Tokyo Metro training railway personnel in Philippines

Tokyo Metro Co. has begun helping train railway operation personnel in the Philippines as part of the bilateral government efforts to develop urban railroad networks in the Southeast Asian country, according to the subway operator.

Tokyo Metro and two Japanese consulting firms -- Oriental Consultants Global Co. and Almec Corp. -- have jointly taken on a technical cooperation project led by the Japan International Cooperation Agency to establish and run the Philippine Railway Institute, a training center planned under the country's Department of Transportation.

The three Japanese firms are responsible for drawing up a personnel training scheme and programs as well as nurturing skilled local instructors through June 2023, aiming to enable locals to smoothly operate and maintain city railroad networks, Tokyo Metro said.

Tokyo Metro "intends to provide a wide range of support to build a safe and convenient city railroad system," a spokesman told NNA.

Japan's development aid agency has discussed with the Philippine government setting up a governmental training institute designed to boost local expertise and skills such as train operation, railway building and wiring technologies, according to JICA.

Along with a large infrastructure development plan by President Rodrigo Duterte's administration, including projects for the Metro Manila Subway and Manila commuter railways, JICA has offered soft loans through its development aid program.

Aliw Awards marks 40th anniversary

(from left): Freddie Santos, Grace Bondad Nicolas, Alice Reyes, Jun Polistico and Andrea Nicolas

Aliw Awards Foundation, Inc. (AAFI) caps its 40th anniversary celebration with a concert featuring at least 10 Entertainers of the Year and Lifetime Achievement Awardees at the Aliw Theater on Oct. 4, 2018.

The Ruby Anniversary Concert is in partnership with Tag Media and the Star Parks Corp. of the Elizalde Group of Companies. It will be directed by Hall of Famer Freddie Santos.

Tag Media is the company that co-produced the successful “Best of Aliw” 2016 at Resorts World Manila. It has joined hands with AAFI and Star Parks Corp. for this first-of-its-kind production.

“Acknowledging the best Filipino talents nationwide has been one of our objectives from the start. For us, they promote the Philippines and call the attention of international investors who can help more Filipinos get jobs and attract more tourists to the Philippines,” said Engr. Grace Nicolas, Tag Media co-founder.

Those who have confirmed their participation in the concert are Pilita Corrales, Rico J. Puno, Imelda Papin, Jun Polistico, Hajji Alejandro, Lisa Macuja and the Halili Cruz Dance Company. It is expected to draw a record crowd to fill the 2,350 seats at the Aliw Theater.

Part of the proceeds will go to the Aliw’s Welfare Fund for ailing, unemployed live entertainers, according to Ms. Alice H. Hernandez, founder and president of AAFI.

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JMartin of REtroSPECT goes solo

JMartin

Seasoned singer JMartin who is also a dancer, composer, producer and front man of the multi-awarded and renowned retro pop group REtroSPECT has released his first solo album “JMARTIN Hiwaga.”

It features original compositions and classic songs in the making like “Mula Ngayon” by songwriter Vehnee Saturno and “Ikaw Lang Ang Kulang” written by JMartin himself with Ogie Ramos and arranged by his album’s co-producer Miguel Cortes. The songs are played on MOR 101.9, Wish 107.5 and Pinas FM 95.5 in the Philippines and Megamixx 101.9 in Guam USA.

The other tracks are “Hiwaga,” “Respeto,” “Ikaw Pa Rin,” and “Umaasa” now on iTunes, Spotify, Apple Music and Amazon Music through ABS-CBN Star Music under JARO Productions and Godspeed Music label.

JMartin’s album tour will be in July and August 2018.

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Tidbits: Happy b-day greetings today, May 17, go to Kris Bernal, Alice H. Reyes, Toni Gregory, Zita Feliciao, Cynthia Yu, Boy Gan, Silvia Abacan, Raphie Rivero, Esperanza Guntang, Ryan Fortaleza, Atty. Aileen Lizada and Julie Ann San Jose…  May 18: Virgie Ramos, Emmie Velarde, Aleck Bovick, Julie Ong, Sonia Bautista, Richard Joseph, Jimmy Williams, Col. Ben Kagaoan, Stephen Barua, Armando Santocildes, Gregoria Baterna, Vic Lactaoen, Joyce Fernandez, Rachel Tan, and Richard Yap…Happy wedding anniversary to Popoy and Rachel Los Baños; Boy and Lita Velasco, and Julio and Aning Sy…Belated b-day greetings to Rachel Krael from Angie Santamaria who is based in Singapore (May 16)…

Ayala Land to form JV for projects in Aurora, Quezon

AYALA LAND, Inc. (ALI) is teaming up with two companies headed by businessman Romeo G. Roxas for two projects in Aurora and Quezon province.

In a disclosure to the stock exchange on Tuesday, the listed property giant said it has signed a memorandum of understanding with Green Square Properties Corp. (GSPC) and Green Circle Properties and Resources, Inc. (GCPRI) for the establishment of a joint venture company.

ALI is set to own 51% of the joint venture (JV), while 49% will be split between GSPC and GCPRI.

The JV firm will be tasked to develop 27,852 hectares of land located in Dingalan, Aurora, and General Nakar in Quezon province.

“The long-term vision for the properties is to support the government’s initiative of developing the country’s eastern coast and promoting inclusive growth through the phased development of a master planned mixed-use estate, principally oriented towards tourism, commercial, residential, and institutional uses,” ALI said in a statement.

The company noted it will incorporate environmental and ecological programs in the development of the properties to conserve the forest and to protect its biodiversity.