Overseas Filipinos essay contest for students offers cash prizes

 News
Dec 302014
 
Overseas Filipinos essay contest for students offers cash prizes

SAN FRANCISCO — An overseas Filipino group is holding an essay contest with an offer of cash prizes for high school and college students on the role and importance of overseas Filipinos in the future of the Philippines. Celia Lamkin, chairperson of the US Pinoys for Good Governance-Marianas Chapter (Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands and Guam), announced the contest, which is open to all Filipino students or students of Filipino descent in the Philippines and overseas, from 10 to 25 years old, who are enrolled in high school and college. “An Overseas Filipino is a person of Filipino origin who lives outside of the Philippines,” according to Wikipedia’s definition. “This term applies to Filipinos who are both abroad indefinitely as citizens or permanent residents of a different country, and to those Filipino citizens abroad for a limited, definite period, such as on a work contract or a student. It can also include seamen and others who work outside the Philippines but are not residents, either permanent or temporary, of another country.” In 2012, the Commission on Overseas Filipinos (CFO), headed by Secretary Imelda M. Nicolas under the Office of the President of the Philippines, estimated that approximately 10.5 million Filipinos worked or resided abroad. Submissions start from December 31, 2014 to February 1, 2015. Entries should be submitted by email only at overseasfilipinosessay@yahoo.com. The theme of the essay is “The Overseas Filipinos and their impact on the Philippines.” The essay should focus on: The contributions of Overseas Filipinos to Read More …

‘Pasko!’ celebration held at Honolulu Museum of Art

 News
Dec 302014
 
‘Pasko!’ celebration held at Honolulu Museum of Art

Christmas lanterns at the Honolulu Museum of Art. HMA PHOTO HONOLULU– A Filipino Christmas Family Day called “Pasko! Sa Honolulu Museum of Art” on December 21 highlighted the festive and colorful Filipino-style Christmas season. The event was hosted by The Filipino Association of University Women (FAUW) and the Bank of Hawaii. The halls of the Honolulu Museum of Art were decked with Christmas lanterns or parol of various shapes, sizes, colors and materials. At the event’s art activity stations, visitors made parol, rice cakes, desserts, Christmas ornaments and learned to wrap gifts in coconut leaves and filigreed paper. Children were able to play traditional Filipino games such as sungka and sipa, try on Filipino costumes from different regions, and receive candies while learning how to do the “mano po” and respectfully greet elders like their “ninongs” and “ninangs” (godparents) who give presents during the holidays. The event also had display tables set for noche buena, a family feast held after midnight mass which were adorned with decorative shells, brass and hand-woven materials from the Philippines. A fashion show by Hilo-based Filipino designer Iris Viacrusis of traditional Filipiniana wear including ternos, María Clara dresses, Igorot and Muslim-inspired attires, was one of the highlights of the Pasko! event. Cultural presentations included folk dances and song numbers from the Filipino community, and performances from youth orchestra Banda Kawayan and the Tekniqlingz Dance Crew, which combine traditional and hip-hop styles in their unique rendition of the tinikling bamboo dance provided entertainment for the audience. Vice Consul Joyleen E. Santos represented the Philippine Consulate General Read More …

Nurses again voted most trusted professionals in US

 General
Dec 302014
 
Nurses again voted most trusted professionals in US

SAN FRANCISCO — Registered nurses once again are viewed as the most trusted professionals in the US, according to an annual Gallup survey conducted December 8-11. RNs are seen as having “very high” or “high” ethical and honesty standards by 80 percent of the public, a full 15 points higher than any other profession in the Gallup Poll. Nurses have topped the list each year since they were first included in 1999, with the exception of 2001 when firefighters were included in response to their work during and after the 9/11 attacks. Additionally, Gallup notes, “since 2005 at least 80 percent of Americans have said nurses have high ethics and honesty.” Car salespeople, lobbyists, and members of Congress are rated lowest. “We could not be more proud to continually earn the trust and confidence of the public,” says Deborah Burger, RN, co-president of the nation’s largest organization of nurses, National Nurses United, which represents 185,000 registered nurses in all 50 states. “In their most vulnerable moments, patients and families know that they can count on nurses to care for them—to stand up for them.” In 2014, RNs faced ever-growing challenges to safeguard patient safety at the bedside, ranging from flawed electronic medical record technology and unsafe staffing conditions, to fighting to keep hospitals open in underserved communities and securing proper protective equipment for front-line healthcare workers against the deadly Ebola virus in West Africa, as well as the U.S. A few highlights of the gains made over the last 12 Read More …

Erich Gonzales goes for romance with Liberte

 General
Dec 302014
 
Erich Gonzales goes for romance with Liberte

A kind of blush: Erich Gonzales is sweet and party-ready in a roomy, blush dress, available at Liberte, Robinsons Department Store.   MANILA, Philippines – Erich Gonzales has plenty of romance this season as she discovers Robinsons Department Store’s leading exclusive label for young ladies, Liberte. White is all the rage, as the purest palette takes shape in cropped tops and A-line skirts this season. Best accenting Erich’s silhouette, these cooler  months’ ultimate wardrobe sees plenty of leg and well-fitted shapes to make this season hotter. Breezy pinks make for the finest holiday dresses, offering a hint of fiery passion during the gray months. Countered by sharp, angled cuts and loose, layered fit, these blushing dresses are perfect worn with your holiday flame.  You can’t go wrong with a pale pink ruffled bottom dress, complemented by solid graphic accents and accessories. Complementing Erich’s tanned-glow, Liberte’s pale yellow floral dress showcases a glint of holiday glamour when spotted among this season’s parties. Liberte is exclusively available at selected Robinsons Department Store branches. For more information, check out www.robinsonsdepartmentstore.com.ph or like Robinsons Department Store on Facebook and follow @RobinsonsStore on Twitter.

Napocor seeks recovery of off-grid costs

 Economy
Dec 302014
 
Napocor seeks recovery of off-grid costs

MANILA, Philippines – The National Power Corp. (Napocor) is seeking to recover generation and foreign exchange costs incurred as a result of its mandate of providing electricity to consumers not connected to the main grid. The proposed recoveries, if approved, would result in higher electricity rates for the state-run power generation firm’s  consumers in the far-flung areas.  Napocor has filed separate petitions before the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) for the recoveries.  These are the 12th application for the recovery of the incremental costs on foreign exchange fluctuations under the so-called incremental currency exchange rate adjustment (ICERA) and the deferred accounting adjustments known as the generation rate adjustment mechanism (GRAM). ICERA seeks to recover costs on foreign exchange rate fluctuations while GRAM seeks to recover deferred fuel costs incurred in providing power in missionary areas.   In its ICERA petition, Napocor is seeking to recover P8.996 million spread over 12 months for an additional monthly charge of P0.0194 per kilowatt-hour to be charged to end-consumers in Napocor-Small Power Utilities Group (SPUG) areas. Business ( Article MRec ), pagematch: 1, sectionmatch: 1 “This application seeks the Honorable Commission’s approval for the recovery of total deferred forex costs for the billing period July 2013 to December 2013,” Napocor said. For GRAM, Napocor is seeking to recover P1.652 billion incurred from July to December 2013 and to be recovered in two years. This would translate to additional charges of P1.8279 per kilowatt-hour for off-grid customers in Luzon, P2.1585 per kwh for those in Mindanao Read More …

Domestic liquidity growth further slows

 Economy
Dec 302014
 
Domestic liquidity growth further slows

MANILA, Philippines – Domestic liquidity growth slid below 10 percent in November, reflecting the adjustments made by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas in banks’ reserve requirement ratios and in the special deposit account (SDA) rate. M3 – the broadest measure of liquidity – expanded nine percent to P7.304 trillion in November from P6.7 trillion in the same month a year ago. The rate was a further deceleration from 15.4 percent in October and 16.2 percent recorded in September.  “Money supply continued to increase due largely to the sustained demand for credit,” the BSP said. Domestic claims went up 17.6 percent to P6.756 trillion in November due to the increase in loans extended to the private sector. The central bank noted bulk of the loans went to the real estate, renting, and business services, wholesale and retail trade, manufacturing, financial intermediation, utilities, and transportation, storage and communication sectors. Public sector loans, meanwhile, climbed 14.6 percent to P1.857 trillion on a rise in investments in government securities. Business ( Article MRec ), pagematch: 1, sectionmatch: 1 BSP data also showed net foreign assets increased two percent to P3.657 trillion in November. Banks’ net foreign assets rose as their assets grew at a faster pace compared to the expansion in their liabilities, while such of the BSP’s contracted versus a year ago on lower gross international reserves. The central bank earlier in the year raised the banks’ reserve requirements by 200 basis points and the SDA rate by 25 basis points to pull Read More …

Treasury postpones new GS settlement system

 General
Dec 302014
 
Treasury postpones new GS settlement system

MANILA, Philippines – The Bureau of Treasury (BTr) has postponed anew  the implementation of a non-restricted trading and settlement environment for government securities. This marks the second time the program was deferred.  It was originally scheduled to be implemented last Nov. 21. In a notice dated Dec. 23, National Treasurer Rosalia De Leon said the implementation of the new system has been moved to Feb. 2, 2015 instead of Jan. 5 to give concerned parties ample time to address operational concerns and other preparatory activities. De Leon said this should allow a smooth transition to non-restricted trading and settlement environment. The BTr is unifying the taxable and tax-exempt segment of the market by lifting the current restrictions to boost liquidity in the secondary government securities market. Under the new system, government securities may be traded by various entities, regardless of their tax category or classification, in any securities trading market accredited by the BTr. Business ( Article MRec ), pagematch: 1, sectionmatch: 1 Securities held by government-owned and controlled corporations (GOCCs) and local government units (LGUs) may be transferred prior to maturity only with GOCCs and LGUs which maintain securities account in the book entry of the BTr. Transfers between market participants will likewise be allowed regardless of tax status. Tax-exempt institutions currently account for 21 percent of government securities, mostly held-to-maturity. Finance Secretary Cesar Purisima said the lifting of trading restrictions will allow the BTr to engage, designate, or employ facilities or systems that would enhance the existing registry Read More …

CAAP: No-fly zone in effect Jan. 15, 17, 19 for papal visit

 Entertainment
Dec 302014
 
CAAP: No-fly zone in effect Jan. 15, 17, 19 for papal visit

Manila Archbishop Antonio Luis G. Tagle announces the visit of Pope Francis to the Philippines on January 15-19 next year during a press conference on Tuesday (July 29, 2014) in Intramuros, Manila. (MNS photo) MANILA (Mabuhay) — Philippine aviation authorities will implement a no-fly zone on Jan. 15, 17, and 19, during Pope Francis’ visit to the Philippines. The Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines said it issued a Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) for the visit from Jan. 15 to 19. In an advisory, it said the no-fly zone will be in effect: Jan. 15: NAIA – The Ninoy Aquino International Airport primary runway 06/24 and secondary runway 13/31 will be closed for all arriving flights. Departing flights will be allowed to operate from 2 to 5:15 p.m. From 5:15 to 6:15 p.m., a no fly zone will be implemented and no air traffic will be accommodated due to the arrival of Pope Francis’ aircraft at about 5:45 p.m. Jan. 17: NAIA, Tacloban Airport – When Pope Francis flies to Tacloban, the Daniel Z. Romualdez (Tacloban) Airport will be closed to all air traffic from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. Exempted will be aircraft that carries the papal entourage. NAIA runways will be closed from 7:45 to 8:45 a.m. and from 5:45 to 6:45 p.m. when the Pope’s aircraft lands at NAIA from Tacloban. Jan. 19: NAIA – During the Pope’s departure to Rome, NAIA runway will only allow departing aircraft from 6 to 9:30 a.m. A no-fly zone will Read More …

A day of holiday merrymaking at Colina Salon & “Aguilang Bato Gardens”

 Entertainment
Dec 302014
 
A day of holiday merrymaking at Colina Salon & “Aguilang Bato Gardens”

As we celebrate the beginning of winter solstice (time of the year when the sun is farthest south) last Sunday, Marlou Colina gathered his loyal clients, family, friends and staff to a sumptuous Christmas dinner and merrymaking in the atrium-turned garden setting situated on the first floor of his salon’s building in Long Beach. Gregarious Bona was the host of the evening, who welcomed all of us for taking our time from our busy holiday schedules to join in the celebration. Pastor Herbert Mirfaflor delivered his powerful message of goodwill and peace to our fellowmen. Marlou gave a special award to his topnotched staff, Leilani “Ate Lani” Hollman who pursued a two-year career in Cosmetology and who has recently passed the US Board Licensing exam with flying colors. Audience participation was encouraged when Bona sang the Christmas song “ Chestnuts Roasting Like An Open Fire,” followed by Marlou’s dad who showed us his singing prowess. A “Most Loyal” award was given to Erica who has worked with Marlou for the past five years. Shown at the “Aguilang Bato Gardens” Christmas lunch reception were: Charlie Hilario, a friend, yours truly, Danny Bajet and Adolfo Maynes. Part of the merrymaking included games such as: produce a “Target” receipt, an American Express card,  a $100 bill, a 100 peso bill and a wedding ring  Additional games include the hilarious “dance contest” of four guys to a variety of  songs by: Ricky Martin, Madonna, Michael Jackson and Jennifer Lopez. The choral contest included guest participation between five groups singing the Christmas song: “Three Turtle Doves.” Read More …

Isabelle on settling down: I’m still young

 Entertainment
Dec 302014
 
Isabelle on settling down: I’m still young

Isabelle Daza (MNS photo) Actress-host Isabelle Daza won’t join the bandwagon of celebrities getting engaged or planning to settle down this year. Daza, who’s been in a relationship her non-showbiz boyfriend Adrien Semblat for years, said that she’s still too young to settle down. “I’m still young. I know ang dami ng, parang uso ngayon ay magpakasal, hindi ba? Pero no, I think I’m just focus more on my career. Siyempre bata pa ako I want to do that first and I want to accomplish things in my career muna,” Daza said. Daza made a big career move when she signed a contract with ABS-CBN. According to Daza, her boyfriend is very supportive of her career. For her first project as a Kapamilya star, Daza will part of the upcoming series “Nathaniel” with Shaina Magdayao and Gerald Anderson. (MNS)

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