Philippines economic growth to continue

The Philippines economic growth should continue this year and next.

"In 2013, growth is expected to remain strong at 6 3/4 percent, easing to about 6.0 percent in 2014, which is still somewhat faster than potential output," 

Both figures would be below the 6.8 percent gross domestic product (GDP) expansion in 2012, and the 7.6 percent advance in the first half of 2013, the latter underpinned by robust consumption and investment amid subdued export markets.

With the healthy first-half data, the government now expects full-year growth to exceed its 6-7 percent target.

The fiscal deficit should come in within the 2.0 percent of GDP budget target this year as higher spending is offset by an increase in revenues.

Bayanihan spirit : Communal unity during Typhoon MARING

Scenarios during Typhoon Maring, devastating Situation, innumerable casualties, millions of properties were damaged, so on and so forth. In addition to that, floods in metro, not just an ordinary flood, but a flood that will totally ruin the Filipinos’ hope. 

Bayanihan spirit - Bayanihan Pronounced like "buy-uh-nee-hun," is a Filipino term taken from the word bayan, referring to a nation, country, town or community in general. The whole term bayanihan refers to a spirit of communal unity or effort to achieve a particular objective. In time of crisis like typhoon, the spirit if bayanihan arises and that’s the reason that we are proud as a Filipino. Being a selfless is innate from within and we tend to help others without expecting in returns.

Philippines is surrounded by many oceans, basically it is facing in Pacific Ocean wherein Typhoon are usually started. Therefore, Philippines is a country that can be easily hit. It is given, so Filipinos are expecting that phenomenon annually.

Bayanihan spirit during Typhoon Maring

Angel Locsin (actress) 

A boy carries his dog whilst wading in floodwaters brought by the monsoon rain

Bystanders push a car in floodwaters brought by the monsoon rain

Noynoy Aquino: PH President 

A man carries a child as they wade through floodwaters caused by monsoon rains in Sucat, Paranaque south of Metro Manila

Philippine Red Cross team

Volunteers help repack goods at the DSWD National Resource Operation Center in Pasay City

30th death anniversary of Senator Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino Jr.

President Benigno Aquino III on Wednesday urged Filipinos to be everyday heroes and to follow the example of his martyred father.

On the 30th death anniversary of Senator Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino Jr., the President asked the nation to “celebrate his courage and patriotism.”

“Let the heroes in each of us thrive in our everyday words and action, in service of the greater good,” Aquino, Ninoy's only son, said.

Hard-won freedom, Aquino said, should be used to “spark a revolution for positive change and cast our stake in forging our destiny as a nation.”

“Individual choice can change the course of our history,” Aquino said, citing his father’s decision to return to the country despite the perils.

Ninoy returned to the country August 21, 1983  after years of exile in the United States with his family during Martial Law.

“[H]e headed home, alone, heart burning with fervor, to fight for the democracy he dreamed of reclaiming for his country,” the President said.

“No exile could lull him into comfort amidst the pleas of his kababayans for a peaceful life; no distance could make him neglect the duties he swore to his motherland,” he added.

Upon his arrival, Ninoy was shot to death at the tarmac of what was then the Manila International Airport, which is now named after him.

His death spurred the famed People Poweer revolution, which ousted strongman Ferdinand Marcos from power in 1986.

“Time and again, we have proven that no challenge is too daunting and no task is too great for a united Filipino nation,” the President said.

He added: “Let us remain steadfast in our journey of renewal and bestow the legacy of an even more mature democracy upon coming generations.”

Mayon Volcano : The Perfect Cone

"CNN PRODUCER NOTE     These stunning images of the Mayon volcano in the Philippines, considered the most active in the country, were sent in by iReporter Sunsetlady, who climbed the volcano along with several other iReporter friends in 2011. "It was not only a physical challenge, but it was also a mental challenge to climb," she says. "Having reached our destination was a big accomplishment, it was a feeling of relief and success."

~~ - sarahbrowngb, CNN iReport producer- ~~

Located in the province of Albay on the island of Luzon, Mayon volcano is renowned as the perfect cone. According to the record, Mayon volcano is the most active volcano in the Philippines. It had erupted 48 times in the past 400 years. The last time it had erupted was on May 7, 2013 that unfortunately killed 5 climbers.

Mayon Volcano is the main landmark of Albay Province, Philippines, rising 2,462 metres (8,077 ft) from the shores of the Gulf of Albay about 10 kilometres (6.2 mi) away. The volcano is geographically shared by the eight cities and municipalities of Legazpi City, Daraga, Camalig, Guinobatan, Ligao City, Tabaco City, Malilipot, and Santo Domingo (clockwise from Legazpi), which divide the cone like slices of a pie when viewed from above.

Apart from climbing, you can go nature hiking and marvel at the many wonderful animals such as the parakeet, red jungle fowl, owl, fruit dove just to name a few. You can also do many activities such as hiking, camping, climbing, bird watching as well as photography.

The best time to visit the volcano is between the months of March and May. Do not visit the volcano during rainy season (Nov to Jan) because it is more dangerous. You can go there by land through the Quirino highway, which is about 553 kilometers away. The journey will take about 8 to 10 hours, and many buses depart every day from Manila to Legaspi.

Johanna Datul : Binibining Pilipinas-Supranational

Binibining Pilipinas Charities Inc. (BCPI) presents Miss Supranational-Philippines 2013 Mutya Johanna Datul during the official send-off party held in Quezon City, northeast of Manila, on 13 August 2013. Present during the send-off were BCPI officials, reigning and past Binibining Pilipinas queens, sponsors, and media. This year's Miss Supranational 2013 pageant will be held on September 6 in Minsk, Belarus.

Johanna Datul was a former contender of the Mutya ng Pilipinas 2012 wherein she was placed at the Top 10 and earned the reputation as one of the most awarded contestant although she failed to make it to the Final 4.

The charming beauty has gone through communication, personality development,  projection and  language training in preparation for the international pageant.  She also attended hair and make-up sessions care of Bb. Pilipinas.

“Overwhelmed ako sa suporta na nagpapatatag sa akin,” she told her audience, composed of Bb. Pilipinas  Charities chair  Stella Araneta, reigning  and past beauty queens who gave her words of encouragement during her send-off at the Gateway Mall in Cubao.

The pageant, Mutya adds, is the fulfillment of a dream, and she promised not to let her countrymen down.

She even learned a few Russian words to connect with her audience in Belarus (the country is near Russia). 

“I will bring with me three essentials,” she promised.  “These are my  strong faith in God and my supporters,  prayers and sincerity.”

Her parents’ advice – to use her God-given talents to reach her dreams – will always stay at the back of her mind.

Mutya’s sights are not just focused on winning the international pageant.  She also wants to join other beauty queens who have tried showbiz.

“I love watching actors and actress since I was seven. Sila ang nagbibigay saya sa maraming tao, especially ang mga komedyante. Inspirasyon ko sila.”

Then, she flashes a winning smile that says, “Don’t worry, I can do it!”

MISS WORLD Philippines 2013: #20 Megan Young

MISS WORLD Philippines 2013: #20 Megan Young

CONGRATULATIONS! With the national competition done, the new Miss World Philippines will represent the country in the Miss World 2013 pageant to be held at the Sentul International Convention Center in West Java, Indonesia, on September 28, 2013. 

The Miss World Philippines 2013 pageant is taking place at the Grand Ballroom of the Solaire Resort and Casino on August 18, 7pm.

Here is the list of the night's winners:

MISS WORLD Philippines 2013: #20 Megan Young

1ST PRINCESS: #10 Janicel Lubina

2ND PRINCESS: #5 Zahra Saldua

3RD PRINCESS: #10 Bianca Paz

4TH PRINCESS: #18 Omarie Linn Osuna

Special and Sponsored Award Winners below:

Best in Talent: Samantha Mae Bernardo

Best in Fashion Runway: Megan Young

Miss Friendship: Zahra Bianca Saldua

Miss Sports by FILA: Megan Young

Miss Novu Hair: Patricia Ejercitado

Miss Reducin: Megan Young

Miss Redux Fat: Bianca Paz

Miss Pantene: Zahra Saldua

Miss Olay: Megan Young

Best in Swimwear: Janicel Lubina

Miss Laguna: Megan Young

Miss Bold and Glamorous by Revlon: Megan Young

Miss Figlia: Megan Young

Miss Photogenic: Janicel Lubina

Miss Bench Body: Megan Young

Best in Gown: Bianca Paz

Earlier: Megan Young showing her beautiful form in her swimwear by FILA

TOP 13:

#6 Karla Patricia Alas

#12 Angelica Lopez

#19 Bianca Paz

#13 Paulo Estenso

#7 Samantha Mae Bernardo

#18 Omarie Linn Osuna

#24 Zandra Flores

#20 Megan Young

#11 Mercegrace Raquel

#5 Zahra Saldua

#22 Patricia Ejercitado

#10 Janicel Lubina

TOP 5:

#18 Omarie Linn Osuna

#5 Zahra Saldua

#19 Bianca Paz

#20 Megan Young

#10 Janicel Lubina

CONGRATULATIONS MISS WORLD Philippines 2013: #20 Megan Young

-Jesse M. Robredo-

“No success can compensate for failure in the home.”

Interior and Local Government Secretary Jesse M. Robredo, a multi-awarded local executive who left corporate life for public service, had always been a man in a hurry. Raised by a highly competitive father, he had broken a lot of records throughout his  schooling, notching an armful of degrees along the way; then accomplishing so much more in such short periods, in a political career distinguished both for its integrity and passion for reform. And on Saturday, Jesse Robredo was hurrying home to Naga, scuttling advice to take a commercial flight in order to ride a small chartered plane to be with his family. In the end, this habit of hurrying cost him his life—and the nation, one of its best sons.

Robredo was born on May 27, 1958, in Naga City. He is a second-generation Filipino-Chinese, and the third of five children of Jose Chan Robredo Sr. and Marcelina Manalastas.

Appointed DILG secretary by President Aquino in 2010, Robredo, 54, was one of the most prominent figures among a rising generation of local officials becoming known on the national stage. His performance in Naga, where in 1988 he was elected mayor at the age of 29 – then the youngest city mayor in the Philippines – brought him national as well as international recognition.

He served the city for an unprecedented six 3-year terms, DILG records note, in 18 years, transforming Naga into the Bicol region’s premier city.

In 1996 he was named one of the Philippines’ Ten Outstanding Young Men (TOYM) as well as one of Ten Outstanding Young Persons  (TOYP) in the world. Two years later, at the age of 38, he won the Ramon Magsaysay Award for Government Service.

Asiaweek Magazine called Naga one of Asia's Most Improved Cities, and credited Robredo with bringing dynamism and innovation to public service, the local bureaucracy, and community concerns from housing to public health matters.

Sterling academic record

Robredo was an Edward Mason Fellow and a graduate of Masters in Public Administration at the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University, the DILG says on its website.

He earned a degree in Industrial Management Engineering and Mechanical Engineering from De La Salle University, and then an MBA from the University of the Philippines.

After his graduation from DLSU, it seemed Robredo was on track for the corporate life, joining San Miguel Corporation's Magnolia division. But then he returned to Naga City in 1986, and was convinced to sign on as Program Director of the Bicol River Basin Development Program. Here he developed his taste and passion for public service, and two years later he ran for mayor.

His fellow local officials elected Robredo to lead the League of Cities of the Philippines in 1995. “He was also elected chairman of the Regional Development Council, the regional planning and coordinative body of Bicol's six provinces and seven cities, from 1992-98. Since 1995, he also chairs the Metro Naga Development Council,” the DILG says on its website.

“A trustee of Synergeia Foundation, a national advocacy group for education governance reforms, Robredo is a member of the Liberal Party of the Philippines and a prime mover behind the Kaya Natin!, a national movement that seeks to bring genuine change and ethical leadership in the country.”

Robredo studied at the Naga Parochial School. 

Robredo entered high school in 1970 at Ateneo de Naga, further honing the discipline and passion for excellence instilled by his father.

"At Ateneo," the RM Awards bio quoted him saying, "I learned to deal with people and I learned to deal with the external environment." But, added the bio, “it was not until after he had left Ateneo that he began to appreciate fully its motto of shaping ‘men and women for others.’" 

Two Ateneo de Naga priests---father confessor Fr. Jack Phelan and Fr. James O'Brien---instilled in students, including Robredo, a deep love for Bicol.

The political turmoil in the early 70s served as backdrop for Robredo’s high school years. When Ferdinand Marcos declared martial law. “Robredo remembers the day the Prefect of Discipline called all the students to an assembly and warned them against getting involved in anti-government activities, lest they expose the school to the risk of closure,” said the RM bio.“

Although Robredo himself was never drawn to activism, he was neither ignorant of, nor indifferent to, political issues. His father was a sympathizer of the Liberal Party, which at the time was the opposition party, and openly expressed a dislike for martial law. Jose Robredo had always encouraged his children to speak their minds and, at mealtimes when everyone was required to be present, he encouraged lively discussions including politics.” 

A clutch of degrees

In college, Robredo wanted to be an engineer, excelling in science and math. Though he was accepted at the University of the Philippines in Los Banos, he chose De La Salle University, which enjoyed a good reputation for engineering courses.

“It was the intellectual challenge Robredo liked most about De La Salle. He also found time for sports and played basketball with the engineering school's intramural team. But he shunned parties and nights out with his peers, although he allowed himself an occasional movie. He preferred to stay home to study or to watch television,” according to the RM bio.

Robredo earned two bachelor of science degrees at DLSU in six years, for mechanical engineering and industrial management engineering. 

He quickly got a job at San Miguel Corp. and eventually followed his boss who was transferred to Magnolia, the ice cream division, where, at age 26, he met an early challenge at fighting corruption and carrying out reforms.

Amid reports of warehouse pilferage and a questioned promo contest, Robredo cleaned up the plant's warehousing system “by improving the use of resources, cutting down on overtime, and improving productivity.” 

Robredo’s own accident evokes memories of that similar national tragedy, a seeming reminder that for those who wish to serve the people, there is no waiting around for opportunities to do so. Every deadline is “yesterday” and every mission urgent.