NGCP completes school bldg proj in Leyte

 Economy
Jan 092015
 
NGCP completes school bldg proj in Leyte

PALO, Leyte, Philippines – The National Grid Corp. of the Philippines (NGCP) has completed 21 school buildings it earlier committed to build in Leyte to help the province recover following the onslaught of Super Typhoon Yolanda in November 2013. In a ceremony here, NGCP formally turned over a new three-classroom school building to Palo 1 Central School. The other schools were turned over in November. The 21 beneficiary schools are spread out in nine local government units (LGUs) of Leyte namely, Palo, Tolosa, Ormoc City, Tan-auan, Sta. Fe, Alang-alang, Barugo, Carigara and Capoocan. Around 10,000 students are expected to benefit from the new school buildings. Aside from the Palo 1 Central School, the beneficiary schools include Gacao Elementary School and Caloogan Elementary in Palo; Sta. Fe Central School and Tibak Elementary School, both in Sta.Fe; Dolores Elementary School in Ormoc; and Sta. Rosa Elementary School in Barugo. NGCP corporate affairs department head Nelson Cabangon said the three-classroom buildings are built sturdier, and can withstand wind velocities of up to 250 kilometers per hour, which is the standard of the Department of Public Works and Highways for typhoon-resilient structures. Business ( Article MRec ), pagematch: 1, sectionmatch: 1 He also said the classrooms’ roofing is reinforced using a new method of connecting the galvanized iron sheet to the trestle.  The walls are thicker, almost double the width of the old classrooms’ walls.  Moreover, the facilities have movable dividers and can be used as evacuation centers during calamities or for other indoor Read More …

Phl stocks hit new record high

 Economy
Jan 092015
 
Phl stocks hit new record high

MANILA, Philippines – The Philippine stock market continued its bull run yesterday, marking its tenth straight winning streak with an all new record high. The Philippine Stock Exchange index (PSEi) gained 0.48 percent or 35.09 points, zooming to a fresh record close of 7,402.72. Friday’s finish shattered the previous all-time high closing level of 7,392.20 posted on May 15, 2013. Aside from the record close feat, the local benchmark index also trampled the previous all-time intraday high at 7,413.62 on Sept. 25, 2014 with yesterday’s 7,446.66. The all shares index also joined the climb, picking up 0.35 percent or 15.01 points at 4,336.90. Analysts said upbeat moods abroad helped propel local investors’ hopes, pushing the PSEi to a whole new level only a few days into 2015. “The PSEi rewrote history right on the first week of trades en route to its 10th straight positive day,” said Accord Capital Equities Corp. analyst Justino Calaycay Jr. said. Business ( Article MRec ), pagematch: 1, sectionmatch: 1 US stocks followed up its recovery the previous day with another positive performance, led by the Dow and the Nasdaq which increased 1.84 percent, respectively. Locally, three counters still ended in the red despite the market’s stellar trading day with the mining and oil firms suffering the biggest drop of 0.77 percent or 125.70 points. Services firms, meanwhile, enjoyed the largest growth of 1.10 percent or 23.28 points. Market breadth was positive as advancers dominated decliners, 99 to 91, while 42 stocks did not change Read More …

Balik Cebu ready to build 50 units

 Economy
Jan 092015
 
Balik Cebu ready to build 50 units

A YEAR after they launched the fund-raising program Balik Balay, organizers of the Balik Cebu group announced they will begin the construction of 50 nipa huts in Esperanza, Pilar, Camotes this month. “The resettlement area in Esperanza, which can accommodate up to 100 nipa huts, was purchased last December. With that, we will embark on the groundbreaking and construction of the 50 nipa huts as soon as possible,” said Tetta Baad, chairperson of the Cebu City Tourism Council (CCTC) and Balik Cebu. According to Baad, the groundbreaking was initially scheduled last Jan. 4, but bad weather limited access to Pilar, Camotes, so the ceremony was postponed. Every year for the past 14 years, Balik Cebu, which is a program under the CCTC, has rolled out the red carpet to welcome balikbayans. Last January 2014, the organization embarked on a major campaign to help survivors whose homes were wrecked by super typhoon Yolanda last Nov. 8, 2013. Donations The Balik Cebu committee received tremendous financial support from the balikbayans, who expressed willingness to help typhoon survivors rebuild their homes, Baad said. For each 15-square-meter nipa hut, donors had to raise at least P35,000.Donations are still welcome for the next 50 houses. The Balik Cebu committee launched last Thursday the Balik Cebu Booth located near the concierge counter of Ayala Center Cebu. The booth, which is open from Jan. 8 to 18, allows balikbayans and tourists to purchase tickets for the Balik Cebu Homecoming Dinner on Jan. 15 at The Terraces, seats Read More …

Her adventure brings her to the edge of the earth

 Entertainment
Jan 092015
 
Her adventure brings her to the edge of the earth

Lourdes “Odette” A. Ricasa is a globetrotting traveler, author, poet, painter and realtor who has traveled to 257 countries and has accumulated a total of 1.8 million flight time miles, having been awarded a certificate by the Travelers’ Century Club, honoring her for travelling to more than 250 countries worldwide for constant travelling. For the past 14 years, Odette has likewise established a travel group called National Travel Club whose monthly meetings have guest speakers presenting and sharing their travel experiences worldwide. World traveler, author, poet Odette Ricasa in front of Golestan Palace, Iran. Her passion for traveling began when she was in high school and dreamt to live in the US to enable her to travel the world. And that’s exactly what she did when she immigrated here, ‘got married and worked two jobs, setting aside all their extra income for travel expenses. For Odette, “travel gives a new concept in my spirituality. I love the sounds, the smell, the laughter and social temper of the world…When I board a plane, there is soulfulness that cheers my soul – embracing civilization and the beauty of our planet; it symbolizes people’s lives and culture.” Further, Odette writes: “travel is an indescribable joy, a dash of rainbow, a strong determination to see the smiling sky and feel the warm earth. A sudden feeling of strength, in a sort of confused reverie with colossal nerves, we continue to destinations to have a special meaning; we end up discovering mysterious things. It is important to have a Read More …

Emotional Alex thanks Toni for support

 Entertainment
Jan 092015
 
Emotional Alex thanks Toni for support

Alex and Toni Gonzaga (MNS Photo) Alex Gonzaga turned a bit emotional when she thanked her sister Toni for being supportive as she makes her own name in the showbiz industry. The sisters were asked to share what they want to tell each other after all their individual achievements in the past year. Alex said: “Thank you kasi lagi mong pinaparamdam sa akin na isa tayong team, na mahal na mahal mo ako and proud ka sa success ko.” Alex also said she is hoping they could maintain their closeness even if Toni decides to finally settle down. “Sinabi niya sa akin, ‘Alam mo ba tuwing mapupuyat ka, lagi akong nagpe-pray.’ Sinabi lang niya sa akin kahapon. Sinasabi daw niya, ‘Lord sana po ma-bless niyo po si Catherine sa mga puyat niya, mag-pay off po.’ Natuwa ako sa kanya talaga. You’re so good talaga, sis. Thank you. Sana kahit magpakasal ka na, sana close pa rin talaga tayo,” she said. Toni, for her part, vowed to have Alex’s back even after she and Paul Soriano decide to get married. “Siyempre naman. Kasi mag-isa lang siya eh. Lagi kong sinasabi kay Paul yun. ‘Isa lang ang kapatid ko ha. Let’s love her very very much.’ Mag-isa lang kasi siya.” “Halimbawa ikaw na lang mag-isa, kailangan ‘yung maturity mo, 100% na. Maging responsible ka and ‘yung respect mo kay mommy and daddy dapat nandoon pa rin kasi wala na ako to remind you,” she said. (MNS)

Pope Francis practicing English speeches for PHL visit, Vatican says

 Entertainment
Jan 092015
 
Pope Francis practicing English speeches for PHL visit, Vatican says

Giovanna Fontanilla (2nd left), director of the University of Santo Tomas Community Development Office, announces Pope Francis’ activities when he visits the pontifical university during his trip to the Philippines in January. The Pope will meet with leaders of various religions and youth representatives. (MNS photo) MANILA (Mabuhay) – Pope Francis has been honing his English speaking skills for his upcoming visit to the Philippines on January 15 to 19, the Vatican said on Wednesday. Translating Vatican spokesman Fr. Federico Lombardi’s speech at a press conference on Wednesday, Pontificio Collegio Filippino rector Fr. Gregory Ramon Gaston in an interview on state-run Radio Television Malacañang (RTVM), said the Italian and Spanish-speaking Pope will deliver all his speeches and homilies in English. “Pinaghahandaan niya talaga… Hindi lang inihahanda ang texts na gagamitin, kung hindi, pina-practice kung paano ito sasabihin, ang mga text na ito,” Gaston said. He added that should the Argentine Pope encounter any difficulties with the language, Manila Archbishop Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle will translate for him. Gaston also pointed out that since some Filipinos know how to speak in Spanish, the Pope may use that to communicate. “Marami rin marunong mag-Spanish sa Philippines, so baka mag-konting Espanyol siya,” he noted. He also said the Pope is now more confident with his English-speaking skills after he successfully spoke the language in some of his speeches during his visit to South Korea last year. Pope Francis will also be speaking English during his trip to Sri Lanka, where he will spend Read More …

P600-B needed for AFP modernization – Defense Usec

 Entertainment
Jan 092015
 
P600-B needed for AFP modernization – Defense Usec

AFP chief General Gregorio Pio Catapang Jr. (right) hands out copies of news articles that run a story about the peacekeepers, during their visit at the quarantine area in Caballo Island on Sunday, November 16. During the visit Catapang announced that the Peacekeepers will be allowed to spend the Christmas and New Year with their families, drawing loud cheers among the peacekeepers.(MNS photo) MANILA (Mabuhay) – A Defense official on Wednesday disclosed that the military needs at least P600 billion for the modernization of the country’s armed forces. In a press conference, Defense Undersecretary Fernando Manalo, chairman of the Department of Defense’s bids and awards committee, said that the figure should be the least amount that the government should pour in its armed forces to reach the “credible deterrence” expected of an equipped armed forces. He explained that the basis of his estimate is the 1995 AFP Modernization Program under Republic Act (RA) 7898, which said that the military should have been allocated with P331 billion for its modernization program. However, only P33 billion was given to AFP. “To implement the first, second, and third horizon of the modernization program… dapat doble noong pondo na ibinigay noong 1995 dahil sa inflation after 15 years, so it should cost at least P600 billion,” he said. Under the revised AFP modernization program under Republic Act 10349, the government should allot P90.86 billion to the AFP from 2014 to 2017. Out of this amount, the lion’s share worth P44.9 billion will go to Read More …

Sandigan ‘sekyu’ denies soliciting from Napoles lawyer

 General
Jan 092015
 
Sandigan ‘sekyu’ denies soliciting from Napoles lawyer

Janet Lim Napoles, wearing a bullet proof vest, listens as her lawyer Howard Areza whispers to her while Napoles attended a public inquiry at the Senate in Manila that was held last year. Latest reports said she implicated more lawmakers and officials as apparently involved in the scam. MANILA (Mabuhay) – The Sandiganbayan security guard accused of soliciting money from the lawyer of alleged pork barrel scam mastermind Janet Lim-Napoles has denied the allegation, saying it came from individuals with sinister intentions. “Isa lang po ang masasabi ko sa alegasyon. Hindi po ako ang nagsolicit ng pera sa sinasabi ninyong abogado. At wala po akong tinatanggap na pera buhat sa kanya, dahil hindi ko naman po sila kilala,” Roland Allan Gole Cruz said in his four-page sworn statement dated December 15, 2014. In his statement submitted to Presiding Justice Amparo Cabotaje-Tang Gole Cruz said all the allegations against him were baseless. “Sinong Security Personnel po ang nagsabi na ako ay nagsolicit? Si Rosita Domingo. Nasa fourth floor po ako naka duty, siya ay sa backdoor. Paano nilang nasasabi na ako ay nagsolicit at tumanggap ng pera? Wala pong abugado na nagbibigay sa akin ng pera, puro tsismis lang po lahat ito at walang konkretong katibayan. Hindi ko rin po kilala ang camera man na idinawit nila sa mga imbento at gawa gawang report,” he said. Early in December, Cabotaje-Tang received a letter detailing the supposed actions of Gole Cruz. According to the letter written by two other security guards at Read More …

LTFRB starts public hearing on buses, taxis, UV Express fare reductions

 News
Jan 082015
 
LTFRB starts public hearing on buses, taxis, UV Express fare reductions

The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board on Friday started hearings on petitions for fare reductions for buses and taxis. Photos tweeted by the office of LTFRB Chairman Winston Ginez showed the hearing started at about 9 a.m. Ginez led the hearing, which was also attended by stakeholders. Earlier, the LTFRB scheduled for Friday the hearing of petitions for lower fares on taxis, buses and Utility Vehicles (UV) nationwide. Former LTFRB board member and Negros Oriental Rep. Manuel Iway had filed a petition to cut the flagdown rate of taxis to P30 from the current P40 and to decrease by P1 the additional P3.50 charge for every 300 meters covered. Iway also asked the LTFRB to reduce the minimum bus fare to P8 from the current P10 and the additional charge for the succeeding kilometers to be lowered as well. He cited the lower prices of fuel in seeking the fare reduction. Before this, the LTFRB on Dec. 11 ordered a P1 rollback on the minimum jeepney fare in Metro Manila. However, some taxi operators called the reduced flag-down rate unfair. A report on 24 Oras quoted Philippine National Taxi Operators Association president Bong Suntay as saying the petition calling for lower flag-down rate was “unfair.” —Joel Locsin/KG, GMA News

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