Sec. Cusi Strengthens PH Energy Ties with Japan and Indonesia

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Department of Energy (DOE) Secretary Alfonso G. Cusi conducted bilateral meetings with Japan’s Ministry of Economy Trade and Industry of Japan (METI) and the Indonesian Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources, fellow Association of Southeast Asian Nations Plus Three (ASEAN+3) members, during the 37th ASEAN Ministers on Energy Meeting (AMEM37) held in Bangkok, Thailand from 2 to 6 September 2019.

For the Energy Secretary, the annual AMEM presents great opportunities to pursue bilateral talks with the country’s existing and potential energy partners within the region.

“AMEM37 enabled us to engage METI and MEMR on various mutual areas of interest, including energy investment opportunities and joint energy resource exploration and development activities. Given our shared borders, it is imperative that the ASEAN members jointly explore and harness available resources to ensure the region’s energy security and to benefit our people,” Secretary Cusi said.

Sec. Cusi thanked State Minister Yoshihiko Isozaki, head of the METI delegation, for the successful turnover of boom trucks to Philippine electric cooperatives granted by the Japanese Government through Japan International Cooperation Agency's (JICA) Bangsamoro Project.

Thereafter, the Energy Chief emphasized the relevance of Japan’s ongoing initiative on the Distributed Energy System (DES), that will promotes energy innovation and efficiency. He expressed the DOE’s interest to be part of METI’s program to evaluate the potential of island provinces and economic zones for DES power generation and electrification projects.

During the meeting with MEMR, headed by its Vice Minister, Dr. Arcandra Tahar, Secretary Cusi reiterated the country’s aspiration to become the LNG hub in the region, and underscored the need to assess existing development issues on the Philippine Downstream Natural Gas Regulations. Sec. Cusi also proposed the inclusion of Oil Exploration and Development as the 8th Sub-Sector Network in the updated ASEAN Plan of Action for Energy Cooperation, and for the ASEAN Council on Petroleum. The proposal was welcomed and strongly supported by the Indonesian Vice Energy Minister because it aims to revisit its role as one of the main organizations within the ASEAN.

Joining the Energy Secretary for the two bilateral meetings were DOE Senior Undersecretary Jesus Cristino P. Posadas, Undersecretary Donato D. Marcos, Assistant Secretary Gerardo D. Erguiza Jr., DOE-Energy Policy and Planning Bureau (EPPB) Director Jesus T. Tamang, DOE-EPPB’s Energy Cooperation and Coordination Division Chief Lilian C. Fernandez, and other DOE-EPPB technical personnel.

“While our backgrounds and nationalities may differ on the surface, we share the goal of invigorating the intra-ASEAN energy relations. A united ASEAN in the energy sector is a crucial component in shaping ASEAN’s future,” Secretary Cusi concluded.

The Ravishing Backwaters

Wazup Pilipinas!

Travellers and pilgrims from everywhere throughout the world have been attracted to Kerala for quite a long time for its authentic South Indian by flavours.

Be it the backwaters or their authentic appams and stew. There’s a lot that Kerala has to offer their tourists in terms of nature and cultural activities. 

Surrounded by the beautiful backwaters, Kerala never fails to disappoint the tourists. Thus, when you are on your South India tour, exploring this beautiful city is a must.

It is generally the best that if you are on an India tours, you should start with the Southern portion of the country as it is the cleanest and very friendly as well as warm to the foreigners. 

While all the shading and intrigue of India is found here in this tropical state otherwise called 'God's own Country,' Kerala is unique in relation to the remaining of India and exploring Kerala is a cleaner, less bothered, and laid back undertaking – an ideal, simple prologue to Incredible India.

COCHI

For most voyagers the noteworthy, environmental and multicultural port of Fort Cochin is the door to hiking Kerala and the brilliant, old boulevards of Fort Cochin and Jew Town are an enjoyment to explore.

Post Cochin is likewise home to the renowned Chinese Fishing Nets, a multi year old Jewish Synagogue, Mattancherry Palace (otherwise called the Dutch Palace), the incredible Kerala Folklore Museum and a few Portuguese Churches. 

The warmth of the fishermen and their authentic delicacies are worth a trial when you are on your South India tour. Wake up early in the morning to witness them sail across the majestic Arabian sea and bring their daily catch.

Post Cochin likewise has numerous extraordinary cafés, decent inns and legacy lodgings, opportunities to attempt Ayurveda, cooking classes

Certainly, it's quite touristy however there's bounty to investigate in Fort Cochin and it's anything but difficult to orchestrate ahead movement around Kerala from here as well.

Alleppey (Alappuzha)

Cruising the backwaters of Kerala is one of the most quiet, delightful and tranquil things you can involvement in India and something not to be missed while in India.

Alleppey is around 2 hours from Cochin and is the portal to the acclaimed Kerala backwaters  – Alleppey has been known as the Venice of the East

The Kerala backwater tour is an arrangement of channels extending 900 km crosswise over Kerala lined by palm trees of a thousand shades of green, paddy fields and vivid houses and a lifestyle that appears to be impractically unaltered for quite a long time. Initially the backwaters were occupied as covered canal boats called kettuvallams.

There are numerous ways you can journey the Kerala backwaters, from an extravagance houseboat to a less expensive day visit ideal for hikers on a spending limit. It's ideal to examine the houseboats face to face before booking. 

Soma House Boat is a mutual vessel and is one of the least expensive ways to travel.

There are heaps of spending guesthouses, lodgings and homestays in Alleppey around Punnamada and the vessel pier. Vedanta Wake Up along the fantastic Backwaters is the best explorer lodging close to the vessel pier in Alleppey. 

It's one of Vedanta's leader lodgings which set in pleasant rich green gardens with cooled residences and private rooms and they help you sort out backwater visits and pontoon trips.

Or on the other hand for something other than what's expected you can remain in the backwaters at Bamboostix an eco-accommodating, explorer resort arranged ideal on the waterfront of an island. 

In the Kerala backwaters ( lake Vembanad close Alleppey ) with an eatery, free pontoon get and drop off (multiple times day by day) up to 6 pm just as heaps of loungers and relax places.

CBN Asia to Celebrate 25th Anniversary with All for the One Worship Concert

Wazzup Pilipinas!

"CBN Asia, the producer of The 700 Club Asia and Superbook, is celebrating its 25th Anniversary through a night of thanksgiving and worship on October 1, 2019, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum with some of the country’s top-performing artists such as Gary V, Dulce, Moira, Jaya, Ogie Alcasid, Christian Bautista, Erik Santos, and many more!"

The All for the ONE MediaCon was held on Wednesday, September 11, 2019 at the Sikat Events Place in Tomas Morato, Quezon City.

The mediacon featured some of the other artists not mentioned on the oromotional statement above except for Dulce, who made her presence as Asia's Diva truly felt, with a short sample of her singing prowess.

Hosting the mediacon event was Kata Inocencio, one of the hosts of the 700 Club, and also has a VP position in CBN Asia. Icko Gonzales, Special Projects Manager of CBN Asia also graced the event with his presence and explained more about the worship concert, and also gave in to our interview request. 

According to him, the concert fees are actually considered as your donation for a good cause as CBN Asia produces shows and activities that could highly influence and touch lives leading them to live upright  with a much better outlook on life.

Most of the artists are offering their talents for free at the worship concert on October 1 at Araneta Coliseum. We do have several big names on their list and perhaps there would be some other surprise guest artists just to appear on the day of the concert itself.

Video interviews with some of the artists, namely Janina Vela, Juan Banal of Upper Room Workshop Manila, Acel Van Ommen and RJ dela Fuente, in attendance at the event sort of revealed their love to serve by way of their talents, their interests in music now serving as instruments to inspire people....and this concert, serving as a part of the 25th Anniversary of CBN Asia, will definitely touch lives again aside from giving entertainment to the audience.

Big names among the artists expected to perform at the worship concert are Ogie Alcasid, Christian Bautista, Noira Dela Torre, Aicelle Santos, Jaya, Eric Santos, and Gary Valenciano, among a few more.

The 700 Club hosts Peter Kairuz and Gordon Robertson will be expected too.

Mon Faustino is the Musical Director, and Arnel.Natividad is the Stage Director

All for the ONE promises to be a sight to behold, and music to please your ears too.

Advance congratulations to CBN Asia and hoping you get to fill up Araneta Coliseum so that the most number of people possible would be blessed at this event.