December 2014 – Page 17

Be healthy and holiday-ready

Dec 222014

Look and C: Vitamin C, like Poten-Cee, helps boost the immune system and provide the body with defense against certain diseases such as the common colds and flu. MANILA, Philippines – It’s that time of year again when you need to look and feel your best! With so many holiday shindigs and New Year parties, one cannot simply miss the fun and happenings because of stress and illness. What to do? Start your daily vitamin C supplementation to not only help boost your immune system, but to also help you look good. Here are top tips from Poten-Cee for a “Ho! Ho! Ho!” holiday and a healthier 2015. • Get all charged up. Parties may be a lot of fun with all the eating, dancing, smoking, and drinking, but they can also suck up your energy and decrease your ability to fight infection. Tip: Get enough sleep if you know you’re staying up late. Be careful with your food and alcohol intake and, most especially, avoid smoking. Ascorbic acid like Poten-Cee is one of the antioxidants, which together help reduce the damage to the body caused by toxic chemicals such as cigarette smoke and preservatives. • Don’t stifle that sniffle. Occasional sniffles accompanied by bouts of sneezing could be a symptom of the flu virus. Don’t be the party pooper who cancels on parties to nurse a cold. Tip: Vitamin C is an essential nutrient that helps boost the immune system; thus, helps provide the body with defense against certain Read More …

Analog TV sets soon to be obsolete

General

Dec 222014

Reader Francisco “Jun” Astilla sent us an email about the spate of cut-price promo sales of LED television sets which seems to be a ploy to unload certain types of television models that would soon be rendered obsolete once the National Telecommunications Commission order shifting TV broadcast services from analog to digital terrestrial takes full effect by 2020 – by which time all analog broadcast would be completely shut off. Those in the know say the digital shift would cost TV networks P8.5 to P9 billion to roll out the service in over 70 service areas for about 17 million households. Among those that have begun utilizing/testing digital broadcast in certain service areas are ABS-CBN and TV5. According to the NTC, digital terrestrial television broadcasting or DTTB would provide better signal quality, allow mobile subscribers to watch TV programs using their phones and most of all, enable the broadcast of warnings to alert the public about impending or ongoing calamities and other emergency situations. Majority of households in the Philippines – estimated at 90 percent – still use analog television sets but these would be rendered obsolete in the next three to five years as the country shifts to digital mode – something that merchants conveniently omit telling customers. Viewers, however, could continue using analog TV through a digibox (presumably similar to the “blackbox given away by broadcaster Ted Failon in his dzBB radio program) that would enable the analog unit to receive digital signal, although we’re not certain if Read More …

Globe, PLDT activate link in Misamis Or

Economy

Dec 222014

MANILA, Philippines – Ayala-led Globe Telecom Inc. and dominant carrier Philippine Long Distance Telephone Co. (PLDT) continued to expand their interconnection links in the provinces, this time allowing subscribers in Misamis Oriental to call each other without additional charges. Globe general counsel Froilan Castelo said the company continues to aggressively pursue interconnection with PLDT and other telecom providers in the provinces. Last Dec. 11, Globe’s interconnection arrangement with PLDT in Misamis Oriental was activated commercially, allowing customers of telco providers in the province to call each other without additional long distance charges. The activation brings to 27 the number of areas or provinces where Globe has established interconnection arrangement with competition. These areas include Metro Manila, Cavite, Iloilo, Capiz, Batangas, Cebu, Negros Occidental, Negros Oriental, Bohol, Leyte, Davao City, Pampanga, Bulacan, Zamboanga, Laguna, Quezon, La Union, Nueva Ecija, and Benguet, GenSan/South Cotabato , Tarlac, Davao del Norte, and Pangasinan, Ilocos Norte, Zambales, Ilocos Sur, and Misamis Oriental. “As we have previously committed, Globe has been aggressively pursuing interconnection with our counterparts. We recognize such arrangement greatly enhances the company’s dependability as a provider of cost-effective telecommunication services,” Castelo said. Business ( Article MRec ), pagematch: 1, sectionmatch: 1 In the absence of an interconnection deal, landline customers of Globelines and other telco providers are charged the long distance rate when making phone calls to one another. With the commercial availability of the interconnection, Globe subscribers could simply dial the seven-digit telephone number to connect with PLDT and vice-versa. Republic Act Read More …

Ateneo launches e-jeepney shuttle

Economy

Dec 222014

MANILA, Philippines – Ateneo de Manila University (ADMU) has launched an electric jeepney (e-jeepney) shuttle system within its campus. According to the Electric Vehicle Association of the Philippines (EVAP), ADMU is the first educational institution to introduce an e-jeepney transport system. The Ateneo e-jeep shuttle system is operated by Meralco Energy Inc., a subsidiary of Manila Electric Co. (Meralco). For the shuttle system’s initial operations, it would utilize four units of 14-seater e-jeeps supplied by Philippine Utility Vehicle, Inc. The shuttle system would have 11 stops within the campus. Meralco for its part, designed and put up a power charging station which would allow e-jeepneys to run for about 100 kilometers (km) after charging overnight. Business ( Article MRec ), pagematch: 1, sectionmatch: 1 The adoption of electric vehicles by ADMU follows last month’s launch of Filinvest Alabang’s own shuttle system-Filinvest 360 Eco Loop – which also utilizes e-jeepneys. “More and more private institutions are now introducing their own eco-friendly transport systems to transform their establishments into green establishments,” EVAP president Rommel Juan said. Such move, he said, is supported by the EVAP. “EVAP hopes that many other commercial and even industrial establishments will soon follow suit in operating their own environment-friendly transport solutions,” he said. He noted that e-jeepneys are easier to maintain compared to units that run on diesel-engines. “An e-jeepney costs only P4.60 per km to operate as compared to a conventional diesel-powered jeepney which costs P6.70 per km to operate,” he said.

Ending the year with some good news

Economy

Dec 222014

The year ended on a somewhat positive note – more good news than bad. For starters, we saw Manny Pacquiao rebound from losses to perk up once again as the Philippines’ pride after he beat Chris Algieri in Macau last November. Somehow, Pacquiao’s wins (or losses) are bigger news than what happens to the economy. Still, Filipinos noted with a tinge of relief how pump prices of gasoline and other fuel products have dropped quite significantly from its levels at the start of the year, thanks to more oil and gas being mined in the US and the dampening of world stockpile levels and prices. Quietly, public bus and jeepney fares and cooking gas prices were adjusted to bring a little extra pocket money for our citizens to spend this Christmas. While food prices have not reflected yet any significant price reductions, this should be seen within the next few months. Also, without too much fanfare early this month, the country received notice that credit rating agency Moody’s Investor Service has upgraded the Philippines’ credit worthiness to Baa2 status with stable outlook, which is a notch above investment grade, to affirm the continued strengthening of the local economy. Together with the expected effect of the global softening in crude prices, the credit rating upgrades with Standard & Poor’s and an expected higher ranking by Fitch Ratings should give the Philippines enough breathing room next year to make it back on track. Business ( Article MRec ), pagematch: 1, sectionmatch: 1 Read More …

MPIC invests P85 M in Landco

Economy

Dec 222014

MANILA, Philippines – Metro Pacific Investments Corp. (MPIC) is infusing P85 million in upscale property development company Landco Pacific Corp. to restructure the latter and make it more attractive for selling. In a disclosure to the stock exchange, the infrastructure conglomerate said it has entered into an agreement with Landco and its controlling shareholder to restructure and clean up the balance sheet of the company in preparation for an eventual sale to third parties. “The cash infusion will be to the extent of P85 million and conversion of receivables into equity to the extent of P79.8 million,” MPIC said. Through the agreement, MPIC said it expects to convert its preferred shares in Landco to common shares in the near future. Likewise, the conglomerate led by businessman Manuel V. Pangilinan intends to have additional subscription to non-voting preferred shares by way of cash infusion and conversion of MPIC’s receivables from LPC into equity, and spin off of non-performing assets of LPC to a separate company. “The foregoing steps will be implemented in different phases in the near future,” MPIC said.In 2010, MPIC sold 15 percent of its interest in Landco to AB Holdings Corp., reducing its equity in Landco to just 19 percent. Business ( Article MRec ), pagematch: 1, sectionmatch: 1 Prior to that, MPIC already sold 17 percent of its stake in the property firm to AB Holdings, making the latter the majority owner with more than 80-percent interest in Landco. Landco is a developer of leisure communities, resort-inspired Read More …

Growing up shaking, rattling & rolling

General

Dec 222014

MANILA, Philippines – Shake, Rattle & Roll (SRR) has never ceased and failed to scare and thrill audiences from age one to 92 in many past Christmases via the Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF). The Regal Entertainment’s movie franchise and iconic trilogy is part of every child’s entertainment experience, giving himself some sort of horror-thriller 101 early on in life. SRR introduced me, as a child growing up in the ’80s and as a pre-teener in the ’90s, to fantastical, mythological and elemental figures, which were different from the characters I had acquainted myself with in melodramas. When the first-ever SRR was screened in theaters in 1984, I was only six then and being accompanied by mom and her sisters in the movie house. I can still recall how the gorgeous Irma Alegre will transform into a flesh-thirsty nocturnal creature attacking the nerd-looking Herbert Bautista and family in the Manananggal episode, directed by Peque Gallaga. The highlight is the confrontation between the half-body flying Irma and Herbert, who kills the former by finding the creature’s lower body and putting salt in it. The good triumphs over the bad — and the evil — at the break of dawn. The Pridyider episode sees the charming Janice de Belen and family moving into a new house. Unknown to them is a ghost inhabiting inside the refrigerator and possessing it. Eventually, Janice is lured by the ref but she succeeds to save herself from becoming its next victim. The Ishmael Bernal helmed it. Read More …

Cardinal Tagle: Be one with the poor this Christmas

News

Dec 222014

Cardinal Tagle: Be one with the poor this Christmas

The coming Christmas should give Filipinos the strength to uphold the poor by fighting evils such as child abuse, trafficking and new forms of slavery, Manila Archbishop Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle said Monday. In his Christmas message, Tagle said Christmas was also a time to shed illusions of grandeur, pretensions to self-importance, and the wickedness of self-interest. “Christmas is never truly Christmas if we do not practice Jesus’ solidarity with the poor, the weak, and the neglected. Christmas is a season to see our own poverty, to see a companion in every person who suffers and to see Jesus in a needy brother or sister,” he said. Also, Tagle said Christmas frees the poor from inhumanity and degradation, and proclaims the good news that the poor are loved by God. He added the poor also possess the dignity sourced in God, and they could take their rightful place in shaping society as protagonists. “May Christmas 2014 give us greater zeal to combat trafficking in human persons, new forms of slavery, neglect and abuse of children and violence against the helpless!” he said. Year of the Poor, papal visit For the Philippine Church, Tagle said November 2014 to November 2015 had been designated as the Year of the Poor. Thus, he said Christmas 2014 fell within this most important event centered on the poor of the land and of the world. He added that Jesus Christ, even if he was the Son of God, emptied himself of his glory and prerogatives Read More …

NLEX asks motorists: Bring exact change for toll

News

Dec 222014

NLEX asks motorists: Bring exact change for toll

With the holiday exodus expected to peak this week, the North Luzon Expressway advised motorists on Monday to bring exact change for their toll. NLEX spokesman Francisco Dagohoy said having the exact change ready will save time while in the queue and help ease the expected traffic flow from Metro Manila to the provinces. Traffic started to build up in parts of NLEX starting last weekend, as Filipinos started the yearly trip to the provinces to spend the holidays with loved ones. — Joel Locsin/ELR, GMA News

Closed roads, suspended arrivals during Pope’s visit

News

Dec 222014

Closed roads, suspended arrivals during Pope’s visit

Some roads around the Ninoy Aquino International Airport will be closed to traffic while no arriving flights will be allowed at certain times when Pope Francis arrives and leaves the Philippines this January. The Manila International Airport Authority on Monday released a schedule of closure of major roads at certain times during the papal visit. It includes: Jan. 15: Arrival Day: Sales Avenue→Andrews Avenue→Domestic Road closed 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. Jan. 19: Departure Day: Sales Avenue→Andrews Avenue→Domestic Road closed 7 a.m. to 10 a.m. While the closure is in effect, the NAIA can be accessed through South Superhighway, Bicutan, Sucat and Alabang roads. “NAIA Terminals 3 and 4 will also be isolated as a result,” the MIAA said. Flight suspensions Following consultative meetings with local and foreign air carriers, the MIAA said arriving flights will be suspended: Jan. 15: Arrival Day: No arrival hours from 2 to 7 p.m. Jan. 19: Departure Day> No arrival hours 6 to 10:30 a.m. “Departure operations will however proceed for those flights with the corresponding aircraft on ground before the effectivity of the road closures,” the MIAA said. Shuttle buses The MIAA will provide shuttle buses to transport departing passengers with flights in NAIA Terminals 3 and 4 as they will be inaccessible from the usual routes, Honrado said. NAIA Terminals 1 and 2 can be reached via Bicutan, Sucat, Alabang through Ninoy Aquino Avenue. MIAA will use Parking B at NAIA Terminal 1 as staging area for passengers. “From this point, the Read More …

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