Binibining Pilipinas queens dance to celebrate International Womens Month

Women's Month: Binibining Pilipinas queens show fitness routine; Samantha Panlilio signs with Viva

Earl D.C. Bracamonte - Philstar.com

MANILA, Philippines — The Binibining Pilipinas Charities Inc. (BPCI) gathered some of its reigning queens to celebrate International Women's Month at the Araneta City recently. The "Fearless Filipina"-themed event focused on the physical strength of women and the many things they can overcome and accomplish.

"Right now, we are focusing on the pre-pageant application activities. We speak to the new batch of entrants and give them pointers that are useful to their pageant experience. This is part of our 18-month contractual obligations with BPCI.

"I am also busy taking up acting lessons after signing for a five-year contract with Viva Artists Management. Me and my sister queens have been reunited now that things are opening up. I still do the same things to stay fit, like dieting and going to the gym," shared reigning Binibining Pilipinas Grand International Samantha Alexandra Panlilio.

The reigning queens - Binibining Pilipinas International Hannah Arnold, Binibining Pilipinas Grand International Samantha Alexandra Panlilio, 1st runner-up Gabrielle Basiano, and 2nd runner-up Meiji Cruz, together with Miss Araneta City 2021 Francesca Taruc - were all in their fitness gear to showcase the physical strength of Filipinas. All five queens joined in a Zumba routine at the Times Square Food Park, to the delight of mid-afternoon diners and pageant fans who were present during the event.

"Events like the International Women's Month breaks the bias against women in general. It shows people how working mothers strike a balance between their workplace and home life. For my part, I am focused on my advocacy with the DOST's 'Invent Science Program' in Philippine high schools. Likewise, I am very involved with my 'Books of Tomorrow" project in Masbate. This was an initiative I started when the pandemic struck. 

"I opened an Instagram page where donors and recipients could interact. The books we receive are sorted out to those who'll receive them. Book donors simply get in touch through our Facebook page. As of now, we have three reading hubs all over Masbate," revealed Binibining Pilipinas International 2021 Hannah Arnold.

The BPCI's relevance, as an organization, lies in more than just the quest for the true Filipina beauty. It is the gateway to many meaningful opportunities to be able to make a difference in the world with its enduring commitment to various humanitarian causes.

"I'm not closing my pageant journey as of yet. I'm aiming for the Grand International title as it is a challenge to win the elusive golden crown. If and when the chance would come my way, I'd simply show what's in my heart and give what the title and the MGI organization wants. One piece of advice I give to would-be entrants is to never compare yourself with others," intimated Binibining Pilipinas 2021 1st runner-up Gabbi Basiano.

Binibining Pilipinas is set to crown a new batch of young and empowered queens - International, Globe, InterContinental, Grand International, and another new title - who will promote beauty and advocacy on the pageant stage.

"Right now, I'm busy with my hosting jobs over at the PTV-4 network. I have a morning show ('Rise & Shine Pilipinas'), a weekend show for the Department of Agriculture, and an LGBTQ program entitled 'Beyond Letters'," intoned Binibining Pilipinas 2021 2nd runner-up Meiji Cruz.

Interested aspirants can now download the 2022 SEARCH IS ON application form from the organization's Web site at https://www.bbpilipinas.com. The deadline for submission of applications is on April 8. Stay tuned! — Video and photo by Jan Milo Severo

𝐋𝐢𝐛𝐮-𝐥𝐢𝐛𝐨𝐧𝐠 𝐤𝐚𝐭𝐚𝐰𝐡𝐚𝐧 𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐚𝐰 𝐬𝐚 𝐖𝐚𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐠 𝐈𝐰𝐚𝐧𝐚𝐧 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐫𝐭 𝐬𝐚 𝐏𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐮𝐤𝐚𝐧

Sa makausa pa napuno sa naglanog-lanog nga singgit, katawa, ug hudyaka sa libu-libong mga katawhan nga malipayong misaksi sa Walang Iwanan Concert, kalingawan panahon sa kagabhion, nga gidalit atol sa selebrasyon sa kapistahan ni Sr. San Jose nga gisaulog sa San Jose Parish sa Pantukan Marso 19,2022.

Ang Concert, nga naghimong talagsaon ug mas lingaw nga selebrasyon sa Fiesta, malipayong gidalit sa mga Sponsors nga sila Gov. Jayvee Tyron Uy, Papa Gov Senior BM Arturo “Chiongkee” Uy, SB Member Mes Catherine Uy Pangay, Former Gov. Atty. Jose Caballero, Mayor Roberto Yugo, SB Member Chino Sarenas, sa Walang Iwanan Production Team, ug mga kauban sa Team Anak ng Pantukan.

Ang Walang Iwanan Concert diha himoa sa Pantukan Sports Complex nga napuno sa libu-libong mga katawhan nga puno sa kalipay ug kasadya nga misaksi sa mga paglingaw nga gidalit nila Dominic Roque, Querobin Llavorie, sa Day Break Band, Rennaizanz PH, ug Garbo All Stars nga kauban ni Papa Gov pagdalit sa nindot niyang awit nga gikahinamang paminawon sa mga katawhan sa lungsod.

“Walang Iwanan sa Kalingawan! Happy fiesta sa tanang Pantukenyos! Amoang pasalamat sa inyuhang pagmahal sukad sauna hangtod karon! Padayon kita sa nasugdang kabag-ohan sa lungsod sa Pantukan!

 Daghang salamat sa tanang niadto ug nitan-aw sa atong simpleng Walang Iwanan Concert! Salamat sa Walang Iwanan production team … for making this possible! Aduna pay daghang atangan sa umaabot nga adlaw!” Matud ni Papa Gov Arturo “Chiongkee” Uy. (Gilbert Magadan Cabahug PAO IPRD DdO, Photos from Chino Sarenas-Anak ng Pantukan/Papa Gov)

Businessmen hail signing of new Public Service Act

by Bernie Cahiles-Magkilat, Manila Bulletin

Local and foreign investors hailed the signing into law of the Public Service Act (PSA) by President Duterte, while Trade and Industry Secretary Ramon M. Lopez revealed at least investment leads of $100 billion over a two-year period as the law opens up to 100 percent foreign ownership of public services in the country and creating more jobs for Filipinos.

Initially, Lopez said the amended PSA is projected to haul in more than $60 billion investments in the telecommunications, transportation, logistics and railways sectors. “This is still understated as other leaders have not indicated investment amount. Can be over $100 billion over two years,“ Lopez added without identifying the investment leads.

From the private sector, the American Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines (AmCham) applauded the signing of the bill amending the 1936 PSA pointing out that the amendments will match that of Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam’s level of liberalization in these sectors.

“AmCham is confident that its signing, along with other recent investment liberalization bills –the Retail Trade Liberalization Act and the Foreign Investments Act –will significantly help the Philippines compete with its regional neighbors in bringing in investments to the Philippines. It will also be extremely helpful to the long-run recovery of the economy after the pandemic,” American investors said in a statement.

 

The American business chamber, which was incorporated in 1920, vowed to continue to endeavor to contribute to the Philippine economic growth and serves the interests of Philippine and American businesses through the participation of members in promoting its long-term objectives. AmCham represents over 700 member organization’s voice and interests.

Officials of the German-Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GPCCI – AHK Philippinen), who were invited to witness the signing of the law in Malacanang as well the presentation of the recently enacted Amendments to Foreign Investments Act (Republic Act No. 11647), also lauded the enactment of the amended PSA.

GPCCI President Stefan Schmitz said “The passage of the Amendments of the Public Service Act harmonizes with the recently passed amendments to Retail Trade Liberalization Act and Foreign Investment Act” said “with these laws enacted, we are confident that the country can attract many investors in various sectors and will benefit Filipinos by improving basic services and creating more jobs.”

GPCCI Executive Director Christopher Zimmer said the “game-changing law shall break major economic barriers in the country and will be beneficial for the economic recovery.”

Zimmer said the enactment of RA 11659 seeks to ease or lift restrictions on foreign investments in public services by amending the 85-years-old public service law, distinguish definitions between “public utilities” and “public services”, and repeal provisions that limit foreign participation in certain economic activities.

The amendments will attract global players to help modernize Philippine public services telecommunications, shipping, air carriers, railways, and subways. Increased competition is seen to generate higher quality of service and competitive pricing for consumers.

The Management Association of the Philippines (MAP) noted of how they and other private sector groups collaborated to support the passage of the PSA amendments.

MAP President Alfredo “Fred” E. Pascual said that along with the recently amended Retail Trade Liberalization Act (RTLA) and the Foreign Investment Act (FIA), the amended PSA provides a legal framework to encourage the inflow of more foreign investments into the country. “The entry of foreign investors will foster strong competition that will benefit the consumers, create more jobs, expand our economy, and boost our recovery from the disruptions caused by COVID-19.A more open Philippine economy will enable us to catch up with our more progressive neighbors in ASEAN,” said Pascual.

In a statement, the Foundation for Economic Freedom (FEF) said the enactment of the Amendments to the Public Service Act is the most game-changing economic legislative reform in 86 years that is pro-consumer, pro-security and pro-growth.

As the Philippine economy emerges from the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, FEF said, the enactment of this law will facilitate new opportunities and sustainable growth by fostering competition in the public service sector, attracting much-needed foreign direct investments, and paving the way for better access, quality, and rates of public services.

FEF commended legislators and the government’s economic managers for crafting a law that not only opened the country to FDI and creates a more competitive public sector, but also safeguards the nation from potential national security threats, protects the welfare of small local businesses, and ensures benefits for Filipino businessmen.

“This new law will bring huge benefits for business and individual consumers alike, with the entry of more investors in the telecommunications and transport industries offering a wider choice at different price points. We foresee increased investments in the sectors opened up to a maximum of 100% foreign ownership such as telecommunications, shipping, trains and railways, airports and airlines, toll roads, and transport network vehicles (TNVs),” FEF said.

As new foreign investments enter the country, the amended Public Service Act establishes rules to protect the country from malign intentions that endangers our national security. The provisions on vetting of potential investments in critical infrastructure, and the requirement for an ISO certification for Information Security for telecommunications investors ensures that the Philippines will be less vulnerable to cyber threats and domination of foreign interests.

The amended law likewise protects consumer welfare by increasing the penalties for erring companies engaged in public services. It also provides protection for small operators in the transportation industry by retaining the 60/40 restriction for public utility vehicles such as tricycles and jeepneys. Filipino businessmen likewise benefit, as the law includes a reciprocity provision that may open up business opportunities for them in other countries. Another benefit of the law is the creation of more jobs for Filipinos with the entry of more investments.

Philippines is 2nd happiest country in Southeast Asia

by Alexandria Dennise San Juan, Manila Bulletin

The Philippines is now the second happiest country in Southeast Asia, according to the 2022 World Happiness Report (WHR), Malacañang announced.

Presidential Communications Secretary Martin Andanar said the Philippines earned the second spot among Southeast Asian countries in the latest WHR released by the Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN).

“Ang Pilipinas po sa ngayon ang pangalawan pinaka-masayang bansa o happiest country sa Southeast Asia. Ito ay ayon sa 2022 World Happiness Report ng Sustainable Development Solutions Network (The Philippines is now the second happiest country in Southeast Asia. This is based on the 2022 World Happiness Report of the Sustainable Development Solutions Network),” Andanar said.

In the 10th edition of the WHR published last week, the country also ranked 60th out of 146 countries across the world with a score of 5.904. This is a notch higher than the 61st spot in 2021.

Finland remains the happiest country in the world for the fifth straight year with a score of 7.821 this 2022. Meanwhile, Afghanistan is at the bottom of the rankings with a score of 2.404.

In the Southeast Asian region, Singapore topped the list with a score of 6.480 and ranked 27th worldwide. Other Southeast Asian countries included in the rankings are Thailand (61st), Malaysia (70th), Vietnam (77th), Indonesia (87th), Laos (95th) Cambodia (114th), and Myanmar (126th).

Based on the WHR website, the report measures happiness “based on life evaluations as the more stable measure of the quality of people’s lives.” The happiness of each country can also be explained through different factors such as gross domestic product (GDP) per capita, social support, healthy life expectancy, personal freedom, and perceptions of corruption.

“Overall levels of life evaluations have been fairly stable during two years of Covid-19, matched by modest changes in the global rankings,” the report read.

“Among the six variables used to explain these levels, there has been general growth in real GDP per capita and healthy life expectancy, generally declining perceptions of corruption and freedom, declining generosity (until 2020), and fairly constant overall levels of social support,” it added.

The 2022 WHR also showed that positive emotions have generally been twice as prevalent as negative ones—a gap that has been narrowing over the past ten years.

“The COVID-19 pandemic starting in 2020 has led to a 2021 pandemic of benevolence with equally global spread. All must hope that the pandemic of benevolence will live far beyond COVID-19. If sustainable, this outpouring of kindness provides grounds for hope and optimism in a world needing more of both,” it added.