Manila 2012: Pacquiao returns to help flood victims

LAS VEGAS, NV - JUNE 08: Boxer Manny Pacquiao (C) steps on the scale as Joel Diaz, Timothy Bradley's trainer, looks on during the official weigh-in for their bout at the MGM Grand Garden Arena on June 8, 2012 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Pacquiao will defend his WBO welterweight title against Bradley on June 9 in Las Vegas. (Image credit: Getty Images via @daylife)
Manny Pacquiao returned to the Philippines on Saturday to help flood victims in his home province, a week after his loss to Timothy Bradley.

Pacquiao was showered with confetti Saturday, although his homecoming was much less festive than usual because of his split-decision loss in the welterweight title fight in Las Vegas.

He cut short a vacation with his family in the United States to help thousands of victims of floods that hit Sarangani province, the area he represents in congress.

''Let us forget what happened, let us accept it wholeheartedly for God has a plan for us,'' Pacquiao said at a news conference where men dressed as gladiators lined up as his honor guards.

Later, he told GMA television he had asked supporters to skip the traditional ''hero's welcome'' for him and instead focus on helping those affected by the floods. He said he has already sent relief supplies.

Pacquiao went to the Roman Catholic church in Manila's Quiapo district where he addressed worshippers, urging them to accept the judges' decision and shun anger.

Pacquiao's controversial loss has prompted one of boxing's major sanctioning bodies to review Bradley's victory, the first step toward what promoter Bob Arum hopes will be ''clarity'' in the judging of the fight.

WBO President Francisco ''Paco'' Valcarcel said in a statement this week that the WBO's championship committee will review video of the fight with five ''recognized international judges'' and make a recommendation. He said the WBO does not doubt the ability of the scoring judges.

Most observers thought Pacquiao had easily defended his welterweight title against Bradley.

Pacquiao interrupted his vacation with his family in the United States following the bout with Bradley to help thousands of victims of flash floods that hit his province.

http://sports.yahoo.com/news/pacquiao-returns-help-flood-victims-044005211--box.html

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Global 2011: Heiress leaves $40 million to PH-born nurse

Image by Getty Images via @daylife
For the past several decades, Huguette Clark, a wealthy copper heiress, had largely been a mystery to the public. She cloistered herself in hospitals in New York, and saw only a small number of visitors. She had no children and no close relatives.

Her fortune was clearly huge—including a 42-room apartment on Fifth Avenue, an oceanfront estate in Santa Barbara, California, and a country manor in New Canaan, Connecticut—but her net worth was not clear.

So when Clark died last month at age 104, it naturally raised questions: How much was there to be inherited, and who would get it?

Some clarity was provided on Wednesday when a John D. Dadakis, a lawyer at the firm Holland & Knight, filed a will in Surrogate’s Court in Manhattan that Clark executed in 2005.

According to the will, Clark’s estate is worth about $400 million and is made up of an art collection with works by Monet, Renoir, John Singer Sargent and William Merritt Chase; her real estate and financial investments; and a vast doll collection, from porcelains to Barbies.

Clark’s nurse and close friend, Philippine-born Hadassah Peri, is the individual who will benefit most, according to the will.

Peri will get Clark’s hundreds of dolls, potentially worth millions of dollars. She will also receive 60 percent of the various assets, worth about $40 million, including investments and much of her real estate holdings, not specifically bequeathed in the will.

The 60-year-old Peri, an immigrant from the Philippines, had been randomly assigned in 1991 by an agency to take care of Clark. Since then, she saw the heiress every day for 20 years.

“I was her private duty nurse, but also her close friend,” Peri, a married mother of three, was quoted as saying through a spokesperson.

“I knew her as a kind and generous person with whom I shared many wonderful moments and whom I love very much,” Peri added. “I am profoundly sad at her passing, awed at the generosity she has shown me and my family.”

http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/17529/heiress-leaves-40-million-to-ph-born-nurse

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Manila 2010: Iloilo City adjudged 2010's best performing LGU

Image via WikipediaLOILO CITY, Iloilo, Philippines - The city of Iloilo has been adjudged best performing local government unit (LGU) in Western Visayas for 2010, according to the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG). "Finally, we won as best performing city in the 2010 Excellence in Administrative Award," enthused Iloilo City Mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog who remarked that in contrast, the city only garnered minor awards last year. Iloilo City beat the cities of Passi, Roxas, Victorias, Bago, Cadiz, Kabankalan, and San Carlos in the same award. Mabilog added that the city government "diligently complied with DILG requirements," as provided for in the Local Government Code.

http://ph.news.yahoo.com/mb/20101223/tph-iloilo-city-adjudged-2010-s-best-per-584a460.html

Manila 2010: Pacquiao gives away P1 million, new car in birthday bash

Image via WikipediaMANILA, Philippines - Manny Pacquiao celebrated his 32nd birthday in style last Friday, raffling off P1 million and a new Toyota Vios car during a five-hour party at the KCC Convention and Event Center in General Santos City. Pacquiao, clad in a gray business suit, made his grand entrance at half past 7 p.m. and stayed with his guests until past midnight.

More than a thousand guests who included Top Rank President Bob Arum and trainer Freddie Roach were on hand to join an evening of songs and dances.

The entire Pacquiao clan was in attendance, including wife Jinkee and mother Dionisia. Also present were top local politicians and movie celebrities. Comedians Bayani Agbayani and Long Mejia emceed the show.

Pacquiao performed three songs and raffled off appliances, a car, and P1 million. The new car, displayed at the lobby of the venue, was supposed to be the grand prize of the night. But after conferring with Ilocos Sur Gov. Chavit Singson, a close friend, Pacquiao announced that he and Singson have agreed to shell out P500,000 each for the top raffle prize.

http://ph.news.yahoo.com/mb/20101218/tph-pacquiao-gives-away-p1-million-new-c-020e1c8.html

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Manila 2010: TESDA computer programming curriculum

I got a check from TESDA yesterday.  A nice token for recognizing our efforts in coming up with Philippines industry standard curriculum on computer programming.

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Manila 2010: US: Inverted Philippine flag was `honest mistake'

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MANILA, Philippines – The U.S. government said Sunday it made an "honest mistake" when it displayed an inverted Philippine flag — which wrongfully signified that the Southeast Asian nation was in a state of war — in a meeting hosted by President Barack Obama.

The Philippine flag was displayed upside down behind President Benigno Aquino III when leaders of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations met Obama in New York on Friday.

"This was an honest mistake," U.S. Embassy spokeswoman Rebecca Thompson said in a statement, adding, "the U.S. treasures its close relationship and close partnership with the Philippines."

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20100926/ap_on_re_as/as_philippines_us_inverted_flag

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Manila 2010: PNoy nananghalian ng hotdog sa New York

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Kasama ang kanyang security detail, at napapaligiran ng media nang maglakad si Pangulong Aquino sa Manhattan para kumain ng simpleng tanghalian. Dito sa hotdog stand sa kanto ng West 45th Street at 6th Avenue nag-order ng $2 hotdog sandwich ang Pangulo na parang ordinaryong New Yorker.

Nilibre niya ang ilang reporters, aide at iba pang opisyal. Nagbigay muna siya sa iba, bago kainin ang sariling order. Simpleng hotdog sandwich ang gusto ni Pangulong Noynoy; ketchup lang ang dagdag na pampalasa. Sabi ng Pangulo, huli siyang kumain nito noong 1999 kaya naman hinanap muli ng panlasa nya. Ikinagulat ang mga tao ang dami ng camera sa hotdog cart.

http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/video/nation/09/23/10/hotdog-lunch-aquino-ny#ooid=lqd2dxMTp9b-8m8A-ADZEjcUf8a8f3fO

Presyo ng lahat ng hotdog sandwich at mga inumin, $54, o mahigit P2,000.

http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/video/nation/09/23/10/hotdog-lunch-aquino-ny

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Manila 2010: 'Flashing' toothbrush for better oral hygiene?

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MANILA, Philippines - A local company has brought in an American brand of toothbrush that lights up and flashes to encourage Filipino kids to clean their teeth.

Aptly called Firefly toothbrush, the product lights up and flashes for about 60 seconds, the dentist-recommended time for kids to thoroughly brush each row of teeth.

Christopher Chung, President of Health Innovation Division Inc., said they are marketing the colorful toothbrushes to allow children to maintain good oral hygiene at an early age.

"It's (sales) moving very fast, more than what we expected. Our suppliers are very happy. Dentists that we've showed our products to, they're all excited. We've been joining a lot of expos, and the kids, they go crazy," Chung said in an interview at ANC's ShopTalk.

He continued, "We want to stick to innovative which will be easily marketable to people and kids."

http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/lifestyle/09/20/10/flashing-toothbrush-better-oral-hygiene

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Global 2010: 2008 World Tenpin Masters: Dominic Barrett (England) vs. Biboy Rivera (Philippines)

2008 World Tenpin Masters: Dominic Barrett (England) vs. Biboy Rivera (Philippines)

In the first game, Philippines' Biboy Rivera posted a 254 against England's Dominic Barrett's 216.  This 2008 World Tenpin Masters is played on one lane, especially set up in a sports center in Barnsley, England.

Part 1


Part 2

Manila 2010: 70% of Filipinos live on P42 a day budget

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Manila, Philippines — Seventy percent of Filipinos subsist on a P42 daily budget.

Senator Edgardo J. Angara, citing a World Bank study, bared this on Tuesday as he expressed reservations over the proposed P1.645-trillion budget for 2011 which he said is not practical.

“My main concern about the overall budget framework is that it is not responding to the basic, economic, and social problems of our country,” said Angara who formerly headed the Senate’s Finance Committee.

"About 70 percent of our people live on 42 pesos a day, and about 4,000 families are hungry. That’s a very serious problem. It’s not just simply lack of economic growth, but what we have is a jobless growth which widens the income gap even more,” Angara said.

“We should concern ourselves not so much with taming our deficit. Instead we should remind ourselves that our goal is to grow our country, and enhance the income and living standards of our people through job creation,” he added.

“It seems as if there is not much of this proposed budget put into agriculture and food. And because food production is underinvested, food prices will rise in the next five years. On the other hand, a 1 percent increase in agriculture production transmits to almost 1.2 percent in farmers’ income, or reduction of farmers’ poverty,” said Angara.

http://www.mb.com.ph/articles/276015/70-filipinos-live-p42-a-day-budget

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Manila 2010: Crisis erodes confidence in P-Noy

Image by express000 via Flickr

President Benigno Aquino III on Friday received a rude shock from the first hearing of a Malacañang committee investigating the bloody climax of the Aug. 23 hostage crisis at Luneta, forcing him to immediately reassert control of the Philippine National Police.

The hearings also revealed the Aquino administration coming unstuck by frictions between the national crisis management committee and the local crisis committee, the latter taking orders from Manila City officials led by Mayor Alfredo Lim.

At the height of the hostage crisis, confusion arose over blurred jurisdictional issues involving national and local crisis committees.

A sort of “command post” was set up at Emerald Restaurant on Roxas Boulevard, reportedly at the behest of the President, where it was reported he visited and had conferences with Lim and PNP officials directly involved in the rescue operations.

After the standoff in the negotiations with the hostage-taker, Lim moved over to Emerald Restaurant reportedly after he was summoned by Mr. Aquino. Emerald Restaurant is reputed to have “the best siopao in town.”

Presidential Communications Group Secretary Hermino Coloma needlessly issued a statement that although Mr. Aquino had taken full responsibility for the bungling, he would not resign because he has “a clear mandate.”

No one is calling on Mr. Aquino to resign. Nonetheless, the chaos in the administration’s response to the hostage massacre is eroding public confidence in the President’s ability to cope with crises. He is losing his huge political capital of public goodwill.

http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/inquirerheadlines/nation/view/20100906-290723/Crisis-erodes-confidence-in-P-Noy

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Manila 2010: 10 Most Wicked Pinay Contrabidas

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Filipinas might be known for their refined and timid ways, but some of them can definitely bring out their bad sides when the need arises. Local soap operas and movies are more fun to watch with wicked female villains who'll slap, splash some red wine, or throw some acid on someone's face.

1. BELLA FLORES

2. ZENY ZABALA

3. CELIA RODRIGUEZ

4. PILAR PILAPIL

5. CHERIE GIL

6. ROSEMARIE GIL

7. GLADYS REYES

8. PRINCESS PUNZALAN

9. ODETTE KHAN

10. KATRINA HALILI

http://www.spot.ph/featured/46230/top-10-most-wicked-pinay-contrabidas/1

Manila 2010: Summer Fun at the Second Call Center Olympics

Spectators armed with cheering paraphernalia and participants in athletic uniforms flocked the Meralco Fitness Center last April 17, 2010 for the opening of the 2nd Call Center Colympics.

The venue was filled with clap and cheers as the participating call center companies paraded with their teams. Colympics 2010’s roster includes 24/7 , Accenture, ASEC Graphicz, GEMSPI, GENPACT, Integra BPO, Stellar, Teleperformance, and last year’s grand champion, Transcom. The event was made event more fun by host Stephen Domingo. Ms. Marge Caparas of AKMA- PTM, the partylist voice of BPO and Call Center Agents, also gave a message of support to the 2nd call Center Olympics during the opening program.

The 2nd Colympics is made possible by Spyder, Bacardi and Coco Beach Island Resort. Other sponsors are Fish and Co., T.G.I. Fridays, Funli Pix Souvenir Photos, Cerealicious, TeleDevelopment, From A to Tee, and Del Monte Fit ‘n Right. Media Sponsors, on the other hand, are www.pinoycallture.com, www.philstar.com, Queue Magazine, Twang Magazine and Red Mountain Creations.

Colympics is a yearly event organized by the Popcorn Events Production.

List of winners from the 2nd Call Center Olympics

BASKETBALL

Champion: Teleperformance

1st Runner Up: Integra

2nd Runner Up: Genpact

MVP: #4 De Leon

MEN'S VOLLEYBALL

Champion: Transcom

1st Runner Up: 24/7

2nd Runner Up: Stellar

MVP: #4 Caayon

WOMEN'S VOLLEYBALL

Champion: Transcom

1st Runner Up: Genpact

2nd Runner Up: GEMSPI

MVP: #8 Consulta

BOWLING

Champion: Accenture

1st Runner Up: Accenture

2nd Runner Up: Accenture

Cheerdance: 24/7

OVERALL CHAMPION: TRANSCOM

http://callcenterolympics.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=4:list-of-winners-from-the-2nd-call-center-olympics

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Manila 2010: Transcom rules 2nd Call Center Olympics

Image by mlibrarianus via Flickr

MANILA, Philippines – It was indeed a sun flowery and cheery day as call center agents from nine participating companies of the Colympics enjoyed the final wave of face offs, matches and treats as the 2nd Call Center Olympics drew to an end last May 8, 2010.

Transcom finished ahead of the pack to bag the overall championship.

Accenture, meanwhile, ruled the bowling event by grabbing the second and first places, and the overall title.

In basketball, Teleperformance was crowned champion, beating runner-up Integra. Genpact finished grabbed the second runner-up trophy. Renan De Leon was named most valuable player.

Transcom dominated the men’s and women’s volleyball, defeating 24/7 and Genpact, respectively. Michale Ca-ayon was awarded MVP in the men’s division, while Carmille Consulta got the award in the distaff side.

Meanwhile, the 24/7 Dragons also danced, somersaulted and cartwheeled their way to snatching the winning title for the Cheer dance Competition.

Trophies sponsored by OrganoGold and cash prizes were awarded to the winning companies. The Most Valuable Players were also awarded free accommodations in Puerto Galera, care of Coco Beach. Guests and participants also got a taste of cool drinks courtesy of Bacardi, and fun photo sessions brought by Funlipix photobooth.

The 2nd Colympics is made possible by Organo Gold, Bacardi and Coco Beach Island Resort. Other sponsors are Fish and Co., T.G.I. Fridays, Funli Pix Souvenir Photos, Cerealicious, TeleDevelopment, From A to Tee, and Del Monte Fit ‘n Right. Media Sponsors, on the other hand, are www.pinoycallture.com, www.philstar.com, Queue Magazine, Twang Magazine and Red Mountain Creations. The Colympics is also supported and endorsed by AKMA Partylist, the Partylist Voice for BPO and Call Center Agents. In turn, the event advocates Compassion and Responsibility for Animals or CARA, a non-profit, non-government organization that promotes animal welfare.

Colympics is a yearly event organized by the Popcorn Events Production. Interested companies to sponsor and join the 3rd Call Center Olympics may contact the event manager Ms. Arvee Salazar-Cruz at 0927-340-9023.

http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=580977&publicationSubCategoryId=69

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