Monday, October 15, 2012

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Breast Cancer Awareness Month


Philhealth vows P100,000 payment for breast cancer treatment

In observance of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, the Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (Philhealth) vowed to help Filipino women fight off the disease, which has overtaken lung cancer as the leading cause of cancer mortality in the country.
With “at least 10,000 new breast cancer cases” detected every year, the Philippines now has the highest incidence of the disease in Southeast Asia, and the ninth highest worldwide, the statement said.
“Breast cancer is an awfully nasty disease that destroys women at the prime of their lives. We are absolutely determined to help our women fight off the ailment,” said Philhealth president and chief executive officer Dr. Eduardo Banzon in a statement released Sunday.
Launched last July, Philhealth’s Type Z Benefit Package is meant to give full coverage of medical expenses from surgery to post-operation care until therapy.
“Our P100,000-benefit payment for members and dependents with early stage breast cancer fully covers the cost of treatment, hospitalization and professional fees,” Banzon said.
Banzon said members and dependents with early stage breast cancer may avail of the P100,000-benefit package in any of the 20 Philhealth-contracted hospitals countrywide with proven expertise in treating the disease.
These hospitals are:
•Jose R. Reyes Memorial Medical Center;
•East Avenue Medical Center;
•Philippine General Hospital;
•Rizal Medical Center;
•Quirino Memorial Medical Center;
•Baguio General Hospital;
•Ilocos Training and Regional Medical Center;
•Mariano Marcos Memorial Hospital and Medical Center;
•Cagayan Valley Medical Center;
•Dr. Paulino J. Garcia Memorial Research and Medical Center;
•Jose B. Lingad Memorial General Hospital;
•Batangas Regional Hospital;
•Bicol Regional Teaching and Training Hospital;
•Bicol Medical Center;
•Western Visayas Medical Center;
•Corazon Locsin Montelibano Memorial Hospital;
•Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center;
•Northern Mindanao Medical Center;
•Southern Philippines Medical Center; and
•Davao Regional Hospital.
Negotiations are ongoing with additional public as well as private hospitals to serve as Philhealth-contracted facilities for the benefit package, Banzon said.
“We want to encourage timely detection and highly responsive treatment, which is key to improved survival,” Banzon said.
15 Pinoys die of breast cancer daily
Among Filipino women in particular, breast cancer accounts for nearly 30 percent of all cancer cases. Cancer of the cervix, ovary, thyroid and the lung make up the rest, the statement said.
Fifteen Filipinos die every day due to breast cancer, according to data from 2005 to 2010 from the Philippine Cancer Society, an October 9 report on GMA News’ State of the Nation (SONA) said.
Although breast cancer is primarily a woman’s disease, men can also get breast cancer. Male breast cancer makes up less than one percent of all breast cancer cases, the Philippine Cancer Society said.
Smoking, excessive drinking, unhealthy diet, and lack of exercise are among the major factors that cause non-communicable diseases such as breast cancer, the report said.
“Ang pinakamalaking balakid para maproteksyonan ‘yung mga kababaihan sa breast cancer at saka ‘yung mga kumplikasyon nito ay ‘yung kanilang mga pangamba at takot na kapag may breast cancer ka eh parang death sentence na. Natatakot sila na ‘yun nga, makakalbo. Ang sinasabi nila ay ‘yung cure is worse than the disease. So para sa amin, seek treatment, get the cure,” said Dr. Eric Tayag, DOH spokesperson, in the SONA report.
In Dagupan, breast cancer is the second leading cause of mortality of women, according to a report on Balita Pilipinas Ngayon on October 3.
“Hindi sila nagpapa-doktor, o pumupunta sa health facility. Unang-una, binabale wala nila. Wala silang tamang kaalaman. Pangalawa is ang kaalaman nila is wala silang kakayahan. Alam nila na it will cost money,” Dr. Leonard Carbonell, Dagupan City Health Officer, said in the report.
Carbonell said that breast cancer patients can seek help from Philhealth, as well as other organizations that provide financial assistance for breast cancer treatment.
“Dapat pumunta ka talaga sa doctor. Ipakita mo kung ‘yun talaga is cyst, o ano, tumor, kung ano talaga ‘yun,” a breast cancer survivor said in the report.
At the East Avenue Medical Center, there are some 400 regular patients at the Breast Care Center. The center is under the Philippine Foundation for Breast Care Inc., a non government organization that provides free support including checkup, operation, chemotherapy, radiation, and psychological counseling.
“You have to make sure na wala silang dahilan para hindi magtuluy-tuloy ang treatment. Ayaw naman na may isang pasyente na malalaglag sa programa. Gusto namin masiguro na tuluy-tuloy ang kanilang treatments,” Aileen Antolin, project manager for Philippine Foundation for Breast Care, said in the SONA report.
According to the Philippine Cancer Society, breast examination should be done one week after menstruation. Symptoms to watch out for include:
•a lump or thickening in or near the breast or in the underarm area
•a change in the size or shape of the breast
•ridges or pitting of the breast; the skin looks like the skin of an orange
•a change in the way the skin of the breast, areola, or nipple looks or feels; for example, it may be warm, swollen, red, or scaly
•nipple discharge or tenderness, or the nipple is pulled back or inverted into the breast.
Source: Carmela G. Lapeña/KG, GMA News

APEC & 1-CARE party-lists disqualified from 2013 polls


2 more incumbent party-lists disqualified from 2013 polls

October 15, 2012


The Commission on Elections (Comelec) on Monday disqualified two incumbent party-list groups supposedly representing the energy sector from participating in the party-list derby next year.
Disqualified were Association of Philippine Electric Cooperatives (APEC) and 1st Consumers Alliance for Rural Energy (1-CARE).
“Wala namang sector for electronic consumers,” Comelec chairman Sixto Brillantes Jr. said when asked on their basis for disqualifying the two groups.
According to Republic Act 7941 or the Party-list System Act, representatives running under the party-list system must belong to the “marginalized and underrepresented sectors.”
The decision to disqualify the two was unanimous, Brillantes said.
1-CARE has two incumbent represenatives, Salvador Cabaluna III and Micheal Angelo Rivera, while APEC has one, Ponciano Payuyo.
Last week, Brillantes announced the disqualification of the incumbent Ako Bicol and 12 other party-list groups due to their supposed failure to prove that they represent marginalized sectors. Ako Bicol party-list representatives, however, vowed to bring their disqualification case before the Supreme Court.
Brillantes had earlier announced that the Comelec would disqualify six incumbent party-list groups from the polls..
Source: Marc Jayson Cayabyab/KBK, GMA News

Friday, September 21, 2012

Friday, September 14, 2012

Honest kutsero feted in Rizal Park

Officials of the National Parks Development Committee
on Friday confer the 'Dangal ng Rizal Park' award to
Jaime Cabillo Mayor. Danny Pat
For his honesty in returning a wallet with 4,000 euros to a tourist, a kutsero or calesa (horse-drawn carriage) driver was feted at the Rizal Park in Manila Friday.

Praises were heaped on Jaime Mayor, 48, at a ceremony for Mayor, according to a report by radio dzBB's Cecilia Villarosa.

The report also said Mayor received some P20,000 in "rewards."

At the ceremony, National Parks Development Committee head Juliet Villegas said they hope Filipinos emulate Mayor's example of honesty.

Earlier, Mayor returned a wallet containing 4,000 euros to a French tourist visiting Manila.

He recalled running after the tourist who left the wallet, to return the item to her. She hugged him in gratitude for his honesty.

Honest kutsero feted in Rizal Park

Sharp Philippines keeps distance from Osaka, rides on PHL growth

A Japanese maker of consumer electronics on Friday said their Philippine operations is not affected by the bleeding balance sheet of its Osaka, Japan-based parent company.

In fact, banking on an expanding Philippine economy, the company said it is growing its portfolio of Philippine made products and employing more Filipinos.

“[We are] globally independent – that’s our company policy, not only in the Philippines,” Sharp (Philippines) Corp. president and general manager Takahiro Tanaka told GMA News Online during the company’s 30th anniversary in the country.

Parent Sharp Corporation – which is celebrating its 100th anniversary this year – expects a shortfall to ¥250 billion or $3.15 billion in current fiscal year due to fierce competition and a profit-sapping strong yen, according to an Agence-France Presse report. The figures were higher than the original forecast of a ¥30 billion net loss.

"Majority of Filipinos patronize our products...” Tanaka told reporters during a press conference.

“We want to be part of the continuous growth of the Philippines by producing locally, with the vision that our employees must grow together with the company in achieving its financial growth in the years to come," said Tanaka.

"Soon we'd like to add LED [light-emitting diode] TV to our local production portfolio," the Sharp official said.

As of June 30, 2012, the company employed 524 workers in its Muntinlupa factory. But Tanaka did not disclose how many more people Sharp Philippines would hire to support its expanding operations.

Emmanuel Valencia, Sharp Philippines executive vice president for sales and marketing, said the Philippine unit’s market share to revenues of its parent company is barely 2 percent.

“We’re a very small player…” Valencia noted, adding that the “financial condition in Japan is not us.

“We make our own money. We don’t rely on Japan,” Valencia added.

Various studies are being made to know the present market situation and production of new and quality items with competitive pricing, said Tanaka.

Sharp in Osaka is cutting the salaries of management and rank-and-file employees by 10 percent and 7 percent, respectively, according to AFP. Bonuses of employees would also be halved, as part of cost-cutting measures to regain profitability.

Tanaka, however, said the Sharp Philippines has no intention of laying-off employees or cut their salaries to help its parent shore up its bottomline.

“No cost-cutting and laying off [of] jobs because our business is still growing. We are not affected,” he added.

Declining to say how much the company made in the first, Tanaka, however, noted the company’s first half net income reflected a “25 percent growth in both income and revenues.”

False reports

He denied the reports – that headquarters plans to sell its copier and air-conditioning business – to plug a bleeding balance sheet.

“Sharp Corporation is in the process of revitalizing its business and is exploring all options to improve financial condition,” Tanaka said in a speech.

“However, Sharp is not negotiating the sale of its businesses such as copier and air-conditioner that media has falsely reported,” he added.

To mark its 30th anniversary in the Philippines, the company introduced on Friday its biggest television set, an 80-inch Aquos imported from Japan.

Tanaka said Aquos 80 comes at a time when the Philippines is gearing up for digital broadcasting by 2015 from the current analog system.

The shift to digital TV technology means more channels and clearer broadcast signals for television viewers. — VS, GMA News
Sharp Philippines keeps distance from Osaka, rides on PHL growth

The Pe�afrancia Festival: For the love of 'Ina'

On Friday last week, barely a month after the death of Interior and Local Government Secretary and beloved ex-Naga mayor Jesse Robredo, devotees flocked to the Basilica Minore in Naga to transfer the image of the Our Lady of Peñafrancia, patroness of Bicol, to the Naga Metropolitan Cathedral for a week-long novena.

It was time for the Traslacion, an integral part of Naga City's Peñafrancia Festival.


A barge carrying the image of Our Lady of Penafrancia passes through the river in Naga City during the patron saint's 300th anniversary fluvial procession in 2010. Roy Lagarde
Although the devotees have been doing this for years, there was something different about it this year.

“Jess was sorely missed at the Traslacion,” said Nagueño professor Paz Verdades Santos, referring to Robredo.

The Secretary was en route to his hometown when the plane he was on crashed off the coast of Masbate on August 18.

“There was a heavy downpour, but no one left his or her place in the procession. Some said the skies were weeping because Jess wasn't there,” Santos added.

It was no secret that Robredo has been a devotee of the Our Lady of Peñafrancia since he was a young man.

The festival

Naga City’s Peñafrancia Festival is one of the country’s biggest displays of religious devotion, uniting Bicolanos of all ages and from all over the world in devotion to their beloved “Ina” — Our Lady of Peñafrancia, patroness of Bicol.

This year marks the festival’s 302nd anniversary.

According to the Peñafrancia Basilica website, the devotion to the Lady of Peñafrancia originated from Salamanca, Spain in the 1400s, when hermit Simon Vela had a vision of the Virgin Mary and later discovered an image of her in the Peña de Francia mountains.

In the 18th century, the Cobarrubias family of San Martin de Castañar in Spain came to the Philippines and settled in Cavite, bringing with them their son Miguel, who was a devotee of the Lady of Peñafrancia, and who would eventually be ordained in Naga.

According to the website, whenever the sickly Miguel fell ill, he prayed to the Lady and recovered thereafter. In gratitude, he built a chapel in her name near the hills, so that the Cimarrones tribes who lived at the base of Mt. Isarog could easier hear mass.

At the same time, Miguel also commissioned a sculptor to craft a wooden image of the Lady, patterned after the original in Spain. The image was painted with the blood of a dog that was said to have become the Lady’s first miracle when it swam back to life after its body was discarded in a river. The image was stolen in 1981, but returned — some say miraculously — the year later.

http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/273412/lifestyle/culture/the-pe-ancia-festival-for-the-love-of-ina
The Pe�afrancia Festival: For the love of 'Ina'

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Monday, September 3, 2012

Good News!!!!!!!!!!: Xoom and Jollibee Announce a Special Offer for Fil...

“Jollibee is a well-loved brand that is very much part of the Filipino culture,” said Julian King, Xoom’s Senior Vice President, Marketing and Corporate Development. “We are very excited to partner with Jollibee and offer customers this great incentive -- to discover how convenient, safe and fast it is to send money home with Xoom.”

Jollibee, with more than 750 stores in the Philippines, is one of the most recognized and highly preferred Filipino family brands. Jollibee has an additional 80 stores outside of the Philippines, with restaurants in the United States, Vietnam, Hong Kong, Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Brunei.

Good News!!!!!!!!!!: Xoom and Jollibee Announce a Special Offer for Fil...: The Philippine Star) Updated August 14, 2012 12:00 AM “Jollibee is a well-loved brand that is very much part of the Filipino culture,” s...

Xoom and Jollibee Announce a Special Offer for Filipino Remitters

The Philippine Star) Updated August 14, 2012 12:00 AM



“Jollibee is a well-loved brand that is very much part of the Filipino culture,” said Julian King, Xoom’s Senior Vice President, Marketing and Corporate Development. “We are very excited to partner with Jollibee and offer customers this great incentive -- to discover how convenient, safe and fast it is to send money home with Xoom.”

Jollibee, with more than 750 stores in the Philippines, is one of the most recognized and highly preferred Filipino family brands. Jollibee has an additional 80 stores outside of the Philippines, with restaurants in the United States, Vietnam, Hong Kong, Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Brunei.

“We’re thrilled to be collaborating with Xoom, a leader in the international money transfer market,” said Jonx Jongko, Marketing Manager for Jollibee, USA. “Xoom and Jollibee are both companies who value customer satisfaction, and Jollibee is happy to provide an incentive to reward new Xoom users who send money to their friends and family in the Philippines.”

For more information on this special offer, please visit www.xoom.com/jollibee.

Terms and conditions apply.

About Xoom Corporation

Xoom Corporation is a leader in the online consumer-to-consumer international money transfer industry. Our customers use Xoom to send money from any Internet-enabled computer or mobile device to family and friends in 30 countries. For more information on Xoom, visit www.xoom.com.

Source:
http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?publicationSubCategoryId=66&articleid=844890

Wednesday, July 25, 2012

Paano linisin ang maruming pader? | Video

Siguradong di na kayo mahihirapan sa paglilinis ng mga pader sa inyong tahanan! Ang kasagutan? Hawak ni Love Añover, ang takbuhan ng bayan!
Date posted: Jul 15, 2012 8:45pm


Source: GMA

for more info click below:
Paano linisin ang maruming pader? | Video

Sardinas-Sarap Recipes!

Ang sardinas na de lata, hindi lang basta-basta ang lasa --- lalo na’t kung hahaluan ng mga kakaibang sangkap para sa sarap na inyong hinahanap-hanap!
Date posted: Jul 15, 2012 8:32pm

Source Reporter: Vicky Morales


for more info click below:
http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/video/126793/goodnews/sardinas-sarap-recipes

Leftover Recipes

Leftover Recipes
Dito sa Good News Kusina, ang sangkap na bumibida ay mga pagkaing tira-tira! Alamin kung paano gawing katakam-takam na ulam ang balat ng saging at matamis na meryenda ang tutong!
Date posted: Jul 22, 2012 8:23pm
Source Reporter: Vicky Morales


for more info click below:
Leftover Recipes | Video

Outstanding Pinoy soldiers | Video

Mga kuwento ng mga sundalong Pinoy na karapat-dapat tularan --- tiyak, magbibigay ng inspirasyon sa atin! Kilalanin ang ilan sa ten outstanding soldiers na pinarangalan kamakailan at alamin ang kanilang kwento ng kadakilaan.
Date posted: Jul 22, 2012 8:48pm
 Source  Reporter: Vicky Morales

for more info click below:
Outstanding Pinoy soldiers | Video

Friday, June 15, 2012

Pinoy Biztalk and Jobs Abroad: Top Network Marketing Companies in the Philippines (MLM)

Pinoy Biztalk and Jobs Abroad: Top Network Marketing Companies in the Philippines (MLM)


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http://philippinenews.com/flipbook/06.08/UpLA/index.html

http://philippinenews.com/flipbook/06.08/UpLA/index.html

Philippine Peso Falls As Spain Concern Mounts

By Lilian Karunungan 


The Philippine peso had its biggest weekly gain in more than three years on speculation improving economic fundamentals will win it a credit-rating upgrade.
The currency advanced for a fourth day after Standard Chartered Plc recommended yesterday that clients buy the peso via the non-deliverable forwards market, saying it expects the Philippines to achieve an investment-grade rating by 2014. The peso touched a six-week high today as the central bank reported funds sent home by overseas workers rose 5.4 percent in the first four months from a year earlier to $6.5 billion, making up 10 percent of the economy.



“There’s a lot of hope on the upgrade,” said Andy Ji, a Singapore-based foreign-exchange strategist at Commonwealth Bank of Australia. “The fiscal situation is good and the macro outlook is positive. Remittances have always been strong.”
The peso strengthened 2.4 percent this week to 42.255 per dollar in Manila, the most since the week ended Dec. 19, 2008, according to Tullett Prebon Plc. The currency rose 0.7 percent today and touched 42.255, the highest level since May 4. The peso has rallied 3.7 percent this year, the most among the 11 most-traded Asian currencies.
One-month implied volatility, a measure of exchange-rate swings used to price options, increased 25 basis points to 7 percent this week. It was unchanged today.
Borrowing Costs Held
Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas kept its benchmark interest rate at a record-low 4 percent yesterday after the economy expanded 6.4 percent in the first quarter from a year earlier, the most in Southeast Asia. Exports increased 7.6 percent from a year earlier in April, a statistics office report showed yesterday, exceeding the median 0.5 percent gain forecast in a Bloomberg News survey.
Moody’s Investors Service raised the outlook on the nation’s Ba2 rating, the second-highest junk ranking, to positive last month, citing improving debt levels. That followed a similar move by Standard & Poor’s in December, which also rates the nation two levels below investment grade. Fitch Ratings raised its assessment to the top junk level last year.
The yield on the government’s 8 percent bonds due July 2031 climbed four basis points, or 0.04 percentage point, this week to 6 percent, according to prices from Tradition Financial Services. The rate was little changed today.
To contact the reporter on this story: Lilian Karunungan in Singapore at lkarunungan@bloomberg.net
To contact the editor responsible for this story: James Regan at jregan19@bloomberg.net.



Source: http://philippinenews.com/top-stories/7252-philippine-peso-falls-as-spain-concern-mounts.html

Thursday, June 14, 2012

The top 10 irritating Pinoy expressions


PENMAN By Butch Dalisay (The Philippine Star) Updated January 05, 2009 12:00 AM

So the Oxford list might cause some of us to just go “Eh?”, but it’s always interesting to see what ticks off other people. Now let’s see which among the following words or phrases feels like a bug in your ear:

1. At the end of the day

2. Fairly unique

3. I personally

4. At this moment in time

5. With all due respect

6. Absolutely

7. It’s a nightmare

8. Shouldn’t of

9. 24/7

10. It’s not rocket science

Well, come now, that wasn’t too bad, was it? We hear these expressions hereabouts now and then, but not that often, so they don’t grate on us as they might with the English. For example, we hardly ever say, “It’s not rocket science,” because, well, we don’t have rocket science in this country. Indeed we have our own, uhm, fairly unique ways of putting things and of getting annoyed by them.

I’ve compiled my own list of irritating expressions in English as we Filipinos use the language among ourselves, with others, over the airwaves, in the office, in conferences, and in the papers. I’m sure you can add to this list — do send me your pet peeves — and this comes with the caveat that the annoyance may be entirely mine. If they don’t bother you, then don’t lose any sleep over them; Lord knows we suffer enough aggravations in this life and in this country without having to be upset by wrong or awkward prepositions.

(Speaking of which, a reader wrote in recently to say how he or she — there was no name in the email address — failed to appreciate whatever I was doing in my column-piece on getting a La-Z-Boy, because I had committed the grievous error of saying “in the mall” instead of “at the mall” in my first sentence. I said I agreed that “at the mall” was probably the preferred and “correct” form, but I also asked him/her to Google the whole phrase “in the mall” to see how it’s entered common usage. Language — unfortunately or otherwise — isn’t graven in stone like math, perhaps to the distress of ruler-toting schoolmarms; one billion people saying “1+1=3” isn’t going to make it so. But if enough people—including influential writers and editors in places like Newsweek and The New York Times — say “different than” instead of “different from,” which I’m sticking with only because it’s what I’ve been used to, then the language will change; it already has. This might as well be the place for me to remind readers that while I do teach English and while I deeply value and enjoy language as a writer, I don’t think of myself as a stickler for rules, as some would like me to be. I cringe at bad language and poor grammar, but there are far worse things in life to fret over, and some of the worst damage to English is being perpetrated by some fools in Congress who insist on an English-only policy when they can barely speak or write it. I once had to sit through a hearing where a congressman held forth on “the youngs, the youngs of this country!”)

But here’s my list of the 10 most irritating Pinoy expressions in English — irritating not necessarily because they’re wrong (although some are), but because they’re everywhere you look and listen.

1. “In fairness.” The most popular phrase in Pinoy showbiz, where fairness is apparently in great demand. Every time I hear this, my mind goes, “In fairness to whom or to what?”, but you never get to hear the other end of the phrase, so much so that you begin to suspect that the speaker really means “In fairness to me!”

2. “As far as.” I don’t mean “as far as the eye can see,” but “As far as accommodations, everything is already taken care of” (or, more likely in these parts, “taken cared of”) or “As far as Manny Pacquiao, either Hatton or Mayweather will be okay for his next fight.” As in the above, I keep looking for the missing “is (or are) concerned” after “as far as” — but it looks like that’s as far as most people will go.

3. “At this point in time,” the Pinoy version of “At this moment in time.” I can recall precisely when I began hearing this wondrously redundant expression over the airwaves — during the coverage of the 1986 EDSA revolt and its aftermath, from which point (in time?) it became a staple of reporters and broadcasters. Why not just say, “at this point” or “at this time” or the even more economical “today” or “now”?

4. “Remains to be.” Not in the sense of “It remains to be seen if Filipinos will finally vote for the right person,” but rather “The deposit remains to be unclaimed” or “This painter remains to be unappreciated by the critics.” “To be”? Not to be!

5. “Wherein.” I don’t know how this word crept into the vocabulary and overran the place, rather like the carnivore snail someone imported that ate up all the other garden creatures both good and bad, but you hear it everywhere, taking over where (or wherein?) the good old “where” (or, sometimes, the more precise “whereby”) should suffice. Hear this: “The house wherein the hero was born will be turned into a museum.” Want to have some fun? Google these two words together: “wherein” and “Philippines.” You’ll find choice examples like “He entered the University of the Philippines wherein he studied Medicine.”

6. “Demand for.” I’ve already written about this before, but obviously no one in government and corporate officialdom reads me, so we still have signs screaming “Demand for your receipt!”

7. “Literally.” Don’t people know that “literally” means, well, “literally”? I’ve heard people say “I’m so hungry I could literally eat a horse!” Really? I tried horsemeat once, in little nibbles—no, it didn’t taste like chicken — so I guess I could say “I literally ate horse,” but literally eating a horse will require hunger the size of Africa.

8. “Whatever.” You ask someone a perfectly good question you’ve taken minutes to compose, and that person shrugs her shoulders or rolls his eyes and says “Whateverrrr….” Don’t you just want to strangle that person on the spot?

9. “Wholistic/holistic.” First of all, just how do you spell this thing? Does it come with a W or not? The medical dictionary defines “holism” (no W) as “the conception of a man as a functioning whole. But then you have websites devoted to “The Wholistic Pet” and “Wholistic Health Solutions” (which, incidentally, sells the Home Colon Cleaning Kit). This word (with or without the W — whatever) seems to be one of those warm and fuzzy buzzwords that came in with New Age music, organic tomatoes, and NGOs. (I’ll talk about “stakeholders” some other day.)

10. “Multiawarded.” It’s No. 10 on this list, but it tops my list of Ugliest Frankenwords in the Universe. Of course, it’s popular because it does the job of saying “He (or she) has won not just one but many prizes!” Anyone should be happy to be multiawarded, and I should be honored that this word’s been often applied to me in introductions and such — but it isn’t false modesty at work when you see me wincing at the word. “Prizewinning” will do. Or, better yet, “many-splendored.” But that would no longer be me.

E-mail me at penmanila@yahoo.com, and visit my blog at www.penmanila.net.

Source:

http://www.philstar.com/article.aspx?articleid=429062&publicationsubcategoryid=79

CELEBRITIES PHOTOS

New Announcements on VMobile

MyLX and XBIZ SMS Commands are now available!

Great news to all VMobile clients!

You can now do various transactions through your mobile phone, and make your LoadXtreme business more efficient through our new SMS-based commands. Send SMS to us to inquire about your myLX and RAP balance, points, activations, and more!

VMobile Technologies Inc. is proud to introduce its new SMS or Text-based commands for the convenience of its clients. Known for introducing and providing innovative prepaid loading system, VMobile understands the needs of its members – especially those who can rarely go online, not proficient in the Internet language, or even do not have Internet connection – who can only conveniently inquire about their accounts through SMS. Now, the answers to your queries are just one TXT away!

To know about these SMS commands, Click here.

BDO Auto-Debit now available!

Enjoy the convenience of replenishing your Load wallet thru your BDO bank account without ever leaving your home!

With BDO Auto-debit, all you have to do is send a Text message to LoadXtreme and your Technopreneur or TechnoUser account will subsequently be replenished within the day thru your BDO bank account. The amount indicated in your Text request will be debited from your BDO account. That’s hassle-free replenishment for your LoadXtreme loadwallet!

Just follow these simple steps and enjoy the convenience:
Enroll your BDO bank account under the Auto Debit Arrangement by visiting your BDO servicing branch and filling-up the ADA Enrollment Form. Indicate your LX ID as Subscriber Number under the Customer Payee List Information section of the form (see figure below).
Submit the document to BDO – ADB Branch G/F Robinsons Equitable Tower ADB Avenue, cor. Poveda St. Pasig City or send the form to VMobile head office with address at:

1906 Galleria Corporate Center
EDSA cor. Poveda Ave., Quezon City
Wait for the approval confirmation of your ADA enrollment via SMS.
Once enrolled, you may begin to use the LoadXtreme-BDO Mobile Auto-Debit by sending the following SMS command to the LoadXtreme system each time you need to replenish your LX account:

LX BDODEBIT <ID number>/<PIK>/<Amount>
Example: LX BDODEBIT 5412345678/123456/500

Important Notes: Minimum allowable amount is P500. Auto-debit commands sent beyond 4PM shall be processed the next banking day. Last batch of crediting is done at 7PM of each banking day.

Avoid the hassles of going to the bank and falling in line again just to get reloaded. Enroll your BDO account now!

For more information Click below!!!
http://loadxtreme.ph/new/announcements/#Listof

Wednesday, June 13, 2012

Friday, June 8, 2012

Citizen involvement needed to build One Asean Community

MANILA, Philippines—In its efforts to build the Asean Community by 2015, officers of the Asean Ministers Responsible for Information (Amri) Technical Working Group highlighted the need for citizen involvement in its “connectivity master plan.”

“Asean needs to evolve from a community of governments to a community of people,” said Kamal Bin Mamat, representative from the Asean Secretariat, during a press briefing held at the Asian Institute of Management (AIM) in Makati City on Friday.

Communication and information representatives from eight out of 10 of the Asean member-states held a three-day meeting at the AIM from June 6 to 8 to discuss plans for what they described as “effective communication support towards attaining One Asean Community.”

Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) Secretary Sonny Coloma said the interaction must not only come from government officials at the political levels but also from the citizens themselves.

“Broad populations of the member-states must identify themselves not just as citizens of their member-states, but as citizens of the Asean Community,” Coloma said.

Coloma stressed the importance of the participation of students, saying the way to build Asean consciousness and awareness is through the youth.

Coloma said the Philippine part of the agenda also wants to seek the help of the Department of Education in the communication plan, particularly in hosting Asean Quiz Shows to promote awareness.

He said Asean also saw the need for breaching digital divide, increasing internet penetration and harmonizing technology to enhance ties.

Malaysian delegate Balakrishnan Kandasamy said this has been actively executed in his country, where usage of social networking sites like Facebook and Twitter has been increasing. He cited the Universiti of Sains in Malaysia as a leading institution for technological enhancement.

Coloma said two leading telecommunication firms have also agreed in principle to assist the Asean in providing 100,000 free texts for the member-regions.

“That would translate to about 3.2 million free texts to propagate messages on Asean development and identity,” he said.

Coloma said the communication plan focused on the three key pillars of the Asean Community, namely political-security community, economic community and socio-cultural community.

Source: http://globalnation.inquirer.net/39349/citizen-involvement-needed-to-build-one-asean-community

The hottest tablet hits the Philippines

The hottest tablet hits the Philippines

MANILA, Philippines—The long wait is over. The new iPad is finally in the Philippines, and Tattoo is out to prove its broadband supremacy by being the one to bring the hottest tablet to town and bundling it with a bunch of cool stuff: exclusive freebies, more-value-for-money plans, and an unbeatable browsing experience.

Held at the Exchange Plaza in Ayala Triangle last May 29, the launch of the Tattoo-new iPad bundle gathered excited techies, Apple fans, and top celebrities, who all wanted to see and try the tablet before everyone else.

“Tattoo is very pleased to bring to our subscribers the hottest tablet and the must-have device right now, which is the new iPad,” said Dong Ronquillo, head for Tattoo nomadic broadband business of Globe.

Source:  http://technology.inquirer.net/11959/the-hottest-tablet-hits-the-philippines

Alevars: Pinoy Biztalk and Jobs Abroad: Business Opportunit...

Alevars: Pinoy Biztalk and Jobs Abroad: Business Opportunit...: Pinoy Biztalk and Jobs Abroad: Business Opportunity Business Opportunity Hello! Sir / Ma'am Good Day! You could be our group's repre...

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Oil firms cut petrol prices anew

MANILA, Philippines – For the ninth consecutive week, local oil companies are cutting prices of petroleum products effective Saturday as a result of the continued drop of oil prices in the international market.

Pilipinas Shell Petroleum Corp. and Unioil Petroleum Philippines are reducing the prices of kerosene and regular gasoline by P2 a liter and of unleaded gasoline and diesel by P1.50 a liter.

Other oil companies are expected to follow suit.

Prior to Saturday’s rollback, prices of gasoline ranged from P48.75 a liter to P56.27 a liter, while diesel prices hovered between P41.10 a liter and P53.05 a liter.

As of June 4, the year-to-date net increase for gasoline stood at P1.13 a liter, while diesel posted a net decrease of P1.36 a liter in its prices since the year started.

According to the Department of Energy’s oil monitor report, the continued decline in fuel prices can be attributed to ongoing concerns about the health of the global economy given the impact of euro zone crisis on fuel demand, increased jobless rate in the US and slowdown in China’s manufacturing sector.

The DOE cited news reports that oil prices have “plunged by about two-thirds since reaching record highs in July 2008, pulled down by a widening global economic slowdown that weighs on demand, reducing income for oil producing countries.”

Source:http://business.inquirer.net/63953/oil-firms-cut-petrol-prices-anew
            By: Amy R. Remo  Philippine Daily Inquirer

Good News!!!!!!!!!!: Pinoy Biztalk and Jobs Abroad: How to Overcome You...

Good News!!!!!!!!!!: Pinoy Biztalk and Jobs Abroad: How to Overcome You...: I have 2 students who started at the same time. I taught them the exact same real estate strategies, techniques and tactics. One of them bec...

Pinoy Biztalk and Jobs Abroad: How to Overcome Your Money Fears ?

I have 2 students who started at the same time. I taught them the exact same real estate strategies, techniques and tactics. One of them became a millionaire in just 9 months. The other one? Nothing happened to her. The difference between the two is NOT the strategies, techniques and tactics as both of them learned the exact same things. The one who became a millionaire have overcome her money fears and she has broken free of self-limiting beliefs.

What about you? If you're not a millionaire yet, chances are you have fears, doubts and self-limiting beliefs that are preventing you from being successful. On Sunday, September 19, 8-9 PM Manila time, I am interviewing one of Asia's foremost expert on attracting wealth. My "secret guest" will reveal to you one of the most powerful techniques to finally break the bondage of your poverty paradigms and limited beliefs.

This ONE powerful technique he will reveal is NOT for everyone. It's not for the curious or those who want to "dabble". As a result, I am limiting this webinar to just 100 people (and this message is going out to 6,261 people so you better register NOW). If you're not serious in becoming a millionaire...do NOT register so you can give your slot to the person who is.


https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/608013803

Pinoy Biztalk and Jobs Abroad: How to Overcome Your Money Fears ?

Pinoy Biztalk and Jobs Abroad: How to Overcome Your Money Fears ?

I have 2 students who started at the same time. I taught them the exact same real estate strategies, techniques and tactics. One of them became a millionaire in just 9 months. The other one? Nothing happened to her. The difference between the two is NOT the strategies, techniques and tactics as both of them learned the exact same things. The one who became a millionaire have overcome her money fears and she has broken free of self-limiting beliefs.

What about you? If you're not a millionaire yet, chances are you have fears, doubts and self-limiting beliefs that are preventing you from being successful. On Sunday, September 19, 8-9 PM Manila time, I am interviewing one of Asia's foremost expert on attracting wealth. My "secret guest" will reveal to you one of the most powerful techniques to finally break the bondage of your poverty paradigms and limited beliefs.

This ONE powerful technique he will reveal is NOT for everyone. It's not for the curious or those who want to "dabble". As a result, I am limiting this webinar to just 100 people (and this message is going out to 6,261 people so you better register NOW). If you're not serious in becoming a millionaire...do NOT register so you can give your slot to the person who is.


https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/608013803

Pinoy Biztalk and Jobs Abroad: How to Overcome Your Money Fears ?

Pinoy Biztalk and Jobs Abroad: How to Overcome Your Money Fears ?

I have 2 students who started at the same time. I taught them the exact same real estate strategies, techniques and tactics. One of them became a millionaire in just 9 months. The other one? Nothing happened to her. The difference between the two is NOT the strategies, techniques and tactics as both of them learned the exact same things. The one who became a millionaire have overcome her money fears and she has broken free of self-limiting beliefs.

What about you? If you're not a millionaire yet, chances are you have fears, doubts and self-limiting beliefs that are preventing you from being successful. On Sunday, September 19, 8-9 PM Manila time, I am interviewing one of Asia's foremost expert on attracting wealth. My "secret guest" will reveal to you one of the most powerful techniques to finally break the bondage of your poverty paradigms and limited beliefs.

This ONE powerful technique he will reveal is NOT for everyone. It's not for the curious or those who want to "dabble". As a result, I am limiting this webinar to just 100 people (and this message is going out to 6,261 people so you better register NOW). If you're not serious in becoming a millionaire...do NOT register so you can give your slot to the person who is.


https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/608013803

Pinoy Biztalk and Jobs Abroad: How to Overcome Your Money Fears ?

Pinoy Biztalk and Jobs Abroad: Guide to Silkscreen Printing Business

The heart of the process involves a fine mesh or screen that is tightly stretched around a rigid frame. The areas that are not to be printed are masked out on the screen. To create the print, the framed screen is positioned over the item to be printed along with a dollop of thick ink. A squeegee is then used to press the ink through the screen. The masked areas prevent ink from passing through, but the unmasked areas allow the ink to be imprinted on the material. If more colors are desired in the final design, the process is repeated with different screens. Therefore, a design that requires four different colors would require four different screens.

There are a variety of ways that the screen can be masked. The most straightforward way is to apply masking fluid directly on the screen. This technique is suitable for simple one or two color graphics but is ineffective for more complex prints. For multicolor jobs, screen-printers often use photosensitive emulsions to create the masked areas. First, the design is created on a clear piece of plastic film. Meanwhile, a photosensitive coating is applied to the entire surface of the screen and then dried. The film is placed on the prepared screen and they are exposed to bright light. After a period of time, the exposed areas can be washed off the screen with water which makes the screen ready to print.

Pinoy Biztalk and Jobs Abroad: Guide to Silkscreen Printing Business

Monday, June 4, 2012

DOLE: No layoff of Pinoys in US

MANILA, Philippines - The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) sees no massive layoff ofFilipino workers in the United States despite the prevailing economic crisis there.

Labor Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz said the prevailing economic condition in the US would only have “minimal” effect on Filipino workers in America.
“Majority of Filipinos in the US are permanent residents... Suffice to say, we can say the economic problems of the US will not affect largely our OFWs,’’ Baldoz said.
The labor chief noted that the US economy would have more effect on the Philippines and other countries, but not much on overseas Filipino workers.
Of the more than three million Filipinos in the US, there are only about 20,000 OFWs, according to Baldoz.
A majority of the Filipinos in America are employed as teachers, medical workers and other professionals that they can hardly be affected by the economic plunge.
“If the Middle East is the number one OFW destination, we can say US is number one in having permanent residents that are Filipinos,” Baldoz said.
She said the Philippine government is prepared to help Filipino workers who may be forced to come home if things continue its turn for the worst in America.


“We would like to take the opportunity to remind them of shifting their mindsets when they come back here and consider our livelihood and entrepreneurial programs by becoming businessmen instead of being employees,’’ Baldoz said.
She added that DOLE is ready to assist the OFWs if they want to be redeployed to other countries with growing economies such as Singapore, Taiwan, South Korea, Hong Kong and Australia.
Source:
http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=714437&publicationSubCategoryId=63
By Mayen Jaymalin (The Philippine Star) Updated August 08, 2011

Phil. Senate passes 11 bills

The Senate on Monday made up for lost time and passed 11 bills.

The Senate bills passed on third and final reading were:

*Senate Bill No. 3164 amending the Armed Forces of the Philippines Modernization Act;
*Senate Bill No. 3206, or the act recognizing the early years from zero to age eight as the first crucial stage of educational development, strengthening the Early Childhood Care and Development Council and renaming the day care center as Child Development Center;

*Senate Joint Resolution No. 14 which seeks to extend the life of the Congressional Oversight Committee on Dangerous Drugs (COCDD) to 10 more years;

*Senate Bill No. 3209, otherwise known as the “Red Cross and other Emblems Act of 2012” which penalizes misuse of the Red Cross logo;

*House Bill No. 5608, also known as the “Reapportioning of the Province of Palawan into Three Legislative Districts” and six franchise bills for the construction, operation and maintenance of radio and television broadcasting stations in the country.

The AFP modernization Act amendment bill, which aims to rectify flaws of its predecessor and introduce a more efficient and cost-effective implementation of the program, was approved with 21 affirmative votes, zero negative votes and zero abstention.

Included in the amendments is the cutting down of the procurement process from 29 stages to two assessment levels in addition to the actual procurement and contracting stages.

Meanwhile, the six House bills on the radio and television stations in the country – House Bill Nos. 4379, 4668, 5574, 5613, 5492 and 5491- were collectively sponsored by Sen. Ramon “Bong” Revilla, chair of the Committee on Public Services.

HBN 4379 granted a radio and television broadcasting franchise to the Reliance Broadcasting Unlimited Inc., while HBN 557 approved the operation of telecommunication systems to Telecommunications Technology Solutions Inc. and the TV Maria Foundation Philippines, a Catholic organization, to operate several television stations.

Meanwhile, HBN 5491 and HBN 4668 allowed the Nueva Vizcaya State University and the Cultural Foundation of Davao to operate broadcasting stations in their respective regions, and HBN 5613 emended the Franchise of Wi-Tribe Telecoms Inc., which allows them to continue operations for the next 25 years.

The Senate approved the bills just days before the sine die adjournment.

The Senate had a long list of bills pending for approval due to time constraints brought about by the 44-day impeachment trial of Chief Justice Renato Corona.

Source: http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/206675/senate-passes-11-bills



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Sunday, June 3, 2012

(Philhealth) 2.52 million OFWs and 2.48 million of their declared dependents

Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (Philhealth) president and chief executive officer Dr. Eduardo Banzon yesterday said at least five million overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) and their dependents are now covered by the state-run Philippine Health Insurance Corp.
“We’ve so far signed up 2.52 million OFWs and 2.48 million of their declared dependents, we now have around five million Filipinos covered by our overseas workers program,” Banzon said.
He said that under the program the active land-based OFWs who went through the prescribed registration process of the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) were enlisted as Philhealth members.
Banzon said the OFWs already abroad but not yet enrolled as Philhealth members may also register under the program. Sailors and other sea-based OFWs are considered locally employed members.
The PhilHealth chief said a growing number of OFWs, especially those with dependents, have been joining Philhealth and securing themselves against the financial risks associated with devastating sickness in the family.
“They recognize that their premiums represent a small but essential investment meant to guarantee them some financial relief in the event of any ailment in the family,” he said.
“We are encouraging OFWs to pay their premiums for the entire duration of their job contracts abroad. This way, both the OFWs and their dependents will be protected the whole time,” he added.
The Philhealth provides subsidy for room and board, drugs and medicines, laboratory exams, operating room and professional fees for hospital confinements of not less than 24 hours. It is also covering an increasing number of outpatient services, including day surgeries and treatment of tuberculosis.
Qualified dependents of OFWs who are active Philhealth members are entitled to a separate coverage of up to 45 days’ confinement per calendar year. However, the 45-day allowance is shared among all dependents.
Eligible dependents include an OFW’s legal spouse who is not a Philhealth member, or whose membership is inactive; his children below 21 years of age, unmarried and unemployed; and his parents who are 60 years old and above.
At present, OFWs pay an annual premium of only P1,200 to enjoy Philhealth coverage. This rate will be adjusted to P2,400 effective Jan. 1, 2013 to allow the national health insurer to improve benefits and expand coverage. –Mina Diaz, Daily Tribune

Source: http://news.manilastandardtoday.com/2012/06/02/philhealth-covers-5m-workers/

Govt underpays kinder teachers




20,000 contracted at P3,000 a month, lower than janitor’s pay
SOME 20,000 kindergarten teachers who will teach some 1.6 million pupils trooping to public schools today are the lowest-paid government employees, earning only P3,000 a month, ACT Teachers Rep. Antonio Tinio and Agham Rep. Angelo Palmones said Sunday.
Tinio and Palmones also warned that the government’s push for its K12 program—which adds two years to the standard basic education—minus the required funding would see some of the 21.5 million schoolchildren going to classes under mango trees.
Kidapawan City District Supervisor Levi Justo Palmones confirmed that 70 of his kindergarten teachers were getting only P3,000 a month—and being paid only once every six months and sometimes only once a year.
“These kindergarten teachers have obtained a four-year degree and passed the teachers’ board examinations, yet they cannot be absorbed and given permanent positions because of a lack of funding,” Palmones, the brother of the congressman, said.
The P3,000 does not cover the P1,000 annual chalk and uniform allowance and other benefits, prompting the congressman to donate P1,000 to each of the district’s 70 kindergarten teachers.
Tinio described the government’s treatment as “oppressive, exploitative, anti-poor and anti-teacher.”
Aurora Rep. Juan Edgardo Angara, chairman of the House committee on education and principal author of the kindergarten bill, said his measure originally allocated P6,000 for kindergarten teachers.
He said the bicameral conference committee, which he co-chairs with his father, Senator Edgardo Angara, chairman of the Senate committee on education, dropped the specific allocation to give the Education Department a free hand in deciding how much the teachers should get.
The Education and Budget Departments slashed the monthly pay to P3,000 without benefits because of a lack of funds, Angara said.
District supervisor Palmones says the kindergarten teachers choose to work overtime, taking an extra three-hour session in the morning and another three-hour stint in the afternoon to raise their monthly income to P6,000.
“These teachers take their job so seriously that they do not find other well-paying jobs because they are hoping that the government will absorb them and give them permanent status,” the school superintendent said.
Tinio denounced the approach used by the Education Department of hiring contractual kindergarten teachers.
“The [department] has turned to massive contractualization, hiring more than 20,000 kindergarten teachers on one-year contracts of service. This is unprecedented. Never before has the [department] hired contractual teachers in such numbers,” Tinio said.
He said the contractual workers were “grossly exploited” since their compensation falls far below minimum wage.
“They are paid a mere P3,000 to P6,000 per month compared to the P18,549 per month salary of regular teachers, Tinio said.
“Even the lowest paid government employee is entitled to P9,000 per month. In short, the [department’s] kindergarten teachers are the lowest paid government employees in service.”
Rep. Palmones added: “Even janitors who work as regulars in the government get bigger pay than the kindergarten teachers. At the very least, the janitors get the mandatory minimum wage.”
Tinio also said the implementation of the K12 program would worsen the problems that had long been plaguing the public school system.
“Due to the failure of the Aquino administration to provide adequate funding in the 2012 national budget, the existing shortages in the basic education system will be aggravated by the unmet requirements of K12, particularly its kindergarten component,” Tinio said.
He said the influx of around 1.6 million 5-year-old enrollees to kindergarten this school year would result in a shortage of around 20,000 teachers and 25,000 classrooms solely for the kindergarten component of K12.
“After two years, the Aquino administration has been unable to close the gaps in basic education resources,” Tinio said.
“For school year 2012, the total shortages for the whole public school system stands at 132,483 teachers, 97,685 classrooms, and 153,709 water and sanitation facilities.”
Tinio criticized the Education Department for its “grossly negligent” policy on classrooms for kindergarten classes.
He criticized a department order to principals and school heads to use everything, including other available spaces, to provide kindergarten classrooms.
“In practice, ‘other available spaces’ means that kindergarten classes will be held under stairwells, in corridors, storage rooms and under the proverbial mango tree,” Tinio said.
Despite the acute shortages, Education Secretary Armin Luistro said his department was optimistic that the first day of classes would run smoothly today as more than 21.49 million students troop to the 45,900 schools nationwide.
He acknowledged that “volunteer” kindergarten teachers were underpaid, and that the department had approved the hiring of only 3,741 last year.
The department would be hiring 3,000 more this year, he said, adding that the passage of the kindergarten education bill would enable the government to appoint all “volunteer” teachers on a regular basis. With Gigi Muñoz-David

Govt underpays kinder teachers

Tuesday, May 29, 2012

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Pinoy Biztalk and Jobs Abroad: Business Opportunity

Thursday, January 26, 2012