DA bans birds, poultry products from S Africa

 Economy
Jul 192013
 
DA bans birds, poultry products from S Africa

MANILA, Philippines – The Department of Agriculture (DA) has temporarily banned the importation of wild birds, poultry and poultry products from South Africa because of an outbreak of low pathogenic avian (LPAI) influenza there. The ban issued on July 8, 2013 is meant to protect the health of the local poultry population and of consumers. In a memorandum, Agriculture Secretaray Proceso Alcala said the outbreak was confirmed by the Office Internationale Epizooties (OIE). Presence of LPA serotype H7N7 was seen in a commercial ostrich farm in Oudtshoorn, Western Cape Province. The LPAI virus was confirmed through real-time polymerase chain reaction conducted by the Agricultural Research Council-Ondersteproof veterinary Institute National Laboratory. Also covered by the ban are day-old chicks, eggs and semen from the Land of Lower Saxony. Business ( Article MRec ), pagematch: 1, sectionmatch: 1 The government has suspended the processing and issuance of veterinary quarantine clearance for such products. All shipments of such commodities, with the exemption of heat treated products will shall be confiscated at major ports.

Ayala Land starts P15-B bond offer

 Economy
Jul 192013
 
Ayala Land starts P15-B bond offer

MANILA, Philippines – Property giant Ayala Land Inc. (ALI) has started tapping the bond market, marking its largest fundraising in the capital market thus far. In a disclosure, ALI said it kicked off yesterday the public offer of P15 billion worth of bonds due 2024. “It is ALI’s largest debt issue for a single tenor to date,” the company said, adding that the bonds carry a coupon rate of five percent. The public offering will run until July 25, which will be followed by the issues listing on July 30. “The issue size is inclusive of an additional P5 billion oversubscription due to strong investor demand,” ALI said. “Proceeds of the offering will be utilized to partially finance the company’s capital expenditure program for the year in support of its aggressive growth plans,” it added. Business ( Article MRec ), pagematch: 1, sectionmatch: 1 Last week, the property firm secured the Securities and Exchange Commission’s approval for the issuance of as much as P21 billion worth of bonds in different tranches. In June, ALI’s board approved the sale of up to P21 billion in long-term, fixed-rate corporate bonds through a general public offering. It will be the largest fundraising of ALI thus far, eclipsing the P15 billion it secured from a retail bond offering in April last year. ALI hired BPI Capital Corp., BDO Capital & Investment Corp., China Banking Corp., ING Bank N.V. Manila branch and Standard Chartered Bank as joint lead underwriters and bookrunners while First Metro Investment Read More …

Plunge in Meralco stocks dampens index

 Economy
Jul 192013
 
Plunge in Meralco stocks dampens index

MANILA, Philippines – Profit taking and discounted sale of blue chip Manila Electric Co. (Meralco) dragged down the Philippine Stock Exchange index (PSEi) yesterday. The PSEi retreated 0.41 percent or 27.33 points to settle at 6,621.02, while the broader all shares index dropped 0.48 percent or 19.26 points to 4,032.08. Most active stock were mixed but the main index was dampened by the plunge in Meralco’s share price. Diversified conglomerate San Miguel Corp. (SMC) trimmed its 32.8-percent stake in the country’s largest power distributor. SMC sold 64.33 million Meralco shares at P270 apiece, representing a steep 10.71-percent discount compared with the previous closing price of P302.40. Top-traded Meralco lost 8.2 percent to end at P277.60 yesterday amid the heavily-discounted sale. Given the run-up of the benchmark index past the 6,600 level, some investors opted to book gains. Business ( Article MRec ), pagematch: 1, sectionmatch: 1 The local stock market bucked another record high in Wall Street, which was driven by strong corporate earnings. The Dow Jones industrial average climbed 0.5 percent or 78.02 points to 15,548.54 while the broader Standard & Poor’s 500 index rose 0.5 percent or 8.46 points to 1,689.37. Closer to home, Asian shares were mixed, with Japan’s Nikkei 225 shedding 1.48 percent while Hong Kong’s Hang Seng inched up 0.03 percent. Locally, most counters were in the red, led by financial firms that slipped 0.98 percent or 15.72 points to 1,595.30. Mining and oil added 0.57 percent or 81.52 points to 14,369.94.

Atty. Linda Sarno’s ‘Green Legacy’ at SC Edison Center on its 5th Year

 Entertainment
Jul 192013
 

by : Rey Andres  Atty. Linda  Sarno is a Christian who has been endowed with enviable gifts from God which she unselfishly shares with her fellowmen. Many attest to her passion and drive in leading advocacies which she earnestly pursues even when her health conditions  made it difficult for her to do so. As one […]

Master stylist Marlou Colina unveils ‘make up 101’ Sept 8

 Entertainment
Jul 192013
 

COLINA Salon, in cooperation with Colina Cosmetics, unveils the biggest make-up event of the year: “Make-up 101,” to be held on September 8, 2013, from 1pm to 7pm, at Double Tree Hotel Norwalk, 13111 Sycamore Dr., Norwalk CA 90650 Conducted by celebrity make-up guru Marlou Colina, the one-day intensive make-up workshop will cover Theory, Stage-Demo, and Class […]

Journey at Pechanga secures spot among top 20 courses in California

 Entertainment
Jul 192013
 

TEMECULA, Calif. – Set upon rolling hills with vistas of the entire Temecula Valley, Journey at Pechanga was just ranked the 19th best public course in California. The distinction was published in Golfweek magazine’s “Best Courses You Can Play” annual guidebook for 2013. The accolade adds to the many awards the links have already received, […]

Malu Barry in homecoming concert tonight at Nobi

 Entertainment
Jul 192013
 
Malu Barry in homecoming concert tonight at Nobi

SHE was among the most-sought after singer in Davao City in the 80s and 90s, performing at the city’s posh bars. She was then a regular performer at Penec Bar of the Apo View Hotel, until she left the city and tried her luck in the show business in Manila. She forged a successful career both in film and music. She did several movies in the 90’s and came out with albums that showcased her singing talent. Tonight, Malu Barry, born Maria Luisa Baring in Davao City, is back for a homecoming concert at Nobi Alfresco Bar on Quimpo blvd. in Ecoland, Matina. “I’m excited about doing this show. Matagal ng plano ‘to,” the 49-year-old singer said in an interview, as she appealed to Dabawenyos for support. “Unta suportahan rako gihapon sa mga taga Davao. This concert is for them,” she said. Malu said it took several years before tonight’s concert, dubbed as “A Song For You: An Evening with Malu Barry” has been materialized, adding that the last time she did a show in the city was 10 years ago at the Royal Mandaya Hotel. “I’m really excited to perform again for Dabawenyos,” she said.Performing with Malu is local band The Don. The show is directed by Norie Sayo. Malu appeared in several movies, such as Kislap sa Dilim (1991), Kumukulong Dugo (1991), The Untold Story: Vizconde Massacre II (1994), Anabelle Huggins Story: Ruben Ablaza Tragedy (1995), Isprikitik: Walastik Kung Pumitik (1999), Laro sa Baga (2000), Minsan Pa (2004) Read More …

DOJ probe indicates possible rubout in Ozamiz gang killings – De Lima

 News
Jul 192013
 
DOJ probe indicates possible rubout in Ozamiz gang killings – De Lima

Forensic investigation has found evidence that the two gang members who were killed while under police custody in Laguna may have been murdered instead of accidentally shot, according to the Department of Justice (DOJ). Ricky Cadavero, head of the notorious Ozamiz group that has been linked to mall and bank robberies in Metro Manila, and gang member Wilfredo Panogalinga Jr. were earlier reported to have allegedly attempted to grab the guns of their escorts during an ambush four days ago in Cavite. Asked by reporters Friday if the killing was a rubout, Justice Secretary Leila de Lima said: “There are indications of that but I am not prepared to say it categorically.” In a report aired on GMA’s “24 Oras” news program, a forensics expert from the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) said a re-autopsy of the victims’ bodies show they did not sustain any external injuries during the incident. “No injuries were seen on the extremities that would indicate a struggle took place,” said Dr. Antonio Vertido, head of the NBI Medico-Legal team from Region 4A. According to the forensic report, the gunmen were less than two feet away when they shot Cadavero and Panogalinga. The trajectory of the bullet was also downward. The two gang members were killed while they were being transported to Camp Vicente Lim in Laguna from Cavite, where they underwent inquest proceedings. The incident occurred hours after Interior Secretary Mar Roxas announced that the two gang members, who escaped from separate jails last year Read More …

ABS-CBN postpones Kathryn-Daniel soap

 Entertainment
Jul 192013
 

ABS-CBN has postponed the airing of the newest soap of Kathryn Bernardo and Daniel Padilla, but not because it is disappointed with the program. Bong Osorio, head of ABS-CBN’s integrated corporate communications division, said the Kapamilya network has decided to delay the airing of “Got to Believe” until enough episodes are canned. He maintained that […]

Amid debate on Mali's transfer, city govt eyes adding two more elephants in Manila Zoo

 News
Jul 192013
 
Amid debate on Mali's transfer, city govt eyes adding two more elephants in Manila Zoo

Amid local and international calls for the transfer of Manila Zoo’s lone elephant Mali to a sanctuary in Thailand, the city government of Manila said two more elephants are likely to be added to the zoo’s attractions. In an interview aired on GMA News TV’s “News To Go” on Friday, Manila Mayor Joseph Estrada said the two elephants will be coming from Sri Lanka. “Merong mag-iinvest dito nang… made-develop ‘yung ating Manila Zoo to world-class,” said Estrada. “Tamang-tama ito, public participation. Sila ang gagastos lahat, pero sa kita, may kikitain pa rin ang gobyerno.” Dr. Donald Manalastas, Manila Zoo’s resident zoologist, said they are open to the city government’s plan. “Of course that will be a good addition, pero gusto po namin na kung magdadagdag po kami ay sigurado na po lahat,” he said in the same report The city government’s move is just part of a series of small improvements that aim to modernize Manila Zoo, the report said. It also said that other than improving Mali’s quarter-of-an-acre-sized living space, an international veterinarian will also be sent to examine her. If the plan to add two more elephants pushes through, the next step would be to determine whether or not Mali, which has never seen other elephants in 33 years, will get along with them. If not, the report said, the two additional elephants will be temporarily placed inside a vacant horsepen. PETA The People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA), which first called for Mali’s release into the Read More …

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