AXA, AIG, and all the other A's

A number of people have asked me whether AXA is affected by "what happened to its mother company in the US." Apparently, these guys misconstrued AXA as AIG.  

These firms are really clever, using the letter A, intentionally or not, as the first letter of their corporate name or acronym, so that wherever there is an alphabetical listing, their name would be listed on top.  

For everyone to know: AXA is not AIG.  

And even if you have an AIG or PhilamLife investment, you should not worry too much. Being listed in the world's top corporations, AIG is not an entity that 

will just disappear just like that. PhilamLife, Philam Plans, Philam Insurance, Philam Asset Management, AIG-Philam Savings Bank and all the other businesses and funds handled by Philam are also separate entities from the AIG in the US. They remain safe and sound, just like the Philam we knew years and years ago, when these local units still didn't emphasize their relation to AIG.  

On the other hand, AXA is a global company whose headquarters is in Paris, France. Here in the Philippines, AXA partnered with Metrobank to bring life insurance and investment management products to Filipinos. AXA Philippines is no. 2 among life insurance companies in the country, based on premium income, next only to PhilamLife. For the variable life (with investment) category, AXA Philippines has consistently been no. 1 in the country, with a market share of close to 50%.  

The Global AXA Group is again no. 1 in Fortune 500's listing for the "insurance: life, health (stock)" category. It has consistently ranked either no. 1 or no. 2 globally throughout the past decade. Among the Fortune 500 companies, AXA is no. 15 among all companies worldwide, in terms of revenues. Others in the top 15 list include global oil companies and car manufacturers.  

BDO, Metrobank, RCBC, Sunlife and some other financial institutions have also been unjustly dragged to the recent Lehman Brothers trouble. Metrobank has gained the upper hand when it submitted to the courts its petitions for Philippine Investment One, Inc. and Philippine Investment Two, Inc. to be placed under corporate rehabilitation. The said companies are subsidiaries of Singaporean unit of Lehman Brothers.  

That was a proactive, preemptive move to protect Metrobank against possible dissipation of assets by foreign claimants. Even if the bank's indirect exposure to 

Lehman is relatively small as compared to its huge and diverse portfolio,

Metrobank made that move to ensure that the assets of both companies are properly preserved for the benefit of all the creditors if and when there is a need for a rehabilitation.  

It doesn't matter whether the economy or business environment is gloomy or bright. There will always be good times and tough times. That's a cycle. What matters is what you do, how you strategize and make decisions in different circumstances. Clearly, Metrobank displayed its knack in making decisions, not only for itself, but also for its depositors, investors, and for all the other local creditors who have interests in the Lehman units.  

AXA and Metrobank remain to be the leaders in their respective industries, and there is nothing to worry about, despite of some noise that is hovering around the banking, investment and insurance industries.

[Note: The above article is an independent analysis/insight by the Investment Advisor, and is NOT an official statement from AXA, Metrobank, or any of the financial institutions mentioned.]  

Dexter C. Lim, MBA 

Investment Advisor - AXA Philippines 

Analyst - Bayan Telecommunications

RCBC Massacre

The months of May and June signal the start of the rainy season for most of us, but others who are more observant would know that it also is the season of bank robberies, kidnapping, carnapping and all sorts of theft. And why are they stealing specifically at this time of the year? Answer is simple: to pay for the exorbitant tuition fees for their children and to combat hunger amid the rising prices of commodities.  

The recent robbery-massacre at RCBC Cabuyao was a horrible case that shocked the nation. We, including you and me, have, in one way or another, stepped into the premises of banks which also serve as pillars of our economy. 

Some of us probably are employed by financial institutions, or may have loved ones and friends who are bank employees. Our hearts bleed for the innocent lives that were unjustly taken in that RCBC branch, in pursuit of money.

Killing all the bank employees may have wiped out the people who could have served as witnesses to the heinous crime, but in no way would the criminals have peace of mind, as truth and justice will find its way through.

The challenge now is how to ensure the safety and security of bank employees and clients. CCTV cameras have been helpful in solving crimes in most cases, but unfortunately, in that bank branch, there was none of them working. We have seen in the past, security guards being gunned down or disarmed by bank robbers who carried much more powerful weapons, and bank tellers giving up their cash at gun point.

What is it that we can do to overcome all these criminal acts? Life is getting difficult. People are getting hungry, and more and more now belong under the poverty line.

Let us pray for the victims and their families. Let us help rebuild our society. And let us take time to pray for the culprits as well.

Dexter C. Lim, M.B.A.

Analyst, Bayan Telecommunications

Financial Advisor, AXA Philippines

Grad Pic!

My first time to set foot on green grass, underneath the blue sky.

Ano pa ang hinihintay mo? Lipad na!

Autograph Book

I chanced upon an old man while walking along the streets of Salcedo, and I asked him to sign in my slum book. I was surprised to see that he also brought his own, which has been filled out by his friends since the 80's. Here is a sample page in his slum book:


Favorite Magazine: Pambata Magazine

Favorite Sport: sipa

Favorite TV Show: Champoy, with Tessie Tomas, Subas Herrero, and Noel Trinidad

Favorite Pastime: reading comic books

Favorite Department Store: Gaisano, sa tabi ng C.O.D. Cubao

Favorite Shoe Store: Syvell's

Favorite Home Store: Ideal Home

Favorite Actor: Tony Ferrer

Favorite Actress: Jean Saburit

Favorite Male Singer: Bert Nievera

Favorite Female Singer: Imelda Papin

Favorite Bank: Pacific Bank

Favorite Supermarket: Jopson's, sa may Earnshaw, Sampaloc

Favorite T-shirt: Crispa

Favorite Basketball Team: Uratex

Favorite News Anchor: Helen Vela and Mike Lacanilao

Favorite Weatherman: Amado Pineda

Presyo ng 8 oz. Coke ngayon: 25 centavos

Favorite Candy: yung cola-flavored na hard candy, nakabalot ng dark blue

Favorite Movie: Kambal Tuko

Mga Samu't Saring Litrato sa kung Saan-saan

Sa Art Gallery... How many Sams can you spot in this picture?

On board the kalesa... going to Divisoria...



Sa bentahan ng carpet... ayun... si Aladdin!

Sa kama... join me in bed!...

Huy!... wag kang malikot!...

Sa Palengke... si Mr. Palengke for senator

Sa ice cream house...

Eto ang mahaba, mataba, at masikip... talagang nakakainip...
ang mahabang biyahe sa masikip na limousine!

Hayyy.. ayos talaga itong limousine... buti na lng presko, may window openings sa likod.

Laki... laki! Jumbo!

Hello, tubero? May tumutulo na naman dito sa opis!

Sa mall, shopping shopping with best pren Beatriz.

Grabe, di ko akalain... ikaw nga ba talaga si Bea Bianca?

Aba, aba... bagay sila!

Haaayyyy.. kakapagod magshopping... palamig muna!

Thanks for viewing us. Hope to see you again in this site!

Posted by:
Dexter

Trinoma, the would-be-awarded Best Mall in the Country

I am just counting 2 months and I expect millions of Filipinos will agree with my statement that Trinoma, the new mall located just across SM North Edsa, is the best mall in the country.

Situated in the North Triangle "peninsula", the mall is linked to the Edsa MRT North Avenue Station. It will house the second Landmark outlet. Barely a month after it opened its doors to the public, around 50% of the establishments are still closed, but a glimpse inside the mall will tell you how fabulous it would be when it is fully operational.

Unlike Glorietta and Greenbelt which traces their roots in the 1980's and just expanded and integrated with other small commercial centers through the years, Trinoma is a world-class mall that had careful planning and architecture, built from scratch. Shoppers will not have any inconvenience crossing bridges or passing through narrow alleys as everything has been well-designed. An entirely new and refreshing mall indeed!

Looking at it from Mindanao Avenue, it looks like a giant Greenbelt complex. Inside, it looks more of a Glorietta-Shangrila Plaza-Alabang Town Center-MarketMarket-Festival Mall hybrid. It houses a uniquely elegant Crossings Department Store, trendy bars and coffee shops, a cool and cozy Food Choices lane, the Handyman Store, wide-aisled Mercury Drug and National Bookstore, a Marks and Spencer boutique, ample (and affordable) parking spaces, and an activity area at the heart of the mall similar to Glorietta's.

This really made SM consider redeveloping its first supermall, the SM City North Edsa, which has been around since the mid-80's. Its newest building, The Block, has been constructed quite similar to the the Mall of Asia; I personally coined a name for it: "A Taste of Mall of Asia", rather than calling it by such a dull name "The Block". Now, the SM City Annex has been torn down and SM Prime Holdings plan to put up a condo-mall complex on it, similar to what it is constructing diagonally across SM Sta. Mesa.

Oh well. Time will come that the whole of Metro Manila will be housed under giant malls, just like when Ayala integrated all the small business establishments of the 1980's (Quad 1,2,3 Arcades, Park Square, Gold Crest, etc.) and housed them into the Glorietta.

Commercial muna...

Go and open an ATM account with Citibank Savings Bank!

No maintaining balance required.

No transaction fees when using any ATM worldwide!

Visit them at the corner of Ayala and Paseo.

-Dexter

i lost in the infinit idol contest

So, the decision has been made. I lost the Infinit Idol Contest. But I am happy, coz my friend and team mate Kim won.

For those who laughed at me upon learning that I joined the contest, well, let me explain:

I joined the contest in order to show my participation and support for the programs launched by the company, nothing more, nothing less.

Wow! Such good intentions! Naks!


So, with this, if you were the judge, wouldn't you consider me as your ultimate idol?

Wahahahaah!!!!

(just an ultimate joke! Enjoy your infinite laughter!)

Cheers!
-Dexter

Thank You from Dr. Martin Bautista

ELECTION'S OVER

The election is over. It is time to examine, and to both skeptics and sympathizers alike, explain my participation in it.

I gave up a flourishing medical practice in America, joined Kapatiran and ran for the Senate because I wanted not merely to prove a point, but to live by it.

And the point is this: we can change our country, help our people, not by talking or theorizing but by actually doing something about it. One cannot simply make a statement. He must apply it in his life, by example, by involvement, by action. Our political campaign was such a statement.

Did we succeed? We did not get enough votes for a seat in the senate. But we did get the attention of the electorate and, more importantly, we made people aware of alternative solutions, better political options.

We demonstrated that it is possible to conduct an open, honest, vigorous campaign on programs, not personalities.

We showed that there is no need for false promises, political gimmickry, immoderate spending; but that there is a need for continuing communication, defending and justifying our positions and priorities.

Our fundamental premise is this: Politics is not a means of livelihood. It is not an economic investment that will pay off in future material gain.

Politics is a way of giving, of sharing, of helping. It is not soliciting support but providing it. It is not about rendering service in the senate when elected, but rendering service now, in the present, in this time and place, in one's capacity as a candidate, a citizen, a Filipino of compassion.

If we have, even in a small, tentative way, we have redefined politics in the Philippines, then we have been fully recompensed for our efforts. The accomplishments of our greatest heroes cannot be judged in the simplistic terms of triumph or defeat. Like Burgos, Gomez and Zamora, the Kapatiran candidates won no instant victory. But they achieved a beginning, advanced the cause for reform, and awakened a hope that such reform is possible.

A personal note of accountability. We received donations from many sectors of society. Added to our own private contribution to the campaign, the total amount exceeded our modest campaign expenses. The balance we shall turn over to Gawad Kalinga in accordance with our conviction that politics is not an enterprise for profit.

Finally I wish to extend my sincere appreciation to all the men and women of goodwill who stand with us in the common belief in a Filipino future. Maraming salamat sa inyong lahat.

Martin D. Bautista, MD

----------------------------

I voted for this guy! Will watch out for him in the next political exercise.
- Dexter

Looking back, 10 years ago

It has been 10 years since my letter to the Philippine Star was published in the said broadsheet. It was the first time that a written work of mine was seen in a widely circulated print medium. I know I kept a clipping of this article, inserting it in our huge, antique Merriam-Webster Dictionary, but unfortunately, I couldn't find it anymore.

As a young teenager then, I wrote about being open about accepting money, specifically P500.00, in exchange for voting for a presidential candidate in 1998. "Of course I will accept the money!", I wrote. "Anyway, no one will know if I really voted for that candidate."

Today, at age 28, I ask myself the same question of whether or not to vote for a candidate in exchange for 500 bucks. I could not answer with the same conviction as before. Yes, I can still get away with the money while having the freedom to vote for my chosen bets, but thinking again, if I keep on accepting these bribes, I am not contributing to putting a stop on this vote-buying culture we have in Philippine politics.

Pumipichay ka na ba?

Anyone here who is still not a Pichay fan? I'm not endorsing him ok? Wala lang... kakatuwa siya.

Shakey's Buy 2 Take 8 Free!!!

The numbers 7-7-7-7-7 was dialled and Shakeys' phone rang. I ordered for 2 party-size thin crust belly busters and 2 giant bottles of Coke and got 2 pepperonis of the same crust and size for free, courtesy of Rick, "Mr. Cool Guy of New York".

You thought we got a good deal? Hmmm... let me walk you through the whole story.
My Shakey's Pizzanatic Card enables us to purchase pizzas on a "buy-one-take-one" deal, just like how Pizza Hut's Palm Card works. However, Shakey's limits the usage of the card. We can only avail of up to 3 paid and 3 free pizzas in a transaction.

Cool... the restriction is not that bad.

We intended to order 5 pizzas and get another 5 for free. Since the limit is only 3+3 in a single order, I asked whether we can still avail of the privilege if we call again. Just like in Pizza Hut, Shakey's gives that go signal to anyone.

Ok, so after the hanging up the phone for that first order, I picked it up again and ordered for a Shakey's special, a manager's choice, and a pepperoni crunch, this time all thick crust. And as a cardholder, we will be getting 3 hawaiians for free.

The first set of order came on time. ONE FULL HOUR. Yup, that was quite a long wait, but at least, hunger made the pizzas a lot yummier.

For the second set of pizzas, ha ha! They were no where to be found! They came more than TWO FULL HOURS later, while fafa Rick was talking with the team, after 4 phoned-in follow-ups, and only on the third visit of the same delivery rider! (he brought the charge slips and plastic cups on the second). My Gus Abelgas!

Of course we had to insist on implementing their marketing promise: If it's late, it's FREE! It is Shakey's who dictate how much time it would take to deliver on a case-to-case basis, unlike Jollibee, Greenwich or Pizza Hut who promise a fixed 30-minute delivery guarantee.

The real reason why it took that long is that the call center wasn't able to endorse the second order to the branch. For technical reasons or human error, I really don't know. The fact that I made 4 phoned-in follow ups, that should have sent a signal that something went wrong and had to be solved. But the call center wasn't able to do much help. It was the delivery rider who I found to possibly be the key to solving this crime. On his second visit, I gave him our second order on a scratch paper, and 40 minutes later, the pizzas came. And as I have insisted (to the call center, the branch officer, and the rider) FOR FREE.

The long wait ended and we got 10 pizzas for the price of 2.

Now is that a great deal? I'm still not impressed. Shakey's should sack its call center and contact Infinit-O for their back office needs.

PSE Roadshow! Ortigas Abelgas!

Brownout sa PSE, kaya pa-picture muna para lumiwanag! FLASH!

Young love, sweet love circa 80's.

This way to the toilet (arrow up)

Remember the dynamic duo in Sesame Street?

Ahahaha!!! Nakakatuwa naman itong horoscope ko!

Another Sesame Street character.. this time going solo.

'Sang Linggo nAPO Sila!

Gegegegehh!!! Bell na! Recess na!

Ary: hehehe.. pagkakataon ko na... di naman siguro ako mapapansin...
natatakpan naman ng baso.

Teka, teka.. may hidden cam ata sa baso!

Reflector ako.. ingat, baka mauntog kayo sa salamin.

Last supper with Fr. Dundee

O ha! gusto nyong turuan ko kayo ng cha-cha?

Newest love team: Dennis Padilla and Chin Chin Gutierrez

Time out!!!! tama na ang picture taking! back to lunch!

Aba, aba! another leading lady for Dennis!

How I wish I could be seated in the comfy couch at the back.

Ary: Mga pare, may chick sa kanan!... hehhe joke!

Ang hirap namang kunan ang sarili. Centered na ba?

Richard: Sarap ng food

Ryan: Oo nga, kuha pa tayo.
Ary: Tangn@ tagal ng picture picture!

Hello... isang pancit, dalawang crispy pusit, at pahingi ng Mang Tomas ha!

Hmm... I think I love mining companies!

Kami na.

Ary: Here, kuchi-kuchi!...
Kim txting: nababaliw na ata si Ary
Dondon: sana magpasa-load sa kin si Kim

Ryan: Eto po ang Dekada '70
Ary: Oo nga! year 1870!

Ang cute ng kuya mo!

I AM THE ANITOKID!

Lockness Monster

Press conference with Sam Milby and Richard Gutierrez

Ate Vi and Ralph?

Ok po. We'll deliver the pansit and pusit in no time!

Ain't Anito without the mystery...

Anna: Uuwiin ko yung teaspoon, ang cute kasi
Cris: ah ok.. paki tago rin itong sa 'kin sa bag mo

Hmm... the Anitokid blog... did it ring a bell?

Smile lang ako... pero sa totoo lng.. naiinis ako!
No trading policy!!! so what am i doing here?

Sesame Steet's Ernie and Bert pag off-cam, nagkakamot

I object, Mr. Gentleman from Sorsogon!

Kim: Ako sa gitna!
Les: Ako ang bida!
Ary: Kami naman ni Anna!

Richard: Uhaw na ko! Gusto kong kunin yung baso!

Hmm... a taste of PSE... more here.

The Mercury Drug Citibank Visa

Joint ventures and tie-ups are certainly good for businesses and consumers as well. This thought led me to this series of product endorsements in this blog: credit cards.


First, allow me to share my Mercury Drug Citibank Visa. I enjoy 2% rebate in all Mercury Drug outlets, whenever I buy drugs or groceries. Then I also get 0.5% rebate in all my other purchases in all card-accepting establishments worldwide, paid to me via rebates reflected in my next billing statement. Some rebates may be a bit delayed, but Citibank will accumulate and credit them the next time you use the card in Mercury Drug.

Gold cardholders will enjoy free membership in Lifeline Arrows, as well as a complete Annual Physical Exam Package in Healthway Medical Clinics. A number of other health-related benefits such as discounts and freebies are extended to both Gold and Classic Mercury Drug Citibank Visa cardholders.And here's an added value for those who might be interested. From March 1 to May 31, 2007, credit card applicants who subsequently get approved will get a free P1,000 cash credit. Approved gold applicants will receive double that amount. But you must get application forms from participating Mercury Drug branches only, such as the Shangrila, Rockwell, and Glorietta outlets.

-Dexter

Newest Product Endorser! Go grab the SME Insight Magazine now!

Kris Aquino, Sharon Cuneta, Sam Milby, Manny Pacquiao. Just some of the highest paid product endorsers...

I am expected to graduate this August 2007, and I am seriously thinking of a career shift to product endorsements. Kahit libre.. di ako magpapabayad

Here goes my first product...

I came across a small booth in one of the trade events held at the Megamall around February or March. There a couple of ladies encouraged me to sign up and subscribe to the SME Insight, a local business magazine. As I saw the sample copies, it reminded me of Entrepreneur, another magazine catering to those who are into start ups, or wanting to own a small business.

I used to purchase the monthly issues of Entrepreneur from whatever bookstore or magazine stand I go to. But lately, I stopped buying the monthly issues and just settled for back issues, priced at 50% off.

SME Insight is just a new mag, publishing just its 4th issue this March/April. I love its "Vital Stats" section, and several other articles that demonstrate activities regarding the establishment of small businesses.

For those who are just around the office, you can grab the copy on my desk. For others who do not know my location... hehe go grab a copy of SME Insight in your neighborhood bookstore and magazine stand!

-Dexter

Sonia Roco apologizes, clarifies her statement

Senatoriable Mrs. Sonia Roco quickly responded to the reaction made by the Autism Society of the Philippines (ASP), clarifying that her statement did not intend to hurt those who have worked hard to remove the social stigma associated with autism.

ASP President Ms. Dang Koe shares with us Mrs. Roco's letter:

------------------------------------
> April 6, 2007
>
> Dear Ms. Dang Uy Koe
>
> The comment was not intended to hurt you or those who
> have worked hard for 20 years to remove the social
> stigma associated with autism.
>
> Please allow me to clarify that the statement was
> uttered in a context not meant to deride or demean
> those who are suffering from autism and the people
> like you who care for them.
>
> It was simply a quick answer to the question,"what can
> you say about the Team Unity claiming they will make
> 12-0? My
> reply was " ano ba sila dreaming? para silang
> autistic, may sariling mundo."
>
> ".may sariling mundo" was what I added to my main
> statement. We are each living in our own individual
> world, while being members of a whole. That was the
> only reference I meant, insinuating that Team Unity is
> so engrossed in their own world that they shut out the
> realities of the community around them. The answer was
> directed
> to Team Unity and to Team Unity alone.
>
> I am sorry. if as you have expressed, the statement
> hurt you and the 400,000 families you represent.
>
> It might be of help to let you know that I had a
> sister who was a special child and at that time, she
> was called "retarded" and all those similarly situated
> were branded retardates. In Raul's family, his
> youngest sister was labelled by psychologists as
> "mongoloid", now termed Down's syndrome or Trisomie.
> Yes, I understand where you are coming from.
> as I hope you will understand to whom the commentary
> was directed to.
>
> I appreciate your feedback. I have learned my lesson.
> If there is any way I could be of help just in case I
> make it to the Senate, with your support which I pray
> you will bless me with, please feel free to contact me
> anytime.
>
> May this Easter bring us Peace and Understanding.
> Thank you and God bless.
>
> Yours Sincerely,
> Sonia M. Roco
--------------------------------

Well surely, Mrs. Roco found a way to save herself from this crucial mistake she made, and even got some badly-needed exposure and makeover to help inch her way up to the Magic 12. Whether she was sincere or not, that would be up to the voters to decide. It is quite easy to accept an apology, but it is definitely hard to forget her insensitive act of stepping on a certain sector of society just to get some airtime. What might have really insulted families and friends of our uniquely loved brothers and sisters was the way Sonia Roco related autism to the severely-decaying world she wants to belong to, spelled out as P-O-L-I-T-I-C-S.

-Dexter

Autism Society reacts to Sonia Roco's statement

Filipinos with autistic family members were gravely hurt by senatoriable Sonia Roco's recent political yet irresponsible statement. This sentiment is shared by ASM--The Autism Society of the Philippines. Here is their reaction to Roco's statement:


---------------------------------------------------------------------------------

"Para naman silang mga autistic...me sariling mundo".

This is what Senatorial candidate Sonia Roco said when interviewed on TV Patrol Monday evening newscast, regarding Team Unity's reaction to poll surveys on Top 12 senators. She followed her statement with a hearty laugh.

But we could not laugh with her.

Coming from a respectable Educator like Mrs. Roco, families of Filipinos with autism could not help but feel hurt by such statement, given the context that it was said. After all, we have worked so hard for the past 20 years to educate Filipinos about autism, and to remove the social stigma associated with it.

We can't help but wonder...if a poll survey is to be conducted now among the estimated 400,000 Filipino families (multiply that please with the number of immediate family members and elatives, plus professionals involved), what would be Mrs. Roco's ranking?

Dang Uy Koe

President

Autism Society Philippines

Update: ASP already got in touch with the office of Mrs. Roco regarding this matter and is expecting her reply.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

While we Filipinos are fond of cracking jokes, what I really cannot digest is how certain people would make fun of special people--the autistic, the handicapped, the poor, the obesed, the curly-haired, the dark-colored...the list just goes longer. I mean can't we just respect one another? We are each created uniquely, but we are all equals in this world, and we have no right to claim that we are superior to others. We need to even have that responsibility to widen our understanding and concern for people who are often misunderstood. Wouldn't this world be a better place if we just lift our morals a little bit higher than where it is collectively right now?

-Dexter

Happy Birthday!

Happy Happy Birthday to some special people in our office:

Richard Valdez
Carlo Dionisio
Dundee Adriatico

from your 3x+y friends

p.s. thank you Blumentritt Bakery for the cake!

-Dexter

The 2007 Global Financial Crisis

We are seeing signs similar to the 1997 Asian Financial Crisis. Does it really come in a 10-year cycle? Can we expect something worse, or we should be optimistic and confident that we have learned from the past?

Just some thoughts to ponder.

-Dexter

Sen. Flavier endorses Nikki Coseteng

The people's favorite, Sen. Juan Flavier ends his political career this year, when his term expires as senator. In the Philippines, a senator cannot serve for three consecutive terms. Flavier wishes that people would vote for Nikki Coseteng this May 2007.

"Graduate na ako sa Senate ngayon. Gusto ko si Nikki Coseteng ang papalit sa akin sa Senado (I’m graduating from the Senate now. I want Nikki Coseteng to replace me in the Senate)," Flavier said during a recent meeting of the Filipino-Chinese Business Association.

Coseteng, who previously served two terms in the Senate after a five-year stint at the House of Representatives, has been known as a staunch nationalist and advocate of women’s rights.

An endorsement from Flavier definitely carries weight and could translate into votes for Coseteng.

Flavier is considered as one of the most respected public officials. He gained popularity when he headed the health department because of his straightforward and down-to-earth approach to public health problems.

Special thanks to the Manila Bulletin

--Dexter

Senate bets 2007: My Top Picks

Philippine elections are coming up May 2007. May what? No one seems to know exactly when! Who cares! We'll be choosing 12 senators only to find out later that the senate gets abolished! Huh! What the heck!

Anyway, if you are interested in going out and vote, the elections will be on May 14. Here are my picks for the senate:

Joker Arroyo

Ed Angara


Noynoy Aquino




Manny Villar



Nikki Coseteng



Kiko Pangilinan

There are six slots left, so whoever wants to fill in the other half, kindly send your own picks through the "Comments" link.

-Dexter

Gotta Wii ! ! !

The most excited people in the world. Grabbed the Wii, a hot item never been seen in the Philippines; and took pictures with it, with box unopened... didn't even care about the contents! as long as we get to be the first to have a photo with it! and bloggin' it!

-Dexter

a night of pinoy culture.... be there this friday!

Join us on February 9 in promoting

Filipino culture and pride.

IPAGMALAKI
mong

PINOY KA.

Don't miss this opportunity.
See you there!

- o -

co-sponsored
by
KLAPKiDS Foundation


- o -

updating

This blog will be updated shortly... thanks for visiting us.

Looking back at the year 2006

Once again, the new year comes along, and we leave behind the year 2006. For many of us, it was a tragic year, dominated by calamities, war, terrorism, hunger, poverty, hatred, dirty politics... we cannot really blame people for having negative memories of 2006. What is good about it is that we can hope for a better year ahead of us, as we've learned, or we have to learn from our experiences in the past.

For me, 2006 was a relatively good year, with a couple of shortcomings, but not zilch on achievements. I look back on the year that was, and listed down some simple accomplishments and blessings to be grateful about:

• Successfully pushed through with my dad's 70th birthday celebration, which was 14 months in the making
• Interestingly survived the challenge of submitting my resignation from XYZ company, despite the unwavering attachment after almost 5 years of service
• Was able to pass on my throne to my personal choice successor
  
• Escaped hunger, famine, and poverty despite 3 months of unemployment
• Created and run a successful yahoogroup: Philippines_Finance_Money_Banking_Investment
• Got employed once again, entering an entirely different field of IT and you-know-what
• Managed well and balanced my time for school, work, and personal life
• Paid off credit card debts
  
• Survived the crash of trust and mutual funds
• Learned the art of online stock trading--being at the right place at the right time--all for the sake of paying credit card debts!
  
• Saved my mobile phone from decay despite dropping it on the floor at an average of 10 times per week
• Visited the Philippine Stock Exchange
• Survived going through a trust fall, although my team mates have other crazy memories of my fall (funny, awkward, wayward, etc.)
• Migrated from "job hunting" to "job matching"
• Got the chance to visit Tondo
• Got the chance to enter Highlands
• Somehow got into the e-loading business, errr... pastime
  
• Confirmed my theory that Coke, Pepsi, Pop, and Virgin Cola are the true remedy for LBM
• Stayed awake for 42 hours, on a hectic school weekend
• Survived the powerful typhoon Milenyo, my first physical, on-the-scene encounter with an eye of a storm
• Got myself a membership for WWF
  
• Delivered a successful speech/seminar for college students
• Survived almost a tragedy... in the kitchen, I dropped over a hundred pieces of frozen fries into boiling oil... the oil went into flames!!! upon clearing up the would-be kitchen-on-fire, I saw myself unharmed... but looking at the surrounding area, cooking oil all over the floor, and just two feet away from me, a sack of kitchen trash--burnt with holes because of the sizzling oil that spilled all over the place! Very thankful to have survived unharmed, despite entering the hell of oil and flames.
• ... the list goes on and on... countless blessings

See, if we could just count our blessings, we realize that we are far more fortunate than many others, and we could have thought that the past year has been great. It is really we who direct the path to our own lives, no matter how influential our environment may be, we can survive and appreciate the opportunity that was given to us, to live a meaningful life full of joy and fulfillment!

Happy New Year!!! Welcome 2007 !!!

-Dexter

Goin' Bulilit... not cute!

I have been watching this program for almost a year now, and it really appeals to me... though it should have been meant for kids, a comedy show for kids that is. Last Sunday, what caught my attention was a joke that a child cracked, wherein she will be giving garbage as a gift to the garbage collector, since they always ask for some "aginaldo" from residents every Christmas. And that was it... that was the punchline! Thinking again, I felt insulted, not that because I do not want to be a recipient of such dirty trash, but, by the way these kids make fun of the garbage collectors' occupation.

This antic is definitely not the works of a kid, but the grownups who write and manage the program. This is not the first time that such offensive jokes have been thrown against certain sectors of society. I'm not sure about this but I think there were some episodes of the program where the kids play deaf, mute or blind, with the handicapped being the subject of laughter.

The Movie and Television Review and Classification Board chairperson even guested in that program it its latest episode, with a little girl interviewing her, jokingly asking questions on which TV scenes are acceptable and which are not. Of course, that was part of the script. Though nothing has been found obscene or violent in the program, the chairperson should have noted some offensive antics that the show present to the public. This program is intended for adults, and children should not be allowed to watch. Even a late night program for adults should not be excused from presenting offensive jokes toward people who have less in life, how much more Goin' Bulilit which is being sold to the kids?

And besides, why are these large group of child actors on TV? Shouldn't they be in school?

-Dexter

LRT, the Philippine Joy Ride

Hmmm... It must have been a very special high-tech fully-furnished cybertrain... Philippine President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe pour champagne to a new coach of the country's light railway transit (LRT) system during its delivery and inauguration ceremony in Manila.

I missed the first day of its operations on December 11, as I wasn't able to go to work due to some fever, when the rains poured and had me wet Sunday afternoon.

This morning, I had the chance. Whew... nice coaches! Elegant lights and attractive color combination! What an exciting morning ride ahead of me.

But as I stepped inside, nahhh, as if there was nothing upgraded. Still the same density of over a dozen people per square meter, still the same pushing and unruly behavior, still the same stubborn people on board (and that includes me).

Whatever upgrade we receive from our government services, there seem to be no sensible improvement to society as most of our citizens do not really care much and never change their attitudes. And yet we have all the guts to blame government for all the problems we have in life. Change begins in me, in you, in each and every one of us. Every bit of improvement we can do is a step closer to progress, but what is really important is that it is initiated by no one else but ourselves.

-Dexter

Balut!

Eeewwwhhh... I bought a balut (duck fetus) on my way home last night...

As I cracked the shell... oohhh... so disgusting! I usually eat only the yolk and the whites... but for this one... I was disappointed with the small egg.

Feeling cheated, I needed to get even. I swallowed the whole thing! Yuck! But really delicious!!!


I now belong to the exclusive club of Filipinos and foreigners who have eaten the aborted duck... Really yummy!!! You gotta try it!!!


-Dexter
(These are not my actual video and photos, ok?)

I forgot the title

I used to sing this song...

"Look at me I'm twenty three
Beautiful, a sight to see tonight
A little dress to draw the press
And I'll be leaving all the rest behind
Well be pleased, girlIf this is what you wanted
The whole world is watching you take the stage
What will you say

Aren't I lovely
And do you want me cause
I am hungry for something that will make me real
Can you see me and
Do you love me cause
I am desperately searching for something real

I close my eyes
Imagine time will not forget my sacrifice
I numb the ache and decorate my emptiness
Stand naked in the light
Well be pleased, world
If this is what you wanted
This young girl is everything that you made
What will she say...
The world goes home
The lights go down
My lipstick fades away"

haaay....

Christine

Poor Metrobank

I'm now counting 3 weeks since my complaint with Metrobank. My payroll account has been deducted P100 each for the month-ends ofAugust and September, and these have not been credited back. October is nearing its end too, so I guess I should expect another P100 service charge.

Maintaining balance for savings ATM is supposed to be P3,000, but since mine is a payroll account, its maintaining balance should only be P100. They probably failed to tag my account as 'payroll', hence these charges recur.

It's just so awesome (or aweful) to note that the country's biggest bank couldn't rectify such a small problem. I had 2 phoned-in complaints and 3 emails. No positive feedback yet. Tsk, tsk, tsk...I just wonder how well or (how worse) they could handle bigger accounts.

Savings accounts are supposed to be there to help us save money for the rainy days. But times have changed. We now see a lot more charges being applied, (that is, if you are keen enough to notice them) and these slowly eat up our hard-earned money.

White Lady or plastic?

Take a look again on this photo in Caleruega. This has a better resolution that would show you how we concluded that the small white image truly resembles a white lady in bridal gown. Yes, it is possible that a hanky or a plastic bag would hang on a bush, but, why "float" and imitate the shape of a bride?

Jollibee's Super Breakfast is just like a mini happy meal, but could help boost your health

Tips for healthy living... just a reminder.

For those who always skip breakfast, you should start kicking that habit now!! You've heard many times that "Breakfast is the most important meal of the day." Now, recent research confirms that one of the worst practices you can develop may be avoiding breakfast. Why? Because the frequency of heart attack, sudden death, and stroke peaks between 6:00a.m. and noon, with the highest incidence being between 8: 00a.m. and 10:00 a.m. What mechanism within the body could account for this significant jump in sudden death in the early morning hours? :-( We may have an answer .

Platelet, tiny elements in the blood that keep us from bleeding to death if we get a cut, can clump together inside our arteries due to cholesterol or plaque buildup in the artery lining. It is in the morning hours that platelets become the most activated and tend to form these internal blood clots at the greatest frequency. However, eating even a very light breakfast prevents the morning platelet activation that is associated with heart attacks and strokes . :-)

Studies performed at Memorial University in St.Johns, Newfoundland found that eating a light, very low-fat breakfast was critical in modifying the morning platelet activation. Subjects in the study consumed either low-fat or fat-free yogurt, orange juice, fruit, and a source of protein coming from yogurt or fat-free milk.

So if you skip breakfast, it's important that you change this practice immediately in light of this research.Develop a simple plan to eat cereal, such as oatmeal or Bran Flakes, along with six ounces of grape juice or orange juice, and perhaps a piece of fruit . This simple plan will keep your platelets from sticking together, keep blood clots from forming, and perhaps head off a potential heart attack or stroke. So never ever skip breakfast! :-)

-Dexter

P.S. Got your crayons? Go on, print this page and show your artistic powers! Color me up! c",)

PNP Morning Delight

I was headed for a devastating day by starting with a morning mess-up along Blumentritt, fronting CGH. Such a "hambog" chinky-eyed car owner appeared to be more demanding than his mishap victims.

I reached the police station and was delighted to meet a couple of friendly policemen, one of whom went out of his way to help us.

What was destined to be a bad hair day turned out to be a great one, a very good morning, courtesy of the Blumentritt police station.

I have not thanked them much for what they have done, but thinking again... I realized that a simple "thank you" would do. Anyway, it's their duty to serve the people. And so I think I have thanked them enough.

Other policemen and government officials should do the same--serve their countrymen by all means.

And besides, according to my statistics, there is a 90% chance that I would again have an encounter with a policeman in the next 14 days, and with an alpha = 0.05, I am 95% confident that it would not be as pleasant as today's.

Genius Kid! That's me 12 years ago (joke)

Ever solved Rubik's Cube puzzle?... this fast?

What a Mess!!! Devastating!

Thanks Mr. RV for your account of the devastating storm that hit us. Thanks too for the ride. It was really horrible! It was my first time to experience such strong winds, seeing billboards, iron sheets, and fences flying all over Mega Manila.

I am still in a state of shock, and I couldn't write much of my experiences, after surviving the threat of being squeezed by a giant paracetamol tablet (Thanks Biogesic for that very creative billboard!). Breezing through Edsa was such a terrible experience, and I am really grateful to reach home safe and sound.

The local weather bureau named it Typhoon Milenyo (Typhoon Millennium). Incidentally, this could be one of the worst to hit Manila in a thousand years.

I chanced upon this great website, the photos can speak for themselves and tell you more about what happened here in Manila.... http://www.nowpublic.com/philippines_pounded_by_typhoon


-Dexter

Hurricane Millennium

Me and Dex left the office at around 12:00 yesterday and something terrible thing happened on my way home. I never thought that I would experience things that I only see in the movie.


I personally experienced the brunt of the storm yesterday, which, besides causing floods, felled trees that caused instant “blockades” in busy cities like Makati and Pasay, peeled off entire marble blocks from some buildings while tossing scaffoldings in others, twisted metal structures in airport warehouses, and hurled billboards down the main highway on Edsa. Besides the debris from countless felled trees, cut power cables dangerously dangled like spaghetti in the streets.


Today, all classes in all levels and work in all government offices remain suspended today in the aftermath of typhoon "Milenyo" (international codename: Xangsane). The typhoon slammed into the metropolis and parts of Luzon and the Visayas yesterday, killing at least 15 people and leaving behind widespread destruction. Milenyo was the strongest typhoon to directly hit Metro Manila in 11 years, after super typhoon Rosing, packing 260 kph, battered the metropolis and nearby provinces in November 1995, leaving 936 people dead.



The storm toppled trees and triggered landslides, blocking some provincial roads. Debris and tree branches littered the streets around Metro Manila. While trees and electric posts were uprooted in many areas in Bicol and most parts of Luzon where the typhoon passed. School authorities suspended classes, flights were canceled, ferry boats were grounded, the country’s financial markets were halted, and officials were forced to suspend the operation of two commuter trains (MRT and LRT) in Metro Manila as the typhoon wiped out all normal activity. More than 40 million people were without electricity after the typhoon, packing winds of 130 kilometers per hour, destroyed power lines in Metro Manila and other parts of Luzon. This is a devastation of the city, the trees were uprooted even the Meralco and PLDT posts were damaged.


-RV

Saving Guimaras

So what is government up to? NDCC and Task Force Guimaras has reportedly set up this website http://www.ligtasguimaras.com.ph to demonstrate their commitment in saving Guimaras Island.


Petron is a close partner in this undertaking and has met with Taiwan marine pollution experts to discuss possible areas of cooperation. Whatever failures they have shown in the past events, let's just keep our fingers crossed and work with them to restore Guimaras back to its natural beauty.


Dexter

It's a Free Country... There's Freedom to Harass and Silence Media

Media should be the fourth branch of government... next to the executive, legislative, and judicial. All branches are said to be equal, oh really? So that is why the tenants of the old bank building could detain other government officials, while other influential beings could kick out media personalities on TV.

The Tulfo brothers have been booted out from RPN-9.

ABS-CBN's The Correspondents was suspended for three weeks.

ABC 5's Frontline has a story that was cut by the censors.

GMA has another program that was suspended... either Reporter's Notebook or Eyewitness.

So who's next in line? I just hope that it wouldn't be another mediaman being gunned down...

Posted by:
Dexter

FREE Dinuguan* to Guimaras residents and tourists

So, it has been one month since that tragic incident in Guimaras. Oil from Petron devastated the lives of thousands of residents and wiped out the world-reknown island from the tourist map. Kinda odd coz as a top Philippine corporation, Petron hasn't done much to regain public trust. They have initiated clean-up drives that have been criticized by many, and their efforts are put into waste as they seem to fail in achieving any progress.

The problem was when Petron pointed its finger to the Solar I barge provider--yeah, Petron has its point, but to use fingerpointing as its first defense? Nah!.. Just look at Caltex and Shell, how they create an environment-friendly image that's appealing to the public. Petron should learn its lesson and exert more effort in regaining public trust, even if it couldn't anymore revive the spactacular site we once known as Guimaras.

* "Dinuguan" is a native Filipino dish that is made of pork meat, ears, intestines and other internal organs, cooked in pig's blood and vinegar. It is black in color, and served best with steamed rice or rice cake. Also called "blood stew".


Posted by
Dexter

Tropang Tulfo

I have not been a follower of the Tulfo brothers... although I am aware that each one of them has been making so much noise in the tri-media, both individually and as brothers. I hated how they talked, how they exaggerated small issues, how they inconsiderately hurt the feelings of their subjects. Until just recently.

Now, the tables have been turned. They have been booted out from RPN-9. It is now the Tulfo brothers--Mon, Raffy, and Erwin, who are the subject of an arm of vengeance. I feel sad that they need to suffer this much. I just hope that media and press freedom won't get knocked down by some influential beings in power. It is a great challenge for media practitioners to fight for press freedom, and we do hope that everyone gets vigilant and do his share in this undertaking.

Dexter

Here comes the bride!

A photo in Caleruega, a serene place in Nasugbu, Batangas reveals quite an interesting image. I have here a picture of myself, my father, my mother who is just behind dad, and a surprise tiny little lady in bridal gown. Click on the photo to see the clearer image in the small tree on the left... the white lady in bridal gown! Yes, it could be a white hanky or plastic bag, but why would a hanky be hanging over there? And it's not really hanging, it seems to be floating! Try viewing in extreme close-up and you will see the details of the bride... the bouquet of flowers she is holding, the off-shoulder sleeves, the ballooning skirt, the veil... Go see for yourself and please share your views on this matter by clicking "comments". Thanks.

Paper Planes

It's odd... I learned how to make paper airplanes only last night.... and where? in graduate school! Haha! That's quite funny... When I was a kid, I only made paper boats and kites... I can't seem to remember why I wasn't able to learn to make paper planes back then... hmmm... Thank God I enrolled at the Ateneo Graduate School of Business!!!

-Posted by: Dexter

Change Begins with Choice

by
Jim Rohn

Any day we wish; we can discipline ourselves to change it all. Any day we wish; we can open the book that will open our mind to new knowledge. Any day we wish; we can start a new activity. Any day we wish; we can start the process of life change. We can do it immediately, or next week, or next month, or next year.

We can also do nothing. We can pretend rather than perform. And if the idea of having to change ourselves makes us uncomfortable, we can remain as we are. We can choose rest over labor, entertainment over education, delusion over truth, and doubt over confidence. The choices are ours to make. But while we curse the effect, we continue to nourish the cause. As Shakespeare uniquely observed, "The fault is not in the stars, but in ourselves." We created our circumstances by our past choices. We have both the ability and the responsibility to make better choices beginning today. Those who are in search of the good life do not need more answers or more time to think things over to reach better conclusions. They need the truth. They need the whole truth. And they need nothing but the truth.

We cannot allow our errors in judgment, repeated every day, to lead us down the wrong path. We must keep coming back to those basics that make the biggest difference in how our life works out. And then we must make the very choices that will bring life, happiness and joy into our daily lives.

And if I may be so bold to offer my last piece of advice for someone seeking and needing to make changes in their life? If you don't like how things are, change it! You're not a tree. You have the ability to totally transform every area in your life? and it all begins with your very own power of choice.

- Posted by Lou Rose

Still Best for Babies (up to two years and beyond)!!

I am Tatiana M. Gorayeb-Dulalia, 33 years old. I am married and have a two-year old boy. I know that makes you think I belong to a different world altogether. Sometimes it feels that way, especially when I imagine how much time all of you guys can devote to MBA schoolwork. Becuase for me, it's a huge struggle, but I am not making any excuses.
And since I am indirectly touching on the topic of motherhood (since I'm talking about my difficult schedule -- they go hand-in-hand, you know..), I'd like to talk about a favorite topic that a good number of people have been buzzing about lately--breastfeeding.
I like to talk about this because the benefits of breastfeeding are now slowly coming out of the dark, after being imprisoned there by numerous infant-formula commercials and the doctors that are sponsored to prescribe them. Don't get me wrong, though, I have nothing against these pediatricians who do not directly make an effort to encourage new mothers to breastfeed. I just wish they would present a balanced picture.
The argument is simple -- human milk it fit for humans. Human babies are meant to take human milk. All the mammals show us that.
Secondly, human milk contains colostrum (present in the milk within ten days after delivery) and this strengthens the newborn's immune system.
Thirdly, breastmilk is readily available. It's very sanitary, too!
Fourthly, it increases the bond between the mother and her baby.
Lastly, breastmilk is known to be important for human brain development. It contains AHA and DHA, two enzymes that aid brain development and help eyesight development. (These two components are now present in infant formula milk). Numerous published literature also say that breastmilk contributes to the acceleration of a child's IQ. To back this claim, a study was conducted where college students were made to take IQ tests. A hundred percent of those with high IQ scores were breasfed by their mothers as infants. And the longer the duration of breastfeeding was, the higher the score.
However, I am fully aware of the different reasons some mothers are not able to breastfeed.
One possible reason is finances. For a mother who is given only a two-month maternal leave, what choice is she left with but just to give formula through a caregiver? However, breastpumps are now available, and mothers can pump every six hours and store the milk in the refrigerator for 24 hours. But what about offices where no refrigerators exist?
Another reason is extreme willpower. Yes, extreme. In my case, at least. You have to keep trying for the milk to come out. Not all female breasts are created for an easy start at breastfeeding. Determination and prayer are important.
Other reasons may exist, but for now those are the only ones I know.
I just wish more information will be made available to Filipino mothers about the benefits of breastfeeding. There is currently a ban on infant formula commercials because statistics are surpising. For a third world country like ours, even the minimum wage earners buy infant formula, easily a thousand pesos or more for a large can.
Recently, we broke the world record for public breastfeeding in an event held in Manila.
I hope more such events take place, and campaigns be sustained so that breastmilk and breastfeeding be every mother's first choice.
How do I know this?
I'm still breastrfeeding my 2-year old! It sounds crazy, but I'm not thinking of quitting. I'll wait for him to stop.
So my dieting plans have been put on hold for two years now...

Posted by: Taty

NUTRI Facts!

Hi! I’d like to share with you some of the common misconceptions about dieting and exercising. I encountered these during the consultations I had when I worked for Slimmers World International. I hope you also will find these meaningful.


Myth 1: Carbs make you fat
Fact: Too many calories can make you fat. Carbohydrates are essential for energy, especially the brain. We all need a good balance of carbohydrates, protein and fat. A low carbohydrate diet is an unbalanced diet which can lead to diseases of the kidney, liver and heart.

Myth 2: Salads are always a healthy choice
Fact: The ingredients in salad may be healthy but the addition of excess salad dressing can make the salad high in fats and fairly unhealthy.

Myth 3: Fat is bad for you. A no fat diet is the best for all
Fact: Fat is absolutely essential for the body to function normally and well. A moderate amount of fat will keep the cells intact, and keep hormones functioning properly.

Myth 4: Diet colas have no calories, so it’s OK to rink much as desired.
Fact: Colas, with or without sugar, contain phosphoric acid. Too much phosphoric acid can draw out the calcium and weaken the bones resulting to osteoporosis later in life. Limit your intake per day.

Myth 5: When you stop exercising, your muscles turn to fat
Fact: Lack of exercise does make the muscles shrink, reducing the body's calorie-burning rate. The lack of activity itself further reduces the number of calories you burn. So people who stop working out are indeed in danger of getting flabby. But that doesn't mean that muscle actually turns to fat - they're totally different types of tissue.

Myth 6: Strength training tends to give women a bulky, masculine physique.
Fact: It's very difficult for most women to build large muscles. That's because women have relatively low levels of the hormone testosterone, which influences muscle growth. Both men and women can build firmer rather than bulkier muscles by working against lighter resistance more than 25 times rather than heavier resistance fewer times.


Love life!

Maria Christina Gonzales, RND

Click here to know more about Nutrition Guidelines for Filipinos
http://www.fnri.dost.gov.ph/ngfiles/ng10.htm
http://www.nscb.gov.ph/headlines/nutrition/ngf.htm

What's in a Name?

A lot of people would associate my name with the showbiz actress Cristina Gonzalez. She used to be called “Kring-kring” back then. Questions like “How are you related to the actress?”, and even “Are you an actress?”(hahaha.. :-P) are not new to me. In fact, I am quite expecting those questions to be blurted out once I reveal my full name.

Do you know that I once hated my name? Cristina Gonzalez, the actress, had been once tagged as S.T. Queen. During my childhood years, I was teased by my classmates for having such name. I felt hurt and discriminated. Then I would cry really, really, REALLY hard in a place where no one can find me. I know that thing was really petty. But for a young kid who felt that she didn’t belong, that thing sucked. As years passed, I learned to get over with it and soon enough the teasing stopped. I don’t know how it happened. Maybe those bunch of bully kids grew up or maybe, I just came to love the idea that my name is linked to the actress.

Maybe that’s how we should face our own battles. Like me, I guess you also have those i-wish-i-was-not-me moments. But come to think of it, every single detail in you is created because of a purpose. We may not understand it right away but just continue to have faith. Believe in something. Believe in yourself. Learn to appreciate what you have.

When I look back, I couldn’t help but to just laugh at it all. The good part of my childhood story is that my name helped me, in a way, to be noticed in a group of people which eventually leads me to be more sociable and win friends. For me, that’s more than enough return for all the pains that I went through with it.

A message to my Boss

I guess you're surprise to read this... you've always known me to be open and honest with you about anything...and here I am, using this blog to indirectly tell you how I feel. I'm sorry if I cannot be as confident as I am when I'm presenting business proposals as I am presenting to you how I feel.

Two weeks ago, I sent you a letter expressing how I feel about my work. I'm really really stressed about handling two people's job now, not because of the workload but because of the personalities and office politics that I have to deal with. However, you managed to talk me out from my intention to leave one of my post. So how come I decided not to let go? Simple, its because I don't want to disappoint you. You mentioned that you have already told the Executive Committee (who is doubting my capacity to juggle two positions due to my age) that you strongly believe I can pull this one through. I didn't want you to get back to them saying that "I made a mistake, she decided to quit", because I really don't want to quit. You mentioned that my emotion is my strongest and in the same time weakest trait, and yes it is...I am passionate about work which make it my strength and yet I strong get affected whenever there is something wrong in the system that I can't fix and whatever people has to say to me. This is who I am, results matter to me and my mom raised me not to be content with second bests.

Last night while I was driving home, a realized that I have become extremely unhappy... my time is no longer mine, but its already the company's. Now I suddenly cannot make any plans for my family, my friends or even for myself because I always end up being late for the event or being too tired to attend something...thus causing disappointments because I want to make sure that I don't disappoint anyone in the office. My life is now a part of my career instead of my career being part of my life. I don't know how much longer can I keep my life running like this. My house is no longer my home, but its just a house where I live...I no longer belong there.

Regardless if I decide to stay here, quit one of my post or totally quit everything, I want you to know that I am grateful for the opportunity that you have given me. I have learned so much here, in terms of enriching my technical skills but also about life. I have learned that sucess is not directly proportional to happiness, as there are things that can be taken for granted in pursuit of success.

- Lou Rose

Me, Myself and Christine

Hi everyone! Bloggin’ here is 3x+y’s most adorable member (hahaha… right groupmates?). My full name is Maria Christina S. Gonzales. I am 23 years old and I live in Calamba City, Laguna.

I am a big fan of my bed and pillows. In other words, I love to sleep! I sleep with lights on or lights off. I sleep whenever I find a chance, be it for more than10 hours straight or 10-minute break. I just love doing it.

I am also fond of black coffees. No sugar, please. It is best with any plain bread that I could break into small pieces and dunk in the hot cup. This combination is great especially when I want to resist the unwanted temptation that my bed and pillows give me.

I have a weakness for siomai. I am addicted to it since I was in college. For me, siomai provides a therapeutic effect. Whenever I am sad or sick, all I could think of is to find a siomai house. My friends usually give me siomai as a peace offering. I must admit that with it, I feel better.

Guys, I also have to add the following to my list of favorites: shopping, surfing the internet, watching movies, the word “SALE”, TV game shows, jokes, Friendster, my hyperactive dog, my first nephew, the world map (because I dream of traveling the world), my dad, my mom, my bebe, my INFOTE classmates and professor, and my team mates 3x+y.

What else? Hmm… I am a licensed nutritionist-dietitian. I got my degree from the University of the Philippines Los Banos, Laguna, the land of irresistible Buko pies and espasol. I spent my elementary and high school years in Colegio de San Juan de Letran (Arriba!). These places carry a lot of stories about memories of yester-years. Some of them are good and some are just not-so good.

Actually as a kid, I already knew the value of hard work and money. At the age of 11, I had a job in our Municipal Health Center for the summer. The following year, I became a tour guide staff in the historical house of Jose Rizal (pretty exciting). During high school, I sold my teacher's baked goodies to my classmates during break time. I was her favorite student. Then in college, I was an assistant teacher for the university’s after school care program for the employees’ children.

My first real job came in after I graduated in college. It It was with Slimmers World International. The company is a pioneer in the wellness industry. Basically, I handle clients’ diet program then eventually, I became part of the management committee. On the side, I accepted a consultancy work for a hospital in Batangas. After a year, the project is already finished so I let go already.

Getting an MBA education never occurred to me until the day that I realized the need for something better than what I already have. I wanted to accomplish more and to explore other possibilities. On my first year, I was able to balance my time for school and work at Slimmers. But at the start of this school year, I finally decided to resign. I feel that I need to invest more time to my studies so I can grasp as much learning as I can since I do not have a concrete background in some business management subjects.

Right now, I am living my life one day at a time. Slow and easy. I like to keep it this way for a couple of months more. Just me, myself and I.

I still have so many things to share about myself but I guess I should reserve it for my next entry. So til my next blog!

House

My weekend was a total mess, all I can think about was how unhappy I am. Last Friday, it was the first time that I had a fight with my boss. What's the catch? Well everyone fights with him, but not me...then all of a sudden we had to argue...and then eventually had to raise our voices. It was so terrible!

To relieve my anxiety, I decided to have a "House" marathon. My first encounter with the said drama series was when I spent my Christmas vacation in Baguio with my Auntie's in-laws. I only watched a couple of episodes, but the Dr. House-Dr. Cameron thingy really caught my attention.

Last week, I asked my boyfriend to buy me the complete 1st and 2nd season... and the marathon begun last Saturday night. As each episode passed by, I begun having this crush on Dr. House. I have always been attracted to the intelligent ones. I admire him to his cool yet genius looking type. I admire him for his honesty, especially his capacity to make really good arguements with his boss...his capacity to bring out the best from his team. I admire him for not being able for feel the emptiness. I wish I had those qualities so I will not get hurt anymore. I say that Dr. Cameron and I have the same taste when I comes to men, and I really hope that in whatever season it is, they will end up together!

I can't wait for this coming weekend when I will be able to see the second season. It is my official stress reliever nowadays. I hope for either of the two: I hope tto find another stress reliever after I watch the second season or I hope that I will become less stress (the first wish is more reliastic than the latter)

- Lou Rose

Money! Money! Money!

Duh! Money!!!! Who in the world is not interested with money? Everybody does, from the wealthiest businessman on earth, to the humble young farmer planting seedlings in a faraway land...

Whatever purpose we may have, we do and will find ways to make more money. We spend it daily, some earn it easily, while a whole lot of beings seem to spend without earning 'em. We need to ensure that we earn more than we spend, or spend less than we earn, or else we get cash-trapped.

Throughout the years, we have seen how money has been invested, earned, and transformed creatively, in a dramatic and infinite number of ways. We previously had our piggy banks where we stored our coins. Then we had the passbook where we monitored our cash position in a bank. Money later on became plastic, with the emergence of the credit and ATM cards. Cards that were previously imprinted manually on receipts soon adapted electronic means of transacting, with the introduction of POS systems. In the onslaught of the electronic digital age, money is now stored in virtual banks. In the form of bonds, securities, and other instruments. And what could even be more innovative? Commodities are now being traded in the exchange. Your money is turned into virtual gold, oil, and even orange juice? Hmmm... getting juicier every minute huh!

Money is now a global commodity, available in various forms. It is a necessity, extremely valuable for what it brings to our lives. With the continuous rise in our cost of living, we must continually find ways to generate better returns for our money. It is for our future, it is what we ought to enjoy when we reach the retirement years.

Unfortunately though, with the emergency of online technologies, scams and other questionable investment vehicles also abound in cyberspace. It is necessary for us to investigate and dig deeper into each of these investment activities before jumping on board the easy way to getting richer.

Education and research on emerging opportunities are indeed big steps to achieving success in investing. Being well-informed in anticipation of future market undertakings gives us an edge over the others in achieving financial freedom.

Now, let's say you've achieved the wealth that you've dreamed about. Are you happy? Are you satisfied? Will you ever be satisfied with all that you have? All material things may be worthless afterall, if you do not live a happy life. So in starting any undertaking, just make sure that you have a goal in mind, a purpose for why you think of getting rich.

-by Dexter

It's me... Dexter! and I'm bloggin!

Hello my friends! I’m Dexter Lim, 27 years of age, from Quezon City, Philippines. My hobbies include eating and sleeping, hehe… Well, you could also include surfing the net, taking candid pictures, reading and watching the news, malling, chatting online, investing in crazy stuff, and again, my favourites, (though I seldom find time to do them)… eating and sleeping!!!!

I am an Industrial Engineer, who got my bachelor’s degree from the University of Santo Tomas. I spent my younger years studying in St. Jude Catholic School, near the Malacanang Palace (and the lovely Pasig River of course), from preschool all the way to high school.

Right after college, I worked for Paperlink, Inc. as Production Planning and Quality Control Supervisor. Later on, I became Production Manager for the said company. Paperlink is a manufacturer of quality paper products, such as notebooks, folders, bond paper, pads, envelopes, gift wrappers and the like, and carried brand names such as Vision, Victory, Scribbles, Standard, and Mica.

I had a fulfilling and enjoyable work, but I felt I wanted to have more. I reflected and found out that I was searching for more knowledge and was not fully satisfied with what I was learning and achieving at work. So in June of 2005, I enrolled in the Ateneo Graduate School of Business in Rockwell Center, Makati, and found what I’ve been longing for. I stayed on with my work, and balanced my time to concentrate too on my studies for the MBA Program.

School became tougher and tougher, though enjoyable, and there came a time when I needed to choose between school and work. I had to make a very important decision, and I chose to give up my career in April 2006, and just concentrate on my studies. This allowed me to fully absorb all that I gain from school, and spend some time for myself and my loved ones.

Philippine economy was not getting better, and so I accepted a new job come July 2006. I entered an entirely different world...

Here I am now, with my other groupmates—the hotbabes of 3x+y—Christine, Lou Rose and Taty, doing our own blogs.

I first heard of blogs in Friendster, like we all did. I found that blogs were such a useless thing on the internet, mostly done by girls on their teens, talking about their crushes, their favourite sweet romantic pocketbooks, their first time to bring their dog to the pet salon... Duh!!! What a waste of time! Such an unproductive way of eating up space on the internet!

But now, I found that blogs are such a great source of news and information. Iraqi and Lebanese residents shared stories, pictures and videos that CNN or BBC were not able to cover. Citizens freely talked about corruption in their respective governments. Voters aired their opinion on presidential candidates and influenced others on making important decisions for their country. Businessmen extensively marketed their products and services, virtually free from advertising expenses.

Truly, blogs have shaped the new internet, with a whole bunch of features that everyone can use for their own purpose. Count a few more months and we would probably see the blogosphere evolving into another dimension, probably as a new portal, alternating as the new cyberspace with loads of information and functions that cater to all our needs online.

- by Dexter

Devil wears Prada

Synopsis:
New grad Andy Sachs takes her college drab fashion sense to be an assistant at Runway Magazine, run by Miranda Priestly, only the most powerful name in fashion. Soon Andy realizes that in an office full of very slim women in haute couture, she may be a little out of place. But she knows that many girls would kill to get a foot in Runway's door and answer to Miranda's beck and call. Not one to give up that easily, she gets a makeover and soon acts like she's been in the industry forever. But the more she is with Miranda, the more she sees that a fabulous life isn't always a happy one. How much sacrifice does great success require?

Reaction:
I was so happy that I decided to watch this movie during its advance screening. I can relate to Andy since I have difficulties at work also, difficuties with office politics and managing my not-so-easy-to-please boss. There was one scene that I love, it was when Andy was complaining to the fashion editor about her boss saying that all the good things that she has done is not appreciated and one wrong move is totally a big deal. The fashion editor told her to quit her job, and Andy said that it's unfair, and the fashion editor told her, then she should not complain. Ouch!!! I have been complaining about my work since what January 2006??? And there were so many times that I wanted to give up. I wish it was so easy to just resign, but someone there are a lot of things that makes me think twice. I don't want to give up, but I'm afraid that I will just collapse one day. "How much sacrifice does great success require?", my answer, I don't know but I hope its not worth my happiness!

-Lou Rose

Little Loulou

Hello guys! I'm Lou Rose Elaine Franco, one of the member of the 3x+y group.

I have a really long name huh? Well, there's actually a story to why my parents gave named me as such. It's a combination of my dad, mom and grandmother's name. My dad is Luisito (Lou) Victor Franco and he is currently working as a Production Director for the Public Relations Department of Saudi Aramco. My mom is Rosemarie (Rose) Fong Franco and she is an elementary teacher at an international school in Saudi Arabia. As you noticed, both my parents are working abroad, thus the one who served as my guardian is my grandmonther, Elen (Elaine) Fong. Makes sense right?

I consider myself as a home buddy, I prefer to stay at home to rest than going out during weekends. My past time is going around supermarkets and department stores, I like to see how prices of different items change as well as to see if there are new items in the market. I love trying things, especially when the TV ads or the description of the item is something that interest me. I love Divisoria, you can buy almost anything there at a very reasonable price. When my mood is not so good, I find comfort in Kowloon Pork Pao, Meiji Black Chocolate or any Dimsum! I'm very addicted to Taiwanese/Korean series that I can finish a whole series in just 2 days.

I'm half chinese half filipino, but since I grew up with my grandmother, I was more exposed with the Chinese culture thus enrolled in a Chinese school from nursery to high school. I studied in Grace Christian High School for around 12 years, which earned me a loyalty award. After high school, I went to De La Salle University and took up Bachelor of Science in Industrial Engineering.

After graduation, I worked for the Industrial Engineering department of DLSU as an Assistant Lecturer. I taught subjects like Cost Accounting, Statistics and Operation Management to sophomore engineering students. During that time, I also worked as a Research Assistant for their Center of Operations Research and Management Science of DLSU, primarly doing mathematical programming.

My first corporate job was being a Buyer for the Jollibe Foods Corporation. I handled the purchasing and supply management of chicken products (ChickenJoy) and other commodities such as oils, dressings, flour and dairy products. After 4 months, I moved to Mead Johnson Philippines as a Supply Planner. I consider my employement with MJ as one of the best things that ever happened to my life. I was able to meet real friends, had a good mentor and was exposed to the multinational way of operations (relying heavily on technology, especially ERP). MJ has a good working environment since employees work together as a team. Now, I am with McKenzie Distribution as a Supply Chain Manager for Procurement and Planning. Yes, I move a lot...but its not because of the compensation but more on the learnings and experience that I would be able to get, i have been into the academe, food industry, manufacturing industry and distribution industry...who know's what lies ahead.

My goal in life is simple, to finish MBA and to excel in the field of Supply Chain Management. I work very hard and see to it that I deliver based on my commitments.

Welcome to the blogosphere!!!

Welcome to 3x + y ! ! ! We are a group of students from the Ateneo Graduate School of Business in Rockwell Center, Makati City, Philippines, and we would like to spread the good news... We are here to share with you our lives, our values, our dreams...

We are composed of the 3X ladies--Christine, Tati, and Lou Rose, and the only male (Y)--Dexter. We are reserving this space for ourselves, as we believe that we all have our place in this cyber world.

So just sit back, relax and keep coming back on our blog for more updates in the coming days. Thank you very much for blogging with us!!!

- Dexter, Lou Rose, Christine, and Taty