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Embassy officer Ivan Gonzales: A desire to transform the Philippine economy
By Wendell Gaa Believe it or not, contributing to the economic development of the Philippines was an aspiration Ivan Gonzales had since he was 4 years old. Today, he is making that dream a solid reality working for the Economic Section of the Philippine Embassy in Washington, D.C. The son of writer P.J. Gonzales […]
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Necitas Homes: A family story
By Maricar CP Hampton For Marrieta Barcelon-Cinco, an experienced Certified Geriatric and Critical Care Nurse, putting up a senior assisted living home is something personal. “I grew up in my grandmother’s home, from my father’s side. I was very close to my lola Felisa. When she started getting weak due to old age I was […]
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GWU alumna runs successful events design company in NYC
By Cristina DC Pastor Adette Contreras is one of the three smart women behind Tinsel & Twine, an event design company that organizes celebrations, from ballroom galas to intimate dinners. “Our design lies in that thoughtful intersection between form and function,” she said. They make it their business, she added, to create an experience their clients […]
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Amb. Cuisia invites investors to bid on PHL infrastructure, asks: Where are the Americans?
By Cristina DC Pastor Ambassador Jose Cuisia was in New York August 28 to invite prospective investors to consider partnering with the Philippine government in sectors, such as energy, agribusiness, infrastructure, and housing. Speaking to reporters after a meeting with executives from Pfizer, 3M, and Transfast, among others, Cuisia said he responded to questions and […]
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Travel agencies welcome FAA Cat 1 ruling, hopeful for more direct flights to PHL
By Maricar CP Hampton Travel agents welcomed reports that the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has restored Category1 rating to the Philippines meaning the country is up to speed with aviation safety and standards. While the travel executives are optimistic the ruling would likely open up more direct flights between the U.S. and Manila, they […]
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Maryland non-profit looking to eliminate corruption in the PHL private sector
By Maricar CP Hampton & Cristina DC Pastor EXCLUSIVE TO ‘THE FILAM METRO D.C.’ Graft and corruption in the Philippines is probably as old as the country. While this socio-political scourge is commonly associated with government, the private sector is very much a part of why corruption has remained widespread and largely unmitigated. In some […]
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PHL gaining economic freedom, says Heritage-WSJ report
The Philippines continues to enjoy moderate, but improving, levels of economic freedom according to the 2014 Index of Economic Freedom published annually by The Heritage Foundation and The Wall Street Journal. The Philippines’s economic freedom score is 60.1, making its economy the 89th freest in the 2014 Index. Its overall rank is unchanged from last […]
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FILAMSPEAK: Is Jose Cuisia an absentee ambassador?
By Cristina DC Pastor & Maricar CP Hampton A Philippine columnist made a most startling accusation: Ambassador Jose Cuisia is a part-time ambassador! That he sits on the board of nine Philippine companies and that he is often “absent in (his) job making money in the Philippines.” We sought comments from the Philippine Embassy and […]
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Manila Asian Foods: A community within a store
By Maricar CP Hampton Many are surprised that Tina and Long Lorete, owners of Manila Asian Foods, call customers by their first names. Either, these customers are regulars or the owners really make it a point to provide chummy, personalized service. The friendliness is not just to get people inside the store, the couple said. […]