June 2014 – Page 14

Aquino backs Abe’s bid to amend Japan charter for stronger military

News

Jun 242014

Aquino backs Abe’s bid to amend Japan charter for stronger military

Loading the player… TOKYO—President Benigno Aquino III on Tuesday expressed support for Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s push to expand Japan’s military role amid China’s more aggressive posture in Asia’s disputed waters. Aquino said in Tokyo that the Philippines believes it would be beneficial if Japan were able to come to the assistance of allies under attack. “We believe that nations of goodwill can only benefit if the Japanese government is empowered to assist others and is allowed wherewithal to come to the aid of those in need especially in the area of collective self defense,” Aquino said in a brief statement following his summit meeting with Abe. Philippine President Benigno Aquino III, left, and Japan’s Prime Minister Shinzo Abe attend a joint news conference at the prime minister’s official residence in Tokyo, Tuesday, June 24, 2014. AP “We therefore do not view with alarm any proposal to revisit the Japanese Constitution if the Japanese people so desire, especially if this enhances Japan’s ability to address the international obligations and brings us closer to the attainment of our shared goals of peace, stability, and mutual prosperity,” Aquino said. Abe’s ruling party is in the midst of tough negotiations with its coalition partner over Abe’s proposal to reinterpret the Japanese constitution to allow what is known as collective self-defense. The Japanese military can currently only use force to defend Japan. Aquino’s support comes as Japan and the Philippines deepen security ties in the face of China’s military expansion and territorial disputes Read More …

On the hour of Royals

Entertainment

Jun 242014

Oliviero Bottinelli, Audemars Piguet (AP) managing director for Asia, calls himself “the brand concierge.” “The title on my card is not important,” he humbly says. “I like to say that I do everything for AP — even clean display windows.” Photos by JOEY MENDOZA What is that thing before me? The altered lyrics of a Black Sabbath song could very well describe people’s initial reaction to the Royal Oak Offshore watch when it was first launched by Audemars Piguet in 1993. Those were different times — so trad, still conservative — in the luxury watch scene. “They went, ‘What is that? So bold, so big.’ It was way ahead of its time,” explains Oliviero Bottinelli, Audemars Piguet (AP) managing director for Asia, about the watch that has become the brand’s most iconic model. “Nobody really liked it at first. The brand CEO at that time even said, ‘We’re going to create 100 limited-edition pieces and then that’s it.’ But it created a lot of noise.” It plucked a historical note, striking the chimes of innovation. The Offshore became the pioneer of big watches, because, after that, other brands came out with their own bad boys of bigness. Now, the watch lovingly called “Bumblebee,” “Panda” and even “Pounder” has reached iconic status. Jay-Z and King James would coolly agree. At the recent Geneva watch fair, AP launched the new 42-millimeter Offshore — six pieces (four in steel, two in gold) — then popping up in cities such as Jakarta, Singapore, Kuala Read More …

Wear the scent of high society … literally

Entertainment

Jun 242014

Wear the scent of high society … literally

Celebrating Happiness: Philippine STAR Lifestyle columnist Mons Romulo hosts “The Downy #Instaswitch Experience” in her home with a sunny yellow motif. Photos by BOY SANTOS Fabric-conditioner brand Downy invited a gallery of high-society ladies to explore a new product that samples the world of artisan scents and infuses its glamour into a fashion necessity. Having been a fashion reporter for quite some time, I’ve often found myself at luxe events, reporting on what the rich wear, what they say, what they do. But one question has long tantalized me: what does high society smell like? My other passion, it’s no secret to some, is perfume and the various layers and notes that make up complex scents. It’s a billion-dollar industry that employs science and art to craft the most intriguing olfactory experiences. At a recent event, “The Downy #Instaswitch Experience,” I got a chance to combine these two interests, as fabric-conditioner brand Downy invited a gallery of high-society ladies to explore a new product that samples the world of artisan scents and infuses its glamour into a household necessity. Philippine STAR lifestyle columnist Mons Romulo welcomed us into her beautiful home, where the atmosphere was distinctly sunny and cheery thanks to the fresh yellow flower arrangements and table accents arrayed everywhere. Everything was incredibly tasteful, from the soft music to the gleaming table settings. Lifestyle Feature ( Article MRec ), pagematch: 1, sectionmatch: Mons’ guests started arriving. The high-powered list included Regal Films CEO Roselle Monteverde Teo, daughter of Mother Read More …

Draw your own eyebrow

Entertainment

Jun 242014

Happy eyebrows: Happy Skin’s Eye Love View Eyebrow Duo is an easy favorite beauty find — it’s got an eyebrow pencil tip on one end and a liner tip on the other. Dear Lucy, I do not have eyebrows, and I am not even remotely considering getting it tattooed in any way. I have turned to using a pencil, but it looks so unnatural! Can you suggest anything that will work? Tania I asked some makeup experts, as well as friends I know who have the same dilemma as yours and this is what they have to say: Pencil can work, if it is the right one, and another good option would be powder. If your problem is sparse eyebrows, then they say it may be best to go for powder, which can be more easily dispersed and will not give you a look that seems painted on. Bear in mind the color of the powder, make sure it matches your hair color. Laura Mercier has some brow powder duos that you can choose from, and is best applied with a stiff angled brush. Use short, feathered strokes. To set the look, mist an eyebrow brush with hairspray and brush it through. Happy Skin’s Eye Love View Eyebrow Duo has become a quick and easy favorite beauty find for many. It has an eyebrow pencil tip on one end and a liner tip on the other. The former makes application of color easy (and it is in a very Read More …

Visiting the mecca of Nissan motorsports

General

Jun 242014

Visiting the mecca of Nissan motorsports

MANILA, Philippines – The name “Nismo” is the contraction of two words: “Nissan” and “motorsports.” It’s a seemingly simplistic name that, to the uninitiated, barely scratches the surface of a company’s achievements in the unforgiving crucible of racing. Nismo is the motorsports and performance division of Nissan Motor Company. Formed in 1984 as a result of a merger of two motorsport departments, Nismo race cars have participated and won in JSPC, Formula Nippon, Japan Touring Car Championship (JTCC), the 24 Hours of Le Mans and the 24 Hours of Daytona. Nismo currently campaigns in the Super GT and FIA GT Championships. Originally based beside Nissan’s manufacturing plant in Oppama, japan, NIsmo’s headquarters are now in Yokohama, right at the outskirts of Tokyo. Needless to say, any visit for Nissan race fans—or any Yokohama tour, for that matter—should mean a visit to the Nismo showroom, which showcases past and present race cars, mouth-watering engine displays, and a wallet-thinning gift and memorabilia shop (which also happen to sell racing and high-performance Nismo parts). Peer through the glass and you’ll see various Nissan and Nismo cars on lifters and service bays being maintained, repaired, or restored, or further modified. Words aren’t enough to do justice to the awe-inspiring display and collection of these lightning-fast Nissans. Peruse these photos and drool…

Style springs eternal at Ayala Malls

Entertainment

Jun 242014

Origins of style: Ayala Malls Style Origin launches in Greenbelt 5 and makes the rounds of Ayala Malls all over the country. MANILA, Philippines – Ayala Malls, the premier lifestyle and shopping destination in the country, continues to shape the lifestyle of Filipinos through Style Origin, a lifestyle series that will cultivate each shopper’s eye for style. In partnership with The Philippine STAR and Starworld, and in collaboration with the country’s top lifestyle magazines Mega, Meg and Chalk, Style Origin empowers men and women with inspiring trends in clothing and cosmetics through landmark trunk shows specially compiled by the country’s leading style authorities, Regina Belmonte of YStyle, Peewee Isidro and Rainier Dagala of Mega magazine, Bianca Gonzalez and Patrick Galang of Meg magazine, and Kate Paras and Elaine Carag of Chalk magazine. The Mensweek show kicked off at Greenbelt featuring designs by Anthony Ramirez, Avel Bacudio, Bang Pineda, Bea Samson, Chris Diaz, Dennis Lustico, Don Sevilla, Gian Romano, Herbert Custodio, Ivar Aseron, Jaggy Glarino, James Reyes, Jeffrey Rogador, Jerome Ang, Jerome Lorico, Joel Escober, Joey Samson, Johann Manas, Krue Bea, M. Barretto, Nixon Marquez, Noel Crisostomo, Norman Noriega, Proudrace, Regine Dulay, Renan Pacson, Rhett Eala, Roland Alzate, Sassa Jimenez, Tonichi Nocom, Ulysses King, Willar Matteo, Y. Quisumbing and Ziggy Savella. The High Street Fashion was a mix of the latest collection from Greenbelt’s retailers. First in the spotlight were the kids and teens apparel from Hobbes and Landes, Osh Kosh B’Gosh, Mothercare, Gingersnaps, Chicco, Cotton On Kids and Big and Read More …

Fashion meets function in Herve Chapelier

Entertainment

Jun 242014

Fashion meets function in Herve Chapelier

Patty Laurel Filart and Angel Jacob are happy with their Herve Chapelier bags. As my daughter Natalia and I were window shopping at SM Aura, she spotted a store that I wasn’t too familiar with. Excitedly she explained that it was one of her favorite bag stores when she lived in Paris and was happy that it is now available locally. The Herve Chapelier brand is named after its French founder who, in 1976, started with tote, duffel and travel bags made with sturdy materials that are usually found in car seat belts and canvas in red, purple, fuchsia, orange, yellow and neutral hues. Popular with the younger set and those who want practical bags, the brand is also favored for its simplicity and durability. A week later, I was invited to the opening of Herve Chapelier and one of the guests even jokingly remarked that her bag has outlasted her decade-old marriage. Guests Stephanie Kienle-Gonzales, Maggie Wilson, Pia Magalona, G Tongi, Anna Rufino, Patty Laurel, Mika Martinez, Keri Zamora and Karen Jimeno agreed that these bags are the best not only for travel but also for daily use. They showed us their choices that looked so chic in various color combinations, including animal prints which are always in style. The evening’s Parisian-themed soiree had romantic French music in the background as French goodies were served. Guests were able to view the bag artwork created by selected young and upcoming local artists Aiya Balingit, Mayi Peñaflorida, Soleil Ignacio, Niccolo Jose, Kris Abrigo, and Tokwa Peñaflorida who each Read More …

DOF welcomes BIR suggestion to set floor price for cigarettes

General

Jun 242014

DOF welcomes BIR suggestion to set floor price for cigarettes

MANILA, Philippines – The Department of Finance has welcomed a suggestion floated by the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) to set a minimum price on cigarettes to create a fairer marketplace and curb smoking amid the widespread availability of discounted tobacco products. Finance Undersecretary Jeremias N. Paul Jr. said the idea of setting a standard minimum price for all cigarettes is something that the agency would look at as the government pursues its anti-smoking campaign. Paul said the proposal, which would require legislative action, could be an effective policy tool that can support the beneficial health impacts of the sin tax law, which raised taxes on tobacco and alcohol products beginning January 2013. “We’re okay with it. In fact, the industry is open to it. But its still too early to discuss the minimum potential revenue from this [measure] because we’ll have to wait for the review to be completed. There are technical details that we need to look at,” Paul said. By introducing a flat rate minimum price for all tobacco products, consumers will not get to buy at a lower price from the amount set by the state. This will cause the quantity demanded to decline, especially among consumers with lower income. Ensuring high prices of tobacco products are proven ways to discourage the use of tobacco and coerce smokers to kick the habit. Business ( Article MRec ), pagematch: 1, sectionmatch: 1 One of the objectives of the sin tax law is to make tobacco and alcohol Read More …

Sinister ploy

Economy

Jun 242014

The long-running feud between the Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) and its private developer Camp John Hay Development Corp. (CJHDevco) involving the John Hay Special Economic Zone (JHSEZ) in Baguio City isn’t helping the country’s economic team in its bid to sell the Philippines as the region’s brand-new business hub. The feud turned for the worse when the BCDA caused to have CJHDevco chairman Robert John Sobrepeña arrested in connection with the lease and development of the former US military camp in Baguio City. This development also happened when the Philippine Dispute Resolution Center Inc. (PDRCI) is deep in arbitration proceedings to amicably settle the issues that have in the first place led to this BCDA-CJHDevco row and Sobrepeña’s arrest order. As expected, the CJHDevco boss and his allies cried “selective justice,” “harassment” and “personal vendetta” before and after he posted bail on June 16 following the arrest warrant issued by the Pasay Regional Trial Court in connection with the P1.15-billion estafa case filed by Casanova following the DOJ’s indictment of Sobrepeña for this private developer’s alleged non-payment of JHSEZ rentals totaling that amount. For his part, Casanova said the real issue is CJHDevco’s nonpayment of lease rentals to government while declaring dividends, extending cash advances and assignment of shares to its stockholders in 1998 to 2000. But CJHDevco officials dismiss Casanova’s move as a trumped-up charge, saying the private developer made a payment deferment request based on the unfairness of charging full payments while BCDA was defaulting on Read More …

House education panel calls for more measures to address labor impact of K to 12

News

Jun 242014

House education panel calls for more measures to address labor impact of K to 12

Government agencies dealing with the labor impact of the Kindergarten to Grade 12 on college level enrollment were challenged on Tuesday to come up with more options aside from tasking college professors to teach in senior high school. CHED, DOLE and the Department of Education should come up with a better alternative than asking professors to teach in senior high school, committee chair Pasig Rep Roman Romulo said “Hindi rin naman fair na kumikita ka ng malaki tapos bigla na lang bababa ang sweldo mo dahil sa K-12. kailangang magkaroon ng lunas [ang problema] para hindi maapektuhan ang pamumuhay ng mga teachers,” he said in a press conference after the hearing. Romulo made the statement after professors from several higher education institutions brought to the attention of the House committee on higher and technical education their fears on their possible displacement from colleges and universities because of the K-12 program. Based on the data from the Commission on Higher Education (CHED), a total of 86,001 faculty members in private HEIs are at risk of being displaced when grades 11 and 12 start in 2016. In a statement issued Monday, CHED Chair Patricia Licuanan said Filipino will still have a place in the new curriculum since courses under the GEC may be taught in either English or Filipino, as stated under CMO 20-2013. Licuanan said among the remedies being discussed include the assignment of disciplinal courses to former GE faculty, the deployment of some higher education faculty to senior high school, Read More …

Older Entries Newer Entries