David Beckham's Valentine in Tacloban helping Yolanda survivors

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The International  Football legend and formerly LA Galaxy midfielder, superstar David Beckham arrived in Tacloban on Thursday, February 13, 2014  to visit the survivors of Super Typhoon Yolanda. David Beckham first landed at Cebu-Mactan International Airport via Hong Kong at around 11:00 AM via Cathay Pacific flight CX 931, a few hours later he arrived at Tacloban City.

The recently retired player arrived in Cebu at around 11 a.m. and then left for Tacloban on board a Dornier 228 plane with registry UNO 117H along with seven other people.

Beckham is visiting Tacloban with the United Nations International Emergency Children’s Fund (UNICEF). Beckham is accompanied by seven other passengers from UNICEF as they boarded a Dornier 222-200 aircraft flight UNO-117H to depart from Cebu at 12:00 noon and arrived at Daniel Z. Romualdez Airport in Tacloban at exactly 12:30 PM.

He will also spend his Valentines Day with the survivors of the super typhoon.

This is the second visit of the legendary soccer player in the Philippines when he previously played in an exhibition match in the country on Dec. 3, 2011 with his former club Los Angeles Galaxy of the Major League Soccer against the Philippine Azkals.

David Beckham is one of the UNICEF ambassador since the year 2005, his visit in the country is to oversee the relief and recovery efforts of the UN agency focused on children in Tacloban City. 

Aside from being a UNICEF ambassador, David Beckham and his wife Spice Girl Victoria, also raised funds for the typhoon survivor and personally donated a total of 20 boxes of clothes to the British Red Cross.

Photos of David Beckham’s Arrival in Tacloban City: (Photo Credit: Twitter)

Entrepreneur and Franchise Expo 2014: Your Step to Success

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After successfully staging the Philippine SME Business Expo 2013, the country’s biggest expo for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) last July 12-14, 2013 at the SMX Convention Center Taguig, with 140 participating businesses and over 10,000 visitors, MediaCom Solutions, Inc., Philippines’ preferred stakeholders’ communications and events enterprise is presenting the country’s biggest exhibition and convention for innovative entrepreneurs and growing franchise businesses, the ENTREPRENEUR AND FRANCHISE EXPO 2014.

The ENTREPRENEUR AND FRANCHISE EXPO 2014 with the tagline, “Your Step to Success!” is set to be held on June 27-29, 2014 at the Megatrade Hall, Hall1, 5th Level, Mega B, SM Megamall, Mandaluyong City. Empowering over 150 Micro-Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) from various business sectors, from food, education, retailing, real estate, travel, automobiles, logistics, agriculture, manufacturing, technology, IT, financing and more.

“Our vision is to provide entrepreneurs a top environment with fun-filled activities and exciting programs where they can network with other business stakeholders, introduce their businesses, learn the latest industry trends and to assist them in growing their business to achieve the next step to success” says MediaCom Solutions, Inc. CEO and Entrepreneur and Franchise Expo organizer, David Abrenilla.

The Entrepreneur and Franchise Expo 2014 is supported by the Filipino International Franchise Association (FIFA) and will feature the latest innovations and showcase exciting products and services from the brightest entrepreneurs in the Philippines.

This three-day event will feature personal finance guru, Randell Tiongson, RFP, Digitalfilipino.com founder, Janette Toral, Freelance Regional Director for Continental Asia, Jojy Azurin and many more as they share their success stories on how to make it in the world of business.

This event is sponsored by Injoy and supported by Department of Science and Technology –Technology Application and Promotion Institute, Brother Philippines, UniOil Petroleum Philippines, Inc., Le’Ondell, Jetti, Global Pinoy Remittance & Services, Nail Cocktales, Becken Trading, Ever Bilena, Yan Yan International, Laminine, Express Pay, Tapa King, E-Concepts, Victoria’s Empanada, Bon Appetea, MShoppe, Positive Living Station, Starkaffea Corporation and many more.

For more inquiries and bookings, visit www.efe.ph or call the EFE secretariat at (+632) 843-2174 or email entrepreneurandfranchiseexpo@gmail.com.

Property Report Magazine hits Philippines shores through ABS-CBN Publishing Inc.

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Jules Kay , Mark Yambot, Terry Blackburn, Cyndy Tan Jarabata,William V. Coscolluela,Jaime Cura,Ph.D.,Paul Ashburn 

Property Report magazine, Southeast Asia’s leading magazine for luxury real estate, architecture, and design, is finally coming to the country through advertising sales representation and distribution with ABS-CBN Publishing Inc. (API).

Property Report of Singapore-based Ensign Media presents in-depth features of luxury living while delivering details on everything one needs to know about real estate, showcasing properties across borders within its covers.

Property Report offers market analysis, developer interviews, project profiles, architecture, and interior design trends—catering to an audience that seeks out the best of luxury in every aspect of their lives as shown through quality, innovation, and style.

The magazine has served as a go-to for many since its establishment in 2004 in Thailand and has since branched out to Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Hong Kong, Macau, and now, the Philippines. 

Ensign Media CEO Terry Blackburn and Property Report Magazine Publisher Jules Kay

Ensign Media CEO Terry Blackburn says, “The Philippines is undeniably one of the most exciting real estate markets in Asia right now and has gone through a phenomenal development phase in the last five years. World class condos and commercial developments have been completed in Manila that will undoubtedly bring high returns for investors. It is a market we have covered in print and online for a number of years, but the chance to have a major presence here through a partnership with ABS CBN was one that we jumped at. They are the market leader in luxury print titles in the Philippines, so a perfect match for our brand and we look forward to developing our partnership with them over the years to come.” 

ABS-CBN Publishing Managing Director Mark Yambot

“ABS-CBN Publishing, Inc. is excited to be working with Ensign Media for Property Report magazine and Philippine Property Report Awards. Over the past several years have been witness to the dramatic growth of the Philippine real estate market, and it is an opportune time to promote our quality developments on a regional basis," ABS-CBN Publishing Inc.’s Managing Director Mark Yambot adds.

 

Ensign Media and ABS-CBN Publishing, Inc. are also forces behind this year’s Philippines Property Awards, which rewards and celebrates leading companies and professionals in the real estate industry.

Judges Cyndy Jarabata and Jaime Cura, PhD

For this year’s awards, nominations are open until February 28, 2014. To nominate a company or professional, simply visit the Propery Awards’ official website (www.asiapropertyawards.com) and click the button for Philippines Property Awards.

ABS-CBN Publishing Inc. (API) is a subsidiary of media conglomerate ABS-CBN Corporation. API is the leading provider of Philippine developed magazine brands with 11 homegrown titles such as Metro, Metro Society, Metro Home, and Vault.

DOTC Ready To Defend Public Interest, Need For Additional MRT-3 Coaches

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The Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) is ready to defend public interest and argue its case on the need to add forty-eight (48) new Light Rail Vehicles (LRVs) to the Metro Rail Transit III (MRT-3)system at 2:00pm today, before the Regional Trial Court of Makati. 

Acting on a petition filed by Metro Rail Transit Holdings II, Inc., the court issued a 20-day Temporary Order of Protection on 30 January 2014, preventing the transport agency from going ahead with the Project. 

While having no contractual relationship, the DOTC says that MRT Holdings II should be held accountable for Metro Rail Transit Corporation’s (MRTC) failure to add much-needed train coaches to the rail line, after it claimed to own 100% of MRTC. 

“Passenger safety and convenience demand that the project proceed immediately. MRTC has received over P 35.2 Billion in equity rental payments since 2000. Yet it has added zero LRVs, knowing full well that MRT-3 has been operating beyond capacity for years. MRT Holdings II must answer the obvious question: why hasn’t it added LRVs to MRT-3 all this time?” said DOTC Spokesperson Michael Arthur Sagcal. 

The rail transit line has an original design capacity of only 350,000 passengers per day. According to current MRT-3 data, it is already averaging 560,000 passengers daily, and its highest recorded number of single-day riders has reached 620,000. 

Government has made the following equity rental payments to MRTC since 2000, pursuant to the Build-Lease-Transfer (BLT) agreement:

YEAR	PAYMENT IN US DOLLARS	PH PESO EQUIVALENT		YEAR	PAYMENT IN US DOLLARS	PH PESO EQUIVALENT
2000	9,166,665	448,515,054.70		2007	39,999,996	1,754,820,860.36
2001	9,999,996	519,220,323.88		2008	39,999,996	1,844,433,054.49
2002	9,999,996	520,304,865.70		2009	44,583,333	2,108,191,434.15
2003	19,166,670	1,064,526,731.07		2010	118,333,337	5,255,041,829.44
2004	20,000,004	1,121,338,123.04		2011	129,583,330	5,620,838,651.65
2005	38,333,330	2,005,689,396.15		2012	129,999,996	5,482,319,022.33
2006	39,999,996	1,877,620,456.23		2013	129,999,996	5,580,144,026.22

These payments total USD 779,166,641.00 or P 35,203,003,829.41. 

“Those are the numbers: P 35.2 Billion paid to MRTC; more than 560,000 passengers daily; zero trains added to the system. Despite all of this, MRT Holdings II is asking the court to stop the DOTC from improving MRT-3’s services,” Sagcal added. 

To end government’s obligation to continue making equity rental payments to MRTC until 2025 while the latter effectively blocks efforts to improve MRT-3 services, an Equity Value Buy-Out of MRTC is already being prepared by the Department of Finance pursuant to Executive Order No. 126, series of 2013. 

As to the maintenance of the MRT-3 system, it is MRTC’s obligation under the BLT agreement to provide such services. However, MRTC allowed its previous contract with maintenance provider Sumitomo of Japan to lapse in 2010, after which it engaged Sumitomo’s services with short-term contracts only. 

The DOTC acted promptly and stepped in to ensure the safety of the riding public, by first engaging a maintenance provider through an emergency procurement, followed by the regular procurement of a longer-term maintenance service provider last year.

Source: http://www.dotc.gov.ph/

Ouine’s Events VDay Discounted Full Coordination and Free On the Day Coordination Promo

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Valentine’s Day  does not end on the day of the hearts but  is extended on the day you tie-the-knot as  Ouine’s Events, an online events coordination company, in partnership with Glam Events, gives you a chance to enjoy your special day with discounted weddings or a free on-the-day coordination services.

Ouine’s Events is a group of destination wedding coordinators who has done weddings in different parts of the country including Metro Manila, Bataan, Batangas, Palawan and soon La Union. From locally-based clients in Metro Manila, International based clients from New Zealand, United States, United Kingdom and Singapore has sought their help in providing a stress-free and memorable event.

The group and/or its coordinators has done and adapted to different types of wedding ceremonies including Roman Catholic, Iglesia ni Cristo, Civil Wedding, Jehovah’s Witness, Christian and Islam/Muslim.

Whether you are a hands-on couple or simply starting your wedding planning and needs help, you can avail of the group’s Valentine’s Day Promo.

Get a chance to avail of Ouine’s Events VDay promo including a discount of as much as P 5,000 off Ouine’s Events original P 40,000 Full coordination services or get a chance to win a free on-the-day coordination services. 

Here’s how to join:

1.     Promo period is from February 12 – March 12, 2014

2.     Retweet and Repost (the original Facebook post) include the hashtags: #OEVdayTreats

3.    To avail of the Discounted Wedding Coordination: Kindly PM or DM the website’s FB page where you are to be given a code in which you will be giving Ouine’s Events Representative once they contact you. Kindly leave your name, contact number, and e-mail address.

For the Free On the Day Coordination Raffle:  Kindly PM the Ouine’s Events page: 

https://www.facebook.com/ouinesevents and leave your contact information, including                  the date of your wedding and the venue.

4.     This is open to all but there, certain terms and conditions

a.  Both promo includes all the terms and conditions like any regular Ouine’s Events Coordination Services including 4 coordinators (Events Director and Technical Director included), Events Singer to perform a number of songs, Bridal Assistant. For Full Coordination only: Save the Date video and a special gift pack of sweets that the couple can keep or can be used as souvenirs for their guests.

b.    For the on-the-day coordination – The coordination service of P 15,000 is free but this does not include the transportation fee (negotiable), food and accommodation (if it’s a non-Metro-Manila wedding) of the coordinators.  The couple still needs to provide these.

c.   If the event needs the event company to travel across the seas, Ouine’s Events can waive the out-of-town fee but the plane tickets, food, accommodation and land transportation to bring the ceremony and reception items from the preps venue must be provided by the client.

For inquiries about the promo you may contact Ms. Yen Bernabe, Events Assistant

at 0906-366-0113 or e-mail them at ouinesevents@gmail.com.