Philippines Independent Magazine

Wednesday, June 12, 2013

Anniversary of

Philippine Independence

Ambagan tungo sa malawakang Kaunlaran

Message From the President of the Philippines

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y warmest greetings to all our Philippine Foreign Service Officers across the globe, as we celebrate the 115th Anniversary the Proclamation of Philippine Independence.

Overseas celebrations of our independence demonstrate the unwavering spirit of bayanihan that binds our people. We join you in commemorating the sacrifices of our heroes who fought for the liberties we now enjoy-granting every Filipino the right to pursue what is good and right for himself, his loved ones, and his country. Today, our people remain united in freedom, and are now fighting another battleto rid ourselves of the shackles of ignorance, corruption, injustice, and poverty, in pursuit of inclusive growth and lasting reform. Our Philippine Embassies are crucial to the fulfilment

of this goal, for you help advance the welfare of Global Filipinos. May you remain among our steadfast partners in reinforcing our diplomatic relations with the rest of the world and in contributing to their cultural and economic landscapes, while also fulfilling your mandate of representing the Philippines and providing assistance to our kababayans abroad.

Let us keep the flame of patriotism alive in our hearts, as together, we build and fortify the foundation upon which our nation lies; may this event be an opportunity to further promote our cultural heritage and uphold the Philippines’ revived distinction in this globalised, multicultural milieu.

I wish you a meaningful celebration.

Benigno S. Aquino III

Message From the Secretary of Foreign Affairs

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ne hundred and fifteen years ago, Filipinos stood victorious and proud as the Philippine flag was raised for the first time to signify the birth of an independent nation. It was a time when the task of nation-building, daunting as it was, served to form a shared vision of a free, prosperous and just society that would be worthy of the pride of every Filipino.

This year’s theme, Kalayaan 2013: Ambagan tungo sa Malawakang Kaunlaran, reminds us that each of us has a role to play in turning the vision of a prosperous Philippines into reality. With the principled leadership of President Benigno S. Aquino Ill, the Philippines endeavours to achieve inclusive growth that will ensure an improving quality of life for all.

We call on Filipinos all over the world to join in our country’s march towards economic development and social progress. By investing in the Philippines and engaging in entrepreneurship, overseas Filipino workers can be more powerful drivers of growth. Our collective efforts will

eventually transform overseas employment from a necessary means of survival to a real economic choice.

The Department of Foreign Affairs remains steadfast in its resolve to contribute to nationbuilding. Guided by the three pillars of Philippine foreign policy – the preservation of national security, the enhancement of economic diplomacy, and the protection of the rights and welfare of Filipinos overseas- we continue to, engage the international community and represent Philippine interests abroad to ensure an environment that is conducive to growth.

Today we commemorate the sacrifices of the men and women who valiantly fought for our independence. From their example, we can draw strength and inspiration for the work that lies ahead. As we celebrate our Independence Day, let us all come together in forging a bright future for our country.

Mabuhay at Maligayang Araw ng Kalayaan!

Albert F. Del Rosario

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The 115th Anniversary of Philippine Independence

Message From the Philippine Ambassador to Qatar

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rom the declaration of Philippine Independence 115 years ago to this day, Filipinos have since enjoyed various fruits of freedom, which was fought for by our forefathers and nurtured by our leaders after them. Indeed, our society’s present state is a far cry from the milieu of our revolution heroes, which was characterised by colonial rule, injustice and oppression.

A case in point is the conduct of elections, a hallmark of our democratic tradition, in which overseas Filipinos are privileged to participate. However, it was widely reported that the turnout for the most recent

overseas voting was considerably low. Of the 737,759 registered overseas voters, which do not even get near the estimated 10 million Filipinos overseas, only 113,209 actually cast their votes. In Qatar, only 2,374 voted out of the 23,259 registered voters from the estimated 200,000 Filipinos here.

This year’s theme “Kalayaan 2013, Ambagan: Tungo sa Malawakang Kaunlaran” is a very fitting reminder that all of us are linked to our motherland’s destiny and that each of us has a stake in our country’s future.

All our triumphs as a people, and even our shortcomings, wherever we may be, have an impact on our nation.

The theme essentially behoves all freedom-loving Filipinos to treasure our civic responsibilities and act on them.

Each of us must do our share, in our own ways and in our present circumstances, to ensure a good future for our country – for our sake and the sake of the next generations. Only then can we claim that we truly are instruments in achieving more freedoms for our people and further prosperity for our nation.

Finally, I would like to take this opportunity to extend my heartfelt gratitude to all who have made this year’s celebration a huge success, particularly those behind PINOC 2013.

Likewise, I wish thank all Filipino organisations and our sponsors for their unwavering support for the Embassy’s initiatives.

Mabuhay tayong lahat!

Crescente R. Relacion

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Philippine Muslim Communities

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he Philippine Muslim communities have a distinct religion and secular practice, culture and tradition.

A rough estimate of the Filipino Muslim community by the Office on Muslim Affairs (OMA) states that the Muslim population consists five percent (5%) of the total Philippine population.

Historically, Muslim Filipinos are not integrated as one definable and united society. There are several endemic characteristics in their separate identities: (1) language, (2) political structure, and (3) history and degree of Islamic integration with cultural traditions and customs already exist-

ent. Each of the subgroups has been proud of its separate identity and conflict between communities has been endemic throughout Philippine Muslim history.

Philippine Muslims consist of the following subgroups defined on the basis of language: 1. Maguindanao The Maguindanao refers to the people living in the Pulangi area, located in what are now North Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat and Maguindanao Provinces. Cultural communities within this region also include the Tituray, T’boli and the Manobos.

2. Maranao Maranao means “people of the lake.”

Their homeland is called Lanao or “lake.”

Their oldest settlement started around here, and up to this day, highly populated communities still dot the lake. Their language is similar to Maguindanaon and Iranun.

3. Tausug “Tausug” derives from tau meaning “man” and sug meaning “current” and translates into “people of the current.” The Tausug even before the arrival of Islam or Christianity and the people who promulgated their system of government, the Sulu Islands, where the Tausugs are found, had their own system of government.

4. Sama Also in the Sulu Archipelago are the Sama consisting of five sub-groups including the Sama! and the Badjao. These people are highly dispersed in the Sulu Archipelago. They are considered the sea-gypsies of the Philippines.

5. Yakan Yakan is the majority Muslim group in Basilan. There is a registered 196,000 population of Yakans in the area of Zamboanga (NCCP-PACT, 1988). They have generally two spheres of belief integrating Islamic principles and traditional beliefs into what is referred to as “folk Islam”.

6. IIanon or Iranun The lranun are said by many to have been the origin of the ethnic groups within the Lanao del Sur to the Maguindanao areas. The Iranun language is in fact seen in the Maranao and Maguindanao languages.

The Iranun were said to have fought under the Maguindanao sultanate.

7. Molebugan or Molbog The Molbog mostly live in Bafabak, Palawan. The word molbog originated from the word “malubog” which means “murky or turbid water”. Their language and practices share close affinity to the Orang Tidung (Sabah), Sama and the Tausugs.

8. Kolibugan Kolibugan means “half-breeds.” Originally from the Subanon tribes, these people are called such because their culture has been said to be half breed, having come into Islam through intermarriage with Muslim communities. These people live the Subanun organisation and language.

9. Sangil The Sangil are found in the Balut Sarangani, parts of South Cotabato and Davao Del Sur provinces. They are said to have come from Sanghe, the origin of the name Sangil. They are people who were already Muslims before they came to Philippine shores.

10. Kalagan The Kaagan are mostly found in the Davao provinces. Their islamisation was achieved through the arrival of the Maguindaon and the Tausug. However, when the Maguindanao sultanate and Tausug left, the Kaagan became marginalised and with less improvement in their social organisation.

11. Muslim Inhabitants of Palawan Palawan inhabitants (Panimusan) were Islamised through the Sulu sultanate, through the Tausug who went there to introduce to Islam to the local people. Now, the Muslim populations in the area are found in Batarasa, Quezon, Brooke’s Point, Espanola, Narra, Roxas, Taytay and Aborlan.

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Wednesday, June 12, 2013

The 115th Anniversary of Philippine Independence

Overview Of Philippines-Qatar

Bilateral Relations

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hilippines and Qatar established diplomatic relations on 5 May 1981. Prior to that, PH maintained its relations with Qatar through the Philippine Embassy in the United Arab Emirates.

The Philippine Embassy in Doha, Qatar located in West Bay Area was opened in May 1992. The Qatari Government reciprocated with the opening of the Embassy of Qatar in Manila in 1994. In January 2013, the Embassy relocated to a bigger and more spacious compound in the Jelaiah area to accommodate the increasing number of Filipinos in the country.

In December 2008 during the state visit of former PH President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo in Qatar, the Joint Investment Fund was proposed by the Qatari Prime Minister.

The MOU on the Establishment of the Joint investment fund was drafted by the PH side in January 2012 and was eventually signed in 2013.

The Philippines and Qatar maintain friendly and cordial relations which were further enhanced by the visit of His Highness The Emir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa al Thani to the Philippines in April 2012.

During his visit, 5 cooperation agreements on tourism, agriculture, fisheries, and legal field were signed and the Philippine-Qatar Business Council was established pursuant to the The Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between

the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) and the Qatar Chamber of Commerce and Industry (QCCI) which was signed in 30 January 2008.

Former President Fidel Ramos also visited Qatar in March 1997.

H.E. Crescente R. Relacion is the current Philippine Ambassador to Qatar while H.E. Jassim Ali A. Al Obaidli is the Qatari Ambassador to the Philippines.

Qatar is host to an estimated 250,000 Filipino workers, almost 17% of Qatar’s total population, who are employed in various sectors, such as tourism and hospitality, oil and gas, information technology, telecommunications, banking and finance, medical care and household services. Recognising the contribution of Filipino expatriate workers in Qatar’s development efforts, Qatar continues to support PH in labour cooperation matters.

PH, experiencing positive growth in its overall trade, seeks to engage Qatar in more trade relations. It also hopes to partner with Qatar in public-private partnership projects which aim to focus on agri-business, infrastructure, logistics, power and energy, construction, ports, railways, utilities, toll roads, infrastructure, airports and tourism.

Philippines and Qatar maintain cordial and friendly relations based on the principles of mutual respect and understanding.

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UN says PHL growth robust,

downgrades other nation

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he United Nations has downgraded its growth outlook for the world and the East Asian region, but it said that growth in the Philippines is expected to remain “fairly robust” in 2013.

The United Nations Conference on Trade and Development and the UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs have revised

downward its global growth forecast for 2013, to 2.3 percent from the previous outlook of 2.4 percent made in January this year.

“Despite improved global financial conditions and reduced shortterm risks, the world economy continues to expand at a subdued pace,” the mid-year update of the World Economic Situation and Prospects report for 2013 said.

Global growth is expected to be the same as last year’s 2.3 percent expansion, before growing by 3.1 percent in 2014.

The report said that developing countries and economies in transition continue to register much stronger growth than developed economies.

“In response to the economic slowdown in 2012, many of them, including some large countries in East Asia, South Asia, and Latin America adopted more expansionary monetary and— to a lesser extent—fiscal policies to strengthen domestic demand,” the report said.

“This, along with a slight upturn in external demand, should provide a lift to economic growth in 2013,” it

added.

The report said, however, that the pick-up in growth will be slower than previously estimated since many large economies face structural challenges.

“Potential growth in many developing countries is likely lower than before the global financial crisis,” the UN said.

“The least developed countries are projected to see faster growth in 2013 than in the past two years,” it added.

The UN report also revised downwards the growth forecast for the East Asian region for both this year and next, to 6.1 percent and 6.3 percent, respectively.

The region’s growth is expected to be higher than the

5.9 percent expansion recorded in 2012.

“The mild upturn is expected to be underpinned by robust growth in domestic demand and a gradual recovery in exports amid slowly improving global conditions,” the report said.

“In Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, and Thailand, the growth momentum is expected to remain fairly robust owing to buoyant consumption and investment demand,” the report said.

The UN report added that in most economies in the region, domestic demand will be supported by stable labour market conditions, strong household income growth, and accommodative monetary policies.

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The 115th Anniversary of P

Wednesday, June 12, 2013

Manila Fame: The design an Christened as the “New Tiger” in the economically vibrant Southeast Asia, reports say that the Philippines is expected to resume a period of strong growth. Leading business news site Market Watch reports that for the past six months, exports grew 7.7 percent, or higher than the 4.13 percent experienced from the early six months of 2012.

Manila Fame highlight its positioning as “Asia’s Design and Lifestyle Event.” It is the country’s premier trade show for top quality export products and unique Philippine craftsmanship in furniture and furnishings, holiday, gifts and décor, and fashion.

Here are some of the big hits from this year’s expo.

Philippine Independence

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nd lifestyle event of the year ‘Now on its third decade, Manila Fame has been a platform for the latest innovation and design trends in furniture and home furnishings, holiday décor, gifts, arts and crafts, and fashion complements (costume jewellery, fine jewellery, footwear, and leather goods).

It is the only trade show in the Philippines recognised by UFI, the Global Association of the Exhibition Industry.’

‘Conducted until March 17 at the SMX Convention Center, Manila Fame once again featured top-notch artistry and craftsmanship, offering buyers and visitors more show features and a wide array of exceptionally designed products.’

Manila Fame Presents Manila Wear “The vision for Manila Wear is to develop a collection that embraces the tropical lifestyle and philosophy from the perspective of the Philippines’ top designers, and synthesising these to reflect the unique Filipino fashion sensibility with a global perspective. The inclusion of Manila Wear in Manila FAME also puts the spotlight on Philippine artisanal crafts that are both traditional yet contemporary in expression,” says Rosvi Gaetos, CITEM Executive Director.

Manila Wear also highlights traditional craftwork like handloom weaving, hand embroidery, appliqué, beadwork using wood, shells, glass/ plastic, stone/clay, and other natural materials, hand painting, inlay (suk-suk), and tapestry weaving.

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The 115th Anniversary of Philippine Independence

Moody’s predicts stellar PHL economic performance in 2013, 2014

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he Philippine economy is seen to expand within the 6.5%-7% range this year and the next, Moody’s Analytics said in a report.

“We expect GDP growth to remain in the 6.5% to 7% range in 2013 and 2014, making the Philippines one of the world’s fastest-growing economies,” Glenn Levine, senior economist at Moody’s Analytics, said in Philippines Outlook: Asia’s Rising Star.

Moody’s Analytics’ 2013 economic growth projection is near the high-end of the Philippine government’s target of a 6%-7% expansion this year.

But the firm’s 2014 forecast represents the lower half of the government’s 6.5%-7.5% target next year.

Levine noted that last year’s faster-than-expected 6.6% economic growth is deemed sustainable, as inflation remains low and within the central bank’s target range.

“The strong growth has taken place in an environment of falling domestic risk and low inflation. Inflation has stabilised near 3% per year, comfortably at the lower end of the central bank’s targeted 3% to 5% range, allowing the overnight interest rate to be cut to 3.5%. This all suggests that the current rate of growth is sustainable,” Levine recounted.

“Construction surged 14% in 2012, while most other industries recorded solid but

sustainable growth.

This should continue in 2013, led by construction and business process outsourcing, which account for a sizable chunk of the Philippines’ exports as less competitive industries such as electronics have receded,” Levine said.

“On the demand side, government spending was strong in 2012, although this accounts for less than 10% of GDP. All of the other demand components recorded robust growth,” he continued.

Risks to growth, however, remain. Levine said the increasing domestic debt and possible asset bubbles especially in the housing market are among the concerns of the Philippine economy.

“Still, the biggest risk for Philippine investment is operational… If the government wants to attract more foreign investment, it must ease its restrictions on foreign ownership and streamline the rules for starting businesses, paying taxes, and dealing with workers,” Levine said.

The economy’s growth so far

has also been bolstered in part by the Aquino administration’s good governance, he said.

“The crackdown on corruption and encouragement of local and foreign investment, in particular, have worked well. A commitment to infrastructure spending is beginning to pay dividends, albeit from a low base,” Levine said.

He continued that there has also been improvement in infrastructure, but the government will need to do more if it wants to sustain the stellar performance of the economy.

Moreover, he pointed out public investment only accounts for 2.75% of GDP, which is “far too low for a country at this stage of development.”

The economy has already been set on the right course, Levine stressed, and if reforms continue, it may grow toward a rate of 8% by 2016.

“This is far from assured, however, and much will depend on how smoothly the transition goes when President Aquino steps down in 2016,” Levine said.

Philippines is Asia’s fastest growing economy in Q1 2013 The Philippines has the fastest growing economy among Asian countries for the first quarter of 2013, the National Statistical Coordination Board (NSCB) said.

• Gross domestic product grew by 7.8 percent in the first quarter of 2013, faster than China (7.7 percent), Indonesia (6 percent), Thailand (5.3 percent), and Vietnam (4.9 percent), Secretary of Socioeconomic Planning of the Philippines Arsenio Balisacan said.

• 7.8 percent increase in the gross domestic product (GDP) of the country is due to the strong performance of the manufacturing and construction sectors, as well as the increase in government and consumer spending. This is the second fastest growth rate of the

country since the 8.9 percent GDP growth rate in one quarter in 2010.

• The industry sector (mining, manufacturing & construction) grew by 10.9 percent, higher than the recorded 5.3 and 8.9 percent during the first and last quarter of 2012.

The Mining and Quarrying industry grew by 17 per-

cent in Q1 of 2013 whereas the manufacturing industry grew by 9.7 percent this year.

Construction industry, meanwhile, further increased to 32.5 percent.

• The services and agriculture sectors also contributed to the growth with 7 percent and 3.3 percent, respectively.

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PHL Tourism’s New Pitch:

Cheaper Surgery

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dermatology clinic may not be everyone’s idea of a perfect holiday destination.

But, a growing number of overseas Filipinos and foreigners these days travel to the Philippines for medical treatment to save on money—combining a visit to the doctor with their tropical island experience.

One of them is Gelo (not his real name), a Filipino who migrated to the US and went on a so-called “medical vacation” in Manila to get his acne scars removed.

“The procedure I had was a Fraxel Laser Treatment, which is used to treat acne scars. It took place on May 2011 and again on April 2012,” he said in an e-mail message to GMA News Online.

Gelo said price was major motivation in getting treatment here instead of the US. The procedure Gelo underwent costs $200 (P8,200) in Manila, way below the $400 to $800 (P16,200 to P24,600) he would have paid in the US. “For that price I can go on vacation to the Philippines and get the treatment done,” Gelo noted. “I also looked at satisfaction reviews from patients both here and there, and found that they were comparably favourable.”

“More importantly, that treatment is sometimes performed by nurses, medical assistants, or technicians here [in the US], while it is performed by the actual doctor/dermatologist there,” he added.

An industry in infancy While many like Gelo travel to the Philippines for medical treatment, the country’s revenue share in the world’s medical tourism remains trifling compared to other emerging markets like Thailand where services are also nominally inexpensive.

The world’s medical tourism industry is projected to rake in $70 billion this year.

The joint public-private association Philippine Medical Tourism Program (PMTP) targets to attract $2 billion in revenues by 2015, according to global health management firm - Health Core.

In an interview with GMA News Online, Philippine Medical Association (PMA) president Modesto Llamas surmised that the reason why the country is not attracting as much as it should is the lack of medical tourism infrastructure.

While the country has a large pool of world-class medical professionals, it does not have appropriate medical tourism destinations, he said by phone.

“The overall situation has to be improved. It’s not only about hospital facilities or equipment, it’s also about amenities,” Llamas noted.

The Philippines does have a medical tourism road map, which should have addressed these gaps.

Drafted in 2011 by the PMTP, the road map sought to increase medical tourism competitiveness by complying with international healthcare require-

ments and institutionalising high level patient safety standards.

While the Philippines’ medical tourism program appeared to remain in broad strokes, Thailand’s went as far as modernising and institutionalising research and development for Thai made pharmaceuticals.

Thailand, likewise, granted fiscal and non-tax incentives for import of medical equipment and active ingredients for medicines.

Despite repeated requests, PMTP officials did not grant a request for an interview with GMA News Online regarding updates to the road map.

Banking on people Still, the government remains bullish on prospects for medical tourism, marketing the country’s health professionals as best in the region.

hamad bin suhaim al thani chairman

“We are very competitive. First of all our doctors, nurses, medical staff are highly trained and are among the best in the region,” Benito Bengzon, Tourism Assistant Secretary for international promotions, said in an interview with GMA News’ “News to Go.” PMA’s Llamas noted, “Our selling point is hospitality, it’s always been that. The support staff, mas mababait at mas magalang.”

However, Llamas maintains that more needs to be done in order to fully seize the country’s potential in medical tourism, saying that at the end of the day the Philippines can catch up with its Southeast Asian neighbours.

adel ali bin ali managing director

tasnim ahmed ihsan ghazal supplement editor general manager design : ravi Sales & Marketing : Len Dominguez & Leila Ennakoui

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The 115th Anniversary of Philippine Independence

Wednesday, June 12, 2013

The Bagong Bayani Awards

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he Bagong Bayani Awards (BBA) is a national search for the country’s outstanding and exemplary Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs). The awards seek to recognise and pay tribute to our OFWs for their significant efforts in fostering goodwill among peoples of the world, enhancing and promoting the image of the Filipino as a competent, responsible and dignified worker, and for greatly contributing to the socio-economic development of their communities and our country as a whole.

The BBA aims at providing proper recognition to deserving nominees, thus setting up examples for others to emulate, and for the country to be proud of.

Ilonggo nurse in Qatar gets Bagong Bayani Award

An Ilonggo nurse working in a government hospital in the Middle East was chosen to receive the 2011 Bagong Bayani Award for Community Services.

Frank C. Jamandre, who currently works as regulatory and accreditation coordinator at Hamad Medical Corporation in the State of Qatar, received the award from President Benigno Aquino III at the Malacañang Palace on December 1, 2011.

In an email interview, Jamandre told Sun.Star that he is honoured and grateful to God that he was chosen as one of the awardees, and be able to represent the more than 200,000 OFWs in

Special Thanks The QIM team thanks the Embassy of Philippines, DohaQatar for the kind support and contribution to the Supplement.

the State of Qatar.

As a community leader, he continuously demonstrates strong “leadership” in community and social services to help distressed overseas workers, victims and indigents in the Philippines.

“My compassion for those who have less in life in order for them to have a better life for themselves and their families in the Philippines, (is what drives me to help other Filipinos in Qatar),” he said.

In 2009, designated by Ambassador to Qatar Crescente R. Relacion as lead coordinator, Jamandre was

able to raise and send financial help to Philippines, such as cash, 149 boxes of foodstuff and used clothing for victims of Typhoon Ondoy.

Relacion said Jamandre has elevated the entire Filipinos in Qatar to the hall of fame because of the award, adding he is hopeful that the award will serve as an inspiration to all leaders to work harder for the greater good of the Filipinos in Qatar.

Asked about his secret in achieving success, Jamandre cited a verse from the Holy Bible: “But seek ye first the kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these things shall be added unto you (Matthew 6:33).”

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The 115th Anniversary of Philippine Independence