The 35th Edition of the International Bamboo Organ Festival
Photo by eazy traveler at Flickr.com
The 35th edition of the International Bamboo Organ Festival that will be held from February 18 to 24, 2009, will feature several musical masterpieces from various periods. JS Bach’s Cantata no. 130 and John Rutter’s Mass of the Children will the highlight of the opening Gala Concert. Swiss organist Guy Bovet, Filipino organist Alejandro Consolacion II, the Las Pinas Boys Choir, and the UP Singing Ambassadors will the featured performers of the evening. Other artists are soprano Karina Gay Balajadia-Liggayu, counter-tenor Mark Carpio, tenor Ervin Notes Lumauag, bass Noel Azcona and the Festival Orchestra under the baton of Eudenice Palarauan.
The Festival has always designated one night exclusively for organ music. On February 19, organist Guy Bovet from Switzerland will be the featured artist for An Evening of Organ Music. One evening has likewise been customarily set aside for less serious musical fare. Entitled Concert under the Trees, the event is in fact one of the best-attended evenings of the Festival. On Feb. 20 the Singing Priests, the Morrizwind Orchestra and a surprise guest artist from the world of pop will be the stars of the show. Organ and Trumpet are an essential combination in Baroque music- organist Jarek Malanowicz from the Czech Republic and Filipino trumpet player Robert de Pano will play as a duet in the concert of February 21.
On February 23, works by Filipino composers National Artist Lucio San Pedro and Alejandro Consolacion II will be performed in a concert dedicated to Filipino music and entitled Saring Lahi. Organists Armando Salarza and Rea Jimenez, the Las Pinas Boys Choir and soloist Bernard Caro, baritone Noel Azcona, tenor Ervin Notes Lumauag, and the Festival Orchestra will the performers for this event. Also part of the program are the Kasilag Trio (guitarists), named after the late National Artist Lucrecia Kasilag, while Eudenice Palaruan will the conductor for the evening.
Philippine Properties Auction Dubbed New Moon Auction
JPEG file taken from Forceclosure Philippines
Foreclosure Philippines recently posted that Property Forum Philippines will be holding a series auctions of foreclosed properties, dubbed “New Moon Auction.” This will be held on February 13, 2010 at the Max’s Restaurant along Jupiter St. in Makati City. Registration starts at 8:00 AM.
Click on the image at the right to enlarge.
For more information, go to Foreclosure Philippines site.
Homemade Bibingkang Galapong
Photo by Chotda at Flickr.com
I saw this blog that brought my mind back to the Christmas tradition of the Philippines. Much like the Spaghetti ala Makati Supermarket’s famous meal, look into this recipe from “Pinoy Food | Free Filipino Food Recipe” and savor the taste that’s truly Filipino.
By the way, this blog has a Kindle version, in case some of you are “Kindlers.”
Ingredients:
- 4 eggs, well-beaten
- 1 cup sugar
- 2 cups rice flour
- 1/2 tsp. salt
- 2 cups coconut milk (2nd or more presses; see separate recipe)
- 1/4 cup melted margarine
- 2 tbsps. baking powder
- 1/4 cup coco cream (first press)
- 1/4 cup sugar for topping
Instructions:
1. Add sugar to beaten eggs.
2. Combine salt and rice flour; add to egg mixture.
3. Add melted margarine and baking powder.
4. Pour into banana-leaf lined mold.
My sister’s note: Tita Mimi assumes we know that the banana leaves have to be wilted, that is, passed over an open flame on the stove top.
5. Bake in 375 degree Fahrenheit oven.
6. Brush top with coco cream and sugar; bake until golden crust is formed.
note: Tita Mimi doesn’t say when to take out the bibingka to brush the top with the coco cream and sugar. I would assume that this is done when the bibingka is 3/4’s done (so the batter doesn’t flop). We would have to experiment on time frames.
7. Makes 3 large bibingkas.
More Information Required to Get a New Credit Card in United States
Photo by k9ine in Flickr.com
“It’s about time,” as I should say.
Washington Business Journal recently reported that under the new reforms of the Federal Reserve, consumers will have to provide more personal information, such as shoppers’ income and the ability to pay, before stores who normally give away credit cards on whim grants the approval. This takes effect on February 22 this year.
A funny thing – the National Retail Federation opposes the move.
Source: Washington Business Journal
6 Canadian Cities Out of 50 Attract More Migrants
Photo by Great Beyond in Flickr.com
Calgary, Waterloo, Ottawa, Vancouver, St. John’s and Richmond Hill have what migrants are looking for when choosing where to locate, according to the Conference Board’s second report assessing the attractiveness of Canadian cities. The performance of these cities is compared on 41 indicators grouped across seven categories: Society, Health, Economy, Environment, Education, Innovation, and Housing.
For migrants with a university degree, the Education category matters the most (21 per cent) in the decision to locate, followed by Society (20 per cent), Innovation (19 per cent) and Economy (13 per cent). Migrants without a university education consider, in an overwhelming fashion, that the Economy category matters the most (33 per cent) and followed by Society (20 per cent).
Read the details of the overall grades and performance by category at the Conference Board of Canada of CNW Group Ltd.
New Challenges of White House Executive Chef and Filipina-American Cristeta Comerford
Photo from Wikipedia.com
Cristeta Comeford is the Philippines’ addition to the global heroes of Filipinos who commandeer a position or title in the world stage. This, particularly to the most famous American president and his family. Not only is she the first Filipina-American to be selected to the post, she is also the first woman.
In this blog she recently wrote, Cristeta talks about healthy eating and the challenge that the First Lady bestowed on them the challenge to create meals that were fresh, healthy and uniquely American, revealing that the secret ingredient was the White House Kitchen Garden. This garden was created by Mrs. Obama in March last year as the first vegetable garden in the White House since Eleanor Roosevelt’s victory garden in World War II.
Read more at The White House Blog
Pinoy “Farmville” for Overseas Filipino Workers (OFW)
Maharlika Agro-Ventures Corp., a domestic poultry firm and contract grower for San Miguel Foods, Inc., has established a new company — North Star Poultry Equities, Inc. — for a “virtual poultry farming” project. North Star Poultry would be co-owned by overseas Filipino workers (OFWs). An overseas worker can invest at least P50,000 on the virtual poultry farm. Investors can monitor how their poultry operation is doing through a Web site that would be created specifically for the project.
Read more at Business World Online
2010 Long Weekend Schedules in the Philippines
If you’re planning a trip to the Philippines, besides the tourist spots, food places and festivals, you may want to check out the long weekends that allow your Filipino friends and acquaintances free time during these holidays.
February 21-23 (Sunday – Monday) – Anniversary of the EDSA Revolution
April 1-4 (Thursday-Sunday) – Holy Week
April 9-11 (Friday-Sunday) – Day of Valor (Araw ng Kagitingan)
June 12-14 (Saturday-Monday) – Philippine Independence Day
August 21-23 (Saturday-Monday) – Ninoy Aquino Day
September 10-12 (Friday-Sunday) – Eid’l Fitr
October 30-November 1 (Saturday-Monday) – All Saints Day
November 27-29 (Saturday-Monday) – Bonifacio Day
December 24-27 (Friday-Monday) – Christmas and Rizal Day
December 31-January 2 (Friday-Sunday) – New Year’s Day
Best On-demand Hosted Call Center Solution in the Philippines
L-R: Fred Cote, Raffy Pekson II and Chris Persaud
The CEO and COO of KUNNECT recently visited the Philippines to launch its call center technology solutions to the Philippine BPO market. Fred Cote, co-founder and CEO, spoke at the October 12 meeting of the members of the Call Center Association of the Philippines (CCAP) in Shangri-La Hotel Makati. Mr. Cote presented KUNNECT as a viable, inexpensive call center solution for immediate operations without the need for costly and time-consuming setup, calling it the “best in its class” of a full suite of call center features and functionality. Together with Mr. Cote were Chris Persaud, COO of KUNNECT, and Raffy Pekson II, the Country Representative of KUNNECT in the Philippines.
Read more at Work and Coffee.
Subscribe By E-mail is Now Activated
I never realized this feature was “inactive.” My apologies for those who looked for this function. I’ve activated it now.
Happy Holidays to all!
UK Names Philippines Offshoring Destination of the Year
The Philippines has been awarded the Offshoring Destination of the Year for 2009 at the 6th Annual National Outsourcing Association Awards in the United Kingdom last October 15, 2009.
This is the second time the country has won the prestigious award since 2007. It recently bested four other countries such as Malaysia, Egypt, Russia and Sri Lanka in winning the title.
The National Outsourcing Association is the recognized body for the outsourcing industry in the United Kingdom. The association judged countries for this award on a set of criteria covering the country’s advantages, attractiveness to UK companies, its level of market penetration in the UK, and availability of outsourcing areas.
Arroyo’s Non-adherance to UN Convention on Migrant Workers
Hundreds of Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) marched to Mendiola Bridge Friday to demand that the Arroyo government exhort all efforts to reunite more than 300 stranded OFWs with their families this Christmas season. “Today marks the ninth year of the United Nations Convention on Migrant Workers and Their Families. While President Arroyo signed this convention, in reality, the plight of Filipino migrant workers did not improve and in fact worsened under the government’s relentless labor export program. Nine years under the Arroyo regime saw the unprecedented rise in human rights violations of OFWs,” said Garry Martinez, Migrante International chairperson.
Migrante International’s records show that in almost all of the cases of stranded OFWs, Philippine consulate and overseas labor officials neglected the plight of OFWs, and were even the ones defending abusive employers and companies.
Read more at Radio 1812
U.S.Actress Brittany Murphy Dies at 32
U.S. actress Brittany Murphy, who co-starred in such films as “Clueless” and “Girl, Interrupted” but saw her career wane in recent years, died in Los Angeles on Sunday after suffering cardiac arrest in her bathroom, officials said. She was 32.
Source: Reuters
Montana Raises Money for Philippine Medical Clinic
A holiday-themed dance performance this weekend is raising money to help build a medical clinic in the Philippines.
“‘Twas the Night Before Christmas” is being put on by the Bozeman Lions Club, the Big Sky Dance ensemble and the Main Street Dance Theatre. Profits from the show go to the Sacred Portion Children’s Ministry, a nonprofit organization that supports an orphanage in the Philippines.
Read more at Montana’s News Station
Filipina Hailed a Hero in Toronto
Juana Tejada sought an exemption to taking a second medical test as a pre-requisite to becoming a permanent resident here in Canada and was recently vindicated for her passionate advocacy of the so-called “Juan Tejada” law which the federal government of Canada recently made changes to the Live-in Caregiver Program (LCP) by removing a second medical test for caregivers to qualify as permanent residents. Another change states that caregivers need 3,900 work hours to qualify as a permanent resident as opposed to the old law of two years of work within the span of 36 months.
Tejada failed the second medical exam for caregivers when she was diagnosed with cancer, a condition she developed while working as a caregiver.
The province of Ontario previously passed a law with some features that favor the Filipino community:
- Recruiters are prohibited from charging fees to caregivers
- Prohibiting confiscation of caregiver’s personal documents like work permit and passports
- Many others…
Read more at Balita-Filipino Canadia Community Newspaper
Jollibee gives up operations in Taiwan and Shanghai
Philippine fast food giant Jollibee Foods Corp. (JFC) has given up its operations in China’s Taiwan and Shanghai and chosen to focus on “building bigger brands” in other parts of China.
JFC gave up its 70 percent stake in Lao Dong Pte. Ltd. which operates Lao Dong restaurants in Taiwan. It also terminated its franchising agreement with Chun Shui Tang Tea House and shut down its stores in Shanghai.
Read more at Individual
360-degree view of Philippine’s 7107 Island Cruise ship
This is an awesome 360-degree view of the 7107 Island Cruise Ship that sails to Boracay and the Calamianes Islands. For more information, go to http://www.7107islandscruise.net/.
Philippine online clothing store Little Caviar launches in 2010
Little Caviar is an online clothing store in the Philippines that offers Asian-inspired fashion apparel for women. Little Caviar shares fresh and unique casual styles that incorporate insights from Japanese, Korean, and European fashion trends, thus establishing a high street fashion brand that offers quality Asian-inspired women’s clothing, from tops to bottoms, dresses and one-pieces, to coats and outerwear.
Little Caviar is also a fun and interactive online fashion magazine that talks about the latest fashion trends, exciting new hair styles, useful make-up tips, great cosmetic products, fashion photography, fashion events, and a lot more. Little Caviar’s online magazine is run and kept interesting by today’s youngest and most influential Filipino fashion bloggers, stylists, designers, photographers, and artists.
Little Caviar coming soon 2010.
Go to LittleCaviar.com to sign-up for its pre-opening.
Proposed amendments on the Migrant Workers Act may affect recruitment
The website “United Filipino Seafarers” recently posted an article submitted by Capt. Pax Sanchez of the Philippine Merchant Marine Academy (PMMA) GS-MMET on Nov. 26, 2009 that highlights many amendments to the Migrant Workers Act of 1995 (or Republic Act No. 8042) which are areas of concern for the Filipino seafaring industry. These amendments will be submitted to the House of Representatives and the Senate for approval; if so approved, it goes to the President before it becomes part of the law on Friday or Monday, approximately.
Read more at United Filipino Seafarers
Filipino Overseas Sailors Remit Whooping 2.5 Billion Pesos in 9 Months
The money sent home by overseas Filipino sailors rose by $108 million or 4.51 percent to a new record of $2.501 billion in the nine months to September this year, from $2.393 billion over the same period in 2008, the Trade Union Congress of the Philippines (TUCP) said.
“A growing number of European and Asian shipping firms are disbanding their multinational crews, and replacing them wholesale with all-Filipino personnel that are younger and more able,” said Herrera, former chairman of the Senate committee on labor, employment, and human resources development.
Read more at Inquirer Global Nation
Guinness Records-holder Paeng Nepomuceno to Bowl in Turkey
Diplomats and Filipinos in Ankara, Turkey’s capital city, are now eagerly awaiting the visit of six-time World Bowling Champion Rafael “Paeng” Nepomuceno (pictured) next Wednesday. Nepomuceno is a Guinness Book of World Records-holder, and the recognized greatest international bowler in the history of the sport.
He is due to arrive in Istanbul on December 2 with his wife, the former Pinky Puyat. The Champion will play exhibition games and participate in the Philippine Embassy-organized “Diplomats’ Bowling Tournament” scheduled in Ankara on Saturday, December 5, at the “Play Planet” bowling center at Ankara’s modern Panora Shopping Mall.
Read more at BowlingDigital.com
New Business Hub on the Rise in Iloilo
Construction of a mixed-use commercial center in Iloilo City’s new “growth area” began last month, in what is expected to become a business hub.
Florete Land, Inc., the property development company of the Florete Group of Companies owned by Ilonggo media mogul Rogelio M. Florete, Jr., held groundbreaking ceremonies for Plazuela de Iloilo last November. Mr. Florete heads Bombo Radyo Philippines.
Read more at Business World Online
Personal Finance Seminar in Bacolod City
I attended one of Randell’s seminars. I suggest you or your friends and family in Bacolod do the same – it’s worth more than what you paid for.
Source: Randell Tiongson’s Website.
Who Sang the Philippine National Anthem at the Pacquiao-Cotto Fight?
The audition was participated by both ABS-CBN and GMA stars. And it is the La Diva group that was chosen to sing Lupang Hinirang in Pacquiao vs Cotto fight. La Diva group is composed of Jonalyn Viray, Aicelle Santos and Maricris Garcia who were all “Pinoy Pop Superstar” champions.
Source: Victorina.
Free New Moon Tickets for Nov 19 Screening
See poster below for details.
Source: National Bookstore and SM.
KALOOBAN – The Filipino Soul in Dance
Tickets may be purchased at the Folk Arts Theater and all Ticketworld Outlets. For inquiries, contact KALOOB at 832-1120 or 0917-549-2624, email at kaloobpilipinas@gmail.com or daybyday@pldtdsl.net.
To sponsor typhoon victims to watch the show, special tickets are available. Call or email the same contact information above.
Smart is Buying Chikka.com
Leading wireless provider Smart Communications has agreed to buy 100 percent of Chikka Holdings Ltd., a wireless application service provider that provides instant web-based messaging services.
“The transaction is expected to be closed sometime in late December, subject to the fulfillment of certain conditions,” Smart said in a press statement Friday.
Read more at Inquirer.net.
San Jose / Valley Charity for Ondoy Victims
Volunteers at St. John the Baptist Church are hard at work gathering canned goods, adult and children’s clothing, blankets, towels, medicine and money for the victims of the Ondoy flood in the Philippines. Tropical Storm Ondoy ravaged the Philippines with a month’s worth of rain in a day, leaving Manila and surrounding cities with the worst flooding in 40 years.
Dropoffs can be made at Pavalkis Hall, 279 S. Main St., from 8 a.m.-4 p.m. weekdays and 10 a.m.-4 p.m. on weekends. Those who wish to write checks are asked to make them payable to St. John the Baptist Church, with Ondoy Flood Drive in the memo space. The Antipolo and Pasig dioceses will be the recipients of the donations. For more information, call 262-2546.
Send Money to the Philippines for FREE
XOOM - one of the biggest worldwide money transfer service
Remittance king Xoom.com has launched a new program that allows overseas and migrant Filipinos, or practically anyone for that matter, to send money to the Philippines for free. The catch includes two things:
(1) The first transfer is FREE of any fees;
(2) The coupon code will expire in seven (7) days
When you login to the XOOM.com website, you have to enter the coupon code XOOM4FREE located at the bottom of the “Payments Page”.
For more information, call XOOM in North America through 1-888-993-3966 or go to their Help Center website.
Combined Choirs of 150 Voices to Sing Christmas Carols
The combined choirs of the COMELEC Chorale, Coro de San Antonio, Coro Tomasino, De La Salle University Chorale and the St. Paul University Manila Chorale will stage a 150 voice ensemble on December 3, 2009 at 7:00 PM at the Manila Cathedral dubbed “The 4th Manila Cathedral Basilica Pipe Organ Festival Gala Concert.” The choirs will be singing Christmas song and will be accompanied by the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra. Amelita Guevara will conduct.
This concert will feature a 6,000-pipe church organ, the biggest in Southeast Asia. Other performers include Ken Weber of the US, Armando Salarza from the Philippines, Austrian conductor Ernest Hoetzl, soprano Camile Lopez Molina, tenor Dominique Moralez from Fance and bass Nono Baang.
For ticket inquiries, call 527-1796, 527-3889, or 0917-514-2011.
Typhoon Mirinae Is Coming To Town (Philippines)
Click the image to enlarge.
Path of Typhoon Mirinae to the Philippines
Halloween Treat – 50 Percent Off Brothers Burgers
Only available at Cebu, BF Paranaque, Ortigas, Malaet, Pasong Tamo, SM Megamall, Tomas Morato, Capitol Hills, Paseo de Sta. Rosa and Telus Araneta Center.
For inquiries, call 815-0732.
Filipino in Top 10 Finalist for CNN Hero for the Year Award
Twenty-eight year old Filipino named EFREN PENAFLORIDA was bullied by gangs in high school. Today, he offers Filipino youth an alternative to gang membership through education. For the past 12 years, Peñaflorida and his team of teen volunteers have taught basic reading and writing to children living on the streets. Their main tool: A pushcart classroom. Born into a poor family, he lived in a shanty near the city dump site. But he says he refused to allow his circumstances to define his future.
He created the Dynamic Teen Company to offer his classmates an outlet to lift up themselves and their community. For Peñaflorida, that meant returning to the slums of his childhood to give kids the education he felt they deserved. Since 1997, an estimated 10,000 members have helped teach more than 1,500 children living in the slums. The organization supports its efforts by making and selling crafts and collecting items to recycle.
Philippine Cities Cebu, Makati, Quezon City, Mandaluyong in Top Global Outsourcing Lists
Cebu City hits the number one spot in Trendsiff.com’s Top 50 Emerging Global Outsourcing Cities. Shanghai and Beijing cities, both in China, followed Cebu City in the list. Makati City, on the other hand, makes the 8th place in the Top 8 Global Outsourcing Centers. This list includes (from the top) Bangalore, Chennai, Delhi, Hyderabad, Mumbai and Pune, all from India, and Dublin in Ireland.
There are also two Philippine cities that is part of the 2008 Top 50 newly-emerging outsourcing hotspots, namely, Quezon City (21st) and Mandaluyong City (45th).
The studies’ overall ranking are based on the following location assessment categories: scale and quality of workforce, cost, business catalyst, risk profile, infrastructure availability, and quality of life. Also, the “choice city” has now given way to “choice of country.”
The lists are according to a study by CyberMedia’s Global Services and investment advisory firm Tholons.
Reference: Trendsiff.com
German Moreno – The Ultimate Philippine Entertainment Star Builder
For almost 50 years, this man has been a staple character on our television screens. If it weren’t for him, we would not have the likes of Lea Salonga, Ruffa Gutierrez, Judy Ann Santos, Billy Crawford and Sharon Cuneta in the showbiz industry today. He is the ultimate star builder, an industry legend, and the one and only Master Showman: German Moreno.
Read more at Philippine Entertainment Portal
The Classic Palmolive TV Ad That Created Alice Dixon
I just couldn’t help but post this YouTube video. For the 80’s people, this not only created the career of Alice Dixon but generated that shoulder-circling, kikay-like, “I can feel it!” craze!
Johnny Rockets Opens in the Philippines
A Johnny Rockets hamburger franchise recently opened in the Philippines right the day before typhoon Ondoy (or Ketsana) wreaked havoc on the country. The 2,000+ square foot restaurant is located inside the mall in Eastwood City, Libis, Quezon City. This is the first branch of twenty that is planned in the Philippines.
Since 1986, Johnny Rockets has been offering the all-American fast food service, which includes hamburgers, classic sandwiches and hand-dipped shakes and malts. It is headquartered in Lake Forest, California, with about 280 corporate and franchise-owned restaurants in 29 states and 11 countries.
Visit the Johnny Rockets Website
Adopt or Sponsor A Rescued Dog
For 300 Pesos or $6.50 a month, you can keep a rescued dog alive. For more information e-mail, call or visit the website of the Animal Kingdom Foundation, Inc. at:
akfadvocates@gmail.com
+63 (2) 467-1261
+63 (920) 983-5109
http://www.animalkingdomfoundation.org
Free Laundry for Victims of Typhoon Ondoy
Below is a message relayed through the Facebook Group “Philippine Renaissance International Movement.” In summary, typhoon victims, local government units, non-profit organizations and other groups involved in relief operations may send their dirty laundry to:
Kalinisan Steam Laundry, Inc.
No. 10 Manggahan Street, Bagumbayan
Libis, Quezon City
Tel. No. 635-0601 to 05 local 128
Mobile No. 0917-890-9577 (look for Alex Malco)
Mobile No. 0917-859-1917 (look for Espie Ditablan)
Mobile No. 0917-893-6630 (look for Atty. Raul Lambino)
=====================================================
Today October 3, 2009, in a lunch meeting with my client MR. WYDEN KING, owner of KALINISAN STEAM LAUNDRY, INC., one of the biggest industrial laundry company in the country that serves various big establishments like hotels, hospitals, & garment factories, he has told me that KALINISAN is offering FREE LAUNDRY & WASHING of all clothing materials (linens, bedsheets, pants, shirts, dresses, etc.) to all victims of typhoon Ondoy in Marikina, Quezon City, Cainta, Pasig, Taguig, Antipolo City and other areas in NCR, Rizal & Southern Tagalog. He instructed me to help disseminate this information so Kalinisan can immediately serve our people.
After the meeting, I immediately called up Mayor Mon Ilagan of Cainta, Rizal about this development and texted various friends in the media. Then I went to the Kalinisan warehouse at No. 10 Manggahan St., Bagumbayan, Libis, Quezon City where the factory is situated and conferred with the people in charge of the operations. I saw some dirty clothings already arriving from numerous victims and even saw more than 500 people-evacuees who are comfortably housed at the Kalinisan warehouse and supplied with foods, water and other needs mostly from Mrs. Peachy King, wife of Mr. Wyden King. Their condition is much-much better of than those who are now in other evacuation centers.
We enjoin the concerned LGUs, government agencies, NGO’s , foundations, other individuals and the victims themselves to bring to Kalinisan such cloth items if theY have the logistics to do so, or coordinate with their respective LGUs how we can effectively carry out this mission.
You can get in touch directly to Kalinisan by calling or texting these numbers: Tels. 6350601 to 05 local 128; CP # 0917-8909577 look for ALEX MALCO; or 0917-8591917 look for ESPIE DITABLAN. Likewise, you may call or text me at 09178936630.
Please pass this Note to others & let us do our little share in helping and uniting our nation by alleviating the plight of those who are most in need at such kind of moment. God bless us all.
ATTY RAUL LAMBINO
National Bookstore’s Project Aral for Ondoy Victims
Purchase 20 or 25 Peso “Study Kits,” put your name on the tag and drop them in the boxes provided in National Bookstore branches. Runs from October 10 up to 24, 2009.
Provincial Locations to Donate for the Victims of Typhoon Ondoy
BACOLOD:
University of St. La Salle Coliseum. 435-3857
Cafe Breizh. 0919-365-1101
BAGUIO:
ABS-CBN Baguio Office
Baguio Convention Center Executive Room (volunteers also needed)
Donations of veggies from Baguio via Victory Liner. Dave-0917-839-6179.
BATANGAS:
De La Salle Lipa
BICOL:
ABS-CBN Naga
ABS-CBN Daet
ABS-CBN Legazpi
Plaza Quezon, Naga City, needs volunteers
Universided de Sta. Isabel, Naga City at the Community Extension Service office.
BOHOL:
Nutrimart Warehouse at CPG North Avenue near Bohol Wisdom School.
BULACAN:
RedCross Bulacan at in Malolos near Bulacan Capitol
CAGAYAN:
Xavier University, KKP Office
Ateneo de Cagayan
CAVITE:
De La Salle-Dasmariñas at 2nd floor of SBC Building
CEBU:
University of San Carlos, North Campus
Gawad Kalinga Office. Tel 581-9754 or May Nogra 0922-810-1820
DUMAGUETE and NEGROS:
Silliman University. Tweet http://twitter.com/princessngaako
DAVAO:
Ateneo de Davao, Samahan Office in Jacinto Campus
Bantay Bata 163, Matina, Davao City
ZAMBOANGA:
Ateneo de Zamboanga, SACSI Office. Alma Curesma 991-0871, loc 2224 or 2225.
Source: SuperBianca
UNICEF Will Match Your Donations to Philippines – Dollar for Dollar
UNICEF’s webpage writes, “Give today and an anonymous donor will match your gift, dollar for dollar, up to $100,000 — doubling your support for UNICEF’s lifesaving efforts in the Philippines.”
Wells Fargo Eliminates Remittance Transfer Fees To Philippines
Wells Fargo & Company (NYSE: WFC) —with its remittance network member Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI) – is temporarily eliminating all remittance transfer fees (normally $5 or $7) for customers sending money using the ExpressSend® service to friends and family in the Philippines impacted by Typhoon Ketsana (also known as Typhoon Ondoy). The fee waiver is effective September 29 through October 12, 2009.
ExpressSend customers can send up to $3,000 a day for $5 if originated from an eligible Wells Fargo account (or $7 if originated from cash). The fee will be waived September 29 through October 12, 2009. Recipients can claim their funds at more than 800 branches and 1,500 plus ATMs throughout the Philippines.
Read more at [Wells Fargo article].
La Salle Schools Offer Relief Distribution Help for Ondoy Victims
Ads-link: Moving Company Los Angeles
Lea Salonga 2009 Philippine Concert Now On Sale
Lea Salong, after a two month North American concert tour this September through November, will be back on Philippine stage at the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC) for a two-night special show singing the songs that, as Lea writes in her website LeaYourSongs.com, “your songs.” It’s not be too late to send her your requests that you’d like to hear her sing – the deadline is September 30.
Tickets are now available online: Dec. 11 or Dec. 12 shows, respectively.
Reference: LeaYourSongs.
New Comedy Book By Filipino Out About Getting Married
There is no end to writers that attempt to write comedy. Many comics are funny, but few are hilarious. Ledesma is well, hilarious… What makes him even more hilarious that most writers of comedy is that he finds even things familiar to us funny..from the conventional rituals of getting married to going on a foreign trip to realizing that one is balding. That is the secret of his humor: he makes his fellowmen laugh at themselves.. His ribbing is never not in jest, but where there is comic smoke, there is bound to be tragic truth.
“I Do or I Die”
RJ Ledesma’s Imaginary Guide to Getting Married
by RJ Ledesma
[Click Here] to go to Anvil Publishing, Inc.
How To Check Your Plate Number By Text Messaging
If by chance you are told by a police (in a checkpoint) that your car plates have been tampered with or are stolen – and you know they’re not – here’s a way to check it by way of “text messaging” and show them proof (or something like that.)
Write a text message as:
LTO <space> VEHICLE <space> XXX999
…where XXX999 is your plate number, i.e. LTO VEHICLE PAM224
Send this text-message to 2600 and wait for reply message. The reply should be inform you of the following:
Car Plate:
Model:
Year:
Color:
Date of Last Registered:
LTO Apprehension, if any:
LTO Alarm, if any:
This SMS service is also userful for car buyers. The usual fee of 2.50 Pesos is charged to the sender for every text message sent.
Source: E-mail blast from Tribu Verde Group
How To Invest For YOUR Financial Future
…and that also means your family’s financial future, too.
If you think 1,300 Pesos is too much money to spend for a half-day seminar on “personal finance planning,” you’re dead wrong. There are tons of training sessions and seminars out there being offered and conducted for thousands more; and people think that just because it’s being hosted by some “name brand” training and seminar company guarantees you to win. I’ve been to so many similar sessions in the past that all I got are some awakening moments but no substance. What substance, you say? A lot of these sessions miss out on the practicalities of doing things in Philippine soil. Many of these sessions have theoretical content gushing out the United States which, if you must know, is reeling from a severe recession that resonates in many of the First World and developed countries, worldwide. So, for a practical session on your personal finance using real Philippine experience, let an a Registered Personal Finance Planner and expert like Randell teach you how to do it right – and this time, succeed!
1,300 Pesos is about 60 Pesos daily for a month’s amount of working days. Want to go deeper? Think of working half-a-day only. That’s an investment of about 14 Pesos per hour. Or, you could NOT spend 300 Pesos every weekend of a month passing by the gasoline station convenience store and buying your favorite chips, chocolate and soda, and just invest it in this event.
But, why bother asking yourself if 1,300 Pesos is too much? You’re just spending unproductive resource in your brain to do some self-deliberation that usually results is more indecision. Just do it! Besides, Randell’s wife Mia is serving great food, too, just like paying for a buffet but getting a lifetime’s worth of ideas, tips and expert techniques to change your financial life around.
Set the date: Friday, September 25, 2009 at 1:30 PM.
For more details, [Click Here].
Lea Salong Concert Shows in North America and Hawaii
Lea's 20 city concert is a blast!
Lea Salonga will be doing a series of concerts in the continental United States, Canada and Hawaii between September 18 through November 14 this year. Wow! That’s a total of twenty shows. The broadway diva, whose fame to glory came from her starring role in “Miss Saigon,” eventually won her an international award. Lea also started a website called “Lea Salonga – Your Songs” which she asked the general public to drop her a note and let her know what songs they’d like to hear, both for this concert series and one more in December to be held in the Philippines.
Catch her at a concert place nearest you!
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Below is Lea’s schedule sourced out from her Facebook Invitation:
9/18/09 – 8 PM
River Rock Show Theatre,
Richmond BC Canada
Click for Tickets
9/20/09 – 7 PM
Snoqualmie Casino Ballroom
Snoqualmie, WA
Click for Tickets
9/25/09 – 7:30 PM
Horseshoe Casino
Elizabeth, IN
Click for Tickets
9/25/09 – 9 PM
The Venue Horseshoe Casino
Hammond, IN
Click for Tickets
9/26/09 – 9 PM
The Venue Horseshoe Casino
Hammond, IN
Click for Tickets
9/28/09 – 8:30 PM
McPhillips Street Station Casino
Winnipeg, Manitoba Canada
Click for Tickets
9/29/09 – 6 PM
McPhillips Street Station Casino
Winnipeg, Manitoba Canada
(Available only with 15,500 player points only at Casino Ticketmaster. The Club Card Member Gala of the Year, including reception, four course dinner, and concert.)
Click for Tickets
9/29/09 – 8:30 PM
McPhillips Street Station Casino
Winnipeg, Manitoba Canada
Click for Tickets
10/2/09 – 8 PM
Pechanga Theater, Pechanga Resort & Casino
Temecula, CA
Click for Tickets
10/9/09 – 8 PM
Tarrytown Music Hall
Tarrytown, NY
Click for Tickets
10/10/09 – 8 PM
Mainstage Theatre, University At Buffalo Center for the Arts
Buffalo, NY
Click for Tickets
10/16/09 – 9 PM
Club 88, Cache Creek Indian Casino
Brooks, CA
Click for Tickets
10/17/09 – 8 PM
Club 88, Cache Creek Indian Casino
Brooks, CA
Click for Tickets
10/18/09 – 7 PM
Cerritos Center for the Performing Arts
Cerritos, CA (Benefit)
Click for Tickets
(VIP ticket includes private reception and dinner)
10/20/09 – 7:30 PM
Craterian Ginger Rogers Theater
Medford, OR
Click for Tickets
10/31/09 – 8 PM
Eisemann Center
Richardson, TX
Click for Tickets
11/2/09 – 7 PM
Morongo Casino Resort & Spa
Cabazon, CA
Click for Tickets
11/6/09 – 8 PM
Arena Theatre
Houston, TX
Click for Tickets
11/7/09 – 8 PM
Paramount Theatre
Austin, TX
Click for Tickets
11/10/09 – 8 PM
The Concert Hall, Neil S. Blaisdell Center
Honolulu, HI
Ticket sale coming soon.
11/14/09 – 8 PM
Harold K.L. Castle Theater at the Maui Arts & Cultural Center
Kahului, HI
Ticket sale coming soon.
Sony CyberShot Online Blogger Search
You can start by voting for this blog-site, right? ☺
Do you know your favorite bloggers? Send in your top 3 local bloggers under the following categories and get a ch ance to win a Sony Cyber-shot.
FOOD, FASHION, TECH and TRAVEL
Submit your nominees to cybershottx1@gmail.com. Follow the entry format below:
Name: Anna Cruz
Address: Unit 234 Princeton Building Makati City
Contact: 09174253777
Technology
1. blogsite
2. blogsite
3. blogsite
Fashion
1. blogsite
2. blogsite
3. blogsite
Travel
1. blogsite
2. blogsite
3. blogsite
Food
1. blogsite
2. blogsite
3. blogsite
Submission of nominees is from September 15 to 30, 2009.
Sony is taking the digital imaging technology to the next level with its introduction of the new Cyber-shot TX1 and Party-shot accessory. Taking great photos under various situations has never been this exciting and fun.
Only the best will be captured on October 15, 2009. The party is about to begin.
Filipino Kids in Brunei Get Free Language and Culture Course
A Sense of Asean identity will be among the subjects touched during the nine-day cultural enrichment programme for children offered by the Philippine Embassy during the school holidays starting on Monday. Twenty-two Filipino children from six to 14 registered yesterday for the free Filipino language and culture programme to be conducted by volunteer teachers at the Philippine Embassy Chancery from Monday, Sept 14. The programme aims to teach children born and raised overseas the culture, history, customs and traditions of the Philippines and its Asean neighbours, and how these are embodied in today’s global Filipino, said Filipino cultural enrichment class programme head Rowena E Hautea.
More at: BruDirect.com, Brunei’s No. 1 News Website.
Filipino Stores in US Meet Big Chain Competition
Even Filipino stores in the United States meet competition of growing “big chain” stores specializing in Asian products. In California, there two big Asian supermarkets that are adding more branches — 99 Ranch and Seafood City. Of course, it’s a great welcome for the Asian community where these chains exist but it spells trouble for the smaller groceries such as Concord’s (California) Oriental Food Market, owned by Sherrie Gaerlan and her husband for some eight years already.
Source: Contra Costa Times.
The Positive Impact of Tourism in the Philippines
I was surfing around and found someone named “bala” from the Top10TravelSite.com who quipped this question: “What good practices from a cultural perspective being undertaken by organizations within the tourism and travel industry?”
One of the best answers I read from an “Anonymous” person read:
Gosh….I’ve written a whole thesis on this issue. But here it is in brief:
Positive impact:
- Reasonable foreign currency income for the state;
- Slight development of tourism infrastructure;
- Marginal increase in employment levels in industries related to the travel sector: hospitality, travel agencies and tour operators, transportation, etc.;
- Sustainance of domestic airlines, charters and to some extent, shipping, to some degree.
- Better awareness in the Philippines of foreign cultures and traditions, needs of tourists etc.
Negative impact:
- Sex tourism, with aged foreigners flocking to the country seeking young women as partners. Others come to indulge in pedophile activities;
- Negligence of environmental considerations in some cases by both foreign nationals and Filipinos;
- The government hurries to attract foreign tourists without the existence of a proper tourism infrastructure;
- Due to the negative image of the Philippines as a corrupt nation, visitors believe they can escape justice easily by bribing law enforcement authorities.
There are many (other positive and negative) points but these would require at least a day to list and detail.
Why Cruise Ships Do Not Pass-by the Philippines
My uncle in the U.S. recently forwarded this e-mail message to me. After I read it, I realized it answered a long forgotten question in my mind why Manila was not a destination-of-choice of the cruise ships. I recently got involved with the travel service business and wished there were cruise ships that stopped by the Philippines.
I do hope that our electoral bets for the 2010 elections could find a way to fix this erring and embarrassing situation because I’m not banking at the current administration for a “change for the good.” The writer is right to say that each ship brings thousands tourists wherever they stop. Even to stopover for two nights or so already brings in thousands of tourist Dollars that could help further boost our tourism industry. Please share this story to them.
Hmmmm… I’m not really sure (if this) is the only reason: I know there’s the security involved for the American passengers (remember the kidnapping scandals?) At least, that’s what Tess Tumaneng’s version was (from Princess Cruises). There is a large presence of Al Queda members in our country plus our famous “mandurukots,” of course. Judge for yourself and please read below. When you think of it, why are cruise ships docking at Vietnam, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Korea and other (cities), and they’re no better than Manila or Cebu?
This was written by a Pinoy couple who now lives in the US.
(I) would like to share with you what we found out as the reason why cruise ships of the big cruise companies skip Manila. My wife and I are regular cruisers and we always talk to the Filipino crew. When we took the 12-day Mediterranean cruise I asked the Pinoy waiters (because we are in a big group, we usually request for Pinoy waiters to be assigned to us) why all their Asian cruises skip Manila when they go to all the neighboring countries of the Philippines. “Tanong ko bakit ba wala sa itinerary ninyo ang Manila?“
Ang sagot sa akin: “Noong una ho may cruises kami na humihinto sa Manila (subali’t) masyado hong matakaw ang mga taga Customs sa atin kaya ang management ho namin nag decide na i-skip na ang Manila. When inspection time comes upon our arrival and departure, yung mga Customs inspectors ho kasama ang mga pamilya nila para kumain ng libre sa ship namin. Tapos bago magbigay ng clearance para maka-depart ang ship namin maraming hinihingi ng sigarilyo at mga alak. Sa Manila lang namin na experience ang ganoon kaya nahihiya ho kaming mga Pinoy dito sa ship. Sa ibang ports sa Asia wala hong nanghihingi.
The new cruise ships have an everage of 2,000 to 3,000 passengers. Imagine the loss of tourism revenue for the Philippines because most cruise ships do not go to the Philippines. WHY???
How can the back crawl?
Lamoiyan Corp to Export Hapee Products to China
Filipino-owned Lamoiyan Corp., the manufacturer of the Hapee toothpaste brand, will be exporting its products to China, the company’s top official said. Cecilio Kwok Pedro, the company’s president and chief executive, said they have decided to be more aggressive and enter the Chinese market. Lamoiyan has been exporting its products to Vietnam, Cambodia, Brunei, Pa-pua New Guinea and the Middle East [...]
Japan, Korea, Philippines in Renewable Energy Deals in Philippines
The three-country consortium of three companies are in agreement to create renewable energy projects in the Philippines. These are Alternergy Philippine Holdings Corporation, Eurus Energy Japan Corporation and Korea East West Power Company. This type of investment commitment comes from the perks that’s offered by the country’s “Renewable Energy Act.”
Source: Manila Bulletin.
Customer Contact Philippines 2009 BPO Event on October 7-9, 2009
A two-day BPO event will be held in the Philippines on October 7-8, 2009 at the Peninsula Manila Hotel. Frost & Sullivan’s “Customer Contact Philippines 2009” aims to bring together Senior Executives from around the region to discuss strategic, tactical and implementation issues facing the Contact Center Industry today.
The summit will feature two speakers from the often-quoted Contact Center Innovator, Kevin Panozza and Industry Leader, Jonathan De Luzuriaga. It will also have four specialist tracks on People (Staff), Customer, Business Strategy and Technology/Process, plus industry case studies from leading Organizations in Asia Pacific. An “Ask the Experts” Panel Discussions will also be conducted where Functional Experts & Delegates can engage in various discussions on topical customer contact issues. Lastly, there will also be a “Speed Networking Wheel” where delegates can meet & engage in short but valuable one-to-one meetings with key industry players based on a rotating table format.
Some discussion topics include:
- Transforming Customer Experience
- The Next Generation Virtual Contact Centers – Break the boundaries by integrating communications into Business Processes
- Best Practices in creating additional values in your Customer Base
- Destination of Choice: The Selection Process for the IT/BPO Industry
- Staffing, Training & Supervising Remote Agents
- Structuring & Organizing the Contact Center for greater Competitiveness
- Maintaining Control in a Virtual Contact Center
- Building a customer-focused Organizational Culture
- Strategic Contact Center Outsourcing & Partnerships
- Leveraging on the Voice of the Customer
- Attracting, retaining & engaging Generation Y (Gen Y) Staff in the Customer Contact Profession
- Extending the Contact Center into the Enterprise.
For more information please visit www.frost-ccph.com, call Sheryl Fuertez at +65 6890-0963 or email sheryl.f@frost.com.
SMART Promo Giving Away 50 Million Pesos in Daily, Monthly and Grand Draw
SMART Communications (Philippines) is giving away over 50 Million Pesos.
Their new promo is called “BigTym Buddy Promo!” There are daily cash prizes of 500 thousand, monthly raffles of 1 million and the grand draw worth 5 million Pesos. This new promo starts today, Friday, September 11, 2009 and will run until December 9, 2009.
To register, send your name and address to 2332, e.g. JUAN TAMAD / 10 PASEO DE ROXAS, MAKATI. The registration also serves as an opt-in command to the promo alerts pushed to the subscriber at specific times in a day. These free announcements may include but not limited to winner information, registration reminder, profiling questions, promo tips as well as special messages. Special messages inform subscribers of instances to increase the number of raffle entries that they may receive by answering certain questions. Registration is a one-time process per SIM card and is free of charge. However, you may register the same name using several SIM cards / mobile numbers.
Next, you must text BIG to 2332 within the promo hours (12:01 AM to 11:59 PM). In return, you will receive a confirmation message. Each text message will cost you 15 Pesos. This entitles you to 15 raffle entries for the daily, monthly and grand draws and 15 free texts valid for 1 day only within the Smart/Talk N’ Text network only. You will also earn 15 points that you can later use to download content from the web. If you haven’t registered, you will be prompted to register. However, entries earned prior to registration will not be considered valid. Points earned prior to registration can however be used to redeem content.
You can only win once in the daily draw, but still remain eligible to win in the monthly and grand draws. Entries earned only by registered subscribers are eligible to win in the daily, monthly & grand draws. Purchases made prior to registration shall earn entries but will not be considered valid. Once a subscriber registers, previously earned entries since the promo started shall be considered valid.
For more information, visit smart.com.ph/bigtym or send BIGINFO to 2332 (2.50 Pesos per text).
Pearl of the Orient Dance at Sacramento, CA
St. Francis High School of Sacramento, CA is hosting a dinner dance themed “The Pearl of the Orient.” This even will be from 5:00 to 10:30 p.m. on Sept. 19 in the gymnasium at St. Francis, 5900 Elvas Ave., Sacramento. This is hosted by Filipino parents and showcases Filipino culture through music, folk dance and food. Tickets are $30 general, $15 students, $10 ages 3 to 10, free for ages 2 and under. Call Rose Avila at (916) 834-7294.
Source: The Sacramento Bee.
Banco Sentral to Cut Fees on Remittance
The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) has agreed (in principle) to reduce fees on fund transfers, as much as 5 Pesos per transaction. BSP is encouring the member-banks of the Association of Bank Remittance Officers (ABROI) to do the same by coursing its remittances through the BSP’S Philippine Payments and Settlements Systems. BSP wants ABROI and the Bankers Association of the Philippines to standardize all backend processing fees to lower the cost of remitting funds. Current bank process fees go as much as 250 Pesos per transaction for same day deliveries.
Source: Manila Bulletin.
Clark Airport Promoted in Hong Kong
Clark is promoting the Diosdado Macapagal International Airport in Hong Kong, at the Langham Place Hotel in Kowloon, as its first location for its international roadshow. Presentations were made by both the airport management team and airlines that ply the Clark airport. Also present were several members of the Clark Freeport area. The intention of the presentations is to raise awareness of Clark airport as viable (and alternative) international gateway to the Philippines. There are about 130,000 Filipinos living and working in Hong Kong. Air Asia of Malaysia, Asiana of Korea, Cebu Pacific, Seair and Tiger Airways of Singapore are among the current air service providers using the Clark airport.
Source: TaleWins.
PAL Discounts for Iglesia Ni Cristo Members Abroad
Philippine Airlines is offering discounted air fares for all the members of the Iglesia Ni Cristo abroad who wants to come to the Philippines to pay their respects to the late founder and executive minister of INC, Erano “Ka Erdy” Manalo. The special “round-trip” economy fares exclude government taxes. Sales, ticketing and travel are valid from September 2 to 9, 2009. Other fare conditions are a minimum of three days and a maximum of 14 days for US and Australia; and a minimum of three days and maximum of 8 days for regional flights. Rebooking allowed on the return flight within ticket validity and fees apply. Check out the PAL website for more details.
US$699 – United States
AUD$799 – Australia
HK$1,099 – Hong Kong
MOP1,099 – Macau
SG$399 – Singapore
US$299 – Guam
THB7,999 – Thailand
Y49,999 – Japan
TW$4,999 – Taiwan
Source: The Visayan Daily Star.
Unionbank Invites You to Bid for Repossessed Cars
Bid forms are available at Unionbank ARG, 20th floor, Unionbank Plaza, Meralco Avenue corner Onyx Street, Ortigas Center, Pasig City. Bids for the repossessed cars should be submitted together with Php5,000 (in the form of a Manager’s Check) at the above address not later than September 8, 2009. For more details, you may call Babes through Tel# 638-0113 or 667-6388 loc. 8370
Source: Foreclosure Philippines.
SM Bacolod Has Its Own Blog Site
The sub-header reads: “Welcome to SM City Bacolod blogsite! You will find here the events of the week, upcoming activities, schedule of malls shows, celebrations and job openings at SM. Subscribe now to this site and be the first to know the latest about the leading shopping destination in Bacolod and Negros Occidental!.”
All-Filipino Video Site
This website is powered by photo.net.ph and features the best Filipino videos online. From Travel, Adventure, Food, Pinoy TV, Music and even Politics and sports, its aim is to compile the best videos online for every Filipino’s viewing pleasure. This site is all about showing “Pinoy pride” online.
All videos are categorized and arranged by specific keywords, and are also hosted by YouTube. If you want to add your video, you need to contact the website’s operator at info@videos.ph.
Link: Videos.Ph.
Qantas Holidays and Viva! Holidays in the Philippines
Qantas Holidays and Viva! Holidays announce the release of the new Philippines product range. As the only major wholesaler currently selling the 2009/2010 range of Philippines holiday packages, the focus is on offering a ‘one stop shop’ option for agents and their clients. A comprehensive selection of almost 30 different hotels spread across regions including Manila, Cebu, Mactan Island, Boracay, Palawan and Bohol, giving agents the opportunity to create unique and varied holidays for honeymooners, couples, adventure travellers and families. Options include packages such as five nights accommodation including breakfast at the Boracay Regency Beach Resort from $460 per person, twin share. Valid for travel on selected dates from 31 August – 30 September 2009.
For more information or to book, call 13 27 87 or visit qantasholidays.com.au/agents.
Source: Travel Blackboard.
San Miguel To Spend $2 Billion in Acquisitions
Philippine food and drinks giant San Miguel Corporation intends to spend about $2 billion in acquiring companies in various industries such as infrastructure projects and power plants. Such investments include tollway roads, power, oil, water and telecommunications.
Source: Bloomberg.com.
Gawad Kalinga Show at Carnegie Features Stephanie Reese
Stephanie Reese is an enigmatic singer – the power of her voice speaks for her as a great entertainer. A Filipino-American born and raised in Washington, Stephanie’s musical background isn’t just grassroots. She’s performed as Kim in the German production of Miss Saigon, as Esmeralda in the Disney World premier of the Hunchback of Notre Dame and Princess Tuptim in the Palladium Theatre’s production of The King and I in London’s West End.
See Stephanie embark on a solo concert at famed Carnegie Hall in New York on November 7, 2009, at 7:30 PM. This show is for the benefit of Gawad Kalinga. Tickets range from $75 to $135 and they start going on sale on September 8. Accordingly, the first 100 buyers of the show will get a free autographed poster.
Source: Facebook Group.
Logitech Opens First Brand Store in Philippines
Swiss peripheral products company Logitech recently opened its first brand store in the Philippines at the Cyberzone technology area of SM Megamall. During the opening, Logitech unveiled new products such as new Logitech keyboards, a software for video-call streaming, wireless mouse and a host of others. In the store, customers can actually touch, demo and use their products on display. The brand store is being managed by Villman Computer; however, all products inside the store are for display and demo purposes and possible sales will be referred to Logitech’s sales channel partners in the country.
Source: Philstar.com.
40 Richest Persons in the Philippines
Henry Sy tops the list with $4 Billion at 86 years of age followed by Lucio Tan at $2.3 Billion who is 72 years old. Jaime Augusto Zobel de Ayala is third at $2 billion with fourth by Eduardo Cojuangco at $840 million. At fifth is George Ty at $830 million.
Click here to read the entire list at the Catanduanes Forum site.
Filipino Parents Spanking a Child Will Soon Go to Jail
The Anti-Corporal Punishment Act of 2009 (House Bill 6699) was filed this July by its author, Representative Nikki Prietto-Teodoro of the 1st district of Tarlac, with already 56 co-authors in the House, has gone through its second reading and is expected to be approved this year.
This bill will prohibit Filipino parents from using physical force to reprimand their children, including (wow!) harsh verbal assaults and (degradingly) humuliating their child for bad behavior. Child Rights Ambassador of Plan International Mikee Cojuangco-Jaworski expressed support for a law that will protect children. Reacting to a comment that corporal punishment is sometimes brought about by poverty, Jaworski said, “No amount of poverty is a justification for corporal punishment.”
Corporal punishment has been the norm of many parents in the Philippines since time-a-memorial. Spanking and famously hitting children with slippers (“tsinelas”) are common sights in Filipino households, a way to correct unwanted bad behavior of the child.
Article 45 of the Child and Youth Welfare Code allows corporal punishments as long as these are “just and reasonable” and “moderate in degree.” However, those are vague words. Current laws only defend the child from severe harm.
The bill seeks to define corporal punishment as the use of physical force, forcing a child to undergo physical, painful or damaging acts, neglecting a child’s basic needs (such as starvation), use of external substance harmful to the child, forcing a child to undergo hazardous tasks, confinement (in unsafe places), and verbal assaults, threats or intimidation. This bill also covers the similar illegal acts conducted in schools, institutions, youth detention centers, and offices.
Sources: ABS-CBN News | TUCP
APO Concerts in Texas and California
Houston TX – Saturday, October 17, 2009 7:30 PM – Stafford Civic Center
VIP Tickets at $125 includes Dinner – Other tickets at $66, $45
Dallas, TX – Sunday, October 18, 2009 5:00 PM – Granville Arts Center
VIP Tickets at $120 includes “Meet and Greet” with the APO – Other tickets at $90, $75, $55
Hayward, CA – Friday, October 23, 2009 — Doors open7:00 PM, Show starts 9:00 PM
Chabot College Performance Arts Center
Limited VIP Tickets at $100 – Other tickets at $65, $45
Resorts World Manila Opens
Philippine billionaire Andrew Tan and Star Cruises Ltd. opened their $700 million Resorts World Manila, which is expected to double the gambling tables in the city. The venture will tap Star Cruises’ network of more than 2.5 million customers and will bus in people from outside Manila. The casino opens in spitting distance from the NAIA International Airport Terminal 3. The venture, Travellers International Hotel Group Inc., opened the first floor of a three-level casino at a complex that will include hotels and a shopping mall.
Source: Bloomberg.com.
Former Philippine President Fidel Ramos in Thailand
Former President Fidel V. Ramos recently attended the 50th anniversary of the Asian Institute of Technology (AIT) in Bangkok held at the Grand Hyatt Erawan on August 19. The AIT conferred the Honorary Degree of Doctor of Technology on him in May 1998. During his four-day stay in Thailand, he also met with the Filipino community working and living in the country.
Source: Department of Foreign Affairs.
The Go Negosyo Youth Entrepreneurship Summit on 9/11
The Go Negosyo Youth Entrepreneurship Summit will be held on September 11, 2009 at the SMX Convention Center in the Mall of Asia. The summit is a one-day forum cum expo which hopes to spark that entrepreneurial spirit among the youth. There’ll be forums with experienced Go Negosyo entrepreneurs and mentors who will be sharing tips and advice on opportunity-seeking, marketing, financing, product development, and all the basics of going into business. Government leaders will also be sharing their views on the need for entrepreneurship development in the country.
Admission is free and the event is open to everyone, including the not-so-young or young-at-heart. LOL! This event is organized by the Philippine Center for Entrepreneurship, the NGO behind the Go Negosyo advocacy.
As a Participant, you can attend the event and be inspired by the Go Negosyo mentors. Learn the basics of putting up a business, and grab the chance to ask these established mentors questions on how you can put your dream business.
As an Exhibitor or Sponsor, you can showcase and expose your products and services to 20,000 youth, let your brand be associated with the advocacy and enjoy cost-efficient media values.
Certificate of attendance will be issued upon request after the event. For certificate requests, please e-mail youthsummit@gonegosyo.net prior to attending the event or call (02) 637-9347 and look for Myra Lorredo.
To register for the summit, simply drop by the event and fill-out the registration forms. Drop those registration forms at the designated drop boxes for a chance to win exciting prizes.
The summit is also searching for the “Go Negosyo Most Inspiring Young Entrepreneur.” You can also nominate a deserving candidate who is a Filipino, below 35 years old, and has established and managed a business that has been operating for at least three (3) years. The winners are determined by a panel of judges headed by the Philippine Center for Entrepreneurship, who reserves the right to screen and determine awardees.
Source: Go Negosyo.
August 24, 2009 Philippine Economy Update
Click here to read the article.
About Randell Tiongson: Randell is an Entrepreneur and a Personal Finance Coach & Educator. He is President & COO of Personal Finance Advisers Philippines Corp. and co-founder of http://www.income-tacts.com, the country’s premiere personal finance on-line forums. It’s an on-line community that is dedicated to the financial education of Filipinos. It now has over 2,300 members in 1 year’s time. He is also Director of the Registered Financial Planner Institute Philippines (local chapter of RFPI, Ohio, U.S.A.). Randell has 20+ years of experience in the Financial Service Industries – Banking, Mutual Funds & Insurance. He is a columnist for the Business Mirror and a contributor for Moneysense Magazine and UNO Magazine. A featured speaker for educational institutions like the Asian Institute of Management, Ateneo, De La Salle, Mapua University, University of Santo Tomas, La Salle Greenhills; De La Salle University, University of the Philippines and various conferences and companies, he appears as a resource person for various TV shows like TV Patrol, Bandila, Mornings at ANC, Shoptalk, Business Nightly, Light Talk, Sis, Umagang Kay Ganda, etc. Randell has been married for 18 years with 4 children.
Read and subscribe to his blog at http://www.randelltiongson.com.
Video: How to Invest in Stocks in the Philippines
Roger Groh is the founder of Groh Asset Management and speaks about investing in stocks in the Philippines.
Kadayawan sa Davao Festival
The 24th Kadayawan sa Davao, an annual thanksgiving celebration for a bountiful harvests centered on the importance of “communion with the Earth.” The festival has two main components: the Lumadnong Kasaulogan (Indigenous Peoples Festival), which is the core of the Kadayawan Festival showcasing the indigenous peoples’ culture and arts and the Subay sa Lumadnong Kagikan (Contemporary Indigenous-motivated celebrations) that showcases the impact of the indigenous culture and traditions to contemporary artists and communities. The Kadayawan sa Davao is celebrated from August 17 to 23.
Source: CBCP News
Where in Queens are the Pinoys?
There are 75,352 Filipinos in the city of New York (2005-2007 survey) of which 60% reside in the borough of Queens. Wow! This makes the migrant Filipinos the fourth largest group of Asians in the entire city. For “Filipino businesses,” you can find many congregated along Roosevelt Avenue at Woodside, Queens.
Read the article in Nomadic Pinoy and see the pictures for yourself.
Asia Journalism Internships
The Asia New Zealand Foundation (www.asianz.org.nz) is offering three journalism internships at Asia-based news media organisations. Applications are now open for the two or three month long internships which are to be undertaken in 2010. The three host media organisations are the Philippine Star in Manila, CNBC Asia in Singapore and the International Herald Tribune in Hong Kong. Note that the internships are unpaid. The Asia New Zealand Foundation will provide $NZ5000 to cover return flights with the balance to go to accommodation and other expenses. Participants will be generally responsible for their own travel, insurance, accommodation and living expenses during the internships.
For more information, click here to read the New Zealand site Scoop.
“Us Girls” August Awards on August 20 at Eastwood
Studio 23’s magazine show, Us Girls, will be having their ” Us Girls ” August Awards this coming Thursday, August 20 to be held at the the New Eastwood Mall in Libis, Quezon City. Categories like Face of the Year, Most Fashionable, Make-up Artist of the Year and Stylist of the Year will be their base to determine this year’s winners. Watch out as hosts Iya Villania, Megan Young and Angel Aquino recognize the best in Philippine fashion this year.
Source: Grabeh.com
Pag-IBIG Overseas Program for Overseas, Migrant or Naturalized Filipino
The Pag-IBIG Overseas Program (POP) is a voluntary savings program which aims to provide Filipino overseas contract workers, immigrants and naturalized citizens the opportunity to save for their future and the chance to avail of a housing loan of as much as two million Pesos. Membership under the Pag-IBIG Overseas Program (POP) shall be open to all Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) with valid visas or employment contracts. Likewise, it shall be open to Filipino immigrants and to Filipinos naturalized in other countries.
Click here to read more at the “Pinoy Around the World” blog.
NEXUS Allows Employees to Register With Comelec on Paid Company Time
NEXUS has launched a 100% Employee Voters Registration Program where every eligible voter in the company is allowed to register with the Commission on Elections by taking a day off to register. That day will not be deducted from their vacation leaves. Employees who are already registered voters, being responsible citizens, are also entitled to a paid day off. In addition, the first fifty employees to submit their official voter registration documents to Human Resources get free tickets to Quentin Tarantino’s Inglourious Basterds starring Brad Pitt, which opens in October.
Filipino Migrants Crucial for New Zealand’s Dairy Industry
A Mid Canterbury dairy farming leader says it would be frightening to think about where New Zealand’s dairy industry would be today if it was not for a migrant workforce. Former Mid Canterbury Federated Farmers dairy section chairman Dean McConnell said the Filipino workforce was performing a vital role in the dairy industry and filled a serious gap in staffing on dairy farms. “If we didn’t have them, we would have really struggled. In fact, it would be frightening to think of what would have happened if we didn’t have the migrant workers irrespective of the standard of them.”
Filipina Belinda Dewe, of Timaru, has formed a “shelter and cultural” group called the South Canterbury Filipino Association. It links with a similar Mid Canterbury organisation to look after the interests of Filipino farm workers.
For more on the article, read the Otago Daily Times.
Filipino Language Classes in California High School
Otay Ranch High School in Filipino-populated Chula Vista has a lot of Filipino classes available, in addition to offering Japanese. It is becoming useful as a diaspora language. The prevalence of the Filipino language classes may be because of the naval base in San Diego which gave birth to a lot of Filipinos working there and becoming immigrants and citizens of the United States.
TFC now on mobile in Japan
ABS-CBN’s ‘The Filipino Channel’ (TFC) is bringing the latest news and the best in entertainment to Filipinos in Japan on mobile. TFC subscribers on mobile will now have the chance to be updated with ABS-CBN’s latest news and entertainment scoops, variety shows, drama series, movies and sports events on the palm of their hands through compatible mobile phones within the country.
Read more at abs-cbnnews.com.
Philippine HR Professionals Summit 2
A gathering of the Philippines’ Human Resources practitioners, recruiters and recruitment providers will be held on August 26 and 27, 2009, at the Crowne Plaza Galleria in EDSA. Featured speakers include Cecilio Pedro, President and CEO of Lamoiyan Corporation, the makers of Happee Toothpaste, Grace Abella-Zata, Managing Director of the Corporate Executive Search, Inc., Hans Montenegro, Associate Director of Human Resources for The Nielsen Company, and many more.
Regular rate for the two-day summit is 7,995 Pesos + VAT. For reservations and inquiries, call Porter and Miles, Inc. at telephone numbers 706-1307, 986-3631, 706-1321, 706-1392 or mobile phone number 0916-425-1870. You may also e-mail any of the following: sophia_porterandmiles@yahoo.com, sophia_pmi@yahoo.com or phia05@gmail.com.
Pinoy Friendster Day on August 15
Friendster is the biggest, most influential online social networking site in the Philippines. In fact, I have never met a call center agent who doesn’t have a Friendster account (yet). It’s no surprise that an “eyeball” event will be staged on Saturday, August 15, 2009, at the SM Mall of Asia for all Friendster-ians and Friendster-ettes.
Click here for the promotional YouTube video of Pinoy Friendster Day.
Top 10 Emerging Influential Bloggers
Janet Toral, a mainstay in the Philippine internet world, set up a project called the “Top 10 Emerging Influential Bloggers” in the Philippines and around the world. Bloggers who want to join can nominate their top 10 blogs that qualify where an event was staged to announce the Top 10 winners.
Kelvinonian Ideas 2.0 won as one of the top winners. Click here to read his article and view his photos of the event.
Cory was RP’s gift to the world
Corazon C. Aquino will go down in history as one of the best presidents the Philippines ever had, businessman Joey de Venecia III said yesterday.
“She is more than just an icon of democracy as everyone calls her, she was the country’s gift to the world,” de Venecia said.
The widow of the late Senator Benigno ‘Ninoy’ Aquino Jr. was the inspiration of the Edsa Revolution of 1986 which restored the country’s democratic processes. Also known as the People Power revolution, the event inspired the peoples of numerous countries to peacefully remove unpopular leaders in the decades that followed.
“President Aquino’s commitment to democracy was absolute,” de Venecia said, “Because of her, the Filipino people will never again allow anyone to deprive them of their freedoms, their rights, and their civil liberties.”
The ZTE-NBN whistleblower said his own willingness to fight against insurmountable odds would not have been possible without the previous battle that Cory Aquino fought and won in 1986.
“The ‘impossible dream’ that Cory dared dream, and Ninoy before her, taught us a lesson we must never forget,” according to de Venecia. “All of us must be willing to march into hell if need be for a heavenly cause,” he added, borrowing the words of a song that was a favorite of Cory and Ninoy Aquino.
The son and namesake of former Speaker Jose de Venecia Jr. said the late president was a personal friend of their family. “My thoughts and prayers are with the Aquino family at this most difficult time.”
He called on the government to work with the Aquino family in insuring a fitting farewell for the former president. De Venecia said political rivalries must be set aside during the one week period of national mourning announced by Malacanang. He also asked the public to unite in giving everyone’s “Tita Cory” the proper exit that she so richly deserves.
“I guess we can all take comfort in the fact that she is now reunited with her beloved Ninoy,” de Venecia said.
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