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Foreign firm to present power supply options to the country

Roy — Sun, 15 May 2011 05:26:39 +0000

A United Kingdom company is offering the Philippines its power solution to help avoid power disruptions in the country.

The British Embassy in Manila said Aggreko, a developer of power solutions, will be coming in the country next week to make a presentation of its product. The embassy said the company’s expertise could help address the possible power shortage in the near future which poses a threat to businesses operating in the country.

Aggreko is bringing to the country its more than 45 years of experience in the power solution industry. The company is said to be the world leader in the supply of temporary power and temperature control services. It will present its alternative solutions to potential power disruptions when it makes its presentation to the country next week.

The target participants in its presentations include the construction industry, food and beverages, agriculture, healthcare, manufacturing, government and institutions, mining and mineral processing, ports and telecommunications, among others.

Aggreko owns the world’s largest power rental fleet which consists of diesel and natural gas generating sets. Company experts will be in Manila to present different power supply options to help businesses avoid opportunity lost and other costs that could be brought about by power disruptions.

The company will be organizing the seminar presentation in partnership with the British Embassy in Manila, through UK Trade & Investment. The aim of the seminar is to inform industries in the country of the different power supply options available in case of unavoidable future power supply shortages.

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NHI approved Charice’s rendition of Lupang Hinirang

Roy — Sun, 15 May 2011 04:01:23 +0000

After a series of boo-boo’s from the previous fights of Manny Pacquiao, the National Historical Institute (NHI) finally gave a thumbs up to the rendition of the Philippine National Anthem.

International singing sensation Charice Pempengco sang Lupang Hinirang before Pacquiao’s fight with Shane Mosley in Las Vegas, Nevada last May 8. Charice was personally picked by pound-for-pound champion to sing the national anthem in his fight.

The NHI said Charice did a great job in singing the national anthem. Chief of NHI Heraldry Section Teddy Atienza commended her and said it was the correct rendition of Lupang Hinirang. He said they will send an a-mail to Charice and her mother to congratulate them.

The institute have criticized the incorrect rendition of Lupang Hinirang by some local artists, most of which were performed during Pacquiao’s fight. Charice was in fact one of those reprimanded by the NHI for rendition of the national anthem in 2008.

Charice, after the 2008 incident, made sure she will not commit any mistake again. She was previously commended by the NHI in her rendition of the national anthem last year during the inauguration of President Benigno Aquino III.

During the Pacquiao fight, the NHI congratulates Charice and gave her the thumbs up for the following the national anthem’s march tempo.

Charice said she practiced hard for the Pacquiao fight in Las Vegas, adding that she even used a timer to make sure that her singing would follow the right tempo of the song. She said she did not want to upset the NHI again.

The NHI is very particular in the rendition of the Philippine National Anthem. Section 37 of the Republic Act 8491 states that the rendition of Lupang Hinirang, whether it is played or sung, should strictly adhere to the musical arrangement and composition of Julian Felipe. RA 8491 also states that violation of the said provision may the person to punishment by a fine of at least P20,000 or imprisonment of not more than one year.

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Taiwanese businessmen plan to relocate to the Philippines

Roy — Fri, 06 May 2011 08:51:26 +0000

Taiwanese businessmen are seriously considering relocating their manufacturing facilities to the Philippines from mainland China. The Manila Economic Cultural Office (MECO) said the decision was made by the Taiwan diplomatic row with the Philippines following their frustrations from the stringent labor requirements in China.

The Taiwanese businesses are engaged in industrial plastics manufacturing with estimated investments of at least $120 million, according to MECO chairman Amadeo R. Perez Jr. He said they are considering relocating their factories from China to Subic and Clark Freeport zones for their export-oriented investments.

Perez said that four plastic products manufacturers have already visited Subic and Clark and another will be coming over to visit Batangas and Clark. One company engaged in bed frames and mattresses production is eyeing a warehouse in Clark which it can is suitable and can be converted for its business. “One project alone can command at least $20 million in investments,” Perez said. For the six projects that would translate to an estimated $120 million worth of prospective investments.

The bed frame and mattresses manufacturer is exporting its products to the EU, Asia and the US while the plastic products manufacturers are producing industrial products which are used for packaging applications and are exporting them all over the world.

Perez added that some of the Taiwanese have already gone to Vietnam and Indonesia because those countries are not very choosy due to their high unemployment rate. He said Taiwanese investors in mainland China have been turned off by policy changes in the labor sector.

MECO is implementing a major campaign to attract more Taiwanese investors into the Philippines, following the successful resolution of the bilateral issue early this year. However, Perez said the country’s only problem is the high cost of electricity, and Vietnam and Indonesia could beat the Philippines on that factor.

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Chinatrust applies for unibank license

Roy — Mon, 02 May 2011 07:30:07 +0000

The Chinatrust Commercial Bank Corp. is seeking to upgrade its current status and authority from a commercial bank to a universal bank. Chinatrust made a request to the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP), asking it to convert its banking license to “unibank” at the end of last year to allow it to implement globalization plans.

With a unibank license, it will be possible for the bank to have a bigger role in onshore capital market through corporate issuances underwriting and the distribution of securities to institutional investors. Aside from having an authority to operate as an investment house, unibanks are also allowed to invest in non-allied enterprises, such as infrastructure projects.

According to the BSP, Chinatrust is planning to have a more active role in debt and equity underwriting. The bank currently operates 24 branches in the Philippines and they plan to use their branch network for the distribution of securities.

A subsidiary of Taipei-based Chinatrust Commercial Bank Ltd., Chinatrust (Philippines) is targeting top-tier clients, such as conglomerates and companies into utilities and power-generation, and some middle-income industries such as the business process outsourcing (BPO) sector.

The request for the banks license upgrade has been forwarded to the Monetary Board for approval as Chinatrust is qualified and meets requirement. The foreign-affiliated bank has a capital base of P5.26 billion, exceeding the minimum capital requirement. The BSP requires all unibank to have a minimum capital of P5 billion and for commercial banks, the minimum capital requirement is at least P2.5 billion.

Established in 1995, Chinatrust is listed in the Philippine Stock Exchange. The BSP, before granting it a unibank license, wants the bank to offer at least 10 percent of the required minimum capital for public offer before December 31 of this year.

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Clark airport to get a boost from US lawmakers

Roy — Mon, 02 May 2011 04:20:52 +0000

During their visit to the Clark airport, president and CEO of Clark International Airport Corp. (CIAC) Victor Jose I. Luciano asked the two US senators for help in the transformation of Clark airport into an “aerotropolis” that will bring in investors from the United States.

US Senators Daniel Inouye of Hawaii, President Pro Tempore of the US Senate, and Thad Cochran of Mississippi, both members of the committee on appropriations, were at the CIAC corporate offices recently and made a quick tour at the expanded Terminal 1 of the Clark International Airport.

Luciano made a presentation to the two senators at the CIAC Boardroom where he pointed to them the development of a logistics and services hum in the Clark airport area which was patterned after the logistics hub in Dallas Forthworth, Texas where the development of two cities created an “aerotropolis.”

Luciano said, “The airport-driven economic powerhouse brought in hundreds of companies around the airport in Dallas. This is where we would like to seek the US government to help us plan to make the Clark Civil Aviation Complex an aerotropolis.” He asked the two senators to help promote Clark to American investors.

Senator Inouye said Luciano should join the APEC meeting in Hawaii this year to make a pitch for the development of Clark airport and make same kind of presentation he showed to them. This year’s annual APEC Leader’s Meeting will be held in Honolulu, Hawaii in November.

The two US Senators visited the Philippines to look into the transformation of the two former US military bases, the Clark Air Base in Pampanga and the Subic Naval Base in Olongapo, and see how they were turned into productive civilian use.

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Roach predicts Pacquiao by KO

Roy — Sun, 01 May 2011 21:50:56 +0000

Trainer Freddie Roach declared that his prized fighter Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao could very well be the first boxer to knockout former five-time world champ “Sugar” Shane Mosley on their May 7 fight at the MGM Grand Arena in Las Vegas.

Roach said that Pacquiao is in tip-top shape and said he is 100 percent ready for the fight. He said Mosley’s attacking game is perfect for Pacquiao’s aggressive style. He confidently predicted that his ward would win by a knockout. “I think all fights should end in knockouts so I’m looking for a knockout,” said Roach.

However, Pacquiao downplayed the knockout angle saying that at 39 Mosley “is still very strong and moves like he’s 30 years old.” “We’re not focused for the knockout. All we do is work hard and if the knockout comes, it comes. We’ve prepared ourselves for fighting 12 rounds,” he said.

The undisputed pound-for-pound king added, “If the knockouts come, they come. What matters is the fight that we can give to the people and the fans. I want them to be happy and excited about our performance.”

Pacquiao considers his May 7 World Boxing Organization (WBO) welterweight title defense bigger than his most recent fights against Margarito because Mosley “moves fast and he has good speed and power.” Quickly adding, “That’s what I want. He throws a lot of punches. It will be good for us and it will be a good fight.”

Mosley, who has been tagged as the underdog in their upcoming match said it only motivates him even more “to shock the world” and beat Pacquiao decisively. He believes he can hurt Pacquiao with some well-timed power shots when they trade blows in the middle of the ring.

“If Margarito, who is slow, could hit him with so many shots, think how much more I could hit him. Styles make fights, and I think I have what it takes to beat Pacquiao.” Mosley said. He predicts he would stop Pacquiao “by the seventh round.”

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Transport firm to pioneer electric buses in the Philippines

Roy — Sun, 01 May 2011 14:57:44 +0000

Local transport firm Green Frog Zero Emission Transport Corp. dared to take the huge risk in the electric vehicle industry and expressed interest to buy some 3,000 electric buses in the next seven years, with the initial 38 units coming in from China within the year.

Green Frog director Philip Apostol said the 36-passenger buses will be fielded in Makati City with an P8 fare trip. The first 10 buses arriving midyear will ply the Buendia line while the 28 units will take other routes. The buses will initially ply a route that goes along Buendia from EDSA to the South Luzon Expressway (SLEX). Eventually, they will be available to commuters with the whole of Makati.

“The plan is to implement to project within 90 days after the signing of the MOA (memorandum of agreement) with the Makati LGU. This is a PPP (Public-Private-Partnership) with Makati,” he said. Apostol admits that cost of the e-buses was high, but hopes that the government “would work” with them.

He did not disclosed the cost of the electric buses but said that normally, the bigger electric buses would cost $300,000 (P13.5 million) each. Green Frog’s buses, however, will be smaller and would cost less.

The company is seeking tax perks, among other incentives, and a pioneer status from the Board of Investments, to make the project economically viable.

Negotiations by the company with banks and government financial institutions have been started, seeking for the best financing package. It also seeks some guarantees from the Philippine Export Import Credit Agency (PhilExim) to get lower interest rates.

Apostol said the half of the revenues will be coming from advertising income to help keep fares at reasonable levels during the initial roll-out.

Another Green Frog director, Servillano Batac, said talks were also ongoing between government and financial institutions for the mechanics of a “tap-and-go” system for the electric buses. “The idea is that you will be able to use your MRT (Metro Rail Transit) cards to pay our electric buses, just like in other countries,” he said.

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Philippine-China trade and conference fair set on June

Roy — Sun, 01 May 2011 08:56:27 +0000

The China Council for the Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT)-Guangzhou and Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) recently signed a cooperation agreement to co-organize the Manila-Guangzhou Trade and Investment Conference slated to be held on June.

The event, which is aimed to further boost the Philippine-China trade and investment relations, is expected to gather around 500 business leaders, industry captains and government officials from both countries.

Part of the activities of the conference will be a product promotion through a virtual trade fair which would feature top export products of China, and business matching activities. There will also be office and factory visits to be arranged for the estimated 200 businesses and industry leaders comprising the Chinese delegation.

PCCI President Dr. Francis Chua said, “The Philippines and Chinese’ economies are open to mutual cooperation in trade and investments. While initially, the idea behind the conference is to promote Chinese-manufactured products for export to the country, we are making it a point to ensure that local enterprises and industries get maximum exposure and gain from the visit of top-level Chinese businessmen. That is why we are arranging business meetings and site visitations on the sidelines of the conference.”

China is the country’s top trading partner with export receipts reaching US$51.39 billion in 2010. Data from the National Statistic Office (NSO) show that the combined markets of China and Hong Kong in 2010 accounted for about 19.52 percent of the Philippines’ total exports.

Guangzhou Vice President of CCPIT Madame Li San Jian said, “China is a very big market. With increasing domestic demand and infrastructure development, Philippine export products such as mineral-and-metal-based resources as well as processed and fresh food products can easily gain entry into the Chinese market.”

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Trans-Asia stock rights offer approved by PSE

Roy — Sat, 30 Apr 2011 06:19:03 +0000

The Trans-Asia Oil and Energy Development Corp.’s plan to raise fresh fund for power generation via stock rights offer was approved by the Philippine Stock Exchange (PSE).

The Phinma-led company got the nod from PSE when the latter posted a memorandum on Friday saying that its board has approved the listing of 1.16billion additional common shares to be issued by Trans-Asia to cover an equity offering to all shareholders. Each eligible shareholder is entitled to subscribe to seven right shares for every 10 existing shares held as of record date of May 18.

The offer price of P1 per share represents a discount of 21.9 percent on the market price of Trans-Asia as of March 21, which was the date the stock rights offer was approved by the board of Trans-Asia.

The net proceeds from the stock rights offer, based on the memorandum, would be used to partly finance Trans-Asia’s equity investment in the planned 135-megawatt clean coal plant in Calaca, Batangas and its investment in Maibarara geothermal power plant.

Trans-Asia tapped on the services of ATR KimEng Capital Partner Inc. to be the underwriter of the stock rights offering which would run from May 30 to June 3 this year.

The Phinma group, which is composed of Philippine Investments Management Inc. and Phinma Corp., the principal stockholders of Trans-Asia, pledged to subscribe to any shares not taken up by other eligible shareholders.

Trans-Asia was originally into petroleum exploration, and later diversified to other industries like cement manufacturing, coal trading and power generation. This year, the company expects to generate a net profit of P482.23 million, which is a considerable increase from the P14.74 million it posted a year ago. Revenue is projected to rise to P1.7 billion from P894 million in 2010.

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PLDT counters Globe’s claim

Roy — Sat, 30 Apr 2011 02:02:45 +0000

The Philippine Long Distance Telephone Co. (PLDT) said the claim of Globe Telecom that the deal between PLDT and Digital Telecommuncations Phil. Inc. (Digitel) would result into the monopoly of the telecom industry is only Globe’s way of protecting its interest at the public’s expense. PLDT criticized Globe’s effort to stop the deal that would allow the telecom giant to take over third-ranked mobile brand Sun Cellular.

PLDT said that the acquisition of Sun would actually result in a more efficient use of network facilities, which would lead to better services at lower costs. “Globe wants to create the impression of an impending monopoly by PLDT, which is not the case,” said Ray Espinosa, regulatory affairs head of the company. “What they really want is for the government to make up for their inefficiencies.”

Earlier, Globe asked the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) to intervene in the deal between PLDT and Sun Cellular operator Digitel. Globe claimed that a monopoly would emerge from this deal and this could only work for the detriment of the industry and consumers. Globe also said that the deal would give the combined entity 3.5 frequencies for every one that Globe has, creating an imbalance.

Espinosa countered that based on the data available at the NTC, PLDT is in fact 23-percent more efficient than Globe in terms of frequency use. This means PLDT, which has 45 million subscribers, need more frequencies than Globe. He said Globe should instead allow market forces to work and let the consumers decide for themselves which is the better network.

With the claim that the PLDT-Digitel would give them 70 percent control of the market that would eventually kill competition, Espinosa said that at the end of the day, it all boils down on to which network can offer the better service, regardless of the size of the company.

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Aircraft maintenance company to expand facility in the Philippines

Roy — Fri, 29 Apr 2011 22:45:16 +0000

Lufthansa Technik Philippines (LTP) plans to expand its facility in Manila in order to increase the variety of aircraft it can serve, including the Airbus A380, which the world’s largest passenger plane. The Airbus A320, designed for short to mid-range flights, is among the most-used aircraft by local airlines and is ideal for trips to domestic and international destinations within the Asia Pacific.

The aircraft maintenance company, which is a joint venture between Lucio Tan’s MacroAsia Corp. and Germany’s Lufthansa group, said it will be spending $30 million in the next year to expand its facility at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA).

The company said the expansion will “boost its capability in servicing the growing range of Airbus models that includes the A320, A330, A340 and A380, which is the world’s biggest and most technologically advanced commercial aircraft.”

For its part, MacroAsia said, “The Philippines will be one of the few places of A380 maintenance in the world, and this definitely cements the country’s place in the global aviation map.”

LTP said that once its expansion is completed, the Philippines’ position and presence in the global aviation map would be enhanced. The company will also be hiring additional 2,700 workers more when its new hangar becomes operational by January 2012.

The expansion will cover a new 8,484 square meter facility which will be built in accordance with the strictest design codes. It will add to LTP’s four existing hangars. This would be able to accommodate one wide-body and two narrow-body or four narrow-body planes all at the same time.

Among the international airlines currently served by LTP are Lufthansa German Airlines, Qatar Airways and Cathay Pacific. Among the local airlines, the company serves Cebu Pacific, Zest Airways, and LTP affiliate Philippine Airlines.

Aside from the Manila hangars, LTP also has an aircraft maintenance facility at the Clark Freeport Zone in Angeles City, Pampanga.

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Philippine seeks investment-grade rating

Roy — Fri, 29 Apr 2011 04:51:12 +0000

The Philippine government believes that the country deserves a better credit rating, that is why it is wooing the three major credit rating agencies for an upgrade in its credit scores, amid the improving fiscal situation and external liquidity.

The three credit rating agencies – Moody’s Investors Service, Fitch Ratings, and Standard & Poor’s (S&P), were met separately by finance secretary Cesar Purisima when he went to New York and Washington D.C. recently.

Purisima presented fiscal and monetary data on the Philippines that he believes would encourage them to review and increase the country’s credit scores. Philippines is rated three notches below investment grade by Moody’s and two notches below by Fitch and S&P.

He also said the country has a credit score lower than Indonesia yet the fiscal situations of the two countries are just the same. Purisima also cited the country’s declining debt-to GDP [gross domestic product] ratio and deficit-to-GDP ratio. “Our debt rations and deficit are declining and our financial sector is well managed, and so we deserve better ratings,” he said.

During the meeting with the credit rating firms, Purisima said the three did not give a hint if they would change the country’s credit ratings soon, but he express optimism that the Philippines would finally get an investment-grade credit rating before the end of Aquino’s term.

The finance chief said the country has been able to borrow from the international markets at interest rates comparable to those applied to financing initiatives by investment-grade rated countries. Still, he stressed that getting a credit rating upgrade would be important in getting more foreign investments for the Philippines. “Much more funds will come in to the Philippines if we get investment grade,” Purisima said. He noted that some big-ticket business ventures have been using credit ratings in their decision-making.

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Globe asks NTC to intervene in the PLDT-Digitel deal

Roy — Thu, 28 Apr 2011 21:37:16 +0000

Globe Telecom, in its letter to the National Telecommunication Commission (NTC), is asking the agency to take a look, and intervene, in the recent acquisition of the Philippine Long Distance Telephone Co. (PLDT) of a majority stake of Digital Telecommunications Phils. Inc. (Digitel). Globe warned that the PLDT-Digitel is threatening to free competition and gravely places at risk the public good, because other significant market influence of PLDT as a result of the deal.

Atty. Rodolfo Salalima, acting as counsel for Globe, referred to Republic Act No. 7925 or the new Telecoms Policy Act, which was enacted into law on March 1995 because of the need for the country to liberalize and demonopolize and to veer away from the monopoly of the dominant carrier which, because of its dominant clout, power, and influence, constricted and stifled, instead of led, the growth and expansion of public telecommunications services in the country.

Salalima quoted the then Senator John Osmena in his sponsorship speech of Senate Bill 11 (which is now RA 7925) that “our telecommunications system has been cited as backward, inadequate, and a major constraint to the global competitiveness of our industries.”

“(NTC) must intervene and act now. It cannot and must not shirk from its legal obligation to intervene in the PLDT/Digitel deal and regular, if not forestall, the deal’s grave implications and impact on free competition and, in the long term, the common good. The inherent police power of the state can and must also be utilized for the common good,” he added.

Salalima stressed that the NTC must start leveling the playing field now in the name of free competition or risk a return to the monopoly of old and precisely abandoned by RA 7925, adding that PLDT’s cellular market share, because of the deal, has now grown to 70 percent, while that of Globe is 30 percent.

PLDT recently acquired 51 percent of Digitel, which owns the Sun Cellular brand, from the Gokongwei Group, and hopes to purchase the remainder from small shareholders during a mandatory tender offer.

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Philippine tuna company acquires US salmon company

Roy — Thu, 28 Apr 2011 13:51:25 +0000

Philippine company Alliance Select Food International Inc. sealed a deal to acquire 100 percent of US company Spence & Co. Ltd., a Massachusetts-based salmon smoking and curing company who specializes in the production of smoked salmon and seafood, prepared in the Scottish tradition of its founder Alan Spence. The company caters to the high-end market in the USA and Europe.

The Alliance, in its disclosure to the Philippine Stock Exchange (PSE), said it had signed an agreement to acquired the US fish company lock, stock and barrel through subsidiary ASFI Choice Foods Inc. for $8.5 million.

Alliance spokesperson Rajat Balain said, “An investment in Spence is another step towards Alliance’s goal of diversifying its product line to enhance shareholder value and ensure future profitability. This will be Alliance’s third smoked salmon venture, making it the largest salmon processor in the region, and will help it establish a beachhead in the lucrative seafood market in the US.”

To partly finance the acquisition of Spence, Alliance will be conducting a stock rights offering. The company already gave the approval for the said offering. The PSE suspended trading of Alliance starting 9 a.m. Tuesday pending the submission of additional disclosure pertinent details on the transaction.

Alliance started commercial operations in General Santos City in Mindanao in 2004, it was formerly known as Alliance Tuna International and engages in tuna processing, canning and export of canned tuna products. It exports to Europe, North America, Asia, Africa and South America as a “private label manufacture,” which means it processes and cans tuna using its customer’s brands.

Part of its overseas expansion in recent years is the company’s aspirations to become a regional food company with a “decidedly Filipino DNA.” Alliance is always on the lookout for opportunities in regional seafood companies with high margins and high-value products.

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China auto company to open manufacturing facility in the Philippines

Roy — Mon, 25 Apr 2011 10:22:44 +0000

Chery Automobile Ltd. announced it will build a manufacturing facility in the Philippines which will be the company’s left hand drive manufacturing hub in the Southeast Asia. Chery Philippines sales marketing manager Raymond Tribdino said the manufacturing facility will be constructed in the next three years. He said, aside from serving the local market, the company also plans to sell Philippine made vehicles to the ASEAN market. They plan to build Philippine specific models for both passenger cars and small vehicles.

“We will have a local partner. We will subcontract. We are in the trial phase and we are working out the shares in the company. We are not sure how much the total investment will be, but normally, one line costs more than $10 million,” Tribdino explained.

He also added that they would like to bring in cheaper electric vehicles to the Philippines and ASEAN market, “For electric cars, we would like to introduce the first commercially available electric vehicle.” Tribdino said the lithium ion battery is 60 percent of the price. The Chery full electric vehicle is estimated to be at P1.8 million but it could be more. For a single charge, it can run up to 250 kilometers.

Chery Philippines is asking the government to grant them incentives like a parking lot with charging station, lower registration rate and zero percent import duty from China. The current import duty is 30 percent. If the said tariff is removed or is the same as AFTA at one percent, Tribdino said the small e-vehicle will be cheaper at P1.057 million. Although the vehicle is over P1 million, he said the running cost is low with the high cost of fuels.

Tribdino also said they are looking to beef up their local sales as Chery China took over from old distributors Easy Way Motors. The company bought Easy Way’s assets worth P150 million. He said they are looking at matching their 2010 sales target last year which was 1068 units. Their 2010 sales stood at 1,134 units.

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Bruno Mars included in the TIME Magazine 100 influential people list

Roy — Sun, 24 Apr 2011 13:33:11 +0000

Half-Filipino and world music sensation Bruno Mars made it to the TIME magazine’s list of 100 most influential people for 2011. Born Peter Gene Hernandez to a Filipino mother and Puerto Rican father, 25-year old Bruno Mars ranked no. 64 in the TIME Magazine’s list, as he joins an illustrious list of artists and activists, reformers and researches, heads of state and captains of industry who have affected people and their views across the globe.

Bruno Mars is best known for his songs “Just the Way You Are” and “Grenade.” He received six Grammy nominations and won the Best Male Pop Vocal award for the song “Just the Way You Are” at the recent Grammy Awards. His song “Nothing on You” was named Song of the Year for 2010 at the Soul Trains Awards.

He is regarded by his fellow artists as part of the new wave of musicians who do everything. Bruno Mars sing, play, write and produce.

“There are a lot of people in this world who can sing and play the piano and guitar. Hell, I sing and play the piano and guitar. But there’s something different about Bruno Mars. He has a musicality, a presence in his voice that I’ve never heard from anyone else,” said singer, rapper, musician and record producer B.o.B. when interviewed by TIME.

“When he performs live, nothing is prerecorded or fudged. It’s a straight up, classic performance. That’s so rare these days. We needed only two sessions to record “Nothin’ on You.” But when we perform live is when you really see our chemistry in action.” he added.

Other artists who were also in the list of the TIME 100 were Justin Bieber and Glee star Chris Colfer.

To see the complete list, log on to the TIME Magazine website.

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Globe to invest $500 M to improve mobile network

Roy — Sun, 24 Apr 2011 06:57:15 +0000

Mobile service provider Globe Telecom is investing $500 million to improve the quality and capacity of its mobile network infrastructure throughout the country. Company officials said the network quality will be top priority of Globe this year.

As part of the company’s network transformation program, Globe is making one of its biggest network investments in quality and capacity to date, where the significant amount will be used for capacity buildup, network modernization and optimization. These upgrades would provide subscribers better experiences in call, text and data services in 2G, 3G and 4G.

Globe earlier announced a major expansion of its current 4G footprint with the country’s first commercial rollout of 4G mobile technology. At its initial phase, Globe utilized the global standard HSPA+ Globe allots or Evolved High-Speed Packet Access for its 4G mobile network.

HSPA+ is a 4G wireless mobile, high speed broadband technology that allows for peak theoretical download of up to 21 Mbps with upgradeability for 84 Mbps which would complement the company’s existing 4G WiMAX (Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access) network. Under the Globe HSPA+ network, subscribers are expected to enjoy browsing at a typical speed of 4-6 Mbps with even faster peak speeds.

Globe president and CEO Ernest Cu said, “Our customers are looking for better network quality, and this is what we are giving them. We are making a substantial investment in our network to improve the quality of our services to our subscribers. Certainly, the network on which our services are delivered play a pivotal role in achieving superior customer experience.”

By continuously enhancing their network facilities and operations, Cu explained, their subscribers will enjoy better quality and greater reliability for calls, text messaging and data services. “This year, we are making significant investments in upgrading and expanding our networks. One tangible result of which is the commercial rollout of 4G for mobile, making us the first Philippine operator with a 4G mobile network in the country,” he added.

The 4G HSPA+ rollout expands the foray of Globe into new and up-to-date network technologies to provide its subscribers with high-speed broadband access with the added convenience of full mobility.

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Nestle Prize in Creating Shared Value now open for nominations

Roy — Sun, 24 Apr 2011 03:04:12 +0000

The Nestlé Prize in Creating Shared Value is open for nominations. The award, which is open globally, aims to recognize an individual, non-government organization, or small enterprise working in the field of nutrition, water, or rural development. The nomination will be open until June 30, 2011.

The Nestlé Prize in Creating Shared Value was launched in 2009 and offers advice and financial support of up to CHF 500,000 (more than US$480,000 or approximately P23 million), to an innovation or project that has shown outstanding promise in improving access to, or management of, water, enhancing the lives of farmers and rural communities; or providing better nourishment to communities suffering from nutritional deficiencies.

Those who are eligible for nominations are individuals, non-government organizations (NGOs), or small enterprises. Their projects should already have achieved small scale success, it must be implemented in a developing country, and it should be based on a sound and sustainable business model.

The fields of achievements include, but are not limited to, agriculture, including extension services and use of new technology; food science and technology; nutrition education programs; water management; protection of water resources; and the like. Applicants may either self-nominate or be nominated by others who are familiar with their work. To ensure long-term success, the Prize Laureate is supported by a financial commitment over a period of time to assist in the development of their project or innovation.

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Xoom special offer on the Pacquiao-Mosley fight

Roy — Sat, 23 Apr 2011 22:54:56 +0000

Xoom.com, a money online transfer company, tied up with DIRECTV to for a special offer to Xoom customers to watch the Manny Pacquiao “Pacman” Pacquiao versus Sugar Shane Mosley fight for free on DIRECTV Pay-Per-View (PPV).

The company is excited to bring this opportunity for the first time. It will be available to new Xoom customers who send money to the Philippines. This promo is valued at $55. “Manny Pacquiao is a world-wide boxing phenomenon and is idolized by many Filipinos. We’re very excited to bring his fight to his biggest fans for free,” said John Kunze, President and CEO of Xoom.com

The mechanics to avail of the free viewing of the Pacquiao-Mosley fight is easy – first time Xoom.com customers just need to send a money transfer of $150 or more to the Philippines between April 20, 2011 to 10:00 p.m. PST May 7, 2011. They can then order the Pacquiao-Mosley fight from DIRECTTV Pay-Per-View by calling 1-800-531-5000 or online at directv.com/boxing. Within two weeks after the fight, eligible customers will receive the $55 Prepaid Reward card from Xoom.com towards the Pay-Per-View fee.

Of course, those who would avail of this promo from Xoom.com must have an active subscription from DIRECTV to qualify. Monthly cable TV and equipments are additional. The promotional offer is available only for the standard-definition “SD” feed of the telecast. Customers who purchase the telecast in high-definition “HD” may still participate in the promotion, but will only receive reimbursement for the SD price ($55), and will need to pay for any price difference.

To get to know more about this exciting offer from Xoom.com, visit xoom.com/manny. The promo is also subject to the terms and conditions of DIRECTV. This offer is subject to change without notice and valid until supplies last.

Xoom.com was founded in 2001 in San Francisco and is backed by leading venture firms Sequoia Capital, New Enterprise Associates and Fidelity Ventures.

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DTI’s trade mission to India produces $42 M investment pledges

Roy — Fri, 22 Apr 2011 15:59:24 +0000

The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) reported that their recent trade and investment mission in India have generated new investment pledges worth $42 million. Trade Secretary Gregory Domingo said they were from three energy projects and a pharmaceutical packaging ventures.

The Philippine delegates, led by Domingo, attended the recent ASEAN-India Business Fair and Conclave held in New Delhi in its bid to penetrate India’s trillion dollar market. Other members of the Philippine mission were the Department of Agriculture, Department of Tourism, Department of Foreign Affairs and the Philippine India Business Council of the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

Domingo said he was able to convince Indian businessmen to invest in the Philippines during his first official trip, and the trade department’s first mission to India. “India is emerging as a source of foreign direct investments (FDIs) for the Philippines. Apart from BPO companies which are directed by their principals to open delivery centers in the Philippines, more Indian companies are continuing to realize the potential of the Philippines as a gateway to the lucrative ASEAN market,” he said.

The investment pledges acquired by DTI include two 20-megawatt stand-alone liquefied natural gas (LNG) power plants in Tawi-Tawi and in Cagayan as well as a 1.5-megawatt mini hydro electric power project in Abra.

According to Domingo, the trade department is working on several initiatives for Indian businessmen locating in the country which include the improved business registration procedures; and relaxed visa norms for senior executives of IT and BPO companies. Add to this, he also announced the recently inaugurated direct flights from Manila to New Delhi of the Philippine Airlines (PAL).

During their trip, Domingo also witnessed the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MOUs) between the Associated Chamber of Commerce in India (ASSOCHAM) and the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and between the Federation of Indian Mining Industries and the Philippine Chamber of Mining Industries represented by Philip Romualdez, to promote trade, investments, and economic relations between India and the Philippines.