Mark Chan aims to win World Latte Art contest in Sweden

Young overseas Filipino worker Mark Chan will be the first ever Filipino barista to compete and represent the Philippines in the World Latte Art Championship in Gothenburg, Sweden.

Chan won the right to represent the Philippines in the most esteemed latte art competition in the world when he was declared champion at the 1st Philippine National Art Latte Championship held in Paranaque City, south of Manila,

The Philippine competition used the same criteria used for the championship in Sweden, as sanctioned by the World Coffee Events (WCE). The worldwide recognition paved the way for the Philippine champion to compete in Sweden.

Six baristas competed in the championship, given 10 minutes to create their entry in design pattern, espresso macchiato, and free pour.

Chan who flew back to Manila from Singapore where he works at Common Man Coffee Roasters impressed judges with patterns the likes of Three-Layered Tulips, Inverted Tulips and his Semi-Picasso Swan.

“I’m gonna have to study my score sheets first and see my ‘strengths’ and ‘opportunities’. Make my strong points stronger and capitalize on it, make serious consideration on ‘opportunities’ for improvement,” says Chan in a published interview.

Sonja Bjork Grant, a judge from the World Coffee Events, says she looks forward to the competition especially since this will be the first time that the Philippines will have a representative in the world competition where baristas are judged based on visual attributes, creativity, identical patterns in the pairs, contrast in patterns, and overall performance.

The World Latte Art Championship highlights artistic expression in a competition platform that challenges the barista in an on-demand performance. Around 40 to 45 competitors from all around the world will battle for the title. The competition will be held in June 15-18 this year.

Chan, a graduate of St. Joseph’s Academy, is optimistic about the third wave coffee scene in the Philippines saying, “It is getting ready to explode most probably early to mid-2015.”

- See more at: http://www.goodnewspilipinas.com/mark-chan-aims-to-win-world-latte-art-contest-in-sweden/#sthash.wwRrAb25.dpuf

********************* ADS ********************

NY Daily reports PHL a key global travel destination

The New York Daily News reports the Philippines is now becoming a favourite destination for travellers looking for unspoiled natural wonders and its unique history.

The NY Daily counts the over 7,000 Philippine islands as having “some of the best scenery on the planet.”

The report by Mike Quane noted that the negative experiences of the country in the last three decades such as economic and political misfortunes and high-profile natural disasters have actually contributed to the islands’ scenic areas avoiding over-development.

The NY Daily, commanding nearly 50 million unique viewers monthly, lists must-see spots such as UNESCO World Heritage Sites, Banaue Rice Terraces, the Puerto Princesa Underground River, and Tubbataha Reef Marine Park.

The list also includes the Apo Reef, Chocolate Hills of Bohol, and Taal Volcano.

A rundown of the many cultural and historical sites is given, such as Spanish colonial churches like San Agustin Church in the walled city of Intramuros, and the island fortress of Corregidor in Manila Bay.

Action-oriented travellers are directed to diving, parasailing, and river rafting, and even rock-climbing in the cooler mountainous regions of Baguio.

Beach people are referred to perfect white sand beaches in Bohol, Boracay, and Puerto Galera.

The Manila malls like Glorietta, Mall of Asia, and Megamall are listed as a shoppers’ paradise for good bargains.

Condo housing for expatriate retirees are referred to as allowing retirement funds to stretch longer than in their home countries. For tourists who prefer hotels, Manila is cited as having some of the best hotels in the world such as the Shangri-La Hotels.

The report rounds of the list with mentions of good restaurants with traditional local Filipino offerings, as well as Chinese, Spanish, and Polynesian cooking.

The top draw in the list is the Filipinos themselves. “The most beautiful thing about the Philippines remains the sweetness of its people. The ‘Good morning, sir’ and ‘Good evening, ma’am’ one hears so often are sincere and heartfelt, delivered with a distinctive warmth that will be long-remembered.

- See more at: http://www.goodnewspilipinas.com/ny-daily-reports-phl-a-key-global-travel-destination/#sthash.WWpz1jDx.dpuf

********************* ADS ********************

PH breaks Guinness world record for tree planting

uinness World Records has officially declared the Philippines as the new record holder for the most number of trees planted simultaneously in multiple locations, all done in one day.

The Philippines’ “Treevolution: Greening MindaNOW” tree planting project in Mindanao broke the record previously held by India with 1.9 million trees.

Guinness recorded 2,294,629 trees planted by 122,168 participants at 29 locations across Mindanao on September 26, 2014.

Organized by the Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), the tree planting event saw Muslims and Christians, local officials, policemen, government soldiers and Moro armies temporarily stopping the armed conflict to plant trees in Regions 9, 10, 11, 12 and 13 and the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.

The DENR counts among trees planted, cacao, coffee, mahogany, rubber, and timber. Rubber, coffee and cacao are listed as priority crops in the National Greening Program of the Philippine government.

In an official government release Secretary Luwalhati Antonio, chairperson of MinDA, revealed that 4 million trees were actually planted in over 7,800 hectares of Mindanao that day but then the stringent verification process of the Guinness committee only tallied the official record at over 2 million.

The 4 million seedlings that were planted aimed to add 1 percent to Mindanao’s forest cover by 2016 and supply oxygen to around 16 million people of the total Mindanao population daily, that could eventually minimize impacts of climate change.

Secretary Antonio adds that although the world record was a motivating factor for the project, “TreeVolution has showed one overwhelming reaffirmation—that Mindanawons can unite for a common good, and that, we, c, can truly become one for the environment.”

- See more at: http://www.goodnewspilipinas.com/ph-breaks-guinness-world-record-for-tree-planting/#sthash.abgeKGiy.dpuf

******************** ADS *******************

Forbes ranks PHL one of Best Foreign Retirement Havens

The Philippines is one of the “20 Best Foreign Retirement Havens for 2015,” considering factors such as taxes and the cost of living, according to US business magazine Forbes.

In a recent article, Forbes said the country was best for US retirees since “the principal appeal of the Philippines is a low cost of living in a tropical environment full of English speakers and outdoor beauty.”

It further noted how foreign income in the country is untaxed, and permanent residency can be had on a minimal showing of retirement income.

“Popular locations include Tagaytay, a suburb of Manila, the ca

pital, that is elevated and therefore cooler and Subic Bay, with an infrastructure from the old US Navy base,” Forbes said on its website.

It also mentioned the ease of return to the US with non-stop flights between Manila and the US averaging
15 hours.

Aside from Philippines, other countries on the list include Australia, Belize, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Croatia, Ecuador, France, Ireland, Italy, Malaysia, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Portugal, Spain, Thailand, and Uruguay.

- See more at: http://www.goodnewspilipinas.com/forbes-ranks-phl-one-of-best-foreign-retirement-havens/#sthash.LElmdfcu.dpuf

******************** ADS ********************

Business confidence eases in Q1

source: The Philippine Star

MANILA, Philippines - Business sentiment declined in the first quarter of 2015, dampened by the seasonal moderation in economic activity, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas reported yesterday.

The latest Business Expectations Survey showed a confidence index of 45.2 percent, down from 48.3 percent in the fourth quarter of last year.

The central bank said the less upbeat sentiment was due to the usual slowdown in activity and moderation of consumer demand after Christmas and also because of the typhoons that hit the country late last year.

Moreover, firms cited “concerns over the backlog in deliveries caused by the port congestion problem, and lack of supply of fish due to Indonesia’s stricter new marine laws which limit the fishing ground of local fisherman and closed fishing season for sardines” for the weaker outlook this quarter.

The survey showed firms involved in international trading had optimistic outlook this quarter, while domestic-oriented firms and importers had less favorable expectations versus the previous three months.

“The less sanguine outlook of the wholesale and retail trade sector stemmed from expectations of a slack in consumer demand and business activities after the Christmas season, their concern over the continued effects of past natural calamities, particularly on agriculture, and stiffer domestic competition emanating from the construction of new malls,” the BSP said.

The service sector, meanwhile, was less optimistic this quarter due to the seasonal slack in demand for hotels and restaurants especially after the holiday season.

But the industry sector was more upbeat in the first quarter especially the manufacturing subsector due to continued projects and bookings and the sustained decline in pump prices that cut their costs.

The BSP added the construction sector was the most bullish this quarter due to the falling oil prices and sustained demand for their services with new projects in the pipeline in the private and public sector.

For the next quarter, the confidence index climbed to 58.2 percent, suggesting acceleration in domestic growth, the BSP said.

The “anticipated increase in demand during the secondary harvest and open fishing seasons, graduation and enrollment periods, and summer seasons with the expected influx of both local and foreign tourists,” were among the reasons the bullishness.

Moreover, the central bank said the sustained increase in orders and projects, expansion of business, enhanced strategies and processes were also cited by local firms for the upbeat outlook in the second quarter.

The latest BES, conducted from Jan. 5 to Feb. 10, surveyed a total of 1,523 firms.

*************** ADS ***************

Who are the 3 Filipinas on Forbes' Power Women list?

MANILA, Philippines - Three businesswomen from the Philippines were included in Forbes magazine's list of 50 most powerful businesswomen in Asia.

Teresita Sy Coson, vice chairman of SM Investments and chairman of BDO Unibank, was included in Forbes Asia's Power Businesswomen list for the fourth time in a row.

Sy-Coson, daughter of the Philippines' richest man Henry Sy, was cited for her vision for the family company.

"Under her lead SMIC became the largest listed company on the Philippine Stock Exchange by market cap," Forbes noted.

The 2015 Forbes Asia Power Businesswomen list includes 50 women from various industries in the region, including venture capitalism, construction, malls, telecommunications and retail.

Helen Yuchengco Dee, chairman of Rizal Commercial Banking Corp., also made it to the Forbes list. She was cited for leading the Yuchengco group of companies which includes RCBC, non-life insurance firm Malayan Insuance and construction firm EEI.

Yuchengco-Dee, the eldest of 8 children of tycoon Alfonso Yuchengco, was quoted by Forbes as saying she is "more conservative than her risk-taking father, now 92."

The Yuchengo family ranks 23rd on the Forbes Asia rich list for the Philippines, with an estimated net worth of $685 million.

Zenaida Rustia-Tantoco, chairman and CEO of SSI Group and Rustan's Commercial, is the third Filipina in Forbes Asia's Power Businesswoman list. SSI, which listed on the Philippine Stock Exchange last year, is the specialty retail arm of Rustan's group.

"With more than 700 sales outlets in 69 malls nationwide, including the upscale Rustan’s department stores, Tantoco is poised to build further on what her parents founded 60-plus years ago," Forbes said.

Among the top businesswomen on Forbes Asia's Power Women list are Singapore’s Temasek executive director and CEO Ho Ching, MGM China co-chairman Pansy Ho, Huawei Technologies chairman Sun Yafang, Australia's Hancock Prospecting executive chairman Gina Rinehart and Thailand's Central Department Store Group CEO Yuwadee Chirathivat.

On the cover of the Forbes Asia issue is newcomer to the list Noni Purnomo, the president director of Blue Bird Group Holding, the largest taxi company in Indonesia.

Businesswomen from China and Hong Kong once again dominated the list with 14, followed by India with six, Thailand with five and Singapore with four. South Korea, Australia, the Philippines and Indonesia each have three, while Japan and Vietnam each have two.

PH to be world's 2nd fastest growing economy in 2015 - report

MANILA, Philippines - A Bloomberg survey of economists shows the Philippines will be the second fastest-growing economy in the world this year, second only to Chna.

Bloomberg's survey says the Philippines and China will be the only two economies out of 57 included in the report that will grow 6 percent or more this year.

The report is based on average economists' estimates.

Various analysts have said the Philippines is one of the biggest beneficiaries in the world from lower oil prices.

"The world is expected to grow 3.2 percent in 2015 and 3.7 percent next year after expanding 3.3 percent in each of the past two years, according to a Bloomberg survey of economists. China, the Philippines, Kenya, India and Indonesia, which together make up about 16 percent of global gross domestic product, are all forecast to grow more than 5 percent in 2015," Bloomberg said.

Malaysia, an oil producer that is being hit by lower oil prices, will see growth slow from 6 percent to less than 5 percent.

Also in the top 5 are Kenya and Nigeria. Many economists are pointing to Africa as the next fast-growth region after Asia. - ANC

****************** ADS ********************