INDUSTRY NEWS November 14, 2014 HSBC 2015-2016 Economic Outlook: PH solid despite political transition Manila Times by Mayvelin U. Caraballo / November 13, 2014 7:49 pm http://www.manilatimes.net/ph-solid-despite-political-transition/141257/ The Philippine economy will remain solid in the next two years despite the uncertain impact of a change in government on the investment environment, banking giant HSBC said. Favorable demographics, low household debt and steady remittance inflows, coupled with election spending, will support consumption in offsetting anticipated sluggish investment growth. In a report released on Thursday, HSBC economist Trinh Nguyen said the bank is forecasting the country’s gross domestic product (GDP) to grow solidly at 6.1 percent in 2015 and in 2016, a slightly higher projection than the bank’s 5.9 percent GDP forecast for 2014. Boeing Pitches Planes For Growing PH Air Traffic Philippine Daily Inquirer / 6:46 AM | November 14, 2014 http://business.inquirer.net/181981/boeing-pitches-planes-for-growing-ph-air-traffic#ixzz3IztwvqAl WASHINGTON, D.C. – With the expected growth in airline passenger traffic in the Philippines in the next two decades, US aircraft manufacturing giant Boeing wants Philippine carriers to consider using its longrange passenger planes for the profitable North American market. Boeing officials made clear their desire to play a larger role in the Philippine market, which is currently dominated by Airbus Industries, during their briefing for Ambassador Jose L. Cuisia, Jr. who recently visited the company’s Everett factory near Seattle. Noting the 6.6 percent projected growth in airline passenger traffic for the Philippines in the next 20 years and the backlog in Airbus aircraft orders, Boeing executives told Cuisia they are ready to make aircraft for Philippine carriers available in 2016. India Guns For Enhanced Investment Ties With RP Philippine Daily Tribune by Ed Velasco / November 14, 2014 00:00 http://www.tribune.net.ph/business/india-guns-for-enhanced-investment-ties-with-rp India, the world’s third largest economy, intends to pursue measures that aim to enhance bilateral trade and investment ties with the Philippines. “Trade and investment has not fully realized its potential. Information gap exists between the two countries,” India Ambassador to Manila Lalduhthlana Ralte said in his report submitted to various entities, including The Daily Tribune. To promote increased awareness on opportunities offered by both countries, Ralte underscored the need to increase the frequency of trade delegations, more participation in each other fairs and to conduct more meetings between the Chambers of Commerce and Industry as well as business-to-business meetings. The ambassador said India is opening up foreign direct investment in key sectors like manufacturing, defense, construction and railways. On the other hand, Ralte said key commodities for trade include pharmaceuticals, organic chemicals, iron and steel and electrical machinery and equipment and parts. He said it is imperative for both countries to consolidate core areas of strength like information technology, pharmaceuticals, automotive accessories and agro and food processing. 1 PH 3rd Best In Financial Access Malaya Business Insight by Jimmy Calapati | November 14, 2014 http://www.malaya.com.ph/business-news/business/ph-3rd-best-financial-access An international research company recognized the initiative of the Philippines’ access to financial services as among the world’s best, citing the presence of a “highly capable regulator and optimal credit regulation.” The Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU) report shows the Philippines is ranked as having the third best environment in financial access out of 55 countries with a score of 79. This is an improvement from the Philippines’ already impressive 4th rank and score of 67.9 last year. Phoenix Semiconductor Investing $170m In Clark Expansion Manila Standard Today by Jess Malabanan | Nov. 13, 2014 at 11:25pm http://manilastandardtoday.com/2014/11/13/phoenix-semiconductor-investing-170m-in-clark-expansion/ CLARK FREEPORT—Phoenix Semiconductor Philippines Corp., a leading computer chips manufacturer controlled by Korean investors, will pour an additional $170 million to expand its facility here next year, key officials told reporters Thursday. PSPC head of finance and director Kyuho Han said the project would be built on a three-hectare land situated within the compound being leased by the company. The project would generate 1,000 jobs for Central Luzon, especially for residents of Pampanga and Tarlac, he said. Biggest Gathering Of Top Esports Players And Gaming Developers In The Philippines Philippine Daily Tribune / November 14, 2014 00:00 http://www.tribune.net.ph/life-style/biggest-gathering-of-top-esports-players-and-gaming-developers-inthe-philippines Wireless services leader Smart Communications Inc. (Smart) and its online gaming portal GameX are backing the biggest gathering of top gamers, game developers and enthusiasts in the country at the first ever eSports and Gaming Summit (ESGS) on Nov. 15 to 16 at the SMX Convention Center in Pasay City. Open to everyone, the two-day event will feature simultaneous competitions of the hottest action-packed games, including DOTA 2, Dragon Nest, Ultra Street Fighter IV, StarCraft, Strife, Point Blank, Tekken Tag 2,League of Legends, and HearthStone, among others - featuring a pool prize of over P200,000. The summit also features exhibits by leading game publishers, the latest gaming gadgets and gears in the market, an open floor Cosplay competition, a Rig Modding contest, as well as a showcase of upcoming games developed by Filipino gamers. 2 Art And Furniture On Sale Manila Standard Today by By MST Lifestyle | Nov. 13, 2014 at 06:20pm http://manilastandardtoday.com/2014/11/13/art-and-furniture-on-sale/ On November 15 to 29, LRI Design Plaza will hold a building-wide sale to be participated in by showrooms and art galleries, offering a wide array of globally-competitive, designer furniture, furnishings, accessories, paintings and artworks, up to 50 percent off on selected items. The shops are open from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Saturday. Big Sale Room at the second floor will show varied items at bigger discount. Shops in the building include 21 Muebles, Ador Interiors, Atelier Aguila, Biara, Craft & Novelty, Design Matters, Diretso, Feliix, Gus, Haute Design, Heima, Isa Casa, Jesse, Komodo, Living Space, Locsin Furniture, Luzon Rattan, Masterpiece, MoFu, My Apt., Noble Dream House, NYC Tiglao Rarities, OF Mercado’s Frames, OMO Furniture, Open House, Origins Home, Outdoor Solutions, OZ Gallery, Philux, PNKY Collections, Prizmic & Brill, Renditions, Seasons Fabric, Sifra, Sigvard Selections, Simply Asian, Studio 10.10, Tim Tam Ong, Triboa Bay. Art Galleries include Art Circle, Galerie Astra, Gallery Big, MCM Art Gallery, One Workshop and Ricco Renzo Galleries, Mandy Navasero FotosliK offers family pictures at 50 percent discount. (For appointment call 8963208.) LRI Design Plaza is located at 210 Nicanor Garcia St., Bel-Air II, Makati City. For inquiries, call. 895-1772 or 895-5470. Filipino Designers Make A Splash –Again–At Malaysia Fashion Week Philippine Daily Inquirer by Alex Vergara http://lifestyle.inquirer.net/177019/filipino-designers-make-a-splash-again-at-malaysia-fashionweek#ixzz3IzvoDBP7 FILIPINO designers in Kuala Lumpur: Joel Escober, Rosenthal Tee, Roland Alzate, Noel Crisostomo, Jeffrey Rogador, Tonichi Nocom, Rene Santos and Ron Ramiro PHOTOS BY ALEX Y. VERGARA 3 Mary Jane Tauyan,Wearista Stylo awardee For the second straight year, Filipino designers made a splash in the recent Malaysia Fashion Week (MFW) by presenting distinct but wearable collections. And before the weeklong event ended at Matrade exhibitions complex in Kuala Lumpur, Albert Andrada ran away with one of three major awards handed out by organizers. The Middle East-trained Filipino designer won Asia’s Most Connected Designer award mainly on the strength of online voting on Facebook. Andrada’s feat came in the heels of fellow Filipino Avel Bacudio’s win last year as Asia’s Most Influential Designer. It was the first time the decade-old MFW handed out awards. This year’s Asia’s Most Influential Designer award went to Malaysian Joe Chia, 27, while Asia’s Most Promising Designer award went to Taiwanese Chun Ting Liu, 29. ALBERT Andrada 4 Two Generations Of Filipino Fashion Designers Meet In Face-Off Philippine Daily Tribune / 7:30 AM | November 14, 2014 http://lifestyle.inquirer.net/177008/two-generations-of-filipino-fashion-designers-meet-in-faceoff#ixzz3Izwi7cCx SOME of the participating designers of Face-Off 2014 meet at Solaire. They are, seated, Cesar Gaupo and Maureen Disini; standing, from left, Joey Samson, Mike dela Rosa, Auggie Cordero, Efren Ocampo, Eric de los Santos, Rhett Eala, Jerome Salaya Ang, Rajo Laurel, Pablo Cabahug, James Reyes, Ivarluski Aseron, with INQUIRER Lifestyle editor Thelma S. San Juan (seated, far left) and Solaire PR director Joy Wassmer. ARNOLD ALMACEN JACKIE Aquino Face-Off, the annual fashion show of Inquirer Lifestyle, will mark many firsts as it is presented on Nov. 30 at Solaire Grand Ballroom. For the first time, Face-Off will be a comparative presentation of at least two generations of Filipino designers. It is aptly titled “Face-Off 2014: The Masters and The Millennials.” Inquirer Lifestyle’s Face-Off 2014 is sponsored by Hana Shampoo and Champion Infinity of the Peerless Group, in cooperation with O+ USA, Solaire Resort and Casino, and LOOK Magazine. It will have more 5 than 30 Filipino designers whose careers span significant eras of Philippine fashion design, from the late ’70s—considered the Golden Age of Philippine fashion—to the present. For the first time, Face-Off has chosen a theme: the contemporary maria clara. The designers will redefine this Filipino wear that dates back to the early centuries and adapt it to today’s Filipino woman, her needs and lifestyle. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- WORDS OF ENCOURAGEMENT Let the wise hear and increase in learning, and the one who understands obtain guidance. Proverbs 1:5 6