Business Opportunities in Biodiversity International Conference and Exhibition

In the world of business, where does biodiversity fit in? This question was answered at the "Business Opportunities in Biodiversity" international conference and exhibition held at the Bayview Park Hotel in Manila. The conference took place last October 8, 2010 while the exhibition was from October 6 to 8. The event aimed to raise the business sector's awareness on the values of biodiversity and encouraged business to raise its stake on biodiversity conservation.

Organized by the ASEAN Centre for Biodiversity (ACB) in cooperation with the Philippines' Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), the European Union, and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), the Conference featured discussions and presentations on the impact of biodiversity on business sustainability. Media partners were BusinessMirror and the Global News Network.

The conference also focused on the current situation of biodiversity in the ASEAN region. Studies made by international organizations on business and biodiversity and actual business cases by selected corporations from Japan and Southeast Asian nations were presented.

Key speakers included Mr. Rodrigo U. Fuentes, executive director, ACB; Dr. Mario Tabucanon, visiting professor, United Nations University – Institute of Advanced Studies, and advisor, Executive Board, the Sirindhorn International Environmental Park Foundation; Dr. Naoki Adachi, executive director, Japan Business Initiative on Biodiversity ; Atty. Darwin Mariano, public affairs director – Philippines and Asia, CEMEX Asia Pte. Ltd.; Mr. Satoshi Nimura, chairman, Nimura Genetic Solutions, Japan; Mr. Jose Reaño, managing director, Broadchem Corporation; Mr. Atsuhisa Takahashi, president, Corporate Environmental Strategy Unit, Fujitsu Limited, Japan; Mrs. Srisurang Massirikul, social and environment division manager, PTT Public Company Limited, Thailand.

The conference highlighted the clear link between business and biodiversity. "At first glance, people do not recognize the crucial connection between business and biodiversity. Business is perceived to be detached from biodiversity. Biodiversity, however, knows no boundaries, cutting across all sectors – the business sector included," Director Fuentes of the European Union-funded ACB said.

For further inquiry on the event, do contact the Center for Philippine Futuristics Studies and Management, Inc. at (+632) 753-5350 or (+632) 753-1061 or visit http://www.aseanbiodiversity.org/.

First International Dia Del Galeon Festival

The Spanish Galleon Trade, especially active in the years between 1565 and 1815 during the Spanish occupation in the Philippines, is considered as probably the biggest precursor for globalization and world trade.

Just last year, in commemoration of the Galleon trade, the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) designated Oct. 8 of every year as Dia Del Galeon (Day of the Galleon), the day in 1565 when the San Pedro Galleon, directed by Fray Urdaneta, reached Acapulco and the same day that Manila-Acapulco trade route was established. This trade route, called the “Tornaviaje” connected Asia, the Americas, Europe, and Africa and became a conduit for commerce and cultural exchange.

In this spirit, the Baler 400 Steering Committee, led by Sen. Edgardo Angara, the UNESCO International Theater Institute, and the National Commission for Culture and Arts organized the first ever International Dia Del Galeon Festival, which kicked off last Sept. 25 and will last until Oct. 8.

The three-week event was dubbed “History, Heritage, Habitat, and Language: Precursor to Globalization,” was launched in Bohol, succeeded by workshops on the arts and culture, theatrical productions, demonstrations, exhibits and performance, participated in by delegates from the Philippines and other countries with the Galleon Trade experience. A three-day international conference of scholars, historians, and artists was also held, which discussed the historical, political, economic, and cultural impact of the Galleon trade History on contemporary civilizations.

The Viaje del Galeon, a one-week educational trips in various Philippine ports of call during the Galleon Trade, covering Samar, Leyte. Cebu, Bohol, Negros, and Northern Mindanao, was the highlight of the festival, with more 250 local and foreign students tracing the galleon route in the Philippines.

Said Ms. Cecile Guidote-Alvarez, director general of Dia Del Galeon Festival, “Among the objectives of the festival are to trace its effects as a major influence in world political economy and its repercussions on present day globalization and establish its role in the development of marine sciences and other related areas aside from culture.”

Interest parties my log on to www.facebook.com/diadelgaleon.com or call Ms. Charisse Aquino-Tugade at 527-2192 local 616. For more information, contact the NCCA-Public Affairs and Information Office (PAIO) at (632) 527-5529, 527-2192 loc. 508, 612 to 615, email at ncca.paio@gmail.com, public_affairs@ncca.gov.ph or visit the NCCA website at www.ncca.gov.ph

Women Deliver Philippines Conference

Women Deliver Philippines, the country's first-ever localization of the global initiative that started in London, brought to spotlight the tragic deaths of women during pregnancy and childbirth, and of newborns dying during their first month of life to mobilize investment for the improvement of maternal and newborn health. “Women Deliver Philippines,” held from Sept 15 to 17, 2010, gathered 365 participants from around the country and the world, from 205 agencies, and drew 106 resource persons. They spoke on a wide range of issues from young people’s access to sexual and reproductive health services to the role of midwives; from maternal mortality and human rights to interfaith initiatives on safe motherhood; from investing financial, material and human resources toward attaining MDGs 4 and 5 to exercising effective leadership and country commitment to meeting these same goals.

Speakers from government, private and civil society organizations, including regional development leaders, gathered for the conference, to generate political commitment, and share solutions that can prevent maternal and newborn deaths and disabilities.

Health Secretary Enrique Ona delivered a keynote speech on the formal opening of the conference, which was attended by dignitaries from the Australian government, the European Union (EU) and the UN  – led by UN Resident Coordinator Jacqueline Badcock and UNFPA  Regional Director Nobuko Horibe. Ona acknowledged that the solutions needed to improve maternal health and newborn survival “do not involve rocket science,” although he acknowledged that these “require political commitment at the highest levels.”

Closing the conference, Health Undersecretary Mario Villaverde hailed Women Deliver as “timely, hopeful and relevant,” reminding everyone that “maternal health is preventable” and that in the effort to prevent mothers dying from pregnancy and childbirth, “there are no outsiders, only partners.” The national government’s commitment to promoting reproductive health was further underscored by Social Welfare Secretary Dinky Soliman, a resource person at the last plenary discussion. The Aquino administration, she said, was committed to “promoting responsible parenthood, which includes providing information on all forms of family planning methods. “Choice and access,” said Soliman, constituted the keystone of the Aquino government’s policy, reiterating the administration’s support for the pending reproductive health bills, an announcement that was met with applause by the audience.

Women Deliver Philippines was organized by the Department of Health, the UN and Likhaan Center for Women’s Health  with support from the EU. Dr. Junice Melgar, executive director of the NGO Likhaan which headed the conference secretariat, said one of the conference goals was to “re-energize” the reproductive health community in its efforts to save the lives of women and children.

The first global Women Deliver conference was held in London in 2007 to mark the 20th year of the Safe Motherhood Initiative (SMI) launched in 1987 seeking to address the tragedy of half-a-million women dying during pregnancy and childbirth. The second Women Deliver conference was held in Washington, DC in 2010.

For further information regarding the event, contact Likhaan Center for Women’s Health at 632) 926-6230 or e-mail office@likhaan.org or visit the website http://www.womendeliver.org.

WEAP 5th Annual Convention

The Water Environment Association of the Philippines (WEAP) Inc., a member of the association of the Water Environment Federation (WEF) of the United States held its 5th Annual Convention last August 5 and 6, 2010 at the Waterfront Hotel & Casino Lahug, Cebu City.

This year’s theme is “Climate Change: Act Now for Future Generations.” Andrew T. Montalbo and Artemio F. Baylosis, WEAP president and president-elect respectively, welcomed delegates and the representatives from the various water districts, private companies, LGUs, manufacturers, environmental practitioners and pollution control officers that attended the event.

On the other hand, the technical sessions highlighted the following topics: “The Basics of Global Warming,” “The La Niña and El Niño Phenomenon,”“Sewerage and Sanitation: The Emerging Challenge,” “Combined Sewage and Septage Treatment: The FTI STP Experience,” “Renewable Energy: The Alternative Source of Energy”, and “Mitigation and Adaptation of Climate Change and The Green Design”.

For more inquiries, contact WEAP Secretariat, (632) 775-2030, email weaphil@yahoo.com, or visit the WEAP website http://www.weaphil.com.

Organization of Socialized Housing Developers of the Philippines First National Convention

One of the major concerns in the country nowadays is how to provide low-cost quality housing the growing population.

A group of private developers gathered to form the Organization of Socialized Housing Developers of the Philippines (OSHDP), to consolidate efforts in the development of socialized and low-cost housing. Through the years, the OSHDP has already gained recognition from both the government and private sectors for successfully carrying out its advocacies.

Last Aug. 19 and 20, the OSHDP held its first ever national convention at the Grand Men Seng Hotel in Davao City. Carried by the theme "Sulong Pabahay, Ginhawang Buhay," the convention sought to build a stronger OSHDP-government partnership in leaping forward thorough socialized housing.

The two-day convention was also meant to serve as an avenue for new government officials to share their views and policies and programs regarding the sustainability of the real estate and housing sector.

The event, which also coincided with the week-long Kadayawan Festival, drew out major stakeholders in the housing industry, professionals, and other invited delegates. President Benigno Aquino III was invited as an honored guest. Dennis Molina, public information officer of OSHDP Davao, said Vice President Jejomar Binay, head of the Housing Urban Development Coordinating Council (HUDCC), better known as PAG-IBIG, also graced the convention.

For inquiries, interested parties may contact the OSHDP Secretariat at 812-2357, 994-8092, or 0927-3443798, or email them at oshdp@hotmail.com.

7th Vegetables Congress in Mindanao

Consolidation and marketing opportunities in the domestic Vegetable trade were highlighted at the 7th Mindanao Vegetable Congress held at the Almont Hotel and Inland Resort, Butuan City last August 4 to 5, 2010.

“Sustaining the gains of the vegetable industry in Mindanao amidst challenges” was the theme of this year’s Congress, that showcased industry trends, provided presentations on the latest vegetable production technologies, and held “market-matching” meetings between growers and retail and institutional buyers.

The event is supported by the city government of Butuan, the provincial governments of Agusan del Norte and Agusan del Sur, the Department of Agriculture, the Southern Philippine Vegetable Council (SPVC), and USAID’s Growth with Equity in Mindanao (GEM) Program.

“This annual event has given a boost to vegetable growers in Mindanao,” said Valeriano Palco, president of the Caraga High-Value Cluster, Inc. (CHiVeCC), lead organizer of this year’s congress.

CHiVeCC is among several vegetable industry groups engaging in private sector – private sector collaboration to improve the production and domestic out-shipment of selected vegetable varieties from the region to Luzon and the Visayas, with GEM assistance.

For further information, contact the Butuan City Government office at (6385)342-3074, fax (6385)225-5737 or visit http://www.butuan.gov.ph.

Philippine Society of Sanitary Engineers, Inc. 2010 Midyear National Convention

Proper sanitation is one of the keys to healthy living environments and lifestyles.

Focused on the theme “Working Together Towards a Clean, Safe, and Healthy Environment,” the Philippine Society of Sanitary Engineers, Inc. launched their 2010 Midyear National Convention last July 29–31 at the Hotel Stotsenberg in Clark Freeport Zone, Pampanga.

Lined up in the series of lectures/seminars were general subjects subdivided into specific topics: (1) Solid Waste Management (Updates on Health Care Management, Design Considerations of a Sanitary Landfills, and Updates on the Implementation of RA 9003); (2) Public Health Engineering (Water Safety Plans, The National Sustainable Sanitation Program, Household Water Treatment, and Floating Toilet); (3) Water and Wastewater Engineering (The National Sewerage and Sanitation Program, Septage Management Program, and Updates in Local Water Supply); and (4) Innovation and Updates in Building Systems, Fire Protection and the Green Building Technology.

For details and inquiries, please contact the secretariat at (632) 434-0591, email info@psense.org.ph or log on to the website www.psense.org.ph. You may also contact the convention chairman Engr. Ramil Gutierrez (convention chairman) at 0922-5621357, Engr. Noel Yumol (co-chairman) at 0922-8936988, or Engr. Ascencion Forte Jr. (national president) at 0915-4118560.

Philippine Investment and Governance Conference 2010

Transparency International Philippines in cooperation with the Southeast Asian Parliamentarians Against Corruption (SEA-PAC), Grieg Shipping Group, and Business World presents the Philippine Investment and Governance Conference last July 22 at the Philippine International Convention Center.

Transparency International Philippines is a non-profit, politically non-partisan, non-governmental organization dedicated to increasing government accountability and curbing both international and national corruption. TI-Philippine Chapter is one of the over 90 National Chapters of Transparency International with Main Office in Berlin (Germany).

The conference featured forum on reforms in governance and business covering a wide-range of topics which include Judicial and Legal Reform Perspective, Constitutional Landscape of Public Service, Political Overviews, Economic Situation, Land Registration Authority, Transportation and Communication, and Up-scaling Business Opportunities.

Keynote speaker Associate Justice Conchita Carpio-Morales of the Supreme Court of the Philippines shared her expertise in these fields together with other speakers: Secretary Leila de Lima of the Department of Justice, Atty. Raul Pangalangan of the UP College of Law, Dr. Benjamin Diokno, UP School of Economics, and Atty. Cirilo Noel of SGV & Co.

For more information, contact the Transparency International - Manila at (632) 871-9752, fax (632) 527-0573, or visit http://www.transparencyintl.org/.

Tarlac to Host Palarong Pambansa 2010

The provincial government of Tarlac will host the 53rd edition of the Palarong Pambansa to be held on April 11-17, 2010 at the Tarlac Recreational Park (TRP) in San Jose, Tarlac.

Prior to the event, a launching was held last February 18, 2010 simultaneously in four other towns -- Bamban, Concepcion, Camiling and San Manuel-- as a signal for the start of the Palaro 2010 countdown.

Tarlac province has started the counting from the 53rd day before the event as this is the 53rd Palarong Pambansa. The theme for this year is “Play for the Region, Win for the Nation”. The activity kicked off at 6:30 a.m. with all the 17 municipalities and one city in the province held a firecracker launch, simultaneous with the ringing of all church bells. This was followed by a province-wide cycling and motorcade.

The launching also introduced “Palaro” this year’s mascot. “As first time host, we mark this event with this mascot. We named “Palaro”, -- a multi-faceted yet roundly unified ball to symbolize the energy, the discipline and the verve that go with every jump, every kick and every bounce made during the games.” Gov. Yap said.

He also said that “much like Tarlac, dubbed as the melting pot of Central Luzon where diverse cultures meet and mix, mascot ‘Palaro” also represents convergence and oneness.”

The Department of Education (DepEd) and the Tarlac government also conducted a press briefing at the TRP where mechanics, security, fraud, accommodation of athletes, transportation, traffic and other matters about the competition were tackled.

Governor Victor Yap said that he was excited with the staging of the Palarong Pambansa in the province. He said that although there are some facilities that have not yet been completed, he assured that it will be done before the event. The DepEd, for its part, said that accommodations, mechanics, safety measures and other concerns were already been set.

Gov. Yap also emphasized that Palaro is a dream come true to all Tarlaquenos. “This is our chance to showcase our warm hospitality, our ability to handle the big sports event and to show not only to our countrymen but to the whole world as well the beauty of our province,” he said.

The Palarong Pambansa 2010 hopes to boost the province’s economy, especially the tourism industry. Some 25,000 guests from the country’s 17 regions are expected to attend the annual sporting event.

The 53rd Palarong Pambansa is in cooperation with the DepEd Task Force on School Sports and sponsored by Smart Communications, Inc., and SM.

For more information about the event, contact the Palarong Pambansa - Tarlac Secretariat at (6345) 6114148, (63910) 387-3956, email palaro2010@gmail.com or visit the Palarong Pambansa 2010 blog at http://palarongpambansa2010satarlac.blogspot.com/ or Tarlac Government website at http://www.tarlac.gov.ph/

Philippine Coast Guard Auxiliary 26th Annual National Convention

The Philippine Coast Guard Auxiliary (PCGA) held its 26th Annual Convention last March 25 at Legend Hotel, Puerto Princesa City, Palawan.

With the theme: “Saving Lives: Protecting our Seas, Volunteer We Must”, the three day activity highlighted workshops on Maritime Search and Rescue, Marine Environmental Protection, Marine Safety, and Maritime Community Relations. Also, included in the program was the search and rescue and the oil spill response demonstration involving PCG surface and air assets.

Hosted by Coast Guard Auxiliary District Palawan, headed by Rear Admiral Higinio C. Mendoza in cooperation with Commodore Joel S. Garcia PCG, Commodore of Coast Guard District Palawan, the event was attended by PCGA volunteers, together with PCG District and Major Unit Commanders, and Members of the Central Staff of Headquarters Philippine Coast Guard.

Morever, among the special guests of the convention were Executive Secretary Leandro Mendoza, DOTC Acting Secretary Anneli R. Lontoc, Undersecretary of Maritime Transport Thomson C. Lantion, Rep. Abraham Kahlil B. Mitra, and Mayor Edward S. Hagedorn of Palawan City.

For more information about the event, contact the Philippine Coast Guard Auxiliary at (6348) 434-9413, email hcmendozajr@yahoo.com or visit http://www.pcgaux.com/.

DepEd Understanding By Design Staged

The Department of Education’s (DepEd) National Conference entitled “Understanding by Design: Getting into the Core of the 2010 Secondary Education Curriculum” will be held this February 2010 at two venues, to accommodate participants from all over the Philippines.

Previously scheduled last November 5-7, 2009, the conference will still be held at the Manila Hotel, Roxas Blvd., Manila, on February 4-6, 2010, for Metro Manila and Luzon participants. For Visayas and Mindanao participants, it will be at the Waterfront Hotel, Lahug, Cebu City, on February 8-10, 2009.

A registration fee of Php 8,500.00 (inclusive of lunch and two snacks per day, a conference kit, and 3 ASCD books) will be charged per participant.

The conference aims to orient school heads and teachers on Understanding by Design (UbD), a worldwide “teaching for understanding” model that links curriculum, instruction and assessment to improve learning outcomes. UbD was introduced in 1998 by Jay McTighe and Grant P. Wiggins, and it adopts the process of “backward design” in the development of a school curriculum.

Backward design aims at eliminating two common flaws in the traditional method: coverage-focused teaching and activity-focused teaching. In coverage-focused teaching, educators try to cover all topics as specified by a textbook for the whole school year, but end up with students who do not understand why they are being taught this much information. In activity-focused teaching, educators come up with all sorts of activities that students participate in and enjoy, but again, students do not completely understand why. This is what backward design aims to resolve: to make students understand and gain a deeper insight into why they are being taught information or made to participate in activities.

Internationally-renowned speakers Everett Kline and Jeanne H. Purcell from the Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development (ASCD) in the United States are invited to conduct the conference.

Presented by DepEd in cooperation with Fund for Assistance to Private Education (FAPE), the conference shall be conducted in support of the implementation of the 2010 Secondary Education Curriculum in public and private secondary schools.

FAPE was established in 1968 to promote the development of private education in the Philippines. It pursues this mission by helping private schools in their quest for academic excellence, managerial competence and financial viability, through the extension of logistic and technical support. Over the last three decades of its existence, FAPE has already become an institution in the Philippine educational system.

For more information about the conference, you may call FAPE at (632) 818-7923, (632) 381-8071, e-mail info@peac-fape.org.ph or visit their website http://www.fape.org.ph.

CCP Sets Stage for First Philippine Guitar Fest

The Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) and The Guitar Friends will hold the First Philippine International Guitar Festival 2010 from January 28 to 31 at the CCP in Pasay City. With the objective of promoting the Classical Guitar, the festival offers exciting musical performances by outstanding guitarists from the Philippines and abroad.

Maestro Jose Valdez, who is considered to be one of the best guitar teachers in the country, is the director of the Festival. Maestro Valdez, who has 35 years of teaching experience, is a lecturer and professor at the University of the Philippines, Philippine Women’s University, St. Scholastica’s College, Philippine National University, La Concordia College and St. Paul University. He is a pioneer of all major guitar courses in most schools in the Philippines. The CCP Encyclopedia of Philippine Arts ranks him as one of the pioneers of classical guitar in the country.

Among those performing in the Festival are Mr. Steve Lin, Mr. Michael Dadap, Mr. Jose Valdez, Mr. Perfecto de Castro, Mr. Sixto Roxas, Mr. Kasilag Guitar Trio, Tabs, UP Guitar Orchestra, Fundacion Centro Flamenco and the winners of the National Music Competitions for Young Artists 2009 Guitar Category. More artists and groups, including the Manila Symphony Orchestra, are expected to be added to the list of performers in the Festival. One of the highlights of the Festival will be the concert by a Spanish guitar soloist to be brought in by Instituto Cervantes.

Mr. Steve Lin is a renowned international artist who has concertized throughout the US, Italy, the Philippines and Taiwan. An award winning guitarist and a recording artist, Mr. Lin teaches guitar at the San Jose State University and Northern California School of Music. He has a master’s degree from Yale School of Music and is completing his doctorate at the New England Conservatory under Eliot Fiske.

Mr. Michael Dadap has been artistic/music director and conductor of The Children’s Orchestra Society since 1984. He studied at UP, the Mannes College of Music and the Juilliard School. As a conductor, he has conducted and collaborated with some of the world’s most renowned concert artists. As an accomplished classical guitarist, he made his Carnegie Hall debut in 1974 and has since performed in numerous concerts internationally.

Mr. Sixto “Butch” Roxas is a highly respected guitarist currently helping reestablish as well as playing for the UST Jazz Orchestra together with conductor/saxophonist Mr. Tots Tolentino. He studied at the famed Berklee College of Music in Boston and took guitar courses in various institutions abroad such as the Schola Cantorum in Paris and in Barcelona, Spain with Maestro Josep Henriquez under a grant from the Agencia Española. He is a faculty member of the UST Conservatory of Music.

Mr. Perfecto de Castro is hailed as one of the best Filipino guitarists. A graduate of PWU School of Music, he studied with Maestro Jose Valdez. The Laudarra, or the Ten String Classical Guitar, is Castro’s instrument of choice. He has collaborated with composers all over the world to add to the repertoire of the Ten String Guitar. He is a founding member of the Kasilag Guitar Quartet.

Fundacion Centro Flamenco is an organization dedicated to the promotion of the art of flamenco music and dance.

The Guitar Friends, which is spearheading the Festival, is composed of guitar aficionados of varying levels of expertise in guitar performance brought together by their love for guitar and their association with Maestro Jose Valdez, the Festival director. The Guitar Friends support the Guitar Immersion Program of Maestro Valdez and conducts activities such as campus concerts and master classes.

The 1st Philippine International Guitar Festival 2010 will offer master classes and lectures on topics such as “Building a Performing Career,” “Flamenco,” “A Guitarist’s Pain,” “Jazz Improvisation,” “Ensemble Playing” and “Musicality, Intelligence and Technique.” The Festival will also feature booths and displays by guitar makers and manufacturers.

The 1st Philippine International Guitar Festival 2010 is sponsored by CCP, Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR), SMART Communications, Inc., and Rudolf Lietz, Inc.

For details, call (63917) 526-6377, (63920) 498-2720, (63915) 921-3440, e-mail philguitarfest@gmail.com or visit http://philguitarfest.blogspot.com.

Election Fever Felt at Campaigns 2010

With the country’s national elections only 5 months away, the election fever was highly felt during Campaigns 2010 held last October 21-22, 2009 at the World Trade Center in Pasay City.

Dubbed as the “Ultimate Suppliers Exhibition and Forum for the 2010 National Elections”, the event was organized by Publicus Asia, Inc., and managed by Ideas, Concepts and Events Inc., (ICE, Inc.,) www.ice.com.ph. The 2-day event gave visitors a chance to try the Commission on Elections’ new automated machines. Visitors tested the actual print count optical scans that will be used during the presidential elections. A representative from Smartmatic-Total Information Management answered all the questions regarding the reliability of the counting machines.

Various suppliers of election-related materials, services, and other paraphernalia showcased their products and services during the exhibit. The Samahang Kartunista ng Pilipinas displayed numerous political sketches and artworks. Seminars about pre-campaign activates, voters’ education, political campaigning, new media campaign strategies, automated elections, and election laws and regulations were conducted throughout the event.

Highlighting the event was the presidential forum hosted by Studio 23’s Y Speak. Presidential candidates where represented by their youth spokesperson during the forum. Mr. Robin Garcia represented Sen. Francis Chiz Escudero, Ms. Kariz Espena for Sen. Jamby Madrigal, Ms. Shills Andres for Sen. Richard Gordon, Mr. Luis Abad for Sen. Benigno ‘Noynoy’ Aquino III, Mr. Ginno Jaralve for former President Joseph Estrada, and Mr. Aaron Benedict de Leon for Department of National Defense Secretary Gilbert ‘Gibo’ Teodoro. Sen. Jamby Madrigal graced the event and answered politically relevant questions from the hosts and audience.

Campaigns 2010 is sponsored by the Commission on Election, Manila Bulletin, Studio 23, Y! Speak, and Publicus Asia, Inc.

For more information about the event, contact ICE, Inc. at (632) 584-5321, (632) 584-5316, (632) 727-2151, email ice.incorporated@yahoo.com, info@ice.com.ph or visit their website at www.ice.com.ph.

LGU officials attend Public Governance Forum

Local government officials, public administrators, and other public servants gathered at the Public Governance Forum keynoted by Dr. David Norton, a renowned Management and Strategy Thought-leader and co-author of the book, Balanced Scorecard held last September 23-24, 2009 in Mandarin Oriental Manila.

The forum, with the theme: A Force for Positive Change: Achieve Breakthroughs with the Performance Governance System was convened by the Institute for Solidarity in Asia and Performance Governance System.

The two-day forum tackled breakthroughs in public service in the cities of Balanga, Bataan; San Fernando, Pampanga; and Iloilo City. Other speakers included Mr. Jesus Estanislao of Institute for Solidarity in Asia (ISA), Mr. Ryan Patrick G. Evangelista of Universal Access to Competitiveness and Trade (U-ACT), and Ms. Emilia Boncodin of the National College of Public Administration and Governance University of the Philippines. The topics showed participants how to drive results through transparency and performance management, align public sector strategy organization to strategy, involve stakeholders in successful strategy execution, strengthen performance reporting capabilities, and generate resources to fund strategic initiatives.

Conveners were the National Competitiveness Council, Development Bank of the Philippines, and CGG Comfac Global Group. Co-conveners were the Lungsod of Balanga, Bayan ng Bani, City of Iloilo, City of San Fernando, Professional Regulation Commission, and the Philippine Institute of Certified Public Accountants. Institutional partners were CIPE, Royal Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, Palladium Executing Strategy, Natrapharm, U-ACT, League of Cities of the Philippines, Ortigas Foundation, Inc., and TeamAsia. Silver sponsors were Bank of Commerce, Flexo Manufacturing, Planters Bank, Smart. Media partner was BusinessMirror.

For more information, contact TeamAsia at (632) 757-3500, fax (632) 757-3510 to 11, email info@teamasia.com or visit http://www.teamasia.com/

UN Green Energy Groups Visited PowerTrends 2009

Ministers from the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP) and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) as well as senior government officials and technical personnel of energy and energy-related industries, academia and research institutes, international/regional organizations, and the ASEAN Secretariat visited PowerTrends 2009 held last September 9 to 11, 2009 at the World Trade Center in Pasay City.

PowerTrends 2009, organized by Leverage International (Consultants) Inc., the event aims to present intensified and improved technologies for oil and gas exploration; new directions in production and use of diesel fuel, petroleum, liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) and liquefied natural gas (LNG), in the interest of energy security; eco-friendly products existing and under development; and carbon credits - the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM). Futhermore, it focuses on new and sustainable energy technologies to meet climate change, technologies to improve power, energy and lighting efficiency; and technologies for upgrading and building of new plants to meet growing market demands for an expanding economy and growing population.

PowerTrends 2009 was held concurrently with the UNIDO Ministerial Conference on "Managing the Transition to Resource-Efficient and Low-Carbon Industries in Asia". Side by side with the exhibition iwas the PowerTech Business Forum. Speakers in this parallel event were executives from both the private and public sectors engaged in the energy industry. They discussed the economics and opportunities of new sources of energy.

Among the forum speakers were Department of Trade and Industry Undersecretary and Board of Investment Managing Head Elmer Hernandez, former Department of Energy Secretary Vincent S. Perez, Vergnet CEO Marc Vergnet, National Grid Corporation of the Philippines President and CEO Walter W. Brown, Aboitiz Power Renewables Inc., First Vice President Luis Miguel Aboitiz, Development Bank of the Philippines Senior Vice President Brillo L. Reynes, Seedlinks Philippines Inc., Chief Technical Officer Mila Jude, and former ASEAN Energy Chair Amada P. de Jesus.

PowerTrends 2009 is sponsored by Alstom, Andritz Hydro, Meralco, Chevron, and the following media partners: ABS-CBN News Channel (ANC), Business World, Business Mirror, Malaya Business Insight, Manila Bulletin, Project Finance International, GoingToMeet.com, and WorldOils.

For more information about the event, contact the PowerTrends 200 secretariat at (632) 810-1389, 818-6828, or email leverage@leverageinternational.com.

PhilCAT Stages 16th Annual Convention

The Philippine Coalition Against Tuberculosis (PhilCAT) held its 16th Annual Convention at the Crowne Plaza Galleria Manila, Ortigas Center, Quezon City last August 13-14, 2009.

The convention, dubbed “Synergy in TB Care: A Holistic Approach,” tackled numerous topics surrounding the management, diagnosis and treatment of Tuberculosis (TB).

Led by Department of Health (DOH) Secretary Francisco Duque III, doctors, nurses, health workers, LGU officials, NGO's, DOH personnel, Muslim Religious Leaders (MRL), funding agencies, private practitioners, and other health professionals who attended were all united in improving their knowledge on combating Tuberculosis (TB) in the country.

An exhibit showcasing various activities by private and public institutions against TB was among the highlights of the convention.

PhilCAT is in support of DOH’s National TB Control Program (NTP) which aims to reduce the prevalence and mortality of TB by half and to contribute to the attainment of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) by 2015.

Below is the summary of lectures presented during the convention:

Topic	Presenter/s
National TB Control Program (NTP) Updates	Yolanda E. Oliveros, MD, MPH Director IV, National Center for Disease Prevention and Control Department of Health
Fighting the TB Epidemic in the Western Pacific: Current Situation & Challenges Ahead	Nobu Nishikiori, MD, MSc, PhD Regional Stop TB Advisor WHO-Western Pacific Region
Psychosocial Aspect in the Management of TB - In children and Adolescents	Grace A. Macapagal, MD
Biopsychosocial Approach to the Care of Tuberculosis	Josefina S. Isidro-Lapeña MD, MFM Associate Professor, UP College of Medicine
Management of TB in Various Settings – TB in schools	Elmer Angus, MD
Management of TB in Various Settings - TB in Workplace: Local Experience	Ma. Teresita S. Cucueco, MD and Victoria B. Dalay, MD
TB in Prisons and Jails	Ma. Lorela Averilla, MD, Jubert P. Benedicto, MD, Ilna Rita Maderazo, MD, and Cecilia Villanueva, MD
Clinical Pearls: Approach to Commonly Encountered Pitfalls in the Diagnosis and Management of TB: Common Pitfalls in the Diagnosis Approach of TB	Noel G. Macalalad, MD
Clinical Pearls: Approach to Commonly Encountered Pitfalls in the Diagnosis and Management of TB: Common Pitfalls in the Radiologic Diagnosis of TB	Pedro Danilo Lagamayo, MD
Clinical Pearls: Approach to Commonly Encountered Pitfalls in the Diagnosis and Management of TB: Common Pitfalls in the Therapeutic Approach of TB	Jose Hesron Morfe, MD
Updates in Extra-Pulmonary Tuberculosis - Diagnosis and Management of TB Meningitis	Paul Pasco, MD
Updates in Extra-Pulmonary Tuberculosis - Diagnosis and Management TB of the Bone	Edwin Jerd Siatan, MD
Updates in Extra-Pulmonary Tuberculosis - Diagnosis and Management of Genito-Urinary TB	Angel Rodriguez- Bandola, MD
Management of Common PTB Complications: Pleural Effusion, Pneumothroax, Fibrothorax, Hemoptysis - Medical Approach to PTB Complications	Lalaine Llamado-Mortera, MD
Management of Common PTB Complications: Pleural Effusion, Pneumothroax, Fibrothorax, Hemoptysis - Surgical Approach to PTB Complications	Antonio B. Ramos, MD
TB as a Differential Diagnosis - TB vs. FUO	Mario M. Panaligan, MD
TB as a Differential Diagnosis - TB vs. Malignancy	Guia Elena Imelda R. Ladera, MD
Improving the Quality of Direct Sputum Smear Microscopy (DSSM)	Cristina C. Villarico, MD
MDR-TB Rapid Diagnosis	Grace Egos, RMT, MSPH
Dietary Supplements in TB: is there a Role?	Susana M. Balingit, MD
Impact of Inappropriate Antibiotic Use in the Development of MDR-TB	Camilo C. Roa, Jr., MD., FPCP, FPCCP Professor of Physiology and Medicine UP College of Medicine - PGH
Antibiotic Collateral Damage: How it leads to MDR-TB	Roberto P. Salvino, MD
Vaccines that Really Matter for TB Patients	Cecilia Montalban, MD, and May B. Montellano, MD

The event was made possible in collaboration with the Philippine Academy of Family Physicians and the DOH. Founded in 1994, PhilCAT works in partnership with DOH to spearhead efforts in controlling TB, together with chest physicians, infectious disease specialists and non-government organizations.

You may contact PhilCAT at +632 749-8990, 781-9535 to 36; e-mail pcat@pldtdsl.net; or visit their website at http://www.philcat.org.

Local Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Honoured at 4th OTOP Luzon Fair

Nine successful micro, small, and medium enterprises received the first-ever Presidential Awards for outstanding Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) at the 4th One Town One Product (OTOP) Luzon Island Fair held last July 8 – 12, 2009 at the SM Megatrade Hall 1 - 3, SM Megamall in Mandaluyong City.

The 4th OTOP Luzon Island Fair was part of the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprise Development (MSMED) Week, organized by the MSMED Council through the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) in cooperation with the Philippine Center for Entrepreneurship's “Go Negosyo” program.

The event featured the distinctive products and services of over 200 OTOP MSMEs for the eight regions and 37 provinces of Luzon. A wide array of products and services offered at the OTOP Luzon Island Fair include furniture and furnishing, gidts and houseare, fress nad processed food, jewelery and fashion accessories, footwear, novelty products, organic and natural products, arts and craft, and health and wellness products and services.

President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo graced the opening ceremony of the fair. The President struck an Ifugao gong signalling the launching of the event. After which, she toured the exhibit together with DTI Secretary Peter Favila and Presidential Adviser on Entrepreneurship and Vice Chairman of the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Development (MSMED) Council Mr. Jose Concepcion III.

The president herself gave the awards in recognition of the exceptional talent of Filipino entrepreneurs. Named outstanding enterprises from Luzon were the Roger and Beth Pilinut Candy (micro), J. Emmanuel Pastries (small), and the Lighthouse Cooperative (medium). In the Visayas, the recipients were the Doods Enterprises (micro), Filbake Food Corporation (small), and the Vicmik Enterprises (medium). Mindanao awardees were Lao Integrated Farm (micro), Manolette Bakeshop (small), and the AMS Employees Fresh Fruits Producer Cooperative (medium).

The President also awarded 26 Presidential Citations for best practices in MSME promotion and development to various best practices nationwide majority of them local government units (LGUs) which have streamlined their respective business licensing units.

The recipients of the Presidential Citation include: Chinese Filipino Business Club, Inc.; St. Mary’s College in Tagum City, Davao del Norte; GTZ Technical Cooperation; St. Louie University Extension Institute for Small Scale Industries Foundation, Inc.; Inglass Sardines of Dipolog Association; Simbag sa Pag-Asenso, Inc.; MASICAP MSME Development Foundation, Inc.; CARD Bank, Inc.; Bank of the Philippine Islands; Planters Development Bank; Fair Bank; National Wages and Productivity Commission and the Regional Wages and Productivity Boards; Cooperative Bank of Benguet and Baao Multi Purpose Cooperative.

The award was also conferred to the local governments of Aurora; Sta. Maria, Bulacan, Aliaga and Talavera in Nueva Ecija; Hermosa, Bataan; San Fernando, Angeles and Candaba in Pampanga; Lumban, Laguna; Camarines Sur; and Bayawan, Negros Oriental.

For more information about the 4th OTOP Luzon Island Fair, contact the Department of Trade and Industry at (632) 890-4697, 896-3302 or visit their website at http://www.dti.gov.ph/.