PH now a center of new medicine trials

PH now a center of trials for new meds, docs say

MANILA, Philippines—The Philippines has become one of the centers for clinical trials for new medicines in the Asia-Pacific region, providing indigent patients with access to cutting-edge medical treatment, according to members of the Philippine Society of Medical Oncology (PSMO).

Doctor Ellie May Villegas, PSMO vice-president, said drug companies said more and more clinical trials were being conducted in the country “because of the credibility of tests” conducted here and because some medicines have turned out to be effective only on Asians.

She said the new drugs that have been clinically tested in the country include those intended for lung cancer, breast cancer, and colon cancer, with drug companies spending at least P2 million on the medication of each patient who participates in a trial that can last for two years.

“They’re very happy with the results because our results are not bogus. We really do the trials well,” Villegas said in an interview.

Besides drug companies, the European Medicines Agency and the National Institutes of Health of the United States also sponsor these clinical trials.

Such trials have become more common in the last five years, she said.

Villegas dismissed suggestions that these clinical trials were taking advantage of indigent patients who have no money for medicines.

“No, being poor is not a factor here. I have many patients who are millionaires and I also offer these to them. A patient is admitted to the clinical trial only if or she meets the criteria for that particular trial,” Villegas said.

Doctor Annielyn Ong-Cornel, a PSMO fellow, said the clinical trials do help patients who cannot afford medication.

Access to good meds

“There are many patients who are willing to be included because it gives you access to good medication and cutting edge science,” said Cornel, who has participated in 25 clinical trials since 2007.

“They started coming in 2005 because we are now seeing that people in different countries respond differently to the same medicine. The lung cancer of an Asian is different from that of a Caucasian,” Cornel said.

She said Asians are more responsive to some medications compared to Caucasians “or there are more side effects.”

“It’s all boils down to genetics. For example, treatment for lung cancer used to be uniform but nowadays, you have to do genetic testing for specific protein abnormalities in the cancer. And you have certain medications which target that abnormality,” Cornel said.

“We have a tablet that targets one specific genetic abnormality. If you have lung cancer, and you are positive for that (genetic mutation), then there is a bigger chance that you would respond (positively) to the tablet. If you don’t have that mutation, there is no response,” she added.

Cornel said patients who want to join a clinical trial are also thoroughly briefed before they are admitted.

“They are informed about the side effects, that they can quit any time, and that the data obtained would be used for scientific purposes. They usually discuss this with their families before they say yes or no,” Cornel added.

Article Source: Philip C. Tubeza, Philippine Daily Inquirer

Limitations on foreign investment in PH added

Aquino expands list of foreign investment limitations

MANILA, Philippines - President Benigno Aquino III has expanded the list of investment areas and economic activities that prohibit the participation of foreign investors under the 9th Regular Foreign Investment Negative List. 

The said list enumerates the industries and business activities that are open to Filipino businessmen, and defines the extent of participation of foreign investors in areas allowed by specific laws and the Constitution.

Aquino signed Executive Order No. 98 on October 29, Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa Jr. said on Friday. The order, which also expands investment opportunities reserved for Filipinos, replaces E.O. 858 that started to take effect in February 2010. 

EO No. 98 takes effect 15 days after its publication in a newspaper of general circulation. 

“There are investments areas or activities which foreign ownership limitations imposed by law were not included in EO 858. Those changes are now reflected in the ‘List A’ of the new presidential directive,” Ochoa said.

Ochoa said among E.O. 98's amendments to E.O. 858 are:

• The foreign ownership and foreign practice limitations imposed under the Real Estate Service Act of the Philippines (Republic Act 9646); 
• The Philippine Respiratory Act (R.A. 10024); 
• The Philippine Psychology Act (R.A. 10029) and 
• The Lending Company Regulation Act of 2007 (R.A. 9474)

Except for R.A. 9474, which allows foreign ownership of up to 49 percent in lending companies, the three other laws limit the practice of non-Filipinos in the areas of real estate and health care such as respiratory therapy and psychology, unless there is a reciprocity arrangement prescribed by a law.

List A of EO No. 98 specifies the areas of economic activity where foreign ownership is prohibited or limited by the Constitution or laws, among them: 

• mass media 
• practice of all professions, cooperatives
• private security agencies
• small-scale mining
• private radio communications network, private recruitment for local or overseas employment 
• advertising
• ownership of private lands, 
• lending companies, 
• financing companies and investment houses regulated by the Securities and Exchange Commission

List B contains economic activities regulated by law such as: 

• small- and medium-scale domestic enterprises
• defense-related industry (i.e., manufacture of firearms, etc.) and 
• businesses that have implications on public health and morals (i.e., gambling, sauna, massage clinics, etc.)

List A may be amended any time to reflect changes brought about by new laws, according to Ochoa. 

List B may be amended not more than once every two years upon the recommendation of the departments concerned and endorsed by the National Economic and Development Authority, or upon NEDA’s own initiative and recommendation, approved by the President and promulgated by a presidential proclamation.

“For now, List B stays while the changes to the negative list covers only List A,” Ochoa said. 

Under the Foreign Investments Act of 1991 (R.A. 7042), foreign investors are allowed to own 100-percent equity in businesses excluded from the negative list.

Article Source: Philippine News Agency, InterAksyon

Magnitude 6.1 quake strikes off Mindanao

6.1-magnitude quake hits off Mindanao: USGS

MANILA, Philippines - (UPDATE) A strong 6.1-magnitude earthquake struck off the southern Philippine island of Mindanao early Saturday, US seismologists said, but there were no immediate reports of damage or casualties.

The US Geological Survey said the quake had a depth of 38 kilometers (24 miles) and hit at 2:17 a.m. (1817 GMT Friday) some 87 kilometers east of Butuan City.

The USGS had initially reported the quake as having a magnitude of 6.4, but revised it to 6.1.

The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology measured the quake at 6.5 magnitude and warned that aftershocks were expected.

No damage or injuries were immediately reported, regional civil defense officer Troy Callo told AFP, adding that some local residents complained about "objects falling inside houses".

The Philippines is one of the most disaster-prone countries in the world, with an average of 20 typhoons battering the archipelago every year.

It also sits on the Pacific Ring of Fire -- a belt around the Pacific Ocean dotted by active volcanoes and unstable ocean trenches.

A 7.6-magnitude quake hit the country's east coast on August 31, triggering a tsunami alert that forced more than 130,000 to flee their homes and causing a landslide that killed one person.

Article Source, Agence France-Presse (for InterAksyon)

Azkals on AFF Suzuki Cup 2012 Game Schedule

The Philippine Azkals team will be playing three (3)l games befoe the semi-final games of the 2012 AFF Cup, or the 2012 AFF Suzuki Cup, begin. The upcoming football Cup, which will be co-hosted by Malaysia and Thailand and will be running from 24 November to 22 December 2012. is the ninth edition of the ASEAN Football Championship. 

The Azkals are reportedly set to match with Thailand, Vietnam, and Myanmar under Group A. Within its group tournament, all Azkals games will be held in Thailand. 

The first two (2) matches of the Philippine Azkals will happen at the Rajamangala Stadium, Bangkok.  Its third game will take place at the SCG Stadium, Nonthaburi.

Here is the Azkals schedule of games in the elimination round of the AFF Suzuki Cup 2012.

• November 24 (Sat) - Azkals (Philippines) vs Thailand (Rajamangala Stadium, Bangkok)
• November 27 (Tues) - Azkals (Philippines) vs Vietnam (Rajamangala Stadium, Bangkok)
• November 30 (Fri) - Azkals (Philippines) vs Myanmar (SCG Stadium, Nonthaburi)

DOH on Code White alert for Undas

The Department of Health (DOH) has raised Code White alert on its hospitals as preparation for the anticipated flow of people into cemeteries for the All Saints' and All Souls' days on November 1 and 2, respectively.

The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) on Wednesday announced that "all hospital staff and personnel will be on duty in government hospitals during the UNDAS period to provide medical assistance."

From October 31 to November 3, "all DOH-retained hospitals are on standby for any eventualities or untoward incidents," the NDRRMC announcement furthered.

Almost 1 million Manila residents visit their dead

Close to 1 million visit their dead in Manila

MANILA, Philippines—Close to a million Filipinos visited various cemeteries in Manila Thursday afternoon to pay respect to deceased loved ones, a city police official said.

Manila Police District spokesman, Chief Inspector Erwin Margareho, said that as of 1 p.m., visitors trooping to the Manila North Cemetery had reached 950,000.

Radio reports said around 200 people were entering the three gates of the cemetery every minute

In the Manila South Cemetery, on the other hand, the number of visitors has reached 45,000, more than double with 10 a.m.’s estimate of 15,000.

And the figures, Margarejo said, “are still increasing.”

Meanwhile, police said that as of 11 a.m., 80 bladed, and other sharp items were seized from people, along with 60 alcoholic beverages.

At the south cemetery, three sharp items were confiscated, as well as 40 combustible materials.

Article Source: Jamie Marie Elona, Philippine Daily Inquirer

Repost: Manila 11th most attractive for foreign shoppers, says Global Blue

Manila was ranked 11th in the Globe Shopper Index, published by Global Blue, a few points behind Delhi and ahead of Taipei, with Hong Kong topping the index as the most attractive city for international travel shoppers in Asia-Pacific.

Global Blue’s expanded Globe Shopper Index added 25 Asia-Pacific cities to the existing 33 European cities and ranked them on the experience they provided to international travel shoppers. The rankings were based on five categories covering shops, affordability, convenience, hotels and transport, and culture and climate. Global Blue developed the Globe Shopper Index in partnership with the Economist Intelligence Unit as an essential planning tool for all international travel shoppers searching for their next shopping destination in Europe and Asia-Pacific.

Manila’s performance was driven by its score in the “affordability” category, where the place ranked well for its affordable two- and four-star hotels and cheap public transport. Manila’s ranking was also helped by the range of large shopping malls in the city, Manila was fourth on this criteria, with five malls available to globe shoppers.

However, Manila was pushed down the rankings due to a poor performance in the “hotels and transport” and “shops” categories. Its low rank in this category was mainly due to the limited availability of hotels and the quality of its public transport made the city less attractive to globe shoppers. Despite having many large malls, the city offered a limited range of international brands, which weakened its performance in the “shops” category.

Whether shoppers care most about finding a great place to lunch, or an open-all-hours shopping culture, whether they just wanted great prices or are looking for the biggest variety of luxury goods to choose from, the Globe Shopper Index is the place to start researching a destination city. Shoppers can visit www.globeshopperindex.com, select the city features most important to them and find the cities that best match their preferences. They can then share their preferred cities online with their friends to gather shopping tips.

Global Blue works with more than 270,000 of the world’s favorite retailers, shopping brands and hotels in over 40 countries. It serves more than 60,000 travellers every day. The company said its ambition was to become the beacon for international shopping and spending across the globe. Global Blue’s headquarters are in Nyon, close to Geneva, Switzerland.

Having invented the concept of tax-free shopping 30 years ago, Global Blue offers a wide range of services that help consumers shop and spend wisely when they are in foreign countries, and merchants and banks increase their revenues from the lucrative traveller market.

The Globe Shopper City Index-Asia-Pacific measures the attractiveness of 25 major Asia-Pacific cities for international travel shopping. A city’s index score is made up of 38 criteria, which are grouped into five categories covering shops, affordability, convenience, hotels and transport, and culture and climate. Criteria were assessed quantitatively (for example, number of passenger flights annually), or qualitatively, such as the likelihood of bargaining a discount in various stores.

Each city has an average category score. All five category scores were averaged to give an overall index score. Criteria scores were converted to an index score between zero and 100. The EIU developed all the criteria and categories independently. All categories were given equal weighting in the index. Index cities were selected based on visitor numbers and economic importance while also factoring geographic diversity.

RANK CITY SCORE

1 Hong Kong 68.5
2 Kuala Lumpur 65.0
3 Shanghai 63.0
4 Beijing 60.6
5 Singapore 60.1
6 Sydney 58.5
7 Bangkok 57.0
8 Tokyo 56.4
9 Seoul 54.7
10 Delhi 52.8
11 Manila 51.5
12 Taipei 51.4
13 Auckland 50.1

14 Bangalore 49.6

15 Guanzhou 48.4

16 Mumbai 48.3

17 Jakarta 45.7

18 Osaka 45.1

19 Ho Chi Minh City 44.9

20 Busan 44.7

21 Nagoya 38.5

22 Colombo 36.3

23 Dhaka 35.7

24 Karachi 34.1

25 Yangon 29.8

Article Source: Philippine Daily Inquirer

SPOTTED: Philippine All-Stars in Zombie Flash Mob (Viral)

World class hip-hop dance group Philippine All-Stars surprised the crowd at Resorts World Manila with a scary flash mob performance. The introduction was really scary, yet entertaining, especially if you were there viewing it live.

 Video Courtesy: Youtube channel GNMNGO

Repost: Comelec chief to politicians: Respect the dead, don't campaign during 'Undas'

MANILA, Philippines -- Commission on Elections (Comelec) chairman Sixto Brillantes Jr. on Wednesday reiterated his call for those running in the 2013 midterm polls to refrain from campaigning in cemeteries on All Saints Day.

"Bigyan natin ng respeto ang namatay. Kung pupunuin ang sementeryo ng campaign materials iyong mga patay ang boboto sa inyo hindi iyong mga taumbayan na magmememorya pa ng mga mukha ninyo, makakalimutan pa iyong mukha ninyo pagdating ng eleksyon," Brillantes said in a radio interview.

In his official Twitter account, Brillantes said political aspirants giving out food and water at cemeteries is considered campaigning as he appealed to them to spare these areas where thousands go to pay respects to their departed loved ones.

"Bagama’t hindi bawal, pero kakapalan pa rin po ng mukha 'yan. Kaunting hiya naman po sana," he said.

Brillantes said he has received reports that some candidates are taking advantage of the observance of All Saints' Day and All Souls' Day by putting up tarpaulins and streamers bearing their names in different cemeteries.

On the last day of voter's registration period today, Brillantes also told registrants not to blame the poll body if they fail to register before 5 p.m.

Brillantes said the Comelec was not remiss in reminding the public of early registration so as to avoid long queues in Comelec offices. 

The Comelec chief reiterated that the poll body would not extend the deadline for voters' registration. 

"Walang sisihan ‘yan. Paulit-ulit namin sinasabi na Oct. 31 ‘yan," Brillantes stressed.

Article Source: Philippine News Agency (for InterAksyon)

Customs Brokers Board Exam Results for October 2012

The Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) announced on Tuesday that 494 out of 1,212 passed the Customs Broker Licensure Examination taken on October 24-2, 2012. The official list was out two (2) working days after the exam day.

List of Successful Examinees in the
CUSTOMS BROKER LICENSURE EXAMINATION
Held on OCTOBER 24 & 25, 2012
Released on OCTOBER 30, 2012

Seq. No. N a m e
1 ABACAN, ALLAN VINCENT GAMBOA
2 ABAD, FRANCES JADE DULINAYAN
3 ABAD, JOZENE BULALACAO
4 ABANTE, CEASAR CAGUETE
5 ACABADO, KIM LARRY VILLANUEVA
6 ACUESTA, JESSICAJOY SOLANA
7 AFABLE, CHERRY ANN TEBRERO
8 AGUILAR, KATHRYNMAE AGUILA
9 AGUIRRE, SARAH GLADYS AVILA
10 AGUSTINEZ, RENATO ESTRERA
11 AKEEM, ABDUL SATO
12 ALAMIL, ROBERT REY RINGIA
13 ALBAY, ABEGAIL VALMORES
14 ALCARAZ, EVANGELINE DE ROXAS
15 ALCASID, CARLOS LOUIE III LOPEZ
16 ALEJANDRO, MALKIYEL MOBO
17 ALEJO, KIMUEL ROSETE
18 ALEJO, SHARA ROSE ARELLANO
19 ALER, RENMAR BELANDO
20 ALMANZA, SHEILA TAPIA
21 ALMONIÑA, ARVIN PHILLIP RIVERA
22 AMANTILLO, WEDEMYR JR AALA
23 AMATONDING, JALAL SULTAN
24 AN, JESSA LYNNE MANALO
25 ANAJAO, ARIANNE NICOLE GRANADO
26 ANCHETA, CARMINAFLORES
27 ANDAL, DANICA JESSA REYES
28 ANDRES, ANTHONY FIDEL DE ASIS
29 ANDRES, CHERRY BELEN
30 APOR, CHRISMER RYAN ALAG
31 APURILLO, JORDANGENER
32 AQUINO, MERRIAM LYNE TUGADE
33 ARDIZA, CELESTE ATUEL
34 ARELLANO, DOLPY PARCON
35 ARRIO, KEVIN LEEMANUEL
36 ARRIOLA, MARIA CHRISTINA MABBORANG
37 ARROGANTE, MARIDEL RAMOS
38 ARSOLON, JOHN RUEL PAGLICAWAN
39 ASILO, MARIA SARAH HERALDO
40 ASON, VICENTE III FERRER
41 ASOR, MICHAEL JOHN CORONEL
42 ATIONG, FRANCIS KENT GUANTERO
43 ATOG, ERIC PINGOT
44 AXALAN, KRISTINEROSALES
45 BACANI, ANGELA JOY GUTIERREZ
46 BACAY, CLETH JAYABANTE
47 BACURIO, KENNETHBERNARD NAVALES
48 BAG-AO, MA DESIREE MEDALLON
49 BAJAR, JINKY DRIO
50 BALDOS, IRISH MAY GACIAS
51 BANGAYAN, MICHAEL PAGAYUNAN
52 BANGCAYA, JERVISPASCUAL
53 BANTUAS, AMER HUSSIEN LOBRIO
54 BARCEBAL, ARIEL CAPACIO
55 BARLISO, GLADYS GOBANGCO
56 BARRIGA, JOSEPH ROY YANONG
57 BASA, LIBERTINE PIOLINO
58 BATAYAN, AIMEE CATHERINE AMPUAN
59 BATICOLON, JOEMARI JR FRIO
60 BAUDIN, JUNE FRANCIS BARCENAL
61 BAUTISTA, CHRISTINA GLADYS TORRES
62 BAYLON, ERNEST PHILIP MIRHAN
63 BEJOC, ROLIE QUIKI
64 BELIRAN, LEA DELMO
65 BELLETA, REYMON LAPIZ
66 BELTRAN, LEI ANNA OBUYES
67 BENITO, MALIC SAIF INTERINO
68 BERGONIO, MARK ANTHONY BALTAZAR
69 BESMONTE, ROMA ORIARTE
70 BICERA, DANIELLEANTHONY PAMPUAN
71 BILIRAN, KENT PAUL CASILEN
72 BOCTOT, MARIA AIZA BOCTOT
73 BONEO, JICO VALGUNA
74 BONTIA, ARMI LOUBALLUCANAG
75 BONTIMEL, MARJUNCONMIGO
76 BROCAL, MARICRISMANZO
77 BUELA, PAOLA MONICA SANCHEZ
78 BUITIZON, LEA ORDIALES
79 BUQUE, JOEL DEVEZA
80 BURCE, MARK DOMINIC VASQUEZ
81 BURLAT, JAMES HONCULADA
82 BUÑAO, EDNA MABANO
83 CABABAT, ERWIN TINUNAS
84 CABACUNGAN, JENNY LYN MANGLICMOT
85 CABANILLAS, EDGARDO JR PONCE DE LEON
86 CABUNGCAL, MARIAANA MALALUAN
87 CADAY, CHRISTOPHER CEA
88 CAINGCOY, EUGENEANJAO
89 CALAPATI, JOEY OCENAR
90 CALERO, ROMULO JR RETOTAR
91 CAMACHO, JAYKA MARJORIE ZABALA
92 CAMACLANG, MANOLET CIOCON
93 CAMBA, JES ALHARIRI
94 CANLAS, PAULINE JOY ESPIRITU
95 CANTAL, EMILY DINGLASAN
96 CANTOJA, MARVIN GARMA
97 CAPUL, JERNA MALIGAYA
98 CARANDANG, PRINCESS DIANNE DIVINO
99 CARBON, EDWIN SANCHEZ
100 CARCEDO, EVEZ DEXTER ARANZADO
101 CARLOS, MARIELLIMAE DELOS REYES
102 CARO, RAYMUND CANDAR
103 CARRASCO, MAE EBALLA
104 CARREON, JOSELO ILORETA
105 CARUANA, RYAN PADILLA
106 CASILAN, YURI SEVILLANA
107 CASTELLON, RICHARD THOMAS HOMIGOP
108 CASTILLO, INNAH ANGELA DE CASTRO
109 CASTILLO, KISHA KISS UMALI
110 CHAN, KAREN UY
111 CHUA, JOEL JOSEPH GOREMBALEM
112 CLARITO, CATHY JANE CAPOTE
113 CLEDERA, SARAH JEAN ABAD
114 CLEMENTE, TIMOTEI ABBY RIMANDO
115 CLEOFE, AGNES BONGCARON
116 CO, RICARDO JR GAHIT
117 COLLADO, HUS PEÑA
118 CORDERO, SHERRY MAE GABRIEL
119 CORDETA, GHIA MARIE KRISTEL BALMEDILLA
120 CORIA, SHERLLANEMIANO
121 CORTES, JULIETH MARIE MABILLO
122 CORTEZ, JOHN ARMOND JUICO
123 CORVERA, MOLLY FABREGAS
124 COSAIN, ACSANI AMER
125 CRISTOBAL, RACQUEL ANN SERRATO
126 CRUZ-LALIN, SUSANNE ANGELENE EVASCO
127 CUASAY, JANNIS CARLA SANTIA
128 CUTARRA, ROCEL YOSORES
129 DAGLI, DONNALYN REYES
130 DAMPIL, CRYSTAL GALE PUYO
131 DAPITILLA, REINOTABARANZA
132 DE CASTRO, DENNIS ALA
133 DE CASTRO, DIANAAVEREL MONTENEGRO
134 DE GORIO, RONALYN REGINDING
135 DE JESUS, DANICACANEDA
136 DE LA RAGA, BENNETH ADRIAN DE OCAMPO
137 DE LEON, MIRIAM ANGELA PAJARILLAGA
138 DE LOS REYES, JERSON MORAL
139 DE OCAMPO, JUNESA MAE LOZAÑES
140 DE ROXAS, KATHRINA JOY MERCADO
141 DE ROXAS, RONALDEGOS
142 DE SAGUN, LIEZELMUJI
143 DE VERA, MARY GRACE LANIE JUPILLO
144 DECENA, MHAY LESLIE BERTES
145 DEIPARINE, DEA BULALAQUE
146 DEL PILAR, JOHN EMORY LYLE PALAGINOG
147 DEL SOCORRO, EDMON SABROSO
148 DELA CRUZ, DONNALYN CUSTODIO
149 DELA CRUZ, NELMIE TIONGSON
150 DELEN, MARIVIC DELEN
151 DELGADO, ERICA LEAH BUQUIS
152 DELIGERO, JEFFREY LOZADA
153 DELLUPAC, FERLITA NAVARRO
154 DELOS REYES, ROSELLE CANDELARIO
155 DELOS SANTOS, CARMIE ESPINEDA
156 DELOS SANTOS, EDWARD QUIMEN
157 DEOCAMPO, SINJENE BABA
158 DEOCAREZA, DANTETAN
159 DEOMPOC, REYMONDASTOVEZA
160 DEPIO, ART BRYANYANONG
161 DIAZ, MARY ANN CLAUDETTE CANO
162 DICHOSO, CARMELAANNE RUBIS
163 DIOLA, MERV JIM BURLAT
164 DIONGZON, FATIMADURIA
165 DIOSANA, JESUS ADRIAN REYES
166 DIWATIN, JIMALIENINGAS
167 DOMINGO, STEPHANIE LOVELY
168 DUCUT, ED-NEIL GALIT
169 DUNGOG, DARREN VALMORIA
170 DURAN, MARIEL CATIBIG
171 DURAN, RODOLFO JR DAMING
172 EBREO, MONICA AMATUS
173 EDA, EARL DAN ALISON RODA
174 EDRES, MOHAMMAD JELAINE NAGA
175 EDULAN, MERJAM CELA MILO
176 EGIDO, GERALDINEANCHETA
177 EGIDO, JERIC ANCHETA
178 EGINA, GARRY BARGAMENTO
179 ELLAMIL, KRISTINE JOYCE BAUTISTA
180 ENAD, JECA CABATINGAN
181 ENCARNADO, HANNAH MACEDA
182 ENDAYA, MARICAR DE TORRES
183 ENDOZO, ADRIAN PESIGAN
184 ESCALO, FERNANDOESTRADA
185 ESPENIDA, VIVIANESPERIDA
186 ESPERO, KRIZA ISABEL DAGGAO
187 ESPINOSA, MELINDA DELA CRUZ
188 ESTA, DAN MARK ENGUERO
189 ESTIPULAR, ORLANDO JR LORENZO
190 ESTOCE, ELVIN JAY RADAM
191 ESTRELLA, HANNA ARIBAN
192 ESTRELLA, LYN DINGLASAN
193 FABRICANTE, FRANCIS ROS BENDIJO
194 FABUNAN, MARK ALVIN MENDOZA
195 FANO, VONN CLINTDONASCO
196 FARAON, RUPERTO GAYLAN
197 FEDILLAGA, JOIE PRUDENCIADO
198 FELISMINO, RANDEL SAFLOR
199 FERNANDEZ, HENRIMAR SAAVEDRA
200 FERRAREN, JACQUELINE ADRIAS
201 FERRER, CHERILYNMADRAZO
202 FERRER, HERWIN PANDAC
203 FERRER, JANIELINE ALDA
204 FLORANO, RAUL JRPADIDA
205 FLORES, JOHN PAUL ABEJAR
206 FLORES, LADY ACENECESITO
207 FLORES, WIA GRACE CAMPOS
208 FLORIA, ARLEN DUMAPAL
209 FRANCIA, JESSICABAJADO
210 FRANCISCO, EVE BLAYA
211 FRANCISCO, JACQUELYN AGBAYANI
212 FRESNIDO, MARIZ GABITAN
213 GABUD, JOAN METRAN
214 GACUTE, EUGENIO JR BANUA
215 GALAC, RAYCHELL CATAPANG
216 GALAY, ALDRIN VENUS
217 GALISTE, CARLO MENGULLO
218 GALLEGO, ENGELBERT PACPAKIN
219 GAMARA, RONALD JR PARALI
220 GANDAMATO, AL-HUSSAINIE MAMA
221 GARCIA, GEMMA APARICE
222 GARNACE, KISSLIVE FIEL FLOR
223 GASTARDO, PHOEBEPEDROSO
224 GAYO, JEFFREY BARRAMEDA
225 GELAGA, NUR APOLLO APOLLO
226 GERONIMO, JERRYLL NG
227 GICOS, DENNIS BASALO
228 GIL, DIANNE LOUISE PARILLA
229 GOMEZ, MARTIN DAVID SUAREZ
230 GONZALES, PRINCEADONIS DELA CRUZ
231 GRAGAS, RIAN LAURENCE VILLARUEL
232 GRANCHO, GEORGINA PEPITO
233 GREGORIO, SARAH JANE VICO
234 GUERRA, GEM BUENAFLOR
235 GUINA, SA-ADUDINMAROHOMSALIC
236 GUIOGUIO, MARCIALIZA SOMONTAN
237 GUMARANG, FRANCIS JR LOPEZ
238 GUNTANG, MARIANNE NICOLE ABRIGO
239 GUNTANG, MICHELLE TOLENTINO
240 HADJI ALI, ABDULBARI ALIP
241 HAYAG, FREDIE CONTRERAS
242 HERNANDEZ, JEAN ONG
243 HERNANDEZ, SEYCHELLE ANNE MALIGAYA
244 HISOLER, FREDIE FLOYD GOMEZ
245 HOYA, CHEENEE FIGUEROA
246 IDALA, ALEJO FELIX
247 ILAGAN, MARY JOYMANGUIAT
248 ISMAEL, NASIM MALAWANI
249 JACOB, JEROME GEORGE GUILLARDA
250 JAGO, MAE FELUDIE DIONESIO
251 JANGALAY, LADY MISHEL MIER
252 JARDIN, JEFFREY ARPILLEDA
253 JARLOC, SANTI QUIMSING
254 JAVELLANA, PAUL ALFRED DIGNOS
255 JUANATAS, JAYSONRONGCAL
256 LABOR, IRENE PETERO
257 LABOS, MARITESS PECOLADOS
258 LAGAN, LEA ROSE ANN BAGONA
259 LAGUITAO, MARLONVALLESPIN
260 LAKANDILI, LEILANI SAWIT
261 LAMIS, DENNIS
262 LANTOD, ALSON BIZAR
263 LASCANO, JENNIFER JOAQUIN
264 LAVIANA, ARNULFOJR DACILLO
265 LAZA, EDNA CEREZO
266 LEMOS, RENEELYN REYES
267 LENESES, ROMEO JR BUENAVENTURA
268 LEONES, ERMIE MULATO
269 LEPARTO, MARICELPACQUIAO
270 LERIO, FLORIFEL MAGALUNA
271 LESONDATO, JOVELESTANISLAO
272 LIMYOCO, KIMBERLY SACE
273 LITERAL, REY VICTOR IMARGA
274 LIWAG, JIZELLE ISAGA
275 LLAMAS, VANESSA IDA BIBIT
276 LLAMERA, GEORICHPREDOG
277 LLANDILAR, MARIABERNADETTE MORTEL
278 LONTOC, ALELIE BALBUENA
279 LONZAGA, GUNARD RAY TAPIA
280 LOPEZ, MARIA TEREZA INSIGNE
281 LOPEZ, MIKAELA GLER
282 LOYOLA, JHOANN DICHE
283 LUMAQUE, CLARIZEDULVA
284 LUSTERIO, ELBERTVALENZUELA
285 MACALABO, ABDUL YASSER PANIM
286 MADRIGAL, LITO BRONULA
287 MAGLIQUIAN, LIEZEL MONTANA
288 MAGNO, JANNICAR MAE DOMINGO
289 MAGTIBAY, KIMVERLYN MANALO
290 MAGUIRANG, CHRISTOPHER RESURRECCION
291 MALA, ABDUL HANNAN BEDAR
292 MALUYA, JERRYL COMETIJA
293 MAMISAO, GLORY CASTRENCE
294 MANALANSANG, ANNALIZA RAYA
295 MANALO, HONORIO ENRIQUEZ
296 MANDURIAO, JEFFREY CALLWENG
297 MANGALINDAN, HENRY CORTEZ
298 MANGONDATO, ALINOR MAMAONTE
299 MANGUBAT, ALYSSAMARI MAPOY
300 MANIBUG, MA THERESA EDITH JANE ANDAYA
301 MANTARING, CYRA BETHINA DE BELEN
302 MARANDANG, JOHNAID PANDODUM
303 MARFORI, CREZEA MHARISSE DE LA CRUZ
304 MASILUNGAN, GENEVA PANGANIBAN
305 MATIMTIM, JEFFERSON CABRERA
306 MATIRA, JOHN MANALO
307 MATUAN, MOHAMMADJAMSHYO HADJI ALI
308 MATUGAS, RODEL CARO
309 MAYOR, VIGILANTEDEL ROSARIO
310 MAYORDO, CHRISTINE VILLALONGHA
311 MEDALLA, HELEN REMOJO
312 MEDROZO, CHRISTOFER JOHN ANTIDO
313 MELICOR, CHASIE NORO
314 MEMAN, JOHN PATRICK AGRA
315 MENDENILLA, KAREN ABIGAEL ORIVIDA
316 MENDEZ, MELVIN MERTOLA
317 MENDOZA, ANTONIODE MESA
318 MENDOZA, EMIL NICO MAYORALGO
319 MENODIADO, RONA MAE PERALTA
320 MENTUPA, LYNDACEMAE GONZA
321 MERCADO, FRANCISBENEDICT DE VERA
322 MERCADO, MYLYN PALEC
323 MONTECALVO, GEMMA CUELLO
324 MONTEVIRGEN, ROMEL JR CERDON
325 MORALES, MEAGAN PELIÑO
326 MUSA, DESSA LOURNA CONTRERAS
327 NADELA, EMMANUELJOSEPH QUILATON
328 NAFARRETE, CHRISTIAN KIT RETUYAN
329 NAMUCO, BABY JANE PILAPIL
330 NAPA, NINO JOSEPH PILAPIL
331 NARANDAN, MA JOYCE MONDRAGON
332 NARRA, VIRNA LAVAPIE
333 NASOL, RENZ BYRON HILARIO
334 NAVALEZ, JAYVY BARTOLOME
335 NAVARRO, CAREN BUCAG
336 NGUJO, RHOJEAN CORTEZ
337 NIM, JANINE ELIZA MARIE REVILLAME
338 NIONES, CHELSEA SANCHEZ
339 NOLASCO, TRISTANGIL SANSON
340 NOLLEDO, BHEA CHARMINE RITUAL
341 NUDALO, JUNDIE SEMBLANTE
342 OANDASAN, MERCY VILLEGAS
343 OLIVAR, HANNAH FLORES
344 OMAY, ERICH JAN ABAJA
345 ORLINO, MARIECRIS DESQUITADO
346 OROS, EDUARDO LABONG
347 OSIA, RUBEN JR OBSIOMA
348 OSIANAS, SHEENA LEE SOROTE
349 PABLEO, MARCEJEAN VILLA
350 PADUA, JOSEPHUS COLLADO
351 PADUA, NIKKO PERRY ALEGRE
352 PAGDATO, JENRIX FERNANDEZ
353 PAGUIO, ROMELL LUNA
354 PAIGAN, EVERT LLOYD DUARTE
355 PAITAN, ARCHIE JUANITE
356 PAMINTUAN, RUBY ROSE VALENCIA
357 PANTALEON, NERIZZA RAMOS
358 PAPA, ELIZABETH ENCINARES
359 PARADO, ROBIN BARTOLOME
360 PATUBO, ARIANE CUEVAS
361 PELIGRO, ERICK LAO
362 PENDON, RICO BATISLAONG
363 PEREZ, ELSA ALMAREZ
364 PEREZ, KIMBERLY CLERIGO
365 PEREZ, MARK GABRIEL ALCANTARA
366 PEÑA, JENIPEARL AGUILAR
367 PEÑA, ROWSHER FLORENTINO
368 PILOTA, JONEL MASCARIOLA
369 PINTOR, CERVEN HIDALGO
370 PIQUERO, EDWIN PEROCHO
371 PLURAD, WILBERT MACAUYAG
372 PONCE, JUAN ROBERTO DELA VEGA
373 PORNEA, AYESHA ADRIANNE MANALO
374 PRONEBO, ALYSSA GENE MANALO
375 PUJIDA, JUNNETTETEVES
376 PUMAREN, CHARLESESTRADA
377 PUNZALAN, HANZ JEFFERSON MALIKSI
378 PURPURA, ROCEL BRIONES
379 QUEBUEN, MICHELLE TAPERLA
380 RABUSA, RICHELLECLAVECILLA
381 RADAZA, JOSEPH RAYMOND BONGABONG
382 RAGOSTA, RALPH PATRON
383 RAGUAL, REGINE VENTOCILLA
384 RAMOS, MARK JOHNTORRECAMPO
385 RANIDO, JINARE MATIGA
386 RAPSING, ADORA LET RAMOS
387 RASOS, LOVE JOY JUVELLANOS
388 RAZON, ADONNA ANGELICA ALANGUILAN
389 REANTAZO, JOANNECORNEJO
390 REBAJA, JEFFREY TELLO
391 RECTO, JANINE MAE JAMILLA
392 REMIGIO, RAYMONDBARBOSA
393 RETUERMA, JOBERTREMOLAR
394 REVILLA, JOSEPH RICHARD PULTA
395 REYES, JENNIFER ANN MACAHILIG
396 REYES, MARY JANEDELA UMBRIA
397 REYES, MARY RUTHILAGAN
398 RIVERA, EMERSON PEREZ
399 ROA, APRIL REY
400 ROQUE, GRETCHIE PIDO
401 ROSS, MARJON VIERNES
402 RUBIALES, DIVINOFIEL COSICO
403 SABLAS, JINGLE BAYBAY
404 SAIRUL, AL-BASHIER SALI
405 SALAZAR, MARIA CATHERINE SANCHEZ
406 SALMORIN, CHARRYMAE DUMARAOG
407 SAMAR, JOVELYN FAELNAR
408 SAMPANG, BERNADETTE FRANCISCO
409 SANCHEZ, RICKY QUIMANHAN
410 SANDALO, EXEQUIEL JR BALOY
411 SANGALANG, JOYCEANN NATIVIDAD
412 SANTOS, KIM DE CASTRO
413 SANTOS, NOEL TABI
414 SARDIDO, AGUSTINIV HERAMIZ
415 SARMIENTO, LOIS DIANE ABALATEO
416 SAUSI, JENNYL RUIZ
417 SECILLANO, IDA MARIE MENDOZA
418 SECRETARIA, EDZELENE MAY MIRO
419 SENO, MARLON PLATIL
420 SERNERO, REYMER HERMOSO
421 SIDDAYAO, JOHN MICHAEL ARAO
422 SIMON, ANGELA HANNAH RUTOR
423 SINFUEGO, RANDY DOMO
424 SIOSON, ALLAN JAKE SORIANO
425 SIRAD, ABDULLAH RAMOS
426 SOLETA, NOLVIN PERALTA
427 SONGCO, JOSEPH ANTHONY CABRERA
428 SUÑGA, LEANDRO NAVARRO
429 TABIOS, ROODY CARMELA ARMADA
430 TABUGARA, MARY ANN SANTIAGO
431 TAJANTAJAN, PRECIOUS JOY MAHUSAY
432 TALACTAC, ANGELACOLEEN VALDEZ
433 TAMAYOSA, ROMUALDO JR DAGUS
434 TAN, ANDREA KAYECAMUS
435 TAN, CRISTINE INOCENCIO
436 TAN, EMARD LLOYDSANCHEZ
437 TANGGOR, GAMAL ABBAS
438 TANOG, JAMER SARIPADA
439 TARIGA, SHIELDY JINK QUIJADA
440 TARLE, DONNA BONNIBELLE PAREJA
441 TE, MATEO IV CALATRAVA
442 TENGCO, ELSHA SIDLAO
443 TERO, ARVIN OCHEA
444 TIANGCO, IBARRA UBANDO
445 TIZON, ETHEL KRIS LAMPARAS
446 TONIO, MERICRIS CAYABYAB
447 TOPAO-I, FRENCZYJOY VISMANOS
448 TORCINO, RAY ROQUIR RETOR
449 TORRAZO, CHARLIECASULOCAN
450 TORRENTIRA, ALDRIN ONTONG
451 TORRENUEVA, JOSELITO DULCE
452 TORREON, JERWIN SARUCAM
453 TORREON, JIFFY JERSON EDILLO
454 TRANGIA, MERJAN PAUL VILLAR
455 TRANGIA, SHEILA ELEGIO
456 TRINIDAD, JERRY SOLIVA
457 TUAÑO, JEFFERSONLOPEZ
458 TUBA, NOEL OGRIMIN
459 UCANG, LEIZLE PELEGRINO
460 ULANDAY, JOHN KENNETH BARTOLO
461 UMALI, DARREL TORNEA
462 UNABIA, MARIE CATHERINE LEPITEN
463 UNTALAN, MANILYNGARCIA
464 URBI, RICHARD CHUA
465 URSAL, MARIA IVYCABALLERO
466 UY, CARMINA JOY ARQUERO
467 VALDEZ, MICHAEL MABUNGA
468 VALENCIA, JHUNELZUBIAGA
469 VALENZUELA, ARDEN EARL SIDO
470 VALGUNA, HERNEL PACIFICO
471 VALLENA, PADIM GAVIOLA
472 VARGAS, ARVIN GOKI
473 VERALLO, ISAGANETIROL
474 VIERNESTO, SHANEMARIE VALLEZ
475 VILLANUEVA, CAROL CALANO
476 VILLARBA, GLENN ALLAN AYAP
477 VILLARUZ, KYLE PAULO CERO
478 VILLASOR, HARLY KENN OYAO
479 VILLENA, CHARLESTONE CARMEN
480 VIRAN, ANTONIO III SORIANO
481 VIRAN, JOEL GHANDI TUPAS
482 YANSON, RUBY JANE MARGALLO
483 YAP, JERROD JAY LOZANO
484 YARRA, LOUIS ANTHONY RUBIAS
485 YBAÑEZ, AXEL OYAO
486 YBAÑEZ, JENICE TAYABAS
487 YDEL, ALBERT VETERBO
488 YMBONG, MADEL CABATUAN
489 YPARRAGUIRRE, ERVY BIASAGA
490 YU, JENORSKY BAUTISTA
491 ZAMBRANO, KATHLYNN KAE CUNANAN
492 ZAPE, ERWIN LEGARDO
493 ZARAGOZA, VHEA RHAZELLA CACHO
494 ZUBIAGA, GEMMA COSME
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In the coming days, the Board for Custom Brokers will be announcing the list of the examinees who passed the October 2012 Customs Brokers Licensure Examination, or the October 2012 Customs Brokers Board Exam, held last October 24-25, 2012 in the cities of Manila, Cebu and Davao. An official list of passers of the Customs Broker Board Exam (October 2012) will be released by the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC).

Keep updated. Follow Spotlight Philippines through the links on the side panels of this blog.

"It's Showtime" to be franchised abroad?

Rumor has it, ABS-CBN's noontime show "It's Showtime" will be having its 1st franchise outside the Philippines - in the United States.

According to a blog  post a recognized U.S. director/producer is reportedly in talks with ABS-CBN management for the possible airing of the noontime show in one US TV network.

It may be remembered that its rival show "Eat Bulaga!", the longest running of its kind in Philippine TV history, had its first franchise in Indonesia which consistently topped ratings charts.

Could this be possibly true? Let's wait and see in the coming months. If this comes to fruition, it will be another mark in the history of ABS-CBN.

SPOTTED: Zendee Rose Tenerefe (Random Girl in a mall) on Ellen

A few days ago, Zendee Rose was invited to guest on Ellen to make her US television debut. 

In the video of Zendee on Ellen below, the 21 year old mall karaoke girl (Random Girl) narrated her family struggle due to financial constraints. After singing her own version of "And I am Telling You", She received a standing ovation from the audience.

Video Courtesy: Youtube channel Ellen

It can be recalled that Charice Pempengco also got to perform on Ellen as her stepping stone before being launched successfully as an international artist.

Repost: DND to acquire P1.26-billion combat helicopters for Philippine Air Force

MANILA, Philippines - The government is set to give the Philippine Air Force a much-needed boost with its planned acquisition of combat utility helicopters.

The Department of National Defense (DND) is set to hold a bidding for 21 units of refurbished UH-1 helicopters worth P1.26 billion.

In an invitation to bid posted on the DND website, the department said it seeks to purchase 13 units of UH-1 and eight units of UH-1 upgraded with the corresponding integrated logistics support packages. 

The bidding will be conducted through "open competitive bidding procedures" under the rules set by Republic Act 9184 or the Government Procurement Reform Act.

Bidding documents may be purchased starting October 25 for P75,000.

Pre-bidding conference is set on November 6, 2 p.m. at the DND-BAC conference room at Camp Aguinaldo in Quezon City. The deadline for the submission of bidding documents is on November 20, at 2 p.m.

Article Source: Abigail Kwok, InterAksyon

Repost: Tagalog fastest growing language in Canada - census

MANILA - Tagalog is the fastest-growing language in Canada, the Department of Foreign Affairs says, citing the Statistics Canada (StatCan), which has released the results of its 2011 "Census of Population: Linguistic Characteristics of Canadians".

More than 200 languages were reported in the 2011 Census of Population as a home language or mother tongue.

According to StatCan "the home languages showing the strongest growth between 2006 and 2011 were primarily Asian," and the "the population that reported speaking the Philippine-based language Tagalog increased by 64%, the highest growth."

Survey results show that "nearly 279,000 people reported speaking Tagalog most often in 2011, up from 170,000 five years earlier."

Tagalog is now the fifth most common non-official language spoken in Canadian households. The top 10 immigrant languages spoken most often at home in 2011 were: Punjabi, Chinese n.o.s., Cantonese, Spanish, Tagalog, Arabic, Mandarin, Italian, Urdu, and German.

Vancouver has one of the largest Canadian populations of Tagalog speakers, with 47,600 reporting to Statistics Canada that it was their primary language at home in 2011. Tagalog is now the most common immigrant home language in Edmonton and the second most common in Calgary, after Punjabi.

In the DFA news release, Philippine Ambassador to Canada Leslie Gatan explains that Filipinos who used to flock to the United States have discovered there is a greener pasture north of the US.

He further said that the word has spread around that Canada is some kind of a promised land as economic growth in Western Canada has created a wealth of new opportunities for Filipinos and that and many new immigrants are travelling to Edmonton, Winnipeg and Regina for jobs.

Last summer, the Philippine embassy held trial Tagalog classes in Ottawa in response to parents’ concerns that their children will forget how to speak the Filipino language. The embassy hopes to expand the program to other cities next year

Article Source: InterAksyon

Repost: Supreme Court stops order to arrest Arroyo

SC stops order to arrest Arroyo

MANILA, Philippines—The Supreme Court on Monday stopped the Sandiganbayan from implementing the arrest order against former President and now Pampanga Representative Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and her co-accused in the P366-million plunder case involving misuse of funds from the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO).

“The court issues a TRO (temporary restraining order), as prayed for, enjoining the Sandiganbayan from implementing its assailed resolution dated October 3, 2012 which directed the issuance of warrant of arrest against petitioner, among others,” the high court third division said.

High Court Spokesperson Gleo Guerra explained that the high court issues a TRO against the implementation of the October 3, 2012 resolution issued by the Sandiganbayan finding probable cause against Arroyo, former General Manager Rosario Uriarte; Sergio Valencia, Manuel Morato, Raymundo Roquero, Jose Taruc V and Ma. Fatima Valdes; former COA Chair Reynaldo Villar and Region V head Nilda Plaras, and PCSO assistant general manager for finance Benigno Aguas for the crime of plunder.

Arroyo, who was arraigned this Monday morning, as well as COA Region V head Nilda Plaras filed a separate petition before the high court stopping the Sandiganbayan from implementing the Oct. 3 resolution.

Article Source: Tetch Torres, Inquirer News

October 2012 PNP Entrance | Promotional Exam Results (Passers)

The results of the October 2012 PNP entrance and promotional exam will be announced here soon, once officially released by National Police Commission (NAPOLCOM)

A total of 32,530 took the NAPOLCOM Philippine National Police (PNP) entrance and promotional examinations in designated testing centers nationwide last Saturday, October 14, 2012.

Of this number, 14,988 engaged in the PNP entrance examination while the rest were distributed to the various promotional test categories. The exam covered qualifying examinations for Police Officer I and the promotional examinations for Police Officers 2 and 3; Senior Police Officer (for SPO1 to SPO4); Police Inspector (for Inspector and Senior Inspector); and Police Superintendent (for Chief Inspector and Superintendent).

The coverage of the PNP entrance exam include general information, verbal reasoning, quantitative reasoning and logical reasoning. The promotional examination  was made up of questions regarding general information, police administration and operations, and values and ethical standards.

Repost: Pentagon awards $1.8M contract for weapons system of BRP Ramon Alcaraz

MANILA - The Pentagon has awarded a $1.8 million contract for the purchase of modern weapons systems that would be installed in the BRP Ramon Alcaraz (PF16), the second high-endurance cutter that the Philippines recently acquired from the United States, the Philippine embassy in Washington DC said in a news release Sunday.

The embassy said the purchase and installation of two Mk38 Mod 2 autocanon systems for the Alcaraz is part of a $24-million contract the Pentagon recently awarded to the Kentucky-based BAE Systems Land and Armaments Inc.

Capt. Elson Aguilar, Naval Attache at the Office of the Defense and Armed Forces Attache at the Philippine embassy, said the BAE contract involves the purchase of 21 units of the remotely controlled naval gun systems and spare parts for both the US and Philippine navies.

He said the contract, which is covered under the Foreign Military Sales Program, does not include the weapons system for the sister ship of the Alcaraz, theBRP Gregorio Del Pilar (PF15), which will be covered under a separate contract.

The Mk38 Mod 2, which was commissioned by the US Navy following the terrorist attack on the USS Cole in 2000, was designed to counter high-speed maneuvering surface targets and will be installed in almost all US surface ships by 2015.

The new weapon systems are upgraded versions of the Mk38 M242 Bushmasters that were removed from the vessel prior to its turnover to the Philippines. The remotely controlled chain gun system can fire as many as 180 25m rounds per minute at targets as far as two kilometers.

“The Mk38 Mod 2 will allow the Alcaraz and the Del Pilar to track and fire at targets automatically in both day and night using single shot, low speed or high-speed automatic fire,” Captain Aguilar said, adding that the autocanon can be fired manually if the sensors are damaged or if the vessels lose power.

He said the two Mk38 Mod 2 systems that will be mounted in the Alcaraz and theDel Pilar will complement the existing weapons systems that consist of the MK75 76mm Oto Melara main battery and four M2HB .50 caliber machine guns.

Captain Aguilar said the vessel is presently awaiting the general overhaul of her port main diesel engine and further installation of navigational and electronics equipment.

“The overhaul will take at least 11 weeks once it gets started,” Captain Aguilar said, adding that the vessel’s 14 officers and 74 enlisted personnel headed by Capt. Ernesto O. Baldovino continue to train under the US Coast Guard at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center in Charleston , South Carolina where the vessel is currently moored.

The 378-foot-long Alcaraz was commissioned in 1968 and served with the US Coast Guard as the USCGC Dallas until it was decommissioned and turned over to the Philippines in May. It is being refurbished and refitted at a cost of $15.15 million.

The Alcaraz is the second Hamilton-class cutter that was acquired by the Philippines under the Excess Defense Article and Military Assistance Program. The first, the Del Pilar, was turned over to the Philippine Navy in May 2011.

According to Captain Aguilar, both the Alcaraz and the Del Pilar are capable of conducting patrols for long periods of time and withstanding heavy weather and rough sea conditions.

The Alcaraz was named after Commodore Ramon Alcaraz, a Philippine Navy officer, who distinguished himself during the Second World War when the patrol boat he commanded was credited for shooting down three Japanese aircraft. 

Article Source: InterAksyon