December 2011 issue by MShare Limited

HELLO PHILIPPINES

POLITICS IN REVIEW 2011 Connecting Global News & Views For The Community

UK & Europe Edition

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December 2011 Monthly Issue

Despite being out of power, former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo continued to hog the headlines in 2011. Full Story in Page 4

POPE JOHN PAUL II AND HIS LEGACY

Pope John Paul II, now known as Blessed John Paul II. Full story in Page 10

INSIDE

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Business & Finance • Celebrity, Showbiz & Entertainment • Local News • Social Issue • Technology • OFW and Immigration News • Philippine Embassy / Philippines Department of Tourism • Sports

Volume 2 - Number 12

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THE BATTLE OF THE BILLBOARDS Page 20

TWITTER WARS Page 32

STUDENT VISA CLAMPDOWN Page 28

PUERTO PRINCESA UNDERGROUND RIVER

PPUR made it to New 7 Wonders of Nature FILIPINA BEAUTIES THAT out of 28 finalists. Full story in Page 12 TURNED HEADS IN 2011 Page 12

AUGUST RUSH: UK RIOTS Violence spread across England in the summer of August 2011. Full story in Page 15

END OF AN ERA

DAVID BECKHAM: SPENT TIME WITH UNPRIVILEGED KIDS IN THE PHILIPPINES Page 46

The year 2011 is considered a landmark year for political developments. Full story in Page 16

THE BANK THAT ROCKED THE BOAT OF BANKING The global credit crunch in 2007 shook and took down the boats of many strong players in the industry of banking and finance. Full story in Page 18

KC Concepcion and Piolo Pascual: Break-up. WHY? Page 42

“MALIGAYANG PASKO AT MANIGONG AT MASAGANANG BAGONG TAON SA INYONG LAHAT!” “MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A PROSPEROUS AND BOUNTIFUL NEW YEAR TO YOU ALL!” MARAMING SALAMAT! - THANK YOU!

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SEND FROM AGENT LOCATION

1. Choose receive option ‘Account Deposit’ on the send form and enter your RRN.

Go to www.moneygram.com/directtoaccount and click on ‘Register Online’

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FaQ What is an RRN?

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Receiver Registration Number (RNN) is a 10-character alphanumeric linked to a bank account

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Go to MoneyGram Online and click on Register for a Receiver Registration Number (RRN). Once you have an RRN for the account, you may reuse the RRN in the future to send money directly to your account without registering, which will save you time in the future.

The RRN itself is not private data of a Receiver. Most of the time it is a 10-character alphanumeric code. The RRN is tied directly to where the money is transferred. It allows the Receiver to register an account to receive money transfers without having to communicate to the Sender where the money is being transferred. An RRN allows for a safer and more discrete money transfer as the Receiver does not have to communicate to the Sender any account information.

Who can register for an RRN? Registration for an RRN can be completed on behalf of the Receiver by either the Sender or the Receiver. Why do I need an RRN? Registration and receipt of an RRN is required in order to perform a Direct-to-Account money transfer. If a Sender chooses Account Deposit and sends money to three different Receivers, does each Receiver have to be registered? Will the Sender have three different RRNs? Yes. Each Receiver has a different bank account number, so the Sender will have three different RRNs Can multiple Senders send to the same RRN? Yes. The RRN is tied to the Receiver’s account. Is it possible to change an RRN? The Sender will need to contact MoneyGram to change any RRN. Depending on what change need to be made, a new RRN might have to be created.

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HELLO PHILIPPINES

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2011 Year in Review

December 2011 – Monthly Issue • UK & Europe Edition

Unemployment problem worsens in 2011 Vittorio Hernandez

ack of jobs had been the problem of many countries even before the 2008 global financial crisis hit the world. However, joblessness became worse following that tumultuous period as Wall Street firms crashed, factories closed, companies went bankrupt and the global economic contracted. In the Philippines, unemployment rate hit 7.1 per cent in July 2011, which slightly improved from April’s 7.2 per cent, according to the National Statistics Office. There was also a slight improvement in

underemployment to 19.1 per cent in July 2011 from 19.4 per cent in April. Officials blamed the high unemployment and underemployment rates to the weak economic growth at 3.4 per cent in June 2011 caused by high oil prices, the natural and nuclear disasters in Japan, the poor performance of the U.S. and European economies and unrest in the Middle East which started to taper only toward the end of the year. The high unemployment rate – which translates into 2.8 million Filipinos being jobless – was accompanied by a drop in consumer confidence which reached - 18.7 per cent for the third quarter from - 14 percent

for the same quarter a year earlier. In the United Kingdom, the numbers were similar to the Philippines as the country’s unemployment rate reached 8.3 per cent for the September 2011 quarter. That meant 2.62 million Britons were without work. Worst hit were youth unemployment since the number of jobless Britons in the age range of 16 to 24 soared to 1.02 million, a 23-year-high, according to the Office for National Statistics (ONS). The number of Britons who claimed Jobseeker’s Allowance also went up to 1.6 million in October 2011. One group, however, is managing to find jobs in Britain

despite the economic slowdown. According to the ONS, 500 foreigners got a job daily the past 12 months while 850 Britons lost their work for the same period. British employers explained the phenomenon to local-born workers being too lazy and bad at basic employment requirements such as punctuality to merit being hired. However, experts said the situation only highlights the country’s immigration problem. Similar employment woes took place in the U.S. for 2011 as more than 4 million Americans were out of work for one year or more. As a result, as of November 2011, unemployment rate in the U.S. stood at 8.6 per cent which is lower than the 9 per cent the past two years.

However, the numbers could be deceiving because while the number of jobless Americans appears to have declined, labor force actually shrunk by 315,000 as some people have given up looking for jobs in the first place. The minor growth in jobs was mainly by the private sector since government posts were still routinely slashed with 20,000 lost in November 2011. However, the bulk of the jobs were lowpaying ones in the service sector. In an attempt to create more jobs, U.S. President Barack Obama proposed a $447-billion jobs bill, but the bill was rejected by Republicans. The GOP instead passed bills that aimed to cut federal regulations seen by small business as a burden. ■

Maguindanao Massacre: Politics in Review 2011 Two years of continued grief and injustice Vittorio Hernandez

Lorela U. Sandoval

wo years after the Maguindanao Massacre, dubbed as the “most gruesome event in the history of press freedom in the country” by Rowena C. Paraan, the secretary general of the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines, justice remains to be a pipe dream for the 58 slaughtered victims, of which 32 were journalists and

media practitioners, and their surviving families. Symbolic protests nationwide marked the second anniversary of the massacre in November 23, also tagged as the International Day to End Impunity, with press people, religious groups and human rights organizations calling for President Ninoy Aquino III to serve justice and put an end to impunity, gathered reports said. Unfortunately, of the primary suspects in the massacre, only two have been arraigned: former

Maguindanao governor Andal S. Ampatuan Sr. and former Datu Unsay town mayor Andal U. Ampatuan Jr. Meanwhile, former governor Zaldy U. Ampatuan of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao has been said to be playing “legal and clever public relations tricks” to escape the case, Paraan said to BusinessWorld Online. And over a hundred of the 196 suspects still remain at large. A marker which bears the names of the 58 victims now stood at the massacre site, according to Mindanews.com. ■

P-Noy’ s second SONA revisited Lorela U. Sandoval

he second State of the Nation Address (SONA) of President Benigno Simeon “Noynoy” Aquino III last July 25, 2011, raised so many questions, yet so little time. Among the major points raised by Aquino during his SONA was the elimination of wang-wang, which has become a symbol of abuse of authority, according to him. He also mentioned that “self-rated hunger” went down from 20.5% in March to 15.1% in June, while the stock market reached “seven record highs” in 2010. He assured of a cheaper, reliable energy source in 2014, by way of a new contract garnered

in the construction of a power plant in Luzon. He said there will be no more “patronage politics” but rather an “honest and transparent bidding process” in the Department of Public Works and Highways. There will be improved benefits for the police and military, as well, such as housing and lot allocation. And a law passed by Congress finally had synchronized the Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao with the national elections. He also said that 31 human traffickers had been convicted in one year against 29 convictions alone in a span of seven years. The unemployment rate of 8% in April 2010 fluctuated to 7.2%, and even more jobs will be served to the Filipino people. The poor will be given priority in

health programs, too, such as in PhilHealth. He also addressed the problem of flooding by making way for tree planting programs as among the possible solutions. Informal settlers, the beneficiaries of the program, might be given coffee and cacao seeds to plant. Government will provide stipends for maintaining it, aside from the harvest these settlers will benefit from. A “prototype monorail system” to be developed by the Department of Science and Technology and the University of the Philippines will be providing a homegrown solution to mass transport in the near future, he said. Most of all, he promised an “honest-togoodness anti-corruption office” with the takeover of Ombudsman Conchita Carpio-Morales. ■

espite being out of power, former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo continued to hog the headlines in 2011 because of the numerous cases filed against her by the Aquino government and her health problems. Since the start of the year different complaints had been filed against the former president ranging from corruption to electoral fraud. To compound her legal woes, GMA was diagnosed to suffer from multi-level cervical spondylosis radiculopathy with kyphosis. She had to undergo three surgeries which resulted in her losing weight and having to wear a heavy neck and head brace. When she sought to seek medical treatment abroad, the Department of Justice (DoJ) stopped her from leaving for fear that she would seek asylum and escape facing the charges filed against her. Although the Supreme Court issued a temporary restraining order against the hold departure the DoJ issued, GMA failed to leave because the DoJ rushed the filing of the electoral case against Arroyo, which barred her from leaving the country. Right now, the Arroyos have accepted GMA’s fate, including her being held on hospital arrest at the government-owned Veterans Memorial Medical Centre. The electoral case against the former president is linked to the filing by lawyer Aquilino Pimentel III of an electoral fraud case against several former administration officials, including GMA, over his loss in the 2007 election to administration candidate Jose Miguel Zubiri. A recount led to the conclusion that it was Pimentel who was the real winner, not Zubiri who quit his post after serving four of the six-year term.

Pimentel’s case was bolstered by the alleged confession by suspended Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao Governor Zaldy Ampatuan – a suspect in the Maguindanao massacre – that Arroyo ordered votes from three opposition senatorial candidates to benefit the administration candidates, particularly Zubiri, who claimed he was not involved in the alleged cheating. While the government took an active role in battling the Arroyos, it sought to make peace with a former enemy, the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), after President Benigno Aquino III met secretly with MILF Chairman Al Haj Murad Ibrahim in Tokyo, Japan to fast track the peace negotiations. However, the quest for peace in southern Philippines took a turn for the worse due to the bloody encounter in October between soldiers and an MILF faction in Basilan which led to the death of 19 soldiers and 6 MILF rebels. Besides the soldier battles, the military was also in the limelight after former Commission on Audit auditor Heidi Mendoza made public corruption in transactions in the Armed Forces of the Philippines despite death threats. Mendoza’s testimony helped pin down former AFP Comptroller Carlos Garcia. Aquino appointed Mendoza COA commissioner in August. In another major battle, the government clashed with the powerful Catholic Church as it pushed for the approval of the Reproductive Health Bill, which is supported by five senators and women’s groups, while opposed by two senators and the Catholic Church. The remaining 16 senators are still undecided. Amid the debate, the Philippine population ballooned to over 94 million as the country welcomed its symbolic seven billionth baby, amid all the economic, social and political problems besetting the country. ■

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Original Creation and Copyright Reserved By: Hello Philippines 2011

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Mr. & Mrs. Jaime Zobel De Ayala Ms. Bea Zobel & Family Mrs. Angeles Quimson & Family Mr. Arnel Santiago (Finance Officer Phil. Embassy) Consul Bernie Fernandez (Phil. Embassy) Beth Cunanan (Phil. Embassy) Mr. Roberto Mercado (former Phil. Trade and Investment – Phil. Embassy) Mr. & Mrs. Criselda Abril (Phil Embassy) Mrs. Emillet Palomique (Phil. Embassy) Mr. Chit Afuang (Department of Tourism Phil. Embassy) Matt Pineda (Aguman Kapampangan ) Susan Calo Medina (Travel Time) Mr. & Mrs. Vallecer (London – Liftvan) Ms. Mercy Tuazon (Phil. Ambassador to the Holy See) Mr. & Mrs. Barquilla (Forest Gate – 10ft Cont) Mr. Don Agrasada (PNB) Ms. Jennifer Ngai (Asian Dev. Bank – 20ft Cont) Mr. & Mrs. Lina Taylor (Croydon – 40ft Cont) Mr. & Mrs. Gube (Nestle London – Liftvan) Mr. & Mrs. Anita Gonzales (Peckham – Liftvan) Anabelle Cueva (Century Properties) Dominga Hill (Whetstone – 20ft Cont) Mr. & Mrs. Killik (Godstone – Liftvan) Mrs. Winrow (20ft Cont) Mr. & Mrs. Halliwell (Cheltenham – 40ft Cont) Mr. & Mrs. Martin (Godstone – Liftvan) Mr. & Mrs. Richards (Romford – Liftvan) Shirley Burgess (Staffordshire – 20ft Cont) Ms. Lucy Manalo (Neasden – 40ft Cont) Mr. & Mrs. Lee (Neasden – 40ft Cont) Mr. & Mrs. Munsalud (Liftvan) Mirasol Cruz – Hemel Hampstead Gene Ives – Norwich Norma Patterson –Melksham Lorna White – Reading Mrs. Leigh – Berkhampstead Lally Gonzales – London Marissa Serra – London Mrs. Faustman – Kensington Elma & Jojo Diaz – Derby

HELLO

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PHILIPPINES

DATE / TIME 3 December 2011 – Saturday 1:00pm to 6:00pm 3 December 2011 – Saturday 6:30pm

Events Diary

December 2011 – Monthly Issue • UK & Europe Edition

EVENT Parol Workshop – Traditional Philippine Christmas Lantern Share Hope Outreach Event – Pasko the Filipino Christmas Celebration United Kalinga Apayao Network (UKAN) Christmas Party FWA-UK Christmas Party 2011

VENUE St Mark’s Church, Old Marylebone Road, London NW1 5QT The Stowe Centre, 258 Harrow Road, London W2 5ES

ORGANISER Philippine Generations Share Hope Outreach

Becky Sarinas 07949 857 699 / Lina 07579 418 510 / Myrna 07958 623 669 / Nora 07950 294 436

Stockwell Community Center, 21 Aytoun Place, London SW9 0TE Umi Hotel, London

United Kalinga Apayao Network (UKAN) Filipino Womens Association - UK

Nellie Lingayo nicole12103@yahoo.co.uk

University of Santo Tomas Nursing Alumni Association Christmas Party 18th Annual Christmas Dinner & Dance BFAB Christmas Party

Port of Manila, 121 – 131 Brackenbury, Road, Hammersmith, London W6 0BQ

University of Santo Tomas Nursing Alumni Association

The London Ibis Hotel, 47 Lillie Road, London Venue to be confirmed

The Aguman Kapampangan UK

Share Hope Outreach Event – Children Festive Disco Simbang Gabi 2011

English Martyrs Church Hall, Chalkhill Road, Wembley Park HA9 9EW St Mary’s Catholic Church, Cadogan Street, London SW3 2QR

15 December 2011 – Thursday 6:30pm

Masquerade Xmas Party

Riverside Hotel, Mill Street, Mildenhall, Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk IP28 7DP

Fil-Am

16 December 2011 – Friday 6:00pm

Simbang Gabi 2011

Our Lady Queen of Heaven Church, 111 Portsmouth Road, Frimley, Surrey GU16 7AA

Couples for Christ - Frimley

16 December 2011 – Friday 7:30pm

Simbang Gabi 2011

Our Lady of Lourdes Church, Acton High Street, London W3 8AA

Filipino Community in Acton

16 December 2011 – Friday 7:00pm

Simbang Gabi 2011

Couples for Christ - Maidenhead

16 December 2011 – Friday

Filipino Community in Bristol Christmas Party Annual Dinner & Dance 2011 – Fundraising Event for Filipino Children with Cancer

St Edmund Campion Parish, 40A Altwood Road, Maidenhead, Berkshire SL6 4PY Glencoyne Square, Southmead, Bristol BS10 6DE Baden Powell House, 65 – 67 Queen’s Gate, Gloucester Road, London SW7 5JS

The Philippine Centre

Ester Limot-Limot 07824 375 870 / Joseph Parinas 07988 760 784 / Tickets: £20.00

3 December 2011 – Saturday 4 December 2011 – Sunday 10 December 2011 – Saturday 10 December 2011 7:00pm to 1:00am 10 December 2011 5:00pm 11 December 2011 3:30pm to 6:00pm 15 December 2011 6:30pm

– Saturday – Saturday – Sunday – Thursday

17 December 2011 – Saturday 6:00pm to 11:00pm

British-Filipino Association of Bradford (BFAB) Share Hope Outreach Friends of Our Lady of Penafrancia / Filipino Parishioners of St Mary’s Church, Cadogan / Sto Nino Group of Our Lady of Victories Church

CONTACTS / REMARKS

Zanie Del Mundo 07733 781 858 / Stella 07506 797 772 / Luz 07721 338 366

Becky Sarinas 07949 857 699 / Lina 07579 418 510 / Myrna 07958 623 669 / Nora 07950 294 436 Ms Adelle Caguimbal 07717 493 541 / Mr Emet Gutierrez 020 7598 1165 Presider: Fr Cirino Potrido, CM Co-celebrant: Fr Agustin Paunon and Fr Ari Dy, SJ Please contact: geraldine.diogo@gmail.com / Tickets: £35.00 (reservation required) Mr Jek Paler 07869 293 397 Presider: Fr Norlan Julia, SJ Ms Corazon Gonzales 07585 229 006 / Ms Ning De Zoysa 07886 210 883 Presider: Fr Cirino Potrido, CM Co-celebrant: Fr Agustin Paunon Mr Rene Garcia 07900 901 343 Presider: Fr Claro Conde

Filipino Community Bristol

17 December 2011 – Saturday 5:00pm

Celebrating Himig ng Pasko in London

Colliers Wood Community Hall, 66 – 72 High Street, Colliers Wood, London SW19 2BY

TCJ Tours & Travel

Theresa 020 8665 7754 / 07545 011 461

17 December 2011 – Saturday 3:00pm

Simbang Gabi 2011

Westminster Cathedral, Clergy House, 42 Francis Street, London SW1P 1QW

Filipino Club at Westminster Cathedral (FCWC)

17 December 2011 – Saturday 5:00pm

Simbang Gabi 2011

St Joseph’s Church, 12 Eastgate Gardens, Guildford, GU1 4AZ

Pamilya Pinoy UK and the Filipino Communities in Guildford and nearby towns

Ms Flora Kingscote 07875 867 739 / Ms Eleanor Dayawon 07877 027 667 Presider: Fr Ari Dy, SJ Co-celebrants: Canon Christopher Tuckwell and Fr Alexander Master Sr Oneng Mendoza 07871 479 978 Presider: Fr Aaron Espenelli

17 December 2011 – Saturday 6:30pm

Simbang Gabi 2011

Our Lady of Dolours Servite Church, 264 Fulham Road, London SW10 9EL – Buses: 414, 328, C3, 14 and 211

Filipino Community of Servite Parish Church

17 December 2011 – Saturday 6:00pm

Simbang Gabi 2011

Sacred Heart of Jesus, 62 Eden Grove, Holloway N7 8EN (opposite Metropolitan University)

North London Filipino Group

18 December 2011 – Sunday 2:30pm

Simbang Gabi 2011

Sacred Heart Church, New Priory, Kilburn, Quez Road, London NW6 4PS

Filchamp Kilburn

18 December 2011 – Sunday 3:00pm 18 December 2011 – Sunday 3:00pm

Simbang Gabi 2011

Blessed Sacrament Church, 157 Copenhagen Street, Islington N1 )SR English Martyrs Church, Chalkhill Road, Wembley Park HA9 9EW

Blessed Sacrament Filipino Community Share Hope Outreach

18 December 2011 – Sunday 6:00pm

Simbang Gabi 2011

Our Lady of the Holy Souls, 68 Hazlewood Crescent, Kensal Road, London W10 5DJ

Couples for Christ, London / Filipino Catholic Community in Our Lady of the Holy Souls

18 December 2011 – Sunday 6:00pm

Simbang Gabi 2011

Our Lady of Mt Carmel & St Joseph Church, 8A Battersea Park Road, London SW8 4BH

El Shaddai DWXI-PPFI London Chapter

19 December 2011 – Monday 7:00pm

Simbang Gabi 2011

St Joseph Catholic Church, Wembley, 339 High Road, Wenbley, Middlesex HA9 6AG

Filipino Community of St Joseph’s Catholic Church, Wenbley

19 December 2011 – Monday 8:00pm

Simbang Gabi 2011

SS Peter and Paul Catholic Church, The Presbytery, Cranmer Road, Mitcham, Surrey CR4 4LD

Mitcham Filipino British Association

20 December 2011 – Tuesday 7:00pm

Simbang Gabi 2011

Carmelite Priory, 41 Kensington Church Street, London W8 4BB

Aguman Kapampangan / Bicol Association / Carmelite Filipino Choir / Filipino Women’s Association (FWA)

20 December 2011 – Tuesday 7:00pm

Simbang Gabi 2011

Holy Cross Chapel, Charing Cross Hospital, Fulham Palace Road, Hammersmith, London W6

21 December 2011 – Wednesday 6:00pm

Simbang Gabi 2011

Church of the Immaculate Conception (Farm Street), 114 Mount Street, London W1K 3AH

West London Filipino Prayer Group / CFC – Singles for Christ / CFC – Handmaids of the Lord, London Farm Street Filipino Community / Farm Street Parishioners / Order of the Knights of Rizal & Kababaihang Rizalista, London Chapter, UK

22 December 2011 – Thursday 7:30pm

Simbang Gabi 2011

Church of the Holy Redeemer, 20 Brixton Road, London SW9 6BU

Oval Filipino Community / Greenwich Filipino Community

22 December 2011 – Thursday 7:30pm

Simbang Gabi 2011

Sacred Heart & Mary Immaculate, Mill Hill, 2 Flower Lane, Mill Hill NW7 2JB

Kapa-Mill Hill / Batangas Association UK (BAUK)

23 December 2011 – Friday 6:00pm

Simbang Gabi 2011

The Five Precious Wounds, Stonebridge, The Presbytery, Brentfield Road, Stonebridge Park NW10 8ER Church of the Holy Redeemer, 20 Brixton Road, London SW9 6BU

Stonebridge Filipino Community

Simbang Gabi 2011

Mr Manuel Cortinas 07903 684 263 / Mr Roland 07912 884 768 / Ms Flora 07984 209 857 Presider: Fr Cirino Potrido Fr Gideon Wagay Holloway@rcdow.org.uk Presider: Fr Gideon Wagay Ms Remy Villaruel 07901 352 381 / Ms Jeanette Wiklander 07502 285 521 Presider: Fr Cirino Potrido, CM Presider: Fr Joel Bernardo Ms Becky Sarinas 07949 857 699 / Ms Lina B 07579 418 510 / Ms Arlene 07787 624 349 Presider: Fr Ari Dy, SJ Mr Agui Galang 07892 475 127 / Ms Lita Galang 07754 659 580 Mr Chris Mautsi 07951 064 688 Presider: Fr Agustin Paunon Ms Cecilia Bas 07578 368 272 / Ms Analita Bash 07553 791 944 Presider: Fr Cirino Potrido, CM Ms Lilian Owen 07957 550 729 / Mrs Tita Mendoza 07951 078 045 Presider: Fr Cirino Potrido, CM Co-celebrant: Fr Agustin Paunon Ms Andrea Colquhoun 07557 417 266 / Mr Ron Dalida 07766 314 207 / Mr Jess Magdaong 07891 604 638 Presider: Fr Lucas Rodrigues, Parish Priest Ms Zanie Del Mundo 07886 881 432 / Mr Julius Maristela 07823 336 085 / Ms Chelo Cruz 07738 380 570 / Ms Nancy Cunniff 07900 103 113 Presider: Fr Cirino Potrido, CM Mr Felicito Simon 07795 324 859 Presider: Fr Nigel Griffin Co-celebrant: Fr Ari Dy, SJ Ms Josie Ramos 07723 024 591 / Ms Flora Kingscote 07875 867 739 / Sir Noli Ramos 07910 133 782 / Lady Aurea Taguiang 020 7724 7332 Presider: Fr William Pearsall, SJ Co-celebrant: Fr Ari Dy, SJ Mr Ben Ortiz 07723 318 486 / Mrs Anne Rebano 07860 165 596 Mr Moises Espanola 07894 648 639 Presider: Fr Jake Dicto, CS Sande Gutierez 07584 575 411 / Arnel Maddalora 07518 579 420 / Mrs Lorna Fortunado 07776 223 212 Presider: Fr Cirino Potrido, CM Co-celebrant: Fr Agustin Paunon and Fr Joel Bernardo Ms Mervic Monocillo 07894 636 140 Presider: Fr Cirino Potrido, CM Co-celebrant: Rev. Antonio Ritaccio

15 – 23 December 2011 Simbang Gabi 2011 Novena of Oval Filipino Community Mr Ben Ortiz 07723 318 46 / Mrs Anne Rebano 07860 165 596 / Masses Church of the Holy Reedemer 020 7735 8235 7:30pm Presider: Fr Jake Dicto. CS / Scalabrini Fathers except 18 December 2011 5:00pm 15 – 23 December 2011 Simbang Gabi 2011 Novena of St Joseph’s Catholic Church, 218 Filipino Community of Rose Olille 07737 389 980 Masses Roehampton Lane, London SW15 4LE Roehampton 8:00pm Presider: Fr Jake Dicto. CS / Scalabrini Fathers *** NOTE: The Oval Filipino Community of the Holy Redeemer Church (RC), Scalabrini Center, and the Filipino Community of Roehampton, both under the Archdiocese of Southwark and entrusted to the Scalabrini Fathers, are hosting a novena of masses from 15 to 23 December 2011. FREE LISTING of your events on the Hello Philippines newspaper and if you know of any Events do not hesitate to contact us. Please kindly contact us and submit your event via email or text to the following at info@hello-philippines.com / 07989 403 904.

HELLO PHILIPPINES

2011 Year in Review

www.hello-philippines.com

December 2011 – Monthly Issue • UK & Europe Edition

The eurozone crisis timeline Vittorio Hernandez

T dailybuzznation.com

Amy Winehouse: Gone Too Soon Lorela U. Sandoval

my Winehouse, or Amy Jade Winehouse in real life, was a multiawarded English singer-songwriter notorious and admired for her eclectic combination of musical genres powered by deep contralto vocals. But on July 23, 2011, she was found dead due to accidental alcohol poisoning at her London home, bringing sudden grief to all her fans worldwide. Her “Back to Black” album released in 2006 got five wins out of six Grammy Award nominations in 2008 that include

Record of the Year, Best New Artist and Song of the Year. She also received other prestigious awards, such as Best British Female Artist from BRIT Awards and three Ivor Novello Awards for “Stronger Than Me” as Best Contemporary Song in 2004, “Rehab” as Best Contemporary Song in 2007 and “Love is a Losing Game” as Best Song Musically and Lyrically in 2008. With a lifestyle that is as notorious as her music, Winehouse died at a young age of 27, along with other music legends, such as Jimi Hendrix, Janis Joplin, Jim Morrison and Kurt Cobain, who were among the so-called “27 Club,” a group of music legends who died at 27. ■

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Pope John Paul II and His Legacy Lorela U. Sandoval

ope John Paul II, now known as Blessed John Paul II after his beatification ceremony last May 1, 2011 was a beloved religious leader who became instrumental in putting an end to communism in his native Poland and, finally, in all of Europe. In 1984, he founded the World Youth Day, a week-long event that occurs every four years. Filipinos

have a soft spot for him, especially when he visited the Philippines in 1995 for the said event. This year’s World Youth Day celebration, though, was held in Madrid, Spain, last August 16 to 21, with an estimated crowd attendance of 1.5 million people. The pope, who had been suffering from Parkinson’s Disease and whose health had gone in bad shape in recent years, led the Vatican City from October 16, 1978, until his death on April 2, 2005, at the age of 84. ■

he eurozone debt crisis is threatening to rock once more the global financial stability barely three years after the first one in 2008, which saw major financial institutions in the U.S. and Europe collapse or almost go under ground. The crisis started in October 2009 when a new Greek government was formed after the party got 44 per cent of the votes and won 160 out of 300 seats in the parliament. Barely seven months in office, Athens had to seek a bailout in May 2010 from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) after its cost of financing government debt rose. IMF agreed to release a €750 billion comprehensive rescue package and created the European Financial Stability Fund (EFSF) to ensure financial stability across the EU. A month after, Fitch cut Greece’s debt rating to BBB+ from A- while Greek Prime Minister George Papandreou came out with costcutting measures to reduce the country’s debt and regain investor trust. Within the same month, the two other major ratings agencies also cut Athens’s rating – Standard & Poor’s to BBB+ from A- and Moody’s to A2 from A1. By January 2011, Greece released its Stability and Growth Program which targeted to reduce the country’s deficit to 2.8 per cent of gross domestic product in 2012 from 12.7 per cent in 2009. This was followed by the extension of public sector wage freeze for government employees earning less than €2,000 a month. In protest over the wage and pension freeze, thousands of Greek public servants held on February 10, 2011 a 24-hour strike which paralysed air transport and schools. A second strike was held on February 24. By March, the government announced a new round of public sector pay cuts and tax hikes to generate savings of €4.8 billion. In the same month, EU officials agreed to a standby aid package for Greece while the European Central Bank also agreed to extend softer rules on collateral by accepting Athens’ BBB+ rating instead of the standard A-. The cost-cutting measures led to a reduction of Greece’s deficit by 39.2 per cent which led to EU leaders agreeing to a bailout plan for Greece. By April, S&P cut again Greece’s debt rating below investment grade to junk bond and downgraded as well Portuguese debt two notches. S&P also cut rating for Spanish bonds to AA from AAA. The next month, a fourth round of austerity measures was announced by Greece, which led to more protests. Because of further deficit reductions by Greece in the succeeding months,

the IMF approved the second installment of Greece’s bailout package worth €2.57 billion. Soon, the contagion spread to Ireland which got an €85 billion rescue package from IMF in November 2010 and to Portugal which received a €78 billion bailout in May 2011. Since January 2011, Fitch cut Greek debt to junk status, following a similar move by S&P and Moody’s. By April, Papandreou unveiled privatisations to raise €50 billion by 2015. In June, the German and French governments agreed to a voluntary Greece bondholder role by shouldering a substantial share of a Greek rescue. Many thought a solution was underway, but the crisis took a turn for the worse when Papandreou announced he would submit a new European debt deal to a national referendum. Following the negative impact of such a decision on the markets, Papandreou backtracked and agreed to step down from office. In the same month, Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi also resigned after budget reforms were passed. However, unlike the previous crisis, this one has a deadline – December 11, 2011 to be exact – or the euro may be abolished or the European Union (EU) disintegrated, EU Economic and Monetary Affairs Commissioner Olli Rehn warned over the failure of politicians to resolve the sovereign debt crisis. The euro would turn 10 years by January 1, 2012 with 14 billion euro banknotes currently in circulation, but people are now questioning how long the currency last? Rehn warned that with a 10.3 per cent unemployment rate equivalent to 16.3 jobless EU residents, the unchecked debt and banking crisis would further push Europe into a deeper financial rut and drag the rest of the world. Ahead of the deadline, French President Nicolas Sarkozy and German Chancellor Angela Merkel are expected to spell their vision for Europe and how they could bring back confidence among investors by refounding Europe. On December 8 and 9, the EU leaders will hold a summit expected to lead to crafting of extremely forceful action to stabilise markets as well as possible changes to the EU treaty. Prior to the summit, the European Central Bank is expected to cut interest rates by another 1 per cent. Despite the desperate efforts by EU leaders, the Organisation for Economic Development and Cooperation (OECD) forecast a negative growth rate for the region for the first six months of 2012 due to the debt crisis and could possibly lead to a double-dip recession. The OECD also warned Britain to slow down its public spending cuts if the euro crisis would not be solved soon.

The OECD pushed for decisive policies to be put in place to prevent the sovereign debt crisis from spreading since it remains the key risk to the world economy, according to the organisation’s Economic Outlook released on November 28, 2011. In particular, the OECD sought a substantial hike in the capacity of the European Financial Stability Fund and a greater ability to call on the European Central Bank’s balance sheet in a bid to avoid disorderly defaults, a sharp credit contraction, systemic bank failures and excessive fiscal tightening. While the measures, if implemented, could result in OECD nations registering a growth rate of 1.9 per cent in 2011, 1.6 per cent in 2012 and 2.3 per cent in 2013, unemployment would remain high for an extended period and the jobless rate hover at 8 per cent through the next 24 months. Outside the EU, U.S. President Barack Obama told European Council President Herman Van Rompuy, European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso and EU High Representative Catherine Ashton that he is confident that EU leaders have the capacity to resolve their debt crisis but that would require a political will to find the effective solution. Obama stressed that Europe is an important trading partner for the United States and Washington will continue to work in a constructive manner to attempt a solution to the issue. The leaders assured Obama that they will push for closer economic integration of the 17 members of the eurozone. They reiterated the call for uniform, binding controls over government spending in the eurozone and said a new eurozone economic plan will be presented to the EU Summit. ■

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2011 Year in Review

December 2011 – Monthly Issue • UK & Europe Edition

Filipina Beauties that turned heads in 2011 Lorela U. Sandoval

011 has been an earthshaking, exciting year for the Philippines, after the country’s representatives in a few beauty pageants beamed with so much pride upon bringing home their winning crowns. The pageants were almost always a close fight for these Pinay beauties.

In the 60th Miss Universe pageant held in Sau Paolo, Brazil, last September 12, Philippine representative Shamcey Supsup proved that Filipinas have got the beauty and wits that could win a thousand battles, after bagging third runner-up. But the closest fight of all was Gwendoline Ruais, Philippine representative to the 61st Miss World pageant last November 6 at Earls Court in London, who took

home the first runner-up title and crown. She is the second Filipina to take home the said title, after Evangeline Pascual’s similar finish in 1973. And just recently, Philippine representative to Miss Earth 2011, Ms. Athena Imperial, grabbed the Miss Water 2011 title last December 3. The Philippines played host to said pageant held at the University of the Philippines Theater. ■

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Steve Jobs: Once a fluke, forever a game-changer Lorela U. Sandoval

teve Jobs was previously this: adopted, dropout, fluke and undergraduate. Later he became this: game-changer, entrepreneur, CEO and multi-millionaire. But the man behind ambitious innovations in technology—Apple II, MAC, iPod, iTunes, iPhone, iPad and animation with Pixar— found out in late 2003 that he has pancreatic cancer. He opted for a special diet, rather than a

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surgery, believing that would cure him and the tumor said to be not of the deadly type. Nevertheless, he later decided to take surgery in August 2004. He battled against the disease for eight years, until

it finally beat him on October 5, 2011. He was born on February 24, 1995, in San Francisco, California. Famous Words: “Your time is limited, so don’t waste it living someone else’s life. Don’t be trapped by dogma – which is living with the results of other people’s thinking. Don’t let the noise of others’ opinions drown out your inner voice. And most important, have the courage to follow your heart and intuition. They somehow already know what you truly want to become. Everything else is secondary.” – Steve Jobs ■

Prince William and Kate Tied the Royal Knot Lorela U. Sandoval

fter several years of a romantic relationship, Prince William and Kate Middleton tied the royal knot on April 29, 2011 at Westminster Abbey.

Courtship till Engagement The couple met in 2001 at the University of St. Andrews in Fife, Scotland. They had a short break-up in 2007, but reconciled later that same year. It was on November 16, 2010, that Prince William announced the engagement at Clarence House.

The Royal Wedding Day On their wedding day, the Queen gave the official titles The Earl and Lady of Strathearn and The Baron and Countess of Carrickfergus.

But they are now known as the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge. The stunning royal dress of Kate, designed by Sarah Burton, was an ivory gown and white satin gazar, with its skirt resembling “an opening flower” and its lace design signifying the four floral emblems of the UK: rose, daffodil, thistle and shamrock. The married royal couple showed up on the balcony of Buckingham Palace to greet the crowd, where they also shared their first public kiss. Around 1,900 guests from the royalty and celebrity circuits attended the royal wedding.

Domestic Bliss They have settled in Anglesey, Northern Wales, close to a military base, while Prince William continues to serve in the Royal Air Force as a search and rescue pilot. ■

“Come Visit My Philippines” Campaign—ManilaShopper.com Lorela U. Sandoval

I visitph.net

PPUR made it to New 7 Wonders of Nature Lorela U. Sandoval

fter what was a tough fight among 28 finalists all over the world, the Puerto Princesa Underground River

in the Philippines made it to the “provisional New7Wonders of Nature,” according to the official website of N7W. N7W headquarters in Zurich made public the initial results of the first count of votes on November 11, 2011, and the process of confirmation has been said to be

underway. Each confirmed winner shall host an official inauguration, while the official New7Wonders of Nature plaque shall be presented to the winner. Other provisional winners include Amazon, Halong Bay, Iguazu Falls, Jeju Island, Komodo, and Table Mountain. ■

’m taking part in support of “Come Visit My Philippines” Campaign, a Facebook Page / Group formed September 25, 2011 by fashion model cum film producer Blessie Badilla and photographer Alex Baguio to get the attention of Filipinos around the world and encourage a friend to visit the Philippines in order to boost tourism. Their inspiration came from Tourism Secretary Ramon Jimenez Jr’s statement “Believe in the beauty of your country…..you deserve a visit from the world!” The group has around 27,000 member-users all over the world since it’s started in September. It is open to everyone who wants to see and share photos on the Beauty of the Philippines.

Let’s help promote the Philippines 7,100 islands, sumptuous Filipino food, the Filipinos’ hospitality and friendliness and of course, the Philippines best shopping destinations. I will be posting photos to showcase the Beauty of the Philippines. In this way, we could reach a multitude of people. So c’mon, let’s do our share and Come Visit My Philippines! ■

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August Rush: Dissecting the Riots in London Lorela U. Sandoval

he summer in London that was August 2011 had been indeed one hot month marred by riots, protests and violence in London and spreading across England. And so far, the riots were considered the hottest violence-related story since the Broadwater Farm incidents in 1985. What seemed to spark the anger was a report about a police officer shooting and killing 29-year-old Mark Duggan on August 4, 2011 described as an attempt to arrest him on the Ferry Lane bridge next to Tottenham Hale Station. The arrest, according to the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC), was part of the Operation Trident that investigates gun-related crimes in the black community. On August 6, lunchtime, the police called for a meeting among councillors, local community leaders and members of police advisory groups. The police received warnings, during the meeting, that unless they address the concerns of local communities regarding Duggan’s death, a possible riot similar to the Broadwater Farm in 1985 might occur. Seven hours later, Duggan’s relatives and friends organized what was initially a peaceful protest from Broadwater Farm to Tottenham Police Station, to demand justice, shortly turned into a riot. Around 200 people insisted on having a senior local police officer come out

to talk to them, but got dissatisfied with the seniority of the police officers only present at the time. When dusk came, according to reports, a younger, more aggressive crowd, with some carrying weapons, arrived at the scene. Armed and prompted by an allegation that the police attacked a 16-year-old girl, further violence occurred. From that day till August 10, widespread violence, riots, looting and arson happened in several boroughs and districts in London and later in some cities and towns in England. Many looters completely exposed themselves, not wearing masks and even posting pictures of the activities on social networking sites. Severe violence, however, happened in Bristol and in the Midlands and Northwest cities. Incidences of “copycat criminal activity,” according to BBC News London, also flew around London. On August 11, the disturbances recalled for a Parliament among government and opposition leaders, including British Prime Minister David Cameron, who were mostly on holidays when violence broke out. Then on August 13, after accusations and speculations of Duggan open firing with the police, the IPCC confessed that the slain Duggan never opened fire, further explaining that the bullet found stuck in the radio of a police officer was believed to be the bullet that passed through the victim’s body. Between August 10 to 15, the police arrested about 3,000-4,000 rioters, charging over 1,000 of them. As a result of the violence, recorded

were five deaths, 16 injuries and approximately £200 - £500 million worth of damages to property. Not to forget that the local economic activity was largely affected.

Experts Analyses The police got the blame for the initial riot, following criticisms of their inappropriate, ineffective reaction to violent protests, thereby generating several debates and analyses among political, social and academic experts. According to The Guardian, an independent report revealed that the violence could have been prevented by the police force if their response was “more robust” in London. And it could happen again, if and when the local authorities don’t have urgent actions, according to the said report of the Riots Communities and Victims panel. Their report also confirmed that Duggan’s death triggered the riot in Tottenham, because police failed to effectively oppose rumors surrounding his death and the supposedly “exchange of fire” erroneously reported and spread in social media, and then retracted later on. It also identified a so-called “fault line” that is between the local police and the IPCC. But the riots elsewhere were a result of public perception that the police could not handle the situation, hence the streets were open for taking, report said. Worse, that perception “went viral.” And the massive riots can’t be attributed to a single cause, the interim report further said in The Guardian. It had

its “own DNA,” the panel assessed. Among these were “the need for new trainers to a desire to attack society,” discontent among young black and Asian men brought about by “stop and search” and feelings of hopelessness among other rioters. The panel stressed that these riots were not race-related, but more likely associated to deprivation, and that most of the convicted were not even members of any gang, but rather coming from the poorly educated population. In fact, another analysis by the Ministry of Justice (MoJ) and Home Office (HO) also revealed that over two thirds of the young people arrested have special educational needs, and that one third were excluded in school. Reported statistics from these analyses showed that 90% were male, 74% were aged 24 and under, 46% were blacks, 42% whites and 7% Asians. And that 70% of the arrested participants live in the 30% of the most deprived areas. Around 13% or 417 arrested individuals alone were gang members. Nevertheless, the MoJ and HO analysis suggested that a few incidents can be gang-related, such as the looting of high-value items in Manchester and a number of serious activities like the shooting in Birmingham. But other than that, the riots, they said, were mostly related to poor educational and socio-economic background of the people arrested. Meanwhile, the panel report also identified five categories of the rioters: organized criminals

from another area eyeing at branded goods, violent criminals with arson case and violent-attack case on police, late-night shoppers who intend to loot, opportunists drawn by curiosity and “a sense of excitement,” and mere spectators. That said, rioters targeted 2,584 shops and commercial premises. The panel report further said that three months after the riots, some small business “have yet to receive a penny in compensation for the losses,” and assessed that by March 2012, nine of the 10 largest claims will remain unprocessed and hardly half of the smallest claims will already be paid. The panel’s final report will be published in March, according to The Guardian report.

Clean-up drives Owners of commercials stores looked pressed but definitely are no longer crushed, thanks to around 500 people who volunteered and broomed their way into the battered areas of London, Liverpool and Birmingham to clean up the massive mess of past rioters. Interestingly, the social media Twitter, used to organize the riots and blamed to have aggravated the mis-information, was again used as a medium – but this time to spread good gossip of clean-up drives, which brought about emotional moments to owners of damaged businesses. Although “broken Britain” is far from being over yet, the swarm of brooms wiping the debris of violence is, without a doubt, a big step to recovery. ■

Death of Osama bin Laden Vittorio Hernandez

errorist Osama bin Laden rose to global notoriety when he assumed responsible for the 9/11 attacks. Prior to 9/11, he was already the 456th person on the FBI Ten Most Wanted Fugitives list because of suspicion that he was behind the bombings of U.S. embassies in East Africa and attacks on the USS Cole in Yemen in 2000 and attacks on New York and Washington after he declared war on America in 1998. A decade after 9/11 which changed the global aviation industry, particularly in security measures, bin Laden made headlines again – this time on the receiving end of an attack. Here’s a brief review of bin Laden’s rise to notoriety in the last 10 years: September 11, 2001 – The

simultaneous attacks on the Pentagon and Twin Towers in the United States, which resulted in the death of 2,983 people. September 11, 2001 – In a statement broadcast by Al Jazeera, bin Laden denied responsibility for the 9/11 attack. December 13, 2001 – A tape recovered by U.S. forces in November 2001 in Jalalabad was broadcast on several news networks that showed bin Laden discussing the attack with Khaled al-Harbi, which indicates foreknowledge of 9/11. October 29, 2004 – Bin Laden admitted he personally directed the 19 hijackers in an 18-minute tape played on Al Jazeera. He even accused then U.S. President George W. Bush of negligence on the hijacking of planes. December 11, 2005 – Letter from Atiyah Abd al-Rahman to Abu Musab al-Zarqawi indicated bin Laden and al Qaeda leaders are in Wazinstan region of Pakistan. May 23, 2006 – Al Jazeera airs

another tape which showed bin Laden announcing he was in charge of the 19 hijackers. September 7, 2006 – Tape aired showed bin Laden with Ramzi bin al-Shibh as two other 9/11 hijackers make preparations for the attacks. July 13, 2007 – U.S. government doubles $25 million reward for information leading to capture of death of bin Laden to $50 million. August 14 to 16, 2007 – U.S. and Afghanistan forces raid mountain caves in Tora Bora, but failed to find bin Laden or Ayman al-Zawhiri. October 7, 2008 – Then presidential candidate Barack Obama promises to kill bin Laden and crush al Qaeda. March 2009 – Hunt for bin Laden centers in Chitral District, Pakistan. December 2009 – U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates admitted officials do not have reliable information on bin Laden’s location for years. Taliban detainee in Pakistan claims bin Laden was in Pakistan in 2009.

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Osama bin Laden

October 18, 2010 – Unnamed NATO official suggested bin Laden was alive and living in Pakistan. April 16, 2011 – Leaked Al Jazeera report claimed bin Laden was captured by U.S. forces in Afghanistan. April 2011 – Obama orders covert operation to kill or capture bin Laden. May 1, 2011 – Obama

announced that the U.S. Navy Seals killed bin Laden in Abbottabad, Pakistan. DNA tests confirmed the death of bin Laden at the age of 54. The terrorist was buried at sea after a Muslim funeral on board an aircraft carrier. Obama described bin Laden’s death as the most significant achievement to the U.S. efforts to defeat al Qaeda. ■

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End of an era Vittorio Hernandez

he year 2011 is considered a landmark year insofar as political developments in the Middle East and North Africa is concerned. After all, it is the year that dictators fell from power and changes took place in the region. The revolutionary wave of demonstrations and protests occurring in the Arab world that began on Saturday, 18 December 2010 called the Arab Spring otherwise known as the Arab Awakening (Wikipedia). However, the political changes are not yet complete because one more dictator is standing; but experts believe that the Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh will soon go the way that that rulers of Tunisia, Egypt and Libya did. The year started with Tunisian President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali ending his 23 years of ruling the country. He and his family fled Tunisia for Saudi Arabia, while Prime Minister Mohamed Ghannouchi took over as interim president. Ben Ali’s ouster was preceded by mass street demonstrations, which eventually inspired other north African and Middle Eastern nations to have their own uprising, and eventually became known as the Arab Spring. Then it was followed by the popular uprising in Egypt, which saw Muhammad Hosni Sayyid Mubarak end his 30-year reign which started in 1981. Mubarak was first appointed

vice president in 1975 and became president in 1981 after then President Anwar Sadat was assassinated. Prior to his political career, Mubarak was a military officer who served in the Egyptian Air Force. While his three-decade reign is considered one of the longest in Egypt’s modern political history, his depose could be considered one of the shortest since he was kicked out of office after just 18 days of demonstrations. In February 2011, Mubarak stepped down from power and transferred authority to the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces. Like many leaders who were forced from hand over power, Mubarak’s life took a 180 degree turn as he faces prosecution for wrong decisions he made in his three-decade rule such as corruption. He was first placed under house arrest, and then detained for 15 days to undergo questioning over corruption and abuse of power while he led Egypt and was found guilty of damaging the national economy. A few months later, Mubarak was diagnosed to have stomach cancer, underwent surgery in Germany and slipped into coma. While the political turmoil in Egypt ended swiftly, neighbouring nation Libya took almost the whole year of 2011 before the country put an end to dictator Muammar Muhammad Abu Minyar Gaddafi’s 42-year iron rule. Like Mubarak, Gaddafi was a military officer before he became national leader. On the same month that Mubarak was kicked off power, Libyans were inspired by what the Egyptians did

2011 Year in Review and attempted to follow their lead in ending a dictatorship. However, it took Libyans nine months before they were able to end Gaddafi’s iron rule when he was killed after being on the run for several months. The uprising in Libya started with the takeover by rebels of Benghazi, which eventually led to the capture of other Libyan cities until two cities remained as Gaddafi stronghold – Sirte and Tripoli. Sirte is the birthplace of Gaddafi, while Tripoli is the nation’s capital city. However, unlike Egypt which ousted Mubarak without international help, Libya had the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) to thank for ending more than four decades of dictatorial rule. The NATO air strikes, led by Britain and France, weakened Gaddafi’s power base, and made him move from one place to another to evade arrest. Since the NATO forces could not hit medical institutions, reports said that Gaddafi transferred from one Libyan hospital to another to avoid the NATO strikes. To further help the rebels, nations which froze Libya’s assets released part of the funds to the National Transitional Council (NTC) to hasten the inevitable conclusion of the prolonged political strife in the north African country. The fall of Tripoli, Gaddafi’s seat of power, signaled his near end as the dictator became a fugitive in his own country. Weeks after the rebels destroyed his palace, Gaddafi was captured on October 20, 2011 in Sirte, but was killed and buried after a few days in an unmarked grave. Barely a month after Gaddafi’s capture and death, his eldest son, Saif al-Islam Gaddafi, was captured in northern Libya as he attempted to cross to neighbouring Niger.

December 2011 – Monthly Issue • UK & Europe Edition All eyes are now on another Middle Eastern country, Yemen, which like Libya has a prolonged political strife. Saleh, in fact, was hit a few months ago by a strike on his residence and he had to flee to Saudi Arabia to get medical treatment. However, Saleh made a comeback with a vengeance. Upon his return, the security forces bombarded several Yemeni towns known for being rebel strongholds although the government masked the raids as attempts to weed out gangs. Another indicator that Saleh’s end may soon be near is the defection of 400 members of Yemen’s military on the third week of November 2011 because they could no longer stomach their task of attacking unarmed protesters. Similar to the nightmarish end that happened to Mubarak and Gaddafi, one soldier indicated of a similar end for Saleh. The soldier told CNN that “the butcher must stand trial.” Butcher is a weak term for Saleh who has been accused of causing the death of thousands of protesters and arrest of several more thousands of Yemenis who have been inspired by the courage of the Egyptians and Libyans in standing up against a despot and winning the war, even if the battle may have caused hundreds of lives. Saleh actually had promised, as of November 15, 2011, to step down from the presidency within 90 days of an agreement with the regional Gulf Cooperation Council. Like Mubarak and Gaddafi, Saleh had clung on to power for a long period – 33 years to be exact. In fact, he is the long-serving president of Yemen. Another parallel in the lives of the three rulers are their military careers before ascending to political power.

Saleh reached the rank of second lieutenant before he made the shift from a military career to a political one when he was appointed military governor of Taizz in 1977. A year after his appointment, he was elected president. An indicator of the Saleh’s iron rule was that a month after his election as president, he ordered the execution of 30 officers who allegedly conspired against his rule. Another red flag is that he was a long-time ally of another terror of the Middle East, Saddam Hussein of Iraq, who was hanged for his crimes against humanity. History apparently has repeated itself in the lives of these Middle Eastern and north African despots who have not learned the lessons of their colleagues. That despite their very tight hold on power, the day will come when they have to give it up and face the consequences of their acts. Definitely, Saleh’s days are counted. In a surprise twist, Saleh agreed on November 23, 2011 to step down in exchange for immunity from prosecution. The deal was arranged by the Gulf Cooperation Council, Saudi Arabia King Abdullah and the U.S. Saleh will transfer power within 30 days to his vice president, Abed Rabbo Mansour Hadi and then there would be an early presidential election within 90 days. A day earlier, Moncef Marzouki, a veteran human rights activist, was selected to be Tunisia’s new interim president for one year while a new constitution is being drafted. Tunisia held an election on October 23 with the Ennahda, an Islamist Party, clinching 89 of 217 seats in the new assembly. It was followed by the Congress for the Republic – which Marzouki heads – which got 29 seats. ■

Extreme weather disturbances around the globe, warns experts Lorela U. Sandoval

xpect heavier rain falls, more storms and drought worldwide in the next decades, and worst, threats of nature sweeping off economies and destroying lives, warned the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) on their 2-year compiled special report entitled “Managing the Risks of Extreme Events and Disasters to Advance Climate Change Adaptation,” the first-ever comprehensive assessment on the subject. And blame all this on climate change. The IPCC report defines climate change as this: “A change in the state of the climate that can be identified (eg. by using statistical tests) by changes in the mean and/or the variability of its properties and that persists for an extended period, typically decades or longer. Climate change may be due to natural internal processes or external forcings, or to persistent anthropogenic changes in the composition of the atmosphere or in land use.” But economic losses and fatality rates are more likely to be experienced in developing countries than developed ones, report further said. Defining factors on such finding are their geography, less preparation for extreme

weather conditions and less economic resilience. But while the evidence on extreme weather changes is “clear and solid,” according to IPCC co-chair Christ Field in a report by The Guardian, possibly huge impacts can be prevented if action is taken into consideration. The IPCC report should stimulate governments to act on the problem, Connie Hedegaard, Climate Chief of Europe, echoed the same sentiment. She further recalled an International Energy Agency finding saying the world only has five years more to go to avoid appalling global warming, and that is through “emissions-cutting measures.” And truth be told, several countries worldwide, in fact, experienced what might be among the most notorious weather disturbances caused by climate change between 2010 to 2011. Below, we’ve gathered a short list.

Philippines 18 out of 25 possible storms predictedbythePhilippineAtmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration already entered the country this year. May 2011 – Storm Bebeng targeted the Bicol Region, and left the country with 35 deaths, P1.37 billion worth of agricultural losses and 100,000 displaced people. Almost two weeks later, storm

Chedeng followed, destroying over P10 million worth of properties in about 24 hours. August 2011 – Storm Mina bailed out with a hefty damage close to P1 billion. Storm Juaning left 600,000 people homeless and P2.8 billion worth of damages. September 2011 – Pedring was a record-breaker storm with damages of about P12.34 billion under his belt, surpassing that of Ondoy’s P10.9 billion. A day after Pedring took off Quiel replaced him, targeting Bulacan and leaving it flooded for days.

United States

January-February 2011 – Blizzards or snowstorms struck the mid-Atlantic and mid-West in January and February, successively. Damages recorded over $4 billion and 38 death tolls. March 2011 – Oklahoma experienced drought and wild fires, leaving 1.7 million acres burned to dust. April-May 2011 – 753 tornadoes hit 16 states, with 364 fatalities recorded. Another one hit the town of Joplin in Missouri, damaging one third of the town and killing at least 116 people. A year’s worth of rain fell around the area in Missouri River at end of May, while the Mississippi River experienced heavy rains and snowmelt from April

till May. Both occurrences causing the levels of these two rivers to rise. A wildfire hit Arizona on May 30 and spreading across some parts of New Mexico, damaging 500 acres of land. The fire got contained only in July 8. July 2011 – Heat wave of over 100 degrees struck across many states, such as Texas, Oklahoma and New Jersey. August 2011 – Hurricane Irene took over the East Coast, with damages estimated between $7 billion and $10 billion. October 2011 – A snowstorm surprised New England during the latter part of October, resulting to 3 million without power, and with freezing temperatures from Pennsylvania all the way to New Hampshire. November 2011 – Oklahoma hit by a 5.6 earthquake and a tornado at the same time.

leading to drink supply shortage, with a death toll of over 600 people.

Alaska One of the worst Arctic snowstorms rolled over the western coast of Alaska in November 2011. There were evacuations but no injuries and deaths, so far.

Japan Probably one of the most controversial tragedies in the history of mankind, an 8.9 magnitude earthquake shook approximately 400km northeast of Tokyo on March 11, 2011 followed by a tsunami that reached about 10km inland and rolled across the Pacific region before hitting Hawaii and US West Coast. More than 10,000 deaths recorded.

Australia

Rain and storms hammered across Italy during the last quarter of the year, forcing to evacuate thousands of people and bringing about mudslides. Several deaths recorded as well.

Heavy rains in December 2010 caused unexpected floodwaters in some parts of the country in January 2011, claiming several lives. Roads and power lines were cut off, thereby putting some areas in isolation for at least one week. Around 200,000 people were said to have been affected by the flooding.

Thailand

New Zealand

A flood crisis that started in late July 2011 challenged the tourist destination, interrupting business in Bangkok and

A 6.3 magnitude earthquake rocked Christchurch in February 2011, with over a hundred recorded fatalities. ■

Italy

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Occupy Protests Vittorio Hernandez

espite the difficulties caused on nations and families by the 2008 global financial crisis, one thing that came out of the incident was a public outrage over the greed of companies which led to the Occupy Wall Street movements that spread to different capitals. The slogan of the protesters is “We are the 99%” to highlight the difference between the wealthiest 1% and the remaining American population. The anger of the movement is supported by a Congressional Budget office report that the top 1% income grew by 275% for the past 30 years while their average income was $960,000.

Here’s a rundown of the events that created headlines in 2011: September 17, 2011 – The Canadian activist group Adbusters took over Zuccotti Park in New York City’s Wall Street to protest social and economic inequality, high unemployment, greed and corruption. The protesters picked Zuccotti Park because it was private property. October 6, 2011 – Zuccotti Park owner, Brookfield Office Properties, expressed concern about the unacceptable level of sanitary conditions in the park which had not been cleaned since September 16. October 13, 2011 – New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg and Brookfield announced the park must be vacated for cleaning, but cancelled the scheduled cleaning the next morning. October 15, 2011 – Occupy London protest started when

2011 Year in Review protesters took over the area outside St. Paul’s Cathedral and Finsbury Square. Earlier, the protesters tried to occupy the London Stock Exchange but were stopped by London police. Wikileaks founder, Julian Assange, gave an impromptu speech to protesters. Simultaneous rallies were held in 900 cities, including Auckland, Sydney, Hong Kong, Taipei, Tokyo, Sao Paolo, Paris, Madrid, Berlin, Hamburg, Leipzig, Frankfurt, Zurich and Chicago, Arizona, Tucson and Minneapolis where hundreds of arrests were made. Ocober 16, 2011 – Canon of St. Paul, Reverend Giles Fraser, asked police to leave cathedrals steps. October 17, 2011 – Encampment at St. Paul’s grows to 150 tents, plus makeshift tarpaulin shelter. October 21, 2011 – Dean of St. Paul’s announced the cathedral would be closed until further notice as a result of the Occupy London movement. He asked the protesters to leave.

December 2011 – Monthly Issue • UK & Europe Edition October 26, 2011 – Reverend Graeme Knowles, the Dean of St. Paul’s, decided the cathedral would reopen on October 28 after all health and safety concerns were resolved. October 27, 2011 – Dr. Giles Fraser resigned as Canon Chancellor of St. Paul because of disagreement over the handling of demonstrators. October 28, 2011 – New York Fire Department removed the information area set up which contained laptops and wireless routers, powered by gas generators, because it was considered a fire hazard. Bicycles with electricitygenerating apparatus were used to charges laptops batteries, while a makeshift tent was put up which offered free wi-fi internet to protesters. November 1, 2011 – Reverend Knowles resigned after backlash against the resolution to forcibly evict the Occupy London protesters.

November 15, 2011 – Brookfield orders protesters to vacate Zuccotti Park for cleaning, but they could return minus their sleeping bags, tarps or tents. The park was finally cleaned, but authorities prevented media from covering the clearing operations. November 18, 2011 – London protesters take over unused office complex owned by UBS Bank and named it Bank of Ideas. November 30, 2011 – Police arrest 20 protesters who attempted to occupy a building near Piccadilly Circus, part of 60 Occupy London Stock Exchange protesters who tried to take over Panton House. The battle is considered not yet over. In an official statement, the Occupy Wall Street Media Team said, “You can’t evict an idea whose time has come….. Some politicians may physically remove us from public spaces – our spaces – and, physically, they may succeed. But we are engaged in a battle over ideas.” ■

The Bank that rocked the boat of Banking Lorela U. Sandoval

he global credit crunch in 2007 shook and took down the boats of many strong players in the industry of banking and finance, including the UK’s controversial Northern Rock. Northern Rock (NR), a British bank, is the fifth largest mortgage lender in the UK, according to BBC News London. Aside from mortgages, the bank also handles savings, loans and insurance accounts, among other things. But it has been said to be the first bank in the 150-year history to suffer a bank run, even after getting a loan facility from the Bank of England (BoE). Formed in 1965, it was known previously as the Northern Rock Building Society, resulting from a merger of two North East Building Societies. In a span of 30 years, the NR society expanded as it got hold of 53 smaller buildings. It opted to demutualise and float on the stock exchange, a move they took to expand business easier. But with a critical debate on their demutualization set-up, NR established the Northern Rock Foundation to attend to the issue.

Then the unthinkable happened. July 25, 2007, still signified a positive business for NR, making them as the market leader in the UK. But on August 9, a French bank’s decision to shelve three investments funds exposed to the

problematic US sub-prime market had triggered a credit crunch all over the world. It was then that officials from the Financial Services Authority (FSA) and the Treasury warned BoE governor Mervyn King of the possible impact of such credit concerns on the business of NR.

And so the expected toll of credit crunch came. NR had requested for emergency financial assistance from the BoE on September 13, to which the latter granted. A day after, even with assurance from NR, FSA and the Treasury, hundreds of NR clients panicked and began withdrawing their savings. Jammed phone lines and bank’s website collapse signaled an impending collapse for NR. On September 17, 2007 NR’s shares fell by 40%. But Chancellor Alistair Darling, in an attempt to cut the public panic, had agreed to guarantee all deposits under NR, and subsequently the panicky clients slowly disappeared from the branches. By September 25, NR made known that shareholders’ dividends will be cancelled, to save bank from cost amounting to £59m. Between October and December 2007, there had been attempts and opposing proposals from various organizations, such as the Virgin Group, RAB Capital and Olivant Group, to save NR. On January 11, 2008, NR sold 2% of its mortgage assets amounting to £2.2bn to JP Morgan, a US investment bank, in order to pay back some of the

en.wikipedia.org

Bank of England

emergency loans it had acquired from BoE. Chancellor Darling then proclaimed a plan to switch the NR’s loan from BoE into bonds prior to being sold to investors. With government guaranteeing the bonds, it hoped to speed up a private sale of NR. News reported that NR shares rose by about 42%. On February 17, 2008 Chancellor Darling announced NR will be nationalised, saying that neither proposals from Virgin group and in-house management failed to present enough value to taxpayer. Suspension of NR shares occurred a day after. NR announced on March 19 that it will minimize its residential mortgage lending by half, and slice around 2,000 jobs by 2011, which staff unions strongly contested. Then it published on March 31 the 2007 results of a pre-tax, significant loss amounting to £167.6m.

May 8, 2008 saw the launching of a court challenge against NR over payments shareholders are due to receive. A request for legal review into the terms of nationalization of NR was also submitted by the UK Shareholders Association (UKSA), backed by around 7,000 shareholders. NR said on July 30, 2008 that, as part of its restructuring plans, around 1,300 staff will become redundant, but still hoped to limit it to 800 staff with 500 staff voluntarily leaving. Therefore, it expected only about 4,000 staff remaining in the company. On August 5, 2008 NR announced that it had experienced losses that were bigger than they expected, for the first six months of the year, and much of it coming from the charges it took to cover up the losses from struggling mortgage borrowers. After being nationalised in February, the UK

government promised to aid NR with £3bn assistance. On March 2009, a National Audit Office report disclosed the failure on the part of the Treasury to properly review the overall plan after NR’s nationalisation. NR again made it known on August 4 of a pre-tax loss of about £724.2million from January to June. It also informed that unemployment could rise further. From April 13 to July 27, 2009 the FSA imposed different fines on NR’s top officials: £504,000 on David Baker, former deputy chief executive; £140,000 on Richard Barclay, former managing credit director; £320,000 on David Jones, former finance chief. FSA also banned them from “working in any regulated activity” under different reasons. But on June 15, Chancellor George Osborne finally proclaimed that NR will be sold to the private sector. NR continues to report huge losses until August 3, but maintained its position of a possible profit by 2012. Last November 17, 2011 however, Virgin money got the bid of NR for at least £747million, according to the Treasury’s announcement. By January 2012, the sale is expected to be sealed. Further, the government announced that, so far, there are no plans to sell the Northern Rock (Asset Management), and no more job losses aside from those earlier announced. Until then, the deal is pending regulatory and approval of EU merger. ■

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December 2011 – Monthly Issue • UK & Europe Edition

The Battle of the Billboards Vittorio Hernandez

uch has changed along the 24-kilometer long Epifanio de los Santos Avenue, or more commonly known as EDSA, in the past two decades. Aside from the construction of several vehicular flyovers and interchanges and the MRT line 2 on the premier road in Metro Manila, the historic highway (which served as the launching pads of the EDSA 1 and 2 People Power Revolutions) has become not only a political battleground, but also a battleground for the advertising industry in the Philippines. Giant advertising billboards now mark the highway which serves as the main travel route of residents of the national capital region to the country’s business districts in Makati, Ortigas and Bonifacio Global City. The billboards often serve as a pleasant distraction to commuters and motorists who have to endure the long drive or trip from Monumento in Caloocan City all the way to the Mall of Asia in Paranaque or Alabang in Muntinlupa, which could last up to four hours from end to end of the northern and southern parts of Metro Manila. Although people generally loathe advertisements, particularly if it intrudes in the middle of their watching favourite television shows, the gigantic billboards is not seen in the same light as the obtrusive

and irritating TV ads because of the larger-than-life images the tarpaulins showcase, often in erotic poses. Some of the ads, in fact, have become controversial because of the very sexy models on it wearing the flimsiest of underwear. Among these are the controversial ads of leading Philippine underwear company Bench at the northbound Guadalupe Bridge showing members of the Pinoy Volcanoes, the Philippine Rugby United Team, in their skimpy skivvies. It was the same spot where actor Dingdong Dante’s almost nude billboard and actress Lovi Poe’s underwear ads were featured a few years ago. Another controversial billboard beside the Alphaland mall in Magallanes, Makati was that of actor Jake Cuenca, which featured him in a floral brief. Cuenca’s Lost in Summer Bench ads invited controversy in early 2010 when several groups, including Attorney Romeo Makalintal – a prominent election lawyer and then President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s legal counsel – complained that the provocative underwear ads were offensive and posed a danger to motorists lives because the tarpaulin ads distracted drivers due to the enticing product endorsers. Even for the most blaise of Metro Manila commuter who may be too busy tinkering with his mobile phone or laptop while traveling to and from the office or vice-versa, the other danger posed by the gargantuan billboards are hazards to life of travelers.

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The perils are not imaginary fears of government regulators, but real. It could be recalled that when storm Milenyo battered the Philippines in 2005, the giant billboard – one of the 30 that were felled by the storm – in the middle of the Magallanes Interchange was toppled by the winds and crashed on top of a Cubao-bound bus. The accident killed the bus driver, hurt several passengers and tied up traffic in that area for hours. It was for this reason that the Metro Manila Development Authority and other regulatory bodies mandated the billboard owners to fold their huge tarpaulin ads before the arrival of a weather disturbance to prevent similar accidents from occurring again. After Milenyo, the government actually attempted to ban billboards from EDSA and other major thoroughfare. A proof of this is the partially dismantled billboard frame on the South Superhighway area in the Magallanes Interchange which featured at the time that Milenyo battered the country the ad of matinee idol Piolo Pascual. However, the billboard owners battled it out in the courts with the Philippine government, which explains why that billboard frame is still standing and why more giant billboards are mushrooming all over the metropolis. Talk in the media and advertising industry is that the bulk of advertising revenues are being cornered by the owners of the giant billboards, to the detriment of the print and broadcast media whose shares of the advertising pie has shrunk over the years. Outdoor advertising has been a part of the metro scene from the 1960s. In 1976, then Metro Manila Governor Imelda Marcos banned

the movie billboards as part of the governor’s beautification campaign then. However, from the 1980s until the early 1990s, the most common type of outdoor advertising that lined the country’s major intersections such as Crossing and Cubao along EDSA were movie billboards done by hand artists. Along with the decline of the Filipino movie industry and the rise of computer technology, the product endorsements took over and replaced movie ads as the main feature of the country’s leading highways. Considered the most prime advertising tarpaulin billboard advertising spot in the country is the Guadalupe bridge, particularly the one beside the MRT station on the south-bound lane of EDSA. The billboard spot there is considered the mother of all billboards because of its sheer size. Among the reasons why outdoor advertising continued to grow by leap and bounds is that bored commuters and motorists have no choice except to notice the billboards, giving the brands that place outdoor ads such as Bench, Belo Medical Clinic, Calayan Clinic, Folded n Hung, Kamiseta and others maximum exposure to consumers. According to the Outdoor Advertising Association of the Philippines, which was established in 1964, outdoor tarpaulin ads provide repeated exposure since the place they are placed are not only prominent but roads that employees and students pass at least 10 times a week going to and from their homes and offices or schools. At least 300,000 vehicles pass EDSA daily, not to count several hundred MRT 2 riders every day. According to the Outdoor

asiancorrespondent.com

Advertising Association of America, a newspaper ad is only good for a day and TV commercials last only 30 seconds. In contrast, billboards are present 24x7 that even buses in the NCR have joined the industry and include the buses’ sides as advertising spots. At first glance, the cost may seem enormous but is worth it. The OAAA estimated that a billboard ad cost ranges from $700 to $2,500 a month, which would cost an advertiser up to $25,000 a month for 10 months – which is the same rate for a full-page ad in a major U.S. daily. Whether Pinoys like it or not, the billboards will likely remain on EDSA and other major streets of Metro Manila and even provincial highways such as the Baguio-bound Northern Luzon Expressway and the Batangas-bound Southern Luzon Expressway because outdoor advertising has proven to be the most potent force of advertising in the country now. But of late, it seemed the government had gained an upperhand in the battle. The Guadalupe “mother of all billboards” has gone down, while on the opposite side, the Philippine Volcanoes’ ad was replaced with another Bench ad featuring just words and logos, no sexy models in underwear. The Volcanoes’ ad, and even Azkal Aly Borromeo’s underwear ad a few metres away, were taken down upon the request of Valenzuela Mayor Sherwin Gatchalian, who coursed the request through Mandaluyong Mayor Benhur Abalos. The removal of the ads created a stir and was a favourite topic among blogs and different Philippine websites commenting on the pros and cons of billboard advertising. ■

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Local News

December 2011 – Monthly Issue • UK & Europe Edition

2011 Marks the 20th Year Anniversary of KAMPI Elvie Caparos

his year marks the 20th year anniversary of KAMPI (KApisanan ng mga Manlalarong Pilipino sa Inglatera) SAFE (Sports Association of Filipinos in England). KAMPI was formed in 1991 by a group of Filipinos whose aim was to unite Pinoys under one roof with the love of their national sport – basketball. This years Summer League was held at the Royal Docks Community School, Prince Regent Lane, Custom House, East London which commenced on July 4 until October 16, 2011 with 10 teams participating. First time Chairman, Vio Barco, with his strong communication skills and his likeable character helped him deliver the vision to maintain the current success of KAMPI.

This year’s winners Controllers, were awarded the Championship after defeating three consecutive year winners Sunics. Who followed on from previous three-time winners, Epsom (this was only halted by Sunics from making it their fourth consecutive win). The 2011 finals was testament to the season with all teams showing great sportsmanship and comradery. KAMPI would not have their continued success if not for the loyal support of the spectators, sponsors and teams. Alongside the successful Summer League, KAMPI took to Milan a select All-Star Team winning the Milan Tournament which topped off another fantastic season. With the continued success of KAMPI’s Basketball League, committee members are now looking to venture onto other sporting events such as Volleyball for girls. ■

TFC’s “A Mother’s Story” continues remarkable global run with successful premieres in Europe Film’s lead Pokwang London, Milan events

graces

EDWOOD CITY, CA, November 28, 2011 – Following its well-attended premieres and theatrical screenings in the U.S. and Canada, TFC’s first film venture, A Mother’s Story, proceeds to impact audiences wherever it goes, most recently of which was in Europe. Headlined by Pokwang, one the country’s leading comedy sensations in her first dramatic role, A Mother’s Story had its premiere showing in Europe on November 26 at Prince Charles Cinema in London and on November 27 at Cinema Arcobaleno in Milan which Pokwang personally graced. The enthusiastic reception that the movie and its lead star have received heartened TFC which bravely forayed into film production as one of its entertainment offerings to overseas Filipinos. Filipino movie enthusiasts around the world are getting their chance to witness Pokwang’s transformation from a comic host to a dramatic actress in A Mother’s Story. But with the film being about an overseas Filipina, the screenings are taking place internationally this year before it is shown to local audiences in the Philippines in 2012.

A Mother’s Story gives life to the story of Medy, played by Pokwang, a make-up artist who dares to make a life in the United States as an illegal immigrant in exchange for saving the life of her infant daughter. The film focuses on the everyday sacrifices that millions of Filipino parents make as they leave their homes to find jobs overseas. “For TFC’s initial offering, we dedicate A Mother’s Story to all the Filipino parents and children who continue to live and love apart,” explained John-D J. Lazatin, the director of A Mother’s Story. Lazatin embarked on the journey of helming TFC’s very first production as a way to honor his own mother. “She was a widow who also came to America and sought the American Dream to secure the future of her kids,” shared Lazatin as he added that the film, “is very personal to me, having lost my mother during the post-production stages of the movie.” Beyond the universal themes of a parent’s love and sacrifice, A Mother’s Story also showcases both the travails and triumphs of illegal immigrant Filipinos. Juxtaposed with their humiliation as they suffer from physical and emotional abuse from employers as well as the betrayal they experience from fellow kababayans are the

kindness of strangers and the value of treating every human being with decency. In returning to the Philippines, Medy is also forced to deal with the resentment of her oldest son

King, who felt that his mother abandoned him seven years ago, while her seven-year old daughter Queenie treats her with innocent wonder. TFC chose host and

comedienne Pokwang to play Medy because her own personal life epitomizes the struggles of an overseas Filipino worker (OFW). “She does not just know it, she has lived it. She has a full grasp of what sacrifice means to the overseas Pinoy,” Lazatin pointed out. Lazatin praised Pokwang for her “authentic” portrayal of Medy. “Her performance in the film is a reflection of an honest and pure heart. Watching her, what is left is a thin layer between the reel Medy and the real Pokwang,” Lazatin further shared. Joining Pokwang are Nonie Buencamino, Daria Ramirez, Rayver Cruz, Ana Capri, Beth Tamayo and child sensation Xyriel Manabat. Screenplay is by Senedy Que, who also wrote the award-winning film, “In My Life”. “As overseas Filipinos ourselves, we at TFC completely believe that we shouldn’t just tell stories of Filipinos that come from the homeland through TV programs and movies, but also share the narratives of those who live outside of it,” said Edgardo Garcia, managing director of TFC Europe. “The journey of the overseas Filipino is rich with laughter and tears, joy and pain which make for compelling stories that need to be told to the whole world. We are proud to have done that with A Mother’s Story.” ■

December 2011 – Monthly Issue • UK & Europe Edition

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Impressions on the Batangas Association UK Gen. Cris L. Maralit (Retired)

or a Batangueno from the other side of the Atlantic, the recent 18th Anniversary Ball of the Batangas Association of the United Kingdom (BAUK) held on Saturday, 15th October 2011 was a showcase of collaborative effort, unity and pride in its ethnic heritage that is very uncommon among the Filipino associations abroad. If the impressive turn-out at the affair should be the primary gauge, the Batangas Association has really stamped its its indelible mark in the Filipino community in Great Britain. My wife Mayet and I had the good fortune, through the auspices and kindness of our gracious hosts Kevin and Tita Leus-McCarthy (Tita and Mayet are first cousins) of attending the affair at the

London Marriott Hotel, Mayfair in downtown London. We flew in from Baltimore, Maryland for a short vacation and, at the same time, to attend the BAUK Anniversary Ball through Tita’s invitation. Little did we know that many unexpected, but pleasant surprises would await us in that short stay in London. We were suddenly in the midst of a large Batangueno community whose affinity to its ethnic roots remains strong as evident in their warmth and obviously, their flair for the unique Batangueno dialect. Each kababayan that we met at the party had his / her own story to tell and which we never got tired listening to. Notwithstanding the success and the good life that most of them have had achieved, one common denominator stood out – pride in being a Batangueno. Obviously, the BAUK could not have remained and stood out as the most prominent Filipino

association in the United Kingdom if the members were less proud to be Batanguenos. Lest it be viewed as bias on our part, three kababayans that Mayet and I specifically witnessed to have worked hard to make the affair successful were Tita, Cora Santos and Gloria Diaz. From the preparation and constant revision of table and sitting arrangements, guests list and raffle, they continuously worked late into the night to make sure that every mundane detail was aptly covered. Even during our sightseeing sorties, Tita’s phone would continuously ring for obvious reason. Cora (a townmate from Alitagtag) and Gloria (from Talisay across Taal Lake) were as equally occupied and busy sorting out the final details of the preparation. At the party, we were seated together with Dr and Mrs Silva,

Mr and Mrs Fred Gomez, and two gentlemen who I was sure were equally proud and happy to see us – Chief of Mission Rey Catapang (with wife Cristy and daughter Anna Katrina) and Pol Manansala (a Kapampangan but a Batangueno in outlook and temperament). Rey is like a brother to me. Although Rey was a few years younger, we grew up in the same barrio in Alitagtag, went to the same public elementary school, and were “kumpadres” many times other. Being one of the basketball-playing Maralit brothers for our barrio’s team, I would at times teach Rey the basic rudiments of the game. But he would always insist that he just be the mascot and pennant bearer (no pun intended). Thus, I was pleasantly surprised to learn that he now plays for the Philippine Embassy’s basketball team. Not surprisingly though, Carmina (my

goddaughter) is now Rey’s most ardent fan. Pol, on the other hand, was my classmate in all our four years at the University of Santo Tomas where we both took up Journalism. Like Rey, we were “kumpares”many times over (his unico hijo is my godson) as we were godfathers to children of our college buddies and friends. With pride amid his chuckles, Pol will surely not get tired to tell anybody of the tales of our adventures with our three other bosom friends in the group. Surely, the BAUK Anniversary Ball brought put the best in Batanguenos – from the exquisite selection of food to the entertainment fare bannered by the West End Mamas (Gia Macuja-Atchison, Maya BarredoDuffy and Cez Campos-Bonner). For us, it was one occasion where we were particularly proud to be Batanguenos. ■

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December 2011 – Monthly Issue • UK & Europe Edition Republic of the Philippines

COMMISSION ON ELECTIONS COMMITTEE ON OVERSEAS ABSENTEE VOTING MANILA

!!!"#$%&%#'!'&!"()(*('#$! !!!!!!!!+,-#$$.!/0!123!"2()(**('3$! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!4/'5/'! !

ADVISORY ON RENEWAL / CHANGE OF VISAS "#$$%&#!! The Philippine Embassy in London wishes to advise ! all Filipinos intending to renew or change their '()*!+,#,!%*-.//.0)(!#01.(0)!2,!#/34(456! entry/student/other visas to the same visa category or another visa category, as a result of changes in 59!>)**:*)(.54)8!)<!?94@43348:!A80:3:80:8;:! 78!59:!7;;./4)8!)<!59:!=== the Point Based System of managed migration adopted by the UK Government, to transact only with duly licensed immigration consultants and/or=B!C68:!BDDE! solicitors. ! The Philippine Embassy has been in receipt of numerous complaints from Filipinos regarding their ! failed dealings with unlicensed immigration consultants and/or solicitors. While these complaints have !"#$%&'()#*)#+&%#*)),-%./#'"0#/+'))#*)#+&%#1&,(,22,"%#34$'//5#,"#+&%#6",+%0# 7,"80*49# :# ;,/&#of+*# %<+%"0# +&%# 34$'//5=/# 8.%%+,"8/# +*# '((# fail *>.# been brought to the attention local government authorities;'.4%/+# in the UK, our kababayans to obtain !"#"#"$"%&' ,"# +&%#fees 6",+%0# *"# +&%# *--'/,*"# +&%# ???+&#to these refund of the unconscionable often7,"80*4# paid by '"0# them:.%('"0# when they submit their *)# documents -*44%4*.'+,*"#*)#1&,(,22,"%#:"0%2%"0%"-%@# unlicensed immigration consultants and/or solicitors. # It is suggestedA/# that all-%(%$.'+%# transactions made at# ,"0%2%"0%"-%# the offices of licensed immigration consultants ;%# *>.#be "'+,*"=/# ;,+&# +&,/# 5%'.=/# +&%4%# and/or solicitors and, when necessary, them to C>"8*# produce their license practice as immigration B7'8,+,"8'"9# 7'8'(,"8'"# '+#ask 7'/,2'8'"# /'# C>"'5# "'# to 7'('5''"D9# (%+# >/# consultants'(;'5/# and/or$%'.# solicitors before making any /'-.,),-%/# payment. 4'0%# Refrain$5# from business in clinics, ,"# 4,"0# +&%# %"*.4*>/# *>.#transacting )*.%$%'./# ,"# /%->.,"8# +&%#).%%0*4#;%#'((#%"E*5#+*0'5@### cafes, telephones or mobile phones, e-mail, and other venues where it is not possible to ascertain the # the immigration consultancy practice being offered. legitimate status of F%# (,G%;,/%# -*"8.'+>('+%# 5*># '((# '/# 4%4$%./# *)# +&%# H(*$'(# I,(,2,"*# Embassy ofJ*44>",+5#)*.#-*"/+'"+(5#G%%2,"8#+&%#I,(,2,"*#/2,.,+#'(,K%#,"#0,))%.%"+#2'.+/#*)#+&%# the Philippines London, 236",+%0# August7,"80*4# 2011 '"0# ,"# :.%('"0# +&.*>8&# 5*>.# K'.,*>/# 2.*E%-+/9# %K%"+/9# '-+,K,+,%/9# '"0#-,K,-#%"0%'K*>./@##I*.#(%8'-5#*)#*>.#&%.*%/#-'"#*"(5#$%#+.>(5#2.%/%.K%0#'"0# ">.+>.%0#+&.*>8&#*>.#-*((%-+,K%#%))*.+/@## # C&%# ,""'+%# +'(%"+9# -.%'+,K,+59# ,"0>/+.5# '"0# .%/*>.-%)>("%//# *)# *>.# *K%./%'/# crowd from+*#aboard the ,/# float, while 17 November 2011 –;,+&# The5*>.# Philippine I,(,2,"*/# -*>2(%0# -*"+,">%0# -*44,+4%"+# *>.# -*>"+.5# ,"0%%0# '# lively Embassy (,K,"8#%4$*0,4%"+#*)#*>.#:"0%2%"0%"-%#L'5#+&%4%@# in London reported to the performances by the Lahing Kayumanggi Department of# Foreign Affairs that the dance troupe, the Doce Pares Philippine M'4'N/'4'# "'+,"8# $>&'5# +.'0,/5*"9# G>(+>.'# '+# arts'"8# school, the youth organization Philippines brought joy and2*# color to a2'"'+,(,&,"8# cold martial G'/'5/'5'"#"8#1,(,2,"'/@# and grey-skied London day with its historic Philippine Generations and sectoral # participation at the 2011 Lord Mayor’s Show representatives of Filipinos in the UK O'$>&'5#'"8#I,(,2,"*#J*44>",+5#/'#6",+%0#7,"80*4#'+#:.%('"0P#O'$>&'5# surrounded the float throughout the parade. held over the weekend in the British capital. '"8#1,(,2,"'/P# # The Lord Mayor’s Show is a 785-year The Embassy and the Department of # Tourism-London collaborated with members old tradition celebrating the assumption of

PHL Shines in Annual London Parade

of the Filipino-British community to create a office of the new Lord Mayor of London. The parade features hundreds of floats vibrant float that showcased the best sights and sounds of the Philippines to the people and thousands of participants, and runs # over three miles long, passing some of the United Kingdom. # # # # # # ###### “It was# with great pride that the of London’s oldest and most famous Philippines, for the first time ever, joined the landmarks such as St. Paul’s Cathedral, Q*"0*"9#?R#S>"%#RTTU# Lord Mayor’s Show and put on a wonderful the Royal Courts of Justice and the River display of Filipino culture and creativity Thames embankment. Over half-a-million spectators lined the for the entire world to see,” Ambassador 9a Palace green, London W8 4QE Tel: 020 – 7937 –1600 Fax: 020 – 7937 – 2925 route of the parade, which was broadcasted Enrique Manalo said. e-mail: londonpe@dfa.gov.ph Website: www.philemb.org.uk Entitled “Colours of the Philippines”, by the BBC and seen on television by an the float was conceived by Filipino-British estimated two million viewers. BBC’s live coverage of this year’s show designer Rodrigo Enriquez, who also designed one of the commemorative coins prominently featured the Philippine float as well as an interview with Filipina-British for the London 2012 Olympics. “The beautiful Philippine display at the television actresses Rebecca Grant and Lord Mayor’s Show truly exhibited how Reneé Montemayor. The Lord Mayor of London serves as an warm and welcoming our country can be”, ambassador for all financial and professional Ambassador Manalo stated. “We certainly look forward to having more services based in the city. The new Lord Mayor, David Wootton, of our British friends over so that they can see and experience for themselves all that recognizes the vigour and potential of the Philippine economy, and is planning a visit our country has to offer,” he added. Deputy Chief of Mission Reynaldo to Manila together with a British business Catapang and other officials greeted the delegation next year. ■ Source: DFA

Global Youth Summit selects Four Young Filipinos

ondon, United Kingdom – Four young change makers, Jecel Censoro, Cris Raymund Viray, Colleen Caryl Leslie Torres, and Laurence Lumagbas joins more than 50 young change makers from 47 countries in this years’ Global Youth Summit which will be held from 13 – 19 November at De Vere, Uplands, Buckinghamshire. Ms. Censoro will be coming as a peer facilitator whiles the other 3 as participants. The Global Youth Summit is part of the British Council’s Global Changemakers initiative. The Global Changemakers are a select group of young people, aged from 16 to 25, who have demonstrated a significant track record of achievement in their local communities through social entrepreneurship, community activism and volunteer work. The program was originally conceptualized to select young change makers to participate in the World Economic Forum. This years’ Global Youth Summit brings together 3 more Filipino Global Changemakers. Mr. Lumagbas has been working on poverty hunger relief while Ms. Torres and Mr. Viray has been working on Youth empowerment and environment respectively. Peer facilitator Censoro has been working on anti-corruption, education and

youth empowerment. These four joins 8 other Filipino Global Changemakers who are also active in community works in the Philippines. A week before the summit, Global changemaker Jecel Censoro pays a courtesy visit to the Philippine Embassy to present the Global Changemakers initiative and the Check My School project. Joining with her is UK Global Change Maker Steven Cheung, the youngest Filipino-Chinese candidate for the European Union. “It is very proud to know that a number of Filipinos has been part of this program. It is very hopeful that we have this young people doing these things.” commented by Mr. Reynaldo Catapang, Deputy Chief of Mission. “Young Filipinos will prove that we are the hope of the nation”, says Ms. Censoro. “But for the Philippines to develop, we will need the support of our fellow citizens and government to make our works possible”, she added. Ms. Censoro is currently working on the Check My School project, a social accountability and transparency initiative which aim to bring better services to the schools through community mobilization and Information and Communication Technology (ICT) – www.checkmyschool. org. ■ Written By: Jecel Censoro

NOTICE OF REGISTRATION AND ELECTION TO ALL FILIPINO CITIZENS

Notice is hereby given that under Republic Act No. 9189, otherwise known as “The Overseas Absentee Voting Act of 2003”, all citizens of the Philippines abroad, not otherwise disqualified by law, at least eighteen ( 18 ) years of age on the day of the election, and who are registered overseas absentee voters with approved application to vote in absentia, may vote for Senators and Party-List Representatives. For this purpose, all qualified Filipinos citizens not registered as voters under Republic Act No. 8189, otherwise known as “The Voters Registration Act of 1996”, (the system of continuing registration) shall file an application for registration while those who are already registered under the said Act shall file an application for certification. For purposes of the May 13, 2013 elections, the filing of applications for registration/certification and transfer of registration records shall be filed at the Post or other designated registration areas from October 31, 2011 to October 31, 2012. The 30-day voting period will commence on April 13, 2013 until 3:00 o’clock in the afternoon (Philippine time) of May 13, 2013 at Philippine Embassies or Consulates. (The time for voting to be announced later) For details, please contact Mr. Rosendo Rodriguez/Mrs. Edith Malilin at telephone numbers 02074 511816/02074511826/02074511803 or the following online/web sources: The Philippine Embassy, London (Official Facebook Page); @philemblondon (Official Twitter Account); www.philembassy-uk.org (Official website); and embassy@philemb.co.uk (for email queries). Embassy of the Philippines, London, United Kingdom DFA-Overseas Absentee Voting Secretariat (Manila) www.dfa.gov.ph / ww.dfa-oavs.gov.ph Hotlines: +6328344361, +6328343275

COMELEC-COAV (Manila): www.comelec.gov.ph Hotlines: +6325222251, +6325212952, +6325239924

The Philippines participates at the World Travel Market (WTM) 2011 at ExCel, London, UK!

he four day trade show which ran from November 7-10 is one of the biggest in the world and attracts the major players in the tourism industry all over the globe. This year, the Philippines Department of Tourism (PDOT) London marked its presence with a 153 square meter exhibition stand located at the entrance hall together with other big players. Once again, the beautiful colours of the Philippines stand grabbed the attention of visitors with its unique boat structure, sea-blue carpet with fish imprints, lush tropical plants, a parade of orchids and amazing lanterns made of capiz shells. All display collaborated perfectly with the warm Filipino smiles to showcase the Philippines’ best tourist attractions. Philippines’ new Ambassador to the Court of St. James, H.E. Enrique A. Manalo, graced the opening day and posed for a photo session with PDOT London’s Officer-in-Charge, Rosario Afuang, PDOT Team Europe Director, Verna Buensuceso, members of PDOT London and Manila and Tourism Infrastructure Enterprise Zone (TIEZA). They we also joined by 14 delegates from the private sector comprised of tour operators such Annset Holidays, Baron Travel Corporation, Blue Horizons Travel and Tours, Intas Destinations Management, Rajah Tours Philippines, Sharp Travel Services (Phils.), Shroff International Travel Care, T.R.I.P.S. Travel and Uni-Orient Travel; and, top hotels and resorts like Bellarocca Island Resort and Spa, Eskaya Beach Resort and Spa, Manila Hotel and Plantation Bay Resort and Spa. WTM 2011 proved to be another successful year for PDOT London and all its delegates. Apart from maximizing the exposure for the Philippines, each private sector recorded pre and post WTM sales calls, registered new contacts as well as renew existing ones. Several leads for new contracts were also established while post WTM trainings were conducted by some participants with new business deals. The Philippines stand attracted more than 1000 visitors this year. Notable media personalities such as Carol

McGiffin, ITV1 presenter of Loose Women, also stopped by the Philippines Pavilion to meet with PDOT London’s OIC, Ms. Afuang. She was greatly impressed by the warm and welcoming Philippines stand. Ms. McGifffin also conducted an interview with regard to the promotions undertaken by the PDOT London office and will soon return to the Pearl of the Pacific this December to rekindle romance with her new love, the Islands of the Philippines. Core members of Friends Philippines, Ray Burleigh and Marina Arnold were also in attendance. Other VIPs and trade colleagues also socialized with the entire Filipino delegation during the “Mabuhay Hour” which was held everyday at 5pm where San Miguel Beer, Mango Rhum , Tanduay Rhum together with dried mangoes and the “banig hats” took centre stage while everyone enjoyed watching the performances of the famous “tinikling” and “binasuan” from the world-class Lahing Kayumanggi Dance Troupe. PDOT London is in charge of the promotional and marketing campaigns for the United Kingdom (UK), Spain, Italy and the Scandinavian countries. Apart from joining the biggest travel show and targeted trade shows, media advertising and promotional events, PDOT also commissioned fifty London Cabs dressed with Philippines livery going around the England’s capital as part of its creative marketing. This, and other initiatives, will extend into 2012 as the world’s eyes focuses on the UK for the London 2012 Olympics. ■

ERRATUM: In the article “Shipping corpses” on page 18 of the November 2011 Issue, where there was reference to The Overseas Workers’ Welfare Administration (OWWA), we would like to clarify that in no way was any part or does it state in the article written, in reference to (OWWA) in the United Kingdom or the Philippine Embassy in London, United Kingdom nor its staff. We would like to apologise for any inconvenience caused to (OWWA) UK and to the Philippine Embassy in London, UK. The article was written to enhance the awareness, the pros and cons faced when shipping deceased loved ones from other countries to the Philippines. We would like to point out that this was in no way a reflection of (OWWA) in the UK or the Philippine Embassy in London, UK.

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OFW and Immigration News

Speeding up removals

K – November 4, 2011: The government today reiterated its determination to continue working through the archive of old asylum cases. More than 500,000 cases were discovered in 2006. A lot of these legacy cases dated back many years making them the most challenging to resolve. The number of archived cases has grown as these old cases have at last been tackled. These challenging cases will be looked at afresh every six months, checked against up to 19 internal and external databases. As soon as a match is found the UK Border Agency will take action. Working to fix mistakes of the past Damian Green Immigration Minister said: ‘The immigration

system we inherited was chaotic and this government is working to fix the mistakes of the past by making better decisions, ensuring cases are properly tracked, improving intelligence and speeding up removals. ‘I am determined to deal with the historic asylum cases left by the last government and we are making real progress tackling the archive to trace these individuals.’ Dealing with these historic cases is just one way that the government has improved the asylum system. It has also brought costs down, doubled the number of failed asylum seekers removed within one year of their application and now concludes cases quicker with almost two thirds decided within a month. ■ SOURCE: Home Office

December 2011 – Monthly Issue • UK & Europe Edition

BI REVIEWING OFFLOADING RULES

ovember 9, 2011 - The Bureau of Immigration (BI) disclosed that a review of its screening procedures for departing travelers is underway to address complaints of indiscriminate offloading of Filipino tourists at the airports. In a statement, Immigration Commissioner Ricardo David Jr. said that an inter-agency body is now conducting the review prior to the issuance of new guidelines that immigration officers shall observe in processing departing travelers. Those reportedly involved in the review are representatives from the Department of Justice (DOJ), Department of Tourism (DOT), National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA), and BI. According to David, the technical working group was formed two weeks

ago during a meeting of the InterAgency Committee Against Trafficking (IACAT) chaired by Vice-President Jejomar Binay. “The group was tasked to undertake a thorough study and review of our existing practices at the airports so that these complaints from the traveling public can be addressed,” the BI chief said. He stressed that it is not easy to craft new rules that are acceptable to all parties, adding that the BI cannot just relax its procedures to the extent that the government’s drive against human trafficking will be compromised. David also appealed to the recruitment sector to understand the plight of immigration officers “who are in the forefront of the campaign against human trafficking.” He pointed out that immigration officers are faulted whenever a traveler

is offloaded but they also get the blame when a human trafficking victim is caught and stranded abroad. David, nonetheless, said he was disturbed by reports that certain domestic helpers with valid overseas employment permits from the POEA were not allowed to leave. SOURCE: BI He said the cases of the offloaded passengers are now being investigated and the immigration officers involved were ordered to submit their explanation. On reports that contract workers bound for Iraq and Afghanistan are tightly screened, the BI chief explained that the deployment ban to the two countries has not been totally lifted. He cited reports that POEA’s partial lifting of the deployment ban to Iraq and Afghanistan is being used by unscrupulous illegal recruiters to trick their victims by them jobs to the said countries. ■ SOURCE: BI

Illegal workers caught at Minimum salary for sponsorship under family route should be raised Lincolnshire takeaways

K: November 16, 2011: A minimum salary of between £18,600 and £25,700 before tax should be introduced for UK residents sponsoring a partner or dependent for citizenship, the Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) recommended today. The MAC was asked to identify a salary that would prevent any sponsor, their spouse or their dependents from becoming a burden on the state. The MAC was asked by the government to consider what the minimum income threshold should be for a British resident sponsoring a spouse, partner or dependent

for settlement in the UK under the family route. This was part of the government’s review of the family migration routes. Presently the threshold is an annual income of £5,500 after tax, excluding housing costs. This is equivalent to £13,700 before tax and including housing costs. The thresholds are based on the income levels at which a family is not entitled to state benefits or contributes at least as much to the public finances as it consumes in services. A salary threshold of £18,600 would reduce settlement through the family route by 45 per cent, the MAC estimates. A minimum of

£25,700 would reduce it by 63 per cent. Chairman of the MAC, Professor David Metcalf CBE, said: ‘The current threshold of £5,500 seems low considering the government’s desire to ensure new migrants settling in the UK are not a burden on the state. ‘Our recommendations are made on a purely economic basis and we recognise that family migration is not determined by economics alone. However our analysis suggests there is justification for raising the pay threshold.’ Potential methods for calculating higher salary thresholds to account for child and adult dependants are also set out in the MAC report. ■ SOURCE: UKBA

Student visa clampdown

K – November 2, 2011: New rules and a clampdown on abuse of the student visa system mean nearly 500 colleges will no longer be able to bring new international students to the UK to study. The colleges – a number of which were bogus and did not offer genuine courses - could have brought more than 11,000 students into the UK to study each year. New UK Border Agency regulations have raised the standards education providers must meet to sponsor international students. So far, 474 colleges have lost their right to recruit international students after they failed to sign up for the new inspection system. The new standards will help ensure genuine international students get a good quality education in the UK.

4,500 applications refused A related UK Border Agency investigation into more than 100 colleges has led to 51 having their licences revoked. The investigation followed a surge in applications from

South Asia just before the English language requirement rules were tightened earlier this year. More than 4,500 of these applications to study have been refused or withdrawn as a result. Officials encountered evidence of clear abuse. One student interviewed to test his English skills answered almost every question with the word ‘hello’. At another college staff turned off the lights off and hid when inspectors called and one college was unable to provide any timetables of classes or registers of students enrolled. A Norfolk-based college had students whose home address was recorded as Glasgow. Immigration Minister Damian Green said: ‘Widespread abuse of the student visa system has gone on for too long and the changes we have made are beginning to bite. ‘Too many institutions were offering international students an immigration service rather than an education. Only first-class education providers should be given licences to sponsor international students.’

Further measures due

Further measures to tighten student visa rules are due in April next year. The post study work route, which allowed overseas students to work after graduation will be closed and students wishing to work will need to apply for a work visa. There will also be new time limits on student visas and tougher rules on work placements. The UK Border Agency will monitor the behaviour of all sponsors and take action against any that are not complying with standards of education provision or immigration control. The changes to the student route form part of sweeping changes to overhaul the immigration system and reduce net migration from hundreds of thousands to tens of thousands. A limit on non-EU workers coming to the UK has already been introduced. Restrictions on the right to settle here will be outlined shortly alongside reforms to the family migration route which will promote integration and reduce burdens on the taxpayer. ■ SOURCE: Home Office

K – December 2, 2011: Three businesses in Lincolnshire are counting the cost of employing illegal immigrants. On 8 November 2011 officers paid a visit to Asia Garden, Wragby Road, Lincoln. All of the staff were questioned and their immigration status checked. Two Malaysian men, aged 23 and 24, were arrested because they had overstayed their visas. They were taken to Lincoln police station for further questioning before being transferred to an immigration detention centre. Both were removed from the UK on 13 November. Asian Garden was served with notice of a potential fine of up to £20,000 for employing the illegal workers. The business will have to pay this fine unless it can prove that it took reasonable steps to confirm the immigration status of the illegal workers before employing them, such as checking passports. A week before the visit to Asia Garden, on 1 November 2011, officers caught 2 illegal workers at Sarga Premier Indian Takeaway, Burton Road, Lincoln. Both men, aged 35 and 29, were from Bangladesh and had overstayed their visas.

We are now taking action to remove both men from the country. A potential fine of £20,000 was served on Sarga Premier Indian takeaway. A third business in Lincolnshire now has to pay a heavy fine for employing illegal workers after losing its case in the courts. Subi Limited, trading as Indian Cottage, Station Street, Spalding received a visit from immigration officers on 17 March 2011. Three illegal workers were arrested. The employer lodged an appeal against the fine on the basis that pre-employment document checks had been carried out for each of the illegal workers. A judge, sitting at Nottingham County Court on 21 November, dismissed the appeal and, as well as upholding the £15,000 fine, ordered the employer to pay the UK Border Agency costs of £1,648.50. Rachel Challis, from the UK Border Agency’s Lincolnshire local immigration team, said: ‘We will continue to crack down on companies that employ illegal workers and fail to carry out proper checks on passports and other identity documents. Any business that takes on a foreign national without permission to work is breaking the law and faces a heavy fine and possible prosecution.’ ■ SOURCE: UKBA

Changes to the shortage occupation list come into effect

K: November 14, 2011: On 18 October 2011 the government announced that it was accepting recommendations from the Independent Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) on changes to the shortage occupation list. Specialist jobs that are no longer required in the UK have been removed from a governmentapproved list that helps to ensure the UK only accepts migrant workers that the country needs. The shortage occupation is part of the Tier 2 immigration route via the points based system. Highly skilled migrants from outside the European Economic Area (EEA) seeking to work in the UK must apply for visas via this route. Employers can only bring someone into the UK under Tier 2 if the job is on the shortage occupation list or if they pass a resident labour market test (no suitable resident workers apply after advertising

the job in the UK first for 4 weeks). Occupations that the MAC recommended be removed from the list include: • secondary education biology teachers; • speech and language therapists; • pharmacists; • orthoptists; • veterinary surgeons; and, • rank and file orchestral musicians. • Added to the list will be: • actuaries; • high integrity pipe welders; • environmental scientists; and, • geochemists The government has accepted the MAC’s recommended list in full however, rank and file orchestral musicians will not be removed from the list immediately, until further discussions take place with the industry to discuss the resident labour market test. ■ SOURCE: UKBA

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Local News

December 2011 – Monthly Issue • UK & Europe Edition

Sta. Lucia Land Inc., expands in the United Kingdom

ta. Lucia Land Inc., (SLLI) one of the Philippines biggest real estate developer with more than 10,000 hectares of land through 200 developments throughout the country (Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao) recently inaugurate its first International Sales Office at 216 Earl’s Court Road, London SW5 9QB on Sunday, 20 November 2011 at 11:00am.

The inauguration was attended by Exequiel Robles (CEO / President, SLLI), Michelle Robles (International Sales Operations Manager, SLLI), Liezel Magpoc (SVP, SLLI), Rico Garcia (Protocol Officer), Bob Palma, SLLI Marketing Associates, distinguished guests and special guest of honour DCM Rey Catapang of the Philippine Embassy, London, with his opening remarks welcoming SLLI’s international presence.

For more than 40 years now, SLLI has been a partner of every Filipino in making their dreams a reality. SLLI offers the finest quality of developments with every affordable terms. To assure its investors of its strong commitment to serve their realty needs, SLLI’s thrust now is to strengthen its presence by establishing International Offices where Filipinos are. Sta. Lucia Land “Building Better Lives.” ■

Ribbon cutting with the CEO President Exequiel Robles and DCM Rey Catapang

With Protocol Officer Rico Garcia, SLLI SVP Liezel T. Magpoc, Metro Remitance Henry Pacheco, SLLI ISOM Michelle Robles and La Breza Tower buyer Geraldine Anico

The people behind the success of Sta. Lucia Land Inc.

The SLLI Team

iRemit Inc, Celebrates 10th Anniversary

Hello Philippines would like to congratulate iRemit London, United Kingdom Branch for celebrating it’s 10th Anniversary on November 11, 2011. The London Branch offered lunch, tea, coffee and snacks to their valued clients and friends.

Cheers for Sta. Lucia Land

HELLO

Twitter wars 32

PHILIPPINES

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Vittorio Hernandez

ext to Facebook, Twitter is one of the most important social networking sites that have changed the world. Unlike Facebook which has a wider scope, Twitter is different in terms of length of posts, or a tweet, that could be posted. As a microblogging site, posts are limited to 140 characters. Twitter was created in March 2006 by Jack Dorsey and since then it has gained millions of users, now estimated at 300 million. While it is far from Facebook’s 500 million, prominent people including politicians and celebrities are among its known users. With more than 300 million tweets and 1.6 billion search queries, Twitter has definitely made a name for itself as a venue for self-promotion and sometimes, war. U.S. President Barack Obama was known to have used Twitter when he campaigned in 2008, thus he won

over his rival because of the youth vote since majority of Twitter users are young people. However, of late, Twitter has also gained notoriety for being the battle ground of some Filipino celebrities who chose to air their dirty linen in public. Among those who have engaged in Twitter wars are actresses Angelica Panganiban and Gretchen Barretto, Angelica Panganiban and Claudine Barretto, DJ Mo Twister and talent manager Ogie Diaz and actress Nadia Montenegro and talent manager Annabelle Rama. The Angelica-Gretchen Twitter war was fueled by reports that Gretchen, who was then doing Magkaribal in ABS-CBN, was allegedly flirting with Angelica’s boyfriend, Derek Ramsay, prompting Angelica to tweet her famous line, “Te, single ka?” which led to the word war between the two. However, their difference was eventually settled and the two women are now friends and even doing a soap opera together. But Angelica later had a Twitter war with Gretchen’s younger sister, Claudine, over Angelica’s alleged talking about Claudine having a

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relationship with Derek’s best friend. Lawsuits threats stopped the two from further tweeting against each other. In the case of Nadia, tweets by Annabelle prompted the former to file a libel case against the feisty talent manager. To this day, Annabelle continues to tweet against Nadia, despite requests from her own children to stop tweeting. Another Twitter war that has resulted in a court case is that of comedian Chokoleit who was sued by Paparazzi host Cristy Fermin over his tweets, which were reactions to comments she made against Chokoleit in her tabloid column. Cristy, however, does not own a Twitter account. Cristy’s Paparazzi co-host DJ Mo Twister had his relationship with actress Rhian Ramos broken because of his tweets, although he is more known for his trade of hot tweets against talent manager Ogie Diaz. It was the DJ Mo-Ogie Diaz Twitter war that was cited by 27-year-old staff nurse Wendrix Saniel when asked which celebrity Twitter war he recalls. Wendrix, who reads Twitter messages every hour, however, would himself not

December 2011 – Monthly Issue • UK & Europe Edition

Talent Manager Annabelle Rama and DJ Mo Twister are among the Pinoy celebrities who figured recently in Twitter wars.

engage in a Twitter war because he finds it undignified and “low-class.” Like Wendrix, 22-year-old call center agent Ryan Luis Lintao, finds it “cheap” to engage in Twitter war. However, in the case of boxing champ Manny Pacquiao who eventually closed his Twitter account after being criticised heavily for his English, Ryan finds Manny’s war on Twitter “funny.” Quality assurance test engineer

Vicente Monterola, 27, does not own a Twitter account, but if he had one, said he would not fight somebody over the social networking site. He recommends to Twitter users who are being provoked into a Twitter war to just delete the offending posts and block the poster. “For some people, Twitter is a place to relax, and fighting will get you more stressed,” Vicente reasoned. ■

Gadgets to check your Christmas calories Vittorio Hernandez

t is the last month of the year again – a season many Filipinos love because the Christmas holiday is equated with eating. Diets and New Year promises are thrown out of the window whenever December comes as Christmas parties and family reunions are held throughout the month, which sometimes extends even into the first week of January. Beings Pinoys, gatherings must always have a lot of food, especially traditional holiday dishes and favourites such as the cholesterol-inducing lechon, the bilbil-adding cakes and ice creams, and other scale-busting food. There is the traditional fried chicken, spaghetti, fruit salad, queso de bola, ham and many more rich main meals. Christmas is not complete without the fattening and sugar-rich desserts ranging from the Filipino traditional ones such as leche flan, halaya ube, puto, kutchinta, biko and cakes. Males, and a growing number of females, also love to imbibe hard drinks which are also contributors to higher levels of calories. Soft drinks, unless these are the diet variety, also contain a large amount of sugar. Inevitably, by the time a new year begins, belts have to be adjusted by one or two notches, while some people would need to buy new pants since the old pair no longer fits. Besides growing waistlines, holiday food brings with it elevated blood pressure and sugar blood levels for

some people. Unfortunately, it is also a period when many doctors are on holiday leave, making it difficult to set an appointment for people who experience symptoms of hypertension and diabetes. Young Pinoys who are physically active, like 21-year-old Romeo Escober Jr., an administrative staff, and 22-year-old call centre agent Darren Aguirre, easily shed the added girth they gain by going to the gym or eating less in January. Romeo, who said he often eats smoked ham, chocolate truffles and cakes during the Christmas holidays, gains 3 to 5 pounds because of the rich food he takes in. However, sweating it out at the gym helps him avoid having elevated glucose levels or blood pressure. Darren admits indulging on sweets, pasta, sodas and meat during the Christmas holidays. “I love to eat when the food is there, but pay for the indulgence later,” he shares. The payment comes in the form of smaller portions of rice and lesser meat during the rest of the year. However, the formula doesn’t work for other Filipinos, particularly those

the glucometer kit and applying the droplet of blood on the test strip. In less than a minute the devices comes out with a digital reading of a person’s blood sugar level. Like the BP machine, the glucometer stores the sugar level reading for future reference. Unlike the BP which does not need any other device, except replacement occasional replacement of the rubber strip, the glucometer needs test strips which costs about ₱1,000 for every 25 pieces. Those who would buy the device are advised against buying too many test strips because it has expiration dates. Using expired strips often results in wrong readings. Even non-diabetics could use the device, particularly during the holidays when Pinoys often experience sugar rush or sugar overload because of the volume of cakes, ice cream and other sucrose-laden desserts ingested during Christmas and New Year. An investment into these healthmonitoring devices would not go to waste since these gadgets could still be used throughout the rest of the year. After all, as the years pass by, functions of the human body often slow down making it more difficult to burn and absorb all the calories taken in. It would not be a bad idea to give one’s self or a loved one the gift of health this Christmas by buying these health-monitoring devices which could help loved ones live quality lives the rest of the year. After all, beyond the usual gifts exchanged during this festive season, one of the best perhaps is the Because of rich holiday foods, Pinoys have to be extra careful with their health by constantly monitoring their blood sugar level and blood pressure. gift of life and health. ■ with chronic ailments such as diabetes or hypertension. People with these lifestyle diseases could not afford to wait until January to shed the extra pounds they gained. Although they should neither be deprived of holiday food, people with chronic ailments could at least constantly monitor their vital signs such as glucose level and blood pressure even at the onset of December. Rather than deprive themselves of holiday foods, what people with chronic ailments could do is also invest in medical devices that help monitor food intake. These devices, after all, have become affordable to the ordinary office employee that it could even be cheaper than a Samsung mobile phone or Apple iPad 2. On top of the list is the blood pressure monitor, which would cost about ₱3,000. Fatty foods end up as cholesterol, which is manifested in elevated blood pressure readings. Doctors recommend that people – especially those with family histories of hypertension and similar cardio ailments – monitor their BP readings twice a day. The first would be upon

waking up and the second before going to bed. However, BP readings could be done anytime, particularly if a person is nauseous or feels ill. The device available on the market is simple to use, by wrapping the rubber strip over the arms, plugging the rubber tube on the BP machine and pressing start. There is no need to pump air into the rubber unlike the manual BP machine. The readings are in digital format and recorded in the device. A word of caution for those not used to taking their BP. Blood pressure is often higher in the morning than at night. However, other factors could result in high BP readings even at night such as stress or the food eaten. Another vital device is the glucometer or the blood sugar monitor. Normally the device is used by diabetics, whose numbers in the Philippines keep on growing exponentially. More than a decade ago a unit cost ₱5,000. However, a more high-tech version of the same brand now costs only ₱2,500. For the information of non-diabetics, a glucometer works by pricking the finger with a lance that comes with

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Ang Parol

Social Issue

December 2011 – Monthly Issue • UK & Europe Edition

Vittorio Hernandez

he Christmas lantern or parol will remain a Filipino symbol of the Yuletide season despite the hard and changing times. A reminder of the Star of Bethlehem that guided the Magi (The Three Wise Men) as they searched for the newborn Baby Jesus, the parol continues to be a stellar attraction of the Filipino home during Christmas. However, like the changing times, the parol has evolved over the years from the ones made of papel de Hapon and bamboo sticks to hightech ones. Filipino ingenuity gave it a modern but distinct Filipino style by using capiz as material and including dazzling display of lights made possible by technology. Like the crèche or belen, which is a Christmas décor found in many Filipino homes, the parol represents a very Christian concept of Christmas far from the western Christmas tree which focuses on gifts. Many Pinoys, like 38-year-old housewife Shirley de la Paz, hang the parol when December approaches to remind themselves of the season. With tight budget common among Filipino households, families often just dust off their old parols and recycle it for the next Christmas, Shirley said. Vendor Agnes Matayog, 41, said that one parol is enough to remind her that it is Christmas season already.

She does not find the need to buy a new lantern every year. “Hindi naman buong taon magagamit mo ang parol,” Agnes reasoned. Since the parol is considered now by many Filipinos as an extra, but acceptable Christmas expense, parol sellers just add the lantern to their other wares. Noel Villalobos, 47, a parol vendor at San Andres Market in Manila, said the end of the All Saints Day and All Souls Day holidays are the signal for him to add the lantern to his other products. The price range of his lanterns range from three pieces for P20 to P2,500, which would include blinking Christmas lights. On a weekday, Noel sells about 50 lanterns a day, which goes up to 150 pieces on weekends. Because of the seasonal nature of selling parol, Noel said he and his family make the most of the season by offering services such as arrangement of Christmas lights and custom-design and manufacture of

Parols come in various shapes and sizes such as the 3-for-P20 variety (ordinary parol) to the high-tech ones on display at Paskuhan Village. A new trend is the use of lights as an alternative Christmas decor in lieu of the parol, such as that done by residents of Policarpio Street and by Ayala Land.

lanterns according to customers’ specifications, as well as installing the large lanterns on commercial buildings. Christmas lights, in fact, are now taking centre stage as a favourite Christmas décor, sidelining the parol in some instance. In some areas, the lantern and the blinking Christmas lights are side-by-side like those in the famous Policarpio Street in Mandaluyong City where almost all households have unique Christmas display of lights to dazzle visitors. The Ayala Group of Companies has also made it their tradition the past few years to mount Christmas lights and lanterns on Ayala Avenue and recently at the Bonifacio Global City. For 2012, the property giant mounted a high-tech Christmas lights display at Ayala Triangle, beside the Philippine Stock Exchange.

The latest addition to the Ayala display of lights is a photo mural of a Philippine Christmas tableau by Ayala Corporation Chairman Emeritus Jaime Zobel de Ayala. The mural makes viewer wish for the old Christmases replete with glows from lanterns and sounds of carols. It is found at the tunnel that leads to Greenbelt 3, beside the Hermes boutique, which jeepney drivers call the Zobel Tunnel. Ayala Corporation changes the mural every two months. Of course, for the best display of Christmas lanterns, the place to go is San Fernando, Pampanga, dubbed as the Christmas capital of the Philippines because of its parol festival that features giant lanterns. The city is also the location of the Paskuhan Village, recently renamed as Hilaga Village.

Christmas on wheels Vittorio Hernandez

ravel agents and airline companies would no doubt confirm that the Christmas year-end holiday is a peak season for travel the world over. To book a December flight, seasoned air passengers are aware that they must book at least six months in advance to be assured of seats. Majority of the passengers are booked for flights home or to other cities where they have relatives to join in traditional family reunions. City workers look forward to this time to leave the jungle cement and enjoy the cool country air. OFWs penny-pinch to save for the Christmas vacation in the Philippines to be with their children, spouses, siblings, parents and other relatives. However, a growing segment of the Yuletide travelers are not headed for family reunions. Some families or individuals deliberately use the Christmas holidays as an opportunity to travel, see new destinations or revisit old haunts that had a special place in their hearts. With the high cost of travel, particularly plane tickets, the majority

of Pinoys who use the Christmas break to travel would usually belong to the middle- and high-income classes. Some deliberately avoid attending family reunions because of differences with family members or relatives, while others do so in order not to bump into an ex-wife or former husband, particularly for those whose marriages ended bitterly. Others prefer to travel because their immediate relatives have migrated overseas. So if they could afford, they instead visit their families in the U.K., U.S., Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Hong Kong, Singapore, or the Middle East. For those with lesser budgets, they instead opt for domestic travels to vacation spots normally brimming with people during summer such as Boracay, Baguio, Puerto Galera, Cebu, Palawan or Bohol. Since migration has many forms, many Filipino families find it hard to be reunited during the Christmas holidays with one brother in the U.S., a sister in Germany, a son in Singapore and a parent in Dubai. So they spend this year with one child in Europe, the next year with another child in the Middle East and the third year in Asia. Pinoy families in this situation sometimes combine the Yuletide visit to their loved

Among the favourite local tourist destination of Pinoys during Christmas is Bohol. Photo shows the Tagbilaran Airport in Bohol’s capital city.

ones with a much-needed holiday that goes beyond December 31 to maximize the cost of plane tickets sent by their OFW relatives abroad. That was what a public relations lady executive, who used to have traditional family Christmas gatherings in her Quezon City residence when her kids were younger does now. With the break-up of her marriage and two of her kids eventually migrating to the west, she either spends Christmas day in Den Haag in the Netherlands where her daughter is or the U.S. where her son has migrated. At other times, maybe when flights are fully booked or her kids have holiday plans of their own with their in-laws, she would hie off to a local destination. Her friends would then receive text

messages informing everyone that she is enjoying the holidays on a far-away destination or even a nearby province to enjoy a break from work and savor the fruit of her hard work. Traditional Christmas family reunions are definitely fun and one of the few occasions that busy Filipinos are given to reconnect with each other. However, with family members leaving one after the other for greener pastures overseas, the original family sometimes gets so decimated that majority live abroad, and only a minority are left home to celebrate Christmas. However, many Filipinos who had the opportunity to work or live abroad still prefer to celebrate Christmas the traditional Pinoy way. “Nung nasa US pa ako iba ang celebration compared

The renaming of the village, however, appears to be the indicator that celebrating Christmas has become a less festive event compared to years ago when life was not as hard. “Sa totoo lang hindi ko na feel ang Pasko dito, di katulad nung kabataan ko,” Agnes admitted. “Dati kahit simpleng salo-salo, basta sama-sama at masaya. Ngayon, plastic na mga tao sa iyo. Tapos pahirap nang pahirap ang bansa. Asan na ang Pasko na tawag nila?” Agnes asked. The answer, apparently points to the person who is the inspiration behind the parol – the infant Jesus who was born to bring salvation to mankind. Just as the Star of Bethlehem guided the Three Kings to the Holy Family, may the parol also guide many doubting Filipinos back to the real star of Christmas. ■ dito. Duon kasi tahimik, tapos dinner lang. Sa Pinas celebrated ang Pasko ng todo,” recalled 29-year-old Matthew Asejo, who is currently unemployed. Dale Julagting, a 19-year-old student and part-time model, recounted celebrating Christmas parties while on the road. Although he enjoyed the experience touring the different malls in Metro Manila for modelling stints since he was with his girlfriend and fellow models, he still prefers celebrating Christmas at home with family and loved ones. “Mas gusto ko sa bahay pa din mag-Pasko. Kasi nandun ang comfort at relax ka lang,” Dale said. Whatever is the reason why people move around during the Christmas season, it is all centered on finding happiness with loved ones. For some people it could be achieved in a far away destination or a slower pace of life far away from the maddening city crowd because they are given a chance to recharge their batteries for another year ahead. Others still would do it the traditional way and spend Christmas at home with their family and friends. Whatever is the choice, it’s a matter of knowing that wherever fate or destiny brings Filipinos – be it in a hot desert, cold country or in the comfort of their home – Pinoys will always celebrate Christmas in the best way they could. ■

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Local News

December 2011 – Monthly Issue • UK & Europe Edition

Philippine-British Friendship Day Celebrated in London

K - November 6, 2011: The Philippine Embassy and the Filipino community in London joined hands to celebrate this year’s Philippine-British Friendship Day, which is held every October 20. Two activities were held, namely a photo exhibition and a reception, to celebrate the most popular web-based Filipino radio station in Britain. In his speech to commemorate the annual event, newly-arrived Philippine Ambassador to Britain Enrique Manalo emphasized that “this day of friendship is an occasion to remind us that the links between our two nations and our peoples are stronger than ever. With some 250,000 Filipinos now living in Britain and over 10,000 Britons in the Philippines, it is to be expected that such interaction will deepen in the future and help

strengthen the overall bilateral ties.” The celebration kicked off on October 20 with the formal opening of a photo exhibition by Mamerto Mercado, who is also the Embassy’s Welfare Officer. Entitled “In the Eyes of a Filipino”, Mr. Mercado’s exhibition consisted of some 30 works that showcased his artistic technique and revealed his fascination with everyday British scenes and empathy for the Filipinos and other foreigners residing in and around London. The celebration continued the following day, coinciding with the celebration of the 2nd Anniversary of Pinoy Radio UK. Guests at the event included former British Ambassador to the Philippines Paul Dimond, Filipina West End artists Lisa MacujaAtchinson and Ces CamposBonner, and leading members of the Filipino community.

Pinoy Radio UK Station Manager Sonny Laragan highlighted his group’s close collaboration with the Embassy, especially in promoting consular services and government programs to Filipinos in Britain and a dozen other countries. The station, which can be accessed online at www. pinoyradiouk.com, features a live Embassy-focused program every Friday evening. This year marks the 11th time that the two countries commemorated Friendship Day as a way to “celebrate, enhance and enrich the historical, political, economic and cultural ties that strongly bind” the Philippines and Britain. The first celebration was on 7 December 2000, as mandated under Presidential Proclamation 381. In 2008, it was changed to 20 October through Presidential Proclamation 1592. ■ SOURCE: DFA

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Vice Ganda Royal Sample Friday, 25 November 2011 - Troxy, London, United Kingdom Photos By: HELLO PHILIPPINES AND LEO SUNPONGCO

December 2011 – Monthly Issue • UK & Europe Edition

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Celebrity, Showbiz & Entertainment

December 2011 – Monthly Issue • UK & Europe Edition

The House that launched careers Vittorio Hernandez

ntil the mid-1990s, the route to stardom was a hit-and-miss affair for Filipinos who wanted to join show business. Some stars shone brightly because of their lineage. They were often the sons, daughters and relatives of existing actors and actresses. For instance, the second-generation Eigenmann siblings – more popularly known as Michael de Mesa, Mark Gil and Cherie Gil – became popular in the 1980s because they were children of actor Eddie Mesa and actress Rosemarie Gil. Others were discovered accidentally, such as being spotted by talent scouts while in a mall, a beauty parlour or accompanying a sibling for an audition. Some went the traditional way, which is to go to a major studio such as Viva, Regal or Seiko and audition for a role. Others joined talent contest. Superstar Nora Aunor, the product of Tawag ng Tanghalan, is the best proof of this successful route to a showbiz career. At the turn of the millennium, a new path was created for showbiz wannabes – the reality show. Patterned after similar shows abroad, the reality show concept caught the attention of Filipino TV viewers because it gave them an unscripted view of contestants whom they could identify with because these are ordinary people like them. Shows that have been good factories of artistas include Star Circle Quest, Starstruck and Pinoy Big Brother (PBB). However, some of the reality show contestants ceased being ordinary people after the show ends. Some of them became big stars.

Among these shows, PBB is one good artista factory based on the number of stars who rose to celebrity status after becoming a boarder in Kuya’s house. Among the housemates who made it big after their two- to three-month stint inside the PBB are FilAm Sam Milby of Season 1, erstwhile love team Kim Chiu and Gerald Anderson of Teen Edition Season 2, and Melai Cantiveros and FilAm Tom Rodriguez of Season 3 Double Up Edition. The fourth season, known as the Unlimited Edition, which started on November 2011 and is still ongoing, has 35 people vying for instant stardom. The success of some PBB graduates, however, indicates that stardom involves more than just joining a reality contest. It involves having an X-factor that no amount of text votes, which determine the ultimate winner, could guarantee a celebrity status. Sam Milby is a good case study. A replacement housemate actually for one housemate who had to agree to voluntary eviction for personal reasons, Sam instantly caught the attention of viewers with his mestizo looks. Although there were other hunks in the same season, Sam eclipsed them upon entering Kuya’s house. Ironically, Sam was voted out in the middle of the season, but got TV and movie offers rights after he was evicted. He immediately rose to leading man status, but lately his career dimmed because of his inability to speak Tagalog properly – which limited him to balikbayan roles. A better example of celebrity status with staying power would be the tandem of Kim and Gerald, who started as a reel and real love team, but after their break-up are now

enjoying solo careers and getting noticed for their acting chops. The public admiration for Gerald is not surprising because of his mestizo looks – courtesy of his American father – but Kim’s popularity is rather a puzzle because she does not fit into the mold of a traditional artista. Kim is very thin, but apparently has a lot of X-factor that endeared her to millions of fans allegedly willing to kill for their idol. Melai too is another surprise celebrity. Born with “exotic” looks that are often a hit with western males, Melai already had a TV show prepared for her even before she was declared winner of season 3. Fellow season 3 housemate Tom Rodriguez is yet another celebrity who has tapped the known formula of mestizo features and hunky physique that attracts TV and movie fans. Also voted out in the middle of season 3 and known for his temper, Tom is actually eating into the market once dominated by Sam Milby. Unfortunately for other housemates from season 1 up to 3, most have been relegated back to anonymity or sidekick or contravida roles such as what happened to Say Alonzo, Cassandra Ponti and Wendy Valdez. Though masked as a reality show, PBB is actually an artista search in disguise because often the selected housemates fit a mold – tall, sexy and pretty for the women and handsome and hunky for the men. No less than ABS-CBN director Jose Javier Reyes criticised PBB for being a boot camp for Philippines’ Next Top Model as it appears the aim was to take in “everyone who had a face and a body.” Reyes also pointed to the disturbing behaviour of some housemates and meaningless challenges, and came to the conclusion that PBB is just an audition for a new Star Cinema

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(ABS-CBN’s movie arm) production or an episode of long-running drama Maalaala Mo Kaya. Of course there would be occasional tokens outside the traditional mold who often end up as comedians – like Jason Gainza, Franzen Fajardo and Raquel Reyes of Season 1, Neil Rapiz of Season 2 and Ryan Bang of the 2nd Teen Edition. For season 4, former tambay-sakanto Kigoy Abarico seems to fit into the same comic mould, while Slater Young of Cebu is an apparent hunkin-the-making. PBB, which also housed the Pinoy Dream Academy contestants, recently underwent a major change for season 4. The season started on a different note since the housemates were not made to live in the ritzy abode that the Bahay ni Kuya has become known for, but they were made to live in a shack that resembles an informal city settler’s house. Big Brother, or Kuya, explained that the change was to give the reality show contestants a taste of how majority of Filipinos live – deprived of food, water, shelter and the basic necessities.

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Among the housemates who made it big in Philippine show business after leaving the Pinoy Big Brother House are Gerald Anderson, Kim Chiu, Melai Cantiveros, Ejay Falcon, Tom Rodriguez, and Sam Milby.

Instead of jumping into the swimming pool, the housemates were given only a few pails of water in a drum for their water needs. However, on the third week of November, the housemates moved into the old PBB mansion, leaving behind the social aspects of the show and bringing it back to the entertainment level. Observers of the show, noted for its sometimes dubious way of counting votes and the frequent grammatical lapses of main host Toni Gonzaga, are not surprised at the reversion to the old PBB set-up because ABS-CBN is a ratings-conscious station. By pandering to the voyeuristic tendencies of PBB followers while providing viewers eye candy in the form of pretty and handsome showbiz wannabes, advertising income is expected to follow. And perhaps a showbiz career for a lucky housemate whom the gods of tinseltown would bless with the X-factor enough to survive the banalities of local TV and be another celebrity in search of audience adulation. ■

37th Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) – 2011 Entries Lorela U. Sandoval

his year’s 37th Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) will showcase seven locally produced films from December 25 till the first week of January 2012. Official entries of different movie outfits are:Segunda Mano by MJM Productions – Lead Stars: Dingdong Dantes and Kris Aquino Panday 2 by Imus Productions and GMA Network Films Productions – Lead Stars: Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr, Phillip Salvador, Marian Riviera and Iza Calzado

My Househusband by Octo Arts Films – Lead Stars: Judy Ann Santos and Ryan Agoncillo Enteng Ng Ina Mo by ABS-CBN Film Productions Inc, Octo Arts Films, M-Zet Productions and APT Productions – Lead Stars: Vic Sotto and Ai-Ai De Las Alas Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow by Studio 5 – Lead Stars: Dennis Trillo, Heart Evangelista, Ritz Azur and Carla Abellana Shake, Rattle and Roll 13 by Regal Entertainment – This movie is the 13th installment Manila Kingpin: The Asiong Salonga Story by Scenema Concepts and Viva Films – Lead Stars: George ER Estregan, Phillip Salvador, Baron

Geisler, Sam Pinto, Bangs Garcia and Carla Abellana During the MMFF, only homegrown films approved by the festival jurors have been allowed to be shown in all theaters in the Philippines. Established in 1975, major awards given are Best Picture, Best Actress, Best Actor, Best Supporting Actress, Best Supporting Actor, and Best Director. The parade of floats has also been one of the most-awaited highlights in the annual film festival in Manila. Each float will represent a movie entry, and their stars will be riding on them. Along with the announcement of major acting awards, the Best Float award will also be announced at the awarding night on December 25, 2011. ■

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Celebrity, Showbiz & Entertainment

December 2011 – Monthly Issue • UK & Europe Edition

KC on Piolo: ‘Hindi ako ‘yung hinahanap niya sa buhay niya’

Regine Velasquez wants to be a hands-on mom to baby Nate

C Concepcion refused to say whether or not there’s a third party behind her painful breakup with Piolo Pascual. But she didn’t bother to hide her pain and resentment for Piolo’s betrayal of their relationship in her tell-all interview in The Buzz, November 27, 2011. In spite of their successful concert tour in the U.S. last November, KC was sad to say that there’s no way things could work out between them again. “PJ knows exactly why we broke up, he knows exactly why. Araw-araw na nakikita ko siya, araw-araw na magkasama kami parang tug of war talaga. Kasi ito ‘yung taong minahal ko o mahal mo pero sobra akong nasasaktan ngayon. Pero mahal ko siya, pero hindi na talaga pwede.” KC claimed that she tried to accept all of Piolo’s shortcomings as a boyfriend. But she reached the

point where she couldn’t take the hurt anymore. “May mga hinahanap ako na napaka-basic lang na hinahanap ng isang girlfriend sa isang lalaki. Ayoko na siguro pumunta sa details, kasi parang ayokong siraan siya… pero let’s just say lahat talaga kaya ko. At kasalanan ko naman sa sarili ko, kasi syempre ginusto ko ito ‘di ba? Tsaka sobra-sobra talaga akong nagtiwala.” The actress-host felt that it was even more unfair of Piolo to make

light of their situation whenever his interviewed about it by the media. Apparently, it was the same way he handled their relationship as well. “Binigyan ko siya ng second chance, third chance, fourth chance, fifth chance, sixth chance, seventh chance. Pagdating ng eighth chance, parang na-realize ko na hindi lahat ng problema nadadaan sa tawa. Hindi lahat nadadaan sa kilig kasi ang galing-galing niyang magpakilig.” In the end, KC was left with no choice but to face the fact that she’s not the right person for PJ all along. “Naniniwala naman ako na ‘pag sinasabi ni PJ na minahal niya ako, naniniwala naman ako na meron namang katotohanan ‘yon. Pero masakit mang sabihin, siguro nagfail din ako dahil hindi ako ‘yung kailangan niya sa buhay niya. Or hindi ako ‘yung hinahanap niya sa buhay niya, and hindi ko maibigay sa kanya ‘yung kailangan niya.” ■

Christian Bautista takes his international career to the next level

fter his first international movie “A Very Special Symphony”, Christian Bautista has been offered to do another Indonesian film sometime next year. But the singer-actor has yet to make a final decision since his also considering other projects including the second season of The Kitchen Musical and a possible teleserye in ABS-CBN. “We’ll see if I get that also. I can’t say the details yet kasi schedule ang problema.” Christian has always dreamt of pursuing an acting career and he

never expected that there would be more opportunities for him abroad. Just like what happened in The Kitchen Musical where he plays a sous chef and best friend of fellow Filipino star Karylle Tatlonghari. “My effort is paying off. Sometimes we look for projects here. It’s not given to us. Yun pala we’re meant for bigger things. I didn’t look for it. It came to us and I thank God for it.” Best known as Asia’s Romantic Balladeer, the singer-actor also gets the chance to launch his first international album entitled Outbound. It’s definitely a big move for Christian as he reinvents his

musical style by coming up with more upbeat songs like his carrier single All That’s Left and The Kitchen Musical’s theme Faith. He also made an effort to learn some cool dance moves to complement his catchy tunes. But when asked if he plans to quit Philippine showbiz, Christian maintains that he is just following the likes of Charice, Arnel Pineda and Apl de Ap when it comes to making the Filipinos proud with his accomplishments. “Leaving the Philippines? No. I’m bringing the Philippines to them. That’s what I’m going to do. Para pandagdag for Filipino pride in other nation.” ■

espite her delicate pregnancy, Regine Velasquez gave birth to a healthy baby boy, Nathaniel James, last November 8. In a phone patch interview on variety show Party Pilipinas, the Asia’s Songbird cheerfully exclaimed that she instantly doted on her firstborn. “I’m very happy and nakakatuwa yung baby ko. Una ko siyang nakita, sabi ko, ‘Saan galing ‘yan? Bakit mukhang foreigner?’ Mukha kasing foreigner, e basta ang lagi lang sinasabi, even my sisters and brother, ang tangos daw ng ilong,” said Regine who previously confessed her fondness for Dingdong Dantes and Richard Gutierrez during the first few months of her pregnancy.

Regine was unable to hide her apprehensions though about being a first-time mom. “Masaya, but at the same time, siyempre scary. Parang I don’t know what to do with the baby. Sana I do it right.” But ever the supportive husband, Ogie Alcasid quickly reassured her that she has great maternal instincts. “Hon, you’re doing well. Pinapanood kita, your maternal instincts is spot-on. Galing mo, hon!” From the very start, the 40-yearold actress has decided to prioritize raising a family over her showbiz career. “Hindi kami kukuha ng yaya. Ako muna, kasi parang sayang naman ‘di ba? Formative years ‘yon, e. Saka sandali lang ‘yon. Although sinasabihan ako ng asawa ko na, ‘mahihirapan ka.’ Pero ina-anticipate ko na.” ■

Sharon Cuneta signs 5-year-contract with TV5

fter 23 years in ABSCBN, Sharon Cuneta officially signed a five-year-contract with TV5 held at Marajo Tower in Taguig last November 22. Among her stipulations was a daily show, a reality show and a movie with her ex-husband Gabby Concepcion. Although it was admittedly a difficult decision, the Megastar revealed that one of her major considerations is to pursue a career growth and be able to do projects that she wants. “It was the kind of freedom I was looking for, freedom in terms of artistic [expression and], creative control. The fire in my belly is back. I had so missed it!”

Sharon was so happy with the vote of confidence that TV5 placed in her stature in the industry. Asked if rumours about her billion-peso contract are true, she simply replied, “Nakakabuhay ng loob. The bottom line is, the value na nilalagay nila sa paglipat ko. Sa pagpapahalaga nila sa aking pagiging singer, host, artista.” At any rate, Sharon claimed that it wouldn’t be the first time she’d earn one billion pesos from her projects. “Ang pangit naman to confirm or deny the amount. Malaking halaga siguro, pero let’s just say, kung ano man yung kikitain ko, hindi ko first time mameet. No matter what is written or what you hear, it’s my loyalty that is priceless.” ■

Power couple Judy Ann and Ryan revive their team-up on the big screen

or this year’s Metro Manila Film Festival, real-life couple Judy Ann Santos and Ryan Agoncillo bring back their box office teamup via My Househusband, under Octo Arts Films. It tells the story of a husband who resigns from his job and takes over household duties and raising the kids while his wife pursues a high-profile career as a business executive. With Eugene Domingo playing the other woman, the film’s bound to be a total riot. “Mas madalas na sila ni Ryan ang magka-eksena. At alam natin na big acting talaga ‘pag si Eugene ang nasa eksena. Kaya sa akin ibinigay ni Direk (Joey Reyes) ang mga punchline na pang-asar sa

kanya. Ito na ang ibang version ng Mara Clara. Ako na si Clara,” says Judy Ann who can’t wait for the fans to see her comic exchanges with Eugene throughout the film.

On Junior Master Chef Aside from My Househusband, Ikaw Na!, Judy Ann has her hands full with her cooking reality show, Junior Master Chef, which is reportedly doing well in the ratings. As the grand finals draw near, the TV host-actress shared that she couldn’t help but feel affected during eliminations. “Siyempre naaawa ako. Hindi naman puwedeng hindi ka maawa bilang may mga anak din ako, may mga pamangkin din ako na kasing edad nila. Hindi mo maiiwasan na ma-attach ka rin sa mga batang

ito. They out do themselves pagdating sa pagluluto. Mahirap na silang i-judge talaga.”

One more baby for Juday Although she’s back to her ideal weight before she got pregnant last year, Judy Ann maintained that she’s not returning to primetime TV anytime soon. In fact, she actually welcomes the idea of getting pregnant again since her son baby Lucho just turned one last October 7. “Blessing yun kasi pag nag-35 ako, kung saka-sakaling mabuntis ako, baka mahirapan ako. So dumating man siya ngayon or kapag-35 years old ako, okay lang. Bonggang-bongga, prepared ako. Prepared ako sa kanya,” she reiterates.

Marriage on the rocks?

On a serious note, Judy Ann was dismayed at the ugly rumours linking Ryan to his Eat Bulaga co-host host Diana Meneses. She even apologized to Diana for getting caught up in such controversy. “Nakakahiya na baka isipin ni Diana na ganito ang kultura sa Pilipinas na ang mga tao, ‘pag may nakitang kausap ka na isang tao, may issue na kaagad. Hindi naman.” Judy Ann further stated that she has nothing to worry about because she’s very much secure with her relationship with Ryan. “Kung sino man yang taong yan na gumagawa ng imbento, sana makatulog ka ng maayos ‘pag gabi kasi kami ang sarap ng tulog namin na wala kaming isyung iniisip. Kung masaya siya na gawa siya ng gawa ng issue sa ibang tao, ayos lang.” ■

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Celebrity, Showbiz & Entertainment

December 2011 – Monthly Issue • UK & Europe Edition

ABS-CBN leads PMPC Star Awards for TV

he 25th Silver Anniversary of the Philippine Movie Press Club (PMPC) Star Awards for TV 2011 held the night of November 22 at Newport Performing Arts Theater of Resorts World in Pasay City, Manila, proved that ABS-CBN remains to be the leading network, after it bagged 26 awards from the said club. Placing second was GMA-7 with 15 awards; TV5 placed third with 6 awards; Studio 23, ABS-CBN’s sister network, with 3 awards; NET 25 with 2; and UNTV with one. This year’s awarding was hosted by actor Piolo Pascual and 2011 Miss Universe 3rd runner-up Shamcey Supsup, directed by Al Quinn and organized by Airtime Marketing Phils, Inc. Established in 1987 by the Association of the Philippine Movie Press Club, the annual award-giving body recognizes the excellent programming produced by different television networks in the country. Below is the complete list of winners: • Best TV Station: ABS-CBN • Best Primetime TV Series: Minsan Lang Kita Iibigin (ABS-CBN) • Best Drama Mini-Series: Agimat: Mga Alamat ni Ramon Revilla presents Kapitan Inggo (ABSCBN)

• Best Horror or Fantasy Program: Wansapanataym (ABS-CBN) • Best Drama Actor: Coco Martin (Minsan Lang Kita Iibigin) (ABS-CBN) • Best Drama Actress: Gretchen Barretto (Magkaribal) (ABS-CBN) • Best Single Performance by an Actor: Enchong Dee {Maalaala Mo Kaya (Parol)} (ABS-CBN) • Best Single Performance by an Actress: Ai-Ai delas Alas {Maalaala Mo Kaya (Krus)} (ABS-CBN) • Best Children Show: Art Angel (GMA-7) • Best Children Show Host: Tonipet Gaba and Roxanne Barcelo (Art Angel) (GMA-7) • Best Educational Program: Matanglawin (ABS-CBN) • Best Educational Program Host: Kim Atienza (Matanglawin) (ABSCBN) • Best Travel Show: Trip na Trip (ABS-CBN) • Best Travel Show Host: Katherine De Castro, Uma Khouny, Jason Gainza (Trip na Trip) (ABS-CBN) • Best Lifestyle Show: Us Girls (Studio 23) • Best Lifestyle Show Host: Angel Aquino, Cheska Garcia-Kramer and MJ Felipe (Us Girls) (Studio 23) • Best Morning Show: Umagang Kay Ganda (ABS-CBN) • Best Morning Show Hosts: Anthony Taberna, Bernadette Sembrano, Alex Santos, Iya

Jolina Magdangal ties the knot with Mark Escueta twice

ctress Jolina Magdangal and Rivermaya drummer Mark Escueta were both emotional as they exchanged I do’s during their garden wedding at Splendido Taal Golf & Country Club last November 21. “Ikaw ang pinakamagandang regalo ni God. Sabi ko, sasabihin ko na lang kung anong nararamdaman ko para sa iyo. Lahat ng nandito, lahat ng in-invite natin dito, alam nila kung gaano kita kamahal,” said Jolina who recounted some of her funny day-to-day experiences with Mark in between her tearful marriage vow. Mark also shed tears as he promised to share a lifetime of happiness with Jolina. “Ikaw ang nag-ilaw sa buhay ko. Mamahalin kita habang buhay at araw-araw... Ikaw ang buhay ko. Mula ngayon, para sa iyo ang lahat.” Judy Ann Santos, Angelika dela Cruz and Kyla comprised Jolina’s bridesmaids with Gibo Teodoro, Ronnie Puno, Franklin Drilon, Mel Tiangco, Arnold Clavio and Jaya as primary sponsors. Other celebrity guests included Anne Curtis, Kaye Abad, Nikki Valdez, Rachelle Ann

Villania, Donita Rose, Winnie Cordero, Andrei Felix, Venus Raj (Umagang Kay Ganda) (ABSCBN) • Best Public Service Program: Bitag (TV5) • Best Public Service Program Host: Atty. Precida Acosta (Public Atorni) (TV5) • Best Magazine Show: Rated K (ABS-CBN) • Best Magazine Show Host: Korina Sanchez (Rated K) (ABS-CBN) • Best Public Affairs Program: The Bottomline with Boy Abunda (ABS-CBN) • Best Public Affairs Program Host: Boy Abunda (The Bottomline with Boy Abunda) (ABS-CBN) • Best News Program: 24 Oras (GMA-7) • Best Male Newscaster: Anthony Taberna (Iba-Balita ni Anthony Taberna) (Studio 23) • Best Female Newscaster: Vicky Morales (Saksi) (GMA-7) • Best Youth-Oriented Program: Reel Love Presents: Tween Hearts (GMA-7) • Best Talent Search Program: Talentadong Pinoy (TV5) and Showtime (ABS-CBN) • Best Talent Search Program Host: Luis Manzano and Billy Crawford (Pilipinas Got Talent) (ABS-CBN) • Best New Male TV Personality: Derick Monasterio (Reel Love Presents: Tween Hearts) (GMA-

(ABS-CBN) • Best Drama Anthology: Untold Stories Mula sa Face to Face (TV5) • Best Musical Variety Show: ASAP Rocks (ABS-CBN) • Best Variety Show: Willing Willie (TV5) • Best Documentary Program: I Witness (GMA-7) • Best Documentary Host: Kara David, Jay Taruc, Howie Severino, Sandra Aguinaldo (I Witness) (GMA-7) • Best Documentary Special: Pluma: Rizal, Ang Dakilang Manunulat (GMA News TV) • Faces of the Night • Male – Piolo Pascual • Female – KC Concepcion • Stars of the Night • Male – Coco Martin • Female – Toni Gonzaga • Ading Fernando Lifetime Achievement Award • Susan Roces • Excellence in Broadcasting Lifetime Achievement Award • Jessica Soho • Hall of Fame • Boy Abunda (Best Male ShowbizOriented Show Host) (ABS-CBN) • Maalaala Mo Kaya (Best Drama Anthology) (ABS-CBN) • Special Award • Nora Aunor Longest Running Musical Variety Show in Philippine Television History (Superstar) • German Moreno Master Star Builder ■

Andi Eigenmann embraces single parenthood with optimism

ndi Eigenmann gave birth to a baby girl, Adrianna Gabrielli, at St. Luke’s Medical Center in Taguig last November 23. She went through an emergency caesarean procedure with baby Elli weighing 7.8 pounds. “When she was taken out and they found out her umbilical cord is in her neck. Buti na lang hindi na ako nagdalawang isip,” says Andi Asked how she felt after 10 hours of labour, the feisty young actress

Go and Tuesday Vargas among others. In an interview few days after the wedding, Jolina shared that it was her dream to share such a momentous event in her life with only their families and few closest friends. In fact, the couple also had a Catholic wedding with less than 20 guests at Madre De Dios Chapel in Tagaytay last November 19. Yung [garden wedding] talaga ang pinaghandaan ko nang bongga. Pero iba rin yung feeling na wala kang paki kung mag-smudge ang make-up mo. Kasi, talagang kami lang. Tapos naiyak na talaga ako noong makita ko siya. Iba yung feeling nung church.” ■

7) and Teejay Marquez (Reel Love Presents: Tween Hearts) (GMA-7) • Best New Female TV Personality: Jillian Ward (Trudis Liit) (GMA-7) • Best Celebrity Talk Show: Moments (Net 25) • Best Celebrity Talk Show Host: Janice de Belen (Spoon) (UNTV) • Best Variety: ASAP Rocks (ABSCBN) • Best Male TV Host: Allan K (Eat Bulaga) (GMA-7) • Best Female TV Host: Toni Gonzaga (ASAP Rocks) (ABSCBN) • Game Show: Panahon Ko ‘to!: Ang Game Show ng Buhay Ko (ABSCBN) • Best Game Show Host: Vic Sotto (Who Wants to Be a Millionaire Philippines) (TV5) Manzano and Billy • Luis Crawford (Panahon Ko ‘to!: Ang Game Show ng Buhay Ko) (ABSCBN) • Best Showbiz-Oriented Show: The Buzz (ABS-CBN) • Best Male Showbiz-Oriented Show Host: Luis Manzano (E-Live) (ABS-CBN) • Best Female ShowbizOriented Show Host: Cristy Fermin (Paparazzi) (TV5) • Best Comedy Show: Pepito Manaloto (GMA-7) • Best Comedy Actor: Ogie Alcasid (Bubble Gang) (GMA-7) • Best Comedy Actress: Ai-Ai delas Alas (M3: Malay Mo Ma-develop)

remained energetic and amazed about her whole experience. “It was funny kasi award-winning ang reaction ko. Sa dami-dami ng pwede kong sabihin nung sinabi na she was out, ang sinabi ko ay ‘Yey!’ At tinaas ko ‘yung dalawang kamay ko, so medyo natawa ‘yung mga tao.” She couldn’t help but shed tears though when she saw her baby for the first time. “When they put her on my chest, I cried because finally I could see her na. Sobrang I’ve been waiting for her to come out. I’m very happy. Medyo nakaka-

stress lang kapag umiiyak yung baby tapos wala pa akong alam. Ngayon pa lang ako natututo how to take care of one. But it really feels good.” Although her baby’s daddy is yet to take responsibility, Andi insisted that she’s looking forward to raising her child on her own. “I know that my friends and family are here with me. I know there’s no reason for me to be afraid or to feel that this is going to be hard because there are a lot of people willing to help and guide me through this.” ■

Luis Manzano confirms relationship with Jennelyn Mercado

fter several months of exclusively dating, Luis Manzano was proud to say that Jennelyn Mercado is now his girlfriend. “Yes, it’s formal na that we’re together. May anniversary na kami. It happened fairly recently. Hindi ko na idedetalye kung kailan. Basta I’m very happy.” Based on previous sightings, the two were practically inseparable even prior to Luis’s confirmation. Asked if there have

been changes ever since they made their relationship official, Luis replied, “Honestly wala. It’s only a label. I’ve been happy naman all throughout. Siguro yung ibang tao ang mas nakakapansin na medyo mas extra yung smiles ko at blooming daw ako.” Luis also clarified circulating rumours that his mom, Batangas Governor Vilma Santos, disapprove of Jennelyn. “Every time she texts me regarding Jen, papuri ang mga sinasabi ni Mommy. You can

feel the sincerity kasi si Mommy ko naman, hindi siya ganun kabrutal pero mararamdaman mo kung ayaw niya sa isang tao. So far so good naman.” If anything, the actor-host claimed that he is the type of guy who would fight for the one he loves even against his family’s wishes. “Oo naman. Ang importante sa akin, as long as hindi nakakasama sa akin ang relasyon at wala kaming tinatapakang ibang tao, ipaglalaban ko.” ■

HELLO PHILIPPINES

FOOTBALL: 2011 UFL closes with an explosive Final Four Isa Almazan

total of 16 teams battled it out for the 2011 United Football League and the tournament cup is finally coming to a near close. Four of the best Philippine Football Clubs made it to the UFL Semi-Finals to be held on December 05, 2011 at Rizal Memorial Stadium. Meralco Sparks, led by the Younghusband’s and the Hartmann brothers, will be going head to head against Kaya Cignal FC whose more formidable players include Anton del Rosario and Nate Burkey at 6pm. Shortly afterwards, at 8pm, Angel Guirado and Misagh Bahadoran alongside the rest

of Global FC will try to continue defending their crown as they face the Airforce Phoenix FC whose key players include Chieffy Caligdong and Ian Araneta. Prior to the commencement of the final four duels, the top goal scorer is Phil Younghusband with a massive 22 points and coming in 2nd is Ian Araneta with a solid 18. Most of the players of these high profile teams will be coming fresh from their game last December 3, 2011 against the LA Galaxy. It will definitely be a treat to see how the players will translate their experience and how they will fare in the field on Monday. The schedule of the Finals game will be announced shortly after Monday’s semi-finals games. ■

RUGBY: Bad and Good news for Philippine Rugby

he Lady Volcanoes just ended their stint in Laos for the Asian Rugby Football Union Division 2 tournament last November 27, 2011. After having lost two games against China and Thailand wherein they scored nothing, the girls only finished at third place. The Lady Volcanoes, however, ended on a high note after winning last game of the tournament. The girls scored 20 points against Laos, the hosts of the event, who only got 12 points despite a deficiency in their line up. Manila Santos and Blessy Delos Santos had to be pulled

out of the game after an injury that required stitches from a tackle earlier in the game. The spirits of the players and Rugby fans should not be damped because this serves as a good experience and because there is another reason to celebrate. The Philippine Rugby Football Union (PRFU) was able to get the bid to host the Asian 5 Nations Division 1 Championships here in Manila. There are no final details regarding the venue or ticket prices. Dates have been secured for the tournament, however, and it will be held on April 15, 18 & 21, 2012. ■

FOOTBALL: LA Galaxy Wins 6-1 but Azkals performed Stellar

Sports

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ecember 3, 2011, Saturday proved to be a historical day for Philippine Football as the National Team, Philippine Azkals, went head to head with the American-based football club LA Galaxy. The first half was fast paced and the Azkals created a lot of goal despite not having key players such as Aly Borromeo, Neil Etheridge or Roland Muller, and Stephan Shrock to name a few in the pitch. Another unfortunate instance in the game was when defender Rob Gier was pulled out in the early minutes of the game due to a calf injury. Beckham wowed the crowd after sending the first goal of the game to the net with a curling right footed strike in the 20th minute and Mike Magee upped the Galaxy’s score in the 39th minute. Our very own Phil Younghusband did a left footed

trick on the 41st minute that elated the Filipino spirits. The second half, however, proved to be the bigger challenge for the Philippine Team. Galaxy’s third goal in the first couple of minutes of the second half was the beginning of the downfall of the Azkals’ game as Galaxy continued to score three more goals. The game, however, cannot be simply judged by the numbers alone because it was a very tight and exciting game all throughout. Beckham, during the press conference, said that the Azkals challenged their team well while Galaxy coach Bruce Arena said that, “It was a good match this evening. I thought the Philippine team played quite well in the first half; certainly it was a close match. In the second half, I think we just wore them down. Our fitness level is perhaps a little bit better.” ■

December 2011 – Monthly Issue • UK & Europe Edition

BOXING: Pacquiao: still the Best Pound for Pound fighter and to maybe fight Mayweather in May 2012

celebrityandcelebrity.blogspot.com

acquiao leaves the MGM Grand Arena in Las Vegas Nevada last November 12, 2011 with another controversial win. The first two fights ended in a draw and a split decision, respectively, so many were hoping for a photo-perfect finish for the third chapter of the most watched boxing trilogy of Manny Pacquiao and Juan Manuel Marquez. Instead, the score cards resulted in a majority decision in favour of the Filipino boxer, 114114, 115-113, and 116-112. Debate commenced on whether

he deserved to win the fight at the moment that it was announced that Pacquiao retained the WBO welterweight title. The eight-division world champion, however, remains unfazed because he is still the number 1 best pound for pound fighter. This issue however has passed and the new talk of the town is Floyd Mayweather’s tweet last November 29, 2011 that simply said, “May 5, 2012.” Fans all over were hoping that this legitimizes a Pacquiao-Mayweather duel next year but there have been no official statement from either camp yet. ■

FOOTBALL: Beckham and LA Galaxy takes timeout with Unprivileged Kids

he LA Galaxy were warmly welcomed to the Philippines last Thursday December 1, 2011. The Galaxy boys only had a 10-day break after bagging the championship from Major League Soccer Cup before they went on this 3-stop Pacific tour. Prior to their 3-day stay in Manila, they were in Indonesia wherein they won by 1-0 against a friendly with the country’s selection team. Despite the lack of rest, the long travelling hours, and the probable jet lag all of them were experiencing, Beckham and the rest of LA Galaxy were able to spend time with unprivileged kids. Beckham, a former player at Manchester United and Real Madrid who is also a UNICEF ambassador, visited a shelter for the homeless and shares how inspiring it was to listen to the dreams and hopes of the children. “What struck me the most about coming into the center was it was a real happy place, a real inspiring place. They are teaching

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kids unbelievable values. Every child I spoke to today - they all have dreams, they all have inspirations. It’s heartbreaking to think majority of these children haven’t got parents, or haven’t got parents to care for them and love them.” he said. Afterwards, the entire LA Galaxy coached in a football clinic with 200 kids in the Rizal Memorial Stadium. Roughly

90 of the 200 kids were sponsored children from the Payatas FC, the Futkaleros of Tondo, and wards of the Tuloy sa Don Bosco, Bantay Bata, and UNICEF. The Galaxy Captain, Landon Donovan, tweeted that he helped Philippine children fit hearing aids and says that witnessing this was to him, “something I’ll never forget.” ■

A Merry Christmas for SEA Games 2011 Medallists

he Philippine Team came home from Jakarta and Palembang, Indonesia with a total of 169 medals. The 10 day quest of Team Pilipinas in the 26th SEA Games from November 11 to 22, 2011 resulted to a 5th place over all win out of 11 participating countries. Although, the country retained its 5th spot from the 2009 games, we were able to take home 45 more medals this year. When broken down, the athletes were able to garner 36 gold medals, 56 silver medals, and 77 bronze medals. Some of the team sports that won the first place for their

respective sports are the Men’s Basketball team, and the Men’s and Women’s Baseball teams. Other gold medal winners include athletes from Eduard Folayang and

Mark Eddiva for Wu Shu, Japoy Lizardo for Taekwondo, Wesley So for Chess, and Equestrian Diego Lorenzo for the Individual Jumping to name a few. Philippine Sports Commission chairman, Ritchie Garcia, announced that they will be giving out cash incentives to the medallists in an event tentatively scheduled on December 16, 2011. President Benigno Aquino III will be present to give out the cash incentives. It states in the Republic Act 9064 that gold medallists will receive P100,000, silver medal winners with P50,000 and bronze medallists with P10,000. ■

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