Wordsmith

Philippine laundering law ‘exempts’ casinos

Feb 092013

The $1.2 billion Solaire Manila Resorts (design model above) is one of four gaming operations licensed at Manila’s bayside Entertainment City, a government project designed to compete with Macau, Las Vegas and Singapore as a gaming hub. MANILA, Feb 6, 2013 (AFP) – Casinos were given a free pass as the Philippine parliament Wednesday passed a tougher law against money-laundering but protected the government’s bid to chase mega-dollars in Asia’s gaming boom. The amendments passed by the Senate and House of Representatives apply to businesses other than banks and aim to stop the funneling of proceeds from criminal activity, as well as to block terror funding. They also raise prison terms and fines. However, Senator Teofisto Guingona said casinos and Internet gaming were excluded at the request of the House and of the state regulator Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. “(They) excluded casinos from coverage because (House members) warned it would deter investors. That’s the number one reason. And number two, Pagcor,” Guingona told reporters, referring to the regulator’s abridged name. The Senate’s passage of the law came five weeks before the opening of Entertainment City, an $4 billion Manila casino complex aimed at rivalling Macau, Las Vegas and Singapore as a gaming hub. The latest changes to a 2001 statute are now expected to be signed into law by President Benigno Aquino. Banks were already covered under the 2001 law. The new law’s passage followed a threat last year to blacklist the Philippines unless it assumes greater powers to Read More …

O Skin Care’s Love Month

Entertainment

Feb 092013

Buy two facials and get 50 %Off on your companion’s facial Couple in Facial It’s the love month. Love is in the air and giving love is what we should all do. Valentine’s is just around the corner so we should all celebrate this special love month. For O Skin Care , February is just the perfect month to give special treats from the heart! It takes two to tango and with O it takes two to get a 50%off combo. For the whole month of February, O Skin Care gives love to all who come in as couples. Buy 2 Facials and get 50% off your companion’s facial from Mondays to Thursdays . This promo is valid only until Feb 28. Olivia Quido-Co skin Specialist to the Stars is quick to say” This is one of my favorite time of the year because we celebrate the month of loving. Love makes us all connected and in O Skin Care , we connect with our clients with much attention and personal care.This special treat is for all our loyal patrons and to all new clients who have not tried our service.” Fresh from a very successful and phenomenal opening of O Skin Care Cerritos Mall, Olivia Quido-Co have so much appreciation for those people who attended her grand celebration. “I think a thousand people trooped to celebrate with us that day in our white tent party and I am so grateful they all came .Most specially to the big artists Read More …

Travel to Taiwan with LA 18 Celebrities Part 3

Entertainment

Feb 092013

Travel to Taiwan with LA 18 Celebrities Part 3

Asian celebrities in Los Angeles namely (from left) Tracy Bui, Emily Liu, Jannelle So (second from right) and Hana Kim (rightmost), all of whom are either producers or hosts of a TV program on Channel 18 KSCI headed by their Vice President April Kuan (third from right) in Monday’s news conference in Rosemead to promote Taiwan as a tourist destination as they all listen to Trust Lin (third from left), who heads the Taiwan Tourism Bureau in Los Angeles. The celebrities will lead separate delegations to the Republic of China (Taiwan) for the third and final leg of the Travel to Taiwan with LA 18 Celebrity April 1-6. Photo: Rhony Laigo LOS ANGELES – The Taiwan Tourism Bureau presents the third sequel of the Travel to Taiwan series in conjunction with Channel LA 18 KSCI-TV as part of “Time for Taiwan” promotion. LA 18 celebrities – Jannelle So, Hana Kim, Tracy Bui and Emily Liu – will lead Filipino, Korean, Vietnamese and Chinese guide tours respectively. The weeklong trip for each group will introduce tour members as well as TV audiences to Taiwan’s cultural customs and traditions. This show will provide TV audiences with an in-depth look at Taiwan’s rich culture and showcase Taiwan’s island beauty. In a news conference held Monday at 888 Seafood Restaurant in Rosemead, the celebrities took part in promoting their tour along with KSC Vice President April Kuan and Taiwan Tourism Bureau Director Trust Lin. The trips are scheduled for March 25 for Chinese and Read More …

Pinoy sailor killed by pirate in Nigeria – DFA

Entertainment

Feb 092013

Pinoy sailor killed by pirate in Nigeria – DFA

Newly recruited female marines participate in an assault drill at a river inside the marine headquarters in the town of Ternate, Cavite city, south of Manila February 5, 2013. (MNS photo) MANILA, Feb 6 (Mabuhay) – A Filipino seaman of a Marshall-flagged chemical tanker was shot on board the vessel by a pirate in Nigeria, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said on Wednesday. DFA Spokesman Raul Hernandez said the Filipino, whose identity he declined to disclose, was pronounced dead on arrival at the hospital. “The family of the fatality has already been informed of this sad development,” Hernandez told a press briefing. The vessel Pyxis Delta, hijacked on February 4, had eight other Filipino crewmembers. They are all safe on board the ship, which is anchored off the coast of Nigeria, Hernandez said. (MNS)

Tearful Melissa Ricks talks about love for Paul Jake

Entertainment

Feb 092013

Tearful Melissa Ricks talks about love for Paul Jake

Melissa Ricks (MNS Photo) MANILA, Feb 7 (Mabuhay) — Actress Melissa Ricks turned emotional as she shared her happiness to finally found real love with sweetheart Paul Jake Castillo. Ricks hope that her relationship with Castillo would last forever. “Siyempre when I go into a relationship, I want it to last talaga. Hindi naman ako yung type na I will entertain someone just for the sake of entertaining them ‘ay gusto kong magpaligaw, ay gusto kong maraming nanliligaw sa akin.’ (Gusto ko yung pagmatagalan), hindi pangsandalian lang. After all that I’d been through, sobrang hulog ng langit (si Paul),” says Ricks while crying. “Ewan ko, I don’t know if people will understand where I’m coming from, basta hindi ko akalain na there would be someone who would make me even happier ever than I could imagine,” she added. Ricks’ last relationship was with actor Jake Cuenca. The actress admitted that she already moved on from the past but the pain still remains. “I think hindi mawawala yung pain but to move on from someone yung hindi mo na siya mahal wala na talaga but yung pain it’s always gonna be there. Sa mga nagawa (may pain pa),” Ricks said. (MNS)

Carmina treasures supportive family

Entertainment

Feb 072013

Carmina Villaruel (MNS Photo) MANILA, Feb 5 (Mabuhay) — Actress and television host Carmina Villaroel feels “very fortunate” to have a supportive family who understands the demanding nature of her work. Villaroel said she always consults husband Zoren Legaspi and her twins before taking on a role. “Very open ako pati sa mga kids. So kapag sinabi ni Zoren na go, kapag okay sa kanya at sa kambal, go ako. Kaya kapag mayroong isang may ayaw, huwag na lang. So far, I’m very thankful and blessed na very supportive sila sa trabaho ko,” she said. Currently, Villaroel appears in the afternoon series “Minsan May Isang Pangarap” and also hosts the showbiz-oriented show “Showbiz Inside Report” every Saturday. Since she gets home late from tapings most of the time, Villaroel said she sees to it that she still gets to spend time with her family. “Ako kasi as much as gusto ko magbigay ng quantity time, quality time na lang with them,” she said. Even though her twins are already grown ups, Villaroel said they still sleep in one bedroom. “I have to be in the middle kasi gusto nila katabi nila ako. Ginagawa nila akong human pillow, minsan masakit na likod ko pero it’s okay. Hindi ko kaya na nandoon sila sa kabilang room,” she shared. Villaroel and Legaspi have been partners for 12 years and only got married last November. In 2001, the actress gave birth to their children in the United States. (MNS)

President Aquino receives visiting German Foreign Minister in Malacanang

Entertainment

Feb 072013

President Aquino receives visiting German Foreign Minister in Malacanang

President Benigno S. Aquino III exchanges pleasantries with German Federal Foreign Minister Dr. Guido Westerwelle during the courtesy call at the Music Room of the Malacañan Palace on Thursday (February 07, 2013). Dr. Westerwelle’s visit is a very strong signal of the interest of both the Philippines and Germany to further enhance bilateral relations. To date, Germany is the Philippines’ second largest export market in the European Union (EU), and the second largest source of tourists from Europe. Germany is also the 4th largest bilateral donor of official development assistance (ODA) to the Philippines. Statistics from the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) shows that trade between the two countries from January to September 2012 amounted to around US$2.6-billion. In photo are Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario and German Federal Ambassador to the Philippines His Excellency Dr. Joachim Heidorn. (MNS photo) President Benigno S. Aquino III welcomes to the Palace German Federal Foreign Minister Dr. Guido Westerwelle who called on at the Music Room of the Malacañan Palace on Thursday (February 07, 2013). Dr. Westerwelle’s visit is a very strong signal of the interest of both the Philippines and Germany to further enhance bilateral relations. To date, Germany is the Philippines’ second largest export market in the European Union (EU), and the second largest source of tourists from Europe. Germany is also the 4th largest bilateral donor of official development assistance (ODA) to the Philippines. Statistics from the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) shows that trade between the Read More …

PHL now a ‘rising tiger’ – World Bank official

Entertainment

Feb 072013

PHL now a ‘rising tiger’ – World Bank official

President Benigno S. Aquino III, accompanied by B/E Aerospace, Inc. chairman, chief executive officer and founder Amin Khoury, president and chief operating officer Werner Lieberherr, United Kingdom Ambassador to the Philippines H.E. Stephen Lilie and Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) Director General Dr. Lilia de Lima, tours and inspects the facilities of the B/E Aerospace, Inc. Philippine Facility during the Grand Opening Ceremony at the First Philippine Industrial Park (FPIP) in Barangay Ulango, Tanauan City, Batangas on Wednesday (October 03, 2012). B/E Aerospace is the worldwide leading manufacturer of aircraft passenger cabin interior products for the commercial and business jet aircraft markets. This and other businesses opening up in the Philippines are testaments to the country’s improving economic conditions. (MNS photo) DAVAO CITY, Feb 5 (Mabuhay) – President Aquino cited the gains that his administration has achieved, recognizing the need to ensure that these gains are felt by as many people as possible. In a speech at the Philippines Development Forum, Aquino mentioned the country’s 6.6 percent GDP growth in 2012 exceeded targets. He described this period as a “critical juncture” in his administration, a time to look back at the “progress” that the country has made and strategize for further improvement. “The improved consumption capacity of Filipinos means that our growth has benefited households as well. Moving forward, the challenge will always be how to ensure that our gains are inclusive, or more inclusive,” Aquino said. The PDF is a venue for government to engage various stakeholders in a Read More …

$4-B mega-casino set to open next month in Manila

Entertainment

Feb 072013

$4-B mega-casino set to open next month in Manila

The $1.2 billion Solaire Manila Resorts (design model above) is one of four gaming operations licensed at Manila’s bayside Entertainment City, a government project designed to compete with Macau, Las Vegas and Singapore as a gaming hub. MANILA, Feb 6, 2013 (AFP) – A $4 billion mega-casino complex is set to open in the Philippines in mid-March when the first of four franchise-holders starts commercial operations, the parent firm said in a disclosure released Wednesday. The $1.2 billion Solaire Manila Resorts is one of four gaming operations licensed at Manila’s bayside Entertainment City, a government project designed to compete with Macau, Las Vegas and Singapore as a gaming hub. Boasting 500 hotel rooms set in modern resorts, Solaire will open its doors on March 16, parent company Bloomberry Resorts Corp. said in a disclosure to the Philippine Stock Exchange. “(We) confirm that (Bloomberry’s) Solaire Manila Resorts and Casino has collected the top former operating officers of world-renowned casinos in Las Vegas and other parts of the world,” it said in a letter to the exchange. The February 5 letter, released by the bourse on Wednesday, said these personnel include around 400 Filipinos who have worked in gaming and hotels across the world. Solaire plans to add 300 more hotel rooms after two years, said Bloomberry, a listed firm controlled by Philippine port tycoon Enrique Razon. Two other franchise-holders – one involving Australian billionaire James Packer and Macau gaming tycoon Lawrence Ho as shareholders and another with Japanese gambling tycoon Kazuo Read More …

PHILIPPINE CONSULATE GENERAL SIGNS HEALTH SERVICE PARTNERSHIP WITH ST. VINCENT MEDICAL CENTER FOR THE FILIPINO COMMUNITY

Entertainment

Feb 072013

PHILIPPINE CONSULATE GENERAL SIGNS HEALTH SERVICE PARTNERSHIP WITH ST. VINCENT MEDICAL CENTER FOR THE FILIPINO COMMUNITY

Consul General Maria Hellen M. Barber-De La Vega (left) and Mr. Jan N. Stein, Vice President and Executive Director, St. Vincent Foundation signing the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU). Los Angeles, 05 February 2013. – Consul General Maria Hellen M. Barber-De La Vega signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Mr. Jan N. Stein, Vice President and Executive Director of St. Vincent Medical Center (SVMC) Foundation, at a ceremony held this morning at the Conference Room of the Philippine Consulate General in Los Angeles. The MOU established a broad framework for cooperation between the two organizations in providing and improving access to health services for Filipino immigrants and expanding its services to the underserved Filipino community. St. Vincent Medical Center has similar partnership agreements with ten Consulates General in Los Angeles, two of which are from ASEAN, namely Philippines and Thailand. The project is an initiative of the ATN Section of the Consulate under Consul Charmaine Serna-Chua. Consul General Maria Hellen M. Barber-De La Vega (left) exchanging the Signed Memorandum of Understanding with Jan N. Stein, Vice President and Executive Director, St. Vincent Foundation.

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