Friday, August 31, 2012

PHL nights to get longer after Autumnal Equinox on Sept 22

Nights in the Philippines will start to grow longer in September as the Sun approaches the celestial equator, state astronomers said Thursday.

In its astronomical diary for September, PAGASA also said the autumnal equinox will take place September 22, "when day and night will have equal length on Earth."

Aside from the longer nights, PAGASA administrator Nathaniel Servando also said the fainter constellations will be visible this month, with many stars along the Milky Way giving way to them.

"The rich band of constellations and stars along the Milky Way from the constellations Cygnus, the Swan, in the north to Sagittarius and Scorpius in the south, begin to give way this month to fainter constellations, many of them with watery associations such as the constellations of Capricornus, the Sea Goat, Aquarius, the Water Bearer and Pisces the Fish," he said.

Servando also said the famous asterism Teapot in Sagittarius can be observed at about 40 to 47 degrees above the southern horizon, an hour after sunset.

Planets visible on September 1

At around 1 a.m. of Saturday, September 1, Jupiter will be found at about 25 degrees above the east northeastern horizon, glowing at magnitude -2.3.

It will lie among the background stars of the constellation Taurus, the Bull, he said.

"Jupiter will be visible in the morning twilight throughout the month," he added.

On the other hand, at 4 a.m. of September 1, Venus will be found at about 21 degrees above the east northeastern horizon, "shining brilliantly at magnitude -4.1."

At 7 p.m., Saturn and Mars will be found at about 23 and 29 degrees above the west southwestern horizon.

The two planets will lie among the background stars of the constellation Virgo, the Virgin and Libra, the Scale, respectively.

"They will be fine targets for telescoping sessions after sunset until it will no longer be visible in the sky for observation on the last week of the month," he said.

Meanwhile, at 8 p.m., Uranus will be found at about 15 degrees above the eastern horizon with the background stars of the constellation Pisces, the Fish.

Neptune will be found at about 43 degrees above the east southeastern horizon and will lie among the background stars of the constellation Aquarius, the Water-Bearer.

"Uranus will glow at magnitude +5.7 while Neptune will be faint at magnitude +7.8. A binocular or a telescope and a star map will be needed to observe these icy planets," Servando said.

He added both planets will be visible in the evening sky throughout the month.

On the other hand, Mercury will start to climb up the western horizon after sunset on the middle of the month and onward.

It will be difficult to observe due to its proximity to the horizon and to the Sun, Servando said. — TJD,

Cops eyeing ‘inside job’ in robbery

..OPERATIVES of Puerto Police Station are verifying a possible “inside job” in Wednesday’s robbery inside the bunker of a construction site in Alae, Upper Puerto in Cagayan de Oro that wounded a Korean national.

Senior Police Officer 1 Efren Ellevera of Puerto Police Station said Wednesday they are trying to see how at least two robbers riding in tandem directly managed to determine the area where Kang Shin Am, 49, is sleeping.

Kang is residing at Barangay Baliwagan in Balingasag town, Misamis Oriental.

Kang, said Ellevera, is connected at MR Global Logistic located along Greymar Street in Barangay Bugo.

Police initial investigation showed that around 4 a.m., a robber entered the bunker of the construction site owned by a Korean national by cutting the window screen.

“Gikuot dayon niya ang lock nga kahoy ug diretso sa gikatulgan sa Korean national,” Ellevera said.

The robber immediately declared a holdup at gunpoint and demanded money from Kang. The Korean national said he had no money and voluntarily gave his two expensive cellular phones worth P54,000.

The robber fired once in the direction of Kang’s side for him to give money.

“The victim refused because he said he has no money and held his two hands up to surrender but it was when the gun went off,” Ellevera added.

Kang was hit at his left thumb. The suspect later fled bringing with him the victim’s two cellphones while firing his gun outside the area.

Policemen recovered four empty shells of caliber .45 pistols at the crime scene.

“Based on the witness, a blue XRM motorcycle was waiting a few meters from the area, which the suspect used as getaway,” police said.

Ellevera said there’s a possibility that the suspects may be among the workers at the construction site.

It was learned that workers at the said construction were accepted without checking the background and were not required any credentials such as police clearance and other identification.

“It is possible that the suspect is a worker because he seems to have known the area, especially the place where the Korean national was sleeping,” Ellevera said.

Authorities are still doing their investigation on the incident.

..

300 players expected in Mindanao livestock poultry, agri confab

SOME 300 players from across the country are expected to participate in the Mindanao Livestock Poultry and Agriculture Congress in Davao City from October 25 to 27.

The three-day congress is one of the events that will highlight the Davao Trade Expo (Date) to be held also on the same date at the 4,000-seater SMX Convention Center of the SM Lanang Premier, which will open late next month.

Kathy Klye Tupas, media relations officer of the organizing Davao City Chamber of Commerce and Industry Inc. (DCCCII), said the congress will include technical seminar for continued capability building for producers and backyard hog raisers of Mindanao.

Tupas said an agri-trade fair will also highlight the symposium with a total of 90 industry players in Mindanao who will participate in the exhibit that is already 70 percent occupied. The gathering will also discuss the current condition of the industry in Mindanao.

DCCCII vice president for Agriculture Wilfred Teves earlier said that Mindanao is a net exporter of food, especially hogs, poultry and aqua products to Metro Manila, Samar, Leyte and Cebu City.

Teves said local markets have a strong demand for these products and that there's a huge potential of sustaining this demand further.

He also suggested exporting local products to reach more prospect international markets, considering the vast market demand outside the country.

During the congress, local suppliers of poultry, hogs, and aqua products can also expect a business matching opportunity in a buyers and sellers exchange where several prospect buyers will participate to look at those products viable for export.

..

PH outperforms Asian neighbors, but not China

..Philippines is among the fastest-growing Asian economies for the first half of the year, so far topped only by China and Indonesia, the country's chief state economist claimed Thursday.

Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Arsenio Balisacan said the announced gross domestic product (GDP) growth of 5.9 percent from April to June showed the Philippines' "continued resurgence in economic activities from a moderate growth of 3.6 percent in the same period in 2011."

With its strong second quarter result, the Philippine economy posted growth of 6.1 percent January to June, outperforming most its neighbors, Balisacan said.

"Within the ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations), the Philippine economic growth performance was above the preliminary average growth (4.7%) of the region..." he noted.

The Philippine economy grew faster compared to Malaysia, which posted an expansion of 5.4 percent in the first half; Thailand, 4.2 percent; Vietnam, 4.4 percent; and Singapore, 2 percent.

However, its GDP growth was lower than that of China at 7.8 percent and Indonesia at 6.4 percent.

Bulk of the country's economic growth in the second quarter was due to expansion in the services sector, including the continuously growing business process outsourcing industry, official data showed.

The sector grew by 7.6 percent from April to June, and contributed 4.3 percentage points to the 5.9-percent total GDP growth.

The top contributors to growth in this sector were increased economic activities in transportation, storage and communication; real estate and renting; as well as trade and financial services, among others.

Industry, meanwhile, contributed 1.5 percentage points to the total, growing by 4.6 percent.

This was due to a boom in construction; electricity, gas and water supply; as well as manufacturing. These offset a contraction in mining and quarrying.

Agriculture posted the slowest growth of 0.7 percent in the three-month period, contributing only 0.1 percentage points to the GDP growth.

Balisacan noted that the government expects the Philippine economy to continue growing over the next two quarters.

"We are optimistic that the resiliency of our economy, as reflected by the strong real GDP performance in the two quarters of 2012, will not dissipate in the succeeding quarters despite the uncertainties," the Cabinet official said.

He added that the government is maintaining its full-year growth target of 5 to 6 percent.

This, as he noted that external and internal risks continue to pose threats to the local economy.

"Further weakness of a struggling global economic recovery will remain a strong challenge in the near-term, with the slowdown of China reining in on global growth," Balisacan said.

He also cited the potential impact of an intensification of the euro area problem.

"Another downside risk is the El Niño phenomenon, which, according to experts, will commence on the third quarter of the current year until the first quarter of 2013," Balisacan said.

He added, however, that its impact onthe GDP will be weak to moderate.

Recent weather disturbances which hit the country will also have very small impact, which Balisacan estimated at only 0.5 percent of GDP.

..

Thursday, August 30, 2012

Human Security And Ticking Bombs

MANILA, Philippines - "The recent onslaught of massive Bahagat (monsoon) downpours... underscored the deadly double-edged nature of water. Too much water during the rainy season and too little water during summer has become our sad fate of yearly cycles of inundation and drought... THE BOTTOM LINE FOR THE MOST EFFECTIVE USE OF OUR SCARCE FUNDS AND NATURAL RESOURCES IS TO 'KILL TWO BIRDS WITH ONE STONE."' - FVR, Manila Bulletin, 19 August

In our column entitled "Eco-Productivity, Natural Calamities, and Easter" (Manila Bulletin, 24 April 2011), we underscored a new development dimension termed "Human Security" advocated by Sadako Ogata, former UN High Commissioner for Refugees, and Dr. Amartya Sen, 1998 Nobel Prize awardee for development economics - as co-chairs of the independent Commission on Human Security launched at the 2000 UN Millennium Summit - whose report was adopted by then Secretary-General Kofi Annan in 2003, and eventually approved by the UN General Assembly.


Human Security Is Human Development Plus

As implemented by the member-nations within the UNGA, "Human Security" (more than just "Human Development") is concerned with safeguarding lives and expanding people's fundamental freedoms.

It partakes both of protecting persons at risk or under threat, and of empowering people to take charge of their own lives. "Protection" refers to the rules and institutions essential to shield people from physical danger or harm - mainly from natural calamities, man-made disasters, starvation, thirst, disease, drowning, impunity, and weapons of mass destruction - and requires Government's "top-down" vigilance, especially in insuring the rule of law and democratic, accountable governance.

"People empowerment" underscores the civil/political/human rights of individuals as stakeholders, and necessitates their "bottom-up" contribution through self-help and self-reliance.

"Development" - if it is to mean anything - must increase the effective participation of citizens in Government's decision-making that affects their daily lives.

According to World Bank Managing Director Mahmoud Mohieldin, "this presupposes a worldview that considers people's well-being not only in terms of income, but also in terms of human security and opportunities for every person to thrive. It would be a world in which people live free from conflict over land, water, and space, and that ensures food security for millions of people..." (Philippine Daily Inquirer, 23 August).


Malacañang Solutions

In the wake of Bahagat floods, various media reports have emerged regarding PNoy's cancellation of the Php 18.7-billion Laguna de Bay Rehabilitation Project by the Belgian company Baggerwerken Decloedt En Zoon (BDC) - whose contract was "approved one month before the end of the Arroyo Presidency" (Business Mirror, 27 November 2010).

In his article "Aquino Axed Key Flood-Control Project in 2010," Ambassador Rigoberto Tiglao reveals: "As a result of Mr. Aquino's reckless, unilateral cancellation of the project, Php 6 billion of taxpayers' money could be lost. Firstly, government has to pay by end of this month the Php 420-million penalty for the cancellation of bank loans. The gigantic cost though would be the Php 4 billion that would be paid to the Belgian company if it wins the suit it filed at the World Bank's International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes. Government's legal expenses would amount, going by its Fraport case in the same venue, to at least Php 2 billion," (Philippine Daily Inquirer, 16 August).

On the other hand, Malacañang contended that the suit filed by BDC is premature as "there was no notice to proceed with the project," (Journal Online, 27 April 2011).

UNFORTUNATELY, NO OTHER STRATEGIC ALTERNATIVE OPTIONS FOR RAIN-HARVESTING OR THE LONG-DELAYED DREDGING OF LAGUNA DE BAY, MARIKINA RIVER, PASIG RIVER, AND ELSEWHERE HAVE BEEN OFFERED BY THE AQUINO III ADMINISTRATION (thus, valuable time has been lost and the same flood victims and inundated communities face the same risks as in Ondoy-Pepeng 2009, Sendong 2011, Bahagat 2012, and again in 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, ad infinitum).

In addition to all the above, DPWH Secretary Rogelio Singson "cancelled 19 projects totaling R934 million which involved repair of numerous seawalls, flood control systems, bridges, bank protections, and dikes" in July 2010 (The Daily Tribune, 22 August).


Humanitarian Crisis In Towns Around Laguna Lake

"Thousands of families are still housed in evacuation centers, yet the assistance provided by concerned Government agencies is just 10 percent of the required aid...

"Anakpawis lamented 'the snail-paced' relief and rehabilitation efforts, adding that they were ineffective, extremely lacking and unresponsive. The Government has yet to conduct relief operations in fishing villages in Talim Island where some 1,103 families were affected," (The Philippine Star, 21 August).

On top of the misery of hundreds of thousands of poor, flooded Filipinos in Metro Manila, Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao, British risk consultancy Maplecroft said six Asian countries were among the 10 countries whose economies were most vulnerable to catastrophes: "The Philippines and Bangladesh, which along with Myanmar, lead a list of countries considered to be at 'extreme risk' from earthquakes, floods, storms, and other natural hazards, according to research published on 15 August in an assessment of 197 countries," (The Manila Bulletin, 16 August).

So, boys and girls, what else is new?


The Philippine Bridge Program

Pertinent to urgent issues of flooding is the Philippine Bridge Program. Following up on Cory's 1986 Medium Term Development Plan which was based on a generational time frame (25 years) that called for 200,000 lineal meters, FVR launched the President's Bridge Program in 1992.

The PBD actualized the long-range Cory plan by the innovative combination of foreign development assistance, low-interest borrowings, LGU counterpart funds, and voluntary labor from beneficiary communities - all under the engineering supervision of then DPWH Secretary Gregorio Vigilar - with then Executive Secretary Teofisto Guingona as the overall "PBP Czar."

Although the implementation of the PBP involved inputs from international, national, provincial/district, and community sources, the materialization of needed bridges was simple enough, but effective and timely. The UK provided development assistance by way of modular, prefabricated steel bridge spans, DPWH district engineers insured technical/construction oversight, and LGUs/communities contributed right-of-way facilitation and voluntary labor.

The end result was that everybody worked harder, sturdy bridges were constructed faster, and ordinary people at the grassroots became stakeholders by protecting bridge approaches from deterioration, landslides, flooding or collapse thru "greening" efforts.


Ticking Time-Bombs

The Philippine road to human security is still loaded with ticking time-bombs that take time to detonate but which would explode eventually and devastatingly - if unaddressed. However, these socio-economic-security "time-bombs" can still be defused, neutralized, or somehow mitigated by genuine reforms and positive executive action.

Over the past ten years, these death-dealing issues have largely been ignored by complacent leaders and people, notably:

1.) Mass poverty due to overpopulation, rising prices, and the deepening rich-poor gap.

2.) Environmental degradation resulting in less potable water, reduced natural resources, more land use conflicts, and massive flooding.

3.) Reputation for official corruption and bureaucratic red tape leading to higher costs.

4.) Disputatious and flip-flopping decision-making culture.

5.) A divided society with vestiges of feudal paternalism still predominating.

6.) Lack of durable peace in Mindanao and other areas.

7.) Unlevel playing field favoring monopolists, dynasties and oligarchs.

These are self-explanatory to a Filipino, or even a foreigner who genuinely aspires to contribute to our national well-being. The only thing that remains to be done is the DOING THE DAANG TAMA (RIGHT PATH).


MARILAQUE And Laiban Dam

In 1994, under the leadership of SND Renato de Villa as Cabinet Officer for Regional Development (CORD), the Metro Manila-Rizal-Laguna-Quezon Growth Corridor was launched.

Laiban Dam, as MARILAQUE's major component, would probably have taken 5 to 7 years to construct, assuming dedicated financial planning, engineering design, infrastructure building, and program evaluation/review.

Nevertheless, some positive action is happening - after years of Estrada-Arroyo inaction. Reported the Manila Bulletin (29 July 2011): "Abacus, Chinese Partner Make Offer To Develop Laiban Dam For Php 60 Billion... Abacus Consolidated has teamed up with China's Sinohydro Corporation to submit an unsolicited proposal for a joint venture with the Government to build the Laiban Dam for Php 60 billion. Its proposal involves dam construction to provide 1.9 billion liters of water daily and irrigation requirements of nearby agricultural areas. It will also provide affordable housing for affected families, plus a 30-MW hydropower plant for the Luzon Grid which has a projected deficit of 3,000 MW by 2013...

"San Miguel Corporation is also renewing its bid to build the Laiban Dam. Its proposal to develop the dam in Tanay, Rizal (costing about Php 65 billion), would provide 1.9 billion liters of raw water daily, enough to supply Metro Manila for the next 30-40 years."

Filipino baritone debuts in Jakarta

By Pablo A. Tariman,VERA Files

Indonesian music lovers got another taste of Filipino talents when Filipino baritone Noel Azcona and soprano Rachelle Gerodias proved their worth as star soloists in a recent weekend performance of Beethoven's Ninth Symphony at the Aula Simfonia concert hall in Central Jakarta August 25 and 26.

The concert was another shot in the arm for classical music not yet widely appreciated in Indonesia.

The Filipino soloists were one in saying that the acoustic of the hall was fantastic. "The design of the hall is a combination of modern architecture mixed with Baroque and Romantic designs. It is impressive!" Azcona enthuses.

The concert was mounted by the Jakarta Oratorio Society along with the Great Wall String Quartet and the Jakarta Simfonia Orchestra under the baton of Dr. Stephen Tong.

The concert was another eye-opener for the Filipino baritone who was last heard in the last CCP performances of Barber of Seville and La Traviata.

"Yes, this is my first time in Jakarta and my third performance as baritone soloist in Beethoven's Ninth," says Azcona who is also soloist of the world-acclaimed UST Singers.

He will be singing the part again on December 10 in Hong Kong with the Hong Kong Bach Choir under Jerome Hobermann."

Regarded as one of Beethoven's greatest works, and considered by many as the greatest piece of music ever written, Beethoven's Symphony No. 9 in D minor, Op. 125 was a classic example of a symphony using human voices.

Italian composer Giuseppe Verdi, in a letter written April 20, 1878, praised the first three movements of the symphony but noted that the parts for voices in the last movement were badly written.


9th symphony JakartaAzcona regards the part as one of the most difficult and the most challenging for a singer: "The tricky part about the Ninth Symphony is that soloist vocal lines are written in such a way like it was written for instruments with high tessituras and big leaps. Even my lines have an Alberti bass line which is difficult for a singer."

He scores his opening recitative of O Freunde as "quite manageable" and the well known melody of the ninth as "very singable."

" I could go on about the ensemble singing which is quite challenging. Each singer much know each other's temperament and note how they sing their lines. We must have cohesion," Azcona elaborates.

Azcona said the most difficult of the ensemble parts is the Alle Menschen werden Brüder section: "Each soloist displays each vocal line without any aid from the instruments. So you are left to your wits on how you should go together as ensemble."

The Filipino baritone got the part through the recommendation of another Filipino baritone, Dr. Joel Navarro, now based in USA.

Azcona says his participation in several productions staged at CCP made him realize that singing opera is not just about familiarizing with the music. "In the last ten years, I think I have grown a lot doing those operas staged at the CCP. I have worked with brilliant directors such as Floy Quintos whose imagination has given me a lot of inspiration to dig deeper into the character I am portraying."

Azcona shares a few pointers which he takes to heart every performance: always leave something for the audience during the actual performance; research your character, how he came to be, his purpose, some subtext.

"In the end, it's not just learning your notes or your music. You have to convince your audience that you are that character. It will reflect in your singing if you do it right,"

An acclaimed soloist of the UST Singers for 12 years, Azcona has just earned a bachelor's degree in music and will pursue a master's degree abroad.

He gives the UST Singers credit for teaching him teamwork while not losing focus. "Differences in interpretations and temperaments are bound to arise. So you have to be patient in both music and in life. Music is the best medium to win the hearts of different people. You just have to work hard for it."

He says his stints as soloist and choral member enabled him to travel and be exposed to world music first-hand. "All these travelling and singing exposures all over the world I think honed me into the singer that I am today. It changed my whole life! It changed me into a better musician."

Philippine economy seen cooling but Southeast Asia resilient for now

..MANILA, Aug 30 (Reuters) - The Philippine economy likely

slowed in the second quarter as exports slumped, but strong

domestic demand and investment growth are still expected to

cushion much of Southeast Asia from the worst of the global

downturn in coming months.

Data on Thursday is expected to show the economy expanded by

1.1 percent in April-June from the first three months of the

year, down from first-quarter growth of 2.5 percent, which was a

two-year high, according to a Reuters poll of economists.

From a year earlier, the Philippines economy probably grew

5.7 percent, weaker than the first quarter's 6.4 percent surge

but still far stronger than most developed countries and some

much larger emerging economies such as Brazil and Russia.

Riding a wave of strong domestic consumption, higher public

spending and investment inflows, much of Southeast Asia was

strikingly buoyant in the second quarter, with Indonesia,

Malaysia and Thailand all posting stronger-than-expected

economic expansions. Tiny, trade-reliant Singapore has been the

only outlier, struggling to avoid slipping back into recession.

While export data may not be pretty in coming months,

economists say longer-term fundamentals remain strong enough in

the region to continue attracting foreign investors.

"There is a re-rating going on in Indonesia and the

Philippines, with Indonesia recently upgraded to

investment-grade (credit) status and the Philippines right

behind. Things have really clicked in those economies," said ING

economist Tim Condon in Singapore.

"Unless you get a September 2008-style global panic, there

is enough resilience in these countries' domestic demand to

offset export weakness," Condon said, noting he expected

external demand would stagnate for the rest of the year before

stabilising in 2013.

GLOBAL RISKS, REGIONAL RESILIENCE...FOR NOW

While not immune to a sharp or prolonged global downdraft

-- Indonesian exports in June fell 16 percent from a year

earlier -- many Asian economies have two considerable advantages

over their developed counterparts in the West in the current

downturn: growing ranks of more affluent consumers and

governments with healthy finances which are willing and able to

spend.

The Philippines, where money sent home by citizens working

abroad fuels domestic consumption, in June received the biggest

amount for any month, $1.81 billion. That took remittances in

the first half of 2012 to $10.1 billion, up more than 5 percent

from last year.

Government spending in the first seven month of 2012 --

excluding interest payments -- surged 15.2 percent from a year

earlier, also helping offset the impact of faltering exports and

weaker farm output.

In Indonesia and Malaysia, the story is much the same: there

are jumps in consumption as well as surging public and private

investment.

Condon at ING expects Indonesia's economy to grow by around

6 percent this year and the Philippines by 4.5 to 5 percent,

with solid outlooks for 2013, but added that Malaysia's

trajectory may be more uncertain if the government ratchets back

spending after coming elections, which are due by April.

Indonesia's growth has been so robust, in fact, that the

central bank recently publicly rejected concerns among some

market watchers that the economy is overheating.

The central bank forecasts full-year loan growth at 25-26

percent this year, and investors have been pouring into its

equity and debt markets.

Some economists say the central bank will need to tighten

policy by the end of the year to dampen surging demand for

imports that created a record trade deficit in June. But most

see pro-growth Bank Indonesia keeping record low interest rates

into 2013, to allow local consumption to keep the economy

buoyant.

The government expects spending by a burgeoning middle class

and foreign investment interest to keep growth at between 6.3

percent and 6.5 percent this year and to drive it higher to 6.8

percent next year.

Thailand is more of an enigma, with weak global demand

biting deeper just as industry looks to fully recover from

devastating floods in late 2011. Still, the local stock market

is the best performer in Asia, having surged more than

20 percent so far this year.

The government reported on Wednesday that exports fell 4.46

percent in July from a year before as Europe's debt crisis

stifles demand.

Even so, unless there is a sharp deterioration in the euro

zone, Thai GDP is likely to see solid growth of 5.7 percent this

year, according to the central bank.

In part, that reflects a return to normality after a series

of unnatural events that buffeted the economy in 2011, starting

with the Japanese earthquake and tsunami in March and the

disastrous flooding at home that closed seven huge industrial

estates from October.

Exports account for more than 60 percent of Thailand's gross

domestic product each year, compared with around 20 percent for

Indonesia, where domestic consumption accounts for about 55

percent of GDP.

BLAST FROM THE PAST They caught a Snake in Guibang

Rowel Zse 33, said he was earning more as a snake hunter than a hawker of selling vegetables or gocery ''I used to earn P200 a day. Now I earn more than that--as much as P1,000 daily,'' he said. He was quick to add that as a snake hunter, he was no longer at the mercy of loan sharks to whom much of his earnings from selling vegetables went. ''I don't need to loan money to grow (in) my business. I only bank on sheer guts and talent,'' he said. Like most snake hunter they are either former farmers or street vendors who found their new means of livelihood more lucrative. Philippine spitting cobras (Naja-naja philippinensis). The Philippine spitting cobra is classified by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources as an endangered species. Personnel from the DENR swooped down on a snake specialty restaurant in Manila's Malate District last week and confiscated more than 70 live Philippine cobras. The seizure, reports said, was the biggest haul of the DENR in its campaign to stop poaching of Philippine cobras. Owners of snake shops in Concepcion buy live cobras, known locally as camulalu or camamalu, at P200 a kilo but sell these at more than twice their buying price, mostly to Chinese and Korean restaurant owners in Manila. Larry Bulanadi, a snake hunter who has been known as ''Cobra King of the Philippines'' years ago when he won in a noontime game show's ''Super Pinoy'' contest, owns a snake shop in Concepcion. His wife Emily has been managing the shop since Bulanadi started working at the Serpentanum Anti-Venom and Vaccine Production Center in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. He was so famous as a snake hunter that Saudi Arabia's King Fahd himself sent for him, shopkeeper Mercy Santos told the

24 foreign acts invade PH in September By Tony Maghirang

The disastrous rains of August did not dampen the spirit of the Smashing Pumpkins, Snow Patrol, and Tears for Fears as they soldiered on to deliver memorable performances in Manila. In the process, they earned the goodwill of Filipino music fans.

In September, it’s business as usual in the live music scene as Manila welcomes an influx of foreign acts. From Maroon 5 to the Idols Tour (10 acts in total) to a slew of punk and emo bands, we counted 24 acts in all invading our shores.

On Sept. 14, current U.K. pop sensation The Wanted will perform live at the NBC Tent in Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City. The five-man crew is best known for their more recent hits "Glad You Came" and "Chasing The Sun."

Maroon 5 sold out

Maroon 5 will be taking their Overexposed Tour on Sept. 18 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum. The American pop-rock band fronted by the irrepressible Adam Levine will draw from their latest album which has been described to be a collection of anthemic songs with passionate melodies. Alternative rock band The Cab will open. Tickets are now sold out.

The well-loved Christian band Starfield will return to spread the good news. They will be performing in Cebu on Sept. 18, Iolilo on Sept. 20 and Pampanga on Sept. 22.

Idols Live Tour 2012 will make its Manila stop on Sept. 21, 8 p.m. at the Smart Araneta Coliseum. The extravaganza will feature current Idol winner, Phillip Phillips, and 9 other finalists to the show’s 11th season, including first runner-up Jessica Sanchez.

Tonight Alive will unleash their pop-punk magic on September 22, 6 p.m. at the SM North Sky Dome. The 5-piece band from Sydney, Australia played the entire stretch of the Vans Warped Tour 2012 so they’ve got some serious cred going for them.

Blues, punk and emo

Bluesman Joe Bonnassa is presenting the Guitar Event of the Year on Sept. 22 at One Esplanade in SM Mall of Asia Complex in Pasay City. Bonamassa’s playing bears the strong influence of Steve Ray Vaughn and B. B. King. Guitar Player Magazine named him Best Blues Guitarist in 2007 and 2008, while Blues Wax magazine honored him with its Artist of the Year award for an unprecedented three times.

Under the banner of Bazooka Rocks!, a bevy of punk-pop and emo bands from the U.S. of A will descend at the SMX Convention Center on Sept. 30. Dubbed the country’s first indoor rock festival, the show will feature The Pretty Reckless, Mayday Parade, Marianas Trench, A Skylit Drive, Forever the Sickest Kids, The Maine, Avastera, and The Wonder Years. Local rock warriors Robin Nievera, Penguin, and Salamin will open.

It should be a September to remember and, hopefully, nothing in the order of Ondoy’s fury back in 2009—except in a musical sense, of course.

Wednesday, August 29, 2012

DID YOU KNOW THAT ? PINIKPIKAN live chicken dish





PINIKPIKAN is a chicken dish extremely popular in the Cordilleras and amongst Igorots. It is served on special occassions. The recipe below was copied over from my existing sagada-igorot.com website. I wrote the recipe down, around 12 years ago, with the help of Lakay Badu. Needs: - A live Chicken - Sayote (Quantity is variable) - a head of Chinese cabbage/pechay - one half to one kilo of innasin/etag - enough knowledge in butchering fowls - wood for fire - a clean, flat surface, preferably smooth - a piece of stick for beating. (Note: The common Barn Chicken is preferred to Broilers, and Cobbs preferred to other broiler chickens. The Igorots use a species that produces the best of this dish. The meat, when cooked, is dark in color. After the introduction of broilers in the Philippines, it became increasingly known as "nitib" for "native".)

Ways: DO NOT DRESS THE CHICKEN (or should I say, undress? :-) ). Start a fire. Put one wing of the chicken on the flat surface. Using the stick, beat the wing from the inside, not to soft, but not to hard that it will break the bones and the skin of the chicken. (Of course, the chicken will squawk and fight back, so you have to hold the head, the other wing, and the legs in the other hand.) Beat it from the tip of the wing to the side, then back. Do it again. Now do the same to the other wing. After beating the wings, lay the neck of the chicken sideways on the flat surface. Beat the neck from end to end.

Now KILL THE CHICKEN! Of course... But to kill the chicken, hold the chicken by the feet and wings in one hand. Hit the back of the head with the stick, just below the comb. Not too hard, or the chicken will bleed, and not too soft either, or the chicken will get mad, and may peck at you. One well placed blow will do it without breaking the skin. Afterwards, burn all of the feathers off the chicken on the fire you made. You can use your gas range, but it will be very messy afterwards. Better burn the feathers off using an outside fire. After the feathers are removed, remove excess charred feathers from the chicken. Chances are, the chicken has also started to look like roast chicken. Now, butcher the chicken, slice it, and put the slices into a cooking container. Cut the innasin/etag into pieces as large as the chicken pieces. Put them into the cooking container. Do not put the sayote if there is very little innasin/etag. On the other hand, if you think it will be very salty, add sayote to minimize the salty taste. Clean the vegetables and separate the leaves. It is better to cook this over heavy heat. When the meat is done, Put the vegetables into the container, remove from the fire/heat, and cover. Leave for two minutes. Stir, and serve.

Kopi Talk Adventure right in Manila: Shopping in Divisoria! By Gael Hilotin, Contributor

Inexpensive goods and great buys abound in Divisoria, which started out as a market in Manila that dates back to Spanish colonial era. Nowadays, all the streets around it are collectively called Divisoria. This is the shopping mecca of the cheapskates, where you can bargain to as much as half the products' original cost. Even most small and medium-scale businesses order their supplies in Divisoria. If you're into the unique Divisoria shopping experience, be prepared for an adventure! Great goods don't come easily so you better learn to deal with a huge crowd, heat, and traffic jam. Make sure you wear comfortable clothes and shoes, jewelry is a big no-no, and flaunting your gadget is highly discouraged. Bring shopping bags, cash, and learn how to haggle. Here are some of the streets and malls to check out when in Divisoria: 1. Juan Luna Street - If you're riding a jeep from Manila to Divisoria, Juan Luna Street will be the first to welcome you. This is a long street that you’ll encounter near Binondo Church all the way to Recto Avenue. Juan Luna Street is known as the area to shop for shirts, printing and office supplies and bags. Its sidewalk is also crowded with vendors selling ready-to-wear clothes, accessories, towels, curtains, toys, textiles, fruits, school supplies, and home décors. Walk further down the road and you’ll come across the Wet Market. 2. 168 Mall – The queen of all shopping malls in Divisoria is 168. This beehive is oozing with shops selling shoes, RTW clothes, mobile phones, computers, electric appliances, bags, jeans, accessories, arts and crafts among others. The top floor is dedicated to shops selling RTW apparel and the food court, which features authentic Chinese dishes. 3. Claro M. Recto Street – The easiest to reach from LRT station, this bustling avenue comes alive with colorful large umbrellas that serve as roofs of hawker tables crowding almost every available space. Clothes, shoes, slippers, baby apparels, belts, or just about any accessories you can imagine is sold here starting at Php 10. 4. Tutuban Center Prime Block and Cluster Building– Before the introduction of 168 Mall, there was the peach-colored legendary shopping mall called Tutuban Mall and the Cluster Building strategically facing Recto Avenue. Like any other malls in Divisoria, your bargaining skills will be put to test here. The building is packed with bazaars of competing manufacturers and shops selling affordable bags, shoes, textiles, jeans, cosmetics, school supplies, electric appliances, mobile phones and home decors. 5. Ylaya Street – This area is known as the old Divisoria. Ylaya is a legendary street that comes alive with racks and tables of bed sheets, kitchen wares, food packaging, textiles, handicrafts. If you're a party planner on a budget, this street is your haven: gowns, pets, party and wedding supplies and souvenirs for sale as well as old-forgotten commercial buildings abound here. 6. New Divisoria Mall – Before there was Tutuban Mall, and then there’s the New Divisoria Mall. Here you’ll find electronic gadgets, bags, school supplies, kitchen wares, appliances, toys, wholesale diapers, and even fresh vegetables, meat, chicken, and fish. 7. Tabora Street – Bride on a budget? This place is for you! If you’re looking for custom-made gowns and dresses, custom jewelry, upholstery, party supplies, textiles and sewing materials, then you won’t be disappointed to shop in this area. Regular wedding gowns range from 2,500 to 15,000. 8. Sto. Cristo Street – If you’re hunting for candies and junk food, this is the right area for you to visit. Here you’ll find gummy worms, popcorns, bubble gums, lollipops, chips and chocolates. There are also stalls dedicated to school uniforms, detergents, dish washing soaps, fabric conditioners, and bakery supplies like food coloring and shake flavors. 9. Carmen Planas Street – This area is overflowing with seedless grapes, apples, lanzones, watermelon, pineapple, citrus fruits, and other fruits being sold all year round. 10. El Cano, M. De Santos and Asuncion Street – These less-frequented streets of Divisoria is where you’ll find feeds for animals, live fishes and crustaceans, baking supplies, agricultural products, plastic products and food packaging. -----------------------------

Rebel attack ‘stunts Misamis Oriental growth’

..MISAMIS Oriental Vice Governor Norris Babiera expressed apprehension over the burning of six heavy equipment last Sunday in Kagumahan, Kinuguitan town in the province. Babiera said he is worried that Del Monte Philippines Inc. (DMPI), which will supposedly give development and more jobs to the people, would no longer put up its business in the area. “We see that as a lost opportunity for the people to be given jobs and the community to be developed,” he said. But Babiera, at the same time, accepted the reality of the ongoing conflict between the government and the New People’s Army (NPA). He said the casualties of these conflicts will always be the people. Last Sunday, six backhoes owned and operated by Golden Horn Service Provider based in Tagum, Davao del Norte and rented by DMPI were burned by alleged members of the NPA around 7 p.m. Initial report from the military showed that the perpetrators were NPA rebels belonging to the Iking Balacuit command operating in the province. This was confirmed by NPA spokesperson Ka Oris in an interview with dxIF Bombo Radyo on Tuesday. “We are against the continued expansion of the company and all other big companies because if this would continue, the farmers would be left with no land to till,” Ka Oris said. Based on the latest information gathered by Sun.Star, the six heavy equipment cost around P12.6 million. Babiera said the Provincial Peace and Order Council (PPOC) convened on Tuesday for an emergency meeting along with DMPI officials, the Philippine Army and the local government of Kinuguitan to discuss the incident and address whatever concerns there are in relation to the issue. Earlier, reports said that the burning has something to do with the revolutionary taxes that the company failed to give to the NPA. Reports also said the burning might also be related to extortion. Babiera hopes that the peace talk will resume between the government and the MILF to prevent similar incidents in the future.

Rebels torch heavy equipment

..SIX backhoes were allegedly burned by more or less 10 New People’s Army (NPA) rebels under Guerilla Front 4B in Barangay Kagumahan, Kinoguitan in Misamis Oriental Sunday evening. The burned equipment were reportedly owned by Golden Horn Company, which was hired by Del Monte Philippines Inc. (DMPI) to construct fishbone ditches as part of land preparation of DMPI Misamis Oriental-Bukidnon’s expansion in the area. The equipment was allegedly burned because both Golden Horn and DMPI refused to pay the so-called revolutionary taxes the NPAs are imposing. The management of Golden Horn is still determining the cost of the damage on the equipment with the help of the local police. Troops belonging to the 58th Infantry Battalion of the Philippine Army under Lieutenant Colonel George Banzon are now reportedly pursuing the suspects. The 4th Infantry Division of the Philippine Army together with the Philippine National Police is still conducting further investigation on the incident. “These NPAs are really making the people suffer by robbing their source of income through this kind of atrocity. They also do this to hinder the development efforts of the government. While local government units have been doing everything for the development of Misamis Oriental to entice investors to invest in the province and push development and provide employment to the people, the NPAs done nothing but to sabotage the development of the province,” said Major General Victor A. Felix, 4ID commander. Colonel James V. Jacob, commander of the 403rd Infantry Brigade, said the NPAs really don’t have any sympathy to the families of the affected workers who suffered hunger because of what they are doing. “Your army will never seize to bring these arsonists and extortionists to the bar of justice,” Jacob said. In July, alleged NPA rebels also burned the equipment of PTFI Wood Processing Company while another three trailer trucks were also burned down in June allegedly for the failure of the owners to pay revolutionary taxes.

Philippine Airlines orders 54 Airbuses worth $7 bn

..Philippine Airlines announced Tuesday it had ordered 54 Airbus aircraft with a list price of $7 billion, and planned to buy dozens more planes in a spectacular move to rejuvenate Asia's oldest carrier. The initial orders would more than double PAL's current fleet of 39 planes, and allow it to serve more long-haul international routes while meeting the challenges of intense low-cost competition at home. "The orders we are placing with Airbus will play a key role in revitalising PAL and growing trade and tourism in the country," PAL chairman Lucio Tan and president Ramon Ang said in a joint statement. In a separate statement Airbus said the "firm orders" were for 44 single-aisle A321 planes and 10 long-haul A330-300s. Delivery would start next year with the final planes of the batch ready to start flying in 2015. PAL said the orders had a list price of $7 billion. But airlines typically negotiate big discounts on such deals and PAL officials refused to say exactly how much the airline would pay. Ang told reporters PAL was looking to buy 100 new planes in total, and that discussions were under way with Boeing as well as Airbus to secure the extra aircraft. "Our intention is to buy up to 100 aircraft, 26 of that will be long range, wide body," Ang said. The PAL announcement comes after San Miguel, one of the Philippines' biggest conglomerates, bought a 49-percent stake in the loss-making carrier for $500 million in April, and took over management. Ang is president of San Miguel while billionaire Tan, an ethnic Chinese tycoon who is the country's second-wealthiest man, remains PAL's controlling shareholder. Ang said raising the money to finance the fleet expansion would not be a problem, with PAL to initially use the $500 million injection from San Miguel, and loans potentially also to be taken out. He said San Miguel, famous for its beer but which has embarked on an aggressive and successful diversification programme over the past decade, was prepared to put more money into PAL if needed, as was Tan. Ang also emphasised that the carrier had returned to profit following some major restructuring that included the outsourcing of 2,600 jobs, although he said balance sheet specifics would not be released for a couple of months. PAL, which began flying in 1941, reported a net loss of $33.5 million in the three months to December, reversing a profit of $15.1 million from the same period the previous year. It had said the losses were mainly due to soaring fuel costs. However the airline's reputation had also declined, with passengers complaining of old planes, limited flight options and poor service. PAL also lost its status as the nation's top carrier, with low-cost airline Cebu Pacific establishing itself in recent years as the biggest in terms of ticket sales and number of routes. Cebu Pacific last year ordered 23 Airbus 320 and 30 Airbus A321 neo aircraft to add to its fleet of 25 A320s, and in January leased eight A330s for long-haul flights. With Tuesday's deal, PAL has set itself on a course to regain its status as the biggest player in the Philippine aviation industry. "This is the right strategy for the PAL Group," Brendan Sobie, chief analyst for Australia-based Centre for Aviation, told AFP in an e-mail. "But it still faces many challenges and PAL has to overcome many obstacles in order to achieve sustained profitability." He said PAL was adopting strategies employed by other Asian airlines of building a budget brand -- Airphil Express -- to take on low-cost rivals while also building its premium and long-haul products. Manila-based Security Bank economist Patrick Elia said PAL would be able to access extra capital, with lenders taking into account San Miguel's strong financial position and track record in successfully entering new industries. Shares in PAL's locally listed parent firm, PAL Holdings Inc., closed 0.70 percent higher on Tuesday at 7.15 pesos (16.90 US cents).

Freddie Aguilar Loses Nearly Half A Million To Robbers

..MANILA, Philippines -- Veteran singer-songwriter Freddie Aguilar turned livid upon learning that he was robbed of nearly P500,000 in his own home in North Fairview, Quezon City on Sunday. The 59-year-old Pinoy music icon said he came to know of the loss only after he decided to retrieve the cash from a vault located inside his bedroom to pay "rent." "Nagulat na lang ako na wala na pagbukas ko," said he in an interview with abscbnnews.com. Aguilar believed it was an "inside job" considering that, he said, only "'yung mga nasa loob ng bahay ang may alam [tungkol] 'dun." The singer said he tried to conduct his own investigation prior to getting hold of the police and the media. "Ang sabi ko umamin na kung sino... pero walang umaamin eh. Sabi ko ipapa-media ko na lang," he related. Superintendent Virgilio Fabian, chief of the Quezon City Police Department Station 5, divulged in a separate newspaper interview that their preliminary investigations revealed no sign of forcible entry into the singer's house. Fabian noted that only the money was missing, and that a gun left near the vault had been left untouched. He added that the vault was left without damage and its combination lock and key hole were intact. Fabian surmised that only someone with access to the vault could have possibly opened it. Aguilar, who lives with in the house with his children and several helpers, said, "kung isa sa anak ko ang gumawa, magiging pinakamasakit sa akin ito talaga. 'Pag napatunayan ko kung sino 'yan, ipapakulong ko." Aguilar has been married and divorced thrice. He has five children, the eldest being Cheyenne, a businesswoman followed by Maegan, a known singer-musician; his other kids are the up and coming rapper Jonan, fashion designer Sasha and, his youngest, rock guitarist Jericho. ..

Girls Generation To Visit Manila In January 2013

..Top K-pop group Girls Generation will finally visit the Philippines early next year. Girls Generation and five others will perform at the K-pop Fantasy concert to be held on Jan. 19 at SM Mall of Asia, according to Korean media. According to reports, the concert is being organized by Korean Media Holdings (KMH) company, a media content provider in South Korea. The Manila concert will be large-scale, a report said. Filipino fans expressed excitement upon hearing the news. It will be the first time that Girls Generation will visit the Philippines. The girls will be joining the list of K-pop artists that have already visited and performed in the Philippines including Super Junior, SHINee, BEAST, Kim Hyun Joong, Jay Park, 4Minute and 2AM. Last Aug. 18, Girls Generation and other SM Entertainment artists performed at the SMTown concert in Seoul, South Korea. They also performed at the 14th Korea-China Song Festival held at Yeosu World Expo last Aug. 25. Other performers included 2PM, KARA, B1A4, IU, Tan Jing, Sa Dingding and Ning Jing.

PH-Made Vessel Delivered To London

..SUBIC BAY FREEPORT, Zambales - A bulk-carrier vessel worth $60 million was delivered by Korean shipbuilding company Hanjin Heavy Industry and Construction Co., Ltd.-Philippines (HHIC-Phil) to a British-Australian client during its naming ceremony held inside its facility in Redondo Peninsula, here. The "M/V RTM Cartier", named after a French explorer and the second vessel purchased by Rio Tinto Shipping Ltd., measures 299.9 meters and weighs in 204,000 deadweight metric tons. On the ship's send-off to its homeport is London in the United Kingdom (UK), HHIC-Phil President Jin Kyu Ahn commended the collaborative efforts and professionalism of those involved in the successful completion of the vessel. "This new ship is equipped with modern technology and embodied the excellent craftsmanship of Hanjin shipyard's Filipino workforce," Jin said. This is the second vessel delivered to Rio Tinto as it also purchased its first vessel from Hanjin, the "M/V Cook," a 204,000 deadweight metric tons bulk carrier, with an estimated value of US$ 60,000,000 and was delivered by the Korean shipbuilder on May, 2012. The momentous event was witnessed by HHIC-Phil senior officials, Rio Tinto's top executives, and representatives from classification society Lloyd's Register. ...

Tuesday, August 28, 2012

Filipinos seen staying in Philippines as economy grows

..Manila (Philippine Daily Inquirer/ANN) - Remittances from overseas are expected to be less important to the Philippine economy "in the coming years" as improving job prospects in the country may dissuade Filipinos from leaving, according to DBS Group. The financial services provider said in a research note that the domestic economy had been performing "very well" and that investment-led growth may be forthcoming. The Singapore-based firm cited government reforms, low debt levels and steps taken to address the high birth rate as "all positive steps" that point to faster economic growth. "Working domestically may become more attractive to locals as employment opportunities grow," DBS said. "We suspect that remittances will slowly diminish in importance in the coming years." The group also noted that the sluggish economy in Europe and the Middle East pulled down the growth of remittances to the Philippines to a 15-month low of 4.2 per cent year on year in June. "Accordingly, this also implies that full-year remittance growth will be around 5 per cent to 6 per cent this year, a continued deceleration from 7.2 per cent and 8.2 per cent in 2011 and 2010, respectively," DBS said. "In the short term, there are considerable headwinds to remittance growth amid a lackluster global economy," it added. Further, DBS said that the strong peso also mitigates the effectiveness of each dollar of remittance inflows, resulting in less support for the domestic economy. The group said that the growth of remittances to the Philippines was unlikely to return to the double-digit growth rates seen from 2002 to 2008 when growth was strong in the developed economies including the United States and Europe. Together, these two major markets accounted for a combined 58 per cent of total remittances in 2011. "The heavy debt load in the two regions implies that economic growth will be constrained over the medium term," DBS said. "Asia remains a bright spot, but the region only accounts for 12.8 per cent of (global) total remittance and is unlikely to negate the remittance slowdown in the developed economies," it added. ..

Monday, August 27, 2012

Provincial Chorale

.. LINGAYEN, Pangasinan (PNA) - The Pangasinan Provincial Chorale (PPC) has been chosen as one of the eight finalists to the Government Choral Competition slated September 17, at the University of the Philippines Theater in Diliman, Quezon City. Sponsored by the Civil Service Commission in celebration of its 112th anniversary, the competition will pit two finalists each from Luzon, the Visayas, Mindanao, and the National Capital Region in a grand competition. The PPC, one of two finalists from Luzon, is composed of talented employees of the Pangasinan provincial government. PPC president Ferlynor Aranda said that as a manifestation of support for PPC's participation in the contest, Governor Amado T. Espino Jr., through the office of Provincial Administrator Rafael F. Baraan, has issued a memorandum to all chiefs of offices and hospitals excusing the members of the PPC from their regular work schedule for them to attend their scheduled practices. Aranda also noted that the formal choral workshop done by Choirmaster of Philippine Madrigal Singers Mark Anthony A. Carpio last July has enhanced the vocal potentials and confidence of the choir members. PPC will perform three chorale pieces during 12-minute performance: a theme-inspired (Kawani: Ikaw ay Isang Lingkod Bayani) piece entitled "Ikaw ay Bayani" composed by Noel Cabangon; and second and third are Pangasinan vernacular compositions "Malinac Lay Labi" and "Asin." Renowned choral experts and musical personalities from the music industry will be identified by the CSC as members of the board of jury during the competition. ..

Philippine weather bureau warns of more monsoon rains

..Manila (Philippine Daily Inquirer/ANN) - Though weakened, the southwest monsoon, locally known as hanging habagat, will continue to bring rainshowers and thunderstorms over Northern Luzon and Central Luzon, posing the threat of flash floods and landslides as people in the two regions, and those in the capital, struggle to restore normality to their lives after this week's floods. The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) on Friday said provinces in the two regions, particularly Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, La Union, Pangasinan, Zambales, Pampanga, Bataan, Tarlac and Bulacan, will continue to experience mostly cloudy skies with scattered rainshowers and thunderstorms. The weather will become cloudy with widespread rains in the western part of the region, the state weather service said. Pagasa warned residents of those provinces about flash floods in low-lying areas and landslides in mountainous areas. Low pressure area Weather forecaster Raymond Ordinario reported that a low pressure area (LPA) had been seen east of the country, still very far but moving toward the Philippine area of responsibility (PAR). "We expect it to form and enter the PAR by Monday or Tuesday," Ordinario said. "But we only expect it to pass through the PAR so we do not think it would affect any part of the country." Cloudy skies The skies in the rest of the country will be partly cloudy to cloudy with isolated rainshowers and thunderstorms, Pagasa said. Moderate to strong winds blowing from the southwest will prevail over Luzon and coastal waters will be moderate to rough. Elsewhere, winds will be light to moderate coming from the south to southwest with slight to moderate seas. Strong to gale force wind is anticipated to affect the northern and western seaboards of Northern Luzon and the western seaboard of Central Luzon. Very rough seas The seas off the western seaboards of Northern Luzon and Central Luzon, particularly Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, La Union, Pangasinan, Zambales and Bataan, as well as the northern seaboard of Northern Luzon in Cagayan are expected to be rough to very rough, Pagasa said. Pagasa advised fishermen and operators of small seacraft not to venture out to sea. Larger vessels must watch out for big waves. With a report from Amy R. Remo ..

4 Firms Eyeing Wind Installations

MANILA, Philippines - At least four project-developers are lining up to corner the 220 megawatts of capacity that can avail of the regulator-approved feed-in-tariff (FIT) for wind power installations. These are First Gen of the Lopez Group, Trans-Asia Oil and Energy Development Corporation; Alternergy Philippines Holdings Corporation of former Energy Secretary Vincent Perez's group; and Northern Luzon UPC Asia Corporation. The aggregate capacity of the four firms, according to a source from the Department of Energy (DoE) totaled 280 megawatts, "and they will be vying for a 220-MW approved wind capacity for the FIT support." The FIT charge approved by the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) for wind has been at Php 8.53 per kilowatt hour (kWh), based on the representative project set forth in the application of the National Renewable Energy Board. The prospective project developers noted that they are still clueless as to how the energy department will award the installations, but if referenced on the propounded eligibility criteria, they are somehow "more advanced" in their project implementation plans. Of the four, the wind capacity being proposed by the Lopez group in Ilocos Norte would be biggest at 84 megawatts; while Trans-Asia is pushing forward a 54-MW capacity in Guimaras island in the Visayas. UPC Asia, on the other hand, is working on two projects in Ilocos Norte with total capacity of 80 megawatts; and the balance of 40 to 60 MW is being eyed by Alternergy and its partners. Alternergy will be bringing in South Korean firm East-West Power Co. and Eurus Energy of Japan as co-venturers in its proposed wind power projects. Power utility giant Manila Electric Company (Meralco) also announced plans of getting into wind projects; and it was gathered from industry sources that it may partner with UPC Asia. One of the controversy-inducing concerns in the FIT availments of RE projects would be on the manner of award of the installations that will be laid down soon by the Department of Energy. The idea being propounded by the NREB will be to award the initial installations based on the "commercial-readiness" of the projects; while the next batch of projects will have to be selected via competitive bidding.

Aquino To Lead Heroes Day Rite

MANILA, Philippines - Taguig City Mayor Lani Cayetano will join President Benigno Simeon C. Aquino III and other government officials on Monday's celebration of National Heroes Day at the Libingan ng mga Bayani at Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City. Aquino will deliver the keynote address as guest of honor. He will also lead the flag-raising and wreath-laying ceremonies. Cayetano, on the other hand, will deliver the opening remarks at the program. Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin, along with foreign dignitaries, World War II veterans, and other government officials are expected to attend the event. With the theme ''Pilipinong Tapat, Magiting at Makabayan: Ikaw ay Bayani sa Tuwid na Daan,'' the theme is meant to pay homage to Filipinos who offered their lives to bring back and preserve Philippine independence. ''The sacrifices of our Filipino heroes are deeply rooted in our hearts. We remember them for their works and we continue to draw inspiration from them,'' Cayetano said in a statement. The Libingan ng mga Bayani in Taguig is a final resting place of Filipino soldiers, as well as heroes, martyrs and former top officials of the country. Among those buried in the cemetery are defenders of Bataan and Corregidor siege and Filipinos who fought during the Philippine-American War and WW II. The cemetery also houses the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. The National Heroes Day is commemorated by virtue of Act No. 3827 enacted on October 28, 1931. The law was enacted to accord proper honor and recognition to other heroes who are not remembered with their own legal holiday

Zac Efron to visit Manila in September

..Filipino fans will finally get to see Hollywood actor Zac Efron in person when he visits the Philippines in September to promote a local fashion brand. Zac, who first shot to fame via “The High School Musical,” signed an endorsement deal with Penshoppe earlier this year and is set to hold a fan conference on Sept. 29 at SM Mall of Asia Arena. The fashion brand first announced his visit via their Twitter account on Friday morning, August 24. Local clothing brands have been getting international stars as ambassadors lately. Last May, Ian Somerhalder and Joe Jonas visited the Philippines for their respective endorsements, while Super Junior members Donghae and Siwon recently came to Manila for a fan conference. ..

Saturday, August 25, 2012

'Igme' likely to make a comeback as 'Julian' approaches Fujiwhara effect seen


Heavy rains again threaten the Philippines as the approach of typhoon "Julian" appears to be pulling back "Igme", which was earlier forecast to exit the country by Friday morning, the state weather bureau said late Thursday. Interaction between the two typhoons is likely to prevent Igme from exiting the country as earlier forecast, Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomic Services Administration (Pagasa) weather forecaster Aldzar Aurelio told Yahoo! Southeast Asia. "Dahil ito pong dalawang bagyo ay halos magkasinglakas, ang mangyayari po parang seesaw: Kapag gumalaw ang isa northward, southward naman ang kilos nung isa (Since the two typhoons are almost of the same strength, they will have a seesaw effect on each other: If one moves northward, the other will move southward)," Aurelio said. The phenomenon, which in cases of unequally strong typhoons may result in merging, is also called the Fujiwhara effect. In its 5 p.m. update, Pagasa said Igme has maintained its strength as it moves closer to Batanes at a speed of 7 kilometers per hour (kph). The typhoon, which still has maximum sustained winds of 130 kph near the center and gustiness of 160 kph, was spotted at 245 kilometers north northeast of Basco, Batanes at 4 p.m. Igme was yesterday forecast to move toward Taiwan, but has been affected by the approach of typhoon Julian, Pagasa told Yahoo! Southeast Asia. Its 5 p.m. update meanwhile said Julian was seen at 1,200 kilometers east of Basco, Batanes at 4 p.m. Thursday. It has maximum sustained winds of 140 kph near the center and gustiness of 170 kph. The new typhoon is forecast to move west northwest at 11 kph, Pagasa in its update. The Batanes group of islands remains under public storm warning signal number two due to Igme late Thursday while the signal number one has been raised over the Calayan and Babuyan group of islands. Moderate to heavy (10 to 20 millimeters per hour) rainfall is estimated within the 500-kilometer diameter of the typhoon. "Fishing boats and other small seacrafts are advised not to venture out into the Northern and Eastern Seaboards of Luzon due to big waves generated by Typhoon 'Igme,'" Pagasa said. Igme is also expected to enhance the southwest monsoon that will bring rains over Southern Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao. "The rest of the country will be mostly cloudy skies with scattered rainshowers and thunderstorms," Pagasa added.

Philippines likely to expel China, Taiwan scammers


MANILA (AFP) - The Philippines will likely deport nearly 400 Taiwanese and Chinese arrested in a major telephone scam that swindled millions of dollars from elderly compatriots, police said Friday. Police made the arrests during raids on 20 houses across Manila on Thursday, after being tipped off by authorities in mainland China and Taiwan, Philippine anti-organized crime task force chief Reginald Villasanta told AFP. Asked if the suspects would be deported he said: "Before the operation was launched we were provided with the evidence gathered by our counterparts in Taiwan and China. So most likely that is what is going to happen." Posing over the phone as police officers or state prosecutors in their homelands, the suspects scared mostly elderly victims into transferring their savings into bank accounts of the gang, Villasanta said. "They would tell the victims their bank accounts are being used by terrorists or syndicates and should transfer them to a safer account," Villasanta said. "In reality these accounts are controlled by the syndicate and when the deposits are made they are swiftly cleaned out." He said the gang stole "millions" of yuan or Taiwan dollars every day, he added. One yuan is worth 15.74 US cents. One Taiwan dollar equals 3.33 US cents. The gang had been under surveillance since July, however Villasanta said police were not sure how long it had been operating in the Philippines. A total of 385 foreign suspects were arrested along with two Filipinos of Chinese background, said Superintendent Winnie Quidato, operations chief of the task force. Seventy-eight Taiwanese suspects were arrested in a similar scam in the southern Philippines in April. The suspects were later deported to face charges at home, authorities said. But sorting out the mainland Chinese from the Taiwanese in the latest case is proving difficult because the suspects are refusing to cooperate with authorities, according to Quidato. The Philippines has asked the Chinese embassy and the Taipei cultural office for help in identifying them, Quidato said. In February last year the Philippines mistakenly deported to China 14 Taiwanese suspects of another scamming operation that had allegedly swindled $20 million from mainland Chinese victims. A furious Taiwan denounced the mistake as a blow to economic and cultural ties. China sent the 14 suspects home to Taiwan nearly four months later. Officials at the Taipei cultural office were not available for comment on Friday. Chinese embassy spokesman Zhang Hua told AFP the mission was expected to comment on the arrests later Friday

Support and warning as Sereno gets appointed


The Supreme Court's newest chief magistrate received messages of support and a warning on Friday when her appointment was announced. Lawyer Roan Libarios, president of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines, welcomed Associate Justice Lourdes Sereno's appointment. In a radio interview on dzMM, Libarios said Sereno has the "idealism and the capability" to institute reforms in the judiciary. He added Sereno can help bring about transparency in government and good governance. "She will be an asset to the judiciary," he said. Libarios added Sereno came in second in the IBP's mock elections for Chief Justice. Sereno received six votes during deliberations of the Judicial and Bar Council, then Acting Chief Justice Antonio Carpio received seven votes. House Speaker Feliciano Belmonte Jr., meanwhile, called Sereno a good choice. "(She is) a new face yet an insider with a reputation for competence and independence. She will prove to be an effective leader of the Judiciary," Belmonte, who delivered the closing argument against Corona at his impeachment trial, said. Kabataan party-list also welcomed Sereno's appointment, saying in a statement that she "will have ample time to enforce genuine reform in the country’s justice system." "We need an SC that will be more transparent, pro-people, and free from political maneuverings," Kabataan party-list Rep. Raymond Palatino, who was a signatory on the impeachment complaint against Corona, said. Palatino, however, said Sereno's appointment could lead to the creation of a Supreme Court friendly to Malacanang. Citing Sereno's vote on the valuation of Hacienda Luisita, Palatino said "early on in her career, it was already apparent whose side she is vouching for." "In appointing Justice Sereno, it is apparent that Aquino would like to maintain a considerable sway in the SC’s decision-making," he said. Bagong Alyansang Makabayan secretary general Renato Reyes, for his part, called for "continued vigilance" on how Sereno will lead the Supreme Court. "One wonders if the whole CJ impeachment was designed to lead to this day...and this result," he said on his Twitter account.

Friday, August 24, 2012

Rebuilding damaged ties with China

By Ellen Tordesillas Chito Sta RomanaChito Sta. Romana, considered a China expert having lived in China for more than 30 years and worked as Beijing Bureau chief of ABC News, said Philippines-China relations are now at their lowest ebb since the establishment of diplomatic ties in 1975. Sta. Romana, together with Brig. Gen. (ret.) Jose Almonte, former National Security Adviser, were the speakers in last Wednesday's general membership meeting of the Makati Business Club at Hotel Intercon in Makati. The unfortunate deterioration of relations with a global superpower and an Asian neighbor started last April 8 when the Philippine Navy's pride, BRP Gregorio del Pilar, a hand-me down from the United States, arrested Chinese fishermen in Panatag shoal, also known as Scarborough shoal, 124 nautical miles off Zambales. A mishandling of the situation characterized by rhetorics from the Philippines' high officials led to a standoff that lasted almost two months. The territorial dispute spilled over to economic relations with China rejecting banana exports from the Philippines and Chinese tourists cancelling their scheduled trips to the Philippines. The Philippines brought the issue to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations. But instead of the tension easing with the help of the regional grouping, it worsened resulting in the souring of relations between the Philippines and Asean meet host Cambodia. Jose AlmonteBoth Almonte and Sta. Romana underscored the need for the Philippines to engage China, one of the world's biggest economies. But as Almonte said, "To deal with China, we have to deal with ourselves." "We have to be a worthy friend but if there's anyone who wants to make an enemy of us, we should be a worthy enemy," said Almonte, who was the national security adviser when China was discovered to have built structures in Mischief Reef in Spratlys in 1994 during the Ramos administration. Almonte cited four conditions for the Philippines to grow and develop. First is "we must come to terms with ourselves." He said Filipinos should deal with questions on core values such as dignity, freedom, justice, compassion, discipline. Second, internal wars must end. Third, land and non-land reforms must be completed. Fourth, power must be transferred from the few to the citizens. In dealing with China, Sta. Romana advised to "proceed with caution and restraint but without fear." The key, he said, is to seek a peaceful, diplomatic solution that will be mutually beneficial to both parties. "Brinkmanship can only lead to a dead-end, if not a disaster,' he said. Sta. Romana quoted from Chinese strategist Sun Tzu's "The Art of War": "Know your opponent and know yourself, and then you will be able to attain victory." He said the three major pillars of support of the Chinese regime are economic prosperity, nationalism, and the People's Liberation Army. He said China is in the midst of a once-in-a-decade leadership transition and a new set of leaders is expected to emerge in the upcoming Communist party Congress. "Under these circumstances, the top leaders cannot afford to look weak on the issue of national sovereignty. As a result, the hardline position becomes the default situation," he said. He likened the behemoth Asian country to a wounded dragon who, "when challenged on the issue of national sovereignty, this dragon responds by breathing fire to its challengers." Chinese vessel with giant clams taken from Panatag shoal watersSta. Romana revealed that during the Panatag shoal standoff, the Chinese leadership weighed on teaching the Philippines a lesson. But he said although the PH-US Mutual Defense Treaty is "leaky", the presence of the US 7th fleet in Pacific deterred China from taking military action. He said the basic approach "should be to engage China while at the same time hedging our bets and preparing for any eventuality." "To hedge and prepare for any eventuality means to build a minimum credible defense and to line up support from the US and other allies and friends," he advised. But he cautioned: "We should be clear that while we have shared values and interests with the US, we cannot expect it to fight a war on our behalf, much less fight a war with China, given the extensive economic interests between the US and China."

Philippine police arrest 350 in China phone scam

..Philippine police said they arrested more than 350 people on Thursday over a major telephone scam that swindled people out of millions of dollars in Taiwan and mainland China. At least 357 suspects, believed to be mostly from Taiwan and China, were arrested after simultaneous raids on 20 houses across Manila, said Senior Superintendent Ranier Idio, deputy chief of an anti-organised crime task force. "This is a big syndicate. They go for the millions (of dollars)," he told reporters. The gang would pose as police and government prosecutors, telling their victims by telephone that they had legal problems and they would have to transfer money to a certain account to settle the matter, said Idio. He said the group would carefully check their intended victims' background to make sure they could pay up before they struck. They chose to operate in the Philippines to avoid Chinese police and because of the country's proximity to China and Taiwan, according to Idio. Police said many of their victims were elderly retirees. Numerous computers and telephone systems were recovered in the raid, Idio added. The arrested suspects included both men and women but it was difficult to get further details out of them as they declined to answer most questions, said Senior Inspector Robert Reyes, one of the investigators. "Mostly, they are not cooperative. We don't know if they can't speak English or if they just don't want to talk," he told AFP. Envoys from mainland China and Taiwan were at the police centre, determining where the suspects had originated from, police said. The syndicate, operating in cells, would bring their gang members to the Philippines in small groups and put them up in rented houses in upscale neighbourhoods to avoid raising suspicion, police said. Two Filipinos who facilitated the entry of the foreigners were also arrested. Reyes said police suspected the group was linked to 78 Taiwanese suspects who were arrested in the southern Philippines in April, also for using telephone systems to obtain money from mainland China and Taiwan. The Taiwanese were later deported to face charges at home, authorities said. The latest suspects could be charged with a law penalising the use of telecom systems to commit fraud, Reyes said. If convicted, they could face six to 20 years in jail. ..

Sugar Group Supports HB 6113

.. Sugar industry stakeholders expressed their support to the initiatives of Congressman Alfredo B. Benitez and the Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA) on the proposed House Bill 6113 which aims to provide resources to the industry in order to meet the forthcoming entry of imported sugar under the AFTA (Asean Free Trade Area) that will lower the tariff on sugar from zero to 5 percent in 2015 from the present 28 percent. This was the sentiment presented by Felixberto Monasterio, Executive Director of the Sugar Master Plan Foundation (SMPFI), during the hearing of the House ways and means committee last August 14. Monasterio said that HB 6113 would be the much needed "shot in the arm" for an industry that has been resilient in its development efforts counting primarily on a strong SRA-private sector partnership or a "sariling sikap" mode as there has been no budgetary support for SRA from congressional appropriations for the past years. On the other hand, imported sugar is mostly subsidized by the governments of exporting countries. Farm gate prices are fixed assuring their farmers of sufficient profits. Loans are granted to their local industries freely by government banks. Problem accounts are readily restructured or extended when they turn sour. None of these benefits are present in the Philippines. The playing field is not even, Monasterio pointed out. The proposed HB is expected to strengthen the local sugar industry and improve the economic conditions of about 500,000 Filipinos in the countryside that are directly dependent on the industry for their livelihood and income. The sugar industry is pressing government to raise support in infrastructure, equipment, and financing as full implementation by 2015 of free trade exposes small farmers to stiff competition mainly from well-aided Thailand farms. In a statement, the Sugar Master Plan Foundation Inc. (SMPF) said the Asean Free Trade Agreement (AFTA) is seen to impact adversely on the profitability of small sugar farmers. Farmers tending 10 hectares each and below comprise 88 percent of the industry, while a sizable 79 percent is tilled by farmers with five hectares and below. "Sugar industry stakeholders are hoping government will chip into the efforts in meeting the challenges come full implementation of AFMA. This call is being made by some 60,000 farmers planting sugarcane in about 420,000 hectares," said SMPF. The industry particularly asks national government for support for farm to mill roads; technical assistance on the changing weather patterns; and for research and development on farm machineries such as cane harvesters and loaders would impact on the profitability of the farms. ..

The Korean bus that Pinoys made

By Monico D. Mekaniko

PASAY CITY, METRO MANILA – Daewoo Bus Corp. is one of South Korea’s largest bus companies and for the last three years, a Philippine company has been exclusively making Daewoo buses.
The Columbian Manufacturing Corporation (CMANC), located in Sta. Rosa, Laguna is the exclusive manufacturer of Daewoo buses and in the last three years, the company has assembled and manufactured about 700 units for various customers.
These buses have been purchased by a number of provincial bus operators, some as far as Mindanao. In all, the combined mileage has reached over 120 million kilometers.
To provide more jobs for Filipino engineers and technicians, CMANC supports completely knocked down (CKD) operations, which also allows the development of products used for local and export markets. Daewoo executives during the 2012 Philippine International Motor Show (PIMS) stressed that because of their partnership with CMANC, other players in the transportation industry have taken interest in the CKD business in the Philippines.
Already plans are underway to introduce other eco-friendly bus models to serve both the local market and the export business. Alternative fuel variants that could be brought to the Philippines include compressed natural gas (CNG), hybrid, and electric engine buses.
CMANC General Manager Mario Regis said that their partnership with Daewoo has allowed the company to grow both in terms of operations as well as technical skills. “We see our participation in PIMS this year as a celebration of our accomplishments, we assembled and produced more than 700 units in just three years, and now these buses serve our commuters from Northern Luzon to Southern Mindanao.”
At the 2012 PIMS, CMANC introduced two new models the BV115 and the BS106. The former is one of the most fuel-efficient models from Daewoo, powered by a 340 PS Euro II certified engine. It also has a 6-speed Allison Torqmatic transmission with retarder.

The BV115 Daewoo Bus model provides great performance, fuel-efficiency, safety, and comfort to both driver and passengers alike. It has elegant styled exteriors and a comfortable, modern interior. It's also rugged and tough, made specifically for the Philippines' tropical climate and the roughest road conditions in the Philippines. Meanwhile, BS106 is powered by a 240 engine and its hollow steel frame is more lightweight but is still structurally durable.
Till next time, this is Monico D. Mekaniko, Va-va-vroom!

Thursday, August 23, 2012

BLAST FROM THE PAST Our Backyard DIY water pump

Guv set to speak at forum in China

..CEBU Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia is set to leave for Macau to speak during the Asia Entrepreneurship Forum (AEF) on Sept. 19 to 21. But the governor’s trip to the Macau Special Administrative Region of China will depend on the Sandiganbayan, which issued a hold departure order against Garcia and seven others in relation to graft and technical malversation charges arising from Capitol’s purchase of the Balili property in 2008. Lawyer Cristina Codilla-Frasco, the governor’s daughter and counsel, told Sun.Star Cebu that they will file a motion for reconsideration of the hold-departure order. She said they were not able to file the motion earlier because of the holidays. The governor also intends to go to Rome, Italy in October to attend the canonization of Pedro Calungsod. Capitol Executive Secretary Elizabeth Francia said Garcia was invited to speak on Sept. 20 at the AEF. The AEF will gather entrepreneurs, leaders in government and the academe in Asia to share experiences and insights, as well as identify challenges and problems related to entrepreneurship. About 500 of Asia’s top entrepreneurs are expected to attend the AEF. ..

Kia sees strong sales ahead

..KIA Motors-Cebu is expecting strong sales growth this year with the opening of its new showroom on Gorordo Ave. Kia Motors-Cebu sales manager Noel Ting said they hope to exceed the average 130 car sales per month with their latest investment to improve customer satisfaction. Gateway Motors Cebu, the company that operates Kia Motors-Cebu, re-launched last week its new showroom, which is patterned after Kia’s new global corporate identity. Ting said Gateway Motors Cebu invested P20 million for the renovation of the showroom, which makes use of Kia’s global “red cube design.” According to Ting, the new strategy is meant to boost Kia’s image as a global brand. Kia said the new showroom exterior employs cubes to convey being trustworthy, ovals and straight lines to portray being “dynamic,” while the interior is inspired by drift line techniques to emphasize the “fun” aspect of the Kia brand. Officials said the rebranding is meant to give customers a “comfortable, comprehensive and pleasurable shopping experience.” Ting said the new showroom provides various customer services such as auto loan applications, renewal of car insurance and vehicle and body parts management. The showroom also houses establishments like Coffee Dream, Vienna KaffeeHaus and Neo Neo Grill House to attend to customer’s needs. He said growth in car sales in Cebu can be attributed to the growing business process outsourcing and real estate industries. Ting said the need for cars will grow in Cebu given the area’s changing landscape. “We are now in a bustling city where owning a car is already a necessity,” he said. He said growth will be coming from the middle-income market from industries like BPO and homeowners or young professionals who are residing outside Cebu. Ting said Kia is one of the top preferences among Cebuano car buyers not only because of its affordability but of its high quality. He said Kia is Cebu’s third top car brand next to Mitsubishi and Toyota. Ting said Kia Cebu offers the lowest downpayment in the market and a five-year car warranty. In the first half of this year, Ting said Kia sales in Cebu grew by 30 percent over the same period in 2011. Some 1.6 million car units were sold globally from January to July this year, according to Seon Phil Choi, Kia Motors Corp. Asia-Pacific Region president, which represented an 11 percent sales growth over the same period in 2011. Kia sales in the Philippines grew by 69 percent in the first seven months of the year. Choi said the Philippines is Kia’s core strategic market in Asia given the popularity of the brand among Filipinos. Ginia Domingo, president of Columbian Autocar Corp., the exclusive Kia distributor in the Philippines, said 20 percent of Kia’s sales in the country are through Kia Motors-Cebu. Domingo said Kia’s strong sales growth in the country is driven by the government’s tighter measures in banning the entry of smuggled cars and the introduction of new models like the latest Rio. ..

Kia sees strong sales ahead

..KIA Motors-Cebu is expecting strong sales growth this year with the opening of its new showroom on Gorordo Ave. Kia Motors-Cebu sales manager Noel Ting said they hope to exceed the average 130 car sales per month with their latest investment to improve customer satisfaction. Gateway Motors Cebu, the company that operates Kia Motors-Cebu, re-launched last week its new showroom, which is patterned after Kia’s new global corporate identity. Ting said Gateway Motors Cebu invested P20 million for the renovation of the showroom, which makes use of Kia’s global “red cube design.” According to Ting, the new strategy is meant to boost Kia’s image as a global brand. Kia said the new showroom exterior employs cubes to convey being trustworthy, ovals and straight lines to portray being “dynamic,” while the interior is inspired by drift line techniques to emphasize the “fun” aspect of the Kia brand. Officials said the rebranding is meant to give customers a “comfortable, comprehensive and pleasurable shopping experience.” Ting said the new showroom provides various customer services such as auto loan applications, renewal of car insurance and vehicle and body parts management. The showroom also houses establishments like Coffee Dream, Vienna KaffeeHaus and Neo Neo Grill House to attend to customer’s needs. He said growth in car sales in Cebu can be attributed to the growing business process outsourcing and real estate industries. Ting said the need for cars will grow in Cebu given the area’s changing landscape. “We are now in a bustling city where owning a car is already a necessity,” he said. He said growth will be coming from the middle-income market from industries like BPO and homeowners or young professionals who are residing outside Cebu. Ting said Kia is one of the top preferences among Cebuano car buyers not only because of its affordability but of its high quality. He said Kia is Cebu’s third top car brand next to Mitsubishi and Toyota. Ting said Kia Cebu offers the lowest downpayment in the market and a five-year car warranty. In the first half of this year, Ting said Kia sales in Cebu grew by 30 percent over the same period in 2011. Some 1.6 million car units were sold globally from January to July this year, according to Seon Phil Choi, Kia Motors Corp. Asia-Pacific Region president, which represented an 11 percent sales growth over the same period in 2011. Kia sales in the Philippines grew by 69 percent in the first seven months of the year. Choi said the Philippines is Kia’s core strategic market in Asia given the popularity of the brand among Filipinos. Ginia Domingo, president of Columbian Autocar Corp., the exclusive Kia distributor in the Philippines, said 20 percent of Kia’s sales in the country are through Kia Motors-Cebu. Domingo said Kia’s strong sales growth in the country is driven by the government’s tighter measures in banning the entry of smuggled cars and the introduction of new models like the latest Rio. ..

Man shot dead while tagging nephew along

..ANOTHER man was shot dead in Carcar City, making it the seventh shooting incident in the area this August. Victim Rutchel Cabaluna was shot dead in the head by an unidentified assailant in Upper Dap-dap, Poblacion III, Carcar City. Insp. Ian Paul Rafols of the Carcar City police said the victim went to his neighbor’s house together with his 10-year-old nephew. On their way home, an unidentified man shot Cabaluna several times. Six empty shells of a 9mm pistol were found in the crime scene. Cabaluna, a former security guard, was rushed to Carcar District Hospital, where he was pronounced dead. Love triangle? Carcar City Police Chief Teodulfo Manatad said they are looking into a possible love triangle angle. Manatad said Cabaluna’s live-in partner had a husband who possibly held a grudge against the victim. He added they still have to interview the 10-year-old boy who might have witnessed the incident. He said the boy was still in shock and kept on crying since yesterday. Another angle the police are looking into is the estafa case filed against the victim last year. Manatad added they will also have to check if the victim has enemies that might have a grudge on Cabaluna. Vendor In Barangay Sta. Rosario, Bogo City, a vendor was shot dead by an unidentified man at 11 a.m. yesterday. Victim Warren Brignas, 30, sustained a gunshot wound in his head, which led to his death. The assailant reportedly wore a red bonnet, black jacket and boarded a black motorcycle. PO3 Edwin Dignos of Bogo Police Station said Brignas was walking on his way home when he met the suspect and shot him. Police are still investigating the motive of the killing. Meanwhile, operatives from the Medellin Police Station are still searching for the assailants who killed three men Tuesday dawn. SPO4 Carlos Condino of Medellin Police Station said the unidentified assailants were possibly a guns for hire and were not from Medellin. He added they went back to the crime scene yesterday and interviewed the victims’ relatives to gather more leads. Victims Joel Bañares, 30, Maki Verallo, of legal age, and Benjie Piamonte, 26, were shot dead while sleeping under a tree in Barangay Dayagon, Medellin, Cebu at 3:30 a.m. last Tuesday.

Help Pours In For MMDA Traffic Aide

..It's pouring blessings for Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) traffic aide Saturnino Fabros, who was slapped by a motorist for doing his job dutifully. After being promoted, Fabros now gets a makeover of his bungalow house in Payatas in Quezon City, courtesy of his superiors and colleagues in the agency. A team from the agency's general services division took the time out yesterday to extend their helping hand to start the repair of the house of Fabros, who was berated and hit by motorist Robert Blair Carabuena in altercation two weeks ago in Quezon City. MMDA Chairman Francis Tolentino said that in recognition of Fabros' character, some employees of the agency contributed to extend their support to help their colleague, a father of six children. Apart from construction workers, General Administration Service Division engineer Winston T. Besa said they brought construction materials and other basic necessities for the restoration of the house. Besa said they will fix the roofs, toilet, pave the flooring, among others. "When my wife was still alive, her plan was to renovate the house and add a second floor for our growing family," Fabros recalled. Fabros, who remains on vacation leave, could not contain his gratitude to the agency and the public who have been supporting him upon learning of his plight. "Gusto kong magpasalamat sa agency at sa publiko na sumusoporta sa akin, napakalaki nang naitulong nyo sa akin," Fabros noted. MMDA Traffic Discipline Office chief Yves Gonzalez said a concerned citizen also sent him a message through the MMDA account on a social networking site that she would donate a 29-inch second hand television to Fabros. "She (concerned citizen) has heard that Fabros does not have a television, she messaged me that she would donate her television," Gonzalez said. Fabros, who gained public sympathy because of the incident, said he's willing to forgive Carabuena but stressed that he is determined to pursue the case against him, along with his brother who also helped in attacking him. From Traffic Constable 1, the agency gave Fabros a merit promotion - to Traffic Constable 2, for his commitment to his job. Fabros has been working with the MMDA for 27 years. Despite the terrible incident he encountered, Fabros said he will continue to work as traffic constable. ..