...the next Guam

Subic seen as new Guam

            

By Ric Sapnu

The Philippine Star

June 30, 2013

 

 

 

MANILA, Philippines - Subic Bay Freeport could be the next Guam, Ronald Wang said in a statement read by Dr. Johnson Yang, chairman of the Subic-based Grand Pillar International Development, Inc.,Wang, chairman of property developer Century 21 Subic Bay and also chairman and chief executive officer of Century 21 Taiwan, Century 21 Asia Pacific, and Fantai Real Estate Management Co., expressed high hopes for Subic as the next best thing in the real estate business.
“Subic is the next Guam in terms of economic growth,” Wang said.

Wang was the guest speaker in the groundbreaking ceremony for Grand Pillar’s Mi Casa Terrace, a P170 million three-storey commercial and office building project to be constructed in the Freeport Zone.

Wang said that when he was invited by Dr. Yang to Subic several years ago, he felt the passion in Subic and the opportunity that awaited in terms of leisure and commercial development.

“This is the reason why when I attended the 10th Asian Real Estate Association of America Global Summit held in Hawaii in May (2013), I was inspired and had the confidence to present to all the delegates and participants of the summit that Subic could be the next Guam,” he said.

Guam is a tiny island in the Western Pacific, which attracts more than one million tourists annually from Asia and America because of its more than 20 luxury hotels, duty free shops, indoor aquarium, entertainment venues, and several golf courses in what is dubbed as the Pleasure Island District.

Subic is said to have the potential to replicate Guam’s real estate boom because of its natural attractions that include mountain forests and the Subic Bay.

Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) chairman and administrator Roberto V. Garcia, meanwhile, said that the proposed three-storey commercial building is another manifestation of the increasing demand for spaces intended for tourism-related businesses.

 

...the French Knight

Pinoy director Brillante Mendoza knighted by French govt for contribution to arts

GMA News

June 28, 2013

 

 

Filipino filmmaker Brillante Mendoza recently brought more honor to the Philippines for being knighted by the French government for his contributions to the arts.

On his Facebook and Twitter accounts, Mendoza an image of the letter he received from the French Embassy in the Philippines informing him of the honor.

"This prestigious award is meant for your truly invaluable contribution in the field of arts," said the letter from French ambassador to the Philippines Gilles Garachon dated June 13.

Garachon also enclosed a letter from French culture minister Aurelie Filippetti formally informing Mendoza of his principal honorable distinction of the French Order of the Arts and Letters.

United States Ambassador to the Philippines Harry Thomas Jr. congratulated Mendoza on his award.




The award from the France Ministry of Culture and Communication is given to individuals in recognition of their great contribution to enriching France’s culture.

According to a report from a newscast of “News to Go” on Friday, Mendoza was bestowed the same recognition that other stars like George Clooney, Jude Law, and Clint Eastwood have received.

Before Mendoza, Philippine historian Ambeth Ocampo was also recognized by the ministry.

“It is really a privilege and a great honor to be a Filipino na bibigyan ka ng ganitong karangalan ng isang bansa lalong lalo na sa France na napaka taas nang tingin nila sa kanilang kultura at sa arts,” Mendoza said, adding that the recognition is also a win for the Filipino people.

He expressed hopes that other countries would pick up lessons from Philippine arts and culture.

According to the Internet Movie Database (IMDB), Brillantes was born in 1960 in San Fernando, Philippines.

IMDB cited at least 17 directorial works of Brillantes, including:

• 2013: Sapi (post-production)
• 2012: Thy Womb, I Captive
• 2011: 60 Seconds of Solitude in Year Zero, Quattro Hongkong 2 (segment "Purple"), Purple (short), Maalaala mo kaya (TV series), Tungkod (as Brillante Ma. Mendoza)
• 2010: Ayos Ka (short)
• 2009: Grandmother (as Brillante Ma. Mendoza), Kinatay (as Brillante Ma. Mendoza)
• 2008: Service (as Brillante Ma. Mendoza)
• 2007: Slingshot, Foster Child, Pantasya (as Dante Mendoza)
• 2006: Manoro (documentary), Summer Heat
• 2005: The Masseur

Mendoza is currently busy with his upcoming Film “Sapi” starring Kapuso actor Dennis Trillo, one of the leading stars of the TV series "My Husband’s Lover." — with a report from Andrei Medina/VVP, GMA News

...the Philippine Goddesses 2013

FHM 100 Sexiest Women in the World 2013 Philippines



fhm.com.ph
http://www.fhm.com.ph/100sexiestwomen2013

1. MARIAN RIVERA

Paragon

Last Year: 5

       

She fulfilled her promise of a new world and you have expressed your gratitude by declaring her the Sexiest. Just recalling how we got here is one for the books: when we finally had her for the cover after five years of trying, we were that close to giving up. But only that close, because we didn’t. A confession: we had entertained doubts she would actually be able to deliver an FHM cover standard. With all the contracts and commitments, what would she be able to show? How wrong we were. What she allowed us to see, she gave prodigiously. No question, Marian Rivera is a paragon.

2. SAM PINTO

No questions

Last Year: 1

 

 

Never has one person been given so few script lines to work with (“Bakit?”) and still manage to work her way into our general consciousness, a couple of FHM covers, and the title of Sexiest Woman in all the land twice over. The silken-haired, doe-eyed, refined model/actress probably didn’t exactly ask for as much, and the Neneng B in her surely wouldn’t resist to ask, bakit? The answer: you.

 

3. ANGEL LOCSIN

Beauty that moves

Last Year: 2

 

         

Ate up the stage whole and had everyone’s eyes fixed on her face, and combined Mulawin-like wings and harnessed pyrotechnics when we crowned her Sexiest Woman three years ago in 2010. To be thoroughly biased is to say that Angel Locsin possesses the kind of ideal hubog our wives and girlfriends mean when they say they “don’t need to be stick-thin to be sexy.” Angel doesn’t only bring this hubog-enviable figure in photos; in person and on the 100 Sexiest ramps, we can only describe her effervescence as malakas ang dating.

 

 

4. JENNYLYN MERCADO

Back in contention

Last Year: 9

 

 

         

With a showbiz career spanning 10 years, Jennylyn has long earned her stripes in this industry. Her life’s slippery slope is now miles behind her. A cute little bundle of joy, a thriving top-billing status, a steady and serious relationship, and three highly successful FHM covers under her belt indicate that she’s in for some of the most blissful years of her life. That’s how the sweetest comeback stories work.

 

5. CRISTINE REYES

C-Pop

Last Year: 4

 

 

         

Fell off the FHM radar after her cover appearance in 2009, after which some of what we’ve heard of her weren’t as rosy: breakup with actor-dancer boyfriend; controversial fight with big sister; and years before that, drenched on the roof of her house because of Ondoy. And yet, despite all that, we only know Cristine by these things: palaban attitude,labanos-white skin, and unparalleled steamy dancing. And given the current climate, it’s high time we celebrated her again. We think your votes agree.

 

 

6. SOLENN HEUSSAFF

Omnipresent

Last Year: 3

 

         

Who could have predicted that the Solenn Heussaff invasion would be so swift? She’s in commercials, TV, movies, and was once even nominated in a local music channel in a best new artist race. A bus ride along Edsa nowadays is marked not only by sweaty crowds but also by a whole gallery of Solenn billboards. Northbound, southbound, it doesn’t matter. Heck, the very bus you’re riding could be wrapped in a Solenn advertisement. In a short period of time, she has become a massive paradox: always there, but forever unattainable.

 

 

7. ELLEN ADARNA

Scene Queen

Last Year: 6

      

         

You’ve heard about how Friendster started Ellen’s meteoric rise to fame. You’ve also heard about the fakes and impersonators. Now, you follow her on Instagram, which, surprisingly, isn’t poser filled. We wonder: why did anyone stump for an imitation when the original was so willing to indulge us? Keep the selfies coming, Ellen. No one can possibly accuse you of over-sharing.

 

 

8. ANNE CURTIS

Queen Regent

Last Year: 12

 

         

How she grew from a tween playing princess-y roles and wearing oversized pink shirts into a sought-after noontime show host, multi-brand endorser, and Cristine Jacob-type singer…we can only speculate. And it all comes down to Anne’s steely child-actor hard work and self-embracing charm. If not evident in album titles like Annebisyosa, then probably in legions of madlang people bowing down to give her their vote. Hey, she even had your vote.

 

 

9. JACKIE RICE

Continuous blossom

Last Year: 7

 

         

We could fill an entire page dissertating what we like about Jackie Rice and why she deserves her place here. Instead, we want to focus on the one thing we’re afraid of about her: her career trajectory. She’ll be famous for a long time; what worries us is how long she wants it. There’s only two things we could do about it: Keep putting her here and enjoy the Jackie Rice rollercoaster till she decides to stop.

 

 

10. EMPRESS SHUCK

Grow up beautiful

Last Year:

 

          

A child star’s curse is when the poor kid can’t grow old. Because she is so adorable as a little bundle, the public wants her to stay that way. That is, of course, impossible. Let Aiza Seguerra tell you the rest of the story. So how do you fight it? Grow up beautiful, the way Empress did. Bet you don’t recall that in 2003, about three years into this FHM gig, Empress was the most popular child actress at one awards tilt. Ten years later she’s on the cover and you’re staring differently, and not like you would Aiza.

...the New York's best teachers

Pinay among best teachers in New York

              

By Helen Flores

The Philippine Star

June 26, 2013

 

Geraldino

MANILA, Philippines - A Filipina has been named one of New York City’s best teachers.

Marietta Geraldino, geometry teacher in 10th and 11th grades at the Fredrick Douglas Academy II in Manhattan, was one of the 11 teachers who received the “Big Apple Award” last June 12.

On its website, the NYC education department said the award was meant to recognize the top teachers in public schools across the city.

“Marietta is able to deconstruct the most complex mathematical concepts and make them palpable to even the most resistant students,” the website quoted Geraldino’s principal as saying.

Geraldino has been teaching for 24 years – nine in New York and 15 years in the Philippines.

“During her 24 years of teaching, she has constantly searched for ways to grow as an educator and seeks out professional development opportunities to improve her practice,” the website added.

Geraldino was chosen from the more than 2,000 nominees submitted by students, teachers, schools and families.

Aside from the Big Apple trophy, the winners received $3,500 each and classroom grants. They were also named Big Apple ambassadors for school year 2013-2014.

 

...the medalists in China boxing tilt

PHILIPPINES WIN FOUR MEDALS IN CHINA BOXING OPEN


By Maloney L. Samaco
PhilBoxing.com
Sun, 23 Jun 2013



Petecio.
 
The Philippine boxing team sent by the Association of Boxing Alliances in the Philippines (ABAP) and PLDT won four medals in the highly-competitive China Open in Guiyang, China.

Nesthy Petecio saved the ABAP team from coming home without a gold. She won a convincing victory over Alexis Pritchard of New Zealand in the finals by a 3-0 verdict for a unanimous decision in the 60-kg. category.

Petecio was only 5'3" while Pritchard stood at 5'11". But the 21-year-old female boxer from Davao finally connected her punches after several misses and delivered uppercuts and hooks to the head and body of the Kiwi boxer.

World champion Josie Gabuco failed in her bid to secure a gold when the much-improved Xu Shiqui of China exacted revenge on the Filipina to win by a 3-0 verdict. The Palawan boxer defeated Xu during the world championships last year. Gabuco scored an upset over three-time world champion and 2012 London Olympics silver medalist Ren Cancan in the semi-finals but settled for a silver medal.

Junel Cantancio lost to Viacheslav Supinov of Russia 0-3 and won another silver medal. He gave several punches to his nemesis but the power-punching Russia proved to be more dominant.

Earlier in the semi-finals, London Olympian Mark Anthony Barriga gave the Philippines a bronze medal. He bowed to Guiyang native Wo Zhunglin on a 0-3 decision. He injured his thumb in an uppercut during the fight and had to be taken to the hospital.

ABAP president Ricky Vargas sent a message commending the team of their achievement, saying he is “proud of our boxers’ achievements in a tough tournament such as the China Open.”

ABAP executive director Ed Picson commented after Barriga's loss that our boxers have yet to adjust to the new a scoring system. “They need to know how to adjust their game to the system. We had a lengthy meeting after the fights this afternoon with the coaches and boxers to explain to them in more detail what they need to do to take advantage of the new rule”, said Picson.

The host country China won the overall championship with seven golds, followed by Kazakhstan and Russia with two each then the Philippines and Mongolia with one apiece. New Zealand got two silvers while India had one. Only Mauritius failed to obtain a medal.

Other PLDT-ABAP team members who failed to win a medal were Roldan Boncales (flyweight), Nico Magliquian (bantamweight) and Dennis Galvan (light welterweight). The coaches were Pat Gaspi, Roel Velasco and Elias Recaido Jr.

Ed Picson was the delegation head while the women had AIBA international technical official (ITO) Karina Picson as team manager.