‘The Wisdom of No Escape’

 News
Aug 212015
 
‘The Wisdom of No Escape’

By: Boying Pimentel, August 22nd, 2015 02:36 AM I’m not a religious person, though I used to be. I spent 12 years in Catholic schools, was a regular altar boy at the Immaculate Concepcion Parish School in Cubao (now the Immaculate Concepcion Cathedral) and was even a member of the Future Priests Club at our church. I still celebrate the rituals and traditions. But there was a time when I didn’t feel any connection to the church. Or to spirituality and faith. Or to God. Gradually, this changed. As I’ve grown older, reached middle age, I’ve found myself more drawn to questions of spirituality and faith. Like many Catholics, I’m excited about the arrival of a more enlightened, open-minded Pope But the search for a spiritual life has taken me beyond the world of Catholicism and Christianity. This journey began about 15 years ago. Knowing that I had become curious about meditation, a friend gave me a Xeroxed copy of an article “Precision, Gentleness and Letting Go,” by an American Buddhist nun named Pema Chodron. Before then, I had viewed meditation as a way to use your mind to go to some mysterious, sublime place, transcending earthly concerns. As those of you who practice know, it’s the opposite. It’s about being present, about embracing every thought and emotion, good or bad, painful or uplifting, experiencing and touching and feeling these emotions and then letting them go. I ended up wearing out the photocopied article before deciding to buy the book Read More …

UP alums in Toronto tee off for scholarship, professorial chair

 General
Aug 212015
 
UP alums in Toronto tee off for scholarship, professorial chair

INQUIRER.net U.S. Bureau/Toronto Correspondent By: Marisa Roque, August 22nd, 2015 02:35 AM Champions again! Last year’s Best Foursome grab the honors again this year. Alice Herrera hands out trophies to winners Thong Du, Andrei Bernabe and Dickson Lau (Solomon Amoako not in photo). PHOTO BY MARISA ROQUE MISSISSAUGA, Ontario — Last year’s Best Foursome at the TeeUP High Golf Tournament did a repeat on the July 26 tourney at the BraeBen Golf Course in Mississauga. The now two-time champions, Andrei Bernabe, Dickson Lau, Solomon Amoako and Thong Du bested a field of 58 players. Runners up for Best Foursome were Anisur Salim, Michael Manaois, Don Murphy and Dave Vannus. The other winners were Fred Drake (Closest to the Hole–Men), Evelyn Krakauer (Closest to the Hole–Women), Andrew Milne (Longest Drive–Men) and Evelyn Krakauer (Longest Drive–Women). According to Alice Herrera, current president of the University of the Philippines Alumni Association of Toronto, “All monies raised at this tournament will be used to set up the second UPAA Toronto scholarship.” UPAA Toronto’s first major project to raise funds supporting an endowed professorial chair was set up in 1992.  Interest from the endowment provides the stipend to fund a professor’s work in research and creative pursuits. A second endowment project was launched in October 2003, with a special committee co-chaired by Dr. Mario Andres and Dr. Victoria Santiago, to raise funds for a scholarship. By December 2005, through the efforts of the co-chairs and support from the council and association members, a check for C$25,000 Read More …

OPMC profits fall in H1

 General
Aug 212015
 
OPMC profits fall in H1

MANILA, Philippines – Lower revenues arising from the drop in oil prices in the international market resulted in a 70 percent drop in Oriental Petroleum and Minerals Corp.’s first half net profit.  In a regulatory filing, Oriental Petroleum booked an income of $966,289 in the first six months of the year, significantly lower from the $3.21 million income in the same period in 2014. The company recorded petroleum revenues of $4.23 million, 69 percent lower than the $13.56 million recorded the previous year. “The decline in crude oil prices was the major reason for this lower revenue,” the firm said. Other income, consisting mainly of dividend and interest income, increased by 39 percent to $803,238 from $579,725. “The increase in this account of about 39 percent was mainly due to income received from additional investments,” the firm said. Business ( Article MRec ), pagematch: 1, sectionmatch: 1 On the other hand, Oriental Petroleum slashed its total costs and expenses by 63 percent to $4.02 million from $10.93 million. Bulk of the expenses came from petroleum production costs which totaled $3.23 million, 11 percent lower than the $3.61 million in same period last year.

The power of momentum

 Economy
Aug 212015
 
The power of momentum

Some people achieve a fleeting success and in an instant they are gone. Others build on their success and become even more successful. One singer gets famous but once the hit song dies, their fame dies as well. We call them “One-Hit-Wonders.” But then there is Stevie Wonder and Tony Bennett. Why is this so? Momentum is one thing that many people neglect. They get a momentary success and celebrate which is not a bad thing at all. From here though they rest and expect that the next round of success will come their way. And that is the problem. I do trainings and give talks to our OFW communities in many parts of the world. Filipinos are just some of the hardest working people in the world. They earn money the tough way and they save. And then in an instant they splurge. They go on a big vacation. They spend what they have worked hard to acquire. Then they come back. Their bank account has gone low or even zero. And then they have to work hard all over again. Business ( Article MRec ), pagematch: 1, sectionmatch: 1 Some mistakenly accuse them of being mediocre which is an unfair thing to say. Some call them foolhardy but these are people who have actually planned for it. Others brand them as financial illiterates, which I do not think so, otherwise how could they have accumulated and worked up the amount of money for their spending binges. Here is my deduction. Read More …

Airline exec beckons Filipinos to visit Turkey

 Economy
Aug 212015
 
Airline exec beckons Filipinos to visit Turkey

MANILA, Philippines – To serve the growing two-way tourist arrivals between Turkey and the Philippines, Turkish Airlines launched direct, non-stop flights between Istanbul and Manila in March. Data from the Department of Tourism shows a 19-percent increase in tourist arrivals from Turkey between 2012 and 2013. “The Philippines has posted one of the world’s most impressive economic growths in recent years. Turkish Airlines sees opportunities in expanding air travel services in this country, which not only has a booming economy and a large population, but excellent tourist destinations as well,” said Erhan Balaban, Turkish Airlines general manager for the Philippines. “We are also committed toward strengthening ties between Turkey and the Philippines by taking part in both countries’ efforts to develop tourism, trade and investment.” Balaban, who took over the position in October 2014, oversees the airline’s operations in the country – from marketing and advertising to accounting and cargo operations. His many duties include “representing the company in the best manner.” Prior to handling the Philippine operations, Balaban was tasked to oversee the Japanese account. “My door is open to everyone as it is important for me that my staff feels comfortable in their relationship with me. I see myself as sensitive on having things in order. I experienced this in Japan, which I believe is the proper way of doing business,” he said. Proper communication ranks high in his leadership style. Every morning, he gathers his team for a 15-minute meeting to update each other on tasks and Read More …

Datem files P4.6-B IPO

 Economy
Aug 212015
 
Datem files P4.6-B IPO

MANILA, Philippines – Local construction firm Datem Inc. has formally filed with the Securities and Exchange (SEC) an application for an initial public offering (IPO) of its shares at a price of up to P14.15 per share, translating to about P4.6 billion in total proceeds. The offer consists of up to 286,127,185 common shares and 42,919,078 optional shares pursuant to an over-allotment option, according to the company’s application. Proceeds would be used to fund expansion activities in construction, housing and bulk water, said company president Levy Espiritu. “The company is geared for bullish growth in the construction industry and in its subsidiary businesses,” he said. He said the company has over 30 years of experience and has successfully established itself as a reliable and reputable constructor with a wide range of residential and commercial projects for various clients. Datem’s projects include Discovery Primea, a luxury residential tower in Makati; Discovery Shores in Boracay and the Mind Museum, the Philippines’ first world-class science museum and a LEED Gold-certified building for design and construction. Business ( Article MRec ), pagematch: 1, sectionmatch: 1 Just recently, the company made its foray into the housing sector through Datem Homes which focuses on the delivery of well-planned communities and top quality affordable homes.  In addition, Datem Homes has pipeline projects in Rizal and Davao. Datem has also ventured in bulk water supply and wastewater treatment services through Datem Water Inc.   The company currently has a 15-year bulk water supply contract with Metro Kalibo Water District. Espiritu Read More …

Thai envoy OK with PH warning

 News
Aug 202015
 
Thai envoy OK with PH warning

Philippine Daily Inquirer August 21st, 2015 06:08 AM Thai Ambassador to the Philippines Thanatip Upatising. Photo from Thai embassy website Thailand’s ambassador to the Philippines said the government’s advisory to Filipino citizens to avoid certain areas of his country’s capital city was “understandable” following the recent bomb attack on Bangkok that killed 20 people and injured scores of others. “That’s understandable to me,” Thai Ambassador to the Philippines Thanatip Upatising told reporters during the foundation day reception of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) hosted by the Department of Foreign Affairs on Tuesday afternoon. Earlier that day, the DFA issued a travel advisory placing Thailand under alert level 1 or precautionary status following the bombing at the popular Erawan Shrine in the heart of Bangkok on Monday night. Filipinos were particularly advised to avoid at least 10 areas such as the Rajaprasong intersection, Patumwan intersection, Silom road, Khao San road, Narathiwat intersection, Victory monument, Tuk Chai intersection, Benjasiri Park, Soi Thong Lor and Sukhumvit Road. Alert level 1 is issued when there are valid signs of internal disturbance, instability and external threat in a host country, the DFA said. “The Philippine Embassy is ready to extend assistance, if necessary, to the estimated 15,000 Filipinos in Thailand,” the foreign office added.–Niña P. Calleja Latest Tax cheats, gov’t execs face 700 cases PNP recalls Zamboanga City force after clash with Marines Longer breast-feeding term, support for mothers urged DFA extends passports’ life Recommended Filipino with drug history nabbed in Disneyland for Read More …

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