...the song writer

Pinoy writes HK Disney theme song

By AMYLINE CHING

January 21, 2011

MANILA, Philippines — Pinoys did it again.

At the heels of the success of Filipino artists Charice Pempengco and Rafe Totengco abroad, Pinoy music composer Rony Fortich brought yet another honor to the Philippines when his song “Celebration in the Air” bested entries from around the globe to be the music behind Hong Kong Disneyland’s 5th anniversary celebration this year.

The entries were judged by a global panel.

The song was translated in Chinese by acclaimed lyricist Lin Xi and performed by Asian superstars Kelly Chen and Hacken Lee.

“It is truly a great honor and an accomplishment for Filipinos to be chosen from entries worldwide. I have done songs in the past but they are mostly jingles. This is the first time that a full-length song that I have composed will be used in an event this scale and it is going to be sung by such famous artists.” says Fortich, who is currently the music director of Hong Kong Disneyland.

Fortich was the composer for Noah’s Big Boat, now being staged as “N.O.A.H (No Ordinary Aquatic Habitat)” and did Trumpets’ musicals before joining the theme park in 1995.

He has worked with people from across the globe, even fellow Filipinos.

According to Fortich, there are two things that make Filipinos stand out – their musicality, and their heart.

“Not only do Filipinos know music, they have so much passion for it and that shows in the music that they make,” Fortich said.

Inspired by his life in the theme park, the song is reminiscent of his own feelings of “taking flight and having his dreams come true.”

His musical score complements this with a build-up in tempo as if the song is “taking speed and soaring up in the sky.”

It is also the perfect accompaniment to the park’s anniversary parade, which will involve aerial stunts and parade floats that glide as high as 40 feet.

It will be the first of its kind in Disneyland, not only in Asia but around the world.

“I think the song captures the heart of the park as well as its effect on people. Being in Disneyland really gives you the feeling that anything is possible,” he ends.

...the other Jackson

Janet picks the Philippines as first stop of concert tour

mb.com.ph

January 22, 2011

Janet Jackson

 

 

MANILA, Philippines — Janet Jackson declares unabashedly her love for the Philippines.
When fans submitted their suggestions to http://www.janetjackson.com/ to include Manila included in her largest ever world tour “Number Ones” – she immediately agreed.

More, the pop icon moved up her tour dates and made Manila the first stop of the entire tour.
The Manila show will take place on Friday, Feb. 4 at the PICC Plenary Hall. This tour will differ from her previous concerts in that she will perform only hits.

It’s been more than a decade since Michael Jackson’s younger sister, and the voice behind the No. 1 hits “What Have You Done For Me Lately,” “Nasty,” “When I Think of You,” “Control,” “Let’s Wait Awhile,” “The Pleasure Principle,” “Miss You Much,” “Rhythm Nation,” “Escapade,” “Alright,” “Come Back to Me,” “Black Cat,” “Love Will Never Do,” “The Best Things In Life Are Free,” “That’s The Way Love Goes,” “If,” “Again,” “Because Of Love,” “Any Time Any Place,” “Scream” (with Michael Jackson), “Runaway,” “Got ‘Til It’s Gone,” “Together Again,” “I Get Lonely,” “Go Deep,” “What’s It Gonna Be,” “Doesn’t Really Matter,” “All For You,” “Someone To Call My Lover,” “All Nite,” “Call On Me,” “Feedback” and “Make Me,” has performed in Manila.

Janet has expressed her excitement for the upcoming performance in Manila by stating, “I have always loved the Philippines. As a child I’ve felt a connection and passion, for the diversity and uniqueness, of the culture, the passion and the people. I want to bring my moves, my music, and my love to Manila on Feb 4.” Tickets to “Janet Jackson – Number Ones World Tour in Manila” are available at TicketWorld or Wilbros Live.

...the young and restless

Pinay makes it to 'Business in Vancouver Forty under 40'

By Marieton Pacheco

ABS-CBN North America News Bureau

01/22/2011

VANCOUVER - A Filipina nurse made it to “Business in Vancouver 2010 Forty under 40” list, a recognition of British Columbia's up and coming business stars for more than 20 years.

Marilyn Senador was a former nurse at the Vancouver General Hospital who came to Canada in 1999.
After working for more than 5 years, she saw a business opportunity for patients needing care even after they were discharged.

She then set up Saltgrass Health Incorporated, which provides nursing care to hospitals, nursing homes, seniors’ facilities and private residents.

Senador has also established 2 group homes for people with brain injuries.

The Pinay nurse also volunteered at the Multicultural Helping House Society during her free time.
The awards night will happen on February 1, 2011. Balitang America

...the slogan

PNoy's anti-corruption slogan wins Asian award

ABS-CBN - Friday, January 21, 2011

 

MANILA, Philippines - President Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III bested other heads of state for his communications platform of promoting transparency and accountability.

He received on Thursday night in Hong Kong the PublicAffairsAsia’s Gold Standard Award for Political Communications.

Aquino won over Lee Kuan Yew, Minister Mentor and first Prime Minister of Singapore; Ambika Soni, India’s Minister of Information and Broadcasting; British Prime Minister David Cameron; ASEAN Secretary General Dr. Surin Pitsuwan; and Indonesian Politician Anas Urbaningrum.

PublicAffairsAsia Executive Director Craig Hoy said: “These awards celebrate the achievements of corporations, governments and NGOs and identify those professionals, consultancies and governmental figures who are driving this important process of engagement and partnership in Asia Pacific.”

PublicAffairsAsia is a network of senior government relations, public affairs and corporate communications professionals operating across the Asia Pacific region.

The group gave credence to Aquino’s “Kung Walang Corrupt, Walang Mahirap” line that he has been trumpeting since the elections.

In fact, Aquino had made sure that this would be brought into the public consciousness, it said.
Aquino had even capitalized on different platforms to bring this to the public. His communications team, for example, made sure of the government’s presence in the Internet.

He also launched recently the Public-Private Partnership Center, a cornerstone of its economic policy.
His nomination was developed by EON, a stakeholder relations firm.

“We nominated President Aquino because we believed that he is the person to drive lasting change within the political landscape of the Philippines. It’s a great thrill to see that our efforts have translated in a concrete result not just for the President, but also for the country,” said EON Chief Executive Junie del Mundo.

Last year, the award went to Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono due to his exemplary work in addressing corruption in Indonesia through his Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK).

...the soda becomes energy

Pepsi to build $8-M biomass power plants in Philippines

abs-cbnNEWS.com

01/20/2011

MANILA, Philippines - Softdrinks manufacturer Pepsi-Cola Products Philippines Inc. (PCPPI) will build 2 biomass power plants this year worth $8 million.

The power plants, which will have a combined capacity of 3.4 megawatts, are part of efforts to reduce electricity costs, PCPP commercial director Rendentor Gabinete said.

The plants, which are expected to be completed by June 2011, will cut electricity costs by half.
Japanese-backed Solutions Using Renewable Energy (SURE) will construct the plant in La Union. It will have a 1.2-megawatt capacity and will cost $2.7 million.

US-based Power Source Energy Services, Inc, on the other hand, will build a 2.2-megawatt unit in Cagayan de Oro. It has a project cost of $4.5 million.

Biomass-powered plants utilize agricultural feedstock as fuel. This allows them to be run as base-load plants that can run round-the-clock unlike other renewable energy sources whose output are dependent on the weather.

Unlike a conventional power generator, which produces only electricity, a cogeneration plant allows the production of heat and electricity in one single process, which the company could use in its beverage production.

"When you go into biomass, savings is at 20% to 50%. This will include overhead cost and all other costs including taxes," Gabinete explained.

PCPPI plans to build around 11 biomass power plants in the next 2 to 3 years to complement its manufacturing plants in Cagayan de Oro, Cebu, Bacolod, Davao, Iloilo, La Union, Leyte, Muntinlupa, Naga, Pampanga and Zamboanga.

...fluid money

Philippines' 2010 net portfolio inflows at 7-yr high

Yahoo! News

Reuters

* Dec net inflow at $428 mln vs $43 mln outflow a yr ago

* 2010 inflow at $4.6 bln vs $388 mln a yr earlier

MANILA, Jan 20 - The Philippine central bank on Thursday released data on net foreign portfolio investments in Dec:

Dec Nov Oct Sept Aug July Net flows 428 1,673 1,089 494 225 14

KEY POINTS:

- Gross foreign portfolio inflows last month totalled $1.4 billion and gross outflows were $973 million.

- For the whole of 2010, the Philippines had net portfolio inflows of $4.6 billion, almost 12 times the $388 million net inflow in 2009, and the highest for the past seven years.

- The United States, Singapore, the United Kingdom, Luxembourg and Hong Kong accounted for 81.7 percent of portfolio investments in 2010.

- Investments in the stock market in 2010 reached $8.5 billion, up 75 percent from a year ago, and accounting for 65 percent of the $13 billion investments registered with the central bank. The balance was in local currency government debt and time deposits.

- Registered investments in 2010 were more than double the year-ago level. Registration of foreign investments with the central bank is voluntary, but is required if investors want to buy foreign currency to be sent out of the country.

LINKS:
- For details, click on central bank website: http://www.bsp.gov.ph

  

...the model

Aljur Abrenica is AMFA's Best Asian Model

By ROWENA JOY A. SANCHEZ

mb.com.ph

January 20, 2011

MANILA, Philippines - Aljur Abrenica’s dedication to achieve his hunky physique looks to have paid off as evidenced by his being named “Best Asian Model” at the 2011 Asia Model Festival Awards (AMFA).
The young actor beamed with pride while relating his excitement over receiving the honor.

“Hindi po lahat nabibigyan ng pagkakataon na ganyan eh. Marami pong artista dito sa industriya natin pero para mapansin ka sa ibang bansa, iba pong kategorya ‘yon, iba pong dating ‘yon,” the “StarStruck” winner related in an interview aired on GMA-7’s “24 Oras” on Jan. 19.

Even with his busy schedule, Aljur will attend the event, which will be held at the JW Marriott Hotel in Seoul, South Korea on Jan. 21. The Kapuso actor is set to leave the country on Jan. 20 and will return on the 22nd.

Apart from the international recognition, Aljur seems to have become a local icon in his own right since he bagged the role of the new “Machete.” His well-publicized preparations for his dream role seemed to have earned a following that even Aljur’s diet was dubbed as “Machete Diet,” and his body, the “Machete Body.”

“Labis ko pong ikinatutuwa ‘yan kapag naririnig ko na po sa iba-ibang tao na nagtatanong at tumatangkilik po sa ‘Machete Diet’ at ‘Machete Body,’” Aljur enthused.

The 20-year-old Aljur related how he attained his well-toned bod.

"Dala po ng diet. Kung magda-diet po kayo, lahat po rito, eh, magli-lean. Wala pong binago or ipinagawa sa akin. Kumbaga, mas naging healthy lang ako. Regular workout lang po 'yan at saka diet. Nag-take din po ako ng isa pang activity. Nag-swimming na rin po ako," he said in a recent press conference.

Aljur is not the sole Filipino representative to the event. According to a report on Abante Online, singer-actress Frencheska Farr, star of the musical film “Emir,” will be handed the Female Model Award. As seen in her recent tweets, the chanteuse has left for Korea on Jan. 19.

Suzuki Sadatsugu is said to be competing in the festival as well.

Last year, their fellow Kapuso stars Rhian Ramos and Victor Aliwalas received the Model Star awards.

As stated in the festival’s official website, the AMFA, an annual event participated by 13 countries, aims “to establish the role of models and promote harmony and exchange between Asian models.

...the upward trend

NEDA chief says 2010 GDP may be above 7%

abs-cbnNEWS.com

01/20/2011

MANILA, Philippines - The country's economic planning secretary said on Thursday he was hopeful annual GDP growth for the fourth quarter of 2010 will hit 6.5%, pushing the full-year 2010 average growth above 7%.

The government has said growth last year was faster than its target of 5% to 6%.

"We have seen our economy steadfastly expand despite the decline in agriculture due to the El Niño onslaught," Cayetano Paderanga told reporters.

For 2011, Paderanga said growth will be "more modest" due to the absence of election spending and the fragile global economic recovery.

"In fact, in the preparation of the 2011 government budget, we assumed a conservative 5% GDP growth.

That is only for the budget process. However, with the right policies and continued confidence, we are hopeful that the government real GDP growth target of 7% to 8%... would still be achievable."
Paderanga cited several factors that would support economic growth in 2011.

On the supply side, he said the agriculture sector may recover as the impact of the government’s modernization plan kicks off. The industry sector -- including includes mining, construction, and housing -- would post a "full" rebound, while services will continue to improve driven by trade, private services and finance.

Paderanga added that private consumption will still be fueled by strong inflows of remittances from abroad, and investments will continue expand on account of construction, agro-industry, business process outsourcing, electronics and tourism.

The government is scheduled to announce the official 2010 GDP data on January 31. - With Reuters

...the exibitionists

Filipino artists strut stuff in Singapore

INQUIRER.net
01/20/2011

SINGAPORE—A palette of art events featuring top Filipino artists got Philippine Art in Singapore off to a good start this 2011.

Within a week, two prominent art galleries in Singapore mounted solo exhibitions of a pair of luminaries of Philippine Art, who are marking their golden jubilee as artists, while the works of several other Filipino artists were showcased at the debut of Art Stage Singapore.

On January 13, “To Be Continued,” the first exhibition outside of the Philippines of the works of Roberto Chabet, arguably the most influential Filipino conceptual artist, opened at the Institute of Contemporary Arts Singapore (ICAS), LASALLE College of the Arts.

Organized by ICAS and Osage Art Foundation with the support of the Philippine embassy in Singapore and the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA), the exhibit featured the plywood paintings and installations of Chabet from 1984 to the present, including his groundbreaking trilogy from the 1980s: “Russian Paintings,” “House Paintings,” and “Cargo and Decoy.” Focusing on process and the provisional aspect of the material, it underscored the fugitive and contingent nature of art, a central theme of Chabet’s body of work.

“To Be Continued” will be followed in February by “Complete & Unabridged I,” also at ICAS, which will showcase the works of more than 30 Filipino artists mentored and influenced by Chabet. The two events are part of 15 exhibits to be staged from 2011 to 2012 in commemoration of 50 years of Chabet’s practice as an artist, teacher and curator, which will likewise include two shows in Hong Kong, “Complete & Unabridged II” and “Intermediate Geography.”

On January 14, the Singapore Tyler Print Institute (STPI) unveiled four sets of edition prints, 36 unique prints and 19 paper pulp paintings of National Artist Benedicto Cabrera, better known as BenCab. Entitled “Glimpses,” these were produced by BenCab over a period of four weeks during an unprecedented second residency at STPI, where he was also a resident artist in 2005.

His works explored the notions of evolution and continuity in the context of the cultural, social, and historical diversity of the Philippines. They featured the recurring image of Sabel, an itinerant scavenger, whom the artist photographed and sketched in the 1960s, and who has become “the artist’s vehicle for the transmission of intensely emotional moods.”

...the pacman's magic continues

Pacquiao is Sportsman of the Year: poll

abs-cbnNEWS.com

Posted at 01/19/2011

MANILA, Philippines – Eight division-champion Manny Pacquiao was chosen as 2010 Sportsman of the Year in an online poll conducted by Abu Dhabi-based sports daily, Sport360°.

Pacquiao, who is also nominated in the World Sportsman of Year accolade at the 2011 Laureus World Sports Award, outpointed other international sports stars in the online poll.

“Pacquiao garnered 57% of the total votes and saw off a number of stiff challengers, including legendary Indian cricketer Sachin Tendulkar and Formula One champion Sebastian Vettel, who came in second and third respectively,” said Sport360°’s Web Editor, Chris McHardy.

Filipinos residing in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) expressed pride over their compatriot's award.

Sport360° reader Reimond De Leon called Pacquiao “The Eighth Wonder of the World,” after he became the first 8-division world champion in boxing history with his win over Mexican Antonio Margarito last November.

“Pacquiao is quite simply a phenomenon and thoroughly deserves our inaugural Sportsman of the Year title,” added McHardy.

Pacquiao, regarded by the Boxing Writers Association of America as the Fighter of the Decade, was also recently voted in an online poll as Ring Magazine’s 2010 Fighter of the Year.

The pound-for-pound king is set to face former welterweight champion “Sugar” Shane Mosley on May 7.

Other Sport360° winners

Other sterling athletes who made it to the Sport360° shortlist were:

• Lee Westwood, who ended Tiger Woods’ incredible 281-week stay as the world’s number one golfer;
• Martin Kaymer, who won his maiden Major at the USPGA Championship and claimed the European No.1 spot;
• Rafael Nadal, who added three Grand Slam titles in 2010 and reclaimed the number one spot from Roger Federer;
• Barcelona’s FIFA World Player of the Year Lionel Messi, and his Barcelona team-mates Xavi and Andres Iniesta, the dynamic duo instrumental in Spain’s first ever World Cup triumph;
• Drew Brees, the quarterback star who guided the New Orleans Saints to their first ever Super Bowl triumph with a 31-17 win over the Indianapolis Colts;
• Tim Lincecum, starting pitcher for the San Francisco Giants, who played a pivotal role in helping them claim a 4-1 success over the Texas Rangers in the World Series.
• Kobe Bryant, who secured his fifth championship ring as LA Lakers swept Boston Celtics in last year’s NBA finals;
• Sidney Crosby - touted as the finest National Hockey League (NHL) player of his generation - who inspired Canada to a gold medal at the Winter Olympics in Vancouver, and horse racing champion Tony McCoy.

The awarding ceremony will be held in Abu Dhabi on February 7. – With a report from Angel L. Tesorero

...the artist

Pinoy artist brings pride to Milan-based Filipinos

By Zita Baron

ABS-CBN Europe News Bureau

01/19/2011

MILAN, Italy – A Bagong Bayani awardee for 2007 wowed Filipinos and Italians alike with his sculptural works of art and masterpieces during a one-man exhibit at the Studio Tomomeo, Via Gianonne last December.

Richard Gabriel was named as the 2007 Bagong Bayani Awardee for Arts and Culture. His natural interest and curiosity for the arts led him to immerse himself deeper in his artistic endeavor.

Gabriel’s exhibit dubbed as “Cinderella between Fetish and Zen” is a collection of ceramic shoes of different shapes, color and sizes. Each has its own and unique story.

He came to Italy in 1989 and took several art courses such as Corso Libero del Nudo and corso di incisione e di ornate. His natural talents and giftedness in sculpture were honed when he worked as assistant in 1998 to Carla Tomolomeo one of Italy’s renowned contemporary artists.

Tolomeo did not only bring Gabriel along with her to different international exhibits but also made sure that his name is also indicated in different art catalogues.

Tolomeo who has also assumed the role of a mother to Gabriel and his family in Italy, inspired and pushed him to reach the pedestal where he is now. 

Gabriel’s exposure to the world of ceramics, on the other hand, began in 2009 when he worked in Pietrasanta for a marble and ceramics factory and where he was introduced to Massimo Gentile of Francesconi’s studio.

Naturally gifted that he is, Gabriel easily found himself in the circle of qualified artists in this studio. There, Gabriel began to take seriously his craft and started creating his masterpieces.

Gabriel said that he chose shoes for his subject because it brings people to where they would want to be. It also supports people in bearing burdens, and aids in the effort to remain standing despite the test of times.

Gabriel added that shoes show the kind of occupation or destination that its wearer wants to reach.

...the Filipino hospitality

PH to offer medical tourist visas

Philippine Daily Inquirer
Agence France-Presse
01/18/2011

MANILA, Philippines – The Philippines said Tuesday it would introduce special medical visas for foreigners, as the country seeks to grab a bigger share of Asia's booming health tourism industry.

The medical tourist visas, to be introduced this year, will allow foreigners to stay in the country for six months without having to apply for extensions as regular tourists are required to do, according to the Bureau of Immigration.

"The visa will help the Philippines become competitive in the lucrative medical tourism market in Asia now dominated by Taiwan, Singapore and Thailand among others," immigration bureau deputy head Ronaldo Ledesma told AFP.

The government is banking on its English-speaking and internationally trained doctors among its advantages, as well as medical and surgical costs that are up to 50 percent cheaper than the United States or Europe.

"We are blessed with a rich pool of doctors, nurses and other health professionals and we might as well exploit this opportunity to cash in on the medical tourism boom," Ledesma said.

"We are optimistic that once we begin offering this visa, we will have more visitors from Europe and the United States."

The Philippines' health department launched a program in 2004 to promote medical tourism by encouraging state hospitals and specialised private institutions to compete with medical organisations elsewhere in Asia

...the star-dresser

Filipino-Americans make their presence felt at Golden Globe Awards

ANN
Wednesday, January 19, 2011

Los Angeles (Philippine Daily Inquirer/ANN) - Filipino-American designers made their presence felt at Sunday's Golden Globe Awards.

Catherine Zeta-Jones and Mandy Moore wore gowns by acclaimed Filipino-American designer Monique Lhuillier while "Glee" actress Amber Riley wore a sparkling silver outfit by Oliver Tolentino.

Another Fil-Am designer, Alan del Rosario, dressed up former Miss Universe-turned-journalist Margaret Gardiner.

Actor Harry Shum Jr. said that his "Glee" co-star Mark Salling enjoyed his Christmas vacation in Boracay island in eastern Philippines. Salling went to the Philippines with his roommates.

Filipino-American Darren Criss said he also had fun in his recent trip to Manila.

Another "Glee" star, Kevin McHale, said Charice Pempengco would definitely be back toward the end of the season.

Most surreal pair

In the madness of the star-studded awards night at the Beverly Hilton Hotel, the most surreal pairing was Angelina Jolie and Justin Bieber.

Near the end of the red carpet festivities, Jolie got separated from partner Brad Pitt in the crush of media and guests. Someone clamored to interview the popular actress and the teen pop star.

Jolie obliged. But first, Bieber put on purple glasses.

Filipino blood

Green, nude and red were the predominant colors of the women's gowns.

Among the earliest to have dinner at the International Ballroom were Hailee Steinfeld, who earned raves for her major film debut in "True Grit", and her part-Filipino mother, Cheri Steinfeld.

The proud mother, whose father is Filipino, said that she went to the Philippines several times when she worked as a stewardess.

Host Ricky Gervais dished out jokes about some of the stars present. At his rehearsals the day before, Gervais made a visual gag to go with a Hugh Hefner joke, which he promised he wouldn't do during the show.

Of course, he went on with the antic before the celebrity-filled audience in the ballroom.

...the lady weightlifter

Lifter Diaz wins silver in China tilt

By KRISTEL SATUMBAGA

mb.com.ph

January 18, 2011

MANILA, Philippines — Olympian Hidilyn Diaz won a silver medal in the China Weightlifting Grand Prix in Fuijian, China over the weekend to boost her preparation of earning a slot in the 2012 London Games.

The 19-year-old Diaz, who finished fifth in last year’s Guangzhou Asian Games, had a total of 195kgs in the 58kgs category after lifting 85kgs in snatch and 110kgs in clean and jerk events.

Her performance was way below her national record of 210kgs which was the winning effort of local bet Deng Wei who had a lift of 90kgs in snatch and 120kgs in clean and jerk.

Nadia Hosni of Tunisia settled for bronze with 173kgs total lift – 76kgs in snatch and 97kgs in clean and jerk.

Her effort which is worth $3,000 is likely to boost her confidence when she competes in World Championship in Nice, France – the lone qualifying tournament for the London Games.

Diaz hopes to nail her second Olympic appearance after earning a wildcard berth at the 2008 Beijing Olympics and finishing 11th against most senior and

...the social gamers

First Pinoy Facebook game taps into social media

01/18/2011

 

The power unit of business conglomerate Aboitiz Corp. is taking to social media to push its environment agenda by creating a Facebook game application that is geared towards educating people about the concepts of carbon footprints and cleaner and renewable sources of energy.

The game, called Alter Space, is reputedly the first Facebook game to be developed locally. It was commissioned by AboitizPower. According to Socialbakers.com,

The energy provider is taking advantage of social games as there are about 56 million Facebook users playing daily and 290 million playing monthly. Up to 265 million Facebook gamers, meanwhile, spend 210 minutes playing games. Twenty-percent of these game players even pay cash for in-game benefits.

In the Philippines, 54 percent of social networking site users cite gaming as the reason they log on, the company said. According to Socialbakers.com, there are over 20.8 million Filipinos —or just under 21 percent of the country's total population— on Facebook as of January 2010.

In Alter Space, the game players’ mission is to take care of their own little planet. They do this by keeping their carbon footprint levels low, while still keeping their Happiness levels up. They will have to accomplish fun tasks and challenges while their carbon footprint is measured.

Every choice they make affects their environment, and the game always gives feedback as to whether the player’s choice was environmentally sound or not. They can also invite friends to be their neighbors, and their over-all carbon footprint as a community will be calculated.

If they fail to make the cleaner and greener choice, their virtual planet will experience disasters like Smog, which cause their avatar to lose interaction, and Heat Wave, wherein they will have to perform extra tasks or pay a fee to bring their carbon footprint down.

Aside from the carbon footprint calculator, game players’ progress is also measured through their Happiness level, Current-cy, and Experience points.

Mini-games, meanwhile, provide game players an interactive way with which they could learn more about the different sources of cleaner and renewable energy. Harvesting alternative energy is how they earn points in their planet — a significant function of the game that encourages players to seek out and use alternative energy.

The mini-games include Solar, wherein they are tasked to catch as many sunbeams as they can; Geo, wherein they are asked to click the steam that goes out of the valves of hot spots; and Hydro, wherein they create a passageway for the water to reach turbines.

Practical tips, trivia, and other features guide players along as they strive to make their virtual planet a cleaner and greener one.

While addressing the bigger issues of carbon footprint reduction and environmental preservation, Alter Space employs some uniquely Filipino features in doing so. The use of pamaypay (the Philippine native fan), the playing of the game sungka, and eating what is colloquially call “dirty ice cream" are incorporated into the game for that distinct Filipino flavor.

The Facebook game is scheduled to be launched on February 7, although players can take a peek by visiting www.facebook.com/AlterSpaceGame. — Newsbytes.ph

...the blogger gets blogged

Pinay a finalist in blog competition

By Balitang America Staff

abs-cbnnews.com

01/18/2011

 

TUSTIN, California - A Filipino-American self-described food-a-holic is in the running for a $10,000 grand prize and a two week trip throughout Asia.

Marian Bacol Uba, known online as Marian the Foodie, is a top five finalist for Pei Wei Diner’s Blog Asia Competition.

A marketing manager for a technology firm, Uba’s food blogging skills can win her a two-week vacation through five countries and a $10,000 cash prize.

During the Asia trip, the winner will get to blog about the local cuisines that they will eat. The winner will be announced later this month, after Pei Wei interviews the finalist.

Readers are asked to post comments on Pei Wei’s Facebook page whom they would like to see win the grand prize. Blogging skills, personality, and popularity will be some of the criteria in their selection.

Uba said, “I’m really, really passionate about all this. I basically eat, breathe, and everything is about food. And sharing that with others, that’s why I got into blogging. I want to share these foods with other people.”

...the educator

Pinoy educator Gabriel Esteban appointed president of US university

SPOT 

 Tuesday, January 18, 2011

 

Gabriel Esteban says, "I am honored to be asked to serve as the 20th president of Seton Hall University, a leader in higher education for the past century and a half."

Filipino educator Gabriel Esteban, 49, was named the 20th president of Seton Hall University in the U.S. last month, reports Manila Times. He served as the interim president of the school for almost six months.

Esteban is the first non-priest to head the university in New Jersey. According to Manila Times, the school's board of regents asked the board of trustees to make an exception to the university rule that requires the president to be a priest. "I am honored to be a part of this great institution and to carry on its nationally recognized leadership in Catholic higher education," Esteban said. "As an immigrant, I am extremely thankful."

According to the Seton Hall University website, Esteban previously served as the provost and chief academic officer of the school. He started heading enrolment services in 2009. "Under his leadership, Seton Hall recruited the largest new class in 30 years, more than 1,300 students, with an average increase in SAT scores of 27 points."

Before joining Seton Hall, he worked at the University of Central Arkansas, the Arkansas Tech University, the University of Houston-Victoria and the University of the Philippines. He has a Ph.D. in Administration from the University of California, a Master of Science in Japanese Business Studies from the Chaminade University in Honolulu, and a Master of Business Administration and a degree in Math from the University of the Philippines Diliman.

For more on this story, log on to Manila Times and the Seton Hall University website.

...run for Kabayan

Pinoys to join Dubai marathon to help distressed compatriots

01/17/2011
GMANews.tv

A group of Filipino runners in Dubai is joining a marathon event in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to raise funds for their distressed compatriots there.

Filipino Runners-UAE said on its website that it is participating in the annual Standard Chartered Dubai Marathon on Jan. 21 not only to keep healthy or overcome homesickness, but also to assist unfortunate Filipino workers there.

Dubai-based Filipino Runners-UAE is joining the Standard Chartered Dubai Marathon to raise funds for distressed OFWs. GMANews.TV

Dubbed Takbo Para kay Kabayan (Run for my Countrymen), 39 members of the group vowed to run a total of 800 kilometers in the marathon.

The group said it is hoping to raise at least Dh40,000 (about P480,000) by soliciting pledges of Dh50 (about P600) from individuals and groups for every kilometer that they run.

The activity’s proceeds will go to Filipinos at the Rashid Hospital who need medical and financial assistance; education and training workshops to inform overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) their basic rights; and repatriation of distressed OFWs at the POLO-OWWA Center in Abu Hail in Dubai.

“Finishing the Dubai Marathon, which includes the grueling 42km event as well as the 10km race, is a major feat in itself, but participating in that event to help others is glorious," said Euca Bolingot, the group’s coach and team captain.

Bolingot, 28 years old and an IT professional in Dubai, said many OFWs, particularly domestic helpers and unskilled workers, end up as victims of maltreatment, harassment and unfair labor practices, while some of them have piled up hospital bills.

Takbo para kay Kabayan, Bolingot said, is the group’s way of extending aid to their distressed compatriots and raising awareness on the conditions that many OFWs endure.

Filipino Runners partnered with the UAE chapter of migrants’ rights group Migrante International in November last year to help realize the fundraising project.

Yuri Cipriano, chairperson of Migrante-UAE, said Takbo para kay Kabayan is “a clarion call to all Filipino expats to hold similar activities that will uplift the lives of their kababayans (countrymen) in the Middle East."

Cipriano, who will participate in the 10km run, said Takbo para kay Kabayan is a fine example of the Filipino practice of bayanihan or collective action.

“More than ever, we are more determined to reach the finish line. Each stride, each bead of sweat, each glory and pain is dedicated to improve the lives of our fellow migrant workers," Balingot said.

The group started with just three runners, but according to Bolingot, the group’s membership has now grown to almost 50 in just a few months. The group was initially called Zabeel Night Striders until the members decided to adopt the name Filipino Runners.

The group has set up a website for those who would like to give donations. - JA/KBK, GMANews.TV

...school initiative

Local green schools fight US junk food

Philippine Daily Inquirer
Agence France-Presse
01/17/2011

 MANILA, Philippines—The country’s elementary school yards are being transformed into vegetable gardens in a bid to fight US-inspired junk food addictions that are causing an explosion of health problems throughout society.

At one of the showcase schools in Metro Manila for the burgeoning health food project, teachers and students are joined by parents in tending lush plots that have an assortment of vegetables.

Every available space is used to grow nutritious greens that are harvested in cycles—as free food for the school’s mostly poor students or sold as part of a livelihood project for their families.

Where there is no soil, portable hydroponic gardening is promoted using discarded plastic bottles as water receptacles for plants that hang symmetrically in rows.

“It’s amazing what many things you can do with a little innovation, and a little bit of imagination,” Parañaque Central Elementary School principal Edita Baggayan, 65, told Agence France Presse (AFP) as she inspected tomatoes in a mini-greenhouse.

“Children here are taught proper nutrition, and we involve parents in the project because we want to take families away from a lifestyle of eating junk foods,” Baggayan said.

Nearby, boys in khaki trousers are busy removing weeds and watering the upcoming harvest of thick green okras, eggplants and moringa leaves.

There is a row of cabbages, vines with budding luffa fruits and winter melons that are typically used in a variety of traditional Filipino dishes that are fast vanishing from dining tables in favor of takeout and instant foods.

Broccoli and cauliflower were last season’s harvests, but they will be grown again in the second semester, Baggayan said.

Measurable impact
During AFP’s visit, students hungrily tucked into their chicken-vegetable soup at lunchtime, with some going back for second servings.

School nutritionist and cook Dulce Aranda said the program was having measurable impact on the malnourished students.

She said 100 of the most undernourished children among the roughly 3,000 students were picked for a feeding program using the harvested vegetables when the initiative was launched last year.
“Our charts now show they are more healthy, attentive and are performing better in school,” Aranda said.

“We just hope they will carry this through when they grow up. There are just too many people who are unhealthy.”

Bad eating diets
Fast-food outlets are perhaps even more ubiquitous in the Philippines than in the United States, which ruled the Southeast Asian nation as a colonial power for nearly 50 years from 1898.

The Philippines has a wildly popular home-grown fast-food chain that has outlets even in remote towns, while the famous US brands are also widespread.

In homes, rice remains a staple for most meals but accompanying dishes are typically fried and heavy in oil.
As a result, lifestyle diseases such as hypertension and diabetes are ravaging the adult population, especially people aged in their 20s to 40s, leading to a bonanza for pharmaceutical firms.

“Everything now is fast or processed food,” said Dr. Carmela Pagunsan, the medical director at the Manila unit of French pharmaceutical giant Sanofi Aventis.

“We have bad eating diets and sedentary lifestyles. Parents and their children don’t go out and do physical activity anymore, don’t eat vegetables and fruits,” Pagunsan said.

Cultural in nature
“If you go to the malls now, you will see many overweight children and young adults. They have not been trained to be fit, to have proper diets.”

She said the problem was also cultural in nature, with Filipinos having a propensity to over indulge in salty, fatty and very sweet foods, particularly during festivals and celebrations.

The government’s National Nutrition Survey in 2009 showed that 27 percent of adults were overweight, while 25 percent reported having hypertension.

“That is a gross underestimation in my view,” Pagunsan said. “Because there are many more people out there who don’t know they are hypertensive, who don’t get the medicines they need and who don’t see a doctor for consultation.”

“And because they go undiagnosed, they do not have any compulsion to control their lifestyles, not knowing that complications are already setting in,” she added.

Pagunsan said her company alone marketed five anti-hypertension medicines locally, while also selling oral medication and insulin injections for diabetes.

Market still growing
“The hypertension market is still growing,” Pagunsan said, adding that the number of applications for patents covering generic hypertensive drugs in the Philippines was on the rise.

The Department of Education launched the vegetable project last year, and it hopes to replicate the success of the Parañaque school and others in Metro Manila nationwide to produce a new generation of health conscious Filipinos.

Pagunsan said the vegetable project was commendable, but noted it may take a lot more to change the Filipinos’ mind-set.

“The public’s awareness of the problem is in the spectrum of between low and medium. They are generally aware, but they don’t do something about it,” she said.

...little batter kings

Razcals claim AsPac Pony baseball crown By Olmin Leyba The Philippine Star January 17, 2011

WE ARE THE CHAMPIONS: The Philippine Little Razcals, the 2011 Asia Pacific Zone Pony Mustang Baseball champions, pose with Philippine Ambassador to Vietnam Jerril Santos after beating Singapore 14-6 in the finals at the Vinh Yen Baseball Field in Vietnam’s Vinh Phuc province. In photo are (from left) coach Eric Gersmundo, Javier Sale, Kiel Agoho, CJ Castillo, Javi Limpo, Ambassador Santos, Emman Manaig, Nathan Carpio, Philippine Tot Baseball president Rodolfo Tingzon Jr., Atong Natanauan, Carl Castaneda, Marty Ranada, Vincent Noprada, Zian Eleria, Enzo Montemayor, Dax Fabella, Lloyd Cinco, Ian Mercado and assistant coach Christian Cinco.| Zoom

MANILA, Philippines - The Philippine Little Razcals advanced to the World Series as they battled back from a four-run deficit to score a come-from-behind 14-6 victory over Singapore and capture the first-ever Asia Pacific Zone Pony Mustang Baseball Championship in Vietnam yesterday.

Favored to win the four-team tournament after sweeping the three-game eliminations, the Phl 10-under clouters found themselves in a 1-5 hole halfway through the six-inning championship game after failing to hit their marks against the solid pitching of Singapore’s Charles Hogan.

But digging deep into their reservoir of skills and summoning their big fighting heart, the Filipinos turned the game around and made the big plays in the final three frames to complete the remarkable comeback and crown themselves champions.

The victory also made them as the AsPac’s representatives to the Pony Mustang World Series slated Aug. 3-6 in Burleson, Texas.
Using superb base running and effective bunting, the Little Razcals exploded with eight runs in the fourth inning to wrest the lead for good, 9-5, then turned to pitcher Atong Natanauan both on the mound and at bat to seal the win before a good-sized Filipino crowd led by Ambassador Jerril Santos.

Natanauan was later adjudged MVP for his exploits in the tourney held at the chilling Vinh Yen baseball field in Vinh Phuc Province, Vietnam, also the site of the fateful Suzuki Cup football match in which the Phl Azkals upset of the heavily favored Vietnamese booters.

The Phl Little Razcals team of Kiel Agoho, Carl Castaneda, CJ Castillo, Nathan Carpio, Lloyd Cinco, Zian Eleria, Dax Fabella, Javi Limpo, Emman Manaig, Ian Mercado, Enzo Montemayor, Natanauan, Vincent Noprada, Marty Ranada, and Javier Sale won the AsPac meet without a single loss.

The wards of Eric Gesmundo and Christiam Cinco started their campaign with a 13-3 rout of Singapore, waylaid host Vietnam, 26-3, and outclassed Indonesia, 21-16, to sweep the elims and go into the finale spotless.

Philippine Tot Baseball president Rodolfo Tingzon Jr. lauded the Little Razcals for a job well done but instructed them to just take a short rest because they will be up for a much tougher competition against the best of all the regions in the World Series in August.

The triumphant Little Razcals are set to arrive in Manila tonight via Vietnam Airlines.  

...saying hello

Pinoy phone holds own with sales of P2B

By Raquel P. Gomez
Philippine Daily Inquirer
01/15/2011

 

MANILA, Philippines—Three years ago, David Lim expanded the Solid Group Inc., the company put up by his entrepreneur mom Elena Sen Lim, by establishing MyPhone, a brand of affordable mobile phones targeting the lower-income market.

Priced unbelievably low, the MyPhone phones back then were almost identical with the generic looking Chinese-made phones sold cheap in Greenhills shops, but since they were stamped with a brand and feature apps and content that reflect Filipino culture and faith, they soon became a hit among the masses.

One MyPhone device was called the “Cory Aquino” phone because it features the yellow color and the image of Cory Aquino. This phone sold thousands during last year’s elections, helped significantly by President Aquino’s popularity.

Another MyPhone phone was popular among the religious because it features e-Bible and prayer apps, which automatically launch during the time of Angelus or morning prayer.

“It was a simple phone that everybody laughed at,” says Lim of how some people reacted to MyPhone when it was launched. “People were telling me, ‘Why go into the mobile market already crowded by big global brands like Nokia.’ But the market has embraced the phones so well. MyPhone even opened the doors for other Filipino branded phones to enter the market.”

Packed in a small office room of SGI building, MyPhone started as a niche business for SGI, which is into cable TV and real-estate business.

But today MyPhone sales have already reached almost P2 billion in 2010, making Lim very proud of the new venture.

The last quarter for the company has yielded a sale of more than 400,000 phones, which is a ninefold sales growth from the previous year’s fourth-quarter sales.
Lim says MyPhone is now the biggest-earning venture for SGI, contributing 50 percent to the group’s revenue.

Lim says this year the company plans to sell 2 million phones, with prices ranging from P1,999 to P5,999 only. To reach the ambitious sales target, Lim says the company would introduce more franchise kiosks, or about 150 dedicated outlets selling only MyPhone products apart from distributing the phones to more dealers.

The phones are cheap but packed with features such as QWERTY keypads, Wi-Fi, dual SIM slots, and UI filled with widgets for access of social networking sites like Facebook and Twitter. There’s also a dual-SIM MyPhone with full touch-screen display, another adorned with Swarovski crystals, and one QWERTY phone that features analog TV receiver.

In the coming months, MyPhone will launch an Android tablet and a number of touch smart phones that feature multimedia apps and TV receiver.

“Customization was key to the strength of MyPhone,” says Lim of the products’ appeal to the mass consumers. He says that the phones are manufactured in China but are customized with apps and features by Filipino software developers.

MyPhone’s popularity was also helped by celebrity endorsers like Dingdong Dantes and Sarah Geronimo, who appeal to the masa.

“When everybody else was trying to look like a Nokia, MyPhone has its own identity from the very beginning. They call us ‘baduy’ but that’s fine as long as we are selling lots of phones,” says Lim.