To many Filipinos, it’s the destination of their first overseas journey. Only ninety minutes away by plane, Hong Kong is the the leading Asian destination for Filipino tourists, businesspeople and migrant workers.
Asia’s premiere International center, Hong Kong is ever-changing and always exciting. Seven million people live here, including about a million expatriates, and a hundred thousand kababayans, placing us among the top non-Chinese ethnic group in the territory.
Our kababayans occupy a wide range of positions from domestic helpers, to mission workers, to musicians, entrepreneurs, and professionals in major Hong Kong companies. Even most of Mickey’s performers in Disneyland are Filipino!
If all you’ve seen in Hong Kong is Tsim Sha Tsui, with maybe a peek at Causeway Bay, and The Peak, there’s still so much more to Hong Kong that will amaze you!
The highly developed public transport system in Hong Kong ensures that it’s easy to get around and plan your own tours whether on foot, by cab, by ferry, or Mass Transit. And with Hong Kong’s advanced road and transit network, you’ll rarely waste time b eing stuck in traffic.
In the arrival area, right after customs, be sure to pick up a handful of Hong Kong Tourism Board’s free brochures: The essential Hong Kong Visitor’s Guide with a comprehensive overview of Hong Kong, the Hong Kong Walks do it yourself walking tours guide to the scenic and shopping districts, The Hong Kong Family Fun Guide with directions to major family attractions and children’s shopping districts, the Hong Kong Leisure Guide for Business Travellers with information on major shopping malls, dining centers, local nightlife, and sport venues.
Don’t forget the free maps for everyone in your travel group, and go ahead, get extra copies for friends in Manila planning a visit to Hong Kong.
Many of these guides are available online as well. There are even downloadable interactive versions for Windows CE and Palm PDAs available on the site.
Hi-tech Hong Kong offers the Mobile Host service, a guided audio tour delivered via your mobile phone for for 72 hours of service. For details, read the Mobile Host guidebook and be sure to purchase a local SIM card at a 7-11 to avoid prohibitive roaming charges. Your Hong Kong friends will also appreciate being able to contact you without IDD charges.
Local SIMs vary from HKD50 to HKD100 depending on features (more expensive SIMs offer free IDD to selected countries — North America, and selected European countries, but not the Philippines).
For special interests, there is the Hong Kong Museums and Heritage Guide with directions to local museums and sites of archeological interest; the 2006 Winterfest Guide for the seasonal events until January 1st; the Hong Kong Jockey Club Guide for Horse Racing aficionados, also available online at http:// ; the Newsletter of the Hong Kong Museum of Art; and the Disneyland brochure.
The ever helpful Hong Kong Tourism Board also has two public centres to provide the latest information on tourist activities, and help you plan itineraries, or book HKTB sponsored tours.
On Kowloon side, visit the HKTB Info Center at the Star Ferry Terminal. On Hong Kong side, visit the HKTB Info Center inside the Causeway Bay MTR Station. There is also a visitor hotline +852 2508 1234, available 8am-6pm daily, to assist with your travel queries.
Also, HKTB has organized the Quality Tourism Services seal of approval, that requires merchants to provide only genuine products with clearly displayed prices, present accurate product information and/or menus in food establishments, and employ staff with extensive product knowledge.
The QTS sign makes it easy to find shops and restaurants to trust, just look for it prominently displayed in establishments that have qualified for this exclusive recognition.
Among Hong Kong’s must–visit attractions are four major theme parks with exciting adventures for everyone:
Disneyland Hong Kong on Lantau Island, is the first in a territory that doesn’t require visas from Filipino travellers. Join Mickey and friends as they welcome you into their magical kingdom, and invite you to stay at picturesque Disneyland Hotel or glitzy Disney Hollywood Hotel.
Ngong Ping 360 Theme Park on Lantau Island is built right next to the world’s largest sitting Buddha. Enjoy a vegetarian lunch at the Po Lin Monastery, enjoy the serenity of the Temple grounds, then journey through the culturally themed village and watch enlightening shows about the life of Buddha. Then take a cable car ride on the Ngong Ping Skyrail with panoramic views of Lantau Island, Chek Lap Kok Airport, and the South China Sea.
Ocean Park in Aberdeen, Hong Kong Island, has more than 40 parkwide rides and attractions, spread out over six main areas: Lowland Gardens, Kid’s World, Marine Land, Headland rides, Adventureland, and Birds Paradise. Take a scenic cable car ride to see stunning performances by seals, dolphins and sea lions, the Atoll Reef with its huge coral aquarium, and the all-new sea jelly aquarium, the first in Asia.
The Wetland Park builds upon existing wetland ecosystems in Tin Shui Wai, NT, Hong Kong. With 60 hectares of opportunities to learn about wetlands, it features outdoor exhibits, boardwalks, and bird hides.
Over 250 different species have been recorded in the park, so you’re sure to see something new each time! A 10,000 sqm. visitor’s centre features interactive exhibits to illustrate the biodiversity of wetlands and mangrove areas and issues related to human culture and conservation.
History buffs will appreciate the 80 declared monuments in Hong Kong, including thousand year old stone carvings, ancient Chinese temples and villages, 19th Century colonial buildings, forts and lighthouses, some in city centres, and many easily accessible by the public transport system.
The diversity of Hong Kong surprises even the most jaded traveller.
Located on the south side of the Island in the quiet town of Shek O, the Shek O Beach offers white sand and the clean waters of the South China Sea. On weekends, the beach is filled with locals having beach barbecues, so its best to go on weekdays to enjoy the beach or savor the fresh seafood cuisine.
The outlying islands of Cheung Chau and Lamma also offer a glimpse of a more relaxed seaside lifestyle, with good hiking and beaches, and delicious fresh seafood restaurants. Yung Shue Wan town on Lamma has a refreshing mix of Western and Chinese style seaside bars and restuarants.
Then, of course, there’s the shopping!
In Hong Kong, you can dress like a million bucks for a million bucks, or spend much less, depending on where and how you shop. For the fashion shopper, Hong Kong offers three distinct shopping venues:
The premiere shopping districts in Central and select high-end malls feature the world’s fabled brands at prices guaranteed to bust your credit cards. But, hey, if you’ve got to have it, Hong Kong’s highend shops gladly oblige!
The mid-market shopping districts are where most Hongkongers shop. These are mainly in East and West Central, Causeway Bay, and in major malls in Tsim Sha Tsui, Tai Koo, and Whampoa Gardens, featuring a mix of local brands and affordable international brands.
Also, in this mix are specialty shops in Causeway Bay and Mongkok that offer high quality unbranded and unknown brand goods from around the world, from leather goods, cocktail dresses for ladies, and office suits for men.
Then, there’s the bargain hunters’ paradises, centered around the specialty street markets in Fa Yuen St., Tung Choi, and Temple Sts. in Mongkok, and the market at the expat enclave of Stanley on the Island’s south side. All offer a dizzying mix of designer label over-runs (be sure to check for small tears and stains, as the items are not returnable), out of season items, lowcost clothes from China, cheap gadgets and curios.
Technology is no longer the bargain it once was with Manila prices more or less in line with regional prices, but Hong Kong offers a wider selection of hard to find items for photo and computer hobbyists. Specialty malls in Wanchai, Causeway Bay, Mongkok, and ShamShuiPo are the best places to shop.
Remember to check equipment for compatibility with our own standards, and if it matters to you, verify that the warranty is honored worldwide. Electronics goods legally imported into Hong Kong are accompanied by an English language manual. Goods with foreign language (usually Japanese or Korean) manuals are often grey market imports without warranty.
Like fashion, eating out in Hong Kong can be affordable. Western fastfoods, like Mcdonald’s, have the cheapest eats in Hong Kong, as does 7-11 with its delicious Chinese rice bowls.
But for a real Hong Kong adventure, try out the little Chinese noodle and congee shops, dim sum parlors, and hot pot restaurants of West Central, Causeway Bay, Wanchai, North Point and Mongkok. English skills vary, so look for the QTS seal for the assurance of an English Menu.
For ethnic cuisine, stroll the streets of Tsim Sha Tsui, Causeway Bay, and Central Hollywood and SoHo districts for small regional restuarants. Times Square in Causeway Bay offers a variety of casual dining resturants in the upper floors.
Hong Kong’s nightlife has something for everyone, whether it’s a quiet dinner at a fancy restaurant, dining alfresco near the the sea, or joining a boisterous crowd at a trendy nightspot.
Visit the highend restaurants in Central, The Peak or Repulse Bay for some quiet dining, and if you’re in town for business, be sure to drop by the Captain’s Bar at the Mandarin Oriental, where the expat community unwinds daily from 5-8 pm.
For dining by the sea, try the seafood markets in Lei Yue Mun, or Sai Kung or the tourist oriented floating restaurants in Aberdeen.
Hong Kong’s trendy nightlife centers around bars in the Lan Kwai Fong and SoHo districts, the newly redeveloped artsy cafes of Starstreet next to Pacific Place in Admiralty, and Knutsford Terrace in northern Tsim Sha Shui.
Visit Cafe Havana at Knutsford and enjoy their delicious buffet, then groove to the beat of Mang Tony’s pop and reggae band, one of dozens of Filipino bands performing in Hong Kong.
And when you’re done with the weekend nightlife, Sundays are a time to relax in Hong Kong, to visit an outlying Island: Cheung Chau or Lamma via the ferries at Central; or take a bus to Stanley to savor the relaxed European Cafe lifestyle. But don’t forget the late afternoon mass at Rosary Church in Tsim Sha Tsui East, where our kababayans, both residents and tourists, congregate to see who’s in town.
(Photos taken with a compact, affordable and near professional quality Olympus SP-500 series digital camera, courtesy of Nancy Harel & Associates, Axis Distribution, and Olympus Imaging Corp.)
Monday, December 18, 2006
Saturday, December 02, 2006
The World of Jade
Part of the Beijing Series of Articles, the result of a media Tour organized by Sponsors Philippine Airlines, Panda Travel, Marco Polo Hotels, and American Tourister Luggage.
The World of Jade
When polished and professionally worked, it is a beautiful luminous gemstone. For many, it symbolizes love and virtue. For the Chinese, it symbolizes the Confucian virtues of wisdom, justice, and compassion, although its first known use was in arrowheads and axes.
The Aztecs and many other pre-Columbian American cultures valued it more highly than gold. In many cultures, from the Egyptians to the Maoris of New Zealand, it is believed to be a lucky, protective stone.
Trade with the East brought this gemstone to Europe in the 16th Century, but it was the Spaniards, who found another source in Central America, that gave its name: Piedra de Hijada, later shortened to simply "Jade."
But it's not always what you think it is.
Until about 1786, most Jade in China was Nephrite, a similar looking mineral, but with a different composition. In fact, both minerals look so similar that it was only in the late 19th Century that it was determined that the "Jade" in China was a different "Jade" from that mined in Burma.
In Mandarin, Jadeite is known as "ying yu," hard Jade, and Nephrite is known as "ruan yu," soft Jade. The word "Yu," by itself, means precious ornamental rock, a description that can be applied to any valuable stone.
True Jade is Jadeite, a sodium-rich aluminous pyroxene, obtained mainly from northern Burma, but with minor sources throughout the world. Jadeite is a metamorphous rock formed under specific conditions of high-pressure and low temperature.
The colors of jadeite vary: Yellow to gold, pink to blue lavenders, rusty reds, light to dark greens, pure white, brown, and black are jadeite colors. It is slightly harder than Nephrite, with a hardness rating of 7.
Nephrite is a fine-grained, calcium-rich, magnesium and iron aluminous amphibole with a hardness of 6.5. It is also a metamorphous rock, but unlike Jadeite, it does not require specific conditions of pressure and cold to form. It is available in fewer colors than Jadeite: Creamy white, and shades of green, brown and black.
Some colors of Nephrite are hard to distinguish from Jadeite by visual inspection, but an ultraviolet money checker can distinguish the two: Jadeite flouresces weakly like human teeth, Nephrite does not flouresce. The sheen of a finished piece is another distinguishing feature: Jadeite is glass like, while Nephrite finishes to a fine luster.
In the US, only Jadeite and Nephrite can be labelled "Jade," but disreputable traders often mislabel other more common stones "jade varieties" to confuse the unwary. Reputable dealers will not use the following misleading terms: Amazon Jade, Colorado Jade: Green Feldspar; American Jade: Californite (Green Idocrase); Mexican Jade: Green-dyed Calcite; Indian Jade: Adventurine; Korea Jade: Serpentine; Oregon or Swiss Jade: Chalcedony; and Transvaal Jade: Green hydroglossular garnet.
Most of these stones are softer than Jadeite and Nephrite and will not scratch glass (hardness 5) .
The best Nephrite from China is a creamy white variety known as "mutton fat." Spinach Nephrite, the color of the cooked vegetable, is also popular. Ancient Chinese jade items made before the 1800's are usually Nephrite.
Believed to preserve the body after death, Chinese emperors had burial suits made of Nephrite, and filled their tombs with items of this material.
Since 1786, true Jadeite has been imported into China from northern Burma. Every year, the Myanmar Gems Enterprise holds an auction of rough Jade for registered Jade dealers. Jade dealers are seasoned gamblers: The rough stone looks like an ordinary boulder with a small window ground into the surface, only when the stone is cut up will the buyer know whether he's purchased a valuable raw material or a low grade rock.
Burmese Jadeite quickly replaced Chinese Nephrite as the Imperial variety of Jade because of its superior luminosity, translucency, and hardness, hence its prestigious status in Chinese jewelry, where it is sold alongside local Nephrite. Before the 1800s, only Chinese Nephrite was considered true Jade, but the adoption by the Imperial household of the Burmese Jadeite reversed the situation.
Imperial Jade is the most expensive, colored a specific emerald-like green with an inner glow not found in other stones. The more uniform the green in an Imperial Jade piece, the greater its value. Some pieces can be worth millions, and it is rare that you will find a true Imperial Jade quality piece except in Museums.
Uniformity of color usually enhances value, but there are also unique color patterns that are highly sought after. The next most valuable colors are in the pink to lavender range, followed by the lighter and darker greens. Spotty greens (moss in snow) are highly sought after.
Because certain colors are more valuable than others, some merchants dye the Jade. Dyed jade is difficult to detect with the naked eye, but a magnifying loupe will show color accumulation along grain boundaries in a dyed stone. A Chelsea filter, a tool of Jade merchants, will show red streaks in a dyed stone.
When buying a piece that is claimed to be natural in color, have the seller mark on the receipt or certificate that the Jade is "natural color."
Microscopic flaws, dark spots, veins, splotches, and cracks in a Jadeite piece may dramatically reduce an item's value, but honest dealers price their items accordingly, noting the item's characteristics in the certificate of authenticity.
Jade pieces with barely detectable flaws provide excellent value as jewelry accents, but a true collector will want only the most perfect items.
Surface waxing is the only method of enhancement acceptable to serious collectors, but bleaching and acid treaments, dyeing, and heating may be used to alter the material.
It is important that if any of these techniques (other than waxing) are used, these are disclosed by the Jade merchant as these may reduce its value as a collection item.
Given the pitfalls of buying Jade, it is important to deal only with reputable merchants and Jade factories. Honest dealers price accordingly and describe the characteristics of the item you've purchased in the receipt or accompanying certificate. They will not misrepresent an item in order to obtain a higher price, but will take the time to explain why seemingly identical items have widely varying prices.
Visits to reputable Jade and Jewelry factories are included in many of Panda Travel's China Tours. Through its partnership with China Panorama, Panda Travel provides an affordable, exciting and informative perspective of Ancient and Modern China.
Philippine Airlines flies four times weekly to Beijing. For extra Mabuhay Miles credits, book your stay at a Marco Polo Hotel, and bring along American Tourister luggage. American Tourister is Samsonite's value priced line of durable luggage.
The World of Jade
When polished and professionally worked, it is a beautiful luminous gemstone. For many, it symbolizes love and virtue. For the Chinese, it symbolizes the Confucian virtues of wisdom, justice, and compassion, although its first known use was in arrowheads and axes.
The Aztecs and many other pre-Columbian American cultures valued it more highly than gold. In many cultures, from the Egyptians to the Maoris of New Zealand, it is believed to be a lucky, protective stone.
Trade with the East brought this gemstone to Europe in the 16th Century, but it was the Spaniards, who found another source in Central America, that gave its name: Piedra de Hijada, later shortened to simply "Jade."
But it's not always what you think it is.
Until about 1786, most Jade in China was Nephrite, a similar looking mineral, but with a different composition. In fact, both minerals look so similar that it was only in the late 19th Century that it was determined that the "Jade" in China was a different "Jade" from that mined in Burma.
In Mandarin, Jadeite is known as "ying yu," hard Jade, and Nephrite is known as "ruan yu," soft Jade. The word "Yu," by itself, means precious ornamental rock, a description that can be applied to any valuable stone.
True Jade is Jadeite, a sodium-rich aluminous pyroxene, obtained mainly from northern Burma, but with minor sources throughout the world. Jadeite is a metamorphous rock formed under specific conditions of high-pressure and low temperature.
The colors of jadeite vary: Yellow to gold, pink to blue lavenders, rusty reds, light to dark greens, pure white, brown, and black are jadeite colors. It is slightly harder than Nephrite, with a hardness rating of 7.
Nephrite is a fine-grained, calcium-rich, magnesium and iron aluminous amphibole with a hardness of 6.5. It is also a metamorphous rock, but unlike Jadeite, it does not require specific conditions of pressure and cold to form. It is available in fewer colors than Jadeite: Creamy white, and shades of green, brown and black.
Some colors of Nephrite are hard to distinguish from Jadeite by visual inspection, but an ultraviolet money checker can distinguish the two: Jadeite flouresces weakly like human teeth, Nephrite does not flouresce. The sheen of a finished piece is another distinguishing feature: Jadeite is glass like, while Nephrite finishes to a fine luster.
In the US, only Jadeite and Nephrite can be labelled "Jade," but disreputable traders often mislabel other more common stones "jade varieties" to confuse the unwary. Reputable dealers will not use the following misleading terms: Amazon Jade, Colorado Jade: Green Feldspar; American Jade: Californite (Green Idocrase); Mexican Jade: Green-dyed Calcite; Indian Jade: Adventurine; Korea Jade: Serpentine; Oregon or Swiss Jade: Chalcedony; and Transvaal Jade: Green hydroglossular garnet.
Most of these stones are softer than Jadeite and Nephrite and will not scratch glass (hardness 5) .
The best Nephrite from China is a creamy white variety known as "mutton fat." Spinach Nephrite, the color of the cooked vegetable, is also popular. Ancient Chinese jade items made before the 1800's are usually Nephrite.
Believed to preserve the body after death, Chinese emperors had burial suits made of Nephrite, and filled their tombs with items of this material.
Since 1786, true Jadeite has been imported into China from northern Burma. Every year, the Myanmar Gems Enterprise holds an auction of rough Jade for registered Jade dealers. Jade dealers are seasoned gamblers: The rough stone looks like an ordinary boulder with a small window ground into the surface, only when the stone is cut up will the buyer know whether he's purchased a valuable raw material or a low grade rock.
Burmese Jadeite quickly replaced Chinese Nephrite as the Imperial variety of Jade because of its superior luminosity, translucency, and hardness, hence its prestigious status in Chinese jewelry, where it is sold alongside local Nephrite. Before the 1800s, only Chinese Nephrite was considered true Jade, but the adoption by the Imperial household of the Burmese Jadeite reversed the situation.
Imperial Jade is the most expensive, colored a specific emerald-like green with an inner glow not found in other stones. The more uniform the green in an Imperial Jade piece, the greater its value. Some pieces can be worth millions, and it is rare that you will find a true Imperial Jade quality piece except in Museums.
Uniformity of color usually enhances value, but there are also unique color patterns that are highly sought after. The next most valuable colors are in the pink to lavender range, followed by the lighter and darker greens. Spotty greens (moss in snow) are highly sought after.
Because certain colors are more valuable than others, some merchants dye the Jade. Dyed jade is difficult to detect with the naked eye, but a magnifying loupe will show color accumulation along grain boundaries in a dyed stone. A Chelsea filter, a tool of Jade merchants, will show red streaks in a dyed stone.
When buying a piece that is claimed to be natural in color, have the seller mark on the receipt or certificate that the Jade is "natural color."
Microscopic flaws, dark spots, veins, splotches, and cracks in a Jadeite piece may dramatically reduce an item's value, but honest dealers price their items accordingly, noting the item's characteristics in the certificate of authenticity.
Jade pieces with barely detectable flaws provide excellent value as jewelry accents, but a true collector will want only the most perfect items.
Surface waxing is the only method of enhancement acceptable to serious collectors, but bleaching and acid treaments, dyeing, and heating may be used to alter the material.
It is important that if any of these techniques (other than waxing) are used, these are disclosed by the Jade merchant as these may reduce its value as a collection item.
Given the pitfalls of buying Jade, it is important to deal only with reputable merchants and Jade factories. Honest dealers price accordingly and describe the characteristics of the item you've purchased in the receipt or accompanying certificate. They will not misrepresent an item in order to obtain a higher price, but will take the time to explain why seemingly identical items have widely varying prices.
Visits to reputable Jade and Jewelry factories are included in many of Panda Travel's China Tours. Through its partnership with China Panorama, Panda Travel provides an affordable, exciting and informative perspective of Ancient and Modern China.
Philippine Airlines flies four times weekly to Beijing. For extra Mabuhay Miles credits, book your stay at a Marco Polo Hotel, and bring along American Tourister luggage. American Tourister is Samsonite's value priced line of durable luggage.
The Never Ending Story
As a result of this and other similar articles, Philippine National Oil Corporation created and implemented a sustained rehabilitation program for the affected areas.
The Never Ending Story
Over a hundred square kilometers of marine sanctuary and rich fishing
grounds are threatened by yet another oil spill off Guimaras, the
second so far this year.
International Maritime Law requires that environmentally dangerous
cargo, such as fuel oils, be transported only in double hulled ships to
minimize tragedies such as these.
Petron was quick to point out that as cargo owner, they have no
liability. This, of course, did not sit well with the Justice
Department, which points out that Petron also selected the shipping
company, knowing full well that the ships transporting their cargo had
single hulls.
We take such irresponsible liberties with our environment, and so soon
after the President had declared the area of the spill as the tourism
hub of the country.
Millions are being spent today to clean up this mess. But the effects
of this disastrous oil spill go far beyond today's news.
Oil spills go far beyond the immediate effects of the visible oil. The
seas off Guimaras will produce less fish for the next twenty years.
Hectares of lush coral remain covered in sludge.
And those local hires, working with little protective gear for P150/day
have just acquired a lifetime of potential health problems in the
bargain.
But, it will all be forgotten by then.
The fishermen and the local laborers are little people. Their lives
have forever been affected by this tragedy, but once the headlines are
gone, they will be forgotten.
When the Exxon Valdez spilled ten million gallons of oil in 1989, the
clean up took over ten years, and the legal claims continue seventeen
years later, centered around punitive damages of $5Bln, or Exxon's
single year profit in 1989.
This is aside from the $2Bln Exxon already claims to have spent in the
clean-up and $1Bln paid out to various civil claimants, mainly
businesses damaged by the viscous oil.
Are these enough? Not according to some experts. The damage to the
environment and local businesses has run into tens of billions of
dollars, and seventeen years later, there is still much work to be
done.
None of these can be handled by a quick fix solution.
Mopping up the oil is an immediate concern, but longer term approaches
to repair the local environment and provide support to the displaced
local economy are essential. Corals and affected businesses do not
miraculously re-grow when the visible oil is gone.
The Exxon Valdez Oil Spill Trustee Council, http://www.evostc.state.ak.us/ created by the State of Alaska handles the long term management of the oil spill's damage to the environment and the rich fishing grounds off
Alaska.
The Never Ending Story
Over a hundred square kilometers of marine sanctuary and rich fishing
grounds are threatened by yet another oil spill off Guimaras, the
second so far this year.
International Maritime Law requires that environmentally dangerous
cargo, such as fuel oils, be transported only in double hulled ships to
minimize tragedies such as these.
Petron was quick to point out that as cargo owner, they have no
liability. This, of course, did not sit well with the Justice
Department, which points out that Petron also selected the shipping
company, knowing full well that the ships transporting their cargo had
single hulls.
We take such irresponsible liberties with our environment, and so soon
after the President had declared the area of the spill as the tourism
hub of the country.
Millions are being spent today to clean up this mess. But the effects
of this disastrous oil spill go far beyond today's news.
Oil spills go far beyond the immediate effects of the visible oil. The
seas off Guimaras will produce less fish for the next twenty years.
Hectares of lush coral remain covered in sludge.
And those local hires, working with little protective gear for P150/day
have just acquired a lifetime of potential health problems in the
bargain.
But, it will all be forgotten by then.
The fishermen and the local laborers are little people. Their lives
have forever been affected by this tragedy, but once the headlines are
gone, they will be forgotten.
When the Exxon Valdez spilled ten million gallons of oil in 1989, the
clean up took over ten years, and the legal claims continue seventeen
years later, centered around punitive damages of $5Bln, or Exxon's
single year profit in 1989.
This is aside from the $2Bln Exxon already claims to have spent in the
clean-up and $1Bln paid out to various civil claimants, mainly
businesses damaged by the viscous oil.
Are these enough? Not according to some experts. The damage to the
environment and local businesses has run into tens of billions of
dollars, and seventeen years later, there is still much work to be
done.
None of these can be handled by a quick fix solution.
Mopping up the oil is an immediate concern, but longer term approaches
to repair the local environment and provide support to the displaced
local economy are essential. Corals and affected businesses do not
miraculously re-grow when the visible oil is gone.
The Exxon Valdez Oil Spill Trustee Council, http://www.evostc.state.ak.us/ created by the State of Alaska handles the long term management of the oil spill's damage to the environment and the rich fishing grounds off
Alaska.
The Philippines Super-Tourism Program
Super-Tourism!
Super-Tourism is how Undersecretary Phineas Alburo defines the Department of Tourism's strategy to develop the Tourism Super Region defined in President GMA's 2006 SONA. Comprising Regions 5,6,7,8 and Palawan, the Super Region includes the country's most popular tourist destinations.
Going beyond the traditional approach of simply marketing the Philippines as a tourist destination, the DOT's wholistic strategy incorporates the whole spectrum of tourism-related issues.
"Infrastructure first, Programs second," says Alburo, explaining the DOT's new role coordinating tourism related infrastructure projects of DOTC and DPWH. "We need to focus on building the roads, bridges, and RO-RO Seaports going to tourist destinations, next, we need to involve the local communities in providing tourist services."
Aside from the usual beaches and resorts, the tourism strategy aims to develop tourism products in three areas: 1) Heritage Sites comprising old Spanish fortresses, historical churches, homes, and estates. 2) Wellness and Spa resorts where tourists can relax and provide employment to hundreds of wellness professionals. 3) Medical Tourism, in coordination with the Department of Health, encouraging foreign nationals to avail of our value priced, yet state of the art, medical facilities.
U.S. Tourists comprise the bulk of foreign arrivals at 40%, but Alburo would like to see more third generation Filipino-Americans visit the Islands. "Many of these Filipino nationals have never seen the land of their ancestry. We would like to invite them over to visit the Philippines and bring their mainstream American friends," says Alburo.
Third generation Filipino-Americans are more likely to invest in the Philippines, according to DOT's studies, investing in Philippine real estate and helping Philippine based relatives establish businesses.
The next most important audience are the Koreans and the Japanese, many of whom fly directly to Cebu for rest and relaxation. Cebu's International Airport handles 42 International flights a week, 21 of which travel routes to Korea and Japan.
Intra-South East Asian tourism is also booming. With direct flights to Hong Kong, Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, and Taipei, Cebu is the preferred destination for recreational tourists looking for a quick getaway.
Another important market, according to Alburo, is the so-called M.I.C.E. Market: Meetings, Incentive travel, Conventions, and Exhibitions. The forthcoming ASEAN convention is an extraordinary example of convention tourism. With two thousand official delegates, and four thousand expected guests, the ASEAN summit will help promote Cebu and the Philippines to the entire region.
Promoting local tourism is another key element in the tourism strategy. Local tourists help maintain the tourist infrastructure by providing a year round market for tourism service providers. The DOT identifies two segments in the local tourism market: The first are tourists from other parts of the country, and the second are tourists from within the provinces themselves.
"Many Cebuanos have not seen the northern and southern ends of the island, and we encourage them to traverse the island to visit resorts and other interesting spots," says Alburo. "The same is true of any other island in the Philippines, and encouraging local travel helps develop the infrastructure to service all kinds of tourists."
Involving the local communities is another key element in the wholistic strategy.
"We're encouraging local communities to train tour guides and produce souvenirs, while encouraging tour operators to avail of local services. For instance, we actively discourage operators from bringing along packed lunches, directing them to local caterers and restaurants for their tourist meals," says Alburo, citing their current pilot project in the Olango Island nature reserve near Mactan.
Alburo is also encouraged by our discussion about liberalizing the telecommunications infrastructure, something he promised to discuss with the DOTC and NTC during their next meeting.
If we can provide free and low-cost Community Internet access in our tourist spots, Alburo believes it will encourage tourists to stay longer, and provide the community with up-to-date information on the latest industry trends.
When the Department of Tourism talks about marketing the Philippines, that's just tourism, but when it takes a wholistic approach, considering every aspect of the tourism experience, and involves the local communities as partners, they've gone one step beyond into a strategy that can only be called Super-Tourism.
Super-Tourism is how Undersecretary Phineas Alburo defines the Department of Tourism's strategy to develop the Tourism Super Region defined in President GMA's 2006 SONA. Comprising Regions 5,6,7,8 and Palawan, the Super Region includes the country's most popular tourist destinations.
Going beyond the traditional approach of simply marketing the Philippines as a tourist destination, the DOT's wholistic strategy incorporates the whole spectrum of tourism-related issues.
"Infrastructure first, Programs second," says Alburo, explaining the DOT's new role coordinating tourism related infrastructure projects of DOTC and DPWH. "We need to focus on building the roads, bridges, and RO-RO Seaports going to tourist destinations, next, we need to involve the local communities in providing tourist services."
Aside from the usual beaches and resorts, the tourism strategy aims to develop tourism products in three areas: 1) Heritage Sites comprising old Spanish fortresses, historical churches, homes, and estates. 2) Wellness and Spa resorts where tourists can relax and provide employment to hundreds of wellness professionals. 3) Medical Tourism, in coordination with the Department of Health, encouraging foreign nationals to avail of our value priced, yet state of the art, medical facilities.
U.S. Tourists comprise the bulk of foreign arrivals at 40%, but Alburo would like to see more third generation Filipino-Americans visit the Islands. "Many of these Filipino nationals have never seen the land of their ancestry. We would like to invite them over to visit the Philippines and bring their mainstream American friends," says Alburo.
Third generation Filipino-Americans are more likely to invest in the Philippines, according to DOT's studies, investing in Philippine real estate and helping Philippine based relatives establish businesses.
The next most important audience are the Koreans and the Japanese, many of whom fly directly to Cebu for rest and relaxation. Cebu's International Airport handles 42 International flights a week, 21 of which travel routes to Korea and Japan.
Intra-South East Asian tourism is also booming. With direct flights to Hong Kong, Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, and Taipei, Cebu is the preferred destination for recreational tourists looking for a quick getaway.
Another important market, according to Alburo, is the so-called M.I.C.E. Market: Meetings, Incentive travel, Conventions, and Exhibitions. The forthcoming ASEAN convention is an extraordinary example of convention tourism. With two thousand official delegates, and four thousand expected guests, the ASEAN summit will help promote Cebu and the Philippines to the entire region.
Promoting local tourism is another key element in the tourism strategy. Local tourists help maintain the tourist infrastructure by providing a year round market for tourism service providers. The DOT identifies two segments in the local tourism market: The first are tourists from other parts of the country, and the second are tourists from within the provinces themselves.
"Many Cebuanos have not seen the northern and southern ends of the island, and we encourage them to traverse the island to visit resorts and other interesting spots," says Alburo. "The same is true of any other island in the Philippines, and encouraging local travel helps develop the infrastructure to service all kinds of tourists."
Involving the local communities is another key element in the wholistic strategy.
"We're encouraging local communities to train tour guides and produce souvenirs, while encouraging tour operators to avail of local services. For instance, we actively discourage operators from bringing along packed lunches, directing them to local caterers and restaurants for their tourist meals," says Alburo, citing their current pilot project in the Olango Island nature reserve near Mactan.
Alburo is also encouraged by our discussion about liberalizing the telecommunications infrastructure, something he promised to discuss with the DOTC and NTC during their next meeting.
If we can provide free and low-cost Community Internet access in our tourist spots, Alburo believes it will encourage tourists to stay longer, and provide the community with up-to-date information on the latest industry trends.
When the Department of Tourism talks about marketing the Philippines, that's just tourism, but when it takes a wholistic approach, considering every aspect of the tourism experience, and involves the local communities as partners, they've gone one step beyond into a strategy that can only be called Super-Tourism.
Cebu: Island Republic, The Culture of Boom
The market was busy the day Magellan first landed. Merchants from Thailand, China, and the East Indies noisily bartered their wares of silk, ceramics, iron and bronze for the natives' produce of pearls, tortoise shell, gold and spices, paying little attention to the political circus then unfolding.
Rajah Humabon, eager to find a way to avoid paying tribute to the Sultan of Sulu, accepted Magellan's offer of protection and allowed himself to be baptized a Catholic. Thus began our conversion to become the leading outpost of Christianity in Asia.
Of course, that did not stop the Cebuanos from continuing robust trade with the Buddhist Siamese and the Malay Muslim communities.
Then, as today, Cebu is a melting pot for Asians of different persuasions, including the Chinese. With the arrival of the Hispanics, Cebu welcomed them too, creating a melting pot culture disparate in its origins but unified by common values of trade and entrepreneurship.
Cebu City's metropolitan area has grown to encompass two other cities, Mandaue City and Lapu-Lapu City on Mactan Island. When the President chose Cebu as the site of the Philippines' Southern Capital, Cebuanos were quick to point out that in the early years of Spain's rule, Cebu was the Philippines' capital, and the move is simply modern-day recognition of its historic place.
In the last three decades, Cebu has led the country in economic growth, with rates averaging 20% above the national figures. It has its own International Seaport, the busiest outside Manila, with direct ports of call to Asian centers Hong Kong and Singapore.
As the country's most popular tourist destination, the International Airport in Mactan handles 42 direct flights a week from Hong Kong, Singapore, Narita (Japan), Incheon (Korea), Pusan (Korea), Doha (Qatar), Taipei (Taiwan), and Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia).
Tourist spots throughout Central and Southern Philippines are also a short trip, by land or sea, away from Cebu. Bohol province, with its pristine beaches and spectacular dive spots is a thirty minute ferry ride away.
Long marketing itself abroad as an island in the Pacific, Cebu has managed to insulate itself from the political storms occasionally distracting Imperial Manila. That doesn't mean Cebuanos don't involve themselves in their own politics: Cebuano TV regularly broadcasts provincial and city council sessions. Cebu business, after all, relies on the local governments, headed by Provincial Governor Gwen Garcia, and City Mayor Tommy Osmena, to maintain their business friendly environment.
In Cebu, entrepreneurs and businessmen are the local heroes. In this culture, it is the home-grown entrepreneurs who endorse products on print ads, billboards, and local TV. It is this kind of role-modelling that has developed Cebu into the Central Philippines' center of trade and commerce with leading positions in electronics exports, furniture manufacturing, mining, and now, business process outsourcing.
Big Business has also found its way to Cebu: Major Property developers Ayala Land, Robinson's Land, and Federal Land are all here, eager to develop quality office and residential spaces for the City's booming outsourcing industries and growing population. The Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry envisions their metropolis as the software, and e-services hub not just for the Philippines, but for the entire Southeast Asia.
The old golf course, converted to the Cebu Business Park in the 1990s, wanted for locators until outsourcers discovered Cebu. Then it became a boomtown. The old airport at Lahug, converted into a business park also in the 1990s, is Asiatown I.T. Park, with purpose built developments hosting international call center operators.
Two decades ago, Rustan's was the only Manila based department store operating in Cebu, followed by Robinson's in the late-1980s. Today, SM and Ayala both operate large malls in the city, competing with the home-grown Gaisano Malls, and the dozens of pocket malls that line the city streets.
These pocket malls play an important role in the continuing boom, providing incubators for hundreds of start-up businesses, a preferred career path for many young Cebuanos. Visit any of these little malls to experience the ideas of Cebu's innovative entrepreneurs, themselves an invigorating mix of old-money and new talent.
From unique gift shops to delicious restaurants and exciting watering holes, Cebu's entrepreneurs are constantly testing new concepts. Many, like Bo's Coffee Corner, Julie's Bakeshop, Penshoppe, Oxygen, and Island Souvenirs have become nationally recognized brand names.
Bright ideas are the currency of Cebu's continuing boom and the value creators of Cebu's economy are its export designers, people like furniture designer Kenneth CoBonPue, Asia Design Awardee 2005, and Ma. Concepcion Barba, who with her daughters, and one-time student Belinda Mangayon, comprise Vanya Creations, a leading exporter of fashion and costume jewelry.
Cobonpue's designs have gained international recognition, filling the celebrity homes of Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie, with cameo appearances in the latest James Bond flick "Casino Royale," while Vanya's creations have made the fashion pages of Vogue, Elle, and every devil wearing prada edited magazine.
Julia Barba of Vanya laments that Chinese manufacturers often try to copy their designs, sneakily attempting to photograph their products at trade shows in Milan, Tokyo, and Paris. "I must have the most photographed palms in the world," says Barba, describing attempts to fend off would-be pirates from photographing their wares at trade shows.
Competition and copycats are a threat, but Cobonpue deals with IP violations creatively: "We're constantly creating new designs, if they copy our designs, by the time they make it to market, they're selling fakes of last year's designs."
The process of reinvention is key to Cobonpue's success, next year's designs may carry elements from last year's ideas, or be entirely fresh. It is the combination of old and new that creates excitement, the use of traditional materials with new forms, or new materials with traditional forms.
This same process of reinvention keeps the boom times rolling in Cebu: Combining old with the new, guided by a centuries old tradition of trade and commerce.
Rajah Humabon, eager to find a way to avoid paying tribute to the Sultan of Sulu, accepted Magellan's offer of protection and allowed himself to be baptized a Catholic. Thus began our conversion to become the leading outpost of Christianity in Asia.
Of course, that did not stop the Cebuanos from continuing robust trade with the Buddhist Siamese and the Malay Muslim communities.
Then, as today, Cebu is a melting pot for Asians of different persuasions, including the Chinese. With the arrival of the Hispanics, Cebu welcomed them too, creating a melting pot culture disparate in its origins but unified by common values of trade and entrepreneurship.
Cebu City's metropolitan area has grown to encompass two other cities, Mandaue City and Lapu-Lapu City on Mactan Island. When the President chose Cebu as the site of the Philippines' Southern Capital, Cebuanos were quick to point out that in the early years of Spain's rule, Cebu was the Philippines' capital, and the move is simply modern-day recognition of its historic place.
In the last three decades, Cebu has led the country in economic growth, with rates averaging 20% above the national figures. It has its own International Seaport, the busiest outside Manila, with direct ports of call to Asian centers Hong Kong and Singapore.
As the country's most popular tourist destination, the International Airport in Mactan handles 42 direct flights a week from Hong Kong, Singapore, Narita (Japan), Incheon (Korea), Pusan (Korea), Doha (Qatar), Taipei (Taiwan), and Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia).
Tourist spots throughout Central and Southern Philippines are also a short trip, by land or sea, away from Cebu. Bohol province, with its pristine beaches and spectacular dive spots is a thirty minute ferry ride away.
Long marketing itself abroad as an island in the Pacific, Cebu has managed to insulate itself from the political storms occasionally distracting Imperial Manila. That doesn't mean Cebuanos don't involve themselves in their own politics: Cebuano TV regularly broadcasts provincial and city council sessions. Cebu business, after all, relies on the local governments, headed by Provincial Governor Gwen Garcia, and City Mayor Tommy Osmena, to maintain their business friendly environment.
In Cebu, entrepreneurs and businessmen are the local heroes. In this culture, it is the home-grown entrepreneurs who endorse products on print ads, billboards, and local TV. It is this kind of role-modelling that has developed Cebu into the Central Philippines' center of trade and commerce with leading positions in electronics exports, furniture manufacturing, mining, and now, business process outsourcing.
Big Business has also found its way to Cebu: Major Property developers Ayala Land, Robinson's Land, and Federal Land are all here, eager to develop quality office and residential spaces for the City's booming outsourcing industries and growing population. The Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry envisions their metropolis as the software, and e-services hub not just for the Philippines, but for the entire Southeast Asia.
The old golf course, converted to the Cebu Business Park in the 1990s, wanted for locators until outsourcers discovered Cebu. Then it became a boomtown. The old airport at Lahug, converted into a business park also in the 1990s, is Asiatown I.T. Park, with purpose built developments hosting international call center operators.
Two decades ago, Rustan's was the only Manila based department store operating in Cebu, followed by Robinson's in the late-1980s. Today, SM and Ayala both operate large malls in the city, competing with the home-grown Gaisano Malls, and the dozens of pocket malls that line the city streets.
These pocket malls play an important role in the continuing boom, providing incubators for hundreds of start-up businesses, a preferred career path for many young Cebuanos. Visit any of these little malls to experience the ideas of Cebu's innovative entrepreneurs, themselves an invigorating mix of old-money and new talent.
From unique gift shops to delicious restaurants and exciting watering holes, Cebu's entrepreneurs are constantly testing new concepts. Many, like Bo's Coffee Corner, Julie's Bakeshop, Penshoppe, Oxygen, and Island Souvenirs have become nationally recognized brand names.
Bright ideas are the currency of Cebu's continuing boom and the value creators of Cebu's economy are its export designers, people like furniture designer Kenneth CoBonPue, Asia Design Awardee 2005, and Ma. Concepcion Barba, who with her daughters, and one-time student Belinda Mangayon, comprise Vanya Creations, a leading exporter of fashion and costume jewelry.
Cobonpue's designs have gained international recognition, filling the celebrity homes of Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie, with cameo appearances in the latest James Bond flick "Casino Royale," while Vanya's creations have made the fashion pages of Vogue, Elle, and every devil wearing prada edited magazine.
Julia Barba of Vanya laments that Chinese manufacturers often try to copy their designs, sneakily attempting to photograph their products at trade shows in Milan, Tokyo, and Paris. "I must have the most photographed palms in the world," says Barba, describing attempts to fend off would-be pirates from photographing their wares at trade shows.
Competition and copycats are a threat, but Cobonpue deals with IP violations creatively: "We're constantly creating new designs, if they copy our designs, by the time they make it to market, they're selling fakes of last year's designs."
The process of reinvention is key to Cobonpue's success, next year's designs may carry elements from last year's ideas, or be entirely fresh. It is the combination of old and new that creates excitement, the use of traditional materials with new forms, or new materials with traditional forms.
This same process of reinvention keeps the boom times rolling in Cebu: Combining old with the new, guided by a centuries old tradition of trade and commerce.
The Grand Dame has a New Name
Written for Federal Land, and the Marco Polo Plaza Cebu, following a media familiarization tour.
The Grand Dame has a New Name
She towers majestically over Metro Cebu in Nivel Hills, Lahug, an unmistakeable landmark in a remarkable city. Formerly the Cebu Plaza, she is now the Marco Polo Plaza Cebu.
Acquired by a consortium led by Metrobank and Federal Land in 2002, Chairman George Ty takes a personal interest in this landmark project, carefully overseeing, along with Federal Land General Manager Reynaldo Villar, the Grand Dame's P800 Million renovation.
Marco Polo signed on as the hotel's operator in July 2005, the group's second hotel venture in the Philippines and eighth worldwide. Marco Polo, based in Hong Kong and one of Asia's fastest growing hotel chains, brings international hospitality standards to Cebu.
Most of the exterior structure remains intact, including the hotel's signature scenic elevator--a tribute to the original architects' forward looking design. Elegant furnishings from Cebu Plaza were spruced up and retained, and where needed, new pieces contracted from Cebu's leading furniture manufacturers.
The refurbished Grand Lobby ranks among the country's most elegant, and is certainly above anything else in Cebu. The hotel's Grand Ballroom and function rooms, lavishly upgraded to modern standards, remain a favorite for Cebu's premiere business and social events. The hotel's 329 rooms have been upgraded to Marco Polo standards, with central airconditioning and modern amenities, including broadband Internet.
For business travellers, the Marco Polo Plaza Cebu offers the Continental Club, an 81-room virtual hotel within a hotel. Guests at the Club avail of extra perks at the exclusive Club lounge on the 24th floor which offers all day snacks, wireless Internet access, a boardroom with multimedia facilities, and express check-out.
Marco Polo Plaza Cebu is a major host in the forthcoming ASEAN Summit in December and several countries are competing to book their delegations at the hotel. Given the size of each delegation and their unique requirements, the hotel can only accommodate three or four countries during the summit, "but we're glad to know that we're the first choice of several countries." says PR Manager Carlo Borromeo.
Gearing up for the ASEAN Summit is what's kept the hotel's 368 person staff busy since it opened for business in January 2006. It has since hosted several important functions: Metrobank's International Conference, the Philippine Anaesthesiologists Convention, and its own Inauguration on April 27, with no less than President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo cutting the ribbon.
The main market of the hotel, in line with the President's SONA program for tourism is the MICE market, or Meetings, Incentive Travel, Convention, and Exhibits, but it also has a generous share of the leisure travel market, says General Manager Hans Hauri, who ensures that Marco Polo's standards of service are maintained.
The hotel boasts three F&B outlets: The trademark Cafe Marco, the Lobby bar, and Garden Terrace beside the pool. The Garden Terrace, with its outdoor stage, is a popular venue for Cebu society's outdoor events.
Overseeing the hotel's food service is Executive Chef Luke Gagnon, a Canadian with over fifteen years experience in Asia's best hotels, from the Excelsior in Hong Kong, to the various Shangri-La Hotels (including Mactan), Sutera Harbor in Malaysia, and now, the Marco Polo Hotel Cebu.
Chef Gagnon enjoys cooking in Cebu where he can find the freshest ingredients and organic vegetables from a contract supplier. He loves the Cebu Mango, "the best in the world," and incorporates it into many dishes from appetizers to salads and entrees, and of course, desserts.
Walking into the Cafe Marco, one could easily proclaim this Cebu's best hotel buffet, but be careful not to let the Chef hear you: "This is not a Buffet!" proclaims Chef Gagnon, "In a buffet, you get food which is several hours old, at the Cafe Marco, food is cooked on demand by our chefs, and always served fresh and delicious."
There are many exciting things in store for the hotel's 7.5 hectare property. Federal Land, owner of the hotel property, foresees further development of the area into a premiere business, leisure, and residential complex within the city. "This is in line with our main business as a quality property developer," says General Manager Villar, "We are currently fixing up the low-rise area, formerly a sports complex and apartelles, and studying redevelopment possibilities."
"But rest assured," Villar adds, "...the Grand Dame, now the Marco Polo Plaza Cebu, will always be the property's flagship and a prestigious Cebu landmark for decades to come!"
The Grand Dame has a New Name
She towers majestically over Metro Cebu in Nivel Hills, Lahug, an unmistakeable landmark in a remarkable city. Formerly the Cebu Plaza, she is now the Marco Polo Plaza Cebu.
Acquired by a consortium led by Metrobank and Federal Land in 2002, Chairman George Ty takes a personal interest in this landmark project, carefully overseeing, along with Federal Land General Manager Reynaldo Villar, the Grand Dame's P800 Million renovation.
Marco Polo signed on as the hotel's operator in July 2005, the group's second hotel venture in the Philippines and eighth worldwide. Marco Polo, based in Hong Kong and one of Asia's fastest growing hotel chains, brings international hospitality standards to Cebu.
Most of the exterior structure remains intact, including the hotel's signature scenic elevator--a tribute to the original architects' forward looking design. Elegant furnishings from Cebu Plaza were spruced up and retained, and where needed, new pieces contracted from Cebu's leading furniture manufacturers.
The refurbished Grand Lobby ranks among the country's most elegant, and is certainly above anything else in Cebu. The hotel's Grand Ballroom and function rooms, lavishly upgraded to modern standards, remain a favorite for Cebu's premiere business and social events. The hotel's 329 rooms have been upgraded to Marco Polo standards, with central airconditioning and modern amenities, including broadband Internet.
For business travellers, the Marco Polo Plaza Cebu offers the Continental Club, an 81-room virtual hotel within a hotel. Guests at the Club avail of extra perks at the exclusive Club lounge on the 24th floor which offers all day snacks, wireless Internet access, a boardroom with multimedia facilities, and express check-out.
Marco Polo Plaza Cebu is a major host in the forthcoming ASEAN Summit in December and several countries are competing to book their delegations at the hotel. Given the size of each delegation and their unique requirements, the hotel can only accommodate three or four countries during the summit, "but we're glad to know that we're the first choice of several countries." says PR Manager Carlo Borromeo.
Gearing up for the ASEAN Summit is what's kept the hotel's 368 person staff busy since it opened for business in January 2006. It has since hosted several important functions: Metrobank's International Conference, the Philippine Anaesthesiologists Convention, and its own Inauguration on April 27, with no less than President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo cutting the ribbon.
The main market of the hotel, in line with the President's SONA program for tourism is the MICE market, or Meetings, Incentive Travel, Convention, and Exhibits, but it also has a generous share of the leisure travel market, says General Manager Hans Hauri, who ensures that Marco Polo's standards of service are maintained.
The hotel boasts three F&B outlets: The trademark Cafe Marco, the Lobby bar, and Garden Terrace beside the pool. The Garden Terrace, with its outdoor stage, is a popular venue for Cebu society's outdoor events.
Overseeing the hotel's food service is Executive Chef Luke Gagnon, a Canadian with over fifteen years experience in Asia's best hotels, from the Excelsior in Hong Kong, to the various Shangri-La Hotels (including Mactan), Sutera Harbor in Malaysia, and now, the Marco Polo Hotel Cebu.
Chef Gagnon enjoys cooking in Cebu where he can find the freshest ingredients and organic vegetables from a contract supplier. He loves the Cebu Mango, "the best in the world," and incorporates it into many dishes from appetizers to salads and entrees, and of course, desserts.
Walking into the Cafe Marco, one could easily proclaim this Cebu's best hotel buffet, but be careful not to let the Chef hear you: "This is not a Buffet!" proclaims Chef Gagnon, "In a buffet, you get food which is several hours old, at the Cafe Marco, food is cooked on demand by our chefs, and always served fresh and delicious."
There are many exciting things in store for the hotel's 7.5 hectare property. Federal Land, owner of the hotel property, foresees further development of the area into a premiere business, leisure, and residential complex within the city. "This is in line with our main business as a quality property developer," says General Manager Villar, "We are currently fixing up the low-rise area, formerly a sports complex and apartelles, and studying redevelopment possibilities."
"But rest assured," Villar adds, "...the Grand Dame, now the Marco Polo Plaza Cebu, will always be the property's flagship and a prestigious Cebu landmark for decades to come!"
Monday, August 07, 2006
The Emergency Revolution
Published in the Manila Bulletin, 12 March 2006, two weeks after a State of Emergency was declared due to political unrest.
The Emergency Revolution
IT’S WHAT YOU DO in a State of Emergency that reveals where your priorities lie.
For President Gloria Arroyo, that meant taking the time last February 25 to rally the troops at the "Go Negosyo" Entrepreneurial Fair.
Accompanied by Presidential Adviser on Entrepreneurship Jose Concepcion III, and Presidential Adviser on Job Creation Arthur Yap, the President was warmly greeted by both aspiring and established entrepreneurs, who she referred to as "patriots," creating livelihood opportunities and feeding families.
Entrepreneurial development is key to the President’s 10-point program of governance.
According to the Department of Trade and Industry, Entrepreneurial Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) ensure a more equitable distribution of income, disperse economic activity to the countryside, and are a potent force in the war against poverty.
SMEs account for 99.6% of firms registered nationwide, and employ 69.9% of the labor force.
But why focus on entrepreneurship?
For one, entrepreneurial start-ups are amazing creators of economic value, in percentage terms, start-ups create more economic value than any other stage of the business life cycle.
Seasoned entrepreneurs can start up valuable businesses with nothing more than a business plan, creating a return on investment approaching infinity. Quite an advantage for a country that is perennially starved of capital.
Second, because of OFW remittances, we have one of the highest savings rates of any country in the world at 28%.
By actively promoting entrepreneurship, we provide channels for the conversion of savings and overseas remittances into productive enterprises, creating opportunities and jobs.
Republic Act 9178, The Barangay Micro Business Enterprises Law (fondly known as the BaMBE Law) is the cornerstone of the government’s SME program.
Under this Law, businesses capitalized below Three Million Pesos are eligible for Income Tax Holidays, access to preferential credit (from Land Bank, DBP, the Small Business Guarantee and Finance Corporation, and the People’s Credit and Finance Corporation), listing in the Local Government’s BMBE directory, and other perks.
To qualify as a BMBE, all you need to do is fill out the BMBE form downloadable from the DTI website (http://www.dti.gov.ph click on the "SME Agenda" Link along the lower left column), and submit it together with your business registration documents to your City or Municipal Treasurer, and pay the BMBE registration fee.
One note on the BMBE Program: Not all local governments are aware of it, and even among those that are, offices in some LGUs pretend it doesn’t exist.
Make sure you speak directly with the City Treasurer’s Office. They are the implementing office at the local level, but if you still have problems, contact DTI’s SME Center in your region.
A directory can be found on DTI’s website.
To help you out on your entrepreneurial venture, the government has volumes of information and technical assistance for you.
From DTI’s SME Agenda home page, you can find a startup business plan, a document with the programs and services for SMEs, and the 2004-2010 Development plan for SMEs. Review these documents for a guide on the specific programs you can avail of.
From the Technology and Livelihood Resource Center Home Page (http://www.tlrc.gov.ph), you can find training resources, class schedules, and other useful information. TLRC’s offerings are good investments for anyone serious about starting a business.
From the DOST home page (http://www.dost.gov.ph), find the training catalog of the technology training center, and links to free software for your business.
Most startup businesses can’t afford the prices of commercial software, but don’t be tempted to use pirated software — piracy is illegal and will get you into trouble sooner or later.
Use DOST’s Bayanihan Linux or Ubuntu Linux, the free OpenOffice.org suite, and other free software for Windows and Macintosh.
Other sites that are useful for SMEs are the Cottage Industry Technology Center, UP- Institute of Small-Scale Industries, the Technical Education & Skills Development Authority, and the DBPs SME page.
The National Government’s programs to promote entrepreneurship are a great start, unfortunately, these may not yet be enough.
SMEs contribute a mere 32% in value added to GDP, an under-performance compared with Japan (56%), China (60%), South Korea (46%), and Indonesia (63%).
For many small entrepreneurs, the only government they see is at the local level, yet how many local government units (LGUs) actively promote the National SME Agenda?
Many have job fairs, hoping to earn points with the hungry masses, yet few have activities that promote genuine entrepreneurship and true livelihood opportunities for their constituents.
The Barangay Micro Business Enterprise Law encourages local governments to take a pro-active stand towards entrepreneurship by simplifying registration procedures and creating a directory of registered microbusiness enterprises.
Many LGUs have simple enough registration procedures, but how many LGU websites have directories of BMBE’s?
Hardly any.
City and municipal treasurers both inside and outside Metro Manila lament that although their office implements the BMBE Law by issuing certifications, other offices in some LGUs are hardly enthusiastic about it, reluctant to promote it, with others even discouraging businesses from availing of it.
Another issue for small businesses is the cost of administrative compliance.
Any duly registered business has to make two filings with the BIR each month, four filings a year with the Local Government, and about half a dozen other filings a year with relevant agencies.
For medium and large scale businesses, the cost of compliance is negligible, but for the MicroEntrepreneur with limited resources, compliance costs can be debilitating and a bane to the productivity of the microenterprise.
Perhaps in the spirit of the BMBE Law, offices such as the BIR can limit these filings to once a quarter for BMBE certified businesses.
It will be a great help to micro-businesses and may even improve the tax take.
For the National Government’s proentrepreneurship program to be efective, it's important that the programs reach the frontlines.
Pitting these resources online is a great start: It conveniently circumvents any obstacles between the programs and their intended audience; but ultimately it is the enthusiastic involvement of LGUs and regional offices of government that will determine the success of the SME agenda.
State of Emergency or not, we are in a crisis, and we need a revolution to resolve the crises of poverty and lack of opportunity.
Entrepreneurship is that revolution: and Revolution that involves us working hand-in-hand with the National Government’s pro-SME agenda.
Any lesser agency, regional authority, or local government office that hinders this cause should be stomped on like the so many cockroaches that they are. They are the real cause of poverty.
The Emergency Revolution
IT’S WHAT YOU DO in a State of Emergency that reveals where your priorities lie.
For President Gloria Arroyo, that meant taking the time last February 25 to rally the troops at the "Go Negosyo" Entrepreneurial Fair.
Accompanied by Presidential Adviser on Entrepreneurship Jose Concepcion III, and Presidential Adviser on Job Creation Arthur Yap, the President was warmly greeted by both aspiring and established entrepreneurs, who she referred to as "patriots," creating livelihood opportunities and feeding families.
Entrepreneurial development is key to the President’s 10-point program of governance.
According to the Department of Trade and Industry, Entrepreneurial Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) ensure a more equitable distribution of income, disperse economic activity to the countryside, and are a potent force in the war against poverty.
SMEs account for 99.6% of firms registered nationwide, and employ 69.9% of the labor force.
But why focus on entrepreneurship?
For one, entrepreneurial start-ups are amazing creators of economic value, in percentage terms, start-ups create more economic value than any other stage of the business life cycle.
Seasoned entrepreneurs can start up valuable businesses with nothing more than a business plan, creating a return on investment approaching infinity. Quite an advantage for a country that is perennially starved of capital.
Second, because of OFW remittances, we have one of the highest savings rates of any country in the world at 28%.
By actively promoting entrepreneurship, we provide channels for the conversion of savings and overseas remittances into productive enterprises, creating opportunities and jobs.
Republic Act 9178, The Barangay Micro Business Enterprises Law (fondly known as the BaMBE Law) is the cornerstone of the government’s SME program.
Under this Law, businesses capitalized below Three Million Pesos are eligible for Income Tax Holidays, access to preferential credit (from Land Bank, DBP, the Small Business Guarantee and Finance Corporation, and the People’s Credit and Finance Corporation), listing in the Local Government’s BMBE directory, and other perks.
To qualify as a BMBE, all you need to do is fill out the BMBE form downloadable from the DTI website (http://www.dti.gov.ph click on the "SME Agenda" Link along the lower left column), and submit it together with your business registration documents to your City or Municipal Treasurer, and pay the BMBE registration fee.
One note on the BMBE Program: Not all local governments are aware of it, and even among those that are, offices in some LGUs pretend it doesn’t exist.
Make sure you speak directly with the City Treasurer’s Office. They are the implementing office at the local level, but if you still have problems, contact DTI’s SME Center in your region.
A directory can be found on DTI’s website.
To help you out on your entrepreneurial venture, the government has volumes of information and technical assistance for you.
From DTI’s SME Agenda home page, you can find a startup business plan, a document with the programs and services for SMEs, and the 2004-2010 Development plan for SMEs. Review these documents for a guide on the specific programs you can avail of.
From the Technology and Livelihood Resource Center Home Page (http://www.tlrc.gov.ph), you can find training resources, class schedules, and other useful information. TLRC’s offerings are good investments for anyone serious about starting a business.
From the DOST home page (http://www.dost.gov.ph), find the training catalog of the technology training center, and links to free software for your business.
Most startup businesses can’t afford the prices of commercial software, but don’t be tempted to use pirated software — piracy is illegal and will get you into trouble sooner or later.
Use DOST’s Bayanihan Linux or Ubuntu Linux, the free OpenOffice.org suite, and other free software for Windows and Macintosh.
Other sites that are useful for SMEs are the Cottage Industry Technology Center, UP- Institute of Small-Scale Industries, the Technical Education & Skills Development Authority, and the DBPs SME page.
The National Government’s programs to promote entrepreneurship are a great start, unfortunately, these may not yet be enough.
SMEs contribute a mere 32% in value added to GDP, an under-performance compared with Japan (56%), China (60%), South Korea (46%), and Indonesia (63%).
For many small entrepreneurs, the only government they see is at the local level, yet how many local government units (LGUs) actively promote the National SME Agenda?
Many have job fairs, hoping to earn points with the hungry masses, yet few have activities that promote genuine entrepreneurship and true livelihood opportunities for their constituents.
The Barangay Micro Business Enterprise Law encourages local governments to take a pro-active stand towards entrepreneurship by simplifying registration procedures and creating a directory of registered microbusiness enterprises.
Many LGUs have simple enough registration procedures, but how many LGU websites have directories of BMBE’s?
Hardly any.
City and municipal treasurers both inside and outside Metro Manila lament that although their office implements the BMBE Law by issuing certifications, other offices in some LGUs are hardly enthusiastic about it, reluctant to promote it, with others even discouraging businesses from availing of it.
Another issue for small businesses is the cost of administrative compliance.
Any duly registered business has to make two filings with the BIR each month, four filings a year with the Local Government, and about half a dozen other filings a year with relevant agencies.
For medium and large scale businesses, the cost of compliance is negligible, but for the MicroEntrepreneur with limited resources, compliance costs can be debilitating and a bane to the productivity of the microenterprise.
Perhaps in the spirit of the BMBE Law, offices such as the BIR can limit these filings to once a quarter for BMBE certified businesses.
It will be a great help to micro-businesses and may even improve the tax take.
For the National Government’s proentrepreneurship program to be efective, it's important that the programs reach the frontlines.
Pitting these resources online is a great start: It conveniently circumvents any obstacles between the programs and their intended audience; but ultimately it is the enthusiastic involvement of LGUs and regional offices of government that will determine the success of the SME agenda.
State of Emergency or not, we are in a crisis, and we need a revolution to resolve the crises of poverty and lack of opportunity.
Entrepreneurship is that revolution: and Revolution that involves us working hand-in-hand with the National Government’s pro-SME agenda.
Any lesser agency, regional authority, or local government office that hinders this cause should be stomped on like the so many cockroaches that they are. They are the real cause of poverty.
Tuesday, August 01, 2006
Destructuring the (Philippine) Economy
Published in the Manila Bulletin on 23 July 2006. It describes the debilitating distortions and bottlenecks holding back development in the Philippines.
MasterCard economist Yuwa Hendrick Wong said it: "Nowhere in Asia can you see this juxtaposition -- the lack of opportunities for talented people due to domestic politics, or the political elite propagatingtheir interests. Hundreds of medical doctors took retraining to work asnurses overseas ... they are prepared to downgrade their skills inorder to work overseas. All these allow the elite to do nothing.”
Despite endless restructurings, we're still the sick man of Asia. Reforms are pursued, but only when the same beneficiaries havepositioned themselves to milk the economy under the restructured structures.Our level of economic development, once compared with Japan, thenMalaysia and Thailand, is now ranked with Vietnam and Cambodia. We may soon be ranked at the bottom together with Burma and Bangladesh.
We need to pay infrastructure obligations we've contracted, so we can continue improving our infrastructure. We need to be able toefficiently move goods around, and ensure that our highly trainedprofessionals don't spend half the day stuck in traffic.
Nothing kills an economy's productivity, and depresses wages, more than bottlenecks. And when wages for the most highly skilled become lowerthan the wages for menial work overseas, people will leave.
We need to stop subsidizing what should not be subsidized, and stop borrowing to fund deficits incurred by inefficiently run white elephants. Consumers pay for it anyway: That artificially low pricemeans a deficit which drives up inflation, making everyone worse off.
We need to deny favored groups the protection of automatic exchangerate adjustments, and the privilege of charging consumers for inefficiencies, while ensuring that the small economic players—smalltraders, small transport operators, and neighborhood businesses—are assured their right to a fair economic return.
We have the second highest power rates in Asia, next to Japan. Our power generation and distribution system is inefficient, with systems losses in the double digits.
Also, since I don't know of any other businesses, or any wages, that are indexed to the exchange rate, I wonder why utilities are allowed topass on foreign exchange risk to poor consumers.
We have among the highest fees for Internet access in the world, andthe terms are onerous: Mandatory two-year contracts, mandatory bundled services for things we don't need, unreasonable deposits, and more.
The government's push for Voice over IP is a great idea. VoIP is how the world communicates. Unfortunately, you can't get the Internet you need for VoIP without getting the bundled phone line that it replaces.
The NTC needs to put its foot down: Broadband should be available onits own, without mandatory bundling. NO service contract should require a commitment of more than a year, and there should be a three monthopt-out period. In the world of broadband Internet, telcos regularly advertisefantastic speeds: 2,000, 4,000, 8,000 kbps and charge accordingly.
Delivered speed is a different matter. My own connection maxes out at800kbps, less than half of what I've been promised.
And I'm not the only one complaining: The Internet is full of websites dedicated to customer complaints about poor (and overpriced) Internetaccess in the Philippines.
In major cities worldwide: San Francisco, Sydney, Singapore, Taipei,and many others, one can just open a wireless equipped laptop and be connected, oftentimes for free. Chairman Bayani F., has a great idea for Metro-wide Wireless Internet, but he'll need to speak with the NTC first to dismantle the restrictions that prevent us from helping build a wireless city: We're prohibited from doing so by our provider contracts.
By law, telcos in the US can't put those restrictions on commercial contracts. If you have a commercial line, you can share, resell, and distribute your connection. That's why even small towns have Wireless Internet provided by the community. In Africa, towns are being connected to the Internet and the Phonesystem using commonplace wireless technologies such as HSPDA (cellularwireless) and Wi-Max (long range wireless). More importantly, these are being done by small town businesses: National Franchise notrequired.
Yet, while we endure structures that guarantee returns for big players,our policies down-regulate the income of small players. We pretend the oil crisis doesn't exist by keeping transport fares low, much to the chagrin of the taxi and jeepney operators who have families to feed. Low transport fares may seem good on the surface, but it comes at a price: An inefficient and uncomfortable transport system that encourages the use of private cars.
We can't even pay the creditors for the EDSA MRT because the faresbeing charged are too low, which means no one is going to finance the other MRTs that we need. And because the system can't afford newturnstiles, our professionals spend an hour each day queueing to enter the system. So, those who can afford to use their cars, still do so; and the rationale for the MRT—to keep cars off the road, doesn't happen.
When the DOTC, for the Nth time announced yet another Pasig River ferry system, it realized it had a problem: Because MRT fares are so low, there was no way they could price river ferry fares competitively with the MRT for the river system to be viable.
Depressing Public Utility vehicle fares also create their own problems:The vehicles are ill-maintained and uncomfortable, once again, encouraging the use of private cars. Low fares don't matter much if you're a professional and can't get around. Artificially low fares also mean the drivers have very little disposable income to spend, depressing the economies of the neighborhoods they live in. Low fares also encourage trip cutting, “kontrata,” and other shenanigans to get an extra buck to feed their families.
Economists talk of the multiplier effect: Spending in one area leads to greater spending in another area, and then to the economy as a whole. This is a valid concept, except it doesn't work here: the multiplier is absorbed by inflated utility prices, and neutered by the economic repression of the small players.
About the only ones benefitting from the low fares are the outsourcers,who think nothing of hiring people from 100 km away. They're the oneslaughing their way to the bank, paying a tenth of what they would payoverseas. If transport fares weren't so repressed, do you think the outsourcers would be locating in the large business centers? Of course not, they would be nearer the residential areas of cities and towns, acting as catalysts for a more balanced pattern of economic development instead of contributing to the congestion of the cities.
Healthy neighborhood economies are the best way to save precious oil.
And since the game would change--with higher value added outsourcing remaining in the city, and lower value added outsourcing moving nearer the neighborhood--the outsourcers would be encouraged to explore other value added services. As Filipino Silicon Valley Entrepreneur Dado Banatao said: “We shouldn't be training software engineers to be telephone operators.”
Let's end this endless process of RE-Structuring--the lie has been exposed. What we need is a DE-structuring of the economy.
We need it so that we can distribute economic opportunity, we need it so we can have lowerprices through greater efficiency, we need it so we can have productivity driven wage increases.
In the 1990s, we celebrated as foreign investors upped our countryallocations—the amount of investible funds we were alloted out of any given portfolio. At it's peak, that was 8%. Today, it is around 2%.
Yuwa Hendrick Wong may be the only one to say it publicly, but other economists are saying the same things in private, otherwise they'd be on a plane rushing to invest in the Philippines.
=======================
I received some feedback via eMail from friends in the International Investment Community.
"Powerful Stuff!" - Telecom and Structured Finance Head of a major European bank
"You are so correct!" - Director of a global business restructuring practice.
"Brilliant and incisive!" - UK based fund manager covering Asia.
MasterCard economist Yuwa Hendrick Wong said it: "Nowhere in Asia can you see this juxtaposition -- the lack of opportunities for talented people due to domestic politics, or the political elite propagatingtheir interests. Hundreds of medical doctors took retraining to work asnurses overseas ... they are prepared to downgrade their skills inorder to work overseas. All these allow the elite to do nothing.”
Despite endless restructurings, we're still the sick man of Asia. Reforms are pursued, but only when the same beneficiaries havepositioned themselves to milk the economy under the restructured structures.Our level of economic development, once compared with Japan, thenMalaysia and Thailand, is now ranked with Vietnam and Cambodia. We may soon be ranked at the bottom together with Burma and Bangladesh.
We need to pay infrastructure obligations we've contracted, so we can continue improving our infrastructure. We need to be able toefficiently move goods around, and ensure that our highly trainedprofessionals don't spend half the day stuck in traffic.
Nothing kills an economy's productivity, and depresses wages, more than bottlenecks. And when wages for the most highly skilled become lowerthan the wages for menial work overseas, people will leave.
We need to stop subsidizing what should not be subsidized, and stop borrowing to fund deficits incurred by inefficiently run white elephants. Consumers pay for it anyway: That artificially low pricemeans a deficit which drives up inflation, making everyone worse off.
We need to deny favored groups the protection of automatic exchangerate adjustments, and the privilege of charging consumers for inefficiencies, while ensuring that the small economic players—smalltraders, small transport operators, and neighborhood businesses—are assured their right to a fair economic return.
We have the second highest power rates in Asia, next to Japan. Our power generation and distribution system is inefficient, with systems losses in the double digits.
Also, since I don't know of any other businesses, or any wages, that are indexed to the exchange rate, I wonder why utilities are allowed topass on foreign exchange risk to poor consumers.
We have among the highest fees for Internet access in the world, andthe terms are onerous: Mandatory two-year contracts, mandatory bundled services for things we don't need, unreasonable deposits, and more.
The government's push for Voice over IP is a great idea. VoIP is how the world communicates. Unfortunately, you can't get the Internet you need for VoIP without getting the bundled phone line that it replaces.
The NTC needs to put its foot down: Broadband should be available onits own, without mandatory bundling. NO service contract should require a commitment of more than a year, and there should be a three monthopt-out period. In the world of broadband Internet, telcos regularly advertisefantastic speeds: 2,000, 4,000, 8,000 kbps and charge accordingly.
Delivered speed is a different matter. My own connection maxes out at800kbps, less than half of what I've been promised.
And I'm not the only one complaining: The Internet is full of websites dedicated to customer complaints about poor (and overpriced) Internetaccess in the Philippines.
In major cities worldwide: San Francisco, Sydney, Singapore, Taipei,and many others, one can just open a wireless equipped laptop and be connected, oftentimes for free. Chairman Bayani F., has a great idea for Metro-wide Wireless Internet, but he'll need to speak with the NTC first to dismantle the restrictions that prevent us from helping build a wireless city: We're prohibited from doing so by our provider contracts.
By law, telcos in the US can't put those restrictions on commercial contracts. If you have a commercial line, you can share, resell, and distribute your connection. That's why even small towns have Wireless Internet provided by the community. In Africa, towns are being connected to the Internet and the Phonesystem using commonplace wireless technologies such as HSPDA (cellularwireless) and Wi-Max (long range wireless). More importantly, these are being done by small town businesses: National Franchise notrequired.
Yet, while we endure structures that guarantee returns for big players,our policies down-regulate the income of small players. We pretend the oil crisis doesn't exist by keeping transport fares low, much to the chagrin of the taxi and jeepney operators who have families to feed. Low transport fares may seem good on the surface, but it comes at a price: An inefficient and uncomfortable transport system that encourages the use of private cars.
We can't even pay the creditors for the EDSA MRT because the faresbeing charged are too low, which means no one is going to finance the other MRTs that we need. And because the system can't afford newturnstiles, our professionals spend an hour each day queueing to enter the system. So, those who can afford to use their cars, still do so; and the rationale for the MRT—to keep cars off the road, doesn't happen.
When the DOTC, for the Nth time announced yet another Pasig River ferry system, it realized it had a problem: Because MRT fares are so low, there was no way they could price river ferry fares competitively with the MRT for the river system to be viable.
Depressing Public Utility vehicle fares also create their own problems:The vehicles are ill-maintained and uncomfortable, once again, encouraging the use of private cars. Low fares don't matter much if you're a professional and can't get around. Artificially low fares also mean the drivers have very little disposable income to spend, depressing the economies of the neighborhoods they live in. Low fares also encourage trip cutting, “kontrata,” and other shenanigans to get an extra buck to feed their families.
Economists talk of the multiplier effect: Spending in one area leads to greater spending in another area, and then to the economy as a whole. This is a valid concept, except it doesn't work here: the multiplier is absorbed by inflated utility prices, and neutered by the economic repression of the small players.
About the only ones benefitting from the low fares are the outsourcers,who think nothing of hiring people from 100 km away. They're the oneslaughing their way to the bank, paying a tenth of what they would payoverseas. If transport fares weren't so repressed, do you think the outsourcers would be locating in the large business centers? Of course not, they would be nearer the residential areas of cities and towns, acting as catalysts for a more balanced pattern of economic development instead of contributing to the congestion of the cities.
Healthy neighborhood economies are the best way to save precious oil.
And since the game would change--with higher value added outsourcing remaining in the city, and lower value added outsourcing moving nearer the neighborhood--the outsourcers would be encouraged to explore other value added services. As Filipino Silicon Valley Entrepreneur Dado Banatao said: “We shouldn't be training software engineers to be telephone operators.”
Let's end this endless process of RE-Structuring--the lie has been exposed. What we need is a DE-structuring of the economy.
We need it so that we can distribute economic opportunity, we need it so we can have lowerprices through greater efficiency, we need it so we can have productivity driven wage increases.
In the 1990s, we celebrated as foreign investors upped our countryallocations—the amount of investible funds we were alloted out of any given portfolio. At it's peak, that was 8%. Today, it is around 2%.
Yuwa Hendrick Wong may be the only one to say it publicly, but other economists are saying the same things in private, otherwise they'd be on a plane rushing to invest in the Philippines.
=======================
I received some feedback via eMail from friends in the International Investment Community.
"Powerful Stuff!" - Telecom and Structured Finance Head of a major European bank
"You are so correct!" - Director of a global business restructuring practice.
"Brilliant and incisive!" - UK based fund manager covering Asia.
Monday, July 17, 2006
Pangarap ni Ige (Ige's Hope) for Streetchildren.
Published in the Manila Bulletin on 17 April 2005.
Streetchildren are a major problem in Philippine urban centers. They arrive in the cities for various reasons, oftentimes falling prey to the various hazards of living on the street.
Pangarap shelters provide a wholesome environment for these children to go. The shelter works to feed and educate the children and reintegrate them into their communities.
I know Ige Ramos from the Philippine Macintosh community. He is an acclaimed graphic artist who has dedicated time from his busy schedule to help street children.
Pangarap ni Ige (Ige's Hope) for Streetkids
By ALEX S. TIMBOL
If you're a successful graphic artist and book designer responsible for much of what is called contemporary Philippine design, what would you do to celebrate your birthday?
Ige Ramos, president of Ige Ramos Design Studio, creator of hundreds of published works, several dozen coffee table books, and internationally renowned "NewMedia" artist, celebrated his birthday with 100 children at the Pangarap Center for Street Children in Pasay City.
Instead of gifts, Ige requested his guests to bring toys, books, beddings, and clothes for the children.
"I already know what I'm going to do when I retire!" proclaims Ige, who has been helping the Foundation for the last fifteen years.
His contacts in the CCP, where he used to work, help Ige arrange dance classes with Ballet Manila, art workshops, and other skills development programs for the children. He also actively solicits for the shelter from among his business' clientele.
Started in 1989 by the Sons of Mary, Ina-anak, Inc., and the Ladies of Charity of Pasay, the Pangarap Foundation is accredited by the Department of Social Welfare and Development as a child caring agency, and is certified as a donee institution by the Philippine Council for NGO Certification.
The Foundation has residential shelter operations in Pasay City (for boys) and Taguig City (for girls), a Community Development Center in Paliparan III, Dasmarinas, Cavite, and affiliated Centers offering alternative education and other services to children working in the streets.
Bro. Francisco Tanega, executive director of Pangarap Foundation, emphasizes that while cash donations are welcome (they have hundreds of mouths to feed every day!), donations of clothes, books, beddings, and useable furniture are also accepted.
The foundation even welcomes donations of personal time for skills development programs for the children.
Children come to the shelter from different sources. Many are referred by other social welfare NGOs, but a third of them are walk-ins who had heard about the shelter on the street.
Many of these children are runaways fleeing from dysfunctional or non-existent families.
Others have been brought to the big city, promised schooling and jobs, then abandoned or abused by relatives and "family friends."
Boys stay at Pangarap in Pasay City, while girls are processed and placed in Pangarap's facility in Taguig City.
The Center is careful to screen walk-ins through interviews and psychological profiling, citing a previous incident when an thief, posing as a street child, arrived in the morning and then attempted to break into the Center's storeroom.
It is an even sadder postscript that the thief turned out to be part of a gang with "Police Protection."
Hoy, mahiya kayo! (You should be ashamed of yourselves!).
Upon being accepted into the Center, the child is put through a program of "stabilization," starting with three square meals a day.
"Most kids improve their outlook instantly when they don't worry about their next meal," says Bro. Tanega.
With the help of the older kids, the new child is integrated into the community, participating in value formation activities, skills development workshops, and helping with the chores around the shelter.
The Center's regimen of waking times, school hours, chore times, study hours, and sleeping time help the child recover from his experience on the streets.
After successfully undergoing the recovery program, he is enrolled at any of the nearby schools to continue his education. The center pays for school related expenses until the high school level, and accepts sponsorships for individual children.
Sponsored children can continue to Technical & Vocational courses at Don Bosco and other institutions or may choose to pursue a college degree.
"The kids are here voluntarily," says Bro. Tanega.
Each child signs a contract with the center promising good behavior, participation in group activities, and helping out with the chores in exchange for board and lodging at the shelter.
"We're not a reformatory," stresses Bro. Tanega, fending off requests from well-to-do families to place problem kids under his care.
"There are other places better equipped for them.Pangarap provides a positive environment for kids with nowhere to go. In most cases, that's what a child needs to grow into a productive member of society."
The boys themselves have developed quite a reputation in their Pasay neighborhood, being always courteous, responsible, and willing to help.
They've had to raise the fences to discourage female admirers from oogling the boys, which distracts them from their chores.
"The neighborhood girls know that our boys make good husbands!" notes Bro. Tanega proudly. "They're hardworking, well-mannered, and do housework!"
Pangarap's ultimate goal for each child is to return them to a positive home environment.
"Simply sending the child back doesn't work." says Bro. Tanega.
"Once we've located the child's family, we pay them a visit and try to determine the reasons the child has left. Our outreach program includes counselling families on parenting skills."
Only when the Center is sufficiently convinced that the child can return safely are they reintegrated.
When the child is returned, the Center's staff continues supervision with frequent visits to evaluate the family's progress.
If livelihood is an issue, the Center works with other NGOs to provide livelihood assistance to the entire family.
The many awards and recognitions Pangarap has received for its work are just added frills. The real rewards are in developing the children's God-given ability to be self-reliant, responsible, and caring, and extend those values to their families and local community.
"Each child we send back is an ambassador," says Bro. Tanega, "He provides us a link to help us participate in the healthy development of that community."
The Pangarap Foundation is located at 2503 Taft Ave., cor. Escobal Street in Pasay and can be reached at Tel. Nos. 834-1061 & 551-3733; and by eMail. The Sons Of Mary have a website here.
==============
I received the following eMail 20 April 2005 from Kevin Connolly about the article. Mr. Connolly is the country representative of Hope For Children, a British Foundation actively supporting the Pangarap Shelters.
Dear Alex,
I cannot tell you how surprised Ige and I were to read your full page
spread on Pangarap Shelter in last Sundays Manila Bulletin.
Brother Francisco called me immediately, and we both agreed that is was truly an informative and well rounded article.
Thank you on behalf of the children, and you are always assured of a warm welcome at Pangarap.
Kevin Connolly,
Hope for Children,
Philippines Representative
Sunday, July 16, 2006
The Cancer Diet
Published in the Manila Bulletin 04 September 2005.
Authored by Alex Timbol/Maccess Corporation
The Cancer Diet
So, you or someone you know has cancer?
Cancer is no longer the death sentence it used to be. With medical technology and greater knowledge of how the body works, cancer is a treatable disease.
The key is to tilt the odds in your favor. When first diagnosed with cancer, you will be referred to an oncologist, or cancer specialist. His job is to evaluate your cancer, perhaps run more tests, in order to "stage" it.
Stage ONE is the earliest stage of cancer. Ninety percent of Stage 1 cancer patients survive and eventually become cancer free.
While easily treated, stage one cancers are usually asymptomatic (without symptoms). They can only be detected as part of a routine medical examination.
Stage Four defines a cancer that has spread extensively (mestastasized). Because traditional medicine offers little to Stage Four patients, these patients have the greatest motivation to explore complementary and alternative approaches to a cure.
People have survived Stage Four cancers, but it takes determination to live and beat the odds.
Creating a body environment hostile to cancer cells, together with traditional medical approaches of chemotherapy, radiation, and eventually, surgery, tilts the odds in your favor and is key to fighting cancer.
Unlike ordinary cells, cancer cells are different. They multiply rapidly, they don't use oxygen, inefficiently burning glucose to create the lactic acid rich environment in which they thrive, while starving the rest of the body of nutrition.
This process called the "cachexia cycle" is what kills cancer victims.
Your doctor can only do so much with chemotherapy, radiation, and surgery. Each approach has its strengths and drawbacks:
Chemotherapy is best for preventing further growth of the main tumor and its spread throughout the body, but the treatment is toxic, and if used alone, may require doses high enough to create their own problems.
Radiation attacks the tumor mass directly, but does nothing for free-floating cancer cells looking for a place to colonize.
Surgery physically removes most of the cancer, but may leave behind enough cells at either the tumor site or in the blood to start new cancers elsewhere.
Because surgery deceives the body into thinking that the cancer is gone, production of natural anti-cancer factors are reduced, encouraging the proliferation of the remaining cancer cells.
Up-to-date doctors will use a neoadjuvant approach.
These are the doctors you need to get. These modern doctors use low-dose chemo to stop tumor growth and kill off free floating cancer cells, radiation to attack the main mass (and allow a reduced chemo dose), and, if needed, surgery to remove whatever remains.
If you believe your doctor is not open to, or unfamiliar with, modern approaches, consider getting another doctor because it is your life and your money that is at stake.
Your doctor is also going to need your help. He is not a magician and you will need to work with him to beat your cancer.
Use the Internet to research everything you need to know about your particular type of cancer.
Discuss your research with your doctor and how you can work together to defeat your cancer.
A good place to start is at the Life Extension Foundation, which is run by a board of doctors and scientists. The site has extensive discussions of complementary treatment protocols supportive of medical cancer treatments.
Learn more about "Alternative" approaches, but be skeptical if it requires you to forego traditional medical treatments. "Complementary," which works together with medical approaches, offers the best odds.
Fortunately, many "Alternative" approaches involve simple lifestyle changes which you can do to help you resolve your cancer.
The first and most important lifestyle change to make when you have cancer is GO VEGETARIAN. STOP EATING MEAT.
That means no meat, even meat mixed into vegetables. Some fish is okay, but not dried fish, shrimps, and crabs. Red meat is a definite no-no. Red meat has an amino acid profile that feeds cancers directly, making them more robust.
More importantly, eating meat increases your body acidity. Cancers thrive in acidic body environments.
Eat tofu, tokwa, and drink lots of soy milk. Genistein, a protein in soy has potent anticancer effects.
Forget about athritis concerns with soya. This is a myth. Vegetable proteins contribute far less to uric acid levels in the blood than animal proteins. You may even find your athritis gone after a few weeks of a meatless diet.
Eat your veggies, particularly cruciferous vegetables: Cabbage, brocolli, cauliflower. Carrots, onions, and garlic also have potent anti-cancer components.
Seventh Day Adventists, who are encouraged to pursue a meatless, soy-rich diet have significantly lower rates of cancers, athritis and heart disease.
Eat lots of fruits. Better yet, start your day with fruits to cleanse your digestive system. Enzymatic fruits, such as papayas, pineapples, mangos, kiwis, and strawberries are the best.
This is particularly important when you are taking chemotherapy. Your liver, which processes toxins created by chemo flushes them out through your intestines. Fruits and lots of water wash these toxins out of the body.
Psyllium husk is another important food item. This is becoming popular nowadays, sold as C-Lium, Colon Cleanse, Metamucil, Fiber-ade, etc. This is effective at reducing the toxicity and duration of side effects with chemotherapy.
Chemo works by killing fast growing cells, mainly the cancer cells, but it also ruins blood cells, causing anemia and decreased resistance to infection, hair cells (causing hair loss), and the cells of the intestinal lining, causing nausea.
By taking Psyllium in the morning, not only will you wash away the toxic by-products of chemo, but you'll also gently scrub away the dead layer of intestinal cells. Removing this dead layer reduces nausea, and more importantly, allow your intestines to quickly resume efficient absorption of nutrients.
Preventing anemia is a critical factor. Cancer itself causes anemia, and so do chemotherapy, radiation, and surgery (if there is substantial bleeding) --a double whammy.
A good doctor will monitor your blood's hematocrit level. It must be in the normal range at the very least.
Your doctor can prescribe drugs to fix this, but simply eating plenty of "talbos ng kamote, alugbati," and "munggo" may dramatically improve your blood readings.
Yoghurt, at least three times a week, also helps to maintain healthy glutathione levels, needed by the immune system to fight off infection and kill free floating cancer cells. The helpful bacteria in yoghurt also helps restore intestinal function after chemo.
Apart from diet, strategic vitamin supplementation helps maintain good health and a strong immune system, both of which are essential to keep the odds in your favor.
Search the Internet for the terms "Stockholm protocol Cancer" to find details of a vitamin plan that supports cancer treatment.
The protocol is comprehensive, and recommends vitamins that are easy to find in any health food store or vitamin shop. Vitamins A, C, E, CoQ10, Fish Oil, melatonin and calcium, plus a high potency multivitamin, form the core of the program.
If you are taking chemo, add milk thistle capsules, an herb that helps your liver process chemo related toxins.
Except for melatonin (taken at bedtime) it is best to take these vitamins in divided doses, in the morning with breakfast and in the evening after dinner.
Once again, if your doctor is opposed to the idea of taking vitamin supplements, seek a second opinion as it is your life that is at stake.
Most studies of vitamin supplements and cancer treatments show improved responsiveness to treatments and reduced duration and intensity of side effects.
It has not shown that supplements interfere with cancer treatments, and instead, may result in quality of life improvements while undergoing treatment, i.e. greater energy, fewer side effects, etc.
Fighting cancer is a multi-step process, a sequence of two steps forward, one step back, until you reach the ultimate goal of defeating cancer.
Modern medicine provides some of the tools, but ultimately it is your body that will rid itself of cancer.
By lifestyle and diet modification, and complementary nutritional support, your body can quickly restore its immune system functions and greatly increase the success rate of modern medical treatments.
For Lance Armstrong, cycling champion and testicular cancer survivor, defeating cancer means to maintain one's health and outlook while undergoing cancer treatment. As he says: "Live Strong."
Authored by Alex Timbol/Maccess Corporation
The Cancer Diet
So, you or someone you know has cancer?
Cancer is no longer the death sentence it used to be. With medical technology and greater knowledge of how the body works, cancer is a treatable disease.
The key is to tilt the odds in your favor. When first diagnosed with cancer, you will be referred to an oncologist, or cancer specialist. His job is to evaluate your cancer, perhaps run more tests, in order to "stage" it.
Stage ONE is the earliest stage of cancer. Ninety percent of Stage 1 cancer patients survive and eventually become cancer free.
While easily treated, stage one cancers are usually asymptomatic (without symptoms). They can only be detected as part of a routine medical examination.
Stage Four defines a cancer that has spread extensively (mestastasized). Because traditional medicine offers little to Stage Four patients, these patients have the greatest motivation to explore complementary and alternative approaches to a cure.
People have survived Stage Four cancers, but it takes determination to live and beat the odds.
Creating a body environment hostile to cancer cells, together with traditional medical approaches of chemotherapy, radiation, and eventually, surgery, tilts the odds in your favor and is key to fighting cancer.
Unlike ordinary cells, cancer cells are different. They multiply rapidly, they don't use oxygen, inefficiently burning glucose to create the lactic acid rich environment in which they thrive, while starving the rest of the body of nutrition.
This process called the "cachexia cycle" is what kills cancer victims.
Your doctor can only do so much with chemotherapy, radiation, and surgery. Each approach has its strengths and drawbacks:
Chemotherapy is best for preventing further growth of the main tumor and its spread throughout the body, but the treatment is toxic, and if used alone, may require doses high enough to create their own problems.
Radiation attacks the tumor mass directly, but does nothing for free-floating cancer cells looking for a place to colonize.
Surgery physically removes most of the cancer, but may leave behind enough cells at either the tumor site or in the blood to start new cancers elsewhere.
Because surgery deceives the body into thinking that the cancer is gone, production of natural anti-cancer factors are reduced, encouraging the proliferation of the remaining cancer cells.
Up-to-date doctors will use a neoadjuvant approach.
These are the doctors you need to get. These modern doctors use low-dose chemo to stop tumor growth and kill off free floating cancer cells, radiation to attack the main mass (and allow a reduced chemo dose), and, if needed, surgery to remove whatever remains.
If you believe your doctor is not open to, or unfamiliar with, modern approaches, consider getting another doctor because it is your life and your money that is at stake.
Your doctor is also going to need your help. He is not a magician and you will need to work with him to beat your cancer.
Use the Internet to research everything you need to know about your particular type of cancer.
Discuss your research with your doctor and how you can work together to defeat your cancer.
A good place to start is at the Life Extension Foundation, which is run by a board of doctors and scientists. The site has extensive discussions of complementary treatment protocols supportive of medical cancer treatments.
Learn more about "Alternative" approaches, but be skeptical if it requires you to forego traditional medical treatments. "Complementary," which works together with medical approaches, offers the best odds.
Fortunately, many "Alternative" approaches involve simple lifestyle changes which you can do to help you resolve your cancer.
The first and most important lifestyle change to make when you have cancer is GO VEGETARIAN. STOP EATING MEAT.
That means no meat, even meat mixed into vegetables. Some fish is okay, but not dried fish, shrimps, and crabs. Red meat is a definite no-no. Red meat has an amino acid profile that feeds cancers directly, making them more robust.
More importantly, eating meat increases your body acidity. Cancers thrive in acidic body environments.
Eat tofu, tokwa, and drink lots of soy milk. Genistein, a protein in soy has potent anticancer effects.
Forget about athritis concerns with soya. This is a myth. Vegetable proteins contribute far less to uric acid levels in the blood than animal proteins. You may even find your athritis gone after a few weeks of a meatless diet.
Eat your veggies, particularly cruciferous vegetables: Cabbage, brocolli, cauliflower. Carrots, onions, and garlic also have potent anti-cancer components.
Seventh Day Adventists, who are encouraged to pursue a meatless, soy-rich diet have significantly lower rates of cancers, athritis and heart disease.
Eat lots of fruits. Better yet, start your day with fruits to cleanse your digestive system. Enzymatic fruits, such as papayas, pineapples, mangos, kiwis, and strawberries are the best.
This is particularly important when you are taking chemotherapy. Your liver, which processes toxins created by chemo flushes them out through your intestines. Fruits and lots of water wash these toxins out of the body.
Psyllium husk is another important food item. This is becoming popular nowadays, sold as C-Lium, Colon Cleanse, Metamucil, Fiber-ade, etc. This is effective at reducing the toxicity and duration of side effects with chemotherapy.
Chemo works by killing fast growing cells, mainly the cancer cells, but it also ruins blood cells, causing anemia and decreased resistance to infection, hair cells (causing hair loss), and the cells of the intestinal lining, causing nausea.
By taking Psyllium in the morning, not only will you wash away the toxic by-products of chemo, but you'll also gently scrub away the dead layer of intestinal cells. Removing this dead layer reduces nausea, and more importantly, allow your intestines to quickly resume efficient absorption of nutrients.
Preventing anemia is a critical factor. Cancer itself causes anemia, and so do chemotherapy, radiation, and surgery (if there is substantial bleeding) --a double whammy.
A good doctor will monitor your blood's hematocrit level. It must be in the normal range at the very least.
Your doctor can prescribe drugs to fix this, but simply eating plenty of "talbos ng kamote, alugbati," and "munggo" may dramatically improve your blood readings.
Yoghurt, at least three times a week, also helps to maintain healthy glutathione levels, needed by the immune system to fight off infection and kill free floating cancer cells. The helpful bacteria in yoghurt also helps restore intestinal function after chemo.
Apart from diet, strategic vitamin supplementation helps maintain good health and a strong immune system, both of which are essential to keep the odds in your favor.
Search the Internet for the terms "Stockholm protocol Cancer" to find details of a vitamin plan that supports cancer treatment.
The protocol is comprehensive, and recommends vitamins that are easy to find in any health food store or vitamin shop. Vitamins A, C, E, CoQ10, Fish Oil, melatonin and calcium, plus a high potency multivitamin, form the core of the program.
If you are taking chemo, add milk thistle capsules, an herb that helps your liver process chemo related toxins.
Except for melatonin (taken at bedtime) it is best to take these vitamins in divided doses, in the morning with breakfast and in the evening after dinner.
Once again, if your doctor is opposed to the idea of taking vitamin supplements, seek a second opinion as it is your life that is at stake.
Most studies of vitamin supplements and cancer treatments show improved responsiveness to treatments and reduced duration and intensity of side effects.
It has not shown that supplements interfere with cancer treatments, and instead, may result in quality of life improvements while undergoing treatment, i.e. greater energy, fewer side effects, etc.
Fighting cancer is a multi-step process, a sequence of two steps forward, one step back, until you reach the ultimate goal of defeating cancer.
Modern medicine provides some of the tools, but ultimately it is your body that will rid itself of cancer.
By lifestyle and diet modification, and complementary nutritional support, your body can quickly restore its immune system functions and greatly increase the success rate of modern medical treatments.
For Lance Armstrong, cycling champion and testicular cancer survivor, defeating cancer means to maintain one's health and outlook while undergoing cancer treatment. As he says: "Live Strong."
Thursday, July 13, 2006
The Reforms must continue
Originally published in the Manila Bulletin on 10 July 2005 at a time of political turmoil in the Philippines. The first of two parts on Philippine Leadership and Reforms.
The article stresses that the political situation and personalities are secondary to the more pressing need to continue with economic reforms. The Philippine leader is also not merely the leader of the Country, but needs to earn leadership of the Global Filipino Nation, which includes the global Filipino diaspora, wherever they may be.
Authored by Alex Timbol/Maccess Corporation
Consumers' Post
Ethel Timbol
The Reforms must Continue
That so many influential and credible individuals, previously willing to wait out this crisis, would call for PGMAs (Philippine President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo) resignation has caught many by surprise. Yet, in this time of rapidly moving events, it is easy to lose sight of the road we need to take as a nation.
Nowhere among the reasons put forth for PGMAs resignation are the fiscal, economic, and policy reforms put forth under her administration.
That we need these reforms is beyond debate. That their current proponent, PGMA, is entangled in a crisis, does not mean that we should not pursue these reforms.
The Philippines still continues to be the sick man of Asia. We have too much debt from a government that is perpetually in deficit, too many poor people from an economic structure that fails to provide an equality of opportunity, and the crime rate is alarming.
Nor will it matter who implements these policies. Whether or not it is PGMA or the next President, whenever that may be.
The reforms needed have been pretty much agreed upon. Eliminate the budget deficit. Streamline the bureaucracy. Devolve power to local governments. Liberalize the economy.
Provide equality of opportunities. Guarantee free and fair elections. Assure peace and order, while protecting the exercise of Constitutionally guaranteed freedoms.
Various groups have made it clear: Follow the constitutional succession. No martial law, no coup d'etats, no people power revolts.
That means the Vice President becomes President should PGMA resign. Mr. Noli de Castro would do well to keep in mind that he is the successor because, and only because, he is the current Vice President.
He should seamlessly continue the business of government, and appoint the best Cabinet he can find.
Doing his best to keep the next elections free, fair and beyond reproach would also be a good idea.
We applaud the military and Chief of Staff Efren Abu for reaffirming their loyalty to the Constitution amidst this crisis. We are confident that they will uphold their pledges to preserve the Institutions of the Republic.
Protect us, the people, from any destabilization efforts and grabs for power, yet understand our need to peacefully express our constitutional rights within the political framework.
The Presidency is not the most powerful position in the land.
That power belongs to the people and the Filipino nation, wherever we may be. What the Presidency really is, is the position with the most responsibility:
The responsibility to effectively manage the business of government, and to pursue the reforms so badly needed, and to provide the opportunities we need to fulfill our potential as a global nation.
The article stresses that the political situation and personalities are secondary to the more pressing need to continue with economic reforms. The Philippine leader is also not merely the leader of the Country, but needs to earn leadership of the Global Filipino Nation, which includes the global Filipino diaspora, wherever they may be.
Authored by Alex Timbol/Maccess Corporation
Consumers' Post
Ethel Timbol
The Reforms must Continue
That so many influential and credible individuals, previously willing to wait out this crisis, would call for PGMAs (Philippine President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo) resignation has caught many by surprise. Yet, in this time of rapidly moving events, it is easy to lose sight of the road we need to take as a nation.
Nowhere among the reasons put forth for PGMAs resignation are the fiscal, economic, and policy reforms put forth under her administration.
That we need these reforms is beyond debate. That their current proponent, PGMA, is entangled in a crisis, does not mean that we should not pursue these reforms.
The Philippines still continues to be the sick man of Asia. We have too much debt from a government that is perpetually in deficit, too many poor people from an economic structure that fails to provide an equality of opportunity, and the crime rate is alarming.
Nor will it matter who implements these policies. Whether or not it is PGMA or the next President, whenever that may be.
The reforms needed have been pretty much agreed upon. Eliminate the budget deficit. Streamline the bureaucracy. Devolve power to local governments. Liberalize the economy.
Provide equality of opportunities. Guarantee free and fair elections. Assure peace and order, while protecting the exercise of Constitutionally guaranteed freedoms.
Various groups have made it clear: Follow the constitutional succession. No martial law, no coup d'etats, no people power revolts.
That means the Vice President becomes President should PGMA resign. Mr. Noli de Castro would do well to keep in mind that he is the successor because, and only because, he is the current Vice President.
He should seamlessly continue the business of government, and appoint the best Cabinet he can find.
Doing his best to keep the next elections free, fair and beyond reproach would also be a good idea.
We applaud the military and Chief of Staff Efren Abu for reaffirming their loyalty to the Constitution amidst this crisis. We are confident that they will uphold their pledges to preserve the Institutions of the Republic.
Protect us, the people, from any destabilization efforts and grabs for power, yet understand our need to peacefully express our constitutional rights within the political framework.
The Presidency is not the most powerful position in the land.
That power belongs to the people and the Filipino nation, wherever we may be. What the Presidency really is, is the position with the most responsibility:
The responsibility to effectively manage the business of government, and to pursue the reforms so badly needed, and to provide the opportunities we need to fulfill our potential as a global nation.
Heart Health
Originally published in the Manila Bulletin on 26 June, 2006 in support of the HeartSafe program of Cardiac Science, and their PowerHeart product line, represented in the Philippines by Junna Industrial Corporation.
Authored by Alex Timbol/Maccess Corporation
Consumers' Post
Ethel Timbol
HEART HEALTH
Up to 92% of Filipinos are at risk for serious heart disease, according to a recent study by the Philippine Heart Association. Of these, over half are not aware of any heart problems until tragedy occurs.
The forties and fifties are peak years for cardiac events as sins of the past? bad diet, poor sleeping habits, smoking, a sedentary lifestyle, work and home stress?take their toll.
Ideally, protecting your heart and health should start in the twenties, but it's never too late to start.
Dr. Nathan Pritikin had his first heart attack in his 40s, the result of years of poor diet and bad habits. His doctor, and his own training, told him that he had less than a year to live.
Determined to overcome his condition, he shifted to a low-fat, almost meatless , favoring vegetables and whole grains. When Dr. Pritikin died in 1985 at the age of seventy, an autopsy showed that his previously clogged arteries were cleared of obstruction. He had the circulatory system of a healthy young man!
Under different names and with minor variations, Dr. Pritikin's diet principles, are recommended by almost every medical and health professional today.
Start your day off with fresh fruits or cereals. The fiber in fruits and cereals (oatmeal is the best!) helps clean you up inside. Your liver disposes of excess cholesterol through bile fluids.
Fiber helps by sweeping it away before your intestines can dutifully re-absorb it.
Milk and dairy products are nutritious, but not a good idea in the morning.
Casein, the protein in milk, takes a long time to digest, and calcium will make you drowsy.
Take your glass of milk, and cheese plates in the evening, when your body has the time to digest it, and the calcium lulls you into a restful sleep.
Stay vegetarian for lunch, go slow on rice, unless it's red rice, and eat more veggies: Greens (lettuce, kangkong, alugbati), gourds (upo, ampalaya, patola, etc), brocolli, cauliflower, carrots and tomatoes.
Eat more veggies than any meat. Much more. Much much more.
Eat garlic. Love garlic. Garlic tones the muscles, including those in your heart. Your other half will understand if it means many more years together.
If you must, have red meat only in the evening, but remember, either way, it?s negative health points. If you can stick with veggies, tofu, fish, & chicken until dinner, so much the better.
Nightcaps are the time for a glass of skim milk and some cheese. The milk helps you relax after a long day.
Nutritional supplements are a good idea, just don't go overboard.
The Life Extension Foundation is a sound reference for nutritional supplementation.
Start on a daily high potency multivitamin/multimineral with at least a couple of milligrams of B vitamins. There are dozens of brands in pharmacies, health stores, and your favorite PX store.
Multi-level marketed vitamins are usually overpriced, but some are very well formulated.
The number of nutrients is not as important as the proper combinations of essential nutrients. Multis are not a substitute for a good diet, but they help on those days you just can't eat right.
Once you've started on a good multi, consider adding specialized supplements.
Nobel Laureate Dr. Linus Pauling, who died at the ripe old age of ninety, says Vitamin C added 20 years to his life (He was diagnosed with prostate cancer at seventy).
The US National Institute of Health says that most people can safely take up to two grams of Vitamin C a day. Whether you want to go that high or start low (around 200 milligrams a day), remember that it is best to take half in the morning and the rest in the evening.
Not really a supplement, but very useful, is Psyllium. Psyllium has fourteen times the soluble fiber of oatmeal. It will remove cholesterol and toxins from your digestive system like a rotorooter, and help maintain regularity.
Like clockwork.
Psyllium is usually mixed with water, but you can mix the coarse powder into your fruit juice, regular cereal, even use it as a thickener for sauces.
Vitamin E has received some bad press of late, until the Journal of the American Medical Association debunked the metastudy stating that the benefits far outweigh possible risks.
If you must know, the supposed problem is that pure Vitamin E (alpha-tocopherols) displaces other tocopherols (e.g. gamma-tocopherols). This is only an issue with synthetic vitamin E (pure alpha-tocopherols), natural vitamin E normally contains mixed tocopherols.
If you aren't taking milk at night, take Cal-Mag supplements. Calcium is for your bones, and magnesium helps maintain normal heart rhythm.
Taking calcium alone displaces magnesium in your body, so the two are usually combined into a single tablet.
Calcium should help you sleep, but if you still can't, try taking Melatonin, the body's natural sleep hormone. Older people produce less of it, leading to insomnia. Doctors today prescribe melatonin for sleep problems instead of traditional sleeping pills.
CoEnzyme Q10 improves oxygen utilization in the heart. In Europe and Japan, it is the standard prescription for congestive heart failure and has been proven to improve heart function by up to 20%.
Most healthy people don't need CoQ10--a good thing, as this is an expensive supplement; but for anyone with heart problems, it can be a lifesaver.
Individuals taking cholesterol lowering "statin" drugs should also take CoQ10. "-statin" drugs deplete the body?s natural stores of CoQ10, causing fatigue and encouraging angina attacks, according to the Life Extension Foundation.
One "statin" producer, acknowledging the problem, recently filed a patent to include CoQ10 in its product.
Beyond a healthy diet and supplementation plan, do you live in a "heart safe" environment?
A heart safe environment is a place where maintaining a healthy heart comes naturally, and has the resources to deal with any potentially life-threatening cardiac events.
If it is easy for you to maintain a heart healthy diet, then you are in a "heart safe" place.
Fruits, veggies, tofu, and other healthful goodies should be readily available in nearby markets. If you do decide to eat out, it should be easy to find places with healthy options on the menu.
If you live in the San Juan/Mandaluyong area, check out Vegefoods along Luna Mencias street. Apart from delicious soy milk, taho, tofu, vegemeats and other products in the factory outlet, there is also a vegetarian canteen that serves tasty & affordable healthy meals.
A heart safe environment has the facilities to allow you to engage in heart healthy activities.
It could be as basic as a safe, well-lighted neighborhood sidewalk. A short evening stroll helps relieve everyday stresses. If taken with family, friends and neighbors, evening strolls become opportunities for bonding, for sharing ideas, and strengthening relationships.
A heart safe environment has accessible resources to deal with common cardiac events. Not only in the home and neighborhood, but in the offices you work in, the malls you visit, and the hotels and sports clubs you frequent.
Do they have trained personnel to deal with sudden cardiac emergencies?
The answer may surprise you.
Because the Philippines doesn't have its own equivalent of the United States "Good Samaritan" laws, many public places are not equipped to deal with most types of medical emergencies. Quite alarming considering that we market ourselves as a retirement destination.
What are "Good Samaritan" laws?
Simply put, "Good Samaritan" Laws require that persons trained in first aid render assistance during a medical emergency, while protecting them from liability if the rescue event is unsuccessful.
What the absence of these laws mean for us is that in the Philippines, most public places are so worried about liability, that they adopt a "hands-off" policy, intentionally doing nothing more than to call an ambulance.
Only basic first aid for wounds and scrapes, nothing more. If the customer in a mall, hotel, or golf courses collapses, they?ll call the hospital, but will make no attempt to administer even basic CPR.
This is unfortunate, even more so for the victim. Every minute that passes since the cardiac event reduces survival odds by 10%.
Obligated to provide care but protected from liability by "Good Samaritan" laws, malls, buildings, and sports centers in the United States make sure they have trained personnel and equipment on hand.
Given the recent high stress levels of our congressmen, perhaps it's time they considered proposing a similar set of laws. After all, it would be sad if they suffered a cardiac event while out in a public place whose management has opted not to provide life-saving facilities.
Authored by Alex Timbol/Maccess Corporation
Consumers' Post
Ethel Timbol
HEART HEALTH
Up to 92% of Filipinos are at risk for serious heart disease, according to a recent study by the Philippine Heart Association. Of these, over half are not aware of any heart problems until tragedy occurs.
The forties and fifties are peak years for cardiac events as sins of the past? bad diet, poor sleeping habits, smoking, a sedentary lifestyle, work and home stress?take their toll.
Ideally, protecting your heart and health should start in the twenties, but it's never too late to start.
Dr. Nathan Pritikin had his first heart attack in his 40s, the result of years of poor diet and bad habits. His doctor, and his own training, told him that he had less than a year to live.
Determined to overcome his condition, he shifted to a low-fat, almost meatless , favoring vegetables and whole grains. When Dr. Pritikin died in 1985 at the age of seventy, an autopsy showed that his previously clogged arteries were cleared of obstruction. He had the circulatory system of a healthy young man!
Under different names and with minor variations, Dr. Pritikin's diet principles, are recommended by almost every medical and health professional today.
Start your day off with fresh fruits or cereals. The fiber in fruits and cereals (oatmeal is the best!) helps clean you up inside. Your liver disposes of excess cholesterol through bile fluids.
Fiber helps by sweeping it away before your intestines can dutifully re-absorb it.
Milk and dairy products are nutritious, but not a good idea in the morning.
Casein, the protein in milk, takes a long time to digest, and calcium will make you drowsy.
Take your glass of milk, and cheese plates in the evening, when your body has the time to digest it, and the calcium lulls you into a restful sleep.
Stay vegetarian for lunch, go slow on rice, unless it's red rice, and eat more veggies: Greens (lettuce, kangkong, alugbati), gourds (upo, ampalaya, patola, etc), brocolli, cauliflower, carrots and tomatoes.
Eat more veggies than any meat. Much more. Much much more.
Eat garlic. Love garlic. Garlic tones the muscles, including those in your heart. Your other half will understand if it means many more years together.
If you must, have red meat only in the evening, but remember, either way, it?s negative health points. If you can stick with veggies, tofu, fish, & chicken until dinner, so much the better.
Nightcaps are the time for a glass of skim milk and some cheese. The milk helps you relax after a long day.
Nutritional supplements are a good idea, just don't go overboard.
The Life Extension Foundation is a sound reference for nutritional supplementation.
Start on a daily high potency multivitamin/multimineral with at least a couple of milligrams of B vitamins. There are dozens of brands in pharmacies, health stores, and your favorite PX store.
Multi-level marketed vitamins are usually overpriced, but some are very well formulated.
The number of nutrients is not as important as the proper combinations of essential nutrients. Multis are not a substitute for a good diet, but they help on those days you just can't eat right.
Once you've started on a good multi, consider adding specialized supplements.
Nobel Laureate Dr. Linus Pauling, who died at the ripe old age of ninety, says Vitamin C added 20 years to his life (He was diagnosed with prostate cancer at seventy).
The US National Institute of Health says that most people can safely take up to two grams of Vitamin C a day. Whether you want to go that high or start low (around 200 milligrams a day), remember that it is best to take half in the morning and the rest in the evening.
Not really a supplement, but very useful, is Psyllium. Psyllium has fourteen times the soluble fiber of oatmeal. It will remove cholesterol and toxins from your digestive system like a rotorooter, and help maintain regularity.
Like clockwork.
Psyllium is usually mixed with water, but you can mix the coarse powder into your fruit juice, regular cereal, even use it as a thickener for sauces.
Vitamin E has received some bad press of late, until the Journal of the American Medical Association debunked the metastudy stating that the benefits far outweigh possible risks.
If you must know, the supposed problem is that pure Vitamin E (alpha-tocopherols) displaces other tocopherols (e.g. gamma-tocopherols). This is only an issue with synthetic vitamin E (pure alpha-tocopherols), natural vitamin E normally contains mixed tocopherols.
If you aren't taking milk at night, take Cal-Mag supplements. Calcium is for your bones, and magnesium helps maintain normal heart rhythm.
Taking calcium alone displaces magnesium in your body, so the two are usually combined into a single tablet.
Calcium should help you sleep, but if you still can't, try taking Melatonin, the body's natural sleep hormone. Older people produce less of it, leading to insomnia. Doctors today prescribe melatonin for sleep problems instead of traditional sleeping pills.
CoEnzyme Q10 improves oxygen utilization in the heart. In Europe and Japan, it is the standard prescription for congestive heart failure and has been proven to improve heart function by up to 20%.
Most healthy people don't need CoQ10--a good thing, as this is an expensive supplement; but for anyone with heart problems, it can be a lifesaver.
Individuals taking cholesterol lowering "statin" drugs should also take CoQ10. "-statin" drugs deplete the body?s natural stores of CoQ10, causing fatigue and encouraging angina attacks, according to the Life Extension Foundation.
One "statin" producer, acknowledging the problem, recently filed a patent to include CoQ10 in its product.
Beyond a healthy diet and supplementation plan, do you live in a "heart safe" environment?
A heart safe environment is a place where maintaining a healthy heart comes naturally, and has the resources to deal with any potentially life-threatening cardiac events.
If it is easy for you to maintain a heart healthy diet, then you are in a "heart safe" place.
Fruits, veggies, tofu, and other healthful goodies should be readily available in nearby markets. If you do decide to eat out, it should be easy to find places with healthy options on the menu.
If you live in the San Juan/Mandaluyong area, check out Vegefoods along Luna Mencias street. Apart from delicious soy milk, taho, tofu, vegemeats and other products in the factory outlet, there is also a vegetarian canteen that serves tasty & affordable healthy meals.
A heart safe environment has the facilities to allow you to engage in heart healthy activities.
It could be as basic as a safe, well-lighted neighborhood sidewalk. A short evening stroll helps relieve everyday stresses. If taken with family, friends and neighbors, evening strolls become opportunities for bonding, for sharing ideas, and strengthening relationships.
A heart safe environment has accessible resources to deal with common cardiac events. Not only in the home and neighborhood, but in the offices you work in, the malls you visit, and the hotels and sports clubs you frequent.
Do they have trained personnel to deal with sudden cardiac emergencies?
The answer may surprise you.
Because the Philippines doesn't have its own equivalent of the United States "Good Samaritan" laws, many public places are not equipped to deal with most types of medical emergencies. Quite alarming considering that we market ourselves as a retirement destination.
What are "Good Samaritan" laws?
Simply put, "Good Samaritan" Laws require that persons trained in first aid render assistance during a medical emergency, while protecting them from liability if the rescue event is unsuccessful.
What the absence of these laws mean for us is that in the Philippines, most public places are so worried about liability, that they adopt a "hands-off" policy, intentionally doing nothing more than to call an ambulance.
Only basic first aid for wounds and scrapes, nothing more. If the customer in a mall, hotel, or golf courses collapses, they?ll call the hospital, but will make no attempt to administer even basic CPR.
This is unfortunate, even more so for the victim. Every minute that passes since the cardiac event reduces survival odds by 10%.
Obligated to provide care but protected from liability by "Good Samaritan" laws, malls, buildings, and sports centers in the United States make sure they have trained personnel and equipment on hand.
Given the recent high stress levels of our congressmen, perhaps it's time they considered proposing a similar set of laws. After all, it would be sad if they suffered a cardiac event while out in a public place whose management has opted not to provide life-saving facilities.
Personal Safety in a Terror Attack
Originally published in the Manila Bulletin on 20 February 2005 following the Valentine's Day attack in Makati City and Davao City in the Philippines. This article is dedicated to the victims of the attack.
Authored by Alex Timbol/Maccess Corporation.
Consumers' Post
Ethel Timbol
Personal safety in a terrorist attack
Last Monday's metro bombings in Makati, Davao and General Santos remind us once again that we live in a troubled world.
While we applaud the recent move of the police to place marshalls on public transport, this should have been done a long time ago, not just against terrorists, but also against bus holduppers.
Let's also hope that the police will do some real police work and find real suspects, not merely round up "usual suspects."
In the meantime, it's important for us to realize that personal safety begins with us.
Personal awareness is the most important thing you can do for your own safety.
Be aware of your surroundings and pay more attention to where you are and how you should react in an emergency.
Whether you are at home, in school, at work or in a mall, you should know how to get help, where the emergency exits are, including how to get there.
Train yourself to notice things that are strange or unusual.
If you notice anything strange or unusual, do not confront the situation. Call the attention of security personnel, whether mall guards, or the local barangay police.
When boarding a public bus, make a visual check for unattended packages.
If you see an unattended package, discreetly call the attention of the bus conductor.
Make a mental note of passengers carrying large packages. Politely call their attention if they get up to leave without their packages. They may have just forgotten, but if they ignore you and continue to leave the bus, call the attention of the bus conductor.
Riding in the MRT and LRT is relatively safer with passengers and packages screened for explosives, but remember that the foyer areas are vulnerable and an attractive target with dozens of people lining up for the security check.
Do a quick scan for unattended packages in the foyer area, and if necessary, call the attention of security personnel.
If possible, use another entrance that has fewer people and that will allow you to quickly enter the secured area.
The same is true in malls, while the inside of malls are relatively safer, the queues for the security checks outside the doors are not.
If there is another entrance with a shorter queue, use that instead. As much as possible, don't use a crowded entrance. Malls have multiple entrances, and at least a few others should have shorter queues.
After last week's bombings, mallgoers rushed out of the Glorietta Mall in a panic. Don't!
The inside of a mall is one of the safest places to be. In the Bali Bombing, a small bomb triggered a stampede out into the street where the terrorists exploded an even larger car bomb that killed hundreds.
With all the security precautions mall operators have put in place, any attack will likely be outside the mall, which is exactly where you don't want to be rushing to.
Even if there is an incident within the mall, it is likely to be small and easily contained by the trained security personnel, so it is better to remain inside the mall.
Every mall has well marked safety areas: Emergency exits, holding areas, etc.
Some malls have emergency phone numbers. If you regularly visit a mall, make sure these emergency numbers are stored in your cellphone.
When visiting a mall, make a mental note of the mall?s features: Emergency exits, information counters, uncrowded areas, etc. Mentally draw escape routes to these areas from your current location.
Think about where you can go during any of the following emergencies: Terror Attack, Earthquake, Fire, or even Air Crash.
Avoid crowds, but if you must go to a crowded areas or to an event such as a concert, pay close attention to your surroundings. If possible, go with a group and stay with your group.
Identify and make a note of the locations of exits and security personnel. Try to stay along the edge of the crowd and avoid the middle where you could have trouble exiting.
Most importantly, if you suddenly feel uncomfortable, follow your intuition and just leave for a safer place.
For parents with children in school, ask if your school has an emergency plan and who are the persons in charge of it.
Find out the school's emergency contact information: Telephone numbers, email addresses, Instant Messaging addresses, and, if possible, the cellphone numbers of emergency coordinators.
Make sure the school has your updated contact information.
Go over the school's emergency plan with your children and make sure that they are familiar with it. Do they know where the school's emergency exits are? Where the holding areas (usually a basketball court or large gym) are?
Do they know how to contact you in an emergency and how to go to a pre-agreed meeting place in the school if you have to fetch them?
In your neighborhood, familiarize yourself with the people living near you. Get to know your barangay officials and the barangay police patrol.
If you know the people in your neighborhood, it will be easier to spot suspicious persons loitering in your area.
Make sure that the cellphones of your family members have the emergency numbers of your area: This means the barangay office, your local police and fire departments, and nearby hospitals. Post these numbers in a conspicuous place at home.
Preparedness is the best way to deal with the threat of terrorism. By being prepared, we blunt the effectivity of the terrorists and minimize the threat to our personal safety and that of our loved ones.
Authored by Alex Timbol/Maccess Corporation.
Consumers' Post
Ethel Timbol
Personal safety in a terrorist attack
Last Monday's metro bombings in Makati, Davao and General Santos remind us once again that we live in a troubled world.
While we applaud the recent move of the police to place marshalls on public transport, this should have been done a long time ago, not just against terrorists, but also against bus holduppers.
Let's also hope that the police will do some real police work and find real suspects, not merely round up "usual suspects."
In the meantime, it's important for us to realize that personal safety begins with us.
Personal awareness is the most important thing you can do for your own safety.
Be aware of your surroundings and pay more attention to where you are and how you should react in an emergency.
Whether you are at home, in school, at work or in a mall, you should know how to get help, where the emergency exits are, including how to get there.
Train yourself to notice things that are strange or unusual.
If you notice anything strange or unusual, do not confront the situation. Call the attention of security personnel, whether mall guards, or the local barangay police.
When boarding a public bus, make a visual check for unattended packages.
If you see an unattended package, discreetly call the attention of the bus conductor.
Make a mental note of passengers carrying large packages. Politely call their attention if they get up to leave without their packages. They may have just forgotten, but if they ignore you and continue to leave the bus, call the attention of the bus conductor.
Riding in the MRT and LRT is relatively safer with passengers and packages screened for explosives, but remember that the foyer areas are vulnerable and an attractive target with dozens of people lining up for the security check.
Do a quick scan for unattended packages in the foyer area, and if necessary, call the attention of security personnel.
If possible, use another entrance that has fewer people and that will allow you to quickly enter the secured area.
The same is true in malls, while the inside of malls are relatively safer, the queues for the security checks outside the doors are not.
If there is another entrance with a shorter queue, use that instead. As much as possible, don't use a crowded entrance. Malls have multiple entrances, and at least a few others should have shorter queues.
After last week's bombings, mallgoers rushed out of the Glorietta Mall in a panic. Don't!
The inside of a mall is one of the safest places to be. In the Bali Bombing, a small bomb triggered a stampede out into the street where the terrorists exploded an even larger car bomb that killed hundreds.
With all the security precautions mall operators have put in place, any attack will likely be outside the mall, which is exactly where you don't want to be rushing to.
Even if there is an incident within the mall, it is likely to be small and easily contained by the trained security personnel, so it is better to remain inside the mall.
Every mall has well marked safety areas: Emergency exits, holding areas, etc.
Some malls have emergency phone numbers. If you regularly visit a mall, make sure these emergency numbers are stored in your cellphone.
When visiting a mall, make a mental note of the mall?s features: Emergency exits, information counters, uncrowded areas, etc. Mentally draw escape routes to these areas from your current location.
Think about where you can go during any of the following emergencies: Terror Attack, Earthquake, Fire, or even Air Crash.
Avoid crowds, but if you must go to a crowded areas or to an event such as a concert, pay close attention to your surroundings. If possible, go with a group and stay with your group.
Identify and make a note of the locations of exits and security personnel. Try to stay along the edge of the crowd and avoid the middle where you could have trouble exiting.
Most importantly, if you suddenly feel uncomfortable, follow your intuition and just leave for a safer place.
For parents with children in school, ask if your school has an emergency plan and who are the persons in charge of it.
Find out the school's emergency contact information: Telephone numbers, email addresses, Instant Messaging addresses, and, if possible, the cellphone numbers of emergency coordinators.
Make sure the school has your updated contact information.
Go over the school's emergency plan with your children and make sure that they are familiar with it. Do they know where the school's emergency exits are? Where the holding areas (usually a basketball court or large gym) are?
Do they know how to contact you in an emergency and how to go to a pre-agreed meeting place in the school if you have to fetch them?
In your neighborhood, familiarize yourself with the people living near you. Get to know your barangay officials and the barangay police patrol.
If you know the people in your neighborhood, it will be easier to spot suspicious persons loitering in your area.
Make sure that the cellphones of your family members have the emergency numbers of your area: This means the barangay office, your local police and fire departments, and nearby hospitals. Post these numbers in a conspicuous place at home.
Preparedness is the best way to deal with the threat of terrorism. By being prepared, we blunt the effectivity of the terrorists and minimize the threat to our personal safety and that of our loved ones.
Wednesday, July 12, 2006
Building the 24-hour city
The phenomenal growth of outsourcing creates stresses and demand on the City that need to be addressed for growth to continue. It is not merely a government issue: Outsourcing companies also need to take a role by hiring local, instead of mandating daily hundred kilometer trips for their employees.
This article was originally published in the Manila Bulletin on 06 June 2005. Authored by Alex Timbol, Maccess Corporation.
Consumers' Post
Ethel Timbol
Building the 24-Hour City
President GMA's directive to study the feasibility of operating the MRT and LRT around the clock is a positive step to boost our competitive position in global outsourcing.
Let?s hope the MRT and LRT figure this out while "studying" the matter:
Rails and trains depreciate and incur interest expenses 24 hours a day, hence every hour that the system is shut down means zero revenues to offset continuing fixed costs.
For the last five years, we've been marketing the Philippines as a round the clock business outsourcing center, yet it's taken this long to figure out this basic logistical requirement:
Providing safe, efficient, end-to-end transportation to the thousands of people working around the clock.
The local outsourcing industry is growing in excess of one hundred percent per year, so the number of people working the late shift doubles every year.
Moving these people around safely and efficiently in the early hours will be a major challenge for both Metro Manila's chief executives and the outsourcing centers.
Beyond the MRT and LRT, there is also a need to wholistically address late night commuters? end-to-end travel needs. We need to provide these workers with safe, reliable paths from home to office and vice-versa.
We need to work with call center operators to tune their hiring practices so that workers, particularly nightshifters, have shorter travel distances.
Some call center operators, with facilities in Alabang, Makati, Ortigas and Libis, require workers to shift locations at a day's notice!
That's a 100-kilometer distance!
Here's a tip for outsourcers: Hire local in the areas you need people. It will put less strain on the city, and more importantly, on your workers. They will be more productive, and greatly reduce the likelihood of being robbed, raped, or killed on the way to work. No amount of PR Spin is going to help you if your policies put workers in harm?s way.
To build the 24-hour city we need to encourage the growth of support industries: 24?hour shops and eateries, safe rest areas or "hang-outs," and round the clock access to information & services.
That's easy to say, but it will take a thorough review of local government policies, since many cities have archaic laws that discourage round the clock operations.
Most of these services will, and should, be provided by the private sector, creating opportunities for entrepreneurs and workers, but the key enablers, safety, security, and appropriate policy direction, are still the responsibility of government.
Police and other emergency services need to be alert and accessible around the clock.
The Text Police and Text Fire campaigns are a step in the right direction. So are online government services, which by definition, are available 24/7 from any nearby Internet Cafe.
Key transport terminals need to be identified and provided with round the clock security and traffic control. Even the so-called "last mile" to workers? homes should likewise be secured by local barangay police.
In November last year, photojournalist Mike Llorin was killed in a midnight drive-by shooting at a Quezon City gas station by a Green Pajero and Owner Jeep without license plates.
Four years ago, Claudine Feliciano was abducted, raped, and murdered an hour before midnight by a gang in a van also without license plates.
While we are aware of the MMDA's campaign to apprehend plateless vehicles some months ago, this daytime campaign seems to have fizzled.
Shouldn't this campaign be restarted, particularly at night?
Any vehicle without license plates (or questionable plates, e.g. a newer "V," "W," or "X" plate on an old vehicle), should immediately be suspect, particularly in this day and age of terror alerts.
Kahit anak ng General or Government Official, hindi exempted!
Many of these "plate-less" vehicles are used for crimes against persons, so police should verify that passengers, particularly women and children, are willing riders and not kidnap victims.
Commercial carpark should not allow entry to vehicles without proper plates. The plateless van that abducted Claudine parked in an Alabang mall?s carpark while they selected a victim. "No Plates, No Park" should be the rule!
Speaking of malls, we've noticed that some have a practice of cordoning off sidewalks when they are closed for the day, forcing commuters to walk on the road or highway at night. This is even worse than sidewalk vendors!
Calling MMDA: The sidewalk campaign should also go after mall operators who use sidewalks as private buffer zones. Ang sidewalk para sa tao! (Sidewalks are for people).
In a modern city like Hong Kong, you'll notice the profusion of pedestrian overpasses and walkways. As much as possible, these urban centers are designed to keep pedestrians on a level separate from vehicular traffic.
In Hong Kong, private enterprises are encouraged to build or improve pedestrian overpasses and provide in-building transport terminals.
They are given tax incentives, while they benefit from the increased pedestrian traffic. In exchange, they are required by law to operate the walkways and terminals 24 hours a day.
Sana ganyan din dito, since we?ve seen many privately built over- and under-passes that close as early as 8pm (and open as late as 10 am: Perhaps to save 'wear and tear" on the floor during rush hours.)
Becoming a 24-hour city is a deliberate process. It goes beyond the rhetoric promoting the Philippines as a global outsourcing destination and involves substantial coordinated planning involving the national government, the local government, and the private sector.
With the outsourcing industry growing at triple digits, bottlenecks and threats to the security of night shift workers are surfacing. Hopefully, those involved will be able to recognize, identify, and resolve these in time.
Unless we deliberately plan the 24-hour city NOW, the late night economy will soon choke and we will miss another opportunity for economic growth. -ASTimbol
(Alex S. Timbol is president of Maccess Corp., a management consulting company. The late Mr. Llorin and Ms. Feliciano were personal friends.)
This article was originally published in the Manila Bulletin on 06 June 2005. Authored by Alex Timbol, Maccess Corporation.
Consumers' Post
Ethel Timbol
Building the 24-Hour City
President GMA's directive to study the feasibility of operating the MRT and LRT around the clock is a positive step to boost our competitive position in global outsourcing.
Let?s hope the MRT and LRT figure this out while "studying" the matter:
Rails and trains depreciate and incur interest expenses 24 hours a day, hence every hour that the system is shut down means zero revenues to offset continuing fixed costs.
For the last five years, we've been marketing the Philippines as a round the clock business outsourcing center, yet it's taken this long to figure out this basic logistical requirement:
Providing safe, efficient, end-to-end transportation to the thousands of people working around the clock.
The local outsourcing industry is growing in excess of one hundred percent per year, so the number of people working the late shift doubles every year.
Moving these people around safely and efficiently in the early hours will be a major challenge for both Metro Manila's chief executives and the outsourcing centers.
Beyond the MRT and LRT, there is also a need to wholistically address late night commuters? end-to-end travel needs. We need to provide these workers with safe, reliable paths from home to office and vice-versa.
We need to work with call center operators to tune their hiring practices so that workers, particularly nightshifters, have shorter travel distances.
Some call center operators, with facilities in Alabang, Makati, Ortigas and Libis, require workers to shift locations at a day's notice!
That's a 100-kilometer distance!
Here's a tip for outsourcers: Hire local in the areas you need people. It will put less strain on the city, and more importantly, on your workers. They will be more productive, and greatly reduce the likelihood of being robbed, raped, or killed on the way to work. No amount of PR Spin is going to help you if your policies put workers in harm?s way.
To build the 24-hour city we need to encourage the growth of support industries: 24?hour shops and eateries, safe rest areas or "hang-outs," and round the clock access to information & services.
That's easy to say, but it will take a thorough review of local government policies, since many cities have archaic laws that discourage round the clock operations.
Most of these services will, and should, be provided by the private sector, creating opportunities for entrepreneurs and workers, but the key enablers, safety, security, and appropriate policy direction, are still the responsibility of government.
Police and other emergency services need to be alert and accessible around the clock.
The Text Police and Text Fire campaigns are a step in the right direction. So are online government services, which by definition, are available 24/7 from any nearby Internet Cafe.
Key transport terminals need to be identified and provided with round the clock security and traffic control. Even the so-called "last mile" to workers? homes should likewise be secured by local barangay police.
In November last year, photojournalist Mike Llorin was killed in a midnight drive-by shooting at a Quezon City gas station by a Green Pajero and Owner Jeep without license plates.
Four years ago, Claudine Feliciano was abducted, raped, and murdered an hour before midnight by a gang in a van also without license plates.
While we are aware of the MMDA's campaign to apprehend plateless vehicles some months ago, this daytime campaign seems to have fizzled.
Shouldn't this campaign be restarted, particularly at night?
Any vehicle without license plates (or questionable plates, e.g. a newer "V," "W," or "X" plate on an old vehicle), should immediately be suspect, particularly in this day and age of terror alerts.
Kahit anak ng General or Government Official, hindi exempted!
Many of these "plate-less" vehicles are used for crimes against persons, so police should verify that passengers, particularly women and children, are willing riders and not kidnap victims.
Commercial carpark should not allow entry to vehicles without proper plates. The plateless van that abducted Claudine parked in an Alabang mall?s carpark while they selected a victim. "No Plates, No Park" should be the rule!
Speaking of malls, we've noticed that some have a practice of cordoning off sidewalks when they are closed for the day, forcing commuters to walk on the road or highway at night. This is even worse than sidewalk vendors!
Calling MMDA: The sidewalk campaign should also go after mall operators who use sidewalks as private buffer zones. Ang sidewalk para sa tao! (Sidewalks are for people).
In a modern city like Hong Kong, you'll notice the profusion of pedestrian overpasses and walkways. As much as possible, these urban centers are designed to keep pedestrians on a level separate from vehicular traffic.
In Hong Kong, private enterprises are encouraged to build or improve pedestrian overpasses and provide in-building transport terminals.
They are given tax incentives, while they benefit from the increased pedestrian traffic. In exchange, they are required by law to operate the walkways and terminals 24 hours a day.
Sana ganyan din dito, since we?ve seen many privately built over- and under-passes that close as early as 8pm (and open as late as 10 am: Perhaps to save 'wear and tear" on the floor during rush hours.)
Becoming a 24-hour city is a deliberate process. It goes beyond the rhetoric promoting the Philippines as a global outsourcing destination and involves substantial coordinated planning involving the national government, the local government, and the private sector.
With the outsourcing industry growing at triple digits, bottlenecks and threats to the security of night shift workers are surfacing. Hopefully, those involved will be able to recognize, identify, and resolve these in time.
Unless we deliberately plan the 24-hour city NOW, the late night economy will soon choke and we will miss another opportunity for economic growth. -ASTimbol
(Alex S. Timbol is president of Maccess Corp., a management consulting company. The late Mr. Llorin and Ms. Feliciano were personal friends.)
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