October 2013 – Page 8

Join us for a free screening of the film “Call Me Kuchu”

Oct 242013

Sponsored by the David Kato Vision & Voice Award and the City of West Hollywood. Directed by Malika Zouhali-Worrall and Katherine Fairfax Wright, “Call Me Kuchu” follows the work of Ugandan LGBT activists David Kato, Frank Mugisha, and others to defeat state-sanctioned homophobia while combatting vicious persecution in their daily lives. Learn more and watch the trailer at callmekuchu.com. The screening will be followed by a panel discussion and reception featuring: * Malika Zouhali-Worrall, Director * Katherine Fairfax Wright, Director * Frank Mugisha, Ugandan LGBT Activist and Winner of the RFK Human Rights Award The screening is free and open to the public, but seating is limited. Please RSVP at apla.org/callmekuchu.

Singer Willie K to headline community center’s benefit gala

News

Oct 242013

Singer Willie K to headline community center’s benefit gala

Willie K HONOLULU—Local boy and internationally renowned singer Willie K will headline a star-studded cast of entertainers at “Sharing Memorable Moments with Emme & Friends” on Saturday, Nov. 9, at the Filipino Community Center’s (FilCom) Grand Ballroom in Waipahu. The gala fund-raising event is to benefit FiCom. Also performing with Willie will be guests Jasmine Trias, Jimmy Borges and a few other surprise celebrities and stars, many of whom have appeared on “Emme’s Island Moments” television specials. They will be honoring veteran TV personality Emme Tomimbang for her impact on Hawai’i and its Filipino community. “It will be a most unique evening of entertainment and am only sorry I couldn’t invite all the wonderful people who have been on “Emme’s Island Moments.” It would take a weekend marathon!” says Emme. “I wanted Willie to be the key performer because my husband, Jim Burns, and I consider him as family. I’m the godmother of his daughter Lycettiana.” Raised on Maui, Willie Kahaiali’i (a.k.a. Willie K) has been entertaining audiences since the age of 10. One of Hawai’i’s most versatile talents, Willie performs a myriad of musical genres, including Hawaiian, jazz, blues, reggae, rock, country Western, and even opera. He has either played with or opened for musical giants, including B.B. King, Santana, Al DiMeola, Willie Nelson, Prince, Bonnie Rait, Jackson Browne, Mick Fleetwood, George Benson, Jimmy Buffett, Crosby, Stills and Nash and more. Willie released his first CD, “Kahaiali’i,” in 1992 and has since earned multiple “Na Hoku Hanohano” awards, most Read More …

Samsung launches Partner Portal

Economy

Oct 232013

MANILA, Philippines – Realizing the need to find solutions not only for their retail customers but also for businesses, Samsung Electronics Philippines Corp. (SEPCO) launches the Samsung Partner Portal, a web-based communication channel aimed to help pursue business growth by creating mutually beneficial relationships between Samsung and its corporate reseller partners. Launched at the SM Aura, Samsung’s corporate business partners now have a place to go where they can check their incentives, updates, and have access to Samsung marketing collaterals and the like. Through the Partner Portal, Samsung will be able to closely monitor its partners’ performance, and at the same time, provide its partners the opportunity to be part Samsung Team of Empowered Partners (STEP) Program. As a member of the STEP Program, partners receive numerous benefits, which includes sales incentives, access to marketing collaterals, exclusive corporate reseller programs, and special corporate events. Members of the STEP Program will be categorized into three program tiers – Silver, Gold, and Platinum. Each partner tier has specific performance criteria and associated benefits. As partners advance to higher partner tiers, they receive increasing levels of opportunity for growth and rewards. To join the Samsung Partner Portal, you may register at: https://partnerportal.samsung.com/portal/app/main

Cavite, Laguna toll road project attracts 4 groups

Economy

Oct 232013

Cavite, Laguna toll road project attracts 4 groups

MANILA, Philippines – Four groups led by conglomerates Metro Pacific Investments Corp. (MPIC), San Miguel Corp., Ayala Corp., are set to slug it out for the P35.4-billion Cavite-Laguna Expressway (CALAX) project, the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) said yesterday. Public Works Assistant Secretary Eugenio Pipo Jr. said a total of four groups submitted prequalification documents for the CALAX project yesterday afternoon. “All the bidders submitted their prequalification documents before the 2 p.m. deadline,” Pipo stressed. He pointed out that Alloy MTD Philippines Inc. was the first to submit at 11:04 in the morning. AlloyMtd is the merger between MTD of Malaysia and Alloy with a long established track record in civil engineering and construction, manufacturing, infrastructure concessions, energy, port operations, real estate and property development. It completed the 36 kilometer portion of South Luzon Expressway. The group led by conglomerate Ayala Corp. through Team Orion followed at 12:15 p.m. It is led by AC Infrastructure Holdings Corp. that tied up with Cebu-based Aboitiz Group, Macquarie Infrastructure Holdings Philippines as well as contractors Bouygues Travaux, Egis Road Operations, and Korea Expressway Corp. Business ( Article MRec ), pagematch: 1, sectionmatch: 1 Pipo said the third to submit at 12:39 p.m. was the group of businessman Manuel V. Pangilinan through MPIC’s Metro Pacific Tollways Development Corp. and partner Leighton Contractors (Philippines) Inc. The tandem formed MPCALA Holdings Inc. Diversified conglomerate San Miguel Corp. through Optimal Infrastructure Development Inc. submitted prequalification documents for the project at 12:58 p.m. Prior to the Read More …

Conglomerates renew interest in LRT 1 expansion

Economy

Oct 232013

Conglomerates renew interest in LRT 1 expansion

MANILA, Philippines – The country’s top conglomerates have expressed renewed interest in participating in the country’s largest Public-Private Partnership (PPP) project to date following the government’s move to revise the concession deal. San Miguel Corp. (SMC), Metro Pacific Investments Corp. (MPIC), DMCI Holdings Inc. and Ayala Corp. are now looking to bid for the previously failed auction of the P60-billion Light Rail Transit Line 1 (LRT 1) Cavite extension project, executives said. “We will look at what the conditions are but the revised terms look good,” DMCI chief finance officer Herbert Consunji said in a phone interview. “Yes, we would,” MPIC chief finance officer David Nicol said in a text message when asked if the Pangilinan-led infrastructure conglomerate will join the LRT 1 bidding anew. SMC president and chief operating officer Ramon S. Ang said the diversified conglomerate is also interested in the LRT 1 project. Early this week, Transportation Secretary Joseph Emilio Abaya said the agency revised the concession agreement for LRT 1. The changes addressed five major issues: real property tax, power rates, warranty on the structure, fare adjustments, and the negative bid. Business ( Article MRec ), pagematch: 1, sectionmatch: 1 “We’re just waiting for government to reissue the new bid documents,” Noel Eli Kintanar, executive vice-president of the Ayala conglomerate’s AC Infrastructure Holdings Corp., said yesterday. “I think [the revision] addresses many of the issues that led the bidders not to put in a bid,” Kintanar said. In August, only MPIC submitted a bid without partner Read More …

Semiconductor firm plans $8-M expansion

Economy

Oct 232013

MANILA, Philippines – On Semiconductor Philippines Inc. is investing a total of $8 million next year to purchase equipment and upgrade technology for production of new products at its plant in Cavite. On Semiconductor president and general manager Sunil Banwari said in a telephone interview yesterday the investment would come in two phases. The first phase, which would amount to $4.5 million, would be made in the first quarter of next year. The second phase, which involves $3.5 million, is expected in the third quarter. “The investment will be made to buy equipment for automotive products which we are not producing now,” Banwari said. The firm is investing in production of automotive products amid sustained strong demand seen for such items. Business ( Article MRec ), pagematch: 1, sectionmatch: 1 Banwari said the investments would also be used to upgrade technology for other existing products. “The technology expectation is always getting higher so we need to invest for better quality,” he said. With investments to be made for new technology to be used, the firm will also be taking in new employees. Banwari said the investments would involve hiring 20 to 30 employees. At present, the firm has 3,000 employees. On Semiconductor is engaged in the manufacture of products such as IC surface mount packages as well as logic or analog test being used in consumer electronic products.

Phl gets support of 3 countries to keep rice import restriction

Economy

Oct 232013

Phl gets support of 3 countries to keep rice import restriction

MANILA, Philippines – Three countries have endorsed the Philippines’ bid to keep its special restriction on rice imports until 2017. The National Food Authority (NFA) said China, India and Indonesia have supported the country’s petition to continue imposing its quantitative restriction (QR) on rice during a meeting of the World Trade Organization (WTO) Committee on Trade in Goods (CTG) in Geneva. Rice is the only commodity in the Philippines that enjoy a special restriction. “The outcome of the CTG (meeting) has reinvigorated and boosted the country’s efforts in pushing the initiative into positive conclusion by early next year,” Agriculture Assistant Secretary Romeo Recide, chief negotiator of the Philippines, said. The country’s petition will be tackled again in the special CTG meeting in March, during which a general consensus on the matter is expected to be arrived at. “If this goes well, we may get the general concensus by March,” said NFA administrator Orlan Calayag, adviser to the negotiating panel. Business ( Article MRec ), pagematch: 1, sectionmatch: 1 This corresponds to the final approval of the Philippines’ petition on the QR extension. Participating in the negotiations for the country’s bid for QR extension are Australia, China, Canada, India, Indonesia, El Salvador, Pakistan, Thailand, US, and Vietnam. Also included in the negotiations are European Union, Japan and Korea. “What is important is that we get the consensus of the countries we are negotiating with,” said Calayag. The European Union, Japan and Korea have also shown support for the country’s petition.

The French Baker is Filipino at heart

Entertainment

Oct 232013

The French Baker’s Johnlu Koa: “We have stuck to our core competence, which is to bake French and European bakery products suitable to the Filipino palate.” It seems a bit of a paradox that the man behind the French Baker brand is actually Filipino — or Chinese-Filipino, to be more precise. “Many continue to ask why I called my store The French Baker, considering that I’m a Chinoy and not French,” agrees Johnlu Koa, founder and CEO of the popular chain of bakery-cafes. “I say, why not, if it can convey an image of culinary excellence and can offer a unique experience?” Starting from his first bakery-café that sold European breads and pastries in 1989, and then to the brand’s first dine-in store in 1991, The French Baker has grown to a chain of 51 branches located throughout the country. Koa’s business acumen has been recognized so that he has earned awards including the AGORA award for marketing excellence, TOYM for Entrepreneurship and Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year award in 2006. The inspiration to put up a French-inspired patisserie first came to Koa during a backpacking trip throughout Europe in 1985. “I fell in love with Paris and her baked goodies,” he recalls. “Since then I dreamed of doing the same so that I could impart a similar experience to our kababayans in the Philippines.” He explains the choice of name:” I found the brand The French Baker so appropriate because the products that I could create could Read More …

Strengthened Study Now Pay Later Program pushed

Entertainment

Oct 232013

Strengthened Study Now Pay Later Program pushed

President Benigno S. Aquino III poses for a group photo with the Iskwelahang Pilipino Rondalla during the courtesy call held at Malacanang’s Heroes Hall. The ensemble formed in 1986 through the vision of Cristina Castro who, with a shoestring budget, searched for several years to find a teacher while building up an arsenal of instruments for the children the IP Rondalla has flourished as a truly Filipino American expression, incorporating into its repertoire aspects of traditional and contemporary music from the Philippines and the United States.also in photo are Violaere Rodriguez Bailey, Education secretary Bro. Armin Luistro and IP Rondalla founder Cristina Castro (MNS photo) MANILA, Oct. 21 (Mabuhay) – A lawmaker has moved to strengthen the Study Now Pay Later Program (SNPLP) pioneered by President Aquino’s late father, Sen. Benigno Aquino Jr., to enable the government to reach out to more poor but deserving students. Rep. Eric Olivarez (1st District, Parañaque City) filed House Bill 265, to be known as the Reformed Study Now Pay Later Act of 2013, which provides for a reinforced financial assistance program for qualified individuals. The bill mandates that seventy percent allocated for the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) and Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) annually through their various financial assistance programs shall go to the SNPLP’s Loan Trust Fund. Likewise, the amount derived from loan repayments of borrowers, including the principal and interests, shall accrue to the Loan Trust Fund. Olivarez said the SNPLP is a big help not only for Read More …

Anne had female admirers in grade school

Entertainment

Oct 232013

Anne had female admirers in grade school

Anne Curtis (MNS Photo) Anne Curtis thinks it is about time that the lesbian community also gets its own pageants, just like gays. This comes after the actress was asked for her reaction on their new segment on “It’s Showtime” called “That’s My Tomboy” which made it to the local Twitter trending topics for two consecutive days. “I think it’s about time that they get to have their own pageant. Ang po-pogi nila. But then you get to know the deeper side of them because you get to see that they are still in touch with their feminine side,” she said. “Nandoon pa rin naman ang pagkababae nila. It’s just that they are attracted to the same sex,” she added. According to Curtis, having lesbian friends is nothing new to her since she went to an all-girls school when she was in grade school. Asked if she also had female admirers, Curtis admitted: “Yes, when I was in grade 7, kasi all-girls [school] ako. Hindi naman [ako niligawan], grade 7 lang so puro padala ng letter. You’re all friends eh. Wala pang malice.” New endorsement Meanwhile, Curtis said she is happy to have another company which trusted her to be their endorser. Curtis was recently launched as the face of a videoke microphone due to her fondness for singing. “I didn’t know what to say when I was informed that I’m going to be the endorser. All I can say was ‘Are you serious? Me? Why not!’ Being a singer Read More …

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