India – Maniolas

World Poetree Festival honors Filipino Father of Visual Poetry in India

News

Oct 302017

International delegates gathered at the World Poetree Festival honored two Filipino poets – one doctor-poet and an author-poet – in ceremonies held in October at the Ramoji Film City in Hyderabad, India.

The Pentasi B Fellowship Hyderabad 2017 of the World Poetree Festival recognized Doc Penpen Bugtong Takipsilim, aka Dr. Epitacio Tongohan in real life, for being the Father of Visual Poetry.

The Filipino poet was previously awarded as Father of Visual Poetry in Canada, Turkey, Italy, and Ghana.

Dr. Tongohan was conferred as Father of Visual Poetry by the National Library of the Philippines in 2013 and the Filipino Academy of Movie Arts and Sciences Awards (known as FAMAS Awards) in 2016.

Doc Penpen, creator and inventor of Pentasi B Poetry, was also acknowledged as the man behind the Pentasi- B World Poetree Festival.

Another delegate to the poetry festival, Ed Cordevilla, was given the Lifetime Achievement Award.

Dr. Tongohan and Cordevilla represented the Philippines at the India poetry festival along with fellow Filipinos Ethel P David, Ajarn Wu Hsih, and Jobb Gosamo,

Thirty-three international poet-delegates from Bhutan, India, Poland, Ghana, Bangladesh, Greece, United States, Taiwan, Philippines, Canada, Cyprus, Italy, Egypt, Mauritius and Nepal participated in the poetry festival.

The post World Poetree Festival honors Filipino Father of Visual Poetry in India appeared first on Good News Pilipinas.

Nielsen survey says Pinoys are world’s most confident consumers

News

Sep 072017

Nielsen survey says Pinoys are world’s most confident consumers

Filipinos have shown they are the most optimistic spenders in the world, according to a Nielsen survey. The “Consumer Confidence Concerns and Spending Intentions Around the World Quarter 2 of 2017” released by Nielsen in August cited the consumer confidence scores in the Philippines ranking highest at 130. The Philippines outranked neighboring Asia-Pacific countries India and Indonesia which came in at 2nd and 3rd places, respectively, with the United States coming in at 4th. “Consumers in the Philippines have always been in the top three in the past number of years and to be the most optimistic globally for the second time is not surprising given that the economy remains to be one of the strongest in Asia at 6.5% GDP growth rate in Q2,” said Stuart Jamieson, managing director of Nielsen Philippines and Emerging Markets Southeast Asia Cluster leader, in a statement. Filipinos are tops in the survey, ranking at 58% in terms of saving money after paying for living expenses. Money spending is intended for: new clothes: 33 % holidays or vacations: 30 % investments: 29 % home improvements: 27 % The Philippines led general consumer confidence levels in the Asia-Pacific region, cited as “strengthened modestly,” rising 3 percentage points from the fourth quarter 2016 results to 114. Filipino consumers led results of the global survey of 30,000 internet users in 63 countries which measured perceptions of local job prospects, personal finances and immediate-spending intentions. The post Nielsen survey says Pinoys are world’s most confident consumers appeared Read More …

Bollywood star stuns at Cannes with Filipino couture

News

May 222017

Bollywood star stuns at Cannes with Filipino couture

Bollywood actress Aishwarya Rai Bachchan wearing Filipino couture made heads turn at the 70th Cannes Film Festival. Aishwarya Rai Bachchan wearing Michael Cinco’s creation [via Facebook] The former Miss World wore Dubai-based Michael Cinco’s creation on the red carpet – a full skirted powder blue gown from the Impalpable Dream at VERSAILLES collection, described by various news sites as giving the Indian actress a fairytale princess look. The Impalpable collection was topbilled at the Paris Fashion Week in 2016, marking the first time a Filipino designer was given the spotlight. The influential Indian actress wore another Filipino creation by Manila-based Mark Bumgarner –a nude lace gown with colourful floral embroidery, during the second round of media interactions. L’Oreal Paris tweeted photos of their brand ambassador’s looks as “stunning” and akin to a queen. Aishwarya Rai Bachchan wearing Mark Bumgarner’s creation [via Facebook] “She looked ethereal as she walked the red carpet sporting a straight out of a fairytale gown designed by Michael Cinco… It seemed as if Aishwarya brought to reality a princess straight out of a fairytale!” wrote India’s News 18. Cinco talked to Khaleej Times about how Aishawarya wearing his gown was a dream come true. "I love costumes. I love watching Hollywood movies. In fact it was the movies that inspired me to become a designer. It has always been a goal for me to see the celebs wearing my couture gowns on the red carpet." Cinco has dressed such international celebrities as Jennifer Lopez, among many Read More …

Policy continuity seen as main risk for call center capital’

Economy

Mar 272016

THE PHILIPPINES is now the call center “capital” of the world, Moody’s Analytics said in a recent report, displacing India as Filipinos prove to be a better option for skilled workers in the business process outsourcing (BPO) industry, but faces a crucial government transition, with continuity of anti-corruption efforts hanging in the balance.

'Accent' matters: Philippines acquiring 70% of India call centers

Economy

Apr 062014

'Accent' matters: Philippines acquiring 70% of India call centers

A building in Manila occupied by a call center. Rajesh Pamnani MANILA, Philippines — Most voice and call center businesses in India are transferring to the Philippines due to Filipino workers’ more “neutral” English acccent, among other reasons, an Indian business group said. The Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India (Assocham) said that India is losing 70 percent of all incremental domestic business process outsourcing (BPO) businesses, particularly call centers, estimated to be worth $30 billion in foreign exchange earnings. “Philippines … has become the top destination for Indian investors, thus the need to reduce costs and make operations leaner is increasingly becoming significant across the BPO industry,” Assocham secretary general D.S. Rawat said in a statement Sunday. Citing Assocham’s study, Rawat said that the Philippines has an advantage over India due to its large pool of “well-educated, English-speaking, talented and employable graduates.” Rawat said that only 10 percent of graduates in India are qualified to work in call centers and training could take a considerable amount of time. About 30 percent of graduates in the Philippines, on the other hand, are employable. “Employees in Philippine call centers speak English fluently with a neutral accent which is what customers look for and that is something missing in Indian accents and that is a prime reason why BPO business is thriving in that country,” Rawat explained. Business ( Article MRec ), pagematch: 1, sectionmatch: 1 “Cultural proximity to the US together with availability of talented manpower are key reasons Read More …

Worker abuse by diplomats a problem, advocates say

News

Dec 302013

Worker abuse by diplomats a problem, advocates say

Members and supporters from a coalition of organizations supporting domestic workers, rally outside the Indian Consulate in New York where Devyani Khobragade, India’s deputy consul general was believed to be staying after she was arrested and charged with lying on a visa form. AP NEW YORK—The prosecution of an Indian consular official in New York for allegedly forcing her maid to toil for little pay highlights a problem advocates say is all too common — workers for foreign governments who bring along the baggage of human trafficking to the US. Because of the complications surrounding immunity laws, many abuse cases often go unreported or uncharged, advocates say. Victims’ claims often end up in civil court for that reason, they say. There have been at least 20 cases in the past decade filed by workers who said they were brought to the US by diplomatic officials and threatened with abuse, forced to work endless hours and kept isolated, with their employers not charged criminally. “We’ve seen it across the board, we’ve seen it with country missions to the UN, we’ve seen it with consular officials, diplomats of all levels,” said anti-trafficking attorney Dana Sussman, who is representing the maid in the Indian case. The case against Devyani Khobragade, India’s deputy consul general in New York, is unusual in part because the US State Department has said she does not have immunity, a claim her attorney and the Indian government are disputing. Khobragade, 39, was charged with visa fraud and accused of Read More …

Phl gets support of 3 countries to keep rice import restriction

Economy

Oct 232013

Phl gets support of 3 countries to keep rice import restriction

MANILA, Philippines – Three countries have endorsed the Philippines’ bid to keep its special restriction on rice imports until 2017. The National Food Authority (NFA) said China, India and Indonesia have supported the country’s petition to continue imposing its quantitative restriction (QR) on rice during a meeting of the World Trade Organization (WTO) Committee on Trade in Goods (CTG) in Geneva. Rice is the only commodity in the Philippines that enjoy a special restriction. “The outcome of the CTG (meeting) has reinvigorated and boosted the country’s efforts in pushing the initiative into positive conclusion by early next year,” Agriculture Assistant Secretary Romeo Recide, chief negotiator of the Philippines, said. The country’s petition will be tackled again in the special CTG meeting in March, during which a general consensus on the matter is expected to be arrived at. “If this goes well, we may get the general concensus by March,” said NFA administrator Orlan Calayag, adviser to the negotiating panel. Business ( Article MRec ), pagematch: 1, sectionmatch: 1 This corresponds to the final approval of the Philippines’ petition on the QR extension. Participating in the negotiations for the country’s bid for QR extension are Australia, China, Canada, India, Indonesia, El Salvador, Pakistan, Thailand, US, and Vietnam. Also included in the negotiations are European Union, Japan and Korea. “What is important is that we get the consensus of the countries we are negotiating with,” said Calayag. The European Union, Japan and Korea have also shown support for the country’s petition.

Key BSP rates to hold up until 2014 – DBS

Economy

Sep 142013

Key BSP rates to hold up until 2014 – DBS

MANILA, Philippines – The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas is expected to keep rates steady until the second quarter of next year, Singapore-based DBS said. This, as inflation remains manageable and amid the country’s favorable external balances, the bank said in its quarterly report published Friday. “From a price stability standpoint, there is again no urgency for the central bank to hike rates. Despite multiple quarters of strong GDP (gross domestic product) growth, inflation has been trending lower,” DBS said. “Stable food prices and depressed commodity prices have gone a long way towards keeping a lid on headline inflation. Barring an upward shock to these two components, a mild updrift in CPI (consumer price index) is expected as the global recovery gains traction, eventually translating into higher commodity prices,” DBS continued. Inflation has averaged 2.8 percent in the eight months to August, below the central bank target range of 3 to 5 percent for the year. The level is also below the BSP’s forecast of 3 percent. At the same time, DBS noted credit expansion may grow in the next few months as funds being flushed out of the central bank’s special deposit accounts find their way into the financial system. This may stoke inflation in the coming months, but DBS pointed out the rise in consumer prices is expected to remain manageable. Business ( Article MRec ), pagematch: 1, sectionmatch: 1 “We maintain that inflation will average 3.1 percent in 2013 before rising to 4.1 percent in 2014. Monetary tightening Read More …

PHL only emerging Asian nation with strong momentum: OECD

Entertainment

Sep 112013

PHL only emerging Asian nation with strong momentum: OECD

Workers of National Parks Development Committee (NPDC) rush the beautification of all Manila City parks including Luneta Park on Monday (Sept. 9, 2013) (MNS photo) PARIS, September 9, 2013 (AFP) – Growth is picking up pace in most major rich nations but momentum is slowing or stable in emerging economies, the OECD said on Monday. Economic growth is accelerating in the United States, Britain and the eurozone, while it is above trend in Japan, according to the OECD’s index of composite leading indicators. The index is considered to be a reliable guide to future economic activity. The index suggested Italy and France are switching to growth. But the OECD, grouping 34 advanced countries, said growth was below trend in Brazil and India. Meanwhile it was returning to trend in China and was around trend level in Russia. In a separate report, the OECD said the Philippines was the only emerging Asian nation with strong business cycle momentum, although China and Singapore have stabilized. The OECD said “the key imminent downside risk facing Southeast Asia, China and India is the turmoil in the financial market, triggered by the prospects of tapering of quantitative easing (QE) policy in the US.” The US stimulus program led to a flood of funds into emerging markets seeking higher returns, but the impending shift in monetary policy has seen a sharp withdrawal, causing currencies and equities in some emerging markets to slump.

Why gold is making a comeback

Economy

Aug 312013

Gold is having a summer revival. The price of gold touched $1,420 an ounce this week, a three-and-a-half month high, as escalating tensions in the Middle East, volatile currency markets and renewed demand for jewelry in China and India pushed prices higher. Gold has rebounded 15 percent to $1,396 an ounce since sinking to $1,212, its lowest level in almost three years, on June 27. A gain of 20 percent or more would put the metal back in a bull market. Gold’s resurgence follows a rough ride this year. Gold slumped 4.8 percent in the first three months of 2013 as the outlook for the economy improved while inflation remained subdued. For many years prior to that, large investors, like hedge funds, bought the metal as a way to protect their investments against rising prices and a slumping dollar. They feared that the Federal Reserve’s stimulus program could cause prices to rise. But inflation remained subdued and that reduced the need to buy gold. Also, signs in January that the dollar was strengthening diminished the appeal of owning gold. Business ( Article MRec ), pagematch: 1, sectionmatch: 1 Then in April, the bottom fell out. A proposal that Cyprus sell some of its gold reserves to support its banks rattled traders, prompting concern that Spain, Italy and other weak European economies might also sell and flood the market. Gold plunged by $140 an ounce, or nine percent, on April 15 as investors unloaded their holdings. That was the biggest one-day Read More …

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