This Week in Metro Manila (August 1 to 7, 2016)

Dubbed as “The Ultimate Food Show Experience,” the World Food Expo (WOFEX) 2016 will be held at SMX Convention Center and World Trade Center, two of the largest venues in Metro Manila on August 3 to 6. WOFEX started five years ago, aiming to promote all the segments of the food and beverage industry to a wider audience.

WOFEX Trade at World Trade Convention Center will be a place for exhibitors, purchasers, and decision-makers to showcase their products and services. Meanwhile, the event at the SMX Convention Center will be the WOFEX Marketplace or venue for buying and order-taking for both trade players and general public. It has long served as a venue for order-taking before the holiday rush starts. Expo hours start at 10:00 AM and end by 7:00 PM. Entrance fee is PhP200.

911 and 8888 hotlines take effect on August 1, Monday. 8888 hotline will serve as citizen’s direct line to Malacañang, enabling them to report complaints on corrupt and underperforming government officials, as well as unfinished projects. Meanwhile, 911 will be the 24-hour emergency hotline which is linked to the country’s Nationwide Emergency Response Center. The government is encouraging the public to avoid prank calls, therefore implementing regular voice charges plus PhP5 for calling 911.

Motorists who committed traffic violations can now settle their penalties at several Bayad Center outlets in Metro Manila and Luzon area. The following branches accept payment as of July 26, 2016:

• Meralco Complex – Gate 2, Ortigas Avenue, Pasig City

• Pinagkamaligan, Tanay, Rizal

• Tropical Hut Taytay, Rodriguez Avenue, Taytay, Rizal

• Ever Gotesco, Commonwealth, Quezon City

• Gulod Novaliches, Quezon City

• Pritil, Tondo, Manila

• Cangatba Porac, Pampanga

• Ultra Mega Paliparan, Dasmariñas, Cavite

• Zapote Arcade, Las Piñas City

• Romacom Muntinlupa

mayhuliba.com is a website launched by the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) that lets motorists check if they have committed a traffic violation under no-contact apprehension policy.

Severe Tropical Storm “Carina” (international name: Nida) has made a landfall in the country Sunday afternoon. Public cyclone warning signals numbers 1 and 2 have been hoisted over provinces in Northern Luzon. Meanwhile, Metro Manila may experience a couple of heavy thunderstorms until Wednesday..

Last week, the catenary cable of Metro Rail Transit-3 train was struck by lightning while traversing the Santolan-Ortigas route and interrupted its operation. No passenger was hurt. To avoid getting hit by lightning, it is advisable to check weather forecasts for advisories on thunderstorms, and then to stay away from tall objects and materials that may conduct electricity or remain inside the home, building, or shelter if possible, when there is a thunderstorm outside.

Cinemalaya Philippine Independent Film Festival 2016, one of the most anticipated film festivals in the Philippines, is set to happen from August 5 to 14. The festival will be showcasing nine (9) full-length films and ten (10) entries from the short feature category. Films can be watched at the following venues:

• Cultural Center of the Philippines

• Glorietta 4

• Greenbelt 1

• Trinoma Mall

• U.P. Town Center

• Fairview Terraces

• Nuvali

• Ayala Center Cebu

Ticket price is PhP150. Students can get PhP50 discount by presenting valid IDs. Senior citizens, PWDs, and government and military personnel can also get 20% discount upon purchase.

Robinsons Malls is starting their one-month long Red Hot Sale on August 1. Prices of selected fashion items are reduced by up to 70% off. The sale happens in 22 twenty-two branches of Robinsons Malls nationwide. List of the participating malls can be seen here: http://bit.ly/RedHotSale2016.