AN AGREEMENT that will spur further talks on a possible trade arrangement between the Philippines and the four-member European Free Trade Association (EFTA) is expected to be signed in June, a Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) official said. “We’re hoping to sign the Joint Declaration of Cooperation in June in Europe. We are just now refining the declaration,” DTI Undersecretary Adriwan S. Cristobal, Jr. told reporters in a chance interview in Makati City.
The Honda Vezel will roll into US dealerships in the second half of 2014.©Honda (Relaxnews) – A new compact SUV available with a choice of fuel or hybrid engine, the Honda Vezel hits the Japanese market Friday, December 20. The Vezel is expected to arrive in the US in the second half of 2014 before heading to Europe in 2015. The Honda Vezel runs on a 1.5L fuel engine, paired in the hybrid version with an electric motor and the brand’s Intelligent Dual-Clutch Drive transmission (i-DCD). This hybrid drivetrain was developed as a replacement for a 2.0L engine. The Vezel enters the market as Honda’s first hybrid equipped with the Real Time All-Wheel-Drive system, which works to ensure optimal distribution of power to all four wheels. This option is also available on the standard fuel-engine version. Honda plans to market the crossover in the US from the second half of 2014 and in Europe from 2015.
Richard Gutierrez (MNS Photo) RICHARD Gutierrez said he’s ready to work again after taking a short break from the entertainment business. After his 11-year contract with GMA-7 ended a few months back, the actor decided to give time for himself and unwind a little with close friends and family members. He even disclosed his interest in going back to school and to study short courses in filmmaking. In an interview, the 29-year-old said he realized that sometimes stepping back wouldn’t hurt one’s focus and drive at work “It’s the best decision that I’ve done in life. It kind of slowed me down, it kind of get my bearings right and it ignited again a fire inside of me kung ano talaga ang gustong gawin ko and I think next year is the right time to reconnect with my audience,” said Richard. He added, “(Now I know how) to pick and choose the right projects. Yung 11 straight years ko I didn’t slow down. I think it’s important to take a vacation once in a while or a long break.” Richard said he also enjoyed his short absence in the business because he got to spend a lot of time with girlfriend Sarah Lahbati and his immediate family. “Enjoy ‘yung buong vacation ko not only because of Sarah, but also I was with my family. I spend time with them, with my friends, wala akong pressure or responsibility to beat my schedule. It just kind of going back to my roots,” Read More …
MANILA, Philippines – BDO Unibank Inc. (BDO), the main banking arm of the SM Group, has improved its ranking in the world’s top 1,000 banks list, according to a report by UK-based banking and finance magazine The Banker. Based on the report, BDO now occupies the 251st spot from 396th place in 2012, or 145 notches higher. The Banker said the improvement in BDO’s ranking is on the back of an enhanced overall performance, particularly in terms of Tier 1 capital, assets and profit. For the Philippine country listing, BDO secured the number one spot, the publication said. The Banker’s Top 1000 World Banks ranking has been setting the industry benchmark since 1970, providing comprehensive intelligence about the health and wealth of the banking sector. The report enables investors and clients worldwide to assess the strength and weakness of the banks, identify banking partners for the future, and track the big movers and new arrivals in the sector. Business ( Article MRec ), pagematch: 1, sectionmatch: 1 BDO has been one of the most profitable banks in the country, more than doubling its net income in the first half of 2013 to P14.1 billion from P5.8 billion in the same period in 2012. As of end-June 2013, BDO remained well capitalized with a capital adequacy ratio (CAR) and Tier 1 capital ratio of 18.3 percent and 15.6 percent, respectively, well above the regulatory minimum. With record earnings for the period already representing more than two-thirds of its P20.4-billion guidance for Read More …
Staff of a Manila supermarket conduct a meeting after work hours. RAJESH INDIA MANILA, Philippines – More Filipinos are willing to pay more for goods and services from companies that have social impact, research firm Nielsen discovered in a survey. Citing its Global Survey on Corporate Social Responsibility, Nielsen said seven of 10 Filipino consumers are willing to pay more for what those “socially responsible” companies offer, increasing by three points from 2011 results on the same survey. “The positive view of Filipino consumers towards corporate social responsibility runs high. In order to continue getting the support of consumers, authenticity is key.,” Nielsen Philippines managing director Stuart Jamieson said in a statement. Jamieson said this means that loyalty to brands they think are giving back to society is relatively strong–a trait more common in Southeast Asia than in Europe. “More than two-thirds of the respondents in the Philippines, Thailand and Indonesia – and three-quarters of respondents in India – say they would pay more for goods and services from socially responsible companies, whereas European respondents are least likely to pay extra,” Nielsen said. About 64 percent of Filipinos, however, are also more likely to say they had spent more on products and services from responsible companies. Business ( Article MRec ), pagematch: 1, sectionmatch: 1 “Companies can do more to connect with consumers through social projects. To have a stronger engagement with consumers, companies should re-access responsibility, work towards sustainable innovation and develop clear and strong messaging,” Jamieson said, advising Read More …
Man with the golden murse: Daniel Craig, for one, understands the appeal of a male carryall. Fans of The Hangover I and II know this scene by heart: four friends are in Las Vegas for the groom’s bachelor party and on their way to a boys’ night out Phil, played by Bradley Cooper, and Alan, played by comedian Zac Galifianakis, have the following conversation about the bag slung across Alan’s torso: PHIL: You’re not really wearing that are you? ALAN: Wearing what? PHIL: The man purse. You actually gonna wear that or are you just effin’ with me? ALAN: It’s where I keep all my things. I get a lot of compliments on this. Plus it’s not a purse; it’s called a satchel. Indiana Jones wears one. This sequence has been in my mind the past five weeks not only because I like Zac Galifianakis — he makes me laugh — but because I’ve been in and out of 11 airports. After surfing the net and reading books to pass all those pre- and post-flight waiting hours, I find that the next best entertainment is to people watch. Lifestyle Feature ( Article MRec ), pagematch: 1, sectionmatch: What catches my eye are the carry-on bags men take inside airplane cabins and I have noticed that often there is a specific type of man that carries a specific type of bag. Athletes who travel in jerseys or varsity shirts and serious sport sneakers carry huge athletic duffel bags (a no-brainer), often with their Read More …
MANILA, Philippines – Flag carrier Philippine Airlines (PAL) has tapped Amadeus, a leading technology provider for the global travel industry, for air traffic solutions and services to support the airline’s ongoing expansion program. Amadeus Asia Pacific head of airline commercial Hazem Hussein said the European based company will assist the airline in its business and help it deal with the challenges and opportunities in the market. “Travel intelligence is a critical asset in a fast-moving, fragmented industry like travel. However, it is not only about having data. It is also about having the industry knowledge and analytical capability to turn it into valuable business insights,” he said. PAL president Ramon Ang, for his part, said: “We are committed to retaining our position at the forefront of the industry in the Asian region and the key to it is fleet modernization, network expansion, and service innovation programs.” “It is important for us to be able to base our network planning and marketing decisions on complete and reliable data that Amadeus solutions offer,” he added. The agreement will allow PAL the use of the Amadeus Market Information (MIDT) and Amadeus Air Traffic solutions to drive revenue growth and increase market share as it expands flights to Asia, Europe, and the Middle East. Business ( Article MRec ), pagematch: 1, sectionmatch: 1 MIDT allows PAL to monitor global market dynamics and identify profitable routes while developing more effective sales and marketing programs. In parallel, Amadeus Air Traffic calculates an accurate estimate of air Read More …
THE TOURISM department expects a rise in tourists from Europe following the European Union’s (EU) green light for Philippine Airlines (PAL) to fly to the group’s 28 member states.
MANILA, Philippines (Xinhua) – The three-digit gain of the US equities lifted the Philippine stock market for the second time today. The bellwether Philippine Stock Exchange index jumped by 3.42 percent, or 209.06 points, to 6,328. The broader all-share index rose by 3.14 percent, or 17.96 points, to 3,877.61. Trading volume reached 3.56 billion shares worth P12.11 billion ($278.99 million) with 139 stocks advancing, 37 declining, and 32 unchanged. All six counters were up. “On a slow news day from the domestic front, investors kept eyes turning on unfolding events overseas. With share prices in Europe posting decent gains and US stocks extending a triple- digit advance, local counters joined its regional peers in the green,” analyst Justino Calaycay of Accord Capital Equities Corp. said in his daily stock market comment. European markets were supported by the easing of concerns over China’s credit crunch and a better-than-anticipated consumer confidence numbers. Business ( Article MRec ), pagematch: 1, sectionmatch: 1 Likewise, American investors appear to have found incentive to enter the equities despite reports that the economy is growing a less-than-expected pace. First quarter gross domestic product was revised to 1.8 percent, significantly lower than the 2.4 percent preliminary estimate as the gains in household purchases, accounting for 70 percent of growth, was lowered to 2.6 percent from the 3.4 percent estimate last month. “Sentiments have turned yet again, almost seemingly at a single flip. The main source of fears, namely the US Fed and the Chinese credit crunch, appears to Read More …
MANILA, Philippines – Flag carrier Philippine Airlines (PAL) is still on the lookout for new aircraft as part of its fleet modernization program. PAL has already ordered around 70 new aircraft that will lower operating costs moving forward, its top official said last week. “Slowly, we are looking at different aircraft types,” PAL president Ramon S. Ang said when asked if the airline is still planning to buy more airplanes. Ang said PAL is also factoring in “good opportunities, good prices and good performance” for further aircraft acquisitions. Since the entry of San Miguel Corp. (SMC) in April 2012, PAL has embarked on a massive refleeting program aimed at acquiring 100 new aircraft to replace its existing fleet. It expects to save as much as $400 million from fuel and maintenance costs per year as part of its refleeting program. PAL entered into a $7-billion contract with Europe’s EADS Group in August for the acquisition of 54 Airbus aircraft consisting of 34 A321ceo, 10 A321neo, and 10 A330-300s, and another $2.5 billion deal in September to exercise an option to buy 10 more A330 aircraft. Business ( Article MRec ), pagematch: 1, sectionmatch: 1 Ang, who is also president and chief operating officer of SMC, said PAL’s order is already more than 70 aircraft. Diversified conglomerate SMC owns 49 percent of PAL and is in charge of the airline’s management. “Our investment in PAL and sister airline PAL Express is also an important piece in our overall vision for SMC,” Read More …