Upgrade of Philippines' sovereign ratings to investment grade status

The local stock market rallied to a new record high on Wednesday
following Fitch Ratings upgrade of the Philippines' sovereign ratings
to investment grade status.

The benchmark Philippine Stock Exchange index (PSEi) gained remarkable
182.35 points or 2.74 percent to close at 6,847.47 from Tuesday's
6,665.12 finish. This is the main index 24th record close for this
year.

The broader All Shares index followed the same fate, advancing 70.60
points or 1.70 percent to 4,234.31.

"We are now officially an investment grade country with this upgrade
by the Fitch Ratings agency and this is an achievement that we all
should be proud of. We have been talking about this in the past 12
months and we think it is well deserved," PSE President and Chief
Executive Officer Hans B. Sicat said.

"Hopefully, the other rating agencies will follow suit so we can start
seeing more investors participate in the growth of our listed
companies and the economy," he said.

Jonathan L. Ravelas, Banco de Oro chief market strategist, said the
credit rating upgrade crystallizes the positive developments in the
country from government to financial markets.

"This could further bring more foreign investors to the country," he said.

Fitch Ratings on Wednesday declared the Philippines "Investment
Grade," the first-ever such rating achieved by the country from a
major western credit rating agency.

The upgrade of Philippines' sovereign ratings took into account the
country's strong sovereign external balance sheet, a persistent
current account surplus underpinned by remittance inflows and robust
economy that grew 6.6 percent last year, among others.

In Wednesday trading, almost all counters rose significantly, with the
market rally led mainly by property stocks that advanced 3.88 percent
or 105.83 points, services by 2.41 percent or 47.45 points and
industrial by 2.28 percent or 229.24 points.

The sub-indices of holding firms also rose by 2.17 percent or 126.37
points while financials by 1.73 percent or 30.32 points.

Only the mining and oil sector declined moderately.

Volume of trade reached 2.29 billion shares worth P12.92 billion.

Advancers won over decliners, 110 to 44, while 35 issues were unchanged.

Poor Dinagat Island in Philippines

Interior and Local Government secretary Mar Roxas on Wednesday told
local officials and residents of Dinagat Islands that the
socio-economic development of the province remains a priority of the
national government.

"Lifting the lives of our poorest people is one of the priority goals
of our government," Roxas said after he and Transportation and
Communication secretary Jun Abaya distributed 77 "multicab" units to
different barangays and LGUs under the program "Bangon Dinagat, Para
sa Bag-ong Kaugmaon." Abaya also distributed ceremonially checks for
five barangay ports.

Roxas said that since President Aquino assumed office in June 2010, it
has been the long-standing policy of the national government to "bring
the government closer to the people."

According to Roxas, the 77 units of multicabs distributed to all
barangays of Dinagat Island is to bring national government closer to
the people through delivery basic services.

In his speech before Dinagat Island residents, one of the barometers
to measure the country's progress under the President's leadership is
to see the number of people living under the poverty line go down in a
province historically poor compared to the national average. Dinagat
Islands is among the 14 poorest provinces in the country.

He said that the country's economic surge should lift all boats,
emphasizing, "magiging ganap lamang ang pag-asenso ng Pilipinas kung
kaakibat nito ang pag-unlad ng Dinagat Islands."

"Walang ibig sabihin ang pamumuno ninuman kung walang laman ang tiyan
ng mamamayan. [Leadership is nothing with empty stomach.] Hindi
masasabing maunlad ang bansang Pilipinas, kapag hindi maunlad ang
Dinagat Islands. [No one can tell that Philippines is prosperous if
Dinagat Islands remains poor,]" Roxas pointed out.

"In our vision of national development, no province, no locality,
should be left behind; and for economic growth to be meaningful, it
must embrace all Filipinos. We've made modest progress towards this
goal," Roxas further explained.

He said the turnover of the 77 multicab units signals the beginning of
a more vigorous cooperation between the LGUs in the province and the
national government agencies to spur socio-economic development.

Young Boholanos in Manila

By: Atty. Julius Gregory Delgado

Chairman, Board of Trustees

Association of Young Boholanos in Metro Manila, Inc.

Young Boholanos in the metropolis geared up to battle in different sporting 

events as the Association of Young Boholanos in Metro Manila, Inc. (AYBM) 

opened its annual summer sports festival last March 10, 2013 at the Covered Court of 

the Veterans Memorial Medical Center (VMCC). Three teams are participating and 

competing in this year's sports tiff billed as "Paugnat sa Kusog: Ikatulong Hugna", 

namely: Red Team Sikatuna, Blue Team Tamblot and Yellow Team Dagohoy. The 

AYBM, led by its President, Engr. Noel Clemeña, decided to name the teams in 

honor of three Boholano heroes.

 

Before the hostilities started, a simple opening ceremony was held led by 

AYBM Vice President, Ruth Dolotina, and the Sports and Wellness Committee 

Chairman, Dominic Apale. The program started with an Invocation led by Ted 

Jonathan Visarra followed by the singing of the National Anthem and Awit sa Bohol 

led by Ethel Mae Manlupig, the organization's Finance Committee Chairperson. 

After the introduction of the teams and the members, the lighting of the cauldron then 

followed. Engr. Gina Talo for Blue Team first carried the Olympic torch passed to 

Dolotina who represented the Yellow Team and finally to Red Team's Amir Sol who 

ignited the flame to declare the festivities open. After the torch relay and lighting of 

the cauldron, Jeff Jamonil of Batuan led the recital of the Oath of Sportsmanship to 

cap the opening salvo.

After the opening ceremony, the Basketball eliminations went underway with 

the match between the defending Basketball and Overall Champion, Blue Team, 

going up against the Yellow Team. Led by former college standout Ian Recto who 

scored 24 big points and Loay-born behemoth Carlo Biliran who scored 10 points, the 

Blue Team led most of the game until the last canto when Recto suffered an 

unexpected injury. Yellow Team finally pulled a come-from-behind win 66-61 with 

Julius Limocon chipping 18 points and former Science High School Virus Captain, 

Magnus Bantugan, scattering 13 points. 

The second game saw the Red Team trounced the Yellow Team 80-61 with 

reigning Most Valuable Player, Leo Amatorio, pouring-in 29 points while point guard 

Mark "The Spark" Santander delivering 13 points and man-mountain Arpe John 

Cerezo contributing 8 points. The match likewise saw the basketball rivalry between 

siblings Magnus Bantugan and Jansen Bantugan, both notable cagers during their 

high school days in Bohol. Magnus Bantugan led the Yellow Team scoring 16 points 

while the Lanzaderas Brothers, Pat and Joel, contributed 14 and 10 points, 

respectively.

For the final game in the eliminations, it was a pleasure cruise for the 

tournament-favourite Red Team as Recto of the Blue Team never recovered from the 

injury he suffered during the first game and appears to be sitting out for the remainder 

of the tournament. Spitfire Jansen Bantugan dominated the scoreboard with 22 points, 

Run to Plant 4 GREENIN Philippines

In support of Ramon Aboitiz Foundation Inc.'s (RAFI) vision of environmental 

sustainability, PH-922 Child's Haven Student Center signed a memorandum of agreement with 

RAFI for tree plantation maintenance last March. 

PH-922 will adopt one hectare of RAFI Tree Plantation located in Barangay Jaclupan, 

Talisay City where last year's Run to Plant 4 GREENIN Philippines event was held. It will also 

initiate quarterly nurturance activities from March 2013 to February 2015 to ensure seedlings 

planted grow into trees.

Maintenance includes ring weeding, strip brushing, mulching, and replanting. 

On the other hand, RAFI will conduct proper maintenance orientation to participants 

before the actual nurturance activity and provide feedback and suggestion on how to improve 

nurturance activities. 

On March 17, RAFI will conduct tree growing activities and nurturance orientation to PH-

922 participants. 

The tree plantation maintenance is an initiative of RAFI under Generation REdemption, 

and Expansion of Natural resources INitiatives (GREENIN) Philippines Program, which aims to 

ensure environmental sustainability by reversing the loss of environmental resources through 

the utilization of native tree species in its interventions in restoring and rehabilitating degraded 

forests and idle lands. 

GREENIN Philippines Program is one of the programs under RAFI's Integrated 

Development focus area. It aims to address environmental problems by undertaking initiatives 

for the protection, conservation, and rehabilitation of our country's forests. RAFI's other focus 

areas are Micro-finance & Entrepreneurship, Culture & Heritage, Leadership & Citizenship, and 

Education.

2012-2013 Philippine Bar Exams Latest Result Final List

Here's your copy of 2012-2013 Philippine Bar Exams Latest Result Final List as confirmed by the Supreme Court today, March 20, 2013. To congratulate the new lawyers, please share on FB this link.
901. VELASCO, Lady Ivy Vanity

902. VELOSO, III, Marcelino
903. VENTURA, Mary Grace
904. VENTURA, Ruby Ann
905. VENZUELA, Kristine Ann
906. VERCIDE-LUNA, Jocelyn
907. VERTULFO-ARBOLE, Jovilly Donna
908. VESTIL, Rosalita
909. VICENTE, Nilda
910. VIERNES, JR., Celestino
911. VILLACORTE, Audrey Eunize
912. VILLALOBOS, Melchor
913. VILLALON, Albert Angelo
914. VILLANO, Sheela
915. VILLANUEVA, Carlos Joseph
916. VILLANUEVA, Norliza
917. VILLANUEVA, Ralph Christian
918. VILLANUEVA, Roberto
919. VILLANUEVA, Ronn Michael
920. VILLANUEVA, Tiofilo
921. VILLAR, Viferlyn
922. VIRAY, Joshua
923. VIRTUDAZO, Rilven Christian
924. VIÑAS, Sheiryl
925. WACQUISAN, Ma. Tilde Titina
926. WHITE, Charles Jensen
927. WIEDMER, Patrick Heinz
928. WONG, Joyce Anne
929. YAM, Mark Benjamin
930. YANG, Alarice
931. YANKEE, Jimson
932. YAO, Jacqueline Anne
933. YAP, Cherrylin
934. YAP, Shan Yran
935. YAU, Weny
936. YLADE, Donna Frances
937. YMAS, Priscilla Mae
938. YODICO, II, Rodolfo
939. YOUNG, Michael Wilson
940. YU, Diane Cecilia
941. YU, Stephen
942. ZABALA, Mark Louie
943. ZAFRA, Yolanda
944. ZAMBRANO, Gino Antonio
945. ZAMORAS-VIRTUDAZO, Luz
946. ZAPANTA, Arthur Imanuel
947. ZARAGOZA, Anicka Nicoli
948. ZARENO, Jewelynn Gay
949. ZERNA, Adelaine Faith

2013 Supreme Court Bar Exam Results in Philippines

List of bar passers of 2013 Supreme Court Bar Exam Results in Philippines as announced today March 20, 2013. Please share on Facebook.
851. TAMONDONG, JR., Eddie

852. TAN, Cheryl Bevin
853. TAN, Maria Theresa
854. TAN, Talitha Renee
855. TANCINCO, Rafael Lorenzo
856. TANCINCO, Roy Shaun
857. TANGCO, Karen Kreez
858. TANSINGCO, Samira Nimfa
859. TANUNTANUM, Erik
860. TAPIA, Mayette
861. TATLONGHARI, Renel
862. TAYHOPON, Kristoffer Ryan
863. TE, Justine
864. TECSON, Janna Mae
865. TEEHANKEE, Ryan Christopher
866. TELAN, John Benedict
867. TINAGAN, James Michael Vincent
868. TING, Camille Sue Mae
869. TIOPIANCO, Francis Paolo
870. TOBIAS, Ana Patricia
871. TOLENTINO, Arc Aldrin
872. TORREFLORES-ALIAN, Connie
873. TORRENTIRA, Rosalio
874. TORRES, Phillip
875. TORRES, Reyjie
876. TRASPORTO, Jose Donel
877. TUGADI, Marifem
878. TUMANDA, Jansyl Lovan
879. TUPAZ, Kristine
880. TUTAAN, Tyrone
881. TY, Evita Grace
882. UBERITA, Joan
883. UDDIN, Zalman
884. URSUA, Melissa Asuncion
885. USON, Adriana Alexis
886. UY, Johan Christian
887. UY, Kim Raisa
888. UY, Rhea
889. VALAQUIO, Ma. Ailyne
890. VALDEZ, Cristina
891. VALDEZ, Maia Chiara Halmen Reina
892. VALDEZ, JR., Edgar
893. VALENCIA, David Evelio
894. VALENTIN, Charmaine
895. VALENTON, Johvie
896. VALERA, Stephen Russel Keith
897. VARGAS, Jacqueline
898. VARGAS, Mona Angela
899. VARON, Iniego Carl
900. VELASCO, Ethelene

2013 Bar Exam Results Philippines

Official list of 2013 Bar Exam Results Philippines. Here's the copy of bar passers of the Philippines. Congrats to new Filipino lawyers.
801. SARABOSQUEZ, Justine Keith

802. SARANGAYA, JR., Ismael
803. SARI, Jayson
804. SARONA, JR., Isidro
805. SAYSON, Charlotte Lyza
806. SAZON, Ser Christian
807. SEE, Candice Faye
808. SELLEZA, Suzy Claire
809. SERCADO, Marie Arcie Anne
810. SERENIO, Darlon
811. SERENO, Jose Lorenzo
812. SIA, Emmanuel
813. SIADEN, Nathaniel
814. SIASON-VILLA, Belinda
815. SINGCO, Jamee
816. SINGZON, Maria Eloisa Imelda
817. SIRON, Monica Leonila
818. SISON, Juvin
819. SO, Jelani Carlo
820. SO, Kristina Carmela
821. SOBREPEÑA, Deborah Miriam
822. SOCO, Patrina
823. SOCRATES, Louie
824. SOLEJON, Franie
825. SOLIDON, Ed Rowland
826. SOLIVEN, Jan Vincent
827. SOMOROSTRO, Genaro
828. SORIANO, Raymond Adrian
829. SORIANO, Sarah
830. SORIASO, Louresse Patricia Jane
831. SPALDING, Donn Robert
832. STA. BARBARA, Jesus Erick
833. SUAREZ, Roberto Paolo
834. SUAREZ, Shiela May
835. SULIT, Dioxenos
836. SUMAGAYSAY, Laser Blitz
837. SUMAOY, Dexter Rey
838. SUMIBCAY, Dexter Caesar
839. SUROPIA, Fehma
840. SY, Clarence
841. TABALON, Leonard Lyle
842. TABLADILLO, Stephanie
843. TADIQUE, Roxanne
844. TAGANAS, Olivia
845. TAGUBA, Jezreel Caridad
846. TAGUIAM, Christa Maria
847. TAIB, Najeeb
848. TALLEDO, Harold Christian
849. TAMAYO, Maribel
850. TAMONDONG, Mark Lester

2012-2013 Philippine Bar Examination Results Official List

Here's your copy of 2012-2013 Philippine Bar Examination Results Official List. Bar Passers Results of the Philippines. Supreme Court official list of bar exam passers in 2012 as announced on March 20, 2013.

751. ROMEA, George Michael

752. ROMERO, Allan
753. ROMUALDO, Xavier Jesus
754. RONDAL, Jaye Loren
755. ROSALES, Vicente Rafael
756. ROXAS, Juan Paolo
757. RUBINO, Junald
758. RUDAS, Vincent
759. SABADO, Joseph Mario
760. SABAS, Lloyd Francis
761. SABAUPAN, Flor Angela
762. SABORNAY, Ricky
763. SABORNIDO, Noemi
764. SAGARIO, Leo Angelo
765. SAJONIA, Louie
766. SALARZON, Henry Claude Roy
767. SALAZAR, Jerome
768. SALAZAR, Patrick Henry
769. SALCEDO, Anna
770. SALCEDO-PUDPUD, Debbie Love
771. SALEM-INES, Chermibelle
772. SALENDAB, Ayla Herazade
773. SALLIDAO, Eric
774. SALVA, Carlo Emmanuel
775. SALVANI, A.d. Vincent Iv
776. SAMACO, Leo Bernard
777. SAMSON, Martin Luigi
778. SAN DIEGO, JR., Virgilio
779. SAN PEDRO, Leila Grace
780. SANCHEZ, Janer
781. SANCHEZ, Marie Yasmin
782. SANDOVAL, Camhella
783. SANDOVAL, Josephine Grace
784. SANDRINO, Maureen Grace
785. SANGGACALA, Naima
786. SANTAMARIA, Dindo
787. SANTIAGO, Dulce Corazon
788. SANTIAGO, Jefferson
789. SANTIAGO, Philippe Emile
790. SANTOS, Alexander
791. SANTOS, Ana Lorraine
792. SANTOS, Aurelia Beatrice
793. SANTOS, Hanzel
794. SANTOS, Joel
795. SANTOS, Joel
796. SANTOS, Joel Enrico
797. SANTOS, Juan Paolo
798. SANTOS, Karichi
799. SANTOS, Kathleen Mae
800. SANTOS, Melissa Christina

2012 Philippine Bar Exam Passers Latest Results

Official results of Philippine Bar Exam 2012 is released today March 20, 2013. Here's the list of new Fililipino Lawyers.

701. PUA, Alvin Greg
702. PUA, Moses Eleazar
703. PUERTO, Basil
704. PUGUON, Jener
705. QUESADA, Michael
706. QUEZADA, Peter Paul
707. QUIACHON, Nea Cecille
708. QUIAMBAO, Reinier
709. QUIBO, Grace May
710. QUIBRANZA, Lorraine Anne
711. QUILATES, Donelle Jay
712. QUIMPO, Andro Julio
713. QUINAGORAN, Fidelis Victorino
714. QUINTOS, Beverly Anne
715. QUISUMBING, Julia Francesca
716. RADAZA, Eirah
717. RAFAEL, Marq Azeus
718. RAMEL, Christopher
719. RAMOS, Agatha Kristy
720. RAMOS, Billy James
721. RAMOS, Dave
722. RAMOS, Maridelle
723. RAMOS, Raymond
724. RASO, Karl Vincent
725. RAVELO, Zaide
726. RAYMUNDO, Vir Celito
727. RECIERDO, Mark Francis
728. RECIO, Albee Alliana
729. RECTO, Mark Alvin
730. REMOLACIO, Emmanuel
731. REPOLLO-UY, Alnessa Thea
732. REVALDE, Jeser
733. REVILLA, JR., Rodrigo
734. REYES, Clarisse
735. REYES, Jaymie Ann
736. REYES, Jose Antonio
737. REYES, Maryann Agnes Jertez
738. REYES, Misheil
739. RICAFLANCA, Leizl
740. RICAZA, Michelle Marie
741. RIGODON, Lou Diane
742. RILLERA, Jobert
743. RIVERA, Joonee Randyl
744. ROA-OARDE, Dianne Marie
745. ROBLES, Edgar Michael
746. ROBLES, Sunshine
747. ROCHA, Robert Angelo
748. RODRIGUEZ, Miracle Anne
749. ROJO, Jane Catherine
750. ROLEDA, Danell Lenard

2013 Phils Bar Exam Passers Latest Result

Here's your copy of 2013 Phils Bar Exam Passers Latest Result as confirmed by the Supreme Court on March 20, 2013. Filipino Bar Passers Congrats. Please share on Facebook.
651. PADER-VILLANUEVA, Carmina Agnes

652. PADILLA, Albert
653. PADILLA JR., Victor
654. PADOGA, Dean Martin
655. PAGADOR, Winston
656. PAGALILAUAN, Edison James
657. PAGLICAWAN, Maria Angelica
658. PALENCIA-UYTENGSU, Maida Joy
659. PALLA, Bartolome
660. PALOMAR, Sunshine
661. PALU-AY, Matias Monico
662. PANA, Melbourne Ziro
663. PANGANIBAN, Victoria
664. PANTIG, Hazel
665. PARADO, Lovely Myrrh
666. PAREJA, Judiel
667. PARUBRUB, Christina
668. PARUNGAO, Ronald
669. PASION, Roseann Claudine
670. PATAUEG, JR., Nicolas
671. PATIÑO, Erica Christel
672. PAVON, Teddy Edmund
673. PAYUMO, Margielyn
674. PAZZIUAGAN, Cheska Ann
675. PEDROSA, JR., Jose Aaron
676. PEGALAN, Ricky Heart
677. PELAEZ, Lawrence Leo
678. PELANDAS, Bryan
679. PELINIO, Norman
680. PELOBELLO, JR., Herminio
681. PERALTA, Romark
682. PERANDOS, Katty Jean Lourdes
683. PERAS, Phoebeth
684. PERDITO, Kristine Jane
685. PEREDO-MILLAN, Cynthia Lyn
686. PEREGRINO-CO, Jaydee
687. PEREZ, Alexander Brian
688. PEREZ, Lilibeth
689. PERNITES, Russel
690. PEÑADA, Joanna May
691. PICZON, Edson
692. PILAR, Sir Achilles
693. PIMENTEL, Joanna Pauline
694. PINILI, Richard
695. PIÑON, Joseph Carlo
696. PLAZA, Leslie Mae
697. PLAZO, Joseph
698. PRADO, Carlos Manuel
699. PRINCIPIO, Pearl Lizza
700. PROCHINA, Mary Avon