SYDNEY (Reuters)- Speaking at the Asia Society dinner in Sydney, Australia, World Bank chief Robert Zoellick said that recent loss of market confidence in economic leadership in key countries particularly the United States and Europe along with fragile economic recovery have pushed the global economy into a new danger zone.

“What’s happened in the past couple of weeks is there is a convergence of some events in Europe and the United States that has led many market participants to lose confidence in economic leadership of some of the key countries,” Zoellick said.

“I think those events combined with some of the other fragilities in the nature of recovery have pushed us into a new danger zone. I don’t say those words lightly … so that policymakers recognize and take it seriously for what it is.”

He said that the process of dealing with debt problems and some competitive issues in the European zone fell short leaving market worries that authorities may not have done enough to get ahead of the problem or not maneuvering in the right direction.

“That (worry) has accumulated and so we’re moving from drama to trauma for a lot of the euro zone countries,” he said.

Zoellick said it wasn’t fears that the United States faced an imminent economy problem, but “frankly that markets are used to the United States playing a key role in the economic system and leadership.”

He said that current efforts to cut U.S. government spending have so far been focused on discretionary spending as opposed to the entitlement program such as social security. “Until they make an effort on those programs, there is going to be continued skepticism about dealing with long-term spending.”

He also urged British Prime Minister David Cameron not to be deterred from austerity measures by recent riots — the country’s worst in decades — saying his spending cuts were “really necessary.”

“My concern would be if the politics knocked them off course,” Zoellick said.

On China, Zoellick said the appreciation of the yuan would be positive, especially in dealing with the country’s inflationary pressure.

He also said that Australia was in a much better position than other developed countries because it undertook structural reforms. On the fiscal side, he noted Australia’s debt was only 7 percent of gross domestic product and taking advantage of its position in the Asia Pacific region.

(ABS-CBN News, Manila, Philippines) – There’s no stopping eight-world division boxing champion and pound-for-pound king Manny “Pacman” Paquiao from expanding his business empire. He already owns high-end fashion boutiques and apparels, coffee shop, boxing gym, water refilling and gas stations and a best selling music album. And there’s no sign of him slowing down.

It was during the “Redhorse Pambansang Muziklaban: Francis Magalona Tribute” on Saturday, that Manny Pacquiao revealed that his new business venture – a tattoo shop in Los Angeles, California.

Famous Filipino tattoo artist Chris Garcia, also known as “Champion Ink,” is his new business partner.

“Magandang karangalan ito na makasama ko siya sa tattoo shop dahil isa siya sa mga pinakamagaling mag-tattoo dito sa atin and I’m very proud of him. Marami siyang tina-tattoo-han, mga sikat na actors, Hollywood actors, mga singers at marami pang iba. Sana malayo ang marating namin,” said Pacquiao.

The eight-world division champion, who is a tattoo enthusiast, said he is looking forward to have a new tattoo when he flies back to LA for his training.

The boxing icon, who is also a tattoo enthusiast, said he is looking forward to have a new tattoo when he flies back to LA for his training on his upcoming fight with Sugar Shane Mosley.

“Pagbalik ko sa LA magpapa-tattoo ako sa kanya (Garcia) ng Panther dito sa kamay ko,” Pacquiao added.
Garcia, on the other hand, said he is overwhelmed to be the “Fighter of the Decade’s” business partner.

“Ibang klaseng pakiramdam. Napaka-sarap ng pakiramdam, napaka-sarap marinig ang mga salitang ‘yon mula sa isang Manny Pacquiao na idolo ng lahat ng tao sa Pilipinas, sa bansa. Napakalaking karangalan sa akin na mapili,” said Garcia.

“It represents the excellence synonymous to Manny Pacquiao. Pagkasinabi mo ‘yong pangalan ni Manny, ang unang papasok sa isip mo ay absolute excellence kaya ‘yon ang gusto naming i-offer sa shop niya, nothing but absolute best,” the US-based Filipino tattoo artist added.

Manila (Philippine Daily Inquirer/Asia News Network) – American investment bank Merrill Lynch has picked the Philippine peso as among its two currency favorites this year 2011, saying that Philippine’s local currency was undervalued by about 10-15 percent given the strength of the country’s external surplus.

Merrill Lynch foreign-exchange strategist Ashok Bhundia told reporters Monday (January 10) that the peso and the Singapore dollar were among his firm’s top currency picks for this year.

“The peso, we believe, is mainly being supported by remittance inflows, which remain very strong. The growth dynamics is getting structural boost from a reform-minded government and if expectations prove right, we should see the fiscal position improve structurally,” Bhundia said.

Based on a statistical model used by Merrill Lynch in estimating the sustainable level of current account, Bhundia said the country’s surplus was “a little too large.” As such, he said the local currency needs to appreciate to attain an equilibrium, thereby explaining the perceived undervaluation of the peso.

However, he said external jitters would likely bring the local currency under pressure in the 2nd quarter. In particular, risk aversion from the lingering fiscal crisis in Europe is seen bringing the local currency to about 43.50 against the US dollar by June from around 42:$1 by March this year.

But the currency upswing is seen resuming in the second half, bringing the peso to 42 by September and further to 40 against the greenback by end-2011.

Another factor that would underpin the strength of the peso and other Asian currencies, he added, would be the likelihood that China would allow the renminbi (RMB) to appreciate.

The Philippines is also seen as among the few countries where the risk of resorting to capital controls was very low given recent pronouncements from the Central Bank (BSP) rejecting such an idea.

What the BSP (Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas) had instead done, Bhundia said, was to stop rolling over maturing foreign-exchange currency swaps, which had the effect of squeezing peso liquidity by shutting down onshore borrowing rates in peso. But he said this was a very “technical” response that could not likely be sustained going forward.

“We don’t think central banks will lean against appreciation. What they will lean against is too rapid appreciation,” he said.

Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) announced on Friday, August 27, that a total of 37,679 out of 91,008 examinees passed the Nurse Licensure Examination held on July 3 and 4 of 2010.  The July nursing board exam was held in Manila, Baguio, Cagayan de Oro, Cebu, Dagupan, Davao, Iloilo, La Union, Legazpi, Lucena, Pagadian, Pampanga, Tacloban, Tuguegarao and Zamboanga.

Aside from the duly accomplished oath form or “Panunumpa ng Propesyonal,” the requirements that the board passers should bring are as follows:

1. Current community tax certificate (cedula)

2.  2 pieces passport-size pictures (colored with white background and complete name tag);

3.  1 piece 1″ x 1″ picture (colored with white background and complete name tag);

4.  2 sets of metered documentary stamps;

5.  1 short brown envelope with name and profession indicated on it;

6.  A payment of P450 for 2010-13 annual fee and initial registration fee of P600.

PRC officers are reminding those who will take their oaths, must come in their white gala uniform and wear their nurse’s caps and white duty shoes.  Wearing earrings and corsage are not allowed and their hair must not touch the collar.

The oath-taking ceremonies who took their examination in Manila will be held before the Philippine Nursing Board on September 20 and 21 at 8:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. at the SMX Convention Center, SM Mall of Asia, Pasay City.  Tickets for the oath-taking will be available at the Philippine Nurses Association office at 1663 F.T. Benitez Street, Malate, Manila from September 1 to 20, 2010 on a first-come, first-served basis.

It’s nice to find good news nowadays like these.  Congratulations to all board passers!

Placed as fourth runner up in the Ms. Universe competition on August 23, 2010 in Las Vegas,  is from our very own  Camarines Sur,  Ms. Philippines Maria Venus Raj who almost had the crown with Mexico’s Jimena Navarrete who emerged the title.  Jamaica’s Yendi Phillips got the 1st runner up title, while Australia’s Jesinta Campbell and Ukraine’s Anna Poslavska are 2nd and 3rd runners up respectively.  As I watch all the candidates ramped along the stage, I would say, everyone was stunningly beautiful.  Good job to the Ms. Universe Committee around the world!

About our candicate,  Maria Venus Bayonito Raj (born July 7, 1988) is a Filipina-Indian beauty queen who was crowned Binibining Pilipinas Universe on March 06, 2010 during the pageant’s Grand Coronation Night at the Araneta Coliseum.  She represented the Republic of the Philippines in the Miss Universe 2010 beauty pageant.

Congratulations to our dear Venus Raj!  You made us all proud of you! Every time “Ms. Philippines” is called, I would stand and jump from my bed.  She stood out the rest of the beautiful candidates in Ms. Universe Pageant, though I like Ms. Thailand too.  We expect to see more of her on screen and media wide.  We have produced another beauty queen!

We were intrigued of what transpired during Willie Revillame’s controversy over his request to ABS CBN on casting out Jobert Sucaldito, one of the network’s journalists / talk show hosts.  The alleged request was followed by Revillame’s indefinite leave on his noontime show, Wowowee.  Just recently it was reported that Revillame sent a letter to the network leading to his resignation.  The aid letter was addressed to the network’s Chairman, Mr. Eugenio “Gabby” Lopez III and to its President, Ms. Charo Santos-Concio.

Here’s the content of Revillame’s letter:

Dear Sir Gabby and Ma’am Charo,

I have labored over the past week on what to do in the face of another setback in my relations with the management of the network. ABS-CBN has been my home for the last five years and five months and it has given me the greatest gift—the opportunity to reach out to people who have so little in life.

In the process, I have come to realize that my gratitude to the network would be more meaningful if I considered the impact of my recent actions which has placed the station in a bad light. This is among the reasons, as I will explain in this letter, that I humbly request the management, to release me as a talent of the network.

It is no secret that the program “Wowowee,” for almost five and a half years, has been the core of my existence. The program gives me a sense of purpose because I make people happy and I give them hope that, despite their difficulties, they can make things happen for themselves. Because of this, my world has revolved around the show. The desire to make it the best noontime show, has consumed my waking hours, as I conceptualize its format and contents from Monday to Saturday. Apart from this, I want the show to give the network excellent ratings to maintain its reputation as the leader in the broadcasting industry.

My devotion to the show is unparalleled that I have even been besieged by health problems due to the long hours I spend daily, thinking of how to bring “Wowowee” closer to the public. In fact, I have developed a heart blockage, which has already once posed a real threat to my life. I have sacrificed so much. Now, I have to accept the reality that I also have to take good care of my health.

Hence, it is very painful to hear every time my show is the target of unwanted and unnecessary tirades. I do not think that these people even have the slightest clue of what I go through to put together a show like “Wowowee”‘. The show is not for me, but for those people who dream of a better life. Is it too much to ask that we be respected for what we do? Is it too much to ask that we be defended from such attacks?

My outburst last week during the live presentation of the show is nothing more than a reflection of my frustration over these things, and was not at all meant to disrespect the network and its management. I implore you to understand that several incidents, which were beyond my control which have marred the reputation of the show to some extent, have already taken their toll on me.

There was the “Wilyonaryo” incident wherein we were accused of deceiving contestants about their winnings; the Ultra stampede wherein I was blamed and severely criticized; the misunderstanding about my remarks when the coverage of the funeral of the late Pres. Corazon Aquino was unexpectedly shown in the giling-giling portion of “Wowowee”‘s airing, for which I have apologized. In all these incidents, I took responsibility even if I was not at fault.

I do not want to cause any further embarrassment to the network. I know that all these have caused so much strain on our relations and I would like to save the situation by asking that I be released as a talent of the station. This way, I will have the much-needed space and time to contemplate on my direction in life and, at the same time, maintain the relationships I have built within the network, which are all worth preserving.

Before I end this letter, I would like to express my sincerest gratitude to all the important people I have had the good fortune to work with during the years I have been with ABS-CBN. Ma’am Charo, maraming salamat sa lahat ng pagkakataon na naibigay ninyo sa akin. Kayo po ang tinuturing kong ina na patuloy akong tinatanggap at minamahal sa kabila ng lahat ng aking kahinaan. Hinding-hindi ko po kayo makakalimutan at lahat ng mga bagay na ginawa ninyo para sa akin.

Kay Mr. Gabby Lopez, maraming salamat po sa inyong pagtitiwala sa aking kakayanan na magbigay ng mahusay na programa. Kay Tita Cory Vidanes, maraming salamat sa pagiging maunawain ninyo sa akin. Kay Mr. Johnny Manahan, maraming salamat sa walang-sawang pag-suporta ninyo sa akin at sa “Wowowee,” at lalong lalo na sa pagtayo ninyo bilang aking pangalawang ama. Kay Ms. Linggit Tan, Mr. Jay Montelibano at Mr. Edgar Mortiz, maraming salamat sa suporta at tulong ninyo na mapabuti and programang “Wowowee” para sa ikaliligaya ngmga natutulangan natin. Sa lahat ng bumubuo ng management ng ABS-CBN, maraming salamat sa tulong ninyo sa aking programa.

Higit sa lahat, sa lahat ng mga taong sumuporta at patulong na sumusuporta sa show na “Wowowee,” maraming salamat at kayo ang nagbibigay sa akin ng lakas na gawin ang mga dapat kong gawin. Sana po ay maunawaan ninyo ang aking kahilingan sa sulat na ito. Ayaw ko na pong may masasaktan pa at gusto ko lang na maisaayos lahat. Taos-puso akong humihingi sa inyo ng tawad at lubos na pang-unawa sa lahat ng pinagdadaanan ko ngayon.

There will never be enough words to express my gratitude to all of you…

Salamat at mabuhay po kayong lahat!

Respectfully yours,
Willie B. Revillame

Apparently, Willie Revillame is now a contract artist of TV 5 but yet to be confirmed.  There are rumors that ABS CBN  have gathered surveys through text and facebook whether Willie Revillame will stay or not in Wowowee and allegedly garnered majority of the vote against Revillame.

We all see the partial tally rising gradually with a clear picture of Noynoy Aquino being the winner among the presidentiables.  Five of his rivals accepted defeat and congratulated him for what seems like his impending victory, on Tuesday.  The first to concede was Aquino’s colleague in the Senate and fiercest rival to the presidency during the campaign period, Manny Villar Jr. (Nacionalista Party).

Deriving from Villar’s prepared statement, he said, “Humaharap ako sa inyo ngayon upang tanggapin ang pasyang ito. Upang igalang ang boses ng sambayanang Pilipino (I now face you all to admit my defeat). I congratulate Senator Noynoy Aquino on his victory. The challenges he and our country faces are enormous and we should all work together.”  Villar’s move earned him admiration from the Commission on Elections (Comelec).

Sen. Richard Gordon (Bagumbayan), JC de los Reyes (Ang Kapatiran), Bro. Eddie Villanueva (Bangon Pilipinas), and Gilberto Teodoro Jr. (Lakas-Kampi-CMD) followed Villar’s steps.  Gordon already congratulated Noynoy Aquino for his “spectacular victory,”  through his facebook status and called upon the nation to unite and support the new administration.  “We accept the will of the people. Today, we have a victory for democracy with the successful exercise of our first nationwide automated election despite naysayers and doubters,” said Gordon.  Gordon likewise thanked his supporters, especially his volunteers particularly “those who gave up their limited resources as a manifestation of trust in his brand of leadership and track record.  I ran a very truthful, straightforward and candid campaign and thought we could run on the basis of our platform, track record and volunteerism,” he said.

De los Reyes, on the other hand,  said through a text message, that although Aquino’s platforms differ from his, he would still “support his government in other reform efforts we have in common.”

Gibo Teodoro, who is Aquino’s cousin, said he is happy with the results of the elections, while Villanueva said he informed Aquino through a phone call that he would be praying for his success and blessing.  “I will also ask him (Aquino) and the legislators to look into the election laws so that it could be perfected.”  “Lest my silence following the recent presidential elections be misconstrued for conceding the elections to the front runner, I wish to assure the public that while I plan no protest, I am not conceding,” he said.  Teodoro thanked his supporters whom he said did not support him but his idea of national unity and positivism. He said he is not blaming anybody for his defeat.

Meanwhile, Vice Presidential bet, Loren Legarda, emotionally conceded through a prescon and congratulated Jejomar Binay for winning.

From GMA Network’s partial and unofficial tally as of 9:12 p.m. of Tuesday, May 11, Aquino remained at the top spot with 13,165,343 votes. Villar ranked third with 4,739,299; Teodoro at 4th with 3,509,495; Villanueva at 5th with 985,817; Gordon at sixth with 449,592; and De los Reyes at 9th with 38,194.  Second placer Joseph Estrada, who has 8,425,937 votes in the tally, said it is still too early for him to

Aquino  leads in the partial count of the Commission on Elections (Comelec) as of 10 p.m., which showed him with 5,853,537 votes (40.44 percent) over former President Joseph Estrada (Pwersa ng Masang Pilipino) with 3,728,723 votes (25.76 percent), Sen. Manny Villar Jr. (Nacionalista Party) with 2,024,119 votes (13.98 percent) and Gilberto Teodoro Jr. (Lakas-Kampi-CMD) with 1,541,199 votes (10.64 percent).

Following next is Eddie Villanueva (Bangon Pilipinas), Sen. Richard Gordon (Bagumbayan), and disqualified candidate Vetellano Acosta (Kilusang Bagong Lipunan) with 453,016 (3.12 percent), 226,552 (1.56 percent), 61,704 (0.42 percent), respectively.   The independent candidate Nicanor Perlas, meanwhile, got 19,196 votes (0.13 percent), followed by fellow independent candidate Sen. Maria Ana Consuelo Madrigal with 17,556 (0.12 percent), and John Carlos De Los Reyes (Ang Kapatiran) with 15,842 (0.1 percent).

In the vice presidential race, Binay, Estrada’s running mate, got 5,881,127 votes (40.63 percent) while Liberal Party’s Sen. Mar Roxas came in second with 5,310,355 votes (36.68 percent), according to the Comelec.  Villar’s running-mate Sen. Loren Legarda came in third with 1,542,687 votes (10.65 percent), followed by Bayani Fernando with 422,607 votes (2.91 percent), and Lakas-Kampi-CMD’s Eduardo Manzano with 249,025 votes (1.72 percent).   Bangon Pilipinas’ Perfecto Yasay came in sixth with 144,471 votes (0.99 percent), while former broadcaster Jay Sonza came next with 24,616 votes (0.17 percent). Finishing last was Dominador Chipeco of Ang Kapatiran with 17, 971 (0.012 percent) votes.  The figures represent 35.38 percent of precincts nationwide, the first official batch transmitted to Comelec servers, as of 9:45 p.m.

More updates coming up!

Mosley vs. Mayweather

Shane Mosley and Floyd Mayweather Jr. are fighting in the ring today, May 1, to terms for a welterweight super fight.  Mosley will defend his welterweight title against Mayweather on HBO PPV at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.

Manny Pacquiao could have been much more excited to see this fight! I wonder if he would ever cheer for Mayweather.  Pacquiao’s fans want Mayweather to lose the fight against Mosley but in order for him to fight Pacman, Mayweather needs to win, and boxing fans want to see Pacquiao vs. Mayweather fight.  Pacman-Floyd would be the biggest fight in Boxing history.

Watch the fight live:

http://free-per-view.blogspot.com/

Other possible sites to try:

http://sopcast.com/

http://www.hboboxing.info/vip/

http://www.watchpacquiao.info/

http://sports.yahoo.com/box;_ylt=Atg7gYRAy4ryf0tmCSTD9hYdwcwF

http://www.livehboonline.info/?gclid=CIbK9quKt6ACFcQtpAodcR-3UA