PH Headline News Online

PHNO-OPINION: COMELEC CHIEF`S MELODRAMATIC EXIT

OPINION: COMELEC CHIEF`S MELODRAMATIC EXIT

MANILA, NOVEMBER 29, 2010 (STAR) COMMONSENSE By Marichu A. Villanueva - The cat is now out of the bag. Commission on Elections (Comelec) chairman Jose Melo will make an early retirement on Jan. 31 next year, or four years ahead of his scheduled retirement. Melo's term of office is supposed to end in February 2015. But he decided to cut short his fixed term of seven years in office as provided for in our country's 1987 Constitution.

Now, 78 years old Melo was appointed to the Comelec in February 2008 by former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. This was three years after the poll body was much discredited by the infamous "Hello, Garci" scandal that marred the outcome of the May 2004 presidential elections.

The scandal was coined after ex-Comelec commissioner Virgilio Garcillano was caught in a wiretapped telephone conversation with ex-President Arroyo.

Melo took over from former Comelec chairman Benjamin Abalos Sr., who had to retire early also before his full term ended in February 2008. Abalos opted for early retirement in October 2007 after he figured in the scandal-rocked $329-million national broadband network (NBN) government contract with the ZTE Corp. of China.

Melo served as associate justice of the Supreme Court (SC) starting 1992 until he retired in 2002. Actually, Melo was first called back to serve the government by ex-President Arroyo on Aug. 21, 2006 when she created a special investigating body to look into the growing incidence of extra-judicial and political killings in the country that have claimed the lives of a number of militant activists and journalists as well. The probe body became popularly known as the Melo Commission.

In their final report submitted in February 2007 to ex-President Arroyo, the Melo Commission concluded that most of the extra-judicial killings were instigated by the military but found no proof directly linking the murder of activists to a "national policy" by the Arroyo administration as claimed by left-wing groups. This, of course, did not please the leftists.

The former President tapped anew Melo for a similar seemingly impossible mission – to redeem the Comelec from the depths of infamy where it has been dragged down by the "Hello, Garci" scandal.

The choice of Melo as new Comelec chairman was widely accepted by even the most bitter Arroyo critics. Melo continued his career in government service in the Comelec that now spanned close to 40 years.

It was during Melo's stewardship of the Comelec that the long planned automation to replace the country's manual system of voting and canvassing of votes finally took off. After several failed attempts in the past, we had our first-ever automated election system (AES) last May 10 that installed our country's new set of government officials led by President Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino III.

A little birdie chirped that Melo's desire to retire early was precipitated by rumors circulating at the Comelec from detractors of the automated polls he had successfully steered during his watch. The poll body is scheduled to make a final decision this December whether or not the Comelec would take the option to acquire the precinct count optical machines (PCOS) that were procured from Smartmatic and were used in our country's first automated elections.

This involves a total amount of P2.302 billion, the funding of which is available in the Congress-approved P11 billion automated elections budget. Comelec already saved as much as half of the total budget when Smartmatic implemented the AES project at a contract price of P7.1 billion. The Comelec still owes Smartmatic about P300 million that would be paid after final audit of the AES is completed.

The Comelec has to make a decision as soon as possible amid debates whether the poll body would continue with the lease contract with Smartmatic. Or choose the more cost-effective studies showing it would be more prudent to purchase load, stock and barrel the AES of Smartmatic that our country have already used in the last May 10 elections.

The Comelec leased 82,000 PCOS that are currently stored in the Smartmatic warehouse in Cabuyao, Laguna. The same equipment and technology would be readily deployable in time for the next scheduled elections in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) in 2014. The same PCOS machines and technology could still be used all the way to the next presidential elections in 2016.

Melo's critics, regular Comelec bashers, Smartmatic rivals in the business, and those who have other AES contracts to offer certainly would not want this to happen. And the best way to stop the Comelec from making the decisive move is to stir the rumor mills.

Melo hated very much rumors of these sort at this late stage of his untainted career in public service. "So he decided to pursue his retirement plan," a close aide of Melo said.

Melo admitted that he alerted Malacañang Palace about his early retirement plans a few days after President Aquino's installation in office last June 30. He relayed this notice to Department of Budget and Management Secretary Florencio "Butch" Abad to enable the Palace to start looking for his replacement as Comelec chief. Melo reiterated his notice of retirement to a common friend with Executive Secretary Paquito "Jojo" Ochoa.

But Melo noted he got no feedbacks from the Palace after that. He got the opportunity to personally relay his retirement plan to President Aquino himself on Aug. 24 when the Chief Executive called for a rare meeting at the Palace to consult Comelec about the issue of whether or not to postpone the barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) elections.

The Comelec chief reiterated his desire to retire in a chance meeting on Nov. 16 with the President, during a party of Finance Secretary Cesar Purisima where Abad and Ochoa were also there. "I told him (President) that I will stay on until January 31st to give time to my successor to prepare for the ARMM elections," Melo quoted his conversation with the President.

If he stays on to finish his term, Melo cited, he would be 83 years old. By that time, Melo wisecracked, he might not be able to even walk up the stairs to go to his office at the eighth floor of the Palacio del Gobernador building in Intramuros, Manila.

There is, of course, an elevator at the Comelec building. But the Comelec chief was just being melodramatic about his desire to exit this early with his head held up high.

STAR`S HEADLINE TODAY

Melo's successor should push for automated polls in 2013 By Jess Diaz (The Philippine Star) Updated November 29, 2010 12:00 AM Comments (0)

MANILA, Philippines - The successor of Commission on Elections (Comelec) Chairman Jose Melo, who is resigning in January, should push for the automation of national elections in 2013 and thereafter, Cagayan Rep. Jack Enrile said yesterday.

"I hope it would be the norm for the administration to select people with experience and determination to handle vital government posts, including the Comelec. Chairman Melo already took the first step in moving our election system forward. It would be in our best interest as a nation if his successor would further push for the same – or doubly harder," he said.

Melo presided over the country's first automated national elections last May 10. Despite some criticisms, the conduct of the elections was largely successful.

Enrile said that whoever succeeds Melo should pursue the reforms that he had started.

Malacañang has launched a search for replacements of Melo and two other members of the poll body who are ending their terms early next year.

Before the May 10 polls, the Comelec chairman had announced that he would be glad to retire again from government service if the automation of elections succeeded.

After his first retirement as a Supreme Court justice, then President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo named him head of a commission that looked into political and extra-judicial killings.

Enrile said Melo's shoes would be hard to fill.

"I admire Chairman Melo's dedication in getting the job done. I take my hat off for all his achievements. We need a Melo in government service who knows what he can do and does it best," he said.

He added that Melo's "untainted public service, transparency and decency at work has raised the level of Comelec's credibility and competency to launch the first automated elections in May."

Comelec: No problem

Meanwhile, the Comelec assured the public that the retirement of three commissioners early next year won't cripple the poll body and adversely affect preparations for the elections in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM).

By February, three seats will be left vacant with the retirement of Commissioners Nicodemo Ferrer, Gregorio Larrazabal and Chairman Melo.

Commissioners Ferrer and Lucenito Tagle said the poll body has managed in the past to prepare for elections despite the vacancies in the Commission.

"I would say we can prepare for the August 2011 ARMM elections because the senior staff are there to back up the remaining members of the Commission en banc," Ferrer explained.

Tagle echoed the same belief, noting that the poll body has started this early already the necessary preparations for the next electoral exercise in ARMM.

He said the commission wanted to complete a most of the preparations for the ARMM polls while they still have a majority.

In fact, Tagle said this November the commission already came out with the necessary guidelines and calendar of activities for the ARMM elections. – With Mayen Jaymalin

----------------------------------------------------------

Chief News Editor: Sol Jose Vanzi

© Copyright, 2009 by PHILIPPINE HEADLINE NEWS ONLINE
All rights reserved

----------------------------------------------------------

PHILIPPINE HEADLINE NEWS ONLINE [PHNO] WEBSITE

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

__._,_.___

Reply to sender | Reply to group | Reply via web post | Start a New Topic

Messages in this topic (1)

Recent Activity:

Visit Your Group

-------------------------------------------------------------
Follow us on Twitter: http://twitter.com/phnotweet

This is the PHILIPPINE HEADLINE NEWS ONLINE (PHNO) Mailing List.

To stop receiving our news items, please send a blank e-mail addressed to: phno-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com

Please visit our homepage at: http://www.newsflash.org/

(c) Copyright 2009. All rights reserved.
-------------------------------------------------------------

Switch to: Text-Only, Daily Digest • Unsubscribe • Terms of Use

__,_._,___

PHNO-OPINION: A BLACK AND WHITE MISTAKE, A BIG ONE

OPINION: A BLACK AND WHITE MISTAKE, A BIG ONE

MANILA, NOVEMBER 29, 2010 (STAR) AS A MATTER OF FACT By Sara Soliven De Guzman - Shame, shame, shame! Palace officials have diminished the "Pilipinas Kay Ganda" slogan disaster as a mere 'boo-boo.' What's worse is that many have hailed the voluntary resignation of the obviously less-than-competent Undersecretary of the Department of Tourism, Vicente Romano (who masterminded the 'creation') as a conscientious move that every public officer must follow.

In Japan, an incident like this would cause a culprit of this magnitude to commit hara-kiri — that is the honorable way. In our country, our erring public officials simply say sorry and they get away with virtual murder.

Imagine, the President has even accepted Romano's resignation "with regrets." How in the world can P-Noy show sympathy to a man who squandered more than P4 million of the DOT's funds on a foolish and incompetent venture? How can a president of any country for that matter ever regret the resignation of an inept official? Sanamagan!

If the President has reviewed all the facts about this public embarrassment caused by the DOT, I believe it will be appropriate for him to retract his statement of showing his regrets in accepting Romano's resignation.

By the way, Romano's mistake is now being classified by the Palace as a 'boo-boo'. In his position as the Presidential Spokesman Edwin Lacierda should have better understanding of idiomatic expressions and realize that a 'boo-boo' is applied to a 'minor injury, such as a scratch'. How can a P4 million blunder be called minor or a scratch? It should be classified as a "major, major" case. We should also consider the vast negative impact the slogan has generated throughout the world and the shame it has brought on our country and our people. This is not a 'boo-boo' that's for sure – many of countrymen consider it to be – a big deal.

Consider the fact that the slogan and its graphic representation were plagiarized, regardless of what Romano and the foreign public relations firm who designed it may insist on. Indisputably, the graphic design, at the very least, is a plagiarism of Poland's own tourism logo. You can put one on top of the other and it will be quite a perfect match. The Poles, along with many other people worldwide must be laughing their hearts out at our utter stupidity, idiocy and lack of common sense.

After analyzing all these realities and humiliation, why can't the DOT require the foreign PR firm to payback, if not sue the sanamagans for ruining the name of the country. I am not a lawyer but I feel that the DOT has a very strong case against this company and must take legal action. If it does not, it will make the already suspected possibility of some chicanery all the more believable.

But the Palace is not about to do anything drastic to put Romano to shame. After all, he was a leader of that lame Black and White movement, which supported P-Noy during the campaign. Romano had to be rewarded but the question is why put him in an important position in which he had absolutely no knowledge of? The problem with rewarding political support in this country is that no consideration of the capabilities of the rewarded is ever done. Now, look at what happens as a result!

Not surprisingly, the incompetence of Romano is contrasted by a tourism event. This was the Philippine National Surfing Convention 2010, conceived by a group of young surfers who faithfully believe that the sport of surfing is a product that should be at least niche marketed by the DOT. These young directors of the Academy of Surfing Instructors Philippines, Inc. (ASIP), the local chapter of the Academy of Surfing Instructors (ASI), the international agency that certifies and accredits surfing instructors and surfing schools worldwide, feel in their minds and hearts that the Philippines could be a surfing 'mecca' for the millions of active surfers in the world.

There is so much potential in surfing tourism in the Philippines. It is actually a growing industry in the country. Pagudpud, Cabugao, La Union, Zambales, Baler, Real, Daet, Catanduanes, Borrongan, Calicoan, Siargao and Lanuza are surfing hotspots in the country.

According to the information I gathered, surfing is now a multi-billion dollar global industry; there are currently over 10,000,000 surfers from 50 countries on six continents in the world who regularly surf; one third of these (about 3,500,000) are cash-rich, time-poor and hence potential tour clients for the country; surfing tourism is growing at a remarkable annual rate of 12-16% and currently it is worth well over US$10 billion.

The Academy of Surfing Instructors of the Philippines had an admirable plan to promote surfing in the country. Their proposal should have been read by Romano but a reliable source told me that a certain Elizabeth Nelle, director of the DOT's Office of Product Research and Development paid closer attention to the group. Nelle worked with the ASIP group and decided that the plan should be presented to DOT Secretary Lim, who immediately was impressed with the project and directed Nelle to make it go through the 'mill' – a system DOT employs in assessing projects.

The bureaucratic red tape required that even with Lim's initial display of partiality to the plan, it would have to be reviewed by, who else but Romano! Mind you, he also had something to do with the DOT's Project Evaluation Committee. The plan was presented to Romano but it took him some time to put the required attention to the project. He finally allowed a sum less than half of what was actually needed for the convention. But nevertheless, the ASIP group went to work and got funding from sponsors to make the event possible.

Finally, last Saturday, the Philippine National Surfing Convention 2010 took center stage to officially launch and promoted surfing tourism in the country. I hope those DOT bigwigs continue to support surfing in the Philippines.

It must be noted upon ending that there are staffers and executives in the DOT who are not imbeciles but well meaning, earnest workers, many with two decades of experience in the department that makes them extremely well qualified to do a good job. But these poor souls are always intercepted, if not intruded upon, in their work by the idiotic political appointees who know nothing about tourism.

I think it's about time P-Noy goes beyond friends and close associates. He must look for good, dependable and seasoned men and women established and accomplished and whose expertise is what the country desperately needs for development and progress.

----------------------------------------------------------

Chief News Editor: Sol Jose Vanzi

© Copyright, 2009 by PHILIPPINE HEADLINE NEWS ONLINE
All rights reserved

----------------------------------------------------------

PHILIPPINE HEADLINE NEWS ONLINE [PHNO] WEBSITE

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

__._,_.___

Reply to sender | Reply to group | Reply via web post | Start a New Topic

Messages in this topic (1)

Recent Activity:

Visit Your Group

Switch to: Text-Only, Daily Digest • Unsubscribe • Terms of Use

__,_._,___

PHNO-OPINION: GIVING UP THE DEMOGRAPHIC ADVANTAGE

OPINION: GIVING UP THE DEMOGRAPHIC ADVANTAGE

MANILA, NOVEMBER 29, 2010 (STAR) A LAW EACH DAY (Keeps Trouble Away) By Jose C. Sison - The proponents and supporters of the RH bill repeatedly point out and continue to harp on our alleged overpopulation problem as the main reason why the bill should be enacted into law. They cite the fact that our population continues to increase as there are now 90 million Filipinos and still counting, so that by 2025 they project that there will be 120 million Filipinos already.

But is there really a population explosion in the Philippines?

To answer this question, our Congressmen and Senators, and even the President should not just rely on the current state of our population as commonly perceived. They should examine the facts and figures compiled by the National Statistics Office (NSO) on our population growth rate over the decades.

Statistics show that over the past 50 years starting 1960 up to the present, there is a continuing decline in the growth rate of our population. From 3.01% in 1960-70, it became 2.75% in 1970-80, then 2.35% in 1980-90, 2.34% in 1990-2000, 2.04% in 2000-2007 and 1.95% in 2005-2010. This record of decline over the past 50 years is the best and most reliable proof that there is no population explosion in our country and that the population growth rate will continue to decline in the decades to come.

Of course our population is still increasing because we have not yet reached zero or negative growth rate. But it is not high anymore at 1.95% as to cause alarm that the RH bill supporters and proponents are raising. For a clearer perspective of our present population growth and the inevitable consequences if the RH bill is passed, let me quote again from the article, "RH bill Revisited" of ex-Senator Tatad. He said:

"This growth rate is not high, but the real numbers continue to grow because people finally 'stopped dying like flies'. The average worker in the Philippines is much younger than his counterpart in most of the world, giving us a long term edge that has been lost forever in so many countries. Population controllers and their propagandists, however, continue to alarm us about our supposedly 'exploding' numbers, without looking at the age structure, which puts us above most everybody else, when the world's most serious problem is irreversible ageing, 'de-fertilization', 'depopulation' and 'dechristianization' now changing the face of Europe.

Writing in the November/December 2010 issue of the prestigious US quarterly journal, Foreign Affairs, Nicholas Eberstadt, one of the world's most respected demographers, reports that 'almost all of the world's developed countries have sub-replacement fertility, with overall birth rates more than 20 percent below the level required for long term population stability. But developed countries account for less than a fifth of the world's population; the great majority of the world's population with sub-replacement fertility in fact reside in the low income societies…Between now and 2020, the global supply of potential workers is set to grow more slowly than in the previous two decades.

According to U.S. Census Bureau projections, the absolute increase in the world's working age population(15- 64) between 2010 and 2030 will be around 900 million, 400 million fewer than over the past two decades. The projected average rate of global manpower growth for the coming decades is 0.9 per year, only half the rate for the period between 1990 and 2010…It is not alarmist to warn that there is no time to lose in recognizing — and adopting to — the enormity of the world's unavoidable demographic challenges.

Our situation in the Philippines is tragic and perverse. We are being asked to renounce our enormous natural demographic advantage as a great liability and to embrace the costly and ruinous population policies of the West that have long failed".

So only the proponents and supporters of the RH bill say that the Philippine population is growing too fast. Statistics say otherwise. Raising the alarm of overpopulation all the more proves that the bill's real and ultimate objective is population control. They are just hiding this real objective by adopting the western sponsored family planning programs supposedly in the exercise of "responsible parenthood" by the couple, and in promoting "reproductive health" of women by giving them the right to an "informed choice" between the method of using contraceptive and the natural family planning.

The objective here is to reduce the size of the population in developing countries like the Philippines considering the overall effects of population growth in developing countries on the economic and security interest of the U.S. (1974 Kissinger report or the National Social Security Memorandum, NSSM 200).

In this connection, let me share another interesting angle on this western population policy written by a Canadian analyst Abid Ullah Jan (http://albalagh.net.population/brutal.shtml). He says that it is the "most populous nations who will dominate the world in the next century" particularly "23 countries with the largest populations' that includes the Philippines. This is what was written about the Philippines:

"Fully 71 percent of the males in the Philippines between the age of 15 and 49 are fit for combat with over 700,000 more expected to join their number annually. It explains the eagerness of western countries to encourage births at home, while demanding at the very same time to take outrageous steps to prevent fertility in developing world to avoid a shift in the balance of power at some time in the future.

This also explains the otherwise inexplicably cruel programs of structural adjustment, the conversion of agriculture to export production, and other policies that impoverish the developing nations. The 'overpopulation' propaganda may be simple. And it may have been freely circulated around the world for so long that it has come to be taken for granted. Its contradictions are not invisible. And suspicions of evil motivation do not die. Rather they grow in proportion to the pressures from overseas".

Legislators, please take note.

----------------------------------------------------------

Chief News Editor: Sol Jose Vanzi

© Copyright, 2009 by PHILIPPINE HEADLINE NEWS ONLINE
All rights reserved

----------------------------------------------------------

PHILIPPINE HEADLINE NEWS ONLINE [PHNO] WEBSITE

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

__._,_.___

Reply to sender | Reply to group | Reply via web post | Start a New Topic

Messages in this topic (1)

Recent Activity:

Visit Your Group

Switch to: Text-Only, Daily Digest • Unsubscribe • Terms of Use

__,_._,___

PHNO-BE: PALACE BULLISH ON ECONOMIC PROSPECTS IN 2011

PALACE BULLISH ON ECONOMIC PROSPECTS IN 2011

MANILA, NOVEMBER 29, 2010 (STAR) By Delon Porcalla - Following the restoration of investor confidence in the country, Malacañang remains upbeat about next year's economy, predicting that more investments will be coming in that would generate jobs and reinvigorate the economy.

Deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte sees a rosy picture for 2011, the Chinese year of the rabbit, particularly because this year will be closing with renewed interest in the business community, which for the longest time had complained of massive corruption.

"We are seeing signs that the economy is improving. There are several foreign investments that are coming in that create jobs. We hope that this will continue," she told radio dzRB.

President Aquino himself is very optimistic of the prospects of the Philippine economy.

He predicted earlier that gross domestic product is expected to continue its upward trend, borne out of confidence of local and foreign investors, including people in government, better and faster than what has been projected.

"I should expect, even if there is a downturn because of the lack of election spending component (in the third quarter), we expect that we will be maintaining the upward trend of all our GDP figures," he told Palace reporters in a briefing at Calamba, Laguna.

Mr. Aquino, who was very upbeat with his pet project Public-Private Partnership launch that brought some 600 potential investors, said the improved economy will "perhaps (be) in a faster period of time than what was initially envisioned."

"This is due to the fact that there is optimism across the board from the workers to the investors to even people in government," he added.

GDP is the amount of goods and services produced every year in a particular country.

"So this will redound to an active and more fruitful cooperation among all of these sectors and we are hoping we get the same treatment from both the legislature and the judiciary," the Chief Executive told newsmen at the Yazaki-Torres Manufacturing Plant.

Among the positive news developments that he enumerated were the $2.8-billion investments he got from his APEC visit in Japan, the groundbreaking rites for Nestle's P4.3-billion plant in Tanauan, Batangas and the P2.5-billion plant that Procter & Gamble Co. wants to build.

"Slowly but surely, companies such as yours have contributed to the success story that we want our national experience to be. I am hopeful that you will continue with your operations, and I pray for your further success," Mr. Aquino told Nestle executives.

"The foundation of a thriving economy is confidence. A week ago, we launched our PPP initiative that attracted domestic and foreign fund managers, bankers, and other potential investors. They sense that the country has turned a corner," he said.

"That what was impossible yesterday – trusting the government to deal with investors fairly and predictably – is not only possible, but a mutually beneficial opportunity, now," the President added, assuring businessmen of fair and consistent policy in his administration.

"My whole team is committed toward the creation of a business environment that is rational, transparent, and predictable. And here, we have already had successes. We have reduced the time it takes to register a business name from four (4) hours to fifteen (15) minutes and reduced the information requirements from sixteen (16) to seven (7) fields. This can now be done online," he said proudly.

The Nestle factory that is located in a 27-hectare property inside the First Philippine Industrial Park is expected to be finished by 2012. It will produce Coffeemate non-dairy creamer and Bear Brand powdered milk.

Banks urged to course remittances via electronic payment via Philpass By Lawrence Agcaoili (The Philippine Star) Updated November 29, 2010 12:00 AM Comments (0) View comments

MANILA, Philippines - The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) is urging other banks and financial institutions to course the remittances of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) through the central bank's electronic payment and settlement system so that beneficiaries of Filipinos working abroad could enjoy lower fees.

To date, the BSP said about 12 banks are currently coursing their OFW remittance transactions through the central bank's Philippine Payments and Settlements System (Philpass).

Banks that are currently using the Philpass platform include Allied Bank, Asia United Bank, Banco de Oro, Bank of the Philippine Islands, China Bank, Development Bank of the Philippines, Land Bank of the Philippines, Metrobank, Philippine National Bank, Rizal Commercial Banking Corp., Philippine Savings Bank, and the United Coconut Planters

The BSP said the 12 banks have established their connectivity with the Philpass Remit System and have been transmitting batches of remittance transactions to the BSP gateway server for processing and settlement since May 4 this year.

The central bank has issued a circular encouraging banks' full participation in the Philpass Remit System for electronic settlement of OFW remittances for credit to accounts of beneficiaries maintained in banks other than the remitting banks.

"For this purpose of such, all banks and other financial intermediaries performing overseas remittance business are hereby enjoined to participate in the Philpass," the BSP stressed.

The Philpass Remit System involves the use of the BSP-Philpass as the local clearinghouse for the transfer of remittances from a local bank to another bank where the OFW beneficiary maintains an account.

The project is one of the initiatives undertaken by the BSP in coordination with the Association of Bank Remittance Officers Inc. (ABROI) through a memorandum of agreement (MOA) last December.

The full implementation of the project was originally scheduled in the first quarter of the year but only one bank has been able to migrate to the new system since the signing of the MOA. Now, a total of 12 banks have connected to the system since the full implementation of the project last October.

The BSP said the settlement of OFW remittances through the Philpass Remit System would result in savings of between P100 and P500 per transaction as current system charges between P150 and P550 per transaction. OFW families are expected to save at least P92 million to as high as P922 million due to the faster and cheaper delivery of remittances to the beneficiaries at a lower rate of P50 per transaction instead of the current range of between P100 and P550 per transaction.

Furthermore, the BSP added that the system provides safer means of sending OFW remittances via the formal banking channel at lower fees. The Philpass Remit System is also equipped with an efficient feedback mechanism that would enable OFW remitters to trace the status of their remittances.

Last year, remittances went up by 5.4 percent to a new record level of $17.348 billion from $16.426 billion and exceeded the revised four-percent growth forecast set by the central bank.

For this year, the BSP upgraded its growth forecast for the amount of money sent home by overseas Filipinos to eight percent instead of six percent due to the strong demand for Filipino skilled workers.

----------------------------------------------------------

Chief News Editor: Sol Jose Vanzi

© Copyright, 2009 by PHILIPPINE HEADLINE NEWS ONLINE
All rights reserved

----------------------------------------------------------

PHILIPPINE HEADLINE NEWS ONLINE [PHNO] WEBSITE

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

__._,_.___

Reply to sender | Reply to group | Reply via web post | Start a New Topic

Messages in this topic (1)

Recent Activity:

Visit Your Group

MARKETPLACE

Be a homeroom hero � help Yahoo! donate up to $350K to classrooms!

Stay on top of your group activity without leaving the page you're on - Get the Yahoo! Toolbar now.

Find useful articles and helpful tips on living with Fibromyalgia. Visit the Fibromyalgia Zone today!

Switch to: Text-Only, Daily Digest • Unsubscribe • Terms of Use

__,_._,___

PHNO-SB: P-NOY WANTS SHALANI BACK?

P-NOY WANTS SHALANI BACK?

[PHOTO - ALBERT Martinez ]

MANILA, NOVEMBER 29, 2010 (MALAYA) MARIO BAUTISTA ('[T]he latest report on him is that he's making overtures to reconcile with Shalani Soledad as he realized how much he misses her when he saw her on TV5's "Willing Willie."')

ALBERT Martinez was absent at the presscon of "Rosario" which he directs as he's in St. Luke's Hospital attending to younger brother William Martinez who had a stroke Tuesday morning.

"Rosario" is the only straight drama in the Metro Manila Film Festival and this early, many predict it'll win most of the awards, including best actress for title-roler Jennylyn Mercado.

"I'm not expecting anything," says Jen. "I did everything Direk Albert told me to do. In my six years in showbiz, this is my most daring role since I had to show some skin in my love scenes with Dennis Trillo and Yul Servo. I was so nervous as first time ko to do this, but I've seen them na and artistic ang pagkakagawa ni Direk Albert. May pressure sa'kin kasi I play the title role at puro big name stars ang kalaban namin. I did my best, I gave my all, and I'm just happy nagawa ko nang maayos ang trabaho ko. Quality-wise, I'm proud of the film."

"Rosario" is based on the true story of magnate Manny V. Pangilinan's grandma, a liberated Filipina in the '20s who arrives from New York and defies convention, falling for an older man (Yul Servo) then committing adultery with a younger lover (Dennis Trillo).

Since "Rosario" is produced by Studio 5 of TV5, Jen is not sure if GMA-7 would let her promote on TV5 or on the shows of GMA. "Sana naman, pumayag sila. Napakaganda ng movie at 'wag sanang maging biktima ng network wars."

***

"The baby is now a woman" is how ABS-CBN PR Aaron Domingo introduced Kim Chiu when she was launched in "Your Song." She'll be doing 13 episodes starting December 12 until Valentine's Day. "I want to thank ABS for this chance to do 13 different stories with comedy, drama, fantasy, and with different directors and co-stars," says Kim. "It'll really be challenging."

She hasn't taped anything yet but she already requested stars she'd like to work with (Sam Milby, Rayver Cruz, Ejay Falcon, Enchong Dee) and roles she'd like to do (a mermaid, a tomboy, a taong graza, masungit na fashionista ala-"Devil Wears Prada").

Will she work with Bea Alonzo as guest after Bea was linked to Gerald Anderson? "Why not? Trabaho lang naman yun." What about Gerald himself? "Okay lang, kung kaya ba ng schedule niya. But I'd prefer to do comedy with him rather than drama." Since this is "Your Song," what will be her theme song? "I can't think of any." Many suggestions were given: "Babalik Ka Rin," "Kung Maibabalik Ko Lang," "I Remember the Boy," "I Will Survive."

"O sige, may naisip na 'ko," she laughs. "It's a Wonderful World."

What really caused her breakup with Gerald?

"Balato nyo na lang sa'min ni Gerald kung ano ang nangyari. 'Wag na nating pag-usapan kasi tapos na 'yan. Okay na naman kami so let the issue rest."

What about the offer to do a movie with Jackie Chan?

"I'm not sure."

Her handler, Allan, said it's under negotiation. "Nothing is final."

***

Jay-R and Kyla will have a concert at the Music Museum, "Soulmates," Monday, Nov. 29, 9 p.m. Their tandem is well received by the public even if it's common knowledge that Jay-R is very much in love with Bb. Pilipinas International Krista Kleiner while Kyla has been going steady with cager Rich Alvarez for five years now. Both of them have often been asked as to when they will tie the knot with their loved ones.

"I think it'd be selfish of me to ask Krista to marry me now as her career is just starting and I know she still has a lot of dreams she wants to achieve," says Jay-R. "So I want her to focus on herself for her own growth and also that of her career."

What can he say about the criticism of some folks that Krista was TH (trying hard) as a candidate in China?

"She really worked hard, especially in the talent portion where she sang, danced and even did martial arts. Kaya nga she won as Miss Talent. Would they prefer na she didn't exert more effort? I guess you just can't please everyone. There are those who say she looks like a bold star and not a beauty queen, but sorry for them, she IS really a beauty queen who made it to the top 15 in Miss International."

Jay-R has collaborated with Kyla in such hits as "Say That You Loved Me" and "Back in Time." Theirs was a meeting of artistic hearts and minds and this will be evident in "Soulmates" when they sing R&B, soul and jazz tunes in perfect harmony. "We'll do a lot of duets, from fast songs to our own hits," adds Jay-R.

"Soulmates" is presented by iSecure Networks that offers internet security solutions with Kaspersky Lab and Arnold L. Vegafria Events. For tickets, call Ticketworld at 891-9999 or Music Museum at 721-6726.

***

Carol Banawa is in town and it's said her marriage to her Fil-Am husband, Ryan Crisostomo, has ended. "It's not true," she says. "I came home because of my dad who's sick. I want to take them ng mom and sister ko sa States but he has to be cleared by doctors first kasi he's having seizures now. It's my husband who told me to spend Christmas and New Year dito para makasama ko sila, along with our daughter Chelsea."

We best remember Carol as the granddaughter of Gloria Romero in 2000's "Tanging Yaman" who made her remember the past with her song "Iingatan Ka." That was one of the most touching scenes in that award-winning film. We're glad that while she's here, Star Records launched her new album, "My Music, My Life," with 12 songs that include the theme song of "Till My Heartaches End" she recorded for the Kim-Gerald movie and her duet of "When I Fall in Love" with Piolo Pascual. The other cuts are "Now That I have You," "Everyday," "When You Say Nothing At All," "If," "I Honestly Love You," "Sakaling Malimutan Ka," "Love Story," "The First Time I Loved Forever," "When I Fall In Love," "Mahal Kita Walang Iba."

In the liner notes, Carol writes about the story behind each song. "They're all connected with my personal experiences kaya parang diary ko na rin siya."

"My Music, My Life" is line produced by Black Bird Music, a sub-label of Star Records headed by Aiza Seguerra. Get your copy now. For digital formats of the album, log on to www.starrecords.ph.

***

The Final 12 contestants in "Star Power, Sharon Cuneta's Search for the Next Female Pop Superstar" were formally presented to the press after a series of thrilling elimination rounds and rigorous mentoring of the megastar herself. They are Akiko Solon (Shining Star of Cebu), Ninay Lescano (Soul Singer DJ from Lipa City), Kaye Racho (Cute Rakista of Cebu), Macy delos Reyes (Pop Charmer of Cebu), K-La Rivera (R&B Sweetheart from Canada), Natasia Cunanan (Precious Voice from Bulacan), Rose Ann Francisco (All Out Singer from Batangas City), Laurice Bermillo (Aspiring Star of Bataan), Angeline Quinto (Angelic Belter of Manila), Sam Hernandez (Singing Beauty of Taguig City), Krissel Valdez (Versatile Vocalista of Davao) and Monica Sacay (Singing Darling of Leyte). We ask each of them who they think is their biggest opponent in the contest and three names emerged: Angeline and Krissel because they sing like professionals, and K-La because she's a total package of beauty and good voice. Personally, we also think that Krissel and Angeline have the most powerful voices in the batch, but they're both past 20 (Angeline competed with Sarah Geronimo in the "Search for a Star"). The advantage of K-La is she's only 18 and has movie star good looks.

"Star Power," with the help of judges Edgar "Bobot" Mortiz, concert legend Mitch Valdes and R&B sensation/TV host Billy Crawford, empowers female hopefuls from Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao to maximize their own potentials, develop their talents and improve their skills. All of them take vocal lessons from University of the Philippines Professor Kitchie Molina, "Mr. Pure Energy" Gary Valenciano and Pinoy rock icon Arnel Pineda.

To vote, just Text SPOWER <space> <name of contestant> and send to 2331 for Globe, TM, and Sun Cellular subscribers and 231 for Smart and Talk 'N Text subscribers.

***

Looks like President Noynoy's plea for the press to stop gossiping about his lovelife is falling on deaf ears. Now that he has admitted he's dating stylist Liz Uy, the latest report on him is that he's making overtures to reconcile with Shalani Soledad as he realized how much he misses her when he saw her on TV5's "Willing Willie." One wag even says he didn't really want to split with Shalani but he was only prevailed upon by his sisters who didn't like her for him as they prefer Liz. We're sure this latest rumor about Noy and his lovelife will be subsequently denied.

----------------------------------------------------------

Chief News Editor: Sol Jose Vanzi

© Copyright, 2009 by PHILIPPINE HEADLINE NEWS ONLINE
All rights reserved

----------------------------------------------------------

PHILIPPINE HEADLINE NEWS ONLINE [PHNO] WEBSITE

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

__._,_.___

Reply to sender | Reply to group | Reply via web post | Start a New Topic

Messages in this topic (1)

Recent Activity:

Visit Your Group

Switch to: Text-Only, Daily Digest • Unsubscribe • Terms of Use

__,_._,___

PHNO-SB: SEXY TALK WITH POPS FERNANDEZ

SEXY TALK WITH POPS FERNANDEZ

[PHOTO - POPS: LOVELESS BUT NOT LONELY]

MANILA, NOVEMBER 29, 2010 (STAR) FUNFARE By Ricardo F. Lo - That sums up the current state of Pops Fernandez's life.

She claimed that she hasn't had any boyfriend after she broke up with Jomari Yllana more than two years ago but it's not because she has developed a phobia for men.

"Why should I?" joked Pops. "Life is dry without men."

Like last year, Pops won't be spending a blue Christmas even if she, uhm, loveless.

"There are two important men in my life, actually," added Pops. "My sons Robin and Ram." Sometimes, three — that is, if we count her ex-husband Martin Nievera who has remained her good friend and, for sure, is "just around" if and when Pops needs him (oops! no "hidden" meaning there, huh!).

So what's new about Pops?

Her manager — Annabelle Rama.

"This early," assured Annabelle (who has almost 30 talents in her cuadra), "I'm preparing for Pops' Valentine concert with Ogie Alcasid on Feb. 12 at the Crowne Plaza Hotel Ballroom," produced by the Gutierrez-owned Royale Artist Management, Inc.

Can a woman feel sexy even if she's loveless but not lonely?

"Of course, she can," said Pops.

What is sexy to you?

"When you ooze with confidence walking inside a room full of strangers." Name three sexy women.

"Angelina Jolie, Julia Roberts and Jennifer Aniston."

And three sexy men.

"Tom Hanks, Brad Pitt and Richard Gere."

What makes you feel sexy?

"Lace lingerie."

What qualities do you want in a man?

"He has to be confident, with a good sense of humor (someone who can make me laugh)."

Sexiest sound.

"Saxophone. But I also like the cello."

Sexiest song.

"Careless Whisper."

Sexiest food.

"Chocolate. It's not food but it makes me feel good when I'm down." Sexiest car.

"Lamborghini. It's sleek and sexy."

Sexiest part of your body?

"My behind. That's what the guys notice."

Sexiest part of a man's body?

"His behind. That's what I notice

Sexiest clothes.

"I always find white T-shirt with old, faded jeans sexy."

Sexiest perfume.

"Jo Malone, French lime blossom."

Sexiest time of day.

"Sunset. I find the sun setting with the various colors of red, yellow and orange so romantic."

Sexiest part of the house.

"The shower."

Sexiest TV show.

"Sex in the City. I love how daring and open they are about women issues and relationships."

Sexiest scene she has ever seen in a movie.

"Unfaithful, when they (Oliver Martinez and Diane Lane are making love in the public restroom). Pretty Woman, when Julia Roberts' character finally kisses Richard Gere's character on the lips."

Sexiest scene she's ever done in her movie?

"Gusto Ko Nang Lumigaya. I have a love scene in the locker room."

Sexiest fantasy.

"Me with my partner in an island...just the two of us."

Sexiest thing she has ever done to herself?

"Brazilian wax. Hehehe! It's liberating."

Sexiest thing she has ever done to or with a man?

"I'll tell you in next year's article. Hahahaha!"

----------------------------------------------------------

Chief News Editor: Sol Jose Vanzi

© Copyright, 2009 by PHILIPPINE HEADLINE NEWS ONLINE
All rights reserved

----------------------------------------------------------

PHILIPPINE HEADLINE NEWS ONLINE [PHNO] WEBSITE

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

__._,_.___

Reply to sender | Reply to group | Reply via web post | Start a New Topic

Messages in this topic (1)

Recent Activity:

Visit Your Group

Switch to: Text-Only, Daily Digest • Unsubscribe • Terms of Use

__,_._,___

PHNO-SB: CEBU`S RADISSON BLU HOTEL: BLU, BLU MY WORLD IS BLU

CEBU`S RADISSON BLU HOTEL: BLU, BLU MY WORLD IS BLU

MANILA, NOVEMBER 29, 2010 (STARweek) By JVM Francisco - All roads led to Ce-Blu earlier this month when the Queen City of the South unveiled another one of its gems, one that – truly like a precious gem – took years to see the glorious light of day.

In the late 1980's Henry Sy Sr., founder and chairman of the SM group of companies, saw the great potential of Cebu City as a commercial and business hub and consequently decided to build an SM mall and a hotel along Sergio Osmeña Boulevard on Cebu's North Reclamation area. The construction of the mall went on as scheduled and it was inaugurated in 1993 as SM City Cebu. The hotel's basic structure was finished but due to the Asian financial crisis of 1997, the project was mothballed for better times.

In 2008 when things looked brighter for Cebu and the country, SM decided to resume the hotel project. By that time, SM City Cebu had evolved into one of the city's principal commercial and retail complexes and it was logical to open the hotel for the growing number of business and leisure travelers. The task fell on the lap of one of the six Sy siblings, youngest daughter Elizabeth, president of SM Hotels and Conventions Corp.

Not very many people know that SM is now into the hotel, resort and convention business. Its venture into the hotel industry started with the acquisition of the Taal Vista Lodge in Tagaytay in 1989. Elizabeth's involvement in this facet of SM's operations came later and, by her account, quite accidentally.

(PHOTO - The Radisson Blu boasts of an imposing façade) "My Dad was meeting with a group of businessmen regarding Taal Vista Lodge and I happened to pass by the room. He called me to sit in the meeting and when his business partners asked who in SM would be in charge, my Dad pointed to me. I was of course quite surprised but after listening to the discussions, I told them that I would only get involved if the hotel could be renovated and redesigned the way I think it should be," Elizabeth reveals.

Since then, she has transformed Tall Vista Hotel into Tagaytay's prime hotel, developed Pico de Loro as the country's biggest resort, opened the SMX as the country's largest and busiest convention center, and just recently, inaugurated the latest project of the SM Hotel and Conventions Corporation, the Radisson Blu Hotel Cebu, now considered one of the best hotels in the Philippines.

"It took us one and a half years to conceptualize, design and finish construction of the hotel. From the start, following the vision of my father, we wanted it to be a world-class hotel, something that SM and Cebu could be proud of," Elizabeth says. They decided to partner with the Carlson Group which manages the Radisson group of hotels around the world. Thus the hotel earned the distinction of being the first Radisson hotel in the Asia Pacific region.

The location of the 20-storey hotel is ideal and to the business traveler, convenient – only 8 kilometers from the Mactan airport and adjacent to Cebu's biggest shopping complex and international port. It is also in the vicinity of the city's business district and is easily accessible to Cebu's social set. The hotel facilities are impressive even for someone who has already stayed in numerous 5-star hotels all over the world. There are 400 guest rooms including 50 business class and executive rooms and suites that are spacious, elegant and functional.

The rooms have all the amenities one would like to enjoy in a hotel – memory foam beds, goose feather pillows and duvets, 37-inch flat screen TV, complimentary high-speed Internet and Wi-fi access, a convenient iPod-iPhone docking system and alarm clock, electronic safety deposit box large enough for a laptop, iron and ironing board, and coffee and tea making facilities.

Even the bathroom facilities and amenities are top of the line. Developed exclusively for the Radisson Hotels and Resorts, the Asira Body Care line of products manufactured in Thailand are made of natural ingredients and essences that will delight environmentalists.

(PHOTO -Impressive interiors – the expansive bar-lounge at the main lobby) But what is truly impressive about the hotel is the interior design. Upon going through the main entrance, one is immediately impressed by the majestic lobby with cathedral-high ceilings and floor to ceiling glass windows. On the left and front is a spacious lounge-bar that serves the best frozen margarita in the country. Walking further to the right we find the reception desk and the grand marble staircase that leads to the second floor grand ballroom. The lobby is sparsely furnished compared to other five-star hotels but visual delight is created by the design accents on the marble floors and the walls.

"In light of our optimism about the prospects of Philippine tourism and the resurgence of the economy, we exerted our utmost efforts to ensure that the highest quality in the hotel's design, functionality, detail, and artwork are firmly in place for its opening," Elizabeth says. "We also aim to be the showcase of the best of Cebu, and have started this by acquiring the artworks of Cebu's most noted abstractionists Tito Cuevas, Sio Montera and Karl Roque which are now prominently displayed in the hotel's lobbies. All of our furniture are also manufactured in Cebu," she proudly adds.

Indeed one could find gems in interior design strategically located in nooks and crannies of the hotel – the hallway to the elevators with dramatic black marble and wooden finish, the entrance wall of the ballroom inlaid with mother of pearl, the second floor onyx wall of the business center and the beautiful metallic lamps in the ballroom foyer. The interior of the coffee shop Feria is also tastefully done in contemporary style that provides good setting for its sumptuous breakfast, lunch and dinner buffets.

The hotel had its soft opening last Sept. 27 but the grand opening was held on Nov. 10 with no less than President Aquino as guest of honor. The opening ceremonies began at noon with the President cutting the ceremonial ribbon and delivering the inaugural address. He lauded the Cebuanos' contribution to national economic development and commended the Sy family, who were present in full force, for being at the forefront in the commercial, retail, banking and land development in the country.

(President Aquino graced the hotel's opening, shown here with members of the Sy family and hotel executives.) In the evening, Cebu's social and political elite trooped to the hotel for the grand opening reception. The event started with cocktails at the main lobby followed by a reception and program in the Santa Maria ballroom. It was easily the hottest ticket in town and invitations were much sought after by Cebu's who's who.

The buffet was excellent and abundant, the champagne and wines flowed and the ballroom's lounge set-up created a nice and cozy ambience.

The entertainment program was no less impressive. Young tenor Collins Gutierrez sang classical and popular favorites backed up by the Serenata band. The CompanY belted out popular period songs to the delight of the crowd. The evening was capped by the raffle of an Audi worth P3 million, won by young Cebu socialite June Alegrado. Guests stayed on after the program enjoying the saxophone music of Vince Lahorra who played until near midnight.

Former DOT undersecretary Edu Jarque, who hails from Cebu City, rightfully sums it up, "The opening of Radisson Blu Hotel Cebu is much anticipated and most welcome by discerning Cebuanos. It is an ideal partnership between the Carlson Group, known for their industry knowledge and expertise, and the Sy family who are leaders in all the businesses they are involved in. The hotel's hardware (facilities and amenities) and software (staff and service) will certainly set new benchmarks of excellence."

"We are confident that the Radisson Blu Hotel Cebu will be the tourist destination of choice and the leading events venue in Cebu City and nearby regions," Elizabeth says with justifiable pride. From the looks of it, the hotel will indeed gradually become an important part of Cebu's social and tourism life, an establishment that is set to become one of the city's – and perhaps even the country's — many tourism gems.

----------------------------------------------------------

Chief News Editor: Sol Jose Vanzi

© Copyright, 2009 by PHILIPPINE HEADLINE NEWS ONLINE
All rights reserved

----------------------------------------------------------

PHILIPPINE HEADLINE NEWS ONLINE [PHNO] WEBSITE

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]