By Mary Ann Ll. Reyes
(The Philippine Star)
Updated February 25, 2012 12:00 AM
MANILA, Philippines - Flag carrier Philippine Airlines (PAL) said yesterday that the airline management is not involved, directly or indirectly, in any talks for the sale of PAL shares to third parties like San Miguel Corp. (SMC).
In a statement, PAL president Jaime Bautista maintained that PAL or any of its officers are not privy to the reported talks between its principal shareholders and the SMC Group.
“There has been a lot of chatter about ongoing negotiations for the sale of PAL shares. But I want to make it clear that any talks or negotiations are just between our principal shareholders and the SMC Group. PAL management is definitely not part of it,” said Bautista.
He said PAL spokesperson Cielo Villaluna was misquoted in published reports confirming talks between PAL and SMC. “Ms. Villaluna said talks are definitely ongoing, but didn’t say it was between PAL and SMC. She must have been referring to published reports about ongoing negotiations between shareholders of the two companies,” Bautista said.
He stressed that PAL is separate and distinct from its individual shareholders.
Tan earlier confirmed there are negotiations with SMC president Ramon Ang for possible investments in the ailing flag carrier.
It has been reported that SMC may end up acquiring over 40 percent of PAL, with Tan’s group still retaining control.
Earlier, SMC said that it was invited by Tan to participate and assist in the refleeting and modernization of PAL’s aircraft in preparation for the projected heavy influx of tourists in the coming years.
Saturday, February 25, 2012
SMC acquisition of PAL ‘imminent’
By: Daxim L. Lucas, Paolo Montecillo
Philippine Daily Inquirer
February 24th, 2012
San Miguel Corp.’s (SMC) acquisition of a “significant minority stake” in flag carrier Philippine Airlines (PAL) is, for all intents and purposes, a done deal with an official announcement set to be made in the coming days.
Sources from both camps familiar with the negotiations between tycoon Ramon Ang and the country’s second richest man, Lucio Tan, described the deal as “imminent,” adding that only “minor details and final touches” remained to be ironed out between both businessmen.
The SMC conglomerate is set to acquire a 49-percent stake in PAL for an estimated $500 million, which will come in the form of an equity infusion, resulting in a dilution of Tan’s stake. SMC will also be given management control of the airline.
The deal is being likened to Tan’s divestment of half his stake in Fortune Tobacco Corp. to form a joint venture with multinational cigarette maker Philip Morris International in 2010.
In that transaction, management control of the merged entity was also handed over to the acquiring party.
PAL—the first airline to offer commercial services in Asia—has also seen its market share eroded in recent years by the entry of no-frills carriers like Cebu Pacific of the Gokongwei family.
According to sources, an initial agreement between San Miguel president Ang and Tan was sealed as early as late last year and would have been concluded last month were it not for a last-minute expression of interest by telecommunications tycoon Manuel Pangilinan.
Pangilinan—who also runs Hong Kong-based First Pacific Group of Indonesia’s Salim family—was said to have offered Tan $700 million for a 100-percent stake in the airline.
The offer was said to have divided Tan’s close advisers with the taipan having decided to favor Ang with the deal only in recent days.
Officials from both camps declined to speak on the record about the transaction.
Ang said: “We are still in talks with them.”
Yesterday, PAL spokesperson Cielo Villaluna confirmed months of speculation surrounding the nation’s oldest carrier.
“Talks are definitely going on,” Villaluna told the Inquirer.
She clarified, however, that discussions were at the shareholder level and that the company as an entity was not directly involved.
She declined to give details, saying that the company would issue public disclosures at the appropriate time, or once any deal is signed.
Villaluna added that she was not aware if PAL’s shareholders were in talks with other groups aside from SMC.
Earlier this month, PAL’s parent company PAL Holdings reported a net loss of P3.6 billion for the April-to-December period of 2011—the first three quarters of the airline’s current fiscal year. This was a reversal from more than P3 billion in profits a year before.
The losses were caused by high fuel prices and labor issues in late 2011 that prevented PAL from cashing in on the holiday season last December.
PAL said total expenses rose 12 percent, driven mainly by the higher cost of jet fuel, which averaged $133 a barrel in 2011 from $98 in 2010.
At the end of 2011, PAL said jet fuel accounted for more than 50 percent of total expenses, up from 39 percent a year earlier.
Philippine Daily Inquirer
February 24th, 2012
San Miguel Corp.’s (SMC) acquisition of a “significant minority stake” in flag carrier Philippine Airlines (PAL) is, for all intents and purposes, a done deal with an official announcement set to be made in the coming days.
Sources from both camps familiar with the negotiations between tycoon Ramon Ang and the country’s second richest man, Lucio Tan, described the deal as “imminent,” adding that only “minor details and final touches” remained to be ironed out between both businessmen.
The SMC conglomerate is set to acquire a 49-percent stake in PAL for an estimated $500 million, which will come in the form of an equity infusion, resulting in a dilution of Tan’s stake. SMC will also be given management control of the airline.
The deal is being likened to Tan’s divestment of half his stake in Fortune Tobacco Corp. to form a joint venture with multinational cigarette maker Philip Morris International in 2010.
In that transaction, management control of the merged entity was also handed over to the acquiring party.
PAL—the first airline to offer commercial services in Asia—has also seen its market share eroded in recent years by the entry of no-frills carriers like Cebu Pacific of the Gokongwei family.
According to sources, an initial agreement between San Miguel president Ang and Tan was sealed as early as late last year and would have been concluded last month were it not for a last-minute expression of interest by telecommunications tycoon Manuel Pangilinan.
Pangilinan—who also runs Hong Kong-based First Pacific Group of Indonesia’s Salim family—was said to have offered Tan $700 million for a 100-percent stake in the airline.
The offer was said to have divided Tan’s close advisers with the taipan having decided to favor Ang with the deal only in recent days.
Officials from both camps declined to speak on the record about the transaction.
Ang said: “We are still in talks with them.”
Yesterday, PAL spokesperson Cielo Villaluna confirmed months of speculation surrounding the nation’s oldest carrier.
“Talks are definitely going on,” Villaluna told the Inquirer.
She clarified, however, that discussions were at the shareholder level and that the company as an entity was not directly involved.
She declined to give details, saying that the company would issue public disclosures at the appropriate time, or once any deal is signed.
Villaluna added that she was not aware if PAL’s shareholders were in talks with other groups aside from SMC.
Earlier this month, PAL’s parent company PAL Holdings reported a net loss of P3.6 billion for the April-to-December period of 2011—the first three quarters of the airline’s current fiscal year. This was a reversal from more than P3 billion in profits a year before.
The losses were caused by high fuel prices and labor issues in late 2011 that prevented PAL from cashing in on the holiday season last December.
PAL said total expenses rose 12 percent, driven mainly by the higher cost of jet fuel, which averaged $133 a barrel in 2011 from $98 in 2010.
At the end of 2011, PAL said jet fuel accounted for more than 50 percent of total expenses, up from 39 percent a year earlier.
PAL confirms Talks With SMC
Planned Acquisition Of 49% Stake
By CLARISSA BATINO (BLOOMBERG)
February 25, 2012, 3:22am
MANILA, Philippines — San Miguel Corp., the Philippines’ largest company, is in talks to buy 49 percent of Philippine Airlines Inc. and take management control of the carrier, according to three people familiar with the discussions, Philippine Airlines confirmed.
''Talks are definitely ongoing,'' airline spokeswoman Cielo Villaluna told AFP when asked to confirm media reports that negotiations were under way.
''As to the acquisition of shares and details of the negotiations, we are bound by non-disclosure until (the) fine print of the deal is reached.''
The airline, controlled by billionaire Lucio Tan, expects to get about $500 million for the stake, said one of the people, who declined to be identified as the discussions are private. Tan’s holdings will drop to about 51 percent as the carrier will issue new shares, the people said.
A purchase would help San Miguel President Ramon Ang reach his goal of doubling sales by 2016 as he diversifies away from food and brewing. Unprofitable PAL cut 2,400 jobs in 2011 after losing market share to budget carrier Cebu Air Inc.
Ang declined to comment about a possible deal in a mobile phone message yesterday. Joey de Guzman, a Philippine Air spokesman, declined to comment. Tan controls the carrier through companies including Manila-listed PAL Holdings Inc.
“The airline business has the potential for growth in a country that’s now focused on boosting its infrastructure and tourism,” said Jonathan Ravelas, market strategist at Manila-based BDO Unibank Inc. “San Miguel is betting on the view that once the nation’s infrastructure improves, tourism will boom and you start bringing in bigger planes, increase air traffic and even turn PAL into a regional player.”
San Miguel, parent of the brewer that controls more than 90 percent of the Philippines’ beer market, said last year it plans to invest more than $4 billion expanding in industries including energy, telecommunications and transportation. In August, the Manila-based company agreed to buy three Malaysian units from Exxon Mobil Corp. for $610 million.
Philippine Airlines, Asia’s oldest carrier, posted a $33.5-million loss in the October-December period. Cebu Air, which flies as Cebu Pacific, has lured customers with a younger fleet and a low-cost, no-frills service. A carrier backed by AirAsia Bhd., the region’s biggest budget airline, may begin flying in the country as early as next month.
PAL Holdings, which owns 82 percent of Philippine Airlines, has jumped 49 percent in Manila trading in the past year. Tan controls 98 percent of the parent company.
Tan, the second-richest man in the Philippines behind Henry Sy, has a family fortune of $2.3 billion, according to Forbes. His other companies include cigarette-maker Fortune Tobacco Corp. and Asia Brewery Inc., the country’s second-biggest brewer.
''Talks are definitely ongoing,'' airline spokeswoman Cielo Villaluna told AFP when asked to confirm media reports that negotiations were under way.
''As to the acquisition of shares and details of the negotiations, we are bound by non-disclosure until (the) fine print of the deal is reached.''
The airline, controlled by billionaire Lucio Tan, expects to get about $500 million for the stake, said one of the people, who declined to be identified as the discussions are private. Tan’s holdings will drop to about 51 percent as the carrier will issue new shares, the people said.
A purchase would help San Miguel President Ramon Ang reach his goal of doubling sales by 2016 as he diversifies away from food and brewing. Unprofitable PAL cut 2,400 jobs in 2011 after losing market share to budget carrier Cebu Air Inc.
Ang declined to comment about a possible deal in a mobile phone message yesterday. Joey de Guzman, a Philippine Air spokesman, declined to comment. Tan controls the carrier through companies including Manila-listed PAL Holdings Inc.
“The airline business has the potential for growth in a country that’s now focused on boosting its infrastructure and tourism,” said Jonathan Ravelas, market strategist at Manila-based BDO Unibank Inc. “San Miguel is betting on the view that once the nation’s infrastructure improves, tourism will boom and you start bringing in bigger planes, increase air traffic and even turn PAL into a regional player.”
San Miguel, parent of the brewer that controls more than 90 percent of the Philippines’ beer market, said last year it plans to invest more than $4 billion expanding in industries including energy, telecommunications and transportation. In August, the Manila-based company agreed to buy three Malaysian units from Exxon Mobil Corp. for $610 million.
Philippine Airlines, Asia’s oldest carrier, posted a $33.5-million loss in the October-December period. Cebu Air, which flies as Cebu Pacific, has lured customers with a younger fleet and a low-cost, no-frills service. A carrier backed by AirAsia Bhd., the region’s biggest budget airline, may begin flying in the country as early as next month.
PAL Holdings, which owns 82 percent of Philippine Airlines, has jumped 49 percent in Manila trading in the past year. Tan controls 98 percent of the parent company.
Tan, the second-richest man in the Philippines behind Henry Sy, has a family fortune of $2.3 billion, according to Forbes. His other companies include cigarette-maker Fortune Tobacco Corp. and Asia Brewery Inc., the country’s second-biggest brewer.
Tuesday, February 21, 2012
PAL registered P3.6-b loss in 3 quarters
Manila Standard Today
February 21, 2012
by Jenniffer B. Austria
Philippine Airlines Holdings Inc., the parent company of flag carrier Philippine Airlines, posted a P3.6-billion net loss in the first three quarters of its fiscal year ending December, a reversal from P3.2-billion net profit posted in the same period last year due to lower income from operations.
PAL’s full fiscal year begins in April and ends in March of the following year.
PAL Holdings, in a financial report filed with the Philippine Stock Exchange, said revenues reached P54.38 billion in nine months to December, down 2 percent from P55.22 billion in the same period a year ago.
“Decline in revenues can be attributable mainly to decrease in passenger and cargo revenues by 13 percent, offset by the increase in other income earned during the period,” PAL Holdings said.
“The drop in passenger revenues by 1 percent was brought about mainly by the effect of the peso-dollar exchange rate fluctuations,” it added.
Other revenues, which were up by 9 percent, included lease income from aircraft operating lease arrangements with an entity under common control, excess baggage revenues and ancillary revenues generated mainly from other passenger transport services.
Total expenses jumped to P57.97 billion from P51.67 billion, owing to higher expenses related to flight operations, aircraft and traffic servicing, reservation and sales and other expenses.
February 21, 2012
by Jenniffer B. Austria
Philippine Airlines Holdings Inc., the parent company of flag carrier Philippine Airlines, posted a P3.6-billion net loss in the first three quarters of its fiscal year ending December, a reversal from P3.2-billion net profit posted in the same period last year due to lower income from operations.
PAL’s full fiscal year begins in April and ends in March of the following year.
PAL Holdings, in a financial report filed with the Philippine Stock Exchange, said revenues reached P54.38 billion in nine months to December, down 2 percent from P55.22 billion in the same period a year ago.
“Decline in revenues can be attributable mainly to decrease in passenger and cargo revenues by 13 percent, offset by the increase in other income earned during the period,” PAL Holdings said.
“The drop in passenger revenues by 1 percent was brought about mainly by the effect of the peso-dollar exchange rate fluctuations,” it added.
Other revenues, which were up by 9 percent, included lease income from aircraft operating lease arrangements with an entity under common control, excess baggage revenues and ancillary revenues generated mainly from other passenger transport services.
Total expenses jumped to P57.97 billion from P51.67 billion, owing to higher expenses related to flight operations, aircraft and traffic servicing, reservation and sales and other expenses.
Monday, February 20, 2012
PAL plans to start flights to Bali in March
Business Mirror
February 20, 2012
By LENIE LECTURA
FLAG carrier Airlines (PAL) expects to start servicing direct flights to Bali, Indonesia, its first new destination for the year.
PAL President Jaime Bautista, in an interview last week, said the flag carrier has already applied for a permit to operate the new route.
Aviation officials from Indonesia, however, have yet to approve this. “In fact, there was already a technical inspection here conducted by them. Once it is issued, we will work on our marketing plan. We are looking at March to hopefully fly there,” he said.
If allowed, Bali will be PAL’s second route in Indonesia. The flag carrier already mounts direct flights to the Indonesian capital, Jakarta.
PAL will deploy an Airbus A320, which can transport over 150 passengers, to service the direct flights to Bali, said Cesar Chiong, Executive Assistant to the President. Initially, the flag carrier is looking at mounting thrice-weekly flights.
“Preferably, we may service the Bali route at night because this is the time when some of our A320s are not being utilized,” added Chiong.
Asked how big the Manila-Bali operation can contribute to the airline’s revenue, Bautista said, “It’s not considered yet a huge market but it is a developing market.”
Aside from Bali, PAL is looking at adding a new destination in China. Bautista said PAL may fly to Jinjiang this year. Jinjiang is a city in China’s Fujian province.
The PAL official said the Chinese government is looking at converting a military airport in Jinjiang into a commercial airport. “Chinese airlines already signified that they want to fly there and we would want also to fly there. There is an ongoing technical review now.”
PAL reported on Friday that it suffered a net loss in the third quarter of its fiscal year ending December 2011 mainly on account of skyrocketing jet fuel price and disruption in service brought about by the strike staged by its ground workers.
The flag carrier’s net loss stood at $33.5 million from October to December last year from a net income of $15.1 million in the same period over a year ago.
Revenues dipped by 3.8 percent to $386 million compared with $397 million reported from October to December of the previous year.
The slow takeup in passenger traffic as well as declining cargo markets are seen to have caused the weak revenues during the period.
“While there were improvements in yields for both passenger and cargo compared with the same period last year, load factors lagged behind,“ the airline said in a statement. No other details were provided.
Bautista earlier said a personnel strike also undermined the airline’s third-quarter revenues and profit performance during the quarter. “There was a time that our domestic was down 20 flights per day, but now we are back to normal” Bautista said. The airline normally stages 140 flights a day.
Now, PAL is now back to normal operations, with average flights of 130 to 140 a day, following the spinoff and outsourcing program last year.
Between September to November 2011, the airline’s load factor for domestic operation was a low 70 percent, while international operation was at mid-70 percent. “That’s why we protected the international market,” Bautista said, adding that international operations contribute about 70 percent of its passenger revenue and domestic operation, 30 percent.
PAL’s operating expenses reached $419.5 million, up by $34.8 million or 9 percent over the same quarter in 2010. Jet fuel costs continued to put pressure on the airline’s bottom line as fuel prices rose to $129.75 per barrel in October to December 2011 from an average of $100.96 per barrel in the same period the previous year.
Fuel accounts for about 50 to 60 percent of an airline’s operating cost per passenger, and is the second-highest expense next to labor.
February 20, 2012
By LENIE LECTURA
FLAG carrier Airlines (PAL) expects to start servicing direct flights to Bali, Indonesia, its first new destination for the year.
PAL President Jaime Bautista, in an interview last week, said the flag carrier has already applied for a permit to operate the new route.
Aviation officials from Indonesia, however, have yet to approve this. “In fact, there was already a technical inspection here conducted by them. Once it is issued, we will work on our marketing plan. We are looking at March to hopefully fly there,” he said.
If allowed, Bali will be PAL’s second route in Indonesia. The flag carrier already mounts direct flights to the Indonesian capital, Jakarta.
PAL will deploy an Airbus A320, which can transport over 150 passengers, to service the direct flights to Bali, said Cesar Chiong, Executive Assistant to the President. Initially, the flag carrier is looking at mounting thrice-weekly flights.
“Preferably, we may service the Bali route at night because this is the time when some of our A320s are not being utilized,” added Chiong.
Asked how big the Manila-Bali operation can contribute to the airline’s revenue, Bautista said, “It’s not considered yet a huge market but it is a developing market.”
Aside from Bali, PAL is looking at adding a new destination in China. Bautista said PAL may fly to Jinjiang this year. Jinjiang is a city in China’s Fujian province.
The PAL official said the Chinese government is looking at converting a military airport in Jinjiang into a commercial airport. “Chinese airlines already signified that they want to fly there and we would want also to fly there. There is an ongoing technical review now.”
PAL reported on Friday that it suffered a net loss in the third quarter of its fiscal year ending December 2011 mainly on account of skyrocketing jet fuel price and disruption in service brought about by the strike staged by its ground workers.
The flag carrier’s net loss stood at $33.5 million from October to December last year from a net income of $15.1 million in the same period over a year ago.
Revenues dipped by 3.8 percent to $386 million compared with $397 million reported from October to December of the previous year.
The slow takeup in passenger traffic as well as declining cargo markets are seen to have caused the weak revenues during the period.
“While there were improvements in yields for both passenger and cargo compared with the same period last year, load factors lagged behind,“ the airline said in a statement. No other details were provided.
Bautista earlier said a personnel strike also undermined the airline’s third-quarter revenues and profit performance during the quarter. “There was a time that our domestic was down 20 flights per day, but now we are back to normal” Bautista said. The airline normally stages 140 flights a day.
Now, PAL is now back to normal operations, with average flights of 130 to 140 a day, following the spinoff and outsourcing program last year.
Between September to November 2011, the airline’s load factor for domestic operation was a low 70 percent, while international operation was at mid-70 percent. “That’s why we protected the international market,” Bautista said, adding that international operations contribute about 70 percent of its passenger revenue and domestic operation, 30 percent.
PAL’s operating expenses reached $419.5 million, up by $34.8 million or 9 percent over the same quarter in 2010. Jet fuel costs continued to put pressure on the airline’s bottom line as fuel prices rose to $129.75 per barrel in October to December 2011 from an average of $100.96 per barrel in the same period the previous year.
Fuel accounts for about 50 to 60 percent of an airline’s operating cost per passenger, and is the second-highest expense next to labor.
Saturday, February 11, 2012
Free PAL cargo airlift to quake-struck areas
The free shipment of donations by Philippine Airlines (PAL) will now cover Iloilo, Bacolod, Dumaguete and Cebu for those affected by the recent deadly earthquake that struck the Visayas.
PAL President Jaime J. Bautista has instructed the PAL Foundation to again mobilize the airline's Disaster Response Initiative, overlapping an ongoing extended airlift of donations for victims of typhoon Sendong in Cagayan de Oro and Dumaguete.
The PAL Foundation will accept donations from non-profit organizations until March 15, 2012 (marking the airline's 71st founding anniversary) for immediate loading by PAL Cargo on all regular flights to the four key cities in the Visayas hardest hit by the tremor – Iloilo, Bacolod, Dumaguete and Cebu.
PAL Foundation Executive Director Ma. Carmen Sarmiento said an initial batch of tents are to be sent by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).
As with the airline's previous Disaster Response Initiative, PAL will prioritize loading non-bulky, lightweight relief goods such as water purifying supplies and equipment, ready-to-eat food, clothing and medicines. PAL will only accept goods from shippers with counter-part NGOs at point of destination who will receive the donation.
PAL uses the twin-engine A320 aircraft, with a seven-ton-cargo capacity, to Iloilo, Bacolod and Dumaguete, while the wide-body jets – Airbus A330, with 22-ton-cargo capacity; A340, 23-ton-cargo; and B747, 24-ton-cargo – flies nine times daily to Cebu.
PAL President Jaime J. Bautista has instructed the PAL Foundation to again mobilize the airline's Disaster Response Initiative, overlapping an ongoing extended airlift of donations for victims of typhoon Sendong in Cagayan de Oro and Dumaguete.
The PAL Foundation will accept donations from non-profit organizations until March 15, 2012 (marking the airline's 71st founding anniversary) for immediate loading by PAL Cargo on all regular flights to the four key cities in the Visayas hardest hit by the tremor – Iloilo, Bacolod, Dumaguete and Cebu.
PAL Foundation Executive Director Ma. Carmen Sarmiento said an initial batch of tents are to be sent by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).
As with the airline's previous Disaster Response Initiative, PAL will prioritize loading non-bulky, lightweight relief goods such as water purifying supplies and equipment, ready-to-eat food, clothing and medicines. PAL will only accept goods from shippers with counter-part NGOs at point of destination who will receive the donation.
PAL uses the twin-engine A320 aircraft, with a seven-ton-cargo capacity, to Iloilo, Bacolod and Dumaguete, while the wide-body jets – Airbus A330, with 22-ton-cargo capacity; A340, 23-ton-cargo; and B747, 24-ton-cargo – flies nine times daily to Cebu.
Del Monte eyes conquering Davao course
This year, Del Monte will try to do something it has never done before in the Philippine Airlines (PAL) Interclub – win the Men’s title away from home.
The Bukidnon-based defending champions will be parading basically the same team that triumphed in Del Monte and Pueblo de Oro in Cagayan de Oro last year as action heads to Davao where the challenge posed by Rancho Palos Verdes and Apo Golf are as formidable, if not greater.
With Canlubang taking a leave of absence this year and The Country Club serving out a suspension, Del Monte is picked as the team to beat, more so after its pool of players has improved more with exposure to several big national events.
Del Monte’s two Interclub titles were both won at home, the first coming early in the last decade with a squad backstopped by Buboy Jaraulla, who jumpstarted Del Monte’s run with a mind-boggling eight-under-par 64 over the tree-lined course.
The Sugar Barons, the winningest club in Interclub history, will not be seeing action this year with most of its players jumping to the professional ranks.
Southwoods, another club with a rich history in the event, is expected to vault back into serious contention this year, with Cebu Country Club, the second placer last year, tipped to again crowd the favorites for its first Championship Division title.
Seniors action actually gets the PAL Interclub going on February 16 with Canlubang seeking to extend its reign over perennial threat Luisita.
Men’s play will begin on February 22 where five players from each squad will see action each day with the top four to count. In Senior play, four will play with three players counting.
The Platinum sponsors for the 65 th edition of the Interclub include Mareco Broadcasting Network, Radio High, Stargate Media and Media Five; while the major backers are Asia Brewery, Business Mirror and Airbus.
Also lending support are the Department of Tourism, Philippine Graphic, Boeing International Corp., GECAS, Bombo Radyo, Philippine Daily Inquirer, Manila Bulletin, Moevenpick Resort & Spa Cebu, Plantation Bay, Radisson Blu Hotel and Imperial Palace Waterpark & Spa Cebu.
The Bukidnon-based defending champions will be parading basically the same team that triumphed in Del Monte and Pueblo de Oro in Cagayan de Oro last year as action heads to Davao where the challenge posed by Rancho Palos Verdes and Apo Golf are as formidable, if not greater.
With Canlubang taking a leave of absence this year and The Country Club serving out a suspension, Del Monte is picked as the team to beat, more so after its pool of players has improved more with exposure to several big national events.
Del Monte’s two Interclub titles were both won at home, the first coming early in the last decade with a squad backstopped by Buboy Jaraulla, who jumpstarted Del Monte’s run with a mind-boggling eight-under-par 64 over the tree-lined course.
The Sugar Barons, the winningest club in Interclub history, will not be seeing action this year with most of its players jumping to the professional ranks.
Southwoods, another club with a rich history in the event, is expected to vault back into serious contention this year, with Cebu Country Club, the second placer last year, tipped to again crowd the favorites for its first Championship Division title.
Seniors action actually gets the PAL Interclub going on February 16 with Canlubang seeking to extend its reign over perennial threat Luisita.
Men’s play will begin on February 22 where five players from each squad will see action each day with the top four to count. In Senior play, four will play with three players counting.
The Platinum sponsors for the 65 th edition of the Interclub include Mareco Broadcasting Network, Radio High, Stargate Media and Media Five; while the major backers are Asia Brewery, Business Mirror and Airbus.
Also lending support are the Department of Tourism, Philippine Graphic, Boeing International Corp., GECAS, Bombo Radyo, Philippine Daily Inquirer, Manila Bulletin, Moevenpick Resort & Spa Cebu, Plantation Bay, Radisson Blu Hotel and Imperial Palace Waterpark & Spa Cebu.
PAL still helping Sendong victims
Philippine Airlines (PAL) continues to help victims of typhoon 'Sendong' more than a month since it began airlifting relief goods for free to Cagayan de Oro and Dumaguete.
With more donations still lined up for loading, particularly those from abroad, the PAL Foundation extended the free shipment of donations to February 15, in hopes of lifting the spirits of Sendong victims this coming Valentine's Day.
PAL Foundation executive director Menchu Sarmiento said PAL Cargo will continue to load donated goods from non-profit organizations, as instructed by PAL President Jaime J. Bautista who extended the PAL Disaster Response Initiative after it lapsed January 31.
Sarmiento said the PAL Foundation is still receiving donations from abroad as endorsed by different Philippine embassies.
"While others may have shifted their attention elsewhere, PAL remains committed and focused in assisting the typhoon victims by providing the fastest transport of goods critically needed in devastated areas," added Sarmiento.
PAL Cargo reported loading so far more than 23 tons of relief goods with Asia Brewery heading the list of shippers, sending much-needed bottled water immediately after typhoon Sendong wreaked havoc across Northern Mindanao and Central Visayas on December 17, 2011.
The Tan Yan Kee Foundation of the Lucio Tan Group of Companies also joined the initial batch of donors, with Chairman Lucio Tan personally directing relief efforts in Cagayan de Oro.
PAL Cargo has been ferrying 16 to 18 tons of relief goods daily, made up mostly of food, water, clothing, medicines to Cagayan de Oro City. The national flag carrier has five flights daily to the Northern Mindanao City and twice daily to Dumaguete.
Some 2,000 body bags from Taiwan had been airlifted, as well as four pallets of water treatment supplies and equipment brought in by a medical team from Vancouver, as well as half a ton of oral rehydration salts from San Francisco, USA.
PAL is the only airline in the domestic sector using wide-bodied aircraft, enabling it to carry up to 20 tons in its belly. PAL is also the preferred airfreight carrier for aquatic, agricultural and time-sensitive products for export, since the airline has the most direct flights to Asia, Australia, Canada and US.
With more donations still lined up for loading, particularly those from abroad, the PAL Foundation extended the free shipment of donations to February 15, in hopes of lifting the spirits of Sendong victims this coming Valentine's Day.
PAL Foundation executive director Menchu Sarmiento said PAL Cargo will continue to load donated goods from non-profit organizations, as instructed by PAL President Jaime J. Bautista who extended the PAL Disaster Response Initiative after it lapsed January 31.
Sarmiento said the PAL Foundation is still receiving donations from abroad as endorsed by different Philippine embassies.
"While others may have shifted their attention elsewhere, PAL remains committed and focused in assisting the typhoon victims by providing the fastest transport of goods critically needed in devastated areas," added Sarmiento.
PAL Cargo reported loading so far more than 23 tons of relief goods with Asia Brewery heading the list of shippers, sending much-needed bottled water immediately after typhoon Sendong wreaked havoc across Northern Mindanao and Central Visayas on December 17, 2011.
The Tan Yan Kee Foundation of the Lucio Tan Group of Companies also joined the initial batch of donors, with Chairman Lucio Tan personally directing relief efforts in Cagayan de Oro.
PAL Cargo has been ferrying 16 to 18 tons of relief goods daily, made up mostly of food, water, clothing, medicines to Cagayan de Oro City. The national flag carrier has five flights daily to the Northern Mindanao City and twice daily to Dumaguete.
Some 2,000 body bags from Taiwan had been airlifted, as well as four pallets of water treatment supplies and equipment brought in by a medical team from Vancouver, as well as half a ton of oral rehydration salts from San Francisco, USA.
PAL is the only airline in the domestic sector using wide-bodied aircraft, enabling it to carry up to 20 tons in its belly. PAL is also the preferred airfreight carrier for aquatic, agricultural and time-sensitive products for export, since the airline has the most direct flights to Asia, Australia, Canada and US.
PAL Interclub returns to Davao February 15
The Philippine Airlines (PAL) Interclub golf championships return to Davao City starting Feb. 15 with the holding of the Seniors’ event at the Apo Golf and Country Club and Rancho Palos Verdes .
Defending champion Canlubang heads a cast of 92 teams, including 42 international squads in the four-day seniors’ event.
Last year, the Sugar Barons completed a runaway 28-point victory over great rival Luisita, posting 620 points in Cagayan de Oro City.
Manila Golf won the Founder’s championship, edging the Cebu Country Club by a single point while Chamorro topped the Sportswriters class over Fil-Am Hawaii and Philippine Navy which tied for second place.
The Friendship bracket went to Zamboanga Golf while Southern California Red Hawks went home with the international trophy.
The seniors’ play will end on Feb. 19, two days before the start of the regular Interclub event where Del Monte is the defending champion.
A total of 75 teams, 34 of which from overseas, are entered in the regular Interclub which will miss many-time titlist Canlubang which took a leave of absence this year.
Del Monte is expected to be challenged by Cebu Country Club which tied Canlubang for second place last year.
Also returning are Founders winner Alabang Golf, Sportswriters champ Eagle Ridge, Friendship titlist PGA British Columbia and international champion Southern California Red Hawks.
The Men's Regular event runs from Feb. 22 to 25.
The Platinum sponsors for this year's PAL Interclub include Mareco Broadcasting Network, Radio High, Stargate Media and Media Five; while the major backers are Asia Brewery, Business Mirror and Airbus. Also lending support are Philippine Graphics, Boeing International Corp., GECAS, Bombo Radyo, Philippine Daily Inquirer, Manila Bulletin, Moevenpick Resort & Spa Cebu, Plantation Bay and Radisson Blu Hotel.
Defending champion Canlubang heads a cast of 92 teams, including 42 international squads in the four-day seniors’ event.
Last year, the Sugar Barons completed a runaway 28-point victory over great rival Luisita, posting 620 points in Cagayan de Oro City.
Manila Golf won the Founder’s championship, edging the Cebu Country Club by a single point while Chamorro topped the Sportswriters class over Fil-Am Hawaii and Philippine Navy which tied for second place.
The Friendship bracket went to Zamboanga Golf while Southern California Red Hawks went home with the international trophy.
The seniors’ play will end on Feb. 19, two days before the start of the regular Interclub event where Del Monte is the defending champion.
A total of 75 teams, 34 of which from overseas, are entered in the regular Interclub which will miss many-time titlist Canlubang which took a leave of absence this year.
Del Monte is expected to be challenged by Cebu Country Club which tied Canlubang for second place last year.
Also returning are Founders winner Alabang Golf, Sportswriters champ Eagle Ridge, Friendship titlist PGA British Columbia and international champion Southern California Red Hawks.
The Men's Regular event runs from Feb. 22 to 25.
The Platinum sponsors for this year's PAL Interclub include Mareco Broadcasting Network, Radio High, Stargate Media and Media Five; while the major backers are Asia Brewery, Business Mirror and Airbus. Also lending support are Philippine Graphics, Boeing International Corp., GECAS, Bombo Radyo, Philippine Daily Inquirer, Manila Bulletin, Moevenpick Resort & Spa Cebu, Plantation Bay and Radisson Blu Hotel.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)