...the fastest growing data users

PHL is world's 4th fastest growing mobile data user — Ericsson

 

GMA News

November 23, 2012

 

 

Smart phones made up some 40 percent of all phones sold globally in the third quarter of 2012, according to Ericsson's latest Mobility Report.
 

The mobile tech company said that mobile subscriptions are expected to hit 6.6 billion by the end of 2012, and to top 9.3 billion by 2018 —excluding machine-to-machine (M2M) subscriptions.

 

 

In terms of new subscribers in the third quarter, the Philippines was the fourth largest contributor worldwide at 5 million new subscriptions, after Brazil (9 million) and Indonesia (7 million). But China topped the list with 40 million new subscriptions, accounting for 35 percent of the world total.

 

 

Worldwide mobile penetration hit 91 percent in the first three quarters of the year, with total mobile subscriptions up to 6.4 billion in the same period —a growth of 9 percent year-on-year, or 2 percent quarter-on-quarter.
 

Data traffic skyrocketed 100 percent in Q3 2012 over the same period the previous year. The compound annual growth rate (CAGR) for mobile data is expected to reach 50 percent in the next five years, spurred by increased video consumption.

 

 

Online video consumption was found to be the key driver of rising mobile traffic volumes, accounting for 25 percent of all smartphone traffic and 40 percent of all tablet traffic.

 

 

“Expectations of mobile-network quality have been elevated by the availability of smartphones and tablets that have changed the way we use the internet,” said Douglas Gilstrap, Senior Vice President and Head of Strategy at Ericsson.

 

 

“Mobility is becoming an increasingly significant part of our daily lives. We always have devices within arm’s reach, allowing us instant access to information, entertainment and social interaction,” he added.

 

 

This year, Ericsson provided LTE coverage for some 455 million people globally as of June, and expects more than half the world’s population to be covered within five years. “There were an additional 13 million LTE subscriptions in Q3 2012, and numbers are predicted to reach 1.6 billion by 2018,” the company said in a press statement.

 

 

Thus, Ericsson revealed that “LTE is currently being deployed and built out in all regions, and total subscriptions will increase from around 55 million at the end of 2012 to an estimated 1.6 billion in 2018. WCDMA/HSPA networks currently provide coverage to more than half the world’s population and continue to grow faster than LTE in terms of absolute numbers, adding 65 million subscriptions in Q3 2012 compared with 13 million for LTE. — TJD, GMA News

...the APSA awardees

Aunor, Mendoza win top prizes in Asia Pacific awards

By Bayani San Diego Jr.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

November 23, 2012

 

Brillante Mendoza and Nora Aunor.

DAVAO City, Philippines—Filipino actress Nora Aunor won the best actress prize while Brillante Mendoza bagged the best director award for “Thy Womb” in the 6th annual Asia Pacific Screen Awards held in Brisbane, Australia, Friday night.

Mendoza and Aunor were clearly ecstatic about their movie’s latest triumph.

“After winning abroad, we hope our countrymen would become more curious to watch our films so that indie films will be recognized not only by foreigners, but by Filipinos well,” said Mendoza.

Founded in 2007, the Asia Pacific Screen Awards seeks to “recognize and promote cinematic excellence and cultural diversity in the vast Asia-Pacific region … and is considered as the region’s highest accolade in film.”

All APSA winners and nominees are inducted into the Asia Pacific Screen Academy. They are some of the most respected names in film from the region.

Four years ago, Ishmael Bernal’s “Himala,” which also starred Aunor, won the CNN APSA Viewers’ Choice award for best Asia-Pacific film of all time.

Aunor and Mendoza were informed of the good news while at the Philippine premiere of “Thy Womb,” held during the second Sineng Pambansa at the SM Lanang in Davao City.

They chose to hold the local premiere of “They Womb” in Davao because the film was set in Tawi-Tawi.

Both Aunor and Mendoza fell in love with the island-province and have dedicated the film’s many triumphs to its “gentle, peace-loving” people.

Co-star Mercedes Cabral also graced the Davao screening,

APSA celebrates “the finest, bravest and most audacious cinema in the region,” according to its web site.

Chris Martinez, who attended the event in Brisbane, told the Inquirer that Marlon Rivera, the director of “Ang Babae sa Septic Tank,” was awarded the APSA Netpac award which comes with a film development cash prize of $5,000. Martinez was nominated for best screenplay in APSA for “Ang Babae sa Septic Tank.”

In September, “Thy Womb” won three awards at the 69th Venice International Film Festival: Bisato D’Oro, La Navicella or Venezia Cinema prize and the P. Nazareno Taddei Award Special Mention.

...the stock market new high

Foreign buying, positive sentiment buoy PHL stocks to all-time high

 

VICTOR D. SOLLORANO

GMA News

November 23, 2012

 

 

“Year-to-date, the PSEi has broken through new record highs for a total of 28 times” - PSE

 

 

Shares on the Philippine Stock Exchange closed the week at an all-time high Friday, buoyed by foreign buying and positive sentiment on the domestic front.

 

 

The market sentiment remains driven by corporate developments, particularly the impending merger of Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI) and Philippine National Bank (PNB), said Arlysa Narciso, equity analyst at AB Capital Securities Inc.

 

 

BPI is buying a majority stake in PNB that will create the largest bank in the country in terms of assets of than P1.2 trillion.

 

 

This development augurs the possibility more mergers and acquisitions, said Narciso.

 

 

Early this week, analysts said the consolidation of corporate assets would strengthen the capital base of banks and companies.

 

 

“Foreign funds were more of the net buyers this week,” Narciso noted, saying foreign buying is now more diversified across large- and mid-cap issues because of the positive outlook for 2013.

 

 

The main PSEi rose 38.97 points or 0.71 percent to close at 5,552.34.
 

Friday’s closing numbers surpassed the November 21 record close at 5,534.18.
 

More than 1.900 billion shares valued at P5.750 billion were traded.
 

Gainers led losers 88 to 72, with 51 issues unchanged.
 

Supporting the backdrop of a stable political landscape and positive economic outlook, investors also factored in the legislation of the sin tax measure that would translate into additional revenues for the government next year, Narciso noted.

 

 

“Year-to-date, the PSEi has broken through new record highs for a total of 28 times,” the PSE noted in a statement Friday.

 

 

"Upbeat expectations on both the listed company and macroeconomic fronts continue to infuse excitement in our investors,” said PSE chief operating officer Roel A. Refran.

 

 

“Local developments have been able to overshadow ongoing concerns abroad, and this certainly bodes well for the market as we look to end 2012 on a high note," he added.— TJD, GMA News

...the PH business confidence

Businessmen expect ’12 to end on a high note

 

By Prinz P. Magtulis

The Philippine Star

November 23, 2012

 

 

 

MANILA, Philippines -Businesses are looking to end the year on a high note on the back of strong demand during the holiday season, but are less optimistic at the start of 2013, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) yesterday reported.

 

Results of the latest Business Expectations Survey (BES) showed over-all confidence index improved to 49.5 percent in the fourth quarter from 44.5 percent in the third quarter.

 

The latest figure is the “second highest reading since the nationwide survey started in the fourth quarter of 2006,” the survey said.

 

The confidence index (CI) is computed as the percentage of respondents who answered in the affirmative less percentage of those that answered in the negative with respect to views on specific indicators.

 

“The sentiment was very strong for the fourth quarter because of the holiday season and main harvest season,” BSP assistant governor Ma. Cyd Tuaño-Amador told reporters in a briefing.

 

“There was a seasonal and expected bounce in the enthusiasm of business firms in the current quarter,” she added.

 

Consumer spending is usually high during the holidays as Filipinos spend more for their needs and gifts, thereby allowing firms to expand production.

 

Aside from the expected Christmas rush, optimism for the current quarter was driven by expansion of businesses and new product lines, favorable macroeconomic conditions, introduction of new and enhanced business strategies, possible credit rating upgrade and continued confidence in the Aquino administration.

 

Businesses based in the National Capital Region were more positive compared to those in other regions although both posted improved sentiments, the survey showed. NCR CI went up to 54.5 percent from 48.9 percent, while those in other regions increased to 41.1 percent from 31.9 percent.

 

As demand however usually slows down after the holidays, firms turned “less sanguine” with the index declining to 43.8 percent, BES results showed.

 

“It was a typical and seasonally determined downtrend in business expectations next quarter,” Tuaño-Amador said.

 

Firms were also concerned about the possibility of tight supply for raw materials and low sugar prices in the world market that affected the local sentiment, the survey said.

 

Tuaño-Amador however said the still positive index indicate the economy can bank on businesses to drive economic growth next year, when a higher six- to seven-percent target is aimed. The local economy grew by 6.1 percent as of the first half of 2012.

 

“There seems to be indication then we could see some support from business which could provide support to investment and of course better consumption activities which could also lift growth in the near term,” she explained.

 

A total of 1,576 businesses nationwide were polled with a response rate of 75.1 percent. The survey was conducted from Oct. 1 to Nov. 15.

...the fastest growing bond markets

PH 2nd-fastest growing bond market in East Asia as of Q3, says ADB

By Michelle V. Remo
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Friday, November 23rd, 2012

 

 

"The Philippines was one of the most preferred sites for portfolio investments given a favorable outlook on its economy. " - ADB

 

 

 

The bond market in the Philippines was the second-fastest growing among emerging economies in East Asia as of the third quarter, as the country’s buoyant economy boosted appetite for peso-denominated instruments.

The Asian Development Bank said in a recent report that outstanding bonds in the local bond market registered one of the fastest growth rates in the region as of end-September, as economic problems in Europe and the United States prompted investors to seek higher yields in Asia.

The Philippines was one of the most preferred sites for portfolio investments given a favorable outlook on its economy, the ADB said.

According to the ADB report, the outstanding amount of local currency-denominated bonds from the Philippines reached a dollar equivalent of $91 billion as of the end of September, up by 21.8 percent from that in the same period last year.

Only Singapore posted a faster growth rate of 25.8 percent.

In absolute terms, however, the amount of outstanding bonds in the Philippine market was lower than that for most countries in the region.

Industry players admit that the country’s capital market remains small compared with its regional counterparts.

Growth rates and outstanding amounts of bond markets in the region are as follows: Vietnam, 21.1-percent growth to $21 billion; Malaysia, 20.7-percent growth to $318 billion; South Korea, 16.2-percent growth to $1.37 trillion; China, 12.5-percent growth to $3.65 trillion; and Hong Kong, 3.7-percent growth to $176 billion.

Contradicting the trend in the region, the bond market of Indonesia fell by 0.6 percent to $110 billion.

For the entire region, the outstanding amount of bonds thus stood at $6.24 trillion, rising year on year by 13.9 percent.

“Volatility spillover was directly transmitted to Asian local bond markets during the US and eurozone crises,” said the ADB as it noted the shift in investor appetite to instruments issued from emerging Asian markets.

It said the appetite for portfolio instruments from emerging Asian economies was also reflected in the increase in demand for equities, currencies and money market instruments in the region.

Data on the Philippines also showed that of the P3.8 trillion (or $91 billion) in outstanding bonds by the end of September, about P3.3 trillion was accounted for by government securities while corporate bonds accounted for the balance of P500 billion.

The outstanding amount of Philippine government securities represented a year-on-year growth of 14.7 percent, while that of corporate bonds marked an annual growth rate of 26.1 percent, the ADB said.

Although the increase in foreign portfolio investments is a welcome development, monetary officials said excessive amounts and steep increase could be destabilizing to an economy.

They said these can cause sharp and sudden appreciation of the local currency against the US dollar, adversely affecting exporters.

This is why the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas has implemented several measures against excessive inflows.

...the highest remittance recipients

PH third highest remittance recipient among developing nations

By Kim Arveen Patria

Yahoo! Southeast Asia Newsroom

23 November 2012

 

AFP News - A bank employee displays 100 peso notes in Manila. The Philippine economy is facing major risks from abroad that could limit its growth prospects next year, the central bank governor said Wednesday.

Despite a gloomy global economic climate, Filipinos may still count on a boost from overseas workers who will continue to send cash back home, new World Bank projections showed.

Among developing countries, The Philippines will be the third highest recipient of remittances from overseas workers this year, the World Bank said in its latest "Migration and Development Brief."

Cash inflows from Pinoys abroad are seen to reach $24.3 billion in 2012, up 5.4 percent from $23.1 billion last year.

Latest central bank data pegged OFW inflows at $15.6 billion as of the end of the third quarter, up 5.5 percent from year-ago levels.

The World Bank's forecast growth in remittances to the Philippines, however, is slower than 2011's expansion of 7.6 percent.

This may be attributed to an appreciation of the peso, which the World Bank says prods "migrants to delay sending remittances until exchange rates are more favorable."

Globally, inflows to developing countries are expected to grow by 6.5 percent to $403 billion in 2012.

"International migrants are weathering the effects of the ongoing global economic crisis..." the World Bank said.

India will be the top recipient of remittances this year, with inflows reaching $69.8 billion based on World Bank estimates, followed by China at $66.3 billion.

The Philippines is a far third, followed by Mexico ($23.5 billion), Nigeria ($20.6 billion), Egypt ($18 billion), Pakistan ($13.9 billion, Bangladesh ($13.7 billion), Vietnam ($9 billion) and Lebanon ($7.6 billion).

The World Bank also expects remittances to developing countries to spike further by 7.9 percent in 2013, 10.1 percent in 2014 and 10.7 percent in 2015, when it is seen to reach $534 billion.

"We expect growth of flows to remain robust in regions that rely on remittance flows from the US, the GCC (Gulf Cooperation Council) and Russia," the multilateral lender said.

Risks to remittances growth remain, however, with the World Bank citing "increasingly harsh rhetoric and policies hostile towards migrants in many destination countries, especially Europe."

Meanwhile, the World Bank cited the Philippines as one of the countries where innovations such as international mobile remittances effectively ease the cost of sending money.

This, as it noted that worldwide, only 20 percent of 130 mobile banking operators worldwide offered international remittance services as of early 2012.

The Philippines, as well as Kenya, "are ahead of the curve in fostering an ecosystem of mobile payment services," it added.

"They may provide fertile ground for adoption of international remittance services via mobile phones, but most other countries are much further behind at this point," the World Bank noted.

...the PH stock market

Philippine stocks surge to new high

Philippine Daily Inquirer

Wednesday, November 21st, 2012

 

 

Photo from pse.com.ph

MANILA, Philippines—Philippine stocks surged to a new record high for the 27th time this year as propects of a new round of local banking merger and acquisition (M&As) and progress on the legislation of revenue-generating “sin” tax reforms boosted investor sentiment.

The main-share Philippine Stock Exchange index soared by another 33.6 points, or 0.61 percent, to close at 5,534.18. A new intraday peak was also hit at 5,553.57.

Value turnover was high at P14.92 billion including a block transaction on Banco de Oro. Tycoon Henry Sy has been realigning shares to certain family-owned holding firms and has not sold to any external party, industry sources said.

The outperformer among index stocks was Ayala Corp. (+4.9 percent) after it was confirmed that the group was in talks on a prospective Bank of the Philippine Island-Philippine National Bank consolidation. BPI and PNB went on voluntary trading suspension after confirming ongoing talks.

Metrobank (+2.26 percent), DMCI (+1.95 percent), JG Summit (+1.89 percent), AGI (+1.44 percent), BDO (+1.32 percent) and Petron (+1.16 percent) also contributed to the day’s gains.

Index heavyweight PLDT (+1.13 percent) was up even as National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) has ordered telco service providers to reduce off-net SMS charges from P1 to 80 centavos, and to reimburse subscribers 20 centavos per off-net SMS since December last year.

Jose Vistan, head of research at AB Capital Securities, said the market was driven by financial services (+1.72 percent) in turn due to the excitement over BPI’s prospective acquisition of PNB. Vistan said this news had a spillover effect on other banking issues as investors were revaluing these issues on expectations that this may lead to similar M&A deals.

Vistan said AB Capital would stick to its yearend index target of 5,600. He said the market has been trading at a price-to-earnings ratio of 17-18x, which meant that investors have been paying 17 to 18 times the amount of money made for a given year.

“Right now, the market will be starting to price in fundamentals of 2013, which would involve ratings upgrade, momentum on corporate earnings, growth from construction spending, government spending and election spending,” Vistan said. “So it’s a pretty positive local fundamental backdrop. In terms of external concerns, we’ve seen the worst, so there’s nowhere to go but up.”

Vistan said the PSEi might rise to 6,100 at yearend 2013.

Joseph Roxas, president of Eagle Equities Inc., said sentiment was also boosted by the progress of sin tax legislation. “The enactment will lead to a credit rating upgrade and a drop in the government’s interest payments,” he said.

The Philippine government is currently rated at one notch below the much-coveted investment grade by the three major global credit-watchers—Moody’s, Fitch and Standard & Poor’s.

Other stocks that rose in heavy volume on Wednesday were Empire East (+3.26 percent), Bloomberry (+4.74 percent), ABS-CBN preferred (+1.96 percent), LT Group (+1.21 percent), GT Capital (+3.66 percent), Manila Mining (+8.2 percent) and East West Bank (+7.59 percent).

...the consumer electronic expo hub

Philippines eyed as consumer electronics expo hub

Yahoo! to host TechnoStorm trade event

By Paolo G. Montecillo
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Thursday, November 22nd, 2012

 

 

MANILA, Philippines—Internet pioneer Yahoo! is pushing for the Philippines to be one of the region’s centers for consumer electronics technology given the young population’s love for gadgets, from computers and mobile phones to high-end cameras.

Yahoo! Philippines will hold its first consumer electronics exposition, called TechnoStorm, where the company plans to bring under one roof the biggest names in technology such as Nokia, Samsung and Apple to show off their latest products for the local market.

“The dream is to host an event like CES [Consumer Electronics Show],” Yahoo! Philippines country ambassador and sales director Arlene Amarante said, referring to the Las Vegas tech show known as the world’s largest exposition for the latest in consumer electronics.

Amarante said TechnoStorm would be at a much smaller scale, but it was aimed at eventually competing with Computex, an annual information technology expo hosted by Taiwan for more than a decade now.

“To get Smart, Globe, PLDT and Wi-Tribe in the same event is hard. It’s also hard to have Nokia, Samsung and other companies in the same arena. But they look at it as an industry push,” Amarante said.

“If the industry is able to do this with the help of all the parts, as a whole, it would be a lot better. Yahoo is there to be a core platform to help them out,” she said.

The TechnoStorm expo, to be held at the TriNoma mall in Quezon City from November 26 to December 2, comes just in time for the holiday season, when millions of Filipinos are expected to shop for gifts for friends and relatives.

Complementing the physical event is the launch of an interactive online site featuring cutting-edge products and services from leading global and local brands.

Aside from featuring latest gadgets, the site ph.news.yahoo.com/technostorm will also have latest news and updates on tech companies, as well as “expert” columns for consumer questions.

“Technostorm is a celebration of all things tech. Yahoo’s digital capabilities provide a unique platform for Filipinos to explore, discover and understand the world of technology, and bring them face to face with gadgets and devices that create connectivity,” Amarante said

...the world's most emotional societies

 

PH named 'most emotional society' in global list

By Kim Arveen Patria

Yahoo! Southeast Asia Newsroom

22 November 2012

 

Pinoy fans show a variety of emotions during a football game in Manila. (File Photo by Marlo Cueto, NPPA Images)

 

 

It has been dubbed as a "bright spot" amid a global slowdown and a "rising tiger" in Southeast Asia, and now the Philippines is also deemed the best in a criteria money can't buy: emotions.

This, as the Philippines is named "most emotional society" in over 140 countries surveyed by U.S. pollster Gallup, a Businessweek report Wednesday said.

Asked questions aimed at determining recently felt emotions, 60 percent of Filipino respondents answered "yes."

But that doesn't necessarily make most Pinoys drama queens, as it could also easily mean that they are the clowns.

Among the questions in the Gallup survey, Businessweek said, are: "Did you feel well rested yesterday? Were you treated with respect all day yesterday? Did you smile or laugh a lot yesterday?"
 

Respondents were also asked if they experienced enjoyment, physical pain, worry, sadness, stress or anger "during a lot" of the previous day.

Next to the Philippines in terms of feelings are El Salvador, where 57 percent admit to expriencing a lot of emotions; Bahrain, 56 percent; and Oman, 55 percent.

Tied at 55 percent "yes" are Chile, Costa Rica, Guatamala, Bolivia, Ecuador, Dominican Republic, Peru, Nicaragua and the U.S.

Singapore, meanwhile, emerged as the "most emotionless" society with only 36 percent of respondents saying they experienced a lot of feelings in the previous day.

It was followed by Georgia and Lithuania at 37 percent; and Russia, Madagascar, Ukraine, Belarus, Kazahkstan, Nepal and Kyrgystan, which are tied at 38 percent.

Earlier this year, the Philippines figured in the group of countries deemed "happy" in a separate global survey dubbed the "Happy Planet Index."

The country ranked 25th in the latest Happy Planet list, dropping from being 14th in 2009, with an index score of 52.4.

Meanwhile, official government measure of happiness was pegged at 66.2 index points in 2010, down from 67.24 in 2008.

Pinoys are happiest in the areas of education, love life, friends, family and work, data from the National Statistical Coordination Board showed.

However, Filipinos think that the "most important" sources of happiness are family, health, religion or spiritual work, work as well as peace and security.

...the property driver in 2013

BPO to drive property market in 2013 - CBRE

 

 

ABS-CBNnews.com

11/20/2012

 

 

"The Philippines is one of the most cost effective outsourcing destinations in Asia ... Manila is now a strategic location for multinational companies and banks as it supports and runs the world's businesses out of the Philippines." - Rick Santos, CBRE Chairman and Founder

 

 

 

MANILA, Philippines - The country's real estate industry will remain strong next year, driven by demand for commercial space, particularly from the business process outsourcing sector, CBRE Philippines said.

 

 

BPO Offices development at One McKinley Hill, Bonifacio Global City

 

"We are now experiencing the best real estate market in the last 20 years. It took two decades to get the stars aligned, but now, we're looking at sustained growth and success," Rick Santos, CBRE Chairman and Founder, said in the statement.

"The Philippines is one of the most cost effective outsourcing destinations in Asia ... Manila is now a strategic location for multinational companies and banks as it supports and runs the world's businesses out of the Philippines," he added.

The BPO sector is expected to rake in as much as $25 billion in revenues by 2016, the BPO Association of the Philippines (BPAP) has said.

Aside from the demand from the outsourcing industry, Santos said demand for residential units will help drive the performance of the country's property market.

Moreover, the gaming industry and expected influx of tourists are foreseen to buoy demand for luxury and leisure properties, he added.

...the tribute of Bob Arum

Arum pays tribute to Filipino boxers

 

 

Filipino Boxers

November 19, 2012

By: Bert Eljera

Examiner.com

 

 

 

 

Bob Arum and his prized boxers, Manny Pacquiao, seated left, and Juan Manuel Marquez, at podium. The two fight again on Dec. 8 in Las Vegas. Credits: Getty Images

          

"So they're becoming one of the most important countries for boxing in the entire world..." - Bob Arum, Top Rank


Bob Arum of Top Rank, considered the world's top boxing promoter, has praised the Philippines as the leading producer of the best boxers in the world today.

"So they're becoming one of the most important countries for boxing in the entire world," Arum said, commenting on a forthcoming bout featuring Filipino Manny Pacquiao and Mexican Juan Manuel Marquez.

On the same fight card of Pacquiao-Marquez IV on Dec. 8 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas are two other rising Filipino boxers - Michael Farenas and Mercito Gesta.

Farenas, who has won seven of his last eight bouts, will go up against former featherweight champion Yuriorkis Gamboa (21-0, 16 knockouts).

The 28-year old Farenas, a southpaw, and two years younger than Gamboa, has 34 wins, 26 by knockouts, three draws and four loses.

Gesta, an undefeated southpaw, fights Miguel Vazquez of Mexico, the lightweight titleholder.
The lineup also includes a clash of unbeaten featherweights Javier Fortuna and Patrick Hyland.

"It's going to be a great night for the Filipino boxing fans, not only with Pacquiao, but now, with Gesta and Farenas," Arum told Ringtv.com.

Arum's praise for Filipino boxers is self-congratulatory, in a sense. His other Filipino boxer, Filipino-American junior featherweight champion Nonito Donaire, is making an HBO-televised Dec. 15 defense against Jorge Arce.

He has been successful in promoting Filipino and Filipino-American boxers and is a familiar figure in Manila and among Filipino newsmen and boxing fans.

The Pacquiao-Marquez Dec. 8 fight is the fourth encounter between the two boxers.

In November, Pacquiao (54-4-2, 38 KOs) won an unpopular and disputed majority decision over Marquez (54-6-1, 39 KOs).

They also have fought to a draw and Pacquiao a won a split-decision over Marquez that Marquez' camp claimed they have won. All fights have been close and could have gone either way.

It will be Pacquiao's first bout since losing a controversial split-decision to Tim Bradley to lose his WBO welterweight crown in June.

...the improved PH key debt ratio

Risk perception of financial community on PH improving

Moody’s expects key debt ratio to fall below 50%

By Michelle V. Remo
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Monday, November 19th, 2012

Moody’s Investors Services has projected that the Philippines’ key debt ratio this year will fall below the 50-percent threshold, from a peak of 74.4 percent eight years ago, due to efforts to shore up revenue collection and reduce liabilities.

The credit watchdog also took note of the improving risk perception of the international financial community on the Philippines as a result of improving credit indicators.

The debt-to-GDP ratio—the proportion of the national government’s outstanding debts to the country’s gross domestic product—is a closely watched indicator of a country’s creditworthiness.

Based on international standards, a ratio of a maximum of 50 percent is considered “manageable.”

“Prudent fiscal management has combined with the solid performance of the balance of payments and economic growth to result in the steady improvement in key debt ratios [including the debt-to-GDP ratio],” Christian de Guzman, vice president and senior analyst for the sovereign risk group at Moody’s, said in a statement issued by Moody’s Monday.

As the country’s debt burden declines, Moody’s said, the government enjoys warm reception of the international market for the bonds that it sells.

For instance, Moody’s said, the $750 million in global bonds sold by the Philippine government this month indicated the significant appetite that investors have for instruments from the country.

The proceeds of the sale were used to partly finance the buyback of nearly $1.5 billion in outstanding debt paper.

Moody’s recognized the prudence of the buyback program, saying it helped the government trim its interest liabilities (given that the interest rate on the freshly issued bonds is lower than the rates of bonds repurchased) and extended the average maturity of its total debt (given that the freshly issued bonds have a longer maturity).

“The Philippines is exploiting favorable financing conditions to accelerate its ongoing debt liability management program,” De Guzman said.

Just this month, Moody’s raised the credit rating for the Philippines from Ba2 to Ba1, or from two notches to just one notch below investment grade.

Government officials hope the country will be given an investment grade by next year.

Meantime, Moody’s Analytics, a research firm and a sister company of the credit watchdog, said in a separate statement that it expects the Philippines to post a GDP growth of 5.2 percent for 2012 from 3.7 percent last year.

The government’s official growth target for this year is between 5 and 6 percent.

A 5.2-percent growth for the full year, however, indicates a slowdown in the second half from the 6.1-percent growth registered in the first semester.

“The Philippines’ economy likely decelerated mildly in the third quarter from the second quarter’s 5.9-percent year-on-year growth pace. This will keep 2012 growth above potential at 5.2 percent,” Moody’s Analytics said.

The projected slowdown on a quarter-on-quarter basis is due to adverse effects of bad weather on agricultural output, it said.

Meantime, the projection of a faster GDP growth for this year compared with last year is attributed to higher government spending, sustained rise in household consumption, and increased investments by domestic firms.

...the Metro air quality

Metro Manila air getting cleaner, DENR claims

By Kim Arveen Patria

Yahoo! Southeast Asia Newsroom

 20 November 2012



A view of EDSA during the rush hour. (Photo courtesy of Yen Baet)

 

Can you feel fresher air in Metro Manila?

Well, that could be because pollution in the country's capital region has been dropping since the start of the year, the Environment department claimed in a statement.

"We are happy to note that there has been a marked and steady decrease in the levels of both TSP and PM10 for the first three quarters of 2012," Environment Secretary Ramon Paje said.

Total suspended particulates (TSP), or the amount of solid pollutants such as dust and soot in the air, decreased by 21 percent to 106µg/Ncm at the end of the third quarter, Paje said.

The more harmful PM10, meanwhile, which refers to particulate matter 10 microns in diameter or smaller which can penetrate the lungs when inhaled, dropped by 18 percent to 77µg/Ncm by the end of September.

"This is definitely indicative of the successful collaboration with our partners in the government and private sectors..." Paje said

He particularly cited the Department of Transportation and Communications, Metropolitan Manila Development Authority, local government units, Philippine Medical Association and the media.

Strengthened monitoring and law enforcement as well as an intensified information drive also contributed greatly to Metro Manila's improved air quality, Paje noted.

This, even as he bared efforts to further bring down the level Metro Manila air pollution.

These include the formation of composite anti-smoke belching in all cities and municipalities in the region, manned by DENR and local government representatives.

The Environment chief meanwhile urged greater public participation in the government's air improvement program by having their vehicles regularly checked up and emissions tested.

Filipinos may also plant trees and other plants in their homes or gardens to help in the absorption of gases such as carbon monoxide, Paje noted

...the OFWs in Qatar

Challenges and rewards of Filipinos in Qatar

By Maricar CP Hampton
FilAm Star

Sunday, November 18th, 2012

Filipino construction workers in Qatar PHOTO/FILAM STAR

Slowly but surely, Filipinos in Qatar are making strong contributions to the country’s culture in the areas of arts, sports, fashion and design.

In the creative field, architect Adonis Canonicato has played an important role in the design of such outdoor structures like the Qatar Pavilions at the World Expo in Nagoya, Japan in 2005, as well as in Zaragoza, Spain in 2008. He also designed the Qatar Reception Lounge for World Petroleum Congress held in Madrid, Spain, in 2008.

Canonicato believes that the underlying strength of the overseas Filipino worker (OFW) lies in their ability to adjust to any work situation.

“It is mainly because we come from a country where we can find homeless and jobless people around us. So, having a job is considered to be a blessing. We are from a country which produces competitive professionals,” Canonicato said to the Qatar Tribune.

Based on published data, there are about 175,000 to 250,000 Filipinos living and working in Qatar with most of them into the hospitality, health care and construction industry.

Considered a small sized country within the Persian Gulf, this oil rich country houses the third largest gas reserve in world after Russia and Iran. And because Qatar has one of the best GDP per capita rates, which translates to a good pay rates, the country attracts many overseas workers.

For the millions of Filipino migrant workers, Qatar is the fourth-largest choice destination worldwide and the third-largest destination of choice in the Middle East after United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia.

Estimated to be the second largest group of foreign workers next only to the Indians, Filipinos in Qatar have about 44 community based organizations ranging from sports leagues to religious organizations and cultural groups that enjoy a high membership turn out.

Another Filipino who is making a buzz, this time in sports is Rhea Navarro, the players’ affairs supervisors at Qatar Basketball Federation (QBF) lends her more than a decade experience in sports to develop Qatar’s basketball league as she oversees the requirement for the national team in relation to Qatar’s participation in FIBA Asia Championships.

“Working in such a male-dominated field is never a problem for a tough cookie,” she tells the news source.

Confident of her position, Navarro explains, “Filipino workers are diligent and dedicated professionals who know their craft well. We love what we do and this makes for rendering an excellent job regardless of title or industry.”

While in the world of high fashion, Victoria Ferraris, a sales manager, social media blogger and fashion stylist who has initiated and popularized fashion related events in the country is among Qatar’s most well connected media person.

“As a Filipino I am proud to say that I am where I am now. I enjoy life. I love what I do and I embrace all other culture,” says Ferraris.

Meanwhile, serving the educational needs of the children of the Filipino community in Qatar is the establishment of the Philippine School in Doha (PSD).

“Guided by the dictum “Knowledge Begets Wisdom”, the Philippine School Doha envisions itself to be the center of academic excellence as the first Philippine Science School in the Middle East abreast with the dynamics and development of society, culture, Science and Technology and the Arts,” the website said.

After 8 years of striving for excellence with only 33 original students, PSD now boasts having 2696 currently enrolled students for the school year 2012-2013.

The birth of PSD was the result of the community’s action with support of the Philippine Embassy.

Dubbed as modern day heroes of the country, especially in light of the economic hardships, OFW’s worldwide through there billions of dollars in remittances have helped the country stay afloat all while excelling in their field.

...the journalist awardee in LA

Ruben Nepales wins two journalism awards in LA

INQUIRER.net

November 19, 2012

Ruben Nepales with his two awards from the National Entertainment Journalism Awards presented by the Los Angeles Press Club. Photo by JANET R. NEPALES

MANILA, Philippines—Philippine Daily Inquirer Hollywood columnist Ruben V. Nepales won two prizes in the 2012 National Entertainment Journalism Awards presented by the Los Angeles Press Club on Sunday.

Nepales won third prize in two categories: best column for his Philippine Daily Inquirer column, “Only In Hollywood,” and best book, Anvil Publishing Company’s “My Filipino Connection: The Philippines in Hollywood.”

“I am humbled and honored to win prizes in both categories I was a finalist in, especially since I was competing against writers from mostly mainstream, large American publications. To win third prize for best column in a tie with someone from a giant tinseltown paper like The Hollywood Reporter is an honor,” he said.

“I was especially inspired to write about Martin Scorsese in my PDI column titled, ‘Childhood Isolation Inspired His Passion,’ because it was moving and inspiring to hear him talk about how being an asthmatic child nurtured his passion for cinema,” said Nepales.

He said winning third prize for his first book, “My Filipino Connection: The Philippines in Hollywood,” is “especially sweet because it is, in a way, a recognition of my passion and commitment to spotlight the Filipino talent excelling in the world stage.”

“I share the prize with all the Filipino personalities I featured who gave interesting interviews, my PDI entertainment editor Emmie Velarde who also edited the book, Letty Jimenez Magsanoc and Prosy Delacruz for their blurbs and the good folks at Anvil.”

...the world's most eco-friendly resorts

 Bacolod resort among world's most 'eco-friendly'

By Kim Arveen Patria

Yahoo! Southeast Asia Newsroom

19 November 2012

A resort in Visayas has proven that it is possible to offer world-class tourism and accomodation services while remaining environment-friendly.

Nature's Village Resort in Bacolod has been named one of the world's top ten eco-friendly hotels this year by international booking website Agoda.

The hotel fetched four out of five stars in the website's ranking system, which is based on customer reviews.

It ranked highest among the 10 hotels in terms of food and dining and hotel cleanliness.

This is the second time Nature's Village Resort gained international attention.

The hotel was also given the "ASEAN Green Star Hotel Award" in 2010, along with other high-end hotels in the Philippines.

"Hotels that once considered 'eco-friendly' to mean a small environmental footprint and conservation of resources are now taking things a step further..." Agoda chief executive Robert Rosenstein was quoted in reports as saying.

This, as he noted that hotels are also increasingly "cleaning up trash, investing in best-practices, actually improving the sustainability of the communities that surround them."

Bagging five stars in the Agoda list are Six Senses Ninh Van Bay in Vietnam, URBN hotel in China, Philea Resort and Spa in Malaysia, The Tongsai Bay in Thailand, and The Park New Delhi Hotel in India.

Alto Hotel on Bourke in Australia, and Casa Camper in Spain on the other hand got four stars each.

Rounding out the list of 10 are Borneo Highlands Resort in Malaysia and the Bangkok Tree House in Thailand, which have three stars each.

...the investment haven

FEATURED VIDEO:

INVEST IN THE PHILIPPINES

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iSO7ButQPmg

http://youtu.be/iSO7ButQPmg
 

...the Hawaiian punch

Viloria stops Mexican in 10th round

Philippine Daily Inquirer

Monday, November 19th, 2012

KNOCKDOWN The Philippines’ Brian Viloria sends Hernan “Tyson” Marquez of Mexico to the floor to unify the WBO and WBA flyweight titles at the Los Angeles Sports Arena. PHOTO CONTRIBUTED BY DONG SECUYA/PHILBOXING.COM

LOS ANGELES—Brian Viloria continued his climb to boxing greatness with a 10th round stoppage of tough Hernan “Tyson” Marquez on Saturday night to unify the World Boxing Organization (WBO) and World Boxing Association (WBA) flyweight titles at the Los Angeles Sports Arena.

Showcasing his masterly counterpunching, Viloria floored Marquez for the third and last time with a thunderous left hook to the jaw while the Mexican was on the attack early in the 10th.

The WBA king managed to beat the count and referee David Mendoza signaled the fight to continue, but after Viloria unloaded more shots, Marquez’s trainer, Robert Garcia, threw in the towel with a minute and a second to go in the round.

Living up to his “Hawaiian Punch” moniker, Viloria improved his record to 32 wins, 19 by knockouts, against three losses and boosted his stock as an elite fighter in the mold of compatriots Manny Pacquiao and Nonito Donaire Jr.

It was the third successful WBO title defense for Viloria, a former World Boxing Council (WBC) and International Boxing Federation (IBF) world light flyweight champ, since snatching the crown from Julio Cesar Miranda last year. Viloria, who’s turning 32 on Nov. 24, also thwarted the challenge of Giovani Segura and then exacted revenge over Omar Niño Romero.

Though perceived to be the heavier puncher, Marquez also hit the canvas in the first and fifth rounds and dropped to 34-3 with 25 knockouts. His two other defeats came against Donaire and another Filipino, Richie Mepranum in 2010.

As predicted, it was war between two gladiators from the opening bell, with Marquez gamely trading punches before getting floored with a sneaky right hook near the end of the first round. Marquez got up and was saved by the bell from further punishment.

Snappy punches

His confidence boosted, Viloria dictated the tempo from the second to the fourth rounds with snappy punches that came in bunches.

In the fifth, Marquez landed a 1-2 combination that rocked Viloria. The Sinaloan native then swarmed all over Viloria, who covered up to clear his head before the pride of Waipahu, Hawaii, then uncorked a combination to stop Marquez’s onslaught.

Having recovered his bearings, Viloria landed three punches, capped by a right straight that floored Marquez for the second time.

The 24-year-old Marquez again beat the count, but started to fight cautiously from the sixth to the ninth rounds, where Viloria, who seems to be tiring, kept him at bay with stiff jabs.

Knowing that he’s lagging behind in the scorecards, Marquez came out firing shots with both hands in the tenth and landed some punches before taking the decisive left hook that left him as Viloria’s 18th Mexican victim in an impressive career.

Apology

“I knew it (victory) looked bad but I wasn’t hurt, Viloria told Agence France-Presse. “I knew he was going to get tired. I think my left hook was too fast for him.”

Marquez later apologized in Spanish to his supporters via Twitter. Offering no excuses, Marquez said he tried to complicate matters, but neglected his defense in the process. The Mexican added it was “just a bad night” and his ring career “does not end here.”

In the undercard, Filipino prospect Drian Francisco also made a strong impression in his United States ring debut by stopping Mexican Javier Gallo in the fifth round.

The 30-year-old Francisco, pride of Sablayan, Occidental Mindoro, tagged Gallo with an uppercut and a right straight, then followed it up with head and body shots that forced the referee to waive off the bout at the 2:54 mark.

Francisco, who trained under former Wild Card trainer Justine Fortune, climbed to 24-1-1 with 19 knockouts. Gallo fell to 18-6 with 10 knockouts.

Before the bout, Viloria expressed his wish for an impressive victory to entice the major US networks—HBO and Showtime, to telecast his fights next year. He may just get that wish now.

Filipino trainer Marvin Somodio, who supervised Viloria’s training at Freddie Roach’s Wild Card Gym in Hollywood, worked Viloria’s corner. AFP with a report from Roy Luarca

...the London's fav celebrity food spot

Pinoy resto is a fav celebrity food spot in London

 

Tha Good Life

By John Paul 'JP' Tanchanco

Posted at 11/18/2012

LONDON - A Pinoy restaurant named Josephine's has been a favorite hot spot by Londoners and Pinoy celebrities.

I was invited by the Ponientes who are owners of this awesome resto to visit them for dinner.

Josephine's

Josephine's Restaurant http://josephinesrestaurant.co.uk/ is named after one of the owners, Josephine Poniente.

"The Resto was started in 1996 by my parents Josie and Eddie ... Pinoy food was all my mom knew how to cook and many of the Brits were very curious to try our homegrown recipes.... So they decided to open a Pinoy Resto here in London in 19996."

Josephine's has since then become a popular hot spot for great Pinoy and Asian food for 17 years.

Popular among non-Pinoys

I was surprised to see that the place was filled by non-Pinoys. In fact, me and my family were the only Pinoy customers in the joint. The place--being cleverly located in the restaurant row area of Charlotte St. that's stone throw away from Tottenham Court Road, Oxford St. and West End--has made this place a very popular destination for theater-goers, British foodies and tourists.

But the main reason why the place is so successful for Londoners is their brand of Pinoy Asian food that's tweaked to satisfy the global palate.

"80% of our customers are not Pinoy...I regularly ask my non-Pinoy customers what they want and ask them how they would like the taste. Then binabasa ko iba-ibang libro ng different Asian cuisine and in-aadjust ko," says Chef Josie.

An Awesome Dinner

Chef Josie and her son hosted me and my family to an awesome night of great conversation and delicious Pinoy food.

We were presented by Josie and her son Edward with a sumptuous array of Pinoy delicacies such as vegetarian kare-kare, crispy pata, Bicol express, lechon kawali, ginataang isda and many more.

I really enjoyed their lechon kawali that tasted like the Hongkong-style crunchy roast pork but served with their own version of Mang Tomas.

Their version of ginataang isda was also awesome. It had the feel of Thai coconut milk curry in it.

Celebrity Hot Spot

Josephine's has also been frequented by local and foreign celebrities.

Inside their resto, you'll see a photo wall of the numerous celebs who have visited the place such as Apl de Ap, Ricky Gervais, the British star of the TV Series "The Office," pop star Charice, Manny Pacquiao, Freddie Roach, Bob Arum, Sharon Cuneta, London's West End Star Pinky Amador, Charo Santos-Concio, Vice President Binay, and many others.

Jospehine's is indeed an establishment that many Pinoys and non-Pinoys would be proud of. So, anytime you're in London, visit Josephine's for a superb Pinoy dining experience!

Josephine’s Restaurant is located at Charlotte Street, Central London; A Media and Tourist District and a stone's throw away from Tottenham Court Road and Oxford Street.

-------------

About the writer:

John Paul C.Tanchanco is a travel, food, party, film and music aficionado. He is also an economist, businessman, myx/awit awardwinning media producer and Kala guitarist.

 

...the PH renewable energy center

Sunny Ilocos town to feed Luzon grid with solar power

By Cristina Arzadon
Inquirer Northern Luzon

Sunday, November 18th, 2012

 

CURRIMAO, Ilocos Norte—A solar power farm that will feed the Luzon grid has broken ground in the sunniest corner of this province—the fishing and farming village of Paguludan.

Facing the West Philippine Sea, Paguludan is best known for its beaches. In 2010 the Philippine Tour Operators Association (Philtoa) declared the town one of the emerging tourist destinations in the country.

Ground breaking ceremony of the 20 megawatt solar power plant in Barangy Paguludan, Currimao, Ilocos Norte
Nov. 15, 2012 (Photo grab from Facebook of Gov. Imee Marcos)

The Currimao solar power farm is one of two projects that the Department of Energy (DOE) has approved for Ilocos Norte.

In the pipeline is the 50-megawatt solar power project of Energy Logics Philippines Inc. in the towns of Pasuquin and Burgos.

On Thursday the Korean power company Mirae Asia Energy Corp. (MAEC) and the Ilocos Norte government broke ground to signal the start of the construction of the 20-MW Currimao solar farm on a 60-hectare property here.

The area is within the 150-kilometer stretch of sand dunes in Barangay Paguludan.

With vast open expanses that border on Currimao Bay, the village is a suitable location for a solar power farm.

Albert Sacramed, Paguludan village chief, said life was bound to change for farming and fishing families in his community with the development of the solar power farm.

“We are assured of jobs during the construction period and, [we hope], more reliable and cheaper power for us,” Sacramed said.

The solar power farm is expected to be completed in May 2014, with an initial output of 10 MW in the first phase.

Formerly barren

Currimao Mayor Gladys Go-Cue said the site was formerly covered by a lease agreement between her family and the provincial environment and natural resources office (Penro) for a tree farm that was developed by her father, the late Mayor Ernesto Go, in the 1990s.

“This area used to be a desert. My father began filling it, improved the dirt roads and planted trees during his time as mayor. I feel like he prepared this site for the solar farm,” Cue said.

A portion of the property is now covered with fully grown trees, a requirement for the solar park in addition to abundant sunlight.

Cue’s family also wanted the area to be developed into a resort, but gave up on the development because of inability to meet the investment requirement.

Groundwork for the solar power farm began last year when Gov. Imee Marcos signed an agreement with Korean investor Jongson Bae, MAEC president, for the development of the project.

Marcos said Currimao, with an extended dry season of up to nine months, was the best choice for the project.

“With the solar park, we will establish our claim as the renewable energy center of the country after the wind farm in Bangui and the hydropower source in the towns of Pagudpud and Adams,” Marcos said.

Windmills of Ilocos

Ilocos Norte’s windmills remain the poster image of the Philippines’ renewable energy program, the country’s response to climate change.

Bangui Windmills

When the solar power farm begins operating, Marcos said, Ilocos Norte will generate 50 percent of its power requirement from clean energy and attract investment.

“It will power up industries in the Currimao port, the best area for passenger and cargo [shipping] in Luzon,” Marcos said.

Marcos said the Paguludan community and outlying villages would benefit from jobs that would be generated by the project.