The Metro Manila Film Festival - My Thoughts About It

Its this time of the year again when Filipino Film Makers, producers, actors, directors and the movie goers are all excited to watch the entries of the said star studded Festival in the country. Millions of movie goers line up in different malls to either watch their favorite actors and actresses or to watch all of the entry.

I wont be saying one movie is better than the other. This is not what the article is all about. I would be talking much more on what I thought in general about the movies presented for this years Metro Manila Film Festival 2013.

In general, today's Metro Manila Film Festival runs smoothly and definitely a success. Families spend a portion of their money to support the said festival. I like the idea that at least once a year they closed all cinemas across the archipelago to give way to all entries to be shown nationwide starting December 25 until somehow first week of January.

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For the opening day last December 25, My Little Bossing definitely rocked the ticket gross sales and topped the chart. Even before the opening I already think that My Little Bossing would be the highest grossing film for this years Metro Manila Film Festival. As I watched the movie, I think Ryza Mae "Aling Maliit" Dizon definitely is the sailor of the show. She definitely outshine her partner James "Bimby" Aquino (as expected, because this is Bimby's first appearance in movie). Bimby and Ryzza Mae will now hold the highest gross film for Day 1 outshining last years highest gross film Sisterakas.This proves that Kris Aquino (starrer of My Little Bossing) still is the Queen of All Media and Blockbuster Queen as I always say she can sell even the stone in Metro Manila and Vic Sotto still is the king of highest grossing films of Metro Manila as he never fails to be part of the TOP 3 Highest Grossing Film and don't underestimate Ryzza Mae "Aling Maliit" because she continues to prove that she can sell a movie and a talk show. My final verdict for the movie is definitely a comedy of good taste and class. Aling Maliit Ryzza Mae Dizon and Aiza Seguera is the flag bearer of the said  movie. The chemistry of all the actors and actresses of the movie in deed shines all throughout. I truly recommend this movie for children and or for the whole family.

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Second highest grossing film for today's Metro Manila Film Festival is as I expect is Vice Ganda's Girl Boy Bakla Tomboy. Vice Ganda is fully supported by the grass roots because of the kind of joke he uses which is very visible in the movie. Maricel Soriano still proves that she is still on the limelight after she takes home the Best Actress Award. I truly recommend this movie to moviegoers above 18 years old because of the kind of joke it has transpired in the movie.

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Horor movie still has some spot to Filipino movie goers as transpired by the Kathryn Bernardo and Daniel Padilla tandem in Pagpag: Siyam na Buhay as they still holds the number 3 spot in top grossing films. I watched the movie because I am very interested in Filipino culture. It is believe that after visiting a burial or wake one should go somewhere and "shake off"  and clean himself or herself to ward off the spirit of the the dead and will not follow him or her before heading home. I don't know why Horror movies are shown during Christmas season.

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Again Eugene Dominggo paves her way with her comedy stint and amazed her audience and fans in her Metro Manila Film Festival Entry Kimmy Dora and Kiyemeng Prequel. Her comedy styles never fails her audience and proves that Kimmy Dora can still sell as she is part of the Top 4 highest grossing films.

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No Doubt, Robin Padilla's 10,000 Hours definitely rocks the Festival as it bags almost all the awards. Robin Padilla then and again paves his way to the BEST ACTOR awards. It is a movie that will definitely revotionalize the action drama stints. I would say that this is so far the best of Robin Padilla's action-drama movie he ever starred into. One thing that turns me off is the idea that it is again based on a political figure. It could be used as again political advertisement to the politician they support. It doesn't wave product endorsement but it has shown a definite political advertisement which I am not fan of. The cinematography, acting, and directing is what I think that makes it really good.

So far, for most of the movies I've watched I believe that there are entries that is not supposed to be there but the winner definitely deserves their award (though Pedro Calungsod movie should have an award as well). Another thing that I have observed, most of the movies contains commercial product thus I call it a commercial movies or advertisement drama or product placement. It is evident to most movies that they always definitely made sure to add the products that they are endorsing at some point it became part of the movie attraction. I am not a big fan of such movie and I discourage such product endorsing on movies and should focus more on quality. Movie goers watch the movie because they wanted to be entertained and not watched the product the actors and actresses they endorsed.

Again, the Metro Manila Film Festival should showcase the best of the best Filipino Movies and not just a local flare. I am expecting that entries should way better or at par to their New Wave counterparts. The Metro Manila Film Festival should stands in their vision to promote the best of Filipino talents and not an avenue to promote political personalities, mobile applications, bath soap, pancit canton, laundry detergents among others. This should be an avenue of businessmen to flaunt their products and sell it to their audience. Films should be an avenue to entertain while ingesting values and characters and or very good story line, plot and acting.

Here is the complete list of winners for the 2013 MMFF:

FOR NEW WAVE CATEGORY:

New Wave Most Gender-Sensitive Film: Island Dreams Directed by Aloy Adlawan and Gino Santos
Animation Jury Prize: Ang Lalong Ni Kulakog
New Wave Special Jury Prize: Mga Anino ng Kahapon
New Wave Short Film Best Picture: Ang Paglisan
New Wave Best Picture: Dukit
Best New Wave Film: Dukit by Armando Lao
Best New Wave Film Director: Armando Lao for Dukit
New Wave Best Actress: Agot Isidro
New Wave Best Actors: Wilfredo Layug, Bor Ocampo, Bambalito Lacap for "Dukit"

Main Category

10,00 Hours

Best Festival Sound Recording: 10,000 Hours
Best Visual Effects: 10,000 Hours
Best Musical Score: 10,000 Hours
Best Production Design: 10,000 Hours
Best Editor: Maria Ignacio, 10,000 Hours
Best Cinematography: 10,000 Hours
Best Original Story: 10,000 Hours
Best Screenplay: 10,000 Hours
Best Director: Joyce Bernal (10,000 Hours)
Best Supporting Actor: Pen Medina, 10,000 Hours
Gat Puno Antonio Villegas Cultural Award: 10,000 Hours
1st Best Picture: 10,000 Hours
FPJ Memorial Award for Excellence winner: 10,000 Hours
Best Actor: Robin Padilla, 10,000 Hours

My Little Bossing

Best Child Performer: Ryzza Mae Dizon, My Little Bossings
Best Original Theme Song: My Little Bossings
Best Supporting Actress: Aiza Seguerra, My Little Bossings
3rd Best Picture: My Little Bossings

PAGPAG: Siyam na Buhay

Youth Choice Award: Pagpag
Male Star of the Night: Daniel Padilla
Best Make-up: Pagpag Siyam na Buhay

Girl Boy Bakla Tomboy

Best Actress: Maricel Soriano, Girl Boy Bakla Tomboy
2nd Best Picture: Girl, Boy, Bakla. Tomboy
Most Gender-Sensitive Film: Girl Boy Bakla Tomboy directed by Wenn Deramas

Kimmy Dora: Ang Kiyemeng Prequel

Female Star of the Night: Eugene Domingo

Boy Golden

Best Float Award: Boy Golden

Other Awards:

Special Recognition Award: Ronnie Ricketts, Optical Media Board Chairperson

List of Official Entries to Metro Manila Film Festival

10,000 Hours
Girl, Boy, Bakla, Tomboy
Kimmy Dora: Ang Kiyemeng Prequel
Pagpag: Siyam na Buhay
My Little Bossings
Kaleidoscope World
Pedro Calungsod: Batang Martir

Planning for Retirement will be My New Years Resolution

I am not financial expert nor a financial literate. However, over the past few days I have been thinking what happens to me when I retire. Then suddenly I came to realize that this would be my greatest failure. I should have been saving for my retirement the moment I started working.

There'd be so many ways and tips written about how to plan for your retirement. Financial experts will always have to say something about for to plan for a retirement. The thoughts actually that has been bugging me is AM I READY TO RETIRE when it is about time to RETIRE?

Planning for a retirement for sure is always the best way to go about it. Planning is definitely tedious and mind bugging. In my own idea, in order for you to plan for a retirement is you'd have to come up with a process on how you could achieve a successful and easy retirement. Part of which is definitely forecasting your future needs. Forecasting is the first step to a successful Retirement Plan.

Forecasting could be as simple as listing down all your possible expenses in a given point of your life. Of course FORECASTING is too technical to most of us including me. But, I am referring to the easier one which is the Qualitative Forecasting where it is really subjective and it is purely based on your own judgement. Though it is based on your judgement and subjective in nature you would have to put in mind that you would have to be most factual. In my case, I would forecast that the moment I will retire, I will be spending at least Php 3500 to Php 6500 per month on medicine and maintenance, Php 1500 on electricity and Php 500 on water bill. Since I am alone, I would be spending at least Php 1800 on food and beverage per week Php 4000 per month for phone, cable tv, and internet services and the list goes on. After making the list of the most possible expenses I would have to multiply it for 20 years granting that is if I will retire on the age of 55. Oh by the way if you plan of travelling after you retire, then you would have to add that on your forecast.

After forecasting, then we have to think of all our expenses. Of course, we don't just forecast our future expenses, we have also have to plan on how we could reach our goal.

So here's what I will be doing for me to achieve my Retirement Plan.

1. Its been said many times in many articles about retirement that the best way to fund your retirement is by cutting down your expenses to ramp up savings. I find it logically correct. Well though it is true that one of the many reason why we strive to look for a better job offering a higher compensation is because we wanted to live the life we dreamed to have. I am not saying that I wont be buying new clothes for the next 10 years or not going to a movie house for the rest of year. What I am trying to say here is I will be cutting my expenses on a so called extravaganza expenses.
2. Saving Saving Saving and more Saving. I am guilty on this part. At age 30, I still don't have financial savings. For me I am already at the verge of what I call financial suicide. I have a 30 year mortgage which means, I can only rest from paying off my mortgage at the age of 60. With the expenses I listed above I should now start saving a portion of my earnings. However, with the economic situation of the Philippines and the fluctuation of prices of common goods then it would mean that I would need to triple my effort in saving. Bottom line here is for me to save as much money as I can while I am working and while there are companies who would like to hire me.One goal is by the end of 2014 I should be able to secure a different Bank Account number as my retirement savings. It is always best that this should not be withdrawn by any chance. It is always a good idea as well to add more every time I have an achievement whether my personal, business, and or professional life.
3. Invest. I personally think that investing would be the perfect avenue for me to save more for my retirement. However, I think the best way to invest my money is through mutual funds. However, dont just invest on any mutual funds but rather it should be to a reputable and stable companies offering such investment terms. Here's a good read about mutual funds: Grow Your Money In Mutual Funds
4. NEVER RELY ON SOCIAL SECURITY SERVICES. I had been talking to most people in their 40's to 50's from taxi driver, construction worker, office workers and to some managers. One thing I found in common is most (but not all) are dependent on their SSS contribution as part of their retirement plan. For me, it is retirement suicide if we depend on SSS to cover for all our needs when we retire. Though we should be expecting that from the government, I think it will only cover a very minimal part of our expenses when we retire. I knew some people who receives Php 2500 every month from SSS as a retirement benefits and I think that will only cover either electric bill.
5. STAY AWAY FROM DEBTS. I think this would be the hardest on my par but I will try my best not to incur more debts. As they always say, I should learn more to stay within my means and not over spending.
6. Company Retirement Saving Plan. One of the many reason why I am staying with my current employer is because of the fact that they offer a company retirement saving plan. So I will urge everyone to ask your Human Relation Officer about a possible retirement saving plan sponsored by the company. Know their terms and condition and always make sure to get the highest percentage cut from your salary normally that's approximately 3% to 7% cut.

Gear up at Foton’s Big Show 2013′s Grand Launch

Car is definitely a need nowadays. It caters on the comfort of going places without the hassle and bustle of commuting. I knew there are tons of reason why we swap our car to a different car. This are the reason why I had been rooting in buying a car. I haven't made any move yet because I haven't seen a car company who can provide me with everything that  I am looking for in a car. In my list aside from comfort, I wanted a car that is reliable and durable and of course budget friendly. Man! Who doesn't want those features.

Seat belt reminder, adjustable lumbar support, adjustable headrest for driver's seat, leather seats, 3 point seat belts child safety lock, dual airbags, adjustable intensity of meter guage back light, automatic dimming rear view mirror, reverse sensor, remote control power windows, AM/FM Radio + CD player + Audio Input (AUX + USB), interior lights OFF delay and one touch-Electric Windows Control for driver. Here's the catch, its not the usual brand of truck but rather it is a THUNDER FOTON CAR! These can make me swap or buy a FOTON CAR. Swap or buy yours too.

This FOTON TRUCK definitely rocks the world perfect for family getaways, for business and definitely for outreach program! This Thunder Foton Car is definitely a car worth investing for and this is the car I want for my outreach programs.

Swap your car or buy a Foton Car at Foton’s Big Show 2013′s Grand Launch. 

Get to know FOTON Car Register and Join Foton’s Big Show 2013′s Grand Launch at the World Trade Center on October 25 and witness the launching of the new FOTON View, the 1st dancing wheel loader in the Philippines. Get a chance to trade-in your old vehicles from October 26 to 27 avail of BIG DISCOUNTS and BIG REWARDS when purchasing FOTON vehicles at the event. Receive amazing giveaways just for coming and you get even more when you test drive our passenger vehicles or attend our forums and trainings. No entrance fee!

So Facebook friends, readers, tweetpeeps family and friends click here to register: 

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SEE YOU THERE!!!
Like Foton's Facebook page: CLICK HERE

Alegre Special Bulalo at Mahogany Market in Tagaytay City

Its Tagaytay time again. Tagaytay is a haven for local tourist as it is a place to be for bulalo. It is a well known Filipino food and most desired by many because of its luscious aroma and steamingly comforting soup. I still am imagining the the good taste of bulalo up to this time... haha

Mahogany Market is just one of the so called Bulalo haven for most tourists and bulalo eaters. I myself find this indulgence a good reward after a months stressful activity at work. So when my brother came to fetch his wife at NAIA Airport I asked them to drop by my house so we could have a weekend bonding together as it may take few months to see them again. And so he drops by.

In the morning of September 29 2013, after a tiring Taal Lake horseback riding. We stopped by Mahogany Market as I heard from officemates that it is their place to be for bulalo. Of course I wanted to treat everyone with a luscious steamy bulalo and one of its kind fresh water fish called Tawilis.

I would say that you've never been to Tagaytay if you havent been to Mahogany Market to sip the wonders of Bulalo. Bulalo is definitely cook at its perfection.I don't know how to describe the sensual feeling every time I have a taste of a perfectly cooked bulalo. It is somehow similar when you eat the best food you've ever tasted.

Next time to visit Tagaytay, you gotta visit Alegre's Canteen at the Mahogany Market. Somehow I did love the way I was served there. The lady (sorry I forgot your name my bad) who served us knows how to host. I thought I was in a first class restaurant by that time. I felt very special while we are eating. She knows when she needs to talk, she knows when she needs to be quiet. She haven't stole our moments together with my siblings. I definitely recommend Alegre as a place to be when you are in Tagaytay Mahogany Market.

Bulalo would usually cost you approximately around Php 300 to Php 350 per serving and that will feed at least 4 people.

What about you guy? Have you ever been to Mahogany Market? What's your best restaurant be?

Oh by the way, Mahogany Market is located along the road going to Batangas. It is accessible through Jeepneys with route passing by NBI TAGAYTAY station. Just tell the jeepney driver to drop you off at Mahogany Market. Or if you are in a bus going to Tagaytay you can tell the conductor (the person who collects fare) to drop you by at Mahogany Market. Buses that will for sure pass by Mahogany Market are buses bound to Alfonso, Mendez, Cavite, Nasugbo, and Balayan Batangas.

If you are going to Tagaytay with your own car: From Tagaytay Rotonda or Junction, just drive straight to the road going to Batangas (ask someone from there to show you where you should take if you are not familiar). When you reache Petron Gasoline Station, take the road going right and look for the Hall of Justice building which is also located at the right side of the road. Mahogany Market is at the back of the building.

We ordered 1 serve of Special Bulalo (Chopped), 1 Serve of Fried Tawilis, 1 Serve of sizzling sisig, 1 1.5L of Coke Zero, 7 cups of rice and we only paid less than a thousand peso. Very good price with the quality of service we got and the quality of food we ate.

Exploring Taal Volcano and my not so good Experience

Taal Volcano is one of the most visited volcano here in the Philippines. So a dream come true for me to finally climb and explore Taal Volcano. To see, explore and experience is simply thrilling and somehow very exciting.

The experience for me is totally all new. Everyone is really excited on these new experience. It is everyone's first time to definitely visit these most talked about volcano in Batangas.

I admire the scenic spots in the Philippines and as much as my hearts desire I wanted to visit all of them. Of course one of the most accessible places is Batangas because its just a few hours away from Metro Manila.

How to go to Taal Lake?

The easiest route is going to Tagaytay. So from Metro Manila take a bus going to Tagaytay. Fare may cause you less than a hundred peso per person. Once you are in Tagaytay take a tricycle going to Taal Lake. You have to ask the tricycle driver first with how much their charge is or else you'd end up being shocked by their bill. They would also offer to wait for you until you arrived from the crater and then bring you back to Tagaytay. When we went their they charged us with Php 120 per person for a round trip (Tagaytay to Taal VV)

The tricycle driver will then bring you in a place for a boat ride going to Taal Volcano. They would normally charge you with Php 3000 for a round trip good for six person.

Then you would have to pay for Php 50 per person for an entrance fee and then you would have to choose if you would want to go to the crater by foot or by horseback riding. If you opted to walk and feel the beauty of Taal Volcano, you will only pay additional Php 500 for the tour guide. Or if you want another experience you might want to opt to horseback riding which would cost you Php 450 each person.

However, as first timer in visiting that place in general it was awesome. In our case, we end up paying more than the usual fee.

As a first timer, of course it is expected that you would go to a place using a public transportation because you dont know how to get to where you should go and of course it would add income to the community as well that you are visiting. So here's my story that I would like to share:

We got off the bus pretty excited when we reach Tagaytay. There were barkers as we call them since they are calling passengers to ride to their tricycle going to their destinations. So we asked the driver as to how much they charge per person going to Taal Lake. The tricycle clearly stated that its Php 20 per person. I myself would never ride until the driver gave me a figure on the fare. I am hesitant because I knew that Tagaytay to Taal is quite far. So I asked him again and he said its Php 20. So off we go to Taal Lake. We are happy and excited because all of us are first timers in visiting Taal Volcano.

The tricycle driver drove us down to Taal Lake. Fresh air, luscious rain forest, cool fresh air. I wanted to go down the tricycle and take some photos. But of course we are running out of time so I didnt. hehe. When we reached Taal Lake, the boat owner told us that it would cost us Php 3000 for a round trip from Taal Lake to the foot of Taal Volcano. Honestly, I thought it is really expensive because its will only take you 15 minute boat ride from the shore to the foot of the Taal Volcano.

When we reached the foot of the Taal Volcano, someone met us and asked for our names. It was a good thing at least they would have a record of tourist who is visiting the place. Then of course asked us to pay Php 1200 per person accordingly. We were quite for a moment because we have this instinct that it is too much for a horse and a guide that would cost us Php 4800 for 4 of us. So the man lowered it down to Php 3500. We still told them it is pretty expensive so he scratch his head and said we will meet half way at Php 3000 for the 4 of us. So we went up the crater with our horses. We had fun and we had moments of picture taking.

I have few TURN ON's in visiting TAAL VOLCANO:

1. The people there are of course helpful and jolly.
2. The scenes are of course majestic as ever.
3. The horseback riding experience is one of a kind.
4. The place is picture perfect a must see places in the Philippines.


The Taal Volcano Crater is an Awesome Experience however, I also have TURN OFF's

1. They force tourist to give a tip. (Giving Tip in the Philippines is not a culture. We give tip if we like to not because we have to give a tip.)
2. The tourism office don't manage the fees collection in general. I have visited few places in the Cordillera and everything there is centralized. You go to the municipal office and thats where you pay your dues or they have a uniform fees per destination. Ending we paid way too much for our TAAL VOLCANO Experience.
3. I conducted interview in Tagaytay and found out that the tricycles going to Taal Lake gets commission on the boat but we ended up paying the tricycle driver Php 120 per person as suppose to what we heard at first which is Php 20. So honesty is questioned. This happens when the Department of Tourism do not intervene or do not have an office for tourist to inquire. Department of Tourism should have at least have an office near Tagaytay for people to inquire about going to Taal Volcano.
4. There is no safety guidelines found anywhere in the TAAL VOLCANO Crater. There are no or should replace the weak fences as well in the view deck of the TAAL Crater. The safety guidelines and fences are needed to of course protect their visitors from untoward accidents.
5. There are no public comfort rooms. Yes the place is a volcano but that is also a tourist attraction so it might be a good idea to have a public comfort room to at least better manage sanitation.
6. The fees should be lowered as well to attract more local tourist. I am sure there are a lot of local tourist wanting to visit the place however no one is willing to pay more or less Php 10000 just to visit the crater of TAAL Volcano. We spent approximately around Php 10000 for the four of us including fare, food . boat ride and hinete (pony boys), horse ride when we visited the Taal Volcano and I think that is not a reasonable price. I would rather stay in Tagaytay have a horseback riding there and of course eat all we can there plus buy some souvenir to spend the whole Php 10000.

Here's our Awesome Taal Volcano Experience:

President Aquino Declares October 15 a Regular Holiday

Another holiday in the Philippines in observance of course of our Muslim brethren.

My Thoughts: "The Blame Games they have to Play?"

The pork barrel scam is in the big screen of every Filipino at this point in time. I hate to hear the fabulously crafted speeches of these senators and congressmen. It seems like, the moment they open their mouth, another lie is set to be uncovered and covered. I see the whole thing as: Guess that Name, Name Games, and of course there's always this BLAME GAMES.

I just dont get where these senators and congressmen their faces to brood on their chairs and a golden egg would hatch to a billion peso money in a span of their service. I was taught by my teachers way back then that being a politician is public service. I didn't agree nor disagree with them. It might be that it is in deed public service. However, to hear them talk today simply means otherwise.

I just wished that the Philippine Governent would focus more on farm to market road, health care like providing a free check up at Heart Center, Lung Center, government hospital, kidney center, education up to the tertiary level, and of course highways and roads. Instead of spending millions of pesos in flagpole, basketball court, and other soft projects.

Are these congressmen, senators, vice president, president, governors, and mayors project implementors? Are they suppose to be implementing projects? Are they not suppose to be creating laws for the common good of the Filipino public?

It is just so upsetting because I felt I am being robbed in my face. I worked hard and have sleepless nights just for me to have a milk and cheese in my table, a medicine for my weakening heart and of course to help with my siblings. Unfortunately, because of these tax I am forced to pay, I have to sacrifice some of these priorities. Then by the of the day you would hear a senator finger pointing and blaming games.

Every payday, its really difficult to see those deduction..... MOST SPECIALLY the INCOME TAX DEDUCTION. And when I go to the government hospitals, there are no room, no airconditioner, sometimes no doctors... We have abortion roads everywhere and if they do road repair it happens in a rainy season (WOW). The senators and congressmen should be a watchdog to their implementing agencies like Department of Agriculture, Education Public Works and Highways, etc.

I don't know... all i could do is rant for now.... because even during election these magical politicians do wonders and win! I remember during the election about a very popular joke which says: "Tuwid na daan o limang daan... Siyempre limang daan sa kumakalam na sikmura!" (Straight path or 500 pesos...Of course 500 pesos for an empty stomach!)

Look at what's happening now.... This is the wonder of that 500 pesos, a lousy and corrupt politicians brooding their golden egg hatching in a multi-million project scam. However these politicians may call it, they are still using the taxes grabbed from every Filipino. The government has savings but they disburse it and term it with whatever name they call it and fluff their you go its a multi million project. Bad news is, when the citizen goes to a public hospital, they dont get the service they need to get.

Hopefully this blame game ends and start focusing on healthcare and farm to market road improvement from Northern Luzon to Southern Mindanao. But please stop pocketing 70% of the budget.

(Please note that this is simply my personal thought and the way I see it. What about you? whats your thought about it?)

Devina DeDiva calls Filipinos Smelly and Uneducated after Meagan Young won Miss World 2013

The day after the new Miss World has been announced. Several reactions sprouted all across the globe many are happy but a few are disappointed. However, a comment from Devina Dediva angered the Filipino netizen.

I have much to say about Miss Devina who apparently hate the Filipino people and calls them uneducated, smelly maids.

Filipinos can go abroad and scrub toilets, take care of other children while leaving their child behind, wash clothes, do carpentry, works in a dirtiest places and most dangerous works anywhere in the world and take care of your oldies in the hope that they could send back home a penny for their child's education and a piece of cake and a glass of milk on their families table.

And I think people like Devina should be thankful because at least there are someone taking care of the things they should be doing for their own family. Can you imagine Devina if there are no one who could wash your dishes, do your nail and hair care, take care of your kids and cook for your food. Will you see us (Filipinos) differently?

I saw her post as well and took some screenshot in case she hides it.

So I did checked her profile and she claims from Manchester University. However the said University denies her being a student of Manchester University.

She then changed her facebook profile name after a few days.

I would like to challenge Devina to look around her, coffee shop, hospitals, home for the aged, government offices, banks, airports, ships, and houses, etc... I bet there will always be a Filipino working there. Filipino's work all across the globe again to have a piece of cheese and a bottle of milk on the table and of course for their child's education.

We work hard and we dont care if by the end of the day we end up smelly on your nose for as long as we work hard to provide for our own family.

Enough for her...

Fact: Philippines is the FIRST Country to bag all crowns.... GRAND SLAM IT IS for Philippines....

Photo Courtesy of Ms Kevin Balot

Merger and Acquisition: The Decision You've Got to Make

Merger and Acquisition for me is very helpful for the company. It helps them expand their business and gain more income out of it.

Photo Credit: Picture 1 and Picture 2

For the employees side it could either be beneficial or not depending of course on how you see it. Of course the hassle and bustle of signing and updating your information somehow is very tedious and sometimes its kinda frustrating. Both companies involve though would ensure of course to have this transition really smooth. They however would let you sign a new agreement while you are waiving all legal rights to the other company.

This shouldn't be a problem its like resigning and signing back to a new company, of course there might be things that would hold you back from doing so. An employee like myself would definitely have a lot of questions. Here are a few of the action that I did before I even sign a new contract.

1. Build you confidence over the new company. I am not saying that I don't trust or I don't have confidence over the acquiring company but what I am saying is I have to assure that I am confident enough that I can live and be at par with the expectation the new company will be asking.
2. Ask question to build the confidence. My questions should be answered directly. Research about the new company through internet. There would definitely be a lot of information out there that you could read. Make sure that you list down all your question and ask it with the Human Resource of both companies. Make sure you have listed all your questions and concerns. Keep asking your manager and or the HR people about questions that may arise before you even sign the contract. Make sure that you are enlightened and understand all line items stated in the new contract. Don't leave yourself in a clouded places and darkened thoughts. If these happens I am sure you'd end up resigning when you've discovered things are going against the way you've expected.
3. Evaluate your benefit options. Benefit may change the moment you signed the contract. List down all the benefits that you really like and ask your new company. The questions I asked myself when before I even sign my new contract are: is this benefits really beneficial to me?
4. Evaluate your career improvement over the new company. Of course everyone wants movement. Before the acquisition happened I already laid down my 5 year career path and listed down ways on how to achieve them including of course my long term career path. However, I know you would agree with me that it is frustrating when all of a sudden you have to change the career plan you had for yourself for the next 5 to 10 years. It is also advisable to ask the companies HR personnel about training offer, companies 5 to 10 year projections and plan in your locations. In that way you could re-evaluate your career plan as well.
5. Think and Re-Think. After asking question and after researching and confiding my thoughts to all my friends and weigh all their feedback. I think I am ready. It is also advisable to take a day or two off from work for you to gather your thoughts and weigh things out. Its what I did, I filed a vacation leave for me to list down all my questions and the answer derived from the "Talks/ Huddle", observations, benefits, career projection and then I came up with the generalization. This is also a perfect time for you to asses yourself if you are up for the challenges in place.
6. Expect for the worse. Another thing to consider is to set yourself an expectation to prepare for the worst, either you are signing the new contract or not. Of course either or you would still go on the new hire process. Except of course on the interview process that you'd need to undergo when you're not signing. When you did sign and to continue your job function to the new company expect that changes will take place in the next 12 months at most. New work flow and processes, new employee handbook, basically everything will be new, so you'd brace yourself to cope with the new challenge of accepting change. So it is good to set yourself a proper expectation that everything will change and that you'd need to cope with these changes pretty quickly. For me aside from what I've said, I also told myself that the moment I will sign these contract I will definitely have to accept that the culture on how I do things on my old company will of course CHANGE. Well as they always say, change is the only constant in these world.

There would be people around you who will convince you to ether sign the contract or not. The reason, why I have to do what I have to do is because I would like to make sure that these is what I really wanted to do. That the decision I will make is because I have weighed my option and chose what I have to chose and its not because I was persuaded by anyone. Statements has been said. Actions has been done. By the end of the day, it is my only decision. For me, this is still my time to re-evaluate everything. Somehow in my point of view, I am signing because I am convince and that I have weighed my options, my questions are answered the way I understand it. Remember, questions are questions and it is important to you.

So I welcome my self to the new chapter of my career..... Though I really really love the old one... this time around I have to condition my self that I already resigned with them and will be starting a new life with the new one. So if you have doubts and you are uncertain and not convince then don't sign.

(Please note that the above situation are simply my personal point of view. We could be different and I am happy to hear from you by commenting below. This is of course for my benefit and for others as well.)

Leslie's Restaurant in Tagaytay

Every time I hear stories of Tagaytay, of course I would hear the majestic view of Taal Volcano and the cool place. Aside from that, another headliner is their awe so awesome BULALO and their Bulaluhan.

Leslie's Menu

Bulalo is a Filipino beef dish. Beef shanks and Beef bone with marrows are cooked in approximately 3 to 6 hours. It is believed that the more the beef shanks and bones are boiled the tastier it becomes.

So on my sisters birthday, we went to Tagaytay to enjoy good bulalo food. We don't know the best restaurants yet that offers bulalo so we asked around and the lady mentioned many restaurants but the one that catches our attentions is the Leslie's.

Good Points of the Restaurant:

• One good thing about the restaurant is situated over looking the majestic Taal Lake.
• I also like the singers going from one table to the other....
• The crew are also helpful in some ways. They politely ask for our orders and attends to our request promptly.

What I don't like?

• Their Bulalo is a little bit salty with me. So I didn't enjoy the soup.
• There's no bone marrow. I have these expectation that when I eat bulalo it goes along with a marrow. Unfortunately we didnt had it when we ordered.
• Its too crowded. Well its a big restaurant so it really look crowded and a little bit noisy because of everyone is enjoying talking and eating.

PEPSTERS' CHOICE: NOMINEES FOR SECOND QUARTER OF 2013

Here are the nominees for Pepsters' Choice awards...

I voted for Jed Salang on this category. No one would ever forget Ai-Ai De Las Alas drama in one of the TV Talk Show of ABS CBN revealing her failed marriage to Jed.
Click here to vote for your Newsmaker of the Year

I voted for Ai-Ai and Charice3 because their's is a real drama unlike the Barretto family sometimes I felt like its all scripted because after every drama a new Barretto comes out either to dispute or a totally new breed entering showbiz. I did not vote for Marian just because she cant be a newsmaker oh sorry she did when she locked in Bella Padilla and bullied her.

Click here to vote for Female News Maker of the year.

I voted for Dennis Trillo. I believe he deserves the award more than anyone else after his stunning performance in My Husbands Lover.

Click here to vote for Female News Maker of the year.

I love Judy Ann Santos but this time around I am voting for Carla Abellana with her stellar and outstanding performance as Lally in My Husbands Lover I think she deserves this Award.

Click here to vote for your FEMALE TV STAR of the YEARhttp://www.pep.ph/pep-list

I would say my vote goes to Richard Poon. His singing is so captivating

Click here to Vote for your OPM Artist

Dennis Trillo and Tom Rodriguez is so deserving on this award because of their magnificient performance in My Husbands Lover. Top trending topic since Day 1 the show got aired. Their chemistry in the show as well is so perfect. My Vote goes to Dennis and Tom

Click here to vote for your Celebrity Pair of the Year

I dont know why that Aquino baby is there. I am not voting for this award. I dont know the meaning of the said award so i am not voting.

I voted for Judy Ann Santos.

I voted for Zaijian at least he has a show. Why is Bimby there? He doesnt have a show at all. He only have TV guesting with her mom.

I am voting for Ryza Mae Dizon. Very witty little girl.

This award for me will go to Daniel Padilla.

I am voting for either Kathryn Bernardo or Bea Binene. Definitely not the Barretto and San Jose next year maybe.

Tom Rodriguez nailed every episode in My Husbands Lover making him a real Breakout Star.

Click here to Vote for Breakout Star of the Year

This is where VIC Sotto should be. He is already old and this is where he should be and not a Male TV Star

Of course no would beat the success of My Husbands Lover as the only show who make it to top trend in twitter from day one until the present. I am casting my vote for the show because it tacles social issue in good taste educational and fair.

Click here to Vote for your PrimeTime Teleserye of the Year

Ok so there they are.

My Husband's Lover - The Concert

After the phenomenal success of My Husband's Lover TV Series which started last June 11 2013 has swept and taken the center stage of the Philippines primetime television. It was the first show ever that tackled homosexuality in good taste. Now they are taking over the Philippines biggest concert arena to launch as a way of thanking their avid viewers and supporters.

To help you decide what kind of ticket you would buy for the concert.

Be there... a meet and greet with all the MHL Followers and fans. One More Try: My Husband's Lover Thanksgiving Concert on October 12, 2013 at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum.

Are you joining the pack? Lets go!!!

UPDATE: September 13 2013

I was practicing making a magazine cover and I realized what if I will make my own magazine that talks about My Husbands Lover. So here's it is....

Please note that this is just a practice cover magazine cover and it doesnt mean to implicate anything else.

The Face of Philippine Pork Barrel Scam

Photo Credit

Many had marched, chanted, protested against the Pork Barrel Scam. In fact I myself is so much against these Pork Barrel idea... and the ultimate face of the Pork Barrel Scam is none other than Janet Lim Napoles. She has been the subject of hard and practical jokes on the social network.

I am a tax payer too and I too is very upset and saddened on the idea that the tax the government siphoned on my hard earned salary was issued to ghost and questionable government projects. That tax I paid should have been used for my sisters education, food in my table, milk and coffee before going to bed and going to work, my monthly medicine or even a savings for future needs. I still pay my taxes not because I want to but because I have to; thinking that it will go to projects for the betterment of my country.

However, to point the whole pork barrel scam to only one person is not a good sign. Now that Janet Napoles has come out and surrendered herself to authority, she should point those corrupt government officials to join her in her own cell.

Photo Credit

The politicians behind these Pork Barrel business may be are laughing and enjoying because the public is only focusing to their puppet. They may be are thinking go ahead persecute Janet Napoles anyway they can always get another one no matter what.

The whole pork barrel scam should not focus to Napoles as I said we are only seeing the tip of the iceberg. The government should start cleaning the base of the iceberg... (Good Luck!)

Photo Credit

Isn't it that before and after issuing the money for the said project. it should have been verified first? Why is this part of the process neglected? So it means, without the "whistle-blowers" the government has no way of accounting these projects? I wanted to share a joke I overheard in the jeepney last weekend: "Naku kaya lang naman kumanta ang whistle-blower dahil kulang and kanyang kinubra." For me, I am thankful because we have those Whistle Blowers but they (referring to people talking inside the jeepney) could be true too, so they need to be investigated as well. Because if they became accessory to the crime then they should be part of the case to be filed by Department of Justice.

I hope that the President would listen to the cry of his people and totally abolish the idea of PORK BARREL. Remove the idea of giving a budget to his office, Senators and Congressman. The budget should go directly to the offices who are implementing projects and the executive branch of the government would only focus on their specific function. I hope that the President should go againts these Senators and Congressmans behind the PORK Barrel Scam. It is not acceptable that they dont know if the agencies are bogus, scam or not. It is for me a form of stupidity giving away millions of pesos without proper verification. Not unless of course IF they are part of the said business deals.

Not about Pork Barrel But Still Our Tax that is being used:

Last August 17 news broke about DILG budget allocation. Why spending too much on these housing for informal settlers? I am sorry but I think the "Baby Sitting" idea is simply too much and I also don't know what is that potable water for... is it for the general consumption of every tax payer?

Aired and reported by GMA NEWS TV and GMA NEWS ONLINE

Learning from all these....

For me there is only one learning I am seeing on all these happenings. This is for the government to have a fair disclosure policy of some sort where they will announce all their earnings and expenses every quarter and one on its year end. These is in a form of either a webcast, TV coverage for their reporting. Because the public has the every right to know where there taxes are going. Barangay officials up to the President should provide a report every quarter and progress that is either televised  for the media to ask question on behalf of every Filipinos. An accessible website where everybody could see the report should also be available. For me, these is very much necessary if we are that serious to eradicate contemptuous tax grabbing. The taxpayers pays their taxes no matter what. They pay their taxes even though they need every centavo of their salaries so they have all the right to know where the taxes are going, every centavos of spent for every project.

The If's of the issue....

In a normal human scenario.... If I am a government official and gives a million peso to an organization I would demand a detailed explanation and supporting documents to the said organization as to how the money was spent plus I would of course validate the information given to me. It is understandable for a government official to do so because they need to provide explanation as well to the public how the money/tax has been used.

If we persecute Napoles it is imperative to persecute the government officials as well because Napoles will not have the urge to do such a multi-million scam if the government officials are of course responsible enough with their responsibility to their constituents.

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***Note that these is based only on the authors observation and opinion and not intended to degrade someone in specific. This is also based on my own interpretation on the news aired or written.*****