BusinessWorld (Philippines) articles from February 2007

BusinessWorld (Philippines) archives from February 2007

ONSTAGE.
February 28, 2007... (From BusinessWorld (Philippines)) Byline: Juan Antonio Lanuza During my stay in Madrid, I attended a performance of Spanish zarzuela La del Manojo de Rosas by Leipzig-trained composer Pablo Sorozabal (1897- 1988), a composer who...

Panasonic, IMAX forge partnership.
February 28, 2007... (From BusinessWorld (Philippines)) Panasonic Manufacturing Philippines Corp. and IMAX recently signed a partnership agreement where Panasonic is to showcase its products such as Viera plasma TVs and LCD (liquid crystal display) TVs, at...

GSIS shifts to automated loan processing.
February 28, 2007... (From BusinessWorld (Philippines)) The Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) recently began the full automation of loan processing, signaling other government agencies to follow suit. The GSIS disabled the manual certification...

PhilPost launches writing tilt.
February 28, 2007... (From BusinessWorld (Philippines)) The Philippine Postal Corp. (PhilPost) and the Universal Postal Union (UPU) based in Berne, Switzerland has recently launched the 36th International Letter Writing Competition for Young People to...

Colgate-Palmolive, dental group celebrate consciousness month.
February 28, 2007... (From BusinessWorld (Philippines)) The Philippine Dental Association (PDA) and Colgate-Palmolive Philippines are wrapping up the celebration of the National Dental Health Month, which ends today, Feb. 28. For the third consecutive...

PEOPLE.
February 28, 2007... (From BusinessWorld (Philippines)) Quisumbing Torres appoints new labor partner Quisumbing Torres (QT), a member firm of Baker & McKenzie International, recently announced the appointment of its new partner, JONATHAN C. FLAMINIANO....

COURTSIDE.
February 28, 2007... (From BusinessWorld (Philippines)) Byline: Anthony L. Cuaycong Up and down and up and down. That's how the remainder of the 2006-07 season of the National Basketball Association appears to be for the Miami Heat. Yesterday, for...

SPECIAL FEATURE: EntrepreNEWS.
February 28, 2007... (From BusinessWorld (Philippines)) Byline: Johanna Paola D. Poblete Small and medium enterprises (SMEs) need funding if they are to survive and thrive in a tough market. These comprise the majority of business entities in the...

SPECIAL FEATURE: EntrepreNEWS.
February 28, 2007... (From BusinessWorld (Philippines)) The influx of tourist arrivals especially during the peak summer months and the year-end holidays also serve as a blinking signal for the influx of cash flow for entrepreneurs in the tourism industry....

SPECIAL FEATURE: EntrepreNEWS.
February 28, 2007... (From BusinessWorld (Philippines)) Byline: Gerard S. dela Pena In international expositions where trade halls become a virtual sea of enterprises, Philippine firms have undeniably chalked up a reputation for creativity and...

SPECIAL FEATURE: EntrepreNEWS.
February 28, 2007... (From BusinessWorld (Philippines)) Byline: Jaime Noel "Joel" Santos Most of the business headlines focus on the happenings of multinational or large-scale companies. These information are nice to know but most of us would rather find...

SPECIAL FEATURE: EntrepreNEWS.
February 28, 2007... (From BusinessWorld (Philippines)) Byline: Johanna Paola D. Poblete Twenty years of successful reportage means BusinessWorld has access to decades of data. As far as financial information is concerned, documents date back to the...

Southwestern Mindanao's indigenous peoples' arts showcased.
February 28, 2007... (From BusinessWorld (Philippines)) Byline: Darwin T. Wee Zamboanga City - Art enthusiasts converged at the Western Mindanao State University's social and cultural hall over the weekend to witness a rare exhibit that focused on the...

BRIEFS.
February 28, 2007... (From BusinessWorld (Philippines)) Ayala Museum The Art of Integration: Muslims of Britain, a photo essay by Peter Sanders, is on view until March 15, at the museum's Artists' Space. Cultural Center Raphael D. L. Gregorio...

Missing spiker Manilla Santos (De La Salle University power spiker).
February 28, 2007... (From BusinessWorld (Philippines)) There is no poetry in getting helplessly booted out of contention just when you are entering your final year in the UAAP. In Season 69, rivals and schoolmates alike missed the De La Salle University...

Kagay-anon is impassioned vintage car restorer.
February 28, 2007... (From BusinessWorld (Philippines)) Byline: Michael D. Banos Cagayan de Oro City - Restoring vintage cars is Cesar "Nito" Malferrari, Jr.'s hobby, his pastime, his vocation. Since he was a young man, he was always fascinated by the...

Technique maximizes fuel use.
February 28, 2007... (From BusinessWorld (Philippines)) Byline: Anna Barbara L. Lorenzo After dominating truck sales in 2006 with a 61% market share, Isuzu Philippines Corp. is counting beyond its own numbers. In what could be seen as added value in...

NOT SO FAST.
February 28, 2007... (From BusinessWorld (Philippines)) Byline: Tito F. Hermoso The rooftop bar of the chic Berlin Radisson SAS Hotel was bathed in the tinge of Bavarian blue, a proper partner to the cold light that is the environs of its Scandinavian...

BRIEFS.
February 28, 2007... (From BusinessWorld (Philippines)) Yaris out in March Toyota Motor Philippines Corporation (TMPC) is adding the Yaris hatchback passenger car to its vehicle lineup beginning next month. The new Yaris was named "Car of the Year 2000"...

5-year T-bond yield declines (Inflation outlook augurs well for bond.
February 28, 2007... (From BusinessWorld (Philippines)) Byline: Ma. Eloisa I. Calderon Debt yields from the reissued five-year benchmark bonds fell at yesterday's auction as a benign inflation outlook buoyed the sentiment of a market that was rocked by...

Peso extends losses vs dollar.
February 28, 2007... (From BusinessWorld (Philippines)) Byline: Ma. Eloisa I. Calderon The peso yesterday extended its losses against the dollar, failing to get help from a benign inflation outlook. It closed at P48.38, shedding 13.5 centavos more from...

BNP Paribas expects rating upgrade for RP.
February 28, 2007... (From BusinessWorld (Philippines)) Byline: Anna Barbara L. Lorenzo Barring glitches in the coming elections, the country might get a credit rating upgrade after the political dust settles in May, French financing group BNP Paribas...

BSP has bought $6 billion to curb peso's constant rise - Palace.
February 28, 2007... (From BusinessWorld (Philippines)) Byline: Josefa Labay Cagoco and Paolo Joseph L. Lising The central bank's long position on the dollar has reached $6 billion as of last year as a result of monetary authorities' efforts to curb the...

Share prices dip on consumer price worries.
February 28, 2007... (From BusinessWorld (Philippines)) Byline: Allan E. Lalisan with AFP Share prices closed lower for a second straight day, pulled by inflationary concerns on rising crude oil prices worldwide. But analysts said the market needed...

SPECIAL FEATURE: BODY HEALTH & wellness.
February 28, 2007... (From BusinessWorld (Philippines)) Byline: Leslie Samantha L. Marcelo "Venus of Willendorf" is how she is known to the world. Her ample bosom rests atop her swollen belly, which hangs over her chunky legs. By current standards,...

SPECIAL FEATURE: BODY HEALTH & wellness.
February 28, 2007... (From BusinessWorld (Philippines)) Byline: Cherry C. Bobadilla No two human bodies are alike. People can go on a variety of diets, hit the gym regularly and shed some decent pounds, but still not be able to change the body shape they...

SPECIAL FEATURE: BODY HEALTH & wellness.
February 28, 2007... (From BusinessWorld (Philippines)) Byline: Gerard S. dela Pena Topical creams, soaps, cleansers, and toners have always been the top- of-mind products for beautifying the self. The moneyed few will even go the extra mile and spend on...

SPECIAL FEATURE: BODY HEALTH & wellness.
February 28, 2007... (From BusinessWorld (Philippines)) Byline: Cherry C. Bobadilla Body types are also important when dressing up. "It is frustrating to shop and try on several clothes that do not look good on you. By understanding your body type,...

SPECIAL FEATURE: BODY HEALTH & wellness.
February 28, 2007... (From BusinessWorld (Philippines)) Byline: Gerard S. dela Pena Judges, witnesses, lawyers, and court clerks would probably be flustered, or even starstruck, to see the face of a beauty queen in such an intensity-filled environment....

SPECIAL FEATURE: BODY HEALTH & wellness.
February 28, 2007... (From BusinessWorld (Philippines)) Byline: Johanna Paola D. Poblete Women are not the only slaves to fashion. Throughout history, European men have worn hose, codpieces, wigs, powder, and "patches" to mask pimples or pockmarks....

SPECIAL FEATURE: BODY HEALTH & wellness.
February 28, 2007... (From BusinessWorld (Philippines)) When it comes to maintaining a healthy and active lifestyle, what's your excuse? Here are some reasons why we end up as couch potatoes - and how to get around them. "I'm too busy. I don't have time...

SPECIAL FEATURE: BODY HEALTH & wellness.
February 28, 2007... (From BusinessWorld (Philippines)) The circle is alive. Men and women are clutching instruments and moving to the primal beats of music. Inside the circle, combatants are preparing to spar. Their movements are graceful and fluid. Their...

Cell phone makers, dealers warn proposed sticker regulation will boost.
February 28, 2007... (From BusinessWorld (Philippines)) Byline: Maricel E. Estavillo Handset manufacturers and their dealers, including telecommunication providers, have slammed the proposed regulation which will require them to buy a sticker from the...

Davao's mango exporters target Australia, US.
February 28, 2007... (From BusinessWorld (Philippines)) The Department of Agriculture will start negotiations for the export of mangoes from Davao del Sur to Australia and the United States, Agriculture Secretary Arthur C. Yap said in a statement yesterday....

Samal gov't plans ecozone-free port.
February 28, 2007... (From BusinessWorld (Philippines)) Byline: Carmelito Q. Francisco Davao City - The Island Garden City of Samal has started drafting a plan for the setting up of a economic zone and free port, city administrator Cleto Gales Jr. said...

Japanese business confidence worsens in February - survey.
February 28, 2007... (From BusinessWorld (Philippines)) Business confidence of Japanese companies operating in the Philippines worsened this month from January, posting the biggest slide in sentiment since June last year, the survey Japan External Trade...

AD LIB.
February 28, 2007... (From BusinessWorld (Philippines)) Byline: Greg B. Macabenta A culture of impunity" was how Reporters Sans Frontieres described the situation in the Philippines in view of the unsolved and unabated liquidation of journalists and...

BYSTANDER.
February 28, 2007... (From BusinessWorld (Philippines)) Byline: Dean O. de la Paz We read your column entitled 'Atlas Mining Trojan Takeover' dated February 14, 2007. We would just like to take this opportunity to explain our side of the story. Attached...

CAPITAL VIEW.
February 28, 2007... (From BusinessWorld (Philippines)) Byline: Mercedes B. Suleik The Catholic calendar ushered in the Lenten season last week with the observance of Ash Wednesday. Christian devotees have themselves marked with an cross on their...

UPSHOT.
February 28, 2007... (From BusinessWorld (Philippines)) Byline: Bernardo V. Lopez It is a fundamental law of human nature and of survival to protect one's peers. But what distinguishes the hyena from the human is the moral law. For beasts, they simply do...

FAST FORWARD.
February 28, 2007... (From BusinessWorld (Philippines)) Byline: Argee Guevarra Where perception often translates into reality - as in elections - the Genuine Opposition should carve a majority in the Senate come May. Surveys have been consistent in...

Shoptalk.
February 28, 2007... (From BusinessWorld (Philippines)) New retailer in town The former PriceSmart outlet along Ortigas Ave. Extension at the boundary of Pasig City and Cainta, Rizal has a new occupant. The old warehouse has been torn down and...

Revenue office improves collection.
February 28, 2007... (From BusinessWorld (Philippines)) Byline: Geefe P. Alba Cagayan de Oro City - The regional office of the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) has strengthened its collection measures amid reports it encountered difficulties in reaching...

Arroyo backs last-ditch appeal.
February 28, 2007... (From BusinessWorld (Philippines)) Byline: Josefa Labay Cagoco President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo is backing a last-ditch effort to appeal the decision of a United States (US) nursing commission refusing to grant passers of last...

Administration eager to debate with opposition on economic claims.
February 28, 2007... (From BusinessWorld (Philippines)) Byline: Josefa Labay Cagoco The administration is eager to debate with the opposition about the real score on its economic performance, which the latter has challenged, but warned them this would...

Cooking gas price cut by P0.50.
February 28, 2007... (From BusinessWorld (Philippines)) Byline: Iris Cecilia C. Gonzales Dealers of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) announced a P0.50 per kilogram price reduction effective midnight today. The LPG Marketers Association cited lower...

Crafting of Japan-assisted plan under way.
February 28, 2007... (From BusinessWorld (Philippines)) Byline: Romer S. Sarmiento General Santos City - Efforts are under way for the formulation of a development plan in conflict-affected areas in Mindanao, a move that gained strong support from the...

Businessmen, civil groups form alliance in campaign to reverse.
February 28, 2007... (From BusinessWorld (Philippines)) Byline: Reagan D. Tan Businessmen and civil groups have forged an alliance to address an "education crisis" through a national and multi-sectoral campaign to prevent schoolchildren from dropping out...

Ex-mayor convicted for graft.
February 28, 2007... (From BusinessWorld (Philippines)) Byline: Alexis Douglas B. Romero The Sandiganbayan second division has convicted a former Nueva Vizcaya mayor to one year imprisonment for illegal use of public funds. In a 17-page ruling, the...

Zamboanga sets measures to reduce impact of dry spell.
February 28, 2007... (From BusinessWorld (Philippines)) Byline: Darwin T. Wee Zamboanga City - Farm-based measures were set in the Zamboanga peninsula to cushion the impact brought by the expected long drought, the regional office of the Agriculture said...

Third force up in Leyte.
February 28, 2007... (From BusinessWorld (Philippines)) Byline: Reyan L. Arinto Tacloban City - Leyte Governor Carlos Jericho L. Petilla said he would welcome a third force candidate in the local political arena. Mr. Petilla has withdrawn from the...

Pacquiao not backing out from polls; Atienza misquoted.
February 28, 2007... (From BusinessWorld (Philippines)) Byline: Romer S. Sarmiento General Santos City - Boxing champion Manny "Pacman" Pacquiao is not abandoning his ambition to pursue a political career, his lawyer clarified yesterday. Franklin...

Health insurer rethinks options amid falling investments.
February 28, 2007... (From BusinessWorld (Philippines)) Byline: Ira P. Pedrasa The falling rates of government securities are affecting the reserves of the Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth). The reserves are the main source of fund to pay...

Opposition bucks Namfrel's quick count bid for May 14.
February 28, 2007... (From BusinessWorld (Philippines)) Byline: Ira May Joyce P. Pedrasa Opposition groups are hampering the bid of the National Citizens' Movement for Free Elections (Namfrel) to do the quick count for the May 14 polls. On the...

IMF says more taxes needed for faster growth.
February 28, 2007... (From BusinessWorld (Philippines)) Byline: Paolo Joseph L. Lising The government will have to increase revenues - via new taxes, revenue reforms and less tax incentives - to help finance infrastructure development that will enable...

Economic zones report 17% rise in exports.
February 28, 2007... (From BusinessWorld (Philippines)) Byline: Reagan D. Tan Exports of locators in economic zones and information technology parks under the Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) rose 17.21% to $3.03 billion last month from $2.58...

Philippines targets 67% increase in tourist arrivals by 2010.
February 28, 2007... (From BusinessWorld (Philippines)) Byline: Christie E. Uayan and Reyan L. Arinto Davao City/Tabango - Tourism Secretary Joseph H. Durano said the Philippines aims to attract at least five million foreign visitors by 2010, from less...

Finance chief to press for veto of ecozone bill.
February 28, 2007... (From BusinessWorld (Philippines)) Byline: Judy T. Gulane and Reagan D. Tan The Finance department is considering asking President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo to veto the bill establishing the Aurora Special Economic Zone, which was...

Iligan City planners banking on industries, increasing consumption to.
February 28, 2007... (From BusinessWorld (Philippines)) Byline: Geefe P. Alba Iligan City - With this city's steel plant humming again and export earnings rising since last year, local government and development planners are bullish on this city's...

Pfizer doubts feasibility of state's plan to sell cheaper drugs.
February 28, 2007... (From BusinessWorld (Philippines)) Byline: Paul C.H. How The costs of importing patented drugs from cheaper sources may lead to a losing business venture for the government, the counsel of a major drug firm claims. In a hearing...

PAL expects 2007 earnings to be flat.
February 28, 2007... (From BusinessWorld (Philippines)) Byline: Ruby Anne M. Rubio Flag carrier Philippine Airlines, Inc. (PAL) expects to end 2007 with flat earnings growth due to an increase in expenses. At the same time, the company will be...

Eton Properties lines up seven projects for the year.
February 28, 2007... (From BusinessWorld (Philippines)) Byline: Ruby Anne M. Rubio Newly formed Lucio Tan-owned property development company Eton Properties Philippines Inc. has lined up seven projects for the year In a press conference yesterday,...

Bataan-based garments firm infusing P576 million in Subic.
February 28, 2007... (From BusinessWorld (Philippines)) Byline: Rey Garcia Subic Bay Freeport - Reepar Manufacturing Corp. (RMC), a garment manufacturing company based in Mariveles, Bataan, has set its expansion project here, infusing P576 million worth...

Hospital builds health and wellness clinic.
February 28, 2007... (From BusinessWorld (Philippines)) Byline: Bernardette S. Sto. Domingo Riding on the health and wellness boom, the Dr. Victor R. Potenciano Medical Center (VRPMC) is putting up a well-ness center within its hospital premises this...

Election spending to hike malls' topline.
February 28, 2007... (From BusinessWorld (Philippines)) Byline: Ruby Anne M. Rubio Election spending is expected to drive up malls' revenues for the year as tenants are expected to enjoy robust sales. Property services firm Colliers International...

BUSINESS CASE LAW.
February 28, 2007... (From BusinessWorld (Philippines)) Byline: Judge Artemio S. Tipon (Ret.) Under Article 1278 of the New Civil Code, compensation shall take place when two persons, in their own right, are creditors and debtors of each other. In order...

PhilWeb gets tax incentives from BoI.
February 28, 2007... (From BusinessWorld (Philippines)) Byline: Bernardette S. Sto. Domingo Publicly listed Internet gaming firm PhilWeb Corp. has obtained pioneer status from the Board of Investments (BoI), allowing it to defer income tax payments for...

CIGI earmarks P250 million for plant upgrade.
February 28, 2007... (From BusinessWorld (Philippines)) Byline: Bernardette S. Sto. Domingo Consolidated Industrial Gases, Inc. (CIGI), supplier of medical gases and equipment, has earmarked more than P250 million this year to improve its plant's...

AEV transfers power assets.
February 28, 2007... (From BusinessWorld (Philippines)) Byline: Ruby Anne M. Rubio Listed firm Aboitiz Equity Ventures, Inc. (AEV) secured the approval of its stockholders to transfer all its interests in various power distribution companies valued at...

Power rates cut as peso strengthens.
February 28, 2007... (From BusinessWorld (Philippines)) Byline: Iris Cecilia C. Gonzales Electricity consumers will see power bills reduced by as much as 31 centavos per kilowatt-hour (kWh) in April after regulators provisionally approved a National...

Franchise, Congress key to gov't tack on Transco.
February 28, 2007... (From BusinessWorld (Philippines)) Byline: Judy T. Gulane The government will reconsider a plan to secure a congressional franchise first before it stages another bidding for National Transmission Corp. (Transco) if getting one...

This doctor also makes bags (Ernst & Young, Entrepreneur of the Year).
February 28, 2007... (From BusinessWorld (Philippines)) The Entrepreneur Of The Year Philippines has concluded its fourth year search for the country's most successful and inspiring entrepreneurs. Entrepreneur Of The Year Philippines is a program of the SGV...

Factory output extends downtrend to end-2006.
February 28, 2007... (From BusinessWorld (Philippines)) Byline: Josephine B. Valle A downtrend in manufacturing output extended to end of 2006 despite an improvement in rate of decline for the last month of the year, preliminary results of a National...

Foreign buying shows bourse off 'to a good start'.
February 28, 2007... (From BusinessWorld (Philippines)) Byline: Allan E. Lalisan Net foreign buying at the Philippine Stock Exchange (PSE) rose substantially in January compared with the previous year, and exchange officials yesterday said this indicated...

CONSUMER GUIDE.
February 28, 2007... (From BusinessWorld (Philippines)) Taal Vista buffet Taal Vista Hotel hosts the Indian Night Buffet every Friday at the hotel's Lobby Lounge. The Indian Night Buffet runs from 6 p.m.-10 p.m. Traditional Indian fare include Chicken...

Inflation seen to hit slowest rate in three years this month.
February 27, 2007... (From BusinessWorld (Philippines)) Byline: Paolo Joseph L. Lising The rise in prices of basic consumer products is expected to have eased further this month to its slowest rate in the last three years, but monetary authorities...

East Asia warned that risks of financial crisis still lurk.
February 27, 2007... (From BusinessWorld (Philippines)) Byline: Beverly T. Natividad The United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP), in a conference held in Bangkok over the weekend to mark the 10th anniversary of...

Sultan Kudarat pushes bangus, tilapia for EU market.
February 27, 2007... (From BusinessWorld (Philippines)) Byline: Romer S. Sarmiento Tacurong City - A business leader in Sultan Kudarat has urged the local government to work for acceptance in Europe of bangus and tilapia imports. "If we can have...

Exporters seek more cushions.
February 27, 2007... (From BusinessWorld (Philippines)) Byline: Marites S. Villamor Cebu City - Exporters here are awaiting the benefits of moves by the Executive to cushion the negative impact of the strengthened peso, even as visiting Trade Secretary...

LET'S TALK TAX.
February 27, 2007... (From BusinessWorld (Philippines)) Byline: Catherine C. de la Cruz Even before the approval of the tax amnesty bill by Congress in its special session last week, much had already been written welcoming or criticizing its...

FRAMEWORK.
February 27, 2007... (From BusinessWorld (Philippines)) Byline: Elfren Sicangco Cruz The buzz these days in the business and other well heeled circles is not about politics or the latest Kris misadventure. Rather it is about money, investments and even...

FENCE SITTER.
February 27, 2007... (From BusinessWorld (Philippines)) Byline: Antonio R. Samson Sleep deprivation is now a legitimate field of study for management. Lack of sleep is supposed to lead to bad decisions, grouchy management styles, and trailing sentences...

MAP INSIGHTS.
February 27, 2007... (From BusinessWorld (Philippines)) Byline: Evelyn R. Singson I was watching Oscar Lopez being interviewed on ANC. He talked about the values of the Lopez Group and his own values. It was apparent that speaking the truth is a value he...

THE FINANCIAL EXECUTIVE.
February 27, 2007... (From BusinessWorld (Philippines)) Byline: Cayetano Paderanga Jr. The Basel accords concretely illustrate how globalization can wash over everybody, including those unwilling to swim in its waters. In response to the messy...