The PH world rank in financial promo

Philippines ranks 2nd in Asia, 8th worldwide for financial inclusion promotion

By TED CORDERO
GMA News
December 18, 2020

The Philippines remains among the top leaders in financial inclusion, according to the 2020 Global Microscope on Financial Inclusion of the Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU), the research arm of The Economist Group.

The country ranks second in Asia, next to India; and eight worldwide, tied with Brazil, in the EIU study, which assessed the financial inclusion environment in 55 countries.

The EIU study rated countries across five dimensions, namely Government and Policy; Stability and Integrity; Products and Outlets; Consumer Protection; and Infrastructure.

Together with Thailand and Russia, the Philippines posted the highest improvement in Asia and Eastern Europe, in view of the government’s push to promote digital channels as part of its responses to the COVID-19 pandemic, according to the study.

The Philippines got a perfect score of 100 points in Products and Outlets dimension, which covers Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) regulations on e-money, simplified accounts like the Basic Deposit Account (BDA), and financial outlets such as cash agents.

Focusing on the role of financial inclusion in the COVID-19 response, the EIU study recognized the initiatives of the Philippines to mitigate the adverse economic impact of the pandemic.

The report cited the regulatory relief measures of the BSP to ease liquidity constraints in the financial system, restore business confidence, and sustain the flow of credit amid the unprecedented health crisis.

These include the temporary relaxation of compliance to reporting requirements, easier access to rediscounting facility, and waiver of licensing fees and charges for financial institutions setting up their electronic payment and financial services.

It also cited the initiative of financial service providers to suspend fees for electronic fund transfers during the community quarantine period.

In addition, the EIU report highlighted measures to promote MSME financing such as allowing banks to include loans granted to MSMEs as alternative compliance with reserve requirements, reducing the credit risk weight of MSME loans that are current in status to 50% from 75%, and reducing the minimum liquidity ratio (MLR) for stand-alone thrift banks, rural banks and cooperative banks to 16% from 20% until end-December 2020.

While the Philippines scored lowest in the Infrastructure dimension with 69 points, there is noted improvement from last year’s level owing to ongoing initiatives on digital connectivity, digital identification, and digital payments infrastructure.

The report emphasized the importance of digital infrastructure that includes access to identification, mobile phones, and financial accounts to facilitate efficient delivery of cash assistance to vulnerable segments.

It also noted that better data integration is needed for proper targeting of cash aid program beneficiaries.

The Global Microscope is an annual cross-country assessment of the enabling environment for financial inclusion. Since 2009, the Philippines consistently belongs to the top-ranked countries in terms of having a supportive framework for inclusive finance.

Latin American countries namely Colombia, Peru, Uruguay, Argentina, and Mexico dominated the top five spots of 2020 Global Microscope. —KBK, GMA News

...the PH Azkal's new rank

Philippines reaches new high in FIFA ranking

 

ABS-CBNnews.com

Posted at 12/19/2013

 

 

MANILA – The Philippine Azkals recorded another milestone by reaching its highest ranking ever in the FIFA world men’s list.

Previously ranked number 133 in the world, the Philippines jumped six places higher at number 127.

The Azkals are now a notch above Kazakhstan and one place below Cyprus.

The Philippines also improved its ranking in the Asian level, climbing to 17th place from its previous ranking of 19th.

Spain remained on top of the world’s list, followed by Germany and Argentina.

In their most recent outing last November, the Filipino booters held India to a 1-1 draw.

The Azkals are set to compete in the AFC Challenge Cup main draw, which kicks off in Maldives in May 2014.

...the world's hottest stock markets

PH stock market is one of the world's 'hottest'

 

ABS-CBNnews.com

04/30/2013

 

 

MANILA, Philippines - The Philippine stock market is one of the "hottest" in the world so far this year, according to a CNN report.

On the CNN Money website, the Philippine Stock Exchange index (PSEi) was ranked the 5th "hottest" stock market in the world, after Kuwait, Argentina, United Arab Emirates and Japan.

The PSEi has rallied 20% so far this year, as it breached the 7,000 level for the first time ever. The main index has reached 27 new all-time highs so far this year.

Investors have flocked to the Philippines as the country earned its first ever investment grade credit rating from any ratings agency last March.

CNN Money quoted Ashraf Laidi, chief global strategist at City Index in London, as saying investors have been attracted to the Philippines "because it's shielded from the economic slowdown in China."
"The economy doesn't depend on exports to China like many other countries in the region... It's more tied to domestic consumption," Laidi said.

As of 12 noon Tuesday, the PSEi was up 0.46% to 7,060.81.

Barely four months after it first breached the 6,000 level, the PSEi breached the 7,000 level last April 22. Analysts and fund managers are betting the PSEi will continue to rise, driven by optimism on the Philippine economy and further cut in interest rate of special deposit accounts (SDA).

The Palace earlier said the PSEi's record highs is a "manifestation of continued confidence in the prospects of our economy, not only from the international community, but also from Filipinos who are raising their stake in our country’s success."

 

...the Earth Hour hero country

Philippines aims to be Earth Hour Hero Country for 5^th straight year!

 

Nikko Tuazon
Philippine Entertainment Portal
02 March 2013
 

Earth Hour Ambassadors Marc Nelson, Mikee Cojuangco-Jaworski and Rovilson Fernandez with World Wide Fund for Nature mascot "Chichi the Panda."

Photo: Courtesy of WWF-Philippines

World Wide Fund (WWF) for Nature Philippines, the local organizer of Earth Hour, is gunning for the country’s fifth straight win for the title Earth Hour Hero Country.

Earth Hour, which started in Sydney, Australia last 2007, aims to motivate people in reducing their energy consumption by switching off their lights for an hour. The Philippines joined this advocacy on March 28, 2008, at the CCP Open Grounds.
 

This year's nationwide "switch-off" is slated for March 23, at exactly 8:30 p.m. Many of the nation’s landmarks including Cebu and Davao are expected to participate in this event. Cities from Argentina to Zimbabwe are also expected to join in this worldwide call for action on climate change.

In a press conference held last February 27 in Makati City, WWF-Philippines Vice-chair and CEO Jose Ma. Lorenzo Tan expressed his ambition for more Filipinos to join this stand against climate change.

“We’ve reached a point where the Philippines has not only come across as a leader in Earth Hour but a leader in many technologies and in many ways.

“When we are ahead, let’s stay ahead and when we make a difference let’s make that difference.”
“And we are allowed to make a difference but mainly because we are a democracy, like very few countries in Asia.

“Democracy is not merely freedom, it is participation and that’s the key behind Earth Hour.”

Earth Hour Philippines National director Atty. Gia Ibay also noted that they are now going to use the digital media to motivate Filipinos to participate in the event.

“[For] four straight years, we’ve actually been doing this and now we’re going digital. We are living in such a digital age that we want to capitalize [on] it.

“If Gangnam Style can galvanize other people, why not Earth Hour galvanize people in actually doing something for their planet.”

Atty. Ibay further explained the objectives of their "I Will If You Will" campaign: “We really want the people to not just think about what the challenge is in terms of the handle of ‘I Will If You Will’ but really dare yourself what can you do on a day to day basis?”
 
BEYOND 60+. Meanwhile, Filipina equestrienne and actress Mikee Cojuangco-Jaworski joins Marc Nelson and Rovilson Fernandez as the newest ambassador of WWF-Philippines for Earth Hour.

In an interview, Mikee emphasized how a small contribution by every person can make a difference.

She also challenged everyone to go beyond the 60-minute Earth Hour switch off by starting on their own environment-friendly activities.

“Every small contribution is a big deal not just when we add all up because when we put it all together, you know, it all adds up but for ourselves, I think [it’s] the fact that we try to challenge ourselves and no one’s telling us what to do and how we do it.

“It’s how we know ourselves... our strengths, our limitations, our weaknesses and what we think our effort is worth.

 

...the PH Math Olympiad medal harvests

PHL bags record 308 medals in intl science, math tilts

GMA News

February 13, 2013

 

Filma Brawner feted the students with the Youth Excellence in Science (YES) Award, for exemplary achievement in the fields of science and mathematics.

 

“(It is) never easy to compete with the best of other nations ... Let us prove to the world that we are achievers beyond competitions. You can do this by starting a pathway towards greatness in whatever science and technology field you may choose. Being YES Awardees mean that you are more than capable to do that and I really hope to see you make names for yourselves in the sciences,” said Brawner.
 

She also urged the awardees to maintain their thirst for excellence and said the DOST-SEI shall help them reach their potential.

 

 

The DOST noted this was the first time that the number of YES Awardees reached over 300. The previous high was 297 in 2009.
 

DOST Secretary Mario Montejo lauded the students for their feat - including 171 medalists from Metro Manila alone.

 

 

Fourteen students from Saint Jude Catholic School won 22 medals, while 14 students from Grace Christian College won 21 medals.
 

The students competed in contests in different countries such as Singapore, India, Romania, Malaysia, Argentina, Taiwan and China.
 

In his message, DOST Secretary Mario Montejo congratulated the awardees and expressed optimism in the students’ capability to contribute soon in the science community.
 

“I believe that our talent is far more sufficient to answer the needs of our people, be it of this generation or beyond,” said Montejo.
 

Meanwhile, undersecretary for science and technology services Fortunato dela Peña encouraged the students to help in boosting the country’s drive for more innovations.

 

 

“We believe that Filipinos can make good use of available knowledge, processes, and technologies into creating local innovations that will improve productivity of small and medium based industries, and resiliency of the general population against natural occurrences,” he said.
 

He cited the need for an elite group of scientists, engineers, robotics experts, mathematicians, physicists, and others "who could make science work for the benefit of the 100 million Filipinos.”
 

“That elite group needs you. And you belong in that class,” he said. — TJD, GMA News

 

 

...the next potential popes

Cardinal Tagle in Reuters list of potential popes

 

By Tom Heneghan, Religion Editor

published in abs-cbnnews.com

02/11/2013  

 

 

 

PARIS - With Pope Benedict's stunning announcement that he will resign later this month, the time may be coming for the Roman Catholic Church to elect its first non-European leader and it could be a Latin American.

The region already represents 42 percent of the world's 1.2 billion-strong Catholic population, the largest single block in the Church, compared to 25 percent in its European heartland.

After the Pole John Paul and German-born Benedict, the post once reserved for Italians is now open to all. Who gets the nod depends on the profile of the new pope that the cardinals who elect him at the next conclave think will guide the Church best.

Two senior Vatican officials recently dropped surprisingly clear hints about possible successors. The upshot of their remarks is that the next pope could well be from Latin America.

"I know a lot of bishops and cardinals from Latin America who could take responsibility for the universal Church," said Archbishop Gerhard Mueller, who now holds the pope's old post as head of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith.

"The universal Church teaches that Christianity isn't centred on Europe," the German-born archbishop told Duesseldorf's Rheinische Post newspaper just before Christmas.

Swiss Cardinal Kurt Koch, head of the Vatican department for Christian unity, told the Tagesanzeiger daily in Zurich at the same time that the Church's future was not in Europe.

"It would be good if there were candidates from Africa or South America at the next conclave," he said, referring to the closed-door election in the Vatican's Sistine Chapel.

Asked if he would vote for a non-European over a European candidate if they were equally qualified, he responded: "Yes."

If the next conclave really is Latin America's turn, the leading candidates there seem to be Odilo Scherer, archbishop of the huge diocese of Sao Paolo, or the Italian-Argentine Leonardo Sandri, now heading the Vatican department for Eastern Churches.

Peter Turkson from Ghana, now head of the Vatican's justice and peace department, is often tipped as Africa's frontrunner.

About half the cardinals who can vote are from Europe, even though only a quarter of the world's Catholics live there. If the conclave tilts to the Old Continent, Vatican watchers say Angelo Scola of Milan is in pole position.

Vienna Cardinal Christoph Schoenborn, a former student and close ally of Benedict, is also considered a strong candidate.

FRONTRUNNERS FOR NOW

While there are no official candidates, here are "papabili" (potential popes) the most frequently mentioned recently. The list is in alphabetical, not in order of their chances, and will probably change between now and when the conclave is held, most likely in March.


- Joao Braz de Aviz (Brazil, 65) brought fresh air to the Vatican department for religious congregations when he took over in 2011. He supports the preference for the poor in Latin America's liberation theology, but not the excesses of its advocates. Possible drawbacks include his low profile.

- Timothy Dolan, (USA, 62) became the voice of U.S. Catholicism after being named archbishop of New York in 2009. His humour and dynamism have impressed the Vatican, where both are often missing. But cardinals are wary of a "superpower pope" and his back-slapping style may be too American for some.

- Marc Ouellet (Canada, 68) is effectively the Vatican's top staff director as head of the Congregation for Bishops. He once said becoming pope "would be a nightmare." Though well connected within the Curia, the widespread secularism of his native Quebec could work against him.

- Gianfranco Ravasi (Italy, 70) has been Vatican culture minister since 2007 and represents the Church to the worlds of art, science, culture and even to atheists. This profile could hurt him if cardinals decide they need an experienced pastor rather than another professor as pope.

 

- Leonardo Sandri (Argentina, 69) is a "transatlantic" figure born in Buenos Aires to Italian parents. He held the third-highest Vatican post as its chief of staff in 2000-2007. But he has no pastoral experience and his job overseeing eastern churches is not a power position in Rome.

- Odilo Pedro Scherer (Brazilia, 63) ranks as Latin America's strongest candidate. Archbishop of Sao Paolo, largest diocese in the largest Catholic country, he is conservative in his country but would rank as a moderate elsewhere. The rapid growth of Protestant churches in Brazil could count against him.

- Christoph Schoenborn (Austria, 67) is a former student of Pope Benedict with a pastoral touch the pontiff lacks. The Vienna archbishop has ranked as papal material since editing the Church catechism in the 1990s. But some cautious reform stands and strong dissent by some Austrian priests could hurt him.

- Angelo Scola (Italy, 71) is archbishop of Milan, a springboard to the papacy, and is many Italians' bet to win. An expert on bioethics, he also knows Islam as head of a foundation to promote Muslim-Christian understanding. His dense oratory could put off cardinals seeking a charismatic communicator.

- Luis Tagle (Philippines, 55) has a charisma often compared to that of the late Pope John Paul. He is also close to Pope Benedict after working with him at the International Theological Commission. While he has many fans, he only became a cardinal in 2012 and conclaves are wary of young candidates.

- Peter Turkson (Ghana, 64) is the top African candidate. Head of the Vatican justice and peace bureau, he is spokesman for the Church's social conscience and backs world financial reform. He showed a video criticising Muslims at a recent Vatican synod, raising doubts about how he sees Islam. (Additional reporting by Philip Pullella; Editing by Giles Elgood)

 

...the Farmesa's ASPAC regional hub

Argentine company picks PH as its base in Asia

 

ABS-CBNnews.com

02/06/2013

 

 

MANILA, Philippines - Laboratorios Farmesa SAIC, Argentina's biggest manufacturer of savory additives and plant-based ingredients, is set to open a commercial office in the Philippines in the first half of 2013.

 

 

 

 

 

This is said to be the company's first ever venture outside of Argentina.

Philippine Ambassador to Argentina Rey A. Carandang met with Farmesa president Gabriel Pérez last January 25, where the latter confirmed the investment in the Philippines.

Perez said they will invest $3 million in the next two years for the commercial office's operations in the Philippines. The office, which will be named Farmesa Asia Pacific Inc., will serve as the Argentine company's base for its regional expansion.

Agustín Pérez, Farmesa's business development officer, will head the office in Manila. The office will initially employ three to five Filipino employees. There are also has plans to establish a warehouse facility in the Philippines, with future plans to set up a manufacturing plant.

The Farmesa president said the Philippine economy's strong performance, as well as the help of the government, were factors in their decision to choose the Philippines as their base in Asia Pacific.

Perez also noted there are "many affinities and coincidences in terms of both culture and commerce" between the Philippines and Argentina, which made him realize the Philippines is an "ideal bridge" for their operations in the Asia-Pacific region.

Farmesa, founded in 1959, is a regional industry leader whose products (emulsifiers, antioxidants, textured soy protein, stabilizers, flavors and aroma, etc.) are mostly derived from soya, as well as from carrageenan and other natural sources.

...the hottest travel destinations for 2013

PH among hottest travel destinations for 2013

 

ABS-CBNnews.com

01/07/2013

 

 

 

MANILA, Philippines – Just days after the Philippines was called one of the “destinations to watch in 2013,” another prestigious travel magazine dubbed the country as one of the hottest travel spots this year.

 

Travel + Leisure included the Philippines in its “13 for 2013” list, which the magazine compiled with the help of branding agencies and other experts.

Some of the Philippine destinations featured in the article are Boracay island in Aklan, Panglao island in Bohol, and El Nido Resorts and Ariara in Palawan.

“The archipelago of Palawan, a UNESCO biosphere reserve in the Philippines, just added a resort with a scuba center; hop a two-hour flight from Hong Kong and you’ll soon be diving with the sea turtles,” Travel + Leisure’s Heidi Mitchell wrote.

Aside from the Philippines, other places in Travel + Leisure’s list include Bahia Ballena in Costa Rica, Basilicata in Italy, Puerto Rico, Minneapolis in the United States, Reunion island in France, Nepal, Charlevoix in Quebec, Uco Valley in Argentina, Zambia, Amsterdam, and Gold Coast in Australia.

“So get out your map, block out some vacation time on your calendar, and make 2013 a year of travel discoveries. We promise at least a few of these places to go next will surprise you,” Mitchell wrote.
The Philippines has been constantly mentioned in Travel + Leisure, with the magazine naming Boracay as the world’s best island getaway last year.

Just recently, the country’s native yellow rice cake, bibingka, was dubbed as one of the “world’s most traditional holiday foods,” putting it alongside dishes from Japan, China, Russia and Sweden, among others.

Phl listed as top destination for 2013

By Janvic Mateo

The Philippine Star

January 5, 2013

 

 

The Big Lagoon on Miniloc Island in El Nido in Palawan is a must-see for resort guests and visitors. LUIS ESPIRITU

 

 

MANILA, Philippines - “Sorry, Maldives... We love you, but we’ve got a new flame.”

The Conde Nast Traveller magazine has set its sights on the Philippines, listing it among its top 10 destinations for 2013. The London-based luxury travel magazine described the country as having “around 7,000 of the most heavenly islands in the world.”

“It’s becoming particularly popular among serious divers, who come for the incredible underwater life, unspoilt coral gardens with rainbow-bright fish, green sea turtles and dugongs,” according to Conde Nast.

It added: “In Bicol you can swim with the biggest fish in the world, the whale shark. While fish-fans of a different nature can go deep-sea fishing in one of the deepest trenches in the oceans, not far from the little-known island of Siargao.”

Particular mention was made of Palawan, which the magazine said “ticks all the boxes: palm-fringed white-powder beaches, crystal-clear turquoise waters, natural lagoons for wild swimming on Miniloc Island… all of it protected by UNESCO. Its Bacuit Bay is something like Halong Bay in Vietnam, only without all the tourists… for the time being, at least. There are just a handful of resorts, which are tasteful and deliberately low-key.”

Palawan was featured in the final scene of the movie “Bourne Legacy,” starring Jeremy Renner and Rachel Weisz. Weisz and her husband, Bond actor Daniel Craig, spent a few days in Palawan after the filming, and raved about it on Twitter.

Also mentioned are the “super-stylish” new Dedon Island on Siargao, owned and designed by celebrated furniture brand Dedon, based in Cebu; and “perennial favorite” Amanpulo, on Pamalican Island, which has hosted many of the world’s rich and famous, including the late John Kennedy Jr. (who came with then flame Darryl Hannah), Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie, Robert de Niro and super model Naomi Campbell.

Despite all the bad press, Manila got a positive mention as well: “As the gateway to these private-island retreats, the Philippines capital of Manila is also having a moment.”

Other destinations cited among Conde Nast Traveller’s top ten are Brazil, Amsterdam, The Congo in Africa, Galapagos Island, New Zealand (think “Hobbit”), Kashmir, Mexico, Panama and Oman.

Palawan was also chosen by a popular international travel guide as one of the top ten regions of the world in its “Best in Travel 2013.”

Describing Palawan as “the ultimate archipelago for adventurers,” Lonely Planet said the island province “incorporates thousands of sparkling, rugged islands and is fringed by 2000 kms of pristine coastline.”

“So far Palawan’s natural marvels have only been sampled by plucky backpackers. Not for much longer. The trail these pioneers have blazed is set to explode, with regional airlines waking up to Palawan’s potential and clambering to schedule direct flights to the capital,” Lonely Planet wrote, concluding, “you can feel that Palawan is ready to hit the big-time in 2013.”

Palawan ranked eighth, with Corsica in France topping the list. Other Asian destinations on the list are Mustang in Nepal (3) and Inland Sea, Japan (9).

Meanwhile, Luzon, Cebu, and Mindanao were voted among Asia’s top ten islands in Conde Nast Traveller’s annual Readers’ Choice Awards.

...the Gusi peace prize awardee

Filipino peace prize awardee

By Manila Standard Today
Nov. 26, 2012

Dr. James G. Dy, the Gusi Peace Prize winner for Social Services and Philanthropy, was the only Filipino among 20 Laureates out of 128 candidates from Canada, Sri Lanka, Colombia, Iraq, Kuwait, Serbia, Uganda, Mauritius, Argentina, USA, China, United Kingdom, Mexico, Slovenia, Finland, Ukraine, Malaysia, Peru, and Russia.

Recognition rites will be held on November 28 at the Philippine International Convention Center for the philanthropist, who has been involved in social, civic and charitable work for more than 30 years.

Dr. Dy is the President of the Philippine Chinese Charitable Association Inc., which operates the Chinese General Hospital and Medical Center that served as his vehicle in supporting various charitable causes, including fund-raising and livelihood projects, medical and dental missions to far flung areas, and relief operations to devastated communities in times of calamities and disasters.

In 2002, he was elected Governor of the Philippine Red Cross and Governor of the Philippine Constitution Association, positions which he holds up to this day.

He earned four honorary doctorate degrees: Doctor of Humanities, University of Pangasinan in 1999; Doctor of Business Administration, Lyceum-Northwestern University, Pangasinan, in March 2004; Doctor of Humanities, Central Luzon State University, Nueva Ecija, November 2006; and Doctor of Philosophy in Technology Management, Technological University of the Philippines, March 2007.

Dr. Dy was named Outstanding Filipino Awardee for Humanitarian Service by the Philippine Jaycee Senate and Insular Life Insurance Ltd. He also received the Outstanding Manilans Award for having distinguished himself in business and industry, hospital administration and humanitarian advocacy during the 428th Founding Anniversary of Manila, and was the outstanding Chinese-Filipino to receive the Lifetime Achievement Award in the Dr. Jose P. Rizal Awards for Excellence. His qualities as a civic leader and as a father were recognized by the Ulirang Ama Award along with the conferment of the title Ambassador for Medical Tourism in 2001.

...the Pinoy doc to UN post

Pinoy doctor elected to UN committee vs. torture

By Rio Rose Ribaya

26 October 2012

 

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.

...the Fighter of the Decade/Year

WBO honors Pacquiao, Donaire

 

 

ABS-CBNnews.com

 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 Indra Future Minds grand prize winner

UP Students Win Madrid Competition

By ROY C. MABASA

May 15, 2012

Manila Bulletin

MANILA, Philippines - Three students of the University of the Philippines (UP) bagged the grand prize during the second edition of the Indra Future Minds Competition recently held in Madrid, Spain.

Erwin Soleta, Maria Katrina Volante and Benedict Ivan Andrade bested 10 other participating teams from Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, the Czech Republic, Mexico, Peru, and Spain in the final phase of the competition.

The UP students will be given the opportunity of joining the information technology (IT) multinational upon completion of their studies.

This will provide the students with an international experience early in their professional careers, thus developing the global profile that companies currently look for.

The international competition for students sponsored by Indra, aims to find solutions to the challenges faced by the business sector, such as globalization, multiculturalism, and collaborative networking.

Indra is a global technology, innovation and talent company with stakes in the transport, energy, healthcare, financial services, security and communications sectors worldwide. The company, which was established in the town of Aranjuez in Spain, is now considered as the leading technology provider in Spain and one of the leading multinational firms in Europe and Latin America.

The Philippine participants earned their victory by resolving the final Smart Cities case which is based on an actual Indra project for the City Government of Barcelona.

...the first Asian to Royal Academy

Angara 1st Asian named to royal Spanish academy

By TJ Burgonio
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Sunday, March 18th, 2012

MANILA, Philippines—The prestigious Real Academia Hispano Americana de Ciencias, Artes y Letras de Cadiz (Hispanic American Royal Academy of Arts, Sciences and Letters) has a new member from Asia.

Sen. Edgardo Angara is the first Asian to be appointed Corresponding Academic Member of the academy, founded in 1909 with King Alfonso XIII as it first honorary president, to promote cultural ties between Spain and the Hispanic nations of Latin America.

The academy is a corporation under Spain’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and is based in the historic Spanish city of Cadiz. Its current honorary president is King Juan Carlos I.

“This is a great honor not only for myself but also for our country and I thank the Royal Academy for the incomparable opportunity to be a member of their academic community,” Angara said.

He described the Royal Academy as one of Spain’s leading institutions on the humanities “endowed with the unique role of promoting linkages with Hispanic nations in America.”

According to Angara, the academy was now reaching out to Asia, primarily through the Philippines.

“We share a common heritage and a common goal—to once again become partners in economic, social and academic development,” he said.

Rekindling Spanish ties

Angara was nominated and appointed for his contributions in revitalizing and strengthening the Philippines’ relations with Spain, Mexico and other Latin American nations with which it shares a common history and heritage of being at one time related to the countries in the Iberian peninsula, particularly Spain.

The senator’s efforts to rekindle the Philippines’ historic ties with Spain and Mexico led to the institutionalization of the Philippine-Spanish Friendship Day Act and the Dia del Galeon (Day of the Galleon) celebration, according to his profile.

Philippine-Spanish Friendship Day is celebrated every June 30. The first International Dia del Galeon Festival was held in September and October 2010, commemorating the importance of the galleon trade which flourished between 1565 and 1815 between Manila and Acapulco in Mexico. The Philippines played a key role in the trade route using galleons which linked Asia to Europe via Mexico.

Outstanding academic

Angara was awarded Spain’s Premio Casa Asia in 2010, the first Southeast Asian to win the foreign policy prize. He is also the Philippines’ official representative to the Unión Latina, an organization consisting of 37 member-nations speaking the neo-Latin languages.

The senator was also cited as an outstanding academic and intellectual, having served as president of the University of the Philippines, and for his advocacy of the development of education, culture and the arts.

Alicia Castellanos Escudier, treasurer and member of the Royal Academy’s board of governors, said the board approved the appointment of Angara as Corresponding Academic Member from Manila in February.
The Royal Academy has Corresponding Academic Members from Spain, Mexico, Peru, Chile, Argentina, Puerto Rico, Colombia, the Czech Republic and the United States.

Angara said he will be delivering his inaugural address as Corresponding Academic Member before the Royal Academy at a date still to be set.

His responsibilities include sitting as a member of the committees overseeing the publication of the Royal Academy’s books and other publications.


Longest-serving senator

Angara is one of the country’s longest-serving senators, having been elected to four consecutive six-year terms since 1987, except during a mandatory term break from 1998 to 2001. He served as president of the Senate from 1993 to 1995 during the term of President Fidel Ramos.

Angara, who served as president of the University of the Philippines from 1981 to 1987, started his political career when he was elected one of the delegates from Quezon province to the 1971 Constitutional Convention.

He served as agriculture secretary of deposed President Joseph Estrada from 1999 to January 2001, and then briefly served as Estrada’s executive secretary from Jan. 6 to 20, 2001.

A founding member of the prominent Angara, Concepcion, Cruz, Regala and Abello (Accra) law office, he was president of the Philippine Bar Association and the Integrated Bar of the Philippines in the 1970s.
In 1980, he became founding president of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations Law Association.

The Philippine-Spanish Friendship Day Act and the Dia del Galeon were institutionalized through Angara’s efforts to revive the country’s ties with Spain and Mexico, Spain’s colony in the Americas through which it administered the then Philippine colony.

In 2010, Angara became the first Southeast Asian to be awarded Spain’s foreign policy award, Premio Casa Asia. He was also selected to receive the Commandeur de l’Ordre des Palmes Académiques—the Commander grade of the French Republic’s Order of Academic Palms—for his contributions to promoting excellence in higher education.

The Ordre des Palmes Académiques (Order of Academic Palms) is an Order of Chivalry of France for academics and cultural and academic figures.

Born on Sept. 24, 1934, in Baler, Aurora, Angara received a law degree from UP in 1958 and his master of laws from the University of Michigan in 1964.

He has four children with his wife, the former Gloria Manalang.

...the knock-out of the year

Donaire's KO of Montiel best of 2011: Sports Illustrated

 

abs-cbnNEWS.com

Posted at 12/20/2011

 

 

MANILA, Philippines -- Sports Illustrated has named world bantamweight champion Nonito Donaire's second-round knockout of Fernando Montiel last February 20 as the Knockout of the Year.

 

 

In that bantamweight bout, Donaire dropped Montiel to the canvas a minute before the second round ended with a powerful left hook. Referee Russell Mora allowed Montiel to continue after the boxer beat the 10-count, but Mora stopped the fight only seconds later as Donaire swarmed in for the kill.


"Yes, Montiel got up from the crushing overhand left that nearly caved in half his face," SI's Chris Mannix wrote. "But he only lasted a few more seconds before the referee stepped in to save him."


"Couple that with the significance of the match-up -- both Donaire and Montiel were pound-for-pound guys going at it in a highly anticipated super bantamweight fight -- and Donaire's savage knockout becomes that much more impressive," he added.


Donaire annexed the World Boxing Council and World Boxing Organization bantamweight championships with his victory.


His crushing knockout of Montiel was supposed to kick off a year that should have brought "The Filipino Flash" to the level of boxing's elite, but Donaire's career stalled in the middle of 2011 due to a promotional dispute with Top Rank and Golden Boy.


Towards the latter half of the year, Donaire eventually solved his contractual issues and signed with Top Rank. He went on to defeat Argentine champion Omar Narvaez via unanimous decision last October.


Donaire plans to fight at least four times in 2012, and is scheduled to debut at the junior featherweight division (122-pounds) on February 4 against Wilfredo Vazquez Jr.


Donaire is ranked number 4 on The RING's pound-for-pound ratings, behind countryman Manny Pacquiao, undefeated American Floyd Mayweather Jr., and Argentina's middleweight champion Sergio Martinez.

...the K-Pop grand prize winner

Philippines' Karla Carreon bags grand prize in K-pop World Festival

By JONATHAN M. HICAP

December 8, 2011

Manila Bulletin

Karla Carreon

MANILA, Philippines – Karla Maye Carreon of the Philippines and a duo from Kazakhstan won the grand prizes in the K-pop World Festival 2011 held on Dec. 7 in Changwon City, South Korea.

They bested 19 other teams from Los Angeles and New York City in United States, Japan, Argentina, Peru, England, Poland, Vietnam, Indonesia, Czech Republic, China, Germany, France, Russia and Chile.

Carreon’s triumph was announced by the Korean Cultural Center (KCC) in the Philippines on Facebook last night.

“This just in! Karla Carreon won the grand prize,” KCC Philippines posted.

Carreon was declared grand champion in the vocalist category and was awarded 5 million won (P191,000).

She told Bulletin Entertainment that she was really surprised when she was declared as champion.

“I feel really happy and surprised because I didn't really expect to win the world wide competition. I was nervous at first because I thought I'd never make it, because the other contestants were so good, they were like K-pop stars themselves,” she said.

Carreon performed the Korean song “Byul (Star)” by Yumi while the team from Kazakhstan performed SHINee’s “Ring Ding Dong.”

The K-pop World Festival 2011 is a talent contest that showcased the winners from local competitions held by different Korean Cultural Centers in various countries.

The competition in Korea was supported by Korea’s Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, Korean Culture and Information Service and the Presidential Council on Nation Branding.

K-pop stars like MBLAQ, T-ara, Infinite, Sistar, Secret, K.Will, and CNBlue also performed in the festival.

Last October, Carreon won the right to represent the Philippines in the K-pop World Festival when she bagged the first place in the Pinoy K-pop Star contest sponsored by KCC Philippines.

Carreon told Bulletin Entertainment in October, “I started singing when I was three years old, when my mom was listening to Michael Jackson and Bee Gees. She heard me singing their songs in gibberish but surprisingly in tune and that's when she and my family decided to let me take up basic vocal lessons. It was heavy for a three-year-old, but I had fun,” she said.

“I feel so honored and blessed to be representing KCC Philippines in Korea this December. This will be another big shot for me; another experience to last a lifetime,” she said.

This is her third win in a singing contest this year. Before her triumph in the Pinoy K-pop Star contest, she joined the World Championships of the Performing Arts (WCOPA) in Los Angeles, California last July where she won four silver medals.

KBS World will air the K-pop World Festival on Dec. 30.

....the Emmy Gold awardee

'Impostor' gets medal from Int'l Emmys, loses best telenovela to Portugal

By KAYE VILLAGOMEZ

November 24, 2011

Manila Bulletin

MANILA, Philippines — “Impostor” picked up gold medal recognition from the 2011 International Emmy Awards for having been nominated in its Best Telenovela category. However, Portugal’s “Laços de Sangue” (“Blood Ties”) snatched the Emmy from the ABS-CBN soap aired in 2010.
 
 
 

Nonetheless, “Impostor” production manager Rowena Benitez remained proud bringing home a gold medal honoring the nomination.
 
“We feel very honored because we made it to the cut. There were 800 judges, 67 countries [involved in the selection], so it’s already a feat being nominated,” she said on “Umagang Kay Ganda” Nov. 22.

Benitez, who attended the medal awarding ceremony Nov. 21 at Hotel Sofitel in Manhattan, added: “[We feel very] privileged and inspired that we can produce world-class dramas that can make it to the international market.”

While in Manhattan, she participated in an Emmy tradition by signing on its official poster, which all nominees do.

The news of the Emmy nod broke early October in Manila, but the gold medal made everything official for the Maja Salvador-Sam Milby starrer, which was the only Asian-made serial in the category.
 
“The honor only means that the passion of the people behind drama is there. At ‘yung hindi tumitigil para mag-produce at gumawa ng mga drama, na magiging proud tayo at kayang luminya sa programa in the international market,” Benitez said.

In a separate report on ABS-CBN’s online news, Bruce Praisner, president and CEO of the International Academy of Television Arts and Science, encouraged all nominees: “This group, partly speaking, is the winner. Everybody can’t win, but if you’re a nominee in a competition around the world with a thousand nominations and you emerge from all of that, well in our book, you’ve won.”

Based on the 11th installment of the Precious Hearts Romances about stealing a model’s identity, “Impostor” also stars Melai Cantiveros and Jason Francisco. Jerome Pobocan and Neal del Rosario shared directorial credits for the serial.

Other soaps that competed for the best telenovela award were “Contra las Cuerdas” from Argentina and “Destiny River” from Brazil.

The 39th International Emmy Awards was concluded Tuesday afternoon, Manila time. Among those who attended the event were Lady Gaga, Nigel Lythgoe, among others. Former “Beverly Hills 90210” star Jason Priestley hosted the ceremony for the second straight year.

...the New Seven Wonders of Nature (official)

PUERTO PRINCESA’S TOURISM GEM:

Underground river among new 7 wonders

Agence France-Presse

Saturday, November 12th, 2011

Puerto Princesa Mayor Edward Hagedorn (center) shows New Seven Wonders Foundation president Bernard Weber and director Jean-Paul de la Fuente the awe-inspiring sights of the Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park in this photo taken on Oct. 23, 2011. RODEL ROTONI

GENEVA—The Philippines’ Puerto Princesa Underground River, the Amazon rainforest, Vietnam’s Halong Bay and Argentina’s Iguazu Falls were named among the world’s new seven wonders of nature, according to organizers of a global poll.

Amazon Rainforest, Brazil







Halong Bay, Vietnam

Iguazo Falls, Argentina

The other three crowned the world’s natural wonders are South Korea’s Jeju Island, Indonesia’s Komodo and South Africa’s Table Mountain, said the New7Wonders foundation, citing provisional results.

Jeju Island, South Korea

Komodo Island, Indonesia

Table Mountain, South Africa

Final results will be announced early 2012, said the Swiss foundation, warning however that there may yet be changes between the provisional winners and the final list.

Sites which have failed to make the cut include Tanzania’s Mount Kilimanjaro, the Dead Sea and the US Grand Canyon.

The poll organised by Swiss foundation New7Wonders has attracted great interest, mobilizing celebrities including Argentinian football star Lionel Messi calling on fans to pick his home country’s Iguazu Falls.

The results come after a long consultation process lasting from December 2007 to July 2009, when world citizens were asked to put forward sites which they deemed were natural wonders.

More than a million votes were cast to trim the list of more than 440 contenders in over 220 countries down to a shortlist of 77.

The group was then further cut to the 28 finalists by a panel of experts.

Anyone in the world was then able to vote for the final seven via telephone, text messages or Internet social networks.

The Philippine government vigorously campaigned for the Palawan subterranean river in a bid to boost a sagging tourism industry.

Founded in 2001 by filmmaker Bernard Weber in Zurich, the foundation New7Wonders is based on the same principle on which the seven ancient wonders of the world were established. That list of seven wonders was attributed to Philon of Byzantium in ancient Greece.

New7Wonders said its aim is to create a global memory by garnering participation worldwide.

But even as the natural wonders poll came to a close, the New7Wonders foundation has set its eyes on a new survey — the top seven cities of the world. Participating cities will be announced on January 1, 2012.  With a report from INQUIRER.net

...the countries with least gender gap

Philippines on Top 10 list of countries with least gender gap

By Michelle V. Remo
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Wednesday, November 2nd, 2011

MANILA, Philippines—The Philippines, where women enjoy the same access to education as men, remains on the Top 10 countries with the least “gender gap,” according to the 2011 Global Gender Gap rankings by the World Economic Forum.

From the 9th spot in the 2010 survey,  the Philippines ranked higher to 8th in 2011, with a score of 0.7685, among 135 countries. It performed favorably in the four categories that determine gender gap: (1) educational attainment, (2) health and survival, (3) economic participation and opportunity, and (4) political empowerment.

The Philippines got the perfect score of 1 in the first two categories.

In the first category, the Philippines shares the top rank with 21 other countries, including the United States, the United Kingdom, France and Australia, among others.

The Philippines’ favorable performance in the first category comes amid official reports showing that women attending primary, secondary and tertiary education number about the same as, if not more than the men.

The country’s top rank in the second category showed that women in the Philippines have just about the same life expectancy as that of men. Life expectancy is affected by various factors such as disease, malnutrition and violence.

For the second category, the Philippines shares the top rank with 37 other countries, including Finland, Lesotho, Latvia, Bahamas and Argentina.

In the third category of “economic participation and opportunity,” the Philippines ranked 15th with a score of 0.7632. In this category, countries are evaluated based on gaps between men and women in terms of work participation, remuneration and advancement opportunities.

In the fourth category of “political empowerment,” the Philippines ranked 16th with a score of 0.3314. In this category, countries are evaluated based on gap between men and women in terms of women-to-men ratio in  government positions.

According to the WEF, the world ranking in terms of gender gap is aimed at increasing the awareness of countries on the importance of closing the gender gap.

“The rankings are designed to create greater awareness among a global audience of the challenges posed by gender gaps and the opportunities created by reducing them,” the WEF said in the Global Gender Gap Index report.

Global efforts to close the gap between men and women in various aspects, including access to education and employment, are supported by economists who say that promoting gender equality helps achieve developmental objectives of economies.

This is because tapping the skills of women helps increase an economy’s overall productivity.

On the contrary, they say, economies have been missing out on growth opportunities if women were not tapped to contribute their skills and talents.

“The rankings are designed to create greater awareness among a global audience of the challenges posed by gender gaps and the opportunities created by reducing them,” WEF said in the report.

...the Filipino movies for Spain

Spanish envoy wants to bring PHL films to Spain ‘soon’

By IBARRA C. MATEO

10/03/2011

GMA News

Even as they are busy preparing for this week’s Pelicula: 10th Spanish Film Festival, Spanish and Filipino officials are also discussing the possibility of staging a Philippine film festival in Spain.

Describing cinema as “a vibrant reflection of culture," Spanish Ambassador to the Philippines Jorge Domecq said, “We hope that soon the Philippines will take its movies to our country, whose audience is wishing to see the works of Filipino filmmakers."

At a press conference last Sept. 29 to announce the 10th edition of Pelicula, Domecq said, “Spain has taken the initiative to promote Philippine cinema, not only in Spain, but also in the Philippines as demonstrated by the recent publication by Instituto Cervantes de Manila of the book: 44 Cineastas Filipinos/44 Filipino Filmmakers."

The embassy describes Pelicula as “one of the biggest showcases of Spanish and Latin American films in Asia."

“We are aspiring for a genuine partnership with the Philippines in terms of cinema. For that reason, we have initiated this year a partnership with the Film Development Council of the Philippines, which we hope will be most fruitful," Domecq added.

24 films

Pelicula begins on Oct. 4, with the invitational screening of “La Verguenza" (The Shame, 2009), winner of the Best Film and Best Screenplay awards at the 2009 Malaga Spanish Film Festival. Its scriptwriter-director, David Planell, will grace the Philippine premiere of his directorial debut, which tackles the decision of a rich couple to return an adopted child who was found to have behavioral disorders.

“On this 10th year, Pelicula will once again showcase a collection of more than 20 awarded films carefully selected from Spain, as well as from Argentina, Chile, Mexico, and Uruguay, all presenting a wide range of perspectives and styles," said Eduardo Calvo, the newdirector of Instituto Cervantes de Manila.

“I guarantee that Instituto Cervantes will always choose the best quality, the most attractive, and the most interesting sights of all Spanish cultures from Spain and other Spanish-speaking countries,’ he added.

Among the 24 films to be shown are the Javier Bardem starrer “Biutiful," for which he won the Best Actor award at the 2010 Cannes International Film Festival and at the 2011 Goya Awards. Directed by Alejandro Gonzales Iñarritu, “Biutiful" tells the story of Uxbal, who is engaged in the trafficking of illegal migrants and struggles to reconnect with his children when he discovers he has terminal cancer.

Calvo said a special cycle of screening of all the winners of the “Audience Choice Award" from 2002 to 2011 will be mounted during the festival, along with a photo exhibit documenting the history of Pelicula since it started.

The Asian premiere of Filipino director Raya Martin’s “Buenas Noches, España" (Good Evening, Spain) will be held on Oct. 10, he added.

Jose Maria Fons, cultural officer of the Instituto Cervantes de Manila, told reporters that Filipinos will have a chance to dialogue with “La Verguenza" scriptwriter-director David Planell on Oct. 5 and “Yo, Tambien" (Me, Too) scriptwriter-director Alvaro Pastor on Oct. 11, after the screening of their films. Planell and Pastor will also hold filmmaking workshops for Filipinos, he added.

Fons said one of this year’s highlights is the “Mexican Night" that will screen three Mexican films: “La Zona," a story about two divergent worlds that live in hatred and in fear of each other; Bardem’s “Biutiful"; and “Morirse esta en Hebreo," a comedy about relationships and life after death.

Noting that Filipinos often see some elements of local culture when they watch Spanish films, Ambassador Domecq said the success of Pelicula lies in its ability to “bring over to the Philippines a very accurate picture of what the main concerns and dilemmas of the Spanish people are these days, which these very good directors are making into films."

Beyond film

Calvo said the Instituto Cervantes is looking into the possibility of going beyond films and reaching out more closely to very young Filipinos through other art genres such as flamenco for dance and jazz for music. “We would like to offer the young Filipinos the best of Spanish culture," he said.

Side by side with Pelicula, Domecq said an international conference on the Galleon Trade will be held at the University of the Philippines in Diliman on Oct. 8 to be participated in by Spanish, Mexican, and Filipino experts.

“Foto," an exhibit of photographs by Spain’s top 15 photographers, will be launched at the Metropolitan Museum this month while the National Archives will exhibit historical documents from the Ilocos region in November, he said.

As part of the 150th anniversary of Jose Rizal’s birth, the ambassador said the Spanish Embassy and the Instituto Cervantes are launching an annotated version of “Noli Me Tangere" on Nov. 22 in connection with their “Philhispanic Classics." Historian Ambeth Ocampo wrote the introduction for the latest edition of “Noli" while philologist Isaac Donoso wrote the annotations.

The original “Noli" was published in 1886 in Berlin by the Berliner Buchdruckerei Actien Geseellschaft, while the 2011 “Noli" is published by the Biblioteca Clasicos Hispanofilipinos.

In Madrid, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs opens an exhibit on Rizal on Nov. 28 at the Spanish National Library, Domecq added. - YA, GMA News