...the PH investment climate rank

Philippines ranks 2nd in Asia for improved investment climate

by Cathy Rose A. Garcia,
ABS-CBNnews.com

01/17/2014

 

But PH still not a top investment priority for MNCs

MANILA, Philippines - The Philippines ranked second in Asia for improved investment climate, according to a new survey by The Economist Corporate Network (ECN).

However, ECN's Asia Business Outlook Survey 2014 also showed the Philippines was not a top investment priority for multinational companies.

Myanmar ranked first in Asia for improved investment climate, while China ranked third.

ECN said the survey showed global multinational companies perceive the country's business environment has improved under President Aquino.

Based on the survey, 49.1% of the respondents said the investment climate is improving the Philippines, while 44% said it is staying the same. Only 6.4% said the business environment is worsening.

"The country’s macroeconomic fundamentals have strengthened, with the Philippines now enjoying one of the highest growth rates in the region, with low and stable inflation, as well as healthy government finances and positive trade balances. President Aquino has also made progress in tackling corruption, and promoting transparency and open government, which have traditionally been big deterrents for investment," the report said.

However, the report noted that the improved investment climate is coming from a low base. The World Bank ranked the Philippines 108th out of 189 countries in its last "Doing Business" report.

The Philippines jumped to 108th place from its previous ranking of 138, the biggest improvement among all countries last year.

But despite the improved investment climate, only 25% of the respondent companies said they are increasing the level of investment in the Philippines, while 27% of the respondents said they had no plans of investing.

On the other hand, 45% of the respondents said they are maintaining their level of investment in the Philippines.

Topping the list of investment priorities for 2014 is China, with almost 70% of companies planning to increase investments. Indonesia ranked second, followed by India, Myanmar and Thailand.

At the same time, the Asia Business Outlook survey showed corporate expectations for growth is high this year, with 46% of the respondents saying expectations have gone up, and only 12% said their expectations have declined.

"Concerns about under-investment are greatest in industries that serve more mature market segments, the sort that flourish as economies get richer, such as financial services, pharmaceuticals and healthcare, and professional services," said Justin Wood, director, South-east Asia, of the Economist Corporate Network.

"Conversely, executives in more established sectors in Asia, such as core economic infrastructure (construction and logistics), or first-order market opportunities (consumer and retail) are most likely to feel they have the investment mix right. It could be that markets for higher-end products and services in Asia Pacific are developing more rapidly than companies had anticipated, hence a sense of under-investment to keep up with the opportunity," he added.

ECN, the business advisory service of The Economist Group, conducted the survey of 500 companies in Asia Pacific in December 2013. Some 334 respondents completed the survey.

 

...the X-factor Israel winner

Pinay caregiver wins Israel’s X Factor

            

 The Philippine Star

January 16, 2014

 

Photo from X Factor Israel’s Facebook page shows Filipina Rose Fostanes being congratulated by fellow contestants after she won the reality show’s first season in Tel Aviv yesterday.

MANILA, Philippines - A 47-year-old Filipino caregiver has emerged as the newest star of Israeli reality television, putting a human face on the thousands of foreign workers who toil away in menial, back-breaking jobs in Israel.

Rose Fostanes won the “X Factor Israel” on Tuesday with her crowd-pleasing renditions of Frank Sinatra’s “My Way,” “Sweet Dreams” by the Eurythmics and Alicia Keys’ “If I Ain’t Got You” in a duet with her mentor, Israeli singer Shiri Maimon.

“Thank you so much for those Israelis who like my voice ... thank you for giving me the chance to be in The X Factor Israel,” Fostanes said after she won.

She also thanked thousands of Filipinos who supported her through online and text voting. She acknowledged the presence of the Philippine Ambassador to Israel Generoso Calonge, along with her long time partner and sister who were present during the final night of the show in Tel Aviv.

Netizens showed their support and lauded Fostanes’ victory through her Facebook page, Osang/Rose XFactor Israel, where they posted comments congratulating her. The administrator of the fan page updated stories about her journey to the talent show since her audition.

Interviewed by phone patch a few hours after the competition, Fostanes told GMA News TV that she was still in shock. “My Israeli friend convinced me to try my luck to join the singing competition. My family was my inspiration to work abroad,” she said.

Israeli viewers of the country’s myriad of reality shows have grown accustomed to successful candidates from various backgrounds, including black-clad ultra-Orthodox Jews, Ethiopian immigrants and a German convert to Judaism who became a celebrity chef. But they’ve never seen someone like Fostanes before.

 

The diminutive woman with a booming voice has taken “X-Factor Israel” by storm and emerged as a national phenomenon. Known simply as “Rose,” she is mobbed by fans wherever she goes.

“It’s a big change in my life because before nobody recognized me, nobody knew me. But now everybody, I think everybody in Israel knows my name. And it is very funny,” she said.

Fostanes captured her audience’ hearts with a strong and soulful voice, as she belted out hits such as Queen’s “Bohemian Rhapsody” and Lady Gaga’s “You and I.” She is among the final five contestants.

Fostanes arrived in Israel six years ago. She spends her days caring and cleaning for an ailing woman in her 50s. To save money, she lives in a crowded apartment in south Tel Aviv, a downtrodden area inhabited by foreign laborers, with seven others.

She said she has dreamed of singing since she was a child, but suffered discrimination because of her appearance.

“Sometimes I am telling myself, Is it true that it happened to me?” she said. “At least I can express and show the people that I have also talents and it’s not too late for me to shine.”

Fostanes said she has been a caregiver since the age of 23, working in Egypt and Lebanon before coming to Israel.

“My dream is to win this competition, but I have to go back to work as a caregiver,” she said before getting up on the arena stage to rehearse one of the numbers she was due to sing at the finals.

Fostanes has been compared to the Scottish singer Susan Boyle, 52, who shot to fame in 2009 after appearing on the TV show “Britain’s Got Talent” and performing a powerful rendition of “I Dreamed a Dream” from the musical “Les Miserables.”

Boyle’s giddy rise from unknown to multi-million-selling recording artist has been made into a musical.

Taguig fetes Rose

 

The Taguig City government feted Fostanes, who hails from Taguig’s Barangay Calzada-Tipas, for winning X-Factor Israel.

“We are all proud of Osang here in Taguig. She is indeed an epitome of hope, her powerful voice touching hearts not only of Israelis, but all of us,” said Taguig Mayor Lani Cayetano.

“We hope that she serves as an inspiration to all of us to reach out for our dreams,” she added.

Palace proud of Rose

 

Presidential spokesman Edwin Lacierda said Malacañang is proud of Fostanes for giving the country another honor.

“We are certainly very proud of Rose, that she was able to prove herself,” he said in a news briefing in Malacañang.

“We know the situation she was in and we are very proud that she has again given the Philippines pride in the showcase of her talents. – AP, Charmie Joy Pagulong, Mike Frialde, Delon Porcalla

 

...the Asia's Next Top Model Season 2 hopefuls

Two Filipinas represent Philippines in ‘Asia’s Next Top Model’ season 2


            

By Eunice Blanco

philstar.com

January 15, 2014

 

Who between Jodilly Pendra (left) and Katarina Rodriguez (right) will come out on top as “Asia’s Next Top Model”?-PR Photo

 

 

MANILA, Philippines- Two Filipinas are representing the Philippines in the second season of “Asia’s Next Top Model.”

Jodilly Pendra and Katarina Rodriguez are the two Pinays who were lucky to be included among the show's 16 contestants.

In a presscon held Tuesday afternoon, January 14, the entertainment press got to know them better.

Jodilly, 20 years old, took up and finished an Information System course at the University of Santo Tomas. Still, she says, she is not a "computer nerd", but someone who "sometimes loves to program.”

Prior to joining the modeling contest, Jodilly or Jody to those close to her, has been in the modeling industry for four years already and has helped her pay for school.

She was given a partial scholarship at the UST, but she says that her family could not afford to pay the rest of her tuition.

“I was forced to model, to go into the modeling industry because I needed to pursue my studies,” she relates. “I really, really wanted to finish my studies because my father died before I graduated from college.”

With her perseverance and dedication, Jody was able to finish her studies and now finally decided to pursue her dream of joining “Asia’s Next Top Model.”

“Gusto ko talaga sumali ng Asia’s Next Top Model pero ayaw ko na habang nag-aaral ako kasi mapipilitan ako mag-stop. So nang nakita ko ulit ‘yon, nag-audition ako.”

Meanwhile, the other Filipina who made it to the competition is the 21-year-old Katarina or Kat as she’s fondly called.

 

 

Unlike Jody, Kat didn’t have any experience in modeling, since she’s very focused with her studies as she’s currently taking a double major in philosophy and business management at the De La Salle University, and also a member of the university's track and field varsity team.

“I joined the show because I always wanted to try and go for it,” she said. And thanks to her friends who encouraged her, she finally had the guts to give modeling a shot.

“My barkada really believed in me, they pushed me to at least audition,” she recalled, which she said happened during her 21st birthday. “They were saying, ‘you’re 21, you’re getting old.’ So I auditioned and actually got in.”

But then, her grandfather whom she describes as “conservative” at first didn’t approve of her plans.
So with the help of her relatives, “he allowed it and I think he saw that I had my time of my life there.”

Representing Philippines

The two Filipinas are “excited” and “proud” to represent the Philippines in the competition.

“The pressure is on!” Kat says with a laugh. “My mentality during the show, I’m not only representing the Philippines, but I’m also representing all the younger girls.”

While on the other hand, Jody says, “Sobra lakas ng fighting spirit ko. Kaya sabi ko sa sarili ko, I won’t be pressured pag ando’n na ko sa model house.

“I’m here, I will focus, I’m here to win and I’m here to give pride to Filipinos. So more on excitement ang naramdaman ko kaysa pressure kasi I really enjoyed being there.”

The two are not yet allowed to reveal who won the competition, though they’re already done taping the whole second season.

Yet they admit that the experience in joining “Asia’s Next Top Model” has changed their lives a lot.

“It is a process,” Kat replies. “It is a big change especially I’m balancing school, and track [and field] and this. And I want to promote myself and this show as much as I can. So you know it’s really time management, so I’m really busier than I was before.”

For Jody, who says joining the competition is a dream come true, relates that “I learned how to present myself. I learned how to manage my emotions when you’re with other types of people. You know, when you’re with the other girls [and] they have different culture, so it’s really hard for me.”

Will one of Jody and Kat take home the title this season? Catch the season 2 of “Asia’s Next Top Model” on TV5 starting Thursday, January 16, after “For Love or Money.”

 

...the PH economic freedom rank 2014

Philippines jumps 8 notches in economic freedom index

 

ABS-CBNnews.com

01/14/2014

 

 

MANILA, Philippines - The Philippines jumped 8 spots to 89th in the 2014 Index of Economic Freedom, released by The Heritage Foundation and The Wall Street Journal on Tuesday.

In a statement, Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said the country's 89th ranking reflects "significant improvements" it has made in seven of the 10 economic freedoms, such as investment freedom, business freedom, monetary freedom, and the control of government spending. The Philippines ranked 97th in the 2013 index.

Overall, the world average score of 60.3 is the highest average in the index's two-decade history.

There were 43 countries, including Singapore and Sweden, that notched their highest scores in this year's index.

The Heritage Foundation cited the Philippine economy's "high degree of resilience," as it was one of the fastest-growing economies in Asia last year. Also cited were legislative reforms that were undertaken to "enhance the investment environment and incentivize broader-based private-sector job growth."

However, the data used for the 2014 index were based mostly on 2012 statistics.

"We believe that there have been significant improvements since then, despite the challenges we had to overcome as one nation. The positive results of this evaluation only strengthen our administration’s resolve to continue implementing reforms founded on good governance and true public service, which are necessary prerequisites to fostering lasting and inclusive growth in the Philippines," he said.

Topping the 2014 Index of Economic Freedom was Hong Kong, followed by Singapore. Singapore has managed to close the gap with Hong Kong to only 0.7 points, the second narrowest difference in index history.

On the other hand, North Korea was the "least economically unfree" country on the index.
The United States failed to make it to the top 10, with the score falling to 12th slot as it registered declines in fiscal freedom, business freedom and property rights.

Top 10 Most Free

1. Hong Kong
2. Singapore
3. Australia
4. Switzerland
5. New Zealand
6. Canada
7. Chile
8. Mauritius
9. Ireland
10. Denmark

Ten Least Free
178. North Korea
177. Cuba
176. Zimbabwe
175. Venezuela
174. Eritrea
173. Iran
172. D.R. of Congo
171. Turkmenistan
170. Timor-Leste
169. Rep. of Congo

Launched in 1995, the Index of Economic Freedom evaluates countries in 4 broad areas of economic freedom: rule of law; regulatory efficiency; limited government; and open markets.

 

...the Country of the Year!

Philippines is the Country of the Year 2013!

 

 

Posted on January 12, 2014

by Global Beauties (globalbeauties.com)

 

 

What a year for the Philippines! We can say that it “massacred” the competition in 2013, with superb performances by its five Grand Slam candidates and nearly a perfect record: a record-breaking three victories (World, Supranational, International), one finalist (4th place in Miss Universe) and 1 semi-finalist (top 10 in Miss Tourism Queen).

 

Philippines is the undisputed COUNTRY OF THE YEAR 2013,

 

with nearly the double of points obtained by the country which placed second, Spain.

 

Spain, nevertheless, deserves our respect for a very strong showing under new national directors and organizations. Brazil stood on the podium for the second consecutive year, again in a solid third place.

Venezuela, with a Miss Universe victory, but no placement in Miss World, Miss International, and Miss Tourism Queen, still manage to wrap 2013 up in a decent 4th place. France followed in the 5th position.

Indonesia truly stepped up as a pageant power in 2013: it had its first ever Grand Slam finalist (4th place in Miss Supranational), and placed with semi-finalists in both Miss World and Miss Universe. 6th place overall, something to be proud of.

The USA, “Country of the Year 2012″, had to settle for a modest 8th place in 2013. Ecuador, on the other hand, keeps on growing: it reached a Top 10 position for the 2nd time in history, this time in 9th place. Another great surprise in 2013 was Gibraltar, 13th overall with a Miss World finalist and a Miss International semi-finalist.

Philippines is BIG 4 Performer of the Year for 2013

Posted by: admin

missosology.org

 

 

With the conclusion of last night’s Miss International Beauty Pageant held at the posh Shinagawa Prince Hotel Hall in Tokyo, the Philippines ended the BIG 4 campaign for 2013 with a total of 680 points, the highest points ever amassed by a single country in a pageant year. The Southeast Asian country is officially declared by Missosology as the “Performer of the Year” for the second consecutive year.

The Philippine rallied strongly at the very first stage with a victory at Miss World, held in Bali, courtesy of the beautiful and outgoing Megan Young. It was also the first ever blue crown for the archipelago, which earlier before the pageant started, was devastated by floodings in the main island of Luzon. That victory, plus the Top Model special award, gave the Philippines a strong lead with 210 points. France and Ghana were the 1st and 2nd Runners-up, respectively, which meant that they were also the 2nd and 3rd placers at the beginning of the BIG 4 Performer of the Year leaderboard. They got 180 and 160 points respectively. Brazil, Gibraltar and Spain followed closely.

Just less than a couple of months after Miss World, came the much anticipated Miss Universe pageant in Moscow, Russia. Unheralded Miss Venezuela, Maria Gabriela Isler, marched with an unexpected but deserving victory. That gave the pageant powerhouse 200 points for Miss Universe alone. However, since they only got 10 participating points at Miss World, it was not enough to put them on the lead. Ariella “Ara” Arida of the Philippines gave the Philippines their fourth straight Top 5 placement, with a 3rd Runner-up finish, giving 140 more points in addition to the 210 points that they already secured at Miss World. Spain’s Patricia Rodgriguez was 1st Runner-up (180 points), which gave Spain a total of 310 points, securing the second spot. At that point, it seems that there was a neck-to-neck battle between the Philippines and Spain, but alas, Brazil was also strong! Their 4th Runner-up placement was good enough to give them 120 points, in addition to the 140 points they secured at Miss World.

Last month, at the conclusion of Miss Earth, Venezuela once again emerged as the winner, giving the Philippines some reasons to worry about. Alyz Henrich gave Venezuela 206 points. It is only at Miss Earth that the special awards are only given six points, since they traditionally give five special awards every year: Miss Friendship, Best National Costume, Miss Photogenic, Best in Swimsuit and Best in Long Gown. 30 points, divided by 5 is 6 points each. When a Miss Talent is declared, it is also given six points. Although Miss Earth is a strong ground for the Philippines, Angelee de los Reyes only settled for a Top 8 placement this year, which is still good enough for 130 points. Spain made it into the Top 16, while Brazil failed to enter the semis for the first time since 2008.

At Miss International, the Philippines grabbed the crown once again, eight years after Precious Lara Quigaman won the title in Tokyo. The Philippines, a pageant that loves beauty pageants and treats their beauty queens like royalty concluded the BIG 4 Pageant Year with a bang for a country. Bea Rose Santiago effortlessly took the fifth MI crown for her country, just a month after the region where she came from was devastated by one of the world’s strongest typhoons ever recorded. It seems that for the Philippines, every natural disaster is followed by a victory in a BIG 4 pageant.

 With Venezuela failing to place, and Spain convincingly sweeping the pageant year with an impressive placement at all BIG 4 pageants, this year’s Performer of the Year is given once again to the Philippines, while her runner-up is Spain.

BIG 4 PERFORMER OF THE YEAR

TOP 10 LEADERBOARD

 

Pageant Year 2013

 

1. Philippines – 680 points

 

2. Spain – 510 points

 

3. Venezuela – 426 points

 

4. Brazil – 370 points

 

5. USA – 350 points

 

6. France – 290 points

 

7. Ecuador – 280 points

 

7. Thailand – 280 points

 

9. Netherlands – 260 points

 

10. Gibraltar – 230 points

 

...the Manila property spot

Manila among top Asian property investment spots

Cliff Harvey C. Venzon
BusinessWorld Online
10 january 2014


MANILA HAS emerged as one of Asia’s top real estate investment destinations for this year, according to a survey by Washington-based Urban Land Institute (ULI) and global financial services firm PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC).

 

 

The Philippine capital placed fourth among 23 investment prospects in 2014, according to the Emerging Trends in Real Estate Asia Pacific report released on Thursday night. Manila ranked 12th last year.

 

"Manila has risen through the ranks this year, the result of a fast growing economy, increasing popularity of the city as a destination for multinationals seeking outsourced services (both business process outsourcing [BPO] and back office), and a growing awareness that the problems long associated with lack of transparency and governance issues have improved," the report stated.

The BPO industry’s head count grew by 21% to 776,794 in 2012, according to the Information Technology and Business Processing Association of the Philippines (IT-BPAP). That figure was expected to have grown by 20% last year, based on industry projections.

IT-BPAP, meanwhile, aims for revenues to reach $25 billion by 2016 with an estimated 1.3 million in labor force. Industry revenues reached $13.2 billion in 2012.

"The country also benefits from a young demographic, strong capital inflows from local citizens working overseas, and a workforce with a cultural affinity with the West," the report said.

According to the report, prime office rents are still well below pre-global financial crisis rates but are growing at 5-8% per year.

Office take-up hit 400,000 square meters last year, "with demand remaining high," it added.

The report also noted the constitutional restriction on land ownership.

"As with the other emerging markets, Manila can be a hard place in which to invest, partly because of laws that prevent foreigners from majority ownership of land and partly because there is already plenty of domestic liquidity," it said.

"Core product is therefore difficult to find, but on the opportunistic level a yield spread of 350 to 400 basis points can provide operating cash flow returns in the mid-teens," it added.

Meanwhile, Tokyo emerged as the top real estate investment destination for this year, displacing Jakarta, which slipped to third place after Shanghai.

Completing the list were Sydney, which placed fifth, Guangzhou (6th); Singapore (7th); Beijing (8th); Osaka (9th); Shenzhen (10th); Bangkok (11th); China’s secondary cities (12th); Melbourne (13th); Kuala Lumpur (14th); Seoul (15th); Taipei (16th); Auckland (17th); Hong Kong (18th); Ho Chi Minh (19th); Bangalore (20th); New Delhi (21st); Chennai (22nd) and Mumbai (23rd).

ULI and PwC researchers personally interviewed 120 individuals, while survey responses were received from 130 individuals who were affiliated in property, financial and investment companies.