Money, VIP treatment, and other perks that make showbiz career a coveted profession
Jan 302015
Jan 302015
ABOUT P12.54 billion in investments were poured into Davao Region in 2014. The investments were in logistics, real estate, agriculture, air conditioning, manufacturing, storage, and services, the Board of Investments (BOI) Mindanao Field Office said. The biggest single investment came from the operation of seaports — the P2.65-billion Davao International Container Terminal (DICT) of the San Vicente Terminal and Brokerage Services, Inc. in Panabo City, and the P5.72 billion Hijo International Port (HIP) of the Hijo International Port Services Inc. (HIPSI) in Tagum City. The DICT will have an annual capacity of 400,000 40-foot equivalent unit (FEU), while the HIP has a capacity of 450,000 20-foot equivalent unit (FEU). The bulk of the region’s investments is from the real estate sector, with a combined investment of P2.489 billion, mostly in Davao City. The company with the largest real estate investment is 8990 Housing Development, which has five projects worth P1.56 billion, all in Davao City. The company invested P521.73 million to add 1,341 units to the Deca Homes Resort Residences Phase 9 in Tugbok; P234.65 million 544 unit Deca Homes Indangan Phase 1 in Buhangin; the P145 million 207 unit expansion of Deca Homes Resort Residences Phase 12 in Tugbok; P266.58 million 421 unit expansion of Deca Homes Resort Residences Executive in Tugbok; and the P391.89 million 662 unit expansion of Deca Homes Indangan Phase 2 in Indangan. Other real estate investments in the region are the P656.14 million housing development of Steward Home Development Corp. in Buhangin, Davao City; Read More …
Jan 302015
MANILA, Philippines (Xinhua) – Philippine shares closed 0.95 percent lower today. The benchmark Philippine Stock Exchange index increased by 72. 61 points to 7689.91. The all-share index went up by 38.12 points, or 0.86 percent, to 4465.28. Trading volume reached 2.19 billion shares worth P9.26 billion ($209.83 million). There were 95 gainers, 89 losers while 48 stocks closed flat.
Jan 302015
China’s official news agency on Friday likened the Philippines to a “crying baby” for seeking international support against island-building in disputed waters by Beijing, denouncing its efforts as “pathetic”. The caustic commentary by the Xinhua news agency came two days after foreign ministers from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) voiced concern over Beijing’s land reclamation efforts in the South China Sea. Manila — which has challenged China’s territorial claims at a UN tribunal — had urged the 10-country grouping to take a firmer stand against Beijing on the issue. “Only one month after an arbitration farce, the Philippines is putting up another pathetic show in an attempt to lobby international sympathy and support in its territorial spat with China,” Xinhua wrote. “Manila should be fully aware that acting like a crying baby and begging for compassion from the international community would never help justify its claims in the South China Sea dispute,” it said. The dispute “should and could be properly handled only by the parties directly concerned”, it added. China says it controls almost all of the South China Sea, a claim which conflicts with those of ASEAN members Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines and Vietnam as well as non-member Taiwan. Manila accused Beijing last year of reclamation work around isolated reefs in the Spratly islands, which could hold fortified positions or even airstrips. Beijing has repeatedly rejected Philippine protests, saying that the projects were being conducted in Chinese sovereign territory. On Wednesday, following a two-day ministers’ meeting Read More …
Jan 302015
MANILA, Philippines – You might be one of the many Filipinos who are dreaming to have their own homes. But buying your own home for the first time can be daunting. You might find it difficult to look for resources to help you shop around. You might not even have any idea what kind of home suits your budget and needs. You can start finding your new home by identifying your most important considerations in choosing a home. From there, you can find out what type of home buyer you are. You can then narrow down your options little by little from there on until you find the perfect home for you and your family. The infographic below will help you get started.
Jan 302015
Mike Tan taken in by a non-showbiz girl.
Jan 302015
Angel Aquino will celebrate her birthday planting trees.
Jan 302015
MANILA, Philippines – The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) is seeking the friends and relatives of a 63-year-old Filipino in China who suffered a stroke last November and has been unconscious ever since. “The Philippine Embassy in China is calling out to the family members, relatives, friends, or whoever knows Eddie Cabolosan Moralda who is currently alone in China,” DFA said in an announcement Friday. “Moralda is under the care of a hospital in Beijing, China after suffering a stroke last November 21, 2014. He is still unconscious. Because of his condition, he is experiencing complications in his heart and lungs which could lead to his death if left untreated,” DFA said. Moralda first arrived in China last November 12, 2014 with his business partner, a certain Rowena Villareal, to meet with a Chinese friend to discuss a business they intend to set up in the Philippines. His parents have been identified as Ricardo Moralda and Francisca Cabolosan. His last known address in the Philippines is Barangay (village) Halang, Calamba City, Laguna. Moralda is being fed through tubes and doctors estimate it could take three months for him to recover. DFA is appealing to anybody who knows Moralda to contact any of the following government agencies: Department of Foreign AffairsOffice of the Undersecretary for Migrant Workers’ Affairs (OUMWA)2330 Roxas Boulevard, Pasay CityTel. no. (02) 834-4996 / (02) 834-3246Email: oumwa@dfa.gov.phLook for Christine Panganiban Philippine Embassy in Beijing, ChinaAssistance-to-Nationals Unit23 Xiu Shui Bei Jie, Jian Guo Men Wai, Beijing 100600Tel. no. (+86) Read More …
Jan 292015
MANILA, Philippines – More time or more money? Why not make the best of both? By sharpening your mind to recognize the hows and whys of spending resources wisely, you can get a better hold of your life and where you want to lead it. 1. Start small. End bigger. When it comes to money, surprisingly time is on your side. Start young and commit to a goal! This puts you in a better position to capitalize on the opportunities that come your way. That’s why when it comes to investing your money – the now is always the best time to start. The earlier you start investing – the greater your earning potential becomes. Try getting investment plans that start with as low as P10,000 and start building your wealth early. Couple this with smarter spending habits, and you can take greater strides toward financial freedom. 2. Destroy your distractions. “What’s going on on Facebook?” “Oohh Instagram likes!” “Maybe I can do this later. Gonna watch my shows.” Distractions are weapons of mass procrastination. By doing less useful things in a day, you end up wasting time and in most cases lose potential income. Train your mind to recognize them as enemies of productivity. Need a quick solution to the perils of procrastinating? Put your mind on a distraction diet and reward yourself with 15 minutes of surfing or watching time AFTER you’ve completed a task. Distractions can also take the form of those awesome yet totally useless purchases Read More …
Jan 292015
Associate Justice Antonio Carpio. FILE PHOTO MANILA, Philippines—The Philippines needs a favorable ruling from an international body to sway world opinion and compel China to back down and respect maritime boundaries in the disputed South China Sea, a senior magistrate said on Thursday. In a lecture at the Ateneo Professional Schools on Thursday, Associate Justice Antonio Carpio pressed for clarity in the protracted conflict as he cited the urgency of settling the dispute amid China’s continuing reclamation activities in the disputed area. The Philippines has filed a case against China before the United Nations arbitral tribunal, seeking to invalidate Beijing’s expansive nine-dash-line claim and stop its incursions into the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone (EEZ). China has ignored the proceedings, and reiterated its “indisputable sovereignty” over the waters. It has continued with reclamation activities in at least five reefs within the Philippines’ EEZ. “We need clarity, that’s why our strategy would be do everything to get clarity through compulsory arbitration or, if not, through compulsory conciliation,” said Carpio, referring to the two possible legal remedies to the dispute. He noted that “there are only two things that can restrain China.” Either Beijing itself backs down—which would be unlikely given its naval buildup investment—or “world opinion would force China to behave,” he said. “We cannot expect China to restrain itself… We can only hope for world opinion,” said Carpio, a strong defender of Philippine sovereignty, taking to the lectern to lecture on the subject in other academic institutions like the University of Read More …