Nong-O Gaiyanghadao Sees ONE Super Series as Opportunity to Continue Legendary Career

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Revered by many for the incredible speed, power and precision behind all his strikes, celebrated Thai kickboxer Nong-O Gaiyanghadao will venture into new territory to reignite his illustrious career.

Once considered as one of the best pound-for-pound competitors in the world of Muay Thai, Gaiyanghadao will make his debut under the ONE Championship banner on 20 April as part of the much-awaited ONE Super Series.

ONE Super Series is a celebration of the world’s most effective striking arts and invites the very best martial artists from Muay Thai, kickboxing, karate, taekwondo, wushu, sanda, and more to showcase their skills on the ONE Championship stage.

Gaiyanghadao is scheduled to duke it out with French-Italian dynamo Fabio Pinca on the undercard of ONE: HEROES OF HONOR, which takes place at the 20,000-capacity SM Mall of Asia Arena in Manila, Philippines.

The 31-year-old native of Sakon Nakhon, Thailand believes that by joining the promotion’s ONE Super Series, it opens a new chapter in his professional kickboxing stint.

“It’s a new beginning for me. You can say that it’s a breath of fresh air for my career as an athlete. I am excited to be in this new journey. I hope everything will turn our great for me as part of the growing ONE Championship roster,” he said.

Gaiyanghadao was last seen in action when he yielded to Chamuaktong Sor Yupinda by decision at Bangkok’s famous Rajadamnern Stadium in April 2015.

Despite sitting on the sidelines for three years, Gaiyanghadao stressed that his best days as a professional kickboxer are not yet over.

“I’m just 31 years old. I still have the drive to compete. What I have here is a good opportunity to start fresh and remind everyone what I am capable of,” he stated.

Gaiyanghadao, who represents Singapore’s Evolve MMA, has reached the apex of Muay Thai, becoming a five-division world champion in the sport.

In his trophy room, Gaiyanghadao has a long list of accolades, including the coveted Lumpinee Muay Thai world championship, the prestigious Rajadamnern Muay Thai title, and the “Fighter of the Year” citation.

“It has been three years since the last time that I fought. I am looking forward to put on a great performance. I have been training hard and going through strategies. I hope to give my 110 percent in Manila. I am coming to win,” Gaiyanghadao guaranteed.

The man standing in Gaiyanghadao’s re-entry to the winner’s column is Pinca, a highly-decorated kickboxer known for his technical and precise offensive style.

Hailing from Saint-Fons, France, Pinca has become one of Europe’s most well-respected Muay Thai practitioners as he is a two-time WBC World Muay Thai champion and even owns a Rajadamnern Stadium world title.

The 33-year-old Frenchman is bringing his talents to ONE Championship, where he will look to defeat a living legend in Gaiyanghadao .

“To tell you honestly, I am in a very tough fight. It’s nerve-wracking in a sense, but I am ready to accept the challenge,” Gaiyanghadao said about the marquee match-up against Pinca.

Although he already had career-defining moments in 310 professional bouts, Gaiyanghadao treats his maiden ONE Championship appearance as the most significant one because it could catapult him back to the kickboxing limelight.

“I am looking for a statement win this time around. This bout could bring me back to the top. I want a big win. Knocking him out will be an accomplishment because he is a good fighter and a tough opponent. You will all see,” he ended.

For more updates on ONE Championship, please visit www.onefc.com, follow us on Twitter and Instagram @ONEChampionship, and like us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/ONEChampionship. ​

Walang Sasantuhin: DOTr Cracks Down on Corrupt Officials, Personnel

Wazzup Pilipinas!

The Department of Transportation (DOTr) is serious in cleansing its ranks as it cracks down on corrupt officials and employees, from the Central Office to its attached agencies.

After relieving all employees of the Land Transportation Office (LTO) in Nueva Vizcaya following reports from rice traders of extortion activities, DOTr Secretary Arthur Tugade said he will continue to go after corrupt employees and will make sure they will face the full brunt of the law.

“Kung hindi kayo involved, wag na kayo ma-involve. Kung involved kayo, umalis na kayo. Dahil kung hindi, yariin ko kayo talaga. Wala akong sasantuhin,” said Tugade.

The transportation chief added that he will not let corrupt personnel destroy the good name that the DOTr is striving to build for itself.

“Ayaw ko ng magnanakaw, at hindi ko hahayaan na masira ng ilang siraulo ang imahe ng DOTr,” he added.


More suspensions

Yesterday, 10 April 2018, DOTr Undersecretary for Legal Affairs and Procurement Reinier Paul Yebra issued a 90-day preventive suspension order against Atty. Mary Jil Caurel, Hearing Officer IV of the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) Regional Office No. V pending investigation for grave misconduct and other administrative offenses.

Caurel is being investigated on charges of grave misconduct for allegedly accepting money in exchange for speedy resolution of application for Certificate of Public Convenience (CPC), willfully and deliberately withholding the release of CPCs, as well as extortion activities in exchange for the release of impounded vehicles. She is also being charged for gross and inexcusable delay of franchise applications for almost one to two years. Caurel was likewise charged with Serious Dishonesty for falsification of entries in her Daily Time Records (DTRs) since 2016.

Victor Torrefiel, Administrative Aide VI of the Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) was also placed under a 90-day preventive suspension for grave misconduct and dishonesty.

Initial investigation revealed that Torrefiel committed several irregularities in the canvass of price quotation/s from non-existing suppliers for the procurement of goods and vehicle services. He is also being investigated on charges of falsification of official documents and accumulation of unexplained wealth. A show cause order dated 05 April 2018 has already been issued against Torrefeil.

Engr. Jose Budiongan, Area Manager for Area Center X of the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) was likewise slapped with a 60-day preventive suspension order for grave misconduct and conduct prejudicial to the best interest of the service.

The charges involve extorting monthly allowance in the amount of PhP5, 000 from Skycap porters in Laguindingan airport, malversation of public funds or property through undertaking anomalous repainting of runway and road signs, failure to maintain government property under his custody, taking a firetruck intended for use of Pagadian airport to Lagundingan, and operating a pasalubong center inside the airport. The order will be served today.

The suspensions follow the relieve order for personnel assigned at the LTO- Bayombong District Office and Aritao Extension Office in Nueva Vizcaya last 06 April 2018. The deputation orders and Temporary Operator’s Permit (TOPs) issued to DPWH personnel manning the weigh bridge in Aritao were also cancelled. Based on the complaints raised by some rice traders and truckers, several LTO personnel in the area earn as much as PhP 1-Million a day from over a thousand trucks from Cagayan Valley bringing agricultural products out of the region. The complaint was raised to President Rodrigo Duterte himself during a meeting in Malacanang.


Crack down at home

In January 2018, Secretary Tugade ordered the filing of administrative charges against Engr. Roberto Delfin, a supervising transportation and development officer assigned to the Road Transport Planning Division of the DOTr Central Office, for allegedly accepting bribes from a transport cooperative. He was initially slapped with a 90-day preventive suspension order. He purportedly received, through his aide Narciso Lim, PhP150, 000 in exchange for the DOTr’s supposed favorable action on New Sunrise Transport Cooperative’s (NTSC) application for a route measure capacity.

And, just yesterday, the DOTr issued a Dismissal Order against Delfin after a thorough investigation found him guilty of grave misconduct and conduct prejudicial to the best interest of the service.

Eleven (11) Job Order personnel from the DOTr’s Environmentally Sustainable Initiative Transportation Unit (ESITU) were also removed from the service after they were found to have tampered with their employment contracts to increase their salaries.

Tugade warned transportation employees that the sin does not stop with those that commit corrupt practices. Those who kept quiet and did not do anything are equally liable.

“If they see someone inept, if they see someone stealing, but did not speak, they are equally guilty,” Tugade said.

The crackdown is an effort to curb corruption in government, while promoting transparency and accountability.

Allianz Philippines and Conquer Challenge Partner to Promote Obstacle Course Racing

Wazzup Pilipinas!
Obstacle Course Racing (OCR) is becoming a popular attraction for both fitness and race enthusiasts who want to take their fitness and endurance challenge to the next level. I believe OCR involves the use of both mind and muscle to get through the race track filled with many obstacles that participants need to pass through each one before proceeding to the next, and next, and next..... and finally reaching the finish line.

It makes me wonder how many could I be able to complete without breaking a bone or damaging a nerve or muscle since I am not in shape for such demanding tasks. But I should at least have a look at the obstacles they prepared before totally saying NO. Who knows, maybe if I discipline myself by exercising regularly and improving my diet, I could pass at least half of the challenging obstacles. Fitness is the key, and one of the main objectives why OCR is also being highly promoted.

True enough, Allianz PNB Life Insurance and Conquer Challenge Philippines has announced a partnership to further promote OCR in the country by staging three major races under the name Allianz Conquer Challenge. The first of which will be on May 13 at the Vermosa, Daang Hari in Imus, Cavite.

You may think an insurance company would be the most concerned in improving your health because that would be totally beneficial for them. But this campaign is more advantageous for us since living fit and healthy longer is entirely a huge plus for our sake. With encouragement to participate in OCR, the journey to be fit and healthy becomes a lot more beneficial for us. It's actually a Win-win situation that I am willing to be a part of.

Alexander Grenz, COO of Allianz PNB Life Insurance, together with Gae Martinez, Chief Market Management Officer, and Rei Abrazaldo, Branding Communications and Digital Director, led the media launch held at their office on April 6, 2018. 

Grenz expressed his enthusiasm in the partnership emphasizing how the company would like to create a positive impact on people’s lives by making them experience new challenges through an obstacle course race. “OCR is a sport that has started to gather a strong following in the Philippines. We at Allianz believe that this sport can inspire Filipinos to take on a new challenge and embrace it without fear,” he said.

Grenz explained that the challenges in the race give individuals a chance to test their mind and body’s capability to get a serious workout. “OCR challenges one to develop endurance and physical strength as well as better coordination skills,” he added.

Allianz Chief Market Management Officer Gae Martinez, however, affirmed the growing patronage of Obstacle Course Racing Sports in the Philippines, lodging her support as more and more Filipinos become interested on the sport that calls for mental alertness, emotional stability, and physical endurance to overcome obstacles in lives. This is true for millenials who comprise a great number of obstacle course racers, but also for GenXers who have also tried it. The increasing awareness of Filipinos to live a healthy and active lifestyle is indicative of a shift of lifestyle that now recognizes the threats of critical illness, but at the same time the pursuit of aspirations for a better future.

Conquer Challenge President Rob Afzelius shares that Allianz Conquer Challenge, with its key message of “Dare to Conquer your Impossible, consists of three races: the Conquer Challenge Power Race which is a 7 Km + 20 obstacles race, the Conquer Challenge Beginner’s obstacle Race, which is 3 Km + 12 obstacles, and even a Conquer Challenge Kids race that is 1.5 km long plus at least 7 obstacles. Kids joining the race must be accompanied by an adult. We see this partnership with Allianz as fit because both entities’ are aligned in inspiring the Filipino never to waiver on its aspirations.

Rei Abrazaldo, Allianz Philippines’ Branding Communications and Digital Director revealed that the company’s foray into supporting obstacle course races is part of a special trio of activities on 13 May, that espouses Filipinos’ to take part in a fitness activity. Abrazaldo explains – Allianz Philippines declares 13 May as Allianz Day of Courage, because aside from the Allianz Conquer Challenge , the company is also supporting two other sporting events on the same day, namely, the Philippine Heart Association Heart Run at SM By the Bay and the Bayanihan Walk in Singapore.

Allianz globally has been supporting various sports and institutions like football, Paralympics, golf and rugby, among other sports that capture the emotional spirit of its business and inspire millions of people around the world with stories of human achievement through sport and innovation.