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Need for Financial Literacy & Financial Innovation in the Philippines / Bank spreads are too high, investment options are too limited; the country is awash in cash, with improving credit rating / AIA Group plans to invest more in PH AIA is the parent of PhilamLife, and they want to step up expansion in PH, to tap the relatively low insurance penetration in the country... requiring them to invest further in technology and product innovation. AIA Group president Mark Tucker say PH is still "a very important market for us". since the protection gap in the market is still very huge. "The opportunities in the Philippines are unlimited... nowhere in the world have we invested like this.... The opportunity for growth here remains very, very significant." The insurance penetration has crawled to a growth of less than two percent. in a span of seven years, In 2015, the contribution of the industry to the Philippines GDP grew to 1.74 percent, rising from a little over one percent in 2008... In order to take advantage of the low penetration rate, PhilAm will have to come up with innovations across all its products... . . .In 2015, the co saw its income soaring to P 5 billion, the highest profit recorded for all the insurance companies in the country, Yesterday, was the launch of PhilAm's newest and most modern facility 'Genesis' within the Citibank Center in Makati. This 800 sqm non-traditonal workspace is open to Philam Life's financial advisors earning more than a million (pesos?) per year, or those who belong to the the Million Dollar Roundtable Club. We continue to seek innovation across all technology and across products and on the product side, we've introduced the whole basis of health and wellness... Genesis is about the latest in technology, the latest in workspace... to insure our people continue to be the best, the most professional As of now, the company has 7,000 financial advisors, and only 300 are part of the MDRC (front page of today's Manila Bulletin) I had a long chat in a coffee shop with a former financial manager about how the PH is now awash with cash, and people really do not know what to do with it - so they keep buying condos... Meantime, the banks gouge the borrowers, charging 5-6% for mortgage loans, and paying 0-1.5% for deposits ===== Innovation may come through INSURANCE PROVIDERS like BPI - Philam : Products: https://www.bpi-philam.com/en/our-products.html Philam Vitality : FAQ's : Bonuses for Non-smoker clients : https://www.philamvitality.com/vmp-ph/partners/mmc_stop_smoking How Philam Vitality Works Philam Vitality is the science-backed wellness programme that works with you to make real change to your health. Get the knowledge, tools and motivation you need to do well on your journey towards healthy living so that you get more out of life and enjoy the rewards, whilst being protected against risk.

New 23-km Railway started SMC breaks ground for P 69.3 Billion MRT-7 (Manila Bullletin, Apr. 21, 2016 - pg.1) NOTES San Miguel Corp broke ground from the new railway from Quezon City to San Jose del Monte, Bulacan. The project will be operational in April 2020 and have 14 stations, and is being built by SMC's infrastructure subsidiary, San Miguel Holdings, Inc. It will have a capacity of 350,000 passengers per day. And at peak hours, will accommodate 28,000 passengers per hour, scalable to 38,000. Plans are being made to raise the daily capacity to 800,000 passengers per day. This will significantly lessen travel times, and reduce traffic congestion. "Apart from freeing up road space and being more efficient... it can open a world of opportunities. For wage earners, it means having more choices of places to work (and to live," said the company. Once the MRT-7 is built, it will only take 30 minutes travel time end to end, compared to the current two hours (or more.) It is also expected to attract park-and-ride users, parking at the NLEX terminal, and riding the rails from there. === Tollways being improved too MNTC to spend P 3.9 Billion to improve Nlex, SCTEx Mostly it is going into road widening and toll-plaza expansion, as well as ongoing maintenance

I am selling today HALF if the SLV calls that I bought two months ago, when I took a Short on Gold 435 vs 285 cost The trade worked well. I covered half the GLD short last week

The Rise Right now, debris would need to fall Upwards to be of danger. But that may change soon I walked by the construction site for the Rise today... And I was surprised to see that both the Rise and the Air seem to be at the same stage of construction. This surprised me since I think the Rise was started 6- 9 months earlier. It occurred to me to ask a woman running a food kiosk about this. Her view faces both properties, and she sees them all day long. So I asked, "Can I ask you a question? Did these properties start at the same time?" I think she thought I was asking if they were the same property. So she pointed straight ahead, and said, "SM;" and then motioned to the left, and said, "Shangrila." So she clearly knew something about her surroundings. So I asked again, "Yes. Did they start at the Same Time." She pointed again at The Rise: "Stopped." I replied: "Okay. When stopped?" That got me a two word answer: "Two months." Can you get more definitive than this? The sign on the site, says: General Contractor, MEC", over a large yellow sun. I made a note to investigate this company name.

For those who thought HK Property would always be Prime, a blue chip Safe Haven... take a look at this article from today's SCMP: New foreign real estate investors may turn their attention away from Hong Kong to other developed markets such as Singapore in a bid to remove uncertainties that include political influence from China, says UBS Asset Management That’s a major reversal of a few years ago, when Hong Kong and Singapore were both classed as safe havens Asian, which helped them to attract investment from abroad, according to William Hughes, global head of real estate research and strategy at UBS Asset Management. “Now, Hong Kong is a bit different than Singapore,” he said. China’s rising political influence in Hong Kong has eroded the city’s independent, he said. One consequence is heightened uncertainly, which means the city’s property market would become more domestic driven as foreign investors pull out. “This is the separation in Hong Kong and Singapore recently. Singapore has a high level of foreign investment and Hong Kong is becoming more towards domestic investment,” he said. . . . Previously, Hong Kong property prices were driven up by an influx of capital, which compressed yields to 2 to 4 per cent a year, compared with 5 to 6 per cent in US and Europe, he said. If foreign investment tapers off, he said the weakened demand could help to stabilise property prices and improve investment yield. Hong Kong home prices have fallen 13 per cent since its peak in September. == > http://www.scmp.com/property/hong-kong-china/article/1937061/singapore-looking-sweet-foreign-investors-turn-away-hong Before the downturn is over, probably in the 2019-2020 window, the confidence in HK may be further shaken. BTW, I reckon that Singapore is still in a cyclical downtrend

SEA countries, best positioned in downturn Southeast Asia's resilience vs global headwinds cited - Business World, Manila, 4/19/2016 ECONOMIES in Southeast Asia and select neighbors should be able to sustain growth momentum this year despsite dampened global growth prospects, as local fiscal conditions provide sufficient buffers against external shocks (headline story) - Notes ===== + per Malaysian central bank governor, Zeti Akhtar Aziz, at 33rd meeting of IMF finance committee + global issues include: lower productivity growth in advanced countries, tighter global liquidity + SEA monetary authorities have "remained vigilant" and strengthen policy frameworks + ASEAN-5, composed of Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Thailand, and Vietnam, have retained growth projections at between 4.8% and 5.1% for this year and next, with robust domestic demand, and a recovery in exports seen driving growth in 2017. Meantime, global growth has been downgraded to 3.2% for this year, and 3.5% fro next + The IMF has a growth forecast for Phillipines of 6% in 2016, and 6.2% in 2017

New image of AFT, what it will look like when completed

Homebuyers snap up apartments with over 25 per cent discounts in southwest Kowloon . Homebuyers snapped up 36 seaview apartments put up for sale for the first time in 12 years by Hang Lung Properties UPDATED : Monday, 18 April, 2016 Comments: 5 Home buyers yesterday snapped up 36 seaview flats put up for sale by Hang Lung Properties for the first time at its 12-year-old Long Beach development in southwest Kowloon. Rather than reflecting confidence in the property market, which is facing a significant downturn, they were attracted by discounts of up to 26.2 per cent off listed prices on units with sea views. Hang Lung had been holding its inventory all these years at the estate in Tai Kok Tsui, hoping for a better market, but falling prices over the past year forced it to offer discounts and stamp duty rebates to lure buyers. The developer said it had received 2,580 purchase applications for this batch of two- and three-bedroom flats ranging in size from 562 sq ft to 863 sq ft. . The average sale price was HK$14,000 per sq ft, after Hang Lung offered a 60 per cent buyer’s stamp duty rebate – the equivalent of a 9 per cent discount on the listed price – and a cash rebate of up to 1.2 per cent for those who bought more than one unit, among other concessions. “The prices are down nearly 20 per cent compared with last year, so buyers find the prices reasonable,” said Sammy Po Siu-ming, chief executive of Midland Realty’s residental department. Hang Lung built the seaside complex, its largest residential project in Hong Kong, in 2005. It has 1,829 units in total, but only 400 were put up for sale from 2013 until now. More than 600 units are still available – the company has said they will be sold when market conditions are favourable. “I think the developer will present some more units this year, but not all, given their track record,” Po said. Hong Kong’s new home supply is expected to peak in two years’ time as projects launched in recent years are completed, raising the threat of a further downturn for developers. Home prices are expected to fall a further 19 per cent up to the second quarter of 2017 according to Nomura, or even collapse by 60 per cent in the event of a 30 per cent one-time devaluation of the yuan or rate rises of 400 basis points by the US Federal Reserve over a two-year period. Analysts said developers were resorting to offering more favourable terms and prices to compete for buyers before the market cooled further. Hang Lung in January cut its final dividend for the first time in 16 years after core earnings for 2015 slumped 56 per cent, the biggest fall since 2011, to HK$4.38 billion. It sold 63 flats and some car-parking spaces during the year, which fetched HK$1.19 billion, down 88 per cent from a year earlier. Separately, Sino Group yesterday sold 143 car-parking spaces with an average price of HK$2.47 million for residents of its Olympic station development, The Hermitage. == > http://www.scmp.com/property/hong-kong-china/article/1936618/homebuyers-snap-apartments-over-25-cent-discounts-southwest Start with a HKD 9 million flat... Raise the price artificially to 11 million, and "discount" it back to 9 million, and everyone's happy, I suppose?? == Recent sales: Reg.Date Estate------------ Block-- Floor-- Flat-- Area(ft2) Price (HK$)----- Price/ft2 Source (Saleable/Gross) (Saleable) (Gross) 13/04/16 The Long Beach Block 6, Floor 05, Flat C, 549 747 Price $6.80 M $12,386 $ 9,103 Registry 12/04/16 The Long Beach Block 6, Floor 10, Flat E, 547 728 Price $7.20 M $13,163 $ 9,890 Registry 08/04/16 The Long Beach Block 8, Floor 26, Flat D, 546 742 Price $7.50 M $13,736 $10,108 Registry 08/04/16 The Long Beach Block 3, Floor 10, Flat D, 549 747 Price $7.15 M $13,024 $ 9,572 Registry 30/03/16 The Long Beach Block 3, Floor 17, Flat C, 549 747 Price $7.03 M $12,805 $ 9,411 Registry 24/03/16 The Long Beach Block 6, Floor 11, Flat E, 547 728 Price $7.00 M $12,797 $ 9,615 Registry

Philly: Cuts on the high end ... New versus Old NEW: $995,000 : price cut -$100,000 (3/29), after 6 months on Zillow 3 BR, 4 baths, 2,500 sf : $398 per sf 1425 Kater St., Philadelphia, PA (great location): > http://www.zillow.com/homedetails/1425-Kater-St-Philadelphia-PA-19146/2101027819_zpid/?utm_source=email&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=emo-inferredsearch-newconstructionaddress&sse=X1-SSjmfyusslsyrv_8xo7s OLD: $564,000 : price cut - $15,000 (April) 4 BR, 3.5 baths, 3,063 sf : $000 per sf 7003 Lincoln Dr., West Mt. Airy : > http://philly.curbed.com/2016/4/15/11438628/5-gorgeous-homes-that-just-got-pricechops On the lower end of the market, below $100 per sf, we are continue to see firm prices

Nope. Have a link?

As Free Energy technologies creep ever closer to a public Disclosure... In a Changing Climate, Rockefeller Fund Dumps Oil, Exxon ... www.usnews.com/.../in-a-changing-climate-rockefeller-fund-dumps-oil-... Mar 24, 2016 - Rockefeller Dumps Oil, Exxon Mobil ... of the Keystone XL pipeline's northern stretch last year, companies have pulled out from the sector. Will the Gold-to-Oil ratio go to the Moon? Want to know why the Russians have not Done Disclosure? Because it endangers their oil revenues

As Free Energy technologies creep ever closer to a public Disclosure... In a Changing Climate, Rockefeller Fund Dumps Oil, Exxon ... www.usnews.com/.../in-a-changing-climate-rockefeller-fund-dumps-oil-... Mar 24, 2016 - Rockefeller Dumps Oil, Exxon Mobil ... of the Keystone XL pipeline's northern stretch last year, companies have pulled out from the sector. Will the Gold-to-Oil ratio go further towards the Moon? When the Rockefellers made their announcement, you should have bought Gold and sold Oil Want to know why the Russians have not Done Disclosure? Because it endangers their oil revenues

San Lorenzo Place - a pithy comment about the unusual Layouts of some of the units + San Lorenzo Pl... ( 1,646 replies - 336.0k views) The design is actually quite awful. The living room/kitchen areas have no ventilation, apart from a small range hood above the stove that is only effective 4 hours per day because the main building exhaust fan has limited functionality so they switch it off most of the time. The management of Empire East do not allow unit owners to install aircon in the living areas, so the place is really uncomfortable and sweaty due to the heat and humidity. And when you try to cook anything, it brings tears to your eyes. The bedrooms are OK, because they have windows and aircon, but if you want to have comfort but don't want to spend all your time in the bedroom, you are out of luck. I bought my unit when only the model unit was built, and it had a split aircon in the living area. I made the mistake of thinking that this meant I would be able to have the same in my unit. Very bad assumption. == > SSC : SLP thread

Existing and Planned Light Rail projects > source: http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?p=127055114#post127055114

Probably. And they may also be aware of working Free Energy technologies

SEPTA spending rising SEPTA's $548.6M capital budget includes 525 new buses, improved stations SEPTA's capital budget for the coming fiscal year includes money for more accurate travel information, improved stations, and more than 500 new buses, all part of a long-term plan to update a system that for years went without needed upgrades. The $548.63 million capital budget for fiscal year 2017, which begins July 1, was made public Friday and is about $14 million more than FY 2016's capital budget. It is part of a $7.3 billion, 12-year capital program. SEPTA's overall budget for the coming year is about $1.4 billion. New vehicles are the single biggest capital expense this year, with $168 million set aside. A portion of that is for purchases from recent years, including $15.5 million toward 13 electric locomotives. But the budget includes $60 million for 525 new 40-foot buses expected to be delivered between 2017 and 2021 at a total cost of $415 million. Another expense new in the coming fiscal year is $48.6 million to lease Amtrak-controlled rail. Seven of the 13 Regional Rail lines run on Amtrak's rail, and this year federal law boosted the cost of leasing that track on the Northeast Corridor. Read more at http://www.philly.com/philly/business/20160402_SEPTA_s__548_6M_capital_budget_includes_525_new_buses__improved_stations.html#WJK4wyqv4J9GPuTO.99

RICHARD ALAN MILLER & MAT STEIN - URBAN SURVIVAL Streamed live on Mar 10, 2016 I will be discussing with Richard Alan Miller and Mat Stein their upcoming Hollywood conference about Urban Survival and dealing with off the grid issues should anything happen in our near future to warrant such preparations! Always important living in the EQ zone here in Southern California... Threats of EMP and nuclear fall-out should there be such an attack...

Splitterwerk Architects Design World's First Algae-Powered Building for Germany . By Dr. Richard Alan on 7, in Breaking News We’ve all heard about buildings powered by solar or wind energy, but an algae-powered building? Splitterwerk Architects have designed just such a structure, dubbed BIQ, which will be the very first of its kind. Covered with a bio-adaptive façade of microalgae, the distinctive building has been designed for the International Building Exhibition in Hamburg […] Continue Reading .. > more news articles selected by DrRAM : http://richardalanmiller.com/author/admin/page/30 Doc RAM On Sustainable Lifeboats & USA Crisis Events! . SustainableLifeboat ™ is a generic model farm(s) for alternative crops for various regions of North America, using drip irrigation systems (for organic weed control and conservation of water). Principles and practices associated with the SustainableLifeboat ™ concepts will prove “priceless” should the electricity grid and water distribution systems collapse after times of financial instability. They have been developed to facilitate the growth of food vegetables, herbs, chickens, etc. using proven water saving products… For information how you can get involved & implementation visit; http://sustainablelifeboat.com/

My guess would be a $50-80 range after the Low has been made

New Transport hub positions Arco South as Metro gateway (Phil.Star, paraphrased, 4/1/16, pg.B6) . Arca South will benefit from its proximity to the ITS (Integrated Transport System) + 4,000 buses, and 160,000 passengers are expected to pass through the terminal on a daily basis + This will be built under a 35 year concession agreement, for Ayala to build and operate the ITS + The project is expected to be completed in 2018 The Six-story terminal will feature: centralized ticketing, trip info displays, passenger waiting, retail, and car parking Park and Ride will be a big feature Arca South (74-hectares) will offer: a fast-growing business and lifestyle center (retail, residential), plus a Seda Hotel, and Qualimed hospital +++ green spaces, bike paths, pedestrian walkways

RECORD takeup for OFFICES in 2015 (Philippines Star, business section) . Takeup up for Premium Offices reached a record in 2015 - with Makati still commanding the highest prices - Bay area and Quezon City are are also attracting interest BPO demand drove the takeup of 435,000 sqm in 2015. Financial services, retail and legal were said to have added additonal demand of 20-100,000 sqm . Best Rental levels: Makati CBD --- : 980.8 per sqm Bonifacio G.C. : 873.2 Quezon City--- : 710.7. Bay Area------- : 674.7 Ortigas--------- : 623.3 Alabang-------- : 605.3 . Despite Makati's lead, more building is happening in BGC, and the emerging areas of Bay Area, Quezon City, and Alabang. Makati will not accommodate (not enough cheap land), so they go to BGC, Ortigas, Quezon City, etc Quezon city may have a particular appeal, because of the large pool of labor that can be accessed in the North. New supply may drive up vacancies in the next three years. Nevertheless, major developers* are expected to pour in a record high, total capital expenditures of P 369 billion in 2016 ===== *(The Top developers were said to be: Ayala Land, SM Prime, Megaworld, Vista Land, Filinvest, DMCI Homes. Robinsons Land, and Federal Land) Another article on the same page, predicts the rise of Arca South

The banks (who needs THEM?) Are getting rid of more employees... #RBS to axe 550 staff and replace them with robo-advisers http://gu.com/p/4hgty/stw Wow, does even Paul Krugman now realise the US has hemorhaged too many jobs Krugman: the elite case for #TPP and ever-freer trade is "largely a scam" http://nyti.ms/1QJDcjt Maybe the protectionist moment has arrived

Robots, More people & Falling Growth - How can we cope? I had a question that I kept asking: Do we have too many people being born, or too few jobs. Or plenty of both? Everywhere, I see people out of work. I there a solution? Surely, adding robots throughout the global economy is not going to help. The only answer I go is: We can all go into farming, and growing healthier and better food - since that pursuit can accommodate people of all skill and intelligent levels, from digging holes to fine-tuning the best new food production techniques Meantime, we see the infrastructure decaying in most countries - especially in the USA. Surely, that is a better place for America to invest its wealth than in wars for Israel. How about cancelling those wars, and having a war on infrastructure decline. The US should fight the infrastructure decline, and improve it, until it is up to the standard of Hong Kong or Singapore

stranger things than that have happened. personally, i dont expect more than a small bounce

"Throw away the 25 year mortgage. Now introducing the 40 year mortgage." A very dangerous sign - SELL and Run for the Hills!