MATIMCO and it's majestic Arc of Innovation on display at the WorldBex 2022

Wazzup Pilipinas!?

MATIMCO, House of Wood proudly displays their Arc of Innovation at the World Trade Center from August 31 to September 3.

I got in early at the WorldBex 2022 to get first glimpse of the return of one of the premiere expositions in the Philippines, if not the world. I've been attending #Worldbex, the biggest building and design expo, since it started and it was such a delight finally seeing it happening again after 2 years of inactivity, 

And OMG! I'm glad I was there among the early birds to see this amazing structure that can be found at the far end of the Interior Designers' Lounge area. I was actually surprised that after the challenges brought by the pandemic, a company would invest on setting up such a huge piece of what can be considered as an artistic and well-designed booth effectively showcasing their wood products. It's definitely the epic centerpiece among the other booths on display inside the entire World Trade Center (WTC).

After going around all the booths inside the WTC immediately after witnessing the opening ceremonies led by Worldbex founding Chairman Joseph Ang, with guest speakers led by Senator Mark Villar and former Congressman Harry Angping (representing President Ferdinand Marcos Jr - who we all popularly know as BBM), I actually returned to the Matimco booth to ask one of their sales or marketing peeps to tour me around the booth and explain more about Matimco via a vertical video format that I would later upload and share on my social media pages. It is not everyday that I get genuinely curious and interested about a company, and proud that we have one like them in the Philippines. 

From their Facebook page (Yeah, I looked them up to know more about them because I was really gawking at how awesome their booth is since I do appreciate art being a frustrated artist myself but had to study Electronics and Communications Engineering instead of Fine Arts or Architecture because my parents said there was no money in art.), 

But enough of that, according to one of their posts featuring a video, "the Arc of Innovation signifies the flow of nature into the architecture and defines the flexibility of sustainable construction in today's changing world. It is an unconventional, arboreal inspired Architecture that features an array of innovative wood products."

Nosebleed! First time I encountered the word "arboreal" which according to my Google search is "relating to or resembling trees" ...hhhmm..makes perfect sense ... I learned a new word today and adding that to my vocabulary. Thanks, MATIMCO!

"As the leading wood provider, MATIMCO continuously leads innovation and unceasingly influences today's design and construction."

I got all these from just watching the videos...and l was no longer surprised that their videos were also very appealing after seeing their majestic booth. Kudos to the ones who conceptualized the videos, and just about every post on their Facebook page, was damn good and catchy, that I got hooked watching and reading more about them. Imagine getting my interest as early as 2 am ( I never returned to bed to sleep again when I'm supposed to be still sleeping at this time). You really have to check them out. I'm totally impressed and would love to keep following their updates and innovations. I'm writing this because my followers need to know while the WorldBex is ongoing so they could head on over to the WTC to see the stunning craftsmanship of a booth they call the Arc of Innovation!

"MATIMCO is Wood, Wood is MATIMCO" 

Know more about them at their Facebook page or at www.matimco.com

This is not a sponsored post, mind you. I maybe a blogger/vlogger/influencer but they don't need to hire people like me to promote them. They can stand proudly on their own and just let their 55 years of wood expertise -  providing quality wood products and superb innovations speak for themselves.

But it will be bad if you missed seeing their booth with your own eyes. One photo does not justify the real experience you'll get walking around and immersing yourself in their arboreal inspired ARChitecture! It is truly a sight to behold!

Saw what I just did? Yup, I just used "arboreal" !...and I have to thank MATIMCO again for that. 

I hope to hear more from them in the coming days, but for now be sure to get to the WorldBex event at WTC. WorkdBex is happening until Saturday September 3 but don't wait until the last day, be among the first ones, just like me, to get awed by their very distinctive booth highlighting the event.

#TheArcOfInnovation #Matimco #HouseOfWood #WorldBex2022 #WazzupPilipinas #WorldBex #ThePremiumWoodExperience #PremiumWoodShopping #LetsTalkWood #ALegacyBuilt #WorldTradeCenter

Innovations on optometry, haribon conservation, emergency response headline YIP winners

Wazzup Pilipinas!?


Amidst the global health issue and social challenges, young Filipino innovators continue to become bearers of hope for the country. This was on full display during the 5th imake.wemake: create. innovate. collaborate. ‘s Awarding Ceremony held on Aug. 26, 2022.

The Department of Science and Technology – Science Education Institute (DOST-SEI) recently bestowed the coveted Youth Innovation Prize (YIP) Award to three school-teams for their creative solutions for eye disease detection, monitoring and conservation of the haribon or the Philippine Eagle, and aerial emergency aid for isolated areas. These projects emerged as winners for their technology’s novelty, functionality, patentability, extensibility and practicability.

Youth Innovation Prize Award


The first YIP winner is Bansud National High School – Regional Science High School for MIMAROPA for their project “SINAGTALA: Automated Detection Kit for Selected Eye Diseases Using Ensemble Framework of Deep Learning Neural Networks (CNN x ANN)”. The project focused on automatically detecting certain selected eye diseases using convolutional (CNN) and artificial (ANN) Neural Networks to address the need for a medical screening device to promote high-quality and accessible eye care interventions, particularly for diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma, and cataract. The team is composed of Franklin Razon, Jarell Aldrix Famadico, Josh Vincent Sario, and Sophia Margaux Dilodilo, with Alexis Albo as their coach.

Philippine Science High School (PSHS) – CALABARZON Region Campus also received the YIP award for their “Deep Neural Network Embedded on a Microcontroller for Detection of the Bird call and songs of the Philippine Eagle Pithecophaga jefferyi” project. Here, they showcased a system wherein an Embedded Deep Neural Network programmed to a microcontroller with an external microphone captures calls of the Philippine Eagle helping bantay-gubat and bird trackers by determining and understanding calls made by the Pithecophaga jefferyi in their natural habitat. The team is composed of Amina Javellana, Alexander Bañados, Lance Alilio, and Weinfree Saludares, with coach John-Niel Masong.

“Project Kidlat: Inter-Island Automated UAV for Medical Delivery and Emergency Response” of Ramon Teves Pastor Memorial – Dumaguete Science High School likewise secured the YIP for their innovation addressing the difficulty of delivering medical and emergency aid to isolated places. Project Kidlat is capable of crossing seas and assisting in medical response and disaster by carrying supplies needed in remote areas. Project Kidlat is crafted by team members Mondrayneil Sarte, Marvin Nillas, John Raymond Enolpe and Kristine Mae Tilos, with coach Ivan Jayson Macabenta.

With the win, the school-teams each received Php 200,000.00 cash prize along with the YIP trophy. The winners were determined based on scores of the Board of Judges composed of Engr. Percival Magpantay from the University of the Philippines Diliman, Engr. Carlos Matti Opus of the Ateneo de Manila University, and Engr. Edison Roxas from the University of Santo Tomas.



Young Scientist Award


DOST-SEI's partner, the Gokongwei Brothers Foundation (GBF), also conferred three students with the Young Scientist Award (YSA). Winning this award are Alexander A. Bañados and Amina M. Javellana of the PSHS CALABARZON Region Campus, and John Raymond P. Enolpe of Ramon Teves Pastor Memorial - Dumaguete Science High School. They were given the “STEM Scholarship for Excellence” for demonstrating global competence through their innovations.


     The GBF scholarship allows them to pursue a STEM course of their choice at any university or college in the country. Ms. Grace Colet, GBF’s Executive Director, led the announcement of their new scholars.


     “Originally, we planned to select just two scholars, but after watching and listening throughout the final presentations, we decided to add another recipient due to the quality of work they all have done,” Colet bared.


DOST Secretary Dr. Renato U. Solidum, Jr. graced the hybrid event and congratulated all the winners and participants for their creativity and thanked them for striving to create positive impacts needed to solve the problems of today and of the future.

“More than declaring winners for the Youth Innovation Prizes and the GBF Young Scientist Awardees, what matters most to us is to have successfully convened budding makers with great mentors, advisers, and of course, people from the government and private sectors, as all of us are stakeholders in the innovation process,” said Secretary Solidum.

The DOST Secretary also led the announcement of the opening of the 6th imake.wemake competition.

DOST-SEI Director Dr. Josette Biyo also congratulated all the winners and urged them to pursue STEM courses and avail of the Institute’s undergraduate scholarships.

“This imake.wemake project should give you an idea of how to be in the field of innovation, and we hope that science and technology will have an asterisk among your list of careers to pursue,” she said.

A Celebration of Filipino Cuisine, Arts, Music, &More at &More By Sheraton

Wazzup Pilipinas!?


Sheraton Manila Bay pays tribute to all things Filipino at “ALAB: Poetry, Craft Beers, &More” event on August 25, 2022 held at the hotel’s newest food and beverage hub &More by Sheraton and Unspoken Bar.

Fittingly named Alab that translates to passion or flame in Tagalog, the evening showcase fiery performances from talented local artists in music, arts, and spoken word poetry. Guests, gourmands, and media partners also delight in bespoke craft beers from the proudly local brewery Crazy Carabao and delectable Filipino-fusion bar chow platter prepared by the hotel’s culinary team. The platter selection includes bite-sized serving of Kilawin Spring Roll (Citrus Marinated Tuna, Chili Vinegar), Beef Pares Gyoza (Beef Floss, Pares Sauce), Baked Sisig Quiche (Pork Sisig, Kesong Puti), Adobo Churros (Chicken Liver, Spicy Adobo Dip), Truffle Flower Fat (Pork Flower Fat, Truffle Oil, Sinamak), and Sausage Inasal (Homemade Vegan Sausage).

Diners were serenaded by the rhythmic gongs of Kulintang played by world-class percussionist Tusa Montes. Afterwards, renowned poets of Spoken Word Manila—Charms Tianson and Hannah Pauline Pabilonia, performed sentimental and moving original poetry pieces which truly encapsulated the very essence of the event.

Another highlight of the ALAB experience is the LikhaAngono Painting Exhibit. The LikhAngono Painting Exhibition, in cooperation with JAV Talent Unlimited Foundation, feature 15 select artworks from youth artists from Angono, Rizal, touted to be the Art Capital of the Philippines. The exhibition with run until September 2, 2022 where part of the proceeds from the sale of the pieces will be donated to San Lorenzo Ruiz Home for the Elderly and Bahay Tuluyan, a non-profit organization for children's welfare.

The event was hosted by Sheraton Manila Bay’s Marketing Communications Manager, Stephanie Cabrejas and was officially opened by the hotel’s Director of Sales and Marketing, Juvy Agudon who relayed an inspiring welcoming message about passion.

“This event is inspired by the word ALAB, a root word of “Mag-alab” which in English means to be aflame or to burn with emotions, become excited with strong feelings or a deep level of enthusiasm or passion. Passion is something that is hard to define. It is something that we feel, rather than something we see. It is what compels us to do the things we love, and drives us to be the best we can be. For me, passion is all about creating and experiencing beauty. Whether it is through writing songs or poems, painting, or simply appreciating food in general, we find immense satisfaction in beauty. Passion is our fuel” said Juvy Agudon, Sheraton Manila Bay Director of Sales and Marketing.

&More by Sheraton is located in the Main Lobby of Sheraton Manila Bay, M. Adriatico cor. Gen Malvar Street Malate, Manila. For reservations please call +632 5318 0788 or email reservations.manilabay@sheraton.com. Like us on Facebook and Instagram @sheratonmanilabay and Twitter at @sheratonmnlbay. For more information, please visit our website at www.sheratonmanilabay.com.