Maynilad calls on gov’t guarantee

 Economy
Feb 202015
 
Maynilad calls on gov’t guarantee

Maynilad Water Services Inc. on Friday said the government should compensate it for at least P208 million in monthly opportunity losses that it is incurring because of regulators’ inaction on its rate hike petition. The concessionaire said it has invoked a Philippine government undertaking to pay for such losses caused by the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System’s “refusal to implement rate adjustments, notwithstanding Maynilad’s having won in the arbitration with MWSS almost two months ago.” In early January, Maynilad’s major stockholders announced that an appeals panel with the International Chamber of Commerce had decided in the company’s favor, awarding an average increase of P3.06 a cubic meter—on top of the current basic rate of P31.28 cubic meters—for the five-year rate rebasing period 2013-2017. In early 2013, the water service firm submitted to the MWSS a five-year business plan that required an increase in the company’s basic charges by P8.58 a cubic meter. In September that year, the MWSS issued a memorandum ordering Maynilad to cut rates by P1.46 a cubic meters for the five years until 2017 or 49 centavos a year. Similarly, Manila Water proposed to raise rates by P5.83 a cubic meter, but the MWSS ordered a reduction of P1.48 a cubic meter per year. Last Monday, MWSS chief regulator Joel C. Yu said the government agency would not act on Maynilad’s petition for implementation of the tariff hike as it preferred to wait for the decision on Manila Water’s case. On Friday, Maynilad said it had asked Read More …

Unilever rolls out P6-B expansion program in PH

 General
Feb 202015
 
Unilever rolls out P6-B expansion program in PH

The local unit of consumer goods giant Unilever is investing in the Philippines some 100 million euros (roughly P6 billion) over the next six years. This will be on top of the 120 million euros that Unilever has already invested over the last three years, Unilever global CEO Paul Polman said in a briefing yesterday. “[This additional investment] in fact reflects the growth of our business. There are two things that make this business grow. One is the economy doing better and more people [buying] our products … And the other is introducing new things to the Philippines. This has a lot of potential. Our business is doing very well here, it’s growing and so we need to have the capacity and expand this,” Polman said in a briefing Friday. Due to its strong consumption story, the Philippines is an important market for Unilever, which draws a major part of its annual turnover from emerging markets. “The strong and sustained GDP (gross domestic product) growth that the country is enjoying together with a vibrant consumer and retail environment has reinforced the Philippines’ role as a significant growth opportunity for Unilever,” Polman said. This new expansion program, which begins this year, will see the upgrading of existing equipment and building of new facilities to increase the output of Unilever’s factories in the country. Polman, who is in the country for a short visit, said the additional 100 million euros would be only for the manufacturing side, as the company invests in Read More …

Younghusbands: Hosting tougher than sports

 Entertainment
Feb 202015
 
Younghusbands: Hosting tougher than sports

Get to see the other side of the Azkal brothers Phil (left) and James Younghusband on TV5’s latest offering titled YH Tube to air Saturdays at 4:30 p.m. beginning today. MANILA, Philippines – Beginning today, brothers James and Phil Younghusband, two of Philippine Azkals’ star players, will be seen more often on TV. But this time, televiewers won’t see them running on the football field, kicking ball or scoring goals. James and Phil are going to put everyone in stitches as hosts of the latest TV5 offering titled YH Tube, where they will present a collection of videos of men and women in sports in an unintentional physical comedy arising from incidents and blunders.  According to Sports5 manager Vitto Lazatin, YH Tube will show a different side of Phil and James who are both serious athletes dedicated to the game of football. “For the last three years, Phil and James have been our ambassadors of football,” begins Vitto. “They’ve been helping us promote the game of football, helping us teach the game and helping the Filipino audience have a better appreciation of the game with their FYI segment (Football Younghusband Instructional aired on AKTV) and after hundreds of instructionals and drills, I believe that really helped us spread the good word about football but we wanted to do something different. I think the brothers wanted to do something different as well so this time we have decided to show a different side of sports and different side of Phil and Read More …

Oro Chamber gears up for Asean Integration

 Economy
Feb 202015
 
Oro Chamber gears up for Asean Integration

THE Cagayan de Oro Chamber of Commerce (Oro Chamber) is gearing up for the challenges in the upcoming Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) integration through Asean Economic Community (AEC) this year. With AEC on, Oro Chamber expects new investors arriving in the city to take advantage of the market. The Asean integration is aimed at improving the standard of living and quality of life of the people in the region. Cerael Donggay, president of Oro Chamber, said that they are expecting much from this integration. “Our role, with the upcoming Asean Regional Integration, is to help our members – industries, sectors, commercial establishments, trade and commerce, services, etc. survive the [upcoming integration] competition… so we should find ways for them to survive,” Donggay said. Donggay added that they are now in the “planning stage” on how to make local businesses and entrepreneurs compete and collaborate with foreign investors. He said that one example in helping local businesses is for Oro Chamber to promote more industries to come in and put up their business here and generate employment through vertical integration – upstream and downstream. He added that as part of the AEC, inclusive growth should be achieved in which there is a reduction of poverty along with increase of employment – if this happens, there is peace and order. “A country with a low economic development will create disorder – militant movement, rebellion – subversive element… we can eliminate this by ensuring that there is an inclusive growth where Read More …

Aicelle Santos relishes solo career

 General
Feb 202015
 
Aicelle Santos relishes solo career

PERFORMER Aicelle Santos has no problem with going solo after singing group “La Diva” disbanded last year. In a recent interview, the Kapuso talent shared that going solo has its own perks and disadvantages. She likes that there’s always new things to discover in showbiz but also saddened that she no longer get to share the stage with then group mates Jonalyn Viray and Maricris Garcia. “It’s a new adventure and masaya siya. Although minsan nami-miss ko yung nasa stage ka with a group and you help each other. Now, may mga bagay ako na natututunan on my own na okay din,” Aicelle said. “I have to stay focused and work hard not to only disappoint the management but also yung mga tao na naniniwala sa akin, sa talent ko in singing.” She makes sure that she will give her best in every performance. “I try to sing from the heart. Singing is personal to me because I get to share my emotions, my feelings and sometimes yung frustrations na rin. I get to be myself when I’m singing,” she said. Aicelle also tried her hand at acting. She was part of last year’s hit musical “Rak of Aegis” and “Katy.” “Yung realization of reinventing thy self only came when I got the ‘Katy! the Musical’ stint. People were telling me it’s the new me and doon ko lang na-realize na I needed to do that, to try other things. It’s my awakening,” she said. “I keep reinventing myself, gawa Read More …

ABAOC celebrates Lunar New Year and Fil-Am Chamber empowers young entrepreneurs

 Entertainment
Feb 202015
 
ABAOC celebrates Lunar New Year and Fil-Am Chamber empowers young entrepreneurs

Two of the most active business and professional organizations in Orange County share between them a record of more than 40 years of serving the community. Drawing membership notably from diversified multi-ethnic backgrounds, a common denominator marks both associations – i.e. to serve and provide the appropriate friendly atmosphere in the business community where many of them thrive. Both the Asian Business Association of Orange County (ABAOC) and the Filipino American Chamber of Commerce of Orange County(FACCOC) enjoy the patronage and support of business entrepreneurs, professionals and the business community to achieve their objectives. ABAOC Lunar New Year: The members and guests of the Asian Business Association of Orange County joined the celebration of the Lunar New Year the Seafood World in Westminster last Feb. 12 which was an occasion not only to enjoy the sumptuous meals but to network and exchange pleasantries. Pres. Tom Nguyen is shown introducing the members of the Board of Directors of ABAOC at the event. The month of February has been a busy one for both organizations which also draws membership support from each other. For the more diversified ABAOC, in February this year marks the celebration of one of the most significant day of the year with the observance of the Lunar New Year. The Lunar New Year which is also called Spring Festival is typically celebrated in China and other Asian countries and begins with the first new moon of the lunar calendar and ends on the first full moon of the Read More …

Pacquiao, Mayweather must decide soon says Roach

 Entertainment
Feb 202015
 
Pacquiao, Mayweather must decide soon says Roach

By Rebecca Bryan Manny Pacquiao (right) of the Philippines lands a punch on Brandon Rios of the U.S. during their World Boxing Organization (WBO) International 12-round welterweight boxing title fight at the Venetian Macao hotel in Macau November 24, 2013. Pacquiao registered a decisive, unanimous decision win against American Rios to clinch the vacant WBO International welterweight title on Sunday. (MNS photo) Los Angeles, United States | AFP |  – Time is running out for Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather to book a May 2 showdown, Pacquiao’s trainer Freddie Roach said Tuesday. Amid a welter of reports in recent weeks that a deal for the much-anticipated bout was all but done, Roach warned that a decision would be needed soon if both fighters are to prepare adequately. “We are getting really close,” Roach said of reaching a cut-off for declaring a May 2 fight a reality. “I need eight weeks. That window is getting smaller and smaller.” In fact, Roach said, he could make do with a slightly shorter training camp with Pacquiao, the eight-division world champion who said Monday in the Philippines that a deal was “near.” On an eight-week schedule, the first fortnight would be core training and general conditioning, Roach said. “The boxing would start six weeks out, because if you go more than six weeks with Manny you’ll burn him out because of his work ethic.” Pacquiao is 57-5 with two draws and 38 knockouts, while Mayweather is 47-0 with 26 knockouts. Fight fans around the Read More …

Aquino meets with families of PNP-SAF 44, checks status of assistance being given

 General
Feb 202015
 
Aquino meets with families of PNP-SAF 44, checks status of assistance being given

At Camp Crame on Wednesday, February 18, President Benigno Aquino III (center) meets with the families of the 44 PNP Special Action Force commandos killed in the January 25 Mamasapano clash. The meeting between was held at the Philippine National Police Multi-Purpose Center in Camp Crame, Quezon City. (MNS photo) MANILA (Mabuhay) – President Benigno S. Aquino III on Wednesday evening met anew with the families of the 44 troopers of the police’s Special Action Force (SAF) killed last month in an encounter with Moro rebels, to fulfill the government’s commitment to provide them assistance. President Aquino, accompanied by some members of his Cabinet, spent time to talk to each of the bereaved families of the 44 commandos at the Multipurpose Center of the Philippine National Police (PNP) in Camp Crame, Quezon City. Relatives of the slain SAF members on Wednesday gathered at the PNP headquarters for the event dubbed as “PNP Welfare Services for the Beneficiaries of SAF 44.” To ensure that the government is meeting its commitments, President Aquino personally checked the status of the assistance being provided by the concerned agencies to the bereaved families. During the meeting, each family also had the chance to raise to the President other concerns. The assistance being given to the relatives of the slain SAF troopers includes employment, education, housing, health, and livelihood, apart from the monetary assistance from the President’s Social Fund. President Aquino arrived at the PNP headquarters before 6 p.m. and spent six hours speaking to the Read More …

Fall fashion is fluid for Lhuillier, layered for Natori

 News
Feb 192015
 
Fall fashion is fluid for Lhuillier, layered for Natori

From Natori’s Istanbul-inspired fall collection. NEW YORK CITY — Nothing can stop fashionistas from celebrating the annual Fashion Week here, not even brutal winter weather described by meteorologists as record low temperatures and high winds that could cause frostbite on exposed skin in about half an hour. The show must go on despite such harsh conditions. After all, fashion is more profitable than football as revealed by a new congressional study. While last year’s Super Bowl brought in $500 million in revenue, New York fashion week returns nearly $900 million to the city’s economy. No wonder the City of New York gives its full support to visiting designers and media from all over the world. Manila Mail was invited to a dozen Fall 2015 runway shows happening until February 19 onsite and off Lincoln Center, venue of Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week. Two of the featured designers are renowned Filipinas: celebrity designer Monique Lhuillier and fashion mogul Josie Natori. Journey to Istanbul With Japanese husband Ken, Natori kicked off the weeklong celebration and took her audience on a journey to Istanbul, the historic crossroads where “East meets West.” Josie Natori “This inspiration is all about Istanbul,” said the former commissioner of the White House Conference on Small Business. “It’s one of my favorite cities and inspiration. I’ve been there a number of times. I’ve got a collection from there. All these swatches, textiles and shapes are from there. All these embellishments are a wonderful way to express that.” Models interpreted 40 pieces Read More …

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