...the world's best mayors

Angeles City Mayor Edgardo Pamintuan is world's 8th best mayor

 

ANDREI MEDINA,

GMA News

January 9, 2013

 

 

Angeles City Mayor Edgardo Pamintuan was ranked as the eighth best mayor in the biennial World Mayors Project (WMP) for 2012.

 

Mayor Edgardo Pamintuan, Angeles City

In an interview with GMA News Online, Pamintuan revealed that he was surprised to receive the award but was otherwise grateful for the recognition of his public service in Angeles.

Mayors Alfredo Lim of Manila and Rodrigo Duterte of Davao were also part of the top 50 best mayors of 2012.


Mayor Alfreo Lim, Manila

 

Mayor Rodrigo Duterte, Davao City

The WMP aims to promote the values of honesty, leadership, integrity, and excellence in local governance, among others.

The project awards the mayors with outstanding contributions to their communities.

During the online voting for the awards, Pamintuan said he was surprised to be one of four Asians and the only Filipino in the final 25.

Having assumed office only in July 2010, Pamintuan became even more surprised that he made it to the list of world's top 10 best mayors.

Commitment to health, education

Pamintuan, on his first term as mayor, was cited for his health, infrastructure, and education projects.

He likewise pushed for environmental care by implementing major drainage upgrades and promoting environmental infrastructure in Angeles.

Aside from these, to help prevent flooding in the city, he oversaw the planting of 200,000 trees.

Pamintuan also helped build a public city college – the City College of Angeles – which provides low-cost courses on computer, information technology and tourism.

The mayor noted that “80 percent of families in the Philippines can't afford to enroll (their children).”

Pamintuan also pushed for the installation of dialysis facilities in their city hospitals so that the residents would not have to go to Metro Manila or other areas to seek treatment.

He also plans to establish a cancer center for different types of cancer victims.

He likewise intends to improve the roads in his jurisdiction and establish the city's first public cemetery.

Campaign vs. graft, corruption

Pamintuan mentioned that he gained the confidence of Angeles City business leaders with his campaign to battle graft and corruption.

His administration's campaign received the Seal of Good Housekeeping by the Interior Department.

He says all the success he and his administration achieved were due to the support of all the people of Angeles.

As an advice to other Philippine mayors, he said leading by example is a good way to serve the public.

“Tutok lang. Hands-on dapat. Set an example and mauna ka muna. Yung pinapagawa mo dapat alam mo din gawin,” Pamintuan said. - VVP, GMA News

...the Country of the Year 2012

The Grandslam Ranking
globalbeauties.com


The United States is the Country of the Year 2012

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

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

The United States is the Country of the Year 2012

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

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

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

2012′s Top 20 Ranking – Country of the Year

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

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

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

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

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

Country of the Year 2012 in Asia: PHILIPPINES

Country of the Year 2012 in the Americas: COLOMBIA

Country of the Year 2012 in Europe: SWEDEN

Country of the Year 2012 in the Caribbean: PUERTO RICO

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


 
And the country of the year is...
     

Written by Missosology.org
Friday, 21 December 2012 

 

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

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

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

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

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


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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

...the top retirement destinations

PH among world's top retirement destinations

 

By Kim Arveen Patria

Yahoo! Southeast Asia Newsroom

08 January 2013

 

Camiguin sights (Gael Hilotin)

 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

...the most generous countries

Editorial

Philippines Among Most Generous Countries

Manila Bulletin

January 7, 2013

 

The Philippines is the 17th most generous country among 146 countries in the World Giving Index (WGI) 2012 of the United Kingdom (UK)-based Charities Aid Foundation (CAF). The Philippines shared the ranking with Finland, which also had a score of 45%.

The WGI, the largest global study into charitable behavior, ranked countries based on three “giving behaviors” – donating money to a charity, volunteering time for an organization, and helping strangers. Respondents were asked which of the following three charitable acts they had undertaken in the past month: Donated money to an organization? Volunteered time to an organization? Helped a stranger, or someone they didn’t know who needed help?

Australia was ranked the most generous country with a score of 60 percent, followed by Ireland, Canada, New Zealand, and the United States in the top five most generous, all ranking high in terms of donating money.

Filipinos ranked fifth overall in terms of volunteering, with a score of 44 percent. Citing the Philippines, CAF said “volunteerism is particularly commonplace there, with more people volunteering (44%) than in other country in Southeast Asia. As for helping strangers, Filipinos got a score of 58 percent.”

We congratulate the Republic of the Philippines government, headed by H.E., President Benigno S. Aquino III and Vice President Jejomar C. Binay, in their programs of action that are putting the Philippines in the world map. CONGRATULATIONS AND MABUHAY!

...the PH economic growth

Economic growth likely hit high end of ’12 target—official

By Riza T. Olchondra
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Monday, January 7th, 2013

 

 

The Philippine economy likely hit the high end of its growth rate target in 2012 and would maintain a “high growth” in 2013, Economic Planning Secretary Arsenio Balisacan said in an interview Monday as the stock market rallied past the 6,000 mark.

Hitting the 5- to 6-percent growth target for 2012 “is no big deal,” Balisacan said, saying the economy was likely to have expanded by about 6.5 percent last year.

For the fourth quarter of 2012, he said the expansion of the gross domestic product (GDP) would definitely be higher than 4.5 percent, which was the minimum required for the Philippines to hit the higher end of the target for 2012.

Growth likely hit 6 percent in the last quarter alone, said Cid L. Terosa, economist at the University of Asia and the Pacific. At that level, full-year growth could hit 6.5 to 7 percent.

Former Budget Secretary Benjamin E. Diokno of the UP School of Economics had a slightly more conservative estimate of about 4.5 percent.

“I agree with Neda officials that this growth rate is attainable. In fact, I forecast that growth in the fourth quarter will be within the range of 4.5 percent to 5.3 percent.

...the PH 2012 forex reserve

Forex reserves end 2012 at all-time high of $84.25B

By Michelle V. Remo
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Monday, January 7th, 2013

 

The country’s foreign exchange reserves hit an all-time high of $84.25 billion at the close of 2012, buoyed by the central bank’s dollar purchases that were meant to temper what could have been a sharp appreciation of the peso. MARK WILSON/GETTY IMAGES/AFP

The country’s foreign exchange reserves hit an all-time high of $84.25 billion at the close of 2012, buoyed by the central bank’s dollar purchases that were meant to temper what could have been a sharp appreciation of the peso.

The yearend gross international reserves (GIR) were enough to cover a year of the country’s import requirements and were nearly six times the combined foreign currency-denominated debts of the government and private entities maturing within a year.

The latest amount of GIR was up by about 12 percent from $75.30 billion the previous year.

The BSP admitted that it had been buying dollars from the market to prevent a steep rise in the value of the peso against the greenback.

Officials said that under its policy, the BSP allowed the exchange rate to be generally determined by the market, but intervened through currency trading in cases of significant volatility pressures. They said the sharp and sudden rise or fall of the peso was disruptive to businesses and to the economy.

The peso closed at 41.05 against the dollar at the last trading day of 2012, gaining nearly 7 percent since the start of the year. The peso was the second-fastest appreciating Asian currency against the dollar last year after the Korean won, which rose 7.17 percent.

Exporters said the rise of the peso has made Philippine-made goods more expensive in dollar terms and less competitive. The appreciation of the local currency has also reduced the peso value of the dollar remittances sent by overseas Filipinos.

The BSP has sufficient dollars to buy from the market given the robust inflow of remittances, foreign investments in the local business process outsourcing (BPO) sector and external portfolio investments.

Officials said foreign portfolio investments were substantial in 2012 because the favorable performance of the Philippine economy fueled the appetite for peso-denominated securities.

The heavy dollar purchases by the BSP pushed its expenditures and led to a net loss of about P68 billion in the first three quarters of 2012, its latest income statement showed.

Nonetheless, the BSP said it would not hesitate to continue buying dollars if appreciation pressures on the peso remained significant this year.

The BSP said the accumulation of dollars has its benefits to the economy. The increase in the GIR reflected the improving capacity of the Philippines to pay its dollar-denominated debts. This, in turn, has led to improved credit ratings for the country.

...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.