DOTr Firm on Stand: Emergency Power Will Help Address Traffic Woes

 Wazzup Pilipinas!

The Department of Transportation (DOTr) remains steadfast in its position that the legislation of emergency powers will substantially and swiftly address traffic woes in major metropolitan areas in the country.

During today’s hearing held by the Senate Committee on Public Services, DOTr Secretary Arthur Tugade, together with sectoral officials and heads of attached agencies, explained that if the emergency powers were granted in previous years, more projects, programs, and policies would have been already implemented.

“Kung nabigyan tayo ng emergency powers noon, repaso na lang tayo ngayon. Kami ay umaasa na mabigyang pansin at tugon ang aming hinihiling,” Secretary Tugade said.

Secretary Tugade further stressed that despite its numerous completed and ongoing transport projects and programs, the DOTr could have done more had the emergency powers been granted earlier.

“Wala ‘ho kaming sinasabi na wala ‘ho kaming nagawa kasi walang emergency power. Wala ‘ho akong sinabing ganyan. Ang sinasabi ko ‘ho, mas marami ‘ho sana kaming nagawa kung meron ‘hong emergency power,” Secretary Tugade expressed.

The transportation chief clarified that the grant of emergency powers would only last for one to two years, and that the oversight functions of the Congress would still remain.

During the hearing, transport officials highlighted ongoing projects and future plans that will help solve traffic congestion in Metro Manila and Metro Cebu.

Samar 1st District Representative Edgar Sarmiento also showed his support to the DOTr, and added he hopes for the implementation of initiatives as soon as possible. Congress approved its counterpart bill on emergency powers, House Bill (HB) 6425, or the “Traffic Crisis Act of 2017,” on 03 December 2018.

Senate Bill No. 213, or the Special Emergency Power Act, aims to give President Rodrigo Duterte full authorization to initiate measures to solve the country’s traffic problem. The proposed bill will also designate a traffic czar who will exercise all options given to the President.

As pointed out by transport officials, the grant of emergency powers would immediately allow for the adoption of policy directions that would normally require time-consuming amendment of existing laws and ordinances. The grant would also fast-track procurement, Right-Of-Way Acquisition (ROWA), and relocation process; and allow for the immediate commencement of priority projects within a shorter period and/or the implementation of partial operability.

DOTr officials stressed that the provision of emergency powers will further expedite ongoing projects and systems that are needed by the riding public as soon as possible given the worsening traffic situation.

“With emergency powers, we can finish our railway projects ahead of the original schedule and implement partial operability so that the riding public need not wait for full completion,” Undersecretary for Railways Timothy Batan said.

“One solution that the emergency powers can resolve is the consolidation of franchises so that all bus units will coordinate as one single unit,” Undersecretary for Road Transport and Infrastructure Mark de Leon added.

“Procurement can be done faster with no issues through emergency powers, and that is what we need right now to avoid delays in our ongoing infrastructure projects,” Assistant Secretary for Procurement and Project Implementation Giovanni Lopez stated.

Secretary Tugade further hopes that the emergency powers will enjoin other government agencies into a single unit to address the current traffic issues.

“We need to have a single traffic authority to address the monster problem that is EDSA. We need a traffic czar,” Secretary Tugade stressed.

Inclusive Activities for the Deaf, Youth at MCAD Manila

Wazzup Pilipinas!

The Museum of Contemporary Art and Design (MCAD) of the De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde presents a series of free public talks and workshops, plus a museum tour that aims to immerse the youth and friends from the Deaf community in an exhilarating experience that shatters the walls between nature and art.

Students age 12 to 16 are welcome to unravel the wonders of the Kingdom Plantae in Print Art of the Plant Kingdom, an eye-opening lecture and creative workshop that seamlessly blend the world of flora and the craft of printmaking. Inspired by London-based British contemporary artist Suzanne Treister’s botanical prints, the activity will assist the participants to discover and explore their skills in printmaking by creating their individual and elaborate illustrations of the plant life. The class will be led by master engraver Benjie Cabrera and visual artist Mars Bugaon from the Philippine Association of the Printmakers. It will be held on Saturday, September 14, 2019, from 1:00 pm to 5:00 pm.

In cooperation with the College’s School of Deaf Education and Applied Studies (SDEAS), MCAD will likewise open its doors on Tuesday, September 17, 2019, to the members of the Deaf community. Accompanied by an expert Filipino Sign Language (FSL) interpreter, the Deaf art-enthusiasts will have the opportunity to tour the museum and immerse themselves into the contemporary artworks currently on exhibit at the gallery. The guided tour will start at 2:30 pm.

In collaboration with the Science, Education and Advocacy (SEA) Institute and inspired from the exquisite footage on the Verde Island Passage, the world’s center of the center of marine shore-fish biodiversity, captured by Australian artist Mel O’Callaghan, the Verde Island Adventure in Recycled Art will widen the knowledge of students age 7 to 11 on the unique food chain and how marine species such as whale sharks, sea turtles, marine gastropod mollusks and corals take part in this hard-to-believe interaction. Followed by a hands-on workshop on coral art assemblage, it will allow the young participants to recreate breathtaking corals with the use of recycled materials. The events will be held in three sessions starting at 10:00 am, 1:00 pm, and 3:00 pm. on Friday, September 27, 2019.

The activities are free and open to the general public.

For inquiries call 230 5100 local 3897 or email mcad@benilde.edu.ph.

The Museum of Contemporary Art and Design (MCAD) of De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde is located at the DLS-CSB School of Design and Arts (SDA) Campus, Dominga Street, Malate, Manila.

HA.MÜ’s Bizarre Fashion Pieces Turn Heads in Paris

Wazzup Pilipinas!

The independent experimental and emerging local brand HA.MÜ, known for its up-cycled deconstructed garments, textured patchworks and thread-works, and distinct play on colors and layers has seamlessly blurred the lines between fashion and artwork.

After years of defining its avant-garde characteristic in show pieces and unique RTW collections, the trademark found its new stage in the Paris, France, the home of among the finest art and cultural venues showcasing some of the world’s greatest masterpieces.

HA.MÜ joined the impeccable line-up of over 50 visual artists, creators, fashion designers, tattooists, and musicians from Dhaka, Lagos, Mexico City, Tehran, and Manila at the City Prince/sses, a three-month exhibition that presented an imaginary and complex city made up of unpredictable and thought-provoking artworks housed in Palais de Tokyo in the City of Lights, one of the largest museums dedicated to contemporary art.

Design duo Abraham Guardian and Mamuro Oki, the creative geniuses behind HA.MÜ, both finished Fashion Design and Merchandising (FDM) in De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde (DLS-CSB).

The past years have been as exciting as their astounding pieces, due to being a crowd-favorite at their graduation and epilogue show, unveiling their first RTW childhood-inspired line, launching spring/summer ensembles at the 2017 Philippine Fashion Gala, showcasing their distinct pieces in the acclaimed Manila Fashion Festival, surprising the industry with a series of otherworldly ensembles from their Mama! Mama! There are monsters under my bed Collection presented at the Bench Design Awards 2018, to gracing local and international fashion magazines.

For their first international exhibition, HA.MÜ specially conceptualized and produced Mama, mama I feel quaint, a 10-piece collection that served as visual representations of emotions in limbo, the thin line between the lack of joy and sadness. “Some emotions are better left unsaid and untouched because it either goes away or it just gets chucked into the corners of our minds. We acknowledged that they are there and it could bother us but it does not necessarily want us to talk about it,” they shared. “However, sometimes, the only way to face our inner demons is to see it at another point of view or perspective so we can tackle the things that bother us the most.”

The vibrant and interesting pieces undeniably showcase the designers’ signature experimentation with silhouettes, textures, and prints. However, for this time, they put off the concept of wearability and fully embraced clothing as artistic expression. “We just focused on our own processes as designers, which are very messy in a way. We are doing purely fabric sculpture, which really defines HA.MÜ,” they stated. “It does not necessarily have to be wearable all the time. We also like to challenge the idea that fashion is also a form of art – but in the form of movement.”




Despite marking their own style with the local industry, the design pair admitted that the Paris exhibition came as a surprise. “It all happened in a flash. We did not believe it at first because it was too good to be true. The entire experience was very magical and eye-opening because we were in another environment – an international scene where arts is relevant and part of the people’s lives,” they beamed. “Being able to present our works as Filipino artists also meant that we could exhibit the talents and skills we developed from our own home grounds.”




Also represented the Philippines together with HA.MÜ were award-winning artists to include Dina Gadia, Pow Martinez, Dex Fernandez, Urban Decay Planning, Leeroy New, Timmy Harn, and Rasel Trinidad (aka Doktor Karayom).









HAMU in Paris Photo Captions:

Note: All taken at the City Prince/sses in Palais de Tokyo in Paris, France

I feel left out by HA.MÜ

Too much thoughts, help!!! by HA.MÜ

So much weight pulling me down (front, back, and detail shots) by HA.MÜ

HA.MÜ creative duo Abraham Guardian and Mamuro Oki, who both finished Fashion Design and Merchandising (FDM) in De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde (DLS-CSB).