hniitsu

TFC’s myRemit maintains outreach gains

 News
Aug 012013
 
TFC’s myRemit maintains outreach gains

INQUIRER.net U.S. Bureau 1:39 am | Friday, August 2nd, 2013 REDWOOD CITY, California—Money transfer service myREMIT, which offers phone, online and over-the-counter remittance services through partner outlets, is keeping up its successful effort to reach more Filipinos in the United States. MyREMIT, a Kapamilya Service of The Filipino Channel (TFC), this year introduced the Kapamilya Exclusive Deal, which offers a US$2 discount on myRemit transaction fees to U.S. subscribers of TFC on any platform. “Our ongoing Kapamilya Exclusive Deal is our way of acknowledging and thanking the loyal subscribers of TFC,” said ABS-CBN North America Remittance and Cargo Marketing Manager Ray Olano. “We are very enthused by how this promo was received by the subscribers. We will make sure that the promo offerings of myRemit will continue to show appreciation for their patronage of TFC.” TFC myREMIT has also been active in community events. On July 27, together with TFC and StarKargo, it held the festive “Summer Show sa Island Pacific Cerritos” as part of the ongoing TFC Sama Saya Kapamilya event series. Adobo Nation’s Ana Diaz of the “LA Chika” segment and Gelo of “Barangay USA” hosted the event, which featured singer Jackie Chavez, hailed as the Acoustic Gem of the Bay Area.  Fun activities included games and prizes plus an amateur singing contest that drew many musically inclined Filipinos in Cerritos, an affluent city in Los Angeles County where Filipinos comprise the third largest Asian population based on the 2010 U.S. Census. “Our solid partnerships with respected Filipino Read More …

Suspected Abu Sayyaf sub-leader-turned-OFW nabbed in Quezon City

 News
Jul 292013
 
Suspected Abu Sayyaf sub-leader-turned-OFW nabbed in Quezon City

By Marlon RamosPhilippine Daily Inquirer 5:53 pm | Monday, July 29th, 2013 MANILA, Philippines — Intelligence operatives of the police and the military have arrested a suspected sub-leader of the Abu Sayyaf who had allegedly found a new life as an overseas Filipino worker in Saudi Arabia. Sali Basal Taib, alias Gong-gong Sali and Abu Husni, was among the Abu Sayyaf bandits involved in the Lamitan, Basilan, siege in 2001, Director Francisco Uyami, chief of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group, said Monday. Uyami said Taib was arrested by CIDG and Army personnel in Payatas, Quezon City, on July 25 after he brought his son to school. Taib was facing a string of kidnapping cases in Basilan and carried a P5.3-million reward for his arrest, he added. “He was able to leave the country using (fake documents) and worked as electrician in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia,” Uyami said in a news briefing at Camp Crame. “Like other Abu Sayyaf bandits, (Taib) left Basilan and lived a normal life. He had just returned to the country for a vacation and to observe Ramadan. Fortunately, we were able to get information about his whereabouts,” he said. Taib’s arrest was covered by arrest warrants separately issued by Isabela City Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 1 Judge Leo Jay Principe and Isabela RTC Branch 2 Judge Danilo Bucoy. According to Uyami, Taib was one of the heavily-armed bandits who ran over the town of Lamitan and occupied the Don Jose Torres Memorial Hospital in 2001. Read More …

First Afghan woman governor wins Magsaysay award

 News
Jul 242013
 
First Afghan woman governor wins Magsaysay award

Associated Press 3:59 pm | Wednesday, July 24th, 2013 MANILA, Philippines— Afghanistan’s first and only female governor and a humanitarian worker from the Kachin minority in Myanmar are among this year’s recipients of the Ramon Magsaysay Awards. Habiba Sarabi was honored for helping build a functioning local government and pushing for education and women’s rights in Afghanistan’s Bamyan province despite discrimination and poverty. Lahpai Seng Raw helps rehabilitate damaged communities amid armed conflict. The Ramon Magsaysay Awards announced Wednesday it will honor three individuals and two organizations for changing their societies for the better. It is named after former president Ramon Magsaysay who died in a plane crash in 1957. Follow Us Recent Stories: Complete stories on our Digital Edition newsstand for tablets, netbooks and mobile phones; 14-issue free trial. About to step out? Get breaking alerts on your mobile.phone. Text ON INQ BREAKING to 4467, for Globe, Smart and Sun subscribers in the Philippines. Tags: Awards , education , Women Factual errors? Contact the Philippine Daily Inquirer’s day desk. Believe this article violates journalistic ethics? Contact the Inquirer’s Reader’s Advocate. Or write The Readers’ Advocate: c/o Philippine Daily Inquirer Chino Roces Avenue corner Yague and Mascardo Streets, Makati City, Metro Manila, Philippines Or fax nos. +63 2 8974793 to 94

Japan to extend tech assistance for Bangsamoro formation

 News
Jul 232013
 
Japan to extend tech assistance for Bangsamoro formation

By Michelle V. RemoPhilippine Daily Inquirer 6:51 pm | Tuesday, July 23rd, 2013 MILF chief negotiator Mohagher Iqbal. FILE PHOTO MANILA, Philippines—The Japanese government, through the Japan International Cooperation Agency, has agreed to take on a major role in helping form the Bangsamoro government that is hoped to bring sustainable peace and development in Mindanao and is targeted to be operational by 2016. In a press conference Tuesday, JICA officials said the Japanese government-funded institution shall extend technical assistance to concerned people in Mindanao to help prepare them for 2016. Cristina Santiago, senior program officer at JICA, said the technical assistance shall run for three years. Signing of the technical assistance agreement will be held on Thursday. JICA shall be represented by Takahiro Sasaki, chief representative to the Philippines. The Bangsamoro people shall be represented by Mohagher Iqbal, chair of the Transition Commission for the establishment of the Bangsamoro government. The technical assistance, valued at $7 million (about P300 million), covers the formulation of medium- and long-term development plans for Mindanao. The assistance shall come in the form of a grant. The assistance likewise includes training of concerned people in Mindanao on areas of public administration, public budgeting and finance, management, and details of a parliamentary form of government. Chikaraishi Juro, senior advisor at JICA, said in the press conference that people in charge of forming the Bangsamoro government prefer having a parliamentary system in the belief such will be effective in instituting needed security, social, and economic programs in Read More …

US military officers in PH for series of talks

 News
Jul 232013
 
US military officers in PH for series of talks

By Frances MangosingINQUIRER.net 6:01 pm | Tuesday, July 23rd, 2013 MANILA, Philippines – Ranking United States military officers are in the country for a series of Mutual Defense Board-Security Engagement Board (MDB-SEB) talks. The contingent from the US is led by Major General Gregg Sturdevant, chief of Strategic Planning Policy (J5) of US Pacific Command. “Dumating sila dito para makipag-meeting execom [executive committee] para planuhin yung mga activities na gagawin next year,” Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin told reporters at Camp Aguinaldo, when asked to confirm about the visit of the US officials. (“They arrived here for execom meeting to plan out next year’s activities,” Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin told reporters at Camp Aguinaldo, when asked to confirm about the visit of the US officials.) Gazmin said the talks will tackle humanitarian activities and military drills between US and Philippines including Balikatan, which is usually planned one year ahead. Both the delegates of the PH-US will participate in the talks at Camp Aguinaldo from Wednesday until Friday. RELATED STORIES:   US Secretary of the Navy meets with PH defense, military officials   ‘Rebalancing’ of US forces in PH tackled by Gazmin, US defense official     Bigger US military role in Philippines sought   Follow Us Recent Stories: Complete stories on our Digital Edition newsstand for tablets, netbooks and mobile phones; 14-issue free trial. About to step out? Get breaking alerts on your mobile.phone. Text ON INQ BREAKING to 4467, for Globe, Smart and Sun subscribers in the Philippines. Tags: Defense Read More …

Gazmin dismisses Aquino failure to mention West PH Sea row in SONA

 News
Jul 232013
 
Gazmin dismisses Aquino failure to mention West PH Sea row in SONA

By Frances MangosingINQUIRER.net 5:58 pm | Tuesday, July 23rd, 2013 Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin. FILE PHOTO MANILA, Philippines – Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin on Tuesday said he didn’t see the need for President Benigno Aquino III to mention the West Philippine Sea (South China Sea) dispute with China during his fourth State of the Nation Address the day before. He said the arbitration proceedings by the United Nations has started. “Well  because the process is moving, it’s been organized, the members have been organized, so the process has begun,” Gazmin told reporters in Filipino in an interview at Camp Aguinaldo. “Our legal proceedings might be affected,” he added. A five-member tribunal has been formed for the arbitration process, and the proceedings began in the Netherlands last week despite China’s refusal to cooperate. Gazmin said that China has maintained its presence in Ayungin (Second Thomas Shoal) off Palawan and Panatag (Scarborough Shoal) off Zambales, which are both well within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone. He said there were at least two Chinese ships monitored in the periphery of Ayungin and two Chinese Maritime Surveillance ships in Panatag. The West Philippine Sea (South China Sea) had been a longtime source of conflict in the region, with China claiming ownership of the entire area. Follow Us Recent Stories: Complete stories on our Digital Edition newsstand for tablets, netbooks and mobile phones; 14-issue free trial. About to step out? Get breaking alerts on your mobile.phone. Text ON INQ BREAKING to 4467, for Globe, Smart Read More …

Asia stocks rise, brush off slower China growth

 General
Jul 152013
 
Asia stocks rise, brush off slower China growth

Associated Press 1:12 pm | Monday, July 15th, 2013 BANGKOK — Asian stock markets posted modest gains Monday, registering relief that a slowdown in China’s economic growth wasn’t as sharp as feared. The world’s second-largest economy grew 7.5 percent from a year earlier in the second quarter, slowing from the previous quarter’s 7.7 percent, as weak trade and a clampdown on lending took their toll. It was the second consecutive quarter of slowing growth but still strong enough to suggest China will meet Beijing’s 7.5 percent growth target for this year. A clampdown on overly fast growth in lending had contributed to jitters that China’s growth might fall below 7 percent. That would hurt companies around the world that have become increasingly reliant on breakneck Chinese growth to boost earnings. Hong Kong’s Hang Seng was up 0.4 percent at 21,369.00 and Sydney’s S&P/ASX 200 added 0.3 percent to 4,985.90. South Korea’s Kospi rose 0.3 percent 1,875.70. Japan’s financial markets were closed for a public holiday. Elsewhere, benchmarks in Singapore, Thailand and New Zealand rose while Indonesia and India fell. The gains in Asia came after Wall Street eked out new highs. After spending most of Friday flat or down, U.S. stocks rallied at the last minute and closed slightly higher, just enough to post record highs for the Dow Jones industrial average and the Standard & Poor’s 500. The gains were tiny. And the record doesn’t mean much for investors, who hardly have any more money now than they did Read More …

Philippines, Venezuela carriers allowed back into EU skies

 News
Jul 102013
 
Philippines, Venezuela carriers allowed back into EU skies

Agence France-Presse 9:16 am | Thursday, July 11th, 2013 BRUSSELS—The European Union on Wednesday allowed carriers Philippines Airlines and Venezuela’s Conviasa back into European airspace on the grounds of improved safety and compliance with EU regulations. The EU executive, the European Commission, removed the two from a blacklist—the EU air safety list—after slapping an operational ban on the Filipino flag-carrier in 2010 and on Conviasa in 2012. The decision to lift the bans was an element of the EU’s updated list which now leaves 280 airlines from 20 states still barred from flying in the EU. “Today we confirmed our willingness to remove countries and airlines from the list if they show real commitment and capacity to implement international safety standards in a sustainable manner,” said the EU’s Transport Commissioner Siim Kallas. Earlier in Manila, EU ambassador Guy Ledoux said Philippines Airlines will be allowed to fly into the 28-member bloc from Friday, which will spur tourism and business links. “This is a tremendous achievement in such a short period of time,” Ledoux said. He added that the EU would conduct further reviews so other Philippine carriers would also be able to fly to Europe as well. “This decision is very encouraging and is the first success of CAAP (Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines) and Philippine Airlines,” he told reporters. Follow Us Recent Stories: Complete stories on our Digital Edition newsstand for tablets, netbooks and mobile phones; 14-issue free trial. About to step out? Get breaking alerts on your Read More …

Filipinos join protest against closure of popular community college

 News
Jul 102013
 
Filipinos join protest against closure of popular community college

By Vivian Zalvidea AraulloINQUIRER.net US Bureau 7:52 am | Thursday, July 11th, 2013 SF Community College students, employees and supporters rally in front of the US Department of Education against recommendation to shut down the school. SAN FRANCISCO—Hundreds of students, teachers and school employees of the City College of San Francisco (CCSF), including Filipinos, held a rally in front of the US Department of Education, calling for more scrutiny of an accreditation agency that recommended the shutdown of the largest junior community college in the US. “Public good before profit!” chanted protesters, who are fighting to keep the CCSF open, despite a projected financial loss of some $2.5 million next year. The Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges (ACCJC) last week said it would no longer accredit CCSF after July next year. Without accreditation, academic credits from CCSF would not be transferrable to other schools, nor would students be able to obtain federal student loans or grants. The agency cited 14 reasons for stripping CCSF of its accreditation, but “lack of financial accountability, as well as institutional deficiencies in the area of leadership and governance” were the main reasons for its decision. Impact on Filipinos “Mahirap magbayad ng tuition. Mura dito at maganda naman ang mga course (Tuition is expensive. But here it’s cheaper yet the courses are good),” said Filipino immigrant student Michael Reyes, who was at the rally. “Kailangan ito para makahanap ng magandang trabaho (We need this to find good jobs).” Reyes, originally from Quezon City, Read More …

Tropical cyclones to become stronger, more frequent, says study

 News
Jul 082013
 
Tropical cyclones to become stronger, more frequent, says study

Agance France-Presse 6:52 am | Tuesday, July 9th, 2013 This Aug. 14, 2010, file photo shows an aerial view of the flooded Rohjan area in southern Pakistan. Prominent climate scientist Kerry Emanuel of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology said Monday, July 8, 2013, that rising greenhouse gas emissions could lead to a 10 to 40 percent increase in the frequency of tropical cyclones by the year 2100. AP PHOTO WASHINGTON—The world typically sees about 90 tropical cyclones a year, but that number could increase dramatically in the next century due to global warming, a US scientist said Monday. Rising greenhouse gas emissions could lead to a 10 to 40 percent increase in the frequency of tropical cyclones by the year 2100, said prominent climate scientist Kerry Emanuel of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). Those storms could be up to 45 percent more intense, making landfall 55 percent stronger—a “substantial” increase, said the research in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. Stronger storm surges, winds and rain would likely be felt most acutely in the southern Indian Ocean, North Pacific and North Atlantic Ocean, and could raise risks of damage in coastal areas, he said. Satellite data has shown that cyclones—which are rotating systems of clouds and thunderstorms—have remained relatively consistent in frequency and power over the past 40 years. But he projected a steady uptick in the future using six different climate models combined with forecasts from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), which predicts carbon Read More …

 Older Entries  Newer Entries