PH, Japan Ink Energy Cooperation Deal

Wazzup Pilipinas!

TECH ASSISTANCE FOR POWER PLANT EFFICIENCY: Energy Secretary Alfonso G. Cusi and Japanese Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry Deputy Director-General Kazuhisa Kobayashi during the signing of the letter of intent (LOI) on technical cooperation in the Philippine power sector between METI and the Department of Energy (DOE) of the Philippines. The signing ceremony on 20 June 2018 was held at the Prime Minister of Japan's Office in Tokyo during the 5th regular meeting of the PH-Japan High-Level Committee on Infrastructure and Economic Cooperation.

The Philippines entered into a technical cooperation agreement with Japan to improve electric infrastructure and power generation efficiency in the country.

Department of Energy Secretary Alfonso G. Cusi and Kazuhisa Kobayashi, Deputy Director-General of the Japanese Ministry of Economy, Trade, and Industry (METI), signed the letter of intent (LOI) for the deal at the Japanese Prime Minister’s Office in central Tokyo on Wednesday.

The technical cooperation involves the identification of issues and remedial measures based on Japanese experience and knowledge; proposal of institutional arrangements to propel the installation of facilities with reliable performance; provision of training for the Philippine government and independent power producers to enhance operations and maintenance quality of existing thermal power plants; and sharing of the rehabilitation diagnosis results carried out in line with the action plan.

The plan resulted from a series of coordination meetings between DOE and METI officials to resolve power sector issues. The plan is also based on METI’s study on the Philippine supply-demand outlook, current electricity tariff, electrification rate, and disaster resiliency that complement the DOE’s performance assessment and audit of power generation, transmission, and distribution systems and facilities.

The technical cooperation deal is in accordance with the DOE’s function to disseminate information resulting from energy research programs for the optimal development of various forms of energy production and utilization, as indicated in the Electric Power Industry Reform Act of 2001.

“The technical assistance is needed for Filipinos to get more value for their money, in terms of investment, energy development and utilization. In the end, it should address the overall drive towards energy efficiency,” Cusi emphasized.

YKK Brings Back Real Madrid Coaches to Teach Football to Filipino Kids, Coaches

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Multi-titled Spanish football club Real Madrid together with YKK Holding Asia PTE. Ltd. (YHA) and YKK Philippines, Inc. pays it forward to young Filipino football players as the YKK Asia Group Kids Football Clinic kicks off today at the McKinley Hill Stadium.

     

Real Madrid Foundation coaches Pablo Gomez Revenga, Santiago Sanchez Martin and Hector Vicente trained 30 local football coaches immediately after the Press Conference held at Shangri-La at the Fort on June 22 to prepare for a two-day clinic for kids aged 8-15 on June 23 and 24. The Real Madrid coaches from the most multi-titled La Liga team in history with 33 Championship titles to its name, shared and demonstrated world-class training methodologies and training techniques to the local coaches, who will in turn assist the Spanish coaches in the Saturday and Sunday kids clinics.

300 underprivileged children from three NGOs – Child Hope Asia, Gawad Kalinga and a community in Batangas -- will learn football over two days of fun and interactive training sessions from the three RMF coaches who will also share footballing tips, techniques and basic fundamentals with the young athletes. The clinics have morning (8:30 a.m.) and afternoon (1:30 p.m.) sessions at the McKinley Hill Stadium. 

The YKK football clinic was first held in the Philippines in 2012, and this second installment once again gives more local kids and coaches an avenue to experience world-class football from the international coaches.

"Our objective is to give the underprivileged the chance to be part of this football clinic. YKK's presence in the Philippines dates back since 1978, and our growth and success during these 40 years owes a great deal to the local society which our customers and employees also form part of. It is a great opportunity and pleasure for us to give back and help create the initial spark of encouragement for children who do not normally experience big name events due to its exclusivity. This time, it’s their turn to experience greatness," said President of YKK Philippines, Inc., Mr Tadashi Koshio.

The clinics draw on YKK’s corporate philosophy of the “Cycle of Goodness”, which states that “No one prospers without rendering benefit to others,” said Mr. Kosuke Miimi, YHA President. “AKFC is an integral program that not only values children, but the community as well. This event gives opportunities to those who normally have lesser chances at sports and brings the community together to celebrate the love of football. We believe that football is a common language that everyone can enjoy regardless of culture, nationality or religion.”

"We hope this clinic will develop more players and inspire other players," said Philippine Football Federation General Secretary Ed Gastanes during yesterday's press conference at the Shangri-La at the Fort in Taguig City. “We are always pleased that the Real Madrid Foundation is bringing their style of play and style of coaching here. We are happy that YKK Asia Group and YKK Philippines have partnered with Real Madrid Foundation for another meaningful and significant clinic," he added.

           

"Watching local coaches and children engage and participate in a sport which knows no language or social barriers is the ultimate reward," added Revenga, who is Real Madrid Foundation's technical management clinics and international technical schools director.

Each participant in the clinic receives a full set of YKK/Real Madrid Foundation football jersey kit which includes football boots, a cap, socks, and a certificate of participation. Other sporting equipment such as footballs, sports bibs and training cones will also be provided by YKK over the three-day event. Furthermore, YKK will donate all footballs and training equipment after the event to the invited NGO.

PHOTO CAPTIONS:

CAPTION FOR PRESSCON:

L-R: Agustin Villarama, AVP for Marketing, YKK Philippines; Alson Ng, Regional Marketing Manager, YKK Holdings Asia PTE LTD, RFM Coach Pablo Revenga,  Tadashi Koshio, President, YKK Philippines, Inc.; Atty. Edwin B. Gastanes, Gen. Sec. Philippines Football Federation; RFM Coaches Hector Vicente and Santiago Sanchez Martin.

CAPTION FOR LOCAL COACHES:

Local football coaches are trained by Real Madrid Foundation coaches at the YKK Asia Group Kids Football Clinic at McKinley Hill Stadium.

Julie Anne San Jose's Latest Single Tayong Dalawa Debuts at #1

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Asia's Pop Sweetheart Julie Anne San Jose has added yet another achievement to put on her track record — her latest single "Tayong Dalawa" has reached #1 on the iTunes Philippines All-Genre Chart just 30 minutes after its release. This is her second consecutive certified #1 hit under Universal Records, following the chart-topping release of her debut single "Nothing Left" on the same chart earlier this year. 

Written by the talented songstress herself, the original track speaks of one's hopeful longings for a loved one who's currently out of reach. With the cinematic feel of the song, combined with the singer's powerful vocals, long-time fans will be delighted to hear the Julie they know and love with a brand new sound. 

Julie will return with "Breakthrough," her first album under Universal Records this July. The album will include "Tayong Dalawa," "Nothing Left," and her rendition of the Parokya Ni Edgar classic "Your Song (My One and Only)," along with more never-before-heard tracks. 

"Tayong Dalawa" is now available on iTunes, Apple Music, Amazon, Deezer, and Spotify.