...the Mama mixes and sauces

DFA: PHL food company Mama Sita hopes to expand business in Spain

 

04/08/2011
GMANews.tv

 

The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) on Friday said the Philippine Consulate in Spain is assisting a Filipino food company, Mama Sita, in promoting its food products in the European country.

In a statement, the DFA said Clara Lapuz, daughter of Mama Sita’s founder Teresita Reyes, is on a European visit to discuss the exportation of her family’s business products and the importation of food ingredients from Europe.

The Philippine-based Mama Sita is a producer of Filipino food mixes and sauces.

During Lapuz’s visit to Barcelona, she gave a Filipino cookbook to Casa Asia, a Spanish institution dedicated to promoting greater awareness and understanding between Spain and countries in Asia and the Pacific, the DFA said.

Casa Asia said the book would be an addition to the Filipiniana portion of the library, the DFA added.

According to the DFA, another objective of Lapuz's trip to Europe is to “talk to local Filipino community members about the need for more Filipinos in the Philippines to take up farming."

“It is getting more difficult for Filipino restaurant owners and food producers to secure locally-cultivated ingredients for their industries," the DFA quoted Lapuz as saying.

A number of Filipino restaurants are already operating in Barcelona, including one near the world-famous Ramblas tourist destination, which is frequently patronized not just by Filipinos but by Spaniards and Latin Americans.

“It is hoped that its unique combination of Asian and Western influences will continue to earn adherents abroad," the DFA said. — JE/VVP, GMA News

...the education program

DepEd moves to boost kindergarten education

By INA HERNANDO-MALIPOT

April 9, 2011,

Manila Bulletin

MANILA, Philippines – To universalize quality kindergarten education and to ensure that all Grade I pupils develop the necessary learning experiences to prepare them for academic work, the Department of Education (DepEd) will start implementing the Kindergarten Summer Program (KSP) in all schools for eight weeks starting on Monday, April 11, until June 3.

Education Secretary Armin Luistro issued Department Order No. 23 series of 2011 which states that the KSP is part of DepEd’s strategy to reach more children.

The KSP program shall include all regions, divisions, and schools. “It will be taken as a compensatory opportunity in education for children who were unable to avail themselves of the Kindergarten Regular Program,” he added.

Luistro said the Philippine Education For All (EFA) 2015 Plan of Action cites that attaining success in the first grade encourages children to complete regular elementary education. “This condition supports the findings of worldwide studies that children exposed to the quality of pre-school experiences determine their performance in the higher grades,” he explained.

To yield more EFA benefits, the DepEd, through the Bureau of Elementary Education (BEE), continuously expands and intensifies the Early Childhood Care and Development (ECCD) - kindergarten education coverage to all children aged from three to five years.

Since 1970, the BEE has been implementing the pre-school program. However, as of 2010, only 79 percent of the 2.4 million kindergarten children from both public and private schools had been reached. The figure, said Luistro, shows the low readiness of Grade 1 pupils who are lacking in academic work and the prevailing high incidence of non-readers and frustration readers until Grade III.

Kindergarten Summer Classes (KSCs) shall be handled by permanent kindergarten teachers and those who were hired under the DepEd Subsidized Kindergarten Program during the school year.

“Each class shall have a minimum of 20 and a maximum of 25 enrollees,” Luistro said.

Children qualified to enroll in the KSP shall include those who will be in Grade 1 by June, 2011. “They must be five years old and six months, but without pre-school experience, and children above five years and six months, but without pre-school experience and have not enrolled in Grade 1,” Luistro explained.

To ensure that teachers will be properly trained, DepEd-BEE has conducted a national training of trainers who will form the cadre of trainers on the division level. “We will also provide each division pre-school kit and manual that will guide kindergarten coordinators in the conduct of training,” Luistro said.

In preparation for KSP, Luistro encouraged all school officials and teachers to conduct an advocacy forum and meeting with the local government units (LGUs) and parents to orient them on the importance of the program and draw community support. “They should also seek cooperation and assistance of local or barangay officials to find or identify children who will enroll in Grade 1 this coming school year,” he said.

...the smart environmentalist

Smart leads in drumming up support for reforestation

 

By MARVYN N. BENANING

April 9, 2011

 

MANILA, Philippines – The Philippine Disaster Recovery Foundation (PDRF) has mounted an exhibit on the Marikina Watershed reforestation at the atrium of SM Marikina in its bid to raise public awareness on preventing a repeat of the disaster spawned by Typhoon Ondoy in September 2009.

Ramon Isberto, chairman PDRF's Marikina Watershed Initiative committee, said the exhibit the first of the 12 mall tours that will highlight not only reforestation efforts for the watershed but also information on watershed management and rainforestation technology.

The first stop of the mall tour is significant since the basement of SM Marikina was swamped by floodwaters from Ondoy's wrath.

It sits on a flood basin upon which floodwaters from Antipolo, Cainta, Taytay, Pasig and Marikina converged before emptying into Laguna de Bay.

Isberto said the exhibit is part of the broad, multisectoral initiative to rehabilitate the Marikina Watershed under the umbrella of the PDRF.

Partner-organizations for the initiative are Smart Communications Inc., PLDT, PLDTSmart Foundation, Foundation for the Philippine Environment, Fostering People’s Education, Empowerment and Enterprise, Philippine Tropical Forest Conservation Foundation, Philippine Business for Social Progress, Meralco, Manila Water, Earthday Network, Haribon, Nat ional Power Corp., UCPB-CIIF Foundation, League of Corporate Foundations, Education for Life Foundation, True Development Foundation, Mga Anak ni Inang Daigdig, Diocese of Antipolo and Kalingap Marikina Watershed.

"While forest rehabilitation may not prevent massive floods from happening, we still believe that it is still a big part of a myriad of solutions that will prevent another Ondoy from occurring," Isberto said.

"Undertaking an initiative with this scale has not been undertaken previously and it cannot be carried out by a single entity if it is to achieve its purpose and goals. Vast amount of money and resources are needed to pursue this cause. A multi-stakeholder collaboration from the civil society, governments, non-government organizations (NGOs), people's organizations (POs), private sector and academe is required in order to successfully rehabilitate the watershed and promote a self-sustaining community among its residents," Isberto added.

...the champion eliminator

PH’s Banares eliminates vs 10-Ball champ Immonen

abs-cbnNEWS.com

04/09/2011

MANILA, Philippines – Filipino billiards player Jerico Banares showed reigning World 10-Ball champion Mika Immonen the exit door in the Philippine Open Pool Championships after the Finland player suffered a 7-9 upset loss on Saturday.

“Medyo binuwenas ako, magaganda rin 'yung break niya kaso hindi bumebenta,” said Banares shortly after their game at the SM Megamall.

A scratch off the break in the 16th rack, proved to be costly for Immonen as Banares immediately took advantage by running out the remaining balls en route to his win.

It was Immonen’s second loss in the World Pool-Billiard Association (WPA) event.
Immonen suffered a 6-9 defeat in the hands of Chinese player, Li Wen Lo, during the first day of the competition.

Alcano vs Al Yousuf

Meanwhile, double world champion Ronnie Alcano also got eliminated after suffering a 9-4 beating from Kuwait’s Abdullah Al Yousuf.
Al Yousuf quickly piled a 5-0 lea
d before Alcano got his groove to take the next 3 racks.

The Kuwaiti bet bounced back to push his lead to 6-3 before both players were given a short break.
After the break, Al Yousuf got 2 of the next 3 racks.

Alcano survived on the 12th rack by engaging the Kuwaiti to a battle of safeties. He eventually cleaned up the table to trail 8-4.

He, however, scratched off the break in the next rack, allowing Al Yousuf to run out the remaining balls for the 9-4 win.

Prior to his defeat to Yousuf, the former World 9-Ball and World 8-Ball champion Alcano lost to Korea’s Hwang Yong, 4-9.

Manalo, De Luna

Two other notable Filipino players – Jeff de Luna and Marlon Manalo – also got the boot in the tournament.
De Luna lost his match to Nguyen Puc Long of Vietnam, 6-9, while Manalo dropped a 3-9 loss to fellow Filipino Carlo Biado. -- By Marlon Bernardino

...the Eisner nominee

Pinoy comics artist nominated for 2011 Eisner Award

CARMELA G. LAPEÑA, GMA News

04/08/2011

For many, the best comics may conjure images of dark, brooding superheroes and warriors. Who would have thought, however, that the story of a chicken living like a human would create enough acclaim to be considered among this year’s best?

And one created by a Filipino komikero, at that. Gerry Alanguilan's "Elmer" has been nominated for Best Graphic Album in the 2011 Will Eisner Comic Industry Award, widely considered as the "Oscars" of the comic book industry.

The Eisner Award, a celebration of the best of the comics art form established in 1987, is a much-awaited event at the Comic-Con International, the United States' largest and oldest annual comics convention.

The nominees for this year's prestigious awards were announced on the Comic-Con website on Friday. Cartoonist and "The Spirit" creator Will Eisner, in whose honor the award was named, was always present at the awarding ceremony. He would personally congratulate the winners from the first time it was conferred in 1988 until his death in 2005.

"A glance at any of the ballots from the last several years reveals a wide range of projects, subject matters, and levels, from such serious works as Art Spiegelman's Maus and Joe Sacco's Safe Area Gorazde to such lighter fare as Jeff Smith's Bone and Sergio Aragonés's Groo," says Eisner Awards Administrator Jackie Estrada on their official website.

"The point is that reading comics can be a rewarding experience for people with a variety of tastes and of any age," Estrada explained.

Superheroes are still easily the most memorable and popular characters in comics, but this year’s roster of nominees includes very few. Alanguilan's "Elmer," for one, is the story of a chicken living like a human.

As the official Elmer website described the series, “Elmer is a window into an alternate Earth where chickens have suddenly acquired the intelligence and consciousness of humans."

Thinking and reasoning like humans, the chickens in the story have begun to see themselves as “a race no different from whites, browns or blacks," and to push for their own “human rights."

"Elmer" was originally released in four issues from June 2006 to November 2008. First published in 2009 as a trade paperback by Komikero Publishing, "Elmer" was picked up by SLG Publishing in North America last year.

The Eisner nomination comes as no surprise, as "Elmer" has been receiving plenty of praise from fans and artists alike.

Literary rockstar Neil Gaiman has called it wonderful. Gaiman, who created the Sandman character and series, has visited the Philippines several times.

"I remember the first time I saw that wonderful Elmer comic [by Gerry Alanguilan] it was more or less like that, it was one of those handed to me while I was just here in the Philippines and I thought this is great, this is wonderful, this is awesome, and it's beautifully told, and it’s beautifully drawn, and it’s about a chicken and civil rights for chickens," said Gaiman in an interview last year by Philippine Online Chronicles.

“And you’re reading something like that, and you’re going, it doesn’t matter where in the world this was published, it’s a great comic," Gaiman added.

Unlike amateur artists discovered through Youtube and turned overnight into instant celebrities, Alanguilan—a licensed architect by profession—has been writing and drawing comics books since 1992.

Aside from Elmer, he is also the creator of Wasted, Timawa, Lastik-Man, Crest Hut Butt Shop, Johnny Balbona, Humanis Rex! and Where Bold Stars Go to Die. He has likewise inked for DC, Marvel and Image comics including Wolverine, X-men, X-Force, Superman, Batman, and Fantastic Four among many others.

Alanguilan has also adapted and illustrated various short stories including Edgar Allan Poe's "the Black Cat" and Bram Stoker's "The Judge's House."

Last year, he was awarded the Gawad Pinakamaningning na Alagad ng Sining (for Visual Arts) and Outstanding San Pableño for Visual Arts.

"I'm very happy to be nominated [for the Eisner Award], but I'm happier knowing other Filipinos were also nominated for other categories. Filipinos have gotten nominations and even won Eisner awards numerous times in the past. I'm very honored to be included among them," Alanguilan told GMA News Online.

Ronnie Del Carmen was the first Filipino to win an Eisner for Best Single Issue in 1995 for Batman Adventures Holiday Special. In 2002, Abel Laxamana won with the team the Best Humor Publication award for Radioactive Man.

In 2003, Lan Medina won the Eisner Award for Best Serialized Story for his work with Bill Willingham and Steve Leialoha on Vertigo Comics' Fables #1-5: "Legends in Exile." Before the Eisners, the Inkpot Awards were given out during the San Diego Comic-Con, which veteran Filipino artists Nestor Redondo and Alex Niño were recipients of.

"Elmer getting nominated in the Eisner's is a big win for Gerry Alanguilan and for all Filipino comic book creators. Goes to show that if a writer/artist believes in his story, is passionate with his craft and works hard to promote his comic book, it will find itself in the hands of readers who will love it and appreciate it," says Budjette Tan, "Trese" comic book writer.

The selection of nominees in 28 categories, done by a blue ribbon panel of judges, is representative of the colorful landscape of comics and graphic novels today. The nominees include autobiographical works, niche market books for children and young adults, anthologies, and even deluxe hardcover archival editions.

On the 2011 Eisner Award judging panel are Metropolis Comics store representative John Berry, Comic-Con board of director Ned Cato, Columbia University librarian Karen Green (Columbia University), "The Shadow" comics writer and editor Andy Helfer, publishing consultant Rich Johnson, and Lone Star Comics retail manager Chris Powell.

Ballots with this year’s nominees will be going out in mid-April to comics creators, editors, publishers, and retailers. A special website has been set up for online voting. The results in all categories will be announced in a gala awards ceremony on the evening of Friday, July 22 at Comic-Con International in San Diego, California.—JV, GMA News

...the roots of Bruno Mars

Bruno Mars almost gave up on his dream, recalls musician uncle

PEP – Fri, Apr 8, 2011

Famed singer-songwriter Bruno Mars isn't the only one doing a homecoming here in the Philippines.


The immediate family members of Bruno are also in Manila—not just to watch the award-winning performer's concerts in Cebu and the Araneta Coliseum tonight, April 8—but also to reconnect with their roots.


For those who are unaware, Bruno Mars—Peter Gene Hernandez in real life—is actually half-Filipino and half-Puerto Rican.

Born and raised in the Waikiki neighborhood of Honolulu, Hawaii, Bruno eventually relocated in 2003 to Los Angeles, California to pursue his dream of becoming a singer and songwriter.


Now, Bruno Mars is known all over the world as the singer behind the chart-topping hits "Grenade" and "Just the Way You Are."


The 25-year-old musician is also credited for writing and co-writing the hit songs popularized by other artists like "Nothin' On You," "Billionaire," "Right Round," "Wavin' Flag," and "Get Sexy," among many others.


TYPICAL PINOY FAMILY. Bruno's uncle, John Valentine, happily recalled witnessing his nephew's budding interest in music when he was just three years old.


Music runs in the family and Bruno's love for singing and performing was undoubtedly shaped by what he saw and heard during family gatherings.


"I started him with the guitar," John told PEP (Philippine Entertainment Portal) in an interview earlier today at the EDSA Shangri-La Hotel in Mandaluyong City.


John—who migrated from the Philippines to Hawaii in 1968 with the rest of the family—served as Bruno's early musical mentor and perhaps first great influence.


"Actually, he started that [playing the guitar] all on his own. Because when we have family gatherings, I have a recording studio, so there's a drum set-up, there's a bass set-up—everything's set up," he continued.


"Everybody plays an instrument in the family... we are a typical Filipino family," smiled John.


SAW FAME COMING. Success and recognition never came easy for Bruno despite his innate musical talent.


John, in fact, remembered his nephew feeling disheartened with the slow progress of his career while in grinding it out in L.A.


Bruno one day relayed to John his desire to return home to Hawaii and completely abandon his musical aspirations.


John, however, discouraged his nephew's plan and instead told Bruno to stay put in America and just continue working on his craft as a musician.


This desire on the part of John to encourage Bruno stemmed from his instinct that something big was about to happen to his nephew's career.


While Hawaii is very conducive for musicians and artists, the opportunities are also limited, especially for an ambitious young man who wants to be heard all over the world.


"It was a good move that he went to L.A. because that's where the recording scene is and the major labels are. So four years later, he called me and he was about to give up coz he misses the family, he misses that, the parties, the gatherings.


"He called me and said, 'Uncle, let's make a band, I'm coming home!' and I said 'No, you should stay there coz that's where the labels are and I can feel it, it's gonna happen!' Two months later everything picked up," narrated John.


When John visited Bruno in California last December, his nephew was already one of the biggest music acts in the world. Aside from the big hits and awards, Bruno is also sought after by fellow artists who want him to write songs for them.


"I stayed with him and he showed me what he did and how he made it. I was there for a week. By the second day I was tired of watching him work because he's in the studio from two o' clock in the afternoon to two o' clock in the morning. And then when he's driving home, he's writing his next song, and when he's sleeping, he's still writing songs," laughed John.


"He became this workhorse that's propelled him to be a big star and he's still like that even today."

So how is Bruno dealing with all the success and overwhelming attention?


"He loves it!" smiled John. "Because he had that all his life. Even in high school, all the girls would just follow him. So, he loves all this attention."

...the winning photo

 

Filipina wins second place in MTV Exit photo contest

By Danica Marie Hermogenes
INQUIRER.net

04/07/2011

‘Women & Children, Abuse & Violence’ by Soleil S. Pamatigan

MANILA, Philippines—Filipina Soleil S. Pamatigan bagged the 2nd place at the MTV Exit (End Exploitation and Trafficking) Bold Lipstick Competition.

Pamatigan’s photo depicts a piece of paper in the process of being engulfed by flames, bearing the words “Women & Children, Abuse & Violence.” This emotive photo brings to mind how the lives of those affected can be destroyed, and just like paper reduced to ash if people don't intervene.

A native of Las Piñas City, the 26-year-old Pamatigan passionately reminds us that “there is no gender or age required to support this fight against this 'modern slavery',” said MTV Exit, a non-profit campaign to raise awareness and increase prevention of human trafficking in Asia and Europe.

Malaysia’s Chuah Siew Lin grabbed the grand prize with her entry bearing the words “I want 2 go home,” a direct and ultimately central theme in the battle to end trafficking, returning freedom back to those who have been deprived of it.

The Bold Lipstick competition aimed to increase awareness of the critical issue of human trafficking through an engaging medium and culminated in six shortlisted winners as voted for by the public. The contestants were encouraged to write a resonating phrase representative of their thoughts and emotions on trafficking...in lipstick.

In 3rd place is New Yorker J.T Liss, who was inspired to create her emotional piece after watching “Planet Better.”

For the 4th place slot is Weaw J from Bangkok. Her photograph depicts a woman with the word 'SLAVERY” imprinted on her arm, echoing the fact that “we are taught to believe that slavery has been abolished a long time ago, however, that's not the case...it's only been abolished on paper.”

Isela Guerra from Rio Grande Valley, Texas placed fifth with her photo cleverly showing two hands forming a heart and bearing the message “There Is Hope.”

The 6th place runner up of the competition Mau Thi Thanh Nahn from Hanoi, Vietnam created a very relevant image of a girl in the aisles of a supermarket, with the words “I am not goods” emblazoned across a sign.

Over 5000 votes were cast, acknowledging the breadth of the human trafficking situation. “Bold Lipstick” was launched in conjunction with the newest music video in the MTV Exit series, which in the past has featured the likes of Radiohead, Muse, and The Killers.

The video portrays a young woman being promised a better life by an attractive stranger, unaware of the danger of putting her trust in him.

Pamatigan said that there is no age required to support the fight against this "modern slavery."

“We need to get involved in educating other people about this growing crime. There are countless ways to extend help and support, to show that we care. A single voice can make a lot of difference who knows, it could even save lives,” she said.

...the Cebu's Dandelion

Cebu province gets kindness monument from Russia

By PHOEBE JEN INDINO

April 8, 2011

Manila Bulletin

CEBU PROVINCE, Philippines -- The  province of Cebu will soon install bronze monument called “Dandelion,” an art piece donated by renowned Russian artist Gregory Victorovich Pototsky, who heads the International Academy of Kindness that has already installed over 60 monuments in different countries.

The two-meter bronze monument weighing 300 kilograms was formally turned over, however, its installation will have to take place this August in line with 442nd anniversary of the Province.

Gov. Gwen Garcia and Consul Armi Lopez Garcia welcomes the arrival of the Russian delegates

(Source: flcodilla.blogspot.com)

 
According to Pototsky who personally turn-over the said art piece, Dandelion will further mark the friendship between Cebu and Russia “the monument symbolizes the fragility of friendship, love and kindness.”
 
Such art piece is the fourth in the Philippines and second in Cebu with the first one installed in the Cebu International Convention Center.
 
Pototsky also created a bust of former President Elpidio Quirino as a gesture of gratitude for facilitating aid to 6,000 Russian refugees in Tubabao Island, Samar in 1951.
 
Meanwhile, with the help of interpreter Olga Bare, Pototsky’s wife explained that he gives monument to highlight the kindness among people in different nations with the hope of addressing conflict with compassion.

...the pianist

Pianist Cecile Licad makes history in Russian debut

By Pablo. A. Tariman, V

ERA Files | The Inbox  

Thu, Apr 7, 2011

Celebrated  Filipino pianist Cecile Licad makes history in Russian soil when she becomes the first Filipino soloist to perform with the Russian State Symphony Orchestra on April 15  at the highly revered Tchaikovsky Hall at Triumfalnay Square in Moscow. She will perform Brahms Piano Concerto No. 1 under the baton of People's Artist of Russia Mark Gorenstein.

It is also the first time she will set foot in the famous Tchaikovsky Hall where the likes of Otto Klemperer, Artur Rubenstein, Yasha Heifetz, Marian Anderson,  Artur Honegger, Bela Bartok, David Oystrakh, and Emil Gilels have performed.

Founded in 1936, the Russian State Symphony Orchestra  has been led by some of the finest conductors and composers in music history, notably Igor Stravinsky, Konstantin Ivanov, Evgeniy Svetlanov, Otto Klemperer, Erich Kleiber, Yehudi Menuhin, Charles Munch, Mstislav Rostropovich, Kurt Masur, and Valery Gergiev, among others.

The April 15 engagement is also her first team-up with conductor and National Artist of Russia Mark Gorenstein, who is considered one of the most famous and distinguished conductors  in contemporary Russia. Gorenstein's name is closely associated with traditions of the Russian conductor's school, brilliant performance, depth and "innovative-ness" of interpretation, filigree technique, and strong personality.

Steve Smith of the New York Times has this to say about Gorenstein's credential: "The best measure of Mr. Gorenstein's work came in an urgent, imaginatively shaded account of Bartok's Concerto for Orchestra. Beginning at a whisper, the cellos rose to a magnificently throaty sound. Woodwinds were ribald, and brasses took on a warm glow."

"It would be hard to imagine a more phantasmagorical rendition of the closing pages in the Giuoco Delle Coppie, or a more desolate introduction to the Elegia," he wrote.

Before Licad, Gorenstein has worked with such distinguished soloists as violinist Viktor Tretyakov,  cellist Mstislav Rostropovich, pianists Nikolai Petrov,  Denis Matsuev, Lazar Berman and singers Elena Obraztsova, Roberto Alagnia, Angela Gheorghiu and  Kathleen Battle, among others.

Violinist Tretyakov said after performing with Gorenstein: "He is an excellent musician, a perfect partner in music-making. It is a real joy to perform with him."

Meanwhile, Philippine Vice President Jejomar Binay congratulated Licad on her Russian debut, saying she remains a big inspiration for Filipino musicians all over the world.

Before her Russian debut, Licad stunned Philadelphia music lovers with a seldom heard program under the auspices of the Philadelphia Chamber Music Society. She opened the  program with a rarely played repertoire (Scriabin's  Impromptu in F-sharp Minor, Op. 12, No. 1 and  Impromptu in B-flat Minor, Op. 12, No. 2, Janacek's In the Mist, "Im Nebel" and Schumann's Sonata in F Minor, Op. 14) and closing with Chopin's 24 Preludes, Op. 28.

Licad struck deep into the heart of the musical sensibility of Philadelphia's most discriminating audiences and got a standing ovation. The audiences couldn't have enough of Licad, who ended  up playing four encore pieces.

Philadelphia Inquirer critic David Patrick Stearns wrote: "Clearly, she has embodied the music-before-personality ethos of her Curtis Institute mentors, Rudolf Serkin, Seymour Lipkin, and Mieczyslaw Horszowski."

Other Filipino artists who made news in Russian soil were: the late Redentor Romero, who became the first Filipino conductor to lead the Moscow Symphony; and pianist Rowena Arrieta, the first Filipino laureate (fifth place) of the Tchaikovsky Competition in the early 1980s --- the same year Brazilian cellist Antonio Meneses (Licad's ex-husband) won the gold medal in the same competition.

...the city down south

Cebu as seen by a young French artist


C'EST CEBU By Honey Jarque Loop
(The Philippine Star)
 April 07, 2011

Honorary Consul of France Michel Lhuillier and French artist Arno Rocher| Zoom

Twenty-five-year-old Niña Mancao simply loves to travel. She enjoys experiencing new customs, discovering different values and what this wonderful world has to offer.

In her desire and quest for discovery and adventure, this petite lady found herself in Laos two years ago. She communed with nature, wandered through the narrow city streets and village paths, mingled with people while exploring the temples, admiring the colonial architecture, savoring the distinct local cuisine, and trekking to the many hills where tribes of mixed ethno-cultural heritage lived.

While English has become increasingly spoken in recent years, the official and dominant language is Lao. Understandably this was a problem for Niña. She then searched for some foreign-looking tourists whom she hoped could speak English. One pleasant day she met the young French artist Arno Rocher, who first became her guide and eventually her friend.

Louie Thevenin, Niña Mancao, and Arno Rocher

Upon her invitation, he visited Cebu. During his two-month stay, he painted and sketched several local scenes and landmarks. As a gesture of gratitude, Arno shared his works at two intimate art shows attended by friends and art enthusiasts.

Impressed with his watercolor paintings and ink-and-paper drawings and sketches, restaurateur Deena Pages and daughter Krista graciously hosted the first of two exhibits at their newly renovated, family-owned Kaona Grill restaurant. Among the guests of honor was Louie Thevenin, director of Alliance Française Cebu.

Melody and Dennis Nordine

Club Vudu, the popular watering hole for the city’s party people, was the venue of choice for Arno’s second exhibit. Honorary Consul of France Michel Lhuillier, together with Mary Mancao and Joy Climaco, did the ceremonial ribbon cutting.

His exhibits in Cebu, which focused on black-and-white drawings and sketches, emphasized light and shade, which made the art pieces more dramatic.

Sophie Hussenet and Anton Quisumbing

Arno Rocher is recognized as a young, talented artist in his hometown of Nantes, France. After his studies at the Institute Saint-Luc in Brussels, he began working with transparency and mixed media, capturing his art by using layers of paint on canvas.

Cebu, as seen through the eyes of a young, skilled artist who came to visit, was truly a celebration of friendship and sharing.

...the poverty alleviation scheme

MCC notes Phl progress in reducing poverty

 

PhilStar – Thu, Apr 7, 2011

MANILA, Philippines - The Millennium Challenge Corp. (MCC) of the United States has noted the country’s progress in mobilizing the $434-million grant aimed at reducing poverty in the Philippines.
Signed in September last year in New York and witnessed by President Aquino and US Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton, the grant demonstrates the Philippine and US government’s joint commitment to fighting poverty in the Philippines.

Finance Secretary Cesar Purisima said the compact grant is completely aligned with the development agenda of the Aquino Administration to reduce poverty through sustainable economic growth and good governance.

“I am pleased all project preparation activities are on track and I look forward to seeing the momentum maintained in order to deliver results the Filipino people deserve,” Purisima said.

MCC’s resident country director Matthew Bohn also noted the progress made. “I am confident that Millennium Challenge Account-Philippines (MCA-P) will achieve the compact’s objectives and desired results under the watchful eye of such a capable board,” Bohn said.

The MCA-P Board of Trustees is composed of members from different government agencies and non-government organizations. MCA-P acts as the entity responsible for overseeing the implementation of the MCC compact grant. The compact supports the priorities of the Philippine government to reduce poverty by promoting sustainable economic growth.

These include the Revenue Administration Reform Project (RARP), under the auspices of the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) and Revenue Integrity Protection Service (RIPS).

The project aims to raise tax revenues and reduce tax evasion and corruption through reforms at BIR and modernization of the revenue collection system.

Another project is the Kapit-Bisig Laban sa Kahirapan- Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Social Services (KALAHI-CIDSS), implemented by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).
This project aims to improve community-level infrastructure and social services for the poor and strengthen the capacity of local communities to lift themselves out of poverty.

The Secondary National Roads Development Project (SNRDP), meanwhile, is a project in partnership with the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).

It aims to reduce transportation costs and improve access to markets and social services through the rehabilitation of an existing 220-kilometer road segment on Samar Island.

Purisima assured that projects under the compact grant will be implemented with transparency and accountability by following strict guidelines for financial management, procurement, and environmental and social impact assessment.

The MCC is a US government corporation designed to work with developing countries and is based on the principle that aid is most effective when it reinforces sound political, economic, and social policies that promote poverty reduction through economic growth. - By Iris C. Gonzales (Philstar News Service, www.philstar.com)

...the Union

Western Union eyes project harnessing OFW money for community development

By Doris Dumlao
Philippine Daily Inquirer
04/06/2011


MANILA, Philippines—Global remittance giant Western Union has bankrolled a pioneering project that seeks to channel collective funds from overseas Filipinos for local development, picking the province of Ilocos Norte and the city of Taguig as its two pilot sites.

The two-year project was launched as a partnership among the United Nations Development Program, the Philippine government and Western Union Foundation (WUF), drawing lessons from similar diaspora projects successfully executed in Africa and Mexico by Western Union, which provided the seed money of $250,000 to jumpstart this project.

The project will test a mechanism to facilitate and direct overseas remittances toward savings and investment in livelihood improvement and entrepreneurship for the poor, ultimately creating jobs and reducing poverty in the Philippines, the world's fourth- largest recipient of overseas remittances after India, China and Mexico.

"The program intends to efficiently and accountably link hard monies from overseas to create sustainable small businesses that generate jobs and economic opportunity back home in the Philippines. Upon success, the model will be replicated in different parts of the world," said WUF president Luella Chavez D' Angelo, who flew in from Colorado USA, to launch the project.

The six-pronged project will involve facilitating governmental support for public policy inclusion of collective remittances, building awareness for the concept, organizing overseas Filipinos to pool funds, giving people at home the skills and capabilities to identify and carry out projects, promoting the concept and mobilizing funds and matching private funds with private funds.

Ilocos Norte and Taguig were picked as pilot sites not because of the number of migrant workers but because WUF believes these territories have a greater likelihood of embracing this concept.

In an interview with the Philippine Daily Inquirer, D'Angelo explained that this Philippine project could draw lessons from the successes of an earlier project rolled out by her foundation in Africa whereby a competition was launched targeting African diaspora in Washington, D.C., and New York to come up with business plans that would help development in the proponent's hometown. In that project, proponents were required to bring in their share of capital worth around $10,000 to $15,000 and the best proposals were chosen and WUF helped raise funds for the projects.

What WUF was hoping to accomplish in the Philippines, she said, would be to harness collective remittances among overseas Filipinos and hopefully get its agents and local government units to contribute cash to the pot and WUF would match the amount raised. In the African pilot, she said what was originally targeted to be a $500,000 project ended up leveraging $1.8 million.

WUF did not seek equity from local governments in Africa but in another project in Mexico, she said there was some contribution from the local leadership. But apart from equity, she said the program would need support from local governments by promoting awareness as well as making sure that local regulations would not get in the way of developmental objectives.

During the launch, Ilocos Norte Governor Imee Marcos and Taguig City councilor Aurelio Bartolome expressed support for the project. Likewise present was Commission on Filipinos Overseas Secretary Imelda Nicolas, who said: "The objective of harnessing remittances for local development is the next frontier for development banking."

"In our dealings with community leaders, we find that a lot of Filipinos that are well settled abroad are always looking for means to help the communities they left behind," Western Union senior vice president for Pacific and Indochina Patricia Riingen said.

That's where this project could help, Riingen said, noting for instance that if there's a certain town wishing to set up a “balut”-making industry, collective funds from abroad could be channeled to such activities.

"At Western Union, we believe that leaving home to work overseas should be a choice, not a necessity borne of lack of options. We share the dream that someday, people in the Philippines and in developing countries everywhere will have the option to stay with their families, that jobs and opportunities at home will provide a choice and that going overseas will be but one way to make a better life," Riingen said.

D' Angelo said WUF would measure the success of this project partly in terms of growth in collective remittances and increase in local businesses, particularly small and medium enterprises. A deeper assessment could be done with the help of the National Economic and Development Authority, she said.

...the lady pilot

Filipina pilot soars above gender barrier

 

By CECIL MORELLA

April 6, 2011

 

MANILA, Philippines -- On the ground, Brooke Castillo is a classical pianist, a rock band manager, an elite sportswoman, and a teacher, but it is high in the sky where she truly excels.

Castillo is the country's first female commercial jet captain, and from the cockpit of Cebu Pacific airline's Airbus A319s and A320s, she says she has the best job in the world.

''I think I was destined to be here,'' the tall and eloquent 41-year-old told Agence France Presse (AFP) in an interview, explaining that she realized her many other talents would take a back seat immediately after she got into aviation school.

''I just took up the challenge and I realized it was something that I would love to do, and that was it.''

Castillo grew up in a wealthy Manila household -- her father was a banker and her mother managed a casino -- alongside three brothers who helped instill in her a love for sports and competition.

Many hours of her childhood were spent with her family in ten-pin bowling alleys, and she ended up representing the country's junior team in the sport.

She was also a member of the Philippines' youth basketball team, and won a silver medal for her country as an adult at the Southeast Asian taekwondo championships.

Among her other hobbies and talents, Castillo plays classical piano, manages a local alternative rock band and has a business administration degree from the elite University of the Philippines.

Castillo said she never aspired to be a pilot, but fell into the aviation industry soon after her college days when she accompanied a friend to a testing session for a pilot's scholarship with national carrier Philippines Airlines.
Castillo took the tests as well and, while her friend failed, she aced them.

''When I went to aviation school, I realized everything that I learned from music, from my other endeavors in school and from sports -- all of it -- I was able to apply more than in my college subjects,'' she said.

Her love of flying and her skills saw her become the first woman in the country to fly a commercial jet in 1996, with Philippine Airlines.

After crossing to rival Cebu Pacific, Castillo in 2003 became the first woman in the Philippines to captain a jet.

Throughout her career she has blazed a trail for other women in the industry, with Cebu Pacific now boasting 14 other female pilots.

''Hopefully there will be more,'' she said.

Castillo, who is now also an instructor for Cebu Pacific's younger pilots, said she had earned her success on her merits, pointing out airline chiefs could not compromise when choosing captains for their jets.

''In our profession there are no double standards because you cannot afford to put anyone's life in danger,'' she said.

Castillo suggested women had an advantage because they tended to pay closer attention to the smallest details. A pilot needs to check more than 200 items before an actual flight.

''They say that women are more meticulous and more into multi-tasking. Probably that's true. In some instances I see it,'' she said.

Be they Piper Tomahawk trainers or Airbus jets, Castillo said the hardest aspect of flying was deciding when to take off and land or abort, because the tiniest hesitation could swiftly lead to life or death situations.

Her most dangerous moment was as a DC-9 co-pilot nine years ago when the cabin lost compression in mid-flight. She said her professional training took over and the plane landed safely.

''The thing that I learned from that was that you don't feel the fear until it's over,'' she said.

''After you land and everything, that's when you catch the fear.''

Castillo's remaining professional ambition is to captain larger, wide-bodied Airbus aircraft, a dream she will likely fulfill as her employers, now the country's biggest airline, push aggressively into international markets.

She said also she wanted to marry and have a child someday. But she has had trouble finding the time for such personal matters and sees herself flying and instructing until she turns 65, Cebu Pacific's retirement age for pilots.

''I hope, I wish, but I really can't see how,'' she said when asked about marriage and a family.
''Honestly I'm enjoying my flying career and I am enjoying teaching. Being an instructor, in a way, is fulfilling to me, and in a way it's making me think, 'Should I give it up for anything else?'' (AFP)

...the hub

Cebu eyed as Asia's hub for armored vehicles

April 6, 2011

Manila Bulletin

 

 

MACTAN, Cebu, Philippines — A British company specializing in the manufacture of armored vehicles here for export to conflict areas worldwide is determined to position Cebu as Asia's hub for armored vehicles, with the firm investing $3 million to expand its existing site at the Mactan Export Processing Zone.

"The market for armoring business is growing dramatically,” said Finn T. Wattenberg, chief executive officer of British Armour Manufacturing International Inc. “Because of the pressing issues on terrorism and war conflicts, more institutions are having their cars armored.”

Wattenberg said after having successfully operating the company since 2005, it will be expanding its adjacent lot this year, which will bring in additional 8,000 square meters for operations to include test and research and development (R&D) facilities for the development and conceptualization of more designs and armored car products.

Currently, the firm sends finished vehicles to Germany where the existing testing facility is located to check on their quality before delivering them to customers.

In his talk with media, Wattenberg also discussed other expansion plans such as a showroom facility in Makati City in Manila which the firm shall utilize to showcase its products to foreign business travelers.

...the Telly awardee

Balitang America production bags prestigious TV award

 

By Balitang America

04/06/2011

CALIFORNIA - Bayaning Pilipino 2010, a special awards show produced by Balitang America, bagged a prestigious Telly Award in the documentary category. 

The Telly Awards honor the very best local, regional, and cable television commercials and programs, as well as the finest video and film productions, and work created for the Web.

 

The entry, “Little Manila Foundation,” was given the bronze medal in the 32nd Telly Awards. It was selected over thousands of entries from all 50 states and 5 continents. 

 

The winning short documentary featured a nonprofit organization that has been struggling to preserve the historical legacy of the first Filipino immigrants in Stockton, California.

 

The segment was written and produced by Pia Lopezbanos Carrion, who also heads ABS-CBN International’s Creative Communications Group, filmed by Balitang America news videographer Jeremiah Ysip, and edited by Balitang America news master editor Danny Manansala.

 

It was aired as part of Bayaning Pilipino 2010, ABS-CBN Global’s award show that honors outstanding individuals and organizations that make a difference in the Filipino community in America.

 

Bayaning Pilipino 2010 was produced by ABS-CBN Global’s News Production Head and Executive Producer, Vivian Zalvidea Araullo and directed by ABS-CBN’s MPEG Chief John Lazatin. 

 

Bayaning Pilipino 2010’s overall in charge of production and Chair was then North America News Bureau Chief, Ging Reyes, who is now Senior Vice President of ABS-CBN News and Current Affairs.

...the positive forecast

ADB raises PH growth forecast to 5%

 

abs-cbnNEWS.com

Posted at 04/06/2011

MANILA, Philippines (UPDATE) - The Asian Development Bank has upgraded its growth forecast for the Philippines this year, mainly on expectations of sustained investment inflows and private consumption.

In its annual Asian Development Outlook released Tuesday, the Manila-based multilateral lender said Philippine gross domestic product (GDP) may grow 5% in 2011, higher than the 4.6% projection it gave in September last year.

This is in line with the projections of most economists. On the contrary, the government is still projecting a 7% to 8% growth.

ADB said key to growth are the Aquino administration's efforts to improve governance and its fiscal position, and the progress in the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) program—all of which would boost business confidence.

"The forecast is for solid economic growth this year and next, and sustained increases in investment now appear achievable, provided that the government pushes through with policy and governance reforms," it said.
Next year, the local economy is seen to expand by 5.3%.

ADB-Forecast	Philippine Growth
2011	5% (raised from 4.6%)
2012	5.30%

ADB said its forecasts assumed that the political turmoil in the Middle East and North Africa, as well as the disasters in Japan, do not affect the inflow of remittances from overseas Filipino workers. Remittances, which drive consumption, grew 8.2% to $18.8 billion in 2010.

Export growth is expected to pull back from last year's levels to about 11% this year, ADB said. It noted the twin Japan earthquake and tsunami disasters could dent exports as the main electronics and semiconductors industries "depend heavily on components from Japan."

Government spending, meanwhile, would be less stimulative to the economy this year, but the private sector is expected to pick up the slack with its participation in major infrastructure projects.
Five projects that include expressways and privatization of railways would be up for bidding by mid-year under the PPP program.

Inflation

Inflation is seen to average 4.9% in 2011, at the high-end of the government's official target range of 3% to 5%.

"This projection reflects, besides higher prices for imported oil, hikes for utility charges and public transport fares. Higher global food prices will also put upward pressure on inflation."

ADB warned that higher-than-forecast increases in global food and oil prices as well as weaker global recovery might affect growth.

Developing Asia

ADB forecasts for 2011	as of 4/2011	as of 9/2010
Asia	7.8%	7.3%
Southeast Asia	5.5%	5.4%
China	9.6%	9.1%

The bank raised its growth forecast for all of developing Asia to 7.8% from 7.3%. The forecast does not include Japan.

ADB said the disasters in Japan could have "substantial" effect on its growth in the near term but long-term effects will be limited. It predicted Japan's economy will grow 1.5% this year, about the same as it projected in September.

The forecast for Southeast Asia, where the Philippines belongs, was hiked to 5.5% from 5.4%. - With a report from Coco Alcuaz, ANC

..the best beaches

Provo, Boracay ranked as top beach resorts

 

Reuters/

abs-cnnews.com

04/06/2011

NEW YORK - The tiny island of Providenciales in the Turks and Caicos has been voted the top beach destination in the world, according to the travel website TripAdvisor.

It ranked above such renowned beach destinations as Honolulu and Miami Beach in the report based on travelers' reviews and ratings to select the best destinations around the world.

Myrtle Beach in South Carolina was the only US destination to make the top five.

"A number of factors make these beach destinations stand out as wonderful choices," said TripAdvisor spokesman Brooke Ferencsik. "In addition to featuring remarkable stretches of sand, these hotspots offer a wide variety of quality hotels, restaurants and activities to accommodate virtually any vacation budget, and appeal to any traveler type."

Providenciales, which has experienced a boom in high-end resorts with total visitors tripling since the mid-1990s, was praised for its pristine white-sand beaches, calm, clear water and a healthy barrier reef appealing to snorkelers and divers.

Many reviewers called its Grace Bay Beach the world's best.

Rounding out the top five were Boracay, in the Philippines, Aruba's Palm/Eagle beach, Negril in Jamaica and Tulum, Mexico.

Boracay beach in Aklan. File photo

The quaint, Victorian-tinged Cape May, at the southern tip of New Jersey, was the only other US beach among the top 10.

Grand Cayman's famous Seven Mile Beach and Punta Cana in the Dominican Republic placed seventh and eighth respectively.

Ayia Napra in Cyprus was the top-rated European beach destination, followed by Skiathos, Greece.

Despite its glamorous, starry reputation, the French Riviera didn't even place among Europe's top 25.

In the South Pacific, synonymous with exotic beach travel for many, Bora Bora topped the list.
The top choice in Central and South America was Santa Teresa in Costa Rica, a country that has developed a reputation for eco-travel.

Other highly rated beach destinations included the Maldives, Panama City, Florida, Miami Beach, Isla Mujeres, Mexico, Florida's Sanibel Island and Playa del Carmen on Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula.

Nearly 70% of US respondents said they were planning a beach vacation in 2011, and just over half were opting for a US destination and about one-quarter were planning to visit the Caribbean or Mexico, according to recent TripAdvisor survey.

Full results including top beach destinations in Italy, Germany, Spain and Canada can be found at www.tripadvisor.com/TCbeaches.

...the school's extension

CHEd cites 14 higher education institutions

By INA HERNANDO-MALIPOT

April 6, 2011
Manila Bulletin

MANILA, Philippines – A total of 14 higher education institutions (HEIs) from both public and private sectors were recently recognized by the Commission on Higher Education (CHEd) for their outstanding extension programs.

Through the conduct of the 2010 Outstanding HEI Extension Program Award, these HEIs were awarded for offering programs that enhance productivity, generating employment and reducing poverty.

CHEd Chairperson Patricia Licuanan said that the award aims to recognize and reward both the implementer and the higher education institutions for their outstanding extension programs. “We also want to encourage conduct of extension work that is relevant and responsive to the needs of the community and society and to promote appreciation of the importance of the extension functions of HEIs,” she explained.

The 14 regional winners received P300,000.00 cash prize and plaque of recognition. The extension program “UPLB Bee Program” of the University of the Philippines in Los Baños has been identified as the national winner.

“The National Winner was identified from the roster of regional winners and received a trophy and cash prize of one million pesos from the agency,” Licuanan said.

The following HEIs that have been chosen as regional winners for their extension programs include Mariano Marcos State University (Region 1) for its “Achieving Food Sovereignty through Sustainable Entrepreneural Development (Food SSEnD) Program for Rural Household”; Isabela State University (Region II) for its “Rural Enterprise Development Through Innovative Goat Production Systems: The case of Cagayan Valley Small Ruminants Research Center’s Extension Program”; Central Luzon State University (Region III) for its “Renewable Energy Extension Program: Capacity Building and Poverty Alleviation Strategies for Regional and National Development”; University of the Philippines Los Baños (Region IV-A) for its “UPLB Bee Program”; Universidad de Sta. Isabel (Region V) for its “BUHAI-CES Program- Building Communities Through Unified Efforts and Holistic Approach in the Implementation of Community Extension Service”; Aklan State University (Region VI) for its “Isla Kapispisan Mangrove Reforestation, Aquasilbi Culture and Eco-Tourism Program”; Silliman University (Region VII) for its “Alternative Lifestyles for Women in Negros (ALL for WIN)”; Jose Rizal Memorial State University (Region IX) “Rubber-Based Farming System Towards a Secure Tampilisan”; Mindanao State University (Region X) for its ICT Integration in Education – IIT; Davao del Norte State College (Region XI) for its “Development Interventions in the Island Garden City of Samal: DNSC-DED Project Cooperation” University of Southern Mindanao (Region XII) for its “Asset-based, Co-existence Driven and Friendly (A2F) Extension Program”; Benguet State University (CAR) for its “Increasing Strawberry Productivity Through Tissue-Cultures Runners (TCR)”; Surigao del Sur State University (CARAGA) for its “Coastal Resource Management (CRM) in Lianga Bay: The Surigao del Sur State University – Lianga Campus Extension Program” and Technological University of the Philippines (NCR) for its “Technology Promotion on the Use of Renewable Energy, Clean Technologies and Energy Efficient System.”

The Outstanding HEI Extension Program Award was established in 2008 to recognize the role that extension contributes to the fulfillment of the national thrust to mobilize knowledge and technology towards enhancing productivity, generating employment and reducing poverty.

“The HEIs have been actively conducting extension programs/projects, particularly transfer and/or application of technology/knowledge that contributes to the attainment of the country’s development goals,” Licuanan ended.

...the credit rating

Fitch can at least revise outlook to positive -- Palace

BusinessWorld Online
April 5, 2011

 

MALACAÑANG is hopeful that Fitch Ratings will issue an upgrade for the Philippines or at least change its outlook to positive following a review of the country’s fiscal situation.

"It’s reasonable to expect a positive outlook," Sec. Ricky A. Carandang of the Presidential Communications Development and Strategic Planning Office said.


"[T]he fiscal prudence, the improvements in tax collections ... based on that alone ... I would think that there would be reason for an upgrade, or at least the outlook," he added.


President Benigno S.C. Aquino III earlier in the day declined to comment extensively on the country’s ratings prospects. He did say, however, that "a very good development" could be announced "by next week".


A Fitch team visited Manila last week for talks with economic managers, central bankers, revenue officials and private sector representatives as part of a ratings review. Ahead of the visit, officials said they were optimistic that Fitch would revise its current ‘BB’ rating, with a stable outlook, for the Philippines.


Finance officials last week said the Fitch team had raised concerns about the government’s revenue assumptions. Yesterday, Mr. Carandang said prudent spending would continue to allow the government to achieve fiscal consolidation.


"The main concern of the credit ratings agencies has always been the sustainability of the fiscal gains and we can see that the prudence in spending is not something that’s one-off. Every month, we’re seeing that," he said.


"[A]s far as fiscal management is concerned, we’ve shown concrete, sustainable improvements," he claimed.
"If you judge it based on solely internal performance, then I think there would be reason to be optimistic. But then you do not know what the impact will be fiscally of all of these things happening outside. That would probably factor into Fitch’s decision as well."

...the short film

Pinoy short film gets top honors in US contest

 

abs-cbnNEWS.com

04/05/2011

MANILA, Philippines - A short film done in 24 hours by a Filipino filmmaker recently won the top award at the US National 24-Hour Film Racing Tour 2010.

"Creative License," directed by filmmaker and commercial director Paolo Dy, represented the borough of Brooklyn and was named the Best Overall Film.

'Creative License', winner of the 2010 US National Film Racing Tour, stars Christopher Fabregas as a Pinoy immigrant struggling to make it in the big city.

It won over entries from Chicago, Vancouver, Minneapolis, and New York City.

The film, which was shot in New York and written in Filipino, also won awards for Best Direction, Best Sound Design and Audience’s Choice.

"Creative License" is about "a young Filipino immigrant struggling to make it in the big city."

“The film was inspired by conversations we had with Pinoy friends living in New York and elsewhere,” said Cathy Azanza, who wrote the screenplay. “Like most immigrants, they are very willing to give up certain luxuries and make sacrifices to build a life for themselves. But, of course, their families back home worry. Out of love, they find that at times they have to get ‘creative’– just like the character, played by Christopher in the film – to stop their families from worrying.”

Paolo Dy (right), director of the 2010 US National Film Racing winner 'Creative License', with Film Racing co-founder Charlie Weisman in New York City

 Dy explained why they wrote the film in Filipino: “We were very conscious about making the film, about what was close and real to us, which is why we chose to write it in Filipino. At the heart of it, we just hoped we could tell a story people could relate to and a character people could feel for – no matter what language we used. More than a Filipino story, we hoped to tell a very human one.”

Aside from Azanza, theater actor Christopher Fabregas assisted Dy in making the film.

As the name implies, the 24-Hour Film Racing Tour competition calls on filmmakers from the US and Canada to write, shoot, and complete a short film in 24 hours. Filmmakers have to follow a theme and include a surprise element.

“At 10 o’clock in the evening, the night prior to the deadline, we received our assigned theme,” said Dy. “The theme was ‘Exaggeration’. And our surprise element: Pizza.”

Dy and Azanza received their prize package in New York: cash prize, a one-year scholarship with Writers Boot Camp, and professional film and audio editing software from Sony Creative Software. Film Racing co-founder Charlie Weisman awarded the prizes.

Photos courtesy of 'Creative License' team

...the supermodels

Pinay Ford Supermodels Danica Magpantay, Chat Almarvez, Charo Ronquillo walk for Levi's show in NY

 

SPOT – Tue, Apr 5, 2011

Danica Magpantay and Charo Ronquillo. Screencap from Nitrolicious.com.

(SPOT.ph) Ford Supermodel of the World 2010 winner Danica Magpantay and runners-up Charlene "Chat" Almarvez and Charo Ronquillo walked for the Levi's Fall/Winter Fashion Collection Preview in New York last week, reports ABS-CBN News. The Filipino models were three of the 24 who were chosen to showcase the Levi's lines.

Magpantay said it was the first time they all worked together. "It's Levi's; it's big!" She added, "I've been with her (Chat) in some presentations and shows which is fun kasi makikita mo talaga na certain designers really like our look and hindi na mahirap makapasok ang Filipino ngayon (because it shows that certain designers really like our look and it's not difficult for Filipinos to break into the fashion scene now)."

ABS-CBN News quoted Levi's Jeans publicist Melissa Ladines: "I think most brands are going global. We sell Levi's all over the world so we want to cast all models from different kinds of ethnicities just so we have a lot of representation."

Filipino-American head makeup artist for the Levi's preview Albee Franson told ABS-CBN News he was "in awe" when he found out that three of the models were Filipinos. "I actually had to come up and ask them, 'What are you?' because I didn't believe they were Filipinos. I love that they bring a different kind of look to the set. So pretty."

...the painting

Pinoy artist Ronald Ventura's painting sells for nearly P47 million at Sotheby's auction

SPOT – Mon, Apr 4, 2011

 

Ventura's painting titled "Grayground"

(SPOT.ph) Renowned Filipino artist Ronald Ventura's painting "Grayground" has sold for HK$ 8,420,000 or  P46,995,832.65 at the Sotheby's Modern and Contemporary Southeast Asian Paintings auction held on April 4 in Hong Kong.

The graphite, oil, and acrylic on canvas piece, which measures 60 inches by 155 3/4 inches (nearly four meters long), set a new auction record and beat Filipina artist Geraldine Javier's oil-on-canvas Ella Amo' Apasionadamente y Fue Correspondida (For She Loved Fiercely, And She is Well Loved), which raked in HK$1,460,000 in an auction last year.

With more than 10 awards to his name, the University of Santo Tomas fine arts graduate is currently the country's top-selling Filipino artist. Venturas have been selling for five to six dollar digits in auction houses abroad.

Other Filipino artists whose work was sold at the auction inlcude Ronald Caringal, Lynard Paras, Kiko Escora, Janet Balbarona, Rodel Tapaya, Andres Barrioquinto, Marina Cruz, Arturo Sanchez, Nona Garcia, Jon Jaylo, Danilo E. Dalena, MM Yu, Wawi Navarroza, Onib Olmedo, among others.

...the waste renewal program

UN cites Villars’ rivers’, wastes’ renewal program

By Miko L. Morelos
Philippine Daily Inquirer
04/03/2011

MANILA, Philippines—The cleanup of Las Piñas City’s river system did not just resuscitate the Las Piñas and Zapote Rivers. The wastes collected also provided residents a means of livelihood.

The two-pronged approach of the river rehabilitation program called Sagip Ilog, implemented by the Villar Foundation, was recognized as best water management practice by the United Nations on World Water Day last month.

The UN cited the foundation “for its outstanding contribution toward improving the living environment and its demonstrable and tangible impact on people’s quality of life within a metropolitan river basin.” The citation was received by former Las Piñas Rep. Cynthia Villar and her husband, Sen. Manuel Villar, during the awarding ceremony in Zaragoza, Spain, on March 22.

For Cynthia Villar, the success of the program hinged on two factors—the people’s support and a close collaboration between the private and public sectors.

“It has to be a combination,” Mrs. Villar told the Inquirer in an interview on Friday. “For example, if you don’t have the support of the local government, the agencies under it won’t follow easily. It will be hard to be on your own.”

Wonder husks

She mentioned as a case in point the throwaway coconut husks that Las Piñas Mayor Vergel Aguilar, her brother, found so irritating that he urged the city council to pass an ordinance outlawing the husks’ improper disposal in the river system.

The former lawmaker had come across an inventor, Dr. Justino Arboleda, who developed a decorticating machine that processes coconut husks into fiber and peat that, in turn, make for a cheaper, sturdier alternative to concrete rip-rapping and a fertilizer additive, respectively.

When spun and woven properly, coconut fiber becomes coir, which may be placed on slopes along a riverbank to protect it from erosion and siltation, according to Villar.

Bamboo seedlings may also be planted along a riverbank to strengthen it.

On the other hand, peat is mixed with wet garbage before it is ground and processed for five days to turn into organic compost.

Biodegradable stuff

At least 70 percent of Las Piñas barangays have machines that produce compost. Food wastes are collected by “bio-men” (from “biodegradable”), who turn over wet garbage to the compost processing centers.

The barangays produce 60 tons of organic compost in a month, which is sold in the provinces for P100 per sack, Villar said.

Dry biodegradable garbage is decomposed using worms called African night crawlers to produce another type of organic fertilizer, she said.

Every two days, Las Piñas’ women weavers produce a 50-meter-long coconut coir mat that retails for about P950, Villar said.

Among the weavers’ clients in Barangay Aldana is the Villar-owned Vista Land, she said.

She recalled with a chuckle an instance when her husband asked one of the company engineers to “justify their non-use of coconut coir in some of their project’s requirements.”

After all, she said, “it is a cost-effective alternative to concrete rip-rapping.”

Hyacinth harvest

Villar said the filth that used to swamp the Las Piñas and Zapote Rivers allowed water hyacinths (lilies) to thrive, rendering the waterways impassable to water transport and dredging equipment.

As cleaning operations commenced on the rivers, the weavers harvested the hyacinths and, after sun-drying, made these into bags and other handicraft.

“Sometimes, the weavers have to buy water lilies from Taguig City because the ones that grow along our rivers are now shorter than what they required,” Villar said.

“The lilies here don’t grow longer than a foot anymore, probably because the rivers are cleaner now,” she said.

“But the weavers still make do with our lilies because you can never go wrong with free raw material,” she added, explaining that a sun-dried water lily stalk from Taguig cost 25 centavos.

Tourist attractions

Villar said the cleanup of the Las Piñas and Zapote Rivers was assisted in no small measure by her nine-year stint in Congress.

She said her being a lawmaker helped get the river rehabilitation program over the hump, so to speak, with improper garbage disposal now the only recurring problem.

Villar envisions the rivers to become tourist attractions like Bohol’s Loboc River. Or they can serve as a faster alternative route to the city, considering that the major thoroughfare, the Alabang-Zapote Road, is congested most, if not all, of the time.

“We should have been okay by now, but probably after three years, we’ll be much better,” Villar said.

“I’d still do it on my own, anyway,” she said, adding that with her son Mark as the incumbent representative and her brother as the mayor, “I think there would not be as many problems ahead.”

...the aided gives back

PH town that knows disaster gives back ‘big’ to Japan


By Jani Arnaiz
Inquirer Visayas
04/03/2011

MAASIN CITY, Philippines—Mai Sasaki, a Japanese aid worker, was so touched she cried.

Sasaki, a Japan International Cooperation Agency (Jica) community development worker based in Malitbog town in Southern Leyte, witnessed the counting of money collected for a fund drive for Japan at the nearby St. Bernard municipal hall on Friday.

The total amount was not much—P21,574.50—but coming from the residents of Barangay New Guinsaugon, St. Bernard and at least 10 establishments in the municipality, the donation was priceless.

Guinsaugon, the original barangay, was buried by a landslide on Feb. 17, 2006, and about 1,000 people were killed.

St. Bernard town was returning the gesture for the aid it had received then from Japan.

Sasaki was deeply moved by the gesture of the residents of the town, a fourth-class municipality with a population of 23,100.

“She knew the people of St. Bernard were also facing economic difficulties,” said Jane Araneta, St. Bernard’s Municipal Risk Reduction Management Council (MRRMC) information officer.

The MRRMC headed by Mayor Rico Rentuza started a fund drive dubbed “Guinsaugon St. Bernard Gives Back to Japan” on March 15, three days after the devastating earthquake and tsunami hit the northeast portion of that country.

“I know that parting with a P100 bill would take a toll on most of the townsfolk’s pockets. And yet I am here, so moved, witnessing such a sincere humane gesture to help my people,” Araneta quoted Sasaki as saying in an email to the Inquirer.

New Guinsaugon Barangay Captain Beauty Cabacungan said the village conducted a fund drive to express its appreciation for the help extended by Japan in 2006.

Japan sent rescue teams to Guinsaugon immediately after the landslide. Later, Jica built more than 50 duplexes in New Guinsaugon for around 100 families.

Araneta said they would hold another round of collections and turn the money over in 15 days.
Municipal Treasurer Inovencio P. Carbonilla Sr. will deposit the initial collection, which was mostly in coins, to the Japanese Red Cross account as advised by the Japan Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

...the mountain

4 international agencies study Mindanao mountain By Rudy A. Fernandez (The Philippine Star) April 03, 2011

LOS BAÑOS, Laguna , Philippines  — Four international agencies have joined hand to undertake a study on the biodiversity of Mt. Malindang in Misamis Occidental.

Started last February, the two-year research and development (R&D) project is titled “Ridge to Reef: An Ecosystem-based Approach to Biodiversity Conservation and Development in the Philippines.

It is funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and implemented by the Los Baños-based, Philippine government-hosted Southeast Asian Ministers of Education Organization-Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEAMEO SEARCA), Malaysia-based WorldFish Center (WFC), and Kenya-based World Agroforestry Center (WAC).

The project addresses key issues affecting Mt. Malindang and its environs, which are regarded as among the country’s “biodiversity hotspots” and a priority national protected area.

Also tagged as “extremely high priority” under the National Biodiversity Study Action Plan (NBSAP) of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), the mountain is traversed by two rivers (Jangaran and Layawan) that connect its watersheds to the coastal systems.

Langaran River supplies irrigation water to adjacent farmlands but is threatened owing to prevalent quarrying and illegal fishing. In contrast, Layawan River is regarded as the “cleanest and greenest river” both at the national and regional levels.

“The unique features and status of Mt. Malindang make it a strategic site for piloting and modifying biodiversity measures,” SEARCA said.

SEARCA, headed by Director Gil C. Saguiguit Jr., is one of the 20 “centers of excellence” of SEAMEO, an intergovernment treaty organization founded in 1965 to foster cooperation among Southeast Asian nations in the fields of education, science, and culture.

The center had earlier been involved in the “Biodiversity for Research Program Focus on Mt. Malindang” done in 2001-2005 with funding support from the Netherlands government and in partnership with various institutions in the area.

The “Ridge to Reef” project has eight components, including watersheds, effects of agriculture and forestry on coastal aquatic ecosystem, management of critical coastal habitats, capture fisheries, alternative livelihoods for coastal people, resource use and mapping, and capacity building in biodiversity.

“Mt. Malindang is viewed to serve as a model site of a complex environment integrated in one framework for a more sustainable biodiversity conservation,” SEARCA said.