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What’s INSIDE Asean 4

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B Y FIDEL V. RAMOS Former President of the Philippines

THE ‘BOAT PEOPLE’ AND GOOD NEIGHBORS

CALENDAR OF TRADE FAIRS /EVENTS 8-9

INFOTECH

August 16-31, 2008

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Volume 2 No. 5

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INDONESIA CELEBRATES 63 ANNIVERSARY ‘Ready to enter the fast lane’ rd

THE Republic of Indonesia celebrates the 63rd Anniversary of the Proclamation of its Independence August 17, 2008. For sixty three years, Indonesia has encountered trials and tribulations to its politics and democracy. Indonesia has experienced and implemented liberal democracy, parliamentary democracy, guided democracy, and authoritarian-based democracy. It was all actually had its consequences. Ten years ago, in the beginning of devastating crisis, questions in disbelieve and in distrust were commonly asked.

When Indonesia was battered by economic crisis which then turned into multidimensional crisis and grave challenges.

Thanks to the patience, ventures, and determination of the Indonesian people, Indonesia has been successfully able to overcome every turbulence and crisis that came into its way. Today,

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National Telecommunications Commission of the Philippines turns 29 EXECUTIVE HEALTH CHECK

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Kidney Stone THE 2008 13 RAMON MAGSASYSAY AWARDS BIZLITES

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Marlyn B. Alonte-Naguiat RP’s Youngest Lady Mayor

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Beijing Games a success so far, says IOC

Murillo Furniture from Cebu

BIZSPORTS

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Michael Phelps 7th gold ties the world record for gold medals at single Olympics set

by Mark Spitz in 1972

THE Beijing Olympic Games are progressing successfully, said IOC spokesperson Giselle Davies at a joint IOCBOCOG press conference on Monday.

As such, instead of meeting on a daily basis as originally planned, the IOC and BOCOG have decided to come together for press briefings every other day.

Davies revealed that IOC president Jacques Rogge moved into the Olympic Village in Beijing on Sunday night. The sailing-aficionadoturned-Olympic-official plans

to check out Handball and Hockey competitions on Monday, as well as visit the International Broadcast Center.

Olympic attendance rate over ninety percent Two of the 18 Olympic venues in Beijing had an attendance rate of over ninety percent, reported Wang Wei, Executive Vice-President and Secretary General of the Beijing Organizing Committee of the Games of the 29th Olympiad (BOCOG) at a joint IOC/BOCOG press briefing on Tuesday.

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Sailors compete during Qingdao Olympic Yacht Race 2008

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ASEAN BIZTIMES

August 16-31, 2008

63rd Anniversary of

Indonesia

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Indonesia is still standing tall; from Sabang to Merauke; from Miangas to Rote Island.

As the President of the Republic of Indonesia Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono has stated in his book, people used to say that Indonesia is “a nation in waiting”. But as he further explained, “The story of Indonesia in the last eight years, with all its trials and tribulations, can count as one of the great transformation stories in the world.

For many years Indonesia was a nation in waiting. It was not a nation in revolt. A nation in waiting implies that the people have been patiently waiting for better times to come. The statement also means that Indonesia is back on the right track. Indonesia is ready to enter the fast lane.

In the history of the Indonesian economy, and in fact in the history of modern world economy, oil price has never been that high.

As if that is not enough, the price of food worldwide, for a variety of reasons, has also risen dramatically: the prices of rice, wheat, corn, and others staple food, have grown dramatically across much of the world. The present food shortage has the potential to spark social and political unrests in 33 countries, and could create a setback of seven lost years in the fight against poverty.

With a heavy heart and after much consideration, calculation and preparation, the Indonesian government announced the decision to reduce oil subsidies and raise the price of petroleum product by an average of 28.7 %. The Indonesian government realizes that this is a politically difficult decision, just as difficult as similar decision it took in 2005. But this is not a popularity contest, not when it comes to save national economy and protect the people.

Leadership is not about taking the easy option; it is about making the necessary decisions, no matter how difficult it is.

The Indonesian government believes the difficult decision would help retain optimism about the future prospects. The Indonesian government remains as committed as ever to its triple track strategy of pro-growth, pro-job, and pro-poor. That means achieving higher growth through export and investment, stimulating the real sector to create employment,

the GDP to the level of 6.3% in 2007.

Economy experts have expressed positive view of the economic prospects for 2008. The World Bank prediction on economic growth stands at 6.4%, while the government maintains that 6.8% is still a feasible target for the year 2008.

Of particular importance for Indonesia, after the economic crisis years, was achieving political and economic stability. This was brought about with great effort, sacrifice, and considerable time. The macro-economic situation and improvement in Indonesia’s economic fundamentals make it now possible to enter a faster track in the economic development of the country.

Exports have gone up in a

Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono

and promoting rural and agricultural development to reduce poverty.

On the brighter side, after the many years of crisis, Indonesian economy has been doing very well. As the World Bank mentioned in its recent report, the East Asian economies remain robust.

True, Indonesia has been lagging behind but the situation is changing. The country is now better prepared to move ahead to catch up with the other East Asian economies.

With regard to Indonesia, almost all economic indicators closed the year 2007 with encouraging results: GDP growth, inflation, Rupiah (Rp) exchange rate, central bank benchmark rates, the balance of payments, and foreign exchange reserves. Growth in exports and investment plus increased consumption brought

Komodo National Park lies in the Wallacea Region of Indonesia, identified by WWF and Conservation International as a global conservation priority area. The Park is located between the islands of Sumbawa and Flores at the border of the Nusa Tenggara Timur (NTT) and Nusa Tenggara Barat (NTP) provinces.

spectacular way, reaching the record level of US$ 100 billion in 2006. Preliminary assessments predict that the year 2007 has brought even better results; at the very least, the export target has been reached.

Indonesia’s strong trade and current account surpluses combined with a continuous increase in foreign exchange (FX) reserves are strengthening the country’s economy and its position in the world economy. FX reserves reached the high figure of US$30.5 billion in 2007.

Indonesia’s investment policy is very attractive. Indonesia has signed the Investment Protection Agreement with 60 countries and also has signed no-double-taxation agreements with 56 countries.

It adheres to a level playing field policy, so that both foreign and domestic investors are given equal treatment and opportunities. Indonesia also has a Free Foreign Capital Policy, which means that foreign investors can repatriate their capital.

Foreign investment is now beginning to move up. According to the BKPM (Investment Coordinating Board), actual Foreign Direct Investments (FDls) reached a total of US$ 10.2 billion in mid-December 2007, the highest since 2002. Most of actual FDIs come from East Asian countries, namely Singapore, South Korea, Japan, Taiwan and the United Kingdom. The largest portion of FDIs went into the transportation, communications, chemical, and food-processing industries. Domestic investment

reached about US$ 3.6 billion in mid-December 2007, going mostly into paper and plastic industries.

The unemployment rate went down slightly to 10.5% in 2007 and is expected to be 8%-9% in 2008. The Indonesian government is confident that poverty rate will be falling up to 15%. In terms of numbers, people living under US$2 per day will go down from 105.3 million to 100.7 million, out of a total population of 236.4 million.

The growth rate of Indonesian economy, even as it slows down a little to 6.3%, remains one of the fastest growing economies in the world, and it is the highest since the crisis. In fact, growth in non-oil and gas sector is higher at 6.8% last year. Foreign investment has increased some 73%, and domestic investment is equally robust. Poverty rate has been reduced from 17.8% in 2007 to 16.6% at present. The debt to GDP ratio at 32.7% in 2007- is the lowest in history, and so is debt to service ratio, which is at 21.5%. Country’s foreign reserves are the highest ever. The credit rating is the best ever since the crisis. The GDP per capita is also at the highest ever.

There are some very successful provinces in Indonesia. Another promising trend is that local governments are becoming more innovative and savvy. The local governments know very well that in order to draw investors, they must offer incentives. At the very least, this shows a vibrant civil society, one that thinks about its economic and social well-being. And these examples reflect the Indonesia today, a country that is trying its best to manifest its potential as not only a regional giant, but a global one.

At the

Glance

REPUBLIC OF INDONESIA Capital: Jakarta Official languages: Indonesian Demonym: Indonesian Government: Presidential Republic President : Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono Vice President: Jusuf Kalla Independence Day: August 17, 1945 Population: July 2007 estimated 234,693,997 (4th) GDP: $837.8 billion Per Capita: $3.725 (120th) Currency: Rupiah

August 16-31, 2008

ASEAN BIZTIMES

Jakarta, Home of the ASEAN Headquarters Inaugurated on 9 May 1981.

The roll of IDX in the development of Indonesia’s capital market ( January - July 2008) JAKARTA- Throughout January to July 2008, as an effort to create a more liquid, proper and orderly transaparant market, Indonesia Stock Exchange (IDX) strived to make improvements with significant results. One of its achievements during the period is when the Bourse reached a new highest composite index level of 2,830.263 in January 9, 2008.

Also, during the period, IDX daily average of trading volume reached 3,316,591,265 stocks with a daily average transaction value of Rp 5,401,433,398,763 and 59,173 times of transaction frequency. At the end of July 2008, the market capitalization reached Rp1,801.6 trillion. The daily average of transaction value reported in the Centralized Trading Platform (CTP) for corporate bonds, syariah and sukuk reached Rp 239.45 billion, the government bonds reached Rp 4.07 trillion and the Indonesian Retail Bonds (ORI) reached Rp 252.96 billion, while the daily average of transaction value of ORI in the exchange is Rp 8.37 million.

134 WEST AVENUE, QUEZON CITY, PHILIPPINES

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ASEAN BIZTIMES

August 16-31, 2008

Asean

NEWS

Chinese FM congratules Asean on 41st birthday CHINESE Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi Friday sent a message to Tej Bunnag, foreign minister of Thailand, the Asean chair, to express congratulations on the 41st anniversary of the establishment of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean).

It is China’s “sincere hope that Asean countries will further strengthen solidarity and coordination, maintain economic growth, promote social progress and enjoy greater vigor and vitality,” said Yang in the congratulatory message.

“To advance China-Asean Strategic Partnership for Peace and Prosperity is a firm policy of the Chinese Government,” said the Chinese minister.

“China will, as always, step up mutually-beneficial cooperation with Asean in various fields and work for the

China Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi

in-depth development of China-Asean Strategic Partnership,” he said.

Yang also said China will continue to support Asean’s integration efforts and its role as the driving force for regional cooperation, and work with Asean to make fresh contribution to peace, stability and prosperity of the region.

Asean, India FTA set for December THE Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) will sign a just-concluded free trade deal with India in December at a regional summit in New Delhi, said recently.

Talks in Brunei Thursday removed the remaining obstacles to the pact, which will liberalize trade in goods between India and the 10-member regional bloc Asean, said the group’s secretary general Surin Pitsuwan.

The deal covering billions of dollars of trade in goods, but not services, is expected to be signed during the AseanIndia Summit in December, officials said, though it was not immediately clear when it would take effect.

Talks were supposed to have wrapped up last year, but got bogged down over Indian tariffs on crude and palm oil from regional heavyweights Indonesia and Malaysia, as well as metals and textiles from Thailand, officials said.

“It’s done. All final obstacles on palm oil tariffs have been resolved,” the Indonesian trade ministry’s Director General of International Trade Cooperation Gusmardi Bustami said.

Total trade between Asean and India amounted to US$28.7 billion in 2006, putting India eighth on the list of the bloc’s trading partners

behind countries like Australia and South Korea, according to Asean figures.

A top Thai trade official predicted that number will rocket once the deal takes effect. A more limited bilateral deal between Thailand and India was signed four years ago.

Before the pact, two-way trade stood at one billion dollars a year, but now has jumped to four billion dollars a year, said Chana Kanaratanadilok, deputy director of Thailand’s department of trade negotiations.

“Free trade between Asean and India will make a huge impact. Two-way trade between our country and India could average about 10 billion dollars a year,” Chana said.

The agreement with India is part of Asean’s strategy of building trade pacts with major regional partners.

Asean has also signed a landmark deal with Japan’s economic rival, China, to create the world’s biggest free trade zone by 2010.

New Delhi had submitted a list of 1,414 products, while ASEAN’s target number was 400. The final list is reportedly about 560 goods, but officials would not give details on exactly how the differences were overcome.

THAILAND NOK AIR, a Thai low-cost airline, plans to undergo a restructuring process after an accumulative loss of 114 million baht ($3.35 million), reported the Thai News Agency (TNA) on Sunday.

TNA quoted Nok Air’s chief executive Patee Sarasin as saying that the airline, 39 percent owned by Thailand’s national flag carrier Thai Airways International, had recently submitted a restructuring plan to ministry of transport, citing major losses due to the soaring global oil prices which also affected all other airlines.

In a bid to reduce its losses, Patee said, Nok Air has

VIETNAM VIETNAM is preparing all documentations of the Thang Long Imperial Citadel to submit for UNESCO’s recognition as world cultural heritage, reported recently.

After the royal citadel was recognized as a national historical and architectural relic site late l a s t y e a r, t h e f i l e ’s preparation was carried out seriously with the participation of prestigious foreign and local scientists, including those from the Vietnam-Japan experts’ joint committee.

The file will collect opinions from authorized agencies before being sent to UNESCO before September 30.

In December 2002, the

Thailand’s Nok Air plans restructuring

already cut its daily flights down to 20 from 70, reduced salaries of senior executives and some junior staff, and

terminated the employment contracts of outsourced employees.

The airline executive said

Vietnam plans to have Royal citadel on UNESCO list

Vietnam Archeology Institute started the excavation work on a area of 19,000 square meters at 18 Hoang Dieu street of Hanoi capital city to find out a precious relic site.

According to researchers,

the site was the centre of the Thang Long imperial citadel, the most important among ancient capitals of Vietnam, where the country’s most important rituals were held during the Ly, Tran and Le dynasties.

Tatal Steel signs JV for $5bn steel plant in Vietnam INDIA-BASED Tata Steel signed a joint venture deal with Vietnamese companies to build a steel complex at a cost of $5 billion in Vietnam’s central province of Ha Tinh.

The joint venture agreement to build the 4.5million-tonne steel complex was signed in Hanoi by Tata Steel Corp, the world’s sixth largest steel company, Vietnam Steel Corp (VN Steel) and Vietnam Cement Industry Corporation (VICEM) as Tata Steel will hold a 65 percent stake while VN Steel 30 percent and VICEM 5 percent.

Located in the Vung Ang Economic Zone, the project will build a cool-rolled steel plant in the first phase, which is scheduled for completion in 2010.

Tata Steel’s managing director Muthuraman said at the signing ceremony that Vietnam is an ideal destination for foreign investors and pledged to meet all

requirements for corporate management, environmental protection and healthy business.

According to VN Steel’s general director Dau Ngoc Hung, the agreement will facilitate his corporation’s move to expand operations and establish long-term ties with its strategic partner Tata Steel to jointly explore opportunities and market potentials both in and outside

Vietnam.

The project is expected to improve Vietnam’s position in the global steel industry and fully tap the country’s natural resources, Hung said.

Formosa Group from Taiwan in early July began construction of an iron and steel complex also at the Vung Ang Economic Zone, with a plan to produce up to 7.5 million tons of iron and steel a year.

the actions were implemented a month ago, but have not yet produced tangible results, as the current falling oil prices would produce a result in September. At present, Nok Air passenger capacity is about 88-90 per cent per flight.

The airline started operations on July 23, 2004, and began its first international service to Bangalore at the end of May last year on a daily basis but suspended operations to that route in November, citing nonavailability of aircraft and to allow service to other lucrative routes in Southeast Asia, especially Vietnam.

Thai Tej Foreign Affairs Minister visits Laos

FOREIGN Affairs Minister Tej Bunnag has traveled to Laos to push for cooperation in various sectors. The foreign affairs minister also took the opportunity to explain to his counterpart Thailand’s stance on the Thai-Cambodia Preah Vihear dispute.

Laos is the first ASEAN member country the minister visited after being appointed as head of the Foreign Ministry. He met with Lao President Choummaly Sayasone, Prime Minister Bouasone Bouphavanh, and Foreign Affairs Minister Thongloun Sisoulith. They have discussed on issues concerning Thai-Lao cooperation. Laos has also expressed agreement with the use of bilateral talks to resolve the Preah Vihear conflict.

The minister reported that the demarcation at the ThaiLao border has progressed by more than 90%. 676 kilometers from 702 kilometers have been demarcated. In addition, the minister said the two countries discussed the issue of illegal Mong people and the management of alien workers at border zones. They also confirmed to hold a meeting of the Thai-Lao joint committee to strengthen transport cooperation.

Laos also requested Thailand to ratify the ASEAN Charter as soon as possible and Thailand assured Laos that it would expedite the ratification during the next ASEAN summit, the minister said.

ASEAN BIZTIMES

August 16-31, 2008

PHILIPPINES

CAMBODIA

Alliance Tuna reports USD 15.0M for 2nd Quarter ALLIANCE Tuna International, Inc. a listed company at the Philippine Stock Exchange and one of the largest canned tuna exporters in the Philippines, declared its financial results for Quarter 2 ending June 30, 2008.

Continuing the trend of ever increasing sales, the company’s revenue increased to USD 15.0 million in the quarter as compared to USD 10.3 million in the same quarter last year. (USD is the company’s functional currency and all its financial statements are in that currency). This 46% in revenue over the quarter was the result of the company’s latest marketing outreach program that has now started to bear fruit.

A stringent cost control program meant that the company’s gross profit increased by more than the increase in revenue. Gross profit jumped 58% from USD 1.0 million in the second quarter of 2007 to USD 1.6 million in the current quarter. The gross profit margins increased sharply to 10.5% in the second quarter of 2008 as compared to 9.7% in the earlier year period. This steep jump in the gross profit was the result of a well planned and implemented regimen to improve factory floor efficiencies.

Other cost control measures also helped in increasing the company’s profitability. Net income for the quarter jumped to $940,679 versus $462,646 in the earlier year period. The 103% increase in the bottom line translated into a net profit margin of 6.3% as compared to 4.5% in the second quarter of last year.

With extremely effective cost control initiatives being undertaken the company expects to continue setting the profitability standards in the industry.

Asked the reasons for yet another profitable quarter, TUNA’s CEO & President Jonathan Y. Dee remarked, “We are very fastidious about our cost control methods. Plus, we know our cost structure extremely well.

This helps us in pricing our

products and ensuring that we do not make any losses.”

Responding to a question about the frequent articles in the press regarding low availability of fish, Teresita Ladanga, Executive Vice President & COO said that “Alliance Tuna primarily packs the skipjack species of tuna.

This particular species is extremely fecund and is not in danger of being over fished. As you can see from our numbers, our top line has increased by almost half so we have not had problems sourcing skipjack.

While the price of raw material has increased, due to astronomical fuel costs, availability of skipjack has not been affected in a material way. What you read in the news about low supplies concerns tuna species like Albacore or Bigeye which we do not pack at all.”

Indonesian Tuna Canning Plant Afew months agoAlliance Tuna had announced that it was establishing a subsidiary to purchase the assets of a tuna cannery in Bitung, North Sulawesi, Indonesia.

Asked to update on the project, Mr. Dee mentioned that the project was on schedule and an Alliance team from the Philippines was in Bitung undertaking civil works at the plant to bring it up to international standards. He added that the purchase “will complement the marketing and processing efforts of the Philippine operations and ensure Alliance’s continued profitability.”

Alliance Tuna International, Inc. (ATII) is a Thai-Filipino joint venture company producing and marketing canned tuna with one of the largest processing capacities in the country. The company produces both institutional and retail sized cans produced for private labels. With accreditation from both the European Union and the United States of America Food and Drug Administration, Alliance Tuna meets the most stringent requirements of its customers the world over.

Brunei expects 14 countries at third int’l halal expo BRUNEI will be the host of the Third International Halal Product Expo (IHPE) 2008, which will begin at the International Convention Center (ICC) on Thursday, with about 180 companies from 14 countries taking part.

During the four-day expo, the visitors can expect to see variety of products of several categories ranging from halal consumables, halal certified premises, nonfood products and services, Islamic investment, banking and Takaful (Islamic insurance) products and services, government agencies and associations, food packaging

and machinery and catering equipment.

Conducted concurrently with the 3rd IHPE 2008 will be the International Halal Market Conference (IHMC 2008) with the theme “The Emergence of the Halal Market Economy”, scheduled for August 16 -17 at the ICC. The two-day conference will showcase renowned speakers from all over the world to give their perspectives to the global halal market on various topics, such as “Brunei’s role in the global halal market” and “The future of Islamic tourism and the halal hospitality business”.

GERMANY is scheduled to sign two agreements with Cambodia last Aug. 13, involving a total allocation of more than $50 million to the impoverished Asean nation, reported The Earth Times online newspaper on Tuesday.

The Earth Times quoted the officials at German embassy in Phnom Penh as saying that the two agreements are worth

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Germany to sign $50m agreements with Cambodia $24.7 million and $26.7 million.

The first is an agreement on technical cooperation that includes technical support on social welfare projects and developments in electricity supply, agriculture and irrigation.

The second is for financial cooperation for projects including social welfare,

reproductive health, electric power programs in rural areas and rural infrastructure.

“This is direct bilateral cooperation,” the embassy official said. “It does not include the substantial amounts being provided by Germany through various nongovernment organizations.”

Negotiations on the development aid agreement

were concluded in October and a signing ceremony scheduled Wednesday at the Foreign Ministry would formalize them, the embassy official said.

Germany is an important donor to Cambodia and donated millions to the joint UN-Cambodian court set up in July to try former Khmer Rouge leaders.

Chinese president meets Cambodian king The two CHINESE President Hu countries are Jintao met in Beijing with not only good King of Cambodia neighbors that Norodom Sihamoni, who coexist in attended the opening peace and ceremony of the Beijing harmony, but Olympic Games on Aug. also good 8. friends with Hu first thanked the mutual trust, Cambodian King for his good brothers country’s support to the s h a r i n g Beijing Olympic Games. happiness and “The friendly woe, and good relationship between China and Cambodia is Chinese President Hu Jintao met with King of p a r t n e r s w o r k i n g exemplary for countries Cambodia Norodom Sihamoni together for a of different social systems cooperation,” Hu told the which want to treat each other Cambodian guest during the win-win end, said the Chinese president. equally and carry out sincere meeting.

BRUNEI Brunei signs solar energy deal with Mitsubishi BRUNEI’S Ministry of Energy has signed a deal with Japanese trading giant Mitsubishi Corporation to undertake a threeyear experiment on harnessing solar energy in the oil-rich state, said recently.

Upon the signing of the memorandum of understanding, the Brunei’s government and Mitsubishi will jointly carry out a 1.2 MW photovoltaic (PV) demonstration project, likely to be the largest in Asean, which is scheduled to start in 2010.

Called the “Tenaga Suria Brunei” (TBS), the project will see the PV system installed at a power station in Seria, about 70 kilometers west of the capital of Bandar Seri Begawan, and connected to the existing electricity grid.

The project will essentially put to test different PV modules to find which ones are suited to Brunei’s tropical climate conditions. Mitsubishi Corp, which will fund the project’s total cost, estimated at 1.5 billion yen ($13.7 million), will also undertake training activities for locals and other capacity building efforts.

However, the solar energy project is not the first collaboration between Brunei and Mitsubishi Corporation. The Japanese company had also worked with the sultanate to establish the Brunei Liquefied Natural Gas (BLNG) plant in 1972.

The Chinese government and people are ready to work with their Cambodian counterparts to enhance friendly exchanges, expand mutuallybeneficial cooperation, and promote common development, said Hu, adding that China highly appreciates the Cambodian Royal Family’s “outstanding contribution” to the development of SinoCambodian relations.

King Sihamoni responded that the Cambodia-China friendship was forged and developed through the efforts of several generations of leaders of both countries.

On the occasion of the 41st Anniversary of ASEAN AS the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) enters its fourth decade, ASEAN Member States Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam continue to strengthen their commitment and resolve to protect the region’s wealth of natural resources.

While Southeast Asia boasts of high biological diversity, it also faces a host of issues including deforestation, illegal wildlife trade, climate change, and increasing population, among other issues, that result in the loss of our biodiversity. Over 1,300 of the region’s 64,800 species of plants and animals are already at the brink of extinction.

Alarmed by the threat of massive species loss, the 10 ASEAN Member States are working together to curb the unprecedented degradation of their region’s natural heritage. All of them are signatories to the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity — the first global agreement to cover the conservation of biological diversity, the sustainable use of its components, and the fair and equitable sharing of benefits arising from the use of genetic resources.

ASEAN, with support from the European Union, continues to reinforce its conservation efforts through the ASEAN Centre for Biodiversity, which it established in 2005. The Centre is regarded as the first

regional initiative to save the region’s thinning biodiversity.

Since its birth three years ago, it has become a regional centre of excellence working to enhance regional cooperation, capacitate various stakeholders, promote awareness for

biodiversity conservation, and maintain a regional biodiversity database.

ACB and the ASEAN, however, need support. While a significant amount of work and resources have been invested to save the region’s rich biodiversity, Southeast Asia continues to face more challenges and threats.

The increasing demand for biofuels, for one, is inevitably putting mounting pressure on the region’s biological diversity.

The rapid expansion of agriculture for biofuel crops onto Southeast Asia’s natural forests raises serious concerns about its potential impact on the region’s already thinning biodiversity. We call on producers to sustainably manage their production, and ensure that the benefits reaped from biofuels will not be made at the

expense of the habitats within the agricultural landscape. We urge governments to set clear environmental standards in the production of biofuels.

We are also confronted with the pressure to feed the world’s rapidly growing population which forces us to think about the inextricable link between agriculture and biodiversity. The challenge that we now face is how to increase agricultural yield while conserving biodiversity ecosystems. We urge farmers to take advantage of the menu of available options for sustainable agriculture — mixed farming systems, integrated pest management, crop rotation, organic agriculture, recycling of crop and animal wastes, cover cropping, and other mechanisms. We also call on governments to establish an enabling environment to encourage farmers and other food producers to adopt sustainable agricultural practices.

We need all hands on deck to face these daunting challenges.

We call on policymakers, government organizations, the private sector, non-government organizations, the academe, women, youth, and all the other sectors of society to take an active role in protecting and conserving Southeast Asia’s biodiversity for our children, and their children’s children.

On this 41st anniversary of the ASEAN, let us renew our commitment to work together in protecting what is left of the region’s natural heritage. Let us act now before it is too late.

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ASEAN BIZTIMES

August 16-31, 2008

EDITORIAL PEACE THRU SPORTS

S

EEING Lebanon and Israel, North & South Korea, Serbia and Russia, Taiwan and China, Afghanistan and the US among other disputing countries on the same field-or on the same “birds’ nest” is a dream come true for all the peace-loving people of the world.

The only sour note is the fighting between Georgia and Russia a few days after the Games started. But their athletes remain friends and were even seen embracing each other during their games. Probably, if there were no Olympics this time, the fighting between the 2 countries would have been fiercer and uncontrollable.

No less than the Truce Foundation of USA has been looking at the Games in promoting cultural communication and friendship .

The Olympic Truce dates back to the eight century B.C. and serves as the cornerstone of the ancient games for more than 1,200 years.

Throughout the duration of the peace accord, from the 7th day prior to the opening of the Olympics to 7th day following the closing, all conflicts should cease according to the truce.

As people say, it is not the winning that counts but the spirit of sportsmanship, camaraderie and fairness in all the events. If countries and people all over the world can embrace these attitudes, this world will certainly be a better place to live in.

LUIS T. ARRIOLA EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

RAL ARRIOLA VICE PRESIDENT

JONATHAN ARRIOLA BENJAMIN GACUSAN FE JOSEPH HELEN ONG BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT

BING SAMONTE LANIE CABARLES KLANG CASTILLO PERNING MACHICA ADMINISTRATIVE

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ATTY. HIPOLITO S. SAÑEZ LEGAL COUNSEL

VICKIE AYENG MARITESS JAMIN LAYOUT ARTISTS Suite 1506 Marbella 2, Roxas Boulevard, Malate, Manila, Philippines Tel. No. (632) 524-7495 • Fax No. (632) 522-2277 Email: biz_times_ph@yahoo.com www.aseanbiztimes.com ST. JUDE MEDIA ORGANIZATION, INC. PUBLISHER

PERFECTION IN EXECUTION BUT WHERE IS THE PASSION? (But China earned gold for the Opening)

HTH

BY LUIS T. ARRIOLA

T

HE hosting by Beijing City of the 2008 Olympics is a coming out party indeed. That is why for the last 8 years, China as a country and Beijing as a city had embarked on a massive infrastructure and system program literally leaving no stones unturned to make sure it is complete success.

I landed at Beijing’s new Terminal 3 Capital Airport which I think is now the biggest in the world just made for this event. Getting into the immigration was like a breeze. All done in 10 seconds – a very well rehearsed activity. Then there are young volunteers lined up every 10 meters or so standing in snappy attention. But there was problem as they would not even answer question on directions. Luggage came out 30 minutes later, still better than hours in Bangkok and London when their new airports opened.

Almost all big hotel chains are now in Beijing. They are everywhere.

But still, the staff are not that good in communications yet. Despite the proliferation of language and hotel training schools, this is one area that needs a lot of improvement. Even in the department stores, restaurants and even the taxis.

Although August 8 was declared a public holiday, people mostly stayed at home because private transportation and taxis were hardly on the road thus dampening a supposedly festive atmosphere. With friends, we strolled on Wang Fu Jing Street as the clock sounded the 12:00 am of 08-08-08 hoping to watch a countdown and a mardigras. There was none. It was quiet.

Save on the day itself, it seems that the Olympics opening ceremonies was more for the visitors and not for the locals.

The feeling of festivity, expectancy was simply not there yet. It was only when their lady weightlifting won the first gold medal on the first day that I saw happiness in their faces.

Save on the day itself, it seems that the Olympics’ opening ceremonies was more for the visitors and not for the locals. I asked taxi drivers thru my Chinese friends what they think about the Olympics, all they could say business was a bit better than before. The feeling of festivity and expectancy was simply not there yet. It was only when their lady weightlifter won the first gold medal on the first day that I saw happiness in their faces.

But all these considered, I will still give China and Beijing the first gold.

And watch out, the closing ceremonies may just earn them the Diamond Medal.

Haze Beclouds The Olympics Despite the million flowers and giant high definition television sets showing colors from monitors in almost every nook and corner, there is no clear day in Beijing. The sky is gray and people “can’t see forever” as the song goes.

No amount of wealth can just reverse what has been done to mother nature. All factories around Beijing & nearby area were closed a few months ago, the city remained foggyoh-smoggy during the day giving it a silvery haze all the time.

The industrial revolution which immediately followed the cultural revolution in the 1930’s really must have put its toll on the environment of this city and many parts of China.

With the Olympics, China is trying to reverse the environmental degradation.

It may take a lot of time. Thanks to this event. I believe the Chinese will do everything to remove these haze no matter what it cost from now on.

If they were able to hold on to the rains mechanically and scientifically as they had lots of cloud seedings days before the opening so that rains are to come much ahead thus averting real cloud formations, they can make clear days in years to come. Greenpeace China Campaign Director Lo Sze Ping said “Beijing has achieved most, if not all, of the environmental commitments made when bidding for the games.”

Is Love In The Air? Thousands married but “ is love in the air?”. There were about 16,500 weddings done on Aug. 8, 2008 everywhere. However, I noticed most were done more for the date and not for love.

Although lots of smile for picture -taking , still I cannot feel the aura of romance for love really knows no boundaries, limits or numbers.

Auspicious as this date maybe, weddings are supposed to be made in heaven. Imagine having to celebrate anniversaries with so many couples every year. I bet however that these will dwindle in numbers as the years go by.

I went to the St. Joseph Church at Wan Fu Jing Rd. also to watch weddings which maybe done there.

But there was none. This church which was rebuilt in 1904 is one of the only 4 Catholic churches in China.

By the way, GROs in KTV bars were apparently asked to go home in their provinces during the 17 days which is what they call the 2 weeks of Olympic Games. Also, plastic bags are no longer given for free in department stores and groceries.

Hope This Help: ltarriola@yahoo.com

ASEAN BIZTIMES

August 16-31, 2008

THE PHILIPPINES AND VIETNAM:

The ‘Boat people’ and good neighbors Thailand, the Philippines, Hong Kong, and Indonesia to process them, and for its efforts won the BY 1981 Nobel Peace Prize. When other countries imposed FIDEL restrictive policies toward V. RAMOS asylum-seekers, the Philippines Former President accepted new arrivals. With the of the Philippines assistance of UNHCR, four centers were established: the Philippine First Asylum Camp, Palawan (1979); the Philippine (Last of Two Parts) Refugee Processing Center (PRPC), LAST Sunday’s column revisited Bataan (1980); the Philippine Refugee Philippine support and assistance Transit Center, Manila (1983); and from 1964 to 1971 to the the Regional Resettlement Transit beleaguered people of Vietnam, Center, Bataan (1990). particularly the South, by virtue of From 1980 to 1994, the PRPC in R.A. 4162 (July 1964) and R.A. Bataan was home to more than 4664 (June 1966), both approved 350,000 refugees and asylumby President Diosdado Macapagal. seekers. Most arrived as part of the The mission of the successive “Orderly Departure Program” Philippine Contingents and Civic sponsored by the United States Action Groups to Vietnam Government. The PRPC soon (PHILCONV/PHILCAGV) was became a model community. Each “to heal and build, not destroy” family lived in comfortable in the spirit of kapatiran clusters with friends and relatives. (brotherhood).

The PRPC had 40 schools, a Beyond the deployment of these hospital, a library and three AFP contingents which totalled assembly halls. With an average 4,000-strong over that 7-year annual population of more than period, subsequent Philippine 16,000, the PRPC served as a initiatives contributed significantly powerful testament to the successful to the normalization and partnership of UNHCR, the World stabilization of the reunited Food Programme (WFP), the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, and Philippine Government, and several its eventual incorporation into major non-governmental organizations in regional cooperation blocs, notably rebuilding the lives of so many ASEAN (1995) and APEC (1998). people in need. Refugees who INDO-CHINA’S “BOAT landed in Palawan formed a PEOPLE” community called Viet-Ville in After the fall of Saigon in April Puerto Princesa, eventually 1975, large numbers of people from becoming a center of Vietnamese Vietnam and also from Cambodia commerce and culture — complete and Laos became refugees. Armed with restaurants, shops, Catholic with forged identity papers, chapels and Buddhist temples. thousands of refugees from South The countries that accepted the Vietnam would travel 1,100 km to most number of refugees were: Danang by road, and therefrom United States—823,000; Australia clandestinely board small boats or and Canada—137,000 each; France dilapidated trawlers to venture into —96,000; and Germany and international waters. Such vessels, U.K.—19,000 each. By 1994, the which were not capable of safely number of refugees had dwindled, and navigating the open seas, would many camps were closed, including typically head for the busy shipping the PRPC with the termination of lanes some 240 km eastward. The UNHCR funding and staff support. lucky ones succeeded in being To legitimize the stay of some 1,500 rescued by freighters and taken to remaining refugees, I signed a sanctuaries in the Philippines or Presidential Executive Order in May Malaysia, or even farther out to 1998 enabling them to apply for Hongkong. The unlucky ones permanent residency in the faced a long perilous journey in Philippines and eventually citizenship. rickety craft—suffering hunger, VIETNAM’S ECONOMY misery and marauding pirates The market reforms of the along the way—with a massive Socialist Republic of Vietnam and loss of lives. According to the the financial incentives for their U.N. High Commission for voluntary return encouraged many Refugees (UNHCR), 500,000 to boat people to return to Vietnam.

600,000 of them perished.

By 2005, the remaining 200 refugees The plight of the boat people in the Philippines were granted became an international asylum in Norway and the U.S., with humanitarian crisis. The UNHCR the last of them scheduled to leave set up refugee camps in Malaysia, for Canada before end-2008.

Since 2001, Vietnamese leaders have reaffirmed their commitment to economic liberalization and integration.

They have implemented structural reforms to modernize the economy and produce more competitive, exportdriven industries. The U.S.Vietnam Bilateral Trade Agreement in December 2001 led to rapid changes. Vietnam’s exports to the U.S. increased 900% from 2001 to 2007. Following a decade-long negotiation process, Vietnam joined the WTO in January 2007. WTO membership provided Vietnam an anchor to the global market and accelerated domestic reforms.

Vietnam’s economy grew 8.5% in 2007. Deep poverty, defined as a percent of the population living under one USD per day, has declined significantly and is now smaller than that of China, India, and the Philippines.

Foreign direct investments (FDI) approvals in Vietnam during the first-half of 2008 amounted to an astounding 31.6 billion USD, the highest first-half figure so far and higher than the 20.3 billion USD for all of 2007. The most capitalintensive project is a 7.9 billion USD deepwater port and steel complex in central Vietnam by Taiwan’s Formosa Heavy Industries Corporation.

Similar big projects are in Vung Tau Province (4.2 billion USD for coastal development), Phu Quoc Island (1.6 billion USD for tourism), and Ho Chi Minh City (1.2 billion USD for a software park).

However, although emerging from the last 15 years as a success story in peace and development, Vietnam now finds itself in economic troubled waters caused by a deterioration in macroeconomic fundamentals: inflation of 25% year-on-year in May, a widening trade deficit, falling bond prices, and a jittery stock market.

To stem inflation, Vietnamese authorities have raised benchmark interest rates and reserve requirements. Hanoi is targeting an economic growth rate of 7.5-8% during the next four years.

THE FILIPINO SOLDIER/ POLICEMAN AS PEACEKEEPER Over the past 58 years, the Filipino soldier/policeman has helped to keep freedom, justice, and peace alive in various hotspots — as in the Korean peninsula, Vietnam, Cambodia, and Iraq. The Philippines has been a consistent contributor to U.N. peacekeeping operations since deploying an Air Force squadron to Congo in 1963. At present, the Philippines has a total of 670 peacekeepers in U.N. missions in Afghanistan, Ivory Coast, Georgia,

Haiti, Kosovo, Liberia, Nepal, Sudan, and Timor-Leste.

The Filipino has always been a soldier/policeman for other nations either under the banner of the U.N. or within the aegis of a “coalition of the willing,” defending shared values of democracy, the rule of law, and collective security.

Filipino veterans of the Vietnam war were trained for and acquired a broad range of capabilities — from being unconventional warriors on one hand, to being builders and healers on the other. Because of their skills and compassionate performance, the PHILCONV-PHILCAGV veterans earned the respect of the Vietnamese people, and became a source of pride for Filipinos.

Here at home, what is important is that the AFP and PNP are prepared for any eventuality. Preparedness means that our military and police personnel must be ready, within available resources, to respond with audacity to the political, security, economic, cultural, and social challenges that confront our family of nations in Southeast Asia. Not the least of these are the continuing threats of international terrorism of the Al-Qaeda kind and natural or man-made disasters.

Today, the international community continues to be engaged in a deadly struggle with an enemy that is largely faceless and unseen, whose reach spans almost the entire globe.

In the midst of preparing against such contingencies, we must not lose our focus on our most urgent priorities which are our internal security, fighting against poverty, and completing our peace processes. Our people continue to look up to soldiers, law enforcers, and veterans to lead the way in these efforts.

Indeed, our uniformed servicemen/ women have always been in the forefront not only as exemplars of vigilance, but as agents of change and transformation in community and national development. We must always keep in mind that poverty and injustice are the root causes of armed dissidence, insurgency, and rebellion. We saw these happenings in Vietnam; we still experience these realities in our own country.

THE TIES THAT BIND The peace process to which the soldier and the policeman are devoted seeks to transform conflict into dialogue, interaction, cooperation and, ultimately, human security and sustainable development.

Because they were forged in the crucible of war and hardship, our relations with the Vietnamese people are made of the strongest bonds — and time will still reinforce the resilience of those ties that bind us.

degrees Celsius or more.

Local ferry company Discovery Bay Transport Services has reduced the number of fans and the level of air conditioning at its ferry terminals, as well as shutting off the upper deck of its 500-passenger ferries at non-peak times. It has also unilaterally cut some services without bothering to notify passengers or any of the 16,000 residents of this outlying

island enclave.

Similarly, a number of office buildings are raising the average temperatures within the block in an effort to cut costs. Even the Hong Kong government has got in on the act, recommending that air-con temperatures should be set at 25.5 degrees C. Surely not the most comfortable of settings?

Meanwhile, the relentless heat

continues and, while oil prices appear to have stabilized, it is a sure thing that the ferry operators and building management companies will use fuel prices as an excuse to maintain their reduction in services.

Letter to the Editor Global warming?

AS A result of high oil prices and the consequent rise in the cost of fuel, many businesses and operators in Hong Kong are cutting down on air conditioning and the like. And this at a time when daytime temperatures are reaching 33

JEFF HESELWOOD COMMUNICATIONS LIMITED 16/F Cheung Kong Center Queen’s Road Central Hong Kong

7

Banyan Tree BY JIMMY TEO Singapore

When we think of the Banyan tree, think of ‘smalless’ and ‘humility’, even though we may be big.

!"

About 30 minutes ago, while having dinner at the lobby café of Kandawkyi Palace Hotel in Yangon, Myanmar, I was mesmerized by the lovely mega-size palms and trees as I gazed out of the glass window to my left. I was further surprised when I saw fruit hanging from the branches of a tall tree. I thought that these were some type of apples that were probably inedible. I took the liberty to asking the waitress about them and was told that they were small mangoes.

I could not help but gaze at the mangoes again, and realized that the tree was very unique—it had many trunks and branches, definitely those of another totally different tree! The mango tree was actually being embraced by the Banyan tree, and the two were possibly supporting each other. A guest had become the overall boss! My mind tells me that the same could take place in the human realm; we have some lessons to learn from the overpowering Banyan tree.

After dinner, I walked into the garden just to see the amazing trees. it was truly spectacular—two different species living together, and which could not be separated. Both the trees must have been more than 50 years old. The Banyan tree had many trunks embracing the mango tree, which had only one trunk. Its Designer must have a message for mankind through this creation!

For the comment, I have the following thoughts: • It took the Banyan tree many long years to slowly grow its tentacle-trunks around the mango tree. It can feed itself with aerial roots that become its trunks, while the mango tree survives only through its underground roots. So, the Banyan tree is versatile. It does not depend on only one source for survival but keeps moving a head until it ultimately wins another over.

• The leaves of the Banyan offer the least resistance—they are small and move readily when strong winds blow but are not torn off the tree.

When there are strong winds or rains, the tree will loose less leaves than those with larger leaves, like the mango tree. The Banyan does not need to show off its “bigness”.

Its small leaves give it safety and longevity.

• Banyan trees can grow to be hundred of years old. They are venerated by many religions for their unique longevity. Their humble status and tenacity to want to live on provide hope for those who are suffering.

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ASEAN BIZTIMES

August 16-31, 2008

CALENDAR PAGE

August 16-31, 2008

OF EVENTS ES 8-9

ASEAN BIZTIMES

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ASEAN BIZTIMES

August 16-31, 2008

INFOTECH Follow Beijing Olympics on Google • Track the progress of our athletes as they go for the gold ARE you obsessed with swimming? Crazy for taekwondo?

Or perhaps it’s boxing that gets you going. Whatever your favourite event, Google is offering a series of new features to help you keep up to speed with this summer’s games in Beijing . Track medal counts, find out where events are happening, even tour the stadiums virtually with 3D images on Google Earth.

Keep up with the latest medal counts and news with 2008 Summer Games Gadget. iGoogle, Google’s personalized homepage, allows users to customize their web experience. You can add news feeds, games, and other content that matches your interests, and see it right on your homepage any time you surf the Internet. With this specially created gadget, you can keep up to date on the games on your personalized page.

Can’t make it to Beijing ? Now you can still keep track of your favorite events. With this Google Maps feature, you can see event information for each country, and also navigate to stadiums to see past, future and live event information.

And now in Google Earth, you’ll be able to see 3D images of the stadiums themselves.

“We’ve always been interested in providing tools for people to find out about the things they care about” said Derek Callow, Google marketing manager for Southeast Asia . “This set of tools provides a great way for fans to stay on top of everything that’s going on in this year’s summer games, from beginning to end.”

For more information, go to: http://www.google.com.ph/ intl/en/landing/summergames2008/ (English).

National Telecommunications Commission of the Philippines turns 29 ONE of RP’s NTC’s major achievement was the record breaking performance of its National Capital Region (NCR) office who generated 120 million for cy 2007 compared to 76 million of the preceding year, at the helm of NTC-NCR office is the indefatigable Director Delilah F. Deles who earned the title Madame Serbilis for launching the Express Serbisyo sa Publiko program as the basic frame work for providing excellent service to the public, and institutionalizing transparency in government. She treaded the path of molding it into corporate entity, not just physically but in rendering service to the public.

Director Deles spearheaded joint operations with law enforcement agencies particularly the Philippines National Police through the oplan cellphone which protected the public from buying stolen, smuggled and defective mobile units from

unscrupulous sources.

A Memorandum of Agreement was entered into by and between the Philippine National Police and the National Telecommunications Commission to curb illegal and criminal activities related to the selling and servicing of cellphones.

Under the said agreement, joint operations are to be conducted against cellphone dealers, sellers, resellers and service centers without legal permits and licenses from the Commission and / or conducting business activities contrary to existing regulations.

Since it was launched NTC-NRC up to present it conducted 30 joint operations with the PNP. It was also instrumental in Php 26 million additional earnings to government coffers.

The adage of bringing closer government services to the grassroots level was realized with the implementation of NCR Mobile Licensing project. A number of malls and department

stores were made as temporary NTC office for a day, where permits, licenses and certificates were received and processed. It also provided the regional office the opportunity to listen to the aspirations of its clienteles in a dialogue during the conduct of mobile licensing.

The newest innovation of Director Deles at NTC-NCR was the installation of CCTV monitors

AMD unveils latest dual-chip graphics card ADVANCED Micro Devices recently introduced a dualprocessor graphics card for gamers that the company claims is capable of more than 2 trillion operations a second.

Along with the ATI Radeon HD 4870 X2, AMD unveiled the slower HD 4850 X2. Both cards, which slip into a PCIe slot on the PC’s motherboard, comprise two HD 4800 series GPUs. The HD 4870 X2 delivers 2.4 teraflops, or about three times the processing power as a singleGPU HD 4870 card. A teraflop equals a trillion floating point operations per second.

In addition, the card includes 2 GB of ultra-high bandwidth GDDR5 memory, and its GPUs are clocked at 750 MHz. The 4870 X2 is the fastest AMD graphics card to date,

delivering four times the performance efficiency of the company’s highest-end GPU offering of a year ago, the company said. The card sells for $549.

The HD 4850 X2 has 2 GB of GDDR3 memory, and its GPUs are clocked at 625 MHz, making it slower than the 4870.

The card, however, sells for considerably less at $399.

Motherboard makers with products that support AMD’s HD 4800 series cards include ASUS, Club 3D, Diamond Multimedia,

Force3D, GECUBE, GIGABYTE, Hightech Information Systems, Jetway, MSI, Palit Multimedia, PowerColor, SAPPHIRE Technology, and VisionTek. The latest cards bring to three the number dual-chip cards released by AMD. The first was the HD 3870 X2.

AMD releases its graphics card under a strategy of delivering gaming products at three price points. The baseline products cost about $200, midlevel products around $300 and the fastest GPUs $500-plus.

Power consumption is roughly 110, 150 and 250 watts, respectively.

AMD’s main competitor in graphics processors is Nvidia.

AMD’s highest-end card competes with Nvidia’s 9800GX2.

and Biometric system. This Biometric System is keeping daily time records of its regional personnel. The introduction of the new system with computer based applications streamlined administrative processes on personnel actions.

The installation of the close circuit television (CCTV) monitors in strategic locations of NCR office not only to monitor activities within the area but also record regional activities for future use. Through this new system, it discourages regional personnel to do activities contrary to Civil Service reguatlions.

It is also through these new systems that professionalism and awareness by NCR regional personnel to continuously deliver superior public service were further heightened. It also provides close supervision to various processes involve in the processing of various permits and licenses. With CCTV in place the regional office has relatively obtained a better and secured workplace in delivering public service.

With Sheer professionalism, Good governance, transparency and thorough enforcement the National Telecommunications Commission will scale greater heights in meeting the regulatory challenges of the Telecommunications industry.

Headstrong boosts IT delivery services with integrated solution Dell updates business laptops HEADSTRONG, a global consulting and IT services company, is undertaking a “global process harmonization” initiative to integrate process asset libraries from Global Delivery Centers (GDCs) in the Philippines and India. The harmonization will not only provide a common process asset library but will combine the best practices and process strengths of all delivery centers into one global standard.

The company’s process asset libraries provide a centralized knowledge base for defining and deploying processes to address client requirements.

Harmoni-zation of the libraries will ensure that the delivery centers will be following the same set of quality processes.

Ongoing process harmonization has already contributed to an enhanced ISO certification for the company.

Headstrong is currently

certified for ISO 9001:2000 and scheduled for reassessment for CMMi Level 3 in Q1 2009. Headstrong Philippines was previously certified for CMMi Level 3 and is looking forward to a simultaneous re-assessment of all Global Delivery Centers early next year.

“In harmonizing these process libraries, we ensure clients that they receive the Headstrong standard of quality in IT delivery from any of our Global Delivery Centers. This provides the client the flexibility to outsource the work in many Headstrong locations and still be assured that the high level of service quality will be same,” said Salud Domagas, Delivery Assurance Group (DAG) head.

Harmonization started in March and Headstrong expects to roll out its integrated process asset library for all GDCs next month.

The integrated Process

Infrastructure, called the One Process Asset Library or OnePAL is the process foundation that enables Headstrong’s project managers and consultants to develop effective solutions for its clients.

OnePAL was undertaken in response to the clients’ demand for a service delivery that is at par with globally recognized quality standards for software and IT solutions.

The Manila and India GDCs are collaborating on the development and implementation of One PAL. “The real challenge to completing the process integration is to get the all the process areas defined and enhanced with the best practices while ensuring the full coverage of the individual centers needs.

The communication among the various Task Forces needed to

be closely coordinated and seamless, considering the different time zones of the locations. The greater challenge remains the simultaneous rollout in all GDCs in the coming months,” she said.

Headstrong, through the Delivery Assurance Group, is also working on further strengthening its capability in offshore outsourcing services through the major initiatives in the areas of knowledge management, tools and automation and further certifications in information systems security, CMMi and towards Six Sigma.

“DAG is focused on being a proactive partner to the Delivery Groups - to go beyond the standard compliance and facilitation activities, rather, to actively improve overall productivity and capability of the delivery centers,” said Domagas.

for ‘digital nomads’

DELL introduced a new line of business notebooks that reflect the computer maker’s shift from building systems that only meet the requirements of IT managers to products that also incorporate nonbusiness features requested by end users.

Under development for the last two years, the seven new Latitude notebooks include a security subsystem to protect data and prevent unauthorized network access. Other new proprietary technology extends battery life to as much as 19 hours, according to Dell, and provides immediate access to email and attachments, calendar information, and the Web without having to boot up the whole system.

Dell executives introduced the new line, along with three Precision mobile workstations, during a San

Francisco news conference.

In developing the new products, Dell focused on what it called “digital nomads,” businesspeople who prefer to take their laptops with them wherever they go.

What Dell hopes will be particularly appealing to travelers is the 12.1-inch Latitude E4200, which starts at 2.2 pounds; and the 13.3-inch E4300, which starts at 3.3 pounds. The ultraportable systems will be available in the “coming weeks.” Pricing was not disclosed, but small, full-featured systems in general tend to sell at a premium.

For companies looking for a basic business notebook to reduce costs, Dell unveiled the 14.1-inch E5400, which starts at $839, and the 15.4-inch E5500, which starts at $869.

ASEAN BIZTIMES

August 16-31, 2008

11

MANILA AIRPORT T3 NAIA. We go the extra Smile

NAIA Service Branding as the “Smiling Airport” – a Critical Component for Excellence

I

n the first ever year-end gathering among employees of various government agencies and service providers of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) dubbed as “ExtravaganSmile”, the Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) hosted the formal, albeit, fun launching of a new service branding for the NAIA as the “Smiling Airport” consistent with the distinct characteristics that Filipinos are known for abroad.

Quoting from GM Cusi’s speech, “In this proud chapter of our history, we are adopting the tagline, ‘NAIA- We go the extra Smile’, and we want our NAIA community to walk the talk. We want to showcase to the world our best selling product—our people. After 25 years of creditable service as the premier gateway to the rest of the world, it is about time that we embark on a truly serious attempt to be in the map of global airports by reasserting our core competence in passenger servicing through warm, effective and meaningful passenger service.”

“Through a deliberately designed branding campaign that we are committed to pursue not only in 2008 but in many years to come, we are giving the NAIA a new glow using its people, where we have the clear edge. But this is not to say that we will relegate facilities and process developments as lower priorities. We will support our smiles with more action, and when we say we, we refer to all public and private outfits working at NAIA, such as the international airlines and concessionaires.

Manila Airport T3

PGMA proudly greeting ambassadors and other foreign dignitaries and guests

PAL Chairman Lucio Tan and Cebu Pacific The ISO Certification Process Service Level Agreement historic signing among NAIA Agencies President Lance Gokongwei

Guests and the NAIA family in simple ceremonies The Pride of NAIA: The PR Assistants of Public Affairs Office, Airport Development and Corporate Affairs commemorating the first commercial flights

San Jose Builders, Inc., Bank of the Phil-ippine Islands, PLDT, various SM Branches and affiliates, Extreme Magic Sing and Uniliver. Other promotional events that also offer attractive prizes, like Asian Utility vehicles, are being implemented through Smart, Isuzu Motors and Wow Magic Sing.

GM Cusi is periodically meeting with NAIA stakeholders pursuant to Administrative Order 151 and has been regularly conducting dialogues with representatives of the various airline groups to discuss problems encountered at the airport and to formulate solutions for improvement in passenger services and allied services.

It may be proudly recalled that with the strings of service enhancements and contributions of the airport personnel in airport development, the Department of Trade and Industry and its Center for Industrial Competitiveness has named the MIAA last 2007, as a Model Company in two categories, namely, on Quality and Productivity Improvement and LaborManagement Relations.

The MIAA, for 25 years and counting, is at the forefront of air travel and passenger ac-commodation and is a prime mover and catalyst in the promotion of safe, reliable and convenient air transportation and also a valuable contributor to the ecotourism thrusts of the government.

With a proud history that depicts the uniqueness of Filipino hospitality, as well as resiliency and courage amidst the everchanging and challenging gloAIRBUS 380 Maiden Test Flight at NAIA bal and national

“The smile is a symbol, a manifestation of a ready stance to serve our passengers and customers better.”

Several management improvement programs and reforms including Program Reform and Analysis are being introduced to the various government agencies and private outfits operating as front liners at the NAIA for better planning and performance Flowers and souvenir pins for PAL monitoring at all functional groups and Express maiden flights levels. Moreover, the MIAA has reSmooth counter services for Cebu Pacific cently embarked on the ISO certificafirst flights meet and assist services, signages tion project together with all governimprovement and wayfinding, thematic Tirso G. Serrano, Assistant General ment agencies operating at the NAIA Manager for Airport Development and airport complex development through of all systems and procedures involvtasteful landscaping, investment promoCorporate Affairs, enumerated their ing passenger arrival and departure at planned initiatives which are already be- tional billboards, repainting of roads, and the NAIA terminals. Customer service ing implemented such as the terminal structures, traffic rerouting and manage- trainings involving all frontliners are expansion program at Terminal 1 and ment, among others.

According to AGM Serrano “airport continuing activities spearheaded by the the domestic terminals, free airport MIAA in cooperation with experts in shuttle within the complex, new secu- development efforts impact on the op- the field of character building and cuserational and short term concerns as well rity equipment and processes, airline as on the strategic requirements not only tomer relations.

Among the highlights of the project for the NAIA complex but also for the entire national aviation concerns are are the continuing Raffle Programs for definitely being prioritized by the MIAA. the Christmas seasons with attractive We are further joining hands at NAIA prizes like house and lot packages, travel on the smile campaign that was pursued and livelihood packages. The “Smile and in the past. In fact, this is the next phase Win with the NAIA Service Ambassadors” and is much more than the usual smile have been offered for free to Overseas campaign as the new thrust represents a Filipino Workers and traveling Filipinos Brand new yellow metered management initiative to put up a new by the MIAA, in partnership with some private enterprises like Sun Cellular, New time slotting studies, more intensive branding strategy for the NAIA”.

Simultation excercises witnessed BI’s

by Ferdie Sampol, BOC’s Ding So, Rep. Puentevella, Sec. Mendoza, GM Cusi, MIAA AGM Angel Atutubo and MIAA AGM TG Serrano

Capsule laying of Panglao-Bohol International Airport with PGMA

environment, MIAA takes the responsibility of a dedicated manager and steward of the country’s premier airport with both pride and unwavering commitment. The NAIA, through Terminal 1, Terminal 2 and the Old Domes-tic Passenger Terminal, at present handles 90 percent of all international passenger traffic and 75 percent of total air passenger traffic in the country.

A priority infrastructure project, NAIA Terminal 3 has been the object of a thorough terminal readiness and opening work program by the Authority, under the guidance of the Department of Transportation and Communications for the past several years. Last June 30, 2008, a milestone activity was conducted to test the readiness of the new facility. Indeed, the PGMA arrival via Philippine Airlines’ PR 105 was a resounding success. Just a few weeks after, on July 22, 2008, the first commercial flights, though flying to and from domestic desti-nations, were managed together with Cebu Pacific. Two days after, PAL Express and Air Philippines were likewise flying to several domestic routes coming from NAIA T3.

MIAA remains resolute and committed to pursue and deliver airport service enhancements in terms of passenger handling, passenger convenience, security and safety, emergency and medical provisions, concessions management and other aviation and nonaviation support facilities.

While other international airports in more developed and developing countries are more financially capable of promoting and sustaining their modern terminals and facilities, the MIAA and the entire NAIA community are revitalizing their efforts in improving people behavioral processes to gain the stakeholders support to promote and sell NAIA to the world, not just as a safe and secured AGM TG Serrano facility, but more presiding over NAIA essentially, as an Service Branding airport of warm, Workshops for managers and hospitable and supervisors with service-oriented PROSEC, INC. people.

KIDNEY STONE 12

ASEAN BIZTIMES

KIDNEY stones, also called renal calculi, are solid concretions (crystal aggregations) of dissolved minerals in urine; calculi typically form inside the kidneys or bladder. The terms nephrolithiasis and urolithiasis refer to the presence of calculi in the kidneys and urinary tract, respectively.

Causes Kidney stones can be due to underlying metabolic conditions, such as renal tubular acidosis, Dent’s disease and medullary sponge kidney. Many health facilities will screen for such disorders in patients with recurrent k i d n e y stones.[citation needed] This is typically done with a 24 hour urine collection that is chemically analyzed for deficiencies and excesses that promote stone formation. Kidney stones are also more common in patients with Crohn’s disease.

There has been some evidence that water fluoridation may increase the risk of kidney stone formation. In one study, patients with symptoms of skeletal fluorosis were 4.6 times as likely to develop kidney stones. However, fluoride may also be an inhibitor of urinary stone formation.

There is a longstanding belief among the mainstream medical community that vitamin C causes kidney stones, which may be based on little science. Although some individual recent studies have found a relationship there is no clear relationship between excess ascorbic acid intake and kidney stone formation.

Calcium oxalate stones The most common type of

kidney stone is composed of calcium oxalate crystals, occurring in about 80% of cases, and the factors that promote the precipitation of crystals in the urine are associated with the development of these stones.

Common sense has long held that consumption of too much calcium could promote the development of calcium kidney stones. However, current evidence suggests that the consumption of low-calcium diets is actually associated with a higher overall risk for the development of kidney stones. This is perhaps related to the role of calcium in binding ingested oxalate in the gastrointestinal tract. As the amount of calcium intake decreases, the amount of oxalate available for absorption into the bloodstream increases; this oxalate is then excreted in greater amounts into the urine by the kidneys. In the urine, oxalate is a very strong promoter of calcium oxalate precipitation, about 15 times stronger than calcium.

Symptoms • Colicky pain: “loin to groin”.

August 16-31, 2008

Often described as “the worst pain ever experienced”.

• Hematuria: blood in the urine, due to minor damage to inside wall of kidney, ureter and/ or urethra.

• Pyuria: pus in the urine.

• Dysuria: burning on urination when passing stones (rare).

More typical of infection.

• Oliguria: reduced urinary volume caused by obstruction of the bladder or urethra by stone, or extremely rarely, simultaneous obstruction of both ureters by a stone.

• Abdominal distention.

• Nausea/vomiting: embryological link with intestine – stimulates the vomiting center.

• Fever and chills.

• Hydronephrosis • Postrenal azotemia: when kidney stone blocks ureter Prevention Preventive strategies include dietary modifications and sometimes also taking drugs with the goal of reducing excretory load on the kidneys: • Drinking enough water to make 2 to 2.5 liters of urine per day.

• A diet low in protein, nitrogen and sodium intake.

• Restriction of oxalate-rich

HOROSCOPE FROM:

Rev. Fr. Wongsengtian Taoist Grand Minister & Feng Shui Master

(For the period of August 16-31, 2008) RAT – Keep cool and avoid getting into fights and trouble.

OX – Peaceful, time to see friends chances are they could offer opportunities for your benefit.

TIGER – Your fortune this month is alright.

RABBIT – You could incur losses and get into trouble due to womanizing.

DRAGON – There’s a benefactor to help you and monetary matter is fine.

SNAKE – This could be a good month if not SHENG LIAN TEMPLE for the rumors, arguments and bickering.

159 Bayani St. via HORSE – Think positive with income comes G. Araneta Avenue, Quezon City, Philippines also expenses that’s how it goes!

Tel No: (63-2)711-2714/ SHEEP – Mind your own business and don’t (63-2)732-0334 meddle.

Mobile No: 0918-3990997 MONKEY – There are favour able to events E-mail: to look forward to this month. wongsengtian@yahoo.com ROOSTER- Monetary level is good but you should avoid womanizing and drinking spree.

DOG – Finance is alright, pay attention to elder’s health.

PIG – You might get what you’ve wanted now, be content and not greedy.

BIO-FIRM CREAM ADDRESSES: Ruko Bekasi Mas Blok A No. 12, JI. Jend. A Yani BEKASI 17141, Indonesia Tel.: 62-21-889-3878-79 • Fax: +62-884-2921 S1506 Marbella II, 2071 Roxas Boulevard, Malate, Manila, Philippines Tels.: (632)524-7495 • Fax: +632-522-2277

foods, such as chocolate, nuts, soybeans, rhubarb and spinach, plus maintenance of an adequate intake of dietary calcium. There is equivocal evidence that calcium supplements increase the risk of stone formation, though calcium citrate appears to carry the lowest, if any, risk.

• Taking drugs such as thiazides, potassium citrate,

AUGUST 16, 2008 TODAY IS GOOD FOR: BAPTISMAL; WEDDING; GROUNDBREAKING; MOVING TO NEW PLACE; OPENING BUSINESS; NEGOTIATING DEALS/ VISA; SETTING ALTAR; PUTTING LUCKY CHARMS; TRAVELS; BURIAL Today is not favorable for those born under the sign of: HORSE Reminder: Offering to THO TI KONG (God of Earth) AUGUST 17, 2008 TODAY IS GOOD FOR: REPAIRS; GENERAL CLEANING Today is not favorable for those born under the sign of: SHEEP AUGUST 18, 2008 TODAY IS GOOD FOR: DEMOLITION Today is not favorable for those born under the sign of: MONKEY AUGUST 19, 2008 TODAY IS GOOD FOR: ENGAGEMENT; BAPTISMAL; MOVING BED; PUTTING LUCKY CHARMS; BURIAL; GENERAL CLEANING Today is not favorable for those born under the sign of: ROOSTER AUGUST 20, 2008 TODAY IS GOOD FOR: BAPTISMAL; ENGAGEMENT; GROUNDBREAKING; OPENING BUSINESS; RAISING LIVESTOCK; NEGOTIATING DEALS/ VISA; PUTTING LUCKY CHARMS; SETTING ALTAR; BURIAL Today is not favorable for those born under the sign of: DOG

magnesium citrate and allopurinol, depending on the cause of stone formation.

• Some fruit juices, such as orange, blackcurrant, and cranberry, may be useful for lowering the risk factors for specific types of stones.

• Avoidance of cola beverages.

• Avoiding large doses of vi-

AUGUST 21, 2008 TODAY IS GOOD FOR: WEDDING; GROUNDBREAKING; MOVING TO NEW PLACE; MOVING BED; OPENING BUSINESS Today is not favorable for those born under the sign of: PIG AUGUST 22, 2008 TODAY IS GOOD FOR: DEMOLITION; GENERAL CLEANING Today is not favorable for those born under the sign of: RAT AUGUST 23, 2008 TODAY IS GOOD FOR: WEDDING; GROUNDBREAKING; INSTALLING STOVE/MACHINE; NEGOTIATING DEALS/VISA; BURIAL Today is not favorable for those born under the sign of: OX AUGUST 24, 2008 TODAY IS GOOD FOR: RAISING LIVESTOCK; TRAVELS; GENERAL CLEANING; BURIAL Today is not favorable for those born under the sign of: TIGER AUGUST 25, 2008 TODAY IS GOOD FOR: ENGAGEMENT; BAPTISMAL; GROUNDBREAKING; MOVING BED; NEGOTIATING DEALS/ VISA; PUTTING LUCKY CHARMS; SETTING ALTAR; BURIAL Today is not favorable for those born under the sign of: RABBIT AUGUST 26, 2008 TODAY IS GOOD FOR: WEDDING; GROUNDBREAKING; MOVING TO NEW

tamin C. For those patients interested in optimizing their kidney stone prevention options, it’s essential to have a 24 hour urine test performed. This should be done with the patient on his or her regular diet and activities. The results can then be analyzed for abnormalities and appropriate treatment given.

PLACE; OPENING BUSINESS; NEGOTIATING DEALS/VISA Today is not favorable for those born under the sign of: DRAGON AUGUST 27, 2008 TODAY IS GOOD FOR: DEMOLITION; REPAIRS Today is not favorable for those born under the sign of: SNAKE AUGUST 28, 2008 TODAY IS GOOD FOR: BAPTISMAL; GROUNDBREAKING; MOVING TO NEW PLACE; INSTALLING STOVE/ MACHINE; OPENING BUSINESS; NEGOTIATING DEALS/VISA; PUTTING LUCKY CHARMS; TRAVELS Today is not favorable for those born under the sign of: HORSE AUGUST 29, 2008 TODAY IS GOOD FOR: RAISING LIVESTOCK Today is not favorable for those born under the sign of: SHEEP AUGUST 30, 2008 TODAY IS GOOD FOR: DEMOLITION Today is not favorable for those born under the sign of: MONKEY AUGUST 31, 2008 TODAY IS GOOD FOR: BAPTISMAL; WEDDING; MOVING TO NEW PLACE; MOVING BED; RAISING LIVESTOCK; INSTALLING STOVE/ MACHINE; NEGOTIATING DEALS/ VISA; PUTTING LUCKY CHARMS; SETTING ALTAR; TRAVEL; BURIAL Today is not favorable for those born under the sign of: ROOSTER

ASEAN BIZTIMES

August 16-31, 2008

BEIJING GAMES …

From page 1

August 11, there were a total of 20 competition events staged in 16 venues or venue clusters, 14 of which were located in Beijing. The remaining two venues were held in co-host cities. Thirteen gold medals were awarded during the day.

The competition venues received 2,975 athletes and 1,853 team officials from the 888 participating teams, as well as 2,087 technical officials, 186,037 spectators, 4,750 VIPS and 6,455 journalists. The Olympic Green received approximately 40,000 visitors yesterday.

Competition organization and venue operations ran smoothly throughout the day, Wang Wei said. Two of the 18 venues in Beijing had an attendance rate of over ninety percent, six over eighty percent, eight over seventy percent, and the remaining two had over a sixty percent attendance rate.

The athlete village welcomed 540 more athletes yesterday, and 59 athletes left, leaving the total resident count at 13,575.

The athletes in the village hail from 204 different countries and regions. The Olympic Family Hotels now have a total of 1,793 residents and are expected to receive another 25 more guests after 75 guests left yesterday. The number of media personnel using Olympic Identity and Accreditation Cards stands at 23,936. Altogether, 79 dignitaries left Beijing on or before Monday, August 11.

In response to concerns about ticket scalping, Wang Wei said that scalping is prohibited under Chinese law and fixed measures have been implemented to prevent scalping. All Opening and Closing Ceremony tickets have the names of the ticket holder on the ticket. Wei noted that there are also quotas on the number of tickets any one person can buy for competition events.

As part of the IOC anti-doping initiative, IOC spokeswoman Giselle Davies told the media gathering that 1500 doping tests have already been completed. It is estimated that over 4500 tests will be conducted during the Beijing Games.

840 million Opening Ceremony viewers in China In a press conference hosted by the IOC and BOCOG on Sunday, August 10, Giselle Davis, IOC Director of Communications, stated that the committees were in the process of collecting information on worldwide Opening Ceremony viewership.

Among statistics already compiled was data about the number of Opening Ceremony viewers in China. A whopping 840 million television watchers tuned in to the ceremony, pleasantly surprising IOC members.

CCTV News, as well as channels 1, 2, 5, and 7, all broadcasted the Opening Ceremony on August 8. Davis also revealed that in the four-hour long telecast of the performance, the average viewership of each district in China reached 49 million, a startling figure.

Beijing residents benefiting from Olympic Games Experts estimate the Games will have brought an extra 105.5 billion yuan (USD 13.4 billion) to Beijing’s GDP between 2004 and 2008. The city’s economy grew at an annual rate of 12.2 per cent between 2001, when Beijing was awarded the Games, and 2006. Over the same period, Beijing’s per capita GDP more than doubled to USD 6,300, while the average annual wage for Beijing city workers rose from 20,962 yuan (about USD 3,050) in 2001 to 40,117 yuan (about USD 5,840) in 2006 – an increase of almost 110 per cent, and an annual rise of 15.7 per cent in real terms after inflation is factored in.

Growing service sector will counteract post-Olympic lull The Olympic factor is also boosting Beijing’s service sector and that of China as a whole. In the past, Beijing’s tertiary sector has lagged behind that of cities in developed countries, which are typically around 80 per cent. But it has been growing strongly and is forecast to reach 70 per cent in 2008. That growth will help to offset any post-Olympic slowdown in China’s economy, something every host city and nation goes through in the immediate aftermath.

Beijing Games help lift the international language barrier One side effect of hosting the Games has been the takeup of foreign languages by Beijing residents – a boon for their future career prospects as China integrates even more closely with the rest of the world. A citywide campaign over the past five years has encouraged inhabitants to learn and speak English and other languages. More than one million people have taken lessons and training courses, while the city has also encouraged taxi and bus drivers, shop assistants and post office workers to improve their language skills.

Officials say nearly five million Beijing residents can now speak English to some degree, representing about 35 per cent of the population. With an estimated 30 million people overseas learning Chinese, the Beijing Games have served to break down international barriers.

13

14

ASEAN BIZTIMES

August 16-31, 2008

Biz

BIÑAN, LAGUNA THE RICHEST MUNICIPALITY OF THE PHILIPPINES

LITES

HAS BEEN NOMINATED FOR CITYHOOD

people•events•places•products•services•socials cultural

Murillo Furniture from Cebu

BY LIZ ALCID-CASTILLO THE recently concluded 1 Cebu Our Destiny, a weeklong festival and trade exhibits, held at the famed Cebu International Convention Center in Mandaue City lastAugust 8 - 15, 2008 showcased the best of what the whole island of Cebu offers locally and internationaly.

Expectedly, the biggest draw came from Cebu’s worldclass

trying to infuse art on our designs” says Allan Murillo. “I do most of the furniture designs while Christopher does the artworks and some complimentary pieces.

The international market is responding positively to our Multi awarded furniture designer Allan Murillo products. “ AndreAgassi and with brother Christopher Murillo and Ferdi Alcid of ALCIDMANILA at the showroom's Steffi Graf aim for opening in BF Paranaque City, ushering the greatness in everyentrance of Murillo furnitures in cosmopolitan thing they do and Manila and to local buyers. every aspect of their furnitures. Known as the country’s lives. to have my designs included hub of globally recognized in their collection for their galleries designers and manufacturers, is excellent.” Allan Murillo.

1Cebu Our Destiny featured works Visit the Murillo website of Cebu’s top designers of classical at www.murillo.ph or call and modern/contemporary ALCIDMANILA Showroom at furnitures.

850 - 1392 / 489 - 2634 for a private Managed by multi awarded viewing.

Email us at designer Allan Murillo with artist alcidmanila@yahoo.com for all brother Christopher, the company your inquiries. You can also ask takes pride in designing and for details via sms at 0928 214 3523 producing their crafts. “We’ve been / 0917 853 2100.

Tennis greats Andre Aggassi and wife Steffi Graf sitting on Mercury Ball Armchair designed by Allan Murillo. This chair is now part of the Agassi Graf Kreiss furniture collections in the US.

Marlyn B. Alonte-Naguiat (MAYOR OF B IÑAN, L AGUNA, P HILIPPINES ) RP’ S Y OUNGEST LADY M AYOR

Home of Brent International School.

WHO READS ASEAN BIZTIMES INIndonesia ?

MR. RICKY MUZAKIR President, Coal Miners Association Kalimantan, Indonesia

MS. MIAW LING Director of Sales PT Joaquim Bloom

Photo shows Cynthia Suelto, President of Megatrend Realty Network, Inc. together with Zeny Ramos, VP for Sales of Megatrend in Jakarta with the Bryan Cave Group in Indonesia – Tjakjo Wibowo, Asst. Mgr. and Dedi Firdaus, Country Manager. Ms. Suelto is promoting the Philippines’ No. 1 Vitamin C in Indonesia. She was one of the top officials of the Philippines’ biggest real estate company before.

MR. JO DUPLITO Chief Forester, Asia Intl. Finance Holdings Ltd. West Papua, Indonesia

ASEAN BIZTIMES

August 16-31, 2008

Olympic

UPDATES

Another medal for the Emmons family THE Emmons family won its third medal of Beijing 2008 when Matthew Emmons won a silver medal in the Men’s 50m Rifle Prone.

Emmons’ silver medal joins the gold and silver medals that his wife Katerina won in the Women’s 10m Air Rifle and the Women’s 50m Rifle Three Positions.

Emmons will be disappointed that he could not reproduce the gold medal he won in the event at Athens 2004, but he was satisfied

Weightlifter Chen Xiexia Olympic Gold Record For China HOSTS China won their first gold medal of the 2008 Beijing Olympic on the opening day through the power arms of Chinese weightlifter Chen Xiexia who set an Olympic record. Xiexia took the 48kg class to huge cheers from the partisan crowd, clinching victory with a total of 212kg.

Chen Xiexia, 25, lifted 95kg in the snatch and set a new record for the class with 117kg in the clean and jerk.

Wrapped in a Chinese flag, Chen sang along with the crowd to the national anthem after receiving her medal.

And it capped a dramatic 24 hours for the hosts after a dazzling opening ceremony.

Mr. & Mrs. Emmons of New Jersey, USA

with his performance.

“It’s the best match of my life. It is the best I can shoot. It’s very hard to walk into a final two points behind. It’s not impossible to come back from that, but it’s very difficult,” said Emmons.

Emmons finished the qualification round in second place with a total of 597, two points behind eventual gold medalist Artur Ayvazian of Ukraine.

Olympic Opening Sidelights

Michael Phelps makes Olympic history with his 7th gold medal. In all swimming divisions, he made new records.

Phelps hauls seventh Beijing gold American Michael Phelps out swam Milorad Cavic of Serbia with a new Olympic record time of 50.58 to win the Men’s 100m Butterfly final. The win brings Phelps’ seventh gold medal at the Beijing Games and ties the world record for most gold medals at a single Olympics set by Mark Spitz (USA) at the Munich 1972 Games.

A car for official delegates.

Philippine Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo greats Filipinos in Beijing as she deliver her speech to the Filipino Community during a lunch with them at the Grand Ballroom Asia Hotel in Beijing, China.

15

Beijing police on the go.

The aKSento Band performing before the President of the Philippines, Gloria M. Arroyo, during the luncheon at the Asia International Hotel for the Filipino community in Beijing. From left: Maricel Aguilar, Armando Aguilar, Janet Claveria and Radel Lopez and the pianist (hidden) Erwin Miranda.

ABT Editor-in-Chief Luis Arriola outside the new PANGU Seven Star Hotel beside the Beijing Olympic Stadium.

The day after the Opening.

ABT Editor-in-Chief at Wang Fu Jing Road before the Opening.

ABT China Bureau Chief He Yong Ming outside the Bird’s Nest.

ABT Editor-in-Chief Luis Arriola outside the new PANGU Seven Star Hotel beside the Beijing Olympic Stadium.

The new Terminal 3 Beijing Capital Airport.

The oldest and most famous Peking Duck Restaurant in Beijing - Quanjude.

St. Joseph Church along the Wang Fu Jing road. No wedding sighted during the 08-08-08.

The new Terminal 3 Beijing Capital Airport.

WHO READS ASEAN BIZTIMES IN BEIJING?

MS. ROQUENA R. DOMINGO Senior Vice President of EDELMAN Washington DC, USA The new CCTV Tower to become a new landmark of China.

DR. JUN ANTHONY QUION of ANNANDALE, Virginia, USA

Malls filled with Olympic caricatures.

DRA. JULIET QUION of ANNANDALE, Virginia, USA

MS. HJAYCEELYN M. QUINTANA Director of China & North Asia Division,Department of Foreign Affairs of the Philippines