....the honest Johnny

Janitor returns P600,000 found at NAIA

 

 

ABS-CBNnews.com

09/04/2012

 

 

MANILA, Philippines - A janitor has returned a bag filled with cash that he found at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 2 on Monday afternoon, airport authorities said.

 

 

 

Ronald Gadayan, a glass cleaner and janitor at the NAIA, handed over to the Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) a black bag containing cash amounting to P634,896, MIAA media officer Connie Bungag said.

He found the bag at the pre-departure area of the NAIA Terminal 2's south wing.

The bag belongs to businessman Francis Lloyd Chua, who left for Cebu at 3:30 p.m. via PR 849.

Chua's representative, Marie Cherie Lyn Cruz, thanked Gadayan and claimed the money in the presence of MIAA authorities, Bungag said.

...the PHP

Peso gains over Philippines’ improved ranking in global competitiveness

By Michelle V. Remo
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Thursday, September 6th, 2012

AP FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines—The peso strengthened on Thursday following the release of a report showing that the Philippines significantly improved its ranking on global competitiveness amid a favorable economic performance and the government’s promise of good governance.

The local currency closed at its intraday high of 41.87 against the US dollar, up by 10.5 centavos from the previous day’s finish of 41.975:$1.

Intraday low settled at 41.95:$1. Volume of trade amounted to $804.08 million from $835.3 million previously.

The rise of the peso came after the release of the results of this year’s global competitiveness survey by the World Economic Forum (WEF). According to WEF’s report, the Philippines ranked 65th in this year’s survey of 144 countries, up by 10 notches from 75th in 2011.

The 10-notch improvement in the country’s ranking this year followed a similar 10-notch leap registered last year from 85th in 2010.

Businesses were tapped to serve as respondents to the global survey, which evaluates competitiveness of countries based on various factors deemed influential in creating an environment good for doing business.

Traders said the positive report on the Philippines’ improved global competitiveness ranking boosted the appetite of foreign investors for peso-denominated securities.

Meantime, traders said the rise of the peso was also partly due to a general upbeat market sentiment on Thursday due to the belief the European Central Bank may be poised to inject money into the eurozone by buying government bonds.

Stimulus for the eurozone somewhat eased concerns over the effects of the Western region’s crisis on the global economy, thereby improving risk appetite, traders said.

...the Asia's first iPhone 5 country

PHL may be first in Asia to get iPhone 5

 

 

September 6, 2012

GMA News

 

 

The Philippines is likely to be among the first countries in Asia to get the much-awaited iPhone 5, which is expected to be launched in the US sometime next week.

 

 

Local telco Smart Communications Inc.'s chief wireless advisor, Orlando Vea, said in an interview at the Asian Carriers’ Conference (ACC) Apple Inc. that Apple Inc. is eyeing the Philippines as one of its first markets for the new phone.
 

“Hopefully we are the first in Asia,” Vea said.
 

He explained that the Philippines' high consumption of social media such as Facebook and Twitter make it a "digital literate country" that is well positioned to become an initial market for the iPhone 5.

 

 

The iPhone 5 has been much anticipated as it is rumored to sport a larger and thinner form factor than its predecessors, and is Apple's first flagship phone since the demise last year of its visionary leader, Steve Jobs.

 

 

Smart's parent company, Philippine Long Distance Telephone Co. (PLDT), claims a total subscriber base of 67.4 million, of which 3.1 million are broadband subscribers. For its part, Smart has a 26.9 million-strong subscriber base, with an additional 24 million subscribers under its Talk 'N Text subsidiary brand.

 

 

Smart's newly-acquired subsidiary, Digital Telecommunication (Digitel), has 15.9 million subscribers under its Sun Cellular brand. — TJD, GMA News

 

...the Aussie handballers

Another Fil-Aussie a rising star in handball sport in Australia

 

ANDREI MEDINA,

GMA News

September 5, 2012

 

 

Filipino-Australian Bevan Calvert has already made a name for himself in the field of handball, not only in Australia but in the international arena, having led the country's team in competitions abroad.

 

 

However, another Filipino-Australian — Jay Abiera — is making waves in the sport.

 

 

Abiera has been absent from the world of handball for three years to attend to his university studies but has returned to the sport with a burning passion.

 
The 22-year-old Abiera was one of the best under-18 handballers for the Victorian junior team when he was active in the sport, according to a report of Fil-Aussie news site The Filipino Australian.

“I still have to get back to my old self though,” he said in an interview with The Filipino Australian.

 

Abiera, is aspiring to join the Barcelona world championship team although he already considers being a part of the Australian men’s team as a big break.

If he makes it as a member of the world championship team — composed of a maximum of 16 players — he will be recognized as one of the top talents in the sport with Filipino roots.

Born in Quezon City, Philippines, Abiera migrated with his parents to Australia at the tender age of one and-a-half years old.

He has been playing handball since 15 years old and excels in the position of back where he either plays as centre, left or right.

Bevan Calvert

Meanwhile, Calvert is the captain of the Australian men’s team and led them to victory during the qualifiers where they beat New Zealand on June 23, earning the right to represent the Oceania region, an earlier report on GMA News Online said.

John Calvert, the team manager of the men’s team and father of Bevan, and his wife Violi the PR director of the team, both have high hopes for Abiera, a 6’3” force-to-be-reckoned-with.

“He has a lot of potential,” John said in the Filipino Australian report.

 
Abiera arrived in Sydney on August 16 so that he could practice with the men’s team during their training camp.

The team held matches against each other for three days in the Dural, Homebush and Liverpool sports complexes.

Since he lives in Melbourne, Abiera needs to travel to Sydney once a month like the other interstate players so that he could participate in the selections for the world championship team.

He has to drop everything – including studies – whenever he is needed during training.

Abiera is enrolled in a double degree course for a bachelor’s degree in Psychology and Human Movement.

“Yes, nice combination to discipline mind and body,” he said in jest. - VVP, GMA News

...the young scientists

Young Pinoy scientists head to Asian Science Camp in Israel

 

September 5, 2012

GMA News

 

 

For the first time, a group of young scientists represented the Philippines in the 2012 Asian Science Camp in Israel last August 26 to 31, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said Monday.
 

Citing a report from the Philippine Embassy in Tel Aviv, the DFA said the representatives are all taking BS Applied Physics at the University of the Philippines in Los Baños, Laguna.

 

 

"The ASC, an initiative led by a number of East Asian Nobel Prize laureates, is one of the most prominent and important gatherings for young scientists in the science world. ASC envisions fostering an epistemic community of young science enthusiasts and serves as a special opportunity to enhance scientific cooperation and exchanges among Asian countries," the DFA said.

 

 

Some 300 participants from countries in Asia and the Pacific attended the six-day event.

 

 

Representing the Philippines were:

• John Keith Magali (Junior)
• Rovi Angelo Villaos (Junior)
• Nicole Olayres (Sophomore)
• Shereyl Daguinod (Sophomore)

Professor Lou Serafin Lozada accompanied the young scientists during the trip.
 

The DFA said the 2012 ASC was held at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem and was opened by President Shimon Peres last August 26.
 

The event featured lectures and discussions led by outstanding scientists from around the world.

 

 

"At camp, the participants were exposed to fascinating scientific topics presented by leading scientists, and, at the same time, they had an opportunity to meet the next generation of leading scientists, their peers," the DFA said.

 

 

The Israeli Foreign Ministry's Deputy Director General for Asia and the Pacific Ruth Kahanoff said Israel hosted and funded the participation of the Filipino scientists, including their airfare and accommodation. — TJD, GMA News

...the paralympian

Fil-Am wins 2 gold medals in London Paralympics

 

 

By Balitang America Staff

09/05/2012

 

 

REDWOOD, California - Filipino-American athlete Raymond Martin bagged two Olympic medals at the London 2012 Paralympic Games over the weekend.

The 18-year-old Martin struck gold in the men's T-52 100 meters where he raced to the finish line in 17.02 seconds to win the first US Paralympic track and field's gold in the Games on Sunday.



In the men's T-52 400 meters race, Martin crossed the finish line in 58.54 seconds beating Japan to win his second gold Monday.

Martin has two more races to go this week.

The track and field athlete was born with a congenital deformity called Freeman Sheldon Syndrome.

He was in preschool when he learned to race in his wheelchair. At age 7, he was already competing at the National Junior Disability Championship.

Martin was also one of the nominees under the category “Best Male Athlete with Disability” in ESPN’s 2012 ESPY awards.

“It’s a huge deal, it just means that all my hard work is paying off and I’m just really excited about all of it,” he said. With a report from Don Tagala, ABS-CBN North America News Bureau

...the PH's competitiveness

PH jumps 10 notches in global competitiveness survey

 

ABS-CBNnews.com

09/05/2012

 

MANILA, Philippines - The Philippines jumped 10 notches up in the 2012 World Economic Forum's Global Competitiveness Report.

 

The Philippines ranked 65th among 144 countries in this year's survey, from 75th last year. The WEF report said the Philippines was one of the countries that showed the most improvement.

"Ranked 65th, the Philippines is one of the countries showing the most improvement in this year’s edition. Indeed, it has advanced 22 places since reaching its lowest mark in 2009. The Philippines makes important strides this year in improving competitiveness—albeit often from a very low base—especially with respect to its public institutions (94th, up 23 places)," the report said.

It noted a significant improvement in "trust in politicians," up 33 spots to 95th place, but "considerable room for improvement remains."

There is also improved perception that the corruption (108th, up 11) and red tape (108, up 18) are being addressed by the Aquino administration, but the report noted "they remain pervasive."

The WEF report also noted improvements in macroeconomic environment (36th, up 18), which it noted was one of the strongest aspects of the Philippines’ performance.

The financial sector is also seen to be more efficient and supportive of business activity(58th, up 13).

"Despite these very positive trends, many weaknesses remain to be addressed. The country’s infrastructure is still in a dire state, particularly with respect to sea (120th) and air transport (112th), with little or no progress achieved to date. Furthermore, various market inefficiencies and rigidities continue, most notably in the labor market (103rd)," the WEF report stated.

The Global Competitiveness Report 2012-2013 assesses the competitiveness of 144 economies, providing insight into the drivers of their productivity and prosperity.

For the fourth year in a row, Switzerland topped the overall rankings in the Global Competitiveness Report. Singapore remained in 2nd spot, followed by Finland in 3rd, Sweden in 4th and Netherlands in 5th. The top 10 list also includes Germany (6th), United States (7th), United Kingdom (8th), Hong Kong (9th) and Japan (10th). - Report from Lois Calderon, ANC