...the Pinoy geophysicist

Pinoy geophysicist makes it in US but wants to serve PH

 

By Efleda P. Campos

BusinessMirror

08/30/2012

 

 

Lawrence C. Gochioco is unknown in the Philippines, his home country.

 

 

In contrast, his adopted country, the United States of America, ranks him among its top practicing geophysicists, entrusting him with sensitive, exploratory projects both in the US mainland and resource-rich Mongolia, the only democracy in, and expected to become the future Kuwait of, Central Asia.

Geophysics, an applied science, employs physical laws to study the earth. It uses sensitive devices to probe, detect and picture anything below the ground, from shallow to very deep targets, from sub-surface geologic structures or anomalies to deeper mineral ore deposits, natural gas and oil. Practical engineering applications include roads and mine cave-ins and broken or leaking underground gas and water pipes.

He is in the Philippines to share his expertise in oil, gas and mineral exploration, including the field of renewable and sustainable energy.

Gochioco obtained his Physics degree from the Ateneo de Manila University (AdMU) in 1978.

Considered an average student in the rigorous Ignatian academic program, he managed to balance his academics and extra-curricular activities by playing varsity volleyball and track and field since his high-school freshman year. He led both teams to back-to-back NCAA (National College Athletic Association) championships. In recognition of his athletic achievements, he was inducted into the Ateneo Sports Hall of Fame in 2009.

The 1970s oil crises had a major impact on his decision to pursue a career in geophysics. Intrigued by the popular 1970s TV show Dallas—on the power of oil and energy in geopolitics—Gochioco decided to go to the US to study and learn the latest innovative technologies for petroleum and mineral exploration. After graduation, he taught college physics for two years at AdMU. He later received a full scholarship from Ohio University in 1980 to pursue his graduate studies in Physics. Aside from the regular course load, he took additional subjects in geology and geophysics.

In 1982 the US oil industry began to contract, resulting in thousands of jobs lost. He moved to Houston despite the poor jobs market. The first four years of his career were turbulent. As a survivor, he is always prepared for the worst-case scenario and developed back-up systems. After each layoff, he found better career opportunities with greater responsibilities. These varied technical and management positions later provided him the diverse skills needed to establish his own businesses and joint ventures.

In 1989 Gochioco published his first technical paper in Geophysics, and many more papers and feature articles soon followed. In recognition of his contributions, he was nominated to the prestigious TLE Editorial Board of the Society of Exploration Geophysicists (SEG) in 2000 and later became chairman during his 2003-2004 term. He was the first Asian ever to become the editorial board chairman.

Gochioco toiled in several oil and coal-mining companies. He worked his way up and gained experience in all aspects of geophysical technologies employed in petroleum, mineral and environmental applications. In 2004 he made the “quantum leap” from employee to becoming an entrepreneur with the formation of his first geophysical consulting and services company. The timing was perfect as the US coal industry experienced a high incidence of fatal mine accidents. His expertise was in demand to employ leading edge geophysical technologies to detect and picture sub-surface man-made or natural anomalies that created adverse underground mining conditions. In 2007 his company went international, starting with exploration projects and joint ventures in Mongolia.

Gochioco is talking with Fr. Jett Villarin, AdMU president and a fellow physicist, for the establishment of an Ateneo School of Earth Sciences, an institution he is willing to fund in his desire to transfer to the next generation of Filipino geophysicists the knowledge and skills he learned abroad and the technologies he applies in his fields of work.

He launched the Germaine C. Gochioco Angel Fund Foundation in memory of his lawyer-sister who was passionate about helping people during natural disasters. The foundation aims to help natural-disaster victims and to develop mitigation and training programs. It is also looking into the installation of remote-sensing geophysical monitoring stations and early-warning systems in high-risk areas.

Gochioco does not limit the application of his expertise to for-profit ventures. Two years ago, he volunteered to help the Katy (Texas) Antioch Baptist Church conduct a non-invasive remote-sensing survey to locate the unmarked graves in the church’s cemetery. Graves sat in the 1-hectare site since 1915, but some of their actual locations were unknown. Employing a digital multi-frequency source electromagnetic equipment, he provided 3D images of the surveyed area, highlighting the accurate locations of graves.

In 2010 he formed a joint venture with local partners that manufacture and market what he calls “Eco-G3000,” a gas-saving device that does three essential things: improve vehicle mileage by 25 percent to 30 percent; boost the vehicle’s engine horsepower by 15 percent to 20 percent; and significantly cut vehicle emissions by up to 85 percent. Unknown to most of us, this device has been installed in hundreds of vehicles plying Metro Manila. The Mongolian government is interested in testing this system to address the air-pollution problems in the capital city, Ulaanbaatar.

Recognizing his robust management and geotechnical skills, the US Departments of State and Commerce have asked Gochioco to join three trade missions to Asia under their “Clean and Renewable Energies” and “Mining Technologies” programs in recognition of his geotechnical expertise. He continues to perform special projects several US government agencies agencies.

Gochioco’s advice to students: “Stay focused, have big dreams and establish realistic goals.”

In deeds and in actions, Gochioco exemplifies the reality that a Filipino can be a citizen of the world and a man for others.

...the fastest growing Asian economies

PH outperforms Asian neighbors, but not China

By Kim Arveen Patria

Yahoo! Southeast Asia Newsroom

30 Aug 2012



  Philippines is among the fastest-growing Asian economies for the first half of the year, so far topped only by China and Indonesia, the country's chief state economist claimed Thursday.

Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Arsenio Balisacan said the announced gross domestic product (GDP) growth of 5.9 percent from April to June showed the Philippines' "continued resurgence in economic activities from a moderate growth of 3.6 percent in the same period in 2011."

With its strong second quarter result, the Philippine economy posted growth of 6.1 percent January to June, outperforming most its neighbors, Balisacan said.

"Within the ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations), the Philippine economic growth performance was above the preliminary average growth (4.7%) of the region..." he noted.
The Philippine economy grew faster compared to Malaysia, which posted an expansion of 5.4 percent in the first half; Thailand, 4.2 percent; Vietnam, 4.4 percent; and Singapore, 2 percent.

However, its GDP growth was lower than that of China at 7.8 percent and Indonesia at 6.4 percent.

Bulk of the country's economic growth in the second quarter was due to expansion in the services sector, including the continuously growing business process outsourcing industry, official data showed.

The sector grew by 7.6 percent from April to June, and contributed 4.3 percentage points to the 5.9-percent total GDP growth.

The top contributors to growth in this sector were increased economic activities in transportation, storage and communication; real estate and renting; as well as trade and financial services, among others.

Industry, meanwhile, contributed 1.5 percentage points to the total, growing by 4.6 percent.

This was due to a boom in construction; electricity, gas and water supply; as well as manufacturing. These offset a contraction in mining and quarrying.

Agriculture posted the slowest growth of 0.7 percent in the three-month period, contributing only 0.1 percentage points to the GDP growth.

Balisacan noted that the government expects the Philippine economy to continue growing over the next two quarters.

"We are optimistic that the resiliency of our economy, as reflected by the strong real GDP performance in the two quarters of 2012, will not dissipate in the succeeding quarters despite the uncertainties," the Cabinet official said.

He added that the government is maintaining its full-year growth target of 5 to 6 percent.

This, as he noted that external and internal risks continue to pose threats to the local economy.

"Further weakness of a struggling global economic recovery will remain a strong challenge in the near-term, with the slowdown of China reining in on global growth," Balisacan said.

He also cited the potential impact of an intensification of the euro area problem.

"Another downside risk is the El Niño phenomenon, which, according to experts, will commence on the third quarter of the current year until the first quarter of 2013," Balisacan said.

He added, however, that its impact onthe GDP will be weak to moderate.

Recent weather disturbances which hit the country will also have very small impact, which Balisacan estimated at only 0.5 percent of GDP.

...the rock fashion

Pinoy handpicked by Rihanna for fashion contest

by Patrick Camara Ropeta,

ABS-CBN Europe News Bureau

08/28/2012

 

 

LONDON - A UK-based Filipino designer is competing for the chance of a lifetime to dress international popstars for a fashion reality show, after being selected by Rihanna from thousands of hopefuls.

 

Ralph (center) with other contestants at the Styled to Rock studio/Photo courtesy of Styled to Rock

Simply known as Ralph, the 25-year-old designer is showcasing his creative flair in Styled to Rock from Sky Living in the UK, a television search for the next big thing in fashion.

“It means everything to me. To get the chance to showcase my work and for the whole world to see it is the best possible opportunity that has ever been handed to me. The show has really helped define the direction of where I want to go with my career and its huge boost to get to work with big international music artists,” he told ABS-CBN News.

Ralph, a graduate of fashion design from University of Westminster, is battling it out against 11 other upcoming designers with different styles and backgrounds.

The mentors: Stylist Lysa Cooper, designer Henry Holland, popstar Nicola Roberts/Photo courtesy of Styled To Rock

“Being part of the Styled to Rock family is so special. All of the other contestants were so different from each other and that made the whole journey even more special getting to know everyone’s talents and personalities. Even though we were all competing against each other, we all felt each other’s support and expectations to be the best that we can be and that made me want to compete even harder and perform better than ever, I don’t think I’ve been in a situation like that before, that’s why it made it so hard to see someone being sent home,” he said.

The lucky contestants were personally selected by international songstress Rihanna, who is also executive producer of the show, based on their creative merits against thousands of other applicants from across the country.

Popstar Rihanna is executive producer of the show/Photo courtesy of Styled To Rock

“Being handpicked by Rihanna was amazing. Totally out of this world. I spent my whole life day dreaming of opportunities to showcase my talent and then Styled to Rock show, which is produced by Rihanna, comes along to make my dreams come true and that totally rocks. When I met her for the first time, going over my designs and my goals as a designer, it felt so great and she was very encouraging of my talent,” said Ralph, whose family hails from Umigan, Pangasinan in the Philippines.


The freelance designer, who runs his own independent label I AM RALPH, claims to have been inspired by designers like Kim Jones and JC/DC, to name a few.

Describing his signature style, he explained: “I would say my designs are very sporty and street wear related. I’ve been really inspired by the 2012 Olympic Games held here in London this year. I loved all the colorful uniforms of each country and knowing that the athletes performed at their very best due to what they were wearing, makes me feel proud to be a designer, so I take this in consideration when I’m designing. I like my style to be casual, relaxed and comfortable to wear. I would relate my designs to labels such as Nike, Lacoste Live, American Apparel and JC/DC.”

Born in the Philippines and raised in England from the age of seven, the Filipino designer feels a strong affinity to his heritage and is proud to wave the flag of his native country.

“I think it’s also important to say that I really want to use this chance to show case Philippines to its best light.

Like Jessica Sanchez on American Idol this year, she showed everyone the amazing voice of her country. I want to prove that Philippines is a country of talented people, full of creativity, imagination and the desire to stand out and make proud of their home country,” he enthused.

The show is searching for a new designer with enough potential to carve a career in high fashion and be able to dress rockstars and film stars.

Each week, contestants are given a task to design for international musicians, including Scissor Sisters, Pixie Lott, Rizzle Kicks, Cheryl Cole and Katy Perry.

Rihanna chooses the winner for every challenge, alongside fashion industry mentors: designer Henry Holland, stylist Lysa Cooper, and popstar Nicola Roberts.

“Fashion and music go hand-in-hand. I’m looking for the fresh, new, trendsetting designer. We’re looking for the next superstar designer to dress superstars,” said Rihanna in the show.

Styled to Rock is on UK's Sky Living every Tuesday at 9pm.

---

...the queen city on "History"

History’s Asian travel series features Cebu

By: Oliver M. Pulumbarit
Philippine Daily Inquirer

August 27, 2012

 

 

“EXTREME” IN CEBU Program host Simon Yin (in dark glasses) with new friends and the jeepney that he got to drive as well

Although naturally athletic, Simon Yin had “zero training” as host of the new History show “Hidden Cities: Extreme.”

Yin said he neither practiced nor received lessons for the different tasks he had to complete in several Asian locations.

“I think the training comes with my own life experiences,” he said during an interview at New World Hotel, a day before he flew to Cebu for the first episode.

A spin-off of the successful History series “Hidden Cities,” the new show aims to further explore Asian territories and cultures. One of the finalists in the search for the original show’s presenter, Yin was later asked to host “Extreme.”

He said: “When they called me back, they asked me all these things: ‘Have you ever ridden a horse, shot a gun, driven a race car, rock-climbed?’ I said, ‘Yeah, I’ve done all those things!’ I wasn’t an expert in any of those activities, but apparently I was a good match for the show.”

Former banker

Yin, 35, born and raised in Michigan, lived for several years in Atlanta, Georgia.

He related: “I was a Business major out of college. I became an investment banker for a year. It’s the worst job ever! I spent so many hours in front of a computer. I thought there was more to life that that. One day, I saw a small advertisement for comedy classes. I went and I just loved it!”

Career shift

Yin pursued a full-time career in entertainment, eventually landing a hosting job on MTV for nearly three years. He later started his own production company and directed music videos, corporate videos, documentaries and the feature film “Super Capitalist,” a “financial thriller” shot in New York and Hong Kong.

Yin has been living in Hong Kong for four years, and is excited to experience other cultures through the six-part History series.

“What’s ironic these days is that my mom, who’s from Taiwan, tried so hard to get out of Asia to bring us to the States so that we can have a great upbringing, to be doctors and whatever,” he said. “And now we’re flocking back to Asia, because this is where the opportunity, the energy is!”

Cebu visit

“I’m going to be customizing my own jeepney. I’ll be driving it and picking up people,” he said before he left for Cebu. “We’re also going to make coconut wine. I have to climb a tree and learn how to make it. I’ll be spear-fishing. And I’m trying out balut (fertilized duck embryo)!”

Seems he got to do all those things—or at least the jeepney part (see above photo).

The new History host, who considers himself a “sexy, funny man,” is now looking forward to scheduled visits to Malaysia, Indonesia and China. He also hopes to get acquainted with other countries’ customs in future seasons.

“Asia is so huge that I don’t think we’ll ever run out of hidden treasures and cultures,” he enthused. “I think it’s so vast and magical that it will never run out of secrets!”

(“Hidden Cities: Extreme” will start airing in October. For schedule announcements, visit facebook.com/hiddencities.)

...the PH's lover of culture

Tagalog-speaking Chinese show love for PH culture

by Cathy Rose A. Garcia,

ABS-CBNnews.com

08/27/2012

 

 

Wu Jing and her mother visit Malacanang Palace with her Filipino friends.

MANILA, Philippines - As "Buwan ng Wika" (Month of Filipino Language) draws to a close, two Beijing-based Chinese nationals are showing a love for the Filipino language and culture that would probably put many Filipinos to shame.

Li Feng and Wu Jing, who are fluent in Tagalog, work at the Filipino News Department of government-run China Radio International (CRI), which airs programs for Filipinos.

In an e-mail interview conducted in Filipino with ABS-CBNnews.com, Li Feng and Wu Jing shared why they chose to study Tagalog in Beijing University, what they admire the most about Filipinos and why they love “dirty ice cream” and champorado.

Postcard sparks interest in PH

Li Feng, who goes by the name Lito, said he first discovered the Philippines through a postcard.
"Noong bata pa ako, nakita ko ang mga postkard na naglalaman ng magandang tanawin ng Pilipinas. Mula nang panahong iyon, naakit ako nang lubos ng bansang ito, at mayroon akong magaan na damdamin para sa Pilipinas, kaya gusto kong mas maraming malaman  tungkol sa Pilipinas, kaya nag-aral ako ng Tagalog sa Beijing University," he said.

After studying Tagalog, he learned more about Philippine history and culture.

Lito saw for himself just how beautiful the Philippines was when he visited in 2001. He and his classmates were invited by Ateneo de Manila University for a 14-day study tour. They visited Metro Manila, Villa Escudero in Quezon, Manila Bay, Tagaytay, Baguio, and Mayon Volcano in Albay.

“Nakita ko ang napakagandang tanawin ng bansang ito, at napakalinis na tubig ng dagat sa Pilipinas, at sariwang-sariwa ang hangin doon. Hindi ko makakalimutan ang magandang kapaligirang ekolohikal sa Pilipinas,” he said.

A fan of Freddie Aguilar’s song “Anak,” Lito said he enjoyed mango juice, “dirty ice cream” or sorbetes, and especially lechon during his trip.

Lito noticed Filipinos’ talent for singing and dancing, but most of all, their good nature and optimistic attitude.

“Madalas na sinasalanta ang Pilipinas ng mga kalamidad na gaya ng baha, bagyo, pagsabog ng bulkan, at landslide, pero malakas ang loob ng mga Pilipino, hindi nawawalan ang mga Pilipino ng tatag ng puso.

Matapang at optimistiko sila sa pagharap sa mga kalamidad upang maitayo ang isang mas magandang lupang-tinubuan,” he said.

Chinese students and teachers of Filipino Studies class in Beijing University.

'Mysterious' Philippines

Wu Jing, who goes by the name Andrea, said she has always been interested in learning Asian languages. At Beijing University, she had the option of studying Filipino, Burmese, Vietnamese, Indonesian and Noth Korean, but was attracted to the Philippines.

“Mysterious ang Pilipinas para sa akin. Ayon sa kasaysayan, ang Pilipinas ay may impluwensiya ng mga bansang kanluranin, at ito’y nasa Asya. Kaya, sa isip ko, ang bansang ito ay tiyak na may katangian ng Silangan at Kanluran. Ito ang pinakakaakit-akit para sa akin,” she said.

Andrea even did her graduation thesis on the Igorot’s practice of “head hunting.”

As she became immersed in Philippine culture, Andrea noticed some differences between Philippine and Chinese culture, regarding religion and way of thinking.

“Direkta, simple at logical ang paraan ng pag-iisip ng mga Pilipino, katulad ng mga Amerikano. Sa kabilang dako, dahil sa malalim na impluwensya ng Confucianism, karamihan ng paraan ng pag-isip ng mga Tsino ay hindi direkta at mas masalimuot na maunawaan. Minsan may implication, minsan ‘to say yes means no’,” she said.

Last year, Andrea had a chance to visit the Philippines with her mother and Filipino friends. She traveled to Manila, Palawan, Tagaytay, Subic Bay, Angeles City and even Malacañang.

Her trip was quite memorable since it had a lot of “firsts”-- her first time to ride a kalesa in Manila; her first time to ride a horse to Taal, and her first time to visit the official residence of a country’s president.

“Sa Palawan, nakita ko ang pinakamaputi at pinakamagandang dalampasigan, pinakamaraming uri ng halaman, at sinakyan ang pinakamaraming uri ng bapor,” she said.

She also counts halo-halo (shaved ice with evaporated milk, fruits and other sweet ingredients), longganiza (sausage) and champorado (sweet chocolate rice porridge) as her Filipino favorite dishes.

Asked about her impressions of Filipinos, she said: “tapat, masigasig, hospitable, optimistiko, laging masaya at palangiti ang mga Pilipino, at may talento sa pagkanta at pagsayaw.”

One of the Filipinos she admires is singer Gary Valenciano. She first saw him in a concert in Beijing in 2009 and was wowed not just by his performance but his outlook in life.

“Gulat ako nang sabihin niyang tatlong dekada na niyang nilalabanan ang diabetes, at hindi siya malungkot dito dahil ipinalalagay niyang ang pagdurusa na tulad ng pag-iwan ng kasintahan, pagkakaroon ng sakit o pagkawala ng trabaho ay mga bagay na lalo lamang nagpapatatag sa isang tao,” she said.

Wu Jing (Andrea) and her mother visited Puerto Princesa Underground River in Palawan.

Bringing Pinoys, Chinese together

Lito and Andrea both work at the CRI Filipino Service, whose programs seek to provide Filipinos with information about Chinese culture, society, economy and tourism. It is the only service that is in Filipino language broadcast via shortwave radio, outside of the Philippines.

“Umaasa akong magiging mapagkaibigang kapitbansa ng isa’t isa ang Tsina at Pilipinas sa hene-henerasyon. Ito rin ang hangarin at  layunin ng pagsasahimpapawid ng CRI Filipino Service,” Lito said.

The CRI Filipino Service has news and special programs such as Diretsahan, Pag-Usapan Natin, Dito Lang Yan sa Tsina, Mga Pinoy sa Tsina, Pop China, Gabi ng Musika, Pelikula Tsino Nood Tayo and Cooking Show. It also has a Filipino-language website filipino.cri.cn, which has news, videos, blogs and Chinese language lessons.

Andrea, who is an editor, producer and host, works closely with Filipinos at CRI, namely Ramon Escanillas, Machelle Ramos and Rhio Zablan.

“Sila rin ang pinaka malapit na mga Pilipino sa akin. Pawa silang propesyonal, mabait, tapat, optimistiko, at romantiko. Talagang nakakatulong sila sa iba’t ibang aspeto ng usapin ng serbisyo. Sa pamumuhay, kami ay mabuting magkakaibigan,” she said.

Lito and Andrea offer some advice for Filipinos who may be losing their love for Filipino language.

“Sa tingin ko, ang wika ay isa sa mga pinakamahalagang simbolo at importanteng bahagi ng isang bansa, at ang wikang Pilipino ay isang napakagandang wika. Sayang kung  may mga Pilipinong nakakamilot sa kanilang wika,” Lito said.

Andrea added: “Napakahalaga ng sariling wika para sa isang bansa. Dapat mag-aral nang mabuti at galingan."

...the hoopers at Jones Cup

PH downs US, wins Jones Cup

Tenacious Tenorio fuels Filipinos’ brave fightback to nip Americans

By Musong R. Castillo
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Monday, August 27th, 2012

LA Tenorio. PBA IMAGE/ Nuki Sabio

TAIPEI—LA Tenorio, the 5-foot-8 Smart Gilas-Pilipinas starting point guard, certainly cannot compare with the greatest basketball player who has ever lived.

TEAM SMART GILAS PILIPINAS - 2012 Jones Cup Champion in Taipei 

 

But as quarterback of the Philippine five against a most formidable foe, Tenorio played like Michael Jordan in towing the Filipinos to a remarkable conquest of the United States to win the 34th edition of the Jones Cup Sunday.

“The heart never gets tired,” Tenorio echoed a famous Jordan quote after shooting 11 of his 20 points in the fourth quarter to lead the Filipinos to a heart-stopping 76-75 conquest of the Americans at the packed Taipei Physical Education College gym here.

The win gave the Filipinos a tournament-best 7-1 card and the country’s first title in one of Asia’s most popular events since 1998, when the Centennial team handled by Tim Cone triumphed.

“To tell you honestly, we are already very tired,” Tenorio said after spearheading the fight for the Philippines for the second straight game. “But I reminded myself of what Michael Jordan said.

“Luckily, my shots in the fourth quarter fell in,” said Tenorio, who on Saturday against Taiwan-A also scored all of his 11 points in the fourth quarter of a 76-72 victory.

The Filipinos trailed by 14 in the second period and by 13 near the end of the third, before letting it all hang out in the payoff frame that disconcerted even the finest basketball-playing country in the world.

And that was exactly the motivation used by coach Chot Reyes to fire up his weary charges, who were playing together only a month.

“Before the game, I told them (players): ‘Imagine the Philippines playing the USA for a gold in a basketball game,” Reyes told international media. “To play them for a gold medal, I don’t think that will happen again in our lives.

“I asked them to take advantage of the opportunity, and they played their hearts out.”

The Philippines actually won its fourth Jones Cup, counting the 1985 edition and the 1981 event with a team led by Ricardo Brown and also coached by the great Ron Jacobs.

“I am kind of at a loss for words,” American coach Travis McAvene said. “My guys played their hearts out. The only thing we didn’t do was get one more stop in the last 30 seconds.

“Give the Philippines credit. They came back and made shots,“ McAvene added. “That’s what basketball is all about.”

It was clear at the start that the Americans were the favorites. Even the capacity crowd, made up mostly of Taiwanese fans waiting for their national team for the next game, were rooting against their Asian neighbor Filipinos.

But the Filipinos persevered, munching away at a 44-57 third-quarter deficit by using the outside shot as a lethal weapon to finally get in the groove and open up the inside somewhat.

A triple by Jeff Chan and a layup by Tenorio to end the third put the Philippines within range, 51-59, before Tenorio hit seven points in a 10-0 run opening the fourth that had the Filipinos surging ahead, 61-59.

By that time, the Filipinos’ confidence was way up.

But the night belonged to Tenorio, who earlier struggled against bigger guards in the tournament.

The Americans were in the lead for the last time at 75-74 after a Jermaine Dearman short stab with 36.1 seconds to go, but Tenorio gave the lead back to the Philippines to stay with a jumper.

Michal Kearse, a burly shooting guard, then drove into the heart of the Philippine defense only to miss a short jumper off the glass.

Then Tenorio, who is even smaller than the spectacular James Justice of the US, soared above giants to snare the defensive rebound with eight seconds left that eventually sent Chan to the line in the final 1.9.

Chan missed the first and intentionally missed the second.

The scores:

SMART GILAS-PH 76—Tenorio 20, Chan 18, Douthit 17, Fonacier 9, Norwood 5, David 5, De Ocampo 2, Thoss 0, Mercado 0.

UNITED STATES 75—Arnold 17, Justice 17, Marshall 14, Barnes 13, Dearman 10, Vandermeer 2, Reese 0, Williams 0.

Quarters: 12-13, 23-34, 51-59, 76-75

...the hot chick

Balut-eating contest held in New York

 

Reuters

Posted at 08/26/2012

 

 

Wayne Algenio celebrates after winning the first annual balut eating contest in New York on August 25, 2012. Algenio won the contest after consuming 18 the duck eggs which contained fertilized duck embryos, commonly sold as street food in the Philippines, during the five minute eating contest. REUTERS/Keith Bedford

"
Balut," popular in parts of Asia, is attracting a following in New York City.

What is "balut"?

"What it is is a fertilized duck egg. It's about 11 to 14 days from hatching and it's a delicacy in the Philippines," described Miguel Trinidad, executive chef and partner at Maharlika, a Filipino restaurant in New York City.

"Balut" is boiled and usually served with a dash of salt and sugar cane vinegar.

Trinidad explained how to eat "balut," as he prepared for his restaurant's first-ever Balut Eating Contest.

"Once you crack it open, there is basically a soup in it and you crack it open, you drink that soup and then you eat the yolk and inside you see a baby duckling. Sometimes you might get lucky and you might find one that has a few feathers, a little bit of a beak on it, but you do see a little embryo and that's the part that you eat along with the yolk and the soup. And it's a great source of protein. It's considered an aphrodisiac. It's supposed to give people power," he said.

Trinidad said many people consider "balut" an "extreme food," especially after it was served on "Fear Factor," a U.S. television show that challenged its contestants in unusual ways.

"It is different. It's exciting, so it is rare. It is a challenge. A lot of people have seen it on Fear Factor. They want to come and try it, but once they actually taste it, it's really.. it's just getting past the visual," he warned.

At Maharlika's second location in Brooklyn's Dekalb Market on Saturday, August 25, hundreds of people came to watch 10 contestants participate in what was billed at the Maharlika's First Annual Balut Eating Contest.

Trinidad said the contest was a way to promote the restaurant's third location opening next month in New York.

The rules were simple. Eat as many "balut" as you can within five minutes.

As the contest began before a cheering crowd, the participants cracked open the shell, peeled the egg and stuffed the juicy mixture of yolk and duck embryo into their mouths.

"You can feel the feathers and then like feel a little bit of the bone. It's a little bit crunchy. But honestly, I wasn't even thinking. I was just shoving it in my mouth," said Jill, who ate eight eggs during the contest.

Her brother Eric ate nine eggs, but avoided the visual. "Honestly, it's like a hard boiled egg with feathers. So... I don't even want to look at that," he said after the contest.

But in the end, there could only be one winner. And the egg-ceptional contestant was a man who goes by the name "Wayney Wonder" who downed 18 eggs in five minutes.

Wayne admitted the "balut" was a first for him.

"I had never tried it before this contest. This is the first time I've had it," he said. "But it tasted like an egg. I didn't think about the little animal I was eating."

Wayne now holds the title of balut-eating champion and has a large black and gold belt to prove it.
Wayne promised to come back next year to defend his title.

---

...the uprising

PSE to break 2011 capital-raising record of P107.5B

 

MARC JAYSON CAYABYAB

GMA News

August 24, 2012

 

 

Philippine-based investors are the main drivers of the local listed equities market, which the local bourse president Hans B. Sicat said, is on track to breaking last year’s record of P107.5 billion of capital raised.
 

Speaking before the  4th annual Corporate Treasury and CFO Summit in Makati Thursday, Sicat said 62 percent of average daily turnover in the Philippine Stock Exchange (PSE) comes from a “strong local bid” largely responsible for pushing the total transactions volume to P7.35 billion daily from P5.56 billion year-to-date.
 

“I think it’s important to know, however, that on the relative share in trading, Philippine-based is still greater compared to foreign trading in related volumes,” Sicat said.
 

Foreign participation in trades is at 32 percent although these trades increased by more than four times to P89.84 billion as of (Wednesday) from P19.16 billion last year, the PSE president added.
 

Sicat said this investor profile is similar to what obtains in the BRICs emerging countries made up of Brazil, Russia, India and China, where the market performance is propped up mainly by “strong local demand with the add-on effect of foreign demand.”
 

“There are lots of reasons to remain bullish and optimistic on the PSE as an attractive investment destination. Compared to our peers, the PSE is just scratching the surface of potential," he said.
 

Raising capital
 

The PSE president said the local bourse is a growing market for generating capital, which  jumped to P91.13 billion from P60.03 billion last year.
 

“(Capital raised from the bourse) is well on its pace to break the record level (at P107.5 billion) we achieved last year,” said Sicat.
 

The benchmark of the PSEi has increased 17.8 percent as of August 22, the PSE president added. The local bourse has breached 21 record highs so far this year.
 

The PSE is now aiming for “liquidity in stocks,” as it is now requiring listed companies to maintain a 10 percent public float in order to enter the market, said Sicat. As of June this year, 27 companies have yet to comply with the public float requirement. — ELR, GMA News

..the new Chief Justice

PH gets first ever lady Chief Justice in Lourdes Sereno

By Jonathan de Santos

Yahoo! Southeast Asia Newsroom 

Fri, Aug 24, 2012

The Philippines has a new Chief Justice.

Supreme Court Associate Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno makes history as the first woman to be appointed head of the judiciary.

President Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino III on Friday named Sereno as the 24th Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, months after ex-Chief Justice Renato Corona was removed from his post by an impeachment court.

“In the midst of this period of deep mourning for the loss of Interior and Local Government Secretary Jesse Robredo, the President is cognizant of his constitutional duty to appoint the next Chief Justice of the Philippines. He has therefore decided to appoint Associate Justice Maria Lourdes Punzalan Aranal-Sereno as the 24th Chief Justice of the Supreme Court,” Presidential spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said in a statement Friday.

Sereno bested other five Supreme Court "insiders" who were on the JBC shortlist submitted to Aquino such as acting Chief Justice Antonio Carpio (7 votes) as well as Associate Justices Roberto Abad (6 votes), Arturo Brion (6 votes), and Teresita Leonardo-De Castro (5 votes).

Sereno, 52, is the second youngest to be appointed as Chief Justice and will have 18 years before reaching the mandatory retirement age. This means she will potentially have the longest term in recent Supreme Court history. She will also be serving alongside four Presidents: Aquino and the winners of the 2016, 2022, and 2028 national elections.

“The President is confident that Chief Justice Sereno will lead the judiciary in undertaking much-needed reforms. We believe the Judicial Branch of government has a historic opportunity to restore our people’s confidence in the judicial system,” Lacierda added.

Sereno was among the witnesses that the House prosecution panel wanted to testify at the impeachment trial of ex-chief justice Renato Corona.


Bayan Muna Rep. Neri Colmenares, a member of the prosecution panel, had invited Sereno to testify but prosecutors ended their presentation of evidence before she could respond. Sereno said this superseded prosecution's invitation.

Justice Secretary Leila De Lima, who did testify, quoted from Sereno's dissenting opinion on a decision to allow Pampanga Rep. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo to leave the country.

According to Sereno's dissenting opinion, "Corona sent in his own handwritten corrections on the typewritten draft Resolution from Justice (Prebitero, Jr.) Velasco with the instruction that the Chief Justice’s version is to be immediately promulgated."

Prosecutors said this showed irregularities in how the temporary restraining order on a government barring foreign travel for Arroyo was issued.

Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile ruled that De Lima was not present during SC deliberations on the TRO, so her testimony on that was hearsay.

In April, Sereno was among the justices who voted against having the Department of Agrarian Reform pay for Cojuangco-owned Hacienda Luisita based on 1989 rates. The Cojuangcos had been asking for compensation based on the current land value, around P1 million per hectare, or around P5 billion, from the government.

Sereno was co-counsel with Justice Florentino Feliciano on the Fraport case before the International Centre for the Settlement of Investment Disputes and in the Philippine Air Terminals Company, Inc. (PIATCO) before the International Chamber of Commerce-International Court of Arbitration in Singapore. The Republic of the Philippines won both cases.

Sereno has a Master of Laws degree from the University of Michigan Law School, a Bachelor of Laws class degree from the University of the Philippines College of Law, where she was class valedictorian, and an Economics degree from Ateneo de Manila University.