'Best time to invest in PH'

NO matter how small the amount, a personal finance expert assures that setting aside some money for savings and investment can go along way.

American Emmy award-winning TV host Suze Orman, who was in Cebu last week, told Cebuanos that now was the best time to invest in the Philippines.

Cebu tourism stakeholders seek diplomatic end to row with Taiwan

TOURISM stakeholders in Cebu appealed to the government to immediately solve through diplomatic channels the strained relationship with Taiwan to save trade and tourism relationship of both countries.

Robert “Bobby” Joseph, chairman emeritus of the National Association of Independent Travel Agencies (Naitas), fears that if the row is not resolved in a diplomatic manner, the tension might lead to something similar to what happened after the Hong Kong hostage crisis in 2010.

Construction materials firm moves to Consolacion

A GLOBAL provider of construction materials and services expanded its business in the Philippines, crediting the country’s buoyant real estate and construction sector.

Toral: Tech and life

I THINK the challenge of being in the tech world is that many of the decisions we make are based on technology trends. That is normal. But if we are all reading the same materials, using the same tools, sometimes we come out with the same thing and there is no novelty in the offering.

It is a challenge to find inspiration as well that can bring in new ideas. Lately, I find myself engaging in various activities and trying out new applications that interest me. Apart from the recreation and benefits, I am hoping that it will allow me to meet new people, observe and learn in the process.

AEV sets aside P59B as capex

POWER will “remain at the forefront” of the Aboitiz group’s business expansion. The Aboitiz Equity Ventures (AEV) is allocating P59 billion for capital expenditures this year, P27 billion of which is geared towards boosting its power business.

In a press conference yesterday, AEV and AboitizPower (AP) president and chief executive officer Erramon Aboitiz said the company will build new generating capacity to support the country’s power demand amid a thriving economy.

Council backs SIAP on carrageenan study

THE Seaweed Industry Association of the Philippines (SIAP) got the support of the Export Development Council (EDC) in its campaign against an American scientist’s study on carrageenan.

In a recent meeting, SIAP chairman Max Ricohermoso told Sun.Star Cebu that EDC came up with a resolution to support the industry’s information drive in both domestic and international markets on carrageenan’s health benefits.

Cebu Pacific boosts Mindanao connection

CEBU Pacific has increased connectivity to and from Mindanao, by adding flight frequencies and options to travelers headed for Zamboanga, Tawi-Tawi and Davao.

Starting June 15, Cebu Pacific will add two weekly flights using an Airbus A320 aircraft between Cebu and Zamboanga, making it a six times weekly service.

Megaworld launches another condo cluster

A REAL estate developer launched its third residential condominium cluster in Lapu-Lapu City on Monday.

Megaworld unveiled yesterday One Manchester Place, a three-tower condominium cluster with direct access to a mall that will soon rise in the township.

Newtown offers lower lease rates

AS lease and labor rates rise due to a high demand for office space, an official of a real estate developing firm believes locations outside main city centers will be an attractive prospect for firms seeking to relocate or set up shop to cut costs.

Tech conference scheduled in Boracay

THE most promising startups and tech innovators will converge in Boracay for the first “Geeks on a Beach” event on Sept. 26 to 27.

The two-day conference, organized by TechTalks.ph who brought Startup Weekend to Cebu and Davao, will be a techfest, featuring the world’s most-promising tech leaders who will talk about instructive and useful topics on gaming, mobile apps and graphic design.

Limpag: With Hangouts, Google muscles into messaging sector

MOBILE messaging is a fragmented sector. Every few months or so, a messaging app for the phone launches. Unlike SMS, mobile messaging makes use of the Internet for connectivity and offers a multi-media environment with photos, sounds and even animated graphics and virtual stickers.

“K, CU” isn’t enough, we now have to include a graphical smiley, Emoji (an expanded smiley set), or even an animated avatar that reflects our moods. One-on-one texting is old school; group messaging is in.

Smart, IdeaSpace invite devs to hack their way to Silicon Valley

SMART Communications and IdeaSpace Foundation are encouraging developers to hack their way into Silicon Valley by joining the Philippine leg of the AngelHack Spring Global Challenge, the world’s largest coding marathon.

Winners of the June 8 to 9 hackathon to be held at the Pasig City headquarters of Smart subsidiary Voyager Innovations will get a chance to win hundreds of thousands of dollars in prizes, receive local mentorship for 11 weeks and be flown to Silicon Valley where US-based AngelHack will help turn their idea into a startup.

Uniqlo considering expansion to Cebu

JAPANESE fashion brand Uniqlo is expanding its store network in the country on the back of the thriving retail industry.

Although the company has no definite plans yet for expansion outside Luzon, Katsumi Kubota, managing director of Uniqlo in the Philippines, said they are considering Cebu as their next destination in the future.

Globe launches inbound calling service for Koreans

GLOBE Telecom recently launched Globe DUO Korea, an international inbound calling offer for Koreans in the Philippines.

Globe DUO Korea is a service that allows a Globe or TM subscriber to purchase a Korea-based telephone number. Their friends and family back home can call their Korea-based telephone number and calls will be received in their Globe or TM phones. Calls can now be made between two Korea-based numbers, just like making a local call in Korea, resulting in significant savings.

SM now spans 5.9 million sq.m.

MANILA- SM Prime Holdings’ P5.7-billion upscale civic center in Taguig City officially opened its doors to the public yesterday.

SM Prime president Hans Sy said the company’s latest “high-end lifestyle destination” project reflects their confidence in the retail market and in the country’s thriving economy.

Marriott wants to go after a new, younger market

BEING next to a shopping mall may be advantageous for a business hotel, but the variety of restaurants in the mall could also spell trouble for its food and beverage outlets.

This is one of the challenges Patrick Carroll has noted in running the Cebu City Marriott Hotel.

Batuhan: No timid soul

THE electoral process has to be the most inspiringly egalitarian of all popular exercises human civilization has ever known.

Almirante: Completeness of service

Dominador Almirante Labor case digest

RESPONDENTS Analiza Pepanio and Mariti Bueno contend that petitioner University of the East (UE) filed its appeal to the National Labor Relations Commission (NLRC) beyond the required 10-day period. They point out that the postmaster gave notice to UE’s counsel, Atty. Mison, on March 17, 2005 to claim his mail that contained the labor arbiter’s decision. He was deemed to have received a copy thereof five days after notice or on March 22, 2005. UE had until April 1, 2005 within which to file an appeal.

Non-voice overtakes voice operation in Cebu

CEBU has become more than just a call center destination, as non-voice operations outnumbered the voice operations in the number of business process outsourcing and IT companies at the end of 2012 showed.

Polambato port in Bogo seenas convenient hub for shipping

WITH its proximity to inter-regional and national trade destinations, the port in Barangay Polambato in Bogo City, Cebu is seen as a convenient channel for local shipping and logistics.

After its accreditation with the Philippine Economic Zone Authority, the port was declared an open harbor for cargo and logistics shipments.

Ng: Android going strong

IT looks like Google is going strong with Android. According to the company head of Android, over 400 million Android devices were activated in 2012. This is a huge increase from the 100 million activated in 2011.

Related goods

THE OWNERST of registered trademarks owners have protection from: a) infringers with the same goods; b) infringers with related goods; and c) to market areas that are in the normal expansion of their business. In Mighty Corp. v. E. & J.

Student launches startup in SWC

COLLEGE student Robert Mandin and his friends built kamikini.com, an online advertising platform for anime and cosplay-related merchandises. However, they did not know how to move forward with the business and decided to put it on hold.

Condos in fastest growing sector

RESIDENTIAL apartments and condominiums were the fastest growing sector in real estate construction last year, the National Economic Development Authority (Neda) 7 said.

Pages: Bo’s Coffee: Proudly brewed by Steve Benitez

STEVE Delantar Benitez and I are members of the Brotherhood of Christian Businessmen and Professionals (BCBP).

We call each other “Bro.”

PhilExport asks gov’t: Encourage banks to extend loans to exporters

ALTHOUGH banks reported that they are now more open to provide small and medium enterprises (SME) access to capital, the umbrella organization of exporters in Cebu said otherwise.

In an interview, Philippine Exporters Confederation (PhilExport) Cebu executive director Fred Escalona said the government should urge banks to make capital easier to obtain by the sector.

CV 1Q tourist arrivals up 13.5%

CENTRAL Visayas recorded 840,237 in tourist arrivals in the first quarter this year, an increase of 13.55 percent against the 739,958 recorded in the same period in 2012.

In a partial report released by the Department of Tourism (DOT) 7, domestic arrivals stood at 471,476 while foreign arrivals were 366,331. Both markets logged increases at 12.33 percent and 16.01 percent, respectively, compared to arrivals last year.

PSE net income grows 27.8%

THE Philippine Stock Exchange (PSE) posted a net income growth of 27.8 percent for the first quarter of 2013 behind the strong performance of the stock market. The stock index breached several record highs during the year as trading activities once again reached unprecedented levels.

Canada ‘needs skilled workers’

CANADA needs skilled workers and this demand can be met by Filipinos, the country’s ambassador said.

Canadian ambassador Christopher Thornley said this last week during the press conference held to inaugurate the Canadian Welding Bureau Facility (CWB-F) and the Hospitality Training Center (HTC) of Primary Structures Educational Foundation, Inc. (PSEFI) on General Maxilom Ave., Cebu City.

Toral: The top senator

AS OF this writing, senatorial candidate Grace Poe has emerged at the top in the partial and unofficial tabulation results. With the tight politicking happening to a lot of reelectionists, it seems there are voters who just want new blood and fresh faces in the Senate.

It reminded me of what Manuel L. Quezon III said at iBlog4 five years ago: the politicians in power will retire sooner or later. Some of them will pass away due to old age. And that beginning 2013, we will see changes on how we will vote. This will be further evident in 2016.