Finally the Time Magazine official hard copy for Philippine Stock Exchange library is now on displayed hot off from from the press. We've been mistaken for our initial forecast on who will be the official head turner cover of the year end ( December 29, 2014) cover. Since the Time Magazine officially announced that the Time Magazine Man of the Year is Pope Francis , the titular head of the billion Roman Catholics around the world , our forecast would be the Pope. And for the anticipation of the upcoming visitation of the Pope to the Philippines from January 16 , 2015 , supposedly , its more very relevant that Time Magazine cover would the Pope Francis.

However , together with my coffee mate friends of Global Pinoy Cafe of SM Shoe Mart Mall , Mr. Rudy Tan( a hollywood movie impresario ) we have been wronged . Because the Time Magazine cover to date (December 29 , 2014 ) issue is " 2015: THE YEAR AHEAD TIME CUBA , What the U.S. Decision means for its future".

The major topic , which is by World Phenomenal weight influencing not only for western hemisphere nor for U.S.A. United State of America in particular with in their major political, economic policies but for the Philippines as well.

I have been a regular visitor of the Philippine Stock Exchange library since the year end of December 2014 trying to decipher a major implication of the major decision made by U.S President Barak Obama, lifting off the economic embargo to Cuban government since 1962. The issue which is quite older than me. For trivial inquisition , educational , related to my new found niche of interest in investment consultancy and as former scholar of consortium of Latin American studies the issue is quite very relevant to me.

How would the new Cuba means to the Philippines ?

By memory recall based on Social Studies lesson , during High School days. Cuba is part of the so called Latin American Empire extending from Puerto Rico and Cuba. The down fall of Cuba during the Spanish- American war , leads to the string of Spanish Empire to succumb to the Emperial pax Americana. In forensic audit terms, to get the whole view of perception of bulk data to be checked off, we need a remote sampler , by random sampling. That's what happen to Cuba. Being part part of the Spanish Empire closes to the Florida USA, when its was fallen in the hands of the USA , and made a head lines to the new world wide , it got an impression that the whole of Empire of Spain had fallen. Then string of demoralization followed which effected to the total loss of the Spanish Empire.

What is more significant with Cuba, though its the most nearest to the USA, its love and hate relationship with the new Boss USA have been vanguard by sole powerful face of Cuba , Fidel Castro. Despite of its proximity with the USA, it retains its autocratic way of Government unlike Philippines which despite of its distant became adopted a lame duck Democratic form of government. Which is categorically be said either a bane or a boon being a Republic Democrats.

With the upsurge of the new intra regional economic block , for the purpose of the new economic route and markets , the Trans Pacific Partnership being re coined by the US President Barak Obama , Cuba have pivotal role which has a direct link with the Philippine Economy.This supposed new regional block is nothing new , but a revival of the then very successful galleon trade , that catapult Philippines as the "Pearl of the Orient" , prosperity wise .This economic model brought the Philippines in the world map as developed mercantile traders.

Cuba known as a major player , producer of high quality tobacco cigar ever since is the Philippines major competitor in the world market . The Philippines forerunner of Tabacco Cigar is the Ongpin Family , which was joined later in the industry, now a major player the Fortune Tobacco of Lucio Tan . The major implication of the Cuban economic opening will be having direct impact with our local tobacco players . For these , do the Philippines policy makers is putting up a major safety net , with the looming stiffer competition in terms of quality ,cost and market segments ?
How about if Cuba will open its stock exchanges for its agricultural commodity like sugar? Can Cuba produce "latinised' television soap opera , famously been watch the main land USA by the Spanish speaking immigrants? What it is for us? Can Cuba be able to capture the Spanish Heritage tourism from the main land USA? What it is for us?Shall we regain the diplomatic ties also with CUBA by opening a consulate office in the same that was done by former first lady Imelda R Marcos ?

Or shall we dance cha cha in the tune of Mambo ? or Latino ?