DOST Promotes Synchronizing PH Time

 

From January 1 to 7, 2022, the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) leads in the observance of the 2022 National Time Consciousness Week with the theme, “Bangon Pinas para sa Bagong bukas: Sundin ang tamang oras” to synchronize all timepieces across the country. This advocacy to promote the new Pilipino time is in accordance to Republic Act No. 10535 or The Philippine Standard Time (PST) Act of 2013.

This year’s theme aims to advocate the use of the PST or the now called ORAS PINAS to help in nation-building and to support efforts to achieve sustainable development and inclusive growth by valuing time.

The main campaign launched last year, “ORAS PINAS” with the tagline “One Nation, One Time: Pilipinas ON TIME” promotes the use of PST nationwide and syncing of timepieces with the PST. The campaign also hopes to institutionalize the new Filipino culture of being always on time and having only one time as a nation.

The NTCW is observed during the first week of January of every year to instill the value of time and the need to respect the time of others, so that the people may realize the imperative of synchronizing the official time.

The ORAS PINAS is set by the DOST’s Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA), the country’s official timekeeper since 1978 as mandated by Section 6 of Batas Pambansa Bldg. 8.

DOST-PAGASA sets the timing system that consists of a rubidium atomic clock, a Global Positioning System receiver, a time interval counter, a distribution amplifier, and a computer.

The ORAS PINAS is set by the DOST’s Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA), the country’s official timekeeper since 1978 as mandated by Section 6 of RA. 

To sync your timepieces, just visit the DOST-PAGASA website (http://bagong.pagasa.dost.gov.ph/) and get the official ORAS PINAS.

Skin Magical’s Ghie Pangilinan Is Among Asia Leaders Awards’ Top 50 “Rising Tigers: Nation Builders”

Skin Magical founder and CEO Ghie Pangilinan joins Asia Leaders Awards—the Philippines and Southeast Asia’s largest business awards event—during the launch of business and lifestyle magazine “Rising Tigers: Nation Builders” as one of the Top 50 Rising Tigers in the Asia Pacific.

This milestone, another brainchild of Asia Leaders Awards (ALA) Committee will be held on March 22, 2022, at the Grand Hyatt Manila at the BGC in Taguig.

“Asia Leaders Awards Presents the Top 50 Rising Tigers in the Asia Pacific to motivate us all that in spite of the challenges, we will emerge triumphant. These are the top leaders with the very new vision of the world now,” shared Robert Laurel Yupangco, one of the ALA Board. 

Empowered Woman Inspiring Women

Inspiring and triumphant are two words that describe young and youthful serial entrepreneur Ghie Pangilian. The woman behind the household name Skin Magical has continued to reap honors on top of profits even as the world yielded to a global pandemic. 

She proved to the world that women today are as empowered as they are inspirational. As she said in an interview:

“What could be more inspiring than being able to inspire others—that no big dreams are impossible if you have the heart for it. It doesn’t matter how many times you try or fail. What matters is you never give up, and you continue to achieve your dreams little by little.”

Starting as an online seller with a capital of P7,000, she ventured into building her own brand of high-quality skin care and beauty products for everyone to use, sell, and make a livelihood of. More than that, she was able to grow Skin Magical into the Skye Group of Companies, the umbrella company of brands like Speaks G, Cloud Face International, Magical Posh Cosmetics, and Artista Scent.

She didn’t go unnoticed for her inspiring rise as a beauty and wellness empress. She had branched out to food and beverages as well with Coffee Periodt and Tea Talk as well as construction with MagicalWorld Realty Corp.

For these, Pangilinan was named by the American Association of the Philippines as its Woman of the Year for the second year in a row. Likewise, she was ALA’s Influencer of the Year, also in a row from 2019 to 2020, as she catapulted her beauty and wellness empire, Skin Magical, to Startup of the Year. 

Recognizing the Leaders of Tomorrow

With 2022—The Year of the Water Tiger promising 365 days of positive changes, “business will be stable  and finances will flow smoothly throughout the year with grit in its side.” 

Hence, Asia Leaders Awards take the opportunity to recognize Miss Pangilinan among the Top 50 Rising Tigers in the Asia Pacific both in person and tribute through the launching of the Rising Tigers: Nation Builders Magazine.

“Ghie is a superwoman, having so much on her plate, and yet, still building and conceptualizing more projects and branches nationwide, helping the Filipino people to earn and succeed like her,” remarked Engineer Grace Bondad Nicolas, one of the ALA, about Skin Magical’s phenomenal woman.

This latest publication will feature the best and the brightest in the Philippines and Southeast Asia who never fail to balance commitment to growth with corporate social responsibility, even during the most trying times.

Combining Brave Strength and New Happiness

Thus, to open 2022—The Year of the Water Tiger, Asia Leaders Awards take on the theme of Very Peri, “the happiest and warmest of all the blue hues,” Pantone’s Color of the Year.

“This combination of bravery, strength, newness, and happiness is what symbolizes the changes and the difference the world is experiencing as we look to move beyond the isolation and uncertainty of the pandemic,” explained Engineer Nicolas. 

By taking on this “empowering mix of newness” with a “carefree confidence and a daring curiosity that animates the creative spirit that in result helps a bigger community or the world,” 2022 will be an auspicious year for both leaders and constituents, businesses and customers!

Continuing the Asia Leaders Awards Legacy

Asia Leaders Awards is only the recognition giving body whose awards committee is composed of respected leaders from different chambers, organizations, and embassies such as Embassy of Singapore, Embassy of Poland, and Korean Council among others. 

 

Its main objective is to promote the Philippines as a premier business hub and destination in

Asia.

 

For more information about Asia Leaders Awards, visit https://www.facebook.com/AsiaLeadersAwards.

Glenda Hufano District Treasurer supports Kiwanis Club of Los Baños

 

As a show of support and oneness with Kiwanis Club of Los Baños mission to serve the children, Ms. Glenda Hufano, former President of Kiwanis Club of Pasay and now District Treasurer donated a financial assistance coursed through Engr. Grace Bondad Nicolas, former President of Kiwanis Club Makati and the current Lieutenant Governor Elect of Division 3A (Clubs in Metro Manila) of the Kiwanis Philippine Luzon District during the KCLB annual oath taking and Christmas party held in Calauan, Laguna. 

Ms. Hufano is the current District Treasurer of Kiwanis International-Philippine Luzon District for AY 2021-2022. She has been a Kiwanis Club President for 4 consecutive years and a Lieutenant Governor for 2019-2020. She got several awards and citations from different organizations here and abroad. She helped and support most of Kiwanis organizations and different clubs in the Philippines, one of them is KCLB. 

KCLB thanked Ms. Hufano for her unwavering support to them.

Kiwanis Club of Los Baños was formed on October 2011 with the leadership of Mr. Meliton Manimtim and Mr. Ernesto Flavier. From then on, KCLB has been serving the children of the community. Most recent projects initiated by KCLB were the OPlan Sagip Mata, several Blood letting projects and Distribution of hygiene kits to the affected communities of the typhoon. 

For more information about KCLB, visit their Facebook page. 

Kiwanis Clubs is a non-profit, civic organization serving the children of the world. They are advocating to help the indigent children and is existing in the Philippines for more than 50 years. For it to continue its advocacy, it needs people with genuine concern for others.

Tallest 3D Printed Rizal Monument to Rise in DOST

 

The tallest 3D printed monument of Dr. Jose P. Rizal will soon rise and be unveiled at the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) complex in Bicutan, Taguig to celebrate Rizal Day.

To commemorate Rizal’s 125th year of martyrdom on 30 December 2021, the DOST will lead the unveiling of the 12.5 feet tall 3D printed statue, a fitting memorial to the works and accomplishments of Rizal, not only as our national hero but also as a scientist. 

The design is inspired by studies and works of scientists, historians and artists of the DOST-National Research Council of the Philippines (DOST-NRCP), depicting the national hero as a medical scientist, an engineer/surveyor, an agriculturist, and a naturalist-environmentalist. 

The monument dubbed as “Dr. Jose P. Rizal, The Filipino Scientist,” was 3D printed at the state-of-the-art Advanced Manufacturing Center of the DOST-Metals Industry Research and Development Center (DOST-MIRDC) using Acrylonitrile Styrene Acrylate (ASA), a material known for its high mechanical properties that can withstand impact and high temperature, UV, and has chemical resistant quality. 

The structure is further reinforced using steel structure inside the monument that is designed to withstand winds of 330 kph and a 7.0 magnitude earthquake.

This work of art and science is designed by Professor Jose Manuel Sicat, with Rizal the Filipino Scientist as the embodiment of innovation and positive change thus bringing science closer to the people.

“We are paying tribute to the many works of Dr. Jose P. Rizal especially in the field of science,” said DOST Secretary Fortunato T. de la Peña. “We believe that this project is a good inspiration for our youth of today to maximize their capabilities and capacity to learning, like Dr. Rizal, there is no circumstance that could stop us from learning.”

The project also showcases the capabilities of the local engineers in creating a massive, complex structure using additive manufacturing technology.

By Joy M. Lazcano, DOST-STII, S&T Media Service

Pandesal Forum on Super typhoon ‘Odette’ Relief Efforts of Filipino Chinese Community

 

Mr. Huang Guojie of Overseas Chinese Chamber of Commerce & Industry; Jerry Cua of the Federation of Filipino Chinese Associations of the Phil.; Dr. Henry Lim Bon  (FFCCCII); Wilson Lee Flores, moderator of Pandesal Forum of Kamuning Bakery Café; Anson Tan of the Overseas Chinese Alumni Association of the Philippines

MESSAGE of DR. HENRY LIM BON LIONG, President, FFCCCII

December 21, 2021  10:00 a.m.  Kamuning Bakery Cafe, Quezon City

Our friends in media; friends, 

ladies and gentleme

First of all, advance Merry Christmas to all, let us always be hopeful, no matter what storms we face.

We the members of the Filipino Chinese community are very much saddened by the massive damage caused by super typhoon ‘Odette’ in Visayas, Mindanao and Palawan.  Many of our countrymen and fellow Filipinos were left homeless.  And we also extend our deepest condolences to the families who lost their loved ones.

Kami ay nakikiramay, kami ay nakikidalamhati.

It will definitely take time to recover from this calamity and rebuild the communities, but we know that the Filipino nation’s willpower and resilience are stronger than any typhoon or calamity.

Today, 11 major Filipino Chinese business, civic and cultural organizations of the Filipino Chinese Community Calamity Fund (FCCCF) have raised 12 Million Pesos to help the typhoon victims in the Visayas and Mindanao regions.

These are the 11 organizations behind this philanthropic effort:

1. Our organization, the Federation of Filipino-Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry, Inc. and FFCCCII Foundation Inc.

2. Federation of Filipino-Chinese Associations of the Philippines;

3. Philippine Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry;

4. Overseas Chinese Alumni Association of the Philippines;

5. Filipino-Chinese Amity Club;

6. World News Daily;

7. Filipino-Chinese Shin Lian Association;

8. Overseas Chinese Chamber of Commerce & Industry of the Philippines;

9. Philippine Soong Ching Ling Foundation;

10. Philippine Jin Jiang Shen Fu Zhen Association;

11. World Fujian Youth Federation of the Philippines

We have raised 12 Million Pesos to assist the typhoon victims.

Immediately, we asked our member chambers in the regions to assess the calamity situation and coordinate with LGUs so we can extend expeditious help to the most adversely affected communities.

We have allocated 10,000 relief packs for Bohol; 10,000 relief packs for Cebu; 10,000 relief packs for Negros Occidental (Hinigaran, Kabankalan, La Carlota, Sipalay, Hinupaan, Himamaylan  and other areas); 5,000 relief packs for Southern Leyte and Western Samar; 2,500 relief packs for Negros Oriental; 2,500 relief packs for Surigao province; 300 relief packs for Surigao City; and 200 relief packs for Cagayan de Oro City.

Each relief pack that costs 400 Pesos, each pack contains  rice, canned sardines, and instant noodles.

In support of the government’s programs for the recovery and rehabilitation of the affected provinces, we will continue to extend relief assistance to alleviate the plight of our countrymen. We shall appeal to our member organizations to help in rebuilding these communities and the local rural economies.

Aside from this, our Filipino Chinese Community Calamity Fund has also earlier since 2020 and up to this year raised P300 Million Pesos for our COVID-19 relief efforts to bernefit all regions of the Philippines.

We have donated hundreds of thousands of face masks; KN95 masks; PPEs; safety googles; face shields; medical gloves; thermal scanners; alcohol; rice; canned sardines; noodles; vitamin C and vitamin C with zinc; ventilators, and other medical supplies nationwide.

Our group also made a donation to the country’s biggest COVID-19 testing laboratory and equipment of the Philippine Red Cross in Port Area, Manila.

Our COVID-19 relief efforts have reached our frontliners, healthcare workers, barangays, hospitals and communities, urban and rural poor areas across Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao.

In overcoming the effects of super typhoon “Odette,” we in the Filipino Chinese community once more express our solidarity with our fellow Filipinos as our nation rises again from this calamity.

Nakikiisa kami sa buong bayan sa pag-asa at sa pagbangon natin muli. Huwag tayo mawalan ng pag-asa.   

This Christmas,  let us help spread hope, unity  and help in whatever way we can to support the victims of super typhoon “Odette” and also to the victims of this global pandemic of the past 2 years.  

Many people have been asking me about our Philippine economic growth forecast for next year. We’re very hopeful and optimistic of strong Philippine economic recovery next year with a GDP growth of 6.5% or even higher in 2022, because the Philippines has positive macroeconomic fundamentals, we now have much better modern infrastructures, we also have the solid bedrock of social stability and national unity. 2022 shall be a good year for economic recovery of Asia, most especially for the Philippines, let us work hard and unite for a prosperous new year.

Amidst the pandemic and super typhoon, let’s continue to work hard and work together so we can achieve strong economic and public health recovery.

Patuloy po tayong magsama-sama, magkaisa at magtulungan upang ating malampasan itong nagdaang kalamidad at ang COVID-19 pandemic.

Taos puso kaming nagpapasalamat sa inyo. Maligayang Pasko at Manigong Bagong Taon sa ating lahat!

Thank you and God bless us all. 

P12 Million Donation by Filipino Chinese Community Calamity Fund (FCCCF) for Typhoon Odette victims in Visayas & Mindanao

 

China Ambassador donates P8 million relief goods to be distributed by Filipino Chinese groups, also China gov’t. donates 3.2 million kilos of rice worth P128 million pesos

FFCCCII forecasts 6.5% Phil. economic growth in 2022 & strong recovery, esp. with added boost from election spending & possible opening of schools

FFCCCII working for fisheries tech cooperation & aid from China for Filipino fishermen through China Embassy & Dept. of Agriculture

 On Dec. 21 Tuesday at "Pandesal Forum" of 82-year-old Kamuning Bakery Cafe in Quezon City, Federation of Filipino Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry, Inc. (FFCCCII) Pres. Dr. Henry Lim Bon Liong announced the following nin response to typhoon Odette calamity:

*P12 million relief food supplies donated by Filipino Chinese Community Calamity Fund (FCCCF), a coalition of 11 major Filipino Chinese business, civic and cultural federations led by the FFCCCII, the donations will be sent immediately to typhoon Odette victims in the Visayas and Mindanao regions;

*P8 million worth of relief goods donated by China Ambassador Huang Xilian to be distributed by Filipino Chinese community for typhoon Odette affected areas;

*China is donating 3.2 million kilos of rice worth P128 million pesos, now already in the ports of Manila and Cebu, for distribution for typhoon Odette victims, also for urban and rural poor commjunities.

*FFCCCII Pres. Dr. Henry Lim Bon Liong reiterated his forecast for 2022 Philippine economic growth at 6.5% or even higher, due to positive macroeconomic fundamentals, favorable demographics, good social stability, added economic boost due to increased election spending, continuous economic reforms and widespread infrastructure modernization efforts of the Philippines. Dr. Lim is also confident about Asia Pacific and Asean economic recovery, thus benefitting Philippine economic recovery in 2022.

*Dr. Henry Lim Bon Liong also announced that FFCCCII is in talks with Department of Agriculture (DA) and the China Embassy on their proposal for China to send technical and other assistance for our Filipino fishermen near the Philippine Sea area, in order to elevate the technological and fishing capabilities of the fishing communities as a win-win philanthropy and to strengthen understanding between Asian countries.

Anvil Business Club Young Filipino Chinese donate to Negros, Siargao other regions in Visayas & Mindanao afftected by typhoon Odette

 

The young Filipino Chinese entrepreneurs of Anvil Business Club on Dec. 23 turned over three (3) check donations for typhoon Odette victims at Pandesal Forum at 82-year-old Kamuning Bakery Café in Quezon City through partners Tzu Chi Foundation P100,000, Bacolod Filipino Chinese Junior Chamber of Commerce P300,000, Siargao Bed & Brewery P300,000. These are initial donations, more Anvil donations shall be distributed in the coming days and weeks in this ongoing philanthropy to help calamity-hit areas of Visayas and Mindanao.

Present at Pandesal Forum were: Anvil Business Club Chairman Wilson Lee Flores, EVP Kenneth Dee, VP Jayson Sze, Honorary Chairman Peter Mangasing, Honorary Chairman Marcelo Co, Anvil officers Reginald Yu, Aldrin Chua, Ace Olano, Ian Cheng. From Tzu Chi Foundation, officers/volunteers present were Molita Chua, Leonardo Chua and Delfin Letran. Also present was Bacolod Filipino Chinese Junior Chamber of Commerce President Frederick Yap. Representing Siargao Bed & Brewery is its owner and Anvil director Fred Hui and business partner David Luy, this newly-built tourism facility has been turned into a relief supplies center to help typhoon victims of Surigao.

Also sending their messages at the Pandesal Forum were Anvil Business Club Chairman Emeritus George Siy and President Hubert Chua, who both said typhoon Odette will have negative effects on the economic growth of Visayas and Mindanao but they are still bullish the whole Philippine economy is continuously recovering and more investors will open businesses in the new year 2022.

Comprised mostly of young entrepreneurs in their 20s to 40s, Anvil Business Club is also part of the Federation of Filipino Chinese Chambers of Commerce & Industry, Inc. (FFCCCII). The FFCCCII and the Filipino Chinese Community Calamity Fund also on December 21 donated P12 million pesos worth of relief goods for typhoon victims in Visayas and Mindanao. China Embassy also donated P8 million worth of relief goods to be distributed by various Filipino Chinese organizations nationwide, plus China government has given a donation of 3.2 million kilos of rice worth P128 million pesos now already in ports of Manila and Cebu.

Anvil Honorary Chairman Marcelo Co said tourism shall again be adversely affected in Visayas and Mindanao perhaps for six months, but he is hopeful for continuous “strong Philippine economic recovery in the new year 2022”. Anvil Business Club Honorary Chairman Peter Mangasing and EVP Kenneth Dee expressed optimism that despite the destructions by typhoon Odette and the past two years of pandemic lockdowns, the new year 2022 “will see robust and strong Philippine economic recovery” due to positive socio-economic fundamentals, increased investor and consumer confidence in reopening of the economy, and the added spending of the election. Anvil Business Club Chairman Wilson Lee Flores said typhoon Odette has a negative economic impact for the short term, but the whole Philippine economy shall register a very strong economic recovery in 2022 of 6.5% to 7% due to pandemic recovery, the May 2022 election spending boost, the expected opening of schools in 2022, the positive macroeconomic and demographic conditions of the Philippines, sound economic and fiscal policies, the nonstop infrastructure modernization projects, also with hopefully continued social and political stability