Jr. NBA Philippines Sends 7 Boys and 4 Girls from Historic Regional Selection Camp to Manila

Wazzup Pilipinas!

A record-breaking 1,505 young basketball players across Mindanao welcomed the Jr. NBA Philippines 2018 presented by Alaska at Fr. Saturnino Urios University in Butuan City on Feb. 24-25.  Boys and girls from Butuan, Cagayan de Oro, Bukidnon, Davao, Sarangani and other cities and provinces in Mindanao, including young Higa-onon, Manobo and Banwaon players, participated in the first-ever Jr. NBA Regional Selection Camp in Butuan City, Agusan Del Norte.

11 aspirants got the nod from Jr. NBA Coaches Rob Newson and Jeffrey Cariaso as they excelled in two days’ worth of intense basketball training and scrimmages. They also exemplified the Jr. NBA core S.T.A.R. values of Sportsmanship, Teamwork, a positive Attitude and Respect throughout the camp.

Travelling to Manila for the National Training Camp on May 18-20 are Richard Carvero III, 13, and Paolo Matthew Kho, 13, of Corpus Christi School; Christian Joi Mesias, 14, of Jose Maria College; Zhan Paolo Moreno, 13, of Xavier University; Michael John Sarmiento, 13, of Father Saturnino Urios University; Klein Tyrone Tagotongan, 13, of St. Mary’s School; and Vince Uchi, 14, of Alabel National Science Highschool for the boys division and Madelyn Flores, 14, of Bukidnon National Highschool; Aishe Solis, 13, of Corpus Christi School; Mikylla Taborada, 13, of Kauswagan National Highschool; and Pauline Angelique Valle, 13, of Misamis Oriental General Comprehensive Highschool for the girls division.

“There’s a lot of talent here. We were really impressed with at least three of the kids who were selected that we really feel have the natural ability to make it until the end. The kids love the game. They worked really hard and I’m excited to see them in Manila,” said Coach Newson.

Boys and girls aged 10-14 who want to join the NBA’s free youth basketball program can still participate in the two remaining Regional Selection Camps in Baguio on March 17-18 and Manila on April 21-22.  Interested participants can still register online at www.jrnba.asia, where the program terms and conditions can be found.

For more information, fans can follow Jr. NBA on Facebook at www.facebook.com/jrnbaphilippinesand Twitter at www.twitter.com/nba_philippnes.  For all things NBA, fans can visit www.nba.com, like the NBA on Facebook at www.facebook.com/philsnba and follow www.twitter.com/nba_philippines on Twitter.

To learn more about the Alaska Milk Corporation, visit www.alaskamilk.com and www.playph.com.

hirna: Davao's Homegrown Taxi App Eyes Nationwide Expansion

Wazzup Pilipinas!

hirna, Davao's homegrown taxi hailing app is eyeing nationwide expansion in the coming months.

The app made a buzz when it unveiled during its media launch last December 2017 at the Davao City Hall with no less than Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio herself.

Joining the fray of the heating ride-hailing competition in the country, hirna set itself apart from other apps with its zero-booking fee service that uses the most number of fleets of taxis in Davao because of their exclusive partnership with the Metro Davao Taxi Operators Association (MEDATOA). There are an initial 2,000 taxis currently under hirna, ensuring the shortest waiting time possible.

“What hirna brings commuters is a premium app with zero booking fees, no turn-downs, and no price surges. While ensuring convenience and security, our app also helps drivers because we don’t have transaction fees that sometimes eat up much of their revenues," said Francisco Coco Mauricio, hirna President & CEO.

Atty. Rogelio Largo, President of MEDATOA, said hirna should be the preferred app of Dabawanyos because aside from its many features, it was proudly conceptualized in Davao. He also said that “hirna is the only app with a 24/7 customer service support to answer queries and to help passengers without smart phones book a ride. It even has the LTFRB hotline numbers in the app so passengers are free to contact the agency for any questions, suggestions or comments".

Mayor Duterte-Carpio is supporting hirna because it provides a real and effective solution to traffic congestion. Since the hirna application increases the utilization of the existing fleet of taxis in Davao, there are no additional cars placed on the road thus effectively reducing traffic and helping minimize carbon emission.

As hirna gears up for a nationwide expansion, more people would be able to enjoy the benefits that hirna offers commuters. "Today Davao, tomorrow the Philippines," said Mauricio.

Between now and the end of March, those who will download and use the hirna app will be recognized as hirna co-founders. hirna co-founders will be entitled to a host of benefits and privileges such as priority bookings and exclusive events and promotions. 

The hirna app can be downloaded from both iOS App Store and Google Playstore. For any queries, the customer hotline numbers are 09171114888 and 09992214888.

Jr. NBA Philippines Sets New Regional Selection Camp Attendance Record in Mindanao

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Jr. NBA Philippines 2018 presented by Alaska set a new attendance record for the Regional Selection Camps (RSC) with 1,505 young athletes from Butuan City and nearby cities and provinces of Mindanao. 

Prior to this camp, the highest attendance was at the Jr. NBA RSC in Cagayan de Oro on February 2017 with 1,479 participants. 

“Breaking the attendance record for the Jr. NBA Philippines Regional Selection Camp is a tremendous achievement and a testament to the popularity of the game of basketball in this country,” shared Jr. NBA Head Coach Rob Newson.  

Jr. NBA coaches led by Coach Newson and PBA Legend Jeffrey Cariaso welcomed campers that included over 200 young boys and girls from the indigenous people of Higa-onon, Manobo and Banwaon who endured a two-hour drive to immerse in the Jr. NBA experience.  Above, Alaska Coach Jeffrey Cariaso poses with the young players from the three ethnic groups.