Jul 152014
 
Fortune 500 firm looking to expand presence in PHL

Ambassador Jose L. Cuisia, Jr. was accompanied by Trade Representative Maria Roseni Alvero and Agricultural Attache Josyline Javelosa during the Economic Outreach in Florida. JACKSONVILLE – A Florida-based Fortune 500 company that is one of the world’s leading provider of banking and payments technology services has expressed serious interest to expand its presence in the Philippines. “We welcome the interest of Florida companies, particularly FIS Global, to collaborate and invest in Philippine businesses and institutions,” said Ambassador Jose L. Cuisia, Jr. who led an economic diplomacy mission to Florida recently. Ambassador Cuisia said FIS Global wants to tap the Philippines for Information Technology and Business Process Outsourcing (IT-BPO) services. “FIS Global Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Frank Martire has informed us that his company is considering to expand its present operations in the Philippines because of the favorable investment climate and other advantages, particularly the encouraging support that the government provides,” Ambassador Cuisia said. Trade Representative Maria Roseni Alvero, who accompanied Ambassador Cuisia in the mission, said FIS Global, which is headquartered in Jacksonville, employs more than 37,000 people worldwide, including more than 1,700 in the Philippines. Alvero said FIS Global, which has been serving bank clients in the Philippines for the past two decades, is No. 1 in the annual FinTech 100 list and 434 on the Fortune 500. It is a member of Standard & Poor’s 500® Index. “We see this as a step forward in  further developing our local industries as well as further strengthening economic ties with between the Read More …

Jul 152014
 
Ai Ai’s son joins showbiz

Ai Ai delas Alas and Sancho (MNS photo) The son of Comedy Queen Ai Ai delas Alas has officially joined show business. On Instagram, Sancho said he will do a bit role in the film “Ronda,” which stars his own mother. A finalist in the New Breed Category of Cinemalaya 2014, “Ronda” is delas Alas’ first indie film. “First time…Working with my mudra! @aiaidelasalas #ronda #indiefilm #extra,” Sancho wrote. Delas Alas, for her part, said she is happy to be working with her son. In a previous interview, delas Alas revealed that ABS-CBN has offered her son, Sancho, to do a television series. The comedienne said she would have wanted her son to be part of the hit reality show “Pinoy Big Brother.” Aside from “Ronda,” delas Alas is busy taping for ABS-CBN’s hit series “Dyesebel” which stars Anne Curtis. (MNS)

Jul 152014
 
Andrea is just brillant!

Andrea Brillantes (MNS Photo) MANILA (Mabuhay) — Child actress Andrea Brillantes has drawn enough life lessons from co-actors to survive the topsy-turvy world of local show business. She shared, “’Wag po lalaki ’yung ulo, act naturally lang po, tsaka dapat lagi pong careful, (and) paglaki ko, mag-ipon po ako nang mag-ipon.” Andrea said that she learned these mostly from her “Annaliza” co-stars, particularly actor Zanjoe Marudo, who plays her father in the family drama. She admitted that among her co-stars in the now defunct show, she has grown closest to Zanjoe, whom she continues to call Tatay. She considers Zanjoe and his girlfriend, actress Bea Alonzo, as her “second family.” “Ninong ko din po siya,” Andrea added, referring to when she was baptized last year. Life has indeed gotten better for the 11-year-old and her family. They have since transferred to a town house and now own a car as well. Humility is important to Andrea, especially with people touting her as the next Judy Ann Santos. “I-a-accept ko ’yun kasi maganda din pong maging next Judy Ann Santos. Magaling po kasi siyang umarte kaya parang feeling ko super touched ako dahil parang magaling siguro akong umarte kaya ako naco-compare sa kanya,” she said. The future is bright Even with a slew of product endorsements and TV projects, Andrea still makes it a point to catch up on her lessons as a regular student. “Siyempre importante po ’yun dahil hanggang sa paglaki ko madadala ko po ’yun. Tsaka gusto ko Read More …

Jul 142014
 
JFAV/MS FilAm Intl LLC marks 73rd USAFFE Day, July 26, 2014 at FACLA

Members of the Filipino-American Veterans of Hampton Roads carry the United States and Virginia State colors during dedication ceremonies for the new Visitor’s Center of the MacArthur Memorial in Norfolk, Virginia, on 13 October 2012. The MacArthur Memorial is a museum and research center dedicated to preserving and presenting the story of the life of General of the Army Douglas MacArthur who is remembered by Filipinos as the liberator of the Philippines. The Memorial also pays tribute to the millions of men and women who served with General MacArthur in World War I, World War II, and the Korean War. (Photo by Ed Pelausa) Los Angeles – On July 26, 1941, US President Franklin D. Roosevelt issued an executive order placing the army of the Philippine Commonwealth under the United States Armed Forces in the Far East (USAFFE) under the command of General Douglas MacArthur who was called from his retirement to active service. Thus, the Justice for Filipino American Veterans (JFAV) and the Ms. FilAm International LCC with the Seniors 4 Pilipino Americans Community Empowerment (S4PACE) will hold a fundraiser  dinner-dance party to commemorate the  73rd USAFFE Day on July 26, 2014 from 4;00 PM to 10:00PM at the Filipino American Community of Los Angeles (FACLA). The ticket for admission is $ 10.00 and the public is cordially invited. Music will be provided by Maestro Buddy Reyes /Letty Reyes and his band. 150th Birth Anniversary of Apolinario Mabini The group will  also mark the 150th birth anniversary of the “Sublime Paralytic’ and the “Brains of the Read More …

Jul 142014
 
Pulse Asia: Aquino trust, performance ratings dip amid SC ruling on DAP

NAY PYI TAW, Myanmar – President Benigno S. Aquino III expresses his views during the Coffee Meeting with the Philippine Media at the sidelines of the 24th ASEAN Summit at the State Meeting Room 1 of the Horizon Lake View Hotel on Sunday night (May 11, 2014). In photo are House Speaker Sonny Belmonte and Presidential Communication Oprerations Office Secretary Sonny Coloma (PLDT powered by SMART) (MNS photo) MANILA, July 14 (Mabuhay) – Less people approve of and trust President Benigno Aquino III amid the Supreme Court (SC) declaring parts of the Disbursement Acceleration Program (DAP) unconstitutional, the latest survey by Pulse Asia said. The poll, conducted among 1,200 respondents from June 24 to July 2, showed that Aquino’s approval rating dropped to 56 in June from 70 percent last March. Meanwhile, his trust ratings went down to 53 percent last month from 69 percent in March “Various issues preoccupied Filipinos immediately prior to and during the conduct of the field interviews for this survey,” Pulse Asia said, enumerating issues that included the filing of plunder charges against lawmakers involved in the pork barrel scam, calls for the President’s impeachment, high-profile killings, the controversial decision of Aquino to reject Nora Aunor as National Artist and the SC decision on DAP. In addition to the lower approval rating, disapproval of Aquino also increased to 14 percent from 8 percent three months ago. Indecision grew from 22 percent in March to 30 percent last month. Aquino’s approval rating was highest in Visayas Read More …