THREE German companies are expanding their information technology and business process management (IT-BPM) operations in the Philippines in order to cater to the Asia-Pacific markets, the Trade secretary said.
Jul 172017
Jul 112017
Lou Jen Saldo [via Facebook] Fitness trainer, model and athlete Lou Jen Saldo has won the Fitness Universe Championships, and the Ms. Bikini Short Class Champion title of Ms. Bikini Universe in the USA. Saldo, a member of the Philippine Women’s National Rugby team-the Lady Volcanoes, said she was surprised when she won the international competition titles in her 2 categories. “Actually, I never expected to win. Since I was still on the jet lag, I knew it would be hard for me to do things especially since the time here and in the Philippines is very different, it was hard to adapt to it,” Saldo admitted in a Fitness Universe statement. The bodybuilder banked on the world renowned Filipino tenacity and faith in persevering through the difficulties she faced in the foreign environment saying, “I just stayed strong and believed to myself that no matter what happened, I would showcase what I have. I never stopped praying and had a strong faith that I knew I could do this, and I would make it. Smile and Shine.” Fitness Universe Championships is the first major international competition for Saldo. The Fitness Universe Champion is a personal fitness trainer, Muaythai instructor and licensed Kickboxing instructor who previously won the Slimmers World International / Ms. Great Bodies 2016. The post Lou Jen Saldo is 2017 Fitness Universe Champion appeared first on Good News Pilipinas. Related posts: Pia Wurtzbach to crown new Miss Universe in Manila Pia Wurtzbach is Miss Universe 2015, Read More …
Jul 112017
University of the Philippines (UP) engineering student Gabriel B. Mejia has won the Global Wetlands Youth Photo Contest 2017. Gabriel Mejia [via Ramsar] The 21-year old civil engineering student’s winning photo was an aerial view from atop Mt. Sawi of the Gabaldon floodplains in Nueva Ecija, Philippines. Mejia in a Ramsar interview recounts how he took the winning shot after a 4-hour drive and a whole day climb, “I was mesmerized by the natural beauty and formation of the place and I couldn’t resist taking the shot. I was inspired by the fact that the floodplain looked like the African continent and how it connected the two rural towns showing the unity of life.” Located between two rural towns, the Gabaldon floodplain has been known to protect the communities in the region by absorbing and storing excess rainfall and storing it for the dry season. The Philippines is listed with 7 sites designated as Wetlands of International Importance (Ramsar Sites), with a surface area of 244,017 hectares. An arial view of the Gabaldon floodplain of Neuva Ecija, Philippines. Floodplains can be compared to giant reservoirs that when left intact store flood waters. [by Gabriel Mejia via Ramsar] The mountaineer and explorer says he has plans “to become an environmental and coastal engineer in the Philippines to create and design a sustainable and environmentally friendly structure that will protect both the coastal communities and marine wildlife living in our country.” The photo by this aspiring environmental engineer and travel photographer who wants Read More …
Jul 102017
BMW AG is exploring buying more auto parts from the Philippines and is preparing to help the local electric-vehicle (e-vehicle) industry set up the needed infrastructure for e-vehicles, including charging stations, Trade Secretary Ramon M. Lopez said.
Jul 072017
THE COUNTRY’S economic team and its Japanese counterpart moved to streamline infrastructure implementation as they firmed up the list of Japan-funded projects during their second High Level Joint Committee and Infrastructure Development and Economic Cooperation meeting on Friday.
Jul 072017
Pamalican Island has been ranked first in the Top Ten Beaches in the World list of Suitcase magazine. Pamalican Island [via Suitcase Mag] Pamalican, home to top world-class luxury beach resort Amanpulo, outranked the best beaches in Hawaii, Polynesia, Thailand, Brazil, Panama, India, Miami, British Virgin Islands, and Swansea. Suitcase contributor Jaime Rose described the Philippine destination: “Beaches don’t come any more perfect than those on the Pamalican in the Philippines. A private island housing the exclusive Amanpulo hotel, the pristine beach shines like a halo as you land on the island via private plane.” “With each villa leading lazily down to its own stretch of beach, privacy and exclusivity allow you to enjoy this slice of paradise with super luxury trimmings.” Suitcase, a multimedia travel magazine that is re-imagining travel, recommends Pamalican and the listed beaches: “As much as we love cultural city break or adrenaline-filled adventure, there’s no denying that a simple image of a sweeping white-sand beach can render us weak at the knees. It’s as if it calls out to a primordial instinct within our travelling souls, beckoning us to be beside the sea once more.” “Life’s a beach… Read this, then book that flight.” Pamalican Island is found in the Cuyo Islands in the Sulu Sea, between Palawan and Panay, in the north part of the Palawan Province of the Philippines. The island is set in the middle of a 7-square-kilometre coral reef. The post Pamalican Island crowned world’s best beach by Suitcase Mag appeared first on Good Read More …
Jul 062017
RAPID CREDIT growth in the Philippines is unlikely to trigger a domestic funding crunch, as it comes alongside upbeat economic activity and as banks stand better positioned 20 years after the Asian Financial Crisis, analysts at S&P Global Ratings said.
Jul 042017
GERMANY has expressed interest in helping develop the Philippines’ maritime, rail and aviation sectors, yesterday kicking off by signing of a letter of intent to cooperate in the maritime industry to facilitate improved connectivity between the two countries.
Jul 042017
National Geographic has praised Pink Beach in Great Santa Cruz Island, Zamboanga as one of the “21 Best Beaches in the World.” Pink Beach, Zamboanga [via National Geographic] Great Santa Cruz Island was hailed by writer Kimberly Lovato for its unique offering in a country where beautiful beaches abound: “Hardly lacking in gorgeous beaches, the Philippines claims a pink-sand variety, too. The blush color comes from billions of pieces of crushed red organ-pipe coral, seen in every handful of sand.” Nat Geo went on to advice travelers to Pink Beach of the regulated number of visitors and the requirement for advance arrangements through the Zamboanga tourism office. Lovato listed Pink Beach as the 15 th best beach where beach lovers can “Find perfection in these places where land meets water.” Great Santa Cruz Island became famous for being the only pink sand beach in the Philippines, its’ pink color coming from pulverized red organ pipe coral mixed with white sand. The post Nat Geo hails Zamboanga’s Pink Beach among world’s best appeared first on Good News Pilipinas. Related posts: Amanpulo a world-class luxury beach resort Nacpan Beach in Trip Advisors list of World’s Best Philippines in National Geographic Best Trips 2016 Australians adore Philippine paradise spots
Jun 302017
Japan Cruise Lines (JCL) has committed to send MS Pacific Venus on a regular port call to the Philippines by 2018. The anticipated visit of the Osaka-based cruise liner’s 600-capacity passenger ship carrying mostly Japanese tourists is expected to grow cruise tourism in the Philippines. The MS Pacific Venus FB page lists the cruise ship as having 9 decks, 2 pools, casino, gymnasium, various bars, 402-seat main show lounge, 250 outside cabins with 20 having balconies, 16 inside cabins, which can carry over 600 passengers and a crew of 180. The cruise ship is mainly used for the Japanese market where businesses often charter them for incentive cruises. Their main cruise destinations are to Australia, New Zealand and throughout Southeast Asia. Department of Tourism (DOT) Secretary Wanda Tulfo-Teo said, “We are confident that with JCL resuming its operations in the Philippines, visitor arrivals from Japan will notably increase to enable this top four source market to inevitably rise from its present rank.” JCL, Japan’s leading cruise line, last made port calls in Manila, Boracay, Bohol, and the Hundred Islands in 2016, and in Puerto Princesa and Manila in 2015, according to Teo. Mr. Kenji Yoneda, JCL Senior Managing Director, made the commitment at the 2017 Philippine Business Mission (PBM): “We are happy to announce that we will be deploying the Pacific Venus to the Philippines next year. We hope to receive the usual support for the safe and enjoyable stay of our passengers.” DOT reported the latest statistics showing that Read More …