ColorManila’s CM Challenge Run at Clark Was Another Sold-out Success, Now Heads to Davao and Cavite

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Fresh from its sold-out CM Challenge Clark event last weekend, ColorManila, the country’s number one fun-run organizer, will now head to Davao City, for CM Challenge Davao on August 12, 2018, and CM Blacklight Cavite, on August 25, 2018.

CM Challenge Run Davao, which is scheduled for August 12, 2018, will be held at the SM Lanang Premier, its official venue partner. The event is also made possible by Camella and Honda Philippines.

Participants of CM Challenge Davao can choose between 3K, 5K and 10K, and they can look forward to obstacles such as the inflatable slide, inflatable tire skip, military crawl obstacles, among others. Apart from which, runners can listen to the latest music while going through the various challenges.

Runners also have the option of choosing between the Deluxe Kit, or the Rockstar Kit. The Deluxe Kit, which is priced at P599, includes the event shirt, race bib, finisher’s medal, sunglasses, and a color packet. While the Rockstar Kit, priced at P799, includes the event shirt, race bib, finisher’s medal, sunglasses, sling bag, headwear, and a color packet.

After Davao, ColorManila will head next to Cavite on August 25, 2018, for the CM Blacklight Cavite Run, presented by Camella, which will be held at the Vista Mall Daang Hari, Bacoor, Cavite.

The CM Blacklight Run, which is the biggest night run in the country, offers 3 race distances - 3K, 5K and 10K. Runners also have the option of choosing between the Deluxe Kit, and the Rockstar Kit.

The Deluxe Kit, priced at P750, includes the event shirt, race bib, headlamp, finisher’s medal, and a color packet. While the Rockstar Kit, priced at P1,200, comes with the event shirt, race bib, headlamp, finisher’s medal, foldable water bottle, drawstring bag, and a color packet.


The CM Blacklight Cavite Run is made possible by Camella, Vista Mall Daang Hari, Evia Lifestyle Center, official hotel partner Azumi Boutique Hotel, official logistics partner Black Arrow Express, and Toby's SM Molino.

ColorManila VP Justine Cordero says, “Our goal has always been to bring the ColorManila experience to different parts of the country. So we are bringing the CM Challenge Run event to Davao, and the CM Blacklight Run to Cavite in the next few weeks. We hope our followers can join us in these very exciting events, hope to see you there.”


Registration is still ongoing, visit www.colormanila.com and FB/ColorManila for more information.

Catholic Student Councils Ask Senators to End Debate, Pass Bill to End Discrimination vs LGBT

Wazzup Pilipinas!


The LGBT community has found unlikely allies: Catholic students.

Ignoring possible sanctions from their school administrators, student councils from seven of the biggest Catholic schools in Metro Manila released a unified statement expressing support for a proposed bill being tackled in the Senate that seeks to prohibit discrimination on the basis of a person’s sexual orientation, gender identity and expression or SOGIE.

The statement, signed by student councils from the Ateneo de Manila University, University of Santo Tomas, San Beda University-Manila, De La Salle University-Manila, Miriam College, St. Scholastica’s College-Manila, the De La Salle-College of St. Benilde urged the “Senate’s leadership and its members to stop the delay on the SOGIE Equality Bill and move for its approval”.

Senate Bill No. 1271 was sponsored by Sen. Risa Hontiveros last December 14, 2016 but has faced an uphill battle in the upper chamber, unlike in the House of Representatives that approved its version of the bill in September last year.

“In the Senate, It has been scheduled for debate 26 times, making it the longest-running bill under interpellation from Senators Tito Sotto, Manny Pacquiao and Joel Villanueva, since it’s sponsorship close to two years ago”, said the Catholic student councils’ statement.

The student councils expressed concern on discrimination against LGBT persons. “Every day with discrimination, people of diverse SOGIE get thrown out of their schools and homes, outed and ridiculed in the streets, barred from full employment, and deprived of access to healthcare”, their statement read.

The student councils cited their Christian upbringing in pushing for the said bill. “Brought up on the Christian values of love and acceptance, and as leaders and representatives of students in Catholic academic institutions , we urge the Senate’s leadership and its members to stop the delay on the SOGIE Equality Bill and move for its approval”, they urged.

The student council presidents urged the senators to end the debate on the bill. “It is time to end the debate. We must forge a society grounded on equality - NOW”, the student councils concluded. #


FULL STATEMENT:


CATHOLIC SCHOOL STUDENT COUNCILS SUPPORT THE PASSAGE OF THE SOGIE EQUALITY BILL, CALL FOR #ENDTHEDEBATE


A SOCIETY THAT IS EQUAL
We are student government chairpersons from Catholic academic institutions united under the pillars of respect for human diversity, love and equality expressing our support to the Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity and Expression [SOGIE] Equality Bill - an important piece of legislation that secures the rights and welfare of members of the LGBT community through a government policy of non-discrimination and full acceptance.


Every day with discrimination, people of diverse SOGIE get thrown out of their schools and homes, outed and ridiculed in the streets, barred from full employment, and deprived of access to healthcare.


Every day with discrimination, LGBT persons live in constant fear of being stigmatized, harassed and, in many documented cases, killed due to hate.


Every day with discrimination, members of the LGBT community are deprived of the full enjoyment of their rights.


The approval on third and final reading of the SOGIE Equality Bill in the House of Representatives presents a hopeful development. In the Senate, It has been scheduled for debate 26 times, making it the longest-running bill under interpellation from Senators Tito Sotto, Manny Pacquiao and Joel Villanueva, since it’s sponsorship close to two years ago.


It is time to end the debate.


Brought up on the Christian values of love and acceptance, and as leaders and representatives of students in Catholic academic institutions , we urge the Senate’s leadership and its members to stop the delay on the SOGIE Equality Bill and move for its approval.


We must forge a society ground ed on equality - NOW.


Signed:


Reycel Hyacenth Bendaña
President, Sanggunian ng mga Mag-aaral ng Paaralang Loyola ng Ateneo de Manila
Ateneo de Manila University


Mikee De Vega
President, University Student Government
De La Salle University-Manila


Kiko Santos
President, Central Student Council
University of Santo Tomas


Yhan Lumdang
President, Central Student Government
De La Salle - College of St. Benilde


Charlene Yanes
President, Sanggunian ng mga Mag-aaral ng Miriam
Miriam College


Denise Elayda
President, Student Council
St. Scholastica’s College-Manila


Arapat Mustapha
President, San Beda Student Council
San Beda University

EKSTRA: How OFWs Earn Extra Cash to Send Home

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) are well known multi-taskers, performing several duties at the same time. This delicate balancing act requires not just skills but a deep sense of commitment and focus to make life better for their loved ones.

This perhaps is best illustrated in “Europe”, a short film by BDO Kabayan, about a female impersonator who works in Europe. Inspired by true events, “Europe” shows the great lengths a father will go to in order to provide for his family.

Jacks and Jills of all trades

The story is a familiar one, resonating among the millions of OFWs around the world, wherein many of ourkakabayans resort to accepting odd jobs to earn for their families back home.

Dolores Perez, a registered nurse, discovered a hidden talent that became her source of extra income when she was working in Dubai.

“One time my friend asked if I could give her a massage. After I gave her one, she said I was really good,” recalls Dolores. “So after that, I decided to do massages for a fee on my days off.”

“I chose giving a massage as my sideline because it only lasts for an hour, no more, no less,” Dolores continues. “If a client wants to extend the session, then she must pay extra.”

Having a few practical skills can be quite useful, according to Teddy Santos, Jr., a husband and father of two. Having lived in Italy for the past 18 years, he has gone through many ups and downs when it comes to work. Today, he prefers having several part time jobs over regular work as this set-up pays him more and gives him more flexibility in terms of work hours.

According to Teddy, his regular day consists of working in a pharmacy from 7 to 11 in the morning, doing odd jobs like housekeeping, babysitting, or driving for various clients from 11:30am to 2:30pm, and doing clerical work in a law firm from 3:30pm to 7pm.

“It’s tiring and sometimes the travel time between jobs is challenging,” Teddy admits. "But the work that I do every day pays good money and is enough to support my family.”

Everything for the OFW Family

Indeed, their family’s welfare is the main motivation of OFWs wherever they may be in the world. Making sure that their loved ones back home are well provided for is top priority, no matter how difficult.

“I guess every padre de pamilya would say family comes first above anything else,” Teddy says. “All that they need should be provided by the parents, might it be in the manner of financial or moral support.”

Dondon Mangilog, Jr., a telecom technician in Saudi Arabia, agrees. For the past 15 years, he has been installing TV satellite dishes for private clients after office hours and during weekends. But despite its financial rewards, Dondon admits working extra has its disadvantages.

“Tinitiis ko ang init o lamig sa pag-aakyat sa bubong at hirap sa pag-install at pagbabarena sa dingding (I endure the heat or the cold when I go up on rooftops and the difficulty of drilling walls),” Dondon admits. “Ginagawa ko ito para maitaguyod nang maayos ang pamilya at makapag-ipon para sa magandang kinabukasan. (I do this so I can give the best support for my family and save money for our future.)”

Building the ideal future today

For Dolores, it’s important to teach her children how to prioritize their needs as early as now.

“Tuition fees, books, baon…these are the most important,” says Dolores. “If there’s extra money left, that’s the only time we buy other stuff or go malling.”

Too many sad stories have been told about OFWs not being able to save or losing their money because of uninformed financial decisions.

“You don’t have to be good in Math to manage your income,” Teddy says. “It’s just simple: don’t spend too much above your paygrade.”

For OFWs, it’s also crucial to have a trusted bank that will assist them in making sure their earnings make it to their families back home. BDO Kabayan understands this and commits to providing OFWs with products and services that adapt to their ever-changing needs.

“Having a bank that looks out for me is really helpful,” says Dondon who regularly sends money to the Philippines. “It makes me feel more secure knowing that my family gets the money I worked so hard for.”

The story of “Europe” is a familiar one, resonating among the millions of OFWs around the world. Just like in the story of “Europe”, many of our kababayans resort to accepting odd jobs to earn extra cash for their families back home.

While they find ways to earn for their families back home, BDO finds ways to safeguard their keep and provide innovative options to send this money to their loved ones. The service called Cash Agad for instance was introduced by BDO as a channel for the beneficiaries to withdraw the remittances without the need to go to a bank. Neighborhood establishments like sari-sari stores, water refilling stations, hardware stores, and pawnshops can be their “go-to-bank” as long as these establishments have the Cash Agad terminals. Cash Agad is currently offered in more than 5,000 partners nationwide. For more information, you may visit this link:www.bdo.com.ph/kabayan-remittance-services.