...the international healthcare hub

Philippines becoming int’l healthcare hub

By: Charles E. Buban
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Saturday, December 10th, 2011

Medical or wellness tourism is a term involving people who travel to a different country to receive treatment for a particular health condition or in other cases pursue activities that maintain or enhance their personal health and well-being to enjoy much lower cost of care, higher quality of care if not different care than they could get at their home country.

It is a huge global business—projected to reach $100 billion (P4.32 trillion) by 2012.


From this figure, a total of $1.3 billion (P56.2 billion) went to the Philippines from 2006 to 2010, thanks to foreign tourists and balikbayans who chose to get their healthcare and wellness services here.


Expensive medical treatment costs, as well as limited healthcare coverage in countries such as the United States and a number of countries in Europe, along with capacity constraints in these countries’ healthcare facilities, are driving their citizens to seek elsewhere for more accessible, affordable and comparable medical and wellness services.


The Philippines wanted to grab a bigger share that is now being enjoyed by countries such as Singapore, Malaysia and Thailand.


During the 1st Philippine Global Healthcare Forum at the National Kidney and Transplant Institute, Health Secretary Enrique Ona acknowledged that the country already boasts world-class medical infrastructure and facilities (in fact, the top three tertiary hospitals located in Metro Manila even added hotel-quality facilities) as well as highly skilled and compassionate doctors, nurses and medical personnel.


Another advantage the secretary cited was the fact that the Philippines has the added competitive advantage of having English-speaking medical personnel.


Convened by HealthCORE, a private corporation specializing in healthcare research and communications and the official Philippine representative of National Accreditation Board for Hospitals and Healthcare Providers of India, the 1st Philippine Global Healthcare Forum discussed and exchanged information on how the Philippines, with the help of India, can develop into an international healthcare hub.


Medical tourism capital

India is regarded as the medical tourism capital of the world, offering the latest technological advances, experienced and expert physicians and surgeons and world-class patient care.
During the forum, India’s Dr. Sanjiv Malik said the Philippines becoming a regional giant is something that is very achievable as the country already has a caring people.


“Your Filipino nurses, doctors and healthcare professionals give the highest level of caring and compassion to patients—it’s in your DNA. What you need to do next is to modify your present healthcare practices and systems to conform with international benchmarks. When you do that, you are already on your way to providing the best healthcare to your people and to becoming an international healthcare hub,” he advised.


He related that when India improved its international healthcare services, its entire healthcare sector also improved.


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“India was able to upgrade its healthcare system to international standards. As a result, both overseas patients and Indian patients are now receiving international quality health services and medical treatments at prices that are affordable to them,” Malik said.


India and the Philippines are now working together under a memorandum of understanding to exchange knowledge, expertise and training in various areas of healthcare and medicine for their mutual benefit.


These areas include medical education, public health, hospital management, health tourism, drugs and pharmaceutical products, medical consumable products, medical equipment, communicable disease control and surveillance, and traditional and alternative medicine.


A much-improved medical tourism, forum guests acknowledged, will have immediate effect in improving the country’s economy, much like the business process outsourcing industry is doing at the moment, while retaining its medical talents in the country and reducing the brain drain and its social and economic costs.

...the VP for Asia in UN body

PHL envoy elected vice president for Asia in UN industrial dev't body

December 10, 2011

GMA News

Philippine Ambassador Lourdes Yparraguirre was elected vice president for Asia of the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), the UN body that promotes industrial development for poverty reduction.

Yparraguirre was elected at the 14th Session of the UNIDO's General Conference in Vienna from November 28 to December 2, the Department of Foreign Affairs said.

"In her statement, Ambassador Yparraguirre underlined the crucial contribution of the industrial and manufacturing sector to the strong Philippine gross domestic product (GDP) growth of 7.3 percent in 2010, and called for green industry and green growth in support of sustainable development and poverty alleviation," the DFA said.

Chairing the conference was Ecuadorean Industry Minister Veronica Sion.

Yparraguirre noted the Philippine economy's robust growth was indeed remarkable considering the constraints faced by the global economy.

"Over the next six years, we are looking forward to a sustained strong economic performance. This will be built on strengthened partnerships with the private sector as we shift to an investment-led growth," she said.

Also, she acknowledged the contributions of UNIDO and other international development organizations in ensuring the success of the Philippines' economic development programs.

She particularly cited three UNIDO-assisted ongoing projects in the country, including:

- the construction of a facility aimed at the destruction of persistent organic pollutants (POPs)

- the phaseout of ozone-depleting hydro-chlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs) used in the foam production sector, consistent with the country's commitments under the 1987 Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer

- the Philippine Industrial Energy Efficiency Project that focuses on capacity-building on the use of the new energy management standard ISO 50001

UNIDO is a specialized UN agency whose mandate is to promote and accelerate sustainable industrial development in developing countries and economies in transition, and work towards improving living conditions in the world's poorest countries by drawing on its combined global resources and expertise.

In recent years, it focused its activities on poverty reduction, inclusive globalization and environmental sustainability.

"Our services are based on two core functions: as a global forum, we generate and disseminate industry-related knowledge; as a technical cooperation agency, we provide technical support and implement projects," it said. — LBG, GMA News

...the K-Pop grand prize winner

Philippines' Karla Carreon bags grand prize in K-pop World Festival

By JONATHAN M. HICAP

December 8, 2011

Manila Bulletin

Karla Carreon

MANILA, Philippines – Karla Maye Carreon of the Philippines and a duo from Kazakhstan won the grand prizes in the K-pop World Festival 2011 held on Dec. 7 in Changwon City, South Korea.

They bested 19 other teams from Los Angeles and New York City in United States, Japan, Argentina, Peru, England, Poland, Vietnam, Indonesia, Czech Republic, China, Germany, France, Russia and Chile.

Carreon’s triumph was announced by the Korean Cultural Center (KCC) in the Philippines on Facebook last night.

“This just in! Karla Carreon won the grand prize,” KCC Philippines posted.

Carreon was declared grand champion in the vocalist category and was awarded 5 million won (P191,000).

She told Bulletin Entertainment that she was really surprised when she was declared as champion.

“I feel really happy and surprised because I didn't really expect to win the world wide competition. I was nervous at first because I thought I'd never make it, because the other contestants were so good, they were like K-pop stars themselves,” she said.

Carreon performed the Korean song “Byul (Star)” by Yumi while the team from Kazakhstan performed SHINee’s “Ring Ding Dong.”

The K-pop World Festival 2011 is a talent contest that showcased the winners from local competitions held by different Korean Cultural Centers in various countries.

The competition in Korea was supported by Korea’s Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, Korean Culture and Information Service and the Presidential Council on Nation Branding.

K-pop stars like MBLAQ, T-ara, Infinite, Sistar, Secret, K.Will, and CNBlue also performed in the festival.

Last October, Carreon won the right to represent the Philippines in the K-pop World Festival when she bagged the first place in the Pinoy K-pop Star contest sponsored by KCC Philippines.

Carreon told Bulletin Entertainment in October, “I started singing when I was three years old, when my mom was listening to Michael Jackson and Bee Gees. She heard me singing their songs in gibberish but surprisingly in tune and that's when she and my family decided to let me take up basic vocal lessons. It was heavy for a three-year-old, but I had fun,” she said.

“I feel so honored and blessed to be representing KCC Philippines in Korea this December. This will be another big shot for me; another experience to last a lifetime,” she said.

This is her third win in a singing contest this year. Before her triumph in the Pinoy K-pop Star contest, she joined the World Championships of the Performing Arts (WCOPA) in Los Angeles, California last July where she won four silver medals.

KBS World will air the K-pop World Festival on Dec. 30.

...the excellent TV programs

Pinoy shows win at Asian TV Awards

 

By JULIEN MERCED C. MATABUENA

December 9, 2011

Manila Bulletin

 

 

'The Bottomline with Boy Abunda' and 'Star Confessions' won at the recently concluded Asian TV Awards

MANILA, Philippines – ABS-CBN’s “The Bottomline with Boy Abunda” and TV5’s “Star Confessions” were the only Filipino winners at the 16th Asian Television Awards held in Singapore on Dec. 8.

“The Bottomline” won Best Talk Show, besting entries from Malaysia (“Bola @ Mamak”), Singapore (“Enna Nadakkuthu?” and “It's A Small World 2”), India (“The Euthanasia Debate” and “Being Gay: The Parents' Story”) and Hong Kong (“Talk Asia – Tom Ford”).

abs-cbnnews.com reported on Friday that Abunda’s weekly late night show was commended particularly for its episode featuring Maguindanao Governor Esmael “Toto” Mangundadatu.

On the other hand, celebrity drama anthology “Star Confessions,” now “Real Confessions,” was given the Best Theme Song Award for its theme, “Ito Ang Buhay ko” composed by Boy Christopher Ramos. It won over entries from Singapore (“Christina and the Runaways” by KC Gan) and Malaysia ("Hambamu: Theme Song for Imam Muda Season 2" by Edry Abdul Halim, "Footprints in the Sand" by Wu Yi Jian and Yise Luo, and "A Time to Embrace" by Wu Jia Hui and Cheryl Lee).

The Philippines had seven nominations in all, with TV5 receiving three, and ABS-CBN and GMA-7 two each. TV5’s “Talentadong Pinoy” and GMA-7’s “Mind Master” were both nominated under the Best General Entertainment Category, while “Lokomoko” of TV5 got a nod for Best Comedy Programme.

Meanwhile, Kapamilya actress Angel Aquino was recognized for her Supporting Actress role in the primetime series, “Magkaribal,” while Kapuso comedian Michael V. was nominated under the Best Comedy Performance by an Actor category for his title role in “Pepito Manaloto.”

According to its official website, The Asian Television Awards is “the Asian TV industry's most significant and celebrated event, recognizing excellence in programming, production and performance” and is “positioned as the only event of its kind within the Asian region, and upholds a prestigious reputation of showcasing quality television production.”

...the 'Bourne' again

Only In Hollywood

‘Bourne Legacy’ to shoot in PH in January

By: Ruben V. Nepales
Philippine Daily Inquirer

December 8, 2011

 

 

MATT Damon shaves his head for “Elysium.” photo: ruben nepales

NEW YORK—The latest installment of the “Bourne” franchise is in production in Canada and next, the Philippines—but without Matt Damon in the lead role. However, Damon told us that he’s not done yet with the spy thriller series.

First, we share details of “The Bourne Legacy,” which stars Jeremy Renner, as it gets ready to shoot in the Philippines in January after it wraps up filming in Calgary, Canada this month.

Over lunch at the Loews Regency Hotel, we learned from producer Frank Marshall that The Kennedy/Marshall Company, which he founded in 1992 with his wife, producer Kathleen Kennedy, has already selected locations in the Philippines for the film.

Frank, whose producing credits include the “Indiana Jones” franchise, “The Sixth Sense,” “The Color Purple” and the “Back to the Future” trilogy, told us that a big action scene will be filmed during the five-week shoot in and out of Metro Manila, scheduled in January 2012.

He pointed out that the Philippines is not subbing for another country in the movie.

HE PLANS to return as Jason Bourne in the future, with director Paul Greengrass. RUBEN NEPALES

The main location will be an industrial plant, according to Frank, whose other films, including “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button” and “Seabiscuit,” received several awards and nominations. Frank and Kathleen’s company is also behind Steven Spielberg’s “The Adventures of Tintin: Secret of the Unicorn” and “Lincoln.”

Frank added that the “Bourne Legacy’s” two leads, Jeremy and Rachel Weisz, will fly to the Philippines for the shoot. Jeremy plays Aaron Cross, not Jason Bourne, the title character played by Matt in the earlier “Bourne” films. Aaron is a new CIA operative in the story based on Robert Ludlum’s novels.

Tony Gilroy, who wrote and directed the political drama “Michael Clayton,” is also directing the fourth film in the “Bourne” movie series, which will be released in the United States in the summer of 2012. Tony also cowrote “The Bourne Legacy” and the three previous “Bourne” films.

In an earlier interview, Jeremy talked about his experience shooting “Bourne Legacy” so far, in comparison to filming “Mission: Impossible —Ghost Protocol,” which casts him with Tom Cruise.

‘Intimate’ experience

MATT Damon in “We Bought a Zoo”

“Those are completely different movies even though they’re both big franchises and big action movies,” he said. “The tone obviously is different. For me, the ‘Bourne’ experience so far has been so intimate. It’s not the big fun spectacle stunts that ‘Mission’ has … It (‘Bourne’) feels like a little independent movie because it is really intimate. The cast is small and it’s much more an ‘inside’ story.

It’s not an IMAX movie.” The cast includes Edward Norton, Joan Allen, Albert Finney, Oscar Isaac and Stacy Keach.

“It’s a very visceral, sort of documentary-style movie,” he continued. “We have the same DP (director of photography) on both movies, Robert Elswit. I’m happy to work with him again.”

Matt, in a separate interview at the Loews Hotel, told us that he plans to return as Jason Bourne in the future. “I was always going to do it with Paul (Greengrass),” Matt said, referring to the director of “The Bourne Ultimatum” and “The Bourne Supremacy.”

Matt recalled that he and Paul “looked at it. At the time they needed to go, we didn’t have a story. We just felt it was too risky to just make up the story as we went along. So we took a step back but the movie that’s being made now doesn’t preclude us from making one later. As long as I have a chance to make another one with Paul, that will be great.”

He said that working on 2007’s “Bourne Ultimatum” was “a real white-knuckle experience. We don’t want to go through that again. It was just not the right way to make a film. We were lucky to pull a rabbit out of that hat.”

Matt’s head was shaved for “Elysium,” a sci-fi directed by Neill Blomkamp (“District 9”) set for release in 2013. “I just finished filming in Mexico City,” said the actor. “I have high hopes for that movie. It’s going to be great. Neill is a brilliant director.”

“Elysium” takes place in the future, but Matt clarified that “there aren’t any aliens in it. It’s about what happened to Planet Earth. There’s a dynamic involving Taurus, an orbital habitat called Elysium that is hovering over Earth. That’s probably all I can say about it.”

In the meantime, Matt appears in “We Bought a Zoo,” an adaptation of a BBC miniseries and a book of the same title written by an English journalist, Benjamin Mee, who moved with his family into a zoological park. Cameron Crowe directs the film which changes the story’s setting to the United States. Matt plays Benjamin, a widower with two kids (Colin Ford and Maggie Elizabeth Jones, a cute 7-year-old at the time of filming but has the soul of a 40-year-old).

“We Bought a Zoo” also stars Scarlett Johansson, Thomas Haden Church and Patrick Fugit.
Matt said, “‘We Bought a Zoo’ is about as different from ‘Elysium’ as you can get. ‘Elysium’ is a very hard and violent sci-fi movie while ‘Zoo’ is a family movie. As Cameron said, this is a piece of joy.”

Different direction

The script for “Zoo,” Matt explained, took a lot of liberties with Benjamin Mee’s story. “But it was great. We wanted the spirit of an adventurer who buys a zoo. Benjamin came to visit the set. He was really excited about the movie, even about the different direction that we’d taken. He and his wife, Katherine, bought the zoo together. She got sick and passed away after they had bought the zoo. The movie’s quite different from his actual story. But Benjamin was excited that the movie might drive some traffic to his real zoo (Dartmoor Zoological Park) in England.”

Matt hopes to make his feature directorial debut next year. It will star him, John Krasinski and Frances McDormand. “It’s just a small movie about a salesman who goes to a small town,” he said. “It’s about how that town changes him and how he changes the town a little bit, too. I was joking that it’s going to be done for the catering budget of ‘Elysium.’ ”

After this project, he is going to do the Liberace biopic in 2012. Steven Soderbergh directs with Michael Douglas as the flamboyant pianist and Matt as his lover, Scott Thorson. “Thank God I don’t play Liberace,” he said. “Michael Douglas has all the work to do.”

According to Matt, the biopic is based on the book written by Scott titled “Behind the Candelabra: My Life With Liberace.”

Matt said he has not met Scott, but “my understanding is that he is alive and well. I’m not sure where he lives though. There are conflicting stories that he might be in the witness protection program. I’m not sure. If he wants to meet, I’d be very happy to meet him.”

Matt and his wife Luciana, married since 2005, are raising four daughters, including Alexia, Luciana’s daughter from a previous marriage. Asked how he has stayed down-to-earth after all these years, Matt quoted his friend George Clooney: “I have teams of people who do that for me.”

...the circa calendar inventor

UK-based Pinay invents award-winning toy calendar

by Rose Eclarinal,

ABS-CBN Europe News Bureau

12/09/2011

 

 

 

LONDON - When Melinda Holohan lost her job not so long ago, she became a stay-at-home mom looking after her two children.

It was an adjustment for a career-driven woman who was used to the rat race working in media advertising in New York before settling down in the UK with her husband. But now she can say that it was one of the best things that ever happened to her.

While juggling between duties of a mother to a young family, she was also able to pursue her passion for design and also started a business.

The Eureka moment came last year after dealing with a tough question from her then 3-year-old son.

In the process of conjuring up an answer to her son’s question, she invented a toy by accident. She calls it circa -- the circular calendar.

“He wanted to know when he could go swimming again. It was Thursday evening and he goes swimming on a Tuesday. I find it quite difficult to explain to him that the week does continue and it does start again. I lay there in my bed thinking there must be a way of teaching kids the circular nature of calendar. I couldn’t fall asleep and I decided to just get out of bed. I then designed the circular calendar that evening using Power Point,” said Holohan.

Holohan wanted to produce a quality toy that is tactile so she used wood.





Award-winning design

Almost two years after inventing and developing circa, an innovative toy calendar, it has reaped the following awards and recognition in the UK:

• Top Drawer September 2011: Best New Children's Product
• Rainbow Toy Awards 2011: Highly Commended - Wooden Toy Category
• British Female Inventors and Innovators Network (BFIIN) Awards: Winner - Inventors Award, Semi-Finals 2011.

Circa was also recently selected as one of the Top 25 gifts of the Ideal Home Show at Christmas held at Earl’s Court in London.

“I always had faith in my product but every time I get recognized and awarded its just the best thing that happens, an affirmation that what I’m doing is the right thing, that it will benefit children around the world in their education and in their learning,” explained Holohan.

Melinda was born in the Philippines and raised in Denmark by her Filipino parents. She studied in the US and settled in the UK 11 years ago.

She said the Filipino values inculcated by her parents, her Danish background and American education helped her in achieving her goal to design a toy with a global appeal.

“You can sit on the fence all your life and think I have great idea but I just decided to go forward. I had a bit of savings that I wanted to use for this product. I believe it has a global appeal,” she said.

Circa is now out in the UK market, and it is also on its way for distribution in the Philippines. The toy is for children 3 years and up.

For Melinda, introducing circa to Pinoys and to the rest of the world is a great finish to a humbling start as a concept borne out of mother’s desire to be able to teach her son the concept of a calendar.

...the global film winner

Pinoy student wins in global film competition

abs-cbnNEWS.com

 12/07/2011

 

 

 

 

 

MANILA, Philippines - An 18-year-old Filipino student is one of the three winners in this year's Faith Shorts, a global film competition by the Tony Blair Faith Foundation.

Paulo Reyes' "First Steps to Recovery" won in the Family category of the competition, where budding filmmakers aged 14 to 18 years old were made to express their thoughts on the theme "Let me show you how my faith inspires me."

The short film tells the story of a journalist who was inspired by the strong faith of a boy who is suffering from cancer.

The two other winning films of Faith Shorts 2011 include "Muhammad in Accrington... Inspiring Me" by Amna Islam of the United Kingdom (Action category) and "Be the Change You Want to See" by Nadim Merrikh of Canada (Musical category).

The entries were judged by Tony Blair, Hollywood stars Hugh Jackman and Jet Li, Bollywood star Anil Kapoor and former FOX Studios president Sherry Lansing, among others.

"This new generation holds the potential to help turn the tide against rebellious tensions, building unity to counter those who see faith as a source of division and conflict," Blair said, referring to year's contestants.

Meanwhile, Education Secretary Armin Luistro said: "I and my fellow countrymen look forward to watching more of your films in the future."

"Congratulations, Paulo. The Philippines is behind you," he added.

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...the aspiring major gaming hub

Philippines can become ‘major’ gaming hub in region

 

Research firm sees revenues hitting $1.2B by 2015

 

By: Doris C. Dumlao
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Wednesday, December 7th, 2011

The Philippines has the potential to become a “major” gaming hub in the Asia-Pacific region and grow its gaming market to about $1.2 billion by 2015 as more privately run casinos start operations, a research by global professional services firm PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) said.

In a recent report, PwC estimated that casino gaming revenues in the Philippines fell by 5.9 percent in 2010 but were rebounding this 2011 to hit a full-year growth of 10.8 percent.

The report said the Philippines already had a “vibrant” casino gaming market and projected that new casinos would propel spending at a 16.9-percent compounded annual rate to $1.2 billion in 2015, making this country a major gaming area as well.

The casino gaming market in the Philippines last year was estimated by PwC at $558 million, which is ending this year at $618 million.

“The next five years will see Asia-Pacific emerge as the world’s leading region for casino gaming,” the PwC report said.

For Asia-Pacific as a whole, the report noted that casino gaming revenues would expand from $34.3 billion in 2010 to $79.3 billion in 2015 for an 18.3-percent compounded annual increase.

Macau is seen remaining as the largest casino gaming center in Asia-Pacific, growing at a compounded annual growth rate of 21.5 percent through 2015, outpacing Singapore’s growth rate of 20.5 percent compounded annually.

“The jewel in the crown of Asia-Pacific’s casino gaming industry is Macau, the largest single destination market in the world at $23.4 billion in 2010, more than twice the revenue of Nevada in the U.S.,” the report said.

Australia was a distant second with a $3.4-billion market in 2010, followed by Singapore at $2.8 billion and South Korea at $2.6 billion.

The report said Australia was facing increased competition in luring “high rollers” now that Singapore has become an established market.

In the Philippines, PwC noted that Belle Corp.’s planned complex in Manila Bay was expected to open in 2013, although the project has experienced a number of delays.

The research noted that the state-run Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. was the monopoly provider with the exception of the Cagayan Special Economic Zone, which issues its own casino licenses. Casinos in the Cagayan region are only open to foreigners, it added.

The Philippines is building an entertainment complex along Manila Bay, called Entertainment City, but has required casino licensees to invest heavily in hotel facilities prior to opening their casinos.

...the World Latin Cup host

PH to stage World Cup dance tourney

 

The Philippine Star

 12/07/2011

 

 

MANILA, Philippines - The Philippines will host the WDSF World Cup Latin Philippines Professional Division Championships on Dec. 15 at the Harbor Tent Sofitel Philippine Plaza with over 22 countries and 400 dancing pairs competing in the dancesport showcase.

 

"This is the first time that this prestigious competition is being held in Asia since it is regularly held in Europe and gives the opportunity for Asian dancers, including our own, to compete in the event," said Gymnastics Association of the Philippines and organizing committee head Cynthia Carrion in yesterday's PSA Forum at the Shakey’s UN Avenue branch in Manila.

Dancesport Council of the Philippines president Becky Garcia joined Carrion, who is also the Professional Dancesport Association of the Philippines (PDAP) chair, in the session sponsored by Pagcor, Smart, Outlast Battery, and Shakey’s to give more details about the one-day dancefest.

"There will be four divisions in event, namely Professional Latin, Professional Standard, Open Standard and Open Latin," Garcia said, adding that the champion pair in each division will receive 1,500 euros (roughly P200,000), runner-up 1,200 euros and third place 800 euros.

"The champions in each division from all over the world have been invited to compete in the World Latin Cup so this will be truly a tough competition," Garcia said.

The eliminations will be held in the morning while the semi-finals and finals will be in the evening.
Both Carrion and Garcia said that the Filipinos' brightest hopes in the event are newlywed partners Ronnie Vergara and Charlea Lagara, who bagged two golds and a silver in the Asian Dancesport Championships held in Beijing, China last September.

"The Vergara couple will be competing in the Open Latin division," Garcia said.

An P8-million budget is being earmarked for the World Cup Latin Philippines "because we want to put our best foot forward and show our visitors that we can put on a big international competition of this magnitude," Carrion said. Spicing up the evening affair will be a Latin dance featuring street kids trained by former 2005 Philippine SEA Games gold medalist and PDAP president Belinda Adora, according to Aguila.

...the blue list island

Norwegian missionary promotes Camiguin as eco-tourist spot

by Macel Ingles,

ABS-CBN Europe Bureau

12/06/2011

 

 

NORWAY - It's all in a day's work for Norwegian missionary Wenche Thorkildsen, director of Sea and Sun Ministries International (SSMI), Inc.

 

Barely a few days back from the Philippines, she spoke at the Drammen Library Scene last November 30 giving a passionate appeal to her fellow Norwegians to travel to Camiguin Island in the Philippines. Eco-tourism mission



Thorkildsen said her mission is to get everyone to put Camiguin on their "blue list," or as she describes it "the list of places one must go to before one dies."

Gushing about the country's beauty, she said she did not choose the Philippines as a site of her mission, but it was chosen for her by God.

"I am very happy that I am there. I think the Philippines is a wonderful country, and especially, Camiguin island where we are which is a beautiful, beautiful island," she said.

Showing photos of the beautiful spots in the Camiguin like a seasoned tourism official, Thorkildsen promised the island is worth the visit.

She emphasized that she is promoting "ecotourism," following the principles as outlined by the International Ecotourism Society. This involves "responsible tourism in nature-rich areas" and "taking care of the environment and improving the local community."

SSMI achievements

Thorkildsen also presented her ministry's charity works in the island for the the past ten years.

SSMI rents out apartments to tourist families during their stay in Camiguin. Profits are used to fund its various projects in the island which includes an orphanage, scholarship programs and medical and health missions.

SSMI's biggest achievement, she said, is being able to send 1,000 poor students to school, including 18 students in college, 34 in high school, as well as support for two elementary schools in the area.

Bigger dreams

But she has even bigger dreams for the project in the future, such as opening a bigger restaurant and cafe for the guests, acquiring a landholding for distribution to farmers to plant coffee and adding more apartments to rent out to tourists.

All these plans, she noted however, can only be possible if she can convince more Norwegians to make Camiguin a destination for their holidays.

Norwegian travellers

Hundreds of thousands of cash-rich Norwegian families travel abroad annually in search of exotic and warmer destinations during their holidays, courtesy of an employment regulation that allocates a certain amount of the annual pay to "feriepenger" or vacation money.

A travel industry study showed Norwegians use half of their vacation money to travel overseas.

---

...the Champion magician

'UKG' host Jeffrey Tam wins at prestigious FISM Asian Magic Championship

 

 

 

 

By ROWENA JOY A. SANCHEZ

December 6, 2011

Manila Bulletin

 

 

 

Jeffrey Tam with his prestigious FISM Asian Magic Championship Award for close-up magic (Photo from his Twitter)

MANILA, Philippines –TV personality Jeffrey Tam has conquered the magician’s world anew, winning top prize in the close-up magic category of the 2011 FISM Asian Magic Championship held Dec. 1 in Hong Kong.

Tam bested 19 countries in the prestigious competition, as reported on “Umagang Kay Ganda” on Dec. 6.


While he’s apparently proud of his triumph at the FISM, which he described as the “Oscars” of magicians, Tam excitedly shared the victory with his fellow Pinoy conjurers, exclaiming on Twitter on Dec. 5, “MABUHAY ANG MAGIKERONG PILIPINO!!!!!!!”

He further declared, “JEFFREY TAM is the first filipino to win the gold for 2011 FISM ASIAN MAGIC CHAMPIONSHIPS!!”

Tam is grateful to his supporters, as well as to his colleagues in “Umagang Kay Ganda” and, of course, his sweetheart, Hannah Vasig.

“Wna thank my @ukgdos family for the support at syempre si god salamat po! And my lucky charm @nanavasigako labyu hon!! Mabuhay ang pilipinas,” he posted.

In the Tuesday episode of “UKG,” Tam gave a sample of his winning performance, such as producing giant coins from his mouth, and making tea bags and siopao appear from a mug.

According to the FISM (Fédération Internationale des Sociétés Magiques or the International Federation of Magic Societies) website, winners from the competition are “entitled to compete in the FISM World Championships of Magic in Blackpool, England in July 2012.”

Tam has been making waves in the field of magic for years now, having performed in countries namely France, United Kingdom, Malaysia, and Spain, as seen in his Multiply site. He is also the first Filipino magician who was featured in a top Bristol, UK DVD magazine.

The “UKG” co-host was a Philippine close-up magic champion for three consecutive years (2008 to 2010). He was also the close-up magic champion at the 2009 International Magic Extravaganza held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, and then again, earlier this year, at the Bangkok International Magic Extravaganza in Thailand.

...the PH economic growth

Philippines on right track on economic growth

 

By Philip C. Tubeza in Kyoto

Philippine Daily Inquirer | ANN – Mon, Dec 5, 2011

 

Kyoto (Philippine Daily Inquirer/ANN) - The Philippines is on the right track by focusing on "inclusive growth¿ but many problems remain, a ranking International Labor Organization official said yesterday as the ILO opened a major regional meeting here on how to protect jobs and economic growth amid the global financial crisis.

Jeff Johnson, ILO country director for the Philippines, commended the Aquino administration for focusing on "inclusive growth¿ and developing the agriculture sector, adding that the country had a lot to share with its neighbors during the ILO's 15th Asia and the Pacific Regional Meeting (APRM), which will go on until Wednesday.

"I think it is very important for the Philippines to highlight especially what the administration has been bringing on¿inclusive growth. This ties very much with what we've been speaking about in the ILO from the inception of the crisis ¿that we're facing a paradigm shift,¿ said Johnson in an interview.

"We've been talking about this shift for a long time... that we need to focus not so much on the level of economic growth within the country (but), more importantly, how that growth is achieved,¿ he said.

"I think the Philippines has a lot to add to the region to help others understand its growth path and its paradigm shift that I see taking place here,¿ he added.

Very impressed

Johnson said he was "very impressed¿ with the Aquino administration's approaches to tackling poverty, particularly its cash transfer program for the poor.

"I think the Philippines has a very unique knowledge base. Again, people still look to the Philippines in terms of migration issues, in terms of seafarers, in terms of how to address issues, including young people or special groups into the discussion,¿ he said.

"Again, the Philippines has very unique advantages from the regional perspective that will allow it to contribute (to discussions at the meeting),¿ he said.

Labor Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz was scheduled to lead the Philippine delegation to the conference, which will be attended by around 30 other labor and employment ministers.

Economic uncertainty

Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda gave the keynote address yesterday afternoon when the meeting opened at the Kyoto International Convention Center.

The conference comes at a time of "extreme economic uncertainty and amid growing concern that, while the region's economic performance remains positive, it will not be immune to the turbulence affecting its key export markets,¿ the ILO said.

"The existing unbalanced growth cannot continue. It has failed to deliver jobs of the quality and quantity needed to assure women and men and their families a decent life,¿ said ILO director general Juan Somavia.

"Today, unemployment levels in Asia and the Pacific have yet to reach the precrisis low of 76.9 million in 2007. Nearly 60 percent of the region's workers are in vulnerable employment. We need a model of growth that is more socially and economically efficient,¿ he said.

Somavia said the "crisis of youth employment¿ needed "urgent action¿ with young people making up around 20 percent of the region's population "but are half of the jobless.¿

"The Philippines, being still a relatively young democracy, you have a voice and what (the Philippine delegation) can share is their experiences, both positive and negative. You still have such a wealth of knowledge and experience,¿ Johnson said.

Agriculture development

He also singled out the Aquino administration's focus on developing agriculture and public-private partnerships as an engine for economic growth.

"In the Philippines' plans, agriculture is playing a very important role and it's not just about growing something but also how you add value to that processing. There is much focus on improving productivity and efficiency in agriculture,¿ Johnson said.

"You have companies in Mindanao like Dole Fruits¿that has basically helped the Philippines become the number one producer of pineapples¿and canneries and packaging, etc., that create more jobs and again that's all agriculture-based,¿ he said.

Vulnerable employment

"If you look at the administration, they've played up on that very well. I think this administration has a number of things that they're moving forward with that are very supportive of economic and inclusive growth,¿ he added.

Johnson also said, however, that many problems remained in the labor sector, like the high rate of vulnerable employment in the country.

"Vulnerable employment in the Philippines stands at 40.2 percent and it's going down very slowly. Those workers are own-account workers or unpaid family workers, small-scale farmers, peasant farmers, petty traders or those who work in food stalls,¿ Johnson said.

"Those workers lack social protection, no social security mechanism in place, and they probably have no PhilHealth. They have very little protection for their occupational safety and in health regulations, and clearly no collective bargaining,¿ he said.

According to the ILO's Asia-Pacific Labor Market Update that was released last week, "some progress¿ in employment creation in the Philippines "was unable to prevent¿ a higher unemployment of 7.1 percent.¿

"The economy struggled to generate sufficient jobs to match its expanding labor force of nearly one million new labor market entrants in the last year,¿ the ILO report said.

...the young NASA astroboy

Fil-Am one of NASA's youngest engineers

December 5, 2011

GMA News

Filipino-American Gregory Galgana Villar III, at 24, is one of the youngest engineers of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) in the United States.

Villar works as a verification and validation engineers of NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) department who worked on the Mars Science Laboratory mission , a report of the Asian Journal said. 

Dubbed "Mars Curiosity," the Mars Science Laboratory is NASA's biggest and best-equipped robot ever sent to explore another planet from the Kennedy Space Centre. Launched on November 26, it is expected to reach Mars by August 2012, the report said.

Villar hails from Long Beach and has always been interested in physics and astronomy.

Asked how he got into NASA, Villar said he spent two years interning with three different education programs at JPL:

• Laboratory’s Minority Initiatives Internship,
• Space Grant and
• Undergraduate Student Research Program as an undergrad student at Cal-Poly, Pomona.

Villar was a Physics major who graduated from Cal Poly Pomona in 2009 .

When not working in NASA, Villar writes on his blog "100 Words of Physics," where, like a teacher, he discusses aeronautics in understandable layman’s terms. 


Teaching is actually one of Villar's dreams.


"Through teaching, I can continue to share my love and knowledge of Physics and Astronomy to younger generations," Villar told the Asian Journal.


Another of Villar's dreams is to contribute "a great deal to the astronomical community, I would love to continue my research and also teach by obtaining a professorship at a University." - VVP, GMA News

...the theater debutants

Pinays get standing ovations in their Broadway debuts

Hollywood Bulletin

By JANET SUSAN NEPALES
Manila Bulletin

December 5, 2011

 

Camille Mana with Jesse Eisenberg, who wrote and acted in ‘Asuncion,’ his Broadway debut. They plan to bring the play to the Philippines next year.

NEW YORK – Two Filipinas – Anna Maria Perez de Tagle and Camille Mana – received standing ovations in their Broadway debuts in “Godspell” and “Asuncion” respectively.

Anna Maria Perez de Tagle, the 20-year-old granddaughter of Philippine legend Sylvia La Torre, received a standing ovation in “Godspell” at the Circle in the Square Theatre in New York.

Anna Maria also surprised audiences when she suddenly spoke Tagalog in one part of the show.

Considered now a triple threat – she acts, sings and dances – Anna Maria displayed her great comedic acting and timing, her graceful dancing and powerful singing as she sang the most popular song in “Godspell,” “Day By Day.”

Truly, Anna Maria has blossomed as a performer on stage. From pretending to be a man using her hair as a moustache to dancing with grace and high energy, Anna Maria captures the attention of the audience with her vibrant presence as a singer, dancer and actress.

An Associated Press stage critic, in fact, wrote, “The beautiful Anna Maria Perez de Tagle delivers a stirring ‘Day by Day.’”

Among those who have watched her already were Lea Salonga, fashion designer Oliver Tolentino and his business partner Andrew Caruthers, former fashion model and beauty queen Bessie Badilla, among others.

This daughter of former TV personality Archie Perez de Tagle and Evelyn Enriquez is truly lucky because she is part of the 40th anniversary production of the said musical.

Anna Maria, who was a former star of “Camp Rock 1” and “Camp Rock 2”, “Hannah Montana”, and the MGM movie “Fame,” has also opened for the Jonas Brothers, Demi Lovato US and South American tour.

“I wanted to be a part of ‘Godspell’ because it felt like the right musical to be in for my Broadway debut,” revealed the charming performer.

“This musical involves a very diverse cast with songs that tie into today’s culture. I am very honored and excited to be a part of this musical adventure. This is definitely a dream come true for me,” she added. Among the cast members is Telly Leung who appears as Wes of the Dalton Academy Warblers in the top hit TV show, “Glee.” Portraying Jesus is Hunter Parrish who appeared in the Broadway show “Spring Awakening” and the film “It’s Complicated.”

We also found out recently that George Salazar, who also appeared in the “Spring Awakening”, and who is also in “Godspell,” is of Filipino descent. Born to an Ecuadorian father and a Filipina mother from Taytay, Rizal, George is also making his Broadway debut like Anna Maria.

The lovely and talented actress could not contain her excitement. “Broadway to me is an ultimate challenge,” she said. “There are no second takes unlike film and TV. You have to do your utmost best the first time. This is why I have high regard and respect for people on the big stage.”

After “Godspell,” Anna Maria hopes to continue doing Broadway “if I’m given the opportunity. I would love to go back to TV and film, of course. Another goal is to release an album in the near future as well.”

As for a trip to the Philippines, Anna Maria replied, “I definitely want to go back to the Philippines once my schedule permits. It’s been about 11 years since I was last there, so I’m hoping to make a trip home very soon.”

You may catch “Godspell” at the Circle in the Square Theatre (1633 Broadway at 50th Street).

• • •

Camille Mana, on the other hand, received rave reviews from critics on her Broadway debut as Asuncion. When we watched her recently at the Cherry Lane Theatre in this Jesse Eisenberg-penned play, people in the audience kept talking about “that Filipina actress who is really great, pretty and funny!”

Camille, in fact, surprised us when she also sprinkled some Tagalog words and sentences during the performance as she pitted talents with Academy and Golden Globe-nominated “The Social Network” star Jesse Eisenberg and “Hangover 1 and 2” actor Justin Bartha.

“Asuncion” is about a young woman who has emigrated from the Philippines a few years prior to her ending up in Edgar (Jesse) and Vinny’s (Justin) apartment in New York. Camille described Asuncion as “warm, confident and fun, and comfortable in her own skin. Edgar and Vinny have read and studied a lot about the world; Asuncion comes from the world, so to speak. The conflict and hilarity ensue from there.”

Jesse told us that they are bringing “Asuncion” to the Philippines hopefully by next year. “We are already in talks with a Filipina producer over there,” Jesse disclosed. He added that he is excited to bring this play to the Philippines. “Camille is doing great as Asuncion and it would be nice if we are able to show this play in the Philippines,” he said.

The 27-year-old UC Berkeley Economics graduate who has a passion for acting is definitely not shy about giving her all in this play as she dances in full abandon, playfully bonds with her roommates Jesse and Justin, and chirpily narrates her story as an immigrant from the Philippines.

Also in the play is Remy Auberjonois as Stuart, Asuncion’s husband and Edgar’s older brother.

New York Theatre Review describes Camille’s performance: “Camille Mana’s performance as Asuncion is one of those rare turns in which the actress so fully and convincingly embodies the character that at some point you are a little stunned to have to remind yourself that the woman onstage is actually acting. This is perhaps all the more impressive when you step back and realize that the character as written feels like a stereotype of a newly arrived immigrant of the East Asian female persuasion. She flits, Tinkerbell-like, around the apartment, a ball of smiling pink girlish energy, telling us that Mariah Carey is her hero and that the US is like a “pop song nation” – pared down to only the best, catchiest parts. Thinking back, we’re hit with the sense that while she is inescapably familiar, we’ve actually never met a real person like her, which makes Mana’s exuberantly natural performance all the more impressive.”

...the Asian Tour Order of Merit awardee

Filipino Pagunsan wins merit title

Agence France-Presse

via abs-cbnnews.com

12/05/2011

HONG KONG - Juvic Pagunsan became the first ever Filipino to win the Asian Tour Order of Merit on Sunday when he finished in 10th place at the UBS Hong Kong Open.

Juvic pagunsan. Photo: espnstar.com

Pagunsan closed out the event -- won by world number two Rory McIlroy on 12-under 268 -- with a two-under 68 for a six under total, adding US$55,000 to his season's total and putting him out of reach with one event left.

"I accept that it's one of the biggest achievements in my entire life," said Asia's new number one.

"I'm really surprised. Everyone dreams to get the Order of Merit on the Asian Tour. I wasn't expecting that this year. My ranking before the Singapore Open was dangerous and suddenly I just jumped to number one."

Pagunsan has now won US$788,298 for the season with US$660,600 coming from his second-place effort at last month's Singapore Open.

As Asia's new number one, Pagunsan will be exempt into the British Open and World Golf Championship-Cadillac Championship in 2012. He will be officially crowned at the season-ending Thai Golf Championship, which starts December 15.

"There's no holiday," said Pagunsan. "I try to focus every day. I'll try to win (the Thailand Golf Championship). Maybe I can but I'm not so sure as it's everybody's ball game."

Pagunsan revealed his game had benefited from a new fitness regime he first started after last month's Taiwan Masters event.

"I have jogged every morning," said Pagunsan. "It helped improve my game. It helped me improve physically and mentally here. I was fresh."

...the unknown side of the Philippines

History series uncovers a ‘hidden’ Philippines

By: Bayani San Diego Jr.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

December 4, 2011

History Channel host and first-time visitor Anthony Morse left the Philippines with a backpack of souvenirs and a treasure trove of “wonderful” memories.

He spent two weeks here last August, traveling across the archipelago, taping an hour-long episode of “Hidden Cities,” an original History channel program.

He visited Intramuros and Malacañang Palace in Manila; the World War II island-fortress in Corregidor; the Iwahig prison in Palawan; and the mountain tribal villages in Kalinga.

He found the trip to Palawan a “pleasant surprise.” The show describes Iwahig as a prison with “invisible walls.” “I was struck by what the prison’s director told me: ‘You can help people change by restoring their dignity,’” Morse told Inquirer on his second Manila visit last month for a promo tour of “Hidden Cities.”

‘Incredible’

Morse, who had worked as a volunteer in a Tennessee prison, thought Iwahig was “incredible.” He elaborated, “It’s more than a correctional facility… the prisoners are encouraged to build a community.”

In Corregidor, he met a guide who casually told him, “We are now in a section where the Japanese stored dead bodies.”

In Intramuros, he was introduced to the young students of Escuela de Talyer. “The kids were studying traditional building techniques in preserving the Spanish fort. From the rooftop of the Manila Hotel, we took panoramic shots of the walls of the fort.”

Up north, he was immersed in the “rites of passage” of the ancient Kalinga tribe. “I’ve always been fascinated with issues of faith and belief systems,” said Morse, a Theology graduate. “The tribe leaders slaughtered a pig and checked its liver to see if our visit would be fortuitous.” Luckily for Morse and his team, “all five lobes of the liver were intact, which was good news for us.”

Warm smiles


Throughout his August stay, he recounted, he was greeted with warm smiles and genuine friendliness everywhere. “It’s the people that make a place unforgettable,” he said. “Once, a hotel staffer greeted me with, ‘If only every day was as beautiful as your smile.’ I made a mental note to use that as a pick-up line.”

He also had a close encounter of the Imeldific kind, a one-on-one with former First Lady Imelda Marcos. “I had never met a more energetic 82-year-old,” Morse said. He didn’t get to check out the legendary shoe collection, “but I saw miniature pairs at her place.”

On his next visit, he hopes to meet P-Noy (President Aquino) and Pacman (Manny Pacquiao). “Those would be dream interviews,” he said.

(The Philippine episode of “Hidden Cities” will be aired on the History channel on Jan. 4, 2012. )

...the economic trends

Emerging country debt attracting investors

by Sophie Deviller,

Agence France Presse

12/04/2011

Since last year Thailand, Malaysia, the Philippines and Indonesia have also had their ratings upgraded.

PARIS - The bonds of emerging countries, which have been following sounder policies than the United States and eurozone, are attracting investors seeking to diversify risks as well as earn high returns.

Today emerging markets represent 10-15 percent of the global debt market, up from six percent in 2000, and even big money managers such as PIMCO and BNY Mellon in the United States, or Swiss private bank Pictet have jumped into the game.

"Since the summer and the United States lost its triple-A rating" from Standard & Poor's "there has been a very marked interest in this category of assets," said Herve Thiard, director of Pictet Paris.

"At more than six percent on average, the return on emerging country debt is very attractive in dollars as well as local currencies -- it is more than three times that on US Treasury bonds" that are currently yielding around two percent, explained Brigitte Le Bris, head of fixed-income investment at Natixis Asset Management.

Brazilian bonds denominated in reals bring in returns of over 12 percent per year currently.

Another plus, the fundamentals of these countries are generally more solid than for the United States or the eurozone, which the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development said is entering a slight recession.

In a major role-reversal, emerging countries have now started lecturing advanced countries about the need to balance budgets.

"The weak growth and deep deficits in developed countries drove the need for a geographical diversification in favor of countries with growth and ... sound public finances," said bond specialist Ernesto Bettoni at BNP Paribas bank.

The International Monetary Fund says that emerging countries have on average public debts equivalent to 40 percent of gross domestic product compared to 90 percent for rich countries.

That debt divergence is expected to widen further through 2015, noted Didier Lambert, a bond manager at JP Morgan Asset Management.

Certain countries have been able to keep their debt level very low, such as Russia at 11.2 percent of GDP, thanks to its oil windfall.

While ratings agencies have been repeatedly downgrading their ratings of southern European countries and the top triple-A ratings eurozone countries are under threat, they have raised their ratings for emerging markets.

Last month, Standard & Poor's raised Brazil's rating one notch to BBB, citing in particular the ability of its economy to withstand the slowdown in the global economy.

Since last year Thailand, Malaysia, the Philippines and Indonesia have also had their ratings upgraded.

"These countries are now better armed to battle against a crisis scenario," observed Le Bris.

"Inflationary pressures have been contained in most of the countries, except in Turkey or South Africa. Since 2008 central banks have raised rates and their currencies have appreciated, currency reserves have grown, budgets are globally in balance," she noted.

"All these elements help them to better resist external shocks," said Le Bris.

Finally, emerging country bond markets have more players, which makes trading fluid, with local investors such as pension funds, insurance companies and central banks increasingly active.

Bonds in local currencies are becoming accessible for foreign investors, such as in Mexico, Brazil and Colombia.

China has yet to open up yuan-denominated debt to foreign investors, but is slowly opening up its currency. Since 2010 it has allowed foreign companies to issue debt in yuan.

Well aware of heightened investor interest, leaders of the Group of 20 top economies have called on emerging markets to develop their local currency bond markets.