MikeLigalig.com

hi Bam,
musta na? whats up?

Teng,
younger brother mani siya ni RD Sindrejas kauban nako work sa Binladin Construction sa Saudi sa una, ila mama taga Cogon mga Cempron kaliwat.

Quote from: Richard I on January 14, 2008, 07:59:55 PM
Hi Richard Selinel Lofranco I.  Naa ko paryente diri?

usa ko Chard, my middle name sa Luyo gikan

Alleged ex-NPA leader shot dead in Tagbilaran


By Kit Bagaipo
Visayas Bureau
First Posted 14:33:00 01/18/2008


TAGBILARAN CITY -- A suspected former leader of the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army (CPP-NPA) in Central Visayas was shot dead by a still unidentified gunman Thursday night, police said.

The victim was identified as Ronald Sendrijas who was gunned down 9:20 p.m. while buying medicine from a pharmacy along Gallares Street, Tagbilaran City.

Senior Police Officer 4 David Niluag of the Tagbilaran City Police said Sendrijas visited his sister, Aileen Pasagad, who had just given birth at the Ramiro Hospital.

Two assailants riding on a motorcycle arrived at the vicinity and the back-rider disembarked from the vehicle, approached Sendrijas and shot him twice, Niluag said.

Sendrijas, who turned 35 on Thursday, was shot in the back of his head with a 9-millimeter pistol, he added. The attackers then rode away from the crime scene towards and unknown direction, Niluag said.

Pasagad, in an interview on Friday, said that her brother had been receiving death threats in the past several months.

She said her brother claimed he was under surveillance. Pasagad also said that a few hours before her brother was murdered, Sendrijas allegedly received a call through his cell phone from one of those making the death threats.

Pasagad said her brother showed her one text message, which said he would be killed on his birthday but did not identify the persons behind the death threats.

Senior Superintendent Edgardo Ingking, Bohol police provincial director said, in a separate interview, that the PNP would be checking on the status of Sendrijas' several cases still pending in the courts.

"These cases were related to his activities as an active member of the CPP-NPA," Ingking said.

The military and police operatives arrested Sendrijas (also known as “Ka Aram” and “Foreigner”) in the mountain village of Gutlang in Argao town, Cebu in May 2004 but was released after posting bail in August 2006.

Sendrijas was captured with another suspected NPA commander, Jigger Geverola, now detained at the Cebu Provincial Detention and Rehabilitation Center (CPDRC).

Sendrijas, a native of San Jose, Inabanga, Bohol, had been charged with rebellion, murder, multiple murder, multiple frustrated murder and robbery in band, Ingking said.

He was linked to an NPA raid on the 702nd Provincial Mobile Group based in Sta. Fe, Danao, Bohol on Dec. 14, 1999 when two soldiers were killed while the camp commander was wounded. The troops' firearms and equipment were carted away from the camp, Ingking said.

Sendrijas has a pending case for rebellion before the Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 52 in Talibon, Bohol and robbery with serious physical injuries before RTC Branch 25 in Danao City, Cebu, Ingking said.

Ingking said that Sendrijas was also linked to several burnings of passenger buses and "violent incidents" in Cebu.

Sendrijas used to be the secretary of the Central Visayas Regional Party
Committee (CVRPC), he said.

However, after his release from the Cebu Provincial Detention and Rehabilitation Center in 2006, Sendrijas had been inactive with the underground movement and later campaigned for his relatives who ran during the May 2007 elections, Ingking added.

Telecom employee wins Sto. Niño song-writing tilt


By Bernadette Parco
Cebu Daily News
First Posted 02:26pm (Mla time) 01/09/2008


CEBU CITY, Philippines - People from varied walks of life showed their devotion through song last Monday in a music competition in honor of the Child Jesus, whose feast is celebrated this month. An employee of a telecommunications company came out on top.

Outdoing a policeman, a school teacher, a jail guard, a statistics officer and other men and women from everyday profession, Jafet Vistal of Innove Communications’ electronics department won best composition for his song “Sto. Niño, Kaloy-i Ako” during the 2nd annual Huni Halad Alang Kang Sto. Niño de Cebu songwriting competition, also known as the Huniño competition.

Vistal received a P50,000 check and a trophy for his work, which was performed by Wilson Mendez Jr.

The winner said his song was inspired by the Gospel story wherein Jesus prevented a woman from being stoned to death.

In second place was the composition of Emmanuel L. Abellana of the National Statistics Office entitled “Daghang Salamat, O Sto. Niño,” performed by 11-year-old Danica Caballes, the youngest performer in the competition.

Even though Abellana’s work took second place, Caballes’ powerful performance made her a crowd favorite.

Abellana went home with P20,000 and a trophy.

The composition of teacher James Banares, based on a poem by Maria Lynde Abella, took third place.

“The lyrics came ahead of the melody,” said the 25-year-old composer. “The song speaks of the greatness of the Sto. Niño.”

Their song “Viva Sto. Niño” became a crowd favorite for its upbeat tempo, setting itself apart from the other, typically mellower songs.

Banares received P10,000 and a trophy.

Included among the compositions that made it to the final 12 was an entry composed by jail guards Melvin A. Girasol and Joselito C. Cabunag.

Their song “Sto. Niño, Kausaban Ko” hails the Child Jesus for being an influence of change for prison inmates.

The jail officers performed their own composition, along with their policeman friend, Chief Insp. Johnson M. Calub.

The composition of another policeman, Allan D. Sorono, was also chosen as one of the 12 finalists. His song “Bugtong Dalangpanan Ka” was performed by Rene Campomanes, with backup vocals provided by the group Revelation 418.

Entries to the annual search were judged for their how easily their songs could be followed by listeners, basis in liturgy, and originality.

The chairman of the board of judges was Rev. Fr. Jonas Mijares, OSA, from the University of San Agustin in Iloilo City. Other judges included last year's winner Renato Sagayno and diocesan priest Ponce Jed Bellones.

All performances were accompanied by the 44-piece Huniño Symphonic Orchestra, under the baton of Professor Roberto del Rosario.

sa amo.. asa baka asa?

taga diin = taga dis-a = taga-asa

unsay sakto? unsay gamit sa injong lugar?

Discussions about the concept, the characteristics, the sentence, the vocabulary, the grammar and the evolution of Boholano and Binisaya here in this thread and also learn words that seemed to have been buried due to fast Westernization of our languages in the Philippines.

So, post away na mga Sano ug mga Sana! Para, banhawon nato ang atong pinolungan!! 

Quote:
Boholano is a dialect of Cebuano that is spoken on the island of Bohol in the Philippines. It is sometimes described as a separate language.
Boholano, especially the dialects used in Central Bohol, can be distinguished from other Cebuano dialects by a few phonetic changes. The "y" sound in Cebuano becomes "j" ("iya" in Cebuano becomes "ija"), the "k" sound sometimes becomes "h" ("ako" in Cebuano becomes "aho") the "l" sound sometimes if it is used in the second or following syllable becomes "w" ("kulang" in Cebuano becomes "kuwang").
The dialects used in the coastal areas of Bohol though, including Tagbilaran City, are almost indistinguishable from other Cebuano-speaking areas.
Source: Wikipedia.com

maayo uroy mo diha.. EB2x na

a year after pa..Bam

Quote from: Bambi on November 11, 2007, 05:52:08 AM
Do you have an email address of Teng? 

nope..he's n Cebu working n call centre..may convergys or people's

Quote from: Bambi on November 11, 2007, 05:52:08 AM
When you will be visiting home  again for a happy driving?

unsa mana nga happy driving Bam? ...sus a after pa

@emlegaspo,
Si Bambi taga Lutao
Si Teng taga San Isidro
Si Sigbin taga Lunoy Cainsican iya (papa)
Si Ako taga Lujo

Diara sa tawon ko oi diara ,,busy tawon sa trabaho..start counting the days napod..

good news...
this is what i've posted before we have develop to our land as agri-business, to contribute the agriculture department goals under the new economic blueprint...

GOAL 1: "Develop at least two million hectares of new land for agribusiness in order to contribute 2 million jobs targeted in 2010"

hope this will not belongs to "Ningas-Cogon"..

the leaders should focus 100% in argi-development, if not now.. when?

teng imo paryente...

Gie,
naaka ka-ila Cunado Bernardo? ako klasmet sa UB

ingon-ana man gyud na Glen, basta bakasyon bisan pa unsa kadak-on sa balikbayan box, gaan ra kaajo..pero inig balik sus bisan personal ra nga mga gamit pwerting bug-ata jud....

Loboc

secret..ms da binsi

mao lagi.. bug-at kaajo ang bag..

Quote from: Bohol on October 01, 2007, 08:53:16 AM
There were avatars that I personally asked the uploaders to be removed.

If I request a removal, that won't count as warning - but a reminder only. 

ako nga avatar.. , sorry ha!!! d na gyud ko muusad kausa nalang

yes sir Jun..we can do it..we have quality/quantity of workforce we only lacking financial infrastructure according to source.

Filipino-American doctor convicted of murder--reports

INQUIRER.net
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Close this Dr. Noel Chua, a Filipino-American doctor, has been convicted of murder and sentenced to "life plus five years," reports have said.

The website, firstcoastnews.com, reported that jurors in Georgia gave out a guilty verdict after 12 hours of deliberations.

Jackonsville.com, website of the Florida Times-Union, also reported on Chua's conviction.

Chua was convicted of murdering Jamie Carter III through supplying him with painkillers. He was also convicted of violating Georgia’s Controlled Substance Act

The case has been followed closely by many Filipino-Americans. Several letters and opinion columns have been written in support of Chua.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

2 firms pack up due to rising labor costs

By MA. ELISA P. OSORIO

The Philippine Star
www.abs-cbnnews.com/storypage.aspx?StoryId=96437

Two electronics companies are pulling out their investments in the country and moving their operations to Vietnam as local labor costs continue to soar every year, an industry official said.

At a press conference, Semiconductor and Electronics Industries in the Philippines Inc. (SEIPI) board member and First Philec managing director Dan C. Lachica said Tokyo-based cordless phone giant Uniden and another company he refused to identify are abandoning local operations because of rising operating costs.

"We have to temper wage increases with realism. Now more companies are shutting down and moving to Vietnam," Lachica explained.

According to Lachica, the legislated annual increase of minimum wage is a serious concern of all companies especially since the peso continues to appreciate against the dollar.

He proposed following the example of other neighboring countries wherein there is no minimum wage and no mandatory increase.

When asked if they will ask the Congress to amend the law requiring the mandatory increase of minimum wage, SEIPI chairman and PSi Technologies Inc., chairman and chief executive officer Arthur J. Young said no. "This is a controversial matter," he said.

However, Young said they have discussed the matter with the National Competitiveness Council (NCC). The NCC is a collaboration of private and public sector working to make the Philippines an attractive investment site.

"Wage increases should be merit and productivity based. It should not be mandatory," Young noted.

"The increase in minimum wage should not be an annual thing. In other countries they change their minimum wage every three to five years," Ernesto Santiago, SEIPI executive director said.

In fact, another SEIPI board member and head of Maxim Philippines Operation GroupGeorge Rutland said it is difficult for their mother company to understand surprises in labor in the country.

"Our headquarters do not understand a country that surprises you with holidays and wage increases," Rutland noted.

ty...

Its only an updated data / trends for peso & stock, which two third of the population don’t care.  Positive trend for stock means were moving towards economic stability.

strong peso is not the barometer of good economy ..it’s the stock.

You mean strong peso “economic showing?” maybe not..may BSP intervention pa nga.. for the sake of exporter businessmen.

4th Quarter 2007

THE PHILIPPINE PESO

Week 1:
October 1, 2007 P44.85 (+ P0.19)
October 2, 2007 P44.915 (- P0.065)
October 3, 2007 P45.14 (- P0.225)
October 4, 2007 P44.95 (+ P0.19)
October 5, 2007 P44.75 (+ P0.20)

Week 2:
October 8, 2007 P44.35 (+ P0.40)
October 9, 2007 P44.31 (+ P0.04)
October 10, 2007 P44.15 (+ P0.16)
October 11, 2007 P44.05 (+ P0.10)
October 12, 2007 Non-Working Holiday

Week 3:
October 15, 2007 P44.05 (=)
October 16, 2007 P44.34 (- P0.29)
October 17, 2007 P44.16 (+ P0.18)

The trend: + (; - (3); = (1)

THE PHILIPPINE STOCK EXCHANGE

Week 1:
October 1, 2007 3,597.92 (+ 25.02)
October 2, 2007 3,677.19 (+ 79.27)
October 3, 2007 3,769.82 (+ 92.63)
October 4, 2007 3,775.46 (+ 5.64)
October 5, 2007 3,775.91 (+ 0.41)

Week 2:
October 8, 2007 3,873.50 (+ 97.59)
October 9, 2007 3,776.00 (- 97.50)
October 10, 2007 3,834.71 (+ 58.71)
October 11, 2007 3,824.20 (- 10.51)
October 12, 2007 Non-Working Holiday

Week 3:
October 15, 2007 3,861.38 (+ 37.18)
October 16, 2007 3,815.22 (- 46.16)
October 17, 2007 3,760.04 (- 55.18)


The trend: + (; - (4); = (0)

national budget man seguro na kay national highway man..dili man sa province. mao nga imposible nga wala budget...wala lnang gyud seguro magamit ug tarong ang money intended para ana..

paryente rapud ni nako kay ako mama Lofranco man pod...kabalo ka ni Otak anak ni tiyo Sinto Lofranco kadto vice mayor sa una? dakpan naman pod..tapad raba mi balay....

Ting imo mga paryente mga anak nilang Marsing Lofranco ug Dorica Anana

Quote from: Bambi on October 17, 2007, 10:54:59 PM
Hi Gervistl,

enjoy your rest days of holidays and take more time with your Family....aha.."GOOD DRIVER" ka diay kay day and night service man.
Drive your wife wildly....kusga ug banga-banga gajod Ti every night,ok?  ENJOY!

Mulang panagsa sa gud tawon ni.. , mao bulawanon matag oras

Quote from: C2H4 on October 17, 2007, 08:20:37 PM
high school na diay imong anak, mr gervistill?

I really thought you were still in your 20's...

based sa imong pic sa avatar before

grade 2 pa oi..elementary sa USC sa girls high man..

Three drug pushers nabbed in Inabanga
By KIT BAGAIPO

In a series of three police raids, joint operatives of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group and the Inabanga police cornered three alleged drug pushers in Inabanga town last Wednesday.

The three suspects, raided by police in their individual residences, were identified as one Pedrito Lofranco y Añana, alias Feddie, resident of barangay Lawis; Elizabeth Ceniza y Mar, alias Zabeth, resident of barangay Badiang; and Christopher Lofranco y Añana, alias Topher, resident of barangay Ilaud in Inabanga town.

During the raid in Pedrito Lofranco's residence, which happened around 6 a.m., police seized 1 small deck of suspected methamphetamine hydrochloride, commonly known as shabu, 2 heat sealed cellophane packs containing suspected crushed marijuana leaves and 2 sachets of suspected shabu granules.

Also seized from the possession of Pedrito Lofranco were 1 Colt .45 caliber pistol with a magazine containing 6 live ammunitions, 1 caliber .22 Magnum, 1 fragmentation grenade and several live ammunitions for .45 caliber and 12 gauge shotgun.

Also taken from the said suspect were several paraphernalia for the use of the illegal substance, a cellular phone and P22,000 in different denominations believed to be proceeds from selling illegal drugs.

Meanwhile, a separate police team arrested Ceniza at around 6 a.m. who was found in possession of 1 sachet of suspected shabu and several drug paraphernalia.

Police who raided the house of Christopher Lofranco turned up negative in their search for shabu but found him in possession of caliber .38 and caliber .22 live ammunitions.

The raid was conducted by virtue of search warrants issued by Regional Trial Court, Branch 52 Presiding Judge Irma Zita Masamayor dated October 8, 2007.

The three suspects will be charged in violation of Sec. 11, Art II of RA 9165, the Comprehensive Dangerous Drug Act of 2000 and are now detained at the Bohol Police Provincial Office, Camp Dagohoy, this city.

@ Bams,
still n cebu city, this coming 25oct pa puhon my flight to Qatar. Driver k diri at morning busy kaayo ako hatod sa ako anak sa USC girls high ug mrs nako trabahoan...(inig gabii driver gihapon) hehehe

Bams..your so friendly or gimingaw lang gyud ka sa taga Inabanga..Bams kaila ka sa mga parents ni Kiray Celis? sa ABS-CBN taga Lutao mana siya?

4th Quarter 2007

THE PHILIPPINE PESO

Week 1:
October 1, 2007 P44.85 (+ P0.19)
October 2, 2007 P44.915 (- P0.065)
October 3, 2007 P45.14 (- P0.225)
October 4, 2007 P44.95 (+ P0.19)
October 5, 2007 P44.75 (+ P0.20)

Week 2:
October 8, 2007 P44.35 (+ P0.40)
October 9, 2007 P44.31 (+ P0.04)
October 10, 2007 P44.15 (+ P0.16)

The trend: + (6); - (2); = (0)

THE PHILIPPINE STOCK EXCHANGE

Week 1:
October 1, 2007 3,597.92 (+ 25.02)
October 2, 2007 3,677.19 (+ 79.27)
October 3, 2007 3,769.82 (+ 92.63)
October 4, 2007 3,775.46 (+ 5.64)
October 5, 2007 3,775.91 (+ 0.41)

Week 2:
October 8, 2007 3,873.50 (+ 97.59)
October 9, 2007 3,776.00 (- 97.50)
October 10, 2007 3,834.71 (+ 58.71)

The trend: + (7); - (1); = (0)

Quote from: insurectus on October 11, 2007, 09:56:33 PM
si sumngat tingali imo nakontra national master na baya to

u mean elmer sumngat? national master na siya?

Quote from: Elizabeth on October 08, 2007, 04:52:56 AM
  KUng daghan man gani ang nadisrasya na anang dapita they should take action or precaution ,anyway its easy said than done labina sa atoa sa Bohol, looy lang sab tong mga tawong namatay tungod sa dili maayo ang pagplano ang kalsadaa.

wala sab ta kabalo nga poor design, basin pag implement lang ni..kabalo nata sa kurakot. remember during Marcos regime. ang DPWH Bohol ang usa sa pinaka corrupt.

Quote from: Sigbin II on October 09, 2007, 11:23:33 PM
I'm no expert, but Black is not yet in check.  However, if he's reckless, he can be checkmated in seven moves.  (Or is it five?  I'm not really sure.)  But this game could still be a stalemate unless the pawn gets promoted to at least a rook, which might mean sacrificing the knight.    Maybe Benelynne and 'gaw Gervistill can offer us their insight into this?

pa disguise pa gyud ka 'Gaw da..coach man to imo papa sa DWC chess players para PRISAA, kontra lang namo sa UB chess team  pero Broad-3 lang ko kay banga man

www.inabanga.com

kita na gyud ko sa ato nga website, wala palang mahuman (underconstruction paman seguro ni).

RP stocks hit new all-time high; peso at highest in 7 yrshttp://www.abs-cbnnews.com/topoftheh...?StoryId=95050
By JUDITH BALEA

Philippine financial markets hit fresh record levels on Monday on expectations that companies will report strong third-quarter profits and that the economy will continue to post solid growth.

Analysts said stock market investors also tracked the gains on Wall Street Friday after the United States reported strong jobs data for September.

At 10:32 a.m., the benchmark Philippine Stock Exchange composite index (PSEi) had risen 2.76 percent, or 104.14 points, to 3,880.05, a fresh all-time intraday high.

That was above the PSEi's prior all-time intraday high of 3,820.55 points hit on July 13.

The peso also hit a seven-year high of 44.40 on Monday on continued foreign exchange inflows from overseas investors.

"The US employment data turned out positive and market-friendly, pushing the Dow. The local market tracked gains on Wall Street," said Jose Vistan, AB Capital Securities research head.

Among blue chips, index heavyweight PLDT was up P170 or 5.48 percent at P3,270, a new all-time intraday high.

Its mobile affiliate Pilipino Telephone Corp. (Piltel) was up P0.30 or 4 percent at P7.80, near its record level of P7.90 that was hit on Feb. 26.

Leading conglomerate Ayala Corp. was up P20 or 3.48 percent at P595

4th Quarter 2007

THE PHILIPPINE PESO

Week 1:
October 1, 2007 P44.85 (+ P0.19)
October 2, 2007 P44.915 (- P0.065)
October 3, 2007 P45.14 (- P0.225)
October 4, 2007 P44.95 (+ P0.19)
October 5, 2007 P44.75 (+ P0.20)

The trend: + (3); -(2); = (0)

THE PHILIPPINE STOCK EXCHANGE

Week 1:
October 1, 2007 3,597.92 (+ 25.02)
October 2, 2007 3,677.19 (+ 79.27)
October 3, 2007 3,769.82 (+ 92.63)
October 4, 2007 3,775.46 (+ 5.64)
October 5, 2007 3,775.91 (+ 0.41)


The trend: + (5); - (0); = (0)

US affirms partnership with Bohol
Launches health, environ projects



TAGBILARAN CITY, Bohol â€" The United States of America reaffirmed its commitment to the development of Bohol when it launched here two major activities to enhance environmental governance, strengthen environment management, and promote sustainable tourism.


No less than US Ambassador to the Philippines Kristie Kenney represented the people of America through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) when she personally graced the launching here of Linking Initiatives and Networking for the Control of Tuberculosis in Children (TBLINC) and Going Green, an environmental tool kit for the tourism sector.

Provincial Health Officer Rey Moses Cabagnot said the USAID choice to get to Bohol was based on Bohol’s track record in implementing health programs aside from the fact that it still rates high among the provinces with TB incidence in children.

In her keynote address at the double launch held at the Metrocenter, Ambassador Kenney who was visibly elated upon her first visit to Bohol, pointed out that her coming would be marked by significant partnerships, innovations, and celebrations for the future.

On the USAID assistance, she called it an innovation in partnership in getting to the problem of TB control coupled with Bohol’s commitment to protect the environment.

Moreover, she cited Bohol initiatives of giving better health as a key move to protect the children whom she considers as Bohol’s greatest resource for the future.

Gov. Erico Aumentado told the ambassador that all the Bohol initiatives were geared towards poverty alleviation, which he sees as the root of all social ills. He said the new partnership with the US government would without doubt propel Bohol to its vision of development through eco-cultural tourism.

Kenney also turned over the Going Green Toolkit, an environmental tool to guide tourism sector stakeholders in taking up the environmental responsibility.

"Tourism is the fastest growing industry in the world. In Bohol, many of our tourist sites are famous for their outstanding natural beauty. Tourists come for the beautiful scenery and extraordinary experience, so it makes sense for the tourism sector to look after its lifeline â€" the natural environment," said David Valdez, president of the WWF Philippines.

Kenney also signed the memorandum of agreement for the US government to partner with Bohol in a Child TB control which the USAID funds. Signing the document with her were LMP president Exuperio Lloren and Governor Aumentado. (Mars W. Mosqueda Jr.)

WB funds Bohol one-stop shop
Project has technical support from Australian Aid agency



The World Bank, with technical support from the international Australian Aid agency (AusAid), is funding the construction of a one-stop shop (OSS) in Bohol to help streamline land administration and management transactions in the province.


The OSS will soon open in Bohol following its groundbreaking ceremony last week at the New Capitol Site in Tagbilaran City.

The groundbreaking ceremony in Bohol was attended by Department of Environment and Natural Resources Jose L. Atienza, Governor Erico B. Aumentado, Tagbilaran City Mayor Dan Neri Lim, and World Bank Acting Country Director Jehan Arulpragasam.

The shop will integrate several services in one location including land surveying, mapping and registration and is designed to increase efficiency by reducing duplication.

AusAID’s Counsellor in the Philippines Sam Zappia said the shop was an innovation of the Land Administration and Management Project (LAMP).

The shop is the result of a partnership between the departments of Environment and Natural Resources, Justice and Finance.

The World Bank provided funding and Australia, through its international aid agency, AusAID, provided technical assistance for the project.

"LAMP is an A$ 48-million 10-year project aimed at helping the Philippine Government address hindrances to development and sustained economic growth by removing duplication and fostering uniformity â€" in laws, policies, institutions, information and data, and standards of its land administration system," Zappia said.

"An efficient land administration and management system has the potential to unlock development, stimulate business and improve the social and economic lives of millions in the Philippines."

In 2007-2008, Australia’s aid to the Philippines has increased to over A$ 100 million (P4 billion), making Australia one of the country’s top three aid donors.

Australia’s aid program to the Philippines has grown to be its fourth largest globally, with some A$ 570 million in grant contributions over the past decade alone.

Australia has supported governance and economic growth projects throughout the region for many years including in Thailand, Indonesia, and Vietnam, Laos, East Timor and Solomon Islands.

Group to build RP’s first seven star hotel
By Ma. Elisa P. Osorio
Monday, October 8, 2007

A joint partnership of Filipino and Chinese businessmen will build the country’s first seven star hotel possibly in The Fort or in the reclaimed area in Roxas Boulevard.

“The seven star hotel will be similar to the one in Dubai,” Susan Barlin, co-founder of the CEO Club Philippines, said in an interview.

The project dubbed as the Pentominium, will be a combination of retail outlets, offices and penthouses.

The 35-story luxury hotel is an exclusive hotel given that the occupants will mostly be members of the CEO club. “They will use the hotel whenever they visit here either for a vacation or business,” Barlin explained.

According to her, the group is in the process of choosing a possible location. “We are considering two areas but we prefer to build at The Fort,” she added.

In The Fort, Barlin said they are negotiating with two parties. One land they are eyeing is government owned while the other is owned by a private entity.

Barlin explained they would need at least 2,000 square meters for the seven-star hotel. If everything falls into place, she said ground breaking will be scheduled for the first quarter of 2008.

The Pentominium is one of the eight hotels the 13 man Chinese business delegation visiting the country is considering building.

The other hotels will be in tourist destinations like Bohol, Palawan, Tagaytay and Cebu. The rest of the hotels will be five star hotels.
Meanwhile, Barlin said the botched broadband deal between the government and China did not dampen the Chinese’s desire to invest in the Philippines.

“We are making new deals. We do not want to let politics interfere with progress,” she said.

Aside from hotels, Barlin said the visiting Chinese investors are also interested in developing a retirement destination for Chinese elderly in one of the islands.

“The Chinese would like to develop a retirement destination in the Philippines. They would like to build first class amenities in a beachfront property for their elderly,” she said.

She said in two years time, the country has the opportunity to earn $40 billion from the retirement industry which include income from tourism.”The children of the retirees will want to visit their parents and then take some time off themselves,” she said.

According to her, the infrastructure needed for the Chinese Village will take two years to build. However, the benefits from tourism will accrue immediately.

The amenities for the Chinese Village will be strictly first class. The island will have its own airport, hospital, hotel, nursing home and other facilities to make the retirees comfortable.

The Chinese only island will cater to the parents of the Chinese elite which makes up 10 percent of the entire population.

Beijing Capital City Real Estate Development Co. Ltd. is interested in building the project with a Filipino partner.

Quote from: C2H4 on October 06, 2007, 10:14:58 PM
nganong naa man ka sa pardo? taga diha imong misis? musta ang cebu? daghan na bag-o bldgs?

sakto ka C2H4 , diri kusog kaajo ang Infras construction, ning balik ang CEBOOMMM sa una we back early 90's..

Quote from: Sigbin II on October 07, 2007, 07:42:44 PM
Ning-una-una diay ka sa Kalag-Kalag, 'gaw?  Hapit na ra ba.  Managkot na pud tang tanan ani.

mao lagi 'Gaw, ako nalang gi-una-una ang kalag-kalag kay basin ako maka bayad sa Ticket kung mo extend pa.

karun rako petsa 25 kutob..
wala mi mag kita kay dia man ko nag permi sa Pardo-cebu, one day raman ko sa ato ning uli.

ako diri sayo tug kay tennis pako ugma

Quote from: Macky Ferniz on October 06, 2007, 09:45:38 PM
Saudi is one of the toughest quality control in the world. In every country there is a SASO and no product can pass the Customs without SASO Certificate.

Tinuod gyud ka Mac kay sa Riyadh wala gyud mo pasar ang atong Made-in-RP nga Silver Swan sauce. na recall pod

Ok raman..ang Lonoy mao lang gihapon lisod ang agi-anan basta mag uwan..

Not all made-in-chinas been designed in China.

False..the person next to U is Gervistill , not Happy

Next to me...dili na beer-gin

Quote from: Macky Ferniz on October 05, 2007, 08:07:45 AM
Nice to share minds with you here in Tubag Bohol Gervistil. Si Piw-piw naa gihapon sa Inabangga. Si Nong Willy iyang papa, gikan man to diri sa Saudi ug wala na mo balik. Gi pangitaan man to namo ug trabaho si Piw-piw dire pere pirming demalason, ma ilogan.

Unsa man imong apelyido, Vestal ba? Naa ko mga amigo mga Vestal taga Inabangga.

Balik ta sa atong topic, naa gani mga Engineers ug Chinese na nga mga Chinese diri. Delikado kung mga hugmo ang building bisan wala pa mahuman. Known raba ang mga Chinese nga walay quality control.

Vistal oi dili Vestal,
sa dira pako sa Saudi (Riyadh & Jeddah) wala paman to mga Chinese contractors..basin karon nalang na..
pero diri sa Qatar na daghan oi, kusog kaayo mo dive sa presyo mao mga makakuha gyud, maka save man gud sila sa materials kay made in China man ila gamit, basta parehas lang specs.

Bam, imo mama familiar nako ang dagway, medyo insekon, kay ako mga kaliwat sa Lonoy parehas niya mga insekon pod, pero dili lang tag-as, mga potot..

yup..we should have forum rules.

4th Quarter 2007

THE PHILIPPINE PESO

Week 1:
October 1, 2007 P44.85 (+ P0.19)
October 2, 2007 P44.915 (- P0.065)
October 3, 2007 P45.14 (- P0.225)

The trend: + (1); - (2); = (0)

THE PHILIPPINE STOCK EXCHANGE

Week 1:
October 1, 2007 3,597.92 (+ 25.02)
October 2, 2007 3,677.19 (+ 79.27)
October 3, 2007 3,769.82 (+ 92.63)


The trend: + (3); - (0); = (0)

Desperate Housewives makes racist remark against Pinoys

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Desperate Housewives maligns Philippine med schools
http://ivanhenares.multiply.com/journal/item/21

This came from my Ateneo High School batchmate Dr. Chino Perez:


I don't really watch this show. Here's another reason why you shouldn't too!

BOYCOTT THIS SHOW!

[In the episode entitled. "Now You Know", Susan's character was questioning the credibility of a gynecologist and said, "Ok before we go any further, can I check those diplomas? Cause I would just like to make sure that they're not from some med school in the Philippines. "]

- just recently posted by another Filipino doctor who watched the show in the US

From Yahoo! Answers:
Did any Filipinos watch Desperate Housewives on 9/30/07???

I was watching it online today and they made a comment that was a bit disturbing to me. It was a scene when Terri Hatcher was being told by her GYN that she might be hitting menopause, and her reply was something like "Wait a minute, I need to check your credentials.. I have to make sure that you didn't get your degree from the Philippines."

This upsets me because there are a lot of medical professionals that have graduated from the Philippines. I don't think that a direct pun was necessary in this particular situation.

More Dutch firms outsourcing to Philippines

MANILA, Philippines -- Like many of their counterparts in other parts of the world, companies from the Netherlands are finding the Philippines an attractive outsourcing site, still due mainly to the country’s pool of highly skilled English-speaking workers, a Dutch executive said.

Brian Altman, managing director of Dutch information technology firm IAMD Software Solutions, said the Philippines was generally a good offshore alternative for European companies.

“Services of even the more common business processes will be hard -- and expensive -- to come by in Europe, and the Philippines is a very good alternative low-cost center for (business process outsourcing),” he said in a statement.

He said the Philippines’ telecommunications infrastructure, skilled workers and largely English-speaking population continued to give it a competitive edge over many other potential BPO sites the world over.

Other plus factors included relatively low labor costs as well as cultural similarities with Western countries, he added.

What the government and local stakeholders should do to make the country more attractive to potential outsourcers, he said, was package it properly by highlighting its competitive advantages.

“The Philippines should be marketed properly to the West. There should be more focus on the business side of the country: language advantage, modern infrastructure, high-tech cities like Makati, Eastwood City and Ortigas Center,” he said.

He said one good way of showcasing the country’s merits was through government-spearheaded trade missions, usually organized by the Department of Trade and Industry’s Center for International Trade Expositions and Missions.

“With more foreign nationals in the Philippines, a larger network of westerners is created, thus improving the promotion of the Philippines to the West,” he said.

There are currently around 30 Dutch companies in the country, including big-name firms such as Shell, Philips, Unilever and ABN Amro.

“The Dutch are very careful when it comes to outsourcing. This goes for most of the European market. Trade missions to Europe bridge that and, in important ways, project the Philippines as an attractive offshore location,” Altman said.

Cebu ranks 4th globally as outsourcing destination

CEBU CITY -- Cebu landed number four among 15 emerging outsourcing destinations for global companies, according to an industry report.

India, though, remains the most favored technology outsourcing destination despite concerns that a rising rupee and soaring wages would blunt the country’s competitive edge.

Join forum on Sandiganbayan's guilty verdict on Estrada plunder case. Post comments here.

A study by industry publication Global Services and investment advisory firm Tholons put the Indian cities of Chennai, Hyderabad and Pune at the top of a list of 15 emerging outsourcing destinations for global companies.

In an interview with Sun.Star Cebu, Cebu Investment Promotions Center (CIPC) executive director Joel Mari Yu said he expects Cebu to reach number one, as the business process outsourcing (BPO) industry here is rising compared to that in India.

Costs are surging in the prime cities in India, which has earned a reputation as the world’s back office, as property values and rentals rise and wages increase at an annual pace of more than 15 percent amid a shortage of skilled employees.

Indian outsourcing firms are also feeling the pinch from an appreciating rupee, which dents dollar-billed earnings, forcing them to cut costs by expanding to less expensive locations.

Demand outpaces supply

“With the demand-supply gap widening, newer tier II cities will play a critical role in reengineered globalization models,” said Tholons chairman Avinash Vashistha.

“Destinations will need to provide a greater level of cost effectiveness and operational efficiency.”

Kolkata at number five and Chandigarh at number nine were the other two Indian locations on the list, which contained three Chinese and two Vietnamese cities as well.

The three hot cities for outsourcing from China were Shanghai at number eight, Beijing at 10 and Shenzhen at 13. Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi were put at number six and number 12.

The Sri Lankan capital of Colombo placed seventh, Cairo at 11, Buenos Aires at 14 and Sao Paulo at 15, the study’s sponsors said in a statement released in Bangalore Sunday.

The list is based on criteria such as scale and quality of workforce, financial infrastructure, risk environment and quality of life.

But it does not include established outsourcing locations such as Bangalore, the New Delhi capital region, Manila, Mumbai and Dublin that have had a decade’s headstart.

India’s outsourcing companies have thrived by winning work from companies in the United States and Europe that sought to tap the country’s low costs and large employee pool by handing over jobs ranging from answering customers’ calls to risk management and financial analysis.

Pure-play outsourcing firms account for about 10 percent of the $50 billion in revenue logged in the year ended March by the entire information technology industry, which also includes software giants such as Tata Consultancy and Infosys.

Spread

Yu said among Third World countries, the Philippines has an edge in that Filipinos speak better English, or that which is closest to the American twang, compared to Indians, who have an accent.

But, he said, the government should start giving the industry more attention in policy direction to keep that advantage.

“It would be better that the industry would not be concentrated in Cebu alone but in other provinces as well so that qualified workers do not congregate in Cebu.

And this entails better government planning involving other local government units,” Yu said.
In particular, he said, other places should offer English, computer technology and other information technology-related courses for a better-qualified pool of workers.

“Pero ang bottomline sweldo gihapon,” he said, however, adding that Cebu has lower labor cost compared to the competition.

He said the industry would not wither in the next five to six years even though only those with good oral communication skills, the willingness to work night shifts, and the stomach to accept insults (from customers) are suited for the job.

Yu also revealed another problem just came into focus.

He said that while workers are especially educated for IT-related jobs, their training does not include managerial and people skills so that they struggle when promoted to higher positions.

“There is also the need for schools to offer IT curricula that teach students to be more versatile IT workers,” he said in Cebuano.

Bayle tibook kalibutan

Bayle tibook kalibutan, bayle may sayaw sa tanan
Galing, sa ako kang giguyod, imo kong gibalibaran Oh yeah

Medyo, ug ako naulawan, busa mi padaplin nalang
Unya akong gikalagutan, kay ni bayle ka sa uban
Dinha kaayo mong pisliton, kaayong iambak
Kaayong isumbag, Kaayong kunuton

Galing, may respeto lang ko, kay kadtong lalaki
Kanimo ni bayle ogangan ko kadto
Busa, mi pauli lang ko, pag-abot sa balay ang akong
Asawa moy gi pamongtan ko, oh yeah

Bayle, tibook kalibutan, maayo ra unta
Kanang imong bunol sa bayle hingtumban
Dinha kaayo mong pisliton, kaayong iambak
Kaayong isumbag, Kaayong kunuton

Galing may respeto lang ko, kay kadtong lalaki
Kanimo ni bayle ugangan ko kadto
Busa, mi pauli lang ko, pag-abot sa balay ang akong
Asawa moy gi pamongtan ko, oh yeah

man-made forest

Prony, largest snake in captivity in Bohol

------------------------------------------------------------------------------



Shots of prony the famous phyton @ Albur

PUNTA CRUZ WATCHTOWER in Maribojoc, Bohol
built in 1796



i remember during our college days in UB-archi in our drawing subject, i forgot to bring my water colour......hehehehe

What are we to do with heritage white elephants?


BOHOLANO home cooking is served under the painted dome of the Dauis convento.
By Augusto Villalon
Inquirer
Last updated 02:19am (Mla time) 08/20/2007


MANILA, Philippines -- Despite the growing campaign to save Philippine heritage, the honest truth is that a lot (or most) of the heritage structures we campaign to save are really white elephants.

What are we to do with those white elephants?

On the verge of becoming white elephants are our World Heritage-inscribed Rice Terraces of the Philippine Cordillera.

A site of incontestable beauty, the rice terraces are one of the few places on our planet where natural and cultural heritage combine to produce a landscape of such impact. Seeing the struggle for the place to keep up with the 21st century leads to the question, Is heritage enough?

Heritage might be enough for inanimate objects, stuff for display like empty architectural monuments or valuable objects locked up under glass in museums that are lifeless markers of the past.

A place like the rice terraces, unquestionably a marker of Philippine heritage, is far from being an inert monument to the past, enshrined in museum-like stillness.

For centuries the terraces’ traditional practicesâ€"cultural, religious, environmental, agricultural, hydrological and artisticâ€"revolved around the rice- growing cycle, supporting the life of their inhabitants. Massive migration out of the terraces is proof that the traditional lifestyle has become extremely difficult to maintain today, leading to an endless search for solutions that will update the tough Cordillera lifestyle while maintaining cultural roots.

Unlike similar rice-growing mountain terraces in China that have long been abandoned, the terraces of the Philippine Cordillera aren’t relics. The terraces, however, search for ways to maintain their connection to human life.

Relics of the past deserve to continue living. Once it was thought that the best thing to do with an old Spanish colonial-era house was to turn it into a museum, so many houses stopped being homes and turned into excellent museums, each displaying exquisite collections of furniture and furnishings.

The museums as total nostalgia re-live past eras through collections of objects from a bygone era that make no connection to daily life today.

Bed-and-breakfast

There are heritage homes that now have recently learned to make use of their past as a resource to connect to their present. Owners develop their heritage homes as a resource not only to generate additional income to improve their way of living but also to provide financial means to continue conserving their heritage properties.

Through the bed-and-breakfast program, heritage houses continue to be used and be useful rather than stagnate into lifeless museum displays or fall into disrepair and decay.

Owners of a group of heritage homes in the historic town of Baclayon in Bohol have formed a bed-and-breakfast association, initially offering a total of over 20 rooms in neighboring houses. Converting unused bedrooms as guest lodgings uses heritage positively as an income-generating resource, as a source of pride and local identity, and, most important, keeps the heritage alive and up-to-date.

And as a tourism experience, the hospitality offered by the homeowners participating in the Baclayon bed-and-breakfast program brings travelers into personal contact with the gentle Boholano culture.

Heritage houses glow differently when occupied. Their glow becomes warmer when they continue usefulness, as lodging houses, schools, offices, or for whatever purpose. They also glow better because they are earning their keep.

Definitely with a glow that warms the heart is the Dauis convento in Bohol where, under a magnificently painted wooden cupola in the convento, a dinner of down-home Boholano cuisine is served by local youth trained as cooks and waiters.
They serve the regional Bisayá food of my youth on impeccable china and linen in unsurpassable convento surroundings, a great experience that combines tangible heritage (the splendid architecture of the convento) and intangible heritage (regional food, performances of traditional music).

Intangibles

The intangibles give life to heritage, connects heritage to people. Instead of the sites being lifeless and empty, think of the texture daily life adds to the rice terraces, the heritage houses of Baclayon, and the white elephant that would have been the Dauis convento.

In the three sites, heritage generates income through tourism, one of the more obvious uses for heritage-based resources.

The intangible, or the software, makes the heritage memorable. It is the stuff that makes for great tourism experiences.

It is the intangible that radiates life to a place, connects tourists to locals and their traditions.

The intangible is the “spirit of place” that makes the visitor part of the local life, even if just for a few hours or days.

Think of the rice terraces without inhabitants, the houses in Baclayon empty, the convento in Dauis continuing to decay.

Then see the benefits from judicious use of their heritage as resources for income-generation.

Heritage really should not produce more white elephants than we can handle. It should benefit people.

Baclayon bed-and-breakfast will be ready to receive visitors in the near future. Bookings are required at Dauis convento, call 0921-6643277 or (038) 502-2008.

Old chapel man seguro na, kay antic naman pod if we look , basta dool sa Lonoy Roma, dili padolong Cawayan..dia pako diri sa Cebu naa gi construct apartment for future.

u'r referring Engr. Jun Jomamoy Bam?

Peso strengthens further to close at P44.85 vs dollar

By FIL C. SIONIL

The peso strengthened further, rising at an intraday high of P44.845 and closed at p44.85 against the US dollar yesterday, up 19 centavos from the closing rate of P45.04 Friday largely on account of the continuing dollar weakness and the sustained flow of offshore investments into the local equities market.


The attempt of the monetary authorities to temper the appreciation caused the peso to dip to an intraday low of P44.93. But, at the end, such move proved to be "a bit futile" with the local currency closing at P44.85. It opened at P44.90.

Volume was relatively moderate at $ 432 million.

Meanwhile, a major French bank BNP Paribas predicted that the peso will remain strong vis-à-vis the weakening US dollar and could rise up to as much as P37/$ 1 by the end of 2008.

In an outlook reported on Asian currencies, PNB Paribas said: "With a balance of payments (BoP) surplus at record levels and peso yields still offering a decent pick-up over declining US dollar, we rate the peso as one of our key picks for 2008," analyst Chin Loo Thio said. As of August, the country reported a BoP surplus of $ 6.75 billion, exceeding the forecast for the year of $ 6.3 billion.

BNP Paribas expects the peso to close the year at P43 and P41 in the second quarter next year. By 2009 they forecast the peso to range around the P30 level: $ 1

4th Quarter 2007

THE PHILIPPINE PESO

Week 1:
October 1, 2007 P44.85 (+ P0.19)

The trend: + (1); - (0); = (0)

THE PHILIPPINE STOCK EXCHANGE

Week 1:
October 1, 2007 3,597.92 (+ 25.02)


The trend: + (1); - (0); = (0)

Quote from: Macky Ferniz on October 02, 2007, 12:51:13 AM
Nakasulod na diay ni sila sa Saudi? One by stander told me that they are just lowly paid at $200 to $250 a month.

sa Qatar Mac ang mga Chinese nga mga babaye mga pokpok, mao rapoy barato barato, mao nga moingon nalang tawon ang mga Pinay "ajaw mo ana mga Chinese oi, maajo pa mga Pinay kay makatabang pamo, bisan mahal-mahal

OT..asa naman ron si Piw-Piw?

na...nag lisod man gani sya, samot nako

Quote from: EL MUNDO on September 21, 2007, 08:00:13 PM
maglisod ko og descrb sa akong self...

unsa man diay gyud ka El Mundo?

aw..ingon-ana man na ang mga fairies, mahilig mag pa cute

Quote from: Macky Ferniz on September 21, 2007, 02:19:38 AM

8. Among igagaw SK sa Inabangga si Piw-piw Ferniz anak ni nong Willy Ferniz

Ug uban pa. Kinto Risal kinto.

any news of Piw-Piw? we used to played table tennis during our elementary days..

mora lagi nabali ang ulo ni Asian

bujag  children.. makabata diay ning photoshop sa?

ty @ bambi....
psst.. bujag.. thats an output of photoshop 

didto ko sa Lonoy (daplin raman na sa kapilya ang balay sa aho lolo) tapos nanagkot sa menterio ug pamisa, one day rami. uli dajon CEbu.

BOMBAY STYLE
Masahista: Unsay guston nimong klase nga masahe, sir Swedish, Shiatsu?
Customer: Mahimo bag Bombay Style,day?
Masahista: Unsa nang Bombay Style sir.
Customer: Kanang 12 months to pay ba!

PATUGA LANG
Asawa: Tagai ko og kuwarta bi, mopalit ko og bra.
Bana: Nganong mag-bra ka pa nga gamay ka man kaayo og totoy
Asawa: Ikaw, bitaw patuga ka sab sul-ob og brief, puwerteng gamaya man sad kaayo nang imuha.

kana gud imo gi 69 nga naa period..mura ug drakula ang lalake

69 --- good position
96 --- magkaaway
66 --- bading
6.9 --- KADIRI (( kasi may period ))

i agree..but not this time, remember Japan, Korea they started with that, now China look at them after luring the investors, they started too..
We need more sacrifice to achive that.

Also to our mentality..Most Filipinos prefer to lost a job than to have low salary!! It's true, we have a lot of foreign investors are relocating their BUSINESS to China or Vietnam.  Filipinos do not want to be called CHEAP LABOR!! Better to quit the job than to have low salary, that's the MILITANT labor group said!!! Hahahahahaha, how can our country progress with such mentality. Ugali na ng mga Kabayan natin na hindi makontento kundi mareklamo, isa pa wala sa atin ang tinatawag na SAKRIPISYO MO NA PARA SA BANSA kundi bahala kayo sa buhay ninyo basta sa akin ayos! KANYA-KANYA mentality. Only my opinion..

I second the motion!!!

Quote from: Bambi on September 29, 2007, 05:24:51 AM
Hoy Ite Gervistil!
Kumusta kana diha?  dugay ka nang wa motunga diri sa TB?

Dia nako sa Pinas oi nag bakasyon pero 30dyas ra lagi mao mga super busy kaajo 

Quote from: C2H4 on September 24, 2007, 01:30:38 AM
Hahahaha!

Mas nindot man nang antik kay mahal. very valuable jud kaayo.

oo!! basta butang, pero kung tawo dako depreciation
kini si C2H4 hilig ug mga antik..

@benelynne

Quote from: benelynne on September 25, 2007, 04:02:50 PM
Gervistil,
Are these photos taken by you?

nope..

3rd Quarter 2007

THE PHILIPPINE PESO

Week 1:
July 2, 2007 P45.905 (+ P0.335)
July 3, 2007 P45.83 (+ P0.075)
July 4, 2007 P46.06 (- P0.23)
July 5, 2007 P46.17 (- P0.11)
July 6, 2007 P46.08 (+P0.09)

Week 2:
July 9, 2007 P46.00 (+ P0.08)
July 10, 2007 P45.95 (+ P0.05)
July 11, 2007 P46.21 (- P0.26)
July 12, 2007 P45.98 (+ P0.23)
July 13, 2007 P45.75 (+ P0.23)

Week 3:
July 16, 2007 P45.55 (+ P0.20)
July 17, 2007 P45.25 (+ P0.30)
July 18, 2007 P45.28 (- P0.03)
July 19, 2007 P45.00 (+ P0.28)
July 20, 2007 P44.80 (+ P0.20)

Week 4:
July 23, 2007 P44.81 (- P0.01)
July 24, 2007 P44.82 (- P0.01)
July 25, 2007 P45.06 (- P0.24)
July 26, 2007 P45.325 (- P0.265)
July 27, 2007 P45.72 (- P0.395)

Week 5:
July 30, 2007 P45.49 (- P0.23)
July 31, 2007 P45.34 (+ P0.15)
August 1, 2007 P45.83 (- P0.49)
August 2, 2007 P45.84 (- P0.01)
August 3, 2007 P45.46 (+ P0.38)

Week 6:
August 6, 2007 P45.455 (+ P0.005)
August 7, 2007 P45.43 (- P0.025)
August 8, 2007 P45.18 (+ P0.25)
August 9, 2007 P45.36 (- P0.18)
August 10, 2007 P45.74 (- P0.38)

Week 7:
August 13, 2007 P45.64 (+ P0.10)
August 14, 2007 P45.83 (- P0.19)
August 15, 2007 P46.23 (- P0.40)
August 16, 2007 P46.43 (- P0.20)
August 17, 2007 P46.85 (- P0.42)

Week 8:
August 20, 2007 Special Non-Working Holiday
August 21, 2007 P46.90 (- P0.05)
August 22, 2007 P46.47 (+ P0.43)
August 23, 2007 P46.64 (- P0.17)
August 24, 2007 P46.70 (- P0.04)

Week 9:
August 27, 2007 Special Non-Working Holiday
August 28, 2007 P46.71 (- P0.01)
August 29, 2007 P46.83 (- P0.12)
August 30, 2007 P46.84 (- P0.01)

Week 10:
September 3, 2007 P46.57 (+ P0.02)
September 4, 2007 P46.78 (- P0.21)
September 5, 2007 P46.64 (+ P0.14)
September 6, 2007 P46.57 (+ P0.07)
September 7, 2007 P46.53 (+ P0.04)

Week 11:
September 10, 2007 P46.70 (- P0.17)
September 11, 2007 P47.12 (- P0.42)
September 12, 2007 P46.71 (+ P0.41)
September 13, 2007 P46.47 (+ P0.24)
September 14, 2007 P46.30 (+ P0.17)


September 17, 2007 P46.39 (- P0.09)
September 18, 2007 P46.13 (+ P0.26)
September 19, 2007 P45.57 (+ P0.56)
September 20, 2007 P45.33 (+ P0.24)
September 21, 2007 P45.31 (+ P0.02)

Week 13:
September 24, 2007 P45.155 (+ P0.155)
September 25, 2007 P45.38 (- P0.225)
September 26, 2007 P45.17 (+ P0.21)
September 27, 2007 P45.01 (+ P0.16)
September 28, 2007 P45.04 (- P0.03)


The trend: + (33); - (30); = (0)


THE PHILIPPINE STOCK EXCHANGE

Week 1:
July 2, 2007 3,691.68 (+ 26.45)
July 3, 2007 3,751.99 (+ 60.31)
July 4, 2007 3,731.66 (- 20.33)
July 5, 2007 3,802.32 (+ 70.66)
July 6, 2007 3,758.84 (- 43.48)

Week 2:
July 9, 2007 3,744.05 (- 14.79)
July 10, 2007 3,720.96 (- 23.09)
July 11, 2007 3,704.22 (-16.74)
July 12, 2007 3,756.75 (+ 52.53)
July 13, 2007 3,786.02 (+29.27)

Week 3:
July 16, 2007 3,753.26 (- 32.76)
July 17, 2007 3,729.68 (- 23.58)
July 18, 2007 3,734.80 (+ 5.12)
July 19, 2007 3,702.91 (- 31.89)
July 20, 2007 3,738.28 (+ 35.37)

Week 4:
July 23, 2007 3,737.79 (- 0.49)
July 24, 2007 3,706.24 (- 31.55)
July 25, 2007 3,645.51 - 60.73)
July 26, 2007 3,659.48 (+ 13.97)
July 27, 2007 3,518.56 (- 140.92)

Week 5:
July 30, 2007 3,467.46 (- 51.10)
July 31, 2007 3,501.20 (+ 33.74)
August 1, 2007 3,426.45 (- 74.75)
August 2, 2007 3,359.02 (- 67.43)
August 3, 2007 3,352.24 (- 6.78)

Week 6:
August 6, 2007 3,256.99 (- 95.25)
August 7, 2007 3,348.34 (+ 91.35)
August 8, 2007 3,375.91 (+ 27.57)
August 9, 2007 3,385.20 (+ 9.29)
August 10, 2007 3,281.96 (- 103.24)

Week 7:
August 13, 2007 3,267.03 (- 14.93)
[August 14, 2007 3,263.56 (- 3.47)
August 15, 2007 3,130.34 (- 133.22)
August 16, 2007 2,942.31 (- 188.03)
August 17, 2007 2,884.34 (- 57.97)

Week 8:
August 20, 2007 Special Non-Working Holiday
August 21, 2007 3,167.52 (+ 283.18)
August 22, 2007 3,139.46 (- 28.06)
August 23, 2007 3,229.15 (+ 89.69)
August 24, 2007 3,206.94 (- 22.21)

Week 9:
August 27, 2007 Special Non-Working Holiday
August 28, 2007 3,251.77 (+ 44.83)
August 29, 2007 3,209.53 (- 42.24)
August 30, 2007 3,320.34 (+ 110.81)
August 31, 2007 3,365.29 (+ 44.95)

Week 10:
September 3, 2007 3,369.14 (+ 3.85)
September 4, 2007 3,312.30 (- 56.84)
September 5, 2007 3,342.35 (+ 30.05)
September 6, 2007 3,326.53 (- 15.82)
September 7, 2007 3,332.97 (+ 6.44)

Week 11:
September 10, 2007 3,281.08 (- 59.89)
September 11, 2007 3,267.97 (? 13.11)
September 12, 2007 3,307.60 (? 39.63)
September 13, 2007 3,289.22 (? 18.38)
September 14, 2007 3,294.55 (? 5.33


The trend: ? (22); ? (31); = (0)

RP set to overtake India in business outsourcing
By Ronnel Domingo
Inquirer
http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/breakin...ticle_id=90204

MANILA, Philippines -- THE PHILIPPINES is poised to overtake India as the world's top provider of business process outsourcing services as industry players firm up their strength and marketing efforts.

Cesar B. Bautista, co-chairman of the National Competitiveness Council (NCC), told the Philippine Daily Inquirer that the Indian cyber services sector was losing its edge as telecommunication infrastructure get saturated and costs go up.

"At the same time, our BPO sector has started strengthening their organization into something like India's Nasscom [National Association of Software and Services Companies], which can represent the members as a bigger and more influential entity," Bautista said.

He was alluding to the Business Process Association of the Philippines, which he said could now be more decisive because it had reformed its structure, unlike the "weak" group it had been in the past years.

Bautista, a former trade secretary who now represents the private sector in the NCC, said it was only expected that the Philippines would emerge as a leading provider of BPO services despite coming into it later than India did.

He noted that information technology-enabled services had become the fastest growing sector in the economy, which is expected to be providing some 400,000 jobs by the end of this year compared to 8,000 in 2000.

"Our cyber services sector is growing much than that of India and the projection that by 2010, the industry would represent a million jobs and $12 billion in revenues is not farfetched," Bautista said.

To prove his point, Bautista cited to a report that US-based research firm Frontier Strategy Group released earlier this month, which identified the Philippines as one of seven markets that would drive corporate profit growth in 2008 and beyond.

Titled "Shift from the BRIC to the Future 7," the study showed that the country--along with Indonesia, inland Brazil (as opposed to the coastal areas), inland China, Mexico, Turkey and Vietnam--was replacing the BRIC countries (coastal Brazil, Russia, urban India, and coastal China) as markets of fast growth.

Based on FSG's survey of at least 100 top executives from top performing firms in the world, 86 percent said the Philippines was a top destination in the Asia-Pacific-together with inland China, Vietnam and Indonesia.

Bohol was featured on China's CCTV9
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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tBtKQoQEgOc&eurl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww%2Eskyscrapercity%2Ecom%2Fshowthread%2Ephp%3Ft%3D182067%26page%3D22

Sagbayan Peak Water Park

Untold Pinoy Story No. 5
Pure Innuendoes

They were the best of friends. They were always seen together around the University of the Philippines (UP) campus in Diliman: one was undoubtedly a very good-looking guy and the other was unquestionably a plain-looking guy. Opposites really attract. Hey, but they're both brilliant students. Well, birds of the same feather also flock together. Indeed, they were very close to each other. Unusually close.

They were the perfect tandem. Like suman and ripe mango. Or nuts and bolts. Peg and a hole.

They were both protégées of then UP Student Council chairman Chito Gascon. Soon, the good-looking guy took the helm as UP Student Council chairman. But the best friends seem to follow each other's path. The plain-looking guy also ran for the same position with the all-out support of his good-looking friend. He won, of course.

The good-looking guy was the crush ng bayan of the iskolars ng bayan.

During lunchtime, students of all persuasions flocked to the College of Arts and Sciences (CAS) cafeteria to catch a glimpse of the good-looking guy. Even singer-actress Regine Velasquez later admitted on national television that she had a big crush on the good-looking guy.

But loveless Regine's daring admission did not earn her even just a movie date invitation from the good-looking guy; instead, the good-looking guy merely flashed a demure smile in response to desperate Regine's thinly-veiled date invitation.

But after finishing college, the best friends went their separate ways. (Or so it seemed). The plain-looking guy pursued his law studies and later taught law courses. The good-looking guy delivered the evening news on TV, hosted a TV quiz show and wrote analytical articles on pop culture. His good looks, intelligence and impeccable manner endeared him to televiewers.

Despite their divergent career choices, the good-looking guy and the plain-looking guy really seemed to follow each other's path. But this time, their path led to a nice little apartment near the Ateneo de Manila campus. And they shared that nice little apartment. Just the two of them.

Yes, the plain-looking guy and the good-looking guy lived together.

Those gifted with wild imagination got titillated at the mere thought of these two young men sharing a lovely apartment. The moralists out there shook their heads at the mere thought of the goings-on beyond that innocent-looking apartment door amid rows of middle-class houses in Loyola Heights in Quezon City.

But the pair would not budge from their nest. Nor would they yield to any pressure. Not even from the
plain-looking guy's bible-reading siblings who berated him for living with another guy. The plain-looking guy's own family started to cast doubt about his masculinity.

All tell tale signs which have accumulated all those years could no longer be ignored. People started talking openly about the two guys.

Speculations about the true nature of the pair's friendship became a daily fodder for gossip mongers. The academic freedom which alma mater UP's oblation symbolizes seemed to have gone beyond the duo's lust for
knowledge.

In order to prove to his family that he was not what they thought he was, the plain-looking guy suddenly announced that he was getting married. His family jumped with joy.

But the plain-looking guy's marriage did not dispel wild speculations about his sexuality; instead, it only
succeeded in erasing any remaining doubt about his alleged agenda of using his wife to finally succeed in his failed initial crack at pursuing his lifelong dream.

And it was well worth his efforts. Because this former loser's desperate act finally triumphed. Thanks to his wife.

However, the plain-looking guy's deep friendship with his good-looking friend took a backseat as a result of the former's new civil status. The plain-looking guy did not want to hurt his new wife's flourishing career nor spoil his newfound success.

That's why he played his role as a good family man to the hilt. However, he had not forgotten his good-looking best friend at all. As a token of their undying friendship, the good-looking guy stood as one of the
godfathers of the plain-looking guy's first baby, together with Edu Manzano, Cesar Montano, Cherie Gil, Ciara Sotto, Angeli Valenciano, Fanny Serrano, and a host of other household names.

Of course, the plain-looking guy's wife was clueless about her husband's past.

But the plain-looking guy's wife had her share of dark past. She is a single mother who parted ways with her good-looking "first husband" after she discovered that her good-looking "first husband" was already married
to another woman when she hastily married him after she got pregnant at a young age. This meant that her
marriage to her good-looking "first husband" was not legally binding after all.

Now, the plain-looking guy was her knight-in-shining-armor who rescued her from the stigma of being an unmarried mother.

Ironically, while her non-binding marriage with her good-looking "first husband" was solemnized by several high-ranking priests at the cavernous Manila Cathedral amid countless clicking cameras and thousands of shrieking admirers several years ago, her supposedly legitimate marriage with the plain-looking guy was officiated not by a Catholic priest but by a pastor in a cramped living room, with only few relatives and friends as witnesses.

Later, the good-looking guy reportedly got married also without fanfare. They said that his bride was a creative consultant for ABS-CBN Interactive. However, some women still believe and hope that he is still unmarried to this day.

The good-looking guy soon rose to become ABS-CBN News Channel's ANC) Director for Current Affairs. He has been circling the globe as host of ANC's weekly travel show, Executive Class.

Yes, the good-looking guy is David Celdran.

And the plain-looking guy is ...'s husband, . . .

Quote from: jaja on September 06, 2007, 08:51:21 PM
Autocad.....im working as an autocad operator.

OT:
kamao ka AutoLisp or Visual Basic to customized autocad?

Quote from: Gervistill on September 08, 2007, 02:07:55 PM
Economists and analysts are startled by the Philippines' runaway growth in the sector. "The pace of development of the BPO [sector] in the Philippines has been impressive," says a recent report by U.S. investment bank Goldman Sachs. "Three years ago there was a question mark whether Philippines could develop some [outsourcing] momentum. Now it's a $3 billion industry."

there's a new type of outsourcing, and it's called KPO. Knowledge Process Outsourcing. This is more knowledge-intensive, higher paying and required more experience and academic backing. We hope to get a share on this KPO market.

Quote from: Gervistill on September 08, 2007, 02:07:55 PM
Though India continues to have a lock on most of this global business, that is starting to change. Even Indian outsourcing powerhouse Infosys has started increasing staff in China and the Czech Republic this year, is exploring Latin America, and likely will eventually set up a base in Southeast Asia.

that's the downside of BPO. they can transfer the office that fast. we might soon be faced with mass lay offs when the process has been transferred to let's say Vietnam. i'd say it lies right on our hands. each BPO need not only concentrate on cost effectiveness. quality management should be of foremost concern.

Quote from: Gervistill on September 08, 2007, 02:07:55 PM
The recent growth spurt in the outsourcing industry in the Philippines has been fueled not by traditional low-value-added call centers, but more higher-end outsourcing such as legal services, Web design, medical transcription, software development, animation, and shared services. Though call centers still form the largest part of the sector, the Philippines has begun leveraging its creative design talent pool, its large pool of lawyers and its professionals in accounting and finance.

that's the good thing about Filipinos. we're good at almost everything...  doing the job to the best of our abilities. IF not...trainable man pod ta..

Quote from: Gervistill on September 08, 2007, 02:07:55 PM
Talent Poaching
Another factor working in the Philippines' favor is cost. In India, wage costs in outsourcing have risen 15 percent per annum over the past two years. This rise has outsourcing firms and clients looking for alternatives. With that in mind, the risk for the Philippines is that its relatively low office-rental and labor costs could also start to rise dramatically..

this is very obvious. you'd see ads saying they will give you 15K signing bonus...etc. are we running out of manpower that they have to lure them with bonuses? not bad, but it may affect the overhead cost. compared with US, operating costs here are way way lower. but we are not competing with the US. Vietnam, China, Latin America and the rest of the world are competing with us. So beware of companies who pay you too much. You might lose your job sooner than you think.

Quote from: Gervistill on September 08, 2007, 02:07:55 PM
Already, heavy demand for office space, despite a boom in construction of new buildings, is causing upward pressure on rents. Companies that are expanding say costs are starting to escalate fairly rapidly. There are signs of a tight labor market, too. Excessive poaching of talent that was the norm in India a few years ago is becoming common in Manila as well.

we need more office towers!!!

The Philippines: The New Outsourcing Hot Spot
By Assif Shameen
Business Week Online

Economists and analysts are startled by the Philippines' runaway growth in the sector. "The pace of development of the BPO [sector] in the Philippines has been impressive," says a recent report by U.S. investment bank Goldman Sachs. "Three years ago there was a question mark whether Philippines could develop some [outsourcing] momentum. Now it's a $3 billion industry."

India's dramatic economic rise this decade, powered by its role as the back office of the world, has developing countries from Argentina to Vietnam scrambling for a piece of the action. With good reason: Researcher Gartner (NYSE: IT) estimates offshore infotech and business-process outsourcing amounted to US$34 billion globally in 2005 and could double by 2007.

The race is on in Eastern Europe, Latin America, China, and Southeast Asia to land jobs and economic growth by answering customer phone calls, managing far-flung computer networks, processing invoices, and writing custom software for multinationals from all over the world.

Though India continues to have a lock on most of this global business, that is starting to change. Even Indian outsourcing powerhouse Infosys has started increasing staff in China and the Czech Republic this year, is exploring Latin America, and likely will eventually set up a base in Southeast Asia.


Golden Opportunity
"Some of the countries like Philippines and Malaysia have done fairly well to leverage their unique skills and carved niches for themselves," said Infosys Chief Executive Officer Nandan M. Nilekani, in Singapore recently attending an International Monetary Fund and World Bank meeting.

Could all of this be a golden opportunity for the Philippines, long regarded as the economic laggard in Asia? This vast archipelago is starting to gain some traction on the outsourcing front. Chennai, India-based OfficeTiger now has over a hundred people working in Manila on legal outsourcing for clients such as Dupont and expects to have nearly 1,500 by the end of 2007.

The Philippines raked in offshore service generating revenues of $2.1 billion last year, placing third behind India and China and slightly ahead of Malaysia. That's up 62 percent over the $1.3 billion it gained in 2004, and a huge increase from the start of the decade when the outsourcing industry in Manila employed just 2,400 people and the industry had revenues of a mere $24 million.

Language Advantage
The outsourcing sector currently employs over 200,000 people. That is still way behind India's 750,000, but Manila is catching up fast. The Business Processing Association of Philippines estimates the industry will chalk up 57 percent growth this year with total revenues of $3.3 billion, and is on track to deliver nearly 48 percent growth in 2007 to $4.9 billion. "Business process outsourcing (BPO) is one of the fastest growing segments of our economy and a key plank of President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo's strategy to put strong growth drivers in place," says Philippine Cabinet Secretary L. Ricardo Saludo.

Consultancy A.T. Kearney, in its recent ranking of the most desirable global services locations which are competitive for business process outsourcing, ranked the Philippines fourth in the world behind India, China, and Malaysia -- a huge change from being outside the top 10 three years ago. Philippines gets high marks for its large, educated talent pool and English language skills, though it lags some of the other locations in infrastructure.

Economists and analysts are startled by the Philippines' runaway growth in the sector. "The pace of development of the BPO [sector] in the Philippines has been impressive," says a recent report by U.S. investment bank Goldman Sachs. "Three years ago there was a question mark whether Philippines could develop some [outsourcing] momentum. Now it's a $3 billion industry."

White Collar Force
Goldman's report also notes the outsourcing industry has begun to expand beyond the capital Manila into university towns such as Baguio, as well as Clark (the former U.S. military base), Cebu, Dumaguete, and Davao. "It is clear that Philippines is now very much on the global map for outsourcing," the Goldman report said.

The recent growth spurt in the outsourcing industry in the Philippines has been fueled not by traditional low-value-added call centers, but more higher-end outsourcing such as legal services, Web design, medical transcription, software development, animation, and shared services. Though call centers still form the largest part of the sector, the Philippines has begun leveraging its creative design talent pool, its large pool of lawyers and its professionals in accounting and finance.

"Philippines as a country offers us a unique talent pool for outsourcing services in legal as well as design services," says Joseph Sigelman, co-president of India-based OfficeTiger, which was acquired by U.S. printing services giant R.R. Donnelley in April. The company chose the Philippines as the springboard for its legal services outsourcing and expects to make Manila the main center for "pre-media" outsourcing work, including desktop publishing, composition, typesetting, and graphic design.

Familiar With US
Legal services were a natural extension of the outsourcing work the firm has been doing from its base in Chennai for years. "As an ex-American colony, there is cultural affinity and the legal system is based on U.S. law," says Sigelman, a native of New York. "In Manila, every lawyer seems to know what Roe vs. Wade was about. In Chennai, they may have some of the finest legal brains in the world but not everyone has heard about Roe vs. Wade or other key cases in U.S. Supreme Court." Most Filipino lawyers sit for U.S. bar exams and that gives Manila a leg up over India, China, or Malaysia.

Design work is another place where Filipinos have an edge, according to Sigelman. He says he has found incredible depth of design talent in Manila; the kind of talent that is hard to come by in Bangalore, Hyderabad, or Chennai.

OfficeTiger's clients include large insurance companies, retailers, and publishers of books and directories. OfficeTiger is looking at Philippines operations to provide 40 percent to 50 percent of its total annual revenue growth over the next three to five years.

Talent Poaching
Another factor working in the Philippines' favor is cost. In India, wage costs in outsourcing have risen 15 percent per annum over the past two years. This rise has outsourcing firms and clients looking for alternatives. With that in mind, the risk for the Philippines is that its relatively low office-rental and labor costs could also start to rise dramatically.

Already, heavy demand for office space, despite a boom in construction of new buildings, is causing upward pressure on rents. Companies that are expanding say costs are starting to escalate fairly rapidly. There are signs of a tight labor market, too. Excessive poaching of talent that was the norm in India a few years ago is becoming common in Manila as well.

New companies are offering "joining bonuses" to the most talented the day they sign up for the job. Many employees are given bonuses for finding new recruits. "It's inevitable that costs will rise but the Philippines is still a very competitive place for the sort of work we are doing," says Sigelman.

Money for Training
Cabinet Secretary Saludo says the government is focused on developing human capital through education and training to keep a steady supply of talent for the outsourcing sector. Manila is also beefing up the telecommunications infrastructure, he says.

Chasing the outsourcing wave is a smart strategy for an economy such as the Philippines'. Compared with capital-intensive manufacturing, service businesses are cheap to set up, and can generate a hundred times more jobs per dollar invested. President Arroyo recently earmarked $10 million for new trainees in the outsourcing industry. Students interested in outsourcing jobs are given vouchers that can be used for tuition at vocational institutes.

Unless cost escalation gets out of hand or other infrastructure bottlenecks appear, the Business Process Association of Philippines projects that outsourcing in the Philippines could be an $11 billion industry employing 900,000 people by the end of 2010. That will put it close to where India is today. "Five years from now, there could be a lot of countries doing as much as India is doing today," says Infosys CEO Nilekani. "We are just scratching the surface in outsourcing and offshoring."

The Philippines' Awesome Outsourcing Opportunity

The islands share a language and legal system with the U.S., and offer high skills and low costs. They could outrun India for outsourcing dollars

India's dramatic economic rise this decade, powered by its role as the back office of the world, has developing countries from Argentina to Vietnam scrambling for a piece of the action. With good reason: Researcher Gartner estimates offshore infotech and business-process outsourcing amounted to $34 billion globally in 2005 and could double by 2007.

And the race is on in Eastern Europe, Latin America, China, and Southeast Asia to land jobs and economic growth by answering customer phone calls, managing far-flung computer networks, processing invoices, and writing custom software for multinationals from all over the world.

Though India continues to have a lock on most of this global business, that is starting to change. Even Indian outsourcing powerhouse Infosys (INFY) has started increasing staff in China and the Czech Republic this year, is exploring Latin America, and likely will eventually set up a base in Southeast Asia.

GOLDEN OPPORTUNITY. "Some of the countries like Philippines and Malaysia have done fairly well to leverage their unique skills and carved niches for themselves," said Infosys Chief Executive Officer Nandan M. Nilekani,in Singapore recently attending an International Monetary Fund and World Bank meeting.

Could all of this be a golden opportunity for the Philippines, long regarded as the economic laggard in Asia? This vast archipelago is starting to gain some traction on the outsourcing front. Chennai (India)-based OfficeTiger now has over a hundred people working in Manila on legal outsourcing for clients such as Dupont and expects to have nearly 1,500 by the end of 2007 (see BusinessWeek.com, 9/18/06, "Let's Offshore The Lawyers").

The Philippines raked in offshore service generating revenues of $2.1 billion last year, placing third behind India and China and slightly ahead of Malaysia. That's up 62% over the $1.3 billion it gained in 2004, and a huge increase from the start of the decade when the outsourcing industry in Manila employed just 2,400 people and the industry had revenues of merely $24 million.

LANGUAGE ADVANTAGE. The outsourcing sector currently employs over 200,000 people. That is still way behind India's 750,000, but Manila is catching up fast. The Business Processing Association of Philippines estimates the industry will chalk up 57% growth this year with total revenues of $3.3 billion and is on track to deliver nearly 48% growth in 2007 to $4.9 billion. "Business process outsourcing [BPO] is one of the fastest growing segments of our economy and a key plank of President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo's strategy to put strong growth drivers in place," says Philippine Cabinet Secretary L. Ricardo Saludo.

Consultancy A.T. Kearney, in its recent ranking of the most desirable global services locations which are competitive for business process outsourcing, ranked the Philippines fourth in the world behind India, China, and Malaysiaâ€"a huge change from being outside the top 10 three years ago. Philippines gets high marks for its large, educated talent pool and English language skills, though it lags some of the other locations in infrastructure.

Economists and analysts are startled by the Philippines' runaway growth in the sector. "The pace of development of the BPO [sector] in the Philippines has been impressive," says a recent report by U.S. investment bank Goldman Sachs. "Three years ago there was a question mark whether Philippines could develop some [outsourcing] momentum. Now it's a $3 billion industry."

WHITE COLLAR FORCE. Goldman's report also notes the outsourcing industry has begun to expand beyond the capital Manila into university towns such as Baguio as well as Clark (the former U.S. military base), Cebu, Dumaguete, and Davao. "It is clear that Philippines is now very much on the global map for outsourcing," the Goldman report said.

The recent growth spurt in the outsourcing industry in the Philippines has been fueled not by traditional low-value-added call centers but more higher-end outsourcing such as legal services, Web design, medical transcription, software development, animation, and shared services. Though call centers still form the largest part of the sector, the Philippines has begun leveraging its creative design talent pool, its large pool of lawyers, and its professionals in accounting and finance.

"Philippines as a country offers us a unique talent pool for outsourcing services in legal as well as design services," says Joseph Sigelman, co-president of India-based OfficeTiger, which was acquired by U.S. printing services giant R.R. Donnelley in April. The company chose the Philippines as the springboard for its legal services outsourcing and expects to make Manila the main center for "pre-media" outsourcing work, including desktop publishing, composition, typesetting, and graphic design.

FAMILIAR WITH U.S. Legal services were a natural extension of the outsourcing work the firm has been doing from its base in Chennai for years. "As an ex-American colony, there is cultural affinity and the legal system is based on U.S. law," says Sigelman, a native of New York. "In Manila, every lawyer seems to know what Roe vs. Wade was about. In Chennai, they may have some of the finest legal brains in the world but not everyone has heard about Roe vs. Wade or other key cases in U.S. Supreme Court." Most Filipino lawyers sit for U.S. bar exams and that gives Manila a leg-up over India, China, or Malaysia.

Design work is another place where Filipinos have and edge, according to Sigelman. He says he has found incredible depth of design talent in Manila; the kind of talent that is hard to come by in Bangalore, Hyderabad, or Chennai.

OfficeTiger's clients include large insurance companies, retailers, and publishers of books and directories. OfficeTiger is looking at Philippines operations to provide 40% to 50% of its total annual revenue growth over the next three to five years.

TALENT POACHING. Another factor working in the Philippines' favor is cost. In India, wage costs in outsourcing have risen 15% per annum over the past two years. This rise has outsourcing firms and clients looking for alternatives. With that in mind, the risk for the Philippines is that its relatively low office-rental and labor costs could also start to rise dramatically.

Already, heavy demand for office space, despite a boom in construction of new buildings, is causing upward pressure on rents. Companies that are expanding say costs are starting to escalate fairly rapidly. There are signs of a tight labor market, too. Excessive poaching of talent that was the norm in India a few years ago is becoming common in Manila as well.

New companies are offering "joining bonuses" to the most talented the day they sign up for the job. Many employees are given bonuses for finding new recruits. "It's inevitable that costs will rise but the Philippines is still a very competitive place for the sort of work we are doing," says Sigelman.

MONEY FOR TRAINING. Cabinet Secretary Saludo says the government is focused on developing human capital through education and training to keep a steady supply of talent for the outsourcing sector. Manila is also beefing up the telecommunications infrastructure, he says.

Chasing the outsourcing wave is a smart strategy for an economy such as the Philippines'. Compared with capital-intensive manufacturing, service businesses are cheap to set up, and can generate a hundred times more jobs per dollar invested. President Arroyo recently earmarked $10 million for new trainees in the outsourcing industry. Students interested in outsourcing jobs are given vouchers that can be used for tuition at vocational institutes.

Unless cost escalation gets out of hand or other infrastructure bottlenecks appear, the Business Process Association of Philippines projects that outsourcing in the Philippines could be an $11 billion industry employing 900,000 people by the end of 2010. That will put it close to where India is today. "Five years from now, there could be a lot of countries doing as much as India is doing today," says Infosys CEO Nilekani. "We are just scratching the surface in outsourcing and off-shoring."

stocks climb to 3333.0 (.19%) despite being in the negative territory for most of the trading day.

ikaw ni..El Mundo?

si Leo Udtohan..
http://video.yahoo.com/video/play?vid=768659&fr=