Acceler8 Turns 1 and Launches 2nd Coworking Space at Paseo De Roxas

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Congratulations to Acceler8 for turning 1! But the celebration does not stop there for on top of their 1st year anniversary, they also officially opened their second coworking branch in 111 Paseo de Roxas. That's a double celebration that really needs to be punctuated with an exclamation point!

It seems coworking spaces or shared offices are becoming highly in demand right now especially for startups whom we all know probably do not have enough financial capacity to rent or own their own offices. I've had the opportunity to visit several of these establishments from all over Makati and Bonifacio Global City who also invited us to help share the news about their special offer that all entrepreneurs should take advantage.

An office space, though no longer as necessary as before for this digital generation - especially for Millenials, is still more convenient to have if we want to project professionalism. It is still highly prestigious to meet with clients or customers at a presentable place instead of a coffee shop or restaurant. 

It is more economical to avail of coworking spaces to lessen a business' operating expenses or overhead. This is also why a group of businessmen are trying to negotiate with mall owners to give startups special rates while they are in the process of growing their business. All these effort is to encourage more entrepreneurs to setup their own business ventures. 

We see these visionaries getting younger and younger, and already planning as early during their college days. Making it easier for them to start with minimal cash out or capital would be very helpful. The government should also reduce, if not able to eliminate, the lengthy, tedious and expensive, bureaucratic procedure in applying for a business permit.

Aside from the media launch where the founders gave their opening speeches, Accler8 also organized different discussions and talks that will surely help in our business' development.

Don Papa Rum Brings Michel Dame of Cocktail Boutique Netherlands to Manila

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Bartenders may be having so much fun being in the presence of all kinds of liquors at their disposal to come up with a masterpiece drink that will either tame or bring out the beast in you. Thus most bartenders bring their status up to notches higher by really understanding the science behind mixing drinks.

Indeed, it requires you to become a "mixologist" to make bartending level up to its highest form. Frankly, the great ones don't just mix everything together, shake or stir, but also look at the profile of his customer and concocts something appropriate. Now, that's another social expertise that bartenders may apply if they want to go beyond just serving drinks from a bar.

The craft can also be artistic because even the choice of glass, as well as how you make the presentation look more interesting by adding slices of fruits like lemons, apples, and other fruits, may spell a big difference in how customers would appreciate the drink.

For a night showcasing the Art of Bartending, the Don brings the Dutch to Manila to let media peeps experience the basics, and even more, of being a bartender, of which involves being both artistic and scientific. There was a media challenge where teams compete for the best drink, which includes the Don Papa Rum, that they could concoct that night. We have to congratulate the Umali husband and wife team for winning the media challenge.

DOE Takes Active Role in ASEAN Energy Summit

Wazzup Pilipinas!

The Philippines is taking an active role in meetings of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) on the subject of energy.

Energy Secretary Alfonso G. Cusi was elected as Vice Chairman when he attended the 34th ASEAN Ministers on Energy Meeting (AMEM34) and Associated Meetings from 21 to 23 September 2016 in Nay Pyi Taw, Myanmar.

During the series of Ministerial Meetings of the 13th AMEM+3 (China, Japan and Korea), the 10th East-Asia Summit Energy Ministers Meeting (EAS-EMM) and the 6th AMEM-International Energy Agency (IEA) Dialogue, Secretary Cusi shared about the broad energy sector direction under the Administration of President Rodrigo Duterte including the possible entry of emerging technologies such as Liquified Natural Gas; revisiting the merits of nuclear energy as an option for power generation and sustaining capital flows from potential investors through policy reforms in the approval process of energy projects.

With the theme “Towards Greener Community with Cleaner Energy” the meetings set into motion greater cooperation on the ASEAN Plan of Action for Energy Cooperation (APAEC) 2016-2025, Phase 1:2016-2020 within ASEAN and Dialogue Partners together with relevant international agencies.

As part of the Philippine Chairmanship of ASEAN in 2017, Secretary Cusi formally accepted the hosting of AMEM35 and its Associated Meetings in Manila from 18 to 22 September 2017. The Philippines hosted the same meetings twice in 1997, with the most recent in 2004.

The ASEAN Ministers of Energy Meeting provides political guidance and directions in the development and implementation of key energy sector priority initiatives and work programs consistent with the directives of the Heads of States/Governments of ASEAN.
Held annually, the hosting of such is on a rotation basis following the alphabetical sequence of ASEAN member-countries. The ASEAN was established to promote economic growth and shared prosperity in the region. The member-countries are Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Myanmar, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.

PHOTO CAPTIONS:

DOE SOLIDARITY FOR ASEAN ENERGY: Ministers of Energy of the ASEAN Member-States (Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Myanmar, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam and the Philippines) hold hands symbolic of solidarity during the 34th ASEAN Ministers on Energy Meeting (AMEM), where Philippine Department of Energy Secretary Alfonso G. Cusi (5th from right) was Vice-Chair. In the same event, Sec. Cusi accepted in behalf of the Philippine government the hosting of the AMEM next year.