Vice President Noli de Castro, Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council chairman, is the guest of honor and speaker at the 21st Oathtaking Ceremonies of New Real Estate Brokers and Appraisers today, Thursday, March 9, 1 p.m., at the Philippine Trade Training Center (PTTC), Roxas Blvd. corner Sen. Gil Puyat Ave., Pasay City.

Examinees of the May and November 2005 Brokers Examinations and November 2005 Appraisers Examination conducted by the Department of Trade and Industry’s Bureau of Trade Regulation and Consumer Protection (DTI- BTRCP) will be inducted. For new brokers and appraisers, the oathtaking formalizes their entry to the field of real estate service practice.

The oathtaking is coordinated by the BTRCP under overall committee chairman RESCOP Chairman and BTRCP Director Victorio Mario A. Dimagiba and co-chairman Florentino S. Dulalia Jr.

The Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. (Pagcor) advised the public yesterday to refrain from engaging in poker activities or events not conducted or affiliated with Pagcor.

Poker and its derivatives are prohibited under Presidential Decree (PD) 1602. It may, however, be allowed with the supervision and endorsement of the state-run gaming firm.

Meanwhile, the importation of chips and other poker paraphernalia, which are classified as "gambling outfits," is prohibited under the Customs and Tariffs Code.

"Poker is perhaps the most popular card game in the world today. Even celebrities are now getting into it. However, in accordance with the law, all major poker activities and events must first go through us," said Pagcor chairman and chief executive officer Efraim C. Genuino.

This week’s lecturer in the 18th Teodoro F. Valencia Lectures on Journalism and Mass Communication is Nestor Cuartero, UST professor, Panorama writer, and Tempo entertainment editor.

His topic is "Towards a More Responsible Entertainment Media," his field of specialization. The participants in the lecture series are again looking forward to a lively discussion, which has characterized the lectures series.

The lectures, now on its seventh week, will last until March 17 and are under the auspices of the Teodoro F. Valencia Foundation Inc. and sponsored by the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp., Manila Electric Co., Philippine Trust Co., the Manila Banking Corp., Metrobank Foundation, Security Bank Corp., Land Bank of the Philippines, and San Miguel Corp.

The 90-minute once-a-week lecture is held every Friday from 2:30 p.m.-4 p.m. at the T.F. Valencia Media Study Center, T.M. Kalaw St., Rizal Park (near the Department of Tourism building), Manila.

The real estate and housing industry, led by the National Real Estate Association (NREA) Inc., yesterday lauded President Arroyo for lifting Presidential Proclamation No. 1017, stressing that it is a welcome development not only for the industry but also for the country’s business community.

NREA president Jose Manalad, chairman Nestor Manglio, auditor Veronica E. Lim, vice chairman Reynaldo Carpio, executive vice president Alejandro Manalac, vice president for internal affairs Axel Aguirre, vice president for external affairs Raphael Baylon, vice president for chapters Abundio Gultiano Jr., vice president for finance Gilda Lim, secretary general Ernesto Villagarcia, treasurer Francisco Mendoza, public relations officer Marissa del Mar, and members of the board of trustees Lucia Ferrer, Ma. Ysolde Flores, and Gilda Ladia said the lifting of the proclamation has put back to "normal" the business atmosphere in the country. (Yul Malicse)