around a strong, tubular-steel chassis and has a 745cc twin-cylinder engine and Dual Clutch Transmission (DCT) for firm handling on different road surfaces and conditions.

To handle dirt roads, Honda X-ADV is also built with a 41mm upside-down fork, a preload-adjustable Pro-Link rear shock, and a ground clearance of 162mm. It is equipped with a five-way adjustable screen, tapered aluminum handlebar, Africa Twin hand guards, Rally-style instrument display, and center stand.

These Honda Big Bikes are now available in HPI’s Flagship Shops in Cebu and Makati, except for the CB1100EX and CBR1000RR FIREBLADE SP, which are set to excite Filipino motorcycle geeks this 2018. Meanwhile, the Honda Flagship Shop in Davao will also feature this new collection this February.

The Big Bike Showroom is open for Honda’s community of riders in Cebu to view the latest and much-awaited collection of big bikes. The shop is located at Salinas Drive, Lahug, Cebu City and is open to accommodate customers every day from 8:30 A.M. to 5:30 P.M.

For more information on Honda Big Bikes and Flagship Shops, visit www.hondaph.com or like Honda’s official Facebook page at Facebook.com/HondaPH.

DOTr Statement on MRT-3 Smoke Incident

Wazzup Pilipinas!

The Department of Transportation (DOTr) expresses sincere apologies to those who were affected and inconvenienced by the recent smoke incident that occurred yesterday in one of MRT-3’s trains. 

At about 1:40 PM, around 600 passengers unloaded a train between Cubao and Kamuning Stations due to reported smell and appearance of smoke from under one of the seats. The passengers were safely assisted to the nearest station, and regular service resumed at about 2:50 PM, ending the day with 321,397 riders.

Fault analysis is ongoing, and in the interest of accuracy and transparency, DOTr has directed MRT-3 Management to release to the public their technical findings at the soonest possible time.

The DOTr appeals to the riding public’s understanding while it pushes ahead, in the most expeditious manner, strategies and actions to effectively and sustainably restore and rehabilitate the current MRT-3 system—a system that has deteriorated due to cumulative errors in policy and operational decisions made across several administrations.

DOTr fully supports MRT-3 Management in its continuing efforts to ensure that MRT-3 is continued to be operated safely, thus providing continuing service to the hundreds of thousands of passengers that rely on it for their daily commute.

Strategy Part 2/4: The MRT-3 MTT

 

The MRT-3 Maintenance Transition Team (MTT) was intended to maintain the system for 3-6 months, until a replacement maintenance service provider is procured.

The MTT has put in place necessary human resources, by absorbing around 450 of the former maintenance service provider’s employees (Busan Universal Rail, Inc. or BURI), and hiring additional personnel to compensate for constraints imposed by civil service rules. Support from experienced and well-qualified railway engineers from LRTA and PNR are also part of the team.

 

Due to BURI’s failure to purchase and maintain a sufficient level of spare parts’ inventory, DOTr created a special Bids and Award Committee (BAC), which has been regularly convening to expeditiously procure spare parts that BURI failed to purchase.

 

Many of the spare parts intended to increase MRT-3’s reliability have been ordered as of Dec. 29. With delivery lead times of 30 days to 6 months, delivery of critical components will begin in February, and restoration of service reliability is expected to begin toward the latter part of February and gradually thereafter.

Strategy Part 3/4: Rehabilitation and Maintenance Service Provider

 

At the beginning of January 2018, the Philippines and Japan formalized an arrangement for the latter’s commitment to assist the DOTr in rehabilitating and properly maintaining MRT-3.

 

By May 2018, the rehabilitation and maintenance service provider for MRT-3 is targeted to be mobilized. The DOTr has stressed with the Government of Japan that the provider they will nominate must be highly qualified and with a proven track record.

Strategy 4/4: Long Term Single Point Operations and Maintenance Provider

Many of MRT-3’s problems in recent years resulted from successive short-term and fragmented maintenance contracts, and from finger-pointing due to having different entities maintaining and operating MRT-3.

DOTr is addressing this by pursuing an Unsolicited Proposal for the 30-year operation and maintenance (O&M) of MRT-3. Original proponent status has been given to the proponent, Metro Pacific Light Rail Corporation (MPLRC), and the proposal will soon be endorsed to NEDA.

Independent Audit and Assessment

Apart from the above strategies, an Independent Audit and Assessment (IAA) by an ISO 17020 and ISO 17065 certified firm, and a member of the IFIA (International Federation of Inspection Agencies), for the entire MRT-3 system is ongoing. 

The report of the IAA firm, TUV Rheinland, is intended to give DOTr additional inputs and guidance on the interventions needed to rehabilitate and restore MRT-3 reliability.