...the viral photo

Philippine killer picture tops Time Magazine’s best viral shots

By Tarra Quismundo
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Friday, December 16th, 2011

INQUIRER EXCLUSIVE. Seconds after taking this picture of his smiling family outside his home in Caloocan City in the early hours of New Year’s Day, councilman Reynaldo Dagsa lay dead of a gunshot wound. The police did not have to look far for evidence of the killer’s identity. The Inquirer published the photo on its front page and it quickly went viral on the Web.

It’s that chilling shot of an amateur photographer that sent the world clicking the “share” button.

The last photo taken by Caloocan City councilman Reynaldo Dagsa of his family—which by a stroke of chance also captured the assassin aiming a gun at Dagsa—was selected by photo editors of the prestigious TIME magazine as among the world’s “best viral photos” of 2011.

First published in the Philippine Daily Inquirer frontpage  and uploaded on http://www.inquirer.net/ on Jan. 4, 2011, the photo taken by Dagsa just moments before he was killed on New Year’s Day eventually led to the arrest of the assassin and his accomplice.


Extraordinary story

Inquirer reporter Kristine Felisse Mangunay got a copy of the photo from the police file on Jan. 3, not thinking that doing the rounds of her beat that day would lead her to an extraordinary story.

“It was an ordinary day,” Mangunay recalled.  “I went to the police station to do the usual rounds.  The intelligence chief told me that a barangay councilor was shot dead and that ‘there is even a picture of it,’” Mangunay said.

“He showed me the entire case folder and everything was there, including the photo, a hard copy.”

The reporter, who had been covering the northern Metro Manila beat for just three months, felt an initial shock upon seeing the photo.

“I didn’t know what to do at first. I felt the picture was incredible, that it might be fake,” Mangunay said.
“The police told me the (Dagsa) family provided the photo so I had to look for the family to confirm it. When I spoke to his wife, I got the confirmation,” she added.

Sharing spree

The photo was published on the entire upper fold of the Inquirer a day after. Other media outfits eventually caught up and published the same photo, fueling a sharing spree online.

The list was published online on Thursday on TIME LightBox, the official blog of the US magazine’s photo department. While the list was posted in no particular order, Dagsa’s photo appeared first in the gallery.

Dagsa’s last shot shares the list with moments already bookmarked in history: a photo of a bloodied Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi in his final moments in October; a picture of US President Barack Obama and top American leaders watching live the Navy Seals operation to capture Osama bin Laden in May; and a photo of British Prince William and Kate Middleton’s first kiss as a married couple on April 29.

“The photograph, taken just after midnight on 1 January, was released by Dagsa’s family on 4 January. It was published on the front page of The Philippine Daily Inquirer and then quickly went viral,” read the LightBox caption of the photo.

Once in a lifetime

Dagsa was taking a picture of his family minutes into the New Year when, apparently unknowingly, he captured his shooter, Michael Gonzales, taking aim at him.

The councilor of Barangay 35, Maypajo, Caloocan City, was felled by Gonzales’ shot after clicking his camera.

Fireworks drowned the sound of the gunshot, giving Gonzales and his accomplice, Rommel Olivia, time to flee.

Writing about the TIME photo editors’ picks, Nick Carbone, a TIME writer on technology, culture and society, described this year’s gallery as “once-in-a-lifetime” shots that “we couldn’t help but share.”

“As shocking as the subject matter is the simplicity of some images. A few came from mobile phones. Most were snapped without a thought of—or time to handle—composition or lighting. One was even taken by a man who would be dead minutes later,” said Carbone, described on TIME’s website as “a viral video fanatic and gadget connoisseur.”

Dagsa’s picture and the story of how he took it also made the news overseas. With a report from INQUIRER.net


View the photo list here: http://lightbox.time.com/2011/12/15/time-picks-the-best-viral-photos-of-2011/#1.

...the positive outlook

S&P raises Philippines' rating outlook to positive

 

abs-cbnNEWS.com

12/16/2011

 

 

MANILA, Philippines - Debt watcher Standard & Poor's raised its outlook for the Philippines to positive from stable, indicating that a rating upgrade is likely soon.

 

S&P said the revised rating outlook was supported by the Philippines' strong external liquidity and improving fiscal position.

It affirmed the country's foreign currency rating of 'BB/B' and local currency rating of 'BB+/B', two notches below investment grade.

"We revised the outlook to positive to reflect our assessment that the Philippines' external vulnerability has diminished," said S&P's credit analyst Agost Benard.

Benard said the Philippines' relatively low income level and weak, albeit improving, fiscal profile are "balanced" by its external liquidity position and track record of moderately strong growth.

"The ratings could be raised on material progress in achieving a sustainable structural revenue improvement or further strengthening of the public balance sheet, yielding reduced fiscal vulnerability," said Benard.

A revision in the outlook to positive is almost always followed by a rating upgrade.

In June, Fitch Ratings raised the Philippines' credit rating to one notch below investment grade.


 

...the Cartoon pool of talents

Filipinos can really draw,’ says cable network exec

 

By: Oliver M. Pulumbarit
Philippine Daily Inquirer

December 15, 2011

 

 

 

SILAS Hickey: “Has everyone been to art schools here?”

“There are lots of Filipino kids who are incredible at drawing,” enthused Silas Hickey, Hong Kong-based Cartoon Network Asia Pacific creative director.

Hickey visited the country in March to scout for animation industry talents, and recently returned to promote various Cartoon Network projects such as “Johnny Bravo Goes to Bollywood” and “Ben 10: Destroy All Aliens.”

He was a guest speaker at Animahenasyon 2011, the annual Filipino animation festival held in November. Hickey also shared updates on his talent search at a press conference in Quezon City.

“People here can really draw,” Hickey said. “It’s interesting. Has everyone been to art schools or is it just like anyone can draw? In terms of animation, Hanna-Barbera used to be here; they had a training program. But it’s not just those people. There are studios on the outskirts of Manila, little houses and stuff… it’s really incredible.”

Discoveries

His first visit yielded other “really exciting” discoveries. “There are some incredible established studios in the Philippines,” Hickey said. “[There are many] very skilled animators here. We are continuing negotiations with some of these larger studios, to perhaps work on some of our Cartoon Network properties. We need to tap into that. That’s what we’re trying to do since I came here in March. We’ve had some very successful meetings, met some really wonderful people in the industry. We have plans to work with these more established studios as well as individuals.”

Snaptoons

Hickey also talked about the Snaptoons (Short New Asia Pacific Cartoons) program, an ongoing regional project aimed at discovering new, original content. “How that works is there’ll be some sort of solicitation that goes out mainly to professionals,” Hickey said. “We’ll approach studios, animation professionals, directors and writers, and we’ll ask them to submit ideas. It’s not free; we pay them to do that. We’ll make those into ‘shorts.’ If it’s successfully received, we’ll consider making that into a telemovie or a series.”

“There’ll be a solicitation to sort a Philippine Snaptoons,” he added. “There’s something like that on the horizon. Actually, what we’re considering is to have a regional Snaptoons; we can also [include] Korea or Japan.”

Hickey observed that Filipinos have unique advantages. “The thing that’s always encouraging about the Philippines is we do get lots and lots of material [from Filipinos],” he said. “There really is a sort of understanding of western culture.”

Many successful original properties debuted in the shorts format, according to Hickey. “Johnny Bravo started as a short. It’s a great concept and there’s a lot less risk if you have that concept, rather than just launching a multimillion-dollar series.”

Hickey has advice on content-creation, specifically the parameters of irreverence: “It’s case by case; you can’t do certain things in India that’s totally fine in Australia. You have to be very sensitive, very careful that you don’t make any mistakes.”

He added that kids primarily want entertainment, so certain things must be avoided. “We don’t want to make content that comes off as sounding preachy. Kids don’t like it,” he said. “Contemporize it in some way. Really write a story and characters with export potential in mind!”

...the birthplace of Tim Tebow

Tebow unknown in Philippines, place of birth

by Dennis Gasgonia,

abs-cbnNEWS.com

12/15/2011

Denver Broncos' Tim Tebow. Photo from Reuters

MANILA, Philippines – Tim Tebow, currently among the most popular players in American football, is largely unknown in the Philippines and the metropolitan city of his birth.

The 24-year-old Tebow, superstar quarterback of the Denver Broncos, was born in Makati City.

"Tee-bone?" said Makati government official Mila Gonzalez in a telephone conversation with The Post Game.com. "How do you spell that?"

Tebow was born on August 14, 1987 to American parents who were serving as Christian Baptist missionaries in the Philippines at the time.

He is especially well-known for fourth-quarter scoring drives that result, week after week, in miraculous come-from-behind victories for the Broncos.

Since Tebow took over the starting quarterback position, the team has racked up 7 wins and just 1 loss.

Gonzalez admitted to The Post Game.com that nobody at the Makati City Hall recognized Tebow's name.
"No one here has heard of him," said Gonzalez. "Is he a current player? “

“Of course it is exciting for us now you have told us about this, and we will look it up. If someone from our city is successful it is something for us to celebrate. I am sure once people begin to realize he is from Makati they will start to follow him in his sporting endeavors," she added.

Tebow appeared in Nike's "Boom" television advertisement with Filipino boxing superstar Manny Pacquiao last year.

Americans not only marvel Tebow for his exploits in the field, but also admire him for his humble demeanor and his religious devotion, which they say makes him an ideal role model for youngsters.

His parents nearly lost him when doctors advised his mother, Pamela Elaine, to undergo abortion after she suffered a life-threatening infection during pregnancy.

His mother refused to terminate her pregnancy while carrying "Timmy."

She now is one of America's most vocal pro-life advocates. -- With a report from Agence France-Presse

---

...the financial development index rank

Philippine ranking in financial dev’t index improves

Still lagging behind peers in the region

By: Michelle V. Remo
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Thursday, December 15th, 2011


 

The Philippines  improved its global ranking on financial development by six notches to 44th out of 60 countries from 50th last year.

In a report titled “Financial Development Index 2011,” the World Economic Forum (WEF) said the Philippines got a score of 3.13 (out of 7) points this year, up from 2.96 points last year.

Despite the country’s improved ranking, however, it still was behind many of its Asian neighbors.

Hong Kong grabbed the top position with a score of 5.16 points. Singapore was third with 4.97 points; Malaysia was 17th, 4.24 points; Korea was 24th, 4.13 points; China was 22nd, 4.12 points; and Thailand ranked 34th, 3.32 points.

The Philippines, however, ranked better than Vietnam, which ranked 46th with a score of 2.98 points, and Indonesia, which was 51st with 2.92 points.

WEF said a country’s “financial development” was determined based on seven pillars: institutional environment, business environment, financial stability, banking and financial services, non-banking financial services, financial markets, and financial access.

In the area of “institutional environment”— which covers prudent regulations, corporate governance and financial sector liberalization—the Philippines got a score of 3.73 points, ranking 42nd.

In the area of “business environment”—which encompasses human capital, taxes, infrastructure and cost of doing business—the Philippines got a score of 3.39 points, landing on 56th spot.

The Philippines ranked 44th with a score of 4.13 points in the area of financial stability, which covers capacity to cope with risks of currency, banking and sovereign debt crisis.

The country ranked 36th with a score of 3.41 points in the area of banking financial services.

In the area of non-banking financial services—which covers insurance, securitization and services that aid in initial public offerings, and in mergers and acquisitions—the country ranked 20th with a score of 2.53 points.

In financial markets—which cover foreign exchange, equity, and bond markets among others—the country ranked 33rd with a score of 2.04 points.

In financial access, the country was 50th with a score of 2.66 points.

The Top 10 are Hong Kong, United States, United Kingdom, Singapore, Australia, Canada, The Netherlands, Japan, Switzerland and Norway.

...the PH refugee leadership

UN body praises PHL for refugee leadership

December 15, 2011

GMA News

 

 

The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) praised the Philippines for its "leadership in human rights and protection or refugees" in the Asian region and other parts of the world.

UNHCR Antonio Guterres relayed the congratulations to Department of Foreign Affairs Secretary (DFA) Albert del Rosario in Geneva, Switzerland last December 6.

Meanwhile, Del Rosario said the Philippines will contribute $100,000 to the UNHCR to show its support for the agency's work for refugees and displaced persons.

"Mr. Guterres observed that the Philippines places human rights at the heart of its noteworthy advocacy for migrant workers," the DFA said .

Guterres notd that the Philippines is only one of two Southeast Asian countries which became a state-party to the 1951 Refugee Convention.

He added the Philippines is the only nation in the region which has signed and ratified the 1954 Convention on Statelessness.

On the other hand, Guterres conveyed the UN's appreciation for the Philippine hosting of a UNHCR Emergency Transit Mechanism for the resettlement for refugees in third countries, and its active engagement with the Bali Process on Human Trafficking. - VVP, GMA News

 

 

..the UNESCO essay winner

Filipino wins (Goi Peace Foundation essay contest)

By ELLSON A. QUISMORIO

December 14, 2011

Manila Bulletin

MANILA, Philippines — A 20-year-old nursing student from the Philippines won the top prize in the youth category of the Goi Peace Foundation and United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization sponsored International Essay Contest for Young People, the Department of Foreign Affairs said on Wednesday.


Dan Erwin Cruz Bagaporo, senior Nursing student from the University of Sto. Tomas, was given the Ministry of Education award as the top prize. The awarding ceremonies took place in Tokyo last November 19.


In his winning essay titled "Pride in Profession," Bagaporo cited how his volunteer experience in a retirement home in the Philippines helped instill his pride as a nursing student, reinvigorate him in becoming more active in the Red Cross and medical missions, and kindle his interest in research and geriatrics after graduation, among other things.


Bagaporo's victory marked the second time that a Filipino won the youth category of the international essay contest. In 2007, Anna Rose Elicaño won with her essay titled "Amplifying Peace Across Borders."

...the Daly vice

Pinoy elected vice-mayor of Daly City

 

by Henni Espinosa,

ABS-CBN North America News Bureau

12/14/2011

 

 

DALY City, California - Filipino-Americans filled the Daly City Hall chamber on Monday night and cheered 2 kababayans for their achievements.

 

Councilmember Ray Buenaventura was elected vice-mayor of Daly City.

Buenaventura, a lawyer by profession, was president of the Filipino American Democratic Club of San Mateo County.

"I am so thrilled. I am so grateful that I am even in this position and I know it's because of the Filipino community that they've been strong advocate," Buenaventura said.

Meanwhile, Daly City Planning Commissioner Ray Satorre was also awarded the Mayor's Citizen of the Year for 2011.

"I feel great. This symbolizes dignity and honor and joy to the Filipino community at the same time our family because not everybody can get an award," Satorre said.

Daly City has one of the highest concentrations of Filipinos in the United States.

---

...the NY Times awardee

New York Times honors Pinoy nurse

 

by Don Tagala,

ABS-CBN North America News Bureau

12/13/2011

 

 

 

NEW YORK CITY - Filipino-American nurse received the "New York Times 2011 Tribute to Nurses Award" for innovation and leadership at the New York Times headquarters in Manhattan.

 

Michael Tagadaya, a nurse manager at the New York University (NYU) Hospital, was nominated in three different categories.

 

 

With his unique contributions to the nursing field, the awards organizers said they created a new award category for the Filipino nurse – the Innovation and Leadership Award.

 

“For me, to come from the Philippines and out of the almost a million of Filipino nurses here sa buong America, it’s a huge honor, napakalaking karangalan,” Tagadaya said.

 

As a nurse manager at the Ambulatory Surgery unit of the NYU Hospital for Joint Diseases, Tagadaya created paddle pagers to ease the family members’ concerns about their loved ones’ surgeries.

 

He also created new staff positions to bridge the gap between operating room and recovery room.

 

Tagadaya’s superiors at the NYU Hospital said patient satisfaction soared, thanks to those innovations.

 

“It’s no surprise that a lot of our nurses are of Filipino background and we really have a lot of respect for them. And they’re wonderful colleagues and they really make our medical center special, It’s a pleasure to have them,” said Joseph Basco, vice-chairman of the Orthopedic section of the NYU Hospital for Joint Diseases.

 

“Congratulations on achieving this honor. It’s a beginning of your path in nursing leadership and we are very proud of you,” said Ann Vanderberg, Vice President for Nursing and Patient Services.

 

Tagadaya said he was shining shoes and working in a deli to pay for his education back in the Philippines. After becoming a registered nurse, Tagadaya came to the US in 1991 to chase his "American Dream".

 

Tagadaya, who now has a Master’s Degree in Nursing, said he owes the honor to his father.

 

“This honor is really dedicated to my Father, because he, at a very young age, talagang in-emphasize niya sa akin yung importansya ng pagiging tunay na leader and to go above and beyond,” he said.

 

The “Tribute to Nurses Program” is the New York Times’ way of bringing the attention to the outstanding contribution of nurses in the healthcare field in the tri-state area.

...the new ICC judge

Miriam elected as judge to Int'l Criminal Court

abs-cbnNEWS.com

12/13/2011

 MANILA, Philippines - Senator Miriam Defensor-Santiago has been elected as a judge in the International Criminal Court, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said on Tuesday morning. This marks the first time a female judge from a developing Asian country has been elected to the ICC.

“I will be the first Filipino to sit there. Plus, I will be the first Asian from a developing country. So this is an honor for the Philippines actually and for President Aquino who nominated me,” Santiago said in an interview with ABS-CBN News Channel.

Santiago won as judge in the ICC elections during the 10th session of the Assembly of States Parties in New York on Monday (US time).

“It’s really an achievement of our people there in the UN. It’s really our Department of Foreign Affairs that needs to be congratulated,” she said.

She topped the first round with 79 out of 104 votes, making her the first to be elected out of 18 candidates vying for 6 seats in the ICC Judicial Division.

Will not immediately resign

Winning a seat in the ICC would mean that Santiago would have to give up her post a member of the Philippine Senate. The new post has a 9-year term of office.

“I'd have to resign. But I don't have to resign immediately. People think that once I am elected I have to take the first plane out to The Hague and sit in a court. No. I will take my oath of office in March together with 6 other new judges. They are still in the process of being voted upon. The Philippines was number 1 in the first round of voting. That is something for the Philippines,” she said.

The senator added that the new ICC judges cannot assume office immediately “until we are officially called to report for work”.

“There are 18 judges in the ICC. The rule is, once a judge has participated in the trial of a case, he has to stay beyond his retirement date, until after the trial is finished.”

“That is why I will not leave the Philippine Senate immediately.

 I might stay for 6 months or a year or more. I can continue my work in the Senate but once I am called to The Hague I will resign,” she said.

'More than qualified'

Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario hailed Santiago's victory, saying the senator is more than qualified for the post of ICC judge.

“Dr. Santiago is eminently qualified. She has shown competence and commitment in defense of the rule of law. She has demonstrated her intelligence and legal acumen through her decisions that have been cited by the Philippine Supreme Court. She has shown independence and integrity in her actions. She is more than qualified for this position,” del Rosario said.

“This is the message that we emphasized in the campaign. We are pleased that the international community has listened to us. Indeed, it is a new day for the Philippines, a day of pride for our country and a day of honor, knowing that this is a tremendous responsibility and mandate placed upon our compatriot."

Philippine Permanent Representative to the United Nations Ambassador Libran N. Cabactulan, likewise, praised Santiago's win. “Dr. Santiago’s triumph is a victory for the entire Philippines and a demonstration of the international community’s complete faith and confidence in her outstanding abilities and of the country’s commitment to the global fight against impunity... We are elated that a Filipina will sit as Judge at the International Criminal Court." - With report from ANC, Don Tagala, ABS-CBN North America News Bureau 

...the future credit upgrade

Debt-To-GDP Ratio Improves, Bolsters Chances For Credit Upgrade

By CHINO S. LEYCO

December 13, 2011

Manila Bulletin

MANILA, Philippines — The ratio of the country’s debt to its total Gross Domestic Product (GDP) declined further in the first three-quarters of the year, bolstering future credit rating upgrade for the Philippines.

Data from the Department of Finance showed that the January to September debt-to-GDP ratio, one of the main indicators being looked at by credit rating agencies, fell to 51.09 percent from last year’s 52.4 percent due to “debt measures” the government undertook.

Specifically, the country’s debt increased by 4.43 percent to P4.87 trillion at end-September from same period last year’s P4.664 trillion, data from the Bureau of the Treasury showed Monday.

With a much lower debt-to-GDP ratio, it means that the country’s economy is growing faster than its debt and the government’s budget deficit is also contained.

The finance department has set a 55.5 percent debt-to-GDP goal this year after the ratio fell to 55.4 percent in 2010, which was lower than the 57 percent target.

In the third-quarter, the country’s GDP decelerated to 3.2 percent from 7.3 percent last year after a big drop in exports, bad weather and anemic government spending, making it unlikely that the country will achieve its growth target for the full year.

But despite the slower growth, fiscal and monetary authorities still insist that international credit rating agencies have underrated the Philippines' sovereign ratings by one to two notches.

The finance department and the central bank pointed that the country's macroeconomic fundamentals including reserves coverage, inflation rate, economic growth, external payments position, and debt service ratios were better compared with other countries.

The credit ratings given to the Philippines by three major international ratings firms – Moody’s, Standard & Poor’s, and Fitch Ratings – were all below investment grade.

The Philippines received a series of credit rating and credit outlook upgrades from the three international rating agencies within the first year of the administration of President Aquino.

Finance Secretary Cesar V. Purisima earlier said the finance department was confident that the Aquino administration can work to attain investment class by 2013.

Higher debt ratings reduce the cost of borrowing, making it cheaper for the Philippines to sell debt to fund spending on roads, bridges and schools.

...the world's strongest family

'World's strongest family' is Filipino-American

 

By Steve Angeles,

ABS-CBN North America Bureau

 12/12/2011

 

 

 

Scot and Maricelle Mendelson

CHATSWORTH, Calif.–With several international and American bench press records and championships, the powerlifting community considers them the world’s strongest family.

Its matriarch is Filipina Maricelle Garcia Mendelson.

The 38-year-old Mendelson started her career as a fighter. She started lifting weights, and by benching over 400 pounds, she has won three world championships.

“I did it for stress release and I wanted it to help me focus. And through it, I decided I didn’t realize how strong I was I always knew I was strong. I always knew I was strong as a kid but as I did it I realized I’m really close to taking all the records,” Mendelson, a mother of three, recalled.

An occupational therapist by trade, she met her husband, “The World’s Strongest Man” Scot Mendelson while he was training. The Jewish-American from New York owns several world powerlifting records and bench presses over a thousand pounds.

Together they own FIT Gym, where they train other athletes, including their three children.

Catching up to mom is 15-year-old Jade, who owns the teenage bench press record with a 242-pound lift.
Just like mom, Jade is training in mixed martial arts as she lifts weights.

“It’s pretty cool. It’s kind of like having superheroes for parents,” Jade said.

"I told her, she better be stronger than me. That's the goal," Mendelson said.

Despite not seeing many minorities in powerlifting events, Mendelson believes Filipinos can excel in the sport.
"It's an awesome sport for Filipinos to get involved in," she said.

---

...the 2011 CNN Hero of the Year

Fil-Am midwife is named CNN Hero of the Year

abs-cbnNEWS.com

 12/12/2011

Robin Lim (L), a Filipino-American midwife, as been named 2011 CNN Hero of the Year.

MANILA, Philippines - Robin Lim, a Filipino-American midwife who helps poor women have healthy pregnancies and births in Indonesia, has been named 2011 CNN Hero of the Year.

In Sunday's star-studded ceremony at The Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles, Lim received the CNN Hero of the Year 2011 award from Anderson Cooper.

"Today on our Earth, 981 mothers in the prime of their life will die -- and tomorrow again and yesterday. And I'm asking you to help change that. We don't even know how many babies are lost, but all of us can help change that," a tearful Lim said, as she accepted the honor.

Lim, who was born to an American soldier and a Filipino mother, decided to become a midwife after her younger sister died from pregnancy complications a few years ago.

She and her husband sold their house in Hawaii, and moved to Bali, Indonesia to "reinvent" their lives.
In Indonesia, Lim noted pregnant women are 300 times more likely to die in the next 12 months than women who are not pregnant.


Fondly called as "Ibu Robin" (Mother Robin), she has been running her free clinics Yayasan Bumi Sehat (Healthy Mother Earth) in Bali and Aceh with Indonesian midwives since 2003. The clinic provides free prenatal and birthing services for poor Indonesian women. Lim also provides training for young midwives.

Christy Turlington Burns, model and founder of Every Mother Counts, introduced Lim as one of the Top 10 CNN Heroes during the ceremony. She recalled having a life-threatening complication during her own pregnancy.

"My wish is that every mother all over the world has the same chance surviving childbirth I had. My friend Robin Lim shares that wish and she spends her days and nights making it so," Burns said.

With Lim being named CNN Hero of the Year, her non-profit Bumi Sehat Foundation will receive a $250,000 grant. This is in addition to the $50,000 already given to each of the Top 10 CNN Heroes.

The CNN Heroes awarding ceremony was attended by stars such as Jerry Seinfeld, Sofia Vergara, will.i.am., Miley Cyrus and Kid Rock.

CNN Heroes is a multi-platform campaign that "shines a spotlight on individuals who go to extraordinary lengths to serve others." This year, the campaign reportedly received over 10,000 submissions from more than 100 countries.

In 2009, Filipino Efren Peñaflorida, who started a "pushcart classroom" to bring education to poor children as an alternative to gang membership, was named CNN Hero of the Year. He was the first Filipino to win the award.

---

...the beach, the culture and the heritage

Beaches, culture, heritage tours top PH allures at Chicago show

 

December 11, 2011

Manila Bulletin

 

 

 

Boracay (Photo by RONALD JAYME)

MANILA, Philippines — Beach holidays, culture and heritage tours emerged as the top draw in the Philippine participation in the Incentive Travel and Meeting Executives (IT&ME) show held recently in Chicago,USA.

At the same time, Cebu and Boracay topped the list of Philippine destinations that drew inquiries from among the 2,600 visitors of the IT&ME expo, while the image of Palawan caught the interest of most visitors who used it as a backdrop for their photo shoots.

Yet, the most sought-after are neither tourism attractions nor destinations, but destination management companies (DMCs) whom the show’s corporate visitors wanted to partner with for their incentive travel needs, according to the Department of Tourism (DoT).

“We need as many people and sectors, including the DMCs, to speak well about ourselves as our country’s most attractive and vital resource that makes Filipino hospitality a uniquely superior international brand by itself,” stressed Tourism Secretary Ramon Jimenez.

“We must be proud of our being a Filipino, and of our history, culture, nature and all the rest that make us what we are – a cheerful and happy nation who loves to share that happiness through the best that we can offer to our guests,” Jimenez stressed.

Jimenez underscored the importance of the IT&ME as “The Motivation Show” that should “first motivate us to look deep into the most positive attributes of the Filipino and speak proudly about them in order to encourage foreign tourists to experience the Philippines.”

For his part, DoT Assistant Secretary Domingo Ramon C. Enerio III said: “Executive meetings abroad and other overseas travel activities requiring DMCs serve as a traditional incentive given by companies to their employees usually as a reward for good performance.”

“This practice, particularly among corporations with international presence, has thus evolved into what is now called “incentive travel”, which accounts for a substantial chunk of the Philippines’ inbound tourism volume and offers a huge potential source of foreign tourists from the world’s globalizing economy,” added Enerio, also acting executive director of the Tourism Promotions Board (TPB).

Incentive travel also accounts for a major share of the world’s meetings, incentive, conventions and events (MICE) market, where the TPB is strategically reestablishing the Philippines as a major player after a long absence.

Part of that effort was the Philippine participation in the IT&ME, according to the TPB, citing the country as the only Asian exhibitor from among the 577 in the three-day show.

In a report to Enerio, TPB MICE and business development officer-in-charge Stanie Soriano recommended the increased participation of DMCs in next year’s IT&ME show in order to optimize foreign visitor arrivals from the US corporate and business community.

“Partnerships between U.S. firms and our DMCs can increase and enhance the stable inflow of corporate executives from North America to boost, not only our inbound tourist volume, but also our prospects for foreign investments in tourism,” Soriano explained.

The show offered opportunities to connect directly with the US incentive travel market and learn from business leaders the emerging engagement strategies and tactics, client motivation and retention, motivational meetings services and events management, and innovative incentives and reward packages.

Making up the Philippines’ 55.7-sqm exhibit booth were tourism merchandising materials and beautiful wall images of the Makati Skyline, Pampanga Christmas lanterns, Intramuros, Masskara Festival, Palawan, Bohol and the famous vinta.

Constituting the Philippine delegation were representatives of the TPB, Tourism Infrastructure Enterprise Zone Authority, Philippine Airlines, and Travelvision. Assisting them was Tourism attaché to Chicago Dir. Vernie Velarde-Morales.