US MV-22 Ospreys Aircraft conduct training for PHL AF in Palawan Philippines

Maj. Joshua T. Fraser explains the capabilities of the MV-22B Osprey to members of the Philippine Air Force Jan. 23 at Antonio Bautista Air Base in Puerto Princesa, Palawan, Republic of the Philippines. Three Ospreys conducted low-altitude flight training Jan. 23 over Palawan, marking the Marine Corps' first Osprey training in the Philippines. PAF members accompanied Marines on the flights and provided ground control support for the Marines. Fraser is the operations officer for Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 265, Marine Aircraft Group 36, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, III Marine Expeditionary Force. (Photo by 1st Lt. Jeanscott Dodd)

CAMP FOSTER, Japan -- Three MV-22B Osprey aircraft with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 265, Marine Aircraft Group 36, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, III Marine Expeditionary Force, based out of Okinawa, Japan, arrived in Puerto Princesa, Palawan on Jan. 22 to conduct bilateral training with elements of the Philippine Air Force.

"The flights we are conducting are important for our pilots and crews to maintain proficiency. The routes here provide a great venue for low-altitude training" said Maj. Joshua T. Fraser, operations officer for VMM-265.

The low-altitude flight training will take place on routes approved by the Government of the Philippines that have been used previously in flight training exercises. Philippine Air Force personnel will accompany the U.S. Marine contingent and provide ground control and other interoperability training.

"The Marines are flying by the same rules and regulations the Philippine Air Force abides by and utilizing similar routes to ones flown by our aircraft" said Tech. Sgt. Edwin Agang, operations chief for 570th Composite Tactical Wing, Philippine Air Force.

The U.S. Marines and Philippine Air Force personnel will also share expertise on humanitarian assistance and disaster relief operations during classes and discussions on the ground. Marines will also give a presentation on the capabilities of the MV-22 Osprey to the Philippine Air Force and both countries' service members will participate in a cargo loading exercise on the aircraft.

"We appreciate the Marines coming here to train with us and are glad to host and support them at our base" said Agang. (http://bit.ly/11YnBDE)

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AUSTAL Ship: Building relationships in the Philippines for warship order?

Philippine President Benigno Aquino and Austal Engineering's new CFO Greg Jason unveiling a plaque to officially open the company's shipyard in Cebu, the Philippines

Building relationships in the Philippines

Three years ago, Perth-based shipbuilder Austal's new chief financial officer, Greg Jason, discussed his career aspirations with chief executive Andrew Bellamy, who told him he needed more operational experience if he wanted to become finance chief.

He subsequently took on the role of chief operating officer Asia, based in the Philippines, where he has been overseeing the mobilization of the Cebu shipyard.

When former CFO Richard Simons resigned in October Jason says he immediately put his hand up.

"I'd made a commitment to mobilize the Philippines shipyard and that was almost completed so the timing was pretty good," he says.

"Now I have been responsible for delivering the numbers not just commenting on them."

Days into his new role, Jason gave Philippine President Benigno Aquino a tour of the Cebu shipyard at its grand opening.

He invited the president to attend the event after both men spoke at an Australian government-organized trade forum in October.

"The Philippines exports a lot of labor, and so many of the local workers are proud to be manufacturing and exporting something," says Jason. The president seems pleased to see that Austal is not just building in the country but transferring some intellectual property, he says.

In the long term, Jason hopes Austral will win contracts from the Philippine government.

To be successful offshore it is important to build relationships with stakeholders, including government agencies, by meeting face to face, he says.

"If you allow consultants and advisers to get in the way it becomes harder to articulate yourself, and harder to understand what the other side wants."

"The Philippines has worked hard to change its image as a more investment friendly country."

"People don't want to lose face so you have to be very careful to praise publicly and if there is any negative feedback which needs to be delivered coach privately. "

Jason relocated back to Perth late last month, but he expects to spend a considerable amount of time travelling to the Philippines and the US. (http://bit.ly/V5sXpJ)

Financial Review 

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Google open its fifth office in Southeast Asia in Manila

Julian Persaud says Google is in the Philippines "for the long term."

Google Opens Office in Manila

Google is expanding its presence in the Philippines, opening its first office in the increasingly Internet-savvy Southeast Asian country.

"The Philippines is a key country in Southeast Asia in terms of its digital economy and tech-savvy population," Julian Persaud, managing director of Google in Southeast Asia, said at an event Wednesday marking the milestone office in Manila. "This new office will allow us better engage with our local users, partners and advertisers."

Google's move reflects the growing use of the Internet in the Philippines.

According to a report by the Asia Digital Marketing Association, 33.6 million Filipinos tapped into the Internet in 2011. That's already about one third of the population. By 2016, the report said, 59 percent of the population will be turning to the Internet, for everything from shopping to building a business to connecting with friends.

Google opened its first regional office in Southeast Asia in 2007. It also has regional offices in Malaysia, Thailand and Indonesia. Google officials said they will hire some people, but didn't say how much the latest investment will be.

Persaud said Google will be in the Philippines "for the long term."

The move follows such Google activity in the Philippines as the launch of Free Zone, which allows those with Internet-capable mobile phone and a Google account to use Google services for free, including Gmail and Google Search.

Government Undersecretary Manuel L. Quezon III said he was pleased by Google's latest step.

"We are delighted that Google has decided to set up an office in Manila," Quezon said. "Their presence is a testament to their commitment to the Philippines. We hope that Google's entry will encourage more local businesses to go online and tap into international markets."

Narciso Reyes, who has more than 16 years of digital marketing and finance experience in Asia and the U.S., has been named country manager for the Philippines.

"We're excited to be deepening our investment in the Philippines with the opening of our office here in Manila," Mr. Reyes said.

"Our local team will be committed to providing better services to our Filipino users and to helping businesses — large and small — grow locally and globally, contributing to the growth of the Philippine economy,'' Mr. Reyes said.  "We envision Google as part of everyday Filipino lives and as a partner in the development of local communities, culture and business." (http://on.wsj.com/Xxqxja)

Wall Street Journal 

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