Tugade Suspends DOTr-CAR Top Officials for Alleged Corruption

Wazzup Pilipinas!

The Department of Transportation (DOTr), through Undersecretary for Legal Affairs and Procurement Reinier Paul Yebra, yesterday served a ninety (90) day suspension order against two (2) top officials of the DOTr-Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR), who have allegedly committed grave misconduct, conduct prejudicial to the best interest of service and gross neglect of duty.

In separate letters served through Undersecretary for Road Transport and Infrastructure Tim Orbos, LTFRB Chairman Martin B. Delgra III, and LTO Assistant Secretary Edgar Galvante, the DOTr filed formal charges and imposed preventive suspension against DOTr-CAR Regional Director Atty. Jesus Eduardo Natividad and Assistant Regional Director Datu Mohammad Abbas. 

According to reports evaluated by DOTr, Natividad allegedly demanded and accepted money in exchange for a favorable decision relative to applications for the issuance of Certificates of Public Convenience (CPC). He is also being investigated for purportedly requiring district heads for monthly remittances.

Complaints say that apart from his frequent absences, the Regional Director likewise failed to perform his duty in the conduct of operations against colorum vehicles. 

Meanwhile, Abbas apparently extorted money in exchange of the release of impounded vehicles. A complaint was also filed against him by a certain Regina Migano for gun brandishing and toting.

Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade emphasizes his “ZERO TOLERANCE” for corruption in the Department.

“Hahaba at hahaba ang listahan ng mga masisibak sa Departamentong ito hangga’t hindi niyo itinitigil ang mga iligal na aktibidad. Maraming ulo na ang gumulong. Hindi ko kayo panghihinayangan lalo’t anay kayo na sumisira sa imahe ng mga tapat na naglilingkod sa gobyerno,” said Tugade.

Since the Transportation Chief assumed office, a number of officials were dismissed and others are being thoroughly investigated for involvement in corruption and other illegal activities.

“Opisyal o ordinaryong empleyado, kung magnanakaw sa taong bayan o sisira sa imahe ng buong departamento, pasensyahan talaga tayo,” Sec. Tugade added.

The respondents were given seventy two (72) hours to submit verified answer pending formal investigation. Further, the alleged violations of the two officials, if found guilty, will merit the penalty of dismissal from service.

In the interim, the DOTr Management shall designate Officers-In-Charge (OICs) to ensure that the responsibilities of the vacated offices will be efficiently performed.

Leon Gallery Announces the Spectacular Mid-Year Auction 2018

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Leon Gallery set the date for its much-awaited, scintillating Spectacular Mid-Year Auction 2018 on Saturday, June 9, 2018 at its Eurovilla I showrooms on Legaspi Street, Legaspi Village.

Headlining the must-have masterpieces are an exquisite Lorenzo Guerrero of life along the Pasig River. Guerrero, who became most famous as the mentor of the brilliant and internationally-celebrated Juan Luna, was also a wonderful painter in his own right. He was educated by the foremost Spanish instructors at the Manila academia : Manuel de la Cortina, who was himself a graduate of the Madrid art academy and his successor Nicolas Valdez. Guerrero, in fact, was to become the teacher of Manila’s finest artists, from Simon de la Rosa Flores and his nephew Fabian de la Rosa, Felix Martinez and Felix Resurreccion Hidalgo, Telesforo Sucgang, Felix Pardo de Tavera, and Jorge Pineda to name a few stellar painters who passed through the portals of the legendary art school.

A 1917 work by one of Guerrero’s star pupils, Fabian de la Rosa, of a charming pair of ponies in a stableyard, provides an interesting behind-the-scenes look of a Manila home, at a time when horses were more common than automobiles.

Fernando Amorsolo — who happened to be Fabian de la Rosa’s nephew — is also in the spotlight with several riveting and early works : A post-war procession outside the ruins of the Antipolo church; works from the Thirties, Forties and Fifties, from an orange-streaked sunset scene by the water to glorious country scenes “Under the Mango Tree”  and by a waterfall. The works are all the collections of several distinguished Manila families. A rare urban scene of the massive Ynchausti Rope Factory is a unique view of Manila in the 1920s.

Scintillating Jose Joyas, one ante-dating his historic participation in the Venice Biennale (the Philippines’ first in that august art fair); others from his halcyon years in the 1970s.

Other mid-century moderns include Vicente Manansala with a superb work dated 1949 that speaks allegorical almost in a style more typical of Carlos “Botong” Francisco : a trio of women pound rice, in a variety of Filipino costumes, while men pile grain in tall mountains. In the background, a sunlit landscape which suggests the Benguet rice terraces and in the foreground, a large carabao. Another work, datelined Paris, portrays a grieving mother at a child’s bier.
Arturo Luz, Ang Kiukok, and Romeo Tabuena are likewise represented, as are Juvenal Sanso, Oscar Zalameda, Lao Lianben, Malang, and Federico Aguilar Alcuaz.

An finely-proportioned ‘comoda’ with original marquetry in a floral design, an imposing Sheraton sideboard, and a ‘Mariposa’ butterfly sofa are just some of the impressive furniture to be included in the June sale.

Among the collectible memorabilia, the country’s most iconic heroes are represented. There is a bread-and-butter note (dated 1891) from the Philippine National Hero Jose Rizal to the Scottish millionaire Don Alejandro S. Macleod who had thrived in Manila.

Letters from various historical personalities to Teodora Alonso are also available in a single lot, including a Rizal family recipe, and more piquantly, the court documents of the suit brought against Rizal’s mother and her brother. Her unjust persecution greatly influenced Rizal’s nationalism.

Most explosive is the narration of Gregoria de Jesus of the last days of Andres Bonifacio as well as a dagger bearing the markings of the Katipunan. This document, while having been featured in works on the Philippine Revolution has never been revealed in full previously and is certainly one of a kind. A rare autographed photograph of the Lakambini of the KKK (dedicated to the journalist  Jose P. Santos) and a letter to Emilio Jacinto complete the historical offerings that will fascinate the collector and every patriot.

Apropos, a BenCab of Rizal’s last days in Fort Santiago — and featuring excerpts of his “Ultimo Adios” is also a highlight, alongside an appealing work from his “Larawan” series, inspired by turn-of-the-century Philippine photographs.

From the contemporary artists, exciting works by Ronald Ventura, Marcel Antonio, Jon Jaylo, Danilo Dalena, Emmanuel Garibay, Edwin Wilwayco, Manuel Ocampo (with a grim Christmas work) and Jose John Santos III are also featured. The Santos work echoes the themes in the rest of the auction of women of the Philippine Revolution : The painting juxtaposes ladies in traditional Filipino wear with Cretan friezes, a view of a bahay na bato through an archway, and a fragment of an antique door.

Pinoy Otaku Festival (POF) 2018 Shares Love This Summer

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Pinoy Otaku Festival (POF) in its 5th season brings love to the pop culture community through POF 2018: Ai at Ayala Malls, Fairview Terraces on June 2-3, 2018.  This years event carries the theme, “Ai” which means love in Japanese.  In a very unique fashion the event also highlights the Baybayin script of “Pag-ibig” or love as a show of support to local fandom.


One of the Biggest Annual Pop Culture Event

Pinoy Otaku Festival remains to be one of the biggest annual pop culture event in terms of those organized by the community itself.  The event is being organized by Naruto Cosplayers PH (NCPH), a local based cosplay for a cause organization founded in 2010.

Owing to the success of last year’s event, it will be the first time that POF was held at the same venue for two consecutive years.  It can be said that this is also the only roving event in the Philippines which happens in various venues since 2011.

This year there will be at least six cosplay for a cause partners.  Each of these partners will benefit from the success of the program.  Joining this year are Hands of God Charity Works, HOPE in a Bottle, UNICEF Philippines, ASSIST Fund Raising Services and Cosplay Against Bullying.

POF 2018 expects more attendees this year as it announces its interesting panel discussions which include discussion on Marvel vs DC, cosplay love, issues in the cosplay community, male and Japanese voice actors.

Animax Asia will be this years official channel partner and will have a booth at the event.  OO-Kun and friends will also visit the event and perform on stage.

There will also be workshops covering topics such as basic costume making and crafting by Arnold Lareza, basic Baybayin by Sulong Baybayin Abril 21, Karatedo by the Philippine Karatedo League and Digital Art by Huion and American Technologies, Inc. (ATI).


Attendee Engaging Events at POF 2018

Unlike every other previous POF this year the event will incorporate a Love Booth.  If you want to express your love for a friend or for someone then you have to be at the event.  You can have a fantasy marriage booth or even express intimate friendship and love with the available love lucks.  If you just want to send a message to someone then you can also do so through the Message Center.

Jerry’s Life Size Toys and Collectibles will once again bring life-size statues.  Take a photo with Voltez V and other iconic statues from the world of Japanese pop culture.

You can also avail free printed photos of the event through Phone2Prints.  Just take a photo at the event then register at their booth.  Your first photo will be printed for free.

Cosplay competition and karaoke highlights most of the event for this year with the finals of both Cosplay Idol Season 4 and CosCraft: Costume Mentoring Challenge as the climax.  There will also be two karaoke competition this year which includes Your Cosplay Sounds Familiar and The Ultimate Singing Idol.

Like the previous year, POF 2018 also brings variety and television adopted games in which groups and the audience can participate.  This year’s line-up includes Anime Singing Bee, Who Wants to be The Ultimate Otaku, Anime Feud, Anime Game Challenge and Animazing Race.

Huion and American Technologies Inc. (ATI) will be hosting the Digital Art Competition.  The winner of the competition will receive a brand new drawing tablet from Huion.  Another exciting prize is for the Champion of CosCraft which will receive a Php25,000 worth of scholarship from CIIT College of Arts and Technology plus electronic gift certificate from Fairview Terraces.

POF 2018 Partnership

Pinoy Otaku Festival (POF) 2018: Ai is presented by Naruto Cosplayers PH together with Red Cloud Interactive in partnership with Fairview Terraces as the official event partner.

Platinum Partner: Huion, American Technilogies, Inc. (ATI), CIIT College of Science and Technology, and Jerry’s Life Size Toys and Collectibles.

Official Food Sponsor: M International Food Services

Partners and Exhibitors: Phone2Prints by Kiosk Adventures Inc., FurryPinas, Graphic Artists Philippines, Comedy Cartel, Eyemax Trading, Malolos Toys and Hobbies Convention (MalCon), Team Raket, Rocx Tees, Cospray Hair Color, Godzilla Collectors Philippines, Chibaneelle Art Circle, SketchyGerry, PixelHero, Tali-Papa Circle, Euan and Euro Stuff, Japan All Stars, Winter Doll, Weng Eeng's Takoyaki, Gridiron Shawarma X Sausage, Fanshoppe, Philippine Karatedo Leagule, Sulong Baybayin Abril 21 (SBA21), Fancy Moi, GOSSIPKR Beauty Products, Senapis, Lunatic Studios, Kiyasuriin, Ink Jinks, and Tina and Stitch.

Media Partners:  Animax, ClickTheCity, Wazzup Pilipinas, The Cosplay and Anime Café (arkadymac.com), 3BC Gaming, AnimePH, Astig PH, Animeplay Entrertainment TV, ImaheNasyon Creatives, Ayaldev.com, Reverie Wonderland, OtakuPlay PH, Choji TV, Mauvish Crimson, Gameseer PH, and Blue Pirate Channel.

Organizational Partners: The Otaku Philippines, Anime Cosplay Colors PH, El Chorizo Cosplay Group, Anime Corner PH, Z Warriors, and Team OKE Gakuen.

For more details on the event please visit www.narutocosplayers.com/pof-2018 or www.facebook.com/pinoy.otakufest.