Tañon Strait Celebrates 19th Year as Protected Area

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Celebrating nearly two decades as a protected area is the Tañon Strait, a 161-kilometer strip which separates the islands of Cebu and Negros. It is incredibly rich in biodiversity – hosting 62% of the country’s coral species, plus 14 species of whales and dolphins.

Declared as the Tañon Strait Protected Seascape (TSPS) by then-president Fidel Ramos on May 27, 1998, the area provides seafood and jobs for 42 towns, cities and municipalities. Sadly, the Strait was threatened by commercial fishers who illegally enter and fish – ignoring a ban on commercial fishing for both municipal waters and protected areas. The various law enforcement agencies have since conducted regular joint sea-borne operations to stop the plunder of our marine resources in the area.

Figures released by the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) in Region Seven showed increased fish landings since 2014.

Marine conservation nonprofits Oceana Philippines and Rare Philippines are working hand-in-hand with the government plus local fisheries champions to end illegal commercial fishing in the Strait and ensure effective conservation and sustainable fisheries management for this part of the Coral Triangle. Vessel monitoring measures are being pilot tested and local enforcers are being empowered.

First Phase of Mindanao Railway Project to Cut Tagum to Digos Travel Time from 3.5 to 1.3 Hours

Wazzup Pilipinas!

The Department of Transportation (DOTr) today said that the 102-km Mindanao Railway Project: Tagum-Davao-Digos (MRP-TDD) segment is expected to reduce travel time from Tagum City, Davao del Norte to Digos City, Davao del Sur from 3.5 hours to 1.3 hours once it starts operating in 2022.

The MRP-TDD segment is the first of the 3 segments of the Mindanao Railway Project. The design and construction of the Project will begin by 3rd quarter of next year and is expected to be completed by end of 2021.

“The P35.91 billion MRP-TDD will make travel time faster by two (2) hours, with frequency of trips of up to 6 trains per hour,” says DOTr Undersecretary for Rails, Cesar Chavez.

The MRP-TDD is expected to not only make travel faster, but also safer, more convenient and comfortable for passengers in the said corridor. It will have 8 stations, namely: Tagum; Carmen; Panabo; Mudiang; Davao Terminal; Toril; Sta. Cruz; and Digos. A 10-hectare depot will be built in Tagum.

The rail line will be built with a single track, with provisions for future tracks and electrification. It will have six 5-car passenger trains (Diesel Multiple Units) with 3 spare cars, 4 locomotives and 15 freight cars.

Upon project completion, the DOTr expects the daily ridership of the Tagum-Davao-Digos segment to increase to 134,060 by 2022. The Department projects the daily ridership to further increase to 237,023 by 2032 and 375,134 by 2042.

Mike Unson's Mayhem in the First Degree Father's Day Comedy Show on June 16

Wazzup Pilipinas!

With all the fake news on social media, one immensely longs for a good laugh and veteran comedian, Mike Unson, is happy to perform with his relatable brand of observational comedy in his upcoming show “Mayhem in the First Degree” on June 16, 8pm at the 5th level, Century City Mall, Kalayaan Ave., Makati City.

Unson, a 2016 Aliw Award Nominee for Best Stand-Up Comedian, headlines the show with his arsenal of wholesome jokes on his views on urban life, childhood memories, relationships and interactions with everyday people as he dishes out his original material on annoying encounters with cab and jeepney drivers; street vendors; mall security guards; (un)talented bands; his childhood nanny; dealing with middle child syndrome, being in the friend zone, breakups and many more true to life situations that we all experience at times.

In his 14 year career, he is known for building up comic rhythm with impeccably timed punchlines and thought-provoking insights, leaving the audience in stitches and wanting for more!

Opening for Unson will be his current batch of apprentices from The Comedy Cartel namely Chris Bacula, Sergio Belarus, Michelle Defensor and Eric Salazar with musical guest Roy Antonio and comedian host Jerome McCuin.

Unson is also set to release a new comedy album on Spotify later this year.” Currently, he is part of the creative team of the number one TV sitcom in the Philippines Pepito Manaloto on GMA7. Earlier in his career, he was one of the hosts of an alternative comedy show “Front Act” on TV5. He was also part of “The Men's Room” on Studio 23 and a recurring guest on Jojo Alejar's “The Medyo Late Night Show.

A few of his notable performances include opening for Rob Schneider in 2013 and performing with Rex Navarrete in the Philippines from 2004 to 2014.