The Last Home Stand Between Gilas Pilipinas and NBA All Stars: What Really Happened?

Wazzup Pilipinas!
The organizers, including PLDT (Panay Lang Drills and Tricks) and NBA (No Basketball, Anyare?), knows they did something wrong but they're not telling us the whole story. I was there at the "charity event" and stayed a little while. I was able to talk with some key personalities and they all seem hesitant to reveal everything they know of what really happened.

Many were screaming for a refund and obviously full of disgusts while watching the "charity event" that turned out to be the most expensive for the people who were all there to witness what they thought was a friendly competitive game between the two teams.

There was even a sign shown containing telephone numbers for people to contact for refund requests, and many also lined up to sign their name and mobile numbers only to find out later that nobody from PLDT was getting the list anyway.

The hallways of Smart Araneta Coliseum were full of frustrated basketball lovers all cursing the organizers for the perceived scam that they felt cheated them of their hard-earned money.
Below are the official statements released by PLDT and NBA.

Umalohokan Presents Isko't Iska 2014: Continuing the Fight for the Rights of the Masses

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Isko’t Iska is an annual theater production headed by Umalohokan, Inc., a UPLB socio-cultural organization, in partnership with the UPLB University Student Council along with other student organizations. Aimed at continuing the fight for the rights of the masses, Isko’t Iska features an all-freshman ensemble and is shown free of charge to the UPLB community.

Through creative presentations and narration, the play, often in the form of satire, provides an alternative way of heightening the audience’s awareness of local and national issues.

This year, Isko’t Iska 2014 will portray the situation not only of the University of the Philippines (UP) system but also the issues encountered by the whole nation. The play also serves as a venue for the appreciation of the progressive art that reflects the social realities and experiences of the youth.

All new freshmen students of UPLB are invited to become a part of this theater production.

The auditions for Isko’t Iska 2014 will be on August 18-22, 2014 (7PM) at the Student Union Building, UPLB.

For inquiries, please contact Darwin Mercado (0935-870-0775) or Lei Lizarondo (0935-662-3038). Important announcements and activities are also posted on Umalohokan, Inc’s official facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/umal.inc

Museum Foundation Mounts Proudly MaArte 2014

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Proudly MaArte 2014 promises to be an outstanding intersection of arts and crafts as it brings together carefully selected pieces exquisitely designed and executed by local Filipino artisans from all over the country.

Now on its 5th year, the MaARTe Artisan Fair is an annual fundraising project of the Museum Foundation of the Philippines (MFPI) and will be staged at the Rockwell Tent on August 29-31, Friday to Sunday, from 10am to 10pm. Craft items produced by entrepreneurs, NGOs, designers and craftsmen have been meticulously selected to provide the discerning MaARTe shopper a wide array of striking items ranging from indigenous baskets and fabrics, charming home decor to elegant fashion accessories and delicate jewelry from more than 50 participants. For limited edition items from designer ateliers and museum shops, MFPI has a special section dubbed as MaARTe Finds.

This yearly gathering of local artisans at the MaARTe Fair aims to support the creative industries, and has been a unique platform for the Museum Foundation as it continues to support the National Museum and its many activities. Dannie Alvarez, a long-time exhibitions curator in numerous museum exhibitions and design fairs, has joined the MaARTe organizing committee as creative director. He envisions this project as a showcase for “museum-quality crafts” that will provide the visitor a unique cultural shopping experience. Over the span of 3 days, The Rockwell Tent will be the perfect playground for those who enjoy draping and surrounding themselves with beautiful, vibrant and well-made pieces and aim to live life “may Arte”.

For this year, Security Bank and Smart Infinity lead the list of its partners. Corporate foundations have joined MaArte as well in presenting their community based efforts in assisting local artisans. The Museum Foundation of the Philippines will also include local food items under its banner, MaARTe Eats, which visitors can indulge in at the MaArte Lounge by Gree, and the MaARTe Café.