Category Archives: Economy

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CHANGE OF VENUE: PHILIPPINES TO HOST 2018 WORLD CUP

July 9, 2014 Pol Pinoy 31 Comments

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil (The Adobo Chronicles) – The 2014 World Cup concludes with the final match between Germany and Argentina this Sunday. Already, all eyes are focused on the 2018 World Cup.

Earlier, Russia won the bid to host the next World Cup, but mounting concern about the country’s human rights record has forced FIFA (Fédération Internationale de Football Association) to cancel the winning bid and name an alternative venue for 2018 soccer games.

In an announcement that stunned the world football community, FIFA has named the Philippines as the new venue for the 2018 World Cup. Unknown to many, the Philippines does have its national football team named ‘Azkals,’ which is ranked 129th by FIFA. Whether or not the Azkals can qualify for the 2018 games is not an issue. Rather it is all about the venue.

This year, the Philippines will inaugurate the Philippine Arena located in Bocaue, Bulacan, just 14 miles north of Manila. It is owned by the filthy rich religious group, Iglesia Ni Cristo (Church of Christ), which accounts for just about 3% of all religious denominations in the country.

FIFA was very impressed with the enormity of the domed structure. Using the arena as the venue for the World Cup was the deal breaker in the decision to award the Philippines the hosting rights for 2018.

The 74,000 square meter indoor arena has a seating capacity of 50,000, way above the FIFA standard of 30,000 for its World Cup venues. Once completed, the Philippine Arena will be the largest domed structure in the world. In comparison, the Madison Square Garden in New York could only sit 20,000 people, while the Staples Center in Los Angeles has a capacity of 21,000.

Designed by Kansas City-based architecture firm Populous, construction is being carried out by South Korea’s Hanwha Engineering and Construction Corp. and is expected to be completed in time to mark the church’s centennial celebration this year.The church said it plans to use the arena for religious gatherings, except in 2018 when it will rent out the arena to FIFA.

It’s not only “more fun in the Philippines” (the Philippine Department of Tourism meme). It’s also bigger and better in this island nation.

See related story: World Cup, The Battle Between Two Popes.

Business, Economy, Human Interest, International, Law Enforcement, Politics, The Media

PRESIDENT AQUINO AWARDED THE NO BILL PRIZE

July 3, 2014 Pol Pinoy 1 Comment

Manila, Philippines (The Adobo Chronicles ) – Philippine President NoyNoy Aquino has had a relatively long political career. Prior to his election as head of state, he was a member of the Congress — as Representative of his native Tarlac province from 1998 to 2007, and as Senator from 2007 to 2010.

Throughout his years in the Legislative body, Aquino focused on the fiscalizing role of a legislator. He felt that there were already too many laws, and good ones at that, but they seemingly lacked proper implementation. He concentrated on crafting laws that would help create opportunity rather than impose additional burdens to those who are already disadvantaged. He actively took part in budget deliberations to ensure that government initiatives do address the plight of the people who need help the most.

Recently, there were reports that his administration’s staff were aggressively lobbying for his nomination for the 2014 Nobel Peace Prize. The Adobo Chronicles previously reported that the Nobel Prize Nominating Committee informed the Philippines that Aquino could not be considered for the Prize on moral grounds — his being a chain smoker.

Realizing that Aquino’s chances are anywhere from slim to nothing, his allies in Congress have passed a joint resolution presenting him with a special award — the first Philippine Congressional No Bill Prize.

The prestigious award is in recognition of his many years as a legislator, during which none of the bills he authored or initiated passed Congress.

“It’s the closest thing to a Nobel Prize that he could possibly get,” the resolution said.

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PHILIPPINES OVERTAKES INDIA AS CALL CENTER CAPITAL OF THE WORLD, THANKS TO NURSES

June 27, 2014 Pol Pinoy 2 Comments

Manila, Philippines (The Adobo Chronicles) – If you try to call customer service to inquire about your credit card or online product orders, chances are you will be speaking to someone from India or the Philippines, the top countries where U.S.-based companies have outsourced their phone services via call centers.

Until recently, India was considered the call center capital of the world. Not anymore. With an estimated 400,000 Filipinos working in call centers, the Philippines has displaced India from the top spot, thanks to Filipino nurses. Say what?

Nursing has become one of top courses and professions in the Philippines, with local universities graduating anywhere from 80,000 to 100,000 every year.

With the very limited number of local hospitals and more stringent requirements for nursing graduates seeking employment in the U.S., it is now estimated that close to half a million licensed Filipino nurses are unemployed or underemployed.

But no worries. Filipino nurses are now being hired by the growing number of call centers in the country, and this has attracted many foreign companies to outsource their services to the Philippines. The reason? Customers who are connected to the Philippine call centers get an extra perk: free medical advice. Calling the centers is like calling Kaiser Permanente or Blue Cross Blue Shield and speaking to an advice nurse.

After answering customer queries about their credit card or online orders, Filipino call center representatives will ask, “and how are you doing today, healthwise?” The caller can then proceed to ask health-related questions.

So the next time you are connected to a call center in the Philippines, don’t forget to ask about the side effects of your medication or what over-the-counter drug you should be taking for your allergies.