DOE: Nuclear Energy Issues Up for More Public Consultation

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Department of Energy (DOE) Secretary Alfonso G. Cusi announced today (December 18) that the Nuclear Energy Programme Implementing Organization (NEPIO) has ironed out several issues with the country’s vision of nuclear energy.

This was verified by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)-Integrated Nuclear Infrastructure Review (INIR) mission during the ceremonial turnover of its review results on Monday afternoon (December 17) at the Makati Shangri-La Hotel. 

DOE Undersecretary and NEPIO Head Donato D. Marcos accepted the INIR findings together with other NEPIO members.

“The results of this INIR mission are the fruits of our hard labor. Our NEPIO remained dedicated and determined to address all the gaps within the two-year period on nuclear feasibility studies,” Sec. Cusi said.

“The results will help us focus our efforts on the identified issues, accelerate the legislative process and prepare the national decision,” he added.

According to IAEA’s Nuclear Infrastructure Development Section Head Milko Kovachev, the NEPIO has followed a systematic approach in finalizing the country’s nuclear power strategy and completing the associated infrastructure development.

The INIR team noted that the NEPIO has completed several studies and a draft legislation addressing nuclear safety, security and safeguards. In addition, the establishment of an independent regulatory body is already being reviewed at the Philippine Congress, as information on the matter is being disseminated to the public for stakeholder engagement. 

The recommendations of the INIR team include involving a broader range of stakeholders to complete the work required to enable a national commitment to introduce nuclear power, and developing a legal and regulatory framework that ensures and demonstrates a commitment to safety, security and non-proliferation.

Other aspects include enhancing the approaches to human resource and leadership development, nuclear fuel cycle options and electrical grid impact, and adapting the existing national frameworks for emergency preparedness and response and nuclear security.

The INIR team also identified three good practices that would benefit other countries considering the introduction of nuclear power in the areas of legal framework, stakeholder involvement, and site and supporting facilities.

The INIR missions are based on the IAEA Milestones Approach, with its 19 infrastructure issues, three phases and three milestones. INIR missions enable IAEA member-state representatives to have in-depth discussions with international experts about experiences and best practices in different countries.

The results of the INIR mission are expected to help the member-state to develop an action plan to fill any gaps, which in turn will help the development of the national nuclear infrastructure. 

“It is high time we put the framework in place to bring nuclear power into the energy mix. We should learn the lessons from the past and catch up with the missed opportunities,” Sec. Cusi concluded.

Balikbayans are All Smiles as SM, BDO Hold a Heartwarming Christmas Tribute to Overseas Filipinos

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Piolo Pascual takes a selfie with the audience following his performance at SM-BDO’s “Pamaskong Handog” Christmas tribute to Overseas Filipinos held recently at the SM Mall of Asia Music Hall Going home for Christmas has turned out to be a very pleasant surprise for some balikbayans this year as SM and BDO welcomed them with plenty of surprises, giveaways and raffle prizes through their annual “Pamaskong Handog event, recently held at the SM Mall of Asia Music Hall. The event, especially dedicated for the overseas Filipinos and their families, is now on its 7th year and is said to be SM and BDO’s biggest, most heartwarming Christmas celebration ever held since 2012. Pamaskong Handog was indeed a day full of laughter, entertainment and raffle prizes as the event brought to the stage today’s most in-demand artists – Piolo Pascual; Sam Milby; Moira Dela Torre; “Tawag ng Tanghalan” finalists TNT Boys, Anton Antenor Cruz and Jenny Gabriel; comedian Donita Nose and hosts MC and Lassie. Pamaskong Handog also featured BDO’s social media personality dubbed as Boss Teteng whose Facebook videos garnered millions of views for his funny and entertaining tips for Filipinos overseas as well as SM’s cheerful elevator girl Cheridel. Some of the balikbayans couldn’t hide their joy and amusement, saying the event is the first of its kind they’ve ever experienced. “Nagulat ako. May ganun pala. Ang daming surprises and giveaways.  said, 65-year old Erminda Clarito, who works in Canada for almost 30 years.  53-year old Bernardo Vergara, who works in Saudi Arabia for more than six years also shared, “First time ko naramdaman ang pagpapahalaga sa aming sakripisyong mawalay sa pamilya, parang family bonding na rin namin ngayong Pasko”.   Amid the challenges of working abroad, some balikbayans shared that providing for their children’s education is their primary reason in choosing to work abroad, and will continue to do so for their families’ future. For Evangeline Buno, who works in Macau for almost 30 years, “Motivation ko ang apo at mga anak ko. With BDO, parang katabi mo lang ang pamilya mo, Hangga’t kaya ko magpadala, gagawin ko.Totoo rin yang we got it all for you ng SM. Lahat ng kailangan ng pamilya ko kumpleto, Salamat sa SM at BDO”. Violeta Suyong, who recently retired after working for 31 years in France, was able to send her three children to good universities. “More than 20 years na ako sa BDO. More than everything, it’s their service. Yung retirement ko natatanggap ko ngayon sa aking BDO account”. Susana Batalla, who’s based in Italy, was also proud to share about BDO Remit’s quality service and her family’s fondness of SM saying “Lahat sa pamilya ko, pinag-open ko ng Kabayan Savings. Ang aking pamilya ay napagsisilbihan ninyo.  Maganda ang asikaso ng BDO sa akin sa Italy, lalo na ang service ng mga staff. Lahat rin kami ay suki ng SM. Walking distance lang sa amin”. BDO Remittance Senior Vice President and Head Genie Gloria said“Christmas is the time when Overseas Filipinos are excited to spend Christmas with their families. This is why Pamaskong Handog has become our annual tribute to our kababayans as we would like them to feel welcome and honored while they are here. We also make sure that our products and services as well as the other efforts of the bank such as special events are anchored on their needs, not to mention our international offices’ active participation in Filipino community events overseas. This year’s Pamaskong Handog event was also held in time for the International Migrants Day.” “SM shares the same mission of giving honor, gratitude and joy to the overseas Filipinos in return for their hard work and sacrifice. The goal is to make them feel special and let them experience once again how Filipinos celebrate Christmas,” said Supermalls Joaquin San Agustin, SVP for Marketing of SM Supermalls. SM and BDO’s synergistic collaboration does not end with Pamaskong Handog as more joint overseas Filipino events are lined up for 2019. The partnership of the largest chain of shopping malls and the country’s biggest bank goes a long way given both of the institutions’ extensive branch network all over the country.

The After Six Club Accused of Scam, Changed Contest Mechanics On Last Minute

Wazzup Pilipinas!

BEWARE OF SCAMMERS: This is a complaint against The After Six Club suddenly changing the mechanics of a social media contest on the last minute of the event.

The organizers were insisting that they have the right to change contest mechanics even on the last minute of the contest.

Wow! Even a child would know that is wrong and unacceptable.

Calling on Drew Binsky, this is obviously a scamming group. Avoid them and help us expose this people.

Speaking with The After Six Club EIC Author Kath Eustaquio-Derla via their official Facebook page, she checked if  the complainant who sent messages on their official Facebook page was invited to cover as media or blogger/vlogger. She was informed that the complainant registered as an attendee since the event was open to the public. Later, the complsinants was prevented in messaging the page. Blocked it seems!

Unlike Anton Diaz or the other influencers there,  the complainant registered. Similar to his participation at the event of Nas Daily held at the Mall of Asia where we also did a video composed of the crowd that attended. We saw ourselves on the video too.

Most of the attendees were there as fans, but since somebof us are bloggers and vloggers as well, it has been habitual to also take photos and videos, and when the need arises, upload immediately especially when there's a social media competition announced.

Bloggers are very competitive thus we often win because we pay close attention to the instructions and try to be as creative as possible

So when they, Kassy Pajarillo  founder of The After Six Club and Ricky Shetty of Daddyblogger.com, announced that the person with the most number of posts will win a 3days and 2nights stay in Boracay, we were naturally excited to participate since we want to see the island after it's 6-month hiatus brought about by the order of the President to rehabilitate it.

Thus, we did our usual routine at every event coverage we attend, took videos and lots of photos, and since there's a contest, immediately uploaded the photos and some short videos after every segment break. Like after the event introduction where they announced the social media contest, after Drew Binsky's introduction of himself, after a few Q&A, after Edwin Nombre's talk, after Cora's talk, after the donation portion, after the group video where we had to shout some words prepared by Drew Binsky, after the group photo with the other influencers, after the selfie with Drew, and so on.

As you can probably imagine, we were working fast-paced and thanks to our data connection, we were able to upload immediately in an effort to win the contest.

However, towards the end of the event when Kassy was announcing winners of minor prizes, she kept adding new hashtags and announced a different mechanics for the contest.

That was absurd! Why will they suddenly change the contest mechanics at the last part of the event when all uploaded already content based on the original instruction?

Was it to favor someone else to win? Nobody would just change the mechanics of a contest after everyone already did their part to join, and posts lots on Facebook, for a chance to win the Boracay contest, and also they never announced the criteria of their choice for a winner. It was not a computer-generated choice, neither the one with the most Likes, but just whoever they prefer to win.

We smell something fishy here. Maybe they like her more because she was with a child that was actively engaging with Drew?

It is a good thing that a few of us were video recording, so their original announcement was recorded thus having proof without any doubt. It was loud and clear on video so they cannot deny it

However, we were shocked that when we approached them to complain, they seem to be oblivious of their original announcement, and they even told us "Would you like a planner instead?" that coming from the The After Six Founder, Kassy Pajarillo herself. Good thing a friend was there to witness what she said. Our friend just tried to calm the complainant away, and said he will try to talk to them later since he knows the members of The After Six Club.

As we left the area temporarily to answer the call of nature,  our attention was called by a lady wearing Tje Afyer Sicmx Club shirt, as we passed by her before continuing on our way to the bathroom below, she was told about the incident, and clearly emphasized about the original contest mechanics that was announced at the start of the event, but she just said "I'm sorry. Next event na lang.'" like confirming it was true but realizing also that Kassy suddenly changed the mechanics during the last minutes of the event when majority were busy lining up for a selfie with Drew Binsky.

Ninja moves! She probably thought people won't mind since they were too starstruck with Drew. But since we were more observant and engaged with everything that was happening, this incident was clearly a complete turnaround of the original contest mechanics.

Why did she made this other person to win? Are they friends? The winner seems to be the mother of one of the kids who were present there. One of the kids was even given control of a microphone and started talking as if he was one of the emcees. It was not normal for kids to be there unless thet are with their parents who are equalky engaged in social media and/or fans of Drew.

Though we were happy to meet Drew, there seems to be something bigger to prompt us to dig deeper here, and we are challenged to find out the organizer's connection with this particular winner.

Call it investigative bloggerism. We need to expose these scammers.


They changed their minds twice. When they first announced the Boracay prize, it was to be raffled among the attendees of the event

Then at the event they changed it to whoever will post the most on social media with the hashtag #DrewBinskyInManila

Then on the last minutes of the event when they were already giving away minor prizes, and everyone was busy lining up for a selfie with Drew, they changed the mechanics to three  hashtags  (#EmbraceAmbition and #TheAfterSix and #DrewBinskyInManila), must be checked in online at the venue, and the best post about their dream ambition...

As you can see. ..it was very intentional


#WazzupPilipinas #DrewBinskyInManila #PambansangBlogger #TheAfterSix #MyTownPH