Go Chase the Dream

By Carmencita H. Acosta

In time past when he was a teenager, Henry Sy chased a dream of prosperity with the assistance of a device called hard work.
Decades later, the dream has become a reality, perhaps far more than he had hoped for as a youngster helping out his daddy in their small Divisoria store.

Even so, the billionaire Henry Sy continues to use his potent device of hard work, now assisted by his six children before whom he has demonstrated time after time the demands attached to chasing dreams.

His exhortations have paid off handsomely. The six younger Sys - two daughters: Teresita and Elizabeth and four sons: Henry, Jr., Hans, Harley and Herbert - are tireless, knowledgeable in the ways of global business and fiercely loyal to their father as well as to one another.

Lindenwood
Only recently, another dream is being fulfilled. Called the Lindenwood Residences at Susana Heights some distance away from Alabang, the project is expected to be turned over to buyers by the first quarter of 2008.

Lindenwood’s copywriters have gone poetic in their advertisement. Indeed, with massive competition all around, ads have to capture attention to persuade people to buy.

Get a load of this advertisement entitled “The Charmed Life”:Cool morning breezes and bright summer days;A porch swing and a good book, too;Sprinklers in the summer with neighbors next door.Everyday can be as perfect as a summer’s day.

Live the charmed life at Lindenwood.

Henry Sy, Sr. at the launching of Lindenwood Residences

A grand scale model of the projected Lindenwood Residences at Susana Heights was recently unveiled before more than 500 guests gathered at the SM Esplanade located at the SM Mall of Asia complex.

This residential community is being built along the lines of North American country-style homes with scenic view. The subdivision will have the amenities and facilities ideal for both a small and big family, with a clubhouse having a 25-meter lap pool, children’s pool, basketball court, playground, and two function rooms.

Details may be obtained from the SM Development Corporation with landline (02) 8315151; cell 0918-8887632; and web www.smdevelopment.com

Expert pushes for food safety measures

By Richard A. Ramos

A LEADING INDUSTRY expert has highly recommended a universally accepted food safety standard to be implemented in the country in order to strengthen Philippine-European Union (EU) cooperation ties on the food trade industry.

Dubbed ISO 2200 Food Safety Management System, this standard aims to foster cooperation and trade relationships between the Philippines and the EU member states through the reduction, if not, elimination of hazards/risks in local food production from sourcing of materials, to production, and distribution to EU consumers.

According to Ronaldo Limbago, chief of the testing and inspection division of the Philippine Trade Training Center (PTTC), local food products have strong potentials in the EU food market.

“A major problem for local food exporters is the strict food safety and quality requirements of the EU. This involves ‘from farm to fork’ principle in terms of safety and quality,” Limbago related in his seminar on food safety held recently at the Holiday Plaza Hotel in Cebu.

He added that the problem is further compounded by certain constraints such as the lack of awareness, and market exposure, insufficient knowledge, and sparse resources and implementation capability.

Specific Objectives
Limbago declared that the ISO 22000 will enable compliance of pilot SMEs to attain optimal level of food safety, train RP counterparts on the safety standard to assist EU consultants during the firm level consultancies, and develop a computer-based training programme (CBT) that contributes to sustain EU food safety requirements.

Six awareness seminars on ISO 22000 will be conducted in Manila, Pampanga, Cebu, North Cotabato, Zamboanga, and Davao. In addition, there will be a four-day Train the Trainors seminar in Manila.

“We target 300 SMEs in the fields of food manufacturers, processors, and exporters. No seminar fee will be imposed,” the speaker said.
Limbago spoke in a seminar on “Capacity Building towards Advancing Phil. Food Safety Standards and strengthening RP-EU cooperation on Food Trade” as organized by the Department of Trade and Industry Region VII.

The project is funded by the EU’s Asia-Invest Programme. Project implementers include InWEnt Germany, PTTC, ASSIST, Inc. and Consorzio Italasia.

Latest Asus Notebook, TV Tuner Solutions Receive Vista Premium Certifications

By Carmencita H. Acosta

To provide comprehensive support for the upcoming Microsoft Vista, ASUSTeK Computer Inc. (ASUS), the leading provider of 3C total solutions, now offers a wide range of products that are ready for the new operating system.
In addition to the previously launched P5GZ-MX, the world’s first motherboard with Windows Vista x86 and x64 Premium certifications, and the R1F, which is the first Tablet PC to receive Vista x86 Premium validation, ASUS today announced that the F9F notebook and MyCinema-U3000Mini and MyCinema-P7131Hybrid SE TV tuner solutions are now Vista certified as well.

F9F – Slim and lightweight computing
The F9F notebook, powered by the Intel® Centrino® Duo Mobile Technology, is frequent travelers’ dream come true. With the sleek and lightweight design, users will not only travel light, but also travel in style. The new notebook further comes with built-in high-resolution webcam that swivels 240° and speaker to allow wire-free video conferencing anywhere without the hassle of tangling wires.

MyCinema-U3000Mini – USB 2.0 digital TV receiver Smaller than the size of a thumb, the MyCinema-U3000Mini is highly portable. It is powered through the USB 2.0 port, which means no standalone power adaptor is needed. With advanced demodulator and TV tuner built-in, the MyCinema-U3000Mini enables PCs and notebooks to receive smooth DVB-T digital TV signal.

MyCinema-P7313Hybrid SE - Digital/Analog TV and Multimedia Entertainment
The MyCinema-P7131Hybrid SE, which supports the PCI interface and both digital and analog TV signals, is equipped to turn computers into multimedia centers in seconds. TimeShift and EPG functions are available as well as Splendid Video Intelligence Technology, an exclusive innovation found only in ASUS solutions. Splendid detects activation and usage of video applications and automatically optimizes image quality for the best visual results. Splendid takes PC graphics capability to the next level by enhancing depth and color intensity in real time.

The MyCinema-P7131 SE, which supports analog TV signal, is available as well.

P5GZ-MX and Vista Ready Motherboards
Besides the P5GZ-MX motherboards, the world’s first motherboard with 64-bit and 32-bit Windows Vista Premium certifications, ASUS now provides a full lineup of motherboards that are Vista ready.

R1F - leads the way to the new Vista computing era
The R1 Tablet PC is the world’s first notebook to receive the Vista x86 Premium logo that brings new computing and digital entertainment possibilities with the much anticipated Vista operating system. It offers a wide aspect visual enjoyment while remaining compact for high mobility. The 180-degrees convertible LCD screen allows easy presentation and data sharing during meetings or at gatherings.

Increase productivity and efficiency with handwritten input capability. Together with InfoPen software, users can record and edit images or documents as easy as on a piece of paper with color and highlighter options.

ASUS is ranked in Business Week InfoTech 100 for the 9th straight year, ASUSTeK Computer Inc. (TSE:2357) is a leading provider of 3C total solutions. Its product portfolio includes notebooks, motherboards, graphics cards, optical drives, information appliances, desktop PCs, servers, wireless solutions, mobile phones and networking devices.

Sec. Durano lauds Jobs Fair

By Richard A. Ramos

TOURISM SECRETARY JOSEPH Ace Durano praised the holding of the 2nd Tourism Jobs Fair (TFJ 2007) in Cebu, saying that the event has attracted over 10,000 applicants based mostly from the province of Cebu who wished to join the tourism industry.

He expressed confidence that more individuals would still apply for employment since the number of exhibitors has increased significantly from 101 in 2006 to 132 this year.

“There are also over 9,350 job openings spread out among the various tourism establishments. This is a positive sign that the industry is playing a large role in the fulfilment of President Arroyo’s agenda for the creation of millions of job opportunities,” he told reporters gathered at the Cebu International Convention Center, or CICC.

The tourism secretary also singled out six jobseekers who were hired on the spot last year and have shown great potentials in their job responsibilities.

These were Frances Ann Ligan and Brilla Jalali of Shangri-La Mactan, Jolly Gonzales and Jenell Abella of Crown Regency Hotel, and Edgar Esparaguerra of Dedon Manufacturing Corp.

A profile of the exhibitors revealed that resort and hotels comprise the largest chunk (23 out of 132). This is followed by 12 airlines/shipping/cruise companies; 11 overseas employment agencies; and seven national government agencies.

In a statement, Daniel Corpuz, executive director of the Philippine Convention Visitors Corp (PCVC), said that a total of 9,500 applicants registered online at www.tourismjobs.ph since the first TJF.

Applicants meet their prospective employers during appointment sessions right after completing their onsite registration at the plenary hall.

The two-day event also included various lectures on the tourism field as handled by veteran practitioners such as Dr. Mila Espina; DOT Usec. Phineas Alburo; DOT Asec. Cynthia Carrion Manuel Osmena as owner of Hilton Cebu, Marco Protacio as GM of Waterfront Cebu City Hotel & Casino, and others.