UN relief chief leaving with mango table, lessons on strength

 General
Nov 082014
 
UN relief chief leaving with mango table, lessons on strength

MANILA, Philippines—When United Nations resident humanitarian coordinator Luiza Carvalho starts her new job in Panama next week, she will be sitting behind a one-of-a-kind desk—a huge table made out of the trunk of a mango tree that she purchased on the spot on a trip to Tagaytay City. “Can you believe it? A very, very big mango tree was made into a table, and I’m taking it with me. It’s a dining table, but I’m going to transform it into my office desk. Because it’s going to be mine. I’m not going to share it,” said Carvalho, smiling widely and gesturing as if to smooth out the absent desk. “I spotted it and it was full of dust. But when they dusted it off, the wood was yellowish and quite thick,” Carvalho said. Already packed and freighted for the 30-hour trip to Latin America, the mango table from the Philippines is where Carvalho will be writing her reports, making important calls, hatching ideas and making decisions as the new regional director for Latin America and the Caribbean at UN Women. Luiza Carvalho. AFP FILE PHOTO “It’s very inspiring because the wood is very beautiful, and the design as well,” Carvalho said in an interview.   Strength and resilience She will also take with her the much-admired Filipino strength and resilience, the same qualities she hopes to live up to, having received the Order of Lakandula (Political and Civic Merit) with the rank of Grand Officer, one of the country’s highest Read More …

Philam Life tax issues stall Philplans expansion

 General
Nov 082014
 
Philam Life tax issues stall Philplans expansion

MANILA, Philippines – The unresolved tax issues involving Philippine American Life and General Insurance Co. have been affecting the expansion plans of Philplans First Inc., a top company official said. Philplans chairman Monico Jacob said without the resolution and subsequent tax payments by Philam Life to the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR), the tax clearances needed to register the sale of Philam Plans and Philhealthcare could not be obtained. The Tanco Groups’ Philplans acquired Philam Plans and Philhealthcare from Philam Life in 2009. However, the BIR has not released the certificate authorizing registration (CAR) due to certain tax issue. Without the CAR, interested local and foreign investors of Philplans have remained on the sidelines. All business arrangements and payments between Philam Life and the Tanco Group in relation to the sale through an auction have been long resolved, except for the CAR issue. In fact, Philplans, now the leading pre-need company, was formed from the acquisition exercise. Business ( Article MRec ), pagematch: 1, sectionmatch: 1 “The Tanco Group has suffered due to the five-year delay. Corporate integrity is an issue here,” Jacob said in a statement. Meanwhile, the AIA Group Ltd. and subsidiary Philam Life said in a joint statement that the issue of tax obligations “is a matter we have presented to the courts following advice from our legal counsel.” “The matter before the courts is the amount of the BIR assessment related to that transaction.  Since this is a matter before the court, we are not able Read More …

Fil-Belgian tie-up offers iGSat broadband service

 Economy
Nov 082014
 
Fil-Belgian tie-up offers iGSat broadband service

MANILA, Philippines – Filipino-owned satellite service provider First United Broadcasting Corp. (FUBC) has tied up with Belgium-based Newtec to deliver broadband service in areas not reached by major players Philippine Long Distance Telephone Co. (PLDT) and Globe Telecom Inc. FUBC chief executive officer Philip Chien said in an interview with reporters that the company would initially pump in $5 million into the partnership to launch iGSat Satellite Broadband starting next month. He said the new iGSat broadband service would deliver high-speed satellite broadband across the Philippines, particularly in areas not reached by either PLDT or Globe. “This project will not be in competition with the present providers but will be a great support in areas where there is slow or no available bandwidth at all,” he said. For the corporate market, iGSat broadband would deliver reliable, high-speed, always-on Internet access without depending on availability of terrestrial networks. iGSat offers a range of solutions for the broadband user, comprising of satellite connections for the home, business, private network and maritime communications as well as for Internet service providers (ISPs). Business ( Article MRec ), pagematch: 1, sectionmatch: 1 “This latest technology will support the grassroots program of the government and private firms to cover the entire Philippine society for communication, information and education. The technology will be available anywhere, everywhere. It is limitless and beyond boundaries,” Chien added. Newtec chief executive officer Serge Van Herck said the iGSat broadband service is based on the company’s broadband hub utilizing thousands of Newtec’s Read More …

Megawide, Cityland set P8.4-B fundraising

 Economy
Nov 082014
 
Megawide, Cityland set P8.4-B fundraising

MANILA, Philippines – The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has approved P8.4 billion worth of fundraising activities of Megawide Construction Corp. and Cityland Development Corp. late last week. Megawide, one of the country’s top building contractors, intends to raise as much as P7 billion from a preferred share sale while property firm Cityland hopes to generate P1.4 billion from the issuance of short-term commercial papers. Megawide is offering 40 million non-voting perpetual preferred shares at P100 apiece, with an oversubscription option for up to an additional 30 million shares. BDO Capital, BPI Capital, First Metro Investment Corp. and SB Capital were tapped as joint underwriters for the offer. In its regulatory filing, Megawide said proceeds from the offering would be used to fund the company’s capital expenditures. Meanwhile, Cityland will be issuing P1.4 billion worth of short term commercial papers. Business ( Article MRec ), pagematch: 1, sectionmatch: 1 “The proceeds from the offering will be used to partially finance the construction at Grand Central Residences Tower 1 and PinesPeak Tower 1,” Cityland said. Cityland’s Grand Central Residences Tower 1 is a 40-story office, commercial and residential condominium located in Mandaluyong City. PinesPeak Tower 1, on the other hand, is a 27-story residential condominium also located in Mandaluyong. The projects have been 68 percent and 48.67 percent complete as of end-June, respectively.

Mla Water logs 6% income growth

 Economy
Nov 082014
 
Mla Water logs 6% income growth

MANILA, Philippines – Ayala-led Manila Water Company Inc. has registered a six percent growth in net income in the first nine months of the year on increased billed volume particularly from its Vietnam and Laguna concession areas. The company posted a net income of P4.55 billion in the first three quarters of the year, up from net earnings of P4.29 billion recorded in the same period last year. The company’s revenue rose 27 percent to P12.21 billion from P11.54 billion in the previous year. It’s earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization (EBITDA) rose three percent to P8.76 billion from P8.53 billion in the previous year. Billed volumes rose across all its units with the total billed volume rising 14 percent to 503.8 million cubic meters (mcm) from 440.3 mcm last year. This includes the service areas run by its local subsidiaries Boracay Island Water, Clark Water and Laguna Water and its Vietnam units Thu Duc Water and Kenh Dong Water. The billed volume for Laguna Water and Kenh Dong Water grew particularly fast in the first nine months of the year at rates of 183 percent and 523 percent respectively. Business ( Article MRec ), pagematch: 1, sectionmatch: 1 The number of water service connections in its main concession area, the Metro Manila East Zone rose two percent to 943, 624 connections from 921, 898 connections last year. The number of service connections of Laguna Water rose by a steep 47 percent, while those of Boracay Water by eight Read More …

GMA News and Public Affairs rebrands regional newscasts as ’24 Oras’

 General
Nov 082014
 
GMA News and Public Affairs rebrands regional newscasts as '24 Oras'

GMA News and Public Affairs makes a bold move in an effort to fortify its stance as the most trusted news organization in the country by unifying the brand of its nationwide and regional newscasts as one ‘24 Oras’ beginning Monday, November 10. The localized newscasts spoken in the regional dialects, produced and aired by the Network’s regional stations in Cagayan de Oro, Cebu, Davao, Iloilo, Dagupan, Ilocos, and Bicol, adopt the title of the national newscast ‘24 Oras’ plus the name of the area of coverage as distinguishing element. This major rebranding is part of 24 Oras’ relaunch on the same day, with veteran broadcasters Mike Enriquez and Mel Tiangco welcoming reputable journalist Vicky Morales as their newest co-anchor. CdeO’s 24 Oras Come Monday, Cagayan de Oro’s leading newscast ‘Testigo Northern Mindanao’ will be relaunched as ‘24 Oras Northern Mindanao,’ headlined by news anchor Joe Legaspina. Meanwhile, Cebu’s ‘Balitang Bisdak’ will be known as ‘24 Oras Central Visayas;’ Davao’s ‘Testigo’ as ‘24 Oras Southern Mindanao;’ Iloilo’s ‘Ratsada’ as ‘24 Oras Western Visayas;’ Dagupan’s ‘Balitang Amianan’ as ‘24 Oras North Central Luzon;’ Ilocos’ ‘Balitang Ilokano’ as ‘24 Oras Ilokano;’ and Bicol’s ‘Baretang Bikol’ as ‘24 Oras Bikol.’ ‘24 Oras Northern Mindanao’ and all of GMA’s regional newscasts will continue to deliver the same topnotch quality of broadcasting, the most relevant and latest news where it happens, as it happens known to 24 Oras—credible, unbiased, fair, critical—matched with a new color scheme and logo, improved graphics, and a refurbished set design. Read More …

Rachelle Ann says she has no time for love

 Entertainment
Nov 072014
 
Rachelle Ann says she has no time for love

Rachelle Ann Go (MNS Photo) Singer Rachelle Ann Go said she has to time to get into a new relationship as she is busy with her stint in “Miss Saigon” and her other work commitments. “Hindi ko kasi iniisip ‘yung love life. Kumbaga, parang ito na ‘yung nangyayari,” she said, referring to the opportunity to be part of “Miss Saigon”. “Isa-isa lang muna kung darating man ‘yan. So huwag muna siyang pagtuunan ng pansin.” “Ako, bigla akong pinadala sa ibang bansa na hindi ko pinlano, so ini-enjoy ko ‘yun,” she added. When asked if she is open to the idea of having a boyfriend from West End, Go said: “Hindi ko alam. Pero pagbalik ko, kapag may kasama ako, edi ‘yun na ‘yon.” Meanwhile, Go said she is happy for two of her exes as they both got engaged this year. Dancer Gabriel Valenciano is set to marry blogger-host Tricia Centenera next year, while actor John Prats recently proposed to actress Isabel Oli. “’Yun ‘yung destiny nila… Ito na yata ‘yung season na ‘yung edad ng mga nagpapakasal. Ako, happy ako sa kanila. Everyone is happy,” Go said. (MNS)

KBP: Reps from civic groups to be invited to Binay-Trillanes debate

 Entertainment
Nov 072014
 
KBP: Reps from civic groups to be invited to Binay-Trillanes debate

Vice President Jejomar Binay hits back at his accusers during a televised press conference at the PICC in Pasay City on Thursday, September 18. Binay denied receiving kickbacks from the construction of the Makati City Hall Building II and from other projects in the city during his term as mayor. (MNS photo) MANILA (Mabuhay) – Representatives from media and civic groups may be invited to attend the Nov. 27 debate between Vice President Jejomar Binay and Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV, the Kapisanan ng mga Brodkaster ng Pilipinas said. KBP president Herman Basbaño said Thursday they are still finalizing other details including who the moderator will be, and where the debate will be held. “We are looking (into inviting) heads of civic organizations, members of the KBP,” he said. But he said there will only be 200 to 300 guests at the debate, and by invitation. On Wednesday, KBP chairman Ruperto Nicdao Jr. confirmed the date of the debate will be Nov. 27. Nicdao also said the debate will focus on four topics. During an event of the KBP last month, Binay challenged Trillanes to a debate but it should be outside the Senate. Trillanes accepted the dare. Trillanes filed the resolution that paved the way for the Senate inquiry into the alleged overpricing of the P2.7-billion Makati City Hall Building II. He was one of three senators that grilled Binay’s son, incumbent Makati Mayor Jejomar Erwin Binay Jr., on the construction cost of the city hall complex. Trillanes also said Read More …

Most Yolanda survivors live on less than P34 a day – survey

 Entertainment
Nov 072014
 
Most Yolanda survivors live on less than P34 a day – survey

Akbayan party chairperson Risa Hontiveros Baraquel leads the send-off of volunteers on Monday to Tacloban City for typhoon Yolanda’s first-year commemoration. The volunteers served a year ago in Yolanda-affected areas. (MNS photo) MANILA (Mabuhay) – Most survivors of Typhoon Yolanda in Eastern Visayas are living on less than P34 a day, a study by research group IBON revealed. The study said that in a survey of 1,094 respondents in six Eastern Visayas provinces, 8 out of 10 families earn less than P5,000 on the average every month. Most of the respondents belong to families with five or more members. Typhoon Yolanda battered Eastern Visayas last year, affecting the livelihood of nearly 6 million workers in agriculture, fishing, trade and transport. IBON said that agricultural income in the affected areas has been estimated to have dropped by 50 percent to 70 percent after the devastation. Eastern Visayas, which is among the poorest regions in the country, relies heavily on agriculture. IBON said government’s response to the urgent needs of the typhoon survivors is not only slow and inadequate, it also fails to address livelihood issues that cause millions to be poor and vulnerable. Government data showed that only 215,471 families have been given livelihood support through its short-term “Cash for Building Livelihood Assets.” IBON said this could mean that as much as some 780,000 families have either no livelihood support or are relying on scattered efforts of non-government organizations (NGOs) and the private sector. The typhoon displaced an estimated 918,621 families Read More …

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