The GNP Team

61 countries where Pinoys can visit without a visa

News

Mar 282017

61 countries where Pinoys can visit without a visa

Filipinos with Philippine passports traveling this vacation season can choose any of 61 countries which do not require visa, according to the Henley & Partners Visa Restrictions Index (VRI). The Philippines placed one notch higher at 75th on the global travel freedom ranking in 2017 but kept its 61 countries list from the 2016 VRI. The following listing from Philsite lists the countries Filipino nationals can enter even without a visa. Asian Countries, member of ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) In a reciprocity visa free agreement among member nations within the ASEAN: Brunei Darussalam – 14 days Cambodia – 21 days Indonesia – 30 days Laos – 30 days Malaysia – 30 days Singapore – 30 days Thailand – 30 days Vietnam – 21 days Asian Countries, Non-ASEAN member Armenia – 120 days, visa issued on arrival China, Shenzhen – 7 days, if crossing from Hong Kong, and is valid in Shenzhen area only. Hong Kong – 14 days validity India – 30 days, eTourist visa online. Iran – 15 days, must obtain an e-visa pre-approval code from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Israel – 90 days Kyrgyzstan – 30 days, visa on arrival Laos – 21 days, visa on arrival Macau – 30 days Maldives – 30 days visa issued upon arrival Myanmar – 21 days Mongolia – 21 days Nepal – 21 days visa issued on arrival South Korea – 30 days, if arriving at Jeju Island or after visiting Korea 4 times with visa. Sri Lanka – 30 days, but must get an Electronic Visa Read More …

Cine Lokal theaters to exclusively screen indie films

News

Mar 282017

Cine Lokal theaters to exclusively screen indie films

SM Cinema in cooperation with the Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP) will dedicate 8 theaters across the country to screen independent, award-winning films beginning April 2017. FDCP says the project seeks to give indie films a commercial venue while creating an audience. "Cine Lokal's goal is two-fold: to provide independent filmmakers with a commercial venue for their films, thereby strengthening their experience and training on film marketing and distribution, and to create a culture of support and viewership among Filipinos nationwide,” said FDCP Chairperson Liza Diño. The largest cinema chain in the country has marked the following 8 theaters to screen Cine Lokal films by April 19: SM Megamall SM North EDSA SM Fairview SM Iloilo SM Southmall SM Cebu SM Bacoor SM Mall of Asia FDCP has selected Lent-related films for the first screening of Cine Lokal: digitally remastered Nora Aunor starrer “Himala” and Oscar-winner “Spotlight.” "Iadya Mo Kami" and "Of Sinners and Saints", two films about priests whose faith are tested, will also be screened. Cine Lokal films are guaranteed a week-long run, with possibilities of a regular screening crossover depending on audience demand. In the interest of transparency, Diño revealed that a 50-40- 10 split has been worked out between the producers, SM Cinema, and FDCP. The full 50% of the profits will go to the producers, especially if the FDCP is successful in courting local government units to waive the amusement tax for Cine Lokal films. SM Cinemas take 40%, while FDCP receives a minimum Read More …

American BPO to offer 10,000 jobs in PH

News

Mar 242017

United States business process outsourcing (BPO) company Alorica has announced it will offer 10,000 jobs in the Philippines as it expands its presence in the country with a new facility in Makati City. The BPO’s new facility provides open and collaborative workspaces for additional workers to beef up its current 35,000 workforce. The 58,000 square foot facility was built in response to the expanding demands for its Philippine services according to Alorica Asia Region President Bong Borja. “Alorica has been earning more business from our clients and adding new clients. Because of this, we need to expand rapidly here in the Philippines,” Borja said in a Business Mirror report. “The 12-storey Alorica Center features modern workspaces, applicant and employee lounges, collaboration areas, training rooms, interview and conference rooms, and recreational spaces, such as a fitness gym, a spacious cafeteria with various food options, full-service clinic, huddle areas, sleeping quarters and parking. Expansive glass walls and perimeter open spaces bring ample natural light, afford beautiful city views and induce socialization.” Alorica, the largest provider of customer service solutions in the US market, currently operates 12 centers in the Philippines including Metro Manila, Cebu, Clark, Davao and Laoag. The post American BPO to offer 10,000 jobs in PH appeared first on Good News Pilipinas. Related posts: BPO sector targets 170,000 new jobs this year Jobs PHL outsourcing sector to add 100,000 jobs in 2014 BPO expected to surpass OFW remittances Australia’s TSA Group expands BPO operations

French social entrep sets up toy biz in Bulacan

News

Mar 242017

French social entrep sets up toy biz in Bulacan

Fabien Courteille showcases Buko Martin, one of the stuffed toys in the vegetable and fruit line of his social enterprise, Plush and Play. [via Philstar] French social entrepreneur Fabien Courteille has set up a business for mothers involved in Gawad Kalinga (GK), a Philippine movement to end poverty. The Frenchman who lives with the GK community at the GK Enchanted Farm in Bulacan province, set up the social enterprise Plush and Play for mothers in the village. Plush and Play utilizes the sewing skills of the women to make hand-stitched stuffed toys right in the community where they stay, enabling them to care for their families while earning an income from being involved in the business. The business employs 19 full time mothers, and about 25 part time workers. The mothers are mostly former sewing industry workers who lost their jobs. They are now earning about 100,000 a year. “Listening to their stories, I realized that they already had skills and we should be on it to restore their livelihood and dignity instead of going for rocket science,” Courteille said said in a Philippine Star interview. “We reach out to more communities and sometimes we have more than 100 people in the payroll. We hope to grow and create more jobs, definitely – a thousand if we can.” The Plush and Play product line consist of plush toys made to look like fruits and vegetables and named after celebrities and icons such as Okra Aunor, Buko Martin, Manny Pakwan, Mais Read More …

Carlos Hinolan builds successful tech firm from P500

News

Mar 202017

Carlos Hinolan builds successful tech firm from P500

Carlos Hinolan Former radio disc jockey Carlos Hinolan has built a successful startup company with just Php500. Hinolan pioneered sensory branding in the Philippines with AudioWav Media, a tech company founded in 2003 that provides WAV proprietary devices to allow businesses to give the best customer service. Multi-sensory branding customizes audio, visuals and scents for food and convenience stores allowing them to give customers personalized experiences. AudioWav provides audio players, LED screens, and scent diffusers. The AudioWav chief talked to the Inquirer about how he wanted to have his own radio station when he was younger and ending up getting his big break by customizing the sound of a popular fast food chain. Hinolan bought a microphone with the Php500 to create a customized voice content. "You could say I was lucky that we created relevant content for those 238 stores. And they used that content to tell their customers what's for breakfast, what's for lunch, what's for merienda and what they can take home to their families," the AudioWav CEO said about his work for Chowking. The tech entrepreneur said he was able to convince the large food chain to be his client with his belief in the content of his product, "It's not about how small you are … It's about how good your content is. At the end of the day, content will always be king." "Now that we have our own platform and we realize we can do (business) in Singapore and Indonesia, we are looking Read More …

8 women cadets dominate top 10 in PMA 2017 class

News

Mar 162017

8 women cadets dominate top 10 in PMA 2017 class

Eight women cadets have been recognized as topnotchers in the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) graduating class of 2017. The top cadets of the Philippine Military Academy class of 2017 [by Mau Victa via Rappler] Rovi Mariel Valino Martinez led the topnotchers, graduating as Valedictorian of the Salaknib PMA class of 2017. Martinez will go to the U.S. Naval War College in Rhode Island as part of her award as the top Navy graduate. Seven other female cadets join Martinez in the top 10, reportedly a record for the PMA since females started to be accepted in the military school in 1993. The women dominated the recognitions for the 167 “mistahs” of the class of 2017. Female graduates of the batch numbered 63, another record number in PMA history. Rappler lists the top 8 women of the Class of 2017: Rovi Mairel Valino Martinez of Cabanatuan City, joining the Navy Eda Glis Buansi Marapao of Baguio City, Navy Cathleen Jovie Santiano Baybayan, of San Fernando, Pampanga, Army Shiela Joy Ramiro Jallorina, of Bagabag, Nueva Vizcaya, Air Force Sheil Marie Calonge de Guzman, of Manaoag, Pangasinan, Army Joyzy Mencias Funchica, of Butuan City, Air Force Resie Jezreel Arrocena Hucalla, of Compostela Valley, Air Force Catherine Mae Emeterio Gonzales, of Zamboanga City, Air Force “They deserve it,” said PMA Superintendent Lt. Gen. Donato San Juan was quoted in an ABS-CBN report, adding, “they were equally treated (with men), and it so happens that this batch has excellent women.” Army Lt. Colonel Lea Lorenzo-Santiago, Read More …

Calzado wins Asian Film Fest Best Performer award

News

Mar 162017

Calzado wins Asian Film Fest Best Performer award

Filipino actress Iza Calzado has won the Yakushi Pearl Award in Japan for her portrayal of an actor-producer in the film “Bliss.” Iza Calzado in a scene from ‘Bliss’ [via Osaka Asian Film Festival] Calzado’s acceptance speech for the Best Performer award at the Osaka Asian Film Festival 2017 (OAFF 2017) credited “Bliss” director Jerrold Tarog for letting her be part of the psychological thriller film. Her Instagram post shared how she met challenges as she was shooting the film, “I got sick twice while filming because the role was very physically and emotionally demanding, especially when you're on set for almost 24 hours. It was challenging but fun, thanks to the whole team behind it. “My co-actors, you were all brilliant in the film! Can't wait for you guys to watch it too. Much love and respect to all the films that were part of the festival, especially the Filipino crew!" Calzado also appreciated all the Filipinos who were part of the film festival saying, “To my Kababayans, I hope that I can continue to make you proud. I am grateful, humbled, inspired. Maraming Salamat (Thank You)." “Bliss” is the story of Calzado’s character, Jane Ciego, a former child actor who decides to produce her own film to get respect in the industry. She gets into an accident that cripples her and keeps her in the house. She begins to hear strange sounds and sees people around her trying to harm her in a seeming endless nightmare. The Yakushi Pearl Award is Read More …

The Genius of the Filipino

News

Mar 162017

The sight of a jeepney is something that shocks every first-time visitor to this country. Mike Grogan The Philippines is the only in the world to use this unique form of transportation. Jeepneys are perhaps one of the most beautiful examples of the local folks’ value of being madiskarte: adapt and be creative when the moment calls for it. In addition to the artistic and diverse designs that have been created on its exterior, the jeepney was originally made from the United States’s leftover military jeeps from World War II. Thanks to the ma-diskarte genius of Filipino engineers, the jeepney rapidly emerged as a popular and creative way to reestablish inexpensive public transportation, much of which had been destroyed during World War II. Today it remains the iconic symbol of Filipino creativity. Walk down any street in the Philippines, and you will be met with example-after- example of the Filipino brand of diskarte. Ball bearings from cars are made into wheels for karitons, steel pails are turned into barbecue grills, while old cellular phones now serve as family radios. Converting something old into another practical and useful thing, even if it significantly varies from its original design, is something Filipinos excel at. Diskarte is a reflection of the will and determination that lives within all Filipinos to make the best of their given situation. For the past 30 years, overseas Filipinos have been adapting to some of the most environmentally challenging lands, as well as diverse peoples and cultures of the world. Filipino immigrants have embraced Read More …

Filipino student’s life-saving app wins Global Award in UK

News

Mar 122017

Filipino student’s life-saving app wins Global Award in UK

Joel Alejandro and Andrea Relucio’s ‘Sali’ save-a-life app which aims to universalize CPR education and training captured the Sandoz HACk Healthcare Access Challenge in London, United Kingdom. Sandoz President Richard Francis hands the prize for the Sandoz HACk Healthcare Access Challenge to Andrea Relucio and Joel Alejandro [by Joel Alejandro via Rappler] Alejandro invented ‘Sali’ save-a-life app to create a population capable of administering, and motivated to do CPR anywhere and anytime. The app also connects users to a network of fellow life-savers who can provide auxiliary support. Alejandro and Relucio represented the Philippines as one of the 6 finalist teams that spent 2 days getting feedback from experts to help them refine their pitches. On the last day of the event, they presented their final works to 5 panelists, including Sandoz CEO Richard Francis. They will receive seed funding worth EU 20,000 *(P1.066 million) and mentorship from all of the experts in the event to help bring their ideas into life. “The immediate plan is to build the team who shares the same vision as we do. With that being said, it will be more on recruiting the right people who can contribute a little bit of themselves for the greater good of the project and the industry,” said Alejandro. “The Philippines has poor emergency medical response. The gap in that situation is education and access to information and infrastructure. We want to provide that through equipping the people who are there first hand when the emergency happens. ‘Sali’ Read More …

Japan’s Sogo Sosha to invest almost P 200B in PH economy

News

Mar 072017

Japan’s Sogo Sosha to invest almost P 200B in PH economy

Japan’s Sogo Sosha group is investing Php198.5 billion in the Philippines’ railway and transportation, energy, water management, and security sectors. The projects include mass transportation development for Light Rail Transit (LRT) Line 1 South extension, LRT Line 2 East extension, North-South Commuter Railway Project, and possible development of transit systems in Davao, Cebu and Clark. The Japanese investment will also look into Philippine Coast Guard multi-role response vessels and a coal power plant. The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) discussed the trade partnership with Japan during a meeting between Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez and Sogo Sosha executives at the 35th annual Japan-Philippines Economic Cooperation Committee and Philippines-Japan Economic Cooperation Committee meeting, according to a Philippine Star report. The Sogo Sosha group of Japan’s major trading houses include: Mitsubishi Motors, Toyota Tsusho and Sojitz Corp., Marubeni Corp., Mitsui & Co. Ltd., Sumitomo Corp., and Itochu Corp. “Japanese investor remains confident of business prospects in the Philippines. We urge Japanese investors to take the chance to invest in the Philippines as it experiences its momentous economic takeoff in the region,” Lopez said. DTI also identified other Japanese investments from Tsuneishi Shipbuilding Co. Ltd. and an expansion project of Ichijo Co. Ltd., worth Php25 billion. Tsuneishi is investing in an international ship recycling facility fitted with state of the art green technologies, a 120-hectare ship reuse center in Negros Occidental,and a biomass fuel project in Mindanao. The DTI expects the investments coming into the country until 2018. The post Japan’s Sogo Sosha Read More …

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