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Verbatim Ibinigay ko po ang aking sarili nang buong-buo lalung-lalo na sa mga nakatsinelas sa labas, sa baba at sa laylayan ng lipunan.

Camarines Sur Rep. Leni Robredo, accepting the call to be the running mate of Liberal Part presidential candidate Mar Roxas (Note: Nakatsinelas refers to the common people with whom Leni’s late husband Jess Robredo mingled under his “tsinelas leadership”.)

Walang may influence sa Ombudsman.

Kung kilala niyo yang si Ombudsman Conchita Carpio Morales eh mataray po yan, wala pong may hawak diyan na politiko.

Sen. Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III, dismissing Vice President’s Binay’s claim that Ombudsman Morales is beholden to Malacañang following her order sacking Junjun Binay as mayor of Makati

I still consider myself the luckiest person and being a Marcos is part of that…I congratulate myself for FULL PAGEthe AD right parents. picking Sen. Ferdinand ‘Bongbong’ Marcos Jr., thankful to be born into the Marcos family

Kung maghahanap ka ng talagang hindi pwedeng masasabing ‘trapo’ o traditional politician parang, ‘di ba, ‘yon ang isa sa mga mukha nito -- si Leni Robredo.

We all lose out to Senator Sotto. He’s on the No. 1 TV program every week, every Saturday. . . All [Sotto] has to do is tell a couple of jokes and that’s it. He’s a lucky guy.

Sen. Serge Osmeña, on Sen. Vicente “Tito” Sotto’s hosting job in the noontime show Eat Bulaga! which has enhanced the popularity of Sotto, currently ranked No. 1 in the latest surveys of senatorial candidates

President Aquino, when asked what Camarines Sur Rep. Leni Robredo could contribute to Mar Roxas’ presidential bid

. . . ang inisip ko, kapag pumasok ako kailangan seryoso, walang absent, palaging papasok, dahil buong bansa ang responsibilidad mo.

Sarangani Rep. Manny Pacquiao, the top absentee member of the House of Representatives, vowing to change his ways if elected senator

Yung kayang ipaglaban ang bansa, kahit ikamatay niya.

Piolo Pascual, on what he wants in a President.

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By shakira sison

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RIPLE-SEALED and heavily taped on all surfaces, the large font of its destination is its only distinguishing mark. Its sender does not leave anything to chance during its transport over thousands of ocean miles. Its seams are reinforced several times, sometimes even covered in fabric or rope.

The name and address on the label is made water-resistant by several layers of clear tape.

When it arrives, it looks the part – a package that has been juggled from home to office, from port to port, from car to van, container to ship, from forklift to truck, to a delivery vehicle finally dropping it off at the recipient’s home after months at sea.

Upon opening, the balikbayan box releases an aroma so different from its final destination.

It smells of newness, goodness, and anticipation. It smells of another life.

“Amoy States!” I once said about the balikbayan boxes sent to our home when I was a child.

Even I was not spared the joy of opening a box of presents from what seemed to be the very far, more advanced, more colorful other side.

Whether it comes from Europe, the US, the Middle East, or neighboring Asian countries, this heavy cardboard-bound package smells of a different world.

No matter its contents, the balikbayan box becomes the only tangible connection between an overseas relative and those he or she leaves behind.

Its arrival is much anticipated. Back in my home when I was growing up, the balikbayan box’s delivery date was the talk among the adults for weeks.

Finally opening the box and exposing its contents was always

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The Real Contents of a Balikbayan Box they are left with is to be happy that they will be bringing joy to their relatives’ days by way of a balikbayan box.

A violation

The balikbayan box becomes the only tangible connection between an overseas relative and those he or she leaves behind. met with oohs and ahhs.

A package of love Many OFWs spend their waking hours working in less than ideal situations in order to provide for their families back home. The hardships they face are things many of us cannot even imagine if we’ve never been away in a foreign land.

Most are deployed for years at a time, unable to save enough for even a visit to their families.

Our women take care of other people’s children, our men build other people’s houses.

Our workers grow businesses they couldn’t otherwise start in their homeland.

Yet other than remittances, the one thing that is not missed is the balikbayan box.

Every couple of months, one is filled and packed tightly with objects that are the worker’s family’s desires. Sure there is corned beef, candies, and imported clothes in the Philippines, but it’s always different if it’s padala (sent from abroad). It means it was chosen, saved up for, purchased,

cherished and packed. It means wishes were communicated and dreams will be fulfilled.

Receiving a gift from overseas always means one is in someone’s thoughts even if they’re not within sight.

An OFW mom carefully arranges breakables like gadgets and cellphones in the cushion of clothes. She lines up several pairs of pants estimating the sizes of the children she doesn’t have the luxury to watch as they grow. She sniffs the shirts and embraces them as she puts them in the box – as if she is sending off her hugs and kisses to her babies who sadly won’t receive her touch.

All foreign workers can do is to send these packages and hope they are put to good use. They can only imagine the smiles on their kids’ faces when they receive a much-awaited toy. They will not be there when their families want to hug them in gratitude. They don’t even have an answer as to when they are coming home, or for the other difficult questions they face as a foreign worker. All

Is it any surprise then that we react negatively to someone inspecting, opening up, and pilfering our balikbayan boxes?

To many of us, this feels a personal offense and a theft of our hard work. It is a disrespect of our efforts to provide for our loved ones. Knowing that the agency responsible for these offenses has the reputation of being among the most corrupt in the country doesn’t soothe our worries. Adding a tax on top of this for their revenue doubles this slight.

We feel violated when someone touches our parcels of thoughtfulness. We feel the blow when someone interferes with the way we’ve arranged and prepared our boxes to be opened up by our families.

When someone dares to take something we’ve carefully chosen, selected, and worked hard for, we feel totally wronged.

Because the balikbayan box is our only physical link to many of our families, we feel an interruption in this delicate chain. We feel insulted and furious when part of the reason for our struggles is stolen from us.

Of course, the Bureau of Customs is only doing its job and there are individuals who do abuse the balikbayan box system. But for the majority of overseas workers who rely on this parcel to send presents to their families, the real contents of the balikbayan box is heartache, and its only message to its recipients is love.

It breaks hearts when someone takes advantage of that.

(Rappler.com) n

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Respecting OFWs

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Under an old law, a cargo box sent home by an OFW to his or her family must have a collective value not to exceed Php10,000.

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UREAU OF Customs Deputy Commissioner Arturo Lachica chose his words carefully, refusing even to publicly disclose his agency’s annual deficit in revenue collections during a meeting on balikbayan boxes. He was trying to avoid any misinterpretation, he said.

The BoC heard the message of millions of overseas Filipino workers loud and clear: “Do not mess with our boxes!”

During a dialogue held last week between Customs officials and the OFW coalition composed of several civil society groups and OFW advocates, Commissioner Lachica said that his agency will be liberal in handling balikbayan or care packages sent home by Filipino migrant workers.

OFWs, he said, must no longer fear the following:

• Manual check on a balikbayan box sent by an OFW unless there are derogatory findings after the entire container van containing said box passed through an X-ray machine and the box itself passed through

a smaller X-ray machine; even then, no customs personnel would be allowed to open the box unless a designated representative from the Overseas Workers’ Welfare Administration (OWWA) is present to ensure that no pilferage takes place; and,

• That there would be an increase in the costs of sending balikbayan boxes this Christmas and beyond; if and when the BoC is planning to impose additional fees on forwarding companies, the agency would first undertake public consultations with various stakeholders including the OFWs. Thus, the prices of balikbayan boxes and door-to-door services shall and should remain the same.

How about inspection of luggage belonging to returning OFWs who intend to spend Christmas vacation in their homeland? Liberality would still apply, the BoC said. Lachica said that as long as the vacationing Filipino worker is not bringing home any contraband or an abundance of items that are obviously intended for commercial sale, then that worker has nothing to fear.

Under an old law, a cargo box sent home by an OFW to his or her family must have a collective value not to exceed Php10,000. These items must not be for commercial use, and don’t exceed a dozen of each item. Thus, if the current law is strictly applied, an OFW cannot send home via a balikbayan box more than a dozen soaps, lotions, or chocolates and candies. However, several senators pointed out during a recent public hearing that prices have gone way up, and the Php 10,000 limit is no longer reasonable. Customs Chief Alberto Lina agreed, hence the BoC’s decision to be liberal when it comes to OFW boxes.

Is the balikbayan box issue now over and done with? Vigilance remains necessary. Commissioner Lina had publicly apologized to OFWs and gave strict instructions for customs officers to show utmost respect for care boxes lovingly packed, sealed, and sent home by our modern-day heroes.

What about his staff? And what about the next BoC chief? What would be his or her interpretation of this outdated law?

Sen. Sonny Angara, chairman of the Senate committees on labor and ways and means, expressed hope that the proposed Customs Modernization and Tariff Act shall be enacted soon. Amounts being mentioned as the proper value for a balikbayan box to be tax-exempt range from Php 50,000 to as high as Php 150,000 per box.

The passage of this law offers a permanent solution. Meanwhile, we must hold the BoC to its promise to respect the balikbayan box. For any complaint, an OFW can write to the BoC via helpdesk@customs.gov. ph or search for the Bureau of Customs Public Assistance and Complaints Desk on Facebook.

supports the at Excel London from 2-5 November as we showcase your favourite Philippine destinations to the world

(Arab News)

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Looking Out for No. 2 By paulynn p. sicam

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T is eight months before national elections, and what should be a serious democratic exercise looks to me like an extravaganza of political death-defying antics by a host of clowns — among them five sitting senators who are angling for the vice presidency in a circus of inflated egos and unabashed ambition.

The vice president is literally a spare tire, a heartbeat away from the most powerful post in the land, but usually a nonperforming asset whose reason for being is to respectfully wait for the president to croak in order to gain relevance. But most presidents do not intend to die in office so most VPs just wither away, unremembered.

But the times are different.

Never has the vice-presidency been used directly, consciously and cynically as a shortcut to the presidency. How has it happened that while there are only three people running for president, we now have five senators and one congresswoman gunning for the vice-presidency?

It would make sense to have so many aspirants for VP if the presidential candidates had one foot in the grave. But Grace and Mar are young enough and even Binay, who is in his mid-seventies, looks fit enough to withstand six grueling years in office.

Are these senators after something we don’t know about?

Call me cynical, but are Chiz Escudero, Antonio Trillanes, Ferdinand Marcos Jr., Gregorio Honasan and Alan Peter Cayetano gambling on a Grace Poe victory followed by her disqualification on citizenship issues?

Or a Binay victory followed by impeachment on grounds of corruption? This would provide whoever is VP an easy, painless

Beso beso with Grace Poe and Chiz Escudero.

Three of the 5 sitting Nacionalista senators are running for VP – Bongbong Marcos (extreme left), Antonio Trillanes and Alan Peter Cayetano (4th and 5th from left) and legal route to Malacañang.

Given the seemingly precarious situation of Binay and Poe, the possibilities must be tantalizing to these hungry VP wannabes who otherwise would not come close to being elected president. Expediency is the name of the game, and they will use whatever and whoever they can to get the prize.

It is a strange cast of characters and bedfellows. Honasan, whose murderous gang of coup plotters repeatedly attempted to overthrow Cory Aquino, who was Binay’s president, is running with Cory’s self-styled bodyguard (a.k.a Rambotito).

Binay’s first choice was actually Bongbong Marcos, whose father he fought to remove

from office, but even as he conveniently advised the electorate to “move on” from the trauma of martial law, Bongbong’s family has not, and they repudiated his offer. The shifty Escudero, who is running with the politically naïve Grace Poe, made it possible for Binay to be elected VP by promoting the colorum NoyBi ticket in 2010. And Cayetano, Trillanes, and Marcos, who are all Nacionalista Party members, have broken ranks with the NP to run for the same position, even as the party has been hard put to find a credible presidentiable among them.

What kind of ambition would drive a person to abandon principle and do such major political somersaults?

Trillanes has pledged his allegiance to Grace Poe, who is politically betrothed to Escudero. Marcos and Cayetano are begging Davao Mayor Rodrigo Duterte to run and chose one of them as his running mate.

But Duterte has played it coy, keeping everyone guessing and wishing, perhaps while he ascertains which of these hopefuls can provide the necessary funds for a credible campaign.

Above the fray and beyond the circus atmosphere is the campaign of Mar Roxas, which has gained fresh momentum after Congresswoman Leni Robredo accepted his invitation to run as his VP. Of the six VP hopefuls, only Robredo needed convincing that she would be worthy of the post. While the five senators presented themselves as God’s gift to the Filipino people, Leni agonized over her decision, praying, consulting, weighing, and asking, “Why me?” before finally throwing her hat in the ring.

Leni has entered a circus complete with clowns, dancing horses, lions leaping through rings of fire, trapeze artists flying and high-wire walkers dancing on tight-ropes a hundred feet above trampolines. They intend to keep the electorate entertained — no, mystified — with magic, smoke and mirrors, hoping to be selected as No. 2 come Election Day. But we don’t need a circus to choose a president or vice president. We need candidates who put country above self, principle over expediency, truthfulness over obfuscation, honest service over personal ambition. Apart from the virtuous Leni Robredo, it is slim pickings among the wannabes.

(The Philippine Star) n

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EP. Leni Robredo—the subject of the longest political courtship in Philippine history, according to an irrepressible Sen. Ralph Recto—needed to meet four objectives in her acceptance speech, as the vice presidential candidate of the MarRoxas-led Liberal Party coalition.

Speaking on October 5 in the same storied members’ club where Corazon Aquino took her oath of office as president in 1986, Robredo needed to bring to the occasion the right, becoming, sense of history.

Speaking in the same hall where Benigno Aquino III announced his presidential candidacy as standard-bearer of the rejuvenated Liberals in 2009, she needed to make a compelling case for party and program continuity.

Speaking in the same venue where Roxas made a political sacrifice and gave way to Aquino’s candidacy in 2009, she needed to explain, simply and convincingly, why she was reluctant to accept the summons to run for higher office, and why, despite that, she was nevertheless accepting the challenge to serve as Roxas’ running mate.

And speaking in the same Club Filipino which had served as stage or backdrop to historical personalities, she needed to introduce herself to the country, not simply as the valiant widow of Jesse Robredo, but as a person, a political leader, in her own right.

Judging from public reaction, she met all four objectives with great success.

The first she did simply by being herself: A woman unused to the national spotlight, an obvious bundle of nerves. She knew she could not take the decision to run for higher office lightly, and showed it in her demeanor: Calm but tense, her

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Leni Robredo introduces herself to the country, not simply as the valiant widow of Jesse Robredo, but as a person, a political leader, in her own right.

handkerchief in constant use. But how refreshing it was to see a politician not swaggering with unearned confidence but entirely self-aware about her limitations.

(There was also a neat touch later in the speech, when she pointed out that she had decided to run for Congress exactly three years to the day.)

She met the second objective by talking often and plainly about President Aquino’s brand of governance (at one point, she spoke of a “Golden Age”—something that critics of the Aquino administration will have a field day with, but also something that many reformminded members of the administration must have thought among themselves but had not yet articulated). She also spoke about Roxas’ friendship with her husband, the popular mayor of Naga City and Aquino’s first interior secretary, who perished in a plane crash. She

President Aquino proclaims Mar Roxas and Leni Robredo as the official Liberal Party candidates for president and vice president. Joining them on stage are (L-R) Roxas’ mother Judy Araneta-Roxas and wife Korina Sanchez, Robredo’s daughters Tricia, Jillian and Aika. tied the two strands together with a simple declaration: “Malinaw po sa akin na si Secretary Mar Roxas ang magpapatuloy sa daang matuwid na sinimulan ng administrasyon ng ating mahal na Pangulo” (It is clear to me that Secretary Mar Roxas is the one to continue the straight path started by the administration of our beloved President).

She met the third objective

by acknowledging her reservations from her first sentence.

“Dumating na po ang araw na sinusubukan naming magiina na harapin nang buong tapang” (The day I and my daughters have tried to face with full courage—that day has come). She spoke about her initial response to the news that she was being considered for the position: “Bakit ako? Sa dinami-dami ng puwedeng pagpilian, bakit ako pa?” (Why me?

Of the many possible choices, why me of all people?) She addressed her daughters, whose lives will be, as Roxas said in his introduction, “put on hold,” with words of gratitude and assurance.

And then she introduced herself: She was not merely Jesse’s devoted wife and firm supporter. With his help, she had achieved her childhood dream, of becoming a lawyer like her father, by studying at night while working during the day. And when she passed the bar, she chose the more difficult path: “Noon pong nakamit ko ang matagal ko nang minimithi, ipinangako ko po sa aking sarili na gagamitin ko sa tama ang ipinagkaloob sa akin” (When I reached my lifelong goal, I promised myself that I would use what was given to me the right way). To this end, she said, she served first in the Public Attorney’s Office, providing legal counsel to those who could not afford it. And then she joined an alternative lawyers’ group, in which capacity she was able to work with “farmers, fishermen, workers, the urban poor, women, youth, indigenous people.”

It was an introduction that made people, even those looking cynically at campaign politics, sit up and take notice. “Hindi po ako si Jesse,” she said at one point. I am not Jesse. She must have meant it as a disclaimer, but it came across as a simple, subtle affirmation: I am my own person. (Editorial, Philippine Daily Inquirer, October 7, 2015) n

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After 46 Years, Iconic InterContinental Manila to Close Doors I

NTERCONTINENTAL Manila, one of the first 5-star hotels in the country, will be “closing soon” as the hotel management contract between AyalaLand Hotels and Resorts Corporation’s (AHRC) subsidiary and InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) ends on December 31, 2015.

The closure of the 46-yearold hotel, designed by National Artist Leandro Locsin, was announced as Ayala Land Incorporated (ALI) unveiled its plans on October 9 for a new commercial, mixed-use development.

The new commercial development is aimed at transforming the entrance of Ayala Center in Makati City into a modern gateway, ““with first-of-its-kind intermodal transport facility designed especially for the commuting public,” ALI said in a statement.

InterContinental Manila, with address at No. 1 Ayala Avenue, sits on a portion of the property that ALI plans to redevelop.

The hotel is regarded as the longest operating international chain hotel in the Philippines, which opened on April 11, 1969, also as part of the overall redevelopment plan for Makati City.

It also holds the distinction of being the first 5-star, deluxe hotel in the city and the second InterContinental hotel to open in the region. In 2006, it updated its 332 guest rooms and suites, incorporating traditional and modern Filipino design.

After almost 40 years of operations, the Mandarin Oriental Manila hotel announced its closure June 2014, but also said it will reopen by 2020.

The first 5-star hotel in Makati, InterContinental Manila will give way to Ayala Land’s new commercial, mixed-use development plan.

46-year legacy Over the years, the InterContinental Manila became a venue of choice and place of comfort among foreign dignitaries and international guests – from business travelers to foreign artists.

It also became part of the Philippines’ tumultuous political history when, in December 1989, army troopers took their positions on the sidewalk beside the hotel and in the car park behind it to fend off rebel soldiers involved in a coup attempt.

“We thank InterContinental Hotels Group for the long and fruitful partnership which spans 46 years. It was one of the first developments that helped to establish Makati as a premier central business district, and this legacy will be upheld by the continuous enhancement of Makati,” Ayala Land Vice President and Head of Operations for Makati Manny A. Blas said in a statement.

Leanne Harwood, vice president for operations in Southeast Asia of IHG said in a statement: “While we are sad to close the InterContinental Manila, we are thankful for the valued partnership with AHRC. IHG continues to manage AHRC’s other property in the city, Holiday Inn & Suites Makati. We remain focused on our growth in the Philippines and look forward to further opportunities with the group.”

AHRC Chief Operating Officer Michael Alexis Legaspi said also in a statement that all InterContinental Manila regular employees were first informed of the closure and assured of ample support and assistance.

“We express our deep appreciation to our hotel colleagues and assure them that we are looking after their welfare, and we will assist them in making the transition as smooth as possible,” Legaspi added.

This is the second hotel in its league to close in Makati

City in a span of a year.

After almost 40 years of operations, the Mandarin Oriental Manila hotel announced its closure June 2014, but also said it will reopen by 2020.

The group said it signed a long-term management contract to brand and manage the new hotel to be developed and owned also by Ayalaland Hotels & Resorts, a unit of ALI.

Next phase Blas said the property firm’s plan is the next phase of its Makati revitalization plan, which also consists of the redevelopment of McKinley Exchange, Ayala Triangle, City Gate, and Circuit Makati.

“We deliberately planned the Ayala Center redevelopment in such a way that all of its property components are pulled together by an expansive, modern, and comfortable intermodal transport facility, which will ultimately ease traffic and pedestrian flow in the EDSA-Ayala area,” Blas added.

He also said that “by constantly striving to change the landscape and optimizing the use of space, we believe that the Makati Central Business District will remain competitive and continue to contribute significantly to the country’s economic development in the years to come.” (Rappler.com) n

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PHL move to cleaner fuel cuts imports

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HE PHILIPPINES’ move to cleaner fuel from January next year has cut imports of diesel, with a major refinery upgrading units to produce fuel meeting the new LONDONrequirement, industry JULY2012 2015 Splash PHILIPPINES 15 3 APRIL sources said.

Oil companies are required to be ready with the more environmentally friendly Euro-IV compliant diesel and gasoline fuels by Jan. 1, 2016. The fuels have a sulphur content of 50 parts per million (ppm) compared with 500 ppm at present.

The Philippines’ Petron Corp finished upgrading its 180,000 barrels-per-day (bpd) refinery in Bataan to produce Euro-IV compliant FULL PAGE AD fuels earlier this year, indusFULL FULL PAGE PAGE AD AD try sources said.

The upgrade, which involved installing a fluid catalytic The ADB has urged the Philippines to use fuel markers to prevent losing $750 million/yr to fuel tax fraud. cracking unit and a coker unit to convert heavy fuels to “white products” such as prepare for the new mandate, cies offer the temptation to Fuel fraud has a more setake advantage of price ar- vere financial impact on desaid. jet fuel, gasoline and diesel, industry sources FULL PAGE AD boosted refinery output by “Everyone has to probably bitrage by perpetrating fuel veloping countries because make the switch by Novem- fraud that falls into two cat- fuel costs often represent a up to 40 percent.

Petron has stopped import- ber or December so that they egories: Tax evasion and sub- greater portion of their gross domestic product compared have time to clear out their sidy abuse. ing diesel in the spot market HE HE PHILIPPINES PHILIPPINES hashas gone gone phone phone operators to work to work antisocial antisocial tooperators developed nations.

It also since May, from and is regional expected toto totanks and replace with the The ADB cited reports thathours from regional laggard laggard hours — — is is compensated compensated for for by by causes high harm to the envithe Philippines has been los-comparatively meet its domestic re-fast-new fuels,” one source said. become become onediesel one of the of the fastcomparatively high wages. wages. ronment by replacing qualing $750 million annually inThese est-growing economies economies quirementsest-growing from its upgradThese higher higher incomes incomes have have created created in Southeast Southeast Asia Asia over overFUEL MARKERS fuel with adulterants tax revenues because fuela new a ity new socio-economic socio-economic class class — the — the or ed refinery,in industry sources thethe past past fewfew years. years.

“BPO consumer” consumer” — who — who earn, earn, spend spend waste by-products, resulting Asian Development Bank smuggling has adulterated“BPO said.

HE PHILIPPINES has goneIndia phone operators toand work antisocial TheThe Philippines Philippines hashas overtaken overtaken India and borrow more more than than their their Filipino Filipino in borrow increased fuel consumpits— supply (ADB) has urged countries fuel products in “Soin far, the production from regional laggardfrom to hours is compensated for by the in the ranking ranking of outsourcing of outsourcing destidestipeers. peers.

More More than than a quarter a quarter of BPO of BPO become of the fast- to comparatively high wages. tion post-tax and increased greenthe Philippines, chain. thenations, refinery is one sufficient nations, measured measured by revenues by revenues andandincluding employees’ employees’ post-tax income income is spent is spent est-growing economies These higher incomes have created house gas emissions that Not only the Philippines but which has been losing $750 headcount, headcount, and and Manila Manila has has nudged nudged meet local demand,” one on on shopping, shopping, dining outout andand other other in Southeast Asia over a new socio-economic class — the dining ahead of Mumbai of years.

Mumbai as the as the call-centre call-centremillion annually in fuel tax worsen airaccording pollution.

Illegal all countries are“BPO susceptible theahead past few activities, activities, according to Aseto Asesource said.

Imports could consumer” — leisure wholeisure earn, spend The Philippines has overtaken India to to capital capital of of the the world, world, according according borrow more than their Filipino surveys. an Confidential an Confidential surveys. fuel-laundering plants often for developfraud, to use fuel markers as to fuel fraud. Butand resume if domestic demand in consultancy, the ranking Tholons. of outsourcing peers. More than aThe quarter of BPO consultancy, Tholons. destiThe BPO BPO industry’s industry’s rapid rapid growth growth indiscriminately dump waste which post-tax every income a way to fight fuel tax fraud ing economies inemployees’ rose or supply was disrupted. nations, measured by revenues and is spent OneOne advantage advantage thatthat thethe Philippines Philippines — it — now it now makes makes up up 6 per 6 per cent cent of of headcount, and Manila hasoperates nudged in the countryside, on shopping, dining outproducts and other dollar counts, fuel fraud can arising from smuggling, adulRoyal Dutch Shell enjoys enjoys over over other other BPOBPO outsourcoutsourcGDP GDP — to has —Asehas hadhad a knock-on a knock-on effect effect ahead of Mumbai as the call-centre leisure activities, according causing additional environsubstantially reduce a gov-on on theing Philippines other refining centres centres is world, cheaper is cheaper office office rents. rents.teration and dilution of fuels, the the overall overall economy, economy, buoying buoying capital of the according to an Confidential surveys. mental damage apart from ernment’s total revenues.

Prime Prime office office space space Manila in Manila canof can be beand outright theft. consultancy, Tholons. ery, which has a incapacity other other sectors sectors and and creating creating millions millions The BPO industry’s rapid growth One advantage that the Philippines rented rented for for just just two-thirds two-thirds — it now makes up per cent of jobs. of 6indirect of indirect jobs.

BPOBPO now now rivals rivals re- rethe fact that adulterants also their 110,000 bpd.

Itover isover unclear ifof ofAn ADB report noted that Countries that subsidize enjoys over other BPO outsourcGDP — has had a mittances knock-on effect thethe costcost of space space in Mumbai, in Mumbai, while whilewhile mittances from from overseas overseas workers workers diminish engine performance tooverall losses governments world- fuels are susceptible it is toisofproduce ingable centres cheaper officeEuro-IV rents. on the economy, buoying it isit also is also cheaper cheaper than than Delhi, Delhi, BangBangas as the the Philippines’ Philippines’ largest largest revenue revenue Prime officefuels. space in Manila can be and lifespan, leading to inwide have developed various due to their low-priced other sectorsfuels and creating millions compliant kok, kok, Guangzhou, Guangzhou, Taipei Taipei andand Seoul, Seoul, generator, generator, its its rapid rapid emergence emergence rented for just over two-thirds of of indirect jobs. BPO now rivalsand re- and creased spending on vehicle exiting to other countries fuel taxation programs to Fuel importers already according global to global property property agency agency theaccording cost ofto space inhave Mumbai, while has has encouraged encouraged large large numbers numbers of of mittances from overseas workers The The Philippines Philippines has has overtaken overtaken India India in the in ranking the ranking of outsourcing of outsourcing destinations bythe revenues. byPhilippines’ revenues. maintenance. with fuel destinations prices aligned withworkers fund essential services Colliers.

Colliers. it is also Delhi, Bangstarted tocheaper ship than in cleaner die- help as largest revenue workers thatthat might might have have sought sought op-opkok, Guangzhou, Taipei and Seoul, generator, and its rapid emergence But the the country’s country’s chief chief selling selling point pointthat international market benefit their portunities portunities abroad abroad to stay to stay at home. at home. sel,But while others are clearing neutral neutral accent accent andand hashas a cultural acitizens, cultural af- af- other other endend of the of the phone phone want. want.prices, according to global property agencypophas encouraged large numbers of aislarge a large young young and and educated educated finity finity with with thethe west. west.

It just is just what The The drawback drawback of global of global time time zones zones the report said. major price discrepanoutisColliers. their retail outlet tanks topopThe Philippines hasfuel overtaken India inIttheis ranking ofwhat outsourcing destinations by revenues. workers that might have sought op-

Manila Manilaeclipses eclipsesMumbai Mumbaiasasoutsourcing outsourcingmagnet magnet

T T eclipses Mumbai as outsourcing magnet Manila T

ulation ulation thatthat speaks speaks English English with with a a North (Good (Good News News Pilipinas) Pilipinas) North American American customers customers on on thethe — — which which require require many many Filipino Filipino But the country’s chief selling point portunities abroad to stay at home. neutral accent and has a cultural afother end of the phone want. is a large young and educated population that speaks English with a

finity with the west. It is just what North American customers on the

The drawback of global time zones — which require many Filipino

(Good News Pilipinas)

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HREE restaurants from the Philippines are among “Asia’s 101 Best Restaurants for 2015”, according to the New York-based food website, The Daily Meal.

Now on its third annual edition, the list officially named Bale Dutung of Angeles City, Pampanga; Purple Yam in Malate, Manila; and Rural Kitchen in Liliw, Laguna, as newcomers on their list.

To represent as wide a geographical area as possible, the website started with 520 nominees in 43 cities, in 15 countries plus Hong Kong and Macau.

After a thorough deliberation, the website consulted with 50 experts, which included restaurant critics, food and lifestyle writers, and bloggers with wide restaurant-going experience. The experts then voted

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3 Filipino Restaurants Among ‘Asia’s 101 Best Restaurants’ for their favorites, country by country based on four categories—cuisine; decor, service and experience; and value for money and essentials.

Here’s what The Daily Meal has to say about the three Filipino restaurants: Bale Dutung (#98) -“Tucked inside chef Claude Tayag’s home, Bale Dutung welcomes diners by reservation only. Consistently positioned on top restaurant lists and praised by the likes of Anthony Bourdain, Bale Dutung serves Filipino cuisine in an old-school house decorated with antiques and a gallery of the chef’s art.

The restaurant specializes in

Bale Datung’s famous Kapampangan cuisine.

Kapampangan dishes prepared from scratch, but Tavag adds a twist to old family recipes and his wife shares a little history and background on each dish as it is presented to guests.”

Rural Kitchen (#64) -- “The entirety of this 14-table restaurant — food, design, branding — is an ode to chef Justin Sarabia’s lola (grandmother). Nearly all of the dishes on the menu are from her recipes and nearly all of the ingredients are sourced from the chef’s hometown of Liliw, about two hours away from Manila.”

Purple Yam (#60) -- “The menu is mostly Filipino, but also includes inspirations from across Asia with signature dishes seldom experienced outside a family home.

Try the pork cheek pandesal (yeast bread) slider with Kesong Puti cheese, the Sorogon Bay crabcakes with green papaya salad, or the house-cured tuna with organic duck eggs and local greens.” n

6 in 10 Expats Integrate Well in PH – Survey SIX in 10 or 65% of expatriates living in the Philippines find it easy to fit in with their local colleagues, the results of a HSBC Holdings Plc survey released October 2 revealed.

The HSBC Expat Explorer survey also showed that a majority of expats living in the Philippines (57%) said they find their work to be more fulfilling since relocating, a sentiment shared by expats in Malaysia (55%), Indonesia (54%), and mainland China (53%).

The Philippines was identified by 24% of the respondents as a good destination for expats to “feel at home” from their first day. The same sentiment is shared by expats in Bahrain

(28%) and Spain (24%).

“The importance of making new friends is a key part of feeling at home with over half (51%) of expats saying this is the most important milestone for them. As well as making friends, 38% of expats globally say understanding the local culture is essential to settling in,” HSBC said.

Expat partners also saw the benefits to their relationship of moving overseas. Of those who moved abroad to support their partner, over half (54%) said the change has brought them closer together in their relationship, compared to only 13% who said this is not the case.

The Philippines is among

the countries where most expat couples said they experienced a closer relationship.

HSBC Philippines’ Retail Banking and Wealth Management Head Gigi Pio de Roda said that expats migrate to other countries to further their career progression, expand their current knowledge and skill-set, as well as boost network connections that could pave way for a booming future.

This involves making complex decisions in managing finances, integrating into the local culture, building a family, and saving for retirement.

The Philippines ranks 9th in the family league table, where

an expat’s relationships, education, childcare, impact of raising and integrating children abroad, are reviewed.

“Indeed, an expat in the Philippines can feel much at ‘home’ where they integrate well with the locals whose warmth and hospitality come naturally.

When expats go home or leave the Philippines for another assignment, they have already gained Filipino friends for life,” Pio de Roda said.

Expats rank Southeast Asia as the best place for career satisfaction, with 4 of the top 5 destinations (the Philippines, Malaysia, Indonesia, and China) located in the region. (Rappler. com) n

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PH rises 5 notches in WEF competitiveness rankings

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HE PHILIPPINES is now ranked 5th among nine Southeast Asian countries, and 47th among 140 economies. The country was in 52nd spot in the 2014-2015 WEF. The global survey places the country in the top third of the index. The report noted the improvement of the Philippines ranking since 2007, moving it up 17 places.

Responding to the report Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said, “Our current rank of 47 – compared to last year’s 52 – fur-

ther cements our reputation as a bright spot in Asia, an attractive destination for foreign investment, and a better place to do business for Filipinos.”

The Makati Business Club noted the efforts of Philippine agencies that earned the improved ranking but called on government to provide solutions to issues that affect the country’s competitiveness.

“We also recognize that inefficient government bureaucracy, inadequate supply of infrastructure, and corruption are the most problemat-

ic factors to doing business in the Philippines,” the group said.

The WEF started the GCI in 2004 to define competitive-

ness by factors, policies, and institutions that determine the productivity level of a country. (Good News Pilipinas)

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HILIPPINE firms are on an unprecedented global shopping spree, spending billions on everything from vineyards to food manufacturers and casinos, reflecting the nation’s recent economic rise.

A combination of strong domestic growth, bargain prices in retreating economies abroad and rock-bottom borrowing rates have fuelled the acquisitions, analysts said.

The Philippines has for years exported shopping malls and junk food to the region, but cashed-up Filipino firms have diversified in recent years with acquisitions around the world and in many sectors.

“It has not happened in this rapid succession. It’s like a colonial mentality in reverse,” said Luis Limlingan, research head at Manila stock brokerage Regina Capital.

The pace of the acquisitions has startled both local and foreign investors, according to BDO Unibank chief market strategist Jonathan Ravelas.

“Filipino companies are moving into the global space and it’s not limited to just one sector. The opportunities abound,” he said.

Big-ticket acquisitions In one of the most-recent bigticket acquisitions, local instant noodle firm Monde Nissin said last month it was buying British meat substitute manufacturer Quorn for $833 million.

In the last two years, the private company also snapped up popular fruit juice brand Nudie and chilled dips manufacturer Black Swan, both from Australia, for undisclosed amounts.

Monde Nissin is owned by Betty Ang, who started her company 30 years ago and is now the nation’s 19th richest person with a net worth of $900 million, according to Forbes magazine.

Meanwhile, Emperador, a

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PH Firms in Billion-Dollar Global Shopping Spree Bloombery Resorts firm announced it was buying an island and part of another one in South Korea for his first overseas gaming foray.

Analysts said these were some of the highestprofile acquisitions overseas, but there were many others in a wide range of sectors, including telecommunications, power, fast food and oil.

Jollibee Foods has entered the US burger market by buying into the American fast-growing premium burger chain Smashburger. company controlled by the Philippines’ fourth richest man, Andrew Tan, and which specializes in cheap brandy at home, is looking to spend more than $1 billion on diversifying in Europe.

In May, the company said it would bid to acquire French cognac maker Louis Royer SAS. There has been no resolution in that attempt yet but last year it paid $726 million for Scottish whisky maker Whyte and Mackay.

Emperador also spent $82 million last year for half of Spanish brandy producer Bodega Las Copas.

The Philippines’ third-richest man, Enrique Razon, has made headlines by expanding on the port operator business that has made him his fortune by setting his sights on the Asian gaming market.

He opened a billion-dollar casino in Manila in 2013, and then in March this year his

Monde Nissin is the maker of Lucky Me, the No. 1 selling instant noodle in the country.

Meanwhile, fast-food giant Jollibee Foods Corp. (JFC) has made its biggest overseas investment to date by buying into the American company that owns and operates fastgrowing premium burger chain Smashburger.

Jollibee has entered into a deal to acquire 40 percent of Denver-based Smashburger Master LLC for $99 million.

“This acquisition will make JFC’s presence in the US more significant, going beyond the Filipino market and serving mainstream consumers in the $100 billion US burger market,” JFC chair and founder Tony Tan Caktiong said.

Awash with cash Filipino firms are leveraging their earnings from a robust local economy to snap up bargains in countries where growth has slowed, analysts said.

“These companies have huge stashes of cash and they are maximizing it to complement their existing businesses,” said Astro del Castillo, managing director at Manila stock brokerage First Grade Holdings.

The Philippines had for decades endured low economic growth compared with other Asian tiger economies, partly due to crippling corruption and red tape. But in recent years the economy has been one of the strongest in Asia, averaging growth of 6.3 percent between 2010 and 2014.

President Benigno Aquino III, whose six-year term ends in 2016, has been widely credited overseas for the economic gains due to his efforts to tackle graft and stifling government bureaucracy.

This year the economy has slowed but still expanded by 5.3 percent in the first half.

But many of the enduring problems remain at home and these are forcing the local firms to look elsewhere, according to Victor Abola, an economist at the University of Asia and the Pacific.

“It’s not so much a lack of growth opportunities (locally),” Abola said, explaining why Filipino companies were investing abroad. “It’s about the government changing the rules of the game midstream... and slow action on proposals.” (Agence France-Presse) n

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BPOs seen to surpass OFW remittances

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HE ECONOMY is on the brink of a structural shift, with revenues from call centers and other outsourcing firms expected to soon match the contribution of cash transfers from migrant workers.

Overseas Filipino workers’ (OFWs) remittances served as the economy’s main anchor to stability for decades. But these inflows have started to slow and business process outsourcing (BPO) firms are expected to pick up the slack.

“That should reinforce the strength of our consumption,” said BDO chief market strategist Jonathan Ravelas in an interview. Private consumption, which OFW remittances fuel, account for two-thirds of domestic output.

OFW remittances accounted for nearly a tenth of gross domestic product (GDP) last year, reaching a record-high $24 billion. Last July, however, remittances grew by 0.5 percent, matching January’s expansion that was the slowest in six

Revenues from BPO firms are expected to surpass remittances from OFWs in the new future.

years at the time. from the Bangko Sentral ng Ravelas said July’s slowdown Pilipinas (BSP) showed. might be a result of the peso’sPAGE “But AD this is practically only FULL recent depreciation. A weaker half of the strong structural currency lets OFWs send less inflows,” said Joey Cuyegkeng, money while still providing the ING Bank’s economist in Masame level of support for their nila. families.

Finance Secretary Cesar V. PuriRemittances will grow by 5 persima earlier said that BPO revecent this year to a new record nues were on track to eclipsing high $25.6 billion, projections remittances as the economy’s

main source of strength. By 2017, the BPO industry is expected to rake in $28.9 billion from a projected $21.2 billion this year.

BDO’s Ravelas said remittances might grow at a faster pace later this year as the holiday season approaches.

Apart from supporting domestic consumption, remittances are also the biggest form of dollar income for the Philippines.

The steady supply of foreign currencies, which companies and the government need to do business with the rest of the world, helps keep the currency stable.

Due to the stable supply of dollars from recurring sources such as remittances and outsourcing, the economy never runs out of dollars needed to pay for imported goods such as fuel and food, and for foreign debt payments. A shortfall in foreign exchange will force the public and private sectors to buy the dollars they need from overseas, which would depreciate the peso. (Inquirer)

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Showbuzz Bossing, Pauleen to wed in January 2016 LOVEBIRDS Vic Sotto and Pauleen Luna have disclosed that they are getting married this coming January but would not yet reveal the exact date.

Pauleen told the Philippine Entertainment Portal on Oct. 8 that the wedding will be in January. Vic also prefers that he and Pauleen to simultaneously announce the date.

The two are busy preparing for the big event.

“Every week nagmi-meet na kami with the [wedding] coordinator,” said Pauleen. “Ngayon medyo final na yung caterer, and then the one who will make my dress and Vic’s suit. May venue na rin yung kasal at yung reception.”

Pauleen said most of the

Liza is sticking by Enrique’s side “I KNOW who the real Enrique Gil is.”

This was the simple explanation offered by Liza Soberano when she was asked by reporters why she stood

by Enrique after he recently made headlines over a drunken incident that also involved Jessy Mendiola.

“To be honest, because I know who he is. I was with him the whole time. I’m always with him every day. I know who the real Enrique Gil is. I know what happened,” she said.

Liza said she is also grateful to their fans who expressed their support during the time when Enrique needed it the most.

“I’m very thankful for that, that they supported us despite—siyempre there are always different sides to the story. Hindi pa rin sila nagpaapekto even though there were some bad sides, there were some good sides. Solid pa rin sila. I’m thankful that they did that for Quen during the time that he needed it,” she said.

While their tandem has a

Save the date for the lovebirds. principal and secondary sponsors are their colleagues in Eat Bulaga, called Dabarkads.

The couple are also busy finishing their love nest in an exclusive village in Laguna.

“Siguro nasa 75 percent na [tapos]. We’re just waiting for

the windows na dumating. Pag dumating yun, dire-diretso na siya. Okay na, may porma na siya. Target time namin to finish is around December,” said Pauleen.

Asked if they would have a prenuptial agreement, the 26year-old bride-to-be said, “Wala.

Hindi namin napapag-usapan ‘yan. Siyempre, iba-iba naman ang opinyon ng mga tao with prenup. Pero kasi, para sa akin, parang medyo nakakawalang respeto sa babae kung bibigyan mo ng prenup. Kasi pakakasalan mo pa kung hindi mo naman siya tina-trust. That’s my take on it. Of course, merong ibang tao na iba naman ang opinyon.”

Piolo glad at Sharon’s glee over his reconciliation with KC ‘I know who the real Enrique Gil is.’ huge following, Liza said she is open to being paired with other actors in the future.

“Siyempre as an actor, you have to be open to those kinds of things. Hindi puwedeng stick to one lang. That’s why you’re an actor. You’re supposed to be versatile when it comes to emotions, to experiencing different things,” she said. “Ayaw ko naman na ang tingin ng tao, iisa lang ang kaya kong gawin. Siyempre if the management gives me another project na bagong partner, bagong genre, why not? Gusto ko ‘yun.”

Liza and Enrique’s latest project is the upcoming movie Everyday I Love You, which also stars Gerald Anderson.

“NAKAKATABA ng puso,” said Piolo Pascual as he described his feelings after Sharon Cuneta said she was happy over his reconciliation with her daughter KC Concepcion.

“It’s a thorn off my chest,” Piolo told reporters.

Piolo and KC ended their relationship in 2011 after more than a year of being together.

The two patched things up last month during their trip to London for the ASAP 20 Live in London concert.

In an interview a month later, Sharon said she was “very happy” over their reconciliation.

“Ay, I’m very happy. I’m very happy!” Sharon said, adding she regretted whatever she said against Piolo before.

KC and Piolo reconciled in London last September.

Piolo said he “always makes sure that I am at peace with everyone in the show business industry.”

“Sino ba naman ang ayaw ng ganun. Napakaliit ng industiya natin. Napakaliit ng mundo ng showbiz para magkaroon tayo ng kaaway, ng iniiwasan.

Yun ang iniiwasan ko sa lahat, ayokong pumapasok sa trabaho with a heavy heart,” he said.

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Showbuzz Gerald mum on Kim’s revelation about cheating ex

Vina and her unnamed French boyfriend in London last month.

After 7 years Vina finds new love VINA Morales has a reason to smile these days.

She recently admitted that she’s dating a French businessman, whom she declined to name.

“I’ve been single for a long while now. After seven years, I’ve finally found a man who makes me happy,” she told the Philippine Daily Inquirer.

She met the mystery guy at a party hosted by former Ilocos Sur Gov. Chavit Singson.

“I’m not yet ready to share a lot of details about him. I can only say that he’s special to me. We get along really well,” said Vina, adding that the guy has already met her family, including her daughter Ceana. “I’m glad that they all get along well,” she said.

Ceana, 6, is her daughter by ex-boyfriend businessman Cedric Lee, who was involved in the mauling of TV host Vhong Navarro last year.

GERALD Anderson refused to comment on Kim Chiu’s revelation in a TV interview that she knows first-hand how it feels to be cheated on by her former boyfriend.

While Kim did not mention Gerald’s name in the interview, the actress told host Vice Ganda that she only had one past relationship. The two former “Pinoy Big Brother” housemates broke up in 2010.

Speaking to reporters, Gerald politely declined to say anything about the matter.

“No [ayaw ko po mag-comment]. Basta manood po kayo ng ‘Everyday I Love You’ and ‘Etiquette for Mistresses,’” he said.

Everyday is Gerald’s latest project while Kim appears in Etiquette in the role of the other woman.

Asked if he misses having a special someone every time he sees his two co-stars Liza

Kim claims Gerald was a “two-timer.”

Soberano and Enrique Gil in ‘Everyday’, he replied, “Oo siyempre naman. . . I have feelings also. I go through mga ups and downs also. Tao din ako, may nami-miss din po ako. Pero ganun po talaga ang buhay. Isa sa mga natutunan ko sa movie na ito, minsan sa simula ng relasyon, sobrang saya niyo and

then one day gigising ka realizing na baka I’m holding her back from something para maachieve niya ‘yung mga dreams niya or baka [the relationship] is holding me back para sa selfachievement ko.”

But he stressed that he is not yet ready to enter into a new relationship.

Maja, Kim start to rebuild friendship MAJA Salvador could not help but get teary-eyed as she opened up about her former best friend Kim Chiu, In an interview on Tonight With Boy Abunda, Maja disclosed that she and Kim are starting to rebuild their friendship., although she refused to provide details of what exactly happened to them in the past, “May mga bagay na kami lang ni Kim ang nakakaalam at ayaw ko na pong idetalye ‘yon at ayaw ko na ding balikan,” said Maja. “Kasi ngayon sobrang happy ako na okay kami ni Kim na minsan parang paba-

Kim and Maja are friends again lik na ‘yung friendship.”

“Kasi minsan iba kaming mag-usap sa ‘ASAP.’ Sobrang masaya ako kung ano ang estado, kung ano ang mayroon

kami ni Kim, papuntang friendship po. Kasi kung nawasak ‘yung dati, sobrang nadurog ito, paunti-unti binubuo,” she added.

The two Kapamilya actresses were estranged for a year because of Maja’s relationship with Gerald Anderson, who was Kim’s former boyfriend.

Kim and Maja only patched things up in April 2014. A year later, Gerald and Maja broke up.

Maja said she is still open to becoming friends with Gerald.

“He’s a nice person,” she said.

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By gabbie tatad

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HE was nowhere, then suddenly everywhere, much like glitter at a Katy Perry fete. In what most people would deem as a relatively short time, Coleen Garcia has become the quintessential face of rising stardom. But much like every seemingly “overnight” success, it’s taken a lot more than a pretty face and a killer bod to be crowned a box office sensation.

“I’ve been working since I was two,” says Coleen. “I did commercials. It actually never crossed my mind to try acting; the road just kind of presented itself to me. I wasn’t chasing it, but when I got the chance, I had to try it. It was kind of a leap of faith.”

It was in 2014 that she hit a real turning point. After a slew of smaller roles and co-hosting It’s Showtime, Coleen landed the supporting role of Janna in the independent film #Y, directed by Gino M. Santos.

Santos says of Coleen, “I’ve learned that limiting her to a supporting role is just limiting potential that she has as an actress. She’s ready to take on any role given to her.” Spotlights were lit, and they were just waiting to shine on a star like Coleen Garcia.

In 2015, she was added to the main cast of Pasion de Amor. Here, she plays Jamie Elizondo, who is the very picture of naiveté. “The show itself is understood to be sexy because of the original series. But I’m the bunso who’s always covered, always in pants, never really doing anything you could ever call sexy,” Coleen says with a laugh.

Fresh, cleanly scrubbed, and hemlines all within a conservative measure, Coleen seemed destined to ride the Sweetness

The

Rise Coleen of

Garcia

Express, the stereotype that is the death of most promising young actresses.

Beyond expectations But in September 2015, Coleen would once again team up with Santos to headline the Star Cinema release Ex With Benefits, starring opposite Derek Ramsay.

She plays Arkie, whose foremost talent is being able to use her body to get what she wants — a grave and risqué departure from the girl next door selling us Skin White and Nestea.

Audience reception of the film was truly unprecedented — it earned P8 million on opening day alone. “Coleen went beyond expectations,” says Kriz Gazmen, creative director of Star Cinema. “She has proven that there is infinitely more to her than her beauty and sexiness. She is smart, sensitive and talented. We are excited with

our next projects with Coleen and to groom her into the star that she is destined to be.”

Naturally, the spotlights turned up the heat, and news outlets wanted to know if Coleen was the next sexy starlet to watch.

Coleen takes in all the hoopla and laughs it off. “I don’t want to be typecast. After this movie, I plan on doing other projects and exploring different things. The reason I did this movie was because the story had heart. Something caused Arkie to be that way, and it reinforces the fact that everyone goes through their own kind of pain. Even if the way she deals with things is unique, it’s very relatable. The sexiness of (the film) doesn’t take away from the story and won’t eat up what it has to say.”

Breaking convention What makes Coleen remarkable is that she stands out in

an industry that sanctifies the formula above else: She breaks convention. Most stars of recent years have risen to fame as half of a duo, or the classic marketing style of a love team. Most women are given roles that are either the girl next door, the best friend, or the minx — never all at once, and certainly not breaking the stereotype once it’s been established. She approaches her choices in acting roles with an admirable levelheadedness, a belief in the story, and an undercurrent of true, raw talent that cannot be beat.

And what makes her a real trailblazer is that her success is not a mere product of being at the right place at the right time; it is the consistency of hard work and the willingness to make sacrifices for greater opportunity.

For instance, fame inevitably puts pressure on one’s personal privacy. There’s been major focus on Coleen’s ongoing romantic relationship with fellow celebrity, Billy Crawford.

With the release of Ex With Benefits, there is a lot of interest in his reaction to her sexier work, but Coleen says he’s much cooler than most people realize. “It definitely makes a difference that we’re both in the same industry. But it makes an even greater difference that he’s been here in this industry for 29 years. He’s seen how hard people work, he’s seen how hard I work, and he understands how much work it takes to make things happen. He really understands me and I’m so grateful for that.”

Then, there is the huge shift in the day-to-day. Wrangling the star for an interview involved competing with taping for Pasion, barely an hour of sleep, and several talk show guest spots.

“It’s a good feeling to realize that your work is being recognized,” says Coleen. “But it’s something that’s really overwhelming . . . now, there’s just not enough time. I barely get enough sleep, and it really eats up a lot of time.

It’s been an adjustment.” (The Philippine Star) n

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By chrisee dela paz

A

BOUT 9 in 10 or 90% of Filipino workers lie awake at night wondering how they can stretch their money when they retire, as they struggle today with little savings and almost no government support, a recent study conducted by The Global Aging Institute and Pru Life UK showed.

“Based on a 2015 study, majority of Filipino workers today are very anxious about exhausting their savings, being in poor health, and having no one to care for them or being a burden on their children when they retire,” Pru Life UK Chief Marketing Officer Belle Tiongco told reporters at an insurance seminar last month.

Tiongco cited a study entitled “From Challenge to Opportunity: Wave 2 of the East Asia Retirement Survey,” which covered 10 countries in Asia.

The retirement survey showed that the Philippines is second to Vietnam (95%) in terms of being anxious on retirement prospects.

This was followed by Indonesia (83%) South Korea (81%), Thailand (79%), Malaysia (68%), Singapore (66%), Hong Kong (64%), Taiwan (60%) and China (50%).

Only 68% of Filipino workers expect to receive Social Security System or Pag-Ibig Fund benefits when they retire, while 8% expect to receive income from financial assets like insurance, stocks, and bonds, according to the survey.

Work doesn’t end at 60 Although many Filipino retirees do not have pensions and personal savings, almost all can count on extensive support from their extended families, the study showed.

Senior citizens line up for free cinema tickets in Cagayan de Oro City.

Most Filipinos Not Ready for Retirement – Study But as the Philippines modernizes, retirement attitudes and expectations change.

Now, only one of 10 Filipino workers believe that the family should be mostly responsible for providing income to retired people, the survey revealed.

“More and more Filipinos now are seeing the importance of pensions and savings,” Tiongo said.

The retirement survey also showed that nearly three-fifths of Filipino retirees surveyed continue to work at least part time to supplement their income.

“Retirement here in our country isn’t what it looks like on TV commercials, where the elderly are just strolling on the beach. Workers no longer clock out at 60 and spend their final years running down their pension savings in modest obscurity,” Tiongco said.

Retirement expectations In most East Asian countries, the retirement prospects of today’s working-age adults are brighter than those of today’s retirees.

Unfortunately, this is not the case in the Philippines.

Around 69% of today’s working-age adults believe that the government should encourage workers to save more for their own retirement by offering them tax breaks.

Around 82% of the Filipino respondents, meanwhile, believe that the government should require workers to save more for retirement.

Yet a third of today’s workers still expect to receive no government retirement benefits of any kind, the survey showed.

As for asset income, today’s workers are not much more market-oriented than the retirees.

A mere 8% of the Filipinos polled expect to receive income from insurance or annuity products or stocks, bonds or mutual funds in retirement.

Meanwhile, compared to today’s retirees, far less of today’s workers expect to depend financially on their grown children, which explains why far more expect to continue to

work in retirement.

Today’s optimism Filipinos tend to be optimistic about the future of their nation, with 55% believing that “each new generation of workers will have a higher living standard than the previous one,” according to the survey.

They also agreed that each new generation of retirees will have a more secure future.

“Although this optimism may be understandable in a demographically youthful nation that is beginning to take off economically, it could become an obstacle to needed reforms,” the survey read.

“Filipinos are right to be anxious about their retirement prospects, and without significant reforms the reason for concern will grow. But their high level of support for a savings mandate, together with their positive attitudes, give reason to hope that the low level of retirement preparedness in the Philippines may over time improve,” the survey said.

(Rappler.com) n

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Tubbataha Reef Natural Park

OCTOBER 2015

LONDON

Mounts Iglit-Baco National Park

Mount Malindang Range Natural Park

Discover Biodiversity Sites in the Philippines

By pamela quintos-reblora

W

HEN you book a tour, where do you usually go? Surely, famous tourist spots instantly come to mind, such as Boracay, Cebu, Bohol, Batanes and Palawan.

But did you know that there are other places in the Philippines where you can enjoy history, culture and biodiversity richness all at the same time?

These places are protected areas called Asean Heritage Parks (AHPs).

AHPs are protected areas of high-conservation importance, preserving in total a complete spectrum of representative ecosystems of the Asean region.

These areas are established to generate greater awareness, pride, appreciation, enjoyment and conservation of Asean’s rich natural heritage, through a regional network of representative-protected areas, and to create greater collaboration among the Asean member-states in preserving their shared natural heritage.

In celebration of this year’s World Tourism Day on September 27, let us take a peek at these hidden gems in the Philippines.

Mount Hamiguitan National Park and Wildlife Sanctuary Mount Makiling Forest Reserve Tired of the hustle and bustle in the city? Find serenity and enjoy fresh air at the Mount Makiling Forest Reserve (MMFR) in Los Baños, Laguna.

This dormant volcano rises to an elevation of 1,090 meters above mean sea level. MMFR is home to an abundance of plant and animal species, and is also home to the Asean Centre for Biodiversity (ACB).

regarded as the last stronghold of the remaining population of the rare and endangered Philippine Eagle, is named after the majestic Mount Apo, a volcanic mountain rising to 3,143.6 meters and the highest mountain in the country. The park is in Bansalan, Davao del Sur.

Mount Kitanglad Range Natural Park

Be mesmerized by the crystal-clear waters and the amazing sight of underwater species in Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park (TRNP) in the middle of the Sulu Sea. Besides being an AHP, the TRNP is also declared as a United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization Heritage Site in 1993.

Mount Kitanglad Range Natural Park covers 47,270 hectares and is one of the few remaining rain forests in the Philippines hosting important diverse species of rare and endemic wildlife. Among them are the Philippine Eagle, Whitehead’s swiftlet, Mindanao lorikeet, Mindanao racquet-tail, Mindanao scops sowl, slaty-backed jungle-flycatcher, red-eared parrot finch and Apo myna.

Mount Apo Natural Park

Mounts Iglit-Baco National Park

Looking for some mountainclimbing adventure? Mount Apo,

Mounts Iglit-Baco National Park is the only place in the

Tubbataha Reef Natural Park

world where one can find the tamaraw (Bubalus mindorensis), a type of water buffalo that is endemic to Mindoro Island. There are 314 recorded tamaraws living in the wild, and this is the major reason for the park’s declaration as an AHP. The 75,445hectare park features Mount Baco (2,354 meters) and Mount Iglit (2,364 meters).

Mount Malindang Range Natural Park Who would not be captured by the beauty of Mount Malindang Range Natural Park (MMRNP), a mountain range consisting of luscious green forests, a lake, waterfalls, and a very diverse plant and animal species? MMRNP covers a 34,694-hectare core zone and 18,334 hectares of buffer zone, spanning the provinces of Misamis Occidental, Zamboanga del Norte and Zamboanga del Sur.

Mount Hamiguitan National Park and Wildlife Sanctuary Nature and wildlife enthusiasts will definitely enjoy Mount Hamiguitan, which has one of the most diverse wildlife populations in the Philippines. This 1,620-meter-high mountain is in San Isidro, Davao Oriental.

To know more about the Asean Heritage Parks in 10 different Asean countries, log on to www.chm.aseanbiodiversity. org. (BusinessMirror) n

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Under an old law, a cargo box sent home by an OFW to his LONDON LONDON JULY JULY 2015 2015 or her family PHILIPPINES PHILIPPINES 3a15 3 APRIL APRIL 2012 2012 must have15 collective value not to exceed Php10,000. These items must not be for commercial use, and SENIOR official of don’t exceed a dozen of each Manila’s Departitem. Thus, if the current law ment of Tourism is strictly applied, an OFW can(DoT) has welcomed not send home via a balikbayan the keen interest of box more than a dozen soaps, travel agents and tour operalotions, or chocolates and cantors from several countries in dies. However, several senaLONDON Splash JULY 2015 PHILIPPINES 15 3 APRIL 2012 what the Philippines can offer tors pointed out during a rein the area of medical tourism. cent public hearing that prices Verna Covar Buensuceso, Direchave gone way up, and the Php tor and Officer-in-Charge, DoT, 10,000 limit is no longer reaMarket Development Group, sonable. Customs Chief Alberto Tourism Development SecLina agreed, hence the BoC’s tor, Philippines said that the decision to be liberal when it existing core of Medical Tourcomes to OFW boxes. ism Philippines public-private Is the balikbayan box issue partnerships (MTPPPP) will ride now over and done with? Vigion the expression of interest lance remains necessary. Comto formulate medical tourism missioner Lina had publicly packages. The packages will apologized to OFWs and gave not only be extended to other wellness programmes, but shall strict instructions for customs also include leisure activities officers to show utmost reFULL PAGE AD spread out over the 7,107-isspect for care boxes lovingly FULL FULL PAGE PAGE AD AD land archipelago in Southeast packed, sealed, and sent home Asia. by our modern-day heroes.

Buensuceso volunteered that What about his staff? And what Under an old law, a cargo home by an OFW to his or her family must have a collective value not to exceed Php10,000. the MTPPPP shall alsobox besent hostabout the next BoC chief? What passionate and nurturing char- erators from the UAE, India, cal procedures and technology ing familiarisation tours for the would be his or her interpretaUREAU OF Customs •acter, Manual check on a balikbay• That there would be an intheir friendliness, their Egypt, Jordan, Ukraine, Nepal, used in 10 accredited Philippine travel industry and health intion of this outdated law?

Deputy Commisan box sentofbyresponsibility an OFW unless crease and in the costs sending high sense as Africa India wasofthe Filihospitals by the Joint Commissurance companies.

FULL PAGE AD Sen. Sonny Angara, chairman sioner Arturo Lachica there are derogatory findings balikbayan boxes this Christwell as their high degree of pro- pino fluency in the English lansion International, the National The Medical City (TMC), which of the Senate committees on chose his words careafter the entire container van guage. mas and beyond; if and when Accrediting fessionalism.

Board for Hospiformally inaugurated TMClabor and ways and means, fully, refusing even to publicly containing said box passed the BoC is planning to impose “Of course, they know there are That the Philippines is a “value tals, the Accreditation Canada Dubai in Satwa (its first polyexpressed hope that the prodisclose agency’s annual X-ray medical machinepracand for additional fees ondestination” forwarding International, a lot of an Filipino money tourism and QHA Trent HE HE PHILIPPINES PHILIPPINES hashas gone clinic inhis the region), has sogonethrough phone phone operators operators to work to work antisocial antisocial posed Customs deficit in revenue collections the box itself passed through companies, the agency would titioners and nurses here and was another reason.

Accreditation UK. Modernization from from regional regional laggard laggard to to hours hours — — is is compensated compensated for for by far networked with at least six and Tariff Act shall bebyenacted during a meeting onone balikbayan first undertake publicofconsultabecome become one of the of the fastfast-overseas. So they want the paMoreover, the quality educa-comparatively According to DoT-Medical Travcomparatively high high wages. wages. medical insurance companies soon.

Amounts being menest-growing est-growing economiestients to get such care and conThese incomes incomes have have created created boxes.

He was trying toeconomies avoid tionsand withtraining variousFilipino stakeholders tion doc-These el higher &higher Wellness Tourism Direcin the UAE. in in Southeast Southeast Asia Asia over over tioned as the proper value a new a new socio-economic socio-economic class class — the — the any misinterpretation, he factor said. including the OFWs. Thus,was the tor Cynthia Lazo, the “Medicalfor cern,” Buensuceso said. tors and dentists undergo It was learnt that a major thethe past past fewfew years. years.

“BPO “BPO consumer” consumer” — who — who earn, earn, spend spend a balikbayan box to be tax-exA value proposition raised by highlighted.

Tourism Association 7th Global The BoC heard the message of prices of balikbayan boxes and HE PHILIPPINES has goneIndia forThe the attention garnered byIndia phone operators toand work antisocial The Philippines Philippines hashas overtaken overtaken and borrow borrow more more than than their their Filipino Filipino empt range from Php 50,000 to from regional laggard to Doctors educated and—shall trained Medical hours is compensated for by Tourism & Health Conmillions of overseas Filipino door-to-door services and the in the ranking ofFilipinos’ outsourcing of outsourcing destidesti-the travel agents and tour optheinMTP isranking the compeers. peers.

More More than than a quarter a quarter of BPO of BPO become one of the fastcomparatively high wages. as high as Php 150,000 per box. in the Philippine medical ference 2013” in Washington, nations, nations, measured measured by revenues by revenues and and workers loud and clear: “Do should remain the same. employees’ employees’ post-tax post-tax income income is spent is spent est-growing economies These higher incomes have created The passage of this law offers headcount, and Manila Manila hashas nudged nudged schools undergo 12 tosocio-economic 13of years D.C. the Philippines’ on on shopping, shopping, dining out out and and other other in and Southeast Asia over not headcount, mess with our boxes!”

How about inspection luga new class —recognised the dining ahead offew Mumbai of years.

Mumbai as the as the call-centre call-centre theahead past a activities, permanent solution.

Meanactivities, according according to Aseto Aseconsumer” — leisure wholeisure earn, spend of studies.

They “BPO start with the expertise in delivering worldDuring a dialogue held last gage belonging to returning The Philippines has overtaken India to to capital capital of of thethe world, world, according according and borrow more than their Filipino we an Confidential an Confidential surveys. surveys. while, must hold the BoC to four-year bachelor degree in class healthcare for patients. week between Customs OFWs who intend to than spend in consultancy, the ranking Tholons. of outsourcing desti-ofpeers. More aThe quarter of BPO consultancy, Tholons.

The BPO BPO industry’s industry’s rapid growth growth its promise torapid respect the baliknations, measured by revenues and basic sciences (Pre-Medicine), She that all internationallyemployees’ income is said spent ficials and the that OFW Christmas vacation inpost-tax their One One advantage advantage that thecoalition the Philippines Philippines — it — now it now makes makes up up 6 per 6 per cent cent of of headcount, and Manila has nudged on shopping, dining outaccredited and other box. bayan For any complaint, four years of Medicine Proper, Philippine hospitals enjoys enjoys over over other other BPO BPO outsourcoutsourccomposed several socia smaller X-ray machine; even homeland? Liberality would GDP GDP — to has —Asehas hadhad a knock-on a knock-on effect effect ahead of of Mumbai as the civil call-centre leisure activities, according an OFW can write to thesysBoC ing ing centres centres is cheaper is cheaper office office rents. rents. years hospital inarethe still unifying their IT on on the overall overall economy, economy, buoying buoying capital ofand the world, to Confidential ety groups OFWaccording advocates, then, no customs personnel and still two apply, theofanBoC said. surveys.

LaPrime Prime office office space space in Manila in Manila cancan be be consultancy, Tholons. other other sectors sectors and and creating creating millions millions The BPO industry’s rapid growth via helpdesk@customs.gov. ternship and residency.

This tems for data gathering.

Commissioner Lachica saidof ofwould be allowed to open the chica said that as long as the6 per cent of One advantage that the Philippines rented rented for for just just over over two-thirds two-thirds — it now makes up indirect ofLazo indirect jobs. jobs.

BPOBPO now now rivals rivals re- reph or search for the Bureau excludes speciality or sub-of randomly mentioned thatof enjoys over other BPO outsourcthatthe his agency will be liberal vacationing Filipino is GDP —worker has had a mittances knock-on effect the cost cost of space of space in Mumbai, in Mumbai, while whilebox unless a designated repmittances from from overseas overseas workers workers ing centres is cheaper office rents.

Customs Public Assistance and speciality postgraduate studies a majority of the country’s on the overall economy, buoying in handling balikbayan or care not bringing home any contrait isit also is also cheaper cheaper than than Delhi, Delhi, BangBang-resentative from the Overseas as as thethe Philippines’ Philippines’ largest largest revenue revenue Prime office space in Manila can be otherand sectors and millions tourists principally initems thecreating medical are from the Complaints Desk on Facebook. kok, kok, Guangzhou, Guangzhou, Taipei Taipei andand Seoul, Seoul,Workers’ Welfare Administragenerator, generator, and and its its rapid rapid emergence emergence packages sent home by Filipino band or anoverseas abundance of rented for just over two-thirds of of indirect jobs. BPO now rivals reaccording global to global property property agency agency US. Dentistry in the Philippines US, Papua large New Guinea, theaccording cost ofto space in Mumbai, while hashas encouraged encouraged large numbers numbers ofPalau, of mittances from overseas workers migrant workers. tion (OWWA) is present to inenthat are destinations obviously intended The The Philippines Philippines has has overtaken overtaken IndiaIndia in the ranking the ranking of outsourcing of outsourcing destinations revenues. bysix revenues.

Colliers.

Colliers. it is also cheaper than Delhi, Bangasbyof the Philippines’ largest revenue workers workers thatthat might might have have sought sought op-opis read over a total years.

Marshall Islands, Australia, OFWs, he said, must no longer sure that no pilferage takes for commercial sale, then that kok, Guangzhou, Taipei and Seoul, generator, and its rapid emergence But But the the country’s country’s chief chief selling selling point point neutral portunities portunities abroad abroad to stay to stay at home. at home.News) neutral accent accent andand hashas a cultural a cultural af- af- other other end end of the of the phone phone want. want.

The above training isfear. alongCosta Rica, Bolivia, Brazil, Sin(Arab according to global property agencypopfearisthe and, worker hasofnothing to has encouraged large numbers of aislarge afollowing: large young young and and educated educated pop-place; finity finity with thethe west. west. just is just what The The drawback drawback global of global time time zones zones The Philippines haswith overtaken India inIttheisIt ranking ofwhat outsourcing destinations by revenues.

Colliers. side the state-of-the-art medigapore and Thailand. workers that might have sought opulation ulation thatthat speaks speaks English English with with a a

Splash Splash

A

PHL’s medical tourism potential impresses industry players

BManila Manilaeclipses eclipsesMumbai Mumbaiasasoutsourcing outsourcingmagnet magnet T T eclipses Mumbai as outsourcing magnet Manila T

But the country’s chief selling point is a large young and educated population that speaks English with a

(Good (Good News News Pilipinas) Pilipinas) North North American American customers customers on on thethe — — which which require require many many Filipino Filipino portunities abroad to stay at home. other end of the phone want.

neutral accent and has a cultural affinity with the west. It is just what North American customers on the

The drawback of global time zones — which require many Filipino

(Good News Pilipinas)

supports the at Excel London from 2-5 November as we showcase your favourite Philippine destinations to the world

OCTOBER 2015

LONDON By rhea claire madarang

B

ILIRAN. This island province of lush mountains, countless waterfalls, and pristine beaches in the east of Visayas does not often ring a bell. Often, it is even mistaken to be part of Leyte, and it was in fact part of Leyte until it became a separate province over 20 years ago.

And it is not as remote as you might think. A flight to Tacloban and a two-and-a-halfhour van ride from Tacloban will take you to the port of Biliran’s capital, Naval. From here you can ride a tricycle or habal-habal (motorbike) to explore the province and to check in in one of Naval’s lodges and pension houses.

And, as you ride away from the port with the sea behind you, expect to see the greens of mountains ahead on the road, to your left and your right.

Yes, mountains are all around in Biliran, which explains the province’s abundant waterfalls, the number of which is not yet known. While there are over 10 waterfalls easily accessible to tourists, local mountaineers talk about more waterfalls that can be reached through longer treks, and even about unexplored ones.

It can be daunting to choose which among Biliran’s many waterfalls to explore if your time is limited. If you only have a day, go to Ulan-Ulan Falls, one of the most beautiful falls in the province. About 90 feet high, it cascades through lush greenery and rocks, the latter separating the water into pockets of rain.

As Biliran has much mountains and hills, it is not surprising that it also has rice planted along its slopes.

After seeing the falls and the terraces, head to Agta Beach, perfect for watching the sunset.

Biliran The Beautiful Province You Haven’t Discovered Yet

Ulan-Ulan is one of Biliran’s most beautiful waterfalls.

If you arrive early, you might even want to go island hopping to nearby islands Capiñahan and Dalutan. Or just walk along Agta Beach and choose a spot to watch the sunset.

If you have another day to go around, head over to Tinago Falls, Biliran’s most famous waterfalls, a powerful cascade flowing down to green pools.

And, Biliran has hot springs too. Mainit Hot Springs is also in Caibiran, which

you can go to before or after Tinago Falls.

Then, head south to Kasabangan Falls in the neighboring municipality of Cabucgayan.

Getting there to the falls can be quite an adventure, too, as you will walk on a wooden bridge while looking at the forest floor below and the stream to your right. Brace yourself when you dive into Kasabangan’s pool as the waters can be ice-cold.

If you want to explore more, Kasabangan has more tiers of waterfalls on top which you can get to with the help of a guide.

After Kasabangan, go to the next municipality, Biliran, and get off at Biliran Bridge, the bridge you passed by when commuting from Leyte to Biliran. It’s a 150-meter bridge which connects Leyte to this island province. Walk along the bridge and savor the view of Biliran Strait.

More time in Biliran will allow you to explore its islands farther from the mainland. Higatangan Island, 45 minutes by boat, has a sandbar which changes shape and direc-

Splash PHILIPPINES

27

tion as the wind blows across it.

The sandbar also changes color according to the time of day and is beautiful to watch at sunrise and sunset.

At night, the island’s skies are one of the clearest and starriest, especially after 10:30 p.m. when the electricity shuts down, as power in the island is limited.

Sambawan Island, meanwhile, is arguably the most beautiful island in Biliran, with a scenic view of trees, grass, white sand, and blue seas, when you trek up its hill. It also has probably one of the quietest beaches you will find.

If you’re a diver, the island also has several dive spots.

There is also a dive shop there to assist you though you have to bring your own wetsuit, mask, fins, and booties. If you need more assistance, you can contact dive shops in neighboring Malapascua, Cebu, as Sambawan is part of their dive tours.

It takes more time and steps to get to, though. You can either take the 10 a.m. or 10:30 a.m. passenger boat from Naval port to Maripipi Island (around two hours) then hire a boat to take you to Sambawan Island (around 30 minutes).

Or, from Naval you can take a bus, jeep, or habal-habal to Kawayan, Biliran’s northern municipality (around 45 minutes), and then you can hire a boat to Sambawan (around one hour).

Spend at least 3 days in Biliran so you can experience both its waterfalls and at least one of its beautiful islands. (Rappler. com) n

Biliran is rich in raw natural beauty like mountains, waterfalls and beaches.

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Conflicts, Guns and Misery Foster

Philippine Kidnappings

T

HE recent abductions of three Westerners and a Filipino woman from a southern Philippine resort are the latest reminder of the long-running security problems that have hounded a region with bountiful resources and promises, but hamstrung by stark poverty and an array of insurgents and outlaws.

While authorities have not identified the abductors with certainty, there is one usual suspect: the Abu Sayyaf group, a brutal al-Qaida-linked organization that has pulled off mass kidnappings for ransom in the last 15 years in the south and in neighboring Malaysia.

“The primary suspect is ASG,” regional military commander Lt. Gen. Aurelio Baladad told reporters last Sept, 24. He added, however, that there have been no conclusive findings on the kidnappers’ identities.

Under cover of darkness, at least 11 men armed with two rifles and pistols barged into the Holiday Ocean View Samal Resort on southern Samal Island shortly before midnight on Sept. 21 and then headed toward yachts docked at a marina, according to the military and police.

In less than 20 minutes, the kidnappers herded at gunpoint Canadians John Ridsdel and Robert Hall, Norwegian Kjartan Sekkingstad, the resort’s marina manager, and Filipino Tere-

The Abu Sayyaf has survived mostly through kidnappings and extortion. sita Flor, to two motor boats.

An American and his Japanese female companion fought back and were injured, but escaped by jumping off their yacht, said Senior Superintendent Samuel Gadingan, the police chief of Davao del Norte province, where Samal is located, about 1,000 kilometers southeast of the capital, Manila.

Aside from the Abu Sayyaf, investigators have considered the possible involvement of a small extortion gang of former Muslim and communist guerrillas, who have an active presence in the vast Davao region.

The latter, however, have in the past publicly declared their abductions, mostly of government troops, within days of seizing them, according to Gadingan.

It remains uncertain which group is behind the latest abduction, but the conditions that foster such crimes are much clearer: a volatile mix of

poverty, weak law enforcement and access to thousands of unlicensed firearms in the south, said Julkipli Wadi, dean of the Institute for Islamic Studies at the state-run University of the Philippines.

It’s very likely too that those deep-seated social ills would not be solved anytime soon and kidnappings will continue, he said.

“These are generational problems that are difficult to be solved by presidents who are restricted to six-year terms and often lack political will,” Wadi said.

Kidnappings for ransom have preceded the Abu Sayyaf.

But the group started an alarming trend of large-scale abductions after it emerged in the early 2000 as an offshoot of the decades-long separatist rebellion by minority Muslims in the predominantly Roman Catholic nation’s south.

The Abu Sayyaf abducted 21

people, mostly European tourists, from a Malaysian diving resort in 2000, freeing them later, reportedly in exchange for huge ransoms. The militants took three Americans and 17 Filipinos the following year from the Dos Palmas resort in Palawan province southwest of Manila, then staged a failed kidnapping attempt at a popular resort on Samal Island, near where the latest abductions occurred.

Without any known foreign financial support and after more than a decade of battle setbacks inflicted by US-backed Philippine military offensives, the Abu Sayyaf has survived mostly through kidnappings and extortion. In recent years, they have grown more daring by crossing the sea border to snatch victims in Malaysia’s Sabah state.

The US military’s antiterrorism task force in the southern Philippines was deactivated in February after 13 years, as Washington recently shifted focus to supporting freedom of navigation in the South China Sea. US forces continue to provide intelligence and training to Filipino troops in the south.

The rewards for Abu Sayyaf kidnappers have been relatively huge. Aside from the money, kidnap victims have been used as human shields to pre-empt government offensives. Highprofile abductions also have allowed the militants to capture the attention of foreign terrorist networks, a confidential government security assessment report said.

Last year, the militants were estimated to have pocketed more than 277 million pesos ($6 million) in ransom from the kidnappings of 59 people, said the report, a copy of which was obtained by The Associated Press.

“Kidnapping has indeed become a lucrative industry in Mindanao,” the report said, referring to the southern region.

It added, without elaborating, that unidentified corrupt politicians and even law enforcers have benefited from the crime.

(Associated Press) n

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WHAT’S ON Isabel Granada EU Tour

Violator Film Screening Time: 9pm

23 Oct - Bristol 24 Oct - Dublin 25 Oct - Cork 31 Oct - Comedy Bar, London 6 Nov - Hammersmith Contact: richard_mercado123@ yahoo.co.uk

Venue: Odeon Covent Garden, London WC2H 8AH Tickets from £10 Contact: claire@terracottadistribution.com

2-5 Nov. 2015

8 Nov. 2015

World Travel Mart 2015

2 - 5 Nov. 2015 Excel London The leading global event for the travel industry

COMMUNITY

24 Oct. 2015

23Oct-6 Nov 2015

Venue: Excel London, 1 Western Gateway, E16 1XL

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Everyday, I Love You Venue: Prince Charles Cinema 7, Leicester Place London WC2HAD 7BY PAGE Ticket: £12

Contact: 0208 271 2160 wtmvisitor@ reedexpo.co.uk

Contact: 07877 980260 FB : Tatak LizQuen London

28 Nov. 2015

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Venue: Bernie Grant Arts Center, Town Hall Approach Road, Tottenham Green, London, N15 4RX Tickets: £20 - £35 Contact: enquiries@misspearl ofasia.com 07833 455 612

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EMBASSY OUTREACH - NORWICH Date: 24 October 2015 (Saturday) Time : 9:30 am - 5:00 pm Venue: Sprowston Community High School and Arts College, Cannerby Lane. Sprowston, Norwich NR7 8NE Mrs. Tess Ward 07964048305 Ms Feby Evans 07906765255 Mrs Heidy Albano 07717821290 Ms Marivic Naperi 07794255807 The passport application form and information sheet on the requirements may be downloaded from the Embassy website www.londonpe.dfa.gov.ph Thank you.

20-29 Nov. 2015 A Night with Joey G

20 Nov - Birmingham 21 Nov - London 22 Nov - Southampton 28 Nov - Newcastle 29 Nov - Dublin Tickets: £25 - £35 Contact: Sally 07886742417 Bong 07766057340 Lola Bex 07717030035

6 Dec. 2015

Venue: Crowne Plaza London Docklands Hotel, Western Gateway, London E16 1AL

FWA Uk Christmas Party Venue: St Mary Abbots Centre Vicarage Gate, Kensington, London W8 4HN

Contact: info@safilca.co.uk 07738718932

Contact: http://www.fwa-uk. com/contact/

28th Foundation & Anniversary - SAFILCA (Dinner & Dance Party)

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