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Ms. Universe Philippines 2011 candidate Shamcey Supsup relaxes on the beach in Guaruja, Mexico in this August 30, 2011 publicity photo. The Miss Universe pageant will be held in Sao Paulo on September 12.
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“MRT and LRT fare increase was approved as early as Oct. 2010” PAGE 3 -- Roxas
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A VALIANT STAND ON SPREADING PH’s BRIGHT SIDE
Vol. 1. No.13
Metro-SubicExpress
BUSINESS & LEISURE:
Two faces of Subic Freeport
Manila, PHILIPPINES
Sept. 5 - Sept. 12, 2011
P12.00
‘TO HIKE OR NOT TO HIKE’
PAGE 3
Debate on LRT/MRT fare hike flares
Subic next cruise-ship playground (See page 8/Backpage)
Conquer the skies with.....
Talaga naman pong delikado tumira sa gilid ng bundok ng basura mga ate, kuya! Ano ba naman kayo...’yan tuloy...
A.Z. Kal
PHOTO ABOVE (trashslide in Baguio) may already be passe as it was taken amidst the fury of typhoon Mina but Metro Express finds it appropriate to post it to serve as tragic reminder to everyone that living in the immediate vicinity of landfills is suicidal, a tragedy waiting to happen.
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Peace talks between the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) will continue despite the threat of renegade MILF commander Ameril Umbra Kato, Secretary Ramon Carandang of the Presidential Communications Development and Strategic Planning Office said. “Both sides, the Philippine government and the MILF, are committed to making this process move forward and we will work together to make sure that attempts
Sec. RAMON CARANDANG
Legarda urges LGUs to emulate U.S. preparedness in facing hurricane ‘Irene’ Senator Loren Legarda expressed her admiration on Wednesday to the sense of preparedness and vigilance exhibited by the local government units and people of the northeast United States in facing hurricane “Irene,” which they initially dubbed to be “historic” due to its unprecedented possible devastating effects. May the local governments in our country draw inspiration and learn from this U.S. experience so we can protect our people and assets from the devastating effects of calamities like this,” Legarda
SEN. LEGARDA
said. The lady senator particularly took note of the mandatory evacuation ordered by the local government units affected by the hurricane, including New York City whose local government officials managed hands-on the cyclone in an orderly manner. The local governments made sure there were shelters for evacuees. She also took note of the realtime updates given by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), a government agency which coordinates disaster re-
sponse in the U.S. The senator also expressed admiration on the U.S. media which did not become too hysterical but only gave a blow-by-blow account of the hurricane’s progress. People in affected areas received updates and alerts via mass media and text messaging. Most importantly, Legarda said she was impressed by the discipline exhibited by the people, who followed and coordinated wholeheartedly with their government officials who managed orderly
Cont’d on page 2
to disrupt it will not succeed,” Carandang said in a press conference in Malacanang on Thursday. It was reported recently that Kato threatened to disrupt the ongoing peace process between the government and the MILF. Aside from the peace talks, Kato also warned to attack the ongoing Balikatan exercises between Filipino soldiers and United States forces in Maguindanao. “Ipagpapatuloy natin yan. We will not give in to threats and all
the planned exercises will continue,” Carandang said, referring to the military exercises, adding that there is no need to augment government forces in Maguindanao in light of Kato’s threat. Carandang said there is sufficient security being provided for the U.S. soldiers participating in the military drills and there is no government plan to change the schedule because of the threat of Kato.
Malacanang Media Bureau
CAREER MAKES LOVI POE HAPPY Entertainment Page 6
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Metro Express
NEWS LRT/MRT & THE METROPOLIS
1M Filipinos to pray 1M rosaries for peace The Family Rosary Crusade in the Philippines is spearheading a campaign to get one million Filipinos to pray one million rosaries in 200 days for all nations in the world. Dubbed “A million roses for the World: Filipinos at Prayer: Peace for All Nations”, the campaign aims to rally Filipinos here and abroad to offer one rosary each day for a particular country in the world in 200 days. The nationwide activity will begin on October 7, 2011, the feast of our Lady of the Rosary and ends on May 31, 2012, Feast of Our Lady of All Nations. The event will be launched officially on October 8 at the UST grounds. The rosary campaign will come with catechesis, highlighting the importance of prayer for Christian life, of the rosary as a gospel story and the need for Catholics to get engaged in contemporary issues confronting society, says the FRC website. CBCP president and Tandag
Sept. 12 - Sept 19, 2011
Catholic doctrine commands members to pray to the virgin Mary:- “By asking Mary to pray for us, we acknowledge ourselves to be poor sinners and we address ourselves to the ‘Mother of Mercy,’ the All-Holy One…… May she welcome us as our mother at the hour of our passing to lead us to her son, Jesus, in paradise.” HAPPY BIRTHDAY MAMA MARY (Sept. 8)!
Bishop Nereo Odchimar lauded the campaign. “The tool may be simple but this simplicity will open for us the doors to lasting peace for the world and lead us to the path for the healing of our nation,” he said.
Odchimar called on all parishes, schools and overseas Filipinos to join in the rosary campaign. “I see this as a potent tool for catechesis on prayer, on the need for social engagement among Catholics and on the real meaning of
peace as taught by the Lord in the gospels,” he said. Rosary campaign Meanwhile, in a circular addressed to the clergy of LingayenDagupan, Archbishop Socrates Villegas urged both priests and laity to actively participate in the rosary campaign. Villegas heads the Episcopal Commission on Catechesis and Catholic Education (ECCCE) which partners with the Family Rosary Crusade for the completion of the “One million roses for the world” project. He also encouraged the faithful to join a similar rosary campaign for schools nationwide dubbed “One Point One on Eleven Eleven”. In this specific activity all Catholic schools, colleges and universities nationwide pray simultaneously one million one hundred rosaries at 11 am on November 11. “This will be a good occasion to animate our youth to love this beautiful prayer of the Church,” Villegas said.
DOE Prepares Roadmap for 90% Household Electrification In line with the Energy Reform Agenda that aims to provide energy access for more, the Department of Energy (DOE) is now preparing the Roadmap to achieve 90% Household Electrification by 2017. The Roadmap will consist of the strategies to address the policy, regulatory and institutional barriers to the country’s rural and missionary electrification program which is envisioned to fast-track the implementation of household electrification activities by all proponents including the Distribution Utilities, Electric Cooperatives, the NPC’s Small Power Utilities Group (SPUG), Qualified Third Parties, and other service providers that employ decentralized options such as solar home systems and mini-grid, among others. To reach the 90% household electrification target, the Government seeks to energize around 370,900 new household connections every year until 2017 of which around one million households are expected to be electrified using decentralized options such as the solar home systems. This is to improve the electrification level of the country, which as of 30 June 2011 stands at 83% or around 14.4 million households of the 17.4 million households in the country. Electrification level in the franchise areas of the 119 Electric Cooperatives in country, mean-
while, stands at 75% or 9,057,448 connections out of the 12,157,000 potential connections for the first semester of 2011. The Roadmap is being crafted through the World Bank-assisted Rural Power Project (RPP) and will be a key action plan consisting of the policy interventions, individual projects and investments to realize the attainment of the household electrification targets of the Government through the participation of all stakeholders. The said Roadmap is also consistent with the overall Ten-Point Action Programme of the Aquino Government. The RPP is also supporting other related activities such as the preparation of the Missionary Electrification Development Plan (MEDP) 2012-2017 and the on-going World Bank-financed “Philippines: Output-based Aid For Energy Access Issues and Concerns” which aims to develop a unified national output-based support mechanism to enhance access of rural households to electricity in the country. All these final RPP initiatives are also expected to further sustain Government’s thrusts towards the total electrification of the country as enshrined in the Electric Power Reform Act of 2011. Both the Roadmap for 90% Household Electrification by 2017 and the MEDP 2012-2017 will be completed by the end of December 2011.
President Aquino set for 2 more foreign trips President Benigno S. Aquino III will embark on two foreign travels in the coming weeks aimed at promoting the country for possible new investments that will enhance the government’s efforts to effect change and development for the country and the Filipino people. Scheduled trips In an ambush interview following the Oathtaking Ceremonies of newly-appointed government officials, generals and flag officers of the Armed Forces of the PhilipPRESIDENT AQUINO pines at the Rizal Ceremonial Hall of the Malacanang Palace, Monday, President Aquino confirmed his scheduled trips to the United States and Japan as he assured the people of bringing home another batch of “good news” concerning the country’s economic progress. Itinerary The Chief Executive said first on the list of his itinerary is the trip to Washington and New York upon the invitation of US President Barrack Obama for the partnership in open governance. “There are two, America and Japan. America will be first… it’s Washington and New York. We are going… on President Obama’s invitation for the partnership for open governance. I think, I will be talking also before the World Bank there,” the President said. President Aquino said the US event also involves 12 other participating countries from various parts of the world and two from Asia –Indonesia and the Philippines. Official visit When asked on the details of his Japan trip, the President said it will be an official visit. President Aquino returned home on Saturday evening from a very successful five-day State Visit to the People’s Republic of China bringing home billions-of-dollars worth of new investments, newly-signed developmental agreements between the two countries and the peaceful resolution on issues in the West Philippine Sea.
Legarda urges LGUs to emulate U.S. preparedness in calamities (From page 1) mandatory evacuation, especially in low-lying areas which were more prone to flooding, and closed down subways and railway systems. Also because of the discipline of the people and the political will of their government, the senator said their canals and waterways were clean which gave way to the steady flow of water to the seas. “While hurricane Irene killed at least 40 people, this could have been higher and the impacts more devastating. Local governments were proactive and people followed disaster warnings. This kind of discipline is what the Filipino people should maintain so we can face natural hazards here and avoid turning them into disasters — just like in the U.S.,” Legarda stressed.
Solon files 4-day workweek bill The House of Representatives of the Philippines is already into it — four-day workweek — so why can’t other government agencies, or even the private sector, follow suit? House workers punch in for work only until Thursday in an extended time of 10 hours per day and this has been running for a long time now though it started out an experimental one at the outset. It has become a regular one and with the workers already adapted to it, without infringement to their salaries and benefits, it stuck and now, seemingly an acceptable work and lifestyle to them. But alas, in a democracy like the Philippines, one thing may be good for Juan and the same thing may not be acceptable or adaptable to another Juan. Malacañang for one, said it is not keen on adopting the four-day workweek as proposed by a lawmaker, Quezon City Rep. Winston Castelo, an ally of President Aquino himself being Liberal Party member. The measure was supposedly filed to cut expenses for both employers and workers amid the global financial crisis. But Ricky Carandang, head of the Presidential Communications Development and Strategic Planning Office, explained that the said the proposal may have some benefits to it but he said it may disrupt the system of delivery of services in the public and private sectors alike. “That has been presented by different administrations at different times…. It might have some benefits but it might also tend to disrupt some services,” Carandang was quoted as saying by the working media in Tuesday’s (August 30) news briefing in Malacañang. “Our people want to see the services provided to them by the government or by the private sector five times a week,” he said. “And at this point we’re not seriously considering a four-day work week but if there’s some compelling argument for it then we will look into it,” Carandang said. On the other hand, Castelo countered his “Four-Day Work Week Act of 2011” resolution will not change the traditional working hours of 40 per week while helping workers save on travel and other related expenses. “It will still be 40 hours a week, but the work schedule will run from Monday to Thursday instead of until Friday. Public- and private-sector employees will put in two additional hours of work daily,” Castelo stressed. The 10/4 formula, Castelo said would mean a weekly savings of at least 20% in work expenses even as it would serve as a “poverty alleviation” program in itself amid the financial crisis. “If a worker in Metro Manila spends P200 a day intransport fare, food and snacks, and other expenses in going to work—or P1,000 every
IN THE NEWS People gather around a giant male saltwater crocodile caught Sunday (04 September 2011) by villagers in Agusan del Sur. The said reptile could yet be the biggest catch alive in the Guiness Book of World Records with its measurement of 21 feet. (YahooNews)
week, the 10/4 workweek will mean a savings of P200 per week. For workers in the provinces, who spend an average of P100 a day, the weekly savings can reach P100,” Castelo said adding that “this can translate to weekly savings amounting to at least P20 billion for the more than 20 million private-sector workers and 1.5 million state employees.” The additional rest day for workers could also open other positive, productive activities for workers like extended labor seminars by which they can learn new skills and retool themselves for more competitiveness in the labor market Castelo said. “In the end, the 10/4 workweek can provide a positive impact on the worker’s morale and productivity in the workplace,” Castelo said. Employers also stand to gain from the proposed measure as it would translate into maintenance cost reduction and employees as well as on overtime pay. “Employees at the House of Representatives start at 8 a.m. and end up at 7 p.m. for a total of 10 hours of work every day. Yet service and productivity is never compromised by the shorter workweek and longer weekend,” Castelo said. And as it was stated that it would greatly help employers save on overtime pays, the Kilusang Mayo Uno gunned the proposal down too saying it disagrees on the four-day work week as it would cut down workers’ income. “Under present circumstances, a four-day work week will not help Filipino workers achieve a balance between work and life. The fact that many companies, especially in so-called special economic zones, are implementing this scheme on their own shows that workers will lose more than gain from this,” Elmer “Bong” Labog, KMU chairperson was quoted as saying.
“A four-hour workday will only bring about a loss of income for many of our workers who are not paid when they do not report for work. There won’t be enough rest for workers either because they will be made to work for longer hours – which will cause a greater amount of physical stress,” Labog explained. “On the one hand, implementing a four-day work week will legitimize similar schemes that are already in place. On the other hand, it won’t do anything to stop employers from forcing employees to work on weekends, a phenomenon which is already widespread at present,” he said. The KMU leader further explained that “what Filipino workers want is the strict observation of the eight-hour work day and a significant wage increase as an immediate relief for workers’ families who have been suffering from low wages and high prices.” Labog also said that “in so-called special economic zones and for contractual workers who compose the majority of the country’s workers, the eight-hour work day is a thing of the past. Capitalists have continuously attacked the eight-hour work day and have revived the most barbaric working conditions reminiscent of capitalism’s early stages when workers still have to unite to fight for their rights.” “We want the eight-hour work day strictly enforced. We also want a significant wage increase to be legislated, for we want immediate relief from rising prices and low wages – a relief that comes from the value that we create as toiling masses,” Labog said. Labog also cited a study of UBS last month on wage levels, cost of living and purchasing power in 72 countries. It accordingly showed the Philippines are among the lowest in the list in each of the categories. The Employers’s Confederation of the Philippines stand on the bill was not immediately known.
(Fitzgerald Cecilio)
BUSINESS
Sept. 12 - Sept. 19, 2011
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METRO EXPRESS
NTC to lower internet cost THE National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) has revised a circular requiring Internet service providers to link their domestic IP peering to lower the cost of Internet in the country. In a revised draft circular on Domestic IP Peering, the regulator said all ISPs with direct interconnection to a foreign ISP should negotiate and agree to interconnect their IP (Internet Protocol) exchanges. The NTC earlier proposed that ISPs in the country with a direct connection to a foreign ISP must connect to the IP exchange of the Advance Science and Technology Institute (ASTI) of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST). The regulator’s move came after telecom companies raised concern over data security and the proliferation of viruses and spam in the network. The Philippine Long Distance Telephone Co. (PLDT) had said that interconnecting ISPs to the DOST-ASTI merely seeks to promote the interests of a few private individuals and violates existing confidentiality agreements with their customers and with other ISPs. Rival Globe Telecom earlier requested the NTC to issue a circular on domestic IP peering after rival PLDT refused to connect with them. The Ayala-led telco said domestic IP peering can be free-of-charge as data need not be pushed out of the country. The revised draft MC further said that the interconnection agreement should be submitted to the NTC not later than 30 days from the signing of the interconnection agreement. “After 90 days from the start of the negotiations, the parties who fail to agree on the terms of interconnection any of the parties may request intervention of the Commission,” the draft MC said. If mediation fails, the NTC should conduct arbitration proceedings. At present, the Internet Protocol (IP) traffic takes longer to route as data is sometimes sent overseas before reaching its target destination because of lack of interconnection among ISPs. This results to a waste of international capacity and resources for ISPs and a sluggish response times, lower service quality and expensive rates for consumers. The regulator said the guidelines on domestic IP peering would ensure efficient use of international bandwidth, reduce domestic Internet rates for consumers and encourage developers of content and application to establish their presence in the country. Edgardo Cabarios, NTC director for Common Carrier Authorization Department, said only three percent of the Internet traffic is directly transmitted within the country while 97 percent of the country’s Internet traffic is rerouted outside the Philippines.
MAR ROXAS
‘TO HIKE OR NOT TO HIKE’
President Aquino has accordingly approved the implementation of the longdelayed fare hike in the Light Rail Transit (LRT) and Metro Rail Transit (MRT) but like before, opposition to it could yet again erupt from the ranks of pressure groups and even the Senate. Department of Transportation and Communications Secretary Mar Roxas said President Aquino has sympathized with the riding public long enough by delaying the implementation of the long-approved fare hike and that the government has no other recourse but to implement it this time around and proceed with long-delayed plans to upgrade LRT and MRT operations and services. Debates on the approved fare hike and the appropriation of government budget are on-going in the Senate with some lawmakers raising their concern that taxes paid by their constituents be used in other initiatives rather that subsidizing MRT and LRT operations. In Wednesday’s hearing, Sen. Manny Villar expressed dissatisfaction on the fare hike plan saying the government should not implement fare hikes in the MRT and LRT at this point in time for some reason. He said Malacañang has included in its proposed 2012 national budget the subsidy for the MRT and LRT fares so an increase seems inappropriate. “Hindi ako naniniwala na dapat magkaroon tayo ng ng increases sa ngayon. The fact na ang subsidy ay nasa 2012 budget,” the senator was quoted as saying. For his part, Roxas said implementation of the pending MRT and LRT fare increase was approved as early as October 2010, so with a whole year as gestation period by next month, raising the fares that will redound to improved services of the two train lines seems nothing but logical now.
MANNY VILLAR
“President Benigno Aquino III has been feeling the pulse of the riding public since almost a year ago by deferring the fare hike. However, it has reached a certain level that the need to implement the long-overdue and approved increase be in effect in order to further improve current [train] operations and services,” Roxas said in a prepared statement. Roxas added that commuters in Metro Manila should also be willing enough to “share the burden” and support the implementation of long-overdue fare adjustments even as he explained that instead of subsidizing MRT and LRT fares, the government would instead use taxpayers money in other development programs in other regions and provinces of the Philippines. “We can use the taxpayers’ money in executing development programs in other regions and provinces instead of merely subsidizing train fares of train passengers in the metropolis,” Roxas said. It was gathered that the last time MRT and LRT hikes their fares was made way, way back nine years ago on in 2002. Operating expenses from the two trains has since doubled or tripled since then not to mention the need to upgrade coaches and parts in the three train lines (MRT 1 & 2 and MRT). Need to purchase of new trains to meet a growing number of passengers has also accordingly kicked in but management cannot just implement it for lack of resources that could have come from the fare increase. Number of train passengers allegedly reaches to as high as 420,000 daily from the north to south part of the metropolis. Just imagine the wear and tear this causes on the trains on a daily grind. (ISMAEL AMIGO)
BSP: continued vigilance needed vis-à-vis US economic dev’t
An activist dressed as the ‘Angel of Death’ leads a big rally at the Pandacan Oil Depot (Manila)as they condemned what they claimed as ‘overpricing’ by oil companies in connection with a nationwide transport action.
Overseas dev’t assistance reaches $ 8.31B as of June Total net official development Assistance (ODA) loan commitment totaled $ 8.31 billion as of June 2011, the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) said. The NEDA said this figure is higher than the $ 8.03 billion total net ODA loan commitment as of March 2011 but lower than the US$ 8.84 billion as of June 2010. The $ 8.31 billion financed 68 project loans worth $ 7.27 billion and seven program loans worth US$ 1.04 billion. Of these loans, five were closed during the period, while 66 are ongoing and four are yet to be made effective. The NEDA noted lower levels of absorptive capacity for the period, with lower disbursement and availment rates compared to the first semester of 2010. Cumulative utilization Disbursement rate is the loan amount’s level of disbursement against the annual target, while the availment rate is the loan amount’s cumulative utilization according to a multi-year schedule. From January to June, the disbursement rate in 2011 was 66 percent, compared to 87 percent last year, while the availment rate was 71 percent compared to 82 percent last year. According to NEDA-Project Monitoring Staff (PMS), the low disbursement performance was due to procurement, financial and other issues like suspension of
contract and the national government-local government sharing scheme. “The substantial decrease in the disbursement performance may be attributed to the low financial performance of some China loans and other sources-assisted projects,” the NEDA-PMS report said. These projects include the Northrail Project Phase I Section I, with $ 400 million net commitment and implemented by the Philippine National Railways; the Second Cordillera Highland Agricultural Resource Management (CHARM) Project, with $ 26.6 million net commitment and implemented by the Department of Agriculture; and the Local Government Unit (LGU) Investment Programme II, with $ 9.72 million and implemented by the Department of Interior and Local Government. The three loans are extended by China, the International Fund for Agricultural Development and Germany, respectively. “The North Rail Project only disbursed US$ 16.69 million out of its $ 180.59 million target for the year due to contract suspension issues, while the last two cited projects did not make any disbursements yet in 2011,” the NEDA-PMS report said. Thirteen ongoing loans have disbursement rates below 50 percent as of June 2011. However, the number is lower compared to the figure as of March 2011, which had 15 loans.
“The decrease in the number of projects with low disbursements maybe attributed to the fact that those in the said category in the first quarter have disbursed more in the second quarter of 2011,” the report said. Project loans Three ongoing project loans, excluding newly effective and those in the start-up stage, did not disburse due to low demand of subproject and prolonged processing of withdrawal application. These projects are the LGU Investment Programme II, the Second CHARM Project and the Health Sector Reform Project. Meanwhile, the NEDA-PMS report said the biggest ODA donor as of June 2011 is the Government of Japan-Japan International Cooperation Agency (GOJ-JICA), with a share of 31.69 percent of the total ODA commitments, followed by the World Bank with a 23.75percent share. China came third with a share of 13.73 percent and fourth was the Asian Development Bank with a share of 8.77 percent. Other funding sources from Austria, Belgium France, Germany, and International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), Korea, Netherlands, the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries, Saudi Arabia, Spain, the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA) and the United Kingdom have a combined share of 22.06 percent.
Philippine monetary officials are saying that although domestic fundamentals remain strong, vigilance is needed to address impact of external developments to the economy as well as the central bank’s policy stance. US’ Federal Chairman Ben Bernanke recently said the political clash on the country’s borrowing and spending cuts has disrupted financial markets “and probably the economy as well” and noted that policy makers have affected that world’s largest economy’s long-term prospects. He remains positive on US growth but declined to give specifics saying that this would be discussed during the Fed’s meeting in September. Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) Governor Amando Tetangco Jr. said Bernanke’s statement “is a reminder to all that patience is required at this time.” He said it also “reinforces” the need for policy makers in other advanced economies of the urgency to put in “comprehensive reform of their fiscal processes to ensure that the intended effect of accommodative monetary policy is sustained in the long-term.” He said the BSP will “continue to closely monitor global developments and any further refinements to the Fed’s forward guidance on its monetary policy -especially the impact of these on global aggregate demand and investor risk appetite and how these translate to the prices of international commodities and capital flow.”
He also reiterated that BSP’s policy stance remains appropriate.” “But should the current environment shift, the BSP is ready to make any necessary changes to ensure that inflation expectations remain well-anchored and inflation is kept within target,” he pointed out. The central bank chief said Bernanke did not announce a third wave of quality easing (QE). This, he noted, is consistent to the Fed’s earlier statement that they would keep rates steady, which to date is at 0.25 percent, at least until mid-2013 to support growth of US’ economy. This statement along with the “continuing good performance of the EMEs (emerging market economies) make the latter attractive for investment inflows,” he said. “So we need to remain watchful of any shift in sentiment and react as may be necessary to ensure that our policy stance continues to be appropriate and consistent with our price and growth objectives,” he stressed. Relatively, BSP Deputy Governor Diwa Guinigundo said Fed’s monetary tools ensure support of US economic recovery. He also pointed out that “fiscal governance being political, could be challenging.” And the current situation in the US makes EMEs more attractive, he reiterated, as “risk appetite could be whetted in the process and drive capital inflows into the more promising emerging markets including the Philippines.”
“The agenda for the BSP remains one of maintaining vigilance in economic and financial surveillance and quick flexibility in harnessing the appropriate tools in its range of policy options,” he said. On Fed’s statement on its policy stance, Guinigundo said the US central bank “can intensify the use of present tools” to ensure further support US’ growth as well as lift the financial market. He said the BSP has been closely monitoring economic and financial developments abroad to ensure proper management of policy stance. To date, the BSP has raised its key rates by a total of 50 basis points on account of the earlier rise in the inflation rate. Central bank’s policy-making Monetary Board (MB) has also increased by a percentage point banks’ reserve requirement (RR) after noting that strong capital flows have blunted the hikes in policy rates, at 25 basis points each last March and May. To date, central bank’s overnight borrowing rate is at 4.5 percent while the overnight lending rate is at 6.5 percent. The RR is now back to the pre-crisis level of 21 percent. Guinigundo said “the BSP has been cognizant of promoting price stability without constraining the growth momentum,” adding that “it is too early to say when the BSP should move one way or the other, especially when inflation remains benign and growth continues to be broadly robust.”
Wearing dolphin cut-outs, environmental activists stage a rally in front of the Japanese embassy in Manila in an effort to stop dolphin-hunting in Taiji town, Wakayama prefecture where fishermen corral about 2,000 dolphins into a secluded bay, select a few dozen for sale to aquariums and slaughter the rest for meat, an annual practice long deplored by animal rights campaigners. The Wakayama prefecture, western Japan, drew global attention after ‘The Cove,’ a hard-hitting film about the annual hunts, won the Academy Award for best documentary in 2010.
OPINION Metro Express
4
Sept. 12 - Sept. 19 , 2011
VIEWS, COMMENTARIES, OPEN FORUM
The Metro Express is published and distributed weekly by el amigo media solutions at Philippine Economic Zones, LRT Lines 1 & 2, MRT, Congress, the Senate and other government offices. For press, photo releases and advertising inquiries, text or call Hotlines Globe 0915-5517486 and Smart 0949-1661022. Emails: 2011metroexpress@gmail.com and esns03@yahoo.com.
JUST HOW DO WE SOLVE THE PROBLEM OF HOMELESSNESS?
el amigo media solutions Publisher Ismael ‘El’ Amigo Editor Fitzgerald Cecilio Asst. Editor A.Z. Kal Art Director Eugene Labadan PR, Marketing & Circulation Manager
Homelessness Way back when there were only black and white television sets, only landline phones that takes 10 years before you can get a connection, the problem on informal settlers (squatting) already persisted. And up until today, although inroads on technology never before perceived or imagined already changed the landscape, advanced as it is, the world is virtually at every Juan’s fingertips. Yet homelessness persists, meaning, human technological advancement do not come hand in hand with that of humanity’s well-being. Good thing however, even your favorite Magtataho already possesses a cellphone, which to some extent only poses as an additional expense on cellphone loads and so with the rest of us. Homelessness is a different thing. One may have the latest cellphone but may not have a decent home. People still make do with homes along danger, flood zones: along esteros, under bridges and even on areas prone to trashslides. There have been efforts by the government to do away with squatting like “Balik-Probinsya” Program, Pabahay ni Erap and many others but seemingly, as hundreds go; a thousand returns, back again to repaint the town of blight. Of course, it thugs at the heart seeing fellow kababayans living in squalor on uninhabitable danger zones but what ordinary citizens can do to them when seemingly, there is subtle condonation from the local government unit or national the national government for their existence. Truth to be told, some of our less fortunate brethrens are welcome to set up informal abode in some LGUs here and there just because of that oncein-three-years political exercise: elections. Of course, there’s nothing wrong with that because it is some sort of a quid pro quo (something for something) arrangement kind of “you vote for me, I’ll vouch your quarters in my town.” This kind of arrangement become magnified specially when elections are near. As we said, there is nothing wrong with this but it would be much, much better if and when politicians truly return the favor by giving our less fortunate brothers and sisters affordable but decent abode somewhere or within their AOR.
EDITORIAL
HEADLINES Last Week USDA Counselor Philip Shull inspects fish for sale at the trading center of Malalag town in Davao Del Sur Goat raising project in Misamis Oriental President Aquino exchanges pleasantries with outgoing Iran Ambassador Ali Mojtaba Rouzbehani President Aquino at a meeting with the Negros Oriental People Power Volunteers President Aquino presides at the PNP turnover of command ceremony at Camp Crame President Aquino turns over the symbolic command saber to new PNP Director General Nicanor Bartolome President Aquino delivers his speech during the PNP Change of Command Ceremony at Camp Crame Source: balita.ph EDITOR’S NOTE: All commentaries and or opinions submitted by columnists and herein published shall remain as personal opinion of Metro Express’ column writers. As such, these cannot and never be construed nor considered as similar to that of this publication (Metro Express)’s stand on issues discussed. Be that as it may, Metro Express shall not be held liable on any legal issues related/pertaining to, or any column/ commentaries that may appear herein.
LRT/MRT Fares
To hike or not to hike, that is the question In the words of Department of Transportation and Communications Secretary Mar Roxas, President Aquino has sympathized with the riding public long enough by delaying the implementation of the long-approved fare hike and that the government has no other recourse but to implement this time around and enable with longdelayed plans to upgrade LRT and MRT operations and services. We say the intention is good but the question lies on timing and that of the riding public’s capability to absorb its impact. The intention is to increase MRT and LRT fares to accordingly enable the government implement needed upgrades on services of which the riding public are to benefit in the end. Yes, the idea is simple enough, a give and take formula in fact. In a talk with ranking officials at Light Rail Transit Authority (LRTA), which manages the whole operation of the MRT and LRT lines, explained that the said conveyances badly needs upgrades on spare parts, coaches and do away with perennial service breakdowns. Repainting here and there would also help. At the moment, the lines make do with government subsidies to keep the fares down on its present level. And as it is, debates on the approved fare hike and the appropriation of government budget are on-going in the Senate with some lawmakers raising their concern that taxes paid by their constituents be used in other initiatives rather that subsidizing MRT and LRT operations. In Wednesday’s hearing, Sen. Manny Villar expressed dissatisfaction on the fare hike plan saying the government should not implement fare hikes in the MRT and LRT at this point in time for some reason. He said Malacañang has included in its proposed 2012 national budget the subsidy for the MRT and LRT fares so an increase seems inappropriate. “Hindi ako naniniwala na dapat magkaroon tayo ng ng increases sa ngayon. The fact na ang subsidy ay nasa 2012 budget,” the senator was quoted as saying. For his part, Roxas said implementation of the pending MRT and LRT fare increase was approved as early as October 2010, so with a whole year as gestation period by next month, raising the fares that will redound to improved services of the two train lines seems nothing but logical now. “President Benigno Aquino III has been feeling the pulse of the
riding public since almost a year ago by deferring the fare hike. However, it has reached a certain BETTER LATE level that the need to implement the long-overdue and approved THAN NEVER increase be in effect in order to further improve current [train] operations and services,” Roxas said in a prepared statement. Roxas added that commuters in Metro Manila should also be willing enough to “share the burden” and support the implementation of long-overdue fare adjustments even as he explained that instead of subsidizing MRT and LRT fares, the government would instead use taxpayers money in other ISMAEL A. AMIGO development programs in other 1ST-APLUMA regions and provinces of the Philippines. “We can use the taxpayers’ money in executing development programs in other regions and provinces instead of merely subsidizing train fares of train passengers in the metropolis,” Roxas said. It was gathered that the last time MRT and LRT hikes their fares was made way, way back nine years ago on in 2002. Operating expenses from the two trains has since doubled or tripled since then not to mention the need to upgrade coaches and parts in the three train lines (MRT 1 & 2 and MRT). Need to purchase of new trains to meet a growing number of passengers has also accordingly kicked in but management cannot just implement it for lack of resources that could have come from the fare increase. Number of train passengers allegedly reaches to as high as 420,000 daily from the north to south part of the metropolis. Just imagine the wear and tear this causes on the trains on a daily grind. A good hike or fare increase that’s affordable to the riding public should not hurt anyone as long as it is for the good of everyone.
An Open Letter to Sec. Mar Roxas Sec. Manuel A. Roxas II Department of Transportation and Communications
pending receipt of authority from the Office of the President. FROM THE The highest court of the land, the Honorable Supreme Court no less, ruled that ONLY those eMAIL Sir: holding Primarily Confidential positions may I am appealing for your expeditious action on the remain beyond the compulsory retirement age of highly illegal continuance of Office of LTFRB Board 65 years old. It explained clearly that not all NonMember Manuel Iway who is over and above the Career positions are allowed beyond the compulsory retirement age of 65 years old. compulsory retirement age of 65 years old, and Squarely applicable in the present case is Section stated clearly that only those Primarily 12, Rule XIII of the Revised Omnibus Rules on Appointments and Confidential positions (which is a subset of Non-Career positions) Other Personnel Actions which categorically provides, as follows: may remain beyond the compulsory retirement age of 65 years old. “Sec. 12. No person who has reached compulsory retirement age “A strict reading of the law reveals that primarily confidential of 65 can be appointed to any position in the government, except to positions fall under the non-career service. It is also clear that, primarily confidential positions, provided that the appointment unlike career positions, primarily confidential and other nonshall be under temporary status.” career positions do not have security of tenure. The tenure of a A person who has already reached the compulsory retirement age confidential employee is co-terminous with that of the appointing of 65 years old may only be appointed provided that the position to authority, or is at the latter’s pleasure. However, the confidential which he is to be appointed is considered primarily confidential and employee may be appointed or remain in the position even beyond that it is under temporary status. The position of LTFRB Board the compulsory retirement age of 65 years” (G.R. No. 173264, member is NOT a Primarily Confidential and Temporary position. February 22, 2008) (Cadiente vs. Santos, 142 SCRA 280, and Claudio vs. Subido, 40 Not all Non-Career positions are classified as “Primarily SCRA 481) Confidential and Temporary”. Only those classified as such are The Civil Service Commission, in the case of Eleuterio C. allowed beyond the compulsory retirement age of 65 years old. Dumogho, CSC Resolution No. 01-0043 dated January 5, 2001, Facts: elucidated thus: LTFRB Board Member Manuel Iway is over and above the “It is clear from the aforecited rule that a person who has already compulsory retirement age of 65 years old. reached the compulsory retirement age may still be appointed Iway has not been granted a six (6) months extension by the Office provided that the position to which he is to be appointed is of the President as required by Executive Order 136. considered primarily confidential and that it is under temporary Only persons occupying Primarily Confidential positions under status.” Temporary Status can be allowed to remain beyond the compulsory In addition to the numerous laws violated by Manuel Iway, he also retirement age of 65 years old. completely ignored with impunity the provisions of Executive Order The position of LTFRB Board Member is NOT and CANNOT be 136. The Office of the President has not granted Iway the standard considered as Primarily Confidential and Temporary Status. six (6) months extension. Conclusion: Executive Order 136 - Requiring Presidential approval of Iway’s continuance to hold Office is a clear and flagrant violation requests for extension of services of presidential Appointees beyond of numerous laws and is highly illegal. Iway must be removed from the compulsory retirement age Office immediately. “Section 1. The President shall approve the extension of services This blatant and unchecked violation of the retirement age of Presidential appointees beyond the compulsory retirement age, promotes anarchy within the bureaucracy and encourages only upon recommendation by the concerned Department Secretary, overstaying over-aged officials. It deprives deserving young talents unless otherwise provided by law.” with the opportunity to grow and prosper in their careers. It Sec. 2. Officials or employees who have reached the compulsory demoralizes them since overstaying over-aged officials “steal” the retirement age of 65 years shall not be retained in the service, opportunity from them to fulfill their full potential. Overstaying overexcept for exemplary meritorious reasons.” aged officials put a “glass ceiling” or a plateau to the careers of “Sec. 3. Any officer or employee requesting for retention in the aspiring young talents. (From the eMail) service shall not be allowed to assume or continue in office
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Benjie Alejandro, Ana Cheza Montana, Noel Dolor Editorial Contributors
Sept. 12 - Sept. 19, 2011
LEGIS/EXEC NEWS
Metro Express 5
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, THE SENATE & EXECUTIVE BEATS
Villar lauds officials’ action to help get justice for OFW’s death The Philippine Embassy in Kuwait has assured Sen. Manny Villar that they are doing everything to ensure that justice will be served in the case of an overseas Filipino worker found dead after falling from the 8th floor of a residential building in Fintas. In a letter to Villar, Amb. Shulan Primavera said that the embassy “has been extending all appropriate and legal assistance in ensuring that justice will be served to late OFW Montesoso.” The letter was in response to the communication sent to Foreign
Affairs Sec. Albert del Rosario by Villar last week, pushing for an investigation to determine the true cause of the death of Montesoso and requesting assistance for the immediate repatriation of the remains. Villar lauded the efforts of the Philippine embassy officials in Kuwait to help solve the mystery surrounding Montesoso’s death. “Ako ay nalulugod dahil tinugon ng DFA at ng ating embahada sa Kuwait ang ating panawagan na mabusising imbestigahan ang pagkamatay ni Juvy. Malaking
bagay ito para sa mga naulila ni Juvy lalo na sa kanyang anim na taong gulang na anak,” Villar said. Primavera also informed Villar that Daligdig Tanandato, Head of Assistance to Nationals Unit of the embassy, has been attending to the case of Montesoso and had coordinated with Fintas Police authorities, forensic medicine authorities and witnesses to gather necessary information to establish whether or not there was foul play in Montesoso’s death. They also tapped the services of a lawyer there, Atty. Al Almas,
Subic Freeport joins 22nd Philippine Travel Mart SUBIC BAY FREEPORT — Tourism establishments in the Subic Bay Freeport, led by the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) Tourism Department, again joined this year’s Philippine Travel Mart, giving a taste of what tourists could expect when visiting this popular port and tourism destination. The travel exhibit, held at the SMX Convention Center, Mall of Asia Complex in Pasay City, ran from September 2 to 4 and showcased colorful booths of the different regions in the country. Hundreds of exhibitors participated in the exhibit and offered various tour packages catering to the different travel preferences of companies and individuals. SBMA’s booth likewise provided information about tour packages and hotel accommodations in the Subic Bay Freeport during the three-day event. Meanwhile, Subic tourism stakeholders like Treetop Adventure, Ocean Adventure, and Subic Bay Yacht Club, also manned booths during the exhibit to answer inquiries on their facilities and tour packages. Philippine Tour Operators Association (PHILTOA) president Cesar Cruz said the 22nd Philippine Travel Mart seeks to create a bigger impact in the local travel market. “We’re always looking to make the experience at the Philippine Travel Mart better and more engaging,” said Cruz. “We want to offer something different.” Aside from the exhibit, the recently-concluded Philippine Travel Mart also lined up attractions like a cultural dance competition, Eco-Chorale competition, Tourism Quiz Bee, and a kundiman singing contest. Educational seminars were also made available during the exhibition. The annual event is organized by PHILTOA in cooperation with the Department of Tourism.
Sen. Bongbong Marcos takes up the cudgels for LGUs Senator Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos, Jr., Chairman of the Senate Committee on Local Government, has taken up the cudgels for the Local Government Units (LGU’s) with the looming 4.8% reduction of their IRA’s based on the National Government’s collection 3 years previous. During today’s DILG budget hearing, Senator Marcos was adamant in finding ways to restore the 4.8% reduction as he addressed Secretary Robredo stating that, “we should first try to restore the 4.8% of the IRA allowances.” He further added that, “we hear many pronouncements about how much savings this government has and the trillions stashed away somewhere that we should be able to access. I think if we look hard enough we can find P13.3 billion (equivalent of the 4.8% reduction) amongst that savings.”
are reducing all of their funding.” The Senator, while acknowledging the attention paid to this problem with the LGUs, said that he will continue to ensure that the LGU’s will not be forgotten in this budget and he will relentlessly bat for more funds for the provinces, cities, municipalities and barangays until he is satisfied “para hindi mahirapan masyado ang ating mga LGU officials.”
to assist the embassy on legal matters pertaining to the case. Villar has instructed his SagipOFW Helpline staff to inform the family of Montesoso about the contents of the letter from the Philippine embassy in Kuwait. “We are thankful for this update and we will continue to ask the embassy to keep us posted on the investigation being conducted on Juvy’s case,” Villar said. Villar learned the case of Montesoso in his recent visit to Cebu City for the Global CSR Summit. Juvy’s sister, Rochelle, met Villar
at a radio station there. Juvy started working in Kuwait as a domestic helper in 2008. After which, she became a receptionist at the Fintas Hotel of the same country. On August 5, her family received the unfortunate news of her demise. According to reports, on August 5 at 9 am, Juvy jumped to her death from the 8th floor of a residential building. According to witnesses, Juvy was last seen the night of August 4 with her boyfriend who is a member of the US Military. Villar assured Rochelle that he
Sen. VILLAR
will help repatriate the remains of Juvy and will help in the education of the six-year-old daughter she left behind. Primavera also committed to inform Villar of the flight details of the remains as soon as possible.
Aquino keen on NBN but not revival of NBN-ZTE deal While he noted a need for a national broadband network, President Benigno S. Aquino III made it clear that he is not in favor of reviving the controversial NBN-ZTE broadband project for the government. During a chance interview in Malacanang, President Aquino said that there is a need for a broadband and the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) is currently “inventorying what we have” as the basis for the broadband network. “Now, if there is need to engage the telcos, which was my position, they are already ready as far as a broadband is concerned,” he said
Pres. AQUINO
after the oath-taking of appointed government officials, and generals and flag officers. “So [as for] reviving something
similar to the ZTE, no way. Pero utilizing what we already have to meet the needs, and that is currently being assessed, the plan is being drawn up by DOST,” the president said. The controversial P330-million national broadband network (NBN) deal between the Philippines and China’s ZTE Corp. was canceled in 2007 after news about anomalous government contracts came out. “Coincidentally, nag-report ang DOST kung gaano kamali iyong ZTE na project at kung gaano kaobsolete by the time it would have been set up,” President Aquino added.
DSWD says only OSCA cards entitle SCs to 20% discount Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Secretary Corazon Juliano-Soliman on Wednesday clarified that only ID cards issued by the Office of Senior Citizens Affairs (OSCAs) of the local government units is the recognized official national ID card for senior citizens that will entitle them to the 20 percent discount privilege and other benefits under RA 9994 or the Expanded Senior Citizens Act of 2010. Soliman made this statement following reports that there are senior citizens using ID cards issued by other senior citizens associations or groups to avail of discounts from different establishments. Both Republic Act 9994 and its
Implementing Rules and Regulations put a premium on the use of the OSCA-issued senior citizen ID card by making it the primary documentary requirement for availing of the 20 percent discount from different establishments. Various senior citizens associations like the Federation of Senior Citizens Associations of the Philippines (FSCAP) and their regional counterparts around the country, RSCAPs, Veterans Federation of the Philippines (VFP) and the Association of Retired Postal Employees and Senior Citizens (ARPES) can continue to issue and maintain their own IDs. However, these IDs are only proof that they belong to said organizations and cannot be used to avail of the 20
percent discount. Likewise, senior citizens are not compelled to become members of senior citizens groups, or to procure said membership cards to avail of discount privileges. “No Filipino elderly should be forced to become a member of a senior citizens association if he/she doesn’t want to, nor should he/she be threatened that he/she cannot avail of senior citizens benefits without said membership,” Soliman concluded.
1st-APLUMA Cares...
Sen. Bongbong Marcos
Marcos pointed out that in the face of an increase in the budget by 20%, a portion of that should find its way to restoring the 4.8% reduction in the LGU’s IRA because “how can we expect the LGUs to provide the services and contribute to public investments to the local economies and the economies in the countryside if we
Palace assures public of close monitoring of bird flu resurgence, entry of virus Malacanang assured the public that the Aquino government is closely monitoring the influx of agricultural produce from neighboring countries amid reports of a possible resurgence of the dreaded bird flu virus as reported by the United Nations-Food and Agriculture Organization (UN-FAO). In a press briefing at the Palace on Wednesday, Presidential Deputy Spokesperson Abigail Valte said that concerned government officials led by Agriculture Secretary Proceso Alcala are keeping an eye on the situation to prevent the possible entry of the bird flu virus in the country. OBEY The UN-FAO issued the warning saying the migration of wild TRAFFIC birds could have brought back the RULES! virus H5N1 to previously virus-free countries and that a mutant strain So that others may live. was spreading in Asia.
S
Newly appointed Department of Tourism Secretary Ramon Jimenez takes his oath of office before President Benigno Simeon Aquino III in Malacanang Monday (August 5). Sec. Jimenez replaced Sec. Albert Lim who resigned on August 12. With Jimenez are members of his immediate family. Jimenez comes from the private sector adept in marketing and advertising with which many believe could work well for his marketing strategy in selling and branding Philippine tourism. (Malacanang Photo)
CAREER MAKES LOVI POE HAPPY
SHOWBIZ
Metro Express 6 Sept.12 - Sept. 19, 2011
COUPLE Ogie Alcasid and Regine Velasquez have decided on the name of their baby. “Ang naisip namin sa ngayon, ‘Nathaniel James,’” Ogie said, adding “dahil ang meaning ng Nathaniel ay ‘Gift from God.’” Alcasid said his wife’s pregnancy due date is on November 22. Meanwhile, Alcasid said he does not have a problem if his wife Regine Velasquez decides to return to the limelight after giving birth to their baby. “Of course,” he replied when asked whether he would let Velasquez return to show business. “Ayan ang calling ng aking asawa diba, ang mag-entertain, so hindi pwedeng mawala ‘yon.” REGINE
Ogie, Regine decide on baby’s name
OGIE LOVI FOR now, her successful showbiz career is making actress Lovi Poe one happy girl. “Kumbaga lahat ng gusto kong mangyari sa career ko, unti-unting nangyayari. So ‘yun ang nagpapasaya sa akin ngayon,” she said. Recently, Poe cut ties with former Ilocos Sur Rep. Ronald Singson, who is still detained in Hong Kong for drug possession. “You never depend your happiness on someone. Kailangan sarili mo ‘yon, ikaw ang gumagawa noon, hindi ibang tao.” Poe admitted, though, that she is enjoying the company of actor Jake Cuenca, her leading man in “My Neighbor’s Wife.” “All I can say is that he’s really fun to be with. I don’t mind hanging out with him,” she said. Recently, Poe denied rumors saying that she is the reason behind the breakup of Cuenca and actress Melissa Ricks. She stressed that she is only maintaining a “professional relationship” with the hunk actor.
World Pool Masters Finals
ORCOLLO SUCCUMBS TO GERMAN FOE IN FINALS BY: MARLON BERNARDINO FILIPINO Dennis Orcollo’s PartyPoker.net World Pool Masters campaign came to an abrupt end Monday night when he bowed to German Ralf Souquet at the Block Atrium of SM North Edsa Mall. Souquet beat Orcollo in a come-from-behind victory, 8-5, in the finals and claimed his sixth PartyPoker.net World Pool Masters crown. Souquet received the top prize of $20,000 while Orcollo pocketed the runner-up prize of $10,000. It was Souquet first major title in the Philippine soil after yielding to Ronato Alcano in the final of the 2006 World Pool Championship and then he and countryman Thorsten Hohmann were narrowly beaten in the final of the 2009 World Cup of Pool at the hands of Efren “Bata” Reyes and Francisco “Django” Bustamante. “It seems to be my tournament for whatever reason. I’ve made the final eight times and won six and lost twice. It’s not only a dream come true but also the icing on the cake to win it here in the Philippines,” said the 42-years-old Souquet. “It’s the fifth final I’ve played in the Philippines but the first time I’ve won one, which makes it all the more satisfying!” The games was tied at 3-all after Orcollo establish a two rack lead at 5-3 winning two consecutive racks. Souquet is one of pool’s premier fighters and he scrapped back into contention at 5-5 and then produced a superb break shot that
COMICS
GABBY
Gabby Concepcion takes job seriously
FS &
UN
PORTS PAGE
Did you know that... Music Facts •
The best selling rap/R&B album ever in the US is CrazySexyCool by TLC, surpassing MC Hammer.
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Best selling latin album was spanish singer Julio Iglesias, with reported global sales of over 200 million albums.
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Best selling world music album was the 1998 Grammy award-winning album Buena Vista Social Club (1997).
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Hip Hop was first used as the name of culture by Africa Bambatta back in the early 80’s.
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“Billie Jean” by Michael Jackson was the first video to air on MTV by a black artist.
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Michael Jackson won the most grammy’s ever with a total of eight.
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The Beatles holds the top spot of album sales in the US (106 million).
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U2 was originally known as Feedback. To date, U2 have sold more than 70 million records, grossing $1,5 billion.
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The top selling singles of all time are Elton John’s “Candle in the Wind ‘97".
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In May 1997, Paul McCartney broke his own world record by obtaining his 81st gold disc.
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The longest song to reach number one on the Billboard charts on LP was “I’d Do Anything For Love” by Meatloaf.
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The first pop video was Bohemian Rhapsody by Queen, released in 1975.
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Duran Duran took their name from a mad scientist in the movie Barbarella.
German Ralf Souquet celebrates after downing Filipino bet Dennis Orcollo in the finals of the Partypoker.net World Pool Masters Monday night at the Block Atrium of SM North Edsa Mall.
saw four balls drop and leave him a shot on the lowest ball. From there he cleared to move into a 6-5 lead. Sensing the momentum was swinging in his favour, Souquet broke and ran the next to reach the hill and put Orcollo under severe pressure. The diminutive Filipino though, had potted his last ball as the clinical German broke and ran the last for a famous victory. “At the Masters you are playing 15 of the greatest players in the world and it’s very tough from the first round on and you have to play at 100 per cent and if you can’t do that then you won’t win,” said Souquet. “I could’ve lost all of my matches and the final was my biggest winning margin as I won 8-7, 8-6, 8-7 and then 8-5. “The Philippines is the country of pool and it’s where the sport is such a big thing. There are so many great players like Efren Reyes, Francisco Bustamante, Dennis Orcollo, Roberto Gomez and I could go on. It’s just so tough to win a tournament here. “But it’s so great here as you have so many great fans that love the sport and the players are treated the way they should be.” On the road to the finals, Souquet edged Darren Appleton of England, 8-7, in the last semi-final seat to arranged a titular showdown with Orcollo , who brought downed Fu Jian Bo of China, 8-4, in other final four match-up. Appleton and Fu, both received $4,000 each for reaching the final four. Other Filipino who participated in the $66,000 total pot prize event were Reyes, Bustamante and Lee Vann “The Slayer” Corteza. What A.Z. Kal says on “weather, weather”!
NOON Mano po Lola...
A.Z. Kal
SAHOD NA HABANG MAY TULO...
VETERAN actor Gabby Concepcion denied rumors that he is not taking his showbiz career seriously. “Seryoso ako sa trabaho ko. Very sensitive ako sa projects because medyo matagal na akong nawala sa industry pagbalik ko, naging very ano ako sa projects, very careful,” he explained. Concepcion admitted that he tends to be meticulous in choosing a project. “I owe it to my audience. Kung gagawa ako ng basta-basta lang, para ko silang shino-shortchange. So, I promised na the projects that I will do eh magaganda,” Gabby explained. “Quality ‘yon eh. It’s not quantity, pero quality. Ayon ang consistency,” he stressed. Concepcion is set to shoot a movie under Regal Films. “Meron nga kaming gagawin with Regal [Films] at nakakatawa siya, comedy. Excited nga ako eh, kasi gagawa na naman kami with Regal,” he said.
No. 02
NGAYON Mana ko po Lola...
A.Z. Kal
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Subic Bay looms as next cruise ship playground Metro-Subic
Express www.metroexpressnews.yolasite.com
SUBIC BAY, PHILIPPINES SUBIC BAY FREEPORT – Visiting officials from various cruise terminals in Asia predicted that Subic will have a key role in making the
“It’s marvelous! It’s great to be able to disembark passengers and have a short walk to the shore. I think (Subic) would make a great destination,” said Christina Siaw, chief executive officer of Singapore Cruise Center. “When it comes to cruising, it’s not just what the terminal has to offer, but what the destination has to offer in terms of tourism, and I think Subic and all of the Philippines have a lot to offer,” she added.
Sept. 12 - Sept. 19, 2011
region the next cruise ship playground, citing the facilities in this free port, as well as the tourism destinations in the surrounding areas. “It’s marvelous! It’s great to be able to disembark passengers and have a short walk to the shore. I think (Subic) would make a great destination,” said Christina Siaw, chief executive officer of Singapore Cruise Center. “When it comes to cruising, it’s not just what the terminal has to offer, but what the destination has to offer in terms of tourism, and I think Subic and all of the Philippines have a lot to offer,” she added.
Top view of Subic Bay.
Siaw led a delegation of officials from various ports in Malaysia, Kobe, and Shanghai last week for the second Pro-Tem committee meeting here of the Asia Cruise Terminals Association (ACTA), which will be formally launched in November this year. The meeting was held to ratify the previous agreements that were made during the first Pro-Tem meeting in Singapore last March 26. The Pro-Tem committee acts as an interim group to oversee preparations for the ACTA launch. Upon arriving in Subic last week, Siaw said she immediately recognized Subic
HANJIN SHIPYARD one of SBMA’s many possibilities.
as a perfect cruise ship destination, pointing out this port’s infrastructure, as well as its deep harbor. The visiting port officials were warmly received by officials of the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA), headed by SBMA deputy administrator for business Raul Marcelo, SBMA deputy administrator for corporate communications Knette Fernando, SBMA seaport manager Capt. Perfecto Pascual, and SBMA maritime and manufacturing business development manager Ronnie Yambao. “I’m very impressed with the warm hospitality of the people here, and how clean, green and wonderful everything is,” said Siaw, who was on her first visit to Subic. Siaw also noted the natural attractions, the warm weather, the people and the local culture as Subic’s major assets to attract cruise liners. In the meeting with SBMA officials, Siaw also explained
the reason why Asian ports have decided to create ACTA, which is an association for cruise terminal operators. “The whole purpose of the association is to promote cruising in Asia. What we are trying to do is to tell cruise lines to bring their ships to Asia and give them good reasons why they should bring those ships in,” she said. Siaw added that Asia needs to be developed into a cruise ship destination, since the cruise ship markets in the United States and Europe are already saturated. “In five to ten years, there would be about 70 million cruise passengers between
India and Asia, and that’s a very big potential market,” she said. When asked about Subic’s role in the association, Siaw said that this free port will be a key contributor because of its initiative, its pro-business environment, and its smart marketing. Siaw also noted that Subic’s location complements the cruise-ship route, thus enabling Subic to receive cruise ships from the west. During their Subic visit, Siaw and the other Asian port officials toured Alava Pier, the proposed cruise-ship terminal here, and some of the top tourist spots in Subic. (SBMA PR OFFICE)
F HEALTH & MYSTERIES AITH,
Unsolved
MYSTERIES OF THE WORLD
Class 38 of Immanuel Series poses with elders and Ecclesial Team lead by Fr. Jess Fernandez in this souvenir photo taken during their Marriage Encounter Weekend Seminar last Sept. 9, 10 & 11, 2011 at La Verna Retreat House, Tagaytay City. Immanuel Series is a member of M.E. Tuklasan Sector.
If someone asked you, “Are you a Christian?”, what would you say? Probably “Yes.” But what if they asked, “Why?” That’s where a lot of us have problems. I could be stumped if someone asked me that and tempted to say something like, “Well, my parents raised me as a Christian” or even, “Because I believe in God.” But lots of people believe in God, and what if my parents had raised me wrong? No, that is not the reason I am a Christian. When it really comes down to it, what would I say? What would you say? The True Definition of a Christian. The reason you are a Christian is not because you do good things like go to church or read the Bible. It is not because you were raised in a “Christian” home or nation. It’s not even because you believe in the concept of God. It is because you believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, the Savior of the world, and the King that will reign for eternity. Your faith in Jesus is what makes you a Christian—pure and simple. The Proof. Look at this contrast of two men as proof. Jesus was hanging on the
cross between two criminals. Can you picture them? Neither of these men were “good” people, but they had very different attitudes toward Jesus. The one made fun of Jesus, saying, “Aren’t you supposed to be the Messiah? Prove it!” But the other one was deeply humble and replied, “We deserve to die; this man doesn’t.” Then he turned and said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom” (Luke 23:42). That’s the clincher: He truly believed that Jesus was the Son of God. And Jesus’ response is the proof that salvation is by faith alone: “I assure you, today you will be with Me in paradise’" (Luke 23:43). Let It Sink In. Your salvation—eternal life when you die and the complete forgiveness of your sins—is not a matter of good deeds, family heritage, or general belief in God. It is founded on your belief that Jesus is the Son of God, and that He will come back to bring you into His great kingdom. Let this simple fact be the answer to those who ask you why you are a Christian and give you great peace. Apply It: Explain to someone this week the true definition of a Christian. Let us know if you did it by responding to this e-mail!
Alexander III of Macedon (20/ 21 July 356 – 10/11 June 323 BC), commonly known as Alexander the Great (Greek: ÌÝãáò ëÝîáíäñïò, Mégas Aléxandros), was a king of Macedon, a state in the north eastern region of Greece, and by the age of thirty was the creator of one of the largest empires in ancient history, stretching from the Ionian Sea to the Himalaya. He was undefeated in battle and is considered one of the most successful commanders of all time.[1] Born in Pella in 356 BC, Alexander was tutored by the famed philosopher Aristotle. In 336 BC he succeeded his father Philip II of Macedon to the throne after Philip was assassinated. Philip had brought most of the city-states of mainland Greece under Macedonian hegemony, using both military and diplomatic means. Upon Philip’s death, Alexander inherited a strong kingdom and an experienced army. He succeeded in being awarded the generalship of Greece and, with his authority firmly established, launched the military plans for expansion left by his father. In 334 BC he invaded Persian-ruled Asia Minor and began a series of campaigns lasting ten years. Alexander broke the power of Persia in a series of decisive battles, most notably the battles of Issus and Gaugamela. Subsequently he overthrew the Persian king Darius III and conquered the entirety of the Persian Empire.i[›] The Macedonian Empire now stretched from the Adriatic Sea to the Indus River. Following his desire to reach the “ends of the world and the Great Outer Sea”, he invaded India in 326 BC, but was
ALEXANDER THE GREAT eventually forced to turn back by the near-mutiny of his troops. Alexander died in Babylon in 323 BC, without realizing a series of planned campaigns that would have begun with an invasion of Arabia. In the years following Alexander’s death a series of civil wars tore his empire apart which resulted in the formation of a number of states ruled by the Diadochi – Alexander’s surviving generals. Although he is mostly remembered for his vast conquests, Alexander’s lasting legacy was not his reign, but the cultural diffusion his conquests engendered. Alexander founded some twenty cities that bore his name. His settlement of Greek colonists and the resulting spread of Greek culture in the east resulted in a new Hellenistic civilization, aspects of which were still evident in the traditions of the Byzantine Empire until the mid-15th century. Alexander became legendary as a classical hero in the mold of Achilles, and features prominently in the history and myth of Greek and non-Greek cultures. He became the measure against which generals, even to this day, compare themselves and military academies throughout the world still teach his tactical exploits.
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Metro-Subic
Express
Subic Bay, PHILIPPINES
Sept. 12 - Sept. 19, 2011
Subic is next cruise ship playground Full story on page 7
Singapore Cruise Center CEO Christina Siaw (seated, right) and other Asian cruise terminal operators meet with SBMA officials led by SBMA deputy administrator for corporate communications Knette Fernando (seated, left) and SBMA deputy administrator for business Raul Marcelo (standing, fifth from left).