El Niño strengthens, to last until early 2016

 General
Sep 072015
 
El Niño strengthens, to last until early 2016

A young girl combs her hair after a dip in Manila Bay on Friday. Manila residents tried to find comfort in various ways as temperature soared to 35.9 degrees Celsius, making it the hottest day on record in the metropolis so far this year, according to weather bureau PAGASA. (MNS photo) MANILA (Mabuhay) — The ongoing El Niño has gained strength and is now considered a “strong” El Niño phenomenon, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said Tuesday. There is a 90 percent chance that the El Niño will last until the early part of 2016—March, April, or May—and a 70 percent chance that it will last until around June or July. PAGASA also predicted that the country will experience lower than normal rainfall conditions from September 2015 to February 2016, with some areas experiencing 40 percent of normal levels. By February 2016, 65 of the Philippines’ 81 provinces are expected to experience drought. Air temperature is expected to be warmer than average, though cold surges are expected from November to December. PAGASA expects 5-8 tropical cyclones to enter the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) between September 2015 and February 2016. Present at the PAGASA press briefing were the National Water Resources Board (NWRB) Executive Director Dr. Sevillo D. David, Jr. and representatives from NIA, the Philippine Atmospheric and Geophysical Services Administration (PAGASA), Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS), and the two MWSS concessionaires Manila Water Company, Inc. and Maynilad Water Services, Inc. (MNS)

Now, an Investor in People

 Economy
Sep 062015
 
Now, an Investor in People

How management chooses to treat its people impacts everything — for better or for worse. – Simon Sinek Allow me to share a development in my career: Investors in People (IIP), a UK-based organization that provides advice and assessment services to help companies focus their people management on their business priorities, recently awarded accreditation to me as an Investors in People Specialist. It is an honor to be considered a specialist of an internationally recognized framework that helps organizations improve their performance and realize their objectives through the effective management and development of their people. It is a doubly amazing for me to be one of the select few in the Philippines. There are only eight as of the moment. To be part of this elite group of seasoned people management and organizational development professionals is quite humbling. Most people congratulate me for getting a new job, but actually, it’s not. Being with IIP actually complements my existing work and business. Lifestyle Feature ( Article MRec ), pagematch: 1, sectionmatch: The author with David Dale, Operations Director of Investors in People International and other IIP specialists. David said in his confirmation letter, “I am very happy to confirm Boris’s registration as an Investors in People Specialist Advisor and Assessor, and I believe he will be a valuable asset to IIP in the Philippines and in the wider Investors in People international community for many years to come.” As an IIP Adviser, I get to support and guide organizations who are pursuing Read More …

Going for the bestseller

 General
Sep 062015
 
Going for the bestseller

August and September are usually busy months in the cultural calendar, and this year’s been no exception. UMPIL — the Writers Union of the Philippines — held its annual conference toward the end of August, with the economist and columnist Solita “Winnie” Monsod delivering the customary Adrian Cristobal Lecture. On Sept. 1 — perhaps the most important date on many a young Filipino writer’s calendar —the 65th Carlos Palanca Memorial Awards for Literature were given out, with poetry titan Gemino “Jimmy” Abad arguing eloquently for the power of literary language to create its own reality. In that same week, the National Book Development Board and National Book Store teamed up, among other sponsors, to put on the Philippine Literary Festival at the Raffles Hotel in Makati, headlined by visiting authors Matthew Quick and Meg Wolitzer. I went on a panel at that festival with my friends Krip Yuson and Jing Hidalgo, with Marivi Soliven as moderator, to talk about writing the novel. I was surprised to walk into a packed room at the Raffles, despite the fact that Meg Wolitzer was holding forth in another session at the same time. Now, I’ll admit that I’d never read Meg before, although I’d read about her recent novel Belzhar. She was advertised as a bestselling author, as was Matthew Quick, who wrote The Silver Linings Playbook. I overheard a mild complaint in the hallway to the effect that the NBDB should have invited the powerhouse cast of Pulitzer prizewinners that Manila festivalgoers Read More …

Kudos to literary awardees

 Entertainment
Sep 062015
 
Kudos to literary awardees

Jimmy Abad is conferred the Gawad Dangal ng Lahi by Carl Anthony Palanca and Sylvia Palanca-Quirino. It’s that time of year when our writer-friends reap awards, for individual works or lifetime achievement. Allow me to indulge in furthering literary bonding by congratulating some of them in this space, and turning over much of it to excerpts from a couple of speeches relating to literary milestones. First off, “kongratz y cudoz” as I usually say to all the winners of the 2015 Gawad Pambansang Alagad ni Balagtas handed out by UMPIL or Writers Union of the Philippines to cap its Writers’ Congress on Aug. 29 — most especially to certain friends. These are Susan S. Lara for Fiction in English, Danton Remoto for Poetry in English, Vim Nadera for Tula sa Filipino, Yen Makabenta for Essay in English, and Rody Vera for Dula sa Filipino, as well as Erlinda Kintanar-Alburo for the Gawad Paz Marquez Benitez. Here’s sharing lifelong friend Susan’s memorable remarks of gratitude:   “Thank you, UMPIL, for this honor. I deeply appreciate receiving this award, and I humbly accept it. We always say that writing is its own reward, and awards are welcome bonuses. They give affirmations, assurances — to us, but especially to our families — assurances that we chose wisely when we took this road, the one less traveled by. Palace poet Peachy Paderna plucked 1st prize for Poetry. Here shown with (from left) Carl Anthony Palanca, Criselda “Dang” Cecilio-Palanca, Budget Sec. Butch Abad, and the Poetry Read More …

Ipagdiwang ang Harvest Moon Festival sa Pechanga Resort & Casino na may 2015 Mini Cooper at $100K Cash na Ipamimigay!

 Entertainment
Sep 042015
 
Ipagdiwang ang Harvest Moon Festival sa Pechanga Resort & Casino na may 2015 Mini Cooper at $100K Cash na Ipamimigay!

Promosyon sa Harvest Moon Table Games May Grand Price Drawing na 2015 Mini Cooper Sa pagdiriwang ng Harvest Moon Festival, isinusulong ng Pechanga ang nakasisindak na September Table Games Promotions na magbibigay ningning sa inyong ngiti gaya ng crescent moon. Lumahok sa amin mula September 1 hanggang 25, upang makakuha ng “Dragon Bet” o anumang “Natural Tie” na diga sa Baccarat, isang “Flush” na diga sa Pai Gow, anumang “Blackjack “ na diga, isang “Straight” na diga at 3-Card Poker, isang “Straight” na diga sa Let It Ride, isang “Straight” na diga sa Ultumate Texas Hold’em, o “Flush” na diga sa Asia Poker, kung saan magkakamit kayo ng drawing entry ticket. Mas maraming laro, mas maraming panalo. Ang grand finale drawings ay gaganapin sa September 18 at September 25. Kada isang bunutan, sampung winners ang pipiliin sa ganap na alas-8 ng gabi na mananalo ng $250 sa EasyPlay, sampung iba pang winners ang pipiliin alas -9 ng gabi upang manalo ng $500 sa EasyPlay, at isang swerteng winner ang mag-uuwi ng 2015 Mini Cooper! Tahakin ang Pechanga’s Moonlit Path para sa Lucky Lanterns “Swipe & Win” at lumahok sa $100K Grand Drawing Maliban sa Harvest Moon Table Games Promotion, isa pang promosyon ng Pechanga ang bagong Lucky Lantern “Swipe & Win “ ngayong September. Tuwing Martes mula September 1 hanggang 26, ang Pechanga Club members  ay maaring mag kaskas ang Club Card sa Kiosks katapat ng box office mula 1pm hanggang 9pm sa pagkakataong manalo hanggang $1,000 sa EasyPlay, isang Regalo o Read More …

Anne Curtis to release children’s book

 Entertainment
Sep 042015
 
Anne Curtis to release children’s book

Anne Curtis (MNS Photo) MANILA (Mabuhay) — Actress. Television host. Concert performer. And now you can add author to the list of things to describe Anne Curtis. The 30-year-old Kapamilya star announced on Instagram on Thursday that she will be penning a children’s book with the help of the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and award-winning author Augie Rivera (“Alamat ng Ampalaya”) “My very special project for UNICEF – a children’s book written by yours truly, is slowly coming together,” Curtis wrote. “Can’t wait to share my passion project with all of you!” The book will be illustrated by Tiago Abalos. (MNS)

Incoming USAID Mission Director reaffirms strong partnership with PHL

 Entertainment
Sep 042015
 
Incoming USAID Mission Director reaffirms strong partnership with PHL

WASHINGTON, DC — In a meeting at the Philippine Embassy in Washington D.C. on  01 September, Dr. Susan K. Brems—the incoming Mission Director of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) for the Philippines, Pacific Islands and Mongolia—reaffirmed the strong development partnership between the Philippine Government  and USAID. Dr. Brems is a career member of the Senior US Foreign Service with the rank of Minister-Counselor, who brings to Manila twenty-three (23) years of experience as a development diplomat for USAID. She previously served as Mission Director in Zambia (2011-2015), Deputy Assistant Administrator in the Bureau for Global Health (2009-2011), and Mission Director for Angola (2007-2009). During the meeting, Ambassador Jose L. Cuisia, Jr. expressed appreciation for the technical and financial support that the United States, through the USAID, provides to the Philippines. He also briefed Dr. Brems on the recent economic developments, including the good governance efforts under the Aquino administration, particularly with respect to transparency and public accountability. “It was a great opportunity to discuss with Dr. Brems our government’s commitment to improving the lives of average Filipinos, as well as the social development objectives under the President’s leadership. We also exchanged views on the conditional cash transfer program of the government,” Ambassador Cuisia said. Ambassador Cuisia also encouraged USAID’s continued support in the following areas: judicial reforms, rule of law, innovation and technology, economic development, educational cooperation, and public health. Dr. Brems expressed her commitment to continuing the strong program and cooperation activities of USAID in the Philippines.

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