Conti's can put big flavor for every kind of celebration
Food plays a big role at most gatherings, but the thought of preparing food for a crowd can be daunting. Although all parties have something in common—good food and good company — the kinds of food served vary, depending on the kind of party. For kids who are considered pickiest eaters, Conti's packed meals, can be assured that the brood will have fresh, wholesome, home-cooked goodness in every bite during mealtime or merienda. They're big on flavor and small on mess because they're conveniently packed, making them perfect for fuss-free preps. And because they deserve only the best, treat them to classic Conti's favorites like Baked Salmon, Roast Beef, Chicken Ala Kiev, and Garlic Sotanghon.
Source:Manila Times
November 19, 2022 04:10 UTC
BOP reverts to surplus after 6 months in deficit
BOP reverts to surplus after 6 months in deficitPreliminary data released by the central bank showed that the $711-million BOP surplus recorded last month put an end to the series of shortfalls recorded since April. Preliminary data released by the central bank showed that the $711-million BOP surplus recorded last month put an end to the series of shortfalls recorded since April. The amount reversed the four-year-high $2.34-billion deficit recorded in September, but was 37.7 percent lower than the $1.14-billion surplus booked in October last year. “The BOP surplus in October 2022 reflected inflows arising mainly from the national government’s net foreign currency deposits with the BSP,” the central bank said in a statement. From January to October, the Philippines posted a BOP shortfall of $7.12 billion versus the $476 million surplus recorded in the same period last year.
Source:Philippine Star
November 19, 2022 03:50 UTC
Suzuki ground breaks bigger dealership in Cagayan Valley
SUZUKI Philippines, the country's pioneer compact car distributor, moves to speed up its dealership expansion in Isabela province to offer Filipinos quality products and services. Joining the groundbreaking ceremony of the new dealership location were led by Elite North Autocars President and CEO Dennis San Juan, director and general manager for Suzuki Automobile Takei Norihide, and LGU representatives of Cordon Isabela. "Suzuki takes pride in its rapidly expanding dealership network spanning across the country. With the strategic location of our new dealership, we are optimistic of serving more Filipino families with the mobility solutions they deserve," Norihide shares. "Our partnership with Elite North Autocars has opened doors for locals to experience top-notch customer support and Suzuki's dependable vehicles," Norihide adds.
Source:Manila Times
November 19, 2022 02:29 UTC
Health experts back govt move to reduce PCR test frequencies on arrival
The government’s decision to halve the number of compulsory PCR tests for airport arrivals to two will not affect the local epidemic, said infectious disease expert Leung Chi-chiu. He also said the variant cases found locally, especially for the XBB and BQ1.1 variant strains, are way higher than in imported cases. The PCR test upon travelers’ arrival is only a measure to help authorities detect if there were any new variants slipping through the borders, while the PCR test requirement could be replaced with rapid tests after travelers enter our community, Leung added. The microbiologist said travelers are required to be vaccinated and must obtain negative RAT results before boarding, which warrants authorities to cancel the medical surveillance and amber code arrangements. However, he said the vaccine pass arrangement should be retained to help boost the vaccination rate and prevent unvaccinated individuals from entering high-risk venues.
Source:The Standard
November 19, 2022 01:08 UTC
Preschool and kindergarten kids prone to abuse, NGO finds
Non-governmental organization Against Child Abuse said on Thursday that statistics have shown preschool and kindergarten kids are the ones most vulnerable to abuse. The organization said they received 1,136 reports and inquiries last year, including 168 suspected child abuse cases. This reflected that preschool and kindergarten kids are the ones most vulnerable to abuse, the organization noted. Meanwhile, the most common form of abuse children received was physical abuse, accounting for 57 percent of the cases. The organization called on the SAR government to impose harsher penalties under the child abuse law and expedite legislation to make reporting suspected child abuse cases mandatory.
Source:The Standard
November 17, 2022 15:30 UTC
Missile strike in Poland: how the world has reacted
WARSAW — Poland raised its military readiness after what the country’s President Andrzej Duda said was “most probably” a strike by a Russian-made missile. ADVERTISEMENT“Russian firepower has launched no strikes at the area.”GermanyGerman Chancellor Olaf Scholz expressed solidarity with Polish President Andrzej Duda. “The chancellor has just telephoned Polish President Duda and expressed his condolences… Germany stands closely by the side of our Nato partner Poland,” Scholz’s spokesman tweeted. “The Prime Minister offered any assistance needed to urgently establish what happened,” it added. RELATED STORIESBlast kills two in Poland near Ukraine border, Russia denies its weapons involvedBiden says missile that killed two in Poland may not have come from RussiaRead Next
Source:Philippine Daily Inquirer
November 16, 2022 15:59 UTC
DITO CME Holdings Corp Notice of Annual Stockholders Meeting
NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF THE STOCKHOLDERSPlease take notice that the Annual Meeting of the Stockholders of DITO CME HOLDINGS CORP. (Formerly: ISM Communications Corporation) (the "Company") will be held on 6 December 2022, at 2 o'clock in the afternoon via videoconferencing in its principal office at the 21st Floor, Udenna Tower, Rizal Drive corner 4th Avenue, Bonifacio Global City to discuss the following:AGENDA1. Ratification of Acts of the Board of Directors and Management since the Last Annual Stockholders' Meeting held on 8 December 20216. ARTICLE IVAmending SECTION 11, ARTICLE IVAdding a new SECTION 12, ARTICLE IVRenumbering SECTION 12, ARTICLE IV as SECTION 13, ARTICLE IVRenumbering SECTION 13, ARTICLE IV as SECTION 14, ARTICLE IVRenumbering SECTION 14, ARTICLE IV as SECTION 15, ARTICLE IV8. In view of the current COVID-19 pandemic, the physical and actual holding of the Annual Stockholders' Meeting cannot be conducted. In lieu thereof, the Annual Meeting on 6 December 2022 shall be conducted via live streaming through https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_x_-zbns4T_mTJNpylJDCoA .
Source:Manila Times
November 14, 2022 04:17 UTC
DITO CME Holdings Corp Announces Notice of Annual Stockholders Meeting
NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF THE STOCKHOLDERSPlease take notice that the Annual Meeting of the Stockholders of DITO CME HOLDINGS CORP. (Formerly: ISM Communications Corporation) (the "Company") will be held on 6 December 2022, at 2 o'clock in the afternoon via videoconferencing in its principal office at the 21st Floor, Udenna Tower, Rizal Drive corner 4th Avenue, Bonifacio Global City to discuss the following:AGENDA1. Ratification of Acts of the Board of Directors and Management since the Last Annual Stockholders' Meeting held on 8 December 20216. ARTICLE IVAmending SECTION 11, ARTICLE IVAdding a new SECTION 12, ARTICLE IVRenumbering SECTION 12, ARTICLE IV as SECTION 13, ARTICLE IVRenumbering SECTION 13, ARTICLE IV as SECTION 14, ARTICLE IVRenumbering SECTION 14, ARTICLE IV as SECTION 15, ARTICLE IV8. In view of the current COVID-19 pandemic, the physical and actual holding of the Annual Stockholders' Meeting cannot be conducted. In lieu thereof, the Annual Meeting on 6 December 2022 shall be conducted via live streaming through https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_x_-zbns4T_mTJNpylJDCoA .
Source:Manila Times
November 14, 2022 00:28 UTC
Update on interviews and backlogs
Update on interviews and backlogsOn Oct. 21, 2022, the Department of State (DOS) provided an update on worldwide visa operations, stating that embassies around the world are “recovering faster than expected from the COVID-19 pandemic.” This update provides encouraging information for people who are eligible for visas and are told that they are “documentarily complete” but have been waiting for their immigrant visa interviews. DOS explained that there were two main reasons why the backlog for interviews happened because of the COVID-19 pandemic. For non-immigrant visa applicants, embassies are operating at 94 percent of pre-pandemic monthly averages. For immigrant visa applicants, embassies are operating at 130 percent, which means they are now processing more immigrant visa applicants than before the pandemic. DOS acknowledges that it is well aware that many visa applicants still face lengthy wait times at some embassies and consulates.
Source:Philippine Star
November 13, 2022 03:54 UTC
BSP retains cap on credit card charges until year-end
BSP retains cap on credit card charges until year-endThe central bank’s Monetary Board has decided to keep the interest rate cap and charges on credit card transactions until end December before reviewing it again in January next year. The central bank’s Monetary Board has decided to keep the interest rate cap and charges on credit card transactions until end December before reviewing it again in January next year. The STAR first reported that the BSP was imposing a two percent per month and 24 percent per year interest rate or finance charge cap on unpaid credit card balance. Prior to the imposition of the cap during the height of the global health crisis, the annualized interest rate on credit card receivables averaged 36 percent. Philippine banks and credit card issuers have reported lower earnings since the ceilings were imposed on credit card charges.
Source:Philippine Star
November 12, 2022 18:27 UTC
Holistic strategies for good governance and prosperity
Holistic strategies for good governance and prosperityA nation’s long-term prosperity can only be attained through a holistic strategy where all stakeholders have a valuable contribution that leaves no one behind. 89% are also in the belief that the government and the private sector should form partnerships to sustain economic recovery. Government must therefore create the ideal investment environment so that the private sector can generate quality jobs and entrepreneurial opportunities. When complemented with a skilled and healthy workforce at a time when we are at demographic sweet spot, government and the private sector must align towards a united push to convert this potential into a real and accelerating velocity of inclusive growth and prosperity. The bottom line is that good governance is key to long-term development, which can be strengthened by transparency and accountability, citizen participation, and the rule of law.
Source:Philippine Star
November 12, 2022 16:14 UTC
Six arrested for trafficking HK$80 million in drugs
Police arrested six men on suspicion of drug trafficking during a series of operations, discovering more than 200 kilograms of drugs with a market value of around HK$80 million. On the same day, police arrested a 20-year-old man in an industrial flat in San Po Kong who was delivering a batch of construction materials, finding 233 packs of cannabis buds hidden inside the materials valued at about HK$39 million. The man admitted to his crime and, during the police’s investigation, provided information on a core member of a drug trafficking syndicate. On the premises, police targeted a taxi and found 4.1 kilograms of methamphetamine with a market value of HK$2.5 million, with the 55-year-old taxi driver and a passenger, 22, being arrested. The latter was confirmed to be the core member of the drug trafficking syndicate.
Source:The Standard
November 12, 2022 13:09 UTC
UN: ‘Extreme hardship’ looms for millions fleeing conflicts
GENEVA—Millions of people displaced by conflicts and persecution in Ukraine, Afghanistan and across the Middle East risk “extreme hardship” in the coming weeks, the United Nations warned on Friday. She pointed to the situation of the millions uprooted from their homes by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Many are living in shelters or “in damaged homes or in buildings ill-suited to protect them from the biting cold, with disrupted energy, heating and water supplies, and lost livelihoods,” she said. She pointed out that “this will be the 12th consecutive winter in displacement for many.”Extreme povertyThe situation is particularly dire in Lebanon, in the grips of a severe economic crisis, where nine out of 10 Syrian refugees are already living in extreme poverty, UNHCR warned. ADVERTISEMENTAt the same time, Sarrado warned that there was a significant funding shortfall to address the swelling needs, adding that UNHCR was launching a winter fundraiser to bridge the gaps.
Source:Philippine Daily Inquirer
November 12, 2022 06:51 UTC
SMC banking arm doubles 9-month profit
SMC banking arm doubles 9-month profitMANILA, Philippines — The banking arm of diversified conglomerate San Miguel Corp. (SMC) doubled its earnings from January to September, mainly brought about by higher interest income, an increase in foreign exchange gains and fees and commissions. “The bank’s strong performance was driven mainly by higher revenues from an expanded portfolio of products and services, including investment banking, following its recent upgrade to universal banking status,” Bank of Commerce said in a statement. As a result, the bank’s net interest income grew by 20.8 percent to P4.82 billion in the first nine months from P3.99 billion a year ago. For the third quarter alone, the profit of Bank of Commerce jumped by 87.2 percent to P601.58 million from P321.35 million in the same quarter last year. San Miguel Properties Inc. holds 31.9 percent of Bank of Commerce, while San Miguel Corp. Retirement Plan owns 30.84 percent.
Source:Philippine Star
November 12, 2022 05:29 UTC
A significant economic forum
The forum had Fred Pascual and renowned Filipino economist Dr. Bernie Villegas as its speakers, while Metro Pacific Investments Corporation (MPIC) head of government relations and public affairs lawyer Mike Toledo served as moderator. Present during the noteworthy gathering were distinguished ambassadors and consuls, top officials from government agencies and local government units (LGUs), and high-profile names from the business sector. The event highlights were the talk of notable speakers about the Philippine economy under the current administration and the country’s industrialization strategy. Comprised of industry-independent specialists who are adept in collaborating to provide corporate consultancy and business development requirements, StratDev Philippines is a trusted partner in Philippine strategic relations and aims to guide individuals and entities in forwarding their cause to and with the right audience. * * *For more information, visit http://www.stratdev.ph.
Source:Philippine Star
November 12, 2022 04:07 UTC