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.

Pinoy exec to judge in int’l science fair

A FILIPINO engineer turned executive and advocate for technology entrepreneurship is set to judge at the coming Intel International Science and Engineering Fair in Arizona next week.

Earl Martin Valencia, president of IdeaSpace Foundation, Inc. (IdeaSpace) and head for corporate development and strategic innovation at Smart Communications, Inc. (Smart) will join other science and technology leaders as one of the grand award judges of the world’s largest international pre-college science competition.

Sincerity key ingredient in running business, says Rico’s Lechon owner

FOR 53-year-old entrepreneur Enrico Dionson, sincerity is important in running a business.

“Business is based on trust. The reason my lechon business is thriving is that I have been honest since I started this venture,” said Dionson, owner of one of Cebu’s top lechon brands Rico’s Lechon.

Fair trade group to sign agreement with CCCI

A GROUP that aims to support small producers in the countryside is planning to sign a partnership with the Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI) to promote fair trade standards and sustainability.

Appointment seen to strengthen ties with Norway

THE appointment of University of Cebu’s (UC) chancellor as Cebu’s Norwegian consul is seen to further strengthen Philippine bilateral relations with Norway.

“As the new regional consul, I am now ‘married’ to Norway for the furtherance of the country’s influence in the Philippines and vice versa,” said Candice Gotianuy during her official appointment ceremony at Marco Polo Plaza Hotel.

PH needs to work to spread benefits of upgrade: officials

THE recent investment upgrades of the country will benefit small business players but the country needs to work for it to happen, officials said.

Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI) president Lito Maderazo says he hopes that the officials elected in yesterday’s elections will have integrity and will support good governance to sustain the country’s economic momentum.

McDonald’s names new product endorser

A FASTFOOD company unveiled its latest endorser in an event in Cebu over the weekend. McDonald’s Philippines unveiled 23-year-old actor Xian Lim as its summer refreshments endorser.

“Effective endorsers should understand and fit the advocacy of the brand they represent,” said media and communications officer Puch Calma of McDonald’s Philippines.

Tax notes: VAT on incidental transactions

UNDER Section 105 of the National Internal Revenue Code (NIRC) of 1997, value-added tax (VAT) is imposed on a sale or transaction entered into by a person in the course of any trade or business. A transaction is characterized as having been entered into by a person in the course of trade or business if it is a) regularly conducted, and b) undertaken in pursuit of a commercial or economic activity. Transactions that are made incidental to the pursuit of a commercial activity are considered as entered into in the course of trade or business, and are subject to the 12 percent VAT.

BIR 13 logs double-digit growth

BESIDES making their targets for the first quarter of the year, the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) revenue region 13, which covers the provinces of Cebu and Bohol, managed to achieve double-digit growth for all its revenue districts.

Planners raise 6 areas that need work to prepare for Asean trade integration

AS countries in Southeast Asia prepare for the Asean Economic Community in 2015, economic planners in Central Visayas have a number of concerns that they feel need to be addressed before this happens.

During a consultation meeting for the update of the Philippine Development Plan, members of the Regional Development Council’s Economic Development Committee identified six areas that needed attention--manufacturing and trade in goods and services; tourism; ICT-BPO; real estate and construction; agribusiness; and climate change.

Bogo pintos maker credits DTI for business success

A PIONEER maker of Bogo City’s delicacy credits the Department of Trade and Industry in strengthening here business.

“I was hesitant at first to get involved because I was contented with being independent. But with how things turned out, DTI’s assistance really made a difference,” said Peregrina “Pering” Catampatan, 67, in a recent interview.

Limpag: Tech and the elections

PEOPLE were amazed at the speed in which election results were made available the first time voting and counting were automated in the country. We have been used to the drawn-out counting of votes that it seemed many were caught flat-footed when results were made available faster than one could say “gitikasan ko (I was cheated).”

‘Treat business well’

LOCAL business officials are hoping for pro-business leaders—open-minded officials capable of bringing in more investments and creating jobs—to emerge from this Monday’s election.

Market to pitch ‘fair trade’ today

A SALE opens today in Cebu City as part of efforts to attract support for products from fair trade producers and social enterprises.

Batuhan: What’s to vote?

POLITICAL office is not an easy place to be during these times. So many problems beset this country, and solving them takes not only knowledge and wisdom, but more importantly, true resolve and genuine leadership.

Almirante: Resignation

Dominador Almirante Labor case digest

PETITIONER Rolando L. Cervantes was hired on July 1, 1995 as master on board M/V Themistocles by respondent PAL Maritime Corp., the manning agent of respondent Western Shipping Agencies, PTE., LTD. (Western Shipping). On July 31, 1995, a telex message was sent to petitioner enumerating various complaints against him, received from the owner of the vessel.

Cacao contract-growing expands

IF cacao contract-growing in Bohol and Leyte are successful, Filipino-Cebuano Business Club Inc. (FCBI) will endorse to a Dutch company the potential areas for cacao production in Cebu, particularly in Argao.

Developer getting ready to launch 2nd tower

AFTER selling all units of their first tower, developers of Bamboo Bay Community are getting ready to launch the second tower of the project.

Businessman launches startup during SWC

HIS passion for technology and business drives local businessman Leonid Warguez to continue to learn new things. Warguez is the founder of LuvPony Kiddie Ride. He joined the TechTalks.ph local tech community, where he learned about Startup Weekend Davao. He tried launching a startup there and got to meet people.

I.Protect: Are tattoos protected by copyright?

Clint Fabiosa & Ana Liza Villamor

Ng: Will we see return of Start button?

THE other day, Microsoft reported that they sold their 100 millionth copy of Windows 8. The rate of adaptation is the same as that of Windows 7.

Many, however, are skeptical and, in fact, many believed that a lot of people bought Windows 8 because they had no other choice as it was the only operating system that comes with most computers but many of them are in fact reinstalling and using Windows 7.

Davao expects 15% hike in visitors

DAVAO City, the country’s largest city, is anticipating a 15 percent increase in visitors this year, spurred by new tourist attractions, shopping destinations and convention centers that have recently opened there.

Foundation unveils training facility

TO IMPROVE the skills of local workers, a training and assessment center for construction-related trades inaugurated on Monday its facility to supplement welding and hospitality courses.

Primary Structures Educational Foundation, Inc. (PSEFI), the training arm of local professional construction company Primary Structures Corp. (PSC), launched the Canadian Welding Bureau Facility (CWB-F) and the Hospitality Training Center (HTC) housed in PSEFI’s School of Knowledge for Industrial Labor, Leadership and Services (Skills) campus on General Maxilom Ave., Cebu City.