Makati City News February 2016

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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

PPP Research Lab to be created through AIM-ADEC partnership

(RMA/PR/FMC)

MANILA, Feb. 29 (PNA) -- ADEC Innovations Foundation and the Asian Institute of Management (AIM) TeaM Energy Center for Bridging Leadership establish an alliance to further advance the development of the public-private partnership (PPP) standards of the global health sector.

This will be formalized through a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signing on March 2, 2016.

The event will be led by ADEC Innovations Foundation Chairman James Donovan, ADEC Innovations CFO Carol Esguerra, AIM President and Dean Jikyeong Kang and AIM TeaM Energy Center for Bridging Leadership Executive Director, Manuel J. De Vera at the Asian Institute of Management in Makati City.

The MOU signing between the parties will steer the creation of a PPP Research Laboratory where the facility can explore the leadership, governance and integrity dimensions of the Philippine PPP experiences.

The facility will also investigate the socio-economic, political and policy-related issues affecting PPP project implementation; convene policy makers, officials of government implementing agencies of PPPs, civil society organizations, research and private sector lenders, and investors to learning sessions and workshops that shall contribute to the development of the PPP research; and provide analysis from PPP research findings that can inform the development of evidence-based strategies for PPPs to promote transparency and accountability for inclusive governance growth.

”The establishment of the PPP Research Laboratory is one of the core standards of the Philippines as a UN-recognized International Specialist Centre of Excellence for Public-Private Partnership in Health. It also serves as a key in ensuring the efficient delivery of SDG-related projects and guarantee that they have a direct, tangible and positive impact across the world,” explains Donovan.

As a pioneer in international management education, AIM’s dedication in this partnership is motivated by its mission towards making a difference in promoting the sustainable development of Asian societies. Dean Kang adds, “our extensive and comprehensive experience in global research matches ADEC Innovations Foundation’s commitment in accomplishing SDG-related projects.”

ADEC Innovations Foundation has been dedicated to promoting innovative and sustainable solutions to critical environmental, social and governance sustainability challenges and is now currently working with the United Nations and hosts the International Specialist Centre of Excellence for PPP in Health with the support from the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE).

The Centre was formerly hosted by the Department of Health. The vision is to improve the world’s quality of health through public-private partnerships. It is driven by its mission to enable the development and successful implementation of PPP projects in health through research, policy, capacity building, and collaboration.

The AIM TeaM Energy Center for Bridging Leadership has its roots in a global research project of the Synergos Institute. In 2002, it brought together practitioners from different parts of the world to articulate this leadership approach through the development of some 20 cases on Bridging Leadership and a paper by Steve Pierce entitled, "Bridging Differences and Building Collaboration: The Critical Role of Leadership".

This inspired Prof. Ernesto Garilao, then of the Asian Institute of Management, to continue the research and application of Bridging Leadership through the Center (formerly called the Center for Bridging Societal Divides) . SINCE THEN, BRIDGING LEADERSHIP HAS GROWN AND DEVELOPED UNDER THE CBL.

LTFRB lowers P2P fare from Ortigas to Makati and vice versa to Php50

(PNA), SCS/ANP

MANILA, Feb. 28 (PNA) -- Starting Monday (Feb. 29), the standard fare for the Point-to-Point (P2P) bus service route from Robinsons Galleria in Ortigas to Park Square in Makati City and vice versa will start at Php50.

Before the announcement, the standard fare used to be Php55.

The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory (LTFRB) made the announcement on Sunday via Twitter posting a schedule of departures.

LTFRB said that the loading area at Robinsons Galleria will be at the south corner of the EDSA Shrine while unloading will be opposite Rustan's or Robinsons Summit Tower along Ayala Avenue.

On the other hand, the loading area in Makati will be in front of Dusit Hotel.

The Board has four P2P packages, namely: Fairview to Makati Central Business District and Ortigas CBD to Makati CBD (Package 1); Katipunan to Makati CBD and Eastwood to Makati CBD (Package 2); Alabang to Ortigas CBD and Alabang to Makati CBD (Package 3); and North EDSA to Makati and North EDSA to Ortigas (Package 4).

The Premium P2P bus service launched last December is meant to shorten travel time since buses depart on a fixed schedule and travel directly from the terminal to the drop-off point.

It also encourages private car owners to commute to alleviate traffic.

Before being given an extension of its permit, it was formerly called Christmas non-stop premium bus service.

Since its launch, the response from commuters on the P2P bus service has been positive.

Makati houses cost over P200m

By Roderick T. dela Cruz

A typical house and lot in Makati City’s premier subdivisions costs more than P200 million, according to a research by online real estate portal Lamudi Philippines.

Lamudi Philippines, in its white paper presented to journalists, says Makati City is the most expensive housing market, both for residential condos and landed houses, based on more than 60,000 property listings on its website.

Rodel Ambas, head of content at Lamudi Philippines, says the average price of houses in Makati stood at P217.3 million as of the first quarter of 2015. Home prices in Makati actually varied, based on gated communities, starting from P35 million in Magallanes Village and P76 million in San Lorenzo Village to P80 million in Bel-Air, P200 million in Dasmariñas Village, P236.3 million in Urdaneta Village and P382.9 million in Forbes Park.

Makati City is way ahead of the second most expensive housing market, Muntinlupa City, home to Ayala Alabang Village, where the average home price was P55.8 million. Taguig City, where McKinley Hills Village is located, ranks third with P34.4 million, followed by Mandaluyong, which is known for Wack-Wack Village with P21.1 million.

Completing the list of cities with highest home prices are Pasig (P19 million), San Juan (17.7 million), Cebu City (15 million), Quezon City (14.6 million), Tagaytay (P13.4 million) and Parañaque (12.2 million).

The prices are based on actual listings at lamudi.com.ph, the top online real estate website used by homebuyers, sellers, developers and brokers.

“These ten Philippine cities now have an average home price of over P10 million,” Ambas says.

He says to buy homes in these cities, a family needs to be earning millions in a year. He says in Parañaque City, the least costly among the 10 cities, a buyer should be earning P4.8 million a year to afford the monthly mortgage for a P12-million home, using the 2.5 rule.

He says according to this rule, a homebuyer can afford to mortgage a home that is 2.5 times of his or her annual income. “If you are making P50,000 a month or P600,000 per year, multiply that by 2.5, the amount of property that you can afford is ….P1.5 million, which is extremely far from the prices in the 10 cities we mention,” he says.

“That rule is something to keep in mind when looking to buy a property in the future,” says Ambas.

The Lamudi white paper also shows that Makati and Taguig are the most expensive condo markets in the Philippines.

As of the first quarter of 2015, Makati’s average condo price was P139,503 ($3,090) per square meter, while Taguig condos had an average asking price of P125,031 per sqm ($2,770).

Ambas says the consolation is that Makati remains a bargain when compared to other key cities in Asia. Condo price in Hong Kong is around $22,814 per square meter, while properties in Singapore sell for $15,251 per square meter.

Lamudi Philippines co-founder and chief executive Jacqueline van den Ende says the numbers are based on the property listings on the company’s website as of the first quarter of 2015. Lamudi, which is present in 34 countries, considers the Philippines as one of its top markets, she says.

Lamudi Philippines acquired MyProperty.ph last year to have a dominant position in the online real estate market in the country. Van den Ende says along with Mexico, the Philippines will receive the bulk of the $31.4-million fund raised by Lamudi Group from investors recently.

“Lamudi Philippines, all around the globe, is the number one focus country for Lamudi. Why? Because the timing here is just right. Our real estate market is booming. More importantly, we are ready to move online here,” she says.

Lamudi is a part of the Rocket Internet Group of Germany, the one behind other successful e-commerce ventures in the Philippines such as Lazada, Zalora, FoodPanda and Carmudi. “The whole shift from offline to online is going very rapidly and that is driving the success for many e-commerce companies...And the Philippines is the number one focus country because it has a lot of potential in e-commerce and online business,” she says.

Van den Ende, a Dutch citizen, says to support the expansion of Lamudi in the Philippines, the company appointed German investment banker Benedict Faber as the chief operating officer.

“In 2016, we want to expand the dominant position of Lamudi and MyProperty, which have a market share of 55 percent of total online real estate market, or almost two to three times bigger than our closest competitor. MyProperty has 150,000 listings while Lamudi has 60,000 listings. We want to really ensure to get every single property for sale or for rent on to the website, so that we are true to our mission of bringing transparency to the real estate market in the Philippines,” she says.

“Together, we have 1.5 million people searching for property on our sites every month,” says Van den Ende.

New Makati hotel opens champagne buffet

(Manila Times)

Buffets have always been part of Metro Manila’s dining scene but not a champagne buffet.

This month, foodies in the country’s capital will be introduced to this new and exciting “brunch concept” at the metro’s newest hotel, the Makati Diamond Residences.

Serving only the best premium grower champagnes from brands such as Jean Vesselle and Delamotte, Makati Diamond Residences pulled all the stops in launching “Everyday Champagne” and treated guests to a luxurious brunch buffet.

The buffet menu was very well thought of, offering the hotel’s premium staples that are ready for tasting such as Fois Gras Macaron appetizers, a Raclette Station, a Pasta Station with Spaghettini Bottarga with Garlic and Olive Oil, a Carving Area with Cochinillo, main courses such as Rib Eye Steak and Baked Sea Bass Al Sale, and delectable homemade ice cream for dessert.

The Makati Diamond Residences Champagne Everyday buffet offers the Tapas and Champagne buffet, the Weekend Champagne Brunch buffet, and the Holiday Champagne Brunch buffet, which guarantees that guests can come in and sample bubbly all days of the week, from Mondays to Sundays and even on special holidays. However, those who avail of the Tapas and Champagne buffet are in for a special treat as the hotel serves special gourmand Jamon such as Jamon Iberico Bellota, Jamon Iberico Enrique Tomas; Guijuelo Origen, Jamon Iberico Enrique Tomas; Extramadura Origen, and Jamon Serrano Montenevado during the weekday buffets only.

All guests who were present at the intimate event were also warmly welcomed by Karina Leal, the PR and Marketing Supervisor of Makati Diamond Residences, and Aileen Tan, the Guest Service Manager of Makati Diamond Residences, who encouraged them to try the various dishes available.

Attendees included who enjoyed the great food and company were Your Local resident Chef Denny Antonio, model and columnist Anna Rufino with husband Raymond Rufino, former TV host and model Teresa Herrera, CNN TV anchor Claire Rodriguez, event host Issa Litton, blogger and event host Patty Laurel, fashion muse and lifestyle blogger Nicole Ortega, designers Nicole Whisenhunt and Emi Jorge with husband Ram Jorge, and specialty fashion entrepreneur Kai Lim.

Found in the hotel’s iconic Alfred Restaurant, the Makati Diamond Residences Champagne Everyday buffet offers a well-crafted, well-curated menu, and champagne line-up for every single day of the week.

Jail time, fine await persons, businesses caught dumping toxic waste in Makati

By Jerome R. Paunan (ICRD/RJB/JCP/PIA-NCR)

MAKATI CITY (PIA) – Imprisonment and stiff fines await individuals and establishments caught dumping hazardous waste in Makati, City Mayor Kid Peña has warned.

City Ordinance No. 2003-095 or the Solid Waste Management Code of Makati strictly prohibits the indiscriminate dumping of hazardous waste as these need special handling and disposal. It imposes a P1,000-fine and/or imprisonment between five days to 30 days on individual violators, and P5,000-fine and/or imprisonment of the owner from 30 days to one year.

“We are serious about keeping our city and our people safe from exposure to toxic substances, particularly mercury in spent lamps and lead in used batteries. We will make sure that perpetrators of illegal dumping will get the maximum penalty provided by the law,” Peña said.

The mayor reiterated his call to city residents and the public to be vigilant against illegal dumping of hazardous waste in the neighborhood, and to help authorities apprehend the perpetrators.

Following a report from environmental watchdog Ecowaste Coalition, Peña immediately ordered the city agencies on public health and environmental services to investigate an area in Barangay La Paz where busted fluorescent lamps, which contain mercury, were being dumped illegally.

“We urge our residents to watch out for illegal dumping of toxic substances in their community and immediately report it to the authorities. Please do not take this for granted. You and your own families are in real danger of falling ill because of exposure to mercury,” Peña said.

In a letter to the mayor, Ecowaste Coalition reported the illegal dumping on the sidewalk of Pablo Ocampo St. Extension near the corner of Zobel Roxas St. in Barangay La Paz. They attached photos of the incident as evidence.

Peña thanked the group for their concern, assuring them of the city government’s commitment to sustaining a safe and healthy environment in Makati. “We will not allow such irresponsible acts that endanger the wellbeing of our constituents to go on with impunity,” he said.

On the orders of the mayor, the city Department of Environmental Services (DES) has been closely monitoring the area while conducting an investigation on the incident to identify the perpetrators.

The mayor has also tasked DES and the Makati Health Department (MHD) to revisit current policies and programs of the city pertaining to toxic waste management. He asked the said agencies to explore possible tie-ups with concerned national agencies and non-government organizations like Ecowaste Coalition, to establish disposal methods and facilities that would be easily accessible to the people.

DES chief Danilo Villas said City Ordinance No. 2003-095, the Solid Waste Management Code of Makati, prohibits the indiscriminate dumping of hazardous waste as these need special handling and disposal. He urged residents to segregate busted lamps and other toxic waste from traditional household waste collected by garbage trucks.

On the other hand, MHD officer-in-charge Dr. Bernard Sese said health center staff in the different barangays have been conducting lectures to the community on the proper segregation and disposal of toxic waste.

Sese pointed out that the MHD has removed all mercury-containing medical instruments like thermometers and sphygmomanometers from all health centers in the city for the safety of patients and staff alike.

MMDA lifts number coding on EDSA People Power anniversary

(MMDA/RJB/JEG/PIA-NCR)

MAKATI CITY, 24 February (PIA) – The Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) has lifted the number coding scheme on Thursday, February 25, in line with the celebration of the 30th anniversary of the People Power.

Earlier, MMDA issued an advisory for the closure on parts of EDSA for the Flag Raising and ‘Salubungan’ activities on February 25.

The northbound lane of EDSA from Ortigas to Santolan, as well as White Plains Avenue in Quezon City, will be closed to motorists on February 25, from 12:00 midnight to 1:00 o’clock in the afternoon.

The eastbound and westbound lanes of Ortigas Avenue will remain open to motorists.

Meanwhile, the MMDA proposes the following alternate routes for affected motorists: for White Plains, motorists are advised to take Kamias Road, Aurora Boulevard, P. Tuazon, Bonny Serrano/Santolan, Ortigas, C-5 Road. MMDA will allow thru traffic from White Plains to Temple Drive. However, MMDA said that there will be no u-turn, because White Plains will be closed.

For EDSA, motorist are advised to use Mckinley Road, Kalayaan/Pioneer to C5, Roxas Blvd./Quirino/Osmena, Ayala, Buendia, R. Magsaysay Blvd., and Quezon Ave. to go north.

PCHRD to mark 34th anniversary on March 17

By Ma. Cristina C. Arayata [(PNA), SCS/MCCA]

MANILA, Feb. 23 (PNA) -- The Philippine Council for Health Research and Development (PCHRD), an attached agency of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), will celebrate its 34th year on March 17 at the New World Hotel in Makati City.

During the celebration with the theme, "Going Global: Increasing International Partnerships in Research and Innovation for Health," a memorandum of understanding on Health Regulations for Biomedical Devices and Equipment between PCHRD and the Department of Health (DOH) will be signed.

PCHRD is the national coordinating and monitoring agency for health research and innovation in the Philippines. The Council leads advocacies for stronger health research culture, and mobilizes resources to generate technologies and innovation.

The PCHRD's 34th anniversary will highlight globalization of research and innovation for health and the growing interest for international research collaborations.

On March 17, stakeholders will have a chance to discuss ways to make international research collaborations more effective and efficient through better cooperation and pooling of resources among countries and institutions.

There will be a panel discussion on “International Partnerships: Learnings, Best Practices and the Way Forward." Dengue, biomedical devices and DOST Intellectual Property policies are other topics lined up for the event.

DOST Secretary Mario Montejo, DOH Secretary Janette Garin and Commission on Higher Education (CHED) Chair Patricia Licuanan are expected to grace the celebration.

Meanwhile, Dr. M. Jamal Deen, president of Royal Society of Canada Academy of Science, will deliver the keynote address.

For inquiries, one may contact Ully Garcia at 837-7534, or email ucgarcia@pchrd.dost.gov.ph.

BIR Makati City jumpstarts 2016 'ANGAT PA, PINAS' advocacy

(PND/BIR)

MAKATI CITY, Feb. 22 -- Employing a different non-traditional tax campaign kickoff tack by doing away with the usual speeches, singing and dancing that are easily forgotten by the audience after the program, the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) Revenue Region (RR) No. 8, Makati City on Thursday officially launched its 2016 Tax Campaign Drive with region-wide enforcement activities under the tax agency’s Run After Tax Evaders (RATE) Program, Oplan Kandado (OK) Program, and Tax Compliance Verification Drive (TCVD).

The historic shift from the traditional kickoff program was in response to the call of Commissioner of Internal Revenue Kim S. Jacinto-Henares to conduct enforcement activities which are more productive and whose impact is more concrete and lasting.

Home of the country’s premier financial district and second highest contributor of at least 10% of the BIR’s revenue collection, the region started its kickoff activities with the filing at the Department of Justice (DOJ) of two RATE cases against its delinquent taxpayers. They were sued for “Willful Failure to Pay Taxes” due to the government in the aggregate amount of P31.43 million (taxable year 2009), and P37.12 million (2010), respectively.

During the day, the region also implemented closure orders under the Oplan Kandado Program and suspended the business operations of 14 business establishments within its area of jurisdiction. Said establishments were closed for various violations of the Tax Code, namely: 1) Non- issuance of Official Receipts, 2) Non-filing of VAT returns, 3) Under-declaration of Sales; and 4) Operating without registration.

The region’s nine Revenue District Offices (RDOs) also conducted simultaneous tax mapping operations (TCVD) in various malls and establishments in the region to determine compliance of businesses with the BIR’s registration, invoicing, and bookkeeping requirements.

This year’s tax campaign is in line with the “ANGAT PA, PINAS” advocacy of the tax agency which calls for greater cooperation among Filipinos to pay their taxes as their contribution to nation-building.

Makati gov’t warns vs toxic waste

By RITCHIE A. HORARIO (REPORTER)

THE Makati city government will apply the full force of the law on individuals and establishments caught dumping hazardous waste in the city.

Makati Mayor Romulo ‘Kid’ Peña said they will not hesitate imposing stiff penalties and jail time to violators of City Ordinance No. 2003-095 known as the Solid Waste Management Code of Makati.

According to Peña, the said law strictly prohibits the indiscriminate dumping of hazardous waste as these need special handling and disposal.

The ordinance imposes a P1,000-fine and/or imprisonment between five days to 30 days on individual violators, and P5,000-fine and/or imprisonment of owners of establishments from 30 days to one year.

“We are serious about keeping our city and our people safe from exposure to toxic substances, particularly mercury in spent lamps and lead in used batteries,” said Peña.

Peña asked residents and the public to be vigilant in their neighborhood and to help authorities apprehend the perpetrators.

Peña issued the call following a report from environmental watchdog Ecowaste Coalition that busted fluorescent lamps, which contain mercury, were being dumped illegally in Barangay La Paz.

Peña immediately ordered the city agencies on public health and environmental services to investigate the matter.

“Please do not take this for granted. You and your own families are in real danger of falling ill because of exposure to mercury,” Peña said.

In a letter to the mayor, Ecowaste Coalition reported the illegal dumping on the sidewalk of Pablo Ocampo St. Extension near the corner of Zobel Roxas St. in Barangay La Paz.

The mayor has also tasked the Department of Environmental Services (DES) and the Makati Health Department (MHD) to revisit current policies and programs of the city pertaining to toxic waste management.

He asked the said agencies to explore possible tie-ups with concerned national agencies and non-government organizations like Ecowaste Coalition to establish disposal methods and facilities that would be easily accessible to the people.

Mercedes-Benz buses high flyers to Makati

(Mice News)

YOUR Mercedes-Benz is waiting for you in Manila. Such a dream turned into reality on Thursday, when Philippine transport authorities launched a new “premium Airport Bus Service” from Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) to Roxas Boulevard and Makati. Service provider AIR 21 is initially operating six airconditioned 24-seater Mercedes-Benz buses, and 42 are expected to “ferry passengers to and from the NAIA on a 24-hour basis” by June, according the Philippine Information Agency.

A project of the Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) and its attached agency, the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB), the “premium Airport Bus Service” will operate under the brand name UBE Express, charge a flat P300 fare, and use designated off-street passenger stops along the routes.

“Along Roxas Boulevard, passengers will be able to board and descend from the bus at Midas Hotel, Hotel Jen, Manila Hotel, Mall of Asia, and the Entertainment City,” officials say. “Passenger stops for Makati City include Glorietta 4 and 5, as well as Ascott Hotel.”

The Mercedes-Benz Conecto bus looks impressive. Each has “large compartments” for baggage and is equipped with closed-circuit television cameras, a global positioning system, and an on-board Wi-Fi facility, their publicists say.

“Passengers who wish to take the premium bus may approach the transportation desk personnel at the arrival curbside area for assistance,” the PIA adds. “An automated fare collection system will also be developed to provide the option for advanced online booking. The buses will be manned by trained drivers and an on-board transport attendant, similar to an airline flight attendant.”

With the introduction of the premium bus service, passengers “can expect shorter queues for transport vehicles at the curbside areas of the terminals”, says Manila International Airport Authority general manager Jose Angel Honrado.

P2PBusThe government also announced the Thursday launch of new buses for the capital’s point-to-point (P2P) bus service (left), which is intended to cut commuting times, through fixed stops and schedules.

The DOTC permitted three non-stop routes in Manila over Christmas: SM North EDSA – Glorietta 5; Trinoma – Glorietta 5 (both P55), and SM Megamall to Glorietta 5 (P40). The LTFRB says it is “in the process of selecting bus operators for several premium P2P routes, linking several high-traffic origin and destination points, such as Makati, Ortigas Center, Alabang, and Fairview, starting June 2016”, its website says. “The winning premium P2P bus operators have the option to operate an interim service while the required buses are being manufactured.”

Last week, the LTFRB announced its requirement for all PUBs to install GPS devices, in an effort to better monitor and discipline errant bus drivers and operators. The new buses are comfier too, officials say. “People with disabilities, senior citizens, and pregnant women will begin enjoying the convenience and comfort of this new class of city buses, which improve accessibility with low floors and foldable ramps,” says DOTC Secretary Jun Abaya. “We are ridding our streets of dilapidated, poorly-maintained, and unsuitable buses. Eventually, this will push all PUBs to modernize.”

Devotion dominates Art Fair Philippines 2016

By AYA TANTIANGCO / BM (GMA News)

In its first three years, Art Fair Philippines worked hard to awe as soon as you set foot on the transformed parking lot that serves as its venue. In 2013 there was Ronald Ventura. In 2014, Louie Cordero's psychedelic ping-pong tables. Last year, it was Robert Feleo's creatures.

This year, the fair is a little more reserved in its layout. Perhaps it no longer feels the need to be flashy to attract people. With a more traditional layout, Art Fair Philippines shows confidence—the art is enough. Let it and the people breathe.

Trusted galleries remain crowded: Silverlens, WEST, Secret Fresh, and MO Space were filled with familiar faces and pieces during the vernissage Wednesday evening. A scaled-down offer from Gabriel Barredo at Silverlens is sure to appease his fans, while previous special exhibitor Kawayan De Guia joins a roster of artists presenting found object art in MO Space's nook. Following the footsteps of "Manufacturer's Advice: Contents May Vary" by Leo Abaya for Tin-Aw Art Gallery, Art Cube transforms its space from exhibit to experience.

"His Only Son" by Daniel Dela Cruz comments on faith in devotion with meticulously made brass sculptures of people contorted by their situation into awkward positions. On the walls, Dela Cruz also presents his interpretation of the Seven Deadly Sins—it sounds trite, but it's overwhelmingly beautiful.

Art Cube's booth is enclosed and the rest of the Art Fair is tuned out as you walk into the dark. The space is filled with Dela Cruz's sculptures and you might find yourself wishing for more eyes just to be able to look at everything at the same time. On the opposite side of the spectrum is Mark Justiniani's special exhibit, also in an enclosed booth. The art is sparse, but is sure to impress as much as it did during the first Art Fair. His work with mirrors is a hit on Instagram, especially the tunnel, but it would be a shame if you miss to admire the work he placed on the Cathedral-like piece.

In my personal opinion though, the most intriguing part of the Art Fair is Alfredo and Isabel Aquilizan's "Calma Art Gallery" installation—a replica of art stalls where paintings are peddled for cheap.

It speaks volumes about art and the value that is placed on it based on a number of arbitrary criteria. The installation, without being too blunt about it, dares to ask what art is from the perspective of mass production and the commercialization of the industry. Antonio Calma, the man who produces paintings for "lowbrow" galleries, no doubt loves the art as much as any other artist does. But what's in a name when it comes to this world and why do his pieces sell for peanuts while others earn millions with paint splatter? "We have discussed theories of art, notions of co-creation and authorship and how art is valued in accordance to the machinations of the art world," Isabel Aquilizan wrote as an introduction to piece. "Most of all, however, we have discussed what life really is. Calma has made me take a second look at what the visual arts really are and has made me examine our works further, and, by extension, our art and our lives."

Alorica hiring 6,000 Filipinos

By Roderick T. dela Cruz

US business process outsourcing company Alorica Inc. is hiring 6,000 Filipinos in the first quarter of 2016, as a part of a global expansion, a top executive said Tuesday.

“The Philippines is a key part of our strategic growth,” Alorica Inc. senior vice president for operations Colleen Beers said in a news briefing at Makati Shangri La Hotel in Makati City.

“Our clients and Alorica love the work ethic, the passion and the skill set of Filipinos. It is just exceptional,” she said.

Beers said Alorica, which currently had more than 12,000 team members in the Philippines, planned to hire more customer engagement experts in the first quarter across five facilities in Makati City, Mandaluyong City, Lipa City and Cebu City, as more companies chose Alorica as their customer service partner.

Alorica completed the acquisition of West Corp.’s agent services businesses for $275 million in 2015. The acquisition made Alorica among the largest BPO providers in the US.

Alorica, which is headquartered in Irvine, California, employs 48,000 team members in 73 locations across the globe, of whom about a quarter are in the Philippines. Beers said the company posted $1.2 billion in revenues last year.

Beers, who is responsible for the company’s Philippine operations, said Alorica’s largest facility at SM City Lipa in Batangas now had 2,500 employees, up from just 500 last year. Alorica is also recruiting more people at its other facilities at Alphaland Southgate Mall along Chino Roces Ave. in Makati, Exportbank Building along Gil Puyat Ave. also in Makati, Robinsons Cybergate 1 in Mandaluyong City and Skyrise Building 1 at Asiatown IT Park in Lahug, Cebu City.

“We are expanding by two floors at Exportbank Building [in Makati],” Beers said. “We are very excited about our growth in the Philippines.”

Beers said of the total job openings, 2,500 are for new positions while 1,000 to 1,500 are for seasonal jobs. The rest are for other opportunities, she said.

She did not declare the investment involved in the expansion, but said Alorica was investing in facilities, training programs and community projects. “A lot of investments have gone to our leadership training,” Beers said.

She said job openings included customer service representatives, technical service agents, quality analysts, trainors and supervisors. Average monthly salary for first-time employees start at P15,000, excluding allowance and benefits, she said.

Beers said Alorica was bullish about the prospects of the business process outsourcing sector in the Philippines.

The IT and Business Process Association of the Philippines, the umbrella group of BPO companies, set a revenue target of $25 billion and employment goal of 1.3 million in 2016, up from the initial estimates of $22 billion and 1.2 million jobs in 2015, respectively.

PA hosts first Steering Group Meeting with Royal Thai Army

(PNA), BNB/PFN

MANILA, Feb. 16 (PNA) -- The Philippine Army (PA) played host to the first Steering Group Meeting with the Royal Thai Army at the Dusit Thani Hotel in Makati City.

The meeting started Monday and will end on Wednesday, Army spokesperson Col. Benjamin Hao.

He said the first PA-Royal Thai Army Steering Group Meeting aims to strengthen and develop the friendly relations and cooperation between the military forces of the Philippines and Thailand and promote open discussion of subjects of mutual interest.

The Royal Thai Army delegation is headed by Major Gen. Chanavut Budkinnaree, Director for Office of Military Training and Education. He arrived in the Philippines on February 14.

The party was accorded with arrival honors during their courtesy call to PA chief Lt. Gen. Eduardo M. Año at the Army headquarters in Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City Monday.

A command briefing was conducted shortly afterwards.

The delegates are also expected to finalize bilateral activities for next year, that may include exchange visits and training exchange opportunities.

International engagements is one of the Philippine Army's thrusts to push for the strengthened bilateral and multilateral relations with other member states of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations and other allied nations.

Take part in early school registrations until Feb.29, parents told

By Jerome R. Paunan (ICRD/RJB/JCP/PIA-NCR)

MAKATI CITY, 15 Feb. (PIA) -- Makati Mayor Kid Peña is encouraging parents and guardians of students and out-of-school children (OSC) and out-of-school youth (OSY) to take part in the Department of Education’s early school registration which started last January 30 and will run until February 29, 2016.

“I strongly urge parents and guardians, especially of children who have stopped attending school, to grab this precious opportunity and enrol your children. This early registration program gives you the means to fulfil your moral obligation to ensure that your children are able to enjoy their right to proper education,” Peña said.

The mayor assured residents that all 27 public elementary schools and 10 high schools in Makati will accommodate enrolees from Monday to Friday, 8am to 5pm. He said classes for Special Education (SPED) and Alternative Learning System (ALS) are also open for registration to meet the needs of children with special conditions or situations.

With the theme “Makapag-aral ay Karapatan Mo, Magpalista,” this year’s early registration targets incoming kinder, grades 1 and 7, and children and youth who have stopped attending school for various reasons. These may include financial constraints, disabilities and discrimination.

DepEd-Makati officer-in-charge Dr. Dominico C. Idanan expressed his gratitude to barangay officials, and parents for their support. “I deeply appreciate the constant support we have been receiving from barangay officials, especially in locating out-of-school children and youth. I also thank the parents for their active participation in the early registration,” Idanan said.

As a general rule, no child must be denied admission in school, according to Maria Theresa M. Ruiz of DepEd-Makati, overall in-charge with the city schools’ early registration.

“If the child meets the basic requirements, for instance, the minimum prescribed age for kinder, and is still denied admission, such incident must be reported to us immediately so we can take the necessary actions to resolve it,” Ruiz underscored.

Residents with children aged five years old and above are urged to register their toddlers in the kindergarten program. Enrolees must present their NSO-certified birth certificate for age verification. Only five-year old toddlers or those who will turn five on or before June 1, 2016 will be admitted to preschool.

DepEd Order No.5, Series of 2016 issued last January 26 declares January 30, 2016 as the commencement of early registration for school year 2016-2017 in all public elementary and secondary schools nationwide. It is in line with the thrust of DepEd to provide learner-centered education.

Through the persistent joint efforts of DepEd-Makati and the city government, some 61,274 had been enrolled in the city’s public schools during the early registration last year, while the final count of enrolees for school year 2015-2016 has reached 84,890.

Ayala Malls launch art project, app, etc.

(JLG)

YOU REALLY shouldn’t love anything that won’t love you back, but the Ayala Malls are trying to love you back.

On Feb. 12, the Ayala Malls launched its latest projects, in a luncheon in Glorietta 5: the HeART series, a new concierge phone number, a new Wi-Fi system, and a new app.

For the rest of the year, Ayala Malls will have art installations (giant heart-shaped works, painted on and designed by artists) around all of its malls around the country.

In Glorietta, Mercedes Olondriz and designer Alessandra Lanot will have free reign over the heart, while Camy Francisco-Cabral and The Googly-Gooeys will be showing off in Market! Market! and Serendra, respectively. Designer Francis Libiran will showcase his heart in Greenbelt, while graffiti artist Dee Jae Pa’este creates his piece in Bonifacio High Street.

In Alabang Town Center, Bambi Manosa and Kids4Kids, Sam Galvez-Lorenzo of Village Art Gallery, and Patrick Cabral of Bucketfeet will have a live art presentation. Kris Abrigo, Egg Fiasco and Seikon will share their works in TriNoma, while graffiti-inspired artist Drone will show off in UP Town Center. EXL D, also a young artist, will paint in Fairview Terraces.

At the Marquee Mall in Pampanga, Marcushiro and Bru of Electrolychee will show colorful vector art and hand-drawn images. Young artist Farley Del Rosario’s works, on the other hand, will be on display in Harbor Point Mall. In Solenad, Serin and The District Imus, artists Tripp 63, Chill, BLIC, and Fine Arts students of Adventist University of the Philippines will bring a street vibe through graffiti-inspired art work.

At Abreeza Mall, visual art students from the University of Mindanao explore the “Lov’em” theme in different media.

“We’ve always made art accessible to the public,” said Rowena Tomeldan, vice-president and head of the Ayala Malls Group. She then cited how the works of Don Jaime Zobel de Ayala, Ann Pamintuan, and Arturo Luz have been shown at Ayala Malls in Makati. “We’ve always incorporated art in our developments,” she added.

All the malls will now share one concierge phone number (it’s 795-9595). Ms. Tomeldan said that in the past, “Customers would have a number for each mall.” Now, the system has been centralized, so a customer calls a single number to get connected to any of the malls they want to reach.

Meanwhile, the app, called A-Portal, serves as an interactive map through the Ayala Malls, and also connects visitors to services like cinema seat reservation and the Grab vehicle booking apps.

As for the new mall Wi-Fi, called Ayala Malls Go Wifi, a release claims that it “boosts each Ayala Malls’ internet capability to up to 100 mbps.” Getting connected to the network (powered by Globe) also enables a customer to get updates and information about the mall.

“We want our customers to be emotionally connected to us... to have that sense of ownership as far as the Ayala Malls are concerned,” said Ms. Tomeldan.

As to whether there will be new malls rising across the country any, Ms. Tomeldan said, “Oh yes, yes, more, more.” New mall projects for Ayala Land include an expansion of UP Town Center, and new malls in Muntinlupa and Pasig, as well as the opening of Vertis North near TriNoma.

Filipino students shine in technology competition

By Roderick T. dela Cruz

Filipino students have found a venue to display their problem-solving skills and technology know-how at a global level.

A recent streak of big wins at an annual global competition that promotes energy-efficient cities makes executives of Schneider Electric confident that the Philippines will replicate the feat this year.

“Schneider Electric is always on the lookout for top, world-class talents,” Tes Portillo, the country human resources director of Schneider Electric Philippines says in a news briefing in Makati City. “The Philippines is rich in talents.”

Schneider Electric, a French energy management company, organizes the annual Go Green in the City, a global business case challenge focusing on innovative energy solutions for smart cities. Filipino students have presented inspiring innovative solutions to produce energy, which garnered top awards in the international competition twice in the past three years.

Portillo says through the competition, Schneider Electric has discovered outstanding Filipino talents who presented innovations such as an electricity-generating water filter and power-generating road humps. The young inventors of these technologies are now working for the company, she says.

“Go Green in the City is the platform to do just that. It is a business case challenge venue, targeting business and engineering students which aims to generate innovative energy management solutions in order to create smart cities,” says Portillo.

Schneider Electric has recently launched Go Green in the City 2016, which starts with a national competition.

Portillo says from Jan. 15 to April 15, business and engineering (Bachelor, Master’s or MBA) students from all over the country are welcomed to join the challenge.

Under the challenge, teams of two (one male and one female member) are encouraged to submit a case study illustrating their ideas for innovative energy management solutions in cities for one of the five basic business challenge topics.

Ateneo de Manila University students Alyssa Tricia Eloise Vintola and Lorenz Ray Payonga won the grand prize in the global competition in 2013 with their Oscillohump, a device that absorbs and stores energy generated from cars going through speedbumps.

Last year, John Paul Santos and Christian Sta. Romana of the Polytechnic University of the Philippines grabbed the third prize of the global competition with their Electrifilter project, which generates electricity as it cleanses waste water.

More than 12,800 students from 168 countries participated in the 2015 edition of Go Green in the City, which aims to educate young generations and build awareness about the need for smart energy management for sustainable cities.

Santos, who graduated last year, is now working for Schneider Electric along with Vintola and Payonga. Sta. Romana is still studying at PUP.

Santos says he developed the idea for Electrifilter as a student who is exposed daily to the smell of Pasig River. Sensing the need for water treatment, he and Sta. Romana though about a device that can cleanse waste water and produce electricity at the same time.

After winning the third prize in Paris last year, Santos joined Schneider Electric as an engineer while continuing to improve his invention, particularly the chemical reaction process that produces electricity.

“The youth are now more aware and involved with ecological and energy issues, so we know that most will have great ideas to address them,” says Claude Mazallon, Schneider Electric Philippines country president. “Through [Go Green in the City], we want to give those ideas a venue where they could be developed, and hopefully, realized.”

Winners of the national competition will participate in the regional challenge, competing with other Asian countries. The semi-finalist teams will have two months to work with a mentor from Schneider Electric in order to create a synopsis and a video presentation of their idea. The 12 best teams will be announced on July 15, 2016, and will go to Paris on Sept.19 to 22 to compete in the grand final.

“The winning team will travel the world, VIP-style, with Schneider Electric, visiting facilities, networking with employees and high-level management. They will also be offered jobs with Schneider Electric in their home countries,” the company says.

Schneider Electric is a global specialist in energy management and automated systems, with 170,000 employees in more than 100 countries. Its services and products range from the simplest switches to the most complex operating systems, technologies, software and services.

Portillo says many Filipinos are employed by Schneider Electric not only in the Philippines but also in other countries. “In Schneider Electric, we have Filipinos in other parts of the globe as well. We also send people abroad for overseas assignment,” she says.

“We have a lot of talents all over the world. Clearly, overseas Filipino workers are all over the world. If we are only able to bring them back, the amount of knowledge they can bring back to their home country will be amazing,” she says.

Makati public schools teachers to receive Php117-M back allowances by March

(PNA) RMA/CLTC/Chrisheil C. Acal/Jonnah Lynne R. Pante (OJT)

MANILA, Feb. 12 (PNA) - Acting Makati Mayor Romulo "Kid" Peña Jr. on Friday signed a resolution granting Php 499 million of the city government's 2015 surplus and savings to all public elementary and high schools in the city.

With the aim to address the needs of the education sector, the city government approved the resolution dated Feb. 3, 2016 proposing a Php 117-million back allowances from 1998 to 2014 of teaching and non-teaching personnel.

Peña said the Makati School Board has passed a resolution for the payment of back allowances of teachers.

According to Peña, the supplemental budget covered about 3,250 teachers from 29 public elementary and 10 high schools who will receive around Php 60,000 to Php 100,000 each.

Peña said the allowances to be paid to teacher would be from 1998 to 2014, adding that he already signed the resolution.

The amount, he added, would be received by Makati public school teachers in March.

"This benefit is long overdue and it is just proper that it should be given to our teacher as this is authorized under the law," Peña told reporters.

The acting mayor said the fund, amounting to around Php 117 million for such benefit would be sourced out from the city's budget.

"So basically, based on our budget allocation, we will have to release around 117 million that will cover the back allowances of 3,250 teachers," he said.

“We are doing everything we can in the best interest of the teachers and students that are central to lift up their confidence and morale, and getting the pupils ready as the next generation of leaders,” Peña noted.

At the same time Peña denied insinuations that the move had something to do with the elections.

"We are just giving benefits to our employees legally," he added.

The Makati School Board also allocated Php 250 million for the procurement of Tablet PCs, charging carts, student shoes for Grade 7-11, athletic jackets for teaching and non-teaching personnel and Php 132 million for school renovations and improvements.

Makati shares DRRM initiatives to Yokohama, JICA officials

By Jerome R. Paunan (ICRD/RJB/JCP/PIA-NCR)

MAKATI CITY, 10 Feb. (PIA) -- The local government shared its disaster risk reduction and management (DRRM) initiatives and best practices to delegates from the Yokohama City Fire Bureau and the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) during a study visit held at Sampiro Conference Room, New Makati City Hall Building recently.

During the said visit, the city government presented to the delegates from Japan the institutional and legal basis of the establishment of Makati DRRM Office, its system and structure, and Makati’s DRRM practices, strategies, and accomplishments.

The delegates, who also visited the Makati Command Control and Communication Center (C3) at the top floor of City Hall, and the Bureau of Fire Protection – Makati, included Fire Officer Masatoshi Okano of the Yokohama City Fire Bureau in Japan, DRRM Project Formulation Advisor Hayato Nakamura (JICA Philippines), Japan Overseas Cooperation Volunteer (JOCV) on DRRM Takeshi Shikano (JICA Ormoc, Leyte), Hideyuki Moli (JICA officer), and JOCV on DRRM Tatsuya Hada (JICA Kalibo, Aklan). MDRRMO officer Terence June Soriano from Kalibo, Aklan also attended the event.

Makati C3 is the first surveillance and monitoring center in the country to be operated by a local government. Through this system, crimes and traffic accidents are captured through the closed circuit television cameras installed in strategic areas. The command center has thus helped in the effective resolution of crime cases, as well as in improving response time to emergencies. To date, it continues to serve as a model to other local governments in the country, as well as private constitutions, in the establishment of their own command centers.

Makati Mayor Kid Peña led city officials in welcoming the delegates who paid him a courtesy call upon their arrival at City Hall. He thanked them for choosing the city as a partner for its benchmarking program on DRRM aimed to strengthen its disaster preparedness and resilience.

“The New Makati welcomes opportunities to actively participate in the sharing and exchange of best practices in DRRM. Through study visits and other learning activities, particularly with other local governments and agencies, we can acquire new strategies and approaches that we can effectively adopt in the city’s local setting.

Other attendees at the said study visit included delegates from Red Cross–Makati, DepEd – Makati, BFP–Makati, and the different departments and offices of the city government.

Last December 2015, Makati also shared its DRRM initiatives, program thrusts and accomplishments to Sri Lankan officials during the Makati DRRM Learning Visit.

Makati welcomes Chinese Year of the Fire Monkey

By Jerome R. Paunan (ICRD/RJB/JCP/PIA-NCR)

MAKATI CITY, 9 Feb. (PIA) -- The local government, through its Museum and Cultural Affairs Office (MCAO), welcomed the Year of the Fire Monkey, with a Chinese Food Festival at the Glorietta Activity Center of the Ayala Malls.

Makati Mayor Kid Peña said aside from the food festival, the city’s senior citizens were treated to a Chinese New Year party followed by a fireworks display at the Makati Park and Garden.

“We at Bagong Makati join our Chinese-Filipino brothers and sisters in welcoming the Year of the Fire Monkey with high hopes for a more peaceful and prosperous New Year for all,” Peña said.

The Chinese New Year food festival offered a variety of traditional Chinese food specialties and delicacies from participating five-star hotels, namely, Dusit Thani Manila Hotel, The Holiday Inn & Suites, Makati Shangri-La, New World Hotel, The Peninsula Manila, and Raffles and Fairmont Makati, he said.

“We are very grateful to the Ayala Malls and the participating hotels, as well as to the companies that sponsored our fireworks display, for the support they always extend to the city government in the celebration of the Chinese New Year,” the mayor said.

The Chinese New Year Party for the city’s senior citizens was held at the Makati Park and Garden and hosted by the participating five-star hotels and Glorietta Mall.

Following this, fireworks display at the park set the sky ablaze as "Bagong Makati" (The New Makati) welcomed renewed hope and good fortune brought by the unfolding year.

The colorful fireworks display is sponsored by One Globe Corporation, Glorietta/Ayala Malls, Ayala Land Inc., Dusit Thani Manila Hotel, The Holiday Inn & Suites, Makati Commercial Estate Association, Land Bank of the Philippines, Philippine Savings Bank, Rockwell Land Corp., Metrobank, San Miguel Corporation, The Landmark, GMA Network, Rustan’s Comm. Corp., and Shoemart.

100 West: An ideal address for work and play in Makati

(Manila Bulletin)

For decades, Makati’s central business district has been the undisputed heart of finance and commerce activities in the Philippines. Its soaring old and modern buildings lined up along Ayala Avenue are concrete proofs that it is our version of New York’s Wall Street.

With the growth of the economy, companies and individuals look for alternative places to work and reside. This scenario spurs emerging urban and business districts that offer accessibility diversity and convenience — like Filinvest Land, Inc.’s (FLI) 100 West mixed-use development.

100 West sits right at one of the up-and-coming urban and business districts of the Philippines — Makati’s Gil Puyat Avenue corner Washington Street. This newest offering of FLI connects you anywhere in Manila via its access to major road network and mass transit systems.

“In buying properties, we need to have a vision. With 100 West, you not only have a vision for yourself and your family, but you are part of a vision of an emerging new urban and business district with accessibility that you can call your home, workplace and playground,” said Steve C. Chien, FLI SVP and Metro Mania Cluster Head.

Once completed, it will feature 26 residential floors that equates to 898 smart and efficient one- and two-bedroom units, a three-level lifestyle mall, four levels of office spaces within a sprawling 4,330-sqm land area.

Experience and enjoy

This vertical community keeps pace with the dynamic lifestyle of urbanites as it offers the best of three worlds – business, retail and residential.

“At 100 West, going to and from your work or home is just an elevator ride away. You can live your dream job at our prime office spaces equipped with fiber-optic facilities ideal for the specialized needs of BPO companies. Take your coffee break, lunch or dinner or unwind at our lifestyle mall’s dining, services and wellness shops anytime of the day. With these components in one building, you have more time for yourself, your family and your dreams,” said Mai C Yang, FLI AVP for high-rise buildings.

Modern living

Residential units are designed to inspire residents to get ahead and be on top of their game. Wake up to brighter mornings with wide picture windows. Live worry-free with an automatic door lock technology for added security.

This mixed-use development boasts of world-class partners to have an inspired urban community that includes AIDEA Philippines, Inc., EA Aurelio Landscape Architects Associates, Asuncion-Berenger, PL Light, BLG Facade Design Consultant, PDP Architects, Sy2+ Associates, to name a few.

Century, Japan partner start P4.5-B project

By Doris Dumlao-Abadilla (Philippine Daily Inquirer)

Property developer Century Properties Group (CPG) and Japanese conglomerate Mitsubishi Corp. broke ground for the P4.5-billion office property Forbes Media Tower, the eighth skyscraper to rise in Century City Makati.

“The Forbes Media Tower aims to become an address of choice for both multinational as well as leading BPO (business process outsourcing) corporations looking to participate in the booming BPO sector, which generated $21 billion and now employs 1.3 million people, serving as a key growth catalyst,” CPG chief operating officer Marco Antonio said in a statement.

“The demand for business space in Makati will always be present and it is an important challenge to create a new town concept in order to accommodate a very crowded old area. Tokyo is continually facing such a challenge and Makati now started this stage with limited land available for development. It is our honor to join this development with Century Properties Group,” said Yoshio Amano, general manager for Mitsubishi Manila.

The 35-storey Forbes Media Tower will have a total gross floor area of around 95,000 square meters. The development is expected to be completed by 2019.

“I’m particularly proud and honored with our partnership with Mitsubishi. We have very good chemistry. We have a shared vision for the Forbes project, and we value their contributions to this development with their decades of experience in doing projects in the Philippines,” CPG chair Jose Antonio said.

“This is a historic and groundbreaking moment for Forbes as we extend our brand into the global real estate development market.

African art at Galerie Astra

By Mandy Navasero (Philippine Daily Inquirer)

The art collection of a European diplomat stationed in West Africa in the ’80s is being displayed in an art exhibit (until Feb. 16) at Galerie Astra, LRI Design Plaza, 210 Nicanor Garcia st., Bel-Air II, Makati City.

The collection features 34 African art pieces, including Dan masks, Nomoli stone sculptures and Sande society’s helmet masks. Masks and figures are used in religious ceremonies.

They’re valuable to Africans, but since they’re often utilized in rituals, no effort was made to preserve them as aesthetic accomplishments.

African art first attracted the attention of Europeans in 1905 and influenced artists like Picasso and Modigliani.

New facility at Centuria Medical Makati

(Manila Bulletin)

Have you ever been inside an emergency room of a big hospital for treatment of a minor wound, an elevated blood pressure or an asthmatic attack? If you have been and have found your experience to be less than convenient, no one can blame you for wishing that there were other choices. The fact is, until recently there was no other choice. But now, you can actually save yourself the trouble of having to go through the rigors of having to be treated for minor illnesses in an emergency room as the Urgent Care Clinic at Centuria Medical Makati is about to open.

Centuria Medical Makati is the 28-storey medical outpatient building in Century City in Modern Makati, the growing residential and commercial district north of the Commercial Business District.

Not to be confused with an emergency room, the Urgent Care Clinic can dispense medical care for primary level cases or what are commonly referred to as minor or non-life threatening illnesses and injuries.

The clinic will address these primary level cases in an efficient manner through an established process flow serviced by a trained team of urgent care doctors and nurses.

When you need treatment for primary level cases that include less than serious medical conditions such as cough and colds, headaches, fever, abdominal pain, dizziness, injuries such as less than severe contusions, minor cuts, and abrasions, as well as occupational health concerns, you can avail of the services at the Urgent Care Clinic.

Century Properties, Mitsubishi start Forbes Media Tower construction

By James Loyola

Century Properties Group, Inc. (CPG), through its subsidiary Century City Development Corporation (CCDC), and Mitsubishi Corporation have broken ground for the world’s first Forbes Media Tower®, a 35-storey office building that will rise at Century City, Makati, Philippines.

The US$100 million tower is designed to serve the world’s business leaders by providing an environment with premium spaces to conduct business.

The groundbreaking event follows the announcement of the two firms to develop, lease out, and maintain the world’s first Forbes-branded commercial building through a joint venture agreement.

The Forbes Media Tower® project will be undertaken by Century City Development II Corporation (CCDCII), of which CCDC and Mitsubishi have 60 percent and 40 percent ownership, respectively.

The agreement stipulates that CCDCII shall finance the projected US$100 million total project cost through US$51 million of equity from CCDC and Mitsubishi, and a 10-year, US$49 million senior loan granted by the Bank of Philippine Islands (BPI).

“The Forbes Media Tower® aims to become an address of choice for both multinational as well as leading BPO corporations looking to participate in the booming BPO sector,” said Century Chief Operating Officer Marco R. Antonio.

Mitsubishi division chief operating officer Takuya Kuga said “we, Mitsubishi Corporation, entered the ASEAN real estate market in 2013 with belief in the long term and sustainable growth in ASEAN countries, especially in the Philippines.”

After a year of fruitful negotiations with Century, Mitsubishi considers the ground breaking a significant milestone for the project, “owing not only to good luck, but also to natural good chemistry between Century and Mitsubishi, and also the hard work of both teams.”

“I believe this is just a beginning of our long term relationship,” Takuya Kuga added.

The Forbes Media Tower® will have a total gross floor area of approximately 95,000 square meters. The development is expected for completion in 2019.

Kundiman, Atbp at Ayala Museum Guitar Nights on Feb. 11

(PNA), RMA/LOR/SSC

MANILA (PNA) -- Want to have a rewind of rare, great, mellow and soulful Filipino classical music or “kundimans”?

Treat yourself to an evening of original Filipino music ranging from folk songs, ballads, and contemporary love songs that are sure to tug at your heartstrings through “Guitarnights”, 6:30 p.m. at the Ayala Museum Ground Floor, Lobby on Feb. 12 at Makati City.

GuitarNights is a new addition to the list of musical experiences offered by Ayala Museum by gathering some of the country's foremost classical guitarists, and bringing the familiar and beloved instrument to a whole new light.

These cherished musical works shall be interpreted by four talented classical guitarists: Aaron Aguila, Ramoncito Carpio, Jordan Amaca, and Lester Demetillo, with special guests Stefanie Quintin (soprano), Astarte Abraham (mezzo soprano), and Nicole Tejedor (clarinet).

The featured artists are associated with the Independent Philippine Art Ventures, Inc. (IPAV), a multimedia arts company that focuses on promoting Filipino classical musicians.

Tickets are now available for sale at the Ayala Museum ticket counter,--Tuesdays to Sundays from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m

Regular tickets are priced Php 700 for senior citizens and Php 300 for students.

Discounted rate (Php 560) is available only to Ayala Rewards Circle and AGC Employees

Pre-event sales is at the Ayala Museum, Makati Avenue corner De La Rosa Street, Greenbelt Park.

Since limited seats are available, cash payment is preferred.

In the event the maximum seating capacity is already reached, succeeding buyers will be duly informed of standing room only status and can purchase tickets at the minimum price (Php 300).

It is best to call 759 82 88 local 31 or 35 to get the latest update on the availability of tickets.

Gates will open at 5:30 p.m. on Feb. 11 and a counter for unclaimed or unsold tickets will be available during the concert date.

Tickets purchased before reaching maximum capacity status during the sale period may sit anywhere.

Seating assignment is first come, first served.

Makati, Pasay win seal of child-friendly local governance

(PNA), RMA/CLTC

MANILA, Feb. 1 (PNA) – The cities of Makati and Pasay have bagged the Seal of Child-Friendly Local Governance (SCFLG) for delivery of social services that promote the welfare of children in their respective cities.

The city government of Makati on Monday received the Seal of Child-Friendly Local Governance (SCFLG) from the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), represented by DILG-Makati Director Rommel Cena, during a simple awarding ceremony held after the flag raising ceremony at the city hall quadrangle.

Acting city administrator Ramila Cruzado accepted the award on behalf of Mayor Kid Peña, and was accompanied on stage by members of the Makati City Council for the Protection of Children (MCCPC).

Cena said the SCFLG was given to deserving local government units for their commitment to the promotion of children’s rights to survival, development, protection and participation. He said Makati had received the recognition for two straight years now.

For his part, Peña acknowledged the “tireless efforts of the Makati City Council for the Protection of Children (MCCPC) in pursuing innovative ways to promote children’s rights and welfare in the city.”

The Council is chaired by the mayor, and consists of City Councilors heading committees pertaining to social welfare, president of the Liga, heads of city offices and departments, representatives of Makati-based national government agencies, youth representatives, and representatives from civil society organizations.

According to the DILG-Makati director, the conferment of the Seal of Child-Friendly Local Governance on Makati was based on the results of the Child-Friendly Local Governance Audit conducted last August 2015 by the Inter-Agency Monitoring Task Force. These were validated and endorsed by the Regional Committee for the Welfare of Children (RCWC), which is chaired by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD)-NCR.

The awarding of SCFLG is now on its second year. It was launched by the DILG and DSWD in November 2014.

Meanwhile, the city government of Pasay was conferred with the 2015 Seal of Child Friendly Local Governance by the Council for the Welfare of Children last Monday, Jan. 22, 2015 in a ceremony held at the Wack Wack Golf and Country Club.

“The 2015 Seal of Child Friendly Local Governance is a testament to our continued commitment to protect the welfare of the children in Pasay. This will surely help us in creating more programs for the benefit of our constituents,” Mayor Antonino G. Calixto said.

Calixto also reported his plans, programs, and accomplishments for the children in his annual State of the City’s Children Address (SOCCA).

“The children and their parents should be informed by the programs of our city for them. The annual SOCCA is very well attended and now, parents are aware of the programs we have for their children,” Calixto added.

The Seal of Child Friendly Local Governance is conferred to the local government units that continue to promote the children’s rights to survival, development, protection and participation towards a Child Friendly Philippines.

Over the past five years, Pasay City has been very active in protecting the rights and welfare of the children. Numerous students have received scholarships and free bags and school supplies to help them in their education.

Other programs such as feeding programs, medical and dental missions, and the rescue of children in the streets are continuing programs of the Pasay City Social Welfare and Development Office in cooperation with the Department of Social Welfare and Development.

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