Sep 302015
 

Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) has attracted attention recently as a worthy component of good business practice. It is now considered a vital area of interest in light of the growing awareness that business must assume greater accountability for societal development. Whether it is motivated by the need to ensure corporate sustainability, to acknowledge the expectations of its stakeholders, to create business opportunities, or to undertake a genuine concern in improving conditions of society, corporate leaders and strategists are beginning to understand the various perspectives and benefits of CSR in relation to corporate performance and its operating environment.

Sep 302015
 
FilAm History Month Kicks Off Oct 3 at South Bay Pavilion

Carson – The 2015 Filipino American History Month celebration in Carson will be held on Saturday, Oct. 3 from 12 – 4 pm at the South Bay Pavilion, 20700 Avalon Blvd, Carson, Ca  90746 Organized by the Filipino American Chamber of Commerce South Bay Los Angeles (FACC-SLAA), the event headlines musical entertainment, business vendors, immigration panel, and health and fitness. Among the top rated singers performing are Malou Toler, Mon Concepcion, and Sara Mislang. Cecile and Mighty show will also highlight magic and dog antics. Talented musical artist Malou Toler is the 2013 overall performance winner of the Malibu Music award. Toler  recently launched her latest single “Never Rain on My Parade” on itunes and Amazon.com. She will perform with the Friends of Mine Band at the “Rocktober”  with Mon Concepcion and Earl Smith as guest artists at Kapistahan Grill on Temple St., on Oct. 10. Mon Concepcion aka Reckless and Blue is a two time nominee of LA’s Best Male Artist. With his raspy voice, Concepcion propelled the Art and Music Fusion movement at the La Habra Gallery. A rock musician and songwriter, he held open mic nights at the gallery and mentors young talents in the music composition sessions at the gallery. Concepcion is currently working on his first CD. FACC SLAA president Cynthia Tan invites the public to come to the South Bay Pavillion and participate in the FilAm History month. “The Filipino American Chamber of Commerce South Bay encourages everyone to also network with various businesses Read More …

Sep 302015
 
Palace: Aquino considering long-term impact of lowering taxes, not popularity

President Benigno S. Aquino III receives a warm welcome and thanking him from the benefits given by government agencies to the province during the presentation of the Accomplishments of the Aquino administration in the Province of Apayao at the Bienvenido G. Verzola, Jr. Memorial Sports Complex in Poblacion, Luna, Apayao on Wednesday (September 23, 2015). Some of the projects include the Department of Public Works and Highways-Department of Tourism (DPWH-DOT) Convergence project, hospital facilities, school buildings, and the on-going construction of the road network that would link Apayao to the provinces of Ilocos Norte and Cagayan through the Ilocos-Apayao-Cagayan road. (MNS Photo) MANILA (Mabuhay) – Despite popular calls to lower income tax rates, the Aquino administration is wary of supporting moves for lower taxes because of the potential impact on government programs, a Malacañang spokesperson said. At a press briefing on Saturday, deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said that Sen. Juan Edgardo Angara and Marikina Rep. Romero Quimbo – proponents of bills to lower taxes – have met with President Benigno Aquino III but that he has yet to share how the meeting went. “Well, marami po talagang mga grupo na nagbigay na ng kanilang posisyon that they support some form of lowering the income tax. However, siyempre, bilang ehekutibo at bilang pamahalaan that has to be studied carefully, which nakikita naman natin na binibigyan din at pinaglalaanan ng oras ng Pangulong Aquino iyong pagdinig sa ganitong mga panukala,” she also said. The president has said in the past, however, Read More …

Sep 302015
 
Five delightful divas sang nostalgic retro songs

On a balmy Wednesday night, this author was privileged to have been invited by a  friend Linda Mapes, to the “Retro” performance of five delightful singing divas such as: Lirio Vital, Ivy Violan, Djoanna Garcia, Bambi Lopez and Maricar Cabasag at the famous Catalina Bar & Grill in Hollywood  Collectively, the five of them co-produced the nostalgic show which all brought us “down memory lane.” Accompanied by the 4700 Band, its musical director, Myke Gonzaga happened to have worked closely with Linda Mapes at the then Pinoy ‘hangout”, the Bayanihan Restaurant on Beverly Boulevard during the mid-80’s. The other band members were: Edd Evidente on Bass, Yong Nacosa on Keyboard and Rolly Quizon on Drums. Nothing could have been more apropos for an opening number but a 60’s R & B Medley and their group song of “What You Won’t Do For Love,” followed by Bambi Lopez’ rendition of Helen Reddy’s “You and Me Against the World,” plus their collective song of “She’s ‘Got It, Baby She’s Got It,” meaning…they all STILL have what it takes to entertain us all! “RETHRO” divas from left: Ivy Violan, Djoanna Garcia, Maricar Cabasag, Bambi Lopez and Lirio Vital. As I recall during the Bayanihan days in the mid-80’s, Maricar Cabasag and her band were the mainstays on weekend nights, and I wasn’t surprised at all to hear and see her sing again, particularly with her rendition of “Touch Me In The Morning.” Though I never knew Lirio Vital because I was already here in the US at the height of her Read More …

Sep 302015
 
Jessy Mendiola denies split with JM de Guzman

Jessy Mendiola (MNS Photo) Actress and upcoming “You’re My Home” star Jessy Mendiola has denied that she has called off her relationship with her boyfriend, actor JM de Guzman. This, amid rumors about their falling out following a series of cryptic Instagram posts by De Guzman, which came at a time when Mendiola was involved with a drunken incident with actor Enrique Gil. During the ABS-CBN trade event held at the Marriott Hotel in Pasay City, the 22-year-old Mendiola said that she is still with the actor. However, Mendiola refused to give a full interview. The couple confirmed their second try at the relationship last April, after they were photographed holding hands at a fun run event. Meanwhile, “All of Me” stars Yen Santos and Arron Villaflor defended their co-star JM de Guzman against his rumored attitude problems during their set. Santos also denied the rumors that “All of Me” will only last for seven weeks. JM De Guzman (MNS Photo) “Walang dumarating na balita sa amin na seven weeks lang kami. Wala kaming nagiging problema. Masaya naman lagi sa set,” Santos said. Villaflor, on the other hand, said the set of “All of Me” is doing well. “Happy set. Personal, hindi namin siya tinatanong. Pero sa taping, okay naman,” he said. The two also denied the rumors that their director Dondon Santos confronted de Guzman. “I don’t think na may nangyaring ganun. Ang pagkakaalam namin is happy kami sa set. And alam naman natin si JM, alam natin ang Read More …

Sep 292015
 
Fourth Annual Verizon Innovative App Challenge seeks problem solving ideas from students nationwide

Bill Nye, the Science Guy, helps Verizon uncover the next world-changing app idea; Tablets, $20,000 and more for winning teams In its fourth year, the App Challenge calls students to gather teams, dream up ideas and create concepts for mobile apps that could solve problems in their schools and communities. BASKING RIDGE, NEW JERSEY – The Verizon Innovative App Challenge – the no-coding-skills-needed contest that gives middle and high school students a chance to bring their problem-solving app ideas to life – is back! In its fourth year, the App Challenge calls students to gather teams, dream up ideas, and create concepts for mobile apps that could solve problems in their schools and communities. For the first time, the App Challenge will be open to teams representing non-profit organizations in addition to schools, and even more students will earn free tablets and cash awards for the groups they represent. The deadline for submission is Nov. 24, and the winners will be named in January 2016. Bill Nye, the Science Guy, is helping Verizon to encourage students nationwide to submit their ideas and to organize their teams now. Created by the Verizon Foundation in partnership with the Technology Student Association, the App Challenge offers hands-on, experiential learning to ultimately help students envision brighter futures for themselves that they may never have imagined, as business owners, app inventors and professional coders. “There’s a palpable energy in a room when students are excited about learning. That energy is what the Verizon Innovative App Read More …