WOOBIE’s Makeover! World Bazaar Festival Mascot Powered by Advanced Technology

Wazzup Pilipinas!?

The annual World Bazaar Festival organized by Worldbex Services International (WSI) has always been ready to serve something new on the table. For 24 years now, as the longest-running charity bazaar in the Philippines, it is truly anticipated by loyal bazaaristas with great anticipation. And this year, just as the event never gets any older, the World Bazaar Festival unveils WOOBIE —the official mascot, from its spectacular makeover through an advanced use of technology.

This WOOBIE campaign was launched last November 30 across World Bazaar Festival’s social networking sites. Along with the flamboyant lawn letters below, the campaign shows WOOBIE sitting enthusiastically at the top of the World Trade Center Metro Manila, excited to welcome everyone to the grandest holiday bazaar in the country. Surely, this adds excitement to what the bazaar has to offer this time. Beaming with pride and joy, Worldbex Services International (WSI) proves that they are the leading event organizers in the country, as the first to make an animation campaign amongst exhibition companies in the Philippines. Well, kudos to NEN Digital, WSI’s digital partner, for making this possible.

Aside from this animation campaign, the World Bazaar Festival also introduces “WOOBRICK”, the cutesy little brick version of WOOBIE which you can paint however you like, and “WOOBIE Charm”, an anik-anik version of WOOBIE, both available at the gift shop. Safe to say that this year is definitely WOOBIE’s year of awesome transformations!

and the ALAFOP. With almost 300 MSMEs as exhibitors, the bazaar will cover products that varies from jewelries and accessories, giftware, bath & body perfume, RTWs, cosmetics and hair care to christmas decor, books, toys, souvenirs, travel goods, leather goods, stationeries, car accessories, telecommunication, footwear as well as food and beverages, bread and pastries, among others. Furthermore, DTI MIMAROPA will be joining to promote the unique merchandise made by the local manufactures from the region. Likewise, the DA will be displaying the goods that are cultivated by our local farmers.

Such products are truly worth sharing to the world, the bazaar is a perfect platform for entrepreneurs to showcase their goods to the diversity of buyers out there. Garnering over 150,000 foot traffic, it is a great avenue to make brands known and establish recall of products and services to every visitor. While for the loyal bazaaristas, there is no need to fret about running out of cash as MAYA —WBF’s official payment partner, is ready to provide easy and convenient cashless transactions for everyone.

True enough, there are a multitude of ways to celebrate the Christmas season. And the World Bazaar Festival is absolutely one to check out. With fun activities, thrilling competitions, explosive performances, a wide range of products to satisfy your shopping spree, and the charity that this bazaar has been doing for more than two decades, WOOBIE is giving you the best reasons to shop all the way!

Grab your tickets now at worldbazaarfestival.com and catch us on December 13-22, 2024 from 10AM to 10PM at the World Trade Center Metro Manila to experience the ultimate holiday experience. WBF 2024 is organized by Worldbex Services International (WSI) and for the benefit of ABS-CBN Foundation Inc.

Akatsuki Tobi: From Clown to Menace – The True Face of the Masked Ninja in Naruto

Wazzup Pilipinas!?

In the vast world of Naruto, where every character has a deeply intricate backstory and a significant role to play, few have had as shocking and transformative an arc as Tobi, the masked member of the infamous Akatsuki organization. Tobi’s evolution from a comical figure to one of the series' darkest and most dangerous antagonists is a masterstroke of storytelling that kept fans captivated throughout the Naruto Shippuden saga.

But who exactly is Tobi? What does he represent in the grander scheme of Naruto? Let’s dive into the layers of his character, unraveling the deception, the mystery, and the devastation that followed in his wake.

Who is Tobi? The Early Persona

At first glance, Tobi appeared as nothing more than comic relief amidst the grim and powerful ranks of the Akatsuki. After the death of Sasori, Tobi was introduced as a bumbling, quirky recruit who often irritated his partner Deidara with his clumsy antics and exaggerated behavior. Donning a simple orange spiral-patterned mask with a single eyehole and sporting an upbeat demeanor, Tobi’s presence seemed to downplay the sinister nature of the Akatsuki.

This “childish” version of Tobi stood in stark contrast to other members of the Akatsuki, such as Itachi Uchiha or Kisame Hoshigaki, who exuded menace and authority. Fans initially dismissed him as an inconsequential figure—an outsider who could never match the gravity of the organization’s objectives. However, this was merely the beginning of a facade designed to conceal his true identity and intentions.

The Mask Slips: Tobi’s True Power

The first hints of Tobi’s true nature came after Deidara’s death in his battle against Sasuke Uchiha. Tobi began to demonstrate remarkable abilities, most notably his space-time jutsu, Kamui, which allowed him to phase through attacks and teleport at will. This revelation sent shockwaves through the fandom—how could this goofy, seemingly harmless ninja possess such a formidable power?

The truth unraveled when it was revealed that Tobi was no ordinary Akatsuki member but rather someone operating from the shadows with far greater ambitions. He proclaimed himself as Madara Uchiha, one of the most legendary figures in the history of the ninja world, and declared his plan to bring the world under his control using the power of the tailed beasts.

Tobi’s Real Identity: Obito Uchiha

The shocking twist came when Tobi’s mask was finally broken in battle—revealing that he was not Madara Uchiha but Obito Uchiha, a presumed-dead former Leaf shinobi and Kakashi Hatake’s childhood friend. This revelation was monumental, as it reframed Tobi’s motivations and actions in a tragic light.

Obito, once a kind and idealistic boy who aspired to be Hokage, was thought to have died during the Third Shinobi War, sacrificing himself to save Kakashi. However, he survived, albeit severely injured, and was saved by none other than Madara Uchiha. Witnessing the death of the girl he loved, Rin Nohara, at the hands of his friend Kakashi (a situation manipulated by the Hidden Mist), Obito was consumed by hatred, despair, and a twisted sense of justice.
The Road to Villainy: Obito’s Ideology

Obito’s transformation into Tobi was driven by his disillusionment with the cruel and unforgiving nature of the world. Under Madara’s guidance, he adopted the identity of Tobi to manipulate events from the shadows. He embraced the Moon’s Eye Plan, a scheme to cast the entire world under the Infinite Tsukuyomi—a genjutsu that would trap everyone in a dream-like reality free of pain and suffering.

While his methods were brutal and unforgivable, Obito’s motivations stemmed from his belief that peace could only be achieved through artificial means. His tragic backstory added depth to his character, making him more than just a power-hungry villain. In a way, Tobi represented the darkest extremes of grief, showing what happens when a pure heart is corrupted by loss and despair.

The Power of Tobi: Abilities and Feats

Tobi’s abilities solidified his status as one of the most formidable adversaries in the Naruto series. Some of his most notable powers include:

Kamui (Space-Time Ninjutsu):
Obito’s signature ability allowed him to phase through objects and teleport himself or others to another dimension. This made him nearly untouchable in combat.


Control Over the Tailed Beasts:
Using the Gedo Statue and the power of his Rinnegan (later obtained), Tobi could control multiple tailed beasts simultaneously, showcasing immense power during the Fourth Great Ninja War.


Wood Release (Mokuton):
After acquiring Hashirama Senju’s cells, Tobi gained the ability to use Wood Release, further boosting his combat versatility.


The Rinnegan:
As part of Madara’s plan, Tobi briefly wielded the Rinnegan, granting him access to techniques like the Six Paths of Pain.


Master Manipulator:
Beyond his combat skills, Tobi’s greatest weapon was his cunning intellect. He orchestrated major conflicts, manipulated powerful shinobi like Nagato (Pain), and even sparked the Fourth Great Ninja War.

The Redemption of Obito Uchiha

In the final arc of Naruto Shippuden, Obito’s journey came full circle. After battling Naruto Uzumaki—who symbolized hope, forgiveness, and unwavering determination—Obito was reminded of his own youthful dreams. Naruto’s words and actions broke through Obito’s hardened shell, forcing him to confront the reality of his choices.

Ultimately, Obito sacrificed himself to protect Naruto and Sasuke, redeeming himself in his final moments. He passed on his ideals to Naruto, entrusting the future of the ninja world to the boy who never gave up on his beliefs.

Tobi’s Legacy: The Masked Shadow

Tobi/Obito Uchiha remains one of the most compelling characters in Naruto. His arc—from a naïve and hopeful boy to a broken villain and, finally, a tragic hero—represents the complexities of human nature. Tobi’s story teaches viewers about the devastating effects of grief, the power of redemption, and the strength of hope.

Through his masks—both literal and figurative—Tobi embodied the theme of identity and how one’s past can shape their future. His journey serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of losing oneself to darkness but also as a testament to the power of light to guide even the most lost souls back to their true path.

In the end, Tobi was not simply a villain. He was a symbol of pain, manipulation, and ultimately redemption—a character whose presence left an indelible mark on Naruto and its fans worldwide.

Photo: Hator Lang 

FROM CASES TO CLEANUPS: CASETiFY COMMITS TO REMOVING OCEAN PLASTIC WITH SEVEN CLEAN SEAS

CASETiFY has partnered with Seven Clean Seas to fund the removal of 1,000 kilograms of ocean plastic per month for the next year, supporting Seven Clean Seas’ mission of an ocean without plastic.

CASETiFY has officially joined forces with Seven Clean Seas to combat ocean plastic pollution. From its innovative Re/CASETiFY™ program introducing circularity into its products to now supporting large-scale environmental initiatives, CASETiFY is committed to being a brand that does more. Starting this December, CASETiFY will fund the removal of 1,000 kilograms (1 tonne) of ocean plastic waste every month for the next 12 months.

Seven Clean Seas, an ocean impact organisation tackling marine plastic pollution since 2018, has removed over 4,500,000 kilograms of plastic from the ocean while creating fair-wage employment opportunities in vulnerable communities. The organization has pioneered innovative approaches to tackling the plastic crisis, combining on-the-ground clean-up projects with corporate partnerships, plastic credits, and public education to scale impact. By the end of 2025, they hope to remove 10,000,000 kg of plastic waste from the ocean.

This partnership underscores both organizations’ shared vision of a cleaner, more sustainable future. While Seven Clean Seas continues its critical work of removing plastic from some of the world’s most affected regions, CASETiFY demonstrates how consumer brands can take positive actions to help the environment. Their support builds on Seven Clean Seas’ mission to protect our oceans and highlights how corporate action can contribute to solving the global plastic crisis.

“We couldn't be more excited to join forces with CASETiFY,” said James Myring, Chief Operating Officer of Seven Clean Seas. “This partnership is all about tackling plastic pollution head-on and showing everyone how a united effort can create massive positive change for our oceans. CASETiFY’s commitment to sustainability makes them the perfect partner for us.”

Together, Seven Clean Seas and CASETiFY are helping to turn the tide on ocean plastic pollution, one tonne at a time.

About Seven Clean Seas Pte. Ltd

About Seven Clean Seas

Seven Clean Seas is an ocean impact organisation on a mission to become the world’s largest preventer of ocean plastics pollution. We are dedicated to tackling ocean plastic pollution through innovative, sustainably-financed solutions. Started in 2018 as a grassroots movement and officially founded in 2019 in Singapore, Seven Clean Seas works to remove plastic waste from the environment while creating social benefits through the provision of fair and direct employment in heavily polluted coastal communities.

This press release has also been published on VRITIMES