Bureau of Immigration bares gang selling fake passports to foreigners

MANILA, Philippines - The Bureau of Immigration (BI) said yesterday it believes it has uncovered a big-time syndicate whose members make and sell fake Philippine passports to foreign nationals in the country following the recent arrest of one of its members by immigration agents.

Job: Nursing grads willing to work in healthcare outsourcing

MANILA - The local healthcare information management outsourcing sector expects its workforce to almost double this year as it continues to attract unemployed nurses.

According to the Healthcare Information Management Outsourcing Association of the Philippines, the number of nurses hired by its member-firms would surge to 43,000 by yearend from 24,700 last year.

PAL proposes new Manila international airport

MANILA - Philippine Airlines will propose to government the establishment of a new international airport in Manila, the flag carrier's president said on Thursday.

On the sidelines of PAL's stockholders' meeting, Ramon S. Ang said the new airport will have four runways and will span 2,000 hectares.

He said the company is in talks with a Korean contractor for the project, and aims to complete construction in 3 years.

Woman commits suicide at Pasay LRT Station, caught on video

Click for the link to ANC reports with the CCTV footage

MANILA, Philippines – A woman committed suicide by jumping in front of an approaching Light Rail Transit (LRT) train in Pasay City on Thursday morning, an official said.

Light Rail Transit Autrhority (LRTA) Spokesperson Hernando Cabrera said the woman jumped on the tracks of the LRT-1 in EDSA-Taft station at around 5:50 a.m.

Best Western PLUS Antel Hotel: Overnight Accomodation for 2 (72% off)

Today’s MNL Deal: Overnight Accomodation for 2 in a One-Bedroom Suite at Best Western Plus Antel Hotel for P2999. About 72% savings.

OPM wanted 'Phantom' permits withdrawn

MANILA, Philippines -- The Organisasyon ng Pilipinong Mang-aawit (OPM) is taking its fight with the Bureau of Immigration (BI) over foreign acts performing in the country to the Office of the President.

Oprah is Forbes' highest paid celebrity

LOS ANGELES - Her new television network is struggling, but Oprah Winfrey's bank account is doing just fine, according to financial website Forbes.com, which on Monday named the talk show queen as the highest paid celebrity for the fourth straight year.

D Spa Clinic: 6 Sessions of Glutathione IV + Vitamin C (92% off)

Today’s MNL Deal: 6 Sessions of Glutathione IV + Vitamin C for P2999 (valued at P36000).That’s 92% savings.

Chinese, not Pinoys, eroding India's BPO leadership, says consulting firm

MANILA - China, and not the Philippines, is eroding India's dominance in the business process outsourcing space, according to a Canada-based IT consulting firm.
“The outsourcing market is positioned to continue to thrive and grow, but the relative positions of the respective players are changing. If current trends continue, China is on target to overtake India as the dominant BPO player, potentially within the next two to three years,” said XMG Global in its mid-year report on the outsourcing industry.
The consulting firm said China has exhibited the fastest growth among the top three outsourcing destinations, expanding 43.5 percent and 63.6 percent in the last two years.

Online Shopping Tax: Will e-invoicing be a boost or bane to e-preneurs?

With the emergence of e-invoicing, online traders are expressing mixed reactions to the move of Bureau of Investigation (BIR) of taxing online entrepreneurs.

E-preneurs favoring the move explain that it will help keep online purchasing more secure. “The e-invoice system will filter the brands that sell online, meaning legitimate purchases only,” says Kato Chua Ednacot of moonshinegarb.multiply.com.

Samsung copied Apple’s iPhone, iPad, jury rules

SAN FRANCISCO – A jury ordered Samsung to pay Apple more than $1 billion Friday after ruling the South Korean giant infringed on the US firm’s patents for a variety of smartphones and tablet computers, media reported.

Dragonair fare to HongKong for P1,688 (84% off)

Today’s MNL Deal: Dragonair fare to HongKong for P1,688. About 84% savings. 

Zac Efron to visit Manila on Septermber 2012

MANILA, Philippines – Hollywood star Zac Efron, who signed an endorsement deal with local fashion brand Penshoppe early this year, will visit the Philippines next month.

Photos of naked prince raise security questions

LONDON – They were embarrassing, silly, and raunchy. But were they a security breach?

A day after nude photographs of Prince Harry ricocheted across the Internet, security experts were wondering whether the Scotland Yard officers assigned to keep the 27-year-old royal safe from harm might have done a better job of keeping him out of trouble.

HP Flash Drives w/ 2 year warranty starting at P249

Today’s MNL Deal: HP Flash Drives starting at 4GB for P249 (valued at P380).

 

Globe upgrades network infra in parts of M.Mla

MANILA, Philippines - Globe Telecom said its network infrastructure facilities in northern and eastern Metro Manila and Rizal province have been upgraded.

In a statement, Globe said it has modernized its equipment in Caloocan, Malabon, Navotas and Valenzuela (CAMANAVA) and Marikina City, as well as Angono, Antipolo, Baras, Binangonan, Cardona, Jala-Jala, Morong, Pililia, Rodriguez, San Mateo, Tanay and Teresa in Rizal.

Fujidenzo 8-cup Coffee or Tea Maker (33% off)

Today’s MNL Deal: Fujidenzo 8-cup Coffee or Tea Brewer for P999 (valued at P1500). That’s up to 33% savings.

 

Facebook's director in spotlight after cashing out

SAN FRANCISCO - Peter Thiel was the first investor to take a gamble on Facebook Inc. Now some people are wondering whether, in selling most of his stake, the Facebook board member is signaling to others that it's time to rush for the exits.

Thiel, the co-founder of PayPal who invested in Facebook in 2004, sold roughly $400 million worth of Facebook shares last week as the first restrictions barring insider selling were lifted.

Smart offers iPhone 4S, HTC One X, Galaxy S3 for free

Manila, Philippines -  Smart Communications Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of dominant carrier Philippine Long Distance Telephone Co. (PLDT), is offering smartphones including Apple iPhone 4S, Samsung Galaxy S3, and HTC One X for free with every subscription to a Smart Unlimited Data Plan 2000.

Kathy Carag, head of Smart’s postpaid business, said the three phones are recognized around the world as the best in their respective classes given their top tier features and high-end specifications.

Lenovo to bring affordable smartphones to PH

MANILA, Philippines - Lenovo Mobile is set to launch more affordable smartphones priced within or below P5,000 to provide Filipino consumers with useful devices.

Open Communications business unit head John Rojo said Lenovo Mobile would introduce in the market more affordable priced phones targeting both entry level devices within or below the P5,000 price range and top-of-the-line devices.

Rojo said the devices would offer cutting-edge features targeting the professional and technologically savvy consumers at very competitive prices.

Fashionable Rain Boots Shoe Cover + Free Metro Manila Delivery (62% off)

Today’s MNL Deal: Fashionable Rain Boots Shoe Cover + Free Metro Manila Delivery for P1049 (valued at P2750). That’s up to 62% savings.

 

Tanduay Rhum Rockfest 2012

Tanduay Rhum Rockfest Year VI

Starting September 1, 2012: BDO will impose P2 fee for every depositor's ATM withdrawal

Starting September 1, it will cost a BDO depositor P2 every time he/she withdraws his/her own money from any BDO terminal.
The new fee advisory was being flashed on the bank's 1,596 ATM-network as each terminal dispensed wads of cash for the duration of the four-day weekend.

Nike shutting down Pacquiao line?

MANILA, Philippines – Is sports apparel giant Nike shutting down the Manny Pacquiao line in favor of creating a line for Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) light heavyweight champion Jon "Bones" Jones?

According to UFC president Dana White, this is the case.

"They're shutting down the Manny Pacquiao line and starting up the Jon Jones line," White said in an interview with MMA Weekly last Sunday. 

LaEstetica’s 5 sessions of Chest or Back Cleaning + Diamond Peel + Mask (87% off)

Today’s MNL Deal: LaEstetica’s 5 sessions of Chest or Back Cleaning + Diamond Peel + Mask for P999 (valued at P7500). That’s up to 87% savings.

 

Annabelle Rama is 'very serious' in Congress bid

…says she 'can't be stopped' from running

MANILA, Philippines – Controversial talent manager Annabelle Rama is set on bringing her brand of feistiness to Congress next year.

"I am very, very, very serious to run for Congress. Wala na makakapigil sa akin," Rama said in a post on micro-blogging site Twitter on Saturday.

Swiss Legend: Men’s Black Leather Watch (87% off)

Today’s MNL Deal: Swiss Legend: Men’s 10538-01 Scubador Collection Chronograph Black Leather Watch for P6999 (valued at P50000). That’s up to 87% savings.

 

Gift Gate Big Sale Event (50% off)

Today’s MNL Deal: Gift Gate Big Sale Event Tickets for 2 for P20 (valued at P40). That’s up to 50% savings.

 

Divers recover flight plan of Robredo plane

MANILA, Philippines - Deep-sea divers recovered Sunday afternoon what appeared to be the "paper flight plan" of the ill-fated Piper Seneca plane, which Interior Secretary Jesse Robredo, who remains missing up to this time, boarded.

Zsa Zsa diagnosed with kidney cancer 40 days after Dolphy’s death

“When life situations get rough, I find myself taking deep breaths… And I am ready 2 take on new challenges. Living life. One day at a time.”
That was Zsa Zsa Padilla’s tweet early Sunday morning as news broke out that the already grief-stricken partner of the late, great Comedy King Dolphy had been diagnosed with stage 1 kidney cancer.
Earlier reports stated that the 48-year-old singer-actress was conspicuously absent at the Mass for the 40th day after Dolphy’s death held Saturday because she had left for Los Angeles to seek medical treatment.
She consulted doctors at Cedars Sinai Hospital after her doctors at the Makati Medical Center had detected an abnormal growth in her kidneys.
Zsa Zsa told ABS-CBN News on Sunday that a certain Dr. Folkes, her doctor at the Los Angeles-based medical facility, told her that she has a malignant growth the size of a golf ball.

Cibo Celebrates 15 Years With 1997 Prices

This August 15-21, 2012, Cibo invites you to celebrate its 15th anniversary by offering popular items at 1997 prices:

August 15: “Te Freddo at P40!”

Lock & Lock: Lunch Box (50% off)

Today’s MNL Deal: Lock & Lock Lunch Box Set for P499 (valued at P998). That’s up to 50% savings.

Poor but heavy smokers: Pinoys are now Southeast Asia's top tobacco consumers, Ona says

MANILA, Philippines - The Philippines is now Southeast Asia’s number one tobacco-consuming country with every Filipino smoker puffing an estimated 1,073 sticks yearly, according to (DOH) Department of Health  Secretary Enrique Ona. 

“It is alarming that the Philippines is now the number one smoking country in Southeast Asia," Ona told legislators Thursday during the Senate hearing on the sin tax bill.

Cebu Pacific voted third best budget airline

MANILA, Philippines -- Cebu Pacific is the third-best budget airline in Asia, a new survey showed, while Palawan was ranked among the best holiday destinations in the continent.

The online survey, Best in Travel Poll 2012, was conducted by web magazine SmartTravelAsia.com. Now in its eighth year, the three-month poll was conducted from May to July this year among the websites' readers, who are said to take over 16 air trips a year.

Nomadnine.com: Mini HD Digital Camera + Free Nationwide Delivery (20% off)

10 historic places to visit in Metro Manila

A Swiss friend who was in Manila for about a month was asking for places to go to on a weekend trip.

He had already been to Zambales and Bulacan, both of which are relatively near the metropolis. He had also gone on a walking tour of Intramuros the previous weekend. He had no plans of booking a plane ticket and jetting off to faraway Philippine isles. So where to suggest he go?

A couple of bars where one of the country’s most popular bands played regular gigs in were proposed, only for this writer to learn that aforementioned band would not be in Manila that week.

Fuji Xerox All-in-One Laser Printer + 1 year warranty (55% off)

Today’s MNL Deal: Fuji Xerox All-in-One Laser Printer with one-year warranty FOR P3900 (valued at P8500). That’s up to 55% savings.

Burglar who hits Steve Jobs’ house tracked down through iPad

SAN FRANCISCO — A thief burglarized Steve Jobs’ house in the high-tech hub of Palo Alto, California, stealing the late Apple co-founder’s wallet, more than $60,000 in jewelry and several computers, but was unaware of whose home he had broken into, authorities said.

Kariem McFarlin, 35, was tracked down by police with help from Apple investigators, who noticed an iPad stolen from the Jobs house was connected to the company’s servers on July 18, the morning after the burglary.

Travel: Singapore All-In Travel Package (51% off)

Today’s MNL Deal: Singapore All-In Travel Package for P14798 . About 51% savings.

Viral: Bourne Legacy Deleted Scene

It took me a while to figure this one out.
Now I understand why this scene didn't make it to the final cut..

August Sale: PUMA and Gift Gate

This week, from August 14-17, 2012, PUMA goes on sale at the Philippine Stock Exchange Auditorium in Ortigas Center, Mandaluyong City.

World News: Mother and Son Accused Of Stealing $2 Million In Toys From Toys 'R' Us

A mother and son from Tamarac, Fla, may be placed on Santa's naughty list after being accused of stealing $2 million worth of toys.

The Broward Sheriff's Organized Retail Crimes Unit arrested Ignatius "Michael" Pollara, 46, and his mother, Margaret Pollara, 70, on Thursday, accusing the pair of stealing more than $2 million in merchandise, WTVJ-TV reported.

Is Angelica Panganiban confirming romance with John Lloyd Cruz?

13 firms vie for NAIA road project

MANILA, Philippines - The bidding for the proposed P13.575-billion Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) expressway project may be pushed back to December or early January next year to give interested parties more time to finalize their bids, a government official said over the weekend.

At least 13 firms including some of the country’s biggest conglomerates have expressed interest in bidding for the project, according to the official who attended the prequalifying conference set by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) last Friday.

Philippines ranks 10th in number of Twitter users

MANILA, Philippines – The Philippines now has 9.5 million registered users in the microblogging site Twitter, a new study showed.

The study by social media monitor Semiocast, which analyzed 517 million Twitter profiles, ranked the Philippines at No. 10, ahead of South Korea, France, Italy and Germany.

However, this figure pales in comparison to the number of Filipinos on the social networking site Facebook.

Officially dubbed the “social media capital of the world” in 2011, the Philippines reportedly has around 93.9% of its 40-million strong Internet population on Facebook.

“This is certainly good news, but, frankly, not really surprising. Filipinos have always been active in social media and we are increasingly using mobile phones to tweet or post on Facebook,” Orlando Vea, chief wireless advisor of Smart Communications Inc., said in a statement.