The Philippines remains a key investment destination in Asia. At the Euromoney Philippine Investment Forum, Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) Governor Nestor Espenilla Jr. said the country is still an attractive investment destination since the economic outlook remains strong with capital markets being deepened and developed, programs to improve infrastructure, and expansion of trade and industries. Espenilla said the government is on track to hit its 6.5-percent gross domestic product growth goal for this year, while 7.0 to 8.0 percent economic growth in the medium term is expected. “The Philippines today offers viable investment opportunities,” he noted. Read Related Story: Philippine Economy Sizzles in Q3 Growing 6.9%, of of Asia’s Best For Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) Director General Charito Plaza, foreign investors are keen on investing in the country, with its young workforce, competitive labor cost, and incentives given particularly by the agency. But she noted that aside from foreign investors, investments of local companies in PEZA are also robust. Plaza said about 22 percent of investments in PEZA were from Filipino companies, next only to Japanese firms which account 40 percent of total investments as the top investors in PEZA. Read Related Story: 7 Good Reasons to do Business in the Philippines Dow Chemical Country Director Roberto Batungbacal also echoed that some of the biggest investments in the country’s manufacturing sector came from local firms. “A lot of success in the manufacturing sector is FDI (foreign direct investments), but local players are drivers of growth,” said Batungbacal. “If Read More …

Filipina Kyla Fajardo grabbed the audience attention, as well as the sports and lifestyle headlines, as she took centerstage at the NBA halftime presentation of the LA Clippers Spirit Dance Team. The 18-year-old daughter of Filipino immigrants based in Carson City in California is the youngest cheerdancer of the Clippers Spirit team. Read Related Story: Nike unveils Pinoy inspired LeBron Agimat shoes Sporting blue hair in the center of the dance routine, Fajardo catches the eye of the viewer in videos showcasing her precision dance moves, standing out even if in sync with her team. Various sites on the internet acknowledged the viral videos and photos featuring the Filipina cheerdancer. Kicker Daily headlined their post with how Fajardo is the “Filipina beauty center of attraction of LA Clippers Cheerdance Crew” and how her talents in dancing has been recognized many times as she won dance titles both on the state and the national levels. Trending News Portal headlined their piece with, “Blue-haired Filipina cheerleader stuns NBA crowd, goes viral,” and led the article with “Another Pinay beauty is taking the world by storm.” The Clippers Spirit Dance Team Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram accounts have been peppered with praises for the Filipina dancer who incidentally recently collected with the help of her teammates, donations to create 100+ care packages that included water, toothbrushes, feminine care supplies, etc. and made 100 warm meals on Thanksgiving morning to pass out to the homeless. In a Facebook post, Fajardo acknowledged her Filipino roots and Read More …

Congrats to @rachelpetersx for representing us! Congrats also to Miss South Africa! And to all the beautiful and confident women. You girls make us proud — Solenn Heussaff (@solennheussaff) November 27, 2017 Rachel Peters may have not won the country’s fourth Miss Universe title, but she won the hearts of Filipinos for giving her all in the most prestigious global beauty pageant held in Las Vegas. On social media, she received a lot of support from friends and celebrities such Solenn Heussaff, Anne Curtis, Gretchen Ho, Vice Ganda, Tim Yap, Jako de Leon, Lara Alcaraz, Rachelle Ann Go and Senator Grace Poe. They commended herfor representing the country to the best of her abilities. Making it to the top 10 is such a feat! You were gorgeous @rachelpetersx Congratulations to our #MissUniverse #Philippines — Anne Curtis-Smith (@annecurtissmith) November 27, 2017 sad but still proud! We love you Rachel! #PhiIippines — Lara Alcaraz (@laraquigaman) November 27, 2017 And I’m sure you’ll “Make the magic last for more than just one night.” as well (Like if you got the reference haha) Amazing job Rachel, the whole country is so proud of you. #MissUniverse #PhiIippines https://t.co/UaNlwN9Uvt — Jako de Leon (@jakodeleon) November 27, 2017 Madlang People lets all give Rachel Peters a big round of applause! — jose marie viceral (@vicegandako) November 27, 2017 The other Miss Peters from South Africa won the #MissUniverse crown but our very own @rachelpetersx put up a great fight. Mabuhay ka, Rachel! #Philippines — Tim Yap (@officialTIMYAP) Read More …
The Philippine government is partnering with Facebook to provide faster internet via the Luzon Bypass Infrastructure (LBI) project, effectively making it a third major player in the telecoms industry. The Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) and the Bases Conversion Development Authority (BCDA) signed an agreement with EDGE a.k.a. Facebook to build and operate submarine cable landing stations in Luzon, the first not to be owned by either of the other two major telecoms players in the country. Read Related Story: PH developers, startups offered on Internet.org by Facebook The Luzon project will pave the way to building an ultra high-speed Internet backbone for the entire country by the third quarter of 2019 where Internet speed can go up to 100 Mbps. BCDA will build the LBI made up of two cable landing stations that are connected by a 250-kilometer long cable network corridor, one in Baler Aurora and another in Poro Point, San Fernando, La Union. Facebook will construct and operate a submarine cable system that will land in the cable stations on the east and west coasts of Luzon. This cable link will provide direct access from the Luzon grid to Internet hubs in the United States and Asia. Read Related Story: PH wireless internet speed & access improves according to global report Facebook will also provide the Philippine government with a bandwidth of at least 2 million Mbps (or 2 Tbps) which is more than the present capacity of either Globe or PLDT, according to DICT Read More …
Filipino-British singer Bailey May has been selected to become a member of a international pop group called Now United. Created by Simon Fuller, the mastermind behind American Idol as well as the former manager of the Spice Girls and S Club 7, Now United is a band consisting of 14 artists from 11 different countries. May rose to fame after appearing on the reality programme Pinoy Big Brother in 2015. He went on to star in the romantic comedy series On the Wings of Love and to release his debut album, titled Bailey, recorded under Star Music. Read Related Story: http://www.goodnewspilipinas.com/lance-busa-wins-michael-bolton-talent-competition/ May posted on social media after Now United’s announcement: “Dreams come true. Thank you my family. Promise to make you all proud.” The 15-year old who was born in Cebu and moved to Norfolk aged four, flew to Los Angeles back in September to audition for the group. The other 10 performers who are part of the 14-member group are Lamar from United Kingdom, Josh from Canada, Shivani from India, Heyoon from South Korea, Any from Brazil, Hina from Japan, Noah from USA, Diarra from Senegal, Joalin from Finland and Sofya from Russia. Read Related Story: Darlin Baje wins ASEAN Pop Singing Title in Vietnam In an interview, Fuller said: “I have wanted to create a new pop music project for some time. However, I wanted to do something new and exciting, never seen before. I wanted it to be a celebration of singing and dancing and on a Read More …
A team of Miriam College students placed 9th overall, and 1st in Southeast Asia, in the senior division of the final round of the World Scholars’ Cup Tournament of Champions held at Yale University in November. The All-Filipina team of Mary Katherine DJ San Miguel, Alyssa Santana, and Aleeza Moira Tiongson bested 330 other world teams composed of about 1,000 student finalists aged 11-16 years old. The combined senior and junior division 16-member team brought home 90 medallions and 3 trophies. Read Related Story: La Salle G’hills bags 4 trophies in Athens Scholars Cup The Miriam College senior division team won from the World Scholar’s Cup: 9 individual silver medals 17 individual gold medals 1 team silver medal 3 team gold medals 1 individual trophy 2 team trophies The junior division team won: 23 individual silver medals 22 individual gold medals 9 team silver medals 6 team gold medals Read Related Story: 6 State Colleges help Cordillera farms fight climate change effects The teams competed in the scholar’s bowl quiz, scholar’s challenge, collaborative writing, and debate. The team of Miriam College Middle School and High School students competed among 2,200 scholars from 50 countries hosted by the Yale International Relations Association.
Miss Universe 2016 Iris Mittenaere passed on her crown wearing a stunning gown by Dubai-based Filipino designer Michael Cinco. Mittenaere looked stunning in what Cinco described as a “scarlet red ombre couture gown in full Swarovski crystals” as she handed over the title to Demi-Leigh Nel-Peters of South Africa during the Miss Universe 2017 coronation night in Las Vegas. In January, when Pia Wurtzbach passed on her Miss Universe crown to Mittenaere, who represented France, in the Miss Universe 2016 pageant held in Manila she wore a blue gown by Cinco. Cinco, who set up his couture label in 2003, has dressed a number of international stars including Jennifer Lopez, Lady Gaga and country singer Carrie Underwood, Miss World 1994 Aishwarya Rai, and Mariah Carey. This year alone, he’s dressed crystal heiress Victoria Swarovski for her big day, as well as several royals and even his own niece.
Six state colleges and universities (SCUs) have joined the S&T Action Frontline for Emergencies & Hazards (SAFE) Program of the Department of Science and Technology-Cordillera Administrative Region (DOST-CAR) to help farms in the Cordillera Administrative Region counter the negative effects of climate change. The SCUs are tasked to conduct research and development studies to enable farmers, barangay and municipal officials to protect the CAR farms against disaster risks and climate change effects. A total amount of P43 million was awarded to three universities and three colleges: Abra State Institute of Science and Technology (ASIST) – P6.9 million Apayao State College (ASC) – P6.3M Benguet State University (BSU) – P10.3M Ifugao State University (IFSU) – P6.1M Kalinga State University (KSU) – P6.3M Mt. Province State Polytechnic College (MPSPC) – P7M The 6 SCUs will focus on varying R&D studies: ASIST project is on disaster risk reduction (DRR) of climate change on vulnerable vegetables in Abra ASC on DRR of climate change on vulnerable agricultural farms in Apayao BSU on DRR of climate change on vulnerable terrace farms in Benguet IFSU on DRR of climate change on vulnerable rice and vegetable farms in Ifugao KSU on DRR of climate change on vulnerable coffee farms in Kalinga MPSPC on DRR of climate change on vulnerable farms in Mt. Province Twelve municipalities in CAR provinces are covered under the SAFE program: Lagangilang and Licuan Baay in Abra Luna and Kabugao in Apayao Kibungan and Tublay in Benguet Kiangan and Lamut in Ifugao Tabuk and Read More …
The Philippines’ success in international beauty pageants continued as Mary Eve Adeline Escoto was crowned Miss Asia Global 2017 in Kerala, India. Escoto, a physical therapist who hails from Nueva Valencia, Guimaras also bagged Best in National Costume, Best in Formal Wear and the Missosology Choice Award. China’s Honey Tian Mi was crowned Miss Asia 2017, while Basgkortostan’s Regina Mukhamadieva and India’s Akanksha Mishra, first runner-up and second runner-up, respectively. During the national costume competition, Escoto wore a black and white modern Filipiñana with trumpet-shaped skirt. Miss Asia Global pageant sought to find the “most beautiful and talented women from the Asian region” organized by the house of Pegasus. This November alone, several Filipina beauties gained victory in international pageants. Karen Ibasco was crowned Miss Earth, Winwyn Marquez was hailed Reina Hispanoamericano and Jodel Mesina won Miss Top of the World Plus Size 2017. Nelda Ibe also finished as first runner-up at the Miss Globe 2017. This November 27, Rachel Peters, the country’s bet to the Miss Universe pageant, will be competing for the throne in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Bazaars are shopping havens for the best value buys for toys, gadgets, fashion, and even food. In the world of bazaar shopping, if you are patient enough you can find the right item within your gift list, and within your budget. GoodNewsPilipinas presents this list of ongoing and coming up bazaars recommended by Sulit.ph. BEST METRO MANILA BAZAARS FOR BUDGET GIFTS: 1. NOEL Bazaar in 3 different venues World Trade Center, Manila : Nov. 24-30 The Filinvest Tent, Alabang : Nov. 30 – Dec. 3 SMX Convention Center, Pasay : Dec. 14-17 2. Ortigas BPO Office Bonus Payday Bazaar Where: Ortigas Center When: Nov 28-29, December 13-14, 2017 3. Christmas Market 2017 Where: FEU Manila When: November 28 – 30 4. Santa is coming to Town! Where: Bayan-Bayanan Ave., Concepcion, Marikina When: December 1-3, 6-10, 13-17, and 20-22 Time: 3:00 – 11:00 PM 5. Bazaar Pilipinas Christmas 2017 Where: Prosperity Hall, Elements Centris Tent, Centris, Edsa cor Quezon Avenue, Quezon City When: December 2, 2017 Time: 10am-8pm No Entrance Fee 6. Toys and Gifts Fair Where: Bonifacio High Street, BGC When: December 2-3, 2017 7. Christmas Village Bazaar – Ayala Heights Where: Ayala Heights Village Basketball Covered Court When: December 3-4 Time: 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM 8. Fresh Brands Christmas Sale 2017 Where: Skydome, SM North Edsa When: December 4-5, 2017 2-day event w/ Acoustic Bands, Fashion show, Raffle Prizes, Cos-player selfies & family shopping 9. 2017 Christmas Holiday Bazaar Where: Glorietta Activity Center When: December 4-7, 2017 10. Read More …