Presidential race now level playing field

Like in golf, the Supreme Court ruling to overturn the Comelec decision to cancel the certificate of candidacy of Senator Grace Poe brings down her high handicap in her bid for the presidency. Our in-house pollster tells us the presidential race is expected to be a tight one. All candidates have an even handicap except perhaps for Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago who has a big handicap about her illness.

Judging from the results of the most recent surveys, it will definitely be a very tight race with Senator Grace at 26 percent, Mayor Rodrigo Duterte at 24 percent, and Vice President Jejomar Binay at 23 percent, respectively, in The Standard-Laylo survey – making the three statistically tied at first place with the margin of error at ± 1.8 percent. Mar Roxas is not too far behind, hitting double digits at 22 percent.

Admittedly, this latest development could affect the figures in the next surveys with the numbers of Grace Poe anticipated to spike up. However, in politics, 60 days is a long time and anything can happen with all the candidates virtually within striking distance – no one is a sure winner. When all is said and done, strategic messaging will be a key factor in giving the candidate the winning edge.

PAL, Alphaland strike a partnership deal

The country’s flag carrier Philippine Airlines is commemorating its 75th Founding Anniversary next Tuesday, which coincides with the launch of direct flights from Cebu to Los Angeles. PAL is celebrating this milestone year in its history by entering landmark partnerships aimed at providing more benefits and perks to its passengers. Just recently, PAL announced the launch of its joint program partnership with property developer Alphaland Corp. that would enable PAL Mabuhay Miles’ Million Milers and Premier Elite Members to redeem their miles and enjoy the ultimate frequent flyer reward – a stay in the exclusive Balesin Island Club.

The 500-hectare Balesin is the flagship project of Alphaland, described by guests as paradise on earth. The club has seven self-contained villages based on the most fascinating destinations in the world, namely Bali, Mykonos, St. Tropez, Phuket, Costa del Sol, Toscana and, of course, Balesin for the Philippines. Each of these themed villages feature authentic designs from the architecture and interiors down to landscaping and cuisine reflective of the destination represented.  Aside from the themed villages, which are practically a resort by themselves, there is also the Balesin Royal Villa which is fast becoming a venue of choice for special occasions such as weddings and other large social gatherings, with over 300 luxurious villas and suites.

PAL is expected to soar even higher this year following its recent order for six

A350-900 Airbus jets with plans to buy another six as it bolsters its fleet to make the country’s flag carrier even more competitive, with more nonstop flights between Manila and the US West Coast and New York also in the offing.

NASA’s supersonic X-plane

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration or NASA has just awarded a $20 million contract to Lockheed Martin to develop the initial blueprint for a supersonic jet dubbed as the “X-plane” that could fly faster than the speed of sound – without the annoying rattling sound or sonic boom.

According to sources, the Obama administration is willing to set aside a $790 million budget that would go into aeronautics research to fine tune what is being heralded as Quiet Supersonic Technology, or QueSST, that would eliminate the irritating noise that was also the reason why the Concorde – a turbo-powered supersonic passenger jet – was eventually banned from flying over populated areas.

NASA is confident it will be able to develop a supersonic “low boom” jet whose noise will be reduced to a soft thump, something like a “heartbeat” according to officials. NASA is counting on these more quiet “X-planes” to open opportunities for the return of commercial supersonic flights that will make it possible for trans-Atlantic travel that will only take just a few hours.

JOYA gallery holds second exhibit

The second exhibit at the Julian Ongpin Young Artists (JOYA) Gallery owned by Julian Ongpin is opening today at the second floor of Alphaland Makati Place’s mall and will run until April 10. Entitled “At The Heart of It,” the exhibit features the works of three Filipino mixed media artists – Arnel Agawin, Brisa Amir and Michael Declarin. Agawin is a pioneer mixed media artist from the UP College of Fine Arts and is currently based in Hong Kong, while Brisa Amir, also from UP, is known for using collage and mono print techniques for her body of work. Declarin on the other hand is a former animator who is also a popular muralist and street artist.

“These artists are of different backgrounds and styles, but with the same emotional depth and insight in applying their art and narratives. That’s what really brings this show home,” Julian explained.

JOYA opened last October with a debut exhibit titled “Frontiers” that featured the works of Australian artist Henry Curchod and Filipino photographer Artu Nepomuceno.

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