What's On & Expat - Philippines

creative entrepreneurial ways to alleviate the region’s looming sugar crisis in the 1980s, ANP is now an organization of 90 producerse that manufacture indigenous products from gifts, houseware and furniture to fashion, garments and food.
 

Laminated ball decors
 

Accessories made from indigenous materials and semi-precious stones

Candelabras made of twigs

Makoto Katsura—New Japanese Ambassador to the Philippines

By Ana Kristine B. Valenzuela
 

His Excellency Makoto Katsura together with his wife Yasuko Katusura arrived in Manila on September 20 to fill the position vacated by former Ambassador Ryuichiro Yamazaki.
   Ambassador Katsura described himself as a balikbayan or a returnee, having been posted as Deputy Chief of Mission last 1994–1997. He expressed his determination to do his best to further develop and enhance the cooperative relationship between Japan and the Philippines, building upon the achievements of his predecessors.
   “I have always been conscious of the development of our relationship, and was delighted to know that it has been called ‘partnership for comprehensive cooperation’, sharing fundamental values of freedom, democracy and respect for human rights, with cooperative areas expanded to include political issues, security, peace building in Mindanao, as well as cultural and human exchanges. Needless to say, Japan continues to be

one of the Philippines’s top trading and investment partners, as well as the top ODA partner.” Katsura said.
   He believes that the passage of the Japan-Philippine Economic Partnership Agreement will play a vital role in further enhancing the trade and investment relations of both countries.

The plight of a hundred children born with cleft lips or palates in Naga City inspired the founding of Operation Smile 25 years ago after Dr. Bill McGee and his nurse wife Kathy. They joined a group of American doctors on a medical mission to the Philippines in 1981 to perform reconstructive surgery on those suffering from this condition.
   Realizing the magnitude of the problem in this country where the incidence of inborn cleft-lip or palates is one in every 500 births, Bill and Kathy McGee were moved to return every year thereafter to extend to other Filipino children with these facial deformities, giving birth to Operation Smile International based in their Norfolk Virginia home. From organizing volunteer doctors and other healthcare professionals to soliciting donations of surgical equipment and supplies while raising funds to finance these yearly medical missions, Operation Smile today has grown into a global foundation operating in 25 countries around the world. Its vision remains to fulfill its humanitarian work to help alleviate the cleft condition prevalent in Asia, South America, Eastern Europe and the Middle East.
   Since its founding, Operation Smile volunteers have treated more than 100,000 children worldwide, including 20,000 Fili

pinos, putting smiles back in their faces and changing lives dramatically for the better. The benefits of reconstructive surgery for cleft patients are not merely cosmetic. Aside from medical problems associated with the cleft condition, including chronic ear infections, malnutrition, dental problems and speech impairment, the emotional effects in terms of shattered self-esteem and social acceptance may be even more devastating to a child. Operation Smile is committed to substantially increase the number of children benefited by its medicine missions and raise public awareness and donations to continue its advocacy around the world.
   To commemorate its silver anniversary, Operation Smile is mounting “The World Journey of Smiles” from November 8 to 16, with the objectives of treating an estimated 5,000 children during 40 medical missions spread across 25 countries all over the world. To kick-off the World Journey of Smiles celebration, Operation Smile founders Dr. Bill McGee and wife Kathy will return to the Philippines and lead a medical mission in its birth place, Naga City, Camarines Sur. They will unveil a commemorative marker in the hospital where the Operation Smile vision to “change lives one smile at a time” motto all started.

Expo Unveils New Technologies in Hair, Makeup, Beauty, Wellness

Marking October as Health and Wellness Tourism Month, a twin international expo in Manila will unveil new technologies in hair styling, makeup, beauty and wellness.
   Beauty & Fitness World / Spa & Wellness Philippines 2007 is a back-to-back trade fair that would showcase all such “trade secrets” at the World Trade Center in Roxas Boulevard from October 25 to 27. Event organizer World Expos and Concepts, Inc. (Worldexco) brings together local and international exhibitors from the USA, UK, Italy, Israel, Australia, Japan, Korea, Taiwan and more.
   “Japanese hair expert and inventor Mitsunobu Kanauchi will demonstrate the Mu Carina Handjet Steamer which reduces the hair rebonding process from six to only two hours. This is a must-see for hair stylists and salon owners who want to maximize time and profits,” said Worldexco General Manager Raquel Z. Romero.
   “The latest in makeup techniques will also emerge at the
   Making Faces Make-up Competition sponsored by Michiko Cosmetics.
   It will hold demo lectures in make-up and skin care,” Romero added. The competition will be staged by the Hairdressers and Cosmetologists Association of the Philippines (HACAP), which will also conduct a seminar on hair coloring. Deadline for applications to the makeup competition is on October 19.
Lifewave will do a presentation on appetite control patches. 
  “Lifewave’s patches are organic and aid skin-related problems, energy, sleep and pain. Mr. Roy Sujorno and Dr. Peng Chan, who head Lifewave’s Global Development and Global Expansion Divisions will talk about how the patches use nano-technology,” Romero
 

added, citing such technologies as only a few of many others that will be unveiled during the expo’s three-day run.
   The expo will also include presentations on how to set up a spa business. Among the speakers are Dr. Mike and Cathy Turvill of Spa
   Professionals, MC Spa Essentials, and Nurture Spa. Also, the Tai Chi Union will hold a free two-hour lecture demo in Tai Chi, its benefits, advantage in the work place and as a stress reliever. Tai Chi Master Chris Vogel will discuss and demonstrate Silk Reeling practice, Standing Meditation and Tai Chi Push Hands. The public can register on site for free at Tai Chi Union Philippines.
   There will also be hourly demos, product presentations, makeovers and other activities - from makeup to nail art, massage, health food supplements, teeth whitening systems, spa treatments and skin care technologies among many others.
   Beauty & Fitness World is now on its 4th year and Spa & Wellness Philippines is on its 2nd year. “Around 70 percent of our visitors last year were business owners and trade professionals searching for new products, services and business opportunities, making our show the gateway to the Philippine beauty and wellness market,” Romero stressed.
   The expo is endorsed by the Department of Tourism and supported by Spa Association of the Philippines, HACAP, and George Caroll Studio Style Salon Products, USA as partner. Likewise supporting the expo are Sofitel Philippine Plaza, Aitech Inc., Chase Technologies, www.Kasal.com, and 88db Philippines.
   For more information, call(02)855-8341 to 44 or email info@worldexco.com.