Palace elated over survey ranking the Philippines as 8th friendliest country
Malacanang expressed elation over the HSBC Expat Explorer Survey result, which ranked the Philippines as the eighth friendliest country in the world.
Earlier, the 2012 Index of Economic Freedom, published by The Wall Street Journal and The Heritage Foundation gave the Philippines a 57.1 score for economic freedom, making its economy the 107th freest in the 2012 Index. The score is 0.9 point higher than last year.
“We’re also happy to note that in one of the surveys conducted by HSBC, the Philippines ranked as one of the… the eighth friendliest country out of most of the countries rated in the world. And this is why we believe na talagang it really is more fun in the Philippines,” Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Abigail Valte said in a radio interview over dzRB Radyo ng Bayan on Saturday.
“The administration will always promote what is good… what is good with the economy and people,” Valte said countering the criticisms being leveled against the Aquino administration.
According to HSBC’s Expat Explorer Survey released last year, the Philippines is the eighth friendliest country in the world for expatriates. HSBC surveyed 3,385 expats in 100 countries between May and July 2011.
The countries were ranked based on four categories: ability to befriend locals, success in learning the local language, capacity for integrating themselves into the community, and ease in which they fit into the new culture.
Forbes.com, citing the results of the HSBC survey, said the Philippines is a country “friendly on wallets,” with large number of expatriates saying they have an increased access to luxuries, including domestic staff, swimming pools and owning properties.
New Zealand topped the list of the world’s friendliest countries, posting excellent scores in all four categories. (PCOO)
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Palace urges peaceful celebration of the Feast of the Sto. Nino
Malacanang called on the public to celebrate the Feast of the Sto. Nino in a peaceful and orderly manner, a Palace official said on Saturday.
"Sumunod po tayo doon sa ating mga awtoridad. Napaigting na po ng mga nagpo-foot patrol at mga nagbabantay ang Philippine National Police (PNP) at ang Navy para nga sa selebrasyon. At sana po maging orderly ang Sinulog," Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Abigail Valte said during an interview aired over government-run dzRB Radyo ng Bayan on Saturday.
The Feast of the Sto. Nino is being held on the third Sundays of January. It is the period when Tondo and Pandacan in Manila, Cebu, and many other provinces, towns, and cities in Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao pay homage to the Holy Child Jesus
The Sto. Niño, a representation of the Child Jesus, literally means “holy child.” Filipinos, being largely Roman Catholics, venerate and are faithful devotees of the Sto. Niño.
A mass is set to be officiated on Sunday morning by Archbishop Luis Antonio Tagle at the Sto. Nino Parish Church in celebration of the Tondo fiesta in Manila.
This will be followed by a Sto. Nino Fiesta grand procession from the said church to major streets in Tondo and then back to the church.
Meanwhile, the Sinulog is an annual festival held on the third Sunday of January in Cebu City.
The Sinulog celebration lasts for nine days, culminating on the final day with the Sinulog Grand Parade. The day before the parade, a fluvial procession from Mandaue City to Cebu City is held at dawn with a statue of the Santo Niño carried on a pump boat. (PCOO)
