January 16 - 31 , 2017 PHILIPPINE ASIAN NEWS TODAY OPINION A7 the best way to build a nation of leaders . It will hone our kids to think for themselves , guided by the thought processes of great men and women before them . Reading will enlarge their world , but more importantly their hearts . And hopefully , the power of words will not just make them speak intelligently , but also act with integrity , choose with wisdom , and embrace servant-leadership .”
The books were received on behalf of the schools by Department of Education ( DepEd ) Undersecretary Dina Ocampo from Ayala Corporation president Fernando Zobel de Ayala , president of Ayala Corporation and co-chairman of Ayala Foundation , and Ruel Maranan , president of Ayala Foundation .
“ Whether through investments in the educational system or the many learning initiatives driven by Ayala Foundation , we aim to contribute in a significant way to the development of our country ’ s human capital ,” said Mr . Zobel . “ We believe that our human capital is one of our strongest advantages as a country .”
“ Education is a key program for us at Ayala Foundation , and we remain convinced of its power in freeing us from ignorance ,” said Maranan . “ And in any of our education interventions , we make sure that we work with like-minded partners — especially with government agencies like the Department of Education — so that our work is strongly aligned with the actual needs of our students , teachers , and schools .”
Also at the event to share her story of hope was Rio 2016 Olympics silver medalist Hidilyn Diaz . *** Advanced Happy Chinese New Year ! A great majority of us have Chinese blood . Enjoy the celebrations and food galore . Happy to note that those born under the Dragon sign ( like me ) will be have a good year ahead , as Princess Fernandez told a jam-packed audience in LRI Mall yesterday . It ’ s all fun and
Philippines , U . S . see Improved Relations under Trump
100 FOR 200 Students from CENTEX Manila represent 200 schools who received 200,000 storybooks from the Ayala group ’ s ‘ 100 for 200 ’ book drive . At the turnover are ( from left ) Cong . Bolet Banal , Airwoman First Class Hidilyn Diaz , MaJ . Gen . Conrado Parra Jr . of the PAF , Ayala Group head for Corporate Human Resources JP Orbeta , Cagayan de Oro Mayor Oscar Moreno , Vice President Leni Robredo , Ayala president Fernando Zobel de Ayala , Ayala Foundation president Ruel Maranan , APMC President Laurent Lamasuta , DepEd undersecretary Dina Ocampo , and Ayala Foundation Senior director for Programs Joanna Duarte .
s o m e t i m e s very helpful , this Feng Shui tips . Remember also for all , start de-clogging your rooms at your homes and offices now before the New Year next weekend ! ( mb . com )
THE assumption of U . S . President Donald Trump to power is an opportunity to improve relations between Manila and Washington .
Philippine officials expressed this optimism following Trump ’ s swearing into office as the 45th president of the U . S . on January 20 .
“ We view transitions as opportunities to further relations . The US and the Philippines are treaty allies and we are ready to work on bolstering this alliance on the basis of sovereign equality and mutual respect ,” said Patrick Chuasoto , chargé d ’ affaires ad interim of the Philippine embassy in Washington D . C ., in a statement .
Malacañang , which sent Presidential Communications Secretary Martin Andanar and National Security Adviser Hermogenes Esperon Jr . to the Trump inaugural , on January 21 welcomed the new U . S . leader .
Malacanang wished Trump success in the next four years of his administration .
In a statement , presidential spokesman Ernesto Abella said the Duterte government was looking forward to working with the Trump White House for enhanced Philippines-U . S . relations .
“ We look forward to working closely with the new administration of President Trump anchored on mutual respect , mutual benefit , and shared commitment to democratic ideals and the rule of law ,” he said .
President Rodrigo Duterte has repeatedly unleashed expletive-laden anti-American tirades since taking office in mid-2016 , and declared his “ military and economic separation ” from the U . S . in October while in a visit to Beijing .
Duterte announced an “ independent foreign policy ” following criticism of his bloody anti-drug war from Washington and Trump ’ s predecessor , Barack Obama . At the same time , however , Duterte wants to bolster ties with China and Russia .
W . Patrick Murphy , U . S . deputy assistant secretary of State for Southeast Asia , said the U . S . would continue working with the Philippines , especially with its chairmanship of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations ( Asean ) this year .
“ In 2017 , we look forward to working with the Philippines for many reasons but one of the most important is that the Philippines has assumed chairmanship of Asean and Asean is pivotal , it is our keystone to our engagement with the entire Asia- Pacific ,” he said .
Political analyst Richard Javad Heydarian was also upbeat despite a looming tightening of U . S . immigration and trade policies that could affect Filipino migrants and Philippine trade .
“ I think the Duterte administration is so far optimistic that our relationship with the US will improve under Trump because
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