Money Grows on Trees, The Book Launch

Two weeks ago, a friend of mine asked me if I would be interested to attend a book launch at Fully Booked in Bonifacio Global City (this afternoon) on April 22nd. I asked what the book title is. “Money Grows on Trees,” he quipped. I hesitated with “Umm… we’ll see.” A week later, he came back to me to ask me again. Being my good friend, I agreed. It turned out, I didn’t regret it.

I made my way up through the escalators of Fully Booked until I reached the fourth floor, then up the stairs to the enclosed roof deck where the book launch was going to happen. There was probably seating for a hundred or more in the main hall, with the foyer set up with a food table, selling of the book and a previous edition entitled, “I Wish They Taught Money in School (So I Can Start My Own Business Right Away)”, a Sun Life Insurance booth, and the registration tables. I saw the word “Bloggers” labeled onto a makeshift place card and walked to it. A nice woman asked me to register. My friend, who I hitched a ride with to Fully Booked, introduced me to one of the authors, Sharon Que, who pointed me to another part of the registration area to get my goody-bag – her two books, a notepad and a bookmark.

When the event was midway, I was surprised that the hundred-plus seating capacity was almost filled up. Wow! This is one of the most attended book launches I’ve ever gone to. The daughter of a Filipino magnate was there; even Alice Dixson was there.

Sharon Que and Clarissa de la Paz are co-authors of the 104-page book entitled “Money Grows on Trees.” It’s quite different that each author had half of the book written by one, then flip the book upside down and the other author’s writing begins. Their previous book, “I Wish They Taught Money in School” is 148 pages, longer than their second book. During their presentation, they mentioned it took them 90 days to finish their second book. How prepared they were when they started is something I missed hearing.

Clearly, each one gave their reasons for writing the first and second books. They were advocates of vision boards and showed the audience what each of theirs looked like. “Passive income” and “achieve your dreams” were a few of the phrases mentioned. At those instances, I was attentive (I was busy taking a few photos and sharing them in social media – what a digital nut I am; really!), I heard Sharon say she and other business partners bought a building with only ₱60,000 cash on hand.

I fell in line to have both first and second books autographed by Sharon and Clarissa, with a photo op, of course. Mind you, the snacks they prepared for all the attendees were filling – five or six pieces of one-fourth sandwiches, chips, popcorn and juice. Cool!

Writing both books all boiled down to their advocacy of teaching financial literacy to the public, financial freedom and independency – through their books. They have a website, www.lifestyleupgrade101.com or Lifestyle Upgrade 101, where their books are sold online. The regular retail price of the second book is ₱400.

“Do I have time to read it?” Aww, c’mon. The average reading speed worldwide is 200 wpm (words per minute) and the average number of words per page of a book is 250. Do the math and you can finish a page in 1-minute and 15-seconds. Reading 104 pages non-stop will take you only 130 minutes or two hours and ten minutes. Fine. Round it up to two-and-a-half hours. That’s even lesser time than watching a Star Wars movie, and you don’t get financial literacy from Jedis and the Dark Force.

“Should I fork out ₱400 of my cash?” Four hundred Pesos is like two Grande Frappuccino drinks at Starbucks. I’m sure you can equate it to other consumable items. It’s not much to invest in a personal finance book, right? Buy one now! I’m pretty sure Fully Booked has the book stocked. National Bookstore appears in their website with a testimonial; so, that’s another place to go.

It’s Sunday tomorrow. So, marathon reading, here I come!

P.S. Congratulations to Sharon Que and Clarissa de la Paz for a job well done, not only with the event but by writing books that educate and inspire Filipinos to become financially free to fulfil theirs and their family’s dreams in life. Keep it up!

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The 69th Commencement Exercises of MLQU

The Manuel L. Quezon University, or MLQU as everyone calls it, yesterday held its 69th Commencement Exercises at the Victoria Sports Tower in EDSA, Quezon City. With its slogan, “Shaping the minds of the nation’s future change makers”, the graduating students from all academic programs were honored as the country’s future enablers and leaders, carrying MLQU’s ethos in making a positive impact to society.

The processional “Aida March” was succeeded by the entrance of colors by the MLQU’s ROTC cadets, followed by the invocation given by Rosavilla Dacquel and the national anthem by the university choir.

Dr. Isagani Germar, MLQU President, gave the opening remarks followed by the Conferment of Honorary Degree (Honoris Causa): Presentation of Honoree, Reading of the Board Resolution, Donning of the Hood, Medallion Endorsement, Reading of the Citation and Presentation of Plaque, culminating in the speech of the guest speaker.

“Your graduation is your most successful achievement as a young adult and a result of your years of hard work and dedication to your studies. As graduates, you are now part of the country’s richest resource. We are very proud to each and every one of you”, said Germar.

Former Quezon City Rep. and Speaker of the House of Congress Feliciano “Sonny” Belmonte was the graduation ceremony’s guest speaker.

The Presentation of Graduates was conducted by Norman Guillermo, University Registrar. President Germar came back to award the Investiture of Academic Titles and Degrees and the diplomas. This was the actual rites wherein all graduates, from college level all the way up to doctorate degrees, were conferred their respective titles and diplomas.

MLQU chairman Dr. Jose Rizalino Acuzar delivered his message, ultimately closing the rites, with a pledge of commitment conducted for all the graduates. Atty. Pedro Principe, President of the MLQU Alumni Association, inducted the graduates to the association, followed by the singing of the MLQU Hymn. The recessional march succeeded and the ROTC cadets exited the main hall of the Victoria Sports Tower with the university colors.

Last year’s commencement exercises at MLQU saw former Philippine President Benigno S. Aquino III being given an honorary degree of Doctor in Public Administration (Honoris Causa).

In 2014, 69-year-old Manuel L. Quezon University was acquired by New San Jose Builders, Inc. (NSJBI) which led to the university’s transfer from Hidalgo Street in Quiapo, Manila, to EDSA near the MRT-Kamuning station, Quezon City in Aug. 19, 2016, coinciding with the 138th birth anniversary of the Quezon City’s visionary and former Philippine Commonwealth president, Manuel Luis Quezon. The transfer was dubbed “Quezon is Home” and it featured MLQU’s symbolic move with the unveiling of the late president’s portrait done by the late National Artist Fernando Amorsolo. Present during the transfer ceremonies were Congr. Sonny Belmonte, former Senator Wigberto Tañada, former trade secretary Peter Favila, MLQU and New San Jose Builders’ chairman Jose Rizalino Acuzar, MLQU president and NSJBI co-chairman Isagani Germar, Commission on Higher Education executive director Julito Vitriolo, and Philippine Regulatory Commission chairman Eduardo Ong.

MLQU today continues to add in its roster of faculty members and deans who are known practitioners from their respective industry. Notable deans are former Chief Justice Reynato Puno, Regent & Dean Emeritus College of Law; former Supreme Court Associate Justice Jose Perez, Dean School of Law; Professor Eric Soriano, Dean School of Accountancy, Business and Real Estate Management; and DPWH Undersecretary Raul Asis and former UP Dean of Architecture Danilo Silvestre, special lecturers to name a few.

Alongside the enhancement of MLQU facilities and faculty, the basic education program for kindergarten to senior high will be offered at MLQU SPACE (School for Professional Advancement and Continuing Education) this coming June.

Visit MLQU SPACE for more information and inquiries about the latest courses and certification offerings or contact 09176759184 or (02) 215-3898. Visit the website at www.mlqu.edu.ph or its Facebook page at www.facebook.com/mlquofficial.

Sources: Onsite | Press Release | Philstar.com

Photos by @raffypekson

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Hya Tara Leonardo and Her Disney Princess I Dare to Dream Adventure

Hya Tara Leonardo, who is fondly known as Hya, is the eldest of six contestants of Lea Salonga’s Disney Princess: I Dare to Dream concert happening on Wednesday, March 22, 2017, to be held at the SM Mall of Asia Arena. The other five contestants Sirach Catipay, Stephanie Jordan, Jaden Narvios, Liana San Diego, and Alexi Tan.

Hya, who is 16 years of age, is the breadwinner of her family; she stopped schooling to financially support her grandmonther and special-needs brother. To do that, Hya sings and dances at clubs, private parties, weddings and such to make ends meet. Her mother abandoned them while her father passed away.

She was even the day’s winner in the Tawag Ng Tanghalan Kids competition last year In February 24, 2016.

Hya wants to be a Broadway actress and singer, just like her idol Lea Salonga. She says, “I want to be rich like people who have iPhones.” Hya has always dreamt of performing in front of a large audience. On March 22nd, one of her dreams will come true.

Globe Live is presenting this musical celebration of Disney Princess movies with the competition of the six young girls mentioned above, all vying for a chance to be featured in Disney’s online video series: Disney Princess: I Dare to Dream. The main celebrity coach and peformer for this concert is Lea Salonga, with performances coming from Aicelle Santos, Christian Bautista, Erik Santos, Janina Vela, Julie Anne San Jose, KC Concepcion, Morissette, Sam Concepcion and Tippy Dos Santos.

GET 50% OFF WHEN YOU USE THIS PROMO CODE

Get 50 percent discount on every “Disney Princess: I Dare To Dream Concert” ticket by simply using the Promo Code = Pbnet143 via https://smtickets.com/events/view/5485 or over-the-counter.

The maximum single transaction using the Promo Code is buying six (6) tickets.

The Promo Code is available starting today until concert time on March 22, 2017, courtesy of the partnership between Globe Telecom and the Philippine Bloggers Network (PBNet).

Press release from @pbnetworkph #pbnetworkph #pbnet #GlobeTelecom #idaretodream #createbigdreams

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Farewell Miss Universe 2015 Pia Wurtzbach

Actually, I’m going to miss seeing our very own Miss Universe 2015 Pia Wurtzbach in the official Instagram, Twitter and Facebook pages of Miss Universe. I think she was one of the most down-to-earth, fun-to-be-with type of beauty queen the Miss Universe franchise ever had; or maybe I’m just biased.

Miss Universe 2015 Pia Wurtzbach is obviously of Filipino-German descent who was and still is an actress, TV host and model. She was born in Stuttgart, Germany to a German father and Filipino mother, but grew up in Cagayan de Oro. Since age four, she’s already been in the entertainment industry – acting, singing and dancing – through ABS-CBN Corporation’s talent agency, Star Magic.

The best thing you can know of our Miss Universe 2015 Pia Wurtzbach is that she joined the Philippine’s version, Binibining Pilipinas Pageant, three consecutive times before winning the Binibining Pilipinas Universe title. The rest is history, especially when Miss Universe 2015 host Steve Harvey misread the results and mistakenly announced the winner as Miss Colombia Ariadna Gutiérrez.

And this is probably the best video I’ve seen Miss Universe 2015 Pia Wurtzbach do so far – quirky, fun, and just being herself.

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Sources: Facebook | Wikipedia

Video from source.

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Filipino Migrant Worker in New Zealand With No Insurance Owes $24,000 Medical Bill

Migrant worker Renato Tolog from the Philippines was left with a $24,000 medical bill after he fell ill while on a one year working visa. Tolog,55, is a carpenter from central Philippines who arrived in Christchurch on a one year work visa in March. His plan was to work hard in Christchurch to support his wife, three children and two grandchildren back home.

In September he became ill, was diagnosed with appendicitis and had his appendix removed at Christchurch Hospital. Following the surgery he was discharged with a bill for $14,619.72. Two weeks later he developed an infection and was hospitalized for treatment with IV antibiotics. He went home with another bill, this time for $9497.

Migrant workers are not eligible for publicly funded healthcare unless they have a minimum two-year work visa.

Read more of this story at stuff.co.nz.

Photo from source.

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D5 Studio Hits 2.7 Million Views with Jasmine Curtis-Smith in Forever Sucks

Did you know that Forever Sucks is a comedy-drama soap opera show not being shown on traditional air- or cable-TV but exclusively through the web through D5 Studio?

TV5 today presented to the Philippine online and offline media its new creation called D5 Studio, which was originally launched labeled as Digital 5 and was once just a digital support team of MediaQuest. The media briefing was held at the new Shangri-La at The Fort Hotel in Bonifacio Global City, Taguig City.

TV5, formerly known as ABC 5, is a Filipino commercial television network solely owned by MediaQuest Holdings, Inc. which in turn is a wholly owned subsidiary of the beneficial trust fund of the Philippine Long Distance Telephone Company headed by business tycoon Manuel V. Pangilinan,

Above: Forever Sucks stars Jasmine Curtis-Smith, JC Santos, Gio Gahol, Gab Pangilinan and Sari Estrada. Directed by Joel Ferrer.

Headlining D5 Studio’s cadre of digital content is Forever Sucks, a story of Izabel, a 170-yr old vampire pretending to be a normal 21-yr old that after 10 decades of swearing off men, she meets a human who may finally change her life forever. Forever Sucks stars Jasmine Curtis-Smith is already in its 10th episode. Each episode of Forever Sucks runs about 10 minutes or so, and can be watched through the Internet using your desktop, laptop, tablet or smartphone. As of today, Forever Sucks boasts 2.7 million views and already has a large following akin to traditional on-the-air and cable TV shows.

D5 Studio produces digital content through three platforms: D5 Studio Originals, GG Network and uLOLS. Much like HBO Originals, D5 Studio Originals showcases unconventional show themes and formats, leading it off with Forever Sucks. GG Network creates gaming and eSports content and events which intends to bring the country’s top game streamers, local publishers and international game distributors. D5 Studio uses Hopscotch mobile platform, and Sports5 mobile portal is powered by Hopscotch. Finally, uLOLS bring humor to the D5 Studio entertainment content through shareable original content on Filipino culture and trends

The creators of D5 Studio and their talent.

D5 Studio creates digital content for Millennials because every marketplace expert knows, Millennials are forever glued to their personal digital devices than sitting down in the family sala watching television altogether.

Viva Manileña blogger Edel Santiago won an Apple Macbook Air because she fielded the best question during the media briefing.

As a ROAR TMCI managing director, I know for a fact that Facebook alone in the Philippines is viewed using a tablet or smartphone 90 percent of the time, leaving 10 percent to be shared using desktops and laptops. That single, glaring statistic tells you how you must envision delivering entertainment, gaming and sports content – not through traditional means but by way of the web. When radio and television once ruled and managed your time, today Millennials want to rule their time through on-demand and portable content.

Forever Sucks celebrity star Jasmine Curtis-Smith is interviewed by the media.

D5 Studio is clearly leading the way ahead of the other major networks to provide a multi-platform, multi-discipline and multi-channel network for the Millennial.

Visit D5 Studio using your mobile digital devices and start going through its existing content like Forever Sucks via www.d5.studio.

Sources: PR | D5 Studio | Wikipedia

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Special Tickets to Madonna Concert for Globe Customers

Globe customers can avail of a special ticket deal for tomorrow’s REBEL HEART TOUR concert of MADONNA. Buy two (2) Lower Box regular tickets with free Madonna merchandise for only P50,000. Just present the discount code “GLOBERHT2” and a Globe SIM or postpaid bill when purchasing the tickets. The Rebel Heart Tour in Manila is presented by Globe Telecom with Huawei as major sponsors.

You can still buy tickets for today’s and tomorrow’s REBEL HEART TOUR of MADONNA, happening at the SM Mall of Asia (MOA) Arena. Visit any SM Ticket Outlet, call (02) 470-2222 or visit www.smtickets.com.

 

Source: Press release from Globe Telecom

Photo from is.wikipedia.org.

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AlDub to Host Biggest Event Ever This Saturday

A few days ago, Kalyeserye of Eat Bulaga noontime show announced a special show of AlDub at the Philippine Arena. Labeled as “AlDub – Sa Tamang Panahon,” it is no rival to competing “It’s Showtime” which only booked the 16,500-seat Smart Araneta Coliseum for the latter’s anniversary show last month. By yesterday, social media netizens has been swarming with pleas of getting tickets above regular ticket prices, a sign that the AlDub show is about to have a sold out event.

AlDub at the 55,000-seating Philippine Arena event is expected to overtake Katy Perry’s Prismatic World Tour concert which sold more than 30,000 tickets a few months ago. In fact, many are expecting it will also exceed the 43,000-plus attendance of the premier film showing of the biography of Felix Manalo, Iglesia Ni Cristo’s (INC) founder. The Philippine Arena is owned by INC.

AlDub is the love team that stars in variety show Eat Bulaga’s Kalyeserye edition. The AlDub label pertains to two people – Alden Richards and Yaya Dub (real name Maine Mendoza, who is the Dubsmash queen of the Philippines and an actress by her own right). The parody started in the noontime show’s segment “Juan for All, All for Juan,” together with three other male actors portraying grandmothers – Wally Bayola as Lola Nidora, Paolo Ballesteros as Lola Tidora, and Jose Manalo as Lola Tinidora.

The milestone of the AlDub phenomenon of the Kalyeserye soap opera garnered a whooping 25.6 million tweets in one day for the hashtag #AlDubEBforLove, one over the 12.1 million tweets in a day for the hashtag #ALDUBMostAwaitedDate.

Ticket prices for the “AlDub – Sa Tamang Panahon” show are P1,200, P600, P300 and P150. However, we believe it’s already sold out as of yesterday.

Sources: Interaksyon | Wikipedia

Photos: Unknown source in Facebook | YouTube still

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Highest Ranking Filipino-American Naval Officer in the U.S.

Very soon, the Vice Admiral of the United States Navy may soon be (officially) be given to the granddaughter of a WWII Filipino veteran and a Filipino-American herself, besides also holding a simultaneous title as Defense Health Agency director.

Rear Adm. Raquel C. Bono today is currently a rear admiral in the U.S. Navy who was commissioned in 1979. She got her degree from the University of Texas at Austin and began her medical education at Texas Tech University and completed a surgical internship and residency at Naval Medical Center Portsmouth, and a Trauma and Critical Care fellowship at the Eastern Virginia Graduate School of Medicine in Norfolk.

In 1990, she saw action during the first gulf war. Landing back stateside after two years, she began her rounds as general surgeon, surgical intensivist, attending surgeon, command intern coordinator, division head of Trauma, and various other titles at the Naval Medical Center Portsmouth. In 1999, she was assigned to the National Naval Medical Center in Bethesda, Maryland. She returned back to Portsmouth four years later as director for Medical–Surgical Services. Then, for two years, she became executive assistant to the 35th Navy Surgeon General and Chief, Bureau of Medicine and Surgery, followed by being the commanding officer Naval Hospital Jacksonville, Florida, for three years.

U.S. President Barack Obama nominated Bono for promotion. If this pushes through, she will be the highest ranking Filipino-American naval officer in the U.S.

Sources: Inquirer.net | Navy.mil | LinkedIn.com

Photo: wikimedia.org under Creative Commons License

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Best Travel Photographer Contest Launched by AirAsia and Nikon

AirAsia in cooperation with ThinkDharma Inc., the exclusive distributor of Nikon cameras, got together to launch the first AirAsia Travel Photographer for 2015. Four newbie photographers and office workers will be coached and assisted by multi-awarded photographers from the Philippines and Malaysia as they all travel across Asia for one week starting July 21, 2015.

AirAsia Philippines Chairperson Maan Hontiveros was present during Thursday’s event held at the function rooms of ActiveFun in Bonifacio Global City. She introduced the four mentors and coaches of the contest, namely:

George Tapan – a self-taught photographer, Tapan served as director of photography of Philippine Airlines Mabuhay Magazine for eight years, won the ASEAN Tourism Association Award in 1999, won the gold prize for Pacific Asia Tourism Association twice, and first place in the Places Category for the National Geographic Photo Contest in 2011.

Christian Raymond Cruz – a graphic designer and one of the pioneers of landscape photography in the Philippines, also a self-taught photographer who spent the last seven years traveling the country and the world to capture the best nature scenery, and spends time sharing his knowledge and experience under the Redefining Vision Landscape Photography Workshops.

Philip Anthonie (Parc) Cruz – started as a hobbyist photographer in 2005, Cruz spent a lot of time tagging along with other photographers until he found his niche – portraits and cinematic shots. He is a privileged part of Nikon’s pool of endorsers and has since traveled around the Philippines and the world while imparting and encouraging other photo hobbyists to develop their creativity through visual images.

Adam Lee – an award-winning portrait and travel photographer who was trained in Los Angeles, he spent the last seven years assisting organizations to use photography as a means to tell stories and build communities. Lee is AirAsia’s resident photographer who contributes a large portion of his work to the airline’s in-flight magazine, marketing and communications, social media and brand management. Lee has won three silver awards and two honorable mentions in the Prix de la Photographie Paris 2014 competition and awarded the 27th ASEANTA Award of Excellence for Best Asean Tourism Photo in 2013.

The selected newbie photographers who will partner with these four photography masters are:

Marie Velvet Lagman-Macasaet – Marie is 36-year old an Executive Assistant to the SVP and Country Manager of VXI Global Solutions and mom to a 5-year old boy named Paco. She recently finished a half-marathon and bathing in an onsen (Japanese hot spring) while backpacking in Tokyo. She enjoys hiking, trekking and scuba diving. She is partnered with Coach Adam Lee.

Sarah T. Garcia – Sarah is a Front Office Agent at the Lancaster Hotel n Madaluyong City and loves to eat, love everything extraordinary and loves art. She is partnered with Coach George Tapan.

Paul Vincent Delfin – Paul is a Barista of Starbucks at the Greenbelt 3 branch. He’s into Indie music, loves football and loves long trips. He is an eager photography enthusiast as a form of art. He is partnered with Coach Parc Cruz.

Antonio Nepomuceno III – a marketing professional of Toyota in Taytay, Rizal, he is definitely a car enthusiast who is outgoing and loves the company of people, a necessity for his type of job. He is partnered with Coach Raymond Cruz.

Each team will be traveling around some exotic places in Hong Kong, Indonesia, Malaysia and Thailand to help everyone capture their best entries in categories that include landscape, food, portrait, architecture and travel. Winners will be awarded with over 200,000 BIG Points, AirAsia’s global loyalty program, or its equivalent free flights to any of AirAsia’s 100 destinations.

Online voting through www.airasiatravelphotographer.com will be opened to the public starting August 20, 2015 with Nikon cameras and BIG Points to be given away to lucky voters. The grand winner will be announced on September 11, 2015.

During the launch, AirAsia and Nikon drew lots to pick four lucky bloggers who will accompany each team in their respective trips to Asian destinations. My colleague in the Philippine Bloggers Network or PBNet Edel Santiago of The Kitchen Goddess blog won a spot among the four chosen bloggers.

Source: Press release – Manila, 16 July 2015

All photos by @raffypekson

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