R&E Group of Taxi Pioneer GPS-enabled Taxi Dispatching System in PH

The R&E Group of Taxi -- Nine Stars, Sturdy, EFE and R&E fleet have started using its own Global Positioning System (GPS) enabled dispatching systemwith its very own taxi booking app.

The integrated R&E taxi dispatching system will automatically take bookings received from the R&E call centre and booking app and assign them to the nearest available taxi in the area. 

R&E taxi drivers can easily monitor and respond to incoming job orders through a GPS –enabled 7-inch monitor installed on each taxi unit. This results in faster response time from the point of order to passenger pick-up.

R&E partnered with local tech-solutions firm Govago Inc., which brought the Singapore-based transport system in the country.

Govago Managing Director Dennis Ng said that the innovation is a timely opportunity for the R&E group as the Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) urges Taxi operators to modernize and shift to tech-based land transport services and solutions.

“We provide a tried and tested full fleet management system that can help taxi operators like R&E to maximize their revenue and give the riding public a convenient and user-friendly tech-based solution.”

Dennis shares that R&E preferred to use the 7-inch monitor over the usual mobile phone device used by other taxi booking app providers because of its reliability and safety.

“Dispatching systems using mobile phone devices are dependent on the device’s battery. If the mobile phone is turned off, it can no longer receive bookings or dispatches. The R&E dispatching system is triggered by engine power which informs the call centre whether a taxi is running or not.

“More importantly, the use of mobile phones while driving is a hazardous practice for drivers.”

According to R&E group representative Ramil Enriquez, “The development of a GPS enabled dispatching system and booking app is aimed at better customer service and efficient fleet management.  Most importantly, we want to build a sustainable working relationship with our drivers.

“With our own system, R&E drivers can build a stronger and more stable income as they no longer need to rely on other taxi booking apps for additional income.”

Ramil added that the R&E dispatching system is equipped with an emergency button that allow their drivers to immediately  alert the R&E call centre  during emergency situations such as hold-ups or vehicle break downs.

To date, 500 taxis from the R&E group have been installed with the system and are readily available for online booking orders. Passengers can easily download the R&E Taxi booking app from the Apple App store or Android Playstore.

Ramil stressed that bookings made through the R&E app assure passengers that they are exclusively served by R&E taxis only.

“The R&E group of taxis share one unified hub. In the event that items are accidentally left behind, we can easily track and trace it for our passengers through their booking details.”

Passengers can also call the R&E call centre at 362.1890.

Music, Shadow Play and Puppetry in Tanghalang Pilipino’s “Prinsipe Munti”

By Regina De Vera

Music, shadow play and puppetry provide the spectacle for the adventures of Tanghalang Pilipino’s “Prinsipe Munti” – Layeta Bucoy’s adaptation of the beloved children’s book, “Le Petit Prince” by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry. A little prince leaves his planet and goes off into an adventure, discovering that “it is only with the heart that one can see rightly; what is essential is invisible to the eye.”  In this staging, audiences will witness actors performing live mixed with puppetry led by Ms. Teta Tulay of the Anino Shadowplay Collective together with original music by Toni Muñoz and lighting design by John Batalla. Karilyo, the shadowplay group of DLS-College of Saint Benilde’s Office of Culture and the Arts are the pupper creators and shadowplay mentors. Micko Laurente and Allen Immanuel Ryce (“AIR”) alternate as “Prinsipe Munti” with the Tanghalang Pilipino Actors Company playing multiple roles. Tuxqs Rutaquio provides overall direction.

“Prinsipe Munti” runs from November 28 – December 7, 2014 with shows at 10AM, 2PM and 6PM at the Tanghalang Aurelio Tolentino (CCP Little Theater). Tickets (P600, P800 and P1,000) are available through Tanghalang Pilipino: 832-1125 loc 1620 / 1621 (0905-254-4930/0908-894-1384) and Ticketworld: 891-9999 / www.ticketworld.com.ph. For blurbs, promos and updates, please visit www.facebook.com/tanghalangpilipino. 

Wattpad Presents...Four more stories starting Nov. 24

During the last launch, I realized how much trend from writing online makes it possible for getting your work published in print. This is why TV5 once again releases four more stories at Wattpad Presents.

This batch of stories opens on November 24 with Mr.Popular Meets Ms. Nobody Book 2 which continues the story of "Kamahalan" Kyle.. Original work by Pinky Jhewlii that has 15.6M reads on Wattpad. Featured in this episode are Mark Neumann and Shaira Mae Dela Cruz, Diego Loyzaga and Yassi Pressman, who is also part of another Wattpad story adapted into movie, "She's Dating A Gangster".

Game Of Love author Aine_Tan

Opening December on it's first Monday, Wattpad Presents "His Secretary" by Elise Mae that has 10M reads on Wattpad featuring Bianca King and John James Uy followed by Just For A While by Orange Leaf(almost 1.5M reads) featuring Eula Caballero and Martin Escudero who is also an HRM student and applies his culinary skills for his role in the story as Chef Luke.

To end the year year 2014, Wattpad Presents "Game Of Love" as the last of this batch of story which features Kean Cipriano Chanel Marquez, Nicole Estrada and Phytos Ramirez which airs Dec, 15. I got to meet it's author Aine_Tan who was the only Wattpad author present during the presscon. In a short interview, she told me that the story was already three years old now and she was glad that it is now adapted for television. She was present during the shoot and she believes that it is not far from her original work. Although the cast was not her ideal choice in mind but she was convinced that the actors embodied the characters she created.

According to a Nielsen research, 31% of increased of viewers are teenagers who watches Wattpad Presents basing on social network trends. The next batch of Wattpad stories will be released in 2015. For more Wattpad adaptation and TV5 shows updates, follow this blog or like L.E.N.S. blogs on Facebook.

MELANIE elevates the role of actors on stage

Tanghalang Pilipino release material

Manila, Philippines - MELANIE, a joint project of Tanghalang Pilipino, the resident theater company of the Cultural Center of the Philippines, and global organization UNICEF, which has toured different areas in Metro Manila, returns this December for the celebration of World AIDS Day. Penned by renowned playwright Layeta Bucoy, MELANIE brings together a powerful ensemble, which includes the Tanghalang Pilipino Actors Company, with guest artists Phi Palmos, Cyril Balderama, and Anton Nolasco. Using Forum Theater as a device, the production effectively inculcates important information about HIV and AIDS to the audience by involving them into the performance through an interactive ‘breaking of the fourth wall’. This way, audiences feel that they are part of the process, and at a greater extent, are involved in creating an effective solution. In order to equip the actors with the right skills in mounting the production, they underwent rigorous workshops and seminars which helped broaden their understanding of, not just the principles behind Forum Theater, but of the essential information on HIV and AIDS.

MELANIE tells the story of gay parlorista who became the subject of gossip after his death, due to an AIDS-related complication. At his funeral-turned-disco party, his friends and colleagues gather to discuss the horrors of ‘becoming like Melanie’, showing a fear of infection, which is caused by sheer ignorance on the virus and the disease. Each one has a story to tell; and each one has a fear to conquer. In the end, everyone is left with an eye-opener: we are only afraid of what we don’t understand.

MELANIE is directed by Tanghalang Pilipino’s Associate Artistic Director Tuxqs Rutaqio and is written by Layeta Bucoy. Jed Balsamo creates the music, while John Batalla designs the lights.

MELANIE runs at the CCP Tanghalang Huseng Batute (Studio Theater), from December 3 – 14, 2014, Thursday to Sundays, at 7:30pm. Tickets are priced at Php800 and Php600. Discounts 20% discount on the regular price for senior citizens, government employees, military employees and PWDs. (Please present valid ID). Tickets can be purchased at Ticketworld, or you may call Tanghalang Pilipino at (02) 832-1125, local 1621.

Kathryn Bernardo renews contract with Juicy Cologne

Juicy Cologne is composed of eight variants of scents from the same company that brought you Silka Papaya. The image of Juicy appeals to teen girls who fits the image which is why the ideal endorser is a teen celebrity influencer Kathryn Bernardo. Besides that, her personality that she shares with Juicy as fun and vibrant which is the criteria that made her a household name.

I joined the blogcon as Juicy Cologne renews their contract with Kathryn Bernardo on a fun-filled event. What made Kathryn find it appealing because the scents are not that strong that even her mother uses the brand.

Juicy comes from three different sizes to choose from (45ml, 75ml and 125ml) and is available in leading stores. Watch out for her new TVC soon. For more updates, follow this blog or like L.E.N.S.blogs on Facebook.

Greenhills COD 2014

Every year, I go to cover one of Metro Manila's longest running cosmopolitan tradition: The Christmas On Display by Greenhills Shopping Center. This display first started by COD in Cubao. When it ceased operation, the holiday tradition was continued today with the help of the original marionette designers.

The COD draws the crowd from the nearby areas and shoppers in the parking lot to watch the display. Besides the display, the Christmas tiangge is now open for your shopping needs and the snacks to enjoy while watching.

The annual COD launch is not just for show but it also gives back to the community. Every year, Ortigas and Company with the help of the local municipal government gives gifts to White Cross which is not far from the venue. White Cross is an NGO that housed abandoned children. Some of these children are abandoned after their birth.

The theme of the display is the first Christmas which is actually good to get back to where it all started since for the longest time, I've seen their futuristic theme and an ancient imperial Chinese theme. It's only flaw was that the Magi was never part of the Nativity event but on Epiphany.

The display is now ongoing every night from 6PM onward every 30 minutes until Epiphany which is January 6th. For more holiday updates, follow this blog or follow L.E.N.S. blogs on Facebook.