Maniolas

IF YOU think that the shortage of plate numbers is the only problem plaguing the Land Transportation Office (LTO), think again. Apparently, it’s not only the registration process for vehicles that has been hit by a supply chain problem, but also the registration process of drivers itself. More specifically, we’re talking about the driver’s license renewal process which—by many accounts—has been hitting snags, especially in the National Capital Region. According to a source, most LTO branches have now run out of blank driver’s license ID cards. As such, people renewing their licenses find at the end of the registration process that all they get is a flimsy piece of paper that doubles as a provisional license (until the actual plastic ID card can be issued, for which they would have to return to the LTO branch at some future date). We’re told that the problem has become so bad that it sometimes takes up to three months (if you’re lucky) to claim the actual driver’s license ID card. Biz Buzz learned that, a few weeks ago, a relative of President Aquino dutifully went to an LTO branch on his birthday to have his license renewed. At the end of the process (which was relatively efficient… until the ID issuing part), he was told to return in three months for the ID. But here’s the thing, this presidential relative was scheduled to head overseas in a few days. He told the LTO officials at the branch that he needed an actual Read More …

‘THE CLARITY Principle’ By Chatman Sullivan John Wiley & Sons, 2013 When a company is steering toward unclear directions, someone must be bold enough to confront a confused situation and tell the boss to take stock of what’s going on. When top corporate leadership refuses to confront a “neither-here-nor-there” situation as the company sinks to lower levels of market performance, one must muster enough courage to point out the unfortunate impasse. When the boy said the Emperor had “no clothes,” he told the truth others would not dare speak of, fearing the Emperor’s wrath. The book, “The Clarity Principle,” calls it a “powerful leadership moment.” It’s that moment when truth is told against sacrosanct ill thought-out strategies and unchecked practices that push a firm into a sea of red ink. Author Chatham Sullivan, who taught at the Wharton School of Business and the School of Social Policy at the University of Pennsylvania, calls for “more clarity in communicating the purpose” of the firm. In the book, he mentions the conflict in policy between Steve Jobs and John Sculley, chair and president, respectively, in Apple Inc. The root of the problem is traced by the author to the move of Jobs to split off the Mac division from the rest of the Apple business. “Better to be a pirate,” Job was heard to have said, than join the navy. Jobs wanted “to free Macintosh designers from the bureaucracy of the larger organization.” As conceptualized by Jobs, he would handle Mac, while Read More …

At the Harana sa Dapit-Hapon last March 11 at the Cultural Center of the Philippines, the numbers of the Kabayao Family Quartet elicited a prolonged standing ovation. Gilopez Kabayao and his daughters Sicilienne and Farida, played the violin, while his wife Corazon was on the piano. The overflow audience congratulated the “National Artist” and his family, but your columnist corrected them, “Gilopez is not a National Artist… at least not yet.” Gilopez has been honored worldwide for his violin virtuosity and using his and his family’s musical gifts to touch the lives of people. His many recognitions include the Magsaysay Award, the Asian equivalent of the Nobel Prize. But paradoxically, he has yet to be named National Artist which he, needless to say, richly deserves. It’s a long-delayed recognition. Listen to what media said: Standing alone on stage, Gilopez Kabayao seemed to hold the large Carnegie Hall audience in the palm of his hand from beginning to end. — New York Times Entertainment ( Article MRec ), pagematch: 1, sectionmatch: 1 Renowned violinist Gilopez Kabayao, his gifted wife Corazon, and their children create a distinctive expression of life. They are a full-blown concerto of art and insight. — The Philippine STAR The Kabayaos must be the most outstanding musical family the Philippines has ever produced. — Manila Bulletin The Kabayao Family’s greatest achievement is in having spread the Word of God through humble presentation of their talents. They gave deeper meaning to the saying, “God above everything else.” — Health Read More …

Utility wins “Large Utility Water Program” category for its WaterSmart Program Glendale, CA  –  Glendale Water and Power (GWP) has won the California Municipal Utilities Association (CMUA) Resource Efficiency Award in the Large Utility Water Program category for its water-use efficiency program in partnership with WaterSmart Software. WaterSmart’s technology marries behavioral science and data science to help water utilities engage customers, improve operational efficiency, and save money. Every year, the CMUA Resource Efficiency Awards honor California’s publicly owned utilities that are on the forefront of innovative water programs. Given the chronic drought the state finds itself in, these awards have never been more important. A leading utility in the effort to improve water-use efficiency, Glendale Water and Power has saved more than 23 million gallons of water in just a 4-month period through the WaterSmart Program. “Glendale has a consistent track record of innovation. We are always looking for proven and verifiable technologies to better engage our customers,” said Steve Zurn, General Manager of GWP.  “As we enter a fourth consecutive year of drought we must help reduce consumption and secure water supplies for the long-term needs of our customers. The WaterSmart program has been a tremendous asset in helping us achieve that objective.” The Glendale WaterSmart Program delivers Home Water Reports (HWRs) to residential customers that include individualized recommendations to reduce their water use.  The reduction in household water consumption in turn helps the utility reduce future capital expenditures. “Glendale Water and Power deserves to be recognized for their leadership in Read More …

Gerald Anderson and Maja Salvador (MNS Photo) Kapamilya stars Gerald Anderson and Maja Salvador have decided to “take a break” from their relationship, the 26-year-old actor confirmed on Tuesday. Anderson was asked about the rumored breakup during a press conference held Tuesday for his upcoming primetime series “Nathaniel,” which will premiere on Monday. “Opo, we are taking a break muna sa relationship namin,” Anderson said, “but okay kami, we’re on very good terms and nag-uusap kami. We’re doing this together and we’re taking this step by step together.” He added: “I don’t want to go into details… Hayaan niyo po muna kaming mag-recover muna, dahil hindi po biro po ‘yung pinagdaanan namin, so just please, sana po respect our privacy and all I ask is please respect her as much as you can.” Anderson also thanked their fans, family and friends who “were always there” for him and Salvador. “I just want to say thank you sa fans namin, who are always there, sa friends and family namin… All we ask right now is just please respect our privacy, please respect us. ‘Yun lang po sasabihin ko about that,” he said. Anderon and Salvador first confirmed their relationship in May 2013. (MNS)