...the Norwegian King's awardee

Pinay helper awarded Norwegian King’s medal for 30 years of service

By MICHAELA DEL CALLAR

August 30, 2013

 

 

 

A Filipina household staff at the Norwegian Ambassador’s residence in Berne, Switzerland was given royal recognition for rendering 30 years of loyal service, the Philippine Embassy in Switzerland said on Friday.

 

 

Alice Javier was given The Norwegian King’s Commemorative Medal, a decoration given to personnel who work at Norwegian missions and residences in recognition for special services.

 

 

Javier came to Switzerland in 1983 and has since then, served at the Norwegian residence and worked under 10 Norwegian ambassadors, the embassy said.

 

 

Norway’s Ambassador Rolf Trolle Andersen awarded the medal to Javier on August 23 in the presence of Philippine Ambassador Leslie Baja.

 

 

Andersen said Alice, as she is fondly called, “has imbibed three cultures in her work place – Filipino, Norwegian and Swiss, bringing a perfect fusion to an outstanding service.”

 

 

Baja congratulated Javier for the award, noting the recognition shows that Filipinos are among the best foreign nationals in Switzerland and serve as ambassadors of goodwill in the country. - VVP, GMA News

 

 

...the PHL medalists at Czech rifle meet

PHL team wins six medals at air rifle meet in Czech Republic

August 30, 2013

GMA News

 

 

The Philippines won six silver medals at the 2013 Rimfire and Air Rifle Benchrest Federation (WRABF) European and World Cup Championship at the Plzen Shooting Range in Plzen, Czech Republic from August 3 to 15.

According to the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), the Philippine National Benchrest Team includes the country’s top benchrest shooters.

"Participating countries include Australia, Brazil, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Finland, Germany, Great Britain, Greece, Ireland, Italy, the Netherlands, Russia, Slovenia, South Africa, Sweden, Thailand, Ukraine, and Venezuela," the DFA said in a news release.

The WRABF Championship is held every four years, and is the biggest so far with over 130 registered competitors.

Winning the medals were the Heavy Varmin Team of Bernie Paras Gan, Louie Gonzales, and Randy Paronda in the 25 meters rimfire; and the Sporter Team of Dondi Santos, Marlon Palmario, and Felino Neri in the 50-meter rimfire event.

Mission chief Richard Fernandez, team statistician Mariano Manuel Cacho III, Team Captain Tony Olbes, Co-captain Enchong Formoso, Team Coach Randy Paronda, and Gun Smith and Athlete Ronaldo Hejastro led the mission.

The 19-member team consists of Josefino Alvero, Eleuterio Canivel, Jose Maria Esteban, Augusto Estrada, Lorenzo Formoso, Augusto Gan, Bernadette Gan, Luis Gonzales, Edwin Jeremillo, Frumencio Lagustan, Eugene Manalastas, Jimmy Maniwang, Felino Neti, Antonio Olbes, Marlino Palmario, Randy Paronda, Maria Blanca Parsons, Francis Purez, and Paulo Santos.

"(A)lthough this is the first time that the Philippine team joined the World Cup, Filipinos must be proud of the Philippine benchrest shooting team’s excellent showing in the shooting matches" Philippine Chargé d’affairés Consul and First Secretary Juan Dayang Jr. said.

Dayang added the Philippine team earned the respect of powerhouse international benchrest shooters through their hard work, dedication and sportsmanship. - VVP, GMA News

 

 

...the Asia's fastest growing economy

Philippine economy grows 7.5% in second quarter
            

 philstar.com

August 29, 2013

 

 

 

 

MANILA, Philippines- The Philippine economy posted a 7.5-percent growth in the second quarter, the government announced Thursday.

The growth in the period matches the 7.5-percent growth of China, placing the Philippine economy among the fastest-growing in East Asia and the fastest in Southeast Asia. In the region, Indonesia grew 5.8 percent; Vietnam, 5 percent; Malaysia, 4.3 percent; Singapore, 3.8 percent; and Thailand, 2.8 percent.

As the first-quarter gross domestic product, the sum of all goods and services produced within the country, was revised downward to 7.7 percent from the previous 7.8 percent, the country's first half growth is 7.6 percent.

"The resilient services sector, which grew by 7.4 percent remained the main driver of the country’s growth supported by the 10.3 percent and 17.4 percent growth of manufacturing and construction, respectively boosting the Industry sector to grow by 10.3 percent," the NSCB said.

On the demand side, consumer and public spending and helped by increased investments in Fixed Capital also boosted the economy. Exports, however, have declined.

The country's gross national income, including the earnings of Filipinos abroad, jumped 7.3 percent.

Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Arsenio Balisacan said the growth in the second quarter beat the median forecast of 7.2 percent. The growth is also higher than the 6 percent to 7 percent target set by the Development Budget Coordination Committee this year.

"The composition of our growth shows signs of an economy that is in the process of rebalancing, moving from being largely consumption-driven to becoming investment-led and industrialized, with the ability to provide higher quality jobs for Filipinos. For the past three quarters, capital formation has been growing more rapidly than household consumption and the growth of industry has so far outpaced that of the services sector," Balisacan added.

Finance Secretary Cesar Purisima, meanwhile, said the second-quarter growth showed that the economy is "moving strength to strength."

“Going forward, we will strive to sustain our economic strengths by continuing to increase fiscal space to further accelerate infrastructure investments. We will also push for key reforms to improve the investment environment and continue the fight against corruption, revenue leakages, and vested interests that prevent the Philippines from reaching its full potential," Purisima said.

 

...the PH brands go global

Filipino pride: Local franchises go global

Philippine Daily Inquirer

Saturday, August 24th, 2013

 

 

Filipino brands continue to create waves in the international franchise arena, proving that the local franchise industry is fast becoming one of the country’s biggest dollar earners.

“With at least $11 billion in earnings, Philippine franchising is no less a major export player. Some of our members have successfully established their brands overseas, paving the way for more players to try and conquer new markets,” says Armando Bartolome, president of the Association of Filipino Franchisers Inc. (AFFI).

Throughout the years AFFI, the country’s leading franchise group, has helped franchise brands expand to Asia, the United States, as well as in less familiar territories overseas.

AFFI is showcasing these local franchise brands that have gone global in a three-day event dubbed “Galing ng Pinoy, the 12th Filipino Franchise Show” slated on Oct. 4-6 at the World Trade Center, Pasay City.

Going global

With at least 25 outlets scattered around America, 28 in Jakarta, Indonesia, and one in Panama, Potato Corner is certainly one of the most inspiring franchise success stories. Operating for 20 years now, the company through its CEO Jose Magsaysay Jr., recently announced that they are considering listing at the Philippine Stock Exchange (PSE).

Crystal Clear Water dubbed “the business that never runs dry” has invaded Indonesia, Malaysia and South Africa. Locally, the company has at least 500 branches nationwide.

Fiorgelato, a famous ice cream franchise, is now in Japan and the US, while Sweet Corner’s (corn) cart business now operates in Australia and is soon to open in the Middle East.

Food franchisors are not the only success stories abroad. Lay Bare Waxing has three branches in the US; Eat Bulaga, the country’s most popular afternoon program has been franchised in Indonesia.

“Operating a franchise overseas comes with a unique set of challenges. These include not only different laws, languages, and cultural differences in how business is conducted but also finding a franchisee to partner with,” says Bartolome.

The franchisor’s local partner should help translate the concept and the brand into a commodity that is both acceptable and profitable thus one has to make adjustments, he adds.

Despite risks, however, the venture is definitely most rewarding. “With an international franchise, you are bringing a Pinoy brand into the international spotlight. You become a source of pride for the country. What can be more inspiring?” the AFFI chief says.

 

...the PH laundry record

Another world record for PH in laundry

by Carol Ramoran
08/24/2013 

 

                                              

HAND-WASHING CHALLENGE. Participants from around the metropolis show passion in laundry

MANILA, Philippines - The Philippines is now the Guinness World Record (GWR) holder for the most number of people hand-washing fabric simultaneously.

 

Amid the torrential rains on Saturday, August 17, women from different parts of the metropolis gathered at the University of Makati to hand-wash a 1,200 meter long fabric.

 

There were 2,132 women in all who participated in the effort.

 

AROUND THE WORLD. Guinness World Record Adjudicator Kristy Bennet shares how much she loves traveling around the world and seeing amazing feats

GWR Adjudicator Kristy Bennet flew in from their home office in London to oversee the attempt and validate the results. 47 independent local witnesses were also there to help her.

 

SOILED. Organizers of the event had to soil the fabric before it will be washed by over two thousand women.

The 1,200 meter-long cloth was soaked in grape juice, ink, and chocolate milk before the hand-washing started.

 

“These stains were used because they are often the most difficult stains mom’s encounter when washing their children’s clothes,” said Unilever Research and Development Manager Amor Prieto.

 

ALL CLEAN. Participants show the results

 

NEW RECORD! Bennet presents the results to the people behind the event: Host Tin Caballero - Aplal, Unilever and Breeze's Mara Banson, Jay Go, Nikki Abella, and celebrity guest Tessa Prieto-Valdes

The Philippines exceeded the record set by Vietnam where 1,968 people washed a 400 meter-long cloth. - Rappler.com

 

 

...the greater PHL role

Intl democracies group wants PHL to take leadership role

August 24, 2013

GMA News

A Warsaw-based international democracy group wants a greater leadership role by the Philippines, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said.

 

 

The DFA said Community of Democracies (CD) secretary general Ambassador Maria Leissner wants the Philippines to chair or co-chair a Working Group within the grouping.

 

 

Leissner told Philippine Ambassador to Poland Patricia Ann Paez during an Aug. 13 meeting at the Philippine Embassy that the Philippines could chair or co-chair the Working Group on Democracy and Development, or "other working groups which would be of interest to the Philippines."

 

 

In a news release, the DFA said Leissner will visit Manila in November for a speaking engagement during the 20th anniversary of the Council of Asian Liberals and Democrats (CALD).

 

 

Paez said the Philippines initiated the formation of the International Conference of New and Restored Democracies (ICNRD) in 1988 during the term of then-President Corazon Aquino.

 

 

Mrs. Aquino was installed in Malacañang through a peaceful revolt that ousted then President Ferdinand Marcos in 1986.

 

 

Leissner suggested that the ICNRD be associated or affiliated with the CD.

 

 

Open govt partnership

 

 

The DFA said Leissner also inquired if the Philippines is a member of Open Government Partnership (OGP), an initiative of US President Barack Obama to foster transparency and accountability by governments.

 

 

Paez told her the Philippines is one of the eight original members of the OGP's Steering Committee, adding President Benigno Aquino III attended the OGP’s launching in New York.

 

 

She added the Philippines was chosen to be one of the Steering Committee members in recognition of the Aquino administration's efforts against graft.

 

 

Philippine Budget Secretary Florencio Abad serves as the Philippine government’s lead person for the OGP, she said.
 

Meanwhile, Paez said she will propose a program of activities for Leissner's official visit to the Philippines, including a possible meeting with women's groups.
 

The CD is an intergovernmental organization established in 2000 to strengthen democracy worldwide by providing support to emerging democracies and civil society.

 

 

Its current president is El Salvador, even as the Philippines and Poland are members of the 24-member Governing Council of the CD. — VVP, GMA News

 

 

...the strong PHL economy

Phl can weather volatility – int’l banker

              

By Kathleen A. Martin

The Philippine Star

August 26, 2013

MANILA, Philippines - The Philippine economy is strong enough to weather the market volatility being experienced by its neighbors in the region, an economist of global investment bank ING said over the weekend.

“The Philippines is less vulnerable to contagion than its SE (Southeast) Asian neighbors because it has a stronger external payments position,” Tim Condon, ING’s chief economist for Asia, said in a research note.

At the same time, he noted “(Remittances from abroad) sustain a comfortable current account surplus and the trade deficit is narrowing.”

Condon said the country will not be a source of crisis in the region but it may not be spared from a contagion if a balance of payments (BOP) crisis breaks out.

“The Philippines is not going to be the source of a balance of payments crisis. However, if a BOP crisis breaks out elsewhere, the Philippines won’t be spared, no economy in Asia excluding Japan would,” Condon said.

The BOP shows a country’s transactions with the rest of the world. Its components include remittances, exports and imports, and investments, among others.

Aside from problems experienced by the region, capital flight in emerging markets is also being driven by the US Federal Reserve’s impending tapering of its massive bond buying program.

 

“The combination of investors’ worries on some emerging markets’ economic numbers and the expected withdrawal of the US Fed monetary stimulus are working against emerging markets,” Antonio C. Moncupa Jr., president of East West Bank, said in a separate comment.

“If this continues, interest rates, not only in the US but likewise in emerging markets maybe adjusted upwards. The latter as a defense against deteriorating currencies,” he continued.

Moncupa said that while the Philippines’ macroeconomic fundamentals remain strong, the country may still see volatility due to what’s happening in the region.

“While arguably, the Philippines is in a better position than many emerging markets, I guess this is a case of low tide grounding most ships. But ships that are in better condition should refloat when the tide turns, as it would,” Moncupa said.

“In the meantime, it would seem that volatility will be with us,” he added.