Teenage Fil-Am camp counselor is Miss PH Quest USA

 News
Jul 242014
 
Teenage Fil-Am camp counselor is Miss PH Quest USA

• Alexa Kirby will represent Fil-Am community in Miss World PH contest in Manila Left to right: Judge’s Chair Cory Quirino, winner Alexa Kirby and Grace Labaguis of Synergy Production and Marketing Inc. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO NEW YORK, New York — Alexa Kirby, an 18-year-old, five foot eight summer camp counselor was chosen the first-ever Miss Philippines Quest USA at a coronation ceremony on July 12 at Symphony Space. Kirb was also declared Best in Evening Gown and shared her triumph on stage with four other newly crowned beauty queens: First Princess, Best in Talent, Best in Swimsuit Misook Mendonca; Second Princess Isabella Estella; Third Princess Jenica Balmes; Fourth Princess and People’s Choice Award recipient Erin Manansala. Kirby will represent the Filipino-American community in the 2014 Miss World Philippines pageant to be held in Manila on September 7. She has won a round-trip ticket to the Philippines and an allowance of one thousand dollars. She will also wear a stunning evening gown, courtesy of One.10 Collection, during the Miss World Philippines competition. During the dreaded Q&A, Kirby named young American actress-singer Demi Lovato, who has been vocal about her personal struggles, one of her personal women heroes. “She [Lovato] was able to overcome self-harm problems and is trying to help other people with similar problems to overcome it as well,” she said. A recent graduate of Downington West High School in Pennsylvania, Kirby is a summer camp counselor. She is not new to beauty pageants having joined Miss Teen Pennsylvania USA Read More …

Protesters slam China’s bullying in disputed sea

 News
Jul 242014
 
Protesters slam China’s bullying in disputed sea

Associated Press 6:27 am | Friday, July 25th, 2014 FROM PH WITH LOVE Protesters wave mock missiles before the Chinese Consulate in Makati City during simultaneous protests on Thursday at Chinese embassies and consular offices around the world. The demonstrators denounce China’s “bullying” of their neighbor-claimants, including the Philippines, of the disputed islands in the South China Sea. JOAN BONDOC MANILA, Philippines–About 100 Filipinos carrying mock missiles marched Thursday to the Chinese Consulate in Makati City to protest China’s actions in asserting its territorial claims in the South China Sea. Carrying placards that read “Our Soil, Our Oil” and carton missiles stamped “From Philippines with Love,” the activists said similar protests were being held in front of Chinese embassies and consulates abroad. “This protest rally is just the start of something much bigger not only in the Philippines but worldwide in order to tell the world what is happening in our backyard—the bullying that’s being done by our big neighbor,” said former National Security Adviser Roilo Golez, one of the rally leaders. Former Interior Secretary Rafael Alunan III criticized China’s “belligerent and blatant disregard of international laws” and urged Beijing “to respect the rule of law and be a good neighbor.” The Philippines and Vietnam are embroiled in territorial rows with China over the South China Sea, where China claims most of the heavily traveled waterway and barren islands, reefs and atolls that are believed to be atop oil and natural gas deposits. Brunei, Malaysia and Taiwan also have claims Read More …

Fil-Ams start first low-cost, multi-app funding platform for nonprofits

 News
Jul 242014
 
Fil-Ams start first low-cost, multi-app funding platform for nonprofits

Flipcause co-founder Derrick Cagaanan CONTRIBUTED PHOTO SAN FRANCISCO – Online giving rose by 13 percent and continues to grow, a study revealed, which probably explains the recent proliferation of nonprofits. “There are 1.8 million nonprofits out there, and 30,000 organizations get nonprofit status every year,” reports Flipcause Co-founder and Community Director Derrick Cagaanan. Most nonprofits, he says, are small organizations with small operating budgets of $1 million. This is not a lot of money. And in the nonprofit space, the cost of doing good in the community is expensive. The technical tools for non-profit fundraising already exist online. “But they’re all over the place,” says Cagaanan. “(Although) the tools for donation collection, processing benefit ticket sales and database management for volunteer information in one form or another are there,” he explained. That’s where Flipcause can make the difference, according to Cagaanan. “For the first time in nonprofit industry, we are providing all this tech in a simple, easy to use platform that can be deployed within minutes on any nonprofit website,” Cagaanan says. Nonprofits don’t have to build it themselves. Flipcause doesn’t have to come to their sites and start ripping apart layers of codes. “We install our platform at the back end of their website and, instantly, they can recruit volunteers, sell tickets and take in donations,” explains Cagaanan. In the early 1990s, charities and various causes solicited with chain letters and petitions by e-mail. When web tools came out, it wasn’t long until influence marketing became a buzzword, Read More …

Fil-Am youth pushes advocacy on PH typhoon relief system

 News
Jul 242014
 
Fil-Am youth pushes advocacy on PH typhoon relief system

Jason Tengco. PHOTO FROM JeepneyHub.com MANILA, Philippines—A young Filipino-American (Fil-Am) who works in the White House wants to push for the creation of a Fil-Am advocacy group in the US and to organize Fil-Ams in helping victims of typhoons in the Philippines. Jason Tengco, a Senior Adviser in the White House Initiative on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders and the youngest among the 10 delegates of the Filipino-American Youth Leadership program, is in the country for a five-day immersion program from July 24 to 28. “I intend on making it a priority to work with the Embassy to organize Filipino-Americans around typhoon relief, so that even as time passes, we continue to provide support and never forget those affected by the typhoon,” Tengco said in a statement released Thursday by the Philippine Embassy in the United States (US). “I would also like to work with the Embassy in organizing the community around comprehensive immigration reform in order to help it along the finish line in Congress, and to enroll undocumented Filipino youth in Deferred Action on Childhood Arrivals. Finally, I plan to continue to lay the groundwork in order to launch a national progressive Filipino-American advocacy organization in D.C.,” he said. Tengco was also the cofounder of JeepneyHub.com, a website dedicated to the career development of Filipino American youth and young professionals. The ten young Fil-Ams who have made strides in their respective fields in the US are in the Philippines for a five-day immersion program that would help them Read More …

SEC approves GT Capital’s P12B bond offering

 General
Jul 242014
 
SEC approves GT Capital’s P12B bond offering

By Doris C. Dumlao |Philippine Daily Inquirer 2:52 pm | Thursday, July 24th, 2014 SCREENGRAB from www.sec.gov.ph MANILA, Philippines—The Securities and Exchange Commission has approved a plan by tycoon George Ty-led conglomerate GT Capital Holdings Inc. to raise as much as P12 billion from a retail offering of long-term bonds. Based on documents from the SEC, GT Capital was given the go-signal to offer P10 billion in fixed-rate bonds with a tenor of five years and three months, seven years and 10 years. The conglomerate was also given leeway to upsize the offering by another P2 billion in case of strong demand. The bonds will be issued in scripless form in minimum denominations of P50,000 each and in multiples of P10,000 thereafter. They are intended to be listed on fixed-income trading platform Philippine Dealing & Exchange Corp. First Metro Investment Corp., BDO Capital and Investment Corp., BPI Capital Corp. and China Banking Corp. were mandated as joint lead underwriters. They each committed to underwrite up to P2.5 billion worth of bonds. Follow Us Other Stories: S&P 500 at new record on Apple earnings; Dow drops Asian shares extend gains on Wall St. rally PSEi rises on Wall Street gains Lucio Co buying 38% of PBCom for P5.97 billion 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 Read More …

Estrada: Past ‘inefficient governance made Manila the gates of hell’

 Entertainment
Jul 232014
 
Estrada: Past ‘inefficient governance made Manila the gates of hell’

Manila Mayor Joseph “Erap” Ejercito Estrada leads wreath-laying during Commemoration of the 69th Anniversary of the Historic Battle of Manila at the Freedom Triangle, Manila City Hall, on Monday, Feb.03, 2014. (MNS photo) MANILA, July 23 (Mabuhay) – Former President and now Manila Mayor Joseph “Erap” Estrada on Wednesday said the “inefficient governance” in Manila by the past administration made the city the “gates of hell.” “Six years of inefficient governance made Manila the gates of hell,” Estrada said during his State of the City Address (Soca) at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium in Manila. Estrada said that he inherited from the previous government “poor peace and order, saddled debt, and bloated bureaucracy.” The former president also mentioned the increase in revenue collections during his term compared to the previous administration. Estrada won the 2013 local elections against former Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim. He also reiterated his commitment to the Manila police to beef up measures to promote the city’s peace and order. He said thousands of “orange cards” have been distributed to poor families for their free access to healthcare and medicines. Estrada’s Soca was attended by officials of the city government of Manila and the people of Manila. (MNS)

DPWH won’t stop flood projects over DAP row

 Entertainment
Jul 232014
 
DPWH won’t stop flood projects over DAP row

Residents wade through floodwaters to return to their submerged houses in Marikina City Metro Manila August 8, 2012. Emergency workers and troops rushed food, water and clothes to nearly 850,000 people displaced and marooned from deadly floods spawned by 11 straight days of southwest monsoon rains that soaked the Philippine capital and nearby provinces. About 60 percent of Manila, a sprawling metropolis of about 12 million people, remained inundated on Wednesday, Benito Ramos, head of the national disaster agency said. (MNS photo) MANILA (Mabuhay) – Public Works and Highways Secretary Rogelio Singson said the Supreme Court’s decision on the disbursement acceleration program (DAP) won’t stop the agency from implementing its flood control and other infrastructure projects. Singson said the Department of Public Works and Highways pooled its own savings and savings from other agencies to fund its flood control masterplan. That masterplan was finalized in late 2012. Singson said rather than wait for next year’s budget, he asked President Aquino and the National Economic and Development Authority board to use savings to cover the 5 billion pesos needed for high-priority projects. He said they might run into delays but they are determined to pursue the projects. “These are ongoing. I will not stop the flood control projects because I don’t think the unconstitutional aspect of the Supreme Court decision refers to projects like this. Hindi naman cross-border ito,” he said. Without the DAP, the DPWH will tap into its quick response fund for typhoon reconstruction. The fund is allocated in Read More …

Binay: Aquino should’ve accepted Abad resignation

 Entertainment
Jul 232014
 
Binay: Aquino should’ve accepted Abad resignation

President Benigno S. Aquino lll attends to the Good Governance Summit 2014 with the theme of ” Good Governance through Open Government and Sustainable Procurement ” at the Philippine International Convention Center, CCP Complex in Pasay City,Wednesday,July 15. Also in photo are from left, Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda,Deped Secretary Armin Luistro, DILG Secretary Mar Roxas II, DOJ Secretary Leila De Lima, DBM Secretary Florencio Abad, Secretary to the Cabinet Rene Almendras, Central Bank Governor Amando Tetangco, Presidential Legislative Liason Officer Manuel Mamba.(Photo by Benhur Arcayan/Malacañang Photo Bureau) MANILA, July 23 (Mabuhay) – Vice President Jejomar Binay for the first time on Wednesday admitted that he disagreed with President Benigno Aquino III’s decision to reject Budget Secretary Florencio “Butch” Abad’s resignation over the Disbursement Acceleration Program (DAP) controversy. When Aquino announced during a Cabinet meeting last July 11 that he received and decided to reject Abad’s resignation, media reports said Binay was the only one who did not applaud the announcement. “Kasi ho yung pagpapalakpak sa aking pananaw eh yung mga kasama ko sa Cabinet ay pumalakpak (dahil) sinusuportahan nila yung pahayag dun sa naging desisyon ng Pangulo na huwag tanggapin ang resignation ni Secretary Abad,” Binay said. (What I understood was that my fellow Cabinet members applauded the announcement because they supported the decision of the President rejecting the resignation of Secretary Abad.) “Ako naman sa aking palagay eh dapat tanggapin [nya] yung resignation (In my opinion the President should have accepted the resignation),” Binay explained. “Pero sabi ko nga Read More …

Exercise, physical relaxation can help with social anxiety, study finds

 Entertainment
Jul 232014
 
Exercise, physical relaxation can help with social anxiety, study finds

According to clinical psychology PhD candidate Adam Heenan, exercise activities are quite literally able to change people’s perception of the world, reducing threatening and negative feelings. (Relaxnews) – Researchers at Queens University in Canada challenged the common association of yoga and other exercise-based relaxation activities with relief from tension, stress and anxiety, concluding they can be beneficial to those with social anxiety. According to clinical psychology PhD candidate Adam Heenan, such activities are quite literally able to change people’s perception of the world, reducing threatening and negative feelings. “This is a big development because it helps to explain why exercising and relaxation techniques have been successful in treating mood and anxiety disorders in the past,” says Mr. Heenan. In the study, subjects were asked to either perform muscle relaxation exercises similar to yoga, jog on a treadmill or, in the case of the control group, just stand on the treadmill. A total of 66 male and female participants between the ages of 17 and 29 were assessed, although no information on their state of mental health at the time of the study is mentioned and their level of social anxiety was assessed solely by means of Heenan’s tests. To test subjects’ perception, Heenan asked participants to view a point-light display of a human walking and asked them to identify whether the figure was approaching them or not. More subjects said the figure was walking towards them, a sign of social anxiety and intimidation, before their relaxation exercises rather than after. “We found Read More …

Traffic delays on Victoria Street from South Central Avenue to South Broadway Street starting July 28

 Entertainment
Jul 232014
 
Traffic delays on Victoria Street from South Central Avenue to South Broadway Street starting July 28

Southern California Gas Company (SoCalGas) will be replacing a section of one of its natural gas pipelines along Victoria Street from South Central Avenue to South Broadway Stree.  Expect traffic delays on these streets starting July 28.  Construction is expected to take approximately 3-4 months to complete. The project, managed by SoCalGas, includes pipeline excavation and pipeline installation.  Work will be conducted in a series of short, approximately 200-foot sections, one-at-a-time. At least one lane will be closed for the length of the pipeline being installed on westbound Victoria Street. The lane closure will be in effect Monday thru Saturday, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. City of Carson is working with other agencies to keep residents and commuters informed.  Signs informing motorists of traffic restrictions will be installed on Broadway and Griffith and other intersections along the project route. For additional information or concerns, please call (800) 427-2200 or contact SoCalGas Public Affairs Manager, Marcella Low at MLow@semprautilities.com or visit socalgas.com (search “safety”).

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