Coke Studio: OPM Artists Collab for Special Music Offerings on TV5

Wazzup Pilipinas!
We often see singers, musicians, artists, and many others in similar fields in entertainment collaborate to produce alternative offerings to their fans or audience. You'll see them partner with each other at albums, concerts and gigs, but I believe this is the first time that a collaboration as big as this one, spearheaded by Coca-Cola Philippines, has ever been made.

The softdrink brand has put together several artists in one project which grouped several artists into two, to come up with musical offerings that fans would go gaga over - preferably for a long time and not just a fad.

Based on studies, OPM artists are still preferred as second to foreign ones. Filipinos still love to hear music from foreigners rather than our very own Filipino musicians. Well, we need not tell you that we still have a long way to go to reach 100% patriotism, which also probably why it makes us a lot more knowledgeable when it comes to content outside the Philippines. Interesting enough, we would see foreign artists frequently being flown in the country for special concerts at fabulously high ticket prices, while Filipino artists get an itsy bitsy of that.

We have to commend Coca-Cola for sponsoring such an activity, and TV5 for broadcasting these special collaborations among artists. We need more of these to keep OPM alive and kicking because we believe that we can soar higher with regards to the music industry if only we make and maintain OPM as cool as foreign music.

Court Denies TRO on PUV Modernization

Wazzup Pilipinas!

The PUV Modernization Program is still a go.

This, after Quezon City RTC Branch 80 denied yesterday, 14 August 2017, the application for Temporary Restraining Order (TRO) filed by Angat Tsuper Samahan ng mga Tsuper at Operator ng Pilipinas - Genuine Organization Inc. (Stop & Go) against the implementation of Department Order No. ‎2017-011, otherwise known as the Omnibus Franchising Guidelines (OFG), issued by the Department of Transportation (DOTr) last 19 June 2017.

In a statement, Atty. Reinier Paul Yebra, DOTr Undersecretary for Legal Affairs and Procurement, emphasized that the granting of a Certificate of Public Convenience (CPC) to PUV operators is not a right, but a mere privilege, subject to police power of the state through the DOTr and the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB).

Usec. Yebra likewise argued that there is no urgency and irreparable injury that will justify issuance of the TRO as the target roll-out and full implementation of the PUV Modernization Program (PUVMP) is still in 2018, and that LTFRB has not yet issued the necessary Memorandum Circulars as basis of specific implementation schedules.

As a major component of the PUVMP, the OFG introduces reforms in granting of franchises by implementing new rules in planning routes and improving standards for operators and vehicles. Under the Guidelines, local government units (LGUs) will plan public transport routes based on the current travel patterns in their areas. These routes will be reflected in the Local Public Transport Route Plan (LPTRP) of LGUs which will serve as basis for the issuance of franchise by the LTFRB.

The release of the OFG has paved the way for the lifting of the moratorium on the acceptance of new applications for the issuance of CPCs, which was in force since 2003. This forms part of the PUVMP that seeks to provide safer, more comfortable and environmentally sustainable mode of public transport to commuters by upgrading vehicles to meet international safety, energy efficiency and emission standards.

Other proposed specifications of vehicles under the PUVMP include an Automatic Fare Collection System (AFCS), closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras, a GPS navigation system, dashboard cameras, Wi-Fi, and speed limiters.

Mga Awit At Tula Sa Wikang Pilipino Sa Byahe sa Metro

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Maligayang Buwan ng Wikang Pambansa ngayong Agosto!

Isang lupon ng iba ibang grupo sa musika at pagtula ang kasalukuyang nagtatanghal sa loob ng LRT 2 Stations simula noong Agosto 10 hanggang Agosto 31. Layon po nila na tumulong sa pagpapalaganap ng kaalaman sa mga tao ng ating pagdiriwang ng Buwan ng Wikang Pambansa 2017 sa pamamagitan ng libreng pagtatanghal sa wikang Pilipino ng mga awit at tula. Sa pakikipagtulungan ng pamunuan ng LRTA, sila po ay sumusuporta sa gawain at adhikain ng Komisyon sa Wikang Filipino para sa buwan na ito.

Ang slogan sa taong ito ay "Filipino Wikang Mapagbago" at naniniwala sila na malaki ang maitutulong ng pagpapalaganap sa paggamit ng wika sa larangan ng turismo, edukasyon, kultura (kasama na ang musika at tula, hanggang sa media) gayun din pagpapakilala sa talento ng Pilipino. Sa pamamagitan din nito, nais nila maibalik ang interes ng tao sa musikang Pilipino maging sa iba pang uri ng sining na pinakilala ang Pilipinas.

Sila ay nagsimula sa pagtatanghal sa mga kalye nuong Oktubre 2014 kung saan kami po inilathala din ng Interaksyon TV5 at nakapagdaos na din ng isang maliit na konsyerto noon sa People's Park In The Sky sa pahintulot ng Munisipyo ng Tagaytay kung saan sila ay tumugtog ng mga pinasikat na awiting Pilipino at inilathala ng Wazzup Pilipinas at Rappler. Ito ang kanilang unang pagtatanghal na lahat ng awit at tula ay sa ating sariling wika.

Ang mga musikang kanilang aawitin ay mga pinasikat na awit sa wikang Filipino at mga sariling obra sa wikang Filipino ng mga kasamang manunulat. Gayundin din ay kanilang ipapakilala ang mga likhang tula, tulang liham at talumpati sa Wikang Filipino ng ilang kasamahan na naglaan ng panahon para sa gawaing ito.