Philippines beats Korea, reaches FIBA World Cup

MANILA, Philippines -- Gilas Pilipinas marched its way to the finals of the FIBA Asia Championship by beating South Korea, 86-79, in the semifinals.

The win assured the Filipinos an outright berth in the FIBA World Cup in Spain next year.

Gilas initially went for a 9-7 lead, before Korea's shooters started connecting to take the first quarter, 19-15.

Jason Castro came up with a string of plays to tie the game 19-all, but the Koreans quashed the rally to regain the lead, 28-21.

The first half ended 39-36 with the Koreans ahead.

The Nationals fought back early in the third as Castro's back-to-back baskets had Gilas surging, 42-39.

LA Tenorio and Ranidel de Ocampo kept the offense going for the Nationals to make it 56-48.

Japeth Aguilar's slam helped Gilas to extend the lead to 65-56 going into the final period.

Korea began hitting its shots again and came within three points, 67-64. Gilas momentarilly halted the run, but the Koreans came back and grabbed the lead 74-73, 4 minutes left.

Jimmy Alapag and De Ocampo allowed Gilas to take a one-point breather, 78-77, going into the final 2 minutes.

Successive triples from De Ocampo and Alapag eventually allowed Gilas to take the 86-79 win.

The victory also allowed the Philippines to vindicate its past heartbreaking losses to Korea, which foiled the country's campaigns in the 2002 Asian Games and the 2011 FIBA-Asia Championship.

Gilas will face Iran in the FIBA Asia Championship title game Sunday.

Iran defeated Chinese Taipei, 79-60, in the other semifinal match.

Marian Rivera : model and actress

Marian Rivera (born Marián Gracia Rivera on August 12, 1984 in Madrid, Spain) is a Filipina commercial model and actress, known for her roles in Marimar, Dyesebel, Darna, and Amaya. As a recording artist, Rivera has released two studio albums: the platinum hits Marian Rivera Dance Hits and Retro Crazy. She has also starred in some box-office movies such as: My Bestfriend's Girlfriend, Tarot, You to Me Are Everything, and Panday 2.

In 2009, Rivera ranked #5 in Manila Standard's "2009 Top Celebrity Endorsers", #3 in "Top 10 Most In-demand Celebrity Endorsers in 2010 and was also included in 2011's Top 20 Endorsers. She was hailed as FHM's Sexiest Woman in 2009 and recently, for the second time this 2013

Overseas Filipino Workers or OFWs

An Overseas Filipino is a person of Filipino origin who lives outside of the Philippines. This term applies to Filipinos who are both abroad indefinitely as citizens or permanent residents of a different country, and to those Filipino citizens abroad for a limited, definite period, such as on a work contract or a student. It can also include seamen and others who work outside the Philippines but are not residents, either permanent or temporary, of another country.

They are known by a variety of terms with slightly different and sometimes overlapping meanings. Overseas Filipino Workers or OFWs are Filipinos working abroad that are expected to return permanently either upon the expiration of a work contract or upon retirement. Balikbayans are Filipinos who have become citizens of another country and have returned to the Philippines for a temporary though extended visit. Global Filipino is a term of more recent vintage that less widely used.

Former Philippine President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo applied the term Overseas Filipino Investor or OFI for Filipino expatriates who contribute to the economy through remittances, buying properties and creating businesses.

As a result of this migration, many countries have substantial Filipino communities.

Countries with over 100,000 overseas Filipinos (2010)

  United States  3,166,529

   Saudi Arabia  1,512,539

         Canada  667,674

            UAE  636,154

      Australia  345,592

       Malaysia  316,273

          Qatar  305,331

          Japan  290,358

 United Kingdom  196,740

          Italy  123,379

Kristina Bernadette Cojuangco Aquino : Kris Aquino

Kristina Bernadette Cojuangco Aquino (born February 14, 1971), commonly known as Kris Aquino, is a Filipina television and movie personality who gained prominence from her talk shows, game shows, and numerous endorsements. She is popularly referred to by the media with titles such as the Queen of All Media, Queen of Philippine Talk, Queen of Philippine Game Shows, and since 2010, the Presidential Sister ; both of her parents are natives from Tarlac. She is the youngest daughter of former Philippine senator Benigno S. Aquino, Jr. and Corazon Cojuangco-Aquino, who served as the 11th President of the Philippines, and sister of Benigno S. Aquino, III, the current President of the Philippines.

Her first movie was Pido Dida, Sabay Tayo, which earned her the Box-office Queen title and her 2004 films Feng Shui and So... Happy Together also gave her the same commendation. In 2006, she regained the same Box Office title for her movie Sukob, which is the highest-grossing Filipino film of 2006. She is also the Executive Editor of her own bi-monthly magazine called K! The Kris Aquino Magazine. In December 2009, Aquino showcased her own Home Collection called K Everyday. In partnership with ABS-CBN Licensing, K Everyday features cooking collection, kitchen collection, plastic collection, and stationery collection.

Currently, she is part of ABS-CBN, and is also residing in Makati. She is also a Tarlaqueña Kapampangan, as her parents are both residents of Tarlac province, with her father being a Kapampangan.

In April 2013, she was tagged by Archbishop Oscar Cruz as a possible Vice Presidential candidate in the 2016 elections based on a rumor he heard.

ANGEL LOCSIN : Filipina television and film actress

ANGEL LOCSIN is Angelica Colmenares in real life. She was born on April 23, 1985 in Santa Maria, Bulacan. Angel spent her elementary education in Bulacan and graduated high school in University of Santo Tomas High School. In August 2007, she attended a short-course for fashion design at Central Saint Martins College of Art and Design in London. Despite being of Christian faith, she is a part of a Muslim Royal Family in Marawi City in the province of Lanao del Sur through her mother. Reports said that Locsin's maternal grandfather is one of the 15 sultanates in Lanao del Sur.

Angel Locsin's entry to showbiz was unplanned. She was discovered by a talent scout while she was shopping at SM City North EDSA. Some sources said she was spotted by a talent scout while she was shopping with friends after they skipped classes.

Angel first auditioned in ABS-CBN's Star Circle Batch 9 but she was not signed due to some disagreements in her contract. She was then drafted by GMA Artist Center after a year and she started to appear in GMA's teen oriented show "Click". She was also included in the cast of "Ang Iibigin Ay Ikaw Pa Rin" and "All Together Now".

ACTING AWARDS 

Angel won her first acting award for Best Single Performance By An Actress in the 22nd PMPC Star Awards for TV for her role in the Maalaala Mo Kaya episode "Pilat".

In 2009, Angel is nominated in the International Emmy Awards as Best Actress for her outstanding performance in the TV series, "Lobo".

In March 2012, Angel won as Movie Actress of the Year in the 28th PMPC STAR Awards for Movies for her role as Mercedes Fernandez in the movie "In the Name of Love". In April 2012, Angel is recognized as the PASADO Best Actress for her performance in the same movie. This time, the organization which will give Angel the recognition is the Pasado or Pampelikulang Samahan ng mga Dalubguro. 

Angel won as Best Actress in the 2013 PMPC Star Awards for Movies, Guillermo Mendoza Awards and FAMAS.

karinderia opens in UK-Nottingham : First Pinoy store

The city of Nottingham - UK now has its own Filipino store and carinderia (KARINDERIA).

The store, which has already been open for eight months, sells a range of popular Asian and Pinoy cooking products, snacks and condiments.

The two businesses the A&J Philippines Asian Products and A&J Karinderia are owned by Ofelia Hutchinson, who named the ventures after her daughters Alejandra and Juliana. It is  sit next to each other in the Victoria Market within shopping mall, the Victoria Centre.

It attracts a variety of customers including Cameroonian Alan Job, who runs a store in the market that serves African cuisine.

The karinderia serves dishes like afritada, dinuguan, kilawin, kare-kare, and even breakfast, such as tapsilog and longsilog.

Before A&J opened, Filipinos in the area could only purchase Pinoy products locally from Chinese grocery stores, or from kababayans that were selling them secretly from their own homes.

The store also gained recognition when it was featured by BBC1 Radio and local newspaper, the Nottingham Post.

It was also visited a few months ago by the Lord Mayor of Nottingham, who was reportedly amazed to see banana catsup for sale.

PH rules Singapore math contest, ends China reign

After making their marks at the recently concluded International Math Olympiad in Colombia and at the China Math Olympiad, Filipino students ended China’s dominance in an international math competition in Singapore, bagging 161 medals to rule the competition.

The Filipino math wizards won 23 gold, 45 silver, and 93 bronze medals to finish first in the 9th International Mathematics Contest (IMC), which drew about 1,300 participants from 10 countries.

China, which has lorded over the IMC for several years, settled for second place this year with 153 medals consisting of 22 gold, 44 silver, and 87 bronze medals.

Besides the 161 medals won by the Philippines, Jan Kendrick Ong of Chiang Kai Shek College was adjudged as the top scorer in the Grade 8 division, said Dr. Simon Chua, head of the Philippine delegation and president of the Mathematics Trainers Guild-Philippines (MTG).

“This year is emerging as very fruitful for our young math wizards. The medals won in Singapore are in addition to the medals and awards we won in math contests in Bulgaria, Turkey, China and Hong Kong,” Chua said.

After the Philippines and China, Singapore placed third in the IMC with 124 medals followed by Taiwan with 117, Indonesia with 93, South Korea with 78, Thailand with 51, Hong Kong with 6, Iran with 5 and India with 3.

The awarding ceremony was held at the D’ Marquee at Downtown East in Singapore on Aug. 4.

Complete list of Filipino medalists in the IMC:

Gold Medalists

• Bryce Ainsley Sanchez – Grace Christian College

• Ryan Jericho Sy – Chiang Kai Shek College

• Naomi Anne King – St. Jude Catholic School

• Robert Gerard Uy – St. John’s Institute

• Kyle Patrick Dulay – Philippine Science High School – Main

• Vince Jan Torres – Sta. Rosa Science and Technology High School

• Justine John Serdoncillo – Philippine Science High School – Main

• Raphael Villaluz – Philippine Science High School- Main

• Terence Brian Tsai – Chiang Kai Shek College

• Albert John Patupat – Holy Rosary College

• Miko Johnson Ong Co – St. Stephen’s High School

• Guevara, Alyssa – Philippine Science High School – Main

• Rafael Jose Santiago – Philippine Science High School – Main

• Hans Markson Tan – St. Stephen’s High School

• Lou Irish Gonzales – Pasig Catholic College

• Angelika Joie Tagupa – Philippine Science High School – Main

• Lorenz Matthew Tech – Pasig Catholic College

• Ann Kaila Recio – Philippine Institute of Quezon City

• Jan Kendrick Ong – Chiang Kai Shek College

• Mark Uy – Xavier School

• Min Chan Jeong – Grace Christian College

• Almira Beatrice Uy -Pace Academy

• Mark Davidson Cua – Pangasinan Universal Institute

Silver Medalists

• Ashley Simone Teves – Silliman University – SBE

• Dominic Lawrence Bermudez – Notre Dame of Greater Manila

• Lance Heinrich Lim – St. Jude Catholic School

• Jose Oliver Narvasa – Notre Dame of Greater Manila

• Sted Micah Cheng – Hope Christian High School

• Vanessa Ryanne Julio – St. Jude Catholic School

• Jan Cedrick Quintin – Mother Goose Special School System – Urdaneta

• Rikka Grace Sombiro – Solomon Integrated School de Iloilo

• Jodi Marcia Arcadio- Notre Dame of Greater Manila

• Francis Matthew Pascua – KAJ Play and Learn Center of Bolinao Inc.

• Jhervey Edric Cheng – Chiang Kai Shek College

• Cyd Nicolas Santos – San Beda College Alabang

• Gregory Charles Tiong – St. Jude Catholic School

• Francis Roy Albina – Silliman University – SBE

• Genrish Wendell Ng – St. Jude Catholic School

• Audrey Gabrielle Tan – St. Peter the Apostle School

• Jose Lorenzo Abad – Colegio San Agustin – Makati

• Patricia Faith Capito – UP Integrated School

• Al Patrick Castro – Pasig Catholic College

• Raoul Arnaldo Nalupta – Immaculate Concepcion Academy

• Marian Nicole Nogoy – St. Theresa’s College, Quezon City

• Brylle Jaden Louise Ordoño – BHC Educational Institute, Inc.

• Raul Joshua Limbaga – Butuan City SPED Center

• Dion Stephan Ong – Ateneo de Manila Grade School

• Luis Enrique Reyes – Silliman University – SBE

• Daniel Paul Li – Chiang Kai Shek College

• Nathan Arthur Banatao – UP Integrated School

• David Alexander Amante – Canossa Academy of Lipa

• Justin Matthew Lapastora – St. Paul College of Ilocos Sur

• Fedrick Lance Lim – Zamboanga Chong Hua High School

• Hanzel Marquez, – Itaas Elementary School

• Vincent Angelo Suarez – De la Salle – Lipa

• Christopher Joseph Magno – Ateneo de Manila University

• Luis Salvador Diy – Xavier School

• Daniella Kristin Marie Evan – De La Salle Santiago Zobel

• Alfonso Miguel Abella – Grace Christian College

• Matthew Uy – Xavier School

• Andrew Lee – Xavier School

• Lesley Clarice Balete – Grace Christian College

• Patrick Allen Tañada – Makati Science High School

• Brandon Andrew Ong – Chiang Kai Shek College

• Highryll Cj Tan – Statefields School, Inc.

• James Atilano – Zamboanga Chong Hua High School

• Harvey Uy – British School Manila

• Arianna Natasha Chua – The Masters Academy

Bronze Medalists

• Gabriel Alteza – Meridian International Learning Experience

• Hance Louie Uy – Philippine Cultural College

• Janelle Claire Lam – UNO High School

• Leandro Martin Acla – Georgia International Academy

• Allyana Coleen Reyes – Falcon School

• Immanuel Josiah Balete – St. Stephen’s High School

• Raya Colleen Chan – St. Paul College of Ilocos Sur

• Isabella Marie Escano – Mother Goose Special School System

• Hiraya Sy Marcos – Philippine Cultural College

• Gyla Jane Nismal – Sto. Domingo Elementary School

• Trisha Danielle Sia – Chiang Kai Shek College

• Rexza Mae Panaliga – Sta. Barbara Central Elementary School

• Jethro Asahel Roxas – Ann Arbor Montessori School

• Robert Frederik Uy – St. John’s Institute

• John Paul Noel Beltran – Butuan City SPED Center

• Clarissa Lois Dalian – Precious International School of Davao

• Daryll Carlsten Ko – St. Stephen’s High School

• Andre Giancarlo Lu – Pace Academy

• Maria Monica Manlises – St. Stephen’s High School

• Anne Margaret Festejo – Philippine Cultural College

• Stephen James Ty – Zamboanga Chong Hua High School

• Aljean Lester Bernardo – Philippine Yuh Chiau School

• Matthew Shawn Tansiongkun – Xavier School

• Albriz Moore Bagsic – Lilyrose School

• Oniluv Troy Tabujara – Falcon School

• Vincent Paul Fadri – San Beda College Alabang

• Edrian Paul Liao – Centro De Cultura School

• Angelo Vince Perez – De la Salle – Lipa

• Sherwin Adrien Tiu – St. Stephen’s High School

• Alessandro Gabriel Eduarte – St. Simon Montessori School

• Maxinne Louise Dominique Co – Ateneo de Iloilo – SMCS

• Ronn Derick Simbol – BHC Educational Institute, Inc.

• Kristin Angel Narag – Colegio San Agustin – Biñan

• Zeidrich Monares – UP Integrated School

• Neil Joshua Patiag – Special Education Center for the Gifted

• Jeshih Myr Paule – Hope Christian High School

• Karl Raymond Roque – Notre Dame of Greater Manila

• Jelly Hope Daguro – Santiago Cultural Institute

• Andrea Sze Robang – PAREF Woodrose School

• Jan Paul Aplacador – Hen Pio del Pilar Elementary School Main

• Jacob Lim – Chiang Kai Shek College

• Derick Pan – Chiang Kai Shek College

• Regine Beatrice Bonifacio – Mother Goose Special School System – Urdaneta

• Marjana Ysabelle Montañez – Hen. Pio del Pilar Elementary School Main

• Ralph Ernest Argana – BHC Educational Institute

• Katrina Laura Colasito – San Beda College Alabang

• Megan Alexis Harvey – Magsaysay Memorial College

• Vistan, Justin Matthew – UNO High School

• Timothy Bryan Wong – Chiang Kai Shek College

• Anjelo Jorel Chua – Grace Christian College

• Jasmin Faye De Guzman – Pio Valenzuela Elementary School

• Christopher Neil Defensor – Imus Pilot Elementary School

• Ronald Reinier Labuguen – Muntinlupa Elementary School

• Joaquin Luis Mayo – St. Jude Catholic School

• Sunny Sy – Chiang Kai Shek College

• Lawrence Gabriel Dy – Makati Hope Christian School

• Thomas Spencer Balete – PSHS Main

• Joan Lyn Fadri – Makati Science High School

• Sean Christian Lim – Mother Goose Special School System

• John Dominic Ragudo – PSHS Main

• Danielle Mary Audrey Amparado – St. Louise de Marillac of Tabaco

• Benedict Del Rosario – Tambo Central School

• Celestina Dianne Nicole Larona – PSHS Main

• Xuanye Li – Xavier School

• Hans Leighton Liu – St. Jude Catholic School

• Wendell Lenard Ong – PSHS Main

• Raven John Sy – Gen. T de Leon Elementary School

• Dominic Yap – PSHS – WVC

• Guinevere Soria – Philippine Science High School – Southern Mindanao Campus

• Isabel Jocyn Villanueva – PAREF Woodrose School

• Engelberg Jeremy See – Jubilee Christian Academy

• Genesis Jacinth Tan – Quezon City Science High School

• Junifer Sombilon Jr. – Philippine Science High School – Southern Mindanao Campus

• Juan Paolo Solmirano – Makati Science High School

• Carlos Benedict Echevarria – De La Salle Santiago Zobel

• Mary Joyce Tan – Philippine Cultural College

• Mark Anthony Quintos – St. Francis of Assisi College – Bayanan

• Selena Marie So – Grace Christian College

• Sephi Marz Liclican – Philippine Science High School – Ilocos Region Campus

• Zofia Rodriguez – Sen. Renato Cayetano Memorial Science and Technology High School

• John Dave Santos – Valenzuela City Science High School

• Jasper Ryan Bisnar – Integrated Montessori Center

• Thamania Keith Gumilao – Pasig Catholic College

• Albert Jason Olaya – Philippine Science High School – Main

• Ezekiel Young – Jubilee Christian School

• Orex John Ong – Trinity Christian School

• Jasper John Segismundo – Pasig Catholic College

• Dabin (Jessica) Park – De La Salle – Canlubang

• Nathaniel Adriand De Ocampo – Quezon City Science High School

• Jade KatleenYu – Valenzuela City Science High School

• Ramon Galvan III – Hua Siong College of Iloilo

• Adriana Marie Salvador – Philippine Science High School-Central Mindanao

• Ian Noel Santos – Colegio San Agustin – Biñan