VIA Times – July 2014 Issue Vital News, Vibrant Views for Asian Americans in Chicago & Midwest
JACKSONVILLE—A Florida-based Fortune 500 company that is one of the world’s leading provider of banking and payments technology services has expressed serious interest to expand its presence in the Philippines. “We welcome the interest of Florida companies, particularly FIS Global, to collaborate and invest in Philippine businesses and institutions,” said Ambassador Jose L. Cuisia, Jr. who led an economic diplomacy mission to Florida recently. Ambassador Cuisia said FIS Global wants to tap the Philippines for Information Technology and Business Process Outsourcing (IT-BPO) services. “FIS Global Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Frank Martire has informed us that his company is considering to expand its present operations in the Philippines because of the favorable investment climate and other advantages, particularly the encouraging support that the government provides,” Ambassador Cuisia said. Trade Representative Maria Roseni Alvero, who accompanied Ambassador Cuisia in the mission, said FIS Global, which is headquartered in Jacksonville, employs more than 37,000 people worldwide, including more than 1,700 in the Philippines. Alvero said FIS Global, which has been serving bank clients in the Philippines for the past two decades, is No. 1 in the annual FinTech 100 list and 434 on the Fortune 500. It is a member of Standard & Poor’s 500® Index. “We see this as a step forward in further developing our local industries as well as further strengthening economic ties with between the Philippines and the United States,” Ambassador Cuisia said. During the business roundtable in Jacksonville, Aaron Bowman, Senior Vice President for Business Development of JAX USA Partnership, a regional economic development organization in Jacksonville, said there are local companies interested in doing business in the Philippines. “There are various areas that we would like to explore – from agricultural research and food product testing to opportunities in aerospace and aviation, particularly on the maintenance and manufacturing side,” Bowman said. “We want to be connected with companies in the Philippines,” Bowman told Ambassador Cuisia, Commercial Counselor Alvero, and Agriculture Attaché Josyline Javelosa. ### ****
DOT partners with Cruise Lines International Association to develop cruise ports, itinerary, and guest experience
The Department of Tourism (DOT) sees strong interest from international cruise lines increasing their ports of call and expanding visits to more islands in the country. Speaking before guests and industry stakeholders during the Philippine Cruise Industry Workshop held last week at the Makati Shangrila, Tourism Secretary Ramon R. Jimenez, Jr. said that cruise arrivals in the Philippines grew by 48 percent in the last two years since 2011 amounting to close to 20,000 in 2013. And while the country’s cruise infrastructure is being developed, international cruise lines calling in the country have increased substantially, with 16 cruise vessels last year from just 10 in 2011. “We are expecting some 18 cruise ships this year that should bring in more than 20,000 tourists. Our country’s proximity to major cruise source markets like China, Japan, and Hong Kong positions us at a competitive and comparative advantage in the Asia-Pacific region. This should give industry stakeholders greater prospects and our local communities new jobs and opportunities,” the tourism chief added. Secretary Jimenez believes that what is now considered a niche market will see an increase in demand in years ahead. “Preparation is absolutely essential. And that is what is workshop precisely calls for — to formulate a national cruise development plan that will chart the Philippines’ role in the cruising business in Southeast Asia,” he further explained. Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) Secretary Joseph Emilio Abaya echoed the huge impact of cruise tourism industry to the country’s national economy. “It is the job of the DOTC, the maritime agencies, to ensure that there is sufficient transportation infrastructure and efficient processes to support this growing industry. Interface with DOT has already started particularly in developing the country’s major ports of entry. We are one with the DOT and other government and private sectors in attaining a common goal: to enhance cruise experience and for our tourists to enjoy what the country has to offer,” Secretary Abaya reiterated. Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) organized this cruise workshop in collaboration with the DOT, as a result of initial talks on the sidelines of the recently concluded ASEAN Tourism Ministers Meeting held in Kuching, Malaysia early this year. CLIA Southeast Asia Manager Kevin Leong enumerated the next steps and top priorities outlined by cruise industry stakeholders during the workshop, which included the need to streamline entry requirements and address passenger mobility, convenient, hassle-free, and seamless tourist experience of cruise travelers without compromising security; develop and expand port infrastructure; and implement a strategic cruise itinerary planning. The CLIA has initially identified five to six ports in the country, which will play a major role in harnessing infrastructure investments that would address the increasing demand for cruise tourism in the country and the development of waterfront activities. Carnival Corporation Vice President for Market Development William Harber and Royal Carribean International Vice President for Commercial Operations John Tercek, both CLIA members, shared their expertise during the workshop. The two cruise companies account for almost 80 percent of the total cruise business globally. Both see great prospects for the Philippines to becoming a major cruise hub once ports are improved and more tourism products and activities are developed. Prior to the workshop, CLIA members have already made the rounds and inspected the ports of Manila, Cebu, Puerto Princesa, Caticlan, and Subic, where they also met the respective local port authorities. The DOT and CLIA both commit to cooperate in developing the Philippine cruise industry. The DOT has identified in its National Tourism Development Plan (NTDP) cruise tourism as one of the product portfolio that the Philippines has competitive and comparative advantage in the Asia Pacific region, highlighting the country as an ideal playground for many cruise activities, from cultural to nature and adventure destinations. “The most important cruise experience in the Philippines is definitely meeting and befriending the Filipino people who are eager to share various facets of living life to the fullest – one of the reasons why it’s more fun in the Philippines,” Secretary Jimenez concluded. Aside from the increasing number of vessels calling on the Philippines, there is also a noted demand for non-traditional destinations such as Kalanggaman Island in Polompon, Leyte; Hundred Islands in Alaminos, Pangasinan; Sta. Ana in Cagayan; and Coron Island in Northern Palawan. An average of 10-12 hours have been tallied from visiting cruise ships in each port of call in the Philippines.
Piyesta Pinoy performers at the Windy City Ribfest Piyesta Pinoy performs next at the Evanston Ethnic Arts Festival on Sat July 19!
Chicago, Il. – A variety of Piyesta Pinoy performers brought the Pinoy style entertainment from the first ever Philippine Fest in Bolingbrook to the Uptown Chicago area during the July 4th weekend. This was the first time for Pinoy performers to be invited to perform at the Windy City Ribfest at N.Broadway between Wilson and Lawrence in Chicago. Samasama Project, a Filipino fusion band led by singer Louela Maningas Cabalona entertained the rib fest crowd at the cultural stage on both days on July 5 and 6. On Sunday July 6, The Philippine American Cultural Foundation Performing Arts performed a sample of native cultural dances, Suburban’s Got Talent sensation James Agena performed a couple of Bruno Mars songs and Hataw Pinoy’s Alpha Nicolasin did an excellent job as the emcee and daughter Anna Nicolasin performed heartwarming songs with ukulele accompaniment. Reversion crew performed their winning hip-hop dancing with a cultural twist in the street of N.Broadway in uptown Chicago. Dance team Reversion Crew won the Grand Prize in the first-ever Piyesta Pinoy Dance Comeption and received their trophy, medals and $ 300 cash prize from PACF President Adeline Fajardo and Piyesta Pinoy Overall Chairman Ruben Salazar. The first runner-up trophy went to TFTI; second runner-up to Infused; Leigh and Jasmine placed third and Project 39 placed fourth. Watch Piyesta Pinoy performers PACF Performing Arts and Hataw Pinoy at the Evanston Ethnic Art Festival http://www.cityofevanston.org/festiv als-concerts/ethnic-arts-festival/ Saturday July 19, noon Centennial Park, Sheridan Rd. at Clark St. Free admission. For more information about futre PACF-PA event, check out our website – http://pacf-il.org/ See attached pictures from the Windy City Ribfest. You Tube Video from Hataw Pinoy: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v= 0z2QIoJlpS4#t=1121 ####
