Bloomberry turns profitable in Q2

 Economy
Jul 312013
 
Bloomberry turns profitable in Q2

MANILA, Philippines – Bloomberry Resorts Corp., the owner and operator of the $1.2-billion Solaire Resort and Casino, turned profitable in the second quarter as revenues spiked. For the rest of the year, the firm targets to improve margins and continue marketing programs for its casino operations. In a regulatory filing, Bloomberry said it recorded P22.7 million in profits in the second quarter, turning around from a net loss of P126.93 million in the same period last year. Total revenues spiked to P3.59 billion during the period from just P15.79 million a year ago. “Gross gaming revenues during the quarter amounted to P3.89 billion, followed by non-gaming revenues coming from the hotel, food and beverage, retail and others totaling P267 million [and] interest income contributed P14.9 million to revenues,” Bloomberry said. “It is gratifying to know that Solaire has begun to generate profit after only a few months,” said Bloomberry chairman and president Enrique Razon Jr. Business ( Article MRec ), pagematch: 1, sectionmatch: 1 The $750-million Phase 1 of Solaire, which offers 500 rooms, 18,500 square meters of gaming space and 15 luxurious dining options, started commercial operations on March 16. However, revenues have yet to catch up with high operating expenses, which hit P3.65 billion in the second quarter. Operating expenses included payroll, advertising and promotions, supplies, gaming taxes and licenses, depreciation and amortization, utilities and other services. Bloomberry’s books, however, was buoyed by income from tax benefits. “The group recognized additional deferred tax assets resulting in benefit from Read More …

MVP picks Tesla sedan to promote e-vehicle use

 Economy
Jul 312013
 
MVP picks Tesla sedan to promote e-vehicle use

First e-vehicle charging station in PHL:  Trade and Industry Secretary Gregory L. Domingo (second from left) joins (from left) Meralco president and CEO Oscar S. Reyes, Meralco chairman Manuel V. Pangilinan, and Department of Energy (DOE) Secretary Carlos Jericho L. Petilla during the launch of the first prototype electric vehicle (EV) charging station in the Philippines. The DTI is supportive of efforts to accelerate the development of the nascent electric vehicle (EV) industry in the country. This pioneering development in the EV industry is intended to provide a signal to EV stakeholders that Meralco is preparing itself to support the industry’s requirements. MANILA, Philippines – Business magnate Manuel V. Pangilinan has purchased a P9-million Tesla model S electric vehicle (EV), the first luxury sedan of its kind in the country, ending speculations he would be buying a Rolls Royce. The Model S is one of many models manufactured by Tesla Motors, a Silicon Valley-based car premium EV maker. “This is more affordable than a Rolls Royce,” Pangilinan said in jest. More than the monetary value, Pangilinan said his acquisition of an EV is part of Manila Electric Co’s efforts to promote the use of more environment-friendly EVs in the country. Meralco, the country’s biggest power distributor which Pangilinan chairs, is willing to help in manufacturing EVs, he said at the launch of Meralco’s first commercial prototype EV charging station Tuesday night. “We in Meralco will help propagate local manufacturing here. We’re prepared to invest and help set up financing. We Read More …

PH recommends peacekeepers stay in Golan

 News
Jul 312013
 
PH recommends peacekeepers stay in Golan

Associated Press 3:08 pm | Wednesday, July 31st, 2013 An old tank is surrounded by fire following explosions of mortar shells from Syria on the Israeli controlled Golan Heights. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO MANILA, Philippines — The Philippines’ top diplomat says he has reversed an earlier recommendation to the president and now wants about 340 Filipino peacekeepers to stay in the Golan Heights for at least six months after the UN promised to bolster their safety. Foreign Secretary Albert del Rosario told a news conference in Manila on Wednesday that UN officials assured him in a recent meeting in New York that they would fulfill three conditions laid down by the Philippine government, including providing the peacekeepers with more self-defense weapons. Del Rosario asked President Benigno Aquino III in May to withdraw the peacekeepers from Golan due to escalating hostilities between Syrian rebels and government troops in the U.N.-patrolled buffer zone that separates Syria from the Israeli-occupied plateau. Follow Us Recent Stories: Complete stories on our Digital Edition newsstand for tablets, netbooks and mobile phones; 14-issue free trial. About to step out? Get breaking alerts on your mobile.phone. Text ON INQ BREAKING to 4467, for Globe, Smart and Sun subscribers in the Philippines. Tags: Features , Filipino peacekeepers , Global Nation , Golan Heights , United Nations Factual errors? Contact the Philippine Daily Inquirer’s day desk. Believe this article violates journalistic ethics? Contact the Inquirer’s Reader’s Advocate. Or write The Readers’ Advocate: c/o Philippine Daily Inquirer Chino Roces Avenue corner Yague Read More …

PH warship test fires guns off Zambales; BRP Ramon Alcaraz due Friday

 News
Jul 312013
 
PH warship test fires guns off Zambales; BRP Ramon Alcaraz due Friday

By Frances MangosingINQUIRER.net 3:02 pm | Wednesday, July 31st, 2013 PH’S 2ND WARSHIP The BRP Ramon Alcaraz. PHOTO FROM TWITTER ACCOUNT OF PHILIPPINE EMBASSY IN US MANILA, Philippines – The country’s warship, BRP Gregorio del Pilar, successfully test fired its guns off Zambales last Monday, a navy official said Wednesday. The naval drill was held as the Navy prepares to welcome the arrival in the Philippines of BRP Gregorio del Pilar’s sister ship, BRP Ramon Alcaraz. Navy spokesman Lieutenant Commander Gregory Fabic told reporters that the gunnery test of its Oto Melara 76mm main gun hit a floating “killer tomato” located two nautical miles away within five rounds. He added that BRP Gregorio del Pilar is near the Subic area to welcome the country’s second warship, BRP Ramon Alcaraz, which is due to arrive on August 2. Fabic, however, clarified that the test firing was not a show of force against China. The Panatag Shoal (Scarborough Shoal), a disputed territory between China and Philippines, is located 124 nautical miles west of Zambales. He described the guns, the primary weapon of del Pilar, as “excellent.” The Oto Melara 76mm gun has a range of up to 10 nautical miles, and can fire up to 80 rounds in 60 seconds. Follow Us Recent Stories: Complete stories on our Digital Edition newsstand for tablets, netbooks and mobile phones; 14-issue free trial. About to step out? Get breaking alerts on your mobile.phone. Text ON INQ BREAKING to 4467, for Globe, Smart and Sun subscribers Read More …

Were Filipinos ‘aliens’ in the US?

 News
Jul 312013
 
Were Filipinos ‘aliens’ in the US?

Global Networking By Rodel Rodis 2:31 pm | Wednesday, July 31st, 2013 Joe Alfafara The last time I spoke with Joe Alfafara was at the funeral of the mother of his life partner, Anita. I had known Joe for more than 20 years but that lunch conversation, which turned out to be our last, was our most expansive in years. We talked about his life, and about his father, Isidro, and about his uncle, Celestino, both of whom immigrated to the US in 1929. Joe died quite suddenly of a heart attack on June 23, one month shy of his 66th birthday, and we never did get to finish our discussion about his Uncle Cel whom he greatly admired. He was going to search for photos of his uncle who died in 1989 at the age of 90. I promised him I would one day write about his uncle’s historical achievement. So here it is, Joe. Celestino Alfafara is celebrated in Filipino American history lore as the man who won “the California Supreme Court decision allowing aliens the right to own real property.” In the most recent conference of the Filipino American National Historical Society in Albuquerque, New Mexico in June 2012, “The Legacy of Celestino T. Alfafara” was the focus of the plenary on “Fighting Anti-Alien Property Laws”. Before Alfafara, the only way Filipinos could own property in California was if they collectively purchased it in the name of their fraternal organizations like the Caballeros de Dimasalang the Gran Read More …

‘Pinay’: Cat found on freighter from Philippines to LA

 News
Jul 302013
 
‘Pinay’: Cat found on freighter from Philippines to LA

Associated Press 5:57 am | Wednesday, July 31st, 2013 This undated photo provided by the County of Los Angeles Department of Animal Care and Control shows a 4-year-old cat that stowed away in a container ship headed from Manila, Philippines, to Los Angeles. The cat, named “Pinay” by staff, is described as a domestic short-haired, orange-and-white female. She is gaining weight and getting stronger after the trip without food or water left her near death. AP PHOTO/COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES DEPARTMENT OF ANIMAL CARE AND CONTROL LOS ANGELES—A 4-year-old cat that stowed away in a container ship headed from Manila, Philippines, to Los Angeles is gaining weight and getting stronger after the trip without food or water left it near death. Los Angeles County animal control director Marcia Mayeda said the orange-and-white female cat was weak and frail after the 7,300-mile  (11,745-kilometer) trip. But after two weeks of treatments, the feline is in fair condition. Hospital staff named the cat Pinay, a common name for a female Filipino. The cat has cleared quarantine but needs to be adopted into a calm home because she is still skittish. Potential adopters can e-mail daccevents@animalcare.lacounty.gov. A year ago, a kitten named Ni Hao survived a freighter trip from China and was placed in a home. Follow Us Recent Stories: Complete stories on our Digital Edition newsstand for tablets, netbooks and mobile phones; 14-issue free trial. About to step out? Get breaking alerts on your mobile.phone. Text ON INQ BREAKING to 4467, for Globe, Read More …

Musing on the murse

 Sports
Jul 302013
 
Musing on the murse

Man with the golden murse: Daniel Craig, for one, understands the appeal of a male carryall. Fans of The Hangover I and II know this scene by heart: four friends are in Las Vegas for the groom’s bachelor party and on their way to a boys’ night out Phil, played by Bradley Cooper, and Alan, played by comedian Zac Galifianakis, have the following conversation about the bag slung across Alan’s torso: PHIL:  You’re not really wearing that are you? ALAN: Wearing what? PHIL: The man purse. You actually gonna wear that or are you just effin’ with me? ALAN: It’s where I keep all my things. I get a lot of compliments on this. Plus it’s not a purse; it’s called a satchel. Indiana Jones wears one. This sequence has been in my mind the past five weeks not only because I like Zac Galifianakis — he makes me laugh — but because I’ve been in and out of 11 airports. After surfing the net and reading books to pass all those pre- and post-flight waiting hours, I find that the next best entertainment is to people watch.  Lifestyle Feature ( Article MRec ), pagematch: 1, sectionmatch: What catches my eye are the carry-on bags men take inside airplane cabins and I have noticed that often there is a specific type of man that carries a specific type of bag. Athletes who travel in jerseys or varsity shirts and serious sport sneakers carry huge athletic duffel bags (a no-brainer), often with their Read More …

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