...the franchise hub of Asia

PH positioned as the ‘Franchise Hub of Asia’

By Ces Rodriguez and Charley Bautista Braga

20 September 2011

Photo courtesy of Philippine Franchise Association

This week, the world's top franchise leaders will be in Manila as the Philippines hosts Franchise Asia 2011, the biggest franchise show in Asia.

Supported by the Philippine Franchise Association (PFA), the six-day business event at the SMX Convention

Center is expected to bring in franchising experts from China, India, Malaysia, Singapore, Australia, Canada, Germany, the U.K. and the U.S.

They will join Philippine business leaders Tony Tan Caktiong of Jollibee, Krispy Kreme Doughnut Corp.

SVP and President-International Jeff Welch; 7-Eleven International Vice President, Chris Tanco; and  Mang Inasal founder and vice chairman Edgar "Injap" Sia II.

Samie Lim, Chairman of the World Franchise Council (WFC), said the event will "strengthen the country's position as the 'Franchise Hub of Asia,' while also bringing homegrown brands over to the global stage." "We believe that the Philippines, being in the center of Asia, will be Asia's franchise hub.  We have the biggest number of executives in franchising, the Philippines has almost a hundred million people, this is where foreigners can start to test out franchises.  Our time has come."

He adds that Filipinos possess many traits for success in franchising.  "The ability to speak English is one.  It's so easy to send Filipinos anywhere in the world and they can be the branch manager and so on and so forth. 

Number two, the fact that we have so many young people.  I always believe there are so many Filipinos going abroad because we are basically a very global nation.  So that anywhere we go, we feel at home, while others are disoriented.  The Filipinos can go anywhere."

Five hundred brands are set to exhibit in the venue, while other highlights include the International Franchise Expo, a one-stop-shop of local and international investment opportunities; Franchise Seminars that will match franchisors and would-be franchisees, and the International Franchise Conference featuring the latest trends and developments in franchising.

Franchising in the Philippines

Franchising has been acknowledged as the fastest growing sector in the Philippines, with more than 124,000 franchisees offering the products and services of over 1,100 franchisors in the country.

Worldwide, it generated more than one million jobs and recorded a total output of $9.45 billion in 2010.

Mr. Lim believes holding Franchise Asia will generate billions in new investments. "Based on my figures, there will be P50 billion of new investments in franchises, and the business generated by Franchise Asia is going to increase the sales of franchising by P200 billion in the next three years.  We expect that through franchising, 125,000 new jobs [will be created] within the next 3 years."

PFA Chairman Robert Trota sees the sector growing from 20 to 30% in the next two years based on the international brands expected to set up shop in the Philippines later this year.

He believes the boom is the result of a number of factors including the emergence of micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs); the growth and expansion of the business process outsourcing (BPO) industry; the business-oriented mindset of OFWs and their families; and the introduction of homegrown business concepts.

With the theme, "Asia to the World, The World to Asia," Franchise Asia 2011 will serve the country well, said Trota. "It puts the Philippines on the global spotlight as a leading trade and tourism destination, where the biggest and most successful food, retail and service franchise concepts thrive.  This is the right time for the country to shine and show its glory."

..the author in German fest

Award-winning Pinoy author featured in German literary fest

 

09/19/2011

GMA News

An award-winning Filipino novelist, Miguel Syjuco, was one of the honored guests at the 11th International Literature Festival Berlin from September 7 to 17.

The Philippine Embassy in Berlin said Syjuco, based in Montreal, Canada, was only the third Filipino writer to be invited to the prestigious literature festival held every two years.

"He (Syjuco) discussed his award-winning novel "Ilustrado" before a packed crowd of literature enthusiasts from Germany and other nationals from all over the world," the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said.

Syjuco won the Man Asian Literary Prize and Palanca Award in 2008 for his novel "Ilustrado," a thriller-cum-political novel on a migrant Filipino's search for his mentor's killer.

The novel — published in more than a dozen languages, including German — was a commentary on Philippine life and politics.

The DFA said the festival's special focus this year is the Asia Pacific region.

The festival aims to make the literature and culture of the region accessible to a wider audience, promote mutual understanding, and a lively exchange among the authors and artists. - VVP, GMA News

...the busy Pinoy mucisians

Filipinos should support their world-class musicians, not only boxers and beauty-contest runners-up

By: Pablo A. Tariman
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Monday, September 19th, 2011

Filipinos all over the world should not support only Filipino boxers and beauty queens, but also world-class Filipino musicians  here and abroad.

Arthur Espiritu, the first Filipino tenor to invade La Scala  di Milan,  has just wrapped up a major role in “Don Giovanni” in Austria, “Barber of Seville” and “ La Cenerentola,” and is girding for his first Verdi role.

Last week, Espiritu debuted with Met Opera star John Releya and Brenda Harris in a Washington, DC, concert. As of press time, he will finish the rest of his “Don Giovanni” performances  with Bruckner Orchester under Martin Sieghart until the end of this month.

On October 8, Espiritu will be heard for the first time at the CCP Main Theater for a special concert with soprano Rachelle Gerodias, baritone Andrew Fernando, tenor Lemuel de la Cruz, tenor George Yang, with the Manila Philharmonic Orchestra under the baton of Rodel Colmenar.

Next month, Otoniel Gonzaga, the first Filipino tenor to sing the role of Verdi’s Otello, is back in Vienna next month as King Herod in “Salome.”




Andrew Fernando in Samar

Baritone Andrew Fernando, who is doing a contemporary opera called “Pocahontas” in Minnesota after his triumph in a Shostakovich operetta in California, will be heard for the first time in Calbayog City, Samar, as part of the First Samar International Music Festival on December 5 at the Ciriaco Hotel Ballroom.

Violinist Gina Medina and pianist Mary Anne Espina will open the  Samar festival on October 29. Heeding the call for a renaissance of classical music in Samar, Representative  Mel Senen Sarmiento sponsored  the  domestic air tickets of the artists going to the festival.

The impact of the trio performance of violinist Joseph Esmilla, cellist Victor Michael Coo and pianist Rudolf Golez  in the latest UP Balay Kalinaw concert was such  that it resonated all over Metro Manila with requests for repeat performances in the provinces.

Esmilla and Golez will perform in a new program at UP Los Baños  Umali Hall (Los Baños, Laguna)  on October 15, 7 p.m.  They will repeat their Balay Kalinaw  performance on October 21, 7 p.m.

The Los Baños concert is the first anniversary presentation of Dalcielo Restaurant and Bakeshop managed by Marissa de Jesus and Pinky Halos.





Licad

I had a long talk with Cecile Licad gushing over the superb trio. I asked her, “Can you do the Tchaikovsky Trio with  Esmilla and Coo in the same venue?”

“Why not?” came the answer.

Licad  recently dazzled the Great Mountains Music Festival in Korea in a  chamber-music program that included  Chausson’s  Concerto for Violin and Piano and String Quartet, Shostakovitch’s Piano Quintet; Bartok’s  Contrast with Violin and Clarinet; Bach’s Keyboard Concerto in  A Major with Chamber Orchestra; Bartok’s  Percussion and Two Pianos; and Schumann Andante for Two Pianos and Two Cellos and Horn.



Licad  was called a “Bach specialist” after the performance.

After Korea, she headed for the Santa Fe Music Festival for a recital and a chamber-music program with Filipino pianist Victor Asuncion.

The result was sheer euphoria.

A Filipino fan of Licad, Dr. Lara Halili, flew all the way to Santa Fe and reported another sold-out and well-received concert.

Licad is headed for Hawaii next month for Tchaikovsky No. 1, and then another recital and chamber-music engagement in Stockholm, Sweden (a  Swedish debut), on October 29; after which she rehearses another live  Gottchalk music for the film “Louie,” for its London premiere on November 20.

They can watch  the remaining performance of tenor Espiritu in Linz, Austria, in Mozart’s “Don Giovanni”; relish tenor Gonzaga as King Herod  in the Oct. 15 premiere of “Salome” in Vienna; and enjoy baritone Andrew Fernando in “Pocahontas” in Minnesota till the end of this month.

They can also support Licad when she performs with the Honolulu Symphony October 15;  in Stockholm, Sweden,  on  October 29; and in London on November 20.

...the Rose of Tralee

Fil-Irish wins prestigious beauty tilt in Ireland

 

 

09/17/2011

GMA News

A Filipino-Irish bagged the beauty title in this year's edition of the prestigious Rose of Tralee international festival in Ireland, the Department of Foreign Affairs has said.

The DFA said Philippine Ambassador to Ireland Ariel Abadilla hosted a luncheon in honor of Filipino-Irish Tara Talbot, this year's titlist.

"The luncheon at the Ambassador's residence was the first official function for Ms. Talbot since she was declared Rose of Tralee last August 23, according to Steve Cronly, national coordinator for the Rose of Tralee International Festival," the DFA said in a news release.

It said Talbot's father is Irish and her mother Carmencita is a Filipina from San Miguel, Pangasinan.

"She was born in Dublin and moved to Australia when she was five years old. She is a secondary school  teacher from the Australian state of Queensland, which she represented at the festival," it added.

The DFA said Talbot is the second Filipino-Irish to win the title since Luzveminda O'Sullivan in 1998.

Also at the luncheon was Alan Farrell, a member of Irish Parliament representing Dublin North, the DFA added.

During the luncheon, Abadilla expressed the pride of the Filipino community in Ireland for having another Filipino-Irish win the prestigious title.

The Rose of Tralee International Festival is one of Ireland's largest and longest running festivals. It marked its 50th anniversary in 2009.

At its heart is the selection of the Rose of Tralee, which brings young women of Irish descent from around the world to County Kerry in Ireland. — LBG, GMA News

...the pianist

Pinoy pianist stars in Germany's festival of artists

 

09/16/2011

GMA News

A Germany-based Filipino pianist, Dr. Abelardo Galang II, was featured in this year's "Fest der Künste" (Festival of Artists) Berlin, Germany.

During the festival, held at the Riehmers Hofgarten, Internationales Forum in Berlin from September 3 and 4, Galang serenaded the audience with his dramatic rendition of classical musical pieces from Bach, Beethoven, and Lizst, and a Filipiniana musical collage from Philippine national artist Dr. Lucrecia Kasilag.

"He is a recording artist under the German label Tobios Record, whose discography includes Schumann and Chopin (2004), Kundiman, Philippine Art Songs (2008), and Platti: Twelve Piano Sonatas (2010), a three-CD album with works of Italian-German Baroque composer Giovanni Benedetto Platti," the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said in a news release on Thursday.

Galang won the 1992 Grand Prix in Philippine Piano Competition and has performed in Asia and Europe as soloist, chamber artist, and Lied accompanist.

He earned his Bachelor's Degree in Piano Performance from the University of the Philippines.

He holds two Master's degrees in Music (Piano Solo and Chamber Music) from Musashino Academia Musicae in Tokyo and the Hochschule für Musik "Hanns Eisler," in Berlin.

He earned his Doctorate degree in Music from the Technische Universität in Berlin, Germany.

Fest der Künste

During the festival new Philippine Ambassador to Germany Maria Cleofe Natividad was the guest of honor at the opening of this year's Fest der Künste.

Invited by the festival's organizer Isabella Gabriel Niang, a respected artist in Berlin, Natividad delivered her opening remarks in German.

The DFA said, "She conveyed the message that public diplomacy through culture and arts is an important pillar of Philippine foreign policy and an essential medium in the promotion of understanding between the Philippines and Germany."

She also noted that cultural events have enhanced the goodwill between the two countries. - VVP, GMA News

...the DJ in the biggest dance fest

LovEvolution: World's Biggest Dance Festival features Filipino DJ

by John Paul Tanchanco

Special to abs-cbnNEWS.com

09/16/2011

 

It's really refreshing to see global Filipino talent in the forefront of world entertainment nowadays. Among the Pinoy performing artists who have become popular in the global market are Charice, Arnel Pineda (Journey), Apl de App (Black Eyed Peas), and Maria Aragon.

 

In the electronic dance music genre, Laid Back Luke, a Filipino DJ born in Manila and based in Netherlands, is also making his waves. His performances and music releases have achieved a mainstream following to the point that he will be headlining in this year's Lovevolution together with 5 time Grammy nominee US artist/DJ, Moby and Top German Trance DJ, Mark Schulz.

Body Rock was one of Moby's popular hits that was nominated in the US Grammies.

LovEvolution is the US version of the European-based Love Parade that started in Germany. The annual global love events are hailed to be the biggest electronica dance music festivals in the world.  They gather all the biggest dance music names,  brands, establishments and global party fans into a unified event of pure partying.

The event is filled with parades and dance fests happening day and night with Music clubs, Discos, DJs, Models, Promoters and Artists parading in their original creative floats.  Initial celebrations and parties last for 1 week and culminate with a parade and big dance production concert featuring top named DJs and clubs.






Love Parade

Love Parades are annual dance and music festivals that originated after the fall of the Berlin wall in 1989. The festival is aimed at promoting unity in diversity, respect and love around the world. 

There were several years when the festivals were suspended because of their wild uncontrollable success. In 2003, German authorities temporarily suspended production permits to host the event. This is when organizers arranged for a North American production.  When German organizers were able to secure permits back in Berlin, North American organizers decided to continue their own sister event and dubbed it the LoveFest 2004, changing the name in 2009 to LovEvolution. 

The Wild Success of Love Parades

In July 2010, a total of 1.4 million attended the Love Parade in Germany.  Producers did not prepare and expect that the attendees would reach these heights. The unexpected crowd rush at the Love Parade caused the death of 21 people, with at least 500 others injured. As a result, the German version of the festival was temporarily cancelled.

Love Evolution 2011

San Francisco was where the US version of the Love Parade first originated in 2004. In order to have more control over the event, they eventually had to move to a bigger more managable area the from San Francisco site.

This year's LovEvolution will take place in Oakland which is 30 minutes away from San Francisco.

This year's LovEvolution 2011 Dance Music Parade and Festival  culmination day will be hosted at the O.co Coliseum and Oracle Arena in Oakland, California on Saturday, September 24, 2011.

...the street in Chicago

Street renamed Rizal Avenue in Chicago

 

By Cathy Rose A. Garcia,

abs-cbnNEWS.com

09/15/2011

 

A street in the "Windy City" has recently been given the honorary name Dr. Jose Rizal Avenue, according to the Philippine Consulate General in Chicago, Illinois.

 

Consul-General Leo M. Herrera-Lim and Illinois Rep. Mike Quigley led the rededication ceremony last September 10 for Dr. Jose Rizal Avenue, the honorary name for Irving Park Road that which runs from Block 1300W to Block 1400W in Chicago.

Also attending the ceremony were two descendants of Rizal - Dr. Ramon G. Lopez and Willi Buhay, as well as Alderman Amaya Pawar, who represents the 47th Ward of Chicago.

The rededication of the street as Rizal Avenue was part of the various activities in the City of Chicago to commemorate the 150th birth anniversary of the Philippine national hero. Other upcoming events include Philippine story-telling sessions at Chicago public libraries, screenings of films about Rizal and donation of Rizal's famous novels Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo to various colleges.

The world premiere of Rizal's Sweet Stranger the Musical (Untold Stories of Josephine Bracken), a contemporary musical theater production by Anton Juan will be held at the St. Scholastica Academy Theater in Chicago on September 23.

A Rizal monument can even be found at 4739 N. Marine Drive, Chicago.

Meanwhile, Quigley and Pawar also met members of the Filipino-American community at the Rizal Heritage Center, which is located at 1332 W. Irving Park Road.

In a speech at the event, Herrera-Lim emphasized the aspiration and dreams of Rizal to his beloved country. He also campaigned for the SAVE Our Industries Act, which hopes to save jobs in the US textile and Philippine apparel industries.

Quigley said he will consider the proposed bill. The SAVE Act would allow for apparel products manufactured in the Philippines using US-made products to enter the US duty free.