...the wizzards

MANILA, Philippines—A total of 191 young math aces from over 100 public and private elementary and high schools nationwide will represent the Philippines in at least 12 international mathematics competitions this year.

This was announced on Thursday by Dr. Simon Chua, president of the Mathematics Trainers' Guild-Philippines, which held early this week the 2011 Young Mathematicians' In-House Training Program in Naga City.

More than 1,400 primary and secondary school students took part in the tough MTG qualifying tests.

Those who qualified are set to participate in MTG's Math Olympiad Summer Training Program to prepare them for this year's foreign math contests, according to Chua.

Chua was referring to the Primary Math World Contest in Hong Kong; Indonesia International Math Contest; Hua Bei Sai Math Contest for the Youth, Southeast Math Olympiad, China Girls' Math Olympiad, China Primary Level Math Contest, China Junior High School Math Contest, Nan Fang Math Cup, and China Western Math Olympiad, all in China; International Math Invitational Contest in Singapore; Wizards at Mathematics International Competition in India; and the Asian Inter-Cities Math Olympiad in Nepal.

For the second year in a row, St. Jude Catholic School in Manila topped the list of qualifiers with 21 students, followed by Xavier School and Grace Christian College, with 20 and 10 qualifiers, respectively.

St. Stephen's High School had seven qualifiers; Zamboanga Chong Hua High School, Philippine Cultural College, Philippine Science High School-Main, Jubilee Christian Academy, and Makati Science High School had six qualifiers each, while Chiang Kai Shek had five.

San Beda College-Alabang had four qualifiers while Colegio San Agustin-Makati, St. John Institute and Pasig Catholic College had three each.

Qualifiers from St. Jude Catholic School include Adrian Reginald Sy, Abigail Laureen Sy, Andrew Lawrence Sy, Cary Albert Chan, Ma. Czarina Angela Lao, Audrey Celine Lao, Keefe Collin Tan and Austin Edrick Chua.

Those from Xavier School include Ethan Zachary Chua, Jarred Go, Adrian Nathaniel Chua, Brendan Coseto, Vince Andrew Lee, Mark Christopher Uy, Kyle Lee Uy, and Aldrich Aldwin Mayoralgo.

Qualifiers from Grace Christian College include Kaye Janelle Yao, Deany Hendrick Cheng, Lu Christian Ong, Sean Timothy Cheng, Adam Christopher Chan, Shaquille Wyan Que, and Jason Carlo Carranceja.

The following also made the cut: national Sudoku champion James Timothy Tan from Trinity Christian School in Bacolod City; James Daniel Cordon, Lara Andrea Montales and Michael Brodeth, all from Philippine Science High School-Main; Farrell Eldrian Wu from MGC New Life Christian Academy in Taguig City; Jonn Angel Aranas from Makati Science High School; Ethan Riley Chan and Steve Ng, both from Zamboanga Chong Hua High School; and Trisha Nicole Aman from the Naga Hope Christian School in Naga City.

Last year, a total of 227 young math wizards represented the country in eight foreign math competitions, where they bagged more than 200 medals.

Chua cited the country's numbers aces for "a job well done," noting "MTG's efforts are paying off."

Founded in 1995, MTG aims to "institutionalize excellence in math education and training and upgrade the disciplines to international standards."

Next September, MTG and the Naga City government will jointly host the 8th International Mathematics and Science Olympiad.

At least 30 countries are expected to compete in this year's IMSO, which was held last year in Bali, Indonesia.

...the pool David

PHL's David slays Taiwanese Goliath in pool championship

REY JOBLE, GMA News

04/02/2011

The Philippines’ latest version of David has slain a Goliath in former World Pool Championship runner-up Pei Wei Chang.

Renemar David, twice a representative of the country in the World Junior Championship, wielded the upset ax on his more illustrious opponent to win the Qualifier 5 of the Philippine Open Pool Championship on Saturday at the Star Billiards Center.

David stunned Pei, 9-5, to advance to the next phase of the tournament.

David is the third Filipino player to make it to the main draw via the qualifying stage. On Friday, Jundel Mazon and Roberto Gomez clinched a berth in the Stage 2 of this event where current and former world champions are already seeded and set to see action from April 7 to 11 at the SM Megamall in Mandaluyong City.

The 21-year-old pride of Candon, Ilocos Sur, dictated the tempo of the match early, racing to a 3-0 lead. He had a chance to make it four in a row, but his last attempt on ball No. 10 in the fourth rack went out of the table.

That enabled Pei, runner-up to eventual champion Alex Pagulayan in the 2004 World Pool Championship, to make it to the scoring column. The Taiwanese cue artist made a fitting follow-up to stay within striking distance, 2-3.

Then came another big run from David.

The player regarded as one of the only few young players to deal legendary pool player Efren “Bata" Reyes a sound beating, won the next five racks to move comfortably ahead, 7-3.

David had a dry break in the 11th rack then both players got contented in safety exchanges. A miscalculated safety shot by the Filipino exposed ball No.4 for Pei, who cleaned up the table.

Pei had a dry break in the next rack, but got another chance when David missed the No. 6 at the corner, allowing his opponent to get back to the table. The Taiwanese bet wasted no time and closed in at 5-7.

But Pei bungled two crucial easy shots that could have pushed him back into the game. A missed on the No.3 at the corner allowed David to take his turn and clean up the table for an 8-5 lead.

David sank ball No.1 off a break in the 14th rack. He miscalculated the cue ball while preparing for the No.6 and needed to take a jump shot. Luckily, the No.6 went partially covered by No.9 and Pei was forced to take a bank shot for a 6 and 10 combo. The shot went unsuccessful and the Filipino dispatched the remaining ball and formalized his entry to the Stage 2 event.

"Suwerte lang ako dahil naunahan ko siya. Kung naging dikit yung laban, mahihirapan ako," said David. "Medyo masama rin yung laro niya dahil marami siyang sinablay na tira."

David's road to winning the Qualifier No. 5 didn't come easy as he needed to hurdle five foreign competitors. He beat Indonesian Sahroni, crack Chinese player Wang Ming, Lim Leng of Vietnam and Johari of Indonesia. - GMA News

...the base

Subic: School for sustainable tourism and economic growth driver

Empowering the Filipino People

By Former Philippine President Fidel V. Ramos

April 2, 2011

“People empowerment leads to a culture of excellence and results in global competitiveness. Excellence simply means being ‘better than the others.’” — FVR

MANILA, Philippines – Last 23 March, FVR launched the International School of Sustainable Tourism (ISST) in Subic upon invitation of its President, Dr. Mina Gabor, former Tourism Secretary. Mina is one character who really knows how to get attention. Three weeks ago, when she came to our Ramos Peace and Development Foundation (RPDEV) in Makati to invite us for the inauguration of ISST (her latest “baby”), we had 83 things calendared on the chosen date. But, when she dropped the word “ECO-TOURISM,” right then and there, we cancelled everything and agreed to go.

UN World Tourism Organization ‘Musts’

Sustainable tourism is the acknowledged key to ensuring that there is an adequate supply of quality tourism products/services, while minimizing/ avoiding negative impacts of tourism on our natural environment and socio-cultural assets.

Many actions need to be done to prepare venues for the enjoyment of local and foreign tourists, the most essential listed by the UN World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) being:

Research: Engage leading industry experts and research institutions to generate cutting-edge knowledge on sustainable policies and tools.

Capacity Building: Conduct seminars and training camps using practical/hands-on methods.

Dissemination: Organize international conferences/forums for the exchange of “best practices.”

Networking: Collaborate with regional/national tourism administrations, UN agencies, and tourism operators regularly.

Pilot/Technical Applications: Carry out pilot projects to “test” new approaches and techniques.

Bringing stakeholders together

Late last year, the first Eco-Guiding Course ever done in the Philippines was held at ISST in partnership with the Department of Tourism.

Our country badly needs Eco-Guides since we have only a limited number of well-trained park rangers.
Taking care of at least 2,000 hectares of forest is the job of just one park ranger.

An Eco-Guide is someone who connects tourists with the natural and cultural values of the places visited.

Guides do this by interpreting each venue’s special features, sharing their passion for nature with visitors, while minimizing people’s impact on the environment. They are responsible not only for the safety and enlightenment of tourists – but equally, for environmental protection.

Ecotour Guides are employed on cruise ships, walking/bus tours, wildlife adventures, and at historic sites.

Maximizing opportunities in sustainable tourism

RPDEV completed last year a series of “EcoMismo” seminars where partners in government and the private sector discussed doable solutions to challenges, both in policy and operations.

These sharing workshops were held in MetroManila, Cebu, Bohol, Sarangani, South Cotabato, GenSan, and CamSur.

With the theme “Ecotourism and Eco-Productivity: Best Practices and Challenges,” EcoMismo aimed to highlight the Philippines as among the top Asia-Pacific clusters in eco-tourism, and a pioneer in eco-productivity.

FVR also keynoted the 4th Philippine Real Estate Festival (PREF) Excellence Awards last 31 July when achievers in both real estate and tourism development were properly recognized, and where retirement/healthcare communities for foreigners were identified.

Only the best is good enough

Emphasized to EcoMismo and PREF audiences was the importance of EXCELLENCE as the yardstick for successful tourism packages.

During FVR’s Presidency (and up to now) among the recurring themes in his speeches, writings and interactions with other stakeholders is the virtue of striving for excellence in everything we do – if Filipinos are to become globally competitive as a nation.

Among our tourism crown jewels, it is in Subic Bay (being an international gateway) where tourism development, environmental conservation, and human behavior synergistically converge, and where nothing less than excellence works.

Many talk about increasing global opportunities in our time. As modern technology brings far-flung or untapped markets closer to our doorsteps, we may think the chances for global business automatically increase. Well, not really – because excellence in the global marketplace is the principal yardstick.
Best practices in eco-tourism

In 1991, the DoT – in collaboration with the UN Development Programme (UNDP) and the UNWTO – prepared a Philippine Tourism Master Plan, the key objective of which was to position the Philippines as a world-class tourism destination under the guiding concept of sustainable development.

The Ramos Administration adopted that blueprint in 1992 as our basic roadmap, which includes real estate and property development. That official policy of sustainable tourism was further deepened and broadened thru regional seminars-workshops among stakeholders.

Sustainable tourism demands sustainable business practices. Clearly, the task of sustainable tourism has no universal solution -- it has only universal intent. Solutions are always location-specific. What works in Bohol may not work in Caramoan, CamSur. Practices in Cebu City may not apply in Lake Sebu.

The intent in sharing best practices is not the “who,” but the “why” and “how.” It is not to imitate but to learn from each other’s experiences -- and be inspired by them.

Nurturing a culture of excellence

In “winner” tourism models, decision-makers don’t settle for what is easy and convenient, or what is contrived or merely improvised. They study, analyze, plan and test until what they wish to achieve is clearly configured and understood in the minds of stakeholders who must help bring about the intended outcome.

Such is the “Culture of Excellence” that has enabled many nations, some smaller than ours, or whose natural resources are more limited than our own, to achieve much, much more than we have done – in terms of sustainable development and, consequently, their people’s quality of life.

If we persist in incorporating a “Culture of Excellence” in our lives, and encourage others in the community to aspire for nothing but the best, it is likely that the overall improvement of the Filipino future will become reality and not just an impossible dream.

Successful developers and operators forego small comforts and instant gratification because only the best is good enough. They keep track of what the competition does and are humble enough to accept where they fall short. They constantly search for ways to do better next time.

Tourism with a conscience

Many seem to forget that the Earth is humankind’s only home, and that millenniums of consistent abuse have pushed our Planet to the brink of no-return.

If our children – and all others after them – are to enjoy a decent future, we must change the way we treat food, water, air, vegetation, trees, energy, land, rivers and seas, and Earth’s other bounties.

We work hard every day so that our families may have three healthy meals and a roof over their heads. But, all that work will be for nothing if our Planet becomes uninhabitable.

Eco-tourism requires community participation in protecting and managing natural resources, traditional culture, and indigenous wisdom.

Eco-tourism fosters environmental ethics while promoting economic benefits for host communities and cultural enrichment for visitors.

Subic as growth engine

Subic Central News (February, 2011) reports: “The total exports in 2010 from Subic Freeport hit an all-time high with freight-on-board value of U$1.34 billion, surpassing the 2009 export value of U$1.08 billion by 24.6 percent year-on-year.”

The biggest exporters were led by Hanjin Heavy Industries Corp-Philippines, which exported a total of U$725.8 million in FOB value. In 2010, Hanjin completed two oil tankers – the M/T Leyla K and its twin M/T Eser K, for delivery to the Turkish Kaptanoglu Shipping Line.

The two vessels were the very first large tankers built in the Philippines, each valued at U$68 million, and measuring 114,000 deadweight tons, 241 meters long, 44 meters wide, and 21 meters deep.

Imports by Subic-registered firms also showed strong performance, jumping by 55.3 percent to $3.48 billion in 2010 from $2.24 billion in 2009.

Subic Administrator Armando Arreza (“Triple-A”) claims these export-import achievements indicate Subic’s economic power and increased competitiveness as a manufacturing/logistics hub.

Subic Bay is an ideal tourism gateway to what FVR in 1994 designated as the “Manila Bay Doughnut” in terms of economic growth and tourism potential that encompasses Bataan, Corregidor, Cavite, Tagaytay, Batangas, Quezon, Laguna, Rizal, Bulacan, Pampanga, Tarlac, Pangasinan, and Zambales.

Nobody describes Subic Bay better than Tourism Secretary Alberto Lim, citing it as a “perfect model of sustainable and quality tourism attractive to a diversity of foreign and local visitors.”

The fundamental principle

The tourism industry provides great opportunities for dealing with the persistent threat of climate change in a way that not only nurtures the environment, but boosts businesses as well.

In a word, eco-tourism is tourism with a conscience – because it advocates protection of natural resources and establishes mechanisms that are environmentally sustainable, economically rewarding, and socially equitable.

In his message at ISST (read by Secretary Bertie Lim), President Aquino III firmly committed: “Our policy is first and foremost anchored on the principle of sustainable tourism... that is environmentally and socio-culturally manageable.”

WE DON’T HAVE TO CHOOSE BETWEEN “GROWTH” AND “GREEN.” THE PHILIPPINES CAN BE BOTH GREEN AND GROWING.

...the writer/comedian

Pinoy creates Meryl Streep play

By Steve Angeles

ABS-CBN North America News Bureau

04/02/2011

LOS ANGELES – Sold out since 2009, the popular play “Streep Tease” is a tribute to actress Meryl Streep.

The brains behind the show is Filipino Roy Cruz.

Cruz, a former writer for ASAP, Martin Nievera, and Tessie Tomas back in the Philippines, came up with the idea of “Streep Tease” during his stand-up routine.

“When I do the ‘Devil Wears Prada’ with a Filipino accent, which is my real accent, to a lot of non-Filipino audience, to them it’s funny so I took it as a cue and 'oh ok, I got something going on here,' so I decided to expand that idea,” recalled Cruz.

From “Silkwood” to “Out of Africa”, “Doubt” and “Mama Mia”, “Streep Tease” features an all-male cast playing Meryl Streep roles, but it’s not a drag show.

“There’s a time and place for drag. Sometimes it waters down the sincerity of your tribute if it’s in drag,” he said.

“We’re using her words and the roles she’s made famous and doing our own spin on them,” explained actor Ron Morehouse.

The current run of “Streep Tease” will continue until May at Bang Studios.

...he Twitter's shorty

Pinoy nurse, teen win Twitter Shorty Awards

 

abs-cbnNEWS.com

04/02/2011

MANILA, Philippines - Filipinos were among the winners in the 3rd annual Shorty Awards, said to be the "Oscars" of Twitter, according to The New York Times.

The Shorty Awards gives recognition to people and organizations doing short-form and real time social media content.

The winners are chosen based on the number of votes garnered on Twitter and the votes cast by members of the Real-time Academy of Short Form Arts and Sciences.

In the new "Nurse" category this year, the Nurse of the Year Award was to be given to someone they said is "making a difference through social media."

Two winners were picked for this category. One is Matthew Browning, chief executive officer of yournurseison.com

The other winner is Filipino nurse Ronivin Pagtakhan, an educator.

This year's Shorty Awards' Nurse of the Year Ronivin Pagtakhan

Pagtakhan, who teaches nursing at Mapua, uses Twitter to help other people.

"Para sa akin, sa tingin ko, kaya ako napili kasi nakakatulong talaga ako sa nursing profession," he said.

Pagtakhan is happy about the international award as it can help uplift the image of the Pinoy nurse.

"Sana sa pagkapanalo ko na ito ay makatulong ako sa image ng Pinoy nurses para naman makakuha pa tayo ng mas maraming mga job opportunities kasi alam kong marami tayong nurses na walang trabaho," he said.

Aside from Pagtakhan, Ann Li of "PBB Teen Clash" also won a Shorty Award.
The teen won in the fashion category. -- Report from TJ Manotoc, ABS-CBN News

...the trained ex-OFW

Former OFW earns more while working in hometown

By JENNY F. MANONGDO

April 2, 2011

Manila Bulletn

MANILA, Philippines — A former overseas Filipino worker (OFW) who worked abroad for 14 years is now contributing largely to her community, earning twice more than what she earned in the past after establishing a modern birthing home under the assistance of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).

Dolores Batchanicha is one of the five women who benefitted from USAID’s program targeting the enhancement of technical and business skills of public and private midwives in the country.

The five Filipino women who made a difference in their provinces through the improvement of pregnancy-related services in their provinces were honored by USAID recently during the celebration of the International Women’s Day.

Batchanicha practiced midwifery at a local hospital in Davao City before she worked in Saudi Arabia for another 14 years.

From 1989 to 2002, Batchanicha spent years helping mothers give birth at the Saudi Naval Base Hospital, where she received further training under British midwives.

But soon after her three children finished school, this 59-year-old mother wasted no time and came back home to reunite with her family.

Finding no fulfillment in running their family business, Batchanicha underwent a training program of the USAID in assisting women give birth.

She said she learned about the program through her colleagues in the Integrated Midwives’ Association of the Philippines.

Funded by the USAID, her birthing home was launched in early 2006 in General Santos City, and the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) has already accredited three beds in her facility.

“It’s hard being an OFW. It’s hard to live far from your family, so when I learned about the USAID program, I immediately joined it,” she said.

Batchanicha’s birthing clinic is one of only two clinics operating in Barangay Calumpang in General Santos City.

Like Batchanicha, Corazon Paras and Olive Vergara also sought to provide comfort and quality care to mothers who are giving birth to their babies through birthing homes.

Paras successfully established a home-like birthing clinic in her province in Bohol through the help of USAID.
“It is not like a hospital, but more like a home. It is a small place that can provide quality services,” she said, describing her PhilHealth-accredited birthing home.

Meanwhile, the USAID helped midwife and birthing home owner Olive Vergara of Pampanga to secure PhilHealth accreditation.

Her birthing home has been awarded by the PhilHealth over 625 accredited health providers during the 2010 PhilHealth awards for excellence in health services.

The absence of doctors in the past was one of the main reasons there were many cases of bleeding after delivery in the town of Lamitan in Basilan.

But things changed when Virgie Cadano joined the USAID program “Caring for Mothers and Newborns in the Community (CMNC).”

Cadano was trained to practice new techniques of near-delivery labor management including the administration of Oxytocin, a drug injected to prevent post-delivery bleeding.

Cadano was also able to convince local government executives to build a birthing center in the area.

“There is a big difference when we practice the techniques that we learned from USAID. We can see that there is less bleeding and after two days, the mothers are already able to do household chores like washing their clothes,” she said.

It was learned that there are now 18 midwives who are also learning the new techniques from USAID.
She said mothers in her hometown are now more open to hire the services of a midwife when giving birth.
“In the past, they prefer the ‘hilot’ (traditional birth attendants) because they feel ashamed when midwives see their private parts. But this has changed,” she said.

...the woman of the year

Filipina named California district’s ‘Woman of the Year’

By Ed Yra
INQUIRER.net
04/02/2011

SACRAMENTO, California—Vallejo resident Belle Santos was selected 2011 “Woman of the Year” for Assembly District 7, which covers all of Napa County and parts of Sonoma and Solano Counties.

 

In ceremonies at the State Capitol last March 21, 7th District Assemblyman Michael Allen presented Santos with the plaque of recognition, honoring her, according to the biography read on the Assembly floor, as “a driving force for various activities in Vallejo and the Bay Area — as Vallejo Pilipino Youth Coalition (PYC) advisor; as a former Field Representative of former State Senator Wes Chesbro; and currently as a Planned Parenthood manager in Concord, California.”

Santos was honored along with women awardees from each of California’s 79 other Assembly districts. She is the second Filipina to be named “Woman of the Year” for District 7. Last year, Lilibeth Pinpin, a biotechnology teacher at Vallejo’s Hogan High School, received the award, nominated by then Assemblywoman now State Senator Noreen Evans.

Created in 1987, the “Woman of the Year” program recognizes the month of March as Women’s History Month, and honors the accomplishments of women in each of the 80 California Assembly districts. This year’s awarding is doubly significant as 2011 marks the centennial anniversary of the granting of women’s suffrage to California women.

The Filipino community, especially in Solano County where the City of Vallejo counts Filipinos as among the largest ethnic groups there, is elated over Santos receiving the award, saying she deserves nothing less.

“Belle serves as a role model for our local Filipino youth, a great mentor,” Rozzana Verder-Aliga, Ph.D., member of the Solano County Board of Education, told FilAm Star. “She has worked tirelessly with them for the past 15 years. She is very passionate about serving the community, a selfless individual. I am honored to be named with her as ‘2009-2010 Most Influential Filipina Women in the U.S.’”

Those with whom Santos has worked in youth mentorship and who call her ‘Aunt Belle,’ found it hard to contain their excitement over the news of the award, and harnessed the power of the internet to make public their feelings immediately.

“Auntie Belle, you are the most deserving person for the award!” read the Facebook message posted by Maricar Pascual, former PYC member and now a UC Davis student.

Another former mainstay of PYC, Rey Campones, provides a glimpse into the character of Santos, when he said: “Aunt Belle always prefers to be on the background …. she does not make waves, or seek the limelight for herself. But her dedication, passion, and commitment is so strong, it is contagious.”

Campones said that Santos is omnipresent in Vallejo, using just about every community event as an opportunity to help and get others to lend a hand as well.

“On Thanksgiving Day, at the Christian Help Center, she’s there to help in distributing the turkey giveaways,” Campones said. “On Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, she leads in cleaning up the yard of the Global Center for Success. Also, the ‘Pista sa Nayon’ in Vallejo seems not complete without her serving in whatever capacity.”

Santos also serves in the boards of Vallejo Naval and Historical Museum and SafeQuest, a shelter for battered women in Solano. This month, she will also be helping in the fundraising drive for Filipinos Advocates for Justice, formerly Filipinos for Affirmative Action in Oakland, California. FilAm Star

...the girl rockers

General Luna Tames the Metal Tiger

 

By Tony Maghirang

Coke Music Studio 

 

Photo courtesy of Warner Music Philippines

 

The name General Luna brings to mind one of Philippine history's most astute Filipino war generals.

 

These days, almost a century later, General Luna is the nom de rock of the combined forces of bassist Alex Montemayor, rhythm guitarist Audry Dionisio, drummer Bea Lao, lead guitarist Caren Mangaran, and lead vocalist Nicole Asensio. Their self-titled major label debut delivers heavy music from the distaff side of the gender divide, and then some.

General Luna, the band, is riding high this month behind the music video of "Nandito", a rock ballad that comes out onscreen as a mother-against-daughter high drama. The MTV recreates the lyrics alluding to a young lady's pursuit of the rock and roll life to the displeasure of her closest kin.

The song itself builds up to a melodic crest then crashes to the song's refrain that starts on a sad note. Nicole sings, "Di ko alam kung ba't tayo na lang ang nandito," echoing perhaps the disenchantment of struggling musicians with the initial indifferent reception to their music. You can almost count with your fingers the audience turn-out on the debut performance of amateur bands everywhere.

Lucky for General Luna, their first splash into Manila's loud music pool came with the serious backing of Warner Music.

Lady Luck struck a second time when "Red Heaven", the first single off their self-titled first album, raced to the number one spot on the now defunct NU 107 FM's top seven songs of the week countdown. It muscled its way to the top against heavy sniping from local and foreign releases.

By their looks alone, the ladies of General Luna should be baiting serious, albeit testosterone fueled attention, wherever they go. They've got the face and the figure worthy of lusty wolf whistles and well, DOM leer.

However, their fashion sense onstage hardly invites imaginations from getting out of hand. A bare midriff here, a hint of cleavage behind cascading long tresses there, or a few exposed white and smooth calves should not normally incite psychotic reactions. But with metal crowds, half of the bets are off!

In the first place, the little Lolitas in the band have had prior exposure under the public eye. They are all commercial models and played in other groups before hitting the big leagues with General Luna. Bea still hits the skins for Wally Gonzales Band, whose namesake once gave Juan de la Cruz its weeping blues wail.

Caren ripped fretboards for heavy rockers Sanctus, Alex was in Blush, and Nicole did time with Crowjane and also acted in the local production of the play "Rent".

Their previous musical experiences resonate in their debut album. Opening track, "Red Heaven", appropriates the sonic pace of Heart ("Barracuda") with Nicole trumping the head rush with classic throaty wail alá Ronnie James Dio. Lead guitarist Caren sends off electric chord runs in the riff-roaring sparkle of "Dala ng Ulan". A bit of Razorback and '70s heavy rock fuel the immensely engaging come-on of "Walang Bintana" while "Maria" is the first of several songs of personal empowerment propelled by anthemic soaring music. The backbeat tandem of Bea and Audry lets loose some new wave-ish flair in the stop-and-go pulse of "Blind Man" and in a skanking remake of Asin's "Usok".

Most of the songs on the album were composed by well-known songwriters working in the rock genre like Mayonnaise vocalist and guitarist Monty Macalino, Typecast frontman Steve Badiola, and Sugarfree's Ebe Dancel. Fortunately, the male perspective notwithstanding, the five ladies of General Luna commandeer the songs on their own terms and provide enough firepower to put each of them in a different light.

To be sure, there are hits and misses typical of debut releases. It would be fascinating to watch and listen to these five misses bloom into an even tighter and heavier rock ensemble.

Tony Maghirang is a rock icon in his own right, being a respected music reviewer for several publications since the 1970s, including Jingle Magazine, Pulp, and the Philippine Daily Inquirer.

...the mine-rich place

Canadian miner raises $1.9M to fund nickel projects in PHL

03/30/2011
GMANews.tv

MBMI Resources Inc., a Canada-based mining firm operating in the Philippines, has raised $1.9 million by issuing more than 10 million units at a price of $0.18 a unit.

Each unit consists of one common share and one warrant — or derivative security — combined as a single security. Warrants are often included in a debt issue to entice investors, and common shares are securities that represent ownership in a corporation.

In a statement, MBMI Resources said the funds raised from private investors will be used “to fund ongoing development" of its nickel projects in Palawan province.

It said one of the mining firm's investors was Gwynneth Gold Ltd., also a Canadian mining firm.

MBMI Resources said it issued 10,558,942 units last week, "subject to a four-month hold" expiring next July.

The proceeds of the offering will not only be used to develop MBMI Resources' nickel mineral properties in Palawan but also “for general corporate purposes." the company said.

MBMI Resources said its mining agreement with the Philippine government allows the firm “to progress toward development of full-scale operational programs at each [nickel-rich] property."

In June last year, MBMI Resources sealed a financial and technical assistance agreement with the Philippine government allowing the mining firm to engage "large-scale exploration, development, and utilization of minerals" in mineral-rich Palawan.

The Canadian firm has interests in nine nickel projects covering more than 22,000 hectares of property in the Philippines.

MBMI Resources said it intends to supply industrial consumers in Asia with high-grade nickel products. — JE/VS, GMA News

...the sports diplomacy

PHL, Brunei sign MOU for sports exchange

 

 

03/30/2011
GMANews.tv

 

The Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) and the Brunei Darussalam Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to further strengthen the bilateral relations through an exchange of sports programs, athletes, coaches, and information.

Brunei Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports Pehin Orang Kaya Pekerma Laila Diraja Dato Paduka Awang Haji Hazair bin Haji Abdullah, permanent secretary Dato Paduka Awang Haji Mohd Hamid bin Haji Mohd Jaafar, Department of Youth and Sports acting deputy director Hj Rosmadee Hj MdDaud, and officers Zafri Hj Mohamed and Pg Hj Md Sariffudin Pg Hj Alli made an official visit to PSC chairman Richie Garcia to sign the MOU.

"The PSC is continuously working on renewing bilateral agreements with our Association of Southeast Nation (ASEAN) neighbors and powerhouse countries like China, Cuba, Australia and Russia to broaden our understanding on how to be competitive in the global scene," Garcia said. "This is a boost for our athletes in their international campaigns."

In turn, the Brunei sports officials expressed joy over the signing of the MOU.

"Through this (MOU), we hope to cement the already existing friendship between Brunei Darussalam and the Philippines, and as early as now, we are extending our invitation to the Philippine government, through the PSC, for the signing of the MOU in Brunei," said Minister Abdullah.

The minister added that the Philippines can help Brunei in basketball, softball and athletics, as well as in sports sciences. In return, Brunei will be sending athletes and coaches to promote programs on pencak silat, speak takraw and traditional boat race. - Adrian Flores, JVP, KY, GMA News

...the soda investment

Coca-Cola's $1-B investment is on track

By BERNIE CAHILES-MAGKILAT

March 30, 2011

MANILA, Philippines –  Coca-Cola, the biggest softdrink company in the country, said that its $1 billion five-year investment commitment in the country is on track with the near completion of its bottling plant in Misamis Oriental.

In a statement, Coca-Cola Bottlers Philippines chief executive officer Bill Schultz said the new plant in Villanueva, Misamis Oriental should be operational in a couple of months.

The plant will be one of its largest in the region and is expected to generate significant employment opportunities in the area.

“We remain committed to the Philippines, where we will celebrate 100 years in business in 2012, and uphold our confidence in the Philippine economy and the continued growth of our brands,” Schultz said.

Part of the resources used for the purchase of the 11 hectare property and the construction of the facilities came from the initial investment committed through former President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo in 2009. The rest, including the purchase of machineries and equipment, as well as employee training, were taken from the fresh $1B investment committed by Coca-Cola Pacific Group President Glenn Jordan to President Aquino when he attended the UN General Assembly in New York in September last year, the statement said.

The company’s investment in the country was intended to strengthen production, distribution and help develop new products to refresh the Filipino consumers.

In 2010, Coca-Cola Philippines recorded double-digit growth led by its flagship brand Coca-Cola. The Company has also recently expanded a no added preservatives formulation of the Minute Maid Pulpy brand with real pulp and juice.

Coca-Cola Company, which operates 23 plants and 47 sales offices with over 7,000 employees across the country, will focus the rest of the investment on strengthening marketing executions and enhancing system capabilities relating to logistics and deliveries in order to better serve the Company’s expanding customer base, the statement said.

“We also continue to invest in the community. Currently the Coca-Cola Company has built 80 Little Red Schoolhouses in remote areas in the Philippines, benefitting over 40,000 students. Now the Coca-Cola Foundation is working at constructing an additional 20 Little Red Schoolhouses to reach our goal of 100 Little Red Schoolhouses by 2012, the 100th year anniversary of Coca-Cola in the Philippines,” Schultz said.

Coca-Cola also supports several environmental programs in partnership with WWF Philippines. A project between the Departments of Health and Education and Coca-Cola aims at minimizing iron deficiency among schools kids through the distribution of a nutritional juice.

Coca-Cola has been in the Philippines since the beginning of the 20th century and has been locally produced since 1927.

The Philippines received the first non-US national Coca-Cola bottling and distribution franchise. The Philippines bottling operation is among the biggest 10 Coca-Cola bottlers globally.

...the name

Senator Joker? Pinoy nicknames tickle foreigners

 

 

CARMELA G. LAPEÑA, GMA News

03/30/2011

 

Playful Filipino names need getting used to, especially if you’re a foreigner with a more predictable Western nickname like Kate.

In a recent article published on the BBC web site, amused British journalist Kate McGeown writes about a favorite topic of first-time visitors to the Philippines -- unusual, invented, or just plain funny Pinoy names, the kind she has been coming across since her first day in Manila when she was served by a waitress named Bumbum.

"I did a double-take, then smiled back, deciding it was probably a joke. But if so, it is a joke that practically the whole country seems to be in on," writes McGeown.

Like fellow Briton Matthew Sutherland, whose tongue-in-cheek article "A Rhose by Any Other Name" listed common categories of Filipino names, McGeown observes that these bizarre names can only be found here, and are "as quintessentially Filipino as the country's Catholic faith, friendly smiles, former US military jeeps knows as jeepneys, beautiful beaches and love of karaoke."

"Even the president is not spared," writes McGeown. President Benigno Simeon Aquino III is casually referred to by his nickname Noynoy. Since his election, the nickname has evolved to PNoy, short for President Noynoy.

Even the country's top officials have Pinoy nicknames.

McGeown notes that no one seems to see the need to ask why two of his sisters are called Pinky and Ballsy, or question the integrity of Joker Arroyo, "one of the country's most respected senators."

Indeed, no one seems to think twice about such nicknames. After all, we have grandmothers we call Baby and grandfathers we call Boy, as if their parents thought they’d be infants all their lives. We have families named after flowers, or according to a single letter. When we repeat syllables, we find it more endearing than annoying. Kids are named after food their mother craved for, or their favorite food. So if you know someone named Hershey, you can count on having a Nestle in the family.

For families with several people inheriting the same name, perhaps nicknames are necessary to be able to differentiate. After all, simply adding a number to the name would be so impersonal. Some parents, it seems, can’t be bothered to think up names for their children, and simply name them according to their birth order. Una is followed by Segunda, and so on.

Kids are often given religious names, like Maria. But why settle for one when you can have three, as in Jejomar - Jesus, Joseph and Mary - as our vice president Jejomar Binay is called?

Other parents see their kids as combinations of themselves, so they name them by combining their own names. For instance, Elovel sounds exotic and foreign, but it's really because her parents are named Edwin and Lani, and well, E loves L.

For some Pinoys, it's only logical. We once entrusted our religious guidance to someone called Cardinal Sin, and we've had classmates like Edgar Allan Pe and Chica Go. None of this is surprising to us.

Joker Arroyo is "one of the country's most respected senators."

McGeown attempts a sociological take and writes that perhaps the strange names came about because the Philippines is a melting pot of different cultures. Spain gave us Catholicism, America taught us to shorten everything.

"The president himself is a good example, whose full Christian name is Benigno Simeon Cojuangco Aquino, names which are Spanish, Hebrew and Chinese respectively. His nickname Noynoy is the only part that is truly Filipino," says McGeown.

Could it be that the Pinoy penchant for strange names is good old Filipino creativity at work? In the same way that we took former US military jeeps and came up with a wildly colorful mode of transportation, we came up with names you won't find anywhere else.

Some names just evolved. Bok almost never answers to her real name, which is Tanya. "Nung nagkamalay-tao na ako, Bok na ang tawag sa akin eh," she says. "Bokyo yung buo. May phase din na Atoy tawag sa akin, o Bill," she says. Her mother still calls her Tanya, but ever since fifth grade when a classmate overheard her being called Bokyo, her friends called her Bok as well.

"I'm so not a Raffy," says writer/illustrator/musician Ping.

Ping, whose real name is Rafael Miguel, got his nickname from some high school friends who initially called him Paeng, the standard local nickname for Rafael. "Eventually, Paeng turned into Ping and I kept it. Obviously way cooler than Raffy," says Ping, formerly Paeng and definitely not Raffy.

“I'm so not a Raffy."

At Starbucks, Ping is often asked, "That's Pink, sir? Pink po ang name nyo?"

"I'm 6' tall and 190 lbs. Yes, of course my name is Pink," he jests, but still he keeps his nickname. "Because I knew I wouldn't be able to go through college with Raffy as my nickname. Who would?"

Most interesting names have stories. Bamba, whose real name is Jezreel, got her nickname from the popular song "La Bamba," to which she would sing and dance when she was eight months old, even when she wasn't feeling well. "Tinakbo na 'ko sa clinic, tapos biglang pinatugtog ung La Bamba sa radyo ng sasakyan kumakanta at sumayaw pa rin daw ako kahit tumitirik na mata ko," she said.

Now 25, Bamba still prefers her nickname. "Mas cool. Hindi mo alam kung surname o nickname eh," she says. Also, it gets her instant entertainment. Whenever people mistakenly call her Bambam, she says as in "La Bamba," and they automatically start singing and dancing.

Sutherland devotes a paragraph to "the fabulous concept of the randomly-inserted letter 'h'" - which he thinks is designed to give a touch of class to an otherwise only typically weird name. As it turns out, the 'h' may just be there for luck, although it is unclear where this belief comes from.

A rose by any other name would smell as sweet, but a rhose is even better.

Dharlene's name evolved from darling, which was her father's term of endearment for her mother. "Nilagyan ng h kasi maswerte daw pag may h," she explains. Dharlene was eventually shortened to Dhang, which she didn't bother to change. "Kumalat na siya so nakilala na ako ng buong madla na Dhang. I got used to it, so keri na," says Dharlene-turned-Dhang.

After living in the Philippines for a while, McGeown is no longer surprised. "When I'm introduced to a Dinky or a Dunce, or read about people called Bing and Bong, it seems almost normal. In fact, if anything, I rather like the fact that Filipinos are self-assured enough to use these names, no matter how odd they sound or how senior the person's public role."

But don't count on her changing her name to Kat Kat (Kat2) anytime soon. "While I think it is great that Bumbum can wear her name badge with pride, I'm not quite ready to adopt a Philippine nickname myself just yet," says McGeown. – HS, GMA News

...the school system

Vietnamese delegation lauds Philippine Pre-School System

 

MB – Tue, Mar 29, 2011

MANILA, Philippines -- The Philippine Pre-School System was lauded by a delegation from the Vietnam Ministry of Education and Training (MOET) recently after visiting the Department of Education (DepEd) to observe best practices in the country's pre-school education for possible adoption in their country.

According to Vice Minister of Education and Training Nguyen Thi Nghia, the Vietnamese delegation were thankful for the chance to learn from DepEd officials led by Undersecretary Lino Rivera about how pre-school education is implemented in the country and exchanged experiences on how pre-school education can be further improved.

''We learned a lot on the development of curriculum for pre-school, methodology, content of instruction and teacher qualification and training,'' Nguyen Thi Nghia said.

Currently, Vietnam is implementing its own pre-school program which covers children until age five. It is handled by the MOET which also implements education up to collegiate level.

Aside from visiting selected pre-schools and observing how classes are conducted in the Philippines, the delegation also went to Malaysia for education observation tour.

Education Secretary Armin Luistro welcomed the visit of the delegation saying that ''exchanging best practices among member-countries of ASEAN augurs well for a more vibrant spirit of cooperation in the region.''

Luistro added that more exchange of best practices in education, technology, poverty alleviation, the sciences and skills training among the peoples of South East Asia should be encouraged. ''This is because we share many things in common and are linked by the same heritage and similar experiences,'' he added.

Beginning June this school year, the Philippines is making pre-school education (kindergarten) mandatory in public schools beginning covering five-year-old learners.

''The universal kindergarten is the first step in the bigger education reform program called K+12 which proposes the addition of two more years in basic education,'' Luistro said. ''K+12 aims to produce high school graduates who are ready for employment, primed for college education and prepared to go global,'' he added.

To strengthen kindergarten education in the country, DepEd will also implement an eight-week Kindergarten Summer Program (KSP) in all schools from April 11 to June 3. This aims to universalize quality assured kindergarten education and to ensure that all Grade I entrants shall have developed the necessary learning experiences to prepare them for academic works.

Children qualified to enroll in the KSP shall include those who will be Grade 1 by June 2011. They must be five years old and six months but without preschool experience and children above five years and six months but without preschool experience and have not enrolled in Grade 1.

...the passion for fashion

Pinoy fashion designer receives standing ovation at US fashion show

By JULIEN MERCED C. MATABUENA

March 29, 2011

Oliver Tolentino (Photo courtesy of fashionweekelpaseo.com)

MANILA, Philippines – A standing ovation concluded the Pinoy-themed fashion show by Filipino designer Oliver Tolentino held March 26 at the El Paseo Fashion Week in Los Angeles, California.

According to a report aired in DZMM Teleradyo’s “Radyo Patrol Balita Alas Kwatro” on Monday, El Paseo’s “Designer of the Week” presented his more than 60-piece collection before a crowd composed mostly of Americans who were said to be impressed by his work. The clothes were said to have been made within a span of four months and with the help of Filipino tailors.

Tolentino’s show reportedly exuded an all-Filipino vibe that was headlined by his muse, the Pinay supermodel Tutay Maristela. The show featured the Filipino songs “Waray-Waray” and a remix version of Sylvia La Torre’s “Galawgaw” as background music.

In an interview aired on “TV Patrol” on Jan. 11, Tolentino shared that his show “is gonna be a gala showcasing all the embroidery of Lucban, the fabric of Aklan.” It was also then that the Orani, Bataan-native designer was named El Paseo’s “Designer of the Week.”

Tolentino became the first Philippines-based designer to expand his clothing line in the US when he opened his Melrose boutique in 2009. Prior to this, he won first prize at the Bali Fashion Week in 2008 for his outfit made of Philippine capiz shells.

In January 2010, he became one of 10 finalists at the Oscars Designer Challenge, where his one-of-a-kind piña and abaca gown gained Hollywood’s attention.

In November he presented a show at the “Islands of the World Fashion Week” in Bahamas, the first Filipino to have done so. There he bagged the Sustainable Eco Fashion Award for his 40-piece couture collection made of sustainable fabrics such as pineapple fiber, abaca and raw silk cocoon.

Tolentino’s designs, famed for being made out of eco-friendly materials, have been picked by many Hollywood stars to wear to prestigious award-giving ceremonies such as the Golden Globes and the Oscars.

His clients in Hollywood include Sophia Bush, Patti Austin, Macy Gray, Niecy Nash, Kimora Lee Simmons, Mel B. of the Spice Girls and La Torre’s granddaughter and Disney star Anna Maria Perez de Tagle, who graced Tolentino’s El Paseo show wearing one of his gowns.

 

...the athletes

Langit wins gold in Thai sportsfest; Javier bronze

 

March 27, 2011

Manila Bulletin

 

 

Not even an intensity seven earthquake days before the race start could dampen the spirits of the Philippine delegation that is seeing action in the 2011 Mekong River Multi-Sports Festival at Chiangsean district, Chiangrai Province, Thailand Lea Coline Langit had the Philippine flag soaring high with a gold medal finish in the Asian Aquathlon (1,500m swim, 5K run) event after Robeno Javier took a bronze medal showing in the Asian duathlon (10k run, 40k bike, 5k run) race.

Both races were held Friday and the one-gold, one-bronze medal finish surpassed the two bronzes delivered by duathletes August Benedicto and Monica Torres in 2010 edition.

It was also Langit’s second Asian Aquathlon title after bagging the said crown in 2009 in Palembang Indonesia. The said event also saw her claiming the bronze medal in triathlon.

The feat however did not come without a sweat as the team and the rest of the competitors have horrowing experience Wednesday night when a magnitude 7 earthquake rocked the province.

“Around 9 p.m., we experienced the earthquake and it shook us all up a little including the stuff in our rooms. There were aftershocks all night so most people either slept out in the street or in the massage room on the first floor, an easier getaway than the 4th,” said coach Dan Brown who led the six athletes and three officials sent by Triathlon Association of the Philippines and financed by the Philippine Sports Commission.

Despite the lack of sleep, Langit was still in her best form come race day as she anchored her campaign on her strength in the swim to submit the Asian best time at 36 minutes and 19 seconds.

Langit came out of the water second behind world’s 25th ranked triathlete Rakda Vodickova of Czech Republic at 13 minutes and 59 seconds as she enjoyed a minute and 13 seconds advantage over challenger Hoi Long of Macau.

She relaxed in the run leg for a slow 22:20 time but the huge gap Langit had against Long was more that enough to cushion the late surge of her rival who finished fourth overall in the 2010 Asian Games triathlon in Guangzhou, China.

Long took the silver with 36:21 while Chinese Taipei’s Chang Luo-Yi bagged the bronze with 36:23 time. Vodickov was not qualified for the Asian meet but won the prize in the international category.

Meanwhile Robeno kept in stride with Japanese duathletes Fukaura Yuya and Kurihara Masaaki for a bronze medal finish in one hour, 59 minutes and 34 seconds.

The performance is a fitting follow-up after Robeno also claimed the bronze medal in the Subic Asian Duathlon Open held last November.

...the Earth hour

WWF: 1,554 cities, towns in PH joined Earth Hour

abs-cbnNEWS.com

 03/27/2011

MANILA, Philippines - A record-breaking 1,554 towns, cities and municipalities in the country joined the Earth Hour on Saturday, the World Wide Fund for Nature Philippines (WWF-Philippines) said.

In a press release, WWF Philippines said the Philippines again ranked first in the world in terms of towns and cities that joined the Earth Hour. This year’s switch-off exceeded 2010 figures by 478 towns and cities.

“We are elated to clinch the top spot for the third year in a row,” said Earth Hour National Director Atty. Gia Ibay. “More than the numbers though, Earth Hour espouses the importance of our actions beyond the hour.”
Around 1076 cities and municipalities switched off their lights in 2010.

Only 647 population hubs joined in 2009, but this was already equivalent to 611 Megawatts per hour saved.
The country joined the advocacy in 2008, with only about 50 cities and towns supporters.

“This year’s switch-off merely signifies the start of a year-long pledge to minimize our ecological impacts and to do our bit for a more sustainable planet. These sustainable-living pledges can take many forms, from upgrading to energy-efficient appliances to choosing to bike to work every day. Pledges really depend on the individuals – who can personally assess what changes they can adopt to reduce their consumption of electricity and water,” Ibay added.

A record 131 countries and territories took part in Earth Hour 2011.

Thousands of people gathered at the main switch-off ceremony, held at the SM Mall of Asia grounds on Saturday.

Philippine Climate Change Commissioner Lucille Sering said: “Our collective effort today shows another kind of people power - where different colors and sizes meet - a force so strong that it can make all things move.”
Earth Hour Philippines is a yearly effort of the WWF-Philippines and its allies in the public and private sector.

“Earth Hour Philippines 2011 was our biggest so far and is a resounding success,” said Ibay. “It is a brilliant example of public and private sector collaboration and a true celebration of climate solutions.”

...the Azkal's dream

Azkals' goal: World Cup

 

By FRANCIS SANTIAGO

March 27, 2011

Manila Bulletin

 

Booters prepare for qualifying series.

After securing a place in the 2012 Asian Football Confederation Challenge Cup, the Philippine Azkals will start preparing for the qualifying tournament for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.

On Friday, the Azkals crushed Bangladesh, 3-0, at the Aung San Stadium in Rangoon, Myanmar to reach the main draw of the Challenge Cup for the first time since the event’s inaugural in 2006.

"We are happy with the win. They gave us another reason to be proud of being Filipinos. It’s a big boost to the Philippine football. Our progress to the main draw only means that we have improved a lot and are continuously developing," said Philippine Football Federation (PFF) president Mariano "Nonong" Araneta.
Araneta, however, said they are not going to rest on their laurels, adding that the Azkals will try to sustain their momentum in the World Cup qualifying.

"That will be their next assignment," Araneta said.

The qualifier will be a home-and-away series and the Azkals' opponent for the first of six-rounds will be known only during a draw on Wednesday in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Araneta said the 30,000-seater Rizal Memorial football stadium in Manila and the 15,500-seater Panaad Stadium in Bacolod City are possible venues for the hosting of the home game of the series set June 29 and July 3.

If the Philippines advances, Round 2 is set July 23 and 28.

"It will only be the second time in our history that we will host the qualifier," Araneta said.

The first time was in 2001 when the Philippines played Laos at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig City (formerly ULTRA).The game ended in a 1-1 draw and the Filipinos failed to advance.

The Azkals return today minus Filipino-Danish Gerry Lucena who had to fly back to Denmark.

Each member of the team, including the coaches received a bonus of $1,500 each for the victory.

"It was just overwhelming. And the boys are happy as well. We would like to thank the fans for their prayers," Palami said.

The Azkals came into the match needing to win after being held to draws by Palestine (0-0) and Myanmar (1-1).

Striker Ian Araneta put the Azkals ahead after the 41st minute and Fil-Spanish Angel Aldeguer Guirado added two more goals to complete the lopsided win.

It was Araneta’s first goal in 11 matches. He completed a rare hat-trick in the Azkals’ 5-0 thumping of Timor Leste in the Suzuki Cup last year.