...the PH seat in UNESCO body

Philippines wins seat in UNESCO'€™s World Heritage Committee

By: InterAksyon.com
November 21, 2013

The Ifugao Rice Terraces is one of the five World Heritage Sites in the Philippines designated by UNESCO. (Photo: Lira Dalangin-Fernandez, InterAksyon.com)

 

Tourism in the Philippines got an added boost as the country won a seat in the prestigious World Heritage Committee on Wednesday after elections were held during the 19^th Session of the General Assembly of States Parties to the World Heritage Convention.

This year’s elections brought together 22 country candidates who vied for 12 available seats in the Committee.

The Philippines garnered the second highest vote in the elections, having received 116 votes from the total of 173 votes cast. This was a clear indication of States Parties’ support for and belief in the country’s capabilities to perform the important mission of the Committee.

Together with the Philippines, Croatia, Finland, Jamaica, Kazakhstan, Republic of Korea, Lebanon, Peru, Poland, Portugal, Turkey and Viet Nam will now join the other 9 current members of the World Heritage Committee.
 
The Philippines will serve a 4-year term until 2017.

During her remarks before the General Assembly, Ambassador Cristina G. Ortega expressed appreciation for the trust bestowed upon the Philippines. She assured the Assembly that the Philippines will be an active and responsible member who will work hard for the interests of the world’s cultural and natural heritage. She also said “that this is indeed happy news for my country”.

The General Assembly of States Parties meets every two years and elects new members to the World Heritage Committee to replace the outgoing members and it determines the uniform percentage of contributions to the World Heritage Fund applicable to all States Parties.

The 21-member World Heritage Committee is one of the most prestigious bodies associated with UNESCO whose main responsibility is to implement the World Heritage Convention. The Committee decides on whether a property is inscribed in or deleted from the World Heritage List. It examines reports on the state of conservation of inscribed properties and asks States Parties to take action when properties are not being properly managed. It also determines the use of the World Heritage Fund and allocates financial assistance upon requests made by States Parties.

The campaign for the Philippine candidature to the Committee was spearheaded by the Permanent Delegation of the Philippines to UNESCO, led by Ambassador Ortega, with valuable support and coordination provided by the Department of Foreign Affairs and the UNESCO National Commission of the Philippines.

 

...the Gilas world ranking

Thanks to FIBA Asia run, PH climbs 11 spots in world rankings

 

By Chris Lagunzad

Yahoo PH Sports

28 September 2013

Yahoo PH Sports - Gilas Pilipinas at the awarding ceremonies of the 27th FIBA Asia Championship held August 11, 2013 at the Mall of Asia Arena. (Czeasar Dancel/NPPA Images)

 

 

Buoyed by its magical run in the 27th FIBA Asia Championship last month, the Philippines made a big leap in the world rankings, moving up 11 rungs higher to the 34th spot with an accumulated 22.8 points.

The Nationals, as hosts, finished fighting runners-up to powerhouse Iran in the Manila cage joust and that proved enough to earn the points to leapfrog the likes of continental rivals Japan (35th with 22.6 points), Qatar (42nd with 17.3) and Chinese Taipei (44th with 15.9).

Collectively known as Gilas Pilipinas, the Nationals also emerged as one of the most improved squads in the world rankings and is now ranked sixth-best overall in Asia behind China (12th with 188.9 points), Iran (20th with 94.2), Lebanon (29th with 35.4), Jordan (30th with 33.8), and South Korea (31st with 30.6).

More than elation, national team coach Chot Reyes admitted Friday that the Nationals’ latest feat also serve as an added motivation as they gear up for future international tournaments, including next year’s FIBA Basketball World Cup in Spain.

The United States, the reigning Olympic champion, kept its firm hold on the top spot with 940 points followed by European titan Spain with 885. Argentina was a distant third with 490 while Lithuania and Greece traded places in fourth and fifth spots with 432 and 376 points, respectively.

The rankings are based on the performance of each country in three major tournaments that includes the Olympics, the FIBA World Cup (then known as the FIBA World Championship) and the continental championships. FIBA then makes calculations from those tourneys inside two Olympic cycles.

 

 

...the most gender equal nations

Women on top: Phl among most gender equal nations

            

By Camille Diola

(philstar.com) 

Updated April 19, 2013

 

File photo from the World Bank Photo Collection.

 

 

MANILA, Philippines - The World Bank identified the Philippines as a world leader in gender equality, particularly in the fields of legislation, management and government.

In its World Development Indicators report released on Thursday, the international organization cited latest data showing that 55 percent of Filipino lawmakers, senior officials and managers are female.

The number, taken from 2007 to 2011 statistics, is the highest in the World Bank report with data from 88 countries.

The Philippines is among the two only countries in the world with more women than men in the said professions, using the International Labour Organization's standard classification of occupations.

Although the report said that gender inequality is most prevalent in developing countries, the Philippines, a lower middle income nation, is one exception.

"The share of women in high-skilled occupations ... indicates women's status and role in the labor force and society at large," the report explained.

Following the Philippines' lead is The Bahamas, a chain of island in the Caribbean, with 52 percent of leaders who are female.

Barbados, another island country in the Caribbean, is in relatively far third with 47 percent.

Ranking fourth is Latvia with women landing in 45 percent of top occupations, while the Cayman Islands are fifth with 44 percent.

The United States, the largest economy in the world, is tied with Latin American country Puerto Rico with 43 percent.

Indonesia, one of the Philippines' peer in Southeast Asis for one, only records 22 percent of high government and business positions given to women.

The world's most gender unequal nations in the world include those that have a dominant Muslim population, the lowest being Pakistan with women occupying only 3 percent of seats in legislation, governance and management.

Also at the bottom of the scale are Azerbaijan (7 percent), Lebanon (8 percent) and Saudi Arabia (8 percent).

"These patterns of inequality begin at an early age, with boys routinely receiving a larger share of education and health spending than girls, for example," World Bank said in the report.

The study, World Bank said, is a compilation of "relevant, high-quality and internationally comparable statistics about global development."

Other indicators cited in the report under people development are prevalence of malnutrition, HIV, unemployment and underemployment, as well as maternal mortality, adolescent fertility and under-five mortality.

 

...the lovers' paradise

Pinoys top global 'love ranking' - report

 

ABS-CBNnews.com

02/14/2013 

 

 

 MANILA, Philippines - Pinoys have been identified as the most emotional in the world, and now another survey said they are the ones who get the most love.

 

In keeping up with Valentine's Day, Bloomberg.com said the Philippines topped a Gallup survey of 136 countries which asked: "Did you experience love for a lot of the day yesterday?"

The following are where most of the respondents felt most loved:

1. Philippines - 93%
2. Rwanda - 92%
3. Puerto Rico - 90%
4. Hungary - 89%
5. Cyprus - 88%
6. Trinidad and Tobago - 88%
7. Paraguay - 87%
8. Lebanon - 86%
9. Costa Rica - 85%
10. Cambodia - 85%

Meanwhile, these are the countries that occupied the bottom of the list:

136. Armenia - 29%
135. Uzbekistan - 32%
134. Mongolia - 32%
133. Kyrgyzstan - 34%
132. Georgia - 43%
131. Belarus - 43%
130. Morocco - 43%
129. Kazakhstan - 45%
128. Moldova - 46%
127. Tajikistan - 47%

The Gallup survey was conducted in 2006 and 2007.

...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 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 new PH cardinal

 

Pope names six new non-European cardinals

By by Francoise Kadri

AFP News

25 Novemner 2012

 

 

Pope Benedict XVI on Saturday consecrated six non-European prelates as new members of the College of Cardinals in a development welcomed by critics concerned that the body which will elect the future pope is too Euro-centric.

The elite body "presents a variety of faces, because it expresses the face of the universal Church," the 85-year-old pontiff said during the ceremony -- called a consistory -- in St Peter's Basilica.

"In this consistory, I want to highlight ... that the Church is the Church of all peoples," he said.

The solemn ceremony saw the new "princes of the Church" receive gold rings and birettas -- their scarlet colour signifying the blood of martyrs, or those willing to die for their faith -- while kneeling before the pontiff.

The pope drew criticism in February, at the height of the "Vatileaks" scandal, when he created 22 new cardinals of whom 16 hailed from Europe.

Benedict, who was elected pope in 2005, is a respected theologian often seen as hewing closely to a traditionalist line who has championed Christianity's European roots on countless occasions.

Saturday's new cardinals come from Colombia, India, Lebanon, Nigeria, the Philippines and the United States and join the elite body that advises the pope and elects his successor upon his death.

They are American James Michael Harvey, Lebanon's Bechara Boutros al-Rahi, India's Baselios Cleemis Thottunkal, John Onaiyekan of Nigeria, Colombian Ruben Salazar Gomez and Luis Antonio Tagle of the Philippines.

Announcing the names of the new cardinals last month, Benedict told bishops that he wanted to show that "the Church belongs to all peoples, speaks all languages."

Saturday's consistory, Benedict's fifth, follows the death of several cardinals in recent months and will bring the number of those eligible to vote back up to the maximum of 120.

Cardinals must be under 80 years old to take part in a papal election although they can stay on as non-voting cardinals after they reach that threshold.

There are now 62 European cardinals eligible to vote compared with 67 in February, as well as 14 North Americans, 21 South Americans, 11 Africans and 11 Asians.

Cardinal James Michael Harvey, USA

Harvey, 63, who hails from Milwaukee, Wisconsin, has been the prefect of the pontifical household since 1998. The best known of the new cardinals has been made the archpriest of the Basilica of St Paul's Outside the Walls, one of Rome's most prominent basilicas.




Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle, Philippines

Another of the new cardinals, Manila Archbishop Tagle, at age 55 is viewed as a possible candidate to succeed Benedict.

The last to receive his biretta on Saturday, Tagle was visibly moved, wiping away tears after a long tete-a-tete with the pope, to applause from the congregants.

Bechara Boutros al-Rahi, Lebanon

Rahi, 72, became the second Maronite cardinal alongside Monsignor Nasrallah Sfeir, also of Lebanon. Rahi has frequently warned over the rise of Islamism, and his elevation is seen as a gesture towards a multi-faith Lebanon at a time when the country is threatened by the conflict in neighbouring Syria.

Cardinal Baselios Cleemis Thottunkal, India

Trivandrum Archbishop Thottunkal of India became the youngest member of the College of Cardinals at age 53. His elevation was seen as a bid to encourage India's old but dynamic Church, little known in the West.

Cardinal John Onaiyekan, Nigeria

As for the 68-year-old Onaiyekan of Nigeria, archbishop of Abuja, he is another "papabile", or potential pope, who has shown courage in the face of inter-faith hatred at a time when his country faces attacks against Christians by the Islamist sect Boko Haram.

Cardinal Ruben Salazar Gomez, Colombia

Another man of peace is 70-year-old Gomez of Bogota, who has fought tirelessly for national reconciliation with Colombia's FARC rebels.

...the highest remittance recipients

PH third highest remittance recipient among developing nations

By Kim Arveen Patria

Yahoo! Southeast Asia Newsroom

23 November 2012

 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

...the Pinoy doc to UN post

Pinoy doctor elected to UN committee vs. torture

By Rio Rose Ribaya

26 October 2012

 

A Filipino doctor is among the 12 new members of a committee in the United Nations (UN) in Geneva, Switzerland, a local group disclosed on Friday.

Dr. June Pagaduan Lopez, founder of Medical Action Group (MAG), was elected as a member of UN Anti-Torture Committee’s Subcommittee on Prevention of Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (SPT).

In a statement, MAG congratulated Lopez for bringing Pinoy honor, by serving as one of the experts who will monitor detention conditions in more than 60 countries around the world until 2016.

"This will considerably strengthen the mandate of the SPT in torture prevention particularly in the field of mental health rehabilitation of torture survivors and their families," the group said.

The SPT has a preventive mandate focused on an innovative, sustained and proactive approach to the prevention of torture and ill treatment.

Lopez was elected during the fourth meeting of Optional Protocol to the Convention against Torture and other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (OPCAT) on Thursday.

She will be working with other experts from Switzerland, United Kingdom, Argentina, New Zealand, Lebanon, Serbia, Mauritius, Costa Rica, Brazil, Germany and Republic of Moldova.

A professor at the University of the Philippines (UP) in Manila, Lopez exemplified “outstanding commitment” to the promotion and defense of human rights, MAG said.

She has been using her expertise in psychiatry for the rehabilitation of torture survivors for many years, the group noted.

The Philippines became the 63rd State Party to the Optional Protocol to the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (OPCAT) in April.

...the fate of Busong at NatGeo Film Festival

‘Busong’ Wins At Nat Geo Film Fest

 

 

By JULIEN MERCED C. MATABUENA

September 28, 2012

 

 

'Busong' starring Alessandra de Rossi premiered at the Cannes Film Festival's Director's Fortnight last year (Film still courtesy of the film's official Facebook page)

MANILA, Philippines – Auraeus Solito’s award-winning film “Busong (‘Palawan Fate’)” has bagged the Merata Mita Award at the National Geographic’s 8th All Roads Film Festival in Washington, D.C.

Interaksyon.com reported on Friday a part of the announcement that's said to have been made by the director on his Facebook page this morning, “Salamat Ampuh! Salamat mga Ninuno! Salamat sa Indu ku.”

The Merata Mita Award, said to be the festival’s grand prize, is “named after the late New Zealand filmmaker who championed the Maori film industry.”

The recent success of “Busong” was likewise publicized on the festival’s official Facebook page also on Friday, although it did not identify the specific award it received and only congratulated the three winners. The other two are Eriberto Gualinga’s “Los Decendientes del Jaguar” and Odin Salazar Flores’ “Burros.”

More, a post on the official Facebook page of “Busong” announced the same day, “’Busong’ won the Best of All Stories award at the National Geographic's All Roads Film Festival!”

“Busong” is among the 24 films and documentaries from the US, Mexico, UK, Bangladesh, India, Canada, Israel, China, Tibet, Iran, Russia, Italy, and Lebanon being screened at the festival, which kicked off on Sept. 27 and will run until this Sunday. According to a post on the National Geographic’s official website, the All Roads Film Festival showcases “compelling stories from indigenous and minority cultures around the world.”

After this, “Busong” will make its way to the Atlanta Asian Film Festival (Oct. 5-20) in Georgia; and the International Festival of Films on Tribal Art and Culture in Bhopal, India (Oct. 10-14).

...the hopeful FIBA Asia host

Phl looms best bet to host FIBA Asia By Nelson Beltran The Philippine Star September 19, 2012

TOKYO – The Philippines has emerged as having the best chance to host the 2013 FIBA Asia Championship.

Talks making the rounds on the eve of the FIBA Asia executive board meeting Wednesday were favorable for the Philippines which is bidding to host the biennial regional event for the first time in four decades.

For one, Iran, another serious bidder, has conceded the Philippines would earn the rights to host the Asian meet with the Tehran Times already reporting on Tuesday that the event will be held in Manila.

China hinted at making a bid in the last minute, but it is unlikely to get the nod of the FIBA Asia board, having hosted the last two editions (in Tianjin in 2009 and in Wuhan in 2011) of the event.

Qatar has reportedly dropped its plan to join the bidding presentation set during the FIBA Asia executive board meeting at the International Convention Center of Grand Prince New Takanawa Hotel at 4 p.m. Wednesday.

At the start of the knock out stage Thursday, the Philippines plays Chinese Taipei which placed third in Group B following a 75-73 squeaker over Qatar.

Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas is determined to make good impression that it is sending a high-powered cast of Filipino cage officials in the meeting.

SBP executive director Sonny Barrios will make a presentation on behalf of the Philippine federation which intends to bring the event at the brand-new SM MOA Arena as the main venue and the Ninoy Aquino Stadium as the second venue.

 

SBP president Manny V. Pangilinan will also attend the meeting with PBA officials, led by commissioner Chito Salud and board chairman Robert Non, lending their presence on the sideline to show full backing on the Philippine bid.

The Philippines has never played host to this event since the 1973 meet which the country ruled with a team including Robert Jaworski, Mon Fernandez and Bogs Adornado among others. The event was still then called ABC (Asian Basketball Confederation) Championship.

The other only huge FIBA event the country hosted since then was the 1978 World Championship at the Araneta Coliseum.

In 2010, the SBP showcased the Philsports Arena in hosting the FIBA Asia Champions Cup.

The latest significant move done by the SBP was inviting FIBA Asia secretary general Hagop Khajirian to inspect the SM MOA Arena a few weeks back.

Khajirian told SBP officials then that, for him, SM MOA Arena “is more than acceptable as primary venue of the FIBA Asia Championship.”

The FIBA Asia leadership includes president Sheikh Saud Bin Ali Al-Thani from Qatar, chairman Xin Lancheng from China, first vice president Adel Al Assomi from Bahrain, second vice president Yushi Samuro from Japan, treasurer Quek Hiang Chiang from Singapore, assistant sec-gen Mahmoud Mashhoun from Iran and women’s representative Noviantika Nasution from Indonesia.

Meanwhile, defending champion Lebanon and reigning FIBA Asia titlist China rolled past Uzbekistan and Macau, respectively, to catch up with Smart Gilas Pilipinas at 3-1 at the close of the fourth FIBA Asia Cup group plays at the Ota Gymnasium.

The Lebanese blasted the Uzbeks, 84-49, while the Chinese ripped their Macau neighbors, 84-49.

Lebanon, the Philippines and China finished on that order following the application of the quotient tiebreak system. Uzbekistan was the fourth quarters qualifier from Group A.


UPDATE: Lebanon beats Philippines as FIBA hosts
http://www.philstar.com/sportsarticle.aspx?publicationsubcategoryid=69&articleid=850815&keyword=sp_pba

...the PH Gilas

PH Gilas whips Lebanon in Asia Cup

 

 

ABS-CBNnews.com

09/15/2012

 

MANILA, Philippines – Smart Gilas Pilipinas crushed the Lebanon Cedars to notch their first win, 78-68, in the FIBA Asia Cup in Tokyo, Japan on Saturday.

 

Marcus Douthit led the Filipinos with a double-double performance of 25 points and 21 rebounds.

Douthit also received scoring support from his teammates and this enabled Gilas to upset Fadi El-Khatib’s high-scoring game.

Fadi El-Khatib led Lebanon with 24 points.

Gilas coach Chot Reyes was pleased with the performance of the Philippine team, which lost its opening game to a younger Chinese team, 71-68.

“We learnt from our mistakes last night,” Reyes said in FIBA.net.

“We were constantly reminding ourselves throughout the night, especially in the last few moments about last night. I think that kept us in good stead.”

...the Prix Jeunesse awardee

'Wansapanataym' wins in Prix Jeunesse festival

ABS-CBNnews.com

06/11/2012

MANILA, Philippines -- ABS-CBN’s fantasy-drama anthology “Wansapanataym” recently bagged the Children’s Jury Prize in the prestigious 2012 Prix Jeunesse International Festival in Germany.

The show's "Chalk Boy" episode, topbilled by child actor Bugoy Cariño, ruled in the "7-11 Fiction" category, beating 19 other entries from various countries across the globe including Germany, Canada, Australia, Brazil, Denmark, Netherlands, China, Columbia, United Kingdom, Korea, Chile, Lebanon and Kyrgyzstan.

The "Chalk Boy" episode was about a boy who was taught by a kid made out of chalk to value and respect his grandfather and his elders.

Also starring in the episode were Dante Rivero, Jacob Dionisio, Rochelle Barrameda, and Arnold Reyes. It was written by Cris Lim and directed by Manny Palo.

Prix Jeunesse International is a biannual competition that recognizes innovative children and youth programs worldwide.

“Wansapanataym” is a part of ABS-CBN’s “Bida Best Kid” campaign that aims to empower children by encouraging them to become who they want to be and the best that they can be.

“Wansapanataym” airs every Saturday, after “Kapamilya: Deal or No Deal” on ABS-CBN

...the most beautiful hospitals

St. Luke’s one of world’s most beautiful hospitals: website

ABS-CBNnews.com

03/26/2012

 

The patient's room at the presidential suite of SLMC Global City. The suite also has a receiving area, a kitchen, a bathroom and a guest room. Photo from SLMC Global City

MANILA, Philippines – St. Luke’s Medical Center (SLMC) Global City in Taguig is one of the most beautiful hospitals in the world, according to a website.

HealthExecNews.com, which describes itself as “a health care information network and daily publication focusing on trends and issues facing executives working in the health care industry,” ranked St. Luke’s 11th in its list of 25 hospitals.

Hospitals from the United States dominated the list, with Sharp Memorial Hospital in San Diego, California getting the top spot.

Other hospitals in the list are based in Hong Kong, Dubai, Thailand, England, Lebanon, Switzerland, Australia, Panama, and Austria.

“SLMC has received international accreditation and is recognized as one of the best hospitals in Asia and the entire world. As such, it regularly receives patients from around Asia, Micronesia, the Middle East, Europe and the United States,” the website said.

“This hospital holds 650 patient beds, with almost half of those available as fully-furnished, private suites with televisions and other modern conveniences to make every visit as comfortable as possible,” it added.

SLMC Global City, a high-end hospital, opened in January 2010. The first St. Luke’s hospital is located in Quezon City.

Last year, former president-turned-congresswoman Gloria Macapagal Arroyo was under hospital arrest in SLMC Global City in relation to an electoral sabotage case.

She stayed in the hospital’s lone presidential suite which at the time costs P50,000 a day, or P47,619 for senior citizens.

The amount is more than half the monthly salary of President Benigno Aquino III, which is pegged at over P90,000, excluding taxes.

Arroyo was eventually transferred to Veterans Memorial Medical Center in Quezon City.

...the hard earned money

Migrant remittances top $350bn—World Bank

Agence France-Presse
via Phil. Daily Inquirer

Saturday, December 3rd, 2011

The Philippines is fourth largest recipient of remittances in the world for  2011 with est. $23 billion


GENEVA—Migrant workers from developing countries will have sent home more than $350 billion in remittances by the end of this year, a World Bank report said Friday.

The figure tops $400 billion for 2011 if money sent to high-income countries is included, said the report, released during the fifth meeting of the Global Forum on Migration and Development in Geneva.

The top recipients of officially recorded remittances were India, which took in $58 billion, followed by China ($57 billion), Mexico ($24 billion) and the Philippines ($23 billion).

Other top beneficiaries were Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nigeria, Vietnam, Egypt and Lebanon.

“Despite the global economic crisis… remittance flows to developing countries have remained resilient, posting an estimated growth of 8 percent in 2011,” said Hans Timmer, director of the bank’s Development Prospects Group.

“Remittance flows to all developing regions have grown this year, for the first time since the financial crisis.”


The World Bank expects a 7.3 percent rise in such payments in 2012 and a 7.9 percent increase in 2013.

The two-day Global Forum meeting — attended by 160 nations and 30 groups — was opened Thursday by Swiss minister Simonetta Sommaruga, who called for stronger international collaboration in asylum policy.

The body was set up in 2006 by then UN secretary general Kofi Annan to strengthen cooperation between migrants’ countries of origin, transit and destination.

...the Order of Cedar awardee

PHL ambassador receives medal from Lebanese govt

07/06/2011

GMA News

Lebanese President Michel Sleiman conferred the Medal of the National Order of the Cedar, Grand Officer Rank, on former Philippine Ambassador Gilberto Asuque for his services in enhancing bilateral relations between Lebanon and the Philippines.

According to the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), the Medal of the National Cedar is a prestigious civilian and military award and medal of the Lebanese government.

The Lebanese President conferred the medal on Asuque during a simple ceremony on June 28 at the Baabda Palace.

Ambassador Asuque thanked Sleiman and the government of Lebanon saying, "this medal is a great honor for the government and the people of the Philippines whom I am duty bound to serve, and is a recognition of the very warm and beneficial relations between our countries."

On June 30, Asuque ended his three years and two months of diplomatic service in Lebanon, eight months of which was first served as Chargé d' Affaires, a.i. and Consul General.

Asuque's legacy

A labor pact seeking to benefit overseas Filipino workers in Lebanon may stand as one of the most important legacies left behind by the Philippines' last ambassador there.

Before leaving Lebanon last June 30, former ambassador Gilberto Asuque helped forge a memorandum of understanding on labor cooperation that may be signed anytime soon.

"The MOU is set for signing at a mutually acceptable date," the DFA said.

It added the MOU will establish the procedures and mechanisms to protect the rights and promote the welfare of OFWs in Lebanon.

The DFA said Asuque had collaborated with Member of Parliament and former labor minister Boutros Harb in finalizing the text of the MOU on Labor Cooperation.

Blessings for OFWs

On June 28, Asuque made his farewell call on Msgr. Gabriele Caccia, Papal Nuncio and Dean of the Diplomatic Corps, at the nuncio's residence in Harissa.

He expressed his thanks for the friendship and cooperation between the Embassy and the Apostolic Nunciature.

He also asked for Caccia's Blessings for the OFWs in Lebanon as many of them provide support and serve as choir during Sunday masses.

During the call, Caccia presented Asuque with a silver plate as recognition of Asuque's diplomatic service in Lebanon. - VVP, GMA News

...the top remittance recipient

WB: PHL remittances 2nd highest amid inflation

PATERNO ESMAQUEL II,

GMA News

05/24/2011

Despite its ballooning inflation rate, the Philippines posted the second highest growth of remittances among developing countries for 2010, the World Bank said in a report released to the Philippine media Tuesday.

In the WB Outlook for Remittance Flows for 2011 to 2013, economists Sanket Mohapatra, Dilip Ratha, and Ani Silwal reported that remittances to the Philippines, adjusted for inflation in local currency terms, grew by -1.4 percent in 2010. The top performer in this area was China, which grew by 1 percent.

Published under the WB Migration and Development Brief on Monday, the report places these figures in the context of the “quick" recovery of developing countries from the 2008 global financial crisis.

“Officially recorded remittance flows to developing countries recovered quickly to $325 billion in 2010 after the global financial crisis," the WB explained. “But they have not kept pace with rising prices in recipient countries."

Overall, the WB said remittances to developing countries grew 5.6 percent in US dollar terms in 2010, “but grew by a smaller 3.9 percent after accounting exchange rate changes, and fell by 2.7 percent after adjusting for inflation."

In 2010, the Philippines’ inflation rate grew to 3.8 percent from 3.2 percent in 2009, according to the National Statistics Office.

PHL among top recipients

With $21.4 billion in remittances, the Philippines took the fourth largest share of remittances among developing countries in 2010, the WB said. The largest recipient was India with $53.1 billion, followed by China with $51.3 billion, and Mexico with $22 billion.

In US dollars, the WB said remittances to the Philippines grew by 8.1 percent in 2010 — the fourth largest growth in US-dollar terms, next to Vietnam with 17 percent, Lebanon with 11.3 percent, and Pakistan with 11.1 percent. The Philippines’ growth in this area ties with that of Egypt.

In local currency terms, the Philippines fared as the 8th among the 10 largest recipient countries in 2010, the WB said. The country posted a growth of 2.3 percent in this area, trailing Vietnam, Pakistan, Lebanon, Egypt, Nigeria, China, and Bangladesh.

“The reduction in local currency value of remittances implies hardship for recipients, and increased pressure on migrants to send more to maintain the purchasing power of their remittances," the WB noted.

For the East Asia and Pacific region, which includes the Philippines, the WB projected a growth of 6.8 percent in remittance inflows last year, 8 percent for 2012, and 9.5 percent for 2013.

“Given the volume of remittances flowing to developing countries, innovative financing tools such as diaspora bonds and remittance-backed bonds are being viewed as potential sources that can finance infrastructure and development projects at lower cost and longer maturities," the WB added.

Effect of Middle East, North Africa crisis

The multilateral bank also said the effect on migration of the political turmoil in parts of North Africa and the Middle East “appears to have been largely localized within the region."

“Outside the North Africa and Middle East region, the remittance recipient region that could be affected by the crisis is South Asia," the WB said.

However, the bank noted a “lack of reliable and high-frequency data on both migration and remittances during the crisis in North Africa and the Middle East."

“Basic facts on the impacts of the crisis for migrants and recipient countries are simply not available," the WB said. “There is urgent need for rapid monitoring systems in both migrant-sending and -recipient countries through improved data collection and dissemination of high-frequency data on migration and remittances."

Earlier this month, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas reported that overseas Filipino workers’ remittances rose by 5.9 percent in the first quarter of 2011 amid earlier fears of a decline due to the political unrest in Middle East and North Africa, and the disasters in Japan. — VS, GMA News

...the cedar country

PHL tourism, workers' rights promoted at Lebanon cultural fair

 

 

05/05/2011

GMANews.tv

 

Philippine authorities promoted the country's tourism and the rights of migrant workers during the recent launching of a cultural fair in Lebanon.

The Philippine Embassy and the Filipino Cultural Guild (FCG) promoted these issues at the fair dubbed "Cultural City" at the Lebanese International University (LIU) Bekaa Valley Campus on May 1.

"Some 40,000 overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) live and work in Lebanon, and the protection of their human rights were essential in the participation of the Philippines in the launching ceremony of the LIU's Cultural City," the Department of Foreign Affairs said on Thursday.

The Cultural City is an annual event to promote the work of the university's Human Rights Center.

It featured the International Cultural Fair participated in by 22 embassies including the Philippines.

Its launching coincided with the May 1 Labor Day celebration in Lebanon.

According to the DFA, the events in the 15-day festival included the campaign to defend the rights of foreign workers in Lebanon.

Publish Post

Philippine Ambassador Gilberto Asuque led the country's delegation to the fair which featured a photo exhibit of Philippine tourism sites. - VVP, GMA News