Saturday, May 28, 2011

...the Bourne location

'Bourne’ in Manila

Philippine Daily Inquirer
May 28, 2011

Oscar-nominated screenwriter and director Tony Gilroy has chosen Manila as location for “The Bourne Legacy” – the next installment in the popular action franchise that previously starred Matt Damon.




Film Development Council of the Philippines head Briccio Santos said the country bested other Asian countries as location for the film.

“It’s the biggest Hollywood production to shoot here since ‘Apocalypse Now,’” said Santos. Gilroy will shoot 40 percent of the film in Manila.

The latest “Bourne” caper top-bills Rachel Weisz and Oscar nominee Jeremy Renner.
Bayani San Diego Jr.

...the walk

3,000 Pinoys to walk through Manila streets vs child hunger

At least 3,000 Filipinos are expected to walk through the streets of Metro Manila Sunday to promote global awareness on child hunger and raise funds for child-feeding programs in conflict-hit areas in Mindanao.

The United Nations World Food Programme (UNWFP) will head the fundraising dubbed “End Hunger: Walk the World," the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP) said Saturday.

“Proceeds of the event will go directly to the UNWFP’s school feeding activities in the conflict-affected areas in the south. The UN agency has been a key contributor in the Mindanao peace process by addressing the food security needs of vulnerable people in war-torn areas," the OPAPP said.

It noted “End Hunger: Walk the World" is a worldwide event that will occur simultaneously in 24 time zones within 24 hours in 80 different countries.

In Metro Manila, the walk will be held at the SM Mall of Asia in Pasay City from 5:30 to 10 a.m.

“Registration fees of P250 for walkers and P500 for runners will help ensure that one meal a day is delivered to the school children in Mindanao," the OPAPP said.

‘Bike for peace’

While Sunday’s walk will take place in Metro Manila, a peace campaign called “Bike for Peace 2011" will be held in Cotabato City.

Bringing the statement, “Going the Extra Mile for Peace in Mindanao," the government peace panel dealing with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front will gather with 500 bikers and peace advocates to pedal a 36-km route for promoting peace in the region.

By 6:30 a.m., the 36-km bike fest will start at the Cotabato City Hall then pass through the town of Datu Odin Sinsuat, and end near the Municipal Hall of Upi, Maguindanao. — JE, GMA News

...the youth in health awareness

Youth help spread health awareness in Mindanao

05/28/2011

Jenny Referente (right), a third year student from the Basilan National High School, is among those who emerged as Youth Health Champions of the DOH.
MANILA, Philippines – Eight high school students from Mindanao are set to support a Department of Health (DOH) campaign that seeks to promote health habits among residents of their respective communities.

The following students are expected to help in the campaign in their respective hometowns on relevant health issues, after being hailed as Youth Health Champions of their province:
  • Ace Suganob, Lala National High School (NHS), Lanao del Norte;
  • Jalilah D. Jamel, Datu Palawan NHS, Tamparan, Lanao Del Sur;
  • Jenny Referente, Basilan NHS, Isabela City, Basilan;
  • Rubina Sarapuddin, Batu-Batu NHS, Panglima Sugala, Tawi-Tawi;
  • Nur-Aini Yunos, Indanan NHS, Indanan, Sulu;
  • Diofel Lacaya, Bacong NHS, Salug, Zamboanga del Norte;
  • Charel Faith Buot, Laperian NHS, Tukuran, Zamboanga del Sur; and
  • Carlo Brylle Delagua, Davao Oriental Regional Science High, Mati, Davao Oriental.
The said students earlier topped the Health Quiz Road Show, which was attended by contenders from across the country.

Sulu board member Alkraimer Izquierdo, meanwhile, commended the DOH and partner organizations for their efforts in raising awareness on health concerns.

“This is the kind of project that we need. We hail and support projects that help improve the lives of our constituents… We cannot prepare the future for our children, but we can prepare our children for the future,” he said.

The DOH has launched the project last March to support its National Health Sector Reform (HSR) Program.
The latter, meanwhile, seeks to improve the health condition of the population by meeting the country’s health-related Millennium Development Goals.

..the beauty for a cause

Miss Philippines-Earth shines spotlight on advocacy-driven candidates



By MAUREEN MARIE BELMONTE
May 28, 2011
Manila Bulletin


MANILA, Philippines – The Ms. Philippines-Earth 2011 has unveiled its 10 "Beauties for a Cause" contestants who will all compete for the crown and the chance to represent the country at the  Miss Earth beauty pageant. The selected candidates, who bested 40 others, were presented to the media on May 27 at the 7th High Club, Fort Bonifacio Global City.




"We put a lot [of emphasis] on environmental awareness, or at least the willingness of the candidates to learn more about the environment," Miss Earth Foundation Executive Director Cathy Untalan explained.

"This year, the Miss Philippines-Earth beauty pageant aligns itself with United Nations International Year of the Forests. Together with the Haribon Foundation, the candidates will take part in making the Philippines a greener nation as they go around communities to promote planting tress that are native to our country," said Untalan, who is also the 2006 Miss Earth-Water titleholder.

More than their good looks, though, are the contestants knowledge and dedication to the cause promoted by the pageant.

Reigning Lakambini ng Bulacan, 18-year-old University of Santo Tomas Nursing student Mary Denisse Toribio, shared, “If given a chance to win the crown, I would like to focus on ecological solid waste management like recycling and reducing waste.” Asked how her course relates to environmental conservation, Toribio said, “Being a nurse, you learn to care for other people and in turn for the environment.”

UP Diliman Tourism graduate and Makati City representative Tarhata Rico, 22, shared what being in the competition means to her. “Being a beauty queen is one of my dreams and what better way to do it [than by] being a beauty queen [who is] also able to inspire people to do something big for society. And I think it’s perfect because it’s beauty with a cause.”

With the opportunity to vie for the Ms. Philippines-Earth title, Rico said, “My advocacy is about green building. It’s about building homes and infrastructures that are born from environment-friendly resources itself.

Because I’m from Makati and Makati is a business district and it’s full of buildings, you know how much it contributes... like buildings account for 30% of Carbon Dioxide emissions worldwide, building ‘green buildings’ can really be a big difference.”

Believing that all the other contenders are as stunning as her, Rico underscored her advantage over the others, “What I can give the organization is my commitment and sincerity because I am ready to work and I am ready with responsibilities [that will be given to me.]”

The press presentation started with the ladies strutting the catwalk in their formal gowns followed by their parade in casual wear. Later on, the beauties showed their sharp wits, as host and Ms. Philippines-Earth 2009 Sandra Siefert picked their brains for a short Question and Answer portion.

Before the night ended, Muriel Orais, representing Cebu City was awarded Ms. Photogenic, taking home P10,000 in cash and one-year supply of Ever Bilena cosmetics.

For 11 years now, the Miss Philippines-Earth beauty pageant annually searches for ladies who not only possess the beauty of face and figure but also ones who could be the Ambassadors of the Environment. The pageant has also been a springboard for several familiar names in the showbiz industry like actress Carlene Aguilar, Kapamilya showbiz reporter Ginger Conejero, Ms. Universe 2010 4th runner up Venus Raj and Ms. Earth 2008 winner Karla Paula Henry.

“The winners of the pageant go around communities to hold seminars to heighten the awareness of the public and to encourage them to an eco-friendly lifestyle,” as indicated on Ms. Philippines-Earth’s website.

Moreover, they will be asked to engage in various activities like tree planting and coastal clean ups, aimed to gradually help improve the environment.

The Miss Philippines-Earth coronation night will be staged in Puerto Princesa, which is now branded as "the city in a forest” by the city government's new campaign. It will be held on June 5, 2011 at the Puerto Princesa City Coliseum and will be televised by ABS-CBN, with a later broadcast date on The Filipino Channel (TFC).

The 10 finalists vying for the Ms. Philippines Earth crowns are Ma. Alicia Elena Ariosa (Pagadian City), Murielle Adrienne Orais (Cebu City), Edan Dafilmoto (Cotabato City), Michelle Gavagan (Las PiƱas City), Jonavi Quiray (Puerto Princesa City), Denisse Toribio (Malolos City), Brenna Gamboa (Fil East Coast USA), Athena Imperial (Casiguran, Aurora), Tarhata Rico (Makati City), and Catrine Rosary Ocampo (General Santos City).

...the Wharton awardee

PHL envoy Jose Cuisia Jr receives Wharton Award


Philippine Ambassador to Washington Jose Cuisia Jr. brought new honor to the Philippines as he was awarded with the Joseph Wharton Award for Lifetime Achievement during its 41st Annual Gala Dinner.



“The award recognizes very exceptional leaders who have had an amazing career within the alumni community of the prestigious Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania," the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said in a statement.

The recognition was bestowed to Cuisia — the first Filipino recipient of the award — at the Park Hyatt Washington last May 17.

Other recipients included Vulcan Consulting LLC chief executive officer Joyce Hunter, Calvert Group founder D. Wayne Silby, and Active Minds Inc. founder and executive director Alison Malmon, according to the statement.

Cuisia, an alumnus of the Wharton School with a Master of Business Administration in Finance, has been involved in both public and private sectors of the Philippine society.

Notable about Cuisia’s career was when he became governor of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas from 1990 to 1993 and when he sat as president and chief executive of the Philippine American Life and General Insurance Co. or Philamlife in 2000s.

According to the DFA, Cuisia had pledged to “continue serving his countrymen, to whom he has dedicated the recognition bestowed on him."

The Wharton Club of Washington, D.C., which was established in 1968, is one of the largest and most active organizations in its alumni network. — JE/LBG, GMA News

...the chorale

UP Manila chorale wows audiences at UN in Geneva


The internationally-renowned University of the Philippines Manila Chorale (UPMC) did the country proud as it performed before the United Nations during its visit to Switzerland.

A  news release Saturday on the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) website said the UMPC performed in various venues in Geneva, including the UN's Palais des Nations.

"Their repertoire was rich and varied ranging from traditional Tagalog kundimans to African-American spirituals, to the delight of their audiences," it said.

Members of the choir also performed in concerts organized in Geneva by the University of the Philippines Alumni Association of Geneva (UPAAG).

According to the DFA, the choir was in Geneva until May 6, and then proceeded to other destinations in Germany and Austria.

The chorale will travel to Linz, Austria in June to participate in the International Anton Bruckner Choir Competition.

The UPAAG had organized the concerts in support of its Scholarship Program, benefiting students studying at the UP Visayas campus. — LBG, GMA News

...the songwriter

Song by British-Filipina popular in WYD contest

05/28/2011

LONDON, U.K. - A song written by a British Filipino artist is among the top entries in an online song contest for World Youth Day (WYD) in Madrid this August.

"Faith in You" by Manila-born Cherrie Anderson is currently the 4th most popular song in the competition, gathering nearly 46,000 votes ahead of hundreds of entries from around the world.

British-Filipina Cherrie Anderson wrote the song "Faith in You" for the World Youth Day 2011 song contest.
“It’s an amazing song, wonderful message,” wrote one fan on the site. Another one said: “I should be sharing this to my friends, relatives and family. Great song!”

The first song to be entered from the UK, it has attracted press coverage from international media including Rome Reports, The Filipino Channel, and The Catholic Herald.

“The song is about what it means to trust God and to put your faith in God,” said Anderson, who wrote and recorded the song at the beginning of this year. “It’s about how to be planted and built in Christ and being firm in the faith.”

Anderson, a practicing Catholic, believes that the song will be a “perfect choice” for the global event.

“It would capture the theme of WYD 2011. It’s reflective but at the same time uses modern instruments,” she explained. “It’s nerve-wrecking, but I hope people like it enough to vote for it, and hopefully we can get it heard on World Youth Day.”

The song is up against stiff international competition, particularly from Latin entries, including the top 3 favorites: "No Estas Solo" by Lado A from Colombia; "Siguele" by Orden y Mandata de San Miguel Arcangel from Spain; and "Firmes en la Fe" by Grupo Musical Juan Pablo II from Spain.

"Unshakeable", Anderson’s second entry, is also popular at 6th place with 30,000 votes.

The public can visit www.madridmeencanta.org to listen and vote for their favorite song. Competition ends on May 31. The winning entry will be among the official songs of World Youth Day 2011, which takes place in Madrid, Spain on August 16-21.

Based in London, Anderson is the lead vocalist of Ooberfuse, an East-meets-West fusion band best known for their song "Heart’s Cry", the official youth anthem of Pope Benedict XVI’s 2010 state visit in the UK. The band is currently preparing for an intimate gig at Leicester Square Theatre on June 9.

Friday, May 27, 2011

...the coach

Heat's Spoelstra is first Asian, Pinoy coach in NBA Finals

05/27/2011


MANILA, Philippines - Filipino-American coach Erik Spoelstra made history again on Thursday (Friday in Manila) when the Miami Heat beat the Chicago Bulls to set up an NBA Finals series against the Dallas Mavericks.

Spoelstra will be the first Pinoy and first Asian coach in the NBA Finals.


It wasn't a walk in the park for the Heat. The Bulls were in control for the most part of the game.

The Heat caught up in the 3rd quarter but the Bulls were still ahead by 5 points, 62-57, at the start of the 4th quarter.

The Bulls brought this up, 77-65, in the last 3 minutes of the game.

But with strong defense and the 3-point shooting of LeBron James and Dwayne Wade, the Heat racked up 18 points, against only 3 for the Bulls, to take the series in Chicago's home court.
Spoelstra said he is proud of what his players showed during the game.

"We had to go through a lot of adversity together... the majority of the game was not going our way but this team has put up a lot of resiliency and toughness and to be able to still hang in there," he said.

"Our best players made the best plays," Spoelstra added.

The NBA Finals between the Heat and the Mavericks will start on Wednesday.

The game will be shown live at 9 a.m. over ABS-CBN Channel 2. -- Report from TJ Manotoc, ABS-CBN News

...the Philippines in Swiss perspective

PHL 'rediscovered' in Swiss university conference



The Philippines was rediscovered from various perspectives following a conference at the University of Berne with the theme "Philippines in Perspectives."

Some 50 Filipino, Swiss and Swiss-Filipino students, professionals and researchers attended the conference on May 14, the Department of Foreign Affairs said.

"As noted by ChargƩ d'Affaires Margarita Ibayan in her welcome address to the participants, the conference will certainly deepen understanding and relations between the peoples of the Philippines and Switzerland," the DFA said in a news release posted Friday on its website.

Presenting the different perspectives on the Philippines were Labor AttachƩ Manuel Imson of the Philippine Mission to the United Nations in Geneva; Irina Wenk of the Institute of Social Anthropology of the University of Zurich; and Professor Iwar Werlen, the head of the Linguistics Institute at Berne University.

Imson talked on "Aspects of Philippine Migration". He presented the history of Philippine migration, its socio-economic impact on Philippine society, and the Philippine government's support mechanisms that protect the welfare of Filipino migrants all over the world.

Wenk's "From Prejudice and Displacement Towards A Self-Determined Future" talk elaborated on indigenous land rights and the impact of the 1997 Indigenous Peoples' Rights Act (IPRA) of the Philippines on the rights and cultural identity of indigenous peoples.

For his part, Werlen discussed "The Philippine Languages and the Notion of a National Language Filipino," where he gave an overview on the evolution of Philippine languages and dialects, and how these shaped the Filipinos' multi-lingual and multi-cultural identity.

Organizing the event was organized by the Network of Integrated Pinoys or Noi-P, a network of young Filipino-Swiss professionals based in Switzerland, with the support of the Embassy. - VVP, GMA News

...the beauty queen times two

Former ‘PBB’ housemate Riza Santos crowned Miss World Canada 2011



By JULIEN MERCED C. MATABUENA
May 27, 2011
Manila Bulletin
Ex-'PBB' housemate Riza Santos is Miss World Canada 2011 (Photo courtesy of Andrew Chin/missworldcanada.org)
Ex-'PBB' housemate Riza Santos is Miss World Canada 2011 (Photo courtesy of Andrew Chin/missworldcanada.org)

MANILA, Philippines – “Pinoy Big Brother: Celebrity Edition 2” Filipino-Canadian second big placer Riza Santos is set to compete in the upcoming Miss World 2011, representing Canada.

According to the Miss World Canada official website, missworldcanada.org, the pageant night was held last May 19 at the River Rock Show Theater in Richmond, British Columbia. Santos bested 22 others in the prestigious international beauty competition.

The Fil-Canadian beauty queen will be in London for the competition to be held Nov. 6.

Locally, the Miss World Philippines 2011 pageant night will be on July 31 at the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC), whereupon the declared winner will represent the country in the finals night in London.

Prior to her “PBB” stint, Santos the Canadian candidate for Miss Earth 2006, which was held at the National Museum in Manila on Nov. 26. Although she did not win any title, she managed to clinch the Miss Photogenic Award.

The following year, Santos entered the “PBB” House where she was placed with other celebrity housemates such as Yayo Aguila, Baron Geisler and Ethel Booba.

During her stint in local Tinseltown, Santos had roles in movies like “When Love Begins,” “Ikaw Pa Rin” and “Dobol Trobol.” She was also a regular at ABS-CBN’s Sunday noontime variety show, “ASAP,” and also appeared in TV shows such as “Palos” and “I Love Betty La Fea.”

More, Santos’ Internet Movie Database (IMDb) page also lists her as part of the cast of an upcoming American action/sci-fi movie, “Road Raiders” with fellow “PBB” housemate and model-actor, Will Devaughn. Directed by Cirio H. Santiago and Jim Wynorski, the movie is currently in “post-production” and is set for release sometime this year.

As seen on her profile in missworldcanada.org, 23-year old Santos is currently studying engineering at the University of Calgary's Schulic School of Engineering, and is "working as an engineering student" at the Provident Energy Ltd. in Environment Health and Safety.

Santos, who was also a soldier trainee with the Canadian Forces Army Reserve, also "plans to become a commissioned officer."

Thursday, May 26, 2011

...the honeree

Thailand university to honor Aquino


By GENALYN D. KABILING
May 26, 2011
Manila Bulletin

BANGKOK, Thailand — President Aquino will become the first Asian leader to receive an honorary doctorate in Economics from the prestigious Kasetsart University of Thailand.



The President, on a two-day official visit here, will be bestowed with such honor for his laudable policies and programs on enhancing economic growth during a ceremony on Friday here.




"He's the first one," Professor Vudtechai Kapilakanchana of Kasetsart University said, referring to Aquino, the first President in Asia to receive such doctorate degree. "In the old days, we gave the doctoral degree to the President of Finland, and the President of Peru.....this is our honor to have you receive that doctoral degree from Kasetsart University," the professor added.

Vudtechai said the honorary doctorate degree will be conferred on President Aquino for having done a "lot of things in the area of the economy" when he was a lawmaker and for his "policy of focusing on the economy for the well being of the Filipino people" as the country's duly elected leader.

Aquino, an economics graduate from the Ateneo de Manila University, has received a number of honorary doctorate degrees on law and economics since he assumed office last year.

Vudtechai said the Kasetsart University, establised in 1943, is considered the pioneer school of agriculture in Thailand. The university courses were later expanded to other fields of learning.

"We can say that in the field of agriculture, we are number one. We're also number one in agro-industry as well as in the field of veterinary medicine and computer and software engineering," he said.

He also cited that the Kasetsart University has maintained close relations with the University of the Philippines in Los Banos, Laguna in recent years.

"We sent a lot of staff to study there... Right now, I think we have Philippine students in our university...it is also our main policy to have foreign students in our university," he added.

He also highlighted the importance for Asian countries such Thailand and the Philippines to focus on agriculture because of their respective suitable lands, and climate.

...the climb

Climbers attempt Guinness world record

By DEXTER SEE
May 26, 2011
Manila Bulletin
 
BAGUIO CITY, Philippines – The country will try to set a Guinness world record of having the most number of people climbing mountains in 24 hours which will climax in a simultaneous flag raising ceremony around 9 a.m. in more than 100 mountain peaks nationwide on June 12, Independence Day.

Dubbed “Freedom Climb,” the activity which started a few years ago will be shifting to higher gear this year with this city as the nerve center.

The ambitious attempt has brought organizers to invite at least 10,000 mountain climbers or hikers in various mountains in the country and 10 other countries where overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) signified their intention to participate.

Aside from the thousands of people climbing mountain peaks during Independence Day, the organizers and climbers are also expected to plant at least 100,000 trees to help in the national government’s regreening program to preserve and protect the deteriorating state of the country’s mountains which are now being invaded by illegal loggers and slash-and-burn farmers.

With this mountain resort city as the headquarters of the adjudication or counting of all the climbers nationwide, Mayor Mauricio G. Domogan was tasked by the Freedom Climb organizers to announce in the afternoon of June 12 the results of the climb and that the same will be done at the Burnham park where there will be established a tent city for returning climbers.

The record to be achieved during the Freedom Climb will then be forwarded to the Guinness Book of World Records for validation and eventually inclusion as the record holder for the said activity.

Based on records from the organizers, there are already 109 mountain sites to be climbed in 46 provinces, 87 municipalities and cities, including those in the ten countries outside the Philippines.

...the oil firms

40 Aussie oil and gas exploration firms keen on investing in PH—DoE


By: Amy R. Remo
Philippine Daily Inquirer


MANILA, Philippines—At least 40 prominent Australian oil and gas exploration companies have expressed strong and keen interest in investing in the Philippine upstream oil and gas industry, a favorable start for the government’s international road show for the Philippine Energy Contracting Round (PECR 4).

These interested companies include Shell, Apache, Chevron, AWT International, Black Swan, CalEnergy, Cue Energy Resources, ENI Australia, Exxon, Neon Energy, Otto Energy, Woodside, Anglican Resources PLC and Tap Oil, Energy Undersecretary Jose M. Layug Jr. said.

“The investor interest is overwhelming and everybody is keenly awaiting the availability of the DoE technical data for their immediate evaluation. We were pleasantly surprised with the turnout despite the short notice,” Layug noted.

“This is a validation of continuing international confidence in the Aquino administration. We hope this will result in new oil and gas discoveries within Philippine territory. It comes at an appropriate time especially with the current high oil price environment,” added Energy Secretary Jose Rene D. Almendras.

The Australian roadshow held last May 23 was a kick-off event to promote the official launch of the PECR 4 this coming June 30. The DoE has also scheduled roadshows in Singapore, Houston and London. This early, many investors have already registered for the Singapore and London presentations and have been awaiting information pertaining to the blocks to be offered, Layug said.

PECR 4 formed part of President Aquino’s long-term plans to address the Philippines’ need for oil and gas and to reduce the country’s dependence on costly imported oil.

This platform provides for transparent and competitive system of tendering onshore and offshore oil and gas blocks for exploration to interested oil and gas companies. Under this process, the Department of Energy will determine the winning bidders based on specific technical, legal and financial criteria, after which the President of the Philippines will have to award the service contracts.

As many as 15 contracts for the exploration, development and production of prospective oil and gas sites may likely be auctioned off. These areas span across 7.92 million hectares of areas in Cagayan, Central Luzon, Northwest Palawan, Mindoro-Cuyo basin, East Palawan and Cotabato. Northwest Palawan is home to the Malampaya deep water gas-to-power project, the largest and most successful natural gas industrial project in Philippine history.

Layug stressed the need to develop these new areas as the demand for oil in the Philippines has been estimated at 300,000 barrels per day. The entry of new companies that would venture into exploring and developing the country’s indigenous resources would reduce its dependence on imported petroleum products, he explained.

The utilization of indigenous resources would also promote savings in tariffs and importation duties, Layug added.

Currently, there are 28 active petroleum service contracts in the Philippines with Exxon Mobil, Shell Philippines Exploration, Nido Petroleum, BHP Billiton and Galoc Production Co. among the operators.

...the Nikkei awardee

Gawad Kalinga’s Tony Meloto bags Nikkei Prize for outreach work in slums


INQUIRER.net



Tony Meloto’s Gawad Kalinga has served as a template for volunteer-driven, low-cost housing for the poor in developing countries.
 
 
Antonio Meloto, 61, Chairman of Gawad Kalinga, a  joint Catholic church-private sector advocacy group,  received  an award on Thursday from the Nikkei Asia Prizes for 2011, for his commitment to improving the living conditions of the poor.

Nikkei  Inc., the sponsor of the Nikkei Asia Prizes, which publishes Japan’s leading business newspaper, named Meloto as an awardee for his work in slum areas in the Philippines, Indonesia, Cambodia and Papua New Guinea,  namely  the building of over  200,000 homes in 2,000 communities in these developing countries.

The Nikkei Asia Prizes, which are awarded each year, are designed to recognize outstanding achievements that improve the quality of life in Asia and contribute to regional stability. Nikkei established the awards in 1996 in commemoration of the company’s 120th anniversary.

The Nikkei Asia Prizes are awarded annually in three areas of achievement: regional growth, science, technology and innovation, and culture.

Meloto snagged the award in the category of regional growth.

In the science, technology and innovation category, Wu Maw-Kuen, 61, Director of Institute of Physics, Academia Sinica, Taiwan received the award in honor of his achievements in the area of superconductivity research, such as the discovery of a substance that has an electrical resistance of zero even at a high temperature of minus 200 degrees Celsius. He has also contributed greatly to advancement of science and technology in Taiwan.

Bao Ninh, 58, Vietnamese novelist, won the culture prize. He authored the novel “The Sorrow of War,” a story based on his military service experience. He popularized Doi Moi (renovation) literature both at home and abroad.

Winners of the Nikkei Asia Prizes  may be an individual, group or organization in any Asian nation except Japan. Japanese individuals, groups or organizations are not eligible since the purpose of the awards is to promote understanding within Japan of other Asian nations.

...the youth filmmaker

Student filmmakers from Visayas to compete in Seoul filmfest

By Anna Valmero

TACLOBAN CITY, LEYTE— Three student film makers from the Visayas region will represent the Philippines in the annual Seoul International Youth Film Festival (SIYFF) set on July 7 to 13.

The three, namely Wency Anotado from Santa Margarita town of Samar, Jericho Codilan from Salcedo town of Eastern Samar and Mareza Impas of Camotes, Cebu were declared champions in the recently concluded “Kabataan sa BisayasMedia Festival.”

For the film festival, Wency ranked first in the mini-documentary category for his entry “Batang User,” Jericho won for the for his public service announcement (PSA) entitled “Kalsada,” and Mareza won for her music video entitled “Pasagad”.

After winning the local film fest, Wency said he is now determined to take up journalism in college when he graduates from high school in two years.

Jericho's entry “Kalsada” depicts the effects of poorly constructed roads to children, which resulted in the repair of the road after a local executive viewed his entry.

The three young film makers received cash prizes and trophies, and were also the recipient of the Philippine Information Agency (PIA) special awards and the Leyte Governor’s Choice Awards, where they were given $200 each as pocket money for their trip to Seoul in July.

This year, the SIYFF is offering the youth worldwide to make their own films during the festival period and participate in a positive and cooperative environment. The film festival started in 1999.

...the books

50 PHL books donated to Peking university library

Philippine officials in China have donated to the Peking University (PKU) Library 50 books on various fields.

“Because we want to provide you with a comprehensive and well-rounded view of the Philippines, we have brought here today 50 books on various fields - politics, history, socio-cultural, arts, literature, and foreign relations of the Philippines," Philippine ChargĆ© d’ Affaires (CDA) Alex Chua said at turnover ceremonies at the PKU’s Philippine Studies Center on May 20.

“Through these books, we hope that the students of PKU will be able to understand and appreciate the complexities of the Philippines and the uniqueness of the Filipinos," he said, according to a news release on the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) website .

PKU’s School of Foreign Languages Vice Dean Zheng Qingwen accepted the books, the DFA said.

The donation aims to let PKU students understand the Philippines and its people.

Chua also told students of Philippine Studies at PKU who attended the ceremony that they play an important role in the future of Philippines-China relations.

“We in the Philippine Embassy in Beijing sincerely hope that you will be agents of friendship and understanding between the peoples of the Philippines and China," he said.

“We look to you to share with your friends and family the real Philippines, including its sincere desire to forge a stronger and deeper relationship with China," he added.

Philippine First Secretary Noel Novicio also gave an overview of Philippines-China relations while First Secretary Myca Fischer delivered a briefing on Philippines-China cultural exchanges. - VVP, GMA News

...the artist's Beijing exhibit

Pinoy artist to hold solo exhibit in Beijing


Filipino painter Rodel Tapaya will hold this June his first solo exhibit in one of Beijing's upscale commercial and community centers.

The exhibit, entitled "This Beast I Have Become," will be held at the Y++ Gallery Triwizart from June 5 to August 7, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said.

"The works for this series are inspired by folk tales that have animals in the story ... Animals that do not only possess mystic magical qualities but also human attributes such as cleverness, helpfulness, loyalty," a news release on the DFA website quoted Tapaya as saying.

Tapaya, 30, studied painting and drawing at the University of the Philippines, Parsons School of Design in New York City and University of Art and Design in Helsinki.

He has had several solo exhibits since 2004, the DFA said.

Earlier, he had exhibits at The Drawing Room and Utterly Art in Singapore in 2006 and 2008, respectively. - VVP, GMA News

...the food fest

Filipinos cook up a storm in HK cookfest

By: Vangie Baga-Reyes
Philippine Daily Inquirer





DETERMINATION, perseverance, humility and skill – these are the most important elements in any competition and they are held dearly by the chef-instructors and students of Center for Culinary Arts-Manila.

CCA chef-instructors and students were among the jubilant Filipinos who gave honor and pride, not only to their schools and organizations, but also to the country in the recent Hong Kong International Culinary Classic held at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibit Center in Wan Chai.

The competition was part of the 14th edition of Hofex, the region’s leading food and hospitality trade show. The culinary tilt seeks to promote culinary excellence, skills and abilities of chefs, cooks, pastry chefs/cooks and apprentices. Over 500 chefs from the region joined.

The pool of judges was led by Mak Kamkui of HK Disneyland Resort, with other international judges from France, Australia, Iceland, Thailand, China, Singapore and Vietnam. Over 60 local judges took part in the battle.



Student Sonny Mariano bagged silver and bronze for his Western Cuisine Amuse Bouche and Canadian Beef Short Ribs, respectively.

Mariano, assisted by another student, Eldrin Arangarin, came equipped with the necessary skill in whipping up the Canadian short ribs. However, in any live competition, some things suddenly don’t work your way.

The induction stove in his working area was extremely hot that he failed to control the heat; thus his beef burned inside the pressure cooker.  One of the judges smelled the scorched meat and pointed at his direction.
“I knew at once I’m gone,” recalled Mariano. “Yet the judge was still very encouraging. He told me to find a way to save the meat.”

He did just that. He trimmed the burnt part of the meat and roasted the rest in the oven.  He then glazed it with maple syrup and served it with truffled polenta croquette and confit of cherry tomatoes and pearl onions. This got the approval of the judges.



Apart from the beef recipe, Mariano also focused his energy on his Spanish-inspired amuse bouche, a complete spread of Smoked Codfish “Sandwich” with Spiced Tomato Marmalade, Pistachio Streusel and Lemon Gel; Terrine of Spanish Tapas Wrapped in Jamon Serrano with white grape juice foam; Tomato Gazpacho and Cucumber-Mint Pearls, Frothed Raspberry and Lime Bouillon and Manchego Stick; and Favada Austriana Croquette, Cheese-Stuffed Tomato Confit, Aioli and Arugula Pesto.

Mariano’s amuse bouche entry was based on the four elements – fire, water, air and earth – that were tedious to work on. They were bite-size hors d’oeuvres that ought to be uniformly cut and uniquely presented.
This is Mariano’s first time to win in an international culinary competition. He won gold in the First Philippine Culinary Cup for pasta and silver for Filipino cuisine.



Cool and confident

Chef-instructor April Martinez, assisted by Christian Sapida, brought home two bronzes in two categories: Individual Amuse Bouche Professional division and Western Cuisine Professional US Organic Whole Chicken.

Martinez was calm and cool through the 60-minute live organic chicken competition. She made a three-way Tex-Mex chicken in tomato sauce, corn salsa with rice pilaf. She dished out chicken lollipop stuffed with cream cheese and jalapeƱo. The breast part was made into a roulade stuffed with beans, while the leg was cooked Mexican-style adobo.

This category was judged according to flavor, originality, sanitation and uniqueness, and that this dish can be prepared for daily consumption in a hotel.

“The only challenging part for me was their induction stove which was difficult to regulate. It heats up so fast. I had to adjust constantly,” said Martinez, who has a twin sister who also teaches at CCA.

Martinez also impressed the judges with her amuse bouche, namely, Chicken Roulade on saffron potato; Deconstructed Beef Wellington; Edamame terrine with candied fruits wrapped in caviar and smoked salmon; lobster topped with brie on poached pear; mesclun in parmesan ring on grilled carrots; pumpkin, roasted red capsicum and asparagus mousse on thinly sliced celery paper.

Modern Chinese



Chef-instructor Miraflor Cruz was a last-minute choice for the Chinese Cuisine Challenge. Nevertheless, she gladly obliged and even garnered a bronze medal for her obedience.

For this category, Cruz was required to prepare a Chinese dish presented in a contemporary way but using classical cooking methods. A ruby snapper was the key ingredient.

It didn’t take long for Cruz to come up with Cilantro and Pumpkin Seed Paste-Capped Ruby Snapper with Soya Sweet Potato Galette, Leek, Winter Melon and assorted wild mushroom with reduced supreme sauce and XO froth.

Considering she was the only woman chef in the competing group and non-Chinese (some were from HK, Singapore and Taiwan), Cruz finished right on time and with flying colors.

She had to adjust the cooking time since ruby snapper has thicker flesh compared to the bisugo (ribbon-finned nemipterid) she was practicing with in Manila.

“We had very limited resources in the Philippines,” said Cruz, who was assisted by Czarina Dytianquin. “In HK, they can get the real ruby snapper for a minimum of two kilos. Unlike us, bisugo lang with 1.5 kilos as the heaviest.”

But perseverance works wonders. Even without sleep for almost four days, Cruz impressed the judges with her use of XO sauce and pumpkin seed paste.

Apart from the Chinese Cuisine Challenge, Cruz also participated in the professional Amuse Bouche category, but didn’t make it. She said she learned a thing or two from the experience.

“Competition builds character,” she said. “I learned humility. This taught me that our knowledge has to be continually upgraded so, in turn, we can pass it on to our students. In the competition, I saw others better and more daring than I was and that humbled me, because at the end of the day there are so many things to learn.”

She added: “I also learned to work in a team. During the preparations, I learned to cooperate with the CCA team. I learned to ask and value their help and opinion. We literally cried during low moments and laughed together whenever one of us received a medal.”

Documentation and action plan

Overall, chef Melissa Sison, CCA academic programs manager, admitted the team was better prepared this year than their previous competitions abroad. There was a big difference, she said, in terms of discipline and focus.

As part of the team’s preparation, Sison required the participants to read Andrew Friedman’s “Knives at Dawn,” an inspirational book about competitions. It was recommended by her good friend, chef David Pardo de Ayala.

“The book was important because they couldn’t get the discipline I wanted,” said Sison. “The kind of humility I wanted. Sometimes as chef-instructors, we tend to assume we know everything, but we don’t. As a chef you tend not to listen to other people critiquing you.”

Generally, Sison explained, a week before the competition, you’re thinking differently – either you’re too excited or too nervous but, for whatever it is, your judgment is not how you would normally judge things. Sometimes you think a dish is salty but it might not really be salty.

Weeks before the competition, Sison made sure all action plans were set. They took photos of the dishes, wrote down the comments, the adjustments that had to be made, and the presentations. The participants repeatedly practiced the physical motion of preparing and cooking the dishes.

“Even if CCA is a 15-year-old school, with a new team [new faculty, new academic head], it felt like we were a new culinary school joining a competition. We feel great with what we have accomplished in Hofex, considering how new and inexperienced we are in joining competitions both local and international,” she said.
Chef Sau del Rosario also helped in critiquing.

“Even if some of our members didn’t make it, I’m happy it was documented,” Sison said. “The preparation will be improved whoever may join next year. It will be in the library. Of course, not everybody would be used to that kind of system. It takes time.”

Other competing members of CCA were chefs Jon Tin and Carol Lavin and students Joyce Calayag, Dennilyn Sy and Don Jerome Duenas. Also seen giving support and encouragement to the team were chef Gigi Angkaw, CCA continuing education programs manager, and Anne Palmares, corporate public relations manager. They partnered with CDO Foodsphere Inc., Bounty Fresh Chicken and Ideal Gourmet Pasta.

Also seen supporting and cheering for all Filipino teams competing in Hofex was chef Dennis Hipolito, who’s based in Singapore and working for the Yum company.

Wednesday, May 25, 2011

...the Chef

Pinoy chef featured in New York cuisine fest

A United States-trained Filipino chef starred in the Philippine Consulate General's cuisine presentation in New York for May.

Chef Alex Dino was the featured artist for the "Best of the Philippines on Fifth Avenue Project" for May, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said on Wednesday.

Pinoy Chef Alex Dino in action. (Nina Del Rosario/DFA Website)
"Chef Dino is the Grand Champion of the Sears Chef Challenge 2010 and was named one of Fortune Magazine's Best Cafeteria Chefs for 2008," it said in a news release posted on the DFA website.

The DFA said Dino, in his new book "Modern Tofu," gives a new twist on tofu, using it as an ingredient in hors d'oeuvres and appetizers, soups, salads, entrees, and desserts.

Dino also runs a catering company, Sachet d'Epices, which specializes in Asian and European cuisine.

On May 19, he demonstrated at the Philippine Center some of his cooking techniques, which served as an introduction to the joys, and the "toys" used in molecular gastronomy.

"For many in the audience, it was their first time to see the use of a 'Sous Vide Immersion Circulator,' a 'Smoking gun' which utilizes various wood chips to infuse a smoke-taste to food, and chemicals like calcium lactate and sodium alginate to reshape familiar foods into unfamiliar forms," the DFA said.

His menu for the evening such as "Cod in Citrus-Beer Brodo and Balsamic Caviar," "Tofu and Alfalfa with Sake-Pepper Mignonette Paired with Chilled Sake and Mango Balls" and "Sunny-side mango" made use of Philippine products, such as San Miguel Beer and carabao mangos.

Samples of his menu were also handed out to the guests. The "balsamic caviar" was a particular favorite, the DFA said.

Best of the Philippines

Since 2010, the "Best of the Philippines on Fifth Avenue Project" has featured Filipino designers and artisans who received global acclaim for their excellence in their craft, while simultaneously providing a showcase of the Philippine creative industries.

The featured industries involved high-value fashion, industrial design, multimedia, handicrafts or culinary arts.

Established and up-and-coming artists in various fields who receive acclaim abroad and who source their products from any of the Philippine creative industries have been invited to showcase their work at the Philippine Center windows fronting Fifth Avenue for a period of one month.

Dino's cooking demonstration, hosted by the Consulate General, is the first attempt to employ cuisine as a vehicle for introducing the culture and flavor of the Philippines to a wider audience.

Last year, the "Best of the Philippines on Fifth Avenue" project has provided a spotlight on events' planner and designer who showcased his book "An Event to Remember" Jerry Sibal, fashion designer and SUPIMA award winner Robin Tomas, acclaimed accessories designers Brian Tenorio and Emi Jorge, and fashion designer and champion of Philippine abaca Dita Sandico Ong. - VVP, GMA News

...the billboard awardees

Fil-Ams shine at Billboard awards


By NEIL RAMOS
May 25, 2011

Apl.de.ap [extreme left] with his group The Black Eyed Peas at the Billboard Music Awards 2011
Apl.de.ap [extreme left] with his group The Black Eyed Peas at the Billboard Music Awards 2011


MANILA, Philippines – After being in hiatus since 2007 due to contractual snags, The Billboard Music Awards (BMAs)  returned this year with a bang, and among those that made a big splash during the much-awaited event held at the MGM Grand May 22 were a number of Filipino Americans.


Fil-Am apl.de.ap wowed the crowd when he performed with his group the Black Eyed Peas. He was wearing a custom-designed earpiece, embellished with the colors of the Philippine Flag. The Black Eyed Peas also went home with the Top Duo/Group trophy.


Fast rising Asian-American group Far East Movement, which includes Fil-Am member DJ Virman, also performed during awards night alongside One Republic and Snoop Dogg.




Fil-Am Bruno Mars was nominated in a couple of categories, including Top Artist and Top Male artist, winning Top Radio Song for “Just The Way You Are.”




Another Fil-Am who made a mark at the Billboard awards—though not for music—is designer Oliver Tolentino. Tolentino created the flashy costume worn by singer Cee Lo Green during his performance at the event.

The BMAs honor winners based on Billboard's year-end music charts, which are compiled based on Nielsen data for sales, downloads and airplay.

Below is a list of the winners:

Top Artist: Eminem
Top HOT 100 Song: Taio Cruz – “Dynamite”
Top BILLBOARD 200 Album: Eminem – “Recovery”
Top New Artist: Justin Bieber
Top BILLBOARD 200 Artist: Taylor Swift
Top HOT 100 Artist: Katy Perry
Top Male Artist: Eminem
Top Female Artist: Rihanna
Top Pop Song: Taio Cruz – “Dynamite”
Billboard Icon Award: Neil Diamond
Billboard Millennium Award: Beyonce


OTHER WINNERS:

Digital Artist of the Year: Justin Bieber
Top Country Song: Lady Antebellum – “Need You Now”
Top Duo/Group: Black Eyed Peas
Top Touring Artist: U2
Top Country Artist: Taylor Swift
Top Country Album: Taylor Swift – “Speak Now”
Top Rap Album: Eminem – “Recovery”
Top Rock Album & Top Alternative Album: Mumford & Sons – “Sigh No More”
Top Digital Song: Taio Cruz – “Dynamite”
Top Radio Song:  Bruno Mars – “Just The Way You Are”
Top Pop Artist: Lady Gaga
Top R'n'B Artist: Usher
Top Rap Artist: Eminem
Top Rock Artist: Train
Top Alternative Artist: Mumford & Sons
Top Latin Artist: Shakira
Top Dance Artist: Lady Gaga
Top Radio Artist: Rihanna
Top R'n'B Song: Usher – “OMG”
Top Rap Song: Eminem feat. Rihanna– “Love The Way You Lie”
Top Rock Song: Train – “Hey Soul Sister”
Top Latin Song: Shakira – “Waka Waka”
Top Dance Song: Edward Maya & Vika Jigulina – “Stereo Love”
Top Country Song: Lady Antebellum – “Need You Now”
Top Pop Album: (tie) Katy Perry – “Teenage Dream” and Justin Bieber – “My World 2.0”
Top Dance/Electronic: Lady Gaga -  “The Fame”

Tuesday, May 24, 2011

...the new specie

PH lizard lands on top 10 list of new species


Philippine Daily Inquirer 


WASHINGTON—A Philippine fruit-eating lizard measuring 1.8 meters (6 feet) in length was among the top 10 new species discovered in the world last year, US scientists said on Monday.



Also on the list were a jumping cockroach, a glow-in-the-dark fungus, a rust-eating bacterium, a leech named “T-rex.”

The creatures were discovered in the Philippines, Brazil, Madagascar, South Africa, Peru, West Africa, the US state of Oregon, Mascarene Islands in the Indian Ocean, Gulf of Mexico and North Atlantic Ocean.

The top 10 list was compiled by global experts and released annually by the International Institute for Species Exploration (IISE) at Arizona State University.

The Philippine fruit-eating lizard, which weighs 10 kg (22 pounds), can only be found living on trees in the Sierra Madre forest on Luzon island.

The lizard, which is brightly colored with stripes of gold flecks, has “a scaly body and legs that are blue-black mottled with pale yellow-green dots and a tail marked in alternating segments of black and green,” the IISE said.

‘Tyrant leech king’

The leech named after a ferocious meat-eating dinosaur was removed from a man’s nose in Peru.

While the leech measures less than 5 centimeters (2 inches) long, its powerful jaw and massive teeth earned it the name Tyrannobdella rex, which means “tyrant leech king.”

Scientists in Canada and Spain identified the iron-oxide munching bacterium from a section of the Titanic which sank deep into the Atlantic Ocean in 1912 after striking an iceberg.

“Researchers believe this bacterium could be useful in the disposal of old ships and oil rigs that lie deep in the ocean,” the IISE said in a statement.

The IISE said minuscule mushrooms in the forests of Sao Paulo, Brazil, were found to “glow constantly, emitting a bright, yellowish-green light,” becoming one of the around 70 species of fungi in the world known to be bioluminescent.

Legs for jumping

A cockroach that mimics a grasshopper in its jumping ability was detected in South Africa.

The Saltoblattella montistabularis has legs specially made for jumping, a stabilizing antenna and round eyes at the sides of its head.

A raspy cricket, Glomeremus orchidophilus, found in the Mascarene Archipelago in the Indian Ocean was discovered to be the only creature that pollinates a rare orchid, Angraecum cadetii.

Scientists in the northwestern state of Oregon found an unusual mushroom thriving under the chilly waters of the Rogue River.

Darwin’s Bark Spider

And a spider that can weave its web—with silk twice as strong as any spider known to man—across the entire width of a river was discovered in Madagascar.

“The webs of Darwin’s Bark Spider have been found spanning rivers, streams and lakes, and in one instance, a web stretched 25 meters (82 feet) across a Madagascar river with at least 30 insects trapped in it,” the IISE said.

Other top selections included a new type of antelope and a pancake batfish—a fish that resembles a walking bat when it moves awkwardly through the deep waters of the Gulf of Mexico.

“Our best guess is that all species discovered since 1758 represent less than 20 percent of the kinds of plants and animals inhabiting planet Earth,” said Quentin Wheeler, an entomologist who directs the IISE.

“A reasonable estimate is that 10 million species remain to be described, named, and classified before the diversity and complexity of the biosphere is understood,” Wheeler said. AFP

...the golden bank


BDO bags three banking awards


The Philippine Star
May 24, 2011 





MANILA, Philippines - Banco de Oro Unibank Inc. (BDO) has bagged three major citations in the recently-concluded The Asset Triple A Awards 2011 of the Hong Kong-based investment magazine The Asset. BDO was named in the Philippines as: the Best SME Bank, the Best Trade Finance Bank (Domestic) and the Rising Star Cash Management Bank. As the Best SME Bank, BDO was cited for its expansion efforts in “its delivery channels and product enhancements to better connect with their clients”.

Likewise, the foreign publication lauded the bank’s excellent execution of trade finance products and services. BDO also deserved the Rising Star Cash Management Bank Award for the vast development it implemented, particularly in the areas of product and channel enhancements.

...the top remittance recipient

WB: PHL remittances 2nd highest amid inflation


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

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

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

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

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

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

PHL among top recipients

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

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

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

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

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

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

Effect of Middle East, North Africa crisis

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

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

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

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

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

...the local movie

'In The Name of Love' among world's top grossing films

 05/24/2011 3:46 PM

MANILA, Philippines - Star Cinema's latest movie offering "In The Name of Love" made it to the list of top 20 highest-grossing films worldwide this first quarter, the Associated Press reported.

The romance-drama film top billed by Angel Locsin and Aga Muhlach landed on the 15th spot, earning $1,917,443 (approximately P84 million) since its premiere on May 11.

The report said the results were compiled by Rentrak Theatrical and provided by Hollywood.com.

Here is the complete list of  the top 20 movies at international theaters last weekend, according to AP.
Movie
International Gross for
weekend (excluding
North
America)
Number of TheatersNumber of Territories
Worldwide Gross
to Date (including
North America)
Number
of
Weeks
in Release
 1. Fast Five $44,464,276 9,142 locations 52 territories $437,030,300 four
 2. Thor $24,299,795 9,177 locations 53 territories $351,672,123 four
 3. Priest $15,537,120 5,928 locations 42 territories $42,319,187 two
 4. Rio $11,446,722 7,144 locations 54 territories $418,781,999 six
 5. Water For Elephants $9,952,838 5,144 territories 44 locations $72,420,355 five
 6. Midnight In Paris $5,497,429 676 locations three territories $6,486,812 one
 7. Source Code $4,655,971 1,236 locations 24 territories $101,288,698 seven
 8. Sunny $4,238,124 NA locations one territory $12,370,699 two
 9. Black Swan $3,399,672 399 locations 13 territories $299,089,022 17
 10. Something Borrowed $3,070,276 3,368 locations 12 territories $35,408,484 two
 11. Scream 4 $2,630,858 1,820 locations 29 territories $91,621,281 five
 12. Peak -The Rescuers $2,367,471 locations not available one territory $8,907,190 two
 13. Unknown $2,342,180 632 locations 15 territories $127,144,550 11
 14. Insidious $2,036,375 1,113 locations five territories $66,409,258 seven
 15. In the Name of Love $1,917,443 87 locations one territory $1,917,444 one
 16. Attack the Block $1,842,181 352 locations one territory $1,842,182 one
 17. Hanna $1,809,074 1,283 locations three territories $46,962,126 six
 18. Red $1,540,275 locations not available one territory $185,351,417 one
 19. Gantz Perfect Answer $1,483,104 16 locations two territories $28,756,422 four
 20.  Your Highness