JUNE 10, 2014 AN AUSTRALIAN SUBMARINE WAS IN INTERNATIONAL UNDERWATERS, JUST OFF THE COAST OF SAMAR, WHEN ONE SUBMARINER HAD AN ACUTE APPENDICITIS. The submarine commander asked the help of the Secretary of the Philippine Navy and the Aussie was brought to the Doctors Hospital in Tacloban, Leyte and then to Manila. The Aussie was doing fine and the Philippines was "inoperably" happy to help one of its allies.
Recycled Web Page 2014
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MANILA ENVELOPE UNSEALED
News Potpourri: January - May 2013
Overseas Filipino Workers who sent money remittance home grew by 8.4% to $1.9 billion in January from $1.7 billion a year earlier. Remittances largely originated from the US (38.9%), Canada (11%), Saudi Arabia (7.6%), UK (5.3%), UAE (4.7%), Singapore (3.9%), and Japan (3.8%).
King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia has given illegal foreign workers, including 20,000 Filipinos (total of 1.5 million Filipino workers), a three-month grace period to legalize their status. Some 200,000 people, mostly Asians, have been expelled from the oil-rich kingdom who has 8 million foreign workers, mostly with very low-paid jobs.
Show-business personality Kris Aquino, 42, the youngest sister of Pres. Noynoy Aquino, is 2011 number 1 taxpayer on the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR). She paid P49.87 million, followed by Sunpower Philippine VP Gregory Deane Reichow (P38.2 million) and Philippine ambassador to UN Lauro Liboon Baja Jr (P34.36). None of the Filipino tycoons were among the Top 10 taxpayers: Henry Sy, Henry Sy Sr and Lucio Tan.
Two Filipinos made this year's TIME Magazine's 100 Most Influential People in the World: Dr. Katherine Luzuriaga, a pediatric allergist and immunologist from the University of Massachusetts and Philippine President Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino. Dr. Luzuriaga's team included AIDS researchers Dr. Hannah Gay, a pediatrician at the University of Mississippi and Dr. Deborah Persaud, a virologist at John Hopkins Children's Center. Dr. Luzuriaga has been on the forefront of pediatric HIV/AIDS research - patient oriented research focused on mother-to-child transmission of HIV. They were also honored at the ceremony held at the Time Warner on Columbus Circle last April 23.
Anti-Political Dynasty Bill: The Philippines is without doubt the "world capital of political dynasties." There are 178 active dynasties. According to Sen. Miriam Defensor-Santiago, some have ruled for 8 years, some for 20 years and some for a period of 30 years. Some familiar family names out of 98 names: Cojuangco-Aquino, Crisologo, Lacson, Macapagal, Mitra, Recto, Romualdez/Lopez, Roxas, Singson, Sumulong, and Tanada.
Manny Pacquiao, world boxing champ and congressman, is returning to the ring this September. Pacquiao lost his belt last June 9, 2012 when he was KO'd by Floyd Mayweather in six rounds. Many Filipinos think he lost the fight because he became a "Born-Again Christian." Born-Again Christians never believed in the Virgin Mary and throw her statues as garbage. Pacquiao no longer wants to fight in the US because of high taxes. IBF welterweight champion Devon Alexander is the front runner among his possible opponents. The fight is more likely to be held in Dubai for there is more money there.
Dubai carrier will fly to Clark International Airport, Pampanga, effective October 1st. The Emirates has been operating flights to Manila since 1990.
The Musee du Quai in Paris opened an art exhibit dubbed "Philippines: Archipei des Echanges" featuring four national treasures from the Philippines: Oton Death Mask; Palawan Zoomorphic Ear Pendant flower; fragment of ear pendant with ring and quadrangular body; and the Maitum Anthropomorphic burial jar. Vice President Jejomar Binay opened the largest exhibition, more than 300 works of art focusing on pre-colonial Philippines, in the last 20 years in France.
Oton (Iloilo) Death Mask 1300-1400 A.D.
Anthropomorphic Burial Jars
Fragment Jars
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| Ayub Cave, Sarangani, Mindanao |
Four US Navy officers were relieved of their duties for the grounding of USS Guardian at the Tubbataba Reef, a UNESCO World Heritage site in the Sulu Sea, last January 17. Initial investigation of USPF said the ship's commanding officer, the executive officer and navigator, the assistant navigator, and the officer on deck failed to follow standard navigating procedure. On March 30, the USS Guardian was finally removed from the reef at a very high cost from the US government. An earlier estimates show around 4,000 sq m of the protected coral reef were damaged. RP government asked the United States to pay P58 million in compensation for the damage caused by the salvage/warship.
6/3/13 lib's labyrinth
Recycled Web Page: Manila Envelope'
June - August 2013
Hacienda Luisita farmers who worked for sugar estate owned by President Noynoy Aquino's family which has been placed under the government land reform program are seeking help once again before the Supreme Court (SC). The Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) has started to allocate specific lots to the farmer-beneficiaries using the raffle system. The method of allocation is not acceptable to them.
Sugar trucks at Hacienda Luisita
Former President Joseph Estrada and newly-elected Mayor of Manila personally supervised easing of traffic congestion by banning bus entering the city at all entry point roads.
Philippines extends visa-free privilege to 151 countries to enccourage tourism. Requirements: A national passport valid for at least 6 months beyond contemplative stay and return ticket to the country of origin or onward ticket to next country of destination.
Roxas Blvd
The Philippines will host the 2014 World Economic Forum and the 2015 Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit. The Department of Budget & Management released the PhP 250 million for the rehabilitation of 10.1 km Roxas Boulevard (formerly Dewey) that stretches from Bonifacio Drive to Airport Road in Paranaque City.
BRP Gregorio Del Pilar
BRP Ramon Alcaraz
The Philippines has acquired the second Hamilton class cutter from the United States Navy on August 2, 2013. The "second-hand" ships are to upgrade the military capability of the country to deter China's bullying in the disputed shoals of South China Sea (West Philippine Sea).
August 21 Wednesday- The US Government has donated $800,000 through United States Agency for International Development (USAID) to flood victims of tropical storm Maring (international name Trami) in Luzon and Metro-Manila. US Ambassador Harry K. Thomas, Jr. lauded the Filipinos for indefatigably facing adversity with good cheer and help to flood victims.
August 26 Monday- Massive demonstration, 65,000 to 100,000 netizens, in Rizal Park (Luneta) in protest of "pork barrel" known as Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) scam by mastermind Janet Lim-Napoles. She surrendered to President Noynoy Aquino and in a Makati jail. The scam is 70-30. Members of Congress linked with the scam: Former Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile, former Senate President Protempore Jose "Jinggoy" Estrada, Ramon Bong Revilla Jr, Marcos nemesis Gregorio "Gringo" Honasan, Ralph Recto, and former Senator Edgardo Angara. They all denied allegations on the irregularities.
Kris Aquino, sister of Pres. Noynoy and "Queen of All Media," is planning to run as governor of Tarlac.
Janine Tugonon, first runner-up in the Miss Universe Pageant, is flying to the United States in September to further her study. She graduated cum laude in pharmacy, passed her pharmacy licensure before joining the contest and was her dream to study in the U.S.
The Philippines has economic growth of 7.5% in 2013.
Government told 6,000 Filipinos to get out of Egypt due to security situation and days of violent clashes. They were told to contact the Philippine Embassy in Egypt- Filipino workers, residents and students will be flown home from Egypt on the government's account.
The ban was lifted for Philippine Airlines to fly to Europe. On August 8, PAL added to its fleet the Air-bus A321-200, produced in Hamburg, Germany, PAL has placed an order for 55 more aircraft worth $7 billion, the largest aircraft purchase in Philippine history.
List of 10 Countries that Love the USA [2013] Pew Research Center Global Survey
1. Philippines
2. Israel
3. Ghana
4. Senegal
5. Kenya
6. El Salvador
7. South Korea
8. Italy
9. Uganda
10. Brazil
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THE MANILA ENVELOPE UNSEALED
Producer/Director/Writer: Francisco "Kit" Reyes
In this latest video, the earth moves with the Philippines. You bet! She has its own and very strong national identity even with 300 years of Spanish rule and 50 years under the Americans. The country of 7,100 islands, with a current population of 97 million (103,775,002 by 2014), is a "live museum of democracy." It is experiencing political and economic resurgence tempered with business prudence. Forbes Magazine praised the Philippines as "the friendliest country in Asia." 23 min.
May I add, my favorite TV game show JEOPARDY! hosted by the handsome debonair Alex Trebek always have an answer ( contestant answers with a question) about the Philippines. I have always wondered if a Filipino-American works in the show.
Published 2/1/13 lib's labyrinth
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Previously Published on September 25, 2004
ALT Website MSN Groups
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Pinoy Twins.... Filipinos are happy to
learn two-year-old conjoined twins Carl and Clarence Aguirre have shown no brain
damage after their separation and all vital signs are fine. They are
very active and their doctor said they should be walking by
Christmas. Their mother, Arlene, who looks like Catherine Zeta-Jones said,
"Everybody knows them now." The twins who left Montefiore Medical Center in
Bronx last August 30 for Blythedale Children's Hospital in Valhalla
for physical and speech therapy were delighted to be back at
Montefiore after being away for 10 days. Watching the boys, Dr.
Robert Marion of Montefiore said, "It is a miracle. It's the first time
twins like this have survived neurologically intact. It's like a fairy
tale, where a mother searches for someone who can grant her wish."
Overseas Filipino Workers....The total
number of OFW rose 9.2% to 569,877 from 521,818 which led to a robust growth in
dollar remittances reaching $4.7 billion in 7 months from January to July this
year. Countries such as Hongkong, Japan, Singapore, Italy, US, UK, Saudi
Arabia and United Arab Emirates (UAE) continue to be the major sources of the
remittances. The Bangko Sentral ng
Pilipinas (BSP) or Central Bank of the Philippines is expecting a
slowdown in dollar remittances as international banks have implemented
Anti-Money Laundering (AML) and Counter-Terrorist Financing (CTF) regulations to
follow the global flow of terrorist funds. The continuing war with
militants in the Middle East also prevented the OFWs from going out of their
place of employment to transact with remittance centers. This would then
provide incentives for OFWs to remit their earnings through underground money
changers which are not captured by officials.
Not Yet Time.... The ban on Iraq
deployment of Filipino workers stays according to Foreign Affairs Secretary
Alberto Romulo. There are 4,200 Filipino reconstruction workers in various
camps in Iraq and being protected and monitored by Philippine authorities.
In a committee hearing in the House of Representatives in the Philippine
Congress, he was asked to divulge the status of the country's relationship with
the United States and Coalition members. Sec. Romulo admitted that while
there was disagreement during the Angelo De La Cruz kidnapping hostage crises,
the US-led coalition did not retaliate in any way and agreed to 'move on.'
In a Social Weather Stations survey conducted from August 5 to 22, 67% of
respondents approved the pull out of Philippine contingent in Iraq to save the
life of the Filipino hostage. Majority of Filipinos (78%) said good
relations with the US are very/somewhat important for economic development and
73% said it is very/somewhat important for protecting the Philippines from
international terrorism. Also in the survey:
52% of Filipino families have relatives
abroad
22% of Filipino families have relatives in the
US
51% of Filipino families headed by a college graduate
have relatives in the US
65% of Filipinos in general trust the US
73% of Filipinos with relatives in the US trust the
US
14% of Filipinos in general distrust the
US
11% of Filipinos with relatives in the US distrust the
US
Foreign Investments.... The surge in
investments by foreigners is a good sign that the country is on the way to
economic recovery and progress. The domestic product has a mid-year growth
of 6.35% - the highest in 16 years. In the first 6 months, 650,000 jobs
have been created. President Arroyo's goal is to create 6 to 10 million
jobs until 2010. The stock market is very much alive and enjoyed a
52-month year high as foreign investors have been encouraged by economic reforms
implemented by the Arroyo government. Good economy translates to more
jobs. High employment growth is due to an increase in number of call
centers, cellphone usage and poll-related activities. Other factors are
real estate, rentals, business, hotels and restaurants, construction, health and
social work, transport, storage and communications, wholesale and retail
trade.
The Philippine Debts.... Data from the
Bureau of Treasury (BOT) show that the national government hit the 3.53 trillion
pesos at the end of June. Foreign debt rose by 19.3% to 1.7 trillion pesos
from 1.427 trillion pesos a year ago. The rise can be partly due to
depreciation of the peso which lost over 2 pesos in value against the dollar
since June 2003 to June 2004. The finance department also tapped more
direct foreign loans and issued more foreign denominates securities, bloating
the foreign debt. The current exchange rate is 56 pesos to
$1.
Chocolate Deal.... Affordable
medicines such as anti-asthma, anti-diabetes, anti-hypertension and antibiotics
would soon be available to the Philippine public at half the price. But
not without controversy hurled by critics against the president of Philippine
International Trading Corp. (PITC) on a "chocolate deal" entered by Duty
Free Philippines (DFP) with a British Virgin Islands-based company.
One-China Policy.... The Philippines
rejected Taiwan's appeal to become a member of the United Nations stressing its
one-China policy. President Gloria Arroyo has just made clear the
country's one-China policy during her 3-day state visit to China. It's
another repeatedly foiled attempt by Wu Hsin-hsing, head of Taipei Economic
Cultural Office in Manila that the Philippines recognize Taiwan as a state and
help it gain membership in the United Nations.
Anything But Arroyo.... Just like the
Bush-Gore election debacle of 2000, the opposition candidates Poe & Legarda
believed they were cheated in the May election. Get over it, you
people!
More Manila Envelope being
mailed.
Original A.L.T. Publication - The Philippines
Shining
My financial advisor, Mr. Bloomingold (not his real name), just sent me this info (without the graph for the sake of brevity):
Shedd Aquarium
Field Museum
Soldier Field
Trump Tower
Marina Towers
Wrigley Building 
