February Fortnightly issue 2012

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February 2012 Fortnightly

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PHILIPPINES’ RICHEST MAN EYES HUGE LAND DEAL THE Philippines’ richest man is in talks to take control of one of the country’s main real estate firms, which has major parcels of undeveloped land in the nation’s capital, his company said Thursday, February 9.

The SM Group of ethnic-Chinese tycoon Henry Sy confirmed it was eyeing a majority stake in the holding company that developed Ortigas business district, an important financial hub in Manila.

“We confirm that SM Group is in the process of discussion for the acquisition of majority interest in Ortigas Holdings Inc.,” the company said in a disclosure to the Philippine Stock Exchange.

“The amount and details of the transaction are still under discussion and subject to finalisation.”

The disclosure was issued after the Philippine Daily Inquirer newspaper reported that Sy was ready to acquire control of the Ortigas group for $1.0 billion.

The Ortigas group holds large parcels of land in the capital, which could be developed by Sy who was listed by Forbes business magazine last year as the richest man in the Philippines with a net worth of $7.2 billion.

By the end of this year, SM Group plans to have 46 major shopping malls in the Philippines and five in China. It also has interests in banking and residential properties. ■ (AFP – February 9, 2012)

©AFP/File/Jay Directo

Philippine December exports down 20.7%

Philippine tycoon Henry Sy

PHILIPPINE exports dropped sharply in December last year as the crucial electronics sector struggled with soft demand in Japan, the United States and other key markets, official data showed Friday, February 10.

Export earnings fell 20.7 percent year-on-year to $4.2 billion in December, dragging the decline for

Philippine plane overshoots runway A plane carrying more than 140 people overshot a runway at an airport serving one of the Philippines’ most popular tourist destinations, although no-one was injured, aviation officials said.

The Airphil Express Airbus A320 plane from Manila went off the runway after landing at Kalibo airport on the central island of Panay, civil aviation authority spokeswoman Floramel Joy Fongsong told AFP. “The plane overshot the runway by 60 metres (200 feet),” Fongsong said.

The Kalibo airport, which is used as a gateway to the nearby island of Boracay, was temporarily closed

until the plane was towed out, she told AFP, adding that no one was hurt in the incident.

The plane was carrying 138 passengers, including about 10 Chinese and South Korean tourists, said Airphil Express senior vicepresident Freddie Herrera.

The plane, which is less than a year old, was not damaged, he added.

The cause of the incident is still being investigated, the airline and aviation authorities said.

Airphil Express, originally called Air Philippines, is a sister company of national flag-carrier Philippine Airlines, offering budget, no-frills flights. ■ (AFP – February 13, 2012)

all of 2012 down to 6.9 percent, the National Statistics Office said in a statement.

Philippine exports had been dropping since May, but the December fall was the second steepest for the year after a 27.0-percent plunge in September.

The electronics sector, which

makes up nearly half of the country’s exports, tumbled 32.7 percent in December from a year earlier, following a 34.4-percent drop the previous month, it added.

Copper, gold and furniture were the only major exports that registered double-digit gains in December, it added. ■ (AFP – February 10, 2012)

UN makes new appeal for Philippine flood victims THE United Nations made an urgent appeal on Friday, February 3 for millions of dollars in extra aid to help more than 300,000 people in the Philippines who were displaced by devastating floods late last year.

The UN “flash appeal” was increased to $39 million, up from $28 million requested immediately after Tropical Storm Washi washed away whole villages on th southern island of Mindanao on December 16.

The funds are urgently needed to help more than 300,000

survivors who remain crammed into makeshift evacuation sites or in tent cities, the UN said in a statement as it issued its appeal.

“Sustained, generous financial support is crucial to enable provision of basic goods and services and the rebuilding of resilient communities,” said the UN’s humanitarian coordinator in the Philippines, Jacqui Badcock.

The official death toll from the floods is 1,259, but many more are believed to have been buried or washed out to sea. ■ (AFP –

February 3, 2012)

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Politics

February 2012 – No. 3 / Fortnightly • UK & Europe Edition

Aquino admin sets infra, promo budget for 4.6 million tourists

Secretary Abad: More funds for tourism in 2012 TO hit the government’s tourism target of ushering in 4.6 million tourists in 2012, the Aquino administration has lined up several government programs and projects to make the Philippines one of the most vibrant tourism destinations in the world.

Budget and Management Secretary Florencio B. Abad said that much of the ₱182.2 billion government infrastructure program for 2012 will be used to build airports, roads and bridges that are instrumental in attracting tourists to visit the various attractions in the country.

“The Aquino administration has envisioned a sustainable and welldesigned tourism program for the

country. A robust tourism sector can fuel up the economy so we can provide more jobs in local communities, as well as raise our national profile as a premier tourist destination,” Budget and Management Secretary Florencio B. Abad said.

“Our ultimate target is to attract 10 million visitors by the end of the President’s term. Department of Tourism Secretary Ramon R. Jimenez shares this vision, and he has confirmed that the target is at once feasible and attainable,” he added.

Specific infrastructure projects for the development and construction of tourism facilities include the ₱8.1 billion budget of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) for the

construction of access roads to airports and to roll-on/roll-off (RORO) ports leading to various tourist destinations such as Boracay, Palawan, Bohol, Bicol, Cebu, Mindanao, and Northern and Central Luzon.

The Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) will likewise be engaged in tourismboosting projects this year, including the construction of new airports in high-traffic destinations. A total of ₱1.2 billion will be devoted to the development of the New Bohol International Airport in Panglao, while ₱1.0 billion will be directed to the Puerto Princesa Airport Development.

Moreover, the Department of Tourism (DOT) has allocated ₱762.4 million

to push its international promotion campaigns into high gear. An additional ₱18.6 million will be channelled to a major international tourist exposition in Yeosu, Korea, and another ₱12.5 million will be used to beef up local tourism promotion activities.

The development of parks will also be funded, as the National Parks Development Committee (NPDC) will have a ₱37.6-million budget for the development, beautification, preservation, and maintenance of Rizal Park and other satellite parks in the country. Another ₱4.5 million will be used for the promotion of arts and cultural activities in the parks.

Similarly, the Intramuros Administration will receive ₱2.1 million

for cultural properties conservation and ₱3.4 million for tourism promotion.

Earlier this year, the Department of Tourism launched its new tourism campaign, “It’s more fun in the Philippines,” to draw in more tourists and further invigorate the tourism industry in the country. The tourism sector is under the umbrella of economic growth and job generation – one of the five key areas identified in the President’s Social Contract with the Filipino People – together with business process outsourcing, semiconductor and electronics, agriculture and fisheries, and infrastructure development. ■ (DBM – February 6, 2012)

Government earmarks ₱9.8-B in scholarships for more than 1-M students in 2012 Secretary Abad: Education is central to growth in knowledge-based society THE Aquino administration has earmarked an estimated P9.8 billion to fund a broad range of government scholarship programs that will benefit more than a million underprivileged yet deserving students across the country for 2012.

“By investing in scholarships for our most deserving students and enhancing their natural aptitudes, we’re also giving them the means and opportunity to become highly functional members of society,” Budget and Management Secretary Florencio B. Abad said.

“Our society is increasingly

becoming knowledge-based, so we need to nurture our people’s advantages in knowledge industries such as BPO and KPO (business and knowledge process outsourcing).

Thus, strengthening our education sector is central to President Benigno S. Aquino III’s strategy for advancing socio-economic development,” he emphasized.

Of this amount, Abad said ₱6.28 billion will be used by the Department of Education (DepEd) for its Government Assistance to Students and Teachers in Private Education (GASTPE) program. The increased funding, from ₱5.83 billion last year, will help the Administration expand beneficiaries

from 757,401 scholars in 2011 to one million students in 2012.

GASTPE, launched by the DepEd in 1994, subsidizes the transfer of public high school students to private schools in a move to decongest severely crowded public schools. The program focuses on graduating elementary school students, who will be amply supported by the government until they finish high school.

“We recognize the value of GASTPE as an innovative project that can vastly improve our youth’s access to quality education; at the same time, to counter the problem of inadequate public school facilities and teachers,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Department of

Science and Technology (DOST) has a ₱2.1-billion allocation to aid scholars in science education. Of this amount, ₱1.3 billion will fund the DOST’s Science Education Institute to help over 10,000 scholars who are already at the undergraduate and graduate levels. The remaining ₱800 million from the DOST allocation will be given to the Philippine Science High School to support 4,334 scholars in 2012, a significant increase from last year’s 3,241 government-supported science high school students.

“The Administration is also extending other scholarship opportunities through the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) and the Technical Education and

Skills Development Authority (TESDA).

This allows us to give due assistance to deserving college students, as well as address the labor demand across fastgrowing industries,” Abad said.

CHED will be provided with P681 million for its Student Financial Assistance Program, which will benefit 47,330 tertiary-level students taking up courses geared at priority industries.

To further support vocational and technical courses in the country, the government has set aside ₱700 million for 30,000 slots in TESDA’s trainingfor-work scholarship program, which will improve employability among its technical-vocation graduates in six to 12 months. ■ (DBM – February 9, 2012)

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operations & marketing director Mobile No.: +44 (0) 7989 403 904 e-mail: rcollado@hello-philippines.com website: www.hello-philippines.com Philippines participates in Eclat De Mode-International Fashion Accessories Fair in Paris THE Philippines once again showed its creative and artistic mettle when four companies participated in the Eclat de Mode-Bijorhca International Fashion Accessories Fair held in Paris last January 20 to 23.

Ambassador Cristina G. Ortega showed her unwavering support for Philippine manufacturers as she greeted all the Philippine exhibitors and marveled at the outstanding creativity and craftsmanship on display in the booths. The

accessories made of leather, embroidery, capiz and other indigenous materials were of very high quality and merited high interest from buyers.

The four companies that exhibited their designs were Blue Planet, Unijel, Indian Summer and Designare Manufacturing. All are regular exhibitors in the fair and have built a market base in Europe.

Two of these companies benefited from the support of the European Chamber of

Commerce in the Philippines (ECCP).

The Eclat de ModeBijorhca International Fashion Accessories Fair is a twice a year event andan important destination for the accessories businesses for it brings together around 400 designers of fine fashion jewelry. It attracts around 15,000 visitors representing gifts retailers, department store buyers and buying offices. ■ (DFA – February 11, 2012)

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Events Diary

www.hello-philippines.com

February 2012 – No. 3 / 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

18 February 2012 – Saturday

Post Valentine Disco for a Cause (for Typhoon Sendong victims in Cagayan de Oro)

18 February 2012 – Saturday 4:00pm 18 February 2012 – Saturday 6:00pm

Valentines Party

Winter Warmer Cultural Night – Fund raising event in support of Lahing Kayumanggi projects 2nd Post-Valentine’s Concert & Dance

19 February 2012 – Sunday 7:00pm

VENUE

ORGANISER

CONTACTS / REMARKS

St David’s Hall (beside St David’s Church), Shenley Green off Shenley Lane, Birmingham B29 4HH Homerton Nurses Hall, Peterborough PE3 6DA

Filipino Association of Birmingham (FAB)

Ticket £5.00

Filipino Community of Peterborough

Ticket: £5.00 (for members) / £10.00 (non-members / jgsisican@gmail.com

St Andrew’s United Reformed Church, Frognal Lane, London NW3 2DY

Lahing Kayumanggi Dance Company

For more details contact: tickets@lkdance.org.uk / Ticket £5.00

Kursaal Function Suites, 1st Floor, Eastern Esplanade, Southend-onSea, Essex SS1 2WW

St. Helen’s Catholic Church Filipino Community Choir in Westcliff / Southend-onSea

Fritz Erwin Panaligan panaligf@lsbu.ac.uk / Ticket £5.00

Philippine Embassy, London, United Kingdom

If you are availing e-passport application service, you need to book with the Philippine Embassy in advance from 27 February to 2 March 2012.

Booking is on a first book / first serve basis. For booking form and other requirements visit www.philembassyuk.org or call 020 7451 1780

27 February to 2 March 2012 – Monday to Friday

Philippine Embassy booking deadline for e-Passport applications at the Consular Outreach Mission in Norwich

8 March 2012 – Thursday

London Philippine Fashion Show 2012

10 March 2012 – Saturday 9:00am to 5:00pm

Philippine Embassy Consular Outreach Mission in Norwich

15 April 2012 – Sunday

Discovering the Cuisine of The Philippines

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

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 to 10 June 2012 – Saturday & Sunday

114th Philippine Independence Day in Morden

Morden Park, London Road, Morden, Surrey SM4 5DX

Bayanihan UK

Teresita Valencia-Juval 020 7341 7431 / juvaltravel@btconnect.com / Gil Zarcilla 07802 761 446

16 June 2012 – Saturday 9:00am

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

Filipino Community Association of Newcastle Upon Tyne (FILCAN)

Sally Sellars 07886 742 417 / sallysanchez@btinternet.com

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

5th Yorkshire Barrio Fiesta 2012

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

Yorkshire Maharlika Filipino Club in association with City of York Council

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

22 to 23 June 2012 – Friday & Saturday 7:30pm

East Meets West 2…

Kantahan Naman!

Inter-Cultural Society of London

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

23 to 24 June 2012 Saturday & Sunday

–

5th Fiesta sa BirminghamMidlands 2012

Filipino Association of Birmingham (FAB)

07531 022 269 / 07985 159 203 / 07876 135 487

23 to 24 June 2012 Saturday & Sunday

–

Filipino British Society (FBS) Barrio Fiesta in Milton Keynes Bradford Pinoy Barrio Fiesta and Santacruzan 2012

Royal Overseas League, Overseas House, Park Place, St James’s Street, London SW1A 1LR Woodgate Valley Country Park, Clapgate Lane, Bartley Green, Birmingham B32 3DS Campbell Park, Milton Keynes

Filipino British Society (FBS)

Maria 07737 676 850 / Merald 07909 957 313 / Fe 07588 636 573

Lady Hill Park, Allerton Road, Bradford

British-Filipino Association of Bradford

Nina Ricci Santos, Chairman bfabmail@yahoo.com

8 July 2012 – Sunday 8:00am to 6:00pm

Victoria House, Basement, Bloomsbury Square, London WC1B 4DA Costessey Centre, Longwater Lane, Costessey, Norwich, Norfolk NR8 5AH

Prospero World in aid of the Ayala Foundation Philippine Embassy, London, United Kingdom

Jerome Albano, President of Pinoy in Norwich Aksyong Samahan 07799 747 514

London Cooking Club

Luiz Hara luizhara@hotmail.com / www.londonfoodie.co.uk

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.

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Economy

February 2012 – No. 3 / Fortnightly • UK & Europe Edition

Agri sector grows by 2.34% in 2011 DBM to strictly enforce “no report, no release” policy in 2012 THE Philippine agriculture industry grew by 2.34 percent in 2011, bannered by the crops, livestock, and poultry subsectors.

The combined positive performance of the three subsectors served as a cushion, as the fishery subsector registered negative growth due to dwindling fish population caused by overfishing, illegal fishing practices, and successive typhoons during the second semester of 2011.

Total farm production was valued at P1.4 trillion at current prices, 11.5% more than in 2010.

The crops subsector – which contributed one-half or 49.6 percent to the total agricultural output – registered a 4.82 percent increase, led by palay (paddy rice) and corn.

Palay harvest totaled 16.68 million metric tons (MMT), 5.8 percent more than in 2010 (15.77 MMT), while corn production amounted to 6.97 MMT, 9.3% more than in 2010 (6.38 MMT).

Sugarcane production also grew significantly to 28.38 MMT, 58.3% more than in 2010 (17.93 MMT).

Tobacco, pineapple, and rubber also posted positive gains last year.

Total gross value of production of the crops subsector reached P804 billion at current prices, 19.4% more than in 2010.

The livestock subsector, which contributed 16% to total agricultural output, registered a 1.99% growth.

It was led by the hog industry, which produced 1.94 MMT, 2.2% more than in 2010 (1.89 MMT).

Cattle and dairy production also increased by 1.8% and 3.7%, respectively.

The livestock subsector grossed P212.9 billion at current prices, 1% higher than in 2010.

The poultry subsector, which accounted for 13.7% of total farm output, grew by 4.3%.

Chicken production increased by 4.5%, while chicken egg production

HELLO PHILIPPINES PUBLISHER

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Mobile No.: +44 (0) 7989 403 904 E-mail: rcollado@hello-philippines.com HP Classified E-mail: classifieds@hello-philippines.com Website: www.hello-philippines.com HELLO PHILIPPINES IS PUBLISHED FORTNIGHTLY BY UNIVERSAL INFINITY LIMITED. THIS PUBLICATION IS COPYRIGHTED AND ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. UK & EUROPE EDITION - IRELAND, ITALY, SPAIN AND FRANCE. GOT A STORY, ARTICLE, PICTURE, FOR YOUR FEEDBACK OR JUST WANT TO GET IN TOUCH WITH OUR HELLO PHILIPPINES EDITORIAL TEAM, PLEASE SEND AN EMAIL TO:

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moved up by 4.2%. Total value of poultry products amounted to P158.8 billion at current prices, 4.8% more than in 2010.

The fisheries subsector, which accounted for one-fifth or 20.7% to total agriculture output, decreased by 4.1%, as commercial and municipal fish production dipped by 16.3% and 2.9%, respectively.

Aquaculture production, however, grew by 2.4%.

The fishery subsector grossed P225.1 billion at current prices, 1.85% more than in 2010.

Commercial and municipal fish catch declined due to overfishing, illegal fishing activities, and rough seas and strong winds during the 2nd semester caused by several typhoons.

Thus, the Department of Agriculture (DA) through Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) will implement conservation policies and measures, like imposing no fishing during breeding season at selected seas to allow fish stocks to regenerate.

In fact, the DA-BFAR has implemented a three-month no fishing season for sardines at Sulu and Visayan Seas, starting December 1, 2011.

The policy is implemented in consultation and coordination with commercial and municipal fishermen and industry stakeholders.

Overall, farmers, fishers and rural folk were better off in 2011, as farmgate prices of various farm and fishery products increased by about 9%.

Farmers of major crops enjoyed higher average prices at 14% more than in 2010. For instance, prices of palay and corn went up by 4.7% and 14.9%, respectively; coconut, up by 52%; pineapple, 27%; coffee, 21%; rubber, 17%; abaca, 11%; and vegetables, led by cabbage (up by 157%), onion (86%), and eggplant (72%). ■ (DA – January 24, 2012)

IN a bid to strengthen the Aquino administration’s drive for transparency and accountability, Secretary of Budget and Management Florencio B. Abad said that some releases will be withheld from agencies if they fail to submit their budgetary reports for fiscal year 2012.

“The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) is very firm in enforcing the “no report, no release” rule for the submission of Budget Accountability Reports (BARs).

Agencies and departments that do not comply with this will not receive their releases from the Miscellaneous Personnel Benefits Fund (MPBF),” Abad said.

“We will also publish a list of both errant and compliant agencies in the DBM official website to help the public stay abreast of fund release developments,” he added.

Funds to be withheld from the MBPF include the third tranche compensation adjustment under the

Salary Standardization Law (SSL) 3 and provisions for unfilled positions, as well as employee clothing allowances.

The withheld releases will also include the fourth tranche compensation adjustment under SSL 4 – set for July 2012 – and provisions for unfilled positions for the 2nd and 3rd quarters of the year.

“By limiting withheld funds to the MBPF, we can ensure that that the penalties affect only the agencies themselves, and not their funds for implementing critical programs and services. In other words, the ‘no report, no release’ policy will not prevent them from executing their set projects for the fiscal year, so there won’t be any disruptions in the delivery of public goods and services,” Abad said.

BARs outline an agency’s actual accomplishments within a given period. Items included in BARs are quarterly physical reports both on operation and income, as well as

monthly reports on statement of allotments, obligations and balances, and disbursements.

“BARs are essential in determining an agency’s performance level, particularly with respect to physical output and actual expenditures incurred in the delivery of goods and services to the public,” Abad said.

He added that these reports are vital in establishing feasible funding levels and realistic agency budgets, particularly in view of the ongoing 2013 budget preparations.

“We are enjoining all agencies to comply with their reporting requirements because the DBM cannot fulfill their releases without the proper documentary support. Besides ensuring that public funds are put to good use, we also want agencies to receive their required releases, and we’re quite sure that all departments will do their best in complying with the reporting policy,” Abad said. ■ (DBM – January 29, 2012)

DPWH allots P10.817 billion for flood control works in 2012

THE Department of Public Works and Highways alloted a total of P10.817 billion or 11 percent of its 2012 capital outlays budget of P99.49 billion for long-term solutions to the country’s flooding and other water-related disasters.

Water catchments and impounding structures upstream of our major rivers will be given priority.

In highly urbanized areas, climate change initiatives, and rehabilitation of flood-damaged structures will also be prioritized.

Among the identified major flood control projects for implementation this year are the Pampanga Delta & Pampanga River projects; Laoag River Basin and Sabo Project; Bicol River Basin and Watershed Project; Mindanao River Basins; Mandaluyong City drainage improvement project; Cagayan de

Oro River Basin; Pasig-Marikina River Channel Improvement Project (PMRCIP), Phase II; Mt. Pinatubo Hazard Urgent Mitigation Project, Phase III; San Roque Multi-Purpose Project, Flood Control Component; and drainage protection works along national roads and bridges nationwide.

According to Secretary of Public Works and Highways Rogelio L. Singson, the DPWH will continue prioritizing flood control projects in major and principal river basins based on completed master plans.

“We will also continue the promotion of innovative technologies such as geotextiles and coco-netting in slope protection and soil erosion control; promotion of rainwater harvesting and retarding basins; and support other agencies’ efforts in non-structural

measures such as hazard mapping of the DENR, flood monitoring and forecasting of DOST/PAGASA, and relocation of informal settlers living along river ways and esteros,” added Secretary Singson.

In addition, the DPWH is closely coordinating its water convergence program to optimize the country’s water resources with other national government agencies like the Department of Agriculture (DA), Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and this concerns the management of the river systems.

Secretary Singson assures the public that DPWH funds will be utilized to seek permanently and long-term solutions to the country’s flooding and water-related disasters.

■ (DPWH – January 30, 2012)

Aquino admin deepens expenditure reforms in 2013 budget Secretary Abad: Government to weed out corruption, optimize spending TO optimize the Aquino-initiated fiscal discipline in the government process, the Department of Budget and Management has intensified its public expenditure reforms in the proposed 2013 National Budget.

Secretary of Budget and Management Florencio B. Abad said the government has buttressed its fiscal reforms in the 2013 budget, particularly in view of improving efficiency, accountability, and transparency in public fund management.

“The Public Expenditure Management (PEM) reforms will naturally lead to the better delivery of public services to all Filipinos, in support of the Aquino administration’s Social Contract with the Filipino people.

Through these reforms, corruption

will decidedly be minimized, and the reach of public funds can be extended to their fullest potential,” he said.

For the 2013 National Budget, the government will keep its focus on delivering concrete results, on which the Medium Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF), the Organizational Performance Indicator Framework (OPIF), and the Zero-Based Budgeting (ZBB) approach will continue to be oriented.

OPIF will be incorporated in the 2013 National Expenditure Program (NEP) to review and change the major final outputs (MFOs) of all departments and agencies, to capture the NEP’s core mandated functions, and review the program’s corresponding performance indicators.

Abad also confirmed that the DBM is planning to develop a uniform standard for the OPIF across the government.

To further enhance efficiency and effectiveness in government operations, departments and agencies are encouraged to incorporate the implications of the following public sector reforms in their 2013 proposals: a) rationalization program, b) cost recovery measures to assist in the revenue enhancement efforts, c) mandatory use of the Philippine Government Electronic Procurement System (PhilGEPS) for transparency and efficiency purposes, d) implementation of the National Guidelines on Internal Control Systems, e) pursuit of ISO certification and quality management improvement standards, and f) sustaining public-private partnerships (PPPs).

“This set of reforms will allow us to further reduce the burden of interest payments on national coffers and free up funds for productive projects.

These may ultimately result in higher government revenues and, more importantly, the creation of more sustainable jobs for our country’s workforce,” Abad said.

Through expenditure reforms initiated by the Aquino administration, the Philippines has successfully upped its credit ratings with Fitch Ratings and Moody’s Investor Service, spelling the country’s increased access to more affordable financing at better terms.

“The Aquino administration’s commitment to good governance is meant to rebuild both the people’s trust in government and the institutions once crippled by corruption. By shaping key reforms in public expenditure management, we can strengthen our bid for transparency and procedural efficiency, as well as promote an attractive, investor-friendly fiscal environment,” Abad said. ■ (DBM – January 24, 2012)

10

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Economy

February 2012 – No. 3 / Fortnightly • UK & Europe Edition

GOCCs exceed dividend target by 23.9 percent Philippine growth slows to 3.7% in 2011

Secretary Abad: High GOCC remittance affirms “P-Noy” brand of good governance BREAKING ground in its efforts to reform state fiscal management, the Aquino administration yesterday announced that ₱19.2 billion in dividends was successfully turned over by government-owned and controlled corporations (GOCCs) to the National Treasury.

Budget and Management Secretary Florencio B. Abad said that the dividends, which were remitted by 21 GOCCs in a turnover ceremony yesterday, surpassed the government’s ₱15.5 billion dividend target by about 23.9 percent.

“President Aquino’s bold move to spearhead reforms in state-run firms has proven fruitful and effective. The high level of GOCC remittances is the direct result of the Administration’s drive for good governance and

judicious fund management, and we hope to sustain and further enhance GOCC performance in succeeding years,” he said.

“These additional revenues will be used to buttress existing state resources for the benefit of Filipinos, particularly the poor and vulnerable.

Tinutupad po ng Administrasyon ang pangako nitong ‘kung walang corrupt, walang mahirap,’” he said.

Leading the list of contributors are the Land Bank of the Philippines, Development Bank of the Philippines, and the Philippine National Oil Company (PNOC), together with its subsidiary, the PNOC-Exploration Corporation. The firms turned in ₱5 billion, ₱4.01 billion, and ₱3.5 billion, respectively. High dividends were also remitted by the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (₱1.36 billion) and the Philippine Ports Authority (₱1.2 billion).

The Budget Chief noted that since the President Aquino assumed office, his Administration has introduced urgent yet difficult reforms to increase transparency and accountability in the management of GOCCs. Last year, the President issued Executive Order No. 24 which rationalized the compensation received by GOCC board members; and Congress passed the GOCC Governance Act of 2011 (Republic Act No. 10149).

“In the past, GOCCs served as glorified cash cows for unscrupulous public officials. Today, we are seeing a new tradition in governance, where government corporate sectors are pushed toward greater accountability in their transactions. Because of this, state-controlled firms can finally fulfil] their mandate as public institutions, motivated by the principles of citizenfocused service,” he added. ■ (DBM –

February 7, 2012)

Philippines, China bilateral trade in 2011 surpasses US $30BN

THE Philippine Embassy in Beijing reported to the Department of Foreign Affairs that Philippines-China bilateral trade in 2011 has surpassed the 2007 high of US$30 bn, and now stands at US$32.254 bn, according to statistics of China General Administration of Customs.

Bilateral trade has jumped 35% from 2009 when total bilateral trade stood at US$20bn, at the height of

the financial crisis, to US$27.764 bn in 2010. Trade grew by another 22% from 2010 to 2011 to US$32.254 bn.

The Philippines continues to register a trade surplus with China, with its strongest exports in the electronics sector.

As party to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations-China Free Trade Agreement (ACFTA), the Philippines has further opportunities

for trade in agriculture, minerals, industrial products, and highquality/design-intensive consumer goods.

Both sides have been exploring further measures to diversify trade relations, to achieve the bilateral trade target of US$60 bn by 2016, as both sides committed during the State Visit to China of President Benigno S. Aquino III. ■ (DFA – January 20, 2012)

PHL, UK to engage in deeper, more meaningful cooperation

IN a New Year’s lunch hosted by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO), the British Government reiterated its commitment to engage in deeper and more meaningful cooperation with the emerging economies of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), including the Philippines.

During the lunch at Lancaster House in London on January 16, FCO Minister of State Jeremy Browne MP told Philippine Ambassador Enrique Manalo and the rest of the ASEAN London Committee (ALC) that the UK would continue to seek opportunities to strengthen the already robust economic and political partnership with Southeast Asian countries.

The ASEAN ambassadors briefed Minister Browne on developments in ASEAN, especially on its ongoing efforts to build the three pillars of

“ASEAN Community” by 2015. Also had a comprehensive exchange of views on broad regional and international issues.

“Regular interactions like these help build awareness within political circles in this country on what ASEAN stands for and how far it has progressed towards community-building and cooperation. It is truly encouraging that the UK has made evident its wish to reinvigorate its bilateral partnerships and regional engagement in ASEAN, especially since the region continues to be a significant global growth driver with a market of over half a billion people. Only mutual benefits can arise from these meetings, as we aim to show British leaders of the wonderful opportunities available in the region. Overall, the UK’s sustained interest in ASEAN contributes to the forward momentum of our bilateral

relationship with them”, Ambassador Manalo remarked.

The newly-established ASEAN-UK Business Council was also discussed.

Ambassador Manalo and several other ASEAN Ambassadors expressed hope that the new business council and existing bilateral councils, such as the Philippine-British Business Council, would complement each other’s activities.

Minister Browne has visited the ASEAN region, including the Philippines, twice since 2010.

His most recent visit to the Philippines was in December 2011, during which he called on President Benigno S. Aquino III and led a mission of British business representatives specializing in infrastructure projects financed under public-private partnerships (PPP). ■ (DFA – February 10,

2012)

Ambassador Enrique Manalo (5th from right) and other ASEAN Ambassadors at the lunch hosted by FCO Minister of State Jeremy Browne MP (2nd from left). Also in the photo are FCO Asia Pacific Director Peter Wilson (rightmost) and Deputy Bill Longhurst (3rd from right).

(Right photo) Ambassador Manalo makes a point on ASEAN-UK relations.

THE Philippine economy grew a “feeble” 3.7 percent last year amid lacklustre government spending and bleak global conditions, authorities announced on Monday, January 30.

The figure was lower than the 7.6 ©AFP/File/Ted Aljibe

Philippine Secretary General of National Statistics Coordination Board (NSCB), Romulo Virola.

percent growth registered the previous year, and missed the government’s official 12-month target of 4.5-5.5 percent, the National Statistical Coordination Board (NSCB) said.

The economy also expanded 3.7 percent year-on-year in the final quarter, up from a revised 3.6 percent in the previous quarter, it said in a statement.

NCSB secretary-general Romulo Virola said that amid external global woes “the government underspending on infrastructure in the second and third quarters and the sustained decline in fishing, the domestic economy grew in 2011 by a relatively feeble 3.7 percent.” ■ (AFP – January 30,

2012)

Philippines raises piracy problem with new IMO Chief AMBASSADOR Enrique A. Manalo, concurrently Philippine Permanent Representative to the International Maritime Organization (IMO), met with the new IMO Secretary General, Mr. Koji Sekimizu, at the IMO Headquarters in London on January 5.

Ambassador Manalo was the first Permanent Representative to be received by Secretary General Sekimizu after the latter’s assumption last January 1.

In their discussion, Ambassador Manalo highlighted the importance placed by the Philippine Government in promoting the welfare of Filipino seafarers and protecting them from the continuing threat of piracy off Somalia.

Secretary General Sekimizu appreciated the concern of the Philippines, recognizing that it is the primary provider of seafarers to the international shipping community.

He indicated that the problem of piracy must be addressed cooperatively by IMO, the United Nations, and other concerned agencies and organizations and emphasized the importance for IMO to take the lead in addressing this piracy menace.

He added that the problem of piracy would be more effectively addressed if resources could be channelled to support and strengthen the government institutions in Somalia. Doing so can eradicate the roots of the piracy problem on their shore rather than for the international community to continue relying on naval protection for merchant vessels traversing highrisk areas off Somalia.

Ambassador Manalo offered the full support of the Philippine Government to the Secretary General’s initiatives and directions in combating the piracy problem.

The importance of this meeting was highlighted by the presence of IMO’s highest officials, namely Assistant Secretary General Rosalie Balkin, Assistant Secretary General Andy Winbow, and Chief of Staff Jasper Loldrup.

Ambassador Manalo was accompanied by Minister Francisco Noel Fernandez who is concurrently the

Philippine Permanent Representative to the International Maritime Organization (IMO), Ambassador Enrique A. Manalo, and IMO Secretary General Koji Sekimizu agree to work together in addressing the piracy problem off Somalia.

Alternate Permanent Representative of the Philippines to IMO. Secretary General Sekimizu is expected to visit Manila in February to confer with senior Philippine Government officials on the various approaches that can be pursued to resolve the piracy threat off Somalia.

The Philippines will be the first country he will visit after his scheduled meeting with UN Secretary General Ban Kimoon in New York later this month.

There are 26 Filipino seafarers on board three vessels which have remained in the hands of Somali pirates. The longest one in detention is a crew member of M/V Iceberg I which was hijacked last 29 March 2010 off the Port of Aden in Yemen.

In their participation at meetings to combat piracy in IMO, the UN, and in various track-two fora, Philippine Government officials have been advocating the importance of promoting the safety of seafarers held hostage by pirates. This advocacy has been supported by other governments.

Pending the resolution of the piracy problem, the Philippines now allows the deployment of private armed guards by Philippine shipping companies with vessels operating off Somalia, subject to their adherence to strict guidelines promulgated by the Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) and IMO. ■ (DFA – January 30, 2012)

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Filipinos in Northern Italy celebrate Sinulog Festival

THE Philippine Consulate General in Milan reported to the Department of Foreign Affairs that on January 15 and 22, Filipinos in Milan and Northern Italy celebrated the Sinulog Festival in honour of the Sto. Nino de Cebu in two different venues.

On January 15, Filipinos celebrated the Sinulog Festival at the Santuario di Sta. Maria della Consolazione in central Milan where the image of the Sto Nino de Cebu is housed.

The celebration started with a procession along the main streets, led by street dancers holding small images of the Sto. Nino, followed by bigger statues borne on the shoulders of Filipino male devotees.

The second celebration was in the historic city of Padova (Padua), three hours away by car from Milan.

This was a bigger event with almost two thousand Filipinos participating in their creative and colourful costumes from Milan and neighbouring Italian cities of Bergamo, Vicenza, Bassano del Grappa, Modena, Torino, Treviso, and from as far as Austria and Switzerland.

The celebration started with a Holy Mass by Bishop Precioso Cantillas SDB of Maasin, Leyte, and Chairman of the CBCP Committee for Migrants, who came all the way from the Philippines for the occasion.

Consulate personnel, led

by Consul General Lourdes

Tabamo, attended both occasions in support of the Filipino communities’ initiatives.

In her speech after the Holy Mass in Padova, Consul General Tabamo thanked everyone who helped one way or another in organizing the event which drew a lot of praise and admiration from the Italian onlookers. They appreciated the opportunity to know more about the Philippines, its culture and tradition through the Sinulog.

The Sinulog Festival has been celebrated in Milan and Northern Italy for the past several years, with various Filipino communities hosting the occasion on a rotation basis. ■ (DFA – January 30, 2012)

12

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Business & Finance

February 2012 – No. 3 / Fortnightly • UK & Europe Edition

Baldoz commends corporate partners adopting Family Welfare Program ELATED at the high number of industries recognizing and adopting Family Welfare Program (FWP) as a viable investment that pays off in terms of increased productivity and harmonious and cooperative labor-management relations, Labor and Employment Rosalinda Dimapilis-Baldoz yesterday commended and expressed gratitude to companies with developed and established FWPs even as she encouraged others to emulate the practice in their respective workplaces.

She cited the results of the recent nationwide survey of the DOLE’s Bureau of Labor and Employment Statistics on the program thrusts of FWP, which show that 55.9 percent of 23,723 business establishments

employing 20 or more workers, or 13,284, are providing child and family care, and that of this number, 50.6 percent implements formal work and family programs; 13 percent conducts seminars on balancing work; 10.3 percent provides advice and referral service; seven percent allows children to be brought into the workplace; and 6.2 percent conducts family planning service.

“In the present and increasingly competitive work environment where the boundaries between work and life are increasingly blurred, companies that provide work/life balance create an environment conducive to longterm productivity and retention of their greatest assets—their

employees,” Baldoz said.

“The emergence of tightening labor demands has forced us into believing that it is almost impossible to balance responsibilities at home and at work. Thus, it is very pleasing to know that success at home and at work are attainable through the cooperation of our corporate partners which embraced FWP as integral part of their human resource development approach,” she added.

The BLES survey identified the top four programs popularly implemented by employers.

These are financial support programs; health and fitness; child and family care; and educational programs.

The survey results show that of

the total number establishments, 78.5 percent provide financial support to their employees, in such forms as salary loans (57 percent) and emergency loans (56.8 percent).

On the other hand, 68.1 percent of the respondent establishments implement health and fitness programs that include health maintenance organization card grants (37.7 percent); medical subsidy (29 percent); and medical insurance (23.3 percent).

With regards the 41.1 percent of the respondents which provide educational programs, about 24.7 percent grants educational assistance.

Employers also award educational loans (24.4 percent) and scholarship grants

(16.8 percent).

As part of the Aquino III’s commitment to put the family at the centre of all its policies, the Department of Labor and Employment encourages companies, from small to large scale, to join its advocacy towards fostering a family-friendly work environment.

The implementation of FWP is in consonance with the overarching goal enunciated by President Benigno S. Aquino III in his 22-point labor and employment agenda to “invest in our country’s top resource, our human resource, to make us more competitive and employable while promoting industrial peace based on social justice.” ■ (DOLE –

January 22, 2012)

Finance clarifies tax and duty exemptions on imported books

THE Finance department has issued an order clarifying exemptions on imported books both for personal and commercial use as provided for under the Agreement on the Importation of Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Materials also known as the Florence Agreement.

Department Order No. 57-2011 dated December 9 particularly exempted books for “personal use” from any extensive documentary requirements, but such importations “should be cleared and released through the required declaration of goods as provided under existing rules and regulations.”

“This declaration of goods form is part of the normal process in importing goods wherein you declare anything that you will bring in to the Philippines,” said Finance Secretary Cesar V. Purisima, explaining the order he signed.

“One example is the one you have to fill out upon arriving at the airport. You need to check if you will bring in goods from other countries, but this does not necessarily mean that you will have to pay for it,” he added.

The order, published on the Philippine Star last December 25, said all imported books, whether for commercial or personal use are “exempt from customs duties and value-added tax (VAT) pursuant to Section 109 (R) of the National Internal Revenue Code.”

This was in accordance with the Florence Agreement, initiated by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) and to which the Philippines is signatory since 1952. The agreement mandates contracting states not to apply customs duties or other charges on “educational, scientific and cultural materials” such as books

and newspapers, except on those published “essentially for advertising purposes.”

Purisima’s order reiterated these exemptions, classifying tax exempt books as either for commercial or personal in quantity.

Books that are for “personal use” are those “embracing all articles of personality not considered as merchandise.” This should “not exceed 12 copies of any one work when imported by an institution or six copies of any one work when imported by an individual.”

Otherwise, imports will be treated as of “commercial quantity,” considered “in excess of what is compatible and commensurate with a person’s normal requirements,” the order stated.

Under this classification, the order said importers must first present an endorsement from the Revenue Office of the

Finance department, certifying that products to be imported fall within those granted tax and duty exemptions by the Florence Agreement.

The order listed down documentary requirements that need to be submitted to secure such endorsement. They are: bill of lading, commercial invoice, packing list with title of books, affidavit to the effect that the shipment consists of books, certification from UNESCO Office in the Philippines attesting that the importation/s is/are covered by the Florence Agreement, and registration certificate with the National Book Development Board as book importer or publisher.

In case of donated books, a deed of donation duly authenticated by the Philippine Consulate abroad and deed of acceptance must be provided, the order stated. An authority is also required should the consignee

assign a representative to facilitate the books’ release.

Purisima said books and publications for “advertising purposes” are not exempted from duties and taxes as per the Florence Agreement.

Annex A of the agreement stated that “stationery, newspapers and periodicals in which the advertising matter is in excess of 70% by space and all other items in which advertising is in excess of 25% by space” are not covered by tax and duty exemptions.

In issuing the order, the Finance chief said his department wants to provide a clear guide for book importers.

“This is in order to put everything into black and white and to provide importers with a document they can refer to whenever they have questions regarding book importations and when they are tax- and duty-free,” Purisima explained. ■ (DOF – January

4, 2012)

₱31.8 milllion worth of misdeclared / undervalued goods and laboratory equipment seized THE unrelenting campaign of the Bureau of Customs (BOC) to flush out smuggling has once again caused the seizure of P31.8 million worth of misdeclared and undervalued candies, outboard motors, motor oils, kilowatt hour meters and equipment for settingup an illegal drugs manufacturing laboratory by operatives of the Bureau’s Enforcement Group (EG) under Deputy Commissioner Horacio P. Suansing, Jr. at the Manila International Container Port (MICP).

According to Customs Commissioner Ruffy Biazon during the media presentation of all seized items at the MICP today,

importer Scan Marine Inc, tried to pass its container van loaded with four (4) units of outboard motors and two (2) kinds of Motor oils as outboard motor parts, but was issued an Alert Order upon the recommendation of the Operations and Intelligence Office of the Enforcement Group (OIO-EG) Head lawyer Imelda Cruz and Arnel Baylosis. The shipment was estimated to be worth P6.8 million.

“I have instructed all BOC frontline officials to scrutinize thoroughly all importation documents for any sign or indication of misdeclaration or undervaluation to ensure that

appropriate taxes are collected by the government,” Biazon stressed.

“Although we were able to post the Bureau’s highest collection ever last year, we have a higher collection target to meet this year. This is the reason why I have ordered all our frontline people to be even more vigilant to facilitate higher collection and to ensure that no contraband goods such as drugs are able to enter the country,” he added.

Together with the Scan Marine, Inc. shipment, Extreme Five Trading Corp. also tried to pass its 2,520 cartons of various types of candies as food additives, but

were likewise intercepted and seized by the OIO-EG operatives, also at the MICP. The seized candy shipment was worth P1 million. While, Telsphere Intl.

Trading Corp. thought that it could do away with taxes by declaring its 257 units of kilowatt hour meters worth ₱4.4 million as vacuum heaters.

And W.A. Bitancor Enterprises’ two container vans of equipment from China worth ₱20 million like chip condensers, pumps, a control panel, thermometer, fittings, boilers, reactors and valves among other gears for setting up a laboratory for manufacturing illegal drugs and substances never

missed the watchful eyes of the Enforcement and Security Service (ESS) operatives under retired General George Aliño, when the two 40 footer container vans were issued Alert Orders on December 13, 2011.

For his part, Deputy Commissioner Suansing pointed out that one way to facilitate higher revenue collection is the strict enforcement of customs laws and rules. “In this regard and in compliance with the Commissioner’s order to generate more revenues, I have likewise ordered all EG personnel to exert due diligence in the performance of their jobs,” Suansing said. ■ (DOF –

February 10, 2012)

Business & Finance

February 2012 – No. 3 / Fortnightly • UK & Europe Edition

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HELLO PHILIPPINES

13

Six charged for P30M “Ukay-Ukay” smuggle attempt

CUSTOMS Commissioner Ruffy Biazon and RCMG Deputy Commissioner and concurrent RATS group head Peter Manzano, today led the filing of smuggling charges against the importers and brokers of three illegal shipments of ukay-ukay goods worth Php30 million seized

by Customs operatives last Christmas.

The three illegal shipments were separately consigned to Heritage Asia-Int’l.

Products Trading, Global Welltrade Trading and Javeson Trading.

Named respondents were Ildefonso B. Malagonio, owner/ proprietor of Heritage, a Tondo

based importer and its broker Nanneth M. Pacia; Marilyn T. Anunciacion, owner/proprietor of Global of Dao, Mabalacat, Pampanga together with the company’s representative Carlos A. Torres and its broker Janneth M. Pacia; Ed Marvin M. de la Merced, owner of Javeson Trading of Moriones, Tondo and its broker Eugenio B. Gardiola.

According to Biazon, the importers will be charged with violation of Section 2503 of the Tariffs and Customs Code of the Philippines (TCCP) and Republic Act 4653 prohibiting the importation of textiles commonly known as used clothing or “ukay-

ukay” as well as the Revised Penal Code.

The Commissioner reiterated his warning against the illegal importation of used clothing which, aside from the health hazard it poses, has been seen as one of the causes of the collapse of the local textile industry resulting to loss of jobs and livelihood opportunities to thousands of Filipinos.

“We have to ensure the protection of local jobs, just as much as we would like to collect revenues. Allowing, therefore, the entry of “ukay-ukay” into the Philippine market could result in the job displacement of many

Filipinos,” Biazon said, adding that, “Moreover, the Department of Health had made an earlier warning to consumers about the possible health risks posed by “ukay-ukay,” especially if these are not properly sanitized before use.”

For his part, Manzano explained that the filing of charges against suspected smugglers is now being fast tracked by the Bureau in compliance with Commissioner Biazon’s call to get convictions at the soonest possible time.

“Our lawyers are now working closely with the Department of Justice, if only to make our cases

against suspected smugglers air tight,” Manzano stressed.

Heritage declared its shipment in one forty-footer container as “assorted garments” but were found to contain assorted used clothings, bags and shoes.

On the other hand, Global declared its shipment in four forty footer containers as “assorted garments” but were found to contain assorted used clothings, bags, toys and Christmas décors.

The shipment of Javeson trading was declared as home/ office furnitures and assorted lamps but were found to be assorted clothings, bags, shoes and toys. ■ (DOF – January 26, 2012)

US camera pioneer Kodak files for bankruptcy THE century-old US camera pioneer Eastman Kodak, which brought photography to the masses, filed for bankruptcy early Thursday, January 19 after years of failing to keep pace with the digital age.

“The Board of Directors and the entire senior management team unanimously believe that this is a necessary step and the right thing to do for the future of Kodak,” CEO Antonio Perez said in a statement.

“Our goal is to maximize value for stakeholders, including our employees, retirees, creditors, and pension trustees. We are also committed to working with our valued customers,” he added.

The company said it had sufficient liquidity to continue operating normally and paying employees during the Chapter 11 bankruptcy process. Its foreign subsidiaries were not subject to the proceedings, it added.

The Rochester, New Yorkbased company, which dates back to 1880s, led the way in popularizing the cameras, slide projectors and home videos that preserved the memories of generations of Americans.

But it has struggled in the age of digital cameras, and years of poor performance had already forced it to lay off 47,000 employees and close 13 manufacturing plants and some

©AFP/Getty Images/File/Kevork Djansezian

©AFP/File/Gerrard Julien

US camera pioneer Eastman Kodak, founded in 1892, has filed for bankruptcy.

File photo of empty film rolls. In its heyday Kodak shares topped $80 in 1996.

©AFP/File/Frederic J. Brown

People visiting the Kodak display at the International Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas on January 11. The century-old US camera pioneer Eastman Kodak, which brought photography to the masses, filed for bankruptcy after years of failing to keep pace with the digital age.

©AFP/Getty Images/File/Guy Solimano

©AFP/File/Toshifumi Kitamura

During Perez’s six-year tenure as CEO the former Hewlett Packard executive had sought to shore up Kodak’s finances.

130 processing labs since 2003.

“Now we must complete the transformation by further addressing our cost structure and effectively monetizing noncore IP (intellectual property) assets,” Perez said.

“We look forward to working with our stakeholders to emerge a lean, world-class, digital imaging and materials science company.”

The bankruptcy filing places the jobs of Kodak’s 19,000 remaining employees in question.

At its height in the 1980s, it had 145,000 workers.

Earlier this month the New York Stock Exchange told Kodak – once one of the fabled 30 Dow Jones blue chips – that it faced delisting from the exchange if it could not get its stock price back above $1.00 per share.

It was dropped from the prestigious Dow Jones Industrial Average of 30 top US companies in 2004.

In its heyday Kodak shares topped $80 in 1996 – just at the outset of the digital photo revolution that eventually freed consumers from the need to buy Kodak film, once a virtual monopoly in the US market.

The last time Kodak reported a net profit was a small gain in 2007.

Kodak’s books have been awash with red ink for years. The last time it reported a net profit was a small gain in 2007.

Officially established by inventor George Eastman in 1892, Kodak developed handheld “Brownie” cameras that were sold at popular prices and furnished the film that would keep consumers pumping profits into the company for decades.

Three generations of Americans and many in other countries learned to snap their own pictures with Brownies, at a time when the company was lauded as one of the top US innovators – the Apple or Google of its time.

And “Kodak Moment” – the company’s advertising catchphrase for its film – has been embedded deep in the US vernacular.

NASA lunar orbiters in the 1960s brought back some of the earliest images of the moon’s surface on Kodak film, and the first astronauts to walk on the moon documented their historic expedition with a shoe box-sized Kodak camera.

Kodak also furnished the film

for countless Hollywood movies, including 80 Oscar-winning “Best Pictures,” according to the firm’s website, which said it had won nine Academy Awards of its own for scientific and technical excellence.

The company pioneered research into digital photography beginning in the mid-1970s. But it was Asian manufacturers that stole a march in that market in the 1990s as Kodak failed to see the need to break from its old business lines.

In September Kodak hired the law firm Jones Day as advisors for restructuring, though many analysts noted at the time that the firm also advises bankruptcies.

During Perez’s six-year tenure as CEO the former senior Hewlett Packard executive had sought to shore up Kodak’s finances by selling off some of its huge portfolio of patents and developing its printer line.

The current plan calls for restructuring the company with the aid of a $950 million credit facility from Citigroup in order to emerge in a more competitive position at some point in 2013. ■ (AFP – New York – January 19, 2012)

14

HELLO PHILIPPINES

Local News

www.hello-philippines.com

February 2012 – No. 3 / Fortnightly • UK & Europe Edition

Britain’s Queen Elizabeth II marks 60 years on throne Robin Millard, AFP QUEEN Elizabeth II marks 60 years as monarch Monday, February 6 with a deliberately low-key programme of visits to eastern England, kicking off five months of diamond jubilee celebrations.

The queen will visit the town hall in King’s Lynn and then a nearby school, six decades to the day since she ascended to the throne after her father King George VI suddenly died on February 6, 1952.

The day in Norfolk kicks off a series of events culminating in a flotilla of 1,000 boats sailing up the River Thames on June 3, led by the queen in an ornate barge adorned with flowers.

At the age of 85, the queen’s programme will be restricted to Britain over the next five months, but other members of the royal family will criss-cross the Commonwealth in her place.

The diamond jubilee festivities have been scheduled over four days on June 2-5, and will also

include a chain of beacons being lit across the Commonwealth and a pageant of horses and performers in the grounds of Windsor Castle.

Sunday, February 5 the queen braved snowy weather to attend a church service alongside her 90-year-old husband Prince Philip, who appeared sprightly despite undergoing heart surgery just before Christmas.

After the service, she was presented with flowers by local children outside the church, which lies on the royals’ private Sandringham estate.

On the fateful day in 1952, the 25-year-old Elizabeth was on a visit to Kenya when she received the news from her husband that her father had passed away in his sleep – she had gone to bed a princess and woke up a queen.

As she returned to Britain, she was greeted at the airport by Prime Minister Winston Churchill and the enormity of the challenge ahead dawned on her.

Her coronation, a solemn

©AFP/File/Adrian Dennis

©AFP/POOL/Chris Jackson

Queen Elizabeth II braved snowy weather to attend a church service alongside her husband Prince Philip.

Queen Elizabeth II marks 60 years as monarch Monday, February 6.

©AFP/Graphics/AFP

Queen Elizabeth II: 60 years on the throne.

affair, did not take place for more than a year, on June 2, 1953.

In a message to her subjects to mark Monday’s landmark, the queen said she wanted to “dedicate myself anew to your service”.

She thanked the nation for “the wonderful support and

encouragement that you have given to me and Prince Philip over these years” and she urged people to “give thanks for the great advances that have been made since 1952”.

Prime Minister David Cameron said the queen had guided the country “with experience, dignity and quiet authority” – and he dismissed suggestions she was “simply a glittering ornament”.

“That misunderstands our constitution and it underestimates our Queen.

Always dedicated, always resolute and always respected,

Ai Weiwei to build London 2012 pavilion ©AFP/File

CHINESE artist and activist Ai Weiwei is reuniting with the Swiss architects with whom he created Beijing’s spectacular Bird’s Nest Stadium, to build a pavilion for this year’s London Olympics.

Ai, along with the Swiss firm Herzog and de Meuron, will join forces again to design a pavilion for the Serpentine Gallery in London’s Kensington Gardens park, the gallery said on Tuesday, February 7.

“It is a great honour to be working with Herzog and de Meuron and Ai Weiwei,” said gallery director Julia PeytonJones.

“We are delighted that our annual commission will bring this unique architectural collaboration to Europe to mark the continuity between the Beijing 2008 and the London 2012 Games.”

In a joint statement, Ai and the architects said the project would involve digging some five feet (1.5 metres) into the park’s soil to collect rainwater, which would be incorporated into the design.

The resulting construction will be “the perfect place to sit, stand, lie down or just look and be amazed,” they said.

Britain’s Guardian newspaper said Ai had been coordinating the

©AFP/File/Peter Parks

Ai Weiwei, along with the Swiss firm Herzog and de Meuron, will join forces again to design a pavilion. ©AFP/File/Leon Neal

Picture taken on October 11, 2010 shows Chinese artist Ai Weiwei dropping a handful of ceramic seeds during a photocall for the launch of his installation ‘Sunflower Seeds’ at the Tate Modern in South London.

Members of the media walk on ceramic seeds, during the launch of Chinese artist Ai Weiwei’s “Sunflower Seeds” at the Tate Modern in south London on October 11, 2010. The installation is made up of around 100 million individually crafted ceramic ‘seeds’ that have been laid out over the floor of the gallery’s 1000 square metre Turbine Hall.

she is a source of wisdom and continuity,” Cameron said.

“All my life, and for the lives of most people in this country, she has always been there for us.”

One member of the royal family who will be absent from the early stages of the jubilee celebrations is Prince William, who last week started a six-week mission as a Royal Air Force search and rescue pilot in the Falkland Islands.

Argentina, which claims the islands in the South Atlantic, is furious at the prince’s posting.

■ (AFP – King’s Lynn, United Kingdom – February 6, 2012)

project with the architects using online phone service Skype.

Ai – whose activism has made him a thorn in the side of China’s communist authorities – disappeared into custody for 81 days last year as police rounded up dissidents and lawyers amid online calls for Arab-style protests in China.

Upon his release in June, the world-renowned artist was charged with tax evasion. He is currently battling Chinese demands that he pay 15 million yuan ($2.4 million) which he allegedly owes in back taxes.

The 54-year-old artist – whose installation of 100 million sunflower seeds, made out of porcelain, was exhibited at London’s Tate Modern last year – denies the charges and insists the case is a politically motivated attempt to silence his activism.

The Serpentine Gallery has commissioned artists and architects to create a summer pavillion for the elegant 111-hectare (275-acre) park every year since 2000. Previous designers include the Brazilian architect Oscar Niemeyer.

This year’s pavillion will be part of the London 2012 festival, a series of 1,000 cultural performances and events across Britain to mark the London 2012 Olympics. ■ (AFP – London – February 8, 2012)

Current Affairs

February 2012 – No. 3 / Fortnightly • UK & Europe Edition

www.hello-philippines.com

HELLO PHILIPPINES

15

Philippine quake survivors beg for search help Ted Aljibe, AFP SURVIVORS of a deadly quake that hit the Philippines on Monday, February 6, begged rescuers to keep searching for dozens of people buried in landslides, but officials said hopes of finding them alive were dim.

Two days after a 6.7-magnitude quake flattened homes, destroyed bridges and crumbled mountainsides on the central island of Negros, rescue workers battled without heavy equipment to dig through rubble in the search for the missing.

“Please do not give up, please continue searching,” 47-year-old housewife Virginsita Magalso sobbed, her face streaked with dirt, as rescuers picked through mounds of dirt that covered the homes of family and friends.

“We can still save them, miracles happen all the time.”

Magalso said her 68-year-old mother, an older brother, his wife, and their two young children were among those buried when part of a hill collapsed on homes in the farming community of La Libertad on Negros.

Magalso’s house was further down the slope, sparing her direct family certain death, she said.

The official death toll from Monday’s

quake was 26, with 71 others missing from farming communities that had been engulfed by landslides in La Libertad and the nearby city of Guihulngan.

“Rescue teams have so far not seen or heard any signs of life underneath,” Guihulngan mayor Ernesto Reyes told AFP, adding 29 people were believed buried in one disaster-hit village.

“None of our missing have so far been retrieved.”

Reyes said the mountain village in Guihulngan was buried under about 10 metres (30 feet) of debris, with rescue efforts painfully slow because people had only picks, shovels and their bare hands to claw through the dirt.

Roads and bridges to Guihulngan, a coastal city of about 100,000 people flanked by mountains that was close to the quake’s epicentre, were badly damaged in the quake, meaning rescuers had difficulties bringing in earth movers and supplies for survivors.

Guihulngan is about 90 kilometres to the north of Dumaguete, the capital of Negros Oriental province that covers the south eastern edge of Negros where the worst impacts of the quake were felt.

“Our immediate concern now is

©AFP/Ted Aljibe

how to serve the living. We don’t have enough food, there is no electricity and water,” Reyes said.

“We are appealing for help from everyone.”

Civil defence chief Benito Ramos said in Manila that five military battalions, or about 2,000 troops, had been deployed to the devastated zones and were helping local rescue units.

“We are racing against time, and hoping against hope that maybe, just maybe some of them might still be alive,” he said.

At least two mechanical diggers (backhoes) and several chainsaws and drills had reached La Libertad by noon Wednesday, but other areas remained cut off, according to Ramos.

Roel Degamo, the governor of Negros Oriental province where the worst of the damage occurred, said the likelihood of finding anyone alive was very low.

“We are in a state of shock, and all we can do now for those still missing is to pray,” Degamo told AFP. He said soldiers and rescuers in La Libertad raced on Tuesday to find a young woman who had sent a mobile phone text message to her relatives that she was pinned down, but alive.

©AFP/Ted Aljibe

Civilian volunteers carry relief goods as they cross a damaged road destroyed at the height of the powerful earthquake in Guihulngan town, Negros Oriental province, central Philippines on February 9, 2012. Survivors of a deadly quake in the Philippines begged rescuers February 8 to keep searching for dozens of people buried in landslides, but officials said hopes of finding them alive were dim.

©AFP/Ted Aljibe

Motorists cross a damaged road destroyed at the height of the powerful earthquake in Guihulngan town, Negros Oriental province, central Philippines, February 9, 2012.

©AFP/Ted Aljibe

©AFP Graphic/JS

Map showing the region in the Philippines hit by a 6.8-magnitude quake.

At least 48 people have so far been confirmed dead in Negros, with another 92 missing.

A cluster of hillside homes were crushed by a landslide in La Libertad town.

©AFP/Ted Aljibe

©AFP

The search, however, ended in tears hours later.

“She was found dead and still clutching her cell phone,” Degamo said.

The regional military commander with responsibility for the disaster zone, Colonel Francisco Patrimonio, reported on Tuesday that 48 people had died, and another 92 were missing.

But the army said in a statement on Wednesday that the confirmed number of deaths was just 26, blaming initial confusion in the quake-hit areas for the change in numbers.

The revised tally matches figures

from the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council, the overall emergency response agency.

Cebu, the Philippines’ second biggest city with 2.3 million residents and a popular tourist destination, was 50 kilometres from the epicentre and shook violently during the initial tremor but no deaths were reported there.

The Philippines sits on the Pacific “Ring of Fire” – a belt around the Pacific Ocean where friction between shifting tectonic plates causes frequent earthquakes and volcanic activity. ■ (AFP - La Libertad, Philippines – February 8, 2012)

Death toll in Philippine quake rises to 39 About 2,000 troops have been deployed to the devastated zones in central Philippines.

The public is fearful of returning to their homes after dozens of aftershocks, officials say.

©AFP/File/Hoang Dinh Nam ©AFP

Residents rush to safety after a 6.8 earthquake that hit Cebu City.

Violent shaking of buildings was experienced in Cebu and San Carlos as a 6.8 quake hit the central Philippines on Monday, February 6.

THE death toll from a strong quake on Monday, February 6 in the central Philippines rose to 39 on Friday, February 10 with dozens of missing feared dead, a disaster official said.

Rescuers recovered five bodies in the landslide-hit central island of Negros four days after it was rattled by a 6.7-magnitude quake that flattened homes, destroyed bridges and crumbled mountainsides.

The bodies were recovered from Guihulngan city and the nearby town of La Libertad, some of the worst affected areas engulfed by landslides.

“We’re still looking for 66 people,”

National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council chief Benito Ramos told AFP as he updated the official death toll to 39.

Most of the missing are feared buried in landslides, he said. The death toll is expected to rise as hopes of recovering more people alive are fading even as about 2,000 soldiers intensify search operations.

The disaster council said it is providing food and other assistance to more than 88,000 quake survivors, including most of the 33,000 who have lost their homes and taken shelter at government-run evacuation centres. ■ (AFP – February 10, 2012)

16

HELLO PHILIPPINES

Global News

www.hello-philippines.com

February 2012 – No. 3 / Fortnightly • UK & Europe Edition

Mass evacuation in Australia as flood waters rise FLOOD waters rose Monday, February 6 in parts of Queensland but residents of a threatened town in the Australian state were thrown a lifeline with news that the levee on a swollen river might hold.

Thousands of Australians have been forced to abandon their homes as a record deluge sweeps through areas still reeling from last year’s devastating flooding, with St George, in Queensland’s south, under most threat Monday.

Many of its residents fled Sunday evening to evacuation centres in nearby Dalby or the state capital Brisbane, although some 400 stayed to help limit the damage despite a mandatory evacuation order.

Local mayor Donna Stewart said the Balonne River in St George, flooding for the third time in less than two years, had reached 13.48 metres (44 feet) and was expected to keep

rising until at least Tuesday night.

Forecasters earlier estimated it could top 15 metres, breaching the town’s 14.5-metre levee, but they have now revised down the predicted peak to just over 14 metres, making it touch and go whether the levee will hold.

“It’s not out of the question it’ll go above the 14.5 level but it’s more likely not to,” said Bureau of Meteorology hydrologist Chris Leahy as authorities dumped mountains of dirt around town to shore up its defences.

Stewart said she was optimistic the town could survive the worst-case scenario.

“The picture is not as grim as what it was looking this time yesterday,” she said.

State Premier Anna Bligh, who launched a flood relief appeal, said the St George disaster had been the largest ever evacuation of a town in Queensland.

©AFP/HO/Queensland Police Service

St. George has seen major flooding twice in the past two years.

“The heartbreaking job of calculating the loss is still in its early stages,” she said.

Reports said about 30 houses and businesses had been inundated so far, and it was expected to rise.

While most residents have fled, Queensland Police Commissioner

Map showing the town of St. George in Australia’s flood-hit Queensland.

©AFP/HO/Queensland Police Service

Thousands of Australians have been forced to abandon their homes.

©AFP Graphic

©AFP/HO/Queensland Police Service

Flooding has been hitting parts of Queensland and New South Wales over the past week.

Bob Atkinson said officers would stay to prevent looting.

“We are going to do everything we can to make sure people’s homes are safe,” he told reporters.

Federal politician Barnaby Joyce, who lives in the town, said watching the flood crisis unfold was “a little bit scary” with the river raging near his home.

“There is something that sounds a little bit like the sea but it is not actually the sea, it’s a river and it is just outside the back door,” he told ABC radio.

St George has seen major flooding twice in the past two years, once in March 2010 and again last year during Queensland’s flooding disaster, which claimed 35 lives and swamped vast tracts of farmland and tens of thousands of homes.

Protecting the seas is good business: UN THE worldwide fishing industry could benefit from a $50 billion boost annually if stocks were allowed time to recover, the UN said Wednesday, January 25.

Already 32 percent of the world’s fish stocks have been depleted by years of overfishing and poor coastal management, according to a UN Environment Programme report released in the Philippine capital Manila.

“The potential economic gain from reducing fishing capacity to an optimal and restoring fish stocks is in the order of $50 billion per annum,” a summary of the UN report said, without

giving details on how the figure was reached.

The report said overfishing, pollution from land-based farming and industry, and the destruction of habitat, including coral reefs and mangroves, were all having an effect on fish stocks.

This was directly affecting the 540 people around the world who are dependent on the fishing industry, experts at the launch of the “Green Economy in a Blue World” report said.

Cutting pollution would help fish stocks and fishermen’s catches to rebound, Amina

Mohammed, deputy executive director of the UN programme, said.

“Many ocean industries and businesses stand to benefit directly from cleaner, more ecologically robust marine ecosystems,” she said.

While overfishing reduces fish stocks, pollution from the overuse of fertiliser in farming is also a major problem, she said.

The fertiliser washes into the sea, resulting in runaway growth of algae which sucks up all the oxygen in the waters and causes fish to “drown”.

Experts have said there are

©AFP/File/Sonny Tumbelaka

©AFP/File/Robert Schmidt

The UN says up to 32% of the world’s fish stocks have been depleted by years of overfishing and poor coastal management.

Pollution from the overuse of fertiliser in farming is also a major problem for fish stocks, says the UN.

Flooding has been hitting parts of Queensland and New South Wales over the past week but has claimed just one life: a woman whose car was swept from a roadway in Roma, further north of St George.

In that town and nearby Mitchell, a mopping up operation has begun with state Police Minister Neil Roberts saying the scale of the damage was slowly emerging.

“Preliminary assessments show that in Mitchell 280 homes or more have been damaged with water above the floor boards,” he told reporters.

“In Roma, it’s at least over 400.

That’s very significant damage and a very significant dislocation for those individuals.” ■ (AFP – Dalby, Australia – February 6, 2012)

©AFP/File/Hassan Ammar

The UN report said the destruction of coral reefs was having a detrimental effect on fish stocks.

over 500 oxygen-deprived “dead zones” in waters around the world created in such a way.

Europe could save at least $100 million annually just through improvements in fertiliser use to stop it affecting the oceans, said Linwood Pendleton, an oceans and coast expert from the US’s Duke University.

Marine specialist Raphael Lotilla said that as much as 49 percent of all fertiliser used in Philippine farms ended up being washed into the sea.

“Let’s work with farmers to figure out what is the right amount of fertiliser so everyone wins,” Mohammed said.

The UN report also said marine-based renewable energy

sources like wind, wave and tidal power, have huge potential but are not yet cost competitive.

It called for “long-term policies and targeted financial support from governments” such as grants, subsidies and tax credits, to improve the technology and bring costs down.

It also called for more measures to curb destruction of coral reefs, mangroves, seagrass beds and other marine habitats, as well as measures to prevent the spread of “invasive species” carried by ships’ hulls.

Such species cause an estimated $100 billion in losses each year, the report said, without giving further details. ■ (AFP – Manila – January 25, 2012)

February 2012 – No. 3 / Fortnightly • UK & Europe Edition

Social Issues

www.hello-philippines.com

HELLO PHILIPPINES

17

Baldoz orders all POLOs to strengthen case build-up against illegal recruiters, human traffickers AMMAN – Labor and Employment Secretary Rosalinda Dimapilis-Baldoz yesterday ordered all Philippine Overseas Labor Office (POLO) officials to focus on and prioritize the buildup of cases against suspected illegal recruiters and human traffickers who lure poor and vulnerable Filipino workers, particularly women, with rosy promises of overseas jobs that only entrap them into inhuman and despicable condition.

“I want immediate results on cases that are clearly solvable if only you can build them up with detail that can stand before the courts,” she said, after hearing for herself the testimonies of illegally recruited HSWs at the Filipino Workers Resource Center at the POLO in this capital.

Baldoz, who is on a two-country swing in the Middle East to sign

labor cooperation agreements – she signed a protocol with Jordan Labor Minister Maher Al Waked yesterday and will sign a memorandum of understanding on labor cooperation with his Lebanese counterpart, Dr. Charbel Nahhas tomorrow – had visited the POLO’s FWRC in Amman and delivered an impromptu message to some 50 HSWs who had ran away from their employers due to various reasons, such as low or unpaid salaries, physical abuse, overwork, and other violations.

“I have signed the Principles and Controls for Regulating Deployment and Employment of Filipino Domestic Workers with Jordan Labor Minister Maher Al Waked of Jordan which will ensure your welfare and protection,” she informed the HSWs in Filipino, “but you also have to cooperate

with the government so we can prosecute those conscience-less people who have only brought you despair and misery.”

“Tell us the details of the names, the places, and the modus operandi of those who illegally recruited you and we will use this information for our police and operatives to do surveillance and entrapment operations and to charge them with illegal recruitment or human trafficking in our courts,” she said.

She also ordered POEA Administrator Hans Leo Cacdac to beef up the POEA’s antiillegal recruitment team and to work double time with the DOLE Regional Coordinating Committee chaired by the DOLE regional directors to ensure that legal requirements and processes are complied with in the filing of cases against the perpetrators

of illegal recruitment and human trafficking.

“Napakababa ang conviction rate natin sa Pilipinas pagdating sa illegal recruitment at human trafficking dahil hindi natin natututukan ang pag-build up ng kaso,” she said.

“Ang pakiusap ko lang, kapag naisampa na natin ang kaso laban sa mga nambiktima sa inyo, huwag kayong umatras,” she told the distressed OFWs. Informed by POLO officer-incharge Welfare Officer Mario Antonio that 30 of the OFWs in the FWRC will be repatriated to the Philippines in the next two weeks, Baldoz instructed the POLO officer to coordinate closely with the Philippine Embassy in Amman, as well as with local authorities in the Jordan labor ministry and immigration, to ensure faster repatriation.

“Take advantage of the goodwill we have built by our visit and the signing of the Protocol and work with Jordanian authorities to attend to all OFW welfare cases with dispatch,” she instructed Antonio.

On the other hand, she also instructed OWWA Administrator Carmelita Dimzon, who is with the Philippine delegation, to provide those who will be repatriated with comprehensive reintegration assistance, such as those offered free under the Balik Pinay, Balik Hanapbuhay program.

Meanwhile, Undersecretary Danilo Cruz, who accompanied the secretary, warned labor attachés not to verify employment contracts and job orders of employers and foreign placement agencies with derogatory records and those being complained of by run-away OFWs. ■ (DOLE – January 30, 2012)

Other than jobs, DOLE provides other employment facilitation services in job fairs – Baldoz

APART from presenting job seekers a varied array of job opportunities, the DOLE also provides job seekers essential employment facilitation services during its job fairs.

Labor and Employment Secretary Rosalinda DimapilisBaldoz said this yesterday when she announced the DOLE’s nationwide job fair schedule for the first quarter of 2012. “DOLE job fairs are more than just jobs.

When a job seeker goes to one of our job fair, we see to it that the trip is worthwhile. We also bring with us other essential employment facilitation services that the job seeker can avail and

take advantage of,” she said.

Baldoz explained that the services provided by the DOLE in its job fairs may vary as to the type of the job fair and may also depend upon the needs of the event. For example, a DOLE job fair may be for local employment or overseas employment only, or for both. “But whatever type of job fair it is, the most common services the DOLE brings include career guidance counseling; “One-Stop-Shop” service, where prospective employees can easily access NBI, SSS, and Pag-Ibig services; TESDA services, which includes orientation on TESDA and free skills demonstration

(haircut, massage, manicure and pedicure, hair styling, etc.); and referral services,” Baldoz explained.

She said that DOLE job fairs, supervised by the Bureau of Local Employment in cooperation with Public Employment Service Offices, are open to all interested employers. “We have very easy and simple requirements for private sector employers who would like to participate in our job fairs,” Baldoz noted, saying new employer applicants must first register as member through the Philjob.net website, post their vacancies in the site; and submit the following documentary

requirements: BIR Form 2303, SEC registration, and business/ mayor’s permit.

For employers who are already members and have previously participated in DOLE job fairs, they must, as members, post their vacancies or positions-tobe-filled in the website, and call the DOLE regional offices about their intention to participate.

The regional office will, in turn, register them as employer in the job fair.

The labor and employment chief said that job fairs are consistent with the overarching goal of President Benigno S. Aquino III, in his 22-point labor

and employment agenda, to “invest in our country’s top resource, our human resource, to make us more competitive and employable while promoting industrial peace based on social justice”.

“The DOLE holds these job fairs to help address the labor-mismatch problem by promoting better coordination between employers, academe, and government through strengthening both public and private sector labor market information and exchange institutions, especially at the local levels,” she said. ■ (DOLE – January 26, 2012)

Local job vacancies at Phil-JobNet tops 102,902 this January—Baldoz THE DOLE’s Bureau of Local Employment yesterday reported to Labor and Employment Secretary Baldoz that job vacancies in the Phil-JobNet has reached than 102,902 in January, an indication that the local employment market is growing vibrant and strong.

“With job vacancies rising to more than 100,000 as of 30 January 2012, the Phil-JobNet is drawing closer to becoming the Philippines’s foremost online source of information on job opportunities,” Secretary Rosalinda D. Baldoz said, commenting on the report.

“It is also becoming a favorite online venue for employers to look for needed workers,” she added.

The report also showed that the Phil-JobNet recorded 7,861 skills for hire and 124,819 applicants as of reporting date.

Job vacancies in the PhilJobNet stays current for thirty (30) days, after which they are removed unless filled up.

Baldoz noted that the number of available employment opportunities in the Phil-JobNet has increased on a daily basis to reach the current high level following the onset of New Year.

“We continue to regularly disseminate this piece of labor market information for the benefit of applicants, including new graduates, in search of jobs and employers in search of qualified personnel or skills,” the labor and employment chief said.

She credited the increase in job posting in the Phil-Jobnet to the DOLE’s campaign in the community level encouraging employers to use the facility to advertise their need for workers

and for workers to use the system to search for work.

The Phil-Jobnet is accessible 24/7 through its URL address, http://www.phil-job.net, which is hosted and administered by the BLE. For this week, top Phil-JobNet job vacancies include marketing officers, receptionists, telemarketers, messengers, mechanical engineers, executive secretary, call center agents, accounting staff, office clerks, human resource development assistants, general electricians, school librarians, elementary school teachers, production machine operators, purchasing managers, pastry cooks, and general pharmacists.

The top 50 vacancies in the Phil-Jobnet, in terms of the number of workers needed include call center agents,

general electricians, production machine operators, domestic helpers, service crews, sales clerks, general carpenters, cashiers, production/factory workers, welders, steel workers, waitresses, promo salespersons, technical support staff, salesmen, company drivers, general waiters, general masons, painters, baggers, pipe fitters, heavy truck drivers, plumbers, office clerks, construction carpenters, information technology (IT) specialists, police officers, estimators, rough carpenters, riggers, accounting staff, machine tool operators, mechanical engineers, tile setters, laborers, telemarketers, heating, ventilation and airconditioning technicians, and staff nurses.

Once again, Baldoz advised

job seekers to equip themselves with appropriate knowledge and skills so they will qualify for the available jobs.

“If job seekers feel the need for some training or acquire additional knowledge and skills, they should do so at once,” she said, and identified the TESDA as one DOLE agency where there are some available free training.

Finally, Baldoz expressed the DOLE’s determination to complete the re-engineering of the Phil-Jobnet this year to enable the online facility to democratize as widely as possible access to the trove of labor market information available to workers.

“This is part of the strategy of improving access to employment opportunities as embodied in the Philippine Labor and Employment Plan 2011-2016,” she said. ■ (DOLE – February 2, 2012)

18

HELLO PHILIPPINES

www.hello-philippines.com

Social Issues

February 2012 – No. 3 / Fortnightly • UK & Europe Edition

Make it “easy to do business but easy to go for violators”, Baldoz tells labor attachés DUBAI – Labor and Employment Secretary Rosalinda Dimapilis-Baldoz yesterday instructed the Department’s corps of labor attachés to make it easy to do business with the Philippine Overseas Labor Offices and to make it easy to go for violators.

“Simple lang ang aking policy direction: easy to do business, and easy to go for violators,” said Baldoz during the regional conference of Middle East labor attachés held from 26 to 27 January in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

The regional conference, attended by labor attachés and assistant labor attachés from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (Riyadh, Jeddah, Al Khobar); United Arab Emirates (Dubai and Abu Dhabi); Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, Oman, and Libya, was held to review POLO operations, assess labor market situation with regards to overseas

employment, OFW welfare and protection, and political stability in the light of the so-called “Arab spring” uprisings that wrought civil unrest in the region. It was also held to harmonize overseas employment systems and processes in pursuit of the labor governance and employment reforms contained in the Labor and Employment Plan 2011-2016.

“This is an opportunity for us to sit down and discuss and reason.

Dapat mapag-usapan na talaga natin nang maliwanag kung ano ang mga “good news” na ginagawa natin at dapat gagawin pa to really make a difference in the lives of our “bosses”, the Filipino workers,” said Secretary Baldoz in prefacing her policy directives to the labor attachés.

“It cannot be business as usual when you return to your posts,” she said. “We need to transform ourselves and our POLOs to be able to achieve our goals, and the

POLOs should be able to mirror the eleven items on overseas employment contained in the 22-point labor and employment agenda of President Benigno S. Aquino III.” The Secretary’s other major policy directives include the following: • Speed up repatriation and the transformation of the Filipino Workers’ Resource Centers as centers of excellence. “The number of distressed OFWs sheltered in our FWRCs reflect the work you do in verifying employment contracts and vouching for legitimate employers who really care for our workers,” she said.

• Reduce process cycle times (PCTs) with definitive deadlines by simplifying, streamlining, systematizing, and continually improving procedures and processes to make it easier for clients to transact business

with POLOs. • Work very closely and maintain strong working relationships with counterparts in the country destination (labor, immigration, police, and other competent authorities) who are helping in securing the welfare and protection of OFWs; • Return to the basics by really coming out with reliable data on OFWs and employers (job orders). “It is time that we start cleansing out our data and use only one set of statistics,” Baldoz said.

• Exercise financial integrity and accountability. Baldoz asked the labor attachés to be very honest by informing the central office if the single financial and administrative system designed for POLOs is able to help them in their work. “To me, honesty in handling the money entrusted to you goes into the integrity of the person,” she said, adding

she will not hesitate to impose sanctions to erring POLO officials and employees who fail the test of integrity and accountability.

Baldoz also said she is strictly imposing performance scorecards for the POLO officers and instructed the International Labor Affairs Bureau to finalize the labor attachés’ performance targets and indicators. “Of course, I have certain targets common for all you at my level,” she said, adding: “But I need you to propose solutions to your specific problems at the posts so we can agree on responsive policies and regulations.”

Baldoz was joined at the regional conference by Undersecretary for Employment Danilo P. Cruz, POEA Administrator Hans Leo J. Cacdac, Overseas Workers Welfare Administrator Carmelita Dimzon, and ILAB Director Maya Valderrama. ■ (DOLE – February 2, 2012)

“Bring down to the grassroots ‘jobs fit’ opportunities through LMI,” Baldoz tells BLE, regional officials

FOR its Bureau of Local Employment and regional offices, Labor and Employment Secretary Baldoz has another directive for 2012: They must effect greater involvement and intensive action in bringing down labor market information (LMI) to the grassroots to reinforce the employability and productivity of the country’s massive labor force.

“The year 2012 should be a year of relentless action. No less than President Benigno S. Aquno III has hit the ground running in the new year. We at the DOLE should follow suit in implementing a massive information and education drive on all available LMI to address the perennial problem of unemployment and job mismatch and to bring ‘jobs fit’ opportunities down the grassroots,” she said in baring the thrusts and programs of the Department for 2012.

“This year, we must act be proactive and twice as intense as we were in 2011 in cascading the

DOLE’s campaign to develop a jobs fit and productive labor force at local levels by informing and guiding new entrants to the labor force in identifying skills and competencies that would secure them the best jobs,” she added.

Making LMI accessible and available at the grassroots level is part of career guidance advocacy, the third of four convergent programs identified by the DOLE, TESDA, CHED, and DepEd that would address jobs mismatch.

The career advocacy program is seen to pave the way to making national and regional LMI, such as hot jobs, in-demand and hardto-fill occupations, occupational briefs, career guides, industry guides, labor market intelligence, etc. more accessible to the public.

Its implementation will involve the PESOs, network of guidance counsellors, academe, training institutions, student councils, and industry associations.

Baldoz issued the directive after noting there had been an

increase of 4.2 percent in the number of inactive unemployed population, based on the 2011 employment report of the DOLE’s Bureau of Labor and Employment Statistics.

The increment translated to a slight increase of 15,250 persons per year, bringing to 1.511 million the number of inactively unemployed in 2010 from 1.450 million in 2006.

The National Statistics Office and the National Statistical Coordination Board define the unemployed as all persons who are 15 years old and over as of their last birthday and are reported as without work; currently available for work and willing to take up work in paid employment or self employment; and seeking work or not seeking work due to the following reasons: (a) tired/ believe that no work is available (the discouraged workers who looked for work within the last six months prior to the interview date); (b) awaiting results of

previous job application; (c) temporary illness/disability; (d) bad weather; and (e) waiting for rehire/job recall.

Citing the same BLES report, Baldoz explained that the common reason for the increase in inactive unemployed population was the belief that there was no available work to match the skills of every jobseeker.

“Clearly, there is a urgent need for us to expand and intensify LMI delivery to educate jobseekers and workers and guide them in their search for productive opportunities and available jobs in the local labor market,” Baldoz stressed.

LMI encompasses a comprehensive framework of the labor market situation on labor demand and supply; wages, hours of works; employer hiring practices; worker job preferences; and many other factors which shape employerworker relationship, policies and programs of government,

investment decision by employers, and job selection by workers among others.

The DOLE, Baldoz said, has allocated a budget of P50 million this year for its LMI delivery, programs, and activities, which consist of career guidance and counselling seminars and massive orientation on the Project Jobs Fit: DOLE 2020.

Project Jobs Fit: DOLE 2020 is a study that outlines in-demand and hard-to-fill occupations in the country’s ‘key employment generating’ industries in the next 10 years.

In 2011, the BLE has distributed 2,000 copies of Project Jobs Fit publications to members of Congress, DepEd, CHED, DOST, DTI, NEDA, PESO Managers, schools and universities, DOLE ROs, and attached agencies. The electronic copy of the Project Jobs Fit can be accessed through the BLE’s website at http://ble. dole.gov.ph/. ■ (DOLE – January 13,

2012)

DOLE readies P6.9M assistance to workers in CDO and Iligan cities THE Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) yesterday announced the release of P6.912 million fund for the emergency employment and livelihood assistance of workers who were displaced and/or affected by the massive flash floods caused by typhoon Sendong in the cities of Cagayan de Oro and Iligan.

Labor and Employment

Secretary Rosalinda DimapilisBaldoz said that the P6.912 million is composed of P3.839 million for the Emergency Employment Program (EEP) and P3.073 million for livelihood assistance in the form of jigs and tools as starter kits.

The EEP and livelihood programs are emergency interventions of the Department. Both programs are aimed at helping displaced

workers cope and recover from emergencies and other natural calamities.

“Through these DOLE programs, we want to strengthen the morale of our workers and help them move forward with their lives,” said Baldoz.

The labor chief added that the said amount covers the P3.225 million wages of the displaced worker-beneficiaries. The displaced

workers, who will be paid the minimum wage rate at P215 per day for eight hours work, will be engaged in community and rural rehabilitation work in the affected areas, specifically in declogging, clearing, and cleaning of communities, schools, and evacuation centers for 15 days.

Aside from the wages, the amount will also be used for the purchase

of working tools and other personal protective equipment.

The EEP is expected to benefit 1,000 displaced workers. The qualified beneficiaries will come from the barangays of Macasandig, Carmen, Balulang, Consolacion and Iponan in Cagayan de Oro City, and in Hinaplonan, Santiago, Mahayhay, Sta. Filomena, and Tubod in Iligan city. ■ (DOLE – January 27, 2012)

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Canada urged to conceal fetal sex over abortion fears

AN editorial in a major Canadian medical journal Monday, January 16 urges doctors to conceal the gender of a fetus from all pregnant women until 30 weeks to prevent sex-selective abortion by Asian immigrants.

A separate article in the same issue of the Canadian Medical Association Journal warns that Canada has become “a haven for parents who would terminate female fetuses in favor of having sons” due to advanced prenatal testing and easy access to abortion.

“Female feticide happens in India and China by the millions, but it also happens in North America in numbers large enough to distort the male to female ratio in some ethnic groups,” said the editorial by interim editor-inchief Rajendra Kale.

While few studies have been done to assess how frequent the practice may be among immigrant communities in Canada, the editorial points to research that suggests sex-selection is more common among immigrants from India, China, Korea, Vietnam and the Philippines who already have at least one daughter.

It cites US census data from 2000 that shows male-biased sex ratios

among US-born children of Asian parents, and a study of 65 Indian women in the US from 2004-2009 that showed 89 percent of them terminated pregnancies with female fetuses.

Kale told AFP he believes that several hundred sex-selective abortions take place in Canada each year.

“Should female feticide in Canada be ignored because it is a small problem localized to minority ethnic groups? No,” said the editorial written

by Kale, a Mumbai-born neurologist.

“The solution is to postpone the disclosure of medically irrelevant information to women until after about 30 weeks of pregnancy.”

Canada in 2004 outlawed fertility practices that would increase the likelihood that an embryo will be a certain sex or that would identify an in-vitro embryo by sex for any reason other than to diagnose a sex-linked disorder or disease.

Kale said the Canadian medical establishment needs to go further, and make express rulings that would ban fetal sex disclosure before seven months, when it is too late for an abortion.

He added that doctors should nevertheless “avoid painting all Asians with the same broad brush and doing injustice to those who are against sex selection,” but called for collective cooperation by women of all races.

“The execution of a ‘disclose sex only after 30 weeks’ policy would require the understanding and willingness of women of all ethnicities to make a temporary compromise,” he wrote.

“Postponing the transmission of such information is a small price to pay to save thousands of girls in Canada.”

The Canadian Medical Association, the country’s largest doctors’ group with 70,000 members, stressed that editorial viewpoints are not necessarily those of the CMA. Kale’s controversial proposal was welcomed by conservative groups but opposed by the pro-choice advocates who warned that the debate extends much further than sex-selective abortion in minority groups.

“We would absolutely approve of such a ban,” said Gwendolyn Landolt, national vice-president of REAL Women of Canada. “Is it a right to know the gender of your child if you are going to use this information to kill it?”

©AFP/File

Graphic showing skewed sex ratios in selected countries including India and China.

Alexia Conradi, head of the prochoice Women’s Federation of Quebec, agreed that abortive sex-selection is “unacceptable,” but questioned the motivation of those who support formal measures to prevent it.

“You have to wonder if the act of

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withholding information is a good thing when the matter is being raised by conservatives in the US and Canada whose goal is to quietly roll back abortion rights.”

According to Jessica Arons of the left-wing Washington think-tank the Center for American Progress, the issue raises difficult questions for women’s advocates.

“Any types of restrictions on abortion are met with skepticism by the pro-choice community generally,” she said.

“A more appropriate intervention with sex-selection is to do more education, especially if we are talking about son preference, rather than seek to limit women’s choices or access to information.”

Medical ethicist Sam Packer told AFP that any proposal to curb women’s right to information would face steep opposition in the United States.

“It is a slippery slope,” said Packer, ethics chair at New York’s North ShoreLong Island Jewish Health System.

“To respect other people’s cultural and religious views is why we started this country,” he added. ■ (AFP – Montreal – January 16, 2012)

DOLE to intensify Labor and Employment Plan strategies on anti-child labor TO carry out the strategies embodied in the Labor and Employment Plan 2011-2016, particularly on strengthening measures to prevent and eliminate the w orst forms of child labor, Labor and Employment Secretary Rosalinda Dimapilis-Baldoz bared yesterday that one of the priorities of the DOLE this year is to reinforce strategic partnerships and intensify advocacy and action at the national, regional, community, and firm or establishment levels.

Speaking at the 1st DOLE media briefing in Intramuros, Manila, Baldoz said that the Department will also improve access of child laborers and

their families to quality integrated services, such as the provision of livelihood, entrepreneurship, health, education, and training. ur vigilance and focus on what we have started will continue to totally curb not only the incidence of child labor, but also illegal recruitment and trafficking of persons in the country in 2012,” she said.

“This year, the DOLE will increase the provision of protection services to children from all forms of abuse, neglect, cruelty, exploitation and discrimination,” she added, saying that the DOLE has allotted ₱121 million for the anti-child labor, antiillegal recruitment, and anti-human

trafficking programs, a 36 percent increase from last year’s budget of P108 million.

Baldoz said that the Department, through its regional offices, will also continue to forge agreements and the like on anti-illegal recruitment, anti-child-labor, and anti-human trafficking with local government units, non-government organizations, and other government agencies.

Through an existing program, the Sagip Batang Manggagawa (SBM), the DOLE has also pledged to act upon 100 percent on complaints and reports of cases of child labor in extremely abject conditions.

The SBM is an inter-agency mechanism under the Child Labor Prevention and Elimination Program that responds to cases of child labor in extremely abject conditions. It employs a quick action team for detecting, monitoring, and rescuing child laborers in hazardous and exploitative working conditions at the community level.

It also provides other appropriate interventions for the relief of child laborers, such as the physical and psychological services to child labor victims; filing of administrative and criminal cases; and facilitation of the return of the child laborers to their parents, guardians or custodians.

Baldoz added that this year’s intensified policy reforms and program expansion to combat child labor seeks to upscale the implementation of the Philippine Program Against Child Labor (PPACL) towards a child labor-free Philippines.

DOLE leads in the implementation of the government’s anti-child labor program, particularly on the improvement of the conditions of children at work, banning of child employment in hazardous occupation, and enforcement of laws, standards and policies. ■ (DOLE – January 10, 2012)

Philippine, German public diplomacy in tiny packages: Philippine Embassy hosts piano recital of young talents in Berlin

WELL-known Berlin-based Filipino pianist Dr. Abelardo Galang II staged a piano recital featuring his young talents aged 4 to 11 years old at the Philippine Embassy in Berlin’s Bulwagang Jose Rizal last January 22.

In a report by the Embassy to the Department of Foreign Affairs, Philippine Ambassador to Germany Maria Cleofe Natividad warmly welcomed the performers, their families and friends to the Embassy.

In her remarks, Ambassador Natividad expressed her deep appreciation to Dr. Galang for imparting the gift of music to his wards and building bridges of friendship between the Filipinos and Germans. She conveyed the Embassy’s continued support for

such musical performances as part of the Embassy’s public and cultural diplomacy efforts, explaining that cultural diplomacy through music is an important pillar of the Embassy’s mission.

Dr. Galang in turn thanked the Ambassador for granting him the opportunity to showcase the children’s musical ability.

Dr. Glang won the 1992 Grand Prix in Philippine Piano Competition and has performed in Asia and Europe as soloist, chamber artist, and Lied accompanist.

He obtained his Bachelor’s Degree in Piano Performance from the University of the Philippines. Dr. Glang has two Master’s Degrees in Music, Piano Solo and Chamber Music from Musashino Academia

Musicae in Tokyo, Japan, and the Hochschule für Musik “Hanns Eisler” in Berlin, Germany. He likewise earned his Doctorate Degree in Music from the Technische Universität in Berlin, Germany.

The performers, some of whom are of Filipino-German descent, were Jomar Krüger, Arno Bolz, siblings Samuel and Julia Tertel, MaditaHelen Schwarz, Alma Zausch, Ambassador Natividad’s daughter Ana Alexandra, and Manuel Pronath.

They charmed the audience with one or two endearing performances of classical pieces from the masters notably Ludwig van Beethoven, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and Ferdinand Beyer. Anna Alexandra performed Beethoven’s “Für Elise” and A. Ellemenreich’s “Spinnerlied”.

To the audience’s delight, Mrs. Jill Tertel, mother of 4-year old Julia Tertel and 8-year old Samuel, performed her very own guitar rendition of the Beatles’ original song

“I Will”, with piano accompaniment

by Dr. Galang.

The afternoon was capped-off by a salo-salo of delectable Philippine native delicacies. ■ (DFA – January 27, 2012)

Ambassador Maria Cleofe Natividad and Dr Abelardo Galang II pose for a photo with the young Philippine and German pianists and their parents.

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February 2012 – No. 3 / Fortnightly • UK & Europe Edition

177 OFW beneficiaries borrow P108 million from P2-B Reintegration Program; creates 636 jobs LABOR and Employment Secretary Rosalinda Dimapilis-Baldoz yesterday said 167 loan applications of 177 OFW beneficiaries have been approved by the Land Bank of the Philippines in 2011 under the government’s ₱2-Billion National Reintegration Program, with the loan amount reaching ₱108,054,000.00.

“The various OFW businesses funded by the loans created 636 jobs,” Baldoz said.

Citing a year-end report of the National Reintegration Center for OFWs, Baldoz said most of the borrowers were OFWs from the Middle East, with Saudi Arabia recording 68 OFW borrowers. Of the total 177 borrower-beneficiaries, 52 were female and 125 are male.

She also said OFWs from the Calabarzon region, Region 4-A, topped the largest borrowers, with ₱27.65 million in loaned amount, followed by Region 3 (₱19.863 million); Region 1 (₱11.8 million); Region 5 (₱9.27 million); Region 2 (₱6.9 million); Cordillera Administrative Region (P6.1 million); and Region 7 (₱5.09 million).

The rest of the regions have OFWs borrowing over ₱1 million, while there were no borrowers from Region 12,

CARAGA, and the ARMM. According to the report, 40.55 percent of the loans released were for OFW borrower-beneficiaries who are into trading, while 22.22 percent were into agribusiness.

Trading ventures include grains, general merchandise, farm and agricultural inputs, textile, construction and auto-supply. On the other hand, agri-businesses involve animal raising, fish production, vegetable growing and cut flower production.

The ₱2-Billion National Reintegration Loan Fund is a lowinterest, collateral-free, and no-conduit loan offered by the government to returning OFWs who would like to go into business or who are already into existing business undertakings.

The loan is managed by the Land Bank of the Philippines and Development Bank of the Philippines.

It carries an annual rate of 7.5 percent in declining balance with a flexible payment scheme maximum of 5 years to pay and an incentive grace period of two years. A borrower can

©DA Photo

©yobynos.wordpress.com

borrow a maximum of ₱2 million.

Relative to this, the labor and employment chief instructed the National Wages and Productivity Commission, headed by Executive Director Ciriaco Lagunzad Jr., to already establish within this month in-house teams in the DOLE regions that will continue to assist the beneficiaries of the National Reintegration Program after they have borrowed money to finance their businesses.

“This is the first time that the DOLE is viewing the National Reintegration Program in the longer-term. I want the OFW loan beneficiaries to be assured

that the DOLE is still there to provide them assistance after they have received their loans,” she said.

The assistance, Baldoz said, may range from helping the beneficiaries obtain business permits from other government agencies, such as the DTI and the DILG, to providing them marketing support, product design

and packaging services, productivity strategies, and business referrals, as the case may be.

“The ₱2-billion National Reintegration Program is in response to the 22-point labor and employment agenda of President Benigno S. Aquino III, specifically Item No. 19 which calls on the DOLE to facilitate the re-integration of returning OFWs by favorable terms of investments, tax incentives, access to government financial institutions and other benefits that are offered to foreign investors,” said Baldoz.

“It further realizes Item No. 15 of the agenda which emphasizes on giving assistance to OFWs in achieving financial stability through training, investment and savings programs,” Baldoz added. ■ (DOLE – January 4, 2012)

Balik Pinay, Balik Hanapbuhay OWWA: Aiding Me through Education Project in Pangasinan

THE third batch for the Balik Pinay, Balik Hanapbuhay Project of the National Reintegration Center for OFWs (NRCO) was implemented by Overseas Workers Welfare Administration Regional Welfare Office I (OWWA-RWO 1) by conducting a 4-day Skills Training on Cosmetology from January 1114, 2012 at the Pangasinan Training and Development Center located at the Capitol Compound, Lingayen, Pangasinan.

A total of 85 participants attended and completed the activity of whom 79 were females and 6 were males.

Most women participants were OFW returnees who were displaced and some were victims of maltreatment and harassment.

In the implementation of Skills Training on Cosmetology, four skills were acquired and enhanced, namely: Haircutting, Hair Perming, Foot Spa, and Make-up.

The Ricky Reyes Group headed

by Training Director Sir Ivory C. Malagueña provided the lectures, hands-on demo, and kits for the said 4-day skills training. Tips on engaging into Cosmetology as a business were also shared by Sir Ivo. His personal and professional experiences gave inspiration to the participants to

always stay focus on what they love most.

Starter kits were distributed to each participant boosting her interest and willingness to enhance the skills acquired and to increase the knowledge gained from the training.

This undertaking was fully supported by the Provincial Government of Pangasinan through the leadership of Hon. Gov. Amado T. Espino, Jr. who provided a free venue for the skills training and even gave free accommodation at the Narciso Ramos Sports and Civic Center Dormitory for the participants who came from far flung areas of Pangasinan.

Mr. Alex F. Ferrer, Provincial PESO Manager of Pangasinan, also showed his unwavering support to this activity together with the OFW Migrants Desk Officer Mr. Elizardo Laureta.

DOLE Regional Office 1 represented by Senior Labor and Employment Officer Violeta Buenaventura inspired the participants through her message that a Pinay should always stay focused and strong amidst life’s adversities to which eventually increased the participants’ optimism and confidence. ■ (Amapola Z. Villar, LCO,

RWO1 – OWWA – Pangasinan – January 18, 2012 )

MY parents had been so anxious months before my high school graduation. They did not know where to send me for college, or better yet, even if they could send me to college with scanty financial resources they had. I remember my mother telling me that if I don’t get to college as a regular student. I could either choose to be a market vendor or work my way through college. I thought the latter would be far better, and that the former was not even an option!

Despite the challenges, they still hoped the best for me. They wanted me to study hard and hit the mark, but they also knew that simultaneously doing both studying and working would really take its toll on my focus.

So they started to search exhaustively for scholarship grants that could somehow help me through college.

They pursued the search and finally came to OWWA where they learned about the Congressional Migrant Workers Scholarship Program (CMWSP) grant. Everything was so timely! My father had just finished his two-year contract and had just arrived back from Saudi Arabia! I was qualified!

I took and passed the written exam, and by God’s grace, also passed the interview. Finally, I became an official CMWSP grantee in Region 10. I enjoyed the four-year scholarship period. And yes, my parents’ desire that I focus on my studies was fulfilled.

I never had to worry my tuition and

allowances for food, clothing, and books. All I had to do was study, eat, and sleep.

I didn’t want to lose this great opportunity so I tried my best until the end. By God’s providence, I was able to finish my BS in Biology with honors.

I wanted to thank God for the many blessings that have been coming my way so I dedicated a year of my life to serve Him as a missionary to Korea. Things turned out differently than I have planned, and again, God worked in mysterious ways. The original plan of one year was extended to three years, plus an opportunity of upgrading my education. By God’s grace, I am soon to receive my Master of Science Degree in Life Science from Sahmyook University, South Korea, Seoul.

Countless blessings are coming like ripples in the water. Just recently, I got my admission certificate from Seoul National University for PhD program major in Biotechnology and Genomics. That means a couple of weeks after my graduation from MS

program in February 2012. I need to start the PhD program. To top all these, my parents don’t need to spend a single penny for this, for all is given through a scholarship grant! Praise the Lord!

As of now, all I can do is to thank the Lord for all the blessings that have come and still coming my way and for using different people and institutions like OWWA to pave my way to where I am now. Nevertheless, this does not end here. I am still about to embark another grueling years of studies.

However, God will always be there to guide me as long as I continue claiming His promises. It is my fervent prayer that I will never forget how God has been gracious and faithful all these years.

I have received great opportunities from the government. I may not be able to pay back directly, but it is my desire to come back to the Philippines with all the education and experience I will have had garnered by then, and pay forward to the Filipinos! ■ (OWWA –

January 17, 2012)

The Author, NOMAR WAMINAL, graduated in 2005 with a BS Biology degree from Mountain View College in Bukidnon under Congressional Migrant Workers Scholarship Program (CMWSP). He never fails to visit OWWA Cagayan de Oro whenever he is in the Philippines.

The Congressional Migrant Workers Scholarship Program Fund (CMWSPF) was created through RA 8042 or the Migrant Workers Act under Section 37, funded by the Congress and the PCSO, administered by the DOLE in coordination with the DOST with its fund managed by the OWWA.

February 2012 – No. 3 / Fortnightly • UK & Europe Edition

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Baldoz expects improvement in recruitment and hiring of HSWs as Lebanon signs labor agreements BEIRUT – Labor and Employment Secretary Rosalinda Dimapilis-Baldoz yesterday signed two landmark agreements with her counterpart in Lebanon, Labor Minister Charbel Nahaz, that could pave the way for the lifting of the ban in the deployment of household service workers to Lebanon.

The signing of the Memorandum of Understanding on Labor Cooperation and an accompanying Protocol came a day after Baldoz also signed a Protocol to the Memorandum of Understanding on Labor Cooperation with Jordanian Labor Minister Maher Al Waked, in Amman, Jordan. Baldoz, who, together with Undersecretary Danilo P. Cruz, Administrator Hans Leo J. Cacdac of the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration, Administrator Carmelita Dimzon of the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration, and Director Maya Valderrama of the International Labor Affairs Bureau, travelled to Amman and Beirut, the Lebanese capital, to sign the agreements, said: “I welcome the successful conclusion of the negotiations with Lebanon which led to the signing of the agreement.

Hopefully, this will pave the way to the lifting of the ban on the deployment

of domestic workers to Lebanon and the improvement of the process of recruitment and deployment in that country.”

“This is a concrete and positive step towards the promotion of decent work for domestic workers in accordance with international standards. This new bilateral labor cooperation agreement will be beneficial to OFWs who would like to work in Lebanon in the future and to the estimated 31,000 OFWs who are already working in that country, 96 percent of whom are domestic workers,” she added.

Like the Protocol with Jordan, the Protocol with Lebanon on the MOU on Labor Cooperation contains outstanding features that guarantees more protection and welfare for Filipino household service workers in Lebanon.

“It spells out the measures that the two countries will take to ensure that domestic workers to be employed in Lebanon once the ban is lifted will undergo the legal and correct processes in force and in effect in both countries,” said Baldoz, mindful that like in Jordan, there still exists a ban in the deployment of domestic workers to Lebanon.

Some of these features are the following: • Recruitment of Filipino domestic workers to Lebanon shall be done only through Philippine recruitment agencies licensed for the purpose; • Both Lebanon and the Philippines shall adopt all necessary and appropriate measures in licensing and inspecting recruitment agencies to prevent all illegal practices and provide adequate protection for and prevent abuses of domestic workers; • Lebanon shall ensure that a Filipino domestic worker is issued the appropriate visa to work in Lebanon before leaving the Philippines; • Work permit and residence permit shall be issued the Filipino domestic worker and the renewal thereof shall be at no cost to the worker; • Persons under 23 years of age shall not be recruited as domestic worker and no visa or work permit shall be issued in Lebanon to any Filipino domestic worker under 23 years of age; • Both Lebanon and the Philippines shall come up with a standard employment contract within 30 days upon the signing of the Protocol,

which contract shall govern the employment of all Filipino domestic worker in Lebanon; • Employers shall provide health insurance for Filipino domestic workers, in addition to the mandatory insurance required under RA 10022, at no cost to the worker; • Filipino domestic workers shall have the right to keep in their possession their passports and identity documents; • Employers shall open a bank account in the name of the domestic worker to where her salary shall be deposited within seven days from her salary due date; and the domestic worker shall have a copy of the deposit coupon as proof of payment; • Employers shall provide the domestic worker with free decent accommodation, food, and medical care and shall not employ her in any work not specified in the contract; • Filipino domestic helpers shall have a weekly rest day of at least 24 uninterrupted hours; if she resides in the household, she shall not be obliged to remain in the house during her rest day; and there shall be no

restriction on her correspondence or religious practices; • Working hours shall not exceed eight (8) hours a day; for domestic workers residing within the employer’s household, hours on call shall not exceed four hours; and the domestic worker shall have 10 uninterrupted hours of daily rest; and • Lebanon and the Philippines shall set in place appropriate inspection and conflict resolution mechanisms to resolve problems arising between the domestic worker, employer, and recruitment agency.

Secretary Baldoz said the Memorandum of Understanding and the Protocol will take effect thirty (30) days from the date of a written notification by both Parties through diplomatic channels indicating that the requirements for its effectivity have been completed.

“Within this period, both Lebanon and the Philippines have agreed to commence discussion and reach an agreement on the implementing guidelines of the Memorandum, including the standard employment contract consistent with the principles of Decent Work for Domestic Workers,” she finally said. ■ (DOLE – February 2, 2012)

Jordan-Philippines signs protocol to regulate HSWs’ employment AMMAN – Labor and Employment Secretary Rosalinda Dimapilis-Baldoz and Jordan Labor Minister Maher Al Waked yesterday signed the “Principles and Controls for Regulating Deployment and Employment of Filipino Domestic Workers”, shortly known as “Principles and Controls”, a document that constitutes a specific protocol or guideline for the implementation of Article 1 of the Memorandum of Understanding on Labor Cooperation forged between the Philippines’s Department of Labor and Employment and Jordan’s Ministry of Labor on 27 May 2010.

The signing, which took place at the office of the Jordanian Ministry of Labor in this city, was witnessed

by Jordanian labor officials led by Undersecretary Nadera Al Bakheet; Ibrahim Al Saudi, Director for Legal Affairs; Laila Shobaki, Director for International Cooperation; Afi Aljbhour, Director of Domestic Labor Directorate; Mazen Karaymeh, Director of Migrant Workers Labour Directorate; and Asma Abu Azzam and Ibrahim Al Al Zogbi, Assistant Undersecretaries.

It was also witnessed by Undersecretary for Employment Danilo P. Cruz; Administrator Hans Leo J. Cacdac of the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration; Administrator Carmelita Dimzon of the Overseas Workers’ Welfare Administration; Director Maya Valderrama of the International Labor Affairs Bureau; Maria Rosamy Reyes, Officer-in-Charge of the Philippine Embassy-Amman; and Philippine

Overseas Labor Office Amman Officerin-Charge Mario Antonio.

This “Principles and Controls” is a positive, forward step that will guarantee more protection and welfare for our household service workers in Jordan as both countries agreed to immediately adopt a Standard Employment Contract for OFWs,” Baldoz said during a joint press conference with Minister Maher Al Waked after the signing.

“It spells out the measures that the Philippines and Jordan will take to ensure that household service workers to be employed in Jordan in the future will undergo the legal and correct processes of both countries,” said Baldoz, mindful that there still exists a ban in the deployment of HSWs to the Kingdom.

Baldoz said that with the signing of the protocol, the Philippines and Jordan, which in June 2011 both endorsed for the adoption by the International Labor Organization of the Convention on Domestic Workers, or ILO C 189, demonstrate their recognition of the necessity to adhere to international standards of decent work, particularly in promoting and ensuring the protection and welfare of household service workers.

“The protocol ensures the welfare and benefits provided for under our Reform Package for HSWs, particularly the payment of correct wages. Under the protocol, only those employers who have the capacity to pay the minimum salary of US$400 will be allowed to hire Filipino HSWs,” she emphatically said, adding: “There

are currently about 25,000 OFWs in Jordan, comprising 4.2 percent of total migrant workers in the Kingdom.

They work as professional workers, such as engineers, nurses, IT workers; skilled workers, such as welders, operators, and designers; semi-skilled workers, such as drivers, electricians, mechanics, hotel workers; and workers in service establishments, such as cleaners, waiters, etc.”

However, a large portion of OFWs in the Hashemite Kingdom are HSWs, many of whom are illegal and undocumented, and thus vulnerable to abuses. This prompted the Philippines to impose a ban on their deployment in 2001.

In 2010, Jordan and the Philippines signed a MOU on Labor Cooperation which paved the way for the signing of the “Principles and Controls” protocol.

The “Principles and Controls” contain the following salient features: • Processes on recruitment and arrival of domestic workers shall be done through licensed agencies, in accordance with legal procedures in both countries; • Issuance of a work and residence permit to a domestic worker; • Observance of the minimum age limit of 23 years; • Verification and authentication of work contracts by the POLO and Philippine Embassy in Amman; • Securing life insurance policies for the domestic worker by the employer, in addition to the compulsory insurance provided under RA 10022 charged to licensed agencies at no cost to the worker and renewable

after the contract upon mutual agreement between worker and employer; • Responsibility of both governments to provide adequate information on rights and obligations of domestic workers and employers; • Right of the Philippines to obtain a copy of domestic workers’ records in Jordan; • Affirmation of the right of a domestic worker to change an employer, consistent with Jordanian laws; • Opening of a bank account in the name of the domestic worker, with an obligation to timely deposit the domestic worker’s monthly salary; • Provision by the employer of decent accommodation, food, clothing, and medical care for the domestic worker; • Provision by the employer of one rest day per week for the domestic worker; • Provision by the employer of working hours not to exceed ten hours a day; • Both governments’ obligation to provide information on relevant fees and costs collected by recruitment agencies; • Observance of anti-illegal recruitment rules and procedures in both countries; • The Philippines to provide a system of training, qualification, and skills certification of domestic workers at no cost to the worker, charged to the Philippine licensed agencies; • Medical examination of domestic workers prior to deployment; the medical examination will not cost the worker any for this will be

charged to the Philippine licensed agencies; • Obligation of Philippine licensed recruitment agency to replace domestic worker who refuses to work for no justifiable reason; both the replaced and the replacement workers shall likewise not bear the cost for this will be charged to the Philippine licensed agencies; • Action on the part of Ministry of Labor of Jordan to resolve any outstanding problems between runaway domestic workers, their employers, and Jordanian agencies; • Access to justice before Jordanian courts; • Creation of a Joint Action Committee to discuss problems arising from the execution of the “Principles and Controls”; and • Three-year validity of the “Principles and Controls”, subject to automatic renewal for a similar period Baldoz emphasized that the matter on developing a Standard Employment Contract for Household Service Workers to eliminate abuses and contract substitution is a matter of priority for the two governments to immediately discuss and conclude as part of the joint efforts to lift the ban.

“I am confident that with this “Principles and Controls” and the adoption of the Standard Employment Contract, the deployment and employment of Filipino household workers to Jordan will take the road leading towards more protection and less problems inherent in a vulnerable sector like domestic work,” she finally said. ■ (DOLE – January 30, 2012)

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OFW News

POEA bans OFWs to Iraq but opens deployment to Kurdistan LABOR and Employment Secretary Rosalinda DimapilisBaldoz, Chairman of the Governing Board of the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA), yesterday announced that the Board, after due deliberation, has approved Governing Board Resolution No. 3 series of 2012 imposing a total ban on the deployment of overseas Filipino workers to Iraq, except in the autonomous Iraqi Kurdistan Region.

“The resolution imposes a total ban on OFWs to Iraq but allows deployment to Kurdistan subject to POEA rules and regulations,” Baldoz said.

Aside from Secretary Baldoz, POEA Administrator Hans Leo J. Cacdac, Governing Board Vice Chairman, and Leonardo de Ocampo and Guillermina Gabor, Members, also signed the resolution.

“The POEA Governing Board has

issued the resolution after the Office of the President has approved the recommendation of the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) raising the Alert Level in Iraq from Alert Level 2 to Alert Level 3,” Baldoz said in a statement.

“The recommendation was in view of the expected surge of terrorism and sectarian violence in Iraq following the withdrawal of US military forces last December 2011,” Baldoz added.

The imposition of a total deployment ban is recommended for countries placed under Alert Level 3. The POEA has suspended the processing and deployment of all OFWs bound for Iraq (and Afghanistan) in 2007 because of the unstable peace and order situation in those countries. Then on 2 September 2011, the POEA, through Governing Board Resolution No. 5 Series of 2011,

allowed those with existing contracts in Iraq and Afghanistan and working inside American military camps and facilities to finish their contracts and to extend or renew these contracts onsite. The resolution also allowed covered workers to be redeployed to finish their contracts should they go home to the Philippines before their contracts’ expiration.

“The ban will stay until such time that it has been determined that the security condition has normalized, after due consultation with the DFA,” Baldoz explained.

To carry out the latest Governing Board Resolution on Iraq, Administrator Cacdac has issued an advisory to all concerned, also yesterday, imposing a total ban and the suspension of the processing and deployment of all OFWs bound for that country, except for the Iraqi Kurdistan Region. ■ (DOLE – February 3, 2012)

POEA Governing allows re-deployment of returning workers to Yemen LABOR and Employment Secretary Rosalinda DimapilisBaldoz yesterday announced that the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) Governing Board has issued Governing Board Resolution No. 2 series of 2012 allowing the re-deployment of overseas Filipino workers who have came home to the Philippines to return to their work in the Yemen.

“The POEA Governing Board has issued the resolution after the Office of the President has approved the recommendation of the Department of Foreign Affairs lowering the Alert Level in Yemen from Alert Level 4 in Sana’a and Alert Level 3 for the rest of Yemen to Alert Level 2,” Baldoz, who is the Chairman of the POEA Governing Board, said in a statement.

“The recommendation was based on the improved political and security situation in the country and in response to the clamor of our OFWs who have returned but would like to go back in Yemen to work.

However, the resumption of the deployment does not cover newlyhired workers as the deployment ban for them remains,” Baldoz added.

POEA Administrator Hans Leo J. Cacdac, Governing Board Vice Chairman and Leonardo de Ocampo and Guillermina Gabor, Members, also signed the resolution.

The POEA has deferred the processing and deployment of all OFWs bound for Yemen (including Libya and Bahrain) on 22 February 2011 in view of the unstable political and security conditions obtaining in those countries then.

On 6 April 2011, the POEA allowed the processing and deployment of vacationing workers to Yemen, subject to certain requirements, when the DFA lowered the Alert Level for that country from Alert Level 3 to Alert Level 2.

On 25 May 2011, the POEA again effectively raised the deployment ban on all OFWs to Yemen after the DFA raised Yemen’s Alert Level to Alert Level 3.

The latest recommendation of the DFA was issued on 9 January 2012.

To carry out the latest Governing Board Resolution on Yemen, Administrator Cacdac has issued an advisory, also yesterday, resuming the deployment of vacationing workers to their employment in Yemen except, however, for newlyhired OFWs. ■ (DOLE – February 3, 2012)

POLO in Bahrain reports decrease in ‘run-aways’ from 128 to 30 THE Philippine Overseas Labor Office in Bahrain has reported to Labor and Employment Secretary Baldoz that the number of distressed Filipino workers staying at the Filipino Workers’ Resource Center (FWRC) in Manama has decreased from a maximum of 128 in 2011 to only 30 as of date as a result of the POLO’s and the Philippine Embassy’s close coordination with Bahrain authorities.

Secretary Baldoz said POLO officer-in-charge Norma del Rosario also reported that the Philippine Embassy in Bahrain has also stopped reimbursing employers the “cost of deployment” which

these employers demand from distressed workers who run away with unfinished contracts and seek shelter at the FWRC, in exchange for the “No Objection Certificate” in cases where the workers seek to transfer to another employer, or “release paper” in cases where the distressed worker choose to return to the Philippines.

In Bahrain, most workers who run away are household service workers. “The practice of employers or “sponsors” of demanding reimbursement of the so-called “deployment cost” has stopped and this has saved the government some US$ 156,000,” said Baldoz,

quoting from del Rosario’s report.

She added that Bahrain has recently scrapped the sponsorship system in the country.

She reported that since 2010, the POLO, in cooperation with the Philippine Embassy, has worked closely with Bahrain immigration, labor, and foreign ministry officials to enlist their assistance in urging employers or “sponsors” of HSWs to forego the collection of the socalled “deployment cost.” Baldoz said the initiative of the POLO to engage local authorities in Bahrain to ensure OFW welfare and protection is in line with the DOLE’s. ■ (DOLE – February 2, 2012)

February 2012 – No. 3 / Fortnightly • UK & Europe Edition

54 domestic workers home from Lebanon after Baldoz’s visit; only 8 wards remain, the lowest ever

A few days after Labor and Employment Secretary Rosalinda Dimapilis-Baldoz ordered all Philippine Overseas Labor Offices to prioritize the repatriation of distressed Filipino domestic workers housed in Filipino Workers Resource Centers (FWRCs) around the world, the POLO in Beirut has reported that it sent home 54 domestic workers.

“I am happy to welcome back to the Philippines the 54 OFWs. This brings down the number of residents in the FWRC in the Lebanese capital to only eight,” Baldoz said after receiving the report that the domestic workers have arrived.

Baldoz, who was in Lebanon last week to sign two landmark labor agreements with her Lebanese counterpart, Labor Minister Charbel Nahhas, had visited the FWRC at the POLO and assured the distressed domestic workers there that the Philippine government is doing its best to promote and enhance their welfare and protection.

“I would want you to go home and stay in the country where you will be united with your families.

There are productive opportunities that await you there,” she said.

During her visit, Labor attaché Salome Mendoza assured the

Secretary that the distressed domestic workers at the FWRCs will go home “very soon.”

That “very soon” was yesterday when Overseas Workers Welfare Administration chief Carmelita Dimzon informed the Secretary that the OWWA met at the airport the 54 domestic workers upon their arrival at the NAIA. “The 54 domestic workers are now temporarily housed at the OWWA Halfway House,” said Baldoz.

“They have been briefed and oriented onto the National Reintegration Program for OFWs which offers opportunities for their staying put in the country after their unfortunate adventure in Lebanon,” she added.

Baldoz said the domestic workers could join the Balik-Pinay Balik Hanapbuhay Program, which provides repatriated OFWs ₱10,000 in livelihood business development, skills training, and livelihood starter kits when they engage in income-generating home-based businesses, such as cosmetology, manicure/pedicure, haircutting, hairdressing, foot spa, reflexology, massage, flower arrangement, food processing, meat processing, green skills, handicraft, and household care. ■

(DOLE – February 8, 2012)

Philippine Embassy, Consulates General warn Filipinos on rising cases of illegal recruitment of workers in China THE Philippine Embassy in Beijing and the Philippine Consulates General in Chongqing, Guangzhou, Shanghai, Xiamen, Hong Kong and Macau would like to advise the public to be wary of employment offers in semi-skilled jobs in China, as these sectors remain restricted and closed to foreigners.

The Embassy and the Consulates General are warning Filipinos anew to beware of falling prey to unscrupulous parties who offer them jobs as household service workers, teachers or musicians in China as they have observed an increasing number of cases of illegal recruitment of Filipinos there.

The modus operandi of these illegal recruiters include promising jobs as household service workers (HSWs) in spite of the prohibition on foreign nationals working in the domestic service sector in China and recruiting through agents in Hong Kong and Macau.

Other modus operandi of illegal recruiters include facilitating travel of the recruited individuals to China using tourist visas and via another city in the region, posing as consultancy companies that offer “training seminar” in China for professional positions, when in fact

these “trainees” end up being hired out illegally as HSWs, and recruiting via internet.

In the past months, the Embassy and the Consulates General have assisted and repatriated Filipino victims of illegal recruiters who were recruited for non-existing or illegal jobs, and who ended up staying in China with inappropriate documentation.

The Embassy, the Consulates General and the Office of the Police Liaison Attaché in Beijing continue to assist and repatriate Filipinos who find themselves in difficult situations as a result of their illegal recruitment.

They also continue to coordinate with the local Chinese authorities on the arrest, investigation and prosecution of these illegal recruiters.

Activities of individuals and recruitment agencies who may be engaged in illegal recruitment must be reported immediately to relevant authorities, including the Department of Foreign Affairs-Office of the Undersecretary for Migrant Workers Affairs (DFA-OUMWA), the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) and the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA). ■ (DFA – January 24, 2012)

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February 2012 – No. 3 / Fortnightly • UK & Europe Edition

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Gunmen attack US project, Philippine worker wounded Philippine court orders massive dump site closure A Philippine man was wounded Saturday, February 11, 2012 when gunmen attacked a United Statesfunded road project in an area of the south where Islamist militants operate, the Filipino military said.

Gunmen shot at a small group of construction workers in a remote village on Basilan Island at daybreak, wounding one man, said Army Colonel Ricardo Visaya, commander of Filipino forces based on the island.

“It’s a project funded by USAID,” he told AFP, referring to the US Agency for International Development, which has an extensive array of development projects on the impoverished island wracked by insurgency.

Asked if he suspected the attackers

to be members of the Abu Sayyaf, an Islamist group that has been blamed for many of the worst terrorist attacks in the Philippines, Visaya said only that the gunmen are “extortionists”.

The project will continue despite the attack, he added.

US Special Forces troops are training Filipino forces in Basilan and nearby southern islands, but Visaya and the US military denied a report by the Philippine Daily Inquirer newspaper that US soldiers were among those attacked.

“We have no forces in that area,” Lieutenant-Commander Drew Desany, a US Special Forces officer based in Basilan told AFP. The shooting occurred more than

a week after the Philippine military claimed it had killed three of Southeast Asia’s most-wanted terror suspects in a US-backed air raid in the adjacent Sulu island group.

Among those reported by the military to have been killed in the raid was Malaysian Zulkifli bin Abdul Hir, alias Marwan of the Jemaah Islamiyah group, who has a $5 million bounty on his head from the US government.

Also reported killed were Singaporean Jemaah Islamiyah leader Mohammad Ali, alias Muawiyah, and Filipino militant Abu Pula, also known as Doctor Abu or Umbra Jumdail, one of the core leaders of the Abu Sayyaf. ■ (AFP – February 11, 2012)

IMO Secretary General Sekimizu visits PHL INTERNATIONAL Maritime Organization (IMO) Secretary General Koji Sekimizu was in the Philippines for a two-day official visit and held talks with top officials on the importance of Filipino seafarers to the international shipping industry.

The Philippines was the first country visited by the IMO chief since assuming the organization’s top post on January 1.

Secretary General Sekimizu made a courtesy call on President Benigno S. Aquino III at the Malacañan Palace last February 7. He also held talks with Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert F. del Rosario and Transportation and Communications Secretary Mar Roxas.

In his meeting with top Filipino government officials, Sekimizu recognized the importance of Filipino seafarers to the world’s commercial shipping industry.

Global measures to combat piracy and armed robbery on ships in the Gulf of Aden and off the coast of Somalia; our country’s compliance with the provisions of the 2010 Manila Amendments to the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers 1978; the Philippines’ accession to IMO Conventions; and the ratification of the Maritime Labor Convention were likewise discussed.

Secretary General Sekimizu also held dialogues with Philippine shipping industry officials and stakeholders including the Philippine Inter-Island Shipping Association. During his visit, he also went to several maritime training institutions in Metro Manila to personally assess the status of the country’s training programs.

The IMO chief’s visit also aims to explore additional measures to further strengthen the quality of training of Filipino seafarers who comprise about 25 percent of the global manpower of the world’s commercial shipping fleet. ■ (DFA –

©AFP/File/Therence Koh

The Philippines have been battling the Abu Sayyaf since the 1990s.

southern island of Jolo.

Philippine police will now liaise with the Malaysian team over the forensic evidence, Burgos said.

“This would help the Armed Forces of the Philippines provide proof that the terrorists Mauwiyah and Marwan are already dead,” Burgos told reporters, without saying when the Malaysian team would arrive.

The highest-profile militant reported slain was Malaysian Zulkifli bin Abdul Hir, alias Marwan, one of the United States’ most-wanted terror suspects with a $5 million bounty on his head from the US government.

Zulkifli was one of JI’s top leaders and a bomb-making expert who had been hiding out in the southern Philippines since 2003, according to the US State Department. ©AFP/HO/File

Malaysian-born Zulkifli bin Abdul Hir was one of the world’s most wanted militants.

storm triggered an avalanche at the site, killing five local people.

A petition had been filed by local officials and environmentalists who said continued use of the landfill not only endangered the public, but also contaminated a nearby waterway.

Baguio city, located on the northern island of Luzon, is popular summer getaway, boasting picturesque pine-covered mountains and cool climate.

The court’s ruling marks only the second time that the Philippines’ top adjudicator has issued a environmental protection order.

In November, it stopped the operations of a 177 kilometre (109 mile) gas pipeline that passed underneath Manila after a leak was discovered, preventing what could have been a major disaster, environmentalists and officials said.

■ (AFP – January 29, 2012) ©AFP/File

February 10, 2012)

Malaysia to help Philippines identify dead militants THE Philippine military said Friday, February 10 Malaysia would send forensics experts in an effort to obtain proof that Filipino forces had killed three of Southeast Asia’s most-wanted terror suspects.

The military said its US-backed airstrikes last week on a remote southern island killed three senior leaders from the Al Qaeda-linked Jemaah Islamiyah (JI) and Abu Sayyaf networks, as well as 12 junior figures.

But it was not able to immediately provide proof, with authorities saying bodies had been taken away by fellow militants and quickly buried in line with Muslim custom.

Philippine military spokesman Colonel Arnulfo Burgos said Friday police had gathered pieces of human tissue and blood after the strike on the

THE Philippines’ highest court has ordered the closure of a 30-yearold dump site near a popular tourist enclave, five months after an avalanche at the massive rubbish heap killed five.

In a four-page ruling obtained

by AFP on Sunday, January 29 the Supreme Court issued an environmental protection order to stop the Baguio city government from operating the Irisan landfill, citing environmental hazards.

“You ... are hereby ordered, effective immediately, and until further orders from this court, to cease and desist from making use of the Irisan dumpsite either as a temporary holding/staging area or as a dumping or controlled area for any and all kinds of solid waste,” said the ruling.

The judgment, dated January 17, comes five months after a powerful

The Malaysian forensics experts are expected to obtain DNA samples from Zulkifli’s relatives before they fly to the southern Philippines to compare samples, Burgos said.

Also reported killed was Singaporean Mohammad Ali, alias Muawiyah, another JI leader who had been hiding in the Philippines since the group killed 202 people in a series of bomb attacks on the Indonesian island of Bali in 2002.

The third senior militant reported killed was Filipino Abu Pula, also known as Doctor Abu or Umbra Jumdail, one of the core leaders of the Abu Sayyaf that is blamed for the worst terrorist attacks in the Philippines.

The US military, which has a small team of US Special Forces providing counter-terrorism training in the southern Philippines, helped in the attack by providing intelligence support, Filipino military officials said.

However the US government has declined to comment on whether the three senior terrorists suspects were definitely killed.

US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton’s senior advisor on politicalmilitary affairs, Andrew Shapiro, declined to discuss details of the incident when talking to reporters in Manila, deferring questions to the Philippine military. ■ (AFP – February 10, 2012)

Rescuers search for the body of the fourth fatality in Baguio after an avalanche of rubbish at the city dump site.

Philippine road rage case shines spotlight on graft A road-rage case involving a lowly paid port clerk driving a Porsche has highlighted huge problems in trying to clean up the Philippines’ corruption-riddled customs bureau, its chief said Friday.

Paulino Elevado, a customs officer at Manila’s port, could face attempted murder charges following last month’s incident in which he allegedly shot at a university student, according to the government’s prosecutor’s office.

Customs chief Rufino Biazon said bureau investigators were also checking how Elevado, who earns less than 10,000 pesos ($237) a month, could afford to be driving a Porsche worth $118,000.

Regardless of the outcome of Elevado’s case, it has shone a spotlight on the wider problem of trying to clean up the customs bureau, widely regarded as one of the most corrupt government agencies, according to Biazon.

“It’s not just the personnel, it’s the system that we’re dealing with here,” Biazon, appointed by President Benigno Aquino III five months ago to fight graft, told DZBB radio.

“If we really want to change the system we might as well abolish the bureau and rebuild from scratch.”

Elevado and a male passenger are accused of beating up two motorists and of shooting at the victims’ van, Tess Teves, an officer with the prosecutor’s department in the Manila district of Pasay, told AFP. “Police have filed a complaint for attempted murder and physical injuries against them (Elevado and his passenger),” Teves said, but added prosecutors had yet to decide whether charges will be laid.

Elevado has been suspended from his job as “administrative aide” at the port of Manila, Biazon said.

The alleged assault on Jan 21 followed a minor car accident between the two vehicles, which led to the Porsche chasing the van down a Manila toll road at high speed.

The chase was filmed by the toll road’s cameras.

Berlin-based watchdog Transparency International said the Philippines ranked as the world’s 53rd most corrupt nation out of 182 in its global corruption perceptions survey last year. ■ (AFP – February 10, 2012)

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Philippine official in piracy shame keeps job A senior aide to Philippine President Benigno Aquino was reprimanded but allowed to keep his job after being photographed buying counterfeit movie discs, a government spokeswoman said Saturday, February 4.

The case of Ronald Llamas, Aquino’s political adviser, has highlighted perceived shortcomings in the Philippines’s fight to stamp out rampant pirating of music and Hollywood films.

Investigators concluded Llamas had not violated any law but had committed an improper act, for which he was given a reprimand after he apologised publicly, Aquino spokeswoman Abigail Valte said.

Valte said Llamas was also warned that similar acts in the future would be dealt with more severely, though she declined to

say what this meant.

The Manila newspaper Philippine Daily Inquirer last month published a photograph of Ronald Llamas apparently buying pirated DVDs at a popular Manila market, sparking calls for Aquino to fire him.

Lacierda conceded that buying counterfeit DVDs was not crime – unlike selling and producing them, which is illegal – but said that officials should act as “role models”.

He stressed that the government was sticking to its commitment to respect intellectual property rights.

As part of its campaign, the government has carried out a series of raids, seizing and destroying bootleg DVDs, which are sold openly on sidewalks across the country. ■ (AFP –

facing the Pacific Ocean.

Meanwhile Saturday, a domestic cargo ship carrying 35,000 bags of cement and 9,000 litres of diesel fuel sank in central Philippine waters after a floating log punctured its hull.

The vessel’s 18-man crew abandoned the vessel before it went down, and all of them have been accounted for, the coast guard said.

An official added that oil containment booms had been deployed in the area in case of leaks. ■ (AFP – January 22, 2012)

Three dead as Philippine cops try to defuse bomb

THREE people were killed and eight others injured after a mortar shell exploded while policemen attempted to defuse it, Philippine police said on Wednesday, January 25.

Three rookie bomb disposal specialists brought the shell – believed to be left over from World War II – to an iron works in a Manila suburb and were trying to make it safe when it exploded, the police statement said.

Two of the policemen and the shop’s welder were killed by the blast while eight others, including the other policemen were

February 2012 – No. 3 / Fortnightly • UK & Europe Edition

‘Pyramids’ planted to revive Philippine corals THOUSANDS of small “pyramids” are being planted off the Philippines’ famous Boracay resort island in an effort to bring its nearly destroyed coral reefs back to life, an environment group said Thursday, February 9.

Over 300 of the structures were planted off Boracay’s coast and eventually about 5,000 will be placed in the sea, according to Sangkalikasan (Nature) which is behind the effort.

“This is like putting garden soil for ideal growth on land. We are doing the same concept in the sea,” Jose Rodriguez, vice chairman of the group, told AFP.

Boracay, famed for its stunning white sand beach and clear waters, is one of the Philippines’ top tourist destinations with nearly one million people visiting the island last year.

But unsustainable development and the ever-growing number of tourists have caused severe environmental problems, including the destruction of the nearby reefs which often leave snorkellers looking at grey coral and few fish.

“My family has been coming to the island since the 1980s and we do see the drastic difference... (now) you only find the rubble of coral,” Rodriguez said.

©AFP/File/Joel Nito

February 4, 2012)

Cargo vessel sinks off Philippines A Panama-registered cargo ship sank off the Philippines’ eastern seaboard Sunday, January 22, 2012, but all 14 crew members were rescued, the coast guard said.

The MV Sun Spirit was carrying iron ore bound for China when the accident occurred while passing in waters off the island of Catanduanes.

The exact cause of the accident has not yet been determined, officials said, but maritime accidents are frequent in perennially turbulent waters off the country’s eastern side

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wounded, said the statement from director Alan Purisima, head of police forces in Manila.

There were no immediate details on where the shell was found.

The head of the national police has ordered an investigation into the incident and an inventory of all unexploded ordnance being held by the police.

Unexploded ordnance from the battles between US and Japanese forces in the Philippines during World War II often turn up at junk shops or are uncovered at excavation sites. ■ (AFP – January 25, 2012)

Boats float off the famous “white beach” of the central Philippine island of Boracay.

He said divers had been planting the pyramid-shaped structures, called “reefbuds”, in about 7-9 metres (23-30 feet) of water up to 1,200 metres out to sea, and hoped to have all 5,000 in place in four months.

The reefbuds, which are about 70 centimetres (27 inches) tall, are not mere artificial reefs but will also serve as a medium for coral to grow back, according to Rodriguez.

Made of a combination of concrete, agricultural products and seawater, the hollow pyramids will initially serve as a breeding ground for algae and small fish.

But their porous walls are designed to allow coral to take root as well, so eventually they will give rise to an actual reef, said Sangkalikasan technical consultant Benjamin Tayag.

“You will first have soft corals, then hard corals but this will take years. Some hard corals grow only one centimetre a year,” he said.

The areas where the reefbuds are being planted will be declared off-limits to jet skis, boats that drop anchor and other forms of recreation that led to the initial damage, according to Tayag. ■ (AFP – February 9, 2012)

Philippines tourism drive despite kidnappings

THE Philippines rolled out an advertising campaign on Wednesday, February 8 to attract millions more tourists, confident that kidnappings in its rebelliontorn south would have little impact.

Tourism Secretary Ramon Jimenez said the “It’s More Fun in the Philippines” campaign would help drive annual visitor arrivals to 3.91 million this year and up to 10 million by 2016, from about 3.5 million last year.

Jimenez and a local association for travel agencies that hosted the campaign launch said tourists had not cancelled visits to the Philippines since the abduction a week ago of two European birdwatchers in the south.

“Fortunately it is not reflected in our arrival figures,” Jimenez said when asked about the fallout from the abductions a week ago of Swiss Lorenzo Vinciguerra, 47, and Dutchman Ewold Horn, 52, in the Tawi Tawi archipelago.

Hundreds of security forces have deployed to search for the two European museum workers, who were snatched by gunmen while on an expedition to photograph rare hornbills in the wild.

The Europeans were in a remote area of the south where foreign governments warn their citizens from travelling because

of the threat of kidnappings, as well as a decades-old Muslim separatist rebellion.

Islamic militants that roam the area regularly kidnap foreigners to extort ransom payments.

Seven foreigners are now believed to be in captivity in the south.

But the dangerous southern extremes make up only a small part of the Philippines and Jimenez said tourists were increasingly starting to see the many attractions across the rest of the country.

“Slowly but surely, our image as an exciting country to go to is taking hold. I’ve been saying all along that when our positive image is stronger than our negative one, the momentum will hold,” he said.

Jimenez said the government’s new tourism drive, released on social networking sites last month but officially launched Wednesday, had already been a huge success. ■ (AFP – February 8, 2012)

February 2012 – No. 3 / Fortnightly • UK & Europe Edition

©AFP/File/Karlos Manlupig

Officials say the death toll could rise further with 39 others still unaccounted for.

Toll in Philippine landslide rises to 31 RESCUERS retrieved three more bodies from a landslide that buried part of an illegal gold-mining site in the southern Philippines, raising the death toll to 31, officials said Sunday, January 8.

The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council said the toll could rise with up to 39 others still unaccounted for. Heavy rains sparked a landslide on Thursday, January 5 that buried part of the site in the town of Pantukan on southern Mindanao island.

There had been confusion over the exact number of missing because authorities said gold prospectors do not necessarily register themselves with local authorities and no proper census was kept.

As many as 150 people were initially reported missing, but this was later pared down after many turned up and called relatives to say they were safe.

“They had been warned many

times not to go to the area, but they did not heed authorities,” Benito Ramos, who heads the council, said Sunday, January 8.

“The lure of gold is a magnet to these small scale miners,” he said, adding that officials as of Sunday had ordered similar sites across the mountainous area to shut down.

The Philippines has some of the world’s biggest gold, copper and nickel deposits, but most of these have remained off-limits to big mining firms partly due to local opposition over major exploration projects The mountainous region still draws gold prospectors from surrounding areas despite frequent, deadly landslides.

Their largely unregulated tunnelling has made the mountainside unstable, government experts say, and heavy rains since last month had saturated the earth on top, triggering the deadly earthfall. ■

(AFP – January 8, 2012)

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Philippines arrests foreign trio in big drugs bust

PHILIPPINE police arrested two Taiwanese men and a Chinese on Sunday, January 29 in a sting operation that netted illegal drugs worth over two million dollars, officials said.

The three were caught selling more than two kilos (4.4 pounds) of the banned stimulant crystal methamphetamine hydrochloride, more commonly known as “ice” or “shabu”, to an undercover agent, police said.

Agents also found drugs in the suspects’ vehicle.

“We believe they are selling two kinds of ‘shabu’, one priced lower and one with a higher price imported from another country,” task force head Superintendent Ismael Fajardo said on national radio.

©AFP/File /Jay Directo

Police officers attend a ceremony in Manila in 2011.

He said the bogus transaction took place at a car park of a hospital in Manila and agents pounced on the trio after marked money changed hands.

The Philippines has been

stepping up its fight against drug traffickers after concerns the archipelago country’s vast shoreline made it a favourite shipment point for illegal drugs.

■ (AFP – January 29, 2012)

Three missing after Philippine tourist boat capsizes TEN foreign tourists were rescued but three local crewmen remain missing after their boat capsized off the popular Philippine resort island of Boracay, according to police.

The motorised vessel carrying seven Britons, two Chinese, one Australian and the three Filipino crew members capsized on Thursday afternoon, January 26, according to a statement released by national police headquarters in Manila.

The Boracay tourist police dispatched a boat to the scene and rescued all the foreigners but the three sailors could not be found, the statement said.

The search for the three is continuing, the statement said,

©AFP/Joel Nito

Boracay, a small island with powdery-white sands and clear waters, is one of the Philippines’ biggest tourism drawcards.

without giving a reason for the mishap.

Boracay, a small island with powdery-white sands and

clear waters, is one of the Philippines’ biggest tourism drawcards. ■ (AFP – January 27, 2012)

Saudi Health Ministry to employ more Filipinos THE Philippine Embassy in Riyadh reported to the Department of Foreign Affairs that Philippine Ambassador to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Ezzedin Tago visited Saudi Minister of Health Dr. Abdullah A. Al Rabeeah on January 18, together with Second Secretary and Consul Roussel Reyes and Labor Attaché Albert Valenciano.

Ambassador Tago conveyed the appreciation of the Filipino to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah bin Abdul Aziz and Minister Al Rabeeah for the continued hospitality and support extended to Filipino medical professionals in the Kingdom,

especially those employed in the government sector.

Ambassador Tago also thanked the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques and Dr. Al Rabeeah for the surgical operation on the Filipino conjoined twins, Princess Ann and Princess May Manzo, who were successfully operated on and separated in 2004. Dr. Al Rabeeah was personally involved in this case as the head of the surgical team.

The Saudi Minister of Health praised Filipino medical professionals and said that their experience with them has been excellent because of their performance.

Ambassador Tago emphasized the desire of the Philippines to enhance its relations with the Kingdom and also discussed with Dr. Al Rabeeah the status of the proposed Ministry of Health-Department of Labor and Employment (MOH-DOLE) training program for nurses.

They also discussed possible increased cooperation between the two countries in other areas of the medical profession, such as research and the academe.

According to the statistics of the Saudi Ministry of Health, the Saudi government employs about 117,000 Filipinos in the medical sector, most of them nurses. ■ (DFA – January 31, 2012)

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Philippine Embassy Around the World

February 2012 – No. 3 / Fortnightly • UK & Europe Edition

Ambassador Bataclan presents credentials to European Commission President

Ambassador Mercado Calls on Oslo Mayor THE Philippine Embassy in Oslo reported to the Department of Foreign Affairs that Ambassador Bayani S. Mercado made a courtesy call on Oslo Mayor Fabian Stang last January 11.

During the 30-minute call, Ambassador Mercado informed the Mayor that he would like to see business and tourism between Norway and the Philippines increase.

In this regard, he requested Mayor Stang to include him in any business or tourismrelated event the city will be hosting.

Mayor Stang promised to do so and after noting the growing Filipino population in his city and their contribution to the economy, he requested Ambassador Mercado to personally call him if ever a Filipino worker in Oslo is being abused by his employer.

He also invited the Ambassador to look into Oslo city’s waste management system which may be applicable to the Philippines. ■ (DFA –

January 13, 2012)

THE Philippine Embassy in Brussels reported to the Department of Foreign Affairs that Ambassador Victoria S. Bataclan presented her credentials as Philippine envoy to the European Union (EU) to European Commission (EC) President José Manuel Barroso last December 20 at the Berlaymont Building in Brussels, the EC’s flagship headquarters.

Ambassador Bataclan conveyed President Benigno S. Aquino III’s wishes for the personal well-being of President Barroso and the prosperity of the citizens of the EU. President Barroso, in turn, extended his personal regards to President Aquino and the Filipino nation.

President Barroso took the opportunity to express his personal sympathy to the victims of the recent disaster that struck southern Mindanao, and conveyed the EU’s wish for the Filipino nation’s early recovery from the devastation. The EU

subsequently committed €3 million of assistance.

After the customary presentation of the letter of credence, the two officials exchanged views on the current state of Philippine-EU relations.

They affirmed the importance of intensifying their trade and investment relations, swift signing of the partnership and cooperation agreement, peace process in Mindanao where the EU actively participates in the development component, and the need to consider elevating the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)-EU relations to a strategic partnership.

The two officials agreed to keep their channels of communication open and continue the dialogues in pursuit of increasing cooperation between the Philippines and the EU. President Barroso, a former Portuguese Prime Minister, is serving his second term as the EC President.

The EC is the executive arm of the European Union, responsible for proposing legislation, implementing decisions, upholding the EU’s treaties and the general day-to-day running of the Union.

The Commission operates as a cabinet government, with 27 members of the Commission known as Commissioners. One of these 27 is the Commission President Barroso. ■ (DFA – January 13, 2012)

Philippine Embassy intensifies outreach to all Filipinos in Switzerland THE Philippine Embassy in Berne, headed by Ambassador Leslie J. Baja, started 2012 with a general meeting of Filipino leaders in Switzerland last January 14.

A total of 70 Filipino community leaders and representatives attended the meeting, which was the biggest gathering in recent memory.

Ambassador Baja exhorted the Filipinos to participate in the preparations for the Philippine Independence Day celebration on June 9 in Berne. The Embassy is encouraging a single Switzerland-wide celebration so that all Filipinos can celebrate Independence Day together, a practice done in the past.

The meeting also discussed

the ongoing overseas absentee voting (OAV) registration, the 2012 Commission on Filipinos Overseas (CFO) Presidential Awards for overseas Filipinos, the ongoing census of Filipinos in Switzerland and other concerns of Filipinos there.

Earlier in the week, Ambassador Baja led Embassy personnel in visiting the 11 Filipino nuns of the Seraphic Love Solothurn (SLS). The nuns are engaged in providing spiritual and psychological needs of Filipinos in Switzerland and run various activities in the Philippines especially in Cebu.

The Embassy also visited the three Filipino nuns of the Congregation of Workers of the Christ the Worker (WCW) in Fribourg. The WCW nuns are

also engaged in helping the Filipinos in Switzerland and the sick and the aged.

Ambassador Baja also met with Bishop Charles Morerod of Fribourg who supervises the WCW nuns.

The Embassy has scheduled meetings with Filipina au pairs in Switzerland this month and will attend the Sto. Niño celebrations of the Philippine Catholic Mission Switzerland on January 28.

Switzerland is home to approximately 10,000 Filipinos mostly working in international organizations and in the health sector. In general, Filipino workers in Switzerland enjoy satisfactory working conditions and terms of employment. ■ (DFA – January

Mons. Antonio Astillero Bastante, the Episcopal Vicar, Dean and Parish Priest of the Crypt of the Catedral de la Almudena, celebrates the mass.

He is joined by four other co-celebrants representing the Franciscan, Vincentian, and Augustinian orders.

Ambassador Carlos C. Salinas delivers his speech.

19, 2012)

Philippine Embassy organizes memorial mass for typhoon Sendong victims

Ambassador Leslie J. Beja meets with the Filipino community leaders and members at the Philippine Embassy in Berne.

Ambassador Baja and family with Filipino and Swiss nuns of the Seraphic Love Solothum.

Ambassador Baja and Consul Lilibeth Pono with Bishop Charles Morerod of Fribourg and Filipino nuns of the Congregation of Workers of the Christ the Worker (WCW) in Fribourg.

THE Philippine Embassy in Madrid organized a memorial mass for the victims of Typhoon Sendong last January 12 at the Crypt of the Catedral Santa María la Real de la Almudena, seat of the Archdiocese of Madrid.

The mass was celebrated by Mons. Antonio Astillero Bastante, the Episcopal Vicar, Dean and Parish Priest of the Crypt of the Catedral de la Almudena. He was joined by four other co-celebrants representing the Franciscan, Vincentian, and Augustinian orders.

In his remarks, Philippine Ambassador to Spain Carlos C. Salinas thanked the Archdiocese of Madrid for offering the Catedral de la Almudena for this occasion.

He also expressed his sympathies to the Filipino community members in

Madrid whose families were affected by the devastation caused by typhoon Sendong.

Ambassador Salinas also thanked the Spanish government, who through the Agencia Española de Cooperación Internacional y el Desarrollo (AECID), donated 200,000€ to the Philippine government to assist in the rehabilitation of the affected provinces.

The memorial mass was attended by the Filipino community in Madrid and the Embassy´s Spanish friends, who offered their sympathies and prayers to the victims and their families. Mons. Astillero generously turned over the mass collection amounting to 650 euros to the Embassy as financial donation to the relief and rehabilitation efforts. ■ (DFA

– January 24, 2012)

February 2012 – No. 3 / Fortnightly • UK & Europe Edition

Philippine Embassy Around the World

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HELLO PHILIPPINES

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Ambassador Montealegre presents credentials to Cyprus President THE Philippine Embassy in Athens reported to the Department of Foreign Affairs that Ambassador Meynardo LB. Montealegre officially visited Cyprus from January 9 to 12 to present his letter of credence as nonresident envoy to the country and his predecessor’s letter of recall to Cyprus President Demetris Christofias.

The Ambassador presented his

credentials to President Christofias in simple ceremonies at the Cypriot Presidential Palace in Nicosia on January 10.First Secretary and Consul Charmaine Rowena C. Aviquivil and Philippine Honorary Consul to Nicosia Shemaine Bushnell-Kyriakides accompanied him.

During his audience with the

President, Ambassador Montealegre conveyed to him the greetings of President Benigno S. Aquino III, and congratulated him on Cyprus’ Presidency of the European Union (EU) Council for the second half of 2012.

He expressed his commitment to forge even closer ties between the two countries, and the optimism

Presentation of letter of credence of Amabasador Meynardo LB Montealegre at the Presidential Palace, Nicosia, Cyprus. Shown in the photo are (from left) Philippine Honorary Consul to Nicosia Shemaine Bushnell-Kyriakides, Chief of Protocol Ionna Malliotis, Foreign Minister Erato Kozakou-Marcoullis, Ambasador Montealegre, President Demetris Christofias, First Secretary and Consul Charmaine Rowena C. Aviquivil and Cypriot officials.

President Demetris Christofias congratulates Ambassador Montealegre shortly after the presentation of credentials.

for enhanced trade and people-topeople exchanges.

He also thanked Cyprus for hosting over 20,000 overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) and expressed the hope that the Philippines-Cyprus Social Security Agreement could sign soon for the benefit of both the Filipino and Cypriot people.

For his part, President Christofias cited the cordial bonds of friendship and cooperation that exist between the Philippines and Cyprus despite the distance that separates the two countries. He praised the Filipino workers in Cyprus and recognized their important contribution to a thriving Cypriot multi-cultural society.

The Cypriot President also took the opportunity to discuss Cyprus’ efforts towards achieving a solution to the Cyprus problem that would lead to the reunification of the country.

During the brief visit, the Ambassador also met with the Minister of Labor and Social Insurance Sotiroula Charalambous, Minister of Interior Neoclis Sylikiotis and the Head of MFA’s C3-Asia and Oceania

Ambassador Montealegre meets with Minister of Labor and Social Insurance Sotiroula Charalambous and other Cypriot labor and social insurance officials.

Directorate Panayiotis Papadopoulos to discuss social security benefits of Filipino workers in Cyprus, opening up the market for licensed Filipino caregivers in Cyprus and various bilateral concerns.

Honorary Consul BushnellKyriakides and Philippine Overseas Labor Office (POLO) – Nicosia arranged a “kamustahan” with the Filipino community leaders in Cyprus where the Ambassador assured the Filipino community of the Embassy’s commitment to support them and serve their needs.

The Honorary Consul also hosted a cocktail reception where the Ambassador had the chance to network with key players in the Cypriot business community to explore potential business and trade opportunities and promote the Philippines as an attractive investment and tourism destination.

Ambassador Montealegre likewise attended the New Year reception hosted by President Christofias at the Presidential Palace on January 12. ■ (DFA – January 18, 2012)

Ambassador Montealegre with Cypriot business executives at a cocktail reception last January 11.

Cebu’s “Sinulog” Festival goes to Berlin THE tourist-known Sinulog Festival of Cebu in the central Philippines took a significant symbolic turn when it was celebrated in Germany.

Philippine Embassy officials and staff in Berlin and various Filipino communities participated in the annual Sinulog Festival in honor of the Feast of Santo Niño de Cebu at the Heilig-Geist-Kirche in Bayernallee, Berlin last January 15.

The afternoon celebration began with a holy mass and a blessing of Santo Niño images by Filipino chaplain, Fr. Simon Boiser, SVD. After the mass, Philippine Ambassador to Germany Maria Cleofe Natividad gave an inspirational message on its significance, saying that the “Sinulog” is a “fusion of Filipino culture and faith.”

Re-enacting Magellan’s gift turnover. Over 200 well-wishers participated in the colorful program prepared by Mrs. Rose Glass, President of the Santo Nino Devotees in Berlin. The program included a “reenactment” of the coming of the Spaniards, led by Ferdinand Magellan,

who handed over the Santo Niño to Cebu’s Rajah Humabon’s wife Hara Amihan, later named Queen Juana.

The most anticipated moment were the lively Sinulog dances by various community organizations featuring women in colorful and intricately decorated costumes, who danced in rhythm with the music and drumbeats while holding replicas of the Sto. Nino and intermittently shouting “Viva Senor Sto. Nino!”

By nightfall, everyone was invited to partake in a “salu-salo” or festive dinner of Filipino food complete with lechon, pancit and native delicacies.

Fusion of East and West.

Ambassador Natividad explained that, “While Sinulog is a pagan practice worshipping native idols, it has embraced the Catholic faith, devotion and reverence to the Santo Niño.

“And while the belief in the Santo Niño came from the West, which has fused in with the paganistic practice of the East, Sinulog has evolved into what forms part of the current Filipino people culture. Other manifestations of

the influence of Europe on the Sinulog are the coat of arms of the Santo Nino, which bears a two-headed hawk, the mark of the Hapsburg empire, and the emblem on Magellan’s flag of the two-headed hawk symbolizing Spain as “Champion of Catholicism and Defender of Faith.”

“The Sinulog is our faith, and our deep reverence for the Santo Nino is a reflection of the child-like, all trusting trust of the Filipinos in God,” stressed Ambassador Natividad.

The solemnity of the religious tradition has also evolved into a festivity that highlights distinctly modern Philippine tourism, or what the Department of Tourism (DOT) claims why “It is more fun in the Philippines.”

Ambassador Natividad added that while the Philippines has yet to fully develop the tourism infrastructure and amenities of developed countries, it has many unique scenic spots, and above all a unique, colorful, vibrant, warm and a fun-loving people. ■ (DFA – January 24, 2012)

Sinulog spirit explained. Ambassador Natividad inspires participants to the Sinulog 2012 Festival in Berlin as she explained it’s symbolic significance as a fusion of East vs West, Tradition vs Modernism, Spirituality vs Materialist Reality, Religious Solemnity vs Tourist Festivity.

Colorful Sinulog festive pose. Filipinos celebrate the Cebuano Sinulog festival in Berlin to pay homage to the turnover by Ferdinand Magellan of a Sto Nino statue to Cebu chieftain Rajah Humabon’s wife Hara Amihan, signifying the conversion of the preSpanish Filipinos to Christianity.

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Philippines Tourism

February 2012 – No. 3 / Fortnightly • UK & Europe Edition

Double environmental successes mark DPWH inks tourism agreement with DOT and an NGO AS part of its ongoing Development Plan (NTDP) and the on the other hand, has committed, Philippine celebration of Wetlands Day convergence programs in the Philippine Development Plan (PDP). among others, to assist the DOT THE recognition of the Puerto Princesa Underground River (PPUR) as one of world’s Seven Wonders of Nature and the adoption of the Manila Declaration on furthering the implementation of the Global Programme of Action (GPA) for the Protection of the Marine Environment marked the celebration of World Wetlands Day in the country.

“This is definitely a ‘double success of sort’ for our wetland areas in particular, and the marine environment in general. In both events, Filipinos should take pride for taking the lead in the global effort to protect wetland areas not only for the economic benefits they provide but also the ecological services that we are now enjoying, and which we want the next generations to also enjoy,” Environment and Natural Resources Secretary Ramon Paje said.

February 2 of every year is designated as World Wetlands Day (WWD) by the Convention on Wetlands of International Importance, also known as the Ramsar Convention. It is also declared the National Wetlands Day by virtue of Presidential Proclamation No. 74, series of 1999. This year’s theme is “Wetlands and Tourism.”

Wetlands are lands that may be permanently or seasonally inundated.

These include lakes and rivers, swamps and marshes, peatlands, estuaries, tidal flats, mangroves and coral reefs, and even man-made sites such as fish ponds, rice paddies and reservoirs.

Paje said that the newly-declared wonder of nature best exemplifies this year’s WWD theme. “PPUR is a wetland, and has long been

considered a prime natural jewel for our local tourism, drawing both foreign and local tourists,” he said.

According to him, the underground river is a part of a national park that encompasses various interconnecting ecosystems from the mountain to the sea, including forests, inland wetlands like rivers and swamps, and coastal wetlands such as tidal flats and seagrass beds.

Earlier, Paje announced the move of the DENR, through its Protected Areas and Wildlife Bureau (PAWB), to officially nominate PPUR to the Ramsar Convention as a “wetland of international importance.”

Pajealsosaidthattheadoptionofthe Manila Declaration by representatives of 65 countries that participated in the recently concluded Global Conference on Land-Ocean Connections and the Intergovernmental Review Meeting on the Implementation of the GPA for the Protection of Marine Environment was equally an important tool in support of this year’s WWD’s international theme.

“Tourism has been identified in the global meeting as a key sector whose impacts and opportunities are closely interlinked with coastal areas and other wetland areas, as well as the marine environment,” he said.

Containing 16 provisions focusing on programs and activities that need to be undertaken starting this year up to 2016, the Manila Declaration calls on member countries to step up their efforts to protect the “blue world” from destructive land-based activities, particularly on priority areas such as marine litter, wastewater, fertilizerinduced pollution, and biodiversity loss. ■ (DENR – February 3, 2012)

Philippine Ambassador discusses Tourism cooperation with Association of Turkish Travel Agencies President PHILIPPINE Ambassador to Turkey Marilyn J. Alarilla discussed possible areas of cooperation on tourism promotion with Association of Turkish Travel Agencies (TURSAB) President Basaran Ulusoy during the Ambassador’s call to the latter last January 24.

To enhance bilateral tourism flows between the Philippines and Turkey, the two officials discussed possible visits of travel agencies to both countries and participation in travel fairs.

TURSAB invited the Philippines to participate in the coming “Travel Turkey Izmir 2012 Tourism Fair and Conference” scheduled between 6 to 9 December 2012 in Izmir. Travel Turkey is an annual fair which is participated by 638 companies from 19 countries in 2011.

TURSAB officials discussed the organization of a familiarization/ study trips by Turkish travel agencies

to the Philippines in cooperation with concerned Philippine agencies to promote Philippine tourism, as well as to visit Philippine tourism and cultural sites and assess its tourism potential.

The organization of a workshop with Turkish and Filipino travel sector professionals to stimulate cooperation between the travel agencies of both countries was also discussed.

Embassy and TURSAB officials likewise agreed to coordinate closely on the organization of future tourism promotion activities.

TURSAB, established in 1972 as a legal organization, aims to develop the travel agency industry while protecting professional ethics and solidarity.

As a member of several international organizations, TURSAB is represented in international platforms and makes every effort towards further promotion of bilateral, regional and multilateral co-operation in tourism. ■ (DFA – February 9, 2012)

implementation of various infrastructure supportive of other national government agencies’ mandate, the Department of Public Works and Highways has recently joined forces with the Department of Tourism (DOT) and Research Education and Institutional Development (REID) Foundation, Inc., a nongovernment organization, by signing a memorandum of agreement that will cover the integration of plans and programs in support of the government’s tourism infrastructure development program as mandated by Republic Act No. 9593, or the Tourism Act of 2009.

Secretary Rogelio L. Singson said that DPWH, DOT, and REID established a close partnership in the identification, evaluation, prioritization, and implementation of tourism infrastructure in priority tourist destination areas in the Philippines in support of the goals and targets of the National Tourism

“Part of DPWH commitment is to develop Tourism Road Infrastructure Project Prioritization Criteria (TRIPC) to serve as an implementation mechanism of RA 9593; prepare multi-year program, forward estimates, and annual tourism road infrastructure program,” said Secretary Singson.

DPWH Assistant Secretary for Planning Maria Catalina E. Cabral, DPWH Convergence Champion said that the DPWH is committed to share in transport infrastructure development which plays a very critical role in tourism development to generate visitors to tourist destinations.

The DOT shall initiate the drafting of the TRIPC based on the importance of tourist destination and the necessity/magnitude of the tourism roads as identified in the NTDP and subsequently consult and secure agreement of the DPWH regarding its adoption and implementation.

REID as secretariat to the TWG,

and DPWH in the review, pilot test, adoption and implementation of TRIPC including the formulation of multiyear and annual TRIP; and organize training program to educate and capacitate the TWG and stakeholders.

The memorandum of agreement which took effect on January 20, 2012 is renewable annually until FY 2016.

DPWH, DOT and REID also launched the “Convergence Program for Enhancing Tourism Access” to facilitate efficient and more coordinated efforts to identify, evaluate, prioritize and implement technically-correct and politicallyparticipative road access leading to tourist destinations.

The parties also agreed to adhere at all times to the principles of constructive engagement such as transparency, accountability, integrity, partnership, consultation and mutual empowerment, respect for internal processes, sustainability, and national interest. ■ (DPWH – February 8, 2012)

PHL participates in International Dive Fair in Paris THE Philippine Embassy in Paris and the Department of Tourism in Frankfurt led the Philippines’ participation in the 14th edition of the Salon de la Plongée SousMarine 2012, held from January 13 to 16, at the Parc Expo, Porte de Versailles in Paris.

Philippine Ambassador to France Cristina G. Ortega gave her strong support to the Philippines’ participation in the fair. She personally talked to the representatives of all Philippine dive and resort partners and encouraged them to promote the country and its many natural wonders. As part of the Embassy’s effort to increase interest in the Philippines, the Ambassador also met with other third-party travel and dive exhibitors in the fair and thanked them for including the Philippines in their packages.

During the fair, Philippine Tourism Attaché Marie Venus Tan explained that the marketing campaign for the year centered on “Unlimited Dive Philippines” which is specifically geared

towards the French and German markets.

All participating partners, joining the Dive Philippines Country stand in the Salon, offered an “Unlimited” diving package.

Cathay Pacific Airways, the official airline partner in the special promotions campaign, offered a preferential rate in support of the packages. The offer aims to maintain momentum for the Philippines as a premiere dive destination in Asia considering that the country’s waters are wellknown for harboring a spectacular array of sea creatures and corals.

The Philippine booth, with its colorful video and print displays of the many dive wonders in the country, attracted approximately a thousand visitors and the attention of French dive enthusiasts. No other ASEAN member had its own country stand in the Salon.

In addition, the Philippine booth showcased a tombola in partnership with Worldwide Dive

and Sail, with prizes including a 7-day dive cruise in the Tubbataha reef, domestic flights from Manila to Puerto Princesa, two nights stay at Daluyon Resort in Puerto Princesa and a visit to the Underground River. French national Dominique Dupuis won the tombola prize.

The Philippine booth was shared by the Embassy and DOT with ten dive industry partners like Asia Divers/El Galleon Resort, Marco Vincent and Atlantis Dive Resort of Mindoro, Amontillado Resort, El Dorado Beach Resort, Atmosphere Resort and Spa and Easy Diving of Negros Oriental, and Dolphin House and Sampaguita Resort of Cebu and Abyss.

With strong Philippine participation in the Salon de la Plongée and with the new “It’s More Fun in the Philippines” campaign, the Embassy and DOT hope to attract more tourists from France. Last year, around 27,000 French visitors travelled to the Philippines. ■ (DFA – February

10, 2012)

(Left photo) Ms Marie Venus Tan and Mr Arnold Gonzales of DOT-Frankfurt together with Philippine dive and resort partners in front of the Philippine stand. (Middle photo) Ambassador Cristina G. Ortega talks to Philippine stand visitors. (Right photo) Ambassador Ortega talks to a Philippine dive resort promoter.

February 2012 – No. 3 / Fortnightly • UK & Europe Edition

Philippines Tourism

2nd International Mt. Apo Boulder Face Challenge promises to be more fun

THE Department of Tourism, through its Davao Regional Office (DOT Region XI) and the municipal government of Sta. Cruz, Davao del Sur recently launched the 2nd International Mount Apo Boulder Face Challenge slated this April 28-29, 2012.

“Davao boasts of fun ‘Islands to Highlands’ Adventures that will take you from the white sand beaches, breathtaking island destinations, scenic mountain ranges, to plunging waterfalls and more,” said Tourism Secretary Ramon Jimenez in a statement.

“Mt. Apo, the highest peak in the country, is one of them,” he added.

Dubbed as one of the toughest adventure races of the Philippines, the competition is a 24-hour extreme challenge for up to 35 participating teams. It will start from the beach lines of Sta. Cruz, Davao del Sur, as participants navigate themselves through the town’s tough trails and raging rivers, scale the boulder face of Mt. Apo, and culminate in the skyline of the country’s highest mountain.

For four consecutive years, the conduct of the Mt. Apo Boulder Face Challenge has made the Davao Region the

leading destination for ecoadventure tourism. It will be running on its fifth year as a local competition, and second year as an international race.

“We certainly welcome both our international and local tourists, who will come over and experience this exhilarating extreme sports challenge. As they race their way to complete this journey, they will surely have fun seeing all the sights in Davao and in Mt. Apo, at the same time experience the warmth of the Filipino people,” added Secretary Jimenez.

This extreme sports adventure will entail four disciplines: mountain biking, trekking, white water tubing, and road running.

The race is open to teams with three members (2 racers and 1 logistics crew) each.

The Mt. Apo Boulder Face Challenge aims to create awareness among outdoor and sports enthusiasts and the people on the importance of conserving the environment, cultivating the value of sportsmanship and the spirit of camaraderie, and developing a lasting peace and order situation in Mindanao through sports.

Major supporters include event coordinator ROX (Recreational Outdoor eXchange) Philippines, Aboitiz Power Corporation, San Miguel Corporation, Hi Primer Group of Companies, Zest Air and Columbia Sportswear.

“It’s more fun in the Philippines, and especially in Davao, as the 2nd International Boulder Face Challenge promises to be an unforgettable adventure experience,” said DOT Region XI Director Art Boncato.

To participate, one may register online at http://www. boulderface.com. ■ (PDOT – February 2, 2012)

Philippine Tourism breaks record on foreign tourist arrivals with 3.917 million visitors in 2011 HELPED by gains in all regional markets, the Philippines bettered the previous 3.52-million record for foreign visitors set in 2010 with 3.917 million visitors last year.

“When the industry exceeds expectations as it had done last year, we feel very encouraged.

And with the overwhelming response to our new brand campaign launched last month, we know that we have broken ground on crowd sourcing. The people’s campaign will help bring more numbers,” said Secretary of Tourism Ramon R. Jimenez Jr. Even before the new campaign was launched, the initiatives taken by former Tourism Secretary Albert Lim during his tenure have likewise contributed to this milestone. Thus, for the first time in the history of Philippine tourism, total visitor arrivals in the country in 2011 reached 3.917 million – 11.28% higher than the 3.520 million posted in 2010 and also surpasses by 4.6 % DOT’s 2011 target visitor arrivals of 3.7 million.

The country capped 2011 with 394,567 tourists arriving in December, strongest among all months last year. But November

proved to be the biggest gainer, improving 19.80 % from the same month in 2010 with 337,021 visitors. Ten out of the twelve months last year saw figures north of 300,000.

The 2011 figure also includes returning overseas Filipinos, who numbered 207,152.

East Asia continued to lead all regional markets with 1,837,681 arrivals, 46.91 % of the entire number last year.

Korea repeated as the strongest single market with 925,204 arrivals for a 23.62% share of all visitor volume. Elsewhere in the region, Japan (375,496 visitors, 9.59% share), China (243,137, 6.21%) and Taiwan (181,738, 4.64%) ranked 3rd, 4th, and 5th among all individual markets respectively, while Hong Kong’s 112,106 visitors were good for 9th place. China and Taiwan were the greatest gainers, up 29.71% and 27.58% from 2010, respectively.

Visitors from the U.S., the Philippines’ second-largest tourist market, totaled 624,527 for 15.94% of all tourist traffic.

Australia and Canada experienced double-digit growth to 170,736 and 117,423 arrivals, 6th and 9th most among all countries.

Meanwhile, Singapore and Malaysia provided the majority of the 331,672 visitors from ASEAN, with which the Philippines expects greater integration in tourism following the 15th Meeting of ASEAN Tourism Ministers in Manado, Indonesia last month.

Northern and Western Europe posted near-identical numbers after modest growth with 164,205 and 157,265 arrivals, respectively.

Emerging markets India and Russia continued their rapid ascent, improving 23.89% and 37.86% from 2010 numbers to 42,844 and 20,185 visitors, respectively. The Middle East also remained robust, registering 55,829 arrivals for a 14.60% climb.

With the full rollout of the new “It’s More Fun in the Philippines” international campaign by April, Secretary Jimenez remains confident of achieving another record-breaking year.

“Our marketing resource has grown exponentially because of other people’s contributions in kind.

We will continue to build on these positive energies to attract 4.2 million this year,” the Secretary said. ■ (PDOT – February 8, 2012)

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Tourism outlook strong in face of limited travel advisories

THE Department of Tourism (DOT) reports that the Philippines remains as an ideal destination with foreign individuals and groups continuing to arrive. So far, no cancellations have been made. Gleaning from the preceding year’s experience, the series of travel advisories on specific areas and isolated areas did not deter tourists from visiting the country. Fortunately, visitor arrivals reached a record high of 3.9 million, 4.6 percent higher than the target of 3.7 million or 11.2 percent more than 3.5 million in 2010. Moreover, major markets continued to sustain doubledigit gains.

The DOT shared this optimism in light of speculations of decreased visits due to the recent United Kingdom (UK) travel advisory on limited areas in the South following the kidnapping of two European tourists in Tawi-Tawi on February 1.

The issuance of travel advisories is part of the regular functions of embassies in line with ensuring the safety and security of their citizens in a foreign country. For the Philippines, advice against travel to some parts of Mindanao has been constant and common.

The Tawi-Tawi incident is considered unfortunate and could have been avoided had the visitors taken necessary precautions many European tourists usually take in heed of these advisories.

This may be deduced from the DOT studies on Regional Distribution of Travelers. Both 2010 and January

to June 2011 studies show high traffic to destinations in the Nation Capital Region, Region V, Region VI, Region VII, and the Cordillera Administrative Region. UK travelers, the top market in the European region, accounted for 52,996 visits to Luzon, 27,480 to Visayas, and 3,835 to Mindanao in 2010. For 2011 (January to June), there were 16,377 visits to Luzon, 14,629 to Visayas, and 1,225 to Mindanao. The UK Embassy cites that most of these visits were “trouble-free.”

On the other hand, combined visits from the Netherlands and Switzerland reached 47,036 for Luzon, 20,903 for Visayas, and 2,423 for Mindanao in 2010. For January to June 2011, Luzon received 18,237, Visayas 11,511, and Mindanao 795.

The DOT hopes for the speedy resolution and release of the Dutch and Swedish nationals with the aggressive efforts mounted by national and local authorities.

Meanwhile, the government and the industry vow to strengthen their resolve to ensure the pleasant, safe, and secure stay of visitors.

This year, the country is bullish to receive 4.2 million visitors with the new brand campaign fully rolled out and full support extended by the government and private sector on infrastructure development, destination/product development and management, and investments in, as well as quality improvement of, facilities and services.

■ (PDOT – February 3, 2012)

Filipino Community enlivens Macau with Sinulog THE Filipino community in Macau SAR celebrated the Sinulog Festival there last January 15 with a lively and colorful parade of six contingents who participated in the Sinulog street dance that pays tribute to the Holy Child (Sto. Niño) and that serves as a commemoration of the Filipinos’ conversion to Christianity.

The Philippine Consulate General in Macau SAR, in a report to the Department of Foreign Affairs, stated that the event was participated in by numerous Filipino organizations in Macau and Hong Kong and is organized by the Sto. Niño de Cebu in Macau Association.

This year’s festival featured a parade

Consul and Mrs. Raul H. Dado (rightmost) give the award to children participants in the Sinulog 2012.

with the traditional Sinulog street dance and an awarding of several awards and medals to the best participating contingents.

The event was covered by major local newspapers and local television station TDM. The Sinulog festival in Macau SAR is considered as the grandest festival organized by the Filipino community in the territory. It is also the only Filipino cultural event that enjoys the support of the Macau Tourist Office, the Cultural Affairs Bureau, and the Municipal Affairs Bureau, and is listed as one of the tourist and cultural attractions in Macau for the month of January. ■ (DFA – January 19, 2012)

Participants to the Sinulog in Macau perform to the public at the park of Lao Hon Market.

32

HELLO PHILIPPINES

www.hello-philippines.com

Celebrity, Showbiz & Entertainment

February 2012 – No. 3 / Fortnightly • UK & Europe Edition

Be enchanted with GMA Pinoy TV’s newest offering “ALICE BUNGISNGIS” GMA Network – A magical adventure will unfold on international television as GMA Pinoy TV – GMA Network’s flagship international channel – launches the much awaited and heart-warming series about the life of a good teenage witch, Alice Bungisngis, beginning February 8.

The most coveted role of Alice Bungisngis will be played by one of the hottest tween stars on Philippine television today – Bea Binene. Adding spice in her life as Alice is respected movie and television actress Ms. Jean Garcia as Esmeralda.

Joining the captivating cast are Jake Vargas as Ace, Derrick Monasterio as Spade, Janno Gibbs as Hilario, Lexi Fernandez as Quennie, and Sheena Halili as Sinag.

The story begins in a far away province where witchery still exists. Here lives a sorceress named Tandang Alicia together with her daughter Matilda and her foster child Esmeralda.

As time passes by, Esmeralda starts to become obsessed with power and uses it for her personal gain. Tandang Alicia wants to stop her from being greedy so she uses her potion to cast a spell on Esmeralda, transforming

Bea Binene

her to look like an old tree. Sadly, Tandang Alicia’s life is put to an end in exchange of the curse.

Matilda grieves on the lost of her mother, but the situation changes as soon as her cute little baby is born. They named her Alice.

Happiness fills the lives of Matilda and Hilario as they see a bright future for their daughter because she embodies the goodness and intelligence of her grandmother, Alicia.

Unknowingly, when Alice was born, Esmeralda has risen.

Hoping that Alice can finally break her curse, Esmeralda commands her minions to look for Alice.

Matilda and Hilario, wanting to protect Alice, are placed under a spell while Alice manages to escape.

A loving farmer, Ipeng, finds Alice and feels the need to bring her to the charitable institution where he’s working.

Here, she grows up as a good and a loving girl. However, she is often bullied by others because they consider her weird — enchanting situations usually occur because whatever she utters happen , and she is also fond of conversing with different objects as if they listen. Above all, her laughter is similar to that of a witch’s!

Ana Roces

Jake Vargas

Derrick Monasterio

As she reaches her tween stage, the oppression intensifies making her feel that the only people who love her are Ipeng and the kids in the institution.

However, things change when she meets Ace, who becomes his good friend. Alice eventually falls in love with Ace but Maggie, Ace’s mother, disagrees with it.

Maggie drives Alice away from the institution but before it happens a party takes place for Ace’s grandfather, Don Zaldy.

Unfortunately, the institution is set on fire, which causes the death of Don Zaldy, with Alice becoming the person to blame.

Alice runs away from the institution and looks for places where she can hide. One day, when she’s about to be captured, Esmeralda pretends to be her real mother and helps her escape from the people hunting her.

Believing Esmeralda is really her mother, Alice obeys anything she says.

In a twist of fate, Ace and Alice cross paths. He still believes that Alice planned the death of his grandfather. A feud is born between them and will persist because of Esmeralda’s manipulation. In fighting for the truth, Alice is punished by

Sheena Halili

Sef Cadayona

Benjie Paras

Esmeralda. The situation worsens but a good friend helps Alice escape from the evil Esmeralda.

Alice then meets Lola Andeng who will make her feel loved. In times of hardships, she uses her magical powers to help Lola Andeng. But when Lola Andeng learns of the supernatural abilities of Alice, she drives her away.

Alice assumes that Lola Andeng views her as an evil creature. But she doesn’t know that she is her mom, Matilda, who transformed into an old lady because of Esmeralda’s spell.

One day, Alice learns that Lola Andeng is sick. She goes back and takes care of her. When night comes, the moonlight beams on Lola Andeng revealing that she is indeed Matilda, Alice’s long lost mother. Because of this, Alice makes a promise not to leave her mother and to protect her always.

Sadly, Esmeralda and her minions soon find them. What makes it more painful is seeing Ace and Ipeng bewitched by the servant of darkness. Alice finds the need to unleash the witch inside her in order to save herself and her loved ones.

Up to what extent is she willing to cast spells just to fight for

Marc Justine Alvarez

Janno Gibbs

Lenlen Frial

Jean Garcia

her loved ones? Will love and goodness triumph over the power of darkness?

Adding enchantment to the series are talented and promising television actors and actresses Irma Adlawan as Gareng/Maggie; Buboy Garovillo as Ipeng; Roy Alvarez as Don Zaldy; Alicia Alonzo as Lola Andeng; Benjie Paras as Timoteo/Tim; Sef Cadayona as Tomas/Tom; Lenlen Frial as Gelay; and introducing Marc Justine Alvarez as Wally, the Wonder Walis. With the special participation of Ana Roces as Matilda and Ms.Marita Zobel as Tandang Alicia.

ALICE BUNGISNGIS, created by the GMA Drama Group, is headed by Lilybeth Rasonable, VP for Drama; Ma. Regina Magno, AVP for Drama; Camille Hermoso, Program Manager; Kaye Cadsawan, Executive Producer; and the creative team composed of Jun Lana, Creative Director; RJ Nuevas and Aloy Adlawan, Creative Consultants; and from the Original Concept of Maribel Ilag, Headwriter.

Under the helm of the blockbuster director, Mark Reyes, the spellbinding story of “ALICE BUNGISNGIS” airs beginning February 8 on GMA Pinoy TV. ■

Lexi Fernandez

Roy Alvarez

Irma Adlawan

Alicia Alonzo

Celebrity, Showbiz & Entertainment

February 2012 – No. 3 / Fortnightly • UK & Europe Edition

55th New York Festivals 2012 NEW YORK, NY – February 2, 2012: New York Festivals® International Television & Film Awards, now in its 55th year of honoring the World’s Best TV Programs & Films™, announced the finalists for the 2012 competition. The Grand Jury, comprised of award-winning television and film industry experts, determined the shortlist from entries submitted from 40 countries worldwide. Trophies will be presented at the 2012 Television & Film Awards

Ceremony on April 17th at the annual NAB Show in Las Vegas, April 14th to 19th, 2012.

New York Festivals® (NYF™) now in its 55th year, is an International Awards Group (IAG) LLC Company.

Recognizing the World’s Best Work™ in advertising and TV, Film & Radio programs, IAG along with its other brands, AME®, Globals®, and Midas®, honor advertising and marketing in global communications through seven annual competitions. ■

Philippines Category

Title

Entrant

Best Newscast

TV Patrol - Storm Juaning

ABS-CBN

Biography/Profiles

Front Row: Bente Dos (Twenty-Two)

GMA News TV (GMA Net

Biography/Profiles

Storyline

ABS-CBN Broadcasting Corporation

Community Portraits

Report Card

Community Service Programs Wanted - Child Special

work, Inc.)

GMA Network, Inc. Associated Broadcasting Company (TV5)

History & Society

EDSA25: Sulyap sa Kasaysayan (A Glimpse ABS-CBN Corporation of History)

History & Society

Pluma: Si Rizal, Ang Dakilang Manunulat GMA News TV (GMA Network, Inc.) (Rizal, The Great Writer)

Magazine Format

Rated K / Kwento ng Buhay Ko (This is my ABS-CBN Broadcasting Corporation Life)

Nature & Wildlife

Born to be Wild: The Born Expeditions Finale GMA Network, Inc. The Monster of Mae Klong and The Great White Shark

Politics

News 5 Debates - A Challenge For Change

Social Issues/Current Events

Front Row: Yaman Sa Basura (Child Urban GMA News TV (GMA Network, Inc.) Miners)

Associated Broadcasting Company (TV5)

Social Issues/Current Events

I-Witness: Gintong Putik

GMA Network, Inc.

Social Issues/Current Events

I-Witness: Lapnos (Burn)

GMA Network, Inc.

Social Issues/Current Events

Krusada / Crusade

Abs-cbn corporation

Social Issues/Current Events

Reel Time: Lusong (Live to Dive)

GMA News TV (GMA Network, Inc.)

Social Issues/Current Events

Reel Time: Tira (Infected)

GMA News TV (GMA Network, Inc.)

“IT’S SHOWTIME” pilot creates online buzz

ABS-CBN Network – The newest noontime show to conquer television’s afternoon block kicked off with a big bang as mentions on the much-anticipated pilot of “It’s Showtime” flooded the microblogging site Twitter on Friday 6, 2012.

The opening dance and song number of hosts Vhong Navarro, Anne Curtis, Billy Crawford, ‘Kuya’ Kim Atienza, Karylle, Vice Ganda, Teddy Corpuz, Jugs Jugueta, Jhong Hilario, Ryan Bang, Coleen Garcia, and Eric ‘Eruption’ Tai elicited delight and thrill among Filipino netizens, prompting the hashtag ‘#ItsShowtime’ to top the trending topics on Twitter Philippines Also trending were “Baliwag U” a term popularized by Anne, and the “Sine Mo ‘To” segment wherein the hosts perform in a comical skit and audience members win cash prizes for participating.

The madlang people also saw the return of the classic talent search portion and the “Arte Mo!”hosted by Anne at Vhong where the remaining

contestant advanced to Kuya Kim’s “Rock Clock” round and could win as much as ₱500,000.

Meanwhile, Vice’s “Singing V” challenges participants’ musical knowledge, while teams go against each other in answering trivia questions in the “Pitik Bulag”.

Before the much-anticipated pilot of “It’s Showtime,” a ‘Countdown Party Party’ for the network’s employees and the hosts’ fans was mounted at the ABS-CBN compound Sunday night, February 5.

Aside from the “It’s Showtime” hosts, ABS-CBN’s brightest talents

also turned up at the event to show their support for the new show, including Erik Santos, Jovit Baldivino, Bugoy Drilon, Marcelito Pomoy, Ejay Falcon, Empress Schuck, Gab Valenciano.

Entertaining the crowd were bands Sponge Cola, Itchyworms, Rocksteddy, and “Showtime” Season 1 grand champion XB Gensan and child wonder Bugoy Carino.

Party-party with the unkabogablebarkada of “It’s Showtime” weekdays and Saturdays at 11:30am on ABS-CBN in the Philippines and onTFC worldwide. ■

www.hello-philippines.com

HELLO PHILIPPINES

33

9 New York Festival finalists for GMA News and Public Affairs

GMA Network – GMA News and Public Affairs, Philippines’ most trusted news organization, proves its world class calibre again with a total of nine nominations – five coming from GMA Network’s leading news channel GMA News TV and four from GMA-7 – in the highly prestigious 2012 New York Festivals.

Less than a year after its launch, GMA News TV makes a definitive statement with five of its documentaries achieving finalist status at the NYF. News TV’s docudrama Pluma: Si Rizal, Ang Dakilang Manunulat (Rizal, The Great Writer), a historic piece that traces the evolution of Rizal’s writings, was chosen as finalist in the History and Society category.

Front Row and Reel Time, News TV’s groundbreaking weekend documentaries, received two nominations each. Front Row’s Bente Dos (Twenty-Two), narrates the life of a family in Manila’s slums, with 22 children. Front Row’s Yaman Sa Basura (Child Urban Miners) tells the story of twin boys risking life and limb while working in an urban mine. Reel Time’s Lusong (Live to Dive) shows father and son divers racing to earn enough over a summer to send the boy to school, while Tira (Infected) relates cases of young teens who suffer from sexually transmitted diseases.

GMA-7 nominees include the public affairs special Report Card. Bannered

by GMA News pillar Mike Enriquez and Kapuso leading man Dingdong Dantes, the special examines why the country’s educational system still struggles to make the grade.

Getting the nod in the Nature and Wildlife category is Born to be Wild’s The Born Expeditions Finale. In this episode, the Born team documents Thai

environmentalists’ efforts to propagate a giant freshwater stingray locally known as prakaben while another group embarks on an African expedition to see the great white shark.

Completing the list are two episodes of the Philippines’ most awarded documentary program I-Witness.

Gintong Putik takes Peabody Awardwinning documentarist Kara David back to the town of Paracale in Camarines Norte where she meets a young boy burrowing for gold in the middle of a rice field. Fellow Peabody Award winner Jay Taruc features the harrowing account of burn victims in the second I-Witness entry dubbed Lapnos (Burn).

“These nine finalists may be promoted to Gold, Silver, or Bronze during the current judging process,” says Rose Anderson, Executive Director of the New York Festivals.

The documentary programs Front Row and Reel Time are currently seen worldwide via GMA Network’s third international channel, GMA News TV International. Meanwhile, the docudrama Pluma: Si Rizal, Ang Dakilang Manunulat and the public affairs special Report Card aired internationally via GMA Pinoy TV – the Network’s flagship international channel. Born to be Wild and I-Witness are also shown oversees on GMA Pinoy TV. The 2012 New York Festivals International Television and Film Awards received entries from over 40 countries. It is dedicated to both the television and film industries and encourages next generation storytellers to break new ground.

This year’s awards ceremony is scheduled on April 17 at The NAB Show in Las Vegas. ■

The unkabogablegang of Vhong Navarro, Anne Curtis, Billy Crawford, ‘Kuya’ Kim Atienza, Karylle, Vice Ganda, Teddy Corpuz, Jugs Jugueta, Jhong Hilario, Ryan Bang, Coleen Garcia, and Eric ‘Eruption’ Tai propelled “It’s Showtime” to the top of trending topics on Twitter Philippines. (ABS-CBN)

34

HELLO PHILIPPINES

www.hello-philippines.com

Celebrity, Showbiz & Entertainment

February 2012 – No. 3 / Fortnightly • UK & Europe Edition

Love, betrayal, and revenge take centerstage in “BROKEN VOW”

GMA Network – GMA Pinoy TV fires up its programming with its drama offering for 2012 featuring the stellar performances of the network’s prime stars via Broken Vow. Premiering February 9, Broken Vow brings to Pinoy viewers worldwide the tremendous dramatic talents of Bianca King as Melissa Santiago, a simple provincial lass about to marry her life-long sweetheart; Gabby Eigenmann as Roberto Sebastian, a budding politician destined to marry the woman of his dreams; Luis Alandy as Felix Rastro, the guy who will help Melissa survive her horrific ordeal; and Rochelle Pangilinan as Rebecca Sta. Maria, the scorned ex-girlfriend of Roberto who will do anything to win

him back as they headline the newest Kapuso drama about love, treachery, sacrifice, and vengeance.

Completing the powerhouse cast are Marco Alcaraz as Police Officer Michael Pascual, the investigator in charge of the crime committed to Melissa; Juan Rodrigo as Mayor Lucio Sebastian, Roberto’s kind-hearted father; Carmi Martin as Rosanna, Roberto’s scheming mother; Matet de Leon as Amy, Melissa’s loyal bestfriend; Jace Flores as Kenneth, Felix’s trusted friend; Pancho Magno as Rico, Roberto’s confidant; Lou Sison as Sheila, Rebecca’s bestfriend who will become Mayor Sebastian’s mistress; Melissa Mendez as Amor, Melissa’s doting mother; Kryshee

Grencia as Eva, Melissa’s daughter; and Ms. Celia Rodriguez as Doña Ofelia, Felix’s authoritative aunt.

The series tells the story of Melissa, an attractive and street-smart woman who becomes the apple of the eye of Roberto, a rich councillor who falls madly in love with the unpretentious probinsyana. Despite the extreme difference in their lifestyles, the two manage to keep their relationship strong and even plan to settle down together.

But the couple’s fairytale romance is suddenly jeopardized when Melissa encounters a horrifying experience.

One night, on her way home from work, a group of men abducts her.

Held hostage at an unknown location,

Melissa is brutally drugged and raped .To make matters even worse, she did not recognize the identity of her rapist.

News about Melissa’s misfortune has spread like wildfire in their town and it dragged Roberto’s family into an unpleasant scandal. In spite of the big controversy on his soon-to-be-wife, Roberto stands by Melissa and vows to marry her.

But on the eve of their wedding, Melissa collapses and Roberto discovers she is pregnant. Devastated upon learning the truth, Roberto changes his mind and dumps Melissa on the day of their wedding.

With her perfect world turned into a nightmare, Melissa tried to jump off a bridge and end her life, only

to be rescued by Felix. Regardless of her apprehension towards his kindness and concern, Felix is bent on winning her trust. Soon, Melissa falls for Felix, who loves her and her daughter Eva. With Felix by her side, how will Melissa face her new life if Roberto comes back and asks for a second chance? What will be Rebecca’s reaction if she finds out that Roberto is once again pursuing Melissa? What will be the fate of Melissa’s relationship with Felix and Roberto’s marriage with Rebecca?

Directed by Gil Tejada Jr. and created and written by Dode Cruz, “BROKEN VOW” premieres February 9 on GMA Pinoy TV. ■ Bianca King and Gabby Eigenmann

Gabby Eigenmann, Bianca King and Luis Alandy

Marco Alcaraz and Rochelle Pangilinan

Juan Rodrigo

Ms. Celia Rodriguez

Melissa Mendez

Carmi Martin

Matet de Leon Bianca King and Gabby Eigenmann

Kryshee Grencia Pancho Magno

Lou Sison

Jayce Florez

February 2012 – No. 3 / Fortnightly • UK & Europe Edition

Celebrity, Showbiz & Entertainment

www.hello-philippines.com

HELLO PHILIPPINES

35

“BIRITERA” takes centerstage on GMA Pinoy TV beginning February 8

GMA Network – GMA Pinoy TV sets the stage for another original and groundbreaking offering as it launches its newest creation, Biritera on February 8. The program combines music with drama and tackles the highs and lows in the colorful world of the music industry.

In this new show, lead stars Dennis Trillo and Glaiza de Castro get to showcase not just their acting abilities, but also their talent in singing as they assume the roles of Andrei, the lead vocalist of the band called The Bridge, and Mikaela, a drummer/singer, respectively.

Biritera also proudly introduces GMA Network’s newest child discovery, Roseanne, who plays the role of an aspiring young singer of the same name. As her character embarks on an emotional journey from becoming an amateur singer to a famous Biritera, Roseanne discovers many things about her roots, her past, and her real identity.

The story takes off from the death of the reigning biritera, which sends Mr. D (Ryan Eigenmann), a respected talent manager, into a frantic search for an immediate replacement.

Upon receiving an invitation to judge in a provincial singing search, Mr. D also brings along Andrei (Dennis Trillo), who then finds himself drawn to one particular contestant, Roseanne (Roseanne Magan).

However, Roseanne ends up losing the competition to Barbie (Sweet Ramos), Roseanne’s rival, much to Andrei’s disappointment.

But no one is more disappointed than Roseanne who wants to succeed as a singer so she can help her adoptive mother Remy (Angelika dela Cruz). Remy, on the other hand, disapproves of her daughter’s dream and would rather see her concentrate on her education.

Unknown to them, Andrei uploads a video of Roseanne taken during the competition. As fate would have it, the video goes viral making Roseanne an instant internet sensation and attracting talent scouts including Mr. D. Remy, however, remains adamant in discouraging Roseanne to pursue her dream of becoming a professional singer. But despite how firm she is, Remy finally gives in when Jo (Rich Asuncion), Roseanne’s aunt, turns up after recognizing Roseanne as her sister Carmela’s (Claudine Baretto) daughter. Jo convinces Remy to allow Roseanne to try her luck in the industry making Remy believe that Jo has Roseanne’s best interest at heart.

As Roseanne begins her quest towards becoming a full-fledged biritera, Remy becomes more concerned of her daughter’s welfare as Jo takes over Roseanne’s life. Andrei also shares the same sentiment, as he feels guilty for prodding Mr. D into managing Roseanne, who seems to be taking on too much too soon only to become successful.

How will Roseanne cope with the demands brought about by her newfound career? Will she eventually make it to the top or will she succumb to the pressure before she can even see her dreams come true? How will Andrei and Mikaela figure in this situation? Could there be a deeper connection between Andrei and the biritera Roseanne?

Adding more depth and excitement to the story are Angelika dela Cruz as Remy, Roseanne’s loving adoptive mother; Rich Asuncion as Jo, Roseanne’s manipulative aunt; Ryan Eigenmann as Mr. D, Andrei and Roseanne’s talent manager; Ces Quesada as Simang, Remy’s aunt; Neil Ryan Sese as Eric, a rich businessman; Gwen Zamora as Iris, Andrei’s number one fan who will eventually fall in love

with him; Yul Servo as Jo’s boyfriend Jerome; and in a very special role, Ms. Claudine Barretto.

Completing the cast are Kiel Rodriguez as Miko, bass player of the band, The Bridge; Ken Chan as the lead guitarist Popoy; Orlando Sol as the keyboardist Egay; Sweet Ramos as Barbie, Roseanne’s fiercest rival; Protege’s Nomer Limatog, Jr. as Miguelito and Jamaika Olivarez as Kleng Kleng, Roseanne and Barbie’s co-members in the church choir; Kim Komatsu as Gwen, the choir master; Hiro Magalona as Teofi, the organ player at the church; Barbara Miguel as Darling, a child actress managed

by Mr. D.; Scarlet as Mrs. Tomandong, Barbie’s mother; Patricia Ysmael as Beverly, and Myra Carel as Bevs, Mr. D’s office staff.

Be inspired by this captivating story about chasing after one’s dreams while not losing sight of the important things in life. This newest GMA Pinoy TV offering directed by multi-awarded director Mr. Maryo J. delos Reyes is based on an original story by Agnes Gagelonia-Uligan under the creative supervision of creative director Jun Lana, creative head Jake Tordesillas, and creative consultant Richard Cruz.

Biritera is a creation of the GMA Drama Group headed by Senior Vice President for Entertainment Wilma V. Galvante, Vice President for drama Lilybeth G. Rasonable, and Asst. Vice President for drama Redgie A. Magno with executive producer Juel Balbon leading the production team.

Biritera premieres worldwide on February 8 via GMA Pinoy TV, GMA Network’s flagship international channel.

Details and updates on the show are posted on the GMA Network website at (www.gmanetwork.com) and the Biritera official facebook page (facebook.com/Biritera) and twitter account (twitter.com/BiriteraGMA). ■

Dennis Trillo, Glaiza De Castro and Gwen Zamora

Angelika dela Cruz

Glaiza de Castro

Roseanne Magan

Sweet Ramos

Carmina, Janice, Joey and Ogie topbill ABS-CBN’s newest showbiz-oriented talkshow, “SHOWBIZ INSIDE REPORT”

Joey Marquez, Janice de Belen, Carmina Villaroel & Ogie Diaz

Giving viewers an in-depth look at personality behind every showbiz story…

ABS-CBN Network – ABS-CBN levels up the TV viewers’ weekend showbiz experience with the launch of its newest showbiz-oriented talkshow titled, “Showbiz Inside Report (S.I.R.)” this Saturday (February 4), premiering globally only on TFC, featuring a fresh combination of empowered hosts including original Kapamilya star Carmina Villaroel, muti-awarded TV host-actress Janice de Belen, actorpolitician Joey Marquez, and ‘blind item’ king Ogie Diaz.

“S.I.R.” takes an in-depth look on the news and the people behind some of the most talked issues in show business. Carmina shared, “I’m excited with our show because it gives me the opportunity to get to know the Kapamilya stars much

better.” Janice added, “We will discover the real happening behind every story.”

Meanwhile, Joey stressed that viewers must watch out on the hosts’ varying perspectives. He said, “I want to learn from my cohosts’ thoughts. And since we have different personalities, I’m curious to hear their own opinions about the issues we are presenting.”

Ogie is also looking forward to their show’s no-holds-barred discussions. “We are open to each other’s playful banters, but at the end of the day it’s like a conversation among friends.”

With the exciting set of some of the country’s seasoned hosts, expect for a fun-filled highly opinionated “S.I.R.” – with the ever curious and bubbly Janice; Janice, who just like a real sister, will be the guests’ trusted confidante; Joey, meanwhile, will balance out the discussions as he bring up the male perspective amid the issues; and Ogie will surely tickle the viewers’ imagination with his freshest ‘insider’ scoops.

Don’t miss the newest showbizoriented talkshow of ABS-CBN, “Showbiz Inside Report,” coming this February 4, Saturday, globally available only on TFC. For more updates log on to www.abs-cbn.com, follow @ ShowbizInsideTV on Twitter, and ‘like’ http://www.facebook.com/ ShowbizInsideReport.AbsCbn on Facebook ■

36

HELLO PHILIPPINES

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Celebrity, Showbiz & Entertainment

February 2012 – No. 3 / Fortnightly • UK & Europe Edition

Huppert’s Filipino kidnap drama premieres at Berlin fest

Deborah Cole, AFP

ISABELLE Huppert stars as an aid worker snatched by Islamic extremist group Abu Sayyaf in Filipino director Brillante Mendoza’s “Captive”, which premiered at the 62nd Berlin International Film Festival Sunday, February 12.

The French-Filipino-GermanBritish production is based on the 2001 kidnapping of 20 foreigners from an upscale beach resort on the island of Palawan, in which at least five died during the over a year-long ordeal.

The 58-year-old French screen icon plays Therese, a Christian volunteer and one of the original group taken at gunpoint by the Al-Qaeda-linked outfit.

She said the gruelling conditions while filming, including five days on a small boat at sea and a fortnight in the jungle, as

well as Mendoza’s working style in which he revealed little of the script to the actors until the last minute, made for a one-of-a-kind shoot.

“It was the most incredible and extreme experience I’ve ever had in my life as an actress,” Huppert said after a packed press preview that drew polite applause.

“The strength of his way of filming is how to create a kind of chaos that maybe only he knows how to control and he pushes the actors to such an extreme that actually we were... in a state of extreme surprise – we never knew what was going to happen when we were shooting.”

A festival favourite, Mendoza entered the competition in Cannes in 2008 with “Serbis”, set in a rundown family-owned movie house, and captured the best director prize there the next year for “Kinatay” about

a student who falls in with a gang. It was then that Mendoza met Huppert while she was jury president.

For “Captive”, Mendoza, 51, kept the foreigners including Huppert segregated from the actors playing the militants until the first day of shooting to heighten the cultural gap between them.

He interviewed survivors, Abu Sayyaf members and troops before making the film, which mixes a documentary style with shocking physical close-ups, including a baby’s birth, that have become his trademark.

Mendoza even recruited some actual soldiers to play in film.

“I remember at one point Isabelle asked me if some of the Abu Sayyaf members were real,” he laughed. “It’s true,” Huppert said smiling.

After their terrifying abduction

at the resort, the hostages are caught several times in crossfire between the militants and the army, including a nightmarish scene at a hospital where they have taken shelter.

A grim jungle trek ensues as the group loses hope that the government is doing anything to ensure their release, just as the military seems to indiscriminately fire on their camp with little regard for their lives.

And while their captors treat the women initially with respectful distance, as the months drag on, some are raped and taken as “wives”.

But there are lighter moments when the rebels share jokes and moments of compassion with their captives, some of whom even begin to identify with their cause as they witness the poverty and brutality that led them to take up arms.

“In most of my film I try to be as faithful as I can,” Mendoza said.

“As a film-maker one should never take sides, one should show what is really happening... even if it goes against your own beliefs and philosophy as a filmmaker.”

The southern Philippines has long been plagued by outlaws who kidnap people for huge ransoms. The most feared of these is Abu Sayyaf which has been tied to the worst terror attacks in Philippine history.

Founded with seed money from Al-Qaeda chief Osama bin Laden in the 1990s, Abu Sayyaf says it is fighting for its own independent state or sub-state.

“Captive” is one of 18 films vying for Berlin’s Golden Bear top prize, to be awarded Saturday. ■ (AFP – Berlin – February

12, 2012)

www.berlinale.de

“Captive” – Sid Lucero the actor, Didier Costet the producer, Brillante Mendoza the director and Isabelle Huppert the actress at the Press Conference at the 62nd Berlin International Film Festival. ©AFP/John Macdougall

©AFP

©AFP/Gerard Julien.

French producer Didier Costet, Filipino actor Sid Lucero, French actress Isabelle Huppert, Filipino director Brillante Mendoza, actress Katherine Mulville and line producer Larry Castillo pose at a photocall.

Isabelle Huppert at the premiere of “Captive” at the Berlin Film Festival.

Huppert and Philippine director Brillante Mendoza (R) at the premiere.

February 2012 – No. 3 / Fortnightly • UK & Europe Edition

Celebrity, Showbiz & Entertainment

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37

Saab Magalona

Dingdong Dantes and Marian Rivera

Marian Rivera Andrea Torres

Mikael Daez Alden Richards and Louise Delos Reyes

Carl Guevarra and Jennica Garcia

Dingdong Dantes

Philippine Television’s phenomenal love team is back via GMA Pinoy TV’s “MY BELOVED”

GMA Network – the Number 1 broadcasting company in the Philippines – continues its nationwide domination this 2012 as it produces another high-calibre and optimum primetime offering with the launch of its newest drama series, My Beloved.

It will air on the Network’s flagship international channel, GMA Pinoy TV, beginning February 14.

Leading the blockbuster ensemble of cast is no less than Philippine Television’s most popular love team and one of today’s hottest couples in the entertainment arena, Metro Manila Filmfest 2011 Best Actor Dingdong Dantes as Benjie/Arlan, an angel of death commonly known as “sundo” who takes on a human form to save the life of his beloved woman, and Primetime Queen Marian Rivera as Sharina, the beautiful mortal who falls in love with a fallen angel.

My Beloved is the very first original primetime soap opera of both stars who underwent not just major makeovers with their looks but also in the characters they portray, something new and fresh their avid fans and supporters should look forward to. This is likewise Dingdong and Marian’s fifth collaboration with the network after starring in Marimar, Dyesebel, Ang Babaeng Hinugot sa Aking Tadyang and Endless Love.

Adding star power to this highbudgeted program is the special participation of one of Philippine Cinema’s highly-commended veteran actresses, Ms. Nova Villa.

Following her stint in the Network’s afternoon prime soaps, Ms. Nova lends her acting chops in her very first primetime program as she plays an offbeat role as Lola Inggay, Benjie’s drunkard grandmother. She lost

her faith in God after experiencing countless misfortunes throughout her life. As Lola Inggay, she earns a living by deceiving people as a jueteng collector.

Joining Dingdong and Marian are some of today’s biggest names in drama headlined by Paolo Contis as Gimo, Benjie’s childhood friend who is the leader of their gang. This latest project reunites Paolo with his long-time friend Dingdong after playing the latter’s villain in Ang Babaeng Hinugot Sa Aking Tadyang.

Meanwhile, Katrina Halili joins the cast of My Beloved as Emmie, Benjie’s loyal girlfriend. Katrina once again stars alongside Dingdong and Marian after playing the famed kontrabida role of Rebecca Santibañez in the highrating telenovela, Marimar; Marky Lopez as Tikyo, Benjie’s most trusted ally; and playing an equally vital role is respected dramatic actress, Ms. Chanda Romero as she breathes life to the character of Elsa, Sharina and Monica’s authoritarian aunt who will make their lives a living hell.

Making this primetime spectacle even grander are two of today’s most sought-after love teams: the desirable tandem of Jennica Garcia as Monica, Sharina’s protective sister, and Carl Guevarra as Junic, Monica’s boyfriend; and the lovable pairing of Tween stars Louise delos Reyes as Grace, a poor girl who pretends to be well-off, and Alden Richards as Rico, Benjie’s younger brother.

Playing the coveted role of Sharina’s ardent suitor is one of GMA’s hottest and most desired properties, Mikael Daez as Nelson. Mikael is all set to showcase a new breadth to his acting skills and make more hearts swoon to his striking good looks.

My Beloved also introduces the glittering roster of fast-rising Kapuso stars including Ynna Asistio as Lizette, Emmie’s spoiled sister; Saab Magalona as Ginella, Elsa’s arrogant daughter; Djanin Cruz as Lucy, Monica’s tomboyish friend; and Andrea Torres as Dessa, Sharina’s bestfriend.

Completing the star-studded cast are the characters known as “Sundo” who will join Arlan in his mission: Jon Hall as Joryl, Fabio Ide as Rowan, and Jay Gonzaga as Mikal.

The story of My Beloved begins when Sharina’s happy life turns upside down with the death of her father, Romeo. Left all alone with nothing and no one to care for them after her mother eloped with another man, Sharina and her younger sister Monica must now live and work under the strict rules of their aunt Elsa and her daughter Ginella.

Life has been unbearable for the two sisters, but Sharina does not give up in despair, and instead strive to get an education through the help of Lily, played by Rio Locsin in a special guest role, a kind-hearted teacher who treats Sharina like her own daughter.

Tragedy strikes Sharina’s world once again when Lily passes away.

Much to her surprise, Lily entrusted her small business including her house to Sharina. So, together with her sister Monica, Sharina decides to move in to Lily’s house and start a new life.

One day, Sharina sees Lily’s old painting of a man inside her ancestral house. She also gets hold of Lily’s diary and learns of her encounter with a man who saved her from an accident.

Lily fell in love with this mysterious person and waited to be reunited with him until her last breath.

Completely intrigued with the identity of the good-looking man on the canvas, Sharina could not get the face of the man out of her mind and it repeatedly haunts her dreams every night. Until she meets an accident and Sharina finally comes face to face with the mystifying being in the painting. The man saves her from death and Sharina kisses him before he disappears.

In the divine realm of angels, one strict rule applies to every “sundo”: that no angel of death can fall in love with a human being. In such case, Arlan has freely chosen to give up his immortal state when he genuinely kissed Sharina back.

Meanwhile, when Sharina wakes up, she searches for her rescuer and falls in love with him. Unknown to her, the man in the painting and her rescuer is one and the same person.

But by a startling twist of fate, Sharina and her “mystery” man’s paths entwines as she meets Benjie, a playboy and a member of a small-time syndicate. The angel Arlan, who has been punished and banished to earth to become a mortal, transfers his soul into Benjie’s body and equally falls in love with Sharina. Now, Arlan must live a life of a mortal and redeem himself to go back to heaven.

As Sharina yearns to be united with her mystery man, she will face many struggles after discovering his real identity as a thief and gangster. Now trapped in Benjie’s body, Arlan must learn how to feel human emotions and endure the day to day life of a normal human being.

Now that the two fated lovers are reunited, how will Sharina accept the truth about Benjie’s violent and shady past as a criminal? How will the fallen

angel Arlan cope with his newfound life as Benjie, as he deals with the various temptations and struggles of being a human being?

As the two unlikely lovers enter an earthly relationship, will Arlan succeed in fulfilling his mission of saving his beloved Sharina with his second chance at life, and at love? Will our starcrossed lovers realize their destiny to once and for all be together even in the next lifetime? Will their love story and commitment to be together last till eternity? Is Sharina willing to commit sins for the sake of her loved ones? Will Arlan be willing to go to hell and back to save his beloved Sharina?

Under the helm of Director Dominic Zapata with original concept

by RJ Nuevas, My Beloved showcases a beautiful and timeless tale of undying love between two people of two different worlds. It is a unique traditional drama that stands out for its excellent character portrayals and heart-thumping scenes from beginning to end with top notch production values that naturally highlights the series’ many compelling moments. My Beloved is a story of sacrifice and love, of how each of the character lives’ intertwine as they encounter the magical journey of eternal love.

Don’t miss the unconditional story of never-ending love with the much awaited international premiere of “My Beloved” beginning February 14 on GMA Pinoy TV. Get the latest updates about My Beloved from its official facebook page (http://www.facebook. com/GMAMyBeloved), twitter account (http://www.twitter.com/ MyBeloved7), and the GMA Network website (www.GMANetwork.com). ■

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Sports

February 2012 – No. 3 / Fortnightly • UK & Europe Edition

BOXING: Boxer Donaire steps up to super bantam with win FOOTBALL: First round NONITO Donaire knocked down Wilfredo Vazquez Jnr in the ninth round en route to a split decision over the former champ in a super bantamweight title bout in San Antonio, Texas.

Donaire, a former International Boxing Federation flyweight and World Boxing Council bantamweight title holder, claimed the World Boxing Organization belt in his first foray at super bantamweight.

The 12-round bout was on the undercard of the World Boxing Council middleweight title fight between unbeaten champion Julio Cesar Chavez Jnr and Marco Antonio Rubio at the Alamodome.

Donaire, of the Philippines, brought plenty of his power with him into the heavier weight class, dropping Vazquez in the ninth with a left uppercut followed by a left hook.

Donaire had rocked Vazquez in the third round and appeared in control until the Puerto Rican began to assert himself in the fifth and sixth rounds.

Despite the tenacity of Vazquez, Donaire said he was surprised that judge Ruben Garcia scored the bout 115-112 for the Puerto Rican.

Judges Levi Martinez and Don Trella both saw it 117-110 for Donaire, who said he hurt his left hand early in the bout and displayed what appeared to be a bloodied hand wrap when he removed his gloves after the fight.

Donaire said fighting a bigger opponent “was tougher than I expected.”

“I couldn’t find my rhythm and I hurt my hand somewhere between the second and fourth rounds,” he said. “I could only move it a little bit.”

Donaire, who also once held the World Boxing Association interim super flyweight championship but not the official crown, improved to 28-1 with 18 knockouts.

Vazquez fell to 21-2-1 with 17 wins inside the distance.

Their fight was for the WBO belt Vazquez lost to Jorge Arce, who then vacated it to fight for

of UAAP Football

©AFP/File/Chris Trotman/Getty Images

Nonito Donaire claimed the World Boxing Organization belt in his first foray at super bantamweight.

the bantamweight belt Donaire relinquished when he moved up in weight.

Now Donaire can look forward to potential match-ups with Arce and Japan’s WBC champion Toshiaki Nishioka.

“I’m definitely staying at 122 (pounds) for a while,” Donaire said, indicating he needs time to adjust to the new division. “I’m not happy with my performance today... We will go back to the drawing board.” ■ (AFP – Los Angeles – February 4, 2012)

FOOTBALL: PFF AND ABS-CBN signed a TV agreement

THE Philippine Football Federation (PFF) and ABSCBN had just gained a new partnership when they signed a four-year contract that made the latter as the official network to air the national team’s games in the next 4 years.

According to Mariano “Nonong” Araneta, president of Philippine Football Federation, the deal is composed of an airtime worth seventy five million pesos. This annual airtime would be allotted to the games of Azkals and other football matches.

On the first year of the deal, the PFF will receive 1.2 million pesos for every game of the Azkals.

Araneta added that, every

year, the payment will increase by 100,000 pesos until the contract’s last year. Araneta and Dan Palami were the signatories of the deal.

Other main signatories for ABS-CBN were its chair and CEO Gabby Lopez and ABS-CBN Sports chief honcho Peter Musngi.

As part of the deal, the network needs to pay 30,000 pesos worth of equipment which will serve as assistance to thirty three other provincial football associations.

Araneta revealed that ABSCBN had already paid 10 million pesos as an initial payment after signing the contract on Thursday, February 9, 2012 in Quezon City. ■

for patients who are unable to afford medical care.

To be called the Tebow CURE Hospital, the $3 million, 30-bed facility opening in mid-2013, will specialize in bone disease and injuries for children.

A third of the young patients will be of

for the entire first round. FUE, who has scored a whopping total number of 8 goals, is currently on the runnerup spot with 8 points. Half of these 8 goals were scored on the last day of the first round in the match against UE, who is currently on the last spot in the league with neither a win nor a goal. ■

FOOTBALL: Philippine Azkals fight Uzbekistan

THE Philippine Azkals will go against one of their fiercest contenders when they fight Uzbekistan’s Olympic side in their Middle East camp at the Al Maktoum Stadium in Dubai.

The Philippine Azkals were strengthened by the inclusion of numerous Europe-based players.

The training camp for the AFC Challenge will start next month.

The Azkals will go against the Uzbeks on Saturday, February 11, 2012 at 7pm (11 pm in Manila) in the Asian Olympic Qualifying Tournament; the latter is coming off a 2-0 victory against Australia.

Dan Palami, Philippine Azkals’ team manager said that it’s going to be a tough match; but for him, it is just the beginning of their tedious preparation for the Challenge Cup. The Philippine Azkals would be missing two players in the names of Aly Borromeo, and Chieffy Caligdong; the latter incurred a knee injury 2 weeks ago from a United Football League. Caligdong still played for the Azkals in Dubai.

He said that it was his first time to go out of the country without being able to play and contribute for his team. ■

©AFP PHOTO/ASIAN TOUR/PAUL LAKATOS

AMERICAN FOOTBALL: NFL Superstar Tim Tebow donates for a Davao Hospital THE Denver Broncos’ Tim Tebow, one of the biggest names in American NFL, has been making waves touchdown after touchdown.

Dubbed as “God’s Quarterback” for being such a devout Christian, has made another move that has made him live up to his name more than ever. Tebow was born in Manila in 1987 where his Baptist parents were then serving as missionaries. Having been born in the Philippine capital, he has created an attachment to the country. The Tim Tebow Foundation, established in 2010, plans to build playrooms in children’s hospitals around the world and Davao City, Philippines will be the first on the list.

CURE, based in Philadelphia, is a faithbased charity that runs hospitals in health programmes in 20 countries

JANUARY 14, 2012 was a wonderful for both the collegiate and professional football in the Philippines because it was the opening for the UAAP Football and United Football League. While the UFL is still in full swing, the first round of UAAP games for the men’s division concluded last January 29, 2012. UST is currently in first place with 9 points, having won two game and getting 3 draws. On the other hand, DLSU and UP are not performing as well as they ought to be. The former has not scored a single goal while last year’s champs have only gotten one goal in the post

charity concern. The hospital will also have a “Timmys Playroom” wherein children who will undergo surgery will be housed. “I’ve always had a special place in my heart for the country in which I was born and I’m very excited about this project,” Tim Tebow shares. ■

This handout picture provided by The Asian Tour and taken on February 8, 2012 shows Filipino professional boxer and politician Manny Pacquiao (L) and player partner Frankie Minoza of the Philippines pose wearing boxing gloves on the 8th green during the Pro-am event ahead of the ICTSI Philippine Open at Wack Wack Golf and Country Club in Manila. The 300,000 USD Asian Tour tournament runs from February 9 to 12, 2012.

GOLF: Frankie Miñoza all-set for his biggest Philippine Open FRANKIE Miñoza has had a successful career in the Philippines and abroad, and for him, the present edition of the Philippine Open is uniquely valuable to him. As a surprise to many spectators, the 52-year-old golf star considered it as the biggest competition he would ever join.

In the Philippine’s National Championship, he was able to submit a two-under 70 in the first round of its 96th edition. The specific round was very crucial as it placed him nearer to the third Open crown.

He called the fight “The 156” as it has clearly shown that Miñoza is a cut above Thailand’s Boonchu Ruangkit and Chinese-Taipei’s Lu Wen-the.

These foreign competitors have a

combined 10-over total.

Miñoza said that it was a good start for him. He brought a name for his flight by adding other members of various ages, namely, Ruangkit, who is 55 and Lu, who is 49.

Miñoza’s drive to win was shown in all of his games.

The three players will tee off together again Friday, February 10, 2012 second round. Miñoza promised to be focused on the game at hand.

Miñoza is confident that he could hit well but he also considers the fact that he will be playing in Wack Wack and anything might happen there. He just promised to be patient, believe in his fate and be courageous enough to bounce back. ■

February 2012 – No. 3 / Fortnightly • UK & Europe Edition

Sports

www.hello-philippines.com

HELLO

39

The truth BASKETBALL: Talk and Text defends Philippine BASKETBALL: behind Powerade sale Cup Title: A first in PBA after 27 years THE Powerade Tigers momentarily broke the momentum of the Tropang Texters when they won the fourth game last January 27, 2012. Talk and Text already swept the first three games, the third game being a close call that even went to overtime thanks to JV Casio’s three-pointer in the last second of the fourth quarter.

After Talk and Text’s loss, Chot Reyes and his team were determined to put the series to close on its fifth game last January 29, 2012. After four gruelling hours, the Tropang Texters took home the Philippine Cup for a second year in a row with a 9 point lead against the Tigers. Ryan Reyes finished with 20 points and a whopping steal count of 10. Larry Fonacier, whose defensive assignment was the Best Player of the Conference Gary David, was hailed as the Finals MVP.

Top scorers of the game were Gary David (37), Sean Anthony (22), JV Casio (19), Ranidel de Ocampo (18), and Jimmy Alapag (17).

Coach Chot Reyes, a former

Ateneo Blue Eagle, was the youngest coach at the age of 29 to win a PBA title when he led Purefoods to be Champions during the 1993 conference. ■

BOXING: Mayweather to fight Cotto, not Pacquiao, in May

UNBEATEN US boxing star Floyd Mayweather announced Wednesday, February 1 he will fight Puerto Rico’s Miguel Cotto on May 5, ending hopes for a showdown with Manny Pacquiao before November.

Mayweather will step up from the welterweight ranks and fight for Cotto’s World Boxing Association super welterweight crown in Las Vegas before he begins a 90-day jail sentence on June 1 after a domestic violence conviction.

Boxing fans have long sought a match-up between Mayweather and Filipino icon Pacquiao.

Mayweather even made a Twitter challenge for the Asian star to “Step Up, Punk”, but they could not work out a deal so Mayweather went to Cotto.

“Miguel Cotto is a world class fighter who can never be taken for granted and continues to prove he is one of the best in boxing,” Mayweather said.

“It will be a challenge for me to

compete with him at this weight, but this is the type of test I thrive on and gives me the motivation to train even harder. I have no doubt in my mind that my title belt collection will increase once again and Cotto’s reign as champion will come to an end on May 5.”

Mayweather, who has won titles in seven weight classes, won his only other fight at super welterweight in 2007 with a split decision over Oscar de la Hoya for the World Boxing Council title.

Cotto defended his crown last December by stopping Antonio Margarito in the 10th round.

“I am here to fight the biggest names in boxing,” Cotto said.

“I’ve never ducked anyone or any challenge in front of me. I have accepted everything to give the fans what they like – great and exciting fights.

“Stay tuned because I will convincingly beat Floyd Mayweather.”

©AFP/File

Floyd Mayweather will fight Puerto Rico’s Miguel Cotto on May 5, ending hopes for a showdown with Manny Pacquiao before November.

Mayweather had made a deal for a May 5 fight but Pacquiao had wanted a June date to maximize revenue for what figures to be the biggest-paying blockbuster in boxing history, if it happens, which now cannot happen until late this year.

Pacquiao is still deciding who he will face in a fight to be staged in May or June.

Cotto and Mayweather have agreed to Olympic-style drug testing for the fight. Mayweather’s insistence on such methods helped scuttle prior talks for a Pacquiao fight.

Mayweather, 41-0 with 25 knockouts, won his last fight in controversial fashion, knocking out Victor Ortiz last September when his rival was distracted by the referee having just restarted the action after a break.

Cotto, 36-2 with 29 knockouts, is 16-2 in world title fights and avenged a 2008 title loss to Margarito two months ago. ■ (AFP

– Las Vegas, Nevada – February 2, 2012)

THERE have been rumours that the Coca-Cola / Powerade franchise had been sold to San Miguel Corporation. To clarify the speculation, PBA Commissioner Chito Salud sent a letter to the chairman and CEO of Cosmos and Coca-Cola Bottlers, William Schultz.

In connection with this news, PBA chairman Mamerto Mondragon of Rain or Shine had also called for a meeting, but was later cancelled because representatives from the San Miguel Corporation begged off in attending the said meeting.

Representatives who were present include Rain or Shine’s Mondragon, Talk ‘N Text’s Patrick Gregorio, Meralco’s Ramon Segismundo, Air21’s Al Villadolid and Alaska’s Joaqui Trillo.

Those who were not able to attend were Barangay Ginebra’s Robert Non, Petron’s Ely Capacio, B-Meg’s Pardo, and Barako Bull’s representative.

The meeting was rescheduled on the 20th of February at the PBA office in Libis, Quezon City.

PHILIPPINES

In a letter dated November 11, 2011, addressed to William Ang, the President and CEO of San Miguel, Coca-Cola’s CEO William Schultz allegedly, tendered the franchise to San Miguel.

In the said letter, Schultz pointed out a specific agreement between Coca-Cola and San Miguel. The agreement states that Coca-Cola is giving permission to San Miguel Corporation to buy the former when it becomes up for sale. This letter, in turn had produced a lot of speculations.

Also in the letter is the P100 million franchise price coupled with a “60-day” ultimatum. Within 60 days, San Miguel Corporation must express its refusal in purchasing the team.

The letter also states that should SMC fail to respond to the letter and ultimatum, the Powerade franchise can now be offered to third parties.

In the end, a reliable source from the San Miguel camp clarified that no sale was consummated. ■ (with reports from www.mb.com.ph)

BOXING: Tim Bradley ‘in principle’ agrees to Pacquiao showdown MANNY Pacquiao is poised to fight Timothy Bradley on June 9 in Las Vegas after the unbeaten American agreed in principle to a deal, according to the Los Angeles Times.

Reports earlier this week said Philippine icon Pacquiao had agreed to put his World Boxing Organization welterweight belt on the line against Bradley, but that terms had not been finalized.

“This is about being the number one fighter in the world, and that’s what my goal has been for as long as I can remember,” Bradley told the Times.

He didn’t reveal the terms of the agreement, but said it could be signed as early as Friday.

Bradley was one of several fighters in the mix as a possible Pacquiao opponent after it became clear that the anticipated but elusive fight between “PacMan” and Floyd Mayweather Jnr wouldn’t come off in June.

Mayweather is scheduled to fight Miguel Cotto on May 5 instead.

Bradley boasts a record of 28-0 with 12 knockouts. Pacquiao, 543-2, hasn’t lost since 2005 and is considered the best pound-forpound boxer on the planet.

But Pacquiao was less than dominant as he struggled to a majority points decision over Juan Manuel Marquez in November. ■ (AFP – February 10, 2012)

©AFP/File/Jewel Samad

American Timothy Bradley boasts a record of 28-0 with 12 knockouts. ©AFP/File/Jewel Samad

Manny Pacquiao was less than dominant as he struggled to a majority points decision over Juan Manuel Marquez in November 2011.

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February 2012 – No. 3 / Fortnightly • UK & Europe Edition

BOXING: ‘Weak’ Pacquiao dumps vices ©AFP/File/Noel Celis/Getty Images

Manny Pacquiao, attending church services in Manila, in November 2011.

PHILIPPINE boxing superstar Manny Pacquiao says he has given up gambling, cockfighting and other vices to become a goodwill ambassador for the Catholic Church.

Pacquiao, one of the richest men in the Philippines and a national icon, also announced that he had sold his shares in a Manila casino, and in a nightclub and a bar, while also giving away to friends all his fighting cocks.

“I am no longer in the vice business. I’ve sold my shares in a big nightclub along with my shares in a Manila casino outlet,” the 32-yearold, the best pound-for-pound fighter on the planet, told reporters in a recent interview in the southern Philippines.

“I do realise I was a weak person before. If I had died the other year, I believe my soul would have ended in hell,” he said.

“I had faith, but I was doing things which were against the will of God.” Aides said the eight-time world champion had owned more than a thousand roosters worth 30 million pesos ($709,000) for cockfights, a Philippine blood sport where the birds fight to the death armed with sharp metal spurs.

His remaining past time now is basketball, said Pacquiao, who is also a member of the Philippine parliament.

Regarded as one of the greatest boxers in history, amassing a 54-3 win-loss record with two drawn bouts, Pacquiao holds a record eight world titles in as many weight divisions.

He often cites God as the source of his ongoing success and wears a rosary around his neck before and after fights.

However he has not escaped intrigue and reports of him womanising – despite being married – and gambling have become rich tabloid fodder.

“I have found my real peace and happiness now,” he said. “I draw strength and inspiration from reading and hearing the word of God.” He said he and his wife – along with friends – now read the Bible every day at home.

The powerful Catholic Church in the Philippines said last month it had asked Pacquiao to become its ambassador.

“With all humility, yes, I am accepting the daunting task,” he said.

The Pacquiao shares in the casino, called Poker Asia, were sold and the proceeds given to its workers, his spokeswoman Rose Tamayo told reporters, without giving the value of the assets.

“It was a very lucrative business. But this only shows the Congressman’s resolve to change for the better,” she said. ■ (AFP – February 9, 2012)

©AFP/File/Jewel Samad

Philippine boxing superstar Manny Pacquiao, pictured in action in 2011.

©AFP/File/Robyn Beck

Manny Pacquiao has given up gambling, cockfighting and other vices to become a goodwill ambassador for the Catholic Church in the Philippines.

BASKETBALL: 2011 UAAP-NCAA FOOTBALL: Azkals go on to UAE for College Basketball Awards training camp and friendly matches THE best collegiate basketball players of the country were recognized in the recent UAAP-NCAA Press Corps’ Basketball Awards held in Gateway Suites last January 21, 2012.

Kiefer Ravena, awarded with the SMART MVP Award, was also hailed as part of best five in the ceremony together with Ray Parks, Greg Slaughter, Garvo Lanete and Cavin Abueva. Exiting Ateneo basketball star Emman Monfort won the Maynilad Super Senior Award and shares during the interview that he hopes to eventually run for public office in his province, Iloilo, after his basketball ventures. Ateneo Team Captain Kirk Long, on the other hand, was hailed as the Defensive Stopper.

Other awards that were given were Pivotal Player to Nico Salva for the UAAP and San Beda’s Dave Marcelo

for NCAA. Kevin Alas of Letran was also awarded as the Energy Player of the Year.

Far Eastern University’s RR Garcia was given the Court General Award while Aldrech Ramos was also awarded with the Mr. Efficiency Award. Another Mr. Efficiency Awardee is Ian Sangalang of the San Sebastain Stags. His team mate Ronald Pascual was hailed as Impact Player of the year. At the end of the evening, 7-foot tall UAAP Rookie Greg Slaughter was awarded as Best Dressed. But of course, the most important awards were given to Ateneo’s Norman Black for UAAP Coach of the Year and San Beda’s Frankie Lim for NCAA Coach of the Year. ■ (with reports from www.interaksyon.

com and Rick Olivares of www.bleachersbrew. blogspot.com)

THE Philippine Azkals are going U-23 team on February 16 is still 11-day training camp. Both the on a 12-day trip to United Arab under negotiation. Thus, the only training camp and the games Emirates from February 5 to 17, confirmed game so far is the will serve as preparation for AFC match against the Al Ahili Sports Challenge Cup 2012 in Nepal on 2012.

The trip should have comprised Club February 13 in Doha, Qatar.

March. The squad will consist of The said trip will also have an Neil Etheridge, Stefan Schrock, of 4 friendly matches is down to two. The Philippine Azkals Manny Ott, and Paul were scheduled to go Mulders to name a few. against the current Serbia Coach Weiss says in SuperLiga champions an interview the team Partizan Belgrade on the is looking forward to 6th but Philippine Football experiencing the high Federation president level of football which is Nonong Araneta breaks now coming out of the the unfortunate news of Middle East and says the game’s cancellation. that, “as a developing The Azkals are still nation it’s important currently looking for an to get this experience.” opponent for February 10 ■ (with reports from www. in Dubai while the game abs-cbnnews.com and www.

Facebook / Azkals Tour UAE - Philippines Football Team against Qantas Australian emirates247.com}

GOLF: Filipino bets gain share of clubhouse lead

IN the 2nd round of the ICTSI Philippine Open last Friday, February 10, 2012 held in the East Course of Wack Wack Golf and Country Club, 2 Filipino golfers Antonio Lascuna and Ferdinand Aunzo battled all the way to tie American Ben Fox for the clubhouse lead.

Days ago, Aunzo hit a 2-underpar 70 after an identical par. On the other hand, Lascuna hit a

second-straight 71 to keep their hopes alive in the 2nd leg of the Asian Tour. The title tournament is worth $300,000.

Also taking the clubhouse lead is the 24-year-old Fox. He is a native of Los Angeles, who shot even par 72; he started in the back nine and lost a shot and the early lead via a bogey on his last hole, the par-4-9th. Fox revealed that he really played terribly.

On the contrary, Lascuna was happy with how he played in the tournament. He said that he’s very happy with his driving and putting. Lascuna’s best finish in the Philippine Open was back in 2002, ranking 3rd overall.

He is confident that he has high chances of winning in the said tournament; he said that he just needs to be focused and enjoy the game. ■

FOOTBALL: Azkals lose to Icheon from penalty kick-off

AFTER Sendong Charity Game “Dili Kamo Nag-iisa” on January 7, 2012, another football friendly match was held in Rizal Memorial Stadium for the benefit of the victims of Typhoon Sendong. The Philippine Azkals faced the South Korean third division champions, Icheon Citizens FC last January 21, 2012.

Key players, the Younghusbands, did not play for the game due to prior commitments with their team for the UFL. Resident Azkals Chieffy Caligdong, Rob Gier, Angel Guirado, Paolo Pascual, Ian Araneta, Misagh

Bahadoran, Carli de Murga, and goalie Eduard Sacapaño represented the country together with newly recruited Dennis Wolf.

The fast paced game was on a 1-all tie, the Filipino goal coming from U-23 player Marwin Angeles, but eventually resulted into a 4-2 win for the South Korean football players during the penalty shootout. The true winners of this game, however, were neither of the two playing teams but those who will benefit the cause.

■ (with reports from www.sunstar.com and www.interaksyon.com)