Iconic designer Diane Von Furstenburg calls PHL paradise

Top fashion designer Diane Von Furstenberg of the iconic wrap dress came to the Philippines in February and appeared smitten by the country as she posted instagram shots and even wrote a memoir of her experience in the place she calls, “paradise.”

“Today is my husband’s birthday, our anniversary and we are in paradise! Love from the Philippines. Diane,” went Von Furstenberg’s caption on her post of a sea, mountain and sky view from her island holiday in Palawan, south of Manila.

The posts sent a flurry of excitement in the country’s fashion circles as outpourings of welcomes, thank yous and invitations to visit other Philippine spots flooded the comments.

Von Furstenberg left America with her husband Barry Diller, just before Fashion Week, to celebrate in the southern islands of Palawan, El Nido and Coron which she referred to in her DVF site’s Love Diane section as “spectacular.”

She wrote about what she appreciated most about her holiday, “The rich vegetation of palms and bamboos, the sculpted rock formations and the most elegant simple villages, all a powerful reminder that nothing beats the beauty of nature. Then there is the underwater world and its splendor, the coral reefs and the multi color fishes… sure to inspire yet another collection in the future.”

Von Furstenberg posted her last instagram shot of the Philippines on February 6th, a snapshot of a bougainvillea plant against an azure sky over the country.

Von Furstenberg was recently touted by the Philippine fashion community after picking Filipina-American Brittany Hampton to be the first global brand ambassador for her DVF brand.

- See more at: http://www.goodnewspilipinas.com/iconic-designer-diane-von-furstenburg-calls-phl-paradise/#sthash.cPvKJJZ1.dpuf

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UP Diliman physicist discovers how to slow light

A Filipina physicist from the University of the Philippines and her colleagues at the University of Glasgow have discovered how to slow down light travel to less than the speed of light without actually touching it.

Dr. Jacqueline Romero, who finish

ed both her undergraduate and graduate studies in Physics at the UP and is currently on a post doctoral fellowship in Scotland, is part of a team of scientists who have finally proven by experiment that light particles can be slowed down in a near- vacuum.

The speed of light at 186,282 miles per second in free space has been regarded as an absolute.

In common refraction, this speed has been observed to slow down and change direction when passing through glass or water and going back to its higher velocity as soon as it returns to free space.

But Romero’s team has shown that the speed of light can remain slowed down even after returning to free space, and that it can do so without interacting with glass or water.

The results been published in the Science Express journal in the paper “Spatially structured photons that travel in free space slower than the speed of light” by collaborators from the Scottish Universities Physics Alliance which include fellow physicists Daniel Giovannini, Václav Potocek, Gergely Ferenczi, Fiona Speirits, Stephen M. Barnett, Daniele Faccio, and Miles J. Padgett.

Their experiment had the team placing individual particles of light called photons on a racetrack with one photon left in its normal state, and the other sent through a special mask. The mask changed the photon’s shape, slowing them to less than the speed of light. The photon continued to travel at the lower speed at 0.001% slower than the (normal) speed of light even after being released to free space.

The experiment is considered ground-breaking and will likely change how science views light henceforth.

The implications may range from a review of the accurate measure if very short distances using large aperture lenses, to the use of light to make extremely precise measurements in determining how far the Moon is from Earth.

While there are no immediate practical applications for this scientific feat, the results of the experiment has reignited talk of the possibility of teleportation and suspending sunlight in thin air.

- See more at: http://www.goodnewspilipinas.com/up-diliman-physicist-discovers-slow-light/#sthash.u6YZPYIh.dpuf

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Philippines one of the world’s inexpensive countries

The Philippines has been cited in a world map infographic as a country with one of the world’s most inexpensive cost of living.

The South East Asian archipelagic country ranked 15th in the Lowest Cost of Living index.

Movehub, a website that provides information on the most popular destinations for expats, presented the infographic showing the difference in living costs around the globe.

The map is based on data provided by Numbeo, the world’s largest database of user-contributed data on costs and prices around the world.

Numbeo collects data on the prices of goods and services submitted by government institutions, supermarkets, and even press reports. For this current map, data from July 1, 2013 to January 2, 2015 were used.

Consumer Price Index (CPI) was used to determine the variations in costs of living between countries, accounting for the prices of groceries, restaurants, transportation, and utilities.

The Movehub infographic uses a country’s CPI in relation to New York’s cost of living.

The supermarket grocery cost consists of the charge for bread, eggs, fruits, meat, rice, vegetables and even alcohol.

Restaurant costs refer to prices for dining in expensive, mid-range and inexpensive eating places, the alcohol and water charges, and the price of coffee products.

Transportation costs include fuel prices, taxi fares, train ticket fees, and car prices.

The costs of utilities are based on the charges such as for electricity, water, heating, and the internet.

- See more at: http://www.goodnewspilipinas.com/philippines-one-worlds-inexpensive-countries/#sthash.wwep92Sk.dpuf

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Kahoy eyewear a big hit among Hollywood celebrities

The Kahoy Kollection eyewear of Filipino-American designer-entrepreneur Ralph Santos is now trending in Hollywood.

Members of the popular show Dancing with the Stars were seen wearing the bamboo-temple frames, along with celebrities Christina Milian, Mike Epps, and Wayne Brady. Fashion gurus and bloggers have also expressed praises for the unique framed glasses of the Kahoy Kollection.

“Kahoy,” which in the Philippine language means wood, is the material used for the high-end eyewear with a line of vintage-inspired sunglass and optical frames.

The styles are named for beaches, streets or districts that Guam-born Santos has lived in or visited.

The eyewear collection is envisioned by the Fil-Am entrepreneur as an eco-friendly business that pushes Filipino culture to the forefront of fashion.

The bamboo material is currently sourced from Japan, but Santos is already looking into using Philippine bamboo.

Santos chose bamboo, believing it is “the most sustainable wood. It doesn’t use a lot of water to grow and it’s the most lightweight and comfortable wood.”

The designer is also teaming up with community organizations in the Philippines to help the business.

The Kahoy Kollection website lists Santos’ Filipino lineage from his parents, a grandfather who managed the first department store in Old Manila’s Escolta District, and a godmother who owns optical chain stores also in Manila.

The Kahoy Kollection brand was established in 2012. Santos drafted strategic plans while completing an MBA degree.

- See more at: http://www.goodnewspilipinas.com/kahoy-eyewear-big-hit-among-hollywood-celebrities/#sthash.p5u0oZXH.dpuf

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Conde Nast picks PHL X’mas lights display one of world’s best

The Christmas lights display in the heart of the Philippines’ business district has once again placed the country in the top must-see places cited by a global travel authority.

The lights show at the Ayala Triangle Gardens in Makati City, Metro Manila is one of the seven places included in the “Where to See Spectacular Christmas Lights Around the World” list released by Condé Nast Traveler.

The list describes the holiday festivity offerings of the Tivoli Gardens (Copenhagen, Denmark),

Champs-Elysées (Paris, France), Somerset House (London, UK), Silver Dollar City (Branson, Missouri), Ayala Triangle Gardens (Manila, Philippines), Kobe Luminarie (Kobe, Japan), and Christmas Market (Jena, Germany).

The citation described the Ayala Triangle Gardens as “natural haven with a diverse population of trees, including kamuning, golden palms, and fire trees.” It gave the visitor a preview of what to expect when seeing the lights display. “As you make your way through the park, Christmas hymns and songs are synchronized to the lights to create an immersive holiday experience,” writer Anna Liesemeyer recounts.

The park Christmas lights show runs every 30 minutes during 6 pm – 9 pm every night until New Year’s eve.

In October, Condé Nast Traveler readers voted Palawan as “Top Island in the World” for its underground river tourist destination.

Condé Nast Traveler is a multi-awarded travel magazine founded on the motto “Truth in Travel,” a creed followed by its correspondents who pay their own way as they travel anonymously to experience the world as their readers do. The magazine declares non acceptance of travel industry freebies in return for inclusion in the publication articles, making it a most trusted travel guide. The magazine commands a print readership of 3.5 million and 2.6 million unique visitors for its website.

- See more at: http://www.goodnewspilipinas.com/conde-nast-picks-phl-xmas-lights-display-one-worlds-best/#sthash.eyLHUsxA.dpuf

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Pinoy Math wizards sweep Malaysia Olympiad

Filipino students swept the top medals and trophies to emerge as overall champions in the 2014 Malaysia Invitational Mathematics Olympiad in Selangor, Malaysia.

The Philippine team’s participation in the 2014 MIMO earned for them 9 gold, 9 silver and 4 bronze medals in the individual contest. Another 10 trophies were won in the team contest. A total of 816 contestants participated in the 2014 MIMO including the Philippines, China, Indonesia, Malaysia, Taiwan and Thailand.

The overall champions in the team contest’s upper primary division are Philippine Team A’s:

1. Eion Nikolai Chua (MGC New Life Christian Academy) who also won individual gold medals
2. Albriz Moore Bagsic (Lilyrose School) who won a silver medal
3. Dion Stephan Ong (Ateneo de Manila High School)
4. Genrish Ng (St. Jude Catholic School)

The other individual gold medalists:

1. Shawn Darren Chua (MGC New Life Christian Academy)
2. Maria Monica Manlises (St. Stephen’s High School)
3. Rikka Grace Sombiro (Solomon Integrated School de Iloilo)
4. Annika Angela Mei Tamayo (Ateneo de Iloilo-SMCS)
5. Frederick Ivan Michael Tan (Xavier School)
6. Patricia Angelica Tan (Chiang Kai Shek College).

Silver medalists:

1. Jose Lorenzo Abad (Colegio San Agustin-Makati)
2. Leandro Martin Acla (Georgia International Academy)
3. Erin Nicole Blanche (Dee Hwa Liong Academy)
4. Noel Stephen Dequito (De la Salle University Integrated School-STC)
5. Kristin Angela Narag (Colegio San Agustin-Binan)
6. Janssen Reign Peña (Mother Goose Special School System)
7. David Kyle Picart (Sunshine International School)

Bronze medals for:

1. Ryan Christopher Deodores (Colegio San Agustin-Binan)
2. Frelean Faith Engallado (Solomon Integrated School de Iloilo)
3. Celine Amanda Montales (Colegio San Agustin-Makati)
4. Justin Tan (St. John’s Institute)

The Team contest winners are:

Overall Champion and Yellow Group Champion – Upper Primary: Philippine Team A:

1. Albriz Moore Bagsic – Lilyrose School
2. Eion Nikolai Chua – MGC New Life Christian Academy
3. Genrish Ng – St. Jude Catholic School
4. Dion Stephan Ong – Ateneo de Manila Junior High School

Overall Top 10 Performance and Yellow Group First Runner-up – Middle Primary: Philippine Team D:

1. Erin Nicole Blanche – Dee Hwa Liong Academy
2. Shawn Darren Chua – MGC New Life Christian Academy
3. David Kyle Picart – Sunshine International School
4. Frederick Ivan Michael Tan – Xavier School

Overall Top 10 Performance and Blue Group Second Runner-up – Middle Primary: Philippine Team E:

1. Krystal Lim Tiong Soon – Grace Christian College
2. Celine Amanda Montales – Colegio San Agustin, Makati
3. Rikka Grace Sombiro – Solomon Integrated School de Iloilo
4. Patricia Angelica Tan – Chiang Kai Shek College

Overall Top 10 Performance and Green Group Second Runner-up – Middle Primary: Philippine Team F:

1. Noel Stephen Dequito – De La Salle University Integrated School-STC
2. Janssen Reign Peña – Mother Goose Special School System Inc.
3. Annika Angela Mei Tamayo – Ateneo de Iloilo-SMCS
4. Maria Elianna Tutor – Assumption Antipolo

Blue Group First Runner-up – Upper Primary: Philippine Team B:

1. Jose Lorenzo Abad – Colegio San Agustin, Makati
2. Enrique Magnaye – De La Salle University Integrated School-STC
3. Maria Monica Manlises – St. Stephen’s High School
4. Kristin Angela Narag – Colegio San Agustin, Binan

Green Group Second Runner-up – Upper Primary: Philippine Team C:

1. Leandro Martin Acla – Georgia International Academy
2. Ryan Christopher Deodores – Colegio San Agustin, Binan
3. Frelean Faith Engallado – Solomon Integrated School de Iloilo
4. Justin Tan – St. John’s Institute

- See more at: http://www.goodnewspilipinas.com/pinoy-math-wizards-sweep-malaysia-olympiad/#sthash.etVSH2Cr.dpuf

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Philippines to Manufacture First Ever Local Auto Brand “Parac”

source: thephilippinepride.com

Three years from now, the Philippines has something to be proud of when talking about auto brands. Japan has four major auto brands in Toyota, Honda, Mitsubishi, and Nissan, not to mention any other brands like Suzuki and Hino. South Korea has Hyundai, Daewoo, and Kia; China and India have lots of auto brands. Philippines has none.

The agony is over though. Philippines is ready to manufacture its first ever local auto brand after WIPO (World Intellectual Property Organization), approves Chariot Motors’ application.

Chariot Motors is a Jeepney assembly company in Bacolod City that is responsible in building more than 70% of medium-size passenger vehicles in the whole Negros Island.

Engineer-owners Julio Paredes and Mario Racide built a prototype two years ago and submitted the design to DOST, but the government agency did not support the plan and rejected the project. The pair did not lose hope and submitted the design to Cummins, an American engine manufacturer for trucks and heavy equipment.

The prototype is a 2-door sedan with diesel engine to be specially manufactured by Cummins. This will be the first time that Cummins will produce small engines for cars.

The pair was successful in convincing investors after the second prototype was displayed at Cummins headquarters in Columbus, Indiana, USA. The trademark “Parac” was successfully registered by WIPO and the design is already patented in US under the pair’s names.

Parac has a double meaning. It is a combination of the engineers’ last names “Paredes-Racide, and also means “police” in local term.

According to the news received by the Philippine Pride from Racide, the company is scheduled to start building its main manufacturing plant on May 2015. The planned 27 hectares of assembly plant in Silay-Talisay area will be capable of making 80 to 120 units of cars a day for Philippine market only starting 2018, according to Racide.

The company will not only produce cars but also heavy duty trucks, buses, and heavy equipment. Only Vallacar Transit, the owner of Ceres Liner, is making buses in the province for the company’s use, but news said that Ceres will team-up with Parac to expedite the process.

Most of the parts will be produced locally except for tires and engines which will be imported from US.

The prototype has 160hp diesel engine and is more powerful than Honda Civic, but will cost lower at around 550 thousand pesos.

It was reported earlier that French manufacturer Peugeot offered to buy the design and patent for unspecified amount, but the pair rejected the offer and pursued local brand and production.

Once the main plant is completed, it is also expected that the company will hire more than 50,000 factory workers for mass production.

“Since Negros is already the Sugar Capital of the Philippines, we will add another name and will make this Metro Bacolod as the Motor City, in addition to City of Smiles”, Paredes told reporters at Bacolod-Silay Airport during their arrival from US on Monday morning”

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