A theme park with a heart

Robert Laurel Yupangco of Zoomanity Group and Engr. Grace Bondad Nicolas of Kiwanis Club of Makati


Just recently, Zoomanity Group headed by its Chief Executive Officer, Robert Laurel Yupangco supported the Family Day at the grounds of La Consolacion College Pasig, 100 indigent kids from the adopted community of the school came and received different kinds of imported fruits from Frontrow Enterprise headed by its Chief Executive Officer Sam Versoza and its President Raymond Francisco while Zoomanity Group gave away more than Php 300,000 worth of free rides to its 5 Theme Parks around the Philippines. Theme parks are Zoobic Safari in Subic, Zoocobia in Clark, Zoocolate Thrills in Bohol, Paradizoo in Mendez Cavite and Zoori at Residence Inn Tagaytay.

The indigent kids were welcomed by no other than Santa Clause who as always gracefully gave lots of candies and chocolates and ready for the photo opportunities with the children and children at heart.

Kiwanis Clubs-in the Philippines supported the gift giving and assisted in the distribution with their own gifts that’s composed of toys, biscuits and candies. Clubs included were Malate, Makati, Manila, Manila Bay, Pasay and some members who contributed from Kiwanis Club Arista and Bonifacio Global City.

Gift Giving is the annual event of Zoomanity Group and for this year, you can find them in these locations;
-December 13, 2018 Metropolitan, Makati
-December 14, 2018 Makati
-December 15, 2018 Mendez, Cavite
-December 15, 2018 Tagaytay
-December 16, 2018 Clark, Pampanga (Morning)
-December 16, 2018 Subic, Zambales (Afternoon)

Zoomanity group is the leading company in theme park industry under the Yupangco Group of Companies. Envisioning world class, innovative and enjoyable facilities from Northern to Southern Philippines by providing the best tourist destination and nature educational experiences with the facilities that is uniquely design to provide enjoyment to visitors of all ages.

For more information: www.zoomanity.com.ph and www.tagmedia.asia / 02 9170213 (Tag Media & Public Relations Office), 09778978877.

Kirk Steudle Named 2018 IRF "Man of the Year"

www.IRF.global ALEXANDRIA, Virginia, December 3, 2018 - Kirk Steudle, longtime Director of the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) and a globally recognized authority on the development of connected and automated vehicles has been nominated to receive IRF's most distinguished individual honor. According to IRF Chairman Eng. Abdullah A. Al-Mogbel "This accolade crowns an exceptional career and a highly respected voice on innovation in transportation, at a time when road sector stakeholders everywhere are embracing creative thinking in anticipation of new trends shaping our current transportation model". Established in 1951, IRF's Man (Woman) of the Year award recognizes eminent public, private and education sector professionals with an outstanding track record of leadership and commitment to the road transport industry. Over the years, the award has recognized some of the world's most influential transport leaders for their work in the field of advocacy, policy, research and educational programs in support of better, safer, and more sustainable road networks globally. Prior to his recent retirement from public service, Steudle oversaw MDOT's US$4.7 billion annual budget and was responsible for the construction, maintenance and operation of nearly 10,000 miles of state highways and more than 4,000 state highway bridges. He served in a variety of volunteer leadership roles with the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO), the Transportation Research Board (TRB), and ITS America. In October 208, he was appointed Senior Vice President at Econolite, a California-based traffic management solutions company. Throughout this distinguished career, Steudle has pioneered innovative thinking in the areas of road project performance measures, traffic safety and, more recently, the development of connected and automated vehicle systems. Accepting the award, Mr. Steudle stated "I am quite honored to receive this distinguished recognition from the IRF. Serving the public has been a true privilege and a very rewarding career. The IRF has been a great partner in many different areas and I am thankful for their tireless work. I look forward to continued collaboration" ### The International Road Federation is a global not-for-profit organization, headquartered in Washington, DC since 1948 and supported by regional operations in: Brussels, Belgium | Santiago, Chile | Accra, Ghana | Nairobi, Kenya | Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia | Chicago, IL USA. The IRF serves a network of public and private sector members in more than 70 countries by providing world-class knowledge resources, advocacy services, and continuing education programs which together offer a global marketplace for best practices and industry solutions.

PAPI sets 23rd National Press Congress 2018

 DOST Secretary Fortunato T. dela Pena will keynote the press congress and preside over a press conference immediately after the event’s opening rites. (Photo courtesy of PAPI)

MANILA -- The Publishers Association of the Philippines, Inc. (PAPI) has scheduled its 23rd National Press Congress on December 4 at the Bayleaf Hotel in Intramuros, Manila.

The media event is mandated under Presidential Proclamation 1187, declaring December every year as the Month of the Community Press in the Service of the Nation.

The December 4 media convergence by publishers and media practitioners from the regions and provinces will be held in collaboration with the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) National Capital Region. It will focus on the agency’s programs and has “Science and Technology as engines and prime movers towards inclusive growth and development” for its theme.

PAPI national president Nelson S. Santos said DOST Secretary Fortunato T. dela Pena will keynote the press congress and preside over a press conference immediately after the event’s opening rites to answer questions from community journalists.

Aside from their annual General Assembly and Business Meeting, Santos said the event will also feature Senatoriables Forum in the afternoon where invited senatorial candidates are expected to briefly spell out their programmed priority legislative agenda, if elected.

He added that Undersecretary Joel S. Egco, executive director of the Presidential Task Force on Media Security, is also expected to update PAPI members on the latest developments relative to media security measures by the government designed to address the killing of journalists in the country.

For Inquiries 0998-577-5605, 0918-364-0998, phpublisher74@gmail.com. (PR)

IRF Holds Innovation-Centric Global R2T Conference & Exhibition, Announces 2019 Edition

A global summit of road mobility thought-leaders and innovators gathered more than 500 participants from 51 countries in Las Vegas, Nevada at the invitation of the International Road Federation.   Highlighted issues addressed during the Conference include connected & autonomous mobility, innovations in road funding & procurement, leveraging big data in support of preventive road diagnosis & treatment, and environmental stewardship through new pavement design processes.   "We have dubbed this event 'Roads to Tomorrow,' or R2T for short, because, as an industry, we understand the importance of setting a long term agenda for our research activities and capital investments," according to IRF President & CEO C. Patrick Sankey. "With rapidly changing societal aspirations, we will only be successful in our efforts to build tomorrow's transportation infrastructure and mobility services by embracing the positive values of leadership and innovation."   The second edition of the IRF Global R2T Conference & Exhibition will take place on November 19-22, 2019 in Las Vegas, USA. A call for abstracts covering 10 roads & mobility themes is open through March 15, 2019.

LA Santos, Andria Nicolas and The Madrigal Singers for Soul Divas Concert with Patti Austin & Jaya

On December 6, 2018 at The Theater at Solaire, the much awaited concert with International Singer and Grammy Award- winning American and Jazz performer, Patti Austin and our very own María Luisa Ramsey Kagahastian-Gotidoc, better known mononymously as Jaya who is a Filipina soul music singer, rapper, record producer, actress, dancer and presenter of mixed Jamaican and Visayan descent will happen and dubbed as Christmas with Patti Austin and Jaya.

Young performers are also going to showcase their talent and skills that includes;

LA Santos, an award winning young performer who bagged already multiple awards from Aliw and PMPC Star Awards is one of the highlights of the concert. LA launched already multiple original songs under his belt and lots of concerts to brag about. His performance with Ms. Pilita Corales with a duet of “Ugoy ng Duyan” at the recently concluded Aliw@40 Concert was so brilliant that made the audience concluded the concert as perfect.

Andria Terese Nicolas is just Grade 11 at La Consolacion College Pasig who is so focus on her studies and that’s why she’s top of her class. A young performer who just love music especially broadway songs like On my own from Les Miserables. She together with LA Santos were featured at Aliw@40 Concert, the ruby anniversary celebration of Aliw Awards. She’s featured also as one of the performers together with International American singer Keith Martin at Asia Leaders Awards 2018 that’s recently held at Makati Shangrila Hotel. She will launch her solo album this 2019 with Keith Martin as the songwriter.

The Madrigal Singers is a group of award winning young performers under The Madrigal Foundation headed by Therese Madrigal. They will sing their signature song at the concert. The Madrigal Singers is composed of 9 talented performers from different parts of the country. They just performed in Singapore and will have a series of concerts nationwide this 2019.

Christmas with Patti Austin and Jaya is a must to see concert as it’s for the good cause. Proceeds will be for The Child Haus. Childhaus is a temporary shelter for indigent patients from the different provinces who have cancer or other dreaded diseases.

For tickets; 09778978877, 02 2193503 or Ticketworld for booking online.

New Directors Appointed to the Board of the International Road Federation

ALEXANDRIA, Virginia, November 28, 2018 - The International Road Federation (IRF Global) has announced today the election of 26 Directors who will serve on the IRF Board for a two-year term through November 2020. The IRF Board of Directors is comprised of representatives of public, private and academic organizations who have been elected based on their commitment to the goals and objectives of the IRF. With 48 members representing 27 countries now represented, the Board enhances one of its roles as a reflection of the geographic and institutional diversity of the global road community. According to IRF Chairman Eng. Abdullah Al-Mogbel "The Board of Directors plays a pivotal role in guiding IRF in the delivery of world-class knowledge resources, advocacy services and continuing education programs". "It is my sincere hope that the collective knowledge, expertise and vision displayed by our volunteer leadership will help fulfil our vision", he added. IRF Global Executive Committee: Chairman (term 2017-2019) Abdullah A. Al-Mogbel, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Vice Chairmen (term 2017-2019) Jeffrey R. Reed, Valley Slurry Seal Company | United States of America Bill Sowell, EDI | United States of America Thomas Topolski Parsons | United States of America Treasurer (term 2017-2019) Lester Yoshida, Parsons | United States of America Elected Directors to Serve on the Executive Committee (term 2018-2019) Dan Hickey, 3M | United States of America Robert Jaffe, Consystec | United States of America Chris Sanders, Lindsay Transportation Solutions | United States of America Omar Smadi, Iowa State University | United States of America Fernando Vilhena, Armco Staco | Brazil Kiyoshi Watariguchi, Maeda Corporation | Japan Past Chairman Brian Stearman, Parsons | United States of America IREF Chairman Essam Radwan, University of Central Florida | United States of America Appointments to the IRF Board of Directors (Term 2018-2020): Kamil Kaloush, Arizona State University | United States of America Jose Reves, Ascendi | Portugal Miguel Angel Salvia, Argentina Road Association | Argentina TBN, Bechtel | United Kingdom Joe Y. Chou, China Road Federation | Taiwan Bashar Rihani, Dar Al-Handasah | Lebanon John LeFante, DBi | United States of America Bill Sowell, Eberle Design Inc. | United States of America Yoshinori Nishida, Japan Road Contractors Association | Japan TBN, Korea Expressway Corporation | South Korea Chris Sanders, Lindsay Transportation Solutions | United States of America Raul Murrieta, Ministry of Communications | Mexico TBN, Public Authority for Roads & Transportation| Kuwait  Essam Khalaf, Ministry of Works, Municipalities and Urban Planning. | Bahrain Shaikha Al Arfaj, Pan Arab Consulting Engineers | Kuwait Thomas Topolski, Parsons | United States of America Maitha bin Adai, Road & Transport Authority Dubai | UAE Shaflk Nasser, SABER | UAE Tarek Al-Shawaf, Saudi Consulting Services | Saudi Arabia Akio Kasuga, Sumitomo Mitsui Construction Co. | Japan Carl McCollum, Swarco | Austria Mohammed Abdel-Aty, University of Central Florida | United States of America Andelko Scukanec, University of Zagreb | Croatia William F. Troxler, Jr., Troxler Electronic Laboratories, Inc. | United States of America Olga Landolfi, TTS Italia | Italy Ajay Ranka, Zydex Industries | India Detailed information on the mission and leadership of the International Road Federation  may be found here. ### The International Road Federation is a global not-for-profit organization, headquartered in Washington, DC since 1948 and supported by regional operations in: Brussels, Belgium | Santiago, Chile | Accra, Ghana | Nairobi, Kenya | Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia | Chicago, IL USA. The IRF serves a network of public and private sector members in more than 70 countries by providing world-class knowledge resources, advocacy services, and continuing education programs which together offer a global marketplace for best practices and industry solutions.

Advocates holds a forum for Trike drivers and operators

                     photo by Yakapo

Last November 22, 2018 from 5:30PM to 9PM at Max’s Scout Tuazon, Diliman, Quezon City, The Madrigal Foundation headed by Ms. Therese Madrigal with its partners had a successful launched  of “Para Kay Manong Toda,” an Advocacy campaign to help our marginalise tricycle drives to help them alleviate their lives by being heard through forums, seminars and press conference by inviting government officials and private sectors as panelist’s and speakers. That way, the Foundation is hoping that at least some of their needs will be heard by means of these awareness programs.

                      photo by Yakapo

Two panel discussions has been held with topics ranges from environment to wellness. Speakers includes;

                     photo by Yakapo
               
1. Shariff Ibrahim (An advocate and aspiring public servant. Running for a seat at the senate)
2. Migui Moreno (Actor and Businessman. Aspiring public servant from Quezon City)
3. Mario Batuigas (Aspiring public servant from Bulacan and a former radio broadcaster and now holds an online broadcast)
4. Bong Quiroga (Business Chamber President for Business)
5. Rey Castro (Barangay Captain at Santa Maria, Bulacan, TODA)
6. Usec Rose Bistoyong (Climate Change Council)
7. Eva Lisa Adoremos (Manong Toda)
8. Ms. Therese Madrigal (Madrigal Foundation)

                     photo by Yakapo
       
Ms. Therese Madrigal is overwhelmed with the outcome. Attendees came even from other countries just to attend the event and more from the local government units.  She mentioned that the event is just the start and will be touring nationwide to support the trike drivers and operators.

                     photo by Yakapo

The event was moderated by PTV  Anchor Emelie Katigbak and Manila Times Business Writer Engr. Grace Bondad Nicolas.

                     photo by Yakapo

The “Para Kay Manong Toda” that aids the well being of the marginalised tricycle drivers. Most of the tricycle drivers are head of the family and works 7 times a week to support their loved ones without health insurance and most doesn’t received benefits from the government. These modern day heroes are exposed to pollution and some environmental hazards everyday.

                     photo by Yakapo

One of the program under this project is to seek help to focus on their working and medical conditions. In this way, these heroes can continue helping their families and the society as well giving good transportations to those in need. The foundation believes that information dissemination is one way to be heard.

                      photo by Yakapo

For more information: 09778978877/022193503