BMI Online Editor

PHL remittances hit US$25.1 billion in 2013

Feb 182014

An employee counts U.S. dollar bills before changing it to Philippine Pesos inside a money changer in Manila September 19, 2013. The Philippine central bank said remittances from overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) have allowed households to save money, boosting the country’s savings rate.(MNS Photo) MANILA (Mabuhay) – Remittances from overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) reached US$25.1 billion last year, 7.6 per cent higher than the previous year. The Philippine central bank said Monday remittances in December amounted to US$2.4 billion, up 12.5 per cent compared to December 2012, Xinhua news agency reported. “Remittances in December marks the ninth consecutive month in 2013 that personal remittances breached the US$2 billion level,” the bank said in a statement. Cash remittances channeled through banks grew by 6.4 per cent on year to US$22.8 billion last year, exceeding the central bank’s projection of a 5-per cent hike for the year. Major sources of cash remittances last year were the US, Saudi Arabia, UK, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Singapore, Canada, and Japan. The central bank said the robust growth of remittances last year was due to the strong demand for skilled Filipino manpower abroad particularly in the Middle East. Preliminary data from the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration showed there were 1.8 million OFWs last year. Cash remittances accounted for 8.4 per cent of Philippine gross domestic product (GDP) in 2013.(MNS)

Obama to tour PHL, Malaysia, Japan, S. Korea in April

Entertainment

Feb 182014

Obama to tour PHL, Malaysia, Japan, S. Korea in April

By Stephen Collinson President Obama and President Benigno Aquino of the Philippines at the White House on June 8, 2012 speak to the press after a bilateral meeting in the Oval Office. The White House announced that Obama will visit the Philippines and other Asian countries, including a historic stop to Malaysia, in April this year after cancelling last year’s scheduled visit because of the U.S. government shutdown. (Manila U.S. Embassy photo release) WASHINGTON (AFP) – President Barack Obama will seek to ease questions over the staying power of his strategic shift to increasingly tense East Asia in April with stops in Japan, Malaysia, the Philippines and South Korea. Obama’s visits to Manila and Kuala Lumpur are intended to make up for his no-show when he cancelled a previous Asia tour in October amid domestic political strife in Washington. A subtext to his visit will be rising territorial tensions between several US allies and China, which deepened over Beijing’s recent declaration of an “air defense identification zone” in the East China Sea. Beijing was also angered last week when Washington stiffened its line on territorial disputes in the South China Sea, calling for adjusting or clarifying its claims. Obama’s stops in Japan and South Korea will also bolster close US alliances, at a time of aggravated political tensions between its two Northeast Asian friends. It was an open secret that Obama would visit Japan in April, to take up an invitation from Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, who took office in Read More …

Thousands join INC walk for typhoon aid

Entertainment

Feb 182014

Hundreds of thousands members of Iglesia Ni Kristo (Church of Christ) participate in a worldwide charity walk for the victims of super Typhoon Haiyan in Manila February 15, 2014. The event also aims to set a Guinness world record for the most number of participants in a charity walk, according to local media. (MNS photo) MANILA (AFP) – Tens of thousands of members of a Philippine sect took to the streets in Manila on Saturday in a charity walk to raise funds for survivors of the country’s deadliest typhoon. Members of the Iglesia ni Cristo (Church of Christ) poured into the capital’s seaside avenue in response to the politically influential sect’s appeal to help compatriots caught up by Super Typhoon Haiyan’s onslaught. All those taking part bought special white t-shirts, costing 250 pesos ($5.60)to wear during the march, with all proceed from sales of the garment being donated to help those in need, pensioner Laodiseo Santos, 78, told AFP. “I paid for this T-shirt to help our countrymen rebuild their homes…Some of our wealthier members purchased in bulk,” he said. The retired cashier, his five grown-up sons and daughters as well as several grandchildren completed a three-kilometre (1.8-mile) walk on Roxas Boulevard in late morning. Police estimated the crowd at about 200,000, though the figure could not be independently confirmed. Haiyan tore across 171 towns and cities in the central islands on November 8 last year, killing at least 6,200 people and leaving nearly 2,000 others missing according to an Read More …

No direct ‘pork’ talks with Enrile, only with his former aide – Ruby Tuason

Entertainment

Feb 172014

No direct ‘pork’ talks with Enrile, only with his former aide – Ruby Tuason

State witness Ruby Tuason reads her opening statement during the Feb. 13, 2014 Senate Blue Ribbon Committee hearing on the alleged pork barrel scam as Justice Secretary Leila del Lima (right) and whistle-blower Benhur Luy (left) listen. (MNS photo) MANILA (Mabuhay) – Potential pork barrel scam Ruby Tuason on Thursday said she never got to directly transact with Senate Minority Leader Juan Ponce Enrile involving pork barrel funds. During her testimony before the Senate blue ribbon committee, Tuason said she only discussed pork barrel transactions with Enrile’s former chief-of-staff, Gigi Reyes. “He [Enrile] never talked to me about PDAF [priority development assistance fund]. He would arrive, have coffee, and pick up Attorney Reyes,” Tuason said. Also, she said she often delivered pork commissions to Reyes at fancy restaurants, such as Mamou, Gourmand and L’Opera. On Monday, Enrile said he never authorized Reyes to discuss pork barrel transactions with anyone, including Tuason. He, however, admitted to meeting with Tuason in Mamou once over lunch either in late 2006 or early 2007. He said Reyes was present during the meeting “to record the details of what is being discussed.” Enrile, Tuason and Reyes are currently facing plunder raps before the Office of the Ombudsman for allegedly benefiting from the pork barrel scam supposedly engineered by controversial businesswoman Janet Lim-Napoles. (MNS)

Mitsuwa launches monthly Shokuiku cooking classes at Torrance store

Entertainment

Feb 172014

Mitsuwa launches monthly Shokuiku cooking classes at Torrance store

Shokuiku cooking class Torrance, CA – Mitsuwa Marketplace, the largest Japanese supermarket chain in the U.S., held the opening ceremony for its Shokuiku cooking class followed by the first Shokuiku event on 2/8 (Sat). Over 40 families had participated in the 4 segments of omusubi (rice ball) cooking classes held in Mitsuwa Torrance store on 2/8 (Sat) and 2/9 (Sun). This marked the start of its serial cooking classes to be held on the first Sunday of each month. Shokuiku cooking class “Shoku-iku” is a concept of promoting healthy lifestyle through food. Store manager Mr. Kishimoto said, “In an effort to support healthy living habits, Mitsuwa will hold monthly cooking classes to promote a healthier lifestyle”. Parents and kids will enjoy family-bonding moments together through free cooking classes. Japan Rice and Rice Products Export Promotion Association (JRE) sponsored this first Shokuiku event. Representatives from JRE welcomed the crowd by introducing the importance of rice and rice culture in Japan. The next Shokuiku cooking class will be held on March 2nd, featuring easy-to-make sushi. This goes perfectly with the March 3rd Japanese Girl’s Day. It is a traditional Japanese holiday for families to get together to pray for the well being of young girls, and sushi is one of the traditional foods to be served on that day. If interested in future Shokuiku classes, be sure to sign up at the Mitsuwa Torrance store. About Mitsuwa Marketplace Mitsuwa Marketplace, the largest Japanese supermarket chain in the U.S. carries a wide variety Read More …

BI to issue new departure, arrival cards starting Mar. 1

Entertainment

Feb 172014

BI to issue new departure, arrival cards starting Mar. 1

Philippine soldiers walk near a military C-130 plane as they prepare to go to Tacloban city, at the Villamor Airbase, in Manila, Philippines on Tuesday, Nov. 12, 2013. Four days after Typhoon Haiyan struck the eastern Philippines, only a trickle of assistance has made it to affected communities. Authorities said at least 9.7 million people in 41 provinces were affected by the devastating typhoon. (MNS photo) MANILA (Mabuhay) – Starting March 1, the Bureau of Immigration (BI) will be issuing newly designed and printed arrival and departure (AD) cards to passengers. BI spokesperson Maria Angelica Pedro said they are currently coordinating with airline companies as to the distribution of the cards. The new AD cards are used to document passengers, for border management and compilation of tourism statistics. For this year, the BI will be printing 10 million each for arrival and departure cards. The AD cards are printed at the National Printing Office (NPO). She explained that the cards are color-coded, for arrival cards the heading is color blue while the departure cards is color red. For his part, BI Commissioner Siegfred Mison said the design and data fields of the cards are aligned with the existing computer systems – the upgraded BI Information System (BIIS). “Even the size of the color-coded forms is aligned with that of the standard passport page,” he added. The BI and the Department of Tourism are equally shouldering the printing cost. Pedro said some of the information such as the date of birth Read More …

Pinoys bullish on jobs despite 12.1M unemployed at end-2013 – SWS

Entertainment

Feb 142014

Pinoys bullish on jobs despite 12.1M unemployed at end-2013 – SWS

Department of Labor and Employment Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz leads the lowering of the time capsule during the groundbreaking ceremony Friday (Feb. 7, 2014) for the construction of the “Green Innovation Technology Center” at the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) Complex in Taguig City. Also in photo are (from left) Federation of Filipino Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry Inc. (FFCCCII) Executive Vice President Angel Ngu, TESDA Secretary Joel Villanueva, FFCCCII president Dr. Alfonso G. Siy, and FFCCCII Chairman Emeritus Lucio Tan. (MNS photo) MANILA (Mabuhay) – Some 12.1 million Filipinos were jobless at the end of 2013, as unemployment rose to 27.5 percent in the last quarter of the year, according to a Social Weather Stations poll. The SWS’s fourth quarter unemployment figures were six points higher than the 21.7 percent (9.6 million Filipinos jobless) in September. The SWS also pointed out that the unemployment figures were the highest since August 2012, when it reached 29.4 percent. The highest unemployment rate in the last 20 years was reached in February 2009 at 34.4 percent. The Dec. 11-16 survey used face-to-face interviews of 1,550 adults nationwide. Sampling error margins of ±2.5% for national, ±4% for the Visayas and ±6% for Metro Manila, Balance Luzon and Mindanao percentages applied to the survey. But Labor Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz said the SWS’s unemployment rate is always higher than the government’s records because the pollster uses a different methodology from the National Statistical Coordination Board. “So parang hindi fair na mag-compare ka hindi Read More …

Bill seeks to increase monthly stipend of senior citizens

Entertainment

Feb 132014

Bill seeks to increase monthly stipend of senior citizens

An elderly survivor evacuated from the disaster zone of typhoon Haiyan is wheeled past a V-22 Osprey on tarmac after arriving on a military plane at Villamor Air Base in Manila November 13, 2013. Philippine officials have been overwhelmed by Haiyan, one of the strongest typhoons on record, which tore through the central Philippines on Friday and flattened Tacloban, coastal capital of Leyte province where officials had feared 10,000 people died, many drowning in a tsunami-like wall of seawater. (MNS photo) MANILA (Mabuhay) – A lawmaker has filed a measure increasing the monthly stipend of senior citizens from P500 to P1,000. House Bill 3731, authored by Rep. Anthony del Rosario (1st District, Davao del Norte), also seeks to lower the age of coverage from the present 77 years old to 70 years old. Del Rosario said the present age requirement is no longer reasonable considering today’s average lifespan of senior citizens. “The coverage should be lowered so that our elderly will be able to avail of the benefits longer into their twilight years,” Del Rosario said. The measure amends Republic Act 7432, as amended, otherwise known as the Expanded Senior Citizens Act of 2010. “The time is ripe to re-visit the provisions embodied in the existing law and uphold the time-honored principle that those who have less in life should have more in law,” Del Rosario stressed. “It cannot be denied that over the years the prices of commodities have increased and by increasing the senior citizens’ purchasing power, this Read More …

The New BMW 4 Series Gran Coupe

Entertainment

Feb 132014

A new 4-door coupe in the mid-sized performance-luxury segment Woodcliff Lake, NJ – The new BMW 4 Series Gran Coupe adds a fresh dimension to one of the company’s newest model ranges. It combines the sleek look and sporty character of the 4 Series Coupe with the functionality provided by four-doors and a spacious, flexible luggage compartment. The 2015 BMW 4 Series Gran Coupe arrives in the US in early summer of 2014 with two engine choices. The 428i Gran Coupe will feature BMW’s award-winning 240hp TwinPower Turbo 2.0-liter four-cylinder while the 435i Gran Coupe will be powered by the much-lauded 300hp TwinPower Turbo 3.0-liter inline six. The 428i xDrive Gran Coupe will also be available at launch with BMW’s intelligent all-wheel drive system. All versions will be offered in the US with an 8-speed sport automatic transmission. The BMW 4 Series Gran Coupe will make its world debut at the Geneva Motor Show in March 2014 and makes its US debut at the New York International Auto Show in April 2014. Prices in the US will start at a manufacturer’s suggested retail price of $41,225 (including $925 destination & handling) for the 428i Gran Coupe. The 428i xDrive Gran Coupe will have an MSRP of $43,225, including destination & handling while the top-of-the-line 435i Gran Coupe will have an MSRP of $46,725, again, including destination & handling. While this model shares the same length, width, wheelbase and track with the extremely dynamic two-door version, the roofline of the BMW 4 Series Gran Coupe is Read More …

Study: Tired teenagers may need a new mattress

General

Feb 132014

Study: Tired teenagers may need a new mattress

According to the country’s National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies subjects aged 15-19 slept just seven hours and 37 minutes per night on average. Nearly one third of the study’s participants had accumulated a “sleep debt,” while 17% said they were dissatisfied with their sleep. More troubling, 7% of the teenagers in the study reported taking sedatives to help them sleep. (Relaxnews) – It’s no secret that sleep is crucial during the intensive growth phase of adolescence. Yet studies have shown that teenagers’ average sleep per night has declined by 50 minutes over the past 25 years. While the causes of this decrease are often hard to pinpoint, sleep researchers at the Hôtel-Dieu Hospital in Paris have found one way to remedy the problem: newer, bigger mattresses. Professor Damien Léger, director of the Centre du Sommeil et de la Vigilance, the Parisian hospital’s sleep research center, partnered with the founder of the European Sleep Center, Doctor François Duforez, to study the effects of high-quality bedding on teenagers’ sleep. The two researchers were motivated by recent studies on the question, which show that French teenagers are not getting their recommended eight to nine hours of sleep per night. According to the country’s National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies (INSEE), subjects aged 15-19 slept just seven hours and 37 minutes per night on average. Nearly one third of the study’s participants had accumulated a “sleep debt,” while 17% said they were dissatisfied with their sleep. More troubling, 7% of the Read More …

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