...the Chinese best tourist destinations

China dubs PHL, 5 others as 'Best Tourist Destinations'

 

 

GMA News

January 12, 2013

Chinese tourists voted Philippines among the "Best Tourist Destination" in a survey sponsored by a top daily newspaper in Shanghai City.

 

 

In a survey conducted by “Oriental Morning Post”, Philippines won together with Ireland, Finland, Singapore, Korea and Dubai in the United Arab Emirates.
 

Consul General Charles C. Jose accepted the award for the country in a ceremony held at a luxury hotel in Shanghai on Jan. 9.

 

 

Tourism Attaché Gerard Panga, and Philippine Tourism Office in Shanghai's Neil Ballesteros accompanied Jose during the event.
 

"The award supports the consumers' renewed confidence in the Philippines, which remains to be a popular and sought-after destination among Chinese tourists," according to a statement posted at the Philippine Information Agency website.

 

From 2011 to 2012, the number of Chinese visitors from the Philippines grew at least 5.36 percent, based on the Department of Tourism data.

 

 

At least 233,174 tourists from China came to the country from January to November 2012, the data also shows.

 

 

Airphil Express, a subsidiary airline of the flag carrier Philippine Airlines, reactivated its Shanghai-Kalibo charters on November 2012, according to a government statement.

 

 

Zest Air followed suit on Jan. 10, 2013. Cebu Pacific, on the other hand, launched its maiden chartered flight on January 11.

 

 

"Other chartered flights will be opened in time for the Chinese New Year holidays covering several routes: Beijing-Kalibo (Jan. 15), Hangzhou-Kalibo (Jan. 17), Guangzhou-Cebu (January 17), Chengdu-Kalibo (Feb. 5), and Shanghai-Cebu (Feb. 8)," according to the statement.
 

"By the second and third quarters of 2013 (summer season, and Chinese National Day holiday), chartered flights out of Wenzhou, Hangzhou, Nanjing, Wuhan, Chongqing and Xiamen will also be opened," it also added.

 

 

The relationship of the two countries, China and the Philippines went sour in 2012 as both claimed the Panatag Shoal or Scarborough Shoal as part of their territory. – Shaira F. Panela / KDM, GMA News

...the best researcher in Malaysia conference

Pinoy cited for best research paper in Malaysia conference

 

GIAN C. GERONIMO,

GMA News

January 12, 2013

 

 

 

A Filipino recently won one of the top awards in a communication conference in Malaysia for his work on the impact of information and communications technology (ICT) on the rural youth.

According to an article of the Philippine Information Agency, the study done by Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice) communication research Jaime Manalo IV won the Best Qualitative Conference Paper Award at the 2012 International Conference on Communication and Media (i-COME) in Penang, Malaysia.

Manalo’s winning study was entitled “Beyond Facebook: The undocumented experiences on ICTs of young rural Filipinos” and tackled notions of the ICT proficiency of the Filipino youth.

Jaime was an Australian Leadership Awards scholar from the Philippines who graduated from the University of Queensland, where he took his master’s degree, in 2011.

Centre for Communication and Social Change at the University of Queensland in Australia co-director and Associate Professor Elske van de Fliert, co-authored the paper with Manalo.

According to Manalo, the experiences of Filipino youth in rural areas are different compared to their urban counterparts, and that portrayals of Filipino youth in the media as tech-savvy need to have a second look.

“Issues of the rural youth in the Philippines can easily be glossed over if the attention is fixated on the experiences of their urban counterparts,” Manalo pointed out.

He also highlighted the need for the country’s solons to prioritize “needed ICT infrastructure” to guide the youth and eventually help the country in various areas, among them agriculture.

“Policymakers should pin their attention on providing the needed ICT infrastructure, and a conducive environment for the students to learn how to use ICTs,” Manalo said.

According to the PIA article, i-COME ’12 “aimed to address communication and media issues such as challenges in the socio-economic and political agenda, cultural integration, and social reengineering” and that around 120 people from 25 countries participated in the conference.

No stranger to research field

Manalo is no stranger to success in the field of research.

In April 2012, Manalo’s study, ‘Really, they don’t want to farm? Challenging existing orthodoxies on youth perceptions on rice farming in the Philippines,’ emerged as the best paper in the Technology Extension, Dissemination, and Education category of the annual Crop Science Society of the Philippines (CSSP) conference.

This study by Manalo once more urged people to take another look at existing notions, this time the assumption that young Filipinos no longer want to farm and instead look for other avenues related to the process.

“The belief that the younger generation is not interested in farming has resulted in almost zero efforts to engage the youth on rice farming and fears that Philippines might encounter a scarcity of future food producers” said Jaime.

“The fear that the youth will abandon farming someday might easily happen if we do not engage them. The paper calls for the public, private and non-governmental sectors to invest on initiatives that will indirectly involve the educated youth in rice farming,” he also said.

The study was also co-authored with Elske van de Fliert. - VVP, GMA News

...the Crystal Clear

Philippine water brand hits Africa

Philippine Daily Inquirer

Saturday, January 12th, 2013

 

 

While water is scarce in many regions around the world, it is refreshing to note that Filipino purified water brand Crystal Clear, one of the more popular bottled drinking water brands in the Philippines, is now serving the water-challenged African region, starting with a thriving market such as Sierra Leone.

The brand now operates a water station there, thanks to a joint venture between local firm Peninsular Innovative Group and Solerex Water Technologies Inc., the company that operates Crystal Clear.

 

Together, they created Solerex Peninsular Ventures (SPV), and the first Crystal Clear water station in the West African region, located at Kissy Road along the eastern end of Freetown, was born.

The company will provide water supply, treatment, desalination, and storage solutions for both commercial and industrial projects in Freetown, Sierra Leone’s capital city, acknowledged as the country’s urban, economic, financial, cultural, educational and political hub.

Jose Antonio “Che” Soler, President and Chief Executive Officer of Solerex Water Technologies Inc., says it succinctly: “We are proud to be in Sierra Leone, a first for a Filipino company, and a water firm at that. We all know that many African countries lack potable drinking water, which is really bad since they have a very hot climate and also contributes to the prevalence of many ailments. With this new venture, we hope to be able to provide Africans, at least in Sierra Leone, access to safe and quality drinking water.”

Soler says they are here to help the people of Sierra Leone in terms of providing them water that is safe for their families to protect them from water scarcity-related diseases.

Peninsular Innovative Group CEO Yakama Jones expresses delight that now, more Sierra Leonians will have readily available water that is not only pure and safe to drink but also affordable. “We are happy that Solerex partnered with us in our objective of eradicating water-borne diseases and bring to our country cleaner water and thus save more lives.”

She adds that Solerex’s advanced water treatment technology enables them to treat water collected from rain, wells, streams and other potential water sources and make it more potable and safe to drink. This comprehensive and world-class water filtration process includes mechanical pre-filtration, multimedia filtration, activate carbon, water softener, 5-, 10- and 20-micro cartridge depth filtration, reverse osmosis membrane hyper-filtration, ozonation and post-carbon activated filtration.

Solerex is no stranger to the water purification business, having been involved in it for more than 25 years already and an established presence in major countries in Asia, including Indonesia and Malaysia and of course, the Philippines.

Their leading brand of purified drinking water, Crystal Clear, which surpasses US-Grade Quality standards of water with their state-of-the-art Reverse Osmosis SLX Systems that eliminate inorganic minerals and chemicals, is now found in most homes and offices nationwide.

...the NYT's Places to Go in 2013

PH listed in NY Times’ ‘Places to Go in 2013’

 

ABS-CBNnews.com

01/12/2013

 

 

MANILA – Its white sand beaches and pristine reefs have made the Philippines one of the top tourist destinations for 2013.

 

In an article in the New York Times, the Philippines is ranked No. 17 among the “46 Places to Go in 2013.”

El Nido, Palawan

“Idyllic white sand beaches, secluded, little-known surf towns, and pristine reefs are among the natural draws of this country made up of over 7,000 tropical islands,” New York Times travel writer Ondine Cohane said.

Cohane said the Philippines has much more to offer aside from Boracay.

Among the must see destinations, she said, are the Dedon Island resort on Siargao and the private island resort of El Nido in Palawan.

“Although the Philippines has been subject to travel advisories in the past, they mostly focus on Mindanao in the south. For extra security, outfitters like Asian expert Remote Lands organize private transfers and local guides,” said Cohane.

At the top of New York Times’ ‘Places to Go in 2013’ list is Brazil's Rio de Janeiro, followed by France's Marseille and Nicaragua.

...the Southeast Asia's tropical wonderlands

Siargao Isle Making Waves Worldwide

Manila Bulletin 

 Fri, Jan 11, 2013

 

A snapshot of one of the tourist destinations in Siargao. (Photo from AmazingSiargao.com)

DAPA, Siargao Island, Surigao del Norte - The famous ''Paradise Island'' of Siargao, the Philippines' surfing capital, was recently cited as one of Southeast Asia's top tropical wonderlands by Travel + Leisure Southeast Asia.

The prestigious magazine with its corporate headquarters in Hong Kong has included Siargao in its list of ''8 Ultimate Islands.''

Similarly, Siargao has been named as the eighth best surf spot in the world by CNNGo, the travel website of the Cable News Network.

The global media network based its ranking from the list of the world's 50 best surf spots compiled by Jade Bremmer, an avid surfer who has surfed many surfing locations in the world.

Siargao is also included in the ''Destinations to watch in 2013'' by Condè Nast Traveller, a well known travel magazine based in the United Kingdom. Particularly mentioned is Dedon Island in Siargao, a high-end resort operated and owned by contemporary world-class furniture brand Dedon.

All these recognitions have further encouraged officials of this northeastern-tip province of Mindanao to boost their effort in putting more state-of-the-art infrastructure to be able to meet the needs of tourists, both foreign and domestic.

Siargao Island, faces the Pacific Ocean and the Philippine Deep, the second deepest water in the world

Surigao del Norte Rep. Francisco T. Matugas (1st District), Rep. Guillermo A. Romarate, Jr., Gov. Sol F. Matugas, and the island's nine municipal mayors with their respective legislators and village officials have agreed to unify their approaches in developing the province's tourism destinations.

Mayor Peter ''Boy'' Ruaya of Dapa, the jumping-board town leading to the different destinations in the island, has taken moves to boost tourism infrastructure and transport.

As a result, the Department of Tourism (DOT-13) is expecting more than the usual increase in foreign tourist arrivals on Siargao Island and the rest of Caraga Region in the months and years to come.

''We have really noted the increase in arrivals of tourists from all corners of the globe, and that's why we are also increasing our tourist structures and other needs including tourist guides,'' said Region XIII DTI Regional Director Leticia DC. Tan.

...the PH economic freedom ranking

Economic freedom: Phl up 10 places to 97th

 

By Jose Katigbak

The Philippine Star

January 11, 2013

 

 

 

 

 

WASHINGTON – Notable improvements in investment freedom and freedom from corruption boosted the ranking of the Philippines in the 2013 Index of World Economic Freedom.

Among 177 countries tracked, the Philippines ranked in 97th place from 107th previously and its score of 58.2 points was 1.1 points higher than last year.

“Weathering the ongoing global economic slowdown with a high degree of resilience, the Philippine economy has been on a steady path of economic expansion, growing at an average annual rate above 4.5 percent over the past five years,” said a report released with the index on Wednesday.

Since 1995, the Washington-based Heritage Foundation, in partnership with The Wall Street Journal, has tracked the march of economic freedom around the world with the Index of Economic Freedom.

The report said notable improvements in investment freedom and freedom from corruption outweighed a decline in business freedom and the Philippines ranked 17th out of 41 countries in the Asia-Pacific region.

The Aquino administration has pursued a series of legislative reforms to enhance the entrepreneurial environment and develop a stronger private sector to generate broader-based job growth, it said.

Nevertheless, institutional challenges require deeper commitment to reform.

 

The report said although the perceived level of corruption has declined in recent years, more effective anti-corruption measures needed to be institutionalized.

...the best export performer in Asia

Neda: PH export performance best in Asia

But rebound in shipments said to be uncertain

By Riza T. Olchondra
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Thursday, January 10th, 2013

Shipping containers of Philippine products for export sit stacked along the docks of the international container port in Manila on Sept. 11, 2012. Philippine merchandise exports topped those of other Asian countries in the first 11 months of 2012, the National Economic and Development Authority said Thursday, Jan. 10, 2013. AFP PHOTO/JAY DIRECTO

Philippine merchandise exports topped those of other Asian countries in the first 11 months of 2012, the National Economic and Development Authority (Neda) said Thursday.

But private economists believe a strong rebound in outbound shipments may still be a long way off.

Merchandise exports earnings in November grew 5.5 percent to $3.551 billion, from the $3.366 billion seen the previous year. This brought year-to-date exports to $48.026 billion—7 percent up from the $44.898 billion recorded in the same period of 2011, the National Statistics Office said.

The growth was due to higher value in shipments of such commodities as metal components, woodcraft and furniture, electronic products, cathodes, refined copper and ignition wiring sets, and other parts used in manufacturing vehicles, aircraft and ships.

On a monthly basis, exports contracted by 19.4 percent from the $4.408 billion posted in October 2012.

“I expect similar (growth) trends in December, but I think a complete rebound isn’t forthcoming because the [economies of] US and Europe have not recovered,” Cid L. Terosa of the University of Asia and the Pacific said via text message.

For Benjamin E. Diokno of the UP School of Economics, the growth in November exports was “lackluster.”

Diokno said the outlook for Philippine exports continues to be “gloomy” due to three factors: a world economy that remains weak, an appreciating peso, and heavy reliance on electronic products.

“Exports of electronic products contracted by 5.19 year-to-date. This problem could be both transitory and structural. A strong recovery in December is unlikely,” Diokno said via e-mail.

Electronics accounted for 48.8 percent of total exports revenue last November, earning $1.734 billion—13.3 percent up from the $1.523 billion reported a year ago. Semiconductors was the top earner in the electronics sector with $1.402 billion in receipts—a 15.5-percent growth from the $1.213 billion seen in November 2011. But on a monthly basis, electronic products, as well as semiconductors, dropped 8.8 percent and 10.4 percent, respectively.

The next-best performers were woodcraft and furniture ($271.32 million, 56 percent up from $173.9 million), apparel and clothing accessories ($113.7 million, 13.1 percent down from $130.76 million), and electrical wiring harness for motor vehicles ($109.7 million, 6.2 percent up from $103.31 million).

Metal components excluding brakes grew the fastest among the country’s top exports with shipments worth $129.05 million—163.5 percent up from $48.97 million.

Receipts from the top 10 exports reached $2.557 billion, accounting for 72 percent of the total.

Japan was the top destination of Philippine exports accounting for 20.8-percent share of the total with receipts worth $740.21 million.

The United States followed with $458.37 million in receipts, while Hong Kong received shipments worth $373.81 million.

...the FIBA Asia host

Philippines to host 27th FIBA Asia Championships

 

ABS-CBNnews.com

01/10/2013

 

 

MANILA, Philippines – The Philippines will host the 27th FIBA Asia Championships, which will serve as the qualifying event for the 2014 FIBA World Cup in Spain.

 

The FIBA Asia Executive Committee has decided to grant the Philippines the hosting rights given the current situation in Lebanon, where the event was originally slated.

“Unfortunately, the current situation in the region and the on-going civil war in Syria, which has its indirect effect on the countries in the whole of West Asia, especially on Lebanon, creates doubts about the stability that we might not have, at least, till the fixed dates of our event,” said FIBA Asia Secretary General Hagop Khajirian in the world basketball body’s website.

The FIBA Asia Championship is scheduled to take place on August 1 to 11.

The Philippines had been one of the bidders at the FIBA Asia Executive Committee meeting last September, where it was initially decided to award the hosting rights to Lebanon.

“We are honored to host this prestigious event,” said Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) Executive Director Renauld “Sonny” Barrios.

“We thank FIBA Asia, in particular Secretary General Hagop Khajirian, for giving us this privilege, which will give great happiness and enjoyment to the millions of Filipino basket ball fans,” he added.

The last time the country hosted such a big basketball event was when Manila hosted the 1973 edition of the FIBNA Asia Championship

...the Asia-Pacific Banker of the Year

Tetangco named Asia-Pac central banker of the year

 

ABS-CBNnews.com

01/10/2013

 

 

MANILA, Philippines - Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Governor Amando M. Tetangco Jr. has been named as the best central banker for the Asia-Pacific region in 2012.

 

The Banker, a publication of The Financial Times group, chose Tetangco as its Central Banker of the Year for Asia-Pacific.

"The Philippine economy has performed strongly in the past year and its growth in the third quarter of 2012 was the second highest in Asia after China. Ratings upgrades in the past year have put the Philippines just one notch away from investment grade - the level of Indonesia - which the country now has its sights now. The sound monetary policy of the BSP and its Governor Amando Tetangco have contributed to these improvements that have recently pushed the Philippines into the spotlight," The Banker said.

The Banker's awards cite officials who have succeeded in steering their countries through economic difficulties last year.

Turkey's central bank governor Erdem Basci was named Global Central Banker of the Year. Other winners include Bank of Canada Governor Mark Carney for the Americas, Banco Nacional de Angola Governor Jose Massano for Africa, and Saudi Arabian Monetary Agency Governor Fahad Al-Mubarak for the Middle East.

This is the third time Tetangco has been named among the world's best central bankers in the last few months. Global Finance Magazine gave the BSP chief an "A" rating, while international financial magazine Emerging Markets of the Euromoney Group named him as 2012 Emerging Markets Central Bank Governor of the Year for Asia.

...the Pinoy artist in Indian fest

Pinoy artist lauded for 'brilliant performance' at Indian theater festival

 

 

By Cristina DC Pastor,

The FilAm

January 10, 2013

 

 

In the morning of November 27th, Kilusan Bautista was en route to India to perform at the annual Sahabhaga theater festival.

Several days later, reports of a New Delhi woman being gang-raped gripped the country, casting his travel into a communal reflection about the society’s values on gender, masculinity and respect for personal space.

“I was in Bangalore when I heard about it,” the performance artist from Brooklyn tried to recall the day he got wind of the news that a young Indian woman was raped in a moving bus by five Indian men.

In Bangalore, the news had only a ripple effect because a similar incident had occurred in the ‘call center capital’ and residents were still grieving the death of the local woman, said Kilusan.

The Filipino New Yorker who gave a wildly-applauded performance (“I got a standing ovation”) found himself thrown from exhilaration to reserved calm as Indian society undergoes a wrenching period of self-introspection.

One of the theater companies that performed at the Sahabhaga: Festival of Participatory Performance used a classic Indian folk tale to dramatize the shifting ideas of masculinity in Indian society and raise awareness about the status of Indian women.

“They represented the values of respect for women and challenged the concept of masculinity that (essentially) led to the gang rape,” said Kilusan in an interview with The FilAm. “They were also challenging the idea of women being second-class citizens in their country. It was very interesting.”

While Kilusan’s performance as “Universal Self” dwelt on issues of his dual identity as both Filipino and American, he said the audience at the Srishti School of Art, Design & Technology could identify with his message. His themes — no-to-drugs, love of art, generational divide – are universal.

“One of the themes involved myself as an Americanized Filipino going back to the Philippines for the first time, and there’s a lot of people who can relate to that, coming home to India and not being able to speak their native language,” he said. “For me, that really hit home.”

Some college students would approach Kilusan and talk to him about their conflicted relationship with their elders. One student spoke about his father’s problem with substance abuse.

“There’s a lot of sharing,” he said of typical audience reaction. “It became a moment to reflect and connect with other individuals and telling them you’re not alone.”

Lawrence Espinosa, a Filipino theater artist and educator working in Bangalore, described Kilusan’s Universal Self spoken word performance as “brilliant, exciting.”

“It makes me proud to be a Filipino. I feel the movement and beat, and I can really empathize with a character as his motions register with my emotions,” he posts on Kilusan’s Facebook wall.

On his first visit to India, Kilusan said he was “blown away.” There was some culture shock, but the “massive” country welcomed him with open arms. Except for a stomach sickness on his first day, “I didn’t experience anything negative.” From Bangalore, he traveled to Calcutta for another festival and also to Pondicherry territory where “The Life of Pi” was filmed.

He viewed India as a country in transition. He noted, for example how “darker-skinned” people remain discriminated against in some regions, but that the people are generally more conscious about race as they struggle to discard the lingering remains of its caste culture.

“It’s becoming more diverse, and some parts are more diverse than the U.S.,” he said. - The FilAm

...the PH Drama series to Asians

ABS-CBN Drama Series Conquers Asia

 

 

By JAMES A. LOYOLA

Manila Bulletin

January 8, 2013

ABS-CBN Corporation, through ABS-CBN International Distribution, has emerged as one of the premier providers of drama series in Asia.

Out of the 30,000 hours of various content it has sold worldwide since 2000, ABS-CBN has sold approximately 40 percent of these to eleven Asian countries, enabling non-Filipino, Asian viewers to enjoy top-caliber Filipino programs on their own television screens.

Among these, Malaysia is the top buyer of ABS-CBN dramas with more than 3,000 hours of content sold to Malaysian TV networks Astro Bella, Malaysia’s first in-house pay TV channel for telenovelas, and TV3 since 2000.

This TV channel owned by the Malaysian satellite provider Astro bought 850 hours of content from ABS-CBN. “Dahil May Isang Ikaw” is Astro Bella’s highest-rating Filipino drama, registering an amazing 67 percent audience share.

TV3, Malaysia’s first commercial television station, meanwhile, has bought 95 hours of content from ABS-CBN through Malaysia’s leading integrated media investment group, Media Prima.

One of the shows it has acquired is “Mara Clara,” which proved to be a big hit during its run in TV3 after it successfully gained an average of 1.5 million viewers. The Malaysian network has also expressed a strong interest to acquire two more shows from ABS-CBN.

Cambodians are likewise shaping up to be avid viewers of ABS-CBN dramas. ABS-CBN has sold 28 canned shows to Cambodian TV channels capped by the recent landmark deal made with Cambodian Television Network (CTN) to localize the a hit primetime series by 2013.

Aside from Malaysia and Cambodia, other Asian territories where ABS-CBN titles have been sold for a non-Filipino audience are Brunei, Myanmar, China, Indonesia, Hong Kong, Singapore, Vietnam, Korea and Taiwan. A business unit of ABS-CBN, International Distribution has been recognized in the global arena as a reliable foreign content provider and has been a premier source of high quality Filipino programming in over 50 territories all over the world.

...the world's best mayors

Angeles City Mayor Edgardo Pamintuan is world's 8th best mayor

 

ANDREI MEDINA,

GMA News

January 9, 2013

 

 

Angeles City Mayor Edgardo Pamintuan was ranked as the eighth best mayor in the biennial World Mayors Project (WMP) for 2012.

 

Mayor Edgardo Pamintuan, Angeles City

In an interview with GMA News Online, Pamintuan revealed that he was surprised to receive the award but was otherwise grateful for the recognition of his public service in Angeles.

Mayors Alfredo Lim of Manila and Rodrigo Duterte of Davao were also part of the top 50 best mayors of 2012.


Mayor Alfreo Lim, Manila

 

Mayor Rodrigo Duterte, Davao City

The WMP aims to promote the values of honesty, leadership, integrity, and excellence in local governance, among others.

The project awards the mayors with outstanding contributions to their communities.

During the online voting for the awards, Pamintuan said he was surprised to be one of four Asians and the only Filipino in the final 25.

Having assumed office only in July 2010, Pamintuan became even more surprised that he made it to the list of world's top 10 best mayors.

Commitment to health, education

Pamintuan, on his first term as mayor, was cited for his health, infrastructure, and education projects.

He likewise pushed for environmental care by implementing major drainage upgrades and promoting environmental infrastructure in Angeles.

Aside from these, to help prevent flooding in the city, he oversaw the planting of 200,000 trees.

Pamintuan also helped build a public city college – the City College of Angeles – which provides low-cost courses on computer, information technology and tourism.

The mayor noted that “80 percent of families in the Philippines can't afford to enroll (their children).”

Pamintuan also pushed for the installation of dialysis facilities in their city hospitals so that the residents would not have to go to Metro Manila or other areas to seek treatment.

He also plans to establish a cancer center for different types of cancer victims.

He likewise intends to improve the roads in his jurisdiction and establish the city's first public cemetery.

Campaign vs. graft, corruption

Pamintuan mentioned that he gained the confidence of Angeles City business leaders with his campaign to battle graft and corruption.

His administration's campaign received the Seal of Good Housekeeping by the Interior Department.

He says all the success he and his administration achieved were due to the support of all the people of Angeles.

As an advice to other Philippine mayors, he said leading by example is a good way to serve the public.

“Tutok lang. Hands-on dapat. Set an example and mauna ka muna. Yung pinapagawa mo dapat alam mo din gawin,” Pamintuan said. - VVP, GMA News

...the Country of the Year 2012

The Grandslam Ranking
globalbeauties.com


The United States is the Country of the Year 2012

Miss Universe Olivia Culpo put the U.S. on top in 2012

When Misses USA and Philippines were holding hands waiting for the Miss Universe 2012 winner’s announcement, they did not know that that was the decisive moment also for the Country of the Year 2012 award. In a fierce dispute, the Miss Universe victory gave the US and extra edge to crown it as the most successful nation in Grand Slam pageants in the year which recently ended. Although the Philippines was the only country to have placed in all 4 held Grand Slam contests in 2012, the US had a G2 victory, which made the difference in the end.

The United States is the Country of the Year 2012

The Top 3 of the year was completed by Brazil in 3rd place, with a very strong showing as well.

After 5 consecutive years on the Top, Venezuela finished 2012 in a very a disappointing 9th place.

The United States was also named Country of the Year in the Americas. Other continental winners were: Philippines (Asia‘s Country of Year), Australia (Oceania‘s Country of the Year), Wales (Europe‘s Country of the Year), Dominican Republic (Caribbean‘s Country of the Year), and South Sudan (Africa‘s Country of the Year).

2012′s Top 20 Ranking – Country of the Year

RANK	Country / Territory	Int’l	Supra	Universe	World	TOTAL
1	USA	43,295	0,000	261,360	90,480	395,135
2	Philippines	43,295	60,021	193,842	92,800	389,958
3	Brazil	43,295	0,000	121,968	129,920	295,183
4	Australia	0,000	0,000	124,146	157,760	281,906
5	China	0,000	0,000	2,178	278,400	280,578
6	Mexico	43,295	0,000	89,298	99,760	232,353
7	India	43,295	0,000	54,450	125,280	223,025
8	Wales	0,000	0,000	0,000	206,480	206,480
9	Venezuela	43,295	0,000	148,104	0,000	191,399
10	UK / England	43,295	33,696	0,000	97,440	174,431
11	Dominican Republic	60,933	42,120	0,000	41,760	144,813
12	France	0,000	40,014	95,832	0,000	135,846
13	South Sudan	0,000	0,000	0,000	132,240	132,240
14	Japan	129,349	0,000	0,000	0,000	129,349
15	Spain	0,000	32,643	0,000	95,120	127,763
16	Jamaica	0,000	0,000	0,000	127,600	127,600
17	South Africa	0,000	35,802	91,476	0,000	127,278
18	Belarus	0,000	126,360	0,000	0,000	126,360
19	Russia	1,069	0,000	98,010	0,000	99,079
20	Poland	0,000	37,908	60,984	0,000	98,892

In the Male category, Philippines is the Country of the Year 2012

June Macasaet, Manhunt Int’l 2012. No one came close to the Philippines in the Men’s Country of the Year dispute!

With the winner of Manhunt International and a 2nd place in Mister World 2012, the Philippines is the undisputed Country of the Year 2012 in the Men’s Grand Slam. Colombia, with Mr World’s winner and a Manhunt semi-finalist, and Lebanon, with the Mr International winner and a semi-finalist position in Mr World, came in 2nd and 3rd places, respectively. The Top 20 countries of 2012 were:

1	Philippines	127,413	93,272	0,000	220,685
2	Colombia	47,385	125,760	0,000	173,145
3	Lebanon	0,000	45,064	125,598	170,662
4	Singapore	60,021	0,000	92,382	152,403
5	Sweden	93,717	0,000	0,000	93,717
6	Thailand	47,385	0,000	28,026	75,411
7	Macau	72,657	0,000	0,000	72,657
8	Venezuela	44,226	0,000	28,026	72,252
9	Ireland	0,000	71,264	0,000	71,264
10	Slovenia	0,000	0,000	70,584	70,584
11	Puerto Rico	61,074	0,000	0,000	61,074
12	Belgium	0,000	59,212	0,000	59,212
13	Canada	0,000	59,212	0,000	59,212
14	Brazil	0,000	0,000	59,166	59,166
15	Slovakia	0,000	0,000	58,128	58,128
16	France	0,000	0,000	46,710	46,710
17	Vietnam	0,000	45,064	1,038	46,102
18	Malaysia	0,000	0,000	45,672	45,672
19	Dominican Republic	45,279	0,000	0,000	45,279
20	Croatia	0,000	45,064	0,000	45,064
20	England	0,000	45,064	0,000	45,064
20	Peru	0,000	45,064	0,000	45,064

Country of the Year 2012 in Asia: PHILIPPINES

Country of the Year 2012 in the Americas: COLOMBIA

Country of the Year 2012 in Europe: SWEDEN

Country of the Year 2012 in the Caribbean: PUERTO RICO

Countries from Africa and Oceania did not place and did not win any special awards in any Grand Slam pageant in 2012.


 
And the country of the year is...
     

Written by Missosology.org
Friday, 21 December 2012 

 

Last year, Venezuela took the country of the year title having won the Miss World crown, a Top 15 finish in Miss Universe, a first runner-up finish at Miss International and winning as Miss Fire at the Miss Earth contest. This year, the Philippines took the top spot.

Philippines made early strides this year with their Miss World campaign. Competing in a very hostile environment (China's aggression in the West Philippine Sea earned the chagrin of the Philippines, Vietnam and even Japan), Queenierich Rehman showed a very strong performance landing her to the Top 15. Months later, Nicole Schmitz achieved the same fate this time at the Miss International pageant held in Okinawa, Japan.

Philippines seems to be hungry for more. At the Miss Earth 2012 pageant Stephany Stefanowitz went on to win Miss Air missing the Miss Earth title to Miss Czech Republic. It seems the Philippines is cementing its status as a beauty superpower that was long asleep and now roaring back to life. After last year it landed in the semis of all Big4 Pageants even finishing as first runner-up at Miss World pageant.

And thus, the clamor for the title and glory grew louder. The pressure was on the country's last Big4 competitor - Janine Tugunon. Alas, the crown was not for her but she was adjudged as second best placing as first runner-up. With such a stellar performance, the Philippines regained its long lost status as beauty superpower. In the 1960s and in 1970s, the country was highly respected in the world of pageantry. The country's status however lost its luster in the late 1980s and continued to slide in the 1990s.

Here is the tabulation of the scores using Missosology.Org's Big4 ranking formulated by Stephen Diaz. The Big4 Ranking is now considered as the most reliable and consistent system designed to rank the performance of nations and territories at Big4 pageants.


1. PHILIPPINES - 560 POINTS
(MW-100; MI-100; ME-180; MU-180)

2. U.S.A. - 530 POINTS
(MW-100; MI-100; ME-130; MU-200)

3. BRAZIL - 480 POINTS
(MW-120; MI-100; ME-140; MU-120)

4. VENEZUELA - 436 POINTS
(MW-10; MI-100; ME-166; MU-160)

5. MEXICO - 400 POINTS
(MW-100; MI-100; ME-100; MU-100)

6. JAPAN - 330 POINTS
7. AUSTRALIA - 320 POINTS
8. INDIA - 281 POINTS
9. RUSSIA - 250 POINTS
10. CHINA PR - 240 POINTS

11. SOUTH AFRICA - 240 POINTS
12. CZECH REPUBLIC - 220 POINTS
13. FINLAND - 210 POINTS
14. DOMINICAN REPUBLIC - 210 POINTS
15. WALES - 200 POINTS

16. SRI LANKA - 190 POINTS
17. NEPAL - 190 POINTS
18. COLOMBIA - 176 POINTS
19. SOUTH SUDAN - 170 POINTS
20. POLAND - 170 POINTS

...the top retirement destinations

PH among world's top retirement destinations

 

By Kim Arveen Patria

Yahoo! Southeast Asia Newsroom

08 January 2013

 

Camiguin sights (Gael Hilotin)

 

Not only is the Philippines more fun for young tourists looking for adventure but also for foreign retirees seeking refuge for old age.

The country has been ranked 15th out of 22 of the "World's Top Retirement Havens in 2013" released by Ireland-based website International Living.

The ranking grew from only 19 countries in the previous list, which did not include the Philippines.

The Philippines got a score of 79.5 point in the Retirement Index, based on eight categories crucial for retirees, including discounts and other perks.

These include real estate, retirement benefits, cost of living, ease of integration, entertainment and amenities, health care, retirement infrastructure and climate.

The Philippines' highest performance was in terms of cost of living (100 points). It ranked highest among the 22 countries in this criterion.

It scored lowest in the special benefits area, getting the lowest score in the list (57 points). Spain and Thailand got the same score.

"Among the top retirement spots in the world this year, you'll find great variety in the cultural offerings, climates and lifestyles," the website said.

Ecuador sat on top of the list, with a score of 91.9 points.

"Ecuador's major cities have top notch hospitals, clinics and well-trained physicians," the website said.

"All residents are eligible to participate in the country’s Social Security health care system for incredibly low monthly premiums," it added.

Ecuador was followed by Panama (89 points), Malaysia, (87.6 points), Mexico (85.1 points), Costa Rica (84.4 points).

"Each destination is desirable in its own way, but they all offer something increasingly hard to come by at home: A good quality of life for a reasonable price," the website said.

It noted, however, that "no 'formula' can spit out the name of the place that's just right for you."

Retirees should consider what's most important to them, "maybe climate, maybe language, maybe cost, maybe distance from home," it added.

...the most generous countries

Editorial

Philippines Among Most Generous Countries

Manila Bulletin

January 7, 2013

 

The Philippines is the 17th most generous country among 146 countries in the World Giving Index (WGI) 2012 of the United Kingdom (UK)-based Charities Aid Foundation (CAF). The Philippines shared the ranking with Finland, which also had a score of 45%.

The WGI, the largest global study into charitable behavior, ranked countries based on three “giving behaviors” – donating money to a charity, volunteering time for an organization, and helping strangers. Respondents were asked which of the following three charitable acts they had undertaken in the past month: Donated money to an organization? Volunteered time to an organization? Helped a stranger, or someone they didn’t know who needed help?

Australia was ranked the most generous country with a score of 60 percent, followed by Ireland, Canada, New Zealand, and the United States in the top five most generous, all ranking high in terms of donating money.

Filipinos ranked fifth overall in terms of volunteering, with a score of 44 percent. Citing the Philippines, CAF said “volunteerism is particularly commonplace there, with more people volunteering (44%) than in other country in Southeast Asia. As for helping strangers, Filipinos got a score of 58 percent.”

We congratulate the Republic of the Philippines government, headed by H.E., President Benigno S. Aquino III and Vice President Jejomar C. Binay, in their programs of action that are putting the Philippines in the world map. CONGRATULATIONS AND MABUHAY!

...the PH economic growth

Economic growth likely hit high end of ’12 target—official

By Riza T. Olchondra
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Monday, January 7th, 2013

 

 

The Philippine economy likely hit the high end of its growth rate target in 2012 and would maintain a “high growth” in 2013, Economic Planning Secretary Arsenio Balisacan said in an interview Monday as the stock market rallied past the 6,000 mark.

Hitting the 5- to 6-percent growth target for 2012 “is no big deal,” Balisacan said, saying the economy was likely to have expanded by about 6.5 percent last year.

For the fourth quarter of 2012, he said the expansion of the gross domestic product (GDP) would definitely be higher than 4.5 percent, which was the minimum required for the Philippines to hit the higher end of the target for 2012.

Growth likely hit 6 percent in the last quarter alone, said Cid L. Terosa, economist at the University of Asia and the Pacific. At that level, full-year growth could hit 6.5 to 7 percent.

Former Budget Secretary Benjamin E. Diokno of the UP School of Economics had a slightly more conservative estimate of about 4.5 percent.

“I agree with Neda officials that this growth rate is attainable. In fact, I forecast that growth in the fourth quarter will be within the range of 4.5 percent to 5.3 percent.

...the PH 2012 forex reserve

Forex reserves end 2012 at all-time high of $84.25B

By Michelle V. Remo
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Monday, January 7th, 2013

 

The country’s foreign exchange reserves hit an all-time high of $84.25 billion at the close of 2012, buoyed by the central bank’s dollar purchases that were meant to temper what could have been a sharp appreciation of the peso. MARK WILSON/GETTY IMAGES/AFP

The country’s foreign exchange reserves hit an all-time high of $84.25 billion at the close of 2012, buoyed by the central bank’s dollar purchases that were meant to temper what could have been a sharp appreciation of the peso.

The yearend gross international reserves (GIR) were enough to cover a year of the country’s import requirements and were nearly six times the combined foreign currency-denominated debts of the government and private entities maturing within a year.

The latest amount of GIR was up by about 12 percent from $75.30 billion the previous year.

The BSP admitted that it had been buying dollars from the market to prevent a steep rise in the value of the peso against the greenback.

Officials said that under its policy, the BSP allowed the exchange rate to be generally determined by the market, but intervened through currency trading in cases of significant volatility pressures. They said the sharp and sudden rise or fall of the peso was disruptive to businesses and to the economy.

The peso closed at 41.05 against the dollar at the last trading day of 2012, gaining nearly 7 percent since the start of the year. The peso was the second-fastest appreciating Asian currency against the dollar last year after the Korean won, which rose 7.17 percent.

Exporters said the rise of the peso has made Philippine-made goods more expensive in dollar terms and less competitive. The appreciation of the local currency has also reduced the peso value of the dollar remittances sent by overseas Filipinos.

The BSP has sufficient dollars to buy from the market given the robust inflow of remittances, foreign investments in the local business process outsourcing (BPO) sector and external portfolio investments.

Officials said foreign portfolio investments were substantial in 2012 because the favorable performance of the Philippine economy fueled the appetite for peso-denominated securities.

The heavy dollar purchases by the BSP pushed its expenditures and led to a net loss of about P68 billion in the first three quarters of 2012, its latest income statement showed.

Nonetheless, the BSP said it would not hesitate to continue buying dollars if appreciation pressures on the peso remained significant this year.

The BSP said the accumulation of dollars has its benefits to the economy. The increase in the GIR reflected the improving capacity of the Philippines to pay its dollar-denominated debts. This, in turn, has led to improved credit ratings for the country.

...the hottest travel destinations for 2013

PH among hottest travel destinations for 2013

 

ABS-CBNnews.com

01/07/2013

 

 

 

MANILA, Philippines – Just days after the Philippines was called one of the “destinations to watch in 2013,” another prestigious travel magazine dubbed the country as one of the hottest travel spots this year.

 

Travel + Leisure included the Philippines in its “13 for 2013” list, which the magazine compiled with the help of branding agencies and other experts.

Some of the Philippine destinations featured in the article are Boracay island in Aklan, Panglao island in Bohol, and El Nido Resorts and Ariara in Palawan.

“The archipelago of Palawan, a UNESCO biosphere reserve in the Philippines, just added a resort with a scuba center; hop a two-hour flight from Hong Kong and you’ll soon be diving with the sea turtles,” Travel + Leisure’s Heidi Mitchell wrote.

Aside from the Philippines, other places in Travel + Leisure’s list include Bahia Ballena in Costa Rica, Basilicata in Italy, Puerto Rico, Minneapolis in the United States, Reunion island in France, Nepal, Charlevoix in Quebec, Uco Valley in Argentina, Zambia, Amsterdam, and Gold Coast in Australia.

“So get out your map, block out some vacation time on your calendar, and make 2013 a year of travel discoveries. We promise at least a few of these places to go next will surprise you,” Mitchell wrote.
The Philippines has been constantly mentioned in Travel + Leisure, with the magazine naming Boracay as the world’s best island getaway last year.

Just recently, the country’s native yellow rice cake, bibingka, was dubbed as one of the “world’s most traditional holiday foods,” putting it alongside dishes from Japan, China, Russia and Sweden, among others.

Phl listed as top destination for 2013

By Janvic Mateo

The Philippine Star

January 5, 2013

 

 

The Big Lagoon on Miniloc Island in El Nido in Palawan is a must-see for resort guests and visitors. LUIS ESPIRITU

 

 

MANILA, Philippines - “Sorry, Maldives... We love you, but we’ve got a new flame.”

The Conde Nast Traveller magazine has set its sights on the Philippines, listing it among its top 10 destinations for 2013. The London-based luxury travel magazine described the country as having “around 7,000 of the most heavenly islands in the world.”

“It’s becoming particularly popular among serious divers, who come for the incredible underwater life, unspoilt coral gardens with rainbow-bright fish, green sea turtles and dugongs,” according to Conde Nast.

It added: “In Bicol you can swim with the biggest fish in the world, the whale shark. While fish-fans of a different nature can go deep-sea fishing in one of the deepest trenches in the oceans, not far from the little-known island of Siargao.”

Particular mention was made of Palawan, which the magazine said “ticks all the boxes: palm-fringed white-powder beaches, crystal-clear turquoise waters, natural lagoons for wild swimming on Miniloc Island… all of it protected by UNESCO. Its Bacuit Bay is something like Halong Bay in Vietnam, only without all the tourists… for the time being, at least. There are just a handful of resorts, which are tasteful and deliberately low-key.”

Palawan was featured in the final scene of the movie “Bourne Legacy,” starring Jeremy Renner and Rachel Weisz. Weisz and her husband, Bond actor Daniel Craig, spent a few days in Palawan after the filming, and raved about it on Twitter.

Also mentioned are the “super-stylish” new Dedon Island on Siargao, owned and designed by celebrated furniture brand Dedon, based in Cebu; and “perennial favorite” Amanpulo, on Pamalican Island, which has hosted many of the world’s rich and famous, including the late John Kennedy Jr. (who came with then flame Darryl Hannah), Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie, Robert de Niro and super model Naomi Campbell.

Despite all the bad press, Manila got a positive mention as well: “As the gateway to these private-island retreats, the Philippines capital of Manila is also having a moment.”

Other destinations cited among Conde Nast Traveller’s top ten are Brazil, Amsterdam, The Congo in Africa, Galapagos Island, New Zealand (think “Hobbit”), Kashmir, Mexico, Panama and Oman.

Palawan was also chosen by a popular international travel guide as one of the top ten regions of the world in its “Best in Travel 2013.”

Describing Palawan as “the ultimate archipelago for adventurers,” Lonely Planet said the island province “incorporates thousands of sparkling, rugged islands and is fringed by 2000 kms of pristine coastline.”

“So far Palawan’s natural marvels have only been sampled by plucky backpackers. Not for much longer. The trail these pioneers have blazed is set to explode, with regional airlines waking up to Palawan’s potential and clambering to schedule direct flights to the capital,” Lonely Planet wrote, concluding, “you can feel that Palawan is ready to hit the big-time in 2013.”

Palawan ranked eighth, with Corsica in France topping the list. Other Asian destinations on the list are Mustang in Nepal (3) and Inland Sea, Japan (9).

Meanwhile, Luzon, Cebu, and Mindanao were voted among Asia’s top ten islands in Conde Nast Traveller’s annual Readers’ Choice Awards.