This will mark the first time on Philippine TV history that a secretary of state will be holding a televised public forum.

ABS-CBN senior vice president for news and current affairs Maria Ressa and anchors Ricky Carandang and Pinky Webb will moderate the forum.

Tony Velasquez and Ces Drilon will be stationed in live points at Siliman University in Dumaguete and Ateneo de Zamboanga in Zamboanga City, where students will have the chance to ask Clinton questions on national and global issues.

Ted Failon and Cheche Lazaro, on the other hand, will anchor the coverage for ABS-CBN and ANC, respectively, from the ABS-CBN studios.

Take part in the forum. Send in your questions at www.abs-cbn.com/ancliveevents, http://botomoipatrolmo.multiply.com, www.facebook.com/abscbnnews, www.facebook.com/botomo, or www.twitter.com, just search ANCCLINTON.

Watch “Hillary Clinton: The Manila Forum An ABS-CBN Exclusive” tomorrow, Friday (Nov 13), live on ANC (SKYCABLE ch. 27) at 8am and on ABS-CBN channel 2 at 9am.

As of October 21, 2009, ABS-CBN Foundation in the Philippines has received P63.4 million of cash donations from Global donors.

“Our work is not done yet, far from it. The road to recovery will be long and arduous, but we can all take comfort in the fact that Filipinos, especially in times of crisis, can be relied on to band together to lend a helping hand,” said ABS-CBN Foundation USA President Mitos Santisteban.

As soon as news started to arrive regarding Ondoy, ABS-CBN Foundation USA activated Sagip Kapamilya sa Amerika. Soon, Filipino American communities in the US kicked off their own fundraisers to sustain Sagip Kapamilya’s relief efforts. Efforts include “Ondoy Relief Jam” at Henry’s Restaurant and Lounge, “Everyone’s a Hero” benefit concert in California, a private concert for the Philippine Medical Association (PMA), Martin Nievera’s “For Always” concert in Las Vegas as well as a Red Lantern activity for the Filipino-Chinese community.

ABS-CBN Australia partnered with Forex Australia to help raise funds for the typhoon victims. While in the Middle East, even Bahrain’s Prime Minister, His Highness Shaik Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa, donated US$500,000 or roughly PhP25 million pesos for the victims of the recent typhoons. Bahrain’s Ambassador to the Philippines, Singapore and Thailand, Yousif Adel Sater, flew to Manila to personally hand over the donation to ABS CBN Foundation.

Sources told ABS CBN Middle East that Shaik Khalifa keeps himself updated on news in the Philippines thru ABS CBN-The Filipino Channel (TFC).

Meanwhile, ABS-CBN Europe and ABS-CBN Japan have successfully secured the confirmation of offshore Philippine banks such as Banco de Oro, Philippine National Bank and Metrobank to waive remittance charges in favor of ABS-CBN Foundation.

This is on top of the efforts exerted by the team of ABS-CBN Easy Remit, which convinced his partners in Ireland, Taiwan, Kuwait, Qatar, KSA and UAE to accept credit-to-account donations. Easy Remit Manila General Manager Raymund Abog was able to tap on the generosity of industry executives who did not only waive their front-end fees but also agreed to pledge their own donation for every remittance transaction.

The tragedy became an opportunity to help and to bond. Everyone whose heart was for the Filipino opened up for those in need. Perhaps, the resilience of the Filipino comes from knowing that there are people who will be there for him, no matter how far apart they are. This is bayanihan, in its global sense.

Taga-ilog’s aim is to revive the people’s connection with the river in order to revive the Pasig River. Filipino ancestors used to live along the river banks and regarded the river as their life. Without the revival of that deep appreciation of the river, the Pasig River will remain a dumping site.

Taga-ilog is composed of all Metro Manila Colleges and Universities. They committed to include the Pasig River in their environmental, cultural-historical curriculum. Likewise, they also committed to implement solid waste management in their respective campuses, monitor and report incidents that pollute the river, initiate and support all activities conducted for the benefit of the river such as the Piso Para Sa Ilog Pasig Campaign and the Philippine International Marathon: A Run for the Pasig River among others.

ABS-CBN Foundation, Inc. Managing Director, Ms. Gina Lopez, declared that the youth is a powerful force in making projects succeed. She experienced it in Save the La Mesa Watershed Project wherein out of 5 million signatures gathered, 3 million came from the youth to save the source of water for 12 million Filipinos.

CHED Chairman Emmanuel Y. Angeles, Ph.D expressed that he shares the vision of passion of ABS-CBN Foundation for environmental restoration and conservation. With the launching of Task Force Taga-ilog, the academes and the youth that compose them made a statement that they want the Pasig River clean.

Find out how you can help. Call KBPIP at their Bayan hotlines 410-2753 to 55 or email them at ilogpasig@abs-cbn.com or kapitbisigparasailogpasig@gmail.com. Contribute to Piso Para sa Ilog Pasig by texting GIVE ILOG then send it to 2366 for Globe, TM, Smart, Talk ‘N Text, and Sun Cellular. You may also deposit directly at their BDO account number 393-0078222, Sct. Albano branch. Sa ating pagkakapit-bisig, mabubuhay na muli ang Ilog Pasig!

CHED JOINS ABS-CBN IN CAMPAIGN FOR PASIG RIVER. ABS-CBN Foundation managing director Gina Lopez and Commission on Higher Education chairman Emmanuel Angeles led the candle-lighting during the launch of task force “Taga-Ilog,” which unites all Metro Manila colleges and universities to save the Pasig River. With “Taga-Ilog,” the schools commit to including the Pasig River in their curriculum and supporting all activities to be done for the benefit of the river. This is in support of ABS-CBN’s Kapit Bisig Para sa Ilog Pasig campaign, which aims to clean the river in seven years.

The news started from the boyband’s official website confirming Gately’s death: “Stephen tragically died whilst on holiday in Majorca yesterday.”

The four remaining Boyzone members, including lead singer Ronan Keating, were shocked following the news of the death. They will all fly out to the island today.

Stephen’s coming out as a gay man caused a sensation in the entertainment world ten years ago. He leaves a husband Andrew Cowles, who he married in a civil union in March, 2006.

Video Link: In Memory of Stephen Gately

Obama said he was surprised and deeply humbled by the honor, and planned to travel to Oslo to accept the award.

“I do not view it as a recognition of my own accomplishments. But rather as an affirmation of American leadership. … I will accept this award as a call to action.” Obama said at the White House.

“I do not feel that I deserve to be in the company of so many transformative figures that have been honored by this prize,” He added.

The Committee has attached special importance to Obama’s vision of and work for a world without nuclear weapons. They emphasized that only very rarely has a person to the same extent as Obama captured the world’s attention and given its people hope for a better future. His diplomacy is founded in the concept that those who are to lead the world must do so on the basis of values and attitudes that are shared by the majority of the world’s population.

“For all intentions and purposes, she had been a private citizen after stepping down, and siguro, to a degree we would like to spend as much time as possible as a family with her.” explained Senator Noynoy Aquino of their decision.

Aquino, however, said that there will still be honor guards at the wake, as per tradition in wakes for former government officials.

The Aquinos also announces President Cory’s wake and memorial services schedule as listed below:

* President Cory’s body will lie in state at the La Salle Greenhills (LSGH) gymnasium.

* The wake will be open to the public (Gate 5 entrance for public and Gate 2 for media) from 5 p.m. on Saturday and will continue until Monday. The daily viewing schedule will be until 4 a.m., and will then resume on 7 a.m.

* A mass at the LSGH will be held at 8 p.m. on Saturday, August 1.

* Daily Catholic masses daily at 12nn and 8 p.m. at LSGH and Manila Cathedral.

* “Dedication Garden for Tita Cory” at the Sacred Ground of EDSA Shrine (where supporters can put flowers, prayers, candles and notes to Cory).

* President Cory’s remain will be transferred from LSGH to Manila Cathedral on August 3 at 11am.

* Chronological service will be held at the Manila Cathedral on August 4.

* Necrological and vigil service is on August 4 from 4 a.m. until 6 a.m. at the Manila Cathedral.

* On Wednesday, President Cory will be buried at the Manila Memorial Park after a 9 a.m. mass at the cathedral. She will be buried beside her late husband, Senator Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino Jr.

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo also declared a 10-day period of national mourning for the lost of Philippine much admired former President Cory Aquino.

According to her son, Senator Benigno Aquino III, the official cause of death was cardiorespiratory arrest.

The 76-year-old former president was diagnosed with colon cancer in March of 2008 and was treated with chemotherapy. Last May, she underwent surgery to remove parts of her colon and was brought to the Makati Medical Center in June due to loss of appetite.

“She would have wanted us to thank each and everyone of you for all your continued love and support. It was her wish for all of us to pray for one another and for our country,” Senator Aquino said.

1,500 respondents from various parts of the country were asked with this proposition: “Sa ilalim ng kasalukuyang Konstitusyon, ang termino ni Pangulong Arroyo ay hanggang sa taong 2010 lamang at magkakaroon ng halalalan para sa pagka-pangulo sa Mayo 2010. Sinu-sino sa palagay ninyo ang mga magagaling na lider na dapat pumalit kay Pangulong Arroyo bilang Presidente?”

Each respondent were allowed to name up to 3 people and here are the results:

1. Sen. Manny Villar – 33%
2. Former President Joseph Estrada – 25%
3. Sen. Francis Escudero – 20%
3. Sen. Mar Roxas – 20%
4. Vice President Noli de Castro – 19%
5. Sen. Loren Legarda – 15%
6. Sen. Panfilo Lacson – 7%
7. Mayor Jejomar Binay – 4%
8. Bro. Eddie Villanueva – 1%
8. Richard Gordon – 1%
8. MMDA Chairman Bayani Fernando – 1%
8. President Gloria Arroyo – 1%
8. Sen. Francis Pangilinan – 1%
8. Gilbert Teodoro – 1%
8. Sen. Antonio Trillanes 4th – 1%
8. Ed Panlilio – 1%
8. Sen. Miriam Defensor-Santiago – 1%

If you are one of the respondents and have the privilege to name the three people you think are best to succeed President Arroyo, who will you pick? (Mine’s 1. Villar, 2. Gordon & 3. Villanueva < -- in that order)

VIDEO LINK: Manny Villar’s Commercial

The long-awaited pandemic announcement is scientific confirmation that a new flu virus has emerged and is quickly circling the globe. WHO will now ask drugmakers to speed up production of a swine flu vaccine. The declaration will also prompt governments to devote more money toward efforts to contain the virus.

WHO chief Dr. Margaret Chan made the announcement Thursday after the U.N. agency held an emergency meeting with flu experts. Chan said she was moving the world to phase 6 — the agency’s highest alert level — which means a pandemic, or global epidemic, is under way.

“The world is moving into the early days of its first influenza pandemic in the 21st century,” Chan told reporters. “The (swine flu) virus is now unstoppable.”

On Thursday, WHO said 74 countries had reported 28,774 cases of swine flu, including 144 deaths. Chan described the virus as “moderate.” According to WHO’s pandemic criteria, a global outbreak has begun when a new flu virus begins spreading in two world regions.

The agency has stressed that most cases are mild and require no treatment, but the fear is that a rash of new infections could overwhelm hospitals and health authorities — especially in poorer countries.

Still, about half of the people who have died from swine flu were previously young and healthy — people who are not usually susceptible to flu. Swine flu is also crowding out regular flu viruses. Both features are typical of pandemic flu viruses.

The last pandemic — the Hong Kong flu of 1968 — killed about 1 million people. Ordinary flu kills about 250,000 to 500,000 people each year.

Swine flu is also continuing to spread during the start of summer in the northern hemisphere. Normally, flu viruses disappear with warm weather, but swine flu is proving to be resilient.

The decision might have been made much earlier if WHO had more accurate information about swine flu’s rising sweep through Europe. Chan said she called the emergency meeting with flu experts after concerns were raised that some countries like Britain were not accurately reporting their cases.

After Thursday’s meeting, Chan said the experts agreed there was wider spread of swine flu than what was being reported.

Chan would not say which country tipped the world into the pandemic, but said all countries and experts were agreed that it was time to declare a global outbreak.

WHO said it was now recommending that flu vaccine makers start making swine flu vaccine. Drug giant GlaxoSmithKline PLC said they could start large-scale production of pandemic vaccine in July but that it would take several months before large quantities would be available.

Many health experts say WHO’s pandemic declaration could have come weeks earlier but the agency became bogged down by politics. In May, several countries urged WHO not to declare a pandemic, fearing it would cause social and economic turmoil.

“This is WHO finally catching up with the facts,” said Michael Osterholm, a flu expert at the University of Minnesota who has advised the U.S. government on pandemic preparations.

Despite WHO’s hopes, Thursday’s announcement will almost certainly spark panic about spread of swine flu in some countries.

Fear has already gripped Argentina, where thousands of people worried about swine flu flooded into hospitals this week, bringing emergency health services in the capital of Buenos Aires to the brink of collapse. Last month, a bus arriving in Argentina from Chile was stoned by people who thought a passenger on it had swine flu.

Chile has the most swine flu cases in South America, and the southern hemisphere is moving into its winter flu season.

In Hong Kong on Thursday, the government ordered all kindergartens and primary schools closed for two weeks after a dozen students tested positive for swine flu — a move that some experts would consider an overreaction. The decision affected over half a million students.

In the United States, where there have been more than 13,000 cases and at least 27 deaths from swine flu, officials at the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said the move would not change how the U.S. tackled swine flu.

“Our actions in the past month have been as if there was a pandemic in this country,” Glen Nowak, a CDC spokesman, said Thursday.

The U.S. government has already taken steps like increasing availability of flu-fighting medicines and authorizing $1 billion for the development of a new vaccine against the novel virus. In addition, new cases seem to be declining in many parts of the country, U.S. health officials say, as North America moves out of its traditional winter flu season.

Still, New York City reported three more swine flu deaths Thursday, including one child under 2.

In Mexico, where the epidemic was first detected, the outbreak peaked in April. Mexico now has less than 30 cases reported a day, down from an average of 300, Health Secretary Jose Angel Cordova told The Associated Press. Mexico has confirmed 6,337 cases, including 108 deaths.

Cordova said he is concerned that other countries are not taking drastic measures to stop its spread like Mexico, which closed schools, restaurants, theaters, and canceled public events after the government detected the epidemic in late April.

Many experts said the declaration of a pandemic did not mean the virus was getting deadlier.

“People might imagine a virus is now going to rush in and kill everyone,” said John Oxford, a professor of virology at St. Bart’s and Royal London Hospital. “That’s not going to happen.”

But Oxford said the swine flu virus might evolve into a more dangerous strain in the future. “That is always a possibility with influenza viruses,” he said. “We have to watch very carefully to see what this virus does.”

Via Yahoo

Singer-songwriter Rico Blanco, Imago vocalist Aia De Leon, and Sandwich frontman Raimund Marasigan collaborated in “Ako ang Simula,” the theme song of ABS-CBN’s election campaign, which calls on Filipinos, especially the youth, to register, vote, and make the 2010 elections work. The song, written by ABS-CBN creative director Ira Zabat and composed by Mike Villegas, is about taking the initiative to start the change in the country. A key element in the song is the signature drumbeat heard in all “Boto Mo, iPatrol Mo” plugs since the campaign was first launched in 2007. Zabat said the drumbeat signifies unity and the urgent call for action.

This urgency is also reflected in the lyrics with words like “Wag nang mahimbing sa sariling mundo/Wag nang iwaldas ang dekadang bago/Ako ang tutupad sa pangakong ito/Ako ang Simula ng pagbabago.” (Don’t rest in your own world/ Don’t waste another decade/ I will be the one to fulfill this promise/I will be the start of change)

ABS-CBN Newsgathering Head Charie Villa added, “We want to tell the youth that there is no time to waste. The change you want for the country can happen now, and it can start from you. The youth, as the largest voting sector, can turn this country around. They can do it and they should.”

Rico, Aia, Raimund, and an army of Pinoy youth will brandish their “thumbmarks” of commitment in the “Ako ang Simula” music video, which will premier on Thursday (June 11) during the Kapamilya network’s annual flag-raising ceremony from 9:55am to 10:10am on ABS-CBN. The video was conceptualized and executed by the ABS-CBN’s Creative Communications Management.

Meanwhile, “Boto Mo, iPatrol Mo: Ako ang Simula” will make a repeat of its groundbreaking May 11 multiplatform launch on Friday (June 12), the Philippines’ Independence Day.

Once again, ABS-CBN anchors will report live from different points in the country – Pinky Webb in Legaspi, Julius Babao in Iloilo, and Ces Oreña Drilon in General Santos City. “Umagang Kay Ganda” will also air live from Eastwood City in Quezon City.

Thousands of Filipinos are also expected to turn up for the nationwide voter registration to be spearheaded by the Commission on Elections. They may also sign-up as “Boto Patrollers” and take part in all “Boto Mo, iPatrol Mo: Ako ang Simula” activities. There will be BMPM booths in Legaspi, Iloilo, General Santos, Eastwood, and at the Rizal Park in Manila.

ABS-CBN took the lead in pioneering an election advocacy for clean and honest elections. Aside from multimedia news coverage and satellite voter registrations, it has also enabled the public to get to know the possible presidential candidates in 2010 through the ANC Leadership Forum.

On Sunday (June 14), ABS-CBN’s news anchors will also appear on “ASAP ‘09” to continue engaging Filipinos here and abroad in this year-long campaign. “We have one year to change traditional politics in our country. We can do this if we act and stay vigilant as early as now,” ABS-CBN Senior Vice President for News and Current Affairs Maria Ressa said.

Visit www.abs-cbnnews.com/botomo or www.twitter.com/abscbn_halalan for election news and events. Stay tuned to “Umagang Kay Ganda,” “TV Patrol World,” and “Bandila” for “Boto Mo, iPatrol Mo: Ako ang Simula” updates.

(ABS-CBN Press Release)

Here are the Philippines Top 15 Companies from a shortlist of 138 firms cited with Outstanding Corporate Governance in 2008 (in alphabetical order):

Aboitiz Equity Ventures
ABS-CBN Broadcasting Corp.
Ayala Corporation
Ayala Land Inc.
Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI)
Cebu Holdings, Inc.
Cebu Property Ventures and Dev. Corp.
Centro Escolar University (CEU)
Energy Development Corporation
First Philippine Holdings Corp.
Globe Telecom
Manila Water Company Inc.
Petron Corporation
Phil. Long Distance Telephone (PLDT) Company
Semirara Mining Corporation

The companies were declared as the top scorers according to the criteria prescribed in the CG Scorecard as follows: Rights of Shareholders, Equitable Treatment of Shareholders, Role of Stakeholders, Disclosure & Transparency and Board Responsibilities.