48th PBC opens today: ‘PH is ready and open for business’

Published October 19, 2022, 12:05 AM

by Manila Bulletin

The 48TH Philippine Business Conference (PBC) happening today at the Manila Hotel will go down in history as one of the most anticipated if not one the most eventful business gathering in the country.
With the theme “The Philippines is Ready and Open for Business,” the two-day 48th PBC & Expo aptly describes the readiness of the business community to fully open up and do business after two years of intermittent hard lockdowns due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

The 48th PBC will not only be historical as it is the first full face-to-face conference after the pandemic, but will also be the first PBC for President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr., whose father Marcos, Sr. had made the annual PBC his staging ground for some of his economic and business pronouncements during his presidency.

This time, Marcos, Jr. will address the business community and respond to the PBC resolutions on a wide array of issues.

The 48th PBC Resolutions already submitted in advance to Malacañang cover a wide range of issues from achieving food security, transparent and affordable health care, employment generation, globally-competitive education and training standards, strengthened national security, reliable and competitive digitalization, climate change resilient and environmental-friendly policies, affordable power, safe and efficient transportation, and an outward and forward-looking trade policy.

Businessmen will be all ears.

Ferdinand “Perry” Ferrer, 48th PBC&E chairman, noted that this will be Marcos’ first PBC appearance following his overwhelming win in the May 2022 national elections.

The business community is excited to hear the President’s vision and programs to steer the country toward a higher growth trajectory. The private sector will be the government’s partner in achieving this vision.

The previous administration has laid down the groundwork to attract more foreign direct investment with the amendment of important legislation such as the Public Service Act, the Foreign Investment Act, and the Retail Trade Liberalization Act.

The country is set to benefit from the capital, technology, and greater competition these reforms will bring in the form of more jobs and better products and services.

Reform measures such as the Ease of Doing Business Act and the Corporate Recovery and Tax Incentives for Enterprises Act likewise support the expansion of domestic enterprises and recovery from two years of lost opportunities.

The 48th PBC&E will be looking at how the new government will build on these reform measures to make a real difference to the economy going forward.

The Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI), the host of the annual PBC, has also organized huge business delegations from countries like the USA, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, and Japan to attend the conference.

These foreign delegations are set to explore business opportunities and joint ventures in a business-to-business session with Filipino businessmen.

PCCI has also lined up an exciting series of plenary sessions.

As customary, the PBC will start with the opening keynote message from Vice President Sara Duterte.
Finance Secretary Benjamin Diokno will make a keynote presentation to set the tone of the conference, followed by a fireside chat with Secretary Arsenio Balisacan of the National Economic Development Authority and interesting discussions with some of the country’s top executives to highlight the business prospects and priorities of the new administration.

A session featuring United States Ambassador Marykay Carlson and Chinese Ambassador Huang Xilian will focus on building strategic alliances to create new markets and attract more investments.

For all the businessmen in the country, this year’s PBC is the best time to renew contacts, build networks, and make moves to surmount difficulties amid economic challenges.

How many Filipinos know 4 or more languages?

 

Everything FILIPINO!

 · 

Answered by 

Michelle Jones

 

Oct 10

How many Filipinos know 4 or more languages?

If you consider each regional dialect its own separate language, I’d say most Filipinos speak at least 3 - 4 languages by default.

I’ll give you a friend of mine:

He speaks:

1. English - most Filipinos do.

2. Tagalog - the national language. Yes, I know the national language is technically “Filipino,” but it’s mostly really Tagalog.

3. Visayan (Bisaya) - he currently lives in Cebu

4. Waray - Eastern Visayan dialect. He grew up in Tacloban where this is spoken.

Add to that:

Chinese-Filipinos will typically speak some form of Chinese language.

Many well-traveled Filipinos and overseas workers speak a foreign language, whether it is German, Spanish, Italian, French, etc.

There are over 100 spoken dialects in the Philippines, making most Filipinos natural linguists.

Marcos declares October 31, 2022 a special non-working holiday

By THIRD ANNE PERALTA-MALONZO, SunStar Manila

October 18, 2022

PRESIDENT Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. has declared October 31, 2022 as a special non-working holiday, Office of the Press Secretary officer-in-charge Cheloy Garafil said on Tuesday, October 18, 2022.

"The President has signed the proclamation declaring October 31 as a special non-working holiday, para na rin po marami tayong time kasama ang ating pamilya at para ma-promote na rin po ang ating local tourism (so that we can spend more time with our family and promote our local tourism)," Garafil said in a press conference.

Declaring October 31 as a holiday will pave the way for a long weekend as October 30 and November 1, 2022 were also both declared as holidays.

According to the Department of Labor and Employment, the “no work, no pay” policy applies during special non-working holidays.

If an employee reported to work on such days, he or she is entitled to 30 percent additional daily salary with an additional 30 percent if overtime.

For work done during a special day that also falls on his or her rest day, an employee will be paid 50 percent of his or her basic wage on the first eight hours and additional 30 percent for overtime. (SunStar Philippines)

7 provinces log ‘very high’ Covid-19 positivity rates

Published October 18, 2022, 9:32 AM

by Ellalyn De Vera-Ruiz

(OCTA RESEARCH FELLOW DR. GUIDO DAVID / TWITTER)

The OCTA Research Group on Tuesday, Oct. 18 said seven provinces have registered “very high” or above 20 percent Covid-19 positivity rates over the past week.

Positivity rate refers to the number of individuals who yielded positive results from among those who were tested for Covid-19. 

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In an update shared on Twitter, OCTA fellow Dr. Guido David said OCTA observed very high positivity rates in the following provinces as of Oct. 15.

Camarines Sur (46.2 percent) 

Tarlac (41.6 percent) 

Cavite (22.8 percent)

Rizal (22.1 percent)

Zambales (22 percent)

Laguna (21 percent)

Meanwhile, Metro Manila’s positivity rate was down further at 15 percent on Oct. 15, from 17.9 percent on Oct. 8.

The World Health Organization-recommended positivity rate is 5 percent or less to show that the spread of the virus is under control.

Miss Supermodel Worldwide 2022 Alexandra Mae Rosales coming home

by Robert Requintina

Miss Supermodel Worldwide 2022 Alexandra Mae Rosales (Facebook)

Newly crowned Miss Supermodel Worldwide 2022 Alexandra Mae Rosales is coming home following a successful stint in India last Oct. 16.

Rosales, 26, is scheduled to arrive in the country on Wednesday, Oct. 19, according to her talent manager Meg Perez. She is the first Filipino to win the title.

Upon her arrival, Rosales is scheduled to appear as a guest on several TV programs, fashion shows, and judging gigs.

The beauty queen from Laguna thanked her family, friends, and fans who prayed and supported her in her pageant journey.

“We did it! As I always say, I couldn’t have done it better without the people who rallied with me since day 1. Who used their time and talents to help me scream, ‘I AM DESERVING’. I love you mama, sampi, sam sapo, eli, chanel, reygie, nay meg, tito rog, ate mae and jj, alam nyo yan. Thank you for believing in me and bringing out the best in me. This crown is for you and for the Philippines!” Rosales wrote on social media.

In 2021, Rosales competed in the BInibining Pilipinas beauty pageant. Prior, she worked for Okada Manila for three years when she decided to try her luck in the most prestigious national pageant.

Rosales focused on animal welfare in the country.

“Many people lack awareness on animal care. Hanggang ngayon may thinking pa rin ang iba na unahin ang tao dahil hayop lang iyan. They are living creatures given to us by God. I believe God gave animals to us so that we can take care of them, not to exploit them,” said Rosales.

“Sometimes we use them for our resources. They have feelings also and tayong tao na may mga isip, we need to protect these animals,” she said

Miss Supermodel Worldwide 2022 Alexandra Mae Rosales (2md from right) and her court (Facebook)

Rosales also slammed products that use animals for their tests.

“There are make-up brands that use animals for testing, such as lipstick and eye shadows. I don’t patronize make-up brands that test on animals,” she said.

She added: “It’s a hidden issue and not many people know that. I hope these should be stopped. Many animals are exploited for research.”

Rosales has cats and dogs.

She graduated with a degree in tourism from Malayan College in Laguna. She stands 5’9 1/2 and measures 36-25-36.

In 2015, Rosales competed at the Miss Southeast Asia Ambassadress in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Marcos, VP Duterte share ‘unity toast’ for tourism industry

by Raymund Antonio, Manila Bulletin

True to their campaign promise of “unity,” President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. and Vice President Sara Duterte on Monday, Oct. 17, raised a “unity toast” during the Philippine Tourism Industry Convergence Reception for the revitalization of the country’s tourism sector in the aftermath of the Covid-19 pandemic.

(From left to right) Vice President Sara Duterte, President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr., First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, and Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia-Frasco raise a “unity toast” for the tourism industry during the Philippine Tourism Industry Convergence Reception on Monday, Oct. 17, 2022. (Ali Vicoy/MANILA BULLETIN)

Speaking during the event at the SMX Convention Center in Pasay City, the Chief Executive noted how the country’s “majestic and natural wonders and exciting man-made sites” should bring back the imagination and confidence of the people in exploring the “best destinations” in the Philippines. “We want one of the key players in our nation’s progress to be buzzing once again with life stronger than ever so that they will be able to keep up with these fast-moving times,” Marcos said.

The President thanked the key players of the tourism sector who were there at the event, which he described as the “perfect opportunity to talk one another, to network and expand our plans for the future.” 

“All of you who have been and will continue to be partners with DOT will be influential in achieving our goal to revitalize this sector. Thank you for coming tonight. Thank you for your presence. I look forward that you will play, that we will play together in ensuring the progress and recovery of our tourism industry,” he said.

“It is my hope that this reception will foster a meaningful discourse and yield concrete plans that we can immediately put into action,” he added.

(Photo by Ali Vicoy/MANILA BULLETIN)

Marcos hoped that “initiatives for greater tourism, connectivity, and convenience” would be pursued after the event as he stressed the support of the administration, which ran on the campaign promise of unity.

“Allow me to repeat that under this admin, the government will remain committed to ensuring that the inputs that you have acquired from your listening tours will be optimized for the benefit of the sector,” he said.

The “unity toast” was also joined by First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia-Frasco, Deputy House Speaker Rep. Duke Frasco, Cebu Governor Gwendolyn Garcia, Ilocos Norte’s 1st District Rep. Sandro Marcos, Cabinet members, government officials, and partner private stakeholders leaders.

“The best days of the tourism industry are yet to come,” Frasco vowed as she highlighted the accomplishments of the department in the past 100 days.

Among these accomplishments are exceeding the 1.7 million tourist arrivals target, the relaunching of the Philippine Tourism Awards, and the launching of the Philippine Experience: arts, heritage, and culture caravans.

Marcos himself was all praises for the Tourism department and Frasco for their “energy, passion and continuing belief in the tourism industry in the Philippines.”

“And let us keep going, we can, I believe and I am certain in my heart that if (we) work together properly, if we continue from this very good start, and we continue that trajectory which we have started in the last 100 plus days that we will succeed and to the benefit of our people and our country,” he said.

In-person classes remain the ‘best option’ for basic education: DepED

by Merlina Hernando-Malipot, Manila Bulletin

Citing the “undisputable fact” that in-person learning remains the best option for basic education based on studies, the Department of Education (DepED) is all set for the return to full face-to-face in all public schools starting next month.

Face-to-face classes at the Lakan Dula Elementary School in Tondo, Manila (ALI VICOY / MANILA BULLETIN)

Issuing a statement on Monday, Oct. 17, DepED maintained its confidence in the benefits of holding face-to-face classes to “promote academic development and the overall mental health and well-being of our learners.”

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As planned before this year’s school opening, DepED said that all public schools nationwide will implement five days of in-person classes starting Nov. 2, 2022.

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When classes for School Year (SY) 2022-2023 started on Aug. 22, DepED allowed both public and private schools that offer basic education to implement multiple learning delivery modalities which include five days of face-to-face classes, blended learning, and full distance learning.

However, the prescribed modalities will only be implemented until Oct. 31.

While it recognizes the benefits of face-to-face classes in basic education, DepEd on Monday, Oct. 17, issued an Amendatory DepEd Order to DO 34, s. 2022 or the School Calendar and Activities For School Year 2022-2023 which allows private schools to offer blended learning modality and full distance learning options to their students.

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“DepEd is cognizant of the current situation of the private sector due to the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic — the amount of investment in online learning technologies, the development and institutionalization of best practices on blended learning, and the unfortunate closure of small private schools because of losses,” the agency said.

Following its decision, DepED said that it will leave the discussion on the learning modality to be implemented by private education institutions to the schools, the parents or guardians, and the learners.

Meanwhile, DepED expressed hope that parents or guardians of private school learners “would not miss the abundance of scientific studies available on the advantages of in-person classes over online learning.”

DepED added that it will also “expedite the review” of the blended learning program to ensure that it will “benefit our learners and essentially address learning issues.”

Aside from private schools, DepED said that public schools that “expressly granted exemptions” by the Regional Director concerned and schools with canceled classes because of disasters and calamities may also be allowed to continue the implementation of blended and distance learning.

Effective evangelization demands all from us

 

By Fr. Roy Cimagala

Chaplain

Center for Industrial Technology and Enterprise (CITE)

Talamban, Cebu City

Email: roycimagala@gmail.com

THAT should be clear to us, considering what Christ told his 72 disciples. “The harvest is abundant but the laborers are few,” he said. “So, ask the master of the harvest to send out laborers for his harvest. Go on your way; behold, I am sending you like lambs among wolves. Carry no money bag, no sack, no sandals; and greet no one along the way.” (Lk 10,2-4)

We should not worry about the material aspects of our duty to evangelize. While we truly need some material means for evangelization, we know that as long as we do our part also, God will always provide for all our needs, especially in this duty of ours to evangelize.

We need to have trusting attitude toward God’s powerful providence. “Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?  Which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his stature?” (Mt 6,26)

With these words, Christ clearly tells us to be trusting of God’s ever wise and merciful Providence. He will provide everything that we need, especially the one that matters most to us. We may experience some privations, some losses, etc., but if we stick with God, we know that everything will always work out for the good. (cfr. Rom 8,28)

We should just focus our attention to this task of evangelization, which is not only a matter of transmitting some doctrine but rather that of transmitting to people the very life and spirit of Christ.

We need to be most aware of our duty to evangelize, to do apostolate, seeing to it that for it is always nourished, stoked and fanned to its most intense degree.

Before ascending into heaven, Christ told his apostles: “All power is given to me in heaven and in earth. Go, therefore, teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit…” (Mt 28,18-19)

While addressed directly to his apostles, these words are meant for all those who want to follow Christ. To do apostolate is part of a Christian’s duty. It’s part of a Christian’s identity. A Christian is always an apostle. No one is excused from it. 

We have to understand that these parting words of Christ represent his culminating and ultimate desire for our redemption. We can say that all he did in his earthly life—his preaching, doing miracles, his dying—get somehow summarized in this one great desire of God.

That’s because the divine work of human redemption continues. It cannot stop. This time though, it is done with our cooperation, since if we are incorporated into him through baptism and in the Spirit, we can’t avoid getting involved in God’s plans and actions.

The realization of this crucial aspect of our Christian life gives meaning and perspective to our whole life and everything contained in it. It puts our life in the right orbit. 

Our life can’t simply be a life in pursuit of personal sanctity without doing apostolate. These two go together inseparably, mutually affecting each other to put us in the right track in our life.

We should give everything to this duty to evangelize, always trusting in God’s providence, assuming always a sporting and adventurous outlook that would greatly facilitate the carrying out of this duty.