The Philippines Showcases 7,641 Islands in Tourism Expo at Grand Central Terminal, NYC

Wazzup Pilipinas!

New York’s iconic Grand Central Terminal will provide the backdrop to showcase the 7,641 islands that make up the Philippines, which is promoting its vacation destinations.  With a launch by Philippine Tourism Secretary Wanda Tulfo Teo, the Explore Islands Philippines runs from Wednesday, May 9, through Saturday, May 12.   

On May 9, Explore Islands Philippines kicks off at 10 a.m. with a ribbon cutting ceremony graced by Her Royal Highness Princess Katarina of Yugoslavia and Serbia. Secretary Teo will be joined by Philippine Ambassador to the United Nations Teodoro Locsin Jr., President of the Philippine Tourism Promotions Board Cesar Montano, as well as other high-ranking officials from New York State and the Philippines.

Speakers from the Philippine Tourism will talk on May 9-10 about various tourism initiatives including beautiful destinations, students and millennial tours, diving tourism, cuisine, retirement, as well as Philippine arts, culture, and history.  The flagship carrier of the Philippines, Philippine Airlines, will also give a special presentation.

Explore Islands Philippines will celebrate arts and culture in the final two days, May 11-12, showcasing artists and artisans from the United States and the Philippines.  Day 3’s program will include presentations from the Cultural Center of the Philippines, Parangal Dance Company, Philippine martial artists, weavers, artisans, and fashion designers. 

The expo is free to the public and is open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. each day. The event’s venue, Grand Central Terminal’s Vanderbilt Hall can be easily accessed by the Pershing Square, 42nd Street entrance. Grand Central can be reached by all major subways (4, 5, 6, 7 as well as the S train).

Explore Islands Philippines is presented by JS Productions, the Philippine Department of Tourism, and the Philippine Tourism Promotions Board.

For more information, visit: ExploreIslandsPhilippines.com.

Video trailer: https://youtu.be/4flBvmpolXE

DOTr, AFP Sign Agreement to Give Free MRT rides to All Active Military Personnel

Wazzup Pilipinas!

ADOTr, AFP Sign Agreement to Give Free MRT rides to All Active Military Personnel s a token of gratitude and gesture of appreciation, all active military personnel of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) are now entitled to free rides at the MRT-3.

A Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) was signed today by the Department of Transportation (DOTr), MRT-3 Management, and the AFP to give free rides to all active military personnel for an entire year starting today, April 25. They may avail of the free ride upon showing their AFP identification cards that will serve as their access pass.

DOTr Secretary Arthur Tugade said the free train ride is a way of recognizing the sacrifices of our military.

“Simple as it may seem, this offer of respect, this offer of gratitude, comes from the bottom of our hearts. Idol namin kayo. Mahal namin kayo. Kung meron kaming isang maliit na bagay na mabibigay sa inyo, gaya ng libreng sakay at libreng pamasahe, ibibigay namin sa inyo ‘yan dahil kinikilala namin ang inyong katungkulan, kinikilala namin ang inyong pagmamahal sa bayan,” said Tugade.

In return, the AFP will be providing the DOTr-MRT-3 media mileage through its Civil Service Relations-AFP (CRS-AFP) office, as well as ambulance and medical teams for assistance during emergency and crisis situations upon advance coordination and when available.

During the ceremony, Secretary Tugade also said that all active military personnel can use all airport lounges throughout the country free of charge.

“Nagbigay po ako ng instruksyon last year na kung saan all enlisted personnel are entitled to the free use of all lounges in the Republic of the Philippines. Sapagkat ang ating mga sundalo, pag kayo ay bumabyahe, bitbit niyo yung katungkulan kung saan kaya niyong i-atang ang inyong buhay. Dapat lang naman buksan namin ang aming mga airport lounges para sa inyo,” Tugade added.

Secretary Tugade, DOTr Undersecretary for Railways Timothy John Batan, MRT-3 General Manager Rodolfo Garcia, and CRSAFP Commander and Brig. Gen. Bienvenido Datuin, Jr. signed the MOA. The agreement was noted by Batan and AFP Chief of Staff Carlito Galvez, Jr. and approved by Secretary Tugade and Department of National Defense (DND) Secretary Delfin Lorenzana. 

Last year, a MOA was also approved and signed between the AFP and the Light Rail Transit Authority (LRTA), granting all uniformed personnel free rides until December 2018 at the LRT-2 as a gesture of appreciation for the soldiers who risked their lives during the Marawi City siege.

McKinley Kyle Paz: Stamps His Class in Australian ARRC Leg

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Yamaha Motor Philippines is currently competing in the Asia Road Race Championship (ARRC), a continental championship competition of the FIM (Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme). The Australian leg recently wrapped up with 17-year-old wonder boy McKinley Kyle Paz holding his own against the best riders in Asia.

His first time on the Bend Motorsports Park during practice session allowed Kyle to show his skills by recording the fastest time on the track (2:18.93). In the qualifiers he placed 4th on the grid, and finished 6th overall for his first race. The 2nd race was where he pulled out all the stops to with an outstanding 2nd place finish for the Yamaha Maju Motor Asia Team. He rode the Sniper 150 which is a blur on any road with its speed and precision. Its reputation of being the best in its class in starting and passing acceleration was clearly seen in this competition. Kyle’s performance was powered by UMA Racing parts and Racing Boy.

Now considered as a worthy adversary by his fellow competitors, the full potential of this teenage sensation will continue to be realized as the competition goes on. He will suit up for the next round of the ARRC in Japan on June 1-3 at the Suzuka Racing Circuit. They will compete using the YZF-R25, part of the performance packed lineup of the R-Series masterfully crafted for racing. For that battle he will be joined by veteran stalwart, “The Chairman” Masato Fernando.