...the Order of British Empire recipient

British Queen cites Philippine official

 

By Tina G. Santos in Manila/Philippine Daily Inquirer

Asia News Network 

02 June 2012

Manila (Philippine Daily Inquirer/ANN) - Philippines' former Finance Secretary Roberto de Ocampo received from United Kingdom's Queen Elizabeth II the Order of the British Empire (OBE) for his contribution to the development of UK-Philippines relations for over four decades.

British Ambassador Stephen Lillie recently hosted a dinner for De Ocampo, now recognized as an Honorary Officer of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, according to a news release from the British Embassy in Manila.

The Order of the British Empire recognizes distinguished service to the arts and sciences, public services outside the Civil Service, and work with charitable and welfare organisations of all kinds, the embassy said.
Lillie acknowledged De Ocampo as "a tireless and influential advocate for friendship, business and co-operation between our two island nations."

He also paid tribute to De Ocampo's "unstinting and unpaid service" as chairman of the British Alumni Association (BAA) in the Philippines, which he has led for more than 12 years.

"This has significantly raised the reputation and prestige of the UK in the Philippines," Lillie said.

For his part, De Ocampo said the recognition "is not only an immeasurably precious one to me for my lifetime but a treasure for my family to have and keep and to pass on to the next generations."

...the rare bright spot

S&P says Philippine economy a 'rare bright spot'

By Michelle V. Remo in Manila/Philippine Daily Inquirer |

Asia News Network 

02 June 2012

Manila (Philippine Daily Inquirer/ANN) - The economic forecast for many countries these days ranges from shaky to dismal, especially among industrialized countries. Yet, the Philippines and Indonesia stand out as rare examples of emerging Asian economies with positive rating outlooks.

According to a report titled "Two Emerging Asian Economies Stand Out With Positive Outlooks Amid Sobering Economic News Elsewhere," just published on RatingsDirect, Standard & Poor's Ratings Services said that these two countries were among only 10 in the world that have positive rating outlooks, and none were industrialized economies.

Generally, the bond markets are treating the Philippines and Indonesia pretty well. And the cost to insure the two countries' debt using credit default swaps also illustrates the favorable treatment the credit markets are giving the two countries.

Meantime, Southeast Asian countries have reaffirmed plans to integrate their economies by 2015, carrying hopes the move will make the region a key growth leader for the global economy.

At the end of the three-day World Economic Forum for East Asia held in Bangkok Friday, member-countries of the Association of Southeast Nations (Asean) committed to pursue the Asean integration plan as scheduled by 2015.

Under the economic integration plan, their financial systems and capital markets will be interconnected, trade will be easier through the elimination of many tariffs, and freer movement of labor across borders will be allowed.

In a statement released by the World Economic Forum (WEF), Southeast Asian leaders cited the benefits of an integrated region. "Leaders of four Asean countries reaffirmed the 10-member grouping's commitment to form the Asean Economic Community as scheduled in 2015," WEF said in the statement.

WEF said Asean members also raised hopes the group would be joined by other Asian countries in the future.

The economic integration by 2015 is expected to transform Southeast Asia into a major growth force in Asia and the world, together with China and India.

The Philippines is supportive of the region's integration, saying doing so would help accelerate growth of member-economies. The country's economic officials believe the integration will help member-countries pursue the goal of "inclusive" growth.

Economists said that while the Philippines and other emerging Asian countries were cited for their respectable growth rates despite problems hounding advanced Western economies, they continued to suffer from growth that was not inclusive.

"Inclusive" growth is one that actually translates to poverty reduction and does not benefit only the rich. In the Philippines, poverty incidence remains high even as the economy has consistently grown over the years. With a report from Reuters

...the Bourne trailer

A legacy like no other

By Gerry Plaza

Now, everyone is looking forward to "The Bourne Legacy," thanks to that two-minute trailer that has spread like wildfire on social networks and video sharing sites on Friday, June 1. The movie will open in the U.S. on August 3.

It was enough that we saw those jaw-dropping Hollywood-standard stunts, but to see it on the streets of Manila is something else.

When the cast and crew of the latest installment of the billion-dollar "Bourne" movie franchise came to Manila late last year to start filming and chose such locations as Leveriza, Ermita, Taft Rotonda and the very busy EDSA, I wondered how they would have executed it. Now that we've seen it, I am frankly amazed.

Thrilling action sequences

The motorcycle and car chase on Manila's busy thoroughfares recalls that memorable scene in "The Matrix Reloaded," except for the extra fun of seeing those familiar taxicabs and jeepneys being blasted, spun and obliterated.

Jeremy Renner and Rachel Weisz look as spectacular as the gritty and intense action sequences, caught in those claustrophobic eskinitas and chased by no less than Manila's finest.

It was exhilarating to see the duo on a motorcycle zagging perpendicularly through Ramon Magsaysay Boulevard in Sta. Mesa during rush hour.  The effect was thrilling and breathless, especially for those like me who traverses these roads on a daily basis.

Push PH as a filmmaking destination

Given the popularity of the Bourne franchise, the new installment is sure to shine the light on the Philippines—certainly for its tourist spots, but also for the rawness and decay of its urban landscape.  And showing international filmmakers both faces of the country may open their eyes to the potential of making their future movies here.

We should make the most out of this fantastic exposure. Government and private businesses should take advantage of all that free publicity from the "The Bourne Legacy" to push the Philippines as a filmmaking destination.

It won't just generate revenue and create jobs, it will also be a priceless learning experience for our actors and film workers.

...the PH films at Edinburgh fest

11 Pinoy films to be featured in world's oldest filmfest

 

CARMELA LAPEÑA,

GMA News

May 31, 2012

 

 

Eleven Filipino films will be featured in June at the world's oldest continuous film festival in the United Kingdom — the  Edinburgh International Film Festival (EIFF), which will run from June 20 to July 1 this year.

The official website of the film festival revealed the lineup of 121 productions from 52 countries that will be featured in the filmfest this year.

Established in 1947, the EIFF aims to spotlight the most exciting and innovative new film talent.

The films that have premiered in the festival include "An Inconvenient Truth," "Billy Elliot, "Ratatouille," and "The Hurt Locker." 

 

The 66th edition features 19 world premieres, including Khavn Dela Cruz's "Philippine New Wave: This Is Not A Film Movement" and Emerson Reyes's "MNL143."

 

The other Filipino films in the lineup are:

• Dela Cruz's "Mondomanila, or: How I Fixed My Hair after a Rather Long Journey;"
• Mes De Guzman's "Sa Kanto ng Ulap at Lupa,"
• Loy Arcenas' "Niño,"
• Christopher Gozum's "Lawas Kan Pinabli,"
• Lav Diaz's "Florentina Hubaldo, CTE,"
• Adolfo Alix Jr's "Isda,"
• Raya Martin's "Buenas noches, España," 
• Lawrence Fajardo's "Amok," and
• Jewel Maranan's "Tundong Magiliw: Pasaan isinislang siyang mahirap?"

 

"We have built a program that is committed to an artistic cinema, to a world cinema, a programme that is full with a broad range of artistic styles, a broad range of themes and a broad range of national origins, of languages, but which are all knitted together by a spirit of adventure, a spirit of questioning," festival director Chris Fujiwara said in a Reuters report. 

 

"MNL143 will debut at the 66th edition of the EIFF, after being disqualified at the 8th Cinemalaya Independent Film Festival last March. 
 

The film was disqualified for Reyes' casting choices of Alan Paule and Joy Viado.

Cinemalaya later reconsidered their decision, but Reyes chose to complete the film independently. 

 

"MNL143" was supposed to compete in the New Breed category of the festival, which takes place in July. - VVP, GMA News

...the Q1 economic growth

PH eco grows 6.4% in Q1; highest in ASEAN

 

ABS-CBNnews.com

05/31/2012

 

 

MANILA, Philippines (3RD UPDATE) - The Philippine economy grew by 6.4% in the first quarter from an upwardly revised growth of 4.9% last year, the government announced on Thursday.

 

"This growth is well above the market’s consensus forecast of 4.8 percent. Also, the Philippines posted the highest growth among ASEAN and other neighboring countries except China," Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Arsenio Balisacan said.

ASEAN	Q1 GDP growth
Philippines	6.4%
Indonesia	6.3%
Vietnam	4.3%
Singapore	1.6%
Thailand	0.3%
Non-ASEAN
Hong Kong	0.4%
South Korea	2.8%
Japan	2.8%
China	8.1%

The growth was attributed to  to the government's strong infrastructure spending and its conditional cash transfer (CCT) program.

Compared to the fourth quarter of 2011, the Philippine economy grew by 2.5% in the first quarter, slightly below market forecasts, putting pressure on the government to boost spending and raising the case for the central bank to resume cutting rates later this year.

Balisacan expressed confidence the government can meet its full-year GDP target, or even exceed it.

"Given the preliminary first quarter 2012 estimate, we expect that the full year 2012 real GDP growth rate projection of 5% to 6% is well within reach or may even exceed it," Balisacan said.

"At the same time, the government will not let up in its efforts to accelerate the growth of the economy. For example, there is still considerable room for faster acceleration in government spending. Also the government will remain vigilant to risk to growth, including those posed by the euro area woes and uncertainties in the world oil prices," he added.

The Philippines is targeting faster growth of 5 to 6 percent this year against last year's 3.7 percent, fuelled by higher government spending, a rebound in exports, and strong domestic consumption.

Balisacan said the first quarter performance serves as "a springboard" for the next 3 quarters.

"The latest improvement on several governance and competitiveness indicators, including Moody’s recent change of outlook on the country’s Ba2 rating to positive from stable, indicate that our macroeconomic targets for this year are achievable, given the synergy between the public and private sectors," he said.

"Surprisingly strong"

 Economists were surprised by the strong 6.4% year-on-year growth, but there are questions as to whether this can be sustained.

Eugene Leow, economist at DBS Bank in Singapore, said the 6.4% growth was "surprisingly strong," on the back of the government's fiscal spending

"We do not think the growth momentum can be sustained because of the troubles in Europe. April data from the region has also softened. The 6.4 percent year-on-year growth may raise fears of demand-push pressures but inflation should be comfortably within the central bank's forecast range. There is scope for easing if necessary but I don't think the central bank is ready to push the trigger just yet. Our forecast is for the rate to stay unchanged this year. The government also has room to introduce a fiscal stimulus if needed," Leow said.
Jun Neri, economist at the Bank of the Philippine Islands, said the strong pace of economic growth warrants an upgrade of the Philippines from the major credit ratings agencies.

"Moody's and S&P, in particular, will take note of stronger growth performance, as it will make the relative size of our debt much smaller than overall output. Of course the question is the sustainability. It's a big question mark, more so that headwinds particularly from peripheral Europe are anticipated to have an impact on the remaining quarters of the year, which again should compel our policymakers to sustain if not to continue to step up on expansionary policies," Neri said.  - With Reuters

...the PHL in NatGeo series

National Geographic to feature PHL in documentary series

May 31, 2012

GMA News


 

A six-part documentary on the Philippines will be featured on international television channel National Geographic (NatGeo) starting in the second half of June, the Department of Tourism (DOT) said on Thursday.

The DOT said "Islands Insider" is a Filipino-produced documentary showing cultural and historical insights on some of the country’s world-class destinations.

In a news release posted on the Official Gazette website, the DOT said the first episode will air on the third week of June and will feature the Batad Rice Terraces.

The other areas to be featured include Coron in Palawan, Taal and Anilao in Batangas, Siquijor, and Mt. Pulag in Benguet.

"Islands Insider" is directed by Gabby Malvar and hosted by Ginggay Hontiveros, executive producers of The Extra Mile Productions, which produced the series with support from the DOT.

The DOT said "Islands Insider" presents the Philippines in a different perspective and deviates from traditional travel shows by featuring stories as narrated by the locals.

The locals featured in the series - Ifugaos, Ibaloys, and Shamans in Siquijor — talked about their cultural practices.

The series highlights issues "beyond the breathtaking sights, and delivering a strong preservation and conservation message."

The DOT said it hopes the project will encourage more Filipinos to explore the Philippines, participate in preserving its rich cultural and historical heritage, and promote it to the rest of the world.

A special screening was held last May 21 at Greenbelt 3 for members of the press, blogging community, and tourism stakeholders.

DOT Secretary Ramon Jimenez Jr., who attended the screening, voiced delight as a partner of the project.

“This project came as a surprise because I was not yet the Secretary when this was conceptualized. This being a part of National Geographic means that the beautiful sights of your country are part of the world, not just part of the Philippines, and the days will come that we will have to share it with the rest of the world. We want you to see it first, we want you to protect it, before they all come rushing in,” Jimenez said during his opening remarks. - VVP, GMA News

...the No. 1 BPO country

Economist: Philippines Is Number One

Manila Bulletin 

Tue, May 29, 2012

MANILA, Philippines --- The Philippines is the most attractive global provider of IT-BPO services in Asia, followed by China and India - in that order - according to the results of a survey by the Economist Corporate Network (Economist). Forty-five percent of respondents said the Philippines was an attractive services provider, while 35% said the same for China. Only 25% of respondents said India was an attractive provider of IT-BPO services, in general.

However, India remains the global leader in software and services, which accounts for 87% of India's IT-BPO industry, largely because of the high number of highly qualified technical personnel it can offer. Increased demand for these services appears to suggest that India's software industry will continue to grow rapidly. The National Association of Software Services Companies (Nasscom) forecasts growth of 14% this year.

Software and services was the fastest-growing segment of outsourced services among the 10 Asian countries covered by the Economist survey. About 50% of respondents contributed to the US$75 billion in software and services India generated last year, an amount almost seven times total IT-BPO revenues for the Philippines of $11 billion. Twenty-six percent of respondents outsourced software and services to China, which reported export revenues of $30.4 billion in 2011.

And 12% outsourced software and services to the Philippines. IT outsourcing (ITO) - which includes software and other related services - grew 37% in 2011 according to data provided by the Business Processing Association of the Philippines (BPAP) to about $1 billion. Nora Terrado, president of the Philippine Software Industry Association (PSIA), says the sector employs approximately 50,000 professionals. Ms. Terrado attributes growth in ITO to increased demand by international clients.

Some industry executives and analysts have doubts that India's software industry can achieve the Nasscom forecast, despite the enthusiasm for software and services outsourcing among respondents to the Economist survey. According to a recent report in The Times of India, "Most IT companies reported significant growth during fiscals 2010 and 2011 and relatively flat growth during fiscal 2012, but the outlook for FY13 is extremely bleak."

A senior market analyst quoted in the Times report attributes the slowdown to reduced spending in developed markets, which he said "has drastically come down. Though Nasscom forecasts growth of up to 14%, there are companies that say it's a very ambitious target." Others blame the regulatory environment, claiming that regressive tax measures are threatening the long-term prospects for India's IT-BPO industry.

For example, tax authorities have reclassified IT-BPO services from exports to "on-site" revenues, making them subject to higher taxation. This despite the Indian government's position in World Trade Organization negotiations that "on-site activities are an integral part of the services trade," according to Jaithirth Rao, a Mumbai-based entrepreneur. Breaks on capital investments have also been eliminated, claims Rao: "Requirements to withhold taxes on implied royalty on imported software has been made retrospective."

Rao concludes that "We seem to be cutting off our noses in order to spite our faces." It's no wonder that respondents to the Economist survey have increasing doubts about India's value proposition, given this and other tax and regulatory measures that threaten the IT-BPO industry. With 2.8 million Indians employed directly by the industry and 8.9 million indirectly employed, the stakes are high.

In the Philippines, the IT-BPO industry grew to $11 billion in revenues and 640,000 direct employees in a little more than a decade, according to BPAP. At $11 billion, it's about one tenth the size of India's IT-BPO industry. Unlike India, non-voice complex services account for only about 35% of revenues, but these services are the fastest-growing segments of the industry, adding weight to the suggestion that the Philippine IT-BPO industry is shifting to higher-value services.

As it does, it's becoming increasingly difficult for some legislators and local government officials to resist making India-like intrusions into the vibrant industry. The latest sign of unproductive meddling was the filing of House Bill 6073 - ostensibly seeking to promote occupational health and safety in the IT-BPO industry - by Bayan Muna Rep. Teodoro Casiño. Mr. Casiño cites high turnover in the industry as justification.

However, an industry survey by BPAP and Outsource2Philippines (O2P) earlier this year showed that more than half of the industry has annual attrition of 0-15%, not much different from any other industry. Over 70% has attrition below 20%. Yet Mr. Casiño's bill would create Occupational Health and Safety workplace representatives to monitor the work environment in IT-BPO firms, presumably at their cost.

No firm can prosper if it can't create a productive, positive work environment even though the IT-BPO industry pays higher-than-average salaries. Mr. Casiño and like-minded colleagues, rather than seeking to undermine the Philippines' top job generator, should instead look for ways to ensure that the Philippines remains the world's preferred global center for IT-BPO services and continues creating direct and indirect jobs for constituents.

No one should prefer the India alternative.

...the "Next Top" Judge

Pinoy fashion blogger Bryan Boy: 'Next Top' judge

 

May 30, 2012

GMA News

 

 

Another Filipino is on the path of international stardom — Bryan Yambao, more popularly known as “Bryan Boy,” was selected as a judge for the reality show "America’s Next Top Model" (ANTM) Cycle 19.

 

 

 

 

In a post on his Facebook account, Bryan Boy, 27, said he was excited about becoming a judge in the popular American show.

 

The host and producer of the show, supermodel Tyra Banks, even tweeted that she was with “Pinoy Fashion Blogger” Bryan Boy, who signed a contract with ANTM on May 25.

 

Earlier this year, Yahoo News reported that long-time judges J. Alexander, Jay Manuel and Nigel Barker would not be returning for the show’s 19th season. 

 

Aside from Bryan Boy, the other judges for the upcoming season are model Rob Evans and fashion publicist Kelly Cutrone, Yahoo said.

 

From web developer to fashion blogger

Bryan Boy was a web developer before he became an internationally-renowned fashion blogger, making rounds of the hottest fashion scenes in the United States and Europe.

On his website on Wednesday, he posted a blog about "BRYANBOY’S NEXT TOP PROJECT."

 

"Who knew all roads lead to Los Angeles? Never in my life I thought I’d end up moving tens of thousands of miles away from home to fulfill something that’s a dream to many. In a very bizarre twist of fate, here I am, blogging from my new home in West Hollywood. I’ve relocated to the City of Angels; one could say I’m an Angeleno now. An angeleno who can’t drive. Hah!" he said.

 

"I’m sure you’ve heard the news. I’m thrilled and honored to be part of America’s Next Top Model Cycle 19 panel!" he added.

Bryan Boy started blogging about fashion at age 17. He made one of his first major breaks in 2007 when a video he made about world renowned fashion designer Marc Jacobs went viral.

He even got the attention of Jacobs himself, who named a designer bag after Bryan Boy.

 

According to the magazine The FilAm, the presence of Bryan Boy is eagerly anticipated at collection unveilings, "his fondness for fashion often a source of intrigue because Bryan Grey-Yambao (or is it Francis Bryan Yambao?) comes not from a fashion capital but a country often associated with extreme poverty. How did he learn to accessorize in fur? How can he afford a Hermes bracelet?"

 

The New York Observer explains the influence of this monstrously popular blogger in its February 8 issue, “How Fashion Blogger Bryanboy Became a Front-Row Fixture:”

 

“He helped establish—or at least propelled into the mainstream—many of the tropes of the fashion-blogging genre, like the blogger’s gushy après-shopping post (“I fell in love with this Alexander Wang leather and canvas backpack the first time I saw it when Rumi and I went to the Opening Ceremony store in LA …”), the endless starring-in-the-editorial-of-my-own-life photographs of the blogger wearing designer outfits, and the blogger’s mainstream media crossover…

 

“He also helped set the standards for designer ‘gifting’ and disclosure of same in the fashion blogosphere, an arena where it is currently considered acceptable for a blogger to take international airfare, accommodation, designer goods and sometimes even celebrity-style appearance fees from the major brands they cover.” - Andrei Medina, VVP, GMA News

...the 2012 PH's Sexiest Vegetarian

Sandra Seifert is 'sexiest vegetarian' in PH

 

ABS-CBNnews.com

05/30/2012

 

 

MANILA, Philippines – Former beauty queen Sandra Seifert on Wednesday was named the country’s sexiest vegetarian celebrity for 2012 after topping a poll by animal rights group People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals or PETA.

Seifert, who won the Miss Philippines Earth pageant in 2009, bested Delara vocalist Lougee Basabas, FHM cover girl Alicia Mayer, singer Geneva Cruz and actress Yasmien Kurdi for the title, which was based on votes on the website PETAAsiaPacific.com.

Actress Chin-Chin Gutierrez, actor Raymond Bagatsing, columnists Maricel Laxa-Pangilinan and RJ Ledesma, and international stars Natalie Portman, Russell Brand at Leona Lewis were also considered.

Seifert, a long-time vegetarian, recently appeared topless for an advertisement for PETA with the tagline “Save the Planet, Go Vegetarian.”

Seifert said raising animals for food has a negative effect on the environment.

“Sa dami ng mga alternatibo para sa karne, napakadali nang tamasahin ang masasarap na pagkain habang nakakatulong sa mga hayop at sa daigdig. Ang pagiging vegetarian ang pinaka-mahusay na dapat gawin upang mailigtas ang planeta,” she said in a statement.

PETA Asia vice president Jason Baker praised Seifert’s decision to become a vegetarian, saying vegetarianism not only helps the environment but is also healthy.

“At siya rin ang nabubuhay na patunay na ang pagiging vegan ay nakaka-ganda ng katawan,” Baker said.

---

...the rating upgrade

Moody's upgrades Phl rating outlook (philstar.com)  May 29, 2012

MANILA, Philippines (Xinhua) - Credit ratings agency Moody's Investor Service today raised the Philippines' credit outlook to "positive" from "stable", on the back of expectations that the government will continue to consolidate its debts and finances.

"Moody's considers that active debt management, coupled with the (Philippine) central bank's increasingly solid track record of inflation management, has allowed for an improvement in the Philippines' debt structure, including lower average borrowing costs and foreign currency exposure, as well as longer average maturities," Moody's said.

"The sovereign's vulnerability to global financial market shocks has been reduced by the build-up of foreign exchange reserves, resulting in turn from robust current account surpluses and healthy capital inflows in recent years," the agency stressed.

The revision in the outlook for the Philippines could result in an upgrade of the country's credit ratings.

This, however, will depend on the Philippine government's ability to improve its revenue collection and to reduce its public sector debt, Moody's said.

Philippine central bank governor Armando M. Tetangco, Jr. welcomed the decision of Moody's Investor Service, saying that the positive outlook is a sign that the agency is "seeing the fruits of good governance on all fronts."

...the PH bank's shock absorbing capability

PH banks seen weathering global crisis

Bangko Sentral cites adequate loan-loss reserves

By: Michelle V. Remo
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Wednesday, May 30th, 2012

 

Philippine banks are seen able to absorb potential loan losses arising from global economic uncertainties given their rising reserves, according to a Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas report. INQUIRER.NET PHOTO/RICK ALBERTO

Universal and commercial banks in the country are seen able to absorb potential loan losses arising from global economic uncertainties given their rising reserves.

“The industry’s provisioning against potential credit losses remained adequate,” the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas said in a report.

Documents from the central bank showed that the average NPL coverage ratio of the universal and commercial banks in the country improved to 124.94 percent as of end-March from 120.37 percent in the same period last year.

The NPL [non-performing loans] coverage ratio is the proportion of soured loans to capital provisioning or “loan-loss reserves” for those loans. A loan becomes “non-performing” or “soured” if these remain unpaid at least 30 days upon maturity.

The BSP said the fact that the loan-loss reserves exceeded the bad debts showed that Philippine banks would remain stable even if a significant number of borrowers would default on their loans.

Amid the prolonged debt crisis in the eurozone, a key export market, economists said there was a likelihood earnings of export-oriented firms would remain anemic this year. They said this posed the risk of defaults by exporters on their obligations, including bank loans.

The BSP said, however, that in the case of the Philippines, banks were expected to withstand the adverse effects of a rise in loan defaults. It noted that an increase in loan defaults was even a remote scenario, citing that universal and commercial banks in the country generally adopt prudent lending standards.

The central bank earlier reported that the combined non-performing loans of universal and commercial banks in the country amounted to P74.65 billion as of end-March, while their combined outstanding loans reached P3.16 trillion. This resulted in an NPL ratio of 2.36 percent, down from 2.99 percent over the same period.

Non-performing assets (NPAs) of the banks amounted to P184.19 billion, while total assets reached P6.5 trillion as of end-March. NPAs are bad debts plus properties acquired from borrowers who defaulted on their loans. This resulted in an NPA ratio of 2.83 percent as of end-March, better than the 3.32 percent as of the same period last year.

With the favorable indicators, BSP Governor Amando Tetangco Jr. said the country’s banking system was generally sound and stable. Whatever drag the eurozone crisis might cause the Philippine banking sector was something that could be manageable, he said.

...the Pinay film maker in Hollywood

Pinay filmmaker Lea Dizon set to produce her first film in Hollywood

 

ANDREI MEDINA,

GMA News

May 29, 2012

 

 

Just two months after finishing her masteral degree at the University of South California (USC) in the United States last year, independent Filipina filmmaker Lea Dizon received an offer to produce her first feature film in Hollywood.

Dizon, 32, a graduate of the University of the Philippines (UP) in Diliman, Quezon City, took up a masteral course on film and television production at the USC.

Dizon told GMA News Online that two USC alumni — Matthew Breault and Alex George Pickering of the Fifth Floor Balcony Pictures — broached to her the idea of producing a science fiction film.

“I met both of them while taking my Masters at USC. We were all in the same class. I have worked with Matt before and I think he is a talented director. When he pitched me the idea which he co-wrote with Alex, I thought it was fantastic,” she said.

 

“It was just a no-brainer to decide to work with two of the most talented and most hardworking people in my class,” she added.

 

The movie “Impulse Control,”  to be filmed in late 2012, is set in a world where a new disease greatly reduces the ability of humans to control their anger, a report of the Asian Journal said. 

 

The movie will revolve around the life of a family who made their home a fortress as they try to survive the onslaught of people from the “outside world” who are affected by the strange disease. The family is torn-apart as members start getting infected by the disease.

The team expects the movie to be ready by December 2013.

 

“We are certainly planning to get it distributed everywhere. Of course the Philippines is on top of my list!” Dizon said.

 

“I thought it was a great idea! If you accidentally give someone the stink eye, you might just get killed. Isn’t that just so interesting?” she asked.

 

She said her favorite character in “Impulse Control” is Rain, the wife of one of the main protagonists and one of the millions who were afflicted by the disease.

 

“As a woman I relate to her. She is the type of character who has to balance vulnerability while still having to be strong in pulling everyone together,” Dizon explained.

 

“We always have to know when to be strong and when to reign it in and let go and have others be strong for us--that in itself is a strength,” she added.

Life after "Impulse"

 

Dizon said, after “Impulse Control,” her “goal is to always have projects that are in the works."

 

“Ideally at any given time, I'd have one that's finishing , one that's in production, and one that is being developed, and so that is what I'm trying to constantly do,” she said.

 

Dizon was originally from Angeles City and after graduating from UP Diliman, went on to work in the Philippines for a couple of years.

She then decided to chase her dream of working in Hollywood and moved to Los Angeles.

 

“I kept thinking how wonderful it would be to be able to tell stories that have the potential to reach as many people in the world as possible,” she says.

 

She found living in the US challenging and missed some things in the Philippines.

 

”Mabilis ang buhay sa Amerika. Walang time for drama, you just have to keep going and moving forward kundi maiiwan ka sa biyahe,” Dizon said.

 

”I miss the food and my family of course, and to be honest I miss having someone taking care of the house for me. Here, life gets so hectic that most of the time there's hardly time to see people,” she added.

 

She is thankful for her family and friends who have believed and supported all her projects all these years and would like to invite everyone to watch “Impulse Control”.

 

“To everyone reading this, please support our film! We definitely need more Filipino representation in the international scene. Let's do this. All together we can make this happen! To infinity and beyond!!!” - VVP, GMA News

...the Holy See awardee

PH envoy receives Holy See Award from Vatican

 

ABS-CBNnews.com

05/29/2012

 

 

MANILA, Philippines – The Vatican has conferred the Holy See Award with the Order of Pius IX, Class of Dame to Philippine Ambassador Mercedes Tuason last May 23.

 

 

 

 

The Holy Chief of Protocol, Monsignor Fortunatus Nwachukwu, assisted by Monsignor Guillermo Javier Karcher, 1st Class Attaché of the Secretariat of State, presented the award to Ambassador Tuason during the awarding ceremonies held at the Vatican Apostolic Palace.

 

In his remarks, Monsignor Nwachukwu said that His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI has decided to give the award to Tuason for her "significant contributions in the advancement of bilateral relations between the Holy See and the Philippines". The award is signed by His Eminence Tarcisio Cardinal Bertone, Secretary of State of the Holy See.

 

Tuason was accompanied by Deputy Chief of Mission and Consul General Danilo Ibayan, Executive Assistant and Confidential Secretary to the Ambassador Josephine Bantug, and Father Jess Dajac, Filipino Roman Catholic priest of the Congregazione Clericale Missionariedella Fede.

 

The Order of Pius IX, also known as the Pian Order, is a Papal order of knighthood founded on 17 June 1847 by Pope Pius IX.

 

Although the Pontifical Orders of Knighthood of the Holy See were originally founded and available for giving honors to gentlemen only, the Holy See Secretariat of State in November 1993 issued instructions that the Pontifical Orders of Pius IX, Saint Gregory the Great, and of Pope Saint Sylvester were also open for awarding to ladies.

 

Living recipients of the higher ranks of the Order of Pius IX include H.E. Giorgio Napolitano, President of the Italian Republic, H.M. King Juan Carlos I of Spain, and H.M. Queen Margrethe II of Denmark.

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...the Lonely Planet's beaches

BBC's 'Travel with Lonely Planet' lists the top Philippine beaches

May 29, 2012

GMA News

 

 

A couple having their moment as the sun sets on Boracay island. Photo by Rose-an Dioquino

School begins in a few days, but there's still time to get a tan. With over 7,000 islands, the Philippines is the perfect place for fans of the sun and sand. 

 

Deciding where to go can be difficult, but the options are narrowed down in a list of the best beaches of the Philippines posted by BBC on May 28. 

 

A “Travel with Lonely Planet” feature lists Cebu, Southern Negros, El Nido, Boracay and Pagudpud as the country's top beach destinations.

 

The list begins with the accessible Cebu island, which has many high-end, family-oriented resorts, and is not far from Malapascua island.

 

For those who want to sample several world-class beaches, Dumaguete is the ideal destination, with the nearby Tambobo Bay, Siquijor Island, and Apo Island.

 

Boracay is described as the "crown jewel of Philippine beaches." 

 

"Boracay's five kilometer signature White Beach has been dropping jaws for decades," the guide said.

 

Described as a laidback town in north Palawan, El Nido is a good place for tired city dwellers to get away from it all, while Pagudpud is recommended for adventure-seekers.
 

El Nido's majestic limestone cliffs. Photo by Manix Abrera

 

 

 

The list is based on Lonely Planet's May 16 article, which includes top surf spot Siargao. 

 

"With such a wealth of coastal pleasures on offer, it can be tricky to pick your spot," writes Lonely Planet author Greg Bloom.

 

Baler, Anda, Coron and Camiguin are also mentioned in the guide.

 

"Or just check out a map of the country, point to an island, and go. You'll inevitably find a lonely stretch of sand that few tourists have trod on before—your own private patch of paradise," writes Bloom. –Carmela G. Lapeña/KG, GMA News

...the Aussie connection

Australian volunteers to lend their skills to the Philippines

 

May 28, 2012

GMA News

 

 

A secondary school teacher, chartered accountant and business management specialist are among nine passionate young Australians who will begin working with local organisations this month through the Australian Youth Ambassadors for Development (AYAD) Program.

 

The AYAD Program is the youth stream of the Australian Volunteers for International Development program, an initiative of the Australian Agency for International Development (AusAID) that deploys skilled volunteers to live and work in developing countries as part of the Australian Government’s overseas aid program.

 

Australian Ambassador to the Philippines Bill Tweddell said, “The Australian Government’s development cooperation program aims to help improve lives of Filipinos and we work closely with the Philippine Government to deliver aid where it is most needed and most effective. Australian volunteers contribute to this goal through the sharing of skills and the building of local capacity of our partner Filipino organisations and communities.”

 

“Volunteering overseas is one way that Australians can make a positive contribution to poverty reduction, sustainable development and cross cultural understanding. They develop a strong understanding of local and cultural issues and build effective professional and personal relationships that help them to share skills and knowledge.”

 

For the past 12 years, over 200 Australian volunteers have worked with Filipino organisations in the areas of: sustainable agriculture; community development and sustainable livelihoods; education; youth development; persons with disabilities; environmental sustainability; governance; and human trafficking.

 

Newly arrived Australian volunteer, Marie-Louise Batenburg, is a secondary school teacher who has started work as a Community Education Project Officer based with the Department of Education (DepED) in Tiagon, Camarines Sur. Marie-Louise will be involved in monitoring and evaluating a pilot program to support people of all ages to experience learning outside the formal education system.
 

Newly arrived Australian Youth Ambassador for Development (AYAD) volunteer, Marie-Louise Batenburg will be involved in monitoring and evaluating a pilot program to support people of all ages to experience learning outside the formal education system.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

“The program has the potential to reach people who previously would not have been able to access any form of education. I hope to support the program to be successful and sustainable for the Camarines Sur Region,” Marie-Louise says.

 

“Though I have only been in living in the Philippines for a short time I have been welcomed with open hearts and homes. The kindness of the Filipinos has made my transition here from Australia so much easier.”

 

The other volunteers are Tania Groba (Community Education Officer, DepED Calabanga); Kerry Lomas (Education Program Assistant, Gawad Kalinga); Matthew Jones (Financial Support Officer, Unlad Kabayan Migrant Services Foundation, Inc.); Caroline Duyvestyn (Program Support Officer, Unlad Kabayan Migrant Services Foundation, Inc.); Adam Smith (Product Development and Marketing Officer, Negros Island Sustainable Agriculture and Rural Development Foundation); Claire Holland (Capacity Development Officer, Panaghugpong sa Gagmayng Bayanihang Grupo sa Oriental); Alexandra Pinti (Business Development Services Officer, Simbag sa Pag-Asenso, Incorporated); Karen Taranto (Policy Development Officer, Local Government Unit of Gubat).

 

There are currently 23 Australian Volunteers supported by Austraining International in the Philippines, including 16 Australian Youth Ambassadors for Development. AusAID is working in partnership with Austraining, as well as Australian Red Cross and Australian Volunteers International to deliver the Australian Volunteers program.

 

For more information about Australian Volunteers for International Development, visit the AusAID website.

 

Press release and photo from Australian Embassy Manila

...the Moody's Analytics

Moody’s Analytics: PHL Q1 GDP grew 4.8%

 

May 28, 2012

GMA News

 

 

Moody's Analytics Inc. said Monday that Philippine output as measured by the gross domestics product likely accelerate by 4.8 percent in first quarter of 2012.

 

The unit of New York-based Moody’s Investors Service said in its latest “Asia Pacific Review” that higher government spending gave the Philippine economy a much-needed boost in the face of weak global demand during the first three months of the year.

 

“GDP in the Philippines likely grew 4.8 percent in the first quarter, after 3.7 percent in the fourth… increased government spending drove the acceleration, boosting domestic demand amid still-weak exports,” Moody's Analytics emphasized in its review.

 

It noted government stepped up infrastructure spending to encourage foreign investment and beef up the business process outsourcing industry.

 

Higher government spending would help offset the slowdown in private consumption as growth remittances by overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) continued to ease this year, according to the Moody’s Analytics.

 

“Private consumption lost some steam as remittances from Filipinos working abroad eased. Remittances, a key driver of private consumption, account for 10 percent of GDP,” it added. —VS, GMA News

...the Asian stem cell headquarter

PH to be headquarters of stem cell therapy and research hub of Asia

Philippine Daily Inquirer

Saturday, May 26th, 2012

 

 

MANILA, Philippines—The much-anticipated opening of the Asian Regenerative Center for Cellular Therapies (ARCCT) will soon be taking stem cell therapy treatment to a whole new level and on a larger scale than ever before in the Philippines. Slated to open in September 2012, the center will provide cellular regeneration therapies to treat conditions related to aging and chronic pain.

 

The ARCCT will be a pioneer and a leader in medical research and innovations, immune and stem cell research and therapies, and in wellness and anti-aging programs. The research and therapies of the ARCCT will serve to advance knowledge of cellular regeneration medicine in Asia and the rest of the world.

Some of the medical services and applications that the ARCCT will offer include immune and stem cell storage; genetic tests; muscular dysfunction diseases (orthopedic and reconstructive); chronic pain; antiaging therapies; organic vaccines; as well as cosmetic and dermatologic treatments. “It is the ARCCT’s vision to bring most advanced technology equipment available today for stem cell therapy or regenerative cellular therapy.

This technology and machinery has never been brought to the Philippines prior to the ARCCT’s establishment,” said Cynthia Carrion, president of the Asian Holistic Medical Alliance, which owns and administers the ARCCT in a joint venture with the US-based Keller Medical Institute. Carrion is also the former Tourism Undersecretary that helped launch the Philippines’ medical tourism program.

According to Carrion, the ARCCT is envisioned to make the Philippines a hub for regenerative cellular therapies in Asia. It will not only offer medical treatments but also, just as importantly, the latest and best research on the present and future applications of stem cell technology. “When it comes to cellular regeneration therapy, the Philippines and the rest of the world have yet to discover its full potential for improving human health.

The kind of stem cell therapy that is being done in the Philippines today is just the tip of the iceberg, so to speak. What the ARCCT will do is broaden the treatment applications of stem cell or regenerative cellular therapies, and offer it on a larger scale at more affordable prices. This will bring the benefits of cellular regeneration therapy to more people,” said Carrion. Carrion added that the ARCCT’s wide range of applications for stem cell therapy offers the chance for many patients to receive effective, non-surgical treatments for many types of illnesses and conditions. “We would rather refer to stem cell therapy as cellular regenerative therapy because of the wide range of applications that this new medical technology can offer patients.

Also, ARCCT will use stem cells that come from human sources, without using human or animal embryos.

“You see, stem cells can be sourced from bone marrow, cord blood, and even muscle,

skin and adipose tissue. So if one has the proper technology, there’s really no need to take from human or animal embryos,” she explained. Some conditions that cellular regeneration therapy is used for include the treatment of autoimmune diseases; arthritis and cerebral palsy; diabetes type 2; heart failure; multiple sclerosis; torn tendons, ligaments or muscles; stroke; Parkinson’s disease; erectile dysfunction; hearing loss; muscular degeneration; pulmonary fibrosis; emphysema; spinal cord injuries; lupus and certain viral diseases. Cellular regeneration therapy may also be used in cosmetic, anti-aging procedures.

Another interesting application of cellular regeneration technology is in the storage of our immune cells. By the time a human being reaches the fifth decade of life, his or her immune cells have grown old. This compromises a person’s immune system, reducing the body’s capacity to fight diseases and the effects of old age. “Cellular regeneration technology allows us to harvest immune cells, and to multiply and store them as healthy immune cells.

These healthy immune cells may be used on the patient to help fight various diseases, including cancer and aging-related conditions,” said Carrion. The ARCCT is established through a partnership between the Asian Holistic Medical Alliance and the US-based Keller Medical Institute, a leading clinical facility for cellular regeneration treatments that has already patented its own therapies and procedures. The facility is composed of worldrenowned physicians in cellular regeneration medicine, including a Nobel Prize winner, under the leadership of its CEO and medical director, Dr. Robert Keller.

CYNTHIA CARRION, AHMA president and Dr. Robert Keller of US-based Keller Medical Institute partner to create the Asian Regenerative Center for Cellular Therapies set to make the Philippines a hub for regenerative cellular therapies in Asia

Dr. Keller’s expertise include non-surgical cosmetic treatments like lipolysis, skin lasers, cosmetic injections, autologous fat transfer, as well as advanced imaging and laboratory test analysis and wellness planning, as well as predictive genetics. Dr. Keller also practices emergency medicine, family clinical, urgent care clinical skills and sports medicine. He is also the CEO and medical director of another clinic in the US, which is Regenertec, Inc.

The cutting-edge technology that will be used by the ARCCT also makes it a highly-advanced laboratory and diagnostics facility. For example, ARCCT patients may avail of a genetic test that will map which diseases they are at risk for, so they can take immediate steps to prevent those illnesses.

“Prevention is a major component of the therapies that patients may avail of at the ARCCT.Imagine, from just a simple saliva sample, the patient will already get information on what diseases they are vulnerable to. In other words, why wait until you get sick to get treatment? It’s much better to know what illnesses you can prevent now, even before they occur,” said Carrion. Those who wish to take part in the next medical revolution and help the Philippines make an impact in the world of medicine are invited to join the ARCCT.