Jun 232013
 
Vargas film ‘Documented’: Immigration debate ‘not a policy but a moral issue’

5:34 am | Monday, June 24th, 2013 Jose Antonio Vargas. AP WASHINGTON, D.C.—“To be honest, this was not the film I sought out to make,” journalist Jose Antonio Vargas explained. He wanted to make a film about young people like him who grew up American but are undocumented. “But after sending a film crew to the Philippines to document my own mother, whom I haven’t seen for almost 20 years, the film took a different turn—I didn’t want it to go there but it had to go there.” “Documented,” a deeply personal story of Vargas’ own journey to the US as an undocumented immigrant, had its world premiere here June 21 at the American Film Institute’s documentary festival (AFI Docs), America’s leading showcase for documentary film. With immigration reform dominating the agenda in Capitol Hill these days, immigration reform advocates hailed the 90-minute documentary—written and directed by Vargas himself—as timely and relevant. This “journey inward as he reconnects with his mother” offers a firsthand glimpse on how a broken system has profoundly affected the lives of 11 million human beings, tearing families apart, says Frank Sharry, an immigrant rights champion who has been at the center of every major legislative and policy debate related to immigration for many years. “The film shows that at its core, our national debate is not about policy or politics but about our own morality and humanity as a people. It opens up hearts and minds and, hopefully, the possibility that we may yet solve Read More …

Jun 232013
 
Comelec to release Random Manual Audit results of May 13 polls within the week

The Commission on Elections will release this week the Random Manual Audit (RMA) results of 234 precincts during the May 13, 2013 midterm polls. Comelec Chairman Sixto Brillantes said that, “Walang problema, 99.99 percent.” However, he noted that not all the results from the 234 areas will be published, but he assured that it would be more than 200 precincts. “Yung iba hindi na mailalabas dahil may court order like protective order, protest,” the poll body chief explained. Republic Act 9369 or the Poll Automation Law states that there should be an RMA conducted in one precinct, randomly chosen  in each of the 234 congressional districts. Earlier, Brillantes said that the RMAs of the 2013 and 2010 polls were practically the same. He added that the accuracy rate was what they expected, adding that there can never be a 100 percent matching count. “Visual appreciation and machine appreciation, there will always be difference. There will always be variants or discrepancies no matter how you look at it. It cannot be perfect no matter how you look at it,” he had said. — DVM, GMA News

Jun 232013
 
The only thing to be afraid of in this world is your mother

Fear of failure is a restraining element that runs counter to any change process and improved competitiveness in business and life. Pekka Viljakainen and Mark Mueller-Eberstein, authors of the book No Fear: Business Leadership in the Age of Digital Cowboys, write that fear is a controlling emotion, and that it is an inevitable part of human persona. To go against this sense of dreadfulness, you must have a  “no fear” mindset where the emotion is dealt with, recognized, and conquered. Fear equals failure, and the leader who succumbs to that fear performs a serious disservice to the company organization, its employees, and its clients. Changes all over the world mandate leaders to be equipped to adapt to the transitions that are happening in the global community, or go down the tubes. And with the altered global landscape comes new entrants with diverse aspirations as well. They are young, pioneering, and at home with using technology and social media. They are referred to as the “Digital Cowboys”  — the first adopters of new technology and innovations. In Western movies, cowboys — the likes of Roy Rogers, The Ringo Kid and The Lone Ranger — were men who rode fast horses to scenes of trouble. They meted out justice when someone got shot at, killed, robbed, cheated or was a victim of a wrongdoing. Armed with as many weapons as possible, cowboys independently executed their judgment and action. People looked up to them for their sense of fairness and viewed them as Read More …

Jun 232013
 
Entertainment City billed as next major central business district

MANILA, Philippines – Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp.’s   Las Vegas-style casino and tourism complex Entertainment City has the potential to become the next major central business district in Metro Manila and replicate the success of Bonifacio Global City where demand for real estate properties has gone up significantly, according to the head of the state gaming firm. Pagcor chairman and chief executive officer Cristino Naguiat Jr. said Entertainment City, located on 100 hectares of reclaimed land along Manila Bay, is not only poised to become the country’s premier gambling destination but is also seen to lead the next wave of growth in the metropolis. Naguiat said real estate values in Manila have been on the uptrend especially with the ongoing development of the Entertainment City. Property consultancy firm Colliers International said developers have been stepping up construction in Manila and Pasay as demand for residential properties in the area spiked up with the opening of the first of four integrated resorts planned within the complex. The demand is mainly driven by foreign expats who have moved to the Philippines to work in Entertainment City, which is touted to become the region’s next best bet for tourism and gaming. Foreigners are allowed to own condominium units in the Philippines. For this year alone, around 7,181 units from 18 new residential condominiums are expected to come online, 10 percent higher than the 2012 figure. Business ( Article MRec ), pagematch: 1, sectionmatch: 1 Naguiat said Pagcor owns more than 50 hectares Read More …

Jun 232013
 
NGCP warns on dangers of trespassing on transmission areas

MANILA, Philippines – The National Grid Corp. of the Philippines (NGCP), the operator of the country’s power transmission line, has warned the public on the dangers of trespassing on transmission area perimeters. NGCP has launched a campaign stressing the dangers of various activities near transmission towers. These include kite flying, planting trees, parking vehicles, building structures such as houses or buying and selling pilfered tower parts. “Kite-flying near transmission lines as well as climbing transmission structures may cause accidents and electrocution,” NGCP said in its information campaign. “When passing transmission structures, do not carry long sticks or any object that might get near or come in contact with the power transmission lines,” NGCP also said. The transmission operator said citizens should immediately report to NGCP any incident of leaning and damaged poles or towers as well as sagging power lines and identify its poles or tower numbers. Business ( Article MRec ), pagematch: 1, sectionmatch: 1 More importantly, NGCP reminded the public not to build a fire near or under transmission structures. “Fire could cause power interruptions in your area,” NGCP said. The grid operator has been rehabilitating and upgrading its existing facilities to ensure safety in the various areas where the transmission lines and substations are located. It has also been stepping up efforts to educate the public on how to stay safe in areas where transmission lines exist. In May, a bushfire hit NGCP’s transmission line in Talisay, Batangas, leading to a system-wide power outage in Luzon.

Jun 232013
 

MANILA, June 20 (Mabuhay) — President Benigno S. Aquino III is unfazed by the resignation of Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) Administrator Nathaniel Servando, saying the Philippines has a wealth of personnel and resources it could easily tap to fill the needs of the State weather agency. In an interview, the President […]

Jun 232013
 

MANILA, June 20 (Mabuhay) — President Benigno Aquino III on Thursday praised the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) for efforts to curb the “systemic corruption” associated to the agency. In a speech during the DPWH’s 115th anniversary celebration, Aquino cited the department’s “fast, honest and reliable” execution of the government’s infrastructure programs. “Noon, […]

Jun 232013
 

MANILA (Mabuhay) -– Actress Angel Locsin admits her boyfriend, Azkals player Phil Younghusband, always beats her when it comes to arranging surprises. Locsin said she always has to keep up with Younghusband, who is very creative in expressing his love for her. “Ang hirap kasi lagi siyang may pasabog. Laging lamang kaysa sa akin. Mas […]

Jun 232013
 

MANILA, June 20 (Mabuhay) — State weathermen are appealing for annual appropriation of their benefits to help ensure sustained funding for and timely release of these. “Funding for such purpose must be included in the General Appropriations Act – government’s annual budget – instead of being sourced from savings our agency might make,” said Mon […]

Jun 232013
 
State weather forecasters say little chance of Indonesia haze reaching PHL

Philippine state weather forecasters believe there is little chance of the haze that has affected Indonesia, Singapore and Malaysia reaching the Philippines. A report on Bombo Radyo quoted PAGASA as saying the winds from the southwest monsoon are likely to keep the haze out of the Philippine area of responsibility. In past days, a haze has affected Indonesia, caused by illegal forest fires on Sumatra island to clear space for palm oil plantations. The haze reached Singapore and now threatens Malaysia. According to reports on Malaysia’s The Star Online, winds from the southwest carried the haze from Riau to the central and southern part of the west coast of Peninsular Malaysia, with several schools in Malaysia having to be closed due to the haze. — BM, GMA News