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Saturday, 17 November 2012 Show starts at 6:00pm ExCel London, ICC Auditorium, One Western Gateway, Royal Victoria Dock, London E16 1XL Tickets: £35 / £45 / £55 / £65 / £75 Premium / £85 VIP
Sharon Cuneta at Willie Revillame mapapanood na din sa UK and Ireland via Hello Philippines TV Connect. Contact: Hello Philippines TV Connect 020 3174 1894 hptvconnect@hello-philippines.com www.hptvconnect.com www.hello-philippines.com
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HELLO FORTNIGHTLY FR EE
PHILIPPINES Connecting Global News & Views For The Community
UK & Europe Edition
June 2012 / Fortnightly
Volume 3 - Number 11
510 FREE UK regional connections with
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TYCOON BATTLE TO KEEP FORTUNE BILLIONAIRE Lucio Tan has won a decades-long legal battle to keep the fortune he built up during the dictatorship of Ferdinand Marcos, according to his lawyer. An anti-graft court ruled on Wednesday, June 14 that the government’s 1987 seizure of some 22 billion pesos (about $520 million at current exchange rates), was illegal, lawyer Estelito Mendoza said in a statement. The Presidential Commission on Good Government froze the assets, which included beer, tobacco and banking firms, shortly after Marcos was deposed, alleging in court Tan conspired with the dictator to acquire them illegally. Mendoza said Tan, an ethnic Chinese tycoon ranked by Forbes as the second-richest Filipino with an estimated fortune of $3.5 billion, hoped the ruling would finally end the government’s campaign against him. “It is (Tan’s) hope that with this decision of the Sandiganbayan (court), the (government) will relent in its effort to lay claim to his assets and in restricting the exercise of full rights over those properties,” Mendoza said. The assets include Fortune Tobacco, a dominant player in the
©AFP/File/Nat Garcia
Lucio Tan, pictured the 10th World Chinese Entrepreneurs Convention (WCEC) in Manila, in 2009. He is ranked by Forbes as the 2nd-richest Filipino with an estimated fortune of $3.5 billion.
local cigarette market, Asia Brewery, the country’s number-two beer manufacturer, and Allied Banking, a mid-ranking domestic lender. Tan retained controlled of these companies during the sequestration but could not sell or merge the firms. The 77-year-old has always denied that he received favours from Marcos, who was toppled in a bloodless “people power” revolt in 1986 and died in US exile three years later.
One of the first acts of the government that succeeded Marcos was to form the wealth commission to recover up to $10 billion in state assets allegedly stolen by the dictator and his associates. However successive governments have largely failed in their efforts, with local courts frequently ruling in favour of the cronies, many of whom have remained extremely powerful political and business figures.
©AFP/File/Romeo Gacad
This file photo shows then President Joseph Estrada (right) escorted by 77-year-old FilipinoChinese tycoon Lucio Tan (left), in 1999, before leaving Manila for a foreign visit. Lucio Tan has always denied any wrongdoing in his anti-graft case.
Last year another Marcos ally, Eduardo Cojuangco, an uncle of the current president, also beat government efforts to take back his shares in San Miguel Corporation, one of the country’s largest conglomerates. Tan had also got the anti-graft court to lift the sequestration twice previously, Mendoza said. Presidential Commission on Good Government spokesman Nick Suarez
told AFP the government could again appeal the latest ruling, although no decision had yet been made. “The commission is still studying all available options as to what course of action it would take,” Suarez said. The freeze orders against Tan did not include Philippine Airlines and Philippine National Bank, which he acquired from the government after the fall of Marcos. ■ (©AFP – Manila, Philippines – June 14, 2012)
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4
HELLO PHILIPPINES
www.hello-philippines.com
International News
June 2012 / Fortnightly – No. 11 • UK & Europe Edition
Joint Press Statement of President Benigno Aquino III of the Philippines and Prime Minister David Cameron of the United Kingdom on the Occasion of the Official Visit to the United Kingdom of President Benigno Aquino III—4 - 6 JUNE 2012 1. H.E Benigno Aquino III, President of the Republic of the Philippines, and Rt. Hon. David Cameron MP, Prime Minister of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, met in London on 6 June 2012 on the occasion of the official visit to the United Kingdom of President Aquino. 2. With the theme “Rising Philippines, Strong Britain: Towards a New Era of Mutual Prosperity and Partnership”, the official visit provided an opportunity to reinvigorate the enduring partnership and productive cooperation between the Philippines and the United Kingdom. 3. At their meeting, President Aquino and Prime Minister Cameron had a broad exchange of views on bilateral, regional and international issues of common interest, as well as on revitalizing and sustaining the relationship towards a prosperous and secure future for both countries. 4. They both recognized that the Philippines and the United Kingdom shared common and universal values of democracy, free speech, and the rule of law buoyed further by a shared language and growing and deepening links between their two peoples.
Political Cooperation 5.
The two leaders noted the importance of continued interaction between officials at the highest levels of government. They agreed to hold the third round of
the Philippines-United Kingdom High Level Talks in London later this year to review the state of the relationship and identify practical cooperation measures towards enhancing the relationship, which will be reflected in the PhilippinesUnited Kingdom Joint Plan of Action (JPA) to be adopted at the meeting. 6. President Aquino informed Prime Minister Cameron of the latest developments in the peace negotiations between the Philippine Government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF). President Aquino recognized the United Kingdom’s continuing role as a founding and active member of the International Contact Group. In turn, Prime Minister Cameron reiterated the commitment of the United Kingdom to continue assisting in the Mindanao peace process, including through the sharing of lessons learned in the Northern Ireland peace process. 7. The two leaders welcomed the entry into force of the Philippines-United Kingdom Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty (MLAT). The MLAT, which was signed in London in September 2009, facilitates informationsharing and cooperation in law enforcement and judicial matters to address transnational crime, including money laundering, trafficking of women and children, and illicit drug trafficking. The two leaders expressed the hope that the Philippines-United Kingdom
Extradition Treaty would also enter into force. 8. The two leaders discussed regional and international issues of mutual interest. Both affirmed the need to collaborate in addressing climate change, combating transnational crime and terrorism, preventing human trafficking and child exploitation, promoting nuclear nonproliferation and disarmament, and maintaining international peace and security. The United Kingdom welcomed the Philippines’ leading role in ASEAN. Both leaders agreed that ASEAN had a crucial role to play in promoting prosperity and development in Asia, including by working with its partners to resolve regional disputes peacefully. 9. President Aquino congratulated the British Government for taking on the co-chairmanship of the Open Government Partnership (OGP) Steering Committee from March to September 2012 and as Lead Chair from September 2012 to August 2013. Both leaders expressed the same hope of enhancing the state of governance in order to reduce poverty and foster economic competitiveness.
Economic Cooperation 10. The Philippines and the United Kingdom have enjoyed a robust economic partnership over the years. The United Kingdom is the Philippines’ top European investor and the largest Philippine tourism market in Europe. President Aquino emphasized that the Philippines
Philippines bans fishing near disputed shoal
THE Philippines imposed a two-month ban on fishing around a disputed South China Sea shoal on Wednesday, May 16 after saying it did not recognise a similar order by China. Both countries have had ships posted at Scarborough Shoal since April 10, when Chinese vessels prevented a Philippine ship from arresting Chinese fishermen. The fishing bans, both of which came into effect on Wednesday, are seen by observers as an opportunity for a face-saving way by the two claimants to back away from the maritime row. “We are implementing our own closed season for the area,” Philippine Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources director Asis Perez said.
“This is based on reports... that there are so many fishermen in the area so we should close that part of the sea so (the shoal) can take a breather.” China’s action, which it also says is aimed at curbing overfishing and includes the waters around the disputed shoal, runs to August 1. President Benigno Aquino previously said that the Philippines was not bound by it and would follow its own rules regarding the shoal. China currently has two government boats and 10 fishing boats around the shoal while the Philippines has two government vessels and one fishing boat, Manila says. The shoal sits about 230 kilometres (140 miles) from the
Philippines’ main island of Luzon. The nearest major Chinese landmass is 1,200 kilometres northwest of the shoal, according to Philippine navy maps. China claims the shoal along with most of the South China Sea, even up to the coasts of its Asian neighbours, while the Philippines claims the shoal as being well within its 200-nautical-mile exclusive economic zone. Also on Wednesday, Aquino named two “special envoys” to China to improve relations. In recent weeks, the Chinese have impounded bananas from the Philippines and warned their tourists about visiting the country, raising fears that Beijing may use economic measures to put pressure on Manila. ■ (©AFP – Manila, Philippines – May 16, 2012)
offered exciting investment opportunities for British business, especially in energy, infrastructure, business-process outsourcing, information technology, and tourism. 11. The two leaders agreed to further expand economic cooperation to pave the way for increased trade and investment flows between the two countries. 12. President Aquino briefed Prime Minister Cameron on the Philippines’ public-private partnership (PPP) programme. He invited the British government and business sector to continue sharing its vast expertise in this area, and encouraged British investors to participate in the projects. Prime Minister Cameron noted that the British government had provided and would continue to provide expertise to the Philippines in shaping its PPP programme and looked forward to British companies participating in projects. 13. President Aquino underscored his government’s determined efforts to ensure a positive, transparent and predictable environment for doing business in the Philippines for foreign investors, including those from the United Kingdom. Cultural Cooperation 14. President Aquino and Prime Minister Cameron affirmed the rich and profound linkages between the Filipino and British peoples. The Filipino diaspora in the United Kingdom, some 250,000 with many employed in
the healthcare sector, continue to make positive contributions to the British economy and society. They also recognized the vibrant role played by the 15,000-strong British community in the Philippines in contributing to the country’s economic development and promoting the overall bilateral partnership. 15. The two leaders committed themselves to intensify further people-to-people linkages, especially among students, young professionals, cultural troupes, local governments and community organizations. They also encouraged increased visitor arrivals between the two countries as fresh tourism gateways to Asia and Europe. 16. President Aquino extended, through Prime Minister Cameron, the best wishes of the Filipino people to Her Majesty the Queen on the occasion of her Diamond Jubilee. 17. The two leaders also looked forward to the Games of the 30th Olympiad to be held in London. President Aquino conveyed his best wishes and support to Prime Minister Cameron for a successful Olympic hosting and that the Philippines looked forward to participating actively in the games.
Invitation to Visit the Philippines 18. President Aquino invited Prime Minister Cameron to be the first incumbent British leader to visit the Philippines. ■ (DFA – June 7, 2012)
Secretary Del Rosario and British Secretary of State Hague Meet in London FOREIGN Affairs Secretary Albert F. Del Rosario met at 10 Downing Street with his British counterpart, Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs William Hague MP, at the sidelines of President Benigno S. Aquino III’s historic visit to the United Kingdom (UK). It was the first meeting for both Foreign Secretaries and the two agreed to elevate the level of their bilateral relations to new heights, particularly in the areas of political and economic cooperation. They also instructed their respective senior officials to prepare for the adoption of the Philippines-UK Joint Plan of Action at the third round of High Level Talks between the Philippines and the UK to be hosted in London later this year. The Philippines-UK Joint Plan of Action (JPA) is envisioned as a political, non-legally binding document that will serve as the
framework for bilateral cooperation activities and help chart the future direction of the relationship. The two Foreign Ministries exchanged notes on the entry into force of the Philippines-UK Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty (MLAT) and looked forward to the completion of formalities on the implementation of the Philippines-UK Extradition Treaty. The two Foreign Secretaries also discussed at some length issues of regional and international concern, particularly on the West Philippines Sea, Myanmar, the Middle East and the Euro Sovereign Debt Crisis. The Philippines and the UK established formal diplomatic relations on 4 July 1946. The UK is one of the Philippines’ top European investors, the 23rd trading partner, the biggest tourism market in Europe and host to the biggest number of Filipinos in Europe. ■ (DFA – June 7, 2012)
6
HELLO PHILIPPINES
Business & Finance
www.hello-philippines.com
June 2012 / Fortnightly – No. 11 • UK & Europe Edition
Philippines slams tax-dodging lawyers, doctors THE cash-strapped Philippine government announced Friday, June 15 a campaign to chase tax-dodging lawyers, doctors, accountants and athletes, accusing them of cheating the country out of billions of dollars. Fewer than a third of the 1.7 million self-employed business people and athletes paid taxes in 2010, the finance department said. “This ‘hard-to-tax’ group of taxpayers will be this year’s focus of the (Bureau of Internal Revenue),” it said in a statement, specifically naming lawyers, doctors, accountants and athletes.
“In fact, the bureau has started filing tax evasion charges against high-profile professionals and businessmen.” It did not single out anyone by name, but in February the bureau filed a criminal charge against Philippine boxing icon Manny Pacquiao, accusing him of obstructing government efforts to investigate his income streams. The eight-time world champion and member of parliament, who is one of the world’s highest-earning athletes, denies the charge.
The department said it estimated businessmen and professionals cheated the government out of 82.5 billion pesos ($1.95 billion) in tax revenues from 2008-2010. Most did not file annual income tax returns and many failed to issue receipts to customers, making it difficult for the tax office to monitor their earnings. Others made up bloated expenses to cut their tax liabilities, it said. As a result salaried workers, who have part of their income automatically deducted and remitted
to the government, collectively provide about 12.5 percent of the annual revenue collections, it said. Businessmen and other highearning professionals provided just two percent. “This lopsided tax sharing between the two groups of taxpayers has been there for years,” it added. The government collected 1.27 trillion pesos in taxes last year, but spent 692 billion pesos more than that, forcing it to borrow money and sell state assets. ■ (©AFP – Manila, Philippines – June 15, 2012)
Panasonic’s Android-based ‘toughpad’ unveiled in Asia
A weather dust and water-resistant design Panasonic Toughpad is displayed during the CommunicAsia telecom expo and conference in Singapore. Panasonic’s first Android-based computer tablet designed for tough environments such as battlefields was unveiled at a major regional telecom fair in Singapore.
PANASONIC’S first Android-based computer tablet designed for tough environments such as battlefields was unveiled Tuesday, June 19 at a major regional telecom fair in Singapore. It was the first time the “Panasonic Toughpad A1” was showcased in Asia, where company officials said there is a huge demand for such a rugged device. It has already previewed in the United States and production will start later this year, company executives said.
Satoshi Mizobata, a director at Panasonic’s Toughbook Asia Pacific Group, said the device is the firm’s first rugged tablet computer using the Android operating system. Previous Panasonic “toughpads” use Windows. “It’s military-type,” Mizobata told AFP at the Panasonic booth at the CommunicAsia telecom trade expo that opened Tuesday. “It is waterproof, dust-proof and shock-proof.” The device weighs 0.97 kilogrammes and its 10.1-inch LCD display allows the user to read even
under the sun while it is tough enough to withstand being dropped from a height of four feet (1.21 metres). It also has a nine-hour battery life. Amos Tio, Southeast Asia general manager for Toughbook Asia Pacific Group, said the gadget will launch in the region in September and in the United States in August. The rugged tablets are popular in industries such as defence, utilities and construction, as well as by workers in Asia’s vast palm oil plantations, company executives said. ■ (©AFP – Singapore – June 19, 2012)
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©AFP / Roslan Rahman
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8
HELLO PHILIPPINES
Events Diary
www.hello-philippines.com
DATE / TIME
EVENT
VENUE
June 2012 / Fortnightly – No. 11 • UK & Europe Edition
ORGANISER
CONTACTS / REMARKS
Philippine Embassy, 6 Suffolk Street, London SW1Y 4HG
Philippine Embassy, London, United Kingdom For purposes of the May 13, 2013 elections, the filing of applications for registration / certification and transfer of registration records will resume at the Philippine Embassy.
“Filipinism”, What Makes Art Filipino – Art 20 to 23 June 2012 Exhibit by Kunst Gallery Artists: Rafael Cusi, 20 June 2012 – 6:00pm – Rene Robles and Aris Bagtas Opening 21 to 23 June 2012 – 10:00am to 5:00pm – Exhibit
Chelsea Library Gallery, Chelsea Old Town Hall, King’s Road, London SW5 5EZ
LornA Fortunado, President – info@batangasMr Ver Cuizon of Kunst Gallery in collaboration with the Batangas Association association.org.uk UK (BAUK) and with the support of the Philippine Embassy, London, United Kingdom
East Meets West, Part 2 – Kantahan naman 22 June 2012 – Friday with the West End Mamas 8:30pm 23 June 2012 – Saturday 7:30pm – Gala Night (Dinner)
Royal Over-Seas League, Overseas House, Park Place, St James’s Street, London SW1A 1LR
The Inter-Cultural Society of London in cooperation with the Philippine Embassy
For more details contact: Gia Macuja-Atchison 07961 445 249 / gia@westendmamas.com / Loline 07720 288 838 / Peps Villanueva 07760 874 138
2 November 2011 to 31 October 2012
Filing of Applications for Registration / Certification and Transfer of Registration Records
23 & 24 June 2012 – Saturday & Sunday
5th Fiesta sa Birmingham-Midlands 2012
Woodgate Valley Country Park, Clapgate Lane, Bartley Green, Birmingham B32 3DS
Filipino Association of Birmingham (FAB)
Marlo Quilang, Chairman 0121 244 6900 / 0121 421 7762 / 07531 022 269 / Rozen 07985 159 203
23 & 24 June 2012 – Saturday & Sunday
Filipino British Society (FBS) Barrio Fiesta in Milton Keynes
Campbell Park, Milton Keynes MK9 4AD
Filipino British Society (FBS)
Maria Davis 07737 676 850 / Merald Yates 07909 957 313 / merald@hotmail.co.uk / Fe 07588 636 573
20 to 30 June 2012
“Filipinism”, What Makes Art Filipino – Art Exhibit by Kunst Gallery Artists: Rafael Cusi, Rene Robles and Aris Bagtas
Philippine Embassy, 1st Floor, 10 – 11 Suffolk Street, London SW1Y 4HG
Mr Ver Cuizon of Kunst Gallery in collaboration with University of the Philippines Alumni Association UK (UPAAUK) and with the support of the Philippine Embassy, London, United Kingdom
30 June 2012 – Saturday 10:00am to 1:00pm
Tacloban Fiesta in London 2012
Leyte-Samar Organization in the UK
Eric-Jaryn Tomandao Go
30 June & 1 July 2012 – Saturday & Sunday 9:00am to 6:00pm 8 July 2012 – Sunday 8:00am to 6:00pm
28th Barrio Fiesta sa London 2012
St. Francis of Assisi Roman Catholic Church Hall, Grove Crescent Road, Stratford, London E15 1NS Lampton Park, Lampton Road, Hounslow, Middlesex TW3 4DN
ABS-CBN Europe Limited in cooperation with The Philippine Centre
Event Coordinator 07577 813 104 / londonbarriofiesta@yahoo.com
27 May to 14 July 2012
Bradford Pinoy Barrio Fiesta and Santacruzan 2012
Lady Hill Park, Allerton Road, Bradford BD15 7TS
British-Filipino Association of Bradford
Nina Ricci Santos, Chairman bfabmail@yahoo.com / 07780 076 256 / Lorrie 07597 135 617
Global Run: Takbong Alay sa Pilipino at sa Buong Mundo
27 to 29 May – Finland Leg 30 May to 9 June – Sweden Leg 10 to 11 June – Denmark Leg 12 to 14 June – Sweden Leg 15 to 27 June – Norway Leg 28 June to 14 July – Britain Leg
Mr Cesar Guarin, 56 years old, and first Filipino global runner and Father of Ultra Marathon in the Philippines, will run a 2,262 km ultra marathon from Helsinki to London starting on 27 May up to 14 July 2012. This run is the 6th stage of his 43,258 km global run in 42 countries across the world.
Global Run would like to get in touch with the Filipino communities in the following areas where Mr Cesar Guarin and his team will pass: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8.
Edinburgh Glasgow Manchester Bradford Liverpool Birmingham Cardiff Bristol
9. Swindon 10. Oxford 11. London 12. Brighton 13. Mitcham 14. Milton Keynes 15. East Grinstead
End point in London will be at a venue near the London Olympic Stadium. The Global Run Team will be in London area for 10 days to fellowship with kababayans before their departure for the Philippines. 21 & 22 July 2012 – Saturday 1st Worcester Barrio Fiesta 2012 & Sunday
County of Worcestershire
Worcestershire Filipino International Community (WFIC)
Edwin Vargas, President 01905 352 092 / 07889 947 112
4 August 2012 – Saturday 8:00am to 7:00pm
1st Barrio Fiesta in Sussex 2012 – Party at the Beach!!!
Lancing Beach Green, West Sussex BN15 8RA
KMF Production & Pimoymart Store
Ron Albano 07827 965 478
18 August 2012 – Saturday
1st Orpington Barrio Fiesta 2012
Hewitts Farm, Orpington, Kent
Orpington Filipino-British Association
orpington_fba07@yahoo.co.uk
27 August 2012 – Monday 4:00pm to 10:00pm
Dinner & Dance Party
Indian YMCA Student Hostel, London W1T 6AQ
Dumangas-London Association
Mr Harold Gonzaga 020 8274 1531
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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. DISCLAIMER: The Events Diary Listing does not necessarily constitute or imply its endorsement, recommendation, or favouring by Hello Philippines newspaper. The views and opinions of authors expressed herein do not necessarily state or reflect those of Hello Philippines newspaper. This is merely an Events Diary Listing of what is happening within the Filipino Communities in Europe. This is for general information only.
Contact Details: Jolly Li | 9 Holborn, London, EC1N 2LL, United Kingdom Tel: +44 (0) 20 3005 6135 | Mobile: 07538 344 631 | Email: courseinfo@lsbf.org.uk Fax: +44 (0) 20 7823 2302 | Website: www.lsbf.org.uk
10
HELLO PHILIPPINES
www.hello-philippines.com
Business & Finance
June 2012 / Fortnightly – No. 11 • UK & Europe Edition
China rift halts AirAsia Philippines’ Macau plan BUDGET carrier AirAsia’s Philippine unit said Friday, June 1 it had shelved planned daily flights to Macau amid a simmering maritime dispute between China and the Philippines. AirAsia Philippines was to have launched a daily Macau service in July, but then the market outlook dimmed, its chief executive Marianne Hontiveros told AFP. “I was advised that travel agents in Macau had cancelled tour groups to the Philippines,” she said. Hontiveros said industry sources told her the cancellations were “because of the current situation, and that (territorial dispute) is the
only current situation I know of”. Last month Chinese travel agencies announced they had suspended tours to the Philippines, under government orders. The suspension came amid a stand-off between Philippine and Chinese vessels at the shoal in the South China Sea, which is claimed by both countries. The dispute broke out in April when Chinese government ships blocked Philippine vessels from arresting Chinese fishermen there. Hontiveros said the AirAsia unit has not set a new timetable for launching its Macau service, which it had envisioned as a gateway
for Chinese tourists visiting the Philippines. “The China market is very important to us and we thought Macau would be important to us as well,” she said. AirAsia Philippines, which only started flying in March, using the Clark airport north of Manila as its hub, is still planning daily services to Hong Kong starting in July, said Hontiveros. The airline now serves popular vacation destinations in the Philippines and is due to begin international flights to Kuala Lumpur later this month. ■ (©AFP –
June 1, 2012)
Microsoft unveils ‘Surface’ tablet in iPad challenge Michael Thurston, AFP SOFTWARE giant Microsoft unveiled its first tablet computer, Surface, in a major hardware launch clearly designed to take on long-term rival Apple’s market-ruling iPad. Chief executive Steve Ballmer described the iPad challenger – complete with a built-in stand and ultra thin covers-cum-keyboards in a range of colours – as a tablet that “works and plays.” “The Surface is a PC, the Surface is a tablet, and the Surface is something new that we think people will absolutely love,” he said at an hour-long presentation in a Hollywood design studio. No prices or release dates were given, but the Surface is expected to go on sale in the fall, with retail prices “competitive with a comparable ARM tablet or Intel Ultrabook-class” computers, Microsoft said. There were spontaneous bursts of applause and whoops from tech
journalists and bloggers as key features of the new tablet, which has a slightly bigger screen than the iPad, but in wide-screen movie-style 16:9 format. There was also one nervejangling moment for Windows Live Division chief Steven Sinofsky, when the first Surface model he was demonstrating failed to respond to a touch command. To his relief, a replacement worked immediately. “It feels natural in your hands,” he told the invite-only event, shrouded in secrecy reminiscent of Apple icon Steve Jobs, and held in a venue underlining cutting-edge design values, traditionally not Microsoft’s strong point. A version of the Surface tablet running on Windows RT software tailored for ARM mobile device chips will measure 9.3 millimeters thick and weigh 676 grams. It boasts a 10.6-inch (26.9 centimeter) high-definition screen and will be available with 32 or 64
gigabytes of memory. A model powered by Windows 8 Pro weighs 903 grams and will be available with 64 or 128 gigabytes of memory. “It’s a whole new community of computing devices from Microsoft,” Ballmer said. “It embodies the notion of hardware and software really pushing each other.” The Surface features a flip-out rear “kickstand” to prop it up like a picture frame and can be combined with a 3mm-thick Touch Cover that, when opened, acts as a keypad so tablets could be switched into “desktop” mode. There is also a 5 mm-thick Type Cover with moving keys for a more traditional typing feel. The keypad-cover attaches with a magnetic clasp familiar to iPad users, combining to feel like a book in weight and form, as confirmed when journalists were briefly given a brief chance to hold the device after the presentation. “We designed this like a book.
This spine feels like a book,” Michael Angiulo, vice president for Windows Planning, Hardware & PC Ecosystem told the audience. Microsoft did not specify when the tablet would be available but it is likely to be timed with the release of Windows 8 software later this year. “This product marks a crucial pivot in Microsoft’s product strategy,” said Forrester analyst Sarah Rotman Epps. “It puts the focus on the consumer rather than the enterprise,” she continued in a blog post. “And it lets Microsoft compete with verticallyintegrated Apple on more even ground.” Microsoft, which built its fortune by specializing in software and leaving the job of making computers or other devices to partners, has had mixed results from its hardware ventures. The Redmond, Washington-based technology colossus has stamped its brand on personal computer
keyboards, headsets, speakers, webcams and mouse controllers. Microsoft has occasionally weighed in with more significant hardware when it appeared that rivals were running away with the market. The company’s most successful effort in devices has been its Xbox gaming console, in contrast to its failed music player known as Zune. Microsoft this month unveiled a SmartGlass application that developers can use to synch iPads or other tablet computers to Xbox 360 consoles. Zune handheld digital media players were released in late 2006 in a Microsoft challenge to Apple’s culture-changing iPod devices. Microsoft discontinued Zune hardware last year. But it continues to operate its Zune service offering online music, films and other entertainment content, weaving it into the offerings available on Internet-linked Xbox 360 videogame consoles. ■ (AFP – June 19, 2012)
©AFP File
©AFP File
Microsoft’s new tablet Surface is introduced during a press conference in Milky Studios in Hollywood, California. Microsoft chief executive Steve Ballmer described the iPad challenger as a tablet that “works and plays” when he showed it off at a press event in Los Angeles.
Chart showing the market share of major tablet devices. Microsoft, which built its fortune by specializing in software and leaving the job of making computers or other devices to partners, has had mixed results from its hardware ventures.
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OFW NEWS
June 2012 / Fortnightly – No. 11 • UK & Europe Edition
Campaign against illegal recruitment launched in Antique THE Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) and other government agencies forged partnership with the Province of Antique on the Campaign Against Illegal Recruitment, Trafficking in Person, and Irregular Migration (CAIRTIM) in the Municipality of San Jose, Antique yesterday. Deputy Administrator Amuerfina R. Reyes represented Administrator Hans Leo J. Cacdac in the signing of the MOU with Governor Exequiel Javier in fitting ceremonies that will make the Province of Antique better protected against illegal recruitment (IR) and trafficking in persons (TIP). Joining the partnership
were Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Region V led by Regional Director Ponciano Ligutom, Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) and the Commission of Filipinos Overseas (CFO), to be witnessed by Ricardo R. Casco, National Programme Officer of the International Organization for Migration (IOM). The police force and prosecutors of the province, PESO Managers, NGOs, academe, barangay officials and students are presently attending various trainings that will familiarize them with laws on illegal recruitment, modus operandi of recruiters,
job market trends overseas, and similar discussions. Resource persons from Manila also conducted pre-employment orientation seminars to students of different colleges in San Jose, Antique to make them aware of the legal modes of migration, understand the challenges and risks in overseas employment that will prepare them to make informed choices in their plans of going abroad. Cacdac explained that these activities are in line with the implementation of the partnership between POEA and IOM in the Millenium Development Goals
(MDG) in the Youth, Employment and Migration (YEM) joint programme for the upscaling and intensification of communitybased safe migration information, orientation and advocacy campaign. Similar activities have been done in Masbate on the second week of May and will be replicated in Agusan del Sur on June 18 to 22, and Maguindanao on July 2 to 6. POEA, DOLE and IOM officials were also invited in various radio and television programs to promote awareness in the campaign. There is no better way to fight any menace in the society than to equip every individual with critical
information for their own protection, the POEA head further explained. Despite intensive and collaborative efforts to strengthen the campaign, these social problems continue to persist within our midst, that is why we need the strong support cooperation of everyone in attaining our goal to make all our local government units free from illegal recruitment, he added. Cacdac strongly urged the public to visit the POEA website www.poea.gov.ph, or call POEA hotlines 722-1155 or 722-1144 to check on the status of recruitment agencies, and legitimacy of job offers. ■ (23 May 2012, POEA)
POEA revokes licenses of 33 recruitment firms THE Philippine Overseas Employment Administration, from January to May 2012, has cancelled the licenses of 21 recruitment agencies and suspended 12 others, including five agencies charged motu propio by the office, for numerous recruitment violations. In his report to DOLE Secretary Rosalinda Dimapilis-Baldoz, Administrator Hans Leo J. Cacdac said the POEA has initiated the filing of cases against Philglobal Manpower Development Corporation; CSM International Recruitment Services, Inc. Gyron Crew, Inc.; Crosswind
International Manpower Services; and Acclaimed One Manpower and Recruitment Services. “These agencies were found to have violated various provisions of the POEA rules and regulations and Republic Act No. 10022 and were meted with appropriate sanctions provided under the law,” Cacdac said. According to the report, the agencies with cancelled licenses are: EMR Construction and Manpower Services Inc.; Tai-Fil Manpower Services Corporation; Lucky International Placement Services, Inc.; Jems International
Placement Agency Corp.; Masaya International Placement Agency; Prime Stars International Promotion Corporation; Dreams Manpower and Recruitment Agency; G & D Manpower International, Inc.; Green Manpower Management and Development Services; Asahi International Manpower Corporation; Multi-System Conexions International, Inc.; Petra Personnel Employment and Technical Recruitment Agency, Inc.; RV Tria International Recruitment Agency; Hope International Agency; Jerphi Overseas Placement and
Trading Corporation; LPN Manpower Services Inc.; Ritz Manpower Services; Northwest Placement Inc.; Active Manpower and General Services; Gold & Green Manpower Services and Development Services; and Acclaimed One Manpower and Recruitment Services. “Overseas placement and manning agencies with standing cancellation or suspension orders are prohibited from engaging in recruitment activities until the said orders are lifted,” Cacdac said. For the reporting period, Cacdac said the POEA has suspended the
licenses of the following agencies: Al Ashiera International Manpower Services; Vogue Plus Promotion; Mi Amore International Services, Inc.; Awas Manpower Services; and Crosswind International Manpower. POEA also issued orders of preventive suspension against Reajent Manpower Services, Inc.; Shfia International; Crosswind International Manpower; Gyron Crew Inc.; CSM International; Philglobal Manpower Development Corporation; and Riley International Employment Services and Training Center, Inc. ■ (24May 2012, POEA)
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Philippine Embassy Around The World
June 2012 / Fortnightly – No. 11 • UK & Europe Edition
PTIC-Paris holds seminar on Investments for OFWs at Philippine Embassy
THE Philippine Trade and Investment Center-Paris, in cooperation with the Philippine Embassy in Paris, held a seminar on “Business and Investment Opportunities in the Philippines for Overseas Filipinos - Migrante, Maging Negosyante” last June 10. The seminar, held at the conference room of the Embassy, aimed to provide overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) with useful insights on sustainable investments for themselves and their families and beneficiaries back home. Philippine Ambassador to France Cristina O. Ortega gave the
opening remarks and highlighted the importance of OFW remittances’ contribution to the Philippine economy. She encouraged Filipinos
MALACAÑAN PALACE Manila It is my honor to greet my fellow Filipinos as we celebrate the 114th Anniversary of the Proclamation of PhiIippine Independence. Once again, the Filipino people are writing a significant chapter in our history. Like all turning points in this narrative, this chapter is an outcome of collective will, manifested by our desire to fulfill our country’s great potential, as exhibited by the ability, creativity, and fortitude of the Filipino. Our patriots embodied these qualities in all of their undertakings, particulary in their greatest enterprise—the formation of this Republic. Today we also take inspiration from our countrymen who demonstrate passion, excellence, and integrity in their chosen fields, thereby carrying on this legacy of solidarity and nationhood from our forefathers. As we celebrate our Independence, let it be our duty to reaffirm the values that have shaped and strengthened our nation and to forge ahead in fullfillment of the destiny envisioned by our heroes. Let us uphold the spirit of hope and confidence that complements the momentum of change in our time. May we also remain proud of our heritage and diversity, the foundations that distinguish our beloved Philippines. Inspired by the past we now commemorate, we move forward to establish a future that accords with our rightful place in the community of nations. (12 June 2012, Manila)
BENIGNO S. AQUINO III
DEPARTMENT OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS Commemorating Independence Day reminds us of the courage and struggle of the men and women who paved the way for the birth of our nation. Our ancestors made great sacrifices to witness that day in 1898, when the Phiiippine flag was raised and the national anthem was played to mark the proclamation of our nation’s independence. One hundred and fourteen years after, we are called to remain united and steadfast to the ideals of freedom and democracy. This year’s theme, Kaiayaan: Pananagutan ng Bayan para sa Tuwid no Daan, prompts us to bear in mind that every Filipino, wherever he or she may be, has a role to play in the nations development. Our hard-earned independence comes with responsibility to build a prosperous nation founded on truth, justice and equity. Through good governance, the President is steering the Philippines towards rapid and sustainable economic growth, coupled with an improving quality of life for every Filipino. The Department of Foreign Affairs is one with the President in his pursuit to achieve inclusive growth for the county. In deepening our relations with other countries and engaging regional powers, the Department endeavors to advance national security and secure our territorial integrity, effectively address me needs and welfare of overseas Filipinos, and engage in a vigorous campaign to enhance economic diplomacy. Love for country and deep faith in the Filipino people gave our heroes strength to tight for independence. As we celebrate Independence Day, may their patriotism inspire Filipinos, here and abroad, to become willing partners and dedicated collaborators of the govemment in attaining sustained growth and development. Mabuhay at Maiigayang Pagdiriwang ng ating Kalayean! (12 June 2012, Pasay City) ALBERT F. DEL ROSARIO Secretary of Foreign Affairs
in Paris to continue taking part in the economic development of the country by putting their remittances to good use through wise and productive investments. Director and Commercial Attaché (CA) Althea Antonio made a presentation on “How to Start a Business” and “Business Climate and Opportunities for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises or MSMEs”. The presentations were part of the financial literacy program of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) to transform “overseas Filipinos (OFs)” into “overseas Filipinos investors (OFIs)”.
The presentations focused on the following topics: rewards and risks of entrepreneurship, the process flow in starting a small enterprise, determining product lines/service lines and financial requirements, choosing the right business types, types of business according to ownership, writing a business plan, seeking sources of capital, and registering the business. In addition, information was shared on training programs available in the Philippines, an overview of Philippine MSMEs,
franchising in the Philippines and other business opportunities. CA Antonio also underscored the OFW Reintegration Program (OFW-RP, co-funded by the Landbank of the Philippines and the Development Bank of the Philippines) and provided the assembly with useful frequently-asked-questions (FAQs) that also caught the interest of the seminar attendees. After the presentation, a question-and-answer portion gave the attendees the opportunity to raise queries and share their plans for the future. ■ (DFA – June 19, 2012)
114th Independence Day Message – Merienda Cena 9 June 2012 Ladies and Gentlemen Mga Kababayan, Kasama ng aking maybahay, si Mrs Pamela Manalo, binabati ko kayo sa ating makasaysayang Araw ng Kalayaan. Mabuhay po tayong lahat. Like the raising of the first national flag by General Emilio Aguinaldo on the balcony of his house in Kawit, Cavite in 1898, our national flag is proudly displayed on the balcony of the Philippine Embassy here in London. Our flag serves as a beacon to Filipinos in the United Kingdom, and a symbol of our nation. It also represents the commitment of our government to protect and promote the interest s and welfare of Filipinos in this country. The Philippines declared its independence from Spain over 114 years ago and by so doing, announced to the world its intention and readiness to join the ranks of the community of nations as an independent and sovereign country. Since then, we have embarked on the path of building a nation aimed at promoting the welfare of its citizens and country’s role in the world. We have gone through hardship and success in the process. But today, the Philippines and Filipinos around the world are confident, resilient and
prepared to face the challenges and reap the opportunities of the future. For various reasons, many Filipinos have sought their fortunes in a foreign country. And we are all proud of their success in this endeavour, especially those of you here today. But, ultimately, we continue to be linked in heart and soul to our mother country, the Philippines. As you continue to succeed in your respective walks in life, it is my hope that your Filipino identity and consciousness shall always remain within you. Last week, President Benigno Aquino III addressed representatives of the Filipino community and provided a very inspriring and optimistic vision of the future of our country. He outlined the various programs and measures his Administration is taking to provide basic needs and promote economic growth and development. The recent economic indicators attest to the success of these programs. He also reiterated his commitment to have a government which is transparent, responsive and truly representative of the aspirations of our people. The following day, he met with Prime Minister Cameron, and both leaders agreed to work together to strengthen Philippine-UK relations in all its aspects. Philippine and UK
relations have been strengthened as a result of the President’s visit. Opportunities have never been better in the country than they are today. This can only inspire us to work harder for ourselves and future generations, and by so doing, achieve success for ourselves, our community and our country. Mga kababayan, naniniwala ako na kaya natin ang bagong hamon ng kasaysayan sa ating bayan. Mula kay Mrs Manalo at sa pamilya ng Embahada, ako po ay naghahangad na magkaroon tayo ng isang makabuluhang Araw ng Kalayaan. Enrique A. Manalo Ambassador
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Global & Social Issues
June 2012 / Fortnightly – No. 11 • UK & Europe Edition
Youth joblessness near crisis peak: ILO YOUTH joblessness is almost back at its peak following the outbreak of the global economic crisis and is unlikely to ease until at least 2016, the International Labour Organization warned Tuesday, May 22. The ILO said nearly 75 million youths or 12.7 percent of people aged 15 to 24 will be out of work this year, up from 12.6 percent in 2011. The jobless total is creeping towards the 75.4 million unemployed in 2009 when the financial crisis caused the number to soar. The picture is more gloomy if the millions who have put off or given up looking for a job are included: this would put the 2011 figure at 13.6 percent. Youths opting to prolong their education will meanwhile enter the labour market in the coming years, putting continued pressure on the jobless rate.
“By 2016, the youth unemployment rate is projected to remain at the same high level,” said the ILO. In its Global Employment Trends for Youth report, the body suggests offering tax and other incentives to businesses hiring young people and more entrepreneurship programmes to help youths kick-start a career. “The youth unemployment crisis can be beaten but only if job creation for young people becomes a key priority in policymaking and private sector investment picks up significantly,” said executive director of the ILO’s employment sector, Jose Manuel Salazar-Xirinachs. More than a quarter (27.9 percent) of youths were unemployed in North Africa last year following the Arab spring uprisings, an increase of five
percentage points on 2010. The Middle East figure stood at 26.5 percent in the report’s regional breakdown. In central and south-eastern Europe the unemployment rate dropped slightly to 17.6 percent in 2011 and Latin America and the Caribbean also saw a small decrease to 14.3 percent. In Sub-Saharan Africa, the rate stood at 11.5 percent compared to 13.5 percent in south-east Asia and the Pacific. “Even in East Asia, perhaps the most economically dynamic region, the unemployment rate was 2.8 times higher for young people than for adults,” said the report. The statistics showed the jobs crisis tended to have a stronger impact on women in most regions. ■ (©AFP – Geneva, Switzerland – May 22, 2012)
Urban wasteland World Bank sees global garbage crisis THE world’s city dwellers are fast producing more and more trash in a “looming crisis” that will pose huge financial and environmental burdens, the World Bank is warning. Urban specialists said the growing pile of trash from urban dwellers is as daunting as global warming and the costs will be especially high in poor countries, mainly in Africa. In a report on “a relatively silent problem that is growing daily,” released on Wednesday, the World Bank estimated city dwellers will generate a waste pile of 2.2 billion tonnes a year by 2025, up 70 percent from today’s level of 1.3 billion tonnes. In the meantime, the cost of solid waste management is projected to soar to $375 billion a year, from the current $205 billion. Billing the report, “What a Waste: A Global Review of Solid Waste Management” as the first
worldwide comprehensive look at trash, the World Bank warned the data points to crisis ahead, as living standards rise and urban populations soar. “The challenges surrounding municipal solid waste are going to be enormous, on a scale of, if not greater than, the challenges we are currently experiencing with climate change,” said Dan Hoornweg, a senior urban specialist at the development lender and co-author of the report. “This report should be seen as a giant wake-up call to policy makers everywhere,” he said. China, which eclipsed the United States as the world’s largest waste maker in 2004, generates 70 percent of the trash in the East Asia-Pacific region. China, other parts of East Asia, and parts of Eastern Europe and the Middle East have the fastestgrowing production of municipal solid waste.
The World Bank economists called for better waste management and recycling to combat greenhouse gas emissions, saying the old concept of “throwing away” trash no longer works. “In solid waste management there is no ‘away,’” the authors said. “When ‘throwing away’ waste, system complexities and the integrated nature of materials and pollution are quickly apparent.” The report’s authors recommended a waste management plan that includes input from all of a city’s stakeholders, including citizen groups and the poor and disadvantaged. The report also pointed to recycling and other measures to reduce greenhouse gas emissions that come from inefficient solid waste management practices. “Improving solid waste management, especially in the rapidly growing cities of low-income countries, is becoming a more and more urgent issue,” said Rachel Kyte, vice president, Sustainable Development at the World Bank. “The findings of this report are sobering,” she said. “But they also offer hope that once the extent of this issue is recognized, local and national leaders, as well as the international community, will mobilize to put in place programs to reduce, reuse, recycle, or recover as much waste as possible before burning it -- and recovering the energy -- or otherwise disposing of it.” ■ (©AFP – June 7, 2012)
©AFP/File/Leon Neal
File photo shows people outside a job centre in London taking part in a campaign to draw attention to the high numbers of unemployed young people in Britain. ©AFP/File Salah Habibi
Unemployed youth hang out in Tunisia in 2011. The ILO said nearly 75 million youths or 12.7 percent of people aged 15 to 24 will be out of work this year, up from 12.6 percent in 2011.
Tackle rising population, consumption: science academies
THE world’s science academies on Thursday, May 14 warned the upcoming Rio Summit that Earth faced a dangerous double whammy posed by voracious consumption and a population explosion. The warning was issued by 105 academies ahead of the June 2022 UN conference on sustainable development, where leaders will debate the planet’s worsening environmental health and its entrenched poverty. The signatories include the paramount scientific academies in North America, Europe and Asia. “Increasing population growth and unsustainable consumption together pose two of the greatest challenges facing the world,” their statement said. “Current patterns of consumption, especially in highincome countries, are eroding natural capital at rates that are severely damaging the interests of future generations,” it said. Earth’s population is expected to roughly triple by 2050 compared to a century earlier. It stood at three billion in 1950, reached seven billion in 2011 and is likely to reach about 9.5 billion by 2050 -- a rise that will occur especially in the poorest countries, according to UN estimates. “Rapid population growth can be an obstacle to improving standards of living in poor countries, to eliminating poverty and to reducing gender inequality,” the joint statement said. It emphasised the need to help
millions rise out of poverty, brake trends of reckless consumption and address population growth through voluntary means such as education for women and access to contraception. “If the right conditions are in place, measures that reduce fertility rates while respecting human rights can stimulate and facilitate economic development, improve health and living standards, and increase political and social stability and security,” it said. About 115 heads of state and government are expected for the conference, which marks the 20th anniversary of the Rio Earth Summit that placed the environment on the world’s political agenda. The meeting will hear grim news about the state of the environment, ranging from an alarming increase in climatealtering greenhouse gases to depletion of the oceans and deforestation. Scientists have become increasingly outspoken about population growth, saying it has an obvious role in environmental damage and exposing countries to the risks of drought, floods and storms. Yet the issue is often dormant or sidelined in international politics. The summit will cap more than a week of meetings gathering as many as 50,000 activists, business executives and policymakers. ■
(©AFP – Paris, France – June 13, 2012)
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Seafarers exempted from POEA validation at the airports POEA Administrator Hans Leo J. Cacdac, in a memorandum circular has ordered the exemption of seafarers from POEA validation at international airports. According to Cacdac, the new measure which took effect on May 15, 2012 aims to reduce the number of workers lining up at POEA labor assistance centers (LAC) at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport’s three terminals. Instead, manning agencies shall use a drop box located at the POEA’s Seabased Center to submit clear copies of the e-Receipts or overseas
employment certificates of their deployed seafarers not later than 10:00 a.m. immediately following the departure date of the seafarers. Cacdac urged manning agencies to strictly comply with the requirement for the convenience of their seafarers as the process will allow additional quality time to bond with their airport for the validation of their travel documents. The POEA has suspended the validation of exit clearance of departing OFWs at the airports on March 28, 2008, until March 2011. ■ (23 May 2012, POEA)
Moody’s raises Philippines’ outlook to ‘positive’
MOODY’S Investors Service raised the outlook of the Philippines’ credit rating to positive from stable on Tuesday, May 29 but said more needed to be done to lift it up to investment-grade levels. The ratings agency said spending restraint had led to the Philippine government achieving lower budget deficits compared to other countries having the same “Ba2” ratings, as well as lower debt levels even without tax reforms. “We expect revenue growth to improve further upon the passage of legislation aimed at restructuring excise taxes on alcohol and tobacco products,” Moody’s said in a statement posted on its website Tuesday. “The sovereign’s vulnerability to global financial market shocks has been reduced by the build-up of foreign exchange reserves, resulting
in turn from robust current account surpluses and healthy capital inflows in recent years.” Moody’s action followed a similar move by Standard & Poor’s in December last year to raise the outlook on the Philippines’ “BB”-rated sovereign foreign currency debt to positive from stable. Both ratings are considered two rungs below investment-grade “Baa3” and “BBB minus”, respectively. The Philippine government has argued that its sovereign rating did not reflect the current situation and has called for a ratings upgrade. For a rating upgrade to happen however, Moody’s said the Philippines needed further improvements in revenues, more reductions in government debt and increased state spending on investment that would lead to stronger growth. ■ (©AFP – May 29, 2012)
Court upholds death for Kuwaiti over Filipina murder
THE appeals court in Kuwait on Wednesday, May 30 upheld the death sentence for a Kuwaiti housewife for murdering her Filipina domestic helper but commuted the punishment on her disabled husband. In February, the lower court sentenced the couple to death after convicting them of premeditated murder. But the appeals court reduced the sentence on the husband to 10 years in jail and confirmed the penalty on the wife who was convicted of regularly torturing the maid before driving over her, according to the court ruling. The names of the couple and the
maid were not available. According to the ruling, the woman beat her maid for several days until her health deteriorated. The couple then took the maid “unconscious” to a remote area in the desert where they threw her from the back seat of the car and then drove over her until she died. The verdict will become final if the Supreme Court confirms the sentence. More than 100,000 Filipinos, most of them women working as maids, live in oil-rich Kuwait, where some 600,000 domestic helpers, mostly Asians, are employed. ■ (©AFP - May 30, 2012, POEA)
DFA Marks Migrant Workers’ Day THE Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) joins the country and its nationals working abroad in observing Migrant Workers’ Day today, June 07, in commemoration of the signing into law of Republic Act 8042 or the Migrant Workers Act of 1995. This day is celebrated in honor of the approximately 10 million Filipinos working overseas, who have greatly contributed to the country in terms of development and nationbuilding. The DFA’s Office of the Undersecretary for Migrant Workers’ Affairs (DFA-OUMWA) continues to prioritize the protection of the rights
and promotion of the welfare of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs), as well as putting them out of harm’s way. As the Aquino administration develops the proper setting for domestic job creation to encourage OFWs to return to the country and hopefully to stop the exodus of the nation’s workforce, the Government continues to provide our nationals working overseas with assistance and better protection from illegal recruiters and other forms of abuse. For assistance, OFWs and their families may wish to visit and/or contact the DFA through OUMWA, as well as its Embassies and Consulates abroad. ■ (DFA – June 7, 2012)
HP NEWS
June 2012 / Fortnightly – No. 11 • UK & Europe Edition
Malaysia spares death-row Filipinos THREE Filipinos convicted of drug trafficking in Malaysia have been spared the death penalty and will serve prison terms instead, the Philippines said on Wednesday, May 30. The announcement came as Philippine Vice President Jejomar C. Binay wrapped up a short visit to Malaysia, which is known for its tough punishments for drug smuggling. The death sentences for the three men were commuted earlier this month, Binay’s office said in a statement. “We sincerely appreciate the grant of pardon and see it as further
validation of the strong ties between the Philippines and Malaysia,” it quoted Binay as saying. He thanked Malaysian Foreign Minister Anifah Aman in talks Tuesday. The visit had focused on boosting trade and investment. Jaliman Salleh and Aldipal Hadani were arrested in July 2008 in the Malaysian state of Sabah, on Borneo island, in possession of more than 860 grams (30 ounces) of cannabis. They were sentenced to death in June 2010, but those sentences were reduced to 15 years in prison each. The death sentence for the third
man, Basir Omar, was commuted to 13 years and seven months in prison, the Philippine statement said. Binay cautioned Filipinos in Malaysia “not to be lured by criminal syndicates into becoming drug mules or to engage in the illegal drug trade,” the statement said. Death by hanging is a mandatory penalty for drug-trafficking convictions in Malaysia. As of early last year, some 700 people were on death row, mostly for drug trafficking. Since 1960, more than 440 people have been executed. ■ (©AFP – May 30, 2012)
Economy grows 6.4% in first quarter THE Philippine economy grew by a faster-than-expected 6.4 percent in the first quarter, officials said Thursday, May 31 fuelling optimism that one of Asia’s longtime laggards is on the rise. The government said the expansion was seen across most sectors of the economy, reinforcing perceptions that President Benigno Aquino’s two-year-old administration was building strong foundations for sustained growth. “All indications point to the global economy’s continued confidence in the Philippines as well as to a more optimistic outlook within the country,” Aquino’s spokeswoman, Abigail Valte, told reporters. The government had been expecting an expansion of 5.06.0 percent in the first quarter, after global economic turmoil and restrained state spending kept growth to 3.7 percent last year. The year-on-year first quarter expansion, up from 4.9 percent in the same period of 2011, made the Philippine economy the best
performing in Asia after China, according to the government. National Statistical Coordination Board chief Romulo Virola said the strong performance boosted hopes that economic growth for the year would exceed the government’s target of 5.0 to 6.0 percent. Economic Planning Secretary Arsenio Balisacan told reporters increased government spending had played an important part in the lift. But he also cited greater household spending, low inflation, resilient exports of goods and services, more tourists and the continued heavy remittances of the 10 million Filipinos working overseas as spurs for growth. However the agriculture and fisheries sector, where most of the country’s poor are employed, grew by just 1.0 percent despite relatively good weather. Mining also performed poorly, with an 11-percent decline for the quarter, which Balisacan said was partly due to uncertainty amid a long-running government review that is likely to see higher taxes on the sector.
But for the economy in general, former economic planning deputy director Dennis Arroyo, now a consultant to multilateral institutions, said the government’s optimism was justified. “I see it (the first quarter economic growth rate) being sustained for the entire year,” Arroyo told AFP. “There is a strong investor sentiment: there is the stock market, the upgrade of the rating agencies and you have better spending by government.” The general sense of optimism in the Philippine economy has seen the local stock market rise 14 percent this year and achieve record highs, while international credit rating agencies have consistently delivered upgrades. The latest to do so was Moody’s, which raised the outlook of the Philippines’ credit rating to positive from stable on Tuesday following a similar move by Standard & Poor’s in December. Both cited the country’s decreased vulnerability to external shocks for their upgrade. ■ (©AFP -
THE rapid growth of Internet commerce has led to an explosion of counterfeit drugs sold around the world, with China the biggest source of fake medicines, pharmaceutical experts said Thursday, June 14. The illicit trade is now believed to be worth around 75 billion dollars globally, with criminal gangs increasingly using the web to move their products across borders, said Scott Davis, Pfizer’s top security expert for Asia. “The Internet has led to an explosion of availability of these products,” Davis told a health forum in Manila. “About 90 percent of counterfeit drugs... are at some point marketed and sold on the Internet.”
He said websites selling fake drugs commonly did not have physical addresses and exploited weak or murky customs regulations to ship their products. “They are getting more sophisticated,” he said, adding that law enforcers were finding it ever more difficult to tell the fake drugs from the real. “We often have to send the pills to our labs to tell us the difference,” he said. The US pharmaceutical giant Pfizer makes the anti-impotence drug Viagra, which along with Eli Lilly’s Cialis are among the world’s most widely copied drugs. “But now it’s not just Viagra or lifestyle drugs but other medicines
like malarials,” he said. “These criminals will copy anything to make a buck.” He said China was the number one source of counterfeit drugs last year, followed by Jordan, the United States, Israel and Canada. Catherine Dauphin, a World Health Organization expert on pharmaceutical policy, told the same forum that more than half the drugs sold on Internet sites without approval from governments were fake. She said criminal gangs typically lured the public into buying fake drugs by offering them at cheaper rates and without the need for medical prescriptions. ■ (©AFP –
May 31, 2012)
Internet led to global ‘explosion’ of fake drugs
Manila, Philippines, June 14, 2012)
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June 2012 / Fortnightly – No. 11 • UK & Europe Edition
G20 success depends on what Europe does next Dave Clark, AFP THE success or failure of the G20 summit will be judged on whether the rest of world has finally convinced Europe to take the measures it needs to head off a catastrophic economic collapse. Experts gathered at the talks in Los Cabos, Mexico for the annual get together of the world’s most powerful leaders were unanimous that time was running out for European leaders to pull the eurozone single currency bloc back from the brink. “The big story about Europe is that it’s still on the brink of a systemic collapse. It’s not functioning. The whole story is how do you not fall off the precipice,” said Yves Tiberghien, of the University of British Columbia. “If there is an unwinding of the eurozone... this would be the defining crisis of the entire century. It would be catastrophe. But to solve it is very difficult, because to solve it you have to build the missing institutions. “To do this will take years, and so that’s where the G20 comes in. The Europeans basically need some time. You need to hold the markets off a bit. Anything to give them space,” the French political scientist warned. European leaders returning from the G20 will barely have time to digest the message of Los Cabos before they head to next week’s European Council meeting in Brussels, where they will be expected to agree an action plan. In Mexico, Europe’s partners were clear on what that should entails: A unified system of banking regulation, pooled economic sovereignty and greater willingness from the European Central Bank to support struggling member states. But many of these measures are anathema to European governments, especially Angela Merkel’s conservative German administration, and many would imply changes to EU treaties or member states’ constitutional rules. But, for Europe’s international partners, there is no time to waste. “In some ways it was a G20 summit, in some ways it was a preparatory meeting for the European summit,” said David Shorr, an American foreign policy expert from the Stanley Foundation, which studies global governance. “The diplomacy here is leaders from outside Europe expressing their concerns about how the crisis could overspill onto them.
The new IMF resources are a firebreak to protect them against that,” he said. Emerging economic powers, led by China, India, Russia and Brazil, agreed in Mexico to boost the International Monetary Fund’s lending pool to $456 billion, with the clear quid pro quo that Europe get its house in order. “We were talking about the worst case scenario and the second worst case scenario. One threat is fast-acting, it’s financial contagion leading almost immediately to a credit freeze up,” Shorr warned. “But then, the slower motion threat, the next worst case scenario, is a serious double dip recession in Europe, dragging the rest of the global economy down with it,” he said. The summit final statement will outline the broad strokes of reforms that could see a eurozone financial government built up, but it will be for Europe to fill in the details in the weeks to come. “The euro crisis is a crisis of institutional incompleteness,” Tiberghien said. “They created this great experiment in the 1992 Maastricht Treaty. “It was very daring but, as we know now, it’s incomplete, it’s very dangerous, it doesn’t work, it’s not functional to do monetary union without banking union and fiscal union and therefore higher political integration.” Officials at Los Cabos said that even Germany was now coming round to the idea of greater fiscal integration within the eurozone and might allow the European Financial Stability Facility to buy the bonds of debt-ridden members. But will the G20 provide enough of an impetus to break the political log-jam? “I think it’s a speed-up,” said Alan Alexandroff of the Munk School of Global Affairs at the University of Toronto. “I mean, you can see it in the discussion around questions like banking integration. “Banking integration was perceived as being way off in the future. “And now it would appear even from officials from the EU, that they’re now looking at a timeframe of six months to a year, rather than what was seen as being a very far distant notion,” he explained. “Obviously the crisis itself has its own demands, but clearly they’re hearing from the other G20 members about the concerns being raised about the spillover and the consequences.” ■ (©AFP – Los Cabos, Mexico – June 19, 2012)
©AFP/Bertrand Langlois
Mexican President Felipe Calderon (center) delivers a speech during the opening of the G20 Summit of Heads of State and Government in Los Cabos, Baja California, Mexico on June 18. ©AFP/File/Jewel Samad
US President Barack Obama (left), German Chancellor Angela Merkel (center) and Chinese President Hu Jintao in Los Cabos, Mexico on June 18. Merkel remains the driving force behind the eurozone’s determination to privilege austere deficit busting over stimulus spending, although US officials say her position is softening. ©AFP/File/Bertrand Langlois
French President Francois Hollande (left) and WTO Director General Pascal Lamy attend the G20 Summit in Los Cabos, Mexico, on June 18. The leaders of the world’s major economies embarked on the final day of the G20 summit Tuesday determined to kickstart growth and pull the eurozone back from the brink of disaster.
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June 2012 / Fortnightly – No. 11 • UK & Europe Edition
Europe chooses closer integration to fix euro crisis Shaun Tandon, AFP EUROPE’S major powers moved towards greater financial integration on Tuesday, June 19 in a G20 summit declaration aimed at boosting confidence in the bloc’s plans to fix its spiraling debt crisis. “We support the intention to consider concrete steps towards a more integrated financial architecture, encompassing banking supervision, resolution and recapitalization, and deposit insurance,” the joint G20 statement said. Backed by key EU members including Germany, France and Britain, the communique followed two days of talks in the Mexican beach resort of Los Cabos in which European leaders came under strong pressure to take firm and quick action. Beyond the moat-ringed conference center in the hills above San Jose del Cabo, bond markets jacked up rates on Spanish and Italian debt amid self-fulfilling fears that the debt crisis that sank Greece was spreading once again. The G20 statement said eurozone members will “take all necessary measures” to stabilize the single currency bloc, including moves to “break the feedback loop” that has weak governments piling on more and more debt to bail out their banks. In addition, should economic conditions worsen, the countries with more financial flexibility “stand ready to coordinate and implement discretionary fiscal actions to support domestic demand,” it said. The United States, the International Monetary Fund and
the European Central Bank have all urged greater banking integration in Europe, hoping to instill more confidence as banks falter in some of the worst-hit nations. US President Barack Obama, worried Europe was not moving resolutely enough to contend with the debt crisis, huddled in a special meeting with European leaders, fearful that economic turmoil could torpedo his hopes of re-election in November. Obama met Tuesday with Germany’s Angela Merkel, France’s Francois Hollande, Spain’s Mariano Rajoy, Italy’s Mario Monti and Britain’s David Cameron as well as European Union chiefs Jose Manuel Barroso and Herman van Rompuy. Shortly after the Obama-EU meeting, the wording of the final G20 communique was confirmed but there were few clues given about the path forward — perhaps because Europe’s leaders gather in Brussels at the end of the month. The new element was the move towards a banking union. Europewide guarantees on deposits and a central authority to close banks that go bust are seen as a way to promote the flow of cash through the system and give more confidence to lend. Supporters believe union would break a cycle in which banks are obliged to rely on their own troubled countries’ governments and central banks, creating a vicious cycle of mounting debt that brings down all of the institutions. Germany, the largest economy in Europe, has resisted debt burdensharing out of concern that its own comparatively healthy system will be obliged to help out weaker banks in countries that have lacked discipline.
©AFP/Paul J. Richards
Italian Prime Minister Mario Monti delivers a speech at the end of the G20 Summit of Heads of State and Government in Los Cabos, Baja California, Mexico. Europe’s major powers moved towards greater financial integration on Tuesday, in a G20 summit declaration aimed at boosting confidence in the bloc’s plans to fix its spiraling debt crisis.
Merkel remains the driving force behind the eurozone’s determination to privilege austere deficit busting over stimulus spending, although US officials say her position is softening. “In Los Cabos the seeds of a pan-European recovery plan were planted,” said IMF managing director Christine Lagarde. “European leaders committed to take all measures necessary to safeguard the integrity and stability of the euro area and break the feedback loop between sovereigns and banks,” Lagarde said. “Their intention to consider concrete steps towards a more integrated financial architecture is important.” The G20 summit followed hot on
the heels of Sunday’s pivotal polls in debt-ridden Greece, where parties committed to the terms of their EU and IMF-led bailout held off a strong challenge by a leftist anti-austerity party. The IMF has indicated that it could now be open to a renegotiation of Greece’s 130-billion-euro ($165 billion) bailout program. But hopes that the Greek vote had helped the single currency bloc turn a corner in the crisis were dashed as attention moved onto the fragile economies of other EU members and Spanish borrowing costs soared to record levels. US officials have called for Greece to be given more time to get its
affairs in order, but Merkel remained unmoved. “Elections cannot call into question the commitments Greece made. We cannot compromise on the reform steps we agreed on,” she told reporters on Monday. Progress was made in Los Cabos in boosting the resources available to the IMF to help protect vulnerable countries from the backwash of the eurozone crisis. China led emerging powers in topping up pledges to bring the new pool for emergency loans up to $456 billion (361 billion euros), though only in exchange for a greater say in Fund affairs. ■ (©AFP – Los Cabos, Mexico – June 19, 2012)
©AFP/MONCLOA/Diego Crespo
©AFP/Graphic
European members were under pressure from their international counterparts to loosen their austerity programs.Graphic showing the member economies of the G20. Europe’s major powers moved towards greater financial integration on Tuesday, in a G20 summit declaration aimed at boosting confidence in the bloc’s plans to fix its spiraling debt crisis.
US President Barack Obama huddled with European leaders at the G20 summit to plot a way out of the eurozone debt crisis. Handout picture released by the Spanish presidential press office showing (L to R, clockwise): French President Francois Hollande, German Chancellor Angela Merkel, Italian PM Mario Monti, Spanish PM Mariano Rajoy, British PM David Cameron, US President Barack Obama and European Commission President Jose Manuel Durao Barroso during the Eurozone meeting in the framework of the G20 Summit.
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Special Feature
June 2012 / Fortnightly – No. 11 • UK & Europe Edition
Meeting with the Filipino Community in the United Kingdom Photos By BO MERCADO (PHILIPPINE EMBASSY LONDON UK), NICHOLAS SOLINAP and HELLO PHILIPPINES
AROUND 300 Filipino community association and charity leaders warmly welcomed President Benigno S. Aquino III during the meeting with the Filipino Community of United Kingdom on June 5, 2012 at the Intercontinental London Park Lane Hotel. In his message, President Aquino reported that for the first quarter of 2012, the Philippines achieved a 6.4% GDP growth which is the second highest in Asia and the highest in Southeast Asia. An all-time high of 1.148 million tourists also visited the country for the first three months of 2012.
He expressed his heartfelt gratitude to his Kababayans for their warm reception in his first visit to U.K. He enumerated several good news that the administration is undertaking to curb graft and corruption, as well as achieve economic growth. Among these are infrastructure projects such as the NLEX-SLEX connector road project, the K+12 education program, housing projects for the Philippine National Police and Armed Forces, and agricultural programs towards rice self-sufficiency by 2013 for the country. The U.K. is home to 250,000
Filipinos, the largest Filipino community in Europe. Majority of them are highly professional and mainly employed as nurses, accountants and engineers. Many are also in the highly skilled profession such as electricians and aircraft technicians. Likewise, a large number of Filipinos are in the service sector and work as domestic helpers. There are also a significant number of Filipino scholars in the U.K. who have been selected for postgraduate programs in distinguished British universities. ■ (RTVM – June 5, 2012)
June 2012 / Fortnightly – No. 11 • UK & Europe Edition
Special Feature
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President Aquino concludes 3-day Historic visit to the United Kingdom
THE Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) reported that President Benigno S. Aquino III successfully concluded his three-day visit to the United Kingdom on June 6, 2012. President Aquino was in the country as “guest of the UK government”. It was his first visit to the UK and to Europe since his assumption into office in 2010. While in London, President Aquino met with Prime Minister David Cameron at 10 Downing Street to discuss issues of mutual concern including Philippines-UK political and economic cooperation, the Mindanao peace process, particularly the UK’s participation in the International Contact Group, the developments in the West Philippine Sea and the Philippine effort for a peaceful resolution, good governance and anticorruption measure of both countries, and other regional and international issues.
They also touched on migration issues of concern to the Philippines as well as particular commercial bilateral matters. The President also informed the Prime Minister of developments in the Philippines, including the recent positive economic reform policies of the government. President Aquino also held productive business meetings with several British and other European investors, who have sealed their interest in doing business in the Philippines by signing MOUs and MOAs for business agreements totalling over 2 billion dollars. They also expressed support for the Aquino Administration’s PublicPrivate Partnership program. The big ticket deals were signed by Shell, Rolls Royce and Cebu Pacific, and Gaz Asia Ltd and Aboitiz Ventures Gas. President Aquino met with HRH the Duke of York Prince Andrew, as the official representative of HM Queen Elizabeth, who was
celebrating her Diamond Jubilee during this time. At their meeting, President Aquino conveyed the best wishes of the Filipino people to the Queen on the occasion of her Diamond Jubilee this year, as well as conveyed his wish for the successful hosting by the UK of the Summer Olympics next month. Finally, President Aquino was warmly received by his Kababayans at a gathering organized by the Philippine Embassy in London, where he shared the good news about the Philippines and promoted the new tourism slogan, “It’s More Fun in the Philippines”, of the Department of Tourism. The 250,000-strong Filipino community in the UK is the largest in the whole of Europe. President Aquino was accompanied to the UK by a lean delegation composed of Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert F. del Rosario and his Economic Secretaries. ■ (DFA – June 8, 2012)
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OLYMPICS
June 2012 / Fortnightly – No. 11 • UK & Europe Edition
Tokyo, Madrid, Istanbul make cut for 2020 Olympics
Michel Comte, AFP
©AFP/Rogerio Barbosa
TOKYO, Istanbul and Madrid made the first cut among bidders to host the 2020 Olympics, as the International Olympic Committee announced that Baku and Doha were dropped from the running. The IOC will decide which city will host the 2020 Olympics in a final vote on September 7, 2013, at Buenos Aires. That gives the remaining hopefuls more than 15 months to make final impressions upon the IOC to boost their candidacy. Tokyo 2020 bid chief Tsunekazu Takeda said being on the short list would help boost the spirits of the Japanese people after last year’s devastating earthquake and tsunami, which killed about 19,000 people. “I think this will be a big help for the Japanese people,” Takeda said. “I think it will give big, big power to the people who suffered the disaster.” Tokyo is the only one of the candidates to have hosted the event, doing so in 1964, and with a sound plan for hosting the Games and a powerful message, many see Tokyo as the pacesetter. Hosting the 2020 Olympics is seen as an opportunity to help rebuild the country and bring some much-needed joy to its people. Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihiko Nodo said hosting the Games would “serve as a symbol of Japan’s recovery from last year’s tragedy.” “With the Japanese government’s full support for Tokyo’s bid, our nation greatly desires to achieve the goal of hosting the Games,” he said. Tokyo is again as in 2008 considered the frontrunner with the best technical file, but is facing fewer rivals this round, with the total number of candidate cities down from five last time. With the 2018 Winter Olympics being held in Pyeongchang, however, there may be an unwillingness to hold back-to-back events in Asia. Ordinarily Madrid would be seen as running close with Tokyo, having beaten them in the race for 2016 only to finish a runner-up to Rio de Janeiro.
HOCKEY
SPORTS
Jacques Rogge (3rd left), President of the International Olympic Committee, speaks during an IOC meeting in Quebec. Tokyo, Istanbul and Madrid made the first cut among bidders to host the 2020 Olympics.
But the specter of Spain’s dire financial crisis hangs over the bid. For serial bidder Turkey to be shortlisted after failing to win the right to host the 2000, 2004, 2008 and 2012 Games made the IOC decision a landmark sign of progress for Istanbul. “This is a historic moment,” said Istanbul bid team member Hasan Arat. Its pitch has not fundamentally changed since last time, but their bid team ironed out deficiencies in the original proposals. “This time, Istanbul is ready to deliver,” Arat said in a statement. Istanbul, however, is also bidding to host the 2020 UEFA European Football Championship and the IOC forbids hosting two major sports event in the same year. Many believe that Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, a former footballer, favors hosting the UEFA competition over the Olympics. But Arat insisted, “Our priority is the Olympics.” “The chance to compete on the greatest stage in sport in front of a home crowd will inspire a generation of young people,” added Hidayet Turkoglu, the national men’s basketball captain who plays for the NBA’s Orlando Magic. To trim the field at this stage, IOC officials were looking mainly at a city’s ability to host a major sporting event, ranking their transportation
©AFP/Jiji Press/File
(Left to Right) Badminton player Reiko Shiota, Tokyo Governor Shintaro Ishihara and artistic gymnast Kohei Uchimura with the Tokyo 2020 floral Olympic bid logo in Tokyo in February 2012. Hosting the 2020 Olympics is seen as an opportunity to help rebuild Japan and bring some much-needed joy to its people. ©AFP/File/Mustafa Ozer
File aerial photo shows Istanbul in 2008. For serial bidder Turkey to be shortlisted after failing to win the right to host the 2000, 2004, 2008 and 2012 Games made the IOC decision a landmark sign of progress for Istanbul.
and other infrastructure challenges they face to ramp up in time for the event. Baku also failed to make the short list last time but had said they learned from their mistakes this time. The IOC, in its decision, however, noted a lack of infrastructure and experience in hosting a major sporting event. There was also sadness in Doha after it was cut. “We are obviously very disappointed... (and) surprised by
this decision,” said Sheikh Saoud bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani, general secretary of the Qatar Olympic Committee. Doha had been granted an exception to possibly host the Games in October and November when temperatures in the Mideast country are not as blistering hot, instead of the usual July and August. Had the bid been successful, it would have been the first to bring the Games to the Middle East.
Doha scored among the top for technical ability to host the Games. And having already built or budgeted for many of the sports venues, its bid would have offered a degree of certainty in uncertain economic times. But the furor after Qatar was awarded the 2022 World Cup, according to some, made IOC members reluctant to suffer the same bad press as FIFA did. ■ (©AFP – Quebec City, Canada – May 24, 2012)
Manila Predators Hockey Team wins silver THE Manila Predators proved that they could compete with the toughest amateur hockey teams in the world by bringing home the silver medal in the recently concluded 2012 Mega Ice Hockey 5’s Tournament, which was held at the MegaBox Mall in Kowloon Bay, Hong Kong from April 30 to May 12, 2012. After winning the gold medal last year in the Asian B Division of the same tournament, the Predators
moved up this year to the Asian A Division, where the competition was expectedly tougher. Initially expecting to just use this year’s tournament to gain exposure and experience at a higher level, the Predators shocked everyone by upsetting the top-seeded Hong Kong Hitmen, 2-0, during the penalty shootout of their semi-final match to barge into the finals against the second-ranked Hong Kong Young
Nationals. With only nine players in their line up, fatigue finally caught up with the Predators, and they settled for silver. Federico Cadiz, the coach and manager of the Predators, is optimistic that with this year’s showing, the Predators now know that they belong in the higher Asian A Division and will certainly be going for the gold next year. ■ (DFA – June 3, 2012)
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BOXING
Bradley stunner sets stage for Pacquiao rematch ©AFP/Getty Images, Jeff Bottari
By Rebecca Bryan, AFP TIMOTHY Bradley was savouring a career-making victory and nursing a broken left foot Sunday, June 10 after seizing Manny Pacquiao’s World Boxing Organization welterweight title with a controversial split decision. Bradley, a 5-1 underdog despite his unbeaten record, ended a 15-fight winning streak by Pacquiao ©AFP/Getty Images, Jeff Bottari
Manny Pacquiao addresses the media during the post-fight press conference.
©AFP, Jay Directo
A fan in Manila give a thumbs down to protest Timothy Bradley’s victory.
BOXING
Timothy Bradley addresses the media during the post-fight press conference.
that dated to 2005 and helped make him a national treasure in his native Philippines. California’s Bradley, who improved to 29-0 with 12 knockouts, had vowed before the biggest fight of his life to “shock the world” and he did so, despite injuries that manager Cameron Dunkin said Sunday turned out to be a swollen, twisted right ankle and a broken left foot. Bradley – who arrived at the postfight press conference in a wheelchair and was taken afterward to hospital for X-rays -- said he thought it was in the second round that he stepped on referee Robert Byrd’s foot and “felt a pop”. “I went back to my corner and said I think I might have broken my foot,” he said. Trainer Joel Diaz said it was up to him – quit or carry on in the biggest fight of his life. Bradley’s decision to carry on paid off, although for many his courage was lost in the “shock” of the night – that two judges saw Bradley winning the bout 115-113 while the third gave it to Pacquiao by the same score. Promoter Bob Arum called it an “unbelievable” decision after Pacquiao appeared to have the fight well in hand. Through the middle rounds, Pacquiao repeatedly landed his powerful straight left, the 33-year-
old champion looking as if he might deliver his first knockout since 2009. Bradley weathered those rounds and from the seventh made the adjustments that satisfied the judges, even if he never appeared able to hurt Pacquiao. “I started working with angles, sticking and moving,” said Bradley. “Most of his punches hit my arms,” Pacquiao said. The controversy set the stage for a lucrative November re-match. “I’ve got to give him a chance to win his title back,” Bradley said, and Pacquiao responded that he was determined another fight with Bradley wouldn’t go to the scorecards. But the defeat may prove yet another stumbling block to a Pacquiao-Floyd Mayweather megafight – a bout that has repeatedly failed to materialize despite the clamour from fans worldwide. Immediately after the decision was announced, Pacquiao said: “I did my best but I guess my best wasn’t good enough.” Later, Pacquiao’s usual smile seemed a bit strained as he told disappointed fans to keep their faith in boxing. “Whatever happens, don’t be discouraged about boxing,” he said. “Next time.” ■ (©AFP – Las Vegas, Nevada – Sunday, June 10, 2012)
WBO to review Bradley win over Pacquiao
THE World Boxing Organization will review Timothy Bradley’s shock splitdecision victory over Manny Pacquiao, which sparked outrage among observers who thought the Filipino fight king won the bout. Bradley, who improved to 29-0 with the victory, seized Pacquaio’s WBO welterweight world title. But WBO president Francisco “Paco” Valcarcel said in a statement that the body’s championship committee would review the fight “to
GOLF
June 2012 / Fortnightly – No. 11 • UK & Europe Edition
take measures in accordance with the rules of procedure”. Valcarcel said the committee will meet soon and evaluate video of the fight with the help of five “recognized international judges”. Based on “what emerges” the committee will make a recommendation to the WBO. “I want to clarify that in no way this says that we are doubting the capacity of these judges, which we consider as honest and competent judges,” Valcarcel said.
Saturday’s bout in Las Vegas saw judge Jerry Roth give Pacquiao the fight 115-113, but C.J. Ross and Duane Ford both had Bradley winning by the same score, despite Pacquiao appearing to land the more damaging blows throughout the contest. The fight’s promoter, Bob Arum, questioned the competence of the judges, the selection process the Nevada State Athletic Commission used to choose them, and the fact that all came from Nevada.
While Arum said after the fight that the scoring was the result of incompetence and not corruption, on Monday he said he would ask the Nevada attorney general’s office “for a full and complete inquiry.” On Tuesday, US Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid backed a probe into the decision. “If an investigation makes everyone feel better, do the investigation,” said Reid, who represents Nevada. ■ (Los
©AFP/GettyImages/Joe Klamer
Angeles, USA – June 13, 2012)
Teenager hangs on to lead
TEENAGER Miguel Tabuena produced a gutsy comeback with a battling one-under-par 70 to share the halfway lead with in-form Thai veteran Thaworn Wiratchant in the Queen’s Cup in Koh Samui Friday, June 15. The 17-year-old Tabuena was threeover through six holes on a wind-swept day at the Santiburi Samui Country Club before fighting back with four birdies on his inward nine for a twoday total five-under-par 137 in the $300,000 Asian Tour event. Thaworn, a former Asian Tour number one with 12 career wins, produced an impressive 67 to give himself a chance of tying countryman Thongchai Jaidee’s record 13 Asian Tour victories.
A solid 68 put Bangladeshi Siddikur, whose career-first top-10 was achieved two years ago in Samui, in third place, one back, while India’s Anirban Lahiri, bound for the British Open next month, was a further stroke behind. Reigning Asian Tour number one Juvic Pagunsan of the Philippines fired the day’s best of 65, thanks to an eagle at the last, to jump into contention on 140 alongside Thai duo Kiradech Aphibarnrat and Panuphol Pittayarat. Tabuena, the co-overnight leader, was delighted to fight back from his tough start, he told the Asian Tour. “I just kept telling myself to hang on as anything can happen. It’s not easy to win and you’ve just got to grind,” he said.
“It was really hard. The wind was very strong but after six holes it started to calm down and that’s when I started to play better.” He spectacularly chipped in for birdie on 11 before producing a grandstand finish. A 20-foot conversion on 15 was followed by a sixfoot birdie at the next hole. He then stuck a chip to two-feet at the last to give himself a chance at winning a maiden Asian Tour victory. “I didn’t notice those three birdies at the end as when you’re in the zone, you’re just having fun,” said a smiling Tabuena, who is in his second year as a professional. Leading scores after round 2 of the Queen’s Cup Bangkok Airways:
©AFP/File
Filipino teenager Miguel Tabuena, pictured in February 2012.
137 - Miguel Tabuena (PHI) 67-70, Thaworn Wiratchant (THA) 70-67 138 - Siddikur (BAN) 70-68 139 - Anirban Lahiri (IND) 71-68 140 - Kiradech Aphibarnrat (THA) 68-72, Panuphol Pittayarat (THA) 7268, Juvic Pagunsan (PHI) 75-65
141 - Boonchu Ruangkit (THA) 6774, Baek Seuk-Hyun (KOR) 68-73 142 - Adilson Da Silva (BRA) 73-69, Sam Cyr (USA) 72-70, Himmat Rai (IND) 70-72, Guido Van Der Valk (NED) 70-72 ■ (AFP – Bangkok, Thailand – June 15, 2012)
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