Countdown to April 15

 Economy
Mar 252015
 

Exactly 11 working days from today is April 15, the last day for filing of income tax returns (ITR) for individuals and corporations operating on a calendar year basis. The number 11, according to Bible commentators, represents lawbreaking, leading to disorder, chaos and judgment, which seems like fair warning for those who choose to wait until the last moment to file their returns. It’s a strong hint for procrastinators to aim for some other date before April 15, just to be on the safe side.

Changing of the guard at Atlas; Ramos steps down

 General
Mar 252015
 
Changing of the guard at Atlas; Ramos steps down

Atlas Consolidated Mining and Development Corp. Wednesday announced the retirement of Alfredo C. Ramos as president of both the company and its fully owned unit, Carmen Copper Corp. Adrian Paulino, Alfredo’s son and Atlas Mining executive vice president, takes over starting April 1. The father will remain chair of Carmen Copper. “Alfredo Ramos played a leading role in reviving a pillar of the Philippine mining industry,” the company said in a statement. “The entire Atlas Mining organization is grateful for his stewardship of the company, and expresses its full support for its new executive officers.” Adrian is concurrently director of Anglo Philippine Holdings Corp., The Philodrill Corp., United Paragon Mining Corp., Zenith Holdings Corp., and Berong Nickel Corp. In a board meeting held March 23, the directors of Atlas Mining also named Enrico C. Nera and Tristan B. Choa as executive vice presidents. Nera, who will also take office as chief operating officer, will be in charge of operations. A licensed metallurgical engineer, Nera used to be with the consultancy Minercon International, gold producer Philex Mining and international service provider Cytec Industries. Choa will be responsible for general support services. An industrial engineer, Choa used to work for Prudential Company Asia, Coca-Cola Export Corp. and Asian Alliance Investment Corp. Last week, Atlas Mining reported a 79-percent contraction in 2014 income to P397 million. This was much faster than the 45-percent drop recorded in 2013 when net income was pegged at P1.9 billion. In 2014, revenues jumped 12 percent to reach Read More …

How a Filipino couple made life easier in an Oklahoma town

 General
Mar 252015
 
How a Filipino couple made life easier in an Oklahoma town

Barias Family: Manny and Susan, with their daughter Cai. FACEBOOK PHOTO First posted in PositivelyFilipino.com GUYMON, Oklahoma — A dervish swirl of dust and leaves blankets the Oklahoma panhandle town of Guymon at dusk, when Emmanuel Barias arrives home, in a white coat, from another busy day at the clinic. As a member of a Filipino-run medical team, Doc Manny—as he is fondly called by many in the community—sees at least 60 patients every day. Soon after, Susan drives in, too, and a chorus of yaps and whines ensues when their three dogs welcome her with wagging tails and lolling tongues. She is back from managing their various business enterprises. It is time to have wine, a vegetarian dinner and conversation together. Over their shared meal, they receive a call from their only daughter away at Barnard College in New York City. Cai is checking in on her folks because she has “nothing else to do,” but her voice is warm, and the laughs are quick and easy. She asks about the puppies, so her mom gives her some face time with Oliver, Peanut and Sherlock. At some point, another phone rings—the hospital, consulting about a patient’s care. Manny retreats to a corner to discuss the case. Just another day in the life of a couple whose relationship began 25 years ago at the University of the Philippines, Diliman, where Susan (née Morales) finished her undergraduate degree in economics in 1992 and master’s degree (in the same field) in 1997. Read More …

Halo-halo Ispesyal at Mangan

 Entertainment
Mar 252015
 
Halo-halo Ispesyal at Mangan

MANILA, Philippines – Mangan offers its halo-halo this summer. The ingredients of the halo-halo include minatamis na saging, minatamis na camote, crunchy pinipig, macapuno, monggo beans, langka, nata de coco, kidney beans and gulaman topped with ube, leche flan and ice cream. Add the creaminess of fresh milk. Also try the mais con yelo, fresh fruit shakes and fresh fruit platter. Mangan is located at North Edsa, 332- 2320; Mall Of Asia, 556- 2783; Robinsons Ermita, 400-4784; Robinsons Galleria, 470-6353; and Glorietta, 625- 5288. * * * Free buffet for graduates at Cabalen Cabalen, the “eat-all-you-can, eat-all-you-want” restaurant for over 28 years, is a prime venue for after-grad salu-salo. Graduates get a free buffet when they dine with five friends or family until April 30. The Cabalen graduation feast offers over 50 dishes to choose from. Indulge in Cabalen’s extensive spread, from signature mains kare-kare, gatang kuhol, and beringhe, to new dishes pancit pusit and tortang bangus. This summer, Cabalen highlights its halo-halo bar, where one can mix your own halo-halo. Other desserts are guinomis, saging con yelo and fruit shakes. Cabalen is located at West Ave., Quezon City, 372-3515; SM Megamall, 633-1761; Robinsons Place, 536-7987; Alabang Town Center, 809-6698;  TriNoma Mall, 901-3602;  Glorietta 2, 893-9884; SM Mall of Asia, 556-4874; SM North Edsa, 294-7970; SM Fairview, 374-0843; Robinsons Starmills, San Fernando, Pampanga, (045) 875-2064; SM Bacoor, (046) 484-9434; SM City Cebu, (032) 238-5840; SM City, Clark, (045) 499-0245; Harbor Point Ayala Mall, Subic Bay Freeport Zone, (045) 499-0245; Market! Read More …

Megaworld net income in 2014 up 139% to P21.6B

 Economy
Mar 252015
 
Megaworld net income in 2014 up 139% to P21.6B

MANILA–Megaworld, the country’s leading integrated urban township developer and biggest office developer and landlord, posted a net income of P21.6-billion (inclusive of a P12.1-billion non-recurring gain) in 2014, 139 percent higher than in 2013. Without the non-recurring gain, net income went up by 14 percent to P9.4-billion last year – reflecting an 18 percent annual growth since 2009, when net income was P4-billion, or more than double in five years. Consolidated revenues, excluding non-recurring gain, rose by 15 percent to P41 billion with real estate sales increasing by 16 percent year-on-year to P24.6-billion and rental income growing by 17 percent to P7 billion. “Last year was a milestone for us. With Megaworld celebrating its 25th anniversary, we raked in record earnings and managed to grow our land bank to over 4,000 hectares. Our income growth last year was driven by both real estate sales and rental income. We have a more diversified real estate sales mix that is propelled by our integrated urban township developments in Metro Manila, Cebu and Iloilo as well as tourism-related projects in Tagaytay and Boracay,” said Dr. Andrew L. Tan, Megaworld chairman and CEO. “In the meantime, our rental income is growing in line with our expectations. Continued growth in our office and mall leasable space will provide the catalyst for exceeding P10-billion in rental income in 2016. Last year also saw the consolidation of Global-Estate Resorts, Inc. (GERI), Empire East Land Holdings, Inc. (ELI) and Suntrust Properties, Inc. (SPI) under Megaworld. This enabled us Read More …

Dune brings the '70s to your feet

 Entertainment
Mar 252015
 
Dune brings the '70s to your feet

Joro Black and White by Dune London is one this season’s key pieces. MANILA, Philippines – The decade which made way for bohemian chic is back for this season – stacked heel, natural platforms and thick straps. Dune is bringing the ‘70s to your feet with their summer collection. The collection is heavily influenced by this season’s biggest trend: The Seventies, with silhouettes and color palettes reflecting the era. Here are some of the key pieces for this season: PINK BLUSH. For day-to-night dressing, you can stick to updated neutrals such as blush to rose golds in slick silhouettes.   Lifestyle Feature ( Article MRec ), pagematch: 1, sectionmatch: REPTILE. Bring out your animalistic side with this season’s reptile trend. Match it with rose gold to add depth.   FLASHY METALLICS. Metal hardware paired with wood on the platform silhouette us this season’s essential accessory.     SPARKLING JEWEL. Details of branded hardware and jewel embellishment also create an element of interest.   Driving forward the stripped back feel of last season, this range draws focus to a casual, flawless aesthetic; with styles suited for everyday wear as well as evening dressing. Elegant profiles, varied heel heights and casual flats reflect a diverse, on trend collection. In the Philippines, Dune is exclusively distributed by SSI Group, Inc. and is located at Greenbelt 5, Rustan’s Makati, Bonifacio High Street, Central Square, Shangri-La Mall East Wing, Mega Fashion Hall, Robisons Magnolia. 

South Korea’s biggest bank seen opening in PH

 General
Mar 242015
 
South Korea’s biggest bank seen opening in PH

MANILA, Philippines–South Korea’s oldest and largest bank has been given the green light to open its doors in the Philippines, following policymakers’ move to open up the local financial industry to more foreign competition. The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) this week confirmed that Shinhan Bank’s desire to open up a branch in the Philippines was approved last week. Shinhan follows Japan’s Sumitomo Mitsui Bank to be allowed into the Philippines under a legislation approved last year that removed restrictions on the entry of foreign lenders into the country. “The bank will apply localized business strategy based on its broad experience in Asian region, providing various financial services to both Korean and local corporations and the Korean community in the Philippines,” Shinhan said in a statement. Once it opens in September, Shinhan’s Philippine branch aims to target the large South Korean immigrant population in the Philippines. More than 100,000 overseas Koreans are residing in the Philippines and 1 million tourists visit yearly. The two countries also have strong economic relations,  with South Korea being the fifth-largest trading partner of the Philippines. Shinhan’s entry was approved by the BSP Monetary Board last Thursday, Deputy Governor Nestor A. Espenilla Jr. told the Inquirer late Monday. In 2011, Shinhan dispatched a regional specialist for market research in the country, showing that the bank has been interested in the local banking sector “for several years.” Last year, the bank also hosted an investment seminar in partnership with the Philippine Embassy in Seoul. The bank Read More …

MILF report says fighters obeyed ceasefire call during Mamasapano clash

 News
Mar 242015
 
MILF report says fighters obeyed ceasefire call during Mamasapano clash

The Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) insisted in its 35-page report to the Senate that MILF fighters had immediately obeyed a ceasefire call during the January 25 misencounter with Special Action Force (SAF) police officers in Mamasapano, Maguindanao. The MILF Special Investigative Commission report, submitted to the Senate on Tuesday, said that the members of the Bangsamoro Islamic Armed Force (BIAF), the MILF’s 105th,Base (BC) specifically, immediately ceased firing on the SAF troopers after they received a ceasefire order from the Committee on the Cessation of Hostilities (CCCH). The report went on to explain that CCCH chair Ustadz Wahid Tundok arrived in Sitio Amelil, Barangay Tukanalipao in Mamasapano town before,1:30 p.m. on January 25, and ordered the BIAF to stop shooting. Fighting was heaviest in Sitio Amelil, where the SAF’s 55th Special Action Company (SAC) found itself engaged bt both the MILF- BIAF and gunmen from the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF). “From this account, it is clear that the 105th,BC (Base Command upon receipt of the order to stop firing, immediately ceased shooting at the 55thSAC. There were no lapses in heeding the call for a ceasefire,” the report claimed. “Unfortunately, it was already too late as most of the SAF 55th,SAC had already been killed in the course of the intense fighting even before the order for a ceasefire was received on the grounds,” the report added. This MILF report’s finding were contrary to the claim of relieved SAF commander Director Getulio Napeñas, made during a Senate hearing, Read More …

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