Published on Sun.Star Network Online (http://www.sunstar.com.ph)
by Debra Magallon-Estero
A GROUP of “board certified” cosmetic surgeons will extend its services to Cebu to offer more options and cost-effective packages to patients coming from the Visayas and Mindanao.
Led by Cebuano Dr. James Joaquino, the Cebu New Life Plastic Surgery Center (Cebu New Life) will also be working with the Gullas Medical Center to create the first aesthetic center in Cebu, in line with the hospital’s goal to tap the province’s medical tourism potential.
Cebu New Life is a subsidiary of New Life Center, which opened a 14-suite building in Manila three years ago.
It will be headed by Joaquino as surgeon director.
The center’s services will be provided by eight to 10 doctors who will be working in Cebu on a rotation basis.
Surgery rates for Cebu New Life will be lesser compared to those in Manila.
In an interview last Saturday, Joaquino said the hospital has had its first group of medical tourists—eight Americans who underwent “several multiple major procedures.”
“It will not be easy selling our services to mainstream Americans, but hopefully, it will continue,” Joaquino told Sun.Star Cebu.
Patients
The New Life group has also partnered with an association of airline crew members who might want to avail of cosmetic surgery services.
During the center’s official opening on Feb. 19, Joaquino said Cebu New Life will be attending to three Hong Kong residents.
Aside from cosmetic surgery, Joa-quino said the group will also offer reconstructive surgery—like those with cleft lips and cleft palates, as well as dermatological care.
The group will also extend its services to charity cases. Joaquino said Cebu New Life will be signing a memorandum of agreement with Operation Smile, a medical mission that has been providing free reconstructive surgery to children with facial deformities.
The Gullas Medical Center will be refurbishing part of its building to house Cebu New Life.
The Cebu New Life facility will include two suite rooms with hotel-like accommodation, three operating rooms and a recovery area.
The ground floor will have the main clinic where video consultation will be available.(DME)
Showing posts with label sun star cebu. Show all posts
Showing posts with label sun star cebu. Show all posts
Monday, February 9, 2009
Sunday, February 8, 2009
500 workers lose jobs amid crisis
Published on Sun.Star Network Online (http://www.sunstar.com.ph)
by Debra Magallon-Estero
FIVE small players in the seaweed processing industry in Cebu have closed down, displacing 500 workers, Seaweed Industry Association of the Philippines president Benson Dakay said.
He also sees no growth in the industry this year but Shemberg Marketing Corp. (SMC), which he owns and which is the country’s biggest carrageenan plant, will continue to implement cost-saving measures to cope with the crisis.
Dakay also said the company will, as much as possible, avoid laying off its workers. Instead, SMC has implemented a three-day work week and has advised its employees to go on work rotation.
“It is better than not having (a job) at all,” he said.
SMC, at present, has 1,200 employees in four plants located in Pakna-an, Mandaue City, Carmen town, Lapu-lapu City, and another one in Zamboanga City.
Dakay said that like most businesses, SMC suffered from a decline in orders due to the global slowdown.
The orders of carrageenan have gone down to as much as 50 percent.
One of Shemberg’s big clients—a turkey ham processor based in the United States—has already applied for bankruptcy, while two other multinationals have cut down orders by 50 percent.
Because of the slowdown in the demand for carrageenan, Dakay noted that there is also an excess in the supply of seaweed. “This has also resulted to the decrease of seaweed prices from P150 per kilo to only P50,” he said.
Dakay said that in 2007, prices of carrageenan increased by 200 percent, reaching to as high as $3,000 per ton from $600 per ton in previous years.
Export revenues for 2008, however, were up close to $200 million from $170 million in 2007, even when the demand started to slow down by the last quarter of 2008.
By the end of 2009, Dakay said export revenues might go down to $150 million.
This is expected to affect not only the seaweed industry players in the country but also the 100,000 families of seaweed farmers.
However, Dakay believes the market will recover by 2011.
More critical
He admitted that the economic crisis experienced worldwide is “more critical” compared to the Asian financial crisis that hit the Asia Pacific region in the late 1990s.
Dakay said that during the Asian financial crisis, the ones badly hit were just the banks and businessmen who depended on credit lines from the banks.
“The (economic) crisis now is more severe since the consumers are also affected and the demand (for various products) has gone down,” he said.
The production of carrageenan powder is one of the Philippines’ multi-million dollar export earners.
The country reportedly produces most of the world’s demand for carrageenan, which is churned out by 16 processing plants in Cebu, Manila and Zamboanga, including new plants in Davao and Bukidnon provinces.
Carrageenan is a white, powdery substance used as a gelling and thickening agent in many processed foods, medicines, cosmetics, paints and thousands of commercial and industrial products in the world market.
The global demand for carrageenan reached about 10 million metric tons last year.
Leading the world’s biggest carrageenan importers is North America, which imports around 53 percent, combining the annual consumptions of the United States and Canada, according to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO).
Other big importers of carrageenan are Europe, 24 percent; Latin America, 10 percent; Australia, eight percent, and; Japan, five percent.
The European Union alone needs about 1,500 metric tons of carrageenan a month, FAO data shows. (DME)
by Debra Magallon-Estero
FIVE small players in the seaweed processing industry in Cebu have closed down, displacing 500 workers, Seaweed Industry Association of the Philippines president Benson Dakay said.
He also sees no growth in the industry this year but Shemberg Marketing Corp. (SMC), which he owns and which is the country’s biggest carrageenan plant, will continue to implement cost-saving measures to cope with the crisis.
Dakay also said the company will, as much as possible, avoid laying off its workers. Instead, SMC has implemented a three-day work week and has advised its employees to go on work rotation.
“It is better than not having (a job) at all,” he said.
SMC, at present, has 1,200 employees in four plants located in Pakna-an, Mandaue City, Carmen town, Lapu-lapu City, and another one in Zamboanga City.
Dakay said that like most businesses, SMC suffered from a decline in orders due to the global slowdown.
The orders of carrageenan have gone down to as much as 50 percent.
One of Shemberg’s big clients—a turkey ham processor based in the United States—has already applied for bankruptcy, while two other multinationals have cut down orders by 50 percent.
Because of the slowdown in the demand for carrageenan, Dakay noted that there is also an excess in the supply of seaweed. “This has also resulted to the decrease of seaweed prices from P150 per kilo to only P50,” he said.
Dakay said that in 2007, prices of carrageenan increased by 200 percent, reaching to as high as $3,000 per ton from $600 per ton in previous years.
Export revenues for 2008, however, were up close to $200 million from $170 million in 2007, even when the demand started to slow down by the last quarter of 2008.
By the end of 2009, Dakay said export revenues might go down to $150 million.
This is expected to affect not only the seaweed industry players in the country but also the 100,000 families of seaweed farmers.
However, Dakay believes the market will recover by 2011.
More critical
He admitted that the economic crisis experienced worldwide is “more critical” compared to the Asian financial crisis that hit the Asia Pacific region in the late 1990s.
Dakay said that during the Asian financial crisis, the ones badly hit were just the banks and businessmen who depended on credit lines from the banks.
“The (economic) crisis now is more severe since the consumers are also affected and the demand (for various products) has gone down,” he said.
The production of carrageenan powder is one of the Philippines’ multi-million dollar export earners.
The country reportedly produces most of the world’s demand for carrageenan, which is churned out by 16 processing plants in Cebu, Manila and Zamboanga, including new plants in Davao and Bukidnon provinces.
Carrageenan is a white, powdery substance used as a gelling and thickening agent in many processed foods, medicines, cosmetics, paints and thousands of commercial and industrial products in the world market.
The global demand for carrageenan reached about 10 million metric tons last year.
Leading the world’s biggest carrageenan importers is North America, which imports around 53 percent, combining the annual consumptions of the United States and Canada, according to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO).
Other big importers of carrageenan are Europe, 24 percent; Latin America, 10 percent; Australia, eight percent, and; Japan, five percent.
The European Union alone needs about 1,500 metric tons of carrageenan a month, FAO data shows. (DME)
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
Backpackers’ inn opens in Cebu
Published on Sun.Star Network Online (http://www.sunstar.com.ph)
by Debra Magallon-EsteroSun.Star Staff Reporter
AT THE heart of the city is a “hideaway” that awaits budget travelers.
Since it opened last October, the Aysha Lily Guesthouse has become a home-away-from-home to foreign and local travelers, especially backpackers.
Jo-Ann Badana, who manages the guesthouse while the owners are out of the country, told Sun.Star Cebu in an interview that the Australian owner got the concept after staying in a similar accommodation in Manila.
Carol Ann McDonald, the owner of the inn, married Badana’s cousin who used to work in a travel and tours company. In Australia, McDonald worked in a real estate company.
Badana said McDonald noticed there were no accommodations for backpackers or those who travel on a budget in Cebu City. Seeing the need for a backpackers’ inn, McDonald checked out about 100 houses around the city before picking a Spanish-style house located along Gen. Maxilom Ave.
Although 70 percent of the original house structure was preserved, it now has eight fan rooms, four air-con rooms and two dormitory-type rooms that can accommodate eight to 10 people.
Room rates start at P450 a night while bed space in a dormitory-type room is at P290 a night.
All rooms are furnished with bamboo beds. The inn’s interiors feature Filipino and Asian designs.
The guesthouse offers laundry service and cooking implements to guests who want to cook their food.
Badana said most of Aysha Lily guests are short-staying travelers who come to the city after a dive in Moalboal or a daytrip in Bohol.
After the Sinulog, McDonald has decided to open four more rooms within the year. The guest-house was fully booked during the Sinulog, said Badana.
McDonald, she said, is also planning to open another guesthouse in Bohol but a date has yet to be set.
Source URL: http://www.sunstar.com.ph/cebu/backpackers%E2%80%99-inn-opens-cebu
by Debra Magallon-EsteroSun.Star Staff Reporter
AT THE heart of the city is a “hideaway” that awaits budget travelers.
Since it opened last October, the Aysha Lily Guesthouse has become a home-away-from-home to foreign and local travelers, especially backpackers.
Jo-Ann Badana, who manages the guesthouse while the owners are out of the country, told Sun.Star Cebu in an interview that the Australian owner got the concept after staying in a similar accommodation in Manila.
Carol Ann McDonald, the owner of the inn, married Badana’s cousin who used to work in a travel and tours company. In Australia, McDonald worked in a real estate company.
Badana said McDonald noticed there were no accommodations for backpackers or those who travel on a budget in Cebu City. Seeing the need for a backpackers’ inn, McDonald checked out about 100 houses around the city before picking a Spanish-style house located along Gen. Maxilom Ave.
Although 70 percent of the original house structure was preserved, it now has eight fan rooms, four air-con rooms and two dormitory-type rooms that can accommodate eight to 10 people.
Room rates start at P450 a night while bed space in a dormitory-type room is at P290 a night.
All rooms are furnished with bamboo beds. The inn’s interiors feature Filipino and Asian designs.
The guesthouse offers laundry service and cooking implements to guests who want to cook their food.
Badana said most of Aysha Lily guests are short-staying travelers who come to the city after a dive in Moalboal or a daytrip in Bohol.
After the Sinulog, McDonald has decided to open four more rooms within the year. The guest-house was fully booked during the Sinulog, said Badana.
McDonald, she said, is also planning to open another guesthouse in Bohol but a date has yet to be set.
Source URL: http://www.sunstar.com.ph/cebu/backpackers%E2%80%99-inn-opens-cebu
DOT eyes LGU councilors
Published on Sun.Star Network Online (http://www.sunstar.com.ph)
by Debra Magallon-Estero
THE Department of Tourism (DOT) is planning to involve members of local legislative councils in the country in identifying and developing more tourist destinations.
Tourism Undersecretary Eduardo Jarque said the DOT will implement a program that will involve educating town and city councilors how their respective areas of jurisdiction can be developed for tourism.
In an interview last week, Jarque said the program will enlighten the councilors on what they can do within their areas of responsibility for the tourism industry.
“It is also aimed to create an appreciation for tourism,” Jarque said, adding that the program is set to start within the month.
Within this year, the DOT targets to hold 10 conventions in 10 different venues nationwide. The department also targets atleast 100 attendees for each gathering. Travel, accommodation and food expenses will be shouldered by the DOT.
Cebu, said Jarque, is one of the chosen destinations for the convention but the final list is yet to be finalized.
The two-day program will tackle three main topics pertaining to the trends and issues of the industry. The first topic will talk about what makes a particular destination attract local and foreign tourists.
“Not every attraction is a destination,” Jarque told members of the media.
The DOT will also discuss how to market tourist attractions and teach councilors about market-matching.
The last topic will be on the trainings and standards of the DOT.
On the second day, the DOT will showcase a compilation of the best tourism practices by some players in the industry.
After the discussions, the participants will be allowed to shop for pasalubong (souvenir) so that they can get ideas how important product presentation is in the industry.
Jarque said the DOT hopes to attract many local government councilors, adding that 100 participants per destination would mean 100 success stories.
At present, there are 16,000 councilors who are members of the Philippine Councilors League. (DME)
Source URL: http://www.sunstar.com.ph/cebu/dot-eyes-lgu-councilors
by Debra Magallon-Estero
THE Department of Tourism (DOT) is planning to involve members of local legislative councils in the country in identifying and developing more tourist destinations.
Tourism Undersecretary Eduardo Jarque said the DOT will implement a program that will involve educating town and city councilors how their respective areas of jurisdiction can be developed for tourism.
In an interview last week, Jarque said the program will enlighten the councilors on what they can do within their areas of responsibility for the tourism industry.
“It is also aimed to create an appreciation for tourism,” Jarque said, adding that the program is set to start within the month.
Within this year, the DOT targets to hold 10 conventions in 10 different venues nationwide. The department also targets atleast 100 attendees for each gathering. Travel, accommodation and food expenses will be shouldered by the DOT.
Cebu, said Jarque, is one of the chosen destinations for the convention but the final list is yet to be finalized.
The two-day program will tackle three main topics pertaining to the trends and issues of the industry. The first topic will talk about what makes a particular destination attract local and foreign tourists.
“Not every attraction is a destination,” Jarque told members of the media.
The DOT will also discuss how to market tourist attractions and teach councilors about market-matching.
The last topic will be on the trainings and standards of the DOT.
On the second day, the DOT will showcase a compilation of the best tourism practices by some players in the industry.
After the discussions, the participants will be allowed to shop for pasalubong (souvenir) so that they can get ideas how important product presentation is in the industry.
Jarque said the DOT hopes to attract many local government councilors, adding that 100 participants per destination would mean 100 success stories.
At present, there are 16,000 councilors who are members of the Philippine Councilors League. (DME)
Source URL: http://www.sunstar.com.ph/cebu/dot-eyes-lgu-councilors
Tuesday, February 3, 2009
Mobile phone maker still confident about RP market growth in 2009
Published on Sun.Star Network Online (http://www.sunstar.com.ph)
by Debra Magallon-Estero
MOBILE phone manufacturer Nokia is confident it would sustain its growth in the country after its overall market share in the Philippines went up to one percent year-on-year.
“(Nokia’s) future is bright in the Philippines,” said William Hamiton-Whyte, general manager for Nokia Philippines.
He said that from Nokia’s perspective, the Philippine market will remain resilient to the crisis, unlike in other countries wherethe company also has a strong penetration rate.
“Europe is difficult, the Middle East and African (markets) are okay but Russia is going into recession,” he said.
Last year, Nokia built and sold 468 million units of mobile phones worldwide; of the figure, 134 million were sold in AsiaPacific.
In the country, Hamilton-Whyte said Nokia’s market penetration rate is at 55 percent of the total Philippine population.
“If you will take out the (non-users of mobile phones) from the population, the penetration rate would be closer to 70 percent,” he said.
Indicators
During a press conference last Monday, Hamilton-Whyte disclosed that it will be difficult to give business projections for this year but he said the company is looking at three indicators that will tell how the company will fare in 2009.
He believes, though, that the company would be able to achieve a volume growth of not more than five percent this year.
He said Nokia, like any company, is looking at investing and business process outsourcing activities in the country as well as the remittances of overseas Filipino workers.
“Indicators showed that for the first half of this year, (the mobile handset industry) should be stable,” he said. But should any of the indicators “go wrong,” like if the OFW remittances will decline, he said “the worst can happen.”
He said the effect of the crisis will vary from one company to another, depending on how prepared an organization is.
Companies that resort to job cuts to cope with the crisis will end up affecting Nokia’s market and revenues, he added.
However, Hamilton-Whyte said the company will not change its strategy for this year and will continue to expand its presence by opening more
Nokia retail stores and Nokia Care centers nationwide.
Last Monday, Nokia transferred one of its care centers at the third level of the Ayala Center in Cebu. At present, there are two Nokia Care Centers in Cebu City out of 21 centers nationwide. (DME)
Source URL: http://www.sunstar.com.ph/cebu/mobile-phone-maker-still-confident-about-rp-market-growth-2009
by Debra Magallon-Estero
MOBILE phone manufacturer Nokia is confident it would sustain its growth in the country after its overall market share in the Philippines went up to one percent year-on-year.
“(Nokia’s) future is bright in the Philippines,” said William Hamiton-Whyte, general manager for Nokia Philippines.
He said that from Nokia’s perspective, the Philippine market will remain resilient to the crisis, unlike in other countries wherethe company also has a strong penetration rate.
“Europe is difficult, the Middle East and African (markets) are okay but Russia is going into recession,” he said.
Last year, Nokia built and sold 468 million units of mobile phones worldwide; of the figure, 134 million were sold in AsiaPacific.
In the country, Hamilton-Whyte said Nokia’s market penetration rate is at 55 percent of the total Philippine population.
“If you will take out the (non-users of mobile phones) from the population, the penetration rate would be closer to 70 percent,” he said.
Indicators
During a press conference last Monday, Hamilton-Whyte disclosed that it will be difficult to give business projections for this year but he said the company is looking at three indicators that will tell how the company will fare in 2009.
He believes, though, that the company would be able to achieve a volume growth of not more than five percent this year.
He said Nokia, like any company, is looking at investing and business process outsourcing activities in the country as well as the remittances of overseas Filipino workers.
“Indicators showed that for the first half of this year, (the mobile handset industry) should be stable,” he said. But should any of the indicators “go wrong,” like if the OFW remittances will decline, he said “the worst can happen.”
He said the effect of the crisis will vary from one company to another, depending on how prepared an organization is.
Companies that resort to job cuts to cope with the crisis will end up affecting Nokia’s market and revenues, he added.
However, Hamilton-Whyte said the company will not change its strategy for this year and will continue to expand its presence by opening more
Nokia retail stores and Nokia Care centers nationwide.
Last Monday, Nokia transferred one of its care centers at the third level of the Ayala Center in Cebu. At present, there are two Nokia Care Centers in Cebu City out of 21 centers nationwide. (DME)
Source URL: http://www.sunstar.com.ph/cebu/mobile-phone-maker-still-confident-about-rp-market-growth-2009
Saturday, January 31, 2009
Filipinos need int’l studies
Published on Sun.Star Network Online (http://www.sunstar.com.ph)
by: Debra Magallon-Estero
AN executive of an international training and consulting firm disclosed that the Philippines have “a very low” record of students getting international education and that it is a challenge that needs to be addressed.
Jorge Perez de Tagle, president of Integrative Learning (IL) Institute, said the number of Filipino students who availed of international studies is only .3 percent and this figure is “too low” if the country wants to be “globally competitive.”
“(Our students) should be given exposure in the field of international education as this is valuable,” he said yesterday during the launch of the Study and Work in the UK (United Kingdom) program of IL Institute and Edinburgh’s Telford College.
De Tagle, however, confirmed that affordability is the main reason Filipino students could not easily avail themselves of such educational programs.
In an effort to increase the number of internationally educated Filipinos, IL Institute came up with partnerships and programs designed to make international education more accessible. He cited the study and work program as an example.
He said that under these programs, students can legally work while studying in the UK. The students can use their salaries to pay for their expenses overseas. (DME)
Source URL: http://www.sunstar.com.ph/cebu/filipinos-need-int%E2%80%99l-studies
by: Debra Magallon-Estero
AN executive of an international training and consulting firm disclosed that the Philippines have “a very low” record of students getting international education and that it is a challenge that needs to be addressed.
Jorge Perez de Tagle, president of Integrative Learning (IL) Institute, said the number of Filipino students who availed of international studies is only .3 percent and this figure is “too low” if the country wants to be “globally competitive.”
“(Our students) should be given exposure in the field of international education as this is valuable,” he said yesterday during the launch of the Study and Work in the UK (United Kingdom) program of IL Institute and Edinburgh’s Telford College.
De Tagle, however, confirmed that affordability is the main reason Filipino students could not easily avail themselves of such educational programs.
In an effort to increase the number of internationally educated Filipinos, IL Institute came up with partnerships and programs designed to make international education more accessible. He cited the study and work program as an example.
He said that under these programs, students can legally work while studying in the UK. The students can use their salaries to pay for their expenses overseas. (DME)
Source URL: http://www.sunstar.com.ph/cebu/filipinos-need-int%E2%80%99l-studies
Friday, January 30, 2009
Economy to grow, still
Published on Sun.Star Network Online (http://www.sunstar.com.ph)
By: Debra Magallon-Estero
THE Metropolitan Bank and Trust Company (Metrobank) believes the Philippine economy will grow this year despite the global economic crisis.
According to data released by Metrobank’s research team, the domestic economy is expected to grow by an average of 3.4 percent supported by the services industry and personal consumption.
“The country will draw strength from the business process outsourcing sector and remittances from overseas Filipino workers (OFWs),” the statement read.
Inflation rate is also seen to slow down at an average of five percent by the end of 2009 should oil and commodity prices “continue to ease in the world markets,” the data said.
Consumer confidence
In 2008, the average inflation rate was 9.3 percent.
Metrobank’s data showed that consumer confidence have already started to improve in the fourth quarter of 2008, when oil and food prices dropped and a business upturn was experienced due to the holiday season.
Consumer confidence index during the last quarter of 2008 rose by 12.5 index points.
However, the bank also expects the peso to “weaken further in 2009” because of a slowdown in export earnings and remittances. With this, Metrobank estimated that the peso will hit P53 to a $1 by the end of this year.
The same research data also showed that the country “is not seen to slip into a recession” and is instead expected to post “modest” growth figures. (DME)
IT manager finds good business in battle games
Published on Sun.Star Network Online (http://www.sunstar.com.ph)
by: Debra Magallon-Estero
IT WAS supposed to be just a “weekend business.”
This was the initial plan of Rowel Bughao, an information technology (IT) manager of an outsourcing company based in Cebu, when he fist ventured into a paintball battle ground business.
In July last year, Bughao pooled his resources to open Weboss Extreme Grounds in Banilad, Cebu City.
“I know that there is a market for an alternative destination here in the city,” he told Sun.Star Cebu in an interview yesterday.
He named the business after the two departments he manages as part of his day job—the Web team and the open source software team (OSS). He disclosed that his IT team from work helped put up the business.
“As much as possible, I want to give business insights to my staff so that they, too, can go into business,” he said.
Fallback
Bughao said that although the business process outsourcing companies have given opportunities to IT professionals like him to earn more, going into business is like having a fallback.
With P200,000, Bughao invested in body gear, paintball guns or markers, knee and elbow pads, face masks and bonnets to start the operation of Weboss.
He first ordered 10 paintball guns online, which only allows for a five to five battle. But this month, Bughao said his additional order of 10 more paintball guns will be arriving, allowing for more players.
The company also leased a 1,100 square meter lot for its battle site—which Bughao describes as a “jungle-like environment.”
Bughao, who manages the company and does the marketing at the same time, said he started out by sending an e-mail blast to at least 5,000 contacts he have on his address book.
He admitted that he didn’t know the demand for such recreational activity would be so strong. He said the company was able to get back its investment in four months.
“Most of the customers are call center employees, bankers and programmers who go there for teambuilding activities,” he said. Tourists, like Koreans, are also regulars at Weboss.
Lately, the company received inquiries and reservations for birthdays and corporate functions.
Bughao said that aside from onsite games, the company also rents out its gear for school use or for those who want to play in their own backyard. “We (have) price (packages) to include the umpires who will oversee the games,” he said.
At present, Bughao is looking for potential sites for closed quarter battle activities within the Lahug area as part of his expansion plans.
Weboss is also planning to set up battle sites in Davao, Cagayan de Oro, Bacolod and Bohol within the year.
Source URL: http://www.sunstar.com.ph/cebu/it-manager-finds-good-business-battle-games
Thursday, January 29, 2009
Scottish college urges Filipinos to study, work in UK’s HRM sector
Published on Sun.Star Network Online (http://www.sunstar.com.ph)
by Debra Magallon-Estero
WITH 13 million tourists going to Edinburgh, Scotland every year, a Scottish college is inviting Filipino students to enroll in its hotel and restaurant management (HRM) courses and be able to legally work in Scotland’s “most important industry.”
The extensive choices in career paths available to people in Scotland and not many going towards the tourism industry is also a reason the school is extending its invitation overseas.
Julia Weedon, international manager for Edinburgh’s Tel-ford College (ETC), said that despite the global economic slowdownthat has affected various industries, Scotland’s tourism industry is growing.
Tom Mc Gregor, head of ETC’s HRM unit, also said Edinburgh’s Tourist Action Group forecast 24,000 available hospitality jobs between 2007 and 2015.
Weedon said the Scottish Government has a program called Fresh Talent: Working in Scotland Scheme (FT:Wiss) to encourage other nationalities to work in Scotland.
Under the FT:Wiss, students who have completed their courses can apply for the program and may be granted permission to work in the United Kingdom for up to two years without a work permit.
To make its HRM course more accessible to Filipinos, ETC has partnered with international training and consulting firm Integrative Learning Institute (IL Institute) under the Study and Work in the UK program.
Under the program, IL Institute will offer a three-year “fast-track degree,” in which—during the first semester of the first year—the student will take the course in the Philippines while his UK visa application is being processed, said Jorge Perez de Tagle, president of IL Institute. In the second semester, the student can take lessons at ETC while working part time 20 hours a week to cover living expenses in Scotland.
“What keeps (our economy) vibrant are the working students in Scotland,” said Weedon, adding that the school will help students in looking for part-time work.
De Tagle said the tuition under the program is “competitive” with the rates of HRM courses offered in Cebu’s top universities.
IL Institute is now accepting applicants for the Study and Work in UK program and the first semester will start in April this year. (DME)
Cebu
Business
Source URL: http://www.sunstar.com.ph/cebu/scottish-college-urges-filipinos-study-work-uk%E2%80%99s-hrm-sector
src="http://pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js">
by Debra Magallon-Estero
WITH 13 million tourists going to Edinburgh, Scotland every year, a Scottish college is inviting Filipino students to enroll in its hotel and restaurant management (HRM) courses and be able to legally work in Scotland’s “most important industry.”
The extensive choices in career paths available to people in Scotland and not many going towards the tourism industry is also a reason the school is extending its invitation overseas.
Julia Weedon, international manager for Edinburgh’s Tel-ford College (ETC), said that despite the global economic slowdownthat has affected various industries, Scotland’s tourism industry is growing.
Tom Mc Gregor, head of ETC’s HRM unit, also said Edinburgh’s Tourist Action Group forecast 24,000 available hospitality jobs between 2007 and 2015.
Weedon said the Scottish Government has a program called Fresh Talent: Working in Scotland Scheme (FT:Wiss) to encourage other nationalities to work in Scotland.
Under the FT:Wiss, students who have completed their courses can apply for the program and may be granted permission to work in the United Kingdom for up to two years without a work permit.
To make its HRM course more accessible to Filipinos, ETC has partnered with international training and consulting firm Integrative Learning Institute (IL Institute) under the Study and Work in the UK program.
Under the program, IL Institute will offer a three-year “fast-track degree,” in which—during the first semester of the first year—the student will take the course in the Philippines while his UK visa application is being processed, said Jorge Perez de Tagle, president of IL Institute. In the second semester, the student can take lessons at ETC while working part time 20 hours a week to cover living expenses in Scotland.
“What keeps (our economy) vibrant are the working students in Scotland,” said Weedon, adding that the school will help students in looking for part-time work.
De Tagle said the tuition under the program is “competitive” with the rates of HRM courses offered in Cebu’s top universities.
IL Institute is now accepting applicants for the Study and Work in UK program and the first semester will start in April this year. (DME)
Cebu
Business
Source URL: http://www.sunstar.com.ph/cebu/scottish-college-urges-filipinos-study-work-uk%E2%80%99s-hrm-sector
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Developer expects rise in demand for housing
Published on Sun.Star Network Online (http://www.sunstar.com.ph/)
by Debra Magallon-Estero
A START-up real estate firm initially thought launching a subdivision project at a time when the global economy is experiencing a set back would be like “starting on the wrong foot.”
“But we got a tremendous response from our buyers,” said Rey Aguila, general manager for Cebu-based Primehomes Development Corp.
Primehomes is set to officially introduce today Henaville, its first economic housing project located in Barangay Estaca, Compostela town.
Aguila, in an interview with Sun.Star Cebu yesterday, also seven duplex units under the first phase of the project were already sold out within the pre-selling period.
Sold out
He added that 60 percent of the 52 townhouse units available were already sold, as well.
This, Aguila noted, confirms data from the Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council showing a backlog of over 280,000 of houses in the province.
The positive feedback also encouraged the company to look out for other opportunities both in the northern and southern parts of Cebu.
Primehomes is confident about venturing into high-end developments, as well as condominium projects in the future. But during its conceptualization stage, the company wanted to offer affordable yet superior quality houses since buyers now are very choosy and particular about value-for-money, said Aguila.
Most of the buyers are overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) or Filipinos with foreign spouses. Eighty to 90 percent of those who purchased units applied for loans under the Home Development Mutual Fund (Pag-Ibig Fund).
Completion
But Primehomes said it is also offering in-house and bank financing schemes.
With a total land area of three hectares, Hena-ville’s project development is set to be completed not later than 2011.
Among the amenities and facilities at Henaville are an entrance gate and guardhouse, underground drainage system, multi-purpose hall, basketball court, concrete perimeter fence and wastewater treatment facility.
Primehomes will also open second phase of the project by the second half of this year.
Henaville features a two-story townhouse that has three bedrooms and two toilet and bathrooms. The unit has a floor area of 60 square meters while lot areas range from 50 to 70 square meters.
The two-bedroom duplex units, on the other hand, have a lot area starting from 80 square meters to 109 square meters. The one-story duplex unit covers a 38- square meter floor area.
Both house types have a provision for garage and buyers can choose between a bare and a finished unit.
Initial prices start at P1.068 million for the townhouses and P1.26 million for the duplex units. (DME)
Cebu
Business
Source URL: http://www.sunstar.com.ph/cebu/developer-expects-rise-demand-housing
by Debra Magallon-Estero
A START-up real estate firm initially thought launching a subdivision project at a time when the global economy is experiencing a set back would be like “starting on the wrong foot.”
“But we got a tremendous response from our buyers,” said Rey Aguila, general manager for Cebu-based Primehomes Development Corp.
Primehomes is set to officially introduce today Henaville, its first economic housing project located in Barangay Estaca, Compostela town.
Aguila, in an interview with Sun.Star Cebu yesterday, also seven duplex units under the first phase of the project were already sold out within the pre-selling period.
Sold out
He added that 60 percent of the 52 townhouse units available were already sold, as well.
This, Aguila noted, confirms data from the Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council showing a backlog of over 280,000 of houses in the province.
The positive feedback also encouraged the company to look out for other opportunities both in the northern and southern parts of Cebu.
Primehomes is confident about venturing into high-end developments, as well as condominium projects in the future. But during its conceptualization stage, the company wanted to offer affordable yet superior quality houses since buyers now are very choosy and particular about value-for-money, said Aguila.
Most of the buyers are overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) or Filipinos with foreign spouses. Eighty to 90 percent of those who purchased units applied for loans under the Home Development Mutual Fund (Pag-Ibig Fund).
Completion
But Primehomes said it is also offering in-house and bank financing schemes.
With a total land area of three hectares, Hena-ville’s project development is set to be completed not later than 2011.
Among the amenities and facilities at Henaville are an entrance gate and guardhouse, underground drainage system, multi-purpose hall, basketball court, concrete perimeter fence and wastewater treatment facility.
Primehomes will also open second phase of the project by the second half of this year.
Henaville features a two-story townhouse that has three bedrooms and two toilet and bathrooms. The unit has a floor area of 60 square meters while lot areas range from 50 to 70 square meters.
The two-bedroom duplex units, on the other hand, have a lot area starting from 80 square meters to 109 square meters. The one-story duplex unit covers a 38- square meter floor area.
Both house types have a provision for garage and buyers can choose between a bare and a finished unit.
Initial prices start at P1.068 million for the townhouses and P1.26 million for the duplex units. (DME)
Cebu
Business
Source URL: http://www.sunstar.com.ph/cebu/developer-expects-rise-demand-housing
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