...the "Galing Pook" town

Iloilo town gets USAID grant, wins Galing Pook award

February 26, 2011

Manila Bulletin

BINGAWAN, Iloilo — The municipality of Bingawan, Iloilo has won the much-coveted Galing Pook award for outstanding local governance programs, making it the sole winner from the Visayas in the annual search for best local government unit (LGU) for best LGU programs evidenced by positive results and impact, transferability and sustainability, efficient service delivery and the all-important aspect of people’s participation.

Bingawan earned high marks especially in the latter criteria with its program, “Pamangkutanon sang Banwa: Kwentahan hindi Kwentohan” or Citizens’ Query: Accountability, not Lip Service.”

Through a multi-sectoral initiative, the municipality asks candidates for public office to sign an agreement that they will be subjected to a Performance Evaluation Session called Pamangkutanon sang Banwa (PsB) or Citizens’ Query once elected.

The session is held twice a year after an election. Government officials meet with the townsfolk to discuss relevant governance, clarifications and recommendations on government projects, delivery of basic services, and campaign promises, among other issues.

Questions are written on paper and gathered in drop boxes. They are given to a screening committee before being put to the panelists. Questions not undertaken are passed to a drafting and consolidation committee for action.

These meetings are attended by as much as 2,000 participants, including high-school students. The activity assures townsfolk that public concerns are addressed directly and concretely. This performance-based system of governance also ensures that Bingawan’s officials are truly beholden to the people.

Projects like the construction and rehabilitation of Small Farm Reservoirs and the establishment of day care facilities have been given priority by the municipality. Townsfolk have also asked for a health center and mobile rice mill. The LGU has built a healthy relationship with civil society organizations functioning as members of the screening, panel and other action committees.

The municipality has also recently received a R1 million grant from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) under the Transparent and Accountable Governance (TAG) Project implemented by The Asia Foundation.

...the (clean) city

MMDA to clean city 'Singapore style'

February 26, 2011

Manila Bulletin

MANILA, Philippines — The Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) is out to clean the metropolis “Singapore style.”

The MMDA under Chaiman Francis Tolentino has in its corner Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Secretary Ramon Paje who was given instructions by the President himself to implement the same strictness as Singapore when it comes to keeping the streets clean.

“President (Benigno) Noynoy (Aquino III) told me, ‘I want you to clean Metro Manila Singapore style,’” Paje said during the launch of the MMDA’s “Metro Ko, Love Ko” anti-littering program earlier this month.
Tolentino called it a great proposal on the part of the president. “Napakaganda pong panukala iyon.

Makikipagtulungan po ako sa mga metro mayors pati na ang DENR at iba’t ibang ahensiya. Pipilitin po naming tuparin yung tagubilin ng ating mahal na pangulo.

“(That is a great proposal. I will be seeking the help of the metro mayors as well as that of the DENR and different agencies. We will strive to follow the order of our beloved president).”

The DENR chief praised Tolentino for taking the lead in getting tough against litterbugs, wherein the violators are literally made to pay for their mistakes as with the case in the Philippines’ Southeast Asian neighbor.

It would be recalled that Tolentino tapped “environmental enforcers” for the strict implementation of Republic Act (R.A.) 9003 or the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000 and MMDA Regulation No. 96-009 or the Anti-Littering Ordinance last September. Since then, the agency has apprehended over 21,000 litterbugs in Metro Manila.

The MMDA chairman said the environmental enforcers have been deputized to monitor the major thoroughfares of Metro Manila. Individuals caught spitting or indiscriminately throwing waste like cigarette butts and candy wrappers are issued environmental violation receipts (EVRs).

EVRs have corresponding fines ranging between P500 and P1,000. Failure to pay a fine means that the violator would have to undergo eight to 16 hours of community service, the MMDA said.

Paje commended the agency’s recent initiatives for the environment, which include the “Lingap sa Barangay” cleanup drives and the “Estero Declaration” with the 17 mayors of Metro Manila for the rehabilitation and protection of important waterways.

...the energy initiative

Gov't asked to harness wind as renewable energy source

By MARIO B CASAYURAN

February 26, 2011

Manila Bulletin

MANILA, Philippines — The Congressional Commission on Science and Technology (Comste) asked the Aquino administration Saturday to harness wind as a renewable energy resource after scientific studies showed that the Philippines has a potential capacity of 76,000 megawatt (MW) of wind energy, more than enough to fill up the country’s power demand of about 2,000 MW in the next five years.

The call by Sen. Edgardo J. Angara, Comste chairman, came as the import cost of oil has inched toward the $120 per barrel level and local oil companies are raising their oil pump prices.

As one of the guests in last Friday’s 25th celebration of the Feb. 1986 EDSA People Power phenomenon, former Sen. Agapito Aquino, brother of slain Sen. Benigno Aquino and uncle of President Aquino, said that the Philippines, having improved its political climate, must now shift its attention to its economic problems.

“The Philippines has yet to harness wind as a renewable energy resource, and tasked the commission to develop Public Private Partnerships (PPPs) and investors to research the development of the industry,’’ Angara said.

Angara cited a report made by the Energy panel of COMSTE indicating that, despite recent aggressive moves to develop and install large wind farms in the country, the potential for this Renewable Energy (RE) source is still untapped.

“By exploiting innovative RE Systems like wind energy, we can move towards achieving the long term goal of energy independence,” Angara said.

He also noted that RE produces roughly 40 percent of the country’s total energy, but this is mostly geothermal, while wind, solar, and micro-hydro account for less than one percent.

The National Renewable Energy Board (NREB) projected that the total local power demand for the Philippines in the next five years would be within the range of 1,500 to 2,000 MWs.

An assessment of the Philippines wind power potential by the US-based National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) projects that the Philippines has over 10,000 square kilometers of areas that have good to excellent wind source potential.

What this means, according to NREL, is that the Philippines has 76,600 MW of potential capacity.
These numbers only reflect capacity for large wind systems, the NREL added.

Angara said that wind power technology is a mature technology, and installed capacity for wind systems is growing worldwide at about 30 percent annually.

With the analysis of NREL and availability of technology and suppliers, the Philippines could become a regional leader in wind energy production, he pointed out.

The Philippines has only one operational large scale wind farm in Bangui Bay, Ilocos, which generates 33MW.

However, smaller stand alone systems have been deployed around the country. Smart Telecommunications Inc. has utilized wind energy in powering a 47 of their cellular sites in remote areas.

The COMSTE report stated that Japan has expressed interest in working with local partners to develop small wind energy systems by developing and localizing technology.

The Japan based International Center for Environmental Technology (ICETT) has already carried out a pilot demonstration project for innovative small wind technology. If developed, small wind technology can up the country’s wind power potential to 97,000 MW.

The Department of Energy (DoE) said China offered last October 2010 conduct a wind assessment and to provide the country with an updated wind map.

The new wind study would use new technology to determine more accurately the wind potential of specific locations in the country.

...the cue finalist

World 8-Ball: Orcollo barges into the finals

abs-cbnNEWS.com

02/26/2011

 

MANILA, Philippines – Philippines’ Dennis "Robocop" Orcollo barged into the final round of the World 8-Ball Pool Championship 2011 after subduing David "El Matador" Alcaide of Spain, 9-3, on Saturday’s semifinals at the Fujairah Exhibition Center in United Arab Emirates.

 

Orcollo, a former fisherman from Surigao del Sur, outclassed Shane Van Boening of the US (9-4) and Takhti Zarekani of Iran (9-2), respectively, to reach the semifinal round.

He is playing under the banner of Perry Mariano's Bugsy Promotions.

"Masuwerte lamang ako kasi nakauna tayo," said Orcollo, who took a 5-3 commanding lead over Alcaide and never looked back.

He will face Neils "The Terminator" Feijen of the Netherlands in the finals.

Feijen blanked former World 10-Ball champion Darren "Dynamite" Appleton of the UK to make it into the finals.

The champion will receive the top prize of $40,000 while the runner-up will pocket $25,000.
Feijen earlier beat Oliver Medanilla of the Philippines, 9-4, and countryman Nick Van den Berg, 9-8.
Other Filipinos who made it into the Last 16 failed to advance to the semifinals.

Oliver Medanilla bowed to Feijen, while Ronato Alcano and Joven Alba were booted out by Appleton. – By Marlon Bernardino

...the 'Huriicane' Anna

'Hurricane' Julaton succeeds in title defense

 

 

GMANews.tv

02/26/2011

 

Ana "The Hurricane" Julaton put on a veritable display of boxing skills to dominate Franchesca Alcanter and retain her World Boxing Organization (WBO) super-bantamweight title Saturday at the Craneway Pavilion Point Richmond in California.

Behind her impressive footwork, the 30-year-old champion kept the challenger at bay with her powerful lead left jab and solid combinations to control the 10-round title bout and successfully defend the 122-lbs belt she wrested from Maria Elena Villalobos last July.

The judges' scorecards had it at 98-92, 97-93, and 96-94 for Julaton.

She improved to 8-2-1 overall.

"I just kept her away with those left jabs of mine," said Julaton after the fight. "I know Franchesca will be bringing her A-game into the ring, but I was ready for it."

Julaton's victory stretched the Filipino boxers' winning run for the month. Only a week ago, Nonito Donaire Jr. claimed the WBO and World Boxing Council (WBC) bantamweight crowns with a second-round destruction of Mexican Fernando Montiel.

Along with her and Donaire, the country has two other current world champions in Donnie Nietes (WBO minimumweight) and boxing superstar Manny Pacquiao (WBO welterweight).

Dubbed "The Chosen One," Alcanter fell to 18-10 (9KOs), and failed in her fifth and attempt to win a world title.

The 37-year-old challenger never got on track as she was forced to be on the defensive end by Julaton’s aggressive stance. Alcanter had her best moment in the sixth round when she connected on a straight right that shook the champion a bit.

But on the whole, Julaton — now based in Daly City, California but whose parents are from Pozzorubio, Pangasinan — had Alcanter under her spell, rocking the challenger on the ropes several times with punishing left and rights.

By the end of the bout, Alcanter had a bloodied nose and sported a welt under her right eye.

Julaton's manager Angelo Reyes served as her chief cornerman as celebrated trainer Freddie Roach failed to make it to the fight.

Orion Sports' Allan Tremblay, Julaton's promoter, said a possible fight in the Philippines is likely for his fighter, depending on how she recovers from her first title defense.

For Julaton, though, fighting before her countrymen would definitely be a big honor for her.

"Hello, Philippines. I dedicate this fight to all of you out there," she said in the post-fight interview. "I can't wait to be there again." - JVP, KY, GMA News

...the simple life

Nursing board topnotcher wants to keep her life simple

By ANTHONY GIRON

February 25, 2011

Manila Bulletin

WEANNE MYRRH RAZON ESTRADA

MANILA, Philippines — Weanne Myrrh Razon Estrada may have topped the nursing board examination last December, but she is not the person who is given to boasting her accomplishment.

In fact, the 21-year-old Estrada wants to be known as “Simple Weanne.”

Her life reflects her beliefs. Estrada has lived practically all her life in a university faculty home in Cavite where she was brought up by her academician parents.

The family lives at the Adventist University of the Philippines (AUP) Faculty Homes in Barangay Puting Kahoy, Silang.

Her father, Pastor Wealthy Estrada, 52, is vice president for academic affairs of Manila Adventist Colleges, and her mother, the former Miriam Razon, 50, is dean of AUP college of health.

Nursing seems to be the profession of choice in the Estrada clan.

Weanne’s sister Dianne Claire is an AUP nursing graduate and her brother Mimo is a freshman nursing student. Her aunt, Irene Isturis-Razon, a graduate of the old AUP (then called Philippine Union College), also topped the nursing board examination in 1992.

Even Estrada’s boyfriend, Mark Varona, is a senior nursing student at AUP.

Weanne herself graduated summa cum laude from the AUP College of Nursing last year.

Suzy A. Jael, dean of AUP College of Nursing, described the Estradas as simple, humble and God-loving people.

“They’re so good. Wala na akong masasabi pa (I cannot say anything more),” said Jael.

“Weanne spent most of her time studying. She has time for leisure, but no movie theaters, disco party, no face make-up. She’s a simple, intellectual person,” Jael added.

Weanne said she owes her life to God, her family and the people around her.

Estrada topped the board examination with a grade of 88.4 percent. The exam was considered as the most difficult in decades; only 29,711 of 84,287 examinees or 35.25 percent passed.

According to Jael, another AUP graduate, Jaime de la Roca Bonifacio Jr., placed 10th in the December board exam.

Interviewed at the dean’s office, Weanne said she could not believe she topped the exam.

“Hindi nga po ako makapaniwala. Bumili pa ako ng dyaryo para makita kung talagang pumasa ako (I cannot believe I passed. I bought a newspaper to confirm),” she said, pulling out a copy of the February 21 issue of the Manila Bulletin from her bag. The Bulletin issue has a list of those who passed the exam.

With her credentials Estrada could easily land a job at a prestigious medical facility abroad. But she has chosen to work at National Kidney Institute as a dialysis nurse, and perhaps teach nursing someday.

“It’s my dream,” she said. “A nurse is a profession. I want to practice the love, care and concern which I learned for my career. I want to serve my countrymen.”

...the Japan's new artist

Charice beats Justin Bieber in Japan's Tokio Hot 100

ABS-CBN - Friday,

February 25, 2011

 

Charice beats Justin Bieber in Japan's Tokio Hot 100

MANILA, Philippines - International singing sensation Charice added another feather in her cap as she won an award in Japan.

Charice won the J-Wave's Tokio Hot 100 Award for Best New Artist on February 24 in Japan, beating popular international artists like Ke$ha, Orianthi, Bruno Mars and Justin Bieber.

Tokio HOT 100 award is one of the major awards in Japan's music industry.

The good news was sent to abs-cbnNEWS.com by Charice's mother Raquel Pempengco.

Charice, dubbed as the "world's most talented girl in the world" by Oprah Winfrey, is gearing up for her second single and will be returning on US hit musical show "Glee" soon.

...the most promising economies

PH named among ‘most promising’ countries

Citigroup notes potential high growth rate

By Doris Dumlao
Philippine Daily Inquirer
 02/24/2011

MANILA, Philippines—Global banking giant Citigroup has identified the Philippines as one of 11 countries that will likely stand out in a globally integrated economy in terms of high growth rates and investment returns over the next 40 years.

Citi, in a global economic research dated February 21 titled “Global Growth Generators (3G),” introduced the concept of 3G to refer to countries, regions, cities, trade corridors, sectors, industries, firms, technologies, products and asset classes that over the next five, 10, 20 and 40 years could deliver high growth and profitable investment opportunities.

The 3G index takes into account several components including domestic saving investment, demographic prospects, health, education, quality of institutions and policies and trade openness.

The countries that scored highest in the 3G index in terms of growth potential are Bangladesh, China, Egypt, India, Indonesia, Iraq, Mongolia, Nigeria, the Philippines, Sri Lanka and Vietnam.

In the research written by Citi global economists Willem Buiter and Ebrahim Rahbari, Vietnam had the highest index score at 0.86, followed by China (0.81), India (0.71), Indonesia (0.70), Mongolia (0.63) and the Philippines (0.60).

The study projected a 5.5 percent annual per capita gross domestic product (GDP) growth for the Philippines between 2010 and 2050. At $3,684, or 8.3 percent of the US level, the Philippines’ level of real GDP per capita puts it in 52nd place in its sample.

The country’s population was projected to grow from 93.6 million in 2010 to 146.2 million in 2050. Its population of working age is also projected to grow by 66.2 percent over that period.

The Citi research also noted that the Philippines’ reported investment rate was “unbelievably” low at 14.5 percent of GDP for the period 2006-2009.

“Even if the data understate the true investment rate, there can be little doubt that the investment rate will have to be raised substantially if the projected growth rates are to materialize,” the research said.

The Philippines scored “quite well” on the 3G index with a value of 0.60, the research added.

Investment in education and health should help it improve its score and its growth prospects, while institutional quality, which also pulled down its 3G index score, should be raised next, the research said.

“Unlike Indonesia, which is often mentioned as one of the potential new tiger economies, the Philippines barely get a mention. This seems strange. After all, in terms of governance, institutional quality and human capital there is not much to choose between the two, and unlike Indonesia, the Philippines already managed a respectable growth rate without the access to easy (measured) growth provided by oil, natural gas and other non-renewable resource extraction,” the study said.

“With the Philippines safe from the natural resource curse, its prospects for improving institutional capacity would seem to be at least as good as those in Indonesia,” it said.

The research also noted the country’s widely dispersed “diaspora” sending home remittances and establishing personal, professional and commercial contacts, links and networks in turn seen benefiting the country in the future.

Material governance and institutional reform were cited as necessary for the Philippines to join the Asian Tigers, including a movement of the state bureaucracies into the right direction.

“But such reforms have been shown to be feasible in other countries starting from no more favorable conditions. We are hopeful that the Philippines will track our forecast,” the research said.

For poor countries with large young populations that were cited in the 3G index, the research said growing fast should be easy by opening up, creating some form of market economy and investing in human and physical capital.

“Don’t be unlucky and don’t blow it. Catch-up and convergence should do the rest,” it said.

...the sports kings

Pacquiao, Spoelstra praised by NBA stars

abs-cbnNEWS.com

02/24/2011 9:37

 

 

MANILA, Philippines – During the recent National Basketball Association (NBA) All-Star weekend, basketball superstars were able to share their views on two of the most successful Filipinos in the international sports scene: Manny Pacquiao and Miami Heat coach Erik Spoelstra.

 

It is widely known that Boston Celtics’s “Big 3," composed of Paul Pierce, Ray Allen and Kevin Garnett, are among Pacquiao’s biggest fans.

Allen and Garnett had their say about Pacquiao’s upcoming fight against former world champion “Sugar” Shane Mosley.

"Yeah, I got Pacquiao over Mosley… you know, he and Mosley's [are] good people. [It] should be a good fight,” said Garnett.

Allen was more careful with his statements on the chances of Mosley, a fellow American, over the Filipino superstar.

"I like Pacquiao over anybody,” said Allen. “But before I make a statement and before I say who I like, I’m gonna say ‘Pacquiao’ but I need to get the tale of the tape.”

Miami on Spoelstra

Miami’s version of “Big 3” also heaped praises on their mentor Spoelstra, who is the first Filipino-American to ever coach in the NBA.

"He's been good…he's a very focused individual, you know he works very hard," said Chris Bosh.
LeBron James said Spoelstra has been very patient despite the team being unsteady at the onset of the NBA season.

“He's great. He's held us accountable everyday, and even with the shaky start we had, he has always stayed on us,” he said.

“He continues to lead us, he's our leader, as the old saying goes 'we gonna go as far as he can take us',” said Dwayne Wade.

Most basketball fans are hoping that the Boston Celtics and the Miami Heat will clash in the NBA Eastern Conference Finals. – With a report from TJ Manotoc, ABS-CBN News

...the designer's touch

Filipino designers a favorite among Hollywood celebs

By Yong Chavez

ABS-CBN North America Bureau

02/24/2011

 

LOS ANGELES – There are only a few days left before the biggest night in Hollywood – the Oscar awards.

Carlyn Nuyda-Calloway is dressing a producer of a Best Picture nominee.

It’s not just cinematic achievement that gets recognized during this world-famous event; it is also the biggest showcase for fashion.

One of the producers of a Best Picture nominee has commissioned Filipina designer Carlyn Nuyda-Calloway to make her Oscar gown.

Designers do not reveal their clients’ identities until they’re actually wearing their creations on the day of the event. Nuyda-Calloway has been dressing Hollywood people for several years now, and she’s used to the process.

Nuyda-Calloway said, “You won’t get that call till about a week before. You just have to be prepared. You just have to have your tribe and army ready.”

Oliver Tolentino is dressing 2 out of 5 Filipino Oscar contenders.

 For the Oscars, Filipino designer Oliver Tolentino is dressing 2 out of the 5 Filipino Oscar contenders. Tolentino got accolades for the gown he did for “Glee” star Amber Riley.

Several publications including “People” and “Glamour” magazines picked Riley as one of the Golden Globes’ best-dressed stars. Tolentino was only given 48 hours to finish her stunning silver gown.

Riley’s “Glee” co-star Jenna Ushkowitz also wore a Tolentino original at a recent photo shoot.

After it’s seen in a red carpet event, Tolentino makes sure that no other star will ever wear the same gown.

Tolentino, who opened his Los Angeles shop less than 2 years ago, is becoming a favorite.
Screen grabs from Balitang America

...the filmmaker

Baguio filmmaker cited in US fest

Philippine Daily Inquirer
02/23/2011

BAGUIO CITY—Filmmaker Ferdinand Balanag trekked for 30 days in the Himalayas with 11 Tibetan children rescued from poverty in 2003 by a young monk.

“Walking the Waking Journey,” Balanag’s film on the children’s journey back to their homes in 2008, was among the documentaries that received the Golden Ace Award in the recently concluded Las Vegas Film Festival.

The film was produced by the American production outfit Teslar from a script by Baguio-based anthropologist Padmapani Perez. It was edited by Kidlat de Guia.

The Inquirer ran a story last year about the Tibetan monk and his 11 wards from the Himalayan border region of Upper Dolpo, Nepal. The monk fed and educated the children in the monastery, then brought them home after five years, which became the subject of Balanag’s film.

“I am happy that this film touched many people,” Balanag, 31, said. “If it gets a bigger viewership, a lot more will be inspired to put compassion into action.”

He added: “It was a difficult trek. We had to fast at times because food was limited and, when exhaustion came, I asked myself, ‘Why am I here? What am I doing?’ The answer came when we reached our destination. We were so happy seeing the children reunited with their families.”

The film premiered at the Cultural Center of the Philippines in 2009 and was shown at the 2010 Miami Fashion Week, Film Dokumenter in Indonesia and a film festival in Barcelona, Spain. Desiree Caluza, Inquirer Northern Luzon

...the hopeful wonder 2

DavOr vies for world heritage list

 

By MICK M. BASA

February 24, 2011, 3:22pm

 

GOVERNOR GENEROSO, Davao Oriental (DavOr) — Mt. Hamiguitan, the country’s home to the largest “pygmy forest,” is contending for inclusion in the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization’s (UNESCO’s) world heritage list.

Known for its unique and highly significant biological and physical features with outstanding universal value, the Mt. Hamiguitan Range Wildlife Sanctuary (MHRWS) was included on December, 2010, in the tentative list of the Philippine’s cultural and natural heritage sites for inscription in the world heritage list, Jim O.
Sampulna, Region11 office of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR-11) director, said.

He said Mt. Hamiguitan is the only protected forest noted for its unique natural bonsai fields or pygmy forest located in the municipalities of San Isidro, Governor Generoso, and Mati in Davao Oriental.

It also presents the highest and richest biodiversity in terms of flora and fauna, having unique, rare, and threatened endemic species of outstanding universal value.

It has been ranked 7th among the 17 biologically-rich countries of the world, and has been identified as one of the Philippine “hotspots” by Conservation International.

Also endemic in Mt. Hamiguitan is the Philippine Eagle (Pithecophaga jefferyi), the reason why it has been included by the Philippine Eagle Alliance as one of the first priority sites in Eastern Mindanao for conservation and protection efforts.

...the Cordilleras

Lifestyles of the Cordillera region

 

Baguio’s Tam-awan Village is a refuge for the abandoned traditional houses of Cordillera

 

 

By DENNIS LADAW

February 22, 2011

 

Many of the huts in Tam-awan were found abandoned at their original addesses in Mountain Province and Kalinga.

(Photo by NOEL B. PABALATE)

MANILA, Philippines - Baguio City folk are fortunate to have such beautiful and iconic parks in their midst.  The city’s main attractions such as Wright Park and Burnham Park, among others, are still very popular, especially with tourists.  A newer park is also gaining attention from travelers. It’s called the Tam-awan Village. It’s not as accessible as the other parks mentioned-- it’s located in a residential area situated off Naguillan Road. Rest assured it’s worth the trouble to drive over and see what it has to offer.

Tam-awan is the Ibalong term for “vantage point.” It’s just the perfect name for this park as it happens to be located on top of a hill where the view of the city is panoramic. On a clear day, guests could see the South China Sea off the coast of La Union province.

As it happens, the people who run the park established Tan-awan because of the mall culture that now pervades in Baguio. Its residents have become certified mall rats, what with the huge crowds flocking to the local SM Mall all day. “Today’s generation of Ifugaos and Igorots want to live in the city and live the modern life. They’re forgetting about their heritage,” says artist and photographer Chit Asignacion. Asignacion’s point was proven correct when a guest, a 30 year-old accountant who was born and raised in Baguio, admitted it was his first time to visit Tam-awan.

Asignacion is vice president of the Chanum Foundation, which established, built, and runs Tam-awan Village.  He and fellow artists Ben Cabrera and Jordan Mang-Osan formed the foundation with the hope of preserving the rich but dying heritage of the Cordilleras.  This includes saving the Cordillera huts. To provide a venue for the houses, the foundation acquired a 2.5 hectare property in Baguio. A former cattle ranch, it was converted into the village they christened Tam-awan. The village gates were opened in the 1990s.

Tam-awan once had at least 20 of these huts on display. “They are genuine huts,” says Asignacion. “We found them abandoned by their original dwellers in various parts of Mountain Province, Kalinga, and Ifugao.

What we do in the foundation is rescue these huts before they deteriorate any further. We ask permission from the tribes that own them, of course. Some of the houses had to be restored with new cogon roofs.”

Unfortunately, six of the huts on display in the village were permanently damaged by the typhoon Peping in 2009. The foundation chose not to rebuild the huts. Asignacion explains: “It’s a custom for the Ifugaos not to rebuild a destroyed house, as it would offend the god Kabunyan. So instead, we recycled the wood from the razed huts and used them to build new tables and chairs for the coffee shop.”

The building that houses the coffee shop was once a three-storey Ifugao house built in 1975.  Asignacion had the house extended to make room for the kitchen. It also serves as a gallery where paintings being sold are on display.

Although six of the huts proved to be vulnerable to the raging winds of typhoon Peping, Asignacion says the Cordillera huts are very durable, especially during earthquakes.  “They’re made of solid wood,” he says.  “Ifugao huts are mostly made of narra and molave. Pine wood is used for the huts in Benguet and Kalinga.”

He notes the Ifugao house can “be deceptively simple and yet it boasts of sophisticated architecture.”  It is built without nails or hardware and “exemplifies the exactness of Ifugao construction.” The houses with periodic reroofing can last for generations.

The surviving huts serve as a representation of sort, of the various customs and rituals being practiced by the tribes of the Cordilleras. For instance, the Dukligan hut serves as fertility hut for married couples who couldn’t conceive. They live in the hut for a month and if still they can’t conceive, both the husband and wife are permitted to dally with other partners. They remain married, however. This sort of open marriage is just a procedure for them to find out who among the two has the "plumbing problems."

Near the entrance is the Dap-ay hut, which is sort of a house designed to accommodate stag gatherings in the Mountain Province. Women aren’t invited to this house, though the men from the other provinces are more open to having the ladies enter the Dap-ay.

Bigger, more modern huts are available to accommodate visitors who might want to stay the night in the village.  Asignacion says the guest huts are a major source of income for the village. Also, the foundation raises funds by selling the artworks on display in the guest huts and the coffee shop. Art workshops are held regularly in various parts of the village.  In fact, the place is marking the heritage month of May by holding free art workshops from May 19 to 22.

This eclectic mix of art and ancient, ethnic cultures has made Tam-awan Village a unique place to visit and experience. It not only recreates a village from the Cordilleras, it offers visitors the chance to behold a colorful and nearly extinct world, right within the modern, bustling city of Baguio.

For inquiries about Tam-awan Village, visit the website http://www.tam-awanvillage.com/.

...the dreamer, Maria

Maria Aragon meets Ellen DeGeneres

abs-cbnNEWS.com

02/23/2011

MANILA, Philippines – (UPDATE) After her rendition of Lady Gaga’s “Born This Way” went viral, there’s no stopping YouTube singing sensation Maria Aragon.

On Tuesday, Aragon’s wish to showcase her talent in the popular television program “The Ellen Degeneres Show” came true.

DeGeneres warmly welcomed the 10-year old Filipino-Canadian singer on her popular show.


In the video clip posted on the show’s official website, DeGeneres asked Aragon on when she actually started singing.

“I am 10 years old and I’ve been singing for about 7 years probably. Since I was 3 but probably back then I didn’t really get much meaning out of songs,” Aragon answered.

Asked what pushed her to do a cover of “Born This Way,” Aragon said she attributes it to the meaningful lyrics of Lady Gaga’s song.

“Because of the meaning of the song. It has a great meaning. It’s about just being yourself because God made who you are and you’re no different than anybody else.

Furthermore, Aragon shared how she felt after talking to Lady Gaga herself when she guested in a local radio station in Canada.

“Well it’s not everyday you get to talk to a superstar or you get feedback from a superstar saying that you did great on the cover that’s her song... We talked and she was actually having a bad day and I made her day, and it was really overwhelming,” she related.

DeGeneres, meanwhile, advised the young lady to make the most out of each moment especially her forthcoming duet with Lady Gaga in Toronto.

“But you should just know that she believes in you enough that she asked you to do it so just enjoy it,” DeGeneres told the 10-year old singer.

Before the interview ended, Aragon again performed her popular cover of “Born This Way.”

Delighted by her presentation, the audience offered her a standing ovation after the performance.

DeGeneres also generously gave Aragon an iPad and other “cool gadgets."

Other Filipino singers who were on DeGeneres' show after their YouTube videos went viral included Charice Pempengco who is now an international singing sensation, and Fil-Am tandem “Rin on the Rox.”
Journey lead singer Arnel Pineda has also performed on the show.

...the passion of UST

UST aims for Guinness record for largest human cross

 

abs-cbnNEWS.com

Posted at 02/23/2011

 

MANILA, Philippines - After building what may be the world's largest living rosary, the University of Santo Tomas (UST) is now eyeing a Guinness record for the biggest human cross.

On March 9, Ash Wednesday, more than 20,000 Thomasians will come together to "mark" a portion of the UST campus with a huge Dominican cross, a symbol of the university's Catholic and Dominican identity.

Priests and ministers mark the foreheads of parishioners with black ashes in the shape of a cross on Ash Wednesday to show repentance before God.

"The attempt at a world record is imbued with religious significance since on the said date the foreheads of the faithful are marked with the sign of Christ's saving cross," UST said in a statement.

It continued, "Members of the university are invited to participate in this symbolic activity that can also be their act of penance during the Lenten season."

A Eucharistic celebration at the UST grandstand will be held after the attempt to form the world's biggest human cross. The mass will be presided by University Rector Rev. Fr. Rolando V. de la Rosa, OP.

In December 2010, an estimated 24,000 students, faculty and staff of UST formed a human rosary circling the campus as they commemorated the feast day of the Immaculate Concepcion.

People assigned as the Hail Mary beads wore yellow shirts, while those tasked to represent Our Father beads, the Cross and the Center Medal donned blue shirts.

Those who were part of the connecting chains of the rosary, meanwhile, wore white shirts.
The participants also formed the phrase "Ave Maria."

...the competitive edge

Improved investment climate to push PHL economic growth — WB

 

GMATv.net

02/23/2011

If its investment climate would continue to improve, the Philippines will likely post a respectable economic growth of more than 5 percent this year and the next, according to a World Bank report released Wednesday.

In its latest publication, "Philippine Quarterly Update," the multilateral institution said a more competitive investment environment will possibly drive the Philippines to have a growth forecast of more than 5-5.4 percent in 2011 and 2012.

World Bank country director Bert Hofman said in a statement that last year's "strong" private investment and upbeat business confidence are "encouraging signs that the economy can attract investments needed to boost potential growth and generate more jobs."

The Philippine economy grew by 7.3 percent last year — the highest in 34 years.

The report, however, identified the mounting of international oil and food prices as "downside risks" that could drag the economic growth of the Philippines.

The bank said price increases in the domestic front are projected to remain "contained" due to recent strong domestic palay production, good planting intentions, record stock piles of rice, and domestic retail prices significantly above international prices.

National Statistics Office records showed that the country's inflation accelerated to 3.5 percent in January — the fastest acceleration since August last year — from 3 percent in December.

Inflation averaged at 3.8 percent last year, well within the forecast range of 3.5-5.5 percent. The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas has set the annual inflation to average from 3-5 percent this year. — JE/OMG, GMA News

...the "Aire" apparent

Donaire No. 3 in pound-for-pound list

By Abac Cordero
The Philippine Star
February 23, 2011

MANILA, Philippines - In a flash, Nonito Donaire Jr. is now up the leaderboard.

The 28-year-old Filipino, by virtue of his sensational knockout win over Mexican Fernando Montiel last Sunday, is now ranked No. 3 in The Ring Magazine’s pound-for-pound list.

Donaire, who hits like no other in his class, stopped Montiel with a left hook to the temple. There could be no better way to deliver the winning punch as slo-mo replays showed.

It gave Donaire the World Boxing Council and World Boxing Organization bantamweight titles, which come after his International Boxing Federation flyweight crown in 2007.

It also pushed Donaire to the top three of The Ring’s pound-for-pound list, next only to fellow Filipino Manny Pacquiao and undefeated American Floyd Mayweather Jr.

A few other boxing bodies, boxing websites and boxing experts come up with their own pound-for-pound list, but none probably as prestigious than that of The Ring’s.

It is considered the Bible of boxing.

It should be the first time that two Filipino fighters landed on the top three of The Ring’s pound-for-pound list.

Before he knocked out Montiel in the 57-second mark of the second round at Mandalay Bay, Donaire was fifth in The Ring’s coveted pound-for-pound list.

Now behind him are Sergio Martinez of Argentina, Juan Manuel Marquez of Mexico, Pongsaklek Wonjongkam of Thailand,       Wladimir Klitschko of Ukraine, Tim Bradley of the United States, Juan Manuel Lopez of Puerto Rico and Giovani Segura, also of the US.

He moved on top of the bantamweight class, followed by Anselmo Moreno of Panama, Joseph Agbeko of Ghana, Abner Mares of Mexico and Montiel, who said he’d “never been hurt as bad before.”

“It wasn’t a simple choice for the magazine’s editorial board, which read the views and opinions of dozens of members of The Ring Ratings Panel before making their decision,” wrote Dough Fischer.

“It took more time to discuss where Nonito Donaire would be rated in the pound-for-pound rankings than it did to update the entire divisional rankings,” said Nigel Collins, editor-in-chief of The Ring, in the magazine’s website.

“Advancing him to No. 3 means that he overtakes middleweight world champion Sergio Martinez (No. 3 last week) and world lightweight champion Juan Manuel Marquez (No. 4 last week). The decision was made even more difficult because both Martinez and Marquez have recently defended their titles via knockout against top-notch challengers.

“In the end, however, it was impossible to ignore Donaire’s overpowering performances in his last 10 fights, nine of which he won via knockout or TKO. The ‘Filipino Flash’ is on a helluva roll, one that could conceivably see him climb even higher in future months,” Collins said.

Donaire almost blew Montiel’s head off with his left hook, and grazed the Mexican with an uppercut on the way down. Montiel’s legs twitched the moment he hit the canvas.

Yes, when Montiel wobbled up, the referee allowed him to continue to fight. Donaire pounced on Montiel on the ropes, and the referee stepped in to stop the execution.

“The one with (Vic) Darchinyan was sweet. But this was the hardest,” said Donaire, who now has a lot of options. He can lord if over the ring as a bantamweight or move up a couple notches higher.

The Ring described the blow as a “punch from hell.”

Hell for Montiel was heaven for Donaire.

...the pool's influential people

Survey: ‘Bata’ is 3rd most influential in world of pool

abs-cbnNEWS.com

 02/22/2011

Bustamante, Puyat also in the list

---

MANILA, Philippines – Billiard legend Efren “Bata” Reyes has made it in the list of pool’s most influential, according to a survey among billiard personalities.

The balloting ranked the “Magician” as the third most influential player in the world of billiards.

The poll was participated by media, sponsors, promoters, associations, and players involved in the sport.
Reyes is actually one of the only three billiard players, who made it into Top 10 composed mainly of pool promoters, billiard associations and news outfits.

“It's no magic that the player who received the most international votes and points goes to Reyes. In a professional career spanning 30 years, Reyes has changed the way the game is played with his advanced and unorthodox skills,” the poll’s description of Reyes said.

“Most experts agree that Reyes may be the greatest human being to ever wield a cuestick,” it added.
The other billiard players who were included in the Top 10 are England’s Allison Fisher and American Jeanette Lee. The two players were tied at No. 10.

Others included in the Top 10 are:

• · (No. 1) Matchroom Sport, billiards promotional outfit (England)
• · (No. 2) Dragon Promotions, billiards promotional outfit (US/Korea)
• · (No. 4) Predator Group, manufacturer (US)
• · (No. 5) AZBilliards.com, news outfit (US)
• · (No. 6) World Pool Association, the international sanctioning body of billiards
• · (No. 7) Women's Professional Billiards Association (US)
• · (No. 8) American Poolplayers Association (US)
• · (No. 9) ESPN, a major sports network (US)

Two other Filipinos also made it into the list’s Top 16.

Aristeo Puyat, one of the long-time billiards managers in the Philippines, is ranked No. 11. He is known as the “The Godfather of Pool”, having managed the careers of Reyes, Francisco “Django” Bustamante, and Rubilen Amit.

Bustamante was also ranked the 16th most influential for being only the 3rd Asian ever voted into the Hall of Fame.

Among those who participated in the polling are:

• · Johnny Archer (Men's World Champion) - US
• · Womens Pro Billiard Association - US
• · Tai Chengze, Top147.com - Asia
• · Jasmin Ouschan (Ladies World Champion)- Europe
• · Renee Lyle, American Poolplayers Association- US
• · Mike Panozzo, Billiards Digest - US
• · Ronnie, Nathanielsz, Viva Sports - Asia
• · Mika Immonen (World Champion) - Europe
• · Cindy Lee, Dragon Promotions - US
• · Ralf Souquet (Men's World Champion) - Europe

...the most peaceful place

Still zero crime rate in Siquijor

February 22, 2011

Manila Bulletin

 

 

SIQUIJOR (PIA) — The province of Siquijor still boasts of a zero-crime rate, according to latest reports by the Philippine National Police (PNP) and a recent survey conducted by the Philippine Information Agency.

PNP Index Crime Statistics for the month of January this year shows a total of four index crime from the province’s six municipalities, the same number recorded for the volume of index crimes in the same period of last year.

Of these four, two were for physical injury, one for robbery and one for murder.

Non-index crimes however registered five incidents, compared to zero-crime last year.

Virtually consistent with the PNP report, the PIA survey on criminality in the province also showed that 70% of respondents said criminality in Siquijor remained the same or has decreased in the last six months with 19 of 20 respondents indicating they were satisfied with the PNP’S performance in reducing criminality and only one dissatisfied with the agency’s performance.

Earlier, the PNP-Siquijor reported that despite political instability and controversies affecting the PNP, Siquijor remains a peaceful province and a safe place to live, work, and do business.

Siquijor Police Operations Chief, Police Inspector Vincent Paul Dumaguing said this is the result of various preventive and security measures that the Siquijor police implemented during the period.

He said strict implementation of the Police Integrated Patrol System is strengthened this year aside from regular conduct and strengthening of Barangay Intelligence Network (BIN); barangay visitation and dialogues (pulong-pulong); inspection and other activities to maintain the province’s peace and order situation.

...the wellness center

Creation of medical tourism council eyed

February 21, 2011

Manila Bulletin

 

 

MANILA, Philippines – Beverly Hills 6750, which caters to the high end market for aesthetics and beauty market, has called for the creation of a cabinet level medical tourism council to address various issues affecting the industry and for the country to fulfill its vision to become a medical tourism destination and get a bigger pie of the $3 billion global medical tourism business.
 

Dr. Eduardo A. Santos, president and managing director of Beverly Hills 6750, said the council should be able to address several issues affecting the industry and for the government and the private sector to have a coherent approach in promoting this industry.


“A cabinet-level medical tourism can address all concerns if we really want to become a player in this market,” Santos said.


Aside from the issue of infrastructure like airports and security of tourists, Santos said there has been a proliferation of ‘fly-by-night’ aesthetic clinics in the metropolis.


He said that some regulations must be put in place to ensure that only licensed medical professionals are undertaking aesthetics services.


At present, the Department of Health is the agency in charge of accrediting surgical facilities. The Department of Tourism also accredits these facilities to ensure the safety of tourists. “I have to say that the government has to play a more active role in creating success in medical tourism because the Philippines is negatively perceived 42 percent most of the time in Asia compared to Thailand, India and Malaysia,” Santos said.


“We all want to have a share of the huge medical tourism pie but, ‘unfortunately, there is no unified initiative of the government,” he said.


The DoT is doing the marketing but it is sporadic and rare, he added.


“We need sustained efforts to bring in medical tourists,” he said.


Beverly Hills, which caters to the A & B market, is posting a robust 20 percent annual growth and is opening its first branch in Timog, Quezon City in March with a project cost of P30 million.


Company medical director Bernabe R. Marinduque said the company is also set to open another branch in the south within the year.


Marinduque said they have been invited to put up branches in the key cities including Cebu, but they found out that Cebuanos would rather come to Manila for aesthetic procedures.


CEO Suzette Hahn-Lopez also said the company has a robust growth at 20 percent annually and is gaining as much as 20 percent market share since it started operating in 2006.

...the graft buster

President commits to go after corrupt in government

 

By GENALYN D. KABILING

February 21, 2011

Manila Bulletin

 

 

MANILA, Philippines — President Aquino Monday pledged before the top officials of Asian Development Bank (ADB) that his administration is committed to file cases against persons involved in corruption and to repair leakages in the revenue system.

The President also highlighted his government’s campaign to address poverty while allaying concerns of the ADB Board of Directors on anti-corruption efforts as well as fiscal management during a close-door meeting in Malacañang.

The Asian Development Bank executives used the opportunity to ask the President about his programs on good governance, poverty alleviation, and fiscal management policies during the one-hour meeting.

“It was an opportunity for the President to inform the board the efforts being done by this government towards poverty reduction, anti-corruption efforts specifically on judicial reforms,” Presidential Spokesman Edwin Lacierda told reporters in the Palace.

He said the President told the Asian lender that his government is gathering evidence against some personalities involved in corruption to make them accountable in the justice system. “We are resolving all of these landmines that we have discovered. In due time, we will be filing the necessary cases against them,” he said.

In the same meeting with the ADB executives, the President did not mention any imposition of new taxes but cited government’s efforts to improve the tax administration and collection system. “We have to fix the leaks in the system first before we impose any revenue measures,” Lacierda said.

He said the government will also look into a proposal by one of the ADB directors for a tax reduction for credit card holders but immediately admitted it is not a priority.

...the upward trend

BSP says economy may repeat 2010 feat

Tetangco shrugs off inflation concerns

By Michelle Remo
Philippine Daily Inquirer
02/20/2011

MANILA, Philippines—The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas still believes that the economy will attain its growth target of 7 to 8 percent this year despite concerns that the rate of rise in consumer prices appears to be accelerating.

BSP Governor Amando Tetangco on Friday said that the central bank still held to its forecast that the economy could duplicate this year the robust growth witnessed in 2010.

“We still expect the economy to grow by 7 to 8 percent this year,” Tetangco said in a speech during the induction of the 2011 officers of the Economic Journalists Association of the Philippines held in Makati City.

The economy grew by 7.3 percent last year—its fastest rate of rise in 34 years. However, expectations of accelerated inflation have elicited concerns that growth this year may slow down.

This is because the faster rate of increase in prices may drive demand for goods and services.

But Tetangco said that, while inflation could accelerate this year, average price movements would nonetheless fall within comfortable levels.

The BSP expects inflation to settle at 4.4 percent this year, within the government’s target range of 3 to 5 percent, the central bank chief said.

When President Aquino assumed power in mid-2010, the government adopted what some called an ambitious target of making the economy grow by at least 7 percent annually over the medium term.

The goal was anchored on studies saying that the Philippines would need to grow by at least 7 percent annually for several years in order to reduce poverty incidence.

Foreign developmental institutions like the World Bank and the Asian Development Bank cited the Philippines for escaping a recession in 2009, but commented that growth did not make a difference in the country’s efforts to reduce poverty.

Latest government data showed that poverty incidence—the proportion of poor people to the country’s total population—stood at 26.5 percent in 2009, rising slightly from the 26.4 percent reported in 2006 even though the economy grew during the period.

The poverty incidence survey is conducted once every three years.

Economists said that the benefits of the economy’s growth had not been trickling down to the poor. This is because the population of poor Filipinos appears to be growing faster than the rise of middle- and high-income earners. Also the poor had little access to education, which could have helped them out of their hardship.

...the Globe goes green

Globe joins fight vs climate change By Rhodina Villanueva The Philippine Star February 20, 2011

 
MANILA, Philippines - A telecommunications company has joined the fight against climate change through a program that aims to protect the environment.

Globe Telecom is launching Globe Goes Green, a sustainability campaign to help integrate key environmental initiatives in the company’s business strategy.

In line with the campaign is the implementation of Globe Bridging Communities, the company’s corporate social responsibility (CSR) program.

Together with its institutional partners, Globe continues to work hand-in-hand in crafting the design of environmental advocacy programs such as the Cordillera Challenge, Lifeboats and Lifelines, Earth Hour and Earth Day celebration, and forest-building activities in Taguig, Benguet, Batangas, Cebu, Bohol, Davao and Laguna.

Through such volunteerism efforts, Globe employees and stakeholders are also given an opportunity to have a first hand experience in protecting the environment.

Likewise, Globe implements annual impact assessments and reports in order to measure the effectiveness and relevance of its environmental programs. This is done through community consultations, employee surveys and Greenhouse Gas Accounting.

The latter established the company’s baseline for its carbon footprint and commitment to work progressively on reduction measures.

With this information, Globe has moved forward to achieve its goal of operating with less fuel dependency for less emission.

“It is high time to let the public know the efforts of Globe in preserving the environment through Globe Goes Green. Globe CSR Team decided to have different kinds of forest-building activities that will be held in different provinces all over the Philippines in order to support and promote the importance of environmental preservation in rural areas,” said Jeffrey Tarayao, Globe CSR head.

He added that in some areas like Bulacan, they used the power of mobile telecommunications in reporting abuses of environmental resources.

“By doing the advocacy programs of Globe Goes Green in environmentally critical areas in the countryside, it became an opportunity to expose the declining and finite status of the environment in the Philippines and provided us opportunities to respond in ways that are engaging and meaningful to volunteers and are sustainable because it brings together different stakeholders to do it,” Tarayao said.

For the project’s timeline, there will be monthly execution of environmental advocacy programs especially forest-building activities to ensure that targets are met and sustained.

...the hedge

Lawmaker seeks peso-dollar hedge for OFWs

GMATv.net

02/20/2011 |

A lawmaker has urged the country's banks to open hedging facilities that would enable overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) and their families to convert their US dollar remittances into pesos at pre-set exchange rates.

The hedging program would require $10,000 as the minimum placement in the facility, LPGMA party-list Rep. Arnel Ty said in a statement over the weekend.

Government should find ways to spur banks, particularly those that capture the bulk of inward remittances, to extend hedging facilities for OFWs, he said.

"This way, OFWs struggling with fixed costs can ascertain the exact amount of pesos that they will be getting periodically, regardless of fluctuations in the peso-dollar rate," Ty said.

"This is one practical way to help our OFWs and their families here cope with the rising peso, with the fewer pesos they will be getting for every dollar," he said.

Ty said hedging schemes would help OFWs who send home dollars to pay for fixed monthly costs, such as rent for an apartment, amortization of a new home or car, or school tuition installments.

Hedging contracts would allow OFWs to protect the peso value of their remittances by agreeing to sell their dollars at a designated exchange rate on a specified future date.

Without access to hedging contracts, Ty said households dependent on remittances and reeling from the strong peso have had no choice but to curtail spending.

"For example, a family receiving a $500-monthly remittance has effectively lost some P1,500 monthly compared to a year ago. Ironically, the household is losing the buying power at a time when virtually all commodity prices are soaring," he said.

Last week, HSBC Holdings plc, one of the world's largest banks and financial services companies, boldly predicted the peso would soar to P37.50:$1 by the end of 2011, and to P35.50:$1 by the end of 2012.

Other leading global financial firms also expect the peso to rise steadily against the dollar. Bank of America Corp., Goldman Sachs Group Inc., Barclays Plc, and DBS Group Holdings Ltd., all see the peso hitting 40 by year's end.

The peso on Friday closed at P43.40:$1. At this rate, the peso had risen by around 6.5 percent or almost P3 against the dollar compared to a year-ago, when the local currency was trading at P46.30$1 on average. — VS, GMA News

...the next ring master

Donaire TKOs Montiel, bags bantamweight crowns

abs-cbnNEWS.com

02/20/2011

MANILA, Philippines (1st UPDATE) – Filipino bantamweight boxer Nonito "The Filipino Flash" Donaire proved himself relentless after dethroning Mexican opponent Ferdinand Montiel in their headliner fight at the Mandalay Bay Resort in Las Vegas, Nevada, Saturday night (Sunday morning in Manila).


In a quick match, Donaire stopped Montiel via technical knockout (KO) in the second round.
In the first round, Montiel showed that he has experience and skills in the division by consistently evading Donaire's attacks.

Donaire kept being aggressive but his punches failed to land on Montiel.

In the second round, Donaire then played it down by accepting Montiel's attacks. The Filipino played with his improved defense and evaded the countering Montiel.

A minute before the round concluded, an energetic Donaire then powered a left hook to Montiel's face knocking him down to victory.

With the win, the 28-year-old bagged the World Boxing Council and World Boxing Organization bantamweight crowns.

Donaire now ups his record to 26-1 with 18 KOs.

Montiel, on the other hand, falls at 44-3-2.

Donaire kept the Philippine flag waving along with compatriot "Mighty" Mark Jason Melligen, who defeated Mexican Gabriel Martinez.

Melligen won over Martinez by a unanimous decision in their welterweight bout in an undercard match. – With a report from Bev Llorente, ABS-CBN News North America correspondent