September 2013 – Page 8

Real estate sector to benefit from tourism

Economy

Sep 142013

Real estate sector to benefit from tourism

MANILA, Philippines – Tourism is still the next big thing in the real estate sector, according to Jones Lang LaSalle (JLL), a leading real estate services firm. JLL country head David Leechiu, in his speech during the recent general membership meeting of the Chamber of Thrift Banks, said for the next four years, there are over 12,431 rooms that are expected to be built. He noted that around half of the upcoming hotels will rise in the Entertainment City. “There are expected about 8,550 supply of hotel rooms in Entertainment City (launched and planned),” he said. The hotels that would be constructed in Entertainment City include: Belle Grande Manila Bay of Belle Corp. (2013); Manila Bay Resorts (2014); Radisson Hotel Manila of SM Investments Corp. (2014); Resorts World Bayshore of Genting Berhad Group/Alliance Global Inc. (2016); Luxury Hotel of Bloomberry Resorts and Hotels Inc.; and Mercure Hotel Manila of CDC Holdings Inc. Other hotels in the pipeline which will be located all over the metropolis and expected to be constructed within 2013-2017 include: WorldHotel Residences of WorldHotels (Makati); Marco Polo Ortigas of Edsa Grand Realty and Development Corp. (Ortigas); Ascott of CDC Holdings Inc. (Bonifacio Global City); Novotel Manila Araneta Center of Araneta Group (Araneta, Quezon City); Citadines of CDC (Makati); Citadines Millennium of CDC (Ortigas); Shangri-La at the Fort of Shang Properties (BGC); Grand Hyatt Manila of Federal Land Inc. (BGC);Conrad Hotel Manila of SMIC (Seaside Boulevard, Pasay City; Movenpick Hotel Manila of Picar Development Inc. (Makati); Savoy Hotel Read More …

Port cargo volume rises 5.3% in H1

Economy

Sep 142013

MANILA, Philippines – The volume of cargo shipped in and out of the Philippines grew 5.3 percent in the first half, mainly driven by the continued expansion of the local economy according to data from the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA). Total cargo volume reached 97.96 million metric tons (MT) from January to June or 4.93 million higher than the 93.03 million MT recorded in the same period last year. Cargo shipped within the Philippines rose 8.2 percent to 40.77 million MT, while cargo shipped in and out of the country climbed 3.34 percent to 57.18 million MT. Private ports handled 58.5 million MT, accounting for 59.7 percent of the total cargo volume, while government-run ports handled 37.5 million MT for a share of 40.3 percent. PPA general manager Juan Sta. Ana attributed the increase in cargo volume to the expansion of the country’s domestic output as measured by the gross domestic product (GDP) by 7.6 percent in the first semester, from 6.4 percent in the same period a year ago. For the second quarter alone, the country’s GDP grew 7.5 percent from 6.3 percent in the same period last year. Business ( Article MRec ), pagematch: 1, sectionmatch: 1 Sta. Ana also traced the improvement to the increase in cargo volume handled in 16 port management offices (PMOs). The port of Tagbilaran booked the highest growth of 49.7 percent followed by Legazpi with 46.3 percent due to the increase in domestic shipment of aggregates, heavy equipment and construction materials and Read More …

Young couple make it big with barbecue

General

Sep 142013

RICHARD and Michelle Santiago Every day, Richard and Michelle Santiago face the finish line in the morning and the business bottomline at night. As entrepreneurs, the couple behind Ineng’s Special BBQ has worked hard in the last 14 years to grow their business from a small market stall in Cubao to a restaurant chain and franchiser across the country today. As triathletes, Richard and Michelle would run, bike and swim in long distances and even join competitions held around the country. They swim, bike, run and extend this discipline in managing their business. “At the end of the day, it’s all about commitment,” says Richard. “It’s hard work but it’s worth it.” Richard knows whereof he speaks when he talks about commitment—and won’t run away from it. In the last 10 years, the Santiago’s motivation to do good business was not just to save money but to also pay a debt in millions that they didn’t even incur. Early in his career as a milkfish raiser in Pangasinan, he was conned by a man who had cost the couple their life savings. The couple met the man during their wedding who claimed to be a scion of a prominent family. The man asked Richard to guarantee a loan on his behalf but disappeared when the sum had to be settled. Devastated at first, the couple did not give up and decided to negotiate with the loan patron. “Ninong was kind enough to give us a chance to pay in installments Read More …

The Annual Festival of Philippine Arts & Culture: a two-day hit!

Entertainment

Sep 132013

The Annual Festival of Philippine Arts & Culture: a two-day hit!

by : Myrna Aquitania Rex Navarrete The highly-attended annual Festival of Philippine Arts & Culture (FPAC) this weekend which showcased Pinoy talent in various disciplines was indeed a successful event. Founded by a handful of artists and community leaders in 1992 and in cooperation with the City of Los Angeles’ Cultural Affairs Department, FPAC’s aim was to address the Filipino American community’s visibility in the community. The first event took place at the Los Angeles City College on Mother’s Day, May 14, 1992 where “3,000 participants braved the aftermath of the L. A Riots which occurred the week before. Since then FPAC has only grown stronger and bigger moving to Cabrillo Beach in 1994 to its present location at Pt. Fermin Park in the historic district of San Pedro in 2001.” The year before moving to Pt. Fermin Park, in 2000 “FPAC organizers officially launched Fil-Am Arts as a fully-operational 501 © 3 organization at the L.A. River Center. Currently, the FPAC is the “largest presenter of Philippine arts and culture in Southern California. presenting over 1200 artists in 9 disciplines and attended by around 25,000 visitors throughout the country. FPAC is still a grassroots and community-led effort produced by a core group of 50 volunteer professionals in collaboration with around 50 community – based and civic organizations as well as 400 volunteers.” Consul Maria Hellen Barber-Dela Vega not only opened this year’s FPAC ceremonies but she was the recipient of the public service award and community awards for Judge Cas Tolentino and wife, Jennifer Tolentino and Read More …

PNoy: I don’t remember meeting Napoles before pork scam

Entertainment

Sep 132013

PNoy: I don’t remember meeting Napoles before pork scam

President Benigno S. Aquino III converses with Philippine Navy (PN) Flag Officer-in-Command (FOIC) VADM Jose Luis Alano during the 7th ASEAN Navy Chiefs Meeting (ANCM) at the Ballroom 2, Raffles and Fairmont Hotel in Makati Avenue, Makati City on Tuesday (September 10). With theme: “Partnership for Peace and Prosperity” to highlight the need for strengthened cooperation among the ASEAN Navies for peace, stability and progress in the ASEAN region. In photo is Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Deputy Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Gregorio Macapagal. (MNS Photo). MANILA (Mabuhay) — President Benigno Aquino III on Tuesday said that he does not remember meeting alleged pork barrel scam mastermind Janet Lim-Napoles even before the scandal broke out. “I tried to research in my mind if I ever came across her or even heard of her name and I hope I am not turning senile but I don’t recall any incident,” Aquino told reporters at the 7th ASEAN Navy Chiefs’ Meeting at the Fairmont Hotel in Makati City on Tuesday. “Did I ever meet her? Iyong to the level na baka nakipagkamayan o may nag “hi” ganoon, I can’t even say I ever said “hi” to her,” he added. After it was revealed that some lawmakers, the latest of whom is Senate President Franklin Drilon, were revealed to have met her before the controversy over the pork barrel came out, the President was asked whether he met Napoles in the past. Late last month, Aquino himself announced the P10-million bounty for Read More …

President Aquino lauds holding of 7th ASEAN Navy Chiefs Meeting in Manila

Entertainment

Sep 132013

President Aquino lauds holding of 7th ASEAN Navy Chiefs Meeting in Manila

President Benigno S. Aquino III answers questions from the media during the press briefing after gracing the 7th ASEAN Navy Chiefs Meeting (ANCM) at the Ballroom 2, Raffles and Fairmont Hotel in Makati Avenue, Makati City on Tuesday (September 10). With theme: “Partnership for Peace and Prosperity” to highlight the need for strengthened cooperation among the ASEAN Navies for peace, stability and progress in the ASEAN region. (MNS Photo). MAKATI CITY, Sept 10 (Mabuhay) — President Benigno S. Aquino III lauded the 7th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Navy Chiefs Meeting held at the Fairmont Hotel here on Tuesday. The President said in his speech keynoting the event that the meeting provided a venue where member-countries could come together and foster “a strong sense of regional solidarity” while upholding “our individual sovereignty.” “Our respective nations have all strived to uphold our individual sovereignty, while at the same time fostering a strong sense of regional solidarity—one that favors consensus and collaboration instead of discord, aggression, and imposition,” the President said. “And it is in meetings like this where we can make progress on that front—where we can truly solidify our ties and protect our common seas,” he added. He said the end result of the Asean Navy Chiefs Meeting was to ensure “freedom of navigation, the safety of commercial vessels, and the security of their civilian passengers” which he pointed out was in line with the goal of the ASEAN Economic Community, which we intend to establish by 2015. “This Read More …

MNLF asked to allow humanitarian aid to come in

Entertainment

Sep 132013

MNLF asked to allow humanitarian aid to come in

Government troops take their positions as about 200 Muslim rebels, enraged by a broken peace deal with the Philippine government, held scores of hostages as human shields Tuesday Sept. 10, 2013 in a standoff with government forces for the second day with no solution in sight at the southern port city of Zamboanga, in southern Philippines. More battle-ready troops and police were flown to the southern port city of Zamboanga in a bid to end the crisis. (MNS photo) MANILA, Sept 10 (Mabuhay) — Senator Nancy Binay asked the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) to allow humanitarian aid groups to enter controlled villages in Zamboanga City without fear of being killed. She noted stores, pharmacies and commercial establishments have closed because of the siege that started early Monday. “I appeal to the leadership of the MNLF, for humanitarian reasons, to allow those residing in the barangays under their control, access to food and other basic necessities,” she said. She also asked the National Food Authority (NFA) and the Department of Health (DOH) to set up mobile centers there to distribute rice, sugar, milk, medicines, etc. “Life has literally stopped in Zamboanga City. The national government must immediately ensure that the people of Zamboanga, especially those who have been displaced brought by the political tension, still have access to food and medicines. Immediate response from aid agencies like NFA and DOH is essential in providing the needed support in these times of conflict,” Binay said. She also appealed to the MNLF Read More …

Anne Curtis on settling down: Huwag muna

Entertainment

Sep 132013

Anne Curtis on settling down: Huwag muna

Anne Curtis (MNS Photo) Actress Anne Curtis said she’s not yet ready to settle down. This after her sister, Jasmine Curtis-Smith, said that she wants to see Anne walking down the aisle. “Huwag naman muna, not yet. Definitely not anytime soon,” said Anne, who is currently dating food blogger Erwan Heussaff. Anne said that she is just happy that her family is close to Erwan, the brother of her celebrity friend, actress and model Solenn Heussaff. “It’s always a great feeling when you know that your family loves the person you love,” she said. In a previous interview, Erwan said he and Anne are in no rush to tie the knot, adding that they are “still young.” “I think what we have is really cool and really strong. We are really happy with each other. It’s an understanding relationship, we’re both from completely different industries and I think that’s why it’s working so well,” he said. “We are busy and we are in love, so it’s good,” he added. (MNS)

Jamie Rivera releases first Christmas album

Entertainment

Sep 132013

Jamie Rivera releases first Christmas album

Jamie Rivera (MNS Photo) For the first time, singer Jamie Rivera released her own Christmas album. Rivera, dubbed as the country’s “Inspirational Diva,” now has a Christmas album titled “My Christmas Gift,” which is produced by Star Records. It is now available in physical and digital formats with the carrier single, “Joy to the World.” Rivera’s daughter is also part of the album as they recorded a duet of the Christmas song “Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas.” (MNS)

1,700 daily passengers affected due to Zambo airport closure

Economy

Sep 132013

1,700 daily passengers affected due to Zambo airport closure

MANILA — Cebu Pacific Air Inc. (Cebu Pacific) is closely coordinating with the government for the re-accommodation of passengers affected by the Zamboanga Airport temporary closure due to the ongoing crisis in Zamboanga city. Lance Gokongwei, Cebu Pacific president and chief executive officer, on Thursday said at least 1,700 passengers of the airline have been affected daily since the airport has been ordered temporarily closed on Wednesday. “We are giving them (passengers) option. They can rebook their tickets or we can refund them,” Gokongwei said in a press briefing shortly after the arrival ceremony of the airline’s newest aircraft, the long range Airbus A330 here. He said he can only give a figure on affected passengers and begged off when asked how much the airline is losing due to cancellation of its flights to and from Zamboanga. Cebu Pacific flies to Zamboanga four times daily from Manila, once daily from Cebu and Tawi-Tawi, three times weekly from Cagayan de Oro City, and four times weekly from Davao City. On Friday, Cebu Pacific arranged two special flights from Tawi-Tawi to Cebu to accommodate passengers who are travelling for the Hajj Pilgrimage. Cebu Pacific’s daily flights between Zamboanga and Tawi-Tawi have been suspended since September 9. Upon arrival in Cebu, passengers were re-accommodated on scheduled Cebu Pacific flights from Cebu to Manila on the same day, an advisory said. The Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines, meanwhile, has extended the suspension of Zamboanga Airport operations from September 13 to 16 due to Read More …

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