BusinessWeek Mindanao (December 8, 2014)

BusinessWeek MINDANAO THE BUSINESSMEN’S NEWSPAPER

2013 ppi’S Best in Business and Economic Reporting

Volume V, No. 77

Market Indicators As of 6:12 pm dec. 5, 2014 (Friday)

FOREX

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US$1 = P44.54

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P5 COLA DAVAO City -- Minimum wage workers in Region 11 will be entitled to an additional P5 Cost of Living Allowance (COLA) effective December 1 this year, the Department of Labor and Employment (DoLE) regional office announced.

The P5 COLA represents the 2nd tranche of Wage Order RB-XI-18 issued in June this year, which then increased the basic minimum wage by P11.00.

DoLE Regional Director Joffrey M. Suyao reminded all employers with more than 10 workers that the minimum wage for non-agricultural and retail and services sector will now be P317.

For retail and service establishments employing 10 workers or less, the daily minimum wage has been raised to P286.

Agriculture sector workers, meanwhile, should now receive P307 per day.

PDAF toll DAVAO City -- Genuine civil service organizations (CSO) are feeling the impact of the PDAF (Priority Development Assistance Fund) scam.

This according to Paul Paraguya, project manager of CODE-NGO (Caucus of Development Non-Government Organization) network.

He said before the PDAF scam broke out, it was much easier for legitimate NGOs to negotiate above the table with government agencies for the implementation of development projects in the communities.

The PDAF scam involved spurious NGOs being recipient of PDAF from senators a scheme allegedly masterminded by Janet Lim- Napoles, these funds were misused contrary to intended purposes.

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Monday | December 8, 2014

P15.00

Aboitiz to infuse P30-B for capacity expansions T

By MYRNA VELASCO, Contributor

HE power generation arm of the Aboitiz group will be infusing US$680 million (or roughly P30 billion under current peso-dollar exchange rate) in fresh capital to bankroll capacity expansions of its power plant projects in Visayas and Mindanao.

Ab oit iz Power chief executive officer Erramon I. Aboitiz has reiterated the conglomerate’s plan to expand the capacity of its Cebu power project to 510MW from what had been initially-designed two units of 170MW capacity each.

The power plant project to be sited in Toledo City in Cebu province had been preliminarily blueprinted for total implementation cost of P41 billion. It will be done via project vehicle Therma Visayas Inc. aboitiz/PAGE 7

Maranaos complain of measly share from Lake Lanao’s contributions

By FROILAN GALLARDO, MindaNews

MARAWI City -- Lake Lanao, the second largest lake in the country, became the center of discussion during the congressional public hearing on the Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) held at the Lanao del Sur provincial gymnasium here on Thursday.

Driza Liningding, of the Bangsa Moro Peace and Development Council, said the divisions of economic revenues from Lake Lanao do not favor the Maranaos and the Lanao del Sur local government. complain/PAGE 7

GETTING READY. Philippine Air Force personnel in Cagayan de Oro City prepare their rescue gear a day ahead of the expected landfall of typhoon Ruby on Saturday. The air force personnel will be deployed anywhere in case the situation worsens when typhoon Ruby hits landfall. mindanews photo by froilan gallardo

Power Forum:

Can power market dampen brownouts during summer?

(Last of a Series)

By MIKE BAÑOS, Editor-at-Large

Still no WESM “WE cannot go to WESM because we don’t have an interconnection between Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao. If we have a market here, I cannot call it a WESM because it’s actually isolated. The IMEM is almost the same as WESM but will not go outside of

Mindanao because there’s no interconnection.”

“The difference now is in Luzon there is almost no government plant, here the biggest plant is the government. That’s why we have to put IMEM because there are rules which need to be apply only in Mindanao.

And especially what we will

put in is the Demand Side Bidding. In Manila you only put your load requirement and take the market price.

Here, they are afraid IMEM would make power more expensive.”

IMEM Oppositors Oppositors of the IMEM are convinced it would result in unnecessarily high power rates in Mindanao when in power/PAGE 7

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RDC-X has a new chairperson PRESIDENT Benigno S. Aquino III has appointed Lanao del Norte Governor Mohamad Khalid Quibranza D i m ap oro a s t h e n e w chairperson of the Regional Development Council of Northern Mindanao (RDC-X) for the term 2013-2016.

Governor Dimaporo is a third termer as Governor of Lanao del Norte. He is presently the Vice-President

of the Confederation of Provincial Governors, City Mayors and Municip a l Mayors League President of Mindanao (CONFED Mindanao) and Chair of the RDC-Social Development Committee. He has also served as Chair of the RDCInf rast r uc ture/Ut i lit ies Development Committee in 2007-2010.

G overnor Dimap oro

finished his Bachelor of Arts in International Economics (2002) at the University of San Francisco in California where he also earned his Master’s Degree in Development Economics (2003) with honors. He also holds a Doctoral Degree in Agricultural Economics (2004) from the Texas A & M University in the United States.

A Resident of Tubod, Lanao del Norte, Governor Dimaporo was born on February 16, 1980 to Abdullah Dimakuta Dimaporo and Imelda Dela Cruz Quibranza.

He is married to Christina Mendoza Kahanding and has four children, Isa Abdullah (7), Noah Abdullah (6),Adan Abdullah (4) and Zakeriya Abdullah (3). (Peleta B. Abejo/NEDA-X/PIA-10)

MisOcc ‘Laag-laag’ project seen to boost local tourism ORO QUIETA City – A project called “Laag-laag s a Mi s O c c ( L e t’s Tou r Mis. Occ.)” that runs from December 5 to 7, 2014, is seen to boost the local tourism industry, here, the Provincial Tourism Office (PTO), said.

A three-day tourists’ spot visitation package, “L a ag - l a ag s a Mis am is O c c i d e nt a l” c ov e r s a n itinerary of destinations

showcasing nature, history and culture, industrial and agricultural ventures, sports and recreational facilities, customs and traditions, health and wellness and food products, Gain Paul De Barras, provincial tourism officer, said.

Exclusively participated by the Provincial Tourism Council (PTC) officers and members, local government unit tourism officers, PTO

staff, representatives from travel agencies and the academe, the project dry runs the time spent in going from one destination to another.

De Barras said ‘Laag’ participants will be made to evaluate the destinations for possible inclusion in the set of Tour Packages planned by PTO to be endorsed to both local and foreign tourists, recommend improvement,

document each destination, and observe how the tour guides interact with guests.

Likewise, they will be made to show the map of the destinations with their respective ground positioning system (GPS) and gather more information related to each destination to serve as background that may entice the would-be tourists to come and see them.

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DSWD to validate non-assessed senior citizens to enjoy pension THE Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) in Northern Mindanao will conduct a second round validation of the 1,997 nonNHTS PR (National Household Targeting System for Poverty Reduction) senior citizen (SC) beneficiaries early next year to accommodate more beneficiaries to enjoy the Social Pension for Filipino Indigent Senior Citizen Program.

During the Regional InterAgency Committee for Senior Citizens (RIAC-SC) on December 3, here, DSWD said that they have already validated 11,262 non-NHTS beneficiaries last May 2014 but the remaining SCs were not validated or assessed due to transfer of residence or death. The Department also added that only those SCs who were registered in the NHTS-PR or “Listahanan” will be able to receive the stipend.

Moreover, the Department

shared that for calendar year 2015, the total number of targeted SC beneficiaries will increase by 18, 385 or 94.68% from the current number.

To further give importance to this sector of the country, the RIAC-SC also intends to provide an inventory of community resources to facilitate the needs of senior citizens, regular building inspection and monitoring of accessibility features of buildings and transport facilities consumer lanes or services made available by banks, government facilities, private offices and drugstore for senior citizens.

The government’s Social Pension Program (Social Pension) implemented by the Department of Social Welfare and Development provides a monthly stipend of P500 to indigent senior citizens as mandated by Republic Act 9994 or the Expanded Senior Citizens Act of 2010.

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Is the Kremlin Financing Europe’s Right-Wing Populists?

M

any right-wing European political parties are anything but shy when it comes to showing their pro-Russian sentiments.

Millions of euros have also been deposited by Russian banks in the pocket of France’s Front National. Last nights news really shocked me. How can this be putting together? Communist Russia and France’s right-wings?

Fr a n c e’s r i g ht - w i n g populist party, the Front National (FN), has denied claims in a media report which stated that they wanted to borrow 40 million euros ($50 million) from a Russian bank.

“This is fictitious, it’s crazy,” said party leader Marine Le Pen. “We have applied for nine million euros, and we got nine million euros.” But so what?

Amongst other things, the Front National needs this financial top-up to organize its Saturday (29.11.2014) party congress in Lyon. For a long time now, the Front National has been accused of receiving Russian financial support. The head of the bank is also close confidant of Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Fact is: Marine Le Pen “flirts” with Putin. With regards to political party funding in France, the National Front is in trouble, as

Philippine Press Institute

The Invisible Father

T

hink a minute…A 58-yearold man was sharing his memories of his father. He said his father had been a workaholic who was always busy with work and his own personal interests.

He never came to his son’s sports games or activities. In fact, the son said his dad almost never spoke to him. By the time the son was 18 years old, in his last year of school, he’d become a very good football player.

When his team qualified for the championship, he begged his father to finally come see him play this one time; so his dad promised he’d be there.

On the day of the championship, the son was on the field warming up just before the game when he saw his dad come into the stadium with two other men. Then, just before the game started, his dad left with his friends and never returned. It’s now been 40 years since that day, yet this 58-year-old son says the painful rejection and disappointment he felt as a teenager is still very real. When his father recently died at age 83, he stood alone next to his dad’s coffin at the funeral home and said: “Dad, we could have shared so much love and good times together, but I never knew you.”

Thinking back on this man’s childhood, and especially that day of the football game, I wonder what that father thought was more important than being there for his son. Was his time with business associates more

THINK

A Minute

By Jhan Tiafau Hurst

important than caring and being interested in the success of his own son? That father let the years go by without doing his job at home. He failed in his most important responsibility as a father.

A father has tremendous power and influence in the lives of his children. Studies have shown that the number one cause of troubled boys and young men is that they had fathers who didn’t really care.

They didn’t spend time with their sons so they weren’t close to them. There are millions of invisible fathers like this. But “No man stands as tall, as when he stoops down to help his son.”

How about you? Do you need to give more time and attention to your children? It’s never too late to change. Why not ask Jesus Christ to forgive you for your failures as a father? Then ask Him to help change you so you can become the caring, loving father your children need. Just Think a Minute…

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they have allegedly received no loans from French banks.

So the support from Russia has come in handy.

According to the Front National’s European Member o f Pa r l i a m e nt ( M E P ) , Jean-Luc Schaffhauser, the nine-million-euro loan was granted only because party leader Le Pen has a good relationship with Putin.

Reinhard Bütikofer, German Green Party warns of growing right-wing cooperation with Russia.

Marine Le Pen is a great critic of European sanctions against Russia. In interviews she has repeatedly stressed that she “admires Putin” and has accused the EU of pushing for a new Cold War. Le Pen is also critical of the French government for not delivering a warship to Russia because of the Ukraine crisis.

But Le Pen herself has also been subject to criticism.

“It’s remarkable that a political party from the motherland of freedom can be funded by Putin’s sphere - the largest European enemy of freedom,” said Reinhard Bütikofer, an EU parliamentarian for the German Greens, in an interview. Putin, he says, is antagonizing European values by any possible means.

“But the fact that enemies of European freedom in

Moscow are now doing business wit h Europ e’s radical right - that’s a whole new can of worms,” he warned.

In EU parliament, it’s not only Le Pen and members of the National Front who have advocated Putin. Leader of the British right-wing UK Independence Party, Nigel Farage, and MPs of the “Alternative for Germany” party have also made Russiafriendly comments.

Although pro-Russian voices were previously heard more often amongst the EU parliament’s left-wing parties, a study by Hungarian policy research institute Political Capital showed that 15 of the parliament’s 24 right-wing populist parties were “open” to Russia.

Front Nati ona l l e ad er Marine Le Pen in Brussels Ma r i n e L e Pe n h a s repeatedly said she ‘admires’ Putin.n That means Putin’s nationalist and authoritarian leadership style is admired not only by the National Front but also Hungary’s Jobbik party - an avowed admirer of Putin’s power games - is suspected of being supported by the Kremlin.

According to the party’s members, the offensive in Crimea is “exemplary” - something they believe Hungarian minorities in Slovakia and Romania could

H ave M y Say

By Klaus Doring

use to alter the Hungarian border.

Europe’s radical right are by no means hiding that they want to weaken the European Union. It was this attitude that helped them to win votes at the last European ele c t ion.n The s c and a l regarding the millions of funding, however, comes at a particularly inopportune time for the Front National.

Over the weekend, Le Pen is set to be re-elected as party leader - but the loan from the Russian bank could have legal consequences.

French investigative judges have, in the meantime, been examining potentially illegal party funding in the party. +++ Email: doringklaus@ gmail.com or follow me in Facebook or Twitter or visit www.germanexpatinthephilippines.blogspot.com or www.klausdoringsclassicalmusic.blogspot.com.

Revisiting Andres Bonifacio (1)

W

hen I was in freshmen college, the fashionable hair style for young men was the “flat top” or the “crew cut”. I personally preferred it because it allowed me to dispense with the greasy pomade. It also suited me very well for ROTC. After ROTC drills, I would take the bus from Loyola Heights in Quezon City to visit my grandmother, Fortunata Bunye, at her residence in Tuberias, Quiapo, Manila (now Dr. Concepcion C. Avila). Without fail, she would compliment me. “Bagay na bagay sa iyo yang gupit Aguinaldo.” My grandmother was a true-blue admirer of the General (later President) from Cavite.

Somehow this admiration rubbed off on me. Not only did I resolve to make gupit Aguinaldo my own personal trademark. It even shaped my earlier political beliefs and inclinations. Like my Lola Atang, I too became an Aguinaldo fan.

As an Aguinaldo fan, I would, at that time, get irritated whenever I read articles from those who styled themselves as nationalist historians and who tended to portray Aguinaldo in a lesser light.

But then, as I grew older and more mature, my narrow vision of history started to widen. Parenthetically, my hair style also started to change. The gupit Aguinaldo slowly evolved to jeproks.

For my undergrad at the Ateneo, I took up history and government. At that time, however, the focus was on ancient and western history.

Philippine history was glossed over. It was only much much later that I started revisiting our own history.

As any student of History 101 knows, history is a report of a past event or events, pieced together through memory, discovery, collection, organization , presentation a n d i nt e r p r e t at i o n o f information about that past event or events.

I have heard it often said that history is His Story or Her Story (if the writer is female.)

In other words, history is often influenced by the writer’s own perspective (either personal or national) and by the prevailing thinking or policy at the time the report is written.

The writer’s perpective can be affected by the information available at the time, the accuracy and integrity of said information, the analysis and interpretation of said information and finally by the credibility of the writer.

This being so, we should be aware that history, as a discipline, can not be anything but dynamic. History is a living, evolving thing. History, unlike dogma, can and may be rewritten. History can and must be periodically revisited.

Which brings me to the subject at hand – Revisiting Bonifacio.

For one reason or another,

there are fewer materials on Andres Bonifacio relative to other contemporaneous historical figures. For instance, there is only one available photograph of Bonifacio and it showed him wearing a coat!

Thus, lacking any physical evidence, artists representations of Bonifacio wearing a camisa de chino with scarf may be factually inaccurate. The bolo may not even be the weapon of choice of Bonifacio. No historical accounts mention Bonifacio wielding a bolo. But there are stories of Bonifacio pointing a pistol at another revolutionary who gravely insulted him.

Myths have been woven around Bonifacio – many of them obviously hard demolition jobs perpetrated by his political detractors.

These myths have since been debunked by credible historians, among them, my favorite historian from Taft Avenue, Xiao Chua. One of the myths portrays Bonifacio as the Unlettered Supremo (Ang Bobong Supremo). But as historian Chua clearly points out, Bonifacio’s reading list consisted of serious hard stuff.

That is just the tip of the iceberg.

Historian Chua, quoting eminent historians Milagros C. Guerrero, Emmanuel N. Encarnacion and Ramon N. Villegas, asserts that Bonifacio may even have been our First President.

This assertion is based on

SPEAKING

O ut

By Ignacio Bunye

“newly-accessed Katipunan documents”. In remedial law, “newly discovered evidence” could be the basis of a review or reconsideration of a previous adverse ruling.

Dr. Guer rero is the co-author (with Teodoro Agoncillo) of the widely used history textbook “History of the Filipino People”. She is a retired history professor of the University of the Philippines and has served as chair of the Department of History from 1989 to 1992. She is also a former president of the Philippine Historical Association. In 2007, Dr. Guerrero received an award from the National Research Council of the Philippines in recognition of her work in “the holistic synthesis of historical materials in the field of history”.

More on this in the next article. Abangan.

Note: You may email us at totingbunye2000@gmail. com.

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Puregold lines up more supermarket acquisitions PUREGOLD Price Club Inc., the country’s leading chain of supermarkets, has lined more acquisitions of smaller and single-propriety supermarkets in Luzon next year as the company seeks a dominant position in the wholesale and budget supermarket category.

Vincent Co, company merchandize and marketing director, told reporters the company will pursue acquisition of existing supermarkets in Luzon in 2015.

“We will continue to acquire more supermarket chains in 2015 mostly in Luzon,” Co said. He, however, refused to identify these supermarkets noting the company has been talking to several chains and single-propriety supermarkets in Luzon.

Puregold has acquired Parco, Unilane, and Sioland in San Pablo, Laguna.

Aside from new acquisitions, Puregold will continue organic expansion with another 25 stores to be opened in 2015. Puregold has already 230 store now.

The investment per store

ranges from P200 million for budget store and P300 million for a bigger store.

S&R, the company’s store selling both retail and in bulk imported goods, is expected to open one more store before the end of the year in Imus, Cavite. Two stores may be opened next year.

For its convenience store Lawson, Co said they are building 500 outlets over a five year period.

In terms of revenues, Co said they are on track to hit its forecast for the year.

Antonio Delos Santos, vice president for operations, said the company will hit its revenue sales growth forecast P85.4-billion or 17 percent higher than its P73 billion revenue sales posted in 2013.

“We have no guidance yet, directions for next year,” he said.

But Delos Santos said they will pilot test its neighborhood store concept next year with 2 stores initially in mega Manila.

The neighborhood store will be like a grab and go concept.

A Brown taps AlloyMTD for infrastructure foray A CONSORTIUM led by A Brown Company, Inc. has partnered with the local subsidiary of Malaysia’s AlloyMTD Group for its foray into infrastructure development.

AlloyMTD targets P82B in projects by 2016 A Brown said in a statement on Monday night that it “is now looking to expand its presence through a series of infrastructure projects meant to address worsening traffic conditions in key cities.”

The company formed a consortium composed of Private Equity Investment and Development Corp. and Systra Philippines, Inc. -- a member of France’s Systra Group.

A Brown said the consortium last month signed a memorandum of cooperation (MoC) with MTD Philippines, Inc. led by President Isaac S. David.

The company did not elaborate which infrastructure

projects they are interested in.

“The specific projects are yet to be finalized,” A Brown said in response to a query sent via email.

“The primary goal of this MoC signing is for the partners to discuss and explore which opportunities and problem areas they would address,” it added.

MTD Philippines’ Mr. David, however, said in a text message that potential projects are “related to transportation like MRT (Metro Rail Transit) and toll roads.”

A Brown is banking on its expertise in project management to support the partnership. The company operates various power projects through its subsidiaries Palm Concepcion Power Corp.

(PCPC) and Peakpower Energy, Inc. AlloyMTD Malaysia, on the other hand, is an infrastructure conglomerate operating globally. It has active presence

Guv Emano: We are ready to augment, support our LGU’s MISAMIS Oriental - The province of Misamis Oriental its all systems go for any eventuality that typhoon Ruby may bring Governor Bambi Emano said on Thursday, December 4 meeting with all the municipal disaster risk reduction officers and members of the expanded Provincial Risk Reduction Management. C ounci l (PDRRMC).

Not taking anything lightly, the Governor said the PDRRMC is taking all 23 towns and two (2) cities “at risk” based on the weather report mapping the whole province under code red.

“We have also identified about 127 barangays at ‘high risk’ considering that these are located along

the 17 main rivers that snake through the entire province,” Gov. Emano said.

With this data, the PDRRMC was instructed by the Governor to prepare to take care of some 42 thousand persons representing about 11 thousand families.

“I appreciate the active participation of our municipal disaster risk reduction teams who are ready to open their evacuation center when the situation demands,” the Governor added.

He also said that food items and other logistics are already pre-positioned should these be needed by the LGU’s. These include several hundred cartoons of canned goods and about a thousand bags of rice with

5

50 kilos each bag.

“Yes, we are ready to augment and support our LGU’s for whatever they might need,” Governor declared.

Part of its preparations, the PDDRMC has already positioned some five (5) rubber boats in strategic towns along with some pieces of heavy equipment, emergency generators, chains saws and transportation facilities.

He also ordered all provincial hospitals to stand by with extra manpower to take in emergency cases.

The PDRRC operation centers at the Capitol and in Gingoog City will be on 24-hour operation starting tonight. The Center will issue advisories and updates three (3) hours before the

Gov. Emano

expected landfall and every three (3) hours thereafter until the emergency if off.

These are the communication lines at the Provincial Capitol: (landlines) 714-901 & 724347; (Globe) 0917-7087597; (Smart) 0908-8732851.(PIO/ninja)

WITH THE TRIBAL COMMUNITIES – VICE GOVERNOR JOEY G. PELAEZ speaks before the participants of the Talugan Ta Tagoloan Supreme Council of Datus/Baes, Higaonon Tribal Communities Federation, Inc. General Assembly at Talusan, Balingasag, Misamis Oriental. In his message, Vice Governor Pelaez emphasized the importance of educating the youth who are members of the tribal community in order to cope with the changes of society while being able to retain indigenous practices to enrich our indigenous culture. The Talugan Ta Tagoloan was recently accredited as a nongovernmental organization by the Sangguninang Panlalawigan of Misamis Oriental in its Resolution No. 345, s. 2014.

in Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, United States, United Kingdom, Australia, Indonesia, Singapore, Sri Lanka, India, Thailand, Chile, China, and the Philippines.

Its local unit, MTD Philippines, constructed the 36-kilometer South Luzon Expressway, as well as the first phase of the P2.5-billion CALABARZON Regional Government Center (RGC)

in Calamba City.

A Brown, which serves as public holding firm of the Brown Group of Companies, is primarily engaged in the business of real estate development.

Through its subsidiaries, A Brown has also ventured into oil palm nursery and seedlings distribution, palm oil milling, operation of hotels and real estate brokerage.

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SCG-Mariwasa launches alternative biomass project to benefit typhoon victims Though it has almost been a year since typhoon Yolanda hit the country, many are still struggling to rebuild, including the municipality of Lawaan in Eastern Samar.

To help those affected by the typhoon, SCG and its subsidiary, Mariwasa, has partnered with the Office of the Presidential Assistant f or R e h a bi l it at i on a n d Recovery (OPARR) and the Lawaan local government to create a program that can benefit this municipality.

This project, which will be the very first of its kind as part of the countr y’s

rehabilitation efforts post typhoon Yolanda, aims to gather all the upro oted coconut trees caused by the typhoon and use them as an alternative source of energy.

“L awaan was badly a f f e c t e d b y Ty p h o o n Yo l a n d a , w h e r e t h e extent of the damage that happ ened in other areas, such as Tacloban, happened to us as well.

Many lives were lost and our entire infrastructure was damaged. Moreover, the environment of the area was also affected, with

hectares of coconut trees that were upro oted and damaged as well,” shared Hon. Candida Eligio Garbornes, Mayor of the Municipality of Lawaan in Eastern Samar.

The uprooted coconut t re es are a concer n for Lawaan because as these trees decompose, they will attract insects in the area, which will destroy the crops and farming lands of the locals. With an estimated 356, 580 damaged coconut trees in the region, locals have resorted to burning t h e fe l l e d t re e s , w h i c h is detrimental to the environment. The project will enjoin the communities in L awaan to clear vast areas of felled trees. With the help of SCG-Mariwasa in providing the necessary tools and vehicles for clearing and transportation, the coconut trees will be delivered to Mariwasa to be transformed into a usable resource which will power Mariwasa’s plants while helping sustain Lawaan’s environment.

“The partnership will be a big help for Lawaan since there are so many aspects that we need to focus on and rehabilitate.

This project will help clear the debris and maintain the natural balance of the environment in the area,” shared Hon. Garbornes.

In addition to helping the municipality’s environment, S C G - Ma r i w a s a t a k e s a

Mr. Phaskorn Buranawit, President of Mariwasa Siam Ceramics, Inc. (3rd from left) shakes hands with Sec. Panfilo Lacson, Sr. Secretary of OPARR (3rd from right) after the Memorandum of Understanding signing, along with (from left to right) Hon. Candida Eligio Garbornes, Mayor of the Municipality of Lawaan, Mr. Sunchai Jindasri, President of SCG Marketing Philippines, Ms. Emilie Maramag, Vice President for Finance & Admin of Mariwasa Siam Ceramics, Inc., and Undersecretary Danilo A. Antonio, Business and Civil Society Organization Unit of OPARR.

step further by sharing its commitment in education and youth development in Lawaan. As compensation for the felled coconut trees that will be used to fuel its plant, the company will b e g iv i ng c onst r u c t i on materials to rebuild schools and day-care centers.

“SCG has always been c om m it t e d i n n o t j u s t protecting the environment but in the development of the youth. We believe that giving building and c ons t r u c t i on m at e r i a l s for the rehabilitation of

the schools and day-care centers is among the most important things to do for now because we believe that our children’s education should not be compromised but be lifted especially in these hard times,” shared Mr. Phaskorn Buranawit, President of Mariwasa Siam Ceramics, Inc. This project aims to not just rebuild schools that were devastated by typhoon Yolanda but to help improve t he faci lit ies and make them disaster-resilient.

S ome faci lit ies include

classrooms, skills training centers, bathrooms, and covered gyms. The project will also build day-care centers in the hard-toreach barangays of Lawaan.

“Truly, nothing is more re w ard i ng t han hav i ng ever yone from different sectors contribute for this project with a common objective- recover y and to return to normal life.

With OPARR and the LGUs, we hop e t h is e nd e avor will help our fellowmen to recover and start a new life,” said Mr. Buranawit.

Panasonic ‘eco learning’ held to advance environmental education Manila, Philippines - A month after the company mobilized its employees to plant trees in Tanay, Rizal, Panasonic Manufacturing Philippines Corporation (PMPC) resumed conducting its series of Eco Learning (environmental education) Program or ELP on Friday, November 28 with one of its elementary school partners.

Led by PMPC president N o b u o Ya s u h i r a , t h e

company’s management and staff provided environmental lessons and inspirations to the students and teachers of Don Jose Elementary School in Sta. Rosa, Laguna.

“Since the establishment of Panasonic in 1918, we have been carrying out all our activities along with our management philosophy with the basic concept of ‘company as a public entity of society’.

Thus, our commitment to help

create a sustainable society t hroug h env ironment a l activities such as our ‘eco learning’ program is also an expression of the purpose of our company’s existence. The company’s brand slogan “A Better Life, A Better World” also encapsulates the same vision of pursuing a better life for each individual customer, and realizing a better world globally through its contribution to the environment and other activities,” Yasuhira said in his message during the event.

ELP is part of the various children-oriented programs called Panasonic Kid’s School.

It is an env ironment a l e du c at i on pro g r am for children around the world with Panasonic employees as teachers to provide lessons through a variety of local activities, such as factory tours, lessons at schools, and at Panasonic showrooms. By PMPC employees were jubilant upon reaching the site providing an environmental for the company’s tree planting activity panasonic/PAGE 7

Panasonic eco learning program at Don Jose Elementary School in Sta. Rosa, Laguna Panasonic Matsushita

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Aboitiz...

from page 1 The engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contract was previously awarded to the joint venture of Hyundai Engineering Co. Ltd. and Galing Power Energy Co. Additionally, the Aboitiz Power group’s 300-MW power plant in Davao under corporate vehicle Therma South Inc. had been decided to be expanded to 470MW. For both projects, the Aboitiz electricity generation firm has emphasized that “the notices to proceed for the additional units are expected to be issued by March 2015.”

The estimated project funding of $680 million for the capacity expansions, Aboitiz explained, will be a combination of equity and required bank financing.

Next year will considerably be a milestone period for the company’s Davao coal-fired power project as it will be the first baseload facility coming on stream to provide long-term solution to the southern power grid’s recurring dilemmas of power outages.

By the same token, the Aboitiz group has restated plan for offshore investments via jumpoff prospects in Indonesia.

At this stage though, Aboitiz can only express that “we like what we see in Indonesia”; with him not being able to give hints yet on their targeted partner in that market.

Indonesia is seen as an emerging ‘economic powerhouse’ in the soon-to-be-integrated Southeast Asian region and also has strategic place in Asia’s energy marketplace given its vast resources – not only in the petroleum segment but also in coal production sphere.

On the domestic power industry front, the higher end capacity target of the Aboitiz group will be to reach 4,000MW or roughly double of their current capacity of more than 2,000MW. That is seen accomplished in the next 3-4 years.

Yet with the Philippine

electricity sector already getting saturated and with other markets opening up for prospects, the company is now strategically setting its investment sights beyond local shores.

OFFSHORE INVESTMENTS Mr. Aboitiz reiterated that AboitizPower is keen on expanding its presence overseas.

One of the areas earlier identified was Indonesia.

“We’re basically looking at Indonesia as an opportunity.

We’ve seen people and we’ve introduced ourselves but there’s nothing firm yet,” Mr. Aboitiz said.

Southeast Asian countries Myanmar and Vietnam are also on the company’s radar, he added.

Pilmico Foods Corp., AEV’s food unit, last June gained a foothold abroad through its acquisition of a 70% equity interest in Vin Hoan 1 Feed JSC, one of the largest aqua feed producers in Vietnam.

“We are happy with the results in Vietnam and we are looking at expanding in that area,” he said.

Likewise, Aboitiz Land, Inc. (AboitizLand) is working on further cementing its presence in the property sector through expansions in Luzon. AboitizLand gained full ownership of Lima Land, Inc., an industrial park in Batangas last February.

“We are doing work in Lima Land so we’re focused on that.

We are also looking at some land banking opportunities and projects in Luzon,” Mr. Aboitiz said.

“In Cebu, we continue to roll out projects and we probably will do more of the same here in Luzon. It probably would not be in Metro Manila itself but around it but it still depends on where we can find a suitable land,” he said.

Complain... from page 1

“Lanao del Sur and the Maranaos are the losers while the national government and private corporations reap the profits,” Liningding said.

The state-run National Power Corporation, which operates

Republic of the Philippines REGIONAL TRIAL COURT OF LANAO DEL NORTE 12TH Judicial Region BRANCH 07 Tubod, Lanao del Norte

PETITION FOR APPOINTMENT Pet. for Not. Com No. AS NOTARY PUBLIC FOR THE 031-07-2014 PROVINCE OF LANAO DEL NORTE ATTY. NICOLAS J. LIM, Petitioner.

X------------------------/

six hydro plants along the Agus River, the main tributary of Lake Lanao, pays the local government units one percent of their gross sales or receipts every year as stipulated by Section 291 of the Local Government Code of 1991.

Liningding said Saguiaran town in Lanao del Sur, where Agus Hydro 2 plant is located, receives P2 million per quarter; while Marawi City with its Agus 1 receives P800,000.

“The problem is what is the basis of the one percent?”

Liningding said, adding that the LGUs and the Maranaos want an “equitable share” from the revenues generated by the hydro plants.

Rep. Maximo Rodriguez (partylist, Abamin) said the proposed Bangsamoro parliament can correct all the complaints of the Maranaos.

He said this is the time for them to pass laws in the Bangsamoro parliament to correct the problems.

“The national government and the private corporations are using the waters of the lake for their economic benefits. Now the Bangsamoro government is following suit. What benefits are in store for the Maranaos?”

Liningding asked.

He said they also want Section 22 of the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law that gives jurisdiction of all inland waters, lakes, rivers, marshes and tributaries to the Bangsamoro government to be specific on Lake Lanao.

He said this would protect Lake Lanao from over utilization of its water resources.

Power... from page 1

fact, consumers can access the same capacities at a much lower prince.

“Let me point out that the harmfulness of the IMEM comes mainly from the fact that it will enable the PSALM-NPC to charge the excess generation of the NPC-owned Agus and Pulangi hydroelectric power plants at the IMEM price (which could be as high as the price cap of 42 pesos

Republic of the Philippines REGIONAL TRIAL COURT OF LANAO DEL NORTE 12TH Judicial Region BRANCH 07 Tubod, Lanao del Norte In re: PETITION FOR RE-APPOINTMENT AS NOTARY PUBLIC FOR AND IN THE PROVINCE OF LANAO DEL NORTE

(Sgd.) DENNIS P. VICOY

Acting Presiding Judge BWM: Dec 8, 15 & 22, 2014

Pet. for Not. Com No. 029-07-2014

this 2015, especially during the summer months, is to appeal with Big Commercial and Industrial firms to implement the Interruptible Load Program(ILP) with standby generators/power plants and advice DUs with embedded Power Plant/s and or Modular Genset to prepare and condition their Units for the dry months, rather than prematurely implement IMEM,” he added.

Degoma said some private DUs and rural electric cooperatives in Mindanao already have in place Modular Gensets and or contracted or owned embedded power plants, with a combined capacity of around 200-300MW, that if properly coordinated by DOE could arrest the much-feared power shortage next year.”

Meantime, the Association of Mindanao Rural Electric Cooperatives (AMRECO) maintains its opposition to the IMEM centers on the acceptability of its settlement of billings with the electric cooperatives.

The IMEM is mandated

by DOE Department Circular No. DC2013-01-0001 dated 09 January 2013 pursuant to DOE’s mandate in ensuring reliability, quality and supply of electric power under Republic Act No. 9136 also known as the Electric Power Industry Reform Act of 2001 or EPIRA.

Panasonic... from page 6

education program to foster interest in global warming and biodiversity, the children are encouraged to take specific actions to protect the global environment.

Moreover, ELP utilizes materials that serve to promote understanding in basic environmental issues, a development program that provides information on corporate environmental technologies, and a two-tiered course that participants can choose from depending on the level. At the same time, the programs can be combined and modified to allow for easy introduction. Basically, it aims to provide environmental education to 2 million children worldwide by the year 2018 when the company celebrates its 100th anniversary. And as of fiscal year ended March 31, 2014, the cumulative total beneficiaries stand at approximately 1.993 million.

In the Philippines, more than 11 thousand school children have already benefited from ELP, which was introduced in 2010 and with a growing number of elementary school-partners actively supporting the program. ELP activities also serve as venues for Panasonic ‘Eco Picture Diary,’ a contest in which participants describe their eco-friendly activities that they can practice in daily life.

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3. VIOS 1.5 XXXL, limited edition, Mileage 44K Full Skirt Sport type All Mags, 495 k Call: 850-1324/0917-853-5958 BWM: Nov 10, 2014-Jan 31, 2015

Republic of the Philippines REGIONAL TRIAL COURT 10th Judicial Region Branch 16, Tangub City IN THE MATTER OF THE CORRECTION OF THE DATE OF BIRTH IN THE CERTIFICATE OF BIRTH OF CORAZON DELOS REYES FROM 31 AUGUST 1948 TO 31 JULY 1949 AND SUPPLEMENTALS OF MIDDLE NAME AS ALEGRADO AS WELL AS THE PLACE OF BIRTH FROM ONLY LILO-AN TO LILO-AN, BONIFACIO, MISAMIS OCCIDENTAL. CORAZON DELOS REYES,

-versus-

SP. PROC. TC-2014-004

Petitioner,

THE MUNICIPAL CIVIL REGISTRAR OF BONIFACIO, MISAMIS OCCIDENTAL, Respondent, x------------------------------------------------------/ NOTICE OF HEARING

ELEUTERIO M. OBIAL, JR., Petitioner.

X - - - - - - - - - -- - - - - - - - /

NOTICE OF HEARING NOTICE is hereby given that a summary hearing on the petition for notarial commission of Atty. Nicolas J. Lim shall be on February 6, 2015 at 8:30 in the morning at RTC, Branch 07, Tubod, Lanao del Norte. Any person who has any cause or reason to object to the grant of the petition may file a verified written opposition thereto, received by the undersigned before the date of the summary hearing.

per kWh), instead of delivering this excess generation to power consumers at the ERC-approved rate (around 3.00 pesos per kWh) for all generation from NPC owned and controlled power plants (which is what is happening now without the IMEM),” said Engr.

David A. Tauli, president and spokesperson of the Mindanao Coalition of Power Consumers (MCPC).

MCPC is a broad based coalition of private utilities, electric cooperatives, industries, consumers and local government units dedicated to providing cheap, affordable and reliable electricity to power users in Mindanao.

“It is this adverse effect of the IMEM that DOE has failed to explain to us on what happens to the excess generation of hydro plants before and after, or with and without, the IMEM,” Tauli added.

“Everything that DOE does is how to squeeze more payments in power from us all, they are not doing anything to improve the Agus - Pulangui complex because there is none for them in there and they want to make it deteriorate further by withholding the maintenance budget to ultimately reduce its overall capacity,” said Engr. Norberto J. Older, president of the Iligan City-based Lanao Power Consumers Federation (LAPOCOF).”

“With that, DOE/PSALM can pursue the privatization, at which case, it would still be the Aboitiz or the Alcatraz who are just waiting, that will get them, just like the two power barges.

This modified IMEM is just another (expletive deleted).”

“We maintain our strong opposition on the operation of the IMEM until supply exceeds demand,” said Engr. Nestor B. Degoma, chairman of the Power Alternative Agenda in Mindanao (PALAG-Mindanao).

“This situation may still to come at the earliest, 2016, when Therma South Inc. and Sarangani Energy will hopefully be on-stream, with their combined capacity addition of 500MW to the Mindanao Grid.”

“The best thing DOE could do

7

NOTICE OF HEARING NOTICE is hereby given that a summary hearing on the petition for notarial commission of Atty. Eleuterio M. Obial, Jr. shall be on January 30, 2015 at 8:30 in the morning at RTC, Branch 07, Tubod, Lanao del Norte. Any person who has any cause or reason to object to the grant of the petition may file a verified written opposition thereto, received by the undersigned before the date of the summary hearing.

BWM : Nov. 24, Dec. 1 & 8, 2014

(Sgd.) DENNIS P. VICOY Acting Presiding Judg

WHEREAS, after alleging certain facts in a verified petition filed on November 24,2014, petitioner prayed that after notice, publication and hearing, an order be issued directing the Municipal Civil Registrar of Bonifacio, Misamis Occidental, to make the necessary corrections in her record of birth, to wit: 1) 2) a) b)

Date, month and year of birth: From 31 to August 1948 to 31 July 1949; For the supplemental thereof: Middle Name: ALEGRADO; Place of Birth: Lilo-an, Bonifacio, Misamis Occidental

WHEREFORE, finding the petition to be in due form and substance, the hearing of the same is hereby set on January 13, 2015 at 8:30 o’clock in the morning, at the Session Hall of this Court at which date, time and place, any person may appear and show cause why said petition should not be granted.

The Sheriff of this Court is hereby ordered to post copies of this Notice in three (3) conspicuous public places, preferably in the Bulletin Board of this Court, the Municipal Hall of Bonifacio, Misamis Occidental and the Barangay Hall of Lilo-an, Bonifacio, Misamis Occidental.

Moreover, let a copy of this petition and notice be published once a week for (3) consecutive weeks in a newspaper of general circulation in the province of Misamis Occidental, all the expense of the petitioner, for the information and guidance of all concerned. Also, let copy of this petition and notice be furnished to the petitioner, the Office of the Solicitor General, and the Municipal Civil Registrar of Bonifacio, Misamis Occidental. Any person having or claiming any interest under the entry whose correction is sought may, within fifteen (15) days from notice of this petition, or from the last date of publication of such notice, file its opposition thereto.

WITNESS, the Honorable SYLVIA A. SINGIDAS-MACHACON.Presiding Judge, this 3rd day of December,2014.

(Sgd.) FULGENCIA G. ABELLANA

OIC-Clerk of Court MDN: Dec 8, 15 & 22, 2014

8

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BusinessWeek MINDANAO THE BUSINESSMEN’S NEWSPAPER 2013 ppi’S BeSt in BuSineSS and economic RepoRting

MONDAY | DECEMBER 8, 2014

editor: ShAuN AlEjANDRAE YAp uY

Parasat Cable TV MAIN OFFICE (088) 857-2662 (08822) 72-6112 Cruz Taal St., Divisoria (088) 857-3837 (08822) 72-1655

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The Liceo U Dragonoids and Iligan’s Team Bakunawa battle it out on the turn around of the final event - the 2000 meter race of Bugsay Mindanao The First Northern Mindanao Dragon Boat Race, Cagayan de Oro River, December 6.

Photo by ShauN alejaNdrae Yap uY

Bugsay Mindanao makes history Cagayan de OrO City – the success of Bugsay Mindanao, the first ever dragon boat race in Northern Mindanao, marks a new beginning in the region’s dragon boat racing scene. Six dragon boat teams came together in a race cum advocacy event at the Cagayan de Oro River, December 6, as part of the sports and environmental campaign of Liceo de Cagayan University.

Three teams from Davao participated in the event together with teams from Iligan City, Butuan City

and Liceo U’s very own Dragonoids, the official dragon boat team of the university and the first team in Cagayan de Oro. The participating teams are Team Bakunawa, Base Camp, Dragons Del Sur, FSUU Blue Dragons, Hiraya Minokawa Dabaw, and the Liceo Dragonoids.

In keeping with their will to promote the dragon boat sport, the Dragoinoids invited their key corporate partners to train with them and participate in dragon boat clinics.

These teams include the Team Oro Rescue (CDRRMC staff), Team Zealep (affiliate companies of Liceo U), Team R.O.X. (Outdoor gear shop) and Team RedLemon Digital (web media company).

The race allowed the teams to come together to promote the sport in Mindanao as well as help the Dragonoids in their campaign to save and preserve Cagayan de Oro River.

Each participating paddler donated one seedling each that will be part of a tree planting activity of the Liceo U

team in January 2015.

Bugsay Mindanao is organized by Liceo de Cagayan University thru the Liceo Dragonoids and co-presented

by Smart Communications in partnership with Kendle Boats, BusinessWeek Mindanao, 99.1 iFM, R.O.X., RedLemon Digital, PARASAT HD, ABS-CBN, Hon. Oscar Moreno, and Fit Republic CdO. Bugsay Mindanao. Six teams, One race, One Mindanao.

The Municipal Hall of Carmen, Agusan del Norte lights up the town in a beautiful display of lights much to the awe of motorists, bus passengers and the townspeople.

The “Light Up Carmen 2014” was held to commence the town’s celebration of the Christmas Season. Photo by Shaun uy

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BEST IN BUSINESS ANd EcoNoMIc REPoRTINg

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Primavera holds Christmas art exhibit with renowned CDO artists C

hristmas is a season for merriment, feasts and giving. This December 9 to 27, 2014, Primavera offers the gift of art with an exhibit entitled "Season's Paintings at Primavera." Viewers will be treated to a feast for the eyes that also warms the heart and nourishes the soul.

The collection of small to medium sized works range from representational to nonrepresentational and rendered in styles from abstract cubism and expressionism to surrealism and realism. The artists use a variety of materials from the traditional, such as oil and acrylic, to wood and mixed media.

"Season's Paintings at Primavera" features the following Cagayanon artists and other artists from other cities of Mindanao who have made Cagayan de Oro their home: Nick Aca, Renz Altubar, Archie Balcos, Richard Bolotaolo, Romy Cocos, Nonoy Estarte, Chris Gomez, Ivan Macarambon and Nonilo Ramoso.

To spread the Christmas cheer, two guests artists from other cities were invited: Esercazim Sanchez from Zamboanga City and Audie Estrellada from the island of Siquijor.

The exhibition is at the 2nd Floor, Primavera Residences Tower A, Pueblo Business Park, Upper Carmen, Cagayan de Oro. Primavera Residences has previously featured the artworks of Mr. Nick Aca in a month-long exhibit on March this year. As an advocate of authentic Italian elegance and world-class design, Primavera seeks to promote local art through events that promote and showcase the works of Kagay-anon artists.

“Seasons’ Paintings at Primavera” will officially open on December 9, 2014 at 5 PM. The event is open to the public. For reservations and inquiries, visit facebook.com/ condoprimavera or call 088-880-5002.

VIp from Page B4... for this year include a center tableaux which looks like an outdoor park on a winter’s day, where guests and visitors can have their pictures taken (for the obligatory selfies and groupies for posting in social media) and Christmas symbols painted on the hotel’s glass windows by their very own staff.

“Ceasar Gullabon from the front office and Julius Almerol from the restaurant painted the Christmas symbols on our windows using latex paint,” said Ms. Sambile. “The snowflake mobiles hanging from the ceiling were cut from 1/8 inch plywood by workers from my husband’s furniture shop.”

The hotel staff ’s participation in the seventh edition of the Christmas Village doesn’t end there. The quartet which rendered Christmas songs during the unveiling rites was all hotel employees.

And for the traditional giveaway to those who attended the traditional unveiling and blessing, the marketing staff headed by Jenifer E. Sebillano, sales and banquet supervisor chose the “Masa Podrida” after Ms. San Juan’s advised them to focus on traditional local pastries.

Masa Podrida (literally “rotten dough” in Spanish) is a Filipinized shortbread cookie (traditionally made from one part sugar, two parts butter and three parts flour) some describe as “a polvoron made into a crisp cookie” and immortalized in Kagayan culinary heritage by the late Tita Luz Macaranas.

But this was no ordinary Masa Podrida as one can immediately discern from its Christmassy Star Shape cut, to its pedigree: the “Heirloom Recipe” earned a Silver Medal (Professional Category) for VIP Hotel’s Best Bake Bakery in the Kasoy Tinagbuan category during the recent Kumbira 2014, the biggest culinary show and competition held outside Metro Manila.

“We hope our fellow Kagay-anons bring their children here during the holidays to share a part of their childhood memories similar to what they experienced with the former moving Christmas displays of the old Coca-Cola plant along Osmeña street and the famous COD Dept. Store animated mannequins in Cubao and Araneta Center,” Ms. San Juan said.

VIp hotel’s Best Bake Masa podrida, a winning heirloom recipe from Kumbira 2014

Mrs Inday Canoy with CdO Tourism Council Chair Dottie Pabayo

Glass Windows Murals by Ceasar Gullabon and julius almerol

All Photos by MIke BañOS, NpN

Christmas is for Children

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Christmas at Our Home

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TIMELESS TRADITIONS, VINTAGE, AND CRYSTAL FROST Our HOme, the lifestyle store where one can get great designs at great prices celebrates Christmas with three distinct looks that bring a sophisticated sparkle and holiday cheer to your home: Timeless Traditions, A Passion for Vintage, and Crystal Frost.

Timeless Tradition brings us back to the Christmas of our childhood: classic reds and lush greens with a mix of gold, hollies, pinecones, wreaths, poinsettia, pines and palm leaves. Gold apples and musical instrument ornaments adding to its old world charm.

A Passion for Vintage is formal, sophisticated and elegant. Gold and copper balls and berries, gold ribbons and gold leaves nestled in copper bird cages dazzle in the season of shine. There are also vases and black Christmas trees that compliment Our Home’s black furniture and home accessories collection.

Crystal Frost is a splendid collection of glass, silver, white and everything that brings to mind a winter wonderland. It’s fun to be frozen with snowflakes and snowballs, silver Christmas tree table tops, as well as glass tree and reindeer ornaments.

Bring Christmas to your home with Our Home’s Timeless Tradition, A Passion for Vintage and Crystal Frost holiday collections.

Available at Our Home in SM City Cagayan de Oro and at select SM Supermalls. Designs may vary per branch.

Entertain in style in Timeless Tradition with classic reds, lush greens and gold. A Christmas tree, poinsettias and pinecones, hollies and wreaths, berries and apples as well as gold musical instruments bring back the old world charm of Christmas.

A Passion for Vintage captures the season’s sophisticated side. Gold and copper Christmas balls and berries, gold ribbons and leaves nested in a copper birdcage or black tree, accentuate Our Home’s black furniture pieces.

This table top arrangement showcases Timeless Traditions: poinsettias, berries and a mix of red and gold leaves.

VIBE

BusinessWeek MINDANAO MONDAY | DECEMBER 8, 2014

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editor: ShAuN AlEjANDRAE YAp uY

dr hector San juan and apo checking out The Christmas Village. Photo by Mike Baños, NpN

The Night Stalker

VIP Hotel’s Christmas Village:

A Kagay-anon Tradition Lives on “In the Heart of the City”

F

or the past six years, the Canoy family has nurtured a Christmas tradition in the family-owned premier business hotel which Kagay-anons have come to look forward to come December.

The “VIP Christmas Village” is a miniature winter wonderland complete with houses, churches, carousels and trees designed and laid out

by Ma. Theresa "Teza" Canoy-

Sambile, youngest daughter of the late RMN Founder Henry and Inday Canoy.

Eileen E. San Juan, director of VIP Hotel, said the VIP Hotel “Christmas Village” was started in December 2008 and has become a tradition every First Sunday of Advent by the Canoy Family which owns the establishment.

“It is our way of giving back to the community of Kagayanons and other patrons who

Mayor Oscar “Oca” Moreno and Mrs Inday Canoy unveils the 2014 VIP Hotel Christmas Village. Photo by Mike Baños, NpN

have made VIP Hotel the city’s premier business hotel since its inception,” she said.

However, the unveiling and blessing of the village for this year was done on the first day of December instead.

"We had hoped to add something new every year to this collection so eventually, the village would grow as time goes by," Ms. Canoy said. “But for this year, our new items got stuck at Customs in the Port of

Manila and couldn’t make it in time for the opening.”

The village collection includes selected items from the famous Lemax Village Collection and Department 56.

"The other items such as lights and trees we got individually but we made the bridges and roads ourselves," she added. Newer miniatures from China have also made their way into the growing winter wonderland.

Canoy Family Portait. Photo by Mike Baños, NpN

For this year, Ms. Sambile has added two gorgeous hand-made centerpieces, a grotto with a waterfall and a blue lagoon festooned with Christmas lights.

In addition to the traditional belen which replaced a fireplace complete with mantelpiece and faux embers which glowed like the real thing, the new additions VIp | Page B2