myPH

your Philippines web magazine

Power firms revisit 'Ring of Fire'
Faced with looming energy crises in their developing economies, power-hungry countries like the Philippines and Indonesia are again looking deep into the earth for solutions. Both are on the so-called Pacific Ring of Fire, home to the world's biggest reservoir of geothermal power.
But many of the most attractive untapped sites in the Philippines are located in remote areas, natural parks or protected by the Indigenous Peoples Rights Act. This one in remote Kananga supplies electricity throughout Samar and Leyte.  [myPH Business]

myPH recommendations
myPH partners in the Philippine online community are known for their good products and services. We commend them to you for easy, cost-friendly, safe online shopping. Advertisements linking to their websites are included in the appropriate sections of myPH – and each week we feature some special recommendations here on Page One:

myPH Adpost Classifieds
Looking for a job, selling a car, buying furniture or renting an apartment? myPH Adpost Classifieds may have exactly what you’re looking for. It’s the Philippine edition of the world’s top online classified ads service. Standard ads are free while upgraded ads cost little.  [myPH Adpost Classifieds]

Farm-fresh roses in the Philippines 
Island Rose grows its own high quality varieties of European roses south of Manila, and delivers to most parts of the Philippines at competitive prices.  The company is known for its professionalism, reliability, quality and caring customer service. [Island Rose]

World travel with Travelocity
Travelocity.com is the world’s top website for online travel bookings and information. Travelocity offers the best prices, comparative travel data, fast online bookings, customer service and an uncompromising quality guarantee for its flights, hotel bookings, cruises and other vacations.  [Travelocity.com]

Tips from travelers who've been there
TripAdvisor gives you a wealth of tips, free advice and  reviews about places to visit, where to stay, how to get there, what to see, where to eat out and have fun – and where it's not much fun – as assessed by travelers who have been there.  TripAdvisor covers both popular and less-known places across the Philippines (and around the world). And when you decide where to stay, the website offers you great hotel deals.  [TripAdvisor]

Passports for 'Japino' children'
Thousands of children living in the Philippines will be able to claim Japanese citizenship after Japan's Supreme Court ruled it was unconstitutional to base their nationality on their parents' marital status.
Also in the myPH Community news this week:
•   At least five toxic pesticides and other poisonous substances are still on board a Philippine ferry that sank during a recent typhoon and left nearly 800 people dead.
•   Kuwait may bring in tough penalties for employers abusing foreign workers and maids as a result of criticism by the United States and violent protests by Asian workers. [myPH Community]

Franchise may power Philippines
A consortium including China's State Grid Corporation has won approval from the Philippine lower house to run the national power grid.
Also in myPH Business this week:
•   Ayala Corporation, the Philippines’ oldest and most valuable conglomerate, has reported its net income slumped badly, as bank and telecoms earnings weakened.
•   A Filipino scientist has created a new composite building board made of chicken feathers that could be a major breakthrough for the construction industry in Asia.   [myPH Business]

For Susan Fernandez
Many of the leading names in contemporary Philippine art have banded together for a fund-raising exhibit project to help Filipino cultural arts champion and alternative music pioneer Susan Fernandez, who is battling cancer.
Also in myPH Happenings this week:
•   Gabby Concepcion has a series of shows in the coming weeks with remaining concerts in Manila and Tagaytay City.
•   Previews of the latest and upcoming auto models are promised at the 2nd Philippine International Motor Show to be held at the World Trade Center Metro Manila.  [myPH Happenings]

The Olympic dream is a yawn
"The Olympics aren't making headlines for Filipinos because sadly we're not in the Olympic league," says one myPH Sports Forum member. "We haven't really got a chance in Beijing."
Other topics of discussion in myPH Forum this week include:
•   If you're interested in surfing, now's the time to head to Siargao, especially for beginners as the waves are still small (but for serious surfers, the International Surf Championships are coming up in Siargao).
•   "Does anybody know about online gambling in the Philippines? Is it legal? Are there any websites?" asks a myPH Happenings Forum member.  [myPH Forum]

Vietnam bikes, golf and wine
I realized that this was the third time I had pedaled across this bridge in as many hours. There was no denying it: I was going in circles, completely lost in the Mekong Delta.
Also in myPH Traveler this week:
•   Once frowned upon, golf is catching on in Vietnam. There are now at least a dozen clubs or courses and as many as 30 more are being planned or built, according to the country’s newly formed golf association.  [myPH Traveler]

How cool is Cuil search?
The ambitious website search engine newcomer Cuil says it spans 120 billion web pages, maybe three times the size of Google's index. And Cuil displays its results in magazine-like format with more photos spread horizontally across the page.
Also in myPH Traveler this week:
•   The popular social networking website Facebook is finding itself competing against an increasing number of copycats in the native languages of several countries it is expanding into.
•   Three of the largest internet service providers, worried about traffic congestion, are threatening to clamp down on their hyper-subscribers by placing monthly limits on their online activity.  [myPH Online]

Up-market options in Bohol
To Bohol's ever-popular Chocolate Hills, tarsiers, scuba diving and eco-tourism, now add a new dimension – upmarket resorts to widen the attractions from the previously modest facilities and amenities.
Also in myPH Explorer this week:
•   In Boracay anything goes. The hottest white sand beach in the Philippines is home to endless pampering and partying. Chill out on the beach all afternoon then hit the bars and discos until dawn.
•   Our myPH Explorer travel experts roam around Manila, looking at good hotels, how to get to the best places for sightseeing and shopping, and where to go and what to do after dark.   [myPH Explorer]