Tourism industry expects to exceed target this year

CEBU, Philippines - The Philippine tourism industry is looking at exceeding its target for 2009, based on the uptrend of tourists arrivals in the last eight months, despite several negative factors that threatened the industry’s growth for the year.

Tourism secretary Joseph “Ace” Durano said in an interview that from expecting a zero to only two percent growth for this year, the Philippines may hit at least six percent growth towards the end of this year or even higher.

“If the trend in the first six months would continue, and the economy of our major markets indeed wills recovery, we should see good growth figures for this year,” Durano said.

From January to June this year, the country’s foreign tourists’ arrivals hit a surprising six percent growth, compared to the same period in 2008. In the first quarter of 2009, foreign visitors’ arrival registered at 1.633 million.

“We were expecting zero to two percent growth for this year, and even thought we will contract,” he said.

Durano said the country suffered from a dip in arrivals since last year as the global economic slowdown affected its major markets like Korea, Japan, the United States and Europe.

However, that emerging markets like China are somehow filling the slack. The department had earlier aimed at hitting the 5-million mark in foreign-tourist arrivals by 2010.

In 2008 the country first breached the 3-million mark with less than 2-percent growth.

Moreover, he said that it is good to note that the country registered a total eight million consolidated arrivals in the country’s top 15 destinations. This is a 16 percent improvement from last year.

Domestic tourism also increased by 20 percent, mostly based on the monitoring in the top destinations in the country.

DOT figure showed that Cebu is the second most visited tourist destination with 830,599 visitors, claiming 23 percent share of total arrivals.

Cebu continues to be the top destination for foreign tourists with 321,116 in the first semester.

The expansion in air access from major tourist markets, including the new charter flights from Incheon, Busan, Shanghai, Guangzhou, and Kaohsiung as well as increase in room supply, aggressive promotion, public and private sector partnership to diversify the tourism products greatly contributed to the hike in visitor volume to Cebu.

Other destinations in the country aside from Cebu, that helped pulled up the tourism arrivals both foreign and domestic, include; Camarines Sur, Boracay, Baguio, Davao, Puerto Galera, Bohol, Negro Occidental, Negros Oriental, Ilocos Norte, Masbate, Camarines Norte, Puerto Princesa, Legaspi, Catanduanes, and Sorsogon.

Source: The Freeman Cebu

Thriving tourism spurs new business prospects

CEBU, Philippines - The thriving tourism industry in the country and in Cebu in particular, has not only benefited a lot of sectors but has also given birth to new business prospects, one of which is the “Albert’s House with Car” business.

Cebuano entrepreneur Alberto Francisco came up with a new kind of accommodation service that provides homey comfort to guests at the same time providing them with their own transportation service while in the city.

Francisco started the business four months ago and has since then enjoyed a positive response from clients.

He said that the idea came about as he thought that while some big hotels provide their guests with a shuttle service, small hotels where budget conscious travelers often stay do not offer transportation service, which would often prompt guests to take the taxi or public utility vehicles in going around the city.

Francisco said renting a place at the same time spending so much on transportation could be such a burden for visitors, thus the birth of his business.

For P4,800, the package already includes the rental of a two-bedroom unit house plus a car and a driver. This is good for four people, plus a P500 charge for every additional head.

Also available is the three-bedroom unit house that can accommodate a maximum of six persons at a rate of only P5,600 per day.

He said that this is much more cheaper than paying for hotel accommodations and also putting aside money for taxi fares which is far more expensive considering the flag down rate of P30 compared to the available car which the customer would just have to pay P10 for every kilometer. A Toyota Avanza is used for all the packages.

The houses are fully furnished with appliances like television, refrigerator, air conditioning units, rice cooker, among others.

He said that the tourists would only need to buy their own grocery if they wish to dine in rather than dine out which again could help them save more.

The houses are found inside high-end subdivisions like Corona del Mar in Talisay City, Nicol’s Park in Barangay Guadalupe, Cebu City and even in Grand Europa in Cagayan de Oro City. This, according to Francisco ensures the safety of the things of their clients while they are out touring.

Francisco said that his business has been picking up since he started and he is optimistic of more tourists to avail of the service in the coming months.

Aside from Cebu City , Cagayan and even Davao City, Francisco said that he will soon expand in Camiguin Island , Camotes, Palawan and the rest of the provinces.

Source: The Freeman Cebu

RP needs 3-5 years to convert to all IT base service

CEBU, Philippines - While other countries are already operating through an all IT service, it would still take three to five years for the Philippines to fully embrace an all IT base service, which is the foundation in establishing a Barring of Outgoing International Calls (BOIC) network, said Ramon Isberto, public affairs group head of Smart Communications.

Isberto said it would still take a longer time for the Philippines since it is a new kind of system and it still needs to be studied. BOIC is a cellular supplementary service, that when invoked sets flags in the network databases to stop a subscriber making international calls.

“In the case of the Philippines , it will take a little longer and more work to do when it comes to facilities and familiarity of the whole thing.”

According to Isberto, through an all IT network, low costs would be possible and more services would be offered.

But he said that the conversion would not be easy and the procedures would need to be thoroughly experienced in order to have a smooth operation.

“We just don’t change the network, we need to learn how to run it and it will take a little bit longer and more work to do when it comes to the facilities,” he added.

However, he said that both the cable and the wireless services are moving toward this but said that there would be a gradual process in the conversion to an all IT base service. He said that the question is not on the government’s support for the conversion but on the training that needs to be gone through for the new service.

He said though that they could definitely offer more services with an all IT base service which helps them do such with lower costs.

This would help them strengthen their revenue streams as well as come up with new ones. He said that there are some pilot areas with IT places where they are testing this already.

“We need to make investments but we need to see that the investments are supported by revenues,” he added.

Source: The Freeman Cebu

SKY launches broadband service in Cebu

CEBU, Philippines - Widely known as a cable connection provider, SKY has expanded its range of services through introducing its SKYBroadband service in order to cater to the increasing number of internet users in the Philippines .

SKYBroadband service promises a distinct broadband service from other existing services with a 1.5Mbps up to 12 Mbps speed package for residential accounts.

Ronnie Pacio, SKY area director for Visayas said in an interview with The Freeman that they saw the need to develop value added services such as the SKYBroadband because the “cable industry is nearing its peak.”

He said that unlike before, there is not much growth in the number of houses and the need for cable connection though he said that they still have a lot of cable users.

Source: The Freeman Cebu

However, Pacio said that there is a greater internet demand and the need of the people for higher speed.

Pacio explained that common complaints of the public when it comes to internet connection are the speed and the reliability.

He said that at present, most residential broadband internet connection is only up to 3Mbps but for SKYBroadband, the connection starts at 1.5Mbps up to 12 Mbps. “SKY was able to answer the need of the people and now you can do more like multi-tasking without slowing the connection.”

Pacio said that they already have the ZPDee Broadband service but decided to upgrade and rebrand the service in order to accommodate the needs of internet users.

ZPDee customers with the 512 kbps will now be upgraded to the 1.5 mbps and higher.

The SKYBROADBAND was introduced to Luzon in the early part of this year but Pacio said that they needed to ensure everything would be okay first before they brought it to Cebu.

Pacio said that they still have a conservative target for this year for those who would avail of the service in Cebu since they are still trying it but they are optimistic of how the public would anticipate SKYBROADBAND since it raved good review in Manila where it was launched especially classes A and B market, which are their target customers.

Pacio said they have state-of-the-art technology that assures the high-speed connection for the users which would be at par with high speed broadband services offered abroad.

Aside from the new service, Pacio said that they are aiming to venture in to other value-added service and other innovations in order to cater more to the needs of their customers like going digital by next year.

He said that they will be coming up with improvements that would mean new technologies and facilities, which Pacio said is quite expensive, but will do so to continue offering quality services.

Pacio said that fortunately also, they were not affected with the global crisis and they did not lose their customers.

The SKYBroadband will be offered in four packages starting with the 1.5 Mbps package that goes for those who have SKYCABLE connections, which they will have a P175 discount. The package is offered at P1, 199 monthly subscription fee. The next package is the 3 Mbps package with a monthly subscription fee of P2,499.

The Plan 6 Mbps offered at P4,999 and the Plan 12 Mbps at P6,999 includes free installation, free modem and a free SkyCable subscription.

Pacio said that they have identified some areas where the SKYBroadband would initially be available in the city like in Banilad, Talamban, Capitol Site, Guadalupe, and in Mandaue city and Consolacion.

ATMCI: Wealth of experience in project management

CEBU, Philippines - One sector that has continued to grow despite the global financial crisis is the construction industry and evidence of that are the many projects that you can see sprouting in various areas around Metro Cebu.

With millions, sometimes a few billions of pesos spent to build these projects, investors tap a group of project managers to ensure that what they want can be done within the budget and following the quality standards that they have set.

One firm that specializes in such business is Asian Technicon Managers and Consultants, a Manila-based company that has 20 years experience in handling various construction projects around the country.

While we stereotype those involved in the business a male, at the helm of ATMC Inc. is Archt. Lily Pio Roda, the company president.

In an exclusive interview with The Freeman, she said that she and many of those who joined her when the company started used to work for the Ayala Group. It was after they completed the project in Brunei, including the construction of the palace, that she asked permission to leave the company and form her own.

Fast forward to 20 years hence, the company has been involved in the construction of various projects in Metro Manila and other parts of Luzon and lately also in Cebu.

“Our first project in Cebu was Persimmon tower 1, which we started in June 2008,” she said. The project is nearing its full completion and a second tower is scheduled to be built.

Currently, their company is also managing the Insular Life Tower project inside the Cebu Business Park.

“Our role is to represent the owner in the projects and oversee the completion.”

To be more specific, as project managers ATMCI assigns a resident manager to each of its projects. The company makes sure that the projects are within budget and that the contractors would strictly follow the requirements set by the designers and architects.

It may seem like spending other people’s money, by Mrs. Pio Roda said, that “it’s not that easy.”

“We are answerable to the owners, so if there is a problem we have to solve it.”

She added, “Our major concerns are time, cost and quality.”

All the key personnel of ATMCI in Cebu right now come from their head office in Manila where they have about 200 employees.

“We hire locals also to help out our staff from Manila and in the process they also get trained about how things are done.”

Mrs. Pio Roda regularly visits the various construction sites. In Metro Manila alone, their company is managing 21 projects.

ATMCI is truly an answer to the call of the construction industry for an independent that will act as orchestrator among project participants.

Source: The Freeman Cebu

Your Skin Is Your Soil

CEBU, Philippines - It took me by surprise that the councilor isn’t exactly a beauty care specialist but his strong advocacy for environment preservation and restoration far exceeds his care for physical beauty. He endorses organic and health care products more for its effects on the environment rather than the skin.

Just in case you haven’t noticed, when you take a shower, you use chemically processed shampoo, conditioner and bath soap or body wash. When you have rinsed your body of these, the chemically saturated effluents go to the sewage systems, to the soil or even to the sea. To simplify the equation, for every sachet or bar of bath soap that you use, you pollute the environment because of its chemical contents.

If these chemicals go to the soil, you eat of the harvest or produce from the soil. If these go to the sea, you eat of the harvest of the sea like the shrimp in tempura or the fish in sushi. And that’s not the only thing, you make the multinational manufacturers of health care products richer, while inadvertently hurting farmers and fisherfolks.

From the soil to the soil.

Organic health care products by Human Nature do not use artificially manufactured chemicals. The products are manufactured from the fruit or grass in your backyard. They have shampoos made from cucumber, guava or mandarin oranges, body wash from guava, beauty oil from sunflower seed, toner from tomatoes, facial scrub from cocoa butter and brown rice and even hand sanitizers from pineapple and watermelon.

“When you use these, it won’t harm the environment because these already come from the environment,” said Councilor Archival.

If you think you have splurged your skin by pampering it with imported and expensive beauty products, you may be doing the exact opposite. The harmful and allergy indications of artificially manufactured products are real. Though you may not own up, how many times have you found your hair turn like chicken wire or maybe barbed wire because the shampoo was just too strong for you? Or how many times did you experience your face erupt into pimples because the chemicals were just too harmful for you? Even the Bureau of Food and Drug warned that skin whitening products can be harmful.

What this is saying is that anything artificial you apply on your skin, is not exactly for your skin. Making an analogy with the soil, Archival said “your skin is your soil. When we apply chemicals like fertilizers to the soil to increase production, we make the soil acidic until such time it can no longer produce nutrients on its own or it becomes useless for planting. But compost or its enzymes brings back the nutrients of the soil. The moment you bring back the nutrients of the soil, the soil will be fertile and you will have these plants growing and growing strong.”

He went on to say that, “acid weakens the growth of plants and trees and because these are weak, pests feed on it. While the pests can be killed with pesticides, the toxins remain on the plants like vegetables and fruits. So when you eat these, you eat including the toxins from pesticides.” It’s a pretty scary thing to be saying but we are not afraid to use those expensive and imported shampoo, conditioner or body wash from which effluents can literally pollute the soil and water.

Bring back skin nutrients.

When you use organic products on your skin, you bring back the nutrients of your skin naturally. That besides, you don’t pollute or degrade the environment. More than anything else, you give the farmers a nice favor. That means they will be encouraged to plant more bananas, oranges, watermelon, sunflowers, calendulas and earn from these. That mango in your backyard can make a nice hairstyling cream.

By using organic products, the cycle of nutrients nourishes and feeds on itself. Councilor Archival calls it green entrepreneurship. For the farmer and the consumer, these are not expensive. Me, I use Human Nature’s organic beauty oil for my hair because it’s like having a rebond everyday. And while a rebond or cellophane can cost P1,000, the 50 ml beauty oil is only P99.75.

Archival said there are no legislations yet that would urge or endorse people to use organic products. He said it takes a lot of mind-setting to imbibe behavioral change and choices. “He deplored that while he has been advocating environment-friendly products and methods for the past six years, nobody believes him. Maybe people want to see the environment go to waste first before taking the caution.

People generally never take heed of a warning until a disaster or tragedy happens at the skin of their teeth. By that time, it maybe too late to do any caution. Blessed are those who don’t see but believe, they are spared from the affliction of unbelief.

Source: The Freeman Cebu

Contractors ready to do studies on BRT

CEBU, Philippines - Both international and local studies for the establishment of a Bus Rapid Transit System in Cebu City are now completely negotiated.

In a press release, City Planning and Development Coordinating Office head Nigel Paul Villarete said studies to be conducted by World Bank and the Department of Transportation and Communication for the BRT in Cebu have been awarded to their respective contractors.

Villarete said, WB has successfully completed the negotiations with the first ranked consultants and has signed the contract for the eight month study to be undertaken by the Integrated Transport Planning of the United Kingdom.

ITP is also the consultant for the Lagos BRT of Lagos, Nigeria the first of its kind in Africa.

ITP team is to be led by Colin Brader, who was awarded as the Transport Planner of the Year award in the UK Transport Planning Authority. Brader and his team will start their work with a kick-off meeting on October 23 in Cebu City.

The study, he said, will run for eight to nine months.

After that, Villarete said the serious matter of BRT design and funds negotiation for its implementation will already be undertaken late next year or early 2011.

On the other hand, the DOTC study on Metro Cebu Strategic Plan was also completely negotiated with Design Science as the implementor.

He said the Notice to Proceed has already been issued and the team is mobilizing to start their 12-month study.

The study of DOTC is to be done simultaneously with the WB Study as well as the Asian Development Bank.

The ADB through the Cities Development Initiative for Asia is making a study on the Internal Transport System of the South Road Properties.

ADB-CDIA is mobilizing a new team for the Phase 2 of the Priority Infrastructure Investment Plan for the SRP which will start also next month.

There will be around five sub-studies, but the most important one, he said will the Comprehensive Pre-Feasibility Study of the Internal Transport System of the SRP.

This study will define how people and goods shall be transported within the SRP area, taking into account livability and mobility considerations, environmentally-sustainable transport, and efficiency.

The other important study is the Comprehensive Pre-Feasibility Study of the SRP-BRT/ Main Street which will connect to the proposed Cebu City BRT-Main Line.

WB through the Private Public Infrastructure Advisory Facility gave out $350,000 grant to the Cebu City Government to finance the feasibility study.

Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmeña’s thrust is to have a pro-poor and child- and environmentally-friendly transport system by decreasing the number of private vehicles and establishing the BRT as the mass transport system.

His decision is influenced by the transformation of the City of Bogota through its former mayor Enrique Peñalosa.

Source: The Freeman Cebu

RLC in talks with prospective partners

CEBU, Philippines - Robinsons Land Corporation (RLC) is now in talks with three international resort chains for a possible partnership on the resort development component of its upscale coastline condominium project, the Amisa.

RLC assistant vice president for leisure and retirement Trina B. Cipriano said the company is now talking with international hotel and resort chains to clinch a partnership deal with RLC to kick off the resort development within Amisa considering the strong takeup of condo units and the growing interest from both the local and international markets.

RLC topped-off its first 14-story Tower A, over the weekend, which has a total of 130 condominium units, which as of this writing, are already sold.

Cipriano said the company is very meticulous in choosing the right resort chain partner to complement the property’s high-end positioning and something that will add value to the entire project.

The eight-year Gokongwei-led development project Amisa will be constructing the hotel component in the next one or two years, depending on the market takeup of its condominium unit offering.

Amisa is so far the biggest property development ventured into by the company in Cebu, although it has also invested on several pocket-projects such as the Robinsons Cyber Gate at Fuente Osmeña, among others.

Amisa is designed to have six residential condominiums featuring Australian Gold Coast architecture that offer breathtaking views of the beach, sea and Cebu’s coastline.

It will also have a five-star hotel with amenities, an entertainment center, two pools, tree-lined walks and nooks, pocket parks, and open spaces that lead to a pristine white sand beach, and sports activity areas.

The resort development was conceived to allow its users to enjoy an active interaction with nature while preserving and enhancing its environment. The concept of the towers soaring above the rest of the natural site takes advantage of the picturesque views.

Despite the global economic distress, Cipriano said Amisa has attracted buyers especially from the Southern Philippine market, thus the advance pre-selling of the 18-storey Tower B, which has yet to start construction by the first half of 2010. The Tower B will have 155 condo units.

The building of other high-rise structure that will complete the projected total of 800 condominium units will start units in the first two towers will be completely disposed.

The planned resort that will occupy over a hectare of the sprawling development is part of the five-star mixed-use development of RLC in Mactan Island, including the establishment of over 800 condominium units.

The Gokongwei Group is also known in Cebu for its other properties including the Robinsons shopping mall in Fuente Osmeña, the Midtown Hotel, Robinson’s Supermarket at the Banilad Town Center, and the Blue Coast subdivision in Mactan, and Aspen Heights in Consolacion among other affiliate businesses.

Cipriano said RLC was able to build the vertical development at the area ahead of schedule owing to the positive performance of the project, in terms of market interest.

In an earlier interview with JG Summit Holdings Inc., president and chief operating officer (COO) Lance Gokongwei, he said that the company is looking at expanding its land bank in Cebu to prepare for more projects in the next few years.

RLC is among the most profitable business of JG Summit Holdings Inc., with its 18 malls, 23 residential subdivisions, 22 residential condominiums, six office buildings and three hotels.

Source: The Freeman Cebu

Facts about breast cancer

CEBU, Philippines - Fact # 1 All women are at risk. Approximately 70 percent of breast cancers occur in women with none of the known risk factors.

Fact # 2 Only about 5 percent of breast cancers are inherited. About 80 percent of women diagnosed with breast cancer will be the first to be victims in their families.

Fact # 3 Breast cancer is the leading killer of women ages 35 to 54 worldwide. More than a million women develop breast cancer without knowing it and almost 500,000 die from it every year.

Fact # 4 One out of four who are diagnosed with breast cancer die within the first five years. No less than 40 percent die within ten years.

Fact # 5 The incidence of breast cancer has been rising for the past 30 years. And the supposed authorities and experts that should know, don't know why.

Fact # 6 Risk factors are not necessarily causes of breast cancer. Enough evidence exist linking environmental pollution and contamination to cause breast cancer.

Fact # 7 Mammography fails to detect as much as 20 percent of all breast cancer and as much as 40 percent in women under the age of 50.

Fact # 8 Early detection does not prevent breast cancer. Avoiding and eliminating known causes will prevent breast cancer.

Fact # 9 One out of eight North American women will develop breast cancer. The San Francisco Bay Area has the highest incidence rate in the entire world.

Fact # 10 The Philippines has the highest incidence rate of breast cancer in Asia and is today considered to have the 9th highest incidence rate in the world today.

Source: The Freeman Cebu

Hotel hopping in Dubai City!

CEBU, Philippines - We’ve done a lot of familiarization tours with the media, but it was my first time to be with travel agents where I learned that travel agents must travel and visit the very places that their clients would like to travel to and the only way to ensure that they are booked in a right priced hotel is to see it for themselves! That’s what we did in Dubai!

With us on the Fam Tour were Travelways International’s General Manager Alan Carvajal, Fortune Travel’s Sales & Marketing Mitchell Uy, Grand Holidays Manager Cristine Tan, Leisure Travel Sales Manager Elena “Rosi” Mancao, Grand Hope Travel Asst. Manager Clavel Su, Blue Horizon’s Manager Cecilia Saa, Rakso Travel’s September Ape, Global Link Travel Manager Jeanne Teh and Southwind Travel General Manager Desiree “Cookie” Chan.

Escorting the group were the principal sponsors, Cathay Pacific Airways (CPA) Passenger Sales Executive Jewel Sanchez who gave the group Business Class tickets, courtesy of Camilla Taylor, CPA’s newly arrived Cebu Manager. For the hotel accommodations and our tours, we had Meteor Philippines General Manager Ligaya Tabirao, who gave us Vipin Kumar, a top-ranked Tour Guide and Supervisor of White Sands Tours & Travel in Dubai.

Our trip to Dubai from Cebu meant an hour’s stopover in Hong Kong, then we boarded our Cathay Pacific Airbus 330-342 and yes, being in Business Class means having your own seat (it’s actually more like a cubicle) complete with television that gives you the latest movies, current TV shows and games. But the most remarkable part is that your seat turns into a bed by simply pressing a button! The food was classic Cathay Pacific gourmet and yes, they even serve my favorite port.

The first hotel we visited was the Atlantis the Palm Jumeriah located at the Palm Island and it was very impressive with its lagoon holding marine life with its theme, the Lost City of Atlantis. Sales Exec. Chona Alejan showed (rooms start at P10,000/day) us the Poseidon room where you can see the Ambassador lagoon from the surface and the lost City of Atlantis under the water. Its main marine celebrity is a huge Whale Shark that glides around the huge aquarium. Atlantis also hosts an Aquaventure with a 17-hectare water play area with the signature 275-foot drop making this hotel a must destination for tourists to see. Lunch was courtesy of the Atlantis

The next hotel we visited has become a symbol of Dubai City; it is the only 7-Star Burj Al Arab Jumeriah, considered the World’s most luxurious hotel that has been featured so prominently in National Geographic. Marcus Gonzalez told us that celebrities from all over the world come to this hotel for a vacation. Indeed, we barely missed Julia Roberts, their recent visitor.

The design of the Burj has sort of become a symbol of Dubai, looking like a huge sail. All rooms are two floors with a loft and exquisite in everyway with gold fittings in your bathroom and a terrific view of Dubai! Just at the entrance of the Palm Island was the Tamani Hotel which was unique in the sense that their target market are Arabian families as Walid al-Awa Sales Director told us. The Tamani’s rooms are just like a luxury home with a master’s bedroom and rooms for the children, even for the maid.

The following day we dropped by the Hyatt Regency and Akram Malhas showed us around the only hotel across the still under construction Palm Deira, the 3rd Palm Island that Dubai is making. The next day we had a sumptuous lunch at the Crowne Plaza Dubai and Fanny Vasquez, a Spaniard from Madrid, toured us to see their excellent facilities, including two swimming pools.

Then we proceeded to the Fairmont Hotel, where Group Sales Director Miguel Payla told us that they have three Imperial Suites, two Royal Suites and two Presidential Suites. So we asked to see the room that Pres. Gloria Macapagal Arroyo used and he showed us a three-floor Presidential suite that’s bigger than most luxury houses and pretty expensive too. The Fairmont’s main lobby didn’t look impressive, but as they say, never judge a book by its cover, it is a grand and modern hotel that glows in the evening.

There were may other hotels we visited, the Ascott Hotel, the Novotel and the Ibis Hotel across the City Land Center Shopping Mall. We even visited the fabulous Flora Park Deluxe Hotel Apartments where Asst. Sales Manager Manoj Chandran showed us around. Of course we must not forget to mention that we stayed at the very comfortable Dhow Palace Hotel. To go visit Dubai, Cathay Pacific will fly you from Cebu to Hongkong for a one-hour layover then to off to the eight-hour flight to Dubai City.

Source: The Freeman Cebu

Shangri-La Mactan Celebrates the Cuisine and Culture of South Africa

CEBU, Philippines - Guests can celebrate the colorful treasures of the rainbow nation in Cebu from September 24 to 27, 2009 as Shangri-La’s Mactan Resort and Spa, Cebu, the South African Embassy, South African Airways and Darras + Bowler Wines presents the Come Celebrate South Africa in Cebu promotion.

At dinner on September 26, 2009 and at lunch on September 27, 2009, an upgraded international buffet at Tides will feature South African treats such as Boerewors, traditional homemade sausages; Bobotie, a dish made of baked minced meat with curry-like spices topped with egg sauce; and Hertzog cookies, crusty cookies with apricot and desiccated coconut filling. These dishes will all be lovingly prepared by South African guest Chef Nicolas Johannes Van Rensburg, culinary director of the Apicius Culinary Arts Academy and owner of The Barrel Café. When asked about his passion for food, Chef Nicolas quips that he enjoys every minute of it and that cooking has never been a job, only a pleasure. Chef Nicholas’ professional training in France, his love for the natural flavors of fresh ingredients and his active participation in activities of the Chaine des Rotisseurs, the pioneering and most prestigious international gastronomic society, are sure indicators of a dining adventure. The dinner buffet at Tides on September 26, 2009 is available for PHP1,888++ per person and the lunch buffet at Tides on September 27, 2009 is available for PHP1,650++ per person.

South African cuisine is a combination of the culinary expertise of various international cuisines, as the country has truly evolved into a melting pot of cultures. From native delicacies of the Khoisan and Bantu people who primarily used maize, sweet potato and squash in their dishes, the Dutch and English later introduced sausages and grilled meats into the South African dining experience. Eastern influence from India and Malaysia added more flavors, colors and spices to the typical home-cooked meal. The Braai, or traditional barbecue, is the country’s favorite pastime and is a culinary activity enjoyed by people from all walks of life in the sunny country.

Source: The Freeman Cebu

Walk as one against cancer

CEBU, Philippines - Breast cancer has claimed thousands of lives around the world. To date, it is considered as the number one killer of Filipino women. According to the Philippine Breast Cancer Network, the Philippines has the highest incidence rate of breast cancer in Asia and is considered to have the 9th highest incidence rate in the world today. While there is no cure yet for this dreaded disease, helping those who are afflicted with cancer has become an advocacy for many companies.

Avon, the leading global beauty company and the world’s largest direct seller, has made women’s health, particularly breast cancer awareness, one of their foremost corporate advocacies with their Kiss Goodbye to Breast Cancer program. Launched in 2002, the program has helped establish the Breast Care Center at the Philippine General Hospital and has successfully funded the treatment of indigents, initiated support groups, conducted regular gatherings for those with breast cancer and survivors and has provided much-needed equipment to selected provincial hospitals. In Cebu, the Cancer Center at the Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center is the beneficiary of Avon’s Kiss Goodbye to Breast Cancer program.

This year, to further promote its advocacy on breast cancer awareness and to raise funds for their beneficiaries, Avon launched the We Walk As One – Avon Walk Around the World for Breast Cancer 2009.

We Walk As One is a non-competitive event to be held on October 4, simultaneously in seven key cities in the country – Manila (SM Mall of Asia), Cebu (Avon Cebu branch), Cagayan de Oro (Avon CDO branch), Legaspi (Avon Legaspi branch), Malolos (Bulacan Provincial Capitol), Vigan (Plaza Burgos) and Iloilo (SM Iloilo).

“Avon is committed to breast cancer advocacy because breast cancer is the number one killer of women. Awareness and early detection are the closest things to a cure,” said Faith Aranton, Avon Brand Communications Manager. Avon, Aranton said, has been holding walks for the past four years to raise funds, as well as awareness. “Walking As One will bring us closer to helping those with breast cancer,” she added.

Aside from joining the walk, one can also show support to the breast cancer cause by purchasing the limited edition Kiss Goodbye to Breast Cancer shirt for only P149. P20 from each shirt sold will go to Avon’s beneficiary here in Cebu, the VSMMC Cancer Center. Another way of supporting the cause is to purchase Avon’s Water Lily and Aloe Hand and Body Lotion for P109. P5 from each bottle of lotion sold will go to the breast cancer fund.

During the We Walk As One launch here in Cebu, one of Avon’s speakers, Jennifer Pastedio, a working mother who was diagnosed with breast cancer stage 2B last 2007, said that although she is not used to speaking in front of people, she did not hesitate when she was asked to talk about her battle against breast cancer. “After all that I have been through, I want to step up and make a difference. I want to show others that in our own little way, we can make a difference,” she said.

Breast cancer chooses no one. Anybody can be a victim and the disease can strike anytime. Make breast cancer one of your advocacies. Walk as one against breast cancer on October 4.

For more information about We Walk As One, call or visit the Avon Cebu Branch.

Source: The Freeman Cebu

Power, water supply woes to deter BPO investments

CEBU, Philippines - The inevitable power and water shortage in Cebu, if not addressed immediately, may hamper the potential of Cebu to attract more Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) investments.

Cebu Educational Development Foundation for Information Technology (CEDFIT) official Gregg Gabison said utility providers for power and water in Cebu should immediately resolve this looming supply shortage, otherwise Cebu will miss a good chance of inviting big BPO investors.

While Cebu is positioning to become an “emerged” BPO destination in the world, basic necessities like water and power supply should be properly addressed, “sooner or later investors will find out this problem, and we are bound to lose them.”

According to Gabison, water supply shortage should be a major concern for authorities, if Cebu still wants to attract investors.

“The current water supply cannot even sustain the requirements of investors,” Gabison said.

More so, with the power supply, the frequent brownouts within the Metropolis due to lack of power is a major turn-off to investors.

On the other hand, the Visayas Electric Company (VECO) recently announced that it is building transmission line for Cebu Energy Development Corporation (CEDC).

“In pursuit of its mandate to deliver adequate, efficient and reliable service, VECO has prepared the following proposed major capital projects to be implemented within its franchise area for the year 2009: (a) 37 km Sangi-Naga 138 kV Tie Line and (b) 138 kV Switchyard & 100 MVA 138/69kV Substation,” a VECO statement said.

The 37-km Sangi-Naga 138 kV Tie Line will be dedicated to the supply of power from the Cebu Energy Development Corporation (CEDC”) power plant in Toledo City, as contained in a Memorandum of Agreement signed on August 3, 2009 between VECO and CEDC.

Without this Tie Line, the existing transmission capacity will be insufficient to export all the generation borne out of the Toledo area. In support of the Sangi-Naga 138 kV Tie Line project, VECO will also purchase and install a138 kV Switchyard/ 1 x 100 MVA/69kV Substation

Having experienced numerous outages this year, VECO projects outages to continue and worsen in the months to come and well into 2010. To avail of the benefits of the Tie Line as soon as CEDC is ready to export power by 2010, construction of the said line must start immediately.

The projects will be financed through internally-generated funds of VECO. The implementation of the projects will not result in any increase in VECO’s rates to its customers.

Also, private bulk water provider Mactan Rock Industries Inc., (MRII) is currently negotiating a joint venture with the Metro Cebu Water District (MCWD) for a joint venture deal to provide at least 5000 cubic-meter water a day.

Source: The Freeman Cebu

City Lights developer targets to sell all units by end of 2010

CEBU, Philippines - Singapore-based Syntech Properties, Inc., the developer of City Lights Gardens, hopes to dispose the remaining chic condominium units by next year, particularly now that the water issue at the property, have already been resolved recently.

Syntech Properties, Inc. marketing manager Anita Blanco said that despite during the height of the issue faced by the developer against a group of unit owners making up the City Lights Gardens Condominium Corporation, sales of the towers 3 and 4 still remained very strong.

Blanco said now that the issue has been resolved the company expects to sell all the 216 units in towers 1 and 2 before the year 2010 ends.

In an interview yesterday, Jesus M. Alao of Syntech Properties said that the P44 million renovation investment of the company was not wasted as it is now supplying enough water and power supply to all units in towers 1,2,3 and 4.

Surprisingly, Alao said amid the controversial water issue faced by the developer, local buyers continued to express interest in buying units at the newly-built towers 3 and 4.

“Local buyers see the project as incomparable with other developments,” he said adding that the strategic location of the property and its quality are just few of the advantages why the property has gained strong interest from both local and foreign markets.

About 50 percent to 60 percent of the total new buyers of towers 3 and 4 are foreigners, including those who are married to a Filipina and foreign nationals who preferred to retire here. This kind of market, Blanco said are those that intends to live in their units. Local buyers, on the other hand, are buying condo units for investment purposes.

Blanco said if not because of the global recession, the company would have already disposed the remaining condo units within this year. Nevertheless, the company is confident to be able to dispose all units by end of 2010.

Earlier, Syntech Properties Inc., director Janice Ngiam-Chong said that after the company sells the condo units of the P1.3 billion worth-- Towers 3 and 4, it plans to invest on developing a “retirement village” here.

“We like Cebu. But we have to be very careful on how and what to invest in. Everybody is in condominium [developments] now,” said Ngiam-Chong.

Although, Cebu has the good potential for retirement village facility, Ngiam-Chong said there are also problems that have to be addressed first, like a proper urban planning.

She said developing a retirement village is far different from a condominium development, as it demands serious support from the government in terms of providing infrastructure, accessibility, global insurance network platform, and others.

Syntech already started similar development projects in other countries like Japan and Australia. She said Cebu has very good potential for a “retirement village” facility, but there is a need the government to address some problems that hamper the development of medical tourism sector in general.

Syntech Properties, in partnership with the Gallego family of Cebu, is one of the pioneers in developing condominium facilities in Cebu when it started to construct the two condominium Towers in Nivel Hills in 1997.

The company already invested a total of P2.6 billion for the four condominium City Lights Gardens Condominium Towers.

Aside from a comprehensive study, and finding a good partner for its planned “retirement village” project, Ngiam-Chong said the company will also see to it that it has the full support of the government.

Source: The Freeman Cebu

Outsourcing industry growth to slide this year

CEBU, Philippines - The Philippines’ offshoring and outsourcing industry is expected to close the year with US$7.3 billion or 21.7 percent growth, lower than that 24 percent growth forecast due to the slower growth for IT services and the delay of expansion plans of several players.

According to the latest forecast released by the Canadian-based ICT research and advisory firm XMG Global, foreign direct investments in the Philippines is also expected to slide this year, as investors are streamlining capital.

“The Philippines is expected to post 6.9 percent of the total offshore revenue which is close to the 6.7 percent share last year, said XMG Global senior analyst Vincent Altez

After posting a 19 percent rate last year, the global outsourcing market will end 2009 with total revenue of US$373 billion or 14.4 percent higher than the US$326 billion recorded in 2008.

“We still forecasted double-digit growth exactly one year ago, but there is no doubt the economic turmoil has been the major cloud of the global outsourcing industry in 2009,” Altez said.

Global outsourcing market includes both inshore and offshore services worldwide.

Analyst estimates further predict the performance of the top tree offshore countries, namely India, China and the Philippines.

India and China will remain at the top list with expected revenues amounting to US$48 billion and US$28 billion, respectively.

India, on the other hand, captures 44 percent of the total while China handles 25 percent.

“The market share of India is similar to 2008 and has mostly to do with the Satyam accounting

adjustments and the shifting of work to other offshore countries. In other words, we are seeing new levels of normalcy in which the recession has provided the opportunity to rationalize and shift work to other offshore destinations other than India,” Altez stressed.

Looking forward to 2010, the prediction cited factors that will affect both the market value and the dynamics of global sourcing.

Some of the factors mentioned include the economic recovery of the US and Europe which is expected to create a shift for BPO demand over IT services, application development and support being absorbed into BPO deals—the attractiveness of other offshoring countries namely South Africa, Egypt, and Mexico, the continuing agility and commitment of the Chinese and Vietnamese governments to attract foreign investors and build out advance infrastructures, improvements, or a decline in a country’s productivity index, and the rising costs of mature offshore countries such as India.

Demonstrating double digit growth in “no-growth times”, XMG Global asserts a permanent shift on how the new economy will view outsourcing and offshoring.

“In an industry where double-digit growth is not ordinarily seen during a global recession proves that offshoring and outsourcing is part of a natural ongoing economic revolution notwithstanding financial crisis,’ Altez added.

Source: The Freeman Cebu

CEB award to benefit entire tourism industry

CEBU, Philippines - The recent recognition of Cebu Pacific Air (CEB) as one of Smart Travel Asia’s Top 10 Budget Airlines, is seen to benefit the entire tourism industry in the Philippines, as this will encourage more foreign tourists to visit the country.

“It is a welcome development for CEB and the DoT. We congratulate them for their success. This will surely benefit the entire tourism industry,” said DOT undersecretary for Special Concerns Phineas Alburo.

CEB went up in the rankings in Smart Travel Asia’s Top 10 Budget Airlines of 2009 poll from last year’s rank of 5th to 4th place this year.

Alburo said the award has further capitalized Cebu Pacific’s niche in providing affordable fares and expanding its reach to more destinations in the Philippines.

According to a statement from CEB, SmartTravelAsia.com, Asia’s leading online travel magazine with one million readers worldwide, revealed the results of their May-July 2009 Best in Travel survey recently.

Low cost carriers were rated based on ticket prices, schedule reliability, quality of service, route network and access. Aside from airlines, they also polled their readers in top destinations, hotels and resorts.

“We are happy that the website’s worldwide audience appreciated Cebu Pacific’s great value fares and flights. Our growth and expansion in the Asian and domestic markets are very exciting, and we are glad that people have noticed,” said CEB VP for marketing and distribution Candice Iyog.

“This year, we started flying to 11 new routes. We also expect delivery of two ATR-7200 aircraft by the end of the year, which will surely provide our passengers with convenient air travel, low fares, and more flights, frequencies and destinations,” she added.

In 2009, CEB began services from Manila to Catarman, Virac, Cauayan, Calbayog and Ozamiz; from Cebu to Cotabato, Legazpi, Dumaguete, Siargao and Roxas; and from Davao to Cagayan de Oro.

In September last year, CEB president and chief executive officer (CEO) Lance Gokongwei announced the US$40 million expansion move of the airline in Cebu, providing two more aircraft in the Cebu hub, to service more destinations, within the Southern Philippines.

Source: The Freeman Cebu

Imperial Palace opens facility

AFTER three years of construction, the P4.5 billion-peso hotel Imperial Palace Waterpark Resort & Spa opened its facilities yesterday.

Lee Cheol-hee, president of Imperial Palace Waterpark Resort & Spa, said that what makes their hotel unique are their spacious rooms, unique cuisine in their restaurants and a water adventure facility.

The facility, a 10-minute drive away from the Mactan Cebu International Airport, features six 11-story buildings, 557 rooms, and first-class amenities including a water park, Jacuzzi, pool villas, a golf course and business center.

The hotel was developed by Philippine BXT Corp. The water park, which is the hotel's main attraction, is divided into different zones with corresponding adventure themes.

Imperial Palace general manager Richie Kang said the facility tightened it security in the water adventure zone to make sure its users, especially children, are safe.

Kang said he is confident that although the facility is the first business venture in the country by the Korean hotel chain, it will attract both local and foreign tourists. He said Cebu is a world-class destination both for business and vacation.

Kang said Imperial Palace now has 900 employees, 860 of which are Filipinos.

Source: The Sunstar Cebu

Aboitiz sees strong potential for condominiums in Cebu

THE real estate arm of the Aboitiz group sees a strong potential in condominium development in Cebu as more residential units are being built farther from the cities.

“We are seeing a very good uptake of our sales, especially in our condominium units. Some years ago, we made a judgment call that Cebuanos are going to move towards condominium living because house and lot (units) are located farther and farther away (from the cities),” said AboitizLand Inc. chief operating officer Andoni Aboitiz

Buyers

The uptake is shown in the profile of buyers of Persimmon West-the first tower with 157 units that was built at AboitizLand’s The Persimmon. About 80 percent of the buyers are locals, 10 percent are overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) and about seven percent are foreigners.

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“Initially, the target was the international Filipino market but the locals bought units very quickly so we are now building the second tower, Persimmon North, to (also) cater to the OFWs,” Aboitiz said in a press conference yesterday at The Persimmon in Mabolo, Cebu City.

The Persimmon is AboitizLand’s first venture into “vertical development” project.

‘Urban village’

Covering 1.4 hectares of prime property, the “urban village” is comprised of four 15-storey towers complemented with a commercial area and various amenities.

The continuous construction of The Persimmon will take up a huge share of Aboitizland’s P2 billion capital expenditures (capex) for 2010, said Aboitiz. He said that each tower is estimated to cost about P400 million.

AboitizLand is already scouting for new and “good” areas in Cebu City where they can build another skyrise project.

Aboitiz said their next condominium project would be after the completion of The Persimmon in two to three years.

Although it sees strong potential in condominium development, the property developer continues to plan on building horizontal residential development projects.

Recently, AboitizLand closed a sale of 15 hectares of land in Cordova, Mactan where it plans to launch a mid-end inland residential development next year.

Aboitiz disclosed that the P2-billion capex also include the launching of the commercial plot and series of townhouses in its high-end integrated community Pristina North, in Talamban, Cebu City as well as continuation of other projects, including Kishanta in Lagtang, Talisay City.

He said that most of the capex would be sourced through bank loans.

“If you think we are busy in 2009, wait what we will do in 2010. We are going to change (the landscape of) the city,” Aboitiz said.

Source: The Sunstar Cebu

Company starts work on 2nd tower

IN response to the strong demand for condominium units, property developer AboitizLand Inc. started building the second tower of its first residential condominium development this month.

While construction is going on, the real estate arm of the Aboitiz group is already pre-selling units of Persimmon North, the second of the four towers composing The Persimmon in Mabolo, Cebu City.

AboitizLand marketing manager Leorelei Ylaya said there is still a huge potential market for Persimmon North, following the fast sales take-up of the first tower, Persimmon West.

Persimmon North is already 15 percent complete while the West tower is already 38.59 percent complete. Ylaya said they are on target.

Turnover of the West and North Tower units are set for third quarter of 2010 and fourth quarter of 2011, respectively.

Persimmon North, which will be formally launched next week, is comprised of 157 residential units, studio, one- and two-bedroom, and loft units, in Asian contemporary design. It will have its own administration and security offices as well as function and boardrooms.

“The main difference between the North and West tower is that the North has maid’s quarters in its two-bedroom units. This (feature) is what the market demands,” said Ylaya.

Prices range from P1.8 million to P2.4 million for studio units, P3.1 million to P4 million for one-bedroom units, and P5 to P6 million for two-bedroom units.

“We are now (offering) pre-selling prices. After the launch, we might increase them,” said Ylaya.

The Persimmon, the firm’s 15th project, stands on 1.4 hectare of prime property in M. J. Cuenco Ave., Mabolo, Cebu City.

According to its management, its “impressive” uptake is attributed to its combination of strategic location, amenities, and “value-for-money” construction.

The urban village’s commercial-entertainment strip, called The Persimmon Plus, will be launched before the end of 2009.

It will house more than a dozen concessionaires, including a coffee shop, dental clinic, laundry shop, food outlets, salon, spa, and services.

Source: The Sunstar Cebu

RP urged to expand BPO sector to draw foreign investments

MANILA, Philippines - To continuously attract foreign direct investments (FDIs), the Philippines needs to accelerate the expansion of the business process outsourcing (BPO) sector in the immediate future, a foreign economist said yesterday.

“As an immediate response, the Philippines must accelerate the growth of the BPO sector,” MasterCard economic advisor for Asia and Pacific region Yuwa Hedrick-Wong said in an economic briefing.

He said global investors are looking for investment opportunities

in the emerging Asian market, particulary India, Vietnam and Indonesia.

He added that the Philippines must also shift its export focus from the United States to China and the rest of Asia.

In 1997, 35 percent of Philippine exports found its way to the US, just one percent of to China, and 42 percent to the rest of Asia. Last year, the US market settled for 17 percent of Philippine exports, a larger 11 percent to China and 50 percent to the rest of Asia.

The MasterCard economist said the Philippines also has the potential to grow by 2.5 percent this year, and four percent next year.

However, Wong said the Philippines needs to lift some restrictions on FDIs and domestic investments if it hopes to take advantage of a strong emerging Asia and the global economic recovery next year.

In the recent 2010 Doing Business study conducted by the World Bank and the International Finance Corp. (IFC), the Philippines further went down in ranking to 144 out of 183 nations included in the study.

When the study started in 2007, the Philippines was ranked 136, and slipped to 140 the following year.

The study indicated that the Philippine government must have an extensive and long-term plan for the country’s economy to improve its ranking.

“The government must make it clear what kind of regulatory environment it wants, and it must design a long-term plan,” it said.

The MasterCard economist said bringing in FDIs will not only mean investments, but the technology to run the business, the experience, and the marketing and distribution network.

FDIs in the Philippines fell from 24.4 percent of GDP in 1997 to 21.2 percent in 2000. It further dipped to 16.1 percent of GDP in 2004 to 14.7 percent last year.

The regional economist said “some of the private monopolies need to be dismantled, and the government controlled companies and industries must be privatized.”

Strategically, the Philippines must also look at developing the agricultural sector if it is to grow and remain competitive in the region.

“Thailand is selling mangoes, and other fruits and vegetables to China, and they are selling them in US dollars. They are considered premium products there, yet the Philippine has the same or better agricultural products,” Wong pointed out.

Source: The Philippine Star

Microtel Inn and Suites Mactan

CEBU, Philippines - A modernly designed hotel with an airy lobby facing the beachfront, Microtel Inn and Suites Mactan offers “easy breezy” accommodations with fantastic prices to suit your taste.

With a total of 160 hotel rooms, Microtel Mactan has 3 room types – a standard with two beds and a sitting area, a double with two beds plus a balcony overlooking the sea/pool and a suite with one bed plus a sofa sleeper, balcony and other extra amenities such as coffee/tea making facilities, kitchen counter with sink, refrigerator, microwave oven and bath tub – rooms with all good use of space.

Guestroom features and amenities are inclusive of complimentary breakfast (intercontinental buffet), chiropractor-approved mattresses, flat TV with cable channels, individually controlled air conditioning units, multi-function telephone system with IDD/NDD, toilet and shower with hot and cold water, electronic keycard entry system, clock, in-room safe, fully automated fire safety system, baby cribs available upon request plus children under 12 years old stay free in parents’ room.

Having visited Microtel Mactan a few times now, I have sampled almost everything on their menu without any complaints at the lobby restaurant/café called Rice. Favorites include plain or chili and coriander roti (an Indian flat-bread), Nasi Goreng (an mildly-spiced Indonesian rice dish with a mixture of prawns topped with chicken skewers and an egg), Tom Yum Goong (a Thai soup dish with a Philippine twist using sinigang) and all of the starters listed in the menu – no doubt you should try all these. If you opt for room service instead, food served up to your room is delivered in styrofoam containers and plastic cutlery, which indeed are easy to clear up and easy to dispose of – what a brilliant idea!

The resort facilities and activities in this designer beach include the 3 pools (one for adults, the other for children and one for wading located by the beach bar), kayaking, water biking, banana boating, island hopping and scuba diving. If you choose to have some quiet time, you could just laze around lying on the sunbeds under the beach umbrellas by just reading a book and sipping a cold drink – what more can you ask for?

As quoted on their flyer, “Fantastic beachfront view. Amazing blue sea. Great beds. Warm and friendly staff that treat you like family. Nothing could be better.” I couldn’t agree more!

In this colourful resort, one tip during your planned stay is to request for a top floor room facing the sea.

Microtel Inn and Suites Mactan (www.microtel-mactan.com) has a current promo available until the end of this month, the Leisure Within Reach for P2,900*, a standard room for two adults with breakfast. *promo is only available to locals.

Source: The Freeman cebu

Microsoft urges government to intensify anti-piracy law

CEBU, Philippines - Despite the government’s constant effort in curbing piracy in the Philippines, Microsoft Philippines reiterates its call to intensify the implementation of anti-piracy laws here as the country remains in the piracy “watch list”.

Microsoft Philippines Inc. license and compliance manager Fortune Abelo-Magsadia said the government should put in place stringent implementation of the intellectual property (IP) laws here as well as shorten the resolution of cases pending to improve awareness of IPR in the Philippine market.

For its part, Microsoft had been introducing programs that will help curb the high piracy rate in the Philippines, especially in using software products, through introducing affordable and easy payment scheme for corporations in availing of genuine Microsoft software.

“We are still in the watchlist, [as among those having the highest piracy rate in the world],” said Magsadia, thus there is a need for the Philippine government to intensify its IP Laws implementation.

However, Magsadia said although the piracy rate in the country has plateaud at 69 percent since 2007, companies like Microsoft are also making its move to promote IP in the Philippines.

Microsoft’s Software Asset Management (SAM) program for instance, has helped improve the awareness of Filipinos to use only genuine software. However, this could be boosted if complemented by strong government stance in fighting piracy.

She said enforcement is just one aspect of fighting piracy, “what happens after the enforcement?”

The Philippines should also exercise to seriously put curbing piracy as priority. Longer time in resolving piracy cases is one of the problems that need to be addressed, she added.

According to Magsadia, the introduction of SAM program in the Philippines, has also helped the improvement of awareness especially among companies to use only genuine software.

SAM, enables companies to maximize software investments by letting them identify their needs and match these with the necessary software program available.

SAM is a set of policies and procedures which allow organizations to capitalize on their software resources. This involves conducting software needs analysis and software inventory, comparing installed software with licenses and creating a budget, appointing a software manager and conducting regular audits, and issuing a company policy statement and reminders.

“[Most] Filipinos don’t treat software as an asset. We want customers to practice SAM to maximize their investments,” she said.

Starting this year, Magsadia said SAM will be actively rolled out to other areas outside of Metro Manila, to drum up awareness on using genuine software, and its impact to the businesses.

Magsadia revealed that aside from SAM, Microsoft will also be introducing attractive packages, and programs that will attract different sectors in the society to use only “genuine software”, thereby helping the Philippine improve its piracy rate.

The Bill Gates-led company is on its way to offer special software pricing for Internet Cafes, companies in the economic zones, and intensify its offerings to the academe sector, and good packages for the Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) players.

Source: The Freeman Cebu

Cebu BPO industry

First the good news, according to the Institute for Development and Econometric Analysis, Inc. (IDEA) latest NewsBriefs, “the Cebu business process outsourcing (BPO) segment is targeting to take hold of 20% of the Philippine BPO market by 2010. Currently, the BPO industry in Cebu is organizing an Information and Communications Technology 2009 Conference aimed at realizing these goals through partnerships with emerging BPO markets and infrastructure development.”

Likewise, corporate giant, San Miguel Brewery, Inc. raised US$800 million with its corporate bond offerings. It priced its three-part peso bond at around 250 basis points higher than reference Treasury bonds. The brewery was able to sell its three-part peso bonds with three-, five-, and ten-year durations to finance its purchases of beer brands and land from its parent company, San Miguel Corporation. The corporate bond offering was the largest in the Philippines. In addition, Japanese brewery Kirin Holdings has expressed its interests in buying a stake in the Filipino brewery in light of Kirin’s goal to expand its market to Asia and Oceania.

Furthermore, the government sold its benchmark seven-year Treasury bonds this week at an average interest rate of 6.05%. The bidding brought in Php8 billion which would help in funding the budget deficit. Overall, the Treasury is optimistic over the demand for benchmark government papers.

However, per same published report, “the country’s external financial position has weakened in February 2009. In the said month, the Philippines had a balance of payments (BoP) surplus of US$469 million, almost a three-quarter drop from the January position of US$1.735 billion surplus. The current position was also more than 50% weaker compared to the same month last year which posited the BoP to US$1.05 billion. Income from investments, National Government loans from the Asian Development Bank and the World Bank, and foreign exchange transactions by the Bangko Sentral were the factors for the positive status of the country’s BoP surplus.

Finally, the sad news was that, the unemployment rate soared to 7.7% in January, equivalent to about 2.85 million jobless people. The increase in unemployment was due to the weakness of the electronics and manufacturing sectors, which suffered from low export demand amidst the global economic crisis. The unemployment rate is the highest since April of last year which reached 8%. Export targets are expected to downgrade even further as outlook in the electronics sector is growing bleaker for the coming months. Electronics exports are seen to decline by about 20% to 30% in 2009. The forecast adjustment implies an estimated total export contraction of about 6% to 8%, according to IDEA.

Source: The Freeman Cebu

Cebu bankers strengthen monitoring of borrowers

CEBU, Philippines - The local network of bankers in Metro Cebu is strengthening its monitoring program to easily spot delinquent borrowers or blacklisted clients through the Automatic Credit Information System (ACIS) of the Cebu Bankers Club (CBC).

In an interview with CBC former president Prudencio Gesta, he said that the organization is going to enhance the capability of the ACIS system that will add more listings of blacklisted borrowers from each bank member, in order to protect the banking business from delinquent borrowers.

Although the rate of non-performing loans (NPL) in the local scene has been declining significantly, after hitting its highest during the 1997 regional economic crisis, Gesta said there is still a dire need for the banking system to strengthen its monitoring program to spot clients that have mishandled their accounts in their respective banks.

Aside from the local network of member banks, the exchange of credit blacklisting is not only limited in Metro Cebu, as the ACIS system is also connected with the national information exchange through the Bankers Association of the Philippines (BAP).

“We are trying to improve the monitoring technology through the ACIS. We have to protect the credibility of the banking industry, as well as the individual banking business,” Gesta said.

CBC will be managing the system. In fact, it has created a committee that will solely look into the implementation of the enhanced ACIS tool, so that all member banks can easily access the listing of questionable borrowers of clients.

The improvement of ACIS technology is one of the priorities of the CBC this year, including its active stance on strengthening the security issue of each bank members, on the light of rampant bank robberies.

While the banking sector has remained very strong amid the global recession, Gesta said it has to continuously protect its business from being victimized by clients who have bad credit histories in other banking institutions.

This means that unlike the pre-1997 period that banking credit availability was so laxed, this time, although the economy is already on its recovery road, Gesta said the banking sector remains prudent, and very strict in terms of providing credit to customers.

“We learned a lot from the 1997 crisis. The reason why the banking sector in the Philippines remained strong amid the global recession, because we have put everything in place to protect the system from being crippled again,” Gesta said.

ACIS or the facility that allows banks to exchange information on list of delinquent borrowers

was initiated by CBC about nine years ago. This time, Gesta said CBC had decided to enhance the technology that will also include other applications related to client monitoring and background check.

However, Gesta noted that over the years, the number of delinquent borrowers has declined significantly, as traders as well as banking clients are also now cautious in availing loans from the bank, and also becoming very conscious in protecting their credibility to their banking partners.

“Unlike in the pre-1997 times, where there were a lot of risk-takers or gamblers. Now, borrowers are also become more conservative,” he concluded.

Source: The Freeman Cebu

One Fine Morning At UCC Café

CEBU, Philippines - Breakfast is the most important meal of the day.

Starting your day with the right company of friends and the superb breakfast fare at the upscale UCC Café at The Terraces of Ayala Center Cebu is like a giant leap forward to a wonderful day.

We arrived at the UCC Café at 7 am and the place was already buzzing with several people also hoping to get that perfect kick start for the day.

Starting off with a healthy blend of tropical juices that titillated our taste buds, we were ready for a breakfast experience that has already changed the lifestyle of several Cebuanos and visitors to this Queen City of the South.

It did not take long for the house favorite, Shitake mushroom omelet to be served along with Hungarian furthers in waffle. There was also the “Breakfast Surprise” that was an English toast muffin with a slice of ham and tomato, topped with a perfectly poached egg and served with Japanese white sauce.

CEBU, Philippines - Breakfast is the most important meal of the day.

Starting your day with the right company of friends and the superb breakfast fare at the upscale UCC Café at The Terraces of Ayala Center Cebu is like a giant leap forward to a wonderful day.

We arrived at the UCC Café at 7 am and the place was already buzzing with several people also hoping to get that perfect kick start for the day.

Starting off with a healthy blend of tropical juices that titillated our taste buds, we were ready for a breakfast experience that has already changed the lifestyle of several Cebuanos and visitors to this Queen City of the South.

It did not take long for the house favorite, Shitake mushroom omelet to be served along with Hungarian furthers in waffle. There was also the “Breakfast Surprise” that was an English toast muffin with a slice of ham and tomato, topped with a perfectly poached egg and served with Japanese white sauce.

Source: The Freeman Cebu

Wonder Girls at 40

CEBU, Philippines - “I want nobody nobody but you/ I want nobody nobody but you/ How can I be with another I don’t want any other/ I want nobody nobody nobody nobody.” Look! Grandma can dance a hip-hop.

Yes the very refrain of South Korean Wonder Girls’ “Nobody” has its own cognitive itch. The beat, rhythm and lyrics have easily made it a song and dance craze. But for women in their 30s, 40s and 50s or so, to be dancing even more graceful than the 20-year-old and 17-year-old Wonder Girls, is wonderfully a wonder.

At Slimmers World International, chic corporate women executives, moms, grand-moms and great grand-moms can be seen dancing with ease, flexibility and gracefulness all because an aerobics routine was especially choreographed such that clients would not have to catch their breath or strain their muscles. Also because music in these routines are in the popularity charts that — well, if you asked your grandma to dance the hip-hop to the tune of “Irony” — she can do it more gracefully than you. And yes she can execute every step timed to the music.

Veering away from the conventional, “sometimes boring,” high and low impact exercises, the Funk-Aero and Powerdance sessions at Slimmers combine fun, therapy, fitness and enjoyment. You don’t get exhausted or tired after more than an hour of dancing. Aero sessions are supposed to be only for one hour but women clients enjoy the dance and exercise so much that they tend to ask for an extension or attend all morning and evening aero sessions. It is as though they are in the gym most of the time. For those who say they can’t dance, they’ll be surprised to find their feet tapping without their knowing.

It’s Not Your Age.

So how does one teach hip-hop to women who are no longer in their “hip-hop” years? Aerobics instructor Marco Brigoli, who handles the Funk-Aero and Powerdance sessions uses techniques in choreography that has much to do with counting and execution. It’s a pretty big challenge for Marco because his students are women who may have difficulties in flexibility or memorizing moves. But Marco does not seem to see age or gender as a limitation.

Having been an aerobic instructor for well over six years, he still uses the eight-count steps of conventional aerobics routine. But the execution of the arms and legs are done simultaneously. Conventional high and low impact aerobics employ gradual movement starting with muscle groups from the legs going up to the shoulders. But Marco’s Funk-Aero and Powerdance routines combine feet, arms, waists and shoulder movements all in eight counts.

Marco creates his own choreography combining twists, turns, dipping, sliding, jumping and bending that can well be executed with ease even by a 50-year-old.

Marco does not push clients to learn the dance quickly. He teaches pattern by pattern then combines these in continuous movements. As he would tell students “feel the music in the dance and the dance in the music.” So there is mastery in the pattern, Marco repeats the music three or more times until students learn the pattern by themselves. It gives a feeling of confidence and achievement when a dance or routine is completed with minimal coaching.

Choosing the music is another thing. Still it takes patience and creativity for an aero-instructor like Marco to choreograph a dance and exercise routine that is enjoyable, therapeutic and healthy and to use popular music at that. Marco carefully prepares his choreography. He surprises students with something new every week.

Marco’s routines do not over work the heart because the eight-count is maintained which means it follows the normal pace of the heartbeat. If the heart is made to beat a little faster, it is done gradually. And because the heart is made to work and take in more oxygen, the routines are effective calorie-burners. Actually, clients who attend the Funk-Aero and Powerdance sessions are not aware of the hundreds of calories they are burning because they are too busy enjoying the dance and music. They are not even aware they are on an exercise routine.

If you want something cool and upbeat for your weight loss, cardio and fat burning routines, try Marco’s Funk-Aero and Powerdance sessions. Funk-Aero sessions are three times a week and Powerdance once a week. You don’t have to be a 20-year-old or 17-year-old to learn the hip-hop. Hip and hop your way to good health. It’s for nobody –- but you.

Source: The Freeman Cebu

South bus terminal now imposing P5 terminal fee

CEBU, Philippines - All passengers bound for the southern part of Cebu province will now have to pay a terminal fee before entering the Cebu South Bus Terminal effective today.

This was according to Capitol consultant Byron Garcia, who oversees the operation of the terminal, saying that passenger must pay the P5 fee as they now have easier to buses at the newly-refurbished terminal.

Before the passengers can enter the airconditioned passengers’ waiting area, Garcia said he has to drop a P5 coin or five P1 coins at the turnstile and the official receipt that will serve as their boarding pass.

“Mura na unya ni og passenger bus terminal operating like an airport that they will just wait for their bus to arrive,” Garcia said.

Inside the waiting area, stalls with food and drinks can also be found.

Cebu Governor Gwendolyn Garcia earlier imposed strict rules in the terminal by regulating the presence of dispatchers and by demolishing stalls illegally erected in the terminal.

Byron said the passengers will be safe from snatchers and pickpockets as cameras will be installed in the waiting area and the terminal as well. Pushcarts will also be provided to passengers who have bulky cargo.

But the terminal fee got mixed reactions from the passengers.

“Ka-mahal sab anang P5 uy, nganong dili naman lang himuon nga free ang terminal pareha sa North Bus Terminal,” on of them said.

But some said they appreciate the new system saying they no longer have to climb up bus windows and wrestle with each other just to secure a seat.

“Mas mahapsay na sab siguro ang dagan sa mga bus,” said a passenger who always goes home to the southern part of Cebu every afternoon after work.

Byron admitted that they already expected some negative feedback from the passengers but said they will not be forced to get inside the terminal but just wait outside if they like.

With the new system to be implemented, Byron said they can now monitor if buses are overloading and thus ensure passengers are safe.

An entrance fee of P100 for every bus and mini-bus will be charged.

Source: The Freeman Cebu

Of 24.7 hectares Balili property: DENR: Dry land is only 4.5 hectares

CEBU, Philippines - The ground survey conducted by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources confirmed that almost the entire 24.7 hectares Balili property, which the Cebu Provincial Government bought for P98 million last year is actually underwater and mangrove area.

The survey using the Global Positioning System (GPS) showed that 82 percent of the controversial property or 20.2 hectares is submerged and planted with mangroves, which could not be titled for being public land.

Geodetic engineer Aurelio Caña, who conducted the ground survey starting last September 2, told the members of the ad hoc committee of the provincial board yesterday that only 4.5 hectares is dry land.

The result of the survey will be submitted to the Office of the Ombudsman Visayas, which is also conducting a parallel fact-finding investigation into the Balili fiasco.

The anti-graft office earlier asked the DENR to conduct the actual survey of the property to confirm reports that a large portion of the property is submerged.

The DENR findings is contrary to the Capitol survey conducted by engineer Roy Cabunillas, which said only 9.4 hectares of the 24.7 hectares is submerged and planted with mangroves.

The DENR said that based on their records the 4.5 hectares dry land was already reclassified from timberland to alienable and disposable since 1986.

Prior to the reclassification however the owner, the late engineer Luis Balili and his widow Amparo, already secured a title in 1978.

But despite having secured a title, the Balilis applied for other land use permit with the DENR for a bathing establishment, which was renewed in July 6, 2006 and expired only in 2008.

Prior to the issuance of the title in 1978 the Balilis were already granted other lawful purposes permits for salt works and beach resort.

DENR regional counsel Tranne Ferrer said that the application of the Balilis for other land use permit in spite that the property was already titled to them is an indication that they were aware that the title was questionable.

Provincial Board Member Victor Maambong said this would establish bad faith on the part of the Balilis in selling the property to the province.

Maambong echoed the statement of Vice Governor Gregorio Sanchez on the possibility of rescinding the contract.

Ferrer and the other DENR officials were again summoned to the provincial board yesterday.

PB member Peter John Calderon asked Ferrer if they have issued a notice to the Register of Deeds regarding their recommendation for the reversion of the titles of the Balili lots so as to warn would be buyers.

Ferrer admitted that the agency did not, but said the DENR has already admitted that there was a mistake in the issuance of the titles. She said this is the reason why they have recommended for the nullification of the titles.

Ferrer added that prudent buyers should have inquired the status of the property with the DENR and should not have relied on the “mirror principle” by looking at the four corners of the titles only.

According to Ferrer, if she was the buyer and considering the amount involved is P98 million she would inquire the status of the land with the DENR.

PB member Juan Bolo, who is tagged of facilitating the transaction, questioned why it took 20 years for DENR to initiate the reversion after it was issued.

But Ferrer said she could not answer it because she was not with the DENR that time yet. She however surmised that it must have been because it was only in 1989 that the Bureau of Lands was merged with the DENR.

The members of the ad hoc committee also tried to establish yesterday the flow of the transaction documents following the mystery behind the voucher which was made as basis for the issuance of the checks payment to Atty. Romeo Balili, executor of the Balili estate.

None of the Capitol officials would admit preparing the vouchers. Although provincial treasurer Roy Salubre earlier said that as a practice, it is usually the requisitioning office that would prepare the voucher.

However, Salubre could not determine whether it was the office of Governor Gwendolyn Garcia which prepared it.

Budget Officer Emmy Gingoyon, planning officer Adolfo Quiroga and pre-audit chief Manuel Gial were called yesterday to the board but none of them could also tell who prepared the voucher.

Source: The Freeman Cebu

CICT executive confident RP to hit BPO growth target

CEBU, Philippines - Despite the global financial crunch that hit most industries, a Commission of Information and Communication Technology (CICT) executive is confident that the Philippines’ Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) industry will meet the 20 percent growth target this year.

One of the growth drivers of the Philippines is strongly anchored on its attractiveness as preferred site for offshore operations, said CICT secretary Ray Anthony Roxas-Chua.

“As of now, we are on target for the 20 percent growth this year,” said Roxas-Chua, although he said that the industry is now very cautious in hitting ambitious growth target as companies around the world are still having second thoughts whether or not to pursue expansion plans.

He said Cebu for instance has already gained the international spotlight as preferred BPO destination, and this could give boost to the industry’s growth this year.

Roxas-Chua noted that although most BPO investors are very cautious in their expansion plans, some on the other hand, have bravely pursued investment plans this year.

He mentioned that Cebu will be able to continuously attract new BPO investments saying “Cebu has respectable international business community because of its friendly environment.”

The CICT secretary also lauded Cebu’s active stance on industry-academe linkage that impress the BPO investors.

Once the world recovers from the recession jitters, Roxas-Chua is confident the Philippines will be able to capture a bigger chunk of the BPO investments, which will then domino to more jobs for the Filipino people.

“Despite the current global economic crisis, the IT-BPO industry is expected to grow approximately 20 percent for 2009. While the bulk of revenue still comes from voice services, the industry is now focusing on diversifying into the higher value-added non-voice services, such as software development, which will provide higher paying jobs to Filipinos,” he stressed.

The industry employed about 372 thousand workers as of year-end 2008 and generated 6 billion US dollars of export revenue for the year.

Meanwhile, the Business Process Association of the Philippines (BPAP) earlier announced that while the Philippines already created a leverage in the BPO voice service as well as growing software development segment, it is also fighting to seize the multi-million-dollar BPO creative industry.

BPAP executive director for talent development Jamea S. Garcia earlier said there is a huge potential that the Philippines could rake in a bigger share in job contracts from other countries, as Filipinos are known for their excellent creativity skills.

“We already have a lot of content development companies here that do jobs for Cartoon Network, Nickelodeon, and most of Japanese animation companies,” said Garcia.

In 2008, the creative BPO sector generated total revenue of US$150 million. The Philippines currently is getting 15 percent of the total creative outsourcing market, while India is getting 37 percent.

Source: The Freeman Cebu

CHI launches "Greenology" campaign

CEBU, Philippines - With climate change now becoming one of the most important issues that needs utmost attention, Cebu’s real estate giant Cebu Holdings Inc. (CHI) recently launched a sustainable development campaign promoting environmental awareness.

“It is time that we involve not only our mall tenants but also the mall-goers to be proactive in helping protect the environment,” said CHI President Francis Monera during the launching of the mall’s “Greenology” campaign.

CHI, the developer and operator of Ayala Center Cebu (ACC) shopping center, will pioneer a very active move in educating shoppers to embrace full responsibility on environment awareness, through introducing year-long activities that promotes environmental protection.

One activity is the drive to eliminate or reduce the use of plastic shopping bags.

Monera explained that shoppers are given incentives when they turn over plastic shopping bags that contain items purchased inside ACC.

The Greenology campaign will also feature environment-friendly bags produced by Filipino designers, “green” garments and recyclables fair, among others.

This campaign according to Monera came as an offshoot of CHI’s sustainable development policy by implementing a sound management system that involves a collaborative effort by the company’s employees, partners, and tenants.

According to CHI, the system involves creating of a sustainability committee; raising awareness among employees, tenants and partners on the importance of environmental protection and sustainable development; implementing energy and water conservation programs; tree planting; and setting in place a solid waste management program.

CHI supports the principle of sustainable development, in which the property developer undertakes measures to ensure that its business activities have little or no impact on the environment, Monera said.

“We put sustainability at the core of the business,” Monera said, citing for instance the mall’s The Terraces, which carries a resort-theme- combining several plant varieties and water fountains surrounded by shops and restaurants.

“Others commented that we could have utilized the garden portion to accommodate more tenants and rake more revenues. But the ‘green portion’ is our way of sending out a message that our projects carry with it our efforts in raising environmental awareness,” he said.

As part of its sustainability program, CHI will start calculating this year the carbon footprint of each employee. The activity is meant to raise the awareness of CHI employees on how their activities contribute to climate change.

Monera said CHI will eventually require employees to reduce their carbon footprint. But the company has to educate employees before establishing benchmarks and setting targets, he added.

Elson Homez, CHI head for property management division, reported that since it implemented energy and water saving measures last year, CHI has cut power consumption by 8.7 percent and achieved a three-percent reduction in water consumption.

Source: The Freeman Cebu

Israel reiterates offer to lend infra expertise

CEBU, Philippines - The State of Israel has reiterated its offer to share its expertise in infrastructure development in the Philippines, in partnership with various local government units (LGUs) in the country.

Israel Ambassador to the Philippines Zvi Aviner Vapni emphasized the need for the Philippines to augment its water infrastructure technology, and he believes that Israel could largely help in this area.

Already, Israel has already done partnership with the Local Water Utilities Administration (LWUA), in some water projects in Cebu and Baguio City.

“We would like to [further] share our expertise and intensive information on the field [water technology],” said Vapni adding that aside from partnering with the LGUs, some private companies in Israel which are into providing water technology are also interested to partner with Philippine-based water solution companies.

In Israel, where water is scarce, it has developed a good technology that would preserve water efficiency, how to use every drop of water—not waste it, the Ambassador said.

In Cebu particularly, wherein water shortage is foreseen, LGUs as well as private water technology firms will have to act now, in developing good technology that will augment the water supply available for the province.

Now, that Israel has recently opened its Cebu Consular office headed by Emily Benedicto-Chioson, Vapni hopes that stronger partnership in terms of trade and technology transfer will be started.

The looming water shortage in Cebu in the next few years is now one of the concerns expressed by existing and potential investors in Cebu, especially in the tourism industry.

Source: The Freeman Cebu

Franchising: Safest way to start up, expand a biz

CEBU, Philippines - With the current state of the economy, starting up a business seems too risky, that is unless if you are investing in something that is already well-established or on something that has already gained considerable consumer patronage, which can only be done through franchising.

Those planning to try their hands on operating their own business flocked to the SM City Cebu Trade Hall last September 11 for the opening of the 10th Cebu Franchise Expo with over 70 booths offering around 200 franchise and business opportunities.

Established companies and even start-up businesses from different industries ranging from food, garment, to health and wellness among others, exhibited what they could offer to interested partners.

Business owners admit that offering their businesses for franchise entails risk, however, it is also the most prudent way to expand one’s business.

Christian Cuenco, General Manager of six-month-old family KTV “Song Hits,” located in Mango Avenue, Juana Osmeña St., said that even though they just started with the business, they decided to accept franchisees since they have noted high sales owing to the love of Filipinos, Cebuanos in particular, for singing.

Cuenco said that they initially offer a franchise deal for P450 thousand but is also encouraging interested partners to take their P5 million franchise package, which already includes the franchise payment, a 24 room KTV, and guidance on how to run the business.

He said that through the franchise, they are optimistic that they would be able to achieve their goals of expanding and reaching farther places in Cebu and other provinces.

Meanwhile, the chief executive officer of OH! My Sisig, Angela Suarez said that though their main goal was to expand through their own efforts as a company, the inquiries from interested partners that flooded their office prompted them to decide to finally offer the business for franchising.

Suarez said that this is also part of their means in order to bring their product and company to other places, which presently is only found in Manila.

However, Suarez said they are very meticulous in terms of choosing the franchisee of OH! My Sisig, which is also done accordingly by other companies to make sure of the safety and quality of their company.

OH! My Sisig franchise costs P185 thousand, which already includes the OH! My Sisig cart, microwave oven, rice cooker, gulaman container, freezer, crew uniform, initial food supply, pre-opening assistance, use of the trade name and the operational manual, training of service crew, and training of the authorized dealer.

The 3-day expo, which ended yesterday was organized by the Filipino International Franchise Association, CEO Events and Expos Organizers Inc., and endorsed by RK Franchise Consultancy.

A franchise seminar was also conducted at SM City Cebu Conference Hall D, which tackled pertinent facts about franchising.

Source: The Freeman Cebu