New "Gee-gee At Waterina" Musical Opens in August

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Artist Playground will stage a new original Filipino musical, Gee-gee At Waterina, based on the fictionalized retelling of the friendship between two gay men, this coming August at Arts Above in Quezon City.

The arts and performance company turns J. Dennis Teodosio‘s bittersweet tale of an evening in the life of a flamboyant city councilor and a sentimental comfort gay, into a musical to be directed by “King of Comedy Bars” Andrew De Real.

Actor-designer Norman Peñaflorida will play the role of Gee-gee, the politician benefactor of Waterina, to be portrayed by actor-director Roeder Camañag.

Noted musical director and composer Jesse Lucas and dancer, choreographer and theater actor Lezlie Dailisan will provide the show’s music, with lyrics by Teodosio, and choreography, respectively.

The original straight play version was first presented at the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) Virgin Labfest in 2005. Lou Veloso and Paolo Cabañero shared the stage, with the direction of Roobak Valle.

A short film version starring Veloso and Cabañero was produced for Cinemalaya a year after. Teodosio co-directed the film with Gawad Urian-winning filmmaker Mariami Tanangco.

Artist Playground aims “to create artistic projects that reflect, celebrate and explore the bravery of Filipino artists and to create opportunities that facilitates a collaborative environment for artists from all fields of art.”

The musical runs on August 18, 19, 25 and 26, 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. at Arts Above, Artist Playground II, West Avenue Building, 112 West Avenue, QC. For inquiries, please contact Kimberly Somoza at 0975-9193179.

Senate Cooperative Launches Modern Jeepneys Compliant with PUV Modernization Program

Wazzup Pilipinas!

The Senate Employees Transport Service Cooperative (SETSCO) will now roll out their new public utility jeepneys (PUJs), that are compliant under the PUV Modernization Program.

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.

At the media launch held 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 by tomorrow, was initially be launched. A ribbon cutting amidst two of the vehicles was done, and a short program where .

The 20-person seating capacity vehicles are airconditioned, have 4 CCTV cameras, has GPS for monitoring, and you can stand inside where they allow up to 3 passengers standing.

DOTr Undersecretary for Road Transport and Infrastructure Tim Orbos and LTRFB Chairman Martin Delgra III were present and were joined by Senate President Vicente Sotto, Senate Majority Leader Juan Miguel Zubiri, and Senator Sherwin Gatchalian.

Chairperson Remedios Ventura

Other personalities from both the government and transport sector were also there to witness the launch.

Isuzu Philippines was the chosen vehicle provider as voted upon by the key people at SETSCO, just as how Euro4 Diesel was also selected. Going electric vehicle was not very popular since they believe the industry is not yet capable of providing convenient facilities and fair-priced consumables like batteries, etc.


Below is the official press release:

DOTr-LTFRB, Senate Transport Coop Roll Out Modern PUVs

 

The Department of Transportation (DOTr), through the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB), yesterday rolled out the first batch of modernized public utility jeepneys (PUJs) under the Senate Employees Transport Service Cooperative (SETSCO), an important milestone in the implementation of the government’s PUV Modernization Program (PUVMP).

 

Starting today, 19 June 2018, an initial 15 out of the total 35 modern PUJ units will ply various routes along Metro Manila, which include: Star City / CCP to PICC, and GSIS / Senate to MOA to the Parañaque Integrated Terminal Exchange (PITX) and back. The official turnover of the certificate of the approved route was also handed to SETSCO during the event.

 

Senate President Vicente Sotto III led the official launch, along with DOTr Undersecretary for Road Transport and Infrastructure Tim Orbos, LTFRB Chairman Martin Delgra III, and Office of Transport Cooperatives (OTC) Chairman Emmanuel Virtucio. Senate Majority Leader Juan Miguel Zubiri and Senator Sherwin Gatchalian were also present.

 

“The most efficacious way of making a difference is to lead by example, which is what we are doing now. We are giving the Philippine transport system a new face: a transport system that is innovative, safe, and environment-friendly,” Sen. Sotto said.

 

Usec. Orbos hailed the event as the start of a new way of transporting commuters in a safe and secure manner.

 

“This is very historic. Later on, when our children are used to these kinds of jeepneys, they will not remember anymore how difficult it was for us. Ito po ay proof of life — the very first batch of modern jeepneys to carry our commuters. Sila naman po ang pinaka-importante sa lahat ng ito. It’s the duty of the government to make sure that we bring them from point A to point B in the most convenient, most efficient, and safest manner possible,” Usec. Orbos added.

Consistent with the theme “Arangkada sa Pagbabago,” the brand new and modern PUJs are classified as Euro-4, which is equal to 40% less carbon emissions. Electric jeepneys are also being considered in future projects.

Composed of 22 operators, SETSCO was among the three pre-selected cooperatives that would participate in the initial implementation of the PUV Modernization Program. Pre-selection was done by the OTC, whose recommendation was based on the cooperative’s good standing, financial capability, and its established management structure.

 

SETSCO is the second cooperative to have been granted a franchise to operate following its compliance to the program. It was also able to obtain a loan from the Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP).

The remaining 20 modern PUJs for the given Pasay routes are targeted to be out by July. The DOTr and the LTFRB are also working double time to process the applications of more than 1,000 new jeepneys. Around 100 - 200 more are expected to be on the road by the first half of July 2018.

#WazzupPilipinas #PambansangBlogger #SETSCO

Ma Hao Bin Expects Big Reward if he Triumphs at ONE: PINNACLE OF POWER

Wazzup Pilipinas!

“The Southern Eagle” Ma Hao Bin has always possessed the drive and talent to achieve all of his lofty goals as he has capitalized on every opportunity that has come his way in his professional mixed martial arts career.

The 24-year-old Chinese national freestyle wrestling champion is unbeaten on the ONE Championship stage, acing his six assignments in the promotion with flying colors.

Making his professional debut in 2016, Ma took home the ONE: DYNASTY OF CHAMPIONS (CHANGSHA) Flyweight Tournament Championship, defeating Wu Ting Shen and Bu Huo You Ga in a single evening of action.

Since then, Ma has strung together an impressive win-loss slate of 11-2, which includes four wins by submission and two by knockout.

In his most recent outing this past January, Ma turned in another well-rounded performance to claim victory via unanimous decision against battle-tested veteran Sotir Kichukov of Bulgaria.

Ma has the chance to cement his status as one of the best flyweights in the world today as he is set to square off with former world title challenger Danny Kingad on the undercard of ONE: PINNACLE OF POWER in Macau, China on Saturday, 23 June.

Although a tall order is in front of him, Ma remains optimistic that he will have his hand raised in triumph as he is driven by his desire to become the best competitor in the organization’s 61.2-kilogram weight class.

“Nothing is easy. A person has to go through hardship to become successful. I know it will be hard, but I am willing to dig deep and get that victory. In order to be a winner, you have to endure. I am here to endure all the hardships because I want to be the best in the division,” he stated.

As Ma crosses paths with an opponent, who is a premier flyweight combatant from the famed Team Lakay of Baguio City, the highly-touted Chinese prospect artist sees a big reward if he plays his cards right against Kingad.

Holding a professional record of 9-1, the 22-year-old Baguio City native is a tremendous striker who possesses well-rounded grappling skills.

“He is so talented as a fighter. I can say that he is exceptional for a flyweight like me. That’s why I am exerting my best effort in training. He is an opponent worthy of a good battle. This match excites me,” Ma said of his three-round flyweight encounter with Kingad.

Following an unsuccessful challenge for the ONE Flyweight World Championship this past November against Moraes, which ended in his first professional defeat, Kingad rebounded with an impressive win over Kichukov four months later.

“We both faced Sotir Kichukov in ONE Championship, and we did walk away with respective victories. Honestly, I believe that I’ve done better than him against Sotir. In our ring clash this Saturday, the commitment to hone and perfect my craft will once again be in full display against Danny,” he shared.

“He is blocking my way. I want that gold around my waist. I have to defeat him in order to reach my ultimate destination in this sport,” Ma added.

Ma hopes that if he secures a convincing victory over Kingad, it will bring him an inch closer to a shot at the coveted ONE Flyweight World Championship.

ONE Championship’s undisputed flyweight crown will be at stake on Saturday as division kingpin Adriano Moraes is slated to lock horns with interim champion Geje Eustaquio in a highly-anticipated rematch, serving as the event’s headliner.

 

“My initial goal is to continue winning until I get closer to the title and become a champion. I want this win. I want to have a remarkable winning result, and then I want to move forward onto that flyweight belt,” Ma ended.

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