...the port facelift

SBMA moves to transform port into int’l service, logistics center

By JONAS REYES

February 28, 2011

Manila Bulletin

SUBIC, Zambales – Subic Bay Freeport’s marine logistics facilities here are now the top priority of the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) as the agency exerts all efforts to fully utilize the New Container Terminals (NCT-1 and NCT-2) and transform the Freeport into a globally competitive service and logistics center.

According to lawyer Red Tuazon, who is SBMA OIC-senior deputy administrator for aviation and maritime operations, the agency is bent on attracting port users to fully utilize the port of Subic, which boasts of 15 piers and wharves capable of handling all types of vessels and has a total capacity of 600,000 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs).

He said the Subic port has a huge potential in marine logistics because of the four main ports in the country. Subic port is now ranked third in terms of container cargo traffic with 21,623 TEUs recorded in 2009, next only to Manila with 2.87 million TEUs and Cebu with 469,776 TEUs.

In terms of bulk and break bulk cargo, the Subic port ranked fourth with 2.2-million metric tons, he added.
Tuazon, who led the SBMA delegation to the recent 6th Philippine Ports and Shipping 2011 Exhibition and Conference, said the SBMA is now eyeing the privatization of NCT-2, which has been delayed due to a lack of quorum in the SBMA board of directors.

Tuazon clarified that the NCT-2 was initially bid out by the SBMA Special Bids and Award Committee (SBAC) in 2009. However, while three entities purchased the bidding document, no bids were submitted on the scheduled submission date, thus the bidding was declared a failure.

Thereafter, the SBMA revised the terms of reference (TOR) for this project and went back to its original intention of operating NCT-2 as a container terminal, Tuazon recalled.

In 2010, a rebidding of NCT-2 was conducted, using the same procedure as in 2009, but this time with a revised TOR. Tuazon said the three entities again purchased the bidding document, but only the International Container Terminal Services Inc. (ICTSI) submitted eligibility/pre-qualification documents and bid.

Tuazon said the SBMA’s SBAC reportedly checked the bid of ICTSI and found it in order, but before the SBAC could forward its recommendation for award to the SBMA board of directors, Malacañang revoked the appointments of 13 directors pursuant to Executive Order No. 2 which took effect on July 30, 2010, thereby leaving the decision-making body without a quorum.

“However, with the recent appointment of eight new SBMA directors, bringing to 10 the number of directors sitting in the SBMA board, it is likely that the privatization of the NCT-2 will be one of the agenda when the new board convenes,” Tuazon said.

Tuazon also stressed that the new board has not indicated that it would scrutinize the contract for the NCT-2.
According to SBMA records, the Subic seaport earned a total of P414.5 million in 2010 and a slightly higher income of P472.85 million in 2009 due to a P6-million monthly earning from ships laid up at Subic Bay during the global economic crisis.

...the French study

French study: Manila needs more parks, promenades

By Izah Morales

Yahoo! Southeast Asia 

February 28,  2011

Manila is one of the most beautiful cities in Asia-Pacific but it needs more parks and promenades, according to a study of French-based professors and students.

Professor Christiane Blancot of Ecole Nationale Supérieure d’Architecture de Paris La Villette presented the results of a one year-study covering Intramuros, Paco, Sta. Ana, Malate, and Navotas, which are located along Pasig River.

“In Intramuros, there’s a need to reconnect its east and west areas and shift its port from cargo terminal to passenger terminal,” said Blancot.

For Paco, their study proposed to build a corridor connecting Pasig River and Paco Cemetery. The study also suggested to create a promenade along the river banks of the river in Quiapo and transform the area occupied by warehouses in Sta. Ana into a park.

Paco Park by Jacqueline Timola/ NPPA Images.

“Sta. Ana plays a strategic role since it is located between Intramuros and Makati. It must be developed with the river in mind,” said Blancot.

The study also recommended that a promenade by the sea be constructed in Malate and a network of stilts and passageway be built in the fishing village of Navotas.



When asked whether the said proposals would be submitted to the local government units involved, Blancot said that they are open with sharing them but they haven’t communicated with any officials yet.

Professor Christiane Blancot tackles the results of their one year-study of Manila's facade. Photo by Jacqueline Timola/NPPA Images.

“Now, it’s time for us to flesh out their findings and actualize it. But will the government be opened to such developments?,” said Dr. Butch Zialcita of the Department of Sociology and Anthropology of the Ateneo, who assisted the group in their study.

“This presentation showed that a plan can be done. We can plan. We need to enlighten the government and help in urban planning,” added Arch. Nathaniel Von Einsiedel, president of Heritage Conservation Society.
Einsiedel also shared the Heritage Conservation Society would be looking into revitalizing the heritage districts in Manila.

Photos by Jacqueline Timola/NPPA Images.

...the dream builder

Building homes, building dreams

 

By JORDAN C. TAN

February 27, 2011

 

 

The volunteers at work (photo by EDWARD LLANES)

MANILA, Philippines – There are lessons learned in school and some that are better learned outside. This I found out when I joined a group of youth volunteers for Habitat for Humanity, a non-profit organization that rehabilitates simple, decent houses with the help of homeowners (known as home partner) families, volunteer labor, and donations of money and materials.


Our destination: A Habitat site in Calauan, Laguna.
 

It all started a few days before the build.  At first, I thought it was quite ironic that I’d be going to help build homes with other volunteers because the week prior, my school had organized the same activity in the same place but I was not able to go (and to think that I already had work gloves and hard hats for my brother and myself).
 

On the road to Calauan, I kept thinking about the tasks that might be assigned to me and was even questioning myself if I could actually build a house.
 

On arrival at the site (we were among the early birds), we were introduced to the youth council organized by a group of dedicated youth whose aim is to be able to gather 1,000 youths from different schools, colleges, and universities to help out in building for Habitat.
 

The parade of volunteers soon began and I saw Senator Chiz Escudero; Bibeth Orteza, writer and wife of Carlos Siguion-Reyna, who wore a pair of different colored espadrilles to symbolize her being a cancer survivor; Feli Atienza, wife of TV personality Kim Atienza; Cristalle Belo, daughter of dermatologist Vicki Belo; Yolanda Hadid, the current girlfriend of musician David Foster; Felix Ang, president of CATS motors; Jim Fuentebella, Corporate Marketing VP of Max’s Chicken; Mons Romulo-Tantoco, daughter of Foreign Secretary Alberto Romulo, actor Derek Ramsay, and many more.
 

Ayala Land Chairman Fernando Zobel de Ayala led the pack of volunteers and we were assigned to work on Houses 9 and 10. The day began with us moving the Concrete Interlocking Blocks, CIB for short, from the outside to the middle of the house.  The CIB blocks look like Lego pieces and this made it easy to determine if you were attaching the blocks correctly.  Habitat for Humanity is the first in the country to be using these blocks in their construction.  Moving the bricks was surely a back-breaking task and we worked like a production line passing the blocks from one point to another until it reached the middle.
 

After moving the blocks, we made the base walls of the house.  It was very fun to see the blocks interlock with one another as we erected the walls.  We then proceeded to the station where the job being done was grouting.  This was the task I enjoyed the most because it was fun to stuff the CIB’s interlocking holes with grout and make sure that they’re completely stuffed.
 

Under the heat of the noontime sun, there we were, interlocking CIB blocks and grouting. Our respite came in the form of a lunch break of Max’s fried chicken and Krispy Kreme donuts.


As builders for a day, I realized that young as I am, it made me very happy to know that I was able to give back to the community in my own little way.  I also realized that community service doesn’t have to be very big and grand for it to have an impact on people’s lives.  We were only able to build a part of the house but this little act of ours already had a very big impact on another person’s life.
 

Second, I realized that the youth is indeed the future of a nation.  The youth council who took part in the build proved this.  Third, I realized that a construction worker’s job is not an easy one.  Upon experiencing first-hand the kind of work that they do, my perception of them has changed a lot.
 

Finally, I realized that there are some people who are truly dedicated to doing their part for the community.  There was a foreign volunteer whom we saw who still worked to finish the house he started even though everyone was happily having their lunch.
 

I enjoyed building homes and giving back to the community.  I also enjoyed the chance to bond with my brother, my cousin and the people from Manila Bulletin. I also interacted with a lot of people whom I have never before met in my life.  And finally, I also learned a lot, not only technical stuff like building homes but also realizations that greatly changed my perception of things and helped me become a better person.This made the experience in building for Habitat truly worthwhile and unforgettable.  I wish that in the future, I might be able to go back there again and continue my service to the community.

...the NatGeo photographer

Pinay makes it to finals of NatGeo photo contest

 

abs-cbnNEWS.com

02/27/2011

 

MANILA, Philippines - Yen Baet, a Filipina writer-photographer based in England, made it as one of the 6 finalists in the National Geographic Photo Contest.

 

Filipina photographer Yen Baet's entry to the National Geographic Photo Contest. Credit: Screen grab from http://rainprel.wordpress.com/

"Rainy Night in Hallstatt", her photo, was taken in Austria as twilight crept in. It shows a church by a picturesque lake.

According to Baet's website, Baet learned photography on her own. She has a degree in English, and has been published in the Philippines and Japan.

She was born in the Philippines but immigrated to the US. England is now her home, though.
The contest winner will be determined by voting. One can vote by going to
http://nationalgeographic.com/chasesapphire.

Only legal US residents may cast their votes. The last day for voting is on March 10.
The grand winner will get a 9-day National Geographic Expedition trip for two to Peru.

...the Oscars 2

CONTENDER FOR OSCARS
Filipino cinematographer wins indie film award

By Ruben V. Nepales
Philippine Daily Inquirer
 02/27/2011

LOS ANGELES – On the eve of the Academy Awards, Matthew Libatique, the Filipino cinematographer of “Black Swan” won the best cinematography prize in the Independent Spirit Awards held in Santa Monica, California.

Libatique, the top Filipino-American creative talent working behind the scenes in the US film industry today, is also in the running for the best cinematography honors in the Oscars which takes place Sunday evening (Monday in Manila). It is his first Academy nomination.

The lensman’s win in the Independent Spirit Awards, which recognizes excellence in films with budgets under $20 million, is his second. Libatique won the trophy for the first time with “Requiem for a Dream,” one of his earliest films with his frequent collaborator, Darren Aronofsky.

Libatique told the Inquirer by phone that his second triumph was sweet because the last time he won was in 2001. “It took a long time for me to get back,” he said. “The first award happened early in my career. So I don’t take this recognition for granted.” The filmmaker added that he loves indie cinema and what it stands for so he valued the honor. “I identify strongly with the independent filmmaking community.”

He shared that in his acceptance speech, he gave special thanks to his wife, Magela Crosignani, who is also a cinematographer, and their two children.

“Black Swan” dominated Saturday’s awards, winning in all the categories in which it was nominated – including Best Feature, Best Director (Aronofsky) and Best Actress (Natalie Portman). The film pulled an upset over “Winter’s Bone,” considered the frontrunner with seven nods but which won in only two categories.

Sthanlee B. Mirador, the Filipino-American photographer who covered the awards held by the beach, told the Inquirer, “When Matthew walked into the press room after he won, he had this huge smile on his face. He came up to me, shook my hand, gave me a hug and said to me, ‘We did it, man!’ I replied, ‘Take home the Oscar tomorrow.’ He simply smiled and shook my hand again.”

Mirador said that Libatique was visibly ecstatic when “Black Swan” won in the other categories. In his category, the director of photography beat Michael McDonough, “Winter's Bone,” Adam Kimmel, “Never Let Me Go,” Jody Lee Lipes, “Tiny Furniture” and Harris Savides, “Greenberg.”

In the Academy Awards, Libatique, 42, one of the youngest members of the American Society of Cinematographers (ASC), is competing against veterans – Roger Deakins, “True Grit,” Wally Pfister, “Inception,” Danny Cohen, “The King’s Speech” and Jeff Cronenweth, “The Social Network.”

Born in Queens, New York, Libatique has chalked up major film credits, including the two “Iron Man” movies directed by Jon Favreau. The lensman’s collaborations with Aronofsky include “The Fountain,” “Pi” and “Protozoa,” a short film from their American Film Institute graduate student days.

In an online poll conducted by “American Cinematographer,” the magazine of ASC, “Requiem…” was named one of the best shot films from 1998 to 2008, alongside such award-winning movies as “Amelie,” “American Beauty” and “City of God.” Libatique’s most recent project is Favreau’s “Cowboys & Aliens,” which stars Harrison Ford and Daniel Craig and is due out this year. His other credits include two films with Joel Schumacher, “Tigerland” and “Phone Booth,” and three with Spike Lee – “Inside Man,” “Miracle at St. Anna” and “She Hate Me.”

Libatique, who is called Matty by friends and colleagues, began his career by shooting music videos with such artists as Tracy Chapman (“Give Me One Reason”), Moby, Jay-Z, Brian McKnight and 98 Degrees. He followed and shot Kobe Bryant during a day in the 2008 NBA playoffs for the documentary “Kobe Doin’ Work.” He also directs commercials in between film projects.

In “Black Swan,” a psychological thriller in which Portman portrays an obsessed ballerina, Matthew masterfully shows the gritty world underneath the professional gloss of ballet. The film is considered by many as the best collaboration so far of Libatique and Aronofsky, who said that “Black Swan” and “The Wrestler,” for which Mickey Rourke got acting accolades, began as one movie.

In an earlier interview with the Inquirer, Aronofsky said that Libatique’s DP expertise helped in making “Black Swan,” whose $13 million budget is loose change compared with the budgets of their “Iron Man” movies. “We didn’t have the spotlight in some of the ballet scenes,” the director disclosed. “So we didn’t know where the shadows were. Matty had to sit there with his dimmer board, making sure one spotlight came down while another came up so that there weren’t any shadows in the shot. So technically, and Matty has said this, too, ‘Black Swan’ was more difficult for him than any of those big movies like ‘Iron Man’ because he had less tools and less time. We had to make do with the limitations we had.”

Libatique traced his interest in photography and cinematography to a gift – a Nikon camera – that his father, Justiniano Libatique, gave him when he was a child. “My father was an amateur photographer and worked at a film lab in New York,” he said. “He taught me the fundamentals of photography at an age when I didn’t realize I would spend the rest of my life using them. I did not even know what a cinematographer was at 11 years old.”

The aspiring filmmaker’s parents “didn’t quite understand how I would make a living as a cinematographer and that was a source of anxiety for them, but they never dissuaded me from it.”

He is proud of his Filipino heritage. “Both of my parents spoke Tagalog when I was growing up,” Libatique said. “Although I spoke Tagalog very early on, my life became dominated by English when I started school. I still understand Tagalog but rarely hear it since my mother married an American. She now goes by the name Georgina Porter. I consider myself a Filipino, however. I cook and eat Filipino food all the time.

Libatique’s trips to the Philippines included one that was work-related. “I shot second unit on a film, ‘Soldier Boyz,’ with Darren. I taught him about pinakbet.”

Portman is considered in a close fight with Annette Bening (“The Kids Are All Right”) in the Academy’s Best Actress race. Libatique’s gritty cinematography is credited as one of the factors for Portman’s well-received portrayal of a paranoid prima ballerina. “Natalie is interesting because she’s a bad-ass actor,” Libatique said. “It’s my job to capture that through cinematography. If you look at the film, you’ll see that it’s her face that makes you believe she is a ballerina.”

Libatique is also grateful to “Spike Lee, along with his former cinematographer, Ernest Dickerson. They are the reasons I became a filmmaker. So, when Spike called and asked me to shoot ‘She Hate Me,’ it was a landmark moment in my career. Making a film with Spike is an experience, and I’ve had the rare opportunity to have made three with him. He challenged me in different ways than other directors. He’s a force of nature who demands the best from everyone.”

Libatique and Aronofsky will work together again on the next “Wolverine” movie with Hugh Jackman resuming the title role.

Of his chances at the Oscars, the low-key talent with impressive credits said, “I don’t expect to win. I feel like I’ve already won, especially with this honor from the Independent Spirit Awards.” He added that he might wear something with a touch of the Philippines or of the Filipino in him. But he stressed that he will make that decision on Sunday morning.

...the champ

Orcollo nabs World 8-Ball Championship

abs-cbnNEWS.com

02/27/2011

 

MANILA, Philippines – Filipino cue artist, Dennis “Robocop” Orcollo clinched the WPA World 8-Ball crown by beating Neils Feijen of Netherlands, 10-3, in the finals at the Fujairah Exhibition Center in United Arab Emirates.

 

According to the tournament's website, Orcollo, a former fisherman from Surigao del Sur, quickly zoomed to a 5-0 lead over Feijen in the race-to-10 affair.

In Rack No. 6, the Filipino scratched in the side pocket. This allowed the Dutch to score three straight racks, 5-3.

Feijen was running Rack No. 9 when he failed to sink the No. 4.

Orcollo, who plays under Perry Mariano's Bugsy Promotions, went back to the table and cleaned the remaining racks en route to his world title victory.

Robocop received the $40,000 top prize that goes with the title.

Feijen, on the other hand, pocketed the $25,000-runner up prize.

Orcollo outhustled David "El Matador" Alcaide of Spain, 9-3, in the semifinals to forge a titular showdown with Feijen, who blanked UK’s Darren Appleton in the other semis match.

In winning a world championship, Orcollo joined the ranks of Filipino cue artists who won world titles like Efren "Bata" Reyes (World 9-Ball, World 8-Ball), Alex "The Lion" Pagulayan (World 9-Ball), Ronato "The Volcano" Alcano (World 9-Ball, World 8-Ball) and Francisco "Django" Bustamante (World 9-Ball). -- With a report from Marlon Bernardino

...the vibrant tourism

Domestic tourism to spruce up RP economy

 

By JACKY LYNNE A. OIGA

February 27, 2011

Manila Bulletin

 

 

Intramuros, Manila

 
 
 MANILA, Philippines – Tourism in the Philippines continues to be vibrant and resilient despite the challenging times. After incurring a 17 percent increase on foreign visitors from 2009 to 2010, the tourism industry is all geared-up to start 2011 on a high note. First on the list is the intensifying domestic tourism – the key stabilizer of the tourism industry.
 

The Department of Tourism (DoT) and the Philippine Tour Operators Association (PHILTOA) are working together to implement plans and strategies to add to DoT’s existing programs for domestic tourism. PHILTOA will be aligning its programs with the DoT’s marketing directions and product development to come up with a variety of offerings that cater to the current market needs of the tourism industry.


“With the right programs, we can double the movement of the domestic market. Domestic travel is very important for the tourism industry. It provides sustainability and stability to our destinations especially during off season months and global economic downturns,” said PHILTOA president Cesar Cruz during their first General Membership Meeting.
 

During the event, Professor Benjamin Diokno, former Secretary of Budget and Management, discussed the tourism forecast for 2011 from an economic standpoint. According to Diokno, tourism is one of the potential growth sectors of the economy but the government has to be constantly proactive.


“Higher tourism activity will contribute to the development process of the Philippine economy in two ways: first, it will create more jobs since tourism is labor-intensive; and second, it will help reduce poverty especially in regions outside Metro Manila,” Diokno said.
 

Budget travels and competitive domestic fares are some of the reasons why Filipinos are traveling more around the country. To take advantage of this trend, the government, private sectors and LGUs should work together to cultivate new destinations that offer fresh experiences.
 

“We must work on connecting destinations to each other. For example, people already know about Boracay, Aklan but how about other provinces in Western Visayas like Antique, Capiz, Iloilo, Negros Occidental, and Guimaras? Marketing of top destinations must spill over to nearby provinces to generate more income not only for the LGUs but for the locals as well,” Cruz explained.
 

All in all, inbound tour operators are confident that 2011 will be a great year for the tourism industry.

By forging a strong partnership with the DoT, they believe that domestic tourism will be even more exciting for Filipino travelers.