Hontiveros Visits Zika Epicenter, Pushes Barangay-Led Prevention Measures

Wazzup Pilipinas!

In Barangay Benedicto, Iloilo City where four cases of Zika virus have been reported, Akbayan Senator Risa Hontiveros’ visit on Saturday served as a positive challenge to push for barangay-led prevention measures.

“Sa barangay nangyari, sa barangay ang solusyon”, urged Hontiveros. In a meeting with local leaders and residents, the neophyte Senator explained that the frontline of health systems is at the barangay level and should be harnessed in matters of public health.

Yesterday, the Department of Health also reported Zika cases in Makati and Mandaluyong. These bring the number of Zika cases in the Philippines to 17. The senator urged the public to stay calm and asked the government to heighten its response.

“The best response to the Zika virus is education and prevention. We must strengthen our information, detection and monitoring drive to prevent the further spread of the disease, and to provide immediate care to those infected with the virus,” Hontiveros said.

Hontiveros, Chairperson of the Senate Committee on Health and Demography, also distributed in Iloilo City ‘anti-Zika packets’ that contained commodities against mosquito-borne infections like Zika. The packets included mosquito nets, education materials and others.

The Akbayan Senator said the activity is part of the health promotion and disease prevention strategies that she wants all barangay health units to implement to reduce the public’s risk of contracting the virus.

“Coming here is a gesture: the message is that fear should not cloud our action towards preventing the spread of Zika”, Hontiveros said

History Ends Year as #1 Factual Channel in the Philippines

Wazzup Pilipinas!

History closed its 2016 financial year as the #1 most watched factual cable channel in the Philippines in prime among People +16. HISTORY’s solid performance was powered by an exceptionally strong stable of content, along with the network’s first HISTORY CON event, which was held at the World Trade Center in Manila. The network posted its best numbers ever and delivered stellar ratings in primetime, nabbing the top spot from its competitors.

The diverse and compelling lineup of original programming that drove ratings for HISTORY includes this year’s standout hit, ROOTS, a four-part historical portrait of American slavery featuring Academy Award® winners Forest Whitaker and Anna Paquin. The epic mini series delivered the highest two-hour rating average ever for HISTORY in the Philippines. Its finale also won its night as the number one show on English entertainment cable channels for its timeslot.[1]

HISTORY scored with a slew of #1 rated programs including the ever popular STORAGE WARS[2] franchise, as well as the second season of survival reality series ALONE[3] and Giorgio Tsoukalos’ new show, IN SEARCH OF ALIENS[4]. A+E Networks™ Asia’s original productions, notably CELEBRITY CAR WARS and RIDE N’ SEEK WITH JAMIE DEMPSEY, included some local flavour with familiar Filipino faces and places, which also helped fuel audience growth.

HISTORY further strengthened its position in the Philippines by deepening its engagement with its viewers and bringing new fans into the fold with its inaugural HISTORY CON event. The convention brought the brand to life off-screen, offering attendees a chance to meet HISTORY celebrities, take part in interactive activities, and get a sneak preview of HISTORY shows. HISTORY CON was a massive success with 50,000 visitors, over 100 exhibitors, three new World Records and reaching over 35 million people online over four days in August.

“Thank you to all our loyal viewers in the Philippines for being so enthusiastic and passionate about HISTORY and our shows. It was an incredible year for us but we’re not about to rest on our laurels. Our Filipino fans can expect even more from HISTORY in 2017 with an exciting roster of powerful drama, supercharged characters and returning fan favourites on our channel, and bigger and better events,” said Prem Kamath, Deputy Managing Director, A+E Networks™ Asia.

HISTORY™ is available on SKYCable Ch 67; Cable Link Ch. 43; Dream Satellite Ch 30; Destiny Cable Ch 57; and Cignal Ch 125.


[1]Source: Kantar Media, Urban Philippine, Roots Episode 4 premiered on 3 June 2016, 9-11 pm; People +16 averaged 81,427 P16+/Rtg% 1.13 in PTV homes. Excludes Sports, Movies, and Kids.

[2]Storage Wars franchise #1 on Weekdays 8-9 pm against all Factual and English Entertainment Channels during premiere timeslots on Thursdays. Source: Kantar Media, Urban Philippines, all Storage War titles Mon-Fri 8-9 pm between 1 Jun-31 Jul 2016, People +16 averaged 22,127/Rtg% 0.31 in PTV homes. Excludes Sports, Movies and Kids.

[3]ALONE S2 ranked #1 against all Factual and English Entertainment Channels during premiere timeslots on Thursdays. Source: Kantar Media, Urban Philippines, ALONE S2 aired on 21 April-28 July except 2 June, Thursdays 9-10 pm, People +16 averaged 25,680/Rtg% 0.36 in PTV homes. Excludes Sports, Movies and Kids.

[4]IN SEARCH OF ALIENS ranked #1 against all Factual and English Entertainment Channels on Wednesday nights. Source: Kantar Media, Urban Philippines, IN SEARCH OF ALIENS aired on 1 June-27 July, Wednesdays 11 pm-12 mn, People +16 averaged 17,633/Rtg% 0.24 in PTV homes. Excludes Sports, Movies and Kids.

Erap, Imelda, Atty. Gozon supports “World Pandesal Day” on Oct. 16 Sunday

Wazzup Pilipinas!
Ex-President & Manila Mayor Joseph Ejercito Estrada, Ilocos Norte Congresswoman Imelda Romualdez Marcos, GMA Network, Inc. CEO Atty. Felipe Gozon, and others expressed support for the holding of the “World Pandesal Day” with gift-giving plus free medical/dental/optical mission on October 16, 2016 Sunday at the 77-year-old, artisanal Kamuning Bakery Café at No. 43 Judge Jimenez Street corner K-1st Street, Barangay Kamuning, Quezon City, Metro Manila, the Philippines. October 16 is globally marked every year as “World Bread Day”, but celebrated since 2015 as “World Pandesal Day” by Kamuning Bakery Cafe.

The public is welcome on October 16 from 8 a.m. to 12 noon, avail of free medical, dental and optical mission to be conducted by 50 volunteer doctors and dentists from the Federation of Filipino Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry, Inc. (FFCCCII), the Philippine Chinese Charitable Association and the Chinese General Hospital for the less privileged and urban poor at the “World Pandesal Day”. The VIP guests ceremonial gift-giving of 30,000 pugon-baked pandesal breads and gift packs will start at 9: 30 a.m.

Manila Mayor Joseph Estrada said: “My warmest greetings to the artisans, staff and operators of the celebrated Kamuning Bakery Café as they observe World Bread Day through their own adaptation known as the World Pandesal Day.”

Estrada continued: “This occasion is a fitting tribute to our humble and favorite Filipino breakfast staple which is a nourishing fixture in our dining tables as families start their day or as friends congregate in between breaks.”

“I commend the Kamuning Bakery Café and Wilson Lee Flores for expanding the relevance of the event by tackling the issue of widespread hunger. It is an issue that we are familiar with and currently addressing in the City of Manila through daily provision of free and nutritious breakfast set of vitamin-fortified bread and milk to thousands of malnourished elementary schoolchildren. In its initial implementation, we have seen how previously severely wasted students became healthy and active kids.”

Estrada added: “Further, I laud the historic cafe for honoring our local heritage by preserving traditional cooking methods, supporting local produce, and providing a venue for intelligent discussion of social issues. In this age of modernity and constant progression, it is encouraging to know that businesses can successfully thrive by remaining true to their roots.”

Ilocos Norte Congresswoman Imelda Romualdez Marcos said: “My warmest greetings to the Kamuning Bakery Café, for taking this initiative of honoring our well-loved pan de sal by celebrating the World Pandesal Day, concurrent with the global celebration of the World Bread Day.”

Congresswoman Marcos continued: “The humble bread of the Filipinos now takes the center stage as we honor its value, and the symbol it represents in every family. The pan de sal surely gives everyone a special memory of breakfasts and snack times shared with our loved ones. Like the pandesal that transcends every strata of our society, may we all be inspired to break social barriers and be advocates for poverty-alleviation. Congratulations and more power to you!”

GMA Network Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Atty. Felipe Gozon said: “Congratulations on Kamuning Bakery Café’s celebration of the ‘World Pandesal Day’ which coincides with the global celebration of the ‘World Bread Day’. It is only fitting that a recognized institution in traditional Filipino-inspired bread making would honor such an iconic recipe which has been part of our culture for many years. The pandesal is the only bread that transcends social classes in our country. The Filipino household will never be the same without the pandesal. I am also one with you in helping our underprivileged countrymen through your own simple way. Your modest act of generosity can create a rippling effect.”

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Why “World Pandesal Day”? —The pandesal is the historic and unique national bread of the Philippines, it is bread eaten by the masses, middle-class and by all. The pandesal is a basic necessity of the people, like rice. The humble pandesal bread represents the people’s simple wish for liberation from hunger. Hot freshly pugon-baked pandesal also represents happiness. In celebrating “World Pandesal Day”, Kamuning Bakery Café hopes to give honor to this humble yet great Filipino bread, and to remind all about the goal of eradicating poverty, inequalities and the age-old problem of hunger.

Backgrounder—“World Pandesal Day” was started on October 16, 2015 by Kamuning Bakery Cafe owner & writer Wilson Lee Flores at this historic bakery cafe at 43 Judge Jimenez Street corner K-1st Street, Kamuning, Quezon City, the Philippines which coincided with the annual “World Bread Day”. Wheat foods do make up 20 percent of the world’s calories, according to the United Nationsa

Hashtags: #worldpandesalday #ChristmasInOctober #kamuningbakerycafe

Actor and then National Youth Commission official Dingdong Dantes graced the Oct. 16, 2015 launching of the “World Pandesal Day” at Kamuning Bakery Cafe in Quezon City.