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Pacific big enough for all of us, says China THE Chinese ambassador to the Philippines on Wednesday, March 14 moved to calm growing fears of armed confrontation in the Pacific, where the two countries are locked in a tense territorial row. The Philippines has responded to what it perceives as heightened Chinese aggressiveness by calling for stepped up military ties with the United States. And it will hold a large-scale military exercise with the US next month on the main island of Luzon and in Palawan, an island on the Philippines’ southwest coast facing the South China Sea. But Ma Keqing said any such military ties were an internal matter for the Philippines, and that for now China was willing to jointly develop disputed areas in the South China Sea. “The Pacific is large enough for the US and China. We hope that the US will take a constructive role to make this region more peaceful and stable,” the ambassador told reporters.
“It’s up to you: military, economic (ties) with other countries. It’s a basic principle not to intervene with other’s affairs. Every country adopts its policy according to its national conditions.” China and the Philippines, along with Taiwan, Vietnam, Malaysia and Brunei have competing claims over large parts of the South China Sea including the Spratly islands. The territorial dispute over the waters, which are believed to sit atop vast deposits of gas and oil, has for decades been regarded as one of Asia’s potential military flashpoints. Tensions rose last year after the Philippines accused China of aggressive actions including an incident where Chinese vessels fired on Filipino fishermen and harassed an oil exploration vessel in its waters. The Philippines responded by calling for stepped-up military ties with the United States, triggering an angry response from China. However, the ambassador
Sugar Ray Leonard book signing Page 4
Pangilinan bids for TV network Page 14
©AFP/File/Torsten Blackwood
A Chinese frigate steams through the swell in 2010.
played down the spat and said that while no government could compromise on territorial integrity, the two countries could resort to “joint cooperation” to develop the disputed area until a final decision on the issue.
Ma also said the 11.2 percent increase in China’s military budget should not be a concern since its defence spending as a proportion of its total budget will still be lower than the United States, Russia, India or Brazil. ■ (AFP – Manila – March 15, 2012)
Life a constant battle for Philippine squatters Page 22
Hiram na Puso Page 32
Full Story Page 30
Quake shakes southern Philippines
A 5.7-magnitude earthquake shook the southern Philippines on Friday, March 16 but there were no reports of damage or casualties, government agencies said. The quake’s epicentre was located just off the coast of the southern island of Dinagat, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology said, adding that the quake was tectonic in origin. Objects were noticed swaying in the nearby island of Mindanao but there were no reports of panic, the civil defence office said. No tsunami warning was issued, the volcanology institute added. The US Geological Survey also put the strength of the quake at 5.7. Last month, a 6.7-magnitude earthquake in the central Philippines triggered landslides that left over a hundred dead or missing. The Philippines sits on the Pacific Ring of Fire – a belt around the Pacific Ocean dotted by active volcanoes and unstable ocean trenches. One fault line runs directly under Manila, a metropolis of more than 12 million people, and government seismologists have warned the city is unprepared for a major quake. ■ (AFP – March 16, 2012)
Disciplinary sanction awaits Azkals Page 39
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Who can register for an RRN? Registration for an RRN can be completed on behalf of the Receiver by either the Sender or the Receiver. Why do I need an RRN? Registration and receipt of an RRN is required in order to perform a Direct-to-Account money transfer. If a Sender chooses Account Deposit and sends money to three different Receivers, does each Receiver have to be registered? Will the Sender have three different RRNs? Yes. Each Receiver has a different bank account number, so the Sender will have three different RRNs Can multiple Senders send to the same RRN? Yes. The RRN is tied to the Receiver’s account. Is it possible to change an RRN? The Sender will need to contact MoneyGram to change any RRN. Depending on what change need to be made, a new RRN might have to be created.
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HP REPORT
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March 2012 – No. 5 / Fortnightly • UK & Europe Edition
The HP Founder meets the Vice President Corazon Reyes Santos, Founder of Hello Philippines met the Vice President of the Philippines H.E. Jejomar “Jojo” C. Binay at the Coconut Palace (The Official Residence and Principal Workplace of the Vice President of the Philippines) on January 24 and 27, 2012.
Photos by Ranny S. Tenefrancia (Official Photographer of the Vice President of the Philippines)
H.E. Jejomar “Jojo” C. Binay (Vice President of the Philippines) and Corazon Reyes Santos (Founder of Hello Philippines)
(Left to Right) Andy Dabon, Annie R. Dabon, Henry B. Caunan (Chief Political Officer, Office of the Vice President of the Philippines) and Corazon Reyes Santos (Founder of Hello Philippines)
(Left to Right) Corazon Reyes Santos, Annie R. Dabon (Corazon’s sister) and Nancy Binay-Angeles (Eldest daughter of the Vice President)
Nancy Binay-Angeles (Eldest daughter of the Vice President) and Corazon Reyes Santos (Founder of Hello Philippines)
Corazon Reyes Santos, Donna (Center – Tour Guide of Coconut Palace) and Staffs of the Coconut Palace
Book signing of Sugar Ray Leonard autobiography ©Hello Philippines
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March 13, 2012 – Jubilee Place, Canary Wharf, London, United Kingdom
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HELLO PHILIPPINES
Events Diary
www.hello-philippines.com
March 2012 – No. 5 / Fortnightly • UK & Europe Edition
Original Creation and Copyright Reserved By: Hello Philippines 2011
WE WILL MATCH ANY PRICE
2012 CALENDAR OF EVENTS DATE / TIME
EVENT
VENUE
ORGANISER
Semana Santa sa Southampton – Contact Father Claro Conde for more information
15 April 2012 – Sunday
Discovering the Cuisine of The Philippines
21 April 2012 - Saturday
Philippine Embassy 2nd Consular Outreach Mission in 2012 – Belfast, Northern Ireland Aegis Band – Rock-Rakan sa Dublin, Ireland Aegis Band – Rock-Rakan sa Belfast, Northern Ireland
Ennis Room, Belfast City Hospital, 51 Lisburn Road, Belfast BT9 7AB
25 April 2012 – Wednesday 6:00pm
Aegis Band – Rock-Rakan sa Norte
Hilton Bradford, Hall Ings, Bradford BD1 5SH
Ticket Prices: £25.00 / £35.00 / £40.00 Ramos 07775 615 031
28 April 2012 – Saturday 5:30pm
Aegis Band – Rock-Rakan sa Newcastle
Lightfoot Center, Wharrier Street, Walker, Newcastle upon Tyne NE6 3BR
Ticket Prices: £25.00 / £30.00 / £40.00 Noralyn Rozas 07917 181 729 / 07930 652 068 / 0191 265 1302
29 April 2012 – Sunday 6:00pm
Aegis Band – Rock-Rakan sa London
Hammersmith Town Hall, King Street, Hammersmith, London W6 9JU
Ticket Prices: £35.00 / £40.00 Elaine 07784 618 868 / Judith 07932 484 155 / Nugroovz 07717 616 546 / Fil-Events.com 07940 954 642
5 May 2012 – Saturday
Pinoy Showcase Talent
12 May 2012 – Saturday 1:00pm
Santacruzan 2012 in East London
St Antony’s Church, Stratford, London
Filipino Community in East London, London East End Rosary Crusade and Leyte-Samar Organization in the UK
12 May 2012 – Saturday 6:00pm
2nd Miss London NABA 2012 Beauty Pageant
Camden Centre, Euston Road, London WC1H 9DB
Controllers UK
19 May 2012 – Saturday 6:00pm to 1:00am 26 May 2012 – Saturday
Rock Intensity – A gig for earthquake victims in Negros Independence Day 2012 – Celebrations in the Royal Borough of Greenwich 1. Flores de Mayo 2. Liturgical Service 3. Barrio Fiesta / Cultural Show Aguman Kapampangan – Summer Disco
Pettswood War Memorial Hall, Orpington, Kent BR5 1LA 1. Powis High Street 2. St Peter Church 3. Gen. Gordon Square
Kabisig Bromley Greenwich Filipino Community in line with the multi-cultural celebration for the declaration of Greenwich as a Royal Borough and the 2012 Olympics
Moises Espanola, President – 07894 548 939 / mespanola2@yahoo.com
Harrow Club W10, 87 Freston Road, London W10 6TH
Aguman Kapampangan UK
Erroll 07429 187 991 / Luz 07721 338 366 / Zanie 07733 781 858 / 07886 881 432
2 to 3 June 2012 – Saturday & Sunday
Bristol Barrio Fiesta 2012
Eastville Park, Fishpond Road, Eastville, Bristol BS5 6AX
Filipino Community in Bristol
Willy 07900 485 194 / Gerome 07717 884 293 / Carlo 07528 770 491 / www.filcombristol.co.uk
9 June 2012 – Saturday 3:00pm
114th Independence Thanksgiving Mass and Salo-Salo
The Holy Apostles Catholic Church, Winchester Street, Pimlico, London SW1V 4LY
Philippine Embassy, London, United Kingdom with various Filipino Associations
Morden Park, London Road, Morden, Surrey SM4 5DX
Bayanihan UK
Teresita Valencia-Juval 020 7341 7431 / juvaltravel@btconnect.com / Gil Zarcilla 07802 761 446
Filipino Community Association of Newcastle Upon Tyne (FILCAN)
Sally Sellars 07886 742 417 / sallysanchez@btinternet.com
Yorkshire Maharlika Filipino Club in association with City of York Council
Lolita Boddy 01765 535 015 / 07973 469 450 / www.maharlika.org.uk
21 April 2012 – Saturday 6:00pm 22 April 2012 – Sunday
2 June 2012 – Saturday 6:00pm to 11:00pm
9 to 10 June 2012 – Saturday & Sunday
th
114 Philippine Independence Day in Morden th
St Patrick’s Catholic Church, 45 Portsmouth Road, Woolston, Southampton SO19 9BD
CONTACTS / REMARKS
1, 5, 6, 7 & 8 April 2012 Various Times
Father Claro Conde 07803 191 502 / cconde8254@aol.com London Cooking Club
Luiz Hara luizhara@hotmail.com / www.londonfoodie.co.uk
Philippine Embassy, London, United Kingdom
D4 Hotel, Ballsbridge, Dublin, Ireland
Ticket Prices: EUR 40.00 / EUR 50.00
Ramada Plaza Hotel, Milton Road, Belfast, Northern Ireland
Kensal Community Association and India Investment Plc
Teody
Jojo Almojuela 07515 475 780 / Malcolm Conlan 07940 954 642 / Vanessa Horca 07921 079 199 / Myra Adap Dela Cruz 07896 955 96 / Elijah Villanueva 07414 924 303
Ryan Abeleda (President, Controllers UK) 07515 252 235 / controllers.basketball@gmail.com
16 June 2012 – Saturday 9:00am
4 Pistahan sa Newcastle 2012 (Newcastle Filipino Festival 2012)
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
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
22 to 23 June 2012 – Friday & Saturday 7:30pm 23 to 24 June 2012 – Saturday & Sunday
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
23 to 24 June 2012 – Saturday & Sunday
Filipino British Society (FBS) Barrio Fiesta in Milton Keynes
Campbell Park, Milton Keynes
Filipino British Society (FBS)
Maria 07737 676 850 / Merald 07909 957 313 / Fe 07588 636 573
30 June to 1 July 2012 – Saturday & Sunday 10:00am to 6:00pm 8 July 2012 – Sunday 8:00am to 6:00pm
28th Barrio Fiesta sa London 2012
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
Bradford Pinoy Barrio Fiesta and Santacruzan 2012
Lady Hill Park, Allerton Road, Bradford
British-Filipino Association of Bradford
Nina Ricci Santos, Chairman bfabmail@yahoo.com
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.
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March 2012 – No. 5 / Fortnightly • UK & Europe Edition
US urges China to prove intentions PHILIPPINES
Shaun Tandon, AFP US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton called on China to show in “concrete ways” that its rise is in the world’s interest, saying that Beijing needs to take greater responsibility. In a wide-ranging speech on relations between the Pacific powers, Clinton renewed US calls on China to protect the rights of foreign businesses, adjust the “unfair” value of its currency and improve its human rights record. Clinton adamantly rejected perceptions in Beijing that the United States is trying to contain China, and insisted that a stronger and more prosperous China would ultimately benefit both countries. But Clinton said that China’s growth means that it cannot “have it both ways” by asking to be treated as a rising power in some areas and as a developing nation with fewer responsibilities in others. “The world is looking for China to play a role that is commensurate with its new standing and that means it can no longer be a selective stakeholder” in world affairs, Clinton said at the US Institute of Peace. “It is understandable that the international community wants some confidence that a country’s growing power will be used for the benefit of all,” Clinton said. “Given the historic challenges to security and stability posed by rising powers, they do have a special obligation to demonstrate in concrete ways that they are going to pursue a constructive path,” she said. “This is particularly true for a country that has grown as rapidly and as dramatically as China has,” Clinton said. China announced Sunday that its military spending would top $100 billion in 2012, the latest
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©AFP/Ed Jones
©AFP/Paul J. Richards
US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has rejected perceptions the United States is trying to contain China.
Hillary Clinton says the world is looking for China to play a role that is commensurate with its new standing.
sharp increase that has caused unease among Asian nations which claim Beijing has been increasingly assertive on territorial disputes. Clinton recognized that China has taken a greater leadership role in a number of areas, including through its contribution to antipiracy operations off Somalia and in efforts toward global recovery from a crippling recession. But Clinton said that China needed to answer questions about its policies elsewhere – and pointed to ongoing bloodshed in Syria. “Will it use its power to help end brutal violence against civilians in places like Syria?” Clinton asked. “Will it explain its military build up and the ultimate goals of its military strategies, policies and programs... to reassure its neighbours, to avoid misunderstandings and to contribute to maintaining regional security?” China joined Russia in vetoing two draft UN Security Council resolutions that would have pressured Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. After intense US criticism, China sent an envoy to Damascus to promote a plan that would end the violence but allow Assad to stay in power.
©AFP/File/Laurent Fievet
©AFP Graphic
The US has called on China to protect the rights of foreign businesses and adjust the “unfair” value of its currency.
Clinton renewed calls on China to address economic concerns including the value of the yuan, which US officials say is artificially undervalued, and spoke of “long and profound disagreements” over human rights. “We do believe – not just in China, but everywhere – in religious and linguistic differences, cultural differences, being respected,” she said.
“Reforms that support these goals give people a greater stake in the success of their nations, which in turn makes societies more stable, prosperous and peaceful,” she said. More than 20 Tibetans have set themselves on fire over the past year in protest at what they see as repressive Chinese rule. Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi, addressing the same forum by video link from Beijing, called on Washington to “honor its commitments” on Tibet and selfgoverning Taiwan, which Beijing claims as part of its territory, “so as to prevent setbacks in US-China
relations and ensure their steady growth.” “China is committed to peaceful development. We hope that the United States will see China’s development in the right and objective way and take more steps to increase our mutual trust,” Yang said. The conference marked the 40th anniversary of US president Richard Nixon’s history-changing trip to China. Clinton said the United States has consistently tried to work with China since then and confirmed she will pay her latest visit to Beijing in May 2012. ■ (AFP – Washington, USA – March 8, 2012)
WHO calls for stepped-up fight against leprosy THE World Health Organization called Monday, February 13 for greater efforts to fight leprosy, warning the disfiguring disease was defying efforts to wipe it out across many countries in the Asia-Pacific region. “We opened the champagne too early,” said Shin Young-soo, chairman of the WHO’s Western-Pacific region that covers 37 countries at the start of a three-day conference looking at how to combat leprosy and treat its victims. There are 5,000 new cases being reported each year in the Western Pacific, according to Shin. He said the problem was most severe in Micronesia, the Marshall Islands and Kiribati, which had failed to meet the WHO’s technical definition of “elimination” of fewer than one
case per 10,000 people. Even in the Philippines, where the disease was officially “eliminated” in 1998, 2,000 new cases are still recorded every year, according to Shin. Outside of the Western Pacific, the problem is worse. India leads the world with more than 130,000 new leprosy cases every year since 2006, while Brazil is second with about 40,000 new cases annually, according to WHO documents. Shin called for a renewed commitment to fight leprosy, stressing that it had to be long-term because the disease could incubate for as long as 20 years. “We have the drugs, we have the knowledge. It does not take a lot of money. We must make a final push,” he said.
©AFP/File/Jay Directo
The WHO called for greater efforts to fight leprosy.
Leprosy is an infectious bacterial disease that has been recorded for thousands of years. If left untreated it can damage the nerves, leading to paralysis in the extremities of the body and horrible disfigurements. However it is curable with early detection and modern drugs.
The WHO has been providing free drug therapy to patients anywhere in the world since 1995. Shin said that, with the medical hurdles overcome, the major challenge in countries with enduring leprosy was to ensure long-term commitment from governments. ■ (AFP – February 13, 2012)
10
HELLO PHILIPPINES
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www.hello-philippines.com
March 2012 – No. 5 / Fortnightly • UK & Europe Edition
US commander: China friction ebbing Shaun Tandon, AFP A top US commander said Tuesday, February 28 that China has been entering fewer confrontations with its neighbors as he credited a firm line by Washington and its allies with changing Beijing’s thinking. President Barack Obama’s administration has put a growing focus on Asia, stepping up trade ties and moving to maintain the strength of US forces in the region despite overall cuts to the military budget. But Admiral Robert Willard, the outgoing head of the US Pacific Command which covers Asia, offered conciliatory words toward China in an appearance before Congress, saying that Beijing’s rise was in the US interest. “We’ve seen fewer confrontations in 2012 than we did in previous years. 2010 was quite landmark in terms of the confrontations” in the South China Sea, Willard told the
Senate Armed Services Committee. Willard said that China – whose military spending has been sharply rising in recent years – was still actively staking claims and challenging vessels that conduct operations in the hotly disputed waters. But he said that “very strong statements” by Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, former defense secretary Robert Gates and members of the 10-nation Association of Southeast Asian Nations likely made an impression on China. The public comments “I think took China aback and has caused them to reconsider that particular approach to their South China Sea claims,” Willard said. “They are endeavoring to continue to pursue it, but in a more thoughtful manner,” Willard said in response to a question from the Senate committee. Clinton, during a visit to Vietnam
in July 2010, declared that the United States had an active interest in “freedom of navigation” in the South China Sea, where six nations hold competing and often overlapping claims. The United States has also stepped up cooperation with Vietnam and the Philippines, which had both accused China of harassing their ships at sea, and plans to station troops in Australia. The Obama administration has also stepped up pressure on trade, on Tuesday setting up a new agency to crack down on what the United States sees as unfair practices. China has accused the United States of interference. Last month, Chinese state-controlled media said Beijing should impose sanctions on the Philippines over its offer to allow more US troops on its soil. Some conservative critics of Obama have accused him of encouraging bellicose actions by
©AFP/File/Ted Aljibe
Admiral Robert Willard.
China by putting too much focus on cooperation with the rising Asian power at the start of his term. Mitt Romney, a Republican candidate hoping to challenge Obama in US elections in November, has said that Obama was a “near supplicant” to Beijing who has “only encouraged Chinese assertiveness and made allies question our staying power in East Asia.” Asked about China’s rise, Willard told senators that Southeast Asian
nations, despite their disputes with Beijing, wanted strong economic and other relations both with China and the United States. “China’s economic growth has benefited the entire region and has certainly benefited the United States and our economic ties to China. So I think it would be unfair to imply that China’s influence in Southeast Asia should only be regarded from the standpoint of the challenge that it poses,” Willard said. Willard said that the US presence in the South China Sea was vital as some $5.3 trillion in trade flow through the region each year, around one-fifth of it in US commerce. “The US military must be present there to ensure the security of those sea lines of communication and that important economic commerce for the United States and for our regional allies and partners,” Willard said. ■ (AFP
– Washington – February 28, 2012)
Japan’s tsunami victims healed but still scarred Miwa Suzuki, AFP A year ago, a desperate young mother stood amid the ruins of her devastated city wrapped in a blanket as she scoured tsunami wreckage for her missing son. Twelve months on, Yuko Sugimoto and her family are reunited and living in a temporary home, but the scars from the catastrophe still remain. “The disaster made me realise it’s a miracle that tomorrow comes,” she said after re-visiting the spot where a photographer captured her despair after her life
had been turned upside down by the ferocious waves of March 11, 2011. The result was a heart-rending image of Japan’s earthquake and tsunami that was published by newspapers, magazines and websites around the world. Sugimoto recalled how two days after the tsunami she cowered against the bitter cold as she searched for any clue to the whereabouts of her only child. “I became more and more anxious,” she said. “I kept asking myself if he was alive or dead.” The 29-year-old was at work ©AFP/YOMIURI SHIMBUN/File / Yomiuri Shimbun
This heart-rending image of Yuko Sugimoto was published by newspapers, magazines and websites around the world
©AFP/File / Toru Yamanaka
Yuko Sugimoto (L) and her husband was reunited with their 5-year-old son Raito three days after the tsunami struck
and five-year-old Raito was at his kindergarten when the sea came crashing into Ishinomaki. Roads were destroyed and buildings were smashed, blocking the route to the partiallysubmerged nursery where she had taken her son that morning. Rumours spread that the children had all been washed away; that none would be found alive. For three days she and her husband traipsed from shelter to shelter, hoping against hope for a miracle. Then on March 14, their prayers were answered. “Tears blurred my eyes. I couldn’t see my son’s face, I was totally speechless,” Sugimoto told AFP. “When I was able to focus again, he was in his father’s arms.”
“I had taken it for granted before the disaster that I have my family and that tomorrow will come just like today,” she said. “But it’s actually a miracle. We should make the most of every single day.” She later learned the 11 children who stayed at the kindergarten when the alarm was raised had narrowly escaped the tsunami by climbing onto the roof. They shivered there in the falling snow until 2am when the waters receded enough for them to go down to the second floor of the swamped building and await a boat rescue the following morning. Sugimoto knows that despite losing their home and nearly everything they owned, she and her family are among the lucky ones.
More than 19,000 people were killed by the tsunami as it tore into the once-picturesque coast of northeast Japan. A sixth of those who died have never been found. The family is now one of tens of thousands living in temporary accommodation provided by the local government as they ponder how to put their lives back together. To the outside world Raito appears to be coping with his new life, says his mother. But the disaster has affected the little boy. She says whenever there were tsunami warnings in the weeks after the disaster, Raito would be sick and he is still very much afraid of the dark. “You cannot tell it by looking at him, but I believe the disaster has left a scar on him,” she said. ■
(AFP - Ishinomaki, Japan – February 29, 2012)
©AFP/Graphics
Philippines’ Cebu Pacific open to merger BUDGET carrier Cebu other increased costs had suffered a 1.45-billion-peso Pacific, the largest airline lowered the airline’s profits pre-tax loss in the three in the Philippines, is open in 2011 but stressed it still months to December 2011, to mergers with other posted positive figures. its listed parent firm, PAL airlines including flag-carrier Net profits in 2011 Holdings, reported. Philippine Airlines (PAL), amounted to 3.62 billion PAL was forced to cancel its president said Thursday, pesos ($85 million), a many flights during that March 15. 48-percent fall compared quarter amid a wildcat strike Speaking in a conference to 2010, company figures as airline management call from Manila, Cebu Pacific showed. outsourced 2,600 jobs in inpresident Lance Gokongwei However total revenues in flight catering, airport services said his airline had a “strong 2012 rose 16.7 percent to and call centre reservations in balance sheet” compared to 33.9 billion pesos while total an effort to cut costs. rival carriers. passengers increased 14 PAL had a near-monopoly Asked if he was percent to 11.9 million. on the domestic aviation considering a merger with Gokongwei forecast that market two decades ago but PAL, he said: “We are not in total passengers would rise to has since been overtaken in any current discussions with 14 million this year. number of flights by Cebu Philippine Airlines but... if the Last month, a PAL Pacific. opportunity arose, I would spokeswoman confirmed that Although some budget certainly look at it.” the loss-making flag carrier carriers in Asia are Regarding possible was in talks to sell part of its reportedly cutting back, consolidation in the industry, stake to local conglomerate Cebu Pacific is still pushing Gokongwei said he believed San Miguel. through with its plans to many of Cebu Pacific’s PAL, majority owned by begin long-haul flights by competitors, which he did Philippine tycoon Lucio Tan, next year using Airbus A320 not name, needed aircraft, Gokongwei ©AFP/File/Ted Aljibe additional capital from said. their owners to stay in He said this the air. service would cater “Cebu Pacific to the estimated continues to operate 10 million Filipinos in a profitable manner. working overseas, We are able to make particularly those money and fund our travelling to and from growth plans,” he told the Middle East, reporters. Australia, North Asia Gokongwei said Cebu Pacific president Lance Gokongwei said his airline and Europe. ■ (AFP – Manila – March 15, 2012) higher fuel prices and had a “strong balance sheet” compared to rivals.
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March 2012 – No. 5 / Fortnightly • UK & Europe Edition
Apple unveils new iPad, Apple TV box Glenn Chapman, AFP APPLE unveiled a thirdgeneration iPad enhanced with features aimed at keeping it on top of the booming tablet computer market. The new iPad boasts a more powerful processor, eye-grabbing resolution on par with that of an iPhone 4S, and the ability to connect to the latest 4G LTE telecom networks that move data faster than their predecessors. “We think that iPad is the poster child of the post-PC world,” Apple chief executive Tim Cook said, noting that iPad sales topped those of any personal computer maker during the final three months of last year. “We have redefined once again the category Apple created just two years ago with the original iPad,” Cook said at a press event in San Francisco, the first major product release by Apple since the death of founder Steve Jobs. The new iPad will go on sale March 16 in Canada, France, Germany and the United States at the same price as the previous models, which start at $499 for the most basic iPad featuring wireless connectivity only. An iPad with 16 gigabytes of memory and with both Wi-Fi and 4G connectivity will cost $629 in the United States while a 32GB WiFi/4G model will cost $729 and a 64GB version with Wi-Fi and 4G will cost $829. In a bid to cater to budgetminded shoppers, Apple will sell a 16GB version of the iPad 2 at a trimmed price of $399. The new iPad screen was billed as the best display ever on a mobile device. The tablet also features a five-megapixel camera and highdefinition video recording.
©AFP/Kimihiro Hoshino
IMS Research predicted that Apple would increase its tablet market share to 70 percent in 2012 from 62 percent in 2011.
The new iPad boasts a more powerful processor, eye-grabbing resolution on par with that of an iPhone 4S.
©AFP/Getty Images/Kevork Djansezian
©AFP/Getty Images/Kevork Djansezian
The new iPad is displayed with the iPhoto app.
Members of the media preview the new iPad.
Apple said the latest model has the same 10-hour battery life as its predecessor, with the span cut by about an hour with constant use of high-performing 4G telecom networks. The third-generation iPad weighs 1.4 pounds and is 9.4 mm thick, slightly heavier and slightly thicker than the previous model. Apple showed off an enhanced
©AFP Graphic
Battle of the tablet devices.
©AFP/Getty Images/Kevork Djansezian
suite of iPad applications for tasks ranging from movie editing to making music or managing one’s life. A new iPhoto application turns the iPad into a slick tool for editing pictures with simple touches or automated features. Epic Games president Mike Capps joined Cook to show off a version of the Infinity Blade videogame for the iPad, contending the quality was comparable to videogame console play. “It is an evolutionary upgrade with a lot of revolutionary features,” said Gartner analyst Michael Gartenberg. “It is going to put a lot more pressure than before on iPad competitors. “The updates to GarageBand, iMovie, and the new iPhoto will drive this going forward,” Gartenberg said. “At the end of the day it isn’t going to be Tim Cook that sells the iPad, it is going to be the iPad that sells the iPad; and they are going to sell a lot of them,” he said. Apple’s App Store has more than 200,000 mini-programs, or “apps,” tailored for the iPad with offerings including books, games, and software designed for getting work done.
Apple has dominated the tablet market since launching the iPad two years ago and few expect that to change anytime soon. IMS Research predicted that Apple would increase its tablet market share to 70 percent in 2012 from 62 percent in 2011 and it will ship 70 million iPads this year, up 71 percent over the previous year. “Apple’s insistence on blending hardware innovation with services innovation will keep the iPad at the front of the tablet pack for the foreseeable future,” said Forrester analyst Sarah Rotman Epps. Apple real-world stores will be “critical” since the high-resolution screen is the major improvement in the iPad, and it needs to be seen to be fully appreciated, according to Gartner analyst Van Baker. “It is astoundingly beautiful, but people are going to have to get it in their hands to see this,” Baker said. A new dictation-taking feature could be a stumbling point for the iPad, since that type of technology has proven to be a bane to other companies, according to independent analyst Rob Enderle of Silicon Valley. The California-based gadget-
maker on Wednesday, March 7 also released an updated Apple TV box used to stream movies, television shows and other content from the Internet to high-definition TV sets. The new box features a streamlined new user interface and will sell for the same $99 price as the previous model. Apple TV was synched with iCloud, on online content storage service that lets people buy films or television shows on the box but have the options of watching them on iPhones, iPads, iPod touch devices, or on computers. Apple released the first version of Apple TV in 2007 but it has never really caught on with the public. The iPad event was the second Apple product launch by Cook since he took over for Jobs, and both events showcased improved versions of products. “Let’s wait and see if Apple can bring an astounding new class of product to market,” Baker said. “Ultimately, they need to do that.” Investors appeared unsurprised by Apple’s announcements, with the company’s stock price inching up slightly to $531.05 a share in trading on the NASDAQ. ■ (AFP – San Francisco, USA – March 8, 2012)
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Business & Finance
March 2012 – No. 5 / Fortnightly • UK & Europe Edition
Philippine tycoon bids for second TV network AFP/File/Jay Directo
Manuel Pangilinan’s sprawling business portfolio includes the Philippines’ biggest telecommunications company.
MANUEL Pangilinan, one of the Philippines’ most powerful businessmen, is in talks to buy a second major television network as part of plans to build a media empire, he said in an interview aired Friday, March 2. Pangilinan, whose sprawling business portfolio includes the country’s biggest telecommunications company, told ABS-CBN television he was in “very preliminary” stages of talks to buy the rival GMA network. “We believe that there’s a lot of synergies that can happen between a telco, which is a broad range of delivery platforms, and media, which is basically a content generator,” Pangilinan said. “The intent is to replicate what
other media groups have done elsewhere in the world.” The 65-year-old is chairman of Philippine Long Distance Telephone Co. (PLDT), which through a subsidiary owns TV5, the third major television network in the Philippines after ABS-CBN and GMA. The subsidiary also has minority stakes in at least two major Philippine newspapers. Listed GMA Network Inc. is controlled by several Philippine families and is capitalised at 32.53 billion pesos ($764 million). Its investor relations division declined to comment on Pangilinan’s remarks. Pangilinan also said he planned
to invest his own money for a 5.0 percent stake in Rappler.com, a Manila-based Internet news start-up. Former investment banker Pangilinan is managing director and chief executive of Hong Konglisted First Pacific Co., controlled by Indonesia’s Salim family. Apart from PLDT, First Pacific’s Philippine investments include the country’s largest miner, Philex Mining, its top power distributor, Manila Electric Company, and Maynilad, one of two Manila tap water providers. Through First Pacific unit Metro Pacific Investments Corp., Pangilinan also runs most of the Philippines’ toll roads as well as its largest hospital chain. ■ (AFP – March 2, 2012)
Philippine Long Philippine mining giant eyeing Myanmar Distance says profit down 21% PHILIPPINE Long Distance Telephone on Tuesday, March 6 said net profit last year fell 21 percent to 31.7 billion pesos($740.5 million) owing to a rise in expenditure as well as the purchase of a smaller rival. Chairman Manny Pangilinan said while the acquisition of Digitel and its mobile network Sun Cellular had affected the bottom line, it also allowed the company to expand its product offerings and boost its subscriber base. In the last three months of 2011, net profit dropped 87 percent to 1.08 billion pesos from 8.23 billion pesos, said PLDT, which is owned by Hong Kong’s
First Pacific Co Ltd, Japan’s NTT Communications and NTT DoCoMo. As of the end of February, PLDT’s combined cellular subscriber base was 65 million, up from 63.7 million at the end of 2011, while there have also been significant increases in its broadband and fixed line services. “The assimilation of Digitel/ Sun Cellular into the PLDT group, and the benefits that will arise from such integration, will take some time to complete,” Pangilinan said. “We will find ourselves back on an upward growth curve starting 2013,” he said. ■ (AFP – March 6, 2012)
©AFP/File/Jay Directo
THE Philippines’ largest gold miner said Wednesday, March 14 it is keen to invest in Myanmar as the former military-ruled state makes tentative political reforms and tries to lure investors with tax breaks. Philex Mining Corp. has sent representatives to Myanmar in recent weeks to look at opportunities and assess the investment climate, company senior vice-president Michael Toledo told AFP. “Myanmar is opening up and a lot of businesses are really looking at that country. We do not want to be left behind,” he said. He said Philex was eyeing metallic minerals and even natural gas in Myanmar, but did not disclose which local companies they were dealing with. “We are looking at the regulatory framework, the political landscape, how business is run there, who are the people to talk to. This is the regular due diligence that companies do,” Toledo said. The company, which posted a record net income of 5.8 billion pesos ($136 million) in 2011, is also eyeing investments in gold and copper in Indonesia, Toledo said. He stressed the talks were
©AFP/File/Romeo Gacad
Philex mining engineers check crushed ore in northern Benguet.
exploratory and that no commitments had been made. Myanmar, formerly known as Burma, has embarked on a course of political reform, including the release of democracy icon Aung San Suu Kyi and other political prisoners. It has also installed a quasi civilian government, and allowed Suu Kyi to run in parliamentary elections in April. As a reward and to encourage further opening up, the United States and Europe have began easing
economic sanctions imposed on Myanmar for its rights abuses. The Philippines has called for the sanctions to be lifted entirely. Myanmar is rich in oil, gas, timber, minerals and gems, and investors are lining up to enter the country as it prepares to further liberalise, officials said. In January, Myanmar said it planned to offer eight-year tax exemptions to foreign investors to encourage them to enter the country. ■ (AFP – Manila – March 14, 2012)
Iran sanctions hit Philippine banana export: minister
PLDT is owned by Hong Kong’s First Pacific Co Ltd, Japan’s NTT Communications and NTT DoCoMo.
SANCTIONS against Iran are disrupting Philippine banana exports to the Islamic republic, a key foreign market, Philippines Trade Secretary Gregory Domingo said Tuesday. The sanctions, imposed over Tehran’s controversial nuclear programme, have made it harder for Iran to purchase imports as it is now more difficult for Tehran to conduct international financial transactions.
“Right now, our banana industry exports the bulk of its output to Japan, China and Iran. Iran is the third-largest (market),” Domingo told reporters. “Limiting (markets) to three countries basically is risky, because a disruption will have a very big impact on the industry,” he added. With total shipments worth $470.96 million last year, bananas are the Philippines’s secondlargest agricultural commodity
export after coconuts, according to National Statistics Office data. The data did not indicate the amount of banana exports to Iran for the year. Domingo said he had been meeting with banana exporters to discuss the problem. “I would expect this disruption in the payments system is temporary, and that this will be resolved in the next few weeks or months,” he said. ■ (AFP – March 6, 2012)
Business & Finance
March 2012 – No. 5 / Fortnightly • UK & Europe Edition
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15
Japan’s Okada blasts Wynn in casino tycoon battle JAPANESE gambling tycoon Kazuo Okada lashed out Tuesday, March 13 at his US partner, accusing Steve Wynn of manipulating facts to wrest control of Wynn Resorts casinos from its largest shareholder. In a video message posted on the website of his own firm Universal Entertainment, Okada questioned Wynn’s use of tens millions of dollars in their pursuit of a gaming license in Macau. He also said Wynn Resorts’ board of directors, which ejected Okada from the company last month and forcibly redeemed his shares, were not objective or independent. “This is a transparent attempt by Steve Wynn and others not only to silence me as a director and remove the company’s largest shareholder
but to enrich themselves in the process,” Okada said, speaking in Japanese. “Steve Wynn’s ultimate purpose is to retain absolute control over Wynn Resorts and to enrich himself.” It was the latest step in the mounting battle between the two gambling tycoons over their lucrative businesses in Las Vegas and Macau and a planned casino by Okada in the Philippines. Okada filed a lawsuit Monday in the federal court in Las Vegas, where Wynn Resorts in based, over the February 19 vote to oust him from the company based on allegations of corrupt actions in the Philippines and Macau. The board also voted to forcibly redeem Okada’s 19.7 percent stake
in Wynn resorts at a 30 percent discount to its $2.7 billion market value, and then locking it up in a promissory note for 10 years. Okada accused Wynn of racketeering, “the aim of which was to defraud, defame, and steal” from Okada and his US arm Aruze USA through which he held his Wynn Resorts stake. They did this “for the purpose of illegally placing and maintaining the control of Wynn Resorts in a single man – Mr. Wynn.” The suit said Wynn ran the company “as a personal fiefdom, packing the board with friends who do his personal bidding, and paying key executives exorbitant amounts for their unwavering fealty.” ■ (AFP – March 13, 2012)
©AFP/File/Mike Clarke
The main entrance sign of Wynn Resorts (L) and the Lisboa (R) in Macau.
Philippine mining review sets off fierce debate Mynardo Macaraig, AFP
A Philippine government bid to take a greater share of mining revenues amid the global commodities boom has set off a storm of debate, with industry mounting an intense campaign to knock it down. President Benigno Aquino had intended to sign an executive order endorsing the regulations to raise taxes on the mining sector at the end of last month, but delayed it as opposition from industry’s biggest players raged.
Nevertheless, Finance Secretary Cesar Purisima, a key driver of the plan, has continued to insist Mining Inc does not pay enough taxes, and that other reforms are needed to improve what is a chaotic and often unregulated industry. “In the past, the way the laws were implemented, it was not a true winwin situation where the government was able to get its fair share from mining activities,” Purisima said shortly after the signing deadline was missed. Purisima told reporters that the
government collected a mere two billion pesos ($47 million) from the industry in 2011 compared with about 1.2 trillion pesos in national tax collections, or just 0.17 percent of total taxes. “You really have to ask yourself whether the way we’re implementing (mining policy) is a responsible way of harnessing the wealth of the country,” he said. One of the key draft provisions in Aquino’s proposed executive order that was leaked to the press in February was a fresh five-percent “royalty tax” on the market value of the minerals produced. But Peter Wallace, an advisor for foreign investors, said at a nationally televised forum on mining this month that the Philippines already had some of the highest taxes on mining in the Asia Pacific. Wallace and other mining advocates argue there are many taxes on the industry and other business costs the government does not take into account when making it case for more revenues. “If we make it higher, we won’t get the investments. We won’t get the mines. Maybe that is the idea,” he said.
©AFP/File/Jay Directo
A miner carries a sack load of gold ore.
The leaked executive order also called for much stricter environmental requirements, with agricultural land, ecotourism sites and other sensitive areas to be closed to mining. But industry chiefs say the sector is already complying with stringent safety and environmental requirements. They charge that the real environmental, social and economic problems in the industry rest with the hundreds of thousands of unregistered “small-scale miners” who collude with corrupt local officials. The small-scale miners typically do not pay taxes and do little to safeguard the environment, often destroying mountainsides and sending dangerous chemicals such as mercury directly into waterways. The Philippines is believed to have some of the biggest mineral reserves in the world, but they have been largely untapped due to poor infrastructure, security issues, a strong anti-mining movement and a range of other reasons. The government estimates the country has about $840 billion in gold, copper, nickel, chromite, manganese, silver and iron, and this
©AFP/File/Jay Directo
A prospective buyer pans for gold quality.
figure could go higher once further exploration is carried out, mining bureau chief Leo Jasareno said. Yet only 31 major mining companies are operating in the country, focused mostly on nickel, gold and copper. “We have barely scratched the surface of our country’s mineral wealth,” Jasareno told AFP. Chamber of Mines president Philip Romualdez said last week that industry feared the government’s reform plans had given ammunition to the already very strong anti-mining lobby, which includes the powerful Roman Catholic church. “They are riding on the issue. Cesar Purisima is playing into their hands,” Romualdez said. However anti-mining groups are concerned that industry’s intense lobbying campaign, which has seen a barrage of press conferences and fullpage advertisements in newspapers, may lead to a weakening of the planned reforms. “The president is beginning to feel the pressure of the mining industry,” said Jaybee Garganera, national coordinator of the Alliance to Stop Mining. Purisima and other government officials have not indicated what changes there will be from the leaked executive order, if any, nor said when Aquino would endorse a new one. However Purisima has insisted the reforms will bring more certainty to the industry, which will in the end attract more investors. “Our effort is to make sure that we define this (mining policy) better, we implement this better, and that we clarify various rules that were vague and were conflicting,” he said. “Then, after this process, I believe, that the regulatory environment will be better for mining investors.” ■ (AFP – Manila – March 11, 2012)
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ECONOMY
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March 2012 – No. 5 / Fortnightly • UK & Europe Edition
Philippines plans to slash fish catch to save stocks Philippines eyes 6% growth THE Philippines plans to impose wider limits on fish catches for up to two years to allow depleted stocks to recover, an official said Tuesday, March 6. The plan would force the government to allow more imports to meet demand, said Bureau of Fisheries assistant director Benjamin Tabios. “We want to reduce the catching of fish in the next two years so that stocks will recover in order to protect our food security,” he told AFP. “Importation will take up the slack.” Philippine fishery output dropped 4.1 percent from a year earlier in 2011, suggesting depletion of stocks, he said, whlie growth had been slowing in previous years. It would take between nine months and a full year before a wider plan to cut fish catches could be put in place, he added. The Philippines is an archipelago of almost 100 million people,
despite China, oil worries
©AFP/File
A fish is pulled up at the Puerto Princesa city bay in 2008. The Philippines plans to impose wider limits on fish catches for up to two years to allow depleted stocks to recover, an official said Tuesday, March 6.
many of whom depend on fish as their main source of protein. The industry accounts for about four
percent of the economy, according to the bureau’s records. ■ (AFP – February 28, 2012)
PPPs to gain more traction in 2012 government hikes up counterpart funds to P19.6-B REAFFIRMING its goal to key up infrastructure spending and push for higher economic growth in 2012, the Aquino administration allocated P19.6 billion in counterpart funds for the government’s Public-Private Partnership (PPP) program this year, registering a 56.8-percent increase from 2011’s P12.5-billion counterpart budget. “The increased funding for public-private partnerships will help the Administration’s PPP program gain more traction this fiscal year, enabling us to fill infrastructure gaps and optimize our economic growth. We also expect to see concrete results for our private sector partnerships earlier this year,” Budget and Management Secretary Florencio B. Abad said. “By providing ample counterpart funding for our public-private partnerships, the Aquino government hopes not just to increase private participation in key sectors, but also to boost our ability to respond to high-demand public services. The multiplier effect of successful PPP projects will certainly be felt in the economy, particularly with respect to our infrastructure spending,” he added. Of the P19.6-billion allocation, P8.6 billion will be given to the Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) to shore up PPP initiatives under its wing. A total of P6.6 billion of the DOTC’s total budget will be used to implement six PPP projects, such as development programs for the Panglao Airport in Bohol, the Puerto Princesa Airport in Palawan,
and the New Legazpi Airport in Albay. Other funded programs under the P6.6-billion allocation include the LRT Line 1 South Extension and Privatization, the MRT/LRT Common Ticketing Project, and the department’s Project Development Fund. The remaining P2.0 billion will be used for the DOTC’s Strategic Support Fund for PPP projects. Meanwhile, the Department of Education’s classroomconstruction efforts with the private sector will be supported by a P4.0-billion allocation. The Department of Health’s publicprivate partnerships will also receive a P3.0-billion counterpart fund, geared primarily toward the construction and maintenance of health centers and hospitals. Moreover, P3.0 billion of the total fund for PPP projects will aid the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) in covering rightof-way costs, feasibility studies, and independent consultations for various projects this year. DPWH projects that will receive support are those for the Tarlac-Pangasinan-La Union Toll Expressway (TPLEX), Daang-HariSLEX Link Road, NAIA Expressway, CALA Expressway Project (Cavite side), and Manila North Expressway. The budget chief also noted that the agricultural sector will be buttressed by public-private engagements, with P1.0 billion in counterpart funds to go to the Deparment of Agriculture’s PPP programs. These include the Corn Bulk Handling and Trans-
Shipment System Project; the establishment of rice centrals, processing and service centers; and the establishment of a cold chain system for strategic areas in the country. Other PPP projects in the DA’s pipeline include logistics support on the supply chain for agri-fishery projects through the Southrail Mainline, as well as the Balintingon Reservoir Multi-Purpose Project. “The Aquino administration’s PPP thrust innovates on traditional methods for spurring economic growth in the country. This year, we take an even more vigorous approach at tapping the resources made available to us by the private sector. This will help us quicken the pace of project implementation and ultimately allow us to deliver critical services in a faster, more efficient way,” Abad said.
■ (DBM – February 14, 2012)
THE Philippines will hit or top its growth target of 5-6 percent this year despite rising oil prices and China’s forecast of slightly slower economic expansion, officials said Tuesday, March 6. Central bank governor Amando Tetangco and other officials said China’s 7.5 percent gross domestic product (GDP) growth target this year, from 8.0 percent last year, was not a cause for concern. “While the growth projection has been downscaled, they can still beat that target,” he told a news conference. “If that’s the case then there won’t be any significant impact,” he said, adding that some deceleration had been expected. Announced by Premier Wen Jiabao on Tuesday, the new target remained substantial for a large economy despite the “temporary” jitters it caused on financial markets, said Tetangco. Ruperto Majuca, assistant director-general of the economic planning ministry, said the Philippines was firmly on track for its 5-6 percent GDP growth target this year. “We will probably hit the higher end of our forecast, and we will not be surprised if we will exceed it,” Majuca added.
Vivek Arora, the International Monetary Fund representative in the Philippines, said GDP growth should recover to 4.2 percent this year, from 3.7 percent last year. Higher government spending, robust salary remittances by millions of Filipinos abroad, and supportive monetary conditions will be key, he told a conference call. “So far we see the authorities’ policy focus as appropriate in the sense that macro policies are supporting growth while keeping inflation manageable,” Arora added. Tetangco said that despite the surge in oil prices amid tensions over Iran’s nuclear programme, the Philippines remained on course for 3-5 percent inflation this year. “The current assumption is oil prices of between $90-110 (a barrel) for the whole year,” he said. They would have to spike to $150-160 per barrel, for the outlook to change, he added. The government announced Tuesday inflation slowed to 2.7 percent in February from a revised 4.0 percent in January. Tetangco said this vindicated the central bank’s move to cut its key interest rates by a full percentage point this year. ■ (AFP – March 6, 2012)
©AFP/File/Jes Aznar
Philippine’s central bank chief Amando Tetangco (L).
Philippine central bank cuts rates again THE Philippine central bank cut interest rates on Thursday, March 1 for the second time this year, saying it wanted to help the economy emerge from a rut amid persistent global problems. The bank lowered the key overnight lending rate by 25 basis points to 6.0 percent, and the overnight borrowing rate by the same amount to 4.0 percent. This followed equivalent cuts to the two key rates on January 19. “Global economic conditions are expected to stay subdued as fiscal and banking sector headwinds in advanced
economies affect global output growth and as market confidence remains fragile,” the bank said in a statement. “Given these considerations, the monetary board is of the view that the benign inflation outlook has allowed further scope for a measured reduction in policy rates to support economic activity and reinforce confidence.” The economy grew 3.7 percent last year, when inflation averaged 4.8 percent. The government is aiming for economic growth of 5-6 percent this year.
The bank said there was no immediate risk of a spike in inflation despite the easing monetary policy. It said inflation would likely settle in the lower half of its 3.0-5.0 percent forecast this year. Analysts told AFP the widely expected central bank move would likely continue to propel the stock market, which hit a record high on Thursday when the key Philippine Stock Exchange index briefly nudged above 5,000 points. ■ (AFP – March 1, 2012)
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Philippines to defy China and expand oil search THE Philippines said Wednesday, February 29 it would push ahead with plans to expand oil and gas exploration in waters also claimed by China, as it brushed off a fresh Chinese warning. The comments came amid a fresh spike in tensions in the decades-old dispute over the potentially resourcerich South China Sea, where the Philippines and China, as well as Brunei, Malaysia and Taiwan, have overlapping claims. Philippine Energy Undersecretary James Layug said it was preparing to issue exploration licences for 15 blocs, three of which were in the South China Sea. However Layug insisted China had no legal claim to the three contentious blocs, as they were well within the Philippines’ 200-nauticalmile economic exclusion zone recognised under international law. “In our view, (these) areas are not
disputed areas... that they are our territory has been accepted by all our neighbours, except China,” Layug told reporters. He said the three licences were for areas between 72 and 80 nautical miles from the western Philippine island of Palawan, and 575 nautical miles from the nearest major Chinese landmass. Layug said 36 companies, including major foreign oil companies such as Total, Esso and Mitra, had submitted applications by Wednesday’s deadline to bid for the 15 licenses. The other 12 licenses on offer are in Philippine territory not claimed by China. At this stage of the process, companies are only required to submit a general application to explore for any of the 15 blocs. They have to nominate which specific bloc they want to explore by the end of July.
Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Hong Lei hit out on Tuesday in Beijing at the Philippine exploration plans. “Any country or company that engages in oil and gas activities in waters under Chinese jurisdiction without the Chinese government’s approval does so illegally,” he said. Philippine Foreign Secretary Albert del Rosario reacted to Hong’s comments on Wednesday by reasserting his country’s rights to the areas, as determined by the UN’s Convention on the Law of the Sea. “It is our stated position that our activities are well within our sovereignty under UNCLOS,” del Rosario said. The Philippines has issued only one previous exploration licence for a bloc in waters also claimed by China – in an area called Reed Bank about 80 nautical miles from Palawan.
©AFP/File/Romeo Gacad
Dawn breaks on the western Philippine island of Palawan.
Tensions between the two countries spiked last year after the Philippines said Chinese patrol boats harassed a British vessel doing survey work in that area, disrupting its work.
The reported harassment in Reed Bank was one of many increasingly aggressive actions the Philippines accused China of taking last year to assert its claims over the disputed waters. ■ (AFP – February 29, 2012)
US, Philippines set joint military exercises
©AFP/Pool/File/Rolex Dela Pena
Thitu Island, part of the Spratly islands claimed by Taiwan, Vietnam, Brunei, China, Malaysia and the Philippines.
Taiwan protests over Philippine plan for Spratlys TAIWAN protested Tuesday, March 13 over a Philippine plan to explore oil and gas in disputed waters in the South China Sea where Taipei claims sovereignty. “The Reed Bank is part of the Spratly islands... and we reject any claim or occupation by any means of the islands and the surrounding waters,” the Taiwanese foreign ministry said in a statement. According to the ministry, the Philippines is planning to accept bidding to explore and drill for oil and gas in the Reed Bank. In Manila, a spokeswoman for President Benigno Aquino on Tuesday insisted on her country’s right to the disputed area. “We maintain that Recto Bank is within the territorial jurisdiction and is undisputed,” Abigail Valte told
reporters, using the Filipino name for Reed Bank. Taiwan, the Philippines, Vietnam, Brunei, China and Malaysia claim all or part of the Spratlys, which could lie on top of large oil reserves. All claimants except Brunei have troops based on the archipelago of more than 100 islets, reefs and atolls, which have a total land mass of less than five square kilometres (two square miles). The Taiwanese coastguard currently has a 130-strong garrison on Taiping, the biggest island in the Spratlys archipelago. Taiwan’s security chief has called for Taipei to commit more military resources in the Spratlys, reacting to reports that rival claimants to the disputed waters are building up their armed presence. ■ (AFP – March 13, 2012)
THE Philippines said Wednesday, March 7 it would hold large-scale military exercises with the United States next month near an area where it is locked in a tense sea territorial row with China. The manoeuvres, an annual event which this year will involve nearly 7,000 troops, will reinforce the close military ties between the longtime allies, armed forces chief Lieutenant General Jessie Dellosa said. “The cooperation between the two armed forces manifests the unswerving dedication and commitment of our security forces towards a more stable and secure Asia-Pacific region,” Dellosa said in a statement. About 4,500 US troops will join 2,300 Filipino counterparts in various exercises on the main island of Luzon and in Palawan from April 16 to 27. Palawan is an island on the Philippines’ southwest coast facing the South China Sea.
China and Taiwan claim all of the South China Sea, while the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia and Brunei have overlapping claims to parts of it. The territorial dispute over the waters, which are believed to sit atop vast deposits of gas and oil, has for decades been regarded as one of Asia’s potential military flashpoints. Tensions rose last year after the Philippines and Vietnam accused China of becoming increasingly aggressive in staking its claims. The Philippines alleged last year that Chinese vessels fired on Filipino fishermen and harassed an oil exploration vessel in its waters. The Philippines responded by calling for stepped-up military ties with the United States, triggering an angry response from China which does not want American involvement in the dispute. The Philippine military declined to say exactly where in Palawan, or
which waters off the island, that next month’s military exercises would take place. “There are different places of engagements (in Palawan),” Major Emmanuel Garcia, spokesman for the Philippine contingent, told AFP, refusing to name specific locations. China claims waters close to the western edge of Palawan. However waters to the eastern side of Palawan are uncontested by China. The US embassy in Manila said in a statement the exercises would include computer simulated command post drills, multiple field exercises, as well as medical, engineering, humanitarian and civic activities. The exercises are called Balikatan, a Filipino word meaning shoulder-toshoulder. Twenty participants from other Southeast Asian countries are also expected to take part in the drills, the US embassy statement said. ■ (AFP – March 7, 2012)
©AFP/File/Jay Directo ©AFP/File/Ted Aljibe
US and Philippine Marines simulate an amphibious landing in 2011.
The Philippine Navy march during the 76th anniversary of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, in 2011.
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POEA warns OFWs against use of visit visa
OVERSEAS Filipino workers without the proper employment documents are more prone to abuses and exploitation by their employers, the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration said as it warned OFWs anew against the use of tourist or visit visas to secure overseas jobs. Cacdac said illegal recruiters are using a third or fourth country, usually Asean-member countries where visa is not required of its citizens, and other countries in the Middle East as jump-off points to send Filipino workers to banned destinations.  The POEA has existing deployment bans on Iraq, Afghanistan, South Sudan, Libya, Lebanon, Jordan, Syria, and Nigeria. Cacdac cited the case of undocumented household workers repatriated from Syria and Lebanon who complained of low or unpaid wages, long hours of work, and physical and verbal abuse suffered from their employers. The workers were found to have left the country using short-term visit visas.
The POEA administrator said Dubai is one of the favorite destinations of Filipino workers wanting to find work overseas. But Cacdac said a foreigner holding a visit visa is not allowed to work in Dubai and other countries. In addition, holding a visit visa which expires in 60 days has pressured many Filipinos to agree to a substandard employment contract or submit themselves to physical and emotional exploitation.  “The legal way is to obtain an employment contract and employment visa or  work permit and submit them to the POEA for processing and issuance of exit clearance,” Cacdac added. Cacdac also reminded job applicants of the new guidelines issued by the Bureau of Immigration and Deportation establishing stricter procedure on screening Filipinos leaving as tourist. A traveler found to be misrepresenting the purpose of his or her foreign trip will not be allowed to board the plane. ■ (February 29, 2012)
Beware of fake recruitment e-mails
YOU are selected! The Philippine Overseas Employment Administration advises jobseekers to think twice before replying to e-mails with the said subject especially those coming from “international companies” they have never heard of before. Administrator Hans Leo Cacdac said an e-mail congratulating an applicant for being selected for a specific job he or she did not apply for reeks of a recruitment scam. “When you post your resume to a job search site, you are opening your personal data to potential employers, and even scammers, so be careful,” Cacdac added. The administrator said these e-mails promise employment in hospitals and caregiving establishments in Canada and the U.S.A. at almost no cost to the applicant but they have to pay for medical tests and interview coaching in the Philippines. Cacdac cited the case of a certain Fraser Health which recruits nurses and caregivers for supposed employment in Canada.
Upon verification, the real Fraser Health in Canada denied the e-mail came from them. The fake company uses free e-mail accounts at hushmail. com whereas the true Fraser Health uses their domain name fraserhealth. ca. Cacdac said the come-ons offered by the fake company could be hard to refuse for some Filipino workers looking for overseas jobs. The e-mail said applicants would not be charged any placement or processing fee, and the cost of air fare and work visa would be paid by the employer. But the catch is they have to pay Php3,750.00 for “Canadian Embassy Interview Coaching” and medical tests costing up to Php5,000.00. “Because the company is not real, the victims are unnecessarily spending hard- earned money in pursuit of nonexistent jobs,” Cacdac said. Cacdac urges job applicants who received such recruitment e-mails to forward the same to info@poea.gov. ph for verification and proper action by the POEA and police authorities. ■ (March 9, 2012)
OFWs need work permit to enter Egypt FILIPINOS planning to work in Egypt need to get an employment visa before departure, POEA administrator Hans Leo Cacdac said yesterday. Cacdac said the Philippine Embassy in Cairo has reported that the Passports, Emigration and Nationality Administration Office of Egypt has required foreigners to secure proper working permits or visas and not tourist or entry visas prior to being deployed to work in Egypt.
The Department of Foreign Affairs said a tourist or entry visa issued by the Egyptian Embassy in Manila or any country cannot be converted into work permit upon arrival in Egypt. The new ruling is implemented to curb human trafficking into Egypt and to lessen the influx of tourist workers thereby protecting the jobs of Egyptian nationals. ■ (March 13, 2012)
OFW News
March 2012 – No. 5 / Fortnightly • UK & Europe Edition
POEA penalizes 11 recruitment agencies FOR the first two months of 2012, the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration has cancelled the license of ten recruitment agencies for charging excessive placement fees and issued a suspension order against an agency for recruiting without a valid job order and other recruitment violations. Administrator Hans Leo Cacdac said the imposition of penalties upon erring recruitment agencies is in line with his 7-point agenda that includes strengthened enforcement of anti-illegal recruitment laws and licensed recruitment regulations, and improved POEA adjudication record in case disposition. Cacdac ordered the preventive suspension of Reajent Manpower Services after 40 jobseekers filed 9 recruitment violation cases against the agency. The complainants alleged that Reajent Manpower Services promised them jobs in Australia either as fruit picker, fruit picker supervisor, cleaner, secretary, office staff or security guard, and required them to pay Php5,000.00 for processing fee and an amount equivalent of their supposed monthly salary as placement fee. The applicants also claimed that the agency collected from each of them AUD250 for cash bond, Php3,500-Php6,000 for medical tests, Php850-Php950 for trade tests, Php2,600- Php4,500 for local training, and AUD250.00 for theoretical training. The complainants said the recruitment agency failed to deploy them despite their payments and assurances by its officers and employees. Upon verification at the POEA, the complainants discovered that Reajent Manpower Services has
no valid job orders for the promised employment in Australia. Cacdac identified the other recruitment agencies which license was cancelled from January to February 2012 as: Tai-Fil Manpower Services Inc.; Lucky International Placement Services Inc.; 3R International Manpower Services; EMR Construction and Manpower Services; First Cosmopolitan Manpower and Promotion Services, Inc.; International Progress, Inc; Pearl of Panay Worldwide Manpower Services, Inc.; Roschazz UK Placement Consultancy; Worldgoal Corporation; and Sun Marino Shipping, Inc. The complainant in the case of Lucky International claimed that she was charged PhP101,000.00 for her job as caretaker in Taiwan. POEA Governing Board Resolution No. 6, issued in 2006, however, strictly prohibits Philippine recruitment agencies from collecting any placement fee from applicants for household service worker positions, including caregivers. Cacdac ordered the cancellation of the license of Lucky International on January 24, 2012, and as a consequence, its officers and directors as of April 2007 were disqualified from engaging in the business of recruitment of Filipino workers for overseas jobs. Lucky International and its surety company were also ordered to reimburse to the complainant the amount of PhP79,060.00 representing the amount illegally collected. In the employment contract, the applicant has the obligation to pay for predeparture expenses amounting to PhP21,940.00. The complainant against Tai-Fil Manpower Services Inc. collected
from him in 2008, placement fee amounting to PhP100,000.000 for a job as a food processor, also in Taiwan. Section 3 of Rule V, Part 2 of the POEA Rules and Regulations prescribes a placement fee ceiling equivalent to a hired worker’s one month salary. The prevailing salary in Taiwan in 2008 was NT$17,280.00, which is roughly equivalent to PhP23,000.00. On January 24, 2012, Administrator Cacdac ordered Tai-Fil Manpower to pay a fine of PhP40,000.00, and to refund to the complainant the PhP77,000.00 excess of the placement fee collected by the recruitment agency. The officers and directors of Tai-Fil Manpower Services at the time of the commission of the offense were also barred from participating in the overseas employment program. Cacdac said recruitment agencies with cancelled licenses are not allowed to engage in any activity related to recruitment of applicants for overseas jobs. The POEA has cancelled a total of 566 licenses of recruitment agencies - consisting of 44 sea- based and 522 land-based agencies, since it was mandated to regulate the overseas employment program in the early 80s. Cacdac reminded jobseekers to be extra cautious when applying for work overseas and report to POEA any observed irregularity. “Always check the status of your recruitment agencies for your own protection by visiting our website, www.poea.gov.ph or by calling POEA hotlines 722-1144 / 7221155, and report those that are still recruiting despite the suspension or cancellation of their licenses,” Cacdac said. ■ (February 29, 2012)
South Korea amends policy on rehiring of foreign workers
SOUTH Korea recently granted two of the four concerns included in a petition signed by 2,355 Filipino workers and their 633 Korean employers requesting changes in the Employment Permit System (EPS) as the Korean Parliament promulgated Act No. 11276 (Revisions on the Act on Employment of Foreign Workers) on February 1, 2012. Administrator Hans Leo Cacdac said the new law, which will take effect on July 2, 2012, reduced the waiting period of foreign workers who have finished their contracts and who wish to return to South Korea from six months to three months. It also allowed the return of the foreign worker to the same employer where they used to work before
departure without having to undergo a Korean language proficiency test or employment training. Cacdac also said the Philippine Embassy in South Korea endorsed the petition to the Ministry of Employment and Labor in March 2011, which was also discussed during the negotiation for the renewal of the memorandum of understanding on the Employment Permit System (EPS) between the Philippines and South Korea. At present, a returning foreign worker who wants to be re-employed under EPS after completing 4 years and 10 months employment in Korea can apply after a waiting period of at least six months and is still required to go through another Korean language
test and employment training. The POEA administrator clarified that the new policy applies to foreign workers whose employment period of 4 years and 10 months expires after July 2, 2012. Cacdac also emphasized that EPS workers can return to their former jobs if they meet all of these criteria: (1) a new contract prior to reentry to South Korea; (2) no record of transfer during the employment period except for justifiable causes such as revocation of employment permit issued to an employer, or any violation of the required working conditions; (3) the sector they were engaged in is still experiencing labor shortage. ■
(February 17, 2012)
March 2012 – No. 5 / Fortnightly • UK & Europe Edition
OFW News
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105% increase in OFW Pag-Ibig membership for 2011 THE number of Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) who have signed up for membership in Pag-Ibig Fund has increased by 105 percent from last year, Vice President Jejomar C. Binay said. The Vice President said out of the 10 million members recorded this year, 1,503,339 OFWs enlisted with Pag-Ibig, up from 773, 336 in 2010. “Napakagandang balita na ang membership ng Pag-Ibig Fund ay lumagpas na sa sampung milyon, ang pinakamataas na bilang sa
buong kasaysayan ng ahensiya,” Binay said during the 2012 PagIbig International Operations Group Regional Conference. “Sa unang taon ng aking panunungkulan, ang bilang ng mga OFWs na sumapi sa Pag-Ibig ay tumaas ng 105 percent agad,” he added. The Vice President, however, reminded that the work does not stop at merely encouraging Filipinos to join the Fund. “Kailangang maipakita natin –
at kailangang maramdaman nila – ang kabuluhan ng pagiging isang Pag-Ibig member,” he said, adding that the best way to cater to local and overseas Filipino workers is through honest and dedicated service anytime and anywhere in the world. The Vice President cited Pag-Ibig’s 6-month moratorium on housing loans extended to OFWs affected by the uprisings in the Middle East and the tsunami in Japan. He also mentioned tie-ups with
government agencies such as the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration and the Philippine Overseas Labor Office to make the Pag-Ibig registration and remittances of OFWs more efficient. “Sa gitna ng ating pagtugon sa kakaibang mga pangangailangan ng ating mga miyembro, hindi natin kinalimutan, bagkus ay higit nating pinag-ibayo ang pagtulong sa kanilang makamit ang inaasam nilang sariling tahanan,” Binay said. The housing czar also noted the
Fund’s short-term loans and savings programs, which he said, help Filipino families in times of need. “Sa ating pakikisalamuha sa ating mga miyembro, hatid natin ang pangako ng magandang buhay, na may katuparan ang pinaghirapan sa Pag-IBIG Fund. Mahalagang pare-pareho tayong naniniwala sa kaisipang ito, nang sa gayon ay matagumpay nating maisulong ang mga programa ng Pag-Ibig, ng HUDCC, at ng ating pamahalaan,” he said. ■ (OVP – February 15, 2012)
500 to 2000 Au Pair deployments available this year
VICE President Jejomar C. Binay said the government expects 1,500 to 2,000 au pair deployments this year based on figures from the Commission on Filipinos Overseas (CFO) and Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA). He also urged Filipinos to take advantage of the recent lifting of the ban on “au pairs” for all European countries. “I believe the lifting of the ban on ‘au pairs’ would facilitate the establishment of education and employment opportunities in Europe for Filipinos,” Binay said. “We also simplified the procedures
for the departure of au pairs and the documentary requirements have been scaled down to the minimum,” he added. Binay previously met with officials from the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA), Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), Department of Education (DepEd), Bureau of Immigration and the CFO to discuss the new guidelines on au pairs and how to provide them with safety nets for their protection without restricting their rights to selfimprovement. Under the new guidelines, departing
au pairs need only to submit the following to the Bureau of Immigration at the port of departure: a contract of engagement duly authenticated by the Philippine embassy or consulate general in the area of destination, valid passport with au pair visa, and a CFO certificate/sticker. Au pairs also need not go through the DOLE or POEA procedures anymore, as they are not considered overseas Filipino workers. However, Binay warned au pairs not to go to third-party go-betweens, at the same time warning unscrupulous agencies not to exploit the scheme. “I have instructed the IACAT (Inter-
Agency Council Against Trafficking) to monitor the au pair program and ensure that those who join do not become victims of trafficking syndicates or illegal recruiters,” he said. The Philippines stopped sending au pairs to Europe in 1997 after the DFA received reports of maltreatment including unfair compensation, excessive working hours, discrimination and sexual assault. In 2010, the ban was partially lifted in Switzerland, Norway and Denmark. Last Tuesday, Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario announced that the Philippines lifted its ban on “au pairs” for all European countries as it
was able to craft improved safety nets and protection policies for Filipinos who will be hired for the job. “Au pair” is a French term that translates to “on par” or “equal to”. Filipinos under the au pair program “live on an equal basis in a reciprocal, caring relationship” with their host families. The intent is for the foreigner to be at par or equal to locals, by being treated as a member of the family instead of a domestic servant. Au pairs normally perform house work and child care. While not receiving a formal salary, they receive monetary allowance from their host families. ■ (OVP – February 23, 2012)
Be wary of illegal recruiters, traffickers VICE President Jejomar C. Binay renewed his call to the public to be careful of illegal recruitment and human trafficking syndicates that continue to lure job applicants to Syria, Jordan and other parts of the Middle East. “I ask all those who are planning to work abroad to first check with the POEA (Philippine Overseas Employment Administration) to make sure that the jobs being offered are legitimate,” Binay said. Binay issued the call Monday, February 27 following the rescue of 22 women including several minors bound for the Middle East by member agencies of the Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking (IACAT). The Vice President is the Presidential Adviser on Overseas Filipino Workers’ (OFW) Concerns and concurrent Chairman Emeritus of the IACAT. The rescue mission was led by the Office of the Vice President, the National Bureau of Investigation’s Anti-Human Trafficking Division, the Department of Social Welfare and Development and non-government organizations Blas F. Ople Center and the Visayan Forum Foundation. “Two of those whom we rescued were due to fly tomorrow from Manila to Cebu then onwards to Dubai where their final destination will be known. According to the caretaker of the
house where the women were staying, her boss has contacts in Dubai that process women for entry to Syria,” Binay said. The NBI conducted surveillance operations on a bungalow located inside the Villanueva Village in Paranaque City following a tip received by the Ople Center from one of the job applicants. Binay called on the public and local governments to work with IACAT to report suspicious activities to help ferret out the hiding places of the said syndicates. “If you notice that some stranger is renting out an empty house in your neighborhood and filling it up with women, then please get in touch with us. We need the public’s help and cooperation to fight human trafficking,” he said. The Vice President also warned the recruitment agencies not to take advantage of those desperate to gain employment abroad. “We are now pushing for stiffer penalties for human trafficking violations. We will aggressively pursue these groups and bring them before the courts,” he said. “Our operations will continue and we shall leave no stone unturned in running after these human trafficking syndicates especially in light of the ongoing armed conflict in Syria,” he added. ■ (OVP – February 28, 2012)
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©AFP/File/Roslan Rahman
People walking along the pier overlooking the skyline of Singapore’s financial district in 2010.
Singapore’s decision to grant a mandatory weekly day off for foreign maids was welcomed by social workers and human rights groups, but some employers were unhappy. Above, newly arrived domestic helpers from Indonesia wait for their transportation to a maid agency after going through medical check in Singapore Tuesday, March 6.
Singapore to grant mandatory day off for maids SINGAPORE will from next year require a mandatory weekly day off for maids, the government said Monday, March 5 in a move that will affect more than 200,000 domestic helpers in the affluent city-state. “The new weekly rest day requirement will apply to (foreign domestic workers) whose work permits are issued or renewed from 1 January 2013,” the ministry of manpower said in a press release Non-governmental groups and the governments of the countries the maids come from had been waging a campaign over the past decade for Singapore to grant
them a weekly day off, a right already enjoyed by domestic helpers in Hong Kong. Employers will have to reach a “mutual agreement” with their maid if they want her to work on her rest day for which she will be compensated. The manpower ministry said the new ruling would boost their productivity and make Singapore an attractive destination for potential helpers. The Philippine embassy in Singapore welcomed the announcement. There are about 65,000 Filipina maids in the city-state, according to embassy estimates.
“This progressive policy change by MOM is a clear recognition that the rights of domestic workers are just as important as the rights of any other worker in Singapore,” said charge d’affaires Neal Imperial. The Transient Workers Count Too group called the decision a “significant move forward” in advancing the rights of domestic helpers. “This has been long overdue and signifies the first step to put domestic workers on par with other workers who contribute to the economy significantly,” said group vice president Noorashikin Abdul Rahman in a statement. ■ (AFP – March 5, 2012)
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March 2012 – No. 5 / Fortnightly • UK & Europe Edition
Life a constant battle for Philippine squatters Cecil Morella, AFP THE women and children of a shantytown in the Philippine capital huddled along an alleyway while the men battled riot police nearby in a last-ditch stand to save their homes. Many of the 600 residents had lived in the shantytown in the centre of Metro Manila all of their lives but, without any formal legal title to their homes, were being evicted to make way for a new town hall. “They treated us like criminals,” spat out Vicky Balabor, a 47-year-old mother of three after the hour-long confrontation that saw riot police fire water cannons and tear gas at the men of the neighbourhood. The men resisted with petrol bombs, rocks and bottles, but numbering only a few dozen, were no match for the roughly 500 riot police who paved the way for demolition crews armed with crowbars to tear down the shantytown. Twenty-two people were slightly injured, including residents, police and demolition crew members, while 13 men defending their homes were arrested, in January’s skirmish, according to local city council spokeswoman Grace Cortes. The clearing of Pinaglabanan, an eight-hectare (19.8-acre) park, was just one of many battles that regularly erupt pitting Manila’s giant
“informal settler” community against authorities or property developers who want the land. More than two million people in Metro Manila – or roughly one fifth of the sprawling city’s population –live in shanty towns as so-called informal settlers. The urban blight is worsening as the Philippines’ population continues to expand at one of the fastest rates in the world, and people from rural areas head to Manila and other cities in search of work. The phenomenon sees squatters take over parcels of vacant land and build shanties. With grinding poverty stripping away choices for the desperate squatters, almost any type of vacant land is considered an opportunity with some shantytowns built atop public cemeteries and many in floodprone areas. But while the squatters do not have formal rights to the land, Philippine law makes it hard for the owners – whether they be the government or private interests – to get it back. A 1992 law says demolitions and evictions will not be allowed unless the settlers occupy dangerous areas, when the site is needed for public infrastructure projects, or when there is a court order. Some politicians also encourage the settlers to stay so they can
©AFP/Ted Aljibe
While squatters do not have formal rights to the land, Philippine law makes it hard for the owners to get it back.
be used as reliable supporters in elections, while high-profile protests or battles such as the one seen in Pinaglabanan can buy extra time for squatters. In the Pinaglabanan case, the eviction occurred only after lengthy legal proceedings, with the local council winning court approval to demolish the slum 12 months earlier to make way for the town hall. In one incident showing the strength of informal settler communities, President Benigno Aquino suspended a 22-billion-peso ($515 million) project to turn some government land in Manila into a business and shopping district in 2010 after squatters fought police to prevent the eviction of 6,000 families. The government was also forced to fight all the way to the Supreme Court in 2007 for permission to evict 20,000 squatter families from the former army headquarters in Manila. After winning the legal challenge, the area was turned into an upscale ©AFP/Ted Aljibe business, residential and retail Twenty-two people were slightly injured as attempts to demolish district called The Fort that has a Manila shantytown met fierce resistance. become one of the capital’s most prestigious districts. About 3.5 million low-cost homes need to be built across the country to address the squatter problem, according to Antonio Bernardo, chief executive of the national government’s Housing and Land Use Regulatory Board. He said the national and local governments were implementing programmes to try and move squatters out of dangerous areas and into formal communities, giving them financial incentives to do so such as low-interest loans. ©AFP/Image Bernardo also pointed to a law Many of the 600 residents had lived in the shantytown in the centre of Metro Manila all of their lives. that said one out of every five homes
©AFP/Ted Aljibe
Shanty dwellers resisted with petrol bombs, rocks and bottles but were no match for the 500 Philippine riot police.
built by Philippine developers must cost under 400,000 pesos ($9,000). But Arturo Corpuz, vice president and urban planning chief for Ayala Land, the country’s largest property firm, said these low-cost homes were beyond the reach of many informal settlers. And many of the areas where informal settlers are asked to move are further away from parts of Manila where work can be found. Balabor and others in the group cleared from Pinaglabanan in January were going to be trucked off to live in low-cost homes at a mountainous site in Rodriguez, about 20 kilometres (12 miles) away. Under the local government’s
relocation scheme, they can live in the small concrete homes in Rodriquez for free for one year, but will then have to start paying the monthly mortgage of about $175. But Balabor, 47, earns just $220 a month working as a cleaner at Manila call centre, while her carpenter husband is out of work. Even the bus ride from her planned new home to her workplace would cost a third of her salary every month. Balabor said her family had no choice but to move to Rodriquez for the moment, but she had no idea how they could meet the mortgage payments in a year’s time. ■ (AFP – Manila – March 12, 2012)
Social Issues
March 2012 – No. 5 / Fortnightly • UK & Europe Edition
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2012 Budget for agri, agrarian DBM ok’s ₱306.6-M to spruce up reform shoots up by 51 percent hospitals, rural health centres
ABAD: Aquino government strengthes campaign for food selfsuffiency REAFFIRMING the Administration’s commitment to achieving food self-sufficiency nationwide, President Benigno S. Aquino III increased the agriculture and agrarian reform budget to ₱99.6 billion in 2012, posting a 51-percent jump from last year’s ₱65.97-billion allocation. “The President recognizes not just the wealth of agricultural resources in this country, but also the necessity of tapping these resources for the people’s benefit. This budget allotment will reinforce this Administration’s campaign for self-sufficiency in food production, and consequently, allow us to address the national hunger problem at the very root,” Budget and Management Secretary Florencio B. Abad said. Of the total allocation, at least ₱24.5 billion will support irrigation
infrastructure projects, including the construction and rehabilitation of irrigation systems across the country. The allocation is 90 percent higher than the budget set for the previous year. Meanwhile, another ₱5 billion will be used to construct and repair 1,718 kilometers of farm-to-market roads, enabling local communities to expand their commercial reach to other cities and localities. “Part of our drive to guarantee food self-sufficiency is the empowerment of farmers and communities so that they can become more active participants in the local market. The infrastructure initiatives under the 2012 National Budget will boost agricultural yields and allow farmers to get their saleable produce straight to the town proper,” Abad said. In addition, funding for the the National Rice Program went up by 43.2 percent, bringing up the total appropriation to ₱6.1 billion. The
program is expected to produce 19.2 million metric tons of rice and achieve a sufficiency rate of 91.87 percent. The National Fisheries Program will also receive ₱1.9 billion to help reach its 2012 output target of 5.6 million metric tons of commercial, municipal and aquaculture products. Meanwhile, the National High Value Crops program will get ₱1.3 billion – 44.2 percent higher than last year’s budget – to support expenses for the planting vegetables, industrial crops, alternative staple food crops, and the acquisition of farm equipment and machinery. In addition, allocations for livestock production under the National Livestock Program will get a 50.2-percent increase, with ₱1.02 billion devoted to its self-sufficiency program. The National Corn Program will likewise get increased funding amounting to ₱951 million, a 96.5-percent jump from its 2011 budget. ■ (DBM – February 21, 2012)
Malaysia bans British sex education book
IN a move to facilitate the enhancement of healthcare services across the country, the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) released a total of ₱306.6 million to the Department of Health (DOH) for the implementation of the Health Facilities Enhancement Program (HFEP). The total release, which will be charged against Continuing Appropriations under the 2011 National Budget, will be used to upgrade various hospitals and rural health units (RHUs) across the country. “This release is aligned with President Aquino’s goal of preserving the health and well-being of all Filipinos. In improving our public hospitals and rural health centers, we can extend the reach of our healthcare services and offer highquality medical treatment to those who need it most,” Budget and Management Secretary Florencio B. Abad said. Of the released funds, ₱182.7 million will be used for buildings and structure outlay, while ₱123.9 million will be set aside for expenses related to hospital machinery and equipment. The HFEP was designed to boost healthcare services across
government hospitals and regional health centers, particularly with respect to obstetric and newborn health services. The program also enables government hospitals to meet key healthcare benchmarks, including those for disaster safety, DOH licensing, and development standards for quality care. The HFEP also seeks to broaden the services of island province hospitals and teaching and training hospitals, as well as upgrade selected DOH medical centers and regional hospitals for specialty/subspecialty services. The program has a total programmed appropriation of ₱7.14 billion under the 2011 budget, with releases amounting to ₱6.87 billion to date. “The newly released funds for the HFEP are a testament to President Aquino’s unwavering commitment to the Millennium Development Goals, particularly in view of improving maternal health care nationwide. Through the release, we hope to strengthen both the infrastructure and equipment components in the provision of medical aid so we can better respond to patients in public health facilities,” Abad said. ■ (DBM – February 27, 2012)
Government plugs P526-M into ARMM reform program
©AFP/Illustration/Peter Muhly
Sales of the sex education “Where did I come from?” by Peter Mayle have been suspended in Malaysia.
PREDOMINANTLY Muslim Malaysia on Wednesday, February 22 banned the sale of a children’s sex education book written by a British author, saying its contents “could threaten moral values”. It had on Tuesday ordered bookstores to suspend sales of “Where did I come from?” by Peter Mayle, pending further investigations. The 44-page illustrated book published in 1984 aims to help parents explain to children such topics as sex, conception and birth.
Malaysia’s Home Ministry said in a statement that the book was deemed harmful to society after critics complained it contained graphic illustrations. “The home ministry today has decided to ban the book... because it contained elements which could threaten moral values and is offensive to the public,” Abdul Rahim Mohamad Radzi, deputy secretary-general of security said. Abdul Rahim warned that those who breached the order
risked being jailed for up to three years. Malaysia regularly bans publications, especially those touching on sex and religion. Last November officials banned a book that offered sex tips to Muslim women. Sex and sexuality are seen as taboo in Malaysia, while authorities are also on the lookout for interpretations of Islam that they consider stray from the mainstream. ■ (AFP – Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia – February 22, 2012)
ABAD: Funds to shore up peace & order facilities in the region THE Department of Budget and Management (DBM) announced the release of ₱526 million to the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) to fulfill various program requirements under the ARMM Transition Investment Plan, including the construction and rehabilitation of peace and order facilities, as well as the purchase of necessary equipment. “The recently approved release will boost the Aquino administration’s bid to accelerate critical reforms in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM). In particular, it will enable the DILG to carry out reform-focused projects, as well as fortify key infrastructure and equipment for restoring security in the region,” Budget and Management Secretary Florencio B. Abad said. The bulk of the fund release – amounting to ₱310 million – will go to the Bureau of Fire Protection for the construction of 33 fire stations and the provision of 33 fire trucks in ARMM. Another ₱136 million will support the Philippine National
Police through the establishment of 21 police stations and the acquisition of 23 police vehicles in the region. Meanwhile, ₱63 million will be devoted to the implementation of various projects aligned with the Administration’s reform platform for the ARMM. The Bureau of Jail Management and Penology will likewise receive assistance under the release, with ₱16 million earmarked for the rehabilitation of six jails across the region. “The continued implementation of the ARMM Transition Investment Plan is part of President Aquino’s commitment to establishing peace and order in the country. We are pursuing this goal in a systematic way so that we can establish good governance in the ARMM, as well as provide crucial support for poverty reduction initiatives in the ARMM,” Abad said. “Ultimately, we hope to improve socio-economic conditions in the region to empower its residents, as well as help them overcome the limitations once imposed on their security and their growth,” he added. ■ (DBM – February 28, 2012)
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Philippine Embassy Around The World
March 2012 – No. 5 / Fortnightly • UK & Europe Edition
VP Binay warmly received by Filipinos in Switzerland MORE than 200 Filipinos from all over Switzerland crammed the St. Martin’s Church in Thun last March 11 to attend a Filipino mass together with Vice President Jejomar “Jojo” Binay. The Vice President was in Switzerland to attend the World Scout Meeting and, like in all his foreign trips, took time out to meet the Filipino community. Philippine Ambassador to Switzerland Leslie J. Baja led officials of the Philippine Embassy in Berne, the Philippine Missions to the United Nations (UN) and the World Trade Organization (WTO) in Geneva in welcoming Vice President Binay. He thanked the Vice President for his keen interest in the welfare of overseas Filipinos and assured him that the Embassy will always be proactive in promoting the Philippine government’s program for OFWs. After a lunch hosted by the Filipino community in the Vice President’s honor, a dialogue was conducted by the Vice President which was warmly welcomed by the Filipinos present. He highlighted the government’s programs in promoting and protecting the welfare of OFWs, the issues and problems faced by them like human trafficking, illegal recruitment and drug trafficking.
Vice President Binay also encouraged people to enrol in the Pag-IBIG Fund and avail of the program’s numerous benefits. He likewise called on the Filipinos in Switzerland to link up with the Philippine Embassy in Berne and the Consular Section of the Philippine Mission to the UN in Geneva and air their concerns. There are approximately 11,000 Filipinos in Switzerland and are among the most respected foreign nationals in the country. Since 2010, when the ban on au pairs to Switzerland was lifted, many Filipino nurses have applied as au pairs in Switzerland. The Embassy is also promoting the employment of professional and technical trainees in Swiss companies. At the end of his visit, Vice President Binay expressed satisfaction for the favorable conditions being enjoyed by Filipinos in Switzerland and urged them to do their share in our efforts to achieve progress for the Philippines. For their part, the Filipinos promised the Vice President of their support for his OFW programs and in nation-building. ■ (DFA – March 13, 2012)
Vice President Jejomar Binay (3rd from left) is joined at Mass by (from left) Consul General Jesus S. Domingo of the Philippine Mission to the UN in Geneva, Ambassador Leslie J. Baja, Boy Scouts of the Philippines Secretary General J. Rizal C. Pangilinan, and Charge d’affaires a.i. Jose Victor V. Chan-Gonzaga of the Philippine Mission to WTO Geneva.
Filipino community dialogues with Vice President Jejomar Binay.
Tony Blair faith foundation’s partnership with Philippines for interfaith education still going strong
(L-R) Face to Faith Coordinator Fr. Johnny Go SJ, TBFF Chief Executive Ruth Turner, Philippine Embassy Political Minister Louis Alferez and Face to Faith Deputy Coordinator Marcial Lou Agtarap.
THE Philippine Embassy in London reported to the Department of Foreign Affairs that a top British foundation has reiterated its commitment to ensure that its program for interfaith education and dialogue in the Philippines will be successful and effective. The London-based Tony Blair Faith Foundation (TBFF), the brainchild of former British Prime Minister Tony Blair, told attendees of its annual international coordinators conference held from January 30 to February 3 that it remained “very excited [about] what has been achieved in the Philippines” over the past two years through its “Face to Faith” program for elementary and high schools and “Faith and Globalization” program for universities. “Face to Faith” is a global schools program meant to bring 12 to 17 year olds together via video conference for a better understanding of other people’s religion, culture and attitudes to global issues. On the other hand, “Faith and Globalization” builds partnerships among leading universities worldwide for a deeper dialogue on the interplay of faith and global issues. Leading the “Face to Faith” program in
the Philippines is Fr. Johnny Go SJ of Xavier School, who said that the program now includes 30 public and private schools, with 104 teachers trained to conduct interfaith dialogue videoconferences with schools in Australia, India, Lebanon, Italy, the United Kingdom and the United States. The most recent activity was a teacher training workshop held in De La Salle Zobel Alabang in January 2012. “Promoting better understanding among different faiths is an important aspect of the Philippines’ broader cooperation with Britain. The government has welcomed Tony Blair Faith Foundation’s activities in the Philippines in light of our own interfaith advocacies and policies, especially as we seek a just and lasting peace in Mindanao,” the Embassy’s Political Minister Louis Alferez said. Former Prime Minister Blair visited the Philippines in August 2011, during which he met with President Benigno S. Aquino III. He also signed separate institutional agreements with Education Secretary Bro. Armin Luistro and Commission on Higher Education Chair Dr. Patricia Licuanan for the implementation of TBFF’s programs in the Philippines. ■ (DFA – February 17, 2012)
March 2012 – No. 5 / Fortnightly • UK & Europe Edition
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3 sailors seized off Nigeria coast in ‘good health’: MEND THREE sailors abducted when their cargo ship was attacked by pirates off the Nigerian coast this week are “in good health”, an armed militant group said Friday, March 2. The Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) said in a statement that the kidnappers had offered to hand over the hostages to the group and that it was likely to take them in. It identified the three captured as the ship’s captain and its chief engineer, both Russians, and a Filipino crew member. The group also claimed it was behind the killing of four on-duty marine police in the oil-producing waters of the Niger Delta on Thursday. Pirates opened fire on the Dutchowned cargo ship off the Nigerian coast Tuesday, in just one of a series of incidents indicating heightened piracy in the Gulf of Guinea.
The International Maritime Bureau (IMB) said the assault targeted a Dutch-owned, Curacaoflagged refrigerated cargo ship that was anchored near the coast. “The kidnappers have offered to hand these sailors – who are all in good health – over to one of our camps in Rivers State,” said MEND. MEND, which has been fighting for a fairer distribution of oil revenue in Nigeria, said it was considering receiving the captives because “these men were not captured from a vessel related to the Nigerian oil industry”. Recent pirate attacks have targeted vessels carrying petroleum products. Pirates hijack and direct tankers to other ships, where the fuel is siphoned out and then taken for sale on the black market elsewhere. The group warned it would use heavy artillery on petroleum carriers whose captains try to resist attacks.
“We will launch rockets at the bridge and other parts of the superstructure of such uncooperative vessels, and ensure such vessels are set alight, when we eventually board,” it said. The IMB has warned ships to steer clear of the Gulf of Guinea, an emerging new piracy “hotspot”. Since January 1, the IMB has recorded eight attacks in Nigeria’s waters and one off the coast of its neighbour Benin. Nigeria, Africa’s largest oil producer, and Benin last year launched joint sea patrols with the backing of France. MEND said it killed the four marine policemen who were patrolling the waters of President Goodluck Jonathan’s home state in the Niger Delta region. It did not state the motive for the killing. For several years a MEND-led
©AFP/File/Derrick Ceyrac
A cargo ship leaving Lagos harbor in Nigeria.
violent campaign against the oil industry in the southern delta region wreaked havoc with Nigeria’s crude output. A 2009 government amnesty offer for the militants greatly reduced the attacks after more than 25,000 ex-fighters laid down their arms in
exchange of payouts and vocational training. Most of MEND’s commanders and their fighters took up the amnesty offer, but MEND spokesman Jomo Gbomo said the group was never part of the deal. ■ (AFP – March 2, 2012)
Ex-Philippine governor charged with murder PHILIPPINE prosecutors said Tuesday, March 13 they had charged an ex-governor over the murder of a high-profile environment activist and journalist, reversing a decision to exonerate him that caused outrage. The decision to charge Joel Reyes over last year’s murder of Gerry Ortega followed an intense social media-driven campaign by the victim’s family, friends, church and media groups. The Department of Justice prosecutors said their decision to
reverse the finding that cleared Reyes, a former governor of Palawan province, as well as his brother and three others, arose because new evidence had been uncovered. “It is believed that the radio commentaries of Dr. Ortega, who is also a keen environmental activist, against Reyes... served as motive for the conspiracy to murder him,” the panel said in a written resolution. Ortega, a veterinarian known widely as “Doc Gerry”, was shot dead in a clothes shop in Puerto Princesa, the capital of Palawan, shortly after
he had finished hosting a radio talkback programme in January last year. In his daily programme, Ortega had repeatedly accused Reyes of massive corruption in his time as governor, particularly the alleged misuse of hundreds of millions of dollars from the nation’s major gas field just off Palawan. Ortega also railed against mining activities approved by Reyes that he said damaged Palawan, which has a reputation as one of the most pristine in the Philippines.
An earlier panel of prosecutors who handled the case cleared Reyes of the crime, despite the hitman being caught immediately after the murder and authorities tracing ownership of the gun to a close aide of the ex-governor. Police had also quickly arrested a lower-ranking member of the alleged conspiracy who turned state-witness, implicating Reyes, but prosecutors initially ruled this was not enough to pursue the ex-governor. Following the lobbying campaign by Ortega’s family and others, the
justice department replaced the prosecution panel and ordered a reinvestigation of the case, which led to Tuesday’s ruling. Ortega’s family and other campaigners said the initial decision to clear Reyes had reinforced the country’s infamous “culture of impunity”, where powerful figures are rarely punished for committing crimes. Reyes has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing. His lawyer did not return phone calls when contacted by AFP on Tuesday. ■ (AFP – March 13, 2012)
Nigerian group will not Norwegian, Filipino dead in plane crash mediate release of 3 sailors
A Nigerian armed militant group said Sunday, March 4 it would not mediate the release of three sailors abducted last week when their cargo ship was attacked by pirates off the Nigerian coast. Pirates shot their way onto a Dutch-owned cargo vessel February 1 and kidnapped three hostages including the captain and its chief engineer, both Russians, and a Filipino crew member, according to the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta. The armed group said Friday the kidnappers had offered to hand over the hostages, who were claimed to be in good health. But in an email to AFP on Sunday, the group said it would not mediate in the kidnapping and was unwilling to accept the prisoners. “We were reluctant to accept the hostages,” the group said. “That vessel is unconnected with our struggle.”
The Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta says it has been fighting for a fairer distribution of Nigerian oil revenue. The kidnapping was one of a series of incidents indicating heightened piracy in the Gulf of Guinea. Recent pirate attacks have targeted vessels carrying petroleum products. Pirates hijack and direct tankers to other ships, where the fuel is siphoned out and then taken for sale on the black market. The International Maritime Bureau has warned ships to steer clear of the Gulf of Guinea, an emerging hotspot for piracy. Since January 1, the bureau has recorded eight attacks in Nigeria’s waters and one off the coast of its neighbour Benin. Nigeria, Africa’s largest oil producer, and Benin last year launched joint sea patrols with the backing of France. ■ (AFP – March 4, 2012)
A Norwegian tourist and her Filipino pilot were killed and three other foreigners injured in a plane crash in the central Philippines on Sunday, March 4 police said. A Norwegian family of three were flying to the resort island of Camiguin by private plane when the
aircraft crashed, said regional police duty officer Eduardo Mandalunin. “The plane was about to land when the pilot lost control and the plane hit some coconut trees and fell to the ground,” he told AFP. Norwegian Racquel Strande, 37, and the plane’s Filipino pilot Cesar
Cebracus were killed, he said, while Strande’s 56-year-old husband and three-year-old child were injured, as was Indonesian student pilot Nurmala Dewi, who was acting as co-pilot. The cause of the crash was under investigation, the policeman said. ■
(AFP March 4, 2012)
Quake rocks central Philippines, causes panic AN 5.2-magnitude earthquake rocked the central Philippines early Tuesday, March 6 breaking windows, destroying an old abandoned building and provoking widespread panic among residents, officials said. The quake’s epicentre was traced near Masbate City on the central island province of Masbate in the Visayas region, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology reported. Eight people were reported with minor injuries after being hit by falling debris, Masbate mayor Socrates Tuason said on national radio. “There was panic, people were
scared to go out,” he said. “People were having breakfast and preparing to go to work and school when the quake happened.” Cracks appeared in some buildings in Masbate City, and many of its 90,000 residents had been told to stay home for the day, he said. “There was an old three-story building that collapsed, but engineers had already condemned it long before the quake,” he said, adding that there was no one inside the structure when it crumbled. He said classes in all schools were suspended as city engineers fanned
across the city to further assess the damage and ensure all buildings were safe. The Office of Civil Defense in Manila said six aftershocks were felt within hours of the initial quake. The Philippines is situated in the “Ring of Fire,” a belt around the Pacific region frequented by earthquakes and volcanic activity. Tuesday’s temblor came exactly a month after a 6.7 quake hit the central island of Negros, twisting roads, crushing homes and causing massive landslides that killed at least 113 people. ■ (AFP – March 6, 2012)
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March 2012 – No. 5 / Fortnightly • UK & Europe Edition
Higher 2012 funding to keep DOH in better shape PHILIPPINES
ABAD: Aquino government boosts health sector budget to ₱49.9-B CONSISTENT with President Aquino’s goal of reducing national poverty by improving health care services in the country, the 2012 General Appropriations Act (GAA) increased funding for the health subsector to ₱49.9 billion, up by 30 percent from last year’s ₱38.4-billion allocation. Of the total fund, ₱44.4 billion will be directed to the Department of Health (DOH). The DOH budget—also higher by 34 percent—will be used to shore up government efforts at achieving health-focused Millennium Development Goals. “Ensuring the health of all Filipinos is a necessary
component in our platform of good governance. If we can safeguard our citizens against disease and help them improve their general well-being, they can in turn become more productive members of society, ultimately creating a positive impact in local commerce and the national economy,” Budget and Management Secretary Florencio B. Abad said. Under the 2012 budget for the DOH, ₱12.0 billion will support premium subsidies under the National Health Insurance Program (NHIP). The allocation, which posts an impressive ₱8.5-billion increase from the previous year’s ₱3.5-billion budget, will cover 5.2 million indigent households already identified via the National
Household Targeting System. The NHIP budget increase will also enable the DOH to double the annual premium subsidy for each family to ₱2,400, allowing more poor households to avail of the government’s broadened health care services. Another ₱5.1 billion under the DOH budget will be directed to the Health Facilities Enhancement Program (HFEP), through which key health facilities across the country will be properly upgraded and made even more accessible to local communities. The DOH will also actively pursue public-private partnerships for the modernization of 25 regional hospitals, for which the Administration has allotted ₱3.0 billion in counterpart funds. Abad also said that the Doctor
to the Barrios program will receive ₱1.7 billion, far higher than its ₱123.3-million 2011 allocation. The project will help the DOH deploy 200 doctors, 1,021 midwives, and 12,000 nurses in regional health units, barangay health stations, and hospitals. “Key to the HFEP and the Doctors to the Barrios initiative is our desire to bring critical health assistance to Filipinos in remote areas, especially those in coastal or mountainous communities. Many of these residents are reluctant to seek medical aid because of their distance from the town or city proper, where most hospitals are located. This time, we will bring our services to their doorstep and help them get ready access
to better health care,” he said. Meanwhile, the DOH will channel ₱2.3 billion into the Family Health and Responsible Parenting program. Part of the allocation will be used for the vaccination of at least 899,396 senior citizens against influenza and pneumonia, both of which are potentially fatal to this age group. Finally, ₱1.9 billion will also be devoted to the Expanded Program on Immunization to cut down infant mortality and morbidity. The DOH is targeting at least 2.6 million Filipino children up to 15 months for this program, which will help protect infants against Hepatitis-B, measles, tetanus, rotavirus, and other immunizable diseases. ■ (DBM – February 15, 2012)
Police suspect Abu Sayyaf Philippines urges China in Philippine bombing to be ‘responsible’ ISLAMIC extremists with links to the Al-Qaeda network are suspected of carrying out a deadly bomb attack that left two dead and 13 wounded in the southern Philippines, police said Sunday, March 4. The Abu Sayyaf group likely planted the bomb that exploded in a commercial district of the southern island of Jolo late Saturday, said provincial police chief Senior Superintendent Antonio Freyra. A street vendor and a schoolteacher were killed and 13 others were wounded when the home-made bomb exploded in Jolo, which has been a stronghold of the
Abu Sayyaf for over a decade, police said. “Our initial report is that the Abu Sayyaf was behind the bombing. It is possible that this was in retaliation for the killing by the police of an Abu Sayyaf member last week,” Freyra said. The bomb went off in the same commercial area where the Abu Sayyaf member was shot dead when police caught him extorting money from shop-owners, Freyra said. Security has been tightened on the heavily-forested island to prevent future attacks from the group, which has long used kidnappings for
ransom and extortion to raise funds, Freyra said. The Abu Sayyaf is a small group of Islamic militants founded in the 1990s with seed money from AlQaeda leader Osama bin Laden. It has been blamed for the worst extremist attacks in Philippine history including a ferry bombing in Manila in 2004 that killed more than 100 people. Despite the arrest and killing of many of its key leaders, the group remains an enduring security threat with about 300 fighters still active, authorities have warned. ■ (AFP – March 4, 2012)
THE Philippines called on China Monday, March 5 to use its growing military influence to promote peace and stability in the region where Beijing has overlapping territorial claims with its smaller neighbours. The call came a day after Beijing said its military spending would top $100 billion in 2012 – a double-digit increase on last year, a move that Philippine Foreign Secretary Albert del Rosario said was within China’s “sovereign right.” “With an expanded economy and military, we are relying on China, however, to fully utilise
their vast global influence in the most responsible way in terms of promoting peace, prosperity and stability in our region,” he said in a statement. The Philippines, along with Brunei, Malaysia, Vietnam and Taiwan are locked in a bitter maritime row with China over the potentially oil-rich Spratly islands in the South China Sea. The overlapping claims have been a perennial source of tension in the region, with the Philippines and Vietnam last year accusing Beijing of being increasingly aggressive in the area. ■ (AFP – March 5, 2012)
Ferry catches fire in Philippines
©AFP/File/Therence Koh
Abu Sayyaf Islamic militant group remains an enduring security threat in the Philippines with about 300 active fighters.
A ferry bound for the Philippines’ top tourist island caught fire shortly after leaving port on Wednesday, March 7 but the coast guard said all 25 passengers aboard had been accounted for. The MV Cebu Ferries 1 sent a distress call after leaving the port of Batangas 100 kilometres (60 miles) south of Manila, coast guard spokesman Lieutenant Commander Algier Ricafrente told AFP. “The coast guard deployed two vessels to assist, while
commercial vessels in the area also helped,” he said. He said all aboard had been accounted for, and the fire put under control. Ricafrente could not say whether there were foreigners aboard the ferry. The vessel was headed to the port of Caticlan, gateway to Boracay island in the central Philipines which is famed for its pristine waters and powdery white sand beaches. Nearly one million people visited Boracay last year. ■ (AFP – March 7, 2012)
March 2012 – No. 5 / Fortnightly • UK & Europe Edition
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Mexico’s Slim world’s richest for 3rd year: Forbes Paul Handley, AFP MEXICO telecoms czar Carlos Slim topped the Forbes annual world’s richest list, holding the edge over Microsoft’s Bill Gates who continued to give away billions of his fortune to charity. Despite a $6 billion hit to his wealth from slumping stock markets over the past year, Forbes said Slim’s $69 billion was enough to keep him on top of its global billionaires list for the third straight year. Gates, the co-founder of Microsoft, had a fortune worth $61 billion, still hefty after having given away $28 billion over recent years to global causes such as fighting AIDs and polio. The two topped a list of 1,226 billionaires Forbes counted around the world, dominated as ever by Americans – 425 in total and 11 of the top 20 – but also underpinned by the rise of concentrated wealth in China and Russia. Showing the impact of sluggish world growth over the past two years, the list only expanded by 16 this year, and the average billionaire’s money pot was unchanged at $3.7 billion. But many of the stars of recent years felt the hit of slumps in stock markets, where much of their wealth is counted. Ortega’s net worth surged by $6.5 billion over the past year to $37.5 billion despite Spain’s financial straits, Forbes said. Filling out the top 10 were Larry Ellison of US software
giant Oracle, Brazilian mining tycoon Eike Batista, H&M owner Stefan Persson of Sweden, Hong Kong investor Li Ka-shing and Germany’s Karl Albrecht, the super-secretive tycoon who owns the Aldi Sud supermarket chain. In terms of single countries, Russia was second to the United States with 96 billionaires, led by Alisher Usmanov, number 28 overall with $18.1 billion. Usmanov topped the Russian list for the first time based on his control of iron ore and steel producer Metalloinvest. Forbes predicted his fortune would likely jump over the next year due to canny investments in social media: he has stakes in Facebook, soon to go public, as well as in Zynga and Groupon. China’s billionaires list is led by an Internet tycoon, Robin Li. The chief executive of the country’s huge web service and search firm Baidu has earned himself a $10.2 billion fortune. Behind them were 55 Germans, 48 Indians, 37 British, 37 from Hong Kong, 36 Brazilians, 25 in Canada, and 24 billionaires each from Taiwan and Japan. In an interview Slim, 72, who controls the regionwide America Movil cellular network, denied his fortune arose mainly from monopolistic power in telecoms networks. “That’s what competitors say, but if that were true, they would take the market from us,” he told Forbes. “The customers are not fools.”
©AFP/File/Raveendran
Bill Gates, the co-founder of Microsoft, has come in second on the Forbes› rich list.
©AFP/File/Stephen Chernin
Carlos Slim tops the Forbes annual world›s richest list.
©AFP Graphic
■ (AFP – Washington, USA – March 8, 2012)
Australian billionaire threatens family ransom funds ASIA’S richest woman, Australian mining magnate Gina Rinehart, threatened to axe her children’s ransom insurance as a bitter legal dispute raged over a family trust, according to reports. Rinehart, 57, is locked in a court battle with three of her four children over control of a trust worth an estimated Aus$3 billion (US$3.2 billion). The acrimonious dispute escalated last week when Rinehart lost a bid to have correspondence suppressed in which her children said they feared for their safety and that of their families as Rinehart’s wealth surged. Rinehart is worth an estimated Aus$18 billion and her fortunes are set to soar as commodity prices rally, with Forbes Asia
saying she could soon challenge Wal-Mart widow Christy Walton as the world’s richest woman. Citigroup has predicted that her wealth could one day eclipse that of Carlos Slim and Bill Gates, making her the richest person in the world amid projections her wealth could top US$100 billion. Rinehart stepped up pressure on her children Monday, demanding they agree to keep details of the legal battle private or lose their kidnapping insurance, after emails detailing their safety fears were released by the court. “We can only presume that your clients’ previously stated concerns for the personal safety of their families and themselves have now completely and entirely
disappeared,” said a letter from her lawyers published by the Australian Financial Review. “Under these circumstances it seems that your clients would place no value in the continuation of ransom insurance that is currently provided to them and/ or their young children,” the letter continued. “Indeed you may consider such insurance to be wasteful expenditure.” The emails released Friday, February 3 by the Supreme Court revealed pleas from Rinehart’s two eldest daughters for bodyguards and greater protection for their homes, fearing kidnapping for ransom over her sizeable fortune. ■ (AFP – Sydney, Australia – February 5, 2012)
©AFP/File/Richard A. Brooks
According to Forbes Asia, Gina Rinehart could soon challenge Wal-Mart widow Christy Walton as the world›s richest woman.
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Environment & Science
March 2012 – No. 5 / Fortnightly • UK & Europe Edition
Filmmaker sounds alarm over ocean of plastic Judith Evans, AFP ON Midway atoll in the North Pacific, dozens of young albatross lie dead on the sand, their stomachs filled with cigarette lighters, toy soldiers and other small plastic objects their parents have mistaken for food. That sad and surreal sight, says Hong Kong-based Australian film director Craig Leeson, is one of the many symptoms of a plague afflicting the world’s oceans, food chains and human communities: the onslaught of discarded plastic. “Every piece of plastic ever made since the fifties exists in some shape or form on the planet,” Leeson told AFP. “We throw plastic into a bin, it’s taken away from us and we never see it again – but it still comes back at us.” Over the past year, Leeson has been following the menace of plastic from Sardinia to Canada to the Indian Ocean for a film that aims to combine the art of nature documentary with a campaigning quest. Provisionally called “Away”, the film – backed by David Attenborough and the UK-based Plastic Oceans
Foundation – brings together new research on the spread of plastic with missions by “explorers” such as Ben Fogle to show the diverse effects of plastic trash. Its message is that while you may throw out your plastic goods, they are never really thrown “away”. Crews under Leeson’s direction have so far swum with blue whales, taken a deep-sea submarine to the depths of the Mediterranean and found swirling clumps of plastic trash in the Indian Ocean. They have used a harpoonlike instrument to take biopsies from whales and dissected a dead Corsican turtle in a Siena laboratory – “dead turtles are the smelliest things you can imagine”, he says. Sea lions are yet to come. The foundation cites research showing that at least 250 species have ingested or become entangled in plastic in the seas. They put forward plastic ingestion as one of the main causes of “skinny whale syndrome”, in which whales are discovered mysteriously starved. The 250 million tonnes of plastic we discard each year make their way for thousands of miles around
the oceans, and Leeson’s team – many of whom have backgrounds in the BBC’s Natural History Unit – are determined to document this in spectacular fashion. But beyond this, their goal is to show that the environmental damage is systemic, going far beyond a series of water-borne trash heaps. In fact, Leeson said, the mass of plastic the size of Texas often said to exist in the North Pacific is a myth. Instead, particles of plastic lurk there invisibly, in seemingly clear water. “If you trawl for it with these special nets that they’ve developed, you come back with this glutinous mass – it’s microplastics that are in the water along with the plankton,” he said. “The problem is that it’s being mistaken for food and being eaten by plankton eaters, who are then eaten by bigger fish, and so it goes on, and it ends up on our dinner tables.” Studies have linked this with health conditions in humans including cancer, diabetes and immune disruption. And it is not just the plastic itself that enters the food chain, but other man-made substances from sources
©AFP/File /Jewel Samad
©AFP/File/Antonio Scorza
The 250 million tonnes of plastic we discard each year make their way for thousands of miles around the oceans.
such as industrial waste that attach themselves to plastics in the water. The team will be shooting until mid2012 and will also visit communities living beside rivers that are heavily polluted with plastic to see its more direct effects on human life. This is not the first highprofile campaign on the subject: Greenpeace, currently researching plastic in the Arctic Ocean, has warned that urgent action is needed to address the sources of plastic waste, and campaign group WWF calls the problem “staggering”. But Leeson hopes the images in his film will jolt viewers out of their complacency about rubbish that apparently disappears into the waste collection system. “When you see a toy soldier or a lighter that’s manufactured in China that ends up in the stomach of an albatross at Midway Point in the middle of the Pacific Ocean, that just shows you how much effect you’re having on the environment,” he said. Leeson will not divulge all the findings from new research carried out for the film, but it is clear the message will be an alarming one. Does he think his team can compete in the busy market for alarming messages, currently dominated by the threat of climate change?
“Clearly climate change is one of the most pressing issues, if not the most pressing issue that we face, because it affects everything we do,” Leeson says. But plastic and emissions are directly linked: plastic is estimated to account for around eight percent of the world’s fossil fuel use, half of it in energy consumed during its manufacturing. The film will question the “disposable lifestyle” behind discarded plastic, but not advocate banning the substance altogether. It will also look at solutions to the waste mountain, including plastic recycling and biogenesis, in which plastic is reduced back to its core elements while producing energy. An initial aim, says Leeson, is to persuade consumers and manufacturers to reconsider their use of disposable plastics such as mineral water bottles. He says responsibility for waste cuts across different environmental issues, including climate. “Plastic is part of that, but also if we are raising awareness about issues such as plastic then we’re raising awareness about what does actually affect the planet we live on, and I think that’s a good thing,” he said. ■ (AFP – Hong Kong – February 1, 2012)
The film›s message is that while you may throw out your plastic goods, they are never really thrown “away”.
©AFP/Mike Clarke
A conservationist collects plastic from the water at a Hong Kong beach.
©AFP/Graphics/AFP
March 2012 – No. 5 / Fortnightly • UK & Europe Edition
Environment & Science
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Stark warning emerges from science summit Deborah Jones, AFP A stark theme emerged from an annual scientific get-together in Vancouver: the world must be helped to believe in science again or it could be too late to save our planet. Science is “under siege,” top academics and educators were warned repeatedly at the American Association for the Advancement of Science meeting as they were urged to better communicate their work to the public. Scientific solutions are needed to solve global crises – from food and water shortages to environmental destruction – “but the public now does not understand science,” leading US climate change expert and NASA scientist James Hansen told the meeting. “We have a planetary emergency, and very few people recognize that.” The theme of the five-day meeting, attended by some 8,000 scientists from 50 countries, was “Flattening the world: Building a global knowledge society.” “It’s about persuading people to believe in science, at a time when disturbing numbers don’t,” said meeting co-chair Andrew Petter, president of Simon Fraser University in this western Canadian city. Experts wrangled with thorny issues such as censorship, opposition from religious groups in the United States to teaching evolution and climate change,
and generally poor education standards. “We have to plan for a future, considering the risk of climate change, with nine to 10 billion people,” said Hans Rosling, a Swedish public health expert famous for combating scientific ignorance with catchy YouTube videos. Rosling, pointing to charts showing how human populations changed with technology and how without science the majority of a family’s children die, said it is naive to think that humanity can easily go backward in history. “I get angry when I hear people say: ‘In the rainforest people live in ecological balance.’ They don’t. They die in ecological balance,” he said. Outgoing AAAS president Nina Fedoroff, a renowned expert on life sciences and biotechnology, said a growing anti-science attitude “probably lies in our own psyche.” “Belief systems, especially when tinged with fear, are not easily dispersed with facts,” she said, noting that in the United States “fewer people ‘believe’ in climate change each year.” Her remarks held particular resonance for the scientific community, coming as US President Barack Obama faces a fierce attack from a potential Republican challenger for the allegedly “phony theology” behind his environmental policy. “I refer to global warming as
not climate science, but political science,” Christian conservative Rick Santorum, who is soaring ahead in the Republican race to take on Obama in November, said at a campaign stop Monday in Ohio. Skepticism and denial of climate change still run strong in the United States, with polls showing a nation divided on the threat posed by global warming. During the AAAS meeting, there was a new development abroad in the controversy over whether research by American and Dutch scientists on a mutant form of the bird flu virus – which is potentially capable of spreading in humans – should be made public. Bird flu experts at the World Health Organization meeting in Geneva last week agreed that the controversial research should be made public at some time in the future after more risk analysis is done. In the meantime, a moratorium on further studies has been extended. Last year, American authorities asked scientists not to publish details of their research for fear the information could fall into the wrong hands and unleash a lethal flu pandemic. “I would not be in favor of stopping the science,” Fedoroff said in Vancouver. “The more we know about something, the better prepared we are to deal with unexpected outcomes.” ■
©AFP/File/Nasa Earth Observatory
Scientific solutions are needed to solve global crises – from food and water shortages to environmental destruction. ©AFP/Illustration/Gregory Tervel
Skepticism and denial of climate change still run strong in some countries. ©AFP/File/Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority
(AFP – Vancouver, Canada – February 20, 2012)
The World Heritage-listed Great Barrier Reef remains at serious threat of climate change.
Philippines to weather disasters, climate change with robust environment funds THE Aquino administration will batten down the hatches in 2012 as it prepares the country against calamities and the effects of climate change, coupled with continued efforts to boost environmental sustainability and rehabilitation initiatives. “President Benigno S. Aquino III vows to provide adequate protection to all Filipinos against various calamities and other destructive weather systems associated with climate change. After all, disaster management requires a two-pronged approach: one that establishes preemptive measures against potential disasters, and another that reinforces the government’s ability to respond quickly and efficiently in the face of calamity,”
Budget and Management Secretary Florencio B. Abad said. Disaster preparation activities under the 2012 General Appropriations Act (GAA) include various flood control projects under the Department of Public Works and Highways, which will receive P12.3 billion for the nationwide construction of 8,000 lineal meters of flood barriers in major basins and rivers. Additionally, a total of ₱367 million – 100.5 percent higher than the 2011 budget – will be directed to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) for the modernization of their weather forecasting system. Other pre-
disaster measures include solid waste management initiatives under the Metro Manila Development Authority, as well as rehabilitation projects for Laguna de Bay and the Pasig River. Abad also confirmed that the Calamity Fund will receive ₱7.5 billion in 2012, a whopping 50-percent increase from the previous year’s ₱5-billion allocation. Of this fund, ₱4.85 billion will go to repair and reconstruction activities for permanent structures across the country, while ₱2.65 billion will be used for aid, relief, and rehabilitations services to calamity-stricken areas. Meanwhile, the Administration continues to implement key
environmental sustainability programs to buffer the country against climate change, beginning with a ₱2.7-billion fund for the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) for its National Greening Program (NGP), which aims to plant 1.5 billion seedlings in deforested areas by 2016. The DENR’s NGP target for 2012 is set at 36 million seedlings across 214,900 hectares of land. The DENR’s Forest Protection Program will also be aided by a ₱857-million allocation, which will be used to hire 600 extension workers and 3,113 Bantay Gubat volunteers to oversee and patrol 4.1 million hectares of untenured forestland.
In addition, the Department of Energy’s Philippine Energy and Efficiency Program will receive ₱711 million to retrofit 120 government buildings with energy-saving light systems, as well as install LED traffic lamps in 88 traffic intersections in the country. “The effective preservation and rehabilitation of our natural resources will have a decisive effect on the government’s capacity to mitigate the damage wrought by natural calamities. In ensuring robust funding for climate change adaptation and disaster preparation and response, the Administration can better protect the poor, who are most vulnerable to calamity,” Abad said. ■ (DBM – February 16, 2012)
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HELLO PHILIPPINES
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Celebrity, Showbiz & Entertainment
March 2012 – No. 5 / Fortnightly • UK & Europe Edition
“THE ROAD” to Hollywood: History in the making for Philippine movies GMA Network – AFTER freaking the hell out of moviegoers in the Philippines with its unique but effectively haunting storyline and superb cinematography, GMA Films’ 2011 thriller movie “The Road” will pave the way to Hollywood fame as it becomes the first ever all-Filipino film to be commercially released in North America and Canada this May 2012. Through an international distribution agreement with GMA Films, Hollywood-based international film distribution outfit Freestyle Releasing will commercially release “The Road” in the mainstream American and Canadian markets beginning May 11, 2012. The movie, a brainchild of internationally-acclaimed film director Yam Laranas, will be shown in over 50 theaters across North America and Canada. And just like any Hollywood movie, “The Road” will also hold a glitzy premiere night at the Mann Chinese Theater in Los Angeles, California on May 9. The event will be graced by the film’s producers, cast, Laranas as well as prominent celebrities in Hollywood and the international film industry. “I think this is the first time that a locally-produced Filipino film will be distributed commercially by an international releasing outfit in the U.S. and Canada, and treated like a Hollywood-produced movie. This is not simply a special off-shore screening of a locally-produced film; this is in fact a full-fledged commercial distribution deal, and there’s a big difference between the two,” said GMA Films President Annette Gozon-Abrogar. “We are honored to have the opportunity to exhibit the ingenuity and creativity of our artists and directors in the international market. It’s about time that we show the world that we, Filipinos, are not only good in boxing or singing, but we can also excel in the field of movie-making. The release of “The Road” in the U.S. and Canada is good news not just for GMA Films but also for the Philippine film industry because this would inspire especially our new generation of directors, writers, cinematographers and artists to perfect their skills and aspire for greater heights,” said GMA Chairman and CEO Felipe L. Gozon. Laranas also expressed his happiness on the outcome of his film. “I am very excited for GMA in this history-making and pioneering development for The Road. This opens a ton of possibilities on the international arena not just for GMA Films or GMA Network but also for GMA Pinoy TV. This only proves that quality entertainment of international standards is of high importance to the Network,” he said.
Described by international film critics as “creepy to the extreme” (KillerFilm.com) and a “beautifully shot supernatural tale with incredible effects and great scares” (Bloody Disgusting). “The Road” is a story about a twelveyear-old cold case, which was recently reopened when three teenagers went missing while traversing an infamous and abandoned road. As investigators try to find leads to the whereabouts of the missing teens, they also unearth the road’s gruesome past that spans two decades – a history of abduction, crimes and murders. Although the road is isolated, anyone who tries to pass through it can be sure that he is not alone. Lingering in the dark and desolate pathway is a vengeful ghost who makes sure no one leaves the road – alive! The movie stars Rhian Ramos, Carmina Villarroel, Marvin Agustin, TJ Trinidad, tween stars Alden Richards, Barbie Forteza, Louise delos Reyes, Derrick Monasterio, Lexi Fernandez, Ynna Asistio and Renz Valerio. Also starring in the film are John Regala, Lloyd Samartino, Gerald Madrid, Allan Paule and Ms Jacklyn Jose. The Road will also be simultaneously released in digital home video format (DVD) and will be made available globally via subscription-based and online distribution platforms including Video-on-Demand (VoD), Amazon Prime, Netflix, and iTunes. GMA Films is the movie production arm of media giant GMA Network, Inc. GMA Films’ THE ROAD is in official competition at the 30th Brussels International Fantastic Film Festival. The Belgian festival will be from April 5 - 17, 2012. BIFFF is one of the biggest genre festivals in Europe. The Brussels International Fantastic Film Festival (BIFFF), previously named Brussels International Festival of Fantastic Film (French: Festival international du film fantastique de Bruxelles, Dutch: Internationaal Festival van de Fantastische Film van Brussel) was created in 1983 as a venue for horror, thriller and science fiction films. It takes place in Brussels, every year in March. Initially organized by Annie Bozzo, Gigi Etienne, Freddy Bozzo, Georges Delmote, and Guy Delmote, it now has prizes in both feature length and short films. Past winners include: Let The Right One In, The Last House On The Left, Saw, Sigaw (The Echo), Nightwatch, The Ring, etc. Directors who participated in the past were Christopher Nolan, Hideo Nakata, Wes Craven, Yam Laranas, Takashi Shimizu, James Wan, among others. THE ROAD is also in competition at the 8th Fantaspoa - Int’l Fantastic
Alden Richards
Louise delos Reyes, Rhian Ramos and Alden Richards
Barbie Forteza
Lexi Fernandez, Barbie Forteza and Derrick Monasterio
Marvin Agustin and Renz Valerio
Rhian Ramos
Film Festival of Porto Alegre, Brazil – the first fantastic film festival from Brazil, recognized as the biggest genre festival in Latin America. Each year the festival receives around 700 submissions to create a unique program with approximately 150 films (90 features and 60 shorts). It will take place in Porto Alegre – Brazil, from May 4 to 20, 2012. Fantaspoa is a founding member of the FantaFestivales – an organization directed towards the congregation of Latin America Fantastic Film Festivals. Past films in the festival include the provocative A Serbian Film, Reykjavik Whale Watching Massacre, Tokyo Gore Police, Stake Land, among others. ■
Marvin Agustin, Carmina Villaroel and Renz Valerio
Ynna Asistio
March 2012 – No. 5 / Fortnightly • UK & Europe Edition
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Kylie Padilla steps into the spotlight anew via GMA Pinoy TV’s “THE GOOD DAUGHTER”
Kylie Padilla and Rocco Nacino
GMA Network – MOVING beyond the shadow of her famous actor-dad, Kylie Padilla has started to carve a name in the industry all on her own. Her first solo project, Blusang Itim, was such a success that GMA Network – Philippines’ Number 1 broadcasting company – is once again banking on the pretty and talented young star as she top bills the new television drama, “The Good Daughter”. The program premiered worldwide last February 17 on the network’s flagship international channel, GMA Pinoy TV. In her new project, Kylie plays Bea, a sweet yet assertive teenager who meets a turning point in her life when her mother dies and her father marries someone she disapproves of. As she learns of her stepmother’s true intentions, Bea is forced to reveal a tougher side to her personality and fight for the sake of her family. Kylie prepared long and hard for her new show clocking in long hours in workshops and internalizing her role as Bea. But despite the pressure, Kylie, who just turned 19 last January 25, is thankful for
this opportunity and embraces the challenges and pressure that comes with being a full-fledged drama actress. She is joined by a pool of reputable actors led by Raymond Bagatsing who plays the role of Rico, Bea’s father and owner of a successful coffee shop business; Alicia Mayer as Sharon, Rico’s first love and Bea’s step-mother; and Glydel Mercado as Tina, Bea’s mother, who will suffer a painful death in the story. Playing equally challenging roles are Rocco Nacino as Darwin, Sharon’s son from her first husband and Bea’s love interest; LJ Reyes as Frances, Darwin’s sister and another villain in the story; Angelie Nicole Sanoy as Julia, Sharon’s daughter with Rico, who holds the key to the real reason behind Tina’s death; and introducing the newest Kapuso actress, Max Collins, who will play an important role as Ziri, Bea’s best friend and the third person in the love triangle with Bea and Darwin. Completing the cast are Dion Ignacio as Paul, Frances’ submissive boyfriend; Ervic Vijandre as Mario, an aspiring model and a barista
at Rico’s café; and Ms. Luz Valdez as Lola Lourdes, Bea’s doting grandmother. In “The Good Daughter”, Bea (Kylie Padilla) seems to have the perfect life – having a family who adores and provides her every need – until Sharon (Alicia Mayer) and her 10-year old daughter Julia (Angelie Nicole Sanoy) appear at her 18th birthday party and introduce themselves as her father’s (Raymond Bagatsing) second family. Distraught, Bea’s mother Tina (Glydel Mercado) leaves the venue of the party in tears and unfortunately meets an accident when an explosion takes place in the building, which also puts at risk Sharon and Julia. While Tina agonizes in pain, Sharon sees this as an opportunity to replace the former in Rico’s life leading her to kill Tina. As Bea weeps for her mother’s demise, she puts the blame on her father, who is then being pressured by Sharon to marry her or else she and her daughter will leave the country for good. Rico, torn between Bea’s disapproval and the possibility of building a new family
Ervic Vijandre
Luz Valdez
Raymond Bagatsing
Alicia Mayer
Angelie Nicole Sanoy
LJ Reyes
Kylie Padilla
Max Collins
with Sharon, eventually gives in to Sharon’s demands. As Sharon assumes the role of Rico’s new wife, her true colors further surface as she mistreats Bea behind Rico’s back. Feeling helpless and alone more than ever, Bea runs away from home and travels to her grandmother’s province. However, as Bea begins to find comfort in the arms of her Lola Lourdes (Luz Valdez), she discovers that her father is gravely ill and that Sharon has started to take over the company. More than that, she uncovers more of her stepmother’s evil deeds, including the real reason why her mother died, prompting her to return home and reunite with her father. As she comes to face with the woman who has done her family wrong, how will Bea protect her father and the business that is also rightfully hers? Can peace still be restored in a home that was once shattered by dishonesty and spite? The Good Daughter is another premium creation by the GMA
Dion Ignacio
Rocco Nacino
Drama Group headed by GMA VP for drama Lilybeth G. Rasonable, AVP for Drama Redgie Acuña Magno, and Program Manager Helen Rose S. Sese. It is conceptualized by GMA’s creative team which consists of Afternoon Prime head Roy Iglesias, creative consultant Des GarbesSeverino, who also came up with the concept for the show, headwriter Aloy Adlawan, writers Anna Aleta-Nadela, Glaiza Ramirez, and Gilbeys Sardea, brainstormers Paul Sta Ana, Delfin Ilao, and Jason Lim, and is made for television by executive producer Carol Galve under the direction of Mike Tuviera. Indeed, Kylie Padilla deserves more than just being called as “the daughter of”. She will prove this once more in “The Good Daughter”. Get the latest updates about The Good Daughter from its official facebook page (www.facebook. com/TheGoodDaughter), twitter account (www.twitter.com/ GoodDaughterGMA), and the GMA International website (www. gmanetwork.com/international). ■
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HELLO PHILIPPINES
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Kris Bernal
Mark Herras
March 2012 – No. 5 / Fortnightly • UK & Europe Edition
Bela Padilla
Ayen Laurel
Gina Alajar
Gardo Versoza
Candy Pangilinan
Polo Ravales
Remarkable story of a mother’s love in GMA Pinoy TV’s ‘HIRAM NA PUSO’ GMA Network – HIRAM na Puso is a heart-warming story of a loving mother, who takes all risks to save her daughter from death only to be abandoned by the same daughter after she literally had a change of heart. Soon, the said mother realizes that this is the dire consequence of one irreversible mistake she committed in the past. Starring Kris Bernal, Mark Herras, Polo Ravales, Bela Padilla with Gardo Versoza, Ayen Laurel, Candy Pangilinan, Ana Marin, Marc Acueza, Wynwyn Marquez and Ms. Gina Alajar, Hiram na Puso is a creatively-crafted drama series that will boldly pique every viewer’s conscience, pitting the ends versus the means, malice versus the motive. Gina Alajar plays the role of Zeny, a nursing student whose life
gets complicated when she gets impregnated by her boyfriend who subsequently leaves her. She gives birth to twins, but unfortunately one of them had a heart complication and needed immediate operation. But Zeny couldn’t afford the cost of the operation, and so, she was left without a choice but to give up the healthier baby so she can save the ailing one. The ailing child survived and Zeny named her “Lira” (Kris Bernal). Eighteen years later, Zeny – now a nurse – discovers that Lira’s heart condition has recurred and her daughter is, for the second time, on the brink of death. The only thing that could save her is a heart transplant. But Zeny has no connections. One night, Zeny becomes a witness to a tragic hitand-run accident. She helps the
victim, Angeline, who is almost her daughter’s age. For a second, she thought that she’s found a “donor” for her daughter’s heart transplant, but that would only be possible if she lets the victim die. She shilly-shallies at first, but moved by her conscience, she decides to take the victim to a nearby hospital. But it’s too late; the victim is already ‘clinically dead.’ Although distraught by the demise of their daughter, the victim’s parents Leo and Roxanne (Gardo Versoza and Ayen Laurel) thanked Zeny for attempting to “save” Angeline. Learning of Lira’s ailment, they agreed to donate their daughter’s heart to Lira. Zeny is filled with so much happiness following the success of her daughter’s operation. But her joy will be short-lived. She knew that her daughter survived
at the expense of someone else’s daughter, and fate has its way of bringing back the balance. Not long thereafter, Zeny observes strange things about Lira. She seemed to have adopted not only the heart of her donor, but her personality, too. What concerns Zeny more is that while Lira turns cold towards her, she also begins to develop affinity with Angeline’s parents. Upon learning that Lira now has Angeline’s heart, the latter’s lover Prince (Mark Herras) stalks her and later falls in love with her. But unknown to Prince, he is already stepping in the way of Lira’s friend Dennis (Polo Ravales) who secretly has feelings for her. To complicate things further, Lira’s twin Vanessa (Bela Padilla) has been wanting to win the heart of Prince. Zeny went up against her
conscience to keep her daughter, but now she’s emotionally losing her. Will she win her daughter back? With the special participation of Krystal Reyes, Ehra Madrigal and Stef Prescott, Hiram na Puso is an original concept and story by Suzette Doctolero and is directed by Andoy Ranay. The show also prides itself on its production team headed by Hazel Abonita (Program Manager) and Jojo Aleta (Executive Producer), and creative team composed of Jun Lana (Creative Director), Roy Iglesias (Creative Head), Des Garbes-Severino (Creative Consultant) and Suzette Doctolero (Head Writer). Witness the unravelling of this remarkable story in Hiram na Puso, beginning March 7, on GMA Pinoy TV. ■
March 2012 – No. 5 / Fortnightly • UK & Europe Edition
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More movies, new programs, and fresh episodes – all on GMA Life TV this March!
Kusina Master
Idol sa Kusina
Through It All
The Smiths
Morning Awaits
GMA Network – THERE’S so much more to love about life this month of March as GMA Life TV – GMA Network’s international channel which celebrates the best in Pinoy lifestyle – offers a new and fresh line-up of programs that will bring to every Pinoy’s household shows they all have been waiting for! GMA Life TV is the only international Filipino lifestyle channel which features the Pinoys’ colorful culture through a dynamic mix of television genres. These genres include some of the most watched entertainment and public affairs programs from GMA Network. This year, GMA Life TV continues to spice up its programming by delivering new programs that are never-beforeseen by its subscribers, plus movies which they have always asked for! Beginning this month, Life TV subscribers will have a serving of not one, but a total of three movies every weekday, from Monday to Friday! Reel Life Weekdays will feature two of today’s favorite Filipino movies while Pinoy Cine Klasika will bring the viewers back to memory lane as it airs black and white, classic Pinoy films. Leading Reel Life Weekdays are movies starred by Kapuso artists Regine Velasquez (“Till I Met You”), Dingdong Dantes (“Eternity”), Raymart Santiago (“Leon Cordero”), Dennis Trillo, Jolina Magdangal, Rhian Ramos, Mark Herras, and Rufa Mae Quinto (I.T.A.L.Y.), Katrina Halili (“Dalaw”), and Janno Gibbs and Anjo Yllana (“Ober da Bakod 1”). Pinoy Cine Klasika, meanwhile, will feature Philippine cinema icons like Gloria Romero (in “Mga Kwento ni Lola Basyang”), Nida Blanca (“Bulung-bulungan”), Ric Rodrigo (“Gigolo”), Susan Roces (“Dance O’ Rama”), Rosemarie Sonora (“Mga Batang Iskwater”), Bella Flores (“Dalawang Kalbaryo ni Dr. Mendez”), Jose Mari Gonzales, Eddie Gutierrez, and Lito Legazpi (“Joey, Eddie & Lito”). The list also extends until Saturday with Reel Life Weekends featuring indie movies, documentaries, musicals, and other special features that will surely satisfy the viewers’ craving for Pinoy entertainment. Besides the unlimited supply of Pinoy films, GMA Life TV also continues its offer of Englishdubbed Pinoy dramas. After
“The Impostor” and “When You Were Mine” comes another two hit dramas from GMA Network’s pool of top-rating Sine Novelas – “Morning Awaits” and “Through It All.” “Morning Awaits” is a contemporary drama which tells the story of how a family becomes complete and then eventually encounters a loss when a little boy enters their life. Directed by Maryo J. delos Reyes, it stars Yasmien Kurdi, Lani Mercado, Joel Torres, and Jacob Montes. “Through It All,” meanwhile, has Dennis Trillo, Nadine Samonte, and Iwa Moto in the lead. Under the direction of Mac Alejandre, the drama revolves around the themes of love, family, and betrayal, and finding happiness amidst them all. Both of these newly Englisheddubbed dramas are seen on Life TV not only on weekdays but also during Saturdays and Sundays through Catch-up Weekends! The much-awaited international airing and fresh episodes of hit programs from the Philippines will also premiere this month on GMA Life TV. On top of the list is the reality show “The Smiths” which features the day-to-day life of Pinoy Rock Legend Pepe Smith with his children Queenie, Sanya, and Beebop. Know the other side of this Pinoy Rock icon as he lives with his kids – each from a different mother – under the same roof! Another reality program which will give viewers a peek to the lives of some of the most soughtafter celebrities in the Philippines is “Follow That Star.” Through this show, Life TV subscribers will have the chance to witness a day in the life of their favorite Kapuso artists! Marvin Agustin, Rachelle Ann Go, Kris Bernal, and Aljur Abrenica are just some of the known personalities that viewers should watch out for. Meanwhile, the roster of all original Filipino cooking shows on the channel is added more spice with the inclusion of “Kusina Master” – the highest rating cooking show in the Philippines – and “Idol Sa Kusina.” Both hosted by the talented and flamboyant Master Chef Pablo “Boy” Lagro, these cooking shows will share culinary secrets and kitchen skills from the master chef himself, making every dish more scrumptious. Joining Chef Boy in each episode is a guest celebrity who will help the chef show the
viewers that creating a delectable meal can be equally fun. Infotainment also becomes more interesting on GMA Life TV with “AHA” and “Pop Talk.” Hosted by Drew Arellano, “AHA” features some of the most interesting trivia, unknown facts, and a lot more! Tonipet Gaba on the other hand gives the viewers a guide to the latest and hottest trends – be it gadgets, restaurants, movies, music, or gimmicks – in and around the metro. GMA Life TV is as well in when it comes to fashion with the launch of “Generation M: Search for the Philippines’ Top Fashion Crew 2011” – a backstage pass to the world of beauty and fashion – also this month of March. More fresh episodes are also in store for the viewers from the talk show “Personalan” (hosted by Ali Sotto), long-running reality program “Day Off” (Carmina Villarroel and Mike “Pekto” Nacua), makeover reality show “Fashbook” (Solenn Heussaff), weekly countdown program “Ang Pinaka” (Rovilson Fernandez), and informative medical program “Pinoy MD” (Connie Sison). News from around the country and Pinoy showbiz scoops are also up-to-date on Life TV as it comes from Philippine’s Number 1 midday news program, “Balitanghali,” and entertainment news source, “Showbiz Exclusives.” Cherish life more with the new and exciting features GMA Life TV has to offer beginning this month. With more movies and a complete program line-up that covers a wide array of lifestyle genres – from drama to reality, talk, food, fashion, travel, and health – viewers will certainly learn to embrace life all the more as they live each day with GMA Life TV! Channel and program updates are available at www.gmanetwork. com/international. ■
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HELLO PHILIPPINES
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Celebrity, Showbiz & Entertainment
March 2012 – No. 5 / Fortnightly • UK & Europe Edition
GMA Network bags honors at the 8th USTV Awards GMA Network – GMA Network, Inc. bagged key recognitions at the 8th USTV Students’ Choice Awards held last February 16 at the UST Medicine Auditorium. The Network’s banner newscast 24 Oras, anchored by GMA News pillars Mel Tiangco and Mike Enriquez, marked another victory after winning the Students’ Choice of Local News and Current Affairs Program award. Meanwhile, GMA’s Vice President for News Programs and multiawarded broadcast journalist Jessica Soho added another feather to her cap after receiving the Students’ Choice of Female News and Current Affairs host award. Her top-rating public affairs show Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho also won as the Students’ Choice of Magazine Program. GMA’s flagship documentary program I-Witness was awarded as Best Documentary Program, while pioneering weekly public affairs show Wish Ko Lang, hosted by Vicky Morales, won as Best Public Service Program. GMA also won awards for its high caliber entertainment programs including Best Situational Comedy for the reality sitcom Pepito Manaloto starred by ace comedian Michael V., and Best Gag Show for Bubble Gang led by Ogie Alcasid, Michael V., Rufa Mae Quinto, among others. Finally, the country’s longest running noon-time show Eat Bulaga was named as Best Variety Show. The USTV Students’ Choice Awards is an annual award-giving body spearheaded by the Office of the Secretary General of University of Sto. Tomas and recognizes programs and personalities that “promote Thomasian values and in harmony with the Catholic teachings.” GMA Network’s top-rating and award-winning programs may be seen worldwide via GMA Pinoy TV, its flagship international channel. Visit www.gmanetwork.com/ international. ■
Vicky Morales Bubble Gang Anniversary
Jessica Soho
March 2012 – No. 5 / Fortnightly • UK & Europe Edition
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35
Whitney Houston left nothing to ex-husband
©AFP/File/Stan Honda
Whitney Houston left all of her assets to her teen aged daughter Bobbi Kristina.
WHITNEY Houston’s will shows she left all of her assets to her daughter Bobbi Kristina, born from her troubled marriage to singer Bobby Brown, who gets nothing. Bobbi Kristina, who is currently 19, will receive the proceeds from all of the late singer’s money, furniture, clothing, personal effects, jewelry, and cars, according to the will published by news show Inside Edition on Wednesday, March 7. The inheritance will be placed in a trust until Bobbi Kristina is 21. She will get more money when she turns 25 and the rest when she is 30. Houston’s mother, Cissy, is the
will’s executor, with her brother Michael and sister-in-law Donna trustees. A copy of part of the will, first drafted in 1993 and amended in 2000 when she was still married to Brown, was published on the show’s website. The last testament states that if her daughter had died before Houston, her assets would have been shared between her exhusband, her mother Cissy and other relatives. Houston was found dead on February 11 in a Los Angeles hotel room, aged 48. She was laid to rest in a New Jersey cemetery next
to her late father, after a funeral ceremony celebrating her life on February 18. The singer of hits including “I Will Always Love You” sold over 170 million records during a nearly three-decade career, but fought a long battle against substance abuse while trying to keep her performing talent alive. Speculation has raged since her death that the singer may have succumbed to a lethal cocktail of prescription drugs and alcohol, though official results from her autopsy were not expected for several weeks. ■ (AFP – Los Angeles, USA – March 8, 2012)
Actor Kitsch’s airport ‘bribe’ Philippines denies Hollywood in Indonesia, not Philippines star Kitsch’s airport tale HOLLYWOOD actor Taylor Kitsch was allegedly asked for his iPhone as a bribe by airport officials as he entered Indonesia, and not the Philippines as previously suggested, an official confirmed Tuesday, March 6. The story of the alleged bribe emerged when “Late Show” host David Letterman asked the “Friday Night Lights” TV star about his recent shoot for the Oliver Stone film “Savages”. Letterman mentioned the Philippines when he talked about the shoot – but Kitsch failed to correct him and say that the filming took place in Indonesia. Denny Indrayana, Indonesian deputy minister for justice and human rights, confirmed to Detik.com news portal that “the Indonesian official who allegedly bribed Taylor Kitsch has been identified and we are now in the process of interrogating him. “He will be sanctioned if he is found guilty of asking for a bribe.” On the “Late Show”, Kitsch
described how an airport customs officer threatened to send him back to Japan, his port of origin, because he had run out of pages in his passport. The 30-year-old Canadian-born actor arrived at Bali Island’s Ngurah Rai airport on February 1, as scheduled, to shoot a film in the neighbouring West Nusa Tenggara province. Kitsch said he was finally allowed in after proving he was an actor by showing the officer on his iPhone the trailer for his recently completed film “John Carter,” in which he plays a Civil War veteran transplanted to Mars. “I said ‘I can show you something to prove (that I’m an actor)’ and then I’m looking on my iPhone because their computers weren’t working, and he is like ‘Hey, can you get me one of those’...,” Kitsch told Letterman. Corruption is rampant in Indonesia, which ranked 100th of 182 countries on Transparency International’s annual corruption index. ■ (AFP – March 6, 2012)
perhaps you can help us redeem our lost pride,” Biazon wrote. The Philippines has been going to great lengths to promote its tourism, tarnished by kidnappings of Western tourists, corruption and the ageing Manila airport, named by a travel website last year as the world’s worst gateway. A clip of the Kitsch interview on CBS.com shows Letterman asking about the supposed Philippine film shoot. Kitsch, who is best known for his portrayal of American football star Tim Riggins in the television series “Friday Night Lights,” did not dispute the name of the country. Kitsch said he was finally allowed in after proving he was an actor by showing the customs officer on his iPhone the trailer for his recently completed film “John Carter,” in which he plays a Civil War veteran transplanted to Mars. ■ (AFP – March 3,
Taylor Kitsch
Letterman, Canada-born Kitsch, 30, had also alleged the unidentified officer demanded that he be given an iPhone. “I feel confident that Mr. Kitsch was mistaken in saying that his bad experience during his travel was in the Philippines,” Biazon said in his report, published on the website of local television station ABS-CBN. Authorities had found no customs or immigration records of Kitsch’s visit, Biazon said. Also, the Philippine government had not given any permits for location shooting for the Oliver Stone-directed “Savages”, contrary to the actor’s suggestion. Biazon said he learnt some scenes in the upcoming film, also starring John Travolta and Uma Thurman, were actually recently filmed in Indonesia, the Philippines’ neighbour to the south. “Unfortunately, the damage was done.... In the meantime, Mr. Kitsch,
2012)
THE release of her very own album was a reality waiting to happen for Kapuso pop superstar and internet musical sensation Julie Anne San Jose. After building a credible reputation as a child singer trained by some of the country’s best mentors, Julie Anne emerged from the crowd quite distinctly by virtue of sheer talent. Her success on the internet, with a single Youtube music video of hers registering close to 14 million hits already (a cover of Nicki Minaj’s “Super Bass”), makes her evidently the local artist to watch out for. Julie Anne is definitely someone who showcases what it takes to be pitted against the best of international talents.
Julie Anne’s first ever solo album will be set in motion very soon as she has signed an exclusive recording contract with GMA Records, the recording and digital media distribution arm of Philippine media giant GMA Network, Inc. The contract-signing and press conference was held at the GMA Network Center on Monday, February 20. Julie Anne is set to launch her first album under GMA Records in the middle of this year. Although her first TV appearance was when she joined Eat Bulaga’s “Little Miss Philippines” contest when she was three years old, Julie Anne launched her professional singing career in 2005 as a member
of the teenage singing group “Sugar Pop.” The group was a mainstay in the now defunct Sunday noontime musical variety show “S.O.P.” Having found her niche, she went on as a solo artist under the management of the GMA Artist Center, the talent development and management department of the Kapuso Network. Julie Anne is seen every Sunday in the musical variety show Party Pilipinas on GMA Network’s flagship international channel, GMA Pinoy TV. She will also topbill the teen romance movie “Just One Summer” with fellow Tween star Elmo Magalona, which will be seen in the Philippines in the second quarter of the year. ■
A Philippine official denied claims by Hollywood star Taylor Kitsch that he got rough treatment from a customs official in the country, saying the actor was apparently actually in Indonesia at the time. Bureau of Customs commissioner Ruffy Biazon said he investigated claims an airport customs officer threatened to send the “Friday Night Lights” star back to Japan, his port of origin, because his passport had run out of pages. On the Late Show with David
©AFP/File
Julie Anne San Jose to release new solo album
L-R: Marivic San Jose (Julie Ann’s mom), GMA Artist Center Executive Arsi Baltazar, GMA EVP and CFO Felipe S. Yalong, Julie Anne San Jose, VP for Talent Development and Management Department Ida Henares, and GMA Records Managing Director Rene Salta during Julie Anne’s contract signing with GMA Records.
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Technology
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From PC to tablet Vittorio Hernandez THE fast-paced change in the technology world is felt once more as the personal computer appears to be moving into obsolescence and the tablet computer emerging as the latest hottest gadget in town. The term tablet was popularized by software maker Microsoft way back in 2001 initially for a penbased device. The tablet computer uses the same hardware as regular laptops, but added support for pen. However, the device became popular after Apple released the iPad in 2010. The attraction of the tablet computer appears to its lightweight design and capability similar to a laptop. One innovation of the tablet
Laptop iPad
computer that could explain its phenomenal rise in terms of sales and for industry experts to speculate that the world is moving towards a post-PC era is the touch screen using a similar technology utilized by smartphones. Touch screen eliminated the need for a keypad for cellphones and keyboard for mobile phones. The interface allowed users of these
devices to perform functions such as select websites, move pages, type, download and upload, save documents and increase size of fonts or the screen by just touching the screen of the tablet computer instead of a keyboard. These features, plus the usual features of a laptop such as Internet connection, word processing, saving of photos, documents
Sale of laptops went down globally, while that of tablet computers rose as the technology world inched closer to a post-PC era.
Goodbye, paper maps? Vittorio Hernandez TOURISTS and newcomers normally rely on paper maps when in a new place to find their way around. However, with the rise of new technologies, paper maps are fast becoming obsolete. Much like the pending demise of the landline telephone in favour of the mobile phone, these new technologies make navigating a lot easier and make the paper map look ancient like treasure maps. However, non-techies need to be familiar with how the GPS and Google Maps systems work to benefit from the ease of moving around offered by the two technologies. The Global Positioning System or GPS is a space-based satellite navigation system that provides location and time information in any kind of weather, anywhere on, or near Earth. It is maintained by the U.S. government and is freely accessible by anyone with GPS receiver with some technical limitations. How to use the GPS? There is only one way you can use GPS if you have the combination of the Internet and GPS receiver. Generally, the two primary devices have built-in GPS or are capable of being accessed through the Internet by using devices such as laptops, notebooks and tablets that have internet connection that would link to
websites such as Google Maps or any similar programs installed. Another way to use GPS is through cellular devices such as smartphones using the platforms like the IOS, Android and Symbian which have pre-installed mapping applications and activated GPS units. A GPS user doesn’t have to learn much about GPS, the only thing he/ she needs to know is where is the GPS button and which application to activate. Usually, the GPS is symbolized by the satellite dish icon or crossfire and seen at the homescreen of a smartphone or in the notification bar for Android users. The application is pre-installed which often uses Google Map on most smartphones. Google Maps Google Maps is a web mapping service application and technology provided by Google Inc. It is free and powers many map-based services including Google Maps’ website, Google Ride Finder, Google Transit, and other third party apps via Google Maps. It offers street maps, route planner for travelling by foot, car, bike or public transport. This service can be accessed via computers or mobile devices. How to Google? For computer users, simply open a browser, type maps.google.com or type google maps in the search bar. The screen will show a digital map.
All that the searcher has to do is type the place he is you looking for or click get directions for routing information or view places around the searchers. For mobile devices, Google Maps are already pre-installed, thus the searcher only needs the internet just like with computers and to activate the GPS for better and accurate mapping information. It also has some added services such as actual physical location, social support, and mark downs so friends/family will know you’ve been there. GPS on cars Today, many new models of automobiles have the capability as computers and mobile devices when it comes to providing directions. GPS has been installed by many car manufacturers on vehicles so that routing, directions, and visibility conditions can be provided to the user. Usually, the vehicle will have a TV display for the rider to see details
March 2012 – No. 5 / Fortnightly • UK & Europe Edition and webpages, and spread sheet explain why many techies have started the shift toward tablet computers. One upside to the tablet compared to standard laptop is the long battery life. While the standard laptop battery life, except for Apple’s Macintosh, often run for just two hours the tablet computer’s battery life runs much longer because it uses lithium polymer batteries similar to that of mobile phones which can run longer without plug-in or charging. A comparison of known tablet computer brands show that the average battery life was 10 hours for Apple’s iPad 1 and 2, 8.5 hours for Hewlett Packard’s TouchPad and Sony’s Tablet S and also 10 hours for Samsung’s Galaxy Tab 8, 10 and 10.1. However, the downside to the thinner tablet computer is the small capacity at just 16, 32 and 64 megabytes for the Apple iPad, HP TouchPad and Samsung’s Galaxy Tabs. Not surprisingly, these models are included in list of best tablet computers by different tech websites and magazines. High consumer interest in tablet computers had led to legal battles between Apple and Samsung which has reached several continents.
Both tech giants have filed lawsuits and countersuits against one another in a bid to prevent the sale of each other’s tablet computers and smartphones. Although their lawsuits claim patent infringement, lawyers of both companies – which ironically were former business partners since Samsung used to manufacture some tablet computer and smartphone parts for Apple – admit that the real reason is battle for a larger market share. Research firm Gartner forecast sales of tablet computers will dramatically expand in the next four years that by 2015 its sales will approximate 60 per cent of PC sales, which will continue to be dominated by Apple’s iPad. By 2015, Gartner foresees tablet computer sales hitting 326 million units a year. A study by tech group NPD found that iPad owners who bought their tablet computers the past six months or less opted for the device over a PC which caused PC sales to decline globally. Experts estimate the decline from 1.1 per cent to 3.2 per cent. However, given the continuous rapid pace of development in the technology world, today’s hottest gadget could be tomorrow’s next museum piece. ■
of what is ahead, including traffic highlights. The GPS on mobile devices can also be attached to the vehicle, making a non-GPS car have one. The concept is simple. The GPS locates the mobile device that is inside the vehicle, the same system gives accurate information of where or which way to go without having the hassle of installing a separate GPS.
cinemas and supermarkets is near or more conveniently along the way, all he has to do is use Google Places. The application allows the searcher to find the right places, provides detailed information such as directions, reviews, contacts, and more. It also has personalised search results or recommendations from friends and reviews from others who have visited the area.
GPS Tracking Another advantage of having GPS is the tracking device. Stolen computers, mobile devices, and automobiles can now be tracked of their location, providing a higher chance to be retrieved and culprits to be placed behind bars.
Drawback Since GPS and Google Maps are the digital versions of navigation and cartography, both require internet connection and power. Certain areas with dead zones radio wave signals are interfered, thus mapping isn’t much of help. Ideally, this modern mapping can only be used accurately in modernised locations as well. In such cases, the travelers or newbie can still always rely on the trusty old paper map. ■
Google Places This function, found in a trial version of Google Maps, recommends places for the searcher. If he does not know which restaurant,
Tourists and people new to a place could use technology to navigate around (Google Maps) or bring out the paper map to find streets or establishments they would go to.
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March 2012 – No. 5 / Fortnightly • UK & Europe Edition
Floating bookshop sails on amid electronic storm PHILIPPINES
Mynardo Macaraig, AFP DESPITE fierce storms, a deadly bomb attack and growing competition from electronic media, a Christian charity still sails the seas on a mission to offer cheap books while promoting family values. The “Logos Hope”, which docked in Manila Bay last month, is the latest in a fleet of converted ferries that have been selling books in harbours of mostly poor nations for the past four decades. “What we hope happens is that people get excited with reading,” ship captain Pat Tracy told AFP during a tour of the 132-metre-long (433foot) vessel that inside resembles a bookshop in an upscale mall. “We want to encourage people to get into reading but we want to make the books available to all people, not just people with a lot of money.” The ship carries at least half a million books, with stocks being constantly replenished during port calls, according to Tracy. It is run by GBA Ships, a Germanbased Protestant charity that relies on a volunteer crew of 400 people and donations to meet running costs drawn from a global church network.
In the air-conditioned aisles of the floating shop, children’s books featuring popular characters such as Bob the Builder share space with the works of Shakespeare and Dickens. Another section is devoted to technical books on engineering and biology, which Tracy said were particularly popular in poor communities. “Everything can be found in our books, from brain surgery to bridge construction,” he said. There is also a large selection of books on nurturing family life and developing leadership skills, as well as other lifestyle genres including education, health, handicrafts, home repair and cooking. Many of the books dealing with personal development and relationships have a distinct Christian slant and even the fiction titles are largely wholesome and uplifting. The magic-themed “Harry Potter” books and the vampire-romance series, “Twilight”, are absent. Instead, there are the Christian-inspired “Narnia” series as well as “Hardy Boys” and “Nancy Drew” titles. “The books we sell have to fit our values and framework,” said Logos Hope managing director Gian Walser.
Tracy and other crew members said the sales of the books were just enough to fund the shop itself, while the other costs of running the ship required support from the global church network. All of the crew members, most of whom are aged in their 20s, are volunteers who sign up to work for two years for free. Usually, a local church also sponsor a volunteer’s trip to help defray the vessel’s costs. Although bookstores on land have run into tough competition from online sellers in recent years, Logos Hope staff said the ship continued to enjoy strong demand. Logos Hope has sold over three million books to roughly 2.5 million visitors from the 42 countries and territories it has visited, according to the ship’s records. Arelene Santos, a Manila businesswoman in her 30s, said as she was browsing the aisles that she brought her entire family to see the ship after reading about it on the social media website Facebook. “We’re here for the books but the novelty of going on a ship to buy them is an added attraction,” she said. Retired civil servant Adelaida Valencia, 82, said she liked the
©AFP/File/Jay Directo
©AFP/File/Jay Directo
All of the crew members are volunteers who sign up to work for two years for free.
The library holds a large selection of books on nurturing family life.
©AFP/File/Jay Directo
©AFP/File/Jay Directo
The floating bookshop aims to open up reading to people of all ages and backgrounds.
selection of books with a positive outlook. “It’s about loving your children, how to live longer and eating healthy foods. That is something you don’t see enough of.” GBA Ships began its mission of selling cheap books in poor nations in 1970 when its original vessel, the “Logos” – meaning ‘the word’ in Greek – took to the seas. The ship sold more than five million books before it ran aground in bad weather in Chile in 1988 and had to be abandoned. Another of its vessels, the Doulos, was the target of a bomb attack in 1991 when it visited the southern Philippine city of Zamboanga, which has long had a reputation as a hotbed of Islamic militancy. Two young female volunteers died in the blast and many others were wounded, said Gian Walser, the Logos Hope’s managing director. The government blamed the bombing on the Abu Sayyaf, an Islamic extremist group linked by intelligence agencies to the Al-Qaeda network which has been blamed for the worst terror attacks in the Philippines. “It was a crisis moment, a defining moment,” Walser said, recalling the fear and uncertainty that followed.
The “Logos Hope” carries at least half a million books.
He said the group decided to press on although it made security adjustments. Its vessels no longer visit the troubled southern Philippines and also by-passes other ports around the world that are deemed dangerous. The ship’s officers said they also made efforts not to ruffle local sensibilities, usually by working through a local church or charity group to prepare for their arrival. This sometimes requires adjusting the books on display and the group’s cultural presentations to avoid any culture clashes. “We are here to bless people. We don’t want to offend people. We want to do what is right and appropriate,” Walser said. And although GBA Ships is open about its Protestant background, its vessels have been welcomed in countries that are non-Christian such as India, Sri Lanka and several Middle Eastern countries. After the Philippines, the “Logos Hope” will travel to Indonesia, the world’s most populous Muslim nation. In the meantime, GBA Ships is looking to acquire another vessel, confident that readers will continue to be drawn to its unique concept in an increasingly high-tech world. ■ (AFP – Manila – March 9, 2012)
Huge rare pink diamond found in Australia Amy Coopes, AFP
MINING giant Rio Tinto said it has unearthed a “remarkable” 12.76 carat pink diamond in Australia, the largest of the rare and precious stones ever found in the resources-rich nation. Named the Argyle Pink Jubilee, the huge rough stone was found at Rio’s pink diamond operations in the Kimberley region of Western Australia and would take 10 days to cut and polish, the miner said on Wednesday, February 22. “This rare diamond is generating incredible excitement,” said Josephine Johnson from Rio’s Argyle Pink Diamonds division. “A diamond of this calibre is unprecedented – it has taken 26 years of Argyle production to unearth this stone and we may never see one like this again. “The individual who gets to wear this remarkable pink diamond will be incredibly lucky indeed.” Though it would not speculate on how much the Jubilee was worth, Rio said extremely high quality pink diamonds could fetch in excess of
US$1 million per carat, meaning it is likely to go for at least $10 million. The light pink Argyle Jubilee is a similar colour to the 24-carat Williamson Pink given to Britain’s Queen Elizabeth II as a wedding gift which was later set into a Cartier brooch for her coronation. The Williamson was discovered in Tanzania in 1947 and is ranked among the finest pink diamonds in existence. It is the ninth-largest in the world. A Rio spokesman told AFP the recent discovery was named in honour of the long-reigning British monarch, who is celebrating 60 years since her accession to the throne – her diamond jubilee. “This is the Queen’s diamond jubilee year and there is a parallel in that the Queen had a solitaire pink diamond, gifted to her – The Williamson Pink – and set in the centre of a flower brooch in the year of her coronation,” he said. When asked if Rio was targeting the Argyle Jubilee diamond at the Queen the spokesman said: “Only if she is shopping for new jewellery. She will have lots of competition.”
Rio produces more than 90 percent of the world’s pink diamonds from the Argyle mine, and said large stones like the Jubilee typically went to museums, were gifted to royalty or end up at prestigious auction houses like Christie’s. Christie’s had only auctioned 18 polished pink diamonds larger than 10 carats in its 244-year history, Rio added. Soaring demand for the extremely rare jewel has seen pink diamond prices skyrocket in the past 20 years and they are now among “the most concentrated forms of wealth on earth and well in excess of white diamonds,” Rio said.
The miner describes it as an “elite and discrete” market with buyers including royalty, heads of state, celebrities and “other very wealthy individuals.” When the Jubilee diamond has been cut and polished it will be graded by international experts and showcased globally in private settings before being sold by invitation-only tender later this year. It is not known how the diamonds acquire their pink tinge but it is thought to come from a molecular structure distortion as the jewel forms in the earth’s crust or ascends to the surface.
According to local Aboriginal folklore, the Argyle mine was formed when a barramundi fish jumped through the net of three local hunters. The diamonds are its scales glinting in the sun and the pink ones are the fish’s heart. ■ (AFP – Sydney, Australia – February 22, 2012)
©AFP/HO/File
©AFP/HO
Rio Tinto produces more than 90 percent of the world’s pink diamonds from its Argyle mine in Australia.
Named the Argyle Pink Jubilee, the huge diamond was found in the Kimberley region of western Australia.
©AFP Graphic
Fact file on the largest pink diamond found in Australia.
March 2012 – No. 5 / Fortnightly • UK & Europe Edition
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FOOTBALL: Azkals rebounds from a loss, claims victory over Indians
©Ibarra Siapno/NPPA Images
Katherine Marfal WHEN he saw a chance to bounce back from a loss against North Korea, he immediately asserted the throne, and lifted Azkals over Indians. Phil Younghusband kept the hopes of this team to advance to the semifinals of the AFC Challenge Cup. He scored 2 goals to boost the Azkals to a 2-0 lock out over the Indians at the Dasharath Stadium. Michael Weiss, coach of the Philippine team, could just describe Younghusband’s performance as fantastic. The Loyola Meralco striker had completed a total of 20
Phil Younghusband
international goals after the game against India. The win tied the Philippines with Tajikistan at number two spot, both bearing 3 points. There will be a knockout match between the two teams as they break the deadlock. North Korea defeated Tajikistan 2-0, leaving the latter to stay on the same level of goal difference with the Azkals, who also lost to North Korea, 0-2. Weiss said that they deserved the win because they played with so much confidence. But the coach of the Philippines claimed that they can play even better than that. There were changes made to the
starting eleven; Chieffy Caligdong and Rob Gier were inserted to the line-up, whilst defender Juan Guirado moved to the holding midfield role. At the early stage of the game, India dominated until Younghusband exploded in the tenth minute of the opening half. Jason Sabio made his long throw-ins matter as he found James Younghusband, who later headed the ball to Phil’s path. Younghusband’s teamwork doubled the Azkals lead in the 73rd minute. Despite India’s domination in the first half, Azkals were able to overpower them with its superb defense. ■
FOOTBALL: Disciplinary sanction awaits Azkals’ Moy and Guirado Katherine Marfal REGARDLESS of their fate in the 2012 AFC Challenge Cup, the Philippine Azkals will need to face a disciplinary sanction when they come home. Roland Tulay, Philippine Football Federation (PFF) Secretary General claimed that they had already forwarded the complaint of Cristina Ramos, former Philippine Olympic Committee President against Azkals’ players Lexton Moy and Angel Guirado to the Disciplinary Committee. Tulay said, that they are expecting
the Disciplinary Committee to schedule a committee hearing before the end of March. It is the first-ever sexual harassment case that was filed in the PFF. Tulay admitted that there is still uncertainty on the manner of handling the complaint. According to Tulay, sexual harassment case is a very unusual case unlike with cases of verbal abuse, and physical confrontations. In the event that Guirado and Moy would be found guilty, they would not be able to play for the Philippine team in international competitions. When found liable by the
disciplinary committee but the two accused players didn’t appeal to the decision, it will completely depend on the Disciplinary Committee on how they will assess all the facts of the case. According to Tulay, sanctions would range from reprimand to match suspensions. Abigail Valte, Deputy presidential spokesperson, said that it will be helpful if Moy and Guirado will undertake a “continuous orientation” on Filipino culture. Valte added that the cultural orientation will aim to teach the two players, who were raised in the US, as to how men treat women in the Philippines. ■
GOLF: Juvic Pagunsan brings home P2.6 M in Doral Katherine Marfal
©Voltaire Domingo/NPPA Images
PHL Azkals player Angel Guirado (#12) tries to steal the ball from a CF Internacional de Madrid player during the de Madrid vs PHL Azkals “Dili Kamo Nagiisa (You are not alone)” charity football game held at the Rizal Memorial Football Stadium in Manila on January 7, 2012.
NOT a great obstacle on the back nine refuted Pagunsan’s crack at a $60,500 (P2.58 million) in the $8.5 million WGC-Cadillac Championship. Asian Tour’s reigning No. 1 finished with another even par 72 to complete 12 strokes. Juvic Pagunsan sustained his stature as the top Asian in the elite field of 74 with a 4-under 284 total. He joined PGA Tour regular KJ Choi of South Korea in an eight-way tie for 35th place. With a superb 4-under 32, Pagunsan landed to the top 20 after the front nine. He bannered the round with backto-back birdies and, claimed two
more shots on the sixth and eighth holes. Yet, the shotmaker from Bacolod bogeyed three out of four holes for one more 72 in round three, tailed off again on his closing nine. Three players who finished at 8-under overall pocketed $92,000 each. Pagunsan outshined the champion’s take of $47,550 in the first two legs of the Asian Tour – the Myanmar Open and the ICTSIPhilippine Open. Pagunsan earned bragging rights to finish a stroke ahead of reigning British Open champion Darren Clarke and American superstar Phil Mickelson, who tied at 285. ■
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March 2012 – No. 5 / Fortnightly • UK & Europe Edition
BOXING: Philippines’ Pacquiao faces bout with tax man PHILIPPINES
©AFP/File/Timothy A. Clary
Philippine›s Bureau of Internal Revenue filed a criminal complaint against Manny Pacquiao.
PHILIPPINE boxing champion Manny Pacquiao faces a fight against the tax man, with officials saying Friday, March 9 they are probing whether the multi-millionaire has paid enough into government coffers. The Bureau of Internal Revenue filed a criminal complaint against the eight-time world champion last week for failing to cooperate with the investigation, tax investigator Eric Diesto told AFP Friday. Pacquiao, 33, is accused of failing to produce documents related to his fight contracts and product endorsements that are sought by tax investigators. The maximum penalty is two years in jail and a fine of up to 10,000 pesos ($235), Diesto said. Diesto said the bureau had launched a “routine” investigation of the tax records of Pacquiao, who
Senator Pia Cayetano gives 5 million pesos for sports development Katherine Marfal KNOWN as a sports advocate, Lady Senator Pia Cayetano pledged P5 million pesos for the country’s grassroots development program. The funds came from her own special allocation release order or SARO to the Philippine Sports Commission. Philippine Sports Commission chief, Ritchie Garcia was really surprised and glad of Cayetano’s gesture. Garcia said that it would be a great help to the development of various sports programs. As the funds of Philippine Sports Commission is not enough to support sports programs, all sorts of help from the private sector will make a big impact. Garcia is also hoping that more private sectors
would reciprocate what Senator Cayetano did. At the moment, Cayetano’s pledge is now with the Department of Budget, which means that it can already be used for various projects. Garcia urged congressmen to make a move in supporting Philippine sports. They will have the chance to select which district or province they wish to help with financial allocations. If a congressman donates funds, this can be apportioned for the grassroots sports development of a particular district he or she is serving. If the donor is a mayor or a governor, the pledge can be donated to his or her selected province. All donors are assured of the proper liquidation of the funds.
Currently, PSC is prioritizing which sports and athletes would receive financial support from the government sports agency. When it is finalized, only 150 athletes would receive monthly allowances. ■ ©Joseph Vidal/PRIB/NPPA Images
Senator Pia Cayetano
is also an elected member of the House of Representatives, and other taxpayers in the south last year. “He is not being singled out. We have also filed complaints against 39 other people,” said Diesto, regional head of the bureau’s legal division in the southern city of Koronadal. The investigator declined to discuss Pacquiao’s income tax filings, saying the documents were confidential. Pacquiao could not be reached for comment at his Manila office Friday, but in a television interview he denied being uncooperative. “If they are looking for something, they should also give us time to review the order. I don’t have any intention to evade it (the investigation),” he told GMA network in comments aired on Thursday. Diesto said the complaint was
filed with the Koronadal state prosecutor, who has yet to decide whether to bring criminal charges in court against Pacquiao. Last May, the boxer declared end2010 assets of 1.13 billion pesos ($26.3 million) and no liabilities, making him the country’s wealthiest member of parliament. Forbes.com magazine estimated he spent $7 million in his election campaign in 2010 while also earning $35 million for his two fights against Joshua Clottey and Miguel Cotto. Pacquiao, who has a 54-3 win-loss record with two draws, is considered the best pound-for-pound boxer on the planet. He stakes his World Boxing Organisation welterweight crown against undefeated American Timothy Bradley in Las Vegas on June 9. ■ (AFP – Manila – March 9, 2012)
BASKETBALL: Patriots, Beermen stayed on top as Heat crush Dragons Katherine Marfal IN the 3rd ASEAN Basketball, the AirAsia Patriots and the San Miguel Beermen took the 1-2 slots; while, Saigon Heat maneuvered a surprise 70-69, victory over former co-leader Westport Malaysia Dragons in Vietnam. Two free throws from Jahmar Thorpe with five seconds remaining in the game gave the Heat a one point victory against the Dragons. The victories led the Patriots 8-2, and Beermen, 8-3 at the head of the pack. The Dragons slipped to the third spot, holding a 7-3 card. Jonathan Jones and Thorpe led
the Heat as they nail their third win in 10 games. The Patriots outscored the Indonesia Warriors with 72-68, in Jakarta; while, the Beermen thumped the Chang Thailand Slammers, 9277, at the Ynares Arena in Pasig City. John Smith contributed 14 points; while ex-Perpetual Help ace Dom Javier nailed four three’s to complete 14 points for the Heat. Tiras Jamal Wade’s game-high 28 points, including a three points broke the 66-all count as the Dragons gained a 69-66 lead with 45 seconds to go. Smith scored anew to move nearer at 68-69. Wade lost the ball that sent Thorpe at the foul line. ■
BASKETBALL: GMA News TV International to launch ASEAN Basketball League 2012 GMA International recently acquired the rights to broadcast the ASEAN Basketball League (ABL) 2012 via GMA Network’s third international channel, GMA News TV International. A regional league that was launched in 2009, the ASEAN Basketball League features a number of the best professional basketball teams from Southeast Asian countries Thailand, Indonesia, Singapore, Vietnam, Malaysia, and the Philippines. The Season 3 of ABL will feature
games between competing teams Bangkok Cobras, Chang Thailand Slammers, Indonesia Warriors, Jobstreet.com Singapore Slingers, Saigon Heat, San Miguel Beermen, Westports Malaysia Dragons, and the Airasia Philippine Patriots who were the Champions during the Inaugural ASEAN Basketball League Season 1. ASEAN Basketball League Season 3 will air on weekends, beginning March 17, via GMA News TV International. ■
(From left to right) Kuhan Foo, Chief Executive Officer of the ASEAN Basketball League and Joseph T. Francia, Vice President and Head of Operations for GMA International.