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 Silicon Valley top talent sources

PH is 6th top source of Silicon Valley talent

ABS-CBNnews.com

Posted at 06/08/2014

 

 

 

Misha Chellam oversees the competition at the Founder Institute's Silicon Valley Sports League in San Francisco, California. Photo by Tim Mosenfelder/Getty Images/AFP

MANILA – The Philippines is the sixth largest source of talent for the global tech companies in Silicon Valley.

An infographic posted on the Bloomberg BusinessWeek website last Thursday listed the top 100 sources of “imported talent,” from both U.S. states and foreign countries.

Mexico emerged as the top talent source for tech workers in Silicon Valley, followed by U.S. states Texas, Arizona, Washington and Illinois.

Bloomberg BusinessWeek noted that while a third of start-ups in Silicon Valley are founded by Indian Americans, the Philippines managed to beat India in the Top 100 list. India ranked ninth, trailing China at No. 7 and New York at No. 8.

The U.S. state of Florida rounded up the Top 10.

According to Bloomberg BusinessWeek, Asian Americans became the majority of the tech workforce in Silicon Valley for the first time in 2010.

In 2012, 51 percent of Silicon Valley’s population spoke a language other than English exclusively at home compared to only 21 percent in the whole of the United States, the magazine said.

 

...the PH climb in World Bank economic ranking

PH is 28th largest economy

 

By Cai U. Ordinario,

BusinessMirror

05/01/2014

 

 

MANILA - The Philippines emerged as the world’s 28th largest economy in the International Comparison Program (ICP) 2011 study, results of which were released by Washington-based lender World Bank on Wednesday.

Taguig City, Metro Manila  Skyline

 

The ICP 2011 is a project undertaken through the authority of the United Nations Statistical Commission. It covered 199 economies and compared their shares to the global economy and expenditures. It also used the so-called purchasing-power parities (PPPs) in comparing the size and price levels of economies around the world.

The PPPs make it possible to compare gross domestic products (GDPs) of economies in real terms by removing the price-level differences among them.

“Six of the world’s 12 largest economies were in the middle-income category [based on the World Bank’s definition]. When combined, the 12 largest economies account for two-thirds of the world economy, and 59 percent of the world population,” the World Bank said.

The World Bank said the PPP-based world GDP amounted to $90.65 trillion in 2011, higher than the $70.29-trillion GDP measured in terms of exchange rates.

Data showed that the Philippines’s share in terms of global GDP was at 0.6 percent in PPP terms and 0.3 percent in terms of exchange rates. The 30 largest economies accounted for 84.1 percent of the global GDP in PPP terms.

The Philippines is one of the four Southeast Asia countries that made it to the 30 largest economies worldwide. Indonesia ranked 10th, followed by Thailand at 21st and Malaysia at 27th.

Globally, the world’s largest economy is the United States, with a share of 17.1 percent of global GDP. But China was a close second, with a share of 14.9 percent; with India a far third, with a share of 6.4 percent.

“The six largest middle-income economies—China, India, Russia, Brazil, Indonesia and Mexico—account for 32.3 percent of world GDP, whereas the six largest high-income economies—the United States, Japan, Germany, France, the United Kingdom and Italy—account for 32.9 percent,” the World Bank said.

“Asia and the Pacific, including China and India, accounts for 30 percent of world GDP; Eurostat-OECD 54 percent, Latin America 5.5 percent [excluding Mexico, which participates in the OECD; and Argentina, which did not participate in the ICP 2011]; and Africa and Western Asia about 4.5 percent each,” it added.

The Philippines also had a price-level index (PLI) of 53.2, which indicates it is not an expensive country but not the cheapest, either. The PLI is the ratio of a PPP to a corresponding exchange rate.

The World Bank said an index of over 100 means prices are higher than the world average; and 1 less than 100 means prices are relatively lower.

The most expensive economies in GDP terms are Switzerland, Norway, Bermuda, Australia and Denmark, with indices ranging from 210 to 185. The United States ranked 25th in the world, lower than most other high-income economies, including France, Germany, Japan and the United Kingdom.

But only 23 economies showed a PLI of 50 or below. The cheapest economies are Egypt, Pakistan, Myanmar, Ethiopia and Lao People’s Democratic Republic, with indices ranging from 35 to 40.

Meanwhile, even if the Philippines is one of the largest economies in the world and one of the “not so expensive” places to live globally, it is still not the richest in terms of GDP per capita.

The Philippines’s GDP per capita in 2011 in PPP terms was only at $5,772 and $2,379 in terms of exchange rates. These are below the average GDP per capita in Asia and the Pacific, at around $7,621 in PPP terms and $3,527 in terms of exchange rates.

The five economies with the highest GDP per capita are Qatar, with a GDP per capita in PPP terms at $146,521, followed by Macao with $115,441; Luxembourg, $88,670; Kuwait, $84,058; and Brunei Darussalam, $74,397.

In contrast, around eight economies have a GDP per capita of less than $1,000. These are Malawi with $973, followed by Mozambique, $951; Central African Republic, $897; Niger, $852; Burundi, $712; Congo, $655; Comoros, $610; and Liberia, $537.

“Eleven economies have more than $50,000 per capita, while they collectively account for less than 0.6 percent of the world’s population. The United States has the 12th-highest GDP per capita,” the World Bank said.

The ICP implementation was led and coordinated by the ICP Global Office, hosted by the World Bank, in partnership with regional agencies overseeing activities in eight geographic regions.

These are Africa, Asia and the Pacific, Commonwealth of Independent States, Latin America, the Caribbean, Western Asia, Pacific Islands, and the countries of the regular PPP program managed by the Statistical Office of the European Communities and the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development.

Further, the World Bank explained that two “singleton” economies, Georgia and Iran, participated in bilateral exercises with partner economies, without being part of any regional comparisons.

 

...the PH IMO seat

Philippines re-elected to IMO

By John Carlo Cahinhinan
Sun Star

Tuesday, December 3, 2013

MANILA (Updated) -- The Philippines once again bagged a seat in the International Maritime Organization (IMO) during its 28th Annual Assembly in London, United Kingdom.

The IMO is the United Nations' specialized agency responsible for ensuring maritime safety, security and protection of marine environment, while its assembly serves as the executive organ of the agency that is responsible for overseeing the work of the entire organization.

Maritime Industry Authority (Marina) administrator Maximo Mejia said the country was placed under "Category C," which includes countries with "special interests in maritime transport or navigation."

The Marina administrator explained that a "Category C" nation has special interest in maritime transport or navigation and whose election into the council will ensure the representation of all major geographic areas of the world.

Those member states that belonged to the same category include Australia, Bahamas, Belgium, Chile, Cyprus, Denmark, Indonesia, Jamaica, Kenya, Liberia, Malaysia, Malta, Mexico, Morocco, Peru, Singapore, South Africa, Thailand, and Turkey.

Around one-third of the world's seafarers' population comes from the Philippines.

Mejia noted that the country, as a maritime nation, is deeply committed to the goals of the IMO in a very concrete manner, particularly on the benefits from the operation of safe and secure ships on clean oceans.

"We rely on the seas to connect our thousands of islands and on its bounty for our food and our economy," Mejia said.

He also reassured the international maritime community of the Philippines' adherence to the conventions, rules and regulations set by the IMO and other international regulatory bodies.

"Being the source of more than a quarter of all seafarers on-board ships in the international trade is a position of great responsibility, and the Philippines reassures the international maritime community of its commitment to the letter and intent of the STCW Convention and to ensuring that the world’s ships are manned by able, competent, and qualified seafarers," Mejia said. (Sunnex)

 

...The PacMan

Pacquiao dominates Rios, wins via unanimous decision

GMA News

November 24, 2013

 

 

He's still got it - Manny Pacquiao lands a right on his foe Brandon Rios. Tyrone Siu / Reuters

He's back.

In what could have been his swansong in boxing, Manny Pacquiao proved he still packs a mean punch, registering a unanimous decision victory against American Brandon Rios, Sunday at The Venetian Macau, claiming the WBO International Welterweight belt in the process.

Among the three judges, Michael Pernick scored it 120-108, while Lisa Giampa had it at 119-109. Manfred Kuchler gave Rios two rounds at 118-110.

It was total domination for Pacquiao, who pummeled Rios with a flurry of punches. He showed vastly greater hand speed than his opponent and landed blistering combinations that left Rios' right eye swollen and his left eye bleeding.

Though the Filipino was unable to score any knockdowns, he clearly frustrated his foe, who on several occasions swung at nothing but air as Pacquiao moved out of the way and returned fire before Rios could cover up.

Pacquiao landed 281-of-790 punches for 36 percent, while Rios connected with 138-of-502 punches thrown for 27 percent, according to CompuBox.

"Recovering from the knockout and giving a good show just like the young Manny Pacquiao," the Saranggani representative said after the win.

Pacquiao also shared that he was very careful this time around, avoiding a repeat of the result in his last loss against Juan Manuel Marquez:

"I'm very careful. I learned in the last fight."

[Review the fight, round-by-round]

After nearly a year away from the ring, the Filipino ring icon, who dedicated his win to victims of Super Typhoon Yolanda, showed he still has what it takes, as he took down the taller Rios.

"This isn't about my comeback," he insisted. "My victory is a symbol of my people's comeback from a natural disaster, a national tragedy. It's really important to bring honor to my country with this win."

The tone of the fight was set early and remained the same for all twelve rounds. Rios (31-2-1, 22 KOs) put his gloves high in front of his face in an attempt to block Pacquiao's blows, but the eight-time world champion threw so many punches that quite a few broke through to leave their marks on the American's face.

Showing deft footwork, Pacquiao would jab, turn swiftly to one side, land another punch and turn again.

On several occasions, one straight left would be followed by another, and then, having pierced Rios' defense, Pacquiao would open up with a barrage of four or five punches, to the delight of the more than 13,000 in attendance at the Cotai Arena in the Venetian Macao.

"All I can say is, many Manny punches," smiled Pacquiao's trainer Freddie Roach. "He fought the perfect fight. He let him off the hook. I wanted him to knock him out. But I was very happy with his performance."

Gracious Rios

Fight week had been marked by tension between the two fight camps, which culminated in Roach and members of the Rios team engaging in a scuffle on Wednesday morning but Rios was gracious in defeat.

"I got beaten by one of the best fighters in the world," he said. "He came with a game plan and he executed it. He's very fast and he throws punches from a lot of different angles. He's hard to fight against."

Pacquiao returned the compliments.

"My opponent was very tough," he said. "He is a strong fighter, and a tough fighter. Rios was not an easy opponent. He was one of the toughest opponents I've ever faced."

Following Pacquiao's December knockout against Marquez, there were questions over whether he could still compete at an elite level. Roach had hinted that defeat against Rios would be a reason for his fighter to retire. Victory, however, prompted a different response.

"This is still my time," said Pacquiao. "My time is not over."

Rios' trainer Robert Garcia agreed.

"Pacquiao still has it," he said. "He has quickness and great speed. He'll be around for a long time."

Hungry Pacquiao

Coming into the bout, Pacquiao described himself as hungry, following what was essentially a year away from boxing, after losing last December to arch-rival Juan Manuel Marquez via a sixth-round KO, and prior to that, a controversial split decision to Timothy Bradley.

That hunger manifested positively, as the Filipino congressman gave his Super Typhoon-struck countrymen something to cheer for.

Pacquiao dedicated his bout to the victims of Yolanda (international name Haiyan), and his fight was broadcast for free to security forces and aid workers, as well as the citizens, many homeless, of Tacloban.

It was not immediately known what Pacquiao's next bout would be, but it is possible that he will seek a rematch against Marquez, or see if Floyd Mayweather Jr. will finally rise up and face him, in a bout many boxing fans have long clamored for.

On the other hand, it is the second straight loss for 27-year-old Rios, who blazed into the limelight after registering 31 wins and a draw without a defeat, until losing his rematch against Mike Alvarado via unanimous decision last March for the Interim WBO Welterweight title.

It was Pacquiao's first fight outside the United States since winning at home against Oscar Larios in 2006. Celebrities were still on hand at The Venetian to witness the fight, including football superstar David Beckham, who was shown visiting Pacquiao right before the match. American Idol finalist Jessica Sanchez sang both the American and Philippine national anthems. — OMG/AMD/RAF, GMA News; with a report from Reuters by Kieran Mulvaney

 

 

...the Miss Supranational 2013

Filipina wins Miss Supranational 2013 crown in Belarus

 

InterAksyon.com ·

Saturday, September 7, 2013

 

Miss Philippines Mutya Johanna Datul waves to the crowd after winning the Miss Supranational 2013 crown at the Belarus Sports Palace in Minsk Friday night. (Reuters)

Philippine bet Mutya Johanna Datul bagged the Miss Supranational 2013 crown Friday night in Minsk, Belarus, besting 82 other candidates from all over the world.

Earlier, the 21-year-old, 5’8″ beauty from Isabela was declared a strong contender for the title after being named Miss Personality.

Now on its fifth year, the Miss Supranational pageant is considered the fifth biggest international beauty contest in the world, after Miss Universe, Miss International, Miss World, and Miss Earth.

Video link: http://youtu.be/PbDpUhy9zrE

Datul is the first Filipina — the first Asian, in fact — to be named Miss Supranational, which came with a $25,000 cash prize. Last year’s Philippine representative, Elaine Kay Moll, won third runner up in the pageant held in Warsaw, Poland.

Binibining Pilipinas Charities, Inc., the local franchise holder for Miss Supranational, announced in a statement that Datul will come home “to a rousing welcome” on Monday, September 9.

Miss Mexico was named 1st runner-up, Miss Turkey 2nd runner-up, Miss Indonesia 3rd runner-up, and Miss US Virgin Islands 4th runner-up.

 

...the Growth Survivors

Growth 'survivors' PHL, Mexico now define emerging markets

By NATSUKO WAKI,

Reuters

July 31, 2013

London — Headline growth numbers are no longer enough to attract foreign capital to emerging markets as discriminating investors home in on countries with the most sustainable economic models.

 

 

Mexico and the Philippines are among those trying to ensure growth can be maintained long-term by encouraging domestic saving that can be used to fund infrastructure projects.

 

 

This transition to a new model is already underway, with equity and bond funds in both countries attracting net inflows in the past six months despite a sharp emerging market sell-off.

 

 

The Federal Reserve's plan to withdraw its massive monetary stimulus is dividing emerging markets fortunes, with capital draining rapidly out of countries with large financing needs.

 

 

To make themselves less vulnerable to the ebb and flow of foreign short-term money, some countries are beginning to invest in their economies, backed by a more stable financing base.

 

 

The Philippines, where remittances from overseas workers provide a steady flow of income, is channeling a pool of domestic money to build airports and roads in a project costing 3 percent of gross domestic product.

 

 

Mexico plans to spend almost a third of GDP on improving its infrastructure in the next six years and is among Latin American countries that have reformed their pension systems to encourage workers to save regularly.

 

 

That creates a base to finance infrastructure spending, which should boost domestic demand and potential growth.

 

 

"In emerging markets, you are no longer trying to find a winner but you're trying to find a survivor," said Salman Ahmed, global fixed income and FX strategist at Lombard Odier Investment Managers.

 

 

"We still think Mexico and Philippines are well placed... Winners of yesterday, Brazil and Turkey, are looking trickier."
 

According to estimates by Lipper, dedicated Mexico equity and bond funds saw a combined inflows of $3.7 billion in the six months to end-June, while Philippine equity and bond funds attracted a combined net inflows of $2.56 billion.

 

 

Mexico's stock market has risen 1.6 percent since May 22, while the broader index has lost nearly 7 percent.

 

 

The Philippines' stock market has risen more than 14 percent in 2013 and its sovereign credit rating is on review for an upgrade by Moody's.

 

 

The ratings firm has cited stable and favorable government funding conditions and a strengthened government policy mandate among triggers for the rating review.

 

 

HOW TO SPEND IT

 

 

Latin America is a step ahead in building up an institutional domestic savings base, having reformed its pension systems following the debt crisis of the 1980s. Mexico, Chile, Peru, and Columbia all have relatively high savings rates of above 20 percent of GDP, according to the World Bank.

 

 

Chile is the highest-ranked emerging economy after Singapore and Taiwan in BlackRock's Sovereign Risk Index, which measures credit risk through a broad list of fiscal, financial and institutional metrics.
 

"It's interesting to know that a considerable number of emerging markets get very high ratings in that index because of domestic finance savings institutions," said Ewen Cameron Watt, BlackRock Investment Institute's chief investment strategist.
 

"Countries that are tending to find their financing of currencies more resilient are those who have deepened their domestic financial system, usually with the development of the domestic contractual financing and savings industry."
 

Mexico is beginning to channel domestic savings to building projects via its state pension funds, which have about 1.919 trillion Mexican peso ($150.76 billion) in assets, representing about 23 percent of private savings. They hold 1.5 percent of assets in domestic debt specifically labeled as infrastructure.

 

 

State funds may be key to its plans to spend $300 billion in the next six years to build highways, rail lines and communications infrastructure, and upgrade the country's ports.

 

 

After two decades without a passenger rail service, Mexico has earmarked 95 million pesos for three routes, including a 300-km line across the Yucatan peninsula, home to its famous Cancun beach resort and the ancient Maya pyramids.

 

 

The government has also promised to consider a second airport in Mexico City to ease pressure on the current sole hub, which is Latin America's second largest by traffic.

 

 

The Philippines government has offered private sector firms contracts to modernize at least five airports in two of its three main regions and will soon take bids for an $814-million toll road contract in two provinces just south of the capital.

 

 

For both economies, Japan could be a model. Much of its post-war growth, kick-started with foreign capital, was driven by private savings that were channeled by banks to finance massive infrastructure and reconstruction projects.

 

 

By the time it passed West Germany to become the world's No. 2 economy in the 1960s, Japan no longer relied on foreign capital to grow.

 

 

"Infrastructure in the long term is a positive factor. It makes you more competitive and improves the supply side of the economy," Ahmed at Lombard Odier said. — Reuters

 

 

...the investment choice

Top Morgan Stanley fund manager recommends PH

 

ABS-CBNnews.com

07/24/2013

 

 

MANILA, Philippines - A well-known fund manager said the Philippines is one of the emerging markets to bet on, as the end of US stimulus raises social pressures in others.

According to Bloomberg, Ruchir Sharma, the Morgan Stanley fund manager who wrote the book "Breakout Nations", recommended investing more in the Philippines and Mexico than recommended by benchmarks, and less in countries like Brazil, Russia and China.

Bloomberg reported that many emerging markets will suffer more than developing countries as the Fed tightens up because they need continuous growth to satisfy citizens who have just emerged from poverty or trigger protests similar to those in Brazil and Turkey.

"There are positive stories as well. The selloff has been indiscriminate, but once the dust settles, the attention will turn back," said Sharma.

But Sharma said there's opportunity in countries trying to fix their finances, instead of giving in to populist pressure. - ANC

 

...the new "hot, young thing", TIMP

Move over BRIC, here comes TIMP - Turkey, Indonesia, Mexico, PH

 

By Conrad de Aenlle

Reuters

03/29/2013

 

 

LONG BEACH, California -- One day you're a hot young thing and everybody loves you. Then suddenly you're more mature, move a bit slower, and some hotter thing is threatening to replace you.

That cruel reality confronts the four large emerging stock markets known as the BRICs: Brazil, Russia, India and China. These erstwhile ingénues have struggled - the MSCI BRIC Index fell 6.5 percent in the 12 months through March 25 - while four smaller markets with an acronym of their own - Turkey, Indonesia, Mexico and the Philippines, the TIMPs - have excelled, recording gains ranging from 9.4 percent for Indonesia to 37.7 percent for the Philippines.

Brazil

Russia

India

  

China

The TIMPs are blessed with rapid growth, as are many emerging economies. The International Monetary Fund forecasts inflation-adjusted increases in gross domestic product this year of 3.5 percent for Mexico and Turkey, 4.8 percent for the Philippines and 6.3 percent for Indonesia.

Turkey

 

Indonesia

 

Mexico

 

Philippines

What made the TIMPs stand out to Bob Turner, who coined the term and is chief investment officer of Turner Investment Partners, a Berwyn, Pennsylvania, asset management firm, is that they possess qualities that should keep them and their stock markets expanding rapidly and profitably. These include favorable demographics and strengthening economies and political institutions.

"They have young populations, with a high number of workers to retirees," Turner explained. "They also have infrastructure that needs to be built out and banking systems that are underleveraged." He meant that individuals and governments are not overextended on credit, unlike in many mature countries, leaving room to borrow more to fuel growth.

But not every fast-growing small economy qualifies as a TIMP for Turner. He dismissed other countries that also have young populations and fast growth potential because they lack liquid stock markets, diverse industrial bases or adequate financial and legal systems.

APPEALING IDIOSYNCRACIES

Each TIMP country has some idiosyncratic feature that adds to its appeal, Turner said. He highlighted Turkey's location, which allows it to bridge Asia and Europe along one axis and Russia and the Arab world along the other; Mexico's "manufacturing renaissance"; Indonesia's middle class, which is growing swiftly by Asian standards; and the Philippines' booming call center industry.

Rick Schmidt, co-manager of the Harding Loevner Emerging Markets Fund, identified many of the same pluses in the TIMPs as Turner. However, Schmidt prefers to order a la carte, as it were, rather than taking the whole set menu.

"The demographics are clearly more attractive in those countries," he said. "I like the markets. I just don't like the concept of grouping them together."

Viewing them as a single entity might keep investors from scouting around for more productive markets if conditions in any of these four become less favorable, he cautioned. He also wonders if their returns are too good to last.

"All of these stories are true, and the markets have done extremely well as a result," Schmidt observed. "Is past performance a guarantee of future results?" He doesn't think so in the Philippines, which he said he's avoiding due to high valuations, although he has holdings in the other three. The MSCI Philippines Investable Market Index recently traded at a price-earnings ratio of 19, compared to 14 for the Standard & Poor's 500.

Scott Klimo, co-manager of the Amana Developing World Fund, expressed similar concerns about the Philippines, but he finds the TIMPs' collective future sufficiently bright to say that they "are certainly among the countries I feel more enthusiastic about." He encourages small investors to get exposure through funds rather than individual stocks, however, because the markets are relatively obscure.

Exchange-traded funds that focus on the TIMPs include iShares MSCI Indonesia Investable Market Index Fund; Market Vectors Indonesia Index ETF; iShares MSCI Philippines Investable Market Index ETF; iShares MSCI Turkey Investable Market Index Fund and iShares MSCI Mexico Investable Market Index Fund.

Investors who would like to give individual issues a try can find several TIMP stocks with American depositary receipts, shares denominated in dollars and traded on U.S. markets.

Klimo is a fan of phone service providers across the TIMPs, including Perusahaan Perseroan (Persero) Telekomunikasi Indonesia Tbk PT and Indosat Tbk PT in Indonesia; Turkcell Iletisim Hizmetleri AS in Turkey and America Movil SAB de CV in Mexico.

America Movil could face additional competition as the government proceeds with plans to deregulate the industry, Klimo said, but he expects the company to benefit as broadcasting is deregulated at the same time.

He professed mixed feelings about another telecom, Philippine Long Distance Telephone Co. He likes it, but not at Wednesday's price of $71, or about 18 times earnings. "I think it's a fine company, but I'm looking for a little bit better entry point," he said.

Schmidt's selections include Astra International Tbk PT, an Indonesian car manufacturer, and the Turkish bank Turkiye Garanti Bankasi AS. Both have ADRs, although trading is very thin.

He is heavily invested in Mexico through such companies as Grupo Aeroportuario del Sureste, SAB de CV, which runs the Cancun airport and is, in his view, "a fantastic business that turns the airport into a shopping mall." Other Mexican holdings include the beverage maker Fomento Economico Mexicano SAB de CV and its subsidiary Coca-Cola Femsa SAB de CV.

Turner likes Grupo Financiero Santander Mexico SAB de CV, a subsidiary of a Spanish bank; Jasa Marga Persero Tbk PT, an Indonesian toll road builder and operator, and Turkcell.

As high as his hopes are for the TIMPs, Turner acknowledges potential hazards.

"With emerging countries, there is always sovereign risk - for instance a new leader who comes in and is less capitalistic," he said. Also, "any global slowdown has a bigger effect on emerging countries."

He expects the TIMPs, nevertheless, to stay hot for the foreseeable future as they travel the same path to progress as earlier generations - until some other hip, young things come along to replace them.

 

...the World's best beach hotels

World's best beach hotels

By Stirling Kelso

Travel+Leisur

26 February 2013 

 

How to explain the difference a beachfront hotel makes? “More than unobstructed views, it’s about the freedom of not having to look both ways to cross the street before feeling sand between your toes,” says Matt Thomson, founder of Wavecation.com, a surfing-focused vacation rental company.

That’s the thrilling sense of liberation that comes with a stay at beachfront hotel properties like Lizard Island Resort in Australia, where your suite’s private terrace overlooks the Great Barrier Reef.

Travel + Leisure readers were so taken that they voted Lizard Island Resort the No. 3 best beach hotel in the world, as part of our annual World’s Best survey. The top-scoring hotels and resorts all offer a captivating beach setting, and their interiors range from minimalist to cozy and traditional.

 

No. 1 Southern Ocean Lodge,

Kangaroo Island, Australia

 

 

(Photo: Courtesy of Southern Ocean Lodge)

Contemporary in design and green in attitude, this lodge sits on a wildlife-rich island 30 minutes from Adelaide. Each of the 21 suites offers limestone floors, an outdoor terrace, and works by local artisans. (Air conditioning is unnecessary; the property was constructed to take advantage of natural weather patterns.) For a spectacular ocean view from a hand-carved granite bath, book the glass-walled Osprey Pavilion suite, which also features a private plunge spa and sunken lounge.
 

No. 2 Discovery Shores Boracay,

Boracay, Philippines

 

 

 

(Photo: Courtesy of Discovery Shores)

The 2 1/2-mile stretch known as White Beach is often singled out for having the softest sand in the world—and it’s the setting for this resort and its 88 suites (some with private Jacuzzis). The water’s fine, whether you want to take a dip in the infinity pool or Jet Ski on the Sibuyan Sea. For people-watching, head to the Sandbar, where bartenders stir up lychee- and mango-infused mojitos.

 

No. 3 Lizard Island Resort,

Great Barrier Reef, Australia


(Photo: Courtesy of Lizard Island Resort)


With 24 beaches fringing the Great Barrier Reef and accommodations for just 40 couples, Lizard Island is in a category all its own. Open-plan suites are done in royal blue, turquoise, and stark white to mimic the Coral Sea below, with hammocks and decks discreetly hidden from view. Count on sunset cruises, torchlit beach dinners, and complimentary gourmet picnic baskets. Book an Anchor Bay Suite for a direct pathway to the beach and daybed sunbathing from a personal veranda.

 

 

No. 4 Hotel Santa Caterina,

Amalfi, Italy



(Photo: Courtesy of Hotel Santa Caterina)


Now in its fourth generation of Gambardella family management, this 1904 looker still reigns in Belle Époque splendor. Rooms are spread across the main building, two villas, and a triplet of honeymoon cottages and decorated with local antiques. An elevator descends to a private beach, saltwater pool, fitness center, and thatched-roof pizzeria and fish grill. As you stroll through the secluded terraced gardens and citrus orchards, it’s obvious why Liz Taylor and Richard Burton chose to hide out here.

 

 

No. 5 Live Aqua,

Cancún, Mexico

(Photo: Courtesy of Live Aqua Cancun)


For those seeking a calmer Cancún all-inclusive experience, Live Aqua delivers. An outdoor contemplation area uses eucalyptus and lavender aromatherapy to help you de-stress during the day, while mini-Japanese sand garden boxes are left in the room at turndown. All 371 rooms are done in neutral tones and natural materials, so your eyes are drawn straight to the hotel’s eight varying-temperature swimming pools. Book a corner suite for your own private Jacuzzi.

 

 

No. 6 Grand Velas All Suites & Spa Resort,

Playa del Carmen, Mexico

(Photo: Courtesy of Grand Velas)


Located inside an 80-acre mangrove and jungle reserve, this all-inclusive resort spreads across a white-sand beach and has an exotic, faraway feel even though it’s within an easy drive of Playa del Carmen. The resort features both adult-only and family areas, and the 89,000-square-foot spa is one of Mexico’s largest, with 40 treatment rooms, some with hydromassage tubs. After a day of pampering, dine at one of eight restaurants, including Sen Lin for Asian fusion and Cocina de Autor for molecular Mexican Caribbean cuisine.

 

 

No. 7 Four Seasons Resort,

Hualalai, Big Island, Hawaii


,(Photo: Don Riddle / Courtesy of Four Seasons)


All 228 rooms at this gorgeous, isolated resort are situated in low-rise bungalows with ocean views. The grounds border the dramatic volcanic rock coast with seawater and freshwater swimming pools; an open-air spa teems with tropical vegetation; and yoga, personal training, and a full menu of fitness classes are offered daily. The private 7,100-square-foot oceanfront Jack Nicklaus signature golf course is carved into the underlying black lava, which serves as a occasional bunker.



No. 8 Four Seasons Resort Bora Bora,
Bora-Bora, French Polynesia

,(Photo: John Sinal / Courtesy of Four Seasons)


Although overwater bungalows are the most enticing lodgings at the Four Seasons, the hotel has 107 different rooms scattered along the beachside and lagoon of its private motu (small islet). Walls are made of volcanic stone, and thatched-roofed spaces are decorated with teak and merbau-timber furnishings. All have extraordinary views over the turquoise-blue, coral-filled South Pacific, and some offer a glimpse of the majestic black-rock peaks of Mount Otemanu and Mount Pahia.


No. 9 Palazzo Avino,
Ravello, Italy



(Photo: Genivs Loci)


From the gym to the underwater window in the heated pool, sea views abound at this ornate 12th-century palazzo along the Amalfi Coast (formerly known as Palazzo Sasso). For the finest panoramas, head to the rooftop solarium with its twin Jacuzzis. The rooms are layered in 17th- through 19th-century antiques, Vietri tile floors, and Frette and Bulgari appointments. Chef Pino Lavarra’s eclectic/nouvelle-Italian cuisine has garnered two Michelin stars for Rossellinis Restaurant (open April-October).


 No. 10 Lodge at Doonbeg,
County Clare, Ireland


(Photo: Patrick O'Brien, Kiawah Partners)


This grand manor is hidden along the Emerald Isle’s remote and rugged Atlantic shores. Inside, a peat-log fireplace illuminates the wood-beamed lobby; goose-feather duvets adorn guest beds; and teapots of piping Irish Breakfast tea are served each morning. Staff will arrange outings to County Clare attractions, from the Cliffs of Moher to St. Tola Goat Cheese farm and the world-renowned Burren Smokehouse. Fancy something more restful? Go for a seaweed scrub at the Clodagh-designed White Horse Spa.

 

...the JP Morgan's favored markets

PH among JP Morgan’s favored markets

 

Local bourse seen extending its winning streak in 2013

By Doris C. Dumlao

Friday, February 1st, 2013

 

Global investment bank JP Morgan has kept the Philippines among its favored stock markets this 2013 with a view that the main local index—despite the strong run-up in the past four years—could extend its winning streak by another 15 percent.

“We’ve been overweight on the Philippines since 2009 and we have no intention of changing that view,” JP Morgan’s chief for Asian and emerging market equity Adrian Moet said in a briefing Friday.

“From the perspective of the international equity investor, the Philippines is delivering low currency risk, high economic growth and high (corporate) earnings growth and that’s a very attractive proposition particularly against a still quite troubled world,” said Moet, who flew in from Singapore to speak in a forum organized by JP Morgan for large institutional investors keen on Philippine equities.

The forum this year, attended by around 70 institutional investors—mostly long-term investors who are new to the Philippines—is the biggest so far in the last seven years that JP Morgan has conducted such briefings to pitch local equities to the foreign market.

For 2013, the Philippines joins Mexico, Turkey, Thailand and India among the countries where JP Morgan has an “overweight” rating. “Overweight” is a recommendation to accumulate stocks in excess of a benchmark index, usually the closely-tracked MSCI index.

Moet said good macroeconomic stability, improving policies and prospects of demographic dividends—referring to a large pool of human resources reaching working age—were common to most of these markets (except Thailand).

On the other hand, JP Morgan has an “underweight” recommendation on Brazil, Taiwan and South Korea. The investment firm has a “neutral” rating on China.

...the 2012 Fighter of the Year

US boxing scribes hail Donaire as Fighter of the Year

 

By Dino Maragay

philstar.com

January 28, 2013

 

 

Nonito Donaire Jr.

MANILA, Philippines – WBO super bantamweight champion Nonito Donaire Jr. has been named the 2012 Fighter of the Year by the Boxing Writers Association of America.

Donaire clinched the award on strength of a spectacular year wherein he fought and won four times against high-caliber opponents. He decisioned Wilfredo Vazquez in February last year, outpointed Jeffrey Mathebula in July, stopped Toshiaki Nishioka in October, then finally retired Mexican Jorge Arce in December.

This marks the fourth time in the last seven years that a Filipino boxer has won the award – also called the Sugar Ray Robinson award – with boxing icon Manny Pacquiao achieving the feat in 2006, 2008 and 2009.

Donaire plans to sustain the momentum brought by a stellar 2012 by eyeing more marquee fights this year. He is reportedly eyeing a bout against either WBC super bantamweight champion Abner Mares or WBA super bantamweight titlist Guillermo Rigondeaux.

Donaire is targeting to return to the ring by April.

Meanwhile, for his exemplary corner work on Donaire and fellow title holders Mikey Garcia and Brandon Rios, trainer Robert Garcia was hailed as the BWAA’s Trainer of the Year.

The BWAA also recognized the fourth fight between Pacquiao and rival Juan Manuel Marquez last December as its 2012 Fight of the Year. In the action-packed bout that saw vicious exchanges and several knockdowns, Marquez knocked Pacquiao out cold in the sixth round to cap off their storied rivalry.

 

Pacquiao and Marquez might meet for a fifth time this September.

Other BWAA awardees include Al Haymon (Manager of the Year), HBO boxing panelist Max Kellerman (Excellence in Boxing Journalism), middleweight Danny Jacobs (Courage in Overcoming Adversity), promoter Kathy Duva and matchmaker Bruce Tampler (Barney Nagler awar for “Long and Meritorious Service” in boxing), Showtime broadcaster Steve Farhood (Marvin Kohn "Good Guy" award), Dave Kindred (Nat Fleischer award for "Excellence in Boxing Journalism") and Peter Finney (A.J. Liebling award for "Outstanding Boxing Writing").

The BWAA said it will fete the awardees in a banquet in New York this spring.

...the Country of the Year 2012

The Grandslam Ranking
globalbeauties.com


The United States is the Country of the Year 2012

Miss Universe Olivia Culpo put the U.S. on top in 2012

When Misses USA and Philippines were holding hands waiting for the Miss Universe 2012 winner’s announcement, they did not know that that was the decisive moment also for the Country of the Year 2012 award. In a fierce dispute, the Miss Universe victory gave the US and extra edge to crown it as the most successful nation in Grand Slam pageants in the year which recently ended. Although the Philippines was the only country to have placed in all 4 held Grand Slam contests in 2012, the US had a G2 victory, which made the difference in the end.

The United States is the Country of the Year 2012

The Top 3 of the year was completed by Brazil in 3rd place, with a very strong showing as well.

After 5 consecutive years on the Top, Venezuela finished 2012 in a very a disappointing 9th place.

The United States was also named Country of the Year in the Americas. Other continental winners were: Philippines (Asia‘s Country of Year), Australia (Oceania‘s Country of the Year), Wales (Europe‘s Country of the Year), Dominican Republic (Caribbean‘s Country of the Year), and South Sudan (Africa‘s Country of the Year).

2012′s Top 20 Ranking – Country of the Year

RANK	Country / Territory	Int’l	Supra	Universe	World	TOTAL
1	USA	43,295	0,000	261,360	90,480	395,135
2	Philippines	43,295	60,021	193,842	92,800	389,958
3	Brazil	43,295	0,000	121,968	129,920	295,183
4	Australia	0,000	0,000	124,146	157,760	281,906
5	China	0,000	0,000	2,178	278,400	280,578
6	Mexico	43,295	0,000	89,298	99,760	232,353
7	India	43,295	0,000	54,450	125,280	223,025
8	Wales	0,000	0,000	0,000	206,480	206,480
9	Venezuela	43,295	0,000	148,104	0,000	191,399
10	UK / England	43,295	33,696	0,000	97,440	174,431
11	Dominican Republic	60,933	42,120	0,000	41,760	144,813
12	France	0,000	40,014	95,832	0,000	135,846
13	South Sudan	0,000	0,000	0,000	132,240	132,240
14	Japan	129,349	0,000	0,000	0,000	129,349
15	Spain	0,000	32,643	0,000	95,120	127,763
16	Jamaica	0,000	0,000	0,000	127,600	127,600
17	South Africa	0,000	35,802	91,476	0,000	127,278
18	Belarus	0,000	126,360	0,000	0,000	126,360
19	Russia	1,069	0,000	98,010	0,000	99,079
20	Poland	0,000	37,908	60,984	0,000	98,892

In the Male category, Philippines is the Country of the Year 2012

June Macasaet, Manhunt Int’l 2012. No one came close to the Philippines in the Men’s Country of the Year dispute!

With the winner of Manhunt International and a 2nd place in Mister World 2012, the Philippines is the undisputed Country of the Year 2012 in the Men’s Grand Slam. Colombia, with Mr World’s winner and a Manhunt semi-finalist, and Lebanon, with the Mr International winner and a semi-finalist position in Mr World, came in 2nd and 3rd places, respectively. The Top 20 countries of 2012 were:

1	Philippines	127,413	93,272	0,000	220,685
2	Colombia	47,385	125,760	0,000	173,145
3	Lebanon	0,000	45,064	125,598	170,662
4	Singapore	60,021	0,000	92,382	152,403
5	Sweden	93,717	0,000	0,000	93,717
6	Thailand	47,385	0,000	28,026	75,411
7	Macau	72,657	0,000	0,000	72,657
8	Venezuela	44,226	0,000	28,026	72,252
9	Ireland	0,000	71,264	0,000	71,264
10	Slovenia	0,000	0,000	70,584	70,584
11	Puerto Rico	61,074	0,000	0,000	61,074
12	Belgium	0,000	59,212	0,000	59,212
13	Canada	0,000	59,212	0,000	59,212
14	Brazil	0,000	0,000	59,166	59,166
15	Slovakia	0,000	0,000	58,128	58,128
16	France	0,000	0,000	46,710	46,710
17	Vietnam	0,000	45,064	1,038	46,102
18	Malaysia	0,000	0,000	45,672	45,672
19	Dominican Republic	45,279	0,000	0,000	45,279
20	Croatia	0,000	45,064	0,000	45,064
20	England	0,000	45,064	0,000	45,064
20	Peru	0,000	45,064	0,000	45,064

Country of the Year 2012 in Asia: PHILIPPINES

Country of the Year 2012 in the Americas: COLOMBIA

Country of the Year 2012 in Europe: SWEDEN

Country of the Year 2012 in the Caribbean: PUERTO RICO

Countries from Africa and Oceania did not place and did not win any special awards in any Grand Slam pageant in 2012.


 
And the country of the year is...
     

Written by Missosology.org
Friday, 21 December 2012 

 

Last year, Venezuela took the country of the year title having won the Miss World crown, a Top 15 finish in Miss Universe, a first runner-up finish at Miss International and winning as Miss Fire at the Miss Earth contest. This year, the Philippines took the top spot.

Philippines made early strides this year with their Miss World campaign. Competing in a very hostile environment (China's aggression in the West Philippine Sea earned the chagrin of the Philippines, Vietnam and even Japan), Queenierich Rehman showed a very strong performance landing her to the Top 15. Months later, Nicole Schmitz achieved the same fate this time at the Miss International pageant held in Okinawa, Japan.

Philippines seems to be hungry for more. At the Miss Earth 2012 pageant Stephany Stefanowitz went on to win Miss Air missing the Miss Earth title to Miss Czech Republic. It seems the Philippines is cementing its status as a beauty superpower that was long asleep and now roaring back to life. After last year it landed in the semis of all Big4 Pageants even finishing as first runner-up at Miss World pageant.

And thus, the clamor for the title and glory grew louder. The pressure was on the country's last Big4 competitor - Janine Tugunon. Alas, the crown was not for her but she was adjudged as second best placing as first runner-up. With such a stellar performance, the Philippines regained its long lost status as beauty superpower. In the 1960s and in 1970s, the country was highly respected in the world of pageantry. The country's status however lost its luster in the late 1980s and continued to slide in the 1990s.

Here is the tabulation of the scores using Missosology.Org's Big4 ranking formulated by Stephen Diaz. The Big4 Ranking is now considered as the most reliable and consistent system designed to rank the performance of nations and territories at Big4 pageants.


1. PHILIPPINES - 560 POINTS
(MW-100; MI-100; ME-180; MU-180)

2. U.S.A. - 530 POINTS
(MW-100; MI-100; ME-130; MU-200)

3. BRAZIL - 480 POINTS
(MW-120; MI-100; ME-140; MU-120)

4. VENEZUELA - 436 POINTS
(MW-10; MI-100; ME-166; MU-160)

5. MEXICO - 400 POINTS
(MW-100; MI-100; ME-100; MU-100)

6. JAPAN - 330 POINTS
7. AUSTRALIA - 320 POINTS
8. INDIA - 281 POINTS
9. RUSSIA - 250 POINTS
10. CHINA PR - 240 POINTS

11. SOUTH AFRICA - 240 POINTS
12. CZECH REPUBLIC - 220 POINTS
13. FINLAND - 210 POINTS
14. DOMINICAN REPUBLIC - 210 POINTS
15. WALES - 200 POINTS

16. SRI LANKA - 190 POINTS
17. NEPAL - 190 POINTS
18. COLOMBIA - 176 POINTS
19. SOUTH SUDAN - 170 POINTS
20. POLAND - 170 POINTS

...the top retirement destinations

PH among world's top retirement destinations

 

By Kim Arveen Patria

Yahoo! Southeast Asia Newsroom

08 January 2013

 

Camiguin sights (Gael Hilotin)

 

Not only is the Philippines more fun for young tourists looking for adventure but also for foreign retirees seeking refuge for old age.

The country has been ranked 15th out of 22 of the "World's Top Retirement Havens in 2013" released by Ireland-based website International Living.

The ranking grew from only 19 countries in the previous list, which did not include the Philippines.

The Philippines got a score of 79.5 point in the Retirement Index, based on eight categories crucial for retirees, including discounts and other perks.

These include real estate, retirement benefits, cost of living, ease of integration, entertainment and amenities, health care, retirement infrastructure and climate.

The Philippines' highest performance was in terms of cost of living (100 points). It ranked highest among the 22 countries in this criterion.

It scored lowest in the special benefits area, getting the lowest score in the list (57 points). Spain and Thailand got the same score.

"Among the top retirement spots in the world this year, you'll find great variety in the cultural offerings, climates and lifestyles," the website said.

Ecuador sat on top of the list, with a score of 91.9 points.

"Ecuador's major cities have top notch hospitals, clinics and well-trained physicians," the website said.

"All residents are eligible to participate in the country’s Social Security health care system for incredibly low monthly premiums," it added.

Ecuador was followed by Panama (89 points), Malaysia, (87.6 points), Mexico (85.1 points), Costa Rica (84.4 points).

"Each destination is desirable in its own way, but they all offer something increasingly hard to come by at home: A good quality of life for a reasonable price," the website said.

It noted, however, that "no 'formula' can spit out the name of the place that's just right for you."

Retirees should consider what's most important to them, "maybe climate, maybe language, maybe cost, maybe distance from home," it added.