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Verbatim Ang sinungaling, kapatid ng magnanakaw.

Interior and Local Government Secretary Mar Roxas, responding to Vice President Binay’s statement that the only way for Roxas to win in the presidential polls in 2016 is by cheating

Kailangan one to sawa ’yan, hangga’t gusto ng tao.

Vice President Binay, opposing the term limits on elected local officials

It’s so important to have the President’s endorsement because he knows who to choose. Ang masasabi ko lang, Popularity is the least maganda ang taste ni PNoy. of all qualities of Broadcaster Korina Sanchez-Roxas, when asked for a reaction to leaders, especially for FULL PAGE ADAquino’s endorsement a country as diverse President of her husband, Mar Roxas, as ours. as the administration’s presidential candidate in 2016

No matter how many warships we buy, we cannot defeat China.

Former President Fidel Ramos, on what should the basis for electing the next President

Supreme Court Justice Antonio Carpio, on China’s intrusions into the disputed South China Sea, arts of which are claimed by the Philippines, China, Vietnam, Brunei and Taiwan

I am a Filipino by birth, abode and choice. Senator Grace Poe, following the filing of a disqualification case against her on account of her citizenship

She understands the things that I do . . . Nagi-enjoy naman siya.

Actor Richard Gomez, on how his wife Lucy Torres-Gomez reacts to his on-screen kissing scenes with co-star and old flame Dawn Zulueta

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It’s the Age of the ‘Survival of the Prettiest’ By anne a. jambora

URVIVAL of the fittest may get you through the Jurassic period, but in this age, when dinos and raptors have become extinct, is the aphorism still relevant? According to celebrity dermatologist Dr. Vicki Belo, now is the age of the “survival of the prettiest.” In today’s society, making a good first impression is more important than ever. At the end of the day, Belo said, good looks trump brains and talent. The doctor to the stars, who talked about the importance of getting “Belo-fied,” was the guest speaker during the recent Public Relations Society of the Philippines general membership. “It takes only 1/80th of a second for people to judge you by your looks. And no matter what they say about not judging a book by its cover, people will always judge other people by their cover,” she said. Belo cited a study she carried out as a student of psychology at the University of the Philippines (UP) Diliman. In the study, she said, two UP grads took her theory for a road test. Girl No. 1, who had an average GPA (grade point average), was sexy and beautiful; Girl No. 2, who graduated cum laude (with honors), was pimply and overweight. She dressed them up in the same outfit and sent them off to apply for jobs. Not surprisingly, Belo said, the prettier girl got more job offers than the brainy one.

Even the stars need help no matter how much they want you to believe they wake up each day looking that good, says Belo. Even better, she was offered a higher basic pay than Girl No. 2. “The bottom line really is, looks do matter,” Belo said. Our desire for good looks, apparently, is not just something the media has fed into our psyches, but is a biological adaptation. Simply put, our perception of beauty is not something learned; it is an instinct shaped by natural selection, according to a book cited by Belo titled, Survival of the Prettiest:The Science of Beauty, by Nancy Etcoff. “It’s genetic. We like beauty the way we like to eat,” Belo

The doctor to the stars maintains that in today’s society good looks trump brains and talent. said. In the book, Belo said Etcoff performed an experiment on children and babies as young as three months old. The infants, the study said, stared longer and smiled at the attractive faces. When presented with an unattractive adult, the babies turned away. Even five-yearolds, when shown photos of good-looking people, perceived them as honest and kind, Belo said. “You get easily distracted by good looks at the beginning. For example, when you are overweight you are perceived to be lazy and lack self-control. This is so unfair, I know, but this is reality… If you have the personality you’ll have to work really hard. That’s why life is more fun when you’re beautiful,” she said. Belo, candid as always, talked about her childhood issues and insecurities. As an adopted daughter—she was adopted by her biological mother’s sister— she faced daily bullying from classmates in kindergarten. At age 5, she said, she ballooned to 100 pounds. Children taunted her, she said: “Pinamigay ka ng parents

mo!” “Hindi ka mahal siguro because you’re pangit.” “No, it’s not because she’s pangit. It’s because she’s so fat!” “I was always crying, so at five I knew I wanted to make everybody beautiful so that they will be loved. I’m not vain at all. I even hate pictures because I feel pangit. But I have this desire to make everybody beautiful because of how I felt back then,” she said. The best people, Belo said, are the ugly ducklings who grow up to become lovely swans, because these are the people who develop a personality as they age. “They read up on self-improvement to compensate for their lack of luck in the genetic lotto,” she said. Those born good-looking normally do not bother developing their charm and intelligence, relying solely on their good looks to get by. When the looks begin to fade, they would be left with nothing. But these days, when everyone is a photographer posting selfies on Instagram and Facebook, you will be perceived as well according to your posts. And, Belo said, it helps if you look good. “I am the doctor to the stars and I see that all the time—you get paid more if you’re better looking, and people are naturally attracted to you. Everybody needs help in the looks category. Trust me. Even the stars need help no matter how much they want you to believe they wake up each day looking that good,” she said. Perhaps the adage “survival of the fittest” isn’t outdated, after all. To combat illnesses, you need to stay in top shape. But if you want to get ahead in life, a little nose job or laser liposuction may give you the confidence to see your goals through. (Philippine Daily Inquirer) n

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OBE Paras has his work cut out for him, and he knows it. Only 18-years old, Kobe, who repeated as champion in the 2015 International Basketball Federation Under 18 3×3 slamdunk contest last June in Hungary, can feel the weight of a country on his shoulders as he heads off to the US for another year at Los Angeles Cathedral High with the “Phantom” squad. How high can this Paras fly? No one knows as of now, but he, of all people, should know that he has big shoes to fill. His father, after all, was one of the most electrifying players during his time. The only Philippine Basketball Association player to net both Rookie of the Year and MVP titles in a single season (1989), “The Tower of Power” Benjie Paras led the Shell Turbo Chargers to championship titles in 1990 and 1992. Yet, for all that history behind him, Benjie and Kobe admit that theirs is not a traditional “stage dad/coach” relationship. While Benjie is careful to guide his son along the many twists and turns of youthful adulthood, he takes care not to be the stereotypical dad coaching his son from the sidelines. (Benjie has two sons – Andre and Kobe – with estranged wife, former actress Jackie Foster. Andre played for the UP Maroons in the UAAP.) Life at a high-school basketball team isn’t the dream everyone thinks it is. “Life in the States is crazy. It’s all basketball and studies. I wake up, eat, go to school, train. We also go to study hall. We practice twice a day, for about two to four hours every

The

Kobe is a two-time champion in the FIBA Under 18 3x3 slam dunk contest.

Rising Son

The 6’4” guard currently plays for the LA Cathedral High School. day, seven days a week. There are no rest days,” the 6’4” guard shares. “People think my lifestyle is the dream, but it’s not. There’s a lot of sacrifice, but I know it will all be worth it.” It wasn’t always like that for Kobe. In fact, Benjie says, “I didn’t even introduce him to basketball. He had friends who played so he just joined them.” “The first time I really played was in the third grade. I wasn’t good at all! I just did it as a hobby. When I was in the sixth and seventh grade that’s when I realized I was actually good at basketball, so I kept asking my dad and my coaches

what I could do to improve,” Kobe narrates. Seeing his potential, Benjie transferred him to a school that was serious about basketball. “I just taught him a little shooting and dribbling, but more on skills. Then I told him to listen to the coach. As a player, you should be coachable.” Things started moving quickly for Kobe at that point. “What happened is that I never realized it would be that difficult or intense. It was really crazy once I started focusing on basketball. In my second year I was playing for De La Salle Greenhills and our team

was actually good, so I was surprised that I could do something for the team. Then I went to Los Angeles knowing the state has one of the best programs for sport. I’m just really glad I could go there to play,” Kobe says. With the University of California, Los Angeles Bruins on the horizon, does he feel the growing pressure to be the first Filipino to make it all the way to the National Basketball Association? (Kobe has accepted a scholarship offer to play for the UCLA Bruins in the NCAA next year.) “People always ask if I feel pressure, but honestly I don’t. I matured when I was so young, and I’m taking it one day at a time. I want to be original,” he says. “I’ve been judged my whole life, but now I can prove everyone wrong. I don’t want people to just say, ‘Oh, that’s Benjie Paras’ son.’ I want them to say, ‘That’s Kobe Paras’,” he adds. And like his dad taught him, he is going to give everything to make his dream come true. “Like my dad taught me, if you want to be something you have to focus on it. You don’t just wish for it. I’m going to make my own name”, he declares. That is something the father can be proud of, because by his own admission, Kobe is better than him. “He is way better than me. First, we play different positions. I’m a big man so I can’t control the ball. He’s always handling the ball and distributing it. He’s more agile, faster, and he can shoot from the outside. He can do anything,” says Benjie. Yet if Benjie tells his son to just trust the coaches, he’s always there to listen whenever the son calls for a post-game pep talk. “I don’t even go to his games kasi kahit papaano may pressure iyon kapag makita ka niyang nanonood”, he laughs. “Instead I might go to the coliseum, but watch from outside”, the father shares. (BusinessMirror) n

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Eat, Pray, Shop:

Philippine Malls Become the New Town Plazas A S she eyes the colorful ice creams on offer at a Baskin-Robbins in one of Manila’s most luxurious shopping centers, Philippine teenager Jamie Gamboa admits to being an incurable mall rat — but not only for the shopping.

“It is the only place where you can just walk around without having to spend, and there are a lot of things to entertain us,” said the petite 16-yearold, surrounded by a gaggle of friends. “We tried other places but it’s more of a hassle. In parks, there isn’t enough to do. A museum or a zoo isn’t a place you go to more than once.” With their functions expanding from shopping and dining to venues for Catholic mass, Zumba workouts or even weddings, experts say malls are taking on a more important role at the heart of communities. Filipino life traditionally revolved around a public square, with a church, local government building and market attached, where adults socialized and children played, according to urban planner Felino Palafox. But while malls have long been a mainstay of urban Manila — the capital has at least 153 peppering its skyline — the neon-lit consumer temples are now sweeping across the Philippine archipelago, penetrating even rural areas. “They have replaced the public plazas as gathering places,” Palafox said.

City lungs ‘lost’ As the Philippines’ popula-

tion has boomed in recent decades, soaring from 68 million in 1995 to 100 million in 2015, creeping urbanization has magnified the appeal of malls to residents and businesses alike. But this has come at the expense of green spaces, left languishing through neglect, short-sightedness and poor urban planning. “We are losing the lungs of the city,” said Palafox. Provincial grocer Wendy Tan remembers how she and her friends used to play in the sprawling, verdant plaza in Mambusao, a central Philippine town of about 38,000 people. But as the park deteriorated over time, the locals searched for the next best thing — a spanking new, 300-hectare (740-acre) air-conditioned shopping mall in Roxas city, about an hour’s drive away. “There are no more tall trees. No more fountains. There is no more shade so it is too hot,” she said. So the mall developers stepped in, sometimes even leasing green spaces to build retail complexes. “They know very well that the government is not delivering services so they address those. If the government does not create public spaces, they will build public spaces,” said Jorge

Mojarro, a Spanish PhD student studying Philippine culture. “It is not that Filipinos do not like parks. They are just not being offered parks,” he added. But many Filipinos don’t seem to mind, seeing malls as safer than the streets — the crime rate remains high in Manila, despite police figures showing a fall nationwide — and a way to relax in cool surroundings. Jacqueline Luis, a 48-yearold mother of three, says malls are a sanctuary for her family away from the tropical heat and traffic-choked thoroughfares of the urban metropolis. “You can let them (kids) go to the amusement center or watch a movie while you shop. And then you can all just meet up at the same place later,” she said. Even the smallest towns are trying to attract malls. Dean Villa, mayor of Larena, on the tiny island of Siquijor, has entered into a joint venture with a private firm to develop a mall in his community of about 13,000. He hopes the new mall will attract people to spend money in his town — including local residents. “Over here, as soon as payday comes, everyone hops on the ferry to Dumaguete City, about an hour’s ride away, because they already have a mall there,” he told Agence France-Presse.

Not just shopping As their steady march continues, malls are swallowing many of the services typically found in the public square.

A mass wedding inside a shopping center in Manila.

Many boast chapels as well as child-care centers, allowing families in the devoutly Catholic nation to combine religious and family duties with shopping. Satellite government offices in shopping centers allow Filipinos to pay utility bills and get documents such as voter ID cards, business permits, driver’s licenses and passports. The election commission is even considering allowing voting in malls. “We evolve to what is needed by the people,” said Alex Pomento, vice-president of the country’s largest mall chain, SM Prime Holdings. The group often hosts free community events in their malls such as mass weddings, school graduations, Zumba workouts and singing contests — events once held in town plazas. The rise of Internet shopping does not worry the company, with four more of its malls set to open this year on top of the current 50. “Our malls are destination places,” Pomento told AFP. In an ironic twist, some larger malls are now literally replacing the lost parks by building expansive rooftop gardens to make them more attractive and in a nod to environmental concerns. “Nowhere else in the world has a population so absorbed the shopping-mall lifestyle,” Paul Santos, vice-president of the Philippine Retailers Association told AFP. “It’s not something you can stop.” (Agence France-Presse) n

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resident Aquino endorses Mar Roxas as his successor.

Stakes Are High in 2016 Elections

By marites danguilan vitug

S the Philippines gears up for presidential elections in May 2016, the big question is: Who will succeed President Benigno Aquino III and continue the economic gains under his administration?

So far, opposition leader Vice President Jejomar “Jojo” Binay and Aquino ally Interior Secretary Manuel “Mar” Roxas II have declared their candidacies. Other contenders include Senator Grace Poe, daughter of a famous movie actor, who tops the polls, and Davao Mayor Rodrigo Duterte, known for his effective leadership and iron fist. They have yet to announce their candidacies. Duterte, however, has backtracked and said he was no longer running for president; but his aides say otherwise. Poe does not belong to any political party but is part of the ruling coalition. In her two years in the Senate, she has championed food security, the freedom of information bill and led a probe on corruption in the police force. Roxas II, a Wharton graduate and former investment banker, is credited with making the Philippines a business process outsourcing hub when he

was trade secretary. As senator, he authored the cheaper medicines law, which allowed the use of generic drugs. But when he headed the transport and communications department, he was seen as indecisive, slowing down major infrastructure projects. Binay, who was Makati mayor for 20 years, provided social services for the poor, gaining their loyalty. But he faces plunder charges for siphoning off millions of pesos from large construction projects. He places second in the polls for presidential choices. On July 31, Aquino endorsed Roxas as the administration candidate and said continuity would be the ruling party’s battle cry in the elections. But more needs to be done. Unemployment is still a pressing problem; the jobless rate is 6.7 percent, the highest in Southeast Asia. Millions of Filipinos are forced to take jobs overseas as domestic helpers, construction and factory workers.

The next president will have to lift millions out of poverty and strengthen and broaden the middle class. There are more poor families than middle-income ones, a study shows. The wealth of billionaires is “growing faster than the entire economy.” In its recent rating, Standard & Poor’s said the Philippines could be upgraded from its current “BBB” with “stable” outlook, the highest ever given to the country, if the government undertook structural and institutional reforms. Analysts say these include changing the highly unequal structure of Philippine society; making government institutions accountable, transparent, competent and effective; and ending the internal insurgencies. Aquino’s endorsement will be valuable as he remains popular. He is untainted by dirty deals and is perceived to have kept a level playing field in business. “No other president was so popular for so long,” Mahar Mangahas, who heads a leading survey firm, Social Weather Stations, wrote. Personality politics, however, could undermine reforms and obstruct continued growth. The trouble lies in the country’s political culture. Succession

planning is futile because of weak, fractious political parties and the dominance of personalities rather than platforms. Who wins is determined by twists of fate. And elections are huge popularity contests. Undoubtedly, the stakes are high in the upcoming elections. Under Aquino’s watch, the Philippines enjoyed a consistent boost to its economy, as the former “sick man” of Asia raced ahead of its neighbors. In 2015, annual growth in gross domestic product is expected to reach 6.4 percent surpassing 6.1 percent in 2014, according to the Asian Development Bank. This makes the Philippines the “exception” in the region, the International Monetary Fund said. On other fronts, the fight against poverty and corruption has resulted in some successes. The conditional cash transfers, the Aquino government’s centerpiece program to uplift the poor, have covered 4.4 million families, making it the third largest in the world, after Brazil and Mexico. The ADB has called the CCT “an increasingly effective weapon in the fight against poverty in the Philippines.” Internationally, perception of the Philippines has improved. The National Competitiveness Council has tracked various global rankings which show that, from 2011 to 2014, the Philippines has been the most improved country in four of these: the Ease of Doing Business Report; Transparency International’s Corruption Perception Index; the Heritage Foundation’s Economic Freedom Index; and the World Economic Forum Global Competitiveness Index. Many of these gains could be set back if a corrupt leader wins. A four-way race -- Binay, Poe, Roxas and Duterte -- where the votes would be split, increases the chances of a Binay victory. This scenario is keeping anxiety levels high as the country may miss a rare opportunity on its road to “inclusive growth.” (Positively Filipino) n

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‘Daang Matuwid’ Or ‘Daang Kurakot’? By solita collas-monsod

T’S now official: Mar Roxas is the Liberal Party’s candidate against Jojo Binay for the presidency of the Philippines. “Daang matuwid” vs. “daang kurakot.” The straight and narrow vs. the crooked and corrupt. Country first vs. family first. I liked the way P-Noy endorsed Mar. He decided on the basis of what he knew rather than on the basis of what he could hope for. That’s P-Noy’s forte: giving a message through story-telling, so the audience is never bored. What I learned about Mar, that I didn’t know until recently (through P-Noy’s story-telling), is that Mar forbade his family from going into the BPO (business process outsourcing) enterprise so that they could not be said to have taken advantage of a program that he had designed. That was an example of Mar’s integrity. Compare that with a cake-giving program for constituents’ birthdays, with the cakes bought from a member of the family. Or a 13-percent cut from every approved infrastructure project undertaken under your administration. No contest. It turns out that mababaw ang luha ni Mar. That’s more on the personal side, but it is endearing. He was all choked up when he mentioned his dead brother Dinggoy, who was the politician in the family. Mar became a politician not because he wanted to make money, but because he was carrying on family tradition—from his

Is P-Noy’s daang matuwid worth continuing? grandfather (President Manuel Roxas) to his father (Sen. Gerry Roxas) to himself (through Dinggoy). Does that make him a member of a political dynasty? Of course not. A political dynasty occurs when members of a family serve in various political elective positions simultaneously or on a takeover basis. But there are “fat” dynasties—that a vice president, mayor, senator and congresswoman, for example, are serving simultaneously is the epitome of a fat dynasty. And there are “thin” dynasties, where a mayor “gives” his position to his son or daughter, while he runs for (and wins) another elective position (congressman or governor). I also liked the way P-Noy brought up the fact that Mar was much lower in the polls than Binay. No bewailing it, just the observation that it is up to the Filipinos to work to change that, if they know what is good for them. And a willingness to work to change that. That’s a good message. The question is: Is P-Noy’s daang matuwid worth continuing? Or is it a flop, and we

should all return to the triedand-tested daang kurakot, which has kept our country so behind its neighbors? My answer is: It is worth continuing, warts and all. And of course it has warts. But then, nothing is perfect. One thing is sure: Our country’s international reputation is at its highest. P-Noy, in his State of the Nation Address (Sona), gave his administration the highest marks. Is this inconsistent with the finding of the Movement for Good Governance (MGG), of which I am nominal chair, whose evaluation of this administration’s performance concludes that it is, in the Inquirer’s description, “lackluster”? Again, the answer is no. Why not? Well, because P-Noy was comparing his performance to the performance of his predecessors. And, let’s face it, he did pretty well on that basis. Highest average real GDP growth rates, better results in the fight against corruption, better quantity and quality of employment, etc., etc. I refer you to the Sona. All these, not just anecdotal, but

backed by solid empirical evidence. The MGG, on the other hand, was comparing P-Noy’s performance to the performance he had promised at the beginning of his term. Which is contained in the Philippine Development Plan. And the ensuing evaluation is also backed by solid empirical evidence, not generated by the MGG, but by our government statisticians. So, both points of view are right. P-Noy has done better than his predecessors, and he has also done worse than he promised. But then, no previous president has done what he/she promised. The next important question is: Who should be Mar Roxas’ running mate? I don’t know who he has in mind, or who the Liberal Party has in mind, but I do have a few suggestions. For example, how about Leni Robredo? My personal choice. There is no question regarding integrity and competence. She has had years of training, under her late husband, Jesse Robredo, and so she, too, exemplifies effective, empowering and ethical (the three E’s) governance. She is a lawyer, and she has an economics degree from the University of the Philippines. No corruption has attached to her name. And she has NGO experience in nongovernment organizations. Daang matuwid all the way. Or how about Vilma Santos Recto? Her name was suggested by one whose judgment I value highly. Her stint as mayor, and later governor of Batangas, has also proven that she has the right values, as well as the three E’s. She has done well in Batangas as far as education and health are concerned. She is a hard worker. Another plus for her: She is a crowd-drawer. Let us hope that Mar selects a VP who is like-minded, and who can be counted on to help. And let us hope that the Filipino people make the right choice. After all, this is actually a no-brainer. (Philippine Daily Inquirer) n

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UK Chevening Scholarship applications now open

HE BRITISH Embassy is encouraging all Filipinos with the vision and drive to be a leader in their field to apply for the prestigious Chevening Scholarships. British Ambassador Asif Ahmad announced that applications for the UK Government’s Chevening Programme in the year 2016/17 are now open. Chevening is the British Government’s scholarship programme. It is for people with strong academic backgrounds and the ability and plans to be leaders who can make a difference. The scholarship is aimed at mid-career professionals and provides full financial support to study for a Master’s degree at any of the UK’s leading universities. “We want a diverse group of scholars, so we are encouraging ambitious, driven visionaries from all corners of the Philippines to apply for a Chevening Scholarship today. Chevening Scholars are amongst the very brightest and best. But it is not only about education, it is about helping emerging leaders develop the skills and networks needed to make positive change in their home country,” said Ambassador Ahmad. “Award recipients not only receive a first-rate UK education, they become part of a vibrant community of Chevening Alumni and partner organisations, and enjoy exclusive access to a wide range of events and opportunities, engaging with people from different backgrounds and gaining a wider perspective as a result,” he added. There are more Chevening Scholarships than ever before for Filipinos, according to Ambassador Ahmad. “Our partnership with the private sector has allowed us to maximise opportunities in the Philippines. The Bank of the Philippine Islands, GlaxoSmithKline Philippines Inc, Megaworld Corporation and Shell Philippines and others are all making a commitment to invest in the country’s future leaders. If you think you have what it takes, get online now and apply for the Chevening Scholarship. It may change your life.”

FULL PAGE AD Applications for the UK Government’s Chevening Programme in the year 2016/17 are now open.

The British Embassy is aiming to send up to 30 Chevening Scholars next year, studying a wide range of subjects from law to human rights, from economics to climate change, from health to development and from design to energy. Applicants determine the subject of study. Applications for Chevening Scholarships for the academic year 2016/17 must be submitted online between 3 August and 3 November 2015 at www.chevening.org. Applicants should read the online guidance and be able to demonstrate how they meet the Chevening selection criteria before submitting an application. HOW TO APPLY Applications for Chevening Awards can only be submitted using the Chevening online application system, available through the ‘apply’ button on your country page. Prior to starting your application for a Chevening Scholarship please ensure you have the following ready: Essential: •Two references to be provided in a letter format and written in English •Valid passport/national ID card •University transcripts (under-

graduate, postgraduate) •Three different UK Master’s course choices Please note that only documents in PDF format can be up-

loaded and documents cannot be over 5MB in size. Optional: •English language (if already met the requirements) •UK Master’s university offer (if already met the requirements) You can submit your initial application without these optional documents and upload them to your application at any point up to 14 July 2016. Please note that if you are eventually conditionally selected for a Chevening Scholarship, it is essential that you provide evidence that you meet the Chevening English language requirements and that you have at least one offer from an eligible course before 14 July 2016 in order to remain in the process. Application guidance Visit www.chevening.org/faqs for detailed information on the eligibility criteria and award specifications. More information is available at www.chevening.org. (British Embassy)

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By randy david

EN. Grace Poe finds herself pondering a question that materialized only after she topped the 2013 senatorial race. Should she seize the opportunity presented by her impressive ratings in preelection surveys and make herself available as a presidential contender in next year’s election? Despite her initial reservations and modest appreciation of her limits, she inched closer to accepting a draft when no less than President Aquino himself began talking to her about the 2016 election. What was not clear in this political courtship, however, was whether she was being eyed for the presidency or for the vice presidency. It is reported that the President spent a good part of his conversations with her trying to establish the compatibilities and the differences in their perceptions of national problems and issues. She was clearly flattered by the President’s attention. Indeed, she could be forgiven for presuming that P-Noy was choosing between her and Mar Roxas, the then presumptive presidential candidate of the Liberal Party. It was an impression that many people shared. Mar’s survey ratings appeared incurably weak, and voices within the administration coalition itself warned against an easy win by Jejomar Binay if the party could not offer a stronger candidate. P-Noy has since proceeded to endorse Mar as his presidential candidate. In retrospect, P-Noy’s courtship of Grace had nothing to do with the presidency; it was all about getting her to run as Mar’s vice president. In that role, she could keep her wish to remain independent, unbound by any commitment

It turns out P-Noy’s courtship of Grace Poe was all about getting her to run as Mar Roxas’s vice president.

Glimpses of Grace Poe’s Political Star

to defend the administration’s record. But, for a presidential contender, P-Noy needed someone who not only believed in the administration’s program but also was prepared to defend it. For P-Noy, that person could be none other than Mar Roxas. People tend to forget that Aquino and Roxas are stalwarts of the Liberal Party, one of the oldest surviving political groups in the country. As thirdgeneration members of the nation’s political class, they consider themselves, for better or worse, loyal stewards of a venerable political tradition. They are rare specimens in a liquid political landscape where electability as indicated by surveys, rather than political affiliation, seems increasingly to count for everything. It would have been unthinkable for the leaders of the Liberal Party, being the party in power, to adopt an outsider for

the top position and, in so doing, cast aside one of their own. That would have rewarded mistrust and penalized loyalty. Mar Roxas projected only unwavering loyalty to the President, especially in the aftermath of the Mamasapano tragedy, when mistrust for the party leader appeared justified. Mar could not have acted the way he did solely out of personal friendship. His respectful action seemed to manifest a deep understanding of what was at stake at that point—namely, the entire program of government that bound him and P-Noy together as leaders of the ruling party. He took a lot of brickbats for this, and some say he missed a golden chance to project himself as his own man. In contrast, Grace’s approval ratings seemed to rise with every critical comment she made that zeroed in on the President’s seeming inability to accept full responsibility for

the debacle at Mamasapano. The public stance she took in the subsequent investigation of the incident affirmed for many not only her independent streak but also her readiness to call to task the nation’s powerful men. This is what accounts for her immense popularity today. We can’t seem to have enough of brave voices that feed our cynicism for those who rule us, just as we admire powerful individuals who have a feel for their power and are able to use it resolutely. On the other hand, we seem to reserve only grudging praise, if not contempt, for the quiet workers who plod on to make collective governance possible. I am glad that Grace has the next two months to reflect before she declares herself a presidential candidate in 2016. She may realize that some politicians are prodding her to run not because they believe in her, but because they expect to run her government in case she wins. She may see how some groups are shrewdly using the threat of her candidacy in their negotiations with the ruling coalition. She may realize soon enough that these same people will not hesitate to dump her if they can cut a better deal with the other candidates. It is what spells the difference between being a candidate of an established party and running as a lone ranger hoping to attract company along the way. While we don’t have strong political parties as they do in the United States and Europe, we do have enduring ties and loyalties on both sides of the political divide, which have lent some stability to our political system. If Grace intends to make a difference in the nation’s political life, she has to assume a position of influence in an existing party, or build her own. One can rise in politics as an independent, but one cannot hope to shape politics in any significant way without a party. (Philippine Daily Inquirer) n

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Comelec eyes OFW registration in foreign malls

HE COMMISSION on Elections is studying the possibility of tapping malls abroad in the registration of overseas absentee voters (OAVs) for the May 2016 polls. In a press briefing, Comelec Chair Andres Bautista said the election body was seriously considering mall-based satellite registration for overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) so they would not miss the chance to vote. At present, voter registration among OFWs is done at Philippine foreign service outposts or through the Internet via the Comelec’s iRehistro system. “We can see that the mall culture is Filipino culture… Filipinos like to converge on malls and we would like to take advantage of this,” Bautista told reporters. In the country, the Comelec has set up satellite registration booths in malls nationwide to draw more registrants. It has partnered with Ayala malls, Robinsons malls, SM Super-

FULL PAGE AD COMELEC is studying the possibility of tapping malls abroad in the registration of overseas absentee voters (OAVs) for the May 2016 polls.

malls, Walter Mart community malls and Pacific malls. Bautista, however, said it may be difficult to adopt the scheme abroad since the poll agency

would have to coordinate with foreign mall owners. “We are not sure if they will allow us to use their facilities so we need to seek their permis-

sion,” he said. Bautista said the Comelec will be discussing its proposal with the Department of Foreign Affairs. (Inquirer)

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By chryssa celestino

NNE Curtis is everywhere. Turn your TV on and you’ll find her hitting a non-existent note on It’s Showtime; drive by main roads and chances are, her face fronts either a tuna brand or lightweight suitcases; pick your phone up and look up Anne Galing on Android apps.

We can’t help but think how could a generic mestiza-slashperpetual-It-girl-slash-masaqueen have garnered such a strong, loyal following (and this whole bunch of makeup, dear lord) by simply dorking it out to the public? Ms. Curtis-Smith, please teach us your celebrity ways. How do we achieve the pout? Do we also need good luck beauty moles? Should we get a cat named Mogwai, too? Even we know her foolproof status is more than that. Here’s what it takes to be Anne-mazingly famous, one ingredient at a time. You have to be white. It works both ways in this industry: being Caucasian white and I-haven’t-seen-the-sun kind of white. Anne nails both things. She’s more western-looking than Filipino, which is great for this white-loving population. If you aren’t both, it’s okay. There’s Vicki Belo. Have her touch your skin. Then throw in a goofy personality. Everybody just loves a pretty girl who does geeky dances when noon hits. Or rides the MRT and makes it to the evening news. Make sure you wear your signature red lipstick. You ain’t being pegged in those #TipTuesdays from 50+ sites for nothing. Congrats, you’ve earned your 15 minutes of fame for simply looking pretty! Now what? Like Anne, you should act, dance, and sing—it doesn’t matter if you do them well as long as you’re oblivious. Bonus points if you can ace one of them. Atop these, be a good host. The kind who rides on her co-hosts’ jokes, and goes live sans makeup. You may sing badly, but at least you’re nice. And pretty. It’s a talent to be both, really. Anne seems to navigate the

How to Be Anne Curtis world of acting better, graduating from teenybopper roles to a disfigured character to a plussized woman to a feisty mistress. The more ridiculous your role, the better. Again, you’re pretty. The public will forgive you for ugly crying because, well, some don’t even smile prettily. Pair up with all the leading men-ofthe-moment, even if that means dating them later. (It’s messy, but you’re in it for the obsessive pairing. See KathNiel.) It’s all about having a diverse range of films, hunky co-stars, and a smart manager who hooks you up with these deals. Now that you’ve conquered

the small and big screens, expand your horizons and invade billboards, print ads, and mobile phones. Speak to the nonTV-watching public that snubs teleseryes. (Damn these elitists!) Show them you’re into fitness via a Century Tuna ad. Let them know you’re not afraid to try local via Plains and Prints, Primadonna, and SM Accessories. And yes, every inch of you is white, so you cop that deodorant ad to prove haters you’re perfect. Update your beauty

vlog in English, too. Be an ambassador for some meaningful cause or project. The key is to stay visible. Don’t let them forget you. Ever. So you’re everywhere, now? Good for you (and your bank account)! The last thing you need to remind people of is that even with all this fame, you stay real. Sure, you don’t pick which controversies to be involved with, but at least your publicist knows which ones to milk. Wardrobe malfunctions can make you look like an innocent victim. Drunk incidents reveal you can be catty with or without your juice cleanse. And posing with a cigarette for a directed cover shoot shows you’re one bad chick with a cherub’s face—you don’t even have to admit that you smoke. When you say you wanted to be like Anne Curtis, remember: you also have to be like everybody. (Preen) n

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Aquino on the changing trend of overseas Filipinos

RESIDENT BENIGNO Simeon Aquino III in his fifth and final State of the Nation Address enumerated the accomplishments of his administration. The speech ran over two hours and was said mainly in the vernacular, which many Filipinos appreciated. Toward the end of the speech, the President thanked the members of his Cabinet, citing each one of them individually, and even a long-time member of his household staff, as well as the stylist and hairdresser that looks after his presidential style. Peppered with dry humor, the speech had several memorable moments. A portion of the speech was devoted to gains made in the labor sector. “In 2011, according to the Department of Foreign Affairs, there were 9.51 million Filipinos overseas. Based on the latest estimates in December 2014, that number went down to 9.07 million. It is reasonable to say that a good number of the estimated 400,000 Filipinos represented by that decrease came home and were able to find work.” President Aquino said that the unemployment rate has gone down to 6.8 percent, the lowest in a decade. He also commended Labor Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz for the accomplishments of her department. The people in the licensed recruitment industry checked whether they agree with the DFA’s figures regarding the declining number of overseas Filipinos. According to John Bertiz, the president of the Philippine Recruitment Agencies Accredited to Saudi Arabia or PRAASA, the demand for Filipino domestic workers continues to increase but the number of skilled Filipino workers is on the decline because their rates are not as competitive as before.

term. However, when it comes to declining numbers in relation to overseas Filipinos, the veracity and basis for such ratios needs further validation. The question, therefore, should be: How many Filipinos are overseas, where, and for how long? And of those who have since returned, is it because the national economy is stronger or was there a change in labor or immigration policies on the part of the host government? Unless we can get a hold of more reliable statistics, our economic planners and labor policy experts would have a difficult time correlating the state of the Philippine economy to migration patterns and trends involving Filipinos worldwide.

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President Aquino’s last SONA mentioned the so-called “decrease of OFWs abroad.”

A former OFW based in Saudi Arabia, Jun Aguilar, of the Filipino Migrant Workers’ Group lamented that the lack of accurate data on government’s part has made it nearly impossible to ascertain the veracity of President Aquino’s statement and the figures offered by the DFA. “The term “Filipinos overseas” rather than the more specific “Filipino overseas workers” is already an indication that we don’t have hard data on labor migration,” Elso Cabangon, also a former OFW based in Saudi Arabia said. Aguilar said that the law mandates the creation of a Shared Government Information System for Migration to align all data collection and provide the Philippine government a solid footing in tracking migration trends and statistics. Unfortunately, the SGISM remains unimplemented from 1995 up to today. OFW advocate and founder of the Pinoy Expat/Bloggers Awards (PEBA), Jebee Kenji Solis said that the government should write to the immigration offices of various countries to compare their data with the stock estimates of the Commission on Filipinos Overseas.

President Aquino deserves high praise for the economic gains achieved under his

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Showbuzz Mariel could be pregnant with triplets, says Robin Willie’s gamble on show going P50M

ILLIE Revillame revealed that he had lost almost P50 million as host-producer of the game show Wowowin in just three months. “Going P50 million. Okey lang ‘yan, pera lang naman yun,” said Willie who now calls GMA-7 his new home after stints at ABS-CBN and TV5. “Alam mo, pera lang ‘yan, kikitain natin ‘yan. “Tsaka, nagsimula naman tayo sa Wowowee [ABS-CBN], wala naman akong pera, e. So, ibinabalik ko lang lahat yun [sa tao].” In a press conference last August 5, the 54-year-old TV host/comedian admitted that he almost quit on his latest show due to financial difficulties. Willie also said the 3:30

Willie: Pera lang yun! p.m. timeslot given by GMA-7 to Wowowin was not ideal, resulting in poor advertising revenue. There were reports recently that Willie’s show might last only up to the end of July. But Willie said he was elated when he got a call from Joey Abacan, first vice president for program management ng GMA, asking for a meeting. He did not give details of their meeting besides the network’s avowal of ‘walang iwanan.’ “I never thought na may istasyong ganito, e, na nakinig lang,” said Willie.

KC dating a European guy KC Concepcion says she’d rather keep a tight lid on her blooming romance with a nonshowbiz guy, since her muchpublicized relationships didn’t bode well for her. “Yes, I am dating, quietly. Ayoko na [idetalye]. Finally, nadala na [ako]!” exclaimed KC in Kris TV last August 3. KC said that the only thing she’s willing to share for now is that the guy she’s dating is from Western Europe. Careful not to spill details, KC stated: “Ayokong maudlot… He’s European. He lives in the Middle East, pero paganun-gano’n [back and forth] siya.”

Given her failed relationships with Piolo Pascual and Paulo Avelino, KC maintained that she wants to shy away from being romantically linked with showbiz men. It will be recalled that KC had a secret relationship with Paulo for quite some time, until they suddenly called it quits last February. She also went steady with Piolo for a year, but they broke up in 2011. “Kasi I’ve dated na my leading men, I’ve done that whole thing na. “Tinutuluy-tuloy ko, after ng shoot, nagiging kami. “So, sabi ko, na-experience ko na yung dating leading men, so

TV host Mariel Rodriguez is pregnant with twins, shared husband Robin Padilla, who added that she could be carrying triplets. “Pwede daw maging triplets!!!” the actor, 45, told his Instagram followers, sharing another ultrasound image taken at the Asian Hospital and Medical Center in Muntinlupa City, where Mariel is confined. He clarified, however, that it was too early to tell for certain whether Mariel, who turned 31 on August 10, would have twins or triplets. “Possibility pa lang yung triplets eh. Hindi pa sure kasi possible na nagfofold yung isa kaya nagiging tatlo,” he noted, citing a statement from Mariel’s obstetrician. “Gulat na gulat si doctora and for the first time nakita ko na kinilig siya. Sabi niya, ‘The heartbeat made my day.’ “Masyado akong masaya!!!!! [One] has a heartbeat, [one] has a forming fetal pole, and [one] has a sac. All iba ibang age,” he said,

KC: Nadala na ako. Ayokong maudlot!

Robin and Mariel counting three adding, “But I have a condition that I have to explain to you later so I will take blood tests.” Tagging Mariel in his post, Robin concluded his caption by citing three names for the potential triplets: “maria, juan and gabriela de Padilla GOD WILLING IN SHA ALLAH.” Robin and Mariel are Muslims who got married at the Taj Mahal in India almost five years ago. Last March, a devastated Mariel revealed to social media that she had been pregnant for eight weeks with what would have been their first child but had a miscarriage.

maganda yung [non-showbiz na lang],” the 30-year-old actress/ singer mused. KC said she and the unnamed European guy are still in the getting-to-know-you stage. “I’m dating, but not exclusively. Siyempre nadala na rin ako with all of my experiences sa mga leading men ko. . . Siyempre, bago pa lang. Ayoko muna pangunahan.” If anything, KC said she likes the fact that the guy she’s seeing is “hardworking” and “five years older” than her. In a previous interview, KC hinted that the mystery guy she’s dating owns a castle.

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Showbuzz Piolo is picky about choosing a potential girlfriend PIOLO Pascual admits that his love life took a backseat as he got busy doing three movies in the past few months. “Dun mo na lang ine-express,” he said. “Sa sobrang busy natin, I don’t think I would have time for anything else for now.” “I’m happy to be watching a mainstream I’m part of, and then something so different a couple of weeks after. And then do a black and white movie with John Lloyd [Cruz]. It’s all fun,” said Piolo, referring to his acting stints in The Breakup Playlist, Silong, and Hele Sa Hiwagang Hapis. At 38, Piolo maintains that he wouldn’t settle for anything less than what he feels right for him. As such, he has grown picky STARRING in the upcoming Star Cinema movie The Love Affair are former sweethearts Dawn Zulueta and Richard Gomez whose team-up remains hugely popular even years after they ended up with different mates. The loveteam billed CharDawn was one of the most popular tandems in the 1990s. In a recent interview with Boy Abunda in The Bottomline, the two were asked to comment on their CharDawn being compared to the popular teen teen love teams of LizQuen (Liza Soberano-Enrique Gil) and KathNiel (Kathryn Bernardo-Daniel Padilla). “Nakakahiya, ‘di ba?” said Dawn, laughing. “Hindi, it’s interesting,” said Richard. “It’s funny, after all these years, people are still interested in the Dawn-Richard loveteam,”

Piolo and KC: Seems only like yesterday in choosing the right girl to be in a serious relationship with. “Of course, definitely [mas picky ako ngayon]. My pastor told me that the more na pinapatagal mo, the more you become comfortable being single. It becomes so complicated and difficult kasi parang you only get to choose once. “The more I enjoy being sin-

gle. The more I enjoy, not necessarily dating, but just only my time. Nakakatakot ‘di ba? But, you know, yun nga lang, e. Parang ‘di ka dapat nagpapaapekto sa edad mo, sa panahon, sa sinasabi ng ibang tao. And then just see where it goes.” When asked what would it take to win his heart, Piolo clarified that he doesn’t really look for specific qualities in a potential girlfriend. “You know, I’ve come to that point in my life na hindi ko iniisip yung mga set of requirements mo or values that I’m looking for in a girl. “When it falls into place, when it happens, you don’t need to think of things. You have certain goals in life but you just go with the flow, and if it happens, it happens.”

Dawn and Richard on why CharDawn lives on

CharDawn: Mature version of KathNiel added Richard. “And I also think that we deliver a different flavor naman as far as love team is concerned,” remarked Dawn. If everyone is used to the teeny-bopper, at least meron naman silang mature version.” Richard said that had he and Dawn ended up together in

real life, the “spark” that audiences love about them would have been gone by now. “I think, it’s the fantasy, we thrive in fantasies, e,” he explained. “We like the mystique of, ‘Ano ba ito, magkakatotoo ba ito?’ Siguro, kung nagkatuluyan kami ni Dawn, that’s it, that’s done. Baka sa iba kami nagka-love team, baka sa iba ako nagka-love team.” And where does the spark come from? “Well, when we do our part, the audience is coming along, joining the ride with us,” said Dawn. “Siguro, in their minds, dahil we have a past, there’s a history.Mas madali para sa kanila ang i-imagine na it’s real… hindi ko rin alam.”

Aga and Lea to bring back the memories

Lea-Aga reunion movie set for 2016 IT’S finally happening! The reunion movie of Aga Muhlach and Lea Salonga will push through in 2016. This was announced by Star Cinema managing director Malou Santos during the “Chat with the Chairman” event at ABS-CBN last Aug. 4. Lea earlier said that she will be very busy in the remaining months of 2015 and won’t be able to do a movie this year. “I have ‘The Voice’ and then I have a Broadway show. As in the day after the grand finals [of ‘The Voice’], I leave for New York. Our finals will be on August 29 and August 30, August 31, I’m on a plane out. So no movie this year,” she had said. Lea will be part of the Broadway musical Allegiance, which is scheduled to start previews October 6 at the Longacre Theater in New York prior to its official opening on November 8. “Maraming oras na ang nakalipas since we did a movie and then to receive that kind of reception doon sa screening, talagang hindi ako makapaniwala na ganun ang naging pagtanggap ng very, very young audience,” Lea said after the warm reception she and Aga received in an event they attended recently.

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E’VE heard them, read them and they’ve captured our minds and hearts. They are brief, direct, deep, and often can be funny words which have meanings that can tickle and linger in one’s head. I’m talking about the famous taglines and slogans of Filipino products and brand names that have caught their consumers’ attention. If you’re in your way to marketing and promoting your business and products to your targeted customers, you may want to take a look and get some pretty ideas on the following list of popular Pinoy brand names and slogans.

• 90.7 Love Radio – Kailangan pa bang i-memorize ‘yan?; Bisyo na to! • ABS-CBN Network – In the service of the Filipino; Kapamilya • Alaska Milk – Wala paring tatalo sa Alaska. • Andok’s Litson – Pambansang Litsong Manok. • Bank of the Philippine Islands – We’ll take you farther. • Barangay LS 97.1 – Tugstugan na! • Bayantel Telecommunications – Gaganda pa ang buhay. • Bingo Biscuits – Bi-bingo ka sa sarap. • Bombo Radyo Philippines – Basta radyo, Bombo! • Boysen Paints – The quality you can trust. • Banco de Oro – We find ways. • Cebu Pacific Air – It’s time every Juan flies! • Century Tuna – Think healthy. Think Century Tuna. • Chowking Restaurant – Tikman ang tagumpay. • Cobra Energy Drink – Hindi

Famous Filipino Brand Names and Slogans

umaatras ang may tunay na lakas. • Datu Puti Vinegar– Mukhasim • DMCI Homes – Feels real good to be home. • Family Rubbing Alcohol – Hindi lang pampamilya, pang-isports pa! • Fita Biscuits – Parang life. • Globe Telecom – Abot mo ang mundo. • GMA Channel 7 Network – Kapuso ng bawat Pilipino. • Goldilocks Bake Shop – How thoughtful, how Goldilocks. • Greenwhich Pizza – The Philippines’ favorite pizza chain. • Jollibee Fastfood – Bida ang sarap; Langhap sarap! • LBC Express – Hari ng padala. • Lucky Me! Noodles – Lucky me! • Mang Inasal Fastfood – Hahanap hanapin mo.

• Max’s Restaurant – Sarap to the bones!”; “Sarap kapiling. • Maynilad Water Services – Dumadaloy ang ginhawa. • Mega Sardines – Tatak barko. tatak sariwa! • Mercury Drug Store – Nakasisiguro gamot ay laging bago. • Meralco – May liwanag ang buhay. • Metrobank – You’re in good hands. • M. Lhuillier Financial Services – Numero uno ng bayan. • ML Kwarta Padala – We move your money fast. • National Bookstore – Laking National. • Piattos Potato Chips – Never had it this good! • Petron – We fuel success. • Philippine Airlines – With

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us, you’re always Number 1. • Philippine Daily Inquirer – Balanced news, fearless views. • Philippine Long Distance Company – We’re changing lives. • Philtranco – Working always for fast, safe, and reliable service. • Pop Cola – Always tama ang timpla. • PureGold Hypermart – Sa PureGold, always panalo. • Radyo Patrol – Una sa balita, una sa public service. • Rebisco Biscuit – Sarap ng filling mo. • Red Horse Beer – Ito ang tama. • Robinsons’ Department Store – A lot to love at Robinsons. • San Miguel Beer – Samahang walang katulad. • SkyCable – All you want under one perfect sky. • SkyFlakes Crackers – Ito na ang break mo. • Smart Communications – Simply amazing. • SM Malls – We’ve got it all for you! • Studio 23 – IbaKabarkada! • Sun Cellular – Better network, better value. • Super Ferry – Sakay na! • Super Radyo DZBB – Ito ang balita! • Tambayan 101.9 – Sa’n ka pa? • The Filipino Channel – Kapamilya mo kahit saan ka man sa mundo. • UFC Banana Catsup – Tamis anghang • Victory Liner – We move people better, safer. • Voice Combo Sandwich – Iba ang sarap pag my Voice. • Zest Air – Asia’s most refreshing airline. (BusinessTips.ph) n

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English Proficiency As a Competitive Edge By butch hernandez

HE availability of quality human resources is one of the Philippines’ key advantages, according to the Board of Investments. “Our people are highly educated. The literacy rate is 94 percent and 70 percent of the population are fluent in English, making us one of the largest English-speaking countries in the world. Filipinos also have strong customer service orientation and are highly trainable,” says the BOI. Based on various surveys, the Philippines is anywhere from the third to the sixth country in the world with the largest English-speaking population. We can’t claim to be native English speakers as much as we would like to, but our talent pool can speak, read and write in this language even at a rudimentary level. Japan Times columnist Amy Chavez wrote of how, during a visit to the Philippines, she was impressed that even people who had never stepped outside the country were fluent in English. Having both English and Filipino as official languages does not mean that everyone understands or speaks English, “but the exposure to the language is so great that those who do speak it can communicate quite fluently,” she added. The old Bilingual Medium of Instruction policy did more to erode than elevate our compe-

The Philippines is now the call center capital of the world, thanks to a large pool of English-proficient workers. tency in the English language to globally acceptable standards. Thankfully, we now have the Mother Tongue-Based Multilingual Education (MTBMLE) language teaching component embedded in the new K-to-12 curriculum. Education Undersecretary Dina Ocampo-Cristobal explains that this evidence-based language acquisition policy enables early-grade learners to express themselves in class in a language that they already know (i.e., the mother tongue). Helping young learners master their mother tongue significantly heightens their competency to acquire the globally dominant English language. The Department of Education itself recognizes that English proficiency is a competitive edge that previous generations of Filipinos used to enjoy. Sadly, there is no denying that many of today’s high school or even college graduates have difficulty in expressing their thoughts clearly and logically in English, in Filipino, or sometimes even in their mother tongue. However, it is almost certain that graduates of the new K-to-12 curriculum with MTBMLE will

be better prepared for the challenges of the 21st-century workplace. But what about today’s graduates and job-seekers? In his article titled “Countries with the Best Business English,” Kenneth Rapoza, a contributing writer of Forbes magazine, cites a Mckinsey & Company study showing that only 13 percent of graduates from emerging countries are suitable for employment in global companies, and that the No. 1 reason is lack of English skills. Statistics from the IT & Business Process Association of the Philippines (Ibpap) show a hiring hit rate of 8-10 percent, closely resembling the Mckinsey & Company study, mostly for the same reason (i.e., lack of proficiency in Business English). Furthermore, the Department of Science and Technology’s competency mapping of 20,000 new college graduates vis-à-vis 3,000 new hires using Ibpap’s industry-grade Global Competency Assessment Tool conclusively shows that the widest competency gap between what the IT-business process management industry needs and what our graduates

have is in English proficiency (29 percent). The basic skills of the top 25 percent of students are only 9 percent higher than the average demand of the ITBPM sector. To address this issue, Ibpap has its advanced English proficiency training or AdEPT, a blended learning approach wherein Business English concepts learned in the classroom are reinforced through constant practice using an online tool. Master trainers Zoe Diaz de Rivera and Gino Caliwagan have been busily conducting AdEPT classes for the faculty of a number of public and private universities for the past three years, and they hope to implement AdEPT as widely as possible. The fact remains, however, that employers still turn away many of our youth because their English skills are below par, despite the Philippines being a country where the English language is deeply entrenched in local culture. A white paper from the Human Capital Institute and Global English titled “Bridging the Talent Crisis created by a New Global Reality” gives us an idea why. It says: “The problem is larger than linguistic skills in English. Being able to conjugate a verb doesn’t translate to the ability to be successful at one’s job. “Today’s global teams require proficiency in Business English, which embraces the additional skill sets of presentations, meetings, negotiations and conference calls. It also involves topics related to business functions, such as marketing and finance, as well as topics related to business sectors, such as banking and pharmaceuticals. (Philippine Daily Inquirer) n

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5 ways for an OFW to invest in the Philippines

UESTION: I have been an OFW for almost 10 years now and I think I am now ready to invest. There have been offers for me to invest in the country where I work but I prefer investing back home. Can you suggest investment options that are good for an OFW like me?— David S. via Facebook Answer: OFWs are generally the kind of people who leave home because they want to provide for their respective families. Others are looking to broaden their life experiences by working abroad. With their time working abroad comes the idea of putting the money they’ve worked hard for to good use. Most will find themselves putting their money in small businesses that their families can run in their stead; others will start savings accounts and allow the money they deposit to earn interest. There are other ways to grow one’s hard-earned money, such as investing. Some people find the idea of investing daunting. The most common reaction is: “Don’t you have to study the stock market to get anything done?” There is a certain degree of studying that comes with investing, but there are a number of investment platforms available to the average OFW that are tailored fit to one’s risk profile. A risk profile determines how aggressive someone is in making an investment, or one’s risk appetite. The first thing anyone wanting to start an investment portfolio should do is to answer a suitability assessment questionnaire. This will determine what kind of investment vehicle best applies to him. The kind of investment vehicle you choose depends on the amount of money you are willing to risk. There are several ways to start your investment portfolio, and here’s five: Mutual funds Investing in a mutual fund appears to be the simplest of the options. This type of investment takes most of the work out of your hands and places it in the very capable hands of fund managers. Their job will

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I have been an OFW for almost 10 years now and I think I am now ready to invest. Can you suggest investment options that are good for an OFW like me?

be to grow the money you invested, without you having to monitor it constantly. Here’s a list of mutual fund investments that you can try: ATRKE Alpha Opportunity Fund, ATRKE Equity Opportunity Fund, First Metro Save and Learn Equity Fund, Philam Strategic Growth Fund, Sun Life Prosperity Philippine Equity Fund, Soldivo Funds, ALFM. Stock investments Investing in publicly traded stocks requires a certain kind of aggression and some research. Buying stocks basically means becoming a shareholder in a publicly traded company. Being a shareholder means you own part of the company, but only so far as much stock that you own in said company. The bigger your stock, the more you can participate and the more you earn, depending on the company’s performance. Getting started requires opening an account with a broker, and here’s a list of online stockbrokers accredited by the Philippine Stock Exchange: AB Capital Securities Inc., Abacus Securities Corp., Accord Capital Equities Corp., Angping & Associates Securities Inc., BPI Securities Corp., COL Financial Group Inc.,Yap Securities Inc., First

Metro Securities Brokerage Corporation, RCBC Securities Inc. and Wealth Securities Inc. Unit Investment Trust Fund (UITF) This form of investment involves holding a certain amount of money in trust as part of the investment made. It shares a similar structure as that of mutual funds in the aspect that your money will be managed by fund managers. This is usually offered by banks and differs from mutual funds in the sense that it involves per unit investment, as opposed to shares in a mutual fund. Here’s a partial list of banks that offer UITFs: Metrobank, BDO, Union Bank, BPI, PNB, Chinabank, Security Bank, EastWest Bank. Bonds Given the propensity of OFWs to save their money in bank accounts, an investment vehicle that may also be available to them comes in the form of bonds. This form of investment is generally offered by large corporations and government offices (retail treasury bonds) as a means of raising funds by borrowing from the public. They have fixed maturity dates. Here’s a few banks that also

sell bonds: PNB, BDO, BPI, Metrobank Real estate This type of investment isn’t necessarily unusual, but leans more toward preparing for a future home, or a place where to put up a business. This form of investment requires a higher amount of money to start with as opposed to say, mutual funds. The money invested in real estate generally means having enough to make the payments for the land that you have purchased, and the lower the interest rate, the better. What may eventually earn money from investing in real estate is the way land use changes over the years. One can acquire property through the Register of Deeds, but make sure to check the land title for encumbrances (mortgage, debts, and the like). These are just some of the ways that OFWs can invest in the Philippines. They take a certain amount of patience and research before picking your investment vehicle. Just remember to always invest according to your investment objectives, time frame and risk tolerance. Make sure that you also diversify your investments. (Inquirer)

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AUGUST 2015 APRIL 2012

LONDON

WHAT’S ON

S SHE eyes the colourful ice creams on offer at a BaskinRobbins in one of Manila’s most luxurious shopping centres, Philippine teenager Jamie Gamboa admits to being an incurable mall rat - but not only for the shopping. “It is the only place where you can just walk around without having to spend, and there are a lot of things to entertain us,” said the petite 16-year-old, surrounded by a gaggle of friends. “We tried other places but it’s more of a hassle. In parks, there isn’t enough to do. A museum or a zoo isn’t a place you go to more than once.” With their functions expanding from shopping and dining to venues for Catholic mass, Zumba workouts or even weddings, experts say malls are taking on a more important role at the heart of communities. Filipino life traditionally revolved around a public square, with a church, local government building and market attached, where adults socialised and children played, according to urban planner Felino Palafox. But while malls have long been a mainstay of urban Manila the capital has at least 153 peppering its skyline - the neon-lit consumer temples are now sweeping across the Philippine archipelago, penetrating even rural areas. “They have replaced the public plazas as gathering places,” Palafox said. As the Philippines’ population has boomed in recent decades, soaring from 68 million in 1995 to 100 million in 2015, creeping urbanisation has magnified the appeal of malls to residents and businesses alike. But this has come at the expense of green spaces, left languishing through neglect, short-sightedness and poor urban planning. “We are losing the lungs of the city,” said Palafox. Provincial grocer Wendy Tan remembers how she and her friends used to play in the sprawling, verdant plaza in

TRAVEL It’s a mall world in the

PHILIPPINES Mambusao, a central Philippine shopping centres allow Filipitown of about 38,000 people. nos toAD pay utility bills and get FULL PAGE But as the park deteriorated documents such as voter ID over time, the locals searched cards, business permits, drivfor the next best thing - a spank- er’s licences and passports. ing new, 300ha air-conditioned The election commission is shopping mall in Roxas city, even considering allowing votabout an hour’s drive away. ing in malls. “There are no more tall trees. “We evolve to what is needed No more fountains. There is no by the people,” said Alex Pomore shade so it is too hot,” mento, vice-president of the she said. So the mall developers stepped in, sometimes even leasing green spaces to build retail complexes. “They know very well that the Government is not delivering services so they address those. If the Government does not create public spaces, they will build public spaces,” said Jorge Mojarro, a Spanish PhD student studying Philippine culture. “It is not that Filipinos do not like parks. They are just not being offered parks,” he added. But many Filipinos don’t seem to mind, seeing malls as safer than the streets - the crime rate remains high in Manila, despite police figures showing a fall nationwide - and a way to relax in cool surroundings. As their steady march continues, malls are swallowing many of the services typically found in the public square. Many boast chapels as well as child-care centres, allowing families in the devoutly Catholic nation to combine religious and family duties with shopping. Satellite government offices in

country’s largest mall chain, SM Prime Holdings. The group often hosts free community events in their malls, such as mass weddings, school graduations, Zumba workouts and singing contests - events once held in town plazas. The rise of internet shopping does not worry the company, with four more of its malls set to open this year on top of the current 50. “Our malls are destination places,” Pomento said. In an ironic twist, some larger malls are now literally replacing the lost parks by building expansive rooftop gardens to make them more attractive and in a nod to environmental concerns. “Nowhere else in the world has a population so absorbed the shopping-mall lifestyle,” Paul Santos, vice-president of the Philippine Retailers Association said. “It’s not something you can stop.” (NZ Herald)

AUGUST 2015

LONDON

Let’s Not Lose Boracay Adding to Boracay’s attraction is the shallow water surrounding the island; its sand is finer and brighter than most beaches in the archipelago. By manny b. villar

HE reported degradation of Boracay Island is alarming. It could aggravate the already slow growth of international tourist arrivals in the country. In 2014 the number of inbound visitors totalled 4.83 million, representing a 3.25percent improvement from 4.68 million in 2013, but short of the Department of Tourism’s (DOT) target of 5 million for last year. As a result, the department reduced its target for this year, from 6 million to between 5 million and 5.5 million tourist arrivals. That puts in doubt the 10-million target for 2016. For the first four months of 2015, the DOT statistics show tourist arrivals increased by 6.99 percent to 1.81 million compared with 1.70 million for the same period last year. Visitor arrivals in April 2015 grew at a faster rate of 9.49 percent to reach 423,366, up from 386,665 a year ago. I consider what is happening in Boracay as an urgent and serious issue because it is the jewel of the Philippine tourism industry. Our country has been classified as a laggard in many areas, but Boracay put

us on top, regionally and globally. The 4kilometer stretch of sand in Boracay called White Beach has been touted as the “finest beach in the world.” Adding to Boracay’s attraction is the shallow water surrounding the island; its sand is finer and brighter than most beaches in the archipelago. First discovered by backpackers, Boracay has been enjoying a global reputation as the best in the world since the 1990s. International travel magazine Travel & Leisure named Boracay as the best island in the world in 2012. In February Boracay was named the best beach in Asia by travel website TripAdvisor’s 2015 Traveler’s Choice Awards. The White Beach won the top award for its “calm, warm waters and gently sloping sand.” Boracay, however, may have lost its No. 1 position among favored beach destinations in the world. Several weeks ago, a local television station exposed the pollution of the water in some parts of Boracay caused

Unmonitored snorkeling and diving activities are among the major causes of the destruction of the island’s coral ecosystem. by wastewater. And newspapers reported the results of a study conducted by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (Jica), which attributed the continuous degradation of the Boracay ecosystem to unabated commercial development and other tourism-related activities on the island. The Jica study, which started in 2010, said the degradation primarily affected the coral reefs around the island. Satellite images show that coral cover in Boracay has declined by about 70.5 percent from 1988 to 2011. The study noted the highest decrease in coral cover during the 23-year period between 2008 and 2011, when tourist arrivals rose by 38.4 percent. The degradation coincided

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with the surge in tourism in Boracay. The study pointed to unmonitored snorkeling and diving activities as among the major causes of the destruction of the island’s coral ecosystem. The Jica also expressed concern over beach erosion, shrinking of the beach area, as well as the poor quality of water due to the discharge of untreated wastewater right into the sea. Unless this practice is stopped, Boracay could be rendered unsafe for swimming and other water activities. When that happens, even the whitest, finest and brightest sand in the world will be shunned by tourists. I agree with the Jica experts’ warning: “If the current environment situation in Boracay Island prevails, there will certainly be imminent loss.” I don’t know who’s in charge of regulating activities in Boracay or protecting its natural endowments, but two things are clear. One, the existing system is not working, and two, steps should be taken to be stricter in implementing measures to preserve Boracay’s ecosystem. The local government clearly doesn’t have the technical expertise to repair the damage caused by unregulated activities, or the authority to limit commercial development on the island. Thus, the national government must step in and maximize its authority over tourism and commercial projects in Boracay. Anyway, Boracay is the top beach destination being promoted by the DOT in its campaign to attract tourists. We may need to adopt strict policies, including stiffer penalties, to enforce those policies. I’m sure that developers and businesses will follow if they are made aware that protecting Boracay’s ecosystem is also for their own benefit. (Business Mirror) (A former senator, the author is a business magnate ranked by Forbes magazine in 2014 as the 14th wealthiest person in the Philippines.) n

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AUGUST 2015

LONDON

text and photos By louie lapat

OME ON UP. Conquer your fear of heights by climbing up to the oldest lighthouse of Cape San Agustin. All photos by Louie Lapat Here’s a warning: The road leading to the southeasternmost point of the Philippines is no joke. Before getting there, you have to pass through rough and pot-holed roads. In between, you find yourself fighting time-induced boredom. But once you set foot on Cape San Agustin, you will realize that all that is only a small price to pay. What you get in return is a 360-degree visual treat, complete with a visual palette of blue and green. (RELATED: Travel to see Balut Volcano and the hot springs of Sarangani) COME VISIT. The long shoreline of the Parola Beach is frequented by locals for its pinkish sand Cape San Agustin is lodged in Lavigan, the farthest barangay of Governor Generoso, a quiet municipality in Davao Oriental where most residents depend on the vast sea for a living. Here, 3 lighthouses – each representing a distinct memory of a distant past and the modern era – stand mute witnesses to the wild yet beautiful clash of waters of the Celebes Sea and Davao Gulf. (READ: SOCCSKSARGEN: 10 Things to Do) Two of these lighthouses can be accessed by the public free of charge. And as what they say, the best things in life are free. LULLABY. The sound of the clashing of waves on rock formations is incredibly soothing From the top of these lighthouses, towering 80 feet in height, one can enjoy a breathtaking panoramic view of the bluish waters below, watching it transform foamy white once it clashes with the rock formations of the cape, most notable of which is the Last Islet. Up there, you could see waters so

The Wonders of Cape San Agustin

clear, you can see clear through to the corals beneath. (READ: 9 spectacular places to visit in Mindanao) WITH FRIENDS. 360-DEGREE VISUAL TREAT. One can climb one of the lighthouses and see the clash of waters of the Celebes Sea and the Davao Gulf The wind can be your worst enemy up there, aside from the intimidating height which is a problem for those who have acrophobia like I do. But with such a commanding view of the Cape, it feels like you’re the king or queen of the world even just for a while. (READ: From Davao City, make the trip to these 8 beautiful beaches) If the height intimidates you, you can just laze around below through makeshift swings attached to snag trees existing in the cape. It’s a perfect place for relaxation, to break free, to read a book, to meditate, catch up with friends—with

the sound of clashing waves as your background. You seriously don’t need Spotify in this place. Mother Nature provides it for you. BOND. A commanding view of the vast sea is a perfect background for chitchatting with friends Aside from the lighthouses, once could also walk in the pinkish sand of the Parola Beach, just a 3-minute walk from the trio parola.

Here, the roaring sound of waves masquerades as the sound of happiness, mixing elegantly with the quaintness of the place. A 20-minute walk along the beach, where your feet sink into the soft sand with every step, can lead to an altar-shaped rock wall where St. Francis Xavier is believed to have commenced his mission to spread Christianity in this part of Mindanao in 1500s. WALK WITH ME. Create your own footprints on the sand with friends as you walk to your destination The good thing about Cape San Agustin is its raw appeal. With a vast view of the sea, it’s a beautiful escape from the hustle and bustle of urban life. Whether atop the lighthouse or in the comfort of the shoreline of the Parola Beach, Cape San Agustin offers many wonders. It’s just waiting for you to explore it. And it’s totally free! AMAZING SHORELINE. Waves can be dangerous here sometimes, but on any given beautiful day, the Parola Beach is also a perfect place for a swim How to get there: From Davao City, one may take either public utility buses or L300 vans to reach Governor Generoso. Public utility buses coming from Ecoland Terminal in Davao City travel to the town of Governor Generoso daily, with one-hour interval. Travel time: less than 4 hours. (Rappler.com) n

AUGUST 2015 APRIL 2012

LONDON

ll t of a ppor In su events in d goo mmunity o the c

WHAT’S ON

COMMUNITY

29 August 2015

21-28 Aug. 2015 The 70’s Superband UK Tour Live!

2nd Ipswich Pinoy Festival 2015 Venue: Bourne Park, Wherstead Road, Ipswich IP2 8LT Contact: 07581376504 07598278880 07736235014 07982237924

21 Aug: Manchester 22 Aug: London 23 Aug: Shrewsbury 28 Aug: Birmingham Contact: Doddie 07572674174 doddiev@yahoo.com

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6 Sept. 2015

ASAP 20 Live in London Venue: The SSE Arena Wembley Tickets from £20 Contact: TFC-080078684535 SSE-02087825629 07973469450 07730813821 07951100028 07903547676

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For your summer festivals and regional fiestas, please contact our team on 02075818100 for these important community affairs!

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AUGUST 2015

LONDON

How to Beat Manila’s Traffic Gridlock L By babe g. romualdez

ET’S face it, traffic in Metro Manila is almost impossible to solve because there are just not enough roads to accommodate the continually increasing volume of vehicles added on the streets every year.

So many schemes and experiments have been tried to ease the congestion like the number coding scheme, but this no longer works because there are more cars on the road. In fact, it encouraged people to buy extra vehicles as an alternative for those coding days. Besides, we can’t stop manufacturers from selling cars. According to the Chamber of Automotive Manufacturers of the Philippines, the number of vehicles sold last year increased 30 percent to 234,747 units. While there is a projected slowdown in sales for 2015, that’s still an estimated 272,000 units with many of them plying the streets of Metro Manila, particularly EDSA where over 520,000 vehicles pass through on any given day – more than triple its maximum capacity of 160,000 per day. The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) recently tried implementing the “zipper lane” where a counterflow lane for southbound vehicles is opened from 6 to 9 a.m. starting at SM Megamall to Boni Avenue in Mandaluyong – said to be the area where the worst gridlock occurs during the morning rush hours especially from Wednesday to Friday. But judging from the snail’s pace on both lanes, the zipper lane has little or no effect. Some motorists say that

So many schemes and experiments have been tried to ease the congestion but nothing seems to have worked.

One very viable solution government should look at is the “congestion charging” scheme that has been successfully implemented in various cities abroad. it even worsened northbound traffic because only two lanes were working to give way to vehicles utilizing the southbound zipper/counterflow lane. People may curse MMDA chairman Francis Tolentino from head to foot, but the fact of the matter is, we will never be able to solve the traffic problem unless we have, one, discipline on the road, and two, a good mass transportation system. Just one undisciplined driver who is so impatient and wants to get ahead of everyone else is enough to create utter chaos on the streets, and even worse if this undisciplined driver gets into an accident or altercation that will stall the flow of the rest of the vehicles for hours. The next administration

should step up efforts to come up with a good, safe and reliable mass transport system that everyone, including those who can afford to buy four or even 10 cars, will not hesitate to use, like in Singapore, London, New York and other cosmopolitan areas. Unfortunately, even those who have little choice but to commute are starting to avoid the LRT and the MRT because of the almost daily breakdowns happening to the decrepit, leaky trains. People are only half joking when they say they are risking life and limb whenever they ride the MRT. One very viable solution government should look at is the “congestion charging” scheme that has been successfully implemented in such cities as

Manila’s commuter rail system is inadequate and inefficient to cope with growing demand. Milan, Stockholm, London and Singapore, which is recognized as the first to implement a digital congestion charging system. Under congestion charging, vehicles that enter or exit a congested area during congestion hours are charged a certain toll. Studies have shown that this has not only reduced the level of congestion but has also improved air quality because of lesser vehicle emission. Singapore has been very successful in managing traffic with its electronic road pricing (ERP) system where taxation is based on usage – meaning according to time and the distance, with higher toll fees imposed on those who choose to travel certain routes during peak hours. What’s even more impressive about it is drivers do not have to stop before a tollgate to pay because overhead structures known as gantries automatically debit the charges from a device (mounted inside the vehicle) which has a stored value card. A report by the Danish Architecture Center on Singapore’s digital congestion charging system said the ERP system has “curbed traffic demand and managed road space for highest productive capacity, cutting congestion, pollution, emissions, and fuel use.” The ERP system pays for itself and is in fact earning profit, with the revenues used for other things like construction and maintenance of roads, and public transportation. Political will is needed to put an end to congestion in a city that will soon die because of pollution. Hopefully the next president will have the political will to solve this problem that has been plaguing Metro Manila residents for decades. (Philippine Star) n

AUGUST 2015 APRIL 2012

LONDON

EMBASSY NEWS

LONDON

EMBASSY OUTREACH - NEWCASTLE The Embassy of the Philippines is pleased to announce that, in partnership with the Filipino British Services of Newcastleupon-Tyne, a Consular Outreach Mission will be undertaken in Newcastle, detailed as follows: Date: 22 August 2015 (Saturday) Time : 9:30 am - 4:30 pm Venue : Benwell & District Springback Club, Condercum Road, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, NE4 8XJ Contact Person : (For details on the venue/on-site arrangements) Sally Sellars 07886742417 Bong Bangayan 07824338251 Eva Bartolome 07880368662 Rodger Maningding 07725892489 Due to audit regulations, only cash payments may be acFULL cepted. We do not accept personal cheques or debit cards. Applicants are advised to check the documentary and other requirements at www.londonpe.dfa.gov.ph and to download the application forms in advance from the same website.

EMBASSY OUTREACH - LEEDS The Embassy of the Philippines is pleased to announce that, in partnership with community volunteers, a Consular Outreach Mission will be undertaken in Leeds, detailed as follows:

LONDON

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WHAT’S ON

Philippine passports may not be used as collateral The Philippine Embassy in London advises the Filipino community that Philippine passports reported held as guarantee or collateral for loans/obligations are automatically cancelled upon notice by the passport holders as per Foreign Service Circular No. 214-99. The cancellation of said passports therefore renders the documents invalid for purposes of guaranteeing payment of loans/obligations. The Philippine Embassy reminds the Filipino Community that all Philippine passports are property of the Government of the Republic of the Philippines and shall not be used as collateral for any loans/obligations.

Embassy Closures for AUGUST 2015 The public is advised that the Philippine Embassy will be closed on the followingAD dates: PAGE Friday, 21 August – Ninoy Aquino Day/Special Non-Working Day (PH Holiday) Monday, 31 August – National Heroes Day (PH Holiday)/Summer Bank Holiday (UK Holiday) Regular office hours will resume on Monday, 05 January 2015. In case of death or detention of a Filipino citizen in the United Kingdom, please contact the Embassy’s emergency mobile phone at 07802790695.

Date: 23 August 2015 (Sunday) Time : 10:00 am – 6:00 pm Venue : Richmond Hill Community Club, Railway Street, Leeds, West Yorkshire LS9 8HB Contact Person : (For details on the venue/on-site arrangements) Rami Aquino 07951181416 Freddie Ocampo 07595248971 Eloisa Sedano 07455688514 Due to audit regulations, only cash payments may be accepted. We do not accept personal cheques or debit cards. Applicants are advised to check the documentary and other requirements at www.londonpe.dfa.gov.ph and to download the application forms in advance from the same website.

PUBLIC ADVISORY The Philippine Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) has advised that there is NO APPROVED JOB ORDER for UKbound nurses in MALTA as of this date. Filipino nurses who wish to work in the UK should apply through appropriate channels for recruitment of nurses into the UK. BEWARE OF ILLEGAL RECRUITERS!

Experienced Domestic Couples required London - Surrey- Suffolk- West Sussex areas. Housekeeper - cook - driver handyman - asst gardener. Accom and exc salaries. Sorry No dependant children. Drivers and non smokers essential. CONTACT – HUTCHINSONS DOMESTIC STAFF

0207 224 9925

email CVs at info@hutchinsons-staff.com

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LONDON

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