More Meaningful the Second Time Around. THE KUNDIMAN PARTY at the PETA THEATER Center

Acclaimed as one the most meaningful and relevant original Filipino plays in recent times, Floy Quintos’ “THE KUNDIMAN PARTY” comes to the PETA THEATER CENTER for limited run starting May 24.

The play, directed by Dexter M. Santos was first produced by the UP Playwright’s Theater in 2018.  It was hailed by critics and audiences alike for the seamless weaving of our  timeless Kundiman art songs into a plot that involved discontented millennials and Social Media, EJKs and other current political and social  issues.

Equally notable were the performances of the fine ensemble led by Shamaine Centenera-Buencamino as Maestra Adela, a reclusive voice teacher whose latent nationalism is awakened . Together with Frances Makil-Ignacio, Stella Cañete-Mendoza, Jenny Jamora and Missy Maramara as Adela’s close circle of Titas, the cast painted a portrait of contemporary Pinoy society that was both poignant as well as wildly entertaining.

By the time the revival opens at the PETA Theater this year, a crucial national election will have taken place, an election that for many will determine the course of the current national struggle.

Whatever the results of this political exercise, the creators of the show believe this: That the outcome of the elections will be the start of a greater struggle, the beginning  of a new chapter in the fight to regain our national dignity. Thus, “The Kundiman Party” and all that it stands for will be more relevant than ever.

It seems most meaningful that “The Kundiman Party” is being  revived at the PETA Theater Center in Quezon City. PETA has long served as a vital venue for meaningful and relevant original Filipino works. “The Kundiman Party” cast and creators are thankful to have been offered the chance to collaborate with this dynamic institution of Philippine Theater.

PH Merchandise Exports up in the Third Quarter – DTI

The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) assessed that Philippine merchandise exports rose 0.3% year-on-year (yoy) in the third quarter of 2018, a positive turnaround following its 1.3% yoy decline in the second quarter and 5.5% yoy contraction in the first quarter of the year.

PH’s third-quarter merchandise export performance was largely driven by positive yoy growth in the country’s exports of manufactured goods—led by electronics—with increased exports to the United States (US), China, Hong Kong, and Singapore. In the third quarter, merchandise exports were up in July (+0.3% yoy) and also in August (+3.4% yoy) that combined outweighed its September’s fall (-2.6% yoy), which was partly induced by weakening of global manufacturing activity amid escalating trade tensions between US and China.

“The country’s merchandise export performance has been improving on a quarterly basis since the start of 2018. Its growth turned positive in the third quarter after registering negative growth in the first two quarters of the year,” said DTI Secretary Ramon Lopez.

Sec. Lopez added: “The PH government has long-term plans and roadmaps to help expand the country’s manufacturing and production base, and promote the diversification of merchandise exports. Through these policy initiatives and programs, merchandise exports will grow further and in turn will narrow the trade-in-goods deficit. We need to expand our manufacturing base to meet as well the growing domestic demand for both consumption goods and intermediate goods.  In the short-term, we are trying to address supply chain issues and maximizing whatever limited budget given to promote our exportables in foreign markets through trade fairs and expos like the recently held China International Import Exposition (CIIE) that contribute to increasing our export sales abroad.”

DTI Chief Promotes ASEAN Economic Integration: Joins ASEAN Ministers in Signing E-Commerce Agreement, in Enhancing Agreements on Services Trade and Investment

SINGAPORE — Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Secretary Ramon Lopez joined other ASEAN Economic Ministers (AEM) at the Preparatory AEM Meeting and the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) Council during 11-12 November in Singapore.

In this event, the ministers signed the ASEAN E-Commerce Agreement; announced the conclusion of the negotiations for the ASEAN Trade in Services Agreement (ATISA); and finalised the Fourth Protocol to Amend the ASEAN Comprehensive Investment Agreement (ACIA).

Secretary Lopez noted two major benefits from the e-commerce agreement: “It has elements that provide protection and safeguards to consumers to build trust and confidence in e-commerce. Likewise, it facilitates more MSME access to the ASEAN market.”

Meanwhile, ATISA aims to deepen services sectors in ASEAN, while ACIA will help maintain the attractiveness of the region as an investment destination.

“ASEAN is on the drawing board to ‘future-proof’ the regional economy,” said DTI Secretary Lopez.

Among the other topics that were discussed include Global Value Chains (GVC), Innovation, Digital Economy, and 4th Industrial Revolution (4IR), among many others.

“A priority in our engagement in the AEC is to pursue the agenda on Inclusive Globalization. We can use our international and regional engagements as a tool to alleviate poverty and sustain our economic growth and development,” explained Sec. Lopez.

He added that ASEAN can play an important role in preserving a rules-based global trading order and provide the necessary boost to the world economy, amid the increasing threat of escalating trade tensions and continuing global uncertainties.

DTI CHIEF OPENS PH NATIONAL PAVILION IN CHINA EXPO

SHANGHAI – Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Secretary Ramon Lopez opened the Philippine (PH) National Pavilion at the China International Import Exposition (CIIE) on 6 November. This aims to improve the market access of PH products into China. CIIE runs from 5 to 10 November and features 3,000 exhibitors from 130 countries.

“The Philippines appreciates the Chinese government’s thrust to deepen its globalization commitment.  CIIE is China’s way of conveying to the world that it is ready to open more its market and encourage more exporters to China,” said the DTI Secretary, Sec. Lopez added: “It sends a strong signal to the world that China would also like to help balance trade with its trading partners as China believes in promoting globalization that's is more inclusive, to achieve the goal of having shared prosperity with other countries.”

The 136-square meter PH national pavilion, themed “Partner Philippines: Building Value Together,” showcases the country’s initiatives in trade, investment, and tourism. It features 10 partner government agencies and companies as well as 11 universities. These universities are promoting their undergraduate and graduate programs, as well as English as a Second Language (ESL).

Aside from the national pavilion, there are 36 booths in the Enterprise Zone featuring Filipino exhibitors: 28 for food, five for consumer goods (apparel, accessories and consumer goods, electronics, automobile, and information technology), and three for services (tourism and service outsourcing).

Sec. Lopez cited the close trade relations between PH and China. China is PH’s largest import partner at US$ 17.5 billion in 2017 and fourth-largest export market at US$ 8 billion in the same year.

Also present at the opening ceremonies were PH Ambassador to China Jose Santiago Sta. Romana, Ministry of Commerce of the People's Republic of China (MOFCOM) Trade Director General for Asian Affairs Peng Gang,  Former Commercial Counselor of China to the Philippines and MOFCOM Director General for Foreign Trade Development Bureau Wu Zhengping, Special Envoy to China Carlos Chan, DTI Undersecretary Nora Terrado, and DTI-CITEM Executive Director Pauline Juan.

The Philippine participation to the CIIE is spearheaded by the DTI, in cooperation with the following government and private sector partners: Department of Science and Technology (DOST), Department of Agriculture (DA), Commission on Higher Education (CHED), Department of Tourism (DOT), the Tourism Promotions Board (TPB), Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI), Philippine Airlines, Federation of Filipino-Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry, Anvil business club, Philippine Franchise Association and the Integrated Development Studies Institute.

Salinlahi pushes CASER, challenges Duterte: Do this for Filipino children

'To achieve a just and lasting peace, the Duterte government needs to sign and implement the CASER (Comprehensive Agreement on Socio-Economic Reforms). The agreement will help improve the lives of millions of impoverished Filipino children and their families,' this is the challenge of Kharlo Manano, secretary general of Salinlahi Alliance for Children's Concerns, an alliance of child rights groups in the Philippines.

Talking about the recently concluded third round of the peace negotiations between the National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP) and the Duterte government, the child rights group mentioned the importance of national industrialization and genuine land reform among other programs included in the proposal of the NDFP.

Manano explained that 'Nationalizing industries will provide jobs for Filipinos and will contribute to eventual eradication of exploitation of child labor, children in conflict with the law and even the perilous involvement of children in drug trades and use.'

Likewise, the group said that genuine land reform will help lower down hunger and malnutrition rates among children of farmers and farm workers. 'If peasant families would have land to till and sufficient support to agriculture from the government, cases of child trafficking and cyber pornography would lessen since majority of victims are rural poor without regular livelihood,' Manano continued.

Salinlahi encouraged Duterte to be true to his vow to achieve peace, 'President Duterte should seriously implement CASER once signed and the Flipino people should be vigilant to ensure social justice as a requisite in achieving genuine peace. The success of the peace talks and CASER would contribute to a better future for children,' concluded Manano.###