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Saturday, October 20, 2012

Repost: PAL to fly non-stop to Toronto

MANILA, Philippines -- Starting November 30, 2012, Philippine Airlines flies non-stop to Toronto giving the flag carrier a direct link to Canada’s largest city and its first gateway on the vital East Coast of North America in 15 years.

PAL President Ramon Ang said the launch of the new 17-hour route, which will be served by the new Boeing 777-300ER, was timed for the peak Christmas travel season.

“We are always keen on developing new markets and Toronto, with its diverse population, booming economy and status as one of the world’s top financial centers, presents us a major opportunity to do so,” Ang said, adding it was also in response to the clamor of the large Filipino community in eastern Canada.

Toronto becomes PAL’s 27th international, and 46th overall, destination.

About 250,000 or 4.1% of greater Toronto’s 6.05 million residents are of Filipino origin, the largest concentration of Filipinos in Canada and a natural base market for PAL.

Filipino-Canadians are among the largest visitor groups to the Philippines, accounting for over 117, 400 arrivals in 2011, and are on pace to surpass that record this year. 

For the first eight months of 2012, there were 81,093 balikbayan arrivals from Canada.

The opening of the new route will see a revamp of PAL’s Canadian operations.

Beginning November 30, Manila-Vancouver flights, currently daily, will be cut to four times weekly, alternating with the thrice-weekly Manila-Toronto service.

But Vancouver-Manila flights will continue to be a daily service with the flight back from Toronto making a stopover.

The Manila-Toronto service (PR 118) will leave Manila every Wednesday, Friday and Sunday at 3 p.m., arriving at Terminal 3 of Toronto Pearson International Airport at 5 p.m. on the same days.

The return flight (PR 119) flies out of Toronto at 7:35 p.m. on Wednesday, Friday and Sunday, stopping in Vancouver at 9:30 p.m. and continuing on to Manila at 11:30 p.m., where it will arrive at Terminal 2 of Ninoy Aquino International Airport at 5:45 a.m. two calendar days later.

The newly acquired long-range Boeing 777-300ER can accommodate 42 passengers in Mabuhay Class (business) and 328 in Fiesta Class (economy). 

PH donates $200,000 to China

As a symbolic gesture of friendship and support, the Philippine government donated US$200,000, roughly equivalent to P8.2 million to the government of China for the victims of the recent earthquakes that hit the nation.

According to the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), the ceremonial handover of the donation was held during the courtesy call of Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Fu Ying on DFA Secretary Albert del Rosario last October 19.

Two major earthquakes measuring 5.6 and 5.7 magnitude and several aftershocks hit Yunnan and Guizhou provinces in southwestern China on September 7, killing 80 people and injuring 800 others.

4 dead in Moro factions conflict in Maguindanao


While an initial peace deal is finally being put to place between the MILF and the Philippine government, a clash between two rival Moro groups, MILF and BIFF, led to four people killed. A report from Inquirer News can be read below for details.
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COTABATO CITY, Philippines—At least four people were killed when rival Moro groups clashed in Maguindanao as a result of a long-standing land dispute, military and civilian officials said Saturday.
Mayor Benzar Ampatuan of Mamasapano, Maguindanao, said in a radio interview that fighters belonging to the Moro Islamic Liberation Front  traded bullets with members of Umra Kato’s breakaway Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters in Barangay Lower Libutan on Thursday.
“They clashed and both sides suffered casualties,” Ampatuan said, adding that the incident also triggered evacuations.
He said the clash was rooted in a  long-standing land dispute.
Colonel Edgardo Gonzales, commander of the Army’s 1st Mechanized Brigade, said he has ordered the deployment of peace-keeping forces in Mamasapano to prevent the conflict from escalating.
Ampatuan said he has  initiated a dialogue aimed at bringing the warring groups to a settlement, or at least an agreement that they will not use violence to settle their dispute.
Ampatuan said he has also asked the government and the MILF ceasefire committees to step in.
Kato created the BIFF in 2010 when be broke away from the MILF over peace talks with the government

List of Christmas Sale Bazaars in Metro Manila

Here is a list of Christmas Bazaars in Metro Manila for this year 2012. The schedule of the Christmas Sale are as follows:

THE SHOPPING DISTRICT
October 19-21, October 26-28, December 14-16, and December 21-23
Mercato Centrale, Bonifacio Global City
Hours: Friday and Saturday, 6 pm-2 am; Sunday, 11 am-6 pm

HABI
October 20 and 21
Power Plant Mall at Rockwell
Hours: Starts at 10 a.m.

BAZAAR FOR ALL SEASONS
November 3 to 4, 2012
Eton Centris Edsa corner. Quezon Ave
Hours: 10 am to 8 pm at Elements Tent

EARLY CELEBRITY CHARITY AND CHRISTMAS BAZAAR
November 9 to 11, 2012
World Trade Center
Hours: 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.

8th GLOBAL PINOY BAZAAR
November 10 to 11
Rockwell Tent, Power Plant Mall, Makati City

NOEL DISCOVERY BAZAAR SERIES
November 16-December 2, 2012
World Trade Center, Manila
Hours : 12nn-11pm

ST. JAMES THE GREAT CHRISTMAS BAZAAR
November 30, December 1-2, 2012
Cuenca Community Center & St. James Parking Lot Ayala Alabang Village
Hours: 9 am to 9 pm

The 12th WORLD BAZAAR FESTIVAL
December 7 to 23
World Trade Center
Hours: 12 nn to 10 pm Mondays to Thursdays; 10 am to 1 2mn Fridays to Sundays

Friday, October 19, 2012

College student who won't graduate commits suicide

A college student hanged himself after failing to attend his school's graduation rites in Cebu City Thursday.

The victim, identified as Jovan Vincent Miaña, 22, took up Marine Engineering at the University of Cebu.

A Bombo Radyo report revealed the victim sent a suicide note to his parents, friends, and even to his girlfriend, where he said he will end his life because he will not march along with batchmates in their graduation.

The victim's mother, Victoria Miaña, was shocked of the incident because their son did not tell her anything regarding his problem with his studies.

The report further said that the victim's parents event went to the city this morning to attend the expected graduation rites of their son. The parents still hope to know from the administration of the university the reason why their son failed to graduate.

ASEAN students sign pact to preserve cultural traditions

Two Filipino college students joined other Southeast Asian students in signing a pact to help preserve cultural traditions in an age of modernity.

The signing of the pact on October 12 was part of the annual event “Sakai-Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Week.”

Those who signed the pact were De La Salle University students John Robert Villar and Audrey Rose Dusaran and eight other students from Cambodia, Indonesia, Thailand and Vietnam.

Villar and Dusaran, as well as the other foreign students who signed the pact are formally studying the Japanese language in their respective colleges.

Villar and Dusaran are senior and junior DLSU students respectively. Both are taking up degrees in International Studies major in Japanese.

They were accompanied to Japan by their professor, Bernadette Sarmiento Hieida, who is also the practicum coordinator for DLSU’s Japanese Studies Program.

During their two-week stay, Villar and Dusaran also made the rounds in Sakai elementary schools, sharing to Japanese students the Filipino culture and tradition.

The students’ flight to Japan was sponsored by the local government of Sakai City, which hopes to open up the city to traditions from the Asean region.

Declaration of cooperation

Villar, Dusaran and the other Southeast Asian students signed the declaration at the Osaka Prefecture University in Sakai City.

Reading out from the declaration, Villar and Dusaran said in Japanese: “In our long history, each town suffered from war or disasters. But over the difficult times we have worked together to restore and acquired this peace in our lives and in our towns.”

Dusaran explained that through the declaration, the participating students have committed to continue exchanging insights about their respective countries’ efforts to preserve their cultural traditions amid globalization.

Presentation about Manila buildings

During the event, the students were asked to make presentations in Japanese about their respective countries.

Addressing students and professors of the Osaka Prefecture University, Villar and Dusaran spoke about architectural buildings in Manila City that have either been destroyed or have been neglected by the local authorities in the past.

“Ngayon kasi, it does not come out much in the news. This issue that this architectural buildings get demolished. It does not seem to be a big deal talaga back in Manila. It’s an issue that not many people pay attention to but it happens,” Dusaran told GMA News Online after their presentation.

Villar and Dusaran cited the Manila Metropolitan Theater is an Art Deco building along Padre Burgos Avenue in Manila. This theater, opened in 1931, used to accommodate more than 1,600 theater-goers. The structure, however, was severely damaged during World War II.

They also talked about the Manila Jai Alai building, built in 1940, and widely considered as one of the finest Art Deco buildings in Asia.

In 2000, then Manila Mayor Lito Atienza ordered the building’s demolition to give way to the construction of the Manila Hall of Justice.

“May Heritage Act of 2009 tayo, pero even if it was passed, it just gets ignored. Natutuloy pa rin ang demolition ng historical buildings na puwede pa namang i-restore,” Dusaran said.

“These buildings are still part of our history and identity. So we think it’s an important issue to talk about kasi no one talks about it… We are ignoring and disrespecting the work and the efforts of those who built those buildings,” she added.

Learning from Sakai

Dusaran said she wished Filipinos can learn from cities like Sakai, which succeeded in preserving important historical sites and tradition despite embracing modernization.

She cited the ancient royal burial sites called “tumulus clusters” scattered around Sakai as well as the thriving bicycle and knife industries, for which the city is most popular.

She also cited the “Old Wooden Lighthouse,” which no longer operates but still stands undisturbed on the city’s coast line, a famous international sea port in Japan.

“If you compare Manila to Sakai, Sakai is very proud of its history,” Dusaran said of the Japanese city which prides itself as being older than the country’s capital of Tokyo.

With a population of more than 840,000, the almost 60-square-mile city in southern Osaka Prefecture – located southwest of Tokyo – has for centuries been a major driving force behind the economy and culture of the Kansai Region.

In Sakai, high-rise buildings co-exist with ancient Japanese temples, and modernity complements eco-friendly technology, the students noted. 

Article Source: Mark Meruenas,  GMA News

Filipino migrant workers in war-hit Syria return to PH

Alas! A lot of Filipinos stranded in war-torn Syria have been repatriated for protection of their lives. This is one great news that we should thank the DFA for. But credit and recognition must be duly served to the Philippine embassy staff in Syria. Just wow!

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MANILA, Philippines—More than 260 female migrant workers arrived in Manila Thursday morning after being repatriated from civil war-stricken Syria.

Foreign Undersecretary Rafael Seguis and Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (Owwa) chief Carmelita Dimzon met the 261 migrants at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport.

The women, mostly domestic workers, had been stranded at the Philippine Embassy in the Syrian capital Damascus for months after running away from their employers.

They had been unable to leave Syria because they did not have exit permits from their employers, having entered Syria as undocumented aliens.

Last month, Syrian President Bashar al-Assad ordered the requirements and fees waived so that all migrant workers sheltered by the embassy could depart.

The Switzerland-based International Organization for Migration chartered the Jordan Aviation flight that brought the migrants back to Manila.

Among the repatriated Filipinos was 24-year-old Normina (not her real name), a native of Cotabato City, whose right arm was in a cast. She said she was injured after she jumped off the top floor of her employers’ house in Damascus to escape maltreatment.

“They easily get angry and beat me up every mistake I make, no matter how slight. I thought maybe it’s because they were stressed out by the war,” she said.

Normina said fellow Filipinos took her to a hospital, then asked the Philippine Embassy to help her.

Normina said her employers lived in a Damascus neighborhood where they could hear gunfire and explosions every night.

“During daytime everything looks peaceful and normal, but you can see that the people are worried and there are food and money shortages. At night, you can’t sleep because of the sounds of war,” she said.

Planned escape

Merci, 26, from General Santos City, said she worked for three years as a maid in the city of Hama, north of Damascus, where the fighting was intense.

She said she and other Filipino maids planned their escape sometime in March, then decided to meet up at a local hospital, from where they called the embassy for help.

“The shelling was intense, you’re always afraid because your house might be the next one to be hit and get blown up,” she said.

Repost: Palace now amenable to P40B revenue (sin tax)

After tangling with some senators, Cabinet officials have moved to bridge the big gap in projected revenue from the sin tax reform measure by offering a compromise amount: P40 billion.

Malacañang preferred a version that would generate P60 billion from taxes on tobacco and liquor, but was now amenable to lowering it to P40 billion, said presidential spokesman Edwin Lacierda.

“They are willing to accept a lower amount of P40 billion provided that the other objectives of the bill such as the health and the WTO [World Trade Organization] issues are addressed,” Lacierda said at a briefing, referring to the Cabinet officials. He has no details on the health and WTO issues.

Lacierda confirmed reports that in a caucus on Wednesday night with the senators, Finance Secretary Cesar Purisima apologized to Senator Ralph Recto over statements issued by Cabinet officials over his ways and means committee report on the bill.

“Just to be sure that I am not spinning this, I got word from Secretary Purisima and this is his text to me: ‘I, as lead Cabinet for this issue, apologized to Senator Recto for the misquotes and other statements that may be misinterpreted as unproductive.’ That’s what Secretary Purisima said,” he said.

In the caucus, Purisima, Health Secretary Enrique Ona and Internal Revenue Commissioner Kim Henares indicated that the revenue should range from P40 billion to P60 billion to have an impact on the population.

According to reports, an October 2 Department of Finance document addressed to Recto showed a revised estimate of P41.9 billion instead of the original P60 billion.

The caucus followed exchanges between Recto and government officials who expressed dissatisfaction with the report on Senate Bill No. 3299 by the committee on ways and means pegging the incremental revenue at P15 billion, way below the P60 billion.

Confident that the kinks would be ironed out in the caucus, President Aquino on Wednesday expressed optimism Congress would approve the measure ahead of the May 2013 elections.

Comparison of benefits

Lacierda compared the benefits of generating either P60 billion or the lower P40-billion revenue.

“The idea for P60 billion is that we’re able to address the health care coverage in this number of years. We know if we’re down (by) P20 billion the health care would extend a little bit; the coverage will extend a little bit longer than necessary,” he said.

Ideally, a P60-billion revenue would be “a victory for the Filipino people,” Lacierda added.

With a revised estimate of P40 billion, Lacierda expressed hope that this would make it easier for senators to pass the measure.

“We hope it would. For as long as what Secretary Purisima said that the other issues such as the health and the WTO issues are addressed. I have no specifics on what those WTO issues are,” he said.\


Thursday, October 18, 2012

Repost: Fire leaves 400 families homeless in QC

Every week, we hear fire truck sirens rounding the streets giving us the notion that something must be burning within distance. In the middle of the day, a hardly battled-fire left 400 families in QC without homes.

Fire safety seems to be an unending concern to any Filipino wanting to reside in the densely populated metropolis. I guess we really have to invest more in keeping our dwellings or buildings safe from possible sources of fire. The government has to act more on this 'cause fire incidences keep on recurring everyday. And residents must be responsible when they set something alight such as a candle 'cause we cannot afford to lose our homes just like what happened to the Barangay Unang Sigaw in Balintawak today.

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MANILA, Philippines–Roughly 400 families lost their homeless, and one person was injured when fire swept through a slum community in Quezon City Thursday, a city fire officer said.

Senior Fire Officer 2 Albert Flores said Reynaldo Ramos, 30, sustained abrasions in his right abdomen after fire gutted his home and 200 others at Gana Compound on Quirino Highway in Barangay (village) Unang Sigaw, Balintawak, Quezon City at 9:48 a.m.

Although probers have yet to establish the cause of the fire, Flores said initial investigations showed that it may have started from the house owned by certain “Aling Carmen” at 1406 Lawin Area, Gana Compound.

“However, investigators weren’t able to get information from Aling Carmen as people have all evacuated the area during the post fire investigation,” Flores said.

The fire reached fifth alarm before it was completely put out at 2:15 p.m., he said.

Displaced families were temporarily sheltered at the Pugad Lawin Elementary School.

Article Source: Inquirer News

Repost: Makati ranks 3rd in Asia's top most promiscous cities

One city in the Philippines leads in Asia in terms of the frequency of sexual activity. Guess which city it is. It's the richest city in the Metro Manila!

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MANILA, Philippines – Makati City ranks third in the top 10 most promiscuous cities in Asia with 77 percent of men saying they have had five or more sexual partners in a year, according to an online study conducted by a worldwide dating website.

SeekingArrangement.com, a dating website that aims to establish “Mutually Beneficial Relationships” between men “Sugar Daddies” and women “Sugar Babies,” has revealed the results of their recent study that an average of 76 percent of men throughout Asia have four or more sexual partners a year.

The study, which surveyed 10,000 male members of the dating website, found that Bangkok, Thailand ranked first with 83 percent of men saying they had more than five sexual partners per year.

Osaka, Japan was second with 80 percent while Makati, Philippines ranked third with 77 percent, the study said.

The Asian average was found to be lower when compared to Europe and the United States, where men averaged at seven or more partners per year, it added.

“Asia is known for efficiency and discipline. There is a common misconception in the West that Asian men are not as promiscuous as Americans,” Brandon Wade, Chief Executive Officer and Founder of SeekingArrangement.com, said in the statement.

“It is simply not true. Because of the fast-paced lifestyle in these cities, men are always looking to relieve stress. In a city where the market is constantly changing, so goes the dating pool,” Wade said.

Trailing Philippines in third place are Hyderabad, India (76 percent), Saigon, Vietnam (72 percent), Seoul, South Korea (65 percent), Shanghai, China (58 percent), Saint Petersburg, Russia (57 percent), Singapore, Singapore (53 percent), and Beijing, China (49 percent).

The study also found three cities with the least amount of promiscuity. Sixty-six percent of men in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia reported having two or more sexual partners per year.

Hong Kong, China ranked second with 61 percent and Kyoto, Japan ranked third with 53 percent, the study said.

SeekingArrangement.com was launched in 2006 and has over 1.7 million members globally. It claims to be the world’s largest sugar daddy dating network, that pairs “wealthy men with beautiful women seeking mutually beneficial relationships.”

Watch NCAA 88 Finals San Beda vs Letran: Live Stream, Schedule, Details

Season 88 of the NCAA Senior Men's Basketball tourney will finally come to a close this week! Whose school will reign as the NCAA Season 88 Champion for this category? Will it be the San Beda Red Lions or the Letran Knights?

Watch LIVE the NCAA Finals of San Beda and Letran in the Senior Men's Basketball match.

Game 1 of the NCAA 2012 Finals match San Beda vs Letran will happen at the SM MOA Arena (Pasay City) on Thursday, October 18, 2012. Meanwhile, Game 2 of the NCAA 2012 Finals is set to take place at the Smart Araneta Coliseum (Quezon City) on Saturday, October 20.

Here are details of the schedule, venue, ticket price, live stream coverage of the NCAA Season 88 Finals rounds between San Beda and Letran.


NCAA 2012 - Season 88 Game 1 Finals

WHAT: San Beda vs Letran in NCAA 2012 Game 1 Finals
SCHEDULE: Thursday, October 18, 2012 at 6:00 PM
VENUE: SM Mall of Asia Arena in Bay City, Pasay City
LIVE STREAM/TV COVERAGE: AKTV on IBC 13
TICKET PRICE: Contact SM Tickets


NCAA 2012 - Season 88 Game 2 Finals

WHAT: San Beda vs Letran in NCAA 2012 Game 2 Finals
SCHEDULE: Saturday, October 20, 2012 at 6:00 PM
VENUE: Smart Arena Colisuem in Cubao, Quezon City
LIVE STREAM/TV COVERAGE: AKTV on IBC 13
TICKET PRICE: Contact SM Tickets

Repost: Boracay to become PH's new cruise destination

Here's one update about the status of tourism in the Philippines. Boracay's pristine beaches will be the newest destinations for cruisers!

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BORACAY, Philippines - Boracay Island in central Philippines, is expected to become the country's cruise destination, a local official said here Wednesday.

With the arrival of the first large Caribbean Cruise Ship on Oct. 27, the Aklan provincial government is making necessary preparations to turn this world-famous sea resort into a new cruise destination in central Philippines, said Niven Maquirang, an Aklan Jetty Port administrator.

"We are anticipating the arrival of Caribbean cruise ship which carries some 2,500 Asian tourists. In addition, the province has already received notices of several cruise ships for 2013," Maquirang said.

The preparation is to ensure that tourists would enjoy their stay here in line with the Department of Tourism's thrusts 'Its More Fun In the Philippines', he said.

"Tourists to Boracay will be provided with different tourism packages depending on their varied interests. Some will be organized for an island hopping, others will be provided with serves of golf and shopping," Maquirang added.

Boracay Island has more than a dozen unique beaches and many coves. Most of these beaches have the same powdery white sand for which the island is famous around the world.

Based on records from the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines, 629,750 passengers, both foreign and local, arrived at the Kalibo airport, which is adjacent to Boracay, in 2011.

Repost: Bomb blast shakes Tacurong City, no injuries reported

KIDAPAWAN CITY, Philippines – An improvised explosive device went off outside a branch of the Land Bank of the Philippines in Tacurong City in Sultan Kudarat province around 7:15 a.m. Thursday.

No injuries were reported but the explosion caused fear among residents of the city, who have had their share of terror in the past, Senior Superintendent Rolen Balquin, Sultan Kudarat police chief, said.

Balquin said the bomb was placed in a sewage drain fronting the bank by unidentified persons.

He said the police were still trying to determine what type of bomb was used to help them identify group behind it. The motive for the bombing remained unclear too, Balquin added.

In August 2011, two people were killed when a car bomb exploded in Tacurong but the authorities said it was not terror-related and was aimed at Maguindanao Governor Esmael Mangudadatu, who was then in a passing convoy.

Previous bomb attacks there, however, were blamed on terrorists linked to the Jemaah Islamiyah.

Jessica Sanchez to join Glee in Season 4

It's confirmed!

American Idol Season 11 runner-up Jessica Sanchez will be joining the cast of the US musical. hit show "Glee" for Season 4.

TVLine.com revealed that the 16-year-old Filipino-Mexican will play a character on Glee. "It's a done deal: Jessica Sanchez, whose monster pipes and near-perfect pitch carried her all the way to a second-place finish on Season 11 of American Idol, has closed a deal to recur on Glee, TVLine has learned exclusively," the site said.

Details about the character which Jessica Sanchez will portray is yet to be known.

This is not the first time a Filipina joined the "Glee" cast. On Glee's Season 2, international singer Charice showcased powerful vocals and matched up with lead character Rachel as the foreign exchange student, Sunshine Corazon.

Repost: Makati still richest city in the Philippines

It's definitely obvious that almost all the richest cities in the Philippines are in the metropolis, Metro Manila. And PH's richest city has become richer with the influence of more BPOs and other enterprises setting up. So, what city in the Philippines is the richest?

Here's an article I found revealing Makati, richest last year, retaining its title as the most rich city in the Philippines.
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MANILA, Philippines --- Makati City remains the richest local government unit (LGU) in the country after it posted a P9-billion revenue collection from January to September of this year.

During this period, Makati City collected a total of P9.38 billion in revenue, which is 5 percent higher than its collection for the same period in 2011.

“We are proud to note that Makati remains the country’s richest local government unit in terms of income from local sources and on a per capita basis. It is also worth noting that our share from the Internal Revenue Allotment or IRA makes up a mere 5 percent of our total collections, down by 17 percent compared to September last year,” Makati Mayor Jejomar Erwin S. Binay said.

He noted that the bulk of the collection came from local sources, led by Business Tax that increased by 14 percent to P4.85 billion from P4.25 billion, followed by Real Property Tax with P3.26 billion, or 1 percent lower than P3.30 billion collected as of September 2011.

Binay noted that the latest revenue hike can be partly attributed to the increased transparency and efficiency in the city government’s systems and processes achieved through harnessing information technology.

“We are evidently on the right track in this vital area of governance, as Makati recently passed the criteria for Silver Seal of Good Housekeeping by the Department of the Interior and Local Government and won the Gawad Pamana ng Lahi Award at the regional level,” Binay said.

The DILG has set stringent requirements for the recognition, including compliance to the Full Disclosure Policy and having no adverse reports from the Commission on Audit, compliance with the Anti-Red Tape Act, a Comprehensive Development Plan, and above-benchmark performance in the Local Governance Performance Management System.

The mayor said while larger cities in Metro Manila enjoy a bigger share of the IRA, Makati has consistently topped their locally-sourced income from business and realty taxes collected.

As of end-2011, Makati had registered a total of 58,920 business enterprises, which are engaged in wholesale/retail, services, real estate, financial services, export/import, and manufacturing.

Makati also boasts of having the highest number of BPO locators in the NCR at 1,159 companies to date, as well as the highest number of PEZA-accredited IT Parks and Buildings, 34.

The city government of Makati has not increased its tax rates since its new Revenue Code took effect in 2006. For 26 years now, the city said it has enjoyed a deficit-free status.

ABS-CBN Christmas Station ID (2012) Full Video

The full video of  ABS-CBN's Christmas Station ID for 2012 is found below.


Video Courtesy: Youtube channel ABSCBNOnline

Here's the description of why it's theme is Lumiliwanag ang Mundo sa Kwento ng Pasko.

Every year, the Kapamilya Network marks the start of the yuletide season with the launch of the ABS-CBN Christmas station ID. It has become almost a yearly tradition that Filipinos around the globe look forward to.

Lumiliwanag ang Mundo sa Kwento ng Pasko, our Christmas Station ID theme, highlights how the Filipino spirit always shines through despite calamities that ravage our country. It shows how each one of us become bearers of light, as we help our countrymen get back on their feet... how we remain resilient because kindness never runs out, because help always comes.

Many scenes in the SID are inspired by real events. Some of these stories happened at the height of the habagat - A fireman saved the lives of those stranded in their own homes; a chef opened the doors of his restaurant to feed victims; a young woman offered her own jacket to a street child who was suffering under the cold rain; Philippine coast guards went out of their way to save lives; Volunteers and civilians selflessly offered their time and energy to relief work. 

This year's offering features hundreds of Kapamilya stars paying tribute to ordinary Filipino heroes, at the same time helping spread the light across the globe.

The parol, a Pinoy Christmas icon, is this year's Christmas SID centerpiece. Film director John-D Lazatin suggested the idea of having kids orphaned during Typhoon Sendong design a parol. This, in turn, is used as an instrument of light spreading around the world. When we own the Kapamilya parol, we're not only spreading the light, we're also being part of an effort to help our disaster affected Kapamilyas, as proceeds from the parol sales would be donated to Sagip Kapamilya, the ABS-CBN Foundation arm which provides relief to affected communities of disasters, as well as engage in rehabilitation and disaster risk reduction projects.

This year's Christmas anthem was written by Robert Labayen, ABS-CBN's Vice President of Creative Communications Management with music by Marcus and Amber Davis. It was performed by an ensemble of Kapamilya artists -- Sarah Geronimo, Martin Nievera, Zsa Zsa Padilla, Vina Morales, Billy Crawford; the Champions Angeline Quinto, Yeng Constantino, Erik Santos, Jed Madela, Christian Bautista, Bugoy Drilon, Marcelito Pomoy, Jovit Baldivino; the Sessionistas Aiza Seguerra, Richard Poon, Juris, Princess, Sitti, Kean Cipriano and Bamboo; X Factor Philippines Grand Winner KZ Tandingan, kid singers from ABS-CBN Star Magic; Daniel Padilla and Piolo Pascual.

The 2012 Christmas Station ID was created by ABS-CBN Creative Communications Management headed by Robert Labayen, Johnny Delos Santos, Patrick de Leon and Ira Zabat. It is directed by Paolo Ramos with Peewee Gonzales. Logo design by Melo Saliendra, head of Print Graphics and Design. The SID Creative and Production team members are Dang Baldonado, Danie Sedilla-Cruz, Edsel Misenas, Kathrina Sanchez, Christina Barbin, Christine Joy Laxamana, Marchie Blaire Mallari, Sheryl Ramos, Adrian Lim, Carla Payongayong, Chiz Constantino-Perez, Christine Daria-Estabillo, Lota Rosales, Lloyd Corpuz, Mark Bravo; with ABS-CBN Marketing Cookie Bartolome, Baroy Morga, Chris Wong; ABS-CBN TV Entertainment, ABS-CBN News and Current Affairs, ABS-CBN Regional Network Group, ABS-CBN Global. 

Other members are Jaime Porca, Technical Production head; Rommel Andreo Sales, Director of Photography; Odyssey Flores, 2nd Unit Director of Photography; Sam Esquillon, Production Designer; Oliver Paler, Alfie Landayan, Meryl Miranda, Con Ignacio, Post Production Team; Jimmy Muna, sound engineer; Winnie Mariano, artist coordinator; Mary Ann Rejano, Remy Sotto, Talent Caster; Marvin Bragas, Location Manager; Marileth Abejero, Photographer; Darwin Duenas, Production Coordinator. 

TRIVIA:
Being a fan of Be Careful with My Heart's Maya and Ser Chief, Zsa Zsa Padilla and Zia Quizon had their photo taken with the love team of Jodi Santamaria and Richard 'Papa Chen' Yap when they saw each other at the SID shoot set.

KZ Tandingan was nervous on the shoot of her line for the song because it was her first music video shoot.

Angel Locsin took time during and after the shoot to talk to the Red Cross Volunteers about her experiences during her volunteer work.

Kris Aquino was very happy during the shoot as she interacted with the Sagip Kapamilya Volunteers, the Bacoor Cavite Police, the Santa Lucia North Fairview Firemen, Red Cross Emergency Response Unit, and members of the Philippine Military.

PBB Teens and Gerald Anderson went on location at the Artex Compound in Malabon for the shoot of the SID. Residents of the compound were delighted to see them. Female residents were the ones tasked to row their small boats for the artists, their regular means of transport around the flooded compound. 

Gerald Anderson was with the members of the Philippine Coast Guard for his sequence.

Wednesday, October 17, 2012

Spotted: ABS-CBN Christmas Station ID 2012, Kwento ng Pasko

Check out the new Christmas station ID of the Kapamilya Network (ABS-CBN). The video, uploaded on October 16, has earned 50k views as of posting time.

 Video Courtesy: Youtube channel ABSCBNOnline

The ABS-CBN Christmas Station ID 2012, which was aired tonight after TV Patrol, will showcase all the Kapamilya stars and will be performed by a powerhouse of performers including Martin Nievera, KZ Tandingan, Jovit Baldivino, Bamboo, ZsaZsa Padilla, Piolo Pascual, Jed Madela, Yeng Constantino, Sarah Geronimo, Angeline Quinto, Marcelito Pomoy, Erik Santos, among others.

Vice President Binay mistaken for 'ordinary man'

Check out whose picture is circulating over the web. It's the photo of Vice President Binay taking a picture of a Malaysian Lady Scout leader posing with two Filipino Scouts. 

The country's leader was reportedly mistaken as an "ordinary man" and was asked to take a picture.

In his official working visit to Malaysia, Binay met with members of the Scouts Association of Malaysia, as the national president of the Boy Scouts of the Philippines (BSP), at the same time, as chairman of the Asia-Pacific Regional Scout Committee of the World Organization of Scout Movement, the umbrella organization of all scout organizations worldwide.

Photo Courtesy: Derek Bonifacio, Scouts Philippines Facebook Page
But in one instance, the lady Malaysian scout leader mistook Binay for an ordinary man and asked him to take a picture with two "more good-looking Filipinos."

Binay without hesitation took the photo for the lady who was all smiles as she posed for photo-taking with the men..

The photo, which was uploaded yesterday by Scouts Philippines on Facebook, reveals the Vice President's humility and character.

Repost: Azkal stars Phil, James Younghusband back for match vs Kuwait


The Philippine Azkals look to capitalize on the return of key players when they battle Kuwait in an international friendly tonight at the Kuwait Sports Club Stadium in Kuwait City.

Brothers Phil and James Younghusband, goalkeeper Neil Etheridge and striker Angel Guirado will reinforce the Azkals' bid to end their 10-day Middle East training camp on a bright note.

Confidence is certainly high for the National booters after a scoreless draw with Bahrain on Friday in Manama. The 147th-ranked Azkals' are 32 spots lower than the Bahraini side that once blasted Indonesia, 10-0, in the 2014 World Cup qualifiers.

Not even the six-hour delay upon arrival on Saturday night at the Kuwait International Airport due to visa issues seemed to affect the mood of the team that is prepping up for next month's AFF Suzuki Cup group stage.

The Younghusbands, Etheridge and Guirado are back in the lineup against the 112th-ranked Kuwaitis for the 6:50 p.m. local time (11:50 p.m. Manila time) affair after missing most of the recent matches for various reasons.

Etheridge is currently doing a fine role as goalie of the Bristol Rovers in the Football League Two tournament in England. The stocky 22-year-old was brought to the Rovers last month on loan from Premier League club Fulham.

Guirado, on the other hand, is playing for Indian side Salgaocar and hasn't been with the team since scoring two goals in the 3-0 friendly win over Guam at Panaad Stadium in Bacolod last June.

But the most notable absence was the Younghusbands, who were left out of the roster for the Philippine Football Peace Cup by management citing "monetary and non-monetary" issues.

Team manager Dan Palami had a change of heart days after the Peace Cup title win by including them for the Middle East tour. However, the two missed the Bahrain match because of a previous engagement.

The four hope to mesh well with some of the Azkals who made an impression in the Peace Cup in Denis Wolf, Patrick Reichelt, Chieffy Caligdong, Demitrius Omphroy and Jeff Christiaens.

Both nations meet for the first time since last year's World Cup qualifiers second round meeting. Kuwait easily dispatched the Azkals with a 5-1 aggregate victory.

Meanwhile, the Azkals will be joined in Group A by Myanmar after it topped the recently-concluded Suzuki Cup qualifiers in front of its home fans at Rangon.

Myanmar finished with 10 points, three points ahead of second placer Laos which will also make the group stage because of a rule that allows the top two nations in the qualifiers to advance.

The Azkals will also be joined in Group A by host Thailand and Vietnam in Bangkok while Group B comprises of defending champion Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore and Laos in Kuala Lumpur.

Article Source: Yahoo! News

Abu Sayyaf bomb plot busted

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines – A supposed plot to bomb vital installations and public places was thwarted when joint police and military intelligence forces captured an Abu Sayyaf bomb expert and a police accomplice here last Friday, authorities said.

Captured were Rakib Janihul Jairi, alias Abu Sulaiman, and his suspected accomplice, PO3 Asbi Sahibol, detailed with the Hadji Motamad town police in Basilan.

Senior Superintendent James Mejia, city police chief, confirmed the arrest but gave no details, except giving assurance that they would not let up in eventually catching other terrorists.

According to a security source, Jairi and Sahibol were collared in a coffee shop last Friday in this city’s downtown area.

He said the target of the arrest was Jairi, who had a pending warrant for his participation in a mass kidnapping in Tumahubong, Sumisip, Basilan and the kidnapping of plantation workers in Tairan, Lantawan town, also in Basilan, in 2000 and 2001.

“However, during the arrest, the suspect was having a meeting with Sahibol in the coffee shop,” he said.

He said the joint police and military intelligence agents found an improvised explosive in the belt-bag of Sahibol.

Jairi is now undergoing tactical interrogation in a police camp here.

Authorities said Jairi, who underwent foreign training in demolition and sabotage, is reportedly training Abu Sayyaf militants in bomb making. 

Jairi, they added, was targeting to bomb at least five targets at the height of the city’s Fiesta Pilar celebration but heavy military presence in the downtown area thwarted this plan. 

Article Source: Roel Pareño, Philstar News Service

Repost: House ratifies bill criminalizing enforced disappearances

Under the Aquino administration, it seems that a lot of bills are under progress or already signed by the President which only shows that the government is serious in bringing in reforms and causing changes in Philippine society.

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MANILA, Philippines -- A landmark bill criminalizing enforced disappearances moved a step closer to becoming a law after it was ratified in the House of Representatives Tuesday night. 

"The occurrence of enforced or involuntary disappearance and the impunity of offenders who are agents of the State are now finally consigned to the past," Albay Representative Edcel Lagman said after lawmakers adopted the Anti-Enforced or Involuntary Disappearance Act of 2012.

The measure is the first national legislation in Asia to criminalize enforced disappearance as a separate or distinct offense.

"The same obtained Congressional approval on 20 September 2012, a day before the 40th anniversary of the declaration of Martial Law an era when enforced disappearance was an atrocious tool of the martial law regime to silence protesters and human rights madvocates," Lagman, one of the principal authors of the bill, said.

Hundreds have become victims of enforced disappearance during the Martial Law period.

The human rights group, Karapatan, said that disappearances have continued to this day, with 11 victims under the Aquino administration.

The ratified bicameral conference committee report will be transmitted to Malacanang for the signing by President Benigno Aquino III. 

The salient features of the measure include the following:


1. The crime of enforced disappearance is generally imprescriptible as an exception to the statute of limitations.

2. No amnesty can exempt any offender, either convicted or facing prosecution, from liability.

3. No war or any public emergency can justify the suspension of the enforcement of the anti-disappearance law.

4. Command responsibility makes a superior officer also culpable for violations of the law by subordinates.

5. Subordinates are authorized to defy unlawful orders of superiors for the commission of enforced disappearance.

6. A periodically updated registry of all detained persons is required in all detention centers.

7. Secret detention facilities are prohibited.

8. Compensation, restitution and rehabilitation of victims and kin are mandated.

9. Gradation of penalties are prescribed with reclusion perpetua as the severest penalty.

10. Human Rights organizations shall participate in the crafting of the necessary Implementing Rules and Regulations.

Tuesday, October 16, 2012

Microsoft Surface Tablet, Prices

Seems like Apple's iPad has found THE challenger! Microsoft's Surface tablets are one of the highly anticipated gadgets this year!

 Its description in its main site was revealed: 
From touch to type, office to living room, from your screen to the big screen, you can see more, share more, and do more with Surface. Create, collaborate, and get stuff done with Office. Explore your world with fast, fluid Windows 8 apps. Discover new music, movies, and games in the Windows Store.
Surface tablets may be priced between $500 and $700.  Pre-order prices range from $499 for a 32 GB version of the tablet without a black touch cover, to $599 for those with the touch cover. 64 GB versions of the Surface tablet could reach $699. The touch covers have tactile keyboards built into it.

On Monday evening Microsoft started advertising its Surface tablets. The advertisement, seen below, seemed to provide an overview and highlight on the touch cover and a specific kickstand at the back of the tablet which can be used to stand the slate on its edge.

  
Video Courtesy: Youtube channel surface

SPOTTED: TV Patrol anchors try Gangnam Style

In a light moment after Friday night's newscast, the anchors of "TV Patrol," Noli de Castro, Korina Sanchez, and Ted Failon, gave the worldwide hit Gangnam Style a try. 

 The video of the TV Patrol anchors dancing to the beat of Gangnam Style was released two (2) weeks ago. They are definitely the coolest, funkiest newscasters in the Philippines.

  
Video Courtesy: TheABSCBNNews

Repost: Peace is within reach, says Malaysian PM

“This is the sound of peace,” a smiling Murad Ebrahim, chairman of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), said as he tapped a miniature model of a Muslim gong that he gave to President Benigno Aquino during their meeting in Malacañang Monday morning.

In return, the President gave Murad a miniature bahay kubo (nipa hut), symbolizing the open house welcome that Filipinos extend to homecoming relatives.

They shook hands, ushering in what Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak described as “a new beginning for the people of Mindanao.”

After four decades of conflict, “peace is within reach,” Najib said.

And the government and the Moro rebels, overcoming 40 years of hostilities, took their first step toward ending the insurgency in Mindanao that had cost the lives of more than 150,000 people and reduced the resource-rich island into the poorest region of the Philippines.

The government and the MILF signed a framework agreement to end the war and build a new autonomous region in Mindanao, to be called Bangsamoro, in the Palace yesterday afternoon.

President Aquino, Murad and Najib, whose country brokered the peace talks between the Aquino administration and the MILF, looked on as chief government peace negotiator Marvic Leonen and his counterpart from the MILF, Mohagher Iqbal, signed the Framework Agreement on the Bangsamoro.

On hand to signify the Islamic world’s acceptance of the agreement was Ekmeleddin Ishanoglu, secretary general of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), the world’s second largest intergovernmental organization after the United Nations.

The ceremony held at Malacañang’s Rizal Hall was attended by about 200 MILF fighters, government officials, diplomats and representatives of countries that made up the International Contact Group, the International Monitoring Group, and aid organizations that encouraged the peace negotiations between the government and the Muslim rebels.

President Aquino, in his keynote speech, said the agreement sealed “genuine, lasting peace in Mindanao,” which the government hoped to achieve before the end of his term in 2016.

“In full view of the Filipino people, and witnessed even by our friends from different parts of the world, we commit to peace—a peace that will be sustained through democratic ideals; a peace that heals and empowers; a peace that recognizes the many narratives of the Filipino people, and weaves them into a single, national aspiration for equitable progress,” Mr. Aquino said.

Prime Minister Najib said the agreement would “protect the rights of the Bangsamoro people and preserve the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Philippines.”

“We are men and leaders who want to make a difference and we have decided that the time has come for us to choose the moral high ground,” Najib said.

The agreement “does not solve all the problems, rather it sets the parameters in which peace can be found,” he said.


‘I come in peace’


Two girls wearing Muslim head dresses flash “peace signs” after the government and Moro rebel leaders announce the signing of a preliminary agreement aimed at ending 40 years of separatist war in Mindanao. 

Murad, who spoke ahead of the President, pledged the MILF’s determination to silence the guns to allow peace and development to come to Mindanao after 40 years.

“I come in peace,” Murad said, admitting that it was his first time to set foot in Malacañang, the seat of power in the Philippines.

“We have inked the most important document in the chapter of our history—a landmark document that restores to our people their Bangsamoro identity and their homeland, their right to govern themselves, and the power to forge their destiny and future with [their own hands],” Murad said.

“Today we are here to celebrate the victory of the Bangsamoro people and the Filipino nation that is shared by the international community and the Muslim world, the victory earned not by war but by a collective desire to restore justice and peace to a troubled land,” he said.

Murad then extended “the hand of friendship and partnership to the President and the Filipino people as we join to embark on the historic journey to rebuild our home, institute justice and [end the] reign of violence and restore normalcy to the lives of the masses of our people in Mindanao and Sulu with the Framework Agreement on the Bangsamoro.”


The accord


The framework agreement, also called a road map to a final peace settlement that is expected by 2016, grants Muslims in Mindanao broad autonomy in exchange for ending their four-decade insurgency, which would bring peace and stability and eventually development to the region.

The 13-page document outlines general agreements on major issues, including the extent of power, revenues and territory granted for Bangsamoro, the new Muslim administrative region.

It calls for the establishment of a 15-member Transition Commission to draft a law creating Bangsamoro. The draft law will be submitted to Congress for adoption, then submitted to the people of Mindanao for approval in a plebiscite.

The 12,000-strong MILF armed forces will be deactivated gradually “beyond use,” the agreement says, without specifying a timetable.


Failed experiment


The agreement says Bangsamoro will replace the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM), which President Aquino described as “failed experiment.”

The ARMM was created by a 1996 peace agreement the government signed with the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF), but Mr. Aquino considered it a failure because it did not end the conflict, the rebels did not disarm and it did not improve the lives of Muslims.

Corruption, political violence and crimes such as kidnappings and extortion persisted, and the MILF continued to fight for self-rule.

Another preliminary accord was struck down by the Supreme Court in 2008 as unconstitutional because it would create a separate state.

Western governments have long worried over the presence of small numbers of al-Qaeda-linked militants from the Middle East and Southeast Asia seeking combat training and collaboration with the Filipino insurgents.

One of those extremist groups, the Abu Sayyaf, is not part of any negotiations, but the hope is that the peace agreement will isolate its militants and deny them sanctuary and logistical support they had previously received from rebel commanders.

One of those hardline commanders, Ameril Umra Kato, broke off from the MILF last year. Kato’s forces attacked the Army in August, prompting an offensive that killed more than 50 fighters in the 200-strong rebel faction.


Kato rejects accord


Abu Misri Mammah, a spokesperson for Kato’s forces, on Sunday said that his group did not recognize the peace accord.

“That’s a surrender,” he said. “We won’t waver from our armed struggle and continue to aspire for a separate Muslim homeland that won’t be a creation of politicians.”

President Aquino acknowledged that much work remained to be done after the signing of the agreement.

“The devil is in the details,” he said, but added that the government is committed to peace and development in Mindanao.

Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Teresita Quintos-Deles said the government and the MILF would encounter challenges as they proceed to implement the framework agreement.

“So many challenges await us, but the bridge of trust that spans this room is strong enough to withstand the trials ahead, however difficult they may be,” Deles said.


Staying the course


In his speech, Murad reminded everyone of the roots of the Moro rebellion.

“Never in my wildest dream since I was a child, or when I joined the Bangsamoro struggle more than 40 years ago, that one day I will see the interior of this building [Malacañang] that once housed the Spanish and American governors general, and now the Presidents of the Philippines,” Murad said.

“Today . . . we have stayed the course. Our perseverance has prevailed over those whose position is to perpetuate war and conflict in Mindanao and Sulu for personal aggrandizement,” he said.


Culture of impunity


Mr. Aquino said that many had resorted to “the path of vengeance and violence,” but he promised to dismantle the culture of impunity in the country.

“I myself lost my father to an oppressive system,” he said. “I myself thirsted for justice, and was deprived of it then by the dictatorship. I empathize with our Bangsamoro brothers and sisters, and can only vow to work as hard as I can to see that the culture of impunity is dismantled, and that the foundations of righteousness and cooperation are laid.”

And he gave a promise to the Muslims of Mindanao: “We will give our people what is truly due them: A chance to direct their lives toward advancement in a democratic, peaceful and safe society.” With reports from Nikko Dizon, AP and AFP

LET Results September 2012 (Secondary) | Teacher Board Exam

UPDATE:
Here are the results of the Licensure Examination for Teachers (LET) in Elementary Category conducted last September 30, 2012 in various testing centers nationwide. The LET results list for September is also known as the Teacher (LET) Board Exam Results September 2012.

A total of 20,834 secondary teachers out of 47,892 examinees (43.50%) passed the September 2012 LET - Secondary Level. Congratulations sa mga bagong guro ng bayan!List of Passers September 2012 LET Secondary Level


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Wanting to know if you passed the Licensure Examination for Teachers (LET) in  secondary category? Will you become one of the newly government-certified high school teachers?

The results of the Licensure Examination for Teachers (LET), held on September 30, 2012 in various testing centers nationwide, or the Teacher (LET) Board Exam Results September 2012 passers list (Secondary), will be posted here once officially released by the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC). 

The list of passers of the LET, or Teacher Board Exam, for secondary or high school education will be released several working days after the last day of examination. So, it is expected that the release of the newly licensed teachers list, which includes lists of top 10 passers (topnotchers), top performing schools and performance by school in the September 2012 LET, will take longer than usual

The Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) through its Board of Professional Teachers conducts this exam twice a year. 

Keep updated. Add our facebook page, bookmark this site, and/or subscribe to our feed via RSS/email.

LET Results September 2012 (Elementary) | Teacher Board Exam

UPDATE:
Here are the results of the Licensure Examination for Teachers (LET) in Elementary Category conducted last September 30, 2012 in various testing centers nationwide. The LET results list for September is also known as the Teacher (LET) Board Exam Results September 2012.

A total of 25,136 elementary teachers out of 50,997 examinees (49.29%) passed the September 2012 LET - Elementary Level. Congratulations sa mga bagong guro ng bayan!

September 2012 LET Results Elementary Level
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Wanting to know if you passed the Licensure Examination for Teachers (LET) in elementary category? Will you become one of the newly government-certified elementary teachers?

The results of the Licensure Examination for Teachers (LET), held on September 30, 2012 in various testing centers nationwide, or the Teacher (LET) Board Exam Results September 2012 passers list (Elementary), will be posted here once officially released by the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC). 

The list of passers of the LET, or Teacher Board Exam, for elementary education will be released several working days after the last day of examination. So, it is expected that the release of the newly licensed teachers list, which includes lists of top 10 passers (topnotchers), top performing schools and performance by school in the September 2012 LET, will take longer than usual.

The Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) through its Board of Professional Teachers conducts this exam twice a year. 

Keep updated. Add our facebook page, bookmark this site, and/or subscribe to our feed via RSS/email.

September 2012 LET Passers Results

September 2012 LET | Teacher Board Exam Results Update:

A total of 25,136 elementary teachers out of 50,997 examinees (49.29%) passed the September 2012 LET - Elementary Level. Meanwhile, a total of 20,834 secondary teachers out of 47,892 examinees (43.50%) passed the September 2012 LET - Secondary Level.

Congratulations to our new teachers!

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Wanting to know if you passed the Licensure Examination for Teachers (LET)? Will you become one of the newly government-certified teachers?

The results of the Licensure Examination for Teachers (LET), held on September 30, 2012 in various testing centers nationwide, or the Teacher (LET) Board Exam Results September 2012 passers list, will be posted here once officially released by the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC). 

The results of the LET, or Teacher Board Exam, are usually released in several working days from the last day of examination. So, it is expected that the release of the newly licensed teachers list, which includes lists of top 10 passers (topnotchers), top performing schools and performance by school in the September 2012 LET, will take longer than usual

The Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) through its Board of Professional Teachers conducts this exam twice a year. 

Since there are a lot of takers, the list of September 2012 LET passers (results) will be posted here in two parts, which are linked and provided below.
Keep updated. Add our facebook page, bookmark this site, and/or subscribe to our feed via RSS/email.

October 2012 CPA Board Passers, Schedule of Registration and Oathtaking

4,772 accountants have successfully passed the recently conducted CPA board exam.These new Certified Public Accountants (CPAs) may begin to apply for a Professional Identification Card (ID) and Certificate of Registration from November 6 (Tuesday) to November 9 (Friday).

Requirements for Registration:
  • duly accomplished Oath Form or Panunumpa ng Propesyonal,
  • current Community Tax Certificate (cedula),
  • 2 pieces passport size picture (colored with white background and complete nametag),
  • 2 pieces 1” x 1” picture (colored with white background and complete nametag),
  • 2 sets of metered documentary stamps and
  • 1 short brown envelope with name and profession
  • Initial Registration Fee of P600 and Annual Registration Fee of P450 for 2012-2015.
Successful examinees should personally register and sign in the Roster of Registered Professionals. The date and venue for the oathtaking ceremony of the new successful examinees in the said examination will be announced at a later date.

Keep updated. Add our facebook page, bookmark this site, and/or subscribe to our feed via RSS/email.

Senator Ralph Recto resigns as Ways and Means Committee chair, withdraws sin tax bill report

Senator Ralph Recto on Monday, October 15, has resigned as the chairman of the Senate Committee on Ways and Means, ABS-CBN News’ Ryan Chua reported on ANC.

“I want to be relieved of my resident kontrabida role,” said Recto on the reason why he had chosen to give up chairmanship.

The report furthered, Recto stepped aside to give way to “a senator who can better fight for what the Department of Finance wants.” Recto reportedly withdrew the controversial committee report of the sin tax bill. 

Naval Architect, Marine Engineer Board Exam Results

Takers of the Naval Architect and Marine Engineer Licensure Examinations, held in Manila on October 9-11, 2012, can now check the results in Spotlight Philippines.

After three (3) working days prior exam day, the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) released the passers list in the Naval Architect and Marine Engineer Board Exam. The results are as follow:

List of Successful Examinees in the

NAVAL ARCHITECT AND MARINE ENGINEER Licensure Exam
Held on OCTOBER 9, 2012 & FF. DAYS
Released on OCTOBER 16, 2012

Seq. No. N a m e
1 ABELLO, RODEL ANTHONY KAQUILALA
2 ALCORCON, RONNIE SANCHEZ
3 ALFORQUE, RIZALINO JR LEBIGA
4 ALGARME, AMIELVELASQUEZ
5 ANCHETA, MARCOGIRON
6 ATAS, DENNIS RAY BASSIG
7 BACLAYON, HIPOLITO ALFECHE
8 BALIGAD, JONATHAN EDA
9 BANDELARIA, VERONICA MENDOZA
10 BARTE, MAE SARAH QUEEN BENBIN
11 BARTIDO, HAROLD PACAÑA
12 BATALLA, SAM PAULO DOLOT
13 BILBAO, MICHAEL BORJA
14 BINAY, JAYMAR DE GUZMAN
15 CAPONGCOL, SARAH JANE LASALA
16 CAPUTOLAN, CLAIR ESTAÑO
17 CARABBACAN, JEANNY FALCESO
18 CHAVEZ, ROM JOSEPH CAÑETE
19 COSIO, JAY-AL SALUNGA
20 CRUZ, JOHN CARLO PINILI
21 DALAWAMPU, FREDIE ILAG
22 ECLEVIA, LORENGRACE BATINGA
23 ESCALANTE, JOYTIMOTEO
24 ESCAÑO, VINCE ISRAEL CABIGON
25 FIGUERAS, WILLHENRY ESCANDOR
26 FLORES, EDGARDO JR NOTARTE
27 FUENTES, JOYCEE TAJANLANGIT
28 HEBRON, RAY MARCO SANTIAGO
29 ILAGAN, ALVIN KENNETH ALDOVINO
30 JUGUILON, JESSIE RIANNE ABIERO
31 MADRID, JOHN ERNEST ABRIGO
32 MAGALONG, RIZALYN DE GUZMAN
33 MANALO, EDISONLABARINTO
34 MENDOZA, MYRA PEREZ
35 MORANO, DARWINNEIL TONDO
36 ORCULLO, GEELOREE LACBAYO
37 OYAO, ADOLPH MARVIE JARANILLA
38 PANOPIO, CYNTHIA SANDOVAL
39 RIVERA, KEYZZALOREN BONTIA
40 SABELLITA, ISABELO JR TORREGOZA
41 SANTOS, JOHNRYSORIAGA
42 SIPALAY, DARNEIL RUIZ
43 SOLON, KEVIN KERK LAMPRIA
44 SUZARA, DIONELBARROQUIÑA
45 TINGCOY, EDSONCASTANEDA
46 YEUNG, CHUNG WAH KENNETH DAVID LACANILAO
NOTHING FOLLOWS-----------

The topnotchers in the Naval Architect and Marine Engineer Board Exam are the following:

1 GEELO REE LACBAYO ORCULLO
UNIVERSITY OF CEBU 
93.40

2 RONNIE SANCHEZ ALCORCON
UNIVERSITY OF CEBU 
91.80

3 JOY TIMOTEO ESCALANTE
NAMEI POLYTECHNIC INSTITUTE 
90.00

Monday, October 15, 2012

How to Get a Postal ID

Some of you may still feel the need to get a postal ID for further national identification, and since it's a local government-approved identification card, you may use it perhaps in opening new bank accounts, claiming your package, or sending documents/money to another person.

Usually, applying for postal ID in your locality takes a small amount of time, as long as you have fulfilled the requirements. The whole postal ID creation process involves fees for lamination, membership, notarization, among others.

Here are six easy steps, which I think apply to all government-controlled post offices and to some privately held post offices, to get a postal ID. This post serves as a quick guide on how to apply for a postal ID.

STEP 1: Prepare and bring the following documents or requirements to the post office's ID issuance area. Note that these may or may not be needed in some post offices, but it's better to be prepared than never.

  • two (2) valid/government-issued IDs with photocopy each: passport, driver's license, nbi clearance, police clearance, PRC license, government ID (if employee)
  • community tax certificate (cedula) with photocopy from the corresponding City Hall
  • two 2x2 photos (white background preferably) | bring additional copies, maybe they'd ask for more!
  • NSO certificate of live birth with photocopy
  • postal ID-related fees, approximately 300 Php (in Manila)
  • ball pen
STEP 2: Once the documents are presented, the staff in-charged will provide you an application form. Fill in the necessary details. 

STEP 3: Submit the form together with the said requirements. The staff, at the processing window, will then ask you certain information found either in your NSO certificate or valid IDs. Answering these should be natural. Pay the postal ID fee. (Dito may receipt, hehe.)

The issuer may also give you an empty postal ID card in this step. Fill in the necessary details. 

STEP 4: Return back the filled out postal ID card. With all documents including the application form and empty postal ID card submitted, all you need to do is wait for your name to be called.

STEP 5: When your name is called, approach the window allocated for releasing of postal IDs. She will tell you to review the details prior the lamination; check out if there are errors. Don't hesitate to ask. Give it back to her for lamination.

STEP 6: After lamination, you can now claim your newly released postal ID. Photocopy it for your personal purposes, as mentioned in the opening paragraph of this post.


Schedule of ID Processing (Manila Post Office): 1 to 5 PM
Process Time: less than 1 hour, if requirements are prepared

Hope this has provided you enough information to help you avail of a postal ID!