Page 8 - LM Confidential Issue April 2015

Philippines
PNOY Fails To Curb Poverty
Filipinos Concerned About Economic Issues
EDU EXPLAINS WHY HE AVOIDED ACTING FOR A LONG TIME
EDU Manzano is enjoying his acting comeback on ABS-CBN as Lorenzo Antonio, the rich business tycoon who acts as the father-mentor of Paulo Avelino.
“When they offered the show to me, I immediately liked my character,” says Doods. “He’s a man of mystery whose name is synonymous to power and au- thority so no one
has enough guts
to dare oppose
him. The only
one who can
come close to
him is his adop-
tive son, Paulo as
Carlos. Maram-
ing twists na
mangyayari sa characters namin but I’m not at liberty to disclose them. Basta viewers will surely be hooked when they start watching.”
We first met Doods when he was launched in “Alaga” by Bancom in 1980. Since then, he has always maintained
a close and friendly relationship with the press. No wonder he’s generally well liked. He has also maintained his slim good looks. Everyone agrees that he’s better looking than his son Luis. What’s his secret?
“I eat right. I don’t eat rice, I avoid salt and sugar. I eat mostly fruits. I work out. I don’t use expensive creams or lotions but I do see a dermatologist for advice.
I avoid stress, which is one reason why I avoided acting for a while. My last soap, ‘Walang Kapalit’, was in 2006 yet and my last movie was ‘Tanging Yaman’ pa. Ayoko noong magdamagang puyatan. Hindi ko na kinaya kasi I accepted being the Optical Media Board chairman. But I’m so glad everyone in ‘Bridges of Love’ is so professional. Lahat, dumarating on time, alam na ang gagawin nila, so it all makes our jobs easier.”
So what happened to the OMB after Ronnie Ricketts was suspended as chair- man? “Magulo. Walang chair or CEO ngayon. I’m really surprised they haven’t appointed a new one. Kaya piracy is running rampant. May sarili na silang building. Nakakuha na sila ng business permit. Naaawa lang ako roon sa regular employees ng OMB na naabutan ko pa roon. Lahat sila ngayon, suspendido rin.”
Doods doesn’t really have to act since he owns three restaurants he himself is managing. Two, Lucky Rainbow Chi- nese Restaurant and Black Sheep, are both in Makati. And he has a new one in the City of Dreams. “But nami-miss ko na rin ang pag-arte and I’m glad I’m now doing ‘Bridges of Love’.”
kuwentuhan, nababanggit kong I’ve never been there, lahat, nagugulat.”
So this coming Holy
Week, her plan is
to go there for a brief vacation with her mom and siblings.
“That is, kung wala kaming taping for ‘Kailan Ba Tama ang Mali?’ at wala akong commitments for my other shows in GMA na ‘Bubble Gang’ and ‘Sunday All Stars’,” she adds. “Gusto kong makarating doon para makapag-relax, mag-shopping, and spend some quality time with my family.”
APRIL 2015
MANILA - The administration failed to gain a majority approval rating on its performance in 12 key issues, and even posted negative ratings on efforts to reduce poverty and control inflation, the latest Pulse Asia survey shows.
The March Survey on Urgent National Concerns showed that the administra- tion posted approval ratings of 40 per- cent for promoting peace in the country; 41 percent for enforcing the rule of law; 42 percent in fighting government cor- ruption; 43 percent in defending national territorial integrity; 45 percent in fight- ing criminality; 48 percent in protecting the environment; and 49 percent in ad- dressing the needs of calamity victims.
Reacting to the survey, the Palace said the administration will focus on pushing good governance, creating jobs and fight- ing poverty in the next 15 months.
“The government continues to imple-
Philippines
NEWS
Philippines to resume repair, work in disputed South China Sea
MANILA - The Philippines said it would resume repair and reconstruction works in the disputed South China Sea after halting activities last year over concerns about the effect on an arbitration complaint it had filed against China.
Manila had called on all countries last October to stop construction work on small islands and reefs in the South China Sea, virtually all of which is claimed by China.
China itself is undertaking massive reclamation works in the area, while Taiwan, Malaysia, and Vietnam have also been making improvements on their facilities.
“We are taking the position that we can proceed with the repair and maintenance,” Foreign Affairs Minister Albert del Rosario told diplomats, military officers, and foreign correspondents.
New Actress Does A Sharon
Newcomer Monica Cuenco is so happy to be chosen
to play the iconic role
of Dorina Pineda in the stage version of one of Sharon Cuneta’s biggest blockbusters, “Bituing Walang Ningning”, that will be staged at Newport Theatre in Resorts World. It already had a TV soap version on ABS-CBN
with Sarah Geronimo starring in it, but the stage
8
ment measures to stabilize prices of commodities. Various programs have been put in place to bring about pov- erty reduction. This includes breaking ntergenerational poverty through the conditional cash transfer program, skills development for enhanced employability, and improving the business climate in the country through good governance,” said Communications Secretary Her- minio Coloma.
According to the Pulse Asia survey, Filipinos continue to be most concerned
Stimulus Needed
MANILA - The Philippines needs higher rates of investment to bolster the pace and quality of economic gains to make a significant dent on poverty while ensuring solid safeguards against global headwinds, the Asian Development Bank (ADB) said. The Manila-based Asian lender said the country must not only rely on consumption and remittances but should increase government spending on infrastructure to attract investment.
“The challenge is to stimulate investment to raise productivity in industry, agriculture and services,” Richard Bolt, ADB Country Director for the Philippines, said in the Asian Development Outlook 2015 (ADO).
Achieving higher levels of investment also requires reforms to enhance competition, and reduce the administrative costs of doing business in the country, the ADB said in its flagship annual economic publication.
“These measures are needed to more create jobs and reduce poverty,” Bolt added.
about economic issues.
In March 2015, the leading urgent
national concerns among Filipinos are controlling inflation (46 percent), in- creasing the pay of workers (44 percent), and fighting corruption in government (40 percent). Other urgent concerns were poverty reduction (37 percent), job creation (34 percent), criminality (22 percent), peace (22 percent) and the rule of law (19 percent). Filipinos were least concerned about environmental degra- dation (13 percent), population control (9 percent), national territorial integrity (5 percent), terrorism (5 percent), and charter change (4 percent).
Public opinion was split three-ways with respect to the administration’s performance in the area of increasing the pay of workers, with 33 percent approv- ing, 33 percent disapproving and 35 percent undecided.
Aquino assures power supply
MANILA - The government has tapped a “menu of options” to plug the potential power supply deficiency in Luzon this summer, including the dispatch of hydropower plants and the swift rehabilitation of Malaya power plant Unit 1, President Aquino said.
Addressing the Philippines Investment Forum in Makati City, the President recognized that the country’s power situation has been “complicated” for the longest time but assured the government has taken proactive steps to boost clean and reasonable priced energy supply.
“Right now, the Philippines has a total dependable capacity of 15,665 MW, which is – or should be – sufficient to meet our highest projected demand level of 10,222 MW for 2015. But we cannot be content with this, especially with the potential power supply gap in Luzon this summer, due to the threat of El Niño and rehabilitation of the Malampaya gas field,” Aquino said in his speech.
version seems more exciting as Monica
will be playing with theatre stalwarts Mark Bautista (who shone in London in “Here Lies Love”) and Cris Villonco (a veteran of
countless stage musicals). Mark will reprise the
role originally played
by Christopher de Leon, while Cris will be the new incarnation of the contravida Lavinia Arguelles, first played by Cherie Gil who uttered the now immortal line “You’re nothing but a second rate trying hard copy cat!”
“I’m so excited, but also nervous,” says Monica. “I’m so thankful for this big break
that Viva pero siempre, kinakabahan ako as I have no previous theatre experience. Pareho ring napakagaling ng mga kasama ko so I really have to do my best para hindi ako mapahiya sa kanila.”
Max To Go To A Place She Has Never Been
Max Collins revealed at the special presscon GMA conducted for her that although she has been to various other countries, like the U.S.A., she has yet to set foot in the nearby favorite destination that is Hong Kong. “Nakakatawa nga kasi lahat na yata ng tao, nakapunta na roon, ako na lang ang hindi,” she laughs. “Kapag sa mga
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