June 2012 issue by MShare Limited

HELLO PHILIPPINES Connecting Global News & Views For The Community

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June 2012

FR INSIDE EE Business & Finance • Celebrity, Showbiz & Entertainment • Events Diary • HP News • International News • Philippine Embassy Around The World • Special Feature • Sports

Volume 3 - Number 10

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60 Years of Queen Elizabeth II Reign — Page 2

TOP JUDGE

PAYS FOR ALLIANCE

HARVARD-educated Renato Corona rose to become the Philippines’ top judge under the wing of former president Gloria Arroyo. But their longtime association also led to him being sacked as head of the Supreme Court, after senators found him guilty of corruption of violating the constitution and betraying public trust by failing to disclose millions of dollars in wealth on Tuesday, May 29 in an impeachment trial lasting more than four months. President Benigno Aquino, who was elected in 2010, has made the pursuit of Arroyo the cornerstone of his anti-graft crusade – and she is now on trial for corrupt acts she allegedly committed during her nearly 10 years in office. Corona, 63, went to Harvard Law School but started his legal career quietly, as a lawyer for banks and accounting agencies. He joined the government in 1992 as the head of the legal office of thenpresident Fidel Ramos, where he was involved in everything from the film censors board to peace talks with communist insurgents. He caught the eye of Arroyo, then a fast-rising politician, and she recruited him as her chief of staff and spokesman when she was elected vicepresident in 1998. When Arroyo was promoted to the presidency in place of the graft-tainted Joseph Estrada in 2001, Corona moved with her, and the following year she appointed him to the Supreme Court.

©AFP/Getty Images/Ted Aljibe

Arroyo finished her reign as one of the country’s least popular presidents, mostly due to a widespread belief that she had rigged elections and was deeply involved in corruption. This helped propel Aquino to a landslide election win. But, as Arroyo packed her bags in the days before handing over power, she promoted Corona to chief justice, despite warnings it violated a law against outgoing presidents making such “midnight appointments”. Aquino and other critics alleged this was part of a well-calculated Arroyo plan to stop her from being prosecuted after stepping down as president. An angry Aquino broke with tradition by refusing to take his oath of office before the chief justice, as he did not recognise his authority. Aquino filed a legal challenge against the appointment but the

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Corona-led Supreme Court ruled it was valid. The feud exploded in November last year when the Supreme Court ruled that an ailing Arroyo – whom Aquino was trying to have arrested – could travel abroad to seek medical care. The government, fearing Arroyo would flee, defied the court’s orders to let the ex-president travel. Aquino had clearly had enough of Corona and in December the House of Representatives, controlled by Aquino allies, impeached the chief justice, allowing the Senate to begin its unprecedented impeachment trial. Giving evidence in his own defence last week, Corona denied corruption, claiming his fortune – which he declared at over $4 million – was amassed over 35 years, many of those as a lawyer, as well as by his relatives. ■ (©AFP – Manila, Philippines – May 29, 2012)

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HELLO PHILIPPINES

Special Feature

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May 2012 – No. 10 • UK & Europe Edition

Queen Elizabeth marks diamond jubilee on popular wave Guy Jackson, AFP MILLIONS of people will celebrate Queen Elizabeth II’s diamond jubilee in Britain as the monarch marks 60 years on the throne in the knowledge that the royal family has never been more popular. The celebrations reach a climax over four days from June 2 to June 5 with a 1,000-boat river pageant on the Thames, a concert featuring some of pop’s biggest names and the pomp and splendour of a ceremonial parade. Britons have been granted an unusual two-day public holiday after the weekend to mark a truly historic occasion – the queen is only the second British monarch to celebrate a diamond jubilee, after Queen Victoria in 1897. One million people are expected to line the Thames to see the pageant on June 3, with the queen’s ceremonial barge at the centre of a water-borne extravaganza of steam boats and tugs, speed boats and historic vessels. A chain of beacons will be lit across the globe the following day, culminating with the queen lighting the national beacon on a stage in front of Buckingham Palace where Paul McCartney is among the stars performing in her honour. There will also be more informal celebrations up and down the country as people hold street parties in a bid to recreate the spirit of the Silver Jubilee (25 years) in 1977 and her Golden Jubilee (50 years) in 2002. Prince William and his wife Catherine will represent the new

generation of royals when they join a carriage procession on June 5. Coming hot on the heels of William’s wedding to the then Kate Middleton last year, the jubilee is likely to further boost the royals’ popularity, with a poll this month showing that 80 percent of Britons want the country to remain a monarchy. But amid the celebrations and the acclaim for the queen it is easy to forget that just a decade ago, the picture was very different. There was palpable ill-will towards the queen following the death of Diana, princess of Wales in a Paris car crash in 1997, when the monarch was widely criticised for failing to join in the public outpouring of grief. She did eventually bow to Diana’s coffin as it passed, a moment that historian Kate Williams says was a turning point. Now there is a “massive surge” of affection for the queen both in Britain and across the Commonwealth, said Williams, the author of “Young Elizabeth: The Making of our Queen”. “At the moment the queen’s popularity is as high as it’s ever been since her coronation,” she told AFP. “This is really quite incredible when you think about how extraordinarily unpopular she was after the death of Diana. “The amount of people in this country who were either indifferent or felt that the Windsors had got no point at all and should be abolished – that has all changed.” “It looks like the entirety of Britain is going to turn out in the first weekend in June.”

©AFP/Photo/File

©AFP/POOL/File, Alastair Grant

Prince William and his wife Catherine will join a carriage procession on June 5. ©AFP/File, Carl Court

Concert equipment is placed beneath the Queen Victoria Memorial statue near Buckingham Palace in London.

©AFP Photo/Andrew Cowie

A portrait of Queen Elizabeth II, which is made of Lego pieces, hangs in the window of a shop in London on May 21. ©AFP Photo/Lefteris Pitarakis

Queen Elizabeth II at the Chelsea Flower Show in London on May 21.

At the centre of it all is an 86-yearold great-grandmother, who was visiting Kenya in February 1952 when she was woken to be told by her husband Prince Philip that her father, King George VI, had died at the age of 56, thrusting her into the role of queen. The Queen came to the throne on February 6, 1952, and the coronation took place more than a year later, on June 2, 1953, in Westminster Abbey. Six decades on, the packed programme of events to mark the jubilee will be in sharp contrast to the first diamond jubilee in 1897. Queen Victoria was too lame to manage the steps of St Paul’s Cathedral and so a short service of thanksgiving was held outside the building. The current queen is apparently in good health and has travelled widely in Britain this year to meet her subjects, although in a nod to her age she has left trips abroad to mark the jubilee to other members of the royal family. Her husband needed emergency heart surgery in December but Prince Philip is expected to play a full part in the jubilee celebrations, just a week before his 91st birthday. ■ (©AFP – London, United Kingdom – May 27, 2012)

©AFP/POOL/File, Leon Neal

The queen has been head of the 54-nation Commonwealth since her accession to the throne in 1952. ©AFP/Getty Images

On June 2, 1953, Britain’s Queen Elizabeth II, accompanied by Prince Philip, greeted the crowd after being crowned during her coronation at Westminster Abbey. This year, June 2-5, England celebrates her Diamond Jubilee. ©AFP/File, Andrew Cowie

Diamond Jubilee souvenir cups featuring Britain’s Queen Elizabeth II for sale at a shop in central London.

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HELLO PHILIPPINES

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Special Feature

May 2012 – No. 10 • UK & Europe Edition

Giant photo of UK royals unveiled on Thames for jubilee

A giant photograph of Queen Elizabeth and her family, 100 metres (328 feet) wide and weighing two tonnes, was put up beside London’s Thames river ahead of celebrations for her diamond jubilee. The 70-metre-high image of the queen, her husband Prince Philip and their children, dating from 35 years ago, was erected on the Sea Containers building to honour her 60 years on the throne and mask building work going on inside. The black-and-white photograph shows the queen waving to crowds at her silver jubilee in 1977, and will stay in place near Blackfriars Bridge in central London until the end of June, said a statement from Sea Containers. The photograph took eight abseiling men 45 hours to put up, Sea Containers said, adding it was “the largest ever photograph of the Royal Family”. Britain will celebrate the jubilee with a four-day public holiday and series of festivities on June 2-5, including a pageant of 1,000 boats and ships on the river. “When this silver jubilee photo was taken 35 years ago, the South Bank was an unvisited stretch of the Thames – not the centre of business, tourism and culture that it is today,” said Jonathan Ofer, managing director of the Deerbrook Group, asset managers for building owners Archlane Ltd. “It is the owner’s tribute for this very

©AFP/Carl Court

A giant photograph of Queen Elizabeth and her family is unveiled on a building beside London’s Thames river on May 25.

special occasion, when on Sunday 3rd June the jubilee flotilla passes by and the country celebrates 60 incredible years of everything that makes Britain great,” he added in the statement. It will also mask redevelopment as the building is converted into a luxury hotel. But not all Londoners were impressed by the new temporary landmark. The Londonist blog drew a parallel with communist North Korea, saying it was “reminiscent of Pyongyang leaderworship”, while London-based blogger Jon Worth labelled it “ghastly”. ■ (©AFP – London, United Kingdom – May 26, 2012)

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HELLO PHILIPPINES

Events Diary

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DATE / TIME

EVENT

VENUE

May 2012 – No. 10 • UK & Europe Edition

ORGANISER

CONTACTS / REMARKS

2 November 2011 to 31 October 2012

Filing of Applications for Registration / Certification and Transfer of Registration Records

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.

2 June 2012 – Saturday 6:00pm to 11:00pm

Summer Disco by the Aguman Kapampangan UK

Harrow Club W10, 87 Freston Road, London W10 6TH

Aguman Kapampangan UK

Zanie Del Mundo, President 07733 781 858 / 07886 881 432 / Erroll 07429 187 991 / Luz 07721 338 366 / Stella 07817 200 444

2 June 2012 – Saturday

1st Kabayan Idol OPM Artist UK Search 2012

St Agnes Church, Crickelwood Lane, London NW2 1HR

2 & 3 June 2012 – Saturday & Sunday

3rd Barrio 2012

Eastville Park, Fishpond Road, Eastville, Bristol BS5 6AX

Filipino Community in Bristol

Ellen 07411 294 966 / Willy 07900 485 194 / Gerome 07717 884 293 / Carlo 07528 770 491 / admin@filcombristol.co.uk / www.filcombristol.co.uk

9 June 2012 – Saturday 3:00pm – Mass 4:00pm – Salo-Salo

114th Independence Day Thanksgiving Holy Mass and Salo-Salo 2012

The Holy Apostles Catholic Church, Winchester Street, Pimlico, London SW1V 4LY (between Warwick Way and Lupus Street)

Philippine Embassy, London, United Kingdom with various Filipino Associations and Filipino Communities in United Kingdom

Main Celebrant: Fr. Cirino G. Portido – CM Head, Filipino Chaplaincy

9 June 2012 – Saturday 12:00pm to 9:00pm

3rd NOYPI Music Fest

St Mary’s Hall, Harefield, Hillingdon, Middlesex UB3 6BU

d’SPS, Pinoy Musikero UK and Radyo Maynila UK

Dhan 07545 304 862 / Sannie 07760 888 099 / Chris 07702 104 358 / Dale 07525 796 787

9 June 2012 – Saturday 6:30pm

FWA-UK 24th Philippine National Day Dinner & Dance

The Shannon Suite, The Copthorne Tara Hotel, Scarsdale Place, Kensington, London W8 5SR

Filipino Women’s Association UK

Nene Martin, President 020 8997 2146 / Nancy 07720 057 799 / Jeanette 07910 204 674 / Velly 020 8764 4408 / www.fwa-uk.com / Ticket: £58.00

9 June 2012 – Saturday

Oxfordshire Filipino Independence Day

Tingewick Hall of the John Radcliffe Hospital, Headley Way, Headington, Oxford OX3 9DU

Filipino Community of Oxfordshire

Ariel Lanada – joarielan@yahoo.com

9 June 2012 – Saturday

Independence Day Celebration by the Filipino Community of Peterborough

9 June 2012 – Saturday

Phil / Scot Trust Philippine Independence Day Party

Skelmorlie Community Hall, North Ayrshire, Scotland

Phil / Scot Trust

Marilyn Kaarits 01475 522 459 / Nally Carroll 01294 461 709

9 & 10 June 2012 – Saturday & Sunday

114th Philippine Independence Day in Morden

Morden Park, London Road, Morden, Surrey SM4 5DX – Free Shuttle Service from Morden Station

Bayanihan UK

Teresita Valencia-Juval 020 7341 7431 / 07956 593 236 / juvaltravel@btconnect.com / Gil Zarcilla 07802 761 446 / info@bayanihan.org.uk / www.bayanihan.org.uk

16 June 2012 – Saturday 9:00am

4th Pistahan sa Newcastle 2012 (Newcastle Filipino Festival 2012)

Filipino Community Association of Newcastle Upon Tyne (FILCAN)

Sally Sanchez-Sellars 07886 742 417 / sallysanchez@btinternet.com / Bong Bangayan 07824 338 251

17 June 2012 – Sunday 10:00am to 5:00pm

5th Yorkshire Barrio Fiesta 2012

Blaydon Rugby Club Field (Car Boot Sale Area), Hexham Road, Swalwell, Newcastle Upon Tyne NE16 3BN Rowntree Park, Terry Avenue, York YO23 1JQ

Yorkshire Maharlika Filipino Club in association with City of York Council

Lolita Boddy 01765 535 015 / 07973 469 450 / www.maharlika.org.uk

17 June 2012 – Sunday 9:00am to 6:00pm

Filipino Leeds Association Barrio Fiesta 2012

Kirkstall Abbey Leeds, Abbey Road, Kirkstall, Leeds LS5 3EH

Filipino Leeds Association

Eden 07809 404 580 / Wilma 07846 088 537 / Rowena 07717 220 095 / Mayona 07977 149 417 / www.filipinoleedsassociation.com

20 to 23 June 2012 20 June 2012 – 6:00pm – Opening 21 to 23 June 2012 – 10:00am to 5:00pm – Exhibit 22 & 23 June 2012 – Friday & Saturday 23 June 2012 – Gala Night 7:30pm 23 & 24 June 2012 – Saturday & Sunday

“Filipinism”, What Makes Art Filipino – Art Exhibit by Kunst Gallery Artists: Rafael Cusi, Rene Robles and Aris Bagtas

Chelsea Library Gallery, Chelsea Old Town Hall, King’s Road, London SW5 5EZ

Mr Ver Cuizon of Kunst Gallery in collaboration with the Batangas Association UK (BAUK) and with the support of the Philippine Embassy, London, United Kingdom

LornA Fortunado, President – info@batangas-association.org.uk

East Meets West 2… Kantahan Naman!

Royal Overseas League, Overseas House, Park Place, St James’s Street, London SW1A 1LR

Inter-Cultural Society of London

For more details contact: 07961 445 249 / gia@westendmamas.com

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 (UPAA-UK) 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

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

8 July 2012 – Sunday 8:00am to 6:00pm

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

27 May to 14 July 2012

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 6 th 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:

Dennis 07748 116 009 / Vange 07515 864 600 / 07438 087 629

Participation at the Mass: Fr. Agustin Paunon, Fr. Irvin Morastil OMI and Fr. Edgar Dizon of Wolverhampton

Celso Valmonte, Chairman 01733 263 112

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 & Sunday

1st Worcester Barrio Fiesta 2012

County of Worcestershire

Worcestershire Filipino International Community (WFIC)

Edwin Vargas, President 01905 352 092 / 07889 947 112

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

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.

HELLO PHILIPPINES

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Special Feature

May 2012 – No. 10 • UK & Europe Edition

1,000 boat flotilla sails for Diamond Jubilee ©AFP/File, Carl Court

Anne Laure Mondesert, AFP CELEBRATIONS for Queen Elizabeth II’s diamond jubilee reach their climax on June 3 when a flotilla of 1,000 boats sails up the River Thames in a spectacle that presents formidable security challenges. Venetian gondolas and a Chinese dragon boat will join kayaks, motorboats and a 19th century French trading ship for the first pageant on this scale on London’s river since 1662. Organisers have vowed to produce the biggest, “most exuberant” river pageant ever seen on the Thames – but they admit the logistics of the £10.5 million ($16.5 million, 13.1 million euro) event will be “extraordinarily complex”. With the queen’s ceremonial barge carrying the royal family and more than a million spectators expected to line riverbanks and bridges, the procession will double up as a security rehearsal for the London Olympics that opens on July 27. Heir to the throne Prince Charles and his wife Camilla, as well as Prince William, his wife Catherine and his brother Prince Harry, are joining the queen and her husband Prince Philip on the sumptuous red and gold royal barge. Music ranging from the national anthem and chiming bells, to

Organisers have vowed to produce the biggest, “most exuberant” river pageant ever seen on the Thames.

Bollywood tunes and the famous James Bond theme will blare from boats as the 11-kilometre (sevenmile) long flotilla makes its three-hour journey. The Thames flood barrier will be closed to ensure calm waters and traffic will be barred from seven of London’s bridges. From a failure of the flood barrier, to the royal barge’s motor stalling or a monumental aquatic pile-up, there are a dizzying number of things that could go wrong. Organisers have not been able to hold a full dress rehearsal but insist there is only a minimal risk of a crash between the boats, which include several that are more than a hundred years old. “We want to keep the vessels close enough together to present a

spectacle but far enough to avoid the danger of collision,” David Phillips, chief harbourmaster at the Port of London Authority, told a London press conference. “Collision would be the wrong word,” added the pageant’s director Adrian Evans. “’Kissing vessels’ would be more appropriate,” he said with a smile. With the royal family on the river and London swamped by crowds as big as those that turned out for William and Catherine’s wedding last year, security will be tight. Two months ahead of the Olympics, London authorities are under pressure to deliver a smooth event, which apart from the policing has been funded by private donations as the taxpayer struggles under austerity measures. Some 190 boats will sail alongside

©AFP/Graphic

Key events taking place in London over the holiday weekend marking Queen Elizabeth II’s 60-year reign.

the pageant to handle security and respond to any emergencies, while around 5,500 police and 7,000 volunteers will be on standby. London’s Metropolitan Police have planned underwater searches and sniffer dogs will be on the scene, but the force has promised an “unobtrusive” security presence to keep the atmosphere festive. And if a protester throws themselves

into the water, as happened during the University Boat Race between Oxford and Cambridge in April, police say they are “confident” they can manage the incident. But there is one factor the organisers are powerless to control. Even if proceedings on the river go off without a hitch, the weather could play spoilsport. ■ (©AFP – London, United Kingdom May 28, 2012)

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

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SCIENCE

www.hello-philippines.com

May 2012 – No. 10 • UK & Europe Edition

Trans-Pacific ‘ring of fire’ eclipse wows sky-gazers Michael Thurston, AFP MILLIONS of sky-gazers got the spectacle of a lifetime as a “ring of fire” solar eclipse crossed the Pacific from Asia to the United States, where it triggered whoops at festive viewing parties. The annular eclipse was visible in western US states from California to Texas late Sunday, May 20 and in parts of China, Taiwan and Japan on Monday local time, making a 13,600-kilometre (8,500-mile) arc across the Pacific. “That was totally awesome,” said Geoff Reid, 28, from Santa Cruz, at a huge “viewing party” on a terrace overlooking Los Angeles, after a New Year’s Eve-style countdown climaxed with huge cheers at the eclipse’s peak. “We’re on holiday with the kids, visiting Disneyland. Then we heard this was happening, we had to come,” said British tourist Ian Hunter, among thousands gathered at the hill-top Griffith Observatory, near the iconic Hollywood sign. “It was awesome,” said schoolboy Marcos Doporto in Albuquerque, New Mexico, one of the biggest US cities on the exact path of the full “ring of fire”

eclipse, visible for four minutes at its peak. “At first... at the bottom it looked like someone ate it, but then after I waited a little while it started to get closer to looking kinda like (a) ring,” he told KOB Eyewitness News 4 television. In Asia, clouds across much of south-eastern China prevented a clear view, with some early risers in Hong Kong able to see only a small sliver of the “annular” eclipse and others coming away disappointed. An annular eclipse occurs when the moon passes in front of the sun, but is too far from the Earth to block it out completely, leaving the “ring of fire” visible. However, many in Tokyo got a spectacular sight as the sprawling Japanese capital of 30 million people received its first glimpse of the phenomenon in 173 years. Sadanobu Takahashi, 60, from Japan’s northern Akita prefecture, said he and his wife joined a special two-day tour of Tokyo to watch the eclipse from the top of a 54-storey building in the Roppongi district. “Look! Now it’s a perfect ring. How wonderful!” he cried out. Around 200 people were gathered on the roof terrace, where

©AFP/Graphic

two-year-old Hikaru Ichikawa ran around with special viewing glasses designed to protect his eyes, shouting: “I can see it! I can see it!” Commuters from businessmen to schoolchildren stopped on the streets of Tokyo to watch as the eclipse developed, cheering when it became visible. Japan’s major television stations cut live to the once-in-a-lifetime event, which has generated a miniboom in spending on special tour packages and viewing glasses. Japan Airlines laid on a sold-out observation flight. Electronics giant Panasonic sent an expedition to the top of Mount Fuji, Japan’s highest mountain at 3,776 metres (12,388 feet), to film the phenomenon using solarpowered equipment. One Japanese zoo reported that the eclipse sent a group of about 20 ring-tailed lemurs into a frenzy, as they were fooled into thinking it was night-time. The lemurs at the Japan Monkey Centre in central Aichi prefecture jumped up and down wildly. “This is a behaviour that they usually take in the evening, so that they raise their body temperature,” said zoo director Akira Kato. In Hong Kong, a few thousand optimistic early birds gathered on the Victoria Harbour waterfront hoping to catch a glimpse of the spectacle, but heavy cloud cover gave them only a brief window of less than a minute. “Who could not be disappointed?” said Thomas Goethals, a tourist from Belgium. Others higher up in Hong Kong got a marginally better view through the clouds, and many of the viewers on the harbour front resorted to taking photos of each other holding up their protective filters. Thousands in the western United States were banking on clearer skies as they ventured out at sunset on Sunday. One of the best spots in North America to see the full ring of fire effect was the tiny town of Kanarraville, Utah, where the local population of 350 was invaded by thousands of eclipse-watchers. T-shirts, flags and and bumper stickers touted the town as the eclipse “sweet spot,” and there were also loud whoops when the full, annular eclipse was reached, some people watching through welders’ masks. “I thought Utah was as good a gamble as any,” David Lee, a member of the Royal Astronomical Society from Victoria, Canada, told the Salt Lake Tribune. Further west in Los Angeles, thousands were gathered for the viewing party at the hill-top Griffith

©AFP/Kazuhiro Nogi

Many in Tokyo got a spectacular sight of the “ring of fire” created by the solar eclipse. ©AFP/Philippe Lopez

Some early risers in Hong Kong were able to see only a small sliver of the “annular” eclipse. ©AFP/Ted Aljibe

A partial solar eclipse can be seen from the coastal town of Gumaca, Philippines.

Observatory, overlooking the city near the iconic Hollywood sign. In the cloudless skies over densely populated southern California, the eclipse peaked at 86 percent of the solar diameter, still blinding to the naked eye, but like a reverse crescent moon when viewed through a solar filter. The observatory ran out of $2.99 eclipse glasses two days before the event, and on Sunday was only

selling larger “solarama” shields, limited to two per family to see the eclipse, the most spectacular in LA for 20 years. “It’s amazing, it’s phenomenal. It’s unlike anything I ever expected, so I’m very excited to be here,” said Dena Fargo, adding that it was the first eclipse she had ever seen “and I’m nearly 40, so it’s about time”. ■ (©AFP – Los Angeles, USA – May 21, 2012)

‘Martian Pink’ diamond fetches $17m in Hong Kong THE “Martian Pink” diamond fetched $17.4 million at auction in Hong Kong as it went on sale for the first time in 36 years, more than double the estimated price. Billed as the largest pink diamond ever to come up for auction, the stunning gem was the highlight of a Christies’ jewellery auction that raised $80 million on Tuesday, May 29 the auction house said. “Having appeared on the market for the first time in 36 years, The Martian Pink sold by Harry Winston in 1976 created a sensation during its worldwide exhibition tour and achieved a staggering US$17.4m after a 10-minute bidding war,” said Vickie Sek of Christie’s Asia. “The US$80m auction was highlighted with top prices across the board, culminating in a world record price of US$551,000 per carat for a perfect Burmese ruby of 6.04 carats.” Hong Kong has emerged as the world’s

©AFP/Dale de la Rey

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Direct to The “Martian Pink” diamond was billed as the largest pink diamond ever to come up for auction. A woman looks at the 12.04 carat Martian Pink Diamond on display during a Christie’s spring auction preview in Hong Kong on May 24, 2012. The diamond fetched $17.4 million at auction in Hong Kong this week as it went on sale for the first time in 36 years, more than double the estimated price.

third biggest auction centre after New York and London, thanks largely to the growing luxury market in mainland China. ■ (©AFP – Hong Kong –

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May 30, 2012)

San Franciscans celebrate anniversary of Golden Gate Bridge TENS of thousands of people came to San Francisco’s waterfront to mark the 75th anniversary of the Golden Gate Bridge, the distinctive orange vermilion structure that attracts some 10 million visitors each year. The city hosted a massive celebration complete with music, dance vintage cars and motorcycles, as well as a fireworks display showcasing the iconic bridge at the entrance to the San Francisco Bay. The celebrations took place 75 years to the day after the bridge was opened to the public: to pedestrians on May 27, 1937, and to traffic the next day. At the time, the Golden Gate was the world’s longest suspension bridge. Dreamt up by engineer Joseph Strauss, the bridge distinguishes itself by its unique color, chosen by architect Irving Morrow and dubbed International Orange. ©AFP/Kimihiro Hoshino

The paint originally ensured visibility for passing ships and served as a sealant to protect the bridge from the salty mist from the Golden Gate Strait after which it was named, the entrance to the bay from the Pacific Ocean. Construction of the bridge took four years. Some 1.7 miles (2.7 kilometers) long, it is 90 feet (27 meters) wide and its two towers reach 746 feet above sea level. Traffic is suspended 220 feet above the water. Pedestrians and cyclists can access the bridge along with motorists. But the span also has a grim history as a popular place to commit suicide. An estimated 1,600 people have died there in instances where the body was recovered, with many more unconfirmed, according to the Los Angeles Times. Last year alone, 37 people died after jumping off the bridge – the fourth highest number since it opened, the newspaper said, citing data from bridge authorities. Events marking the bridge’s anniversary are also taking place all year long, and a new visitor center was opened in early May at the southern entrance. ■ (©AFP – San Francisco, USA – May 28, 2012)

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A tanker is seen passing through under the Golden Gate Bridge on May 27, 2012 in California. Dreamt up by engineer Joseph Strauss, the bridge distinguishes itself by its unique color, chosen by architect Irving Morrow and dubbed International Orange. ©AFP/Kimihiro Hoshino

The Golden Gate Bridge is seen from the staging area of the event to celebrate its 75th Anniversary in San Francisco, California. The city hosted a massive celebration complete with music, dance vintage cars and motorcycles, as well as a fireworks display showcasing the iconic bridge at the entrance to the San Francisco Bay.

Replicas of the Golden Gate Bridge are displayed inside the Bridge ©AFP/Getty Images/Justin Sullivan Pavilion visitor center and gift shop during the “Gifts to the Bridge” dedication ceremony at the Golden Gate Bridge on May 25, 2012 in San Francisco, California.

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May 2012 – No. 10 • UK & Europe Edition

Australia warns of ‘bespoke’ online child sex abuse AUSTRALIAN police warned Thursday, May 17 that paedophiles were using Internet live-streaming sites to order “bespoke” child sex crimes for real-time viewing, from countries including the Philippines. Neil Gaughan, head of the Australian Federal Police’s hightech crime squad, said sites like Skype were being used to arrange “made-to-order” child abuse, where sex offenders could tailor sex crimes to their own viewing preferences. “They make contact through online forums and the like, and they basically order a type of child abuse to take place in

another country,” Gaughan told The Australian newspaper. “They facilitate a payment and then, while the person’s sitting in the lounge watching on their Skype or whatever it may be, the child is being sexually assaulted the way they asked that child to be sexually assaulted, live-streamed.” According to the newspaper one Australian man has already been convicted over one such arrangement, based in the southern Philippines, and police were exploring whether any other Australians had been clients of the network. Police accused the man of transferring several thousand

CONSERVATIONISTS Thursday, May 24 slammed the “pathetic” fine handed to a Philippine farmer who shot and ate one of the world’s rarest eagles, saying it could embolden other hunters. In the first case brought under the country’s 2001 wildlife act, Bryan Balaon, 26, was fined 100,000 pesos ($2,300), Philippine Eagle Foundation president Dennis Salvador said. “We find the fine pathetic. He got off with a slap on the wrist,” Salvador told AFP. The fine handed down by a court Wednesday, May 23 could encourage those who hunt the eagle for sport or to collect it as a trophy, he said. “The victim is our national bird, our national heritage. I feel that we lost an opportunity here to send an important message against poachers and other people who commit crimes

against nature,” Salvador said. It was not the first time the bird in question had fallen into the wrong hands. In 2006 the government handed the creature to the foundation for rehabilitation after seizing it from a man who had shot it down and kept it as a caged pet with a shotgun pellet still lodged in its skull, Salvador said. After rehabilitation the eagle was fitted with a radio transmitter and it was released back into the wild on Mount Kitanglad in the south of the country in March 2008. But four months later the fourkilogram (8.8-pound) bird was shot dead, cooked and eaten. The foundation discovered the crime by tracking the transmitter, which was buried at the bottom of a ravine. The court ruled Balaon will be jailed if he cannot pay the fine. But

dollars to the Philippines to pay for “bespoke” child abuse broadcasts. He was sentenced to seven years’ jail last year but is appealing, The Australian said. Gaughan said a police crackdown on pay-per-view child sex sites had prompted the shift to peer-to-peer sharing on sites like Skype, where abuse was “pretty much made-to-order”. Condemning the actions as “perverted”, he said an abuser could make a request such as “a five-year-old boy and I want ‘X’ to happen to a five-year-old boy. That’s what they’re asking for and that’s what they’re getting”. ■ (©AFP – Sydney, Australia – May 17, 2012)

©AFP/Photo

This file photo, released by Symantec and taken at Parliament House in Canberra, shows Neil Gaughan (center), head of the Australian Federal Police›s high-tech crime squad, speaking during an event in 2010. Gaughan warned on Thursday, May 17 that paedophiles were using Internet live-streaming sites to order “bespoke” child sex crimes for real-time viewing, from countries including the Philippines.

Farmer who shot, ate rare eagle fined ©AFP/File, Jason Gutierrez

The Philippine eagle is the world’s largest eagle and is “critically endangered” with just 90-250 pairs left in the wild.

the foundation, citing a copy of the court ruling, said no deadline had been set for payment. Josefina de Leon, a senior official with the Environment Department’s Protected Areas and Wildlife Bureau, told AFP the fine was the lowest punishment prescribed by the country’s 2001 wildlife act. The maximum punishment for

poaching protected species is a 12year prison term plus a fine of one million pesos. The Philippine eagle, or Pithecophaga jefferyi, found only in the country’s vanishing forests, is the world’s largest eagle and is “critically endangered” with just 90250 pairs left in the wild according to International Union for the

Conservation of Nature. The raptor grows to 102 centimetres (3.35 feet) long and has a distinctive, shaggy and creamcoloured crest. Court officials in Malaybalay city, where the hearing took place, and Balaon’s lawyer could not be reached for comment. ■ (©AFP – Manila, Philippines – May 24, 2012)

Three Filipinas killed in Doha fire US to renew naval power in Asia-Pacific: Panetta

THREE Philippine teachers were among 19 people confirmed to have died at a shopping mall fire in Qatar, Manila’s foreign department said Tuesday, May 29. The three women all worked at the Gympanzee Nursery School inside the Doha mall and died of smoke inhalation, foreign department spokesman Raul Hernandez told AFP. A brother of one of the dead teachers

HELLO PHILIPPINES

was also treated in hospital for smoke inhalation but had been pronounced out of danger, Hernandez said, saying the information came from the Philippine ambassador in Doha. Four children from Spain, triplets from New Zealand and a French child were among those who perished in the blaze, according to their respective governments. ■ (©AFP – Manila, Philippines – May 29, 2012)

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THE United States will renew its naval power across the Asia-Pacific region and stay “vigilant” in the face of China’s growing military, Defense Secretary Leon Panetta said Tuesday, May 29. On the eve of a trip to Asia that will include stops in Singapore, Vietnam and India, Panetta said in a speech that the country’s future depended on ensuring security throughout the Western Pacific and the Indian Ocean. “America is a maritime nation, and we are returning to our maritime roots,” Panetta told graduates of the US Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland. “One of the key projects that your generation will have to face is sustaining and enhancing American strength across the

great maritime region of the AsiaPacific,” he said. Reflecting US concern over China’s rise and more assertive stance in the South China Sea, President Barack Obama has announced a strategic shift toward Asia after wrapping up the US military presence in Iraq and overseeing a troop drawdown in Afghanistan. Panetta encouraged the new naval officers to forge stronger security ties with China even as he vowed the United States would not let down its guard. “We need you to strengthen defense ties with China. China’s military is growing and modernizing. We must be vigilant. We must be strong. We must be prepared to confront any challenge,” he said.

“But the key to that region is to develop a new era of defense cooperation between our countries — one in which our militaries share security burdens in order to advance peace in the Asia-Pacific and around the world,” he said. He called on the graduates to strengthen longtime alliances with Japan, South Korea, Australia and the Philippines while also building “robust partnerships” with countries such as Malaysia, Indonesia, Vietnam, Singapore and India. In Singapore this week, Panetta is due to attend an annual Asia security summit, the Shangri-La Dialogue, organized by the Londonbased International Institute for Strategic Studies. ■ (©AFP – Washington, USA – May 29, 2012)

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Philippine Embassy Around The World

May 2012 – No. 10 • UK & Europe Edition

Ambassador to the UK goes on a working visit to Birmingham PHILIPPINE Ambassador to the United Kingdom (UK) Enrique Manalo made a working visit to Birmingham City last May 11 and 12, 2012. It was Ambassador Manalo’s first visit to Birmingham, which has one of the highest concentrations of Filipinos outside of London. The visit included meetings with local government officials and hospital executives, as well as a consular outreach activity for the Filipino community. “As Britain’s ‘second city’, Birmingham is an important center for Britons and Filipinos alike. There is an abundance of potential for fertile partnerships in business, tourism and education. The Philippines has regularly attended the Birmingham International Spring Fair and the Birmingham Dive Show, both of which allows us to promote our trade and investment opportunities, and tourist attractions,” Ambassador Manalo said. Ambassador Manalo also remarked that Birmingham has “a very active Filipino community, which has made huge contributions to the economy and the larger community as a whole.” On the first day, Ambassador Manalo met with Lord Mayor Anita Ward and Chief Executive Stephen Hughes at the landmark Council House in the center of the city. The two city officials said that Filipinos were “very friendly” and fit in well into Birmingham’s diverse community, which in turn allowed the city to become a “haven for innovation.” Ambassador Manalo said the Embassy would be exploring possible linkages between the major universities and research institutions

(From left) Philippine Ambassador to the United Kingdom Enrique Manalo, Lord Mayor Anita Ward and Chief Executive Stephen Hughes.

Ambassador Manalo with Queen Elizabeth Hospital Chief Operating Officer Kevin Bolger.

Ambassador and Madame Manalo, Consul-General Bernadette Fernandez, Consul Myla Macahilig and officers of the Filipino Association in Birmingham (FAB).

Ambassador and Madame Manalo, Consul-General Bernadette Fernandez, Mrs. Jasmine Alverez and officers of the Kapatiran ng Migranteng Pilipino (KAMI-PINOY).

of Birmingham and the Philippines, especially in the areas of agriculture, information technology, engineering and medicine. Ambassador Manalo also met with Queen Elizabeth Hospital (QEH) Chief Operating Officer Kevin Bolger. Mr. Bolger praised the 1,000 Filipino nurses and support staff working at the hospital for being “exceptional and dedicated to their work” and “a credit to the Philippines.”

He likewise said that their Filipino employees have been “an integral part” of the hospital’s vision to provide top-notch quality care. QEH is Britain’s newest and most modern hospital. It has 1,600 beds with over 7,000 staff. The second day of the visit was reserved for the consular outreach activity, which was held in QEH. The University Hospitals Birmingham National Health Service Trust and members of the Filipino community in Birmingham assisted

the Embassy team in ensuring the success of the outreach. Leaders of the Kapatiran ng Migranteng Pilipino (KAMI-PINOY) and the Filipino Association in Birmingham (FAB) also met with the Embassy team. Both groups expressed support to the Embassy’s projects and programs and conveyed their desire to continue assisting distressed Filipinos in the UK. Birmingham City is located in the West Midlands of the United

Kingdom. It is considered the country’s “second city” for its population (at over a million, the largest after London) and its economy (at GBP 90 billion in GDP second only to London). According to the latest estimates by local Filipino community leaders, there are some 14,000 Filipinos residing in the Birmingham metropolitan area. A considerable number of them work as medical staff in the city’s two largest hospitals. ■ (DFA – May 23, 2012)

Philippines calls for better protection of Seafarers against pirate attacks

Ambassador Enrique A. Manalo addresses the ministerial-level meeting on combating piracy at the International Maritime Headquarters in London.

PHILIPPINE Permanent Representative to the International Maritime Organization (IMO), Ambassador Enrique A. Manalo, continued to advocate for better protection of seafarers against pirate attacks off the coast of Somalia. In a Ministerial-level meeting to open the 90th Session of IMO’s Maritime Safety Committee, the Organization’s primary governing body, last May 16, Ambassador Manalo called on ship owners and the governments whose flag their ships fly to assume the responsibility of ensuring a safe working environment for seafarers, especially when their vessels traverse the dangerous waters off Somalia where pirate attacks have increased in recent years. Ambassador Manalo said that “the Philippine Government ensures

that Filipino seafarers are competent and fully qualified. The duty of the crew is to safely operate the ships which carry 80% of global trade. It is in turn the responsibility of shipping companies and Flag States to protect them from the scourge of piracy as they carry out this duty.” The Philippine Government continues to advocate for the implementation of Best Management Practices (BMPs) codified by the commercial shipping sector as the primary defense against pirate attacks. These practices include the use of razor wires around the vessel to deter pirates from climbing on board, joining convoys travelling under the protection of naval escorts, and the use of citadels or a safe room where crew seek shelter as they await rescue by naval forces currently deployed in the waters off

Somalia to protect civilian vessels. Noting the successful protection of merchant vessels by privately contracted armed guards on board these vessels, the Philippines has participated in international efforts to regulate their deployment in order to weed out incompetent and illtrained security personnel. “While the adoption of BMPs is our preference, the use of armed guards complements its implementation thereby providing better protection to the crew,” Ambassador Manalo added. Ambassador Manalo was supported by Minister Francisco Noel Fernandez III, Commodore Rodolfo Isorena of the Philippine Coast Guard and Chief Engineer Miguel Marasigan of the Professional Regulations Commission. (DFA – May

22, 2012)

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May 2012 – No. 10 • UK & Europe Edition

Asian casinos fight world’s best cheats: Experts Stephen Coates, AFP AS billions of dollars pour into Asia’s gleaming casinos, they are becoming the front line of a sometimes hugely lucrative battle between cheats and the house, say experts. Both sides look to employ the latest, most advanced technology, but security consultant Sal Piacente says a scam in the Philippines last year took the gaming security world by surprise. An Asian syndicate used an improvised camera hidden up a member’s sleeve to film the sequence of cards in a deck as it was cut on a baccarat table in Paranaque City last May 2011. The order of the cards was relayed digitally to another gang member who, after analysing the footage in slowmotion, returned to the table as the

A hostess deals cards during a baccarat demonstration at the G2E Asia gaming expo in Macau on May 23. As billions of dollars pour into Asia›s gleaming casinos, they are becoming the front line of a sometimes hugely lucrative battle between cheats and the house, say experts.

deck finally came into play hours later. Piacente, a 47-year-old from Brooklyn, said the multi-milliondollar “cutter scam” showed that as long as Asian casinos were the most lucrative in the world, they would attract the most skilful cheats. “The scams that happen here (in

World Bank $275 mn loan to tackle Philippines sewage

THE World Bank is lending the Philippines $275 million to tackle huge volumes of untreated sewage that threaten to swallow the capital Manila, the lender said Wednesday, May 16. The loan would be reinvested by a government bank into Manila Water Co. and Maynilad Water Services projects to boost the two utilities’ household wastewater collection and treatment systems, the World Bank said. World Bank country director Motoo Konishi said the project is part of the lender’s broader programme to support the urban renewal of Manila, a metropolis of at least 12 million people that is blighted with huge slums. Its residents produce about two

million cubic metres (500 million gallons) of wastewater a day, of which only 17 percent is treated before being released into Manila Bay, the bank said. The rest seeps into 30 highly polluted rivers and streams crisscrossing the city and eventually ends up on the bay. “The health of poor families, especially their young children, suffers the most from lack of proper wastewater treatment facilities and poor sanitation,” Konishi said. Economic losses from poor sanitation add up to an amount equivalent to 1.5 percent of the country’s total economic output, Konishi said. ■ (©AFP – Manila,

Philippines – May 16, 2012)

Visitors play a game during the G2E Asia gaming expo in Macau on May 23.

A man plays a gaming machine at the G2E Asia gaming expo in Macau on May 22.

Asia) are a lot more sophisticated than in the States,” he told AFP at the Global Gaming Expo Asia in Macau, a southern Chinese city that generates five times the annual gambling revenue of Las Vegas. “What was happening here in Macau five years ago, is happening in the States now.” Asia is in the midst of a casino building boom, fuelled by wealthy VIP gamblers from mainland China, with billions of dollars being invested in huge integrated casino resorts from Macau to Manila Bay and Singapore. The new properties bristle with cutting-edge surveillance technology, but the cheats are coming up with their own high-tech innovations, such as the sleeve-camera used in the Philippines. “If you go to a place like this in Macau, where the surveillance is a lot better trained, then the cheats have to be more sophisticated,” Piacente said on the expo floor at the glittering Venetian Macau resort. Most of the exhibitors at Asia’s largest casino expo, which was ending Thursday, showed off the latest slot machines or video gambling innovations, but Piacente’s booth consisted of himself, a baccarat table and a bag of tricks. Loaded dice, split chips and reflective gold rings are some of the

more traditional tools of the cheater’s trade, which Piacente, president of UniverSal Game Protection, demonstrate with a magician’s flare. He is also a master of sleight of hand – false shuffles, second deals, card palming – and can memorise a deck of cards instantly from sight. He has worked a lifetime to perfect his skills, but tells his clients in the gaming world that the real cheats will be smarter, faster and better – especially in Asia where so much more money is at stake. “I sit at home and practise thousands of moves for hundreds of hours. They’re at home practising one move for thousands of hours. They do that one move better than I could possibly imagine,” he said. “An amateur practises until he gets it right; a professional practises until he can’t get it wrong.” It is a constant battle. Hoffman Ma, deputy chairman of Success Universe Group, which owns the Ponte 16 casino in Macau, said US anti-fraud system manufacturers were tailoring their latest products for Asian casinos. “We do probably have one of the most advanced systems,” he said. “Technology helps you to be more efficient... and with the huge traffic (of casino gamblers in Macau) you

really need that assistance,” he said. Nevada casinos, in contrast, were hit hard by the 2008 financial crisis and are struggling to keep up with surveillance technology, experts said. “I hate to say it’s archaic,” said Douglas Florence, business development director at Canadian security camera company Avigilon, adding that many Las Vegas casinos still relied on grainy video stored on VHS tapes. “Asia has been digital almost since day one because everything is new.” Avigilon has partnered with South African company Cheeteye, which offers casinos software that scours data from multiple sources to identify suspicious behaviour patterns, such as increases in a certain player’s average wager. Cheeteye representative Graeme Powell said the company’s revenues had doubled in the past two years as casino managers, particularly “young, tech-savvy” ones, adopted the system. As for the Paranaque City cutter scam, several suspects have been arrested while the alleged ringleader, Singaporean lawyer Loo Choon Beng, was reportedly found dead in a Chinese hotel room in August last year. ■ (©AFP – Hong Kong – May 24, 2012)

A Philippine oil firm said Thursday, May 17 it would start drilling next year at a potentially massive natural gas field at a reef in the South China Sea also claimed by China. The drilling of “two appraisal wells” at Reed Bank will be carried out by August 2013, said Philex Petroleum chairman Manuel Pangilinan. “We need to do a lot before we know the amount of resources beneath those waters,” he told stockholders. His comments come amid high tension with China over territorial disputes in the South China Sea, with Manila and Beijing locked in a standoff over the Scarborough Shoal. Philex Petroleum said last month the field at Reed Bank could hold 4.66 trillion cubic feet (TCF) of gas, nearly twice as much as the Philippines’ largest known deposits.

China claims almost all of the South China Sea, including the Reed Bank, which is about 148 kilometres (92 miles) off the Philippine island of Palawan and which the Philippines claims as its territory. Last year the Philippines accused Chinese vessels of harassing an exploration vessel off Reed Bank, and Manila has repeatedly accused China of aggressive actions in disputed waters. Pangilinan also said he met with officials of China National Offshore Oil Corporation (CNOOC) in Beijing recently to discuss their offer to jointly develop the Reed Bank field. But he said that other big companies had also approached Philex, adding that his firm would need the help of a major oil company as a partner to develop the Reed Bank.

“A gas field will need major expenditures and the help of international oil firms that have the technical capability and financial resource,” he said. Asked if having CNOOC as a partner might assuage the Chinese, he said: “I’m assuming the political aspects would recede in the background.” However, he would not speculate on what would happen if Philex chose another partner. “If gunboats appear on the horizon, there is nothing we can do,” he added. For over a month, Philippine and Chinese ships have been engaged in a standoff to press their conflicting claims to the Scarborough Shoal, which is more than 400 kilometres to the north of Reed Bank. ■ (©AFP – Manila,

BG Group sells stake in Philippines to drill at China-claimed reef Philippines gas plants Energy firm BG Group said that it would sell its holding in two gas plants in the Philippines for £231 million. ENERGY firm BG Group said on Wednesday, May 30 that it would sell its holding in two gas plants in the Philippines for £231 million. “BG Group today announced it had reached agreement to sell its 40-percent equity interest in two gas-fired power generation plants in the Philippines to its partner in the facilities, First Gen Corporation,” it said in a statement. “The sale and purchase agreement, completed on signing, covers the 1,000-megawatt Santa Rita power plant and the 500-megawatt San

BG Group chief executive Frank Chapman added that the move was part of plans to release £3.20 billion of capital.

Lorenzo power plant, both on the island of Luzon.” BG Group chief executive Frank Chapman added that the move was part of plans to release £3.20 billion of capital over the next two years via strategic divestments. ■ (©AFP – London, United Kingdom – May 30, 2012)

Philippines – May 17, 2012)

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HELLO PHILIPPINES

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INTERNATIONAL NEWS

May 2012 – No. 10 • UK & Europe Edition

Philippines names ambassador amid row with China PRESIDENT Benigno Aquino named a veteran diplomat as ambassador to China amid a tense standoff over disputed territory in the South China Sea, according to a presidential spokeswoman. Sonya Brady, 70, who served as ambassador in Beijing from 2006 to 2010, was named to her old post amid a growing clamour for a skilled diplomat to handle the frayed ties caused by the territorial dispute. Aquino wanted “someone who is already familiar with the politics and the culture of that country. That person can hit the ground running,” said spokeswoman Abigail Valte. However Brady cannot assume her post until Congress approves her appointment, Valte told AFP. The Chinese embassy could not be contacted for comment.

Aquino had originally named a family friend, businessman Domingo Lee, as ambassador last year but Congress refused to approve the posting, saying Lee was inexperienced. Relations between the two countries worsened after Chinese ships blocked Philippine vessels from arresting Chinese fishermen in the South China Sea in April. Both countries have deployed vessels near the disputed Scarborough Shoal for more than a month to press their conflicting claims to the area. 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-nauticalmile exclusive economic zone.

Since then, China has impounded Philippine fruit shipments and warned tourists against visiting the Philippines while Manila has charged that Beijing is sending even more ships to the shoal The Philippines, which has one of the weakest militaries in the region, has turned to its main defence ally, the United States, for support. Aquino is due to meet with President Barack Obama in the White House in June. “This is no way in connection with the standoff (with China),” Valte said. It had been planned since Secretary of State Hillary Clinton extended the invitation during a visit to the Philippines in November, she added. ■ (©AFP – Manila, Philippines – May 26, 2012)

This file photo shows a Chinese paramilitary policeman saluting as the car with the Philippines› ambassador leaves the embassy in Beijing, on May 11. Philippine President Benigno Aquino has named a veteran diplomat, Sonya Brady, as the nation›s new ambassador to China.

Philippines may buy fighters other than US THE Philippines is looking at arming itself for the first time with dedicated fighter jets made outside of the United States, President Benigno Aquino said Wednesday, May 16 amid a territorial dispute with China. The Philippines last month requested aircraft, patrol boats and radar systems from its US military ally to help it achieve what

the government said would be a “minimum credible defence”. Aquino said that his government had asked to buy second-hand F-16s from the United States, but their maintenance costs could end up being too high because of their age. “We might end up spending $400 million or $800 million per squadron, and we were thinking of getting two squadrons,” he said in an interview

with Manila’s Bombo Radio. “We do have an alternative, and – this is a surprise – it seems we have the capacity to buy brandnew, but not from America,” Aquino said, without mentioning the aircraft model. “These are manufactured by another progressive country that I won’t name at this point.” Aquino noted that Manila had

retired its last fighter jet, a Korean War-vintage F-5, in 2005. It does continue to fly S211 trainer jets made by the Italian firm Marchetti, which are sometimes used as ground attack aircraft against various insurgencies. But along with the F-5, the Philippines had previously relied on obsolete US hand-me-downs including the T-33 and the P-51

Mustang as dedicated attack fighters, and the country now has no effective air defences. It is engaged in a tense maritime standoff with China over the disputed Scarborough Shoal and surrounding waters in the South China Sea. Both nations have stationed vessels there for over a month to assert their sovereignty. ■ (©AFP – Manila, Philippines –

May 16, 2012)

Indonesia president warns of Europe impact on Asia Philippines, China ‘to show restraint’ over shoal INDONESIAN President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono said Europe’s economic woes could hit Southeast Asia and warned the region against copying the integrated eurozone model, in comments printed Wednesday, May 30. Yudhoyono told the Wall Street Journal that the slowdown in China’s economic growth, stoked by weak demand from Europe, will “impact directly on the economy in this region”. The 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) has set 2015 as the target for creating a single regional economic market, known as the ASEAN Economic Community. But Yudhoyono, whose country has the biggest economy in ASEAN, said the region “has to learn from what happened in Europe”. “I have a strong belief that we shouldn’t and we cannot imitate this structure, the character, of the European Union,” he added. “We prefer to have, of course, more structure” and more closely coordinated policy, he said, “but we should not copy the eurozone model”. Southeast Asian economies weathered a slowdown caused by the 2007/2008 financial crisis and are

The skyline of the Indonesian capital Jakarta. Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono said Europe’s economic woes could hit Southeast Asia and warned the region against copying the integrated eurozone model, in comments printed Wednesday, May 30.

booming as the eurozone struggles to climb out of debt and contain rising unemployment. Southeast Asia has a population of around 600 million and a gross domestic product of around $2 trillion, bigger that India’s. Analysts have forecast Indonesia’s economy to grow more than six

percent this year, as strong domestic demand buffers the nation of 240 million people from external shocks. But the resource-rich country sells commodities such as coal and metals worth billions of dollars each year to China, whose slowdown has weakened global commodity prices. ■ (©AFP – Jakarta, Indonesia – May 30, 2012)

PHILIPPINES and China have agreed to show restraint in their tense standoff over a disputed shoal in the South China Sea, Manila’s defence chief said Tuesday, May 29. Defence Secretary Voltaire Gazmin said he had held a brief meeting with his Chinese counterpart in the Cambodian capital on Monday during which both sides agreed to tone down the rhetoric and find “a peaceful resolution” to the spat. “We agreed on three points: to restrain our actions, to restrain our statements so that it does not escalate, and then we continue to open our line of communication until we come up with a peaceful resolution to the case,” Gazmin told reporters. Gazmin made the remarks after attending talks with the defence ministers of the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in Phnom Penh. Relations between Beijing and Manila have plunged recently with both sides pressing their conflicting claims to the Scarborough Shoal. The two countries have had ships posted around the shoal since early April, when Chinese vessels prevented a Philippine Navy ship

from arresting Chinese fishermen. China has also impounded Philippine fruit shipments and warned tourists against visiting the Philippines. China and several ASEAN nations have rival claims to uninhabited islands in the South China Sea, which is believed to be rich in hydrocarbons and straddles strategic shipping lanes vital to global trade. Chinese Defence Minister Liang Guanglie, on an official visit to close ally Cambodia, is set to meet with his ASEAN counterparts later on Tuesday for what Phnom Penh called “informal” discussions about the maritime dispute. ■ (©AFP – Phnom Penh, Cambodia – May 29, 2012) ©AFP/Tang Chhin Sothy

Philippines Defence Minister Voltair Gazmin takes part in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Defence Ministers’ meeting in Phnom Penh.

HELLO

www.hello-philippines.com

Celebrity, Showbiz & Entertainment

May 2012 – No. 10 • UK & Europe Edition

Bee Gees star Robin Gibb dies aged 62 PHILIPPINES

Robin Millard, AFP

ROBIN Gibb, singer with the legendary British band the Bee Gees, died aged 62 after a lengthy battle against cancer, his family said. “The family of Robin Gibb, of the Bee Gees, announce with great sadness that Robin passed away following his long battle with cancer and intestinal surgery,” said a family statement issued on Sunday, May 20. Barry, Maurice and Robin Gibb scaled the heights of the pop world in the 1970s with disco hits including “How Deep Is Your Love”, “Stayin’ Alive”, and “Night Fever”. The band notched up record sales of more than 200 million since their first hits in the 1960s. Gibb underwent bowel surgery 18 months ago for an unrelated condition but a tumour was found and he was diagnosed with cancer of the colon and the liver. Back in February, Gibb said he had made a “spectacular” recovery from his treatment, sparking hopes that his cancer was in remission, but recently experienced a sharp deterioration. The singer fell into a coma last

Bee Gees star Robin Gibb has died aged 62.

month after contracting pneumonia, but had raised hopes of survival after making another recovery. Fellow musicians took to microblogging website Twitter to pay their respects. Canadian rocker Bryan Adams wrote: “Robin Gibb RIP. Very sad to hear about yet another great singer dying too young.” Simply Red frontman Mick Hucknall called Gibb a “musical giant” while eighties stars Duran Duran passed on their condolences to his family. A statement released by Sony Music said: “Rest in peace, Robin Gibb. Thanks for the music.” Gibb was born on December 22,

The Bee Gees notched up record sales of more than 200 million since their first hits in the 1960s.

1949 on the Isle of Man, the British crown dependency, about half an hour before Maurice. Soon after the twins were born, the Gibb family moved to Manchester, northwest England, and then to Brisbane in Australia in 1958. The Bee Gees soon became child stars and had their first hit in 1963, “The Battle of the Blue and Grey”, performed on national television. Andy Gibb, their younger brother who was not in the Bee Gees, died in 1988 from cocaine addiction and Maurice died of a heart attack in 2003 following intestinal surgery. “I sometimes wonder if all the tragedies my family has suffered – like Andy and Maurice dying

Robin-John Gibb, the son of Bee Gees’ Robin Gibb, in April.

so young and everything that’s happened to me recently – is a kind of karmic price we are paying for all the fame and fortune we’ve had,” he told The Sun newspaper in March. The singer and his wife-to-be Molly Hullis survived the 1967 Hither Green rail crash in southeast London that killed 49 people. “I know what it is to live through a mass disaster... it haunts me to this day,” he told the Mail on Sunday newspaper in January. DJ Paul Gambaccini called Gibb “talented beyond even his own understanding”. “Everyone should be aware that the Bee Gees are second only to Lennon and McCartney as the most

successful song writing unit in British popular music,” he said. “Their accomplishments have been monumental. Not only have they written their own number one hits, but they wrote huge hit records for Barbra Streisand, Diana Ross, Dionne Warwick, Celine Dion, Destiny’s Child, Dolly Parton and Kenny Rogers, the list goes on and on.” Gibb was married twice, to Molly Hullis from 1968 to 1980, and to author/artist Dwina Murphy-Gibb and is survived by three children; Spencer, Melissa and Robin-John. He was made a CBE in the 2002 New Year’s Honours List, along with his brothers. ■ (©AFP – London, United Kingdom – May 21, 2012)

Filipina ex-nanny sues Sharon Stone; Star slams claim A FILIPINA former nanny of Sharon Stone is suing the US film star for wrongful dismissal and harassment, including by allegedly making derogatory remarks about her ethnicity and religion. But the star’s publicist slammed the lawsuit as “absurd,” claiming the ex-nanny was simply trying to “cash in” on Stone. In legal papers filed in Los Angeles on Tuesday, May 22, Erlinda Elemen claims the actress equated being Filipino with being stupid, and ordered her not to speak in front of her children so they would not “talk like you.” The “Basic Instinct” star also banned Elemen, who was dismissed last year, from reading the Bible in Stone’s home, even though she lived

A Filipina former nanny of Sharon Stone, pictured in 2010, is suing the US film star for wrongful dismissal and harassment, including by allegedly making derogatory remarks about her ethnicity and religion.

with her to look after the actress’s three children, and frequently traveled with them. From August 2010, Elemen “was repeatedly subjected to repeated derogatory comments and slurs

by (Stone) related to her Filipino ethnicity and heritage,” said the 17page lawsuit. “These statements included... comments about Plaintiff’s Filipino accent (ie Plaintiff was instructed to refrain from speaking to the children because Defendant did not want them to ‘talk like you’), comments about Filipino food, and comments which equated being Filipino with being stupid,” it added. In addition, Stone “was repeatedly verbally dismissive of Plaintiff’s deeply held religious beliefs, criticized Plaintiff for frequently attending church, and, on one occasion, forbade Plaintiff from reading the Bible...” Elemen, who was hired in October

2006 and was promoted to head live-in nanny two years later, was dismissed in February 2011, after Stone learned she was paid overtime when traveling with the children and on holiday days. Stone told her nanny that she had no right to overtime pay, and “accused Plaintiff of ‘stealing’ from her by taking the ... overtime pay, told Plaintiff that it was ‘illegal’... to have taken the pay, and asked for the money back.” The lawsuit asks for an unspecified amount for unpaid wages, damages and penalties, and is seeking trial by jury. But a statement released by Stone’s publicist dismissed the legal action. “This is an absurd lawsuit that

Phillip Phillips wins ‘American Idol’ “AMERICAN IDOL” declared guitar-strumming Phillip Phillips the winner of its 11th season on US television Wednesday, May 23 after viewers cast a record 132 million votes. “All the fans out there, thank y’all for voting for us,” said the boyish 21-year-old from the southeastern US state of Georgia before host Ryan Seacrest announced the result at the end of a two-hour gala season finale. Runner-up was Jessica Sanchez,

16, a southern Californian of Filipino and Latino heritage whose prospects, critics say, dimmed with a less-than-impressive performance during Tuesday’s prevote sing-off. The show ended with Phillips playing his country-inflicted first single “Home,” but – clearly overcome with emotion – he broke off before the end to hug his family amid a blizzard of confetti. Though its ratings have waned over the years, notably since the

departure of acerbic British music mogul Simon Cowell from the panel of judges, “American Idol” remains one of the most-watched shows of any genre on US television. Its impact on popular music was reaffirmed this month with past contestants Adam Lambert and Carrie Underwood both taking turns at the top of the pop charts. For the season finale, Phillips and Sanchez shared the stage at the Nokia Theatre in Los Angeles with a galaxy of stars from Neil Diamond

to Rihanna, as well as other top 12 season contestants with whom they will now embark on a national tour. Two of the judges, Jennifer Lopez and Steve Tyler, also performed, the latter with his band Aerosmith. Easily the most surprising moment came when Seacrest invited former Idol contestants Ace Young and Diana DeGarmo – now an item – on stage, whereupon Young asked DeGarmo to marry him. Cheers filled the venue when she tearfully replied yes. ■ (©AFP

– Los Angeles, USA – May 24, 2012)

has been filed by a disgruntled exemployee who is obviously looking to get money any way she can,” it said. “After she was terminated approximately one and a half years ago, she filed claims for alleged disability and workers compensation. Now, she is obviously looking for another opportunity to cash in. “This is a frivolous lawsuit for absurd claims that are made up and fabricated. Sharon Stone will be completely vindicated in court.” Last year the actress was ordered to pay $232,000 in compensation to a worker who injured his knee after slipping and falling in her back yard in 2006. ■ (©AFP – Los Angeles, USA – May

23, 2012)

“All the fans out there, thank y’all for voting for us,” said Phillip Phillips, winner of “American Idol” 2012.

HELLO PHILIPPINES

www.hello-philippines.com

Celebrity, Showbiz & Entertainment

May 2012 – No. 10 • UK & Europe Edition

Philippines grief at Sanchez’s ‘American Idol’ loss PRESIDENT Benigno Aquino led the heartbroken Philippines in heaping praise Thursday, May 24 on a teenager of Filipino-Latino heritage following her loss in the final of US talent show “American Idol”. Millions of Filipinos watched Jessica Sanchez, 16, compete against eventual winner Phillip Phillips in the live broadcast on cable television, virtually bringing the karaoke-crazy country to a stand-still. Residents of Bataan province near Manila, where the teenager’s mother traces her roots, went on an unauthorised “Jessica Sanchez” holiday, skipping school and work, according to media reports. “As she competed in American Idol, Jessica Sanchez obtained the loyal and enthusiastic support of Filipinos the world over,” Aquino spokeswoman Abigail Valte said in a statement. “This is only the beginning for Ms. Sanchez whose incredible talent has been recognised and appreciated worldwide.” Filipinos at home and in the United States have closely

followed the Californian’s path to the finals of the top-rated show, with hundreds of fan pages on Facebook devoted to her. But the finale ended with guitar-strumming Phillip Phillips beating Sanchez Wednesday, May 23 after viewers cast a record 132 million votes. Upset Filipinos vented their anger on Twitter and Facebook, with many saying the loss did not reflect ethnic diversity in the United States. Fanatics pointed out that winners of the hit TV show in the previous four seasons were all white men with guitars, and proclaimed Sanchez the “global idol”. The daughter of one of the Philippines’ national artists, Arturo Luz, posted on Facebook a photograph of a written note from his father: “Jessica Sanchez was robbed. She should have won the American Idol.” In an oft-repeated Twitter message, local fan Cheston Uy tweeted: “Phillip Phillips is the AMERICAN and Jessica Sanchez is the IDOL. RT if you agree.” ■ (©AFP – May 24, 2012)

Singer Jessica Sanchez performs onstage during Fox’s American Idol 2012 results show at Nokia Theatre Los Angeles, live on May 23, 2012 in Los Angeles, California. Sanchez has hundreds of Facebook pages devoted to her by loyal fans.

“American Idol” Finalists Phillip Phillips and Jessica Sanchez walk onstage during the 2012 results show at the Nokia Theatre in Los Angeles on May 23. Twitter and Facebook were inundated by upset Filipinos after Jessica Sanchez lost the Idol crown to Phillip Phillips. ©AFP/Getty Images/File, Mark Davis

Finalists Phillip Phillips and Jessica Sanchez with host Ryan Seacrest speak onstage during Fox’s American Idol 2012 results show at Nokia Theatre Los Angeles, live on May 23, 2012 in Los Angeles, California.

TFC to showcase the best in Pinoy summer in UK event

London Barrio Fiesta promises to duplicate all-time entertainment high and record-crowd

ABS-CBN Network – As early as the dawn of July 16, 2011, guards stationed at the Lampton Park, Hounslow, London started noticing a throng of Filipinos slowly filling the park grounds. As soon as the screams echoed with the arrival of the artists, the guards knew it was no ordinary picnic. The following day, July 17, 2011, Pinoys nearly tripled

the crowd and made London Barrio Fiesta the biggest Pinoy event ever in Europe, if not, the whole world. This year, ABS-CBN Europe Ltd. (“TFC Europe”) hopes to gather the Filipinos together once again as it sets the stage for London Barrio Fiesta 2012 with the best of Filipino summer. Attuned to its theme `Pinoy Summer, Da Best Forever,’ TFC

Yeng Constantino, John Lloyd Cruz, KC Concepcion, Eric Santos, Pooh and Janelle Jamer added more colour to the annual London Barrio Fiesta 2011.

Europe will bring in not just one but two sets of stars to bring joy to our kababayans in this part of the continent. On Saturday, June 30, 2012, Budoy former lead star Gerald Anderson; World Championships of the Performing Arts (WCOPA) champion Jed Madela; standup comedienne Giselle Sanchez and sexy comedienne Angelica

Panganiban of the Banana Split fame will entertain our kababayans at the Lampton Park, Hounslow. The following day, no less than singer-heartthrob Jericho Rosales, Giselle Sanchez, Jed Madela and sexy siren Christine Reyes of the Dahil Sa Pag-ibig teleserye will treat the Filipinos to a whole day fiesta of songs, dances and irreverent comedy.

A record-breaking 40,000 filled the London Barrio Fiesta last year with John Lloyd Cruz, among other stars, entertaining our kababayans.

Out to prove that it is the best in kasihayan or fun and enjoyment, TFC will culminate the TFCKat, the first all-Filipino, international talent search, on the June 30 stint. After weeks of deliberations, the winner will not only bag prizes in cash and kind but as well as a recording contract with TFC Europe sister company Star Records. Pinoys in London and even nearby areas can get a chance to win 3-month FREE TFC subscriptions, gift packs and meet-and-greet passes with the guest Kapamilya artists by pre-registering at www. londonbarriofiesta.com. For more information, visit our website. Truly, TFC is the best in kasihayan, whether summer or all year-round. London Barrio Fiesta is presented by The Philippine Centre and TFC, in cooperation with Western Union and SM Development Corporation. The event is also brought to you by The Grove by Rockwell, Moneygram, Century Properties and myREMIT (A Kapmilya Service of TFC). It is also supported by LBC, Ayala Land and Sta. Lucia International. ■ (ABS-CBN –

London, United Kingdom – May 22, 2012)

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SPORTS

May 2012 – No. 10 • UK & Europe Edition

BOXING

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HELLO PHILIPPINES

RELIGION, GAY ROW WON’T IMPACT PACQUIAO IN RING

MANNY Pacquiao’s devotion to religion and comments against gay marriage will not have an impact as a training distraction or in the ring as the Filipino icon prepares to fight unbeaten American Tim Bradley. That was the message from “Pac-Man” and trainer Freddie Roach on Tuesday, May 22 in a media conference call ahead of Pacquiao’s June 9 defense of his World Boxing Organization welterweight title at Las Vegas. “Manny Pacquiao is very fired up, very motivated,” Roach said. “He has had a great training session. Everything is right where it is supposed to be. We’ve had a great training camp. Manny’s focus is the best I have ever seen. “I think you’re going to see the best Manny Pacquiao yet.” Pacquiao, 54-3 with two drawn and 38 knockouts, has taken to Bible study rather than nightlife these days, but his punches will carry the same sting when he meets WBO junior welterweight champion Bradley, 28-0 with 12 knockouts. “It will not affect my job,” Pacquiao said. “When I commit my life to the Lord, it’s not about my job. Whatever my job is, that’s a pleasure from God.

“I’m just doing my best to work hard and focus on the fight. Training is going good. I’m ready for the fight.” Pacquiao was asked his opinion of same-sex marriages last week in the wake of support for such unions from US President Barrack Obama. Pacquiao said he was not in favor of gay marriage, comments he said he knew would touch off controversy. “Somebody asked me what my opinion of legalizing same-sex marriage is,” Pacquiao said. “I said what I think. It is against the law of God.” What fanned the flames was a Biblical quote, one never mentioned by Pacquiao but used in a report, calling for homosexuals to be put to death. Roach said the controversy should be over by now. “Everyone is entitled to his own opinion,” Roach said. “I don’t think it will be a distraction. TMZ was here for a couple days. We pacified them and that was it.” Roach sees Pacquiao’s piety as a plus, making him fresher as a fighter and more focused and receptive as a pupil. “He’s not as tired. He doesn’t have any night life whatsoever,” Roach said. “He goes to Bible study. Him

Philippine boxing icon Manny Pacquiao jogs with his fans at the start of his training in Baguio City, north of Manila in April 2012. “Somebody asked me what my opinion of legalizing samesex marriage is,” Pacquiao said. “I said what I think. It is against the law of God.”

and God are very close right now. He’s very focused right now.” Added promoter Bob Arum: “I think this religious awakening has been all for the good.” That might not be good for Bradley. “Tim Bradley is not the kind of boxer we underestimate. He’s a champion,” Pacquiao said. “I

Pacquiao triggers gay row in Los Angeles BOXING

BOXING icon Manny Pacquiao denied Wednesday, May 16 he is homophobic, after he was banned from an upmarket Los Angeles shopping complex for comments about gay marriage. Pacquiao was due to give a TV interview at The Grove, but the outdoor shopping and entertainment centre said he was no longer welcome after his reported remarks. “Based on news reports of statements made by Mr. Pacquiao, we have made it be known that he is not welcome at The Grove and will not be interviewed here now or in the future,” it said in a statement on its Twitter feed. “The Grove is a gathering place for all Angelenos and not a place for intolerance,” added the statement, dated Tuesday, May 15. In an interview with the National Conservative Examiner, Pacquiao was quoted as commenting on gay marriage, thrust to the top of the news agenda last week when President Barack Obama said homosexuals should be allowed to wed. “God’s words first ... obey God’s law first before considering the laws of man,” said Pacquiao, adding: “God only expects man and woman to be together and to be legally married, only if they are in love with each other. “It should not be of the same

Manny Pacquiao’s devotion to religion and comments against gay marriage will not have an impact as a training distraction or in the ring as the Filipino icon prepares to fight unbeaten American Tim Bradley.

don’t know what he’s going to bring into the ring but I’m prepared for whatever he brings on that night. We’re ready for movement or boxing. I’m so ready to fight. It feels good.” Pacquiao also revealed that he was struggling with family problems when he defeated Mexico’s Juan Manuel Marquez last November in their third career bout. “The fight wasn’t hard for me but that fight I had some family problems,” Pacquiao said. “Mentally I was not 100 percent.” Added Roach: “In the last week everything fell apart, personal problems with Manny. I dont think that will happen again. Manny got rid of all the distractions that caused him to fight poorly in that one and I think we’ll have a good fight.”

Roach has worked to reduce the chance of head-clashes between southpaw Pacquiao and righthander Bradley. “Bradley is a tough undefeated guy but we’ve watched a lot of video on him,” Roach said. “I see a lot of holes in his defense and I think Manny can take advantage of them.” Roach says Pacquiao has not fought such a muscular rival but has plenty of experience with larger and faster foes and “Pac-Man” will have advantages in speed, power and experience. “Speed will be hard to deal with, power will knock you out and experience will make it a little bit easier,” Roach said. ■ (©AFP – Los Angeles, USA – May 22, 2012)

BOXING South African Mathebula to face Donaire

Manny Pacquiao.

sex so as to adulterate the altar of matrimony, like in the days of Sodom and Gomorrah of Old.” The piece said “Pacquiao’s directive for Obama calls societies to fear God and not to promote sin,” and cited Leviticus 20:13, saying: “If a man lies with a man as one lies with a woman, both of them have done what is detestable. “They must be put to death; their blood will be on their own heads.” But Pacquiao said he had only stated his opposition to gay marriage, and did not even know the biblical quotation.

“I’m not against gay people – I have a relative who is also gay,” he said in comments on his official website, adding that the Leviticus quote should not be linked to him. “I didn’t say that, that’s a lie. I didn’t know that quote from Leviticus because I haven’t read the Book of Leviticus yet,” he said. Pacquiao, formerly known for enjoying late-night parties and gambling, now ends almost every training day with a bible session in an auditorium in the hotel which serves as his training camp. ■ (©AFP – Los Angeles, USA – May 16, 2012)

FILIPINO star Nonito Donaire and South Africa’s Jeffrey Mathebula will fight to unify their world super-bantamweight titles, according to numerous reports citing comments from promoters. Top Rank vice president Carl Moretti told ESPN that the fight would be staged at the Home Depot Center near Los Angeles on June 30 or July 7 while other US and Filipino website reports have said the bout would be in Las Vegas. The showdown will match 29-year-old “Filipino Flash” Donaire, 28-1 with 18 knockouts, risking the World Boxing Organization crown against International Boxing Federation champion Mathebula, 26-3 with two drawn and 14 knockouts. Donaire dropped two world

bantamweight crowns to move up a division in February and won a 12-round split decision over Puerto Rico’s Wilfredo Vazquez Jnr for the vacant WBO crown. Mathebula, 32, will be an unusual foe for Donaire in that he is taller than the Asian star. The South African won the IBF crown last March with a 12-round split decision over compatriot Takalani Ndlovu, who had won his first fight with Mathebula by split decision in 2010. Mathebula’s only other loss since 2003 came in his only other world title fight, a 2009 splitdecision loss at Panama to homenation hero Celestino Caballero for the IBF and World Boxing Association super bantamweight crowns. ■ (©AFP – Los Angeles, USA –

May 22, 2012)