Latest news with #Camille
The Star
2 hours ago
- Business
- The Star
Feature: Chinese-built plant helps upgrade cocoa industry in Cote d'Ivoire
ABIDJAN, June 10 (Xinhua) -- As the rainy season brings a welcome hint of cool relief to Cote d'Ivoire, a hive of activity is unfolding at the PK24 Industrial Park on the northwestern outskirts of Abidjan, the country's economic capital, marked by long queues of cocoa-laden trucks and the bustling movement of workers. Amid the park stands a sleek silver-gray structure -- a newly built cocoa processing complex, where the rich aroma of roasted beans wafts through the air. Inside, Chinese engineers work with their Ivorian counterparts, fine-tuning conveyor systems in preparation for the factory's full-scale operation. Constructed by China Light Industry Nanning Design Engineering Co., Ltd., the complex is scheduled for official handover this month. As Cote d'Ivoire's first state-owned modern cocoa processing facility, it marks a major milestone in the country's drive to upgrade its cocoa industry and move higher up the global value chain. "We're finally processing cocoa on our own land," said Ettien Kouakou Camille, his face glowing with pride. At 32, Camille cultivates more than 10 hectares of cocoa farmland and has spent more than a decade growing the Forastero variety. With the new facility in place, he hopes the premium beans from his hometown can now be transformed into high-value products. "In the past, cocoa was exported without being processed. Now, Chinese companies are helping us change that," Camille said, emphasizing the importance of this project born from China-Cote d'Ivoire cooperation. Covering about 21 hectares, the complex is designed to process 50,000 tonnes of cocoa annually, with a storage capacity of 140,000 tonnes. Tang Chong, project manager of the processing plant, said the facility was built to Chinese technological and quality standards and will serve as a key training base for local cocoa industry professionals upon completion. In the cocoa pre-treatment workshop, 38-year-old operator N'guessan Kouassi wiped the sweat from his brow while monitoring equipment data with his team. "This is the largest state-owned cocoa processing plant in the country. It's giving more young people access to employment and a chance to contribute to society," he said, adding that he hopes more Chinese companies will invest in Cote d'Ivoire to expand opportunities for both agricultural growth and youth employment. For Ogbonin Emmanuel, a translator on the project with a background in construction, the experience has been eye-opening. "I've witnessed the whole transformation process from cocoa to chocolate. Africa needs this kind of advanced production capacity," he said. In the electrical installation section, technician Joel Niamien led his team through final adjustments. "There were some language barriers in the beginning, but now we work in close coordination," he said. "The equipment is more modern, and the processes are more streamlined." "China's agricultural development experience is a vital reference for African countries," said Kobenan Kouassi Adjoumani, minister of state and minister of agriculture and rural development of the country, at the recently concluded seventh edition of the International Exhibition of Agriculture and Animal Resources. He noted that Cote d'Ivoire is currently at a key stage of agricultural modernization. "Chinese companies are not just building factories -- they are bringing integrated solutions to help us upgrade our agricultural value chains," Adjoumani said. As the world's largest producer and exporter of cocoa, Cote d'Ivoire accounts for roughly 40 percent of global supply. In 2024, national cocoa output reached around 2 million tonnes, of which over 1.4 million tonnes were exported as raw beans. Yet only about 30 percent of the crop is currently processed domestically. Currently, the country hosts around 15 large-scale cocoa processing plants, most of them foreign-owned. Cote d'Ivoire is now accelerating its efforts to achieve 100 percent local processing by 2030. As part of the push, the government is planning reforms to the cocoa purchasing system, including the introduction of traceable farmer ID cards to better protect the rights of cocoa growers. Back at the PK24 Industrial Park, Chinese and Ivorian technicians were refining the production systems as the facility nears full operational readiness. The facility, a symbol of bilateral cooperation, is poised to help shift Cote d'Ivoire's role from a raw cocoa exporter to a significant player in cocoa processing. At the Port of Abidjan, shipping containers filled with cocoa products stand neatly arranged, ready for export. Gazing out over the sea, Camille said with quiet determination, "Next, we want the world to fall in love with chocolate made in Cote d'Ivoire."
GMA Network
7 days ago
- Entertainment
- GMA Network
Camille Prats' son Nathan gets high honors in school
Camille Prats' son Nathan is moving up with high honors. On Instagram, the actress shared that she is proud of her Grade 11 son. 'You did it, Nate! Another year down and… HIGH HONORS?! WHUUUUTTT. So, so proud of you!' Camille said. 'I've seen how much effort you put into everything you do—always pushing yourself, always doing your best.' According to the 'Mommy Dearest' star, she and her husband, VJ Yambao, never pressured Nathan to get high grades, 'But you keep blowing us away with your focus and drive.' 'We're proud of you not just for the honors, but for the heart and grit you put into your work," she added. Camille ended her message by telling Nathan, 'Love you always, Nate. With or without honors, you've already made us the proudest parents ever.' She also proudly shared a photo of Nathan's certificates of recognition and medal. Camille's brother John Prats, actresses Katrina Halili and Diana Zubiri, and more commented their congratulations. Nathan is Camille's son with her first husband, Anthony Linsangan, who passed away in 2011 due to nasopharyngeal carcinoma. Camille and VJ have two kids, Nala and Nolan. The couple have a blended family as they also co-parent Ice, VJ's son from a previous relationship. —Nika Roque/CDC, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
03-06-2025
- Entertainment
- GMA Network
Camille Prats says she initially didn't want to do viral sword fight scene in 'Mommy Dearest'
Camille Prats and Katrina Halili's sword fight in 'Mommy Dearest" went viral on the internet, but Camille admitted that she was initially hesitant to do the scene. In Tuesday's episode of 'Fast Talk With Boy Abunda,' the Kapuso actress shared that she did not want to do it because she did not understand the need for it. 'I said it, why do we need to do this scene? I feel like hindi naman siya kailangan talaga sa away namin,' Camille shared. However, she added that the production team explained to them that the scene was an effort to make viewers talk about 'Mommy Dearest." 'They explained to me na it's an effort talaga, 'yung scene na 'yon is really created para mapag-usapan siya,' Camille said . 'Kasi ako gusto ko magkaroon ng parang anong pinanggagalingan ko in my character for me to do this. I also want to take into consideration as an audience. How will the audience take this?' According to Camille, she reflected on her character Olive's internal turmoil to do the scene. 'Tapos parang na-realize ko na lang na siguro si Olive naman sa sobrang cuckoo 'di ba? She will do whatever. Sabi ko sige 'yon na lang magiging motivation ko bilang si Olive naman eh talagang may something sa isip. Mukhang wala naman siyang aatrasan talaga, so let's do it,' she said, adding that they had to ask some of the production staff to leave so they could avoid laughing while doing the scene. She playfully shared that due to the sword fight scene, some people have taken to calling her Olive-Wan Kenobi, a reference to the 'Star Wars' character Obi-Wan Kenobi. The viral sword fight not only had netizens in stitches but Ryza Cenon as well, who posted a hilarious reaction to the scene. 'Mommy Dearest' follows the life of Mookie (Shayne Sava) who tries to navigate life despite her serious illnesses since childhood. However, her overprotective mother, Olive (Camille), refrains her from going out and discovering the world, making Mookie seem like a prisoner in their own home. Aside from Camille, Katrina and Shayne, the series also stars Winwyn Marquez, Dion Ignacio, and Amy Austria, among others. 'Mommy Dearest' airs weekdays at 3:20 p.m. on GMA Afternoon Prime. —Jade Veronique Yap/CDC, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
03-06-2025
- Entertainment
- GMA Network
Camille Prats, Katrina Halili share how losing a loved one affected their perspective on life
Camille Prats and Katrina Halili opened up about how the experience of losing a loved one changed their approach in everyday life. On Tuesday's "Fast Talk with Boy Abunda," the Kapuso stars placed deeper emphasis on meaningful relationships and living in the present. "Ngayon, parang mas, ako, for me, I would rather have meaningful connections rather than 'yung mga mabababaw lang," Camille said. She also emphasized that this shift extends even to her professional interactions. "Whenever I talked to anyone or nagkakaroon ako ng chance na magkaroon ng malalim na usapan with someone, parang I would want to connect with that person in a deeper way rather than just small talks na balewala lang," she said. Similarly, Katrina underscored the unpredictability of life. "Hindi natin alam kung ano 'yung puwedeng mangyari, kausap mo lang tapos mamaya hindi na, 'di ba? So parang ako, enjoy mo na lang 'yung every—kung sino 'yung gusto mong makasama, 'di ba?" she said. "Enjoy mo 'yung mga moment na—kunwari, 'yung family mo, 'yung anak mo, 'yung trabaho mo, enjoy mo lahat. Kasi hindi natin alam." Both Camille and Katrina experienced losing their partners. Camille's first husband, Anthony Linsangan, died in 2011 due to nasopharyngeal carcinoma. In 2017, Camille got married again to VJ Yambao. Meanwhile, Katrina's boyfriend, Jeremy Guiab, passed away in January 2024. Camille and Katrina currently star with Shayne Sava in "Mommy Dearest," which just got extended. It airs weekdays at 3:20 p.m. on GMA Afternoon Prime. —Carby Rose Basina/MGP, GMA Integrated News
Winnipeg Free Press
27-05-2025
- Health
- Winnipeg Free Press
Desperate calls to 911 thwarted by gap in rural service
Camille and Franz Potucek heard a woman frantically screaming when they walked into an Elm Creek bakery before they planned to play a round of golf in the southern Manitoba community last week. While Franz tried to free the baker, whose hand was trapped in a machine at Tsomie Foods, Camille twice tried to call 911 using her cellphone. 'I didn't get any reception. I dialed 911 and pressed call, and it didn't ring,' Potucek said. 'I went outside and got the same thing.' Potucek, 81, flagged down a passing driver, who couldn't get through to 911 because he didn't have a signal, she said. 'I've never been in such a state of panic,' Potucek said. The experience last Thursday left the Winnipeg woman concerned about gaps in cellphone reception in rural or remote areas. The incident happened while Manitoba's 911 network is under scrutiny, after 55-year-old Fisher Branch-area resident Dean Switzer suffered a fatal heart attack March 23. His loved ones couldn't get through to a 911 communications centre due to a technical problem that affected Telus customers, the legislature was told. Poor or spotty cell reception, regardless of the mobile provider, has been a concern for years in Elm Creek, located about 60 kilometres southwest of Winnipeg in the Rural Municipality of Grey. It appeared Potucek, a Rogers customer, was in a spot where no telecom had coverage. The system is set up so that 911 calls go through on any mobile network, even a competitor's, when available. 'In this instance, our customer was unable to connect to any wireless network and that's why improving connectivity in rural communities is an important priority for all wireless service providers,' a Rogers spokesperson said in a statement. 'We continue to review and invest in new network technologies to help connect Canadians in rural and remote areas.' A spokesperson for Bell, Manitoba's 911 network provider, said the 911 service and a communications centre were 'fully operational' at the time. 'To access 911 from a mobile device, the device must be within range of a functioning wireless network,' the spokesperson said in a statement. 'If the customer in question did not have reception at the time, they would not have been able to connect to any service, including 911 services.' Fire Chief Anton Borst said cell reception has been poor in the Elm Creek area for as long as he can remember. The problem affects customers of multiple mobile networks, he said. 'The main issue is it's very variable and very spotty,' Borst said. 'In some areas, it's very good. In and around town, it's very poor in a lot of areas.' Some residents or businesses use signal boosters to improve coverage, he noted. Borst said rural firefighters are often dispatched to emergencies via calls to their cellphones or smartphone app notifications. 'It's hard for a lot of members in (Elm Creek). They sometimes miss a call because they don't have cell service,' he said. 'From that perspective, it is a concern. I would like to see it repaired.' In 2019, then-reeve Ray Franzmann told the Free Press cell service was 'sporadic' and 'not very reliable' in most of the municipality's towns. 'I didn't get any reception. I dialed 911 and pressed call, and it didn't ring.'–Camille Potucek Progressive Conservative MLA Lauren Stone, whose Midland constituency includes Elm Creek, said she regularly hears concerns from constituents. 'Spotty cell service and cell reception across my constituency continues to be an ongoing problem. The NDP needs to find solutions to this ongoing issue,' said Stone, who was not an MLA when the Tories were last in government. 'This is obviously a safety concern, especially right now with the concerns around 911 in rural and remote areas.' Caedmon Malowany, a spokesman for Innovation and New Technology Minister Mike Moroz, said Moroz was 'very concerned' when he learned about Potucek's situation. 'These types of issues around cell coverage in rural Manitoba are part of a wider conversation that the minister is already having with the federal government, and is an important part of the issues being dealt with by the newly formed technology and innovation task force,' Malowany said. Elm Creek is home to more than 400 people, as of the 2021 census. It is located at the junction of highways and 2 and 13, where local segments had combined annual average daily traffic counts of more than 4,000 vehicles in 2023, as per Manitoba government data. The Potuceks didn't know the extent of the woman's injuries as of Tuesday. The bakery's owner-operator could not be reached for comment. 'I can't imagine the fear she was going through. I hope she is OK,' Potucek said. The woman was freed when two men from a nearby machine shop, after being alerted by Potucek's 85-year-old husband, used a wrench to loosen part of the machine, which appeared to be a mixer, Potucek said. She said the passerby drove the woman to a hospital. Potucek praised the people who helped the woman. Tuesdays A weekly look at politics close to home and around the world. 'I am just thankful we were there for her when she needed help,' she said. The Manitoba government, meanwhile, asked Canada's telecoms regulator to order Telus to release redacted portions of a public report into the 911 outage that affected its customers from March 22 to 24. Telus sent two reports to the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission: a confidential version and an abridged public version that redacted the cause of the outage. The CRTC is 'carefully' reviewing the report, spokeswoman Megan MacLean said Tuesday. Chris KitchingReporter Chris Kitching is a general assignment reporter at the Free Press. He began his newspaper career in 2001, with stops in Winnipeg, Toronto and London, England, along the way. After returning to Winnipeg, he joined the Free Press in 2021, and now covers a little bit of everything for the newspaper. Read more about Chris. Every piece of reporting Chris produces is reviewed by an editing team before it is posted online or published in print — part of the Free Press's tradition, since 1872, of producing reliable independent journalism. Read more about Free Press's history and mandate, and learn how our newsroom operates. Our newsroom depends on a growing audience of readers to power our journalism. If you are not a paid reader, please consider becoming a subscriber. Our newsroom depends on its audience of readers to power our journalism. Thank you for your support.
