Francis thrills in Philippines with ‘jeepney’ popemobile

 General
Jan 182015
 
Francis thrills in Philippines with 'jeepney' popemobile

Pope Francis made a triumphant entrance for a mass with millions in the Philippines on Sunday aboard a “popemobile” styled after the nation’s iconic, flamboyant and much-loved “jeepney” minibus. The pontiff, standing in the elevated open body of the uniquely Filipino version of his popemobile, travelled through the streets of the capital Manila for the main event of his five-day visit. Wearing a thick plastic yellow poncho over his vestments, the 78-year-old pontiff smiled and waved to hundreds of thousands who had lined the route to the venue for the mass. The rectangular vehicle with a distinctive giant grille repeatedly stopped so he could reach into the cheering masses and pick up babies to kiss and bless them. The pope rode the jeepney popemobile to Rizal Park where millions had gathered to hear him celebrate mass, in one of the world’s biggest papal gatherings. The jeepneys are regarded by many Filipinos as a symbol of national ingenuity. Locals created them from surplus US military jeeps after American forces left at the end of World War II. The bodies of the jeeps were extended, seats were added and a fixed roof put in place. The vehicles were then painted with colourful and Catholic designs. They proved to be strong vehicles with decades-long lifespans, and can be seen ferrying people through city streets and animals on mountain roads. However the diesel-powered vehicles are also one the nation’s chief air pollution culprits. Francis’s jeepney was an all-white popemobile. It had no doors, after Read More …

SSI ramps up expansion of specialty stores

 General
Jan 182015
 
SSI ramps up expansion of specialty stores

MANILA, Philippines – Tantoco-led SSI Group Inc. intends to continue its aggressive store expansion this year, earmarking P1.5 billion to cement its position as the country’s largest specialty store retailer. SSI vice president for investor relations Marti Atienza told The STAR that the listed retailer is earmarking P1.5 billion for capital expenditures (capex) this year, nearly the same level of spending it had last year. Atienza said the capex would be used to add around 130 new stores to its network. The company is funding this year’s capex through the P7.45 billion it raised from an initial public offering (IPO) in November last year. SSI is currently in the process of expanding its store network as it seeks to capitalize on favorable market conditions, evolving consumption patterns and consumer tastes and the availability of prime retail space in new and existing mall developments. As of end-June last year, SSI had 655 specialty stores in 68 major malls across the country. Business ( Article MRec ), pagematch: 1, sectionmatch: 1 Atienza said the firm has already spent P1.3 billion in expanding its store network in the first nine months of 2014, adding a total of 87 new stores or an additional of 23,000 square meters of retail space. SSI is the country’s leading specialty store retailer, operating more than 100 international brands which includes Hermès, Prada, Gucci, Burberry, Salvatore Ferragamo, Lacoste, Michael Kors, Kate Spade, Gap, Old Navy, Zara, Stradivarius, Bershka, Aeropostale, Samsonite, Nine West, Payless Shoe Source, Beauty Bar, Marks Read More …

PSE slates Japan roadshow

 Economy
Jan 182015
 
PSE slates Japan roadshow

MANILA, Philippines – The Philippine Stock Exchange (PSE) is holding a roadshow in the Land of the Rising Sun this month to court Japanese firms to list in the local bourse. The PSE said it would hold a Philippine Business Environment Seminar in Tokyo on Jan. 21 to provide executives of around 150 Japanese firms with an overview of the condition and outlook of the Philippine economy and its business sector. The roadshow is seen as a venue to discuss the listing structure and rules of the bourse to encourage Japanese firms with Philippine subsidiaries to list at the PSE, the operator of the country’s only stock exchange said. “Quite a number of Japanese companies have offices and facilities in the Philippines and we would like to apprise them of the developments in our capital markets as well as urge them to tap the Exchange for funding requirements,” PSE president and chief executive officer Hans B. Sicat said. Philippine Business Environment Seminar in Tokyo will be undertaken by the PSE together with Takara Printing, The International Friendship Exchange Council, KPMG Japan, KPMG Philippines, and Mori Hamada & Matsumoto Law Office. Aside from the Philippine Business Environment Seminar, the PSE said it will also host a Philippine Corporate Day on Jan. 22 and 23 in partnership with DBP-Daiwa Capital Markets Philippines Inc. in which representatives of participating Philippine-listed companies will meet with 25 investment firms in Japan. Business ( Article MRec ), pagematch: 1, sectionmatch: 1 The roadshow will highlight the Read More …

Gov’t borrowings down

 Economy
Jan 182015
 
Gov’t borrowings down

MANILA, Philippines – Government borrowings slightly declined in the first 11 months of 2014 due to lower borrowings from the domestic market. Based on data from the Department of Finance, the government borrowed P330.72 billion from January to November 2014, down from P333.25 billion a year ago. Of the total amount, P235.12 billion was sourced locally mainly through the sale of treasury bonds. The amount marked a 53.8 percent drop from the P509.28 billion recorded in the 11 months ending November 2013. On the other hand, foreign borrowings, done largely by tapping loans from development lending institutions, grew more than three-fold to P95.6 billion. Debt secured from foreign lenders was in the form of P55.34 billion in program loans and P11.59 billion in project loans aimed at supporting post-Yolanda relief and recovery initiatives. The government borrows to pay maturing obligations and plug the deficit in its budget. The higher the fiscal deficit, the higher will be the borrowing requirements of the government. Business ( Article MRec ), pagematch: 1, sectionmatch: 1 In November alone, borrowings by the government increased to P33.9 billion from P31.52 billion. Debt incurred from the domestic market went up to P33.28 billion from P30.65 billion. The country’s outstanding debt rose to P5.72 trillion as of the end of November last year due to higher domestic obligations.  A big chunk of this amount or 66 percent was accounted for by peso-denominated liabilities while the balance of 34 percent comprised debts denominated in foreign currencies. The government has Read More …

Michael cheers up old folks at Abiertas House of Friendship

 General
Jan 182015
 
Michael cheers up old folks at Abiertas House of Friendship

MANILA, Philippines – Radio-TV host and writer Jobert Sucaldito sent a friendly message through his Facebook account that promising young singer Michael Pangilinan, 18, of Pulilan, Bulacan agreed to volunteer his time with some 30 abandoned, abused, indigent old women at Abiertas House of Friendship (founded in the 1930s), which is situated on Santolan Road in Quezon City. The recent Aliw Awards’ Best Male New Artist awardee serenaded the elderly, ranging from 60 to 85 years old, and three pregnant women, with his songs. Michael serenading one of the residents of Abiertas A lovely grandmother cried as Michael sang the song Hanggang. He then approached and hugged her to the rejoice of the women of Abiertas. He continued singing the song with much warmth and sincerity. Later, Michael rendered a lively song to the delight of the audience. Some women danced with the music as emcees Jobert and Emy Casimiro of Citi (who will be getting married in April this year in Bali, Indonesia) were amazed and delighted. When he finished singing songs, an old woman requested an album of him. He generously promised to give 30 albums to them that he already fulfilled as of press time.  He, together with Jobert and The Philippine STAR columnist Wilson Lee Flores (owner of Kamuning Bakery), also provided merienda for them. Entertainment ( Article MRec ), pagematch: 1, sectionmatch: 1 “Thank you for inviting us here. I hope you have enjoyed our small gifts,” Michael concluded with a sweet, wide smile.

Gallery News: Gabby Barredo at Silverlens

 Entertainment
Jan 182015
 
Gallery News: Gabby Barredo at Silverlens

Gabby Barredo presents installations about death collectively titled “Opera,” which is on view until Feb. 21 at Silverlens, YMC Bldg., 2320 Don Chino Roces Ave. Ext., Makati City. For information, call 816-0044 or visit www.silverlensgalleries.com. * * * “Images 193” by Edwin Coscolluela Edwin Coscolluela at Galleria Duemila Edwin Coscolluela takes his practice in the domain of kinetic abstraction, offering digitally rendered, process-reliant and design-oriented compositions in “Images,” which opens on Jan. 24 at Galleria Duemila, 210 Loring St., Pasay City. The show runs until Feb. 24. For details, call 831-9990, email gduemila@gmail.com or visit www.galleriaduemila.com. Lifestyle Feature ( Article MRec ), pagematch: 1, sectionmatch: * * * “Benevolent Bench” by Eduardo Olbes Eduardo Olbes at Ayala Museum Eduardo Olbes showcases his stone and wood crafts in  “Sabor a Ming,” which opens on Jan. 25 at the Ground Floor Gallery, Ayala Museum, Makati Ave. corner De la Rosa St., Makati City. The show is in cooperation with Silverlens. The show runs until March 1. For inquiries, call 816-0044 or 759-8288.

Wine Story Academy offers course in wines and spirits

 Economy
Jan 182015
 
Wine Story Academy offers course in wines and spirits

Want some knowhow with that wine?: The wine and food-pairing exercises the WSET program offers at Wine Story Academy. MANILA, Philippines – This January, those keen on embarking or continuing a career in the hotel and restaurant industry and/or who simply consider wines a source of immense pleasure can deepen their knowledge on grape varieties, food-and-wine pairings, label terminologies, and other wine-related matters. Wine Story Academy (WSA) will offer professionals representing diverse industries and serious wine enthusiasts in Manila a chance to further their careers and rekindle their passion for wine with a Wine and Sprit Education Trust (WSET) course. The WSET Level 2 Award in Wines and Spirits will take place on Jan. 22-24 at the G/F of Wine Story in Shangri-La Plaza Mall, Mandaluyong City, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day. Students will learn about the prominent wine regions of the world and taste 47 wines and spirits. The course will tackle the factors that influence wine, key grape varieties in wine-producing regions across the world, different types of wines, spirits and liqueurs, plus the WSET Level 2 Systematic Approach to Tasting Wine. Successful students will be given a certificate and the WSET Level 2 Award in Wines and Spirits lapel pin. There is no prerequisite for attending, though prior knowledge of wine basics is recommended. At present, WSA has a passing rate of 97 percent with 75 percent of all graduates achieving above-average ratings of “Pass with Distinction” and “Pass with Merit.” WSA conducts four levels of WSET Read More …

Davao exports up 12%

 General
Jan 182015
 
Davao exports up 12%

THE Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) in Davao Region reported that exports in the region posted a 12-percent increase in freight on board (FOB) value to $595.05 million, as of the third quarter of 2014 as compared to $531.39 million in the same period in 2013. Agricultural products remain as the top export commodity in the region, including banana, coconut, pineapple, rubber, among others. Fresh or dried bananas, including plantains, have remained as the top export commodity of the region despite having a five percent decrease. Total banana export as of the third quarter of 2014 is at $242.91 million as compared to $255.67 million in the same period in 2013. Japan us the top export destination for banana at $93.65 million, followed by China ($62.76 million), South Korea ($23.51 million), United Arab Emirates (UAE) ($11.3 million), and Iran ($9.49 million). Placing second is crude coconut oil with $112.18 million. Netherlands is the top export destination for coconut oil at $47.87 million, followed by United States ($42.02 million), Italy ($5.57 million), Indonesia ($5.42 million), and China ($4.07 million). Rounding up the top three most exported products from the region is desiccated coconut at $35.72 million. The United States is the top export destination of the commodity with a FOB value of $6.53 million, followed by United Kingdom ($4.19 million), China ($3.52 million), Netherlands ($3.46 million), and Russia ($2.29 million). The fourth most exported commodity are fresh and dried pineapples at $26.78 million, with Japan ($10.51 million), South Korea ($3.62 million), UAE Read More …

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