Maniolas

A locally developed knee surgical technique called the Axis Knee Replacement System is helping people with knee arthritis and similar ailments afford the otherwise expensive operation. Dr. Ilustre I. Guloy, Jr., chairman of Asian Hospital and Medical Center’s Department of Orthopedic Surgery and member of the team which developed the Axis Knee Replacement System. [by Gerardo Palad, S&T Media Service, DOST-STII via DOST] The development of the surgical technique was funded by the Department of Science and Technology-Philippine Council on Health Research and Development (DOST-PCHRD), and developed by a team of Filipino, American, Japanese, and Chinese specialists spearheaded by internationally renowned surgeon Dr. Ramon B. Gustilo from Negros Occidental. According to Dr. Gustilo the Axis Knee Replacement System is made of materials similar to other knee systems available in other countries, but with unique features that provide better surgical outcome. The system consists of three trays of instruments – more than 50 instruments all in all – in contrast to imported knee systems which consist of six to nine trays of instruments. Among these instruments is the Mechanical Axis Finder, a portable, cost-efficient, and reusable device which locates this imaginary line called the mechanical axis. In many hospitals around the world, a computerized navigation technology is used to locate the mechanical axis. Only a few hospitals in the Philippines have this equipment. Computerized navigation systems also cost more than P20M and add at least P20,000 to the total cost of surgery. Dr. Ramon Gustilo, chairman of OII who spearheaded the Read More …

Booking international and domestic flights have been made easy by the internet. But locally, travelling to nearby provinces by land usually means having to line up at bus terminals or in some areas, stand by the roadside and risk being a “chance passenger.” One start-up company however hoped to ease that dilemma by pulling different bus companies into one app and website where passengers can book their trips. Au Soriano, founder and CEO of PinoyTravel.com.ph was in the corporate arena. The decision to shift to start-up, she shared, was not totally easy, but was worth it. “It was difficult, especially in terms of finances. I was at a VP level in my telco career, and then all of a sudden, Im here running a company and not getting a salary. But which is fun because I find it more fulfilling,” she said. She hailed from Bauang, La Union and during her younger years, she had to travel to and from the city via provincial buses. In 2013, she noticed that the method by which she traveled then was still being done by many people despite the technological advancements elsewhere. She pitched a solution to that pain point to IdeaSpace, a start-up competition, and it won its funding capital. “At the beginning, people were curious, were suspicious if were really real or if were a fraudbecause theres a lot of fraud going in the internetso we had to address that,” she said. “As more people used us, they get to talk Read More …

Philippine-trained teen wrestlers, Anthony Arcilla and Royce Tiu, successfully competed in the United States and brought home 3 gold medals and 1 silver from the 19 th Annual Boys and Girls Wrestling Competition (USGWA/USBWA). Anthony Arcilla and Royce Tiu [by Jong Arcega via Facebook] The young wrestlers are the first from the Philippines to compete in the USBWA and their winning is considered a historic event for the Philippines. “They are making history, trailblazing. Wrestlers from the Philippines have gone to other nations, like Korea, Europe, Bulgaria, Vietnam, but never in the US," said Springstowne Wrestling Club coach Jason Guiducci. Arcilla, 17, won the freestyle and folkstyle wrestling categories. Tiu, 19, received a gold and silver medal. Coach Miguel Plana told media the young athletes dominated their divisions because of the intense training here in the Philippines. Both teens are from the Safehouse Wrestling Team in Manila. "Made in the Philippines yung training nila, hindi yung dun nagte-training. From the Philippines talaga, nag-training, pumunta sa States and nag-compete. Si Anthony and Royce, almost literally wiped out their division (Their training was made in the Philippines and not in the U.S. From the Philippines, trained, went to the States, and compete. Anthony and Royce almost literally wiped out their division)," Plana added. Arcilla said he wants to go to the Olympics as a Philippine representative of the sport.   Related posts: Pinoy jins grab golds in Poomsae tourney in Mexico Pinoy shuttlers win 12 Golds to dominate US juniors tourney PHL Read More …

Miss Universe 2015 Pia Alonzo Wurtzbach is now one of the Philippine Postal Corporation (PHLPost) “Living Legends” after being immortalized in her own stamp. Pia Wurtzbach stamp [via PHLPost] The reigning title holder of the Miss Universe pageant was presented her own stamp frame after she turned ended her reign as the local Binibining Pilipinas Universe. In ceremonies after the Binibining Pilipinas 2016 pageant in April, Postmaster General Joel Otarra presented the stamp frame to Wurtzbach saying, “It is our privilege to personally present to Miss Universe 2015 Pia Wurtzbach her own stamp as this is equally important to us because it seldom for us to issue a stamp to living person. She will now join the roster of PHLPost's Living Legends.” PHLPost acknowledged the Filipina Miss Universe who brought home the crown after 42 years, as one of the "exceptional Filipinos who have brought pride and glory to the country and setting as role model in their chosen field." The stamp features a photo of Wurtzbach when she was crowned Miss Universe 2015 in Las Vegas last December. The souvenir sheets feature a special embellishment called tactile glittery texture embossed to enhance the important look and feel of the stamps. The glitters are on her crown which when touched will feel rough in texture. A total of 101,000 pieces of limited edition regular commemorative stamps feature the beauty queen, along with 5,000 pieces of souvenir sheets. Wurtzbach joins the elite roster of PHLPost “Living Legends” which include boxing champ Read More …

The World Bank is projecting a 6.4 % expansion for the Philippine economy in 2016, mainly due to expected robust government spending and private consumption around the May national elections. Philippine elections [via Philstar] World Bank Philippines Senior Country Economist Karl Chua explained the faster growth projection saying it will be “aided by low inflation and spillovers from increased spending due to the upcoming general elections.” The Washington-based multilateral lender said the Philippines had one of the stronger growth prospects among the developing Southeast Asian economies. “Growth this year will be supported by stronger government spending related to the election which could stimulate private consumption and in turn increase GDP growth by 1 percentage point in first half of 2016,” the World Bank projected. Chua projected that investments would likely support growth in the Philippines as the implementation of the key public-private partnership projects accelerated. The World Bank also said it expected the country’s gross domestic product growth rate to ease to 6.2 percent in 2017 and 2018.   Related posts: Sustainable energy projects get World Bank, BPI financing PHL economy moving toward balanced, high growth World Bank, S&P raise PHL’s 2014 growth forecast Phl most insulated Asian economy to external risks