...the world's most diverse football team

Philippines taking multicultural dream on to global stage

FIFA.com
19 November 2019

There is not a national squad like that of the Philippines anywhere else on the planet. This statement can only be understood by delving a bit deeper into the team’s recent history.

In 2005, an anonymous video games fan got in touch with the Philippine Football Federation (PFF) to inform them that Phil and James Younghusband, two English brothers coming through Chelsea’s youth set-up, had a Philippine mother and were eligible to play for the Azkals.

In a region where basketball and boxing tend to take centre stage, it was essential for the PFF to find a way of boosting football’s profile and popularity. And that is where history plays a decisive role: throughout the last century, Filipinos were long associated with searching for opportunities far outside their borders. As a consequence, thousands of Filipino citizens and their descendants play in countries with a richer footballing history.

The Miracle of Hanoi

The idea of unearthing players in far-flung parts of the world began to take shape, but results did not initially follow. The PFF decided not to enter the qualifying campaigns for the 2006 and 2010 FIFA World Cup™ tournaments, because, despite the significant economic and logistical efforts being made, the team’s level of play was still too low. In the end, the transformation of the Filipino national team was achieved through a focus on improving competitiveness, which would eventually bear fruit at major tournaments.

One of the most striking examples of tangible progress came at the AFF Championship, a competition which pits some of the best nations in south-east Asia against each other every two years. In 2010, Vietnam – hosts and defending champions – were drawn to play Philippines in the second match of the group stage – a daunting challenge for a side that had lost five and drawn one of their last six games.

However, an eye-catching performance by the Azkals led to what is now commonly known as the 'Miracle of Hanoi'. Goals from the English-born pair of Chris Greatwich and Phil Younghusband silenced the 40,000 home fans, in the new mixed-race generation’s first landmark victory.

From video games to social networks

Following that memorable success, a number of players with Filipino parentage expressed a desire to represent the national team.

Sometimes, it was the PFF that took the first step. “My mum is from the Philippines, and they contacted me to find out if I wanted to be part of the team,” forward Angel Guirado – born in Spain, and a Filipino international since 2011 – told FIFA.com.

On other occasions, word of mouth and the emergence of social networks provided the link. “I had a friend who played with Angel Guirado in Spain, and I’d heard the story,” explained Carli De Murga, who is another Spaniard with a Filipino mother, and who has also represented Philippines since 2011. “I contacted Angel through Facebook, and he put me in touch with the Federation. I sent them a video and they called me up straight away.”

Currently, the squad includes footballers born in 12 different countries: Germany, England and Spain make up the majority, but Denmark, Norway, the Netherlands, Scotland, Australia, Italy, Switzerland, Japan and the United States also feature.

What is it actually like to be part of such a multicultural squad? “The atmosphere is brilliant,” said De Murga. “Personally speaking, playing in the same jersey as people with so many different cultures and customs has really helped me to mature. It broadens your horizons. And I love that everyone’s also quite alike, and that we all feel comfortable in each other’s company.”

Syria showdown key to World Cup dream

Playing in this diverse and familiar environment has started to pay dividends. In January the Filipinos competed in the AFC Asian Cup for the first time, and they currently find themselves in an advantageous position in the second round of Asian qualifying for Qatar 2022.

Philippines lie third in Group A, with the same number of points as China PR. A draw in their upcoming match with Syria would be enough to move them up into second spot (based on their record, the runners-up may qualify for the third round), at least until the next round of games in March.

“That would be amazing – a fantastic achievement!” said Guirado from the team’s camp in Dubai, where the match is due to take place. “In football, nothing is impossible. The result in our first game with Syria (a 5-2 defeat) did flatter them quite a bit.”

“It’s now or never,” said De Murga. “We have an historic opportunity. Syria have a lot of talent up front, but they sometimes leave themselves open at the back. We have to play as a unit, try to frustrate them, and do them damage any time we get a chance.”

Curiously, Phil Younghusband, the youngest of the two long-serving siblings, announced his retirement from football on Monday. He bids farewell to the game as Philippines’ most capped player (108 appearances) and their all-time top scorer (52 goals), and will likely look on with great excitement as the world’s most multicultural team attempt to pull off another impressive result on Tuesday.

...the PH Infotech uptrend

PH jumps 8 spots in global ICT rankings

 

ABS-CBNnews.com

04/24/2014

 

 

MANILA, Philippines - The Philippines jumped eight notches to 78th spot in the Networked Readiness Index 2014 of the World Economic Forum.

The Philippines had previously ranked 86th on the index for the past three years. The index, which covers 148 countries, assesses an economy's capacity to fully leverage information and communications technology (ICT) for growth and well-being.

The WEF Global Information Technology Report 2014 noted the significant improvement of the Philippines' ranking in the overall index, as well as among ASEAN countries.

"With a significant improvement in its overall score, the country continues its positive trend. The scores of all the 10 networked readiness pillars register an increase. A significant improvement in the perceived efficiency in the country’s legal system and property rights protection drive the political and regulatory environment up to 87th place," the report noted.

Another area where the Philippines showed significant improvement is ICT readiness, with "more affordable (75th) access to ICT infrastructure and better skills (69th), despite the need for higher quality in the educational system."

"Business usage is, as in many other Asian economies, at a more advanced stage (43rd) than individual usage (91st). Progress made in terms of economic impacts registered last year continues this year, moving up eight positions and reaching 48th place. The role of ICTs in fostering innovation by creating new products and services (42nd) and organizational models (28th) is confirmed and contributes to this promising result," the report noted.

However, the Philippines still lagged behind other ASEAN neighbors, such as Singapore (2nd), Malaysia (30th), Brunei Darussalam (45th), Indonesia (64th), and Thailand (67th), in the index.

The Philippines ranked ahead of Vietnam (84th), Cambodia (108th), Lao PDR (109th), and Myanmar (146th) in the index.

Makati Business Club executive director Peter Perfecto said the Philippines has competitive advantages in 11 out of the 54 indicators under the networked readiness index.

These 11 indicators are: availability of latest technologies, venture capital availability, quality of management schools, internet and telephony competition, quality of educational system, use of virtual social networks, firm-level technology absorption, capacity for innovation, extent of staff training, impact of ICTs on new services and products, and impact of ICTs on new organizational models.

Digital divide remains

The Global Information Technology Report 2014 noted that there is little progress in bridging the digital divide between tech-savvy countries and others.

Overall, Finland ranked 1st in the Networked Readiness Index, followed by Singapore (2nd), Sweden (3rd), Netherlands (4th), Norway (5th), Switzerland (6th), United States (7th), Hong Kong (8th), United Kingdom (9th) and South Korea (10th).

On the other hand, emerging economies such China (62nd), Brazil (69th), Mexico (79th) and India (83rd) registered a drop in the rankings, as they struggle to realize their full digital potential.

A key finding of the WEF report is that countries cannot rely only on ICT infrastructure development to become competitive. It noted that the benefits of ICT can be fully realized when a country "implements a holistic strategy aimed at creating conditions for skills, innovation and entrepreneurship to flourish alongside modern infrastructure."

"In addition to the persistent digital divide across countries, governments should also be wary of understanding, identifying and addressing potential internal digital divides so that new opportunities can be created for all and support enhanced social inclusion,” said Beñat Bilbao-Osorio, senior economist at the WEF's Global Competitiveness and Benchmarking Network and co-editor of the report.

...the PH Global Innovation ranking

PH ranking in Global Innovation Index improves

By Amy R. Remo
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Sunday, July 7th, 2013

 

 

The Philippines was ranked the 90th most innovative economy in the world this year, according to the Global Innovation Index 2013.

This was an improvement from its 95th position last year, which was attributed to the perceived positive changes in the country’s business institutions and market sophistication.

Global Innovation Index is an annual publication of a composite indicator that ranks countries/economies in terms of their enabling environment to innovation and their innovation outputs. It is published by Cornell University, INSEAD and the World Intellectual Property Organization and covers 142 countries.

It recognizes the “key role of innovation as a driver of economic growth and prosperity, and the need for a broad horizontal vision of innovation applicable to developed and emerging economies.”

According to the GII 2013, the Philippines scored 31.18 out of 100, based on 84 indicators that gauged the innovation capabilities and policy performances of 142 nations.

This year’s report, according to a statement, “casts additional light on the local dynamics of innovation, an area which has remained under-measured globally.”

“Dynamic innovation hubs are multiplying around the world despite the difficult state of the global economy. These hubs leverage local advantages with a global outlook on markets and talent,” WIPO director general Francis Gurry said in a statement.

The top 5 in the GII 2013 are Switzerland, Sweden, United Kingdom, the Netherlands and the United States.

Based on the GII 2013, the Philippines showed improvement in the “Institutions” indicator, scoring 44.8 and placing 128th, up from last year’s score and ranking of 34.6 and 132nd, respectively.

The country was also perceived to have advanced in terms of market sophistication (with a score of 41.75 and ranking of 95th). Among the factors gauged are the ease of getting credit, ease of protecting investors, market capitalization and trade and competition.

In terms of “creative outputs,” the Philippines rose to the 91st place from 108th last year. This measured the intangible assets of the economy, creative goods/services and online creativity.

The Philippines, however, fell in the infrastructure ranking to 78th from 69th place in 2012. This measures the country’s access and use of information and communication technologies, general infrastructure (in terms of electricity and logistics), and ecological sustainability (environmental performance).

Some of the country’s strengths cited by GII 2013 were the availability of graduates in science and engineering; market capitalization; research and development financed by business; innovation linkages, and communication, computer and information, services exports.

 

...the time is now for the Philippines

PNoy at WEF: Now is perfect time to invest in PH

By Aurea Calica,

The Philippine Star

06/08/2013

 

 

NAYPYIDAW – Being called the “brightest spark” in Southeast Asia and “Asia’s Rising Tiger,” President Aquino told businessmen attending the 22nd World Economic Forum (WEF) on East Asia here that the Philippines was ripe for investments. The President touted the reforms and the new mandate his administration received from the Filipino people in the last midterm elections.

Aquino and members of his delegation arrived here yesterday morning for the forum and had separate meetings with Myanmar President Thein Sein, opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi, and Klaus Schwab, founder and executive chairman of the WEF.

“Today, all the factors are in place: political stability, low inflation and low borrowing rates, opportunities for growth in almost all sectors, a government committed to integrity and empowerment, and a people known the world over for their industry, loyalty, and creativity,” Aquino said during a luncheon hosted by Ayala Corp.

The Zobel de Ayalas are longtime members of the WEF.

“In our country, you have the recipe for sustained, inclusive growth that benefits investors and the public alike. All that is left is for us to engage each other, and work together – and this is precisely why we are here today,” he said.

The President called on the businessmen to see challenges in the Philippines as opportunities as they could come and build the much-needed infrastructure as well as participate in the agriculture and tourism sectors.

With a 7.8 percent gross domestic product growth in the first quarter, investment grade from Fitch Ratings and Standard and Poor’s, victory in the last elections, reforms in various aspects to make the country conducive to business, the President said businessmen should no longer have doubts about coming to the Philippines.

“This is the perfect time to invest in the Philippines. More and more opportunities have been created... both as a result of and as an affirmation of our commitment to reform, and we are here today to share these opportunities and invite you to work with us,” Aquino said.

He said the development of infrastructure is necessary for the growth of all other sectors.

“Right now, the Philippines is behind its ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) counterparts in this regard, including the state of our roads. Instead of seeing this as a setback, we choose to see it as an opportunity to make quality investments into infrastructure. So, we have increased our budget for infrastructure, from $4.86 billion in 2012 to $5.94 billion in 2013. This more than $1-billion increase will go toward paving all unpaved sections of our national road network, and developing airports and other transport hubs in the country,” the President said.

“At the same time, we also know that harnessing the expertise of the private sector will help us accelerate infrastructure development, which is why we are fostering greater engagement and partnership between the public and private spheres. We have already rolled out a number of projects; some are under construction, while others are still open for participation – from the construction of classrooms, and the rehabilitation, operation, and management of hydroelectric power plants, to the construction of highways,” he said.

Agriculture, tourism

Agriculture and tourism are two other priority sectors, Aquino said, not only because they “make the most of our country’s strengths, but also because they create jobs, complement existing livelihoods, and ignite rural development.”

He said the lack of infrastructure and support to farmers, among others, hampered the growth of the agriculture sector in the past and to remedy this, the government went back to basics, improving irrigation systems and constructing and rehabilitating farm-to-market roads.

“We are also moving up the value chain and discovering new uses for certain products. For example, the coconut water that was once discarded as a waste product today has become a booming industry in its own right. From 2010 to 2011 alone, coco water exports increased by more than 700 percent in value and more than 800 percent in volume, with large demand coming from countries like the United States, Australia, and the Netherlands – and the sector is still growing,” Aquino said.

He said tourism is another sector whose attraction is obvious, not only to those who are looking to invest or set up business but also to those just looking to enjoy themselves.

“The Philippines is in high demand, with 4.3 million tourists in 2012 discovering that, indeed, it’s more fun in the Philippines. With publications like Conde Nast Traveller, the New York Times, and Travel and Leisure Magazine trumpeting our beaches, nightlife, and diving – not to mention the Filipino hospitality that has made our people so famous – we are confident that we will meet, and hopefully even surpass, our 2016 target of 10 million tourist arrivals,” he said.

“So I want to take this opportunity to invite you to come and visit the Philippines, whether for a vacation, for business – perhaps to explore the hotel industry, or for the World Economic Forum on East Asia 2014, which will be held in our country. Whatever it is that you may be looking for – business opportunities in the sectors I have mentioned, or in manufacturing, shipbuilding, and information technology and business process management; a secluded and beautiful beach in Palawan, or the most lively street dancing in any of our festivals – I am certain that you will find it in our country, and find it more fun at that,” Aquino said.

Key legislation

Aquino also cited key legislation on responsible parenthood and sin taxes that were enacted, as well as the framework agreement on the Bangsamoro that was signed between the national government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, paving the way for a final, enduring peace in the southern part of the country.

“As you may know, the Philippines has recently concluded midterm elections to elect candidates to the Senate and Congress – a process I viewed as a referendum on my first three years as President. The idea was that if the public was in agreement with the direction in which my administration was taking the country, they would elect our candidates into the legislature. Of the 12 Senate seats up for election, the voters gave us nine. In Congress, the Liberal Party and its coalition partners also have a majority,” he said.

“To me, this is an affirmation of the mandate that I won in 2010 and a vote for continuity. If the public continues to share my vision for the country, as they have done in the past years, then anyone who aspires to succeed me would do well to continue down the path we have taken – and continue the tradition of good governance and public service, as well as the reform agenda that has brought the country so much success,” the President said.

Three years ago, Aquino said he came into office faced with the task of uprooting a long-entrenched culture of corruption and impunity in government – the key to revive the economy and foster broad-based growth for the people.

‘Climate of confidence’

Aquino said the procurement and budgeting processes had to be reformed, taking away funding from programs that did not work and pouring resources into those that would benefit the people the most – social services, health, education, infrastructure development.

“All this was done while adhering to strict standards of accountability and transparency. These same standards allowed us to make improvements to our revenue collection mechanisms, with our Bureau of Internal Revenue collections growing by 28 percent. This was achieved without raising taxes,” the President said.

Aquino said it was clear that good governance had “created a climate of confidence” in the Philippines, citing the soaring of the stock market over the past years while analysts the world over had given different names to the country’s success.

“I have heard our country called a hotspot, Asia’s Rising Tiger, or the brightest spark in Southeast Asia, just to name a few. These accolades are not unwarranted. For the first time in history, the Philippines is rated investment grade by two major credit rating agencies. These agencies have cited our robust growth as well as the low and stable inflation rate in the country – all while many other economies are experiencing slowdowns. In fact, the Philippine economy has consistently surpassed all expectations so far: full-year growth for 2012 was at 6.8 percent – higher than our growth assumption of 6 percent – while in the first quarter of 2013, our economy expanded by 7.8 percent,” Aquino said.

On the production side, the President said the first quarter growth was the result of the expansion of all major sectors: agriculture expanded 3.3 percent; services, by seven percent, and industry by 10.9 percent. – With Alexis Romero

 

...the beauty queen's purpose

Dutch-Pinay beauty queen eager to help poor kids in PH

 

by Dheza Marie Aguilar

ABS-CBN Europe News Bureau

02/25/2013

AMSTERDAM - Former Ms. Netherlands 2006 Sheryl Lynn Paderes Baas believes that her crown and scepter are tools to help improve the lives of children in far-flung areas in the Philippines.

With the help of the Miss Netherlands Foundation, Baas started the Sheryl Lynn Foundation (SLF) at age 23, an organization focused on helping children through education. Her initial projects were done in the province of Leyte where her mother Susan Baas-Paderes was born.

 

In addition to sending school supplies and granting scholarships, SLF raised funds for construction of school facilities like toilets, stage and function areas in St. Fe Iton, Tagos, San Isidro, Tab-ang and other schools in Leyte. Their biggest project yet is a three-classroom building in Hitoog Elementary School where children used to have lessons in a small hut under a bamboo tree.

Inspired by her mother

Baas said that her mission was inspired by the story of her mother Susan, herself a product of a family where children have to help their parents earn money by peddling wood on the street, sometimes skipping school to be able to afford a meal.

“My mother told me stories about how she and her 12 siblings would only have one egg and a little bit of rice to share during a meal. A lot of people also told her that she should not go to school but work instead. But despite their poverty she persevered and finished her studies, went abroad, became successful and helped her family have a better life,” she said during an interview at her parent’s house in Capelle a/d Ijssel.

Even in the Netherlands, Baas said that her mother is also very helpful to other Filipinos, from her neighbors to the church and even to strangers who only wrote her letters. She grew up in this environment of kindness and giving.

Unfortunately her mother suffered a stroke that almost killed her and left her in a wheelchair. Baas believes that it’s her mother’s kindness and the prayers of those people she helped that aided her miraculous survival.

Children and education

The story of her mother’s rise from poverty opened Baas’ eyes to the importance of education especially to young children. During her regular trips to the Philippines since she was three, she had also been exposed to the difficulties experienced by families from poor provinces.

“I wanted to do something about that (poverty). During my reign as Miss Netherlands, I got involved in a lot of charitable projects and I had a dream for the future. I saw that this is already an opportunity and thought I can already start something meaningful now even though I was still young so I grabbed the opportunity.”

Now 27, she is currently the reigning Mrs. Holland Globe and recently represented the Netherlands in Mrs. World Pageant 2012 in California, USA where she won second place.

She also juggles a modeling career, her studies and taking care of her mother. But this did not stop her from the cause which is nearest to her heart. She holds regular charity events to raise funds for the Sheryl Lynn Foundation with the support of her fellow beauty queens in the Netherlands and contacts that she makes as part of her functions as a beauty queen.

“It may sound as a cliche but children are the future and it is true. The story of my mother only proved what education can do for a child. They are the most vulnerable people in any developing country.”

Even though her foundation is still small, Sheryl hopes that in the future, she can also extend help to other provinces in the Philippines. This is also the reason why she took up a course in Anthropology and will go to the Northern Philippines to research problems with water management and how it affects the lives of the people in these areas.

 

...the PH hot air ballon fest

Hot air balloon fest puts PH on aerial tourism map

 

 

by Katherine Visconti

Rappler.com
02/21/2013

BIGGEST FIESTA SO FAR. This year's Philippine Hot Air Balloon Fiesta brings together 32 balloons from 15 countries. Photo by Katherine Visconti

ANGELES CITY, Philippines - A floating bus, men dangling from parachutes, and military training jets dot the sky.

 

The view sounds fantastical and it is.

 

From February 21 to 24, paragliders, skydivers, helicopters, kites, jets, and hot air balloons take to the sky for the 18th Philippine International Hot Air Balloon Fiesta. Not surprisingly, the annual event is also known as "the weekend of everything that flies."

 

"A record number of 32 balloons represented by some 15 countries will participate in this year's 18th Philippine International Hot Air Balloon Fiesta, the biggest participation in the history of the Philippine Hot Air Balloon Fiesta to date," said Arnel Paciano D. Casanova, president and CEO of the Bases Conversion and Development Authority, in a statement.

 

AERIAL TOURISM. The Philippines is determined to take the lead. Photo by Katherine Visconti

Visitors have come from as far as Belgium, England, Poland, the United States, and the Netherlands to chart hot air balloons in the yearly aviation event.

 

Aimed at putting the Philippines on the map for aerial tourism, the event is supported by the Department of Tourism, the Clark Development Corporation, the Clark International Airport Corporation, and the Bases Conversion Development Authority.

 

An orchestra in the air

 

NEED FOR SPEED. The sexy jets of the Breitling Jet Team gleaming and ready to fly. Photo by Katherine Visconti

A special sight this 2013 is the acrobatic performance of the world-renowned Breitling Jet Team, which considers itself "the world's largest professional civilian flight team." The team was brought to Manila by jewelry and timepiece brand Lucerne.

 

Composed largely of former fighter pilots from France, the skilled crews steered 7 L-39 C Albatros aircrafts — Czech-made twin-seater military training jets — through a daunting series of tricks.

 

They looped through the air, barrel-rolled, and dove straight down together, splitting apart at exactly the same moment.

 

Watch a video on the team's stunts here:

Actor Dingdong Dantes was a passenger in one of the Breitling flights. He described the experience as "exciting and nerve wracking." He added that his dad used to fly planes and that he always dreamed of being a pilot since he was a child.

 

Dantes was in professional hands but there are always risks at every corner, explained Breitling pilot Patrick Marchand. Breitling said in a press statement that pilots flying upside down may be subjected to 9 times the amount of pressure on a typical human body, causing "immense strain on the muscles to keep blood flowing evenly throughout the body."

 

DREAM COME TRUE. Actor Dingdong Dantes's father was a pilot. Photo courtesy of GMA7

The pilots' lives depend on working together as a team. Marchand said they are all extremely close and he intuitively recognizes his teammates' voices over the radio.

 

He called their team "a symphony in the sky" for whom precision is of utmost importance.

 

Captain Jacques Bothelin agreed. "I'm the conductor," he laughed. When he dives, his wingmen follow no matter what, he explained to Rappler.

 

Like musicians, they all have to be in perfect sync for the performance to come off without a hitch, added Marchand.

 

Here are photos from the Breitling Jet Team's shows on February 21 at 8:30am and 10:30am:

Photo by Angie de Silva

Photo by Angie de Silva

Photo by Angie de Silva

Photo by Angie de Silva

ONE DOWN, 3 TO GO. The 18th Philippine International Hot Air Balloon Fiesta runs until February 24 at the Clark Freeport Zone in Angeles City, Pampanga. Photo by Angie de Silva

...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 PH corruption index ranking

PH rises in 'corruption perception' rankings

 

By Kim Arveen Patria

Yahoo! Southeast Asia Newsroom

Wed, Dec 5, 2012

 

AFP Relax - Makati City, Metro Manila, Philippines

The Philippines has been ranked 105th out of 176 countries (2011: ranked 129th) in the "Corruption Perception Index" put out by anti-corruption coalition Transparency International.


The government's efforts at curbing corruption seems to have borne fruit as the Philippines moved up a global ranking of countries based on perception on corruption.

The Philippines has been ranked 105th out of 176 countries in the "Corruption Perception Index" put out by anti-corruption coalition Transparency International.

This compares to its ranking of 129th out of 183 countries in the 2011 list.

The Philippines scored 34 out of 100 in the composite index, which is based on "a combination of surveys and assessments of corruption, collected by a variety of reputable institutions," the report said.

A score of zero means that a country is perceived as "highly corrupt" and 100 means it is perceived as "very clean."

Last year, the Philippines got a composite index score of 2.6 out of 10, where 0 means it is perceived as "highly corrupt and 10 as "very clean."

"Governments need to integrate anti-corruption actions into all aspects of decision-making," Transparency International said.

"They must prioritize better rules on lobbying and political financing, make public spending and contracting more transparent, and make public bodies more accountable," it added.

This, as it noted that corruption "translates into human suffering" and "generates popular anger."

Commenting on the report, Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said the improvement is "an affirmation of the efforts to strengthen institutions, provide deterrents against corrupt practices, and hold accountable those who have used power for personal gain."

The administration of President Benigno Aquino III, however, "acknowledges that the anti-corruption drive remains a work in progress," Lacierda said.

"Transparency needs to be instituted across all government agencies, whether on the national or local level. There are still bumps that need to be evened out for the playing field to be truly leveled. In many cases, justice remains to be served," he added.

The Philippines shared the 105th spot with Algeria, Armenia, Bolivia, Gambia, Kosovo and Mali.

Among the nine Southeast Asian countries, the Philippines was the fifth perceived to be least corrupt.

Ranked higher than the Philippines were Singapore, which ranked 5th globally; Brunei (46th); Malaysia; (54th) and Thailand (88th).

The country, however, performed better than Indonesia (118th), Vietnam (123rd), Cambodia (157th), and Laos (160th).

Denmark, Finland and New Zealand are perceived to be the least corrupt countries this year, sharing the top spot in the ranking.

Rounding out the top 10, meanwhile, are Sweden, Singapore, Switzerland, Australia, Norway, Canada and the Netherlands.

At the bottom of the list are Somalia, North Korea, Afghanistan, Sudan, Myanmar, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Iraq, Venezuela, Haiti, Chad and Burundi.

...the kid global inspiration

Scavenger-turned-achiever Filipino kid a global inspiration

Philippine Daily Inquirer

Friday, November 2nd, 2012

VALDEZ

CAVITE CITY—Cris Valdez began life unwanted by his parents and was soon scavenging in a rubbish dump, an unlikely start for a boy now hailed as an inspiration for children around the world.

Valdez, 13, won this year’s International Children’s Peace Prize for his work as head of a charity organization that educates and hands out gifts to thousands of youngsters in his poverty-plagued hometown.

South African human rights activist and Nobel Peace Prize winner Desmond Tutu gave Valdez his award at a ceremony in the Netherlands in September, declaring him a “voice for the voiceless” and a “true inspiration.”

After returning to the streets of Cavite, Valdez spoke in a soft voice to Agence France-Presse about his noble philosophies that emerged from personal devastation and the people who turned his life around.

Seeing himself

“I help because I see myself in children who roam and live on the streets,” Valdez said during one of his weekend community outreach programs.

“Some good-hearted people showed me love and changed my life, and I am just paying it forward.”

Valdez, nicknamed “Kesz,” was born the third of nine children from a desperately poor couple who lived with hundreds of other squatter families on the fringes of a huge garbage dump in Cavite.

The city was once a picturesque, colonial Spanish enclave and fish port, but deteriorated into a mostly rundown urban mess in a familiar pattern across the country where a quarter of the population now live on less than a dollar a day.

His parents called him “bad luck” because they tried to sell him when he was a baby but failed, according to Harnin Manalaysay, the head of a local Christian youth charity who eventually rescued Valdez.

Manalaysay said Valdez was forced to start scavenging in the garbage dump from the age of two.

At ages three and four, Valdez was sleeping anywhere he could, including atop tombs at the city cemetery, because he frequently fled home to escape beatings by his rickshaw-driver father, according to Manalaysay.

At an age when children are just learning how to make friends, Valdez was learning to beg and steal.

“I found him sleeping on a curbside covered in flies. He was very dirty and being kicked by passers by,” Manalaysay said.

Manalaysay enrolled Valdez, then aged four, in his alternative learning program for street children, in which volunteer teachers use mobile classrooms on pushcarts to bring classes to the students.

In between lessons, Valdez still scavenged for scraps to help out his family.

Bad luck kid

Then bad luck struck Valdez again when he was five.

Fellow scavengers jostling around a dump truck accidentally shoved him into a pile of burning tyres, badly injuring his arms and back.

“My father was angry when I came home and said I deserved it for being stupid,” Valdez recalled.

Valdez said his mother took him to Manalaysay, who paid for his medical treatment and allowed him to recuperate at the charity worker’s shelter for street children, called Club 8586.

“She came back (months) later to tell me they did not want him back anymore,” Manalaysay said.

Manalaysay, a portly marine engineer whose club has been helping troubled youths for more than 27 years, became his legal guardian.

Under his tutelage, Valdez recovered, and his grades improved.

He also began volunteering as a 6-year-old to teach other street children about basic hygiene.

When Valdez turned seven, Manalaysay asked him what he wanted as a birthday gift.

“I told him I wanted other children to receive what I had: rubber slippers, toys and candies,” Valdez said.

So Valdez and his guardian spent the day giving various items to street children.

Tradition of giving

The giving became a yearly tradition and led to the creation of Valdez’s own charity, called Championing Community Children.

Under Manalaysay’s guidance, Valdez built the charity into one that raises funds from private donors to buy basic living items for children, including sandals, toys, food and clothes.

Volunteers, made up mostly of Valdez’s friends, also teach basic hygiene, nutrition and gardening, as well as educate children on their rights to help prevent abuse.

Valdez’s charity has helped 10,000 children in Cavite over the past six years, according to the judging committee of the

International Children’s Peace Prize, which was founded by Dutch organization KidsRights.

“Kesz is like any other normal kid. But his achievements, and the number of people he has helped, surpass those of most adults,” Manalaysay said.

Valdez’s plans for the immediate future are to continue with his charity, while making sure his school work does not suffer from his busy schedule.

Eventually, he wants to work in one of the toughest jobs of all, while expanding his charity work.

“I’m studying hard because I want to be a doctor… I want to help more children, not only in the Philippines, but also in other countries,” he said. AFP

...the Pinoy amateur actors in Dutch films

Two Pinoys star in Dutch film on domestic help

 

 

By Loui Galicia,

ABS-CBN Europe News Bureau

10/05/2012

 

 

HOLLAND - Three Dutch women are behind the making of a film about the life of a homosexual Filipino houseboy in Holland.

 

Produced by Family Affair Films, “Boy” was included among the Dutch films that were screened at the Netherlands Film Festival in Utrecht.

Arvin Quirante plays the gay dancer boyfriend of Gerald Gonzales in the Dutch film "Boy"

The movie’s writer took inspiration from her Pinoy friend who worked as a houseboy, hence the film was aptly titled as “Boy.”

“I was intrigued by someone I know who cleans posh houses in Amsterdam and I know him as a very mysterious, secretive man who seems very intelligent and too good for this kind of work,” Cecily Levy told ABS-CBN Europe News Bureau.

“I’ve been intrigued by his secret world moving around in these posh houses, seeing everyone’s secrets, everyone’s dirty underwear, everyone’s mess but not really being a part of their lives” Levy added.

According to Levy, it was a very intensive writing period, and the whole story is an image of the tension between being very service-minded and also very dependent on their environment.

“I think Filipinos, they are all over the world. They are very highly educated, they know their languages. They are very friendly and they mingle easily in the different kinds of environment,” Levy said.

“Boy” showed the hard work, patience and concern of the Filipino domestic helper to his employer as well as his love for his family in the Philippines.

Gerald Gonzales plays the role of "Boy", a homosexual and undocumented worker in The Netherlands

Both Dutch and Tagalog were spoken in the movie.

Two unknown Filipinos starred in “Boy” and are now instant celebrities in The Netherlands.

“They’re amateurs but you don’t have professional Filipino actors in Holland in this age that we wanted, that speak Dutch and Tagalog and that require the kind of expressions that you need,” the film director Tami Ravid said.

“I love them. I am very happy I found them. I found Arvin in the beginning, in the first casting and I already knew I wanted him for the boyfriend and then I have to find a lead but it took a long time but I found him...They have very good chemistry with each other,” Ravid added.

Arvin Quirante

Gerald Gonzales played the role of “Boy”, a homosexual and undocumented worker in The Netherlands, who works as house cleaner in order to support his family in the Philippines.

With him is Arvin Quirante who played the gay dancer-boyfriend of Gonzales.
The two Pinoys cannot believe their luck in landing on the big screen in The Netherlands.

“Mixed emotions kasi, of course, marami namang magagaling na Pilipino na pwedeng gumawa ng role pero happy, at the same time, shocked. I did not expect that I will be cast in this role,” Quirante said.

“Actually I don’t have any acting experience. I got this part by accident. My friend sent me the link to the website,” Gonzales said.

Without any acting experience, the two Pinoys landed major roles which will change their lives forever.

“Medyo mabigat yung theme. It’s not just about being gay but also about being illegal in Europe also pagiging malungkot yung buhay na mahirap sa Philippines tapos dito din yung buhay ng mahirap,” Gonzales said.

“Ninerbyos kami parehas ni Gerald pero ang mga team, they handled it very professionally so kumalma kami,” Quirante said.

Quirante even took the initiative to take a few hours of pole-dancing lessons in order to portray the role well and was very happy when he finally watched the movie.

The two Pinoys are not only thankful for the very rare opportunity to show their acting skills and be international stars but all the more for the very big chance to give life to the struggles of gay Filipinos outside the Philippines on the Dutch silver screen.

...the street kid hero

Filipino street kid, 13, wins $130,000 peace prize

Agence France-Presse

Thursday, September 20th, 2012

Cris “Kesz” Valdez INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

THE HAGUE—A young Filipino who lived off a rubbish dump and slept in an open tomb has won a prestigious children’s award in the Netherlands for his work to improve the rights of his fellow street kids.

Cris “Kesz” Valdez, aged 13, was handed this year’s International Children’s Peace Prize at a glittering ceremony in The Hague on Wednesday, where he received a 100,000 euro ($130,000) prize.





Cris “Kesz” Valdez, 13, proudly accepts his prize from Nobel Peace Prize winner Bishop Desmond Tutu in ceremonies held in The Hague, the Netherlands, on Wednesday. AFP

 

Valdez was chosen from three finalists for the work of his “Championing Community Children” charity which raises funds to hand out gift parcels to needy children in Cavite City, about 30 kilometres (18 miles) south of the capital Manila.

“You are wonderful,” Nobel Peace laureate Desmond Tutu, who handed over this year’s prize, told Valdez at a press conference shortly after the ceremony, held in The Hague’s historic Knight’s Hall.

“My message to children around the world is not to lose hope” and to remember things like hygiene, said Valdez, who added that the prize would help him get an education and perhaps realize his dream of becoming a doctor.

Through his charity, Valdez has handed out more than 5,000 gifts to destitute children that included everyday articles like flip-flops, toys, sweets and clothes, said the KidsRights Foundation, the prize’s initiator.

In all, he has helped some 10,000 children in his area on health, hygiene and children’s rights, the foundation added.

Some 246,000 street children are, like Valdez was as a young child, subjected to abuse, violence and child labor in the Philippines, it said.

Asked about the prize money, KidsRights Foundation chairman Marc Dullaert said a committee was now to decide, together with Valdez, to which projects it would be donated.

Archbishop Tutu, the South African peace icon who won the 1984 Nobel Peace Prize is in the Netherlands for a nine-day visit.

...the PH's competitiveness

PH jumps 10 notches in global competitiveness survey

 

ABS-CBNnews.com

09/05/2012

 

MANILA, Philippines - The Philippines jumped 10 notches up in the 2012 World Economic Forum's Global Competitiveness Report.

 

The Philippines ranked 65th among 144 countries in this year's survey, from 75th last year. The WEF report said the Philippines was one of the countries that showed the most improvement.

"Ranked 65th, the Philippines is one of the countries showing the most improvement in this year’s edition. Indeed, it has advanced 22 places since reaching its lowest mark in 2009. The Philippines makes important strides this year in improving competitiveness—albeit often from a very low base—especially with respect to its public institutions (94th, up 23 places)," the report said.

It noted a significant improvement in "trust in politicians," up 33 spots to 95th place, but "considerable room for improvement remains."

There is also improved perception that the corruption (108th, up 11) and red tape (108, up 18) are being addressed by the Aquino administration, but the report noted "they remain pervasive."

The WEF report also noted improvements in macroeconomic environment (36th, up 18), which it noted was one of the strongest aspects of the Philippines’ performance.

The financial sector is also seen to be more efficient and supportive of business activity(58th, up 13).

"Despite these very positive trends, many weaknesses remain to be addressed. The country’s infrastructure is still in a dire state, particularly with respect to sea (120th) and air transport (112th), with little or no progress achieved to date. Furthermore, various market inefficiencies and rigidities continue, most notably in the labor market (103rd)," the WEF report stated.

The Global Competitiveness Report 2012-2013 assesses the competitiveness of 144 economies, providing insight into the drivers of their productivity and prosperity.

For the fourth year in a row, Switzerland topped the overall rankings in the Global Competitiveness Report. Singapore remained in 2nd spot, followed by Finland in 3rd, Sweden in 4th and Netherlands in 5th. The top 10 list also includes Germany (6th), United States (7th), United Kingdom (8th), Hong Kong (9th) and Japan (10th). - Report from Lois Calderon, ANC
 

...the Math wizzards in Taipei

Philippines wins 2nd overall, 41 awards in Taiwan math contest

July 29, 2012

GMA News

Filipino students won 41 medals and awards and wound up second overall in the elementary division in the Taiwan International Mathematics Competition (TAIMC) 2012 held from July 23 to 28 in Taipei.

The competition had 588 contestants from 28 countries including US, China and Canada, according to Dr. Simon Chua, head of the Philippine delegation and president of the Mathematics Trainers Guild-Philippines (MTG).

The TAIMC had two divisions: the 2012 Elementary Mathematics International Competition (EMIC 2012) and 2012 Invitational World Youth Mathematics Intercity Competition (IWYMIC 2012) for high school.

Filipino math wizards together with DOST-SEI Director Dr. Filma Brawner and DepEd Assistant Sec. Dr. Elena Ruiz (center) show the medals and trophies that they won at the awarding ceremony of the Taiwan International Mathematics Competition (TAIMC) 2012 in Taipei.

In the EMIC, gold medalists for the Philippines are Farrell Eldrian Wu of MGC New Life Christian Academy in Taguig City, Clyde Wesley Ang of Chiang Kai Shek College and Andrea Jaba of Saint Jude Catholic School.

Bronze medalists are Matthew Uy of Xavier School, Christian Philip Gelera of UP Integrated School and Cristiana Marie Calderon of Falcon School.

Wu, Ang, Uy and Gelera of Philippine Team A were declared second overall in the elementary division by winning first runner-up in the team and group contests. China was declared champion while Singapore was second runner-up.

Merit awardees are:

• Albert Neil Dulay (Integrated Montessori Center-Taguig)
• Lorems Yrol Pedeglorio (Butuan City SPED Center)
• Christopher Banzon (Nemesio Yabut Elementary School)
• John Aries Ceazar Hingan (San Beda College Alabang)
• Justine John Serdoncillo (Elizabeth Seton School-South)
• Emmanuel Pablo Santos (Colegio San Agustin-Biñan)
• Hans Markson Tan (St. Stephen's High School)
• Alyssa Guevarra (De La Salle Santiago Zobel School)
• Angelika Tagupa (Colegio San Agustin-Makati)

Philippine Team A, composed of Hingan, Serdoncillo, Santos and Tan, won second runner-up in the team and group contests while Jaba, Guevara, Calderon and Tagupa won first and second runners-up in the team and group contests. In the IWYMIC, Filipinos won 2 gold, 2 silver, 9 bronze medals and 2 merit awards.

Gold medalists are Kelsey Lim Tiong Soon of Grace Christian College, and Ma. Czarina Lao of Saint Jude Catholic School, who was a member of the international team.

Winning silver medals are Jason Allan Tan of Jubilee Christian School and Deany Cheng of Grace Christian School.

Bronze medalists are:

• Andrew Lawrence Sy (Xavier School)
• Andrew Ong (Chiang Kai Shek College)
• Judy Ann Donato and Joshua Taguinod (Valenzuela City Science High School)
• Mario Antonio Ongkiko (Xavier School)
• Matthew Ryan Tan (Saint Jude Catholic School)
• Jonn Angel Aranas (Makati Science High School)
• Nathanael Joshua Balete and John Thomas Chuatak (St. Stephen's High School)

Merit awardees are Jason Joseph Fernandez of Philippine Science High School-Main and Francis Concepcion of Philippine Cultural College Manila.

Sy, Tan, Ong and Ramon Galvan III of Iloilo Central Commercial High School won second and first runners-up in the team and group contests. Lim Tiong Soon, Tan, Aranas and Balete of Philippine Team C won first runner-up, and Philippine Team D members Chuatak, Cheng, Taguinod and Ethan Riley Chan of Zamboanga Chong Hua High School won second runner-up in the group contest. Other participating Filipino contestant was Lou Irish Gonzales of Pasig Catholic College.

Dr. Filma Brawner, director of the Science Education Institute of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST-SEI), and Dr. Elena Ruiz, assistant secretary for programs and projects of the Department of Education, were invited to the Taipei contest as lecturers in the World Conference on the Mathematically Gifted Students--the Role of Educators and Parents, which was part of the TAIMC.

Team leaders and deputies of the Philippine team are Dr. Eduardo Dela Cruz, dean of the Arellano University's School of Education; Dr. Alma Bella Bautista, Arvie Ubarro, Roberto Degolacion, Eugenia Guerra, Joseph Wee, Carmela Antoinette Lao, Jonathan Glorial, Jonathan Hicap and Ronnie Apari.

Besides the Philippines, other participating countries in the TAIMC are Australia, Bulgaria, Canada, China, Cyprus, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Iran, Japan, South Korea, Macau, Malaysia, Mexico, Mongolia, Netherlands, Nigeria, Russia, Singapore, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Thailand, US, Ukraine, Vietnam and Zimbabwe.