Newscast: The World Tonight - Broadcast date: 11/22/96
Homepage: ABS-CBN Broadcasting Corp.
Copyright © 1996, ABS-CBN Broadcasting Corp.

"JAGGED LITTLE GIRL"
A TASTE OF PINOY HOSPITALITY
32ND BOWLING WORLD CUP
ABAC MEET
US RESCUES IT
JAPAN ON VISA/LOAN
CIGAR, BEER, PASSPORT ACT
US, RP SIGN TREATIES
SOKOR PREMIER OTHERS
WARNING TO DIPLOMATS, PRESS
PICC's SPLENDOR
GAPO ON VIGIL VS PROTEST
ANTI-APEC FORUMS/WARNING
MORE OK APEC
MINISTERS OK PLAN
BIZMEN CABINET OFFICIALS


Subject: "JAGGED LITTLE GIRL"
Newscast: TWTONITE - Air Date: 11/22/96

Time magazine called her an anti-diva. But in tonight's press conference, Alanis Morissette shed her anti-glamor pose for a black shirt, bell bottom pants, and a pair of birkenstocks. Morissette was given a quadruple platinum award by Warner Music. 170-thousand copies of her album "Jagged Little Pill" have been sold in the Philippines. Since its release last year, Morissette will also be holding a concert tomorrow at the Araneta Coliseum.
Subject: A TASTE OF PINOY HOSPITALITY
Newscast: TWTONITE - Air Date: 11/22/96

Aside from business opportunities, APEC is also providing snapshots of the country's world-renowned Filipino hospitality. It was a chance to show off the much vaunted Filipino hospitality. The smiles and the sampaguita garlands. We're all saying, "Welcome to the friendly islands of the Philippines!"

The wives of APEC delegates were treated to a grand showcase of what the Philippines is all about: the sights, the sounds, and the tastes. Filipino culture was in full bloom. The Philippine tour took just 2 hours. Impressive, they say. And they just couldn't get enough of it. Tomorrow, they'll get more of that at Villa Escudero. And by the looks of it, it's going be a postcard-perfect Filipino experience.

Subject: 32ND BOWLING WORLD CUP
Newscast: TWTONITE - Air Date: 11/22/96

A blistering pace by Paeng Nepomuceno at the Thirty Second Bowling World Cup in Ireland:

32nd bowling world cup (after a 2-stage elimination) 

                    Total   Average 
Nepomuceno (PHI)    8719    218 
Goh        (SIN)    8334    208 
Montfort   (SPA)    8331    208 
Hylen      (USA)    8324    208.1 
Bottomley  (AUS)    8322    206.1
He posted a 1-thousand-778 series to march into the 3rd round. His overall total: 8-thousand-719 pinfalls. He also widened his lead to a commanding 385 pins over his closest rival. In the ladies' division, Bong Coo dropped from 12th to 14th and missed the cut by 255 pins.
Subject: ABAC MEET
Newscast: TWTONITE - Air Date: 11/22/96

The Philippines, once called the Sick Man of Asia is now basking in its role as host of the APEC Summit and is now eyeing becoming a regional financial center. Finance Secretary Roberto De Ocampo says all the ingredients are there for the country to become a financial hub. In today's opening of the APEC business forum, the Philippines took the lead in getting business more involved in APEC.
Subject: US RESCUES IT
Newscast: TWTONITE - Air Date: 11/22/96

The United States is battling to rescue a proposed pact to abolish tariffs on high-tech items in four years. In a last minute pitch, US Secretary of State Warren Christopher said, "Washington wants the leaders to call for a swift conclusion of the pact." Malaysia rebuffed the proposal on concerns. Four years was too short to abolish tariffs.
Subject: JAPAN ON VISA/LOAN
Newscast: TWTONITE - Air Date: 11/22/96

Japan is supporting the grant of APEC visas.

Countries granted visas

But they are granting multiple entry APEC business visas to only 8-countries. And the list does not include the Philippines. Visas will be opened to all 18 economies by February next year. On exports, Japanese Prime Minister's spokesman Hiroshi Hashimoto said, "There will be no compromise for developing countries who wish to export to Japan." Hashimoto says Japan is merely adhering to international standards.
Subject: CIGAR, BEER, PASSPORT ACT
Newscast: TWTONITE - Air Date: 11/22/96

President Ramos signed two bills into law today. One of them was the so-called sin tax component of the tax reform package.

Price increases due to taxes

The new tax rates on beer and cigarettes will take effect on January 1 next year. Congress yesterday approved government's excise tax bill on beer and cigarettes. It is expected to raise 6-and-a-half billion pesos in additional revenue a year. Aside from ensuring the government's financial health, the President says the new tax measures will be good for one's own health as well. Higher taxes on beer and cigarette will mean higher prices. The President hopes this will force more people to cut down on their smoking and drinking. The President also signed into law a bill imposing stiffer penalties for holders of fake Philippine passports. The measure aims to curb illegal recruitment and protect Filipino overseas workers from abuse.
Subject: US, RP SIGN TREATIES
Newscast: TWTONITE - Air Date: 11/22/96

The Philippines and the United States signed extradition and mutual legal assistance treaties. US Secretary of State Warren Christopher and Foreign Secretary Domingo Siazon signed the accords that promise to help fight terrorism, drug trafficking and other international crimes. The agreements took 3 years in the making. The extradition treaty outlines procedures for the arrest of a criminal and his handover to the other country for prosecution. The legal assistance treaty allows prosecutors to share testimonies and other evidence.
Subject: SOKOR PREMIER OTHERS
Newscast: TWTONITE - Air Date: 11/22/96

3 more heads of state are in town for the APEC Summit. South Korean President Kim Young Sam touched down at 2 this afternoon. Australian Prime Minister John Howard flew in at 6:30. Prime Minister Sir Julius Chan of Papua New Guinea has also arrived. Canadian Prime Minister Jean Chretien is expected before midnight. 13 other heads of state will arrive between tomorrow and Sunday.
Subject: WARNING TO DIPLOMATS, PRESS
Newscast: TWTONITE - Air Date: 11/22/96

The United States warns its diplomats and journalists against possible terrorist threats during the APEC Conference. State department spokesman nicholas burns says, "The US Embassy in Manila has received information about possible threats to American diplomats during this Conference." The US Embassy received information that a group of people may be targetting US officials in Manila. He did not elaborate. "There are strong indications that the ABB under the MRRPC will employ terrorism as their means of disrupting the Summit." But police sources say, "There are strong indications the Alex Boncayao Brigade would launch terror attacks during the APEC Summit. But police officials say they can guarantee the safety of APEC participants. According to Nicholas Burns, State Department Spokesman, "The Philippine government has responded in an excellent way to assure security. We feel it is incumbent upon us to warn you to take appropriate security measures." Burns stressed that the Philippine government has taken steps to ensure the security of participants to the APEC meetings. But just the same, he warns Americans to take precautions.
Subject: PICC's SPLENDOR
Newscast: TWTONITE - Air Date: 11/22/96

On one of the major sites of the APEC meetings, the PICC, the convention center is bursting with activity, something it hasn't had in a long time.

APEC has got to be the best thing that happened to the PICC in a long long time. The lights are now all working, the plants are in place, and the displays are striking to make just the right impact. But for many other delegates, they probably didn't notice. It seemed like work was the only thing in their minds. And for the media, that meant work as well. They were at every photo opportunity not missing a step. At the news bureau, journalists had almost everything they needed with a few difficulties here and there.
With the APEC meeting halfway done, the organizing committee seemed to have everything under control. For one, they made sure everyone knew who they were, what they were, and where they belonged. Complaints have also been very few. The question now is can they sustain it until the end of the Summit.

Subject: GAPO ON VIGIL VS PROTEST
Newscast: TWTONITE - Air Date: 11/22/96

For the past 3 days, Olongapo residents have been holding vigils guarding the entrance of the Subic Freeport against anti-APEC protesters. They are especially proud that their city is hosting this year's Summit. The road to Olongapo has been spruced up and security is tight.
Subject: ANTI-APEC FORUMS/WARNING
Newscast: TWTONITE - Air Date: 11/22/96

Since the APEC's formation in 1989 this year's Summit is turning out to be the first to face extensive protests. Police blocked about one thousand protesters including priests and nuns from reaching Malacañang. They dispersed after after a 2-hour standoff. Policemen also blocked leftist students from approaching the CCP Complex, where the APEC ministerial meeting was taking place. The demonstrators dispersed peacefully.

In Cagayan De Oro, Father Roberto Reyes of Gomburza continued his protest run while four rival leftist groups held conferences. They said poor countries will suffer under APEC's free trade agenda. PNP Chief Recaredo Sarmiento urged the organizers of the anti-APEC Caravan to police their ranks to keep out troublemakers. The Caravan is expected to march to Subic on Sunday. Sarmiento warns them against approaching restricted areas or creating any disturbance. Policemen will accompany the Caravan to monitor the demonstration.

Subject: MORE OK APEC
Newscast: TWTONITE - Air Date: 11/22/96

2 out of 3 Filipinos agree the country has much to gain from hosting this year's APEC Summit. That's according to a survey by the social weather station. The survey also reveals more people are now aware of APEC.

SWS 3rd quarter APEC poll - "How much RP has to gain?"

67 percent of those surveyed during the 3rd quarter said they expect the country to gain much from APEC. That's a little higher than the SWS figure for the second quarter.

SWS 2nd Quarter APEC poll - "How much RP has to gain?"

The SWS survey also showed the number of people who saw little gain from APEC declined compared to the previous quarter's survey.

SWS 1st Quarter APEC poll - APEC a tool for rich countries?"

But the same survey showed one out of 3 fear that rich countries would use APEC as a tool for their selfish interests.
Subject: MINISTERS OK PLAN
Newscast: TWTONITE - Air Date: 11/22/96

Senior APEC ministers today approved the Manila action plan to be submitted to the APEC leaders. The plan outlines the direction APEC will take in the next few years. The action plan approved by APEC ministers focuses on reducing tariffs on trade, reducing cost of production, and strengthening technical cooperation. The details wont be announced until the Summit on Monday by the 18 economic leaders in Subic Bay. Foreign Undersecretary Rodolfo Severino says the ministers also set a timetable for accepting new member countries. Some APEC applicants Severino says that the 3 year moratorium on new members will be lifted. Eleven countries want to join. Among them are Russia and Peru. But it's still a long process. The criteria for new members will be laid down in next year's Summit in Vancouver, Canada. In the following year in Kuala Lumpur, the new members will be announced. And it will only be in 1999 that the new members can finally join the Summit in New Zealand.
Subject: BIZMEN CABINET OFFICIALS
Newscast: TWTONITE - Air Date: 11/22/96

The APEC Summit is not just a coming out party for the Philippines. President Ramos believes the country has also come of age as an emerging tiger economy. He told a meeting of foreign and trade ministers APEC will have no second-grade members.
Three years ago, in his first APEC meeting in Seattle President Ramos wouldn't have even dared call the Summit a gathering of fellow tigers. 3 years ago the Philippine economy was just a emerging cub. But these days, the President feels the Philippines has just earned the right to be called a tiger or at least the next tiger economy.
Ramos wants the private sector to re-define the business relationship within APEC. He says dole-outs are a thing of the past and what needs to be shared is information and technology. For APEC to work, the President told senior officials and ministers that members should move as a community that has no bias for any particular interest. For Filipino business leaders, the APEC is not just a coming out party for the revitalized local economy. To them, it means business, first and foremost.
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