Office of the Vice President performance ranks last among 64 govt agencies –Makati Business Club | News | GMA News Online News Entertainment Home Artist Center Community International Radio Films Records Kapuso Foundation Corporate
Aug 132015
Aug 132015
106 SAF 44 children, other dependents granted scholarships, educational assistance –PNP | News | GMA News Online News Entertainment Home Artist Center Community International Radio Films Records Kapuso Foundation Corporate
Aug 132015
Brian Poe-Llamanzares defends mom Grace Poe from critics | News | GMA News Online News Entertainment Home Artist Center Community International Radio Films Records Kapuso Foundation Corporate
Aug 112015
Hong Kong tourists Kayaking in El Nido [via Lakbay Pilipinas] Foreign tourist arrivals in the Philippines grew by 8.15 percent to 2.23 million visitors in the first five months of the year from the 2.06 million visitors a year ago. Latest data from the Department of Tourism (DOT) showed that for May alone, tourist arrivals rose 13.53 percent to 413,937 visitors, the biggest growth recorded so far since this year. According to DOT, earnings generated from tourism activities in the first five months of 2015 grew 2.74 percent to P93.91 billion from P91.4 billion last year. In May, visitor receipts amounted to P16.77 billion, up 2.4 percent from P16.38 billion a year ago. By visitor market, Korea remained the top contributor of international arrivals with a 24.5-percent share, equivalent to 546,031 arrivals, as of end May, the DOT reported. The United States was the second biggest market with 15.74 percent share (350,776 visitors), followed by Japan, which ranked third with 9.18 percent (327,702 visitors). Last month, the DOT and the Philippine Embassy in Japan organized the Philippine Business Mission (PBM) 2015 as they sought to boost Japanese tourist arrivals here to a million. Local tourism officials, along with 43 Philippine sellers composed of hotels, resorts, travel wholesalers and airline companies, made the pitch before members of the Japan Association of Travel Agencies (Jata) during the three-day promotions and marketing campaign, the Philippine Embassy in Japan said. Deputy Chief of Mission Gilberto Asuque had reportedly encouraged the travel and tourism executives Read More …
Aug 072015
Chinkee Tan Have you ever wondered if it is a smart idea to invest when the economy is down? Or you have the money and you want to make it grow, but you are hesitant because of the unstable economy that you might lose your hard-earned money, so better not invest? Let me tell you something; there’s an old saying that goes like this, “BUY LOW, SELL HIGH.” “Chinkee, when will you know it is low?” Aside from making your personal research, asking the experts, trusting your instinct, you just got to TAKE THE RISK. Everything is a risk, yes, but in investing, it is a calculated one, a risk that can either make you gain a lot from it or lose some or all your money. I can still recall when I bought some plans from an insurance company. This was the time when the economy was not doing well and we heard of them going public via stock market. I just bought because my sister was the one who sold it. Truly enough, after a few years, she called me and told me, “Ahia, the insurance you purchased made money. The company went public and for every plan holder they will receive shares from the profit made. You will receive a 6 digit check amount.” I was happy at the same time sad. Happy because I will receive money from an investment I never expected; sad because I only invested a little. Investing per se requires a SELF CHECK, Read More …
Aug 072015
Free WiFi access for 99 percent of the Philippine archipelago by 2016 has been projected by the Department of Science and Technology. The Free Wi-Fi Internet Access in Public Places project was announced by DOST Secretary Mario Montejo on the opening day of the 2015 National Science and Technology Week (NSTW) in July. A DOST release states the project targets to provide Internet connectivity services in 967 Class 3, 4, 5,and 6 municipalities and key cities nationwide. This will be made available in public places such as parks, plazas, schools, rural health units and government hospitals. “Free Wi-Fi Internet Access in Public Places strives to enable Filipinos to harness the vast potential and benefits of having consistent Internet connectivity to improve their lives and assist in bringing the country toward progress,” Montejo announced. “First of all, Internet connection is capable of opening new markets for micro, small, and medium enterprises. It can also help the Mang Juans and Aling Marias who live in far-flung areas to reach basic government services. In addition, Internet connectivity also helps improve education,” Montejo added. Quezon City Memorial Circle, Quezon City Hall, PHILCOA, Social Security System, and LTO in Quezon City and Rizal Park in Manila started to get free Internet access as part of an alpha launch test of Free Wi-Fi Internet Access in Public Places to help DOST’s Information and Communications Technology Office (ICT Office) to assess the system and make the necessary adjustments before rolling out the project on a larger scale. Read More …
Aug 032015
Arturo Caleda, A Filipino WWII veteran, showing a picture of him with his family [via NBC News] Filipino World War II veterans can now reunite with their children when a new Obama administration immigration policy takes effect. The policy will allow Filipino World War II Veterans to bring their family members to work and live in the United States. In the Final Visa Modernization Report publicized by the White House, the new plan called “parole policy” will permit children of the Filipino WWII veterans who are currently in the visa backlogs to come to the U.S under a parole status by requesting a parole- an immigration tool that “allows individuals to come to the U.S. for a temporary period of time on a case-by-case basis based upon urgent humanitarian reasons or significant public benefit.” This new parole policy, which will be headed by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) with the cooperation of the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) and the Department of State, is a product of Visa Modernization Task Force, an interagency group created by President Obama last November as a part of his executive actions in improving the U.S. immigration system. Asia Americans Advancing Justice (AAJC), a non- profit organization also contributed in the attainment of the reunification program by submitting a report last month of detailed recommendation on modernizing the legal immigration system including the granting of parole to the children of Filipino WWII veterans. 91-year-old Arturo Caleda, a Filipino WWII veteran residing in Read More …
Jul 302015
More than 30 talented Pinoys age 8 to 19 have been given the privilege to star in the upcoming Jose Rizal the Musical in Hong Kong. The musical theatre is about the life story of Philippine national hero Dr. Jose Rizal and his relationship with his family. The children are currently undergoing performance workshops at the Hong Kong Consulate’s Sentro Rizal. Catherine Tating Marsden was tasked by the Philippine Consulate General to design the Sentro and to do a project involving the Filipino youth in Hong Kong to promote the life and work of Rizal and Philippine culture. Marsden, who also teaches at the Faust International Youth Theatre in Hong Kong, says the workshop aims to develop the skills and talents of the aspiring theatre performers. An excerpt performance will be staged on August 30 in celebration of “Buwan ng Wika.” The full musical show is expected to be staged in 2016. Related posts: New Kitchen Musical series stars Pinoy talents Mobile Salary Loan and Visit to KsKCoop in Hong Kong Sabel musical celebrates BenCab’s 50 creative years Miss Saigon’s Filipino actors dominate London stage awards
Jul 272015
Tiffany Lao, Melissa Cheng, Annicka Koteh, Anjeli Panis [via Philstar] Four Pinay senior high school students brought home gold and bronze awards back to the Philippines from this year’s Global Environmental Issues and Us (GENIUS) Olympiad held in June at the State University of New York in Oswego. Out of 1, 171 submissions from 69 applicant countries, 401 were selected to introduce their research projects to compete across the Globe including the soon-to-be graduates of Immaculate Conception Academy in Greenhills, San Juan. Annicka Koteh and Anjeli Panis won the gold medal for their study entitled, “The Feasibility of Utilizing Sago (Metroxylon sagu) Starch and Virgin Coconut (Cocos Nucifera) Oil in the Production of an Antibacterial and Biodegradable Plastic Coating.” This study of Koteh and Panis introduced an eco-friendly alternative to standard fossil-fuel-based plastic coatings. They used Sago Starch and Virgin Coconut Oil as main components for their science project. These plastic coatings are commonly found in paper wares such as plates and cups. On the other hand, Melissa Cheng and Tiffany Lao won the bronze medal for “A Study on the Varying Amounts of Polyvinyl Alcohol (PVOH) and Cassava Starch (Manihot Esculenta) as Biodegradable and Water Soluble Alternative for Polystyrene Packaging Loose Fill.” Through the use of polyvinyl alcohol and cassava starch, Cheng and Lao presented an alternative plastic in non-toxic, “green” loose fills to replace the non-biodegradable polystyrene packaging “peanuts” to be used to fill gaps in transporting boxes. GENUIS Olympiad is an International Event that introduces exceptional research Read More …
Jul 242015
(L-R) Consul General Mario De Leon, Jr., Mrs. Vicky Cuisia, Dr. A. Gabriel Esteban, Mrs. Josephine Esteban and Ambassador Jose Cuisia, Jr. [by Consul Zaldy Patron via Inquirer] Two Filipino Americans, one a university president and the other a retired U.S. Army major general, were among the honored naturalized US citizens named as the “Great Immigrant” by Carnegie Corporation of New York. The tribute was part of its July 4th celebrations. Seton Hall University President Dr. A. Gabriel Esteban and U.S. Army Major. Gen. Antonio Taguba (Ret) were cited for their contributions in US society. Vartan Gregorian, president of the Carnegie Corporation, issued a statement saying the tribute to Esteban, Taguba and the other honorees is “simply a thank you” for their contributions which are “vital to the fabric of our nation and the strength of our democracy.” “These individuals have helped advance and enlighten our society, culture, and economy,” Gregorian stated. Esteban, Seton Hall University’s 20th President, was appointed in 2011 to head the private Roman Catholic university in New Jersey, the oldest and largest Catholic academic institution in the state. Esteban is an alumnus of the University of the Philippines. Seton Hall University issued a statement quoting Esteban as saying, “The promise inherent in the American Dream, which has attracted immigrants to the United States for centuries, has been fulfilled in my life many times over. For that, I will be forever grateful to my adopted homeland. At Seton Hall, I work to ensure that today’s young Americans – many Read More …