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Verbatim I am bothered by the possibility that daang matuwid will not continue.
Interior and Local Government Secretary Mar Roxas, on the prospect of losing the gains of President Aquino’s anticorruption drive if Vice President Jejomar Binay becomes president in 2016
Hindi naman tayo kurakot. That should be a primary consideration. Senator Antonio Trillanes IV, who is eyeing a possible presidential bid in 2016, when asked why he is preferable over Vice President Binay who is hounded by corruption allegations
When Pope Francis comes, he will show us the face of God. When the Pope sees FULL PAGE AD us Filipinos, may he see the living God in us. Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) president and LingayenDagupan Archbishop Socrates Villegas, in a statement announcing the itinerary of Pope Francis when he visits the country January 15-19 next year
Stop throwing punches on Instagram and let’s get in the ring! Manny Pacquiao’s caption on an Instagram post in response to Floyd Mayweather’s social media attacks on the Filipino boxer
I’d give it all up for one erection! National Artist for Literature F. Sionil Jose, upon receiving the Order of Arts and Letters medal from the French government on his 90th birthday last Dec. 3
Niligawan ako, hindi ako naglandi sa kanya. Ai Ai de las Alas, reacting to critics of her romance with 20-year-old Gerald Sibayan, who is 30 years her junior
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Flash
hristmas Across the Country
MANA DAVAO CHRISTMAS DISPLAY, DAVAO CITY
FIREWORKS DISPLAY, CEBU CITY
GIANT CHRISTMAS TREE, VIGAN, ILOCOS SUR
CHRISTMAS SYMBOLS FESTIVAL, TANGUB CITY, MISAMIS OCCIDENTAL
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Flash Christmas Across the Country
LANTERN FESTIVAL, SAN FERNADO, PAMPANGA
BELENISMO SA TARLAC, TARLAC CITY CHRISTMAS LIGHTS AT ZAMBOANGA CITY HALL
CHRISTMAS LIGHTS DISPLAY, ANGELICUM ACADEMY, ILOILO CITY
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PH perceived to be less corrupt – 2014 survey
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HE PHILIPPINES ranked 85th out of 175 countries in the Corruption Perception Index (CPI) for 2014, an improvement from placing 94th last year. Transparency International said the Philippines got a score of 38 on a scale of 1 to 100. The CPI scores countries from 0 (highly corrupt) to 100 (very clean). Although the Philippines still belongs to the lower two-thirds of 175 countries with scores below 50, the data shows an improvement from the previous CPI especially when comparing 2014 and 2012. Last year, the Philippines
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scored 36. In 2012, the country was ranked 105th on the list with a score of 34. “We consider a +4 to represent change in the perceived level of corruption,” Cleo Calimbahin, executive director of Transparency International said. The international community, Calimbahin said, is looking forward at the reform initiatives of the country. She encouraged the public and private sector leaders to continue to push for good governance and inclusive growth, for prosecution and sanctions against corrupt officials, and for the effective delivery of public services. For 2014, Denmark FULL emergedPAGE
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For advertising inquiries, call 0207 5818100 Email: splashpress@aol.com Additional drop points where it matters: Also in 3 major airport lounges and over 40 International English student lounges as the country perceived to be least corrupt in the world with a score of 92 points, while North Korea and Somalia are seen as the most corrupt, both scoring 8 points. (GMA News)
PHL’s global corruption rank:
2014 - 85th 2013 - 94th 2012 - 105th 2011 - 129th
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ILIPINOS working abroad are being warned to be more vigilant in investing their hardearned money because of several scams that are targeting the overseas Filipino workers (OFW). Some common investment scams that target OFWs include Ponzi and pyramiding schemes; scams that masquerade as legitimate multi-level marketing schemes, real estate scams, and stocks or forex investment scams. Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) deputy administrator Jesus Gabriel Domingo said there is a perception that Filipinos who work abroad earn more, which makes them an easy target for scammers. “OFWs are considered as dollar earners, so we have the perception that if you are an OFW, you are earning a lot. Ang thinking ng mga tao, mayroon silang nase-save, mayroong extra money for investment,” he said on On The Money show on ANC. Because OFWs are most often living apart from their families, some schemes involve relatives being used as bait in investment scams. “At present, ‘yung scheme nila (scammers) maliliit na lang, by P1,000, P500, P400, so it’s easier to collect and the same
OFW Warned:
Stay Away From Scams
time ‘yung mga victims nila will not exert effort in filing a case kasi maliit lang ‘yung nawala,” said Domingo. However, Domingo warned that aside from investment scams, OFWs are also prone to illegal recruitment and human trafficking. He said some illegal recruiters may collect P100,000 to P1 million from the victims. Financial adviser Salve Duplito said OFWs should be avoid transacting with suspicious recruiters, particularly those who only provide a tourist visa. She suggests doing business in an office with at least 100 sq.m. of floor area, and not do transactions in a house or restaurant.
She also advised against paying outside a recruiter’s office; paying without an official receipt; and dealing with a recruitment agency that is not accredited by the POEA. “They should not just be duly-licensed, they should also have the job order,” said Duplito. Job orders can be verified through the POEA website (www. poea.gov.ph) and mobile app. Domingo, meanwhile, also warned against foreign employers who bypass the system and hire people directly. “The danger is hindi mo alam kung saan pupunta ‘yung worker, we don’t know where the worker will work, if there will be abuse, how much the
salary is, at wala silang mandatory insurance,” he said. Mandatory insurance provides workers with cash in times of sickness, disability or repatriation. “We should check with the SEC if that corporation is licensed, at the same time, we must make sure that we are transacting with the officers and authorized personnel. We should also do our own research. Walang kapalit ‘yung due diligence,” Domingo added. By far, the most sinister scams targeting OFWs have to do with human trafficking and may involve the dangerous trade of prostitution and selling of human organs. “Stay away from anything that offers no risk but high returns. As my friend likes to say, ‘A scam is the meeting of two greedy minds.’ Don’t be greedy, period,” Duplito said. “From illegal recruitment, to investment scams, to human trafficking, money and greed play major roles. Silence the greed. Getting rich quickly is not worth being swindled,” she added. (ABS-CBNNews.com) n
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How to Safeguard Your Balikbayan Box Shipment By lorela u. sandoval
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ENDING balikbayan boxes to relatives in the Philippines has been a lifelong tradition for Filipinos abroad and a tangible reminder of their love to families and friends back home. It is, however, fraught with problems and risks – ranging from late delivery and damage to the shipment to pilferage and missing or lost cargo.
The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) has received many complaints regarding balikbayan boxes over the years. Based on data provided by Eduardo Quizon of the Philippine Shippers’ Bureau of DTI, the countries with the highest number of balikbayan boxes sent to the Philippines are the Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates (UAE), Hong Kong, Kuwait, Qatar, Taiwan, Singapore, Italy, United Kingdom (UK), and Korea. Latest data from DTI show that the countries with the highest number of cases or complaints were UAE (174 cases) USA (170), KSA (112), Kuwait (46), Singapore (25), UK (21), and Hong Kong (10). Dubai in UAE has the highest number of recorded cases at 167, prompting the DTI to label it a “hotspot”. In the USA, Chicago is tops at 52, while in KSA, it was Riyadh at 51. The DTI recorded 73 complaints in 2010, 212 in 2011, 168 in 2012, 173 in 2013, and 45 as of June 2014. What does the agency do to address complaints involving balikbayan boxes? In an interview with Planet Philippines, Quizon explains that the agency follows a standard operating procedure when dealing with the complaints.
“When we receive complaints, we subject them to mediation, but first we need a formal written complaint supported by bill of lading, packing list, waybill, or invoices to validate their complaint,” said Quizon, who is DTI-PSB’s Shipping Operations Specialist II and recently Acting Consumer Adjudication Officer. If a freight forwarder is found to be scamming Filipinos overseas of their balikbayan boxes, the Fair Trade and Enforcement Bureau (FTEB) may impose monetary fines, suspension or cancellation of accreditation. If a settlement is reached between the forwarder and the complainant, the forwarder has to pay specific fees to the complainant and to the DTI office as well for culpability. Quizon said that if the complainant wants to pursue a criminal case against the forwarder, he should file a case before a regular court. The DTI handles only administrative cases. Here are some practical tips to protect balikbayan box shipments: • Book your balikbayan boxes only with cargo consolidator/freight forwarders accredited by the Fair Trade and Enforcement Bureau if by sea or the Civil Aeronautics Authority of the Philip-
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pines if by air. Senders can check the consolidator/forwarder’s name on www.dti. gov.ph under the section of the Consumer Welfare and Business Regulation or through the Philippine Consulate office overseas. Monitor regular advisories and alerts at www.dti.gov. ph. Organize your box and declare your shipment by completing a detailed list of the contents and their value. If possible, include the description and brand of each item. Attach one copy of the list outside the box; place another copy of the list inside the box so the recipient can ascertain of any item is missing. Secure transport or shipping documents such as official or cargo receipt for fees paid, and a Bill of Lading, which is a document issued by a transportation carrier to the shipper as proof that they received the shipment of goods and placed them on board a particular vessel for delivery to a particular destination. Get the complete name and contact details of the forwarder’s agent in the Philippines, and ensure that such information are indicated in the official receipt or transport document. Monitor the movement of your cargo from the point of origin to destination to ensure proper shipment and delivery. Inform your consignee to check your cargo with the agent in the Philippines even before the cargo ar-
rives. • For cases of pilferage, lost item, or non-delivery, file an immediate claim or complaint with the customer service of the freight forwarder. You may also file a complaint directly to the Philippine Shippers Bureau at 2nd Floor Department of Trade and Industry Bldg. 361 Gil Puyat Avenue, Makati City, or call the DTI-Direct Hotline 02-7513330. Meanwhile, the Bureau of Customs has launched an online tracking system that will enable recipients of balikbayan boxes to check on the status of their packages. Customs Commissioner John Phillip Sevilla said that with the tracker, the public will no longer be given the run-around by people responsible for delivering their balikbayan boxes. The tracker contains the list of all balikbayan box shipments lodged by local cargo forwarders with Customs, their countries of origin, ports of entry in the Philippines and their bills of lading with the number of the shipments. To access the balikbayan box tracker, go to the Bureau of Customs website (http://customs.gov.ph) and click the “Balikbayan Box Tracker” banner. The tracker also “contains the name of the foreign forwarder, name of the local forwarder or broker, entry date filed, date cleared, and the current status (of the shipment).” “Families expecting balikbayan boxes should know the name of the forwarder and the bill of lading number to be able to track the shipment where the box is included,” Sevilla explained. n
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Heritage Spanish colonial houses line up Calle Crisologo in Vigan.
Vigan Named One of ‘New 7 Wonders’ Cities I
LOCOS Sur capital Vigan has been selected as one of the New 7 Wonders cities, according to an announcement by the organizers via YouTube on Dec. 8. The 7 winning cities (in alphabetical order): • Beirut, Lebanon • Doha, Qatar • Durban, South Africa • Havana, Cuba • Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia • La Paz, Bolivia • Vigan, Philippines The other 7 cities in the top
Vigan Cathedral, another relic of Spanish colonial past. 14 were: Barcelona, Chicago, London, Mexico City, Perth, Quito, and Reykjavik.
Some 1,200 cities from 220 countries were nominated when the global search began in 2012.
People voted for their cities through online, international telephone lines, and national text messaging. “We congratulate each of these cities on achieving their New7Wonders status, and we look forward to celebrating their election to the 'canon of 7' with their citizens in 2015,” said New7Wonders Founder and President Bernard Weber on the official site. “The New7Wonders Cites will now join the New7Wonders of Nature and the New7Wonders of the World in becoming part of Global Memory for humanity forever.” In 2011, New7Wonders organization also included the Puerto Princesa Underground River as one of the New7Wonders of Nature. Vigan was named as a World Heritage Site by the United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization in 1999 for being the “best-preserved example of a planned Spanish colonial town in Asia.” Filipinos, especially residents and tourists fond of the beautiful heritage city, have long been anticipating this honor since the announcement of the endeavor in 2013. Back then, the long list of cities considered for the shortlist was composed of 77 locations, and also included Iloilo and Cebu, along with Vigan. “My hope is that the New7Wonders Cities campaign will generate debate about the challenges cities face — national and international — and how they are responding to them,” said New7Wonders Founder and President Bernard Weber at the time. The top 14 were named in October. (Rappler.com) n
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PH ranks 67th in global prosperity index
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HE PHILIPPINES slid by a notch to 67th place in this year’s Prosperity Index of thinktank Legatum Institute, which measures not only a country’s wealth but also the well-being of its people. The 2014 Legatum Prosperity Index covered 142 economies and the Philippines’ ranking was similar to the country’s position in 2012. This year’s rank, however, was a decline from 2013’s 66th place. The past six years saw the Philippines’ ranking slide from 61st in 2009, 64th in 2010 and 66th in 2011. Among the 29 Asia-Pacific countries covered by the index, the Philippines was 16th, behind New Zealand (3rd overall), Australia (7th), Singapore (18th), Japan (19th), Hong Kong (20th), Taiwan (22nd), South Korea (25th), Malaysia (45th), Thailand (51st), Mongolia (52nd), China (54th), Kazakhstan (55th), Vietnam (56th), Uzbekistan (57th) and Sri Lanka (62nd). In the index’s eight “core pillars of prosperity,” the Philippines ranked the highest—in 40th place—in the economy sub-index. This year’s ranking in economy, however, was a notch lower than last year’s 39th place. It should be noted that last year, the country’s gross domestic product (GDP) grew by 7.2 percent, one of the fastest in the region. This year, GDP is projected to expand by 6.5-7.5 percent. As far as the economy is concerned, Legatum Institute noted that Philippines was among the five biggest exporters of information and communications technology products in the world, alongside its Asian neighbors Hong Kong, Singapore, Malaysia and China. The country also had the biggest share of high-tech exports to total manufactured exports, at 49 percent, Legatum Institute said. The Philippines landed in 50th spot in terms of personal freedom (down from 44th place in 2013), 55th in governance (up from 56th), and 59th in social
The Philippines ranks 67th in the index, which measures not only a country’s wealth but also the well-being of its people.
FULL PAGE AD PHL’s global prosperity rank: 2009 - 61st 2012 - 67th 2010 - 64th 2013 - 66th 2011 - 66th 2014 - 67th
capital (up from 61st). In four other sub-indices, the country was in the lower half of the rankings—75th in entrepreneurship and opportunity (up from 79th last year), 76th in education (down from 73rd), 97th in health (up from 98th), and 111th in safety and security (up from 112th). Overall, Norway topped the 2014 Prosperity Index, followed by Switzerland, New Zealand, Denmark, Canada, Sweden, Australia, Finland, Netherlands and the United States. At the bottom 10 slots were cellar-dweller Central African Republic, Chad, Congo, Burundi, Yemen, Afghanistan, Togo, Haiti, Sierra Leone and Guinea. According to Legatum Institute, its Prosperity Index “is the only global measurement of prosperity based on both income and well-being,” hence it claims to be “the most comprehensive tool of its kind and is the definitive measure of global progress.” “Is a nation’s prosperity defined solely by its GDP? Prosperity is more than just the accumulation of material wealth; it is also the joy of everyday life and the prospect of an even better life in the future. This is true for individuals as well as nations,” Legatum Institute pointed out. In the 2014 index, Legatum Institute said the global performance on each of the eight core pillars of prosperity “has
improved” during the past six years mainly on the back of strides made toward achieving democracy by a number of countries as well as initiatives in making education and healthcare more accessible to the poor. (Inquirer)
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By niki yarte
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ITH P27 million earned on its first five days alone, the latest Kim Chiu-Xian Lim movie, Past Tense, is set to prove how bankable this love team is. The romantic comedy is the third movie that the young actors topbilled together, following Bakit Hindi Ka Crush ng Crush Mo in 2013 and Bride for Rent released earlier this year. The former was a moderate box office success with $2 million-plus earned while the latter raked in more than $7 million, placing it among the highest-grossing Filipino films of all time. This despite the panning of critics who derided the movie for being “too formulaic”. While Past Tense isn’t projected to overtake the record numbers of Bride for Rent, it is still expected to turn a considerable profit for Star Cinema, thanks in no small part to the Kim-Xian tandem, fondly abbreviated as “KimXi” by fans. Indeed, the fans are the driving force behind KimXi. Combined box office receipts from Kim’s previous outings with erstwhile reel and reallife partner Gerald Anderson --‘Til My Heartaches End (2010), Paano Na Kaya (2010), and I`ve Fallen For You (2007) -- barely match the onslaught of Bride for Rent. Individually, each of the “Kimerald” films fared less than Bakit Hindi Ka Crush ng Crush Mo, making only an average of $1 million per film. It should be noted that ‘Til My Heartaches End was widely praised by critics for its com-
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KimXi:
Better in Small Servings pelling story and strong performances by its young leads. Clearly, something about Kim and Xian’s onscreen chemistry is driving people to theaters in ways that the “Kimerald” love team can only dream of, despite its longer tenure. Kim and Gerald were, after all, reality TV stars who caught their biggest break via Pinoy Big Brother back in 2006. Years after their stint sa bahay ni kuya, their careers and off-screen romance were the stuff of tabloids and talk shows, all the way to their “amicable split”” in 2011. The duo also starred in a number of soaps, most prominently 2009’s Tayong Dalawa. At the time, Xian was just a glorified extra in most of the projects he had been involved in. Until 2011’s My Binondo Girl. The show was built around Kim who, for the first time, was headlining a project without Gerald. The show essentially had her choose between Xian and two other actors - Matteo Guidicelli and Jolo Revilla both of whom were already better established. Fans of the show agreed that it was Xian whose scenes with Kim that were worthy of that tingling sensation known only in Filipino as kilig. That could be because he was fresh. It could also be because he is of genuine Chinese heritage playing a Chinoy in a show about Chinoys. Or it could be that Xian and Kim simply shared a mutual attraction to
each other that just translated well onscreen. There could be a number of different reasons why KimXi was such a hit with fans. At the end of the day, however, “love teams” are manufactured by the powers-that-be and KimXi was no exception. First, it was the network that decided to break up Kimerald in 2010, ahead of the couple’s reallife split, for the express purpose of “opening up new possibilities” for them. Next, pairing one leading lady with different leading men and having the audience unwittingly and unknowingly decide who she ends up with had been a tried and tested strategy. They tried it with Anne Curtis in Dyosa and most recently with Kathryn Bernardo in The Princess and I. Looking back on the early days of My Binondo Girl, it certainly looked like the show had intended for the Kim-Matteo tandem to take off. Instead, the show stumbled upon an even more lucrative gold mine in KimXi and it certainly looked like their management had been protective of it ever since, learning from their mistakes during the Kimerald era. Take for example Kim and
Xian’s next soap, Ina, Kapatid, Anak. The drama was an ensemble production that relinquished the burden of the show’s merit upon the pair’s popularity. The show respected its own premise, boosting the profile of the Kim-Xian tandem instead of the other way around. The result: The show was a hit, lasting three seasons and more than 150 episodes. There is also the mystery of “are they? or aren’t they?” as far as their personal feelings toward each other is concerned. While both Kim and Xian admit that they consider the other party to be special, they both insist that nothing beyond a deep friendship exists between them. Just recently, at the onset of promotions for their latest movie, Kim admitted that they’re “getting there” without confirming any budding relationship happening at all. With both parties teasing and playing coy about their offscreen relationship and masterfully spacing their projects together to avoid over-exposure, it isn’t hard to imagine that fans are often left clamoring for more. Perhaps it is this scarcity, more than anything, that drives KimXi fans to the small and big screens If Star Cinema and ABS-CBN continue to play their hands right, they’ll be milking KimXi for years to come. n
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Showbuzz Marian-Dingdong wedding entourage revealed
Kathryn and Daniel officially on? THE relationship of Kathryn Bernardo and Daniel Padilla has gone from reel to real, according to the Philippine Entertainment Portal (PEP). Citing “sources close to the couple,” PEP reported that Kathryn and Daniel officially became a couple this year, two years after the Kathniel love team was formed in the teleserye Princess And I. Meanwhile, ending months of speculations, ABS-CBN disclosed that Kathryn and Daniel will officially reprise the roles of Yna and Angelo, respectively, in the remake of the hit soap Pangako Sa’Yo next year. In the teaser of the remake which was first shown at the Kapamilya Thank You Trade Event, Kathniel was seen running in a field, a scene popularized by the original Yna and
When will they come out in the open? Angelo, Kristine Hermosa and Jericho Rosales. Jodi Sta. Maria will give life to Yna’s mother, Amor Powers, formerly played by Eula Valdez. Angelica Panganiban will take on the role of Claudia Buenavista, Angelo’s mother, then played by Jean Garcia. The remake will be directed by one of the teleserye’s original directors, Rory Quintos. The original soap was first aired in 2000 until 2002 and was translated in many languages and aired in over 20 countries.
TWENTY pairs of principal sponsors, 19 groomsmen and 18 bridesmaids constitute the wedding entourage for the much-awaited nuptial of Marian Rivera and Dingdong Dantes on Dec. 30 at the Immaculate Conception Cathedral in Cubao, Quezon City. The ninongs include Perry Lansigan, Dingdong’s manager; Antonio P. Tuviera, Marian’s manager; Vic Sotto; Ogie Alcasid; German Moreno; film producer Wilson Tieng; Bench owner Ben Chan; fashion designer Randy Ortiz; film directors Mak Reyes and Mac Alejandre; GMA-7 big bosses Felipe L. Gozon and Gilberto Duavit Jr.; Jose Francisco Gonzalez; Zaldy Rivera; Dr. Gary Lopez; Joel Rustia; Marlon Dantes; Rear Adm. Herby F. Escutin (PCG Ret.); Monchito Dantes; and Jose Eduardo Gonzalez. The ninangs are Batangas Governor Vilma Santos-Recto, Sharon Cuneta-Pangilinan, Kris Aquino, Regine Velasquez-Alcasid, Celia Rodriguez, Helen Gamboa-Sotto, Lily Monteverde, GMA executive Lilybeth Rasonable, Wilma Galvante, film di-
The countdown begins for the lovebirds. rector Joyce Bernal, Vicki Belo, Lolit Solis, Ma. Luisa Henson, Juliet Lanuza, Ma. Margarita Gonzalez, Maria Joycelyn Rustia, Dra. Ma. Theresa Lopez, Floresfida Gonzalez, Myrna Dominguez, and Laila Rivera. President Benigno Aquino III will stand as “Witness of Honor.” There are three Maids of Honor: Joy Gonzalez, Ana Feleo and Roxanne Barcelo. The three Best Men are Jose Angelo Dantes, Paul Harvey Camposano and Mario Vincent Lanuza. The secondary sponsors are Richard Gomez and wife Lucy Torres-Gomez (candle); Senator Bam Aquino and KC Concepcion (cord); and Gabby Eigenmann and Ai-Ai delas Alas (veil).
Sarah to record Disney Princess song The Glow SARAH Geronimo has been chosen by Disney to re-interpret the theme song of its Princess franchise. In a teaser aired on Disney Channel, Sarah revealed that she did her own version of The Glow and that its music video will premiere on December 6, 2014. The Glow is a song originally performed by Shannon Saunders in 2011. The British singer performed at a special ceremony
in London to mark the addition of Rapunzel (from the 2010 animated film Tangled) as the 10th Disney Princess character. Sarah’s feat comes on the heels of her triumph as the winner of the Best Southeast Asia Act at the 2014 MTV Europe Music Awards, beating other nominees from Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam. Last October, Kim Chiu was tapped to be part of a project
for Walt Disney Southeast Asia, playing the role of Mulan from the 1998 animated film of the same name, which will be part of a 2015 calendar featuring Disney characters. Sarah, dubbed the Popstar Princess of the Philippines, currently serves as one of the coaches of The Voice of the Philippines. She is currently working with “Disney Legend” Lea Salonga in The Voice PH Season 2.
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Showbuzz Vilma: I’d rather be acting ENTERING the last one year and a half of her last and third term as governor of Batangas, Vilma Santos brushed aside suggestions that she run for a higher office I 2016. “No plans,” she firmly said. “Hindi ako nagpaplano about that. Pinagbubuti ko lang ang trabaho ko ngayon kasi gusto ko, after my term, the Batanguenos will say: ‘She served us well.’” The multi-awarded actress disclosed that residents of Lipa City where she previously served as mayor for three terms, are convincing her to return to the city as mayor. But she prefers to take a breather from politics and go back to acting. “Gusto ko sana mag-rest muna, kasi 18 years na kong dire-diretso sa public service. Mas nami-miss ko ang showbiz.
The newlyweds whoop it up after tying the knot.
Bianca, JC tie the knot in Palawan
Gusto kong mag-shooting. May offer ang Star Cinema na movie with Angel Locsin. Dapat noon pa nag-start, e nagkasakit nga ako. So we might start shooting in January, to be directed by Inang Olive Lamasan. Maganda ang story, naiiba, pati character ko at hitsura ko, iibahin.”
Vilma confirmed that her son Luis Manzano was originally part of the movie but later backed out. “Umayaw ang anak ko. Ayaw raw niyang magamit o ma-commercialized ang relasyon nila ni Angel. Baka raw kung mag-movie sila, mapaglaruan pa.”
Jasmine caught in the middle of Anne-Sam rift ANNE Curtis and younger sister Jasmine Curtis-Smith’s boyfriend are still not on good terms. This was confirmed by Jasmine herself who said she wants Anne to patch things up with her boyfriend, actor-singer Sam Concepcion. Jasmine stressed her sister is not is picking on Sam. She added that she wants “to be in the middle ground” in the simmering feud between the two. She said she values the opinion of her older sister about her relationship with Sam. “I think just in general, ganun talaga ang mga ate. Every-
Jasmine and Sam one, anyone that I’ve ever liked before I was with Sam, talagang ganyan si ate. She’s not picking
on him. She can see how serious it is between us so gusto niya lang talagang safe yung feelings ko, she can protect me as much as she can. She means well,” Jasmine said. Asked about the possibility of patching things up with Sam, Anne gave a curt reply, “Baka one day.” It will be recalled that Anne confronted Sam during the birthday party of Vice Ganda last March 31 and reportedly told him, “Why are you here? Who invited you? You are not classy enough to be here! . . . Ba’t mo niloloko ang kapatid ko?”
TV host Bianca Gonzalez and professional basketball player JC Intal tied the knot in a private ceremony at the Lagen Island Resort in El Nido, Palawan, on Dec. 4. Only family members and close friends were around to witness the affair. There are speculations that a bigger wedding ceremony might follow later in Manila to accommodate their other friends and colleagues. But the one thing that is for certain is that there will be a grand reception at the SmartAraneta Coliseum to follow. “We have so many ABS-CBN friends din, like, 30 percent or 40 percent are from the industry,” said Bianca. Among the principal sponsors were Boy Abunda, Kris Aquino and Pinoy Big Brother director Lauren Dyogi. It’s back to work for the couple immediately after the wedding. The honeymoon is set for next year. As for the bay, it will have to wait. “I wouldn’t say I’m not ready, pero parang for me, gusto ko yata muna i-enjoy na kaming dalawa lang before having another responsibility,” Bianca said.
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Brave Heart
By fatima malvar peyra
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AM a member of a family that is used to receiving balikbayan boxes every now and then, (especially during Christmas when our father does not come home). We regularly indulge in a grand supply of chocolates and everything “stateside. We are given the latest gadgets which we will never think of buying here unless there is nothing else left in the market. We are lavished with things that other teenagers crave. We are halfway to becoming spoiled children. Yet we are a family that rarely enjoys “Family Day.”
Our father started working abroad when my two siblings and I were still toddlers. As far as I can remember, I did not bother to ask Mama why Papa needed to go abroad. I just grew up used to that kind of setup: Papa is always away yet comes home at times. How well we knew him when we were kids was formed through the stories told by Mama and the childish judgments made through our limited interactions with him. Despite his usual absence, especially during “turning point” moments of our lives, our respect and love never fade. They remain intact, untarnished despite time and distance. No matter how far he is from us and how rarely we see him, we know that he is our father— someone to look up to and someone to thank for everything that we have.
The absence of even one parent wreaks havoc on the young lives of children. Just like what other people believe, there are actually plenty of advantages when you are a child of an overseas Filipino worker. After all, what is the point of living away from the family if there will be no perks? These perks usually boil down to being financially stable—not worrying about dues, clothes to wear, or food to eat, and even having more than what you need. But these are just up to the boundary of “better,” not best, because these will only be best if—and only if—our father will be with us. I won’t say that having an OFW parent is all about “stateside” stuff or a well-off kind of life. To be honest, it is not easy (and will never be easy) to grow up in a family where the father (or any other member of the family) is always away. It is like we are dressed in the most fashionable clothes but deep inside, we are feeling hollow. We will look around and see other children with their parents strolling in the mall, buying school supplies, or just sitting together in a restaurant, sharing food on a round table. Just like other children with OFW parent(s), I do feel bad sometimes, and I constantly think that life will be normal if Papa comes and stays for good.
When OFWs finally come home, their families will be “normal” again. There will be someone to help us with our math assignments, to fix a leaking faucet, or to drive us to school. I know life will be far different if his presence is felt every day. Nonetheless, being away from our father has taught me many lessons that are all worth remembering. Unlike other children who tend to misbehave in the absence of their father and/ or mother, I have learned to be disciplined and motivated. I was in my early grade school years when I resolved in my mind to make an extra effort to study so that my parents will always receive invitations every recognition/graduation day. But if it is all too challenging for us to have Papa away, what more for him? Being away from his family is being completely out of his comfort zone. We see all those families who end up broken, where the usual culprit
is distance (from distance comes various challenges, temptations and mistakes). Aside from thinking about the distance, there are other things on the list: Papa missing Mama and his children, including the important events in our lives such as birthdays, Christmases and New Year’s Days; Papa celebrating his own birthday without his family; Papa coping with homesickness; Papa adjusting to new environments (weather, people, culture, everything foreign); and so on. So whenever I think about being sad, miserable and almost unlucky for not seeing our father every day, I just think of how it is more difficult for him. One thing that our circumstances has taught me is that it is not always easy to think about others’ feelings over ours—to think maturely—but that certain instances in our lives will require us to grow up, to be less self-centered, and to be more understanding of the kind of life that we have. Coping with our father’s absence is a struggle we have known since we were small children. It is an everyday battle, and we have gotten accustomed to it. It has twisted our story. It brings both joy and agony. But it is the kind of battle that never weakens us. It makes us stronger and more solid as a family, thanks to the invention of gadgets that aid us in keeping in touch with other parts of the world. Papa came home last April and left the following month. It was a short visit, but it felt lengthy. Next year is his last year as an OFW. He has decided to finally quit overseas work for good because we—his three children—have all acquired our college degrees. He will finally come home and our family will be “normal” again. (Philippine Daily Inquirer) n
DECEMBER 2014 APRIL 2012
LONDON
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Peso softening boosts OFW families’ spending power T
HE SPENDING power of overseas Filipino workers’ (OFW) families improved significantly this year as a result of the weak peso, providing much-needed support for the domestic economy that has performed short of expectations so far. According to the central bank, families relying on cash transfers from OFWs have also started to save, and that these savings could be channeled by banks to more productive purposes. “Definitely, this should translate to higher consumption expenditure,” Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) Deputy Governor Diwa C. Guinigundo said. Weakness in the local currency usually benefits OFWs’ families. The peso value of every dollar that is sent to the country increases as the local currency’s value declines. This effect also benefits local exporters. As of early December, the peso has weakened by half a peso since the start of the year. This comes as a result of the dollar’s sustained rise following the recovery of the American economy. On top of the peso’s fall, remittances to the Philippines also continue to increase despite weakness in certain advanced markets like Europe and Japan, which
FULL PAGE AD A weaker peso against the dollar or the pound will help OFW families this Christmas due to more spending power.
host large Filipino communities. Latest data from the BSP showed that remittances from OFWs rose by nearly 8 percent in September to a near-record high of $2.1 billion. For the nine months ending September, remittances were up 6.1 percent. The BSP last month revised its projection for remittances, with growth now seen reaching 5.5 percent, slightly higher than the previous projection of
5 percent. Remittances remain one of the pillars the economy leans on for strength. These cash transfers are the largest source of foreign exchange for the country, which
helps the economy weather crises like the 2008 Global Recession and this year’s so-called “Taper Tantrum.”
These inflows also support domestic consumption, which accounts for about two-thirds of gross domestic product. Apart from supporting consumer spending, remittances also help support the housing market, Guinigundo said. Data from the Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council (HUDCC) last month showed that about 3.6 million families across the country still needed new homes. By 2016, this demand is expected to balloon to about 5.6 million homes. (Inquirer)
“Definitely, this should translate to higher consumption expenditure.”
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DECEMBER APRIL 2012 2014
LONDON
Philippines wins Miss Earth 2014
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HE PHILIPPINES further established its status as a powerhouse in the international pageant scene with the coronation of Filipino representative Jamie Herrell as 2014 Miss Earth on the 29th of November at the University of the Philippines theater in Diliman, Quezon City. The 19-year-old Herrell bested 83 other international delegates to become the second Filipino to wear the Miss Earth crown, after Karla Henry’s triumph in 2008. Both Henry and Herrell are from Cebu City. With Herrell’s victory on Sunday, the Philippines matched Venezuela’s two-crown record in the Miss Earth pageant, sharing top spot as the countries with the most wins in the global tilt. Last year’s winner, Alyz Henrich, is Venezuelan. Herrell, who took a break from her studies at the International Academy for Film and Television to prepare for the 2014 Miss Earth pageant, sustained the country’s dominance in the global pageant arena, which surged in 2013. In 2013, the country took home four international crowns courtesy of Miss Supranational Mutya Johanna Datul, Miss World Megan Young, Miss International Bea Rose Santiago and Miss Tourism International Angeli Dione Gomez.
FULL PAGE AD
Miss Philippines candidate Jamie Herrell bested 83 others to be crowned Miss Earth 2014 on the 29th of November in UP Diliman.
The Philippines also secured Top 5 spots in the Miss Universe pageant’s last four editions, with the participation of Venus Raj, Shamcey Supsup, Janine Tugonon and Ariella Arida. After her coronation, which punctuated a two-hour program, Herrell told the Philippine Daily Inquirer that she was offering her victory to God, who she said was the reason behind her victory.
Herrell’s religiosity was evident during a separate national costume competition, where she appeared in a Sinulog Festivalinspired outfit, holding an image of the Santo Niño. The California-born, Masbateraised Cebuana beauty will now become the face of the pageant’s campaign in raising environmental awareness. When asked during the final round what step she would take to address global warm-
ing, Herrell said “I will use my title to inspire others, help our environment. And we should start with the kids because they are the people of tomorrow. They will help the communities.” Herrell won a $20,000 contract with Philippine-based pageant organizer Carousel Productions. She will also receive products and services from Ever Bilena Cosmetics, Alberto Shoes, Charms and Crystals, Skechers, Ramona Haar Jewelry, Canon Ixus, and Lhuillier Jewels. Placing second and proclaimed Miss Earth-Air was Andera Neu of the United States. Miss EarthWater was Venezuela’s Alexandra Rodriguez, while Russia’s Anastasia Trysova was proclaimed Miss Earth-Fire. They will each receive a $2,000 contract with Carousel Productions for the duration of their reign. Singapore-based Filipino host and model Joey Mead-King hosted the ceremonies with actor Justin Bratton. ABS-CBN host and reporter Ginger Conejero, a former Miss PhilippinesAir winner, served as anchor. The judging panel included rehabilitation czar Sen. Panfilo Lacson and international model Allison Harvard. (Inquirer)
DECEMBER 2014 APRIL 2012
LONDON
WHAT’S ON
TRAVEL
D
IVISORIA IS an allseason favorite spot for value shopping. It’s home to hundreds of shops that offer everything under the sun. Whether you’re shopping for your home or loved ones this Christmas, this marketplace at the heart of Manila has got everything you need at affordable prices. But it’s easy to get lost and waste time in this vast shopping mecca. To guide you, here are a few streets to remember when shopping at Divi. Head over to M. De Santos Street between Ilaya and Tamora Streets to bring the cheer of the Christmas spirit in your home. This street offers a wide range of holiday knickknacks that can turn your home into a winter wonderland or a simple abode that shows Paskong Pinoy. On this street, Christmas socks sell for only £2 (P120), hanging balls range from £3 - £6 (P180 to P400), and Christmas trees for £ 9 - £22 (P600P1,500). For other home decors, walk to Ilaya Street where you can find curtains for £2 - £4 (P100-P200), pillowcases that are sold from £0.50 - £0.75 (P35 to P50), and table runners to brighten your Noche Buena spread for only
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Where to shop this Christmas: DIVISORIA FULL PAGE AD
£3.5 - £5 (P250-P350). Many of these items carry Christmas themes that go well with your holiday decor. Now to shop for your loved ones, you can also find stuffed toys for £0.75 - £2 (P50P120). But if you prefer to give something practical, go to Claro M. Recto Avenue, a main road in Divisoria that sells ready-towear clothes. There, you can buy baby clothing for £ 0.75 - £1 (P50P90) while the tops for adults are sold for £1 - £4 (P75-P300).
You can also purchase pants for only £2 (P150) on this avenue. Caps that range from £2 - £3 (P150 to P180) and bags for £4 - £5 (P250-P350) can also be found here. For more shirt choices, go to
Juan Luna Street, the “T-shirt capital” in Divisoria. You can buy clothes here for £1 - £1.50 (P75-P85). Different kinds of footwear are also available on this street for only £2 - £2.50 (P120-P180). (GMA News)
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DECEMBER 2014
LONDON
The Philippines is the No. 1 supplier of seafarers to the global labor market, accounting for about one-fifth of the 1.2 million maritime workers.
World Domination:
Maid in Paris
By jessica zafra
I
HAD two and a half hours to kill in Abu Dhabi airport, and not being the luxury goods shopping type, I decided to do some research on the progress of the Filipino campaign for world domination. The Philippines is not one of the countries that immediately come to mind when one says “world domination,” but that is because people always look at the wrong criteria: wealth, or military strength, or imperial history. Even if they do look at the right metric—global influence— their interpretation of the data is too conventional. It does not occur to them that the Philippines has been quietly taking over the world for four decades—centuries more, if you consider earlier waves beginning with the galleon trade—by sending out workers to build outposts of Filipino culture all over the world. The millions of Pinoy domestic helpers, seamen, professionals and expats out there are the agents of world domination, biding their time until we get organized and formally conquer earth. In the meantime they are our moles and secret agents, forming networks and gathering intelligence. In the case of
maids and nannies, they are colonizing their host nations by raising the next generation of Americans, Europeans and Chinese in the Filipino way. Our campaign is insidiously clever, for it is financed by the very nations that we are colonizing. While we titter when we say “seamen,” it is apt in referring to our army of maritime professionals, who are present in nearly every seagoing vessel on earth: it is as if we are impregnating the world with Filipinos. World domination research is ridiculously easy to do: all you have to do is be Pinoy and sit in any foreign airport. Before long another Pinoy will make eye contact with you, and scarcely will you have acknowl-
edged your common ethnicity when the information will begin to flow. Thanks to the Filipino habit of oversharing, you barely have to ask questions. Other nationalities may hesitate to talk if you mention that you work in the mass media; Pinoys are encouraged to reveal more if they know the information will reach more people. “But won’t we risk revealing our plans to competitors?” you ask. No, it is what is known in spycraft as “hiding in plain sight”. Besides, we’re not talking about the actual logistics of our world domination campaign, we’re just asking about the lives, personal tribulations and triumphs of our compatriots abroad. “Simple” people who, on the surface, only want better economic opportunities and more comfortable lives for themselves and their families. And are prepared to travel halfway around the world and live alone among total strangers, using only their social skills and common sense to survive and thrive. We met our subject, Ella, at the gate while were waiting for the flight to Paris to start boarding. She has worked in
Paris as a nanny for 26 years; before that, she worked in the Middle East. She is now 56 and the proud mother of two boys, aged 20 and 15. “Single mother ako,” she pointed out. “Ayoko talagang mag-asawa, anak lang ang gusto ko.” Her sons’ fathers are Pinoys she met in Paris. They were not involved in raising the children. “Kung gusto nilang tumulong, sige, pero hindi ko sila hiningan ng tulong. Anak lang talaga ang habol ko.” In short, she does not share the sentimental illusions of women in Pinoy movies and telenovelas. At present Ella has three jobs. Her weekends are free, and she spends them on her hobby, baking. In Manila we have culinary enthusiasts making “authentic” macaroons, baguettes and madeleines; in actual Paris, Ella bakes pianono and chiffon cake and makes hopia. She learned baking by watching YouTube videos. Her sponge cake is in demand, at 20 euros (Php1,140) each. One of her cardboard boxes is full of baking equipment she bought on sale in Manila. We talked about the oddities of Filipino culture: how, when one is in need, Pinoys are always the first to give help, but when one is obviously prospering, the same people will talk against her and put her down. Pinoy movies and telenovelas still portray OFWs as lonely martyrs toiling in strange lands where they are maltreated by employers, living only for the day when they can visit their homeland. Pinoy filmmakers need to do research in this century. No doubt the lonely martyr model still exists, but after decades of migration, our OFWs have gained a cosmopolitan outlook. They’re not downtrodden victims of poverty going to foreign countries to beg for work; they are skilled workers who are vital to the economic health of their host countries. They know their value. This can only be good for World Domination. (Interaksyon.com) n
DECEMBER 2014 APRIL 2012
LONDON
WHAT’S ON
ll t of a ppor In su events in d goo mmunity o the c
20 Dec. 2014
14 Feb. 2015
“Manliligaw” Lloyd Umali ft. Ima Castro
Simbang Gabi at SS Michael & Martin Church
Venue: Filwood Community Centre, Barnstaple Road, Bristol BS4 1JP
Venue: Bar FM, 184 Uxbridge Road, London W12 7JP Price: £20 Contact: 07428677870 07747632673
Venue: 94 Bath Road, Hounslow, Middx TW3 3EH
Contact: Rebecca 0117 9414672
Valentine Show w/ Lloyd Umali & Ima Castro Venue: As Asia, 277 High Street Slough SL1 1BN Price: £24.50 Contact: 07428677870 07747632673
COMMUNITY
20 Dec. 2014
Christmas Ball ‘14 Time: 6pm onwards
15 Feb. 2015
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7 Mar. 2015
2 Worlds in Harmony Time: 6pm Venue: Conway Hall, FULL PAGE ADLion Sq., 25 Red London WC1R 4RL Price: £10 - £20 Contact: Jhermy 07825509624 www.fwuk.com
For your regional celebration, please contact our team on 02075818100 as we will help Splash around the party news to all our readers!
DATING AD Negosyanteng Ingles. 45, nakitira sa Liverpool Merseyside, Northwest England. Walang asawa. Mayaman at mapagbigay. Payat, akma, at malinis. Nanaising magkaroon ng magandang relasyon sa isang Pilipina. Email: peterking45@outlook.com, or 07585472668. Salamat.
JOB RELATED AD
Apr. 25 - Turner Sim, Southampton; Apr. 26 - The 229, London; May 1 - Athena Theatre, Leicester; May 2 - The Village Hotel, Leeds; May 3 - Holiday Inn, Newcastle Ticket - £30, Door - £45. Seats are limited !!!
Naghahanap ng live in na tagapangalaga ng bahay sa North London. Karaniwang domestic duties gaya ng paglilinis, pamamalantsa, pamimili atbp. Dapat mahilig sa hayop dahil may dalawang magiliw na Labrador na kailangang palakarin bawat araw. Walang batang aalagaan. Lalaking 60-anos. Pamilya at mga kaibigan paminsan-minsang dadalaw. May sariling kuwarto, en suite. Kailangang may UK working permit. Mahalaga na may references. £1200 ang sweldo kada buwan. Contact: ian.morley@wentworthhall.com
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DECEMBER APRIL 2012 2014
EMBASSY NEWS
LONDON
T: 0207 5818100
LONDON
EMBASSY CLOSURES: DEC ‘14 TO JAN ‘15
at your doorstep!
The public is advised that the Philippine Embassy will be closed on the following dates: Wed, 24 December 2014 – Special non-working day (PHLHoliday) Thu, 25 December 2014 - Christmas Day (Philippine & UK Holiday) Fri, 26 December 2014 – Boxing Day (Philippine & UK Holiday) Mon, 29 December 2014 - Building maintenance work Tue, 30 December 2014 – Rizal Day (Philippine Holiday) Wed, 31 December 2014 - Special non-working day (PHL Holiday) Thu, 01 January 2015 – New Year’s Day (Philippine & UK Holiday) Fri, 02 January 2015 – Special non-working day (PHL 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.
Name: Address:
Home phone:
Email:
IMPLEMENTATION OF TERMINAL FEE INTEGRATION PROGRAM Effective 01 November (deferred from 1 October) 2014, the FULL Philippine Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) will be implementing the International Passenger Service Charge Integration Program, i.e., the IPSC – commonly known as the airport terminal fee - shall be incorporated into the cost of airline tickets at point of sale. The aim of the integration scheme is to address congestion in all Ninoy Aquino International (NAIA) terminals caused by the increasing volume of passengers, through the adoption of measures that reduce processing times.
Mobile:
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Just for a yearly subscription fee of £ 10, please send this form and your cheque payment to: Philippine Service Corporation Flat 285 Brompton Road, London SW3 2DY email: splashpress@aol.com Start your subscription immediately!
SIMBANG GABI 2014 SCHEDULE OF MASSES Date: 15 Dec-23 Jan 2015
6:30pm every evening except 23 Dec at 6:00pm Venue: Our Lady of Dolours Servite Church, 264 Fulham Road, London, SW10 9EL
Date: 15-23 Dec
ter, West Sussex ,PO19 1XB Time: 5:00pm to 7:00pm Venue: St. Joseph’s Roman Catholic Church, 12 Eastgate Gardens Guildford, Surrey, GU1 4AZ
Time: 7:30pm daily, 5:00pm Sundays Venue: The Holy Redeemer Church, 20 Brixton Road, London, SW9 6BU
Time: 6:00pm to 8:00pm Venue: Sacred Heart Church Holloway, 62 Eden Grove, Holloway, N7 8EN
Date: 17 Dec (Wed)
Time: 6:00pm to 10:00pm Venue: Westminster Cathedral, 42 Francis St, London, SW1P 1QW United Kingdom
Time: 7:00pm to 9:00pm Venue: Immaculate Conception Farm Street Church, 114 Mount Street, London, W1K 3AH Time: 7:00pm Venue: St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, Wembley HA9 6AG
Date: 17-18 Dec (Tues-Wed)
Date: 21 Dec (Sun)
Time: 3:00pm to 5:00pm Venue: Blessed Sacrament Parish, 157 Copenhagen St, London, N1 0SR
Time: 7:00pm Venue: The Holy Cross Chapel, Charing Hospital, Fulham Palace Road, London W6 8RF
Time: 5:30pm Venue: Our Lady of the Holy Souls, 68 Hazelwood Cr, London W10 5DJ
Date: 19 Dec (Fri)
Time: 7:00pm Venue: St. James Catholic Church, Abbots Walk, Reading RG1 3HQ
Time: 5:30am to 7:00pm Venue: Our Lady Queen of Heaven Parish, 111 Portsmouth Road, Frimley, Camberley, GU16 7AA Time: 7:30pm Venue: St. Augustine Church, 55 Fulham Palace Rd, London W6 8AU
Date: 20 Dec (Sat)
Time: 1:00pm to 3:00pm Venue: St. Richard Catholic Church, Cawley Road, Chiches-
Date: 22 Dec (Mon)
Time: 5:30pm Venue: St. Luke’s Chapel, King’s College Hospital, Denmark Hill, London, SE5 9RS Time: 7:00pm Venue: St. Lawrence Church, Presbytery, The Green, Feltham TW13 4AF
DECEMBER 2014 APRIL 2012
LONDON
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FIVE traits we should do for the New Year
T
not for himself but for his family. The Filipino translation for Happy New Year is Masaganang Bagong Taon (Bountiful New Year) because we equate happiness and celebration with abundance.
HE END of the year signals a start of another one. But before planning on what you should for next year, take time to examine what you have accomplished this year. After assessing what you have done for your personal life and your career, take a moment to ask yourself one of the most important, yet often forgotten questions: what have I done for my country this year? With the guidance of renowned phenomenological sociologist Dr. Mina Ramirez of the Asian Social Institute, here are the core values based on the Basic Aspirations of a Filipino: Mapagpasalamat Dr. Ramirez said that one of the most enticing characters of Filipino is that being grateful to people and for the things that we have despite not having everything. And it is reflected with the smiles that Filipinos show despite the hardships that they are going through. Filipinos are December 2011 20naturally cheerful and sociable.
Mapagmalasakit It is because of our love for the family extended to friends, neighbors and other people that make Filipinos naturally compassionate. This compassion enables us to help other people without asking for anything in return. The personhood of Filipino is manifested in his kalooban. Change for the Better campaign group with Dr. Mina Ramirez and Jim Paredes (centre). This is because we always look firm, and fight because we have FULL PAGE AD at the bright side of life. our loved ones and life’s aspirations to be strong for. Matatag Being in a country prone to Masigasig natural disasters, Filipinos When Filipinos dream of somehave adapted and learned to be thing, we do everything possistrong in times of need and in ble to get it. We do it for our hard situations life throws at families and loved ones. A The World of Sristand Lankan News Serendib us. We continue to up, News be Filipino aspires for abundance
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Magalang The use of po, opo, and pagmamano (kissing of the hand) are distinct Filipino ways of respect. We say these words and use this gesture to show our respect and love for the elderly. The Filipinos’ respect is not just limited to the elderly but also to other people’s properties, emotions, and ideas. We are polite people. (Philstar)
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DECEMBER 2014
LONDON
Congested Capital V
ARIOUS studies have chronicled the rapid growth of Metro Manila, a product of the long economic boom that lured factories, corporations and migrants to the metropolis like a magnet. Today, however, this expansion has triggered a far worse problem: congestion.
It is not hard to imagine how a heavily congested metropolis can trigger a host of problems, the monstrous daily traffic and the high pollution level being the most visible. With a population of about 12 million, Metro Manila accounts for 13 percent of the nation’s total yet its land area covers a mere 0.21 percent of the country. According to the latest available official data, Metro Manila is the most populated area in the Philippines with 19,137 persons per square kilometer. This population density is 62 times higher than the national average of 308 per square kilometer. The capital region’s infrastructure has also been stretched way beyond its limits. While its road network accounted for less than a fifth of the country’s total, the 2.1 million motor vehicles registered by the Land Transportation Office in Metro Manila last year accounted for nearly a third of the total for the entire Philippines. A recent study by KMC Mag Group, a Philippines-based real estate brokerage company and an international associate of Savills (a real estate services provider listed in the London Stock Exchange), warns that the congestion in the capital region poses significant threats to the overall sustainability of the country’s economic growth. “The long-term economic growth of the Philippines is dependent on whether or not it can address the issue of decongestion and make smart, sustainable decisions to improve its infrastructure,” KMC Mag Group notes.
The root cause seems to be a government that has been Manila-centric for the past decades. Except for a few growth areas like Cebu and Davao, progress has become evident mainly in Metro Manila because the bulk of government infrastructure spending for roads and bridges, telecommunication and power facilities has been allocated to the national capital region. As a result, investors naturally flock to Metro Manila, leaving out the other provinces in the growth process. Investors would not locate their factories in the provinces if there were no roads to transport their goods or power facilities to ensure sufficient electricity supply to run their operations. The solution, as KMC Mag Group suggests, is for the government to invest in infrastructure to improve the transportation network and integrate the different networks nationwide to enable the growth of more urban areas outside Metro Manila. “The only thing the Philippines
Congestion in Metro Manila could hurt the country’s economic growth. needs is the political will to make these large-scale changes possible,” it points out. Building the necessary infrastructure has remained a weak spot for the country. Says KMC Mag Group: “The aging roads and the declining quality of the public transport system are deterrents for both the locals and the expats who live and work in the Philippines. If that’s the first impression they get, it will be more difficult to get them to buy into what else the Philippines offers.” Tourism is one area—a socalled low-lying fruit—that the government can focus on to promote the growth of the regions and, in the process, decongest the metropolis. The timing cannot be more propitious, with the
The Clark Freeport Zone in Pampanga: There’s life outside Manila.
Department of Tourism having dubbed 2015 as “Visit the Philippines” year and the number of visitor arrivals increasing steadily. The government must invest in this area in order to grow this industry and also encourage the private sector to help build the other infrastructure, particularly hotel rooms. We agree with KMC Mag Group that the biggest hindrance to the growth of this sector is the lack and the quality of the infrastructure. Aside from expanding its airport facilities, the country also needs to increase the number of hotel rooms in order to accommodate more international visitors; otherwise the shortage would result in less tourist-friendly (read: expensive) room prices. The prospect is bright in developing more urban areas outside Metro Manila. As KMC Mag Group points out, if the Philippines can bring the growth in Manila to other areas within the country and support that with infrastructure, there is no reason it cannot fulfill its promise of being the next Asian miracle. The government, with the help of the private sector, needs only to focus on providing the necessary infrastructure to transform this into reality. (Editorial, Philippine Daily Inquirer, Dec. 3, 2014) n
DECEMBER 2014
LONDON
By dheza marie aguilar
R
OTTERDAM, The Netherlands – Floating communities may be the answer to the frequent flooding in the Philippines, particularly in Metro Manila. It’s a technique that The Netherlands has mastered and may soon be implemented in the Philippines. At a recent trip to The Netherlands as key speaker at the “Deltas in Times of Climate Change Conference” held here, Senator Cynthia Villar met with water management experts and companies for a collaboration on starting a floating housing project in Manila. Involved in the project are private Dutch companies Flexbase, Arcadis, Delta Sync and the Rotterdam University together with Villar’s Vista Land Corporation and Sipag Foundation and the University of the Philippines. An expected grant from the Dutch government is set to kick off the project. The project aims to alleviate the vulnerability of poor communities in low-lying parts of Metro Manila. The low-cost floating housing project will be introduced in Muntinlupa. “We will build a sample of floating houses in the Philippines, if we can build it at the cost we wanted which is approximately P500,000 per house. This is some sort of pilot project of 40 houses. If we are successful, they will bring in Dutch technology and if we are successful, it can be replicated in other places in the Philippines,” said Villar. During her speech before hundreds of attendees from different countries, Villar enumerated the effects of flooding and climate change in the country, particularly in the food and agriculture sector. In Metro Manila alone, the damage brought by flooding is approximately
Artist’s concepts of floating houses to be built in Metro Manila.
Dutch-Inspired Floating Homes in Manila Soon
$160 million every year with at least 71,000 houses totally damaged annually. Rick Heikoop, water management professor at the Rotterdam University, is one of the proponents of the project together with Rutger de Graaf, Managing Director of Delta Sync, a company specializing in floating urbanization and flood proof urban development. Heikoop studied urban planning for four years in the University of the Philippines and is familiar with the problems in the country. Following the tradition of living with water in The Netherlands, which lies below sea level, Heikoop believes that some techniques used here can also be used in the Philippines and other delta cities. However, their focus is on urban poor communities
who are most susceptible during typhoons and flooding because they are usually the ones who lose everything every time disasters occur. “I have seen a lot of floating housing projects in The Netherlands and I thought maybe we could also make this technique available for urban poor communities in the Philippines because Manila is experiencing a lot of flooding in the last decade so we think we can use this floating housing project to reduce the vulnerability of the urban poor communities. Luckily, there was a subsidy from the Dutch government so they will partly finance the project,” said Heikoop in an interview with ABS-CBN. In addition to the floating houses, livelihood facilities would also be built around the
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floating community which will be facilitated by the Villar Sipag Foundation. To make the project sustainable, Heikoop said they will be renting out the pilot houses at an affordable price of P2,500 monthly for participating families. Once people are familiar with the concept of floating houses, they hope that it will be an alternative choice for house buyers in the future. At the “Deltas in Times of Climate Change Conference” experts and participants agreed that the effects of climate change in delta cities like Metro Manila cannot be ignored anymore. Being the leading expert in water management technology, The Netherlands is sharing its knowledge to other delta cities to help them combat the effects of climate change. Former Dutch Environment Minister and now Delta Alliance Chairman Tinieke Huizinga said it is important for urban deltas to work together especially in these crucial times, and the knowledge of The Netherlands can also be applied to other countries. “This Delta Approach is available for other countries so Delta Alliance for example is an organization that will make this Delta Approach also available for the Philippines if they are interested in it. . . Of course, not everything is the same in the Philippines as it is in The Netherlands but there are a few things that are the same and the Philippines can benefit from what we learned in The Netherlands and also maybe the Philippines can also teach the Netherlands some things,” said Huizinga. Huizinga emphasized that long-term solutions are what countries should strive for to address these problems. Citing the case of the Philippines, Villar said there are many measures that might be too expensive to implement in the Philippines. However, she said that they are pushing for affordable solutions like more protection of mangrove forests (ABS-CBN News) n
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DECEMBER 2014
RISING SON
By cathy rose a. garcia
LONDON
Mall of Asia in Pasay City. Leviste said SM is also F Solar Philippines president and founder Le- planning to do more solar panel projects for its andro Leviste looked like a college student other malls, although he next to President Benigno Aquino and SM declined to give details. Prime Holdings president Hans Sy at the event “There’s a number of Leviste prefers entrepreneurship to politics. activating SM City North EDSA’s solar-powered other malls they will be rooftop on Nov. 24, it’s because he is still an un- doing soon after [SM] Dasma company is targeting to complete projects which can generate a toand [SM] MOA,” he said. dergraduate at Yale University. tal of 100 MW of electricity. Leviste said Solar Philip“There’s a potential for 100Leviste, the son of Senator rooftop project, which turned pines is eyeing more solar panel MW projects, so that’s more projects for malls in the counLoren Legarda with ex-hus- SM North in Quezon City into the than two dozen establishments try, with two of its projects to band, Tony, is on leave from his biggest solar-powered mall in with 400,000 solar panels. It’s senior year at Yale where he is the world. The project has 5,760 start operating in December. the perfect storm of high elec“CityMall (in Roxas, Capiz) taking up political science. solar panels which can genertricity rates, low solar panel “Last summer, I saw this op- ate up to 1.5 megawatts (MW) of is opening on December 12, prices and a power crisis that’s portunity. Companies in the US electricity, enough to power the and our panels will be powering making people more aware of the mall by then. Robinsons in and Europe are doing the same mall’s 16,000 light fixtures, 59 the need for renewable sources Puerto Princesa, Palawan, will thing, but no one was doing escalators and 20 elevators. of energy,” he said. this in the Philippines where “We started planning this be completed by Christmas,” Solar Philippines is the Philhe said. the electricity rates are so much particular mall in October 2013, ippines’ top solar power proThe solar panel project in higher. So I said, someone has so it is months in the making. vider and Southeast Asia’s largto take this opportunity right I think SM has been the most Robinsons Puerto Princesa will est developer of rooftop power now,” he told ABS-CBNnews. aggressive among our custom- generate up to 1.2 MW of elecplants. It offers solar financing, tricity, while the solar panels at com at the sidelines of the ers,” Leviste said. design and construction for CityMall Roxas will generate up “Green Switch” event. Solar Philippines is already commercial customers at zero to 0.6 MW. The 21-year-old is confident putting up solar panels at SM cost and supplies electricity at For 2015, Leviste said the about the prospects of solar Dasmariñas in Cavite and SM below utility rates. power in the Philippines, after “Our model of fully financSolar Philippines switched on ing the project at zero cost to its biggest project so far at SM the mall, actually puts all of the North on Nov. 24. risks on our side. But someone Solar Philippines partnered has to take those risks to pioneer with SM for the solar-powered this new business model and I think one day this is going to be as commonplace as installing a Meralco meter in businesses in the Philippines,” Leviste said. Leviste said he’s been overwhelmed by the receptiveness of business enterprises to the idea of solar power. “I think it’s an idea whose time has come and it was really by a mistake of many big companies not to organize to take this idea sooner,” he said. Asked if he will follow in his parents’ footsteps into politics, Leviste said, “I used to want to go to law school, but now I feel entrepreneurship is the best President Aquino, along with SM Prime Holdings President Hans Sy and Solar Philippines President Leandro Leviste, way to make an impact.” (ABSviews the 1.5-MW solar panel bank atop SM Supermall during its launching on Nov. 24. CBNnews.com) n
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DECEMBER 2014
LONDON
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By gemma nemenzo
G
ROWING up in the Philippines in the ‘60s, our version of “fast food” were those peddled by ambulant vendors whose resonant voices became part of the soundtrack of our daily lives. Our parents warned us sternly against eating those treats – they were believed to be dirty and unhealthy, therefore forbidden. That made them all the more tempting and delectable, not only because they were cheap and convenient (delivered right to your door, no waiting in line), they also allowed us a wee taste of rebellion. Who can ever forget, for example, how “dirty ice cream” in such flavors as queso (cheese), mais (corn) and langka (jackfruit), scooped high onto tiny sugar cones, would always beat out the more sanitary – and more expensive – Magnolia as our summer cooler of choice, after we had made sure that no adults were around to stop us from peering deep into the vendor’s cart to savor the flavors of the day? Looking back, I realize that ambulant vendors peddling food were so present in our lives then that we were never hungry. They would come like clockwork at their appointed time. At around six in the morning, we would wake up to the blaring horns of the potpot, the vendor on bicycle selling freshly baked sweet breads. Inside those two giant aluminum bins on each side of his bike would be an array of ensaymada (buttered brioche), pan de sal (dinner roll), pan de coco (coconut bread), monay (sweet buns), and such horribly named breads as pan de regla (sweet bread with red filling). They would still be warm and fragrant, with enough sugar to
Manggang hilaw is best eaten with bagoong.
A warm cup of taho is what every empty stomach yearns.
Dirty Pleasures ‘Dirty ice cream’ also known as sorbetes
jolt us out of our early morning lethargy. An hour or so later, the puto (rice cake) vendor would come, carrying on his shoulder a long, sturdy bamboo pole with two thick and flat aluminum canisters with conical covers on each end. Inside those canisters were several varieties of still-warm puto and kutsinta (brown rice cake), cut diamond-shaped with a sprinkling of toasted coconut on each one. The white puto was always my favorite because it had a few grains of anise seeds in them and it would melt in my mouth so effortlessly, without the need to slather it with butter. The kutsinta was always dark brown and sticky (not the artificially colored orange ones available now). When we bought a slice or two, the vendor would make a cone-shaped container from a cut-up banana leaf on which he would put a spoonful or two of freshly grated coconut that we would sprinkle over the rice cakes. Coming close on the puto vendor’s heels would be the palitaw (sugar-coated rice cake) vendor with a giant bilao
(flat cane basket) on her head. The bilao would be lined with banana leaves so the palitaw and kalamay (sticky rice cake) would not stick to the basket. We would eat these native delicacies from cut-up banana leaves and they would be served with grated coconut. In summer, as the noon sun started searing our skins and we thirsted for something cold, the samalamig (shaved ice drink) vendor would come pushing his cart that held several giant plastic jugs filled with multicolored syrup. But when the bell of the “dirty ice cream” man would ring, the neighborhood kids, who were lucky enough to have a few centavos and no adult to stop them, would come running. Afternoon merienda time would mean the return of the potpot and a host of other vendors as well. Some days it would be the taho (sweetened tofu) vendor carrying on his shoulder a pole with two medium-sized aluminum bins, one containing the warm white soft tofu and side container of tapioca balls, the other the syrup
that would be poured into the scooped out taho. Other vendors would peddle turon (plantain rolls), mais (corn on the cob) wrapped in a burlap sack to keep the heat in, binatog (hominy served with ground coconut) and such fruits as santol (sour apple-like fruit) and manggang hilaw (green mango), which the vendor would slice in the middle so she could put a spoonful of pink bagoong (shrimp paste) on it, sandwich style. The evening hour was always announced by the unmistakable call of the balut (duck egg embryo) vendor. I used to wonder why balut was always sold at night. I only found out much later when I was already an adult that it goes well with beer, and beer is best enjoyed when relaxing with friends at the end of a hard day’s work. Balut is also reputedly a guaranteed aphrodisiac, pampatibay ng tuhod (a knee strengthener), the guys would wink. Fast-food Filipino style, just like our homeland’s politics, may be dirty and messy, but they always provided satisfying pleasure. (Positively Filipino) n
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DECEMBER APRIL 2012 2014
LONDON
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