Maniolas

MANILA, Philippines – Newlyweds Bianca Gonzalez and JC Intal prepared a grand reception at the Smart Araneta Coliseum on Wednesday, after their intimate wedding at El Nido, Palawan last December 3.  The couple wanted to limit the wedding ceremony to their family, and since most of their guests cannot come to the wedding’s venue they prepared a wedding celebration here in Manila. Below are some of the photos that the guests posted on their Instagram accounts.  

MANILA, Philippines–Long-term bets by foreign firms in the country rose to a fresh record high in September as the Philippines, one of the fastest-growing economies in the region, remained attractive to investors. Data released on Wednesday showed that foreign direct investments (FDIs) more than doubled in September. FDIs come in the form of significant equity placements, advances by multinationals to local units, and foreign firms’ earnings reinvested in local operations. The figure brought the total for the first three quarters of 2014 to a new record high, despite recent capacity constraints that threatened to choke capital formation onshore. “The sustained increase in net inflows during the month reflects continued investor confidence in the country’s solid macroeconomic fundamentals,” the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) said in a statement. Net inflow of FDIs rose by 116 percent in September to $680 million over the same month last year. For the nine months ending in September, FDI net inflows grew to $4.88 billion—higher than any full-year total on record. Direct investments usually bankroll the construction of new facilities or the expansion of foreign firms’ new or existing operations in the country. These are considered a better measure of international investors’ confidence in the country because the placements tie them to the economy’s fortunes for the long term. Because the investments fund business expansion, FDIs may also result in the creation of new jobs. Data showed that the net inflow of equity capital increased significantly to $161 million from just $7 million last year. Read More …

When I first moved to Paris I was thrilled to have my own apartment and to be able to host my friends. I used to throw these chic dinner parties complete with place settings and flower arrangements. There would be several dishes, a selection of meat or fish, several side dishes and several store-bought desserts. I would spend hours in the kitchen preparing, plating, then bussing and serving my guests tableside. I refused to let them clear their plates, thinking it was impolite to let them help in any way or even see my disastrous mess of a tiny kitchen. My French friends would ooh and ah, saying, “Je suis très impressionné!” Also almost always feeling underdressed and a little surprised, “Je ne savais pas c’était un dîner si chic!” It was always said with a sincere tone of appreciation tainted with a tinge of embarrassment. It was never my intention for it to be a particularly chic dinner or to make an extra effort to impress them; coming from the Philippines with a plethora of help and where buffet dining was the norm, frankly it was the only way I knew how to receive! Even dining out was a similar experience. My first few weeks there I would get dressed to the nines for dinner wearing a cocktail dress and heels, only to find myself like an alien wedged between black cashmere sweaters, torn jeans and Converse sneaks. It didn’t matter if there were escargots and a good burgundy Read More …

TOURISM INVESTMENTS. Alan Ting, a director of the Five Power Ventures Inc. board, discusses the company’s investments in tourism products. (CONTRIBUTED FOTO) FIVE Power Ventures Inc., the holding company of the Cebu Parklane International Hotel, is increasing its investments in tourism by developing three different tourism products in the next five years. The expansion, which covers the development of a beachfront resort in Cordova, a mountain resort in Busay and a condotel in the city, will cost the firm an estimated P300 million in investments, according to Alan Ting, a director of the Five Power Ventures Inc. board. A six-hectare property in Barangay Babag, Busay will be converted into a mountain resort with 50 villas and a 5,000-square-meter flower and organic vegetable farm, he said. Cebu Parklane International Hotel General Manager Cenelyn Manguilimotan said they are completing the requirements with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR). She said they have also requested the DENR to inspect the site to determine which part of the property still falls under the protected area. To cater to long-staying guests, the firm will also develop an 80-room condo-hotel in the city to complement its 241-room hotel. According to Manguilimotan, the project sits on a 1,300-square-meter area will be an eight-storey mid-rise building, with two floors dedicated to commercial spaces. “We intend to build a project intended for long-staying guests because this is one of our strong markets. In fact, in our hotel we average 50 rooms a day,” she said. Long-staying guests Read More …