Makati City News December 2014

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Dietary supplement is a product that contains vitamins, minerals, herbs or other botanicals, amino acids, enzymes, and/or other ingredients intended to supplement the diet. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has special labeling requirements for dietary supplements and treats them as foods, not drugs.

Manufacturers and distributors of dietary supplements and dietary ingredients are prohibited from marketing products that are adulterated or misbranded. That means that these firms are responsible for evaluating the safety and labeling of their products before marketing to ensure that they meet all the requirements of DSHEA and FDA regulations.

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Wars of ancient history were about possessions, territory, power, control, family, betrayal, lover's quarrel, politics and sometimes religion.

But we are in the Modern era and supposedly more educated and enlightened .

Think about this. Don't just brush off these questions.

  • Why is RELIGION still involved in WARS? Isn't religion supposed to be about PEACE?
  • Ask yourself; What religion always campaign to have its religious laws be accepted as government laws, always involved in wars and consistently causing WARS, yet insists that it's a religion of peace?

WHY??

There are only two kinds of people who teach tolerance:
  1. The Bullies. They want you to tolerate them so they can continue to maliciously deprive you. Do not believe these bullies teaching tolerance, saying that it’s the path to prevent hatred and prejudice.
  2. The victims who are waiting for the right moment to retaliate. They can’t win yet, so they tolerate.
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Monument of Ninoy Aquino

Senator Binay hoping for a better year for family, Filipinos

By Kristine Angeli Sabillo (INQUIRER.net)

MANILA, Philippines – Senator Nancy Binay on New Year’s Eve said she was hoping that 2015 will be a better year for her family and the Filipino people.

“We welcome 2015 with open arms and positive emotions that it will be a better year compared to the past years,” she said in a statement. “The year 2014 came and went, and alongside it, the hurts and challenges that we had to endure and weather.”

Binay said her family was “tested” last year by issues that “challenged [their] confidence and faith.”

“Like a bamboo, we Filipinos remain standing tall and still—the winds make us bend, but it will never break us,” she said.

The senator said she was positive that Filipinos will be able to hurdle obstacles and survive calamities by working together.

“Little by little, we are picking up the pieces, starting all over again and moving forward. With the Lord’s help, we will all be standing strong again,” she said.

The senator is the daughter of embattled Vice President Jejomar Binay who has been accused of pocketing kickbacks from anomalous transactions in Makati City when he was still the mayor. Their family has also been accused of owning an undisclosed property in Batangas. The Vice President has denied the claims, saying it was an attempt to destroy his political career. Binay has announced his plans to run for president in 2016.

French Ambassador Garachon named knight in French Legion of Honor

(InterAksyon.com)

MANILA - France honored its chief diplomat in the Philippines, Ambassador Gilles Garachon, by naming him Chevalier (Knight) in the Legion d'honneur (Legion of Honor) at a reception on December 16 at the French Residence in Makati.

The insignia was given to Ambassador Garachon in the presence of Filipinos who have also been recognized by the French government, such as former House Speaker Jose de Venecia, Ambassador Cristina Ortega, Ambassador Hector Villaroel, and former UP President Francisco Nemenzo.

Since taking up his post as the top envoy of France in the Philippines 2012, Ambassador Garachon has been instrumental in a series of events that strengthened French-Philippine bilateral relations, such as the official visit of French Prime Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault, the launch of the exhibit "Philippines: Archipelago of Exchanges" at the Quai Branly Museum in Paris, and more recently, the visit of President Aquino to France, which French President Hollande is expected to reciprocate early 2015.

Pop singers at Makati Festival of Carols

(MST Entertainment)

SOME of the country’s singers joined one of Makati’s festive traditions that has become bigger and better every year. Richard Reynoso, The Company’s Moy Ortiz, Frenchie Dy, together with Joy Nilo, secretary of the Philippine Choral Directors Association were the judges at The Festival of Carols in Makati, the fifth edition of the annual Christmas Caroling Competition among Makati High Schools.

The Festival of Carols in Makati was more than just a competition as it was an avenue for Makati High School chorale groups to show that songs have the power to make Christmas celebrations meaningful. Students from nine participating schools—Pitago High School, Fort Bonifacio High School, Benigno Ninoy Aquino High School, St. Paul Makati, Don Bosco, San Isidro High School, Makati High School, Makati Science High School and Pio Del Pilar High School performed two chorale pieces each.

“The participating schools and their respective students surprised me with their fresh take on well-loved Christmas carols,” singer Richard Reynoso said.

“Now on its 5th year, we wanted our annual Makati Inter-High School Christmas Caroling Competition to remind us of the real essence of Christmas—the joy found in giving inspiration and hope to others,” says Mel Ignacio, assistant vice president, Ayala Land.

This year’s winners of the Makati Inter-High School Christmas Caroling Competition are Benigno Ninoy Aquino High School as champion and St. Paul Makati and Pio Del Pilar.

Firecracker ban in 3 Makati barangays stays

By Mike Frialde (The Philippine Star)

MANILA, Philippines – The ban on the use of firecrackers and pyrotechnics in three barangays in Makati City affected by an oil leak in July 2010 stays.

Makati fire chief Ric Perdigon yesterday said the city government has not issued an order to lift the firecracker ban in Barangays Bangkal, Magallanes and Pio Del Pilar.

“Anybody caught selling firecrackers or using fireworks in these barangays will be arrested by the police,” Perdigon said.

The city government had approved an ordinance banning the use of fireworks and firecrackers in Barangays Bangkal, Magallanes and Pio Del Pilar after they were affected by the oil leak from the pipeline of the First Philippine Industrial Corp. (FPIC) in 2010.

Mayor Jejomar Erwin Binay said that although the cleaning phase of the oil leak has been continuing, the ordinance remains in effect to prevent harm on residents.

“Although the cleaning phase of the oil leak has been ongoing for years now, the city government deems it proper to keep the ordinance in effect so that no further harm could befall our constituents,” Binay said.

“We have been in constant communication with environmental specialists and consultants to determine whether the soil and water in these areas have been freed from traces of oil,” he added.

An oil leak from the pipeline was discovered at the basement of the 22-story West Tower Condominium in July 2010, prompting the city government to order the evacuation of the building.

The FPIC pipeline transported oil and petroleum products from Batangas to the oil depots in Pandacan, Manila.

Under the ordinance, violators of the firecracker ban will be penalized with a fine of P5,000 or six months imprisonment.

The firecrackers prohibited by the ordinance include baby rocket, bawang, small triangulo, pulling of strings, paper caps, el diablo, watusi, Judas’ belt and skyrocket (kwitis).

Banned pyrotechnic devices are sparklers, luces, fountain, jumbo regular and special, mabuhay, roman candle, trompillo, airwolf, whistle and butterfly.

Binay reminded the public that the city government is still implementing the 1994 ordinance that prohibits the sale of firecrackers to minors.

Violators are fined P1,000, jailed for 15 days or both, at the discretion of the court.

For his part, Perdigon said the city fire department is ready for fires that may be triggered by fireworks and firecrackers during the New Year’s Eve revelry.

“We are ready together with the volunteer firefighters although we are striving for zero-fire incidents,” he said.

Perdigon urged residents to refrain from using firecrackers to greet the New Year.

40 artists in one exhibit

(MST Lifestyle)

Gallery Big and the ArtistSpace of the Ayala Museum present Continuum, a group exhibition of 40 Filipino contemporary visual artists which will be on view until Jan. 5, 2015. The exhibition is a survey of past year’s issues, harvesting a collection of works that examine social events, which border on the past, present and future. In effect, the curation of works becomes a snapshot of the Filipino condition.

The exhibition features the following artists: Buen Abrigo, Marcel Antonio, Jun Balasbas, Janet Balbarona, Marco Bañares, Gerrico Blanco, Michael Cacnio, Xander Calceta, Buen Calubayan, Franklin Caña, Jonathan Ching, Salvador Ching, Clarence Chun, Franchesca Co, Iya Censorio, Joe Datuin, Thomas Dacquioag, Daniel dela Cruz, Jaime Gubaton, Siefred Guilaran, Maya Ladyong, Domenico Lopez, Dino Lopez, Kelli Maeshiro, Jessie Mondares, Francis Nacion, Tiny Nuyda, Ramon Orlina, James Pacena II, Butch Payawal, Omi Reyes, Arturo Sanchez, Robert Sanchez, Eddie Santillan, Aner Sebastian, Hamilton Sulit, JR Urao and Camille Ver.

ArtistSpace is at the Ground Level, Ayala Museum Annex, Makati Avenue corner Dela Rosa Street, Greenbelt Park, Makati City. For information on the ArtistSpace, contact Lorraine Datuin, gallery coordinator at (02) 759-8288 or email artistspace@ayalafoundation.org.

For more information on the exhibition, call Gallery Big at (632) 666-7755.

Bulgarians nabbed for ATM skimming in Makati on Christmas Day

By Marc Jayson Cayabyab (INQUIRER.net)

MANILA, Philippines–Two Bulgarian nationals were arrested for alleged automated teller machine (ATM) skimming in Makati City on Christmas Day, police said.

In a statement, the Philippine National Police Anti-Cybercrime Group said it arrested Angelov Nicolay and Svetlin Hristov as they were caught red-handed detaching a keypad overlay on an ATM on December 25, 6 p.m.

Police said ATM skimmers use the keypad overlay to capture the account holder’s Personal Identification Number (PIN).

Anti-Cybercrime Group director Senior Superintendent Gilbert Sosa said this modus operandi is used by Eastern Europeans for ATM skimming.

Police urged the public to report cases of ATM skimming to the Anti-Cybercrime Group to help authorities investigate and file charges against culprits.

The Bulgarian suspects will be charged with violation of Republic Act No. 8484 or the Access Device Act of 1998, police said.

Central bank officials earlier told a House of Representatives inquiry on ATM skimming that less than one in 100 Filipinos are victimized by this fraud.

The number is essentially negligible compared with the global incidence rate of 25 percent based on a Nasdaq report, Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas official Melchor Plabasan said.

Last May, two Bulgarians were also arrested for allegedly cloning ATM cards in San Fernando, Pampanga.

EU helps timber exporters

By Othel V. Campos

The European Union is extending a technical assistance to enable the Philippines to meet the new EU timber regulation against illegal logging.

Matthieu Penot, attaché for economic cooperation of the European Union Delegation to the Philippines, said the EU was supporting efforts to raise the awareness and compliance levels of local exporters to the EUTR that took effect last year.

Penot gave the assurance during an EU-Philippines trade and investment dialogue conducted recently in Makati City.

The Philippine Exporters Confederation Inc. recently requested assistance to help address the concerns of small and medium-sized furniture exporters to the EU about the new policy.

“The concern is raised because unlike our Asean, we are just getting organized towards compliance to this regulation this year. Many of our exporters to the EU are intensely concerned about not being able to export because they are not ready to comply yet,” Liza Leong, vice president for communications of Philexport, said.

Lamido Philippines Invigorates New Year’s Resolutions Through Online Shopping

By Sara Susanne D. Fabunan

When the New Year celebration is just around the corner, Lamido gives importance to New Year resolutions by offering items that will help everyone fulfill everything on their list. The company provides yet another treat for their customers by bringing exclusive deals as early as the New Year.

Makati City, Philippines, December 24, 2014 --(PR.com)-- Within the noise and bright lights of New Year celebration, Lamido Philippines is promoting exclusive deals that will help fulfill everyone’s New Year’s resolution and expand their list for more. Lamido is taking the lead since online shopping is now growing in scale and consumers are now being hooked on the convenience and other benefits of online shopping. Among other online shopping sites, Lamido is giving online shoppers a continuous list of exclusive deals for the fulfillment of both the needs and wants of online consumers as a response to the fresh start of a brand new year.

Achieving New Year’s Resolutions with Lamido Deals

From the year-end special sale of 12-12 Blackout Sale and the Christmas Gift Ideas for the Christmas shopping season, Lamido is now looking to help their shoppers fulfill the ever-changing ups and downs of New Year’s resolutions. Nowadays, there are less and less people having resolutions for themselves as to the fear of not achieving their set of goals or not fulfilling the resolution itself. With this intact, the chance of New Year’s resolution being erased from the traditional activities of New Year celebration is, nevertheless, easy and possible. By now, the company is hoping that the deals they are offering will erase the up-and-rising habit of “New Year’s Resolution: No New Year’s Resolution.”

Lamido’s website is packed with items that will improve the possibilities of reaching the goals of resolutions by helping its shoppers with the functions and quality their items have. Whether it would be for sports activities, fitness equipment, home decorating, kid’s stuff, or other family matters, Lamido will surely have the perfect selection of items for you. Lamido believes that all resolutions must be fulfilled and, likewise the deals and services they are providing must be continuous and never fading.

About Lamido Philippines

Lamido Philippines is a buy and sell platform that provides merchants and consumers an online marketplace where they can conduct easy and safe transactions. Advertising in Lamido is free and sellers can post their products either by fixed, discounted or auctioned prices. Lamido Philippines embodies in it the very same culture that made Rocket Internet one of the biggest names in the online marketing business.

Makati scholar tops engineering board exams

By Sara Susanne D. Fabunan

A scholar of the city government of Makati and alumnus of the Makati Science High School (MakSci) got the highest score among 4,021 successful examinees in the Civil Engineering Licensure Examination administered by the Professional Regulatory Commission last December 6 to 7, 2014.

Roochie Mico Cosico, a beneficiary of the University of the Philippines Scholarship Program of Makati who graduated Magna Cum Laude from UP Diliman last April, garnered a rating of 96.95 percent.

Makati Mayor Jejomar Erwin Binay lauded him for excelling in one of the toughest professional board examinations in the country.

“We are very proud of Engineer Roochie Cosico who is a product of the public education system of Makati. His latest achievement is a fitting tribute to the untiring efforts of the city government to provide quality education to the less privileged youth. Congratulations to him and to his very lucky parents,” he said.

Cosico graduated as fifth honorable mention of batch 2009 of Makati Science High School, and as salutatorian of Bangkal Elementary School in 2005.

Also graduating from UP last April with honors is Jeffrey Losañes, cum laude, Industrial Engineering. From PNU, Mary Delle Gomez graduated cum laude with a bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education.

Gregorian Chant of Paris coming in 2015 for 450th anniversary of Christianization of the Philippines

By Amadís Ma. Guerrero (Philippine Daily Inquirer)

“We must balance our interests with those of Asian countries. We hope to have more relations with the Philippines. We have to learn from each other. We have many things in common, not just religion.”

The words are from the French Ambassador to the Philippines Gilles Garachon, who spoke at a recent press briefing at the French Embassy in Makati City.

The charismatic envoy, who has a Ph.D in Asian Studies, added: “We have to get a new momentum in the relationship [between the Philippines and France]. We are now in the process, and I’m very happy with the process.”

The press conference was called to announce the Philippine tour of the renowned Gregorian Chant of Paris, a group created in 1974 with a mandate to preserve and disseminate the sacred Gregorian chant. It is an international choir, although based in Paris. The singers come from France, Germany, Czech Republic, Russia, Slovak Republic, Colombia, Madagascar and South Korea. (Hmmm, no Filipino chorister?)

The ensemble is divided into a male choir and a female choir, the latter created in 1994. For the Philippine tour, 26 choristers, both male and female, will be corning, and they will be accompanied by acclaimed French organist Pascal Marsault.

The choir will be performing from Feb. 18 to 27, 2015, in the cities of Manila, Makati, Muntinlupa, Cebu, Cagayan de Oro and Davao. The opening concert is on Feb. 18, 7 p.m. at Alabang Town Center. This will be followed by performances at the historic San Agustin Church in Intramuros, Manila (Feb. 19, 7 p.m.); Greenbelt 5, Makati (Feb. 20, 7 p.m.); Ayala Center Cebu (Feb. 22, 7 p.m.); Centrio Mall, Cagayan de Oro (Feb. 25, 7 p.m.); and Abreeza Mall Davao (Feb. 27, 7 p.m.).

Augustinian anniversary

The choir will be participating in the celebration of the 450th year of the Augustinians in the Philippines, the oldest Catholic missionary order in the country. In the San Agustin concert, Marsault will be playing on the 18th-century Spanish Baroque organ, the oldest organ in the Philippines.

The concerts are free, on a first-come, first-served basis.

The music of the Gregorian Chant of Paris “is very special, pure,” said Garachon. “It may be the oldest in Europe. We kept this tradition alive not only in France but all over Europe. They sing the liturgy of the Mass. There is no modulation. Everyone is saying the same thing all the time, soul to soul, heart to heart.”

During the open forum, the ambassador was asked if it was true that the French were focused only on their own culture.

“We are very much involved in culture,” he said. “Culture is an important fact of life. We love French culture of course, but we also love all other cultures.”

Hotels outdo each other, décor-wise

By Raoul J. Chee Kee (Philippine Daily Inquirer)

With Christmas just over a week away, and if you’re in a design rut and don’t know what to do with the Christmas décor you and your family have amassed through the years, consider checking out the different hotels in the city for ideas.

Luxury hotels and resorts usually choose a theme months in advance and stick to it, resulting in stunning tableaux and vignettes throughout the property.

The look is cohesive, yet each decorated corner can stand individually.

You do not have to buy decorations yearly. All you need is a fresh perspective and an openness to experiment with colors and accents.

This list of hotels is far from complete but it’s enough to make us look forward to next year’s decorations.

French connection

The Peninsula Manila chose a green-and-white motif and enhanced it with cut glass, crystals and mirrored surfaces. Since the hotel chain opened its first European property in Paris this year, it decided to celebrate this milestone by choosing a French theme.

“One of the most famous Christmas festivals in France is Lyon’s Fete des Lumieres (Festival of Lights) where for four days buildings, parks, squares and streets are lit up by different artists. That was our inspiration for our Crystal Christmas theme,” said Mariano Garchitorena, the hotel’s director of communications.

The Sofitel Philippine Plaza in Manila has also chosen a French theme. At the lobby is a replica of the Eiffel Tower dotted with fairy lights. Christmas shops line the lobby selling sweets, mulled wine, small wooden toys and Christmas décor of export quality.

Many hotels have Christmas trees and wreaths as major décor. Fairmont Hotel and Raffles Suites and Residences, imported pine trees from the US, and so did Sofitel.

The smell of fresh pine greets you. The trees were trimmed with red and gold balls, like at Fairmont, or predominantly white ornaments (Raffles). To continue this theme of “freshness,” masses of red and ivory potted poinsettias dot the hotels’ halls and public spaces.

Timeless gold

Dusit Thani Manila tapped florist Robert Blancaflor who stuck to a palette of vivid green garlands with a combination of matte and shiny gold balls. Touches of white came from the large pillar candles perched on candelabras.

Blancaflor used swags of green garlands trailing down tables and on the shiny floor, making the Dusit lobby all the more dramatic.

Shangri-La Makati chose a travel theme—clocks, traveling trunks, hot air balloons that deck the trees, and hang from the hotel’s high ceiling.

I was particularly charmed by the intergalactic theme at New World Hotel Makati. Even before you walk into the lobby, you are greeted at the driveway by oversized star tetrahedrons made of capiz shell.

Inside, three towering metal trees are festooned with more star-shaped ornaments made of twisted wire or capiz. Completing the look are mirrored pieces and textured Christmas balls in gold and white. The base of each tree is ringed with potted ivory colored poinsettias.

Christmas just got cooler.

Makati lifting number coding from Dec. 24 to Jan. 2

By Joel Locsin / LBG (GMA News)

Motorists in Makati City will get a pass from the number coding scheme from December 24 to 28, then from Dec. 30 to the first week of 2015.

The Makati City government on Saturday announced the number coding will be lifted from Dec. 24 to 26, and on Dec. 30 and 31, Jan. 1 and 2.

However, it will be in effect on Dec. 29, Monday.

"ADVISORY: Number coding will be lifted in Makati City on December 24, 25, 26, 30 and 31, 2014, and January 1 and 2, 2015," it said in a tweet.

On Friday, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority said it has lifted number coding from Dec. 23 to Jan. 4.

Under the number coding scheme, private vehicles are banned from Metro Manila's major roads from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., depending on the last digit of their car plates.

Covered by the number coding scheme are:

- Mondays: plate numbers ending in 1 and 2
- Tuesdays: plate numbers ending in 3 and 4
- Wednesdays: plate numbers ending in 5 and 6
- Thursdays: plate numbers ending in 7 and 8
- Fridays: plate numbers ending in 9 and 0

Makati residents warned against 'botcha'

By Mike Frialde (philstar.com)

MANILA, Philippines - The Makati City Veterinary Services Office (MVSO) on Friday warned residents against buying tainted or “double-dead” meat commonly known as “botcha.”

MVSO chief Dr. Vivien Manalastas, city veterinarian, issued the warning following the recent seizure of some 25 kilos of “botcha” meat while being delivered to a market in Barangay Rizal.

“We advise the buying public, especially the residents of Makati, to be extra vigilant in buying meat in the markets as some unscrupulous vendors may mix double dead meat with fresh ones in an attempt to fool consumers,” Manalastas said.

Manalastas said consumers should not be lured into buying contaminated meat products offered at a cheaper price because these contain heat-resistant bacteria that can cause not just illness, but death to those who ingest these even if cooked well.

The city veterinarian’s office also reported to Mayor Jejomar Erwin Binay the measures initiated by her office in collaboration with the National Meat Inspection Service (NMIS) to strengthen its meat inspection services and ensure the strict compliance to meat safety regulations of meat vendors in all 10 markets in the city.

Inspected were the markets of Poblacion, Olympia, Tejeros, Cumavena, Bangkal, Pio del Pilar, Sacramento, Kalayaan, Guadalupe and Palanan. Nation ( Article MRec ), pagematch: 1, sectionmatch: 1

Manalastas said the MVSO has issued and distributed letters and memoranda to all market owners and administrators regarding the strict observance of hygienic meat handling, reproduced and distributed informational tarpaulins to raise consumer awareness on meat safety, and deployed meat inspectors to monitor and apprehend meat shops that may be selling frozen meat. The NMIS prohibits the sale of frozen meat in the market when the stall is not equipped with freezers, chillers or refrigerators.

Manalastas also reminded meat distributors to strictly observe the regulation of using a covered vehicle to transport the products to destinations to avoid contamination.

Under City Ordinance 2011-018, the Makati City Meat Inspection Code, only accredited vehicles by the MVSO shall be allowed to transport/deliver meat, aquatic products within the city. For destinations outside the city, the vehicles must be accredited by NMIS.

First-time violators will be fined P3,000 and their meat products will be confiscated. The penalties for the second offense are a P4,000-fine and confiscation of products plus one month impounding of illegal transport. On the third offense, violators will be fined P5,000 while products will be confiscated and unaccredited vehicle will be impounded for six months.

Under the said ordinance, all meat markets/channels engaged in selling of meat, aquatic and meat products shall be subjected to veterinary inspection and examination before distribution and sale within the city. Dealers, retailers and wholesalers of meat are prohibited from selling their products outside registered meat markets in Makati. Before securing or renewing their business license, anyone involved in the meat trade should first secure a Veterinary Inspection Certificate from the MVSO.

Violators of the said provision shall be penalized as follows: First Offense – P4,000.00 fine and confiscation of products; Second Offense – P4,500.00 fine, confiscation of products and three-week suspension of operations of establishment; Third Offense – P5,000.00 fine, confiscation of products, closure of business establishment and imprisonment of offender of not less than six months.

BIR sues Makati birthday cake supplier

By Camille Diola (philstar.com)

MANILA, Philippines — The Bureau of Internal Revenue has filed charges against the owners of a bakery, which supplies cakes for Makati City government, for allegedly misdeclaring its income.

The tax evasion complaint signed by Internal Revenue Commissioner Kim Henares was filed Thursday before the Department of Justice against Cups and Mugs Kitchenette owner Kimtun Chong.

The tax complaint against Cups and Mugs covered the period of 2009 to 2011, involving an allegedly unpaid taxes amounting to P46 million.

In a radio report, Henares claimed that Chong's company only declared P43.23 million when it earned P107.64 million from the Makati City government alone.

In August, lawyer Renato Bondal accused Makati Mayor Jejomar Erwin "Junjun" Binay and the former city mayor, Vice President Jejomar Binay, before the Senate Blue Ribbon subcommittee of giving away "overpriced" birthday cakes to senior citizens.

Bondal claimed that each cake costs the city government P1,000. Makati City Administrator Eleno Mendoza, however, said that the cake were purchased at only P306 each.

DevCon Summit 2014: Where are the women?

By Regina Layug Rosero (Rappler.com)

Of all the tech jobs available, how many would go to women? Among all the tech companies that were recruiting at DevCon 2014, how many of their current employees were women?

MANILA, Philippines – The Philippine IT industry is growing: at the recent Developers Connect Summit 2014, held last November 29 in The Tents at Alphaland Southgate, Makati, pretty much every speaker said “We’re hiring!”

But of all those jobs, how many would go to women? Among all the tech companies that were recruiting at DevCon 2014, how many of their current employees were women?

For 2014, the Philippines ranks ninth place in the World Economic Forum (WEF) Global Gender Gap Index. The WEF determines country rankings by measuring factors in four fundamental categories: Economic Participation and Opportunity, Educational Attainment, Health and Survival, and Political Empowerment.

The country scores 1 in both Educational Attainment and Health and Survival, but a dismal 17 (down from 10 in 2013) in Political Empowerment and 24 (down from last year’s 16) in Economic Participation and Opportunity.

Women: speakers or objects?

Unfortunately, this disparity—high educational attainment, low economic participation—was evident at DevCon 2014. While the audience seemed to be populated by an equal number of males and females, mostly students, the exhibitors’ booths were run primarily by males.

The program was male-dominated too: out of a total of 30 speakers in the entire program, only four were female. None of the female speakers were onstage to present their technical expertise; instead, they represented sponsor companies or developer communities.

There were a few times that women were mentioned in the presentations by male speakers. In the slideshow by keynote speaker Calen Legaspi of Orange and Bronze Software Labs, Inc. was a scantily clad girl sitting on a sofa, reading a book. The text of the slide was encouraging the audience to read up on code and design.

Japanese developer Tomonori Nishikawa talked about his company, KLab Cyscorpion, and two of their games. “LoveLive! School idol festival” featured sexy school girls, while “Red’s Revenge: The story behind the Little Red Riding Hood” highlighted a scheming anti-hero.

Only Jomar Tigcal from Google Developers Group mentioned any initiative to include women; he had one slide on GDG’s Women Techmakers events.

Women developers represent

Though they were noticeably invisible from the event program, there were more than a few females among the participants, the event volunteers and the exhibitors. A few of them talked about what it’s like to be a girl in the Pinoy tech world.

Kristina Divina Verbo, a Mozilla Representative in the Philippines and Associate Software Engineer at Accenture, said: “There were times when I was about to go out for job interviews, my parents and all of my relatives were saying, that’s for boys only, and it was kind of intimidating.” But her peers in the Mozilla Philippines community made her feel welcome.

Pierre Angelene Gutierrez, taking up BS Information Technology in De La Salle University-Dasmariñas, was recently hired as a Microsoft Student Partner. But initially, others were urging her towards a different course.

“Sinasabi ng iba dapat nag-Tourism na lang ako, or Psychology. Ako naman, gusto ko talaga mag-develop, kasi Web yung first love ko. Hindi ko na lang iniisip na ganito yung tingin nila sa kin. Basta kung ano yung gusto ko, na yun yon,” Gutierrez said. (They say I should have taken Tourism, or Psychology. For me, I really wanted to go into development, because the Web is my first love. I tried not to think about what they thought of me. What I want to do, that's all that matters.)

In both her school and among the Microsoft Student Partners, boys outnumbered girls.

Carole Monteloyola, 29, has been fascinated with technology since high school. “I’m currently senior web developer here at Microsourcing. Since high school eto na yung gusto ko’ng gawin. Nung high school kasi, nag-start pa lang yung dial-up Internet, Edsamail, ang galing. Sa school din, yung friends ko, [contest] na OK, gawa tayo ng HTML page, pagandahan tayo ng design. Dun nag-start. Yung first job ko actually sa school din namin, hindi ako programmer, more on sa systems. Nagustuhan ko, kasi parang ang daming pwedeng gawin, ang daming opportunities, ang daming pwedeng aralin. Araw-araw ka may matututunan na bago.” (Since high school, this is what I wanted to do. In high school, when dial-up Internet began, I thought it was cool. We held contests in school to make the best-designed HTML page. That's where it started. Actualy, my first job was in our school as well. I wasn't a programmer, but rather on systems. I liked it because it seemed like there was so much I could do, there were many opportunities and chances to learn. I learned something new every day.)

Inspired and challenged by tech

Many women who work in the industry are not developers, but they’re intrigued by this work and challenged by its fast pace and rapid innovation. Alvina Consunto shares, “I’m working in KLab Cyscorpions as Public Relations Officer, and the reason why I want to work in this kind of industry is I find it very interesting, exciting, challenging. I’ve been here for seven months. I really love my work.”

Camill Vazquez, 27, works for Satoshi Citadel Industries, a Bitcoin company. “I work in Business Development, so we do all these events, we’re going around schools. I think it’s really interesting, I think it’s definitely where money is headed, especially since we’ve had all these innovations in technology that have drastically changed the industry, and I think one of the only industries that haven’t really been innovated upon is money. I’ve always been interested in tech but my background is in entrepreneurship, so this is different. It’s my first time in a tech company. I really enjoy it. Very fast-paced.”

Sophia Lucero, 29, is a freelance Web designer and one of the co-founders of Philippine Web Designers Organization. She explains, “I like the Web. It’s very democratic, very equalizing. It’s fast-paced and you can teach yourself. So if you want to learn something you go to the Web and learn something. And Web design is one of the things you can do with it. And when you have a website, it’s also very powerful because it’s how people learn. It’s information, it’s news, people can express themselves, can express their hobbies or share part of themselves, blog, everything. So I wanted to learn how to do that. And eventually that’s what I wanted to do for a living.” Though she hasn’t personally experienced any gender biases, she’s very aware of it—both locally and abroad.

Women in tech: the good and the bad

Lucero blogged about a local tech event where male organizers sent out a call for “females, ladies, girls” to join a tech meetup as usherettes or registration babes. A local developer summit released a poster filled with pictures of women in provocative poses and revealing attire.

She said via email, “The females in the thread didn't even find it offensive. It is a concrete example that there is sexism and gender inequality in the tech community, and it is possibly even worse because it's the kind that people don't even feel or are aware is sexist.”

And then there’s GamerGate, which may have started as a discussion of gaming journalism, but escalated into a discussion of widespread online misogyny and “who is and is not allowed to have a voice in mainstream culture.”

But all is not lost. There are active efforts to be more inclusive. Ruby on Rails developers all over the world have a community for female developers called Rails Girls, and the Manila chapter was formed in 2012.

Though the local community hasn’t been very active, Rails Girls in Belgium, Taiwan, Slovenia, Brazil and other countries continue to hold events, workshops and gatherings. Worldwide, Google Developers Group (GDG) holds Women Techmakers events; GDG Philippines held one in Manila during the 2014 International Women’s Month.

If DevCon 2014 is to be indicative of gender gaps in the tech industry, then it shows that women can learn the tech, but they aren’t given opportunity to lead and to be role models. But more and more women are paying no heed to naysayers and simply pursuing careers in development and related fields.

With these women pushing ahead in the industry, perhaps future summits will have better gender ratios.

Binays face plunder over Makati HS 'overprice'

By Jenny Reyes (ABS-CBN News)

MANILA - Lawyer Renato Bondal on Tuesday filed a second plunder case against Vice President Jejomar Binay, this time over the alleged overpricing of the construction of the P1.3333 billion Makati Science High School.

In a complaint filed before the Office of the Ombudsman, Bondal claimed the school was overpriced by P862 million.

Bondal accused Binay, who was a former Makati mayor, his son, current Mayor Junjun Binay, several former and current city councilors and 10 executives of Hilmarc's Construction Corporation of pocketing money from the project.

The other persons charged are: Councilors Ferdinand Eusebio, Arnold Magpantay, Romeo Medina, Tosca Puno-Ramos, Ma. Althea Casal-Uy, Virgilio Hilario, Monsour del Rosario III, Vince Sese, Dr. Nelson Pasia, Salvador Pangilinan, Elias Tolentino, Ruth Tolentino, Henry Jacome, Leo Magpantay, Nemesio yabut, Armand Padilla, Israel Cruzado, Ma. Theresa de Lara, Angelito Gatchalian, Ricardo Javier, and the members of the Makati City School Board in 2009.

Bondal filed the complaint based on the testimony of Commission on Audit Chairwoman Grace Pulido-Tan before the Senate Blue Ribbon subcommittee where she said the COA detected a number of red flags in the construction of the P1.33 Billion project.

The COA chairwoman said the initial estimate of the project was pegged at P348.6 million, which then ballooned almost four times the original price.

A property appraiser said his estimated cost of construction of the 10-storey Makati Science High School is only P489 million, which is lower than the P1.3333 billion allegedly spent on the building.

The Department of Public Works and Highways also estimated the building cost to be between P489 million to P644 million.

Bondal, who filed a plunder complaint against Binay in connection with the Makati City Hall Building 2 project, earlier described the Makati Science High School as the most expensive national high school building in the country.

He said the building, located along Kalayaan Avenue in Barangay Cembo, started construction in 2007 but was only inaugurated on February 14, 2014.

The building has 10 floors, 54 classrooms and has a total floor area of 18,373 square meters.

Bondal said given the P1.333 bilion price tag, the building costs about P72,500 per square meter. Each classroom in Makati Science High School also costs P24.6 million, he said.

USAID opens P960-m grant

By Othel V. Campos

The United States Agency for International Development launched Monday the second grant cycle of the Philippine-American Fund at the InterContinental Hotel in Makati City.

“The Phil-Am Fund represents the commitment of the United States Government to support the fundamental role of civil society organizations in development,” said USAID mission director Gloria Steele.

Representatives of Luzon-based civil society organizations, corporations, business chambers, academic and professional associations attended the event.

Similar conferences were also held in Davao City and Iloilo City earlier to reach out to Mindanao and Visayas institutions.

USAID’s Phil-Am Fund is a five-year, P960-million ($24 million) grant facility that provides opportunities for local civil society organizations in the Philippines to innovate and develop new solutions for many of the country’s development challenges.

The project is implemented by the Gerry Roxas Foundation with SyCip Gorres and Velayo Co. as its management advisory partner.

The grant facility, launched in September 2013, has awarded 12 grants to date.

10 Yolanda survivors enjoy scholarships at UMak

By Joel Locsin / LBG (GMA News)

At least 10 survivors of super Typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan) get to avail of full scholarships at the University of Makati.

The Makati City government granted the scholarships via the Makati Consortium for Educational Scholars (MACES) program.

Last year, UMak officials accepted emergency transferees from Yolanda-affected areas and granted them full scholarships, without them having to present transfer credentials.

Instead of transfer credentials, MACES executive director Dr. Analiza Arcega said the students were asked to secure a certification from any official of their respective schools or endorsement from their local government.

Those who failed to present any of the documents were still admitted but on probationary status.

Arcega said there are 1,419 scholars under the MACES scholarship programs, with 1,035 taking up undergraduate courses and 384 enrolled in the graduate programs.

City employees and public school teachers are also beneficiaries of the MACES special scholarship.

MACES was established in 2007, and eventually became ISO 9001-2008 certified.

It oversees scholarship programs under three categories, including Academic scholars or those who are Dean’s listers, Achievement scholars or those who are varsity players, and Special scholars.

Yolanda survivors

For the first semester of School Year 2014-2015, the 10 beneficiaries include seven from Leyte and three from Samar. They include:

Ralph Dominic Noya, 3rd year, BS Hotel and Restaurant Management
May Ann Dima-angay, 3rd year, BS in Education Major in Early Childhood Education
Cristina Dima-angay, 4th year, BS Education Major in Filipino
Verge John Lantajo, 3rd year, BS Management Accounting
Elizabeth Quintua, 3rd year, BS Accountancy
Pearl Ruby Cerro, 3rd year, BS Hotel and Restaurant Management
Mark Dranreb Cerro, 2nd year, BS Hotel and Restaurant Management
Ma. Shaira Syquina Kaye Astorga, 3rd year, BS Secondary Education Major in Technology and Livelihood Education
Kurt Kevin Astorga, 4th year, BS Education Major in Mathematics
Krichelle Mae Montallana, 3rd year, BS Psychology.

Cream of the crop of camera brands opens store in Makati

By PJ Enriquez (Philippine Daily Inquirer)

One hundred years ago, Oskar Barnak, an employee of the Leitz-Werke Wetzlar, constructed the first still picture camera for the 35mm film format.

The objective was to create a light, compact camera that could take film horizontally as opposed to the traditional vertical position commonly used in cinema cameras of the time. While the official release to the public would not happen until 1925, it was clear that the format would greatly change the way people take pictures.

Today, Leica represents the cream of the crop of camera brands. As one friend put it, “It is the Rolls-Royce of cameras.”

It has been used and continues to be used by photographers looking for precision and accuracy in their images. Legendary photographers Robert Capa and Henri Cartier-Bresson have produced some of the most iconic images of the last century using a Leica.

Meanwhile, avid photographers like film director Stanley Kubrik, actors Brad Pitt and Aaron Eckhart, musician Seal and even Queen Elizabeth II use it as well.

Imagine the excitement among the photography community when Leica celebrated its 100th anniversary on Nov. 5. The day was also when the camera brand opened its first store in Makati.

Celebrations started with the ribbon-cutting, after which a crowd stormed in to get its first glimpse of the product line.

Welcoming guests at the event were Leica CEO Alfred Schopf and managing director of Leica Camera Asia Pacific Sunil Kaul. Sales manager of Leica Camera Asia Pacific and chief officer for marketing, sales and retail Oliver Kaltner also attended the event.

Leica Camera Asia Pacific has appointed the Lucerne Group as its partner in the Philippines.

The Leica Store is located on the lower basement of Greenbelt 5, just as you get off the escalator coming from the underground parking. You can’t miss it as Leica’s unmistakable “Red Dot” logo hangs above the entrance.

The store is minimalist in design with glass counters and glass cabinets covering the front of the store while a small sitting area is situated at the back.

On display were several of the brand’s favorite models including Leica’s signature M series, a full frame digital rangefinder, in its several forms including the latest Leica M-E and the favorite monochrome version. Several compact cameras were also laid out, as well as Leica’s medium format S system.

“We are excited to be in the Philippines and pleased to see so many Leica users already. We feel that our arrival is good for the industry,” said Kaltner.

Kaltner promises that Filipino consumers will have access to Leica’s full line of products and accessories including its world-renowned high-quality lenses such as the Summilux and Summicron.

The party eventually moved to Greenbelt 5’s gallery area on the second floor where a short program was held with models showcasing the new cameras while guests were treated to cocktails and finger foods catered by the German Club.

The Leica difference

For the rest of the evening, the talk was about photography. Whether they were already owners or aspiring to own one, all were in agreement that the legendary brand represents a different level of photography.

Some talked about the image quality produced by Leica while others discussed the way the brand has positively changed the way they take photographs.

“The character signature of a Leica photograph is so significant, one does not have to be an expert to recognize it. From film to digital, it continues to preserve its image legacy,” said Derick Gamboa, a longtime Leica user.

Bernie Paras Gan added: “The Leica rangefinder brought back the joy and romance of taking photographs. Much like writing with a fountain pen, it’s not just the outcome but the actual use that brings so much pleasure.”

But that difference also comes with a hefty price tag. Leica’s medium format camera, the Leica S body, will sell for around P1.2 million, while its popular M9 rangefinder is priced somewhere in the neighborhood of P350,000-P380,000.

“We like to think that our products cater to a specific segment of the market that the other brands don’t really play in. Lucerne will help us in defining that market better. We feel that our presence helps the industry in general,” said Kaltner.

Emerging market

According to Kaul, finding the right partner in the Philippines was important. Leica was happy to appoint the Lucerne Group as its local partner in the Philippines.

“I view the Philippines as an important emerging market. It has a lot of potential. We need a partner who knows what our market is all about. Lucerne will be instrumental in building closer relationships with our Filipino customers,” said Kaul.

The Lucerne Group is the country’s leading retailer of luxury watches with brands like IWC, Baume et Mercier and Breitling.

“I am very pleased and excited to represent Leica in the Philippines. It is the best in the luxury technical camera and optics segment. It is our desire to further strengthen the brand and write the next chapter for Leica in Manila,” said Ivan Yao, Lucerne Group managing director.

Yao said his group will support the brand with continuous marketing activities involving and engaging customers, such as workshops, talks and other activities that will expose both current and future customers to a better understanding of the product.

Visit the Leica Store at the Lower Ground Floor of Greenbelt 5, Makati.

Ombudsman cites Makati gov’t for ‘ease of doing business’

By Maricar B. Brizuela (Philippine Daily Inquirer)

MANILA, Philippines–After weeks of being under scrutiny in the Senate blue ribbon committee over allegedly overpriced building projects and other irregularities, the Makati City government gets another “blue” marking—but for a more pleasant reason.

The Office of the Ombudsman on Thursday recognized the administration of Mayor Jejomar Erwin Binay Jr. for its efforts in reducing red tape for investors and ensuring ease of doing business in the city, which hosts the country’s financial district.

Makati received from the antigraft body a Blue Certification, which acknowledges its high level of compliance with the 87 standards set for the registration of new business and renewal of business permits.

Of the three cities evaluated in Metro Manila, Makati was found to have the highest rate of compliance at 75 percent (meeting 65 of the 87 standards), earning a Blue Certification-Level 2.

The two other cities, Marikina and Taguig, both complied with 60 standards and received a lower Level 1 certification.

The standards basically provide measuring tools for the quality of application requirements and procedures, IT-related systems, level of customer convenience, and anti-“fixer” mechanisms, among others.

Assistant Ombudsman Evelyn Baliton awarded the plaque of recognition to Binay in simple rites held at the mayor’s office.

Baliton, who represented her agency’s Public Assistance and Corruption Prevention Office (Pacpo), explained that the Blue Certification initiative seeks to “determine causes of inefficiency, red tape, mismanagement, fraud and corruption in the government, and make recommendations for their elimination and the observance of high standards of ethics and efficiency.”

Still in its pilot stage, it is designed to “pressure (local government units) to introduce and institutionalize reforms in order to reduce the burden of red tape in business regulations in their locality,” she said. It also sets a methodology designed to guide LGUs in regulating businesses.

In response, Binay said he was grateful and happy with this “positive news” from the Office of the Ombudsman, noting that it was the first time that the antigraft body had assessed this particular aspect of an LGU’s performance.

“At least a portion of what we are doing here has been recognized by the Ombudsman (for being) transparent,” Binay told reporters after the awarding.

9 Pinoy teen filmmakers participate in Japan festival

(ABS-CBNnews.com)

MANILA - Nine Filipino high school students recently represented the Philippines at the Asian International Children's Festival 2014 held in Japan.

The students--Jay Domingo, Jeremiah Lanot, and Vincent Perez of Tanza National High School; Amber Emilia Acosta, Kyle Shaniel Robles, and Kimberley Sanchez of Diliman Preparatory School; and Angela Joi Caquilala, Riel Amadeus Diala, and Alexandra Noelle Lumagbas of Makati Science High School – stayed in Japan for eight days.

During their stay, the Pinoys travelled from Osaka to Minami-Awaji and Kobe City in Hyogo Prefecture as part of the festival program. The group visited key regional attractions and engaged in different cultural activities on the days leading to the festival’s Final Awarding Ceremony held on Saturday, November 29, at Minami-Awaji City.

The Philippines’ official entries to the film festival were “Mangangalakal”, which tells the story of a young boy who is determined to pursue his dream of becoming an engineer despite his family’s economic difficulties, by students of Tanza National High School; “My Dream: Tomorrow and Forever”, created by students of Diliman Preparatory School, about a little girl’s tale of self-discovery and spiritual growth; and “An Artist’s Dream”, a stop-motion film on using art as a means to raise environmental awareness, produced by students from Makati Science High School.

Of the three, “My Dream: Tomorrow and Forever” received the ‘Shoreisho: Encouraging Award’ in the international event.

The Philippine entries to the festival were selected out of a total of 81 student-produced films submitted to the Japan Information and Culture Center (JICC) and the National Youth Commission (NYC) in September. Prior to leaving for the competition, the students were given information on Japanese culture, etiquette, and travel arrangements in a Pre-Departure Orientation organized by JICC.

The Asian International Children’s Film Festival was launched to serve as a platform for creative expression, encourage cultural exchange, and strengthen international ties among the youths of ASEAN and Japan by allowing young students from these countries to share their thoughts on certain universal issues or subjects through short videos.

This year, the festival centered on the theme “My Dream”.

No New Year’s Eve countdown in Makati

By Mitch Arceo

No fireworks will illuminate the sky and no free concert will jump-start the New Year’s Eve countdown in Ayala, Makati as the city government decided to cancel the traditional celebration and, instead, allot the event’s P30-million budget to projects that will benefit those affected by Typhoon Ruby.

Acting on the request of Makati Mayor Jejomar Erwin Binay, the city council passed an ordinance that authorizes the city government to assist and finance rehabilitation projects in areas affected by the typhoon.

“We hope the residents and visitors of Makati, especially those who were looking forward to the countdown, would understand and support our decision to again forego it this year. So many of our fellow Filipinos are suffering and they need all the help we can give,” said the mayor.

Binay said more or less 456, 386 families in Western and Eastern Visayas, Bicol and Southern Luzon were affected by the typhoon, based on a report from the National Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council.

The report also stated that Ruby caused major damage in Eastern Samar, specifically in the towns of Borongan and Dolores.

Binay said the supposed P30 million budget for the countdown celebration will be donated to rehabilitation efforts in these areas.

Since 2004, the city government has been hosting a New Year’s Eve countdown where local bands and artists were invited to perform.

The highlight of the event was the fireworks display which heralds in the New Year.

However, there were times when the city government had to forego the celebration. In 2009, the fund was donated to those who lost their homes in fires in the city, as well as those who were affected by typhoons Ondoy and Pepeng.

In 2010, it was once again cancelled so that the budget could be used to resolve the West Tower oil leak crisis in Brgy. Bangkal. Last year, they also had to forego the event to donate the P50 million budget to Yolanda victims.

Century Group to turn over $100-million Makati medical facility

By VG Cabuag

Real-estate developer Century Properties Group Inc. on Tuesday said it is ready to turn over its $100-million outpatient medical facility in Makati to unit owners.

The company said that it has completed the construction of Centuria Medical Makati in Century City, along Kalayaan Avenue.

The 28-story building is expected to house 700 clinics and office suites that will accommodate doctors of various outpatient medical practices.

Centuria also has 18 commercial spaces for dining, wellness and pharmacy outlets, while support facilities include a diagnostic laboratory to be operated by Hi-Precision Diagnostics, a hospital-grade Day Surgery Center and Recovery Suites.

Centuria’s opening is targeted in 2015, after doctors and tenants complete their respective unit fit outs. The building will be equipped with information-technology capabilities for the doctors and patients, as well as a trained medical concierge staff for locals and medical tourists.

“Centuria will address the need for facilities that will take these sunrise industries to the next level in the Philippines,” company chairman Jose E.B. Antonio said in a statement.

“This medical facility is also an important component to our strategy of having a complete, integrated community at Century City, where you just don’t have offices, high-rise residences and a retail mall but also a modern outpatient health-care facility,” he added. The building was launched in 2010 and was the second project to be completed by the company this year.

In March 2014 the company opened the 50,000-square-meter Century City Mall, right in front of Centuria, with about 110 retail tenants, including four cinemas and a Rustan’s Supermarket.

The project also forms part of Century Properties’ pipeline of residential, commercial and office developments. From its listing in 2012 up to 2019, Century targets the completion of a total of 31 buildings.

Apec meet to tackle summit priorities

By Christine O. Avendaño (Philippine Daily Inquirer)

MANILA, Philippines–Apparently, Typhoon “Ruby” will not rain on the parade of the Philippine government, which is hosting next year’s Asia-Pacific Economic Conference (Apec) Leaders Summit.

Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) spokesman and Assistant Secretary Charles Jose said Sunday the two-day Apec Informal Senior Officials Meeting (Isom) will proceed Monday as scheduled at the Makati Shangri-La hotel.

Symposium

The Apec Isom isexpected to be a symposium on Apec 2015 priorities.

“The Isom will introduce the Philippines’ Apec 2015 priorities, which are designed to ensure continuity of past and ongoing work in Apec; promote balance and relevance to each member economy’s domestic and regional needs, and ensure sustainability of efforts in achieving Apec’s short, medium and long term goals,” the DFA said in an earlier statement.

Monday’s meeting will take up six topics: 21st Century Megatrends and Challenges; An Inclusive Growth Strategy for the Apec region; Regional Economic Integration and the Multilateral Trading System; Fostering Small and Medium Enterprises’ Participation in Regional and Global Markets; Human Capital Development, and Sustainable and Resilient Communities.

Speakers

Among the speakers are Dr. Bernard Hoekman of the European University Institute; Jaime Zobel de Ayala of the Ayala Group of Companies; Diane Wang, cofounder and CEO of DHGate.com; Ramon del Rosario Jr. of Philippine Business for Education; Nobuaki Hamaguchi of the Research Institute for Economics and Business Administration; and Albay Gov. Joey Salceda.

Closed-door

Other speakers are Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa who will deliver the welcome remarks and Trade and Industry Secretary Gregory Domingo and Socio-Economic Planning Secretary Arsenio Balisacan who will deliver speeches.

On Tuesday, Apec senior officials and selected delegates will have a closed-door discussion on the outcome of the symposium and “how these can enhance the Apec 2015 overarching theme of inclusive growth.”

Ruby won’t stop Apec inaugural meet in Manila

By Niña P. Calleja (Philippine Daily Inquirer)

MANILA, Philippines—The inaugural meeting of the 2015 Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (Apec) conference, which 400 officials from the region’s 21 member economies are expected to attend, will go on as scheduled despite the threat of heavy rains in Metro Manila from Typhoon “Ruby” (international name: “Hagupit”).

Some 30 delegates for the Apec Informal Senior Officials Meeting (Isom) arrived Saturday while the rest are expected to fly in by Sunday for the Dec. 8 to 9 meeting at the Makati Shangri-la hotel.

The Isom, the inaugural assembly of Apec member economies in the Philippines as a part of the country’s role as 2015 Apec chair, was scheduled to be held in Legazpi, Albay, but had to be transferred to Manila because Typhoon Ruby was expected to hit Albay directly.

Apec groups 21 economies in the Pacific Rim and aims at promoting free trade and economic cooperation in the region. All Apec-related meetings will be hosted by the Philippines during the 2015 hosting year, which will culminate in the Leaders Summit in November 2015.

“Some Apec dignitaries are already in Manila,” said Vicente Guerzon, assistant general manager for security and emergency services of the Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA).

He said that the role of the MIAA, which runs all the terminals of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (Naia), was to assist the arriving delegates and ensure their safety.

Guerzon said security at the airport was “normal but we are vigilant” as of Saturday.

According to the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), the Isom will introduce the Philippines’ Apec 2015 priorities.

The DFA said the Philippines as chair of Apec 2015 aims “to ensure continuity of past and ongoing work in Apec, promote balance of and relevance to each member economy’s domestic and regional needs, and ensure sustainability of efforts in achieving Apec’s short, medium and long term goals.”

The Isom will be a two-part event, composed of a Symposium on Apec 2015 Priorities, to be followed by a Senior Officials Consultative Dialogue on Apec Priorities on the second day.

DFA officials said the Apec kick-off event would push through despite the heavy rains in the capital on Monday and Tuesday because of Ruby.

According to the weather bureau, although Manila will not be hit directly, the typhoon will bring rains starting on the morning of Sunday.

“As of now, the Isom will go on on Monday and Tuesday,” said Assistant Secretary Charles Jose, the DFA spokesperson.

PH park one of best places to see X'mas lights

(ABS-CBNnews.com)

MANILA – Conde Nast Traveler recently listed seven of its favorite places in the world to see Christmas lights, and a park in the Philippines is one of them.

The travel magazine released an article titled “Where to See Spectacular Lights Around the World,” which includes the Ayala Triangle Gardens in Makati.

The park is known for its five-minute Christmas show, which features millions of lights dancing to the beat of holiday music.

“Ayala Triangle Gardens is natural haven with a diverse population of trees, including kamuning, golden palms, and fire trees. The gardens are a courtyard for the surrounding business district, and started as a way to brighten up the evenings for the workers. As you make your way through the park, Christmas hymns and songs are synchronized to the lights to create an immersive holiday experience,” the Conde Nast Traveler article read.

Other places included in Conde Nast Traveler’s list are Tivoli Gardens in Copenhagen, Denmark; Champs-Elysees in Paris, France; Somerset House in London, United Kingdom; Silver Dollar City in Branson, Missouri; Kobe Luminarie in Kobe, Japan; and Christmas Market in Jena, Germany.

This year’s Christmas show at the Ayala Triangle Gardens runs every 30 minutes from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. until December 31.

Binay’s campaign donors also face contempt

By ROUCHELLE DINGLASAN

As they face tax evasion charges, Vice President Jejomar Binay's campaign donors—James Lee and Ann Lorraine Tiu—may also be cited for contempt for their failure to attend the Senate blue ribbon subcommittee hearing on the alleged overpricing of the Makati City Ball Building II.

In a chance interview with Senator Aquilino "Koko" Pimentel III on Thursday, he said that the Tiu couple could be cited for contempt since they had repeatedly evaded the Senate subcommittee hearings.

The Tius were called as resource persons on the investigation of the 35-hectare sprawling property in Rosario, Batangas whose ownership were linked to the Vice President.

James Tiu is the brother of businessman Antonio Tiu, who is alleged to be Binay's dummy in the ownership of a prime property in Rosario, Batangas. Antonio is the owner of Sunchamp Real Estate Development Corp., which is the registered owner of the Rosario property.

Through their lawyer, the Tius said they were abroad and vowed to attend the next hearing. However, this did not happen.

"Dapat hindi mini-mislead ang mga commttee lalo na ang blue ribbon committee, at kung kami ay mini-mislead, hindi naman 'yun dapat pabayaan lang," Pimentel said.

The couple were again invited and subpoenaed to the Senate proceedings, but again failed to show up.

"I would recommend that they be cited in contempt and then another subpoena to be issued to them to attend the next hearing in January," Pimentel said.

Earlier in the day, the Bureau of Internal Revenue filed a tax evasion case against the Tiu couple for allegedly failing to pay taxes worth almost P40 million.

The Tiu couple made a total of P15 million campaign donations to the Vice President for the 2010 elections. —NB, GMA News

Makati to distribute Christmas groceries to 88,000 students

By Mike Frialde (philstar.com)

MANILA, Philippines - The Makati City government will start distributing on Thursday bags of groceries for 88,963 public school children in the city, just in time for Christmas.

Makati Mayor Jejomar Erwin Binay will lead the distribution of the nutrition-packed gifts at the Pembo Elementary School and at the Benigno 'Ninoy' Aquino High School.

The project was launched last year as the junior version of the city’s traditional 'Pamaskong Handog ng Makati.'

This year, some 55,742 students from preschool, elementary and special education classes will each receive one bag containing raisins, instant oatmeal, cheese, double choco chip pancake mix, arroz caldo, champorado, fortified choco powder, tonic food drink, crackers, fruity loops cereal, choco flakes, choco cereal, biscuits, fruit jellies and breadsticks.

Meanwhile, 33,221 Makati high school students will each receive one bag containing raisins, instant oatmeal, cheese, double choco chip pancake mix, arroz caldo, champorado, fortified choco powder, tonic food drink, crackers, canned pork and beans, canned mackerel and instant pancit canton.

Last year, the project earned the approval of the Department of Health through Dr. Eduardo Janairo, then regional director of the Center for Health Development - National Capital Region. Janair lauded the city government for providing students essential nutrients for their increasing physiological needs as adolescents.

Binay said the program was aimed at providing proper nutrition to students so that they would become effective learners, consistent with the city government’s efforts to promote the health and well-being of the youth which are major contributors to their academic performance.

Early this year, the city government through Department of Education - Makati relaunched Project FEED (Food for Excellent Education Development), a feeding program that benefited some 3,881 public schoolchildren of Makati who were undernourished and underweight.

Beneficiaries were provided free lunch, from Mondays to Fridays for a period of 120 days to help them attain their normal weight for better class performance and attendance.

Through its effective nutrition program, Makati has continued to lower its malnutrition prevalence rate, which has been reduced further from 0.73 in 2013 to 0.64 this year.

Meanwhile, the traditional Pamaskong Handog gift-giving project, which has benefited thousands of Makati residents and city government employees for several years now since the term of then Makati Mayor and now Vice President Jejomar Binay, is scheduled to start distribution next week.

Ex-Makati vice mayor back in Manila

(ABS-CBNnews.com)

MANILA - Former Makati vice mayor and controversial witness Ernesto Mercado is back in the Philippines after leaving the country last month.

Mercado arrived at Ninoy Aquino International Airport terminal 2 at 6 p.m. Monday on board the Philippine Airlines PR 113 flight from Los Angeles.

In an interview, the former Makati official said he went to the US to visit his sick wife. He said he came back after his wife started feeling better.

Mercado said he has no intention of leaving the country without first finishing the controversy involving Vice President Jejomar Binay.

Mercado earlier told a Senate Blue Ribbon sub-committee that Binay accepted millions of pesos in kickbacks for various building projects in Makati when he was still mayor of the city.

He accused Binay of owning a 350-hectare property in Rosario, Batangas. Recently, he said Binay also owned several condo units that were issued as "payment" by condo developers to speed up the release of building and occupancy permits.

The vice president's camp has denied all of Mercado's allegations and rejected an invitation to appear before the hearings.

Binay earlier said he expects another attack from Mercado once the latter arrives from his trip to the US.

Philippine Football Federation wins Grassroots Award in AFC Gala

By Jaelle Nevin Reyes (Rappler.com)

The Philippine Football Federation bagged the President Recognition Award for Grassroots Football during the awards night gala of the 60th anniversary celebration of the Asian Football Confederation in Manila

MANILA, Philippines - The Philippine Football Federation (PFF) bagged the President Recognition Award for Grassroots Football during the awards night gala of the 60th anniversary celebration of the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) at the Makati Shangri-la Hotel on Sunday, November 30.

The award, which was also given to the football associations of India and Tajikistan, is given as recognition of the exemplary effort of the AFC-member nation to propagate sport in the grassroots level.

“Of course I feel happy, not just for the federation, but also for those sponsors that have been with us in implementing the grassroots programs. We will continue to implement this and of course I want to thank PAGCOR for helping us start it all.” PFF President Mariano Araneta said in an interview about the award that was handed to the country's football program.

Meanwhile, Araneta stressed that he is thankful that Asia’s football governing body chose to go back to its roots here in the country to celebrate its 60th anniversary.

“The AFC was founded here in 1954, we were one of the founding members and today’s event is something that recognizes that [the organization of] Asian football started here. So I’m honored that the AFC has bestowed us this honor to host the event.”

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The prestigious event was attended by football dignitaries from all over the world including the presidents of the AFC-member countries and a FIFA delegation headed the its president Joseph Blatter.

Several other awards were also given that night to acknowledge the efforts of the men and women of Asian football.

Japan’s Junji Ogura was awarded the coveted AFC Diamond of Asia award, an honor that is bestowed to any individual who have contributed to the growth and development of football in the continent.

The AFC Dream Asia Award was handed to the Qatar Football Association for their involvement to AFC efforts in social development.

The member association of the year award was given to three organizations namely, Japan FA for the inspiring category, DPR Korea for the developing category, and to the Kyrgyz Republic for the aspiring category.

Palestine’s national team was awarded as the national team of the year while Korea Republic was presented with the fair play trophy.

Japan U17 women’s national team coach Asako Takemoto and Sydney Wanderers coach Tony Popovic was conferred as the AFC coaches of the year for the men and women’s categories.

Also, the Sydney Wanderers, who emerged as victors in the 2014 AFC Champions League, was presented with the Club Team of the Year award.

For the players of the year, Australia’s Katrina Leoo Gorry took the prize in the women’s category and Saudi Arabia’s Nassir Al Shamrani snatched the celebrated plum for the men’s category.

Earlier in the day, the delegates, headed by FIFA president Blatter, PFF president Araneta and AFC President Shaikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa, took part in the groundbreaking ceremony of the FIFA Goal Project III in Carmona, Cavite.

Lastly, the eventful weekend for the celebration of the anniversary of the Asian football organization will be capped off tomorrow in Palo, Leyte, where the delegates will attend the turnover ceremony of the newly built houses in the AFC Village to its beneficiaries.

The project was made through the cooperation between the AFC, PFF, Gawad Kalinga and the Pedrosa Family.

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