myPH

your Philippines web magazine

And the winner is …
The countdown has started for the Miss Universe pageant being held this year in Vietnam. Among contestants arriving early was Miss Philippines 2008, Jennifer Barrientos, pictured with Miss Australia Laura Dundovic and Miss Germany Madina Taher at their Ho Chi Minh City hotel poolside.
Barrientos, from San Mateo, 22 years old and 5'8" tall, faces tough competition from 79 other contestants in judging sessions being held in Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi, Da Nang and Ha Long leading up to the final presentation in Nha Trang on July 14.

myPH recommendations
myPH partners in the Philippine online community are known for their good products and services. We commend them to you for easy, cost-friendly, safe online shopping. Advertisements linking to their websites are included in the appropriate sections of myPH – and each week we feature some special recommendations here on Page One:

myPH Adpost Classifieds
Looking for a job, selling a car, buying furniture or renting an apartment? myPH Adpost Classifieds may have exactly what you’re looking for. It’s the Philippine edition of the world’s top online classified ads service. Standard ads are free while upgraded ads cost little.  [myPH Adpost Classifieds]

Farm-fresh roses in the Philippines 
Island Rose grows its own high quality varieties of European roses south of Manila, and delivers to most parts of the Philippines at competitive prices.  The company is known for its professionalism, reliability, quality and caring customer service. [Island Rose]

World travel with Travelocity
Travelocity.com is the world’s top website for online travel bookings and information. Travelocity offers the best prices, comparative travel data, fast online bookings, customer service and an uncompromising quality guarantee for its flights, hotel bookings, cruises and other vacations.  [Travelocity.com]

Tips from travelers who've been there
TripAdvisor gives you a wealth of tips, free advice and  reviews about places to visit, where to stay, how to get there, what to see, where to eat out and have fun – and where it's not much fun – as assessed by travelers who have been there.  TripAdvisor covers both popular and less-known places across the Philippines (and around the world). And when you decide where to stay, the website offers you great hotel deals.  [TripAdvisor]

Samsung eyeing big chip plant
Samsung Electronics Company Ltd,, the world's largest maker of memory chips, is in talks about building a manufacturing plant in the Philippines.
Also in myPH Business this week:
•   The International Monetary Fund has cut its 2008 economic growth forecast for the Philippines to 5.2 percent from 5.8 percent due to slowing external demand and softening consumption.
•   Australian gambling and media tycoon James Packer is expected to sign a US$1.5 billion deal to build a hotel and casino resort complex on the Manila bayside "within weeks."  [myPH Business]

Ferry firm under fire
Sulpicio Lines, one of the biggest inter-island shipping companies in the Philippines, is in trouble after its flagship vessel capsized off Sibuyan island in Romblon province over the weekend, killing hundreds.
Also in the myPH Community news this week:
•   The Philippine police has admitted that a ransom of at least five million pesos was paid to free a kidnapped television news crew – and they accused a local mayor of pocketing most of the money.
•   A man has been jailed for five years for helping his Philippines-based company swindle nearly US$100 million from the United States military health insurance program.   [myPH Community]

Lettermen back on tour
Yesteryear harmony favorites the Lettermen are back on tour in the Philippines with remaining shows in Zamboanga City and Tagaytay City.
Also in myPH Happenings this week:
•   Virgin Labfest, a testing ground festival for Filipino playwrights, directors and actors with “untried, untested, unpublished and unstaged” one-act plays, is happening in Manila. It runs until July 6 at the Cultural Center of the Philippines Studio Theater.
•   The Universal Reality Combat Championship – the Filipino version of open-style mixed martial arts fighting with only a few flexible rules – is on again in bouts coming up in Manila.  [myPH Happenings]

Civil Subic or raunchy Barretto?
Where's better to stay – "civilized" Subic Freeport or "raunchy" Barrio Barretto? This is the advice needed by one myPH Explorer Forum member (and she's a lady).
Other topics of discussion in myPH Forum this week include:
•  "Does anybody know about online gambling in the Philippines? Is it legal? Are there any good websites?" asks a myPH Happenings Forum member.
•   "My favorite Tagaytay restaurants are Antonio's and Sonia's Garden. Both have special locations, beautiful gardens, great food, nice atmosphere. A bit pricey but worth saving for."  [myPH Forum]

Bali's versions of paradise
Say Bali and most people think paradise. There are stunning sunsets, sculpted rice terraces and a temple on almost every corner. And for less spiritual seekers, this steamy Indonesian island also has great surfing and a rollicking nightlife.
Also in myPH Traveler this week:
•   Singapore may be clean, efficient and manicured, but the prosperous island-state knows how to get down and dirty, too.  Here's how to have fun in 36 hours there.  [myPH Traveler]

Smartphones for smart women
In a big shift for the phone industry, women have emerged as eager buyers of not just iPhones but of all so-called smartphones – BlackBerrys, Treos and other models.
Also in myPH Traveler this week:
•   With Mozilla Firefox 3.0 on the way, Internet Explorer 8 following very soon and Apple's Safari going onto Windows PCs, the browser war is heating up again.
•   With its share of the internet search market in steady decline and its pursuit of an alliance with Yahoo in doubt, Microsoft is taking a new approach to jump-starting its search engine: offering rebates to people who use it to buy products. [myPH Online]

Up-market options in Bohol
To Bohol's ever-popular Chocolate Hills, tarsiers, scuba diving and eco-tourism, now add a new dimension – upmarket resorts to widen the attractions from the previously modest facilities and amenities.
Also in myPH Explorer this week:
•   In Boracay anything goes. The hottest white sand beach in the Philippines is home to endless pampering and partying. Chill out on the beach all afternoon then hit the bars and discos until dawn.
•   Our myPH Explorer travel experts roam around Manila, looking at good hotels, how to get to the best places for sightseeing and shopping, and where to go and what to do after dark.   [myPH Explorer]