EAT’S HERE! The biggest food and beverage expo in the Philippines is now open!

Wazzup Pilipinas!?

The Manila Foods and Beverages Expo (MAFBEX) 2024 is now open to the public! MAFBEX 2024 had its opening today, June 12, 2024, at the World Trade Center Metro Manila. 

The opening ceremony was graced by Hon. Mayor Emi Calixto-Rubiano, City Mayor of Pasay City; Secretary Frederick Go represented by USEC Joee Guilas, Office of the Special Assistant to the President for Investment and Economic Affairs; and Hon. Senator Imee Marcos, Senator of the Republic of the Philippines. The VIPs were welcomed by Worldbex Services International’s Executive Committee headed by WSI Founding Chairman Mr. Joseph L. Ang; WSI co-founder Ms. Levi Ang; Managing Director Ms. Jill Ang; Board of Directors Ms. Tessie Roque, Mr. Rene Ramos, and Architect Francisco Flameño.

The Grand Opening Ceremonies was also graced by various honorable Members of the Diplomatic Corpse - Embassy of Türkiye; Malaysia Trade Promotions Agency; Embassy of Malaysia; The Embassy of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam in Philippines; Embassy of Pakistan; Royal Thai Embassy in Manila; Thai Trade Center Manila of the Royal Thai Embassy; Embassy of the Republic of Poland in Manila; Embassy of Brunei Darussalam; and the Embassy of the Argentine Republic

This year’s theme for MAFBEX 2024 is “Eats Here!”, showing the playful nature of the event by creating wordplay between “It’s here” and “eat” - focusing on using the “location pin”, a navigation symbol marking the dynamic Filipino Flavors across the world. WSI envisions that this symbol will set a benchmark for thousands of visitors from all across the Philippines, making MAFBEX the leading food and beverage expo in the country today!

On its first day alone, MAFBEX 2024 was jam-packed with activities, stage demos, competitions, and food stalls that will leave your tastebuds and cravings satisfied. Get a taste of the country’s food and beverage industry when you visit the Manila Foods and Beverage Expo 2024! Come to the World Trade Center Metro Manila until June 16, 2024! We are open from 10 AM to 7 PM. Skip the long waiting line and get your tickets now at https://mafbex.com/ 

MAFBEX 2024 is organized by Worldbex Services International for the benefit of the ABS CBN Foundation Incorporated. For inquiries and concerns, you may reach us at (02)8656-92-39, or email us at inquire@worldbexevents.com

PBBM appoints Innovation Leader Mike Planas as new PHLPost Chairman

Wazzup Pilipinas!?




The Philippine Postal Corporation (PHLPost) welcomed the appointment of Hon. Mike Planas as their new head as Chairman of the Board of Directors. President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. appointed the seasoned public servant and former councilor of Quezon City last May 2024.

The new PHLPost chair is committed to revitalize and upgrade the country's postal service and to lead in its journey towards digital transformation. Under his leadership, PHLPost is envisioned to expand to other business lines such as e-commerce, warehouse facilities and logistics for PHLPost to better meet the evolving demands of the Filipino public.

“Pakinggan natin ang kailangan ng mga Pilipino, and let’s serve them with gravitas.”

He aims to implement it through fostering effective collaboration among PHLPost officials, employees and stakeholders.

The restoration of the Post Office Building is also part of his agenda as the new chair and he is in full support of the efforts to rebuild the iconic building.

Chairman Planas served as multi-term councilor in Quezon City, and former Consultant to the United Nations FAO (Food and Agriculture Organization) and created FLAG, the legislative arm of the FAO, adopted worldwide.

He was an alumnus of the University of the Philippines Diliman (UP) BA in Philosophy major in Mathematics with UP College of Law credits. He studied Campaign Management at the prestigious American University, Washington D.C, a leader among universities in global education. He took up Masters in Public Administration in University of Batangas and Asian Institute of Management (AIM) major in Development Management.

He is the current President of the Rotary Club of Quezon City Circle and Chairman of the Quezon City Councilors Foundation Inc. , QCCFI.He is also a National Movement of Young Legislators Alumni, Founding Member, Secretary General and Vice Chairman.
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Energy Think Tank Debuts ‘Watts Up’ University Roadshow to Tackle PH Energy Challenges

Wazzup Pilipinas!?


In line with the pressing energy issues in the country, the Center for Energy Research and Policy (CERP) has recently launched the first run of its educational roadshow 'Watts Up: CERP Sparks Energy Dialogue', at the University of the Philippines Diliman (UPD). The event facilitated meaningful dialogue to empower students to shape the future of energy in the country, especially amidst prevalent yellow and red alerts.

The Center for Energy Research and Policy (CERP) launched the first run of its educational roadshow 'Watts Up: CERP Sparks Energy Dialogue' last June 03, 2024, at the University of the Philippines Diliman (UPD). The event facilitated meaningful dialogue on pressing energy issues to empower students to shape the future of energy in the country, especially amidst prevalent yellow and red alerts.

The Department of Energy National Total Electrification Roadmap 2023-2032 report reveals that 8.9 percent of Filipino households, which is equivalent to 2.5 million households, have no access to electricity. Moreover, the Philippines grapples with one of the most expensive power rates in the ASEAN region according to a 2020 study. Atty. Noel Baga, co-convenor of CERP, emphasized the need to prioritize the development of indigenous energy sources, provide energy subsidies to consumers, and allow foreign participation in the energy sector to alleviate the high electricity prices burdening Filipino households.

"Almost 60% of our power supply is from coal, and about 81% of this coal is imported. This is both more costly and less secure," Atty. Baga said. “We have many bills currently pending in the Senate and House to encourage more local and foreign investments in the energy sector, and we must continue to diversify our energy sources,” he added.

Meanwhile, CERP co-convenor and UPD Head of the Laboratory of Electrochemical Engineering (LEE) in the Department of Chemical Engineering Dr. Joey Ocon, illustrated how different energy sources have varying degrees of affordability, sustainability, reliability, and modernity through the “unfortunate tetrahedron” framework, whereby not all factors can be positively reached by a single energy source.

“Balancing the tradeoffs between conventional, renewable, and nuclear energy sources is crucial,” emphasized Dr. Ocon. “There is no silver bullet to developing a sustainable and reliable energy strategy. Each option has its pros and cons,” he noted.

Dr. Ocon also shared that the Philippines scores low in self-sufficiency due to heavy dependence on imported sources. He recommends strictly implementing energy laws, boosting generation capacity, enhancing transmission infrastructure, and streamlining distribution networks to ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable, and modern energy for all, aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 7.

During the Q&A, Atty. Noel Baga and Dr. Joey Ocon further discussed the importance of increasing power supply and streamlining grid interconnections to respond to yellow and red alerts. Atty. Baga underscored the necessity of required reserve power supplies for each sub-region and attracting more investors to the power generation sector.

The discussion then shifted to the Philippines' role in combating climate change. A student asked, "Would transitioning to fully renewable energy in the Philippines significantly mitigate climate change?" Dr. Ocon responded, "Not significantly. We contribute less than 1% of global emissions despite having 1.4% of the world's population. Yet, as a vulnerable archipelago, we must still lead by example.”

Another student inquired about expanding coal and gas power plants. Dr. Ocon explained, "Globally, the impact would be minimal. But our decisions can't be based solely on global metrics. It’s crucial to balance our country's unique needs for affordable, reliable, and sustainable energy."

The UPD roadshow marks the beginning of CERP's efforts to engage Filipino youth in the current energy crisis. CERP is extending this initiative to other universities to broaden student engagement. Through initiatives like these and the dissemination of well-researched findings, CERP aims to urge our leaders to address pressing energy issues and take decisive action.

The Center for Energy Research and Policy is a think tank dedicated to developing a resilient energy landscape for the Philippines, with Atty. Noel M. Baga and Dr. Joey D. Ocon as its convenors. Anchored in inclusivity, CERP unites experts and advocates to foster participatory governance and provides actionable insights on energy development, thereby ensuring efficient, affordable, and sustainable power for the country.