Saturday, July 9, 2011

..the cagers

Pinoy cagers win gold in ASEAN Schools games

 07/09/2011

MANILA, Philippines – The Philippines copped the men's basketball crown in the 3rd ASEAN Schools' Games (ASG) by dethroning defending champion Malaysia in the finals.


The national team, represented by the San Beda College-Taytay high school basketball squad, totally dominated Malaysia with superior firepower, 73-47.


“Our victory is for the Filipino people, country and flag,” team manager Edilberto Abalos wrote in an email to the Department of Education (DepEd). “This is the 1st gold medal for the country in the many international high school basketball competitions the country participated in.”

The Philippine team is composed of Francis Abarcar, Van Abatayo, Limuel Patenio, Antonio Bonsubre, Jr., Ranbill Tongco, Boden Miranda, Louis Macapayag, Mikhail Tee, Arvin Tolentino, Francis Munsayac, Daryl Nazareno, and Gideon Babilonia.

Britt Carlo Reroma served as the head coach.

Having arrived only 3 days earlier, the Philippine team had a slow start in the eliminations against host country Singapore. It even lost its second game to Thailand by 4 points.

At the end of the eliminations, all the 3 countries in the group had identical 1-1 win-loss records. The Philippines eventually got the top ranking among the 3 countries based on the tie-break rules.

The Filipinos beat Indonesia, which was ranked 2nd in the other grouping, during the semifinals to forge a title showdown with Malaysia.

“The bigger challenge now is to defend the crown and how to maintain the team since some players will be graduating this school year,” said Abalos.

...the health-conscious people

Filipinos among the world's most health, nutrition, and diet conscious

July 9, 2011
Manila Bulletin

MANILA, Philippines — Good nutrition is easily achieved by eating the right kinds of food and eating them in the right proportions. It requires implementing a well-balanced diet and avoiding the tendencies of overeating.
 
 


If one wants to have a healthy body, one must know the right nutrients that the body needs. Healthful diets help children grow, develop, and do well in school. They enable people of all ages to work productively and feel their best.


Nutrition has a direct effect on overall health. A bad diet will provide too few calories, not enough vitamins and minerals. What people eat can also help reduce the risk of diseases such as heart ailments, certain cancers, diabetes, stroke, and osteoporosis.


Overeating and malnutrition are two things which can both lead to poor health. Eating right can reduce the risk of obesity, high blood pressure, high blood cholesterol, and diabetes.
 

A healthy diet will give your body the right amount of energy, enough raw materials and all the little helpers you need to stay healthy.


In a 17-country research done by a British organization, Oxfam International, the Philippines was found to be one of two countries, the other being India, which were most concerned about nutrition.
 

The survey said nutrition was among the top consideration of 63 percent of Filipino respondents in choosing the food they eat.


Healthy eating habits are beneficial to the nation’s well-being and now that Filipinos have a better idea of how nutrition is beneficial to their health, the next steps will allow the population to better their lives.

Pinoys in Dubai top fitness survey

07/09/2011
 
Filipina women OFWs attend the free circuit training session conducted by the Filipino Sports League in Dubai. Photo courtesy of Filipino Sports League

DUBAI, UAE – Filipino expats in this dazzling emirate came on top among other nationalities when it comes to getting sufficient amount of exercise required to stay healthy, according to survey results released recently by the Dubai Health Authority (DHA) and Dubai Statistics Centre.

Dr Eldaw Abdullah Sulaiman, Head of Research and Performance Management at DHA's Health Policy and Strategy Sector, said among men, 31.6% of Filipinos in Dubai exercise to stay healthy, followed by 27.9% of Westerners (from Europe, North America and Australasia) and 27.3% of other Arab expatriates.

Furthermore, about 41% of Filipinas, among women expats, find enough time to exercise, compared to women from all other nationalities who prefer to simply remain indoors.

The results, which are part of the over-all Dubai Household Health Survey conducted in 2009 from a database of 5,000 households (2,500 Emiratis; 2,500 other nationalities), showed an alarming rate of 81% Dubai residents (locals and expats) who are physically inactive and living unhealthy lifestyles.

The problem in terms of lack of exercise is known to be a key factor that triggers off a host of lifestyle diseases like diabetes, heart attacks and strokes, the DHA said in a statement.

The respondents were asked whether they had any moderate or intensive physical activity other than their work such as running, jogging or playing any kind of sport.

The study revealed:
·         Only 19% of people in Dubai get enough exercise to keep themselves healthy;
·         Men get less exercise than women. Only 17% of men and 25% of women get enough exercise to keep themselves healthy;
·         Exercise levels decrease significantly with age in both sexes but especially in women. Less than 9% of women over 60 years get enough exercise to keep themselves healthy;
·         Among all nationalities, Filipinos, Arab expats and Europeans get the most exercise;
·         Among men, Europeans get the most exercise;
·         Among women, Filipinas get the most exercise, and;
·         There is a strong relationship between education and exercise. The more educated a person, the more likely he/she is to get enough exercise to stay healthy.

Specifically for UAE nationals, the survey showed:
·         Only 19% of UAE nationals get enough exercise to keep themselves healthy;
·         There is no gender difference in exercise levels among UAE nationals;
·         Only 5% of UAE women over 60 years get enough exercise to keep themselves healthy, while only 7% of men aged 40-59 years get enough exercise;
·         Overall, less educated adults and adults from poorer households significantly get less exercise, and;
·         There is a strong relationship between education and exercise among UAE Nationals. The more educated a person, the more likely he/she is to get enough exercise to keep healthy.

Among the hindrances for people engaging in exercise are busy work schedule and hot weather especially during summer months when the mercury goes up to as high 45-47 degrees Celsius.

Amor Bautista, who works as an economic analyst for a Japanese firm in Dubai and a member of Filipino Runners-UAE, suggests doing outdoor exercise like running in the evening or early morning when the temperature is relatively low.

“Be disciplined and set time to do exercise. Its benefits will also redound to better work attitude,” Bautista said.

There is also one Filipino sports group that conducts free Body Pump and Circuit Training every Friday (which is the weekend and day-off for most expats) at the Sheikh Hind Bint Maktoum Al Maktoum Sports Hall in Jumeirah 2, Al Wasl Road, Dubai.

Friday, July 8, 2011

...the foreign trust in local economy

Foreign investment rises sharply in first 5 months 

philstar.com
July 08, 2011


MANILA, Philippines (Xinhua) - Foreign investments to the Philippines rose by 189 percent in the first 5 months of this year, Trade and Industry Secretary Gregory Domingo said at a cabinet meeting on today.

Citing statistics from the Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) and the Bureau of Investment (BoI), Domingo said investment pledges at the BoI hit P191.35 billion ($4.47 billion) in the January-May period this year, a 338-percent surge from the previous year's P43.65 billion ($1 billion), while investment commitments at the PEZA rose 48 percent as of May, to P68.59 billion ($1.6 billion) from the P46.35 billion ($1.08 billion) reported in the same period of last year.

He noted that a total of 390 projects were approved by the two investment promotion agencies since May. Once fully operational, the projects are expected to generate 74,266 jobs.

At present, Domingo stressed that the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) is expanding and strengthening its thrust to Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in order to provide job opportunities to unskilled potential workers in rural areas.

...the World Bank outlook

Noy reforms boost Phl growth prospects - WB

By Artemio Dumlao
The Philippine Star
July 08, 2011


MANILA, Philippines - The country’s growth prospects this year and next year are bright, with the Aquino administration’s anti-corruption campaign seen to perk up investor interest, the World Bank (WB) said in a report.

In its June 2011 quarterly report, the World Bank said gross domestic product (GDP) growth “could potentially be higher as the strong focus and early gains of the Aquino administration in tackling corruption and improving the investment climate could boost domestic investment.”

The report added that “investments, private consumption and the services sector are expected to strengthen” and help the country achieve “inclusive or broad-based growth that benefits the poor.”

“Prospects on the supply side remain favorable with manufacturing and construction projected to benefit from the end of the trade disruption linked to Japan’s post-disaster reconstruction, as well as the solid growth forecast for business process outsourcing,” WB senior economist Eric Le Borgne said.

“Increasing mineral prices will provide incentive to fast-track investment and increase production in the mining sector,” he added.

“The agriculture sector is projected to continue being a net contributor to growth,” he added.

The WB report also projected the GDP at 5.0 percent this year and 5.4 percent in 2012.

Private consumption is also expected to increase as more Filipinos receive higher wages or get employed in good-paying industries like business process outsourcing, the WB report said.
In the report, WB Country Director Bert Hofman said the country’s performance “indicates that the country’s economy has already stabilized since the global financial crisis, with more robust and less variable growth.”

He added that “prior to the global recession that started in 2008, the country was perceived to have a weak fiscal position, making it vulnerable to shocks and volatility.”

“The November 2010 upgrading of the country’s sovereign foreign currency rating by Standard and Poor’s and a similar upgrade by Moody’s this June are testaments to this significant improvement,” Hofman said.

He challenged the country’s leaders to “ensure that growth is more inclusive or one that all citizens participate in and benefit from.”

This, he said, requires “enhancing the income-earning opportunities of the poor as well as assist households to participate in markets by enhancing their human capital.”

Greater efforts, the WB said, should be exerted in improving access to education, health, and social protection services, particularly in the poorest regions.

The WB acknowledges that the Aquino administration, in its first year “has taken important reforms towards achieving inclusive growth that included improving the transparency of the public sector budget and of public financial management...”

It also lauded the administration for better governance and for “launching an ambitious public-private partnership program to address infrastructure bottlenecks as well as help foster the development of inclusive sectors such as tourism.”

One of the infrastructure projects that need greater attention, the WB said, is airport development. It said an “open skies” policy should complement airport development to “enable international tourists to reach tourism hot spots in the Philippines directly, thus generating jobs for the poor as well as business opportunities for micro and small enterprises.”

The WB also hailed the government’s “reshuffle of social protection resources away from wasteful and ineffective programs, towards the well-targeted conditional cash transfer program.”

By end-2011, the program called Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program is expected to cover 60 percent of the poor.

...the Tunnel's director

Pinoy filmmaker directs viral horror movie The Tunnel




Filipino filmmaker Carlo Ledesma in his element. Photo by Alex Weltlinger
In the vast dark of the abandoned tunnels of Sydney, no one can hear you scream.

The premise behind The Tunnel, like many horror movies, starts out simple and ends with a lot of running, blood and terror-filled moments. Working in the fairly recent subgenre of “found footage" like Hollywood movies Cloverfield, Diary of the Dead and The Blair Witch Project, The Tunnel is set in the miles and miles of underground warrens of the Australian metropolis.

At the directorial helm is multi-awarded Filipino filmmaker Carlo Ledesma, who used to work on the popular local sports show Gameplan. A Bacolod-native, he moved to Sydney around 2005 and has since set up a thriving film making headquarters there.

“I do feel like I’ve hit my stride here, creatively and professionally," says Ledesma. “Sydney is such a film-friendly place- the government is very supportive, the crews are world-class, and it is relatively easy to source out the latest in camera and sound equipment."

What secret creature skulks and hunts in the labyrinthine corridors where the darkness never goes out? Photo by Nicolle Adrichem


The Tunnel follows a team of broadcast journalists as they track down a story regarding a possible government cover-up of Sydney’s water shortage by its own local government. While the documentarists do get the story they were looking for, something else finds them as well.

What secret creature skulks and hunts in the labyrinthine corridors where the darkness never goes out? It’s up to you to make up your own theory. One thing’s for sure, these monsters are fast, strong and can see in the dark. And when you’ve only got a camera light and some flashlights against them, things start to get very interesting very quickly. In an eye blink, The Tunnel becomes a study in survival horror.

“We wanted to put our own spin on the ‘found footage’ genre," says Ledesma on their decision to approach the story with point-of-view cameras. “. . . We thought of incorporating the found footage elements into a pseudo news story, a survivor’s narrative of what exactly happened in the tunnels."

When you’ve only got a camera light and some flashlights against unseen monsters, things start to get very interesting very quickly. Photo by Sam Clark


Unlike most horror movies though, The Tunnel wasn’t crafted to be shown in theaters. It was made to be downloaded by an on-line audience and made to be passed around by virtual word of mouth through social networks and blog posts.

The Tunnel isn't meant to be seen in theaters. Photo by Alex Weltlinger
It was also funded in what the producers and filmmakers are calling “The 135K Project." 135 people buy a single frame of the movie at a dollar each, and in turn the proceeds go into the completion and polishing of the final product.

The Tunnel’s website says: “We figured that movie posters and collectable frames from movies are being sold every day, so what if we could raise the money to make The Tunnel by selling every individual frame of it? We would be able to make a movie unencumbered by a studio’s need for box office."

Looks like it’s worked out very well. The official torrent site has since gotten upwards of a half-million downloads. The unit sales of the physical copies of the DVDs (which includes special features like still galleries and behind-the-scenes) aren’t too shabby either.

With such success, The Tunnel is shaping up to be “the viral movie of the year." It’s also gotten Ledesma entered into “The Internet and Movie Database’s (IMDB) Modern Masters of Horror". A list that includes big name directors Guillermo Del Toro (Hellboy) and Eli Roth (Hostel).

There’s some very expressive images and vignette inserts in this movie that might jar the horror fan expecting only relentless blood and gore. But to me they’re a welcome artistic touch. They’re also effective in heightening the gloom and desolation of the movie’s underworld theme.
The nature of the creatures themselves is an intriguing mystery. Photo by Alex Weltlinger


The nature of the creatures themselves is an intriguing mystery. Much of the suspense centers around not knowing just how powerful they are or what exactly they are or are not capable of.

“I’m a huge cryptozoology fan," explains Ledesma. “So I wanted to put a definite mystery behind the creature lurking in the tunnels, keep its appearance shrouded in the shadows as much as possible. We do have a very specific story for what the creature is, but it’s so much fun hearing people’s theories." — TJD, GMA News

...the President's vow

Aquino vows to spur economy


By SARAH HILOMEN-VELASCO
July 8, 2011
MANILA, Philippines — The Aquino government has vowed to spur economic activities by creating employment particularly for the grass roots level.

This is the thrust of President Aquino’s administration which, according to his economic managers, will be detailed in his second State- of -the-Nation Address (SoNA) later this month.


Pres. Aquino's outlook on the economy reflects in his smile

Authorities said that President Aquino has not wavered in his commitment to improve the economic conditions in the country, described to be “on track.”

Finance Secretary Cesar Purisima said that the government has been concentrating its efforts based on four pillars identified as critical areas to effect change in the economy.

Purisima, chair of the economic cluster of Aquino’s Cabinet, cited the four pillars such as improving tax collection by going after smugglers and tax evaders, boosting infrastructure spending with the help of the private sector through the government’s public-private partnership program, cutting red tape to simplify putting up a business in the country; and investing in the people through the Conditional Cash Transfer program.

“Simple lang ang utos ng Pangulo sa economic cluster: Pabilisin ang takbo ng ekonomiya, pabilisin ng takbo ng ekonomiya para mas maraming trabaho ang magagawa at matutulungan ang mga kababayan natin,” Purisima said.

Socio-economic Planning Secretary Cayetano Paderanga Jr. said that one of the main ingredients to a successful economy lies in its people. He said that Aquino wants no Filipino left behind as the country rises to greater heights under his stewardship.

Paderanga revealed that Aquino earlier authorized the release of P700 million to the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority to uplifting the agency’s Training for Work Scholarship Program that aims to equip poor but deserving individuals with the necessary skills to qualify for jobs in “in-demand” countries which include business process outsourcing, tourism, agro-industrial processing and infrastructure, among others.

He disclosed that the commitment of improving the lives of the people is anchored on the President’s 16-point “Social Contract with the Filipino People,” which envisions inclusive growth, or growth that is shared by all, for the country.

Paderanga also said that the social contract’s most important objectives are employment generation and poverty reduction.

...the Olympic medal haul

PHL team bags 49 medals in Special Olympics in Greece




Philippine athletes won 49 medals in the 2011 Special Olympics World Games held in Athens, Greece, from June 25 to July 4, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said Friday.

Of the 49 medals, 21 were gold, 13 were silver, and 15 were bronze, the DFA said in a statement.

“Team Philippines won gold medals in athletics, powerlifting, swimming, bocce, and rhythmic gymnastics, while the silver and bronze medals were also won in these five sports events, in addition to bowling and badminton," the DFA said.

It added the 47-member Philippine delegation had participated in seven of 22 sports events at the Special Olympics. More than 7,000 athletes from nearly 180 countries competed in the games.

The DFA said the Philippine delegation included 38 intellectually challenged athletes and their coaches and trainers. Leading the Philippine team was Ma. Theresa Macapagal, president of Special Olympics Philippines.

According to the DFA, the Philippine Embassy in Athens gave full support to the athletes during the 10-day Special Olympics.

The DFA said present during the opening ceremonies were international celebrities such as Stevie Wonder, Vanessa Williams, and Zhang Ziyi, and sports icons Yao Ming, Nadia Comaneci, and Michelle Kwan.

“The Filipino community members cheered the Philippine athletes during the various competitions as well as during the opening ceremonies on June 25 at the historic Kallimarmaron Panthinaikon Olympic Stadium, the site of the first Olympic Games of the modern era," the DFA said.

The DFA also said the embassy hosted a “meryenda" of cookies and ice cream for the athletes at the embassy premises on June 21. At the event, swimming gold medalist Raymond Macasaet and bowling silver medalist Roxanne Ng rendered heartfelt song numbers to the delight of the staff.

On July 3, members of the Philippine team also enjoyed a hearty dinner of Filipino food at the embassy to celebrate the victory of the Philippine team during the sports event. — JE, GMA News

Thursday, July 7, 2011

...the favorable outlook

Fitch gives 'stable' outlook for Philippine banks

 
 
Manila (Philippine Daily Inquirer/ANN) - Fitch Ratings assigned a "stable" outlook for the Philippine banking sector, citing the favourable impact of a growing economy on the industry's financial performance.

A "stable" outlook indicates security of credit ratings from being downgraded, at least within a year.

Fitch said an improving economy would drive demand for loans and other services provided by banks, in the process boosting their income.

"With a satisfactory economic backdrop, the agency expects banks' lending and fee-based activities to expand in 2011, although treasury gains may ease amid rising interest rates," Fitch said in its latest report on the Philippines.

The outlook on the banking sector was anchored on Fitch's projection that the Philippine economy would grow between 5 and 6 percent this year, consistent with the government's own forecast.

The credit rating firm also cited the comfortable level of liquidity of the country's banking sector, and this would help protect it from a crisis similar to that experienced in industrialised countries.

"In Fitch's view, capital and liquidity buffers are crucial in helping banks preserve their credit profiles in the event of a renewed global downturn, given the fragile economic recovery globally," Fitch said.

However, Fitch said the country's banking industry faces risks including the relatively low capital cover for foreclosed properties. It said improving provisioning for these assets is one area Philippine banks must focus on.

Still, Fitch recognized the country's banking sector for being able to survive the latest global turmoil.
"All the rated Philippine banks have weathered the global economic turmoil in 2008/2009 rather well, with credit costs easily covered by earnings and capital intact," Fitch said.

The "stable" outlook on the Philippine banking sector came amid continually rising resources of the banking sector and growing bank lending.

Latest documents from the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas showed that outstanding loans by commercial banks amounted to 2.4 trillion pesos (US$56 billion) as of end-April, up 14.2 percent year on year.

Fitch's issuance of a "stable" outlook on the country's banking sector came after it decided last month to raise the country's credit rating on foreign debt from two notches to a notch below investment grade, or from BB to BB+.

The credit rating firm cited the Philippine government's improving fiscal situation and the growing economy for the improved ratings.

...the Berlin Fashion Week finalist

Fil-Dutch designer a finalist at Berlin Fashion Week

07/07/2011

BERLIN, Germany - American designer Marc Jacobs led a jury that picked the winner of the 'Designer for Tomorrow' award at this year's Berlin Fashion Week: Alexandra Kiesel. She was among 5 pre-chosen finalists who presented their collections at the Fashion Week on Wednesday (July 6).

Wearing a 'Marc, love me' T-shirt, the 28-year-old from an East German town near Leipzig clearly won the heart of Jacobs, who told Reuters as what he expects in a designer: "I probably look for things that are not only creative but also wearable, because I think that fashionable clothing is commercial in some way and I guess I am looking for just a very thorough vision, it doesn't need to be my vision, it needs to be their vision and I just want something that is well rounded and that I think is somehow responsive to the different needs of what it is to be a fashion designer."

Berlin Fashion Week, well-known for boosting up-and-coming designers, invited designers from 15 European countries to participate in the competition. For the previous 3 contests only German designers were allowed to compete.

Five finalists, 4 young German designers and one Dutch student, were handpicked by Jacobs. "I don't think of myself as much of a judge or as an arbiter of what is good or what is bad, just what I like and what I don't like. And everybody has the right to that opinion. So whatever makes someone happy I think is right or good.

For them. So there is all different types of style and I don't think there is any right or wrong, there [are] definitely things I prefer but that doesn't make things wrong," Jacobs told Reuters.



Jonathan Christopher Hofwegen was not only one of the finalists but also the first and only international one. Born in Manila, capital of the Philippines, the 24-year-old grew up in the Netherlands, where he is currently in the process of finishing his Masters degree in design studies. For his collection, Hofwegen uses elegant fabrics with some prints that can only be seen under black light.



Another finalist was 25-year-old Markus Schmidbauer who was the only candidate who did not study design. Instead, he graduated in design management and then taught himself the design part.

The collection of winner Alexandra Kiesel made an impact with its bright colors and geometric shapes. Using toy block necklaces that bring back childhood memories, she says she wants to focus on the modular intention behind her collection.

Lena Hasibether and Marc Buscha also presented their collection at the "Designer for Tomorrow Award" show.

Altogether, more than 50 designers and brands will be presenting their new creations at this year's Fashion Week in Berlin, which runs until Saturday (July 9).

...the social change assembly

PH hosts 4th assembly of global movement for social change



By MARVYN N. BENANING
July 7, 2011
Manila Bulletin


MANILA, Philippines — Representatives from 40 countries converged at the Ciudad Christia Resort in San Mateo, Rizal, Thursday morning for the 4th assembly of the International League of Peoples' Struggle (ILPS) to chart a common blueprint for genuine social change and liberation.

Organizers said delegates to the assembly head earlier signaled the start of the meet by raising the "annapurna" or Nepalese prayer flags at the Peace Bell Area of the Quezon Memorial Circle (QMC) in Quezon City on Wednesday morning to represent the 18 demands of the ILPS.

The "annapurna" is usually raised by mountaineers before trekking towards the summit of Mt. Everest.
From 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. Thursday, the delegates heard reports about the accomplishments of the ILPS in the last 10 years, with Chairman Jose Maria Sison addressing the delegates about the global situation and the need to craft a strategic global campaign to advance the interest of the peoples in 40 member-countries, from Belgium, Finland, Germany, the former Soviet republics, Greece, Spain, Italy to Palestine, the Middle Eastern nations, India, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines and a number of countries in Latin America.

Friday, participants will continue to tackle the situations in their homelands and situate the same in the context of the global economic and political crisis, highlighted by the resurgence of democratic and nationalist upheavals even in member-nations of the European Union (EU) saddled by huge debt problems.

Saturday, the members of the International Coordinating Group (ICG) of the ILPS will meet the press at 12:30 p.m. at the Serye Cafè Filipino at the QMC to discuss how the league hopes to broaden the international united front to advance the social, economic and political interest of various peoples, particularly in the light of the debt crisis, the intensification of pocket wars worldwide and the worsening poverty and hunger, particularly in developing nations.

ICG members are expected to share their insights into the impact of globalization, the mass migration of labor and the continuing adverse effects of environmental abuse, particularly by profit-seeking transnational corporations nurtured by multilateral financial institutions like the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank (WB.)

...the lady lifter

Lifter Diaz bags bronze medal


July 6, 2011
Manila Bulletin

MANILA, Philippines — Hidilyn Diaz is on track of earning another Olympic berth after winning a bronze medal in the recent Junior World Weightlifting Championships in Penang, Malaysia.

 

Competing in the women's 58kgs, Diaz lifted 93kgs in the snatch to finish third behind current world junior record holder Deng Wei of China (110) and Thai Rattikan Gulnoi.
 

The Thai bet also lifted 93 kilos but has only a body weight of 57.25kgs compared to Diaz’s 57.29kgs, thus earning the silver medal. She finished fifth in the clean and jerk (121kgs) and wound up fourth overall with a total lift of 213kgs.
 

Nestor Colonia, another Olympic prospect, fell short of his campaign in the men's 56kgs class after finishing sixth in clean and jerk (140), seventh in snatch (112) and seventh in total (252). —Kristel Satumbaga

Wednesday, July 6, 2011

...the citations

Filipinos earn citations here, abroad

 
By ROWENA JOY A. SANCHEZ
July 6, 2011
Manila Bulletin
 
Manny Pacquiao is nominated at the 2011 Teen Choice Awards, while Jose Javier Reyes is one of the featured directors in a coffee table book launched by Instituto Cervantes (Pacquiao’s photo by AP)
Manny Pacquiao is nominated at the 2011 Teen Choice Awards, while Jose Javier Reyes is one of the featured directors in a coffee table book launched by Instituto Cervantes (Pacquiao’s photo by AP)
 
MANILA, Philippines – The proliferation of nasty controversies these days apparently can’t water down the recent feats of local personalities.
 

Joining the ranks of our countrymen who champion Filipino pride here and abroad, led of course by the unstoppable international boxing champ Manny Pacquiao, are a handful of FIlipinos with their recent victories and accolades earned in their respective fields.


Champion for kids, too 


Boxer-congressman Manny Pacquiao will go head-to-head with fellow sports superstars in one of the most popular entertainment events in the US, the 2011 Teen Choice Awards, which will be held on Aug. 7.


The champion pugilist is nominated in the "Choice Athlete: Male" category alongside National Basketball Association’s (NBA) Most Valuable Player Dirk Nowitzki, mixed martial artist Jon Jones, baseball player Albert Pujols and snowboarder-skateboarder-surfer Shaun White.


Taking over Europe


In another part of the world, another Filipino act is making waves for their singing prowess: Ateneo De Manila College Glee Club (ACGC).



As reported by ABS-CBN News, the renowned 34-member group, composed of 17 boys and 17 girls, has dominated various chorale competitions in Europe, having been awarded the grand prize at the 33rd Varna International May Choir Competition in Bulgaria, as well as the first prize in its Mixed Choir category, and the Best Interpretation of a Bulgarian piece.


In Switzerland this year, the 90-year-old music ensemble bagged first prize at the 47th Montreux Choral Festival. They also took home People’s Choice, Program’s Choice, Compulsory Work’s Prize, and Interpretation Prize.


ACGC has reaped recognition at the Harmonie Festival 2011 in Germany as well, namely first prize in Folk Song rendition and third prize in Mixed Choir category.


Their triumphs didn’t stop there as they placed second at the 11th Mednarodno Zborovsko Tekmovanje Maribor (or the International Choral Competition Maribor) in Slovenia.


To top it all, the same report added that the ACGC qualified for the European Grand Prix in 2012.


In an interview on “Umagang Kay Ganda” on July 6, ACGC choir director Ma. Lourdes Hermo noted, “We do our period music very well. We also rehearse our folk songs and this time, we did it with good choreography.”


For the Filipino filmmakers


In literature, a trilingual coffee table book that pays tribute to some of the finest filmmakers of the country was launched last July 5 by Instituto Cervantes De Manila.


The book titled "44 Cineastas Filipinos, Filipino Filmmakers, Mga Sineastang Pilipino" is a compilation of portraits by Oscar Orengo, a Spanish photographer, who shot the directors in their location of choice in Manila.


The photos were first exhibited in 2009 during the Pelicula film festival.


Among the featured filmmakers in "44" are veterans like Eddie Romero, Jose Javier Reyes, and Celso Ad Castillo, as well as the new breed of internationally-acclaimed directors such as Brillante Mendoza, Raya Martin, Ellen Ramos, Byron Bryant and Paolo Villaluna.


Distinguished alumna


Meanwhile, Luchi Cruz-Valdes, one of the most respected and multi-awarded journalists in the country, has just added another feather in her cap.




The head of TV5’s News and Information Division is the recipient of the University of the Philippines Alumni Association’s Distinguished Alumni Award for Broadcast Journalism for this year, reported Interaksyon.com.


Cruz-Valdes was an “iskolar ng bayan” back in the '80s, having earned both her Bachelor's and Master’s degrees in Broadcast Communication in the university.


In her decades-spanning career, Cruz-Valdes has merited multiple honors from prestigious award-giving bodies, including a silver medal for Outstanding Social and Current Affairs documentary at the New York Festivals.


In 2001, she was also the bestowed the Broadcaster of the Year award by the Kapisanan ng mga Brodkater sa Pilipinas (KBP).

...the Order of Cedar awardee

PHL ambassador receives medal from Lebanese govt


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




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

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

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

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

Asuque's legacy

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

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

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

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

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

Blessings for OFWs

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

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

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

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

...the Nick Star

Pinay is lead actress in new Nickelodeon series

07/06/2011

Filipino-American actress Ashley Argota plays Lulu in Nickelodeon's "True Jackson VP."


CALIFORNIA, USA - For the past 2 years, Ashley Argota has best been known as Lulu, the loud and clueless assistant of the title character in "True Jackson VP" on Nickelodeon. But for the18-year-old Filipina-American actress, it almost never happened.

Argota has been trying in vain to break into show business since age 5. She was ready to call it quits 3 years ago."I was going to give up because there's so much rejection and negativity in show business. We were getting so tired, and it was supposed to be my last audition ever, but I ended up going just because and I ended up getting it," Argota recounted.

This summer she takes on a new lead role in the new Nickelodeon series "Bucket and Skinner's Epic Adventures". As the lead actress, she plays the main character's love interest.

"It's pretty interesting every episode. He tries to do something completely crazy and win me over. He dresses up like an 8-foot taco or he'll stage a robbery at the surf shop to act like the hero so I think he's super cool.

So it's been a lot of fun," Argota added.

The young actress is wrapping up "Bucket and Skinner", and the first episode will premier on Nickelodeon next month.

In the meantime, she plans to get back to recording music while attending New York University to follow in her mother's footsteps as a nurse.

...the PH English-teaching U

UP, Ateneo in world's top 50 English-teaching universities

07/06/2011

MANILA, Philippines - The University of the Philippines (UP) and the Ateneo de Manila University (ADMU) are among the top 50 English-teaching universities in the world, education and career network QS reported.

State-run UP in Diliman, Quezon City is the country's top English-teaching university this year, ranking 34th in the world, followed closely by private school ADMU at 35th place.


No. 34 University of the Philippines - Diliman


No. 35 Ateneo de Manila University

De La Salle University (DLSU) was in the 50-100 bracket while University of Santo Tomas (UST) belonged to the 101-150 bracket.


No.50-100 Bracket De La Salle University - Manila

No. 101-150 Bracket University of Sto. Tomas

QS did not provide specific ranks for universities that did not make it to the top 50.

Schools from the United States dominated the top 10 list of English-teaching universities: Harvard University (1st), University of California, Berkeley (4th), Yale University (5th), Columbia University (6th), Stanford University (8th), University of California, Los Angeles (9th) and University of Chicago (10th).

University of Oxford and University of Cambridge, which are both in the United Kingdom, ranked 2nd and 3rd, respectively.

University of Toronto in Canada, meanwhile, landed in 7th place.

QS announced the top 200 universities in Asia last May, and 4 Philippine schools made it to the list. UP ranked 62nd, followed by ADMU (65th), UST (104th) and DLSU (107th).

Kabataan party-list Rep. Raymond Palatino earlier lamented that except for UP, all of the country's state colleges and universities (SUCs) are still neglected by the government.

He noted that the Philippines is "dominated by private schools." There are only 112 SUCs in the country with a population of 90 million, he add

...the tracksters

2 Filipino tracksters bag HK competition golds


Philippine Daily Inquirer


Decathlete Manuel Lasangue Jr. and pole vaulter Riezel Buenaventura ruled their respective events in the 2011 Hong Kong Inter-City Athletic Championships held recently at the Tseung Kwan O Sports Ground.

Lasangue, 22, compiled a 10-event total of 6,121 points to prevail over Hong Kong’s Ng Chit-wing (5,467) and Liu Tin-wai (5,392) in the meet.


The 25-year-old Buenaventura cleared 3.75 meters to seize the gold over China’s Li Xiaomin (3.50) and Chen Ying-ting (3.10) in women’s pole vault.

Lasangue, who hails from Iloilo City, and FEU’s Buenaventura are part of the Philippine Amateur Track and Field Association’s developmental pool.

Tuesday, July 5, 2011

...the Judges Spirit awardee

OFW choir group wins Judges Spirit Award in California

By Ed Yra
FilAm Star
 
From the Facebook group of Prime Note Ensemble
 
“The Prime Note Ensemble captured not only the audience but also the judge’s hearts, that is why they were awarded the Judges Award for Exemplifying the CICF Spirit,” said Pat Harris, the executive director of the California International Choral Festival and Competition (CICF).

It was noted by those who attended the choral competition, which was held from June 24 to June 26 at the Cal Poly Performing Arts Center in San Luis Obispo, that many audience members were captivated by the overseas Filipino ensemble’s arrangement and moving rendition of the song, “The Circle of Life” from the movie The Lion King.

Operated by the San Luis Obispo Vocal Arts Ensemble, a local nonprofit organization, the CICF competition is a world class event that began in 2007, and includes many choral groups from as far as Indonesia, Uganda, Republic of Congo, parts of Europe and the Philippines.

The gathering, which is held every other year, has been dubbed by Harris as a type of “choral Olympics,” and this year’s installment included a free concert by all choir competitors as part of the festivities at the Farmers Market along Garden Street in downtown San Luis Obispo.

Harris told FilAm Star that this year was unlike any of the previous competitions, where participants traditionally would stand around and sing in robes while swaying.

“The three-day event included livelier and intense performances in different categories that included Folk Song Competition, Required Pieces Competition and Choir’s Choice Competition,” said Harris.

She added: “Since this is an international choral competition, we were faced with many challenges about terrorist issues, visa issues and issues about participants coming over and not going back to their country.”

Harris noted that two choral group competitors, Lembaga Karsa Cipta Indonesia and Bangelus Choir, were not able to compete because of visa problems.

“We were thankful for the Filipino group, the Prime Note Ensemble to be able to participate on our short two week’s notice to them because of two cancellations,” Harris said. “They did not hesitate to join our competition.”

The Prime Note Ensemble, an all-male choir group composed of Overseas Foreign Workers (OFW) from the Philippines who were originally based in Saudi Arabia, recently participated in another choral group competition in Reno, Nevada.

Dubbed as the only Filipino a cappella choir group from Saudi Arabia that has won awards in international competition, the story of the Prime Note Ensemble is one of taking significant risk by forming a singing group in a strict Islamic country like Saudi Arabia, which prohibits congregation or gathering of any form.

Despite their risky situations in the Middle East kingdom, the group managed to overcome arrest or punishment by doing their rehearsals discreetly at their rented soundproofed apartment near a mosque.

Founded by Medard Obida in 2001, the group with no musical experience but an unrelenting passion to sing managed to rehearse and perform under the guidance of Novern Cabios, who as a professional and experienced choirmaster and music arranger was able to capture the talent of each member of the group.

Competing in events held in places like China in 2006 and in Austria in 2008, the Prime Note Ensemble won bronze and silver medals in the music chamber choir category.

Because of their number (22) as a choral group, Prime Note Ensemble were unable to compete in the same category versus choirs, such as the University of Redlands Chapel Singers, which won the second place award, or the Riverside City College Chamber Singers, which won  the first place competition award.

“But because they inspire us with their music, talent and performance, and they embody the spirit of what the CICF competition award stands for, we award them the Judges award to them  because they made an impact in this 2011 competition,”  Harris said.

The competition and the festival according to Harris is an opportunity for “international bridge building.”

...the dance director

Filipina NY Knicks director takes 'family first' approach with dancers

By Anna Valmero


MAKATI CITY, METRO MANILA— For Michelle Harris,  the “family first” values she learned from her Filipino family is part of her work ethic as director for entertainment marketing of the NBA's New York Knicks.

Michelle Harris, entertainment marketing director of the New York Knicks, visited the country last weekend along with with the NY Knicks dancers as special guests of the NBA Philippines 3-on-3 tournament.

 “Coming from a big Filipino family, I apply the value of family first daily,”  Harris said via email.

Harris, whose family hails from Balayan, Batangas, visited the country last weekend together with the NY Knicks dancers as special guests of the NBA Philippines 3-on-3 tournament.

Every NBA season, Harris works with over 70 performers who passed auditions. In 2005, she was appointed to oversee day-to-day operations for all dance and performance teams of the Knicks. She was promoted to director for Knicks Entertainment in 2007.

“It is important for everyone to play their part on the team and to achieve one goal -  entertain Knicks fans.

By taking a “family” approach, we support our entertainers’ needs and they support each other to stay motivated and have fun throughout the long season.”

“That way, we are able to put on the best show every single night,” said Harris, who also manages the team's dancers.

Harris also tries to impart the value of hard work to her performers and how to adapt to stressful situations.

““Nothing comes easy.” For me, hard work means more than raw talent,” said Harris, who persistently tried several times to get into the New York University's Stern School of Business and auditioned thrice to become a Knicks City Dancer.

“I'’m extremely proud to have worked my way up the ladder to a dream job, which I am extremely passionate about. Mostly, I feel fortunate to be able to help instill that drive, work ethic and appreciation in young performers everyday.”

Before getting promoted as manager, Harris was a Knicks City Dancer herself from 2000 to 2005 and was team captain for three seasons.

One of the most memorable moments in her job was when the Knicks City Dancers performed to “Mare” by The Black Eyed Pea’s “Mare” during a recent Asian Heritage Night.

She lauded the dancers' performance, which became even more meaningful personally since one of the singers of the music group is another Filipino, apl.de.ap from Pampanga.

Harris said they also like to feature local Filipino talent in New York by selecting them firsthand to lead the national anthem or perform ballroom dancing during the halftime break.

“My proudest moments are when Knicks fans give them a standing ovation, not only because they’'re Filipino, but because they truly are talented!”

Her tip for aspiring Filipino dancers who want to join NBA?

“As a performer in the NBA, there is more to this job than your dance talent. You are representing the organization so you have to be able to shine in any audition as the “complete package,” she said.

Emphasizing one's educational background, interesting life experiences and a positive, healthy lifestyle during the interview portion is key, she added. Once selected, she said dancers can travel all over the world to perform and give back to the community through partner foundations and organizations.

“So dancers must be well-spoken, polished ambassadors for the company,” Harris said.
(Photo courtesy of MSG Photos)

...the gymnast hopeful

Calif. teen is PH gymnastics bet in SEA Games

07/05/2011

 
CALIFORNIA – Maria Victoria Recinto stretched and warmed up in a dark corner of the Marriot Wardman Hotel ballroom, contorting her seemingly frail frame until it looks as though she may break her bones.

This is the amount of discipline and devotion that Recinto puts into her chosen sport.

Recinto, 17, will represent the Philippines in the Southeast Asian Games in Jakarta, Indonesia this November. She was born in Quezon City but grew up in Palo Alto, California.

Recinto specializes in rhythmic gymnastics, perhaps one of the most exciting and exacting branches of the sport. It calls for individuals or teams to manipulate on or two pieces of apparatus such as balls, hoops, ropes or ribbons, and combines elements of ballet, gymnastics, dance and apparatus manipulation.

She is currently under the tutelage of US National Team coach Nataliya Lisogor, the former Ukrainian national champion.

Recinto reportedly trains 25-30 hours per week, and increases her training to 40 hours per week near competitions.

“I’m always at the gym practicing,” Recinto said.

The reigning Philippine national and California State champion, Recinto reportedly competed for the first time at age 4 in Singapore. When her father was reassigned to California in 2002, Recinto, then 8 years old, shifted from artistic to rhythmic gymnastics.

Despite the rigors of keeping competitive on the mat, Recinto has managed to maintain her grades at the Gunn High School in Palo Alto, where she is an incoming senior. She dreams of eventually joining the Ivy Leagues.

Filipino roots

The teen is proud of her Filipino roots. "It is who I am as a person. Both my parents are Filipino and I was raised the Filipino way," she said.

Together with a school chum, Erika Cagampan, Recinto has raised funds to buy school supplies for 300 Aeta school children in Zambales.

They are raising their goal this year, saying that they want to raise enough money for a feeding program.

Monday, July 4, 2011

...the plant billboard

Pollutant-absorbing billboard made of plants rises in Edsa

By Anna Valmero


MAKATI CITY, METRO MANILA—A 60-by 60-foot billboard along the northbound lane of Edsa is attracting curious commuters and motorists since it was unveiled last week.

The billboard is made of a species of Fukien tea plant that can absorb air pollutants.



“This billboard helps alleviate air pollution within its proximate areas as it can absorb a total of 46,800 pounds of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere,” said botanist Anthony Gao.

In a year, each plant can absorb up to 13 pounds of carbon dioxide, one of the major greenhouse gases mainly released by use of fossil fuels that contributes to global warming and climate change.

The structure symbolizes the partnership between World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) Philippines and Coca-Cola Philippines to encourage Filipinos to make a positive difference for the environment.

The billboard also denotes the commitment of the partners to conserve critical watersheds and help Filipinos practice energy-saving habits beyond “Earth Hour.”

Lory Tan, president and chief executive of WWF Philippines, added that the billboard is made up of 100 percent recycled materials.

The 3,600 pots are old bottles of Coca-Cola products filled with potting mixture of industrial by-products and organic fertilizers to make it both stable and light-weight, said Tan.

The bottles are designed to hold the plants securely and to allow the plants to grow sideways. Additional holes were made for proper drainage and for holding the drip irrigation lines in place.

A drip or trickle irrigation saves water and fertilizer by allowing water to drip slowly to the roots of plants, through a network of valves, pipes, tubing and emitters. The system is operated on a schedule to distribute water with nutrients to the plants, Tan said.

...the short film entry


Bulakeño filmmaker makes it to Sanfo contest

By Dino Balabo
The Philippine Star
July 04, 2011



MANILA, Philippines - Four short films produced and directed by a young Bulakeño filmmaker made it to the finals of the 2011 Possible Futures Film Contest based in San Francisco, California.

Running at an average time of five minutes, Herwin Cabasal’s four films titled Stewards, Tactics, Starfish and Pledge can now be viewed and voted on at http://possiblefuturesfilmcontest.org/.

The other film that made it to the finals of the same contest was produced and directed by a certain  Ruel Lago.

In an interview, 24-year-old Cabasal said that all his film entries promote positive change in the world by envisioning the future.

He said that the contest is an ideal venue to share his vision for the future which he described as a “vision that I dream of and hope for.”

A Mass Communication graduate of the Centro Escolar University and currently working as a segment producer at the ABS-CBN Broadcasting Corporation, Cabasal finds inspiration for his film in people who devote their time and talents for the benefits of others.

“Those passionate people teach me that one’s life must be a kind of service towards others,” he said.
A young optimist, Cabasal added, “as I make my films, I realize that everyone has the capacity to make a difference no matter who they are and no matter how little or big they can offer.”

He stressed, ”It is not about the quantity of what you can give but the sincerity of your passion to inspire others. In a world where all kinds of catastrophes happen including manmade, we cannot lose hope as long as we see and hear stories about men and women who become heroes by shaping a positive future.”

Cabasal also serves as one of the convenors of the Hagonoy Young Leaders Program (Hyleap), a non-profit organization that promotes servant leadership among Filipino youth.

He also doubles as head of Hyleap’s Mass Media Production Unit.

...the growth projection

BSP says 7% to 8% growth in 2011 possible

07/04/2011

MANILA, Philippines - The Philippines can grow 7% to 8% this year, backed by higher consumer and state spending in the second half, and the economy's strength and improving fiscal position, a senior central bank official said.

The government has set a goal of 7% to 8% growth this year after a 7.6% expansion last year, although its budget projections assume slower growth.

"Seven to 8% is possible, but the challenge is for the government and the private sector to leverage on market confidence, as shown by the credit rating upgrades and the opportunities available in the Philippines," Diwa Guinigundo, deputy governor of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP), told reporters over the weekend.

"Given the upgrades that we received, as well as the upgrades in terms of the outlook, it looks like we are in the right direction," Guinigundo said.

Last month, Fitch Rating upgraded its foreign currency sovereign rating to one notch below investment grade, putting the Philippines on par with Indonesia. That came a week after Moody's Investor Services raised its rating on the Southeast Asian country to BB, or two rungs below investment grade, the same as Standard & Poor's.

Guinigundo said the central bank has done its own study on the country's credit ratings last year which showed the Philippines were two to three notches underrated.

The government has said it expects to accelerate spending on infrastructure and social services in the second half, which, Guinigundo said, was important for more investment to come in, particularly in public-private partnership deals on major road, airport, and rail projects.

He said sustained strength in remittances from overseas Filipinos, rising revenues in the business process outsourcing sector, and continued inflow of portfolio funds created a pool of funds that needed to be channeled to productive uses.

"There is still a gap between the flow of capital to the Philippines and the rate that we are able to turn around and make use of the domestic liquidity that they create," he said.

That meant the central bank had to manage the impact on the exchange rate to maintain business confidence on the country's competitiveness.

"In effect, that will manifest in the exchange rate so the exchange rate will appreciate and unless the BSP participates in the market and tries to moderate and smoothen the volatility, then people will think that we may be losing competitiveness," Guinigundo said.

...the contempo Philippine art in HK

Philippine contemporary art’s growth spurt at Hong Kong International art fair

By: Sunshine Lichauco de Leon
Philippine Daily Inquirer
 


When an international art collector from Turkey visits Hong Kong in order to attend Asia’s leading contemporary art fair and finds that the two Filipino paintings he wanted to purchase are already sold, a few things are clear: The lines of the art world are starting to form a circle, and Filipino art has started to take its place in this new shape.

ART HK 11, a four-year-old art fair recently purchased by Swiss MCH Group, the owners of Art Basel and Art Basel Miami, plays a crucial role in allowing such transnational art exchanges to take place.

Clearly the demand for such opportunities to converse is only growing. A record 63,000 art lovers, collectors, gallery directors, artists, critics and curators—from Asia, Europe and the USA—came to view works brought to Hong Kong from 260 galleries and 38 countries. This represents a 37-percent increase from last year’s fair and almost equals the number of visitors to 2010’s Art Basel.

Having firmly established its place on the global art circuit, the five-day Hong Kong International Art Fair offered unparalleled diversity and an incredible opportunity to network. Not only did it provide access to a wide array of Asian art, it also brought together the world’s most prestigious galleries and emerging artists.

And for the 18 Filipino artists showcased at ART HK 11 by galleries from Milan, Korea, Hong Kong and Manila, this bridging together of East and West provided the Filipino art world with a chance to connect tothe international art world more broadly than ever.

 

ART HK 11 was held on two floors of the enormous Hong Kong Convention and Visitors Center and was organized into three sections. Visitors to the Galleries section found “name brands” of the art world. Art Futures consisted of 45 of the world’s best new galleries showcasing the work of emerging artists under the age of 35. A new section, Asia One, was dedicated to solo presentations by Asian galleries ranging from Turkey and the Middle East to Australia and Southeast Asia.

‘Art must be beautiful’

For those who wanted to reflect upon art as well as look at it, there were many events organized which provoked discussion and analysis. Intelligence2Asia, a group that organizes debates, brought together a panel of respected artists and critics to debate the idea “Art must be beautiful.” The Asian Cultural Council’s booth featured a lightbox-turned-game installation, by artist Amy Cheung, which asked “Can You Put a Price Tag on Value?”



Manila-based gallery Drawing Room featured a selection of sculpture, paintings and installation by Alfredo Aquilizan, Diokno Pasilan, Mark Salvatus, Roderico José Daroy, Kawayan de Guia, Riel Hilario and Troy Ignacio.

Owner Cesar Villalon Jr. explained why he feels galleries should regularly participate in art fairs: ” It’s the exposure—thousands of people from different countries will see Philippine contemporary art in this small space of a booth so people get to know us much faster. ” Rachel Rillo of Manila’s Silverlens Gallery added: “Also we should know where we stand next to everyone else. This kind of place is a cross-section of that.”

Over a dozen Filipino collectors also attended ART HK 11, taking advantage of the opportunity to be further exposed to what is happening in the international and regional art scenes. “There is a big world of artists just an hour away from us and to be able to see so many big galleries and new artists in a matter of days is wonderful,” Rillo said. “This is Disneyland for art lovers.”

Silverlens featured the work of Patricia Eustaquio, Mariano Ching, Elaine Navas, Nona Garcia, Luis Lorenzana and Frankie Callaghan. By the end of the fair, 75 percent of all the works had been bought.

Some international galleries which have traditionally carried the work of Chinese or Korean artists are now looking at the burgeoning Southeast Asian market as a source of new talent, and Philippine art has caught their attention.

Local but global



Italian art gallery Primo Marella has galleries in Milan and Beijing and devoted their space solely to Ronald Ventura’s paintings, sculptures and installations. Gallery curator Elena Micheletti credits the international success of Ventura to his ability to have strong local roots but speak globally.

“Much of his work starts from a religious departure but somehow he can speak to those who are not Christian as he achieves a language that is totally universal and touches what is at the base of humankind,” she said.

Gallery owner Primo Marella believes the international success of artists such as Ventura will help further open the door for other Filipino artists.

He explained why he is now committed to promoting Filipino and Indonesian art: “After many years, Asian art is coming gradually to the center of the art world and it’s about the time of art from the Philippines. They are quite fresh but have good academic basis—in my opinion some of the best painters in the world.”

Korea’s Arario gallery has galleries in Seoul and Beijing, and has been working for years to educate the Korean collector about Filipino artists, such as Leslie de Chavez and Geraldine Javier.




Curator Junghwa Ryu said, “Philippine art is more figurative and painterly, which is new for us.”
Ryu explained why they chose to include Javier at their ART HK 11 booth: “This artist in particular is interested in human fear and obsession and expresses powerful and strong violent emotion in her work.

Korean art is more conservative, so we like it.”

Hong Kong’s Osage Gallery has been trying to strengthen the understanding of Filipino art in Hong Kong, and decided to show the work of Alvin Zafra, Poklong Anading and Louie Cordero at its booth.

Ethnic and cultural references

Gallery director David Chan points out that, compared to art from countries such as Indonesia or Thailand, Filipino art tends to be less constrained by ethnic or cultural references.

“Filipino artists not so bound in one place so how they perceive art is much more global,” he said. “You don’t see many cultural icons.”

Rillo said, “It used to be that people asked what made the art we have distinctly Filipino and it was hard to answer. Nowadays it’s not a disadvantage because it’s about the artist, not so much where he is from.”

Chan has noticed an important change in the mind-set of collectors, one of which perhaps is fueling the worldwide interest in international art fairs.

“People used to just buy art from their own countries but now the more mature collectors collect whatever they like,” he said. “There are more choices out there. It’s a good change because art has no boundaries and is happening everywhere.”

For many gallery owners such as Magnus Edensvard, of London-based Ibid Projects, ART HK 11 was their first Asian art fair and first taste of what Asia has to offer the art world.

Impressed with the possibilities, Edensvard said: “The way people engaged with the artist’s work not just on a commercial level but on intellectual level-—they really got it. And the fact that we met so many curators is very positive. When you go back, you don’t want to just report sales to an artist but critics, press and curators interest in their work. The fact that we can deliver on all levels to artists is very rewarding.”

It was also dedicated Asian art collector Patrick Reyno’s first time at ART HK 11. Although impressed by the amount of European and American galleries who joined, he was especially excited to see the interest in Philippine art growing, and to see the country well-represented at the fair.

“By the mere presence at the fair they are helping increase awareness of Philippine art and expanding the market globally so the whole Filipino art community benefits from a gallery’s efforts,” said Reyno.

Sunday, July 3, 2011

...the long-awaited investment grade

PHL deserves investment grade for sovereign credit rating – BSP exec


A Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) official has expressed confidence that the Philippines deserves an investment grade for its sovereign credit rating, saying that international agencies have underrated the country’s sovereign ratings.

In an interview with reporters, BSP deputy governor Diwa Gunigundo explained the findings of a BSP-commissioned study showing that the Philippines was “two to three notches underrated."

Three major international ratings firms – Moody’s Investors’ Service, Standard and Poor’s, and Fitch Ratings – have given below-investment grade credit ratings to the Philippines.




In the first year of the Aquino administration, the Philippines also got a series of credit-rating and credit-outlook upgrades from the three agencies.

“I think we deserve a second look," Gunigundo said, “but we are not preempting what credit rating agencies should be doing because they have their own timing and they have their own basis for appreciating all of the numbers that we give. The credit rating agencies will have different appreciation of those studies that we did."

Gunigundo, however, said that given the upgrades the Philippines got in terms of credit ratings and outlook, the Philippines is moving toward the right direction.

“If the fiscal position will continue to improve and the macroeconomy, particularly the external payments position, remains strong I think we can expect a further upgrade," Guinigundo said. - PE/KBK, GMA News