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Skyblade

February 1st, 2006, 08:43 AM

The International Relations Thread

With a large and growing Filipino diaspora across the globe, the topic of international relations is an important matter for those of us at home and abroad. Anything pertaining to the activity of Philippine relations and cooperation with the international community can be posted here. For the convenience of first time visitors to our thread as well as our dedicated members, an article directory has been created. Hopefully this will be helpful for hunting down articles that may be of interest to you!

Thread Article Directory

The Philippines in the international scene
Windows on other cultures (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showpost.php?p=7344903&postcount=10) (2/12/06 - Sandrin)
Political Tidbits: Rare glimpses of Philippine culture (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showpost.php?p=8018861&postcount=25)(4/24/06 - Animo)
RP hosts Theater Olympics (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showpost.php?p=8448562&postcount=57) (5/15/06 - Animo)
Expanding Philippine ties with world community (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showpost.php?p=8882888&postcount=89) (6/15/06 - Animo)
Most Patriotic Countries: 6th Place (3-way tie) (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showpost.php?p=9078562&postcount=112) (6/30/06 - Animo)
RP more globally connected, says survey (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showpost.php?p=10202350&postcount=179) (10/23/06 - chixbebe)
DOST: Philippine bamboo products have high acceptability in world market (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showpost.php?p=10534790&postcount=186)(11/18/06 - Animo)
RP has put into action ASEAN theme of 'One Sharing and Caring Community' (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showpost.php?p=14536563&postcount=272)(7/30/07 - Animo)
Foreign fighters in Cebu to scout possible rivals for eskrima meet (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showpost.php?p=14568912&postcount=286)(8/1/07 - Animo)
DFA to diplomatic posts: Check illegitimate kids in Mideast (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showpost.php?p=14662197&postcount=305)(8/7/07 - TheAvenger)
Vietnam needs Filipino managers and investors (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showpost.php?p=14738726&postcount=308) (8/11/07 - Kiretoce)
Planned US military buildup in Guam means jobs for Pinoys (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showpost.php?p=14758736&postcount=309) (8/12/07 - TheAvenger)

Multi-national
Windows on other cultures (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showpost.php?p=7344903&postcount=10) (2/12/06 - Sandrin)
Landslide triggers avalanche of international aid (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showpost.php?p=7449093&postcount=13) (2/21/06 - Skyblade)
Foreign donors pick Sulu as top priority area (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showpost.php?p=7993241&postcount=24) (4/11/06 - chixbebe)
Unicef, Australia give aid (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showpost.php?p=8131139&postcount=31) (4/21/06 - chixbebe)
RP hosts Theater Olympics (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showpost.php?p=8448562&postcount=57) (5/15/06 - Animo)
Expanding Philippine ties with world community (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showpost.php?p=8882888&postcount=89) (6/15/06 - Animo)
China, Japan, WB, ADB pledge $7.4B for infrastructure (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showpost.php?p=9468281&postcount=162) (8/1/06 - JAMAICUS)
BI urges foreign nationals to avail of I-Card (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showpost.php?p=9479638&postcount=163) (8/1/06 - Animo)

Associatian of Southeast Asian Nations
Ten southeast Asian countries will sign an agreement this month allowing their citizens to travel within the region without visas (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showpost.php?p=9234938&postcount=143) (7/13/06 - chixbebe)
Philippines assumes ASEAN leadership (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showpost.php?p=9418545&postcount=157) (7/28/06 - JAMAICUS)
GMA exhorts ASEAN to achieve cooperation (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showpost.php?p=9573849&postcount=167) (7/13/06 - chixbebe)
NAIA open to Asean airline carriers by 2008 (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showpost.php?p=10662701&postcount=190) (11/29/06 - chixbebe)
RP has put into action ASEAN theme of 'One Sharing and Caring Community' (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showpost.php?p=14536563&postcount=272)(7/30/07 - Animo)
Philippines Seeks Stronger Partnerships at Asean Meetings (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showpost.php?p=14536596&postcount=273)(7/30/07 - Skyblade)

European Union
Political Tidbits : EU applauds commutation (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showpost.php?p=8171926&postcount=32) (4/24/06 - Animo)
RP’s open trade gets lauded by EU official (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showpost.php?p=8468168&postcount=59) (5/16/06 - chixbebe)
EUROPE MONTH CELEBRATED IN MANILA THIS MAY 2006 (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showpost.php?p=8512618&postcount=61) (5/20/06 - Animo)
North Cotabato to export fruits to EU (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showpost.php?p=8855158&postcount=88) (6/13/06 - chixbebe)
PGMA clinches P20-B worth of projects from Europe trip (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showpost.php?p=9133776&postcount=130) (7/4/06 - Animo)
Ambassador Ortega presents credentials to European Council presidency, discusses ways to strengthen relations with EU (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showpost.php?p=9446490&postcount=158) (7/30/06 - Animo)
Europe’s ‘newest, best’ films brought to RP for annual fest (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showpost.php?p=10405330&postcount=184) (11/8/06 - Animo)

United Nations
RP strengthens bid for UN ECOSOC seat (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showpost.php?p=8175142&postcount=33) (6/28/06 - chixbebe)
UN General Assembly approves JDV proposal for global inter-faith dialogues (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showpost.php?p=11062084&postcount=207) (12/28/06 - chixbebe)
Davide sworn in as RP’s UN representative (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showpost.php?p=11305407&postcount=209) (1/14/06 - kaze)

Philippine relations with individual nations

Argentina
IMPSA plans to build new power plants in RP (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showpost.php?p=9046180&postcount=99) (6/28/06 - chixbebe)
Argentine author writes book on RP martial arts (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showpost.php?p=13221339&postcount=237) (5/17/07 - kiretoce)

Australia
Australia hands A$70M ODA to Philippines (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showpost.php?p=8927133&postcount=91) (6/19/06 - chixbebe)
Australia commits P1.58B for RP education reform (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showpost.php?p=8927133&postcount=303) (8/5/07 - kiretoce)

Austria
Austrian National Day (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showpost.php?p=10260080&postcount=180) (10/27/06 - Animo)

Brazil
PNP receives 5,000 new pistols from Brazil (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showpost.php?p=9500563&postcount=165) (8/3/06 - Animo)

Brunei
Arroyo begins visit to Brunei, Libya (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showpost.php?p=9261496&postcount=144) (7/15/06 - JAMAICUS)

Canada
Canadian envoy asks Palace to clarify position on mining (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showpost.php?p=7332147&postcount=9) (2/11/06 - Animo)
Canada celebrates (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showpost.php?p=14121001&postcount=264) (7/5/07 - kiretoce)
RP and Canada to intensify cooperation in labor rights (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showpost.php?p=14565908&postcount=284) (8/1/07 - kiretoce)

Chile
Prime Minister to Chile, Philippines (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showpost.php?p=7632879&postcount=15) (3/12/06 - Animo)

China
China keen on stronger economic ties with RP (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showpost.php?p=8687158&postcount=80) (6/1/06 - chixbebe)
RP, China now economic partners (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showpost.php?p=8751593&postcount=84) (6/5/06 - JAMAICUS)
Chinese envoy arrives Monday to strengthen ties with Mindanao (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showpost.php?p=9352666&postcount=152) (7/23/06 - Animo)
China, Japan, WB, ADB pledge $7.4B for infrastructure (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showpost.php?p=9468281&postcount=162) (8/1/06 - JAMAICUS)
China Premier starts state visit today (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showpost.php?p=11304148&postcount=208) (1/14/07 - Kaze)
RP, China sign P196.7-B agribusiness agreements (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showpost.php?p=11354154&postcount=212) (1/18/07 - chixbebe)
China opens consulate in Laoag, northern Philippines (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showpost.php?p=12616812&postcount=225) (4/11/07 - kiretoce)

Cuba
Ambassador Reyes vows to strengthen RP-Cuba ties as he presents credentials to Cuban vice president (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showpost.php?p=9131112&postcount=128) (6/4/06 - Animo)
RP, Cuba forge accord (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showpost.php?p=13900294&postcount=259) (6/23/07 - Animo)

Equatorial Guinea
Republic of Equatorial Guinea (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showpost.php?p=8511160&postcount=60) (5/20/06 -Animo)
De Venecia cites ‘Bandung spirit’ in welcoming Obiang (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showpost.php?p=8554524&postcount=63) (5/23/06 - Animo)
Philippines: Arroyo leaves for Equatorial Guinea Tuesday (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showpost.php?p=13932387&postcount=262) (6/25/07 - Animo)

France
France seeks broader ties with RP in trade, security, investments (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showpost.php?p=11305538&postcount=210) (1/14/07 - Kaze)
France to launch annual cultural activities in Philippines (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showpost.php?p=12312790&postcount=224) (3/23/07 - kiretoce)

Georgia
The Philippines and Georgia Seek Closer Ties (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showpost.php?p=14661804&postcount=304) (8/7/07 - kiretoce)

Germany
100 Years of Manila's German Club (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showpost.php?p=7284193&postcount=3) (2/7/06 - kiretoce)

Greece
Greece to open first embassy in RP -- DFA (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showpost.php?p=11881389&postcount=222) (2/23/07- Animo)
PGMA welcomes new Greek, Russian, Spanish envoys (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showpost.php?p=12110193&postcount=223) (3/10/07- Animo)

India
India President Meets Philippine Leader (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showpost.php?p=7251742&postcount=2) (2/4/06 - Skyblade)
India and Philippines Sign Three Agreements (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showpost.php?p=7251742&postcount=2) (2/4/06 - Skyblade)
Indian farmers to learn expertise in Philippines (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showpost.php?p=7303100&postcount=4) (2/8/06 - Skyblade)
India’s Independence Day (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showpost.php?p=9648605&postcount=172) (8/15/06 - Doggmann)
Indian investors seek bigger RP ties (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showpost.php?p=10975628&postcount=205) (12/20/06 - chixbebe)
Indian investors seek bigger RP ties (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showpost.php?p=10975628&postcount=205) (12/20/06 - Animo)
Ramon Magsaysay essay tilt winner from India visits RP (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showpost.php?p=15071468&postcount=320) (8/30/07 - Animo)

Indonesia
N. Sulawesi Boosts Ties With Davao Under BIMP-EAGA Pact (URL=http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showpost.php?p=7251742&postcount=2) (2/4/06 - Skyblade)
Trade mission sails to Tahuna (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showpost.php?p=11539593&postcount=214) (1/29/07 - Animo)
Indonesia offers to host meet to review Philippine 1996 peace pact (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showpost.php?p=14332008&postcount=270) (7/18/07 - Animo)

Israel
The ties that bind: Filipinos and Jews, the Philippines and Israel, Part I (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showpost.php?p=12716313&postcount=227) (4/17/07 - kiretoce)
The ties that bind: Filipinos and Jews, the Philippines and Israel, Part II (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showpost.php?p=12716313&postcount=228) (4/17/07 - kiretoce)
The ties that bind: Filipinos and Jews, the Philippines and Israel, Part III (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showpost.php?p=12716313&postcount=229) (4/17/07 - kiretoce)
The ties that bind: Filipinos and Jews, the Philippines and Israel, Part IV (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showpost.php?p=12716313&postcount=229) (4/17/07 - kiretoce)
Israeli envoy ends fruitful tour of duty in RP (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showpost.php?p=14319107&postcount=268) (7/17/07 - kiretoce)

Italy
TODAY is the 60th anniversary of Italy’s founding as a Republic. (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showpost.php?p=8729053&postcount=82) (6/4/06 - JAMAICUS
Arroyo leaves for Italy (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showpost.php?p=9012577&postcount=92) (6/25/06 - Animo)
GMA meets with Italian leaders (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showpost.php?p=9044809&postcount=97) (6/27/06 - Animo)
Arroyo returns from working visit to 3 states (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showpost.php?p=9109326&postcount=126) (7/2/06 - Animo)
Komentaryo: Ang matagumpay na biyahe ng Pangulong Arroyo sa Italya (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showpost.php?p=9190283&postcount=134) (7/9/06 - Animo)

Japan
RP, Japan to hold talks, mark 50th anniversary of ties (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showpost.php?p=7862766&postcount=21) (4/2/06 - Skyblade)
Philippine foreign minister to visit Japan April 3-6 (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showpost.php?p=7862766&postcount=21) (4/2/06 - Skyblade)
Japanese students join Mt. Matutum celebration (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showpost.php?p=7862766&postcount=21) (4/2/06 - Skyblade)
Japan seen to lift RP aid suspension soon (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showpost.php?p=8072781&postcount=30) (4/17/06 - chixbebe)
Japan bankrolls training program for Muslims (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showpost.php?p=9317246&postcount=149) (7/20/06 - chixbebe)
Free trade deal done by year’s end (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showpost.php?p=9371091&postcount=153) (7/24/06 - chixbebe)
Japan gives P176M in scholarship grant for RP (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showpost.php?p=9385860&postcount=154) (7/26/06 - chixbebe)
China, Japan, WB, ADB pledge $7.4B for infrastructure (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showpost.php?p=9468281&postcount=162) (8/1/06 - JAMAICUS)
RP, Japan expected to sign free trade deal in Asem meet (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showpost.php?p=9805160&postcount=174) (8/31/06 - chixbebe)
RP still an important partner to Japan - envoy (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showpost.php?p=10075866&postcount=177) (10/9/06 - chixbebe)
Japan commits $160M loans for RP, more coming (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showpost.php?p=14581213&postcount=301) (8/2/07 - Skyblade)
Groups launch drive for ratification of Japan-Philippines economic pact (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showpost.php?p=15145193&postcount=322) (9/3/07 - Skyblade)

Libya
Arroyo to visit Spain, Libya, Vatican (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showpost.php?p=8807662&postcount=87) (6/9/06 - Animo)
Arroyo begins visit to Brunei, Libya (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showpost.php?p=9261496&postcount=144) (7/15/06 - JAMAICUS)
Presidential diplomatic skill (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showpost.php?p=9292923&postcount=146) (7/17/06 - Animo)
Qaddafi assures warm relations with Philippines (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showpost.php?p=9293231&postcount=147) (7/17/06 - chixbebe)
RP to sign accord to supply Libya with health workers (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showpost.php?p=12617084&postcount=226) (4/11/07 - kiretoce)

Malaysia
Top Malaysian official praises Mindanao peace talks (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showpost.php?p=7977918&postcount=23) (4/10/06 - chixbebe)
RP, Malaysia begin war games (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showpost.php?p=9210848&postcount=139) (7/10/06 - chixbebe)

Mexico
History links Mexico, Philippines (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showpost.php?p=7380397&postcount=12) (2/15/06 - Animo)
Looking Back : Revisiting a shared past (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showpost.php?p=7844449&postcount=20) (4/1/06 - Animo)
RP-Mexican relations (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showpost.php?p=8033514&postcount=26) (4/14/06 - Animo)
RP, Mexico to expand trade relations (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showpost.php?p=9493994&postcount=164) (8/2/06 - Animo)
Morales a consul for RP in Tijuana? (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showpost.php?p=14711752&postcount=307) (8/9/07 - Animo)

Myanmar (Burma)
Romulo to visit Burma this July (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showpost.php?p=9096684&postcount=117) (7/1/06 - JAMAICUS)

Netherlands
Dutch youth visits (visited) Cebu for cultural exchange (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showpost.php?p=14568976&postcount=287) (8/1/07 - Animo)

New Zealand
New Zealand donates P17.3 M to prevent spread of bird flu (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showpost.php?p=7710366&postcount=19) (3/21/06 - Skyblade)

North Korea
President of Philippine Senate Visits Pyongyang (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showpost.php?p=8220825&postcount=37) (4/27/06 - cosmoManila)

Northern Mariana Islands
June 12-19 is NMI-Philippines Week (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showpost.php?p=13788720&postcount=258) (6/17/07- Animo)

Norway
RP opens embassy in Oslo, Norway (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showpost.php?p=12961981&postcount=234) (5/7/07 - kiretoce)

Portugal
Pacesetters (http://www.mb.com.ph/issues/2006/08/11/SCTY2006081171455.html) (8/14/06 - Animo)

Russia
Tracing the history of RP-Russian relations (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showpost.php?p=8703613&postcount=81) (6/2/06 - Animo)
PGMA welcomes new Greek, Russian, Spanish envoys (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showpost.php?p=12110193&postcount=223) (3/10/07- Animo)
Russians now don’t need visas to visit RP (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showpost.php?p=14674631&postcount=306) (8/7/07- DoggMann)

Saudi Arabia
GMA urges Saudi traders to invest in Mindanao (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showpost.php?p=8388379&postcount=48) (5/9/06 - chixbebe)
Saudi wants Filipinos to help fuel industrial boom (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showpost.php?p=8390556&postcount=50) (5/9/06 - JAMAICUS)
Saudis offer steady oil supply (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showpost.php?p=8402115&postcount=53) (5/10/06 - chixbebe)
Aramco eyes oil refinery in Mindanao (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showpost.php?p=8419105&postcount=56) (5/11/06 - chixbebe)
PTA to woo Saudi tourism investments (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showpost.php?p=8456263&postcount=58) (5/15/06 - chixbebe)

South Korea
South Korea planning to welcome foreign doctors (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showpost.php?p=9222303&postcount=141) (7/11/06 - chixbebe)
RP, S. Korea to sign bilateral labor deal (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showpost.php?p=10166354&postcount=178) (10/19/06 - kiretoce)
Opportunities await Filipino firms in partnership with Korean investors (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showpost.php?p=14989810&postcount=316) (8/26/07 - Kiretoce)

Spain
Madrid museum pays tribute to Fernando Zobel (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showpost.php?p=7345011&postcount=11) (2/12/06 - Animo)
El Gobierno español se compromete a profundizar las ‘históricas’ relaciones con Filipinas en su Plan Asia-Pacífico (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showpost.php?p=7309546&postcount=6) (2/9/06 - Animo)
Spain extends P2.5 Billion aid to Mindanao poor (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showpost.php?p=7601736&postcount=14) (3/8/06 - Animo)
Spanish chamber for free ownership (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showpost.php?p=8033554&postcount=27) (4/14/06 - Animo)
RP's Nueva Vizcaya and Spain's Vizcaya forge sisterhood pact (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showpost.php?p=8070922&postcount=28) (4/14/06 - Animo)
Nueva Vizcaya gov sees trade, economic relations with Spain (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showpost.php?p=8070992&postcount=29) (4/17/06 - Animo)
306 families given own housing units (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showpost.php?p=8196614&postcount=34) (4/26/06 - Animo)
Spain thanks Arroyo for saving citizen on death row (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showpost.php?p=8212254&postcount=35) (4/27/06 -Animo)
JdV seeks Spanish leaders’ support for debt program (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showpost.php?p=8220653&postcount=36) (4/27/06 -Animo)
Instituto Cervantes stages artistic fare (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showpost.php?p=8220825&postcount=38) (4/28/06 - Animo)
Spain pledges $ 40 M in dev’t assistance to RP for 3 years (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showpost.php?p=8284021&postcount=39) (5/2/06 - Animo)
De Venecia prods Spain on alternative energy development (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showpost.php?p=8314637&postcount=41) (5/4/06 - Animo)
Arroyo to visit Spain in June (http://skyscrapercity.com/showpost.php?p=8624880&postcount=68) (5/28/06 - Animo)
Create infrastructure to
boost local tourism (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showpost.php?p=8661433&postcount=69) (5/29/06 - Espma)
Arroyo to visit Spain, Libya, Vatican (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showpost.php?p=8807662&postcount=87) (6/9/06 - Animo)
RP gets P1.8-B Spanish aid (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showpost.php?p=8883005&postcount=90) (6/15/06 - Animo)
GMA begins 2-day official visit to Spain (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showpost.php?p=9068975&postcount=102) (6/29/06 - Animo)
Labor pact with Spain OK’d (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showpost.php?p=9068995&postcount=103) (6/29/06 - Animo)
Philippine-Spain Friendship Day (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showpost.php?p=9069006&postcount=104) (6/29/06 - Animo)
RP inks 350-M euro deals with Spain (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showpost.php?p=9069472&postcount=105) (6/29/06 - sandrin)
If you speak Spanish, don’t forget, too, the Spanish virtues (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showpost.php?p=9077781&postcount=107) (6/30/06 - Animo)
GMA invites Spanish businessmen (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showpost.php?p=9081428&postcount=115) (6/30/06 - Animo)
GMA home today from Spain (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showpost.php?p=9096519&postcount=116) (7/1/06 - Animo)
King Juan Carlos I promotes use of Spanish language (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showpost.php?p=9096703&postcount=118) (7/1/06 - Animo)
Filipiniana exhibit opens in Spain (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showpost.php?p=9099500&postcount=124) (7/2/06 - overtureph)
Arroyo returns from working visit to 3 states (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showpost.php?p=9109326&postcount=126) (7/2/06 - Animo)
PGMA clinches P20-B worth of projects from Europe trip (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showpost.php?p=9133776&postcount=130) (7/4/06 - Animo)
Mindanao gets Spanish aid (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showpost.php?p=9169158&postcount=133) (7/7/06 - Animo)
Spanish firms keen on 7 RP projects (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showpost.php?p=9193635&postcount=135) (7/9/06 - Animo)
Pimentels cite important role of grandparents (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showpost.php?p=9217554&postcount=140) (7/11/06 - Animo)
DOLE Ifugao trains applicants for Spain (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showpost.php?p=9231963&postcount=142) (7/12/06 - Animo)
Capitol gets P4M aid from Spanish Embassy (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showpost.php?p=9332583&postcount=150) (7/21/06 - Animo)
Spanish firms set sights on rail projects (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showpost.php?p=9332666&postcount=151) (7/21/06 - Animo)
Top world negotiators studying peace options - Dureza (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showpost.php?p=10073081&postcount=176) (10/8/06 - Animo)
Int’l media agency to feature RP in Spain (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showpost.php?p=10521822&postcount=185) (11/17/06 - Animo)
Philippines invited to attend Spain Water Exhibition (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showpost.php?p=11375256&postcount=213) (1/19/07 - Animo)
PGMA welcomes new Greek, Russian, Spanish envoys (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showpost.php?p=12110193&postcount=223) (3/10/07- Animo)
Spain OKs P150-M grant for Bicol (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showpost.php?p=12846318&postcount=233) (4/25/07- Animo)
Spain commits tribal hospital for Nueva Vizcaya (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showpost.php?p=13119778&postcount=236) (5/11/07- Animo)
2nd Tribuna España-Filipinas Forum (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showpost.php?p=13242337&postcount=238) (5/18/07- Animo)
'SOCOIN' CONSTRUIRÁ UNA PLANTA HIDROELÉCTRICA EN EL SURESTE DE FILIPINAS (Spain commits to building a hydroelectric plant in Davao del Sur) (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showpost.php?p=13354081&postcount=244) (5/24/07- Animo)
Treaty on the Transfer of Sentenced Persons between the Philippines and Spain (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showpost.php?p=13354453&postcount=245) (5/24/07- Animo)
Philippines Preparing For Spain's International Expo In 2007 (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showpost.php?p=13611906&postcount=256) (6/7/07- Animo)
Spain extends P390-M grant to speed up agro-industial dev’t of Bicol, CARAGA (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showpost.php?p=14318561&postcount=267) (7/17/07- Animo)
Philippines-Spain accords on rural development (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showpost.php?p=14535645&postcount=271) (7/30/07- Animo)
Spanish envoy (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showpost.php?p=14780302&postcount=311) (8/14/07- Animo)
Angara pushes closer ties with Spain (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showpost.php?p=14780302&postcount=313) (8/14/07- Kiretoce)
PGMA receives Catalonian Regional Parliament President (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showpost.php?p=15071130&postcount=319) (8/29/07 - Animo)

Taiwan
Taiwan, Philippines To Strengthen Agricultural Cooperation (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showpost.php?p=8616645&postcount=67) (5/27/06 - Skyblade)
RP to export gravel, sand to Taiwan — DTI (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showpost.php?p=9060075&postcount=101) (6/29/06 - chixbebe)
Closer Batanes-Taiwan relations eyed (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showpost.php?p=9466698&postcount=160) (8/1/06 - chixbebe)
Taiwan’s Ichia eyes $70-m facility in RP (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showpost.php?p=10990447&postcount=206) (12/21/06 - chixbebe)
Batanes is Taiwanese? (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showpost.php?p=11579193&postcount=216) (1/31/07- Animo)
Taiwan, RP ink cultural exchange memorandum (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showpost.php?p=11687352&postcount=219) (2/8/07- kiretoce)
May 23 is a day for Taiwan to celebrate (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showpost.php?p=14581690&postcount=304) (8/2/07 - kiretoce)

Thailand
RP endorses Thai for top UN post (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showpost.php?p=8739631&postcount=83) (6/5/06 - chixbebe)
Philippines agrees to help Thais fleeing Lebanon (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showpost.php?p=9295541&postcount=148) (7/18/06 - JAMAICUS)

Turkey
RP and Turkey agree to form business council (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showpost.php?p=8769344&postcount=86) (6/7/06 - chixbebe)

United Kingdom
British Embassy to build new building at Megaworld’s Fort Bonifacio project
(http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showpost.php?p=8759749&postcount=85) (6/6/06 - DoggMann)
Philippines-British Friendship Day (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showpost.php?p=10775290&postcount=195) (12/7/06 - kiretoce)
RP, UK to boost economic cooperation (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showpost.php?p=14319239&postcount=269) (7/17/07 - kiretoce)

United States
US to hike aid by 42% (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showpost.php?p=7894043&postcount=22) (4/4/06 - chixbebe)
US to train Filipinos on drug-law enforcement (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showpost.php?p=8305141&postcount=40) (5/3/06 - chixbebe)
US military hospital ship docks in RP on mission of mercy (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showpost.php?p=8546154&postcount=62) (5/22/06 - chixbebe)
RP, US forge new security deal (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showpost.php?p=8578745&postcount=64) (5/24/06 - chixbebe)
Palace defends new RP-US deal (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showpost.php?p=8594989&postcount=66) (5/25/06 - chixbebe)
Baguio celebrates Fil-Am ties (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showpost.php?p=9124149&postcount=127) (7/4/06 - chixbebe)
Kenney cites stronger ties of RP and US (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showpost.php?p=9134963&postcount=131) (7/4/06 - kiretoce)
RP needs to do ‘what is right’ to tap US goodwill: Del Rosario (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showpost.php?p=9401795&postcount=155) (7/4/06 - 3cr)
Top US official to visit Manila and Baguio City (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showpost.php?p=9401873&postcount=156) (7/27/06 - chixbebe)
US wants RP to play lead role in implementation of ASEAN programs (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showpost.php?p=9453511&postcount=159) (7/31/06 - JAMAICUS)
Gaa takes over RP embassy in Washington (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showpost.php?p=9468008&postcount=161) (9=8/1/06 - JAMAICUS)
RP, US set naval war games (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showpost.php?p=9558254&postcount=166) (8/7/06 - chixbebe)
US ships arrive in Subic for CARAT 2006 (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showpost.php?p=9645651&postcount=169) (8/7/06 - chixbebe)
US envoy takes a break to read for Filipino pupils (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showpost.php?p=10392473&postcount=183) (11/7/06 - tsinoy)
San Francisco, Manila reaffirm sister city ties (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showpost.php?p=10764234&postcount=192) (12/6/06 - kiretoce)
US ship to hold community service in RP this month (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showpost.php?p=11596036&postcount=218) (2/1/07 - chixbebe)
RP, US ink IPR accord (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showpost.php?p=11688829&postcount=221) (2/9/07 - chixbebe)
Most countries don’t trust US but RP does (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showpost.php?p=12753739&postcount=231) (4/20/07 - chixbebe)
Rice greets RP freedom day, sets visit to Manila (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showpost.php?p=14280267&postcount=266) (7/15/07 - Animo)
Top US trading partners (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showpost.php?p=14549044&postcount=278) (7/31/07 - kiretoce)
USS Peleliu Touches Thousands of Lives with Humanitarian Projects in Philippines (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showpost.php?p=14568907&postcount=285) (8/1/07 - TheAvenger)
U.S. Navy Ship Arrives in Philippines to Conduct Community Projects (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showpost.php?p=14569546&postcount=288) (8/1/07 - TheAvenger)
Where US is helping to make gains against terrorism (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showpost.php?p=14577113&postcount=293) (8/1/07 - tsinoy)
Volunteer Julia Campbell and Peace Corps (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showpost.php?p=14577452&postcount=294) (8/1/07 - TheAvenger)
American Imam urges Filipino Muslims to seek knowledge, peace (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showpost.php?p=14577452&postcount=300) (8/4/07 - TheAvenger)
Planned US military buildup in Guam means jobs for Pinoys (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showpost.php?p=14758736&postcount=309) (8/12/07 - TheAvenger)
US lawmakers say no plan to re-establish bases in RP (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showpost.php?p=14989427&postcount=315) (8/26/07 - Kiretoce)
Philippine firms asked to do business in Pacific islands (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showpost.php?p=15044722&postcount=317) (8/26/07 - Kiretoce)
RP tuna exports to US decline (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showpost.php?p=15145182&postcount=321) (9/3/07 - Skyblade)

Uruguay
National Day of Uruguay (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showpost.php?p=9775047&postcount=173) (8/28/06 - Animo)

Vatican City
Arroyo to visit Spain, Libya, Vatican (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showpost.php?p=8807662&postcount=87) (6/9/06 - Animo)
GMA invites Pope to visit RP (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showpost.php?p=9041211&postcount=96) (6/27/06 - Animo)
Arroyo returns from working visit to 3 states (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showpost.php?p=9109326&postcount=126) (7/2/06 - Animo)
PGMA clinches P20-B worth of projects from Europe trip (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showpost.php?p=9133776&postcount=130) (7/4/06 - Animo)

Venezuela
Venezuela Independence Day (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showpost.php?p=9133611&postcount=129) (7/4/06 - Animo)
DOE eyes Venezuela, Kuwait as new sources of oil (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showpost.php?p=11688162&postcount=220) (2/8/07 - Animo)

Vietnam
Vietnam needs Filipino managers and investors (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showpost.php?p=14738726&postcount=308) (8/11/07 - Kiretoce)
Vietnamese PM Visits Philippines (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showpost.php?p=14765602&postcount=310) (8/13/07 - Skyblade)

Links related to this thread

Association of Southeast Asian Nations Secretariat (http://www.aseansec.org/)
ASEAN Foundation (http://www.aseanfoundation.org/)
ASEAN Focus Group (http://www.aseanfocus.com/)
ASEAN-Japan Centre (http://www.asean.or.jp/eng/)
ASEAN Regional Forum (http://www.aseanregionalforum.org/)
The Department of Foreign Affairs (http://www.dfa.gov.ph/)
Instituto Cervantes Manila (http://www.manila.cervantes.es/)
Permanent Mission of the Republic of the Philippines to the United Nations (http://www.un.int/philippines/)

(I would greatly appreciate any link suggestions!)

Special thanks to Animo, chexbebe, JAMAICUS, kiretoce, and the many others that have kept this thread alive by contributing through articles and opinions. :) If you are experiencing any problems with the links in this post, please PM me.

EDIT May 27, 2006: Spent 45 minutes setting up the article directory. Hopefully this will be of convenience for our thread visitors!
EDIT July 30, 2007: Spent a couple hours catching up on articles all the way back to June 06 and revamped the opening post. Hopefully it's more convenient for everyone. :)

Skyblade

February 4th, 2006, 05:13 PM

N. Sulawesi Boosts Ties With Davao Under BIMP-EAGA Pact
Link to the article (http://au.news.yahoo.com//060131/3/xru8.html
)

MANADO, N Sulawesi, Jan 31 Asia Pulse - Indonesia's province of North Sulawesi is strengthening its relations with The Philippine city of Davao in sub-regional cooperation among Brunei Darussalam, Indonesia, Malaysia, and The Philippines - East Asian Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA), an official said.

The cooperation, however, is focused on marine and fishery affairs, and the handling of some ten thousand Indonesian workers hailing from North Sulawesi, chief of economic affairs bureau of the North Sulawesi provincial administration, Gemmy Kawatu said here Monday.

This is the implementation of the directives given by President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono to the governors of the eastern parts of Indonesia during their meeting in Manado recently, Gemmy said.

Regarding the fishery sector, North Sulawesi province and Davao will focus on the prevention of illegal fishing, and the two sides will conduct a joint sea patrol in the border area, he said.

In addition, North Sulawesi has also studied how Davao had managed its tourism industry, he said, adding that one to two million foreign tourists visited Davao every year.

"North Sulawesi will also focus on solving the problem of its 10,000 workers in the Philippines because only half of them are legal," the official said.

The provincial administration is trying to cooperate with the Philippine government by meeting the country's regulations with a view to legalizing their status, he added.

(ANTARA)

India president meets Philippine leader
Link to the article (http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20060204/wl_asia_afp/philippinesindiapolitics_060204085026)

http://us.news3.yimg.com/us.i2.yimg.com/p/afp/20060204/capt.sge.heo57.040206085019.photo00.photo.default-255x384.jpg

Sat Feb 4, 3:50 AM ET

MANILA (AFP) - Indian President Abdul Kalam has met with his Philippine counterpart Gloria Arroyo as the two countries pledged to step up cooperation in defense, tourism, agriculture and pharmaceuticals.

The presidential palace said Kalam and Arroyo witnessed the signing of an enhanced bilateral agreement on defense that calls for exchanges in military training as well as visits for aircraft and sea vessels, information, and defense technology.

The two countries also signed accords to jointly promote tourism activities, exchange agricultural materials and expertise, and an agreement for the supply of low-cost medicines from India to the state-owned Philippine International Trading Corp.

Kalam's delegation also made a symbolic turnover to the Arroyo government of two peanut and sorghum varieties developed by India.

Kalam is on the second day of a state visit to Manila, the second leg of an Asian tour that also took him to Singapore and will take him to Seoul on Monday.

------

India and Philippines sign three agreements
Link to the article (http://www.newkerala.com/news2.php?action=fullnews&id=2225)

Manila: Building upon friendly relations with Philippines as reaffirmed in the visit of President A P J Abdul Kalam, India today signed three agreements in defence, tourism, agriculture and one MoU for supply of quality medicines at reduced prices.

The defence agreement is the culmination of a two-year effort to formalise existing defence cooperation between the two countries. It is seen as timely opportunity to build upon excellent relations between the two countries and to reinforce these ties through active cooperation in defence and security, within the context of their bilateral, multilateral and regional commitments.

The agreement on cooperation in agriculture and related fields seeks to promote the exchange of agricultural materials and information technology, exchange of scientists and experts and trainees.

The agreement on tourism seeks to increase the volume of traffic from the two countries.

The MoU between the Philippines International Trading Cooperation and its Indian representative for Pharmaceuticals is in line with efforts to expand the Philippine's supply base for quality medicines from lower priced sources from India.

India has been supportive of the Phipippine government's pro-poor initiatives to make commonly bought medicines available at reduced prices.

The defence agreement was signed by Rural Development minister Raghuvansh Prasad Singh, who is accompanying the President, on behalf of the Defence Minister Pranab Mukherjee.

The Philippine side was represented by Defence Secretary Avelino J Cruz.

The defence agreement seeks to enhance the bilateral defence relationship between Philippines and India through the mutual exchange of experience and knowledge between the two countries.

Defence cooperation shall be promoted through exchange of military training expertise and information, military infrastructure and observers, military personnel for purpose of attending military educational courses or programmes.

In the field of defence related technology, the agreement also seeks to facilitate contact between defence related agencies and dailogue between research institutes.

kiretoce

February 7th, 2006, 06:28 AM

100 years of Manila's German Club
By Anne Jambora Feb 05, 2006

AN IMPRESSIVELY DESIGNED venue reminiscent of the old and new Germany will mark the grand centennial celebration of the German Club Manila on Feb. 9 at the Rizal Ballroom of the Makati Shangri-La Hotel.

About 600 German nationals and their friends are expected to attend the historic occasion. It will be a nostalgic trip down memory lane as old journals and photographs in sepia chronicling the club's most trying moments during the two World Wars, when the club had to close down, will be on exhibit. There will also be a slide presentation.

There will be violinists at the reception, a saxophonist at the foyer, a Vienna waltz number, the sweet cherubic voices of the Kaibigan Street Children Choir, and German classical music to be performed by the Manila Symphony Orchestra. The party will officially kick off with the showband Spirit of '67.

Premium raffle prizes await the merrymakers, including round-trip Manila-Frankfurt-Manila tickets with hotel accommodations courtesy of Lufthansa airlines, and a luxurious driving experience courtesy of BMW.

Home away from home

"[The club] began as a social club, a home away from home for homesick Germans, and it eventually grew like a tree," says the German Club president, Thornsten Franz. "It is not only part of German history but Philippine history as well, especially Manila."

Founded at a time when the population of Manila was a mere 250,000-300,000, Franz says there wasn't much entertainment back then that the Germans decided to establish an organization that would preserve their culture.

Franz says the German population began trickling into the country when Manila opened to world commerce in 1820. Among them were hat-makers and lithographers, but the majority were merchants, ship-chandlers and pharmacists. From a population of 17 in 1849, the immigrants grew to about 100 in the 1880s.

The German Club is an offshoot of another German society in 1880 called the Deutscher Leseklub (German Reading Club). Two years later it was renamed Casino Union. During a general assembly in 1906, however, the members decided to rename it yet again into what is now known as the German Club (Deutscher Klub).

An old journal vividly described the early days: "We waved down one of those many carriages on the Escolta, Manila's main business street... Our countrymen have managed to uphold their unity by furnishing a clubhouse in a cozy and most comfortable fashion. Here, far away from the fatherland and mother's kitchen, the young merchant will find his friends, inspiration and entertainment..."

In true European fashion, Franz says, the early merchants, despite the warm tropical climate and lack of air-conditioning, tried to look dignified by wearing white linen suits.

When World War I broke out in 1914, the club quickly shifted gears from a mere social forum to embracing German officers and crew members of some 20 German merchant vessels who sought refuge to escape threats from enemy warships. Club activities, however, came to an end when the United States entered the war in 1917 and US authorities confiscated and sold the club's property.

By the end of the war in 1918, a good number of Germans had been deported and interned in camps in the US. Many German employees lost their jobs as their firms were taken over by the new authorities, and the lives of the 67 members who remained in Manila became difficult.

Bigger property

Those who fled to other Philippine islands, however, revived the club's social and business activities after the war. By 1925, the club had acquired an even bigger property, with restaurant facilities, a bar, billiard hall, bowling alley, tennis court and rooms rented out to bachelor members.

In the mid-1930s, the club's cozy atmosphere was threatened by political and ideological conflicts among the members of the local Nazi party and the opposition. When World War II broke out, the club was shuttered once again. Nineteen Germans perished in Manila.

"The German Club is marked by two World Wars. It took a lot of energy to open twice," says German ambassador to the Philippines Dr. Axel Weishaupt.

All of the clubs established by Germans in Asia did not survive the tribulations. But Franz says "despite the wars, the Germans were still treated well in the Philippines. They were not discriminated against."

Dr. Gunther Matschuck, former club president and now chair of the club's centennial organizing committee, says the club today is driven to make money to sustain its operations. Its prime goal is to exchange views on economic affairs, and to foster social and cultural partnerships with its host country. Hence, nearly 50 percent of the club is made up of Filipinos and 16 other nationalities not only by marriage but through membership, he says.

With the absence of Germans in distress, Franz says the club has shifted the focus to its welfare program by providing scholarships to less fortunate schoolchildren in Manila. It also took under its wing the Heinz Woelke Foundation based in Baguio City. Founded by a blind member, the foundation assists the visually impaired.

Recently, the club also undertook a medical project to help harelipped children. It maintains a standing fund for help in times of natural disasters.

After 100 years and more than 400 members, Franz has every reason to be optimistic about the future: "The German Club will continue to be the meeting place for Germans to exchange ideas with their Filipino friends and partners."

Skyblade

February 8th, 2006, 02:56 PM

Indian farmers to learn expertise in Philippines
Link (http://www.newkerala.com/news2.php?action=fullnews&id=3469)

By Gaurav Shrivastava, Laguna Province (Philippines): President A P J Abdul Kalam, while interacting with scientists at the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) in Philippines, has sought solutions for the problems being faced by the Indian farmers.

After visiting the IRRI, Kalam also decided to send a group of Indian farmers to Philippines to learn the modern agro-technology introduced by the IRRI, and adopted by farmers in many developing countries, a senior scientist said.

“It will benefit India. He (Kalam) has said that he would send 50 farmers after seeing all the skills that we can transfer to improve their (Indian farmers') livelihood,” Parminder S Virk, a senior scientist at the IRRI, said.

Virk also expressed the hope that the President's visit to the country will take the Indo-Philippines relations to a new height “to which IRRI would also be a partner to some extent”.

Mehbub Hussian, Economist and Head of the Social Science Department at IRRI, acknowledged Kalam the details of high yielding, cost effective and efficient varieties of rice and the 'Drum-seeder'.

He said that the 'Drum-seeder' that costs 20 dollars has a life span of nearly eight years. The lightweight plastic machine does not require any fuel or electricity, and also reduces the cost of labour. In Philippines, the introduction of these 'Drum-seeder' has resulted in 100 dollars saving per hectare.

While the President expressed his views on the need for addressing the nutritious things in rice, the scientists showed him different verities including high yielding and iron rich rice.

Later, the President also interacted with farmers and local villagers.

The International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) and the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) entered into an agreement in June last year to facilitate its national rice research efforts over the next three years.

The ICAR work-plan agreement (2005-2008) with IRRI ensures that Indian rice farmers have continuous access to the latest technologies and the best rice varieties being developed internationally for adoption and development for Indian conditions.

Besides, the collaborative research has also looked at the increasing importance of non-rice farmers and non-farm incomes in farmers' livelihood, as well as diagnosed the constraints to the adoption of improved technologies in unfavourable environments like those in eastern part of India.

In his address at the Asia Society, Kalam said that in Indian history, “very rarely has our nation come across a situation, where we have seen at the same time, an ascending economic trajectory, continuously rising foreign exchange reserves, reduced rate of inflation, global recognition of the technological competence, energy of 540 million youth, umbilical connectivities of 20 million people of Indian origin in various parts of the planet, and the interest shown by many developed countries to invest in our engineers and scientists including setting up of new research and development centres”.

The president went on to add that the Government was also committed to economic development by ensuring a growth rate of seven eight per cent annually, enhancing the welfare of farmers and workers and unleashing the creativity of the entrepreneurs, business persons, scientists, engineers and other productive forces of society.

Terming that challenges before India as “National Mission”, Kalam said: “Our nation is going through a major challenge of uplifting the 260 million people who are below the poverty line and also to give a better life for many millions who are on the border line of poverty or just above the poverty line”.

To meet the need of one billion people of the country, Kalam said that “we have identified five areas where India has core competence for integrated action: (1) Agriculture and food processing (2) Reliable and Quality Electric power, Surface transport and Infrastructure for all parts of the country. (3) Education and Healthcare (4) Information and Communication Technology (5) Strategic sectors, adding that these five areas are closely inter-related and if properly implemented, would lead to food, economic and national security of the country.

Speaking on providing Urban Amenities in Rural Areas (PURA), the President said that the number of PURA units for the whole country is estimated to be 7000.

“This envisages integrated connectivities to bring prosperity to rural India. These are - physical connectivity of village clusters through quality roads and transport, electronic connectivity through tele-communication with high bandwidth fiber optic cables reaching rural areas from urban cities and through Internet kiosks, and knowledge connectivity through education, vocational training for farmers, artisans and craftsmen and entrepreneurship programmes,” he said.

KulasKusgan

February 8th, 2006, 03:17 PM

Animo

February 9th, 2006, 01:30 AM

El Gobierno español se compromete a profundizar las ‘históricas’ relaciones con Filipinas en su Plan Asia-Pacífico

El Gobierno español hará 'todos los esfuerzos' posibles para que las relaciones entre España y Filipinas sean 'más profundas, intensas y eficaces', puesto que actualmente se observa un cierto 'desequilibrio' y una 'falta de contenido' en las mismas, según señaló hoy el director general de Política Exterior para Asia y Pacífico del Ministerio de Exteriores español, José Eugenio Salarich, con motivo de la primera 'Tribuna España-Filipinas' celebrada en Madrid.

Todos los participantes en la misma coincidieron en destacar que pese a que las relaciones entre los dos países son 'históricas', no son todo lo buenas que cabría esperar y necesitan reforzarse, sobre todo en el plano económico, pero también en el social y el cultural. Así, el diputado del PP, Gustavo de Arístegui, propuso que se comience por los temas de interés para los dos países, entre los que la lucha contra el terrorismo, dijo, podría ser un asunto clave.

Aunque las relaciones con Filipinas en el plano político son 'excelentes' pero 'es necesario llenarlas de contenido', indicó Salarich. 'Las cifras dejan mucho que desear en los ámbitos económico, financiero y de inversión' por lo que, surbayó, es necesario buscar un 'equilibrio', al que podría contribuir el fomento del turismo, esencial para el conocimiento muturo de sus ciudadanos.

Según el representante de Exteriores, Filipinas es un país prioritario para España y el Gobierno del presidente Jose Luis Rodríguez Zapatero quiere que lo siga siendo en el marco del Plan de Acción Asia Pacífico que lanzará 'en los próximos días'. Según Salarich, este plan busca que Asia se convierta en el cuarto eje de la política exterior española, de la que actualmente son ejes fundamentales Europa, Iberoamérica y el Mediterráneo.

En este sentido, De Arístegui destacó que hay un 'déficit en la relación hispano-filipina que tenemos que empezar a paliar'. Para ello, añadió, es necesario buscar 'sinergias' y mantener un estrecho contacto en todos los planos, tomando como base los 'temas de interés mutuo'. Entre estos temas, en opinión del diputado popular, 'la lucha contra el terrorismo' podría convertise en la base ideal sobre la que fomentar las relaciones entre los dos países.

LUCHA ANTITERRORISTA

De Arístegui consideró que Filipinas tiene mucho que ofrecer a España y a Europa en cuanto a la distinción que se hace 'entre islamismo radical e Islam' y en cuanto a la 'excelente integración por ejemplo de diputados musulmanes en el Congreso' en un país mayoritariamente católico. Así, abogó porque Madrid y Filipinas 'compartan experiencias y análisis, intercambien información e inteligencia e incluso lleven a cabo operaciones' en el marco de la lucha contra el terrorismo internacional como se hace actualmente con otros países europeos, del Mediterráneo o americanos.

Salarich dio la bienvenida a la 'sugerencia' del diputado del PP ya que, dijo, el terrorismo 'es un tema que nos afecta tanto a España como la Filipinas' y 'estamos embarcados en la misma barca'. Tanto España como Filipinas, destacó, 'han sido objevo pasivo de la lacra del terrorismo y son actores activos de la lucha internacional antiterrorista'.

Por su parte, el embajador español en Manila, Ignacio Sagaz, 'más de tres siglos de historia juntos no se pueden perder y necesitan ser revitalizados'. Según el diplomático, 'Filipinas tiene que ser la puerta de Oriente para España y España el puente hacia Europa y Latinoamérica para Filipinas'. 'Hay que dar un salto cualitativo' en las relaciones bilaterales y centrarlas 'en las cosas que nos unen como nuestras raíces, la religión o la cultura' fomentando también el estudio del español en la antigua colonia.

Su homólogo filipino en Madrid, Joseph D. Bernardo Medina, coincidió en que hay que 'evitar que la presencia de España se vea cada vez más reducida si no se toman medidas' ya que, destacó, 'Filipinas es el único pedazo de España en Asia'. Bernardo consideró que actualmente 'tenemos en nuestras manos las herramientas necesarias para construir un puente entre nuestros pueblos, pero lo que hace falta es voluntad e interés'.

Por otra parte, aprovechó la ocasión para hacer un llamamiento al Gobierno español a que apruebe alguna medida similar a la emprendida por la presidenta filipinas, Gloria Arroyo, que, a iniciativa del senador Edgardo Angara --presente hoy en el acto en Madrid y estudioso del tema de los llamados 'últimos de Filipinas-- de que todos los 30 de junio se celebre en el país asiático el Día de la Amistad Hispano-filipina.

http://baleria.com/?p=45

JustHorace

February 10th, 2006, 11:15 AM

That's nice. The Spaniards are talking about us. Now, when will I hear about the Philippines controlling Sabah?

richard24

February 10th, 2006, 12:20 PM

Animo

February 11th, 2006, 01:15 AM

DAVAO CITY–Canadian Ambassador Peter Sutherland said the Philippine government should reiterate its earlier stance on opening the country’s mining industry to foreign companies.

Sutherland issued the statement after receiving reports that Malacañang suspended mining activities in Bicol.

Secretary Mike Defensor, President Macapagal-Arroyo’s chief of staff, admitted that the government suspended the mine of Lafayette Philippines Inc. on Rapu-Rapu Island in Albay because of mining spills.

“We are cracking the whip on those who are not mining responsibly,” Defensor said in Pagadian City.

He said Lafayette’s suspension was not in response to a call by the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) urging the government to scrap the Mining Act.

The Mining Act opened the country’s mining industry to foreign firms.

Defensor said the CBCP had recognized that the decision to shut down Lafayette was not an executive decision but a policy against irresponsible mining companies.

“It’s very important that the government reiterates its message that the Philippines is open to foreign mining,” Sutherland said.

He said that international mining companies are looking around the world for “the best place to operate” and the government’s earlier policies on mining have made them feel “very welcome” in the Philippines.

At least four Canadian mining firms have been operating in the Philippines.

One of these is the Toronto Ventures Inc. (TVI), which is being opposed by some Subanen communities in Zamboanga del Norte. But other Subanen leaders also view mining as a fulfillment of their “dreams of development.”

In a statement issued by the Provincial Consultative Body of the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP), 15 tribal leaders in the province said the entry of investors like mining companies into their ancestral lands helped paved the way for community progress.

http://news.inq7.net/nation/index.php?index=1&story_id=65781

sandrin

February 12th, 2006, 06:28 AM

Windows on other cultures by The Manila Times
Società Dante Allighieri

LAST August Società Dante Allighieri, a global nonprofit organization that promotes Italian culture, opened in Manila.

It does the work that Alliance Française, Instituto Cervantes, the British Council, the Goethe Institut, the Instituto Camoes and the Japan Information Center introduce and promote French, Spanish, British, German, Portuguese and Japanese culture, language and arts, respectively, to Filipinos.

The Società is named after the author of the Divine Comedy who chose to depart from Latin, the then more honored language of classical literature, and who used the Tuscan vernacular, raising it to become the literary language of Italy and thereby also giving prominence to the language that would eventually be known to the world and to the Italians themselves as Italian.

Ironically, Dante’s guide in his journey through Hell and Purgatory is the greatest of Roman poets and master of literature in Latin. Another irony is that the Divine Comedy was beloved by many popes and other figures of the Roman Catholic Church, whose officials were to become and to this time the only day-to-day user of Latin (at least in the canonized version).

Like the cultural centers that came much earlier to our city, Società Dante Alighieri Manila will now be uplifting the Filipino soul—or the souls of those who want to be benefited—with samples of Italy’s artistic creations regularly. It will bring to the attention of Manilans the wonders that many of us still have to savor in the culinary arts and have yet to encounter in fashion, photography and industrial design. Italian is, after all, the culture that brought the world fettuccini, Ferragamo and Ferrari.

Dante Allighieri Manila, along with Alliance Française, Instituto Cervantes, the British Council, Goethe Institut, Instituto Camoes and other cultural organizations provide Filipinos with venues to experience their foreign cultures with concerts, film showings, theater productions, food festivals and art exhibits.

Many of the country’s most brilliant cultural events are made possible by these organizations. How else can you watch a Fritz Lang silent film classic like Metropolis with live accompaniment of Manila’s most talented trip-hop musicians? Feel the passion of flamenco dancers and the solemnity of classical guitarists giving life to the story of Don Quixote? Witness Hélène Delavault perform cabaret music? Or shake hands with the comic-book author and novelist Neil Gaiman?

These organizations are especially important to local artists by providing them with performance events and exhibit venues as well as education and exposure abroad. It is with these cultural institutions’ help that the veteran travel photographer George Tapan was able to document Paris and promising designer Gian Romano was able to study fashion at the prestigious Central St. Martins School in London.

Most important of all, these cultural organizations from the world’s economic and political superpowers reveal to Filipinos how our own cultural life can be made more vibrant, expressive, dynamic. From them we can learn that a history of defeat and notions of inferiority can be overcome. From Shakespeare’s fixation on Italian culture came the very benchmark for English literature. Miguel Cervantes’ life of hardship and strife later informed his quixotic wisdom. And in the same way that Alighieri wrought sublime verses and stirring visions using a language once considered pedestrian, we, too, must look at what we often take for granted and look for inspirations for greatness.

We hope other countries will soon decide to open cultural offices in our country.

The TV and the Internet have made the cultures of all countries accessible to virtually anyone who cares. But it is different being able to see Arabic calligraphy up close, or the wonders of Dubai’s cinema in an appropriate moviehouse in our city.

Animo

February 12th, 2006, 06:45 AM

CUENCA is 140 km southeast of Madrid. No one usually goes there, especially if the traveler's itinerary includes cities with the top contemporary art museums and the top industrial designs: Bilbao's still-fresh Guggenheim and its new metro, designed by Norman Foster (affectionately called fosteritos by the locals); Barcelona's Macba, designed by Richard Meier and partners; and La Caixa and Madrid's Mncars, more popularly known as the Reina Sofia, after the Queen.

So no one goes to Cuenca, unless you're incredibly bored (or boring) or born there. Except that Cuenca is home to Museo de Arte Abstracto Español, the first museum in Spain to carry Spanish abstract art.

It was a place put together in the picturesque Casas Colgadas or Hanging Houses in 1966 by Fernando Zobel, an artist born in the Philippines and a pivotal figure in Philippine art history.

Cuenca affords the Filipino art lover the pleasure of seeing the works of Fernando Zobel in a singular context: among his Spanish peers.

There's a Zobel retrospective not in Cuenca but in Madrid, at Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofia, a former hospital turned museum.

The show sourced the works from various individuals and collections from all over the world, including, of course, the Philippines. It has four curators.

At the start of the show last February, one of the curators, Belen Diaz de Rabago, toured me around the halls. Already up was a huge black-and-white photograph of Fernando Zobel sitting inside a gallery in Germany.

We met Raphael Perez Madero, main curator for the show and the acknowledged expert on Zobel. With him was Peter Soriano, Zobel's nephew who helped curate the show (the two other curators were De Rabago and Marta Gonz lez Obregozo). They greeted us, eagerly waiting for news about the Philippine works.

I told them the mishaps of art transport from Third World to First World. I was worried about the conditions into which the paintings would arrive.

Being February, it was the height of winter. Madrid was freezing cold. I had been told 15-19 degrees Celsius was as bad as it went, but it went further down (in fact, there was a rare snowfall in Madrid later).

While most of the loans had come from within Spain itself, there were pictures coming from the US; two from Hong Kong; and, of course, from the Philippines.

Madero said that it would be the first time that the early abstractions made by Zobel would be seen in Spain. Nine works had been loaned from various collections in the Philippines, majority of which making up the first room of the retrospective.

Madero explained the show was arranged, not only chronologically but also, more important, by "series." The hanging was almost chronological until the '70s. But as one went through the rooms, the themes or the "series" Zobel had worked on synchronously throughout his career became apparent.

He did not develop as a painter; instead he had pictorial cycles. As Calvo Seraller wrote, Zobel "advanced in circles."

As Madero writes in the catalogue: "We have arranged the famous series ("El Jucar," "Las Orillas," "Di logos con la Pintura," "La Serie Blanca") in such a way that we may contemplate these themes independently, beyond the limits of chronology."

The works borrowed from the Philippines concentrated on the early part of Zobel's career, when he turned to abstraction.

In 1954, having left Manila for a residency at Rhode Island School of Design, he saw the exhibition "Recent Paintings by Mark Rothko" in Massachusetts, and was "bedazzled" by the American's color-field paintings. Zobel found in the works a remarkable eloquence and luminance, something he had been looking for.

When he went to Spain the following year, he met artists also working in abstraction, but unlike his dismissal of Abstract Expressionism, he wrote, "I met Guillermo Delgado... [whose]... pictures, uncompromisingly abstract, show a process completely under control, completely 'worked out,' unlike the Abstract Expressionists."

He also met his distant cousin, artist Alfonso Ossorio (almost a decade older than him), and, through him, was introduced to Jackson Pollock and Lee Krasner.

All these would affect Zobel's development as a painter. He would leave figuration in favor of abstraction.

Back in the Philippines, Zobel sought to synthesize his work. His 1956 Luz Gallery exhibit of abstract works showed the influences of Rothko, De Kooning and Pollock.

"It lica" (1955), loaned from the Paulino Que collection, was one of his early works when he took up the challenge of abstraction. Angeles Villalba Salvador writes in (her doctoral thesis at the Complutense) "Fernando Zobel: Vida y Obra" that "he destroyed most of the works produced in this period."

The Zobel retrospective at Reina Sofia, however, does not begin with this. Instead it begins with an untitled work from 1956. This piece, together with the work titled "Espacio I" (1957), borrowed from Ateneo Art Gallery, and another untitled painting (1956) from the Mario Que collection, all reflect influences by Burri, Kline and Rothko.

From these pieces, Zobel would embark on his "Saetas," a series that showed the direction of his painting. Saetas, according to both Madero and Soriano, is a sacred song in flamenco-style; it also means "dart." Madero prefers the latter explanation, Soriano the former.

Of the 11 works from this period, six are borrowed from Filipino collectors; two, both executed in 1959, are from Filipino collectors in Hong Kong. These are "Etorisa" and "P jaro de Fuego." The other four come from Manila.

"Saeta," from 1956, owned by private collector Mario Que, is the earliest saeta in the retrospective. The rest are from 1957, "Saeta No. 42," "Saeta, No. 36," both loaned from Ateneo Art Gallery; and "Castilla XXII" from the CCP. They are characterized by overlaying of lines over fields of color.

Zobel wrote: "The theme is movement expressed metaphorically by the use of line. The movement of leaves, of trees, of people; movement observed, felt, never imitated but, I hope, translated."

These works lead up to "La Serie Negra," when Zobel left color for black-and-white canvases. He created an abstraction perceived as gestural. In fact, the works are meditative. Using a syringe to create a straight line, much like a pen when sketching, he would use a sponge to create movement.

"Saetas" and "La Serie Negra" are the last of Zobel's themes in which one can directly draw a line between his Western and Eastern influences. His canvases become the space where his knowledge of Japanese and Chinese calligraphy, the color-field works of Rothko and Kline's black-and-white abstractions are played out.

In 1961, Zobel moved to Spain. Villalba Salvador quotes Zobel in Manila in 1959:

"Spain, by contrast, is a blast of light. It completely fills the vacuum. [...] Even the delight of walking in the streets and hearing the sound of Spanish. The sound of home. Perhaps this is the important thing: this recognition of home. If one must lose oneself, this is where I want to be lost. Through all the ornaments, through the ease of English prose, I recognize myself in the last analysis as a Spaniard. And all the rest is just a tale."

In Spain he began "La Serie Negra," perhaps closest to Franz Kline's work in color and gesture. As Madero writes, " ...his painting starts to incorporate the 'gesture,' not the informalist gesture [as in Art Informel] , but the calligraphic one."

"La Vision" (1961), loaned from Lopez Memorial Museum, is one of the first of "Serie Negra" that one sees upon leaving the colorful first room of the retrospective. It was also one of the works included in the 36th Venice Biennale as part of the Spanish Pavilion (together with the works of Vicente Vela, Rafael Canogar, Juan Genoves, Hernandez Momp¢, Guinovart).

In the second room, the works take on the calm and contemplative control that characterizes the works of Zobel from this point onward. After the frenzied movement of the "Saetas," "La Serie Negra" crystallizes the elements of painting-of "... light and line, of movement. Pictures of a swift, improvised execution... " From there, he would move to "abstract lyricism."

The biggest of the seven rooms devoted to the exhibit shows a series tracing the movement of Zobel's art from line and movement toward scale, perspective, scale, and, slowly, the return of color. "Serie Negra" ends by 1963 and the transformation is subtle, studied, meticulously considered.

I walk through the room slowly, never having experienced Zobels of this sort in such concentration. I experience a different Zobel. I walk on and witness his J£car works, the movement of the river of Cuenca, gloriously concentrated in one room, the movement of the river perceptible in the greenish washes against linear perspectives.

Later, the works called "Orillas" look at color and volume, visually losing the line-slash perspective. One of my favorites is a tiny piece called "Flauta IX" (1976), which seems to bring together the solid transparency of music. "Palacio de Cristal IV" (1984) is also a favorite, as it is one of the few works in which Zobel seemed to have allowed the viewer a glimpse of the mechanisms of concentration and discipline that he held over each work.

It is also a pleasure to be privy to his notebooks, filled with drawings and writing, an artist who worked out each abstraction thoroughly.

I weave myself out of the Zobel rooms, passing through a man's quiet, precise and intellectual scrutiny of the world and of himself.

Fernando Zobel as an artist had created, in Madero's words, works that on the surface communicate spontaneity and intuitiveness, but are nevertheless "bereft" of such. Instead, each canvas was a "field of action with an ever-necessary, imposed balance and color, or black and white, is used with the same precision as a poet uses words."

The Zobel retrospective travels, albeit with fewer works, to Museo de Arte Abtracto Español in Cuenca, and then to Sevilla.

http://www.inq7.net/globalnation/sec_fea/2003/oct/17-02.htm

Animo

February 15th, 2006, 06:30 AM

Ask Philippines Ambassador to Mexico Justo O. Orros about the current trend to develop international free trade blocs, and he´ll tell you that the whole idea started back in 1565, when the Nao galleons plowed the Pacific carrying goods between the ports of Manila and Acapulco.

"In a way, you could say that the Philippines-Mexico trade routes were the forerunners to NAFTA (the North American Free Trade Agreement) and the European Union (EU)," Orros told The Herald in a recent interview at his embassy.

For more than 250 years, a small fleet of Spanish vessels - known in Mexico as the "Nao de la China" - made the 9,000-nautical-mile trek between Mexico and the Philippines, constituting the most important trade route to the East for the Iberian crown.

And it wasn´t just Philippine goods that were being transported.

Although the Philippines provided some products to be shipped to the New World, it was primarily spices and other items from the "Spice Islands," as well as silk, porcelain, gold, ivory, gemstones, jade, mercury and other valuables from China which made the Manila galleon trade so lucrative.

Wares from Japan, India and parts of Southeast Asia also made their way to first to Manila and then on to Mexico.

"The route represented a vast regional trade bloc," Orros said. "When we realize today just how vital the Philippines-Mexico route was to global trade at that time, it is easy to understand how closely linked the histories of our two countries really are."

Even that uniquely Mexican historical icon the "China Poblana," who was supposedly brought from the East as a slave during the early 1600s and captured the hearts of the people of Puebla because of her kind acts and extraordinary mode of dressing, was in fact a Filipino noblewoman who came to Mexico on a Nao galleon.

Likewise, Orros said Mexican and Filipino history are closely linked by a spiritual connection between the Philippines´ most important hero and patriot José Rizal and the revolutionary insurgents that freed Mexico from Spanish rule in the early 1800s.

"Rizal never in fact set foot on Mexico soil," Orros said, "but clearly he and many other Philippine political thinkers were influenced by the Mexican example to cast off Spanish domain and the Mexican nationalist fervor."

Even linguistically, there is a correlation between the Philippines and Mexico, he said.

"Our native language, Filipino (also known as Tagalog) has over 10,000 words with Spanish roots," he said.

"Moreover, as of 1935, the Virgin of Guadalupe is our country´s official patron saint, which means that each year, hundreds of Filipinos come to Mexico to pay homage to the Blessed Mother."

Another interesting historical tie between the two countries took place during the Second World War, when the only Mexican servicemen to participate in the conflict, an elite squadron of air force pilots known as the Escuadrón 201, was sent by Washington to back Allied Forces.

Originally, Orros said, the squadron was slated to go to Italy to support U.S. troops, but after then-President Manual Ávila Camacho spoke to the pilots, he asked his American counterpart, Franklin D. Roosevelt, to instead send them to the Philippines, "where they could fight side-by-side with their Filipino brothers."

Although only a handful of those brave pilots are still alive today, the Philippine government considers them national heroes, and in November of 2004, they were personally decorated by Philippine President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo during an official visit to Mexico City.

"I am working to try to arrange for the surviving squadron members to visit the Philippines as guests of our government," Orros said, "but because they are now quite old, we have to consider their health and whether such a long trip is feasible or advisable."

Meanwhile, the ambassador is diligently waging his own battle to revitalize the spirit of trade that first defined Philippine-Mexican relations.

"I think that with the close friendship that has always existed between our countries and the constant intertwining of our histories, we can regenerate the old trade connections," he said.

"Today, the figures for our combined bilateral trade are not very encouraging, amounting to about US$340 million in 2004."

Admittedly, Orros said, there is a considerable overlap of products being produced and exported by Philippine and Mexican manufacturers.

However, the nations could become important partners in terms of shipping routes, he said.

He added that he would like to see more bilateral investment cooperation.

The Mexican cement giant Cemex already has long-term direct investments in the Philippines to the tune of nearly US$1 billion, and a Philippine firm has holdings in a Veracruz shipping service.

To help jumpstart trade and investment, Orros said that a Philippine-Mexico Business Council was established in 1996, and as a consequence, there are plans for an exchange of commercial delegations sometime later this year.

Further down the road, he said he would like to see a "special trade agreement" between the Philippines and Mexico.

An existing, but poorly utilized, cultural and academic agreement is also up for review in 2006 by a joint commission which Orros said could galvanize two-way cooperation in the these fields.

"The problem in the past has always been money," he said. "It is great to think up wonderful, elaborate projects, but unless you have the resources to carry them through, there isn´t a lot going to get done. What we need to do is find projects that are doable."

The ambassador has also worked to establish sister-city relationships between Philippine and Mexican towns.

In the end, Orros said that the renewal of Mexican-Philippine cooperation is inevitable.

"Destiny has repeatedly brought our two countries together, and I am sure that it will happen again," he concluded.

"We share a common bond of friendship and history, and all we need to do now is build on that to create a new Mexico-Philippines commercial link that will be as strong and as globally influential as the Nao galleon routes were 400 years ago."

http://www.eluniversal.com.mx/miami/16663.html

Skyblade

February 21st, 2006, 11:22 AM

A couple days older so the numbers haven't been adjusted but...

Landslide triggers avalanche of international aid
First posted 00:59am (Mla time) Feb 19, 2006
Inquirer
Link to the article (http://news.inq7.net/nation/index.php?index=1&story_id=66625)

Editor's Note: Published on page A1 of the February 19, 2006 issue of the Philippine Daily Inquirer

SHARING the Filipinos’ horror, nations from around the world yesterday pledged money and medicines to help the victims of Southern Leyte's devastating landslide. The United States sent warships and 1,000 Marines while one international body promised mosquito nets and cadaver bags.

US President George W. Bush, traveling on a day-long trip to Florida for a speech on terrorism and a political fundraiser, was briefed on the landslide that buried hundreds of homes and some 2,000 people in the coastal village of Guinsaugon, the White House said.

In New York, United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan sent a message of condolence to the victims and their families, saying he was "deeply saddened by the loss of life and destruction."

Earlier, from the Vatican, Pope Benedict XVI urged nations to be "swift and generous" with their help.

Japan's Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi offered condolences and the Foreign Ministry announced it was "preparing for appropriate assistance."

Asia's biggest economy, Japan puts a priority on close relations with Southeast Asia and was a major donor after the Indian Ocean tsunami in December 2004.

Generators, blankets

Two US warships, 17 helicopters and 1,000 Marines participating in joint exercises with Philippine troops have been diverted to the disaster scene, officials said.

US Charge d'Affaires Paul Jones said the USS Essex and the USS Harper's Ferry were expected to reach Southern Leyte at daybreak today. The two ships can transport thousands of gallons of water-purification equipment, generators and blankets.

The US government also has turned over $100,000 worth of disaster equipment to the Philippine National Red Cross.

A C130 Blackbird of the US Air Force with an assessment team left Clark air base for Tacloban.

The United States Agency for International Development donated P2.9 million worth of food and non-food items.

Red Cross appeal

In Geneva, the International Red Cross on Friday appealed for two million Swiss francs ($1.52 million) to fund an aid operation for the ravaged village in the Philippines.

The funds will be used to buy "cooking utensils, mosquito nets, temporary shelter materials, health and hygiene articles, water containers and purification tablets for survivors over the next six months," the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies said in a statement.

A relief plane was on its way to the scene carrying 1,000 body bags, emergency trauma kits to help 1,000 people, rubber boots, ropes, clothing, flashlights and medicine, the federation said.

Other countries near and far also announced they were helping.

China offered a donation of $1 million in cash and material assistance.

Australia said it would give A$1 million ($740,000) in immediate relief.

Taiwan said it would donate $100,000 and send emergency medical supplies that will include enough medicine to treat 3,000 people for a month and a half.

"Singapore officials are in contact with their Philippine counterparts on relief assistance we can provide to the affected areas," Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said in a letter to President Macapagal-Arroyo.

Thailand said it would donate $100,000 in aid.

A 60-man Malaysian team arrived yesterday to help in search and rescue work and provide medical services.

Spain, the Philippines' former colonial ruler, said in a statement that it "profoundly laments the landslides."

A Spanish non-government organization, Unidad Canina de Rescate y Salvamento, promised to send a six-man rescue team and five search dogs.

Help had also begun to roll in from local political and church leaders.

House contributions

Speaker Jose de Venecia said the House leadership was mobilizing both majority and minority congressmen to raise a "rapid reaction fund" for the victims.

De Venecia made the first contribution of P250,000 to the fund while Deputy Speaker Raul del Mar donated another P100,000.

Catholic Church and government leaders in the Visayas rallied the public to extend help.

Archbishop Pedro Dean of Palo, Leyte, called on the faithful to offer not only prayers but also material things.

"I also instructed all the priests in the diocese to help raise funds for the victims," Dean said. He said a Mass for the victims would be conducted in all parishes under the Palo Diocese.

Over 400 Filipino soldiers from all parts of Eastern Visayas were sent to the disaster site.

Forty-two miners are scheduled to arrive in St. Bernard today to help in the rescue operations, according to Ernie Rodriguez, president of the Philippine Mining Safety and Environment Association.

The miners were from the companies Benguet, Philex, Lepanto, Rio Tuba/Coral Bay and Paganito Mining, he said.

Rodriguez said heavy equipment from Paganito Mining, based in Surigao, would be brought to Guinsaugon.

Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmena sent a rescue team and he himself left for Southern Leyte to see how else he could help.

Bacolod Bishop Vicente Navarra said the diocese would collect goods and financial donations.

Negros Occidental Gov. Joseph Maranon and Bacolod Mayor Evelio Leonardia also promised to help.

ABS-CBN Sagip Kapamilya said it would airlift 250 food packs that include rice, noodles and canned goods, and water purifiers.

The Philam Fellowship of the Assembly of God donated blankets, canned goods, clothes and medicines while McDonald's Philippines donated 100 sacks of rice.

Calling on donors

McDonald's Charities yesterday advised those who want to donate to the victims of the calamity that McDonald's branches nationwide were accepting canned goods, bottled water, clothes, blankets, medicine and cash.

Donated items will be passed on to the National Disaster Coordinating Council, Department of Social Welfare and Development, Red Cross, ABS-CBN Foundation, GMA 7's Kapuso Foundation, said McDonald's PR manager Zonito Torrevillas.

Those interested in donating may call tel. no. 0917-820-8123, Torrevillas said. With reports from Dona Pazzibugan, Philip Tubeza, in Manila, and Tonette Orejas, PDI Central Luzon Desk, and Vincent Cabreza, PDI Northern Luzon Bureau, Joey Gabieta, Jhunnex Napallacan, Vicente S. Labro and Carla P. Gomez, PDI Visayas Bureau

Animo

March 7th, 2006, 11:39 PM

Manila Standard Today, Philippines - Feb 26, 2006

ZAMBOANGA CITY—The Spanish government chose the Philippines as its top priority among other countries in Asia and earmarked up to 40,000,000 euro (about P2.5 billion) in grants-in-aid to be used in different developmental programs over the next four years, the Spanish envoy to the Philippines said over the weekend.

Ambassador Don Ignacio Sagaz said on Saturday Spain has decided to upgrade its cooperation with the Philippines in terms of fighting poverty in the regions of Bicol, Caraga and Zamboanga City and Basilan in Western Mindanao.

“In the next four years, we have contemplated 40,000,000 euro or an average of 10,000,000 euro per year as a grant to the Philippines,” Sagaz said, adding that the funds will be used to support President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo’s 10-point agenda of governance and in support for the United Nations Millennium Development Goals.

For Zamboanga City alone, the Spanish government, through its Agencia Española de Cooperacion Internacional (AECI) and the Spanish nongovernment organization (NGO) Manos Unidas, granted more than P80,000,000 to the community-building programs of Katilingban Para Sa Kalambuan Inc. (KKI), a local urban poor coalition in this city headed by Claretian priest, Fr. Angel Calvo.

Sagaz was the guest speaker during the joint blessing, inauguration and turnover ceremony of the Kalinaw Housing Project, the second phase of the three-phase AECI funded KKI housing program situated in the interior of Barangay Sinunuc, this city.

The first phase is called Katilingban Housing Project, which was started in 2001 and serves as the home of 200 urban poor. Phase 2 will benefit 98 families. The biggest phase called the Kalambuan Housing Project will have its groundbreaking in April. Phase 3 is bigger than the first two phases together and is estimated to benefit at least another 300 urban poor families.

“We are committed to give help to the people here and as you know, we are already starting with the Phase 3 of this project. It is very encouraging for us to see the people having already their own houses,” Sagaz said.

“This Phase 3 will be in Barangay Caragasan and even bigger than the first two together. We are expecting this project could hold over 300 families and we have allocated of over €80,000,” Sagaz revealed.

“Aside from Zamboanga City, AECI already gave grants and assistance to the agricultural projects in Caraga region, housing, health care, gender and equality programs in Ilocos, Tarlac and Pampanga,” Sagaz revealed.

Sagaz was also the guest of honor during Zamboanga’s 69th charter day celebration yesterday.

KKI chairman Fr. Calvo said the NGO’s housing program intends to develop communities with livelihood enterprises for its residents.

“Aside from the residential houses, KKI housing program also housed a livelihood production center. It is run by the Katilingban Working Women Association, whose members come from different marginalized communities in the city. The women are trained in various production skills, and have started making herbal medicine soaps, noodles, dresses and other sewn items, preserved foodstuffs and other products,” Calvo added.

“This is to finally lift the local residents out of poverty,” Calvo said, adding that the road to economic emancipation begins by eliminating poverty in attitudes and values of the people. Nuhman Aljani

Animo

March 12th, 2006, 03:04 AM

Prime Minister to Chile, Philippines

Prime Minister Helen Clark will travel to Chile at the end of this week for the inauguration of President-elect Michele Bachelet, and then on to the Philippines for the Asia-Pacific Regional Interfaith Dialogue in Cebu and an official bilateral visit.

While in Chile, Helen Clark will attend the farewell ceremony for outgoing President Ricardo Lagos, and will meet with members of the new government, the Chilean business community, and other leaders attending the inauguration.

Helen Clark said New Zealand had a strong relationship with Chile, and visits in recent years by Heads of State and Government in both directions had built on it.

"Chile and New Zealand signed the Trans-Pacific Strategic Economic Partnership Agreement with Singapore and Brunei in 2005. The Agreement provides a framework to improve our economic fortunes through science, research, and commercial partnerships.

"This visit is timely as last week Cabinet agreed to continue the government’s Latin America Strategy, launched in 2000, which aims to build New Zealand’s relationship in the region in three main areas: diplomatic; economic; and people-to-people contacts," Helen Clark said.

Helen Clark will visit the Philippines to speak at the Regional Interfaith Dialogue meeting, and said recent events had reinforced the importance of building support between faiths and religious communities.

“Interfaith dialogue is proving to be an effective channel for the voices of religious moderation within the region,’’ Helen Clark said.

“The Cebu meeting will be a key part of this important regional inter-faith process which aims to promote peace and security in the region.”

The Cebu Interfaith Dialogue meeting will bring together delegations of up to ten representatives of faith communities from countries within the regiona, including from ASEAN members, Papua New Guinea, Fiji, Australia, and New Zealand. New Zealand, along with the Philippines, Indonesia and Australia is a co-sponsor of the Cebu meeting.

Helen Clark will also make a series of official calls during her 13-15 March visit to the Philippines. The last dedicated bilateral visit from New Zealand to the Philippines was made by David Lange in 1986. Jim Bolger attended the APEC summit there in 1996.

“This year we celebrate the fortieth anniversary of New Zealand-Philippines bilateral relations. In 1966 New Zealand cross-accredited an Ambassador to Manila from Hong Kong. The Embassy in Manila opened in 1975. Our relationship has grown substantially in the past forty years with the Philippines now our top export market in South East Asia," Helen Clark said.

“This visit will also help develop dialogue with the Philippines on issues including counter-terrorism and New Zealand's relations with ASEAN. The Philippines takes the chair of ASEAN later this year and will be hosting the ASEAN and East Asia Summits in December.”

Helen Clark will leave New Zealand on 9 March and return on 17 March.

http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0603/S00108.htm

JustHorace

March 12th, 2006, 03:18 AM

I didn't know we were their top export partner in SEA.

Oh yeah, with Fonterra around, I guess we are.

Espma

March 12th, 2006, 08:41 AM

^^ummm wot dus Fonterra got to do with it bud?!! Fonterra the only one that exports dairy products to the Philippines...and does NZ only exports dairy products?!...

All I know is Fonterra and SMB were in a bidding war over National Food Corp. here in Australia, and San Mig. eventually won....

JustHorace

March 12th, 2006, 09:43 AM

^^Anchor, Anmum, Anlene, and all those milk brands for osteoporosis and pregnancy which starts with "An" are products of Fonterra. They really sell-out. Fonterra Philippines even has more dairy brands compared to Nestle Philippines.

Even Nestle Philippines import milk and butter from New Zealand

Most dairy products here are imported from New Zealand.

Skyblade

March 21st, 2006, 03:02 PM

Unfortunately I haven't been updating much on NZ PM Helen Clark's visit to the RP but I guess it's better late than never.

New Zealand donates P17.3 M to prevent spread of bird flu
Link (http://www.mb.com.ph/archive_pages.php?url=http://www.mb.com.ph/issues/2006/03/17/BSNS2006031758951.html)

Visiting New Zealand Prime Minister Helen Clark yesterday announced a NZ$ 500,000, approximately $ 340,000 or P17.34 million, aid to the Philippines to prevent the spread of bird flu.

In a speech before the Makati Business Club, Clark said the amount is New Zealand’s contribution to a project developed by the UN’s Food and Agriculture Organization and the Philippines Department of Agriculture to support the Philippines capacity to detect and diagnose outbreaks of avian flu and other avian diseases which may emerge in the future.

"Avian influenza is a problem faced by many countries in the region. It poses significant threats to human health and agricultural livelihoods. Its recent rapid spread, including to Europe, is a worrying development," Clark said.

For now, the Philippines is the only poultry producing country in Southeast Asia which remains free from avian influenza. It is important for both the Philippines and the wider region that all efforts are made to prevent the spread of the disease. Early detection of an outbreak is crucial if it is to be contained.

According to Clark, fighting the spread of the disease is not simply an issue for individual nations to deal with within their own borders. It is an international problem which requires the wider international community to work together collaboratively.

"New Zealand, as an island nation free of avian influenza like the Philippines, will watch with interest any lessons which can be learned as the Philippines government strives to combat its spread," Helen Clark said.

New Zealand’s grant will go towards a one-year project developed by the FAO, in collaboration with the Philippines’ Department of Agriculture, to strengthen and enhance the country’s veterinary services and their ability to detect avian influenza and other diseases which may emerge in the future.

Animo

March 31st, 2006, 07:53 PM

MEXICO -- Last Wednesday in Mexico City, the Joint Commission for Cultural and Educational Cooperation between the Philippines and Mexico sat down to discuss a program of activities that will cover the next three years.

The head of the Philippine delegation began his opening remarks in Filipino, catching the translators by surprise and, for a brief moment, probably making the Mexican side nervous that half the day would proceed in Filipino. The Filipino greetings were then translated into English and again into Spanish, both languages being foreign and colonial to Filipinos.

That Spanish was utilized as a bridge for the delegations to communicate underscored the historic links between the Philippines and Mexico that antedate formal diplomatic relations between the two countries that only began in 1953. It is unfortunate that most Filipinos today do not know that for a long time the Philippines was actually ruled by Spain not directly from Madrid but from Mexico, and that some things Filipinos think as part of the Spanish influence in our culture are actually of Mexican origin.

Most of the members of the Philippine delegation were visiting Mexico for the first time, and yet they settled in quite fast. They discovered many commonalities, and in the process discarded, some misconceptions.

Food was one of the primary areas of mutual understanding. For example, Mexican food is richer than the so-called Tex-Mex variety popularized in Manila by American food chains and products, like Taco Bell, Pollo Loco, Nachos and Chili's. Trying various chilis, sauces, sausages and even tamales, we found not just familiar tastes, smells and flavors, but the realization of cultural exchange.

Philippine mangoes are known and appreciated in Mexico as mangas de Manila, while Mexican fruits, plants and vegetables are so common in the Philippines that we presumed they were indigenous. Thus, it comes as a surprise that avocado, corn and chocolate are actually "immigrants" from Mexico. Some things even keep a trace of their original Aztec names even if we have Filipinized them, like chayote, kamote, singcamas, and, probably, even zapote?

Cockfighting was introduced in Mexico from the Philippines. The veneration of the Virgin of Guadalupe in the Philippines came from Mexico, and this explains the two Makati districts, one old the other new: Guadalupe Viejo and Guadalupe Nuevo. The Black Nazarene venerated in Quiapo, Manila, is of Mexican origin and the miraculous black Virgin of Antipolo was the patroness of several successful galleon voyages between the Philippines and Mexico, thus her Spanish name of Nuestra Señora de Paz y de Buen Viaje or Our Lady of Peace and Good Voyage.

Many Mexican cultural and historical influences have been assimilated so seamlessly into everyday Philippine life that we now have to revisit them to appreciate them better.

A visit to the fabulous Franz Mayer museum (in an ancient hospital for women and prostitutes) was punctuated by the excitement of coming across religious carvings in ivory, now acknowledged as marfiles hispano-filipinos. On display were pieces of furniture, particularly sea chests or baules that were used during the galleon trade. There were even a "Manton de Manila" and various indigenous Mexican textiles whose designs, motifs and colors resemble some of the textiles made by Philippine indigenous groups to this day.

Thus, the Galleon Trade moved from historical footnote to a central theme in the program because revisiting this part of our shared past is not just an exercise in academic history or antiquarian taste but reminds us that long before the word "globalization" was even coined, the Galleon Trade was the first real globalization. While globalization is a contemporary term, history shows that it began 400 years ago, when the world became smaller and the meeting between East and West was made possible through the Philippines and Mexico.

We believe that revisiting the roots of our long cultural and historic ties is a first step not just in knowing the past but, more importantly, a way to accept, explore and appreciate commonalities that form the basis for mutual understanding and friendship in the present and a platform that guides us toward a common future.

The galleon also brings contemporary relevance to issues of migration. Like Mexico, the Philippines maintains a large immigrant presence in the United States, and one wonders if we can go beyond the political and economic aspects of this issue and see the ongoing exchange or meeting of cultures and plan for the preservation of Mexican and Philippine heritage in the second generation, the children and grandchildren of immigrants.

While our diplomacy is often undertaken according to the demands of politics and economics, there are countries where culture can be used more effectively. Mexico, China, Spain, the United States, and all the countries Jose Rizal visited over a century ago are places where culture can bridge the past and the present. I used to think history was only useful for school, but now I have come to realize that the past really forms connections between us and other nations. This is another reason to revise our current history textbooks.

Comments are welcome at aocampo@ateneo.edu
http://news.inq7.net/opinion/index.php?index=2&col=80&story_id=71163

Skyblade

April 2nd, 2006, 03:45 AM

RP, Japan to hold talks, mark 50th anniversary of ties
Link (http://www.sunstar.com.ph/static/net/2006/03/31/rp.japan.to.hold.talks.mark.50th.anniversary.of.ties.(6.10.p.m.).html)

MANILA -- The foreign ministers of the Philippines and Japan are to discuss a range of issues next week in the runup to the 50th anniversary of normalization of diplomatic ties between the World War II foes, officials announced Friday.

Philippine Foreign Secretary Alberto Romulo is to visit Tokyo on Monday to Wednesday at the invitation of Japanese Foreign Minister Taro Aso, Philippine Foreign Assistant Secretary Erlinda Basilio said in a statement.

Romulo and Aso will tackle "the entirety of Philippines' bilateral relations with Japan," such as trade and investment, Japan's official development assistance, the two countries' continuing political-security dialogue, multilateral cooperation and the status of Filipino workers in Japan, Basilio said.

They will also discuss the celebration of the 50th of anniversary of the "Treaty of Peace with Japan" and "Reparations Agreement Between Japan and the Republic of the Philippines" -- both of which took effect in July 1956.

Romulo will address a gathering of Japanese parliamentarians, Basilio said.

Japan remains the Philippines' biggest provider of official development aid and its top trading partner after the United States.

Last year, two-way trade was US$14.8 billion.

Around 140,000 Filipinos reside and work in Japan. (AP)

Philippine foreign minister to visit Japan April 3-6
Link (http://asia.news.yahoo.com/060331/kyodo/d8gm99501.html)

(Kyodo) - Philippine Foreign Secretary Alberto Romulo will pay a four-day visit to Japan from Monday at the invitation of the Japanese Foreign Ministry, the ministry said Friday.

Romulo is scheduled to meet with his Japanese counterpart, Taro Aso, on Tuesday and Chief Cabinet Secretary Shinzo Abe on Wednesday.

Japan and the Philippines have designated this year as the Philippines-Japan Friendship Year, the 50th anniversary of the normalization of diplomatic relations.

Japanese students join Mt. Matutum celebration
Sunday, April 02, 2006
Link (http://www.sunstar.com.ph/static/gen/2006/04/02/news/japanese.students.join.mt..matutum.celebration.html)

WASTE cleanup, tree planting activities, and Philippine Eagle conservation thrusts capped the weeklong celebration for the environs of Mt. Matutum, South Cotabato's highest peak, which ended on Monday last week.

The event drew the attention of not just the local stakeholders but also Japanese students from the University of Tokyo.

"The Japanese students shared how they conserve raccoons in Japan. They hope we could replicate it in Mt. Matutum through the Philippine Eagle," said Melanie Chiva, administrative assistant in the public information office of Tupi town in South Cotabato.

The local government of Tupi sponsored the weeklong activity aimed at the conservation and rehabilitation of Mt. Matutum, some 2,286 above sea meters.

The peak has badly deteriorated from the 1960s to the 1990s, according to Chiva.

"That's why we are trying to restore it because it is still in a bad shape," she added.

By her account, from 14,000 hectares of forest cover in the 1960s within Mt. Matutum, it drastically narrowed to 2,500 hectares in 1995, brought about by illegal logging, kaingin (slash and burn) practices and forest fires.

There's a mark improvement in the mountain from 1995 onwards due to the tree planting activities spearheaded annually by the local government and other groups, although data on these are yet to be consolidated, said Chiva.

More than a dozen people trekked to the peak last Friday to plant various tree species. In their way back, they hauled several kilos of garbage left by some mountain climbers.

Chiva said the irresponsible climbers were mostly those who have not passed through the municipal office in charge of the protection of Mt. Matutum. (RBS)

chixbebe

April 4th, 2006, 10:34 AM

Inquirer
http://money.inq7.net/topstories/view_topstories.php?yyyy=2006&mon=04&dd=04&file=3

THE UNITED STATES has approved $131.2 million in assistance to the Philippines for fiscal year 2006, up 42 percent from the $92.7 million in the original US budgetary allocation for the Philippines, the ambassador to Washington, Albert del Rosario, said in a statement Monday.

Del Rosario said the Philippine mission to Washington achieved this despite competing demands on the US budget, which include a soaring US budget deficit, costs of US operations in Iraq and Afghanistan, and rehabilitation and reconstruction of areas affected by Hurricane Katrina.

"Notwithstanding the prevailing intense efforts of the US government to rein in the budget, there remains a considerable level of goodwill for the Philippines as manifested in the increased levels of assistance," Del Rosario said.

He added that the effort to maintain US assistance levels would be carried on in the fiscal year 2007 budget.

The FY 2006 increase covers programs supported by Foreign Military Financing (FMF), Foreign Military Sales (FMS), Excess Defense Articles (EDA), Economic Support Funds (ESF) and law enforcement and counter-terrorism.

The increased US assistance for defense programs is intended to support the Philippine Defense Reform (PDR) initiative and to enhance the sustainability of the military's operational and logistics functions. Of the amount, $33 million was earmarked for FMF/FMS and $17.5 million for EDA.

On law enforcement, the US has increased assistance to $5 million to support the Philippine National Police (PNP) in improving its counter-terrorism capacities.

On ESF, the United States has provided an increased outlay of $25 million to support the Mindanao peace process.

Del Rosario said the US Congress gave its assurance that more assistance would be forthcoming once a peace agreement with the Muslim separatist Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) was reached. With INQ7.net

chixbebe

April 10th, 2006, 10:07 AM

ZAMBOANGA CITY: Malaysian Deputy Defense Minister Hj Zainal Abidin bin Hj Zin on Sunday praised the peace talks between the Philippines and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, the country’s largest Muslim separatist rebel group in the southern Mindanao island.

“Malaysia is optimistic about the peace process and how things are going on in Mindanao as far as the peace talks are concerned, and we are optimistic that a peace agreement will be signed soon. We are on the right path,” Zainal said.

Zainal arrived in Zamboanga City, where he met with Southern Command military commander, Maj. Gen. Gabriel Habacon, and inspected members of the Malaysian ceasefire observers, who are part of an international group deployed in Mindanao.

Zainal briefly spoke with about a dozen other Filipino security officials. He shook their hands one by one and joked with them while at the Southern Command, also home to a small contingent of Malaysian truce observers.

The head of 56-man observers’ group, Malaysian Maj. Gen. Dato Pahlawan Soheimi bin Abbas, said that both sides have been faithfully respecting the ceasefire agreement. The group is made up of Malaysia, Libyan and Brunei, all influential members of the Organization of Islamic Conference.

Zainal earlier met with the leader of the MILF, Al Haj Ibrahim Murad, at a rebel camp in Sultan Kudarat, Maguindanao.

“I am convinced that the prospect of peace between the Philippine government and the MILF is significantly enhanced by the success of the impending ceasefire agreement,” Zainal said, adding Malaysia would like to see complete peace restored in Mindanao.

“We have no other intention except to see a peaceful and progressive Mindanao because Malaysia’s policy is to see its neighbors grow under a peaceful atmosphere,” he said. '

Malaysia is brokering the peace talks between the Manila and the MILF.
President Arroyo opened peace negotiations with the MILF in 2001 in an effort to end more than three decades of bloody fighting in Mindanao.
Habacon said the military is supporting the government peace process and wanted the talks to succeed.

“We are for peace and the military is supportive of the government peace process. We are also optimistic that both sides would be able to sign a peace agreement and work together for the development of Mindanao,” he said.

-By Al Jacinto, Correspondent
http://www.manilatimes.net/national/2006/apr/10/yehey/metro/20060410met3.html

chixbebe

April 11th, 2006, 11:22 AM

DAVAO CITY — The international funding community has identified Sulu as the top priority area in terms of support for social and economic development in this part of the country.

A number of World Bank-led foreign donor countries and other international funding agencies, during a recent meeting here in Davao City, made the assessment as part of their rationalization of the country’s Official Development Assistance (ODA) program to bring about growth and development in the south.

The foreign donor intervention in Mindanao has been dubbed as Mindanao Working Group (MWG), and is aimed at drawing out multilateral support for the growth and peace initiatives in the conflict-affected island.

Aside from Sulu, the provinces of Tawi-Tawi, Basilan, Maguindanao and CARAGA have also been pointed out as needing immediate social and economic intervention. These places, considered to be depressed areas, were also considered to be among the country’s poorest provinces with high poverty incidence.

The rationalization of the ODA database was primarily aimed at helping donor funding agencies to map out and identify which areas need the most immediate intervention.

As of last month, a total of 156 ODA-projects were reportedly ongoing in different parts of Mindanao, according to the Mindanao Economic and Development Council (Medco) which also works with the National Economic Development Authority (NEDA) in the MWG. — Edith Regalado

-The Philippine Star 04/11/2006
http://www.philstar.com/philstar/NEWS200604119907.htm

Animo

April 13th, 2006, 04:15 AM

First posted 00:34am (Mla time) April 04, 2006
By Belinda Olivares-Cunanan
Inquirer

Editor's Note: Published on page A11 of the April 4, 2006 issue of the Philippine Daily Inquirer

SENATE President Franklin Drilon and Senators Joker Arroyo and Aquilino Pimentel, all lawyers, said recently they would sue the Commission on Elections (Comelec) if it persisted in verifying the signatures submitted for the people's initiative. They were reacting to reports that Comelec Chair Benjamin Abalos had ordered his people to start the verification process.

It's strange that the senators would make a case against verification as this is among the four steps the Supreme Court, in its 1997 decision on Santiago vs. Comelec, clearly allowed the poll body to undertake prior to the filing of a petition. Is it possible that they have not read the Court's decision? On page 155 and 156 of the Supreme Court decision, the decision states: "The Comelec acquires jurisdiction over a petition for initiative only upon filing," which makes it the "initiatory pleading." Nothing before its filing is "cognizable" by the Comelec, sitting en banc. Its participation prior to filing includes, among other things: "to verify, through its election registrars, the signatures on the basis of the registry list of voters, voters' affidavits, and voters' identification cards used in the immediately preceding election." Thus, the verification of signatures being done by the Comelec is legal.

* * *

To this non-lawyer, the bigger puzzle is why the Court would put down in black and white its decision to allow the Comelec to verify the signatures for the initiative, only to prohibit it from taking jurisdiction of the petition if submitted, on the ground that there is no enabling law. Why would the Comelec encourage the gathering of signatures, opening its registration books and signature stations, only to throw out the petition in the end? Significantly, the two most senior magistrates now, Chief Justice Artemio Panganiban and Associate Justice Reynato Puno, opined in very strongly worded dissenting opinions that Republic Act 7635, authored by Raul Roco when he was a congressman, was sufficient for the initiative.

I am confident that a majority of the members of the current Court will see this contradiction and set it aright by approving the expected 10 million signatures as the sovereign will of the people.

* * *

By the way, my niece, Rochelle Olivares, daughter of my writer-brother Roger, was looking at the newspaper headlines soon after arriving from abroad and she read that Charter change was being proposed to cure the nation's ills. She mused that she had heard so much about the musical and dance-crazy Filipinos, but to dance away the country's problems? Aren't Filipinos crazy!

On the other hand, my son Buddy, in his weekly TV program "Coast To Coast" on NBN-4, which seeks to link up the Philippines with other countries across the globe, interviewed Cuban Ambassador Luis Jimenez, who mentioned the great dances Cubanos are addicted to. No, said Jimenez, one of these dances was not "Cha-cha" [Charter change], but Cha-cha-cha. Oh, that's right, said Buddy, Cha-cha here is a political issue!

* * *

At "Francophone Day" at French Ambassador Gerard Chesnel's residence recently, I ran into Jose Ma. Cariño, who's back at the Department of Foreign Affairs after a six-year posting as consul-general and one-time chargé d'affaires in our embassy in Madrid. The son of retired Ambassador Rosario V. Cariño, Jomari began his love affair with Spain by taking primary education in Barcelona. Over the years, he has wandered around museums, flea markets, churches and private collections in search of various art works by Filipino and foreign artists on the Philippines as well as artifacts-a labor of love for him. Cecile Alvarez and I put him on our regular Sunday evening show on radio dzRH, so he could tell the nation about his discoveries. And what a story he had about life in colonial Philippines and the colorful lives our "ilustrados" lived in Spain.

* * *

What Cariño did was to catalogue works by Philippine artists in Spain, with the assistance of Ricky Jose. Their research found its way into four books written by such writers as Santiago Pilar, Felice Sta. Maria and Brenda Fajardo that have won various book awards here. He brought the books for our taping and we saw glimpses of a Manila long gone and as graceful as any European city, with very colorful houses and beautiful buildings and people wearing spectacular clothes -- clearly indicative of a superior culture. He also brought letters of Jose Rizal and Juan Luna as well as samples of our old piña he had bought in Spain.

One book, "Jose Honorato Lozano, Filipinas 1847," contains the paintings of Lozano, the foremost Filipino painter of the 19th century and a disciple of Damian Domingo. The son of the keeper of the Manila Bay lighthouse, Lozano charmingly chronicled the day-to-day life in Intramuros and Binondo.

Another book, "Discovering Philippine Art in Spain," was sponsored by the Department of Foreign Affairs as part of our centennial celebration. A third book, "Album, Islas Filipinos 1663-1888," a compilation of Filipino and foreign artists' works on the Philippines, features the fabulous collection of Teyet Pascual on Damian Domingo and Justiniano Asuncion. It also shows the collection of drawings from the famed "Malaspina Expedition" of Museo Naval and Museo de America in Madrid. Admiral Malaspina, an Italian in the Spanish Crown's employ, traveled to South America, Australia and Asia to gather information on animal life and flora in the 1780s. A number of drawings on RP life at that time are included in the book.

A fourth book of Cariño's, titled "Piña, El Tejido del Paraiso," was inspired by Lourdes Reyes-Montinola's pioneering work on this wonderful fabric. He gathered and collected antique specimen of our piña in Spain, he exhibited them, together with contemporary piña pieces, in Madrid last August. About 60,000 people came to view the exhibit, among them the lovely Isabel Preysler.

http://news.inq7.net/opinion/index.php?index=2&story_id=71575&col=78

Animo

April 14th, 2006, 05:36 AM

Merry-Go-Round: Floro L. Mercene

THE new ambassador of Mexico to Manila is a pretty gal with the bewitching name of Erendira Paz Campos. She was so enamored by the Philippines – "a country with a very rich culture" – that one of the first things she did upon arrival a year ago was to learn how to speak Tagalog.

***

Ambassador Paz Campos is organizing activities in support of a program of cultural and educational cooperation between the Philippines and Mexico which starts this year and ends in 2009. A joint commission of Filipino and Mexican officials is carrying out the program.

The commission will hold its fourth meeting in Mexico City on March 28.

***

As her contribution to the program, which is aimed at making Filipinos and Mexicans conscious of their strong ties, Ambassador Paz Campos is presenting in June a symposium on Philippine-Mexican relations by Mexican and Filipino scholars and historians.

Five to l0 Mexican scholars on the Philippines will deliver papers along with counterparts from the Philippines.

***

During the observance of Mexico’s National Day on September l6, the Mexican Embassy will present in Manila and one or two other cities a special cultural program featuring Mexican singers, dancers and artists.

Ambassador Paz Campos’ dream is to enlist a local singing group to sing a repertoire of popular Mexican songs, to be recorded for distribution to a wider audience in the Philippines and Mexico.

***

So much has been done to foster our close ties with Mexico. In 2002, three architects from UP and UST obtained master’s degrees in historical preservation as scholars at the Escuela Nacional de Conservacion, Restauracion, y Museografia in Mexico.

In 2004, the Mexican Secretariat of External Relations granted scholarships to Teresita Ignacio to conduct research on censorship and its effects on Philippine literary work during the Spanish period.

***

Upon the initiative of the Mexican Embassy in Manila, Philippine and Mexican cities have forged sisterhood agreements. The sister cities are Vigan and Barra de Navidad in Jalisco, San Fernando (La Union) and Coatzacoalcos in Vera Cruz, and Baguio City and Taxco de Alarcon .

***

The Embassy also revived the Manila-Acapulco sisterhood agreement through the reopening of the Philippine honorary consulate in Acapulco in June, 2004.

On June l7, Acapulco Mayor Alberto Lopez hosted a reception which was attended by descendants of old Filipino residents of the city. Historian Anituy Rebolledo spoke on the influence of Filipino customs in Acapulco.

***

On June l8, the Museo Fuerte San Diego in Acapulco inaugurated an exhibit on the pina cloth which included a showcase of the pina barong tagalog. Rafael Loyzaga, a prominent Mexican architect, spoke on The Presence of New Spain (Mexico) in the Philippines.

***

In October 2004, the Philippines hosted Prof. Arturo Guevarra of the National Institute of Anthropology and History of Mexico. His visit was related to his research project on the Augustinians in the Philippines.

***

Chris Lyndon Millado took part in the l5th World Congress of the World Congress of the International Theater Institute held in Tampico, Mexico, from May to June, 2004.

***

In July, 2004, the UST Singers, led by Prof. Fidel Calalang, performed in various states such as Puebla, Pachuca, Tlaxcala, and also in the World Choral Festival in Puebla.

***

To mark the 50th anniversary of RP-Mexico diplomatic relations, the Philippine Postal Office issued a commemorative stamp. The Philippine Embassy in Mexico also made representations with the Mexican Postal Service to issue a similar commemorative stamp.

http://www.mb.com.ph/issues/2006/03/13/OPED2006031358517.html

Animo

April 14th, 2006, 05:41 AM

Proposed changes in Constitution

The Spanish Chamber of Commerce (La Camara), the oldest organization in the country, yesterday gave its full support towards the setting of broader economic boundaries in the proposed constitution.

At the same time, the La Camara lobbied the Consultative Commission (ConCom) drafting changes to the 1987 constitution to place more definitive provisions on the individual rights of foreigners living in the country.

La Camara president Jose Luis Romero-Salas said they will strongly back the terms in the draft constitution which does not set limitations to foreign corporate or property ownership in the country.

"We very much welcome the amendments to the economic provisions that are being included in the proposed constitution as they would eventually lead to more investments coming into the Philippines," Romero-Salas said.

Presented by ConCom members Fernando Martin Peña and Carmen Pedrosa during the La Camara’s fellowship meeting, the draft constitution, without implying the current 60-40 percent ownership, merely stated under Article XIV section 1 that "State shall regulate and exercise authority over foreign investments within its national jurisdiction."

Moreover, in the National Patrimony clause of Article XIV, the draft constitution states that "lands classified in accordance with law as industrial commercial or residential may be transferred or conveyed to foreign individuals or corporations with foreign ownership."

Early this year, the Department of Foreign Affairs announced that Spanish companies are keenly looking at investment opportunities in the country.

Current trade figure of 6 million indicate strong two-way trade growth over the past four years between Spain and the Philippines.

Meanwhile, Romero-Salas said certain provisions on the proposed constitution have ignored the rights of Spanish citizens living and with business interests in the Philippines.

The draft constitution in section 4 of the National Patrimony only clause mentioned "the State shall protect the rights of indigenous people to their ancestral lands to ensure their economic, social, and cultural well-being."

"This might have been overlooked by Spanish citizens have been in the country for almost 500 years. Certainly, they must have some rights too. They have lived, invested and have fully committed their resources here in the country," Romero-Salas said.

Romero-Salas said the protection of rights of foreigners living in the Philippines under the proposed constitution is important as the naturalization law is a very slow and arduous process.

Currently, the Philippine government under Republic Act 9139 allow foreigners to gain Filipino citizenship through administrative or judicial means.

Administrative proceedings apply to native-born individuals with foreign parents living in the country while judicial proceedings are for foreigners who migrated to the country and married a Filipino.

Also, Republic Act 7919 or the Alien Socialization and Integration Act allow foreigners who illegally entered the country before July 1993 to apply for permanent residence through an integration fee.

The Bureau of Immigration and Deportation is also set to issue in April the Alien Certificate of Registration Identification Card to foreign investors, employes, and students who will be staying in the country for more than six months.

Established in 1899, the La Camara has over 100 corporate and individual members in key cities across the country.

http://www.mb.com.ph/issues/2006/02/27/BSNS2006022757289.html

Animo

April 17th, 2006, 05:40 AM

By Charlie C. Lagasca

Bayombong, Nueva Vizcaya (28 March) -- A sisterhood pact is now in the works between this province and its 'namesake' in Spain with no less than President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo to witness the 'twinning' of the two provinces: Philippine's Nueva Vizcaya and Spain's Vizcaya.

Governor Luisa Lloren-Cuaresma yesterday said that talks are now ongoing between the provincial government in partnership with the Department of Foreign Affairs and the Basque Government Delegation in Madrid, Spain for the proposed sisterhood agreement between this province and the province of Vizcaya of Spain.

The sisterhood pact, which is being facilitated and coordinated by the province's Information Technology Center with the Philippine Embassy in Madrid aimed at establishing business, tourism, education, culture, science and technology and other areas of special and common interest beneficial to both provinces.

For the provincial government, obviously, the accord, Cuaresma said "will serve as a foundation for the implementation of different programs and projects that will accelerate the province's socio-economic development."

As initial steps leading to the signing, which hoped to take place in May 24, to coincide with Nueva Vizcaya's 167th founding anniversary, both provinces have been exchanging information, especially on their historical and cultural linkages.

A landlocked province lies in Southeastern Cagayan Valley, Nueva Vizcaya, which host to some 400,000 inhabitants of various ethnic origins, derived its name from the Spanish province. It was founded on May 24, 1839 by virtue of an Order issued by the Governor-General Luis Lardizabal and a Royal Decree of the King of Spain dated April 10, 1841.

Spain's Vizcaya (also spelled as bizkaia), on the other hand, is part of the Basque Country in Northern Spain. It has a population of 1.13 million and is a highly-developed province. It is home to various national and international multimillion industrial companies.

In his recent e-mail message to Cuaresma, Consul Marciano De Borja of the Philippine Embassy in Madrid said that the Spanish government looks forward to meeting Philippine and provincial officials for the formal signing of the accord, which hopes to further strengthen Philippine-Spanish relations.

"The Basque government is very interested in this initiative, and is in fact facilitating everything rapidly," De Borja said.

To have the signing more compelling and historic, the provincial government has invited a number of Philippine and Spanish dignitaries led by no less than Mrs. Arroyo and Don Jose Luis Bilbao, Diputado-General of the Diputacion Foral de Bizkaia, to witness the ceremony, which Cuaresma said would serve to highlight the province's founding anniversary celebration this coming May 24.

http://www.pia.gov.ph/news.asp?fi=p060328.htm&no=32

Animo

April 17th, 2006, 05:48 AM

BAYOMBONG, Nueva Vizcaya (21 March) -- With the lifting of the Presidential Proclamation No. 1017 by President Gloria Macapagal - Arroyo which paved the way for a vibrant investment confidence in the country, local officials here are in pensive mood following a possible sisterhood pact with the government of Spain.

"With the lifting of the PP1017 and with the determination of President Arroyo to push for her economic agenda, Nueva Vizcaya is prepared to do its share for this province's economic development," said governor Luisa Cuaresma.

Citing her audience with Philippine Ambassador to Spain Joseph Bernardino y Medina, Cuaresma said a twinning agreement between Nueva Vizcaya and Spain is underway to promote business and investment opportunities that will stir the participation of various sectors in both provinces.

The province of Nueva Vizcaya was chosen by the Vizcaya government of Spain to be its sister province basically in formulating the channels and instruments in initiatives of common interest.

Cuaresma said the signing of agreement will be realized as soon as Ambassador Joseph Bernardino y Medina meets with the president of the autonomous Basque region and finishes his business this month.

The governor said Spain which is recognized as the 10th biggest economy in the wotld will be of great help for the province of Nueva Vizcaya in terms of trade and industry relations.

The twinning partnership will serve as the foundation for the implementation of projects geared to accelerate the socio-economic conditions of communities in Nueva Vizcaya aside from cultural, youth, sports and other areas of interest of both provinces.

"I think if we must all cooperate with our counterparts in the national government, then more investment opportunities will come because we are being looked upon on the kind of governance and attitude that we are espousing in our country. These are the elements that are needed to be changed for the success of our projects for the poor," Cuaresma said. (PIA NVizcaya)

http://www.pia.gov.ph/news.asp?fi=p060321.htm&no=51

chixbebe

April 17th, 2006, 09:44 AM

TOKYO will soon lift its aid suspension to the Philippines following a recent meeting between Foreign Affairs Secretary Roberto Romulo and Foreign Minister Taro Aso of Japan.

An official of the National Economic and Development Authority told The Manila Times the agency received word that Japan, the Philippines’ biggest source of official development assistance (ODA), will resume its grant program to Manila, which has been deferred two years ago.

“With Secretary Romulo’s successful meeting with Minister Aso, we have been told that they will resume the grant aid program. They [Japan] will notify us officially very soon,” the source said.

Tokyo suspended aid to the Philippines’ infrastructure programs starting 2004 owing to Manila’s failure to pay the value-added tax claims of Japanese contractors and consultants that ballooned to over P450 million.
Under an agreement with Tokyo, local taxes levied on contracts funded by Japanese loans and grants cannot be charged against the proceeds of the funds.

In 2004 President Arroyo approved a payment scheme for the VAT claims, which will be finished by 2009.

The NEDA official noted that Manila has “substantially made progress” in paying the Japanese’ VAT refund.

The VAT reimbursement for grant projects will be paid to the contractors and consultants of the Japan International Cooperation Agency.

Philippine agencies from which Japanese contractors have VAT claims include the Departments of Agriculture, of Education, of Health, and of Public Works and Highways, the National Irrigation Administration, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology, the Benguet Provincial Government, the Philippine National Police, and the Local Water and Utilities Administration.
Romulo went to Japan on April 3 to 6 where he met Aso and other senior officials of Japan.

Earlier, the Times reported that budgetary constraints and delays led to the cancellation of almost three in every four projects funded by ODA last year.
Out of the P1.631 billion in ODA committed to the country by donor agencies, some P1.119 billion was canceled, with 28 projects closed last year.

Some $248.1 million in ODA from the Japan Bank for International Cooperation was put off.

-By Cheryl M. Arcibal, Reporter
http://www.manilatimes.net/national/2006/apr/17/yehey/business/20060417bus1.html

chixbebe

April 21st, 2006, 04:55 AM

http://www.manilatimes.net/national/2006/apr/21/yehey/prov/20060421pro7.html

DAVAO CITY: United Nations Children’s Fund and the government of Australia will fund a P900,000,000, five-year program on the protection and development of children in Mindanao.

Tony Hely, Australian Ambassador to the Philippines, and Dr. Nicholas Alpui, Unicef country representative, Dr. Nicholas Alipui and governors of ten beneficiary provinces in Mindanao and Samar jointly signed an agreement to promote a “child-friendly environment” at the launching of the program at the Waterfront Insular Hotel here Thursday.

Dubbed the Sixth Country Program for Children, the program aims to accelerate efforts to reduce disparities in child well-being by promoting their rights.

Beneficiary areas include Davao City, Agusan del Sur, Bukidnon, Northern Samar, Sarangani, Sultan Kudarat, Zamboanga del Sur, North Cotabato, Maguindanao and Sulu.

These areas have suffered severe poverty and armed conflicts in the past.
In an interview, Alipui said they aim to lessen problems on malnutrition, maternal, infant and child death, illiteracy, sanitation, among others, by at least 50 percent in the next five years.
--PNA

Animo

April 24th, 2006, 02:19 AM

SPAIN was the first foreign country to congratulate President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo for her bold decision to commute the death sentence of death row convicts. Yesterday, the Palace certified as urgent a bill abolishing the death penalty, which was reimposed by Congress in 1994. As expected, the decision drew both cheers and jeers. Among the loudest cheers are those coming from member-countries of the European Union, where capital punishment has been abolished.

* * *

Recently, we had as guest a European friend who felt so happy over what he described as Ms Arroyo's enlightened and courageous decision. He said the reason the EU lauds the move is that for Europeans, it's not just a question of taking or not taking a human life, they also believe that criminals ought to be given a chance to reform themselves. He said that whether the death penalty is a real deterrent to crime is open to question. He agreed with Rep. Abraham Mitra of Palawan province that what deters crimes is the arrest of criminals and swift justice. Ms Arroyo was merely being consistent-she has been pro-life from the beginning.

* * *

I must confess, however, to hold an ambivalent view on this issue. I believe that even hardened criminals can reform, given spiritual and psychological help. But I also realize that the situation in a Third World country such as ours is different from, say, in Scandinavian countries where people don't have to steal to feed their families or get urgent medical treatment for them. These crimes are very real in a poor country, whereas crimes in affluent and socialized countries are driven more by human passions. Also, prosecuting criminals here is more difficult, given our justice system, and so is rehabilitation, given the limited resources of government and society.

* * *

Trust Rep. Edcel Lagman of Albay proovince to conduct once again his "escuela ng bayan" [people’s school] campaign on this burning issue, as he did on the impeachment issue. Lagman, one of the staunch anti-death penalty advocates in the House, says that if there's any power of the President where the exercise of discretion is "almost absolute," it's the power to grant clemency to felons. But he also points out its constitutional limitations: the President cannot grant clemency to public officials convicted in an impeachment; in the case of election offenses, it cannot be granted without the favorable recommendation of the Commission on Elections.

Lagman also stressed that reprieves, commutations and pardons can only be granted after final conviction by the Supreme Court. What about Ms Arroyo's recent "wholesale commutations"? He says these are "not constitutionally banned," particularly when the basis for the reduction of the penalty "collectively applies to all covered convicts." In other words, no favoritism.

* * *

House Speaker Jose de Venecia enplaned for Madrid and Barcelona yesterday. He is a real jet-setter. Only two days earlier, he arrived from Kuala Lumpur where he had a one-hour meeting with former Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad on the topmost floor of the gleaming Petronas Towers. Mahathir extolled the merits of the parliamentary system he successfully led for 20 years.

De Venecia said he was careful to say he didn't want to interfere in Philippine internal affairs and only wished to share his experience. He noted, however, that the constant fighting between the executive and the legislature in our political system has kept the Philippines from taking its rightful place in the sun. On the popular criticism that in a parliamentary system there would be no check and balance, Mahathir said this would be provided by the opposition.

De Venecia pointed out that Singapore's former Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew also noted the same thing about the Philippine situation.

* * *

Sources in the House of Representatives indicate that the drive to get 195 congressmen to support Charter change now counts with 181 signatories. But the target is to get 200 House members and six senators, so that the constituent assembly can get going. On the other hand, I learned that the parallel move of the people's initiative has gathered more than 10 million signatures already, more than double the minimum 12 percent of total registered voters. The target is to get five million more.

In the meantime, its advocates have fanned out across the nation to continue their information drive, and they plan to file their petition with the Commission on Elections (Comelec) before the end of May. But what's this? The election lawyer for the opposition has filed a case against Comelec Chair Benjamin Abalos for allegedly being the mastermind behind "Garci." Some people read this as calculated to intimidate Abalos so he does not become hospitable to the initiative.

* * *

Executive Director Cecile Alvarez of the National Commission for Culture and the Arts has announced an on-the-spot contest in painting the canvases of yachts and sailboats this weekend, April 22-23, at the Rizal Park in celebration of Earth Day and for display next month, which is "Ocean Month." The idea is to transform these sails into works of art for display in a unique gigantic outdoor gallery -- dubbed the "Gallery of the Sea" -- with the Manila Bay as the magnificent backdrop.

The contest, coordinated by the Art Association of the Philippines and the Manila Yacht Club, which is donating canvases for 30 sailboats, was inspired by a sailboat painting contest held in 2002 sponsored by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources under then Secretary Heherson Alvarez. This weekend's contest is expected to draw artists from all over the country. The "Gallery of the Sea" will be an added feature of the 31st International Theater Institute-Unesco sponsored "Inter-cultural World Congress and Theater Olympics of the Nations," which the Philippines will host next month. For particulars, call +63920 5446707, +63915 5191902, or +632 3637799.

http://news.inq7.net/charterchange/index.php?index=1&story_id=73099

chixbebe

April 24th, 2006, 09:17 AM

http://www.malaya.com.ph/apr24/metro3.htm

THE Philippines has solidified its bid for membership in the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) after its candidacy was formally endorsed by the Asian Group in the world body.

Philippine Permanent Representative to the UN Lauro Baja Jr. said the endorsement of the Philippine bid was made during a meeting of the 54-member Asian Group in New York last Thursday.

"The endorsement is a great leap forward and ensures our getting elected during the 61st General Assembly in October where I expect the Philippines to get the required two-thirds of UN members present and voting," Baja added.

The ECOSOC is the principal organ of the UN that is tasked to coordinate economic, social, and related work of the 14 UN specialized agencies, 10 functional commissions and five regional commissions. It also receives reports from 11 UN funds and programs.

According to Baja, the ECOSOC assists the General Assembly in promoting international economic and social cooperation and development. The Council, which has 54 members, all of whom are elected by the General Assembly for a three-year term, serves as the central forum for discussing international economic and social issues, and for formulating policy recommendations addressed to member states and the UN system.

The Philippines last sat as a member of the body from 1992 to 1997.
"Our membership in ECOSOC will also add more weight to our initiatives in the UN such as debt for equity, migration and trafficking," Baja said.

Manila’s candidacy in the ECOSOC follows its historic two-year membership in the Security Council that was capped by a Philippine-initiated summit of leaders of the 15-member states that was presided over by President Arroyo in September.

Baja said the Philippines’ lobbying for the Asian Group’s endorsement was successful "because we were able to ride on the respect and goodwill we earned during our two-year term in the Security Council." – Marilou T. Jumilla

Animo

April 25th, 2006, 08:19 PM

ZAMBOANGA CITY—Some 306 families from 16 urban poor communities in this city were awarded their own low-cost houses in the P50 million housing project funded and implemented by the Spanish government in cooperation with the Katilingban Para sa Kalambuan Inc. (KKI).

Rev. Angel Calvo, KKI chairman, said the Kalambuan housing project is situated at a five-hectare lot in Barangay Caragasan. It is the biggest phase after the two phases that were implemented in Barangay Sinunuc.

The first two subdivisions, called the Katilingban and Kalinaw housing projects, contain a total of 298 former squatter families.

“This is to help our urban poor families enjoy a sense of security from the threat of eviction, as the squatter residents often experience,” Calvo said during the project’s groundbreaking last Saturday.

“We are hopeful that this third phase will be as successful as the first two phases. We want to see [the urban poor] not only [with] their own houses but living in an empowered community,” he said.

Calvo said the houses are expected to be completed by December and he urged the beneficiaries to practice solidarity and cooperation, adding that everyone must maintain good relationships and respect one another as he said these are the main foundations of a solid and productive society.

“We want you to live in a spirit of harmony and cooperation and be a model for other communities,” he told the beneficiaries during the ceremony, which was also attended by Mayor Celso Lobregat.

All the three phases of the Katilingban housing program is part of the Spanish priority development aid to the Philippines. Through the Spanish nongovernment organization Manos Unidas, about P2.5 billion have been allocated for different developmental projects over the next four years.

Earlier, Spanish Ambassador Ignacio Sagaz said that aside from Zamboanga City and Basilan in Western Mindanao, the regions of Caraga, Ilocos, Tarlac, and Pampanga are also expected to benefit from the grants.

“These funds are priority aid from Spain to help Philippine government programs on housing, health care, gender and equality and education,” Sagaz said during his visit here last March.

Calvo said the project included public works like water supply, electric power supply, and a livelihood center, where beneficiaries were also able to get employed. “We really want to see a more complete development of the people,” Calvo said.

Also present during the groundbreaking were representatives of partner NGOs, barangay officials, and members of urban poor organizations.

http://www.zamboanga.com/news/news_body.htm

Animo

April 26th, 2006, 07:44 PM

THE GOVERNMENT of Spain thanked the Philippines, particularly President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, for saving Francisco Javier Larrañaga Gonzales, also known as Paco Larrañaga, a dual citizen, from death row, the Department of Foreign Affairs said Tuesday.

In his report to the DFA home office, Philippine Ambassador to Madrid Joseph Bernardo said Spain expressed “its most sincere gratitude to the Philippine government, particularly to President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo” for commuting the death penalty of Larrañaga, who was among several convicted in the kidnap-rape slay of Marijoy Chiong in Cebu province. He was also meted life imprisonment for the kidnap and serious illegal detention of Jacqueline Chiong, whose body had not been found.

DFA records show that Larrañaga is also a citizen of Spain, being the son of a Spaniard and a Filipina.

Medina said the Directorate General for External Communication of the Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation issued this statement:

“The Government is pleased with the measure of commuting the death penalty by the President of the Philippines, which will benefit Francisco Javier Larrañaga Gonzales.”

“The situation of Mr. Larrañaga has been the object of maximum attention on the part of different institutions of the Spanish State that have been all the time interested in his fate before the Philippine authorities; it will be recalled in this sense the messages issued by His Majesty the King and the President of the government, the interest of the Parliament, and the personal representations of the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, the Minister of Defense and the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs.

“The Spanish Government wishes to express its most sincere gratitude to the Government of the Philippines, in particular to its President, Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.”

In her Easter Day Message, the President announced the commutation of all current death sentences to life imprisonment.

http://news.inq7.net/top/index.php?index=1&story_id=72921

Animo

April 27th, 2006, 07:27 AM

MADRID, Spain - Speaker Jose de Venecia has appealed to Spain’s major political parties - the ruling Socialist Party and the Partido Popular - to support his debt-for-equity program that could involve the conversion of 0 million of Philippine debts to Spain into anti-poverty projects.

De Venecia had a series of meetings in the Spanish capital with Manuel Marin, head of the Congress of Deputies of Spain and leader of the Spanish Socialist Party (PSOE), and with former Spanish Prime Minster Jose Maria Aznar of Partido Popular, and other leaders of the two parties.

De Venecia was accompanied by Philippine Ambassador to Spain Lani Bernardo and a small contingent that included Reps. Eduardo Zialcita (1st District, Parañaque), Conrado Estrella III (6th District, Pangasinan), Generoso Tulagan (3rd District, Pangasinan), and Arthur Celeste (1st District, Pangasinan), and business leader Dicky Yujuico.

De Venecia informed the Spanish leaders that under his proposed debt-for-equity program, the Spanish government could convert as much as 0 million in Philippine debts to Spain into anti-poverty projects like mass housing, reforestation, education, irrigation, agriculture, irrigation, and tourism.

He said the peso resources from the debt-conversion program could also go into the rebuilding of Intramuros, the first Spanish city in the Far East, into a satellite Castillan City worthy of its historic tradition.

De Venecia said the Spanish government has made the Philippines a "priority country" for development assistance. The information was confirmed to him by Speaker Marin and Casa Asia, a development unit of the Spanish Foreign Ministry that is pursuing an expansion of ties between Spain and the Philippines and other countries in Asia.

Spain has declared 2006 as Spain-Philippines Cultural Year and Casa Asia plans to donate to Manila a statue of Philip II, the Spanish monarch in whose honor the Philippines was named by explorer Ferdinand Magellan almost 500 years ago.

De Venecia also met with leaders of Spanish development agencies on Marin’s suggestion to pursue further discussion on his debt-for-equity program that had earlier been endorsed by United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan and a number of European and Asian countries.

"We are asking for the conversion of incumbent debt into equity to enable us to provide the local currency funds that will finance our development projects to defeat poverty," De Venecia said.

Under the debt-for-equity program, De Venecia seeks to convert half of the debt stock of some 100 poor and heavily indebted nations amounting to .3 trillion into local resources that would fund national anti-poverty programs.

De Venecia stressed what he said in earlier speeches at the UN and the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank that heavily indebted nations "could address the problems of poverty if we have the money with which to finance anti-poverty projects."

Meanhile, De Venecia also received messages from Spain and the 24 other European Union members praising President Arroyo’s "courageous decision" to suspend the death penalty for more than 1,000 death convicts awaiting execution in Philippine jails.

He expressed gratitude to the Spanish government for water and social development projects in Vigan and Zamboanga City, and similar programs in the Bicol and Cordillera regions.

De Venecia visited the Spanish capital on his way to Barcelona, where he was invited to address the regional parliament.

http://www.mb.com.ph/issues/2006/04/26/MTNN2006042662358.html

JustHorace

April 27th, 2006, 07:51 AM

President of Philippine Senate Visits Pyongyang
SEOUL, April 27 Asia Pulse - Franklin Drillon, president of the Senate of the Philippines, made an official visit to Pyongyang on April 22 at the invitation of North Korea's Supreme People's Assembly (SPA), the North's parliament.

He was accompanied by Senators Aquilino Pimentel, Richard Gordon and Ambeth Ocampo, who is also the chairman of the National Commission for Culture and the Arts.

During his stay in Pyongyang, Drillon met with high-ranking North Korean officials, including titular head of state Kim Yong-nam and Cho Thae-bok, chairman of the Supreme People's Assembly, and exchanged views on boosting bilateral relations, according to the (North) Korean Central News Agency (KCNA).

At the meeting with Kim on April 24, Drillon underlined the need to boost bilateral relations through exchanges between the two parliaments, expressing the determination to work hard to develop friendly relations between the two countries.

The two countries signed an agreement on cultural cooperation at the Mansudae Assembly Hall in Pyongyang with Choe and Drillon in attendance, the KCNA said.

North Korea and the Philippines established diplomatic relations in July 2000.

Animo

April 28th, 2006, 06:32 AM

Instituto Cervantes in Manila has launched its new building in Ermita, Manila, a series of talks by contemporary Spanish artists. The series, named “Spanish Art Now: Meet the Artists” (Arte español hoy: Encuentro con los artistas) aims to offer a range of current Spanish artistic productions as well as to encourage relations between Spanish and Filipino artists.

Throughout 2006 and channeled through various meetings, exhibits and conferences, the cycle will present to the works and projects of several Spanish artists commissioned by Spain’s Casa Asia and the Spanish Ministry of Culture to develop a project in the Philippines.

The program for these artistic meetings is also funded by Institut Ramon Llull of Catalonia, Spain.

The scholarships consist of a working period in the Philippines after which the scholars present an artistic project within their respective fields. The results of these projects will be considered for inclusion in the “Año Filipinas—España 2006” organized by Casa Asia in Spain.

Among the artists selected are Joan Fontcuberta and Xavier Riba, as well as multimedia artist Antoni Abad who intends to develop in the Philippines several of his projects, which are a result of new technologies.

Casa Asia has previously sponsored artists Helena Cabello, Ana Carceller and Sally Gutierrez.

Gutierrez will launched the series of conferences in Manila by presenting earlier this month her short film Manola coge el autobus. She is in the Philippines on a grant from Casa Asia and the Ministry of Culture of Spain.

Instituto Cervantes is at 855 T.M. Kalaw Street,
1000 Ermita, Manila. Telephone 526-1482 to 85.

E-mail: cenmni@cervantes.es
http://www.manila.cervantes.es
http://www.manilatimes.net/national/2006/feb/22/yehey/life/20060222lif12.html

Animo

May 1st, 2006, 10:10 PM

BARCELONA, Spain — House Speaker Jose C. de Venecia Jr. said Spain is extending to President Arroyo’s government more than $ 40 million in development assistance in the next three years.

This was confirmed by Philippine Ambassador to Spain Lani Bernardo to De Venecia as the Speaker flew to this city with a small delegation of lawmakers following wideranging discussions in Madrid with leaders of both the ruling Socialist Party and the Partido Popular headed by former Prime Minister Jose Maria Aznar during which he sought their support for his debt-for-equity conversion program.

Speaking at the regional parliament in this city, De Venecia proposed a Catalonia-Philippines industrial and manufacturing park in the Philippines and a special zone for Spanish small- and -medium enterprises as their entry point in the Asia-Pacific markets.

Regional President Pasqual Maragall and Ernest Benach, president of the regional parliament, received De Venecia and his party of congressmen in Barcelona at the regional palace.

De Venecia recalled that Barcelona was closely linked to Manila during Spain’s more than three centuries of hegemony in the Philippines in the colonial period.

Two of the Philippines’ greatest revolutionary heroes, national hero Dr. Jose P. Rizal and Marcelo H. del Pilar, who published the revolutionary "La Solidaridad," imbibed Western democratic ideals while in Barcelona to pursue political reforms in the Philippines, he said.

De Venecia said the Spanish government has made the Philippines a "priority country" for development, quoting the Speaker of Spain’s Chamber of Deputies, Manuel Marin of the Socialist Party, and Casa Asia, a development unit of the Spanish Foreign Ministry, which is eyeing expanded cultural ties between Spain and the Philippines and a few Asian countries.

De Venecia also invited major construction companies and housing developers in Madrid and Barcelona to participate in housing programs in the Philippines, where the housing backlog has ballooned to 3-4 million and is still growing.

"A major housing program for the poor is one of President Arroyo’s major priorities," said De Venecia, who has led efforts in the House of Representatives to address this major backlog by creating the Department of Housing.

De Venecia was accompanied by the chairman of the House Committee on Housing and Urban Development, and by Reps. Conrado Estrella III, Generoso Tulagan, and Arthur Celeste.

He also called for the establishment of Spanish factories in the Philippines to build thousands of housing units to reduce the housing backlog.

Earlier in Madrid, De Venecia met with leaders of the ruling Socialist Party and Partido Popular and appealed for support of his debt-for-equity conversion program to finance major anti-poverty programs in some 100 heavily indebted countries.

http://www.mb.com.ph/issues/2006/05/01/MTNN2006050162807.html

chixbebe

May 3rd, 2006, 09:00 AM

ZAMBOANGA CITY: At least 40 law enforcers from the Philippine National Police, Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency, Armed Forces of the Philippines, and National Bureau of Investigation will go through a four-week training course sponsored by the US government in Davao City beginning May 8.

The training course called “Baker Piston” is an Asia-wide program aimed at improving the competence of counterdrug agencies on ground operations such as investigations and raids.

The program will give participants an opportunity to take part in multiagency exercises and establish network with other agencies, according to a statement released by the US Embassy on Tuesday.

The course includes sessions on human rights awareness, cordon and search techniques, special reconnaissance, land navigation, medical procedures, advanced marksmanship, small-unit tactics in urban terrain, mission planning, trail interdiction, and movement techniques.

The US Drug Enforcement Administration and the US Joint Inter-Agency Task Force West are sponsoring the program.

The sessions will be handled by US counterdrug experts at the Philippine Public Safety College Regional Training Center 11.

“We appreciate intensive training such as this to strengthen our effectiveness on antidrug operations and enhance our ability to work jointly with other law enforcement and security agencies,” said PDEA Regional Director Wilkins Villanueva.

Country attaché of the US Drug Enforcement Administration Tim Teal said the program has been extremely successful over the past few years.
“This is the second Baker program we have sponsored in Davao, and the fourth that has been conducted in the Philippines,” he said.

He said the US government is dedicated to helping its partners fight drug producers and traffickers who threaten the lives and safety of innocent citizens.
--PNA

http://www.manilatimes.net/national/2006/may/03/yehey/prov/20060503pro2.html

Animo

May 4th, 2006, 12:14 AM

House Speaker Jose de Venecia said yesterday he and his delegation of four lawmakers pushed for Spain’s participation in the development of alternative sources of energy in the light of surging world prices of oil that threaten the world economy.

Arriving in Manila yesterday, De Venecia said they held wide-ranging discussions with leaders of the ruling Socialist Party, Partido Popular, and Spanish industrialists in Madrid and Barcelona. Spain has acknowledged expertise in wind and solar power, he said.

He predicted an expansion of Spanish investments in medium industries and a "major return visit" by Spanish industrialists.

Those on De Venecia’s delegation were Reps. Eduardo Zialcita, Conrado Estrella III, Arthur Celeste and Generoso Tulagan.

Philippine Ambassador to Spain Lani Bernardo accompanied the delegation in visits to Madrid and Barcelona, where De Venecia and his party were received at the regional palace by Pascual Maragall, president of the Catalonia region, and Ernest Benach, president of the regional parliament.

De Venecia also cited the Philippine potential to become a major East Asian destination for Spanish tourists and develop its tourism industry by attracting more European tourists to boost its 2.5 million arrivals recorded last year.

Ambassador Bernardo proposed that Spain extends flight services between Madrid and Beijing to Manila, making it Madrid-Beijing-Manila "to expedite economic and tourism relations between the two countries."

About 40,000 Filipino workers and entrepreneurs and their families are in Spain, and the Philippine government was thankful to Spain for allowing families of Filipinos in the peninsula to join them after a few years’ service.

De Venecia said tourism projects could be developed using resources that could be converted from his debt- for-equity program.

He also envisioned resources from this program flowing into the rebuilding of Intramuros, Spain’s old walled city in the heart of Manila, to become a satellite Castillan city and a major international tourist attraction.

http://www.mb.com.ph/issues/2006/05/03/MAIN2006050362990.html

Espma

May 4th, 2006, 04:45 PM

.. a little of off topic here..but that last bit about "rebuilding of Intramuros" caught my attention, are there any governing bodies that's actually rebuilding Intramuros? Are there any projects of some sort?!

Animo

May 4th, 2006, 04:59 PM

^^ Check the Intramuros thread. ;)

Espma

May 5th, 2006, 11:23 AM

^^ohhh cool i never noticed that Intramuros thread before, thanks buddy.

mygz14

May 5th, 2006, 02:20 PM

It would be very cool if Intramuros (include historical parks, monuments and the pasig river) will be revived in its former glory.

Espma

May 6th, 2006, 08:18 AM

^^totally agree, u know I read somewhere that Hanoi (or was it Ho Chi Minh City), not sure all I remember is that, it mentioned a Vietnamese city, calling it the MOST EUROPEAN CITY in Asia, in terms of Architecture or what not, and number of colonial buildings...I would certainly take that as a slap to the Philippines...I think that's definitely arguable dont ya guys think?!!!!

Animo

May 6th, 2006, 06:05 PM

^^ I saw the photos it does look like a European city. If only we can revive the European parts of our heritage.

chixbebe

May 9th, 2006, 09:11 AM

RIYADH — Saying the Philippines would want to be "a privileged companion" in Saudi Arabia’s economic growth, President Arroyo urged top Saudi Arabian business leaders here to increase their investments in the country, particularly in Mindanao, in the areas of energy, infrastructure, information technology and mining.

In her speech before the Council of Saudi Chambers of Commerce and Industry here, the President cited the close involvement of the Philippines in the oil-rich kingdom’s economic growth beginning with the deployment in 1973 of the first batch of engineers to Saudi Arabia, which is now home to more than a million Filipino workers.

She said Saudi Arabia’s growth has created "a modern economic infrastructure" that allowed the development of "a large stock of human capital."

She said this, in turn, paved the way for sustainable private sector growth that now requires Saudi Arabia to diversify its economy and invest in other industries and businesses in overseas markets.

"The Philippines is poised to absorb Saudi investments in our energy, petrochemicals, tourism, mining, telecommunications, information technology and agricultural sectors," Mrs. Arroyo said.

By Paolo Romero
The Philippine Star 05/09/2006
http://www.philstar.com/philstar/NEWS200605099903.htm

beads_strawberries

May 9th, 2006, 09:43 AM

JAMAICUS

May 9th, 2006, 01:51 PM

Saudi wants Filipinos to help fuel industrial boom

RIYADH (Reuters) - Saudi Arabia wants more workers and firms from the Philippines to turn the wheels of an ambitious industrial expansion program intended to diversify its oil-based economy, officials said on Monday.

"This is an opportunity that should not be missed by the Filipino corporate community," Amr Al-Dabbagh, governor of the Saudi Arabian General Investment Authority (SAGIA), told Philippines President Gloria Arroyo at a presentation in Riyadh.

He invited workers and firms from the Philippines to help build King Abdullah Economic City, one of five economic zones planned in the country of 17 million Saudis and some 7 million foreign workers, of whom 1.2 million are from the Philippines.

SAGIA also asked Arroyo to consider involvement in Saudi Arabia's downstream hydrocarbons sector.

"We in SAGIA focus on downstream ... from refining to plastic conversion. I'd like to see some collaboration downstream between Philippine institutions and Saudi partners," Abdulwahab Al-Sadoun, SAGIA energy sector chief told the delegation.

"The success of (Saudi) plastic conversion is partly due to Filipino skilled labor. There is a need for skilled labor in this sector and we are more than happy to explore this further."

Saudi Arabia, the world's largest oil exporter, is trying to diversify and liberalize its economy, which is reaping record revenues as global prices soar.

A major producer of petrochemicals, it hopes to become one of the world's biggest exporters of fertilizer within 10 years.

PETRODOLLARS

"Oil exporters like Saudi Arabia should recycle their petrodollars ... into direct investments and longer low-interest loans for low and middle income oil-importing countries," Arroyo told her hosts. "We are happy to be considered a preferred source of human resources," she said.

The kingdom has made a concerted effort this year to strengthen its links with Asia, launching high-profile visits to China and India.

Philippines diplomats said frequent complaints by international rights groups over the treatment of foreign laborers would not be on Arroyo's agenda. There are tens of thousands of Filipina maids in Saudi Arabia.

Such cases often appear in the Saudi media. In the latest, a Filipina maid cut off her employer's penis as he tried to molest her.

A Saudi official said the desire to attract more Filipino workers did not contradict a policy of "Saudization" of some sectors of the workforce.

"We only give job visas for posts that Saudis do not occupy, so there is no contradiction. There is no Saudi labor force available to work in blue-collar and domestic jobs," Saad al-Bidah of the National Recruitment Committee told Reuters.

Unemployment is a growing problem in the vast desert country.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20060508/media_nm/jobs_saudi_philippines_dc_1

Espma

May 9th, 2006, 05:14 PM

^ The Saudi visit by PGMA has been fruitful to say the least. Aside from talks on oil supplies and prices, the king of Saudi granted pardons to about 50 OFW's jailed in Saudi. The visit provided a strengthening effect to the ties of Philippines and Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

I read the total's actually 138.....I think you're referring to the 50 Filipino Women in that 138...???

Yeah I even read that she convinced a billionaire to come and visit the Philippines to maybe invest in the hospitality sector...Some Prince Alwaleed who owns a lot of luxury hotels worldwide...so it was definitely a fruitful visit.

ewh1

May 10th, 2006, 04:39 AM

oh Prince Alwaleed just bought the canadian luxury hotel chain Fairmont Hotels and Resorts that owns many historic luxury hotels in North America. A lot of them are landmarks and the most luxurious in the cities they are in. He also owns The Raffles Hotel Chain Which owns the Historic Raffles Hotel in Singapore as well as the many Raffles Hotels around the world.

chixbebe

May 10th, 2006, 07:12 AM

SAUDI Arabia has assured the Philippines of its readiness to beef up the country’s oil supply if this becomes necessary.

The assurance was made by Saudi Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources Ali Ibrahim al-Naimi to President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo during talks in Riyadh in the course of her four-day state visit to the kingdom.

“I am very happy to announce that the oil minister of Saudi Arabia has conveyed his assurance to me that in an unlikely event of a disruption in Philippine oil supply from other sources, Saudi Arabia is prepared to make up for the shortfall,” the President told about 1,000 Filipino workers who gathered at the Philippine embassy grounds at the Saudi capital.

The Philippines procures about 39.8 percent of its oil needs from Saudi Arabia. Last year alone, the country bought $2.14 billion worth of crude oil and petroleum products from Saudi Arabia.

Before the Saudi Business Council in Jeddah, the President invited Saudi investments in an oil refinery in Mindanao, where half of all Filipino Muslims live.

“Our government formally invited Aramco in December 2005 to set up this oil refinery in Mindanao for the American West Coast market as well as for the east Indonesian market because Indonesia is closer to Mindanao than it is to the Indonesian oilfields of Aceh,” she said.

Meanwhile, Mrs. Arroyo urged Saudi businessmen to invest in sunshine industries in the Philippines, particularly in energy, tourism, mining, information and communications technology and agriculture.

The President made the invitation to the Saudi business community in her meeting with 21 business leaders of the Council of Saudi Chambers of Commerce and Industry at the council’s headquarters in Riyadh.

She said she was looking forward to Saudi investments in the fast-growing tourism and ICT sectors, where “high-value jobs are most plentiful and which can use our most competitive resource—the greatest Filipino worker.”

The President told Saudi businessmen that now was the time to invest in the country, when it's on the verge of an economic takeoff despite the spiraling prices of oil in the world market.

She said that under her administration, the government's fiscal position was three years ahead of target while the Philippine peso was outperforming many other Asian currencies.

“Exports are expected to grow double-digit this year—more of it to Saudi Arabia, I hope,” she said.

On ICT, the President pointed out that the Philippines was churning out 40,000 knowledge workers, such as engineers and IT professionals, every year.

“Some of them come to Saudi; others await your investments in the Philippines,” the President said.

In the House of Representatives, Mrs. Arroyo’s allies cheered the Saudi king’s decision to pardon 138 Filipino workers.

They said the pardon showed that Mrs. Arroyo was concerned not only about Saudi investments and oil, but also about the welfare of Filipinos working in the kingdom. With Joel M. Sy Egco

By Fel V. Maragay
http://www.manilastandardtoday.com/?page=news03_may10_2006

beads_strawberries

May 10th, 2006, 08:23 AM

I read the total's actually 138.....I think you're referring to the 50 Filipino Women in that 138...???

Yeah I even read that she convinced a billionaire to come and visit the Philippines to maybe invest in the hospitality sector...Some Prince Alwaleed who owns a lot of luxury hotels worldwide...so it was definitely a fruitful visit.

Well, the numbers increased, as per the news I have read this morning. I think, that is more good news to us! Only shows that the government has not overlooked the welfare of the OFWS in Saudi as they visit the head of the state. Aside from asking for key investors to invest in Mindanao, we have also gained assurance in oil supply in case unlikely events will happen.

heathcliff

May 10th, 2006, 09:13 AM

83 pardoned Filipino detainees have now been added to the 138 who were pardoned, and I think more are forthcoming. Now that takes real diplomacy and I don't think anyone could have done it better than GMA. The visit brought her closer to the Filipino community there. It's necessary for the president to make her presence felt in the KSA as it will have a big impact on the welfare of our countrymen working there.

Another significant result of the Saudi visit was the assurance that our supply of oil will be maintained in case of disruptions. The president also lobbied for an observer status for the Philippines in the Organization of Islamic Conference as part of the efforts towards peace in Mindanao. Saudi investors were invited to invest in our country, particularly in the South (among them Prince Waleed, the fifth richest man in the world). An oil refinery in Mindanao was discussed with the king. Setting up our own refinery will help reduce our dependence on imported oil.

chixbebe

May 11th, 2006, 12:33 PM

Saudi Arabian Oil Co., the world’s largest oil producer that owns 40 percent of Petron Corp., is looking at the possibility of putting up another refinery in Mindanao.

“Today, we are visiting Aramco to encourage refinery investments in Mindanao,” Clark Development Corp. president Antonio Ng relayed in a text message to reporters.

Ng accompanied President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo in her state visit to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

Saudi Aramco, through Petron, bared its plans late last year to undertake a feasibility study on a second refinery based in northern Mindanao.

The second refinery is seen to supply the oil requirements of export markets such as East Asia and the US Pacific Coast.

The feasibility study on the second refinery will determine the “optimum capacity” needed to address both domestic demand and new export capacity.

The refinery could take about three years to construct at a cost of up to $5 billion.

Petron operates an oil refinery in Bataan.

The Board of Investments earlier granted fiscal and nonfiscal perks to the refiner’s modernization program at a cost of $250 million that would expand operation and acquire a petrochemical production capability.
When fully upgraded and modernized, Petron’s refinery in Bataan would start producing benzene, toluene, propylene and xylene. Propylene is a necessary ingredient for the production of polypropylene, a basic component in plastic making.

The completion of the upgrading of Petron refinery was expected to give more leverage in selling petroleum products in the domestic market at more competitive prices, as compared to those sourced from the region’s spot market. Saudi Aramco has grown from essentially an exploration and production company during late 1980s to an integrated global petroleum enterprise.

The company exports crude oil, petroleum products, natural gas liquids and sulfur. It also ships crude oil worldwide through an affiliated company and participates in joint ventures and other affiliates at home and abroad to refine crude oil and market its products.

President Arroyo’s state visit to KSA yielded the pardon and repatriation of over 200 Filipinos working there.

There are over a million Filipino workers in Saudi Arabia.
Ng said Crown Prince Sultan bin Abdul Aziz has given instructions to his staff to visit the Philippines and explore tourism opportunities in the country.

By Elaine Ruzul S. Ramos
http://www.manilastandardtoday.com/?page=business03_may11_2006

Animo

May 14th, 2006, 07:26 PM

More than 1,000 delegates from about a hundred countries are attending the United Nations Educational and Cultural Organization International Theater Institute World Congress and the Theater Olympics of Nations in Manila on May 16 to 29.

This is the first time in 58 years that the Unesco ITI that the World Congress and Theater Olympics will be held in Southeast Asia.

The twin events will coincide with the United Nations’ celebration of culture diversity and development week and the Philippine Ocean Heritage Month.

Cecile Guidote Alvarez, executive director of the National Commission for Culture and the Arts, says a major event of the ITI Congress is the Leaders’ Forum, where Unesco director general Koichiro Matsuura presides over a special gathering of UN officials, culture ministers, Nobel Laureates, and Unesco Artists for Peace to discuss UN Millennium Development Goals in the arts and culture.

The Theater Olympics of the Nations, also known as the World Festival of Drama Schools, will bring together 150 participants from 12 countries composed of directors, writers, playwrights and actors.

The artists will fan out and interact with indigenous cultural groups in Baguio City, Santiago City, Isabela; Vigan, Ilocos Sur; Muñoz, Nueva Ecija; Legazpi City, Albay; Puerto Princesa City, Palawan; Iloilo City, Cagayan de Oro City, Davao City and Zamboanga City.

The delegates will treated to performances of outstanding theater groups from Asia, Africa, the Middle East, Latin America, the Caribbean, North America and Europe.

As an added feature, the Philippines will host the second ministerial meeting on Asia Media Content and Creative Industries in Manila on May 26 to 27.

chixbebe

May 15th, 2006, 11:35 AM

By Jun P. Yap
http://www.tribune.net.ph/business/20060515bus8.html

Aside from its long-standing business of supplying oil to the Philippines, it is high time the oil-rich Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to consider investing in world-class tourism projects in the country.

Philippine Tourism Authority (PTA) general manager Robert Dean Barbers yesterday stressed this, as he said the possibility of Saudi Arabian businessmen, with the help of its government, to pioneer in developing world-class tourism infrastructures in Mindanao might even serve as a catalyst to solve the peace problem regarding the Muslim-separatist rebellion.

“Tourism will definitely create more jobs in the Philippines. A major investment from Saudi Arabia in the largely untapped beauty of Mindanao might serve as a confidence building measure to forge the speedy solution to find a lasting peace in Mindanao, he added.

“In fact, I am willing to offer our province of Surigao Del Norte to be a pilot project of such venture,” Barbers stressed.

chixbebe

May 16th, 2006, 10:29 AM

THE European Union’s Trade Commissioner, Peter Mandelson, on Monday defended the policy of progressive market liberalization in the Philippines through the global economy.

At a forum organized by the European Chambers of Commerce at the Makati Shangrila, Mandelson lauded the country’s economic reform program.
He said he recognized the “difficult adjustment” the country has undergone and the challenges it faces in the wake of liberalized trade.

Mandelson noted the growing strength of the country’s services sector in particular and the expansion of its exports of high-value electrical goods.

The Philippines’ highly educated English-speaking workforce made it a natural Asian hub for e-commerce and outsourcing, making it the “India of South East Asia,” he added.

Evaluating the benefits of three decades of open trade in Asia, Mandelson said the region was the clearest global example of “the globalization dividend:” the cumulative effect of openness in boosting economic growth and steadily eliminating poverty.

He stressed his commitment to improving trade relations between the European Union and the Philippines by making it easier for European businesses to trade and invest in the country and the Asian region.

“I believe that Asia’s experience and the immense potential of the Philippines point clearly toward the benefits of progressive liberalization. I urge you to hold that course and not follow those who think it is better for you to retreat into yourselves,” Mandelson said.

The EU trade chief paid a courtesy call on President Arroyo in Malacañang Monday morning.

On Tuesday Mandelson will meet with Association of Southeast Asian Nations trade and economy ministers to discuss the result of an EU-Asean Vision Group meeting into closer economic cooperation between the two regions.
He is also expected to discuss the possibility of a bi-regional free trade agreement.

As the EU’s trade commissioner, Mandelson, a Briton, is responsible for the commercial policy of the European Union and negotiates on trade matters on behalf of its 25 member-countries.

The European Union is the third-largest export market for the Philippines after the United States and Japan.

http://www.manilatimes.net/national/2006/may/16/yehey/metro/20060516met10.html

Animo

May 19th, 2006, 06:31 PM

Welcome, His Excellency President Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo of the Republic of Equatorial Guinea

THE Republic of Equatorial Guinea is a country in West Middle Africa, one of the smallest in that continent with a population of 540,109. It borders Cameroon on the north, Gabon on the south and east, and the Gulf of Guinea on the west, while the islands of Sao Tomé and Principe lie to its southwest. Formerly the Spanish colony of Spanish Guinea, the country’s territory (continentally known as Rio Muni) includes a number of islands, including the sizable island of Bioko where the capital, Malabo (formerly Santa Isabel), is located. Its post-independence name is suggestive of its being situated near both the equator and the Gulf of Guinea. It is the only country in Africa where Spanish is an official language, excluding the Spanish enclaves of Ceuta and Melilla and the non-recognized Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic.

The Portuguese explorer Fernao do Po, seeking a route to India, is credited with having discovered the island of Bioko in 1472. He called it Formosa ("Beautiful,") but it quickly took on the name of its European discoverer. The islands of Fernando Poo and Annobon were colonized by Portugal in 1474. The Portuguese retained control until 1778, when the island, adjacent islets, and commercial rights to the mainland between the Niger and Ogoue Rivers were ceded to Spain in exchange for territory in the American continent (Treaty of El Pardo, between Queen Maria I of Portugal and King Charles III of Spain). From 1827 to 1843, Britain established a base on the island to combat the slave trade.

The mainland portion, Rio Muni, became a protectorate in 1885 and a colony in 1900. Conflicting claims to the mainland were settled in 1900 by the Treaty of Paris, and periodically, the mainland territories were united administratively under Spanish rule. Between 1926 and 1959, they were united as the colony of Spanish Guinea. Equatorial Guinea gained independence from Spanish rule in 1968.

Although agriculture (primarily cocoa, coffee, and timber) historically formed the basis of the Equatoguinean economy, significant offshore oil discoveries in the Gulf of Guinea since 1995 caused oil to become the country’s most important export commodity. Real Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth was strong at 23.7 percent in 2004, and it is expected to be as high as 26.8 percent in 2005. United States investment, almost exclusively in the oil/energy sectors, has increased dramatically since 1996.

We welcome His Excellency, President Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo, and his Delegation on his visit to the Philippines and wish them a successful and enjoyable stay in our country.

http://www.mb.com.ph/issues/2006/05/19/OPED2006051964420.html

Animo

May 19th, 2006, 08:51 PM

Posters on Don Quijote de la Mancha, film screenings on football, acoustic music from the United Kingdom, award-winning photographs from the 49th World Press Photo contest, horse-racing and golf tournaments. These are some of the events to mark “Europe Mo!”, a festival this month of May showcasing the best of European arts and sports to celebrate Europe’s growing relationship with the Philippines.

The Delegation of the European Commission to the Philippines in cooperation with the European Union Member States’ embassies and partners is staging this festival to engage Filipinos in the unique yet diverse culture of the European Union and to commemorate the founding of the European Union
on 9 May 1950. Europe Day commemorates 9 May 1950, considered the founding day of the European Union when French Foreign Minister Robert Schuman, in the aftermath of the World War II, tabled a proposal for Europe to join forces in a Common Steel and Coal Community, a decisive step to prevent future wars. This proposal, known as the "Schuman Declaration", is considered to be the beginning of the creation of what is now the European Union.

A reception will be hosted by Ambassador Jan de Kok, Head of Delegation of the European Commission to the Philippines on 9 May at the Mandarin Hotel, Makati City.

Growing from six Member States in 1951 to 25 in 2004, the European Union embraces more than 450 million people with the accession of Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, the Slovak Republic and Slovenia. The other EU Member States include Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, Luxembourg and the Netherlands (sometimes referred to as the founding members); Denmark, Ireland, United Kingdom joined in 1973; Greece in 1981; Portugal and Spain in 1986 and Austria, Finland and Sweden in 1995. Bulgaria and Romania are scheduled to become Members on 1 January 2007. Croatia and Turkey are formal “candidate countries” with which
accession negotiations started in October 2005.

' Europe Mo' encompasses a wide range of activities and events. Ongoing at the Instituto Cervantes Gallery at 855 T. M. Kalaw Street, Ermita, Manila is a poster exhibit from Don Quijote movies. On 16 May, a book on “Endangered, Fil-Hispanic Architecture” will be held also in the Instituto, when plus papers from the First International Congress on Fil-Hispanic Architecture held in November 2002 will be presented. Film screenings on football are also scheduled on the following dates every 5 p.m. in Instituto Cervantes: 6 May – Soccer Days; 13 May – the Goalkeeper, 20 May – The Longest Penalty
in the World and 27 May – Real, The Movie.

On 4 May and on 6 May, in Crossroad 77 Convenarium, Quezon City and SM City Cebu, the British Council presents the Antonio Forcione Quartet. Hailed as the Jimi Hendrikx of the acoustic guitar, award-winning Antonio Forcione is considered one of the most charismatic and inventive performers to come out of Europe in recent years. His remarkable originality stems from his creative
quest to use every imaginable part of the acoustic guitar, without for a second losing sight of a refined musical sense.

Back by popular demand, the second European Union Cup Racing Festival at Santa Ana. Park, Manila will be held on 6 May by the British Embassy in coordination with the European Union Member States’ Embassies.

From 11 to 31 May, the Royal Netherlands Embassy and the Ayala Museum will present the World Press Photo Exhibition. The exhibition shows the winning images of the 49th World Press Photo Contest and besides being shown in Manila, will travel to 85 other cities around the world. Each year,
an independent international jury, consisting of thirteen members, judges the entries submitted by photojournalists, agencies, newspapers and magazines from all corners of the world. This year’s competition attracted 4,448 photographers from 122 countries. There are approximately 200 winning
photographs in 10 different categories: spot news, general news, people in the news, sports action, sports features, contemporary issues, daily life, portraits, arts and entertainment and nature.

The European Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines will hold a golf tournament on 22 May in Sta. Elena Golf and Country Club in Laguna.

From the French Spring festival, the Embassy of France in cooperation with partners will hold a classical violin and piano concert featuring Nemanja Radulovic with Dominique Plancade from 26 to 27 May in Philam Life Theatre, U. N. Avenue, Manila. The Europe Month celebrations continue with the launch of Europe Ko ‘To drawing contest at The Podium on 26 May. The Mandarin Oriental Hotel has also prepared a four-course dinner for Mozart
Night on 27 May. To celebrate 250th year of Mozart, a major concert “An Evening with Mozart” featuring Mozart concerto for flute and harp and Mozart’s coronation mass will be held on 29 May at Sanctuario de San Antonio Parish.

Meanwhile, radio listeners of Joey radio station will also have the opportunity to win EU prizes by tuning in to Joey radio station daily from Monday to Friday. Lucky texters who are able to answer simple questions about the European Union and the European Commission can win EU special prizes
from the Commission. This radio campaign is presented by the Delegation of the European Commission to the Philippines in partnership with Joey radio station of Nation Broadcasting Corporation. Further information about this festival is available at http://www.delphl.cec.eu.int
(http://www.delphl.ec.europa.int by 9 May 2006).

chixbebe

May 22nd, 2006, 06:21 AM

First posted 07:06am (Mla time) May 22, 2006
By Nikko Dizon
Inquirer
http://news.inq7.net/nation/index.php?index=1&story_id=76586

FOR THE NEXT four weeks, a US military hospital ship will be on a humanitarian mission in three war-torn provinces in Mindanao.

The reputation of Jolo, Zamboanga and Tawi-Tawi for being prone to terrorist attacks from al-Qaeda-linked militants has not dampened the enthusiasm of the medical personnel and crew of the USNS Mercy (T-AH 19).
More than half of the staff are Filipino-Americans, but everyone wants to help.

“When you say it’s a medical mission, it means you are there for peace,” Commodore Henry Villareal, a 53-year-old native of Camarines Sur, told reporters during the media tour of the hospital ship yesterday afternoon.

Villareal is the highest ranking Fil-Am on the USNS Mercy, serving as second in command to Captain Joseph Moore, the commanding officer of the ship’s medical treatment facility.

A number of Fil-Am personnel aboard the ship said they felt sad that their homeland remains mired in political crisis and war.

"I wish there'll be peace in the country and there will be more unity in government for all Filipinos, specially those needing help," said Navy Petty Officer 3rd Class Rommer Gonzales from San Diego, California.

Petty Officer 1 Ria Villena, 23, admitted that she was not familiar with why there was fighting going on in Mindanao but she was aware of the strife.

Villena, who has lived in the US for the last 10 years, did not deny she felt a little anxious going to a place where there was trouble.

“Medyo nakakatakot pero sana maintindihan nila na tumutulong lang kami sa mga kababayan natin (It’s a bit scary, but I hope they can understand that we only want to help),” she said.

The USNS Mercy’s last visit to the country was in 1986, providing medical assistance in Luzon.

Mission commander Capt. Bradley Martin stressed that the medical mission to Southern Philippines this year was not part of the US counterterrorism program.

“We are here to carry out humanitarian assistance to people who are in need,” Martin said in a news conference aboard the huge, white-hulled ship anchored on Manila Bay.

The Navy allowed some journalists to tour the ship yesterday to show its high-tech medical might. Mercy has 1,000 hospital beds, 11 operating rooms, four intensive-care unit rooms, and has facilities to perform a range of medical services, from CAT scans to tooth extractions, officials said.

Two helicopters on its deck could be used for medical evacuation and search and rescue.

Aside from free medical treatment, the ship also has a 16-member Navy band which plans to perform in Manila and Jolo, Navy Commander Pamela Kunze said.

"They play everything. They're very good and they take requests," she said.
Residents of Zamboanga and Jolo had suffered many attacks by the Abu Sayyaf, a small but brutal group linked to the al-Qaeda network notorious for deadly bombings, beheadings, kidnappings for ransom and other acts of banditry.

US troops had separately undertaken civic projects, including dental treatments and school and road construction, on Jolo for months. They had trained Filipino soldiers battling Abu Sayyaf militants in other southern provinces.

Philippine troops had also launched offensives against Abu Sayyaf rebels in Tawi Tawi.

US-backed military offensives had whittled down the Abu Sayyaf's strength on Jolo from more than 1,000 rebels in early 2000 to about 400.

The Mercy’s trip to the Philippines, which is part of the hospital ship’s five-month deployment to Southeast Asia and the Western Pacific, is upon the invitation of the Philippine government, according to Moore.

The Mercy was also expected to offer free medical services in Indonesia -- where it traveled last year to help treat hundreds of victims of the 2004 tsunami disaster -- Bangladesh, and East Timor. With Associated Press report

Animo

May 22nd, 2006, 08:11 PM

By BEN R. ROSARIO

House Speaker Jose de Venecia Jr. yesterday predicted the revival of the historic "Bandung Spirit" of Afro-Asian cooperation and partnership as he lauded the efforts of President Arroyo and Equatorial Guinea President Obiang Nguema Mbasogo to broaden the partnership between the two nations.

De Venecia and key officials of the Arroyo administration welcomed the West African leader and his party as Obiang started a four-day state visit to the Philippines. Obiang’s party includes his wife—Señora Doña Constancia Mangue de Obiang—and half of his Cabinet led by his foreign minister and finance minister.

Noting that both Philippines and Equatorial Guinea were former Spanish colonies, De Venecia aired the optimism that Obiang’s visit will broaden the partnership between the two nations and introduce bilateral agreements on energy, agriculture, fisheries development and on a wide range of other concerns.

The "Bandung Spirit" referred to the watershed agreement forged in 1955 at the Bandung Conference in Indonesia where representatives from 29 Asian and African nations met to promote economic and cultural cooperation and oppose colonialism and neocolonialism.

"Through their diplomatic cooperation—Equatorial Guinea supported the Philippines’ bid for a non-permanent seat in the Security Council—the two countries are rebuilding the historic ‘Bandung Spirit’ of Afro-Asian partnership," de Venecia said.

De Venecia is honoring the visiting African president with the highest decoration from the House of Representatives—the Congressional Medal of Achievement—for his exemplary leadership of Equatorial Guinea whose political stability and economic growth have been restored following Obiang’s ascension to power in 1979

A heavy schedule awaits the visiting African leader. Obiang is scheduled to fly to Bacolod City on Saturday for a first-hand look at the agricultural estate of the San Miguel Corp. chairman, Ambassador Eduardo Cojuangco Jr. He will fly to Pangasinan on Sunday accompanied by Speaker de Venecia to observe offshore the province’s fisheries and aqua-culture projects including sea-ranching.

De Venecia and Malcolm Sarmiento, director of the Bureau of Fisheries, said more than 25 Philippine fish species can grow in Equatorial Guinea to meet the latter’s requirements for self-sufficiency and exports to the European market.

On the energy front, Obiang will visit the Philippine National Oil Co. in Taguig City on Monday, amid ongoing negotiations for oil and gas exploration in offshore Equatorial Guinea. The country occupies a small territory on the west coast of Africa. It also consists of five small islands where the discovery of hydrocarbon resources opened exploration of its large oil reserves.

De Venecia said the visiting delegation is scheduled to sign several private agreements, including a historic joint venture between the Philippine Bank of Commerce and the National Bank of Equatorial Guinea.

He said Mohammed Salam, who graduated with honors in foreign service from Georgetown University, will be formally appointed honorary Philippine consul general in Equatorial Guinea, where 3,000 Filipino contract workers are currently based. Also expected to be appointed is prominent banker Raul de Mesa, president of the Bank of Commerce, as honorary consul general of the West African country to the Philippines.

Mrs. Arroyo and de Venecia thanked Obiang for the employment of more than 3,000 overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) in Equatorial Guinea’s offshore oil fields and in liquefied natural gas projects being undertaken by the American construction and engineering company Bechtel Corp.

The other OFWs in Equatorial Guinea represent the Philippine Bank of Commerce, which has a joint venture agreement to provide technical assistance to Equatorial Guinea’s first National Bank.

De Venecia said the African president brought his country into a six-nation African Franc Zone and allowed American oil companies to explore and develop offshore hydrocarbon concessions. Equatorial Guinea is the richest of the six nations in the Economic and Monetary Community of Central African States.

"This single policy decision has made his country the third-largest oil producer in Africa, after Nigeria and Angola. He initiated a Liquefied Natural Gas export facility, which will attract .4 billion in foreign investment," the Congressional Medal of Achievement citation said.

After years of difficulties from the old regime, Obiang has been hailed by the World Bank for his administration of his country’s resources, an assessment reinforced by the International Monetary Fund in March 2006.

http://www.mb.com.ph/issues/2006/05/20/MAIN2006052064529.html

chixbebe

May 24th, 2006, 07:57 AM

By Ana Marie Pamintuan
The Philippine Star 05/24/2006
http://www.philstar.com/philstar/News200605240401.htm

The government will unveil today a new security arrangement with the United States that will allow US military involvement in addressing "non-traditional threats" including terrorism, piracy, disease outbreaks and natural disasters.

Philippine security officials emphasized that the new arrangement is not a treaty but an "institutional framework" that will cover issues not specifically cited in the Mutual Defense Treaty (MDT) and the Visiting Forces Agreement between the two countries.

The Philippine government proposed the crafting of the framework about a year ago. Defense Secretary Avelino Cruz, a lawyer, noted that the MDT commits both countries to come to each other’s aid only in cases of external threats.

Under the new framework, a "Special Engagement Board" will be created to deal with the "non-traditional threats" that also include transnational crimes such as drug trafficking and smuggling.

The board will work in coordination with the Mutual Defense Board between the two countries.

Philippine security officials emphasized that the new security framework will not entail a permanent US troop presence or basing arrangement in the country.

The officials said there could be more US troops sent to the Philippines at certain periods to address issues covered by the new framework, such as during disasters, but only if Manila asks for it.

The two governments have completed an exchange of notes on the new framework, security officials said.

They emphasized that the new arrangement is not a formal treaty, which would require ratification by the Philippine Senate.

In 1992, the Senate had voted to shut down US military bases in the Philippines. One consequence was a substantial cut in US military assistance to the Armed Forces of the Philippines, one of the most poorly equipped in the region.

US troops returned to the Philippines for the first time in 2002, as the Arroyo administration committed to support the US-led global war on terror following the attacks in New York and Washington on Sept. 11, 2001.

The first "Balikatan" joint military exercises between the two countries were carried out in Basilan at the height of a hostage crisis precipitated by the Abu Sayyaf extremist group.

That exercise drove the al-Qaeda linked terrorist group out of its jungle stronghold in Basilan.

US troops also conduct joint counterterrorism exercises with Philippine forces in Luzon.

US officials have emphasized that they deploy their troops only upon the request of Philippine officials.

The two countries have just finished the latest Balikatan in Sulu and Tawi-Tawi, with the AFP conducting joint humanitarian and engineering missions with US troops under the Joint Special Operations Task Force-Philippines.

US troops have set up temporary quarters at the compound of the AFP Southern Command headquarters in Zamboanga City.

They will conduct more medical and humanitarian missions together with the AFP later this week in Zamboanga, Basilan, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi when the US Navy hospital ship Mercy goes to the south for a three-week mission on the first leg of an Asian swing.

The Americans help build roads, school buildings, artesian wells and other infrastructure needs in the three provinces where the Abu Sayyaf and Jemaah Islamiyah are known to operate.

heathcliff

May 24th, 2006, 09:47 AM

Last I heard, PGMA was able to bring home more than 500 of our countrymen who were imprisoned in Saudi. They will apparently be enrolled in TESDA to help them start rebuilding their lives.

New investments in tourism, mining and infrastructure, are reportedly also in the offing. Plans to build another oil refinery in Mindanao is also in progress as investment expansion by Aramco, a Saudi government-owned company. The refinery will help us address our energy needs, so as to become less dependent on imported oil.

chixbebe

May 25th, 2006, 09:54 AM

Malacañang defended yesterday the new security arrangement between the Philippines and the United States that would allow US troops to take active part in the government’s efforts against cross-border threats — such as terrorism, piracy and transnational crime — and natural disasters.

Philippine security officials also emphasized that the new arrangement is not a treaty but an "institutional framework" that will cover issues not specifically cited in the defense treaty and the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) between the two countries.

Ermita did not say whether President Arroyo had given her full backing to the new framework for the two countries’ security relations.

"Please note that with our relations with the US, we have been referring to the Mutual Defense Treaty, which is vintage 1950s. That’s a more than 50-year-old treaty and therefore the (new) security arrangement that we have is because of the advent of the different crimes that are coming out, most notably money laundering, terrorism… now we have espionage," Ermita said.

By Paolo Romero
News (http://www.philstar.com/philstar/NEWS200605250401.htm)

Skyblade

May 27th, 2006, 12:01 PM

Friday May 26, 10:16 AM
Link to the Asia Pulse article (http://au.news.yahoo.com/060526/3/z4b3.html)

MANILA, May 26 Asia Pulse - Taiwan and the Philippines have agreed to forge closer cooperation in agricultural development and fishery technology for mutual benefits, officials said Thursday.

The agreement was reached at the conclusion of a three-day meeting in Manila earlier in the day with the participation of agricultural, fishery and forestry administrators from both sides.

Lee Chien-chuan, deputy chairman of the Council of Agriculture, headed a six-member delegation to attend the meeting, the first of ist kind.

The two countries also agreed to work out a mechanism to deal with bilateral fishing disputes which have often arisen because of the two countries' overlapping exclusive economic zones.

Animo

May 28th, 2006, 03:18 AM

PRESIDENT Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo is set to visit Spain by the end of June to seek employment opportunities there for Filipino workers.
In her visit, the President said she hoped that Spain's labor market would open 100,000 jobs for Filipinos in the next two years.

"I also hope to be able to get Spain's tourism investors to the Philippines to give jobs in tourism which is highly labor and skills intensive," she said in a speech at the 27th National Conference of Employers at the Manila Hotel Tuesday.

Arroyo said the provinces Alberta, Manitoba, and Saskatchewan in Canada were also seeking labor agreements with the Philippines that might possibly include temporary migration with an option for permanent settlement.

Alberta's oil fields are said to be as big as Saudi Arabia, said Arroyo who visited the oil-rich kingdom in April.

"Canada expects to start exploring, just exploring because they're still reserves, and they want Filipino labor because Filipino workers are the greatest in the world," she said.

"We are now in sync with the rest of the world insofar as the definition of employment and unemployment is concerned. We used to suffer by comparison partly because of the stringent parameters we impose on ourselves outside of the international definition," she said.

In his opening statement, Francis Chua, president of the Federation of Filipino Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industries, said the country was now on the "verge of economic takeoff," attributing this to Arroyo's "firm, decisive, and brilliant leadership."

Lira D. Fernandez
http://news.inq7.net/breaking/index.php?index=1&story_id=76733

Espma

May 30th, 2006, 03:52 PM

This probably belongs to the tourism thread...but the last paragraph is very very interesting...Has this been posted before?!

Create infrastructure to
boost local tourism'
BY CHRYSEE SAMILLANO

Spanish Ambassador to the Philippines Ignacio Sagaz yesterday encouraged the creation of more infrastructure and other facilities that cater to tourists to boost the country's tourism industry.

Sagaz said Spain is the second world power in tourism. It has a population of 42 million but last year it had 62 million tourists, he said. The tourism industry is the number one industry of Spain, he added.

"Although we rank number two in the world but we are number one in terms of income," Sagaz said. He said the World Tourism Organization is based in Madrid because Spain is important to tourism.

Sagaz said tourism is a wonderful way of generating income and providing jobs. The country will need a complete strategy to improve its tourism industry, he said. "However, you cannot expect many tourists unless you clean your country," he added.

In Spain, we created a huge complex housing subsidiaries around the tourism industry that include restaurants, café, casinos, and others, which fueled the snowball of tourism, Sagaz said. "Your country is as beautiful or even more beautiful compared to its neighboring countries like Thailand. I see no reason why it cannot attract more tourists," he said.

Sagaz said he also would like to invite people from Spain to invest in infrastructure in the Philippines through soft loans. I think infrastructure is important if you want to develop a country, he said.

Bacolod Mayor Evelio Leonardia said he has started to explore with the Ambassador the possibility of Spain considering the dream of the city to come up with a coastal road, he said. "We will make a feasibility study for a north and south coastal road if possible because Sagaz said it can be done," he said. With SM and the growth at the Reclamation Area, a coastal road for Bacolod would be imperative, he said.

Meanwhile, Sagaz said a group of congressmen in the country would like to revive the Spanish subject in the Philippines. He said Spain is ready to finance 60,000 teachers to teach Spanish in secondary schools and they will also negotiate with higher institutions, he said.*CGS

Espma

May 30th, 2006, 03:54 PM

^^^ if the country will get the full backing of Spain regarding bringing Spanish back, I reckon, they should grab that opportunity totally . . . haha maybe i should've posted this on the language thread?!!

Animo

May 30th, 2006, 07:00 PM

^^ Yehey, finally the work of the hispanistas in the Philippines are finally doing something in the government.

Skyblade

May 31st, 2006, 03:15 AM

^^ Indeed, Spain is definitely an untapped market for the Philippine tourism industry. If successful, this would not only benefit the RP in terms of additional tourist and economic growth but ties to a country linked with our history would become even closer.

shadow_can2003

May 31st, 2006, 05:03 AM

Animo

May 31st, 2006, 06:01 AM

^^ Yup, I hope this will end all those colonial 'evil stuff thinking' as we progress into the future. It is now time to enrich our cultural, historical, social, and economical factors in our country.

OtAkAw

May 31st, 2006, 08:35 AM

^^I hope that all these plans would happen.

heathcliff

May 31st, 2006, 09:56 AM

Meanwhile, Sagaz said a group of congressmen in the country would like to revive the Spanish subject in the Philippines. He said Spain is ready to finance 60,000 teachers to teach Spanish in secondary schools and they will also negotiate with higher institutions, he said.*CGS

I hear that PGMA is also going to visit Spain to invite Spanish businessmen to invest in the Philippines.

Proficiency in the Spanish language would definitely open more opportunities for our labor force. I really regretted it when the government decided to remove Spanish as part of the curriculum of study for secondary schools, due to misguided nationalism.

mhe-ann

May 31st, 2006, 12:21 PM

I hear that PGMA is also going to visit Spain to invite Spanish businessmen to invest in the Philippines.

Proficiency in the Spanish language would definitely open more opportunities for our labor force. I really regretted it when the government decided to remove Spanish as part of the curriculum of study for secondary schools, due to misguided nationalism.
I'm just curious, when did the government remove the spanish language subject... I saw some of the HS classcards of my mother (early 70s pa ata un) and there's spanish subject. sayang... I'd love to learn spanish as well.

Animo

May 31st, 2006, 06:17 PM

^^ Late 80's I think with the Aquino administration. My parents had Spanish before in college and I think also in high school.

bitoy

May 31st, 2006, 06:39 PM

^^ Late 80's I think with the Aquino administration. My parents had Spanish before in college and I think also in high school.

After the commonwealth, Spanish subject was still part of the college curriculum and some private high-schools have Spanish subjects.
I was subjected to Spanish since grade school, up to college in the 60's till the early 70's in Aquinas School and UST. But most from Aquinas and UST high school were exempted from Spanish final exams in college because we can easily passed those pre-lim exams. And the Spanish subject was removed in the mid 80's by DEC except from Foreign relation courses, I think.

I still believed that Spanish subject should be made as an elective subject for those who need them for foreign relations. Learning Spanish doesn't make one more skilled than others or more nationalistic, Spanish words have been assimilated to our dialects and everyday living and there is no need to put pressure to students who according from the surveys have a hard time studying in Filipino and English as the medium of instructions.

chixbebe

June 1st, 2006, 09:08 AM

China is very keen on increasing its cooperation with the Philippines in the field of agriculture, fishery, infrastructure, and tourism, according to Deng Xijun, political counsellor of the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in the Philippines.

In a press briefing yesterday on the First Philippine-China Economic Partnership Forum to be held from June 5 to 6 at the Manila Hotel, Deng said that the purpose of the first economic forum is to review the economic cooperation between the two countries in the past year and explore the major areas of future economic cooperation.

The result of the forum, Deng added, would be used as the basis for drawing up a new economic plan for the next five to 10 years for the two countries.

Trade between the Philippines and China, according to Deng, has grown an average of 30 percent a year with the surplus in favor of the Philippines as of last year.

Full Story (http://www.philstar.com/philstar/NEWS200606010703.htm)

Animo

June 2nd, 2006, 07:24 PM

By VLADIMIR A. MAKARENKO Moscow State University

AS our two countries celebrated that day when Philippine President Ferdinand Edralin Marcos and USSR President Nikolai Viktorovich Podgomy signed the Joint Communique formalizing diplomatic relations at the Kremlin’s Vladimirsky Hall in Moscow at 5:30 p.m. on 2 June, 1976, it is likewise important to remember that the history of the Philippines and Russia goes back for almost five centuries.

The archipelago making up the Philippines was known to Russians even during the days of the embryonic Russian state of Muscovy in the early 16th century. Perhaps taken from accounts principally by Chinese, Japanese, and Arab traders, these islands were known collectively to Russians in the early 16th century as Ma-j or Lukonia.

From these hazy beginnings the Philippines entered unambiguously into Russia’s recorded history through accounts filtering back to Moscow of the first circumnavigation of the world that claimed the life of renowned Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan in a skirmish with natives in the remote St. Lazarus’ archipelago in April 1521.

When Sebastian Elcano finally returned to Seville with the ragtag survivors of this fated mission for the Spanish monarchs in 1522, a bishop from Transylvania recorded the stories told by one of the crewmen. This account was first published in Latin in Cologne in 1523 under the title De Moluccis insulis (from the Malaccan Islands).

Magellan’s voyage spurred wide interest among European leaders who saw enormous trade potentials in the new route. De Moluccis insulis eventually found its way to Russia and was translated into Russian presumably between 1525 and 1530. Saltykov-Shchedrin State Library in St. Petersburg is believed to keep a copy of the manuscript. The Russian translation is attributed by scholars to Dmitry Gerasimov, the ambassador of Grand Prince Basil III Ivanovich of Muscovy (1479-1533) to the Papal See in Rome.

Thus, Russia learned about the existence of the Philippine archipelago and its inhabitants at the same time as in other European countries. In succeeding years, more information was gleaned from a variety of other sources: Through the Vatican, New Spain (present-day Mexico), Spain and also through China and other Southeast Asian countries which had been trading with the islands since olden times. It was through these channels that Russia learned about the eventual conquest and settlement of the Philippines by Spaniards in the late 16th century.

It would take more than another 150 years before Russia, then an emerging European power, showed any interest in opening diplomatic relations.

http://www.mb.com.ph/issues/2006/06/03/OPED2006060365820.html

JAMAICUS

June 4th, 2006, 05:44 PM

TODAY is the 60th anniversary of Italy’s founding as a Republic.

The Philippines has had good cultural and economic ties with Italy. Diplomatic relations between the Philippines and Italy were established on July 9, 1947. On the same day, a Treaty of Friendship and General Relations was signed in Rome. The Treaty was ratified in 1948. The PhilippinesItaly Business Council has been promoting trade and investment flow between the two countries. Agreements on investments, labor, and maritime affairs have been concluded, setting in motion intensified bilateral cooperation.

In 2004, the Philippines hosted the Second Philippines-Italy Political Consultations. Recent developments in the two countries and their bilateral, regional, and international concerns, including global and security issues, implications of the coming European Union (EU) enlargement, and the future of the Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) were discussed during the consultations. A Philippines-Italy Memorandum of Understanding on Defense Cooperation was signed in Manila. This accord seeks to enhance defense cooperation and foster greater understanding of military concerns between the Philippines and Italy.

In 2005, the Italian government reserved an additional 1,500 working visas for Philippine nationals as a result of the signing of the Philippines-Italy Agreement for Readmission and Assisted Return of Persons.

The Italian Deputy Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs visited Manila last January. The official stated she would work for the early implementation of a soft loan agreement between the two countries signed in November, 2003, providing 26.205 million euros for the Agrarian Reform Community Development Support program aimed at alleviating poverty in Mindanao by increasing farm productivity and farmers’ incomes.

We congratulate the people and government of Italy led by Prime Minister Romano Prodi, and its Embassy in the Philippines headed by H.E., Ambassador Rubens Anna Fedele, on the occasion of their National Day.

http://www.mb.com.ph/archive_pages.php?url=http://www.mb.com.ph/issues/2006/06/02/OPED2006060265697.html

chixbebe

June 5th, 2006, 10:27 AM

The Philippines is leading efforts to obtain the support of the French government for the candidacy of Thailand’s deputy prime minister as secretary general of the United Nations.

Philippine ambassador to France Jose Abeto Zaide, who has been elected as chairman of the Asean Paris Committee , said he would lead Asean ambassadors in a call on French Foreign Minister Philippe Douste-Blazy to ensure French support for Thailand’s Dr. Surakiart Sathirathai.

Zaide said France’s support would be very vital, as the largest country in Western Europe is a permanent member of the UN Security Council.

“As a [permanent] member of the UN Security Council, France can veto any candidate for the post of UN secretary general,” Zaide said in his report to the Foreign Affairs Secretary Alberto Romulo.

Full Story (http://www.manilastandardtoday.com/?page=politics02_june05_2006)

JAMAICUS

June 6th, 2006, 04:19 AM

RP, China now economic partners

Financing package of $ 32-B in the works Favila, Bo sign accord at Manila Hotel

By DAVID CAGAHASTIAN & BERNIE CAHILES–MAGKILAT

The Philippines and the People’s Republic of China yesterday signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) establishing a bilateral economic partnership that calls for a loan financing package of billion to fund various projects in the Philippines.

The agreement was signed by Trade and Industry Secretary Peter B. Favila and his counterpart Chinese Minister of Commerce Bo Xilai and witnessed by President Arroyo at the opening of the first Philippine-China Economic Partnership Forum at the historic landmark Manila Hotel.

"The MoU calls for the establishment of a long-term framework that would define our economic partnership," Favila said as he quoted Bo Xilai’s statement, "We are turning all the green lights on."

Chinese embassy spokesman Niu Jitao said the memorandum of understanding is an initial step that would facilitate the discussions between the two countries on "a framework agreement that would be signed by the end of the year."

Favila said the Chinese government is considering a Philippine proposal for another loan from China for the construction of the R6.6-billion South Rail mass transit project.

Favila, however, said China would like to "rush" first the North Rail Project, to which it has allocated a $ 900-million loan, before funding the South rail project.

"They are willing to look at another concessional loan for the South Rail, but we have to finish the North Rail Project first because they want to see that we could finish this project before we move on to the next," Favila said.

Mrs. Arroyo and Minister Bo held talks after the opening ceremonies for the economic partnership forum to discuss the areas where the two countries may immediately cooperate.

Favila said the Philippines and China have extensively discussed China’s possible investment in a mass housing program for informal settlers in Metro Manila.

"Minister Bo is considering the proposal. We need about four million housing facilities all over the country, but we think we may start with just one million within this year," Favila said.

National Economic Development Authority Director-General Romulo Neri said China is also looking at helping the Philippines in the area of agriculture and energy.

"They will also support us in agricultural and productivity enhancing measures, in terms of technology and investments. Of course, they are also looking at strengthened cooperation on energy," Neri said.

Neri said the two countries are expected to complete negotiations on several agreements by December when Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao is scheduled to visit the Philippines.

"It’s a basic framework in which China has agreed to invest in areas where we feel that they should invest in and in areas that are mutually beneficial," Neri said.

The proposed framework would include joint cooperation in various areas including agriculture and fishery, tourism, public works, infrastucture, energy and power, rehabilitation and investments in textile and garments industry, industrial estates, mining, and container inspection machine among others.

Based on the MoU, China agreed to make available financing arrangement to make the agreed areas of cooperation viable.

Both parties also agreed to sign the framework agreement for the economic partnership before the end of this year after completing all domestic legal documents.

"There are lots of areas of cooperation between our two countries and this visit is a very fruitful one," the Chinese Minister said.

In his speech, Bo Xilai projected bilateral trade volume to reach $ 30 billion this year surpassing the $ 23 billion target for the year. He also projected that two-way trade would reach $ 50 billion level by 2010.

Federation of Filipino Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry president Francis Chua said the original financing package from the Chinese as presented by Speaker Jose de Venecia, who initiated the forum, was placed at $ 32 billion.

But Chua said the initial commitment that is on the table is at an estimated $ 5 billion.

Both sides, however, have agreed not to put the needed financing to the proposed projects in the MoU.

The financing package would be a 25-year concessional loan with an interest rate of 3 to 3.5 percent annually, but Chua said that if the Chinese view a project as extremely vital they can lower the rates to as low as 2 percent. The Chinese would even consider as grant a portion of a loan package for education.

Some of the new projects being approved in principle include the $ 200 million South Rail project wherein the Chinese would fund the second phase from Calamba to Quezon and even up to Sorsogon.

The Chinese may also fund the construction of an elevated super highway from the North Luzon Expressway in Balintawak through Araneta to C3 connecting to the South Luzon Expressway and bypassing the already congested Epifanio delos Santos Ave. (EDSA). Chua said this project alone is estimated to cost P10 billion. The Chinese party has also identified the China Road and Bridge as contractor for the project.

Chua said the Chinese have already committed for an additional $ 500 million financing for the extension of North Rail all the way to Dagupan. The proposed $ 503 million North Rail project of which the China Eximbank is extending $ 400 million loan is only up to Clark.

The Philippines is also urging the Chinese to invest in the tourism sector, including access roads, airports in the islands and 30 to 40 small hotels. Each local government unit is expected to make a proposal for possible financing.

http://www.mb.com.ph/MAIN2006060666085.html

DoggMann

June 6th, 2006, 07:17 PM

http://www.mb.com.ph/BSNS2006060766131.html

British Embassy to build new building at Megaworld’s Fort Bonifacio project
spacer

By JAMES A. LOYOLA

The British Embassy has signed an agreement with property developer Megaworld Corporation to purchase a 1.2-hectare property for a new embassy building in Megaworld’s McKinley Hill township project in Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City.

The British Embassy, which is currently based in Makati, is among the first institutions to move their operations to McKinley Hill, a 50-hectare mixed-use township catering to an international clientele.

Earlier, Megaworld announced that Enderun Colleges, Inc. will build its second campus, after Ortigas, on a 17,000-square-meter site at McKinley Hill’s educational/ institutional center.

Enderun will offer bachelor’s degree and non-degree courses in hotel and restaurant management and culinary arts. It enjoys the academic consulting support of Les Roches Swiss Hotel Association School of Hotel Management.

Megaworld is also in talks with foreign investors to build international schools at McKinley Hill. The developer will extend the "live-work-play" concept that it pioneered in its flagship Eastwood City project in Quezon City to McKinley Hill.

McKinley Hill’s master plan divides the project into residential, office, retail and educational/institutional blocks.

The first residential phase, McKinley Hill Village, is a residential lots project targetting a high-end market. Since its launch in May 2004, it has sold 75 percent of its 482 lots.

Aside from residential lots, McKinley Hill’s residential block features garden villas housed in four-story condominium clusters. An international school has reserved at least two of these clusters for the use of its teachers.

Megaworld will launch a new residential project called McKinley Hill Mansions by the second quarter of 2006. This French Renaissance-inspired, medium-rise community will comprise two residential phases with a total of 336 condominium units.

Meanwhile, Megaworld is eyeing British companies that specialize in business process outsourcing and IT-enabled services as prospective locators entitled to various tax incentives at the McKinley Hill Cyberpark.

The 35-hectare office block was approved as a special economic zone by the Philippine Economic Zone Authority in August 2005. It will provide a total of 200,000 square meters of high-tech office space for BPO and information technology companies.

The first office tower to be built at the cyberpark, One World Square, will have a gross floor area of 40,000 square meters. The project is slated for completion by end-2007.

In the pipeline for McKinley Hill is a town center that will bring together restaurants, shops and cinemas as well as a sports complex. There will also be an educational and institutional center that will host several international schools as well as churches and parks.

chixbebe

June 7th, 2006, 10:36 AM

The Philippines and Turkey have agreed to form a business council to enhance their trade and security relations, according to Philippines Ambassador to Ankara Bahnarim A. Guinomla.

They have reported to the DFA that they have met the deputy director-general of the Turkish Undersecretariat for Foreign Trade (DTM), Osman Bekaroglu last May 30 to assured that the contracts be continued to improve RP-Turkish trade ties.

He also said that the members of the Turkish trade mission had fruitful meetings with Vice President Noli de Castro, Defense Secretary Avelino Cruz Jr., and other government officials in finance, trade, and public works.

He described the meeting of the Turkish delegation with Cruz as "promising" since Turkey aggressively promoted its military industry.

Full Story (http://www.mb.com.ph/MTNN2006060766170.html)

Animo

June 9th, 2006, 11:05 PM

PRESIDENT Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo will visit Spain, the Vatican and Libya later this month, her spokesman said Thursday.

Arroyo hopes to depart by June 24 although the details of the trip have yet to be finalized, Presidential Spokesman Ignacio Bunye said.

Arroyo is expected to encourage travel to the Philippines to boost tourism in the country -- a former Spanish colony -- and look for more job openings for Filipino workers in Spain, Bunye said.

During her visit to the Vatican, Arroyo, a devout Catholic, is also expected to meet with the new pope, Benedict XVI, Bunye added.

And in Libya, she will continue the Philippines' role in peace talks with Muslim separatist rebels in the south.

"I believe they will be able to contribute to our current peace efforts," Bunye said, adding that Arroyo could also seek a stable oil supply from Libya during her visit.

http://globalnation.inq7.net/news/news/view_article.php?article_id=3454

chixbebe

June 13th, 2006, 02:52 PM

COTABATO CITY — North Cotabato, Central Mindanao’s orchard capital, will soon export fruits to the European Union, a venture the agriculture sector said will improve the area’s economy and generate more jobs.

The Mindanao Cross, a weekly newspaper here of the Oblate congregation, reported the other day that big organizations of orchard farmers in Kidapawan City, North Cotabato’s capital, forged trade linkages with prominent importers in the EU last week.

The trade agreements were signed here in the presence of Ann Abejuela, agriculture attaché to Belgium and Luxembourg.

Kidapawan Mayor Rudolfo Gantuangco, whose office has been helping organize farmers in his jurisdiction for them to have access to international markets, said the marketing linkages between local producers and fruit importers in the EU will project the capability of the North Cotabato to export farm products to the United States as well.

"Most importantly, this venture will provide our farmers much bigger incomes," Gantuangco said.

Gantuangco told Mindanao Cross that local farmers will start exporting exotic fruits such as lanzones, rambutan, mangosteen and durian to Brussels by the last quarter of this year.

Farmers in Kidapawan City and North Cotabato started propagating exotic fruits in the late 1990s through the efforts of former governor Emmanuel Piñol.

Piñol and a group of selected farmers are presently touring Vietnam to study the possibility of replicating in the province the rubber industry there. — John Unson

http://www.philstar.com/philstar/NEWS200606139904.htm

Animo

June 15th, 2006, 08:03 PM

By ALBERTO G. ROMULO Secretary of Foreign Affairs

(Departure statement of Secretary Romulo on his trip to six states, June 14, 2006)

I LEAVE today for a series of visits that advance President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo’s foreign policy of further deepening our engagement with long-time allies, widening cooperation with key partners and reinforcing our shared commitments with the community of nations.

In Washington, DC, I will reaffirm the deep historic and cultural bonds between the Philippines and the United States.

The commemoration of the centenary of Filipino migration to the United States from June 14 to 18 is a testament to the indelible and enduring ties between our countries and peoples and to the tremendous success of our kababayans in their adopted home.

Founded on shared values of democracy, our robust alliance with the United States continues to move forward with a growing recognition and appreciation on both sides of the Pacific for the human dimensions of our relations.

Filipino-Americans constitute the second largest Asian-American immigrant group with ringing voices and an undeniable presence in mainstream American society today.

With their increasing participation and representation in various levels of American affairs and their sustained commitment and contributions to sustaining growth and development in the Philippines, Filipino-Americans are significant forces that will continue to energize RP-US relations well beyond this century.

In Baku, Azerbaijan, I will renew our partnership with the international Islamic Ummah with whom we hold common aspirations for the blessings of peace, prosperity and progress for humanity in all its diversity.

Upon the invitation of my esteemed colleague Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov, I will attend the 33rd Islamic Conference of Foreign Ministers from June 18 to 19 as Guest of host Azerbaijan.

We value this opportunity to express to the Organization of the Islamic Conference our appreciation for their contributions to consolidating the gains of peacebuiilding in the Southern Philippines.

I shall reiterate the Philippines’ commitment to the full implementation of the historic 1996 peace accord with the MNLF, as well as apprise the OIC of the inroads in the peace agreement’s implementation.

It will also be an opportune time to inform the OIC of the positive and resolute pace of the on-going peace talks with the MILF and the achievements and future directions of our government’s peace and development efforts in Mindanao.

Indeed, as we look forward to the conclusion of a peace agreement with the MILF very soon, we reiterate in concrete terms to the OIC the Philippines’ keen and genuine desire to protect, promote and advance the interests of all Muslim Filipinos, regardless of political affiliation and regional cultural association.

This element is important to the Philippines’ national interests and in our quest for a deeper engagement with the OIC.

In Geneva, Switzerland, I will meet with my esteemed colleagues to reemphasize the international community’s continuing commitment to ensure that human rights are observed, protected and promoted for all the world’s peoples.

Our participation in the Human Rights Council’s High Level Ministers Meeting from June 21 to 22 resonates with meaning and significance for our country and people.

The Council, established through UN General Assembly Resolution 60/251on 15 March 2006, replaces and carries on the work of the Commission on Human Rights, which will be formally abolished on 16 June 2006.

We are a nation and people that value human rights. The Philippines’ election to the Human Rights Council demonstrates the confidence of the world community in our unwavering adherence to democratic principles and processes and in our capabilities to advance human rights in the international fora.

I will also join the President during her official visits to the Holy See, Italy and Spain from 26-30 June.

The President will renew the Philippines’ special ties and continued support for the Pope, the spiritual leader of the Roman Catholic faithful throughout the world.

As the only predominantly Catholic country in Asia, the Philippines is in a special position to advocate key issues, including the strengthening of the institution of the family, underscoring the sanctity of life, upholding human rights, and advancing interfaith dialogue.

With the conclusion of Italy’s elections last month, the President will be among one of the first leaders to be met by Italian President Giorgio Napolitano. During their meeting, she will seek support for our debt-for-Millennium Development Goals initiative.

In Spain, the President will meet with King Juan Carlos I, and President Jose Luis Zapatero. She is expected to highlight our shared history and culture and revitalize our partnership in areas of common interest such as trade, investments, development cooperation, culture, and education.

The visit is timely as it coincides with the 4th Anniversary of the Philippine-Spanish Friendship Day and the Philippines-Spain Cultural Year 2006. It is also expected to lay the groundwork for the 60th anniversary celebration of RP-Spain diplomatic relations next year.

As always, I will update our media partners on the developments of these trips.

Thank you for your continued support.
http://www.mb.com.ph/issues/2006/06/16/OPED2006061666916.html

Animo

June 15th, 2006, 08:16 PM

By Ted Torres And Aurea Calica
The Philippine Star 06/16/2006

Spain has extended a grant of 28.5 million euros (roughly P1.8 billion) over a three-year period to the Philippines, with the bulk of the proceeds to pay for social services including education, health, potable water, agriculture and food security, good governance for local governments and the environment.

"A country cannot have real development if its people are without access to health services," said Leire Pajin Iraola, Spain’s Secretary of State for International Cooperation, in a press briefing yesterday.

She said a unique feature of the grant is that it requires the recipient country to raise matching counterpart funds.

The Spanish Agency for International Cooperation (AECI) will directly manage the projects.

"We want to fund the project designs of the country. We want to be part of it until the project is completed. We want to bind the bonding of two nations," she said.

The 28.5-million euro grant under the Fifth Joint Commission is valid from 2006 to 2008 with an annual cash disbursement of 9.5 million euros. Since 1995, the Philippines has received 78.22 million euros (roughly P5.2 billion) from the Spanish government in the form of grants.

The National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) is the coordinating agency for the Fifth Joint Commission. It will also be responsible for capacity-building activities, technical services and approval and monitoring of micro projects.

The Spanish government also pledged yesterday to continue pouring development assistance into Mindanao to help the Philippines eradicate poverty and promote peace in the region.

"It’s a very poor region that has serious problems. We have seen that it has an enormous potential which Spain wants to support, enhance and help," said Iraola in an interview.

Last Wednesday, Iraola personally inaugurated and inspected some Spanish-assisted projects in the south, which were all aimed at helping the communities become self-sustaining in the near future.

Iraola said every project approved for Mindanao was guaranteed to help the communities progress on their own at the barangay, municipal and regional level.

"Behind these structures that we have helped build is a civil society that decides what they want. We just help," she told The STAR. "This is the identity mark of the Spanish cooperation, we support the processes that are decided by the communities, by the people, by the government."

She cited the health center and water supply system they built in Mindanao, which are being sustained by the people through small fees. Spanish authorities make sure that the network they create will correspond with the needs of the citizens, she added.

Iraola acknowledged that the problems in Mindanao could not be solved overnight but said there are good prospects for development.

In February, the Spanish government announced that it has chosen the Philippines as its top priority among other countries in Asia and has earmarked up to 40 million euros or about P2.5 billion in grants-in-aid to be used in different developmental programs over the next four years.

Spanish Ambassador Don Ignacio Sagaz said Spain has decided to upgrade its cooperation with the Philippines in fighting poverty in other areas of the country as well like Bicol, Caraga, Zamboanga City and Basilan and Western Mindanao.

Good relations

Meanwhile, the Spanish government is now preparing for the official visit of President Arroyo to Madrid late this month.

"Today, we can say that we have unprecedented good relations between the two countries, not only at the level of government but at the level of the people. The President’s visit will make this relationship even closer," Iraola said.

Spain has actually declared 2006 as the year for the Philippines to develop mutual knowledge of both countries.

Iraola said the Spanish government would be ready to strengthen cooperation on tourism, counterterrorism and other areas.

Specifically, she said Spain would want to make Filipinos more aware and proud of their Spanish heritage. The Philippines and Spain, she added, should not only focus on their past but on the present and future.

Spanish institutions like the Instituto Cervantes has been very aggressive in promoting Spain’s language and culture among Filipinos.

The Spanish diplomat expressed hope that the Spanish language would be revived in Philippine universities as learning Spanish could open a lot of opportunities for Filipinos in Spanish-speaking countries.

On counterterrorism, Iraola said they want to extend cooperation on intelligence and the fight against terrorism. "Counterterrorism is a priority in our foreign policy and internal policy that is shared by the Philippines," she said.

The Spanish government heavily emphasized respect for human rights, though, saying the Philippines must always uphold such rights.

Asked whether the Spanish government was concerned over reports of alleged human rights abuses in the Philippines, including killings of activists and media practitioners, Iraola said it would want Manila to ensure that the rights of its citizens were always defended.

But Spain welcomed the news on the impending abolition of the death penalty, especially as one of their nationals is currently on death row.

She was referring to Francisco Juan "Paco" Larrañaga, who, along with six others, received the death sentence for the killing of sisters Jacqueline and Marijoy Chiong in Cebu in 1997.

"I want to seize this opportunity to congratulate the President for this measure of the abolition of the death penalty that reflects her courage and her commitment (to end capital punishment) even before," she said.

The President is expected to sign the bill abolishing the death penalty next week. Other countries, including the Vatican, have also lauded the Philippines for scrapping the death penalty.

http://www.philstar.com/philstar/News200606160402.htm

chixbebe

June 19th, 2006, 10:18 AM

Australia has approved close to A$70 million in official development assistance to the Philippines for 2006-2007, making the country among the top six recipients of Australian foreign aid.

Australian Ambassador Tony Hely said the financial assistance for the Philippines has been increased to over A$8 million from last 2005-2006 program’s A$62 million.

Managed by the Australian Agency for International Development (AusAID), Australian aid to the Philippines is entirely in the form of grants, Hely said.

AusAID Counsellor Angus Macdonald said Australian aid is delivered through different mechanisms: project aid involving an Australian managing contractor with support staff from Australia and its partner countries; Australian funds directed through United Nations specialised agencies; in association with the World Bank and the Asian Development Bank; and direct funding to Filipino non-government organizations.

“Planning and delivery of most aid is through our bilateral country program to the Philippines. Country strategies are discussed with the Philippine Government at annual High Level Consultations, and major decisions are made jointly,” Macdonald said.

“But some additional aid is channelled to the Philippines through our regional program as well,” he added.

Under the CPS 2004-2008, the Philippines and Australia continues to pursue the goal of poverty reduction through three broad objectives: improve economic governance in key government agencies to create the environment for broad-based growth and improve fiscal and economic management.

It also aims to strengthen security and stability through counter-terrorism capacity building and support for the Mindanao peace process; and improve the living standards of the rural poor in the southern Philippines by increasing the quality of, and access to, education and training, and addressing local-level constraints to rural income growth and human development through an area-focused approach in selected provinces.

“The three strategic objectives are closely intertwined. Progress on governance and security issues is a prerequisite for sustainable rural development, while security and stability have major impacts on the environment for private sector engagement,” he said. Michaela P. del Callar

http://www.tribune.net.ph/nation/20060619nat4.html

Animo

June 25th, 2006, 07:47 PM

To strengthen trade, security ties with Western countries

By DAVID CAGAHASTIAN

De Castro named gov’t caretaker

President Arroyo left yesterday morning for a week-long official working visit to Italy, the Vatican and Spain aimed at strengthening trade and security ties with Western countries and attracting more European investments to the Philippines, particularly in the area of tourism.

Mrs. Arroyo has designated Vice President Noli de Castro as government "caretaker" while she is abroad, and has issued directives to authorities to keep ready rescue and relief measures in case of a full-blown eruption of Mt. Bulusan in Sorsogon.

In her departure speech, Mrs. Arroyo said her trip to Europe will focus on "life, unity and prosperity," as her meetings with world leaders in Europe would include a private audience with Pope Benedict XVI at the Vatican, and bilateral meetings with her counterparts from Italy and Spain.

Mrs. Arroyo will also call on Spain’s King Juan Carlos I and Queen Sophia.

"Buhay, pagkakaisa at kasaganahan ang tema ng aking lakbay. Sa unang pagkakataon, makikipagkita ako sa Santo Papang Benedicto XVI sa Vaticano upang ihatid sa kanya ang pagtangi at pagtataguyod ng ating sambayanan sa kanyang pagka-Papa," Mrs. Arroyo said.

"At nagpapasalamat ako sa Kongreso dahil mayroon akong madadalang magandang pasalubong sa kanya—ang ating abolition ng death penalty," she added.

Aside from informing the Pope about the Philippines’ abolition of capital punishment, Mrs. Arroyo will also convey the Philippines’ invitation for him to visit the country, Press Secretary and Presidential Spokesman Ignacio Bunye said.

"I’m sure the President will convey the invitation of the Filipino people to the Pope, considering that the Philippines is the third largest Catholic country in the world, and the largest in Asia. One of the objectives of the President in the Vatican is to reaffirm our strong ties, and an invitaiton to the Pope to visit the Philippines will most probably be in the agenda," Bunye said.

Mrs. Arroyo was scheduled to arrive in Rome at 6:30 p.m. on Sunday (Rome time, or 12:30 a.m., Monday in Manila).

Bunye said Mrs. Arroyo’s trip to Europe aims to "reinvigorate and strengthen bilateral relations with three of the country’s most important partners in Europe."

"In Rome, she will meet the newly installed Italian leaders—President Giorgio Napolitano and Prime Minister Romano Prodi. She will not only seek to establish rapport with the new Italian government, but also try to increase economic links through more trade, investments and tourism. She will also further our cultural bridges," Bunye said.

Mrs. Arroyo particularly cited her mission in Spain to attract Spanish investments to the Philippine tourism sector, as Spain is widely known as having risen to world economic prominence through its tourism program.

"Sa Madrid, makikipagkita ako kina Haring Juan Carlos at Pangulong Jose Rodriguez Zapatero, at sa mga pinunong komersyal at lokal sa España. Nagpapasalamat ang sambayanang Pilipino sa España dahil siya ang pinakamalapit na kaalyado at tagataguyod natin sa Europa. At dahil ang España ay yumaman sa turismo, hahanap din tayo ng mga investors para sa turismo sa Pilipinas," Mrs. Arroyo said.

Bunye said that De Castro "has the support of the government bureaucracy, the Philippine National Police and the Armed Forces of the Philippines. The caretaker position is what he has been assuming when the Chief Executive is abroad," Bunye said.

http://www.mb.com.ph/MAIN2006062667780.html

Rodrigo

June 26th, 2006, 02:58 AM

beads_strawberries

June 26th, 2006, 06:29 AM

heathcliff

June 26th, 2006, 07:37 AM

The president pushed through with the trip to bolster strong bilateral relations with these countries. Investors will be sought and tourists to the country will be encouraged.

The president had recently visited Saudi Arabia and came back with much good news. Hopefully, the trip to Europe will be fruitful as well.

The political opposition is brewing trouble again in PGMA's absence. Here is the president barely recovered from her recent illness and back on a state visit, and politicians at home fall all over themselves to file their impeachment complaint. What an insult to the nation.

Animo

June 27th, 2006, 11:53 PM

Pontiff expresses approval of pro-life policies President’s party flies to Spain today

By GENALYN D. KABILING

VATICAN (via PLDT) — President Arroyo yesterday invited Pope Benedict XVI to visit the Philippines, the third largest Catholic country in the world and the largest in Asia, as she extended the great love of the Filipino nation for him.

The President, who is on a weeklong European tour on life, solidarity and prosperity, conveyed the invitation of the Filipino people to the Pope during their 30-minute meeting at the Apostolic Palace here.

Arroyo said she felt "encouraged and inspired" after the Pope expressed support for the way she is running the government, particularly its adherence to the doctrines of the Catholic Church, as well as for her proposed constitutional reforms.

The President said the Pope commended her government for its pro-life policies against death penalty, abortion, divorce, as well as preferential option for the poor during their cordial talks.

"We are lucky to have a Pope who understands the country and the people. I told him the Filipinos love him very much and are awaiting for his visit in the Philippines," she said in an interview with NBN Channel 4 at the St. Regis Hotel after the meeting.

The President said the Pope was knowledgeable and "very interested" about the happenings in the country, adding the Pontiff led the conversation most of the time.

"The Pope loves the Philippines and appreciates its obedience to the Catholic Church doctrines," she said.

Arroyo revealed that the Pontiff expressed misgivings about the interference of the Church to state affairs, which should focus instead on helping the poor.

She said she drew this obversation from encyclical book the Pope gave her regarding the role of Church in social justice.

"In this encyclical, the Popes states the role of the Church in finding justice. He wants good relations between government and the Church," she added.

Arroyo likewise informed the Pope about her proposed constitutional reforms, including a shift to a parliamentary government.

"He was very encouraging and supportive of the government policies," she said.

Citing restrictions on protocol, the President refused to give more details about the meeting, including her request for the additional Filipino cardinals and acceleration of the sainthood of Filipinos Mother Ignacia and Pedro Calungsod.

http://www.mb.com.ph/issues/2006/06/27/MAIN2006062767876.html

Animo

June 28th, 2006, 05:50 AM

Asks for more benefits, social services for OFWs Driver’s license, social security among requests

By GENALYN D. KABILING

ROME, Italy (via PLDT) — President Arroyo yesterday asked the Italian government for additional benefits for Filipino workers here, including automatic conversion of driver’s license and expanded social security benefits.

The President sought to improve the welfare of Filipinos working here during her meetings with Italian President Giorgio Napolitano and Italian Prime Minister Romano Prodi at the Qurinale Palace and Chigi Palace, respectively.

"The President thanked the Italian government for its good treatment of our countrymen working here and made a number of requests connected with the overseas Filipino workers," Press Secretary Ignacio Bunye said in a press conference at the Hotel Torino here.

Bunye said the President had requested the new Italian leaders to relax migration rules and regulations on Filipino workers, whom she had described as the preferred employees of Italian business firms.

"The Prime Minister responded that everything is in the pipeline. In other words, mukhang done deal yung ating hinihiling na may kinalaman sa kaluwagan sa ating mga migrants," he said.

Bunye said the President also pushed for an agreement on the proposed automatic conversion of driver’s license of Filipinos, which allows them to drive in Italy without having to take examinations.

The proposed memorandum of understanding on the automatic conversation of driver’s license was proposed by Italy on Oct. 30, 2001. The Italian government has already accepted the Philippine counter draft but has yet to set a date on the signing of the agreement.

Lastly, the President pushed for the signing of the RP-Italy Social Security Agreement, originally drafted in 2001 that ensures benefits for Filipino workers here.

"In other words, if you are a social security service member in the Philippines, the SSS payments could be reimbursed or credited in Italy," Bunye said.

He said Prime Minister Prodi promised to study thoroughly the proposed social security agreement, which is expected to benefit thousands of Filipino workers here.

The Philippines and Italy began negotiations on the agreement in March 1983. The agreement has not yet been signed for over two decades.

Bunye said the Italian Prime Minister was in a good mood during the President’s meeting since he had just won a nationwide plebiscite and Italy won a football match against Australia at the World Cup. "The meeting of Prodi and President Arroyo had a jubilant mood. The meeting went very well," he added.

After the meeting, the President left for Bilbao, Madrid to spend private time with her family before she proceeds to Madrid to carry out the last leg of her week-long visit to Europe. They are expected to spend the night at the Santiago de Compostela to celebrate the 60th birthday of First Gentleman Jose Miguel Arroyo.

Arroyo vows to stick to path of governing the country

ROME, Italy (via PLDT) — Buoyed by the blessings from Pope Benedict XVI, President Arroyo has promised to stick to the path of governing the country with her policies and programs even though she has drawn flak for some of them.

"I will not be deterred and I will continue with the path," Arroyo said in a chance interview with Manila-based reporters Monday night after she completed her two-day visit here.

The President was asked about her discernment after she held a 30minute meeting with the Pope at the Apostolic Palace at the Vatican the same day.

The Holy Father has praised the Arroyo government for its adherence to the teachings of the Catholic Church, particularly in its pro-life policies such as the abolition of the death penalty as well as preferential option for the poor.

It was the first meeting betweeen the President and Pope Benedict XVI since his election in April last year following the death of Pope John Paul II.

Mrs. Arroyo, a devout Catholic, said the Pope was "very supportive and encouraging" in his comments about the government’s obedience to the sacred Church doctrines.

"Sa aming pag-uusap, very encouraging siya sa ating patakaran at very supportive sa ating mga patakaran. Inaasahan ko talaga na patuloy yung suporta ng simbahan sa ating mga sinisikap na gawain lalo na para sa mahihirap," she said in a later interview over state-run NBN 4 television network here.

The President said she also informed the Pope about her planned reforms in the degenerated political system to facilitate faster economic growth through constitutional amendments.

"Ang masasabi ko ay very encouraged ako sa mga komentaryo nya at marami roon ay siya na mismo ang nagtanong," she said.

Arroyo noted that the Pontiff was abreast with the events in the Philippines and has sent his love and support for the Filipino people.

"Malaki ang pagmamahal nya sa Pilipinas at gusto niya na tayo ay maging mapayapa at maunlad na bansa," she said.

On a week-long working tour in Europe on life, solidarity, and prosperity, the President has invited the Pope to visit the Philippines soon during their private meeting at the Papal Library.

Mrs. Arroyo has offered the Pope the abolition of the death penalty and an image of Our Lady of Guidance "as expressions of faith of the Filipino people."

Meanwhile, the Migrante International said that Italian, Filipino, and other migrant activists greeted President Arroyo when she arrived at the Grand Hotel in Rome, Italy where she was staying during her visit to Italy.

Migrante chairperson Connie Bragas Regalado said the activists carried large streamers calling for the ouster of GMA, a stop to the political killings, and a stop to milking overseas Filipino workers (OFWs).

"They also shouted the same slogans within hearing distance when GMA was about to enter the hotel," she said.

Earlier, Regalado said the Filipino activists were misled by Philippine embassy officials in Rome about the exact hotel where Mrs. Arroyo would be staying, but that sympathetic media persons gave them the exact information. They were able to position themselves several minutes before Arroyo arrived.

Organizers said Mrs. Arroyo and her entourage were visibly surprised. Several Italian and Filipino media agencies were also present to cover Arroyo’s arrival and the protest.

"Although the picketers did not secure a permit, they were able to hold the protest for several minutes before the Italian police arrived and threatened to bring the leaders of the group to the police station," Regalado said. (Genalyn Kabiling and Raul Gonzales)

Football game delays meeting of Prodi andArroyo

ROME, Italy (via PLDT) — President Arroyo has learned that football, not foreign relations, is the top priority in Italy when she was caught up in the World Cup frenzy while visiting the football-crazed nation.

But fortunately Italy emerged victorious at last Monday’s game at the World Cup in Germany, which the President has taken advantage of in her meeting with a jubilant Italian Prime Minister Romano Prodi.

The President’s scheduled meeting with the Italian parliament leader was delayed for half an hour last Monday following the victory of Italy at a football game that paved the way for its entry to the finals.

Mrs. Arroyo, on a two-day visit here for trade talks, was supposed to meet Prodi at 7 p.m. but was moved to 7:30 p.m. at the Chigi Palace here as Prodi and other officials opted to watch the football game first on television.

Press Secretary Ignacio Bunye said the President did not mind the delay since it became a blessing in disguise. (GDK)

http://www.mb.com.ph/issues/2006/06/28/MAIN2006062867956.html

beads_strawberries

June 28th, 2006, 06:55 AM

^ I heard she's also working out for the overstaying Filipinos in Italy. Italian officials assured the president that the Amnesty Law approved in 2002 by the Italian government is still implemented so that our undocumented workers in Italy will have their means applying for amnesty and documentation.

I believe Filipino workers are given high regard in Italy for their work ethics and competence.

chixbebe

June 28th, 2006, 09:44 AM

IMPSA plans to build new power plants in RP (http://www.philstar.com/philstar/NEWS200606280708.htm) an Argentine power firm plans to put up some new Power Facilities here in our country. They said that they are eager to put in New investment here although our economy is not that stable. They said that they would likely be engaging in the development of renewable energy sources.

I believe our Country is never left when it comes to countries looking for a great investments...This would mean more jobs too. :cheers:

darielqrenz

June 28th, 2006, 10:23 AM

it will be better if the political instability is over while the other neighbours has done a great job of improving their economy with stability politic

chixbebe

June 29th, 2006, 10:32 AM

The government has offered to supply Taiwan sand and gravel for the next 10 to 15 years in which it estimated export revenues of about $250 million a year.

Trade and Industry Undersecretary and Board of Investments (BoI) managing head Elmer Hernandez met last June 6 with Taiwan’s Vice Minister of Economic Affairs for Policy Dr. Hou Ho-Shong to discuss the possibility of supplying the territory’s requirements of about 22 to 25 million metric tons of the materials annually.

In that meeting, Hernandez made a presentation to Taiwanese officials on three possible rich sources of sand and gravel that are the provinces of Zambales, Aurora in Quezon, and the Cagayan Valley.

Under the proposed long-term supply deal, Taiwan agreed in principle to pay $10 per metric tons of sand and gravel needed for its booming construction industry.

Hernandez said, Hou is the chief policy maker in multiple areas including water resource management, energy production and industry, mining and natural resource management, geological science and survey, and state-owned enterprise administration and organization.

Hernandez added the government of Taiwan is even willing to build a port facility to provide logistical support for the importations.

A follow-up meeting has been scheduled next month along with the visit of Hou and Taiwan’s Director of Mines in Manila.

During the visit, Hernandez said he will arrange a meeting between the Taiwanese government officials and the governors of Aurora and other identified areas. The Taiwanese are specifically seeking crushed sand and gravel from the rivers.

http://www.tribune.net.ph/business/20060629bus3.html

Animo

June 30th, 2006, 12:42 AM

By GENALYN D. KABILING

MADRID, Spain (via PLDT) - Coming from an overnight respite at a nearby seaside tourist place with the First Family, President Arroyo starts today a two-day official visit with scheduled meetings with King Juan Carlos I of Spain and other government and business leaders here.

The President is expected to forge agreements on labor and defense cooperation with the former colonial ruler and urge businessmen to invest in the Philippines in the fields of tourism, alternative energy, and information and communications technology, Press Secretary Ignacio Bunye said.

After spending private time at the Santiago de Compostela near Bilbao, the President will resume the second leg of her European working tour at 9 a.m. today. Early this week, Mrs. Arroyo met with Pope Benedict XVI at the Vatican and parliament leaders in Italy.

Upon arrival in Madrid, the visiting President will proceed to the Congress of Deputies and Senate of Spain to meet with legislators and later motor to the Madrid City Hall at Plaza de Villa to meet with local officials led by Madrid Mayor Alberto Ruiz Gallardon.

Mrs. Arroyo will then lay a wreath at the Rizal Monument, a bronze replica of the shrine at Luneta Park in Manila, at the Avenida de las Islas Filipinas.

At noon, the President will deliver a speech before the officers and members of the Confederation of Employers and Industries of Spain at its headquarters on Calle Diego de Leon.

The President is expected to invite the Spanish business community to invest in the Philippines, particularly in tourism and mining.

Afterwards, the President will hold separate meetings with King Juan Carlos I at the Palacio Real de Madrid and President Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero at the Palacio de la Moncloa to boost bilateral relations and promote the interests of overseas Filipino workers.

The leaders are expected to witness the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MOU) in preparation for a bilateral agreement next year allowing the entry of Filipino workers to Spain.

Labor Secretary Patricia Sto. Tomas, in a press conference at the Gran Hotel Canarias here, said the first batch of 40 Filipino medical workers has already arrived here on work permit basis under the pilot labor project between Manila and Madrid.

Another 60 Filipino workers will follow in August and 60 more in September, Sto. Tomas added.

"This will be documented and submitted to the Spanish government, and if all turns well, this will open the door for other Filipino workers," she told Manila-based reporters covering the President’s visit here.

Sto. Tomas said the signing of the bilateral agreement depends highly on the performance of the first batch of Filipino workers in the next six months.

During her stay in Spain, the President will hold meetings with former Spanish President Jose Maria Aznar, Partido Popular president Mariano Rajoy, and business magnate Ruiz Mateos, and officials of the Union Fenosa, the third biggest power utility company in Spain.

The visit of the President also coincides with the 4th anniversary of Fil- Hispano Friendship Day on June 30 and the celebration of Philippine-Spanish cultural year 2006.

Arroyo is expected to lead the Filipino-Hispano Friendship Day reception before she departs for Manila.

Diplomatic ties between the Philippines and Spain were established on Sept. 27, 1947. The Philippines was a colony of Spain for over 300 years.

Last year, Spain was the country’s 32nd largest trading partner with over $ 155 million in total trade.

President hits back at Archbishop Cruz for political comment

MADRID, Spain (via PLDT) —- Thousands of miles away from the Philippines, President Arroyo yesterday hit back at a Filipino Catholic archbishop for infusing politics into her meeting with Pope Benedict XVI last Tuesday at the Vatican.

The President, through Press Secretary Ignacio Bunye, reminded former CBCP president Archbishop Oscar Cruz to respect the Pope’s message of peace and unity for the Philippines.

"Archbishop Oscar Cruz is not the spokesman of the Holy See and must not twist the words of the Holy Father, whose prime concern is the plight of the poor and the full engagement of the Church in the spiritual realm, not in partisan politics," Bunye said in a press conference at the Gran Hotel Canarias here.

Archbishop Cruz had earlier criticized the President for misinterpreting the Pontiff’s message of support for her pro-life policies, such as the abolition of the death penalty, as a blanket support for her government.

Bunye, however, said the President was "inspired" by the kind words of the Pope, and she would strive harder to improve the welfare of Filipinos here and abroad and boost economic growth through more investments.

"The President’s visit to the Vatican won countless blessings for the Filipino people in terms of moral and spiritual guidance, so let us not force politics into the picture," he said.

"Let the Pope’s words speak for themselves in reinforcing the message of peace, unity, and hope for the Philippines," he said

Emerging from her 30-minute meeting with the Pope last Tuesday at the Apostolic Palace, the President said the Pope praised her government for its adherence to Catholic Church doctrines, particularly respect for human life.

Mrs. Arroyo added the Holy Father was "very encouraging and supportive" of her government in its plans to pursue constitutional reforms to boost political stability and enhance economic growth. (Genalyn D. Kabiling)

http://www.mb.com.ph/issues/2006/06/29/MAIN2006062968046.html

Animo

June 30th, 2006, 12:43 AM

100,000 OFWs assured of jobs in next 5 years Local skilled professionals in demand in Spain

By GENALYN D. KABILING

MADRID, Spain (via PLDT) — The Philippines has forged an unprecedented labor pact with Spain paving the way for the entry of 100,000 Filipino skilled workers in that country in the next five years.

President Arroyo, on a two-day official visit here, and President Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero witnessed the signing of the memorandum of understanding on labor at the Palacio de la Moncloa.

The new labor pact will allow Spain for the first time to open its doors to Filipino professionals and skilled workers in large numbers, according to Labor Secretary Patricia Sto. Tomas.

The pilot project arrangement, signed by Sto. Tomas and her Spanish counterpart Jesus Caldera of the Ministry of Labor, was in preparation for the signing of a bilateral labor agreement next year.

Forty of the first batch of 100 Filipino workers have arrived here while 60 others will arrive in August on a work permit basis. The third batch of Filipinos will be allowed entry by September.

"In succeeding years, other Filipino professionals may be absorbed by the Spanish labor market whose health care sector alone is estimated to need a million foreign workers within the next five years," Sto. Tomas said.

The labor chief said Spain will open its market for workers in health care and hotel and restaurants this year, construction in 2007, manufacturing in 2008, and mining in 2009.

If the pilot test runs without any hitch, Sto. Tomas said, the two countries could link a bilateral labor agreement during the state visit of President Arroyo here next year.

A working knowledge of the Spanish language is necessary to qualify for jobs in Spain, the labor chief said.

This will be the first time Spain will enter a bilateral labor agreement with labor-exporting countries since it closed its doors to such pacts in 2002.

At present, most overseas Filipino workers in Spain are currently employed as domestic helpers with individual agreements with their employers.

Under its labor and migration rules, foreign migrant workers may come to Spain on a one-by-one or individual basis up to a maximum of five per year, which has discouraged private companies to hire from the Philippines.

"This explains why most of Filipinos deployed to Spain are in the domestic service," Sto. Tomas said.

Sto. Tomas, who will assume her new post as chairman of the DevelopmentBank of the Philippines (DBP) next week, said the MOU could be Spain’s last bilateral labor accord with an Asian country since Madrid has tightened controls on the entry of new foreign workers even from its fellow EuropeanUnion (EU) member nations.

Sto. Tomas has reminded the first batch of Filipino workers to fulfill their contracts and prove to their employees that Filipinos are the best skilled workers in the world.

During a visit at the Los Nograles nursing home where the first batch of Filipino workers are employed, Sto. Tomas said the good performance of the group would facilitate the flow of other countrymen seeking to land a job here.

The wages of the workers, mostly physical therapists, nurses and caregivers, range from 800 euros to 1,400 euros. Spain is a preferred country for labor deployment because it has one of the highest pay scales for workers in the EU.

Foreign workers in Spain also enjoy equal treatment and other benefits, including annual wage increase, 14th month bonus and paid vacation leaves.

Despite the favorable employment situation in this country, the Philippines had been unable to send workers to Spain because of the absence of a labor agreement between the two countries, according to Sto. Tomas, who laid the grounds for the agreement in 2004.

The Arroyo government has consistently credited the dollar remittances of overseas Filipino workers for keeping the local economy afloat.

In return, the administration has vigorously promoted the welfare of the OFWs and their families back home, by cutting down on remittance costs.

Spanish solons praise GMA for abolition of death penalty

MADRID, Spain (via PLDT) — After getting kudos from the Vatican, President Arroyo yesterday earned praises from the parliament of Spain for the abolition of the death penalty in the Philippines.

Leaders from the Congress of Deputies and the Madrid City Hall hailed the President for keeping her "moral commitment" to repeal capital punishment, which they claimed would bring closer the two predominantly Roman Catholic nations.

Upon her arrival for a two-day official visit here, the President, looking radiant in a violet business suit, was given a red carpet welcome by local government executives.

House Speaker Manuel Marin said the Spanish parliament has "deep respect" for how Arroyo has been dealing with "sensitive issues" such as capital punishment in the Philippines, which runs against the pro-life teachings of the Catholic Church.

"On the behalf of the Spanish parliament, we would like to publicly acknowledge your decision to abolish death penalty in your country. We are delighted," Marin told the President inside the parliament house

"I have to tell you I am moved by the fact that I’m here sitting next to a lady president who has a moral serious commitment to abolish death penalty. We greatly admire those people of people who are keeping their word, people who maintain such cordial relationship in the face of the demands of the Spanish government," he added.

The President, in return, thanked the parliament leaders for their warm hospitality and affection, noting she would pursue "life, solidarity and prosperity" during her visit here.

After delivering his remarks, Marin gave the President a miniature of Spain’s 1812 constitution placed "so you will remember us."

The President later motored to the Madrid City Hall at Plaza de la Villa where she was likewise lauded for the removal of the death penalty in the Philippines.

"We have to celebrate your latest political success when the Philippine Congress abolished the death penalty, a brave measure that brings us even closer, if this were possible, as societies that have rejected this extreme measure of defending our freedoms," Madrid Mayor Alberto Ruiz Gallardon told the visiting leader.

Gallardon said Madrid recognizes the pro-life commitment in the Philippines when she declared three days of mourning as a result of the terror attacks in March 2004, "a gesture that demonstrates the closeness and solidarity." The mayor also cited the President’s agenda on national reconciliation, union among political forces, fight against poverty, job creation and peace initiatives in Mindanao as she marks the second year in office on June 30.

Gallardon the awarded the President the title of Distinguished Visitor in the city of Madrid before she left for the wreath laying ceremony at the Rizal Monument nearby.

From the Rizal Monument, the President sat for lunch with members of the Confederation of Employers and Industries of Spain in its headquarters in Calle Diego de Leon.

Mrs. Arroyo was expected to make a strong pitch for investments in the areas of tourism, infrastructure, and mining in her meeting with the Spanish businessmen.

Afterwards, she met with King Juan Carlos I at the Palacio de la Zarzuela and Spanish President Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero at the Palacio de la Moncloa last night.

Before she travelled to Madrid, the President and the First Family spent two nights at the Santiago de Compostela near Bilbao, Spain for rest and recreation.

First Gentleman Jose Miguel Arroyo said they also went on a pilgrimage around the quaint Spanish town, particularly in their miraculous churches there.

http://www.mb.com.ph/issues/2006/06/30/MAIN2006063068135.html

Animo

June 30th, 2006, 12:44 AM

TO preserve and perpetuate the centuries-old ties between our country and Spain, Congress passed Republic Act No. 9187 declaring June 30 of every year in our country as Philippine-Spain Friendship Day. Spain is foremost among the many countries with which the Philippines has had relations. Many of our ideas and ideals, customs and traditions, history and culture were enriched or shaped by Spain.

"Predicar, Pacificar, y Poblar" (Preach the Gospel, Pacify the Inhabitants, and Colonize the Country) were King Philip II’s instructions to Miguel Lopez de Legazpi. Thus the conquistadores and the friar-missionaries spread all over the country in obedience to these royal instructions.

Christianity is Spain’s foremost contributions to the Filipino people. The year-round devotion of the people to the Child Jesus and Mother Mary show how Christianity has governed every aspect of Philippine life since its implantation in Cebu in 1565.

Through the two-and-a-half centuries of the galleon trade between Manila and Acapulco, Mexico, Spanish colonists enriched Philippine flora and fauna. Cacao, coffee, casuy, avocado, maize, peanuts, tomato, potato, chili, chico, cattle, horses were brought to the Philippines by the Spaniards from North and South America, thereby forever changing the country’s landscape and the people’s tastes.

Churches, convents, forts, and storehouses enriched Philippine architecture. Miag-ao Church and the poblacion of Vigan, Ilocos Sur, are World Heritage Sites.

Philippine languages were also enriched. "Gobierno," "calsada," "la mesa," "silla," etc. are some of the many Spanish words that are now part of the many Philippine languages.

Three centuries of Spanish rule taught us that "liberty is a gift of priceless value." Dr. Jose P. Rizal himself acknowleged his indebtedness to Spain’s liberal traditions. The 1812 Cadiz Constitution provided the foundations for the Filipino Reformist Movement. Even President Emilio F. Aguinaldo cited this historic constitution as the primary reason for the Filipino people’s libertarian struggle.

All these led Filipino and Spanish writers to call Spain the Mother Country (La Madre España) and the Philippines her Daughter (la hija las Islas Filipinas). Such a relationship deserves to be called "Amistad Duradera" – a strong and lasting friendship.

http://www.mb.com.ph/issues/2006/06/30/OPED2006063068116.html

sandrin

June 30th, 2006, 01:20 AM

RP inks 350-M euro deals with Spain

The Philippine Star 06/30/2006

MADRID (via PLDT) — The Philippines will get some 350 million euros in fresh investments from Spanish businesses as a result of the visit of President Arroyo here while other deals remain in the pipeline.

Trade Secretary Peter Favila said Filipino businessmen and their counterparts were still finalizing other agreements for possible investments in the country.

He said Banco Bilbao Vizcaya, one of Spain’s top banks, will offer a 200-million euro credit line facility to Burgundy Global Exploration Corp. in Palawan.

Others include the development of Port Irene in Cagayan (50 million euros), hotels and resorts (50 million euros) and projects to facilitate growth and commerce (50 million euros).

"There are still ongoing talks between the Philippine and Spanish businessmen," he said.

Favila said Spanish investors in the Philippines would also meet with Mrs. Arroyo here such as the cement producer Semex and Soluciones, an electricity company with a stake in giant power retailer Manila Electric Co.

Favila said other businessmen were also interested in infrastructure projects such as railways, sea ports and others.

He added various areas of investments were discussed such as information technology, mining, defense system and technology, waste management, water treatment, tourism and even traffic systems.

Two large hotel chains in Spain, Favila said, would also meet with Mrs. Arroyo to determine whether they would push through with their investments in the Philippines to be able to establish a greater presence in Asia.

These are the Occidental and Ramada groups of hotels.

Tourism Secretary Ace Durano said they would offer Subic, Palawan, Boracay, Bohol and other provinces with great beaches to these prospective investors.

Durano said he had also met with Qatar airlines and the six largest tour operators here to be able to implement tourism promotion and attract more scuba divers to the Philippines.

He said it would be important to have a target market so its government would get a quick return on its investments in tourism promotion.

Durano noted only 8,000 Spanish tourists came to the Philippines last year but this could increase if diving sites and other beaches in the country were introduced to them properly.

Animo

June 30th, 2006, 01:30 AM

^^ Thats great news! I like the plans for establishing hotel chains in the Visayas. :)

Animo

June 30th, 2006, 04:55 PM

BY THE WAY By Max V. Soliven
The Philippine Star 06/30/2006

The word from Spain is that our Presidenta has charmed Spanish parliamentarians and all she met in Madrid with her excellent command of Spanish. It’s true enough that GMA – most of us here don’t realize – grew up speaking that language. Her mother, Evangeline Macaraig Macapagal was a fanatical Hispanophile with an eye for nuance and punctillo.

Just as eloquent, it might be added parenthetically, is our Foreign Affairs Secretary Bert Romulo, who earned his Doctorate in Laws from the Universidad Central de Madrid sobresaliente.

I’m happy that on this journey, Spaniards and Pinoys alike were reminded of our heritage, our legacy from Madre España born of a common faith and four centuries of close embrace, albeit as the farflung colony of an Iberian people who found themselves trying to rule a globe-girdling empire even before they themselves had become a nation.

Several years ago, when this writer went to Buenos Aires, I was hosted by some leaders of the Senate of Argentina.

I was later to carry the personal invitation of then President Carlos Saul Menem to President Joseph Estrada to come on a state visit to Argentina. When Erap accepted, I had warned our irrepressible former Chief Executive: "Compadre, you may look somewhat Castillian, indeed like a Mexican Pancho Villa, but for Chrissakes don’t try to give any of your speeches in Spanish!"

The truth is that Erap can emote in English quite fluently, despite his efforts to denigrate Inglis-Inglis or war-war but he can’t even manage Chabacano. In any event, when we got to Santiago, Chile, where he, too, had been invited by their President, he rashly produced a speech written in Spanish. To his consternation, the lights in the banquet hall were dim and flickering, and he stumbled blindly through what must have been a floridly written address. It was a period of agony for him and all of us Pinoys in the audience. But when he concluded his bumbling performance, Estrada gave "El Presidente de la Nacion de Chile, and all the grandees and VIPs assembled, a solemn wink, and mischievously cracked: "How did you like my Spanish?"

They guffawed in appreciation and rewarded him with thunderous applause. The country bumpkin act had saved the day for Erap para sa Masa, even without his getaway jeepney.

In Buenos Aires he was more cautious and stuck to English . . . of sorts. He was even awarded by the famous Jesuit University there with a Doctorate in Humanities or whatever. When he descended the podium, his former classmates greeted him: "Now comes the hard part – to get an Ateneo High School diploma!" (He had been booted out of the Ateneo for fighting an American classmate mano-a-mano, in a slugging match quite different from the Pacquiao-Larios dust-up this Sunday).

But I digress.

Coming back to my own reception in Argentina’s Senate, I was cornered by the deputy Speaker (I think), who had been scheduled to receive me in his office for 15 minutes, but the visit turned into 45 minutes or more, because he loved to reminisce about his old friends who were Filipinos – he truly loved our people whom he viewed as "kindred Latins."

"Why did you abandon us?" The distinguished, elderly solon finally remarked. "It has done you, my hermanos, no good. Did you know? The reason my old friend the late General Carlos P. Romulo was elected President of the United Nations General Assembly is because the Philippines belonged to the Hispanic and Latin American bloc. In every UN vote, whenever our compatriots from Filipinas posed a resolution, we would all vote solid: an automatic 29 votes (today, I might say but correct my arithmetic, 32 or more)."

The Senator snorted. "What did you get when you decided you were African-Asians, or something like that. The Africans pay you no heed, the Asians vote against you or ignore you! Is it too late to come ‘home’ to us, with whom you truly belong?"

That is the question.

* * *

Despite so many people lining up to file "impeachment" cases against her yesterday (and former Vice-President Teofisto "Tito" Guingona – susmariosep – preaching civil disobedience), La Gloria must have enjoyed her sojourn in Madrid and her visit to her friends, His Majesty King Juan Carlos and Queen Sofia.

By this time, she must also have met with Prime Minister/President Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero, whose Socialist PSOE Party had defeated former President Jose Ma. Aznar’s then ruling Partido Popular (and its candidate Mariano Rajoy) in a stunning upset, carried over the top by 10.903 million votes in March 14, 2004.

Just as Winston Churchill had led Britain during the war years to victory over Hitler, but had been defeated and his party turned out of power in the first postwar elections, Aznar had propelled Spain to unprecedented prosperity in his eight years in office – only to see his foes, the Partido Socialista Obrero Español (PSOE), grab 164 seats in parliament (Congreso de los Diputados), while the Partido Popular under Aznar’s successor Rajoy, garnered only 148.

The crushing defeat was attributed to last-minute accusations of a government cover-up in the terrible Estacion Atocha bombings of four packed trains the preceding Thursday which had killed 200 commuters and gravely injured 1,500. The Basque separatist guerrillas of ETA had initially been blamed by the Aznar government, but then it surfaced Saturday that, contrary to earlier assertions, Islamic terrorists had detonated those "movil" backpacks which exploded with deadly efficiency – the Abu Hafs al-Masri Brigades, reputedly a branch of al-Qaeda.

The irony of the situation is that my wife, Precious, and this writer had arrived on a flight from Manila only the night before. We had been met at Barajas airport that Wednesday (March 10) by our Ambassador, Joseph Delano "Lani" Bernardo y Medina, and Jose "Pepe" Rodriguez. I had remarked when we motored into Madrid that the capital looked too peaceful and serene for a place where the election campaign was in its last few days. Everybody had expected a Partido Popular win.

The following morning, about 7:35 a.m., blasts from the nearby Atocha station rattled the windowpanes of our hotel, the Westin Palace. Three powerful bombs exploded within five minutes of each other in three districts of the city – on trains bound for the centrally located Atocha. If the terrorists had got their timing "better," they might have obliterated a hundred more people waiting on the train platforms. In any event, the victims were executives, employees, workers, students, housewives, school children – coming into the heart of the capital for work or study. The second cluster of bombs exploded at the Estacion Santa Eugenia. A third at Pozo del Tio Raimundo devastated several coaches.

On the twisted rails it was a scene from hell. Blood and body parts everywhere.

That Day of Infamy will be forever remembered.

The pity of it is that I remember the city was sunny and bright, like a clear day in early spring. Madrid was as pretty as a picture. The sky azure blue.

Inside the station, there were grisly scenes of wrecked coaches, the dead with limbs blown off, the wounded being painfully carried off, blood streaming from face and body, to clinics, aid stations and overflowing hospitals.

At the strike of 1 p.m., a nation united in grief – prayed. Everybody from folk in the street, to Cabinet members, to "everyman" bowed their heads in silent prayer for the dead, and for succor for the dying. The cadavers piled onto the floor of the Convention Center – where international fairs are usually held – right in one of Madrid’s posh districts, signalled the shocking electoral turnabout of March 14. Terrorists, it was later said, "changed" the course of a democratic election.

This must never be allowed to happen again. In our country, the alarums may sound shrill and unnecessary. But remember Madrid!

What we should emulate is the courageous way in which the Spaniards responded.

Next day, the rain in Spain fell – not on the plain – but on millions of Spaniards marching in sorrow and fury in their cities and urban centers in the wake of the tragedy.

In Madrid, an angry and determined multitude of 2.3 million demonstrators paraded, although drenched by incessant downpours, holding flickering candles under their soaked umbrellas, the Madrileños expressed their solidarity and their condemnation of terrorism.

A letter sent to an Arabic-British newspaper late Thursday night tried to claim responsibility for the outrage in the name of the Abu Hafs al-Masri Brigades, a branch of al-Qaeda – but few believed it then, including President (Prime Minister) Jose Ma. Aznar and Interior Minister Angel Acebes, although both were careful not to completely absolve the Muslim terrorist movement.

Friday night’s surging crowds continued to chant, "Quien ha sido?" (Who did it?) followed by a wrathful "Asesinos!" (Assassins!).

When you consider that Madrid’s population is just three million, to have 2.3 Madrilenos pouring into the streets, jamming avenues, broad boulevards, and parks – a heaving sea of umbrellas and indignant, prideful, weeping humanity – you better believe that everybody in that metropolis turned out to demonstrate.

Some cried out, "No esta lloviendo – El Cielo esta llorando!" (It is not raining – Heaven is crying!). Nothing is more poetic and steeped in passion than the Spanish language.

Marchers were cheering, "Hoy, somos todos Madrilenos! Somos todos Españoles!" (Today, we’re all Madrileños! We’re all Spaniards!"). It was an expression, from the heart, of a mounting spirit of solidarity – no more "regionalism" to split this politics-wracked nation apart.

Let me just say that to be in Spain, at this poignant moment – to witness this "coming together" to glimpse the bravery and pain, the outpouring of national spirit was to feel privileged and somehow ennobled.

All day Thursday, after coming from the carnage of Zona Cero, this writer saw thousands lining up at vans marked "Donaciones de Sangre" (blood donations) to donate blood for the wounded and the dying, as well as clinics and hospitals. Flowers and candles were being placed at the Atocha, the Pozo and Santa Eugenia stations where the "Goma Dos" explosives, in 10 different explosions, had created such havoc and gore. Prayers were being said everywhere. Volunteers were queuing up to offer their services. Taxi drivers were offering free rides to the families of the victims as they searched for their loved ones, whether still living or already dead.

It was also admirable on the part of the authorities – within hours of the tragedy – to get the trains back on track and running. A nation fighting back refusing to be cowed, vowing justice and retribution.

And Friday night, Spaniards marched. In Barcelona, Spain’s second city – where the Catalans, too, are restive – 1.3 million demonstrated in "solidarity", unity and support, sharing the grief, holding up the ideal of one Spain. They were in the streets in Valladolid, Zaragoza, Oviedo, Valencia, Sevilla, Santiago de Compostela (up north in Galicia), Santander, Toledo, Pamplona, Teruel, Alcala de Henares – a roll call of Spanish cities. Even in Bilbao, in deepest Euskadi.

I wish our own people, so divided, fault-finding and fractious, could somehow find such unity of heart and purpose, not in sorrow – but in joy. We’re called, in a survey, 7th among nations who take pride in themselves. Pinoy Pride is what brought us to Everest, to victory in the SEA Games, to win through in so many unheralded ways.

We have inherited the Spanish flaws of character. Let us, however, not forget the iron in the Hispanic soul, which was shown on the battlefield, in the conquest of new worlds, in the soul-searching of poetry and literature which characterizes its literature. Our hero, Dr. Jose Rizal hated Spanish tyranny but loved Spain.

Which is why he sought not separation from the Mother’s womb, but for Filipinos to be treated with equality and respect. Does this make him a flawed hero? The brilliant thinker, writer and Ambassador Leon Ma. Guerrero, who was more amazingly literate in his cups then in his other, lesser moments, once wrote a book calling Rizal, The First Filipino. Perhaps this is true, not in the cynical sense, but in common sense.

JustHorace

June 30th, 2006, 05:30 PM

^^Wonderful article there, Animo! I just hope that we strengthen our relations with Spain. Gloria should increase her frequency of visits to Spain and Latin America and then speak Spanish to impress businessmen, statesmen, leaders and even the common citizens. There's a good market there waiting for us, their "brothers", the Filipinos, to take advantage of it. Who knows? When time comes, we might be seeing a Spanish-speaking Philippines (hehehe...):D

Animo

June 30th, 2006, 05:39 PM

^^ Yeah, Gloria until 2010!!! :D I like this part the most:

Coming back to my own reception in Argentina’s Senate, I was cornered by the deputy Speaker (I think), who had been scheduled to receive me in his office for 15 minutes, but the visit turned into 45 minutes or more, because he loved to reminisce about his old friends who were Filipinos – he truly loved our people whom he viewed as "kindred Latins."

"Why did you abandon us?" The distinguished, elderly solon finally remarked. "It has done you, my hermanos, no good. Did you know? The reason my old friend the late General Carlos P. Romulo was elected President of the United Nations General Assembly is because the Philippines belonged to the Hispanic and Latin American bloc. In every UN vote, whenever our compatriots from Filipinas posed a resolution, we would all vote solid: an automatic 29 votes (today, I might say but correct my arithmetic, 32 or more)."

The Senator snorted. "What did you get when you decided you were African-Asians, or something like that. The Africans pay you no heed, the Asians vote against you or ignore you! Is it too late to come ‘home’ to us, with whom you truly belong?"

That is the question.

;)

JustHorace

June 30th, 2006, 05:55 PM

^^Haha, that line in bold letters is very evident in some threads in this forum. It feels so happy to know that the Philippines belonged to the Latin community then. And still up to now, they treat us as their brothers. I like their attitude. Even if it seemed that we have abandoned them, they're still waiting in the same spot we've left them...hoping that the Philippines would return 'home' someday.

"...the Philippines belonged to the Hispanic and Latin American bloc. In every UN vote, whenever our compatriots from Filipinas posed a resolution, we would all vote solid: an automatic 29 votes (today, I might say but correct my arithmetic, 32 or more).".

Animo

June 30th, 2006, 05:57 PM

^^ Oo nga. Hindi nga nila pina-pansin iyong mga threads natin sa ibang forums dito. Minsan sobrang down vote pa!

Animo

June 30th, 2006, 05:58 PM

The Philippines among the World's Top 10 most patriotic countries according to a study made by NORC (http://www.norc.org/) (National Organization for Research) at the University of Chicago.

The Philippines landed 6th place in a 3-way tie with Bulgaria and Japan as far as the average rating of National pride measured on two scales: General National Pride and Specific Achievements.

Rank Country
1 United States
2 Austria
3 Canada
4 Ireland
5 New Zealand
6-8 (3way tie)
Bulgaria
Japan
The Philippines
9 Norway
10 Spain
11 Great Britain
12 Hungary
13 The Netherlands
14 Slovenia
15 Sweden
16 West Germany
17 Poland
18-19 (2way tie)
Czech Republic
Italy
20-21(2way tie)
East Germany
Russia
22-23 (2way tie)
Latvia
Slovakia

National Pride: A Cross-national Analysis (http://www.norc.uchicago.edu/new/patriot.htm)

JAMAICUS

June 30th, 2006, 06:06 PM

^^ MOst patriotic..... glad we still have honor for our nation.... but I don't know about respect......

vince_rilian

June 30th, 2006, 06:35 PM

I used translate.google.com (sorry ha, di ko kasi naintindihan eh)
CRUDE TRANSLATION FROM SPANISH TO ENGLISH LANGUAGE: (MEDYO MATATAWA DIN KAYO SA PAGKA TRANSLATE, PERO AT LEAST MAS MAY SENSE KUNG HINDI KAYO NAKAKAINTINDI NG SPANISH...)

El Gobierno español se compromete a profundizar las ‘históricas’ relaciones con Filipinas en su Plan Asia-Pacífico

The Spanish Government is committed to deepen `historical' relations with the Philippines in his Asia-Pacific Plan

El Gobierno español hará 'todos los esfuerzos' posibles para que las relaciones entre España y Filipinas sean 'más profundas, intensas y eficaces', puesto que actualmente se observa un cierto 'desequilibrio' y una 'falta de contenido' en las mismas, según señaló hoy el director general de Política Exterior para Asia y Pacífico del Ministerio de Exteriores español, José Eugenio Salarich, con motivo de la primera 'Tribuna España-Filipinas' celebrada en Madrid.

The Spanish Government will deliver “all the attacks” possible so that the relations between Spain and the Philippines are “deeper, intense and effective”, since at the moment it is observed a certain “imbalance” and a “lack of content” in the same ones, according to today indicated the chief of a main directorate of Foreign policy for Asia and Pacific of the Spanish Ministry of Exteriors, Jose Eugene Salarich, in the occasion of the first “celebrated Spain-Philippine Tribune” in Madrid.

Todos los participantes en la misma coincidieron en destacar que pese a que las relaciones entre los dos países son 'históricas', no son todo lo buenas que cabría esperar y necesitan reforzarse, sobre todo en el plano económico, pero también en el social y el cultural. Así, el diputado del PP, Gustavo de Arístegui, propuso que se comience por los temas de interés para los dos países, entre los que la lucha contra el terrorismo, dijo, podría ser un asunto clave.

All the participants in the same one agreed in emphasizing that although the relations between both countries are “historical”, are not all the good ones that she would be possible to hope and need to reinforce itself, mainly in the economic plane, but also in social and the cultural one. Thus, the deputy of the PP, Gustavo de Arístegui, proposed that he begins himself both by the subjects of interest for countries, between which the fight against the terrorism, said, could be a key subject.

Aunque las relaciones con Filipinas en el plano político son 'excelentes' pero 'es necesario llenarlas de contenido', indicó Salarich. 'Las cifras dejan mucho que desear en los ámbitos económico, financiero y de inversión' por lo que, surbayó, es necesario buscar un 'equilibrio', al que podría contribuir el fomento del turismo, esencial para el conocimiento muturo de sus ciudadanos.

Although the relations with the Philippines in the political plane are “excellent” but “it is necessary to fill them of content”, indicated Salarich. “The numbers leave much to be desired in the scopes economic, financial and of investment” reason why, surbayó, it is necessary to look for a “balance”, to which it could contribute the promotion of the tourism, essential for the knowledge muturo of its citizens.

Según el representante de Exteriores, Filipinas es un país prioritario para España y el Gobierno del presidente Jose Luis Rodríguez Zapatero quiere que lo siga siendo en el marco del Plan de Acción Asia Pacífico que lanzará 'en los próximos días'. Según Salarich, este plan busca que Asia se convierta en el cuarto eje de la política exterior española, de la que actualmente son ejes fundamentales Europa, Iberoamérica y el Mediterráneo.

According to the representative of Exteriors, the Philippines are a high-priority country for Spain and the Government of president Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero wants that he within the framework continues it being of the Plan of Action Asia Pacific that will send “in the next days”. According to Salarich, this plan looks for that Asia becomes the fourth axis of the Spanish foreign policy, of which at the moment are fundamental axes Europe, Ibero-America and the Mediterranean.

En este sentido, De Arístegui destacó que hay un 'déficit en la relación hispano-filipina que tenemos que empezar a paliar'. Para ello, añadió, es necesario buscar 'sinergias' y mantener un estrecho contacto en todos los planos, tomando como base los 'temas de interés mutuo'. Entre estos temas, en opinión del diputado popular, 'la lucha contra el terrorismo' podría convertise en la base ideal sobre la que fomentar las relaciones entre los dos países.

In this sense, Of Arístegui it emphasized that there is a “deficit in the Hispanic-Philippine relation that we must begin to palliate”. For it, it added, it is necessary to look for “sinergias” and to maintain a close contact in all the planes, taking as it bases the “subjects of mutual interest”. Between these subjects, in opinion of the popular deputy, “the fight against the terrorism” could convertise in the ideal base on which to foment the relations between countries both.

LUCHA ANTITERRORISTA

De Arístegui consideró que Filipinas tiene mucho que ofrecer a España y a Europa en cuanto a la distinción que se hace 'entre islamismo radical e Islam' y en cuanto a la 'excelente integración por ejemplo de diputados musulmanes en el Congreso' en un país mayoritariamente católico. Así, abogó porque Madrid y Filipinas 'compartan experiencias y análisis, intercambien información e inteligencia e incluso lleven a cabo operaciones' en el marco de la lucha contra el terrorismo internacional como se hace actualmente con otros países europeos, del Mediterráneo o americanos.

IT FIGHTS ANTITERRORIST

Of Arístegui it considered that Philippine it has much to offer to Spain and Europe as far as the distinction that become “between radical islamismo and Islam” and as far as the “excellent integration for example of Muslim deputies in the Congress” in a mainly catholic country. Thus, it pleaded because Madrid and the Philippines “share experiences and analysis, interchange information and intelligence and even carries out operations” within the framework of the fight against the international terrorism since it takes control at the moment of other European countries, of the Mediterranean or Americans.

Salarich dio la bienvenida a la 'sugerencia' del diputado del PP ya que, dijo, el terrorismo 'es un tema que nos afecta tanto a España como la Filipinas' y 'estamos embarcados en la misma barca'. Tanto España como Filipinas, destacó, 'han sido objevo pasivo de la lacra del terrorismo y son actores activos de la lucha internacional antiterrorista'.

Salarich gave the welcome to the “suggestion” of the deputy of the PP since, it said, the terrorism “is a subject that affects so much to us to Spain as the Philippines” and “we are embarked in the same boat”. As much Spain as Philippine, emphasized, “they have been objevo passive of damages it of the terrorism and are active actors of the antiterrorist international fight”.

Por su parte, el embajador español en Manila, Ignacio Sagaz, 'más de tres siglos de historia juntos no se pueden perder y necesitan ser revitalizados'. Según el diplomático, 'Filipinas tiene que ser la puerta de Oriente para España y España el puente hacia Europa y Latinoamérica para Filipinas'. 'Hay que dar un salto cualitativo' en las relaciones bilaterales y centrarlas 'en las cosas que nos unen como nuestras raíces, la religión o la cultura' fomentando también el estudio del español en la antigua colonia.

On the other hand, the Spanish ambassador in Manila, Ignacio Sagaz, “more than three centuries of history together cannot be lost and needs to be revitalized”. According to the diplomat, “the Philippines have to be the door of East for Spain and Spain the bridge towards Europe and Latin America for the Philippines”. “It is necessary to give a qualitative jump” in the bilateral relations and to center them “in the things that unite to us like our roots, the religion or the culture” also fomenting the study of the Spanish in the old colony.

Su homólogo filipino en Madrid, Joseph D. Bernardo Medina, coincidió en que hay que 'evitar que la presencia de España se vea cada vez más reducida si no se toman medidas' ya que, destacó, 'Filipinas es el único pedazo de España en Asia'. Bernardo consideró que actualmente 'tenemos en nuestras manos las herramientas necesarias para construir un puente entre nuestros pueblos, pero lo que hace falta es voluntad e interés'.

Its homologous Philippine one in Madrid, Joseph D. Bernardo Medina, who agreed in is “to avoid that the presence of Spain sees more and more reduced if measures are not taken” since, it emphasized, “the Philippines is the only piece of Spain in Asia”. Bernardine it considered that at the moment “we have in our hands the tools necessary to construct a bridge between our towns, but what does lack is will and interest”.

Por otra parte, aprovechó la ocasión para hacer un llamamiento al Gobierno español a que apruebe alguna medida similar a la emprendida por la presidenta filipinas, Gloria Arroyo, que, a iniciativa del senador Edgardo Angara --presente hoy en el acto en Madrid y estudioso del tema de los llamados 'últimos de Filipinas-- de que todos los 30 de junio se celebre en el país asiático el Día de la Amistad Hispano-filipina.

http://baleria.com/?p=45

On the other hand, it took advantage of the occasion to make a call to the Spanish Government to that it approves some measurement similar to the undertaken one by the president Philippine, Gloria Stream, that, to initiative of senator Edgardo Angara --present today in the act in Madrid and student of the subject of the last calls 'of the Philippines-- of which all the 30 of June the Day of the Hispanic-Philippine Friendship is celebrated in the Asian country.

[OH, AT LEAST MADE SOME SENSE]

Animo

June 30th, 2006, 10:20 PM

Sells tourism, energy sectors as ‘profitable’ ‘Make RP your gateway to Asia,’ she says

By GENALYN D. KABILING

MADRID, Spain (via PLDT) — Banking on the close historical and cultural ties between the Philippines and Spain, President Arroyo has invited the business community in Spain to invest in tourism, energy, and other profitable sectors in the Philippines.

The President offered the Philippines as Spain’s "gateway to Asia" in pushing for reinvigorated partnership through more trade and investments during her two-day official visit here.

In a meeting with members of the Confederation of Employers and Industries of Spain Thursday in its headquarters here, the President said the Philippines remains an attractive destination for Spanish investments, citing its strategic location and wealth of highly skilled Filipino workers.

"We invite Spanish companies to invest in our tourism sector so that we can benefit from the successful Spanish experience in tourism. We also welcome investments in the energy, and technology and communication sectors, as well as in infrastructure," she said in fluent Spanish during a meeting Thursday with the top Spanish businessmen’s organization with a membership of one million private and public companies.

"We hope that the robustness of our historical and cultural relations could also be translated into a more heightened economic and commercial cooperation," she added.

Mrs. Arroyo expressed gratitude over the interest shown by Spain in the Philippines, its strongest bastion of influence in the Asia-Pacific region, aside from the strong economies of Japan, China and Korea as an investment destination.

"The strategic location of the Philippines in relation to these three big economies reinforces our potential as a logistics hub and we offer the Philippines as Spain’s gateway to the economies in Asia," she said.

In return, Mrs. Arroyo said she also expects Spain to bring the Philippines closer to other countries in Europe.

The President said the Philippines offers many attractive advantages for Spanish investors, among others, "a workforce that is English-speaking, highly literate, hardworking, most adaptable, most congenial, highly trainable and with strong ethics and customer orientation."

She said the country’s competitive edge in tourism comes from the quality of the Filipino workforce, the natural beauty of the Philippine islands, Hispano-Asian culture, and hospitality of Filipinos.

"Tourism is one of the sectors with the highest growth in the Philippine economy, posting an annual growth rate of more than 13 percent since my assumption of the presidency," she said.

Mrs. Arroyo also urged businessmen to look into medical tourism, currently backed by the services of Filipino doctors, nurses and caregivers known worldwide for their professionalism and efficiency.

In developing tourism in the Philippines, Mrs. Arroyo said the hotel sector would require 20,000 tourism-quality rooms by 2010.

To sustain and maintain growth in tourism, the President said the country needs investments in infrastructure particularly building of roads, modernization of airports and seaports, development of transport system that will link islands and inland destinations.

In her earlier speech before the Congress of Deputies, the President said the Philippines has one of the most stable economies in Asia following the tough fiscal reforms implemented by her government last year.

Trade Secretary Peter Favila said both governments and private sector must work closer to encourage more business activities to flow between the two nations.

RP, Spain agree to tighten security cooperation

MADRID, Spain (via PLDT) -- The Philippines and Spain have reaffirmed their interest to forge closer defense cooperation to battle terrorism and other transnational crimes.

President Arroyo and her Spanish counterpart Jose Luis Rodriguez-Zapatero agreed to expand the defense collaboration between the two governments during their meeting at the Palacio de la Moncloa.

A memorandum of intent to conclude negotiations on a bilateral defense cooperation within this year was signed afterwards by their respective defense ministers.

"The Philippines greatly values the support of Spain because the world in which we live continues to be threatened by ideas that undermine the values of freedom and democracy worldwide," Mrs. Arroyo, who ends her two-day state visit here, said.

"Terrorism comes in many forms and is motivated by diabolic reasons; no one in this world is spared," she added.

Defense Secretary Avelino Cruz Jr said the new security arrangement would facilitate exchanges in the fields of logistics, defense industry, training and education, and counter-terrorism.

He said it would also allow a mechanism for security and defense dialogue and establish a joint technical working group to explore areas of cooperation.

"Among the areas of defense cooperation are logistics, education and training, counterterrorism, transnational crimes, maritime security. We can exchange our best practices in fighting terrorism," he said in an interview with reporters.

Cruz said the Arroyo administration would invite Spanish defense industries to participate in the public bidding of basic equipment of Filipino soldiers back home under the military’s modernization program.

Shortly after their meeting, President Arroyo gave Zapatero a replica of the famous bells from Baler, Aurora in celebration of the Philippine-Spanish Friendship Day on June 30.

Around 50 Spanish soldiers made a history-making last stand for their country during the Philippine-Spanish war that ended in 1899, now known as the siege of Baler.

Republic Act 9187 declaring June 30 as Philippine-Spanish Friendship Day was authored by Sen. Edgardo J. Angara and enacted into law in February 2003. The law seeks to celebrate annually the cultural and historical ties of friendship and cooperation between the Philippines and Spain.

Meanwhile, President Arroyo has requested the government of Spain to allow the automatic accreditation of their driver’s license here.

Addressing around 250 Filipino workers gathered at the Conde Duque here, the President yesterday said she made the appeal to Spanish President Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero during their meeting at the Palace de la Moncloa.

The President, who ends her two-day visit today, said Zapatero agreed to review the proposal which seeks to expand the benefits of Filipinos working here.

"Para mas maging maginhawa ang paglalakbay sa Espanya, sa mga nagmamaneho dito, nilalakad natin na kung meron kayong lisensya pag-maneho sa Pilipinas yan ay pwede na maging automatic na lisensya ninyo dito," she said, eliciting applause from the crowd.

In her speech, the President also thanked the overseas Filipino workers for projecting a good image of the Philippines in Spain. She also expressed gratitude to the Filipino community for sending remittances which have helped the local economy stay afloat.

Former Agrarian Reform Secretary Rene Villa, meantime, was conspicuously part of the business delegation that accompanied the President at the Filipino community affair.

Villa was among the 10 Cabinet members and senior government officials who resigned in July last year and demanded the resignation of the President on election fraud charges.

Villa, speaking to reporters, denied that his presence at the event was an expression of support for the embattled President.

Villa, now working as a consultant for Winace Holdings Inc., said he joined the President’s travel to Spain as part of his profession, adding politics was not involved.

Other members in the President’s party were Sen. Miriam Santiago, outgoing Labor Secretary Patricia Sto. Tomas, Foreign Affairs Secretary Alberto Romulo, other Cabinet officials and congressmen. (Genalyn D. Kabiling)

http://www.mb.com.ph/issues/2006/07/01/MAIN2006070168231.html

Animo

July 2nd, 2006, 02:30 AM

Arrives at Villamor Air Base at 8 a.m. Set to report on fruitful European visit

By GENALYN D. KABILING

MADRID, Spain (via PLDT) – President Arroyo brings home to the Filipino people today the blessings from Pope Benedict XVI, a wealth of fresh investments, and renewed diplomatic and economic relations following her weeklong travel to its three major partners in Europe.

The President and her official delegation departed from Madrid last night and are scheduled to arrive at 8 a.m. today at Villamor Air Base in Pasay City.

She just completed a hectic visit in Spain with the theme "life, solidarity, and prosperity."

The President said she would remain focused on governance and economy, particularly on reducing poverty, in the face of a resurgence of political noise when she returns home.

"Ang pulitika ay pinauubaya ko sa Panginoon at aking mga kaalyado," she said in an interview with Manila-based reporters here.

When she returns to Manila, Mrs. Arroyo faces impeachment complaints at the House of Representatives on alleged violation of the Constitution and betrayal of public trust.

In the last leg of her European tour, the President said top Spanish officials and leading businessmen have agreed to consider the Philippines as its gateway to Asia due to its strategic location to the three big economies in the region.

During her meetings with King Juan Carlos I and President Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero, Mrs. Arroyo said she has offered to collaborate with Spain to make the Philippines its regional base from which to access the region.

"The strategic location of the Philippines in relation to the strong economies of Japan, China and Korea reinforces our potential as a logistics hub or center of their operations," she said.

The President also said she conveyed the message that the Philippines is an attractive destination for Spanish investments, particularly in tourism, energy and infrastructure.

Mrs. Arroyo said she has assured investors of a business-friendly climate in the Philippines, promising to eliminate red tape and corruption in the bureaucracy.

So far, the President has obtained over 580 million euros worth of new investments, mostly for oil exploration, hotel and restaurants, and port development during her visit in Spain.

Mrs. Arroyo also secured a new labor agreement allowing the entry of Filipino skilled workers in Spain in large numbers starting off with health care workers.

According to the President, of all the countries in Europe, Spain has the deepest ties with the Philippines.

The President told the Spanish leaders about her proposal to initiatePhilippine-Spanish cooperation on the promotion of human rights.

"We are proud of our Filipino workers and I find their participatory presence most mutually rewarding, which contributes to better understanding and greater awareness between our two peoples," the President said.

Prior to the visit in Spain, the President earned praises from Pope Benedict XVI for the abolition of the death penalty in an audience at the Apostolic Palace in the Vatican.

The President presented to the Pope a hardbound copy of Republic Act No. 9346 abolishing the death penalty in the Philippines.

In accepting the President’s gift together with an image of the Nuestra Señora de Guia, the Pontiff praised the Arroyo government for its pro-life policies and preferential treatment for the poor in deference to Roman Catholic Church teachings.

In return, the President expressed the love of the Filipinos for the Pope and invited him to visit the Philippines soon.

For his part, Pope Benedict gave the President a religious book and other mementos of the Vatican.

Philippines, Spain sign defense accord

The Philippines and former colonial masters Spain signed an agreement Saturday aimed at boosting defence ties and at increasing cooperation in the fight against terrorism and international crime.

The memorandum of intent was signed when President Arroyo met with Spanish Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero and other Spanish leaders, a presidential statement said in Manila.

Philippine Defence Secretary Avelino Cruz was quoted as saying that the two countries had to improve their defence ties that are presently limited to logistics cooperation and the exchange of information.

He called for greater dialogue and for the setting up of a joint team to study cooperation in other areas such as education, counter-terrorism, fighting transnational crime, and maritime security.

‘’We need to have a strong ally here in the European Union. For them, they need to have an ally in ASEAN (the Association of Southeast Asian Nations) and we are their most logical ally,’’ he said.

The Philippines, a former Spanish colony with a largely Roman Catholic populace, is a mainstay of ASEAN, which also includes Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.

The Philippines is seeking to upgrade its poorly-equipped military, which is battling both a nationwide communist insurgency and Muslim extremists in the south linked to the Al-Qaeda and Jemaah Islamiyah terror networks. (AFP)

Arroyo scores 7 in fulfilling SONA promises—solon

MADRID, Spain (via PLDT) --- President Arroyo scored seven out of 10 in fulfilling commitments spelled out in her 2005 State of the Nation Address (SONA), an improvement over her performance last year, a congressman who accompanied her to Europe said yesterday.

Quezon Rep. Danilo Suarez, chairman of the Committee on Oversight of the House of Representatives, yesterday said the President had favorable accomplishments in seven programs and underperformances in three areas listed in her SONA promises last year.

"Out of 10, I think she easily passed seven with flying colors, maybe one or two failings and one or two conditionals, which is a marked improvement over last year," Suarez told a group of reporters here.

Suarez is part of the official delegation accompanying the President in her week-long travel in Europe.

The House panel gave the President a passing grade of five, conditional of two, and failing on three of her 2004 SONA agenda, Suarez recalled.

Based on her 10-point legacy agenda, Suarez said the committee gave the President a failing mark for electoral reforms as a result of the unresolved legal issues on the proposed automation of elections.

The President also struggled to deliver on her promise to effect national reconciliation by healing the wounds of EDSA 1, 2 and 3, according to the committee chairman.

Suarez blamed the incessant political noise as well as the foiled coup plot last February for derailing government’s reconciliation efforts.

He said the government also showed low accomplishment rates in passing the 2006 national budget and providing electricity and water for all.

Another gray area in the President’s SONA scorecard is the delayed infrastructure development of the nautical highway due to the non-passage of the 2006 national budget.

"Hindi natin nagawa ang infrastrucrure ng nautical highway ng counterpart natin because you build the port but we can’t build the road to bring you to the center of population. The reason is there is no peso counterpart on our capital outlay. Wala tayong 2006 budget," Suarez said.

He said the oversight committee found the biggest accomplishment of the President was in balancing the national budget, creation of jobs, education, and the peace process with armed Muslim separatist rebels.

The planned decongestion of Metro Manila and conversion of Subic and Clark into a logistics hub remain on track, he added.

He said the President could erase her dismal popularity ratings and win public support when she keeps her word to balance the budget by 2010. (GDK)

King Juan Carlos I promotes use of Spanish language

MADRID, Spain (via PLDT) - Aside from profiency in English, Filipinos should brush up on their Spanish language skills as a communication advantage in today’s increasingly globalized world.

King Juan Carlos I of Spain yesterday encouraged President Arroyo to promote the Spanish language in the former colony as a "major vehicle for international communication" during a luncheon at the Royal Palace here.

The King said the Spanish language, which has deep roots in the Philippines, is spoken by more than 400 million people worldwide and is "in growing demand in Europe and North America, where it is now the second most widely spoken language."

The Philippines was under the colonial rule of Spain for over 300 years starting in the 16th century. The two countries share history, culture and traditions, including the Spanish language which was taught in Philippine schools.

At the luncheon given to the President and her party, the King also agreed that the two countries should build on historic and cultural ties and expand economic and trade relations.

He also expressed the determination of Spain to promote a common future of growing friendship, understanding and cooperation between the Philippines and Spain.

"In an increasingly globalised and interdependent world, the Philippines and Spain should decisively embark on substantial growth in their economic, trade and financial relations, so that they may be able to approximate the intensity and prominence that defines our cultural exchanges and our development cooperation," he said.

The President earlier offered the Philippines as Spain’s gateway to Asia as she pushed for more trade and investments between the two nations.

Mrs. Arroyo, who concluded her three-day visit here yesterday, invited the business community of Spain to invest in tourism, energy and infrastructure in the Philippines.

The King also paid tribute to the deep-rooted ties of affection between the Philippines and Spain, saying Manila has become a "tried and true" friend of Madrid in Asia.

He said his several visits to the Philippines had deepened his "feelings of affection and admiration for the Philippines, and its people, always hospitable and hardworking."

He also expressed satisfaction in hosting the luncheon during the celebration of the Philippine-Spanish Friendship Day on June 30.

"A better day could not have been chosen to commemorate a friendship as solid as that between Spain and the Philippines; one which, with your visit, we are resolved to promote even further," he said.

The King also hailed the abolition of the death penalty law in the Philippines which he described as an "transcendental event, almost unprecedented in Asia."

He said it has integrated the Philippines into a group of nations like Spain that "have worked, and continue to work, to eradicate this cruel and unjust penalty, which constitutes an attack on human rights."

The King likewise thanked the President for the gesture of declaring three days of mourning in the Philippines after the terrorist attacks in Madrid on March 11, 2004.

"The intensity of our common history, of this current understanding and mutual sympathy that flows between Filipinos and Spaniards, as well as the dynamic nature of our societies today - all these factors form a solid basis for this conviction that together, and in every field, we should consolidate, expand, and further promote our relations," he said.

In her response, President Arroyo thanked King Juan Carlos I and Queen Sofia for their kind invitation, and for the support that Spain has extended to her government during the "most difficult times."

Arroyo noted that the Spanish royal government was among the first nations to support her government at the height of the political crisis last year.

"I appreciate very much Spain’s initiative in the European Union, for the ambassadors of the EU to issue a declaration praising our efforts" on the abolition of the death penalty in the Philippines, she added.

The President also cited Spain’s profound influence on the Filipinos—in "our religion and in our culture—that it evokes a sense of kinship and gratitude in our hearts. In the present time, thousands of Filipinos have chosen to work inSpain. Their presence also contributes to a better understanding and greater awareness between our peoples."

The Chief Executive said that coming to Spain has brought many memories of the time during her travel with her parents in 1962. At that time, the late President Diosdado Macapagal made a state visit in Spain accompanied by his wife and daughter, Gloria.

"I also have fond memories of the time when Your Majesties visited thePhilippines as newly-weds, during the presidency of my father," she said. "As a testament to all that unites our two countries and with the hope that our bonds will endure, I invite all present to toast to the health and well-being of their Majesties, the King and Queen of Spain, and for the progress and happiness of our beloved Spanish people." (Genalyn D. Kabiling)

http://www.mb.com.ph/issues/2006/07/02/MAIN2006070268315.html

JAMAICUS

July 2nd, 2006, 02:49 AM

Romulo to visit Burma this July

By Armand Nocum
Inquirer
Last updated 08:51pm (Mla time) 07/01/2006

MADRID, Spain -- Foreign Affairs Secretary Alberto Romulo on Saturday confirmed reports that he was flying to Burma (Myanmar) this July to press for the release of democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi.

``The release of Aung has always been part of the roadmap to democracy,'' he said.

He added: ``The President and the Philippine government have always been consistent in pushing for the roadmap for democracy in Myanmar, which should be all inclusive; all the parties, including the National League of Democracy, should be part of the process.''

And if a constitution is to be drafted, Aung Suu Kyi's party should be part of it, he said.

Romulo said he was traveling to Burma both as incoming chairman of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations and as Philippine foreign affairs secretary.

He said that his going is upon the invitation of the Burmese government, but that he would find time to see Aung.

http://newsinfo.inq7.net/breakingnews/nation/view_article.php?article_id=7650

Animo

July 2nd, 2006, 02:51 AM

Yeah, hopefully in the near future. :)

Who knows? When time comes, we might be seeing a Spanish-speaking Philippines (hehehe...):D

King Juan Carlos I promotes use of Spanish language

MADRID, Spain (via PLDT) - Aside from profiency in English, Filipinos should brush up on their Spanish language skills as a communication advantage in today’s increasingly globalized world.

King Juan Carlos I of Spain yesterday encouraged President Arroyo to promote the Spanish language in the former colony as a "major vehicle for international communication" during a luncheon at the Royal Palace here.

The King said the Spanish language, which has deep roots in the Philippines, is spoken by more than 400 million people worldwide and is "in growing demand in Europe and North America, where it is now the second most widely spoken language."

The Philippines was under the colonial rule of Spain for over 300 years starting in the 16th century. The two countries share history, culture and traditions, including the Spanish language which was taught in Philippine schools.

At the luncheon given to the President and her party, the King also agreed that the two countries should build on historic and cultural ties and expand economic and trade relations.

He also expressed the determination of Spain to promote a common future of growing friendship, understanding and cooperation between the Philippines and Spain.

"In an increasingly globalised and interdependent world, the Philippines and Spain should decisively embark on substantial growth in their economic, trade and financial relations, so that they may be able to approximate the intensity and prominence that defines our cultural exchanges and our development cooperation," he said.

The President earlier offered the Philippines as Spain’s gateway to Asia as she pushed for more trade and investments between the two nations.

Mrs. Arroyo, who concluded her three-day visit here yesterday, invited the business community of Spain to invest in tourism, energy and infrastructure in the Philippines.

The King also paid tribute to the deep-rooted ties of affection between the Philippines and Spain, saying Manila has become a "tried and true" friend of Madrid in Asia.

He said his several visits to the Philippines had deepened his "feelings of affection and admiration for the Philippines, and its people, always hospitable and hardworking."

He also expressed satisfaction in hosting the luncheon during the celebration of the Philippine-Spanish Friendship Day on June 30.

"A better day could not have been chosen to commemorate a friendship as solid as that between Spain and the Philippines; one which, with your visit, we are resolved to promote even further," he said.

The King also hailed the abolition of the death penalty law in the Philippines which he described as an "transcendental event, almost unprecedented in Asia."

He said it has integrated the Philippines into a group of nations like Spain that "have worked, and continue to work, to eradicate this cruel and unjust penalty, which constitutes an attack on human rights."

The King likewise thanked the President for the gesture of declaring three days of mourning in the Philippines after the terrorist attacks in Madrid on March 11, 2004.

"The intensity of our common history, of this current understanding and mutual sympathy that flows between Filipinos and Spaniards, as well as the dynamic nature of our societies today - all these factors form a solid basis for this conviction that together, and in every field, we should consolidate, expand, and further promote our relations," he said.

In her response, President Arroyo thanked King Juan Carlos I and Queen Sofia for their kind invitation, and for the support that Spain has extended to her government during the "most difficult times."

Arroyo noted that the Spanish royal government was among the first nations to support her government at the height of the political crisis last year.

"I appreciate very much Spain’s initiative in the European Union, for the ambassadors of the EU to issue a declaration praising our efforts" on the abolition of the death penalty in the Philippines, she added.

The President also cited Spain’s profound influence on the Filipinos—in "our religion and in our culture—that it evokes a sense of kinship and gratitude in our hearts. In the present time, thousands of Filipinos have chosen to work inSpain. Their presence also contributes to a better understanding and greater awareness between our peoples."

The Chief Executive said that coming to Spain has brought many memories of the time during her travel with her parents in 1962. At that time, the late President Diosdado Macapagal made a state visit in Spain accompanied by his wife and daughter, Gloria.

"I also have fond memories of the time when Your Majesties visited thePhilippines as newly-weds, during the presidency of my father," she said. "As a testament to all that unites our two countries and with the hope that our bonds will endure, I invite all present to toast to the health and well-being of their Majesties, the King and Queen of Spain, and for the progress and happiness of our beloved Spanish people." (Genalyn D. Kabiling)

http://www.mb.com.ph/issues/2006/07/02/MAIN2006070268315.html

JustHorace

July 2nd, 2006, 06:37 AM

Follow the King! Let's give it a try. A Spanish Philippines won't do us any harm. When Cha-Cha pushes through, I hope, then it can serve as a starting point for the Hispano-Filipinization of our country. :)

BTW, I didn't expect the king to give out such remarks. It shows how important we are to them.

kunoL8

July 2nd, 2006, 07:00 AM

^^ if this pushes through, the filipino people might just be the most multilingual people in the world.

anyway, does the philippines have diplomatic ties with cuba?

JustHorace

July 2nd, 2006, 07:22 AM

anyway, does the philippines have diplomatic ties with cuba?

Embassy of the Republic of Cuba - Manila, Philippines
101 Aguirre St. Corner Trasierra St.
Manila
Tel: +632 917 1192
Fax: +632 816 4094
Email: embacuba@info.com.ph

Embassy of the Republic of the Philippines - Habana, Cuba
Quinta Avenida
No. 2207 entre Calles 24 y 22
MIramar, Habana
Phone: (537) 204-1372
Fax: (537) 204 2915

kunoL8

July 2nd, 2006, 07:27 AM

^^ oh okay, thanks for clearing that up. :) i was just wondering since they have a shaky relationship with the US, our relationship with them wouldn't be good either since we are a close ally of the US. guess i was wrong. :D

JustHorace

July 2nd, 2006, 07:43 AM

The Philippine Embassy in Cuba was one of the selected Pinoy embassies in the world to accept votes from absentee voters in the 2004 elections.

overtureph

July 2nd, 2006, 09:21 AM

Filipiniana exhibit opens in Spain

By Jaime Picornell
Inquirer
Last updated 01:15am (Mla time) 07/02/2006

Published on page D4 of the July 2, 2006 issue of the Philippine Daily Inquirer.

I’M BACK AFTER A LONG and much-needed vacation, thanks to Qatar Airways. I had a ticket that was about to expire so I flew from Cebu to Doha, and on to Madrid.

It is the most convenient way for Cebuanos to go to Spain, with just one stop to change planes in Qatar’s capital, Doha.

On the way back, it is the same procedure; you check in your luggage all the way from Madrid to Cebu. There’s just one catch: an 18-hour wait for the plane to Cebu. Those bound for Manila only have a three-hour wait. What to do in Doha for 18 hours?

You can take an exciting tour of the desert dunes. You may go shopping in the exotic souks and try the Arabian cuisine, which is fabulous. Once, we made a sortie to an animal farm. The photo op with ostriches was memorable, and so was the camel ride.

This time, though, I decided to luxuriate in the Doha Marriott Hotel. It is palatial in its décor and accommodations.

The huge swimming pool was most inviting; so were the various restaurants and the spa. But you could do as I did: shave and shower, snuggle into bed for a good sleep amid a dozen fluffy pillows, and enjoy the movies on the TCM or MGM channels.

While in Spain, I looked up friends and relations in Madrid, Zaragoza, Calamocha (Teruel), and Jaen. In Madrid, I saw a zarzuela, “La Tabernera del Puerto,” mounted as an opera, and a colorful extravaganza titled “Antologia de la Danza Española.”

A memorable event was the opening of the Filipino exhibit at the Centro Cultural in the Cuartel del Conde-Duque, a huge historic edifice restored as a cultural center, with an impressive central-stone patio. The exhibit was organized by Barcelona-based Casa Asia. It depicted life in the Philippines from the Spanish era to the present.

Juan Guardiola, curator and organizer of the exhibit, went to the Philippines, including the Visayas, last year to gather material. He attended a meeting of Amigos de España en Cebu presided over by Amparito Lhuillier and arranged by Angel Veloso Jr. and Fe Sala Villarica. Juan also visited Southern Leyte for a glimpse of Limasawa Island, and the municipality of Malitbog, seat of the prominent Escano dynasty.

Mention of the Escano family makes one recall its collateral branches like the Lhuilliers, the Salas, the Corominas, Veloso, Garcia-Aberasturi, and other large clans. Juan contacted some of them to inform them of the Madrid opening of the exhibit. Felicitously, it coincided with my trip to Spain, so I went.

Philippine Ambassador to Spain Joseph “Lani” Bernardo figured prominently, as well as Trinidad Ximenes representing the Spanish government.
Juan escorted them through every module of the exposition, including a pile of balikbayan boxes complete with all their possible contents.

Former ambassadors to Spain Isabel Caro Wilson and Mike Stilianopulos were present, as well as Georgina Padilla Zobel (Mrs. Luis Mac-Crohon), who lent one of her Juan Luna paintings. She also facilitated the loan of some abstract paintings by her late uncle, Fernando Zobel, who established a museum of modern art in the nearby province of Cuenca.

Among the Visayans present were Philippine Consul General in Madrid Cookie Feria and Lani’s secretary, Sarah Salcedo; Hope Ledesma de Sagaz, in a stunning pink terno; Carolina Aboitiz, who said she’d be in Cebu in September; and Tita Gotingco, with her pretty daughter Nuria Cugat.

Many have visited the exhibit and will continue to do so until it closes in September. It received a boost when Philippine National Day on June 12 was celebrated at the Conde-Duque by Ambassador Lani and his wife Conchitina Sevilla de Bernardo.

Hola magazine gave it prominence due to the presence of Isabel Preysler and her husband Muguel Boyer.

Further enhancement will be given the Filipiniana exhibit when President Macapagal-Arroyo visits Spain, as guest of Their Majesties King Juan Carlos and Queen Sofia. The President will stay at the magnificent palace of El Pardo.

Angelito Veloso said Juan was in touch with him recently, discussing the possibility of bringing the exhibit to Manila in December, and to the Visayas as well. Cebu was mentioned as a site, as well as Tacloban. Time will tell.

Copyright 2006 Inquirer. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

http://showbizandstyle.inq7.net/lifestyle/lifestyle/view_article.php?article_id=7667

Animo

July 3rd, 2006, 05:09 AM

The Philippine Embassy in Cuba was one of the selected Pinoy embassies in the world to accept votes from absentee voters in the 2004 elections.

I also believe Philippine passport holders do not need a VISA in entering the country.

Animo

July 3rd, 2006, 05:11 AM

By DAVID CAGAHASTIAN

President Arroyo returned to the country yesterday after a week-long working visit to Italy, the Vatican and Spain to renew economic and security ties with the three most important European allies of the Philippines.

President Arroyo arrived at the Villamor Air Base in Pasay City at about 8:20 a.m., bringing with her commitments from European investors to invest some Euros 580 million in the Philippines in the infrastructure, tourism, and energy sectors.

The President was greeted at the airport by government officials including Vice President Noli De Castro, Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita, Presidential Adviser on Political Affairs Gabriel Claudio, Justice Secretary Raul Gonzales, Presidential Management Staff Chief Arthur Yap, Armed Forces of the Philippines Chief of Staff Gen. Generoso Senga, and Philippine National Police Director General Arturo Lomibao.

President Arroyo left Madrid, Spain on Saturday night after a series of meetings with top Spanish government officials during which she secured Spain’s commitment to relax immigration rules for some 100,000 Filipino professionals and skilled workers wishing to migrate to that country in the next few years.

In the area of tourism, Department of Tourism Secretary Joseph Durano said the two biggest hotel chains in Spain have expressed commitments to invest R4 billion each to establish hotels in the Philippines.

Mrs. Arroyo also brought home with her Pope Benedict XVI’s blessing to the Philippines, the only predominantly Christian nation in Asia.

In her meetings with top Italian government officials, Mrs. Arroyo had secured Italy’s commitment to provide benefits to some 80,000 Filipino workers in that country, including Italy’s recognition of the Philippine driver’s license.

Upon arrival in Manila, the President made no allusion on the political issues hounding her administration. The Chief Executive, on her departure from Spain on Saturday night, reportedly said she has left to God the new impeachment complaints against her.

Press Secretary Ignacio Bunye cited the country’s gains in promoting the Philippines as an investment and tourist destination, and called on the country’s leaders to stop divisive politicking.

"Promoting a good international image for the Philippines must be a responsibility of every citizen and sector if we want our economy to flourish amidst a world of challenge and competition," Bunye said in a statement.

Apparently addressing the opposition groups who have filed a series of impeachment complaints against Mrs. Arroyo last week, Bunye called for a "casting aside of gutter politics" to build up the supposed gains of the government in promoting the country to foreign investors and tourists.

"We must beef up these gains by our unity and resolve to push economic growth and uphold the rule of law by casting aside gutter politics. We have already planted the seeds of reform on all fronts and we must continue to nurture what we have accomplished," Bunye said.

Bunye cited the commitments for investments to the Philippines which Mrs. Arroyo secured in Europe as her most important accomplishments during her week-long visit to Europe.

"President Arroyo is investing so much in the promotion of our country here and abroad and has made unprecedented trade and security gains in her latest visit to Spain and Italy," Bunye said.

"The high level diplomacy is backed by the impressive performance and industry of our overseas Filipino workers wherever they work in the world, as well as the spirit of enterprise of the Filipino people," he added.

Malacañang had earlier called on opposition groups to defer the filing of the impeachment complaints against Mrs. Arroyo until she returns home from her working visit to Europe in a bid to project solidarity in the country.

But opposition groups have rejected the request and instead flooded the House of Representatives with impeachment complaints since Monday, immediately after the one-year moratorium on the filing of impeachment complaints against Mrs. Arroyo had lapsed.

Palace officials have branded the move as unpatriotic as the filing of the impeachment complaints, as well as the varying interpretations of the administration and the opposition of the Pope’s encyclical issued in December regarding the participation of the Church in political affairs, has projected to the international community the divisiveness in the country.

http://www.mb.com.ph/issues/2006/07/03/MAIN2006070368358.html

chixbebe

July 4th, 2006, 09:47 AM

BAGUIO CITY — Baguio City celebrates the 60th Filipino-American Friendship Day today by reminiscing on the ties that bind Filipinos and Americans.

All important edifices here that reminds people of the ties that bind the two nations will be adorned with wreaths.

A wreath laying caravan will start at the bust of Baguio’s architect, American Daniel Burham, at the Burnham Park, then proceed to the Malcolm Square at the city’s plaza and finally at the Veteran’s Park along Harrison Road.

Perhaps it is most worthy to note that if not for Burnham, Baguio would not been what it is today. It was built as America’s dream city, said veteran journalist and former city councilor Nars Padilla, a member of the 60th Fil-Am Friendship Day rites.

In the 1900s Burnham planned Baguio’s architectural layout after Washington DC. Burnham Park, was built in his honor and a memorial bust was erected and inaugurated in 1993 with former Ambassador Richard Solomon.

We are celebrating July 4 without losing the essence and substance of the historic event, added Padilla, who led Filipino and American officials during the Centennial Anniversary Observance of the Benguet Road (1905-2005), more popularly known as Kennon Road, last year.

Built a century ago as a horse trail, Kennon Road was "a labor of love" of US Army Col. Lyman W. Kennon of Rhode Island in the United States.

A historic edifice dedicated to Col. Kennon and the 4,000-strong multiracial work force composed of American, Filipinos, Japanese, Chinese, Hawaiians, Mexicans, Indians, Chilean, Peruvians, Canadians, Germans, Russians, Hindus, French, Portuguese and Swedes was unveiled.

Acclaimed as one of the best mountain highways in the world, the former Benguet Road was named after the American leader as a tribute to his exemplary leadership, engineering skills and knowledge and keen understanding of human nature.

That memorabilia, said Padilla, is significant because it symbolizes the sustained and enduring saga of Filipino-American relationship built on shared cultural history, amity, mutual cooperation and partnership in various fields of endeavor.

http://www.philstar.com/philstar/NEWS200607049904.htm

Animo

July 4th, 2006, 10:23 PM

AMBASSADOR REYES VOWS TO STRENGTHEN RP-CUBA TIES AS HE PRESENTS CREDENTIALS TO CUBAN VICE PRESIDENT

28 June 2006 – Philippine Ambassador to Havana George B. Reyes reported to the Department of Foreign Affairs that he presented his credentials to Cuban Vice President Juan Almeida Bosque in simple ceremonies on 27 June 2006 at the Palacio de la Revolucion in Havana, Cuba.

During the audience granted by the vice president who represented President Fidel Castro, the Ambassador Reyes conveyed the greetings of President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo to President Castro and Vice President Almeida and said “he would exert his best to contribute to strengthening RP-Cuban relations, particularly in the fields of technology, sports and cultural cooperation.”

The vice president commented that "Cuba and the Philippines are island countries" that were lost by Spain at the same time. Ambassador Reyes responded by saying that "because of historical and geographical similarities, the two countries can understand each other better."

Vice President Almeida said that Cuba looks forward to the participation of a high level Philippine delegation at the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) summit scheduled in Havana this coming September.

Accompanied by Ms. Maria Jesus Cabal Garcia and Ms. Lovelia Laping, Third Secretary and Vice Consul, the envoy laid a wreath at the memorial to Jose Marti, the Cuban national hero who was the ideologue of the Cuban Revolution in the late 1900s.
Ambassador Reyes, who will also be accredited as non-resident ambassador to the Dominican Republic, Haiti and Jamaica, hosted a small vin d'honneur at the Club Habana after the ceremonies. END

http://www.dfa.gov.ph/news/pr/pr2006/jun/pr548.htm

Animo

July 5th, 2006, 01:39 AM

THE Independence Day of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela is celebrated today. Venezuela shares many similarities with our country. Both are predominantly Catholic countries and former colonies of Spain.

The relations between Venezuela and the Philippines began in 1968. Their ties have been marked by goodwill and mutual cooperation. In 1983, the two countries agreed to waive visas for bearers of diplomatic, official, and service passports. In 1990, the two countries signed a Memorandum of Understanding on Technical and Scientific Cooperation on Energy and Mining. In 1999, Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez made an official state visit to the Philippines. During his visit, an RPVenezuela Memorandum of Understanding on Tourism Cooperation and a Memorandum of Understanding on Trade and Investment were signed.

On September, 2005, the Philippine Foreign Service Institute and the Venezuelan Diplomatic Institute signed a Memorandum of Understanding on the Establishment of a Bilateral Consultation Mechanism to establish a framework for discussion on the implementation and monitoring of bilateral agreements on various areas of cooperation. They also signed another memorandum to establish a linkage program between the two institutions in order to enhance their respective programs of studies (International Law), courses (Diplomatic Practices), seminars (International Relations), language programs, and other activities.

Located at the north end of the South American continent, Venezuela has an enormous potential for development and investment. The country’s strategic proximity to the Caribbean and other Latin American markets and its relatively short distance from North America and Europe make it an ideal place for international business operations. It has a long tradition in the production and export of petroleum and gas products and Venezuela’s proven hydrocarbon reserves are among the largest in the world.

We congratulate the government and people of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela and their Embassy in the Philippines headed by Chargé d’Affaires Manuel Vicente Perez Iturbe on the occasion of the 195th Anniversary of their Independence Day.

http://www.mb.com.ph/issues/2006/07/05/OPED2006070568534.html

Animo

July 5th, 2006, 01:54 AM

Cebu City (4 July) -- President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo's recent seven-day official trip to Europe secured the country of P20.3B worth of projects in the areas of oil and gas, hotel and resort and infrastructure development on top of strengthening diplomatic ties and mutual efforts in fighting terrorism.

The President visited the State of Vatican City, Republic of Italy and the Kingdom of Spain forging stronger union with the country's allies. The visit also bolstered mutual beneficial trade, investment, tourism and cultural programs.

A total of P40M has been released by the Spanish Government in support of educational improvement programs in Mindanao especially in Zamboanga City and in the neighboring province of Sibugay.

Finance Sec. Margarito Teves who accompanied the President on her European trip said he was amenable to the proposal seeking the removal of various fees imposed on exporters to help develop the export industry.

Merchandise exports in the country increased at 15.6 percent for the first four months of this year alone, nearly double the government's projected rate pegged at eight percent for the entire year.

Upon the President's return that coincided with the big fight between Philippine boxing champ Manny "Pacman" Pacquiao and Mexican Oscar Larios, Mrs. Arroyo like the rest of the Filipinos was glued to the television set in anticipation of the much-awaited battle in the country.

Pacquiao did not disappoint his countrymen and won the match in a unanimous decision. Malacañang on the other hand, expressed hopes that the nation's leaders and the rest of the Filipinos could have the same passion in supporting the government's common vision of the future.

Pres. Arroyo meanwhile commended Pacquiao for successfully defending his World Boxing Council international super featherweight title. The President announced that she would issue a forthcoming executive order that will honor Filipino athletes that made the country proud through their accomplishments. (PIA-Cebu/FCR) [top]

http://www.pia.gov.ph/news.asp?fi=p060704.htm&no=69

kiretoce

July 5th, 2006, 03:46 AM

Kenney cites stronger ties of RP and US
By CHARISSA M. LUCI

United States Ambassador Kristie Anne Kenney yesterday said the bilateral ties between the US and the Philippines remain stronger as both countries reaffirm their commitment to address both non-traditional and traditional threats, particularly terrorism.

During the celebration of the 60th anniversary of Philippine-American Friendship and the 230th anniversary of America’s Independence Day yesterday, the Philippines and the US renewed bilateral relations as "partners in progress."

"We’re strong together because of our shared history and the many ties that bind all of us. Together we are determined to create a world that is peaceful. Together we are dedicated to a prosperous future," Kenney said in her speech, shortly before the inauguration of the photo exhibit "Partnership at 60" at the lobby of the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) building on Roxas Blvd., Pasay City.

"We look for ways to make this partnership as very best for all of us," she added.

Kenney said the ongoing trial of the four US servicemen in the alleged rape of a Filipino woman in Subic, Olongapo City will not affect the 60-year partnership between the two countries.

"It is stronger than ever... The issue is being resolved legally and in a legal manner. It shows a mature relationship between our two countries," she pointed out.

For his part, Foreign Affairs Secretary Alberto Romulo described PhilippineAmerican relations as "vibrant, strong, and deepening relationship."

"Let’s work together and be a team as we worked in the past so that together we can bring prosperity and peace for our people," Romulo said after Kenney’s speech.

On April 11, Romulo and Kenney exchanged diplomatic notes that prompted the establishment of the Security Engagement Board (SEB) to address non-traditional security concerns, including international terrorism, transnational crimes, and disaster.

"We need to adjust to the needs and conditions of the times from adversarial states to non-states... The important thing is the role of the President as the architect of foreign policy," he said.

A month after, the San Diego-based US Mercy arrived in Manila for a threeweek long medical mission, particularly in southern Mindanao.

President affirms close bilateral ties with the US

President Arroyo yesterday assured of continued close ties between the Philippines and the United States, whose bilateral relationship, she said, has flourished during her administration.

In her statement to commemorate the 60th anniversary of Philippine-American Friendship Day yesterday, Mrs. Arroyo said the relationship between the two countries has "matured" and expanded in recent years, with her at the helm of the country.

"Ang ating relasyon ay mas mature at lumawak sa ilalim ng aking administrasyon (Our relationship is more mature and has expanded under my administration)," Mrs. Arroyo said in her speech in Lanao del Norte where she led local officials in celebrating also the 47th "Araw ng Lanao del Norte."

In reaffirming the close ties between the Philippines and the US, Mrs. Arroyo cited strengthened bilateral cooperation in the areas of counter-terrorism and economic development, and the common advocacy of the two countries to uphold democracy and human rights.

"We believe in democracy at nangako tayong ipairal ang mga karapatan at kalayaan ng bawat Pilipino (we believe in democracy and we promise to follow their rights and freedom of every Filipino)," Mrs. Arroyo said. (David Cagahastian)

Muslim, Christian leaders also hail RP-US relations

A group of Muslim and Christian leaders hailed yesterday the stregthening of relations between the Philippines and the United States as vowed by the leaders of the two countries, during the celebration of the 6oth Anniversary of the PhilippineAmerican Friendship Day.

They said the Americans are the best partners of the Filipinos in their quest for peace, freedom and economic prosperity in this part of the world.

The group said Filipinos’ profound love for freedom and democracy are legacies patterned after the American system of government.

"Democracy and its protection, promotion, and improvement will continue to be a shared concern and a firm attachment for both Filipinos and Americans in the years to come," the group said quoting the editorial of Panorama Magazine.

The group includes Sultant Kudarat Rep. Suharto Teng Mangudadatu, Rep. Annie Rosa L. Susano , Commisioner Victoriano R. Calaycay of the National Labor Relations Commission, labor-management consultant and general law practitioner Ernesto S. Dinopol, former World Health Organization (WHO) consultant Dr. Jose R. Relacion, former Governor Jose P. Icaonapo Jr. of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines in Metro Manila, Cris B. Vitug of Kapisanan ng Malayang Pilipino, and prominent election law Francisco B. Sibayan.

They said the Filipinos consider the Americans their best partners in strengthening democracy and freedom in this part of the world.

beads_strawberries

July 5th, 2006, 07:44 AM

The US government could very well shake our hands with our strong stance to fight terrorism. We have been expressly stating the need to enforce anti-terrorist campaign and agenda. Not only this, we have also strong economic ties with US. Thus, as partners in terms of pursuing political and economic ideologies, we can only be assured of stronger bilateral relations with the US government.

Animo

July 7th, 2006, 07:23 PM

By Rose B. Palacio

Davao City (8 July) -- The Spanish government has announced that it has chosen the Philippines as top priority among other countries in Asia and has earmarked up to 40-million euros or about P2.5-billion in grants-in-aid to be used in different development programs over the next four years.

Spanish Ambassador Don Ignacio Sagaz said Spain has decided to upgrade its cooperation with the Philippines in fighting poverty in other areas of the country as well as Zamboanga City, Caraga, Basilan, Western Mindanao and Bicol.

The Spanish government pledged to pour development assistance into Mindanao to help the Philippines eradicate poverty and promote peace in the region.

The bulk of the proceeds which will go to pay for social services include education, health, potable water, agriculture and food security, good governance and the environment, said Leire Pajin Iraola, Spain's Secretary of State for International Cooperation.

The unique feature of the grant is that it requires the recipient country to raise matching counterpart funds. The Spanish Agency for International Cooperation will directly manage the projects.

The 28.5-million euro grant under the Fifth Joint Commission is valid from 2006 until 2008 with an annual cash disbursement of 9.5-million euros. Since 1995, the Philippines has received 78.22-million euros (roughly P5.2-billion) from the Spanish government in the form of grants.

Iraola said every project approved for Mindanao was guaranteed to help the communities progress on their own at the barangay, municipal and regional level. This is the identity mark of the Spanish cooperation and the Philippines and we support the processes that are decided by the communities, by the people, by the government, Iraola said.

Iraola acknowledged that the problems in Mindanao could not be solved overnight but said there are good prospects for development. The Spanish government wants to support, enhance and help poor regions in Mindanao and become self-sustaining in the future, Iraola added. (PIA) [top]

http://www.pia.gov.ph/news.asp?fi=p060708.htm&no=1

Animo

July 9th, 2006, 04:24 PM

Ni Freddie G. Lazaro

VIGAN CITY (03 July) -- Matagumpay ang naging byahe ni Pangulong Gloria Macapagal Arroyo sa Italya kamakailan dahil sa mga paksang tinalakay hingil sa pagpapalakas ng bilateral ties sa pagitan ng nasabing bansa at Pilipinas.

Kabilang nito ang pagpapa-unlad ng negosyo sa bansa at ang pagbibigay ng amnestiya sa mga pinoy na illlegal na naninirahan sa Italya.

Mismong sina Italian President Georgio Napolitano at Prime Minister Romano Prodi ang nagbigay katiyakan sa mga nasabing oportunidad para sa ating bansa.

Sa pagkakataong ito naisakatuparan na rin ang ating pamahalaan na mailatag sa gobyernong Italya ang ating mga sentimyento sa usaping pang-ekonomiya.

Ito ay nakatuon sa pagpapahusay ng matagal nang relasyon ng Italya at ng Pilipinas, patas na kalakalan sa pagitan ng dalawang bansa gayundin ang partisipasyon ng Italya sa "debt for millennium development goals program."

Ang "debt for millennium development goals program" ay ang pagbaon sa limot sa utang na napasok ng mga mahihirap na bansa kabilang ang Pilipinas sa kondisyon na ang katumbas na halaga nito na matitipid ng pamahalaan ay ilalaan sa mga programang makapagpapa-unlad ng bansa.

Una na itong nailatag ng Pilipinas sa United Nations na kinatigan ng maraming mga bansa maging si UN Sec-Gen Kofi Annan at malaking bagay para makaalpas tayo sa malaking pagkakautang at matutukan ang mga programang pang-kaunlaran.

Sa punto ng pag-aalis ng trade gap o hindi patas na kalakalan na pumapabor lamang sa Italya, umaasa ang Pangulong Arroyo na bibigyang pansin ng Italian Government ang pakinabang na makukuha nito mula sa mga produkto mula sa Pilipinas.

Kung tutuusin, mataas ang kalidad at mura ang presyo ng maraming produktong galing sa atin, at ito'y walang masama kung tataasan ng Italy ang bilang ng mga produktong ina-angkat nito.

Sa ngayon, mas marami ang produkto at serbisyo na ipinapasok ng Italya sa ating bansa na nagdudulot ng trade gap na sa ilang dekada ay kumikiling lamang sa interes ng naturang bansa.

Samantalang, nagsimula pa noong 2002 ang amnesty para sa mga "TNT worker" sa Italy subali't ipatutupad pa rin para mapakinabangan ng mga obrerong pinoy at iba pang mga dayuhan.

Gagdag puntos na rin kasi ang pagpabor ng maraming mga Italian employer sa mga Pilipino bilang empleyado dahil sa magandang pag-uugali sa hanap-buhay, kasipagan at kahusayan.

Gayunman, hindi madaling makikita ang resulta ng pakikipag-usap na ito ng Pangulong Arroyo at posibleng kailanganin pa ng mga dagdag negosasyon para malinawan ang mekanismo sa mga hinihiling ng ating gobyerno sa Italya. (PIA-Ilocos Sur) [top]

http://www.pia.gov.ph/news.asp?fi=p060703.htm&no=1

Animo

July 9th, 2006, 10:50 PM

Seven major engineering, construction and financial institutions in Spain are seriously considering of participating in the country’s infrastructure development programs both as equity investor and supplier of capital equipment mostly to the country’s railways projects.

This was bared by Trade and Industry Secretary Peter B. Favila upon his return from Spain as part of President Gloria Arroyo’s entourage during her recent state visit in Spain.

"I told them that what we need are capital investments not official development assistance or loans because we don’t want to borrow. Spain is our mother country and yet we are getting very little investments from them," Favila said. The Philippines was under the Spanish rule for 300 years.

During the official state visit, Favila spoke before the Confederacion Espanola de Organizaciones Empresariales (CEOE), the largest business organization in Spain.

Among the serious Spanish firms are IsoluxCorsan, Pro-Intec, Dimetronics, Soluziona, Red Nacional de los Ferrocarriles Espanoles (RENFE), Construccion Y Auxilliar de Ferrocarriles, and Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria.

Isolux-Corsan, a major engineering and construction firm in Spain, has expressed interest in the country’s railway projects under the build-operate-transfer (BOT) scheme.

"It has plans to participate in the bidding for LRT Line 1 south extension," Favila said. Line 1 expansion starts from Baclaran to Cavite. The project is now subject to a Swisschallenge.

Pro-Intec, an engineering, architecture and consulting firm, has committed to lobby and secure from the Spanish government 800,000 Euros for a technical study grant. It is interested in BOT investments in LRT Line 1 South and Line 2, west extension, a 3-4 kilometer elevated tracks.

LRT Line 2 involves the construction of a 13.8 kilometer railway along Marcos Highway, Aurora Boulevard, Ramon Magsaysay Boulevard, Legarda and Recto Avenue. It has an estimated project cost of P25.7 billion.

Pro-Intec is also interested in the Laguindingan Airport and Mindanao Airport Development project in Cagayan de Oro. It commits to provide a technical study grant for an agricultural/industrial project in Cagayan Export Zone Authority. It is also proposing technical study grant for the fabrication of oil drilling equipment in Subic.

Dimetronics of Spain is also interested in the supply contracts for signaling equipment for LRT Line 1 and Line 2 extensions.

Soluziona, an existing IT investor in the country, is interested in BOT investments in Don Piyo Intermodal Station, a hub for intercity and provincial bus transport and track systems for north-bound buses.

RENFE, Spain’s national railway operator that operates Spain’s 15,000 kilometer system of railways, is interested in participating in the Iligan-Cagayan de Oro Railway project. It will fund 100,000 Euros for a feasibility project.

The Iligan-Cagayan de Oro Railway project is an 82.5 kilometer line with an estimated cost of 0 million. It is the first phase of the four-phased Mindanao Railway System.

The project was launched in September 1996 as among the flagship projects under the Ramos administration. It was relaunched recently with Speaker Jose De Venecia at the helm.

The MRS was envisioned to 1,700 kilometer line connecting Cagayan de Oro, Iligan, Butuan, Zamboanga, Davao and General Santos in Cotabato.

Construccion Y Auxilliar de Ferrocarriles (CAF), a railroad construction company, is also looking at providing 33 million Euros funding the feasibility study for the Mindanao railway project.

Favila said that Soluziona, an existing IT systems provider in the country, is also bidding as IT systems provider for the NorthRail project. Its presence in the country is through a partnership with the Lopez-owned Meralco.

Soluziona is also exploring a partnership with department store magnate Henry Sy for an integrated property development complex, Favila said.

Filipino-owned Burgundy Global Asset Management Corp. has also signed a memorandum of agreement with Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria, Spain’s second largest bank, for a 250 million Euro funding for BOT projects.

The credit line may be used for oil and gas exploration in Palawan, hotels and resort development, ICT projects, and the development of Port Irene in Cagayan.

Winace Holdings Philippines Inc., a local affiliate of the Mabey Group of UK, also signed a joint declaration with Banco Bilbao for the conclusion of an agreement for a credit line of 280 million Euros for infrastructure and energy projects.

Winace has an existing investment in a call center operation in the country under its subsidiary WinSource Solutions Inc.(BCM)

http://www.mb.com.ph/issues/2006/07/10/BSNS2006071068905.html

beads_strawberries

July 10th, 2006, 04:50 AM

chixbebe

July 10th, 2006, 09:37 AM

A Korean shipbuilder has now opened a training center (http://www.philstar.com/philstar/NEWS200607109905.htm) for those filipinos who wanted to more qualified and skilled working on big ships. The training center said to have the complete set of training facilities to be able to fully develop our skilled workers here. It is now based on Subic, Zambales.

Espma

July 10th, 2006, 12:22 PM

The United States is bound to give assistance to us amounting to $228 million dollars. According to news, this is the highest in fifteen years which only meant that US has the ever growing confidence with us and our economy.

We have been building stronger allies with the US. The US president himself visited us last year. Hopefully, we will have stronger bilateral ties with one, if not the most, influential country of the world. This would give us more global competitiveness that we need.

hehehe is this the reason?! or is it due to the fact that the Philippines is the highest trading partner of China in SEA (in terms of volume)...China is also keen on investing in the country.....

I think its all good, the two countries (USA and China) are obviously flexing their muscles and countries like the Philippines are benefitting immensely.

China => investing heavily
US => pouring aids heavily

very very interesting.

chixbebe

July 11th, 2006, 08:24 AM

CLARK SPECIAL ECONOMIC ZONE - The Philippine and Malaysian armies began here on Monday a 14-day military exercise, the eighth between the two countries since 1998.

The war games, called Land Malphi 08-2006, assembled 65 Malaysian Army officers and 95 Philippine Army officers for a battalion-sized training in offensive operations, Philippine Army chief, Lieutenant General Hermogenes Esperon Jr., said during opening rites here.

General Tan Sri Dato' Sri Abdul Aziz Bin Hj Zainal, chief of the Malaysian Army, said the training would help improve the capability of troops in addressing "common issues in safety and security of borders" of the two countries.

At the press conference, Esperon said the dispute over Sabah "was not an issue" being tackled by the two armies.

He said Land Malphil has "enabled Malaysia and the Philippines to contribute much in our thrusts for regional unity, security and peace as members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations."

http://globalnation.inq7.net/news/news/view_article.php?article_id=9062

Animo

July 11th, 2006, 10:22 PM

VALENCIA, Spain — Senate Minority Leader Aquilino "Nene" Q. Pimentel Jr. and wife Lourdes -- or "Bing" – cited the important role of grandparents in imparting Christian values to family members at the World Congress of Families at the Feria Mall here over the weekend.

Speaking at the Forum on the Role of Grandparents in the Family, the Pimentel couple said they try to show to their grandchildren, by word and example, the kind of life that, as children of God, they should live.

They said however that they are conscious of their limitations as grandparents. They said they know that their role in shaping the lives of their grandchildren is secondary only to the duty of their parents to help mold their lives directly.

"Hence, our role as grandparents, as I see it, is to respect the primary duty of their parents to make their children grow up in the love of the Lord so that they become not only devoted children of God but also useful citizens of our country," Senator Pimentel said.

The Pimentel couple have six grandchildren from five of their six children.

The senator said that in discharging their duties as grandparents, they try to follow the rule of subsidiarity.

"What their parents can do and ought to do, we leave to them. If we see that something needs emphasizing, we emphasized. If we see something needs to be done, we do it but again, mainly, as a remedial measure," Pimentel said.

Pimentel said they are directly blessed in that they come from prayerful families that have passed on to them their belief in the Almighty, their faith in the Church as God’s embodiment on earth, and their love for humanity as the expression of God’s "salvific vision" for His people.

"We try to show by example what it means to be our brother’s keepers, what charity consists of, that the other side of right is duty, that happiness in life means serving others, not merely oneself," Pimentel said.

"Above all, we try to teach them in so many words that the 10 Commandments are good guide to their own happiness in this world. And a sure insurance of continued happiness in the next."

Meanwhile, Couples for Christ lead couple Frank and Geraldine Padilla put the Philippines on the map of the Christian world at the 5th World Congress of Families in Valencia, Spain Saturday.

In the presence of Pope Benedict XVI, the Padilla couple spoke of the work that the Couples for Christ is doing to evangelize not only Philippine society but also other peoples in the region.

The Couples for Christ is famous for its Gawad Kalinga housing program and for using philosophy to underline its evangelizing among the poor.

http://www.mb.com.ph/issues/2006/07/11/MAIN2006071169003.html

chixbebe

July 12th, 2006, 08:22 AM

By Jerome Aning
Inquirer
Last updated 07:39pm (Mla time) 07/11/2006

SOUTH Korea is planning to allow licensed foreign doctors to get jobs in hospitals and medical institutions there, the Philippine Overseas Employment Authority (POEA) said Tuesday.

The POEA quoted a report from the Philippine Embassy in Seoul saying that South Korea’s Ministry of Health and Welfare recently announced plans to revise that country’s medical regulations by September, a move that may allow foreign doctors to work there by March next year.

But while the new rules could pave the way for the entry of Filipino doctors to South Korea, they would also limit foreign doctors to treating patients of the same nationality or if they both speak the same language. They will not be allowed to treat Korean patients.

There are about 45,000 Filipinos and about 400,000 English-speaking foreigners in South Korea, the POEA said.

The new rules would pave the way for the entry of Filipino doctors to South Korea to take care of the health needs of about 45,000 Filipinos and about 400,000 English-speaking foreigners there, according to POEA.

Meanwhile, the POEA said the United Kingdom's Home Office has announced the removal of general nurses from the occupation shortage list although nurses with specific fields of specialization will be retained.

The new policy, according to the POEA, takes effect August 14.

The move will require British employers to satisfy the resident labor market first before they can recruit foreign general nurses.

http://newsinfo.inq7.net/breakingnews/metroregions/view_article.php?article_id=9264

Animo

July 13th, 2006, 02:29 AM

By Jina Shirley G. Dacmay

Lagawe, Ifugao (10 July) -- With Spain opening its doors to Filipino
Overseas Workers (OFWs), the Department of Labor and Employment
(DOLE) Field Office here, is accepting applicants who are interested
to work in Spain for referral to a training in Conversational Spanish
Training.

The Conversational Spanish Training is a 40-hour training which
teaches basic Spanish to interested applicants in preparation for
jobs.

According to Isabelita Codamon, Ifugao DOLE Field Officer, skilled
workers are given priority in Spain. These include construction
workers, Hotel and Restaurant Management and metal works.

Codamon added the DOLE Field Office does not give financial
assistance. "The referral we give applicants will help them find more
decent jobs and also guarantees the legality of companies they work
with," she added.

Codamon said that aside from being conversational there are other
requirements needed like the age and skills requirements. DOLE
evaluate applicants before they are referred to companies in need.

As of press time, twenty individuals are listed for the Spanish
Conversational Training which will be conducted anytime this coming
months as scheduled by DOLE. (PIA)

http://www.pia.gov.ph/news.asp?fi=p060710.htm&no=15

chixbebe

July 13th, 2006, 09:16 AM

Ten southeast Asian countries will sign an agreement this month allowing their citizens to travel within the region without visas, the Malaysian foreign minister said Tuesday.

Most of the 10 members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations currently have bilateral agreements with some or all members of the bloc, allowing their citizens to visit without visas.

The ASEAN Framework Agreement on Visa Exemption will group the bilateral arrangements into a uniform rule, allowing people of the region to visit member nations for up to two weeks without a visa, Foreign Minister Syed Hamid Albar said.

The agreement will be signed during an annual meeting of ASEAN foreign ministers scheduled to start July 23, he said.

The agreement will most affect communist Laos and military-ruled Myanmar. Laos requires every visitor except citizens of Cambodia, Malaysia, Vietnam and Singapore to have a visa while Myanmar does not allow anyone, including citizens of ASEAN countries, to enter without visas.

Vietnam has visa exemption agreements with all ASEAN members except Cambodia and Myanmar. Citizens of other ASEAN countries are allowed visa free travel for up to 30 days.

ASEAN comprises Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, the Philippines, Indonesia, Cambodia, Laos, Brunei, Myanmar and Vietnam.

Source (http://www.philstar.com/philstar/NEWS200607130408.htm)

JAMAICUS

July 15th, 2006, 04:55 PM

Arroyo begins visit to Brunei, Libya

President Arroyo on Saturday left for Brunei Darussalam to attend Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah's birthday, DZMM reported.

After her Brunei trip, the President will proceed to Bangkok on Sunday en route to Libya. Mrs. Arroyo is visiting Tripoli upon the invitation of Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi.

The President flew to Brunei to attend the 60th birthday of Bolkiah. Brunei is one of the Philippines’ closest friends and neighbors, both countries being members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations.

Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita said among the issues to be discussed by Mrs. Arroyo and Gadhafi in Tripoli are the welfare of Filipinos working in Libya, the agreement with the Moro National Liberation Front and the Philippines' observer status in the Organization of Islamic Conference.

Ermita said Mrs. Arroyo will personally thank Gadhafi for his role in strengthening diplomatic relationship between Libya and the Philippines.

He added that the President will also acknowledge Gadhafi’s support in peace negotiations in Mindanao.

Gadhafi had brokered the peace negotiations between the Philippine government and the Moro National Liberation Front headed by chairman Nur Misuari during the Marcos administration. The talks led to the signing of the Tripoli Agreement in December 1976.

Gadhafi is also involved in the peace talks between the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front.

Libya has been providing financial assistance to the rehabilitation program in the areas of conflict in Muslim Mindanao and remains open to Filipino workers.

The Philippines will also ask for Libya's assistance in case of an oil supply shortage, the palace said.

Meanwhile, the military and police went on alert after the President left.

http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/storypage.aspx?StoryId=44473

beads_strawberries

July 17th, 2006, 06:12 AM

^ We really need the support of Libya in terms of stable oil supply. We all know that the price of oil in the world market continue to increase. As such, we need to find other ways to secure a stable oil supply. It is more important to know that the president went to Libya to discuss peace and development in Mindanao.

The trip only proved her serious efforts to provide a stable oil supply and find initiative to resolve peace in Mindanao. Just ilke the other previous trips, this will prove to be fruitful.

Animo

July 18th, 2006, 07:41 AM

By Hern. P. Zenarosa

WHEN President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo arrives today she will be reporting to the people on her two-day state visit to Libya where she lobbied for more secure oil provisions for the country and on new prospects for Libyan business investments here, among others.

Concern over oil supply snarl everywhere has risen in view of the growing hostilities in the Middle East with Israeli warplanes launching sustained attacks in Lebanon’s major cities.

Libya has been a long-time supporter of the Philippines dating back in the 1970’s when Libyan leader Muammar al-Qadhafi helped provide in full measure the process for the Tripoli Agreement signed between the government and the Moro National Liberation Front.

Before her departure last Saturday (she stopped over in Brunei to greet Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah on his birth anniversary), Malacañang announced the President was also to seek support from the Islamic countries for the Philippines’ sustained campaign for more durable peace in Southern Mindanao.

Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita said the President would likewise meet with Filipinos in Libya to attend to their concerns and to assure them she would work for better conditions from the Libyan government.

***

In today’s circumstances, a President’s leadership responsibilities extend beyond the country’s boundaries well into the international spheres.

In the case of President Arroyo, we see that she looks at the country’s interests in relations with our allies both in the First World and the developing countries.

In that aspect of presidential leadership she takes the role of the country’s foremost diplomat.

We see that lately President Arroyo has been giving this role much attention such as when she went on a three-country visit at the Vatican, in Rome, and in Madrid.

***

Just last month in Madrid, she met with Spanish King Juan Carlos I, President Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero, and Spanish business leaders that made possible for the first time in the two countries’ historic relationships the opening to Filipino professionals and skilled workers employment in Spain with option to migrate in succeeding years.

Spain’s two biggest hotel conglomerates also committed R4 billion each for hotel investments in the country, Department of Tourism sources said.

President Arroyo also reported Italy’s commitment to "provide benefits to some 80,000 Filipinos working in that country, as well as Italy’s recognition of Philippine driver’s license."

But probably best of all, she conveyed to the Filipino people Pope Benedict XVI’s blessings to the Philippines.

***

State visit is the most formal way by which a head of state can go to see his/her foreign counterpart; it involves such high level of formalities as ceremonial arrival and farewell and state banquet and private lunch with the host head of state and party and the visiting President with her entourage.

But if for anything else, "state visit is mostly out of courtesy depending on the close or special relations of the two countries, if they are willing or happy to support each other in time of need."

State visits vary on the level of formality, pageantry, and political significance attached to them.

If for anything, too, it is a test of presidential diplomatic skill.

http://www.mb.com.ph/issues/2006/07/18/OPED2006071869537.html

chixbebe

July 18th, 2006, 08:24 AM

TRIPOLI, Libya (Via PLDT) — Libyan leader Col. Muammar Qaddafi assured his country’s continued good relations with the Philippines during a 45-minute closed-door bilateral meeting with President Arroyo late Sunday night, only a couple of hours after her arrival here.

In a briefing Monday morning on the results of the talks between the two heads of state, Press Secretary Ignacio Bunye reported that the Libyan leader was particularly interested on how the Philippine government treats the minorities, especially the Muslims, and expressed hope of their gradual integration into the mainstream of Philippine society.

News (http://www.mb.com.ph/MAIN2006071869517.html)

JAMAICUS

July 18th, 2006, 02:11 PM

Philippines agrees to help Thais fleeing Lebanon

Agence France-Presse
Last updated 07:50pm (Mla time) 07/18/2006

BANGKOK - The Philippines will assist Thais in Lebanon who are trying to flee escalating violence there, the Thai foreign minister said Tuesday.

"Thailand has asked the Philippines to help with the evacuation of Thais in Lebanon when the Philippines starts evacuating their own people," Foreign Minister Kantathi Suphamongkhon said after talks with Philippine President Gloria Arroyo.

"The Philippines has shown its readiness to look after Thais as their own nationals," he said.

Thailand, unlike the Philippines, has no embassy in Lebanon.

More than 230 people have been killed in Lebanon since last Wednesday when Israel launched its offensive in retaliation for Hezbollah capturing two Israeli soldiers.

So far, 15 of the 100 Thais working in Lebanon have been moved to neighboring Syria and will return to Thailand in a couple of days.

Some 30,000 Filipino workers are living in Lebanon, and their government has been coordinating with countries in the region to evacuate them if needed, Arroyo said after returning to Manila.

Kantathi said the Thai embassy in Tel Aviv was coordinating with the employers of some 29,000 Thais working in Israel in case evacuation became necessary.

He also called on the United Nations to step up diplomatic efforts.

"We are worried about escalation of violence in the Middle East," he told reporters. "We would like the UN to step in, if possible, to solve the violence by diplomatic means for peace in the Middle East."

Kantathi's comments came after an hour-long meeting with Arroyo, who made a brief stop-off in Bangkok on the way back to Manila after a visit to Libya.
http://newsinfo.inq7.net/breakingnews/nation/view_article.php?article_id=10498

chixbebe

July 20th, 2006, 10:21 AM

Japan bankrolls training program for Muslims (http://www.manilastandardtoday.com/?page=politics06_july20_2006). This is indeed a great project for our Muslim brothers and sisters in Mindanao region. I see this as another medium to promote peace and order, as well as to educate people of what will clashing of different parties gives. This is a great way of reuniting different towns, places in our country most espoecially places where most of the rebels are there.

Animo

July 21st, 2006, 04:50 PM

NEGROS Occidental Governor Joseph Marañon Tuesday said the Spanish Embassy in the Philippines recently donated P4 million to the Provincial Government.

Marañon said the amount will be used in purchasing hospital equipment and instruments for the Dr. Jose C. Locsin Memorial Provincial Hospital (DJCLMPH) in Silay City as stipulated in the Deed of Donation.

The Teresita L. Jalandoni Memorial Provincial Hospital, which is expected to be operational by August, may also use the equipments, he added.

The list of priority equipment includes a respirator, defibrillator, ECG monitor, radiant warmer, mobile surgical suction unit, operating table, anesthesia machine, dental chair, chemistry analyzer, x-ray machine and hospital beds.

As stated in the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA), the procurement of the equipments should be done within the year.

http://www.sunstar.com.ph/static/bac/2006/07/19/news/capitol.gets.p4m.aid.from.spanish.embassy.html

Animo

July 21st, 2006, 04:59 PM

By NIEL V. MUGAS
The Manila Times Reporter

A number of Spanish firms have expressed interest in the construction of major railway projects in the Philippines, including the extension of the country’s first overhead railway, according to the Department of Trade and Industry.

Their interest was expressed during the recent visit of Trade Secretary Peter B. Favila to Spain.

The firms include Isoluz-Corsan, Pro-Intec and Dimetronics, which the DTI said, are eyeing the proposed extension of the Light Rail Transit (LRT) Line 1 from Baclaran to Cavite.

Pro-Intec, for one, is said to have committed securing from the Spanish government some 800,000 euros (approximately $1.025 million) for a technical grant for the LRT I and LRT Line 2 expansion projects.

Dimetronics is said to be interested in the supply contracts for signaling equipment for the same two projects, while Spain’s national railway operator Red Nacional de los Ferro-carriles Españoles (RENFE), expressed interest in the Iligan-Cagayan de Oro railway project, for which it is ready to spend 100,000 euros for the feasibility study alone.

RENFE is also interested in the NorthRail project.

Soluziona is eyeing the NorthRail project, and is exploring a partnership with the SM Group of Companies for an integrated property development complex.

Spanish railroad construction firm Construccion Y Auxilliar De Ferrocarles (CAF), meantime, is looking at 33 million euros worth of funds for the Philippines’ railway systems.

Pro-Intec is also interested in build-operate-transfer (BOT) projects, such as the Laguindingan Airport and Mindanao Airport Development Project in Cagayan de Oro. The Spanish firm will provide a technical study grant for an agricultural and industrial project in the Cagayan Export Zone Authority. It is also proposing a technical study grant for the fabrication of oil drilling equipment in Subic.

Burgundy Global Asset Management Corp., meantime, has signed a memorandum of understanding with the Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria (BBVA), Spain’s second-largest bank, for a 250 million euro credit line for BOT projects it is planning in the Philippines such as hotels and resort development projects, and the development of Port Irene in Cagayan.

The company also has oil and gas interests in the Northeast and Southeast Palawan. It also participated in the bidding for the Camago-Malampaya Oil Leg.

Lastly, Winace Holdings Philippines Inc. signed a joint declaration with BBVA for the conclusion of an agreement for a credit line of 280 million euros for infrastructure and energy projects.

http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/storypage.aspx?StoryId=43906

Animo

July 23rd, 2006, 08:09 PM

THE People's Republic of China Ambassador to the Philippines H.E. Li Jinjun arrives Monday to strengthen trade and socio-economic ties between Mindanao and China, especially in the areas of mining, infrastructure, tourism and agri-business.

Arriving from an exploratory trip in Zamboanga City, the Chinese Ambassador is accompanied by Chief of Political Office Mr. Lin Tao, First Secretary Ms. Yu Jianming, Military Officer Mr. Sheng Dazhi, Third Secretary and Interpreter Mr. Peng Xiubin, and Secretary to the Ambassador Ms. Zahang Yuanyuan.

In looking at possible trade ties between China and the Philippines, the Chinese Ambassador has also expressed particular interest in how China can strengthen its involvement in the Brunei Darussalam Indonesia Malaysia Philippines-East Asean Growth Area (Bimp-Eaga).

The Chinese Ambassador and the rest of the delegation will then be meeting with various Chinese Community representatives, as well as attending a series of business meetings and city tours, starting Monday through July 26.

Highlights of the Ambassador Li Jinjun and party's visit then include a courtesy call to Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte, a meeting with various Chinese Community representatives at the old Chinese Consulate Building along Sta. Avenue, luncheon meetings hosted by the Filipino-Chinese Chamber of Commerce and the Filipino-Chinese Amity Club, Inc., Davao Chapter, as well as a dinner hosted by the Davao City Chinese Community.

The Ambassador will also visit the AMS Banana Plantation in Calinan, as wellas attend trade and investment briefings by the Mindanao Economic Development Council (Medco), the Davao City Investment and Promotion Center (DCIPC), and the Mindanao Business Council at the Medco Conference Room.

"The Ambassador's visit to Davao is indeed a welcome is very much timely and significant given China's role as a development partner of the Bimp-Eaga initiative," Undersecretary Virgilio Leyretana, Medco OIC chair said.

"The Chinese government's initiative to visit Davao and Zamboanga is truly commendable. I certainly hope this visit will lead to more focused and productive economic ties between China and Mindanao, especially in the context of the Bimp-Eaga," he added.

http://www.sunstar.com.ph/static/dav/2006/07/24/bus/chinese.envoy.arrives.monday.to.strengthen.ties.with.mindanao.html

chixbebe

July 25th, 2006, 08:07 AM

A spokesman for the Japanese Foreign Ministry yesterday said the long overdue trade agreement between the Philippines and Japan is on the final stage of completion and might be concluded by yearend.

In a press briefing, Yoshinori Katori, Director General for Press and Public Relations, said much of the contentious provisions in the Japan-Philippines Economic Partnership Agreement have been threshed out by both sides.

“We are overcoming our differences,” Katori said. “I’m quite optimistic that we will be able to sign that soon. We will work out with officials of two governments to come together and work out the details.”

Katori declined to disclose the controversial issues in the agreement that are being discussed by the Philippine and Japanese negotiating panels.
But he said both sides look forward to the JPEPA’s signing “as soon as possible.”

“I’m sorry I’m not in a position (to disclose it). I hope it (signing) will be soon. I don’t know how soon. It’s now end of July and as I mentioned we will finalize it by the end of this year at the latest, but of course we will try to finalize it as soon as possible,” Katori said.

“I’m quite sure we will be able to sign the agreement,” he added.
Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi was supposed to witness the signing of the JPEPA, the proposed highlight of the 50th commemoration of Philippines-Japan bilateral relations last Sunday.

Japanese officials in Manila denied that Koizumi’s visit was cancelled because the trade pact will not be signed.

JPEPA aims to promote a freer trans-border flow of goods, persons, services and capital between Japan and the Philippines.

It also seeks to promote a comprehensive economic partnership, which includes intellectual property, competition policy, improvement of business environment and bilateral cooperation in such fields as human resources development, information and communications technology and small and medium enterprises.

Japan is the Philippines’ second top trading partner after the US and is the country’s largest market for electronics and semiconductor devices.
It is also the Philippines’ top provider of official development assistance and a major source of foreign direct investments.

http://www.tribune.net.ph/business/20060725bus1.html

chixbebe

July 26th, 2006, 09:09 AM

THE Japanese government has pledged a total of 382 million yen, or P176 million, in scholarship grant for qualified Filipinos who want to study in Japan.

Japanese Foreign Minister Taro Aso and Foreign Affairs Secretary Alberto Romulo signed and exchanged notes of the agreement on the project dubbed as “Human Resource Development Scholarship” for deserving Filipinos. The notes were signed during Aso’s recent official visit to Manila.

Aso said the scholarship project started in the Philippines in 2002 and the Japanese government has committed a total of 1.3 billion yen, or approximately P614 million, for the project through its official development assistance (ODA) to the Philippines.

Romulo said during the signing and exchanging of notes held in Malacañang that the Japanese government officially pledged an additional 382 million yen for the fifth batch of Filipinos to study in Japan for academic years 2007-08 as well as for the second batch of scholars.

Aso said the latest scholarship grant brings to 1.717 billion yen, or about P790 million, the total of Japan’s assistance to the Philippines for this project alone.

This scholarship project provides selected Filipinos from government agencies and private sectors with the opportunity to undergo graduate studies on economics, information technology, public administration, and business administration, among others, in major universities in Japan.

The project aims to enhance the Filipino’s expertise in different field and help them build a pool of future Filipinos who will contribute positively to the country’s overall economic development.

There are 84 Filipino scholars studying in Japan. This year, the Scholarship Operating Committee—composed of representatives from both the Japanese and Philippine governments—selected 25 new Filipinos who just left for Japan.
The governments of Japan and the Philippines jointly administer the selection process for successful applicants.

The Department of Foreign Affairs said the governments of Japan and the Philippines commemorated 50 years of ODA partnership in 2004. This year Japan and the Philippines have further sealed their friendship and reached a milestone as the two countries jointly celebrate their 50th anniversary of the normalization of diplomatic relations.

President Arroyo further recognized this Golden Jubilee Year by proclaiming 2006 as Philippines-Japan Friendship Year.
--Jonathan Vicente

http://www.manilatimes.net/national/2006/july/26/yehey/metro/20060726met5.html

3cr

July 27th, 2006, 10:31 AM

RP needs to do ‘what is right’ to tap US goodwill: Del Rosario

Outgoing Philippine ambassador to the United States, Albert del Rosario, yesterday said government must muster political to address its problems on democracy and economy "by doing what is right" to tap US goodwill.

Del Rosario was feted at a testimonial luncheon yesterday by the Makati Business Club, Management Association of the Philippines, Philippines-US Business Council and the American Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines. Del Rosario also pointed out that the over 3 million Filipino-Americans in the US are the country’s largest investors who can contribute about one-fourth of the economy in five years’ time.

Fil-Ams in the US, however, he said can "be happier" on how the government is run.

Del Rosario, who ended his five-year stint last June, said while there are challenges between US and Philippine relations, "the partnership remains strong stable, resilient and robust."

He called on businessmen to get together and urge this government to consistently do what is right.

He said this could be done by defending democracy, reforming the economy, improving governance by addressing corruption and inequity and by fighting terrorism.

"By doing what is right, we will be able to improve our standing in the international community and more importantly, in the eyes of Filipino-Americans, who are dynamic, growing in number and influence and continue to retain love for their mother country. They have become the strongest pillars of the Philippines," Del Rosario said.

Quoting statistics from the Asian Development Bank, Del Rosario said that out of the $12.5 billion remittances of overseas Filipinos, about 50 percent of that or $7 billion is from the US, which is equivalent to 9 percent of the gross domestic product.

"This amount came in before VAT (value-added tax) and had an effect on the deficit. If you put all the investments together it would not amount to $7 billion," he said.

According to him, in five years, remittances from the US would account for 20 to 25 percent of GDP, judging from the 31 percent rise in 2005 from 2004.

But Del Rosario noted the Philippines has to nurture its Fil-Ams who continue to have affinity for it by improving national image.

"We have to take care of this people, we have to pay attention to them they are the largest investor in the Philippines," Del Rosario said.

Del Rosario, who has been instrumental in achieving economic diplomacy with the US for the past five years, also noted the need for the Philippines "to clear up right away" a labor report that could be inimical to the Philippines as the California Public Employees’ Retirement System (CalPERS), the biggest pension fund in the US, is scheduled to come out with a preliminary report in October.

"We have to respond to that report, if is accurate, we have to come up with corrective measures," Del Rosario said but he did not elaborate.

Del Rosario, who was the Philippine envoy to the US since October 2001, counts among his achievements the retention of the Philippines in CalPERS in its list of permissible countries at a time when we were supposed to be delisted.

In February this year, Del Rosario said Philippines outdid itself when CalPERS gave it the highest score and improved its ranking four notches from 18th to 14th among 26 emerging markets surpassing even Malaysia, India, Russia and China.

chixbebe

July 27th, 2006, 10:40 AM

CHRISTOPHER HILL, the US assistant secretary for East Asian and Pacific Affairs, will make a three-day official visit to the Philippines starting July 29 as part of his regional tour of Southeast Asian countries.

In a press statement the US Embassy said Hill will meet with senior Philippine officials and business leaders to discuss economic, political and security issues and to reaffirm US-Philippines bilateral ties.
This will be Hill’s third visit to the Philippines.

He is expected to make a courtesy call on President Arroyo in Malacañang.
During his visit, Hill will deliver two policy speeches: one at the Philippine Military Academy in Baguio City and the other at the De La Salle University. The two occasions will be open for media coverage.

On Sunday, July 30, Hill will speak before some 1,000 PMA cadets on the contribution of the US to the Philippine defense reform program and the Philippines’ role in ensuring stability and security in Southeast Asia.

He will also join US Ambassador Kristie Kenney and Brig. Gen. Leopoldo Maligalig, PMA superintendent, in presenting a large US donation of books, computers and information materials to the PMA library.

On Monday, July 31, he will speak about US-Philippines relations and US policies in Asia before students and faculty of the De La Salle University in Manila.

Hill has held the position of US assistant secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs since April 2005. As assistant secretary of state, he directs US foreign policy on countries in East Asia. He also heads the US delegation to the Six-Party Talks on the North Korean nuclear issue.
--Jonathan Vicente

http://www.manilatimes.net/national/2006/july/27/yehey/metro/20060727met1.html

JAMAICUS

July 28th, 2006, 04:59 PM

Philippines assumes ASEAN leadership

Agence France-Presse
Last updated 09:24pm (Mla time) 07/28/2006

KUALA LUMPUR--The Philippines on Friday assumed ASEAN's rotating leadership, saying it would put the search for alternative energy sources and the fight against terrorism among its priorities.

Philippines Foreign Secretary Alberto Romulo took over the chair of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) standing committee from the current leader, Malaysian Foreign Minister Syed Hamid Albar, at the close of this year's annual meetings.

"Recognising the great impact of rising oil prices to our objective of economic integration, we aim to enhance energy cooperation, tapping alternative sources of energy and promoting efficiency in the sector," Romulo said.

He said Manila planned to convene a leaders' meeting to tackle energy security.

Most ASEAN countries import their oil needs and record high oil prices are likely to cut economic growth if they remain at current levels for a longer period, according to analysts.

Oil prices were near 75 dollars a barrel on Friday after touching record peaks of above 78 dollars recently.

There have been proposals to increasingly source fuel from coconut, sugarcane as well as to tap wind, solar and hydro-electric power.

Romulo also said the threat of terrorism "remains a major challenge to ASEAN security" and Manila would push the 10-nation bloc to intensify cooperation on counter-terrorism.

The Philippines was supposed to take over ASEAN only in 2007 but Myanmar last year passed up its chance for the alphabetically revolving chair due to pressure from the international community over democratic reforms in the military-ruled country.

As chair of ASEAN, the Philippines will set the agenda and host a series of meetings, including a summit of ASEAN leaders as well as leaders from the 16-nation East Asia Summit in December in the central island of Cebu.

It will also host Asia's top security gathering, the ASEAN Regional Forum, in July 2007 that will include the US secretary of state and the foreign ministers of China, Japan, India and Russia.

Singapore takes over from the Philippines next year.

http://newsinfo.inq7.net/breakingnews/nation/view_article.php?article_id=12328

Animo

July 30th, 2006, 10:56 PM

AMBASSADOR ORTEGA PRESENTS CREDENTIALS TO EUROPEAN COUNCIL PRESIDENCY, DISCUSSES WAYS TO STRENGTHEN RELATIONS WITH EU

Philippine Ambassador to Belgium Cristina G. Ortega reported to the Department of Foreign Affairs that she presented on 17 July 2006 her Letters of Credentials as Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to the European Communities to Minister for European Affairs and concurrent Minister for Foreign Trade and Development Paula Lehtomäki of Finland, on behalf of the Council of the European Union.

Ambassador Ortega said Finland currently holds the Presidency of the Council of the European Union, which rotates every six months, and thus represents the European Union internationally in tandem with the European Commission.

During her meeting with Ambassador Ortega, Minister Lehtomäki expressed her wish to continue to strengthen the friendly relations between Finland and the Philippines, as well as between the EU and the Southeast Asian region. Finland, being the host of the 10th Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) Summit, is expected to steer the EU's focus towards building stronger economic partnerships and political dialogue with Asian countries.

For her part, Ambassador Ortega highlighted the Philippines' forthcoming ASEAN chairmanship and the role that the country will play in advancing regional integration. She noted auspiciously that the Philippines and Finland will concurrently take leadership of the world's two top regional blocs.

Minister Lehtomäki and Ambassador Ortega expressed concern over the safety and security of their respective nationals in Lebanon and Israel in view of the current security situation in Beirut. They shared the common desire that the conflict be resolved and that peace be brokered as soon as possible.
On human rights, Minister Lehtomäki welcomed the abolition of the death penalty in the Philippines and congratulated President Arroyo on this move to uphold human dignity and the right to life. END

JAMAICUS

July 31st, 2006, 12:11 PM

US wants RP to play lead role in implementation of ASEAN programs

By DEXTER A. SEE

FORT DEL PILAR, Baguio City – The United States (US) government wants the Philippines to be at the forefront in multi-lateral agreements with its Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) neighbors to form a formidable force to deal with natural disasters.

Speaking before over 1,000 cadets of the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) here, US Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs Christopher R. Hill underscored the importance of having a modernized and coordinated military in the ASEAN region to quickly respond to natural calamities in the area to save lives and properties.

"There seems to be a lot of natural disasters around us. I don’t know whether it’s caused by global warming or what, but we need to be into it to do more into it because we need to really react faster on such situations," Hill said, adding that the Philippine defense reforms could mean a lot in the capability of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) to deal with real disaster scenarios.

The US official lauded the relentless effort of the Philippine government to implement the needed reforms to modernize and professionalize the country’s military to be at par with other world powers in the future, saying that despite being only in its second year of implementation, the country’s defense reforms showed significant developments in terms of humanitarian and hardware development.

At the same time, Hill cited the AFP for its valuable contributions in the peace-keeping efforts in Haiti, Liberia, and the Ivory Coast

He vowed that the US government is willing to spearhead coordinating exercises to ensure that the various military groups in the ASEAN region will be working closer in terms of humanitarian and modernization as well as professionalization efforts.

He pledged the continuous support of the US government to the country’s defense reforms, saying that the Philippine government itself is pouring its resources to such important program designed to protect its citizens and the ASEAN region.

Kristie Kenny, US Ambassador to the Philippines, disclosed that the US government has earmarked at least $ 12 million as its contributions in the local defense reforms, aimed at making the AFP one of the modernized military in the ASEAN and Pacific regions in the future.

However, she added that such amount is exclusive of books, computers, and other hardware and software materials as well as the exchange programs which the US government vowed to provide the country’s military.

Hill encouraged the future military officers to focus on the mindset of a reshaped military working towards the protection of its citizens and those in the global village.

He said that the US values its bilateral ties with the Philippines, thus, it is committed to pure in the needed support in modernizing and professionalizing the military for future multi-lateral ties with other countries in the ASEAN and Pacific regions.

Citing that the Philippines has took hold of the ASEAN leadership, leaders must already work out expanding bilateral ties to strengthen the regional security and thwart terrorism which is now a global menace.

Hill admitted that the Philippines plays a very important role in the region’s security, thus, he challenged the cadets to reestablish their dedication and commitment towards attaining a more professional military in the years to come.

The White House aide also commended the contributions of the Philippine military to its efforts to instill regional peace, claiming that Filipino soldiers played a vital role in gaining back the country’s independence during World war II.

He also stressed that Filipino soldiers have respectable reputations in the global military circle, especially with their unsung abilities. (Dexter A. See)

http://www.mb.com.ph/MAIN2006073170543.html

chixbebe

August 1st, 2006, 09:52 AM

BASCO, Batanes — In an attempt to improve the strained relations between this northernmost territory of the Philippines and its neighbor, Taiwan, the latter’s ambassador arrived here Sunday to listen to the Ivatans’ (the natives) reservations and interest in Taiwan trade.

Ambassador Hsin-Hsing Wu, representative of the Taiwan Economic and Cultural Office, met yesterday with representatives of various government agencies and non-government organizations, in what he calls as "a mission of friendship and goodwill."

Gov. Vicente Gato and Rep. Henedina Abad led the Ivatans in welcoming the Taiwanese delegation, which include Wu, his Economic Director Fu-Sheng Chen and Consul General Benjamin Hong.

Wu’s visit is a record of sorts as this is the first-ever trip here of a Taiwanese diplomat.

While no mention was made on the alleged shooting incident in the municipal waters of the island-municipality of Sabtang early this year, it was clear that Wu wanted a more friendly relations with the country.

"It is our desire that you continue to protect our fishermen, who occasionally get arrested for intruding into your territorial waters," Wu said.

In the alleged shooting incident, local police fired at a Taiwanese fishing boat. A crewmember was reportedly seriously wounded and subsequently died aboard the ship.

Wu also asked the Ivatans how his country could help them now that there is already a direct airlink between the southern city of Kaoshiung and this capital town.

The Taiwanese delegation was surprised with the people’s overwhelming request for everything, including second-hand motorcycles, computers, clothes and fishing boats.

"If you need our assistance, let us know. We are here to help you," Wu further told his audience. "In return, we expect your friendship and goodwill," he added.

http://www.philstar.com/philstar/NEWS200608019905.htm

JAMAICUS

August 1st, 2006, 12:30 PM

Gaa takes over RP embassy in Washington

By Veronica Uy
INQ7.net
Last updated 07:00pm (Mla time) 07/31/2006

WILLY Gaa has officially taken over as Philippine ambassador to Washington and has conducted a general meeting with staff and officers of the embassy, its press and information office said in an e-mail Monday.

Gaa took over from Ambassador Albert del Rosario.

“By virtue of Department of Foreign Affairs Assignment Order No. 311-06 signed by Foreign Affairs Secretary Alberto Romulo on July 15, Gaa has been assigned to [the premier post] as charge d’affaires and deputy chief of mission effective July 25. He arrived in Washington, D.C. from Los Angeles on July 26 and assumed his official duty on the same day,” the embassy statement said.

Del Rosario was present to welcome Gaa and joined him during the July 28 general meeting at the embassy’s Romulo Hall.

In his brief remarks before embassy personnel, Gaa said that “like in the Olympics marathon,” he considered himself as “a runner carrying the torch until he reaches [his] next point or until another runner comes along to whom he has to pass on the torch.”

Gaa added that as a “marathon runner, he expected the officers and staff to support [him] when [he] is thirsty or hungry, as a matter of speaking.”

Prior to this current assignment, Gaa served as consul general of the Philippine consulate in Los Angeles. He also served as ambassador to the People’s Republic of China from 2003 to January 2006, Australia and non-resident ambassador to Nauru, Tuvalu, and Vanuatu from 2002 to 2003, as ambassador to Tripoli, Libya and non-resident ambassador to Tunisia, Malta, and Niger from 1992 to 1997, among others.

According to same statement, Gaa's career as a diplomat began when he was appointed as Foreign Service Officer in December 1974 after passing the FSO examination and taking the oath of office in 1975.

He is married to Erlinda Concepcion, with whom he has two sons, Wendell and Warren.

Copyright 2006 INQ7.net. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

http://globalnation.inq7.net/news/news/view_article.php?article_id=12647

JAMAICUS

August 1st, 2006, 01:01 PM

China, Japan, WB, ADB pledge $7.4B for infrastructure

By Michelle Remo
Inquirer
Last updated 05:02am (Mla time) 08/01/2006

THE government has received $7.4 billion worth of pledges for various infrastructure development projects, taking it a step closer toward realizing its economic pump-priming program over the medium term.

About $6 billion will come from the Chinese government, which is seeking places to invest parts of its estimated $800 billion in gross international reserves. The funds will be coursed through China's export-import bank.

This is according to Economic Planning Secretary Romulo Neri, who told reporters Monday that the government's economic team was set to finalize a list of infrastructure projects to be submitted to foreign creditors for financing.

Neri, who is director-general of the National Economic and Development Authority, said the financial support from China would be released over the next three years at about $2 billion a year.

The funds will come in the form of concessional loans that will carry an annual interest rate of 3.0 percent and payable in 20 years, Neri said.

Japan Bank for International Cooperation, so far the Philippines' biggest source of official development assistance, has agreed to give $1 billion worth of ODA for its 27th yen loan package, Neri added.

The World Bank and the Asian Development Bank, the Philippines' two other major sources of ODA, will each give $200 million, he said.

Earlier, the Department of Finance said the administration of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo would embark on a series of infrastructure development projects estimated to total P290 billion, starting this year until 2010. The purpose is to pump-prime the economy, which has lagged behind its Asian counterparts in public spending for infrastructure.

Because its revenue generation capability cannot cover the expenditure requirement, it will have to rely on soft loans from foreign lenders.

The Arroyo administration has set a goal of increasing the government's spending for infrastructure to five or six percent of the gross domestic product, which is what governments in neighboring countries spend, on average.

The Philippine government's spending for infrastructure is two to three percent of the GDP.

The big-ticket projects include new airports in several provinces, interconnection of the North and South Luzon expressways, and extension of Metro Manila's overhead Light Rail Transit to Bacoor town in Cavite province. The projects also include connection of the north stations of the Light Rail Transit and the Metro Rail Transit, and several farm-to-market roads.

The government also wants to start work on a connection of the Subic-Clark-Tarlac Road to Dingalan Port through Nueva Ecija province; connection of the Marikina-Infanta Road to the port in Real town in Quezon province, connection of the Clark Special Economic Zone to the Port of Batangas via Metro Manila, creation of an advanced facility in Port Irene through the Cagayan Zone Authority; opening of a seaport in Salomague in the northern province of Ilocos Sur, upgrade of the Subic seaport, and construction of a roll-on, roll-off port system that will link Lucena City in Quezon with Boac in Marinduque province. With INQ7.net

Copyright 2006 Inquirer. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

http://business.inq7.net/money/topstories/view_article.php?article_id=12780

Animo

August 2nd, 2006, 06:05 AM

By Rose B. Palacio

Davao City (28 July) -- Bureau of Immigration alien control officer Benjamin Lao urged foreign nationals to register for I-Cards at the regional office of BI along Bajada, Davao City.

The BI has set deadline for I-Cards registration on August 13, 2006, however, since the said date falls on Sunday, the deadline was moved on the following day Monday August 14, 2006.

The regional office of BI has been accommodating alien registration since June but it seems that foreign nationals have taken for granted the importance of having an I-Card of their own, Lao said.

Those who fail to secure their I-Cards and make legal their stay in the country before the BI's deadline would face deportation for being undocumented aliens.

The new I-Cards for aliens replaces the Alien Certificate of Registration or ACR identity card. Throughout the country, about 35,000 foreigners have claimed their I-Cards while some 20,000 or more have yet to do so.

In Davao region, more than a thousand have registered for their I-Cards while another more than a thousand are expected to register. Mostly foreign Chinese nationals have not yet adhere to register for their I-Cards, Lao said.

The BI have launched the new I-Card project in line with the President's agenda in providing adequate services to the people and make government transactions "paperless" which is more convenient to foreigners staying in the country.

BI has also rationalized the process for registration since applicants' documentary requirements are evaluated and recommended for approval on the spot by assigned registration officers.

An applicant who is due to leave the country can secure an I-Card within the same day provided that a photocopy of the plane ticket is attached to the I-Card application.

Lao said BI is actively addressing the issue of backlogs in the processing of I-Cards application.

"We are targeting a zero backlog in processing of I-Card applications", Lao said. (PIA)

Animo

August 3rd, 2006, 06:09 AM

By BERNIE CAHILES-MAGKILAT

Filipino and Mexican businessmen have agreed to jointly explore business opportunities in the Philippine growth areas such as mining, tourism, shipbuilding and education to further strengthen trade and economic relations between the two countries.

This developed after the Philippine-Mexico Business Council (PMBC) conducted a trade mission to Mexico.

Among the accomplishments of the mission, which are intended to enhance the business relationship between the Philippines and Mexico are:

l Pursue the possibility for reciprocal state visit by President Vicente Fox of Mexico to the Philippines in time with the Association of Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) meeting in November 2006 in Vietnam.

l Philippine government and private sector initiation of RP-Mexico bilateral meetings during the APEC meetings in November 2006 in Vietnam.

l Initiate exchange of data and information through "doing business seminars" to be conducted with Mexican, Chilean, and Peruvian resource speakers during the ASEAN Business Advisory Council (ABAC) meeting in August 2006 in Cebu; use the data base of Mexican companies interested in doing business in the Philippines;

l Conduct studies to determine the opportunities in the sectors of shipbuilding, maritime education, and tourism.

l Follow through the interests of Bancomext’s interests on opportunities in the mining sector.

Total trade between the Philippines and Mexico reached 7.37 million in 2005, with Philippine exports to Mexico amounting to 5.14 million in 2005, and imports reaching .23 million. The Philippines enjoy a positive balance of trade of .91 million.

The main export products of the Philippines to Mexico include electronic products (67.64 percent), garments (14.24 percent), and machinery and transport (5.99 percent). Imports from Mexico on the other hand consists of electronics (39.22 percent), chemicals (23.02 percent), and food products (7.60 percent).

Members of the Philippine delegation to Mexico include: Juan Carlos del Rosario, Ambassador Jose Macario Laurel IV, Edgardo Reyes, Renato Ledesma, Visitation Costa, Evie Goco, Helen Ong, Amalita Aquino, and DTI Commercial Attaché Josephine Romero.(BCM)

http://www.mb.com.ph/issues/2006/07/16/BSNS2006071669352.html

Animo

August 3rd, 2006, 07:42 PM

By ARIS R. ILAGAN

The Philippine National Police (PNP) formally received over the weekend 5,000 handguns imported from Brazil.

The pistols are part of the modern equipment totalling P323 million acquired by the PNP for its personnel.

Chief Supt. Arturo Cacdac, director of the PNP Firearms and Explosives Division, received the 5,000 Taurus PT-92 9mm pistols manufactured in Brazil.

Cacdac said the PNPFED will subject the handguns to ballistics tests and documentation before these are forwarded to the PNP Logistics Support Service (LSS) which is in charge of its distribution to PNP field units.

Officials of Trust Trade Inc. – the authorized distributor of Taurus firearms in the Philippines – joined PNP-FED officers in receiving the handguns.

According to Cacdac, the acquisition of the pistols was approved by the PNP leadership after these passed rigid endurance tests and evaluation. It outperformed other handguns offered to the PNP.

The PNP-LSS will determine which PNP field offices will receive the pistols.

Three weeks ago, the PNP distributed 200 new vehicles, many of which were Toyota Altises customized as police vehicles, to improve the mobility of police in fighting crime, terrorist groups, and rebels.

President Arroyo, accompanied by PNP chief Director General Oscar C. Calderon, personally inspected the vehicles at the PNP Parade Grounds in Camp Crame, Quezon City.

http://www.mb.com.ph/issues/2006/07/31/MTNN2006073170539.html

chixbebe

August 8th, 2006, 07:11 AM

The Philippines and United States will conduct a one-week bilateral naval exercise as part of joint efforts aimed at enhancing their forces’ skills in combating seaborne terrorists.

Philippine Navy spokesman, Cdr. Giovanni Carlo Barcodo, said the bilateral exercise dubbed, “Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training Exercise 2006,” will be held from Aug. 14 to 21 in several training sites in Zambales and La Union provinces.

Units of the Navy and the Marines will see action with their US counterparts during the one-week exercise, Barcodo said in a statement.

Carat 2006 and similar activities are covered by the RP-US Mutual Defense Treaty.

The exercise will focus in developing skills that are directly applicable in addressing seaborne terrorist threats and other transnational crimes at sea, he said.

It will also enable the Navy Fleet-Marine tandem to strengthen its operational skills and synergy in carrying out combined operations, he said.

The Fleet-Marine operations, he said, present the continued navywide force innovation that focuses on the unique operational perspective of Fleet-Marine partnership.

The Fleet-Marine tandem utilizes the system of operations for sea-based combat and sustained operations ashore. It is also the Navy’s contribution to the internal security and counterterrorism operations of the Armed Forces.

Under the bilateral exercise, the two forces will also try to explore on other related fields of endeavor including at-sea maneuvering and communications, command and control, and diving and salvage routine activities.

Seminars on damage control and logistics will also be held during the one-week joint exercise, he said.

In a related development, the Philippine and US Navy will hold outreach activities to residents of selected localities in Zambales and La Union. Arlie Calalo

http://www.manilastandardtoday.com/?page=politics06_aug08_2006

chixbebe

August 9th, 2006, 11:28 AM

President Arroyo yesterday called for greater cooperation among 10 members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and their partners in Asia in various fields like energy security, disaster preparedness, counter-terrorism, protection of migrant workers, and initiatives in the international community.

Leading the commemoration in Malacañang of the 39th founding anniversary of the ASEAN, Mrs. Arroyo urged representatives from the 10 ASEAN countries to strengthen cooperation in the region in the political, economic and diplomatic efforts in the international community.

The President also launched the logo and website (http://www.12thaseansummit.org.ph) for the 12th ASEAN Summit which the Philippines, ASEAN’s chairman for the term 2006 to 2007, will host in Cebu in December.

The ASEAN consists of Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.

The logo for the 12th ASEAN Summit shows the organization’s emblem surrounded by ten sampaguita flowers resting on six leaves to represent the ten members of the ASEAN and their six dialogue partners in the Asia-Pacific region.

Mrs. Arroyo cited several areas of strengthened cooperation among the ASEAN members, especially the protection of migrant workers and cooperation in the face of natural disasters which will both be major topics for discussion during the 12th ASEAN Summit in line with the meeting’s theme of "One Caring and Sharing Community."

"Through the years, we have seen and felt the reassuring presence of ASEAN humanitarian power in countries devastated by natural disasters, be it a tsunami, earthquake, landslide or volcanic eruption. We will push for initiatives that will make ASEAN a shining institution that cares for its people or its environment and one that truly shares resources for uplifting the disadvantaged, integrating the marginalized and realizing the common good," Mrs. Arroyo stressed.

Mrs. Arroyo enumerated several other areas in which ASEAN countries may be able to work closer to promote economic development among them and their peoples, particularly in the protection of migrant workers in which most ASEAN countries have a stake.

Mrs. Arroyo said ASEAN could emulate the government’s strategies in ensuring the safety of the millions of overseas Filipino workers, as demonstrated in the ongoing repatriation and evacuation of the 30,000 OFWs in Lebanon for which the Philippines has reportedly been lauded by the United Nations’ International Organization for Migration for its coordinated and orderly procedures in putting out of harm’s way the Filipinos caught in the fighting in that country.

"We will work for the protection of the rights of migrant workers in all corners of the earth. There are many Asian workers in the Middle East, including two million Filipinos, thirty thousand in Lebanon. In this time of crisis, we will share our ASEAN neighbors our government apparatus. It keeps track of our overseas workers and takes care of their needs. We have moved thousands of our people to relative safety from the most harmful areas of South Lebanon. We ask our ASEAN neighbors to join us in calling for peace in the Middle East and the cessation of violence by all parties," Mrs. Arroyo said.

President Arroyo also pushed for greater economic cooperation among the ten members of the ASEAN, particularly on ensuring a stable supply of energy in the region.

"We will push for greater cooperation in energy security, including a joint energy project with our neighbor Indonesia in the Southern Mindanao, Sulawesi border," she said.

Cooperation against terrorism and other transnational crimes was also cited as a major factor in enabling "free and fair trade on sea and land inhabited by almost 600 million people producing almost $ 1 trillion."

"By pushing for a convention on counter-terrorism, we will advance team work in the fight against evil. By engaging our neighboring region, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization Nations, we will widen our reach," Mrs. Arroyo said.

The Chief Executive also endorsed the ongoing consultations for the creation and establishment of an ASEAN Charter which is expected to lead to a defined role of the ASEAN in the decision-making of its members, and to economic integration among the ASEAN members.

"At the apex of our dreams is an ASEAN Charter, (for the ASEAN to become) a legal organization with a juridical personality bound by institutional rules and standards empowered to engage the world in more constructive and powerful ways," Mrs. Arroyo said.

Animo

August 14th, 2006, 08:12 PM

Ethel Soliven Timbol

DESPEDIDA. A highly popular couple will be bringing home many happy memories of friends made here and great times enjoyed with them. Portugal Ambassador Joao Caetano da Silva and his gracious wife Ulrike have completed their tour of duty in the Philippines and so are leaving for their new post in Venezuela soon.

Before they leave, they will have been feted left and right with farewell lunches and dinners by friends who will surely be missing them. One of these are Guatemala honorary consul Mellie Ablaza and her husband Louie Ablaza and Angola consul a.h. Helen Ong and Dr. Sonny Ong.

They jointly hosted a despedida dinner at the Ong residence for the Da Silvas. No less than Margarita Fores of Cibo and Pepato catered the exquisite dinner which started with crisp white asparagus straws with manchego crust, followed by galleta squares with salmonete mousse and capiz fish roe, fried leeks, breaded olives stuffed with banana hearts and queso de bola calamansi maionesa.

Invited to dinner were diplomats and their spouses … EU Amb. Jan de Kok and wife Agnes, Chile Amb. Jorge Montero and wife Johanna, Belgium Amb. Gregoire Vardakis with wife Martine, South Africa Amb. Pieter Vermeulen and wife Chrisna, Panama Amb. Juan Felipe with Danielle Pitty, Japan Amb. Ryuichiro Yamazaki, Papua New Guinea Amb. Damien Dominic & Mme. Joan Gamiandu, Thailand Amb. Asha Avitiyananda, Cuba Amb. & Mme. Jorge Rey Jimenez, New Zealand Amb. David Pine and wife Azi, Egypt Amb. Saber Abdel Kader and wife Aziza, Spanish Amb. Ignacio and wife Aurora Sagaz.

Also bidding the Da Silva farewell were Mme. Silvia Schuff of Argentina, former Belgium amb. Christiaan and Gul Tnaghe, consuls Fortune and Rene Ledesma, consuls Evie Costa, Agnes Huibonhoa, Bobbit Goudsmit.

*****

BIDDING GOODBYE also to Portugal Amb. Joao Caetano da Silva and his wife Ulrike was Letty Syquia.

Letty and her late husband Amb. Enrique P. Syquia were the first Filipino couple that Joao and Ulrike got to meet through the former Portugal Amb. Joao and Liv Camara.

Letty and Ulrike soon became good friends. Letty recalls Ulrike (who learned to drive in Manila!) was always game. She liked to travel around the country with her newfound friends, delighted in Philippine products and delicacies, and joined a ballroom dancing group which holds dance lessons once a week.

Actually, Ulrike was introduced to the dancing group at Letty’s residence. So when the season of the annual Opera Ball started in February, Ulrike who is an Austrian by birth, helped Letty train the Opera Ball debutantes and their escorts to dance the Viennese Waltz.

There were certainly many memories to share during the intimate dinner Letty hosted for the Da Silvas in her North Forbes residence.

Among those present at the dinner were Argentina Amb. Mario and Silvia Schuff, Austria Amb. Herber Jaeger and Dr. Martina Corrado, Chile amb. Jorge and Johanna Montero, Egypt Amb. Jorge and Aziza Mansour, Mme. Anna Khan of Pakistan, Sri Lanka Amb. Wijekoon and Sirima Senevirathna, Asec. Jerill and Rizabelle Santos of the DFA Office of Protocol.

As a special gift of friendship, the charming hosts gave her guests gifts of another Philippine pride, the Philippine tobacco.

http://www.mb.com.ph/issues/2006/08/11/SCTY2006081171455.html

chixbebe

August 15th, 2006, 10:37 AM

http://www.philstar.com/philstar/NEWS200608159906.htm

SUBIC BAY FREEPORT — Five United States vessels and four from the Philippine Navy arrived here yesterday for a one-week bilateral Naval Exercise.

The Naval Exercise code-named Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT) Exercise 2006 started yesterday in various training sites in Zambales and La Union. It would end on Aug. 21.

Officials of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the US Navy graced the opening ceremony here.

Five ships, aircraft, and the NAVSOG team from the Philippine Navy will see action with their US counterparts during the CARAT exercise. The Philippine Coast Guard will also participate in this year’s CARAT.

The participating US ships docked early yesterday morning at the former US Ship Repair Facility here were the USS Tortuga (LSD 46), USS Hopper (DO 670), USS Cromelin (FF 37), USS Salvor (ARS 52), and USCGC Sherman (WHEC 720).

Philippine Navy ships include the BRP Apolinario Mabini (PS 36), BRP Heracleo Alano (PG 376), BRP Teotimo Figuracion (PG 389) and BRP Bacolod City (LC 550). The PCG’s SAR 004 will also see action this year.

The series of drills and simulation activities are expected to strengthen the Philippine Navy’s Fleet-Marine Tandem in their operational skills and synergy in carrying out combined operations.

The Fleet-Marine Tandem is the Navy’s contribution to the internal security and counter-terrorism operations of the AFP. — Ric Sapnu

JustHorace

August 15th, 2006, 03:34 PM

Look at these...Argentinians in Pinoy costumes...and dancing Filipino

http://www.buenosairespe.com.ar/images/escuelaa.jpg
http://www.buenosairespe.com.ar/images/escuelab.jpg

Espma

August 15th, 2006, 04:23 PM

^^ how can we tell they're dancing Filipino though?!

and what are these pictures anyway?

and were u being sarcastic?

haha im so slow...

DoggMann

August 15th, 2006, 05:25 PM

http://www.tempo.com.ph/news.php?aid=26599

India’s Independence Day

Today is the Independence Day of India.

India’s history is shrouded in antiquity. The country has been thought of as a nation of philosophers with a well-deve-loped and even idyllic society. One of the oldest scriptures in the world is the four-volume Vedas that many regard as the repository of concepts that anticipated some modern scientific discoveries.

With a charismatic leader in the person of Mahatma Gandhi who waged Satyagraha, a unique non-violent campaign, India threw off the yoke of British rule on August 15, 1947. In less than three years after attaining freedom, India had framed a Constitution and declared itself a republic on January 26, 1950. The Constitution was given shape by some of the finest minds of the country who ensured the trinity of justice, liberty, and equality for the citizens of India. The Constitution was made flexible enough to adjust to the demands of social and economic changes within a democratic framework.

The Philippines and India have had trade and cultural relations since pre-colonial times and many of the indigenous customs, languages, and art forms of the Philippines have traces of affiliation with those of India.

The Philippines today has two venues for discussing bilateral relations with India: the Joint Working Group on RP-India Trade, which is led by the Department of Trade and Industry, and the Policy Consultation Talks led by the Department of Foreign Affairs. The former focuses on trade and investments, while the latter involves foreign policy thrusts and other areas of mutual concern.

Last February, President Abdul Kalam of the Republic of India visited the Philippines. His visit is the first by an Indian Head of State in 15 years. The highlight of the state visit was the meeting of President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo and President Kalam. They discussed ways to further strengthen bilateral trade and investments. Also discussed was the keenness of the Philippine government to invite investments from India in the health and technology sectors where the economies of both countries can complement each other’s strong points. Both countries are considered leaders in business processes outsourcing and have strong potential in the medical tourism market. During the meeting, the Philippines identified India as a major source of affordable quality medicines. In line with efforts to boost defense ties, a defense cooperation agreement was signed during the state visit. This will deepen naval and maritime cooperation and strengthen the annual security dialogue between the two countries.

We congratulate the people and government of the Republic of India led by President Abdul Kalam, and its Embassy in the Philippines, headed by Charge d’Affaires Tsewang Namgyal, on the occasion of its Independence Day.

Animo

August 28th, 2006, 06:01 PM

Uruguay is a country on the southeastern coast of South America between Brazil and Argentina. It is the second smallest country in South America, after Suriname. The capital and chief economic center of Uruguay is the coastal city of Montevideo.

Uruguay was part of the colonial empire of Spain in the Americas until the early 1800s. After a brief period of Portuguese rule, Uruguay became an independent nation in 1828. Its Spanish past influences many aspects of Uruguayan culture. Spanish is the official language of Uruguay. The country’s formal name in Spanish is Republica Oriental del Uruguay.

Although Uruguay is not highly industrialized, it is not considered underdeveloped. Population growth in Uruguay is much slower than in most underdeveloped countries and the population exerts only minor pressure on the natural resources that drive the nation’s economy.

Foreign trade plays an important role in the economy of Uruguay. The country’s main trading partners are Argentina, Brazil, and the United States. Textiles, meats, fish, rice, and hides are the most important exports. Imports include raw materials for manufacturing, fuel and lubricants, food products, plastics, chemicals, prescription medicines, construction materials, machinery, and cars and trucks.

Uruguay is a founding member of several trade groups, including the Latin American Integration Association (LAIA) and the Southern Cone Common Market (known by its Spanish acronym, Mercosur). The LAIA, which encompasses all of the countries in South America except Suriname, Guyana, and French Guiana, works toward increasing regional integration and trade. Mercosur, which also includes Argentina, Brazil, and Paraguay and is headquartered in Montevideo, focuses on establishing duty-free trade among members.

We congratulate the people and government of Uruguay led by H.E. President Tabare Vazquez Rosas, and its Consulate in the Philippines headed by Consul Antonio H. Ozaeta, on the occasion of their Independence Day.

http://www.mb.com.ph/issues/2006/08/25/OPED2006082572576.html

chixbebe

August 31st, 2006, 11:19 AM

A long overdue trade agreement between the Philippines and Japan will be signed during the Asia-Europe Meeting (Asem) in Finland on Sept. 10, Foreign Affairs and diplomatic sources said yesterday.

Sources confirmed the signing will take place during the bilateral meeting between President Arroyo and Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi at the sidelines of the Asem meeting.

“Yes, it will be signed during the Asem summit in Finland,” sources said.

They said negotiating parties have agreed to formalize the signing of the Japan-Philippines Economic Partnership Agreement (JPEPA) after hurdling some contentious points of the trade pact.

The Japanese Embassy in Manila declined to confirm the JPEPA’s signing.
“It is still being negotiated and coordinated between two countries. We can not confirm specific time of signing,” said embassy press attache Motoichiro Yamada.

In late July, Yoshinori Katori, director general for Press and Public Relations of the Japanese Foreign Ministry, told reporters in Manila that contentious provisions in the JPEPA have been threshed out by both sides.

Katori declined to disclose the controversial issues in the agreement being discussed by the Philippine and Japanese negotiating panels.

He also said that the JPEPA’s signing will be made “as soon as possible” or before yearend.

Koizumi was supposed to witness the signing of the JPEPA, the proposed highlight of the 50th commemoration of Philippines-Japan bilateral relations last month.

It was deferred after the Philippine and Japanese negotiators failed to reach a consensus on the arbitration clause of the agreement and on the venue of settlement of dispute, one official said.

“Everything was ironed out and it will be signed in Finland,” one of the sources said.

JPEPA aims to promote a freer trans-border flow of goods, persons, services and capital between Japan and the Philippines.

It also seeks to promote a comprehensive economic partnership, which includes intellectual property, competition policy, improvement of business environment and bilateral cooperation in such fields as human resources development, information and communications technology and small and medium enterprises.

http://www.tribune.net.ph/business/20060831bus4.html

chixbebe

September 12th, 2006, 08:45 AM

Update on this ^^^ trade agreement, its a Partnership Agreement (http://www.manilastandardtoday.com/?page=news06_sept12_2006) already which was signed last Saturday night at Helsinki before the Asia Europe Meeting began.

With this regards, our government expects to earn as much as P100 billion in revenues a year—equal to 2 to 2.5 percent of the country’s gross domestic product. The Philippine Institute for Development Studies made a study saying it will generate us 2 percentage to two-and-a-half percentage additional points in GDP and that they said this is quite significant for it will translate inot about P250 billion to P300 billion within the next years.

This also expects to improve/increase more investments from Japan.

Animo

October 9th, 2006, 12:59 AM

Madrid (2 October) -- President Arroyo's peace adviser today said "new perspectives" are being studied and crafted as a way forward in the ongoing impasse on ancestral domain with the Muslim rebels in Southern Philippines.

Speaking from Madrid where he is meeting with other international peace negotiators, Presidential Adviser Jesus G. Dureza told reporters in the sidelines of a forum here that although the impasse is "serious", there is always a way forward. Just like in the many more problematic situations the world, a peaceful settlement can be achieved "provided both sides are determined to mutually seek peace", Dureza pointed out.

Dureza said: "I know the Moro Islamic Liberation Front wants peace for the bangsamoro people in the south. We in government and the rest of the people who are tired of conflict also aspire for peace. Looking for the way is what this is all about. It may not be easy. But President Arroyo and the whole nation are determined to seek the path to peace".

The Philippine official sounded off to the top negotiators convened here in Spain on possible options that can be studied for the Philippine case that other nations are able to adopt successfully. Dureza however said the Philippine case may be unique in its own way but lessons learned in other parts of the world can be "insightful".

About a dozen top government negotiators were invited by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Development of Spain in a 3-day forum in Madrid. Aside from Dureza, the Philippines is represented by government panel negotiator Anabelle Abaya, a conflict resolution expert who sits in the negotiations with the communist party. Peace talks with the Filipino Maoist rebels are also on standstill at the moment. The University of Culture of Peace in Barcelona facilitated the closed door marathon sessions.

Discussed during the forum aside from the Philippine peace process were Columbia, Darfur, Congo, Burundi, Azerbaijan, Aceh Indonesia, Sahara, Pakistan and others.

The Philippine official said a panel headed by Secretary Silvestre Afable is now backing to the drawing boards to study options upon orders by the Philippine president.

What is significant in the Philippine talks is that in spite of the impasse in the table, the ceasefire is holding with the assistance of international monitors led by Malaysia. Also development initiatives with the moro rebels' designated agency are underway with the donor community's support even before a final peace accord is forged.

While in Madrid, the Spanish State Foreign Minister Leon Bernardo informed Dureza that a seasoned Spanish diplomat had already been chosen to lead a team of human rights monitors who will assist to look into the human rights situation in the country upon invitation of President Arroyo during her June visit this year. (PIA 12)

http://www.pia.gov.ph/default.asp?m=12&sec=news&r=&y=&mo=&fi=p061002.htm&no=57

chixbebe

October 9th, 2006, 12:39 PM

RP still an important partner to Japan — envoy

Japan’s top envoy to Manila said the Philippines remains in the radar screen of the new Japanese government even if it was not among the priority countries identified in the platform of newly-elected Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.

In his closing remarks at a lecture at the Asian Institute of Management (AIM) in Makati City over the weekend, Ambassador RyuichiroYamazaki noted that the Philippines is “a very important partner of Japan.”

“Although the Philippines was not mentioned in the platform the Philippines is on the radar screen of Mr. Abe,” Yamazaki said.

“The Philippines is the prime democratic country in ASEAN and this was reflected during the visit of Secretary (Alberto) Romulo in Japan,” he added.

He noted that the Philippines was the only country that voted in favor of a United Nations Security Council (UNSC) Resolution last year denouncing the human rights violations in North Korea.

“Usually, the ASEAN abstain on this issue. The Philippines was the first ASEAN country to vote. I would like to assure that the Philippines is in the radar screen of Japan,” he added.

The envoy qu