Oct 142016
 
OC Fil-Am Chamber of Commerce’s 22nd Awards Gala focuses on next gen

The Filipino American Chamber of Commerce of Orange County focused this year’s signature event in celebrating  tomorrow’s leaders at the 22nd edition of the Annual Awards Gala last Oct. 7 at the Magic Kingdom Ballroom of Disneyland Hotel in Anaheim. Indeed the magic of continuous leadership lies on the shoulders of future leaders on whose hands are entrusted the next generation of leadership who are better attuned to the intricacies of the changing business environment. Some members of the current crop of student leaders had been invited to highlight the thrust of FACCOC’s future thrusts which currently rely significantly on the members’ spirit of volunteerism to achieve its mission in the community. Focusing on the future leaders highlighted the importance roles they would play given today’s constantly changing circumstances, with market trends coming and coming and customers’ preferences changing. Five student leaders from University of California, California State University, Cal State University and Cal Poly Pomona had the spotlights shared the center stage as nominees for “Fil-Am Scholars of the Year” and “Graduate of the Year”, the first time ever that campus figures had been given due recognition by the Chamber. This year’s “Scholar of the Year”, Anthony Cantal of Cal Poly Pomona is a mechanical engineering graduate whose major study had emphasis in vibration, robotics, HVAC and alternative energy. FACCOC Annual Awards Gala: The 22nd Annual Awards Gala of the Filipino American Chamber of Commerce of Orange County focused on the upcoming generation of business entrepreneurs and acknowledging their Read More …

Oct 142016
 
Game show appearance turns Pinoy into instant celebrity

By Abner Galino Ernesto Paras Jr., a Filipino-American physical therapist, of Mississippi, rolls the giant wheel for the jackpot during his chance at “The Price is Right.” A 39-year-old Filipino from Mississippi turned into an instant celebrity after appearing in a popular TV game show “The Price is Right” and winning about $8,600 worth of giveaways from the show. Ernesto Paras Jr., a physical therapist, has been in the local newspapers, local TV and radio stations in Greenville, Mississippi. “I am enjoying all the attention, I know this is going to fade away soon,” Paras jested during the phone interview. But his delight, Paras said, isn’t all about the unexpected popularity but as well as to the chance to promote the Philippines. “Doon mismo sa show, dalawang beses kong binanggit ang Philippines. I am really proud talaga to let everyone know that a Filipino made it to the show,” Paras recalled. It was Paras fifth try to get into the game show. The episode that included Paras was taped on July 20, 2016 and was aired on October 4, 2016. Fortunately, Paras was chosen to be part of the nine persons who would compete on that day. “It wasn’t easy. Kasi even if you’re holding a priority ticket, it doesn’t mean na maglalaro ka na. You have to fight for a slot to play. You have impress the interviewer while lined up,” Paras recalled. According to him, after getting a slot to play, he had to keep his energy up Read More …

Oct 142016
 
Duterte scores 86 percent approval, trust ratings in Pulse Asia survey

President Duterte gives an award to wounded PO2 Joemar Fuentes during his visit at the Police Regional Office-9 Headquarters in Camp Abendan, Zamboanga City on Monday.(MNS photo) MANILA (Mabuhay) — President Rodrigo Duterte scored high approval and trust ratings in his first three months in office, a Pulse Asia survey showed. The results, released on Wednesday, showed that Duterte got 86 percent on both approval and trust ratings of the survey, conducted on a sample of 1,200 adults nationwide from September 25 to October 1. This is the first performance-rated Pulse Asia survey under Duterte’s term. Some 11 percent were undecided on both approval and trust components. Meanwhile, 3 percent disapproved of the President and 3 percent noted “small/no trust.” Duterte got the highest approval rating from Mindanao, with 93 percent of respondents appreciating his work. This is followed by Visayas (88 percent), Balance Luzon (84 percent), and National Capital Region (80 percent). Pulse Asia noted that “ambivalence” toward Duterte’s performance “is more pronounced than outright disapproval.” (MNS)

Oct 142016
 
DSWD vows to bring more prompt and efficient services under the Duterte admin

By Leilani S. Junio Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Secretary Judy Taguiwalo (center) makes the Duterte fist-gesture together with other DSWD Executive Committee (Execom) members to highlight their continuous vow to bring more efficient services after citing their accomplishments in their first 100 days in office on Tuesday (Oct. 11, 2016). Others in photos are (from left) DSWD Assistant Secretary Aleli B. Bawagan, Asec. Hope V. Hervilla, Undersecretary Vilma Cabrera, Usec. May Fe Ancheta, Usec. Florita R. Villar, and Asec. Jose Antonio Hernandez. (MNS photo) MANILA  (PNA) – Bringing of prompt and compassionate services to the poor, fair treatment in addressing the concerns of its vulnerable clients and beneficiaries while echoing the government’s relentless anti-corruption campaign are the phrases that aptly described the accomplishments of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) during the first 1OO days under the Duterte administration. “By fair treatment, meaning if you have referrals or not and you are in need and qualified for our service, you’ll be given such service,” Secretary Judy M. Taguiwalo said in a press briefing held at the DSWD Central Office in Batasan Hills, Quezon City. She explained that their main thrust is listening to the sentiments of DSWD constituents such as poor and vulnerable sectors of society comprising of persons with disabilities (PWDs), senior citizens, women, children, youth, LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender), among others, suffering from crisis situations. Taguiwalo shared that marginalized clients seeking help from the DSWD’s Assistance for Individuals in Crisis Situation Read More …

Oct 142016
 
Robredo underscores urgent need for community rehab program for drug surrenderers

Vice President Leonor G. Robredo (left) exchanges views with Samie Lim (right), Chairman Emeritus of Philippine Retailers Association (PRA), Philippine Franchise Association (PFA) and Blims Lifestyle Group, during the opening of the Philippine Chamber of Commerce & Industry’s 42nd Philippine Business Conference & Expo on Wednesday (Oct. 12, 2016) at Marriott Grand Ballroom in Pasay City. (MNS photo) MANILA (Mabuhay) — Vice President Leni Robredo has tapped several government units and groups from various sectors to help her office devise a community rehabilitation program for drug surrenderers. Speaking before them on Tuesday night, Robredo underscored the need to come up with a comprehensive in-community program soon as most of the surrenderers qualify for this. Data from the Philippine National Police showed that 738,193 people have surrendered to the anti-drug drive as of Tuesday morning. The Department of Health earlier said that at most, only 10 percent of them will need to enter rehabilitation centers. Robredo said her office has tapped at least 11 local government units, where they will roll out a pilot “template” program based on the consultations they have done. The LGUs, chosen based on the number of surrenderers in the area and the “quality of leadership,” already have existing programs of their own, “but are willing to try our suggestions,” she said. “Sa amin lang, dahil ang pangangailangan nandoon sa community na, that’s where we want to help. We don’t have naman any imagination or false hope that we can do so much. Pero sa akin lang, Read More …

Oct 132016
 
Canceled flights for Friday, Oct. 14, 2016

Airport authorities announced the cancellation on Friday morning of two domestic flights due to bad weather brought about by Storm Karen. In a post on its Twitter account, the Manila International Airport Authority indicated that the canceled flights were all from Cebu Pacific Air. Affected flights include: 5J 821 -Manila to Virac, Catanduanes 5J 822 – Virac to Manila Earlier this Friday, state weather bureau PAGASA raised Cyclone Warning Signal 2 over Catanduanes as Storm Karen intensified along its west-northwest track. In its 5 a.m. weather bulletin, PAGASA also said that Karen could dump moderate to heavy rainfall within its 400-km diameter. Citing all available data as of 4 a.m., PAGASA said Karen’ eye was at 335 km East of Virac, Catanduanes. Areas under Signal 1 include: Polillo Island, Southern Quezon, Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Albay, Sorsogon, and Northern Samar —LBG, GMA News