Rediscovering Our Favorites at SM Food Court

Wazzup Pilipinas!

"Kumain ka na ba? Punta na sa SM Food Court at muling tuklasin ang mga paborito ninyong pagkain. May free 360 degree video selfie pa for every certain amount of food bought.

Participating during our bloggers Instagram flatlay competition were Gracia's Lechon, Sisig Hooray, Chica's Chicharronia, Lydia's Lechon, Chizmozza, Cebu Fiesta, Chef Ala Eh, Panda Shabu-Shabu, etc."

They say specialty restaurants are more likely for the well-off and affluent, but gone are the days when restaurateurs with their superb cuisines make their homes only at their own establishment.

These visionary entreprenuers know that majority of the Filipinos want affordable yet tasty dishes. They now go out of their way to reach out to the masses by offering their specialties at food courts or food parks.

The SM Food Court has been around as far as I can remember. They've been existing even before food parks rose in popularity. They are actually the better version of food parks because it's airconditioned and naturally puts your food at a better and controlled environment compared to foid parks usually situated at open areas. However, the prices for food offered at either places are synonymously the same. For both, the term "You get what you paid for" is untrue for majority of these food stalls because I've tried a lot and many have passed my eclectic taste.

With the revitalizing of the food courts of SM, as witnessed during our bloggers social media challenge via Instagram and/or Facebook, we got to see special attractions as bonus features that customers can avail after eating at SM Food Courts. The 360 degree video selfies are totally cool to have and repost on our timelines, especially if you do it with families, friends or colleagues. The Koi fishes in an aquarium is also a splendid site to see that would attract children rare to see upclose these colorful sea creatures.

What were the foods served on our photo challenge?

#RediscoverYourFavorites #KumainKaNaba #KKNB #SMFoodCourt #WazzupPilipinas #PambansangBlogger #Foodies

Renee Salud and the Philippine Tapestry Fashion Show at Hotel Jen Manila

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Undoubtedly among the icons in the Philippine fashion industry, Filipino Fashion Designer Renee Salud, more popularly called Mama Renee by his celebrity clients, or Kuya Renee by his staff and team, never fails to impress with his exquisite and seemingly eccentric designs featuring the major weaves of the Philippine archipelago spanning from Luzon, Visyas to Mindanao. These mix of modern yet ethnic look created with both comfort and style in mind are totally of international appeal.

The fashion icon known as a fairy godmother to many aspiring beauty queens who won their crowns wearing his creations, has catered to a wide range of clientele including popular showbiz personalities. He has earned the title of Ambassador of Philippine Fashion for his many ingenious creations featuring Philippine materials, weaves and artistry.

I would personally want to wear his creations for myself not just to flaunt but to feel proud and honored wearing an attire symbolic of Philippine culture and heritage.

More photos and videos at our Facebook fan page at http://www.Facebook.com/WazzupPilipinas

and our YouTube channel.at http://www.YouTube.com/user/wazzuppilipinas

The Philippines indeed has a rich history of age-old artistry that we should patronize to boost Filipino identity. We should often make use of indigenous materials not only to showcase the colorful art form created by Filipino artisans in exemplifying traditional wear, but also to help promote its origins sourced from all over the country.

We don't need to look far because fashion designers could just roam around the Philippines and get ideas for elegant outfits that could be truly world class when we put our hearts and minds, even souls, in its fabrication.

The Philippine Tapestry fashion show by Renee Salud was held on June 11, 2018 at Hotel Jen Manila in Pasay city.


Photography by Bert Briones

DOTr, SETSCO to roll out modern PUVs

Wazzup Pilipinas!

In its relentless effort to provide quality, safe, environment friendly and affordable public transport, the Department of Transportation (DOTr), through the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB), gave green light to the Senate Employees Transport Service Cooperative (SETSCO) to roll out their new public utility jeepneys (PUJs), that are compliant under the PUV Modernization Program.

On Monday afternoon, 18 June 2018, 15 out of the total 35 modern PUJ units, which will ply the route of StarCity/CCP to PICC, GSIS/Senate to MOA to PITX and back, will initially be launched.

DOTr Undersecretary for Road Transport and Infrastructure Tim Orbos and LTRFB Chairman Martin Delgra III are expected to be joined by Senate President Vicente Sotto, Senate Majority Leader Juan Miguel Zubiri, Senators Aquilino Pimentel Jr. and Sherwin Gatchalian during the launch.

SETSCO is composed of 22 operators headed by its Chairperson Remedios Venturina, and is among the 3 pre-selected cooperatives to participate in the initial implementation of the PUVMP. 

The pre-selection was made by the Office of the Transport Cooperative (OTC), whose recommendation was based on the cooperative’s good standing, financial capability, and its established management structure.

SETSCO is by far the second cooperative to have been granted a franchise to operate due to its compliance to the PUVMP. It was able to obtain a loan from the Development Bank of the Philippines.

According to LTFRB Chairman Delgra, this goes to show that transport leaders are realizing the need for a better system.

"Kaya naman po talaga itong gawin. Nakasuporta po tayo sa mga kooperatiba basta't kumpleto ang mga dokumento, may maayos na ruta at kaisa natin sa pagsusulong ng PUVMP. Sila rin naman po ang makikinabang dito sa bandang huli,” said Chairman Delgra.

Aside from route rationalization, one of the key components of PUVMP is fleet modernization.

Usec. Orbos stressed the importance of safety and convenience with due consideration to Persons-with-Disabilities (PWDs) passengers. 

"Dapat po ang mga modernong public transport, hindi lang ligtas at kumportable. Ito ay dapat para sa lahat. Pag sinabing lahat, kasama po rito ang mga senior citizens o nakatatanda, gayundin ang mga PWDs,” Usec. Orbos said.

Meanwhile, despite opposition from some minority transport groups, Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade stands firm in his commitment to modernize the transport sector.

"We cannot delay nor deny the public of their right to convenient, affordable and roadworthy mass transport. Pinangako iyan ni Presidente Duterte kaya tungkulin ko na siguruhing iyong mga bulok na at hindi na dapat pang sakyan ay maialis na natin sa kalsada,” Secretary Tugade said.

Unfazed with threats of transport strikes, 

Tugade said "Magrally sila kung gusto nila. Sunugin nila effigy ko kung gusto nila. But I will insist on the PUV Modernization program. Hindi ko sinasagasaan mga driver at operator sa paghahanapbuhay nila. Ang pakiusap ko lang sa paghahanapbuhay nila, 'wag ka namang bumawi ng buhay ng iba."