Bloomberry to hire 4,500 for Pasay City casino-resort Solaire

Port magnate Enrique Razon’s Bloomberry Resorts Corp. says it will hire 4,500 workers for its new gaming hub Solaire Manila Resort & Casino in Entertainment City, Pasay.

A Bloomberg report said Bloomberry has already recruited 400 Filipinos working in casinos in Macau and Singapore, but still has to fill 150 management posts.

Estimates show casinos in the Philippines will employ some 40,000 Filipinos and attract a million more tourists a year.

The $1 billion Solaire Manila Resort & Casino is set to open by first quarter of 2013.

Michael French, Bloomberry chief operating officer, said the first phase of development will have a 700 room-hotel, three levels of podium that will host ballroom/convention facilities, gaming areas, restaurants, retail shops, and health and wellness facilities.

Investment for the first phase of the development is estimated at $650 million. Bloomberry expects its total investment in the area to reach $1.2 billion.

French said construction is on track with “a little over 80 percent” completed.

“Our Solaire guest room will be the biggest in Manila, about 43.5 sqm, and larger than any hotel room. It will be a luxury hotel operation, with the standards of Peninsula and Shangri-La,” said French.

“We think the gaming market is quite good in Manila. In gaming, supply builds demand. So we have found in every market that the more casino products introduced, the more business grows. We are bullish and positive in the local market and international market, which is virtually intact with Manila. We will do more marketing to bring in high roller gamers from overseas,” he said.

The Entertainment City Manila is a multibillion-dollar project of PAGCOR, covering 120 hectares of prime reclaimed land at the western portion of the Manila Bay in Parañaque City. It is also a special economic zone.

The Philippine government’s tourism blueprint, the National Tourism Development Plan, seeks to achieve 10 million tourist arrivals by 2016. Entertainment City’s 3,200 hotel rooms, which will have an annual capacity of one million tourists, will be among the key drivers to achieve the target.

Aside from tourist arrivals, Entertainment City is expected to generate over 20,000 jobs.

The Philippines is high on the radar screen of the global leisure and entertainment industry, Bloomberry noted.

Citigroup has tagged the Philippines as the “market to watch,” reporting that upon the completion of the integrated resorts at the Entertainment City, the total revenue that can be derived from gaming activities would most likely approximate the earnings capacity of Singapore’s integrated resorts.

British-Pinoy chosen as Olympic Village mayor

LONDON - Steven Cheung, a 22-year-old British-Filipino, has been chosen as young mayor of the Olympic Village. 

The Olympic Village is the official home of more than 10,000 athletes and officials during the Olympic and Paralympic Games in London.

"I'm really proud  to be able  to fly the Union Jack and the Filipino flag. It's time for us to really raise our status, to raise the step in our game and be known internationally... Starting from the first generation to the second generation migrants, together we can make a better future for us and the Philippines," Cheung said.

As young mayor, Cheung will welcome heads of state, diplomats and athletes who will visit the Olympic Village, as well as be a role model for the youth in East London.

"My role as a young mayor, I will welcome them to the Olympic village, on top of that, everything concerning them, including food and accommodation, will come through our office," he said.

Cheung admitted when his family moved to the UK, he experienced discrimination, but he did not allow this to bring him down. He wants to be an inspiration for fellow Filipinos.

"Mahirap talaga... Yung mga tao calling you names like 'oh you are fresh off the boat.' When I tell them  im from the Philippines, my mom is from the Philippines and they don't know the Philippines," he said.

During the first day of the Olympic torch relay in London, Cheung was also one of the torchbearers. He was also chosen as an Olympic Youth Ambassador.

A volunteer and a community leader since the young age of 12, Cheung was awarded a Princess Diana Award for his work in the community.

World's most loved, most hated cities — Part 2

he top five on the news site CNNGo's list of the world's 10 most loved cities include: 

 

(5) Petra

JORDAN (Estimated Filipino population in country: 30,171*)

 

Known as the “Rose-Red City,” Petra was an old ancient Nabatean ruin dating back more than 2,000 years.

 

It was rediscovered through the help of a Swiss adventurer Johann Ludwig Burckhardt and has acquired the “Wonder of the World” accreditation from United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).

 

(4) San Francisco

UNITED STATES (Estimated Filipino population in country: 3,166,529*)

 

An escape from the hustle and buzz of America, San Francisco boasts enchanting hills, wonderful bridges, cable cars, and ferries.

 

The city’s pride, the Golden Gate Bridge also recently celebrated is anniversary.

 

If you want to avoid the crowds, it is advised that you tread the Land’s End Trail, a four-kilometer coastal trek considered to be one of the most beautiful.

 

 

(3) Santiago

CHILE (Estimated Filipino population in country: 176*)

 

This city is like a collection of all the good stuff from other American cities.

 

Santiago has better weather than Vancouver, livelier music than Seattle, More entertaining cafes than Portland, greater bar hours and prices than Los Angeles and more fashionable people than San Francisco.

 

It also has been ranked top by the New York Times in its “41 places to go” list.

 

(2) Shanghai

CHINA (Estimated Filipino population in country: 26,772*)

 

Once dubbed as the “Paris of the Orient,” Shanghai became a shadow of its former self after a world war and communist revolution.

 

Shanghai since then has regained its former glory and is now the richest and busiest city of China with billion dollar investments such as the 2010 World Expo host exposure.

 

A visit to Shanghai can be very enjoyable because of its rich culture, food, architecture and festivities.

 

(1) Tokyo

JAPAN (Estimated Filipino population in country: 290,358*)

 

The capital of Japan, Tokyo is a never-ending weird-in-a-good-way experience.

 

This city will surely test your senses with all the neon lighted advertisements, Sakura trees (Cherry Blossom), odd restaurants and cosplaying locals on the streets.

 

Also, girls who work behind a counter in Tokyo will always bow down to every customer and greet them like they were a very important person.

 

What’s not to love in Tokyo?

 

 

Most hated cities

 

Meanwhile, the following cities left a bad impression on the tourists, making them the top five on CNNGo's list of world's most hated cities:

 

(5) Los Angeles

UNITED STATES (Estimated Filipino population in country: 3,166,529*)

 

A city considered to be underwhelming by visitors, they warn of “tourist traps” such as Hollywood which take a lot of time from your jam-packed schedule.

 

Aside from these traps, Los Angeles is a city with constant riots, traffic, pollution and natural disasters like earthquakes.

 

(4) Timbuktu

MALI (Estimated Filipino population in country: 156*)

 

A city in the middle of nowhere, Timbuktu is a trading center in the desert.

 

Travelers who have returned from the city say that the extremely long trip is not worth it and the visit was disappointing.

 

Traveling to Timbuktu is so difficult and time-consuming that a third of the active tourists don’t believe that it even exists. 

 

(3) Paris

FRANCE (Estimated Filipino population in country: 50,144*)

 

Paris was part of the most loved cities from part 1 of this article but that doesn’t mean that it can’t be part of the most hated cities.

 

The “City of Light” has a love-hate relationship with tourists who complain about an overpriced “French Breakfast” and the swarms of French artists hinting to have your portrait drawn.

 

Although it is one of the top destinations in the world, Paris still suffers to bad reputation from unsatisfied visitors.

 

(2) Melbourne and Sydney

AUSTRALIA (Estimated Filipino population in country: 345,592*)

 

These two Australian cities actually hate each other despite the similarities that they share such as the population, multicultural residents up to the occasional bushfire.

 

Aside from this, Melbourne which prides itself as the “World’s most livable city” apparently does not take into account its sky-high prices for cost of living.

 

(1) Tijuana

MEXICO (Estimated Filipino population in country: 662*)

 

In 10 years, Tijuana’s annual tourist visitors have decreased by 90 percent.

 

This speaks a lot about the city but it’s not just the murders and carjackings that caused this.

 

Drugs, violence, recession and swine flu outbreaks are the main culprit why Tijuana is now at the top of our most hated city list. - VVP, GMA News

 

* - Data from the 2010 Stock Estimate of the Commission of Filipinos Overseas

World's most loved, most hated cities — Part 1

Travelers have different personal reasons for loving or hating a certain place.

Everyone's personal list of top 10 most loved and top 10 most hated cities will likely be very different from one another.

Still, the news site CNNGo said it has come up with a "definitive list" of top 10 most loved countries, based on the opinions of netizens, bloggers, travelers, and media persons, among others.
 
Based on CNNGo's list, the bottom five in the top 10 most loved cities in the world are:

 
(10) Barcelona
SPAIN (Estimated Filipino population in country: 52,611*)
 
The first three letters of this city suggests a "place to drink, " and CNNGo says just like in a bar, "it's a good time every time" in Barcelona, a city that doesn’t sleep.
 
This Mediterranean place is a youthful city boasting of style, architecture, good food, and fantastic weather. It is no surprise that the city won the British travel award “Best City Break Destination” in 2009.
 
(9) Cape Town
SOUTH AFRICA (Estimated Filipino population in country: 2539*)
 
Dubbed as South Africa’s “Mother City,” Cape Town has been nominated and won various awards from different organizations:
 

• “2011 Top Destination in the World” – TripAdvisor Travelers’ Choice Awards

• “2nd place, Top 10 Beach Cities” - National Geographic

• “Shortlisted, Places of a Lifetime” - National Geographic

Aside from the excellent reviews, beaches, harbors and architecture, Cape Town is the home of Table Mountain, one of the Seven New Wonders of Nature.
 
 
(8) Montreal
CANADA (Estimated Filipino population in country: 667,674*)
 
What makes Montreal stand out is the general festive attitude of the people, making tourists enjoy more the experience and leisure that the city has to offer.
 
Summer is the peak season for Montreal where two world-renowned festivals are celebrated:
the International Jazz Festival (June 28-July 7) and
Just for Laughs (July 12-29).
 
Montreal was also recently granted the “City of Design” status by United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).
 
 
(7) New York
UNITED STATES (Estimated Filipino population in country: 3,166,529*)
 
One of the world's most popular cities, New York is the third most visited city in the world.
 
A single daily experience such as riding the train, crossing the streets, or buying a hotdog from a corner stall will surely be an experience worth your visit.
 
New York is also the home to famous landmarks such as Times Square, Central Park, Broadway, Fifth Avenue and Yankee Stadium to name a few.
 
 
(6) Paris
FRANCE (Estimated Filipino population in country: 50,144*)
 
The world’s most visited city, Paris is toured by 15 million people every year.
 
The city is considered to be a treasure trove when it comes to art, architecture, food and fashion.
 
The “City of Light” also boasts global landmarks like The Louvre, The Eiffel Tower, The Arc de Triomphe and Notre-Dame Cathedral.
 
Watch out for Part 2 of this report where we will feature the top 5 world's most loved cities.
 

Most hated cities
 
While there are most loved cities, for various reasons, travelers also have a list of most hated cities where they have had hideous experiences.
 
CNNGo's list of most hated cities include:
 
(10) Belize City
BELIZE (Estimated Filipino population in country: 102*)
 
This city has good travel advertisements and promotions but don’t be fooled.
 
Belize, sadly, face problems with drugs, crime, and general dilapidation which will turn your vacation into a nightmare.
 
 
(9) Cairo
EGYPT (Estimated Filipino population in country: 6,565*)
 
Home to one of the world’s last ancient wonders, the Pyramids, Cairo is a city with a wealthy history.
 
However, the pollution that the city emits is far from safe for the World Health Organization has compared breathing in this city for a day as smoking a pack of cigarettes.
 
Tourists are also advised to avoid crowds and protestors and to have patience for its ridiculous traffic.
 
(8) New Delhi
INDIA (Estimated Filipino population in country: 2,081*)
 
CNNGo said one thing that never goes out of fashion in New Delhi: scams.
 
The “Scam City” has various scams to look out for. However, it is most likely that even street smart people can be scammed.
 
Some of the popular scams are: "Government Tourist Office" scam; The "Hotel Commission" scam; The "Fake Train Station" scam; The "Airport Transfer" scam.

(7) Jakarta
INDONESIA (Estimated Filipino population in country: 11,914*)
 
Nicknamed the “Big Durian,” Jakarta is not an easy city to love at first sight with all the traffic, poverty, and pollution, among others.
 
However, most tourists who stay in Jakarta only spend an average of a little more than a week definitely adding to the negative first impression on the city.
 
CNNGo said some expats who have stayed in Jakarta for extended periods testify that it’s actually quite a nice city.
 
 
(6) Lima
PERU (Estimated Filipino population in country: 299*)
 
Lima is the fifth largest metropolis of Latin America.

It is generally better than most cities nearby in terms of crime rate and pollution but tourists don’t like it due to one thing: they think it’s boring in Lima.

The city just gives a vibe which is too traditional especially for those who are not willing to “get their hands dirty” exploring a city.

Watch out for Part 2 of this report on the world's most loved and most hated cities in the world.
 
- VVP, GMA News

Pinoy cleaner of Brunei golf club feted for honesty

Edgar San Diego, an overseas Filipino worker in a golf club in Brunei for the last five years, was feted for his "selfless service, diligence, honesty and integrity as a Filipino worker."

San Diego is a cleaner working at the ISSN Facility Services Sdn. Bhd. and has been assigned at the RBA Golf Club, Berakas since 2007.

 

Philippine Ambassador to Brunei Darussalam Nestor Ochoa lauded San Diego for "being an inspiring example" of a Filipino in the Sultanate.

The awarding ceremony was conducted after the regular flag-raising rites on Monday morning.

 

A news release of the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said: "In his seven years working at the RBA Golf Club, San Diego has occasionally found valuable items accidentally left behind by members of the club, from cell phones, wallets, to an expensive Rolex watch."

"Time and again, he has dutifully returned the misplaced items to management and eventually to their rightful owners, earning the respect of his employer and co-workers alike," the DFA said.

 

"Through your example, we hope to inspire our countrymen in Brunei to show excellence, dedication, honesty and integrity in their personal and professional dealings," Ochoa told San Diego, who he awarded a plaque of recognition.

 

San Diego and wife Rosemarie have three children - Roselyn, 18; Rosevee, 17; and Ederick, 7. - VVP, GMA News
 

Young German-Pinay fighter guides Olympic flame

SOUTHAMPTON – A British born German-Pinay fighter got to contribute towards sporting history on Day 58 of the Olympic torch relay.

Reigning British Taekwondo Champion Jeamy Navarro-Schrank, 12, was among a group of upcoming local talents that lined the tarmac of Southampton airport on the morning of July 15.

The youngsters, each recognized for excellence in their own respective sporting disciplines like golf, tennis and rugby, were invited by Eastleigh Borough Council to guide the Olympic flame onto an aircraft for the next leg of its trip around the UK.

When the flame arrived at 7 a.m., the 20 athletes formed a guard of honor leading up to a British Airways plane, bound south for the Channel Islands.

The torch relay will end its journey at the Olympic Stadium in London on July 27, marking the start of the 2012 Games.

In a telephone interview with ABS-CBN Europe, Jeamy's father, Yan Schrank, said his daughter was very proud to be involved in the ceremony, albeit slightly surprised by the scale of things. She did not expect such a large convoy of vehicles to arrive.

Yan explained the experience has also inspired his daughter to work even harder to achieve her dream. The taekwondo prodigy, who already trains with Great Britain's National Cadet Team, aims to compete in the Olympic Games one day.

Gold at British International Open

Immediately after the torch boarded the plane, Jeamy raced over to the K2 Centre in Crawley, around 70 miles away, to compete in the British International Open.

Although not a ranking tournament, Jeamy entered this year's competition as part of her preparation for several important key dates in the calendar.

She wanted to get used to a new electronic scoring system, as well as test out some techniques and strategies that she had been working on over the last few months.

Her mentor, British Taekwondo South (BTS) coach Gareth Brown, also a coach for Great Britain's Junior National Team, was pleased with Jeamy's progress. Not only did his fighter display improvement in areas like creating opportunities, she also won a gold medal for her efforts.

Jeamy is set to compete in a string of upcoming tournaments, including the Serbian, Croatian and US Open, ahead of the European Championships in Romania. 

The European Championships in June 2013 will be the first opportunity for Jeamy to fight under the Team GB banner.

Jeamy's next major competition will be the British National Taekwondo Championships in Manchester this September. She is currently the reigning two-time champion in the Under-12 category, but this year she will be stepping up to the Under-14s.

The youngster is aiming to make it to the 2020 Olympic Games, where she will most probably compete in the Under-49kg category.

Guest of US Master at London Olympics

Jeamy will also be watching some of the taekwondo events at the upcoming London Games.

She has been invited as the special guest of revered United States Olympic coach Master Jean Lopez, whom she has trained with in the past.

Jeamy will be supporting Master Lopez's brother, Steven Lopez, who is one of the sport's biggest stars. The two-time Olympic gold medalist and 5-time world champion is due to fight in the Under-80kg category on August 10 at the ExCel Centre.

Foods to Avoid with Arthritis

Inflammatory Foods

Arthritis is a general term encompassing conditions that share joint pain and inflammation. Typical treatment involves pain-reducing medication. While there is no definitive arthritis diet, research suggests including anti-inflammatory foods to your diet and limiting foods that may trigger joint pain. 

Fried & Processed Foods

Researchers at The Mount Sinai School of Medicine examined disease prevention through diet. Findings showed that “cutting back on the consumption of fried and processed foods can reduce inflammation and actually help restore the body’s natural defenses.”

Lower Your AGE

AGE doesn’t refer to how many birthdays you’ve celebrated. Advanced Glycation End product (AGE), a toxin that appears when foods are heated, grilled, fried, or pasteurized, causes inflammation once absorbed by the body.

The 2009 study from Mount Sinai reported the benefits of reducing foods cooked at high temperatures. “After four months on the AGE-less diet, blood AGE levels, lipid peroxides, inflammatory markers, and biomarkers of vascular function declined by as much as 60 percent in healthy participants.”

Sugars & Refined Carbs

High amounts of sugar affect the immune system as well as hormone levels, resulting in constant fatigue. Too much sugar consumption also contributes to an imbalance of nutrients. Your body compensates by stripping calcium from bones and teeth, leading to conditions including arthritis. Cut out candies, processed foods, white-flour-baked goods, and sodas to reduce your arthritis pain.

Dairy Products

Dairy products may contribute to arthritis pain due to a protein they contain that irritates tissue around the joints. Some sufferers of arthritis pain have shown more success by switching to a vegan diet—which contains no animal products whatsoever. Rather than getting protein from meat and dairy, vegan protein sources can be found in vegetables.

Alcohol & Tobacco

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) warns that “using tobacco and alcohol can lead to a number of health problems that may affect your joints.” NIH states that smokers are more at risk for developing rheumatoid arthritis, while those who consume alcohol have a higher risk for developing gout. Healthy joints require a balanced diet, physical activity, and an adequate amount of rest—all of which can be compromised by alcohol and tobacco use. 

Salt & Preservatives

Know what’s in your food. While table salt may be the first culprit that comes to mind, many foods contain preservatives to promote longer shelf lives.

• Read the Label. Steer clear of preservatives and additives. A more natural diet helps you prevent or manage your arthritis.
• Avoid Prepared Meals. Though convenient, microwavable meals are often very high in sodium and more harmful in the long-run. 

Corn Oil

Many baked goods and snacks contain corn or other oils high in omega-6 fatty acids— including sunflower and safflower. While these treats may satisfy your taste buds, they trigger inflammation. Replace with anti-inflammatory alternatives including olive oil, nuts, flax seeds, and pumpkin seeds, all rich in healthy omega-3s.

A University of Maryland Medical Center study examined the pain-relieving effects of omega-3s on individuals with rheumatoid arthritis and reported an increase in joint pain relief.

More Arthritis Diet Tips

There is no established arthritis diet plan. What works for one person may not work for someone else. Trial and error will determine which foods you need to eliminate. In general, experts advise arthritis patients to maintain a healthy body weight and eat a balanced diet