Saturday, October 27, 2012

...the President's perspective

‘Feels great to be Filipino’


Aquino home after rousing state visits to Australia, New Zealand

TJ Burgonio

“Indeed it feels great to be a Filipino these days,” President Benigno Aquino III said Friday night, fresh from his “very successful” state visits to Australia and New Zealand.



On top of boosting bilateral ties with the two countries, including agreements on air services and geothermal energy, the President said he was bringing home “good memories” of his engagement with the thousands of Filipinos working in Australia and New Zealand.



Aquino happily recounted his encounter with two Filipinos who packed their bags to work in New Zealand, one during the oppressive martial law regime in the 1970s, and the other during the nine-year watch of the previous Arroyo administration.

“With a lot of pride I told them that the Philippines has a very different face. Anytime they want to come home, they’ll notice it. We’re reaping the changes of a new Philippines,” he said in his arrival speech at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport.

The President recalled telling them the reforms he had initiated, such as the ban on the use of wangwang (sirens) by government vehicles, and a fair justice system for the rich or poor.

Cites Corona as example

He cited as an example when he met the Filipino community in Campbelltown in the outskirts of Sydney, former Chief Justice Renato Corona’s fall from power as the leader of the judiciary in May, about two years after Corona became Chief Justice of the Philippines through a midnight appointment by former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.

“You can make progress while following the rules. You need not look for patrons to uplift your life. In the new Philippines, we’ll realize our dreams. If they choose to stay there in New Zealand or Australia, or anywhere else in world, with heads up high, our countrymen can proudly say, ‘Yes, I’m a Filipino and my country is reaping changes,’” he said.

Corona may join Arroyo

Corona may soon join former President Arroyo in jail, a confident President Aquino predicted on Friday as he wrapped up his three-day state visit to Australia.

Speaking to the gathered Filipinos, Aquino claimed that on his watch, justice was being dispensed equally for “those in power [and] those with no connections.”

The President explained to them that only about 2 percent of Corona’s real wealth had been declared. The rest remains hidden, he said.

“Now a case for tax evasion has been filed against him. If proven guilty, he might join the President that I replaced in prison,” Aquino said, drawing applause from the Filipinos.

The Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) has filed charges against Corona at the Department of Justice (DOJ) for allegedly evading P120.5 million in taxes.

Corona was impeached in December last year for culpable violation of the Constitution and betrayal of public trust for misdeclaring his wealth.

He was tried in the Senate, found guilty and fired from the judiciary on May 29.

Corona’s daughter Carla and her husband Constantino have also been charged for allegedly evading P30 million in taxes.

The Coronas submitted counteraffidavits to the DOJ last week, denying the charges the BIR had brought against them.

Impeachment series?

Meeting reporters on Thursday over coffee here, the President appeared to be back in good health after a day or two with a bum stomach and cold.

Asked about Corona’s claim that he was the favorite whipping boy of the administration these days, the President said: “A series of impeachment? Can he be impeached when he is no longer in office?”

Aquino said he would rather not comment because Corona had a different appreciation of the law, citing the misdeclaration of his wealth and accepting a presidential appointment during an election ban.

“Corona is just one of the justices. He is not the only magistrate on the court,” Aquino said.

He said he could not bar BIR Commissioner Kim Henares from suing Corona, or stop any proceedings, because this would be tantamount to stopping the “BIR commissioner from doing a lawful function.”

“If I stop her, that [will be an] impeachable [offense] on my part,” Aquino said.

Next chapter

Then he segued into one of his favorite topics, the filing of electoral sabotage and plunder charges against Arroyo, welcomed with roaring approval by the audience that represented just a fraction of the estimated 224,000 Australians of Filipino descent.

Aquino said he was optimistic these cases would come to a logical conclusion.

“Wait for the next chapter,” Aquino said in Filipino, drawing cheers and applause from the audience.

Arraignment

Arroyo will be arraigned on plunder charges in the Sandiganbayan on Monday regardless of her health condition.

The graft court has ordered her appearance, with escorts if necessary.

She is suffering from a rare spine ailment and is held in arrest at Veterans Memorial Medical Center (VMMC) in Quezon City.

“We were ordered by the Sandiganbayan, and we will comply,” Dr. Nona Legaspi, VMMC director, said Friday.

Simple goal

In Campbelltown, President Aquino contrasted the corruption in the government and the hopelessness of Filipinos that characterized the Arroyo presidency with the progress his administration had achieved in reducing corruption and dealing with classroom backlogs, rice insufficiency, inadequate infrastructure and sluggishness of the economy.

To achieve these, Aquino said, the Philippines did not need a miracle, only honesty in the government.

He vowed to continue the change he had started, with an emphasis on his “simple goal”: To step down on June 30, 2016, “with honor,” because the country is already on the road to an all-inclusive growth, progress and stability.

‘Wheelchair’ joke

The President refused to apologize for his “wheelchair joke” last Monday aimed at Arroyo.

Meeting the Filipino community in New Zealand on Monday, Aquino quoted a text joke that took a swipe at the rich and powerful who tried to leave the country in wheelchairs, an excuse to evade prosecution.

Fanned by Arroyo’s allies in the House of Representatives, the joke reportedly offended people with disabilities, who demanded an apology from Aquino.

But the President appeared unwilling to take back his statement, saying that people with disabilities should rile against former officials who feigned disability to avoid prosecution.

Explaining the “context of the joke,” Aquino said he was trying to point out the irony posed by those who drove fancy cars but chose to use wheelchairs when being chased by law enforcement authorities.

Arroyo tried to leave the Philippines in November last year, going to the airport in a wheelchair. Immigration officers stopped her from boarding a flight to Hong Kong. Days later, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) filed electoral sabotage charges against her in a Pasay court, and she was ordered arrested.

Final engagements

On Thursday, Aquino had a roundtable discussion with Australian CEOs, keynoted a business forum of the Asia Society Australia and the Australia-Philippines Business Council, and met with Filipino journalists later in the night.

On Friday morning, he unveiled the statue of Dr. Jose Rizal in Campbelltown City, met the Filipino community and watched a counterterrorism demonstration of the Australian 2nd Commando Regiment in Sydney.

Aquino and his entourage were scheduled to return to Manila last night. With a report from Julie M. Aurelio

...the Canada's fastest growing foreign language

Tagalog now the fastest-growing language in Canada


 
October 25, 2012
GMA News
 

 
Tagalog is the fastest growing foreign language in Canada, jumping by 64 percent from 2006 to 2011, a recent survey showed.

According to a report of the news site canada.com, "robust immigration" would probably explain the whopping increase in the number of Tagalog-speaking residents in Canada.

The country is home to some 667,674 Filipinos, based on the 2010 Stock Estimate of the Commission on Filipinos Overseas.

Canada.com said some 279,000 people claimed to be Tagalog speakers in 2011, compared to 170,000 five years earlier.

"It was the most-spoken foreign language in Edmonton; the second-most-spoken foreign language in Calgary; and the sixth-most-common in Vancouver and Toronto," the report said.

The report added that Canada admitted more permanent residents from the Philippines last year — 34,991 — than from any other country.

In 2002, new permanent residents in Canada numbered only 11,011.

Some 279,000 people reported using Tagalog in 2011, compared to 170,000 five years earlier.

Canada.com said the rise in the number of permanent residents in the Philippines can be attributed to the "Live-In Caregiver Program" that provides nannies to Canadian families.
"As well, incoming nurses and service-sector workers send money home to their families (remittances from overseas Filipinos account for roughly one-tenth of the GDP of The Philippines)," the report said.

Canada's linguistic landscape
Even though Tagalog is the fastest growing foreign language in Canada, Mandarin "is expected to make a bigger splash. How big of a splash, though, isn’t known precisely," the report said.

Mandarin users grew by 51 percent since the last census, it noted.
The 2011 census of Statistics Canada noted that the respondents who claimed Chinese as their mother tongue included:
  • 255,000 Mandarin speakers;
  • 389,000 Cantonese speakers, and
  • 441,000 people who simply wrote “Chinese” as their mother tongue.

"Statistics Canada couldn’t say exactly how many of these were Cantonese speakers, Mandarin speakers, or used one of the other eight languages spoken in China today," the report said. - VVP, GMA News

...the "Random Girl"

'Random girl' from PH performs on 'Ellen'

10/27/2012
 
 
MANILA, Philippines -- Like Kapamilya singing sensation Charice, a "random girl" whose karaoke singing at a mall was put on YouTube recently made her international debut on American talk show "Ellen."
 
 
 
Filipina singer Zendee Rose Tenerefe appeared overjoyed as she took a seat next to American TV personality Ellen Degeneres.

In a video of her interview posted on the show's YouTube page Friday night, Tenerefe is seen making an entrance to the beat of pop hit "Gangnam Style."




Watch in youtube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9U_0TrWJEZY


The 21-year-old rose to fame when a video of her singing the "Dreamgirls" hit "And I Am Telling You I'm Not Going" was posted on the video-sharing site early this year.

As of posting, the video, supposedly recorded at SM Megamall in Ortigas, now has over 2.2 million views.

Referring to the now-famous public karaoke performance, Tenerefe told Degeneres: "Actually I'm always singing there to get attention from everyone, and it was free."

"I love the story," Degeneres said, pertaining to a local recording contract Tenerefe recently scored. "You were having some hard times, your family, you were living in a fire station for a while."

According to Tenerefe, her family, for a time, lived in a fire station. But since it was still operational, they were only allowed to stay there during night time to sleep.

Now a local star in her own right, Tenerefe said she promised her parents "to buy a big house for them, and my aunts who took care of me when I was young, and send my cousins to school."

Tenerefe isn't the first Filipino to set foot inside the "Ellen" studio. Charice, who recently appeared as a mentor-judge on "X-Factor Philippines," had her guesting on the show as her claim to international fame.

Kapamilya talent Rhap Salazar was also invited to the show three years ago to share his singing talent.

Friday, October 26, 2012

...the PH Microfinance ranking

Philippines 4th In Microfinance Ranking

 
 
EIU Report
By CHINO S. LEYCO
October 26, 2012

 
Manila Bulletin  The Philippines has ranked fourth in an annual global survey on microfinance business environment, based on the Economist Intelligence Unit's (EIU) report, citing the country's stable market.

According to the report, the country scored 63.3 points, up by 4.8 points, or two notches higher compared with last year's Global Microscope on the Microfinance Business Environment report.

The Philippines ranked fourth out of 55 countries in an annual global survey, trailing behind Peru (79.8 points), Bolivia (71.8 points), and Pakistan (67.4 points).

The Microscope 2012 survey was conducted in the 12 months ending in June.

EIU explained the rankings were based on regulatory framework and practices, in which the Philippines was placed on top along with Peru; and the supporting institutional framework, wherein the country ranked 15 along with Brazil, Nicaragua, and Uruguay.

The survey also noted the "stability" of microfinance markets, if they are vulnerable to any political shocks.

“The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas continues to promote an enabling environment for microfinance, seeing it as one of its key poverty reduction efforts,” the report read.

The survey has also recognized key efforts of the BSP such as increasing the ceiling for microfinance loans to P300,000 from P150,000 and the lower house's approved measure allowing foreign ownership of up to 40 percent in rural banks.

The proposed measure, however, remains pending in the Senate.

In January, the BSP approved a microfinance loan called “microfinance plus” that microenterprises and small businesses can avail of to fund their expanding operations, allowing borrowers to take out a maximum of P300,000 to fund their growing business.

Microfinance, generally, has originally intended to mean financing for microenterprises or small livelihood activities but the BSP has since expanded the loan products to include microfinance housing, micro-agri loans, micro-insurance and micro-deposits.

For all loans, it starts with P150,000 up to a maximum of P300,000. Currently, there are 202 microfinance institutions operating in the Philippines.

...the Pinoys for CA assembly post

3 Pinoys running for California Assembly

10/26/2012
 
 
CALIFORNIA – US Census data show that there are about 1.3 million Filipinos living in the Golden state. But even after living in California for 400 years, Filipinos have never held any position in the state Senate or Assembly.
 
That could change this year.
 
Three Philippine-born Filipinos are vying for the California's highest positions.
 
Rob Bonta and Dr. Jennifer Ong of Alameda, and Chris Mateo of Lathrop are all running to become California's State Representatives.

Forty-one-year-old Bonta sits as the Vice Mayor of Alameda and the Deputy City Attorney for San Francisco.
 
He was born in Quezon City and moved to the US with his family when he was less than a year old.
 
Bonta's parents both worked with the United Farm Workers and were active in the civil rights movement.
 
Bonta describes himself as an advocate for public schools, public safety, job creation and equal rights for gays and lesbians.
 
“In California, we have 120 legislators, representing different districts with different interests. We need to work together to make things work for the state,” he said.

 

Forty-two-year-old Ong was also born in Quezon City and moved to California with her family at age 11.

Her mother sold hotdogs at the coliseum and her father worked at the grocery store.

Ong said her personal story shapes her policy interests. She wants every family in California to have good union jobs that provide health insurance. She wants to fight for public education.

An optometrist by trade, Ong campaigns against childhood obesity and Hepatitis B.

“To have the skills in state legislation --- why not run? It's the least I can do. I feel very obligated to California for all the opportunities for me and my family,” she said.

Meanwhile, 60-year-old Chris Mateo was born and raised in Baguio City to middle-class working parents.

He joined the US Navy in the 70s and was stationed in California.

For years, he worked for the San Joaquin County Public Works and currently serves as the Vice Mayor of Lathrop.

He said he wants to represent the poor, veterans, minorities, women and children by providing them access to education and career opportunities.

“I would like to instill in the next generation that Filipino Americans need representation and participation in government in order for our ethnicity to thrive,” he said.

For Bonta, Ong and Mateo, stepping up is not confined to running for public office. They all seek to make a difference in a state that has given so much for Filipinos.

...the Pinoy doc to UN post


Pinoy doctor elected to UN committee vs. torture




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

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



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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Wednesday, October 24, 2012

...the future key player in gaming

Pagcor chief sees Philippines as key player in int’l gaming in few years



By Doris C. Dumlao
Philippine Daily Inquirer



Belle Grande, one of four integrated resorts in Entertainment City, is taking shape along Roxas Boulevard. PHOTO BY RICK ALBERTO



MANILA, Philippines—The head of the of the state-owned Philippine Amusement Gaming Corp. (Pagcor) sees the country becoming a key player in international gaming, accounting for up to a tenth of the global gaming market in a few years.

In a statement that reported on the highlights of a recent regional forum, Pagcor chairman Cristino Naguiat Jr. said that “compared to Las Vegas, Macau and Singapore, the Philippine gaming industry has a long way to go in terms of revenue potential.”

“With the right blend of private sector investment, regulatory maturity and improvements in tourism infrastructure, we believe that a 10 percent slice of the world’s gaming pie in a few years’ time is an achievable target,” he said.

Naguiat said the country’s growing potential as the region’s next best bet for tourism and gaming was given prominence during an international forum attended by the Association of Southeast Asian Nations Finance Ministers and members of the international investing community.

“The breakout session on tourism and gaming during the 9th ASEAN Finance Ministers’ Investor Seminar (AFMIS) was well attended by fund managers, stock brokers, stock market analysts, and representatives of financial institutions. This indicates the high interest of international investors on tourism—specifically gaming—as one of the main engines for growth in the Philippines,” said Naguiat.

The Philippines recently hosted the AFMIS at the Island Shangri-La Hotel in Hong Kong where Naguiat was invited as one of the panelists during the breakout sessions. The forum was sponsored by HSBC, Standard Chartered Bank, UBS and Bloomberg.

The forum promoted the region as an investment haven. Among the highlighted Asian growth drivers are tourism and gaming, resources and energy, real estate, infrastructure, and consumer and retail.

Aside from Naguiat, the breakout session panel for tourism and gaming also included Lloyd Nathan, CEO of Asian Coast Development Ltd., which is developing the MGM Integrated Resort in Ho Tram, Vietnam; Aireen Omar, CEO of AirAsia Berhad; Dato Lee Choong Yan, president and COO Of Genting Malaysia Berhad; and Kingson Sian, president of Travellers International Hotel Group, which operates Resorts World Manila.

“That forum gave us a chance to present to the members of the investing community the growth areas in the Philippines. One of them is gaming, which is growing in acceptance as an important element of tourism. In fact, even our Department of Tourism has included it as a core product under leisure and entertainment,” Naguiat said.

The Pagcor chief said that in his presentation during the breakout session, he talked about the gaming landscape in the Philippines, its growth potential, the country’s rich tourist attractions and its strategic location to main markets.

“On the macro level, the Asia-Pacific is in exciting times for global travel. The Philippines is geographically gifted with respect to distances to the region’s most prolific travelers. And based on statistics, the country is being visited mainly for leisure and entertainment,” Naguiat said.

Travellers’ Sian supported Pagcor’s proposition, noting that based on his company’s experience in Resorts World Manila, “we are optimistic that we would do even better with the second property (in Entertainment City). This is the reason why we are already planning for the Resorts World Bayshore project.”

Four integrated resorts are being built by Pagcor together with four private proponents in the 100-hectare Entertainment City project. The resorts are expected to provide 5,000 hotel rooms that can accommodate up to a million tourists annually and also offer over a million square meters of shopping, gaming, hotel and entertainment.

“At full development, Entertainment City is expected to have the capacity to deliver up to US$10 billion annually in gaming revenues, as well as generate over 400,000 direct and indirect jobs. We are highly enthusiastic about this project and the impact that it will have on Philippine tourism,” Naguiat said.

Naguiat was asked during the forum if local players would be allowed to play in Entertainment City following the Singapore model. “We cannot prevent them from going there. We do not want to deprive them of the chance to see and experience the world-class entertainment that the integrated resorts will provide. However, we will make sure that regulation will be in place,” he said.

Only the Philippines and Vietnam have integrated resort projects in the pipeline among Southeast Asian nations, he added

...the Fighter of the Decade/Year

WBO honors Pacquiao, Donaire

 10/24/2012
 
MANILA, Philippines – The World Boxing Organization (WBO) honored Filipino fighters Manny "Pacman" Pacquiao and Nonito "The Filipino Flash" Donaire during the first day of the WBO convention in Florida.
 
 
 
 
According to a report from PhilBoxing, the WBO’s executive committee named Pacquiao the “Fighter of the Decade,” while giving Donaire the “Fighter of the Year” award.

Donaire currently holds the WBO's super bantamweight title, which he claimed after beating Wilfredo Vazquez Jr. via split decision last February. "The Filipino Flash" has also held the WBO bantamweight belt.

Meanwhile, Pacquiao won the WBO welterweight belt in November 2009 after beating Miguel Cotto via a 12th round technical knockout. He successfully defended the belt three times before losing it in controversial fashion against Timothy Bradley last June.

"Pacquiao has been given the rare distinction because of his dominance in eight different weight divisions in the last decade," according to the PhilBoxing report.

Other awardees were Yesica Bopp of Argentina for "Female Fighter of the Year" and Bob Arum and Todd Duboef of Top Rank for "Promoter of the Year."

Pacquiao has previously been given the Fighter of the Decade award by the Boxing Writers Association of America and the World Boxing Council. He has also received the Fighter of the Year award three times.

Meanwhile, Donaire is recognized as one of the front-runners for the 2012 Fighter of the Year after beating three highly ranked opponents this year.

...the potential aerospace hub

PHL a potential aerospace manufacturing hub — AIAP


GMA News
October 24, 2012
 
 
The Philippines has the potential to be a center for manufacturing for the trillion-dollar global aerospace and aviation industry, an official of the Aerospace Industries Association of the Philippines said Wednesday.

According to AIAP board of trustees member John Lee, the next two decades could see the country becoming a manufacturing hub of aerospace and aviation parts and components in the ASEAN region, generating jobs and providing "meaningful career developments" in the country.

"The nature of manufacturing involved in aerospace products will entail highly skilled manpower that surely will facelift the capabilities of local labor to advanced stages of competence in varying degrees," he said.

Lee said the local aerospace industry is “a net export industry," with 99 percent of industrial output manufactured for export.

"[Aerospace] is a global extensive industry entailing over [$1 trillion in] business that will transform [into] highly beneficial gains for the country," he said.

Lee said that the manufacturing industry for aerospace is fast gaining momentum, bringing with it related industries in the supply chain as well as other backward and forward linkages of industries.

The aerospace industry projects a double-phased growth over the next five years, especially with the recent formation of the AIAP.

The association will focus on the build-up of the aerospace supply chain; the promotion of productive partnerships between buyers and suppliers; the enhancement of the business environment through the government’s policy reforms and the formulation of strong government support structures; and the improvement of the technical base capability through manpower education and training, and technology systems upgrading. — BM, GMA News

...the Global Gender Gap ranking

Phl leads Asian countries in Global Gender Gap Report

 
By Jovan Cerda
The Philippine Star
Updated October 24, 2012
 
 
MANILA, Philippines - The Philippines remained as the top Asian country in ensuring that men and women have equal access to rights and privileges, including economic opportunities, a report released Wednesday by the World Economic Forum showed.

The country remained at the 8th spot of the World Economic Forum's Global Gender Gap Index 2012, which ranks countries based on their ability to close the gender gap in healthcare, education, political participation and economic equality.

"The Philippines remains the highest-ranking country from Asia in the Index. It ranks 1st on both education and health and is also among the top 20 on economic participation and political empowerment. The Philippines is the only country in Asia this year to have closed the gender gap in both education and health," the report said.

It added that the country also performs in the top 10 of indicators that include legislators, senior officials and managers, literacy rate, enrolment in secondary education and years with female head of state.

The Philippines has already elected two women presidents which include Corazon Aquino and Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. In August, President Benigno S. Aquino III appointed Maria Lourdes Sereno chief justice of the Supreme Court, the first female to hold the position.

Ranked ahead of the Philippines are Iceland (1st), Finland (2nd), Norway (3rd), Sweden (4th), Ireland(5), New Zealand (6th) and Denmark (7th), while Nicaragua (9th) and Switzerland (10th) rounded out the top 10.

Among the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, the Philippines is followed by Singapore (55th), Thailand (65th), Vietnam (66th), Brunei Darussalam (75th), Indonesia (97th), Malaysia (100th) and Cambodia (103rd). Myanmar and Laos are not included in the list.

Among economic powerhouses, the United States is ranked 22nd, China is 69th and Japan is 101st.

Stuck at the bottom of the list are Saudi Arabia (131st), Syria (132nd), Chad (133rd), Pakistan (134th) and Yemen (135th).

The report said there is a strong correlation between countries at the top of the index and the countries that are most economically competitive.

“The key for the future of any country and any institution is the capability to attract the best talents,” said Klaus Schwab, WEF founder and executive chairman.

“In the future, talent will be more important than capital or anything else. To develop the gender dimension is not just a question of equality; it is the entry card to succeed and prosper in an ever more competitive world,” he added.

...the lost Asian movies

Pinoy flick tops list of 'lost' Asian films

 

 10/24/2012
 
 
MANILA, Philippines – The first Filipino movie to feature the superhero Batman topped the list of Top 10 “lost” Asian films, according to a movie website.
 
The 1967 release, “Batman Fights Dracula,” which stars Jing Abalos as the Caped Crusader and Dante Rivero as the blood-sucking vampire, was selected by the website Japan Cinema as the top “lost” Asian films.


“There are plenty of lost films from the history of entertainment and some of these we know very little about. Film preservation was not a serious undertaking in the beginning and due to the flammable nature of the film reels many movies are probably burned. Recently private collectors have come forward with films thought to be lost and these are the top ten films we hope someone comes forward with,” the website said in its introduction to the list, which was released on Monday.

“Batman Fights Dracula” was directed by Leody M. Diaz from a script by Bert M. Mendoza. It was the breakthrough movie of Abalos, a former stuntman with the S.O.S. Daredevils.

“‘Batman Fights Dracula’ has got to be the most mind-blowingly awful, amazing Batman film we will never see. You know what, I’ll go further than that! It has to be the most amazing superhero film ever. Keep your ‘Dark Knight Rises’…I want this one! Doesn’t it crush your Batman-loving soul you’ll never see this. Only a poster exists I couldn’t even find a plot description. I guess the Filipino production knew how awesome it was and wanted to keep it to themselves. For its amazing premise alone, it ranks in as our number one lost Asian film,” the website said of the movie.

The Filipino film topped the list of mostly Japanese films, including “King Kong Appears in Edo,” which was released in 1938; and 1933’s “Chikara to Onna no Yo no Naka,” which is considered the first Japanese anime.

...the resilience of the Philippines

ASIAN RISK REDUCTION CONFERENCE

PH resilience vs disaster cited


By Jerry E. Esplanada
Philippine Daily Inquirer


YOGYAKARTA, Indonesia—The Philippines is one of four disaster-prone countries in the Asia-Pacific region that have reduced their vulnerability to disasters despite their poverty, according to two United Nations (UN) agencies.

The three other Asia-Pacific nations cited by the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNISDR) and the UN Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) are Bangladesh, Vietnam and Indonesia, host of this week’s 5th Asian Ministerial Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction (AMCDRR).

In their joint, 134-page Asia-Pacific Disaster Report 2012, the UNISDR and the ESCAP also cited the Philippines as one of 18 countries in the region that have made disaster risk reduction part of their long-term development plans.

The Philippines, they noted, passed in 2010 a Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Act.

Like India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Thailand, the Philippines has also “shown that well-targeted social protection measures are not only affordable, but they can also reduce vulnerability to disasters to a great extent.”

The same report, released during Tuesday’s opening of the biennial event, also hailed Albay Gov. Joey Salceda as “one of the global champions of building disaster resilience at the local level.”

Salceda “has introduced a very pragmatic approach by reducing disaster risk exposure first and improving vulnerability next,” the report said.

Exception, not rule

“Unfortunately, such proactive policies are still the exception, not the rule in the region,” the report said.

Earlier, in its Making Cities Resilient Report, the UNISDR said Albay province, as well as two other Philippine local government units—Makati City and San Francisco town on Camotes Island, Cebu—were now on its list of 29 model communities worldwide in disaster risk management and reduction.

These local governments have been noted for their “best practices” on a wide range of challenges, including flood management, early warning, earthquake reconstruction and legislation.

In a statement released on Tuesday, the UNISDR said the Asia-Pacific region was “paying a huge price for extreme weather events which are now impacting negatively on the region’s economic development.”

The region is the most disaster-prone area in the world, “with almost two million people killed in disasters between 1970 and 2011, representing 75 percent of all disaster fatalities globally,” the agency said.

Margareta Wahlstrom, UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon’s special representative on disaster risk reduction, warned that “exposure to disaster risk is growing faster than our ability to build resilience and Asia’s rapid economic growth is partly responsible for it.”

Dev’t without danger

“This was very obvious during the floods which plagued much of the region last year. Of course, the challenge is not to stop development, but to arrest both the growing rate of exposure and rising vulnerability. Reducing risk successfully is about saving lives, jobs, homes and valuable infrastructure, such as schools, health facilities and roads,” Wahlstrom said.

For her part, ESCAP executive secretary Noeleen Heyzer said that “exposure to hazards has multiplied as urban centers grew, and people and economic activities expanded into increasingly exposed and hazard-prone areas.”

The UNISDR-ESCAP report said that “for many in the Asia-Pacific, 2011 will be remembered for major disasters with devastating impacts on economies, communities and above all, the lives of people.”

PH is most affected

“The East Asian earthquake, tsunami and ensuing nuclear disaster, as well as the Southeast Asian floods, were major contributors to the staggering $294 billion in regional economic losses, representing 80 percent of global losses due to disasters in 2011,” it said.

Each year, Southeast Asia “suffers damage in excess of $4.4 billion, equivalent to over 0.2 percent of its gross domestic product.”

“Annual expected losses due to disasters have been found to be the highest for the Philippines, Indonesia and Vietnam in that order while Singapore and Brunei Darussalam have the lowest expected losses in the region,” the report said.

Last year, the Philippines topped the list of countries affected by disasters, according to UNISDR.

Tuesday, October 23, 2012

...the PH strong position

Tetangco says PH in a position of strength

10/23/2012
 
 
MANILA, Philippines - Amid the challenging global financial climate, Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) Governor Amando Tetangco Jr. believes the Philippines is in a "position of strength."
 
The country’s top central banker mentioned this in a recent interview with Emerging Markets magazine, which awarded him the distinction of being the central bank governor of the year for the Asian region.

“The central bank, under Governor Amando Tetangco’s stewardship, has managed monetary policy with considerable skill, not least given the twin threats of China slowdown and spillover from the euro zone crisis,” said Taimur Ahmad, editor-in-chief of Emerging Markets, in a statement.

Tetangco, who received the award on the sidelines of the World Bank-International Monetary Fund meetings in Japan two weeks ago, boasted of the country’s strong macroeconomic fundamentals that allowed it to grow 6.1 percent in the first semester.

“I think, over-all, we are in a position of strength at this point in time. Our interest rates are still significantly positive. The BSP borrowing rate is at 3.75 percent, so there is room there. The government has a fiscal deficit that is substantially below the projection for the year, so they also have room to accelerate spending,” the BSP chief explained.

BSP’s policy-making Monetary Board has slashed policy rates by an aggregate of 75 basis points this year as inflation, which averaged 3.2 percent as of the third quarter, remained manageable and growth continued to be strong.

It is scheduled to meet again this Thursday and the market is expecting it to cut key rates again by another 25 basis points in a bid to tame the peso’s appreciation and support export growth. That would put interest rates at new record-lows of 3.5 percent and 5.5 percent for overnight borrowing and lending, respectively.

Latest data showed merchandise exports dropped nine percent in August. A strong peso, while making imports cheaper, also trims the value of dollar export earnings and remittances when they are converted into local money.

While easier monetary policy has helped boost growth, it has also sparked concerns of asset bubble formation or a situation when value of assets, given huge demand, tends to rise beyond real market prices.

...the PH business climate

PNoy to New Zealand businessmen: PHL open for business

 
GMA News
October 23, 2012
 
 
Saying the Philippines is open for business, President Benigno Aquino II wooed New Zealand businessmen to invest in the country as he wrapped up a hectic two-day visit to Auckland.
 
 
In a speech before the Philippine-New Zealand Business Forum, Aquino highlighted the “great strides” achieved by his administration over the past two years in battling corruption, cleaning house, reforming the system of budgeting, tightening the rules of procurement and levelling the playing field.
 
“These are exciting times in the Philippines, and now is the time to invest,” he said.
 
 
“What we are bringing to the table today—that we believe administrations in the recent past have not been able to offer—is a business climate characterized by fairness and integrity: where rules are clear-cut, where all are given the opportunity to profit, and where your success is determined by your strengths, adaptability, and ability to innovate," he added.

 
He told New Zealand businessmen that they can win contracts in the Philippines "based on your ability to deliver projects—not on backroom deals and political favors.”
 
 
He said both countries can do more to enhance trade relations. “I invite you to explore other products we can offer such as electronics, home furnishings and garments.”
 
 
Aquino said one of the areas of mutual interest to both countries is geothermal energy, in which the Philippines still has some 2000 megawatts of untapped resources.
 
 
Another area of interest is the thriving Business Process Outsourcing industry “which has as its backbone the capable, easily-trained and customer-oriented Filipino people.”
 
 
“It is because of them that the Philippines is currently the world leader in voice BPO services, posting 7.38 billion U.S. dollars in revenue for 2011,” he said.
 
 
He said the country is also diversifying and moving up the value chain: offering more complex services such as healthcare information management outsourcing, backroom engineering design, and animation and game development.
 
 
“The relations between our two countries can only grow stronger if our peoples gain a better understanding of our cultures, our history, and the unique experiences we can offer,” he said.

 
He said the existing Working Holiday Scheme between the Philippines and New Zealand “can do much to further our people-to-people relations and our shared agenda of tourism—that New Zealanders can spend up to a year in the Philippines, and vice versa, means great things for our countries and our people.
 
“This way, New Zealanders will be able to experience Filipino culture and hospitality firsthand—and gather and share stories on the ways in which it is more fun in the Philippines. - VVP, GMA News

...the Louisiana pool champion

Alcano bags Louisiana pool crown



Philippine Daily Inquirer

 

Filipino Ronato Alcano ruled the Championship Cloth 5th Annual Pro Classic at the expense of Robb Saez, 11-7, on Sunday (Monday in Manila) in New Iberia, Louisiana.



 

After dropping his first match straight from the airport, Alcano racked up eight wins to annex the title in the international ranking points tournament.

Saez posted a tight 9-8 win over Adam Smith, then ran roughshod over Wang Can, 9-3, and Charlie Williams, 9-2, to arrange the showdown with Alcano, the 2006 World 9-ball and 2007 World 8-ball champion.

Alcano bested compatriot Francisco “Django” Bustamante, Israel Rota, Mike Davis, Can, Ralph Eckert and WiIlliams in succession.

The score was tied at 5-5 in the finals and Saez was in the process of a runout in the 11th rack when Alcano protested that Saez did not call a shot.

This turned the tide of the match and Saez was unable to regain control.

The American champion Shane Van Boening sponsored Alcano, who also knocked him out, in this event. Roy Luarca

Monday, October 22, 2012

...the Apparition

Jodi's indie film wins award in Hawaii film fest

10/22/2012
 
 
MANILA, Philippines – The independent film “Aparisyon,” starring Kapamilya star Jodi Sta. Maria, bagged the prestigious NETPAC Award 2012 at the recent Hawaii International Film Festival.
 

Directed by Vincent Sandoval, “Aparisyon,” an entry in the New Breed section of this year’s Cinemalaya Philippine Independent Film Festival about a nun balancing her religious and political beliefs, bested 226 other films from over 41 countries.



(Read our review of “Aparisyon” here.)

The NETPAC Award or Network for the Promotion of Asian Cinema is given only at select international film festivals around the world to only one exceptional film from the Asia Pacific. It is presented annually at the Berlin, Cannes, Venice, Rotterdam, Pusan, Singapore, Taiwan, Yamagata, Amiens and Hawaii international film festivals.

This isn’t the first time “Aparisyon” was shown in an international film fest. It was also nominated for the News Current Award at the recent Pusan International Film Festival. It also competed for the the Dragons & Tiger award at the Vancouver fest.

The Hollywood trade publication Variety gave a rave review of the movie, calling it an “intelligently scripted and deeply moving mood-piece (that) asks hard questions about the reconciliation of spiritual beliefs and physical realities.”

Two other Filipino films were also in the running for the two other top awards at the Hawaii film fest.

However, “Bwakaw” lost “Key of Life” from Japan for Best Narrative Feature, while “Harana” gave way to “Where Heaven Meets Hell,” a Indonesia-US co-production, for Best Documentary Feature.

The production teams of “Harana” and “Bwakaw,” who attended the ceremonies, said that being nominated was honor and commendation enough considering the number of films in contention.

Directors Benito Bautista of “Harana” and Jun Lana of “Bwakaw” expressed pride for having been given the chance to showcase Filipino film talent in a huge event such as the Hawaii International Film Festival.

“Bwakaw” is the country’s official entry to the Best Foreign Language Film at next year’s Oscar Awards.

...the CB Governor for Asia

Tetangco Named CB Gov For Asia

 
 
By FIL C. SIONIL
Manila Bulletin 
October 22, 2012
 
 
MANILA, Philippines --- In recognition of his skillful handling of monetary policy amidst external financial threats, Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) Governor Amando M. Tetangco, Jr. was named the Central Bank Governor of the Year For Asia by the international financial magazine, Emerging Markets. 
 
 
 
 “The (Philippine) central bank, under Governor Amando Tetangco’s stewardship has managed monetary policy with considerable skill, not least given the twin threats of China slowdown and spill-over from the Eurozones crisis,” Emerging Markets, in a statement, said.

Tetangco received the award at the sidelines of the World Bank-International Monetary Fund annual meeting recently held in Tokyo, Japan. The yearly Emerging Markets CB Governor and Finance Minister of the Year Awards recognize the leading policymakers in each region. The awards are chosen by Emerging Markets’ editorial team, taking into account the views of leading regional experts. This is the second international recognition Tetangco has received for this year to date. Early this year, the Global Finance magazine named Tetangco as one of the world’s six best central bankers in 2012. For global finance, it was Tetangco’s fourth award.

Tetangco was chosen by Global Finance in recognition of his adept handling of the economy with the country taking advantage of the “receding inflation to cut its benchmark interest rate to a record low 3.75 percent in July, to stimulate growth as the global economy weakens.”

In an interview with Emerging Markets, the BSP Chief admitted that the monetary authorities “needed to sharpen our monitoring of market behavior and be creative in implementing market-based solutions to reduce, contain or eliminate asset bubbles.”

Against the backdrop of a brewing financial crisis in the Eurozone and the narrowing of growth in China, the Philippines economic performance has remained relatively strong, registering a 6.4 percent for the first quarter of the year.

Sunday, October 21, 2012

...the PH from expat's eye

Seeing The Philippines From An Expat’s Eyes

 
 
By ANDREW JAMES MASIGAN
Manila Bulletin
October 21, 2012

 
A recent study conducted by the American Chamber of Commerce revealed that most expats of multinational companies working in the Asia Pacific region prefer to be assigned to the Philippines over any other nation. Conversely, expats already working in the country have expressed unwillingness to be transferred elsewhere.  The results of the study come as a pleasant surprise given that the Philippines is placed in direct comparison with countries like Singapore, Hong Kong and Japan. The survey shows that foreigners still prefer to live and work in the Philippines despite our lagging infrastructure and the inconveniences stemming from our densely populated cities.

The AmCham study piqued my curiosity. As a proud Pinoy, I wanted to know what made the Philippines so attractive to foreigners. I needed to get firsthand information from an expat who’s spent a significant time in the country, as well as other parts of the world. I found just the guy in Pierre Marmonier.  Pierre is a Frenchman from the southern region of León. He graduated from the prestigious Aix de Provence Business School before earning his MBA at Harford University in Connecticut. He built his career as a corporate man initially working for Swedish Match before moving on to British American Tobacco. As a marketing and export executive, Pierre spent several years working in the U.K., France, Switzerland, Algeria and the Philippines, while constantly traveling around Asia.

Not only did Pierre ask to be stationed in the Philippines twice, he also decided to settle here after his stint with the multinationals. The man from León is now happily entrenched in Philippine life, both as a family man and a thriving entrepreneur.

Why The Philippines?

Over glasses of wine, Pierre and I talked about what made him decide to raise his family and start a business in the Philippines. He is a citizen of the EU, after all, and could settle in most parts of the western world where standards of living are higher.

Pierre told me that among all the races he’s interacted with from all over the world, no one is more open and welcoming of foreigners than the Filipino. The Philippines is perhaps one among a handful of nations in the world where the locals have the compunction to make foreigners feel special. He observes how we Filipinos have it in our nature to make strangers feel welcome if he or she happens to be in our personal space. He cites how we would naturally include a stranger in a conversation if he happened to be within earshot of a chat. How we would offer a part of our meal to a stranger if he were to walk by while we were eating. How we would make the effort to speak in English if we were talking to a white person. These are traits uncommon in other nationalities, but natural to the Filipino, Pierre says.

He also finds the Pinoy to be both open-minded and tolerant of other people’s life choices. Being different in the Philippines is no big deal, he asserts. It is a welcome change from his native France, where people can be close-minded on many issues.

Here, people are not hung up on religion, skin color, cultural idiosyncrasies or even gender, he says.  He was surprised to discover that women are just as respected (sometimes, even more feared) than the men folk. He is amazed that the Muslims, Buddhists and Agnostics among a predominantly Catholic populace are looked upon with curiosity rather than resentment. He is amused that gay people are regarded as creative and “fun” rather than an object of hate. Above all, he notes how we Filipinos manage to smile even in the midst of the most dire circumstances. As far as standards of living goes, Pierre has seen it improve considerably from the first time he stepped foot in the country in 1994. Back then, he relates, brownouts were the norm, proper housing for expats were few and far between, and recreational facilities like parks, malls and country clubs were rare. Things have changed today. While infrastructure is still a problem, albeit to a lesser degree, Manila can now rival any other world cities in terms of quality of life, especially in the realm of education where numerous international schools are now in operation for the expat community. He notes, however, that there is still a lack of facilities to feed the humanities. He misses the museums, theater scene and art scene of Europe and more advanced countries in Asia. This is something not in the priority list of government, but should be.

Doing Business In The Philippines

Pierre started his business some three years ago, just when the economy started to gain traction. His timing could not have been better and he is now reaping the fruits of our favorable economic environment.

Pierre’s company manufactures artisanal jams made in the old-fashioned French manner. His products go by the name of “The Fruit Garden” and can be found in most hotels like the Dusit and Hyatt. It is also the house jam of most luxury hotel chains including the Shangri-La Group, The Peninsula, The Mandarin, The Hyatt, Discovery Shores and Oakwood, among others. Pierre is riding the tourism boom as more hotels are set to open in the next few years. He is already positioned to be part of the Raffles and Fairmont Hotels when they open next year, and he looks forward to the mammoth resorts on the rise at the Pagcor Entertainment City. My wife and I have been fans of The Fruit Garden jams for years, especially their Mango-Ginger, Strawberry-Banana and Pine-Cocorum flavors. As Pinoys, we’re not big jam eaters but this one is different. It’s light, not too sweet, and has more fruit than water and pectin. It’s become our morning fix and a regular fixture in our condiment rack. Pierre is also supplier to some of the country’s top 500 companies for their giveaways during Christmas and special events. His luxury packaging and French heritage recipes speak of class and stature, which makes it a hot seller in corporate circles.

Amidst all his success, he cites his Filipino workforce as one of his true assets. They are loyal, hardworking and have good work ethics, he says. In the manufacturing line, he finds his workers easy to train and able to retain knowledge without need for constant reminders (apparently, this is not the case with other workers in the region). In fact, he boasts of nearly zero production mistakes leading to a product reject ratio of less than one percent. He also appreciates the Filipino’s willingness to multi-task, even if not in their job description. This speaks volumes of their concern for the company.

Irritants

Still, there are irritants in doing business in the Philippines. He complains about the excessive cost of electricity and high cost of agricultural produce. For a country blessed with so much arable land, fruits are unreasonably expensive, he laments. For instance, a kilo of strawberries from Baguio can cost up to P200 while its imported equivalent from China costs less than P100. The country loses out because of its inefficient agricultural sector. Government would do good by giving it the focus it deserves, he opines.  Another issue he grapples with is the Filipino’s lack of “hunger” in generating new business. He finds it strange that companies he intends to buy from fail to act with urgency when filling his orders. They act as if they don’t need the business. Shouldn’t they be hustling to generate sales? Pierre cannot understand the laxity. In Europe, suppliers treat their clients like partners as their (the client’s) success naturally redounds to the supplier’s success. Pierre does not feel that kind of symbiotic relationships with his suppliers. If anything, their view is only up to next month’s purchase order.

But perhaps the biggest drawback in Pierre’s experience is dealing with dishonest people or people who are not forthright in their business dealings. Unfortunately, there are many of them in these parts.

Pierre told me how his landlord, a Filipino, presented his property as being suitable for commercial or industrial use, knowing full well that it was earmarked as a non-commercial zone. As a result, Pierre was unable to secure his business permits for months even after investing millions on improving the property. His landlord duped him and left him to fix the mess. Pierre was able to sort it out eventually, but not without massive setbacks on his business and personal trauma. It is unfortunate that our justice system does not provide quick recourse to address situations like this.


The Philippines Wins

In the next few months, The Fruit Garden will begin tapping the export market of Japan, Korea and China. He believes there is a demand for artisan French-made jams using the best tropical fruits from the Philippines. His closest competitor, Hero Jams, is made in Egypt and cannot compete with the wide spectrum of flavors The Fruit Garden offers.

When realized, the country stands to gain export revenues, not to mention the local taxes and employment from Pierre’s venture. In fact, even now, the country already benefits from his work on many levels. For this, he deserves our gratitude.   We should all continue to do what we naturally do best—make our expat friends feel special. As in Pierre’s case, it pays dividends a hundred-fold.

...the e-vehicles in PH

E-vehicle usage in Philippines slowly growing

10/21/2012
 
 
MANILA - The usage of electric vehicles in the Philippines has been growing since they were introduced in 2007, albeit slowly due to cost and the unavailability of key parts in the local market.
 
Yvonne Castro of the Electric Vehicle Association of the Philippines is optimistic, however, there will be a boom in the industry because of support from the government and the growing consciousness about clean energy and climate change.

After the introduction of e-jeepneys five years ago, e-tricycles began plying some streets of the capital Manila and some other cities.

The country's first e-bus was launched a few months ago and early this month traffic constables in Manila were equipped with e-scooters.

According to Castro, the Philippines is leading among other Southeast Asian countries when it comes to actual usage of e-vehicles.

"The government is now more open and supportive," Castro told Kyodo News in a recent interview.

"Hopefully, more business will come in so that the whole industry will be developed."

The use of e-vehicles in the Philippines is strongly encouraged by government to help reduce gasoline consumption and carbon dioxide emissions.

The latest government records show there are more than 250,000 gasoline-powered public transport vehicles in the country, particularly buses and jeepneys, of which around 30 percent operate in Metro Manila.

Castro said that 150 e-jeepneys have been sold in the country since 2008 by one manufacturer, some of which are being used for hotel and resort services and other private establishments.

They are most visible though in the financial Makati district, ferrying shoppers and commuters.

E-tricycles that are currently operational, meanwhile, are estimated to be only a few dozen in number, most of them going around the Manila suburb Mandaluyong City for public transport, courtesy of the Asian Development Bank.

The ADB is providing a $300 million loan to the Philippine government for the delivery of 100,000 e-tricycles by 2016, aimed at reducing greenhouse gases, boosting drivers' income and stimulating the manufacture of e-vehicle motors locally.

According to the Philippine Energy department, gasoline consumption will be reduced by 561,000 barrels per year, avoiding 260,000 tons of carbon dioxide emissions annually if 100,000 diesel tricycle units are replaced with e-tricycles.

The around 3.5 million motorcycles and tricycles in the country, according to government, emit close to 10 million tons of harmful gases and use more than $2 billion worth of imported oil each year.

The ADB said last year that its study revealed 80 percent of air pollution in Metro Manila comes from the transport sector.

Rex Rejano, a 27-year-old driver in Mandaluyong City who was assigned one of the 20 e-tricycles from the ADB last year for pilot testing, said not only does he enjoy a smoke- and noise-free ride now he also takes home a bigger income than when he was driving a regular tricycle.

The 30 percent rise in his income is due to the increased passenger capacity by at least 50 percent and the cheaper by 65 percent electric charging cost compared to fuel rates.

"This is a very good project. The e-tricycle is better because the passengers are safer and more comfortable, and they are twice in number compared to my former tricycle," Rejano said.

The energy department has tried to allay fears that e-vehicles will put additional burden on the electricity supply by saying that charging is done "during low peak hours or in the evenings, which contributes to higher utilization of available generation capacities."

It also plans to establish solar-powered charging stations, hoping to make carbon footprint of e-vehicles close to zero.

While she views the e-vehicle project as "a solution, in principle," Greenpeace Philippines' Anna Abad is wary that it will not "provide the transformational change" it aims to achieve "if it is plugged to conventional power source like coal."

"For a sustainable transport to be truly sustainable, it should be powered with renewable energy. The project would be better off if married with renewable energy," Abad said.

If the ADB-assisted project succeeds, the Philippines is expected to generate around 10,000 new jobs by 2015 since local manufacturing of the e-tricycles will begin.

It will even allow the country to export the product to its neighbors in the region at a cost of $4,000 to $5,000 each, generating foreign currency, the bank said.

Last month, Japanese e-vehicle manufacturer Terra Motors Corp. announced its plan to open a Philippine factory by 2015 as it also expressed interest in joining in the country's e-tricycle project.

Castro said that aside from the cost of e-vehicles, the absence of appropriate government regulations for their manufacture and operation is preventing the industry from flourishing.

An e-tricycle currently costs more than 200,000 pesos ($4,762), two or three times more than conventional tricycles.

An e-jeepney is worth more than $16,000, around 35 percent more expensive than a traditional jeepney.

And the e-bus is reportedly around $286,000.

"Our lawmakers should craft laws to make it easier to manufacture e-vehicles here, particularly e-jeepneys and e-tricycles. We are not looking at e-buses because we have no capacity for that," Castro said. "One encouragement is zero-tax for parts that will have to be imported. And the government should start working on franchise license regulations for these."

Castro said most of the parts for e-vehicles, especially the controller and the lithium battery, are now sourced from China.

She urged the government to initiate efforts for the training of local technical experts and recommended proper education for drivers because "these are high-tech vehicles."

Without proper training, Castro fears drivers might cause e-vehicles to malfunction sooner than projected.

She also acknowledged the need to include in the development plan the proper disposal of lithium batteries once they reach their end-life, noting there is no recycling facility for lithium batteries in the Philippines, unlike other countries that have a "second-life program and recycling facilities."

"(Still) with the government now giving attention to this industry, hopefully, it will keep us ahead in the region," Castro said.
==Kyodo

...the forecast 2012 (S & P)


S&P sees Philippines economic growth exceeding forecast in 2012


steelguru.com
21 October 2012


 "The Philippine economy continues to grow above expectations despite lackluster export demand..."- Agost Bernard,  S & P analyst


Debt watcher Standard & Poor's Rating Services said that economic growth in the Philippines in 2012 may exceed its 5.1% forecast.

The credit rating agency said in its latest report the economy would more likely continue to maintain its strong growth for the rest of the year, given the robust domestic consumption and remittance flows.

Mr Agost Bernard analyst at S&P said that "The Philippine economy continues to grow above expectations despite lackluster export demand. Second quarter GDP growth of 5.9% was only slightly below the 6.1% in the first quarter."

Mr Bernard said that the country's fiscal performance also remained strong, with revenue collection rising faster than the nominal GDP growth. He added that "For the first seven months of 2012, total revenues increased 12.1% YoY while revenue collected by the Bureau of Internal Revenue rose 13.7%."

Mr Bernard, however, said that the outlook in the second half was still subject to risks from falling external demand.

S&P cited recent developments and upcoming events in the country such as the impeachment and dismissal of Supreme Court Chief Justice Mr Renato Corona and the reported peace agreement between the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front.

...the 2nd Filipino saint


Philippines celebrates canonisation of saint







Manila (Philippine Daily Inquirer/ANN) - As thousands of Filipino Catholics troop to Rome, millions more across the Philippines are gearing up to celebrate the canonization of the country's second saint, a missionary killed 340 years ago who is being promoted as a youth hero.

The Catholic faithful are expected to gather in different church events as the nation's major television networks broadcast live Sunday's ceremony at the Vatican during which Pedro Calungsod, who was hacked to death while trying to convert locals on the Pacific island of Guam, will be made a saint.




Pope Benedict XVI will formally raise Calungsod to the altar.

According to the church website sanpedrocalungsod.com, more than 1,000 young people from across Metro Manila will gather at the Sto. Nino de Tondo Parish in Manila from 2:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday to watch the canonization.

Around 600 young people are also expected to gather at the Good Shepherd Cathedral Covered Court in Novaliches while the Federation of National Youth Organization (FNYO) will also celebrate the event in Makati.

Dubbed "Pedro at Ako," the FNYO event will be held at the Savio Dome of Don Bosco Technical Institute-Makati from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.

In Cebu, the Commission on Youth of the Archdiocese and the National Shrine of St. Joseph in Mandaue have invited Catholics to watch a live telecast of the events in Rome.

The gathering, which includes a drama on the life of the second Filipino saint, talks and trivia games, will be held at the Mandaue City Cultural and Sports Complex.

5,000 Filipino pilgrims

About 5,000 Filipino pilgrims are expected to accompany the Philippines' Roman Catholic Church leaders to the Vatican for the ceremony.

Vice President Jejomar Binay, who arrived Friday in Rome, will lead the Filipinos who will witness the canonization of Calungsod.

Binay was designated by President Aquino to head the official Philippine delegation to the ceremony.

He will attend the Holy Mass at Saint Peter's Square that will signal the start of the canonization rites for Calungsod and six others.

Calungsod is the second Filipino saint after St. Lorenzo Ruiz who was canonized by Pope John Paul II in 1987.

A procession of the new saint's icons will be held at the Basilica of Santa Pudenziana later in the evening.

"The presence of the thousands of Filipinos here and the millions more around the world who are eagerly awaiting Blessed Calungsod's canonization as the second Filipino saint reaffirms our faith as a nation. I hope his dedication and sacrifice will serve as an example for the Filipino youth to emulate," Binay said in a statement released by his office in Manila.

At home, devotees have begun flocking to Ginatilan on the central island of Cebu, a small farming town that claims Calungsod as its own, while saint souvenirs have become popular items across the nation.

Wood carvers were reporting an increase in the demand for statues of the would-be saint, according to a report on the Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) website.

1,000 statues a week

"There are many orders coming from different provinces ... from old and new clients," said Kevin Cagayat, whose father Justino was commissioned by the Jesuits to carve the official statue of Calungsod.

The statues, ranging from eight inches (worth 350 pesos or US$8) to four-feet tall (40,000 pesos or $960), are made of either resin or wood.

"Since August, high demands and orders forced us to produce around 100 statues a week," Cagayat added.

"Also, in times like this where the demand is very high and there are rush orders, we also outsource workers to do the carving and finishing touches," he added.

Limited edition stamps

The Philippine Postal Corp. (PHLPost) will also inaugurate a stamp at the Edsa Shrine in honor of Calungsod during the noontime Mass on Sunday.

"The single stamp design illustrates Blessed Pedro holding a palm leaf on his left hand and his right hand at the chest signifying his deep Roman Catholic faith.

On the right side is the missionary route to the Marianas Island," PHLPost said in a statement.

The postal service said it was issuing 50,000 of the "limited edition" stamps worth 9 pesos each. They will be available from Oct. 22 to Oct. 20 next year at selected post offices nationwide.

Those interested could also call the PHLPost postage and philatelic department at 527-01-32.

"There is something about him that touches the heart of the Filipino Catholics," Fr. Francis Lucas, a media officer with the CBCP, told Agence France-Presse.

Calungsod will be made a patron saint for young people, partly in recognition of his age-believed to be just 17-when killed in 1672.

According to the official account of his short life, hostile tribesmen hacked Calungsod and a Jesuit priest he was assisting to death in Guam where they were trying to convert locals to the Catholic faith.

He qualified for sainthood last year after the Vatican officially recognized a 2002 "miracle" in which a woman in the Philippines already declared dead from a heart attack was revived after a doctor prayed to Calungsod for help.

The Philippines is regarded as Asia's bastion of Catholicism, with 80 percent of the population adherents to the faith, thanks to more than three centuries of Spanish rule that began in the 1500s.

Migrant workers' saint

Calungsod will become only the second Filipino to be canonized after Lorenzo Ruiz, another missionary, who was killed in Japan in 1637 and made a saint in 1987.

Lucas said Calungsod's youthfulness and travel to a foreign land held special resonance in the Philippines, where the average age is 24 and 10 percent of the population have gone abroad to work.

"We consider him to be a saint of migrant workers because he went abroad to represent the Philippines," Lucas said.

The church has sought to maximize Calungsod's appeal to young people with an Internet campaign that includes a website showcasing his life and featuring music videos, as well as a social media drive.

One Facebook site on Calungsod has more than 8,000 "likes" and streams of positive comments, as well as appeals to him for help.

"Dear Saint Pedro, please take care of my good friend Julie who is fighting cancer," one comment on the page said.

Although Calungsod's birthplace is unknown, he is listed as coming from the central Philippines and Ginatilan residents point to the many people surnamed "Calungsod" who have lived in the town over the centuries.

"We have death records, marriage records and birth records ... so we believe, 80 percent, that he is from our town," Ginatilan Mayor Antonio Singco told Agence France-Presse.

Parish worker Salvi Cadungo, 56, said the link to Calungsod was a major source of pride, comfort and hope to residents who largely make their living growing coconut, bananas and corn.

"We are all so happy here. We are a small town in a corner of the Philippines, but now everyone knows we produced a saint," she said.

With reports from AFP and Jerome Aning

COPYRIGHT: ASIA NEWS NETWORK