BY LEONY R. GARCIA Small and Medium-scale Enterprises plays an important role in economic development worldwide.   In the Philippines, SMEs are being given renewed emphasis as engines of economic growth, employment potential and poverty alleviation.   Among the growing SMEs in the country are the sari-sari stores which also extend its business as food service operators like karinderya, short order canteen or catering business. Championing growth and efficiency among these local food service operators, Unilever Food Solutions (UFS) in partnership with Puregold Price Club Inc., has launched   Kaindustriya, a food service association, to give its members access to affordable products, services and educational programs. Puregold’s Aling Puring’s Sari-Sari Store Convention   held every May of the year served as a platform to provide canteens, eateries and other small-scale businesses with tools that can help them grow their business, from free starter kits to discount

NORA, DINGDONG LEAD WINNERS IN 2012 MMFF FIRST PUBLISHED AT ABANTE ONLINE SATURDAY, DECEMBER 29, 2012   THE country's superstar, Nora Aunor, and debonair actor Dingdong Dantes, bagged the Best Actress and Best Actor trophies, respectively, in the Metro Manila Film Festival Awards Night held Thursday at the Meralco Theater. Ikalawang pagkapanalo ito ni Dingdong bilang pangunahing aktor mula sa MMFF. Last year, nanalo siya para sa pelikulang "Segunda Mano"; and this year para naman sa "One More Try" kung saan kasama niya sina Angelika Panganiban at Angel Locsin. Directed  by Ruel Bayani and produced by Star Cinema, it was also chosen as  festival's Best Picture and Best Screenplay. The movie also received the Best Editing award, Best Child Performance for Miguel Vergara, and the first Fernando Poe Jr. Memorial Award for Excellence. The trophy for the last award was personally handed by veteran actress and Poe

Young models aspire to become 'Star of Influence'       Campus Role Model Philippines gears up to the next level by honing its winner to become Star of Influence and making part of her advocacy her utmost support to save Mother Earth. A yearly undertaking of RDH Entertainment Network, ang campus beauty contest na ito ay naglalayong maka discover ng young individuals who can represent today's young generation vibrant, motivated, self-empowered and intelligent yet environment-loving and concerned citizens of this world. Sa press presentation na ginanap noong November 24,

Richard, Bong, Albert Join Forces in Centennial Movie FIRST PUBLISHED AT ABANTE ONLINE ON THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 2012 Dream roles and formidable casting do come true and happen in Philippine movie – this time with Richard Gomez, Ramon ‘Bong’ Revilla Jr., and Albert Martinez through the movie 'Ang Sugo' Yes, the three big names actors – certified bankable and award-winning -- will topbill the retelling on the big screen of the founding and legacy of the Iglesia ni Cristo (INC), as it gears up for its centennial anniversary in 2014. In the movie, Gomez, Martinez and Revilla will essay the roles of the three-generation Executive Ministers of the INC namely Felix Y. Manalo, Erano G. Manalo, and Eduardo V. Manalo. The common denominators among the three actors is that they readily agreed to play the respective roles offered them saying it’s their honor and privilege to be part of the historical and monumental movie. All of them also look forward to be directed

More Deaf Pinoys Are Hearing Today First Published at Business Mirror on Monday, 12 November 2012 20:48 Written by Leony R. Garcia Hannah Dorothy Pagarigan of Quezon City was six years old when she started hearing life for the first time and eventually became part of mainstream society. She was born pre-term (32 weeks gestational age) and upon birth was placed in a ventilator where she suffered from bronco-pneumonia during admission. At age two and on suspicion of hearing loss, her mother brought the patient to an Othorinolaryngology Specialist where she was diagnosed to have Profound Hearing Loss. At age three, she was fitted with high power hearing instruments and subsequently enrolled in an Auditory- Oral School but progress was disappointing and poor hearing resulted to poor speech and language development. In 2005, Hannah’s life changed tremendously when she had her Cochlear Implant (CI) performed by Dr. Norberto Martin