GREGORY L. DOMINGO yesterday formally turned over the reins of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) to incoming Secretary Adrian S. Cristobal, Jr., who will have about half a year to hold office before a new Philippine president is sworn in.
DAVAO CITY — When President Benigno S. C. Aquino III took his oath as the President of the Philippines in 2010, Mindanao didn’t have enough power.
Visit the Philippines Again 2016 BAGHDAD – The Philippine Embassy is hoping to convince more Iraqis to travel to Manila in the coming months following the launching of the Visit the Philippines Again 2016 tourism promotion program in Baghdad. The launching of the sequel to the Department of Tourism’s successful Visit the Philippines 2015 program was the highlight of the reception the Philippine Embassy hosted on Wednesday to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the Philippines and Iraq. Embassy Chargé d’Affaires Elmer G. Cato said there definitely was great interest among not only Iraqis but also foreign diplomats who attended the reception at the Babylon Hotel to visit the Philippines after seeing the video presentation showing the various tourism destinations the country has to offer. “We hope that the sneak preview convinced many of you to go and experience for yourselves why it’s more fun in the Philippines,” Chargé d’Affaires Cato said after the video presentation that showcased such popular tourist destinations as Boracay, Cebu, Bohol, Palawan, Siargao, Vigan, Albay, Davao, Banaue, Iloilo and Cagayan de Oro. Among those who are planning to visit the Philippines is Dr. Karim Wasfi, principal conductor of the Iraq National Symphony Orchestra. “After seeing what you just showed us, I now want to live in the Philippines,” Dr. Wasfi told Chargé d’Affaires Cato. Aside from members of the diplomatic corps and Iraqi officials and business leaders, also in attendance at the reception were representatives from various airlines and major travel agencies who offered to help the Read More …
Rizal Day in Carson: Commemorating the third annual Rizal Day and the 119th death anniversary and martyrdom of the Philippines national hero. From left are Aaliya Mariah Magcasi, who sang the Star Spangled Banner, poet Tony Berango, Kalayaan Incorporated president Josie E. de Jesus, Carson City Clerk Jim Dear, Consul General Leo Herrera-Lim, Bellflower Mayor Sonny Sta. Ines, Carson Mayor Pro Tem Elito M. Santarina, MC Lydia V. Solis, Monchito Mandap, chair of the Dr. Jose P. Rizal Monument Movement, and Sam Santiago, who sang Lupang Hinirang and Ang Bayan Kong Mahal.Photo: Joe Cobilla Wreath-laying was led by Consul General Leo Herrera-Lim and the Philippine Consulate General Los Angeles staff; Carson City Council, City Clerk and Commissioners led by Mayor Pro Tem Elito M. Santarina; Bellflower Mayor Sonny Sta. Ines, and Knights of Rizal. On December 17, 2013, the Carson City Council unanimously voted to establish December 30 of each year as Dr. Jose P. Rizal Day—a unique gift from Mayor Jim Dear, Mayor Pro Tem Elito M. Santarina, Councilmembers Mike A. Gipson, Albert Robles, and Eula Davis-Holmes. Maria Sereno Diokno, chairperson of the National Historical Commission, attended the inauguration of the Rizal monument on September 29, 2012. The 7 ½-foot statue of Dr. Rizal is the only life-sized statue in California. The erection of the 15-foot monument was a journey of more than 10 years by the Jose P. Rizal Monument Movement, chaired by Monchito Mandap, Western USA Area Commander, Knights of Rizal California. It is the first and the only monument in the Read More …
People watch the fireworks display to welcome the new year at the Quezon Memorial Circle in Quezon City on Friday despite the rain. Fireworks in many neighborhoods were toned down compared to previous years because of a selective ban on firecrackers.(MNS photo) Manila, Philippines | AFP | – Stray bullets and exploding firecrackers have killed two and injured hundreds in the Philippines, authorities said Friday, amid the country’s traditional riotous New Year celebrations. A drunk man died after he embraced a giant firecracker, called “Goodbye Philippines”, as it was about to explode, health secretary Janet Garin told reporters. “His jaw was shattered. He was so intoxicated he hugged the Goodbye Philippines,” Garin said, adding the man was pronounced dead at the hospital. Eighty percent of the country’s 100 million people are Catholic but Filipino superstition dictates making ear-shattering noises during New Year’s Eve to ward off bad luck. Revellers set off firecrackers and shoot guns into the air to celebrate the December festive season. The health department listed 380 injuries due to fireworks and four others due to stray bullets. In many hospitals across the country, firecracker victims rushed into emergency rooms grimacing in pain as they held their bloodied limbs. An eight-year-old boy in the northern farming province of Nueva Vizcaya had three of his fingers amputated after a firecracker exploded in his hands, Garin said. At least nine children had their fingers amputated due to firecracker injuries, she said. In a Manila shantytown, a lit firecracker started a slum inferno, which quickly Read More …
President Benigno S. Aquino III, accompanied by National Historical Commission chair Ma. serena Diokno and AFP Chief of Staff Gen. Hernando Iriberri, graces the commemoration of the 119th Anniversary of the Martyrdom of Dr. Jose Rizal at the Rizal National Monument in Rizal Park, Manila City on Wednesday (December 30), with the theme: “Rizal 2015: Dangal Ng Pilipino, Gabay Sa Pagbabago. (MNS photo) MANILA (Mabuhay) – For the last time in his term, President Benigno Aquino III led the flag-raising ceremony at Rizal Park to commemorate the 199th anniversary of the martyrdom of national hero Dr. Jose Rizal. In his message for Rizal Day, Aquino said Filipinos should be inspired by Rizal’s intelligence, sense of duty, hunger for knowledge, passion for reform and undying love for the country. “Dr. Jose Rizal worked hard to pursue our independence, serving as a catalyst for change; his works remain relevant to this day, a reminder of a past when freedom seemed beyond our reach. Let us remember him on this occasion, along with other heroes who shared their strength and vision to make the Philippines the nation it is today,” Aquino said. “Let us all be heroes in our own way, and reaffirm our commitment to the Daang Matuwid. Only by traversing this road towards fairness and progress can we translate our dreams into tangible realities for our people,” Aquino added. President Benigno Simeon Aquino III, accompanied by Armed Forces of the Philippines Chief of Staff Gen. Hernando Iriberri, troops the line during Read More …
Six oil companies will implement price adjustment on diesel, kerosene and gasoline effective Tuesday morning. File photo MANILA, Philippines – Six oil companies on Monday announced that they are cutting diesel prices and will increase gas prices on Tuesday. PTT Ph, Phoenix Petroleum, Eastern petroleum Flying V, Shell and Petron will reduce its diesel price by P0.15 per liter and increase its gasoline price by P0.10 per liter. On the other hand, Flying V, Shell and Petron will also decrease the prices of kerosene by P0.25 per liter. Flying V will be the first to apply the price change at 12:01 a.m., January 5, Tuesday, while the five oil firms will implement the price change at 6 a.m. The coming adjustment of fuel prices is the first in 2016 as the last price cut was announced before the New Year, last Dec. 28, 2015, where gasoline prices were slashed by P.60 per liter and diesel by P.20 per liter due to the downward movement of oil prices in the world market. There was also a rollback on liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) last January 1.
THE PHILIPPINES should focus on addressing a number of issues — including its poor infrastructure and the way the government does business — for it to reap the full benefits of a free trade agreement (FTA) with the European Union (EU).
DAVAO CITY — The Department of Tourism (DoT) has solicited the services of a Singapore-based accreditation body to look into the readiness of Philippine establishments for halal tourism.
American entrepreneur, author and motivational speaker Jim Rohn once said: “All good men and women must take the responsibility to create legacies that will take the next generation to a level we could only imagine.” This is timely food for thought as we open the New Year because it is, in essence, forward thinking.