Apple One logs P100 million in sales

IN less than a month, Apple One Properties Inc. was able to record P100 million in sales for its newest project in Banawa, most of it in the three 12-storey condominium project.

Ng: Keeping track of tweets

IF YOU follow me on Twitter or Facebook, you will notice that my status updates or tweets can be a little bit weird. It’s mostly a mix of observations, quotes that I read, or sometimes statistics that I am able to gather. It’s actually not for any readership but for myself. I am still hoping that I want to continue to be actively writing and I want to collect tidbits of wisdom or information that I can use in the future.

I.Protect: Parody of trademarks

Clint Fabiosa & Ana Liza Villamor

THERE are those who sell shirts that make fun of famous brands by copying their font, style, and overall look but the words and logo are replaced with something hilarious.

GT Cosmetics introduces new product to the market

GT COSMETICS Manufacturing, the Cebu-based pioneering brand in the beauty industry, has achieved another milestone in its young existence with the launching during the festival month of January of its new product: the GT Carrot Lotion.

The Sinulog Festival, Dinagyang, and Ati-Atihan are perfect occasions to marvel at GT Carrot Lotion’s effectiveness as a sunblock and a moisturizer.

GT fashions out record-breaking performance in 2012

CEBU’S pride GT Cosmetics Manufacturing has made several breakthroughs in 2012.

Earlier in May of 2012, GT Cosmetics opened a P13-million manufacturing plant in Bulacan to be able to cater to the increasing demand of its proudly-Philippine-made beauty products both locally and internationally.

Cebu now 8th in outsourcing list

CEBU City moved up one rank in the list of established outsourcing destinations worldwide, according to a study by investment advisory firm Tholons.

Mandaue reports increase in number of new businesses

THE Mandaue City Treasurers Office reported an increase in new businesses in 2012, an indication of a thriving local economy, an official said.

Mandaue City Treasurer Regal Oliva said 1,827 new businesses were registered as of December, higher than the 958 new businesses recorded in 2011.

New resto bar opens in Apas

A BUSINESSMAN has opened a restaurant in Lahug that will serve native cuisine prepared on smokeless charcoal grill.

Manggahan Restobar in Barangay Apas. Cebu City was conceptualized by businessman Jim Anthony Uy.

Emperador buys Spanish company

EMPERADOR Distillers Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Alliance Global Group Inc., has entered into an agreement with González Byass S.A., one the largest and oldest liquor and wine conglomerates in Spain, for the acquisition of its subsidiary Bodega San Bruno S.A., a brandy company based in Jerez, Spain.

‘Convertibles will be next big thing’

AFTER smartphones and tablets have taken over the computing world, a company that produces microprocessors believes the next big thing in mobile devices will catch on in 2013–the convertible.

Otop fair traders see increased sales

TRADERS at the Sinulog Fiesta Otop (One Town, One Product) Fair in SM City Cebu are reporting brisk sales this year.

R&C Donato Sculpturing Shop (RCDSS), a manufacturer and supplier of religious items in Visayas and Mindanao that is owned by the Donato family of Talisay City, has been trading in the Otop fair for three years now.

Megaworld condo project in Mactan 95% sold, says company

MEGAWORLD has announced that it has sold 95 percent of One Pacific Residence condominium in Mactan, Cebu. This success has called for the upcoming launch of the development’s new cluster on the first quarter of this year, the company said in a press statement.

Travel agencies welcome extension

TOURISM stakeholders welcome the extension given by Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) in allowing travel agencies to process passports until June.

The DFA initially set Dec. 31, 2012 as the last day for travel agencies to provide passport services.

Resto banks on customers to spread word

A RECENTLY opened Japanese restaurant is banking on networking and word of mouth to expand its clientele.

Entrepreneurs Anna Marizza Ng, 28; Dianne Kristine Chan Lim, 27; and Kane D. Chan Lim, 25, opened The Yaki House Yakiniku in Banilad, Cebu City on Dec. 12 as a “chill out” destination where food aficionados can try Japanese cuisine at affordable rates.

Tax notes: Deductibility of depreciation on vehicles

THE Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) issued Revenue Memorandum Circular (RMC) No. 2-2013 to clarify certain provisions of Revenue Regulations (RR) No. 12-2012 on the deductibility of depreciation expense as it relates to the purchase of vehicles and other expenses related thereto.

RR 12-2012 imposes a limit on the deductibility of depreciation allowance, maintenance expenses, and input VAT on motor vehicles, as follows:

Don’t compromise tire safety: official

OUT of all parts of a car, non-experts tend to neglect tires the most. Selling tires, therefore, is one big challenge, says Goodyear Tire and Rubber Co.’s newly appointed managing director for the Philippines and distributor markets Ron Castro.

3 agencies work to set up agri-tourism in Bohol

THREE government agencies are set to work closely in the promotion of Bohol as an agriculture-tourism destination, Department of Tourism (DOT) 7 Director Rowena Montecillo said.

Bohol, specifically the Abatan River, is among the four pilot areas chosen to be promoted as one of the country’s agri-tourism destinations, Montecillo said. Other identified pilot areas are Camarines Sur, Davao and Palawan.

Globe partners with Mozilla for Firefox OS App Days event

GLOBE Telecom has partnered with the Mozilla Philippines Community (MozillaPH) for the Manila leg of Firefox OS App Days, a worldwide set of over 20 hack days to be hosted by 24 cities from Jan. 19 through Feb. 2. Philippines and Indonesia are the only Southeast Asian countries included in the list.

S&P raises PLDT ratings outlook to positive

MANILA -International credit ratings firm Standard & Poor’s (S&P) improved the ratings outlook of telecoms leader PLDT to positive from stable, following a similar action on the sovereign credit rating outlook of the country.

Chamber endorses incentive

THE Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI) is requesting the Philippine Economic Zone Authority (Peza) to keep a five percent incentive given to developers of economic zones in Metro Cebu, saying now’s not the time to stop it.

‘Balik Cebu’ lines up tours, shows

THIS year’s Balik Cebu program promises exciting activities for Cebuano returnees, an official said.

Batuhan: Big Brother is watching (7

WE STARTED this series by observing that a large number of organizations these days are riding on the “global” bandwagon. More than in the past, when the concept meant simply “thinking global and acting local,” these organizations are tending to build structures with very long lines of management, with command and control and execution capabilities located all the way from their head offices – really thinking global, and acting even more global.

Almirante: Who is the employer?

Dominador Almirante Labor case digest

PETITIONER Charlie Jao alleged that respondents BCC Product Sales, Inc. (BCC) and Terrance Ty employed him as a comptroller. On Oct. 19, 1995, the security guards of BCC barred him from entering its premises.

Despite start of sin taxes, bar owners in high spirits

WHILE retailers are starting to feel the pinch of “sin taxes”, liquor shops in the city are still positive the law will not create a significant impact on their businesses.

Although they are left with no choice but to cope with higher prices, among notoriously price-sensitive Cebuanos, Prince Ernest Revilla, co-owner of Labeled Liquor Store and Bar on Escario St. in Cebu City, is optimistic the effect is temporary and that they will maintain their target market and revenue.

Beauty company targets Pinoys based in Europe

A MAKER of beauty and skin care products is expanding its export business to include Europe, where there is a large base of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs).

According to Lerma Sta. Cruz- Mendoza, marketing manager of Intelligent Skin Care Inc., (ISCI), the move to expand its reach abroad is to continue to address the beauty and skin care needs of the OFWs.

SM signs deal with Waltermart

THE recent joint venture of the SM Investments Corp. (SMIC) and the Waltermart Group signifies the Sy family’s optimistic outlook on the country’s vibrant retail industry, a top official said.

Teachers’ bank offers preferred shares

WITH the approval of the amendments of its bylaws and articles for cooperatives last year by the Banko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) and Cooperative Development Authority (CDA), the National Teachers and Employees Cooperative Bank (NTECB) will be introducing preferred shares to clients this year.

Ng: Professional network

A FEW weeks back, I tweeted how a Twitter post got a PBA player suspended and given a record fine. Somebody in basketball did it again. This time, it’s colorful personality and Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban. Last Saturday, Dallas lost, and Cuban tweeted “@Mcuban. Im sorry NBA fans. Ive tried for 13 yrs to fix the officiating in this league and I have failed miserably. Any Suggestions ? I need help”

I.Protect: Intellectual Property Management

Clint Fabiosa & Ana Liza Villamor

A COMMON experience by some business owners in the Philippines is the realization that the innovative concept or idea they introduced should have been protected when others start to copy and use their innovative concept or idea.

Entrepreneur rises above challenges by ‘chilling out’

LIFE’S challenges may have discouraged a lot of people from trying again but this was not the case for Beatriz Amanda Borja, a 26-year-old entrepreneur.